The Sexteens and the Fake Goddess

The Sexteens and the Fake Goddess

The Most Controversial Teen Novel that Will Change your Life Forevermore

Frédéric Tremblay – Marie-Ange Gagnon – Jacques Tremblay

Glowing Shadow Productions Inc. (GSP Inc.)

All rights reserved; This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the authors.

Published by Glowing Shadow Productions Inc. at Smashwords, RR4, Gananoque, Ontario, K7G 2V6

glowingshadow.com – sexteen4u.com

Copyright © 2008 by Marie-Ange Gagnon, Frédéric Tremblay and Jacques Tremblay.

Cover illustrations by Frédéric Tremblay copyright © 2008 GSP Inc.

This book is available in print as ISBN: 978-0-9810322-0-7 at sexteen4u.com

PREAMBLE: Leila’s Fate

August 28th, Toronto, Canada. Leila is shaking with emotion. After several weeks of research on the net, particularly on sexteen4u.com, and after taking into account the risks involved in joining the Sexteens’ Select Society, she’s determined to carry on. Time’s ticking on; she must join the Society while she is still a young teen.

At the same time, Johanne comes bursting in Leila’s bedroom to lecture her about the first day of school, while the teen, reacting incredibly fast, instantly changes the web page on her computer. Her mother explains to her that the first day of high school is most important for making a good first impression on her teachers, and she prepared her a nice outfit to look serious. Leila takes a step back, looking horrified and disgusted by this attire and sourly retorts:

‘Don’t you think it’s too serious? My friends are gonna laugh at me.’

‘Listen to me, little girl,’ answers Johanne in an authoritarian tone. ‘High school is important, and you know you only have one opportunity to show you’re a serious student. You should follow in Vanessa’s footsteps.’

‘All right! I’ll wear your stupid costume. But now, give me a break.’

‘Well! Stay polite! Okay! You must change your manners with me and Roger too,’ orders Johanne, with a supercilious attitude.

‘I’m absolutely sick of you and Roger…’ bellows Leila.

‘Don’t get all worked up!’

‘I’m gonna be polite when I feel respected…’ she argues, getting so angry that she dashes out to hastily escape.

As it happens so often these last months, Leila and her mother constantly cut each other short, which makes the conversation completely sterile. Exhausted, Leila runs as fast as her legs can carry her, getting short of breath, heading for the Wrights’ villa to take refuge.

The twilight darkens. It is now time for her initiation, which will give her unlimited access to this website that is as much strange as mysterious. Leila chose this villa beforehand for this rite of passage. This waterfront heptagonal house has always attracted the neighbours’ and sailors’ attention, especially with its coral coloured roof. Even though the house is only visible from Lake Ontario on the west side of the city, it is used as a landmark by most navigators. Tonight, the skyline is reddened by the sunset while the twinkling from the seven crimson candles candelabra illuminates both dormer windows on the third and a half storey.

Seven members from the Secret Sexteens’ Society, under the initials S.S.S., are enjoying with great delight this prized moment while secretly surveying what some would call their frightened victim, but for the Sexteens, however, she is rather a precious ally. Leila is standing, sometimes shivering or quivering with fear, sometimes apathetic with sweat. Her body reveals a highly feminine delicacy. Her curly hair cascading down her shoulders displays a shiny glint. Her half-open shirt divulges the roundness of her gorgeous bosom. Leila’s particularly short skirt exposes her barely fleshy buttocks. The greatness of her being, from divine descent, still unknown to Leila, will promise suave harmony to all the initiators as they are preparing to accept Leila as a fully-committed partner for the Sexteens. The ceremony is solemn and the atmosphere, although feverish, radiates a magical feeling marked with respect as much for the rite as for the aspiring entrant.

Leila’s emotions are at a breaking point. Her anxiety and her fear of suffering are matched only by her curiosity and her passion. Leila loves being in control over any situation whether with boys or girls. This evening, Leila is in a vulnerable position and she hates that. In spite of everything, she wants to be part of the Sexteens’ Select Society: to participate in their celebrations, explore the endless mysteries of the sexteen4u.com maze and eventually, be chosen to initiate new members such as her trustworthy mates.

