Pick Me

(M-POV)

I began to rotate my head toward Apphia next to me in fearful expectation. It's clear that she has realized the implications of this 'solution' as well. Her breathing is ragged for some reason. She begins scratching at her pant leg. She breathes through her nose and lets out little breathes that resemble miniature moans. Apphia gets noticeably antsy while constantly sneaking glances at me. She rotates her leg around impatiently and curls her toes through her shoes.

It's strange how she's taking this. However, It's a perfectly normal reaction you know. Many people have many different reactions to stressful situations. Some panic, some cope, and others like Apphia become excessively horny. So again, a perfectly normal reaction.

Soon after, the teacher came out blunt and said what we needed to do to save the planet. The whole class nervously looked around at one another. More than they already were that is. This was certainly a new experience for all of us.

The way it works is that the woman have a certain time limit to pick someone to... *ahem* yeah... Since they were the ones taking the majority of the responsibility here. They get the first opportunity to choose.

Now, the question on my mind was...

Would Apphia pick me?

I was wracking my brain over it. I was doing it with someone so it ABSOLUTELY HAD to be with her. Obviously she would never ask for that under normal circumstances, but now? Apphia was the only girl I knew that isn't a relative. I didn't want my first time to be with a stranger! Also I definitely didn't mind getting more... fufufu... "intimate" with her.

I may be joking around, but I am genuinely terrified about this.

My worrying got to the point that I stopped caring about the fact that the planet was at risk. I was only concerned about who I was getting laid with. I know, what a great guy I am, but sex was on my mind, ok? There wasn't much that could dislodge that thought.

Finally, the lecture stops and we're dismissed early to lunch. Classes were called off for the day. School be damned. We have more important issues.

The class leaves in silence. Me and Apphia sit together at lunch like we always do. Much like us, the whole cafeteria is far less rowdy than it usually is. Apphia is staring at the table we're sitting at. Hardly touching her food. She's entranced in her own world. You could say she's gone blank.

She never acts like this. The aura around me is something I've never felt before. It churns my gut around and gives me a mild headache. I have no idea why the atmosphere is so tense and weird...

Just kidding! It's because we've been mandated to have sex.

Speaking of which, I should take the initiative here. As hard as it is, I need to do it. We could even have a confession of love!

"H-Hey Apphia?"

"Yes?!" She frantically shouts back at me. Her hands slam on the table and she jolts fearfully. I seem to have brought her out of her world rather abruptly.

"Sh-Should we talk about..." I nervously suggest.

There's a moment of silence between us. Apphia stares at me blankly with her mouth agape for a moment. I do my best to avoid eye contact.

"Oh yeah yeah yeah for sure. Let's talk about..." Apphia gulps down the growing amount of saliva in her mouth. "...That."

We both avoid eye contact now. We nearly drift back into silence again. I step in to avoid that.

"Do... Do you want to be partners?" My voice gets really high pitched for a moment. "By any chance???"

"Y-Yes." Apphia faces away timidly whilst answering. No hesitation. The workings of a smile form on her face. She must have made her mind up already.

She... She said yes!!! I have succeeded as a man! My consciousness in parading around like it has acquired it's greatest achievement. Which it has.

"It's only practical for you to be my partner after all!" Apphia suddenly shouts back, retorting herself. Her smile disappears as she panics like she realized what's happening. "I mean I have nobody else to go with regardless!"

That comment makes me feel a bit (lot) less confident about her feelings toward me. However, she's only sheltering her embarrassment, I think. I just need to not go along with what she's saying and it should still be fine.

"Yeah! This is only because we HAVE to after all!"

Why did I say that?! I just said not to do that, ME!

"Yes! Of course! We shouldn't think anything of it. We're just doing this because we have to. There's nothing more than that!" Apphia screams back.

We're shouting right in front of each other for some reason, attracting some heads to turn our way.

"Yeah! Of course not!"

I'm such a bad liar. I have a feeling like we're just saying things to shield our collective embarrassment and avoid a risky conversation. I know I am.

We both start nervously laughing like it's all some sick joke. We were so close to having a confession! It's ruined now!

Apphia starts playing with her thumb under the table. Her attention darts around the room. Anything to look at will do as long as we don't lock eyes. Both our cheeks redden involuntarily while still stupidly giggling. It takes but a single second to notice how unprepared we are for this.

After a lengthy period of silence, Apphia comes forward with a proposition.

"Do you wanna... Pick me up at say... 8 tomorrow?" Apphia spontaneously asks.

"Sure sure sure, that's how we're doing it? It's that simple?" Why am I repeating myself so much? And why didn't I debate her on that?!

"Uh, is that a problem?" Apphia asks.

"No no problem my parents won't be home." I nervously reassure her.

We both look at the ground due to that last statement. Mentioning my parents absence made me think of what's to come. And it doesn't bode well for the awkwardness.

Later...

Me and Apphia have our names marked down in the database for who has been accounted for. It's official. We are partners. And are expected to commit the ultimate deed.

Also, as part of the worldwide program. There are optional STD tests available that take a few days, although limited in number. However, it just so happens that both of us have already had tests and both tested negative. At least we don't have to worry about that.

I say an awkward goodbye to Apphia and attempt to figuratively catch my breath.

*Swooshes of time passing*

I arrive at home and plop onto my bed. I rest my hair on my pillow. And take a second to think clearly. It's at that moment that I truly get a grasp on what I'm expected to do. And my pupils shrink tenfold.

"This is monumental."

In a way, I'm saving her life. ...And mine, but you know how it be. I'm saving the whole damn planet! Not really, but I'm looking for anything to butter up and sugarcoat my anxiety. So maybe all of my insecurities will die of diabetes or something.

This is happening no matter what now so I should...

What the fuck SHOULD I do??? Shave??? Practice???

God! Why the fuck did Apphia plan to do it so soon?! Tomorrow?!? I frantically thrash my hands across my face in what resembles a panic attack.

"Nnnnrraahhhh!!"

I want to do this but I don't think I'm ready. Maybe I should call her and ask to postpone. I reach for my phone. But then, It doesn't help trying to delay the inevitable, does it? I retract my hand. Perhaps she has a grip on things and that's why. I could let her take the lead. I don't know. I'm lost. I'm just going to (try to) get some sleep. Maybe I'll be coherent in the morning.