Kelly's First Time (Patreon)

((This is a Harem House Extra well before the Harem forms. I thought it might be fun to explore each character's first time, so this extra is pure backstory. Enjoy learning about Kelly's life before she came to college! I hope you enjoy it, and let me know what you think in comments, chats, or discord!))

Monday morning was chaos in Kelly’s household. She managed it with an iron grip on the back of her younger brother’s shirt. 

“Sit.” She said, pushing him into the chair at the kitchen table. “I made breakfast so you can eat something before you catch the bus.” 

“Can’t I just ride to school with you?” Brian whined. “Then I wouldn’t have to get up so early.” 

“I have a free first period. You don’t.” Kelly said. “If I drive you in–” 

“If you drive me in, it’ll give you more time to flirt with your boyfriend.” Brian countered. 

“My boyfriend?” Kelly asked. She turned away from him and stepped over to the kitchen counter, plating the eight scrambled eggs and eight sausages on the stove onto four plates. 

“Tall guy, roughly six-foot-four, looks like a meathead jock and wears his name on his jacket? Plays for the football team?” Brian asked. 

“Jack?” Kelly asked. “He’s not my boyfriend.” She placed Brian’s plate in front of him. 

“Well, word around school is he’s going to ask you to prom.” Brian said, holding his hand out. 

Kelly handed him his fork and a knife for the sausages and yelled up the stairs. “Breakfast! Kyle! Declan! Get down here, or I’m giving Brian your plates!” 

The sounds of footsteps upstairs thundered their sudden locomotion. Kelly smiled and set the rest of the plates out. 

“Jack isn’t going to ask me to prom.” Kelly said, shaking her head. 

“Okay, but don’t be surprised if there’s a prom-posal in your future.” Brian said, getting the words out around the eggs stuffed into his gaping maw. 

“Don’t talk while you chew, and close your mouth. There’s a good lad.” Kelly said when he closed his mouth. 

Kyle emerged from the stairs first, beating Declan, who shoved behind him. Their backpacks swung like deadly weapons in their hands. Kelly caught one, preventing it from smashing into the pictures on the wall, and swung it toward Declan, who followed its momentum toward the table. He set it on the floor and crashed into the chair beside Brian. 

Kyle sat more respectfully on the opposite chair. 

Kelly sat beside Kyle, across from Brian, eating much more politely than the three boys. The rectangular table had six place settings, four chairs on each side, one at the head, and one at the foot. The wooden table bore a simple tablecloth of blue plaid, matching the ‘country kitchen’ decor around the room. The four of them were obviously siblings, given their similarities in looks, complexions, and manners. 

Kyle, the biggest of the four, was handsome, muscular, and tall. At eighteen, he was a brick wall of a man, and his curly mop of hair shifted somewhere between red and brown depending on the light. He wore a pair of jean shorts that came to his knees and a plain T-shirt. 

Across from him, Declan’s hair was neatly combed and salon-dyed blonde. His collared shirt and slacks were meticulously pressed and coordinated with his belt, tie, open vest, and shoes. His build wasn’t as large as Kyle’s or as skinny as Brian’s, but he had fewer freckles and a stronger jawline. 

Brian, the youngest, looked disheveled, but that wasn’t his fault. Any hand-me-down t-shirt that came to him looked baggy on his skinny frame, in addition to being worn and faded. He wore a faded peace-sign t-shirt under an open plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The carpenter jeans had a hole in their knee but came that way. His work boots were probably too small, given the growth spurt he was going through, but he’d have to wait until this weekend to buy new ones. 

“Declan, remember you have that project due on Friday. You should probably work on that instead of hanging out with your friends after school.” Kelly said, breaking the silence at the table. 

She wore a sleeveless knee-length hunter’s green dress with a modest neckline and thick shoulder straps to keep with the school’s dress code. Her hair was clipped back behind her ears, keeping her shoulder-length, wavy red hair out of her face. She covered most of her freckled face with makeup, but a few still showed across the bridge of her nose. 

“You mean the photography club?” Declan asked. “I’ll still be able to do that and finish my project.” 

“If you say so.” Kelly said. 

“What were you two talking about before we got here?” Kyle asked, changing the subject before Declan’s retort left his mouth. 

“I was giving her the heads-up about her boyfriend, Jack. She’s clueless.” Brian said. 

“Jack’s not her boyfriend.” Kyle chuckled. “Is he?” He asked Kelly. 

“No.” Kelly shook her head.

“He’s hot, though.” Declan said. 

Kelly rolled her eyes. “Not my type. We're friends.” 

“What type of guy do you like?” Brian asked. “I have a few friends who would ask you out in a heartbeat.” 

“Anyone you’d trust to treat her right?” Kyle asked, glaring at Brian. “Or do you just want me to beat up your friends for you?” 

Brian scoffed. “I can handle myself. Besides, Kelly needs a date for the Prom. Is there any guy at school you like?” 

Kyle and Declan shared a look but said nothing. Kelly only smiled in a gentle, maternal fashion. 

“I’m perfectly capable of beating up anyone who disrespects me.” Kelly reminded Kyle. “And I’m perfectly capable of finding a prom date.” 

Brian made a face. “The girl shouldn’t ask the guy. That’s… just… weird.” 

“Who told you that?” Kelly asked. “I mean, I agree, but it’s not like we’re in the sixties. A girl can ask a guy out if she wants to.” 

Brian shrugged. “I don’t know. Everyone says that kinda thing. Guys should man up, and the girls I know all want the manly type of guy who’s not afraid to ask a girl out.” 

Kyle rolled his eyes. “You need to stop hanging out with those assholes. They don’t know what they’re talking about.” 

“Language.” Kelly reprimanded 

“Besides, what do you know about being manly?” Kyle continued, ignoring Kelly’s reprimand. “You’re fifteen. Kelly knows more about manliness than you do.” 

Kelly flexed her bicep, which was more impressive than Brian’s but made them all laugh. 

“Now get going. I’ll handle your dishes.” Kelly said to Brian. “Or you’re going to miss the bus.” 

“Yeah, yeah.” Brian rolled his eyes. “Thanks for breakfast.” 

“Yeah, yeah.” Kelly echoed, finishing her food. 

Brian exited quickly, mere moments before the bus pulled up to the corner where the others were gathered. Kelly washed the dishes. 

“You want a lift to school?” Kyle asked. “I’m already taking Declan.” 

“No, I’m good. You two go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.” Kelly said, taking their now-empty plates. 

“Alright. See ya, sis.” Declan said, hefting his backpack onto one shoulder. 

“And thanks for Breakfast.” Kyle added, nudging Declan. 

