Melody enjoyed herself as the summer continued. She went out with Billy again, and then a third time. She also accepted dates from other boys who asked her out, making it clear she was not interested in a relationship of any kind. Melody soon earned a reputation that she neither denied, nor tried to suppress. Word quickly spread that she would accept a date from anyone who asked, would open mouth kiss on the second date, but go no further on the third. This made her popular at work. Shy boys would ask her out, knowing she would say yes, while other boys eagerly honed their kissing skills. These latter boys would eventually move on to girls willing to go further, so Melody was never pressured.
Becky had her share of dates as well and was also known as a girl who would not go beyond kissing. Becky had her reasons, one being that she was now the same age as her mother when she had gotten pregnant. She always reminded herself of that before going out, vowing to never get herself into the same predicament. The other reason bothered her more as the carefree summer days continued. Becky was disappointed to discover that she was not as interested in boys as she hoped she would be. She liked the fact that boys found her attractive, and was flattered by the attention, but there was something wrong. She was simply not attracted to boys, not in the way she thought she was supposed to be. Becky was still not ready to face the truth about herself, even when she found herself thinking about Melody while making out with a boy. She had double dated with Melody on two other occasions, but then avoided doing so. Becky was becoming jealous and did not want to see Melody kiss boys anymore. Her feelings for Melody were growing stronger. Since she was still unsure how to handle them, she ultimately decided it was best not knowing what Melody did on her dates. Unknown to Becky, Melody’s own feelings were having an adverse effect on her as well.
***
The main hallway of Union High School was deserted, except for Melody, who walked down the center of it, completely nude. Knowing there were no eyes upon her, she walked casually, making no attempt to cover herself. With no destination in mind, Melody walked up the stairs and upon reaching the top, stood in front of the glass library doors. Standing before her reflection, she admired herself for a moment before going inside.
Upon entering the library, Melody was temporarily startled. As the door shut behind her, everything went black. With the library engulfed in darkness, she could not see, and began to feel her way around. Still unsure why she had come to the library, Melody turned toward the doors to leave when she heard a voice behind her.
“Hello, Love.”
Recognizing the voice, Melody called out to the darkness, “Becky?”
A small flame appeared as Melody heard the sound of a striking match. It was not until the flame lit a Bunsen burner that Melody could see Becky’s face. As the flame grew, Melody could see that Becky was also naked.
“Been waiting for you, Love,” Becky said as she approached. “What took you?”
“Becky, I…”
Before Melody could finish her sentence, Becky tossed the Bunsen burner over her shoulder and grabbed Melody by the hips. Gripping her tightly, Becky pressed her breasts against Melody’s and whispered, “Kiss me, Melody. Kiss me the way you kiss the boys.”
Melody’s eyes bulged with surprise as she felt Becky’s tongue slip into her mouth. Melody resisted only momentarily, but soon her arms were around Becky, kissing her back with equal passion. As Melody started to run her fingers through Becky’s hair, Becky grabbed her wrists. With a swift motion, Becky turned Melody around and bent her over a table. Then, from out of the darkness, Melody felt restraints wrapping around her wrists, ankles, neck, and waist. Unable to move, Melody was defenseless as Becky giggled.
“Becky? What’s happening?”
Without answering, Becky brought both her hands down on Melody’s buttocks, slapping them hard. Then, Melody winced as Becky’s fingernails dug into her.
“You’ve got a great ass, Love.” Becky said.
“Becky! Becky!” Melody cried into the darkness.
As she struggled against the restraints, Melody felt Becky’s hands move down to her inner thighs. Then, with sudden force, Melody’s legs were spread wide.
“Becky!”
Melody clenched her fists and strained her muscles one last time in a vain effort to free herself. Suddenly, Melody’s eyes grew wide with terror as she sensed Becky’s head between her legs. Melody whimpered helplessly upon feeling Becky’s hot breath on her most intimate place. Almost at the point of panic, Melody was aghast when she felt Becky’s fingers separating her labia. Then, without warning, Becky’s tongue penetrated her.
Melody sat up suddenly, gasping for air, oblivious to where she was. With widened, fright-filled eyes, she swung her head toward the window, only to realize she was in her own bed. Placing a hand over her heart, Melody could feel it pounding inside of her. Throwing the covers off, she swung her legs off the mattress and placed her feet on the floor. She stood up quickly and wiped her sweaty forehead with her palm. Walking toward the door, she was disgusted by the wetness between her legs.
Melody left her room quietly and headed to the bathroom. Once there, she turned on the light and shut the door behind her. Still hazy from waking so suddenly, Melody stood before the sink and turned the cold-water faucet. As the water ran, Melody glimpsed at herself in the mirror with contempt. Then, while bent at the waist, Melody cupped her hands under the water and splashed her face. She repeated this several times until she was ready to face herself again. Looking at her reflection, Melody spoke to it as if it were another person.
