Redheaded Cari drove the sturdy little Honda up New York's Highway 90 as her swarthy college friend changed the CD to some latin rhythms from Romeo Santos. Cari complained as Alex started moving her shoulders and rocking to the music. "Oh, don't play that. I have no idea what he's saying!"
Alex pouted teasingly in mock seduction as Cari tried to drive. "You don't get latin music with your ears, you hear it with your soul." Then she swiveled in the seat and put her heels to the ceiling and her head in Cari's lap and looked up with those dark sexy eyes, "and then your heart understands." She said with a mock passion before busting out laughing.
"You're gonna make me wreck, Alex." but Cari giggled back.
Alex sat up and turned her back to the passenger door. "So your parents are cool with me spending Christmas break?"
The pale skinned girl smiled, "They're looking forward to meeting you," she assured. "I never bring home friends."
"Just a friend, huh?" The latina kicked at Cari's thigh. "You haven't told them." She accused.
Cari shot a glance at her, taking her emerald green eyes off the road for a second. "Have you told your mom?" she countered.
The tension eased from the brunettes face as she conceded the point. "No, but if that woman hasn't figured it out she must be blind." She paused in thought for a moment and then a devious grin came across her face. "I could just smack a big one on you in front of them under the mistletoe... or on your camel toe." She laughed loudly at the scandalous thought.
Cari slapped at her lover's thigh. "Behave. Let's get through Christmas day at least without drama."
"I don't know," Alex teased. "days without groping and kissing my pequeΓ±a rojita; I'm not sure how long I can last."
Cari smiled at the pet name. She loved being Alex's "little red one". "You are such a sex fiend." She shook her head slowly.
It took another hour of driving but they pulled into Lake George safely. Alex whistled as they pulled down into the tree lined drive heading up to the two story brick colonial. "How much money does your family got, anyway?" It was a modest home by Lake George standards but Alex was impressed.
"My dad's just a plant manager down in Schenectady." Cari informed her. "And mom teaches cello. We're not rich."
"Richer than me." Alex still looked around and up and down as they got out of the car and she tossed her small bag over her shoulder. "I'm just a poor scholarship kid. What are they going to think of me?"
Cari came round and grabbed Alex's butterscotch colored free hand in her pale Ivory one. "I told you, they're gonna love you. You got into Princeton on hard work and wits, that will impress my dad."
The house was warm and smelled of gingerbread and Febreze. The furnishings were classic Americana, wood and light colored cloths with beige walls. "Very white bread" Alex thought to herself, but really, exactly how she imagined Cari's home.
"Mom, I'm home." the petite redhead called out, and around the corner came an older, heavier version, shoulder length red hair, that ivory complexion with rose colored cheeks. Alex was struck by the similarities, but knew Cari got her looks from somewhere.
"Oh Cari, thank goodness. " Mother and daughter embraced. "Were the roads bad?"
"They were fine, Mom" Cari assured, "is Dad home?"
"Not yet."
"Well introductions can't wait. This is my friend," She began almost grandly, "Alejandra Maria Sandoval Torres." Cari sang off the name rolling the "R's just as she should.
Alex extended her hand, "Or just Alex if you don't have all day."
"Oh, but I love your name." Cari said.
"It's beautiful." her mom interjected. "I got bad news you two. Your brother brought home a girl that I knew nothing about, so she is in the guest room. You won't mind doubling up with Cari would you, Alex?"
The spiky haired latina had to hide her glee but still gave a polite smile, "OK, but little red here snores."
"I do not snore!" Cari was offended by the joke but her mother laughed.
That night as they got ready for bed, Alex lounged on the double bed with a pink coverlet dressed only in men's white boxers and a grey Superman t-shirt, while Cari pranced around in pink panties and a heart covered tank top, straightening all her things she had left behind for school. Alex watched her with interest and a tinge of lust as she finally had her "little red one" all to herself. "So are you going to play with your stuff all night or are you coming to bed?"
"I want to make sure it's just right." Cari's pert butt bent over as she straightened a porcelain turtle on her window sill. "I think my brother's been in here." she breathed to herself before moving to the next piece of her little knick knack collection. "Besides, I missed my stuff."