“Yeah, thanks.” Declan added, leaving via the back door with Kyle. 

Kelly smiled, finishing the dishes, checking the tablecloth for crumbs, and grabbing her things. She pulled out her phone and texted. 

Kelly: Brian caught the bus and had breakfast. Declan and Kyle are on their way to school now. I’m headed out as well. 

Mom: K. 

Kelly sighed, stashing her phone away. Gathering her school bag, purse, and shoes was a routine she underwent every day, but she still checked everything twice before leaving. She locked the door behind her, checked the lock twice, and climbed into her SUV. Ed Sheeran started playing as soon as she turned the car on, and she listened to him croon as she drove. 

The drive to school was one she’d done ever since she got her license in January, shortly after her and Kyle’s eighteenth birthday. Their final semester of high school was here, and Kelly had bought a chic and utilitarian SUV with her savings. Her brother had chosen to spend most of his money on something more sporty, but he’d been saving every penny since he was small. 

The parking lot was nearly full when she arrived, so the walk from the edge of the lot to the main building took longer than usual. She didn’t mind. The April day was warm and bright, and the more time she spent outside, the better. The sunlight did amazing things to her hair as her heels clicked against the concrete path. 

“Hey, Kelly!” Jack jogged up behind her, striding beside Kelly as she walked. 

“Morning, Jack.” Kelly said, smiling softly. “Your Friday date went well? You didn’t text.” 

“It went… really well.” Jack nodded. “I meant to text you, but… I got a little distracted. You were right, though. Adam really enjoyed the observatory.”

“Good! I’m glad for you!” Kelly said. 

Jack smiled. “Thanks for helping me plan the date.” 

“Any time. I take it you two are going to Prom together?” Kelly asked. 

“That’s…” Jack hesitated. “Complicated.” 

Kelly raised an eyebrow as they passed through the doors and entered the halls. The waxy smell of tile and the tang of steel lockers washed over them, mingling with the odors of hundreds of sweaty, soapy, and/or perfumed bodies.  

“I thought you were out?” Kelly asked. 

“I am.” Jack said. “Kind of.” 

“Kind of?” Kelly asked. 

“Not… I mean, I’m out to my family, but not everyone at school, church, etc. knows.” Jack said. “Most people think I’m straight, and I’m not really sure it’s any of their business.” 

Kelly held up a hand and stopped him. “People are going to know sooner or later. All it takes is one tagged pic on Instagram. Trust me, you don’t want to hide it.” 

Jack frowned. “I’m not hiding. I’m just… I don’t know. I don’t want to make a big deal of it. Being gay is part of my identity, sure, but I don’t want it to be the whole thing. I don’t want that to be the only thing people think or see when they look at me, yeah?” 

Kelly fell silent, her smile gentle and residual rather than intentional. “I get that.” She said at last. “But you shouldn’t let that stop you from asking him to Prom. You should get to experience the same things every het couple gets to enjoy.” 

Jack nodded. “Fair. You know… I’m not the only person that’s true for.” 

“That’s different.” Kelly said. “My mom…” 

“I know.” Jack said. “And I get why you aren’t out… but maybe it’s time? Maybe you could do what I do and not make a big deal of it? Just be yourself with the person you like?” 

Kelly frowned. “I wish I could. Really. But my Mom…” 

“I know.” Jack said. 

“And my brothers are all…” Kelly said. 

“Your brothers are cool.” Jack said. “And they worship you. You coming out wouldn’t change anything with them.” 

Kelly shook her head, not arguing the point, but not because she was confident about its validity. “We’ve talked about this before, Jack. And you can’t exactly preach to me about coming out when you’re only half out at best.” 

“I’m out to my family.” Jack repeated. “Everyone else is free to notice if they care to, but you can’t exactly preach to me about that when you’re still in the closet with almost everyone.” 

Kelly frowned. “Point taken.” She said, raising her hand in surrender. 

They stopped outside the girls’ locker room, and Jack took his cue. “Still… Thanks for helping me plan the date. I’ll see you in Physics?” Jack asked. 

Kelly nodded. “See you then.” 

“Thanks again, Kels.” Jack said, louder than necessary while waving farewell. 

Kelly waved farewell and passed through the locker room doors, only to freeze, her eyes wide. Her routine was set: park, walk, bathroom, freshen up, and class. Every day, she did the same routine. She was predictable, which was how Elaine had known to wait for her here. They’d met here before, a few stolen moments at a time. This time, however, was different. 

Kelly’s eyes read the words on the banner above Elaine without blinking. The world was fuzzy at the edges, with only Elaine, the banner, the confetti falling from somewhere, and the deep purple of the bouquet of violets in her hand mingled with blood-red roses. The fragrant bouquet flared Kelly’s nostrils like smelling salts, and she stirred to meet Eliane’s smiling hopeful face. 

Kelly looked at the banner again. 

‘Will you go to prom with me?’ 

No name attached, thank God. No cameras. It was a private prom-posal, but with its place in the girls’ locker room, it was obviously from one girl to another. Kelly met Elaine’s eyes, and the fear in Kelly’s gaze crept into Elaine’s inch by inch. 

“Kelly?” Elaine asked, her voice fragile. 

Kelly opened her mouth, but no words came out. 

“Will you go to prom with me?” Elaine asked, pointing to the banner above her. 

Kelly tried to speak but squeaked instead. Not a word, but a noise. The sound encouraged Elaine, whose eyes turned hopeful. 

Elaine stepped forward, taking Kelly’s hands in a well-practiced embrace. 

“Kelly Linnehan.” Elaine said. “Would you do me the honor of–” 

Kelly’s pulse spiked with every word, climbing higher until the drive to flee overrode all else. Her hands ripped free from Elaine’s soft clasp, and Kelly ran. She turned and flung open the doors on instinct. Kelly nearly slammed into Jack, who stood with arms open wide in a ‘surprise!’ gesture when the doors opened. Unprepared for such an obstacle, Kelly turned, driving her shoulder into his sternum and knocking him on his ass. The clacking of her heels on the tile beat the drum of her retreat as Elaine stood there looking through the flung-open locker room doors with her mouth agape. 

Tears ruined Kelly’s makeup moments later. She sat under the bleachers, crying, sniffling, wiping her face with the tissues from her purse. Sobs racked her chest, and she was in a miserable state when Kyle stepped softly into view and sank down beside her without a word. 

Kelly put her head on his shoulder and cried, hugging his arm. Kyle put his hand over hers and squeezed gently but did not say a word. He gave her the space she needed to work through whatever was happening. It was well after the second period bell rang before Kelly could speak. 

“You want to tell me what happened?” Kyle asked. “I’d ask if I need to beat Jack to a pulp, but given he’s the one who texted me, I expect this is something else.” 

