Bella woke up in the morning to her alarm screaming in her ear. She groaned and slapped the snooze button. She sat up in her bed and stretched, realizing that her stomach had butterflies flying around in a frenzy and she wondered why. They weren’t nervous ones, but almost happy? Then, it hit her.
“Katerina,” she whispered, smiling at the memories of the previous night. She couldn’t believe she actually kissed a girl...and liked it so much.
Bella has never considered that she was a lesbian. Yes, she has appreciated other women’s beauty and knew that some girls in her school were more than attractive, but she never assumed she might actually be attracted to any of them. However, after kissing Katerina...feeling her lips on her own; feeling her body press against Bella’s with desire—Bella was shocked it’s taken her this long to figure it out, but she was more than happy by finding out with Katerina.
Just thinking about her made Bella’s heart flip a few times in her chest as she jumped out of bed, wide awake and ready for the day. She took a little longer than usual finding what to wear as she knew she was going to see her girlfriend that day. Bella actually giggled to herself at the thought of having a girlfriend.
She finally decided on a jean skirt that came to her mid thigh and a casual red blouse. She jumped in the shower, paying more attention to washing herself in order to smell as nice as she could.
What Bella didn’t look forward to about meeting with Katerina at lunch was how they were supposed to act around her friends. Bella, just finding out that she was attracted to girls, was not ready to come out to her friends. She didn’t know when, but Katerina had agreed to keep their relationship a secret until Bella was ready. This got Bella thinking. Was she really attracted to other girls or was it just Katerina that made her feel this way? Now thoroughly confused about what was happening, she stepped out of the shower, and dressed.
Bella decided to have her hair simply straight and put on light make up with a little eye shadow and lip gloss.
She eventually made it down stairs and greeted her mother with a kiss on the cheek.
“Morning, sweetie. Breakfast?” she asked.
“Sorry, mom. I’m running a little late. I’ll see you after school,” Bella replied. Diane worked at home as an accountant. She was pretty good at her job because her and Bella have been well off for years, even when Bella’s father was in their life.
“Have a good day, Bells,” her mother called after her as she went out the front door.
Bella jumped in her onyx black Mazda 6 car she got for her sixteenth birthday and drove to school with 94.9 KYLD hip hop station playing from the speakers. There was a new song playing, but she paid no attention to it, her mind far away from music.
She drove to school in a blur, muttering that she needs to pay attention to the road more as she stepped out of her car. She walked into Galileo High and made her way to her locker, waving and saying hello to various friends along the way.
“Okay, so did you see that Jake Holloway and Courtney Brown making out in the parking lot?” Kayla said as she came up to her best friend. “How many times have they broken up and gotten back together? Is this round six?”
Bella was too busy searching for her History textbook to really pay attention to what Kayla was saying.
“Uh-huh,” Bella replied, frowning as she dug through her locker. Kayla noticed her distracted expression.
“I slept with Max last night,” Kayla said. Bella heard that one and stood quickly, hitting her head on the shelf at the top of her locker. She let out a curse word very loudly that made a few freshman stare as they walked by.
“Are you okay?” Kayla asked, trying not to laugh.
“You did what?” Bella demanded, shocked. That’s when Kayla did let out a laugh.
“I was just making sure you were paying attention to me,” she said. Bella glared at her friend before going back to her locker.
“Well, I can’t find my History book,” she explained.
“Is it in your car? Or did you leave it in your room?” Kayla asked.
“Probably the latter,” Bella replied, sighing. “Whatever. I’ll just share with Alyssa.”
“You’ve been acting strange ever since lunch yesterday. What is going on?” Kayla said, remembering how up and down she was being with her emotions yesterday. Kayla was not unobservant by any means. She knew something was going on in her best friend’s head and wanted to help her out.
Bella felt her heart pound in fear at her words and avoided her eyes by zipping up her backpack and closed her locker.
“I’m fine. I wasn’t feeling a hundred percent yesterday, that’s all,” Bella lied. She felt as if a stone was forming in her chest.
She hated lying to Kayla. They’ve been best friends since they were in three years old and there were very, very few secrets they kept from each other. They were always honest and uninhibited with details from their intimate moments with boys. Bella, unlike Kayla, was a virgin so she didn’t have as much to tell, but their love lives were basically an open book to each other. They went on double dates all the time and if one of them found out that their boyfriend was cheating or lying, they immediately told each other. They were protective of each other and wouldn’t hesitate to come to the other’s defense. Bella and Kayla were in every way, except blood, sisters. They have been through so much together, they couldn’t imagine not ever being friends. So, to keep something as big as Bella’s new relationship with Katerina from Kayla wracked Bella with guilt.
Bella figured that Kayla would be okay if Bella told her she was a lesbian (if that’s what she is), but she was still scared. There is still a possibility that Kayla may be disgusted or not want to be her friend. Again, Bella felt guilt for even thinking that, but that fear still kept her from spilling her guts to her best friend.
“Are you sure? I think it goes without saying that you can tell me,” Kayla said, now looking concerned. She always knew when Bella was lying. She was a horrible actress, especially when she was avoiding Kayla’s eyes as if she were incredibly deformed.
“I know, and I would if there were anything to tell. Look, I got to get to History. I’ll see you at lunch, okay?” Bella said.
“Okay,” Kayla said, feeling her heart twist in slight pain. But she knew that Bella would tell her when she was ready. “See you.”
Bella tried to get away from her friend quickly without looking too obvious. When she was out of her sight, Bella leaned against the wall and let out a breath of relief.
Perfect. Now I just have to do that every minute of every day I’m with her until she either figures it out or I tell her Bella thought. The warning bell rang and Bella walked to her History class, praying that Kayla wouldn’t figure it out anytime soon.
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At twelve fifteen pm, when the bell rang signaling lunch for Bella and her friends, she got those butterflies again, but this time, her heart pounding in excitement was more noticeable. She left her Calculus classroom and met up with her friends, trying to keep her smile to a friendly hello instead of betraying the excitement she really felt.
The restaurant, El Lorro’s, was Bella and her friend’s favorite place to go eat. They had the best Mexican food in San Francisco and it wasn’t expensive, either. They started eating there when they were freshman and usually eat there every Monday and Thursday. Also, since it was only a few blocks from school, they walked every day.
“You are so wrong,” Alyssa said to Kayla.
“I am not. Davidson was very clear on this,” Kayla replied. Bella was trying to pay attention, but found that she had didn’t really know what they were talking about, but Davidson is Kayla’s AP Statistics and Probability teacher. Alyssa had the same class, but a different teacher and Bella figured they were arguing about some kind of problem or other. They were all waiting for their food to arrive and Bella was growing more nervous/anxious to see Katerina. In her excitement, she didn’t see Kayla glancing at Bella’s wandering eyes or her fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.
When Bella saw her watch hit twelve thirty and her heart flipped in anticipation. She took several drinks of her water due to her dry mouth.
I need to calm down Bella told herself. Why am I acting like this? We haven’t even been together for one day and I am already going crazy from being away from her.
Bella has never felt this way about someone, she knew that much, but she never imagined that she would be feeling like this when she did develop these feelings.
“Hey everyone,” came a voice from behind her that made her heart leap into her throat. She turned around slowly and looked up to see Katerina smiling down at her. If it was even possible, she looked even more beautiful than last night. She was wearing jeans that hugged her curves in every right way possible. Her shirt was a simple turquoise tee that was rouched on the side with a navy light, short cropped pee coat. Her raven hair was pulled back into a pony tail with a gray headband. Bella slowly took in her good looks, still not used to how exquisite she could be.
“Hey, Katerina,” Harvey said. “We didn’t know you were coming.”
“Bella invited me last night when she took me home,” she explained, grabbing chair and sitting in between Bella and Alyssa. Katerina locked eyes with Bella’s and Bella noticed, while there was happiness to see her, there was something else, too. Bella thought it was apprehension, but wasn’t sure.
“Hey,” Katerina said to Bella, giving her a smile that made Bella’s mind spin. She managed to smile back.
“Hey,” she breathed. Katerina looked away, which Bella, while disappointed to not be looking into her beautiful eyes, was thankful. It took her all of her strength to not kiss her girlfriend.
Bella and Katerina didn’t participate very much in everyone else’s conversations. Instead, Katerina would sometimes ask Bella questions such as how was the rest of her night and how was school so far.
What Bella truly loved about talking with Katerina was that she would feel as if Katerina was always truly interested in what she was saying. It didn’t matter if it was something as boring as a pop quiz in her Spanish class, Katerina’s eyes and expression showed the utmost attention, as if Bella were the only one in the world. This only served to make Bella even happier to see Katerina.
After five minutes of being with Katerina, Bella berated herself for thinking that things would be too different in front of her friends. After all, Bella and Katerina have been friends for a while and have hung out with Bella’s group since the party. They were all comfortable with her and Bella was pretty sure that Katerina was the same way. It was easy to act as if they hadn’t made out in Alyssa’s bathroom the previous night. However, Bella still wanted to feel Katerina’s smooth skin on her fingers, to feel her soft lips slowly and tantalizingly moving against her own. The thought of kissing her again made Bella’s whole body tingle with impatience for when they could.
Lunch ended around one o’clock and everyone paid, then started to walk back to the school.
“Do you have a free period?” Katerina asked Bella. They were several paces behind their friends and walking close enough to brush arms against each other, making Bella’s arm hair raise.
“Yes, sixth period at one fifty,” Bella answered.
“Can you leave campus?” she asked.
“We’re not supposed, but it’s easy to get off of school grounds.”
“Would you like to meet me somewhere so we can talk in private?” she asked. Bella knew there was something serious she wanted to talk about, which made her heart pound in fear.
Is she re-thinking this? Does she not want to be in a relationship with me anymore? were Bella’s first thoughts. She forced her heart to calm down.
“All right, where?” she asked.
Katerina told her to meet her at a small park with a playground that was only a few blocks north of Galileo High.
“I’m really happy that you came today,” Bella said, sounding as sincere as she could, and lightly grazed her fingers against the back of Katerina’s hand. She saw her shiver at her touch and felt a warmth in her chest knowing that she did have some kind of effect on her. Katerina looked at her and smiled, obviously pleased with what Bella said.
“So am I,” she replied. Her dark brown eyes burning with honesty. The beauty of her eyes stunned Bella for a moment as she momentarily forgot to breathe. Katerina smiled again and turned away, leaving Bella slightly dizzy.
When they reached the high school, Bella and Katerina departed with a hug, both of them trying hard not to make it look like a lovers hug instead of two friends saying goodbye.
“See you soon,” Katerina breathed onto Bella’s neck. They let go and Bella watched her disappear down the street. She wasn’t sure if she was supposed to look forward or dread their talk later.
Bella’s knees bounced up and down quickly in her Contemporary Literature class. She paid attention, took notes, and listened to her teacher lecture, but her body was on edge to see Katerina alone. She tried really hard not to think about what she wanted to talk about, but started to when the bell rang. Her stomach clenched with nerves as she put her books away in her locker.
Bella made her way to the back entrance to the school, where no teachers went and where the smokers went out and not worry about getting caught with tobacco on campus.
She circled around the school just off of the grounds and walked north to the park she was told to meet her. She ran through different scenarios in her head during the walk. Maybe Katerina just wanted to talk with Bella and not have to worry about her friends overhearing. Or maybe, said the pessimist side of Bella, she realized that she doesn’t like her like that.
While Bella cared about Katerina as a person, now that she knew what it was like to kiss her, to feel her body against hers, she didn’t want that to go away anytime soon.
She reached the park within five minutes and sat on one of the swings. Not even a minute later did she feel someone’s hand enfold itself over Bella’s that was clinging to the chain on the swing. That someone leaned their lips to Bella’s ear.
“You look beautiful today,” they said. Bella shuddered and turned to smile at Katerina.
“And you are always beautiful,” Bella replied and was rewarded with another dazzling smile with some pink in her cheeks appearing. It was absolutely adorable.
“How was fifth period?” she asked.
“Boring,” Bella answered with a shrug. Katerina walked around her and leaned against one of the metal poles that held up the swing set.
“School usually is,” Katerina said. Bella smiled.
“But...it’s better now that I get to see you,” she said. Katerina smiled, but it wavered slightly. Bella felt her heart sink as she realized that her pessimistic side was right.
“Bella...are you...having second thoughts about this?” Katerina asked slowly. Bella tried to remain calm.
“You mean, about us?” she clarified. Katerina nodded. “No, absolutely not.”
Katerina’s showed relief, but her expression was still guarded.
“Are you?” Bella asked quietly. Katerina’s face changed to surprise.
“What? No, I’m not. I was just concerned that you had. I mean, things got pretty heated last night, but sometimes, once someone has time to sleep on what they’ve done, things change. I just want to make sure this is what you really want now that you’ve had time to think about it,” Katerina said. Bella actually let out a sigh as she felt her heart slow down to normal speed.
“I thought you meant you didn’t—” Bella said, but didn’t finish. Katerina knelt in front of her and looked into her eyes.
“I said this before Bella, unless you literally tell me to I won’t leave you,” she said, brushing Bella’s hair out of her eyes. She smiled. “I like you a lot. After an hour of spending time with you the first day we met, I had this strange feeling that something might happen.”
“Really?” Bella asked, surprised. “I realized it the night I spent in your apartment after Kayla’s party.”
Katerina leaned up and kissed Bella lightly on the lips, making Bella sigh. She placed her hand on the back of Katerina’s neck and pulled her in for a deeper kiss. The feelings that she had when they shared their first kiss came roaring back to Bella, almost causing her to fall backwards off the swing. Katerina held her close and expertly caressed her tongue against Bella’s, the kiss falling into a perfect rhythm. It was as if they had been doing this their entire lives instead of less than twenty four hours.
“Wow...” Bella whispered when they came up for air.
“My thoughts exactly,” Katerina replied, her eyes glazed over and a goofy smile on her lips. She leaned her forehead against Bella’s and sighed happily. Bella closed her eyes and took in her presence, reveling in it; she never knew that anyone could feel like this with someone just standing next to them. Every breath Bella took she would inhale Katerina’s natural scent, which was better than any perfume. Her eyes saw her beauty that never failed to stun Bella. Her fingers would run across the softness of her skin that made Bella drunk with desire it felt so good to touch.
This is all happening so fast, but I love it Bella thought, breathing in deeply.
“What are you thinking?” Katerina asked suddenly, breaking Bella’s thoughts. Bella didn’t reply immediately.
“Maybe I’ll tell you one day, but not now,” she said. This is what Katerina often said to her when Bella asked the same question. She didn’t want to scare Katerina by telling her all of how she felt. Katerina nodded her head understandingly.
She stood up straight suddenly and took Bella’s hand in her own, the movement so natural that both of them barely noticed it happening or thought anything of it.
“So, what are your plans for Friday night?” she asked, jumping on the monkey bars and hung there, smiling at Bella, who was taken aback. Although Katerina was only two years older than herself, Bella thought of her as an adult. Not like a parental adult, but someone who was mature and didn’t do childish things like swing on the monkey bars like a kid while smiling dopily at her girlfriend who was, more or less, skipping class. Bella stared at her for a second, and decided that she liked seeing Katerina’s child side. It was very endearing.
“Nothing official yet,” she answered.
“Well, what do you say to a dinner and a movie?” she asked, adjusting how she was holding the bars as she feet dangled a foot from the ground. Bella smiled suspiciously.
“Are you asking me out on a date, Miss Markos?” Bella said, playfully being naive. Katerina smiled, her expression cocky.
“Yes, I am, but I’m pretty sure I know the answer,” she replied.
“Oh, you think so, huh?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Well, then, you won’t be surprised if I politely decline,” Bella stated, her face completely serious, although she was using all of her strength to not laugh. Katerina raised an eyebrow and played along.
“Politely decline? What if I throw in a ride and let you choose the dinner and restaurant?” she asked.
“A ride?”
