The sky glowed in warm streaks of orange and pink as Sky and Nora walked barefoot along the shore, their footprints fading with the tide. Sky wore her favorite soft blue bikini, her dark braid damp and resting over one shoulder. Nora walked beside her in a simple white bikini that made her golden tan stand out even more. Her long strawberry blonde hair was tousled from the ocean breeze, pulled into a loose bun with a few strands framing her freckled face. Her skin was sun-kissed from days spent outside, glowing with warmth, and a tiny silver nose stud glinted in the fading light.
Their boyfriends had gone to some bar in town, promising to be back "soon." Sky and Nora had rolled their eyes and decided to ditch them for the beach instead.
They sat side by side on a big piece of driftwood, legs stretched out toward the waves. Nora leaned back, fingers buried in the sand. "Remember Amber? That girl I dated back in senior year?"
Sky glanced over with a smirk. "Was she the one who tried to convince everyone she could read auras?"
Nora laughed. "That's her. Total free spirit. Sexy as hell, but unpredictable. I never knew what I was getting with her."
Sky looked out at the sea. "I've never kissed a girl."
Nora turned her head. "Wait, really? You've told me you're bi for years."
"I am," Sky said, playing with a shell between her fingers. "I just never followed through."
Nora nudged her playfully. "Want to change that?"
Sky blinked. "You're serious?"
Nora smiled, eyes soft. "Only if you want to. No pressure. But if it's something you've been curious about..." she let the sentence drift, letting the offer hang between them.
Sky hesitated, heartbeat quickening. "Wouldn't it be weird?"
"It's just me," Nora said gently. "It doesn't have to mean anything more than a kiss between two best friends who trust each other."
After a long pause, Sky gave a small nod. "Okay."
Nora's smile grew. "Come here."
Nora closed the distance between them slowly, giving Sky plenty of time to change her mind. As she leaned in, she placed one hand gently on Sky's cheek, her thumb brushing over Sky's bottom lip. Her eyes fluttered closed as she pressed her lips softly against Sky's in a gentle, exploratory kiss. Nora pulled back slowly, searching Sky's face. Her cheeks were slightly pink as she waited for Sky's reaction. The kiss had been soft and brief, but intentional and real. If Sky pulled away or looked grossed out now, Nora would quickly play it off as just friends messing around.
"Jesus," Sky murmured softly, touching her lips. Her eyes met Nora's, wider than before. "That was..." She trailed off, brows furrowing slightly. "Something." She laughed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Nora's lips curved into a satisfied smile as she watched Sky's reactions. She liked seeing Sky flustered like this - it was cute and exactly the response she'd hoped for. Before Sky could overthink things, Nora leaned in again, this time parting her lips slightly more intentionally.
This time, the kiss was longer and deeper. Nora's tongue flicked against Sky's as she opened her mouth wider, inviting Sky to kiss her back. Nora's arms wrapped around Sky, pulling her closer as the kiss became more passionate, more dominant. Nora broke the kiss abruptly, panting softly against Sky's lips. Her hands moved to frame Sky's face as she searched her eyes intensely. "Fuck," she breathed, "You kiss even better than I imagined." Before Sky could respond, Nora captured her mouth again in another deep, claiming kiss.