“What did he tell you?” Kelly asked, quivering. 

Kyle showed her the text. 

Jack (Kelly’s?): SOS! Kelly ran off, super upset. I lost her somewhere in the athletic center. 

Kelly wiped her tears, barely able to read the blurry text on Kyle’s phone. 

“I only found you because I knew you’d come here.” Kyle said. “Now, do you want to tell me what’s up? You haven’t been right all year. Then this thing with you and Jack… just doesn’t seem like you’re into him, or he’s into you. So… what happened?” 

“I can’t.” Kelly said, wiping her tears away only to provide fresh ones. 

“Kelly.” Kyle’s tone was reprimanding, making her stare at him in surprise. That was the tone he used to correct Brian and sometimes Declan, never her. “What the fuck is going on with you? You can tell me. Who the fuck can you tell if not your twin?” 

“Language.” Kelly said automatically. 

Kyle scoffed. “Yeah, use yours.” 

Kelly smiled slightly, still crying. Kyle gave her more time as she pulled herself and her thoughts together. 

“I’m gay.” Kelly said, finally. 

Kyle stared at her. 

Kelly glanced up to see his reaction, only to see him staring at her in return. She waited, but he still didn’t say anything or react. He was just staring at her. 

“And?” He asked, finally breaking the silence. 

“What do you mean, ‘and’?” Kelly asked, slamming her hands onto her lap. 

“I don’t mean anything. I was just waiting for you to continue unless that realization made you cry?” Kyle asked. “I was ready to beat Jack to a pulp, but I can’t exactly punch an epiphany.” 

Kelly sniffled. 

“It makes sense.” Kyle said. “And now that you say it, I see it. The little patterns, comments, and habits over the years. I think we might even have the same taste in women.” 

Kelly sniffled again, wiping her nose with another tissue.

They sat beside one another, Kelly’s head on Kyle’s shoulder, facing the underside of the bleachers and its constellations of abandoned gum.

“So, is it a girl I need to punch?” Kyle asked. “Did a girl make you cry? Because now I’m conflicted. On the one hand, nobody messes with my big sister. On the other hand, I don’t think I’m allowed to punch girls outside the sparring ring, according to my big sister.”

Kelly sniffled. 

“Okay, you need to stop with the sniffling and blow your nose.” Kyle said, ripping the tissues out of her hand. He plucked one from the package and held it to Kelly’s face, making her laugh. She blew into it, and he wiped her nose, passing her the tissue after. “So who is it?” 

Kelly hesitated. “Elaine Zhao.” 

“The Japanese girl with the humongous… uh…” Kyle hesitated, realizing he was talking to his sister, not his brothers. “Curves?”

Kelly laughed. “Chinese, but yeah. She’s got curves.” 

“What did she do?” Kyle asked. “Did she break your heart?”

Kelly wiped her eyes. “No.” She said. “She asked me to prom.” 

Kyle waited, and when he realized that was all Kelly was saying, he rolled his eyes. “I’m confused. She asks you to prom, and that prompts the waterworks?” 

“I’m not… I can’t go to the prom with Elaine.” Kelly said. She pulled her fleet closer, hugging her knees and curling beside her larger brother.

Kyle took a deep breath. “Okay. Real talk. Rare, nice-sibling moment. I’ll put the urge to tease you aside for the next few minutes, but don’t get used to it.” 

Kelly looked up at him. 

“Kelly. You’re the best and strongest person I know. With Dad running off and Mom… you stepped up. You practically raised me, and you’re only older than me by a few minutes. And Declan and Brian? They’d be absolute hooligans if not for you keeping them in line. God knows our parents don’t keep them on the straight and narrow. You work, study, and do so much for our family all the time. You deserve your happiness no matter who it’s with.” Kyle put his arm around her, hugging her. “I know you’re scared about how people might react, but you’re strong. Strong enough to push through whatever Mom or anyone else says about it. Yeah?” Kyle looked at her, smiling. 

Kelly started crying again, burying her face in his arm. 

“And you don’t have to go through anything alone.” Kyle said. “We’re here for you. Declan, Brian, and I will stand by you no matter what. You know that. Your friends love you, too; no one at school will shun you over who you go to prom with. If anything, they’ll celebrate finally getting to know you for you. And if anyone gives you any grief for being gay, I will personally fuck them up. No homo.” 

Kyle’s comedic delivery of the final line made Kelly laugh despite her tears. Her familiar girlish melody of laughter let Kyle know she’d be okay. 

“Thank you.” Kelly said. 

“Yeah, you might be older, but I’m wiser.” Kyle smirked. “So stop being so dumb and let Elaine know you’ll go with her to prom before she wakes up and asks someone hotter.” 

Kelly shoved Kyle, their playful banter resuming. 

Kyle stood first, helping Kelly to her feet by offering her a hand. They brushed themselves off, and Kelly pulled her phone out of her purse, texting Elaine as they strolled toward the school building. 

Kelly: Yes. I’m sorry about… that. But yes. I will go to prom with you. If you still want to.

Elaine responded immediately. 

Elaine: Of course I still want to!!! You won’t regret this! It’ll be great! 

“Now all I have to do is… tell Mom.” Kelly sighed. 

Kyle hugged her across her shoulders and walked with her until they had to part ways. Kelly fixed her makeup in the bathroom and then went to class. 

As it turned out, weeks passed before Kelly told her mother. According to Kelly, there was never a suitable time. With work after school, helping Brian with his homework, and helping Declan with his project that Thursday night into Friday morning, there was never a right moment.

So she did the usual prep for prom that anyone might do. She coordinated with Elaine to plan the evening, and they decided to wear gowns with corsages rather than one dressing masc. However, they agreed to shop separately to surprise each other with their dresses. They also went in with a few of their friends on a limo. Jack, his new boyfriend Adam, Elaine, Kelly, Kyle, and his girlfriend Desiree pitched in. 

“What’s this purchase on the credit card?” Kelly’s mother asked late one evening, pointing to the bill on her phone as she held it in front of Kelly’s face. 

Kelly sat in the center of the living room sofa, watching a DVD of the Dick Van Dyke show as she did her homework. Declan was upstairs doing his homework, Kyle was upstairs pretending to do his homework, and Brian was out with friends. This left Kelly alone with her mother, who returned from work well after the dinner hour and only now emerged from the home office. 

Kelly read over the statement on her mother’s phone. “That’s Kyle’s and my portion for the prom limo.”

“You’re going to prom?” Her mother asked. 

“Yes.” Kelly said. “This Saturday. Kyle’s taking Desiree, and we decided to go in on a limo with a few friends.” 

