Corbin: The College Years, part 10.5

By Corbin, nex_xus@hotmail.com

How life tests the endurance, patience, and sometimes faith of one young woman.

 

 

Pre-Story Introduction/Ranting/Venting/Rambling…

 

I’ve mentioned in the past that I am very picky about who I date, now what justifies as being picky? Well, in a world where almost anything and everything goes, the field of dating material is growing might thin.

 

Right from the word “Go” a man with tattoos, body piercing, involved with drugs or smokes is instantly eliminated. Tough shit, I believe you should not defile your body with stupid pictures and metal objects stabbed into your skin. If you get over those hurdles then you just have to be at least 5’10”, athletic and humble…that’s it!! Amazing huh, you thought the list would be incredibly long and complex. Yet you would be amazed (or maybe not) at how few men out there are athletic and humble.

 

 

On with part 10.5 (Lot’s of dialogue so skip it if you have ADD)

 

Over break, Corbin did some running, to keep her cardio work up. It took her mind off the fact that Sharon was a ghost. Although her contact with Nikki was becoming more frequent, she still found herself on the verge of boiling over with anger, which oddly enough was fine with Corbin. ‘Anger is an emotion, although not always a healthy one, it’s making me feel more alive then I can remember in a long...long time.’ She even took a break from the gym, almost a whole week when it dawned on her;

‘You have a 4.0 grade average, you are athletic, you have a great friend in Nikki, and guys are hitting on you like there is no tomorrow: SO SUCK IT UP!' Basically she had snapped, not in the bad sense, but out of her funk was more like it and the very next day she went into a local gym to begin lifting again.

 

Driving home, she hoped that another lengthy discussion with her parents would not ensue; they had quizzed her in length about boyfriends, actually the lack thereof and her obsession with working out. Mostly though, she had been able to convince her parents that working out helped her in soccer and she retold a few dates she had been on recently. Her ‘ace’ was her grades…always they were high…and still are, here semester grades came back putting her at a 3.89 Average.

 

“What the fuck!” Corbin took her foot off the gas as she let her car roll down the street towards her house. She caught her breath, trying to be sure as she stared at Nikki’s car sitting in her driveway. It was easily a two hour drive for Nikki and she was not at all expecting her, but that didn’t stop Corbin from practically busting thru the front door, her eyes quickly scanning every inch of the foyer, before finding Nikki sitting in the kitchen talking to her mom.

 

“Nikki!” Corbin gasped, her face breaking into a big smile.

 

“Would you not slam the front door like that” Corbin’s mom complained.

 

“Sorry mom” Corbin sighed and walked around to the black haired girl and the two embraced in a tight hug.

 

“Sorry to drop in uninvited” Nikki smiled as she pulled away, both sat back down at the table simultaneously.

 

“Sorry?” Corbin glared dumbfounded, “Are you kidding, I was going to give you a call later, this is even better!” Corbin now sat grinning ear to ear, “You have to stay for dinner” Corbin reached over with her right hand and gripped Nikki’s left wrist urgently.

 

“We were just talking about that” Corbin’s mom piped up.

 

“Yes, I would love too, thank you for the invitation” Nikki looked at Mrs. Brennan and nodded in appreciation.

 

“Let’s go up to my room to chat while I change out of these gym clothes” Corbin quickly stood up. Nikki turned back to Corbin’s mother and smiled, “It was nice meeting you” before following Corbin upstairs. They had barely gotten into Corbin’s room when she invited Nikki to stay the night, “Nic you have to stay over, you drove all this way, I don’t want you driving back tonight”. Corbin unzipped her warm up jacket, revealing a grey tee shirt drenched in sweat.

 

“Oh I don’t want to impose” Nikki sighed and walked around Corbin’s room, slowly taking everything in.

 

“Well, I’m still blown away, what brings you all the way out here” Corbin stood, hands on hips watching Nikki pause in her surveying of the room. Slowly she looked to her left and smiled at Corbin, “I just wanted to see you” Nikki smiled and shrugged, her right finger ran along the edge of Corbin’s tall dresser.

 

“That’ it?” Corbin questioned with a perplexing shrug.

 

“Isn’t that enough?” Nikki whispered back as she barely looked back over, and if Corbin wasn’t mistaken a hint of blush filled Nikki’s cheeks.

 

“It is for me” Corbin sighed and sat on the edge of her bed to untie her shoelaces. “Well, if you can hold on, I’ll jump in the shower and then talk to my mom about you staying over…I mean it’s really a done deal I just need to tell her and dad.”

 

Nikki waited for Corbin to leave for the bath and then pulled out her desk chair to have a seat. Her mind was buzzing as she carefully brushed her straight black hair over her ears, ‘This was a mistake’ Nikki thought, her fingers actually trembled as she brought her hand up and gently stroked her cheek and forehead. She must have been deeply lost in thought for several minutes, or Corbin’s bath was short, because the next thing she knew Corbin was walking into the room in a pair of jeans, sandals and a loose white sweater. She watched blankly as Corbin vigorously rubbed a towel over wet long blonde hair.

 

“I feel overdressed” Nikki sighed and stood up as they went back down stairs, looking down at her knee length wool skirt, dark grey with a silver button down blouse.

 

“Never, you look wonderful” Corbin glowed and took her hand, leading her downstairs. The rest of the evening was spent about the upcoming year and soccer…as well as boys and such, but the subject of boys was one that Nikki seemed to oddly avoid, which was strange to Corbin because Nikki had a boyfriend at the time.

