Holly was lonely. Most of the time this was fine. Most of the time she preferred life that way. But the holidays got to her. It started with Thanksgiving and all the family togetherness. True, not everyone gathered joyously to fabulously prepared dinners, but we all pretended we did. Other people had to eat dry turkey and repeat old arguments too.
At least Thanksgiving came and went quickly. Christmas dragged out for an entire month, during which everyone was supposedly expressing joy and charity but mainly pushing their credit card limits.
Holly rolled her eyes at herself. She was turning her own anxiety into bitterness against the entire season. Just because she did not have a date to take to her sister's Christmas party, did not mean the entire season was doomed.
Maybe she could at least show up in style. While searching her closet had been a failure, her friend and neighbor Candy might share something better. Unlike Holly, Candy shopped for clothes like a normal woman.
"Holly!" Candy was home and excited to see her. "Have you come to watch the soaps with me? We need to know if our favorite stud is really going to cheat on his girl!"
Even just hanging out at home, Candy was gorgeous. Holly wanted to run her fingers through Candy's long black hair. And then maybe move lower to those juicy breasts under the red velvet hoodie.
Holly reminded herself she was not a lesbian; Candy would inspire lust in anyone. And she was not here to leer at her neighbor. "No soaps tonight, I need your help."
Candy waved Holly into her apartment. Holly eyed the familiar leather sofa with longing, wishing she could stay here. But avoiding tonight would be an act of a coward.
Candy's lovely full lips curved into a smile. "I made peppermint fudge."
Holly accepted a piece directly from Candy's hand, licking the chocolate from her friend's finger, appreciating the taste of her skin even more than the sweet candy.
"My knowledge of plumbing only extends to that of the human sort," Candy warned, teasing Holly with a reference to the poor condition of their apartment building. "Now if you need to revisit the human anatomy I can help. I understand if you have forgotten."
"Very funny. I was hoping to borrow something for my sister's party."
"Oh, do tell." Candy clapped her hands in delight. Her nails were perfectly manicured and painted red. "I thought you two were not speaking."
Holly wondered how those hands would feel on her body. If depression could not get her through the holidays, then maybe sex could. She dismissed the bitter fight with her sister, "It's a holiday miracle. But I need something to wear."
Candy leaned back against the wall and studied Holly. "I thought your sister hosted couple's parties."
"Well," Holly popped another piece of fudge into her mouth. At least she burned calories fast, so she stayed tiny and thin. Not that she would mind having curves like Candy's. "Under the circumstances, she can hardly blame me for showing up alone."