“And what lucky young man was brave enough to ask you to Prom? Does Kyle approve of him?” Her mother asked, putting her phone away. 

Kelly glanced away. “Oh, well… I uh… can we talk?” 

Her mother looked surprised. “What about?” 

“Prom.” Kelly said. “I guess.” 

“What is it?” Her mother asked. “You need money for a dress? I don’t have time to take you shopping–”  

“I have a dress.” Kelly said, shaking her head. “And the flowers are all arranged and ordered. I’ll pick them up from the florist Saturday morning.” 

“Who’s watching Brian if you’re doing that?” Her mother asked. 

“He’s old enough to be home alone, Mom. He’s fifteen.” Kelly said. 

Her mother was silent, but Kelly pushed through her disapproval. 

“I wanted to talk to you about something else.” Kelly said. “I…” 

“Oh god.” Her Mom said, sitting on the corner of the sofa. “Is this ‘the talk?’ Are you telling me you’ll get a hotel room or something? You know I disapprove of premarital sex, and if condoms worked, none of you would be here. So no. You’ll be home by midnight at the latest, and you’ll come straight home after prom.” 

Kelly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She closed her books and moved them beside her, turning to face her mother, then standing instead, pacing the floor as she pulled herself together. 

“I know what you’re going to say.” Her mom said. 

“No, you don’t.” Kelly snapped. “So shut up for a minute, and let me get this out.” 

Her mother went rigid, her mouth closing into a thin line. 

“Sorry.” Kelly said. “Not how I wanted to start, but… here we are. Mom… I’m not going to prom with a guy. I’m going with a girl. Elaine. You’ve met her. You like her.” 

“Oh.” Her mom said, surprised. “Yeah, I remember her. Well, that’s okay! Nothing wrong with going to the dance with a friend if the young men were too scared to ask you.” 

Kelly sighed. “We’re not going as friends.” 

Her mother’s surprise faded from her face. Her jaw stiffened, and a frown tugged at the corner of her mouth. Kelly watched her mother’s face carefully but still noticed her hands folding closed in her lap. 

“We’re… we’re dating.” Kelly said. “I’m… I’m a lesbian.” 

Her mother raised one eyebrow, exactly one. The other was too stiff, and she clenched the rest of her face. She shook her head slowly and made a rude noise between a laugh and a grunt. 

“No, you aren’t.” Her mother said. “That’s just that public school education making you think–” 

“Mom.” Kelly cut her mother off. “I like girls. I’m sexually attracted to women. I don’t know how else to say it. I’m gay.” 

“No, you aren’t.” Her mother said. “If you were gay, there would have been warning signs. We could have done something about it. This is just you trying to be unique and get attention. You’re always doing something to cry for attention.” She folded her arms across her chest and glared at Kelly. “I knew I should have sent you to Saint Mary’s.” 

Kelly grimaced, her hands in tight fists at her sides, her arms stiff and straight. “I’d probably really enjoy an all-girls school, given that I’m gay!” 

“You aren’t gay. Stop saying that.” Her mother huffed. 

“I’m gay!” Kelly yelled. 

“You’re not!” Her mother snapped. “I know you! You’re not–” 

“You don’t know me! You don’t know shit!” Kelly snapped, startling her mother. “How would you? How would you know me from any stranger you met on the street? You’re never here! You don’t spend any time getting to know me, Kyle, Declan, or Brian! We’re just the people you put up with until you can go into the office again! And if you haven’t noticed, we avoid you!” 

Her mother flinched. 

“You can accept or reject me, but I don’t care anymore.” Kelly said. “I’d have to care about you to care about your opinion, and I don’t. You’re just the landlord here, and I’m moving out to college soon enough. You won’t have me helping out anymore, and you won’t have to hide in your home office all the time until you stick your head out the door to ask about a charge you would have known about weeks ago if you’d bothered to talk to me or Kyle for more than five fucking minutes about more than the fucking weather!” 

Kelly didn’t bother to wait for a response. She left the living room behind her in a gale of motion, charging up the stairs like a lightning bolt in reverse. Her mother remained on the sofa, staring after her. 

Kyle emerged from the kitchen with a bowl of popcorn in his hands. He popped one into his mouth and looked at his mom. “Honestly, that went better than I expected. I thought for sure you’d get in her face, and she’d punch your lights out. I owe Declan five bucks.” 

Their mother grunted, standing to her feet. “Your sister is being unreasonable.” 

“She made a lot of sense to me.” Kyle said, shrugging. 

“Don’t start with me.” His mother said, warning him. 

“Mom.” Kyle said. “Go talk to her. And don’t tell her what she is. Let her tell you.” 

“You’re indulging her in this foolishness?” His mother snapped. 

“I’m accepting my sister for who she is? Yeah.” Kyle said, shrugging. 

“She knows better.” Their mother said. “You both do.” 

Kyle sighed. “Do you want a relationship with your only daughter, or don’t you?” Kyle asked. “Because families break up over this shit all the time, and if you ask us to choose between you or Kelly, I can tell you right now you’ll end up alone.” 

His mother looked like she’d slapped him across the face because, in a way, he definitely did. 

“Just being honest, Mom. Like you taught me.” Kyle said, moving to the recliner and changing the input to watch TV. 

“I don’t have time for this.” His mother sighed. “I have work to do.” She started moving toward the door that led to the home office. 

“Don’t.” Kyle said. “Go talk to her.” 

“Tell your sister she’s grounded and forbidden from going to prom.” His mother said, brushing herself off. 

Kyle stared at his mother and put the bowl on the end table. “You’re serious?” 

“Dead serious. If Kelly so much as puts on whatever dress she bought she can go live somewhere else. As long as she’s under my roof, she’ll abide by my rules and–” 

“So what, like a month?” Kyle asked. “You’re going to cut Kelly off and write her out of your will and all that because she likes girls as much as I do?” 

His mother huffed. 

“I know you’re upset, and I know this isn’t going to help anyone, but Mom?” Kyle asked as he stood up. 

She looked at him expectantly. 

“Go fuck yourself.” Kyle said. “Feel free to use whatever broom is stuck up your ass.” 

His mother’s mouth fell open, more shocked than offended, but offense was quickly taking over with rage close on its heels. 

“Yeah, I know, I’m grounded.” He raised his hands in surrender. “Punish me however you want to. I’m a little big for you to put over your knee, but ground me, whatever you have to do, but let Kelly go to prom, and let her go with Elaine. Or so help me god, none of us will ever speak to you again, and when you’re old and alone, maybe your law partners can help you figure out what retirement home to move into.” 

His mother slammed the door behind her, closing herself into her home office. 

