A New Relationship

Please note that this is chapter 6 of Running Down the Rabbit Hole. I recommend you start at the beginning with Three Girls Screwing Around.

I expected Melanie to make a big deal about giving me the towel, but actually she just draped it over the cubicle before going to take a shower herself. Back in the changing room, no one seemed too sure what to say to me. There was the odd comment of, 'Wow, you were brave to do that,' 'Better luck next time,' and the like, but I got the impression that I had more or less shocked everyone into silence.

I was just putting my kit back in my bag when Amy returned from her shower. 'How about coming back to mine?' she said quietly. 'I'll make you dinner to say thanks for being a good sport.'

I wasn't a hundred percent sure how I felt about Amy right then, but I said, 'OK,' anyway.

I was expecting Melanie to be coming too, but it turned out just to be the two of us. Amy lived in a studio flat a short walk away, but we didn't really say much on the way there -- there was definitely a bit of lingering tension.

When we got there, we both sat down on the sofa, and Amy turned towards me, but didn't say anything for a moment. I just sat back impassively -- if Amy was struggling to find the best way to say whatever she wanted to say, I wasn't of a mind to help her out.

'The thing is, Hannah, I don't want you to think I'm a complete bastard. I wouldn't have made you go through with it if I didn't think you were up for the challenge.'

I didn't say anything, or even look at her.

'Hannah, please! Look, if I've hurt you, tell me what I need to do to make it up to you. I don't want our friendship to fall apart over this.'

I don't know if was really annoyed with her or not -- just I hadn't had time to properly process what had happened. I decided there was no point in being miserable.

'Come here,' I said, holding my arms open and shuffling towards Amy. She took the cue and we gave each other a hug. 'I'm not going to be a sore loser -- you beat me fair and square, at least this time -- I'm not so sure about all the other times.'

'And you were a good loser -- though I guess you've been getting a lot of practice.'

'Bitch!'

We both burst out laughing.

'That's the Hannah I know and love. Now, how about bibimbap -- I've been experimenting a bit with new things recently.'

'Yes, that sounds great,' I replied, not admitting that I hadn't got a clue what bibimbap was. If Amy was going to eat it too, surely it couldn't be too bad, could it?

'While I'm cooking, I'd love to hear your feelings, now it's all over with.'

'Do you really think it's all over with? Won't I be the butt of jokes for ever more?'

'To be honest, I can't say. I think everyone was a bit taken aback and didn't know how to react. I suspect they'll all be gossiping about us two now we're safely out of earshot.'

'Us two? I don't think anyone gives a flying fuck about you and your jammies.'

'That's not what I meant. I don't think everyone approved of our bet, even if it was a clean deal. I think I'm more at risk of being ostracised than you are. Next time, we maybe better keep it between the two of us.'

'What makes you think there's going to be a next time?'

'Tell me honestly Hannah -- now it's all over and done with, do you regret it?'

I thought for a bit, before replying, 'I'm not sure I've worked out how I feel about it just yet, so for now I'm going to say no and decide the whole thing was hilarious. At least that's the opinion I'm going to put out there next time anyone brings it up.'

'That's the attitude, Hannah. Your little mishap with the poor choice of T-shirt in particular was really funny from my point of view -- I just wasn't sure you'd see it that way.'

'Yes, just what I've always wanted -- to be on display basically naked in front of a whole crowd of girls.'

'That's the spirit!' Of course, Amy understood full well that I was being sarcastic. 'I'll make a note to try and arrange some more opportunities for you.'

I didn't doubt she meant it.

'And of course I think I've made those future performances a lot easier for you -- this way you got eased into it without having to own up to having done it on purpose.'

I guess she was kind of right. I'd half expected the fabric to go a bit see through when it got wet. Plus, I didn't really feel that I ought to be embarrassed -- Amy had shown at the weekend that girls getting naked together isn't meant to be anything to write home about.

'I'm still not too sure about these future performances you were talking about.'

'Come on, Hannah. Look at you there almost covered from head to toe in clothes. Think how much more fun it would be if you were naked.'

It almost sounded like she was coming on to me, but I think she was just teasing. Only one way to find out, I guess.

