"What," I asked my sister, Marie, with some irritation, "is wrong with Denise?"
"A lot of things," my sister said calmly. "What particular thing are you talking about?"
"Well, it seems to me that she's spending a lot of time with you, all of a sudden. She comes around to our place frequently and she's always dressed to kill. She makes sure I know she's here and then avoids me like the plague. She seems to be both coming on to me and putting up the stay away signs. It's not that I'm interested in her particularly, but I have to admit to a certain amount of confusion."
"Oh, that. She's waiting for you to rape her but doesn't want to make it seem too easy."
"Excuse me? Is she certifiable? What on earth makes her think I'd rape her?"
"Well, you know how she competes with Courtney at everything, both of them always wanting to do one better than the other?"
"So?"
"Well, Denise thinks she's better than Courtney at everything and that if you were attracted enough to Courtney to rape her then you're bound to want to rape Denise sooner or later. She's just in two minds about whether to let you do it."
"Ah, can you back up a little bit to that part where I raped Courtney? What the hell?"
"Oh, everyone knows about it. Courtney was practically boasting about it. Half my friends think you're an animal and the rest think that Courtney probably deserved it."
"And if the parents hear that story I could be in so much trouble. When did this rape occur?"
"You don't know? How could you not know? After all, you had to be there at the time."
"I know, which is why I'm so puzzled as to how I could rape a girl without being there."
"You're saying you didn't rape her? It was consensual?"
"No, I'm saying I wasn't there, full stop. If Courtney got nailed, willingly or unwillingly, and knowing Courtney I'd say willingly, then it was by someone else. Who the hell said it was me that jumped her?"
"Um, Courtney. Are you saying she's lying?"
"Perhaps being a little free with the truth, let us say. Did she come right out and say 'Peter raped me'?"
"No," said Marie thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it she didn't. She admitted to being raped and when names were suggested she just shook her head, but smirked like crazy when your name was mentioned. It was an easy conclusion to draw."
"Bitch. That explains a few things. I suppose I'll have to do something now to scotch the rumour."
"Ah, people will expect you to deny it," Marie pointed out.
"I know, so I won't. I'll put Courtney in a position where she'll deny it. That should have some sort of affect."
"Good luck with that. All she has to do is stay out of your way."
That was true. I'd have to come up with a scenario where she couldn't stay out of my way.
My opportunity came later in the week. I was already generally in the shit with all the girls at school so I didn't see that I could get in any deeper just by upsetting the senior cheerleading squad. They had a practice after school on Thursday and I waited until it was over.
After the practice the girls all traipsed off into the change room to strip off their uniforms, shower, and dress. I gave them a few minutes and then walked in.
A very pleasant view. There were naked and semi-naked girls all over the place, all looking at me with shock and horror. (I should point out here that this was the senior squad and the girls were all eighteen or older. No way was I walking in on the junior squad.) Before they could all start yelling at me to get out I spoke up.
"Good afternoon, ladies, and what a pleasure to see you all. Ah, I'm looking for Courtney. Is she here?"
I knew damn well that she was. I'd watched as she walked in and she certainly hadn't walked out again. A young lady name of Miranda had been in the unfortunate position of being caught nude. She gave up trying to cover her charms and pointed towards the showers, so I strolled in that direction, ignoring the squeals of outrage from my audience.
The way I figured it, they all knew that I was supposed to have raped Courtney, and they were dying to see what happened when I met her. I was in luck. She was still in the shower and she looked absolutely appalled to see me standing there, smiling at her. She grabbed for her towel but I was faster, appropriating it and tossing it behind me, smiling all the while.
"Get out," she screeched.
"Hi, Courtney," I said affably. "Listen, I was wondering if you could help me. I heard that there's this crazy rumour going around that said I raped you. I was wondering if you could, perhaps, tell me how such a silly rumour started."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she gabbled quickly. "Go away. You've got no right to be here."
"Hey, I have a reputation to maintain," I explained. "Someone started that rumour and I was told it was you, so I'm seeking an explanation. I mean, if I'm going to sue someone for casting unwarranted aspersions upon my name and character then I'd like to know why they did it."
"I've never claimed that you raped me," she said, and I could see the word 'sue' had sent shudders down her back.
"But you didn't deny it when someone else suggested it, perhaps, thus giving the statement legitimacy. Are you saying or hinting that I raped you?"
"No, I'm not. Will you just go away? You're not allowed in the women's change room."