Kyle took a deep breath and rolled his neck, cracking it in various directions before he climbed the stairs. 

He put his shoulder against the doorframe of Kelly’s open bedroom door at the top of the stairs. She looked at him with her tear-stained face and ran to him, hugging him. 

“You heard that, huh?” Kyle asked, hugging her. “Shit. It’s hard to give you a hard time about shit if you’re gonna be getting all emotional on me all the time.” 

Kelly rubbed her face into his chest. 

“This is your second emotional breakdown in as many months. You’ve used up your quota.” Kyle said. 

Kelly chuckled dryly, squeezing him tight in silence. 

“Thanks, bro. You’re amazing and awesome, and I will never give you a hard time about anything ever again.” Kyle said, imitating Kelly’s voice poorly as he squeezed her. “Oh, thanks Kelly. I am pretty awesome.” 

“You’re my favorite human.” Kelly said, hugging him tight. 

“I’ll take it.” Kyle laughed. “Brian will be crushed, though, poor kid.” 

Kelly laughed, wiping the tears from her face and turning away to get tissues. 

The rest of the week flew past, with prom night arriving more swiftly than Kelly felt prepared for. Her heart fluttered when she picked up Elaine’s corsage, made to match Elaine’s dress. The red roses were spring-fresh, dotted with white buds of Baby’s Breath. 

The limo arrived at Kyle and Kelly’s house first, and they left with Declan and Brian waving them farewell. Their mother had decided to spend the weekend in the city, at work, and Kelly was almost glad of it. Almost. 

She didn’t let it get her down as she and Kyle rolled up to Elaine’s house. 

Kelly smoothed out the lap of her skirt before she pressed the doorbell, nervously waiting as Mister Zhao opened the door. He was shorter than Kelly, a small, wiry man who bore a passing resemblance to his daughter. His smile, however, was the exact same smile. 

“You must be Kelly!” Mister Zhao said excitedly. “Come in, come in! We want to take some pictures before you go.” 

“Oh…” Kelly said, not sure what to expect. She nodded at Kyle, and he nodded back before she stepped through the door. 

Misses Zhao was also shorter but broader. If you averaged her parents together, you could see where Elaine got her curves. Her smile was narrower than her husband’s, but she smiled as Kelly entered the living room, where Elaine was waiting by the fireplace. 

Elaine’s dress was breathtaking, and Kelly felt her legs weaken at the sight. The red and white dress was broken into two pieces. A red halter top with a V neckline showed plenty of cleavage and bared a strip of her stomach above a floor-length skirt with a slit on Elaine’s left leg that went almost entirely up her thigh. The top was embroidered with white lace, overlaying the red color that matched the skirt. 

Kelly’s dress was modest by comparison. The violet gown was one piece, with an asymmetrical skirt that was ankle-length in the back and knee-length in the front. The off-the-shoulder top showed a hint of cleavage without being risque. The violet satin was a deep and beautiful purple that matched the blooming violets in the corsage that Elaine held with both hands. 

“You’re so pretty!” Mrs. Zhao exclaimed. “I can’t believe you two are together.” 

Kelly looked alarmed for a second. 

“You’re way out of her league.” Mrs. Zhao explained, laughing. 

“Oh.” Kelly said, blushing. “Thank you.” 

“Mom…” Elaine groaned, stepping forward. 

“I know, I know. We embarrass you. That’s our job! We are your parents! Now give your girlfriend her flowers so we can take pictures!” Mrs. Zhao said, holding up her phone excitedly. 

Kelly stepped forward, unboxing Elaine’s corsage. 

“Dad… hold this?” Elaine asked. “Be careful.” 

Mister Zhao took the violet corsage from Elaine and mimed being very careful with it as if the plastic container it was in was glass. 

Elaine rolled her eyes and looked at Kelly apologetically. “I’m sorry about them.” 

“Don’t apologize.” Kelly said, smiling. “This is… you look… I mean…” She took a deep breath. “I uh… here.” 

Elaine offered her hand, and Kelly slid the corsage onto it with more grace than she felt capable of summoning in the moment. The camera snap sound effect came from Mrs. Zhao's camera several times. Then Kelly returned the gesture, lifting her arm and offering her hand forward as Elaine unboxed the corsage and slid the violets onto Kelly’s freckled wrist. 

“You two look so beautiful. You’ll make all the girls jealous!” Mrs. Zhao said, snapping more pictures. 

Elaine rolled her eyes. 

Kelly blushed, coloring her pale face a ruddy red for the next few pictures. Her reaction heated up even more when Elaine kissed her cheek, and they stood side by side for more pictures. 

“Can you take some with my phone?” Kelly asked, holding her phone up to Mrs. Zhao. 

“Of course!” Elaine’s mom nodded fiercely. “I’ll send you the ones I took so you have all of them, and you send me the ones on your phone so I have all of them.” 

Kelly nodded and stood straight, smiling as she and Eliane hugged each other as close as their hips allowed while standing side-by-side. 

“Your brother’s waiting for us in the limo?” Elaine asked. 

“Oh, Kyle, right.” Kelly nodded. “Yeah. We’re stopping at Desiree’s next.” She nodded. 

Elaine smiled. “We should get going then.” 

Kelly accepted her phone from Elaine’s mom, and they smiled and waved goodbye from the front door. Kyle held the limo door for the two young women. 

Driving in the limo, Kelly and Elaine shared a kiss, fixing their makeup after, which made Kyle laugh. 

“Can’t make out too much, or you’ll ruin your makeup.” He teased. 

Kelly rolled her eyes at her brother, but Elaine only winked. 

“We could just skip prom, ditch your brother, and go to a hotel or something.” Elaine said. 

Kelly laughed. “And miss the opportunity to mock his dancing?” 

“Ooo, fair.” Elaine laughed. “Besides, we look too good to not share this with the world.” 

Kelly nodded. “You look amazing.” 

“So do you.” Elaine said, kissing Kelly again. 

Pictures were repeated at Desiree’s house, though Jack and Adam had already taken their photos when they arrived at Adam’s house. Soon enough, the limo pulled up to the hotel where the prom was underway, and they enjoyed their red carpet moment, stepping out as the hired photographer snapped their pictures. The red carpet led through the doors to the ballroom, where the dancing was underway. 

Elaine pulled Kelly to the dance floor without a word while Kyle and Desiree scouted a table. Adam and Jack went for the punch first, distracted by other friends. 

Elaine danced with all the boldness of a much more talented dancer, but Kelly wasn’t bothered. She had fun and spent an hour on the dance floor before the discomfort in her feet suggested it was time for a break. She and Elaine took a stroll, walking arm-in-arm through the courtyard. 

“What are your plans for after this?” Elaine asked. 

