Unknown Beginning

Part 54

The team pulled through with a win on Wednesday for their first NCAA Championship game. The momentum of their win meant the whole team was feeling pumped up following their Friday night practice in anticipation of their game the next day. On the other hand, Riley had remained distracted and thus was the last one in the showers that night. She was in no rush to leave knowing Kenny was with Tyler for the night and all she had planned was to work on homework and go to bed early.

When the last of the excited voices had faded away, Riley embraced the silence while she stood under the stream of water, letting it wash away all thoughts. She was so lost in the heat of the water that she didn't hear the light footsteps and nearly jumped out of her skin when a voice asked "Riley?".

Heart pounding, Riley froze.

"Riley? Are you okay?"

'It's James' Riley thought to herself. She wasn't sure if her heart had raced ahead so fast she couldn't feel the beating anymore or if it had stopped entirely. Forcing herself to speak she replied "James?".

"Yeah. It's me. Are you good?"

"What? Oh yeah. I just...um...I just was taking in the quiet and enjoying the hot water" Riley explained lamely.

A pause filled the air and then "Do you want me to leave you alone?"

Without thinking Riley responded "No."

Another pause.

"Do you want to talk?"

Riley contemplated this then said truthfully, "Not really."

"...Well... what do you want?"

The silence was so absolute it seemed amplified in echoes through the locker room.

Finally, "Would you come in here? In the shower? With me?"

There was no answer, just the sound of James walking away.

Mortified, Riley started to panic that she had ruined everything. But before she could spiral she heard the footsteps return.

Riley held her breath as she heard the rustling of fabric and then James' face appeared as she asked, eyes fixed on Riley's, "Are you sure?"

Riley nodded "I think so. Not to do anything but just... just to be together."

A soft smile crossed James' face as she nodded too and stepped into the shower.

Riley worked to ignore the fact that she was completely naked. That James was completely naked. She squeezed her eyes shut as she let the water cover her and James.

While trying to calm her mind, Riley felt a hand come up to rest on her cheek, a thumb softly caressing. Without meaning to, Riley felt herself lean into James' hand, softening, despite eyes still held firmly closed. When she finally did open her eyes, they met such a tender gaze from James she felt she might cry. Instead Riley threw her arms around James' neck, pulling her close, and rested her head onto James's shoulder. In response, James wrapped her arms tightly across Riley's back as if she was afraid might slip away with the draining water.

Neither could tell you how long they stayed like this. Surrounded by the other, embraced in safety while even their hair clung to the other. They didn't speak. No words were needed in their vulnerability. No words could touch the soft affection and fondness that filled them. The heat of the water paled in comparison to the warmth of their bodies. Their hearts.

Their quiet contentedness continued when they finally turned off the water and took turns carefully drying the other. When it was time to don their clothes, they would only occasionally interrupt the other to place a gentle kiss on a collarbone, cheek, or hand but otherwise let the silence remain.

When it was time to leave they simply looked at each other once more, hands interlocked as they headed to the locker room door. One deep breath, a squeeze of a hand, and then they let their hands fall apart as they stepped back into reality. The door concealing their intimacy sealed closed behind them.