"Happy birthday, Johnny!" Cheers and claps erupted across the room as Johnny blew the candles out.
"Thanks, guys." Johnny glanced down with a blush, slightly embarrassed at all the attention.
"There's my baby boy, all grown up!" Mary grabbed her son by the cheeks, while Johnny grimaced under his mother's smothering kisses.
"Eighteen now, huh? Big year. Congrats, bud."
"Thanks, dad." Johnny smiled warmly at his father.
After a moment of awkward silence and avoiding each other's gaze, Bob gave his son a pat on the shoulder. "Alright." He nodded and walked off, finishing his beer.
Across the room, Ava was the only one sitting on the couch. She watched her younger cousin timidly greet his family and friends, shuffling nervously when two girls walked over to say happy birthday.
She didn't understand why he was so shy. Normally, she would revel in this sort of attention. She loved being the life of the party. Today, she wore a gray, form-fitting minidress with wedges, knowing full well that no one at the party would be old enough for her. But this was Johnny's day. She would let him have the attention, even if he didn't crave it.
In fact, Ava figured she should join in and give some of her attention to Johnny, too. They hadn't spoken in a long time, after all, and she barely recognized him. Johnny had grown into such a handsome young man. His curly brown hair sat in stark contrast to her own flowing blonde locks.
'Guess we're not THAT related,' Ava thought mischievously.
She really had to admire Johnny's tall, toned body. He wasn't overly muscular, but was obviously very fit. Any girl would be lucky to have him in bed. His brawny arms and large hands were perfect for taking a woman, but she figured he didn't have the confidence to do so.
After a while, Johnny spotted Ava and gave her a short wave. Ava responded by giving him a come-hither with her finger. He looked around as if he thought she was motioning to someone else, then began to walk over.
"Hey, Ava." Johnny stood with his hands inside his pockets.
"Well, if it isn't the birthday boy. I almost didn't recognize you, now that you're a big man." Ava ditched the formalities in favor of promiscuity, twirling a finger between her hair and licking her lips.
"Eh, I'm not that much older." Johnny shrugged, still staring at the floor.
"Well, are you gonna sit down and catch up with your cousin or what?" Ava slapped the seat next to her.
"Oh, yeah." Johnny sat down and rubbed his knees. "Long time no see. You're..."
"Much hotter now, I know." Ava winked.
Johnny chuckled nervously. "Yeah, that too."
"Aw, you really think so?" Ava feigned flattery.
Johnny scoffed. "You look great, Ava. And still ridiculous as ever." He was becoming more comfortable.
"Oh, so you do remember me." Ava crossed her arms and leaned back.
"Well, you're not easy to forget."
Ava nodded proudly, even if Johnny meant it as a jab.
"So come on!" She slapped his leg. "What have you been up to?"
Johnny shrugged. "Oh, you know. Graduated high school. Going to college in a couple months."
"Uh huh..." Ava squinted. "Any girlfriends?"
Johnny became timid again, glancing down and shaking his head. Ava could swear he blushed, but it was hard to tell since his cheeks were always rosy. So young and... fresh, she thought.
Not wanting him to lock up again, Ava tried to lighten the mood. "Oh come on, you can tell me." She nudged him and pointed around the room. "So which one of these girls have you banged?"
Johnny laughed. "None of them, and you know that."
"Mm, I dunno." Ava gave Johnny's body a quick scan. "Pretty sure girls would want a piece of that."
"Oh, what do you know?" Johnny waved her away. "What about you? How many boyfriends have you had so far?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Ava slapped his shoulder.
"Nothing," Johnny whispered. He grinned and looked away.
"Wha-! You fucker!" Ava pinned Johnny down onto the couch.
"Ah! Okay, okay. I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Johnny put his hands up to avoid Ava's punches.
"You're such a fucking liar. You're a playboy, I know you are." She pointed an accusing finger at him. Then she grabbed him by the arms and dragged him off the couch. "Come on, show me your room where you hook up with all these sluts."
Johnny laughed. "I haven't hooked up with anyone, I swear!"
"I don't believe you. Come on." Ava led him by the hand up the stairs.
"This is it." Johnny opened the door to his room. It was relatively plain, save for a few posters of his favorite band. His bed was unmade and various bits of clothing scattered the floor.
Ava instantly made herself conformable by jumping onto Johnny's bed. She lay on her belly with her legs crossed behind her, feet in the air. Her short dress left a good portion of her thighs revealed.
"So this is where it all happens," she said.
"Uh, w-where what happens?" Johnny turned to address Ava, but his gaze went straight to her legs. He quickly glanced away once he realized how much of her skin was exposed.
"You know..." Ava grinned and nodded towards the bed.
Johnny sighed. "I told you, I haven't--"
"So you're a virgin then? Come on, you can tell me!" Ava turned over and extended her legs to give Johnny a slight kick.
Johnny could see Ava's panties from between her thighs. He turned away and kept his head down, but his eyes did a double take. Ava didn't even realize she had exposed herself, but didn't mind her cousin taking a peek. She sat up and crossed her legs anyway, just so Johnny would look at her.
"You've at least had a girlfriend. First kiss?"
Johnny shook his head.
"Not even that?" Ava pretended to be incredulous, but it only meant that she would have more to offer him. "But you're such a stud." She sighed.
Johnny rolled his eyes. "Come on, Ava."
"No, I mean it. You work out a lot?" Ava tilted her head and bit her lips. She hadn't meant to be this flirtatious this early on.
"Uh, yeah." Johnny nodded. "It keeps me busy."
"Well, you're awfully cute."
Johnny blushed brightly, staying silent. He swallowed and adjusted his collar, becoming visibly uncomfortable at what his cousin was saying.
"I mean, I'm just saying. Sometimes I wish we weren't cousins, y'know? I feel like we would have a lot of fun together." Ava nudged him teasingly, but he only seemed to tense up more.
"Johnny! Ava! Come down here, we're moving to the pool!" Mary's voice echoed from downstairs.
"Oh, perfect! I brought my bathing suit." Ava pulled it out of her handbag. "Can I use your room to change?"
"Yeah, sure." Johnny bolted up and headed for the door, but Ava slammed it shut.
