CHAPTER 113: SEX ED101: PINCH THE TIP

The second I stepped back into the hallway leading to my classroom, I spotted June and Marcus leaning against the doorframe.

"Ash," June called out.

"We have sex ed today. We weren’t in school yesterday, so we missed the memo," June said. "Apparently, it starts today." She gave me a sly grin.

"Ugh, let’s go already," Marcus groaned, shoving off the wall and walking ahead.

As we made our way down the hall, June leaned close, dropping her voice lower. "I’m going over to Ren’s today." Her cheeks were flushed. "I even bought these contact lenses on sale. They’re supposed to make your eyes ’extra captivating.’"

I nearly tripped over my own shoes. "Whoa, Juney, don’t change yourself just for some guy. If you can’t be yourself around him, then..." I shrugged, remembering what Mrs. Jennings told me last night. "It’s not worth it."

She snorted. "Ash, since when did you become a motivational speaker?"

Ahead of us, Marcus groaned and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Can we move faster? I’m not trying to miss the fun part."

We rounded the corner and stopped in front of one of the huge lecture halls. Marcus pushed the door open, and the noise hit immediately.

It was half-filled with grade tens and elevens, chatter bouncing off the walls.

I scanned the room. Nari Han was in the back, surrounded by her usual orbit of Grade 10 Class A friends. They were already giggling at something....probably us. Every grade has Class A and B. Class A kids were the school’s VIP track, a daily reminder that Blackwell loved its hierarchy.

Me, Marcus, and June took a row near the middle, shuffling our bags onto the shared desk.

A few minutes later, our anatomy teacher walked in with a stack of books setting them on the desk. "Alright, everyone," Mr. Brooks said, "welcome to your first sex education session..."

Before he could say more, the door swung open.

And there they were.

Dominic and the rest of his crew.... TheGlassCircle walked in like they owned the place. The murmurs started instantly...low whispers, sharp giggles, the kind of sound that rides between admiration and envy. Even the guys who pretended not to care stole quick glances at them.

Dominic caught my eye as he passed, the corner of his mouth curled into a smirk. I felt the butterfly in my stomach flutter.

They claimed the empty seats at the back, like they were too important to sit anywhere else.

June nudged my arm so hard I almost dropped my pen. "Oh my God," she whispered, blushing. "We’re taking classes with them. Can you believe this?"

I could believe it. That was the problem.

Mr. Brooks stepped up to the front of the room, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose as the chatter died down.

"Alright, everyone. Phones away," he said, scanning the room.

He set his laptop on his desk, plugged it into the projector, and waited for the screen to light up. "This year, as part of your health curriculum, we’re covering sexual health. The class is compulsory for everyone over eighteen....and since all of you are, it applies to each of you."

A few people groaned dramatically,

Someone behind me whispered, "Finally."

"This isn’t about making you uncomfortable," he went on, clicking the remote so the first slide popped up: a title card reading ’SexualHealth&Responsibility’.

"This unit is about understanding your bodies, your choices, and how to protect yourselves. Sexual health isn’t just about sex....it’s about respecting your own body and the body of your partner. It’s about boundaries, consent, safety, and yes, pleasure, when you’re ready and responsible."

Orion muttered something to the guy next to him, and they both laughed.

Mr. Brooks ignored them. "We’ll cover anatomy, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and the emotional aspects of intimacy. And before anyone rolls their eyes, let me remind you, real life doesn’t work like movies. No matter what you’ve seen in TV shows or heard in locker rooms, there are risks. And it’s your job to be informed."

He clicked to the next slide...bright, high-res diagrams of male and female reproductive systems. A few people shifted in their seats, some snickered.

Dominic was leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. Every time my gaze flicked toward him, that smirk deepened, as Mr Brooks kept going.

Mr. Brooks paced slowly.

"One of the biggest risks in sexual activity, aside from emotional consequences, is sexually transmitted infections or STIs. And one of the most reliable ways to protect yourself is simple."

He opened a drawer, pulled out a small blue box, and shook it like a pack of mints. "Condoms. The most common form of protection." He shook it for emphasis, the foil packets inside rattling.

The class reacted instantly....laughter, murmurs, and side comments.

From the far side of the room, Orion raised his hand. "Sir, are you gonna... you know... show us how to use one?"

Everyone nodded. Some banged the table.

"Yes," Mr. Brooks said, completely serious. He reached under his desk and produced a wooden model that looked... well, exactly like what it was supposed to be. A large wooden penis.

"Oh my god," June whispered to me, leaning forward as she widened her eyes. "He’s actually doing it."

Mr. Brooks tore open a foil packet.

"You pinchthetip to avoid air bubbles," he said, demonstrating slowly, "place it over the head, and roll it down.."

The room exploded in laughter. Some just gasped like it’s their first time seeing one.

"You should always check the expiry date before use," he nodded, "and never reuse one."

Ian raised his hand. "Sir, what if you have... like... a really big one?"

Mr. Brooks looked at him for three seconds longer than necessary. "...Then get the right size."

Ian grinned and muttered, just loud enough for people around him to hear, "Guess I’ll need to special order mine then."

Most of the girls giggled. June shook her head and hissed.

Dominic leaned forward. "You taking notes, Rivera?" he whispered...or maybe I just read it off his lips, gesturing toward my notebook.

My fingers went slack immediately, my pen slipped down the page, leaving a crooked line.

My chest gave the smallest, stupidest jolt, and I hated that he could do that with just a smirk.

I nodded and rolled my eyes, like I hadn’t just forgotten how to hold a pen.

Mr. Brooks clicked to the next slide....a graphic photo of a blistered infection that made half the room gag and cover their eyes. "Now...sexually transmitted diseases. These are real. They can happen to anyone. Some are curable, others are lifelong."

"That’s disgusting," Marcus muttered, looking away.

June’s hand shot up.

"Yes, June?" Mr. Brooks said.

She tilted her head innocently. "Is it...safe for a guy to like have sex with, like, multiple girls... even if he uses protection?"

The room went dead quiet for a split second before everyone burst into laughter.

Ian choked on the water he was drinking.

Mr. Brooks sighed. "While protection does greatly reduce the risk of STIs and pregnancy, it is never onehundredpercent. And sleeping with multiple partners increases

exposure to potential infections, so no, it’s not ’safe.’"

"Translation," June said loudly, "stop playing community service with your dick."

More laughter.

"That’s my Juney," I nudged her arm.

Another hand went up...this time Orion’s again. Social anxiety has nothing on that guy.

"What if you just, like, clean it real good after?"

"Orion," Mr. Brooks said flatly, "that’s not how it works."

I decided to also ask a question, and raised my hand. "Sir, can you get an STI if you only..." my voice cracked, "use your hands?"

Half the class started laughing again.

"Yes, actually," Mr. Brooks said. "Some can be spread through skin contact."

Ian, still recovering from his choking fit, waved his hand again. "What if it breaks... twice in one night?"

Half the class cheered.

Mr. Brooks pinched the bridge of his nose. "Then you need to figure out if it’s the condom... or you."

Even I couldn’t hold back a laugh at that one

"What if you double up? Like... two condoms at once?"

Someone else asked.

"No," Mr. Brooks said instantly. "That’s worse. It increases friction and the chance of tearing."