MELODY
....

Steph is lying on my bed, propped up on one elbow, her hair a little messy, her face calm but curious. She’s looking at me like she can read my mind—or worse, my nerves.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asks, her tone light but her gaze steady.

I nod, probably too quickly, trying to look excited. I am excited. I mean, I enjoy being with her, more than I’ve enjoyed anything in a long time.

But now that we’re here, in my room, with the soft lighting and the heavy weight of this moment pressing down, I’m trembling.

She pats the space beside her. “Come here.”

I move slowly, sitting down on the edge of the bed before finally lying down. She pulls me closer, wrapping an arm around me like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Her warmth is grounding. It feels so good that I don’t want to ruin it by talking.

But then she breaks the silence. “Have you... done this before?” Her voice is soft, cautious.

I shake my head because I can't speak.

She nods like that’s what she expected. I let her hand trace soothing patterns on my back.

“That’s okay,” she says, her voice steady and kind. “I have. But one thing I’ve learned is...this has to be fun for you too, not only for me. And it's so easy to tell when you're ready, you’ll actually know when you’re ready. And right now, I don’t think you are.”

I open my mouth to argue, but she cuts me off.

“But,” I start, feeling a knot of frustration and embarrassment in my chest.

“I don’t want to have sex with you, Mel.” She says it so bluntly that my heart sinks.

I pull back slightly, just enough to look at her, feeling my cheeks flush with heat. “Oh.”

Her lips twitch into a small, knowing smile.

I wish she can take that back because why does it feel like rejection?

“Not tonight,” she adds quickly, reaching up to brush a strand of hair out of my face. “Not because I don’t want to, but because I don’t think you’re ready. And that’s okay. When you are, we’ll both know and I will be happy to show you how good it gets.”

I nod, swallowing hard. It’s not what I expected her to say, but somehow it makes sense.

We stay like that, talking softly, our words tumbling out in easy rhythm. We share stories—stupid, embarrassing ones and heartfelt ones I’ve never told anyone before. She makes me laugh so hard my sides hurt, and for a little while, I forget about everything else.

I can’t believe this has to end tomorrow.

Steph doesn’t say it, but we both know our little bubble—the one we’ve created in these stolen days—can’t last. When she goes back to her place, back to her life, will this... us still exist? Or will it fade like it was supposed to?

The thought makes my chest ache. I don’t want this to end.

At some point, I feel myself drifting. My eyes grow heavy, and I’m vaguely aware of Steph pulling me closer, tucking me against her like I belong there.

And I like it.

***

Warning ⚠️!

Things are about to heat up—literally. If you’re not into spicy scenes, please, feel free to skip to the next chapter.
Or read at your own risk!
Viewer discretion is advised.

When I wake up, the bed is empty.

I sit up quickly, my heart skipping a beat just like yesterday but before I can react, I hear the sound of water running. The shower.

Relief washes over me as I get up, stretching my arms over my head. My gaze lands on the half-open bathroom door, and before I can think twice, I’m peeling off my own clothes.

With a thudding heart of course because in what world am I this courageous?

The cool air prickles my skin as I step into the bathroom. Steam curls around me, and I pause for a moment, taking in the sight of Steph under the spray of water.

She turns, her eyes widening slightly when she sees me. Her hands fly to her body, trying to cover a bunch of things at the same time and with only two hands.

“Mel?” she says, her voice half-laughing, half-surprised. “What the hell are you doing?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, stepping closer. “I just... wanted to be here.”

I breathe, and she freezes. I don't know what I'm doing but I want to kiss her so bad. And so I do it. Because like I said, life is random. Six weeks ago, I was the star of Hilton High, and now, I'm this kid with a bad knee.

Who knows what tomorrow brings? And if this needs tomorrow, I want to do everything I want today. If this ends tomorrow, I want to be happy that I kissed her. Happy that I touched all the parts of her body that make her produce that little sound from the back of her throat.

I want her.

I don't know what that means yet but I know that's what I want.

She smiles, shaking her head but there's something dark in her eyes. “You’re not ready.”