Her sexteenmother, Vanessa, finally arrives. In a formal and peculiar tone, she lets Leila know it is time for the oath of loyalty. She covers her up with a large ruby cloak. The young neophyte goes along to the adjacent room. In this dark chamber where anonymity reigns, the initiators are all standing in a half-circle. As every initiation rite, an illicit atmosphere is strictly imposed. Complete secrecy is necessary to hide the forbidden, prohibited and taboo actions from censor, principles and judgements of society. Briefly, the dare circumvents all moral rules and laws. The initiators allow themselves certain behaviours hidden from the prying eyes of society and the novices also participate in experiences, which are usually banned. Mysteriously, Aphrodite stands enthroned, centred, appearing virtually, but indisputably genuine.

‘Please step onto the platform’ says Aphrodite in an inviting voice. ‘It is now time to solemnly recite the Sexteens’ holy oath.’

‘I, Leila, aspirant to be a Sexteenian, do solemnly swear, in honour of our goddess Aphrodite, to fulfil with dignity to the requirements of the initiation rites without flinching; to never divulge the secrets of the Sexteens’ Society; to participate in activities and meetings according to my tastes and availability; to explore and to develop my teenage life at my own rhythm inspired by the aphrodisiac cult, which is based on the power of love and the emancipation of my sexuality; to honourably fulfil my own missions; and to offer other Sexteenians the same liberty I am expecting from them. I promise to stand together with the other members in a cooperative spirit. If I fail to comply, whether by action or by omission, with any of my pledges, by behaving dishonestly or untruthfully, I agree the Sexteens’ Society has the right to banish me imperatively. The decision would be final.’

In order to purify the room, Leila is now invited to slowly move around in a circle within the surrounding group while holding burning sage incense in her right hand. She momentarily sits on a warm silky wine-coloured blanket. Then, under the influence of complete euphoria, she lies down gently. Her perception of time, of her surroundings and of her environment is totally petrified. Leila now enters into a space beyond reality; it is a part of herself she never knew existed before.

The next morning, Leila wakes up and feels a new energy swelling within her. She knows she successfully accomplished the Sexteens’ initiation challenge. Despite her efforts however, Leila can’t remember what really happened. She is peaceful and undisturbed by this lapse of memory. Meanwhile, Leila feels a very light, but quite pleasant tingling on her upper right buttock.

CHAPTER ONE: Double Life - Double Game

It is the beginning of a new school year. Leila Montana is due to start secondary school tomorrow. She will attend St-Valentine High. This building, sexagenarian like her grandfather, has been witness to many adventures. It is also the spot where several teens had their first love affair. When entering this learning establishment, the harshness of the atmosphere turns one’s heart to ice. The great hall’s naked grey walls also welcome students and visitors. The only decorations are very few pictures and paintings representing the good Friars who founded the school and managed it for several decades.

Leila’s parents, like most people of their generation, act as though she is still a little girl. Parents usually see their daughters and sons younger than they really are. Leila, on the other hand, knows many things about boys, life and sex, a fact her parents could never imagine. Unlike the other girls, Leila is part of the Sexteens’ Society because she successfully passed her initiation during the summer holidays. This initiated status is a huge asset compared to her friends. Leila can still clearly remember the effervescence that arose before her challenge. This mysterious and mythical ritual was as much dreaded as desired by Leila. She also knows a hard time awaits those who would share the Sexteens’ secrets with others who have not passed the entry dare.

Tonight, grinning, she hears her parents talking about her sister Vanessa who is her senior by two years, while secretly exploring the Society’s website, sexteen4u.com. Without giving up her research, she pricks up her ears at what is happening in the living room.

‘Vanessa is so popular,’ says her mother, Johanne, enthusiastically. ‘She really has great opportunities to meet important people. Besides, tonight, she has her first meeting with the Toronto Tigresses. And, I mean, it is the most prestigious team in town.’

‘Yes, that’s right,’ replies her stepfather, Roger, absent-mindedly, his eyes focused on the newspaper, clearly struggling to keep up with his reading.

‘Huh, parents are so naïve,’ whispers Leila to herself. ‘Vanessa is like others. She makes up every possible pretext to go to those Sexteens’ events. And our parents always believe her. They think she is still their goody-goody daughter.’

‘We can be proud of Vanessa,’ affirms Johanne. ‘She is a good girl! She is not like those sluts who just hang out on street corners.’

‘Sure! You’re right,’ answers Roger without conviction, concentrated on today’s stock market performance.

