Second Chapter in this series. I'll try to upload one chapter each week. Have fun and thanks for reading and for posting comments.
--2--
It became increasingly busy in the living room. Amber almost dragged Laura into the dining room to get the best seats and sit next to each other. In a few minutes everyone would find a place at the table. Not that anyone fought over the seats. Some preferred a specific place and that was respected. For most of them it didn't matter where they sat.
Laura watched as all the students slowly took their seats at the large table. The smell from the kitchen smelled delicious. Laura reached for her cell phone, but then realized that she had left it in her room. Amber talked endlessly to everyone around her. There were only three places left at the table. Two students were busy in the kitchen.
She looked around. Next to her sat a girl who had long black hair. Some strands were colored dark red. All she was wearing was a black bikini that stood out against her white skin. She quietly followed every conversation without really participating.
Most of the girls were lightly dressed. Some were in summer dresses, others in shorts and bikini tops. Laura was the only one wearing a sweater and sweatpants. Admittedly it was hot even though the air conditioning was blowing as if its life depended on it. Some of the boys even sat at the table with their torsos bare. Laura had to make every effort not to start fantasizing about the sweat that made some of the boys' muscles shine. She had never had sex before, but every summer and often during the other seasons, her mind and imagination ran away with her, especially on hot days like this. Maybe she should have taken the time to masturbate in the shower. She might not have been so excited now.
"Where is Jente?"
Laura was brutally dragged out of her daydreams. In the meantime, there were two large dishes of lasagna on the table. The two chefs on duty were already serving food. The boy at the end of the table she knew as Ben answered.
"She'll be here any minute." She was still on her daily run."
The sentence had not yet been completely uttered when the front door flew open. Jente came in, breathing deeply. The white sports bra and tiny shorts she was wearing left nothing to the imagination. Both garments were soaked with her sweat and seemed to become see-through.
'Do you mind if I freshen up first? It was hell to run outside."
'You're crazy for running in this weather. But go ahead, I'll put the dish back in the oven for a while, so it stays warm.'
"Thank you, Chloë. I'll be right back."
As promised, Chloë put back some of the lasagna. A few seconds after Jente climbed the stairs, they heard the door of one of the bathrooms open and close. Next to Laura, Amber was already eating, just like a few others. Laura followed their example and started eating. Wine was served for those who wanted it. Laura almost never drank alcohol. Not that she didn't like it. Her parents had never drunk much alcohol. She only drank when she went out with friends or during the holidays. But this was a bit of a milestone in her life, so she allowed Amber to pour her a full glass of red wine.
Just as Laura took a sip of wine, they heard the bathroom door open again upstairs. Because the blinds along the outside of the windows in the living room were down, Laura could see the landing above them in the reflection. She saw how Jente walked from the bathroom to her room. Laura choked on her wine and started coughing when she saw that Jente had come out of the bathroom completely naked.
"Are you okay?"
Amber looked at Laura worriedly. Laura nodded.
'It's okay. I just choked."
Laura looked at the reflection again, but Jente had already disappeared into her room. Could she have imagined it? The reflection was not so clear. She had seen Jente looking at the window. Would she have seen her watching? She would never even dare to do that. Walking around naked with the chance that everyone could see her.
"Laura?"
Laura quickly turned her head. Amber had said something to her, but she didn't know what.
'Are you sure you're okay? You look completely red and seem a bit absent.'
"Yes, I'm fine, my head was somewhere else for a while."
"As long as it's someplace fun."
At that moment Jente came out of her room. Laura swallowed. Jente had only put on a dressing gown. She only closed it at the top of the stairs. When she came down, the dressing gown fell open a little. But it was clear that even Jente and the others at the table weren't bothered that her breasts were almost visible. Chloe stood up to take the rest of the lasagna out of the oven.
Only now did Laura realize that the only seat that had been empty was directly across from her. Jente leaned well forward when she sat down. Laura stared as the robe fell open even further. For a moment she had an excellent view of Jente's tight naked body.
At that moment Ben spoke up. He tapped his glass several times to get everyone's attention. Snapped out of her trance, she saw Jente looking at her. With a naughty look on her face she started eating the lasagna.
"Now that we're all here. Someone moved into her room again today. Laura, we wish you a warm welcome. Hopefully you will have the time of your life here.'
Everyone applauded her. Everyone showed in some way that they were welcome. Some just said it briefly. Others nodded to her. Amber was the only one who gave Laura a long warm hug.
'A few more little things that everyone knows, but for those who are new this year it's a good repetition. In the kitchen there is a schedule for who will cook or heat up the food and when. Usually, during the weeks when there are classes, someone will come to cook for us. Check this plan carefully. You will also receive it by email. If you can't make it, tell us in time.
A cleaning lady regularly comes by to clean the communal areas. But that does not mean that you cannot ensure that things remain orderly here. You clean your own room yourself.
Make plans with each other. Talk to each other if something goes wrong. You can always contact me or Chloë. For the rest, have fun and do what you can't resist. As long as you show respect to each other.'
When Ben sat back down the conversations started again. Laura watched Jente pour herself a glass of wine. With a gesture she asked whether Laura should have some too. Laura nodded affirmatively. Amber eagerly pushed her glass forward so that Jente could refill hers too. Smiling, Jente filled both glasses.
'How did your walk go? Wasn't it too hot?'
'It was terribly hot. I'll be happy when it gets a bit cooler and you can start running again, Amber.'
'I did that once because I wanted to know how fit I was. So, I know that now, no thank you. Even though I must admit it was fun."
'And you, Laura? Are you sporty enough to go for a run sometime?'
'I'm normally sporty. But I don't know.'
"Just think about it. Aren't you too warm with that sweater on?'
"It is warm, yes."
'Then why don't you take it off? You'll soon melt away.'