“I have invested in this thing called a motor vehicle. They are a modern day mode of transportation to take you from point A to point B,” she explained slowly as if Bella were mentally challenged.
“Invest in this, Markos,” Bella said, reaching out and tickled Katerina’s ribs which were out in the open with her arms busy holding herself on the monkey bars. Katerina burst into laughter and let go of the bars. Bella was merciless and Katerina, weakened by the abuse, fell to the sand unable to defend herself.
“Stop, I beg you,” she said breathlessly. Bella finally let up, kneeling next to her. She was smiling devilishly. “That was mean.”
Bella chuckled.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she replied and leaned down, kissing Katerina’s cheek intimately. Katerina half glared at her.
“I think I deserve more than that with the torture you put me through,” she said. Bella smiled and kissed her soft lips gently. She licked her lip and Katerina allowed her entry into her mouth, her eyes slightly rolled in the back of her head before closing all the way.
It was a short, yet passionate kiss, leaving both girls happy.
“So, you bought a car?” Bella asked, going back to their interrupted conversation.
“Yes, I did. This morning. I got a silver 2007 Chevrolet Impala,” she answered. They both switched to lay down on their sides facing each other, their heads propped up by their hands leaning on their elbows. Bella absentmindedly played with the sand with her free hand.
“That’s cool,” she said. “So, about Friday.”
“Do you want to? It doesn’t have to be a dinner and a movie. We can do whatever you want.”
“No, I want to do that, but I don’t want to pick everything. How about you pick the restaurant and I pick the movie?” Bella suggested. Katerina grinned.
“Deal,” she responded. Bella smiled in return.
“This is going to be the first date I’ve ever been excited to go on,” she admitted. Katerina looked surprised.
“Really? I know I’m the first girl you’ve gone out with—right?” she asked, suddenly unsure. Bella laughed lightly.
“Yes, you are. I’ve never done anything with a girl before, and honestly, I never really thought about it until you came along,” she said. “Dating, however, I’ve been on a few with some boys in my school. They weren’t terrible, but I was never excited or anxious or nervous about them beforehand. Kayla has told me about some of her pre-date jitters, saying that means you like the person. I’ve never had that before with a guy.”
“Because you weren’t really attracted to them,” Katerina said, not asked. Bella frowned at the sand.
“I’m sort of confused about what I am, actually,” she whispered, not meeting Katerina’s eyes.
“How do you mean?” she asked.
“Well, you’re the first girl I’ve been attracted to. So, now I’m wondering if it’s just you I like, or if I am a lesbian and find myself attracted to other girls. I’ve done some physical things with boys, but I’ve never truly enjoyed them. At least, not in any way close to what I feel with you,” she explained, smiling at the memories.
“Yeah, I see your dilemma. It’s a big deal. Although I love being a lesbian, it certainly does add on some difficulties in your life sometimes. You’re still in the closet, about us anyways if you’re not a complete lesbian I suppose, so that’s going to make things harder for you,” Katerina said. “You’re going to be watching what you say, how you act. But, I want you to know that I’m here for you. I know what it’s like.”
Bella smiled and grabbed Katerina’s hand.
“Thank you,” Bella whispered. Katerina smiled shyly and averted her gaze.
They lay silently for a while in the sand. However, Bella glanced at her watch and realized she had to get back to school. She groaned.
“I have to get back,” she said.
“Okay,” Katerina sighed.
They stood, wiped the sand off their bodies, and began walking the few blocks in silence, holding hands with their fingers interlocking. Bella looked forward to Friday and knew it would be a long five days.
“So, I’ll pick you up at seven and we can make a nine o’clock movie,” Katerina said when Galileo High came into sight.
“Okay, sounds good,” Bella replied.
“Do you want to do this again? Meeting during your free period, I mean.”
“Of course. I look forward to it since you’re too old to go to high school,” Bella said, pushing her playfully.
“Oh, too old?” she asked.
“You are an old lady,” Bella laughed, poking Katerina’s side.
“Am I too old to do this?” Katerina asked. She grabbed Bella by the waist and pulled her behind the school sign, kissing her passionately and deep, making Bella’s body to erupt with feelings. It was the most passionate kiss they have shared. Bella actually went weak in the knees, something she has only read about happening in books.
Katerina pulled away too soon.
“What were we talking about?” Bella gasped out, her mind barely able to form a coherent thought.
“I can’t remember,” she answered and Bella knew she was just as disoriented. “But you need to get to school.”
“Right. School,” Bella said, trying to gain control of her breathing. “Which way is that again?”
Katerina chuckled and turned Bella’s body in the direction of the entrance.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she whispered into her ear. Bella turned her head and, for the second time, watched her disappear down the sidewalk. She took a deep breath, shook her head slightly to get her bearings, and walked into school, her mind focused entirely on Katerina for the rest of the day.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Aphrodite's Banishment 2
After a minute of laying there recuperating, she pulled the covers off and headed to the shower, still thinking of the man in her dreams. He said he loved her every time, but he still left her. Who was he? Why did she keep dreaming about him?
Astrid finished her shower and got dressed. She finished getting ready for the day, then headed down stairs.
“Happy birthday, honey!” her mom said when Astrid entered the kitchen. Her mother walked over and hugged Astrid tightly. Astrid was shocked for a second. She was so busy thinking about her dream lover that she had completely forgotten it was her birthday.
“Thanks, mom,” she said, hugging her mother back. Her mother was an amazing woman. She stood proudly at five foot one and was a little plump. She had short red hair, but what Astrid liked most was her mother’s soft, loving hands. They were made to be a mother’s hands.
Astrid’s father stood from the table. He, too, wasn’t that tall. He was around five foot ten with black hair and a scruffy, week old beard her mom was always begging him to shave, which he never did. He put his arms around her as he said happy birthday. Although he wasn’t that tall, he had very large arms that always enveloped her into a bear hug he only used on her.
The reason Astrid didn’t look like her parents was because she was adopted. No one knew who her biological parents were. She was dropped off at a hospital where no one saw the people who abandoned her.
The only clue that Astrid has of her past, which she can’t figure out, is a necklace that was around her neck when she was found. It had a leather string and hanging from it was an interesting design of beads. There was a silver bead, then a red one, then a breathtaking pearl. Then there was another red followed by another silver. Then, hanging from those were three, very small gold charm pendants. One was a sea shell, one was a mirror and the other a swan. They were each beautifully detailed. Her parents took it from her and gave it back when she was twelve years old, when they told her she was adopted. Since then, she hasn’t taken it off once.
“Thanks you guys,” Astrid said when her father let go of her. Her mother’s eyes were brimming with tears.
“I can’t believe my little girl is turning eighteen today,” she sniffled. Astrid sighed.
“Oh, mom. Please don’t cry,” she said. Her mom smiled and the tears disappeared.
“Okay, I promise. Now, I made you your favorite breakfast. German Puff Pancakes,” she said. Astrid smiled gratefully. “Now go sit next to your father.”
Astrid sat down and drank some of her orange juice her mother had poured for her. Astrid loved her parents dearly. Her mother stopped working as a kindergarten teacher when Astrid was adopted and was a stay-at-home mom until Astrid was seven. Her father is the owner of a motorcycle repair shop. He owned his own bike, a 1985 Yamaha V-Max he got when he was a teenager. They weren’t wealthy, but her family was comfortable.
Her and her family ate pancakes while talking about the day and what Astrid wanted to do for her birthday party this weekend. Astrid’s mother was talking about decorations when Astrid said she had to go. She quick ran up stairs, brushed her teeth, checked herself one more time in the mirror and then went downstairs with her back pack.
“Bye mom, bye dad. I’ll see you after school!” she called and then walked out the door. Astrid usually took the family’s third car, a crappy 92 dark green Honda truck that she hated, but shared with her older brother Michael, who was now in college for his second year. She was about to dig the keys out of her bag when she stopped dead in her tracks. She let out a short scream when she saw what was parked in the driveway.
A 2003 Indian Spirit Springfield motorcycle was parked in front of her, leaning gracefully against its kickstand. Astrid stared at it. It was the exact same one her and her father saw at a motorcycle show a few months ago. She told her dad that this was her dream bike.
Astrid dropped her back pack and ran into the house.
“What is that in the driveway?” she demanded her parents, who were clearing the table.
“A motorcycle,” her father stated. “A 2003 Indian Spirit Springfield, I believe.”
“I got that. What’s it doing here?” she asked, her heart pounding, not daring to believe what she was thinking. Her parents looked at each other, smiling. Then her father turned to her, put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a set of keys.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he said, tossing her the keys. Astrid caught them, her mouth hanging open.
“Are you serious?” she asked, shocked.
“Very,” her mother said, smiling at her. Astrid screamed again and ran over and hugged her parents tightly at the same time.
“Oh, my God! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, my God! I can’t believe you guys did this for me! You’re the greatest parents ever!” she squealed.
“Honey, we can’t breathe,” her mother said. Astrid let go of them.
“Oh, my God! This can’t be real,” she said, looking at the keys as if they were the most beautiful thing in the world.
“It is. It’s all yours. We’re giving your brother the truck so he can have a car in college. I got this for you at the show when you were in the bathroom. We’ve been planning this since last year,” her father explained.
“Thank you so much, you guys. You have no idea how much this means to me,” Astrid said, wanting to cry. She hugged her parents individually, kissing them both on the cheek.
“Now go on. You’re going to be late for school. And for God’s sakes, drive carefully. I don’t want to regret getting it for you,” her mother said, smiling up at her daughter.
“I will and you won’t, I promise,” she said. Astrid thanked them again and then ran outside. She stared at the bike, taking in every detail. It was truly a magnificent bike and it was all hers. She was still shocked. Astrid ran her fingers along the body, feeling the smooth surface and leather seat.
She grabbed her backpack and put it on. Then she straddled the seat slowly. She wanted to remember this for the rest of her life. She placed her hands on the handle bars. It felt amazing, like they were made for her. She then put the keys in the ignition and started it. The bike roared to life. Astrid could feel it’s power between her legs. The engine purred while idling and she put on the black, tinted helmet. Astrid took a deep breath and then backed it out of her driveway and then she set the clutch and took off. Her heart beat furiously in her chest as she sped down the high way towards her school. She has never felt so alive in her whole life than she did at that moment.
Her father taught Astrid everything about motorcycles when she was fifteen, even giving her riding lessons on his bike. She got her motorcycle’s license and her driver’s license at sixteen, driving her dad’s once in a while.
Astrid pulled into the school, the thunderous sound of the engine filling the parking lot as she slowed down and parked into the first parking space closest to the building. Everyone outside stared at her, admiring the bike. She removed her helmet and shook her hair out, smiling as she did so. She cut the engine and pulled down the kickstand, gently leaning the bike against it. Then she stepped off and set the alarm on the bike. She stared at the bike.
“Whoa, please tell me that’s yours,” said Carla’s voice from behind her. Astrid turned to look at her best friend, a broad grin on her face.
“Happy birthday to me,” she replied. Carla squealed and hugged Astrid.
“Oh, my God! You’re parents bought you a motorcycle. That is so cool. This is an awesome bike,” Carla said, appreciating it.
“I know. This has been my dream bike for months. My dad bought it at the bike show we went to a few months ago when I was in the bathroom. How cool are my parents? They bought a 2003 Indian Spirit Springfield for my birthday!” Astrid said, her whole body still vibrating from the ride.
“Way cooler than mine!” Carla said, smiling still.
They finally left the bike as the first bell rang to their disappointment.
Carla and Astrid have a two hour free drawing art class first second hour. It’s an honors art program that allows you to free draw for the whole class period. Your final grade is determined on what piece you decide to use. Astrid had been working on her dream lover on and off all week, the other time was spent drawing a bike behind him. She loved drawing motorcycles and she decided to incorporate her dream lover with it. He was casually leaning against the bike with his muscular arms crossed and his hand set at an angle. He looked like he was waiting for her. She had already finished the bike and the outline of the man and was now working on the details of him. She had gotten pretty far when Carla came over to see how she was doing.
“Oh, my God!” she said, grabbing the drawing from Astrid. She stared at it. “This is amazing, Trid,” using the nickname that people sometimes used for her. “Who is the hottie?”
Astrid’s face suddenly turned serious and looked as if she were trying to concentrate hard on something.
“I don’t know. I wish I did,” she said quietly.
“What do you mean?” Carla asked. Astrid remembered what the man said last night. That today she would find out who he was. Her stomach clenched as she suddenly became very nervous. She sighed, took the drawing back and looked at her friend.
“Do you remember yesterday when I said I’ve been having strange dreams lately?” Astrid asked.
“Yeah,” Carla replied.
“Well, it’s a bit more than a strange dream. I’ve been having the same one every night for the past seven nights. They’re a little different each time, but it’s basically the same thing,” she said.
“A recurring dream?”
“Exactly.”
“What are they of?”
“Well, every night I’m in this room. It’s beautifully decorated with extremely expensive and priceless pieces of artwork and incredibly crafted weapons on the walls. Also, in the middle of this room is a bed. A large bed with red silk sheets,” she said. Carla’s pierced eyebrow went up. “Then, most of the time, I’m already under the covers...without any clothes.” Her eyebrow went up further. “Then, the door opens and-” Astrid looked at her drawing. “He comes in.”
“Wait a minute, this is a sex dream, I’m assuming,” Carla said.
“Yes, very much a sex dream,” Astrid answered, remember last night’s dream. She felt herself grow hot in between her thighs. She crossed her legs to try to get rid of the sexual arousal.
“With him?” she asked, pointing to the drawing. Astrid nodded. “Damn.”
“Anyways, he comes in and there’s usually a conversation before we start,” Astrid continued.
“About what?” she asked.
“Anything. He always asks how my day was, how I’m feeling. He says he misses me and that he loves me; that he always has and always will. After that, there’s a silence. Then, I ask who he is and every time, he won’t answer. I don’t know anything about this guy. His name, how old he is, where he’s from. He refuses to tell me. When I ask again, he tells me not to worry, that I’ll find out soon enough. Then, before I can say anything else, he kisses me,” Astrid explained. “Then, we proceed to...”
“Get down and dirty?” Carla finished, smiling.
“Make love,” Astrid corrected. “That’s what we’re doing. We’re trying to show how much we love each other by being physical. It’s hard to describe.”
“So, why the depressed look? This sounds like something I would want to dream about every night,” Carla asked.
“Well, something happens in the dream. We’re in the middle of...you know, and I’m about to...”
“Climax,” her friend finished.
“Yeah. Right before it happens, he says he sorry, then I wake up, covered in sweat, breathing like I just ran ten miles,” Astrid said.
“Really? Just before the good part, you wake up?” Carla asked, surprised. Astrid nodded. “Oh, that sucks, Trid.”
“Tell me about it. Not to mention, every time I wake up, I feel empty and cold. I can’t explain why I do or what I feel empty about, though.”
“And you’ve been having these dreams every night?” Carla asked.
“For a whole week, but last night was different,” Astrid replied.
“How so?”
“Well, most of it was the same. But, while we were talking, I start asking who he is. He says all in good time, that I’ll know soon enough. I ask when I’ll find out and he said ‘tomorrow’, which is today. And, I know this sounds crazy, but I can’t help but feeling like I’m going to see him today in real life. But, that’s insane. He’s someone my mind made up. I know I’ve never met him because I would have certainly remembered that,” Astrid explained. Her friend sat there quietly, taking in what she said.
“Well, maybe tonight in your dream, he’s finally going to tell you who he is. Maybe that’s what he meant,” she suggested.
“Maybe...” Astrid said. She turned to the drawing and stared at the man’s flawless face, his perfect muscles. “I just wish I knew who he was. Then I’d stop thinking about him as much.”
“I’d just let these dreams play out. Maybe they’ll stop eventually,” Carla said. Astrid must have looked disappointed. “Do you want them to stop?”
“I don’t know. I can’t stop thinking about them, but they’re really nice to dream about,” she replied.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind having them every night. Although, I would like to climax before it ended.”