‘Do you realise how well Vanessa manages her time? She is on the Student Council; she works as a volunteer twice a week; she plays soccer; and she still gets good marks at school. Anyway, I am not worried about Leila when she is with Vanessa.’

Leila’s mind temporarily shifts from the computer. She thinks:

‘They are awfully stupid. Vanessa does everything she wants. Everyone is pissed off about her. She lies; she cheats; and she manipulates her teachers for marks. I got it; I just have to use her to convince our parents that I am a good girl.’

Leila and her mother are constantly bickering. She is convinced her mother is responsible for her parents’ divorce. She harbours a grudge against her. Furthermore, she never saw her father again because he left to teach in one of the most northern regions of the province. Their relationship is limited to a few e-mails a month. Concerning her mother’s latest criticism about her clothing, she knows the idea originates from her stepfather whom she hates viscerally.

Her mother and her stepfather call her the black sheep of the family because of how different she is. Leila sports, however, neither a sheepish mood nor a blind obedience. It is interesting to realise that atavism played an important part in Leila’s physical traits and psychological character that are so dissimilar from her family. Leila inherited her ancestor’s ebony eyes and black hair with a bluish reflection while her parents have blue eyes and wheat blond hair. Her sister, Vanessa, has atavistic physical features that are much closer to her parents. She has azure eyes and very light chestnut hair. Leila displays her maternal grandmother’s determination, courage, uprightness, integrity, transparency, audacity, sense of humour and leadership. All these distinctions make Leila unique, special and indeed even exclusive.

Finally alone, Leila is secretly preparing her outfit: make-up, short skirt and a tank top with a lattice-shaped back. Instant messaging is working tirelessly. Leila and her friends are laughing about their disagreements with their parents. The girls decide to meet at Kate’s place, which is nearest to school.

The following morning, Leila leaves, having skipped breakfast, in order to meet her friends. She says a quick goodbye to her parents, who are happy about her decent appearance as opposed to her loose summer look.

As agreed, Kate is alone at home. The girls arrive one after the other and begin the traditional female make-up ceremony. They are appearance-conscious and know how to look desirable and appealing. Leila highlights her bosoms while Amy makes sure her tights complement her somewhat chubby hips. As for Kate, she uncovers her flattering belly, which is beautifully tanned. Valerie, still a somewhat immature teen compared to her friends, emphasises her long magnificent golden hair and seductive legs.

The girls are now ready and well armed. In a few minutes, they will be able to measure their true power in the teen world dominated by the law of the jungle. Everyone knows power doesn’t essentially belong to the established authority, but rather to those who skilfully take advantage of their personal charm and sex appeal. These girls already understood this truth through their feminine intuition.

*

It is also Steve McPhee’s first day of high school this morning. His mother comes to wake him up early. While they are eating breakfast together, his parents talk to him about the night before.

‘You came back home too late last night,’ says his father, Phil. ‘You’re going back to school today and you better change your habits or we will have to impose some restrictions.’

‘Your dad is right. You must take your studies seriously,’ adds his mother, Patty.

‘Okay, okay, Mom and Dad,’ answers Steve, nonchalantly.

Speaking gravely and with strong eye contact, his mother says to him softly:

‘You have my complete trust. Don’t forget, it’s in your hands now.’

‘Don’t worry! It will be all right. When I put out the extra effort, I’m very serious,’ replies Steve in a convincing tone.

‘All those new hot chicks to conquer are way more important than studies,’ says Steve to himself, a feeling of Don Juan bursting within him.

Steve arrives early at school and is meeting his pals Tony, Dan and Oliver. The four friends are standing near the lockers awaiting the girls’ arrival in order not to miss this event. They are talking about skateboarding, girls and their real or imaginary conquests. Tony is mainly interested in girls to have fun, but even more to copy their homework. Dan boldly speaks about the ones he seduced last summer while he was staying in a log house near Mont Tremblant. Meanwhile, Oliver proudly shows them his new skateboard.

The boys are only half paying attention to the groups of teens entering the school until Amy, Kate and Valerie suddenly appear in the main hall. The girls are slowly moving towards their lockers. Dan nudges Oliver to attract his attention. Leila is not among these girls. In order to stroll alone in front of the boys, she conveniently excused herself to her friends by stopping at the bathroom. The boys’ conversation is momentarily interrupted and Tony hastily exclaims:

‘Hey, guys! Check those out. Have you seen these hotties?’

