Chase opened the door slowly, trying not to disturb anyone sleeping in the quiet house. He was tired, and it was late. He just wanted to get something to drink, take a hot shower, and get some sleep. It had been a long day - night, he corrected himself and he had classes at the local college in the morning. He had closed the restaurant that night as he often did. It didn't pay well, but it gave him money for school and a little spending money.
He slipped off his shoes and walked quietly to the kitchen, leaving the lights off. He loosened his standard-issue manager's tie and unbuttoned the collared shirt. He couldn't wait to get into the shower and get the smell of the restaurant off his skin.
Carefully, he removed a drinking glass from the cupboard. He opened the fridge and light spilled into the darkened room. He poured a tall glass of juice. As he closed the door, he turned was surprised to see Gina standing there. He thought everyone was asleep.
Gina was his eighteen-year-old new step sister. She came to live with Chase when her mother and his father recently married. He was happy for his dad. It had been a long time since his folks had split up and his dad's new wife seemed to boost his spirits. Chase couldn't quite think of her as his step mom yet. After all, he was full grown and attending college.
"Hi, Chase!" she said brightly.
Chase groaned inwardly. He really wasn't in the mood to talk. "Hey, Gina." he responded softly.
"How was work?" she asked, looking up at him intently. Her eyes were like saucers in the dim room. It made her look startled.
She was wearing what seemed to be the only things in her closet - long t-shirts. While Chase could appreciate that was in style right then; it just seemed she had gone overboard. The thin material was pulled tight over her breasts, revealing even in the unlit room that she wasn't wearing a bra - not that she ever did at home.
It seemed to him that with breasts that size, that some kind of support would be necessary to avoid back pain and severe sagging. Well, she was young and the flesh on her chest sat high and firm. Maybe she didn't need it.
Her thin legs supported the t-shirt covered torso with just a hint of color at the transition from flesh to cloth. He couldn't see well enough in the dark, but he was certain that the panties she was wearing were pink. She wore a variety of styles and leg cuts, but he could only remember seeing her wearing pink underwear.
Chase brought the glass of juice to his lips, drinking slowly. He hoped she would just lose interest and go away. He liked his step sister and all, he just didn't want to stay up any longer than politeness required. "Okay, I guess." he replied noncommittally.
"Do you want to watch a movie or something?" she asked hopefully, searching his face for signs of interest in the darkened room. She pushed a lock of shoulder-length sun-streaked brunette hair behind one ear.
Chase reached out his hand and placed it heavily on her shoulder. "I'm wiped out. I'm just gonna take a shower and crash." he said with fatigue in voice.
"Ok." she said warmly, "I'll keep you company."
Her response puzzled him, 'Keep me company - in the shower?' he thought to himself. She turned and went quickly upstairs. Chase trudged up slowly. 'How am I going to get rid of her?' he wondered.
Chase walked into the bathroom to find Gina perched on the toilet, her legs pressed to her chest and her arms loosely wrapped around her knees. Chase couldn't help but glance down where her legs met the seat cover, hoping to see the color of her panties. He was not surprised. 'Yup. Pink.' he observed.
Chase turned and closed the door. "You'll have to keep it down. Our parents are just across the hall." he said quietly.
"Don't worry about that!" she scoffed, "They're having sex again." She made a funny expression with her face. He wasn't sure if it was disgust or jealousy. Obviously the two are very distinct and different emotions, but the way she said it left him wondering.
He peeled off his shirt. It was a relief to have it off. He wondered at what point she would bolt for the door, so he took off his pants and socks too.
"So, what did you do at work tonight?" she asked with interest.
Chase shoved a toothbrush in his mouth and started brushing. "Same stuff, different day." he muttered between strokes.
He knew she wanted him to ask her what she did, but he really didn't want to talk. That didn't stop her, "We went shopping. Mom says your house looks like a hospital, no pictures, no rugs, no decorations of any kind, really - sterile." she offered.
Chase rinsed his mouth and spit into the sink. "I like it." he replied defensively.
"She didn't mean anything bad." she rushed to respond, "It just needed some nice touches, mom said." she finished apologetically. Chase merely grunted in response. He really wasn't upset, he just wasn't sure he wanted things to change. He and his dad had been there a couple of years since his folks split up and he had grown used to having a place with just the two of them.