“What the hell is the matter with you?” Melody whispered harshly. “A sex dream about Becky?” Her reflection only scowled back at her.
“You’re dating boys!” Melody continued. “Boys! You’re normal! You kiss boys! Why aren’t you dreaming about boys?”
Taking a step back, Melody raised her right hand while keeping her eyes locked with those of her reflection. Then, she slapped herself. Looking at her reflection with hate filled eyes, she slapped herself harder. After the third time, she lifted her left hand and slapped herself twice. Melody then lowered her arms and stared at her reddened cheeks. Not satisfied with her self-induced punishment, she frowned at her reflection and spoke again. “This is the part of you I hate! Why do you have to be so wicked? Don’t you know God sees everything, even your dreams!”
After Melody returned to her bedroom, she sat on the floor with her back against the wall. Grabbing her skateboard, she held it upside down in her lap. As she spun the wheels with her fingers, she pondered her feelings. Though Melody could scold and punish herself, the truth could not be ignored. It was not the dream itself that upset her, it was the fact that it could never come true.
***
One morning in early August, Melody picked up Becky for work. Becky was in her usual spot by the road, but on this particular morning, she was holding a large black case.
“Hi Love!” Becky exclaimed as she opened the passenger door.
“Hi Becky. What do you have?”
“I finally got it! Drive to work and I’ll show you.”
After Melody parked in the rear lot of McDonald’s, Becky opened the case. Inside was a camera, a large flashbulb, a telephoto lens, and a carrying strap, all in their individual compartments. “Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked.
“Becky, where did you get that?” Melody asked, impressed with the equipment.
“I put a down payment on it when Greg took me to a pawn shop in Kalamazoo a while ago. I got a ride out there last night and finally paid it off. C’mon, I want to show you something.”
As Melody got out of the car, Becky prepared the camera. “Just stand over there,” Becky instructed.
Melody stood where she was told as Becky set the camera on the roof of the car. After aiming the lens at Melody, she pressed a button, got next to Melody, and put her arm around her. “Smile!”
After a moment, the girls heard a click. Becky then ran back to the car to put her camera away. “It has a timer mechanism!” Becky explained. “Isn’t that rad?”
“Becky, we’re in our uniforms!” Melody protested.
“Oh relax,” Becky laughed. “Don’t you want to remember these days? Back when we had to struggle in Dowagiac, working our butts off to get to Florida?”
***
Becky would take many more pictures as the summer began to wind down. Sometimes she asked Melody to pose for her, other times, she would set up the camera in places where she could use the camera’s timer to take photos of them together. Melody was anxious to see them, but Becky always claimed to be low on cash and could not afford developing. Whenever Melody offered her money, Becky refused. Melody said nothing but could not see the sense of buying so much film, taking pictures, and never getting to see them.
***
On the last Thursday of summer vacation, Becky had worked the opening shift at McDonald’s. Melody had to work with the closing crew that day and would not arrive for another hour. On her way home, Becky stopped at the gas station for a drink and snacks. She had no date tonight and would spend the night alone in her room. While she browsed the snack aisle, Becky glanced behind the counter where the cigarettes were kept. She had looked there many times before, always tempted to purchase one of the adult magazines, but never did. Today, she decided to set aside her wariness and finally buy one. Becky placed her items on the counter as the clerk worked the cash register. As he reached for a paper bag, he asked, “Anything else today?”
“A copy of Hustler, please,” Becky pointed, trying to sound as if it was just a routine, everyday purchase. The clerk turned, took the magazine off the rack, and added it to her total. After she paid, Becky walked out quickly, feeling uneasy.
Later that night, behind the locked door of her bedroom, Becky drank a Mountain Dew with the magazine in her lap. She was savoring the moment, staring intensely at the beautiful blond model on the cover. She finally flipped the magazine open and began reading. Page after page, she saw beautiful women posed in every compromising position she could imagine. The photo spreads included women, men with women, and women with women. It took Becky almost forty-five minutes to go through the entire issue. The back of the magazine was full of advertisements offering phone sex, and even these girls were stunning. Becky went back to a section near the front that she especially liked, ten pages of two women posing together, engaged in a simulated sex act. Both women had perfect makeup, perfect bodies, and perfect faces. Becky favored the blond, but also liked the redhead who wore black fishnet stockings and high heels.
As Becky stared at the photos, something woke inside of her. Fully aroused, she was overpowered by feelings of lust, but did not know how to satisfy herself. No longer wanting to be alone, Becky wanted someone to touch her. She began flipping pages again and would pause every time she saw two women posing together. The men in the magazine satisfied her curiosity, but nothing more. Finally, with feelings of frustration and unfulfillment, Becky closed the magazine and placed it under her mattress. She then lay in bed and thought of Melody. Behind closed eyes, Becky searched her soul and finally admitted to herself what she knew all along. No longer able to fight her feelings, Becky decided it was time for action. She got out of bed, opened her closet door, and grabbed the Pringles can on the top shelf. After popping off the lid, Becky counted her spending money. She had forty-five dollars and decided it would be plenty.
