The Dark Side of Flavia

"Okay. I better go check on mom and get the scoop on this guy she's acting so weird about." Sandy clinched her eyes, acting as if she really didn't want to consider her mom dating.

"Until Saturday then!"

"Later, Babycakes!" Sandy sarcastically cried before bounding through the doors of the coffee shop.

PULLING AN ALL NIGHTER

The closet door flung open as a panicked Flavia shoved hangers aside, digging through the contents. She pulled out a top, holding it up against a pair of pants before wrinkling her brow and throwing it on a pile of clothes already mounded on her bed. Nothing seemed to be right.


'God, this all looks so juvenile!' she thought to herself. Her self-imposed frustration with the concept of shopping was now paying her back. She realized just how few clothes she owned that still fit. 'Why am I keeping that?' She mused as she pulled out a t-shirt with her high school logo. Realizing that her more adult shape would hardly fit into it, she tossed it aside.

She had to choose something. Her two day weekend with Maria was just a couple of hours away. Finally selecting a few of garments from the racks, she began to gently fold them on top of the items already in her overnight bag; two matching bra and pantie sets, a night shirt, a matching pair of pajama pants, makeup kit, and other accessories.

She stood up calmly in front of her now completely packed bag, attempting to mentally itemize the contents to see if she had forgotten anything. Taking a deep cleansing breath, she tried to maintain her composure while imagining the night's potential. She grinned a bit thinking that this was her first 'sleep-over' since she was a kid. Warm memories of her 'Dora the Explorer' sleeping bag and matching back pack raced through her mind.

'Sleep-over'. The phrase had captured her fascination since the moment the words fell graciously from Maria's lips. 'God, those hot lips!' Flavia closed her eyes and relished the image of Maria's soft facial features; the gentle slope of her jaw line, the slight dimple of her cheeks, her sparkling eyes that seemed to look past the surface into the soul - all of which culminated in the gentle, glistening lips.

Momentarily she closed her eyes and her breathing increased as she remembered the dinner they shared while studying. Her breath suddenly hitched when she remembered the words 'sleep over'. 'Fuck! I've got to stop this. I don't even know if she's into other women.' Shaken to reality by reality, Flavia shoved the lid down onto the overnight bag and zipped it closed.

She paused momentarily, the glancing thought of having forgotten something touched her subconscious. Of course. Reaching down under her bed, she ran her hand along her secret ledge. Fumbling past several hidden objects, she pulled out a uniquely shaped item. A three blade fang. It was shaped much like the head of Titan's spear, but without a shaft. Two curved and pointed blades with a smaller center blade. It fit perfectly in her hand.

She ran the blade in a sweeping motion through the air in a clearly practiced motion before resting it against her breast. She loved the feel of the blade pressing against her. It gave her a great feeling of self-empowerment and confidence. She didn't plan to take it out of the suit case. But just having it with her was like having a spiritual talisman; one that calmed her anxieties and steadied her thoughts.

She slid it in the outer pouch of her suitcase, hilt first. Then closing the latch on the pouch, she patted the cover for reassurance.

Gripping her satchel in hand, she resolutely stood. 'Well, before the night is over, I'll find out if I have a friend or something more.' The thought caused her to smile again; something that few things in life could do.

The chime of her inbox sounded from her open laptop on the desk. The action caused the screen to increase in brightness, coming out of power-saver mode. Flavia pulled her chair back to sit down, but it was partially obstructed by two pair of pants that had been discarded in the sorting process. She kicked them aside freeing her chair before kneeling on the seat and putting her elbows on either side of the laptop she leaned over to investigate.

5:14 pm

From: MariaDiva100@ xxxx.xxx

To: FlaviaGraceLL@ xxxx.xxx

Subject: Excited

Flavia,

Really looking forward to the fun this weekend. I promise to study hard tonight so we can have ALL night tomorrow to party!

Just wanted you to know that Mom left earlier than we thought. She was able to take off from the hospital before her shift was done. Been gone for about 10 minutes! I'M FREE! lol

Well, if you are able to shake free earlier, just show up! Nobody here but me. ... and I'm lonely... :(

Hope to see you soon.

Maria

Flavia's heart nearly exploded as she read. 'And I'm lonely,' caused her stomach to turn to jelly. 'Is Maria sending me a message in this message? Is she trying to tell me something or am I just reading into it? I get to help Maria be un-lonely'. A deviant grin fell slowly across her face as she began to catalogue ways to assist in Maria's 'loneliness'.

