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 ï>¿University Adventures byThanksForAllTheFishÂ(C)

   Chapter Five -- Dirty Dancing

   'Charlie,' she half screamed through gritted teeth.  'I am going to kill
you...'

   There was no time to sit there seething though, as the sound of the
engine grew ominously louder.  'Fuck me.' Holly realised that the hedge at
the end of the drive was her best bet for some cover, so counterintuitively
she had to quickly run towards the road and then cower in a ball as rays of
light from the car's headlights pierced through the leaves.  She watched as
they slowly passed by and continued on down the street, unaware of the
naked girl hiding just out of sight.  That was the first problem solved,
but now what about the keys?  She'd never left the safety of her own house
in the nude before tonight, and now she was having to consider a streak
across to her neighbour's lawn.  Her thoughts were interrupted by a taping
from the window, and she looked back to see a grinning and now fully
dressed Charlie grinning at her from the safety of the living room.  She
would have loved to run up to her and beg for mercy but she knew she'd be
left too exposed from the road, so instead she just gave her friend the
finger.  Holly knew the house keys were the quickest way to get back
indoors, and so despite her misgivings she knew she'd have to make a run
for it.  Still in a daze from the absurdity of her situation, she slowly
rose up and looked down to make sure her arms were covering as much of her
body as they could, as if that would make much of a difference if she was
caught.  Creeping forward she peered nervously left and right, and from
what she could see in the darkness the pavements seemed clear.  With a gulp
Holly took her first step out onto the cold paving slabs, and before she
chickened out she ran stiffly across the street, clutching herself as she
went.  In a flash she was in front of the house in question, and she
plunged down again to avoid the light coming out from their front room. 
She could see the reflections from a tv dancing across the ceiling and she
assumed someone was inside watching on the sofa, hopefully oblivious to the
scene that was unfolding outside.

   'Where the hell did she throw it?' Holly reluctantly dropped to her
knees and began to feel through the cold wet grass of the lawn, trying to
feel for her keys.  Her own body was blocking the yellow light from the
streetlamp meaning it was very hard to see, so she just kept sweeping
around with her fingertips, hoping to hit something.  Her skin was covered
in goosebumps and steaming with heat as her heart continued to beat out of
her chest, the adrenaline coursing through her veins was more intense than
anything she'd ever experienced before.  If anyone came up the road they
would be greeted by an unobstructed view of her on all fours, butt in the
sky, with everything on display.  The risk was insane, but the thrill was
incredible.

   'Yes!' Her hand had found a piece of sharp metal and Holly triumphantly
held up her keys, watching the way they shone as if they were precious
jewels.  She leant back on her heels and swept her hair, which had become
plastered over her face as she searched, back over her shoulders.  She had
done it, and now she just had to run back and get dressed, after murdering
Charlie of course.  Standing up she brushed some errant blades of grass off
her shins, then turned to nip back across the road, not even bothering to
cover up like last time.  This turned out to be a mistake.

   'Oh shit!' Standing at the end of the driveway was a guy about her age,
holding two bags of shopping, frozen in place, mouth agog.

   'Umm...'

   Holly was also stuck on the spot, her brain had no idea how to deal with
this situation.  It was so panicked that it had gone past embarrassment or
fear and had just jumped straight to complete and utter shock.  She
realised she hadn't said anything or moved a muscle for what felt like an
eternity, and she needed to leave.  Without a word she stepped forward and
ran past the stunned stranger, not even checking to see if the road was
clear, and mad a beeline for her house.  She fiddled with the locks as if
in a trance, watching her fingers work entirely independently as she
observed from a different body.  Finally there was a click and she was back
indoors.  Bursting into the hallway she slammed the front door shut and
slumped down onto the carpet, holding her head in disbelief.

   'Ah you're back, about time.' Charlie appeared from a doorway, wine
glass in hand, and looked down amusedly at her dishevelled friend.  'You
ok?'

   Holly slowly came out of her stupor and looked up, wide eyed and with
her cheeks flushed red.  'Get me my jumper.' Charlie held out a hand and
pulled her up, then the pair walked back to the kitchen to find Holly some
clothing.  'And the bottle, get me the bottle.' Covered up once more and
with alcohol to calm her nerves, Holly sat down on the sofa and told
Charlie what had just happened.

   'Holls I am so sorry!' As the details had emerged Charlie had become
more and more apologetic, and genuinely felt guilty for what had happened.
'I never thought anyone would see you but I guess the drinks went to my
head a little, what I made you do was insanely risky.'

   'Yeah no shit.' Holly took another sip from her glass and rubbed her
toes which were still cold from all the running about outdoors.

   'You must have been so mortified, that sounds awful.  And do you know
who he is, are your houses close?'

   'No not really.  I think he's that family's only kid, but he doesn't go
to our college.  My parent's say hi to his ones, but we don't have much to
do with each other.'

   Charlie nodded.  'Ok well that's good news I suppose, it would be
dreadful if you were really close neighbours or something and you had to
see each other all the time.'

   'Yeah, its only what, a few months until I leave for university?  I can
avoid him for that long, hopefully, just never make eye contact if I see
him, pretend this never happened.'

   'That's the spirit.'

   'Mmm.'

   'I really am sorry though, I won't push you like that again.'

   'Oh I know.  And just so you know, you're not getting away with this for
free.  I will get revenge.'

   'What does that even mean?'

   'I haven't decided yet.'

   *****

   A couple of weeks had passed since Holly's scare.  She thought the
experience might humble her and reign in some of her newfound naked
tendencies, but the next morning when she woke she found she was more ready
than ever to ditch her clothes and leave them in her room.  Charlie had
calmed down on the nude stuff too for a few days, but soon the selfies and
phone calls returned, and both girls were back to enjoying their naughty
freedom, albeit indoors this time.  Holly started to subconsciously keep an
eye out for the guy across the street, and she saw him coming and going
from his house a few times, but only ever from her window.  Her work
continued to be monotonous and boring, and other than the mild worry that
one day her parents might come home early and catch her walking around in
the buff, her life was pretty excitement free.  The one fun event was
another movie night, this time at Charlie's.  They didn't strip off like
they had before, that felt a bit weird for two friends just watching tv on
a bed, but Holly had managed to dare her friend to run downstairs and get
them some popcorn whilst topless, despite the risk of her housemates
catching her unawares.  Charlie said she shared her friend's boredom and so
they decided to plan a trip to the seaside, on a weekday which was
forecasted to be gloriously sunny, and which should be free of the usual
throng of beach goers that would congregate every weekend.  The morning of
the trip arrived and Holly decided to put her bikini on at home then just
wear a cropped t shirt and some shorts on top, with some sandals to
complete the outfit.  Her parents had let her borrow the car and so soon
she was outside Charlie's house, watching her lock her door then run up and
jump into the passenger seat.

   'Oh you've already got your suit on, smart.  I just chucked mine in my
bag.' The two enjoyed the hours drive to the coast, blasting out music on
the stereo and maxing out the aircon to keep themselves cool on what had
turned out to be a scorcher of a day.  The parking area near the beach
wasn't that full as they had hoped, and as they walked over the dunes and
then down onto the hot sand they could see a reasonable amount of people,
laying out sunbathing or swimming in the sea.

   'There aren't any changing rooms are there?' Charlie hadn't been to this
area for a while, and shielded her eyes as she looked around.

   'No but you've got a towel haven't you?'

   'Yeah but that's not as dignified.'

   They walked over to a spare area of sand and placed their stuff down
facing the water.  Holly glanced around at the other people relaxing nearby
as she pulled off her outer clothes and folded them away, then turned to
watch Charlie wrapping herself up in a towel.  Holding the top shut with
one hand she awkwardly began to shimmy her jeans down her legs, almost
threatening to trip over as she did so.

   'Smooth.'

   'Shut up.' Despite the odds she managed to kick them off, although the
wild kicking required to do so did reveal a flash of underwear from
underneath her covering.

   'Oh I like those red ones, very cute.'

   'Holly man this is so hard.' Next up was her t shirt which she tried to
inch up her body, contorting her arm as she did so to keep herself hidden.
Holly was openly laughing at her by this point and decided to take pity.

   'Look this is how you do it, you moron.' She got up and readjusted her
bikini slightly, then took her beach towel and held it in front of Charlie.
'Now link the other one.' Charlie unwrapped her towel carefully so that it
was hanging behind her back, and Holly stretched her arms out wide so that
her friend was now hidden in between the two rectangles of fabric.  'See,
now you can just get undressed like a normal person.'

   'Rude, but ok thanks, this is a better way of doing it.' Charlie quickly
took off her shirt.  'Just don't let go, ok?' Holly politely looked to the
sky as Charlie unclasped her bra and fished around in the bag at her feet
for her swimming costume.

   'Done yet?' Charlie ignored her and tied on the new top, before loosing
the panties and finally slipping on her bottoms.

   'Thanks.'

