NOTE TO READERS: This series contains lesbian sex, but it's mostly a study of three young women's relationships. For those of you looking for more sex, you've thousands of stories to choose from. Cheers.
It was the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and the Petrakis household was buzzing with activity. Everything was set for the big bash. Sparklers had been set aside for when it got dark, and the grill was already smoking. It was two o'clock and kids were arriving in small groups.
Unfortunately, the day before, things between Ariadne and Amy got off to a bumpy start. Ariadne had called Amy Friday evening to ask her to help Saturday morning.
"Yassou, fili mou! Could you come over tomorrow before the party and help me set things up," she had asked her friend. "Mostly preparing appetizers, setting out the cutlery and food and drink. The party's not until two, so how does noon sound? Or you can come over earlier, if you want."
Understandably, Ariadne's energy was soaring. The party was a popular event that took lots of planning.
"Uh, sure," Amy replied. "Is it okay if I bring Meredith with me? I've promised to give her a ride to the party tomorrow. She doesn't have a car and has never been to your place, So..."
"Never mind. I can manage it by myself," Ariadne quickly replied.
Ariadne's sudden mood shift seemed odd. "Ari, I'm more than happy to help out. It just makes it easier for me if I bring Meredith with me. Otherwise, I'll have to go back and get her. She's cool. You're going to really like her," Amy insisted. "And she can help set up. It will make her feel like she belongs."
There was a slight pause on the other end of the line. "That's okay. I was really hoping you and I could do it. You know your way around here, and it will give us a chance to catch up."
Amy was confused. Catch up? Hadn't they recently gone shopping for swimsuits? "Well, she can sit in the corner and watch, then. It won't take that much to set up. And it's not like we haven't been seeing each other," Amy felt compelled to point out.
"Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't monopolize your time. Look, it's okay. I'll see you and Meredith at two, then." And with that, she hung up.
"What's with her?" Amy wondered. "Does she have something against Meredith?" She quickly pressed the redial button, but as it rang, she disconnected the call. She realized she was too upset to try and continue the discussion.
"I don't get why she's so jealous," Amy thought. "Can't I have my own friends?" she fumed. "And Meredith doesn't know anybody."
Much to Amy's frustration, Ariadne didn't call back, and Amy couldn't bring herself to make the reconciliatory call either. So, the next morning, Amy put on her one-piece suit underneath her summer shirt and shorts, and prepared to take Meredith to the party at two, as planned.
"Hey, Amy," Meredith called as she skipped over to Amy's car. It was already two-thirty, as Meredith had taken her time getting ready. But Amy had to admit, she looked good. She had on a long-sleeved pullover that only partially concealed her bikini top. And she also had on a pair of very high riding shorts and some open-toed sandals that showed off her blue toenail polish. And she had on the requisite wrist bands, which Amy now understood were meant to conceal her scars.
Amy complimented her friend as she slid in to the front seat. "You look nice."
Meredith smiled in return. "So do you. Since alcohol is out of the question, I got these sodas," she said, placing the pack on the floor between her legs.
"Good choice," Amy noted happily as they headed off to Ari's big bash. There were already lots of cars in the drive and on the street when they arrived, so the girls had to park a few houses away. Music was blasting from the backyard, and they could hear laughter and water splashing as they entered the front door. Ariadne's parents planned to show up later as they were visiting with one of her grandfathers who was recovering from surgery. Right then, it was all youthful, rampant energy.
The newly arrived girls placed their drinks in an ice chest near a table laden with food and beverages, and took in the scene. Amy studied Meredith's face, which was glowing with happiness. She was obviously thrilled to be attending this party. "Well, I definitely want to introduce you to Ariadne, but I don't see her right now. You want me to introduce you to some people?"
"No, that's okay. I'm totally up for some mingling," Meredith noted with a cheerful smile. "This is so great. Thanks so much, Amy."