Unconsciously she squeezed her legs together, reflexively responding to the emotional arousal she was experiencing. 'I've got to stop this before I need to change my panties;... again!' She laughed to herself before replying.

5:19 pm

From: FlaviaGraceLL@ xxxx.xxx

To: MariaDiva100@ xxxx.xxx

Subject: Excited TOO!

Maria,

I'm kinda psyched about this weekend too. Can't wait. In fact, I won't wait. :) I'll head over now. Should be there by 5:45.

I promise to study too..(some) To be honest, I'm looking forward to 'party' time more than 'study time'. I feel a bit burned out on this stuff already.

See you in 20!

Flavia.

'Well, this is it.' She headed out the door, sliding her full hand against the light switch causing the room to go dark. Her cell phone buzzed with a new text message that caused her to flinch.

Maria

Why Miss Flavia! I didn't picture you as the "party" type! :)

Flavia grinned in appreciation of Maria's sarcasm. She quickly began typing on her iphone in response.

Flavia

Well, there's a lot of dark secrets you don't know about me.

Maria

guess we'll just have to explore that - Of course I've got a couple myself.

Flavia

Looking forward to uncovering our secrets together

Flavia momentarily second guessed her last message. But she passed it off, thinking Maria's comments were obviously just playful banter. But the playful banter made her rush down the steps toward her 'lonely', new friend.

The neighborhood surrounding the address Maria had given her was a pleasant upper middle class section of town. Homes with two car garages on neatly trimmed rows of fairly large lots lined the perfectly patterned streets. Most were brick structures with rows of fresh spring flowers. The consistency of the design reeked of an OCD home owner's association.

Flavia found the houses interesting but they lacked the diverse character of the homes in other parts of the city. These all seemed too new and perfect for her liking. At least there was a variety of designs; keeping it from having a cloned feel.

Finding the right location she pulled into the driveway. As she turned off the engine of her mom's gray Ford Fusion, she leaned forward to look up through the windshield at the home. It was a newer home built to mimic earlier craftsman style homes. As she was taking it all in, the front porch light came on and the front door opened.

Framed by the stone faced posts that supported white, half pillars; Maria stood like a vision of beauty. She waved and smiled as Flavia got out of the car and made her approach. Flavia could see that she was talking on the phone to someone.

"Yes. Of course Dad. Okay, I get it. You're worried about your little girl. But..." She was obviously cut off by her father's response. "Okay, I will." She replied in a mildly mocking tone. "Yes. We'll be fine. And if I need anything, I'll call Mrs, Madison. ... Okay, love you too. Bye."

"What was that all about?" Flavia chuckled as she neared the porch.

"Dad is still going on about his 'Little Girl' staying alone in the big city. 'Lock the door. 'Don't let strangers in.' 'Don't say I'm alone on facebook.' I swear at times he's so chauvinistic. He can't even admit that I'm a college student now."

"Geez, I'll never complain about my dad again." Flavia laughed as she stepped onto the porch.

Maria held the door open for Flavia to enter while fumbling with the hand held phone. "Make yourself at home. This is the ol' homestead. Not much to look at but it's ours." Maria mocked.

"Great place." Flavia replied.

"It's okay. Suburban Hell! I know." Maria twisted her mouth as if it was a confession to live in such an environment.

"No, really, I like it." Flavia reassured. "It's just that I'm more of a classic old house type.

"Well, that might be my future too. Sometimes the homes all blend together in a blur out here." Maria motioned for Flavia to head toward steps near the hallway. She lead the way down the first few steps to a landing before explaining. "My room is down here, just off the family room."

Taking the final few steps down, she clicked a few switches activating a ring of indirect lights surrounding the parameter of the room. Two couches, a bumper pool table, a huge big screen tv and glass doors leading to the back yard filled the space.

"You can thrown your things in my room; in there." Maria motioned to the doorway of a darkened room. "I thought we'd study out here." Maria realized Flavia was still holding her suit case. "Really, make yourself at home." She laughed.

"Oh, okay." Flavia stuttered, having been drinking in her surroundings.

Moving through the doorway into the darkened room, she groped momentarily for a light switch. The switch controlled a lamp near a four post bed. As the room was bathed in light, Flavia surveyed her surroundings.