   'You're welcome.' The pair disengaged and folded the rest of their
things away, before lathering on some sunscreen and settling back onto the
sand to relax.  They swayed between idle chit chat and long periods of
silence as they soaked in the rays, and listened to the cries of the
seagulls and the swell of the waves.  Holly couldn't fully relax though,
the sun felt so good on her skin but the material of her bikini, however
skimpy it was, felt awkward and restrictive in comparison.  She realised
that all her time at home without her clothes had made her used to being
that way, and it was a shame she couldn't get truly comfortable here too.
Unless...

   'I'm getting way too hot, want to get in the water?'

   'Not really, I'm so comfy here.'

   'Come on lazy, you can't come to the beach and not go swimming.' She got
up and prodded Charlie with her toe, who then joined her in setting off
down towards the sea.  Giggling they ran in together hand in hand,
shrieking at the freezing water as it hit their legs.  They slowly waded
further in before Charlie gave Holly a shove and she fell, gasping as she
became fully submerged.  She retaliated by grabbing her friend's arm and
pulling her down with her, and the two playfully splashed around at each
other until they had adjusted to the cold.  Neither of them were serious
swimmers so they didn't go far out, but sufficiently deep so that they
couldn't see the seabed anymore.  They hugged the shoreline as they went
off a fair way from their bags, going far enough along to check out the
cute lifeguard sitting on top of his watch tower.  As they were about to
turn back Holly decided to mess around.

   'Hey Charlie?'

   'Yeah?'

   'Could you hold this for a second?'

   'What?' Holly floated over and passed over a handful of wet fabric. 
'Your bikini bottoms?  Are you crazy?'

   'Just for a second, hold on.' Holly grinned, took a deep breath and
disappeared down below the surface for a moment, before bobbing back up
with her shoulders noticeably missing the straps that had been there mere
seconds earlier.  'Thank you.' She took back the other half of her bikini
and clutched it in her left hand, with her top now held tightly in her
right.

   'Holly you're naked in public!  Again!'

   'I know!  But this is the best way, no one can see me.  It's the perfect
crime.'

   'Well,' This time it was Charlie's turn to go underwater briefly, to get
an unfiltered look at her friend.  'I can see you, all of you in fact.'

   'Come on, join me.'

   'Are you sure?'

   'Yes, it will be fun!' Charlie looked back to the shore but then laughed
and quickly copied her friend, soon floating next to her in the nude as
well.

   'Wow this feels so weird!  I'm all tingly, are you?'

   'Yeah exactly, I've never been skinny dipping before but it feels great
right?'

   'It really does...  wow.  And the fact that we're naked and they have no
idea, any of them.'

   'Told you.' Both girls enjoyed the new sensation of the water against
their skin as they swam back the way they had come, weaving their way
around the few other people who had also decided to brave the sea, so they
wouldn't get too close and risk being discovered.  One woman waved to them
as they passed and they called out hello, but quickly moved on just in case
she fancied a conversation.  Soon they were back where they had originally
got in, and Holly had a quick glance around before raising her legs until
she was floating on her back with her arms out wide, the water lapping over
her body, occasionally revealing her hard nipples and cold firm skin.

   'Careful Holls, we're near the beach now.'

   Holly pinched her nose and performed one last aquatic manoeuvre,
rotating around in a forward roll motion and baring her butt to the sky one
last time, just for the hell of it.

   Charlie sighed.  'I've corrupted you, you know.  I used to be the crazy
one and now look at you.'

   'Takes one to know one.' They both reluctantly got dressed again and
then swam to the shore, then walked back to their beach towels.  They'd
bought a picnic so they spread out the food and tucked in as they began to
drip dry.  Afterwards they both relaxed back onto their backs and sunbathed
for another hour, as Holly fully dozed off with the sun warming her front
this time.  She woke when she felt a slight chill passing over her, and had
to take her sunglasses off to look around as it had become so dark.

   'Oh great.' The sun had disappeared behind a huge grey cloud which
didn't look like it was going anywhere soon, and the other punters around
them seemed to be mostly packing up their stuff and heading home.

   'Think we should call it a day?' Charlie was sitting up too and
surveying the sky.  'We've got a long drive back.'

   'Yeah, ok.' Holly packed up the left over food then turned to see
Charlie brushing herself off with a towel.

   'Can we do that two towel thing again, so I can get out of this bikini?
I'm already dry again thanks to the sun.'

   'Oh yeah, sure.' Holly moved across and held out her own towel again,
sandwiching Charlie in like before.

   'Thanks again.  I can do you after.' Charlie peeled off her top and then
knelt to try and pick up her bra from the pile of clothing at her feet. 
'Dammit.'

   Holly was watching the last couple of sunbathers near them busily
packing up, and had a bad idea.  'Here, hold these ends and I'll give you
your stuff.  Take off the rest too, it will be easier.'

   'Oh, sure.' Charlie took a corner of the towels with one hand and pulled
off the bottom of her bikini with the other, as Holly bent down and used
her free hand to bundle up all of Charlies clothes, then pin them against
her chest.

   'Got them.'

   'Careful you're lowering the towel, I'm naked here.'

   'Sorry, sorry.  So, ready?'

   Charlie peered over her makeshift dressing room curtain, and began to
reach for her underwear.  'Yeah, pass it over.'

   'Whoops.' Instead of helping her friend Holly instead suddenly yanked at
her end of the towels, tearing them out of Charlie's unsuspecting hand. 
She was now holding both the towels and all the clothes, and she looked
with vengeful delight at her naked friend standing unprotected in the
middle of the beach.  She couldn't enjoy the moment for long though and she
turned and sprinted away, stumbling as she struggled for grip on the hot
sand.

   'What the fuck?' Charlie screamed as she looked down in astonishment at
her nude body, then set off in horror, in desperate pursuit of Holly.  Her
panic and shame were enough to power her forwards rapidly, and Holly looked
over her shoulder and realised she would quickly be caught.  She threw a t
shirt and a pair of underwear to the side as a decoy, but Charlie ignored
them and continued to catch up, her arms pumping and her hair flailing
madly behind her.  'Holly stop for fuck's sake!' Holly threw the remainder
of the clothes behind her but no sooner had she done so was she rugby
tackled from the rear, and fell smack down onto the ground.  Spitting out a
mouthful of sand she felt a towel being wrenched out from beneath her, and
Charlie stood victoriously over her as she wrapped it around herself. 
'What the fuck was that?'

   'I told you I would have my revenge.' Holly rolled over panting and
smiling, satisfied with her prank.

   Charlie laughed incredulously, holding a hand to her forehead in
disbelief as she kept tight grip of the towel at her front.  'Seriously? 
You think that's the same?' You got caught by one guy, at night, not by a
beach of people in the middle of the day.'

   'Nah relax, everyone's gone pretty much.' Holly lied.  Their little
stunt had been witnessed by quite a few amused passers-by, who had stopped
to watch the pair streak across the beach.  Now they continued on their way
as it was clear the show was over, and Charlie bashfully looked away from
their gazes.

   'I'd beg to differ.  God I actually had a heart attack when you did
that. I trusted you too!'

   'Haha I know, I know, but I did warn you that I'd get even at some
point. And anyway, you're now forgiven for locking me out last time.'

   'I'm not sure if I forgive you.'

   'Awww,' Holly got up and hugged her friend who did not reciprocate. 
'Don't tell me you didn't enjoy the thrill though, because I know you did.'
They wandered back to their bags, collecting the strewn items of clothing
as they went, then Charlie started trying to get dressed again.  She
refused Holly's help, on the basis that there was now a serious lack of
trust in their relationship, and instead clumsily tried to get her shorts
on under the towel, deciding to forgo her underwear.

   'Ah fuck this.' She stood facing the sea and dropped the towel,
revealing her naked behind to Holly and the rest of the beach, with her
shorts still only up to her knees.  She quickly tugged them up then bent
down to get her t shirt, then finally stepped into her sandals and walked
back to Holly.  'You're staying in your bikini then?'

   'Of course,' Holly said smugly.  'Saves the bother of getting dressed.'
She didn't however chuck on her overclothes as she had done so for the trip
there, instead enjoying the feeling of driving home in her bathing suit. 
She finally covered up when she paused to drop off Charlie, so her parents
wouldn't ask any questions when she walked through the door.  When she got
to her room she stripped off for a shower, and admired her new tan lines in
the mirror as she waited for the water to warm up.  She pulled out her
phone and took a quick full frontal selfie, displaying the perfect imprint
of her bikini set against her freshly darkened skin, and sent it to
Charlie.

   *next time we go back we need to do something about this*

   After a long luxurious shower she saw her friend's reply.

   *i'm sure you'd like to get rid of them, you budding nudist*

   *speaking of which, do we have any nude beaches near us*

   *oh god*

   *not that you need it to be a nude beach to get nude at the beach*

   *don't remind me*

   *i'll look up where our nearest one is*

   *nooo*

   *you'll love it i'm sure xxx*

   *****

   'But that story,' Holly whispered, leaning over and running her hand
gently through Jericho's hair, 'that's for another time.  Let's try and get
some sleep.'

