Beginning as Friends Ch. 02

Then there was a knock on the door. My eyes flew open and Paris backed away. And I didn't know if I was relieved or let down. My heart was beating erratically and I practically yelled, "Yes?"

I heard a muffled voice through the crack of the door. "Uh hey in there. It's Jasmine your Resident Advisor. Just wanted to let you know that we're having a big welcoming party for freshmen tonight in the Burgess University Center."

Paris was dressing on her side of the room with her back to me.

"Oh, yeah I know. Got a flyer from you a minute ago."

"Alright. Hope to see you there ladies."

"You will."

I heard feet shuffle away and I let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding.

Paris turned around fully dressed in a pair of shorts and a white plunging v-neck shirt that showed her ample cleavage.

"You ready?"

I blinked. Her mood had seemed to switch completely.

"Yeah, I am if you are."

She walked toward me and I saw her open her mouth to say something. Then she closed it just as quickly.

For some reason I was hopeful. "Yeah Paris?"

She shook her head more to herself than to me, as though trying to erase a thought.

She half-smiled. "Nothing, just hungry."

***

Our first month of school flew by rather quickly. Paris and I became fast best friends, doing everything there was to do together. We had most of the same classes because we were both biology majors; we ate dinner together, studied together, and went shopping together. If you saw Alison, Paris was right there too and vice versa.

We never spoke of the almost whatever in all this time we spent together. It was Friday and I was beat.

I knew if Paris wanted to go out she would definitely be on her own and said as much to her earlier. Today, unlike most days, we didn't eat dinner together because Paris had some meeting with her academic advisor.

I was on the way back to the room and could see that all the lights were off in our room. I was quite thankful for the time alone because instead of reflecting on the confusing state I was in with regard to Paris, I ignored the problem. I smiled ruefully while I unlocked the door. Ignoring the problem was something I was familiar with because that's exactly what my foster mother did. Ignored the problem. I shook my head, not ready to explore those issues, and entered the room.

I immediately started undressing, while shutting the blinds. I was completely naked looking for my robe when it dawned on me that I threw it behind my bed on the floor. I was rushing this morning because I hit the snooze button too many times and ignored Paris when she told me to get up the first ten times. I kneeled on the bed and bent over with my naked butt up in the air and heard a voice that scared the hell out of me.

"I've got a nice view."

I screamed and grabbed the robe, covering myself. "Damn Paris. Why didn't you tell me you where in here?"

"You started strippin as soon as you came in. I didn't want to interrupt you." I couldn't clearly see her face while she was sitting on her bed, but I could hear the smile in her voice.

I stood up and put the robe on. Searching for the light near the door, I bumped straight into Paris. My robe fell open and I felt her warm hands on the bare skin of my waist.

"Are you scared of the dark or something?" Paris asked barely above a whisper.

I sucked in a breath and felt heat pool in my midsection. I shook my head and then whispered that I wasn't.

She circled her hands around my waist, her long fingernails dragging gently along my skin before enclosing me in her arms. As she tightened her grip, I felt her smooth skin grazing mine. That was when I realized she was only in her bra and underwear. "I just want you to know you've been a great friend."

I laughed, "Why are you being all lovey dovey Paris? You've been a great friend too." Her hands dropped immediately and she reached behind me to turn on the light. I cinched my robe.

Looking into her eyes, "Paris, I wasn't..." But the moment had passed. I could tell when she looked through me.

Frowning, Paris cut me off, "I know you're tired so I'm about to head out."

"Paris, you don't have to leave. I mean we could watch a movie and have a girl's night if you wanted."

Thinking for a beat, "Nah, I told Nathan I'd come by the Row."

She was referring to the section of campus devoted to the row of fraternity and sorority houses. And Nathan, who was completely and utterly wrong for her, belonged to one of these illustrious drunken houses.

"Seriously? I didn't even think you liked him."

Paris turned her back on me and started looking for something to wear in her packed closet.

"It's better than the alternative."

"Which is?"

"Wanting someone who doesn't want you back." She turned around, looked down at her fingernails and began picking at the fire-engine red nail polish.

"I know he likes me Alison. He isn't the smartest but I just want to have fun tonight."

"Who are you talking about?"

While bending over to get her 6inch heels I heard her mumble, "Just forget it. I gotta get ready."

I sat on my bed and turned my television on to distract myself from watching her dress. She was still only dressed in her bra and panties. This matching set matched her fingernails in color and would be pure torture to any living man and many a woman, which I can attest to.

She shimmied into low rise skinny jeans that fit her like a glove. She turned to put her top on and I couldn't help but look at the view. The jeans were sculpted to her round, plump ass. I made myself look away and focus on the television.

I guess I got lost in thought because she was standing over me, looking down annoyed.

"Huh?"

"I asked you how do I look?"

She walked into the middle of the room so I could drink her in.

Her thick black hair was in loose flowing curls cascading down her back. She had on the aforementioned dark blue skinny jeans paired with a red midriff top which crisscrossed in the back. Her skin, like always glowed, and looked so incredibly soft. I could tell she wasn't wearing a bra because her nipples poked through the thin material.

