Trying not to look nervous, Sharon walked towards the door of the pub. The sign beside the door said, 'Strictly Over 21s Only'. The doorman looked imposing. His black suit and his steely gaze suggested he would take no nonsense from anyone. With her heart pounding in her chest and her older sister's driving licence in her handbag, Sharon walked up to the door.
The doorman stared at her for a moment. Time seemed to come to a stop as Sharon endured his scrutiny. Why the hell am I doing this? she thought to herself once again as the doorman's gaze seemed to bore straight through her. She almost jumped out of her skin when a coldly dispassionate voice said, "In you go." Startled, Sharon managed to smile. "Thanks," she said as the doorman pulled the door open allowing her to enter.
Sharon stepped quickly inside. Breathing a sigh of relief she realised she'd finally done it. She'd made up her mind to visit this bar on a number of occasions but her nerve had always failed her in the past. It wasn't that Sharon was normally a nervous person. She was 18 and normally full of self confidence. Attractive with shoulder length, naturally blonde hair, she'd never had any problems attracting men, but it wasn't a man she was looking for. For as long as she could remember, Sharon had been aware of an attraction to other girls. It was a growing curiosity that had led her, finally, to this bar. It was nearly six months ago that she had finally decided that she should attempt to satisfy her curiosity. Despite her resolve, tonight was the first time that she had managed to summon up enough courage to enter one of the town's gay pubs.
Sharon briefly surveyed the scene. The bar was pretty full but there were still a number of empty seats. Loud music blasted out from a speaker above the door as she made her way through the crowd to the bar. Ordering her drink, Sharon looked around for somewhere to sit. Most of the tables had couples or groups. Two tables had single occupants. Sharon studied the tables trying to work out which to approach. Looking at the girl at the first table, Sharon suppressed a shudder. The expression 'typical dyke' sprung to mind. She appeared to be in her early to mid twenties, hair cropped into a crew cut and very butch. The occupant of the other table was older, early thirties thought Sharon. She had long brown hair. A white halter top displayed full, well rounded breasts to good effect. She seemed to exude an aura of assured self confidence. Sharon made her choice. Taking a long sip of her lager she made her way over to the unoccupied chair at the table.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken? asked Sharon. To her own ears there was a note of uncertainty in her voice and she mentally kicked herself.
The woman looked up from her book. Sharon felt a momentary discomfort as she fell under the penetrating gaze of the woman's intense green eyes. Her mouth twisted briefly into a smile as she replied. "No," she said, "be my guest."
"Thanks," replied Sharon. She sat down as the other woman's attention returned to her book.
Sharon took a sip of her drink. She sat in silence, not knowing what to do next. She'd never had trouble chatting up men, especially not ones of around her own age, but this was different. Sharon realised that she hadn't a clue about how to start a conversation with this woman. Instead she sat there, sipping her drink, trying to scrutinise the unknown woman sitting next to her without appearing to do so.
Behind her book Sam shook her head and smiled to herself. She's just so obvious, she thought to herself, and so young. Sam suppressed a chuckle. I was that young once too, she thought, realising that she should be flattered that someone so young should be showing an interest in her. Sam sighed and shook her head again. Glancing quickly over the top of her book she thought, she's barely more than a child. Pretty though, she added to herself, risking another quick glimpse over her book. The girl was wearing a tight black dress. The low cut neckline revealed her firm young breasts to full advantage. She had a slender figure but, before she had sat down, Sam had noticed the generous curves suggested by the clingy material of her dress.
Sharon was at a loss. The fact that the woman seemed to be completely wrapped up in her book, leaving her with no apparent opening only added to her frustration. Opening her bag, she took out her cigarettes. Extracting one from the packet, Sharon raised it to he lips then returned her attention to her bag. An idea came to her. She rummaged around in her bag for a moment then turned to the woman beside her. Removing the still unlit cigarette from between he lips she smiled and said, "Sorry, you don't have a light do you?"
Hardly the most original opening line, thought Sam. She smiled, "Sure," she said. Digging into her pocket, Sam pulled out her lighter. With a practised twist of the wrist, she flicked open the lid and turned the flint wheel to produce a flame.
Sharon leaned forward to take the proffered light, making sure her cleavage was fully on view. She drew on her cigarette, taking a few puffs to make sure it was well lit then sat back. "Thanks," she said with a smile.
"Don't mention it," replied Sam. The little tease, she thought to herself as she dug into her jacket pocket once more, extracting her own cigarettes. Drawing deeply as she lit one, Sam sat back. Still giving the girl no clear opening, she smiled inwardly wondering what she'd do next.
Feeling slightly bolder, Sharon decided to press her luck. "I'm Sharon," she said.
Sam smiled. "Sam," she said then took another draw on her cigarette. Noticing a look of consternation flicker over Sharon's face when it was obvious she wasn't going to divulge any more, Sam decided to take pity on her. "First time?" she asked. "In here, I mean."
"Yes," replied Sharon. "Does it show?"
Sam smiled, "To an old hand like me it does," she said. She stared at Sharon for a moment. "How old are you?" she asked.
Sharon hesitated. he realised that Sam would probably see through any lie she told. "18," she replied.
Thought so, thought Sam. "So do you normally go for older women?" she asked.
Again, Sharon hesitated. "No, not usually," she replied, thinking, well that's true up to a point.
"I see," said Sam. Then it struck her, a plethora of little signals made themselves obvious. "You haven't been with a woman before, have you?"
Sharon was dumbstruck. She hadn't realised she had been so transparent. Sam had read her like an open book. "No," she replied with a rueful shrug.
"So why'd you pick me?" asked Sam.
Sharon didn't know how to respond. "Well..." she replied. "You were on your own and I guess I decided to take a chance."