   The next morning it was Jericho's turn to rush off to an early lecture,
and he reluctantly heaved himself out of bed and looked around for his
clothes.  As he stumbled about Holly rolled over and yawned loudly,
groggily looking up at him and watching as he got dressed.

   'Come back to bed babe.'

   Jericho couldn't find his left sock.  'You know I want to, but they do
take attendance for this module, unfortunately.  You can have a lie in at
least.'

   'Come on...' Holly lay on her side and slowly opened the sheets to
reveal her body, lightly tracing across her skin with her other hand.  'You
know you want to.'

   Jericho glanced down then looked away, shaking his head ruefully.  'You
are pure evil.' He put on his trainers then stood in front of Holly's full
length mirror to try and quickly cure his messy bed hair.  As he fixed it
he heard the creak of the bed springs and felt her arms come around his
waist and squeeze him tightly, as she snuggled his back with her cheek. 
Smiling Jericho turned around and Holly eagerly jumped up into his arms as
he wrapped his hands under her butt.  She pulled him in for a long deep
kiss, and for a moment they made out as he slowly carried her towards the
door.  Holly looked over her shoulder to see where they were going, then
continued to peck him with multiple small smooches, whispering in between
them as they went.

   'Jay, honey?'

   'Yes dear.'

   'What are you doing?'

   'Making the most of the time we have left together?'

   'Mmm ok...'

   Their embrace continued as they moved, Holly's legs wrapped around his
torso and her arms linked behind his head, and when Jericho reached the
door he turned slightly so that he could reach out quickly with one hand
and release the latch.  At this sound Holly's eyes widened.

   'Umm Jay...'

   'Shhh...' He pressed his lips against hers again before reaching out a
foot to shove the door open.  Before it could swing back into them he
turned round and used his back to hold it ajar, before swinging round and
carrying Holly through into the corridor.

   'Jay!.' She broke off and hugged him tightly, pressing her body into his
and scanning up and down the hallway.  Seeing that no one was around she
leant back slightly in his arms and glared at him.  'Put me down right
now.'

   'One last kiss?'

   Her angry expression melted back into one of delighted mischief, and she
cupped his face in her hands and drank him in.

   Jericho patted her gently on the butt twice and finally she jumped back
down, standing in front of him holding the lapels of his jacket and
tiptoeing to look up at him lovingly.  'Enjoy your lecture.'

   'Urgh, kill me.' Jericho walked backwards down the corridor, gazing
longingly at Holly as she calmly stood leaning against her door, waving him
goodbye.  Reluctantly he tore his eyes away, and left the flat to go and
find a morning coffee from somewhere.  As he queued at the library cafÃ(C)
his phone buzzed, and he smiled as he opened a photo of Holly lounging back
in the comfort of her bed, one hand dropped suggestively between her
thighs. 'Thinking of you' was the only message.  Safe to say he didn't take
much in during his lecture, his mind was elsewhere.

   *****

   A few days later and Holly and Jericho burst out from under her duvet,
panting and coated in sweat.  He reached over for a bottle of water on the
bed side table, took a long swig and then passed it on as he collapsed
exhausted onto the pillow.

   'That was incredible.' Holly was too out of breath to reply but gave an
agreeable thumbs up as she drank, and Jericho reached over and playfully
high fived her.  The two had returned from another art class an hour
earlier, and headed straight for Holly's room.  She'd been attending every
week and Jericho had done his best to make it when he could, and was making
decent progress which pleased them both.  Their flat had another night out
on the town planned, and so they'd decided to fit in a little evening sex
before the pre-drinking began.

   'I don't think I can go out anymore, I'm not sure I can walk.' Holly
gazed vacantly at the ceiling, hands resting on her chest, as Jericho leant
over to check his phone.

   'We should probably get up soon, they'll be looking for us in a bit.'

   'I don't want to...' Holly groaned and rolled over to stuff her face
into his side, sighing heavily.  They both jumped slightly when there was a
loud knock at the door.  'Speak of the devil...  Who is it?'

   'Jessica,' came the muffled reply.  'Can I come in?'

   'Oh god.' Holly lumbered to her feet, then looked down at her naked body
and reached over to pull the duvet off the bed.

   'Umm, hello?' Now it was Jericho's turn to be exposed, and he covered
himself with his hands as he looked up questioningly.  'You know I'm still
here right?'

   'It's my bed not yours, get your own sheets.' Holly smiled pleasantly
and shuffled towards the door, casually holding covers in front of her
breasts.  With her hair still wild and frazzled, and her cheeks red and
flushed, it was quite the getup.  'Hi.' She opened the door and leant
against the wall as Jessica raised her eyebrows at her friend's appearance.

   'Oh, hi.  Sorry, am I interrupting anything?'

   'No, no.' Holly just smiled again.

   'Where you...'

   'Yes.'

   'Oh right, sorry!  Just quickly then, can I still borrow that pair of
heels for tonight?'

   'Oh yeah sure, of course.'

   'I can come back if-'

   'Nah don't worry, I left them out.' Without any hesitation Holly turned
around and trudged back into her room, dragging her duvet with her again.
However, as she only held it loosely over her front Jessica was surprised
to be treated to a view of her naked back and butt.  She felt rude for
staring but didn't look away, surprised by her flatmate's confidence. 
Jericho glared at Holly as she smirked down at him, cowering in the far
corner of the bed which was out of sight from Jessica waiting by the hall.
'It was the red ones right?' Holly turned away from him and picked up the
shoes from a box beneath her desk, then returned to Jessica.

   'Yeah great.  Ah they're so pretty, thanks!' Jessica gratefully took
them and twiddled with the buckles.

   'You're welcome.'

   'I'll ah, leave you to it.  See you in the kitchen in a bit?' She
smirked coyly at Holly, who chuckled.

   'Haha yeah sure, I'll be through in a second.'

   'Oh last thing, do you know where Jerry is, he's not in his room?'

   'No sorry, maybe a lecture?'

   'Ok no worries, sure he'll rock up soon.  See you in a minute, and
thanks again I love these so much!'

   'Finally...' Muttered Jericho as the door eventually slammed shut and he
could relax once more.  Holly chucked the duvet over him and then playfully
jumped on top, pinning him underneath.

   'Aww were you scared of getting caught, Jay?  Scared of Jessica walking
in and seeing you with your little Jericho out in the open?'

   'I think one exhibitionist is enough in this relationship, don't you?'
Jericho managed to break free from her grasp and rolled her onto her back,
pinning her arms down by the sides of her head.

   'Oh it's a relationship now is it?  What does that make me then?' Holly
pouted up as he straddled her.

   'Nice try, friend and friend only,' Jericho teased, shifting up so that
he could drag his quickly hardening dick over her boobs.

   Holly shook her head, laughing.  'Do you let all your friends do this?'
She tilted her head forward and just managed to take him in her mouth,
slowly rolling her tongue over his tip as he popped back out.

   'Only the ones I'm really close too.  Come on, Jessica thinks you're
busy touching yourself right now, so if we're quick we've got time for
round two.'

   'Ambitious, but god loves a tryer.' Holly leant forward again, and got
to work.

   *****

   'I'll be honest, the rum has gone straight to my head.' Serena was
already pretty drunk, as were most of the flat's kitchen.  The drinks were
flowing, the music blaring, and spirits were high.  The rugby player was
chatting in the corner with Holly and Jessica as they waited for their
taxis to the club to arrive.

   'Oh thank god same, I was worried I was the only one feeling this gone.'
Holly was also feeling very wavey, but in a great kind of way.  'Oh look,
they're here.  Where are the boys?' Her phone indicated that their rides
where outside, and as the ten or so of their group filtered out into the
hall the girls weaved through to intercept Jericho and Diego.

   'You guys ready?' Jessica linked arms with Diego and the five of them
headed out of the flat.

   'Hell yeah,' replied Diego.  'Damn Holly, don't you need a coat?'

   'No?' Holly knew that she probably should be wearing one, her outfit for
the night definitely wasn't the warmest.  Encouraged by the alcohol she had
elected for a dark fishnet style mesh top, which was completely see
through, thereby revealing a plain black bra underneath.  She'd paired it
with a very short pleated skirt, with boy shorts beneath, and chunky white
trainers to complete the look.  Most of the other girls were in more
conventional dresses and heels, but she knew she'd be the one getting most
of the attention both here and at the nightclub.

   'Ok, just thought you might get cold.' Now outside they all crammed into
the taxis and set off into the dark.  It was a busy night in town and the
club was bouncing by the time they arrived.  They all headed straight to
the bar where Diego bought the first round of shots, then onto the
dancefloor they flooded.  Jericho was having a great time, completely
wasted but having a ball as he drunkenly danced with his equally inebriated
friends.  The music was great, their choreography was chaotic but
enthusiastic, and everyone was in the zone.  Round after round kept being
purchased and soon Jericho began to lose track of where everyone else was.
After a trip to the restroom he reappeared into the packed smoking area and
looked around to see if he could recognise anyone.  His search was
interrupted by a hand grabbing his arm, and he turned to see Holly smiling
up at him.  She dragged him down to her level for a long kiss, then took
his hand and led him off back into the main building.