 

It was on this particular night, right before heading back to school as she sat down in the den talking with Nikki when her mother called out, "Sharon’s on the phone Corbin". As she sat next to Nikki on the sofa, Corbin actually paused for a minute; it was stunning to Corbin to hear the words that came out of her mouth, “Just tell her I’ll call her back!"

While Corbin hated to be petty, there felt some justification in her actions. ‘It was Sharon who had been the one leaving their friendship behind when it didn’t fit into her schedule’ and so Corbin looked back over at Nikki who seemed perplexed at the way Corbin was blowing off Sharon like that.

 

“You sure? I don’t mind if you want to go talk, she’s your friend and roommate” Nikki tried to interject.

 

“No, it’s okay really” Corbin sighed with a smile, but it wasn’t okay in some ways. “Sharon would talk my ear off for the next couple of hours”.

 

“That’s for sure” Nikki mumbled which drew a small chuckle from Corbin.

 

“You don’t think very highly of Sharon do you?” Corbin suddenly looked over to her right from where she sat on the couch, but Corbin was afraid she was being too direct with that question as Nikki sat silent for a second looking at the TV with the slightest smile still on her lips. “It’s okay…” Corbin sighed, “…really, Sharon can be a bit much to take at times” Corbin playfully pushed her right elbow into Nikki’s left bicep. Still, Corbin studied Nikki’s face and watched as her friend glanced to the stairs leading up stairs, perhaps wondering where her parents were and if they would be disturbed. Corbin’s eyes followed Nikki’s and heard her mom up in the kitchen, to which she smiled.

 

“I don’t know Sharon at all” Nikki said flatly and left it at that, to which Corbin decided not to push the subject any. But felt as though there was something else on her raven haired friend’s mind.

 

“What is it?” Corbin said quietly, “Don’t worry, my parents are great about privacy, what’s on your mind?” Corbin lowered her voice a little more.

 

“Well” Nikki sighed and pushed her hands into the cushions below, forcing herself to sit up straight. Corbin followed suite and sat up next to her from her lounging position, “This sounds serious” Corbin teased.

 

“Well…not really serious, just something I’ve noticed…” Nikki smiled, that smile of hears that could disarm people with a look of serenity, although you never really knew what was going on behind those dark eyes, “…now, we’re friends right? So don’t take this question the wrong way…” Nikki’s face remained relaxed and the smile never wavered, which helped to relax Corbin although the blonde was getting tense, obvious by the way her left hand clutched the pillow in her lap.

 

“What?” Corbin sat frozen, not one for patience she was about to burst in anticipation.

 

“What are your feelings about men?” Nikki had her eyes locked on Corbin’s now and the blonde felt like a deer in headlights, even worse like a lab rat whose reaction was being intensely scrutinized.

 

“My…my feelings?” Corbin simply stuttered the question back at Nikki momentarily confused or acted confused, but Corbin quickly understood what Nikki might be getting at and was actually sitting there trying to decide to play dumb or if she was up to the discussion. For even one second she thought Sharon had put Nikki up to this, since it had become Sharon’s pastime, pestering Corbin about her ‘social life’.

 

Nikki stood by her question, she didn’t back off and she didn’t explain herself, she never did, she sat quietly waiting…in fact she was prepared to sit as quietly as possible for as long as necessary until Corbin spilled her guts.

But the reaction Nikki finally got was totally unexpected…in a few seconds, Corbin’s beautiful face transformed, the tone of her cheeks become blushed as her eyes darted away for a second, but quickly returned to meet Nikki’s.

 

Corbin felt cornered, but she was a woman willingly trapped…she wanted to discuss her frustrations…to someone…and not even Sharon had seen this vulnerable side of herself. “You mean…” Corbin noticed her voice was weak and she even glanced over her left shoulder up to her the kitchen. And Nikki sat, waiting, her face longing to hear what Corbin was going to say…

“…why I don’t have a boyfriend?” Corbin sighed and rolled her eyes but relaxed upon feeling Nikki’s right hand gently grip her left wrist supportively.

 

“Not at all” Nikki shrugged, “Just how you seem so ‘on guard’ around men…and I guess women too for that fact” Nikki replied.

 

“Well aren’t most girls…guarded that is?” Corbin challenged back.

 

“Some…maybe…but you’re a little more so” Nikki calmly added.

 

Corbin sighed with a blush, “Yeah, I am…I suppose…” she then smiled knowingly, “…I guess it comes out almost as being resentful…” Corbin actually looked angry for a second.

 

“I know, I’ve seen it...” Nikki nodded in agreement. But then Corbin looked away and as if she contemplated something for a second…maybe even trying to make her mind up about something until she finally refocused her stare towards Nikki.

 

“But I do hold men responsible for they’re actions to some degree…and feel justified in that blame…” Corbin’s look remained focused and stern.

 

“They’re not all like that” Nikki said quickly, “Rob isn’t like that” Nikki said about her own boyfriend, but not in a defensive way.

 

“No…you’re right…just only most of them are  Corbin gripped with a smirk.

 

“Sounds more like a problem with society as a whole” Nikki actually smiled a little.

 

“We’ll, maybe your right on that point, but I’m not so much angry as I am frustrated. I feel like I’ve had so many close encounters with guys that would make such a great friend or…” at this point Corbin blushed a little, “…you know, a boyfriend even, but something always gets in the way” Corbin slunk down into the sofa and let her head rest against the cushion behind her. “Something always seems to get in the way” Corbin whispered while staring at the ceiling. “I tend to pull the plug a little early on my guy friendships, they never want to remain friends anyway you know…” her voice trailed off.

 

“I know…oh how I know. It’s also about time you accept you’re too beautiful a girl for a guy to try and stay friends with, they’re going to want to take it to the next level” Nikki smirked, reflecting back on her own past experiences.

