Chapter 14
SARAH
Jackie and I stood side by side in front of my wood-trim swivel mirror. We stared at our costumes with opposite expressions. Mine was glee, and hers was skepticism. My dear cynic.
“I look ridiculous.” She was dressed like a giant piece of candy corn. It made me laugh but for other reasons.
“Hardly. You look good enough to eat.” I responded cheekily.
“Sarah. Candy corn is the absolute worst.” I gasped at her statement.
“Take that back!”
“Never!”
“Fine. No reward for you later then.” I harumphed.
Pursing her lips, she glared playfully at me. “Fine by me. We’ll see who can hold out the longest.”
“Listen, Jackie baby, you may be dressed in my favorite form of holiday sweets but trust me when I say a dry spell is nothing to me.” I was joking but not really.
I had no intention of depriving her or myself of anything, but I wanted to see her sweat.
It was adorable. I gave her one of my signature winks of mischief and glanced over my own costume.
I was a mermaid, what with my flowing red hair.
My face was adorned with glitter to look like scales, and I wore a lavender strapless bikini top and shimmery pleather leggings reminiscent of a mermaid’s fin legs.
A shell barrette adorned the left side above my ear.
I met Jackie’s gaze in the mirror and felt a familiar blush creep up whenever her arousal shone through. Costume or not, those hazel eyes were one of the most captivating things about her. I drowned in them, gladly.
I pushed up on my tip toes and whispered softly against her ear. “I know what you’re thinking, but we don’t have time. I want to make the movie first and introduce you to my friends.”
She acquiesced, and we interlocked arms, heading out for a night of spirited amusement.
Because they were my bestie, Jesse was the first to meet Jackie when we got to the Center.
I introduced them, and Jesse gave me a look that said they felt the energy.
After previously revealing my history with Jackie to the crew and enlightening them on current events, Jesse went into protective mode.
They wanted to make sure I didn’t get my feelings hurt all over again, but I assured them that I was good.
Things were different this time around. Sure, the future was uncertain, but Jackie and I were having a lot of fun, which was what I knew how to do.
Out of nowhere, I heard a burst of obnoxious laughter that could only come from one person.
I turned around and was bulldozed by a tipsy hug from GiGi.
She pulled away but held on with an arm around my shoulders and pointed directly at Jackie’s costume.
The whole crew knew of my affinity for candy corn, making the whole scene even funnier.
She raised her hand quickly then shot it out to Jackie to shake.
The sentiment was returned, and my girl—or whatever she was to me—giggled right along with her.
I couldn’t argue about the silliness of her costume, but I picked it out for her for that specific purpose.
To be outlandish and draw playful attention.
“I am Gina, pero you can call me GiGi. Any amiga of Sarah’s es una amiga of mine.
” When she drank, GiGi tended mix in Spanish with her English.
It was endearing, even if I didn’t always understand what she was saying.
She was decked out in costume as singer Selena, all her curves on display.
She was my type, but there was a sacred rule among the friend group about intermingling.
Jesse and Kora were the exception, because they were already together when she came into the fold.
A few minutes later, Sakora appeared, completing our group for the night. She and Jesse chose a couple’s costume of David Bowie and Iman. They were stunning.
We procured some snacks and seating, awaiting the start of the movie.
The Center had a rotation of Halloween or costume-centric movies they showed through the years, and Rocky Horror Picture Show was my favorite, with Hocus Pocus a close second.
Those Sanderson Sisters got down. Among their stash were also Wicked and To Wong Foo.
Once the lights went low, and the movie began, a hush fell over the viewers.
About thirty minutes in, a felt a hand take hold of mine and looked up at the beauty to my left.
Jackie was engrossed in the screen though, so she didn’t meet my gaze.
The fact that she found me without looking caused my heart to grow two sizes too big. Wrong holiday, I know.
Shortly after the credits rolled, we were all directed to the small ballroom space upstairs. Accommodations were a little tight, but not stifling. Michael Jackson’s Thriller played through the speakers overhead, and a few people began the well-known choreography.
Jackie bent slightly to whisper to me, “Where’s the restroom?”
“Oh, come on. I’ll show you.” What better way to get her alone?
I located one of the single-stall unisex restrooms and led her in. Turning the lock behind me, a wicked grin took over my face.
“Sarah, what are you doing?” She giggled, dancing in place signaling she couldn’t hold her bladder anymore.
“Go ahead, and once you’re done, I have something for you. Besides, I assumed you’d need help with that costume to get any business done.” She relented so I assisted her in maneuvering the monstrosity so she could pee.
After she was done, reassembled, and had washed her hands, I grabbed one and yanked her to me, smashing my lips to hers.
I tasted the strawberries and grapes she ate during the movie, so sweet and a little tart.
It was a heady combination that made the meeting of our lips and tongues cause my body to break out in goosebumps.
Being near her and with her always caused my body to react.
The sexual attraction was nearly intergalactic, it was so far out there beyond anything I’d ever experienced with other women, and we’d barely done much so far. I hoped to change that.
We devoured each other for a few more minutes until I heard Jesse outside in the hall looking for us. Busted.
I let up, my breath heaving as I broke the kiss. Jackie’s lips were swollen and her eyes glassy with the need to come. I wouldn’t leave either of us hanging; blue clit was no fun. That would come later though.
“Let’s go.” I whispered against her lips with a grin.
Turning toward the door to unlock it, we both exited the restroom to see the whole group standing against the opposite wall looking at us like the cat that ate the canary.
I lifted my chin with a smirk and huffed to show I wasn’t embarrassed then swiftly guided Jackie back in the direction of the party.
She cleared her throat behind me, hiding her own mischief from the others.
The rest of the night went off without a hitch. Jackie blended in perfectly and really blossomed. She laughed and danced and exuded liberation from her own prison of anxiety. It was magnificent.
When the time came to take our leave, we all escorted each other to our vehicles. The group chat would explode as each person arrived at their destination. We always did safety check-ins with each other to make sure we were all good.
Before we got into my car, Jackie removed the bulk of her costume and stowed it in the trunk of my Honda, donning only a sports bra and leggings.
My mouth watered at how little they hid her figure.
Elation and horniness consumed me the whole drive home, where I kept a tense palm on her soft, jiggly thigh the entire time.
At a traffic light, I turned to her. “Are you ready for your next lesson?”
“Lead the way,” she responded with genuine enthusiasm.