Chapter 1: A New Roommate
A/N: Katie is not Katie Fitch, but 'Water Bottle Girl', Cassie's friend from the Restoration Clinic.
It was mid-morning. Katie was sitting in the communal lounge at the Restoration clinic, reading a book and feeling somewhat lonely. She was once again in the clinic being treated for her bulimia nervosa. She had not made many friends there, and most of these had moved on. She was beginning to wonder if life had anything pleasant left to give her. She kept these depressing thoughts to herself as she felt she had enough problems already. She was wearing a white sleeveless blouse and a black miniskirt. For the time being, she was alone in the room as she wasn't involved in that morning's group therapy session. Her only commitment that morning was to be weighed immediately after breakfast. She had submitted to this, but was still below her target weight, so her discharge would not be imminent.
The door opened and a nurse entered.
"I've got a roommate for you." said the nurse, "She's someone you might know."
The door opened wider, and a slender girl entered with her. She was very pretty with expressive brown eyes. Her beautifully symmetrical face was framed by cascades of golden hair. Her most notable feature was her frequent bright smile. She was wearing a calf length white pleated skirt with a yellow singlet style top. In addition, she was carrying a grey cardigan. Katie recognised her instantly as one of the other patients she had met on her previous spell in the clinic. When she looked up and saw the girl, her face lit up.
"Cassie!" exclaimed Katie, " I could say I'm glad to see you, but that wouldn't really be appropriate. Anyway, what brings you back here?"
"Oh, hello, Katie." said Cassie, "I'm surprised you're still here. At least there's someone here I know. I hope you don't mind, but we're going to share a room."
"I guessed that from what the nurse said." said Katie, "Of course I don't mind. In fact, I'd welcome some company, especially yours."
Cassie sat down next to Katie on the sofa. The two girls linked fingers in a gesture of mutual affection. They looked into each other's eyes and smiled.
"It's obvious you two already know each other, and I'm certain that you're going to get on well with each other," said the nurse, "So I'll leave you to it."
The nurse went back out, leaving Cassie and Katie on their own. To say that Katie was pleased that Cassie was to be her roommate would be an understatement. At this low point in her life there was nobody else who she was more pleased to see.
"Anyway," said Katie, "What misfortune brought you here this time?"
"Not so much misfortune," said Cassie, "So much as a big misunderstanding, which resulted in me trying to kill myself."
"Fortunately for everyone, you didn't succeed." said Katie, gently, "What happened?"
Cassie related the story of her love for Sid, and the events leading up to the time when she called on a supposedly 'grounded' Sid, and found he wasn't at home. She told Katie about Tony's activities at that evening's choir concert, and her overhearing Sid apparently making a date with Michelle, Tony's girlfriend the next day. She also told Katie about the explanation that Jal gave about what had actually happened after she regained consciousness two days later. Jal also outlined Tony's motives for creating the situation.
"So, Sid was left to 'pick up the pieces' when Tony staged a deliberate spat with his Michelle in order to spend time with Abigail Stock." said Katie.
"That's about it." said Cassie, "The ironic thing is that Tony brought us together, and everything he's done since seems to be aimed at breaking us up. I dearly love Sid, and I do believe he loves me, but things seem to keep going wrong."
"Seriously, Cassie," said Katie, "When you see Sid again, you should try to persuade him to reassess his friendship with Tony. It seems to be causing heartbreak all around."
"I think that might be 'if' rather than 'when'." said Cassie, sadly, "When I come out of here, my folks have said they might take me away from Bristol altogether. I'm dreading that. That would take me away from Sid forever, and I do love him so much."
"Still," said Katie, "Let's look on the bright side. It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good."
"What?" queried Cassie.
"It means that there's something good in the worst of circumstances." said Katie, "Us two have got some unexpected time together. That's good, isn't it?"
"I suppose so." said Cassie, "Let's make the most of the time we have."
Cassie and Katie spent the next hour or so until lunchtime comparing notes about their experiences since that day when Cassie made her target weight, with the help of a few chunks of metal, and Katie didn't. Katie had spent most of the time since in and out of the clinic, attending Roundview College when she could, while Cassie was trying to develop her relationship with Sid. Due to Tony's interventions it was unclear who had the worse time. Katie had the uncertainty about her immediate future in or out of the clinic, while both Sid and Cassie had the spectre of break-up and heartbreak hanging over them.
By chance, Katie had met Cassie during one of her short periods at Roundview, and Cassie had introduced her to her group of friends including Maxxie. Unfortunately, Katie didn't stay out of the clinic long enough to become a member of the 'gang'.