 

“Oh please” Corbin chuckled and even snorted a little at Nikki’s comment about her appearance. And then Nikki fully understood, she sat up a little straighter and leaned close in as if to make her point very clear, her big beautiful eyes narrowed up as she softly spoke, “You’re uncomfortable with how good looking you are and the attention you receive”.

 

“Gee, you think!” Corbin glared over to her right with a cocked eyebrow, mocking Nikki’s declaration but quickly frowned, “Sorry Nik, I know your trying to be serious”.

 

“Thanks” Nikki smiled slightly.

 

“But it’s like…” Corbin shot her hands out in front of her as if grasping for some invisible object, but done merely out of frustration, “…it’s like, I have to be in complete control and guys always seem to want to rush things and control things. I’ve only like kissed a couple of guys even…can you believe that?” Corbin looked over quickly at Nikki to check her reaction.

 

“You don’t believe me?” Corbin smiled.

 

“No, I really do, it’s just you’re a rarity”.

 

“You mean a freak?” Corbin pinched her eyebrows together, her expression one of humor at her own expense as Nikki let a small laugh fly from her lips at Corbin’s comment.

 

“Oh Corbin, you are no freak” Nikki adjusted her position on the couch and gave her short black skirt a gentle tug as it began to ride up her creamy white thigh.

 

“And I’m not gay” Corbin quickly said, “If that’s what you’re thinking”.

 

“Hey!” Nikki smiled and had to look away, her eyes diverting to her lap, “I never said anything about your sexual preference” and waved her hands in the air as if casually dismissing the notion.

 

“Oh yeah right, you were just building up to it” Corbin smirked and rested back against the couch. “I just have very high standards when it comes to guys that’s all” and Corbin folded her arms across her chest, seemingly lost in thought.

 

“You’ll meet the right guy Corbin, someone out there will be your perfect match” Nikki smiled and soothingly rubbed Corbin’s right forearm. “I know that sounds cliché”.

 

“No, no…actually it’s nice to hear” Corbin sighed.

 

“You and your mom close? Do you two talk?” Nikki pried a little further.

 

“Some, but she more or less talks ‘at’ me and my father plucks her last nerve by pushing me into sports, he loves the fact that ‘his girl’ is so strong while my mom wishes I would be more of a girly-girl” and a broad smile comes over her face. “He’s been so supportive, even saying that he has the best of both worlds by having a beautiful daughter that loves sports as much as he does”. Corbin suddenly looks over to her right as if a new idea had sprouted in her head.

 

“Look, I know allot of guys out there are okay…and allot of they’re antics are a front for their fragile egos underneath. But like I said, I just have high standards, I’m not willing to settle for anything less then what ‘I’ want”.

 

Nikki studied her friends face for a minute and began to understand just how resolute her blonde friend was, there was an inner drive and strength to Corbin that Nikki had never found in anyone, not even herself. “Don’t ever compromise that…on anything or anyone” Nikki said seriously as her right hand came up and stroked Corbin’s face, “It’s your strength and it’s what draws people to you, but don’t let it make you into an island…that’s untouchable or unreachable” Nikki said quietly, her eyes stared long and hard into her friends face and she was relieved that Corbin seemed to understand.

 

Corbin didn’t know why, but she suddenly blushed and glanced away, maybe it was how sincere Nikki seemed to be…combined with her soothing touch and serious comments.

 

“Sorry, I don’t mean to get all serious and philosophical on you” Nikki sighed.

 

“No it’s okay” Corbin sighed and reached out with her left hand to briefly touch Nikki’s retreating hand. “They’re wonderful words of encouragement”.

 

The door bell rang from upstairs and almost instantly Corbin’s mom called out from the upstairs kitchen, “I’ll get it!” But Nikki and Corbin didn’t even hear, they were still too wrapped up in their conversation.

 

“I really appreciate your…” Corbin had just started to speak again when she was interrupted.

 

“They’re downstairs” Corbin barely caught the conversation from the foyer and become distracted by who had just arrived. Her heart leapt out of her chest when she saw Sharon descending down the stairs only to stop half way her look of shock betrayed her before quickly withdrawing it.

 

“Well, I see I am interrupting” Sharon paused, her statement coming out with a slight irritation.

 

“Sharon” Corbin bolted to a standing position from the couch, her face lighting up with a smile, “Come on down and stay awhile” Corbin stepped around the coffee table but stopped after only a couple of steps as her smile faded. Sharon seemed perturbed about something.

 

“Hello Nikki” Sharon said coldly, and quickly looked back to Corbin before the return could come out of Nikki’s mouth.

 

“Hello Sharon, nice to see you again” Nikki remained seated.

 

“I can’t stay Corbin, just wanted to speak with you, in private” Sharon began just about cutting off the end of Nikki’s sentence.

 

“Yeah…okay” Corbin shrugged and followed Sharon back up the stairs, glancing over her right shoulder at Nikki as if she was clueless.

 

“So what’s up?” Corbin asked in a cool but concerned manner, but Sharon didn’t respond, she kept walking till they were near the front door and obviously out of earshot. Quickly Sharon spun around, a bit dramatic but Corbin was used to Sharon’s drama by now and it didn’t phase her.

 

“Thanks a fucking lot for the phone call in return” Sharon made sure to keep her voice reel low, it almost came out sounding like a hiss.

 

“What?” Corbin was indeed shocked at how Sharon was confronting her like this. “I was going to call you back, what’s the big deal, why are you so angry?” Corbin tried to give a casual shrug.