“Yeah, that gets a little frustrating,” Astrid said, laughing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Astrid was in Mythology class. They were in the media center, researching Aphrodite. She was reading about the story of Aphrodite and Psyche, when she suddenly became very drowsy. She was leaning on her hand and she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Astrid was in the large bed, the silk sheets hugging her and accentuating every curve. She saw her lover naked at the end of the bed. He was running his hands along her calves, slowly messaging them. She sighed, loving the feeling of his hands on her.
“This is different,” Astrid said, staring at him amorously. He smiled at her.
“I want you to feel good, make up for when our time is cut short,” he replied.
“It’s working,” she said smiling, pleasurable tingles running throughout her whole body at his touch.
“I’m glad,” he said. There was a comfortable silence as she took in his hands expertly running across her skin.
“Last night you told me I would find out who you are today. Did you mean you would tell me here?” Astrid asked.
“No, my love. You will find out today, but I’m not going to tell you,” he answered.
“How will I find out then?” Astrid asked.
“You will remember me,” he said after a short pause. Astrid pulled her leg away and sat up to move close to him, letting the sheet fall away. She touched his cheek affectionately.
“Remember you? How could I ever forget?” she asked. His eyes and face showed he was hurting, as if reliving a painful memory.
“You have. You don’t know who I am. You have forgotten me,” he replied.
“I don’t understand. I know I would remember knowing you,” Astrid said. He smiled slightly, grabbing her hand in his.
“I am not upset with you, it’s not your fault you’ve forgotten. I am only upset with the fact that we have spent all these years apart and that now we can only have moments together,” he said sadly.
“Stop speaking in riddles. I don’t understand what you’re saying,” Astrid said, her heart twisting at his pain.
“You will. Don’t worry, my love, you will,” he said. He slowly brushed his hand against her breast, causing Astrid to gasp quietly. He slowly moved his hand down her stomach and past her blond curls. She felt his fingers and moaned quietly. He put one inside her followed by another and she gasped more audibly.
“My love,” he whispered.
“I love you,” she moaned, her whole body trembling.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
“No, please,” Astrid begged, but then she was suddenly wrenched from the dream, breathing heavily and sweating slightly.
“Hey, you okay?” asked Carla. Astrid looked at her.
“Yeah, I just fell asleep,” she said.
“I know,” Carla replied, smiling and raising her eyebrows. Astrid grew red in humiliation.
“Did you-I mean, did I make any-” she asked desperately. Her friend laughed.
“A very quiet moan that only I heard. Don’t worry. No one else realized you were asleep. It was just for a few minutes,” Carla answered.
“Thanks for waking me,” she said.
“How was it this time?” she asked.
“We were talking. He was giving me a foot massage. He said that he wanted to make me feel good because we never got to finish our time together,” Astrid said.
“Really? How considerate,” Carla said.
“Then, I asked him if he was going to tell me who he was because he told me I would find out today. He answered saying that he wasn’t going to tell me, but that I would remember who he is,” Astrid continued.
“What?” Carla asked, taken aback.
“That’s what I said. I could never forget knowing him. But he said that I did forget, although it wasn’t my fault. He said he wasn’t upset with me, but that he was upset because of all the years we’ve spent apart.”
Carla sat there thinking, then shrugged.
“You’re mind is a weird place, Astrid,” she said. Astrid stared at her hands, trying really hard to try and understand what her dream lover meant.
“Yeah...weird,” she muttered.
It was at lunch the next hour when everything happened. Astrid was sitting with her friends, laughing and talking, but in the back of her mind, she kept remembering her dream. She had finished her lunch and sat back down from throwing away her trash. It was exactly three o’clock when it happened.
“So, for my party, I was thinking about having a theme,” Astrid was saying to the table.
“What kind of theme?” James asked.
“I don’t know. I haven’t-” she started, then stopped as a voice filled her head.
“My love, come to me. Meet me,” it said fervently. She recognized it instantly. It was her dream lover.
“Astrid?” asked Carla, looking concerned. Astrid didn’t reply, because something very strange happened. She felt a hand grab her waist. Astrid looked down at her body, but there was no hand.
“What the hell?” she asked herself aloud.
“Come to me,” said her lover again. Astrid could see him, even though she could see her friends at the same time. They were in the bedroom, laying together in the sheets. Both of them were naked as he moved on top of her.
“What’s going on?” she asked him. She knew she wasn’t really talking out loud, but her mind was speaking to him.
“We can finally be together,” he whispered, his erection pressing against her thigh, making her yearn for him.
“What do you mean finally?” she asked.
“We can be together, my love. No interruptions, nothing cutting us short,” he said.
“You mean-”
“Yes,” he said, breathing a little heavily in anticipation. He leaned down and kissed her deeply. She moaned slightly and kissed him back furiously, as if she’d never see him again. She was dimly aware of her friend looking at her.
“Astrid, are you okay?” asked Emily. Astrid grabbed Carla’s arm tightly.
“B-ba-bathroom,” she stuttered out. “I need-” she moaned slightly again as he touched her breast, the other hand on her waist, pulling her closer to him. “I need to go-go to the bathroom.”
“Okay, come on,” Carla said. She grabbed her hand and helped Astrid to the bathroom next to the auditorium. It was a small room with one stall. Carla locked the door behind them.
“What’s wrong?” Carla asked, looking worried, but Astrid didn’t hear her. She felt her lover push himself inside her, causing Astrid to gasp and moan as she arch her back; she grabbed onto the bathroom sink for support.
“Oh, God,” she moaned.
“Oh, my love,” he moaned back, kissing her neck tenderly. He wanted to be slow, take their time, but Astrid didn’t. She raised her hips and thrust against him urgently, causing him to make a guttural groan. She could feel herself cum as he moved against her faster. She gasped and breathed heavily, unable to make a sound as her voice was lost.
Then, they both climaxed at the same time. Waves of pleasure hit her at full force, each one more powerful than the last. They both cried out as the last and the strongest one came that forced her whole body to tremble and a bright light burst behind her closed eyes, forcing them open.
Then, her lover was gone. She was back in reality, leaning against the bathroom sink, her whole body shuddering as she rode out her orgasm. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was flushed a deep shade of red; also it was wet with perspiration and tears that had crawled down her cheeks.
“What the hell was that?” Carla demanded, looking terrified and confused. Astrid didn’t answer right away, but splashed cold water on her face and then wiped it off with paper towel.
“It finally happened,” Astrid whispered. She felt a strange sense of bliss and completion.
“What did? That was some strange shit, Trid. What was it?” Carla asked.
“I couldn’t stop it. It was like a daydream I had no control over. I couldn’t get out of it,” Astrid said. “He came to me, saying we could finally be together without anymore interruptions, nothing cutting us short.”
“Wait, are you talking about the guy from your dreams? Are you saying you daydreamed an orgasm?” Carla asked in disbelief.
“No, it wasn’t a day dream, but a dream while I was awake. I was conscious and aware of being at lunch, but I was also in the bedroom, under those sheets with him. I finally climaxed; we finally climaxed,” Astrid explained, tears in her eyes from happiness and relief.
“No, are you sure? Because unless you were doing something to yourself under our lunch table, Astrid, it couldn’t have been an orgasm. You can’t daydream an orgasm without something physically happening to you in reality. It’s impossible,” Carla explained.
“You’re the one who’s had an orgasm here, Carla. Did it look and sound like one to you?” Astrid asked. She hesitated.
“Okay, yes, it did. But how could it have happened? Do you think you have that weird disease where you can get an orgasm without anything actually happening? Like in that Grey’s Anatomy episode?” Carla asked.
“No. I don’t know. All I do know is that it finally happened. I finally came with my dream lover,” Astrid said. Her friend looked at her, concerned.
“I don’t know about this, Trid. This is getting a little too weird,” Carla said.
“You think this is weird? Try having this happening to you and then tell me how weird it is,” Astrid said, trying to make sense of everything. Then she sighed and shook her head. “Let’s get out of here. I need some water.”
“I’m sure you do. You know, I bet you’re the first person to have an orgasm with an imaginary lover without masturbating,” Carla said, smiling as they walked out of the bathroom.
“Ha ha, very funny. This is a little scary Carla, I think some seriousness is in order,” Astrid said, heading toward the water fountains.
“Oh, come on, Astrid. You just had an orgasm by yourself without any assistance at all. There’s a small element of humor here,” her friend said quietly. Astrid glared at her slightly as she took deep draughts of water.
When she was done, Astrid starting heading back to her table when an abrupt, terrible pain erupted in her head like someone threw a brick at it. Astrid cried out in agony and fell to her knees.
“Astrid! What’s wrong?” Carla asked, kneeling next to her friend. Astrid didn’t answer her. She didn’t hear her. All she knew was pain as tears flowed from her cheeks.
“Oh, God! Make it stop! Please, help me!” she yelled, her head in her hands. She cried harder as the pain grew to an insane degree. Astrid didn’t know pain like this existed.
“Astrid, talk to me! What’s wrong?” Carla yelled, lifting Astrid’s face so she could look into her eyes. But Astrid didn’t see her. As her mind went numb from the pain and she saw thousands of images flash before her eyes. There was one of her coming out of the ocean without any clothes, stepping onto a beautiful island where a breathlessly beautiful man helped her.
Then, she was in a large, open building with columns made of white marble, the floor made from the same material. She was in a beautiful gown, standing next to an extremely deformed and ugly man. It looked like a wedding.
Then she saw hundreds of people around her, all of them indescribably beautiful. One of them was sitting on a gold throne with a stunning crown on his head fashioned with the finest jewels.
Then, she saw her dream lover. He was dressed in gold armor from head to toe, holding a shield and the sword he wore in her dreams. He took off his helmet and looked down at her with love. Next to him stood an extremely handsome young man who looked around Astrid’s age with wavy blond hair and green sea foam eyes, the same color as Astrid’s.
“Ares,” she whispered out loud, staring at the man in armor. Then her gaze went to the young man. “Eros,” she whispered again.
Suddenly, they were both gone. She was staring at the floor. There was a large group of people around her. She slowly stood up.
“Astrid, are you okay?” asked a deep voice. She looked up and saw a man in front of her. He was a very attractive man in his mid thirties with red hair and light freckles on his nose. She knew his name was Joshua Olson, but couldn’t remember how she knew. She looked around her. Lots of people was staring at her. She felt strange and she looked down at her hands and gasped. These weren’t her hands. She looked at her body, touching her stomach and her breasts. This body wasn’t hers.
“Astrid, what happened? Are you hurt?” asked another voice. She turned and saw Carla. Again, she couldn’t remember how she knew this person’s name.
“What did you call me?” she asked, her voice not her own either. She put her hand gently to her throat.
“Astrid. What’s going on?” Carla asked.
“Astrid...” she said, the name feeling familiar. Then, she remembered. She remembered everything. Fury grew inside her chest with such a force, she almost let out a cry of rage.
“Astrid, what’s wrong?” asked Carla. She glared at the girl, but she was not angry with her. She had someone else to deal with.
She started walking through the crowd, who parted for her.
“Astrid!” yelled a voice. She didn’t stop. She continued walking through the cafeteria, then finally out the doors to the parking lot.
“Hermes! Cunning messenger god, I demand you come to me now!” she yelled into the air. Suddenly, a very attractive man with long, wavy golden hair appeared before out of thin air. He looked at her, confused.
“Who are you to demand my presence?” he asked, obviously upset.
“Save it Hermes, it’s me. You are to take me to Zeus immediately unless you wish for me curse to you never know the touch of another woman again,” she said venomously, her anger still at a boiling point.
“I don’t know who you are, but I refuse to take you to the King of the Gods. No mortal can enter Mount Olympus,” Hermes said, glaring at her.
“You foolish bird!” she spat, using the worst insult anyone can give Hermes. “It’s me, Aphrodite.” Hermes stared at her.
“What?” he asked.
“It’s true. You remember what happened. You remember what he did to me. I demand you take me to see him or I will curse you,” Aphrodite said.
“How do I know it’s you?” he asked. “No god has seen Aphrodite in her mortal body.”
“We had an affair a few thousand years ago which ended up with me having our child, Hermaphrodite.”
“Anyone who reads Greek mythology can find that out,” Hermes said, smiling cunningly.
“Fine, this was never written. I told you that you were horrible in bed compared to my other lovers,” Aphrodite replied. He stopped smiling, looking surly.
“I see. That’s true, she did tell me that. All right, I will grant your wish, but he will not be pleased,” said Hermes.
“I’m counting on it,” Aphrodite growled. She grabbed Hermes’ arm he offered her and then, they disappeared in a flash for gold dust. Her and Hermes stood at the entrance of very large, gold gates.
“This way, goddess,” Hermes said as the gates opened for them. They walked across the white marble floors, columns of white marble followed them, just like in her memory where she was being married to Hephaestus.
As they walked inside Mount Olympus, all the other gods and goddesses stopped what they were doing and stared at Hermes and Aphrodite. Never has a mortal entered Mount Olympus and, as far as everyone there went, Aphrodite was a mortal.
“HERMES!” thundered a voice so deep, it resonated off the building, causing Aphrodite’s ears to ring. She and Hermes turned to their right and saw a very large man walking toward them. He towered at six foot eight with huge muscles that made his veins pop out of his skin. He had long, curly white hair, but no beard as it was often depicted in human art. He was wearing a white toga with his signature gold pin with a lightning bolt embossed on it which held it together.
Zeus stormed towards them, looking absolutely furious.
“Hermes! How dare you bring a mortal to our home! You know it’s forbidden! Do you know what the penalty is for this?” he yelled, the vein in his forehead throbbing.
“Your Majesty, this is no mere mortal,” Hermes replied calmly. He almost never lost his temper, unlike his ruler. Zeus looked at him, then looked at Aphrodite.
“What’s the matter, Zeus-y? Don’t recognize me after eighteen years?” Aphrodite asked, glaring at him with as much anger and hatred she could muster up.
“Who are you?” he demanded, fire basically spitting from his eyes.
“It’s me, Zeus. The goddess you banished to be a mortal for a hundred years!” she yelled wrathfully. His mouth dropped open in shock.
“Aphrodite?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, you son of a bitch. How dare you banish me!” she said. Suddenly, Zeus started laughing. He was in an uproar. His booming laugh echoed throughout the hall.
“My fellow gods and goddesses. Look who has decided to grace us with her presence. ‘Tis Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love,” he said to everyone. They all gasped and started muttering and murmuring to each other.
“I demand you change me back this instant, Zeus!” Aphrodite said.
“And tell me why I should?” he asked, laughter in his voice.
“I am a goddess, not a human. I don’t belong in this body,” she answered.
“This is your punishment, goddess. You are to live a hundred years as a mortal. You will die a natural death and then you will then be allowed to return to your former glory. One hundred years, Aphrodite. No more, no less,” he explained.
“A punishment for what exactly?” she demanded.
“For trying to seduce me into leaving my wife to be with you,” he answered. Aphrodite bit her tongue, holding back her retort. She knew better than to call the king of gods a liar. She may be angry, but she wasn’t going to get herself killed.
“This punishment is unjust. You know who I am. I am the goddess of sexuality. I seduce, it’s what I do. Why punish me for using my powers?” she asked.
“Because you tried to seduce the ruler of mankind. That is not tolerated. I am bound to one goddess and one goddess only. My wife Hera is the only woman I am to be with. You knew this, yet you pursued me. So, you must face the consequences. Don’t try to negotiate with me. I have it written in stone. Once something is written in stone, goddess, there is no going back on it. You know this,” he said. Aphrodite swore. He was right. Not even Zeus had the power to break the unbreakable laws. She stood there, fury enveloping her. How dare he do this? She is Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty, eternal youth and sexuality. She has power over every creature with two legs. She is nearly impossible to refuse. She could have any being she wanted, mortal or god, man or woman. Now, she was reduced to a mortal. A teenage girl in Miami, Florida with homework and zits. She nearly cried out in frustration.
“You are to leave here, Aphrodite. Wait, what is your mortal name?” he asked.