The four friends carry on talking and joking together while staring at the girls as though they never saw one before. None of them has the guts to come up and speak to them. They seem surprised and still affected by their emotions even though they are usually brave in a gang. The three girls’ exhibition is truly dazzling.

Steve, undoubtedly the leader, reacts first and confidently adds:

‘This year, the girls’ll go nuts over me. You’ll see… I’m going to seduce many…’

‘Of course, in high school, we’re dealing with real girls,’ affirms Dan with a happy smile on his face. ‘It is not like last year.’

Suddenly, Steve is distracted and starts stammering while Leila walks nearby, slightly waggling her bum. Steve, apparently stunned, finds his dark brown eyes staring at Leila’s shiny black hair, which incidentally ends exactly in the right place to reveal the girl’s most magical curves. His gaze quickly comes to rest on the firm and generous feminine breast that proudly adorns Leila. Far from throwing her gait off balance, this incident offers insight regarding her determined and somewhat incontestably indecent character. Steve hungrily eyes Leila, totally forgetting she is his young childhood friend, and discovering for the first time the titillating teen within her. He only comes back to reality when the bell brusquely rings, signalling they have to go to the gym for the vice-principal’s speech, Mr Dick, who is in charge of discipline.

The students enter the gymnasium nonchalantly. Small disorganised groups are formed as each one searches for an acquaintance in order not to be left alone in the crowd. For many of them who don’t yet belong to a group of friends, these temporary coalitions are only for mutual support. When everything is in order, Harry Dick triumphantly enters in a haughty and authoritarian manner.

‘Hey! Look at the new principal! He is as bald as an old coot,’ says Amy.

‘A shiny bald head like that, it’s so smooth and sexy,’ answers Kate.

‘Sexy? He looks like an old paedophile,’ replies Amy.

Mr Dick starts the speech imperiously as follows:

‘Good morning and welcome to St-Valentine High School. I am Harry Dick’

A roar of laughter sweeps across the gym. Kate whispers to Leila:

‘Did he say Harry or Hairy?’

‘I think he’s Hairy.’

‘What a name! He’s obviously kidding.’

‘and I am the deputy head-mas-ter. I am responsible for discipline in this school. First, I’ll introduce you to my St-Valentine High School staff.’

All the staff members are presented to the students one by one. Dick begins:

‘Ms Pascale in math.’

‘Ms Macdonald teaches English.’

‘Macdo, that fat ass doesn’t look too easy,’ says Kate.

‘Ms Celine Pain, librarian.’

A wave of vehement protests may be heard several miles away.

‘Mr Stoke for gym.’

‘That teacher looks young,’ comments Amy.

‘Mr Simard in science.’

The announcement of this science teacher is enthusiastically welcomed by a standing ovation followed by the thundering cheers coming from the older students.

‘Mr Chamberlain in French.’

‘He’s a bit of an eccentric. He looks like a hippy from the sixties. Is he stoned?’ asks Kate to her pals.

‘He is always like that; he has a sunny nature,’ answers an older student in the row in front of them.

‘Mr DeChamplain in history.’

There is a general outcry against DeChamplain.

‘Ms Rousseau in philosophy.’

The presentations carry on for a few minutes. Finally, Mr Dick impatiently continues with disciplinary matters as such:

‘Our school chose ex-cel-lence as its mission. All our decisions are based on principles in order to insure the quality of your education. Teens today, adults tomorrow, you must learn to adapt yourselves to this society, which we have so well prepared for all of you. For your own good and for the good daily operation of the school, here are a few rules. iPods and iPhones are not allowed in classes, in the study room nor in the library. For boys, tight outfits and sleeveless sweaters are strictly prohibited. For girls, skirts must be of reasonable length, that is to say, at the shortest one-inch above the knee. Spaghetti straps are also forbidden because straps must be at least two inches and a half wide. Belly skin mustn’t be visible at any time. Finally, bandanas, hats or caps are also unacceptable for everyone. Ah! I almost forgot. I don’t want to see any pairs of sandals for boys. Any rudeness or lack of respect will be severely punished.’

‘Is he crazy?’ asks Valerie.

‘It’s worse than jail,’ complains Kate.

‘Yeah! He thinks he’s the boss of a boot camp,’ replies Leila.

‘Are there any questions?’ shouts Dick hoarsely.

Mr Dick momentarily scrutinises the room by lifting his eyes over his small square spectacles. While giving a nudge to Oliver, Steve boldly raises his hand. Mr Dick asks curtly:

‘There’s a question over there?’