 

“Oh and I suppose you were going to make the time after your friendly chat with Nikki? Is that it?” Sharon huffed, struggling to keep her tone low but was having an even harder time reigning in her emotions.

 

“This isn’t the time” Corbin said in her own low tone, her jaw line clenching.

 

“We’ll call me some time when you make the time” Sharon said closer to her normal tone and jerked the front door open, she was fast, moving out the front door before Corbin could react. Quickly though, Corbin was behind her able to catch Sharon on her left elbow, giving her a tug.

 

“Hey…wait just a second…” Corbin’s body tensed at the biter cold out on her parent’s front porch. Sharon stopped and rolled her eyes while her body turned to look at her blonde friend.

 

“I haven’t done anything wrong, I haven’t heard from you in days…maybe weeks and you call me out of the blue!” Corbin pleaded. “Sharon I didn’t even hear from you when we left campus and headed home, I had no idea what your plans were, I tried to call you but you kept telling me you were going to call me back…”

 

“I did!” Sharon snapped.

 

Corbin shut down and tuned out…she was no good at arguments and didn’t understand the intricate politics of friendships…especially when jealousy was involved. Sharon watched and studied with her deep blue eyes and recognized the confusion and hurt in Corbin eyes yet Sharon was still angry…that brat side of her personality that would kick in full force. Sharon felt in the wrong…she knew she was in the wrong…but her ego wasn’t about to let it go.

 

“I have to go” Sharon said in a cold tone, but it took every bit of her strength to utter the words, wanting and expecting Corbin to cave into her juvenile tantrum…but Corbin wasn’t like Sharon’s other friends. Instead, Corbin simply waved her left hand towards Sharon’s parked car in the driveway, “Then go”. That threw Sharon for a minute…she wasn’t prepared to have Corbin shut her out like this but quite honestly, Corbin was shocked to hear the words come out of her mouth, but she wasn’t one to banter words back and forth either.

 

Reluctantly Sharon backed away and stepped down off the porch. While Corbin was tongue tied and confused about everything going on, she could see something in Sharon’s eyes, a look of longing that her pride kept from revealing. Maybe it was Nikki, but Corbin wasn’t going to get pulled into a tug of war over possession of her friendship between Nikki and Sharon, not that Nikki would engage in such manipulations, ‘But Sharon most definitely would…and is’ Corbin thought.

 

Robotically Corbin turned to her right, her right hand gripped the icy cold door knob and while she was distraught over how things were left she wanted to get in out of this unusually bitter cold. She heard Sharon’s shoes quickly fade down the sidewalk and figured there would be no last minute pleads of reconciliation. Corbin had never had a close network of friends and didn’t understand what Sharon’s motives could be for trying to eliminate Nikki. ‘Sharon had not outright indicated Nikki was the problem, but I can see the looks and her body language’ Corbin considered as she closed the door and felt the warmth return to her body.

 

“Everything okay?” Corbin’s mom appeared in the doorway to the kitchen straight ahead wiping her hands clean with a dishrag.

 

“Yeah” Corbin muttered in a distracted tone before heading down stairs.

 

Corbin’s mom stayed in the doorway, studying her daughter, her only child and was left at a loss for words. Corbin totally baffled her, she wasn’t at all sure where the child came from, which was meant as a humorous thought. Liz, Corbin’s mother, was an average looking woman and both she and her husband had light brown hair, but nothing like the radiant blonde hair that Corbin had inherited somewhere in their blood line and that wasn’t all…

As Liz’s eyes watched her daughter descend the stairs to the family room, she allowed the realization that Corbin was grown up and not just grown up but her athletic pursuits were starting to show and a growing anxiety filled Liz, it was odd because she couldn’t put her finger on it. Corbin definitely had an athletic build and looked strong, stronger then any girl Liz had ever seen, and when Corbin rarely donned a tee-shirt the pieces of the puzzle started coming together. Yet she prayed that Corbin wasn’t becoming fitness obsessed. Her daughter still retained her feminine features by keeping her beautiful, flowing blonde hair long ‘Thank god!’ her mother thought. But her height at almost 5’ 11” and developing body was not so easy to hide anymore. Shaking her head with concern she slowly wheeled back into the kitchen.

 

“Something’s wrong” Nikki stood up as Corbin’s shoe touched down on the last step.

 

“I don’t know what’s going on, or gotten into her, she’s so mad with me lately” Corbin sighed, “We were pretty close…real close not long ago…” Corbin caught herself drifting off and by the time she came around Nikki was already right in front of her, wrapping her arm around her shoulders in a supportive hug. And she didn’t say a thing that was what Corbin loved about Nikki, the long quiet moments where neither felt the need to chat.

 

“Thanks Nik” Corbin relaxed and returned the hug.

 

“My god” Nikki pulled her head back and her fingers ran along Corbin’s spine.

 

“What” Corbin tensed as if something was wrong.

 

“Corbin, I’ve never realized how defined you are…how muscular you are” Nikki ran her fingers up Corbin’s back and around her shoulders, probing thru the blonde’s layers of clothing just to be sure.

 

“Oh please” Corbin blushed and looked down to the ground, her shoulders slumping to further hide her physique.

 

“No, I mean it” Nikki took a step back while her hands continued to explore the shoulders and arms of the blonde in front of her, “When you hugged me just now you felt solid as a rock. No wonder you plough thru girls on the soccer field” But Nikki detected such attention was making Corbin uneasy and changed the subject.

 

“Is everything going to be okay?” Nikki’s grip on Corbin’s shoulder returned to being one of reassurance.

 

Uhm…” Corbin snapped back to the question, “…well I don’t know…” Corbin sighed.