“What do you mean?” Kelly asked. “Like, college? You know I’m going to Pendleton.” 

“No.” Elaine said, shaking her head. “I know that.” Her voice was suddenly sad. “I meant… tonight.” 

Kelly looked confused. “I wasn’t planning on anything, really.” She said. “Should I have? I’m sorry! I didn’t know!” 

“Kels.” Elaine said, almost laughing. “Calm down. You don’t have to be anxious with me, remember?” 

Kelly nodded. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m trying.” 

“I told my parents I might not return until morning.” Elaine said, glancing at Kelly to gauge her reaction. 

“You did?” Kelly asked, surprised. “And they were okay with that?” 

“Yeah.” Elaine nodded. “They’re a little more okay with it with me than my brother when he had his senior prom because I can’t get anyone pregnant.” She chuckled. “And well… neither can you.” 

Kelly nodded. “I… yeah… I guess. When you put it that way, there’s less to be afraid of.” 

“We don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Elaine said quickly. “I know you don’t like spontaneity.” 

“No, I–” Kelly hesitated. “I want to. I’m just… my mother would see the charge if we went to a hotel, and…” 

“We could always go find a place? Some place where no one would disturb us?” Elaine asked, by way of suggestion. 

“Okay.” Kelly said, nodding. 

“Okay?” Elaine asked. 

“Yeah. Let’s go somewhere and see what happens.” Kelly said, smiling. “I want my first time to be with you.” 

Elaine looked surprised. “I’m your first?” 

Kelly nodded. She and Elaine had been making out in an empty locker room at least once a day for a while, but they’d never pushed beyond the limits of a few roaming hands. This was different, and the anticipation was electric as it shot through her. 

“Come on.” Elaine said, tugging on Kelly’s arm. “I’m getting us a room.” 

Kelly looked surprised. 

“Your first time can’t be in some random park or something, and I have a credit card for emergencies.” Elaine explained. 

“I don’t think virginity is exactly an emergency.” Kelly said, rolling her eyes. 

“You offering to lose yours to me?” Elaine asked. “Kels, that is an emergency. If I don’t get to taste you in the next few minutes, I’ll explode, and you’ll have to explain to my parents how I died.” 

Kelly laughed, following Elaine as she held Kelly’s hand. She led her into the hotel lobby, where she quickly booked a room while Kelly texted Kyle to let him know she was okay and would see him in the morning. With keys in hand, the two of them giggled and raced to the elevator, where they made out, makeup be damned. 

Elaine’s body was warm and soft, her dress fragile to the touch, but her flesh electrified Kelly with every caress. Warmth surged in Kelly, flushing her porcelain skin a ruddy red. The satin of her gown felt suddenly warm as Elaine’s painted nails scraped the back of her scalp, combing through Kelly’s wavy red hair beneath her updo. 

Kelly shivered as a chill traversed her spine, and her grip on Elaine’s waist tightened. “Are you sure about this?” Kelly asked. 

Elaine nodded rapidly. “Are you?” 

Kelly nodded. “I love you.” 

Elaine looked surprised, then nodded. “I love you, too, Kels.” 

Kelly knew it wasn’t logical. They had graduation looming on the horizon. Their relationship likely wouldn’t survive the summer, and they’d only been dating for a semester, if you could call making out in the locker room nearly every day ‘dating.’ Theirs wasn’t the relationship of Kelly’s dreams, but she needed to express her feelings before they took whatever this was to the next level. 

The words, sincere in the moment, fueled their passion. Elaine straddled Kelly’s thigh as Kelly pushed her against the wall, kissing her as their bodies pressed together. Kelly, the taller of them, gasped for air as Elaine broke the kiss and sucked at Kelly’s neck. Kelly’s toes curled in her heels, pulling against the floor in bliss and gripping Elaine’s waist. 

The elevator dinged, but neither cared. They continued kissing and making out until the doors closed behind them, and the elevator continued to the next floor. When the doors opened again, they responded because they heard the gasp. Kelly turned to see an elderly couple standing there holding hands until the woman broke her grip on her husband’s hand and placed it over his eyes to block the scene of the two young women in disarray. 

“Sorry!” Elaine called out. “Wrong floor.” She pressed the button for the floor below them, and the doors shut as slow as Kelly had ever seen them. 

When the doors shut, Elaine started giggling, tugging her dress into place. Kelly’s face was open with mortification, her ordinarily pale face coloring with embarrassment. 

“Come on.” Elaine said, holding Kelly’s hand as the door opened. 

Kelly followed, running along with Elaine as she started jogging to get to their room number. Once the door closed behind them, the making out resumed, and they were a tumble of limbs and tongues until they reached the bed. 

Kelly straddled Elaine’s waist, kissing her. “You’re such a good kisser.” Kelly said, breaking for air. 

“You’re not bad yourself, Kels.” Elaine said, breathing heavily, which did amazing things to her breasts. 

Kelly stepped back, stood by the side of the bed, and pulled Elaine with her. Once on their feet, they kicked off their shoes. Kelly was still taller, but less so now. She reached for Elaine, but Elaine spun, turning her back to Kelly. Confused, Kelly hesitated until Elaine gestured to her back. 

“Rip off my dress, and I’ll rip off yours?” Elaine asked. 

“No ripping.” Kelly said. “This is a great dress.” 

“Yeah it is.” Elaine agreed. 

Kelly hesitated with her hand on the zipper of Elaine’s top but lowered the zipper, revealing inch after inch of flesh from her neck to her bra strap. The top fell forward, plummeting off her arms as Elaine leaned forward, letting it fall. She stood there in her skirt and white lace bra, her eyes closed, as Kelly kissed her neck from behind her. 

Elaine bent forward slightly, looking behind her to smile at Kelly. “Unhook me?” 

Kelly unhooked the clasps of Elaine’s bra, and the white lace cups joined her top on the floor. Elaine’s heavy breasts were more than Elaine could contain in her hands, spilling out and over as she cupped her breasts and turned toward Kelly. 

Kelly kissed her, and Elaine’s hands dropped, letting her breasts fall free as they pressed against Kelly’s. 

“Turn around.” Elaine said, her voice husky. 

Kelly smiled, turning around. 

Elaine’s work with the zipper was fast, and the strapless bra Kelly wore with her off-the-shoulder gown meant she was in her panties within moments as the satin gown and nude-colored bra collapsed in a pile to the floor. 

Kelly cupped her breasts, too, holding them in one arm as she turned to face Elaine. 

Elaine’s eyes swept Kelly from head to foot, taking in her lean, muscular, curvy frame and shuddering in delight. “God, you’re so fucking hot, Kels.” 