I didn't say anything, but I stood up and faced towards her. I tried to picture myself naked -- somehow it was very different now it was just the two of us in the privacy of her flat. Well, if you don't buy a ticket, you can't win the raffle. I took hold of the bottom of my jumper and, making firm eye contact with Amy, slowly began to lift, keeping on going until I'd pulled it over my head and dropped it on the couch. Of course, all it revealed was my T-shirt underneath, but it signalled that much more was to follow.

Amy and me maintained firm eye contact for a few moments more, before I laughed and sat down again.

'Hannah, you know what your problem is? You just don't know what's good for you.'

'How's dinner coming along?'

'There's still time for you to get those clothes off before it's ready.'

'Haven't I already been centre stage enough today? I think it's someone else turn in the spotlight.'

Amy turned her attention back to cooking, so I sat and watched. It wasn't long before she produced two bowls filled with vegetables arranged around an egg. She began to stir hers with a fork so I followed suit, soon discovering that there was rice underneath.

'So, where does bibimbap come from?'

'I thought you wouldn't have a clue,' she said. 'Just dive in and see what happens.'

I took her advice and tried a mouthful. Not a flavour I was familiar with, but I thought I liked it, so I kept on going.

'That's was great Amy, thanks a lot.'

'See what happens when you try new things.' She cleared away our bowls and came back with a couple of bottles of beer. 'Now, it's plenty warm in here, haven't you got something you need to be doing?'

'Why me?'

'It just seems to always work out that way. And you always seem so desperate to get me naked that I need to keep my clothes on just so I've got something I can use as a bargaining chip.'

I wasn't too keen on her logic, but to be honest I was dying to finish the striptease, if you could call it that given how little I'd actually taken off so far.

'If you're hesitant about taking it all off of your own inclination, maybe I can offer you a deal.'

She waited for a response.

'Go on,' I said cautiously, realising as soon as the words were out my mouth that that more or less told Amy that I really was contemplating parting with my clothes.

'Once you're naked, I'll tell you about the plan I have to get your times down and get you up the rankings. You can't say fairer than that -- I can all but guarantee that my plan's not what you think it is.'

'Really? Can you tell me what I think your plan is then, cause I've got no idea.'

'Let's just say it's better than you could possibly be imagining.'

Smiling mischievously, I said, 'I still don't see what that's got to do with me showing you my skin.'

'You're a shrewd bargainer today, aren't you? I'm a bit worried that you're learning from your mistakes. How about this deal: if you stick to my plan and you don't get a time below 12 seconds by the end of summer term, I'll...' Amy paused, clearly trying to come up with a tempting suggestion.

'You'll run home naked after practice.'

I was shocked when Amy held out her hand, but I took hold of it and shook it, wondering how the hell she was going to manage to turn the tables on me this time.

She then sat and looked at me pointedly. 'I'm waiting.'

'Is there really a reason you can't tell me about this amazing plan of yours without me taking off my clothes?'

'Yes there is. If I just go ahead and tell you, you've got no incentive to get naked.'

That settled it for me. I realised that three times I'd got naked in front of Amy, or as near to naked as made no difference, but never entirely willingly. If I was going to do it again it was going to be of my own initiative.

'I don't want an incentive to get naked. Just fucking tell me your plan or shut the fuck up about it and don't mention it again.'

'OK, OK, I'll tell you. But you're missing out on a really peppery experience.'

'Right, I'm glad we've sorted that,' I said, standing up. 'Now we're clear, this time it's just for fun.'

Amy had a puzzled look on her face, and it wasn't until I'd bent down and pulled off one sock after another that it clicked. She leant back and watched me intently.

'I don't know why I feel so hesitant.' I took hold of my T-shirt and gradually raised it, first exposing my slightly round tummy, and then my plain black nylon bra.

'Because this time it means something different.'

I wasn't too sure what Amy was getting at, but I tossed my T-shirt aside anyway and moved on to my leggings. 'Maybe I ought to speed this bit up -- it's nothing special.'

'Oh, but it is. You've never done it for this reason before -- at least not with me.'

It seemed harder to be graceful getting my leggings off -- I couldn't really do it without bending down and stepping out of them -- which just seemed to be the same functional way I'd always do it.