   They climbed a flight of stairs until they were in a quieter side room
which was playing classic disco.  There were a group of sofas in one corner
and Holly pulled him onto them, jumping into his lap and then resuming
their make out session.  Jericho lost all sense of time and space as he
explored her mouth, massaging her butt and thighs through her thin skirt as
they grinded against each other.  His hands soon wandered up to play with
her hair, and then down again to cup her boobs.  This seemed to please her,
and she broke off to bite her lip and then take a quick look around.  There
were no bouncers in this room, just a DJ at the side busy working the
decks, and everyone else sitting around them was either passed out or also
locked onto the mouth of someone else.  Happy that the coast was clear
enough, Holly reached behind her back and unsnapped her bra, then pulled it
down and out under her top, before stuffing it down the side of the sofa.

   'It's just a cheap one.' Her nipples were now fully out and poking
through the holes of her top, which now might as well have been completely
invisible.

   'Oh damn.' Jericho was too drunk to be shocked, he was just incredibly
horny, and leant forward to nuzzle her cleavage.  Holly threw her head back
in delight, then went back in for another snog.  Their kissing and hip
shifting became increasingly aggressive and purposeful, and Holly decided
they should get back to the bar before they did something that would get
them kicked out.  As they headed back to the dancefloor Holly got a couple
of confused looks from passers-by, but with the dark corridors and blinding
strobe lights it was quite difficult to tell if the girl who'd just passed
you did have her tits out or not.  They managed to order their drinks
without any issues, then once again they rammed their way through the
bustling dancefloor to try and find a pocket of space.

   'You're crazy, you know?' Shouted Jericho over the noise, and Holly
simply beamed.  They danced together, a blur of uncoordinated limbs as they
completely forgot about bothering to find out where the others were.  It
was getting to that late point of the night where people were mainly
focused on trying to get off with each other, or find someone to go home
with, and Holly and Jericho weren't being left out of the debauchery.  It
was more dirty dancing by this point, with Holly bent over with her butt
pushed into Jericho's crotch, who pushed back and grabbed at her from
behind.  Holly was so lost in the moment she let herself lift her shirt up
to her neck as she groped at her breasts and played with her hair.  She
then reached behind her and ever so slowly reached under her skirt to pull
down her shorts, until they were loose enough to fall down to her ankles.
She stepped out of them and moaned as she felt Jericho reach down and cop a
feel, toying at her with his fingers right there in the middle of the club.
She spun round and embraced him, grabbing one hand and guiding him down
between her legs so he could sense just how turned on she was.

   'Oh my god guys, where the fuck were you?' Suddenly Jessica burst
towards them, and embraced the pair in a hug.  Then it seemed as if her
brain caught up with what her eyes had just seen and she gasped in shock,
then pointed accusingly.  'You were kissing her!  You were kissing, I saw
you!'

   Holly groaned.  'Jess, hang on-'

   Jessica wasn't going to be stopped.  'You were, oh my god!  I mean I
never saw this coming, sure you guys are tight but I thought you were just
friends-'

   'Jess-'

   'Guys this always end badly, never mess around with your flatmate that's
like rule number one-'

   'Jessica-'

   'Eww eww eww, I expected better from both of you, and oh!  Titties.'
She'd finally noticed Holly's lack of a bra, and was briefly lost for
words. Jericho took the distraction to at last get a word in.

   'Jess, where are the others?'

   Jessica regained her composure.  'Yes, that's why I'm here you idiots.
Do you not check your phones?  The others are gone, it's nearly four in the
morning for fucks sake.  I just stayed because I didn't want to leave you
two.' Not having realised it was so late, Holly and Jericho apologised and
agreed to head back.  The queue for the cloakroom was slightly nerve
wracking as they waited for a bouncer to come over and notice Holly's
inappropriate attire, but she kept her arms folded over her chest and even
refused Jericho's coat when he offered it.  They managed to immediately
flag down a cab and they were soon on the road back to campus, somehow
escaping without incident.  Jessica immediately fell asleep against Holly's
shoulder, who was sitting across from Jericho.  When she noticed this she
grinned and hiked up her skirt to her waist for a few seconds, letting
Jericho see everything before the driver might notice.  Jericho pulled out
his phone and took a picture.

   'Awake sleepy, we're here.' Twenty minutes later the trio stumbled out
and headed back to the flat, arm in arm.  It was deserted as they walked
through the accommodation block and so Holly stopped covering up, instead
walking confidently up the stairs, chest thrust out.  As they entered their
corridor she took the lead and strode ahead.  'I don't know about you two
but I'm still wide awake.'

   'You're on your own there mate.' Jessica muttered sleepily, trying to
work out which pocket had her door key.

   'I do feel very sticky though, I think someone spilled some sambuca on
me.'

   Oh no, thought Jericho as he watched Holly kick off her trainers as she
walked, then stoop to pull off her socks.  I know where this is going...

   'In fact seeing as it's nice and quiet, I might take a shower before
bed.' Holly's hands then moved to the hem of her top, and Jessica looked
up, confused.

   'You what...  woah.' She fell silent as she watched her friend pull her
top up over her head and casually drop it onto the carpeted floor, and her
eyes threatened to pop out of her skull as Holly undid the zip on the side
of her skirt and let it drop straight off her hips.

   'Anyone joining me?' Holly looked seductively over her shoulder before
pushing open the bathroom door and slipping inside.  Jessica turned to look
at Jericho, her mouth literally hanging open in surprise.

   'Am I very, very drunk...  or did she actually just do that?'

   Jericho walked forwards and scooped up the discarded clothing, tucking
it under an arm.  'No, unless we're both imagining the same think, I think
that was real.'

   'What the fuck is she on?' Jessica passed him and entered the bathroom
too, holding open the door as Jericho followed.  Inside they found Holly
already standing under a flow of water, testing the temperature with her
fingers, the door of her cubicle still wide open.  'Holls, hun, aren't you
forgetting something?'

   'What do you mean?  So guys, anyone else taking a shower?  They're all
free.' Holly had found some communal shower gel and was lathering it over
her front.

   'Holly, you're naked!' Jessica stared unbelievingly at the scene
unfolding before her.

   'Well of course silly, how do you take your showers?  Fully clothed?'
The idea amused Holly, and she jumped out towards them, her now damp skin
and soaked hair dripping water over the floor.  Jessica screamed and dodged
out of the way but Jericho wasn't so quick, and Holly grabbed him in a wet
bear hug.  'Come on then, in you get.' She pulled him back with her and
Jericho stumbled as he dropped her clothes, then complained as he was
dragged into the cubicle.

   'Urgh why me, now I'm soaked too.'

   Holly laughed and shoved him fully under the shower head, then turned to
face Jessica.  'You next Jess, come on!'

   'Aha absolutely not,' said Jessica, backing away with a bemused smile.
'I am going straight to bed, to try and forget whatever the fuck..  this
is.' She gestured vaguely at the pair.  'You love birds have your fun. 
Jerry, make sure she gets back to her room in one piece.' With that she
left, and Holly rolled her eyes.

   'What a kill joy, honestly.  Who wouldn't want to join us two in
here...' She kissed Jericho then reached down to unbuckle his belt.  'You
know what, I kind of like you wearing those wet clothes, it's almost even
sexier than wearing nothing at all...'

   'Oh yeah?' Jericho kissed her back and ran his hands over her body,
blinking away the hot water in his eyes.  'Is this the same one where we
first...'

   'Oh yes.' Holly fished out his dick and sank to her knees.  'I'm getting
some serious dÃ(C)jà vu right now.'

   'Fine by me.' Jericho reached over and started to pull the stall door
shut, but Holly put a hand on his thigh to stop him.

   'Not tonight.  Tonight can we keep it open?'

   Fuck me, thought Jericho, she really is mad.  What if someone comes in
and sees this, how the hell do we live that down?  He knew she loved that
very risk though, and the mad thing was that it was beginning to rub off on
him.  He pushed the door back open wide.

   'Of course we can.'



   Chapter Six -- Revenge

   'Of course we can.'

   Half an hour later and the pair stumbled out of the bathroom dripping
water everywhere as they went.  Jericho had tucked himself back into his
sodden clothing and was wiping the drips from his eyes, whilst Holly strode
carefree down the hall still au naturel, her discarded clothes bundled
under an arm.

   'Holls, your room is this way.' Jericho watched as she walked off in the
wrong direction, towards the communal kitchen.

   'I'm thirsty, come on.' She walked through the door and Jericho
followed. He was still pretty drunk but the shock of being dragged into the
shower had knocked some sense back into him, and so he could acknowledge
that what they were doing was a very bad idea.  Inside Holly went straight
to the fridge and found a carton of orange juice which she began chugging,
leaning unabashedly against the counter.  'Damn this metal is cold.'

   Jericho laughed as he poured out a glass of water at the sink.  'You not
freezing yet?  You're still soaked.'

