Shooting Star and Swallow's Song

Any Excuse

Alex began undressing just a few seconds after Steph had left. Looking at her slightly blurred image in the mirror, Alex thought she didn't look much better than a few days ago with the marks on her face but maybe a little.

Steph doesn't care. She might even like it. Riley...or Charlotte? Well, someone said she thought badasses were hot...

As her hand traced down her cheek, she imagined it was Steph's, going down to her neck, then lower. Before she got too far, her hand stopped.

She brought herself out of the fantasy and back to that moment that Steph tried to make her feel okay about herself again. It worked some, but now, going back again to that memory started to help her reframe her thinking. Alex thought back to all the female comic book heroes she loved and how so many had plenty of battle scars.

Did I only think they were tough badass bitches, or did I think they were beautiful too? At least, maybe somewhere deep inside? I don't remember either way or...at all. Maybe I really am demi, or just have a horrible memory.

She wanted it to be true so she could imagine Steph feeling the same way. Her memory and feelings were too fuzzy to find the security she wanted. Alex would have to rely on Steph's words alone and hope that a scarred badass was as attractive as an unblemished one.

After taking a big sigh, she turned the shower on and waited for the water to get warm. As she waited, Alex scanned Steph's shampoo and conditioner, getting a little excited to have her own turn to smell like the other. When she got in and stood under the hot water, Alex first let herself relax, closing her eyes and did not move much. Then her thoughts drifted.

Steph is in here all the time. Naked like me...water dripping off her...

Her eyes shot open.

No, be good. She'll be back soon enough and the last thing you need is another level of awkwardness.

She didn't know how many days like this she could resist though. Being good for now would have to do. She continued her shower.

After Alex finished up and stepped out, she wondered what she should wear while waiting for Steph to bring clothes. After drying off, blow drying her hair, and putting on her glasses, Alex still didn't have an answer.

It felt odd to fully dress in the clothes from yesterday, right before she would be taking them off. She did not have much other options. Alex considered squeezing her slightly thicker and shorter body into Steph's pants, but worried about Steph's reaction to using her clothes without permission.

Maybe she would like it? Actually, I already know what she likes and what she gave me permission to wear...

Alex changed back into the low cut pj shorts. She saw herself in the mirror and wondered if Steph would react or not when she saw her in shorts again, now sober. She was feeling bolder by the minute, and decided to borrow something else of Steph's after all. She looked in the closet until finding a black tank top with white lettering that said "Whole New Mess" and put it on.

She did not want to put the boot on again, just to remove soon after, so Alex just made her way to the couch with her phone and eased herself into it. She was getting antsy waiting though, so started texting Steph.

Alex: Gone too long. Time to spam.

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