"You would think such a fundamental difference would be explained when we reached adulthood, if only for our own protection." Penny mused in an offhand manner. Obviously, she couldn't expect her mother to explain the ins and outs of intimacy right when she graduated school, but there had to be a flowery way to explain it, didn't there? Some sort of euphemism for girls to understand so that they know what men are capable of. (Penetration, apparently.)

Penny had much to worry about, mainly how to avoid causing such a reaction in Nemo again. Their friendship was so awkward now, and now that she realized why she knew it to be her fault. Nemo hadn't wanted to lay in bed with her — hadn't wanted to penetrate her — and she had drunkenly coerced him into it. How was she supposed to remedy the situation without further ruining their friendship, though? To talk about it was forbidden, to try and allude to it in flowery euphemisms would only confuse them both. What was she supposed to do but give him time to forgive her?

"Nothing to worry about," she repeated with a faint nod. "Right."