“Astrid,” she said.
“Him, ironic. Astrid is ancient Nordic for love,” he said, smirking.
“I’m lost in the irony,” Aphrodite spat. He frowned.
“You are to not return to Mount Olympus again, Astrid. Once you leave, you are exiled until your sentence is up,” he said. “Now, go.”
“Wait, I have two requests,” Aphrodite said.
“Really? This should be good,” Zeus said.
“My first one, I ask for one of my powers back.”
“Denied. You are mortal. You cannot have the powers of a god,” Zeus said without thinking about it.
“It is imperative that you give me back the power of guiding love. Although some may see me as the goddess of whores, I do help mortals in the one area they need help with the most. They need someone to guide them to love, find their soul mates. If you haven’t noticed, ever since you banished me, love has been disappearing from the world. You know what will happen if it leaves it entirely? Hatred will consume the human race, causing more wars and deaths. It will eventually be the end of the world. Then who will you rule over?” Aphrodite explained. Zeus stood there thinking about what she said. “Either you return to me that one power, or you can sit back and watch the world destroy itself. It’s your choice,” she said. Zeus heaved a great sigh.
“Very well. You have only that one power. But, it has its limitations. You are forbidden from using it on others to make them fall in love with you,” he said.
“I don’t need my powers for that,” Aphrodite replied arrogantly.
“If that is all, you may leave,” he said.
“Wait, I have one more request,” she said. He looked a little impatient as he waited. “I ask that I can see any god or goddess I wish to see.”
“For the last time, Astrid. You are banished. It is written in the stones-” he said.
“It is written that I am exiled from Mount Olympus. It is not written that I may call down the gods to come to me if I wish it. Despite what you think, I have friends here I miss dearly, not to mention my family whom I haven’t seen in almost twenty years,” Aphrodite cut in. Zeus looked angry that she found a flaw. “Well, do I have permission to do so?”
“Yes, I give you permission. However, you may not ask the other gods and goddesses to do your bidding in your life. You are to live as a mortal,” he said after a long pause. Aphrodite almost smiled.
“I can live with that,” she said.
“Your requests will be granted at midnight tonight. Now, you are to leave, goddess. Do not even think of returning until you’ve seen through your punishment,” he said.
“Yeah, yeah. I got it, okay? Nice seeing you too,” she said as if she were talking back to one of her parents.
“Watch it, Astrid. I can take away your requests at any time I wish,” he said. Aphrodite put on a fake smile.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I do not mean any disrespect,” she said, bowing slightly. “Until next time...”
Aphrodite turned and walked out of the hall with what dignity she had left. Hermes met her at the gate.
“Thank you, Hermes, for helping me,” she said when they were back in the school parking lot.
“It is my pleasure, Aphrodite,” he said.
“I guess, if I am to ever see you again, that you should call me Astrid,” she said.
“Yes, Astrid,” he said, inclining his head at her.
“Give Hermaphrodite my love,” she said.
“I will. Good bye,” he said. Then he disappeared, leaving her alone in the parking lot with her thoughts.
Astrid finished her shower and got dressed. She finished getting ready for the day, then headed down stairs.
“Happy birthday, honey!” her mom said when Astrid entered the kitchen. Her mother walked over and hugged Astrid tightly. Astrid was shocked for a second. She was so busy thinking about her dream lover that she had completely forgotten it was her birthday.
“Thanks, mom,” she said, hugging her mother back. Her mother was an amazing woman. She stood proudly at five foot one and was a little plump. She had short red hair, but what Astrid liked most was her mother’s soft, loving hands. They were made to be a mother’s hands.
Astrid’s father stood from the table. He, too, wasn’t that tall. He was around five foot ten with black hair and a scruffy, week old beard her mom was always begging him to shave, which he never did. He put his arms around her as he said happy birthday. Although he wasn’t that tall, he had very large arms that always enveloped her into a bear hug he only used on her.
The reason Astrid didn’t look like her parents was because she was adopted. No one knew who her biological parents were. She was dropped off at a hospital where no one saw the people who abandoned her.
The only clue that Astrid has of her past, which she can’t figure out, is a necklace that was around her neck when she was found. It had a leather string and hanging from it was an interesting design of beads. There was a silver bead, then a red one, then a breathtaking pearl. Then there was another red followed by another silver. Then, hanging from those were three, very small gold charm pendants. One was a sea shell, one was a mirror and the other a swan. They were each beautifully detailed. Her parents took it from her and gave it back when she was twelve years old, when they told her she was adopted. Since then, she hasn’t taken it off once.
“Thanks you guys,” Astrid said when her father let go of her. Her mother’s eyes were brimming with tears.
“I can’t believe my little girl is turning eighteen today,” she sniffled. Astrid sighed.
“Oh, mom. Please don’t cry,” she said. Her mom smiled and the tears disappeared.
“Okay, I promise. Now, I made you your favorite breakfast. German Puff Pancakes,” she said. Astrid smiled gratefully. “Now go sit next to your father.”
Astrid sat down and drank some of her orange juice her mother had poured for her. Astrid loved her parents dearly. Her mother stopped working as a kindergarten teacher when Astrid was adopted and was a stay-at-home mom until Astrid was seven. Her father is the owner of a motorcycle repair shop. He owned his own bike, a 1985 Yamaha V-Max he got when he was a teenager. They weren’t wealthy, but her family was comfortable.
Her and her family ate pancakes while talking about the day and what Astrid wanted to do for her birthday party this weekend. Astrid’s mother was talking about decorations when Astrid said she had to go. She quick ran up stairs, brushed her teeth, checked herself one more time in the mirror and then went downstairs with her back pack.
“Bye mom, bye dad. I’ll see you after school!” she called and then walked out the door. Astrid usually took the family’s third car, a crappy 92 dark green Honda truck that she hated, but shared with her older brother Michael, who was now in college for his second year. She was about to dig the keys out of her bag when she stopped dead in her tracks. She let out a short scream when she saw what was parked in the driveway.
A 2003 Indian Spirit Springfield motorcycle was parked in front of her, leaning gracefully against its kickstand. Astrid stared at it. It was the exact same one her and her father saw at a motorcycle show a few months ago. She told her dad that this was her dream bike.
Astrid dropped her back pack and ran into the house.
“What is that in the driveway?” she demanded her parents, who were clearing the table.
“A motorcycle,” her father stated. “A 2003 Indian Spirit Springfield, I believe.”
“I got that. What’s it doing here?” she asked, her heart pounding, not daring to believe what she was thinking. Her parents looked at each other, smiling. Then her father turned to her, put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a set of keys.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he said, tossing her the keys. Astrid caught them, her mouth hanging open.
“Are you serious?” she asked, shocked.
“Very,” her mother said, smiling at her. Astrid screamed again and ran over and hugged her parents tightly at the same time.
“Oh, my God! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, my God! I can’t believe you guys did this for me! You’re the greatest parents ever!” she squealed.
“Honey, we can’t breathe,” her mother said. Astrid let go of them.
“Oh, my God! This can’t be real,” she said, looking at the keys as if they were the most beautiful thing in the world.
“It is. It’s all yours. We’re giving your brother the truck so he can have a car in college. I got this for you at the show when you were in the bathroom. We’ve been planning this since last year,” her father explained.
“Thank you so much, you guys. You have no idea how much this means to me,” Astrid said, wanting to cry. She hugged her parents individually, kissing them both on the cheek.
“Now go on. You’re going to be late for school. And for God’s sakes, drive carefully. I don’t want to regret getting it for you,” her mother said, smiling up at her daughter.
“I will and you won’t, I promise,” she said. Astrid thanked them again and then ran outside. She stared at the bike, taking in every detail. It was truly a magnificent bike and it was all hers. She was still shocked. Astrid ran her fingers along the body, feeling the smooth surface and leather seat.
She grabbed her backpack and put it on. Then she straddled the seat slowly. She wanted to remember this for the rest of her life. She placed her hands on the handle bars. It felt amazing, like they were made for her. She then put the keys in the ignition and started it. The bike roared to life. Astrid could feel it’s power between her legs. The engine purred while idling and she put on the black, tinted helmet. Astrid took a deep breath and then backed it out of her driveway and then she set the clutch and took off. Her heart beat furiously in her chest as she sped down the high way towards her school. She has never felt so alive in her whole life than she did at that moment.
Her father taught Astrid everything about motorcycles when she was fifteen, even giving her riding lessons on his bike. She got her motorcycle’s license and her driver’s license at sixteen, driving her dad’s once in a while.
Astrid pulled into the school, the thunderous sound of the engine filling the parking lot as she slowed down and parked into the first parking space closest to the building. Everyone outside stared at her, admiring the bike. She removed her helmet and shook her hair out, smiling as she did so. She cut the engine and pulled down the kickstand, gently leaning the bike against it. Then she stepped off and set the alarm on the bike. She stared at the bike.
“Whoa, please tell me that’s yours,” said Carla’s voice from behind her. Astrid turned to look at her best friend, a broad grin on her face.
“Happy birthday to me,” she replied. Carla squealed and hugged Astrid.
“Oh, my God! You’re parents bought you a motorcycle. That is so cool. This is an awesome bike,” Carla said, appreciating it.
“I know. This has been my dream bike for months. My dad bought it at the bike show we went to a few months ago when I was in the bathroom. How cool are my parents? They bought a 2003 Indian Spirit Springfield for my birthday!” Astrid said, her whole body still vibrating from the ride.
“Way cooler than mine!” Carla said, smiling still.
They finally left the bike as the first bell rang to their disappointment.
Carla and Astrid have a two hour free drawing art class first second hour. It’s an honors art program that allows you to free draw for the whole class period. Your final grade is determined on what piece you decide to use. Astrid had been working on her dream lover on and off all week, the other time was spent drawing a bike behind him. She loved drawing motorcycles and she decided to incorporate her dream lover with it. He was casually leaning against the bike with his muscular arms crossed and his hand set at an angle. He looked like he was waiting for her. She had already finished the bike and the outline of the man and was now working on the details of him. She had gotten pretty far when Carla came over to see how she was doing.
“Oh, my God!” she said, grabbing the drawing from Astrid. She stared at it. “This is amazing, Trid,” using the nickname that people sometimes used for her. “Who is the hottie?”
Astrid’s face suddenly turned serious and looked as if she were trying to concentrate hard on something.
“I don’t know. I wish I did,” she said quietly.
“What do you mean?” Carla asked. Astrid remembered what the man said last night. That today she would find out who he was. Her stomach clenched as she suddenly became very nervous. She sighed, took the drawing back and looked at her friend.
“Do you remember yesterday when I said I’ve been having strange dreams lately?” Astrid asked.
“Yeah,” Carla replied.
“Well, it’s a bit more than a strange dream. I’ve been having the same one every night for the past seven nights. They’re a little different each time, but it’s basically the same thing,” she said.
“A recurring dream?”
“Exactly.”
“What are they of?”
“Well, every night I’m in this room. It’s beautifully decorated with extremely expensive and priceless pieces of artwork and incredibly crafted weapons on the walls. Also, in the middle of this room is a bed. A large bed with red silk sheets,” she said. Carla’s pierced eyebrow went up. “Then, most of the time, I’m already under the covers...without any clothes.” Her eyebrow went up further. “Then, the door opens and-” Astrid looked at her drawing. “He comes in.”
“Wait a minute, this is a sex dream, I’m assuming,” Carla said.
“Yes, very much a sex dream,” Astrid answered, remember last night’s dream. She felt herself grow hot in between her thighs. She crossed her legs to try to get rid of the sexual arousal.
“With him?” she asked, pointing to the drawing. Astrid nodded. “Damn.”
“Anyways, he comes in and there’s usually a conversation before we start,” Astrid continued.
“About what?” she asked.
“Anything. He always asks how my day was, how I’m feeling. He says he misses me and that he loves me; that he always has and always will. After that, there’s a silence. Then, I ask who he is and every time, he won’t answer. I don’t know anything about this guy. His name, how old he is, where he’s from. He refuses to tell me. When I ask again, he tells me not to worry, that I’ll find out soon enough. Then, before I can say anything else, he kisses me,” Astrid explained. “Then, we proceed to...”
“Get down and dirty?” Carla finished, smiling.
“Make love,” Astrid corrected. “That’s what we’re doing. We’re trying to show how much we love each other by being physical. It’s hard to describe.”
“So, why the depressed look? This sounds like something I would want to dream about every night,” Carla asked.
“Well, something happens in the dream. We’re in the middle of...you know, and I’m about to...”
“Climax,” her friend finished.
“Yeah. Right before it happens, he says he sorry, then I wake up, covered in sweat, breathing like I just ran ten miles,” Astrid said.
“Really? Just before the good part, you wake up?” Carla asked, surprised. Astrid nodded. “Oh, that sucks, Trid.”
“Tell me about it. Not to mention, every time I wake up, I feel empty and cold. I can’t explain why I do or what I feel empty about, though.”
“And you’ve been having these dreams every night?” Carla asked.
“For a whole week, but last night was different,” Astrid replied.
“How so?”
“Well, most of it was the same. But, while we were talking, I start asking who he is. He says all in good time, that I’ll know soon enough. I ask when I’ll find out and he said ‘tomorrow’, which is today. And, I know this sounds crazy, but I can’t help but feeling like I’m going to see him today in real life. But, that’s insane. He’s someone my mind made up. I know I’ve never met him because I would have certainly remembered that,” Astrid explained. Her friend sat there quietly, taking in what she said.
“Well, maybe tonight in your dream, he’s finally going to tell you who he is. Maybe that’s what he meant,” she suggested.
“Maybe...” Astrid said. She turned to the drawing and stared at the man’s flawless face, his perfect muscles. “I just wish I knew who he was. Then I’d stop thinking about him as much.”
“I’d just let these dreams play out. Maybe they’ll stop eventually,” Carla said. Astrid must have looked disappointed. “Do you want them to stop?”
“I don’t know. I can’t stop thinking about them, but they’re really nice to dream about,” she replied.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind having them every night. Although, I would like to climax before it ended.”
“Yeah, that gets a little frustrating,” Astrid said, laughing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Astrid was in Mythology class. They were in the media center, researching Aphrodite. She was reading about the story of Aphrodite and Psyche, when she suddenly became very drowsy. She was leaning on her hand and she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Astrid was in the large bed, the silk sheets hugging her and accentuating every curve. She saw her lover naked at the end of the bed. He was running his hands along her calves, slowly messaging them. She sighed, loving the feeling of his hands on her.
“This is different,” Astrid said, staring at him amorously. He smiled at her.
“I want you to feel good, make up for when our time is cut short,” he replied.
“It’s working,” she said smiling, pleasurable tingles running throughout her whole body at his touch.
“I’m glad,” he said. There was a comfortable silence as she took in his hands expertly running across her skin.
“Last night you told me I would find out who you are today. Did you mean you would tell me here?” Astrid asked.
“No, my love. You will find out today, but I’m not going to tell you,” he answered.
“How will I find out then?” Astrid asked.
“You will remember me,” he said after a short pause. Astrid pulled her leg away and sat up to move close to him, letting the sheet fall away. She touched his cheek affectionately.
“Remember you? How could I ever forget?” she asked. His eyes and face showed he was hurting, as if reliving a painful memory.
“You have. You don’t know who I am. You have forgotten me,” he replied.
“I don’t understand. I know I would remember knowing you,” Astrid said. He smiled slightly, grabbing her hand in his.
“I am not upset with you, it’s not your fault you’ve forgotten. I am only upset with the fact that we have spent all these years apart and that now we can only have moments together,” he said sadly.
“Stop speaking in riddles. I don’t understand what you’re saying,” Astrid said, her heart twisting at his pain.
“You will. Don’t worry, my love, you will,” he said. He slowly brushed his hand against her breast, causing Astrid to gasp quietly. He slowly moved his hand down her stomach and past her blond curls. She felt his fingers and moaned quietly. He put one inside her followed by another and she gasped more audibly.