I shrug, "How do you know?"

Her eyes drop to my chest before she lets out a heavy breath and looks back at me.

"You're unbelievable."

“Is that a bad thing?”

She shakes her head and kisses me.

When she pulls back, the steam from the shower curls around us like a warm embrace. I stand awkwardly under the spray, feeling exposed and self-conscious, even though I was the one who suggested this.

She is so confident, so sure of herself, while I feel like a nervous mess.

“Relax, Melody,” Steph murmurs, her voice low and smooth as she steps closer.

Her hands rest lightly on my shoulders, and I can feel the heat of her skin even through the warm water.

She’s so close, I think, my breath catching in my throat. My heart is pounding, but there is something about the way she touches me—gentle, but purposeful—that makes it impossible to pull away.

“I’ve got you,” she says, her lips brushing against my ear. Her voice is a whisper, but it sends a shiver down my spine.

I close my eyes, letting the water cascade over me as her hands slide down my arms, her fingers tracing slow, deliberate patterns against my skin.

She’s so good at this, my mind swirls with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. I’ve never been with a girl before, and Steph knows it. She’s being patient with me, guiding me, but she isn't holding back.

Her hands move to my hips and she pulls me gently against her. I can feel the curve of her body pressed against mine, the warmth of her skin a stark contrast to the cool tile at my back.

“You’re beautiful, you know that?” she murmurs, her lips grazing the side of my neck. Her breath is hot against my skin, and I shudder, my knees feeling weaker by the second.

“I… ummh…” I stammer, but she cuts me off with a soft laugh, her fingers tracing circles on my lower back.

“Don’t overthink it,” she says, her voice firm but kind. “Just feel. Let me take care of you.” Her hands slide lower, her palms brushing against my thighs, and I gasp, my body arching instinctively toward her.

Goodness, she knows exactly what she’s doing. My mind is going hazy with desire.

Steph’s lips find mine, and I melt into the kiss. It's soft at first, but as her tongue brushes against mine, it deepens, sending sparks of electricity through me.

Her hands move to my waist, holding me firmly in place as she kisses me like she means it, like she’s been waiting for this moment forever.

I can’t think, I can’t breathe, all I can do is cling to her, my fingers tangling in her wet hair as the water continues to rain down around us.

When she finally pulls away, I am breathless, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Steph’s eyes meet mine, and I can see the hunger in them, the raw need that mirrors my own.

“Do you trust me?” she asks, her voice barely audible over the sound of the shower.

I nod, unable to speak.

Yes. Fuck yes. I trust her more than anyone, and in this moment, I want nothing more than to give myself over to her completely.

Her lips curve into a knowing smile, and she leans in again, her mouth trailing down my neck, across my collarbone, and lower still.

I gasp as her lips find my breast, her tongue flicking against my nipple. Her hands move to my hips again, holding me steady as she kisses and licks, driving me wild with every touch.

“Steph…” I moan, my voice trembling. My body is on fire, every nerve ending screaming for more, and she gives it to me, her touch growing bolder, more insistent.

Her fingers move between my legs, and I cry out, my hands gripping her shoulders for support. My mind goes blank as she strokes me, her fingers moving in circles.

“That’s it,” she murmurs, her voice thick. “Let go. I’ve got you.” Her lips are on mine again, swallowing my moans as her fingers work me into a frenzy.

I'm trembling, my body coils like a spring, and when the first wave of pleasure hits me, it's unlike anything I’d ever felt before.

My vision swims as I come undone in her arms.

Steph holds me as I shudder through the aftershocks. Her lips are soft against my temple, and I can hear her breathing, steady and calm, unlike my ragged gasps.

“You’re amazing,” she whispers.

I cling to her, still trembling.

She did that. She made me feel like this. I’d never felt so alive, so completely and utterly seen.

Steph’s hands move to my face, her fingers brushing the wet hair from my forehead.

“You okay?” she asks, her voice warm with concern.

I nod, a slow smile spreading across my face.

“More than okay,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “But… what about you?”

She grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Oh, don’t worry about me,” she says, “I’m just getting started.”