Across The Hall Ch 00 Prologue

Putting the final box down, Julia left out a sigh of relief, knowing she was finally done for the day. Moving is always exhausting but doing it alone is a lot harder than she thought. She accepted this new position at her job as a fresh start on the other side of the country. A brand new opportunity for this late bloomer to finally spread her wings on her own.

At 28, Julia had always lived closed to home and her anxiety kept her from exploring and trying new things. This move was the start of her new life. Determined to build up her confidence and start living her life without always second guessing herself.

She made a list of everything she wanted to accomplish.

-

Try something new every

day

,

week

, month.

She had crossed out the first two, worried that not meeting her own expectations would crush any motivation to continue to put herself out there.

-

Meet people and make new friends.

Her whole social circle since her childhood had always been her family and a handful of friends from school. Now that she was alone on the other side of the country, she had to be the one making connections.

-

Become more confident

In her work, Julia was pretty assertive. But when it came to the social part of life, she was failing. Hard. Always second guessing herself and caring too much about what others thought of her.

She did not dare to write it on the list but this item also implied the loss of her virginity. She was not a prude by any means.. she masturbated--a lot--, she watched porn--a normal amount--, she read erotica and created scenarios in her head before going to bed. She was not religious, she was not waiting for "the right person".

People were the problem. She never knew how to talk to people, how to interpret their feelings. She had often been accused of being too clinical, too literal. Julia wished she could attend a class on sexual intimacy, learn how every part of male and female body worked, what brought pleasure, and how to express what she want. She thought that attending such a class would free her and allow her to start her romantic and sexual journey. But the more time passed, the harder it got. Who wants to be with a 28 year old virgin? One that has the social skills of a hermit crab.

But this was her chance. Nobody knew her here. She could change her whole looks and attitude without fear of someone she knew judging her. Fake it 'til you make it. She could become who she always imagined herself to be.

Daydreaming about her new life, Julia exited her apartment, on her way to walk around the neighborhood in search of somewhere to buy groceries.

"Oh hello! You must be our new neighbor. It is so nice to meet you!" The voice belonged to a woman exiting a door across the hall. The woman dropped her trashbag next to her door before walking toward Julia, extending her hand. "My name is Maria. My husband, Robert, and I have lived on this floor for the past twenty years."

Her motherly warm voice fit her appearance perfectly. A pear-shaped woman in her late fifties, a little shorter than Julia and much curvier than her. She radiated kindness.

Julia shook her hand and answered: "I'm Julia, but everyone call me Jules." Nobody called her Jules, but she had always wanted to have a nickname and this seemed like the perfect occasion to start.

"Well, Jules, pleasure to meet you. You should come in for a nice cup of coffee!" Maria assured her as she now held Julia's hand with both of hers. "We love helping our neighbors here, and getting to know each others."

Julia raised the shopping bag she was holding. "I was on my way out to buy groceries, but another time maybe?"

Later on, after having finished her errands, Julia found herself in front of her neighbors' door, ready to knock. She wondered if she should have re-done her hair, or changed into better clothes before coming here but it was too late. She knocked and immediately heard Maria call out from inside: "I'll be right there!".

Just a moment later, the door opened. "Jules! I'm glad you decided to stop by." Maria led her inside the kitchen, where two cups were waiting on the table.

Maria was easy to talk to. She was eager to share her tips about the neighborhood--where to get the best coffee (at Bean's), who to ask for help if you had any sewing need (Suzie in 4C), etc. Julia also notice how tactile she was. Shuffling around the kitchen while making coffee, taking out some biscuits, she would always put her hand on Julia as she passed by, on her shoulder, on her arm. When she finally sat down, she didn't choose the seat opposite of her, she sat next to her.

Julia felt hyper aware of all of Maria's movement, of Maria's eyes examining her. Conversation was flowing easily and eventually, Julia was explaining that she just moved here for work. "You should come for dinner any time you need! Rob and I would be happy to have company.." Maria offered, putting her hand on Julia's forearm. Julia's eyes looked at her hand, before slowly going up, stopping momentarily at Maria's cleavage. She was very well endowed, and was wearing a shirt whose neckline left little to the imagination. Julia was flustered and when she glanced back up at Maria's face, the knowing smile confirmed she had been caught looking.

Julia's cheeks flushed red as she muttered an apology. "Oh don't worry Jules. I wouldn't be wearing this if I didn't want people to look.." said Maria as she shimmied her shoulders. "and I'm sure I would be doing the same if you were not wearing an oversize sweater."

Julia was shocked. Turned on, flustered, yearning, but still a bit shocked. "Oh.. Sorry." she chuckled, trying to articulate her thoughts. "I'm just very shy, but wish I could be more like you. But my closet is mostly just sweatpants and sweater. Anything comfortable."

"Well you can be both sexy and comfortable! If that's something you would want.. I could take you shopping in a few days." Maria was beaming, clearly excited at the idea. Before she even had time to think it over, Julia heard herself agree out loud. It was as if her body was deciding for her, before she had time to over think it.

A few days later, Julia met Maria downtown, at Bean's. She had tried to make an effort for this day. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and she was wearing jeans instead of sweatpants. After getting their coffee, they sat down and Maria asked Julia what she was hoping for today.

"I want to feel confident in what I wear. I do not want to hide anymore." She knew she was asking for a lot. Clothes were not going to change her personality and self-confidence. But she could try. She could fake it 'til she made it.

"Well, I am sure you are already turning heads no mater what you wear, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve." Maria winked.