“My love,” he whispered.
“I love you,” she moaned, her whole body trembling.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
“No, please,” Astrid begged, but then she was suddenly wrenched from the dream, breathing heavily and sweating slightly.
“Hey, you okay?” asked Carla. Astrid looked at her.
“Yeah, I just fell asleep,” she said.
“I know,” Carla replied, smiling and raising her eyebrows. Astrid grew red in humiliation.
“Did you-I mean, did I make any-” she asked desperately. Her friend laughed.
“A very quiet moan that only I heard. Don’t worry. No one else realized you were asleep. It was just for a few minutes,” Carla answered.
“Thanks for waking me,” she said.
“How was it this time?” she asked.
“We were talking. He was giving me a foot massage. He said that he wanted to make me feel good because we never got to finish our time together,” Astrid said.
“Really? How considerate,” Carla said.
“Then, I asked him if he was going to tell me who he was because he told me I would find out today. He answered saying that he wasn’t going to tell me, but that I would remember who he is,” Astrid continued.
“What?” Carla asked, taken aback.
“That’s what I said. I could never forget knowing him. But he said that I did forget, although it wasn’t my fault. He said he wasn’t upset with me, but that he was upset because of all the years we’ve spent apart.”
Carla sat there thinking, then shrugged.
“You’re mind is a weird place, Astrid,” she said. Astrid stared at her hands, trying really hard to try and understand what her dream lover meant.
“Yeah...weird,” she muttered.
It was at lunch the next hour when everything happened. Astrid was sitting with her friends, laughing and talking, but in the back of her mind, she kept remembering her dream. She had finished her lunch and sat back down from throwing away her trash. It was exactly three o’clock when it happened.
“So, for my party, I was thinking about having a theme,” Astrid was saying to the table.
“What kind of theme?” James asked.
“I don’t know. I haven’t-” she started, then stopped as a voice filled her head.
“My love, come to me. Meet me,” it said fervently. She recognized it instantly. It was her dream lover.
“Astrid?” asked Carla, looking concerned. Astrid didn’t reply, because something very strange happened. She felt a hand grab her waist. Astrid looked down at her body, but there was no hand.
“What the hell?” she asked herself aloud.
“Come to me,” said her lover again. Astrid could see him, even though she could see her friends at the same time. They were in the bedroom, laying together in the sheets. Both of them were naked as he moved on top of her.
“What’s going on?” she asked him. She knew she wasn’t really talking out loud, but her mind was speaking to him.
“We can finally be together,” he whispered, his erection pressing against her thigh, making her yearn for him.
“What do you mean finally?” she asked.
“We can be together, my love. No interruptions, nothing cutting us short,” he said.
“You mean-”
“Yes,” he said, breathing a little heavily in anticipation. He leaned down and kissed her deeply. She moaned slightly and kissed him back furiously, as if she’d never see him again. She was dimly aware of her friend looking at her.
“Astrid, are you okay?” asked Emily. Astrid grabbed Carla’s arm tightly.
“B-ba-bathroom,” she stuttered out. “I need-” she moaned slightly again as he touched her breast, the other hand on her waist, pulling her closer to him. “I need to go-go to the bathroom.”
“Okay, come on,” Carla said. She grabbed her hand and helped Astrid to the bathroom next to the auditorium. It was a small room with one stall. Carla locked the door behind them.
“What’s wrong?” Carla asked, looking worried, but Astrid didn’t hear her. She felt her lover push himself inside her, causing Astrid to gasp and moan as she arch her back; she grabbed onto the bathroom sink for support.
“Oh, God,” she moaned.
“Oh, my love,” he moaned back, kissing her neck tenderly. He wanted to be slow, take their time, but Astrid didn’t. She raised her hips and thrust against him urgently, causing him to make a guttural groan. She could feel herself cum as he moved against her faster. She gasped and breathed heavily, unable to make a sound as her voice was lost.
Then, they both climaxed at the same time. Waves of pleasure hit her at full force, each one more powerful than the last. They both cried out as the last and the strongest one came that forced her whole body to tremble and a bright light burst behind her closed eyes, forcing them open.
Then, her lover was gone. She was back in reality, leaning against the bathroom sink, her whole body shuddering as she rode out her orgasm. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was flushed a deep shade of red; also it was wet with perspiration and tears that had crawled down her cheeks.
“What the hell was that?” Carla demanded, looking terrified and confused. Astrid didn’t answer right away, but splashed cold water on her face and then wiped it off with paper towel.
“It finally happened,” Astrid whispered. She felt a strange sense of bliss and completion.
“What did? That was some strange shit, Trid. What was it?” Carla asked.
“I couldn’t stop it. It was like a daydream I had no control over. I couldn’t get out of it,” Astrid said. “He came to me, saying we could finally be together without anymore interruptions, nothing cutting us short.”
“Wait, are you talking about the guy from your dreams? Are you saying you daydreamed an orgasm?” Carla asked in disbelief.
“No, it wasn’t a day dream, but a dream while I was awake. I was conscious and aware of being at lunch, but I was also in the bedroom, under those sheets with him. I finally climaxed; we finally climaxed,” Astrid explained, tears in her eyes from happiness and relief.
“No, are you sure? Because unless you were doing something to yourself under our lunch table, Astrid, it couldn’t have been an orgasm. You can’t daydream an orgasm without something physically happening to you in reality. It’s impossible,” Carla explained.
“You’re the one who’s had an orgasm here, Carla. Did it look and sound like one to you?” Astrid asked. She hesitated.
“Okay, yes, it did. But how could it have happened? Do you think you have that weird disease where you can get an orgasm without anything actually happening? Like in that Grey’s Anatomy episode?” Carla asked.
“No. I don’t know. All I do know is that it finally happened. I finally came with my dream lover,” Astrid said. Her friend looked at her, concerned.
“I don’t know about this, Trid. This is getting a little too weird,” Carla said.
“You think this is weird? Try having this happening to you and then tell me how weird it is,” Astrid said, trying to make sense of everything. Then she sighed and shook her head. “Let’s get out of here. I need some water.”
“I’m sure you do. You know, I bet you’re the first person to have an orgasm with an imaginary lover without masturbating,” Carla said, smiling as they walked out of the bathroom.
“Ha ha, very funny. This is a little scary Carla, I think some seriousness is in order,” Astrid said, heading toward the water fountains.
“Oh, come on, Astrid. You just had an orgasm by yourself without any assistance at all. There’s a small element of humor here,” her friend said quietly. Astrid glared at her slightly as she took deep draughts of water.
When she was done, Astrid starting heading back to her table when an abrupt, terrible pain erupted in her head like someone threw a brick at it. Astrid cried out in agony and fell to her knees.
“Astrid! What’s wrong?” Carla asked, kneeling next to her friend. Astrid didn’t answer her. She didn’t hear her. All she knew was pain as tears flowed from her cheeks.
“Oh, God! Make it stop! Please, help me!” she yelled, her head in her hands. She cried harder as the pain grew to an insane degree. Astrid didn’t know pain like this existed.
“Astrid, talk to me! What’s wrong?” Carla yelled, lifting Astrid’s face so she could look into her eyes. But Astrid didn’t see her. As her mind went numb from the pain and she saw thousands of images flash before her eyes. There was one of her coming out of the ocean without any clothes, stepping onto a beautiful island where a breathlessly beautiful man helped her.
Then, she was in a large, open building with columns made of white marble, the floor made from the same material. She was in a beautiful gown, standing next to an extremely deformed and ugly man. It looked like a wedding.
Then she saw hundreds of people around her, all of them indescribably beautiful. One of them was sitting on a gold throne with a stunning crown on his head fashioned with the finest jewels.
Then, she saw her dream lover. He was dressed in gold armor from head to toe, holding a shield and the sword he wore in her dreams. He took off his helmet and looked down at her with love. Next to him stood an extremely handsome young man who looked around Astrid’s age with wavy blond hair and green sea foam eyes, the same color as Astrid’s.
“Ares,” she whispered out loud, staring at the man in armor. Then her gaze went to the young man. “Eros,” she whispered again.
Suddenly, they were both gone. She was staring at the floor. There was a large group of people around her. She slowly stood up.
“Astrid, are you okay?” asked a deep voice. She looked up and saw a man in front of her. He was a very attractive man in his mid thirties with red hair and light freckles on his nose. She knew his name was Joshua Olson, but couldn’t remember how she knew. She looked around her. Lots of people was staring at her. She felt strange and she looked down at her hands and gasped. These weren’t her hands. She looked at her body, touching her stomach and her breasts. This body wasn’t hers.
“Astrid, what happened? Are you hurt?” asked another voice. She turned and saw Carla. Again, she couldn’t remember how she knew this person’s name.
“What did you call me?” she asked, her voice not her own either. She put her hand gently to her throat.
“Astrid. What’s going on?” Carla asked.
“Astrid...” she said, the name feeling familiar. Then, she remembered. She remembered everything. Fury grew inside her chest with such a force, she almost let out a cry of rage.
“Astrid, what’s wrong?” asked Carla. She glared at the girl, but she was not angry with her. She had someone else to deal with.
She started walking through the crowd, who parted for her.
“Astrid!” yelled a voice. She didn’t stop. She continued walking through the cafeteria, then finally out the doors to the parking lot.
“Hermes! Cunning messenger god, I demand you come to me now!” she yelled into the air. Suddenly, a very attractive man with long, wavy golden hair appeared before out of thin air. He looked at her, confused.
“Who are you to demand my presence?” he asked, obviously upset.
“Save it Hermes, it’s me. You are to take me to Zeus immediately unless you wish for me curse to you never know the touch of another woman again,” she said venomously, her anger still at a boiling point.
“I don’t know who you are, but I refuse to take you to the King of the Gods. No mortal can enter Mount Olympus,” Hermes said, glaring at her.
“You foolish bird!” she spat, using the worst insult anyone can give Hermes. “It’s me, Aphrodite.” Hermes stared at her.
“What?” he asked.
“It’s true. You remember what happened. You remember what he did to me. I demand you take me to see him or I will curse you,” Aphrodite said.
“How do I know it’s you?” he asked. “No god has seen Aphrodite in her mortal body.”
“We had an affair a few thousand years ago which ended up with me having our child, Hermaphrodite.”
“Anyone who reads Greek mythology can find that out,” Hermes said, smiling cunningly.
“Fine, this was never written. I told you that you were horrible in bed compared to my other lovers,” Aphrodite replied. He stopped smiling, looking surly.
“I see. That’s true, she did tell me that. All right, I will grant your wish, but he will not be pleased,” said Hermes.
“I’m counting on it,” Aphrodite growled. She grabbed Hermes’ arm he offered her and then, they disappeared in a flash for gold dust. Her and Hermes stood at the entrance of very large, gold gates.
“This way, goddess,” Hermes said as the gates opened for them. They walked across the white marble floors, columns of white marble followed them, just like in her memory where she was being married to Hephaestus.
As they walked inside Mount Olympus, all the other gods and goddesses stopped what they were doing and stared at Hermes and Aphrodite. Never has a mortal entered Mount Olympus and, as far as everyone there went, Aphrodite was a mortal.
“HERMES!” thundered a voice so deep, it resonated off the building, causing Aphrodite’s ears to ring. She and Hermes turned to their right and saw a very large man walking toward them. He towered at six foot eight with huge muscles that made his veins pop out of his skin. He had long, curly white hair, but no beard as it was often depicted in human art. He was wearing a white toga with his signature gold pin with a lightning bolt embossed on it which held it together.
Zeus stormed towards them, looking absolutely furious.
“Hermes! How dare you bring a mortal to our home! You know it’s forbidden! Do you know what the penalty is for this?” he yelled, the vein in his forehead throbbing.
“Your Majesty, this is no mere mortal,” Hermes replied calmly. He almost never lost his temper, unlike his ruler. Zeus looked at him, then looked at Aphrodite.
“What’s the matter, Zeus-y? Don’t recognize me after eighteen years?” Aphrodite asked, glaring at him with as much anger and hatred she could muster up.
“Who are you?” he demanded, fire basically spitting from his eyes.
“It’s me, Zeus. The goddess you banished to be a mortal for a hundred years!” she yelled wrathfully. His mouth dropped open in shock.
“Aphrodite?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, you son of a bitch. How dare you banish me!” she said. Suddenly, Zeus started laughing. He was in an uproar. His booming laugh echoed throughout the hall.
“My fellow gods and goddesses. Look who has decided to grace us with her presence. ‘Tis Aphrodite, goddess of beauty and love,” he said to everyone. They all gasped and started muttering and murmuring to each other.
“I demand you change me back this instant, Zeus!” Aphrodite said.
“And tell me why I should?” he asked, laughter in his voice.
“I am a goddess, not a human. I don’t belong in this body,” she answered.
“This is your punishment, goddess. You are to live a hundred years as a mortal. You will die a natural death and then you will then be allowed to return to your former glory. One hundred years, Aphrodite. No more, no less,” he explained.
“A punishment for what exactly?” she demanded.
“For trying to seduce me into leaving my wife to be with you,” he answered. Aphrodite bit her tongue, holding back her retort. She knew better than to call the king of gods a liar. She may be angry, but she wasn’t going to get herself killed.
“This punishment is unjust. You know who I am. I am the goddess of sexuality. I seduce, it’s what I do. Why punish me for using my powers?” she asked.
“Because you tried to seduce the ruler of mankind. That is not tolerated. I am bound to one goddess and one goddess only. My wife Hera is the only woman I am to be with. You knew this, yet you pursued me. So, you must face the consequences. Don’t try to negotiate with me. I have it written in stone. Once something is written in stone, goddess, there is no going back on it. You know this,” he said. Aphrodite swore. He was right. Not even Zeus had the power to break the unbreakable laws. She stood there, fury enveloping her. How dare he do this? She is Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty, eternal youth and sexuality. She has power over every creature with two legs. She is nearly impossible to refuse. She could have any being she wanted, mortal or god, man or woman. Now, she was reduced to a mortal. A teenage girl in Miami, Florida with homework and zits. She nearly cried out in frustration.
“You are to leave here, Aphrodite. Wait, what is your mortal name?” he asked.
“Astrid,” she said.
“Him, ironic. Astrid is ancient Nordic for love,” he said, smirking.
“I’m lost in the irony,” Aphrodite spat. He frowned.
“You are to not return to Mount Olympus again, Astrid. Once you leave, you are exiled until your sentence is up,” he said. “Now, go.”
“Wait, I have two requests,” Aphrodite said.
“Really? This should be good,” Zeus said.
“My first one, I ask for one of my powers back.”
“Denied. You are mortal. You cannot have the powers of a god,” Zeus said without thinking about it.
“It is imperative that you give me back the power of guiding love. Although some may see me as the goddess of whores, I do help mortals in the one area they need help with the most. They need someone to guide them to love, find their soul mates. If you haven’t noticed, ever since you banished me, love has been disappearing from the world. You know what will happen if it leaves it entirely? Hatred will consume the human race, causing more wars and deaths. It will eventually be the end of the world. Then who will you rule over?” Aphrodite explained. Zeus stood there thinking about what she said. “Either you return to me that one power, or you can sit back and watch the world destroy itself. It’s your choice,” she said. Zeus heaved a great sigh.
“Very well. You have only that one power. But, it has its limitations. You are forbidden from using it on others to make them fall in love with you,” he said.
“I don’t need my powers for that,” Aphrodite replied arrogantly.
“If that is all, you may leave,” he said.
“Wait, I have one more request,” she said. He looked a little impatient as he waited. “I ask that I can see any god or goddess I wish to see.”
“For the last time, Astrid. You are banished. It is written in the stones-” he said.
“It is written that I am exiled from Mount Olympus. It is not written that I may call down the gods to come to me if I wish it. Despite what you think, I have friends here I miss dearly, not to mention my family whom I haven’t seen in almost twenty years,” Aphrodite cut in. Zeus looked angry that she found a flaw. “Well, do I have permission to do so?”