‘Yes, Mr Dick. May I help you when you have to take the measurements of the girls’ skirts and shirts? I wouldn’t refuse that,’ wisecracks Steve, bursting out in laughter.

‘You think you’re funny? Listen! It’s no laughing matter; you better be at my office after the assembly…’

Peals of laughter travel down the gym like a wave on the beach and it forces Dick to stop speaking. Steve is pleased; he is establishing himself as a good leader. The Sexteens observed the scene silently. Nevertheless, Steve is now their target.

After the never-ending assembly, Steve is slowly going to the vice-principal’s office. Tony asks him:

‘How are you going to get out of it with this fathead?’

‘You’ll see. He doesn’t stand a chance against me, dickhead.’

Steve has his strategy. As soon as he is in Dick’s office, he makes the first move.

‘Hello! Mr Dick, I am sorry about the bad joke in the gym. I didn’t mean to offend you; I just said it in jest.’

‘It wasn’t funny, my boy,’ replies Dick. ‘You acted stupidly. This joke was in very bad taste.’

‘You’re right Mr Dick. You won’t have to tell me again. I sincerely regret having said that. You know, I am a good student.’

‘It would be very serious if you did it again,’ insists Dick in his ruthless voice.

‘Yeah, I know. Don’t worry, Sir. I understand now. I am aware of the importance and seriousness of the school’s policies. So, no hard feelings Mr Dick?’

Without understanding that he completely lost control and has been manipulated, Mr Dick concludes in his own way:

‘It’s okay for this time, but don’t try to do this again. It’s your last chance.’

Steve slowly and modestly leaves the office. However, as soon as he is out of earshot of Mr Dick, he adopts a victorious style in front of his friends.

‘So, when’s your detention?’ asks Dan.

‘Come on! He was so impressed by my strong arguments that I got off.’

‘You’re a first-rate liar,’ says Tony.

‘You’re Dick’s new pet,’ adds Oliver.

The boys are going away from Dick’s office. Dick has been spontaneously nicknamed fathead. He will never be able to get rid of this sobriquet with his scorning attitude towards the teens.

*

Steve and Leila are heading back home, on their own, ready to assume once again their model student role in front of their parents. Tonight, the teens’ most frequent lie will perhaps be that there is no homework to be done.

Steve, however, dawdles on the way back. Still in shock from today’s events, he wanders along the sidewalk. His thoughts are still occupied by the charming girls. Their sex appeal is very powerful. He is still blinded by a fresh image: Leila wearing her tight skin-coloured tank top that gives the impression she is topless. For a split second, seen from the back, she appeared to be naked. This mental vision is enough for him to imagine them together in action… He quickly changes his mind realising he has known Leila for a long time and they have been in the same class since kindergarten. When he arrives home, his mind is still engaged by those intense luxurious pictures.

‘Hi Steve,’ says his mother Patty.

‘Hello,’ answers Steve, distracted.

‘Did you behave at school today? Were you polite with your teachers and the principal?’ asks his father, Phil.

Steve is getting nervous. He is wondering whether the principal phoned his parents regarding the little incident today. He answers daringly:

‘Obviously. I even offered my help to the principal and he seemed interested.’

‘Ooh, that’s good,’ adds Patty.

‘Anyway, I’ll talk to you later, I’m tired.’

He enters his room and comfortably lies down on his bed. He is thinking about a strategy to attract Kate. Even though Leila was impressive this morning, he was at the same school as Kate last year and he spent the summer holidays dreaming about her. The phone is now ringing. It makes him jump. He is worried.

‘Dirty dog! He is calling my parents,’ thinks Steve, feeling betrayed by the principal.

His mother Patty yells:

‘Steve, a call for you…’

‘Who is it?’

‘I don’t know.’

Steve answers the phone. It’s his friend Oliver inviting him to go skateboarding on the Toronto Islands. Tony, Stefan and Dan are also going. They arrange to meet at Oliver’s place after dinner.

*

Oliver’s parents live at the edge of Lake Ontario in one of the swankiest districts of Mississauga. The huge two-storey Victorian house is slightly masked by an imposing wrought-iron fence. Along the sidewalk, a hedge of cedars that have grown for several decades leads to the main foyer illuminated by a crystal chandelier. After passing through a small thinly wooded clearing of magnolia trees, on the east side of the back lawn, we can see an impressive yacht shadowing a small sloop and a high-speed boat at the dock. His parents bought him this four-seater high-speed craft when he finished elementary school.