The bedspread and matching curtains seemed a bit out of place and frilly in contrast to the rest of the room. A dressing table draped with dozens of chains, necklaces, hair bands and personal items. The mirror was surrounded with snapshot pictures of Maria and various people; likely family members seeing the ages and variety.

A classy bass guitar and amp set were propped up in the corner. Along the closet door hung a few blouses and belts, not in any recognizable order.

"Hey, I have Pizza Al's on the line. What do you like on your pizza?" Maria called from the family room.

"Anything is fine. Just no sardines." Flavia replied.

"You're not like a vegan or anything are you?"

Flavia quirked her eyebrows momentarily before responding. "No. Are you?" She called back quizzically.

"God no. But we'll deal with Angie tomorrow night! So we'll do meat tonight!"

Flavia set her suitcase down under the window where there was an open spot. As she turned to head back out, she noticed the cluster of concert posters on the wall next to the entrance. U2, Coldplay, and what looked to be a less familiar, local band covered the wall from top to bottom. The posters were held up by push pins that held used tickets as well. Clearly Maria enjoyed the concert scene.

Re-entering the family room, she found Maria sitting cross-legged on the couch. Text books were already spread out over the coffee table and it was time to get serious. 'Remember, study tonight - play tomorrow night.' She thought to herself. But it wouldn't be easy. Maria was gorgeous.

Several hours later, the girls looked spent. A pizza box with one, lonely remaining piece of meat lover's pizza lay open on the coffee table amid a cluster of empty cola bottles. Empty potato chip bags had clearly given way to chocolate as an acceptable side dish. Scattered sheets of hand written notes from lectures were used as coasters for the remaining cola.

Flavia was sitting on the floor with her head leaning back on the edge of the couch. Maria was lounging across the couch with an ipad, thumbing through sample art examples; occasionally pointing one out to Flavia for help in identifying the artist.

The parameter lights had been dimmed a bit and the sun was now setting, bringing a soft glow to the room through the sheer curtains of the glass doorway.

"Okay, so if he uses the examples from the online study guide as a part of the test, we'll ace that part." Maria finally stated confidently.

"Or die trying." Flavia moaned.

Maria smirked at the morbid humor, looking over to see the exhausted expression on Flavia's face. Still holding her ipad in one hand above her, she reached over using her other hand to softly rake through Flavia's hair. The relaxing massage caused Flavia to close her eyes restfully. But it soon dawned on her that she was enjoying Maria's touch far more than she should.

Flavia tilted her head to look back at Maria but didn't speak.

"You seemed a bit uptight." Maria replied in answer to the question that wasn't verbalized.

"Thanks. That feels wonderful. And yes. I'm a lot uptight about this test."

"We're ready. Probably more ready than we think."

"I sure hope so." Flavia calmly replied. She tried not to enjoy Maria's massage too greatly. 'Surely she's just being nice.' She thought as she allowed the pleasure of Maria's massage to continue. A warm, tingling feeling rushed through her forehead and across her face as Maria continued stroking and fondling her hair.

"I'm done. How bout you?" Maria finally stated confidently.

'Hell no!' Flavia thought to herself, wanting the massage to continue forever. "Yeah. Any more and I think I'll explode." 'Isn't that the truth!'

Maria got up slowly and headed for the bedroom. "I'm going to change into something more comfortable. And then I'm going to break out some wine. You okay with that?"

"Sure." Flavia responded.

From her position leaning against the couch, Flavia could see Maria enter her bedroom. But Maria didn't close the door. Before she realized what was happening, Maria began undressing; in clear view for Flavia to enjoy.

Maria hung her necklace gently along the mirror of her dressing table before she started unbuttoning her blouse. Facing away from Flavia, she took two steps toward the bed as she let the blouse fall off her shoulders. A simple white bra strap remained pressing a line across her frail back; her blouse thrown to the edge of the bed.

Without the shirt tails covering her hips, Flavia could now see the outline of Maria's shapely hips and ass. She slid both thumbs in the sides of her black tights, peeling them off her lovely body down to just above the knee. Bending over to push the tight material down, caused her to create a gorgeous display.

Using one hand to steady herself by grabbing the bedpost, she bent over to continue tugging the tights off her right leg. As she bent lower to free her leg from the restraint of the tights, her lovely back side was completely revealed to Flavia's gaze causing her to suck in a stunned breath.

Maria was wearing only a pair of high cut panties that fully exposed her ass cheeks. Without shame she completed her task, moving to her other leg; tugging the tights off her feet and finally throwing them on the bed.

