Linda transferred to a small, relatively private women's college after her sophomore year. Within a few weeks, she knew she had found the right environment.
This story is about the strange memories she has from that time.
She got along well with her new dorm roommate, Sherry, and genuinely admired some of her professors. Life on campus felt intimate, almost insular, but that only made certain experiences stand out more.
One evening, a group of girls decided to go out for drinks. The bar was lively, the air buzzing with chatter and laughter. They sat together, unwinding from the day, swapping stories, and letting the booze ease the stress.
As the night stretched on, people began to drift out. By nine, only a handful remained. Linda found herself alone at one end of the long wooden table, nursing her drink. At the other end, two figures still sat deep in conversation — Sherry and Francesca.
Francesca was already married to Giovanni, a wealthy young man, but she lived alone in an incredible apartment near campus. She was stunning, effortlessly magnetic, and well known for her... selective interest in women.
Linda hesitated, then slid down the bench toward them. She didn't want to intrude, but the night was winding down, and she wasn't ready to leave just yet.
"Hey, you two," she said as she settled in. "Deep conversation?"
Sherry glanced at her with a warm smile. "Just gossip, really," she said, swirling her drink. Then she glanced at her phone. "But I should probably head out — early morning tomorrow."
She stood, grabbing her purse. "See you back at the dorm?"
Linda nodded, watching as Sherry left. When she turned back, Francesca smirked and took a slow sip of her drink.
"Was I interrupting something?" Linda asked playfully.
Francesca exhaled a short laugh. "Not really. Just testing the waters."
Linda raised an eyebrow. "With Sherry?"
Francesca gave her a knowing look. "What do you think?"
Linda considered it. Sherry was stunning, but she had always struck Linda as the type who naturally attracted men. Still, attraction could be unpredictable.
"I think," Linda said, leaning in slightly, "that she seems more like a 'guy's fantasy' than someone who'd go for a woman. But I could be wrong."
Francesca tilted her head. "You're not wrong. But sometimes, you never know until you ask."
Linda swirled the ice in her glass, watching Francesca carefully. "Did you ask?"
Francesca chuckled. "Subtly. She played coy. Which usually means no."
Linda smiled, feeling bold from the drink and the cozy understanding between them. "What if she says yes?"
Francesca's dark eyes flicked up to meet Linda's. "Then I would've invited her back to my place."
Linda nodded "Sounds like an interesting night."
Francesca smirked. "Could've been. But, you know, plans change."
Linda held her gaze for a second longer, a small thrill sparking in her chest. "They do."
Francesca leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the side of her glass. "What about you? Would you have said yes?"
"I guess you never know until you ask."
Francesca studied her, then leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Consider this me asking."
Linda felt a flush rise in her cheeks, though whether from the drinks or Francesca's directness, she wasn't sure. She glanced at the nearly empty glass in front of her, as if the answer might be swirling somewhere in the melting ice.
"What if I said maybe?" Linda teased, tilting her head.
Francesca chuckled. "Then I'd say we should order another round and see where the night takes us."
Linda hesitated for a second before lifting her hand to signal the bartender. "Alright," she said, meeting Francesca's gaze.
As they sipped their fresh drinks, the conversation took an unexpected but exhilarating turn. Francesca leaned in slightly. "You know," she mused, "Sherry has an amazing body."
Linda laughed, taken slightly off guard but intrigued. "No arguments there."
Francesca smirked. "But she's exactly the type of woman men drool over. Not really my type."
Linda tilted her head. "So, what is your type?"
Francesca's eyes flickered with curiosity. "Confident. A little unpredictable. Someone who knows what she wants but doesn't mind being surprised."
Linda swirled her drink. "Sounds... exciting."
Francesca raised an eyebrow. "And you? If you had to pick, what kind of woman catches your eye?"
Linda hesitated for a second. "Strong, but not overbearing. Someone who's playful, who doesn't take herself too seriously."
Francesca nodded. "Interesting. And yet, here we are, having one of the most open conversations about sex I've had in a while."
Linda laughed, shaking her head. "Same. I don't think I've ever talked this freely about attraction with anyone — male or female."
Francesca leaned in. "Maybe it's the drinks."
Linda met her gaze. "Or maybe it's just good company."
Francesca's smirk softened into something almost thoughtful. "Maybe."
After a brief pause, Linda shifted in her seat, studying Francesca's expression. Then, she asked, "I heard you're happily married."
Francesca chuckled, a soft, knowing sound. "Yes, but it's... complicated."
Linda tilted her head. "Complicated how?"
Francesca took a slow sip of her drink, letting the moment stretch before answering. "It's not like I'm repulsed by men," she said finally.
Linda raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Francesca swirled the liquid in her glass, watching the way it caught the dim bar lights.
"Theoretically, I could be with a man. But there are... things that completely turn me off. Deal-breakers."
Linda leaned in slightly. "Like what?"
Francesca smirked, her dark eyes flickering with amusement. "You sure you want to know?"
Linda laughed, taking a sip of her own drink. "You brought it up."
Francesca sighed, as if debating whether to answer, then finally set her glass down. "It's not about dominance or control. It's just that there are so many little things — things couples do naturally — that would get in the way."
Linda narrowed her eyes, intrigued. "Like?"
Francesca exhaled, glancing at Linda before continuing. "It would only work if the guy let me take complete control of the dynamic. No instigating. No assumptions. Just... following my lead."
Linda grinned playfully. "So you do want to dominate a man."
Francesca shook her head, her expression serious now. "No. That's not it at all." She leaned forward slightly, her voice softer. "It's not about power. It's about avoiding situations that make me uncomfortable."
Something about the way she said it — calm but unwavering — sent a small shiver down Linda's spine. She wasn't sure whether it was Francesca's confidence or the underlying vulnerability in her words. Either way, she wanted to know more.
"So, what happens when someone doesn't follow your rules?" Linda asked, her voice quieter now.
Francesca's lips curled into a slow, almost secretive smile. "They don't get to stay."
Linda held her gaze, her pulse quickening. This conversation had taken a turn she hadn't expected.
Linda and Francesca must have been plenty drunk, because before long, their conversation took an unexpected turn.
"You know, it's funny," Linda mused, swirling the last of her drink in her glass. "Have you ever thought about actually trying something like that with a girl like me?"
Francesca let out a dry chuckle. "You mean — me calling all the shots? And you just going along with it?"
Linda smirked. "I mean...why not? Just to see if it could work."
Francesca tilted her head, studying Linda. "You don't really think it would, though."
Linda shrugged. "Probably not. You'd get frustrated, or I'd get bored. But...it could be interesting for a little while. A test, if nothing else."
Francesca exhaled, leaning back in her chair. "You're actually considering this?"
"Aren't you?" Linda challenged.
"Well, I have to admit, I'm curious. Maybe you're right — it wouldn't last. But...what if it did?"
Linda laughed. "I guess there's only one way to find out."