Before #2
Em waited for Shae’s response, sensing the shift in her energy before she even spoke. Shae gave a small nod and started off the dancefloor, Em a few steps behind her.
“We could go take our photos,” Em suggested.
“Umm, yeah, sure. No, let’s do that,” Shae said, her smile masking more.
The line at the photo booth was three couples deep. Shae leaned against the wall, her head falling back to rest on the wallpaper.
From where they stood, Em could see couples posing beneath a painted night sky, the faux constellations glittering under the ballroom lights.
Em shuffled backward, closing the space between them, casting a dimpled smile over at Shae, but she barely cracked a grin.
She had gone quiet. Not the easy kind of quiet that came in the still moments they’d shared, but a distant kind that made Shae feel miles away.
Em searched her face, trying to figure out what had shifted between them, and Shae met her eyes only for a second, then withdrew.
“You okay?” Em asked, tipping her chin down to get a better look at her. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” she asked, hesitantly. One side of her mouth tipped up into a cautious smile, her insides twisting as she waited for an answer.
“I’m good,” Shae said, a little too chipper.
Em didn’t buy it.
“Shae?” she said, empathetically. “Are you going to tell me what happened back there?”
“Next person in line.” The photographer announced, and the whole line stepped forward. They scooted along the wall, Em’s eyes still on Shae.
“I’m gonna get it outta you, you know. So don’t bother playing coy.”
She nudged Shae with her shoulder, and Shae lifted the corner of her mouth, fighting back a smile.
“That’s it. Don’t fight it. I’m charming, you know it.” Em giggled.
“Next up.” The photographer called.
“Here,” Em turned, brushing hair from Shae’s eyes. She tugged on her arms, pulling her from the wall. “We’re next. Let me straighten you up.” She ran her hands across the silky fabric of Shae’s dress. “You look perfect. How’s mine look?”
“Next.” The photographer repeated.
The two stepped into the wash of the bright light, fumbling and shifting awkwardly before realizing neither of them knew where they should put their hands.
Em didn’t mind Shae being close to her; she invited it, but she had learned how to be around Shae without touching, mainly because that’s what relaxed Shae the most.
“On the X,” the photographer instructed. “Black dress, stand behind Blondie. Hands on her hips.” He bent down, tucking his head behind the camera. “That’s it.” He floundered with the button attached to his camera. “Blondie, lean back a little more. Black dress, put your hand on hers.”
Em leaned back, almost losing her balance. The side of her head practically brushing Shae’s cheek. She could feel Shae’s breath warm against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Shae’s hand dropped to her side, swiping against her dress before settling over Ems, cool and still damp.
The camera light flashed, and Shae jerked behind her. Em dropped her hand to Shae’s leg and squeezed in an attempt to ground her.
Shae’s eyes darted toward where they’d just stood, scrolling past the line of people. There weren't very many couples left, and nobody was paying them any attention.
“Stay looking here, black dress. One more.” The camera flashed again, and Shae let go of Em.
“I’ll be back,” Shae said, rushing off.
Em stood there a second longer, her thoughts scrambling to catch up to what’d happened, then headed after her. Shae wasn’t far ahead, but she was going faster than Em could keep up with. Em picked up her pace, stumbling in her heels.
“Shae,” she called after her.
“Em, not right now. Please.”
Em stopped, watching as Shae made her way out of the ballroom. Then she hurried toward the exit, flinging the doors open, the bright light hitting her like midday sun.
Em wanted to give her space if that’s what she needed, but something told her otherwise.
She caught a glimpse of Shae, heading into a room down the hall. Em let the door swing shut behind her as she bustled down the corridor. Her mind sifted through their conversation right before Shae’s mood changed. She didn’t think she said anything, but seeing Amber and Mia had somehow upset her.
Em pushed the door open, scanning the bathroom in time to see the stall door click shut. She let her breath settle and stepped inside, her heels loud against the tile floor.
“Shae?” she said, quietly. She knocked softly against the metal door, feeling it give beneath her knuckles. “Shae, I’m coming in, okay?” She stood in front of the stall door a second longer before slowly pushing it open.
Shae drifted back against the wall, her arms folding in tightly against her chest, her focus fixed away from Em.