Kelly laughed. “You’re pretty hot yourself, Ellie.” 

“Ooo, Ellie, I like that.” Elaine said, kissing Kelly’s neck. “Kelly and Ellie has a nice ring to it, or Ellie and Kelly.” 

Kelly smiled, her bright smile sweeping Elaine away before their lips met, and smiles were replaced with something more intimate. 

“Can I?” Kelly asked, hooking her fingers into Elaine’s waistband. 

“Please do.” Elaine said, turning so Kelly could unzip her skirt. 

Kelly pulled the zipper in one, revealing a pair of white lace panties matching the discarded bra. Meanwhile, Kelly’s violet panties matched the shade of her dress, which was also on the floor. Hers were plain and not particularly intricate, with a low waistband spread over her hips. Her red bush peeked out of the top by a few hairs, drawing the eye. Elaine’s were fancier and covered even less, making Kelly bite her lip. 

Elaine dropped to her knees, hooking her fingers into Kelly’s panties and lowering them with her. At eye level to Kelly’s crotch, she smiled and leaned forward, kissing Kelly’s hip. 

“Oh.” Kelly’s heart fluttered, and she stepped out of her panties so quickly she nearly went for a tumble. Elaine caught her, steadied her, then rose and pushed her back onto the bed. 

“I’ve been wanting to do this for months.” Elaine said. “You’re such a tease.” 

“Am I?” Kelly asked, spreading her legs as Elaine pushed them apart. “I didn’t–” She sucked in a breath as Elaine pushed her face into Kelly’s crotch, her tongue parting the wet folds of Kelly’s lower lips and exploring. Kelly twitched in pleasure. The pulses echoed through her body as Elaine’s tongue slithered and circled her. She clutched Elaine’s head, holding her in place and rolling her hips against Elaine’s face by sheer reflex. 

Elaine made a happy moaning noise, sending shuddering vibrations through Kelly. Elaine scooped her arms under Kelly’s thighs and wrapped her hands to the inside of her legs, holding her firmly in place as Elaine feasted on her. 

“FUCK!” Kelly said, squirming. “Oh god! Oh, shit, fuck, mother-fucker, holy, shit, goddamn!” 

Elaine shook with laughter, trying to hold it in as Kelly let out her string of curse words, but she couldn’t help it, pulling away from Kelly for a moment. 

“Are you okay?” Kelly asked, concerned. 

“I’m fine.” Elaine chuckled. “Are you? I’ve never heard you say so much as a cuss word, much less all of them at once.” 

“I’m fan-fucking-tastic.” Kelly said. “You’re really good at this.” 

Elaine beamed up at her from between her legs, resting her chin on her pubes. “Well, let’s see if we can put that tongue of yours to better use.” She laughed, climbing onto the bed. 

Kelly was confused for a moment, but Elaine made her intentions clear as she climbed up Kelly’s body, kissing her way from Kelly’s snatch to her stomach to her breasts, which Elaine spent a considerable amount of time kissing and sucking before she reached her goal of kissing Kelly. 

The taste on Elaine’s lips shocked Kelly at first, but she got used to it. She kissed Elaine, and their tongues wrestled together as they rolled over on the bed. 

Their legs slid between each other as Kelly landed on top of Elaine, and Kelly held herself up in a plank over the other girl. She admired Elaine’s breasts as they slid apart, groping one in her hand tentatively. 

“Go on.” Elaine said, encouraging her. “Squeeze. It feels good when you squeeze.” 

Kelly squeezed, groping Elaine as her breast pillowed beneath her hand. Elaine’s hard nipple was a needle against Kelly’s palm, the ultimate point to her wide, round areolas. Kelly’s nipples were small, the size of a quarter, and just as pointed as Elaine returned the favor with both hands. 

Kelly closed her eyes as pure sensation rolled through her chest and washed over her, warming her core. She ground against Elaine, who returned the motion, and they continued groping, kissing, and grinding as time ticked by them. 

“I need to taste you again.” Elaine said, panting. “Do you… do you want to taste me?” 

Kelly bit her lip and nodded, eager. 

“Sit on my face.” Elaine said. “We can sixty-nine.” 

Kelly pushed herself up but had difficulty swinging her legs into position. She rolled onto her back, shifted to the other side of the bed, and crawled across Elaine. She stopped as Elaine sucked her breast into her mouth and gasped. Elaine groped her with both hands and alternated, sucking on one nipple while toying the other with her thumb. 

Kelly gulped and drove her lips to Elaine’s breast to return the favor. She groped Elaine with her lips and ran her tongue in circles, pressing and flicking the bud of her nipple with every pass, making an eight-pointed star before switching to the other breast. 

Elaine moaned, holding Kelly’s head by the back of her hair and keeping her in place as she teased her breast. “Oh, fuck, Kels. You’re so good at this. We should have done this months ago.” 

Kelly moaned and continued her crawl along Elaine’s body, kissing her way from between Elaine’s breasts, across her flat stomach, over her curvy hips, across her thick thighs, until finally nestling between her legs and kissing her prize. 

Elaine returned the pleasure in equal measure, kissing and groping Kelly until she was sitting on Elaine’s face, Elaine’s hands cupping her cheeks and holding her in place as Elaine’s tongue wrestled with Kelly’s folds. 

Kelly bucked her hips, humping Elaine’s face, riding her tongue as she dove in to return the pleasure. Elaine tasted sweet at first but slightly sour; a gentle sour apple flavor coated Kelly’s tongue as Elaine bucked against her. 

Slowly, Kelly became braver, groping Elaine’s thighs and spreading them apart. Her fingers stroked and rubbed, aiding her tongue as she trapped and licked Elaine’s swollen clit. With every gesture, Kelly jolted Elaine until she was crying out with every breath into Kelly’s eager pussy, dripping her own nectar until Elaine’s face glistened with more than exertion. 

Kelly pushed her finger into Elaine gently, but her index and middle fingers slid in quickly, and she curled them back, trying to touch her tongue, currently pushing and circling Elaine’s clit. 

Elaine groaned, her head falling to the mattress. She slid her hand along Kelly’s thigh, wrapping inside and gently pushing her middle finger into Kelly’s tight hole. Her thumb circled and teased Kelly’s clit, pleasuring her to the point of shaking with it. There was no tension or pain like Kelly expected, just a pressure that suddenly released, then a presence she could squeeze, which sent further ripples of pleasure through her. 

Kelly groaned, but with her mouth occupied, it buzzed through Elaine’s clit until Kelly’s fingers trembled with the hum, and Elaine’s entire body seized. Her limbs flew out, and she slammed them against the mattress with a grunt, thrusting her hips to meet Kelly. Elaine’s head rolled back, and she groaned her release in a throaty moan that made Kelly redouble her efforts. 