   'No...  it feels nice actually,' Holly jumped up and sat back on the
countertop, her eyes widening slightly as her legs hit the cool surface. 
'Kind of refreshing.'

   Jericho walked over and she widened her legs to welcome him in, letting
him caress her thighs as he leant into her body, before tucking her hair
behind her ears and giving her a kiss.

   'You taste of oranges.'

   'Surprise surprise.'

   'Ready for bed yet?'

   'Urgh I don't know, I still have this crazy energy.  The club, then the
hall and the shower, it's addicting.  I just don't want it to end...' Her
fingers once again drifted down to his trousers.

   'And yet,' said Jericho, gently reaching down and taking her hands away
from their target, 'end it must.  Come on, you've already scarred Jess for
life tonight, I think we should cut our losses before anyone else comes.'

   'But wouldn't it be hot,' this time Holly reacted by bringing one of
Jericho's fingers into her mouth and giving it a long seductive suck.  'to
do it here in the kitchen as well?  Then we've only got the corridor and
the laundry room to conquer...'

   'I think that's the alcohol talking...'

   'Or is it your subconscious just absolutely loving the idea...' Now
Holly grabbed his hands and pressed them onto her breasts, rubbing them as
she looked up and gazed into his eyes.

   'God you're impossible...' Jericho was so nearly convinced but one crazy
risky fuck was enough for him, at least for that night.  Holly might not be
phased about getting caught in the act but he wasn't as gung-ho, and the
idea of someone else coming in for a late night snack filled him with
dread. So instead he leant forwards and grabbed Holly around the waist,
hugging her tight as he then swung her up over his shoulder which pushed
her butt into the air.

   'Oh my god Jay, put me down.' Holly playfully wrestled and kicked her
legs in protest as she was carried upside down back out into the hall. 
'This is so unfair, just because you're bigger than me.'

   'Hush now.' Jericho gave her a cheeky slap on the arse as he fished for
his keys, then unlocked his door and carefully eased Holly back down onto
her feet.  He turned to his closet and chucked her a towel as the two
finally began to dry off after their trip to the bathroom.  Holly quickly
threw hers to the ground and leapt into bed, and Jericho soon finished
stripping off his clothes and jumped in with her.

   'Oh wow.' Holly looked down and giggled.  'The water must have been
cold, bless you.'

   'What?' Jericho scoffed indignantly.  'I mean yeah, I'm freezing, don't
make me feel bad.'

   Holly snorted and pecked his blushing cheeks with her lips.  'Don't
worry big boy, I can cure a little shrinkage.' With that she theatrically
threw up the covers into the air and disappeared beneath them, still
laughing to herself as she bent down and tenderly took Jericho in his
entirety straight into her mouth.  Safe to say her methods proved effective
and he was soon back to full fighting strength, ready for another
exhausting round two which sent them both into a deep sleep the moment it
was over.

   *****

   Thankfully the next morning was a Saturday and the two lovers slept in
late until Holly was woken by a splitting headache.

   'Jesus...' She rolled over to find that her water bottle was empty and
groaned.  Jericho was still passed out next to her and she tugged down the
duvet to reveal his bare arse to see if that elicited a response.  It did
not, so she gave his butt an appreciative squeeze then got up and went
through his closet until she found a hoodie that was long enough to cover
her up.  She pulled it on and peered out the door to check that no one was
about, then wandered down to the kitchen.  Inside she found Diego and
Jessica, both dressed in casual nightwear and also looking a bit fragile.

   'Morning guys.'

   'Holly it's half past one.' Diego smiled as he sipped from his mug of
coffee, but Jessica just glanced up at Holly then looked away again
quickly. 'You feeling rough too?'

   'Just a little...' Holly went over to the fridge and took out a bottle
of water, chugging half of it before she turned back towards the other two.
Suddenly she was hit with an intense flashback, a vivid image of her
sitting on the very counter that Diego was currently leaning on, dragging
Jericho towards her, trying to get him undressed...

   'Holly?' She was jolted back into reality by her flatmate's voice.

   'Sorry?' She had no idea what he'd been saying, her brain had not
started working yet.

   'I was saying what happened to you guys last night?  We thought you left
early, we couldn't find you.'

   'Oh right.  No we were still there but we must have lost you.  Jess came
to find us though, luckily, I don't know how long we'd have stayed
otherwise.'

   Jessica wasn't engaging in the conversation and she ignored the mention
of her name as she poured out a fresh cup of tea, before excusing herself
as she quietly left the room.

   'She ok?' Holly asked as the door clicked shut, putting two slices of
bread into the toaster.

   'Yeah?' Diego moved over to sit down at the table.  'Seemed fine to me.
So you got a taxi back with her, and Jerry?'

   'Yep.' As Holly made herself some breakfast they chatted about their
night out, laughing as they jogged each other's memories about the drunken
messes they'd all been.  'What happened to that girl you were making out
with, anything going on there?'

   'No,' Diego stretched his arms over his head.  'She disappeared at some
point, and to be honest by then I was struggling to see clearly.'

   'Haha, fair enough.  Can I use some of your peanut butter by the way,
I'm out?'

   'Sure, top shelf.  And what about you Holly, is that a guy's jumper I
see?  Did you hook up with someone?'

   Shit, thought Holly, I'll have to tell Jay not to wear this one anymore,
Diego might recognise it and put two and two together.

   'God no, this is from home, from an old boyfriend.  Guys' hoodies make
the comfiest pyjamas you know.' She texted Jericho as she spoke, to see if
he was awake yet.

   'Ah nothing exciting then, disappointing.'

   'Afraid not.' There was no response to her message so Holly instead
decided to go and see Jessica, to try and sort some of the awkwardness that
seemed to have come between them.  'What are you doing for the rest of the
day?'

   'I might try and go to the gym in a bit actually.'

   'What?  You're crazy, I'd die.' Holly picked up her plate and headed to
the door.  'Good luck, try not to throw up everywhere.  See you later!'

   She walked down the corridor to Jessica's room and knocked loudly,
wincing immediately at the sound as she did so.

   'Yes?'

   'It's Holly, can I come in?' There was a pause.

   'Sure.  It's open.'

   Jessica was tucked up in bed with her laptop on her knees.

   'What you doing?'

   'Just some tv.'

   'Cool.' Holly awkwardly lowered herself onto the end of the bed, trying
carefully not to flash Jessica as her jumper rode up her leg.  'How's the
hangover?'

   'Not too bad actually, but overall I feel a bit dead.' Jessica yawned
and wiped her eyes.  'I didn't have a crazy amount to drink, but I didn't
sleep well either.'

   'No?'

   'Nah.  You?'

   Holly took a bite of toast and pulled a face.  'Yeah I've felt better.
Maybe had a few too many shots, in hindsight.'

   'Yeah.'

   'Mmm.' An uncomfortable silence descended as Jessica pretended to check
something on her phone, and Holly just sat looking at the floor.

   'So...' Shit, Holly thought, I'll just go for it.  'Last night...'

   'You don't have to-'

   'No but I should-'

   'I actually don't think I want to know-'

   'But you're being really weird-'

   'I'm being weird?' At this Jessica finally sat up and shoved her laptop
to the side so she could look accusingly at her friend.  'Have you
forgotten what you were doing last night?  And I'm the weird one?'

   'No ok I'm sorry, I meant-'

   'I mean what the fuck Holly?  How wasted were you?'

   'Well, very, but-'

   'I mean the stuff at the club was weird, but ok, it's university right,
you're meant to do some crazy stuff on nights out.  But then in the
corridor, then the shower?  Are you insane?'

   'Jess can I just explain?  Please?'

   'Go on then.  Explain.' Jessica folded her arms and raised her eyebrows
expectantly.

   'So,' Holly opened her mouth and realised she had no idea what to say.
'Umm...' She completely dried up.

   'Great.' Jessica just tutted disgustedly and looked away, scowling with
frustration.  'You should just go.'

   'Jess, I...'

   'What?'

   Holly looked pleadingly at her friend but again her mind went blank and
she froze.  How on earth do you even begin to justify last night's display,
without any context?  She'd never had to try and defend herself like this,
Jericho had found out about her but on her own terms, but this was new and
unpleasant.  'I...  I'll go.' Silently she got up and left, her cheeks
burning with shame and self-loathing.

   *****

   An hour later and Jessica was once again irritated by a knock on the
door.

   'What?'

   'Cleaning,' was the muffled reply.

   'Not now,' she muttered under her breath as she got up to open the door.
'Oh.'

   Standing in the hall was a smiling Jericho, holding out a half-eaten
packet of cookies.  'I come bearing gifts.'

   Jessica eyed him up wearily but then reached over and took one,
gesturing for him to come in.  'Your turn to come and talk to me now?'

   'Oh yes.' They both slumped onto the bed and sat next to each other,
shoulder to shoulder.  Jericho had been woken up by a tearful Holly
bursting into his room, complaining that Jessica had been acting strangely
with her and that she didn't know how to fix it.  After consoling her he
decided to play peacemaker between the two girls, and see what the real
issue was.