At lunchtime, both girls went down to the dining room and checked out what was on offer. Surprisingly, Katie actually felt like eating something. It appeared, on the face of it, that her renewed acquaintance with Cassie was beginning to have beneficial results.
Both girls enjoyed the French onion soup. There weren't too many calories there, thought Katie. The surprise came with the main course, roast lamb with mint sauce, boiled and roast potatoes plus Brussels sprouts and carrots. Katie decided to celebrate the return of Cassie by throwing caution to the wind, and really tucking in to the repast.
"I hope you're going to keep that down." said Cassie.
"I'll try to, for your sake." said Katie, "I feel so much better now I know I'll be spending a lot of time with you."
"What's so special about me?" asked Cassie.
"You have this aura about you," said Katie, "Which I find comforting. You're like a bright angel sent to save me from myself. I don't know how you do it, but just having you around me generates a good feeling."
"Wow!" exclaimed Cassie, "I didn't realise I had such an effect on you."
"You do." said Katie, "Anyway, what's for pudding?"
"Apple pie or lemon curd tart," said Cassie, "But don't overdo it."
The two girls both selected the lemon curd tart, and thoroughly enjoyed it. After lunch, there was time for a little relaxation before both of them had to attend that afternoon's group therapy session.
Katie was true to her word and managed to retain her lunch. This generated a discussion with Cassie about their respective eating disorders, and the reasons Cassie was now an in-patient at the clinic.
"How have you been since you left us last time?" asked Katie.
"Well, apart from trying to kill myself," said Cassie, "I've done well. I've discovered that I can eat 'normally', whatever that means, without putting on any weight."
"That's wonderful." said Katie, "Perhaps you're naturally slim."
"That would be good." said Cassie, "We're so similar in many ways, perhaps you might be the same."
"If you're in here with me for the next few weeks," said Katie, "I might find out."
At the group therapy session, it was obvious to all present that Cassie and Katie were very close friends, very much in tune with each other. They came in, holding hands, looking into each other's eyes and smiling. They sat next to each other. The psychiatrist who was chairing the session, noticing the transformation in Katie's demeanour, called her first.
Katie was glowing in praise of her friend, Cassie, who seemed to be able to reassure her about her self-worth. She expressed the hope that the pair of them could help each other through their present problems. When it came to Cassie's turn, she outlined the circumstances surrounding her disastrous, aborted, first date with Sid and his apparent betrayal of her love. She also said that she found the prospect of sharing a room with Katie comforting, as Katie had made her feel at home on a previous visit to the clinic. The session chairman's response was that, in his opinion, they would hasten each other's recovery. Fortunately for Cassie's peace of mind, Mad Twatter was not in the clinic this time.
Cassie and Katie adjourned back to the communal lounge to discuss the session over tea and biscuits.
"Well," said Cassie, "I think that went quite well. I thought they might try to separate us."
"What good would that do?" asked Katie, rhetorically, "We wouldn't be able to help each other. I guess you do want to get back to normal."
"Yes, I would," said Cassie, "But I'd also want to mend my relationship with Sid. Would you like to get back to 'normal'?"
"That depends what you mean by 'normal'." sighed Katie, "'Normal' for me has been shuttling in and out of this place with a few weeks at Roundview in between. I'd love things to be stable."
"Perhaps we can help each other." said Cassie, "It's obvious that I've been good for you during the last few hours. Actually, I'd like us to be proper friends."
"What's stopping us?" said Katie, "We've started well, so let's continue."
The two girls returned to their room, Cassie to unpack and Katie to make space in the wardrobe for Cassie's clothes. They also decided to change for the evening.
"You've got some nice things there." said Katie, "That 'sailor' suit would look so good."
"Yes," said Cassie, "I bought it hoping that Sid would like it."
"I think he'd love it." said Katie, "I just hope he'll be able to see you in it."
"I'll wear it this evening." said Cassie, "Then you'll be able to judge."
At this point, Katie decided to start changing for the evening. As she unbuttoned her blouse, it was obvious that she was not wearing a bra. She removed her miniskirt, revealing her graceful legs. When she removed her blouse, Cassie gasped. All Katie was wearing underneath was a minute pink thong.
"Y - You look amazing!" said Cassie, her eyes open wide, "You look even better without your clothes, you're so beautiful."
"You think so?" said Katie, surprised, "What's beautiful about me? I've always thought my body was ugly."
"Everything about you is beautiful." said Cassie, "Your body is beautifully proportioned, not too skinny, and so graceful. Your skin is perfect. I for one, love the way you look."
"You do?" said Katie.
"Of course!" said Cassie, "Also, you look so 'you' with completely bare shoulders, especially when your hair is behind them."
"You think so?" said Katie, "It sounds as if you're finding me physically attractive."