The next morning, Becky got dressed for work and walked outside to wait for Melody. They were both scheduled with the same hours and would be getting off work at four. As Becky waited, she hoped Melody had not already made plans for the evening. She did not want to spend another night alone and did not trust herself to go on a date with a boy. As she stood by the road worrying, Melody and the Aspen came around the corner and headed towards her. After getting in, Becky did not even take the time to say good morning.
“Melody, please don’t tell me you have a date tonight,” she said without trying to disguise her urgency.
“Not yet,” Melody answered. “Why?”
“I want to take you out. My treat. I’ve barely seen you this week.”
“What? Where?” Melody asked. Becky was acting peculiar and speaking too fast. Melody wondered what had gotten into her.
“I’ll take you out to dinner, then we’ll go to the drive-in. I’ll pay for everything if you drive.”
“We don’t have to do all that,” Melody said. “Let’s have dinner at my house and watch the Friday night monster movies. Spend the night, it’ll be fun.”
Becky thought it over. It was not her plan, but Melody’s suggestion was just as good, maybe better. “OK,” she agreed. “You won’t break our plans if a boy asks you out tonight will you? I know it’s the last Friday of summer.”
“Becky!” Melody said, looking over at her while stopped at a red light. “I would never do that to you! How could you ask such a thing?”
“I’m sorry. Guess I’ve just missed you lately. I’d like a little time with you before school starts Monday.”
“Me too.” Melody agreed.
***
That night at the dinner table, Melody and Becky enjoyed the shepherd’s pie Barbara had prepared. Douglas was running late and would not be home until Saturday morning. After the table was cleared and the dishes were washed, Melody took down two packages of Jiffy-Pop and set them by the stove.
“I hope they’re showing something good tonight,” Melody said. Becky gave a small smile.
The movies ended up being awful, but Melody enjoyed making fun of the low budget, 1960s outer space double feature. Becky watched, but did not make jokes like she usually did. Melody had sensed something was wrong with her and thought Becky really would have preferred going to the drive-in like she had originally suggested. Several times Melody tried to make Becky laugh, but her efforts could not get the desired result. Becky did little more than produce slight smiles and was relatively quiet. The movies finally ended, and the girls went upstairs a little past eleven. Barbara had already gone to bed an hour ago.
Before getting into bed, Melody faced Becky. “Are you alright? You’re not yourself tonight.”
“I’m fine,” Becky lied. “I had a fight with my mom before I came over here. Guess I’m letting her bother me tonight. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Melody said and kissed her on the forehead. “Good night, Becky.”
Wearing only panties and a pink T-shirt, Melody climbed into bed. In the dark, Becky sat on her sleeping bag with her knees tucked under her chin. She was undecided, not knowing what to do, or if she should do anything. All night she felt growing desires for Melody but kept herself under control, despite the raging sexual frustration building inside of her. Becky thought about the photographs in her magazine but forced herself to stop. Now, highly agitated, she lay on top of her sleeping bag and stared into the darkness. Her body would not permit her to rest, it wanted Melody. It demanded Melody. She tilted her head at an awkward angle to see Melody’s digital alarm clock; it was just after midnight. It was then Becky decided the days of dropping subtle hints were over. With her heart racing, she stood up.
Becky could barely see Melody lying on her back, sound asleep. Becky undressed completely and walked to the foot of Melody’s bed. Slowly and carefully, she climbed onto the bed and crawled up the length of Melody’s body. She then lay on her, face to face on top of the blanket. Becky clutched the blanket on both sides of Melody’s shoulders, pinning her down. Her heart felt as if it would burst out of her chest. It was beating so hard; she could feel a pulse in her teeth. Melody, sensing something, slowly opened her eyes to see Becky looking down at her.
“Becky?” she whispered.
Becky did not move or say anything. She just continued to stare at Melody as her black hair hung down, touching both sides of Melody’s face.
“Becky, what are you doing?”
Becky inched her face closer to Melody’s, never moving her eyes away from hers. Even in the dark, Melody’s eyes shone. They were filled with surprise, and perhaps a little fear. Becky continued lowering her face until their noses touched. Then she tilted her head and closed her eyes as her lips met Melody’s. To Becky’s astonishment, Melody parted her lips and accepted Becky’s tongue into her mouth. They kissed softly at first, but passion built quickly. With her emotions running wild, Becky raised her head. She began kissing Melody’s forehead, then her cheeks, followed by her neck. Feeling braver, Becky raised herself up and pulled the blanket down to Melody’s waist. Becky then assumed a kneeling position, straddling Melody’s thighs, and slowly lifted the bottom of Melody’s T-shirt up to her chin. Melody assisted her by arching her back off the mattress. Becky leaned down and began kissing her again, this time with their bare breasts touching. She felt Melody’s hand on the back of her head as the kisses grew stronger.