Julia dropped her gaze from Maria, "Not really. I've never really had... anyone.. you know.. I'm not that.." She looked back at Maria, who was trying to hide her surprise "I'm just not good with people and social interaction-" she was about to continue babbling on as Maria cut her off. "That's okay, hon. We can take it slow and start from the beginning." Julia nodded and said in a serious tone she herself was not expecting. "But I want to learn. I wish I could just sign up for a course and learn everything about"--her voice dropped to a whisper--"sex".

Maria took her hand and leaned in close "Oh Jules, I can absolutely help with that. Teach you all I know, help you practice. And I am sure Robert would be glad to help too, if you are interested."

The embarrassment of having brought up that subject made it hard for Julia to speak. She could only nod eagerly, for a bit, until she managed to agree, "I'd love that."

Walking down the street, Maria had linked her arm with Julia, leading her to a lingerie store. "The best way to gain confidence is from underneath." she started. "Wearing more daring close requires a lot of bravery and self confidence. And anything looks better when women wear lingerie that fits them well." Maria explained.

It made sense, and Julia was excited at the prospect of starting easy. In her mind, it felt way easier to wear feminine sexy lingerie under her oversize clothes, hidden from the world, than immediately switching to revealing clothes. Her whole life she had smaller to average sized breast, wearing bralettes as she did not need a lot of support. But the past few years, after a much needing change in birth control, they started getting bigger. Julia had no idea what was her size, and the idea of finally having a bra fits was exciting.

Once inside the shop, Maria had a quick discussion with a clerk, that promptly lead them toward a private changing room, with mirrors all around, two nice cushy chairs in a corner, and a platform in the middle, a few inches above the ground. Maria sat down and the clerk ask Julia if she needed a measurement first. Julia nodded and the clerk fished out a pink measuring tape.

"You will need to take everything off on top, are you okay with your.." the clerk hesitated a bit but Julia answered quickly. "Friend. And yes she can stay."

For how shy Julia had always been around sexuality, she had never been really shy about her body. She had never been embarrassed at the doctor when she needed to undress, and this time was no different. She took off her sweater, her shirt and bralette, and positioned it all on the chair next to Maria. She could feel Maria's eyes wandering all over her before staring at her breasts. Julia gave her a shy smile before turning back towards the clerk.

Julia walked onto the platform, looking in the mirror as the clerk was starting to put the measuring tape around her body. As soon as it brushed against her breasts, Julia felt her nipples hardening. She held her breath as the clerk took each measurement.

"34D!" announced the clerk, "You can put a few clothes back on while we go pick a few things for you to try."

Maria and the clerk exited the changing room as Julia hesitated to put her sweater back on. As she still had her jeans on, she did not feel that naked with only her breasts exposed. She was gonna try more things on anyway so there was no use in covering herself again. Yet, now that she was alone, her brain was screaming at her about how insane this looked. She wished she had not been left alone with her thoughts, second guessing her being here. If she truly wanted to become 'Jules', she needed to push those thoughts away and focus on the butterfly in her stomach imagining the alluring lingerie she would soon be wearing.

Maria came back alone, with a lot of pieces in her arms, that she quickly unloaded on the chair she previously sat on. Glancing at Julia, noticing she choose to remain topless, she smiled. "Now that we know your size, we can do the try on on our own." She handed Julia a nude bra, as classic as possible. No lace, no fancy pattern. "This could be your everyday bra. Nothing fancy, but enough support for your beautiful breasts, you'll see.."

She took her sweater off again, and put the bra on. Maria was right. This gave Julia nice cleavage. "Can I?" asked Maria from behind Julia, her hands on her shoulders. Julia nodded and Maria tightened the straps before sliding her hands down to the back clasp and then under Julia's arm, following the band to the front, making sure it was laying flat all around. "Do you see how perky your boobs look right now? This is so much better! How do you feel?"

Julia felt all sorts of things, with Maria behind her, her voice warm and close to her ear, her hands so close to touching her. All she could muster was a soft "It feels great." Maria chuckled before turning back to the chair and handing Julia a different one.

They tried a few styles, all of them hit for Julia, before Maria handed her the last one. This one was a lot more fancy, and sexy. Bright red, it had lace details and sheer mesh on the cups. "Is this something you would like to try?"

"Yes!" Something about the bright red enticed Julia immediately. She quickly took off the black bra she had on and tried on the red one. Turning back towards the mirror, she gasped a little. She almost did not recognized her own body. She felt powerful, sexy, desirable. If a bra could make her feel like that, she never wanted to take it off.

"I love it, you look incredible." Maria put her hands on Julia's waist, "Also, red is Robert's favorite color..." Julia shivered. She felt a foreign need deep inside of her, the need to please but also to show off. She smiled at Maria and shyly asked "Do you think he would like it?".

"Oh Jules, I know he would. As soon as I tell him that we need to teach you a few things, he will be thrilled." She stroke Julia's skin, slowly going up, until she reach the bra and cupped Julia's breasts in each of her hand. Julia could not stop herself and let a small moan come out. "Have you ever been touched here?" asked Maria. Julia shook her head.

"How about.. you come for dinner tomorrow? Robert will be up to speed. It gives you time to breathe and think about it. And we'll teach you about exploring each others body. You can back out any time." Julia nodded. "No, I need you to say it, Jules. I want to hear you agree to it."

Julia felt Maria's hand leave her body. "Yes. I want to come for dinner. And I want you two to teach me."

"Good." said Maria. "I'll take this all to the front. Don't worry, it's on me."

Once she was home, Julia felt like she had been in a trance. Excited for the next day, she took everything out of the shopping bag that Maria had given her. She took out every item and displayed them on her bed. On top of everything she tried, she found a red thong, matching the red bra they both liked so much. She was surprised as had not tried on any bottoms. On the tag, it was written "Wear this set for tomorrow night. M".

Reading this felt like an electrical pulse surge through Julia's body, all the way to her clit. She could not wait for tomorrow...