“Hey,” Em said softly. “What’s going on?”
She took a step closer to Shae, reaching for her hand, untucking her arms. Shae tensed, her breath picking up speed.
“Shae,” she said in a hushed voice.
Shae blinked over at her, something fierce flickering in her eyes.
She held her stare for only a second before she moved.
Em barely had time to inhale before she closed the distance, guiding her backward until Em’s back met the cool metal frame of the stall, the structure rattling behind her.
Shae crowded against her, their bodies almost flush, and let her forehead drop down against Em’s.
Em drew in an uneven breath. Shae kept her hands against her hips, pressing her gently against the stall wall.
Em wanted to touch Shae, to bring her lips to Shae’s, but attempting this in the past had never worked out in her favor. It only pushed Shae further away from her. Shae was delicate in a way that seemed to be reserved just for Em.
Shae’s breath ghosted over Em's lips, minty sweet. Em squeezed her eyes shut, her hands curling against the smooth wall behind her, with nothing to grip but God if she didn’t want to pull her in.
“You can touch me. If you want.” Em whispered into the small space between them.
Shae’s breath stalled, her hands gripping tighter at Em’s waist before relaxing again.
Then her hands dropped lower. Her short nails grazing down Em’s thighs, squeezing.
The slowness with which she moved was agony, maddening. Em had never let anyone touch her between her legs before, but she wanted Shae to, wanted it for a while now, had thought about it often.
Em’s breath stuttered, her heart picking up speed. Shae’s fingertips trailed back up, lifting the skirt of Em’s dress and gliding over the lace of her panties, gradually inching them down. Em lifted her hands above her head, gripping the top edge of the stall wall.
Her eyes were locked on Shae, but Shae’s eyes were pressed shut, her lids trembling, as if she was feeling too much all at once. They both were. Em was right there with her, holding herself back just as much as Shae was.
Em’s underwear had slipped over her bottom and halfway to her knees when the bathroom door flew open. A group of girls stepped inside, mid-conversation. Shae threw herself backwards, stepping as far away from Em as she could get. Em lifted her panties and hurriedly smoothed her dress down.
“Haha,” she feigned laughter, her eyes widening toward Shae. “Are you serious? That is so funny!” she said, nodding over at Shae. “Follow me,” she mouthed, opening the stall door and stepping out.
Four girls stood by the counter, near the sinks—the blonde one reapplying her lipstick in the mirror.
“Oh. Hey, girls. Don’t mind us, we were just gossiping. You know how it is.” Em joked. “We’re headed out. You girls have fun!”
The two of them slipped out into the hallway. Em stopped short, bending to kick off her heels, and Shae followed suit. Em reached over, taking Shae by the hand, and they made a run for it back to the ballroom, the two bursting into laughter as they went.
The music vibrated beneath their feet as Em looped her arm through Shae’s and led her to the rest of the group.
“Where were you guys?” Lennon asked, cocking a brow.
Em shrugged, smiling over at Shae. “Just chatting,” she answered.
Back at the house, the post-prom energy was full of laughter and stories—who had the best dresses and hairstyles, who went with whom.
Shae brought up Amber, admitting she’d been surprised to see her looking so cozy with her ex.
They all lay sprawled across the den in their pajamas and warm blankets.
It had begun to rain sometime before leaving the hotel for home.
“Let’s watch The Ring. It’s a classic, super scary. Oh my gosh!” Kira blurted out.
“Yes. I’m so down.” Lennon rolled over to Horror on the app.
“Em doesn’t like scary, guys. Let’s pick something we are all into,” Shae said.
Em smiled at her, her heart doubling in her chest.
“Is a thriller okay, Em?” Lennon asked.
“Sure,” Em said. She didn’t particularly like thrillers either, but she didn’t want to be a downer.
They started up the movie, and everyone got comfy in their spot of choice.
Em was camped out in one of the recliners, the couch taken up by Shae and Kira.
It wasn’t even twenty minutes into the movie before Kira was asleep.
“I’m going to go up too, or I’ll be out like Kira,” Shae said. She left Kira wrapped up in the blanket and bounded up the stairs.
Em glanced over at Lennon; her eyes were bobbing, her blanket tucked up to her chin.