Oliver’s parents are always back home very late in the evening. His mother is an emergency doctor and she works regularly in the evening and often throughout the night. As for his father, he works in the international trade business and is outside of the country most of the time. When Oliver was younger, his parents’ absence was difficult for him to bear. Even though he had an older sister, Noemie, he sometimes felt lonely because she was often with her grandmother. However, now as a teenager, he greatly appreciates being alone in the evening since they dismissed the nanny who used to take care of him. It is now an asset to frequently have the house to himself; he can invite his friends and organise parties. Briefly, he can have fun in his own way.

After dinner, the friends are finally gathered. Tony is showing Oliver his new skateboard when Steve arrives.

‘Ready to go guys?’

They board the speedboat and head at full throttle towards the Toronto Islands. Oliver’s sports craft belting along the shore at top speed disturbs the precarious stillness of a few sailors who are trying, in vain, to tack in the vicinity of the harbour. They continue to talk about Amy.

‘She is so cute!’ says Tony with a dreamy smile.

‘Yeah, you say that cuz of her nice ass,’ retorts Dan.

‘I think she’s way too uptight,’ says Steve. ‘But Kate, I fancy her. She is so hot with her extra short tank top.’

Oliver secretly keeps his thoughts to himself. He fantasises constantly about Amy. He doesn’t want to share it with his friends, however. Tony believes he is the only one drooling over Amy. Oliver doesn’t want to give him any additional luck in this future conquest. While passing in front of Ontario Place, Oliver clearly remembers playing on the water slides along with Amy when they attended a summer camp together. Even at that time, he was utterly infatuated by her. Her smile and her good mood always fascinated him. His love is now metamorphosed. Amy’s deep and piercing stare and her philosophic thoughts attract him even further. Oliver is inwardly upset by Dan’s gross comments about Amy.

The guys’ dialogue is not disturbed by the smooth cruise on this lake as calm as a millpond.

‘Ah! As for me, either Leila or Kate, I’ll take the first one I can get,’ declares Steve.

‘Wow! This short overall looks really good on you Dan,’ exclaims Stefan, stroking Dan’s thighs.

‘Ah! Let go of me!’ answers Dan with a severe gaze getting away as fast as possible.

Dan is a Quebecker who just arrived in Toronto. He doesn’t know Stefan Garcia well yet. Stefan has effeminate manners; he is homosexual. He is strongly respectful of others’ sexual orientation and is therefore accepted among the boys. He is very friendly and easy to get along with. Stefan and his family left their country a few years ago to escape religious oppression. He greatly appreciates the peace and freedom that is so widespread in Canada.

The boat is moving towards the first buoy at the Toronto port entrance. Tony’s jaw drops; he is flabbergasted by the metropolis viewed from the lake. What a contrast! He never could have imagined an urban landscape so amazing. The cyclists, the pedestrians, the sportspersons training along the waterfront public parks enliven the busy city. Oliver turns sharply in front of the Harbourfront docks thereby creating a spectacular water jet, which showers the tourists who are observing the beauty of the lake. Oliver’s flaming red powerboat doesn’t pass unnoticed with its jet propulsion spitting out water at over sixty feet.

Near Centre Island, Oliver recognises a Toronto police boat and quickly reduces his speed. The speedboat encounters a handful of small crafts practising for a rowing competition. The perfect synchronisation of these athletes is an outstanding feat. They finally draw their boat alongside the island’s public dock and are now only a few feet away from the skateboarding trail.

*

At approximately the same moment, early this evening, Leila, Kate, Amy and Valerie meet in a public park close to Yonge Street. It is an action-packed area of the city. It is a good meeting place for teens who like to have a good time and to adopt a delinquent style, deeply shocking the tourists and surrounding residents.

The girls opt for a shameless attitude in order to look confident. You have to appear sure of yourself to wander in this kind of park at this time of the day. In a nutshell, they look a number of years older than they really are. They pass by the different inhabitants of the park, pretending to ignore them: the homeless, the drug dealers and the drunkards. The police officers, occasionally on horseback, ramble in the areas bordering the park, generally avoiding entering it.

The four teens find a quiet spot, settle down and take advantage of the echoes of the music coming from the nearby Dundas Square. Comfortably seated on the public bench, they continue chatting.