 

“Supper’s ready!” Corbin’s mom shouted out and seemed to break the spell. Nikki didn’t push any further although she knew that Sharon’s issues, at least one of them, was Nikki’s presence in Corbin’s life. Nikki had met and knew girl’s like Sharon and knew how dangerously manipulative they were.

 

“Let’s eat” Nikki quickly perked up and tried to head things back to a lighter conversation.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Sharon was still shaking although the interior of her car was toasty warm, a great empty void filled her tummy the likes she hadn’t known since…’Since I can’t remember’ she realized. It really did feel like something had died…or something had died…’More like a friendship was dying’ and before Sharon realized what had come over her she was wiping the tears away from her cheeks. “I’m sorry Corbin” Sharon mumbled as she quietly wept during her drive home, the unthinkable seemed to be happening, a division was now between her and her best friend. She didn’t really blame Nikki so much, the girl was just filling the void that Sharon had left, but Sharon wasn’t about to play second-fiddle to anyone. She was determined to repair the damage that had and was occurring to their friendship, even if it meant tearing Nikki out of the picture.

 

 

~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

Corbin reached up into her closet and pulled out a sleeping back, “Tonight, you sleep in my bed”. She figured that they could get away sleeping together in a double bed at least, but Corbin’s was a single, leaving little room for just one person.

 

“Corbin please…” Nikki began to protest, but Corbin wasn’t listening to her, she kept unrolling the sleeping bag.

 

“It’s no use protesting” Corbin said as she unzipped the side of the fluffy sleeper.

 

“Okay” Nikki mumbled to herself and got ready for bed. Corbin didn’t know why she had become so giddy and excited about Nikki’s visit, it was only about a week ago she was stressed out about how close they were getting physically, but it just felt too damn good right now to worry about any of that.

 

Corbin was pretty sure Nikki was still awake, she couldn’t see her face from where she was laying down on the floor, so she wasn’t sure.

 

Nic” Corbin whispered.

 

“What’s up?” Nic whispered back.

 

“So…like…what’s on your mind…I mean…you’ve been sort of quiet since you got here, everything okay with you and Rob?” Rob being Nikki’s boyfriend.

 

“Yeah, we’re still seeing each other” Nikki said in a somewhat monotone voice. It was a pivotal moment for Nikki and she actually could feel herself breaking out into a sweat while contemplating all of her thoughts about her friendship with Corbin and what to say and what not. But she didn’t want to spoil the mood, Corbin was so excited to see her and a real heavy conversation might foul things up. There wasn’t much of a moon this night and Nikki could barely make out Corbin’s face from where she was laying looking up at her.

 

Corbin couldn’t take the suspense, it was killing her and she sat up, quickly enough that it almost seemed to cause Nikki to jump a little bit.

“You can tell me” Corbin said in the faintest whisper while she propped her body up with her arms. Her eyes had adjusted enough to see that Nikki’s hand was now peeking out from underneath the covers, her index finger motioning for Corbin to come closer. Yet Nikki still didn’t say a word and the long shadows kept Corbin from seeing her friend’s expression, something Nikki was grateful for.

 

“What?” Corbin nervously smiled and sat up some more, but Nikki kept slowly beckoning with her hand gesture, wanting the blonde to come closer.

“What?” Corbin asked again in the softest whisper she could muster as she slid her legs out from the under the sleeping bag and crawled hesitantly to the edge of the bed.

 

“I want you to come over her” Nikki said in her own soft, low voice, but she included a slight sarcastic tone as if Corbin would only find out when she got closer.

 

Corbin’s heart was pounding, she was nervous about whatever Nikki was calling her closer for, and prayed that she wasn’t about to reveal some horrible news. But Corbin couldn’t help it and her face got evidently tense with concern, “Nikki, your making me very nervous, what’s wrong?” Corbin pleaded, propping her elbows on the edge of her bed.

 

“Sorry” Nikki smiled, “I’m not trying to make you nervous, I’m just being…silly…that’s all…”

 

“Silly?” Corbin smiled with a nervous chuckle, “That’s okay”.

 

“I just didn’t want to keep whispering back and forth, better if we talk closer” Nikki said and hesitated again, “I would like it if you would just lay here for a minute”. Her heart had surely stopped beating, Nikki felt like she had just proposed something devious…terrible…offensive and for a few seconds after her request she waited for Corbin to totally rebuff her request.

 

“Only if you promise to tell me what’s bothering you” Corbin smiled devilishly and watched as Nikki raised her right arm, the heavy blanket seemed to float in the air and hold position. Corbin crawled up under the blanket and adjusted herself but it was rather difficult in that it was a single bed and the full length of her body brushed up against Nikki’s. The only thing that was slightly uncomfortable was the way their bare legs touched from the top of their thighs down to their toes. It felt good actually, both of their legs were smooth and shaven and more importantly very warm. Her eyes blinked and adjusted to the close proximity of Nikki’s face, so close she could even feel her friend’s breath on her face, yet there was a comfort their closeness and sense of security, something she had infact enjoyed with Sharon on occasion. It was really no big deal Corbin had decided.

 

“Okay, what’s up” Corbin said with a smile of anticipation.

 

“Close your eyes” Nikki said and prayed that she could maintain control over her body. It was taking every bit of concentration to keep from shaking as she contemplated her next action.

 

Corbin’s eyes narrowed suspiciously but she slowly narrowed her eyes until they were indeed shut, but it was so damn dark that it was almost not necessary. “What are you up too?” Corbin sighed as she felt Nikki’s right hand move under the covers, closer to Corbin’s head and it wasn’t long before Corbin felt a fingertip lightly graze her chin.

