The Innocent One

Five teenage girls at a lunch table. The leader asks, “Has anyone ever faked an orgasm?”

Macy answers, “I did once.” Everyone laughs, and she glows. “I did it to get out of class in seventh grade.”

The laughter doubles.

“To get out of class?!”

“In 7th grade?!”

Macy’s smile wavers. “Yeah, the nurse tested me for seizures and everything.”

“Oh my God,” one girl howls, “she doesn’t even know what it is!”

They squeal with pity between each laugh. Macy clamps her jaw tight and remembers why she is better off sitting alone, better off never trying to please.