“Gah!” Elaine gasped, spanking Kelly in surprise at Kelly’s continued effort. 

“Oh!” Kelly gasped, rolling slightly. “Are you okay?” 

“Yeah.” Elaine panted. “Sorry, just sensitive.” 

“Oh.” Kelly said, nodding. “Sorry.” 

“Don’t apologize.” Elaine chuckled. “That was a good orgasm.” She chuckled. “Get up here.” 

Kelly turned, kneeling beside Elaine for a moment as she shifted position. 

“Did you orgasm?” Elaine asked. 

“I don’t know.” Kelly said, shrugged. “I think so?” 

Elaine narrowed her eyes. “You’ve never orgasmed before?” 

Kelly shrugged. “It’s not really… that’s not… no.” 

“Okay. New personal mission.” Elaine said, chuckling. “What do you like? What can I do to help you get there?” 

“Uh…” Kelly had to think about it. “That uh… that thing you did was helpful.” 

“The thing with my tongue?” Elaine asked, sticking her tongue out and circling it around. 

“Well, yeah, but I meant the other thing.” Kelly said. 

Elaine frowned, puzzling out what Kelly was saying. “The thing with my fingers?” She asked. 

“No, the… the other thing. The thing you just did.” Kelly said. 

Elaine scoffed, not getting it. “Girl, I’m a husk right now and really sleepy. Use your words. Tell me what you want, and I’ll do it. Make me your bitch.” 

“What?” Kelly asked, surprised. 

“Your bitch.” Elaine said. “Like in the elevator.” 

“The elevator?” Kelly asked, requiring further information. 

“You slammed me against the wall and took what you wanted?” Elaine reminded her. “That was hot as fuck.” 

“Oh…” Kelly said, thinking. “I didn’t mean to.” 

“I liked it.” Elaine said. “It was hot like you making it clear you wanted me, no hesitation, no guilt, no worries in that beautiful little head of yours for once.” 

Kelly smiled a little awkwardly. “I guess I wasn’t really thinking about it that hard.” 

“So don’t think about it. Just do. Tell me what you want.” Elaine said. 

“Well… that thing, when you slapped my butt. That felt… good.” 

Elaine’s expression turned into a wolfish grin. “Oh, my girlfriend’s a little kinky, is she?” 

Kelly shrugged, the butterflies in her stomach erupting at her new title as Elaine’s girlfriend. “I don’t know about all that, but… could we try that? Could you… do that again?” 

Elaine nodded. “Yeah, if you promise to push me against the wall and kiss me again before we go.” 

Kelly nodded rapidly, and Elaine gestured for her to climb onto her face again. 

Kelly straddled Elaine’s head and bent forward, lying on top of her. Elaine went straight to work, groping Kelly’s ass at first, then smacking it as she licked and savored Kelly’s taste. 

“Ah!” Kelly called out, groping Elaine’s thighs. 

“Count for me.” Elaine said, smacking Kelly’s ass again. 

“Two.” Kelly said, closing her eyes. 

“Three.” Kelly said after the next spank. 

“Four.” Kelly said. 

“Five.” Kelly said. “Oh…” 

Kelly moaned as Elaine put a finger into her, sliding back and forth with one hand between them, the other holding Kelly’s folds against Elaine’s face one moment, then smacking her the next. 

“Oh fuck.” Kelly said, clenching. 

“Six.” Kelly said as Elaine spanked her harder than before. Kelly closed her eyes and gripped Elaine’s thighs with all her strength, making Elaine strike her harder with every swing until she was spanking Kelly into her open mouth, sucking away at her clit and swirling it with her tongue. 

“FUCK!” Kelly said, clenching her thighs together. Her body squeezed together, compressing into her core for a moment, then rippling out in a torrent that left her drained and limp atop Elaine, who sucked in the air by the lungful with her glistening face turned to the side. 

“Fuck.” Elaine breathed. 

Kelly chuckled, crawling away and turning around to cuddle up to Elaine. Elaine rolled over, and Kelly hugged her from behind, becoming the big spoon by default. 

Elaine’s breathing was heavy and ragged, while Kelly’s was deep and slowing with every breath. 

“You’re so hot.” Elaine said in a low voice. 

“You are too.” Kelly said, hugging Elaine close. “I love you.” 

Elaine was quiet. 

“Elaine?” 

“Hm?” Elaine asked, as if waking up. 

“I said I love you.” Kelly said, squeezing her. 

Elaine chuckled. “I love you too.” She reached behind her and patted Kelly’s hip. 

They fell asleep together, tangled in each other’s limbs. It wasn’t until the morning when Kelly woke up she noticed Elaine was already dressing. 

“Hey.” Kelly said, sleep weighing her head to the pillow. “Girlfriend.” She said happily. Memories of last night flitted between fading dreams, filling the waking world with fuzzy half-thoughts. “Maybe one day we can have Ellie and Kelly on our mailbox or something.” She chuckled. 

Elaine smiled softly. “Last night was amazing, Kels.” 

“Yeah.” Kelly said. “You were great at… everything.” 

Elaine’s smile brightened. “So were you. I’m glad we did this before we went our separate ways.” 

Now Kelly was quiet, her smile fading as she sat up, exposing her bell-shaped breasts to the morning air. “You mean college?” 

“Well, yeah.” Elaine said. “You’re going to Pendleton, right?” 

“Yeah.” Kelly said, crossing her arm over her chest. 

“And I’m going to State, so.” Elaine shrugged. “We have last night and most of the summer, at least.” 

“And then we can–” 

“I don’t think long distance is a good idea.” Elaine said. “And college is… a lot of people change during their college years. You’ll probably meet someone hotter than me right away and marry them.” 

“Never.” Kelly said. “I love you.” 

“Kels…” Elaine sighed. 

“What?” Kelly asked, propping herself up. 

“I do love you, but we knew this had a time limit attached.” Elaine said, rolling over to face Kelly. “You know we’re not… like we’re not getting married or staying together forever.” 

“Never say never.” Kelly said, hopefully. “I know college is tough, but we could stay in touch, and if–” 

“Kelly.” Elaine said. “Don’t do this. Let’s just… enjoy ourselves this summer.” 

“Okay.” Kelly said, lying down and rolling onto her back. “Sorry.” 

Elaine sighed and rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling and looking at the same spot in the spackle on the ceiling. After a minute, she reached for Kelly and the two held hands, cuddled, smooched, and fucked until it was time to check out. 

Kelly knew Jack and Kyle would tease her for disappearing, but Elaine was worth it, and try as she might, she couldn’t imagine a future without her.