   'So, are you ok?' He reached over and squeezed Jessica's leg, who
immediately began to vent.

   'I'm annoyed, actually.  At both of you two, you've pissed me off as
well.'

   'Ok.'

   'I mean what was last night Jay, what the hell?'

   'Yeah I know.'

   'Has she done that sort of thing before?'

   'Honestly?  Yes.  But nothing that extreme, or with people watching,
that was a surprise for me too.'

   'So what is she, some sort of flasher, thrill seeker?'

   Jericho sighed and started on another cookie.  'Closet exhibitionist
maybe?  Adrenaline junky, I don't know.'

   Jessica turned to face him.  'So when did it start for you?  How long
have you known?'

   'Well, it was a few weeks ago and I was having a shower...' For the next
twenty minutes Jericho recounted the series of events that had lead up to
the previous evening, describing every time Holly had exhibited herself,
explaining the history between her and Charlie back at home, and finally
what had happened in the kitchen after Jessica had gone to bed.  Other than
some of the more detailed aspects of their sex life he was completely
truthful and exhaustive with his story, and Jessica listened with an
increasing sense of disbelief, her mouth falling open a bit more with every
passing second.  'And so I finally managed to get her to leave the kitchen,
luckily no one saw us walk back up the corridor, and then that brings us to
this morning.  That's everything I think.'

   'Jesus Jerry, and I thought Serena's stuff was daring...  I'm actually
lost for words.'

   Jericho chuckled.  'Tell me about it, I feel like I've been in some sort
of crazy dream ever since I met her.'

   Jessica laughed too, incredulously, staring up at the ceiling.

   'Dream or fantasy?'

   'Good point, I can't lie I've never met anyone as insane as her before,
but no one who gets me as turned on either.'

   'Gross.'

   'Shut it.'

   'I'm still not happy though.  The crazy naked stuff, ok that's Holly's
business, it's not for me but I don't judge it too much.  But you two and
me, we've kind of been a little group since we got here you know?  You're
my best friends at uni, and knowing that you've been hooking up all this
time behind my back?  Obviously it's nothing to do with me necessarily, but
all the hiding and lying just makes me feel a bit stupid honestly.'

   'No, I know.'

   'And then last night all I could think about was you two in bed together
whilst I was just here feeling like shit, like I was just always going to
be the third wheel from now on.'

   'Aww Jess,' Jericho put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug.
'I'm really sorry we weren't honest with you, and I'm sorry Holly let you
find out about us in such an unexpected extreme way.  We should have been
more truthful but I guess all the sneakiness was part of the excitement for
us, and we got carried away.  You'll never be a third wheel though, never
ever, I really don't want you to think this changes anything between us.'

   Jessica sniffled.  'Really?'

   'Really, I promise.  What can we do to make it up for you?'

   *****

   'So Jerry has agreed to do my bin rota for this week.' Jessica was
lecturing Holly and Jericho who sat on her bed, looking up at her as she
pointed at them.  After Jericho and Jessica had made their piece Holly had
returned to apologise as well, and now everything seemed to be sorted out.
However the trio had decided that punishments were in order to even things
up.  'Holly I want you to do all my laundry, those two bags in the corner.
And lastly the pair of you will be paying for a takeaway for tonight, which
we shall eat together as a reminder for you to always make time to enjoy
with your best friend Jess.'

   Holly groaned.  'God fine, if that's what it takes for your
forgiveness.'

   Jericho nodded.  'Your terms are acceptable.'

   Jessica beamed.  'Great, well in that case I think I need to work up an
appetite.  I've not got out of bed yet so I might to go the sports center,
I think a swim will help wake me up a bit.  You want to come Holly?'

   There were few things Holly would rather not do, the idea of exercise in
her current state immediately made her feel queasy.  However she was still
feeling indebted to Jessica and her guilty conscience made her
unenthusiastically nod her head.

   'Yeah of course, good idea.  When, now?'

   Jessica looked at her phone.  'It shuts earlier at the weekend right? 
Say we go in ten minutes, then we'll have a decent time to swim before they
kick us out?'

   'No problem.' Holly gave a tired smile and got up.  'I'll go and get
changed.'

   *****

   Jericho watched from his window as Holly shuffled along the path leading
away from their accommodation block, catching up to Jessica as the pair
disappeared round the bend on their way to the gym complex.

   The woman's locker room was pretty busy when they arrived but they
managed to find a corner with a couple of lockers free, and there they
started to unpack.  Jessica was a regular visitor to the pool whereas Holly
was much more of a gym goer, and this was only her second time going for a
swim.  Both girls had won their one piece costumes under their clothes for
convenience, so they quickly disrobed and packed their things away.  The
center made you bring your own padlocks for the lockers and they both used
small combination ones, so as Holly clicked hers shut Jessica made sure to
secretly glance over and remember the four digit code.  There were three
exits to the changing room, one to the lobby, one upstairs to the main gym
and then the one they walked through, leading to the swimming pool.

   Why am I here, thought Holly, as she gingerly lowered herself down the
ladder and into the water, flinching at the cold.

   'Hurry up, we've not got long.' Jessica got in after her and immediately
launched off into a powerful front crawl, leaving the bemused Holly in her
wake.  As Jessica swam lap after lap, scything confidently through the
water, Holly mainly floated around in the shallow end, trying her best to
stay out of everyone's way.  She eventually gave up entirely and just held
onto the side of the pool, treading water and wishing she could be back in
bed as she watched the clock on the side tick along.  Mercifully it wasn't
long until the lifeguard announced that the center would be closing soon
and they had to leave.  Holly was first up the ladder as Jessica and a
handful of other swimmers filed back behind her towards the changing room.
By now it was quickly emptying as people headed home, and the pair went to
their lockers to get out their towels and toiletries, before heading to the
showers.  They weren't the traditional group ones out in the open, but
instead were like the ones in their flat, individual cubicles with curtains
in front.  A few of them were in use and Jessica slipped inside one of the
free ones, with Holly going into one a couple further down.

   'See you in a sec.' Jessica pulled the curtain shut and immediately took
off her costume, not even bothering to turn on the hot water.  She quickly
dried herself off and walked back out, checking to make sure she could see
steam pouring out of Holly's stall.  She nipped back to her locker and
quickly pulled on her underwear under the towel, then tugged on her
outerwear before shoving the rest of her stuff into her bag.  The tannoy
blared from the ceiling, announcing that the center would shut in five
minutes, and Jessica looked back to see that only Holly was left in the
shower area, with everyone else now wrapped in towels returning to their
bags.  Jessica moved across and fiddled at Holly's lock and soon had it
undone, emptying out that locker too then walking across the room to finish
off the last part of the plan.  Finally she then waited fiddling on her
phone as a few more people left the room, until with only a couple
remaining she decided that now was the time to put her and Jericho's plan
into action.  Moving swiftly she went back to the showers and stood outside
Holly's cubicle, with her bag ready in her hand.  In order to keep them out
of the spray Holly's towel and discarded swimsuit were draped over the
metal bar that the curtain hung from, and with a final check behind her
Jessica reached up and yanked them away, stuffing them into the rucksack.

   'What the- Jess?' Holly's head appeared round the side of the curtain.
'Umm, what are you doing?'

   'Sorry?' Jessica swung both the bags over her shoulders and stood there
smirking mischievously.

   'You've stolen my towel...' Holly looked back into the locker room and
was alarmed to see that they were still not alone.  'And I'm assuming my
clothes are in my bag too?'

   'Correct.'

   'Jess what the hell!' Holly looked down at her body hidden behind an
incredibly thin piece of plastic material and gestured exasperatedly at her
friend.  'Can I have them back?'

   'God no,' Jessica checked her phone.  'But this place does officially
close in three minutes so you might want to think about finishing up that
shower soonish.  Bye!' She turned to go but Holly hissed at her.

   'Jess stop!  You can't leave me like this, come on please!  Why are you
doing this?'

   'I lied, you don't need to do my laundry.  This is your punishment
instead.  Surprise!'

   'Jess I can't go out like this you idiot, I don't have anything to wear!
Jay only has to do the bins but you do this to me, is that not a bit
extreme?'

   'Oh don't worry, I'm not that cruel.  I've left you a towel, but you'll
have to get it yourself.  And then going to reception to beg for some
clothes will be embarrassing but let's not pretend you won't secretly love
it.'

   'Jess listen seriously no-'

   'See you later, looking forward to hearing how it goes!'

   'Jess!' But her cries were in vain as Jessica turned on her heels and
strode away from her, blowing a goodbye kiss as she went.  Fuck fuck fuck
thought Holly, this was bad, really bad.  Had this been the plan all along,
the only reason Jessica wanted to go swimming?  Damn that girl was cunning,
and surprisingly evil.  At least she'd left her something to put on though,
the only question was how to get to it...  Holly couldn't see much from her
stall so she held the curtain over her chest and cautiously stepped slowly
out into the open, peering round to try and see if anyone was still about.

