The lady in the pale blue lycra shorts frowned and stepped off the slowing treadmill as Molly Gregson quickly looked away. Blushing crimson red, Molly felt ashamed to have been caught ogling the woman. What is going on with me? she thought. Am I gay, bisexual or what?
Having had a handful of (for the most part) happy, fulfilling relationships with men, the last few years had seen Molly begin to seriously question her sexuality.
An extended period of single life had led Molly's self-pleasure sessions including an exploration of pornography. She increasingly found herself focusing on the female element of what she saw, which evolved into her actively searching for lesbian videos. Meanwhile she started to 'notice' attractive ladies in a very different way and many of her masturbatory fantasies were now filled with female friends and acquaintances. While she knew there was nothing wrong with these feelings, she still felt a sense of deep embarrassment, confusion and not a little shame.
Just as she was adjusting the weights on her machine, Molly felt a tap on her shoulder and a familiar voice say "Hey, Molls, you about ready to make a move?"
Hayley Banks had been in a similar situation to Molly when she joined the gym six months ago. Single for a couple of years and slipping into bad eating and drinking habits, Hayley and Molly had both decided to sign up to the fitness centre in the same week, and before long a firm friendship was formed.
Physically, they were rather different - Molly a short and stocky 5'4 with voluminous 36E breasts and Hayley, over six feet tall with narrow hips and struggling to fill an B-cup. Hayley was naturally pretty where Molly wasn't, a thick head of black hair framing her sharp, elegant features. Molly was chubby of cheek had always had a complex about her upturned nose, but her bubbly demeanour and kind heart meant she hit it off with Hayley almost immediately.
Their favourite haunt was the coffee shop across the road from the gym, where they'd assess their fitness targets, bitch about work and generally pass the time of day. As they lived only a few miles apart, it wasn't long before Molly and Hayley began car sharing to the gym, and tonight Hayley was driving.
"Yeah, I'll just do a few more reps on this one then I'm finished," said Molly, a film of sweat plastering her fringe to her forehead.
"Could I be a real pain and ask if we can get straight off tonight?" asked Hayley. "I'm going round to my brother's to help him with his CV and I don't want it to be a late night."
"No problems," said Molly, who felt a measure of relief. The changing area had become an increasing distraction of late, as she found her gaze lingering on breasts, bums, legs and loins rather more than was healthy. The chance to skip her shower here was welcome.
As Hayley drove, she noticed that Molly was unusually quiet.
"What's up, Molls?" she asked. "You're not saying much tonight."
"Nothing really, just a bit stressed at work," replied Molly.
Hayley left it at that, but when they arrived at Molly's place a few minutes later she asked again. Molly couldn't hold it in any longer and began to weep.
"Hey, hey, what's all this?" said Hayley.
"I'm really struggling," cried Molly. "I'm not sure who I am at the moment."
"I'm not leaving you on your own in this state," said Hayley. "Let's get inside and I'll make you a drink, then we can have a proper chat."
"What about your brother's CV?" said Molly between sobs.
"Don't worry about that," said Hayley, "I'll text him and let him know I can't make it."
Once they were inside Molly's flat, Hayley poured them both a glass of wine and they sat on the sofa, still in their gym gear. Molly poured her heart out, admitting her months of confusion over her sexuality. When Hayley sat in silence and took it all in, Molly was afraid she'd alienated her for good, although she instantly felt better for getting it off her chest.
Hayley sat, still saying nothing, and stared into Molly's eyes, a serious look on her face. Then she leant forward, put her hand on Molly's, and kissed her on the lips, softly and slowly. Pulling away, Hayley said "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. If you want the truth, I'm pretty confused at the moment too. Maybe it's all the time we've been spending together, I don't know."
Molly felt a knot in the base of her stomach, a dizzying mix of nervousness, excitement and arousal. Before Hayley could speak again, Molly placed a hand behind her head among the thick black hair and returned the kiss. This one was deeper and harder, and within moments their mouths fell open and their tongues met as Molly felt a spark light between her legs.