I could feel both of them staring at me, their eyes filled with curiosity and a little bit of mischief. My mom gave me that soft smile of hers, the one that always managed to make me feel both comforted and a little embarrassed at the same time.
Mom rested her elbows on the table and leaned closer.
“ David , sweetheart, you’re nineteen now. You’ve moved out, you’ve got your own place, your own job… don’t you want someone special to share things with?”
I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly, avoiding their eyes.
“I… I don’t know, Mom. I guess I just haven’t really thought about it that much.”
Aunt Jessica chuckled softly, sipping her coffee before setting the mug down with a clink .
“Oh, come on, David . You expect us to believe that? You’re young, you’re decent-looking, and you work with your hands all day. You’re telling me there isn’t a single girl you like? Not one?”
I shrugged, feeling my ears burn.
“I mean… there are girls at work, sure. But I… I wouldn’t even know how to start something like that.”
“Hmm.”
Aunt leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs as she gave me that sly little smirk she was famous for.
“Sounds like someone needs a bit of… guidance.” Mom shot her a look.
“ Jessica , don’t start,” she warned, though there was a tiny smile tugging at her lips. “He’ll figure it out in his own time.”
“I’m just saying,” Aunt replied, hands raised in mock surrender.
“It wouldn’t hurt to, you know, socialize a little more. There’s a whole world outside this apartment and the carpentry shop, kiddo.”
I sighed and slouched back in my chair, staring at the ceiling for a moment.
“It’s not that simple,” I muttered.
“I… I guess I just haven’t met the right person yet.”
There was a short silence before Mom reached across the table and placed her hand gently over mine. Her touch was soft, comforting—just like always.
“That’s okay, sweetheart,” she said softly.
“You’ll know when the time comes. No need to rush.”
But Aunt Jessica wasn’t done yet. She leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Alright, alright… no rushing.”
Then she tilted her head slightly and asked, “But… do you at least look ? You know, when you’re out and about?”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Uh… I mean… sometimes,” I admitted, feeling the heat creep up my neck.
Aunt chuckled, exchanging a quick glance with Mom, who was trying hard not to laugh. “See? That’s a start,” she teased.
“Our little David is growing up.”
I groaned, hiding my face in my hands. “Can we not make this a thing?”
Hi, I’m David . I’m nineteen years old, and for the first time in my life, I’m living on my own. A few weeks ago, I moved into this small but cozy apartment in the middle of town. It’s nothing fancy — just one bedroom, a tiny kitchen, and a dining area — but to me, it feels like freedom.
I work at a local carpentry shop, and honestly, I like it there. The smell of fresh wood, the sound of saws and hammers, the feeling of creating something with my own two hands… it gives me a strange kind of satisfaction. I’m not rich, but I make enough to cover the rent and bills, and for now, that’s enough.
My family… well, it’s small, but it’s everything to me. My mom, Julie , is actually my stepmom — though I’ve never called her that. My biological mother passed away when I was born, and Julie adopted me right after. She lost her best friend that day, but she chose to love me as her own. For as long as I can remember, she’s been “Mom.” Nothing less, nothing more.
Then there’s my aunt, Jessica — Mom’s younger sister. If Mom’s the caring and steady one, Aunt Jessica is the fun, adventurous one. She does freelance web design, so she’s always had the freedom to drop by, take me out, or just hang around the house when I was younger. Growing up, it always felt like the three of us were a little team, and honestly, I never missed having a dad. Between them, I had all the love and guidance I needed.
Mom works at the local library — I can still picture her sitting behind the counter, surrounded by shelves stacked high with books, wearing those round glasses she thinks make her look older. She just turned forty recently, which worried her way more than it should’ve, but Aunt Jessica and I threw her a small celebration to make her smile.
Life has been quiet, simple, and… well, kind of sheltered. I’ve never been the outgoing type. I don’t party, I don’t drink much, and I’ve never really been in a relationship. It’s not that I don’t want to — I just… don’t know where to start.
And yet, even though I’ve just moved out, Mom and Aunt Jessica visit me a lot. Sometimes I think they come more to check up on me than to hang out — but I don’t mind. When it’s the three of us together, it still feels like home.
I didn’t know it back then, but everything was about to change… starting with one simple question my mom asked during one of those visits:
“ So, David … do you have a girlfriend yet? ”
Aunt Jessica tilted her head, smirking at me across the table.
“A virgin, huh? You still are, David ?”
