Authors note: Obviously, the following story is a work of fiction and any likeness to any real person is totally coincidental. This is the first part of a much larger story arch. I hope you all like it. If you do, feel free to drop me a line publicly or privately and let me know your thoughts. Few things in the world are as good as knowing your weird fantasies are also turn ons for other people.
Part One: The Apartment, The New Friend, and The Artifact
This story is just the beginning. It is the strange event that sent me on a spiral of self discovery that would send me from being a somewhat naive college kid to full fledged sex-fiend. And it all just started moving into my new apartment.
I loved the apartment. Technically it wasn't my apartment at all, it is my Aunt Claire's. But Claire had taken a position abroad for the next year and needed someone to sublet. She was willing to cut me a great deal.
The day she gave me the keys Aunt Claire said, "Lexi, I don't care much about the rent so if that gets to be a problem just let me know. I really just need someone to water my plants and not have a drug fueled orgy while I am gone." That seemed easy enough and in exchange I got a fully furnished place, just a few minutes from school, in a building and neighborhood I would never be able to afford.
But the most important thing for me was how the building felt. Just the whole vibe of it is so grown up. It feels Like I am in that strange limbo place in life. I had just finished my sophomore year at State. I was 20 years old but still treated like a kid by society and I wanted a more mature life.
I have always felt more grown up than I was. I wasn't the stuck up kid in high school but I also never understood why people were so happy with it being the "best time of their lives." I worked hard so I could just get out of there. Because of that, I often felt like living in the dorms and "college life" was just an extension of that same juvenile attitude. I didn't think I was better than the people around me. My focus is just different, and this place helped me feel that. Here, I would be surrounded by mostly young professionals and I felt that could help motivate me into maturity.
I moved in at the end of July. It was a little over a month before school started but it felt like it would give me enough time to settle in before starting the term. My dad had wanted to help but I thought it was important that I did things by myself. Besides, it was a finished apartment. I was just moving in boxes of clothing and books. How hard could it be?
It turns out it is easy to turn down help before you know the elevator in your four story building is broken. But, that's how I met Caitlyn which would change my life forever.
I had started climbing the steep stairs with my box of clothes. After three trips on the four flights of stairs my legs were starting to burn and I was starting to get hot. I always thought I was fit but I am also petite so I don't have the greatest of muscle strength. The flights of stairs combined with the July heat were starting to get to me. I dropped my hamper full of clothes in the bedroom, splashed some cold water in my face, and took off my blouse, hoping my thin tank top would keep me cool. I tried to pump myself up for the few remaining boxes but didn't do a very good job.
A few minutes later I was climbing the second flight of stairs, now with my last box of much heavier books. My arms and my legs were giving out. I was starting to feel light headed. The weight of the books started to wear on me and I could feel myself going backward. In that split second I was sure my life was over. They would find me buried under the thick novels I loved so much. Right when I thought I was going to collapse, hands braced against my back as a voice said, "Woah kid!" Before I could even tell what was happening someone was grabbing the box from me and saying "Which way?"
I didn't even fully register what was happening but responded automatically. My brain was on autopilot. "Fourth floor, apartment 4-B" I said while slowly following this person up the stairs. I didn't even register any details about who it was until we reached the top. My brain just focusing on a stair at a time.
It wasn't until we were in my apartment that I even registered that she had kept talking. "...so anyway neighbor if you need anything just come on over you can always-"
"Wait sorry, what?" I interrupted.
"Ha!" She laughed, setting down the box of books, "You didn't catch any of that did you?"
"I'm so sorry." I said. Suddenly, a flash of embarrassment went through me. Here I was trying to be a mature adult and I still was just the kid who needed to be bailed out. My embarrassed brain went through all the ways I was self conscious of. I was too short, too skinny, to be able to even lift my own boxes. My bright orange hair was a mess on my head that made me feel like a crazy person. My tank top, sweaty and clinging to my small chest.
"It's cool." I watched her go into the kitchen and pour a glass of water. I was starting to come to my senses and take stock of the details of this person who just saved my life but even now my embarrassed brain was doing nothing but comparing us. She was maybe in her late 20's or early 30's and just seemed put together. She was tall, probably 8 or 9 inches taller than me at about 5' 11". She was very pretty. Her workout clothes hugged her body tightly so I could see strong muscles and perfect curves that, even in my delirious state, I was a little envious of. Her own mass of brown, curly hair also pulled back tight but neatly. I was instantly enamored.
She walked back, handing me a glass of water and drinking one herself. "Anyway," she continued, "I was saying you must be Claire's niece right? Alex, was it."
"Yeah, I mean Alexis but everyone calls me Lexi. God, thanks for your help."
"Don't mention it." She said while gesturing her hand like saving people's lives on the stairs was some sort of mundane experience for her. "If you didn't catch it earlier, I am Caitlyn. Daniel and I live next door."
She grabbed a piece of paper and pen from the counter. Her familiarity with this place told me she and Claire must be relatively close. She handed me the paper and said with a smile, "So if my music or whatever keeps up at night you can call. Or just pound on the wall."
I laughed. She was so intriguing. She had a certain energy about her and confidence with everything she did.
"Well," Caitlyn said. "I need to strip these nasty clothes off. I guess you do too" She said with a laugh as my brain immediately went places she had not intended it to. Caitlyn continued to walk to the door, "Nothing feels as good as a shower after a hard workout. But don't stay a stranger and if you feel like you are going to pass out again shoot me a text." And with that she turned and walked out of the apartment without waiting for a reply.
I spent the next week trying to get accustomed to my new living situation. The first few days were total enjoyment of my freedom. I had to work but I could always choose what was on TV, or what music to listen to. I even just walked around naked just because I could. But I was used to living in close proximity to people and found myself lonely. So, the Monday after I moved in, I decided to reach out to the one person I knew in close proximity, Caitlyn.
There was a coffee shop across the street that I had been to a few times but this time was different, nicer. She showed up with a great smile on her face. The kind of smile that you see first in the eyes first. It was like she was greeting an old friend and not a relative stranger. "Hey," Caitlyn said, "it's nice seeing you not about to die on the stairs."
"It's nice to be seen that way." I agreed with a laugh. I was grateful to not look like I was about to pass out. My red hair was down and brushed. My makeup wasn't smudged. My skin was still pale but at least it wasn't pale and covered in sweat.