Young women and men were in line to leap off the diving board, with some doing straight dives and others resorting to the requisite cannonball. The music was blasting out of two speakers on stands, and the smell of grilled meat and barbecue sauce permeated the air.
There was plenty of non-alcoholic beers, water, and juices. But no booze. Even though many of the kids had reached legal drinking age, alcohol was prohibited at these parties, as were drugs of any kind, including pot. The Petrakis were quite strict about this. And while some kids found this to be a drag, even deigning to stay away, most of the kids found the offer of great food, and a fantastic yard with a pool reason enough to party. And there were sparklers and fireworks for when it got dark.
Of course, despite the Petrakis' best efforts, a few of the kids simply drank and got high before heading to the party.
At that moment, Amy saw Ariadne coming out from the kitchen. She was wearing her one-piece suit, which was no surprise, as her parents would not approve of her new bikini. Though they always seemed to tolerate the other girls wearing them, Amy noted with a shake of her head. Still, Amy had chosen to wear her one-piece as well, so as not to upset Mr. and Mrs. Petrakis who had come to consider her family.
Meredith, on the other hand, was wearing a revealing two-piece number. Covering her bottom were two pieces of cloth tied at the side, and her top was pretty low cut with strings around her neck and back. And on her wrists, her strategically placed wrist bands.
Meredith wasn't the only girl showing off nearly all of her body. A few of the other girls were scantily clad as well. As for the guys, they pretty much all wore those baggy, low hanging shorts. Some of the guys wore shirts, while others were bare chested. It was a beach party, only in someone's backyard.
There were frisbees flying about, floating basketball nets, inflatables, and high-powered squirt guns as playful mayhem ruled the day. Amy did plan to introduce Meredith to Ari at some point, but the host was deep in conversation with Susan Colson, another of Ariadne's close friends.
By this time, Meredith had made for the pool's edge and jumped right in. In a matter of minutes, she was screaming and laughing as she was attacked with a flurry of hand splashing from two guys. Amy could instantly see Meredith drawing the boys to her like a magnet attracting highly charged metals.
"Well, that didn't take long," Amy sighed, feeling herself slowly deflate, like a pricked balloon. Suddenly, Meredith caught Amy's eye and waved at her. "Come on in, the water's great!"
"In a bit," Amy called back. She sat down on a plastic pool chair and watched her new friend get on the shoulders of Derek Chalmers. Another girl was on a second guy, and they began dueling it out, trying to unseat each other. Every now and then, Meredith would look over Amy's way and smile or wave.
After all the pain Meredith had been through, it was a relief to see her so happy. "This is just what she needs," Amy noted with satisfaction. She watched for a bit longer, until she happened to see Ariadne carrying out a tray of food and realized that she hadn't lifted a finger to help. She hopped up and made her way over.
"Hey Ari, can I help?" Amy asked, being her bubbly best.
"Ah, there you are! No, I've got it," Ariadne replied in an officious manner. Amy stood there and watched as Ariadne headed back into the house.
"She really is upset with me," Amy thought to herself. "I don't get it."
But what Amy didn't know is that Ariadne had been watching the interplay between Amy and Meredith and could see how they were connecting. It bothered Ariadne, for the way Amy looked at Meredith was exactly the way she wanted Amy to look at her.
As for Amy, she was torn. What was it about Meredith that made her feel so out of sorts? Ever since that kiss, Amy had been turning things over in her head. She was beginning to explore the possibility that she was attracted to Meredith, though she also downplayed it as anything serious. And yet, even if she was, Meredith seemed as straight as they came.
Adding to her angst was the guilt she felt for not being there for Ariadne. She could tell that Ari was upset with her for paying attention to this other girl. That made her wonder how Ari would feel if she knew that Amy had actually kissed Meredith!
Amy wasn't going to let any silly outbursts ruin the day, and so she settled into the chaise and took in the scene. She was sipping on her cool drink and munching on some veggies, when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked up to see Ariadne staring down at her.
