At long last, the conclusion, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it! Mwah!
Chapter 4
Jocelyn heard her phone chime, so when she picked it up, she was surprised to see a message from Cheyenne. Enough time had passed that she started to think that the breach between them was permanent and unfixable, though she hoped that was not the case. Even though she expected her friend to pull back a little, instead it felt like she had moved across the planet. The text was terse and to the point.
Need to clear the air a bit, can we talk?
it read. While the message was simple enough, she knew there was a fair amount of invisible baggage attached. She needed to proceed cautiously.
Of course, I feel terrible as it is! Why don't we meet at your place?
, she texted back. Having the girl return to the proverbial scene of the crime would hardly bring comfort, but meeting on her own turf might bring some reassurance.
Within seconds, a response came back, reading
Sounds good, how about tonight?
Jocelyn smiled after sending back a positive acknowledgement. While she felt encouraged at the fact that the girl had initiated reaching out, nothing would be certain until she could read her face to face. She thought that her attire would be the first thing noticed, so she pulled on a pair of faded jeans and a t-shirt that had the name of the college emblazoned across it. There was absolutely nothing sexy about it, so it would work not to raise any red flags early on.
Cheyenne felt a nervous knot in her stomach when she heard a soft knock at the door, glancing over at the clock that read 7:01 PM. That meant her guest was not early or late but essentially right on time, something that she personally valued. Dressed casually, she twisted the brass doorknob and pulled open the door with a loud squeak. "Hi." she said, thinking her voice sounded a lot like the noise the door had just made.
Jocelyn could see the nervousness etched on her friend's face, making her wonder if it was because she was genuinely uncomfortable, or she was trying to suppress feelings and desires that ran contrary to what she believed. She hoped that it was the latter, because all it would take to get her past it was to nudge them to the surface.
Cheyenne opened the door wide to invite her in, and then sat in a tattered plaid recliner opposite the vacant couch, with just a coffee table between them. As Jocelyn sank into the cushions on the couch, she noted it as a subtle barrier that her friend was using to protect herself physically.
Best tread lightly,
she thought. Silence fell, with one girl too anxious to begin the conversation, and the other too cautious to do the same.
Jocelyn, never one to back down from a fight, chose to speak first. "Look, Chey, I am incredibly sorry about what happened, it wasn't something I planned for or expected to happen." she lied, hoping that even a fake apology would break the ice a bit. Of course she didn't mean a word of it.
Cheyenne made eye contact, wringing her hands, but keeping the gaze steady, as if to prove something to herself. "I--I have never, I mean, I don't--" she stuttered, before continuing, "---not into girls. I am not a lesbian, I'm just not."
Jocelyn was impressed that she made just a firm declaration, especially remembering the details of how she had actually enjoyed the experience. "Look, I
know
that you are completely straight, and that was pretty much an anomaly. Even so, I am incredibly sorry for putting you in such a terrible position." she replied, hoping that her friend would at least remember that the experience was anything but. If nothing else, the statement itself could create some sort of recall.
Cheyenne felt a flutter in her tummy, like it was being stroked from the inside, a sensation that was completely foreign to her. For a brief moment her mind drifted back to the experience and the incredible pleasure she had felt, but shoved the thoughts back forcefully. She had no intention of letting those desires get the best of her again. "Um...okay." she managed to say after a few seconds.
Jocelyn smiled at her friend, as she could sense the internal struggle in her head. Clearly the girl had a very disciplined mind, and the fact that she was studying to be a doctor proved that. Maybe getting her body to remember was the key here. She rose and knelt next to Cheyenne, eliminating the boundary of the table and the space between them, but careful to still give her physical space. "Look, we have been good friends for years and I want that to still be true." she said clearly but softly.
Cheyenne could see the sincerity in her words and body language, making her feel less upset about the situation. "Of course." she said softly, letting her hand rest on the brunette's forearm. A split second later, she thought a reassuring hug would be harmless enough and communicate her willingness to put everything behind them. Leaning forward, she put one arm out and pulled her friend in for a loose embrace.
Just friends, right
?
Jocelyn couldn't believe her luck! She had been trying to think of some non-threatening way to get herself closer to Cheyenne, but honestly had no idea how to close the gap between them without creating suspicion or discomfort. For the moment, she decided to let it play out and sense where to go from there.
Cheyenne took in a deep breath to relax, which flooded her senses with the almost magical perfume that she had come to associate with her friend. Its scent seemed to infuse itself into her skin, bringing back the sensual relaxed feelings that she experienced during their massage sessions. She let the peaceful sensations roll over her, unable to resist the comfortable feeling of warmth between them.
She couldn't remember the last time she had felt this comfortable and relaxed with anyone, most of all Chad. She loved him, but always felt the pressure to stay on her toes and act like the perfect girlfriend. There was comfort here, familiarity, even connection, in a very tangible way that always was missing from her romantic relationships. Her body had a mind all its own and settled against the other girl more firmly, to increase the sense of comfort.