   'No...  no, no.' To her dismay there were still two students left, the
nearest of which was a tall girl who was somehow still slowly packing her
things into her bag, nodding her head in time to the music that was
presumably playing through her headphones.  The only redeeming factor was
that she was on the opposite side of the room to the row of lockers which
contained Holly's source of escape.  The second girl was tying her
shoelaces as she sat on one of the benches, frustratingly the one right
next to where Holly needed to go.  There would be no way of getting past
both of them without being seen, so she would just have to wait until they
were gone.  Holly stepped back into the warmth of the shower, satisfied
with her idea.  Two seconds later it was ruined as the tannoy came back on,
announcing that the center was now closed.  No sooner was the message over
than the door from the foyer opened and in came a cleaner, pushing her cart
in front of her.

   'You in the shower, time to leave please, I'll be back in a moment to
lock up.  You two as well, thank you.' Her voice carried a hint of
irritation and Holly grimaced as she tiptoed to watch her walk back out.

   'Come on come on, go.' Finally the shoe tying girl was finished and she
stood up to leave, walking away from the showers towards the exit.  Holly
decided that this was her only chance.  Tall girl was still lost in a world
of her own, messaging someone on her phone as she continued to vibe out to
her playlist.  If Holly was quick she should be able to creep out, sneak
behind her and get to the locker, hopefully getting her towel out before
the cleaner came back.  Once she was covered up then she could worry about
getting home safely.  She decided to commit to the plan before she could
talk herself out of it, so as she watched shoe girl push open the door she
turned off the shower and timidly pulled the curtain aside, absentmindedly
holding one boob with her hand as she waited to pounce.  The moment the
door swung shut she stepped out into the open and slowly walked towards her
locker, keeping her eyes on the back of tall girl, praying that she
wouldn't suddenly turn around.  Her target was in the far corner of the
room and she had made it halfway across when suddenly the door to the lobby
was shoved back open and shoe girl re-entered the room.  Holly's eyes
snaped to hers and the pair stared at each other, both momentarily frozen
in time.  Holly's mind ran through a million thoughts in that split second
as the shock sent her body into overdrive, her flight or fight response
sending adrenaline shooting through her limbs.  Her instinct of course was
to cover up and run, but where too?  She needed that towel whatever
happened, and showing her embarrassment would only be an admission that
what she was doing was shameful.  It was a locker room after all, it's
designed for people to get undressed in, so technically she wasn't doing
anything wrong?

   So in the end Holly managed somehow to maintain a straight face and just
glanced briefly at the intruder before continuing to walk past her with her
arms by her sides, forcing herself to step slowly and naturally as if
nothing was out of the ordinary.  Of course you usually see the odd bit of
flesh whilst people are getting changed at the gym, but no one would ever
dream of walking round the room completely nude, and soaking wet to make
things worse.  The experience of being the only one naked in a room with
two other fully dressed strangers was unbelievable, she felt incredibly
vulnerable but was trying her best to appear confident and calm.  Finally
she reached the locker and she reached out anxiously to dial in the code.

   'Oh you bitch...' She screwed her eyes shut and cursed under her breath
as she realised that Jessica hadn't just been wicked, she'd been downright
twisted.  Instead of finding her own blue padlock Holly discovered that it
was actually Jessica's black one that was now in her way.  'How the hell am
I meant to know this?' She started to desperately fiddle with the dials,
trying likely combinations.  One two three four?  No.  Four three two one?
No...  Randomly shake the lock to try and get lucky?  Still no...  Holly
looked over her shoulder and saw shoe girl walking back towards her, having
retrieved whatever item it was she'd left behind the first time.  Holly
hung her head and cowered slightly as she turned back and hunched towards
the locker, wishing the ground would swallow her up as the woman passed
behind her.  Once again the door shut and Holly straightened again, now
really beginning to panic.  Nineteen ninety seven, the year Jess was born?
Shit, no...  What was her birthday, maybe it was the day and the month
instead?  She had no idea.  Well that was it then, she was done for.  She'd
have to go and plead with the cleaner when she came back and hope she was
kind.  Or maybe she should just make a break for it instead, tear off one
of the shower curtains and flee.  Hold on....  one one one one?  Surely
not...

   The lock immediately clicked open.  Jess you moron, thought Holly,
seething at this point, what cretin uses such an easy to crack code?  Thank
god she did though, and Holly was filled with relief as she opened the
small door.

   'You've got to be kidding me...' Inside there was no towel, but there
was a scrap of paper.  On it, scrawled in biro, was a simple message: check
door twenty seven.  There was a smiley face drawn at the bottom too, to add
insult to injury.  Holly screwed up the note in frustration and looked up
and down the lockers, searching for the door with that number.  All the
ones on this side were too high, and so it was with a sinking feeling that
Holly slowly turned around, hands clasped nervously on her chest, and saw
that sure enough, twenty seven was on the other side.  On the other side,
and more specifically in front of the tall girl, who had her bag on now but
was still finishing a message on her phone.  Well, Holly concluded, I
should have known everyone would see me in the end.  Honestly though what
were the chances, even Jessica couldn't have planned out this latest twist
that perfectly.  For the second time Holly made herself drop her arms and
loosen her stance as she walked across the slippery floor of the changing
room.

   'Excuse me.' She stood to the side of the oblivious student, who clearly
couldn't hear her.  'Hey.' She poked her gently on the arm and the girl
jumped slightly, turning to see who was there as she pulled off her
headphones.

   'Sorry I didn't...  woah.' Her mouth fell open as her eyes settled on
the unexpected vision that stood before her, smiling faintly up at her as
she continued to gently drip water onto the floor.

   'Could I just get to that locker for a second?' Holly pointed helpfully
at number twenty seven as she shook gently, ignoring her brain which was
screaming at her to cover up.

   'Sorry yeah, of course...' The bemused girl picked up her stuff and
finally decided to head off home, and as she walked past Holly she glanced
back at the naked rear of this shockingly uninhibited swimmer.  Holly's
cheeks were burning profusely by this point and she didn't move a muscle
until she heard the door slam shut and she knew she was finally alone. 
Well, that had been completely humiliating but she thought she had managed
to play it off pretty well, and now she could finally cover up.  Opening
the unguarded locker she half expected to see another note, but she was
rewarded with the glorious site of a neatly folded fluffy white towel.

   'Yes...' She picked it up and eagerly held it out to wrap around her,
but her expression soon turned to horror as she realised what Jessica's
last trick was.  In the middle of the towel was a huge hole, meaning almost
ninety percent of the material was missing.  It was utterly useless, only
the thin outer square border remained and how on earth was anyone meant to
cover themselves with that?  The colour drained from her face and she
suddenly felt very cold as she realised this was it, she really had no way
out.  At least before she could justify her bare body because she was a
woman getting changed in a locker room but now?  Now she was just a naked
girl walking around looking for some clothes.  Holly put down the towel and
placed it back in its locker, gently shutting the door as she shook her
head in bewilderment.  Muffled voices became audible from the corridor
outside and Holly decided to accept her fate, so she turned to the side and
placed her hands over her body, adopting a sheepish look as in walked the
cleaner, this time with one of her colleagues by her side.  They both
stopped talking and gasped simultaneously at the sight that greeted them.

   'Hi...,' Holly cocked her head apologetically.  'Sorry, but someone
seems to have stolen my clothes?'

   *****

   Twenty minutes later and Jericho, Jessica and Holly were walking away
from the sports center.

   'Fucking dicks, the pair of you.' Holly wasn't really trying to be
angry, she was more amazed by their boldness than anything else.  'Who's
idea was that?'

   'A bit of both,' giggled Jessica, hugging her friend's arm.  'Jerry
suggested that you wouldn't be too averse to something like this as your
punishment, and then I thought the clothes stealing could be fun.'

   'Fun?' Holly rolled her eyes.  'Terrifying more like.'

   'But terrifyingly fun right, like going on a roller-coaster or seeing a
scary movie?'

   It was actually a good comparison, thought Jericho.  'Yeah you must have
loved the thrill, your cheeks are still pink.'

   'Because I was humiliated you moron!  Two students saw me with my bits
out, then I had to stand there for ages like an idiot in front of two
cleaners!'

   Jess laughed.  'So what exactly happened?'

   'Well they didn't really understand why or how someone would break into
my locker and take everything, and somehow steal my towel without me
noticing, but they couldn't exactly accuse me of making it up could they?
So one went to see if there were any clothes in the lost property box,
which took her forever.  Meanwhile I'm just there completely naked as the
other one makes small talk with me, I'd never been so embarrassed.  Then
when they realised there weren't any clothes for me they let me use a
phone, they turned their backs as I uncovered to find you on messenger and
ask you to bring me something to wear.  Then as we waited one of them
finally offered me their apron to put on, so as they cleaned I just sat on
a bench with my bare arse hanging out, watching them work.'

   'We came as first as we could.'

   'Oh I'm sure.  And thanks for only bringing me a dress Jess, nice touch.
Now my hair is still wet and I'm freezing.'

   Jess was unapologetic.  'Wow, so ungrateful.  Next time I'll ignore your
message and you can try and get home barefoot, wearing an apron.'