 

Shhhh and hold still” Nikki said failing this time to hide the nervous tone in her voice. Corbin smiled a little more but more so out of anxiety as a warm palm came to rest on the blonde’s left cheek. The touch was soothing and comforting.

What happened next made Corbin’s entire body tense, her lips felt something warm and soft as a tingle shot down her spine igniting a warmth in the pit of her stomach that grew…spreading out over her entire body.

 

Needless to say, her eyes did not stay closed and fluttered quickly open as her head jerked by not necessarily in any specific direction. More so it seemed to snap her out of her comfortable haze. The lingering touch was now gone and only Nikki’s smiling face was looking at a perplexed and somewhat shocked woman across from her.

 

“What did you do?” Corbin gasped.

 

“Please don’t be mad at me” Nikki tried to maintain her smile as she looked for sympathy.

 

“No…I’m…I’m not mad…I’m just…wondering…” Corbin could barely bring herself to say what she suddenly realized had just happened and her heart was now hammering violently in her chest.


”I’m sorry, I should have asked your permission first, but I wanted to feel what…” and Nikki took a deep breath, a breath that was done to keep her composure because she found herself becoming a bit emotional. “…what it was like to kiss you”.

 

When those words came from her friend’s mouth Corbin just about fainted, her chest swelled as she began to breath harder. Another girl had just kissed her on the lips, although it was more of light peck then a real kiss.

 

“Why?” Corbin croaked out nervously her body paralyzed with fear not only from the tension that seemed to suddenly materialize between them but from a warm feeling that had started in the pit of her stomach and now made her flush in the most private of areas.

 

“Don’t worry, I…I was just seeing what it felt like…I don’t go around doing this you must believe me, but I must admit I wondered what it would be like to kiss another girl. But you’re the first and only one I’ve ever had such a strong urge to do ‘that’ with” Nikki was blushing now and knew she could no longer disguise the trembling in her legs and arms.

 

Oddly, Corbin felt flattered, mainly because she believed Nikki. “I’m just a bit shocked…you understand…I think I should be offended…” Corbin nervously smiled but rolled her eyes, “…I don’t…”

 

“Please…tell me…I just did something very risky and need to know how you feel about it…if I’ve jeopardized our friendship in some way” Nikki began to softly stroke Corbin’s cheek.

 

“Oh Nikki…no…not at all please don’t worry” Corbin urgently pleaded and couldn’t believe that her raven haired girlfriend was getting so upset. Indeed, Nikki tried for a second but her chest convulsed as she silently wept turning her head to the left until it was buried into the pillow almost.

 

“Oh Nikki…please don’t cry…It’s okay…” Corbin pulled her close and kissed her head, “Everything’s okay”.

 

“I’m sorry, I just was curious that’s all…I’m not freaking out on you” She sighed, appearing to calm down as Corbin embraced her. It was immediately soothing to feel and hear that Corbin was not going to get offended by her stealing an innocent kiss.

 

“What? Talk to me” Nikki whispered as they withdrew from their embrace, immediately she could tell Corbin was stressed…a slight tremble radiated from her friend’s strong body. Nikki watched intently in the dark shadows as Corbin’s eyes closed and remained closed, perhaps for only a few seconds but it felt like minutes waiting to look into those eyes again for some type of reassurance.

 

“I’m just scared, that’s all” Corbin sighed with the briefest smile.

 

Nooo…please no” Nikki groaned, “Don’t be, I take full responsibility, it’s my fault…” but Nikki stopped mid thought as she felt Corbin’s left hand gently lay upon her right cheek.

 

Nik…no more apologies” Corbin said, this time seriously without the hint of a smile.

 

“I’m scared too” Nikki’s voice trembled out and they locked eyes for several seconds, no smiles…no distractions. It felt like an inferno under the blanket and they’re was no mistaking the pounding of their hearts, sometimes in unison it seemed. Nikki wasn’t sure where to go with this but tilted her chin up, wondering what Corbin would do, Nikki had completely given into the fact that she wanted to kiss Corbin again but knew that another kiss would mean something far more serious and devastating if Corbin wasn’t receptive this time.

 

Corbin watched Nikki tilt her head and her eyes narrowed in response, blocking out for a flashing second what it might mean, but her face relaxed when she knew what Nikki was asking for…longing for… and Corbin almost cried when she realized she just might like to feel it again. ‘I’m such a novice’ Corbin thought, not knowing how to reciprocate Nikki’s gesture and simply placed her tongue between her lips to wet her dry lips.

 

Nikki’s right hand found and began to stroke Corbin’s left forearm ever so gently as Corbin’s left hand stroked thru the black strands of hair that seemed to flow from Nikki’s beautiful head. The girls exchanged sleepy glances as they nervously allowed fingers to explore one another’s hair, cheeks and arms. Corbin didn’t know why, but she felt like she needed to reassure Nikki again, and whispered “It’s okay”.

 

Nikki smiled, but maybe it was a sad smile, at least that was how Corbin interpreted it although Nikki responded with a heartfelt “Thank you”.

 

“Tell me again, why did you want to kiss me?” Corbin asked and thought she might die of embarrassment but wanted to say or do something that might help the moment along…’help it along to where?’ Corbin wondered. Even though the light from outside was faint, Corbin swore she could make out the blush in Nikki’s cheeks, the questions put her on the spot.

 

Nikki was blushing, badly, for the first time in her life…a moment she never dreamed of, she was going to explain what attracted her to kiss someone…to kiss another girl…to kiss her best friend.