'I think the next two bits are the ones that count, aren't they?'

Amy didn't say anything, but smiled in response.

I reached behind me and unclipped my bra, before pulling the straps off my shoulders. 'I'm not sure why I'm showing you mine when I still haven't seen yours.' I let it fall to the floor in front of me.

At that moment, I became acutely aware that only two black triangles and a couple of straps stood between me and complete nudity.

'All those fervent sensations you're feeling right now are why, and you know that too.'

I smiled. 'Yes -- I might be bonkers but at least I'm enjoying it. I hope the same goes for you.'

'I'm not so sure about the bonkers.'

'Well, here goes.' I put my fingers on both sides of my knickers, and quickly pulled them down.

'There. Do you like it?' I asked, turning right around and back to face Amy.

'Yes -- every time it seems to get better. You know I hadn't realised how beautiful girls can be. Or maybe it's just you.'

'Ahhhh, how sweet.' I sat back down on the couch and leant back, doing my best to appear relaxed. Amy very pointedly looked at me all over, from my bare feet to my eyes, but her eyes lingered longest in what is usually my most private place.

'Maybe I should just ban you from wearing clothes in my flat from now on.'

'And what if you have company over?'

'Especially if I have company over.'

I wasn't too sure if Amy was joking or not, so I decided to move things forward. 'Weren't you going to tell me how you're going to get my times below 12 seconds?'

'Ah, yes. It's dead simple really. I'm going to be your coach.'

'That's all? That's going to make such a big difference?'

'Yes -- you see I'm going to take charge of your training and make sure you work your socks off.'

'And if I don't.'

'Believe me, you're going to.'

'I think you're going to be making an extremely spicy run home come June.'

'There's not a cat in hell's chance of that ever happening.'

'We'll see. But I'm glad I didn't take my clothes off just to find that out -- I'd have felt cheated.'

'OK, I wasn't going to tell you this bit until later, but maybe it's better that you know now. If I don't think you're training hard enough or giving it your all in competitions, I'm going to punish you.'

Amy smiled at me. I stared back, not knowing what to say.

After a moment I managed to ask, 'And how exactly are you planning to punish me?'

'No, I think I've said enough for now. But I promise I'll be firm but fair -- the punishment will fit the crime.'

What the fuck! Amy wanted me to let her punish me! Who the hell did she think she was?

'Anyway, I'm glad you got your kit off even though you didn't have an incentive -- I'm really enjoying the view.'

That made me I decide I'd had enough of sitting around in my birthday suit -- Amy had had plenty of opportunity to feast her eyes on my body as I lounged on the sofa, and I was starting to feel relaxed and comfortable, like this was something I did every day. So I picked up our bowls and headed over to the kitchen. 'You cooked, so it's only fair I do the washing up.'

There weren't a whole lot of dishes to do, but I was very aware that I was now exposing a whole different side of myself to Amy. I felt really naughty.

Amy came and stood on the other side of the bench so she could chat to me, and no doubt soak up the sight of my bum and my boobs as they swung around freely. Normally I would have left everything to dry, but this time I dried everything and put it all away. Stretching up to the top shelves was quite fun, but nothing compared to putting the pans away on the bottom shelf.

'Come on, let's put a movie on,' Amy suggested when I was done.

We ended up chilling on the couch just like normal. Amy had chosen, no doubt deliberately, a movie that featured plenty of flesh -- a young woman who sunbathed topless and went skinny dipping in her back yard pool no matter who was around. Or more likely she made best use of visitors for maximum effect. I was a bit jealous of her really.

It was getting quite late by the time the film was done, so Amy asked if I wanted to stay over. She offered me the choice of the sofa or sharing her double bed -- but she kind of forced the issue by pointing out that she didn't have a spare duvet.

Anyway, she headed straight off to the bathroom to brush her teeth, before she returned holding a spare toothbrush she'd found for me. I came back to find Amy already in bed, so I got in next to her. That was when I got my next big surprise -- when she scooted over to give me a hug, naked flesh met naked flesh -- Amy was as bare as I was.

'I don't normally bother with pyjamas when I'm at home.'

Maybe that was true, but when Amy slid her hand down my back to gently stroke my bum, I knew there was more to it than that.