“Yes, I give you permission. However, you may not ask the other gods and goddesses to do your bidding in your life. You are to live as a mortal,” he said after a long pause. Aphrodite almost smiled.
“I can live with that,” she said.
“Your requests will be granted at midnight tonight. Now, you are to leave, goddess. Do not even think of returning until you’ve seen through your punishment,” he said.
“Yeah, yeah. I got it, okay? Nice seeing you too,” she said as if she were talking back to one of her parents.
“Watch it, Astrid. I can take away your requests at any time I wish,” he said. Aphrodite put on a fake smile.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I do not mean any disrespect,” she said, bowing slightly. “Until next time...”
Aphrodite turned and walked out of the hall with what dignity she had left. Hermes met her at the gate.
“Thank you, Hermes, for helping me,” she said when they were back in the school parking lot.
“It is my pleasure, Aphrodite,” he said.
“I guess, if I am to ever see you again, that you should call me Astrid,” she said.
“Yes, Astrid,” he said, inclining his head at her.
“Give Hermaphrodite my love,” she said.
“I will. Good bye,” he said. Then he disappeared, leaving her alone in the parking lot with her thoughts.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Keeper 2
Bella felt herself wake up. She was coming out of a dream she couldn’t remember, her heavy eyelids trying to force their way open. She took a deep breath and felt something get in the way of her rising chest. She slowly opened her eyes to look at the obstruction. It was Katerina’s ribs. Bella gently raised her head to take in her position. Her head was resting on Katerina’s shoulder. Bella’s arm was gently laying across Katerina’s stomach, rising and falling with every breath she took. She felt her legs tangled in Katerina’s, whose arms were around her shoulders, holding Bella close to her. How the hell did we end up like this? Bella asked herself. She was about to pull out of Katerina’s arms, but she felt so comfortable and warm in them, she stopped and rested her head back on her shoulders, breathing in deeply. She loved the scent Katerina gave off. It was unique and better than any perfume.
Bella finally came to her senses and began to pull away from Katerina’s grasp. However, even though Katerina was still deeply asleep, her arms tightened around Bella, holding her in place. Bella, not wanting to wake her, didn’t try to move away, but went back to how she was when she woke up, much to her heart’s content. Bella felt herself falling asleep again to the smell of Katerina and the sound of her heartbeat.
The next time Bella woke up, she was alone. The bed was empty and she felt a little cold as she pulled the sheets tighter around her. She opened her eyes as she smelled something good and sat up. She saw Katerina in the kitchen, the sound of breakfast cooking filled the room.
Then, Bella remembered what she woke up to earlier and felt her heart twist in panic. She wondered if Katerina knew what happened, if she saw how they were sleeping. Bella felt her face heat up and turn red. She hoped that Katerina wouldn’t bring it up since Bella didn’t plan on it.
“Good morning,” came a cheerful voice from the kitchen. Bella’s head snapped up and saw Katerina smiling at her from across the room. Bella automatically smiled back, it was impossible not to when Katerina smiled.
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“Bella. Bella. Bella!” came a loud voice, shattering Bella’s thoughts. She looked up to see everyone giving her a strange stare.
“What?” Bella asked, slightly annoyed that they interrupted her thinking.
“We were asking you a question. Are you feeling all right?” Alyssa asked.
“I’m fine, sorry. I was just spacing,” Bella replied, her voice gentler.
“Oh, well, we were wondering if you knew what Katerina was doing tonight,” Kayla asked. Bella’s face turned hard as she felt a slight panic in her chest.
“No, why would I know that? I’m not her keeper,” Bella said, almost angrily.
“Whoa, chill. What is your deal? Is there something going on between you two?” Max asked.
“What do you mean something going on? There’s nothing going on,” Bella said quickly, her face instantly turning red.
“I mean are you guys fighting? Why are you so on edge?” he said. Bella took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
“Sorry, I’m just tired. I didn’t mean to act so strange,” she said.
“Whatever. I was only asking because I’m having a movie night at my house after school today and I was wondering if she wanted to come. Maybe you could give her a call,” Alyssa said.
“Oh, yeah. I will,” Bella said. “Wait, I don’t know her number.”
“Can’t you get it from work?” Harvey asked.
“Sure, I’ll do that,” Bella said. She called AmericInn, but there wasn’t a number to reach Katerina.
“That’s weird,” Max said when Bella told them.
“Yeah...weird,” Bella whispered. Katerina...where are you? Bella thought.
“Hey guys,” came a very familiar voice that made Bella’s heart jump a million miles an hour. She turned and saw Katerina behind her.
“Whoa, we were just talking about you,” Kayla said, all of them surprised to see her, none more so than Bella.
“I was across the street, trying to find a place for lunch when I saw you,” she replied.
“Join us,” Max said, pushing out a chair for her. She thanked them and sat down in between Max and Bella, whose heart still hadn’t slowed down.
“The reason we were talking about you was because we were wondering if you wanted to come to my house once we’re finished with school for a movie night. I have a huge selection of movies and a home theater system,” Alyssa said. “It’ll just be the four of us, five including you.”
“That sounds great. What time?” Katerina said, smiling happily.
“Three thirty. Do you need a ride?” Alyssa asked.
“Yeah, I don’t own a car and I don’t know where you live either,” she said.
“Bella? Would you mind? You know where her apartment is,” Alyssa asked.
“Sure, no problem,” Bella muttered, still not meeting Katerina’s eyes.
“Perfect, it’s settled then,” Kayla said. Then, their food arrived. Katerina ordered a simple bagel sandwich as Bella picked at her food, her appetite destroyed with the millions of butterflies flying around in her stomach.
“Bella, are you feeling okay?” Katerina asked after a few minutes. Bella finally looked into her beautiful, wise brown eyes.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just not very hungry,” Bella replied, swallowing hard in her suddenly dry mouth. Her heart rate accelerated again when she looked at Katerina.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Bella said, trying to sound assuring.
“Okay, you just look a little out of it,” Katerina observed. “Is there something you want to talk about?” she asked. Bella was about to answer when she felt Katerina’s hand on her knee. It was a friendly enough gesture, but Bella took a very sharp intake of breath as her whole body came alive at her touch. She was instantly sexually aroused, stronger than any other time she could remember. Breathing became difficult as she tried to stop her mind from spinning and get her heart under control.
Bella suddenly stood quickly, almost knocking over her chair.
“I’m not feeling that great, actually. I’m going to go home for the day,” Bella announced.
“Okay. Feel better. Do you think you’ll make it tonight?” Alyssa asked.
“I think so. I’ll call you if I can’t,” Bella answered, then started down the street to the school to get permission to go home. On the way, she stepped into the mouth of an alley and leaned against the wall, taking several deep breaths.
What the hell is going on? she asked herself.
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Bella was sitting in Alyssa’s living room around four thirty, sitting as still as a statue, breathing evenly.
Concentrate on the movie. I’ve never seen it before. Who’s that actor again? His name starts with an M...the girl is...Kate something. Their characters are searching for some kind of treasure...I think. Bella was thinking this as Katerina was sitting next to her on the couch.
Neither of them said much to the other. They glanced at each other occasionally, but immediately looked away when they caught the other one’s eye. Bella was constantly blushing since she picked her up at her apartment.
Now, on the couch, there was Max, Kayla, Bella, and Katerina. They were all very squished together since Max wanted to sit on the couch, but no one would move. Bella was in the middle of Kayla and Katerina, her body pressed up against Katerina’s and she was having a lot of trouble focusing. Her heart was pounding erratically and her body was refusing to settle down. Her mind was spinning in her head, giving her a headache with the battle going on inside it.
A part of her was screaming at Bella to turn her head just a little and kiss Katerina. The mere thought of Katerina’s lips on hers made Bella almost lose complete control of herself. Another part of her body was telling her to get up and leave Alyssa’s before something happened that she would regret. The third part of her was trying to calm herself down, trying to make her deny that anything was happening. The longer Bella sat that close to Katerina, the more she realized that the first part was starting to win.
Then, she heard something amazing and she turned her head. Katerina was laughing at a part of the movie. Her whole face lit up, her beautiful eyes sparkled and her smile made Bella’s already spastic heart feel like it was going to burst with feelings.
Katerina must have felt Bella’s gaze because she turned to look at Bella. Neither of them looked away this time. They were inches from each other’s face. As Bella stared into her eyes, she saw something in them she couldn’t quite figure out. Bella looked into her eyes, but quickly glanced at Katerina’s lips, which were open only a few centimeters. Bella saw Katerina lean in slightly and Bella gave into to one part of her mind.
She suddenly stood, nearly banging her head against Katerina’s, and took off for the stairs. She ran up them and into the bathroom at the top of them, shutting the door tightly, leaning against it breathing heavily.
“Oh, my God,” Bella whispered. She walked over to the sink and splashed cold water on her face trying to get control over herself. She dried her face off and stared at the sink, trying to calm down her body.
Then, she heard the door open and her head snapped up.
“Katerina,” Bella whispered standing up straight. Katerina shut the door behind her.
“Look, Bella,” Katerina said, walking toward Bella, who didn’t move an inch, “I think there’s something we need to talk about.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Bella said quietly. Katerina continued to walk toward her.
“Yes, there is,” Katerina said just as quietly. She stopped in front of Bella, only a foot away from her.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Bella said weakly. Her hands were shaking and she put them on the sink counter behind her.
“I know what you’re thinking and what you’re feeling. I think it’s the same thing that’s going on with me,” Katerina said, taking a very small step forward. Bella didn’t make any attempt to move, so Katerina took another step. Soon, she was almost touching Bella’s body with hers and Bella couldn’t breathe.
“Katerina...we can’t-I can’t-” Bella said, having no idea what she was trying to say.
“I know, Bella. I know more than you could possibly understand how we shouldn’t-” Katerina said, then stopped and took a deep breath. “If you tell me to stay away from you right now, I’ll go. I’ll leave you alone, but I can’t do it voluntarily, Bella. You have to tell me to go away.”
Bella searched her eyes and saw the pain she was feeling as she said those words. Bella didn’t reply right away as she forced herself to breathe. Katerina’s scent filled her and her knees nearly gave away, but she held herself up.
“You smell so good,” Bella muttered, but Katerina heard her. She smiled and her eyes lit up again, only this time, it was different and Bella still couldn’t figure out what she was seeing in them. Katerina raised her hand and lightly brushed her fingers along Bella’s cheek. Bella closed her eyes, taking in her touch, sighing with happiness.
“You...are beautiful,” Katerina whispered, her breath tickling Bella’s face, making her skin erupt with goose bumps. She opened her eyes again to see Katerina and then it hit her. She knew what she was seeing in her eyes. It was love.
Right when she figured it out, she slowly leaned forward and their lips touched in the lightest of kisses. Bella’s body roared with happiness, a kind of happiness she’s never felt and never knew existed. Katerina locked her arms around Bella and their lips pressed together in a fervor.
Bella put one hand on the back of Katerina’s neck, pulling her closer, and the other ran her fingers through Katerina’s hair. She pushed Bella against the sink and pressed her body against hers. Bella pulled back and gasped at the feeling of lightheaded and dizzy with arousal and happiness. Katerina didn’t stop though, she pulled Bella back for another mind blowing kiss. This time, parted her lips and ran her tongue along Bella’s upper lip. Bella immediately opened her lips and allowed Katerina’s tongue entry. Bella hesitated for a split second before she touched her tongue with Katerina’s, but when she did, bright lights exploded behind her closed eyelids and she moaned, unable to control herself. Katerina’s lips and skin were as smooth as silk and Bella knew she had never felt anything so incredible than Katerina’s body beneath her fingers. Their kiss was like nothing Bella has ever felt before. The feeling was as if the whole world was made for them and only them; that everything centered around their kiss. She felt as if the warmth of the sun was bursting in her chest, sending it’s rays to every particle and molecule of her body.
She was also very aware of Katerina. It was as if she could feel every atom, every reaction, every thought Katerina had. They were completely connected in a way that no one else could ever experience.
Katerina gently, yet passionately, caressed Bella’s tongue expertly, causing Bella’s body to shudder. Bella wanted nothing more than for that kiss to last forever, but she soon had to come up for air and pulled away, both of them breathing heavily. They didn’t move, but looked into each other’s eyes. Katerina’s were glassy with happiness and love.
“Wow,” Katerina breathed. Bella was unable to speak, everything she was feeling was too much to put into words. Bella swallowed and opened her mouth to say something, but then there was a loud pounding on the door, making both of them jump apart.
“Hey! Are you all right? What are you guys doing in there?” came Kayla’s voice.
“Yes,” Bella said, her voice hoarse as it cracked. She cleared her throat. “Yes. We’ll be down in a minute.”
They heard Kayla go down the stairs. Neither of said anything as Bella came back to her senses. She replayed what just happened and she couldn’t believe she just received the best kiss of her life from another girl. Bella’s legs started shaking and she sat down on the closed toilet.
“Oh, my God,” she said quietly, putting her head in her hands, trying to think straight.
“Bella...are you okay?” asked Katerina timidly. Bella looked up and saw fear on Katerina’s face. “Do you regret-” she didn’t finish and Bella knew what she was asking, but she didn’t have an answer. She wasn’t sure how she was feeling. Katerina let out a shaky breath when Bella didn’t reply. “I’m sorry. That was stupid of me. I’m sorry.”
Katerina then started toward the door and Bella saw the pain in her eyes. She realized with a painful twist of her heart that if she didn’t stop Katerina now, she might not get another chance with her.
“Wait,” Bella said, standing as she grabbed Katerina’s hand to stop her. “I don’t want you to go.”
Katerina didn’t face her.
“It was wrong of me to do that, Bella. I’m sorry,” she said.
“I’m not,” Bella whispered. Katerina slowly turned and stared at her, her eyes apprehensive.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m not sorry,” Bella said more confidently.
“What are you saying, Bella?” Katerina asked. Bella took a deep breath.
“I’m not really sure. Things lately have been so crazy and I don’t know what to think,” she said. Katerina looked guilty. “But there is one thing I am sure of.” Katerina looked deep into her eyes, waiting with her incredible, seemingly endless patience. “I have feelings for you, Katerina. They’re strong; stronger than anything I have ever felt before. I don’t know what to do with them, I’ve never felt anything like this. But I do know that I don’t want you to go away. I don’t want you to leave. More than anything, I want you to stay.”
Katerina started to smile, but then stopped.
“Are you sure, Bella? Is this what you really want?” she asked. Bella raised her hand and caressed her cheek, and she realized she was doing what she had been daydreaming about ever since she stayed overnight with Katerina. Bella smiled.
“I’ve never wanted anything more in my life,” she answered. Katerina allowed her smile this time, looking like the happiest person in the world. She pulled Bella into a loving hug and Bella hugged her back, letting her emotions wash over her. Nothing had ever felt so right or so perfect then when she was standing in her arms.
“Come on, we need to get back down before your friends suspect something,” Katerina whispered, her breath tickling Bella’s neck, making her shiver.
“No, not yet,” Bella said, grasping her tightly. She felt Katerina chuckle.
“Don’t worry, Bella. We have all the time in the world to be together,” she said. Bella reluctantly let go of her and stared into her eyes. Katerina leaned forward and gave Bella a tender kiss.
Bella finally came to her senses and began to pull away from Katerina’s grasp. However, even though Katerina was still deeply asleep, her arms tightened around Bella, holding her in place. Bella, not wanting to wake her, didn’t try to move away, but went back to how she was when she woke up, much to her heart’s content. Bella felt herself falling asleep again to the smell of Katerina and the sound of her heartbeat.
The next time Bella woke up, she was alone. The bed was empty and she felt a little cold as she pulled the sheets tighter around her. She opened her eyes as she smelled something good and sat up. She saw Katerina in the kitchen, the sound of breakfast cooking filled the room.
Then, Bella remembered what she woke up to earlier and felt her heart twist in panic. She wondered if Katerina knew what happened, if she saw how they were sleeping. Bella felt her face heat up and turn red. She hoped that Katerina wouldn’t bring it up since Bella didn’t plan on it.