   'Oh don't worry, the next time it won't be me who's getting tricked...'
Holly playfully nudged Jessica who narrowed her eyes warily.

   'Oh really?  Well, we shall see.'

   'Jessica trust me, when it comes to revenge, I am the queen.  I am
unbeatable.  Did Jay tell you about my friend Charlie?  Well, one time she
thought she could outsmart me too...'

   *****

   It had been a couple of weeks since the trip to the beach, were Holly
had avenged herself by making Charlie run along a public beach in her
birthday suit.  The friends had unofficially formed a truce since then and
life was mostly back to normal.  Work was still boring for Holly and very
stressful for Charlie, not much else was going on and summer was nearing an
end.  To make the most of the last sunny day Holly had gone over to
Charlie's to quote unquote work together in the garden, but in reality they
soon gave up and decided to catch some rays.

   'I'm going to miss this weather.' Holly shut her laptop and leant back
on the lounge chair that she'd set up in the garden.  'I hate winter.'

   'Same, same.' Charlie went indoors and returned with a pitcher and two
glasses.  'Frozen margheritas?'

   'Oh wow,' Holly watched her pour one out and reached up for it
gratefully.  'Thanks, you absolute legend.  Well, we're definitely not
doing any more work after this!'

   'Eh, it's five already, I think that's late enough to clock off.'
Charlie lay down on her lounger and the pair chatted as they relaxed,
basking in the warm sunlight.

   Holly had her eyes shut but looked over as she heard Charlie sit up. 
'What you doing?'

   'Getting comfortable.' Both girls had kicked off their shoes and socks
hours ago but now Charlie stood and slid off her shorts, revealing a thong.

   'Can't your neighbours see in here?'

   'Yeah but it's just like wearing a bikini, and I've done that out here a
lot.' Next off was her shirt and she smiled down at Holly.  'Feel free to
join me.'

   Holly raised an eyebrow.  'What if one of your housemates comes home?'

   Charlie settled down in her underwear and waved her hand dismissively.
'I told you earlier none of them will be back until late tonight, we've got
the place to ourselves today.'

   'Hmm, if you're sure.' Holly looked up at the windows of the houses that
overlooked their tanning spot but she couldn't see anyone, so she undressed
too and was soon relaxing again.  Charlie was right, there was something
inhibiting about sunbathing fully clothed, and soon Holly was so chilled
she was on the verge of drifting off.  Her daydreaming was interrupted by
the sound of something landing on the grass to her side and she shielded
her eyes as she looked across at her friend.

   'Really?'

   'What?' Charlie had removed her bra and dropped it to the side, allowing
an impressive amount of side boob to spill out from under as she lay on her
front.  'Otherwise it's uncomfortable when you're not on your back.'

   Holly just scoffed and went back to napping.  When she could feel her
front beginning to burn she copied Charlie and turned over, annoyingly soon
having to admit that the sensation of her bra pressing into her chest was
irritating.  'Sure no one is coming back?'

   'Oh my god.'

   'Fine, fine.' Holly unhooked herself and lay back down, careful not to
show too much to the world in case there was a neighbour peering through
their blinds.  The sun felt even better on her bare back now and she pulled
her panties down as far as she dared, enjoying the feeling of the air on
her butt.  At some point in the next hour Charlie asked if Holly wanted to
stay for dinner, and accordingly went inside to put a lasagne in the oven
and refill their drinks.  On the way in she casually slung an arm over her
breasts but on the way back any semblance of modesty was lost as she had to
use both hands to carry the glasses.  Holly didn't really notice though and
just indistinctly grunted her thanks.  She was lost in her thoughts,
dreaming of the guy across the road, the day at the beach, and how deep
down she wished it had been her who had been running across the sand...

   'I think the food will be ready in a second, I'll go check.'

   'Mmm, sure...' Holly watched her friend stroll off, then buried her face
in her crossed arms and sighed contentedly.

   'Umm, Holly right?'

   Who the hell was that?  Holly's heart stopped as she tried to work out
who's voice had just spoken.  It was a vaguely familiar, but the only thing
that mattered was that it wasn't Charlie.  She looked up, blinking at the
bright sky, to see a man looking down at her puzzledly.  'Umm, yes?'

   The man turned and nodded back to the house.  'Charlie asked me to tell
you that dinner is ready?'

   Oh damn, thought Holly, it's Michael, one of Charlie's flatmates. 
They'd met a few times in passing and he seemed pleasant, but this wasn't
really how she wanted to greet him.  Also hadn't Charlie said he wouldn't
be back for hours yet...

   'Oh right, thanks.' Holly looked to the right for her bra and stiffened
again.  It wasn't there, and neither was Charlie's.  'Uhhh...' Michael
could obviously see that she was topless and now they could both see that
she had no clothes to put on.

   'Holly, we're waiting!' Charlie appeared at the door, holding the pasta
bake with a pair of oven gloves.  'Come on in!' Holly was shellshocked,
partly due to the presence of Michael, but now mainly due to her horror
that her friend was standing there completely dressed again.  She watched
as Charlie gave her a wink and disappeared back into the kitchen, and
Michael gave Holly one last glance before following.  Holly double checked
under the chair to make sure she wasn't going crazy but no, it was true,
Charlie had well and truly stitched her up.  If she wasn't so panicked she
might have been impressed by the imagination and clean execution of the
plan, but right now she was just lost for words.  She painstakingly got up
onto all fours then sat back on her heels, looking around one last time in
desperation for anything to wear.  There was nothing though, and
reluctantly she got to her feet and pulled up her underwear, making sure it
covered as much as possible.  She then crossed her arms over her nipples in
a pose that she hoped looked sort of casual, and walked back to the house.

   'There you are!  You guys both know Holly right?'

   Jesus, thought Holly, it's not just Michael.  Sitting next to him at the
dining table was Ruben, the other male house mate.  The pair grinned at her
as she entered the room and she quickly stepped behind the kitchen island
so at least the bottom half of her was hidden.

   'Hi Holly.'

   'Hey Ruben.'

   'Get some good sun?'

   'Aha yeah...'

   Charlie smiled at her friend's awkwardness and began spooning out
lasagne onto the four plates.  'I'm not one for tanning but Holly is really
into it, aren't you Holls.  How are those tan lines doing, got rid of them
yet?'

   Holly ignored the taunt and politely excused herself.  'I'm just going
to get dressed quickly and I'll be straight down.  Feel free to start
without me.'

   'Ah we'll wait don't worry.' Charlie returned the pan to the side and
then carried a bottle of wine to the table, pouring out a glass and a half
before it ran out.  'Oh this one's empty, I'll get another.  Can you chuck
this in the recycling please Holls?' Without any hesitation she gently
lobbed the glass bottle towards her friend.  Holly was only standing a
couple of meters away and so had no time to think, but her reactions kicked
in and she instinctively reached out to catch it and prevent it shattering
on the tiled floor.  As her hands wrapped around the glass her brain caught
up with her body and realised its mistake, and far too late Holly clamped
her arms across her chest again, awkwardly holding the bottle under her
chin.  One look at the others showed that they'd seen everything, and Holly
could feel herself turning bright red.  'Thanks!' Charlie smiled knowingly
and returned to the fridge for more wine, as Michael and Ruben watched on
whilst practically drooling.  Holly glowered as she turned her back on the
trio, stuffing the bottle in the recycling bin and storming upstairs,
giving the boys a great view of her panty clad butt as if flashing her tits
wasn't already enough.  Back in Charlie's room she found her clothes on the
bed and got dressed again, before composing herself and returning
downstairs with what she hoped was an air of dignity.  She still felt
incredibly shy as they all ate, but once the drinks got flowing she managed
to calm down a bit and enjoy the evening, after all she did like the two
guys even if they had seen far too much of her by now.  Soon it was quite
late and she had to rush out to make sure she caught the last bus going her
way.  As she hugged Charlie goodbye she whispered into her ear.

   'Thought you said they'd be out for hours?'

   'Well I more meant they were in their room working all afternoon, but
you know.'

   'And you planned this whole thing?'

   Charlie broke off the hug and held Holly's shoulders, grinning at her.
'Of course, I managed to grab your stuff and take it upstairs, then I got
dressed and messaged the guys that I'd cooked for all of us and it was time
to come down.'

   'Wowww...  what if they'd been in the kitchen when you put the food in
though?'

   Charlie shrugged.  'That was a risk I was willing to take.'

   'I'm actually impressed....  but you're so dead by the way.  So dead.'
Holly laughed as she walked unsteadily down the drive.  'Mark my words, I
will one up you.'

   'Not a chance.' Charlie waved goodnight from her door and Holly just
managed to make it to the bus on time, plotting her revenge as she rode
back home.  Once in bed the mixture of alcohol and exhibitionist thrill
swirling through her mind was enough to keep her awake for hours, and it
wasn't long until she had worked out just how she was going to get back at
Charlie.  She made herself wait until the morning to set the ball rolling
with a text message.

   *how would you feel about a weekend camping?*