The day she didn’t kiss him was the day he took her innocence.  Lydia was at a privately rented house with an average-sized swimming pool.  She was with her boyfriend, Carlo, and his two friends and their girlfriends.

A couple of hours drive from Manila to Pansol, the three couples each had separate rooms.  Carlo and Lydia walked along the hallway holding each other’s hands.  Carlo opened the door for Lydia and let her walk in first. 

The room wasn’t too small, but it wasn’t large enough either.  It was the perfect size for the couple.  Carlo and Lydia dropped their bags at the foot of the bed and changed into their swimsuits.

“I’m gonna turn around and change,” Carlo said, which implied that Lydia could feel relaxed changing, knowing he wouldn’t be looking at her.  The two had only been officially together for a couple of months after a semi-long courtship.  The swimming trip with Carlo’s friends was the first real date as a couple.  They couldn’t hide how happy they were.  She was sixteen.  He was seventeen.  They met at the fishball cart that hangs around in between both their schools.

After changing into their swimsuits, they met their friends by the pool.  They had their packs of snacks and a few bottles of beer.  One of Carlo’s friends brought a radio and a 90s R&B mixtape.  The music was on full blast, irritating the neighbors, but they didn’t care because they can’t hear them complaining.  All they can listen to is the sound of their voices having fun.  They were teenagers renting a private house, after all. 

Lydia lied to her parents about sleeping over at her best friend’s house.  She told Carlo that she wouldn’t be able to pitch in the house rental.  He assured her that it was okay, and it didn’t matter because it’s only money and his parents gave him enough to spend on gas and the house.

The two were inseparable that day.  The only time they’d be apart from each other was when one of them would swim a few mini laps.  Lydia watched Carlo swim in awe.  She was all smiles and big-eyed.  She gave a look that she would do anything for him.

“What?” Lydia asked Jay and Baby as the couple giggled at each other while gazing at her.

“Wala,” Baby said.  “I was telling Jay how you look so in love with Carlo.  We’re so happy for you both.”

“Aww,” said Lydia.  “Where are Jim and Sue, by the way?”

“Ewan ko.  I haven’t seen them,” Jay said.  “Maybe they’re resting or something.”  He chugged his beer.

The afternoon breeze was cool.  It was something unfamiliar to people used to living in Manila’s obnoxious heat.  Jim and Sue walked out of the house and back with the gang at the pool.  Their cheeks were red, and their faces wore a smile of completion.

Lydia swam a couple of laps.  When she was done, she noticed Jay and Baby were missing.  This time, she didn’t ask Carlo or Jim and Sue.  Lydia kept quiet and decided to sing along to Monica’s First Night.  They all danced to the song.  Carlo wrapped his arms around Lydia’s hips and kissed her on the lips.  She was shocked.  Her lips stayed locked but stiff.

“I have a surprise for you,” Carlo said.  “But it’s in the room, and I kinda need your help.  As he and Lydia were on the way to their room, Jay and Sue walked back to the pool.  Lydia saw Sue fixing her swimsuit.

Inside their room, Lydia stood in front of a table.  A table that she will remember for the rest of her life.

“Wha…,” she was about to ask when Carlo kissed the back of her neck.  She felt a kind of love she’d never felt before.  She didn’t know how to react.  He grabbed her shoulders and turned her around to face him.  He kissed her cheeks as his lips drifted to hers.  He slid his tongue in her mouth.

Lydia pulled back.  “What are you doing?  Your friends are outside waiting for us.”

“Don’t mind them.  They know what we’re doing.”

“What are we doing, and what do they know?”

“Sex.  We’re going to have sex for the first time.”

“What?!?!”

“Haven’t you noticed?  The couples were disappearing one after the other.  It’s our turn now.  What did you think they were doing?”

“I don’t know.”

Carlo kissed her again, but Lydia was reluctant.  “We can’t stop now,” he said.

Carlo hoisted Lydia onto the table.  He dropped his trunks, flashing his hard dick to Lydia.  Carlo slid the bottom of Lydia’s bathing suit to the side.  He penetrated her.

Tears escaped her eyes and rolled down the bridge of her nose.  Carlo thought they were tears of pain because of the size of his cock, but they were of agony and regret.  Lydia lost all sensations of love and joy.  A few seconds had gone by, and Carlo groaned a groan of manly conquest.  He pulled up his shorts and said, “Let’s go back to the pool.”

She ignored Carlo and instead packed her things and said, “I’m going home.  Tell your friends I have a migraine.”

“What the fuck?  How are you gonna go home?  I drove us here.  You’re insane!”

“Just leave me alone.  I’ll find a way.”

“Whatever,” Carlo said and walked away. “H E L P,” Lydia texted her best friend.