‘Have you seen Tony? He’s so sexy!’ asks Valerie, enviously.

‘There’s no doubt about it. What a real hunk! If his tool is as developed as his arms’ muscles, it must be pleasant to paw,’ moans Kate, covetously.

‘He looks a little shy, but it’s worth teaching him a thing or two. We’d have a good time with a guy like him. I wouldn’t do him any harm,’ adds Valerie.

‘Tony is handsome and sexy, but Steve and Oliver are even better,’ says Leila dreamily, pretending to be much bolder than in reality in front of her friends. ‘I’d take them both at the same time. With Steve’s damned baggy pants, we can’t even see his male parts. What a stupid fashion! I’d want to see them both in a tight-fitting swimsuit or a G-string.’

‘Stefan isn’t bad either,’ says Valerie.

‘Oh, come on! He’s a fag,’ answers Kate.

‘No way! I don’t believe you!’ retorts Valerie, disappointed.

‘I didn’t know,’ says Leila.

‘Neither did I,’ adds Amy.

‘Of course,’ confirms Kate. ‘You didn’t see his highly camp manners? And he is leader of the homosexual group at school, the Rainbow club. He seems at ease with that.’

‘What a waste!’ replies Valerie, disheartened.

‘Ah! Finally a guy who stands up,’ adds Leila.

‘I didn’t remember the names of all those boys. Who’s the one who made Dick a laughingstock?’ asks Amy.

‘Steve,’ answers Leila. ‘A gorgeous guy! Anyway, him, he made fun of that bald-headed vice-principal. It wasn’t half-done.’

A leashless dog sniffing the girls’ running shoes, one by one, temporarily interrupts the dialogue. Leila intensely dislikes badly trained animals and stray dogs. She tries to repel the bulldog by shaking her feet, faking a kick. Leila goes on as follows:

‘Damned loose dogs! What were we talking about already? Oh, yeah! The guys! Well, I hope they won’t be too uptight and they’ll go around with us. For me, it’s Steve.’

‘No, Steve is mine,’ insists Kate, frowning.

‘Whatever!’ says Valerie. ‘With us, they’ll learn about life. The race is open. If one of us gets a guy, he’s hers.’

‘Okay! That’s fair enough,’ answers Kate.

Strategically, Leila and Amy say nothing, suggesting they don’t want to take part in this agreement, which restricts their actions towards guys. It is widely known, that between girls, the promises, the greatest oaths and the stunning pacts instantly fall apart when groping with a boy takes place below the belt.

Everything is ready for tomorrow and each of them will try their luck by cleverly playing the game of seduction.

The girls leave the park on their way to the College subway.

‘Anyway! We’ll have to watch our step with Pascale,’ says Valerie. ‘She has no sense of humour.’

‘Yeah! And Simard, he’s picky but at least he is fair,’ says Amy.

‘The worst is the fatso Macdo; she only favours guys. And she calls them Oh, my sweeties! even when they talk rubbish. When it’s a girl, she looks askance at her. I don’t know what’s her problem, but she has a huge one.’

‘We’ll get our pocket computer tomorrow,’ affirms Amy. ‘It’s supposed to be very useful to take notes, manage e-mails and listen to music.’

‘Of course,’ says Leila. ‘My sister has one. She uses it a lot. I heard we can update it and it gives access…’ she adds.

Leila realises she spoke too much because the new operating system is exclusively reserved to the Sexteens’ members. Her friends aren’t initiated yet. She becomes silent and suddenly pensive. She’s wondering if she’d come out winning by proposing one of her friends to the Sexteens’ Select Society. In fact, Leila is interested in introducing Valerie because she’s not a strong contender compared to Kate and Amy, who are sometimes fierce adversaries concerning boys. Moreover, if Valerie became a member of the Society, Leila would gain a great deal. Leila would be allowed to participate in Valerie’s initiation, which would let her get right to the bottom of her own entry dare that she can’t entirely remember. Finally, she would achieve respect from the group by recruiting a new follower who is extremely clever.

*

Back home, Leila is obsessed by her latest plan. She sends an email to Valerie inviting her to visit sexteen4u.com and saying that it’s the most exciting web site she’s ever visited. Afterwards, Leila prepares her outfit for tomorrow. In her bag, she hides a light fabric silver sweater, particularly shiny, tightly fitting her