Read Online Asking for It by Louise O'Neill - Free Book Online Page B

you? I’ve been meaning to talk to you for ages. How’s first year going? Are you settling in to the convent?’
    ‘I’m in third year,’ Mia says quickly when Conor almost spits out his beer in shock. ‘I’m in the same year as Laura. I’m nearly sixteen.’
    ‘Sorry. It’s because you’re so tiny, I guess. It’s adorable. You’re like a child.’ I try not to smile as Conor shifts away from her. ‘I’m jealous.’
    ‘Oh my God, why would you be jealous of me?’ Mia’s eyes widen. ‘You’re gorgeous. And I love your outfit.’
    ‘Oh, thanks,’ I say. ‘I wasn’t sure of it earlier. Come on, Conor, your honest opinion – what do you think of this dress?’
    ‘Dress? Is that what they’re calling T-shirts these days?’
    ‘Stop it!’ I swat him on the arm. ‘You sound like Bryan. He told me it looked slutty.’
    ‘Your brother Bryan?’
    ‘Yeah.’
    ‘Bryan has never met an FHM poster he didn’t like.’
    ‘Exactly!’ I say. I move in front of Mia and hold his gaze. ‘See, I knew you would get it. Do you remember when Mam found all that porn on his computer and wanted to know what BBW stood for?’
    The two of us convulse with laughter and he doesn’t even seem to notice Mia leaving. We chat for another ten or fifteen minutes, until I forget why I even came over here in the first place. I’m actually enjoying myself, I realize. I never enjoy myself at parties, not really.
    ‘ Dineen .’
    The music has stopped so I hear his name clearly.
    ‘And remember when—’
    ‘No, sorry,’ I interrupt Conor, just in time to see Jack Dineen, tanned in a loose white wife-beater, walk through the kitchen door, shouting over his shoulder to someone behind him, and Laura and Mia and their friend in the corner start whispering loudly ‘ Oh my God . . .’ ‘. . . no way . . .’ ‘. . . is that actually . . .’ ‘. . . yes, it is ,’ and then Paul O’Brien walks in. It’s like someone famous has arrived – a moment of silence, then whispers, elbow nudging, stifled giggles.
    I don’t get the fuss; he’s nowhere near as cute as Jack. Everyone is obsessed with him because he’s ‘Paul O’Brien’. He’s what I call a Reputation Boy. They might have been cute years ago, but no one seems to have noticed that the appeal has faded, that he’s ‘gone off’, as Mam would say. Sean sprints into the dining room, barely looking in my direction, and slaps both of them on the back. Paul makes a drinking gesture with his hand. His eyes fall on Laura and her friends, lingering on Mia, looking her up and down. He raises his eyebrows, turning to Jack, and says something, Jack snorting with laughter, turning to stare at Mia as well.
    ‘Hey.’ Conor takes hold of my elbow. ‘Do you want to go outside for some fresh air? It’s really hot in here.’
    I step away from him. ‘No, I’m OK, thanks. I’m going to get another beer.’
    Tossing my hair back, I walk towards Eli and Maggie, making sure I’m in Paul and Jack’s eyeline.
    ‘Hey.’ I put my hand on Maggie’s shoulder and pull her face away from Eli’s. ‘Where have Jamie and Ali gone?’
    ‘They were dancing.’
    ‘They’re not here any more.’
    ‘They could be in the living room. Or maybe outside?’ she says, her lipstick smudged.
    ‘Oh, you two.’ I lean in to pick a piece of lint off Eli’s shoulder, ignoring Maggie frowning at me. I wouldn’t do anything with Eli, of course not. He’s my best friend’s boyfriend. But it’s always nice to see if I could. ‘You should get a room.’ I say this as slowly as I can. ‘There’s plenty available.
    ‘Sorry,’ I murmur, stepping between Jack and Paul to grab another can of beer from the case on the dining table.
    ‘Hey, Emma,’ Jack says, and I half smile at him.
    ‘Yes, hello, Emma,’ Paul says, and I tip my can in his direction. ‘I have to say, you’re looking particularly lovely this evening.’
    ‘Thanks.’ I turn on my heel and walk away before he can say