"Of course I am!" said Cassie, as she removed her singlet and skirt, "Who wouldn't?"
"You don't look so bad yourself," said Katie, "And those legs are gorgeous."
"Are they?" said Cassie, "I hate my thighs. That's why I never wear short skirts."
"Your legs are beautiful." said Katie, "You should show them. You'd look so good in a miniskirt or hot pants."
"I'll bear that in mind." said Cassie.
She wasn't sure why she did it, but Katie felt impelled to embrace Cassie, caressing her bare shoulders and back. Cassie responded by exploring the whole of Katie's elegant back with her gentle hands.
"You feel as good as you look." said Katie, "It feels so nice holding you, but I guess we'd better get dressed."
Reluctantly, they disengaged their close embraces, and selected the clothes they would be wearing for dinner and the evening. Katie put on a pair of black hot pants and a strapless crop top, while Cassie donned her 'sailor' suit.
"You're being a bit daring this evening." said Cassie, surprised at Katie's choice of outfit, "That's not a lot more than a bikini."
"I thought this one would please you," said Katie, "Since you appear to like my shoulders."
"I do," said Cassie, "But I didn't expect you to be so uninhibited about showing your body."
Once the two girls had changed, the process of sharing the wardrobe, hanging and discussing Cassie's clothes went on until nearly dinner time.
As Katie had consumed a relatively large lunch, she restricted herself to a salad for dinner, explaining that she was having a Summer meal as she was dressed for Summer.
Cassie and Katie spent most of the rest of the evening sitting together in the lounge, watching some television and quietly talking with each other. Cassie couldn't help putting her arm across Katie's bare shoulders and gently caressing her arm. On their first full evening together, they discussed many subjects, including Cassie's friends.
"When you introduced me to your 'gang' a few months ago," commenced Katie, "There was a very good-looking young man with blonde hair. Who was he?
"Oh, that was Maxxie." said Cassie, "Don't raise your hopes too much. He's gay, or at least, he believes he is."
"That's such a pity." said Katie, "He made quite an impression on me. He seemed to be a kind, gentle sort of person, just the kind I'd like to meet."
"He is." said Cassie, "I suppose you could think of him as an all-round nice guy."
At about ten o'clock, both girls headed for their bedroom, and prepared for the night. Katie started undressing straight away.
"It's a warm night." said Katie, "When it's this warm, I usually sleep naked. I hope you don't mind."
"Not in the least." said Cassie, "That's up to you. I was beginning to think along the same lines, but I'm a bit shy about stripping completely in front of someone."
"Oh, Cassie!" said Katie, as she removed her thong, "That's understandable, but I've already seen almost all of you, and I hope I'm someone you can trust.
"I suppose so." said Cassie, "It's just that I've got this idea that letting someone else see me totally naked is somehow evil."
"What!" said Katie, "I really don't know where you got that idea from. Adam and Eve didn't feel ashamed about being naked before the serpent tempted them. And I'm sure that if you make it with Sid, you'll let him see all of you. In any case, I thought your folks were naturists."
"Yes, they are," said Cassie, "But they haven't taken me on a naturist holiday since I was a little girl. Anyway, you're gradually persuading me that there's nothing wrong with being naked. After all, I suppose, my body, all of it, is me."
"That's true." said Katie, "If you're naked in bed, you'll love the feel of the bedclothes on your bare skin. You feel so 'in tune' with the bed. It's so relaxing."
"I think you've convinced me." said Cassie, "I'll go for it."
When Cassie had eventually been induced to strip her bra and panties off, it was Katie's turn to be overcome by the sheer beauty of what she was seeing.
"Oh! Wow! Cassie!" exclaimed Katie, smiling, "Your body is absolute perfection. If you don't mind me saying so. You looked good in your intimate underwear. You look even better without it."
"Do I?" said Cassie, "I didn't think I was that lovely."
"Don't put yourself down, Cassie." said Katie, "I'm seeing the real, genuine, glorious Cassandra Ainsworth, unspoilt by the presence of clothes. Even better, you've shaved your pussy."
"Yes," said Cassie, "Mum said it was more hygienic."
"And it looks so much better than an untidy bush." said Katie.
Although both Cassie and Katie at this point felt a strong physical attraction for each other, they chose not to pursue these feelings on this particular evening. After each of them had used the en-suite shower, they climbed into their beds, and settled down to a good night's sleep. Surprisingly, Cassie succumbed to slumber relatively quickly. Although this was the first night in a strange bed, the knowledge that she was with a real friend had calmed her troubled mind and she was at peace with her demons. She felt that this spell in the Restoration Clinic was going to be different, wonderfully different.