“Well…” Nikki sighed and cleared her throat as her right hand continued to twirl and stroke Corbin’s blonde hair. “…I guess…actually no…” Nikki looked away and summoned all of her courage and looked back up. Corbin remained staring at her, looking and studying her friend’s expression. “…I don’t ‘guess’…I ‘know’ its your soul…so kind and innocent that drew me in as a friend, a friend that looked at you tonight and saw something so sensual in your…”

 

Phhhuulleeasseee” Corbin rolled her eyes with a smile at Nikki’s compliment, but instantly regretted the interruption when Nikki didn’t smile, but became quiet.

“I’m sorry…” Corbin suddenly frowned and carresed Nikki’s right cheek, “…go on”

 

Nikki didn’t immediately start talking, but instead brought her right thumb around and gently carresed the outline of Corbin’s lips and chin.  “I’m a very sensual person Corbin, I think you know this…” Indeed, Corbin started to see the ‘old Nikki’ coming thru, that incredible sultry confidence that first drew the two of them together. “…and I don’t physically connect with just anyone…and never…” Nikki’s eyes suddenly looked up and found Corbin’s staring back, “…never with another woman”.

Nikki studied her blonde friend and realized she was hanging on her every word now, or maybe even her every action.

 

Corbin felt Nikki’s thumb withdraw from her lower lip and quietly gasped when the raven haired beauty extended her tongue and licked her own thumb. Corbin’s heart felt like it might pound from her very chest as she clamped her inner thighs tightly together with what she felt next. Gently, Nikki took her spit coated thumb and caressed her saliva over Corbin’s lips while whispering; “So soft”. Corbin felt frozen in time and summoned every bit of courage she could and slid her head over the pillow a couple of inches until her lips touched Nikki’s. She didn’t kiss her, the trembling in her body seemed to make the simplest actions impossible, but Corbin did squeak out “I’m scared” as her trembling mouth touched against Nikki’s.

 

“So am I” Nikki moaned back into Corbin’s mouth.

 

Corbin never imagined a kiss like this, her whole body suddenly was on fire and awake. Just a few minutes ago she was on the verge of sleep, now she was awake…alive…and found herself almost crying when her body responded to the way Nikki kissed her. ‘I’m kissing another girl’ Corbin’s mind swooned and found Nikki’s tongue to be soft, sensual and highly erotic as it mingled with her own tongue. Corbin felt her pussy contract and a dampness filling her vagina, so much that there was an unmistakable wetness spreading thru her panties.

 

Nikki was struggling to contain her own emotions as her fingers seemed to want to claw at her friend, to tear into her and ravish her. Nikki was stunned to realize she wanted to unleash so much passion on Corbin, or that she had been holding so much back. A moan slipped thru her mouth as her lips moved over Corbin’s and they’re mouths would open so tongues could explore and intertwine with one another, mostly in a slow lazy manner. Nikki realized that they were now clutching one another under the covers, so anxiety filled they actually tugged on each other’s night shirts with clenched fists as they’re kiss lingered on. Corbin felt Nikki pull, forcing her closer against Nikki’s body or else her night shirt would rip. “Oh Nikki…” Corbin moaned as she pulled her mouth away, but Nikki didn’t stop, she moved her tongue and lips down over her chin and neck, nibbling and licking at Corbin’s sweat coated skin, “…this is overwhelming…” Corbin rolled onto her back and writhed under covers, trying to understand what was happening.

 

Nikki made a pivotal decision, ‘Could I go further?’ She wondered, ‘Should I go further?’ and climbed on top of her blonde friend, snuggling her body tightly against Corbin’s as they held and embraced one another, leg’s intertwining with each other and Nikki softly kissed Corbin’s neck. “Oh Corbin, what have we done?” Nikki moaned into her friend’s neck.

 

“I don’t know” Corbin blinked back to reality and stared up at the ceiling as her friend laid on top of her, her kissing having subsided. Still dressed in panties and nightshirts the girl’s paused in the moment, each apparently reflecting on what line they had just crossed. “Just hold me” Corbin sighed and stroked her hands down Nikki’s back. Nikki smiled and gave Corbin a strong embrace as they lay silently amongst the dark shadows of Corbin’s room, neither speaking again.

 

Corbin blinked her eyes, no longer able to keep the morning sun from interrupting. The covers were discarded during the night as they both lay on her bed, their bodies still slightly entangled although they had both shifted during the night. Corbin leaned up and saw her bare left leg draped over Nikki’s right leg, their actions of the night suddenly came flooding back and she glanced over at her door as a thought of her mom walking in suddenly to the sight of her daughter and girlfriend embracing each other in the bed. Corbin almost panicked at the thought but resisted springing from bed like a maniac, especially when Nikki stirred next to her. Corbin went to sit up, but the raven haired beauty pulled her back down for a brief kiss. Corbin smiled as it brought back the memories from last night, but the stress of what they had done caused her smile to quickly fade.

 

“Going to shower” Corbin sighed and pulled away from Nikki’s clutches. Nikki didn’t invite herself nor did she expect it to go that far…things maybe had gone too far already. Nikki watched Corbin stand and walk towards the door, smiling at the way Corbin self-consciously tugged on her nightshirt, making sure it covered her butt, which its length obviously did.

“Get a fucking grip” Nikki suddenly seethed as she bolted up right in bed, realizing how she was watching Corbin walk away and down the hall to the bathroom to shower. She had caught herself watching Corbin’s legs…thighs and remembering how her body felt and soon realized she was looking at her friend in a sexual almost romantic way.