I lied. "You look okay."

"Just okay?" She smirked.

"Yeah." I shrugged before continuing. "I guess someone might feel sorry for you and pick you up." She picked up a pillow and threw it at me.

I laughed, then turning serious. "But Paris, just be careful."

She winked. "Always. Don't wait up."

She grabbed her keys, wiggled her fingers, and was out the door.

I sighed. Now it was time to take the much needed time to sort through what I was feeling.

Honestly, I'd been denying what my body was telling me since I met Paris, but I just didn't want to jeopardize our friendship.

I'd been raised in a Christian southern Baptist home, wherein homosexuality and its evilness had been drilled into my head.

I remember how my foster parents behaved when they searched my room and found a box filled with sexy letters Bianca wrote me in high school.

I can still see my foster father throwing the letters in the fireplace, watching them burn with a smirk, while lecturing me about "letting a bull dyke corrupt me."

I guess you can't be corrupted by someone who was supposed to be a father figure, looking at you like he couldn't wait to sink his dick into you.

That year was horrible; I was forced to go to church constantly and have weekly private meetings with the pastor of the church about being led into "abominable lesbian behavior" - which is how my foster parents described it.

What was funny about the situation was- I seduced Bianca, not the other way around. But clouded by their own prejudices, they never even considered the fact that I was indeed the one who corrupted her.

If my foster father hadn't wanted to fuck me, they wouldn't have even found out about Bianca. As long as he could put an end to anyone other than him touching me, he was satisfied.

When I came to college I completely ended all contact with them. I aged out of care at 18 and as far as I was concerned that part of my life was over.

This is why Paris and her friendship meant so much to me. She was basically my only family. I didn't want her to know what I was feeling because I couldn't imagine losing her as a friend.

It wasn't easy sharing a room with someone my body was telling me I wanted to bed, but if I didn't want to be alone in this world I would, simple as that. I suppressed my feelings in high school when my foster parents watched my every move and I knew I could do it again.

I wouldn't even let myself fantasize about celebrities that I knew I would never meet, so I knew that I had the strength to get this Paris crush under control.

I decided that I would get this handled or go to the Housing Office and request a new roommate.

I didn't want it to come to that because I enjoyed sharing a room with Paris; not only for the benefit of seeing her scantily clad but because she was my best friend.

I could talk to her about anything, well, with the exception of the fact that I wanted to fuck her.

At least I'd come to some reasonable conclusion about Paris. It was just a silly infatuation; probably heightened by not having a boyfriend since sophomore year of high school.

Maybe I was just lonely for some type of intimate connection.

I entertained myself with a mini Jane Austen movie marathon as my mind replayed the day's events. I was out like a light soon after, falling asleep by eleven.

Hearing keys rattling in the door, I awoke taking note that it was three in the morning. I heard drunken laughter in the hallway, and Paris entered with a big hulking guy behind her.

I pretended to be asleep, closing my eyes and laying still.

They stumbled over to Paris' bed laughing.

Then I heard Paris loudly say, "Shhh!"

Then Nathan the big dummy said, "Ooops sorry. Why don't we just go back to my room? We'd be alone to do whatever."

"Nah, I'm reeeaaallly tired."

I rolled my eyes because Paris sounded like a bumbling idiot.

I heard the strain in Nathan's voice when he said, "Come on. I need to be alone with you. You've been dancing on me all night. No reason to be a tease."

Paris suddenly sounded completely sober. "Get out."

"Calm down, I was just kidding."

"Get the fuck out Nathan."

"I don't know why you're being such a bitch. You've been acting like you wanted me all night. You know what, the hell with it."

I heard the door slam.

Then Paris came over by my bed. "Open your eyes, I know you're awake." I turned on the lamp near my bed and squinted up at her.

With a voice thick with sleep, I asked, "Are you alright?"

She pushed her hair behind her ear and bit her bottom lip. "Yeah, I'm fine."

She pushed me over and sat down. My senses were attacked by smoke, alcohol, and her fruity perfume. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and asked, "Did you have a good time at least?"

"Not really." She rested her head on her hand that was propped up by her knee." She smiled ruefully. "I shoulda just stayed here after all."

I rubbed her back. "I'm sorry girlie."

Paris smiled and lifted her head. "Well, it's over now. Wanna watch a movie?" I nodded.

Paris went over to her dresser and pulled out a t-shirt. She proceeded to undress with her back to me. Although I made a promise to myself not to watch her again, I still peeked.

I took in her lovely ass as she lowered the shirt over her body which barely covered her curvy rear. Then she turned around and put her hand on her hip.

"You better make room. If we're watching the Jane Austen marathon again, I'm being comfortable in your bed."

I laughed, but inwardly I was trying to decide whether to just back out of this movie thing.

But Paris being Paris, came over, turned off the lamp, jumped in behind me and got under the covers. The smell of smoke was gone now but her perfume smelled wonderful, delectable even.

I started the movie and Paris closed the space between us by molding herself to my body. And I knew...right then that I was in trouble.