Higher Education Ch. 08

Another grey sweater flew from the closet and onto the bed.

Jessica stuck her head out of Hannah's closet door.

"Damn girl! You know we're not middle schoolers? You know there's no dress code in college?"

Hannah stood, frowning, with her arms akimbo, staring at the growing pile of pants, long skirts, cardigans, and t-shirts on her bed.

"You're making a mess! Why are you making such a big deal of this? I'm just there to hang out and watch! I told you I don't want to do anything! I don't want to stick out anyways! That was the deal! You promised!"

Jessica walked out into the room, holding a black tank top that was a little smaller than the other tops she had seen. She smiled at Hannah. "What's this? I daresay that if you wore this someone might be able to see your belly button! Are you sure its not too risqué?"

Hannah grabbed the top from her. "It shrunk in the wash. That's why it was in the back of my closet. I just couldn't bring myself to it out."

Jessica shrugged. "Wear whatever you want. But you'll going to feel awkward if you dress like a nun at an orgy."

Hannah's frowned deepened, and she cast her eyes downward as mild blush spread across her face.

"You're not getting second thoughts, are you?" Jessica asked.

Hannah stood silently for a few moments, and then began to pace around the room as Jessica watched her with arched eyebrows.

"No." Hannah said, balling her hands into fists. "I at least want to see this. A few weeks ago you asked me if I was a virgin. Well I'm not--but I don't see what the big deal is. Lots of people seem to disagree. I guess I want to see firsthand what the big deal is."

Jessica smirked. "My advice: Don't see it firsthand. Experience it firsthand. But nobody is going to make you do anything you don't want to do."

"Wear this," Jessica went on, thrusting the small tank top towards Hannah. "It's cute. You're gorgeous. Showing a little skin never hurt anyone. Believe me, everyone else will be showing a lot more!"

"Fine." Hannah signed, and looked towards her bed. "But it's cold. At least let me wear something over it." She grabbed a grey cardigan from the pile that had been growing on her bed.

"At least wear a skirt?" Jessica asked. "I don't know if these mom jeans are quite flattering." Jessica wrinkled her nose at a pile of jeans that she'd pulled out of Hannah's dresser moments ago.

Hannah sighed. "Fine." She grabbed a maxi-skirt that went down to her ankles from the pile of clothes that was accumulating on her bed.

"NO!" Jessica stomped her foot. "I am not taking you, as a guest, to a party in that." She walked over to the bed and began rummaging through the pile.

"I guess this will do..." She muttered, handing Hannah a black skirt that would hang loosely around her legs and fall just above her knees.

She smirked at Hannah gently. "You sure you don't help picking out underwear for the night?" She gestured towards the one dresser drawer that had remained undisturbed that evening.

"DON'T GO IN THERE!" Hannah squealed. "That's private! And no! It's not going to be on display anyways!"

"Fine," Jessica sighed.

She pulled a red box from the bag she had brought to Hannah's dorm suite that night and smiled.

"And now...makeup!"

***

Hannah looked at herself in the mirror. Jessica had fussed over her like a concerned mother hen for what seemed like an interminably long time. Hannah was terrified that Jessica would make her look like some sort of whore, but she couldn't help but smile at the result.

Modest quantities of blush, eyeliner, lipstick, and mascara subtly accentuated Hannah's features. Hannah never really wore make up before--she thought it was a silly waste of time, that it covered rather than highlighted women's features, but she to admit that Jessica had done a good job.

Hannah glanced towards her bathroom door momentarily, which Jessica had slammed shut behind her in an uncharacteristic fit of modesty as she went to get ready for the evening.

"You okay in there, Jess?"

The door swung open and Jessica walked out in a long, black trench coat that covered her entire body. The unusually modest garment clashed with the rest of Jessica's appearance. She had gone subtle with Hannah, but all out on herself. Bright red lipstick, blush, and black eyeliner and thick mascara framed her face, and gold hoop earrings with spade symbol charms hanging down framed her face.

Jessica smiled widely at Hannah.

"I'm great! Let's go!!" She grabbed Hannah by the arm, and pulled her towards the door.

"Wait!" Hannah said. "All of this shit you gave me about my wardrobe and you're dressed like a 50 year businessman in winter?"

Jessica looked back at her and giggled.

"It's cold! Besides, I don't want to spoil any surprises."

She yanked on Hannah's arm one more time, and Hannah followed behind her, obedient but puzzled.