I froze mid-sip, nearly choking on my drink. My cheeks burned instantly.
“ Jessica !” Mom snapped, giving her sister a sharp glare.
“That’s inappropriate.”
Aunt just shrugged casually, her lips curling into a teasing grin.
“What? I’m just gauging the situation.” She turned back to me, her elbow resting on the table, chin propped on her palm.
“So, no flings… no girlfriend… Tell me, have you ever kissed a girl?”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, my fingers drumming against the glass in my hand. “…No, not really,” I muttered, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.
“And honestly… that’s none of your business.”
It didn’t help that the only two women who had ever kissed me in my entire life were sitting right here — Mom, when I was a kid, and Aunt Jessica on birthdays or holidays.
Aunt raised her eyebrows.
“What about asking a girl out? Flirting? Tried a cheesy pick-up line? Anything at all?”
I stared down at the table, silent.
She sighed and rubbed her temples.
“Jeez, David … you’re nineteen! A boy your age should know this stuff by now. I thought we raised you better.”
Mom frowned slightly, her voice softening.
“His father should’ve taught him all that, but… well, it’s hard to do that when you’re not around.”
The room went quiet for a second.
“It’s not your fault, Julie ,” Aunt said gently. Then she sighed, shaking her head with exaggerated defeat.
“I guess that means… we’ve gotta teach him.”
I blinked. “Wait, what?”
Aunt grinned like she had just come up with the greatest idea ever.
Mom leaned back in her chair, thoughtful. “I mean… she might be right,” she said slowly.
“We’ve taught him everything else over the years.”
“Exactly,” Aunt said, pointing at me like she was laying out a grand plan.
“Starting conversations, flirting, kissing, touching, even… sex. The whole shebang.”
I groaned, sinking into my seat. “Oh, God… please, stop.”
“Aw, don’t be such a baby,” Aunt teased, clearly enjoying my embarrassment.
“This could actually be fun.”
Fun. Right. The thought of flirting with Aunt Jessica — awkward as hell — wasn’t completely impossible, though. We’d always been close, we’d always joked around. But… anything beyond that? No. Thinking about her that way was already bad enough. Thinking about Mom? Nope. Absolutely mega cringe.
Still… I couldn’t deny it. Being a nineteen-year-old virgin sucked. Badly. At this point, almost any warm, willing human being would do. Almost.
Then Aunt clapped her hands together suddenly, her eyes lighting up.
“Oh! I’ve got an idea. Role-play!”
I blinked at her.
“Role-play…?”
“Yup!” she said cheerfully.
“It’s a good teaching tool. So, David … imagine you’re at a bar, trying to chat up a woman. Your mom here—” she jerked her thumb toward Julie “—is going to pretend she’s a stranger. You practice on her.”
I nearly choked. “What?! With Mom ?”
“She’s hot enough for that,” Aunt teased with a wink.
Mom burst out laughing, covering her face with one hand.
“God… I’m gonna need a drink for this. Or maybe two.” She got up from the table and headed for my little liquor cabinet in the corner.
“That’s the spirit!” Aunt said, clapping her hands once.
“Make it authentic. Pour us some, too.”
Mom came back with three glasses, setting one down in front of me and one in front of Aunt Jessica before sitting back down with hers.
I sighed, staring at the glass, already dreading where this was going.
Aunt Jessica leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and giving me a mischievous grin.
“Alright, David . Imagine you’re at a bar, okay? You see this gorgeous girl sitting alone. Maybe she’s lonely. Maybe she’s waiting for someone to come talk to her. That someone is you. Go on — start chatting. And if you get stuck, look at me.”
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. Turning to Mom, who was pretending to be “the girl,” I tried to force the words out.
“Oh… hi. I’m David ,” I stammered awkwardly. “How… uh… how are you this evening?”
Aunt Jessica sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. “Oh my God… smooth as sandpaper,” she muttered under her breath. But she waved her hand at me.
“Fine, fine, keep going.”
I glanced at Mom nervously, but she smiled encouragingly, playing along.
Aunt leaned back in her chair, watching me closely. “Alright, so… what do you think, David ? Do you like her?”
I hesitated for a second before nodding. “…Yeah. I think so,” I said, though my voice was quieter than I intended. Like I could really say anything else with Mom sitting there.
“Good.” Aunt’s smirk widened.
“Then flirt with her. Tell her what you like about her — her hair, her eyes, her smile, her laugh… her ass…her tits. whatever it is.”
I swallowed again, heat rising in my face.