She was curled into the recliner opposite hers.
The thunder cracked outside, startling Em, the TV screen flashing an uncomfortably bloody scene.
She squeezed her eyes closed. Lennon had the remote, and she didn’t want to watch this alone.
She glanced back over to Lennon again. Her eyes were completely closed, her breath coming out heavy.
Em raised from her seat, making her way out of the den. She headed up the stairs, standing outside Shae’s door before knocking. She twisted the nob, letting the door open an inch.
“Shae, are you awake? It’s storming out, and that movie got to me. Can I sleep with you?”
Shae inched backward in her bed, making room, just as the thunder rang out.
Em practically leapt from the door to her bed. Tucking under the covers and scooting back toward Shae.
“You're funny,” Shae chuckled.
“What? I’m scared! I hate scary movies.” She inched closer to Shae. “Why do they even exist?”
“I don’t think they got your memo.”
“Do you like them?”
Shae pulled the blanket higher over her shoulder. “They don’t scare me.”
“What does scare you?” Em knew what she was asking Shae, and she thought she knew the answer, but she needed to hear it aloud.
Shae was quiet.
“What? Tell me.” Em urged. She turned onto her back, straining to see Shae in the dark of the room. “I wish I could see your face.”
“Why?” Shae asked.
“You’re easier to read that way.”
“Oh, so you read me, now?”
“Like a book. Now, that is a mystery that I don’t mind.” Her breathing shifted. “Still scares me though.”
“I was gonna say.” Shae swallowed audibly.
“You were going to say what?” The question hung in the air, the rain coming down harder now outside Shae’s window.
“You scare me.” Shae finally admitted.
Em wanted to tell her that she didn’t have to be afraid. That she would never hurt her. That she has only ever wanted her, but she was scared too, scared to say it.
“Is that what happened tonight? You were scared,” she asked instead.
Shae shook her head, bringing her hands up to cover her eyes. “Ugh.” She moaned. “I’m sorry about all that. It’s so embarrassing.”
Em reached up, taking Shae’s hand in her own.
“Don’t be embarrassed. I was right there with you. I didn’t want it to end, for you to stop.”
Em couldn’t believe she was saying this part aloud. She rested Shae’s hand on her waist and placed her own atop it. Both rising and falling together with her breath.
“Does this make you uncomfortable?” Em asked.
“No,” Shae said, but her breath hitched.
“What does it make you feel?” Em wanted to know. She’d been wanting to know the answer to this question for some time. Every subtle touch between the two of them, every glance, always felt like more.
“It makes me feel like I—” she stumbled on her words, pausing to give herself a minute. “A want.” She finally said. “Like I want more.”
“Me too,” Em whispered.
Electricity hummed under Em’s skin as she slid Shae’s hand higher, her nerve endings awakening as Shae’s palm swept atop her chest.
Shae closed her hand around her breast, scooting closer to Em, until she was halfway over her.
Every hair on Em’s body stood at attention, every touch felt. Shae tucked her face into the crook of Em’s neck as her hand quickened over Em’s skin.
Her touch was gentle, and curious as she explored Em’s body.
Running down the outside of Em’s leg, and drifting up her inner thigh, like she’d done earlier in the bathroom.
Only this time, she dragged her palm over Em’s center atop her pajama shorts.
Em gasped, and Shae quickly backed off, darting her hand away.
“I’m sorry,” Shae said immediately. “I didn’t mean to—”
Em didn’t want her to be sorry or not touch her there. She wanted it. She hadn’t expected Shae would, was all. It had surprised her.
She took Shae’s hand again, guiding it downward, slipping it under her bottoms until they were skin against skin.
Shae slid over her, rubbing there. Until a need begged, insistent between Em’s legs that she couldn’t hold back.
She came undone in Shae’s arms, gripping Shae tighter and holding her there.
Em was on another planet, coasting through the stars, experiencing so many new feelings, both physically and emotionally. She’d thought she’d felt them all with Shae, but there was a closeness there now that she never knew could exist, a vulnerability and love—the first time she knew what it meant.
Shae collapsed next to her, wrapping a leg across her body and reaching over her to grab her hand. Neither of them said anything more; they simply relaxed safely in each other's arms as the storm rolled around them.