Her movements were slow and methodical. Standing in the soft glow of the lamp on her nightstand, Maria turned to look into the family room. She stood there in her simple white bra and barely there panties with a confused look on her face.

"You gonna change for bed or are you planning on sleeping in those clothes?" She said softly.

Flavia felt momentarily immobilized; stunned by the gorgeous sight of Maria's long legs and lilt frame. Her skin seemed to glow a rich golden color from the lighting in the bedroom. But she soon found the courage to move.

Entering the room Flavia began shuffling through her suitcase, placing unneeded items to one side. She tugged out her pajama pants and night shirt before standing up again.

She turned to see that Maria had wrapped herself in a comfortable night shirt. It was silky in texture with a fine pinstripe of pink that radiated against her equally silky flesh. Her nipples pressed against the soft material, screaming to be recognized. Maria seemed unfazed by the thought of undressing in front of her new friend; and now she stood confidently. But Flavia was a bit more cautious.

Being an only child, Flavia had always been a bit conservative about things. She wasn't exactly bashful, but had never experienced changing in front of other siblings, sharing bathroom space, or accidentally walking in on another family member; let alone dressing in front of a woman that had caused her to lose sleep at night.

Maria continued with her normal nighttime routine as Flavia tugged her shirt off over her head. She turned away and somewhat reluctantly began to unbuckle her belt. Stepping out of her black, oversized pants, she felt the cool air strike her legs. It was as bracing as the realization that she was now standing in panties and bra before the object of her recent sexual obsessions.

Maria turned from the bed and looked over at Flavia. "OH MY GOD!" She shouted, a bit stunned at the sight.

Flavia grabbed her shirt and held it up; covering herself as much as possible. "What?" She responded in panic.

"There's a gorgeous woman under all that camouflage." Maria exclaimed. "Good God! You're gorgeous.!

Flavia blushed and moved uncomfortably at the thought. She lowered her head a bit and awkwardly fumbled with her wadded up clothing.

Maria furrowed her brow and took a step closer. "Why do you do that?" She took her forefinger and thumb to Flavia's chin and raised her face up. "Why do you always look down when someone compliments you?"

"I don't." Flavia protested mildly, knowing it was true.

"Please. You're gorgeous. Why the hell are you covering up all your finest assets?"

"What do you mean?"

Maria grabbed her shoulders and pointed Flavia to face the dressing mirror. She tugged away the bundle of clothes that Flavia was using to cover herself, revealing the soft white flesh of her breasts that filled her bra to capacity.

Maria looked over her shoulder to capture her gaze in the reflection of the mirror. "If I had a pair of THOSE," she reached around Flavia's torso and gently pushed upward on her breasts, causing the flesh to spill out over the top of her bra. "I'd be flashing them everywhere. You wouldn't be able to keep a shirt on me!" Maria stated firmly.

"But they're too big." Flavia protested in a barely audible whisper. She reflexively pulled her arms together and all but covered her chest. It was almost as if she was telling a secret to a close friend. But the reality was that she was stunned at the sensation of Maria's hands touching her breasts; albeit through the material of her bra, she was touching them none the less.

"GOD are you NUTS? Your breasts are perfect! I'd rather look like that than be flat chested like this!" And with that Maria lifted her shirt up, exposing her small but well formed breasts to the mirror.

Flavia couldn't contain her response. It was as if the wind had been knocked out of her. She gasped softly, but couldn't control herself. Her eyes drank in the sight of Maria's lovely body; the finely shaped breasts had a graceful upturn to them that caused her nipples to stand at attention. In Flavia's world, Maria was the ideal body type; thin but not anorexic - athletic but not muscle bound.

Far too soon, Maria dropped her shirt, covering 'the girls' again. She swatted Flavia on the butt and headed for the door. "White wine okay? I know where mom keeps the good stuff!" Without even pausing, she headed off toward the kitchen.

Flavia stood before the dressing mirror looking at herself. She held her breasts for a moment, pushing up as Maria had done and turned slightly to one side. A flood of memories shot through her mind. The teasing of the boys during the months when she suddenly exploded; going from tom boy to big girl. She remembered the whispers of guys along the rows of lockers and the unwanted, lustful attention she suddenly gained. Girls that had been close to her were jealous and some even made snide remarks about her. Painful memories, but not the most painful of her past.