“Good morning,” came a cheerful voice from the kitchen. Bella’s head snapped up and saw Katerina smiling at her from across the room. Bella automatically smiled back, it was impossible not to when Katerina smiled.
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“Bella. Bella. Bella!” came a loud voice, shattering Bella’s thoughts. She looked up to see everyone giving her a strange stare.
“What?” Bella asked, slightly annoyed that they interrupted her thinking.
“We were asking you a question. Are you feeling all right?” Alyssa asked.
“I’m fine, sorry. I was just spacing,” Bella replied, her voice gentler.
“Oh, well, we were wondering if you knew what Katerina was doing tonight,” Kayla asked. Bella’s face turned hard as she felt a slight panic in her chest.
“No, why would I know that? I’m not her keeper,” Bella said, almost angrily.
“Whoa, chill. What is your deal? Is there something going on between you two?” Max asked.
“What do you mean something going on? There’s nothing going on,” Bella said quickly, her face instantly turning red.
“I mean are you guys fighting? Why are you so on edge?” he said. Bella took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
“Sorry, I’m just tired. I didn’t mean to act so strange,” she said.
“Whatever. I was only asking because I’m having a movie night at my house after school today and I was wondering if she wanted to come. Maybe you could give her a call,” Alyssa said.
“Oh, yeah. I will,” Bella said. “Wait, I don’t know her number.”
“Can’t you get it from work?” Harvey asked.
“Sure, I’ll do that,” Bella said. She called AmericInn, but there wasn’t a number to reach Katerina.
“That’s weird,” Max said when Bella told them.
“Yeah...weird,” Bella whispered. Katerina...where are you? Bella thought.
“Hey guys,” came a very familiar voice that made Bella’s heart jump a million miles an hour. She turned and saw Katerina behind her.
“Whoa, we were just talking about you,” Kayla said, all of them surprised to see her, none more so than Bella.
“I was across the street, trying to find a place for lunch when I saw you,” she replied.
“Join us,” Max said, pushing out a chair for her. She thanked them and sat down in between Max and Bella, whose heart still hadn’t slowed down.
“The reason we were talking about you was because we were wondering if you wanted to come to my house once we’re finished with school for a movie night. I have a huge selection of movies and a home theater system,” Alyssa said. “It’ll just be the four of us, five including you.”
“That sounds great. What time?” Katerina said, smiling happily.
“Three thirty. Do you need a ride?” Alyssa asked.
“Yeah, I don’t own a car and I don’t know where you live either,” she said.
“Bella? Would you mind? You know where her apartment is,” Alyssa asked.
“Sure, no problem,” Bella muttered, still not meeting Katerina’s eyes.
“Perfect, it’s settled then,” Kayla said. Then, their food arrived. Katerina ordered a simple bagel sandwich as Bella picked at her food, her appetite destroyed with the millions of butterflies flying around in her stomach.
“Bella, are you feeling okay?” Katerina asked after a few minutes. Bella finally looked into her beautiful, wise brown eyes.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just not very hungry,” Bella replied, swallowing hard in her suddenly dry mouth. Her heart rate accelerated again when she looked at Katerina.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Bella said, trying to sound assuring.
“Okay, you just look a little out of it,” Katerina observed. “Is there something you want to talk about?” she asked. Bella was about to answer when she felt Katerina’s hand on her knee. It was a friendly enough gesture, but Bella took a very sharp intake of breath as her whole body came alive at her touch. She was instantly sexually aroused, stronger than any other time she could remember. Breathing became difficult as she tried to stop her mind from spinning and get her heart under control.
Bella suddenly stood quickly, almost knocking over her chair.
“I’m not feeling that great, actually. I’m going to go home for the day,” Bella announced.
“Okay. Feel better. Do you think you’ll make it tonight?” Alyssa asked.
“I think so. I’ll call you if I can’t,” Bella answered, then started down the street to the school to get permission to go home. On the way, she stepped into the mouth of an alley and leaned against the wall, taking several deep breaths.
What the hell is going on? she asked herself.
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Bella was sitting in Alyssa’s living room around four thirty, sitting as still as a statue, breathing evenly.
Concentrate on the movie. I’ve never seen it before. Who’s that actor again? His name starts with an M...the girl is...Kate something. Their characters are searching for some kind of treasure...I think. Bella was thinking this as Katerina was sitting next to her on the couch.
Neither of them said much to the other. They glanced at each other occasionally, but immediately looked away when they caught the other one’s eye. Bella was constantly blushing since she picked her up at her apartment.
Now, on the couch, there was Max, Kayla, Bella, and Katerina. They were all very squished together since Max wanted to sit on the couch, but no one would move. Bella was in the middle of Kayla and Katerina, her body pressed up against Katerina’s and she was having a lot of trouble focusing. Her heart was pounding erratically and her body was refusing to settle down. Her mind was spinning in her head, giving her a headache with the battle going on inside it.
A part of her was screaming at Bella to turn her head just a little and kiss Katerina. The mere thought of Katerina’s lips on hers made Bella almost lose complete control of herself. Another part of her body was telling her to get up and leave Alyssa’s before something happened that she would regret. The third part of her was trying to calm herself down, trying to make her deny that anything was happening. The longer Bella sat that close to Katerina, the more she realized that the first part was starting to win.
Then, she heard something amazing and she turned her head. Katerina was laughing at a part of the movie. Her whole face lit up, her beautiful eyes sparkled and her smile made Bella’s already spastic heart feel like it was going to burst with feelings.
Katerina must have felt Bella’s gaze because she turned to look at Bella. Neither of them looked away this time. They were inches from each other’s face. As Bella stared into her eyes, she saw something in them she couldn’t quite figure out. Bella looked into her eyes, but quickly glanced at Katerina’s lips, which were open only a few centimeters. Bella saw Katerina lean in slightly and Bella gave into to one part of her mind.
She suddenly stood, nearly banging her head against Katerina’s, and took off for the stairs. She ran up them and into the bathroom at the top of them, shutting the door tightly, leaning against it breathing heavily.
“Oh, my God,” Bella whispered. She walked over to the sink and splashed cold water on her face trying to get control over herself. She dried her face off and stared at the sink, trying to calm down her body.
Then, she heard the door open and her head snapped up.
“Katerina,” Bella whispered standing up straight. Katerina shut the door behind her.
“Look, Bella,” Katerina said, walking toward Bella, who didn’t move an inch, “I think there’s something we need to talk about.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Bella said quietly. Katerina continued to walk toward her.
“Yes, there is,” Katerina said just as quietly. She stopped in front of Bella, only a foot away from her.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Bella said weakly. Her hands were shaking and she put them on the sink counter behind her.
“I know what you’re thinking and what you’re feeling. I think it’s the same thing that’s going on with me,” Katerina said, taking a very small step forward. Bella didn’t make any attempt to move, so Katerina took another step. Soon, she was almost touching Bella’s body with hers and Bella couldn’t breathe.
“Katerina...we can’t-I can’t-” Bella said, having no idea what she was trying to say.
“I know, Bella. I know more than you could possibly understand how we shouldn’t-” Katerina said, then stopped and took a deep breath. “If you tell me to stay away from you right now, I’ll go. I’ll leave you alone, but I can’t do it voluntarily, Bella. You have to tell me to go away.”
Bella searched her eyes and saw the pain she was feeling as she said those words. Bella didn’t reply right away as she forced herself to breathe. Katerina’s scent filled her and her knees nearly gave away, but she held herself up.
“You smell so good,” Bella muttered, but Katerina heard her. She smiled and her eyes lit up again, only this time, it was different and Bella still couldn’t figure out what she was seeing in them. Katerina raised her hand and lightly brushed her fingers along Bella’s cheek. Bella closed her eyes, taking in her touch, sighing with happiness.
“You...are beautiful,” Katerina whispered, her breath tickling Bella’s face, making her skin erupt with goose bumps. She opened her eyes again to see Katerina and then it hit her. She knew what she was seeing in her eyes. It was love.
Right when she figured it out, she slowly leaned forward and their lips touched in the lightest of kisses. Bella’s body roared with happiness, a kind of happiness she’s never felt and never knew existed. Katerina locked her arms around Bella and their lips pressed together in a fervor.
Bella put one hand on the back of Katerina’s neck, pulling her closer, and the other ran her fingers through Katerina’s hair. She pushed Bella against the sink and pressed her body against hers. Bella pulled back and gasped at the feeling of lightheaded and dizzy with arousal and happiness. Katerina didn’t stop though, she pulled Bella back for another mind blowing kiss. This time, parted her lips and ran her tongue along Bella’s upper lip. Bella immediately opened her lips and allowed Katerina’s tongue entry. Bella hesitated for a split second before she touched her tongue with Katerina’s, but when she did, bright lights exploded behind her closed eyelids and she moaned, unable to control herself. Katerina’s lips and skin were as smooth as silk and Bella knew she had never felt anything so incredible than Katerina’s body beneath her fingers. Their kiss was like nothing Bella has ever felt before. The feeling was as if the whole world was made for them and only them; that everything centered around their kiss. She felt as if the warmth of the sun was bursting in her chest, sending it’s rays to every particle and molecule of her body.
She was also very aware of Katerina. It was as if she could feel every atom, every reaction, every thought Katerina had. They were completely connected in a way that no one else could ever experience.
Katerina gently, yet passionately, caressed Bella’s tongue expertly, causing Bella’s body to shudder. Bella wanted nothing more than for that kiss to last forever, but she soon had to come up for air and pulled away, both of them breathing heavily. They didn’t move, but looked into each other’s eyes. Katerina’s were glassy with happiness and love.
“Wow,” Katerina breathed. Bella was unable to speak, everything she was feeling was too much to put into words. Bella swallowed and opened her mouth to say something, but then there was a loud pounding on the door, making both of them jump apart.
“Hey! Are you all right? What are you guys doing in there?” came Kayla’s voice.
“Yes,” Bella said, her voice hoarse as it cracked. She cleared her throat. “Yes. We’ll be down in a minute.”
They heard Kayla go down the stairs. Neither of said anything as Bella came back to her senses. She replayed what just happened and she couldn’t believe she just received the best kiss of her life from another girl. Bella’s legs started shaking and she sat down on the closed toilet.
“Oh, my God,” she said quietly, putting her head in her hands, trying to think straight.
“Bella...are you okay?” asked Katerina timidly. Bella looked up and saw fear on Katerina’s face. “Do you regret-” she didn’t finish and Bella knew what she was asking, but she didn’t have an answer. She wasn’t sure how she was feeling. Katerina let out a shaky breath when Bella didn’t reply. “I’m sorry. That was stupid of me. I’m sorry.”
Katerina then started toward the door and Bella saw the pain in her eyes. She realized with a painful twist of her heart that if she didn’t stop Katerina now, she might not get another chance with her.
“Wait,” Bella said, standing as she grabbed Katerina’s hand to stop her. “I don’t want you to go.”
Katerina didn’t face her.
“It was wrong of me to do that, Bella. I’m sorry,” she said.
“I’m not,” Bella whispered. Katerina slowly turned and stared at her, her eyes apprehensive.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m not sorry,” Bella said more confidently.
“What are you saying, Bella?” Katerina asked. Bella took a deep breath.
“I’m not really sure. Things lately have been so crazy and I don’t know what to think,” she said. Katerina looked guilty. “But there is one thing I am sure of.” Katerina looked deep into her eyes, waiting with her incredible, seemingly endless patience. “I have feelings for you, Katerina. They’re strong; stronger than anything I have ever felt before. I don’t know what to do with them, I’ve never felt anything like this. But I do know that I don’t want you to go away. I don’t want you to leave. More than anything, I want you to stay.”
Katerina started to smile, but then stopped.
“Are you sure, Bella? Is this what you really want?” she asked. Bella raised her hand and caressed her cheek, and she realized she was doing what she had been daydreaming about ever since she stayed overnight with Katerina. Bella smiled.
“I’ve never wanted anything more in my life,” she answered. Katerina allowed her smile this time, looking like the happiest person in the world. She pulled Bella into a loving hug and Bella hugged her back, letting her emotions wash over her. Nothing had ever felt so right or so perfect then when she was standing in her arms.
“Come on, we need to get back down before your friends suspect something,” Katerina whispered, her breath tickling Bella’s neck, making her shiver.
“No, not yet,” Bella said, grasping her tightly. She felt Katerina chuckle.
“Don’t worry, Bella. We have all the time in the world to be together,” she said. Bella reluctantly let go of her and stared into her eyes. Katerina leaned forward and gave Bella a tender kiss.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Stories
Hey everyone,
I just want to let everyone know that I am purposefully posting the beginnings of a story. I have plenty of ideas for all of them and I would like everyone to comment on the ones I post and let me know which ones you want me to continue. Thanks :)
I just want to let everyone know that I am purposefully posting the beginnings of a story. I have plenty of ideas for all of them and I would like everyone to comment on the ones I post and let me know which ones you want me to continue. Thanks :)
The Keeper
Bella Peterson was sitting at the front desk of the AmericInn Hotel, absentmindedly flipping through a magazine. It was a slow Saturday and she was pretty bored. She had an eight hour shift like she did every weekend and she was only a few minutes into her shift.
At about five thirty, the bell sounded signaling that someone had just entered the building. Bella looked up and saw a very attractive girl walk in.
She was around five foot seven with long black hair that went past her shoulder blades. The ends of her hair were flipped up and bounced as she walked. Her skin was a sort of copper and Bella couldn’t think of her nationality. Her legs wore short jean shorts that showed off her long, beautiful athletic legs. Her body was very much in shape and Bella, at a glance, guessed her weight was 120 to 125 pounds. She probably had a 32C bust and a flat stomach. Her top was a red, two button men’ polo from American Eagle with exploded signature graphics. It was a very good look for her; she was anything but a tomboy, however she could easily pull off wearing guys clothing. As Bella looked at her, the girl looked a few years older than her, probably nineteen.
As she walked toward Bella, she noticed how the newcomer’s walk was confident as she held herself with grace and poise. When she did reach the front desk, she gave Bella a beautiful smile with perfect straight, white teeth that reached all the way up to her dark brown eyes, which seemed to sparkle in the light.
“Hello, welcome to AmericInn. Are you looking for a room?” Bella asked pleasantly, giving her a genuine smile. Bella never faked being nice to customers like her co-workers.
“Actually, no, I’m not. I am looking for Rachel Gleeson. Is she here?” the girl asked.
“Oh, she’s not. She usually doesn’t come in on Saturdays,” Bella answered, surprised that she was asking for her manager. Bella was the only one who worked at the hotel during her long shift.
“I know, but we have an appointment at five thirty. I can wait until she arrives,” the girl said. However, the doorbell rang again and both of the girls looked at the middle aged woman who walked in. She had dirty blond hair that hung to her jaw and she was slightly overweight. She was carrying a small brief case.
“I am sorry I’m late. I was caught behind an accident,” Rachel Gleeson said as she reached the front desk.
“Oh, it’s no problem. I only just arrived myself a moment ago,” the girl said, smiling at the woman.
“Good then. I see you’ve already met an employee of mine. Have you been introduced?” Rachel asked the girl.
“No, not yet,” she answered, turning to look at Bella.
“Well, this is Bella Peterson. Bella, this is Katerina Markos. She is a new employee here,” Rachel said.
“Oh, well, hello. It’s nice to meet you, Katerina,” Bella said, smiling again. She held out her hand and Katerina shook it, her grasp firm and confident. Bella knew this girl knew who she was and was her own person. Bella immediately had respect for her.
“The pleasure is mine,” Katerina replied.
“I’m only here for a few minutes to give her the over view and get her a uniform. She’ll be working with you during your shifts for the next few weeks so that you can show her the ropes,” Rachel informed her. Bella only worked on Saturdays during the school year.
“Sounds good to me,” Bella said.
Rachel took the girl into her office after introductions. Bella went back to her magazine and helped out a guest who had a question about local restaurants. It wasn’t too long until they came out again.
