Kim shut the door carefully behind her as she left the bathroom. Next stop: chest of drawers. She got herself clean underwear, and then debated with herself for a minute or two whether to provide Kerry with a pair of panties as well, or not. She decided to just put them on the bed, to let Kerry know that she could borrow them without having to ask for it which would be a lot more embarrassing than asking for a shirt.

“I hope she doesn’t mind thong...” Kim thought. Last night she’d been too busy to notice the style of Kerry’s underwear.... She choose a pair of lavender cotton thong and folded them and the shirt. Kerry’s bra was scattered onto the floor just to the left of her bed, and she sought to pick it up. Her charcoal slacks had joined Kim’s black ones in a heap just at the edge of the bed, and they looked acceptable. She put the clothes on the bed, nicely folded, but let her own outfit for the day stay in the closet for a while longer. Her shift didn’t start until 11 o’clock.

Her stomach growled, ordering her to make breakfast, so she set a course to the kitchen. She put on some coffee, and spent some time wondering whether Kerry wanted to stay with her for a cup of if she’d want to bring it to work. She hoped that she’d stay, but one never knew with Kerry, so she opened one of her lockers to get the redhead a to go cup.

Ten minutes later, she was spreading cream cheese onto a bagel. Kerry still hadn’t showed up but Kim had heard the unmistakable humming of a hairdryer, and just figured she needed to put on some make up and fix her hair before work. “I wonder if she’s borrowing my make-up?” Kim thought. Kerry’s purse was still hanging on a hook in the hallway so there was no way she could use whatever belongings she’d brought.

The characteristic clicking of a crutch against floor made Kim raise her eyes. Kerry crutched out into the kitchen, wearing the blue shirt. She hadn’t tucked it in her slacks yet which made her look young and sweet, and Kim couldn’t help but comment.

“That looks good on you”.

“What?” Kerry husked, looking confused.

“My blouse.”

Eyes widened in realisation. “Ohh... Yeah. It’s not too long?” Kerry asked, looking down at the 2 sizes too big shirt.

“No” Kim replied wickedly, and smiled towards her redheaded friend. She started pouring up a cup of coffee for herself.

Kerry smiled back, suddenly feeling clumsy and out of place. She remembered she hadn’t tucked the shirt in yet, and began doing so.

“Good thing I have a 40-gallon water heater” Kim commented suddenly from behind the kitchen island.

40-gallon... what?

“W-what?” Kerry blurted, and looked at Kim with wide eyes. God I feel like a ten year-old, she thought. I sound like one too.

“You take long showers...” Kim replied, with an almost erotic tone in her voice. What was she implying? Kerry felt her heart pound harder, and her palms go sticky with sweat.

“I’m sorry... oh...” She apologised, shaking her head at her own lack of thinking.

“No, it’s okay, so do I” Kim chuckled to calm her down. “Sometimes I have to stand under there for 20 minutes, just to wake up... when it’s cold. Especially in winter.”

Kerry suddenly had an image of Kim standing under the water, the liquid trickling over her pale body. Got. To . get. Out.

“Is it cold outside?” the redhead asked, making a bee-line to the hallway.

 “Low twenties. You want a bagel?” Kim called back, quickly pouring up coffee into the to go mug.

“Ah no, I’ll just get something at work” Kerry replied absently, struggling with getting her coat on.

“You okay?” Kim asked, speeding up to her while fiddling with the mug.

“Yeah, yeah I got it, I got it” Kerry ensured her, hoping Kim was talking about her problem with putting the coat on. She wasn’t.

“No, I meant about us... First time can be a little...”

Kerry looked up to her, silent for a brief moment. Kim looked into her eyes, suddenly not seeming so confident any longer.

Kerry didn’t want to talk about it. But they were two in this, and it wasn’t Kim’s fault that she was freaking out.

“No... It’s just – It’s just different”.

“That’s true” Kim agreed with a little smile, looking at Kerry hopefully.

“But good” the redhead blurted out, regretting the words instantly.

“Really?” Kim asked, wanting to make sure.

“Yeah” Kerry breathed. Yes. It had been amazing. But she wasn’t going to admit that to Kim.