Becky then kissed Melody’s breasts. She licked her nipples and sucked them softly. Melody’s legs began to quiver as she moaned softly. Becky loved how Melody’s full, soft breasts felt in her hands. Then, Becky’s body raged again, and she wanted more. She lowered herself further and began kissing Melody’s smooth belly. Her lips and tongue could feel the hard muscles just underneath the soft skin. Becky began kissing below Melody’s navel and placed her fingers inside the waistband of her panties. With an excitement and anticipation she had never felt before, Becky began to pull them down. Then, she heard soft sobbing and the word “Stop.”
Becky crawled back up to face Melody again. Tears were running down both sides of her face and despite her sobbing, Melody was trying to stay as quiet as possible. Her lips quivered rapidly while her legs shook uncontrollably. After seeing the terror in Melody’s eyes, Becky’s urges subsided. All she could see now was the innocent face of Melody, silently begging for this unexpected event to end. Becky was ashamed of herself and realized she had been wrong, about everything. She rolled off Melody and put her feet on the floor as she sat on the edge of the mattress. With her head hung low and eyes squeezed shut, it was her turn to cry. As tears formed, Becky cursed herself, wishing she had just stayed on the floor. Her fingernails dug into the mattress, and to stop herself from screaming, she clenched her teeth. Becky was just getting ready to stand up and go back to her sleeping bag, when Melody’s hand clamped down on her shoulder and pulled her back.
With Melody’s assistance, Becky lay back down underneath the covers. Becky stared blankly, wondering what Melody was going to say, or if she would ever speak to her again. Melody was lying on her side, close to her, propping her head up with her arm. She had stopped crying and was now wiping away Becky’s tears. Realizing now that Becky was completely nude, Melody sat up, removed her clothing, and discarded them onto the floor. She snuggled up to Becky and began kissing her wet cheeks.
“Melody, I’m sorry.” Becky whimpered. “I don’t… I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m a sick freak. If you don’t want to be friends anymore, I’ll understand. Just don’t tell anyone what I did.”
Melody put her lips to Becky’s and kissed her lightly. When Becky did not respond, Melody kissed her a little harder and cupped Becky’s right breast in her hand. Trying to make Becky happy, she began kissing her forehead, cheeks, and neck as Becky had done to her. Then, Melody lowered herself and began kissing Becky’s breasts. Becky inhaled sharply with exhilaration as Melody placed her lips on Becky’s hard nipple and kissed it. Despite herself, Becky became aroused again, but before her natural urges could overtake her, Melody stopped. She repositioned herself and placed her mouth close to Becky’s ear.
“Don’t cry,” she whispered. “I’ve thought about being with you too but I’m not ready for sex. I’m sorry.”
Becky turned her head and stared into Melody’s eyes. “Can this be true?” Becky thought. “Does she really understand how I feel inside? Is she as confused as I was? Does she lay in bed at night and think about me? Can the two of us really go beyond friendship?”
Without another word, Melody lay her head down on Becky’s chest, draping her left leg across both of hers. She then put her hand on Becky’s breast and squeezed her own body tightly against hers. They lay in silence for several minutes, finding security in each other’s arms. Becky buried her fingers in Melody’s long soft hair that she admired so much. She silently wished for this night to last forever, never wanting to leave Melody’s embrace. She didn’t want to spoil the moment but could not help herself and broke the silence.
“Melody?”
“Yes?”
“What are you thinking?”
“You have a beautiful heartbeat,” Melody answered.
Becky squeezed Melody tighter to herself.
“Melody?” she asked again.
“Yes?”
“I’ll stop dating boys if you do.”
“It’ll just be you and me?”
“Yes.”
“We’ll be girlfriends?” Melody asked.
“Yes,” Becky whispered, still unable to believe her dream was coming true. “I want to be your girlfriend.”
“OK.” Melody answered sleepily. Becky listened to Melody breathe as she fell asleep. She stayed awake a while longer, lost in the moment. Thinking about her past, and all she had to endure, Becky decided it had been worth it. She would have gladly taken a thousand more beatings at the hands of her mother just to arrive at this moment in her life. Now, as she lay here, with Melody sleeping in her arms, Becky’s mind was finally at ease. All the questions she had about herself were finally answered. She always knew she wasn’t normal, but now, for the first time, she didn’t want to be. It was rare for Becky to experience such happiness, and it overwhelmed her. Melody had accepted her, and because of that, she could finally accept herself. Becky soon enjoyed the best night’s sleep she ever had.
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