“So, you can change and begin working. I’ll be seeing you soon enough. If you have any questions, don’t be afraid to ask Bella, she’s a very nice girl,” Rachel said, smiling at Bella, who smiled back at the compliment. She’s always liked her boss.
“Thank you again for hiring me,” Katerina replied, taking a bag that contained her tee shirt she’d be wearing when she worked.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll do just fine. Good bye, Katerina,” Rachel said, shaking her hand. Katerina gave her one last smile, then went into the bathroom the change.
“I wasn’t aware we were hiring,” Bella said as soon as the door closed.
“Well, we weren’t, but then she came in asking for an application and I found myself asking if she wanted an interview right then. That was two days ago and now she’s an employee. I’m still not quite sure how it happened, but I’m not sorry that it did. She seems like a very nice and responsible girl. Besides, I know you get bored during your shifts,” Rachel explained.
“She does seem nice. I hope we get along,” Bella said.
“I think you will. Well, I’m going to get back on home. Have a good day, Bella,” Rachel said.
“You too. Bye Rachel,” Bella said and watched her manager walk out the front door.
Less than a minute later, Katerina came back out in her new, light green polo. Bella opened the door open that led to behind the desk, since it was always kept locked.
“Did Rachel leave?” Katerina asked as she sat down on a next to Bella.
“Yeah,” Bella answered.
“So, what do we do?” Katerina asked. Bella looked up without moving her head and raised an eyebrow.
“You’re doing it right now,” Bella replied. Katerina raised an eyebrow as well.
“You sit here reading a magazine?” she asked. Bella let out a chuckle.
“Basically. Saturday’s are our slow days. People check in on Fridays and check out Sunday morning. They use Saturday to site see and go around town. Occasionally there will be someone coming in on a business trip, but we pretty much sit around and fold the laundry. I just threw in a load and it won’t be done for another twenty minutes,” Bella explained. “And if you get hungry, I’ll show you where the food is. Rachel lets us dig into the breakfast food, so we can have cereal, bagels, and juice. We just have to clean up after ourselves.”
“Wow...this is a pretty sweet job,” Katerina said, smiling another smile that reached her eyes. Her smile made Bella smile.
“Yeah, I like it, but after a while, working eight hour shifts by yourself can get boring. I usually bring my homework, books, music, things like that,” Bella said.
“When am I going to learn how to work the system?”
“I’ll teach you when someone comes in, there’s always a few stragglers.”
“And until then?”
“We just chill.”
Katerina laughed quietly and leaned back in her chair, looking around the lobby. Bella would look up from her magazine sometimes and watch her for a few seconds. She seemed very content with sitting and doing nothing. Bella wondered how much patience she had.
They didn’t talk for ten minutes, but Katerina broke the silence.
“So, Bella. How old are you?” she asked. Bella looked up, surprised that she was talking.
“I’m sixteen. I turn seventeen on January twenty first,” she said.
“Grade?”
“Junior. I go to Galileo High School,” Bella answered. “What about you? How old are you?”
“Nineteen,” she answered, confirming Bella’s guess.
“School?”
“None. I was home schooled and I don’t think college is for me.”
“And working at AmericInn is?” Bella asked. There was no insult implied, only curiosity. Katerina shrugged.
“I’m also a trainer. I help young women learn self defense,” she said. “This is just for some extra cash.”
“That’s cool. I’m just here part time. I usually work more hours during the summer,” Bella said.
“Have you lived in San Francisco your whole life?” Katerina asked.
“Born and raised. I love this city, I can’t picture myself ever leaving it. What about you? Are you a native?”
“No, I only moved here a few days ago. My home is pretty far away,” she said vaguely and Bella didn’t push.
“What made you move? Do you have family out here?”
“No, I was transferred here by the people I work for. It’s a small, yet successful training company,” Katerina answered.
“Do you live nearby?”
“About fifteen minutes walking.”
“That’s cool. I live about a twenty minutes drive from here.”
Just then, a buzz from the back room signaled that the laundry was done and Bella took Katerina back to show her how to fold sheets, towels, and washcloths. She showed her the screen that showed them the view of the lobby in case someone came to the front desk, since they couldn’t see from the back room.
“Do you like your school?” Katerina asked once she got the hang of folding.
“Yeah, I love school, I always have. Did you like home school?” Bella asked. Katerina shrugged.
“I guess, yeah, I did. It gave me the freedom to really learn about what I wanted. My tutors were pretty lenient on what I wanted to do,” she answered.
“That’s cool. And you decided that being a trainer was what you wanted to do?”
“Yeah, I like it; I like the people I work with, so it’s not too bad. Do you like it here at AmericInn?”
“I do. I love working with people and this is an easy, fun job. Besides, I’m usually pretty busy with school and extracurricular activities that I don’t have a lot of time to myself. This job gives me eight hours to myself every Saturday,” Bella explained.
“So, I must be an intruder on those hours, huh?” Katerina said, but she was smiling as she said so. Bella still couldn’t believe how contagious her smile was.
“Not at all. I love meeting new people and you seem pretty cool to work with, so I’m not upset at all,” Bella replied genuinely. There was another silence.
Over the next few hours, they spoke about themselves. Bella told Katerina about her friends, more on school and what she did for fun. Katerina told Bella a little about her job and the people she works with, but Bella did most of the talking. Bella got the vibe that Katerina wasn’t really a very open person, but she wasn’t rude about it at all.
The eight hours went by faster than usual and Bella was slightly disappointed that she had to go. She liked spending time with Katerina, but they parted ways and Bella went home.
Over the next month or so, Katerina and Bella became good friends. They spent their eight hour shifts laughing, joking, and learning more about themselves. Katerina would talk of her home and how beautiful it was, but she never told Bella where it was or what the name is; she always simply said “it’s far away”. Bella knew a dodged when she saw one and she never pushed her new friend.
One night, when their shift was done at eleven o’clock, Bella invited Katerina to a party her best friend was throwing.
“I don’t know,” Katerina said.
“Please, they’re a lot of fun, I promise and my friends will love you,” Bella said. Katerina sighed.
“Okay, I’ll go. I have nothing better to do anyways,” she answered and Bella smiled. They got into Bella’s car and drove about twenty minutes out of the city to Kayla’s house, which was huge.
“Nice place,” Katerina said as they walked up to the porch.
“Her parents own a few five star restaurants in town. They’re very well off and there’s not a neighbor for about two miles, so we usually have parties out here because we can be as loud as we want,” Bella explained as they walked inside. They found Kayla immediately through the mass of students from their school, which Bella had said hi to on the way.
“Hey, about time you arrived,” Kayla said, hugging Bella.
“You know I work late on Saturday’s,” Bella replied.
“Whatever. Who’s this?” Kayla asked, looking at Katerina.
“Sorry. Kayla, this is the new employee I was telling you about, Katerina Markos. Katerina, this is Kayla Worthington, my best friend,” Bella introduced. They shook hands.
“Well, I’m glad you could come. Bella won’t shut up about how cool her new co-worker is,” Kayla said. Bella went red.
“Kayla!” she hissed angrily.
“Really? I’m cool, huh?” Katerina asked, smiling and raising an eyebrow.
“Whatever, I’m going to get something to drink. Want anything, Katerina?” Bella asked.
“Just a soda, I don’t care which one.”
Bella disappeared to get their drinks and ran into a few friends along the way, stopping to chat with them.
Bella returned to Katerina, who was now talking to Bella’s small circle of close friends. Max Jensen who was very tall, around six feet four inches with light green eyes. Alyssa Orionson, who was the shortest of the group at five feet flat and short dark red hair and different colored contacts every week (this week was purple). Harvey Court at five feet ten inchest, who has Filipino skin and almost black eyes with a warm smile. Her best friend jaw length dark blond hair with bright blue eyes and stood at five feet five inches.
Bella herself was five feet six inches with shoulder length, layered blond hair that had natural high lights from the California sun which accompanied her tan skin. She had an athletic build due to many years in volleyball. Her eyes, however, were what set Bella apart from her friends. They were an incredible, hypnotic emerald green with a few gold specks around the pupils. They were by far her best and everyone's (including Bella) favorite physical feature.
“Hey guys,” Bella said, handing Katerina a Dr. Pepper. They all said hi back, but their words were drowned out by the sudden blast of music that was coming from the living room.
“Samantha’s here!” Bella yelled at her friends. Samantha Grossman was the best DJ in school. Her friends smiled and went to the living room to dance.
“Are you going to dance?” Bella yelled to Katerina.
“I don’t think so,” Katerina replied.
“Oh, come on!” Bella yelled. She grabbed Katerina’s hand before she could stop her and led her to the dance floor.
Katerina was reluctant to start dancing, but Bella soon got her to move. Bella couldn’t believe how she could move. She was an amazing dancer and incredibly graceful as well. Bella and her friends were all dancing together, but found partners soon enough. Bella was dancing with Zack Adams and Katerina was with Nick Harris.
Bella soon lost sight of Katerina and didn’t want her to feel weird surrounded by a lot of people she didn’t know, so she went to go look for her. She found her on the deck, overlooking the very large pool in the backyard.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Bella asked, joining Katerina as they leaned against the railing on their elbows.
“Oh, hey. Nothing, I’m just enjoying the view and getting some peace and quiet. I’m not used to this kind of scene,” Katerina answered, smiling at Bella.
“We can leave if you want, I don’t mind,” Bella said.
“I said I’m not used to it, I never said I didn’t like it,” Katerina said, laughing.
“Well, anytime you feel uncomfortable, just let me know and we can leave. I’ve been to plenty of these and I wouldn’t mind leaving at all,” Bella said.
“Thanks,” Katerina said, but then went quiet again. She stared up at the sky, her eyes looked as they were anywhere but the party. The one thing that Bella has noticed about Katerina’s eyes is that they looked...old. Bella saw them and they reminded her of a hundred year old woman who has seen everything in life. They showed the wisdom and strength that only comes with age, yet her face was youthful and happy. When she stared off into space like she was now, Bella always wondered what she was thinking, because she had a feeling it wasn’t about the trivial things kids their age usually think about.
“What are you thinking about?” Bella asked suddenly, pulling Katerina from her mind. She turned to her, surprise on her face.
“Why do you ask?” she asked.
“You stare off into space a lot and you always look so deep in thought. It makes me wonder what you’re thinking. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but I was just curious,” Bella replied. Katerina didn’t answer immediately.
“Maybe one day I’ll tell you, but not now,” she said, smiling at Bella, who smiled back.
“Fair enough,” she said.
Katerina turned so her back was leaning against the railing. She was looking inside the house, watching everyone party.
“You have a nice group of friends,” she said. Bella knew it was a compliment, but there was sadness and maybe regret in Katerina’s voice. Bella wondered why.
“Yeah, they’re great. We’ve been friends for years,” Bella replied, getting into the same position.
“You’re very fortunate,” she said. Bella didn’t say anything. She wondered where all this was coming from, but somehow knew Katerina wouldn’t answer her if she asked.
“You know, I’m not really in the mood for a party anymore. Do you want to get out of here?” Bella asked without thinking, surprised by what she said, but still meant it. Katerina smiled.
“Sure. Where do you want to go?” she asked.
“How about my house? You could spend the night if you want,” Bella suggested. She saw a flicker of panic in those wise eyes, but it was so quick, Bella swore she imagined it.
“Actually, why don’t we go to my place? We’d by alone. I don’t feel like putting on the meeting the parents face. Is that okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Let’s go.”
They went inside and said goodbye to her friends, then left for the half an hour drive to Katerina’s apartment. Katerina was silent the whole ride, the only noise was coming from the radio.
They soon reached her building and went inside. Bella saw her small apartment. It had a bedroom, the living room and kitchen were connected, and a pathetic excuse for a bathroom. It was kept clean and neat, not even a dirty dish in the sink. There was a double bed, a nightstand without a phone or clock on it in the bedroom and there one chair at the dining room table. In the living room there was only one chair and a closet that held all of Katerina’s clothes.
“It’s not much, but it’s home. I don’t really need a lot,” Katerina said as she saw Bella’s eyes sweep the apartment.
“No, I like it; it’s quaint and cute. Perfect for one person,” Bella said, smiling at her friend, who smiled back.
“Are you hungry? I don’t have a lot and need to go to the store, but I do have some snack food,” she said.
“No, I’m okay, really. Thanks,” Bella replied.
“Okay, well, I’m going to change into my pajamas. I’ll grab some for you,” she said. She went into the closet and pulled out two pairs of boxers and two tank tops. Bella said she would change in the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, they were in her double bed. It was big enough for both them to fit on, but it was impossible to not touch each other.
“I can sleep on the floor if your uncomfortable,” Katerina said. They were lying on their sides, arms propped up on their elbows, facing each other.
“No, this is just fine,” Bella replied, meaning it. They chatted for a few minutes about work and the party.
“I saw you dancing with Nick Harris,” Bella said after a while.
“Was that his name? I couldn’t remember it. He kept trying to get me a drink, so I left him,” Katerina said, chuckling.
“He’s not a bad guy. Pretty funny, actually,” Bella said.
“And he’s also younger than me,” she said.
“Only by two years,” Bella reminded her.
“He’s also a guy,” Katerina said. Bella stared at her strangely.
“Yeah...and?” she asked. Katerina raised an eyebrow. Bella still didn’t get it and her eyebrow went even higher.
“You seriously need me to spell it out for you?” Katerina asked when Bella didn’t respond.
“He’s a guy and-oh,” Bella said, understanding finally dawning on her. “Oh! He’s a guy. I get it.”
“Are you okay with that?” Katerina asked, looking a little worried. Regret filled her eyes, as if she was second guessing telling Bella.
“Of course. I have no problem with it at all. I’m surprised, but, uh, no, no problem,” Bella said, smiling. She was telling the truth. It made no matter to her what sexual orientation Katerina was.
“Okay, good. I know you’re Catholic and they are kind of against it,” Katerina said.
“I don’t believe in everything the Church says.”
“What about Hell?” she asked. Bella was taken aback by the sudden change of subject.
“What about it?” Bella asked.
“What do you think of it? What do you think it’s like?” Katerina specified. Bella didn’t answer right away, thinking deeply about her answer.
“I’m not sure. It’s hard to imagine. The Bible always speaks of flames and agony. I guess, when someone talks about Hell, I picture a place of absolute darkness. You’re completely alone and that’s how you know it’ll be for eternity,” Bella said. “What about you?”
Katerina didn’t reply immediately. She didn’t look like she was thinking about her answer, but was thinking about answering her question all together.
“I see a city. It’s destroyed, the building in shambles, the roads filled with garbage. The city is red, but nothing’s on fire except for the sky. It’s a fiery orange. As for who’s there, I see hundreds of people in the streets. Each one of them is going through a specific torture, suffering in complete and utter agony for the rest of existence,” she explained. Bella pictured it in her mind and it sent shivers down her spine. It was more terrifying then her vision of Hell.
“Creepy. I’m not sure which of our versions I want to believe exists,” Bella said, shuddering still.
“I think yours wouldn’t be as bad,” Katerina whispered. She didn’t look into Bella’s eyes, but Bella could see incredible pain and sadness in them unlike anything Bella had ever seen. She wondered what Katerina was thinking about, but didn’t want to know at the same time.
Both girls were silent for several minutes, both of them not knowing what to say. Katerina still refused to meet Bella’s eyes, but Bella continued to stare at Katerina, taking in her features. She truly is beautiful, Bella thought. The most beautiful person Bella has ever seen.
Bella felt a strange, sudden urge to run her fingers across Katerina’s cheek and felt her face flush deeply. What was she thinking?
“Okay, me too. Good night,” Katerina said, sounding slightly relieved. She turned over and switched off her lamp.
“Good night,” Bella replied. Both of them lay on their backs, staring at the ceiling. Eventually, sleep found Bella and she drifted into a deep slumber, unable to notice Katerina watching her sleep.
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