Free Jenny Pox (The Paranormals, Book 1) by JL Bryan Page B

gnashing of teeth, and Ashleigh waited for all of them to finish.
    “It’s really all they think about,” Ashleigh said. “Studies have shown that if a guy looks at you, he’s probably imagining you and him having sex together.  They can’t help it, that’s how God made them.
    “ But when they see this,” Ashleigh tapped her thumbnail against her abstinence ring, “It means they can’t have what they want, because you’re devoted, and not just some slut.” Some girls giggled. “It makes them respect you.  And, listen, it makes them want you even more.  Think about the last time you wanted something you knew you couldn’t have—like an expensive pair of shoes your dad wouldn’t buy for you.  Didn’t that make you want it more?”
    Several girls nodded, and there was more whispering.
    “Now—and this is the other part of this secret—the more you make a boy want you, without letting him have you, the better he will treat you.  He’ll buy you things, take you places, do what you tell him, and stand up for you and protect you.  The more you make them want it and don’t give it, the more control you have.  Abstinence isn’t just saying ‘no.’  Abstinence is power.”
    Ashleigh let that sink in a minute, then asked if there were any questions.  A freshman girl, Erica Lintner, daughter of the town police chief, raised her hand.
    “I like ‘abstinence is power,’” she said. “Maybe that could be like our saying, or our, whaddya call it…”
    “ Slogan?” Ashleigh suggested.
    “ Yeah!” Erica said. “Our slogan.”
    Ashleigh pretended to consider this very carefully. “Hmm. ‘Abstinence is power’ as the slogan for our campaign.  I think Erica has a great idea.  What does everyone else think?”
    Lots of girls hurried to agree with Ashleigh.  Erica beamed, clearly very proud of herself.
    “ So here’s what we’re doing,” Ashleigh said. “Each of you write your top three picks for your boy ‘abstinence buddy’ on the little heart-shaped pieces of paper Shannon is passing out.  Shannon and I will go through them, and by the time you leave tonight, you’ll know who your buddy will be.”
    This led to tremendous chatter.  A sophomore raised her hand.
    “Can it be a boy you have a crush on?” she asked.
    “ Of course,” Ashleigh said. “Any boy you’d like to talk about sex with.”
    Another girl, a very dorky bucktoothed sophomore named Veronica Guntley, raised her hand.  She spoke very slowly when Ashleigh called on her.
    “I was thinking,” Veronica said. “When you say all the guys want to have sex with us, well, does that, well, does that include Principal Harris?  And Coach Humbee?  And the dentist?  Or Dr. Goodling?  Or what about--”
    “ How dare you?” Ashleigh asked in a low, hissing voice. She stalked toward Veronica, and other girls shifted their chairs away to leave Veronica isolated in the middle of the room.  “My father is a man of God.  He is anointed!”
    Ashleigh was looming over Veronica now.  The younger girl had scrunched way down in her seat, staring at her hands, her face bright crimson and very close to tears.
    “God’s ministers are not like normal men,” Ashleigh said. “God’s blessing changes them and makes them holy.  What is wrong with you, Veronica?  Why are you having these thoughts?”
    “ I’m not!” Veronica wailed.
    “ I think you’ve made your thoughts clear to the group, Veronica.  I want you to apologize to me for making accusations about my father, and to all the girls for trying to ruin this meeting.”
    “ I’m sorry!” Veronica cried. “Everybody, I’m sorry!  I didn’t mean it.  Please, Ashleigh, please don’t hate me!”  Veronica buried her face in her hands and sobbed.  Ashleigh let her do that in front of everyone for a couple of minutes.  Then Veronica asked without looking up, “Do I have to quit the Crusaders now?”
    Ashleigh waited a long pause, then said, “Veronica, stand