 

Corbin was thankful for the hot water that blasted down over her, she stood motionless under the spray while trying to block out everything that had happened. She teetered between wanting to yell at Nikki with anger for tempting her last night and then again, she also wanted to plead and cry on her shoulder for more because she did tap into a secretly hidden place that Corbin had never shared with another soul. Not even a boy, last night was the most sexual thing she had ever done with another person and it excited her…it also scared her that it excited her more then fantasying about being with a boy.

 

‘Fucking tongue tied again’ Corbin sighed in her mind as she entered her room and exchanged an uneasy glance with Nikki who was collecting her things for own quick shower. 

“Huh!” Corbin stiffened when she felt Nikki grip her left bicep.

 

Nikki could read the tension and fear in Corbin’s eyes and took the initiative, “Sit down please, I want to tell you something”.

 

Corbin let out a slight sigh and nodded, “I know, we need to talk about last night” and already Corbin could feel the butterflies filling her tummy as she rummaged her left hand over her long blonde hair.

 

“More then that, we need to find our way back to our friendship” Nikki said following Corbin to the edge of the bed. Corbin sat down and took a deep breath as Nikki kneeled down in front of her. “I wish I knew what to say Corbin, that I had some answers for what happened last night, but please don’t stress yourself out over it and believe me when I say I am not playing mind games with you. I’m in uncharted territory as well” Nikki pleaded.

 

The sad look in Nikki’s big dark eyes broke Corbin’s heart and instantly helped to break the silence.

“Oh Nik…” Corbin whispered and smiled slightly, trying to be reassuring she also raised her left hand and caressed Nikki’s right cheek something that did make Nikki smile. “…don’t carry all the worries on this one, I was right there and would never think of doubting our friendship. I trust you and hope you can trust me…it…” Corbin sighed and her eyes darted to the open door, which Nikki quickly sprang to her feet and closed, locking as she came back to the bed where Corbin sat, sitting now on Corbin’s left their hands reaching and finding each others.

 

“Tell me” Nikki whispered her face close to Corbin’s left cheek.

 

Corbin turned to the left a little and her eyes glanced up, they could be intense when her face was flushed, like now, something that caught Nikki off guard, those sharp hazel eyes of Corbin’s. “…it…it felt nice Nik” Corbin couldn’t believe it, she just about choked on the word ‘nice’ and the tears started down her cheeks as she let out a few sobs. Nikki pulled her friend over onto her right shoulder and firmly held her, letting her rest her head for a few minutes. Corbin pulled her head away from Nikki’s shoulder, “I don’t know why it upset me so much to say that” Corbin smiled and nervously looked down at the floor.

 

“It’s hard…sometimes to admit how we feel or how something makes us feel, without getting emotional” Nikki gently stroked Corbin’s damp hair that ran down over her shoulders. Leaning in she kissed Corbin on her left cheek and felt the warm flush return to her friend’s cheek. Corbin instantly turned her head to the left, her eyes were closed and Nikki sensed what she wanted, their lips touched again and soon their mouths were open, searching and complimenting one another.

Ohhhh Corbin…I love the taste of your mouth on mine…your tongue in my mouth…” Nikki couldn’t believe what she was saying.

 

“Nikki…nikki…” Corbin moaned repeatedly, “…why do I love kissing you so much”.

 

 

“GIRLS!!!!!” Corbin’s mom yelled from the downstairs kitchen causing them to scramble apart, gasping…Nikki running for the door and down the hall to the bathroom as Corbin lunged for a brush on her nightstand, quickly pulling it thru her hair.

 

“What’s up mom?” Corbin nervously yelled back.

 

“Breakfast is almost ready”

 

“Okay” Corbin said back and set the brush down on the dresser. “Get a grip” as her right hand came up and touched her heavy breast, noticing her nipples she so hard they made imprints right thru her bra and shirt.

 

 

 

 

“Okay, I’ll see you at School” Nikki smiled as Corbin walked her to the car.

 

“Drive safe, okay?” Corbin sighed and gripped Nikki’s hand.

 

“Will do” Nikki replied returning Corbin’s grip.

 

“Look Nik, I don’t know what to make of all of this, I mean, I don’t think…” Corbin stammered a bit as Nikki climbed into the Driver’s seat. Corbin knelt down next to the door as Nikki rolled her window down.

 

“I understand Corbin, I don’t want to over analyze this either. We’re good friends and well…I don’t know, there’s a spark between us I guess” Both girl’s blushed and Corbin had to look away at the reference to their physical connection.

 

“I like that word…’spark’” Corbin said and sheepishly looked up at Nikki and they stared for a second, studying each other’s expressions. Corbin glanced around, looking back at her house and then at the neighbors. Nikki picked up on what Corbin was scoping out for…making sure they were alone and her heart began to throb in her chest, hoping…

 

Corbin leaned in the window and Nikki smiled as they’re lips met, the kiss was brief but satisfying as they moved their lips gently over one another exhaling sighs of pleasure that the touch brought. Corbin pulled away and smiled, “That was nice”.

 

“Very nice” Nikki glanced up with that sultry look.

 

“It’ll be hard to focus on school and boys when we get back” Corbin sighed, stuffing her hands into her jean pockets as she backed away from the car.

 

Nikki shook her head in agreement, “Very hard, but we’ll be okay”.

 

Corbin stood still, and for a moment never felt the chilly wind that was blowing into her face as she watched Nikki’s car pull away. As she turned with a wave, Corbin’s heart sank with the realization that she still needed to do some mending with her friendship with Sharon and that for the first time she would have to keep a secret from Sharon…about her intimate connection with Nikki.

 

“Damn” Corbin mumbled to herself as she shut the front door, shaking off the cold. “How did things get so confusing so fast”.