Part 2: Raye
The next day, Tuesday, Lita put her extraordinary cooking talents to work on lunch. The five women were all gathered around the table as the brunette chef placed plates full of curried chicken before each of them. No sooner was it before her, then Serena began shoveling the meal into her mouth. Amy sat across the table watching the spectacle with ill-concealed amusement. Raye and Mina sat next to one another off to her left, and Amy was certain that they were holding hands under the table.
Maybe they'll end up an item after this. She ruminated.
Lita placed a plate before the bluenette, gently rubbing her back as she did so.
"Eat up." She said with a wink.
Amy smiled, said a 'thank you' and went to pick up her fork when she was stopped by a look from Raye.
"What?"
"Nothing." Raye shook her head and went back to looking at her own plate as it was placed before her, but not before shooting Amy another knowing look.
"So there's this huge sale going on at the mall today. I say we go and have a look at what there is to offer." Mina suggested as Lita sat down next to Amy.
"Yes!" Serena exclaimed, more than just enthusiasm dripping from her mouth, she had just shoveled in a full load of food.
The four women laughed, causing Serena to blush a little, finish chewing, and swallow before she continued.
"I need to get a new pair of sandals for the beach." She continued after her mouth was free.
"Are we able to go out in public with you without getting stampeded by a mob of ravenous fans?" Lita inquired of Mina.
Mina grinned. "I have a wig and sunglasses for just such an occasion. Just act normal and we'll be fine."
"Ooh, and we should see how much bikinis are going for right now. I could use a new swimsuit too." Serena continued, seemingly not noticing the side conversation.
Raye gestured toward Serena. "Better keep 'Bunny' here on a short leash, or she'll be hopping all over the department store buying everything in sight."
Amy took a bite of her chicken. It was delicious, nice and savory with just the right level of spiciness, not to hot, not to weak. Lita's hands were just as good at cooking as they were at…other things.
"Oh yeah, what about you? The last time we all went shopping together, you bought four pairs of shoes because they were 'on sale.'" Serena retorted at Raye.
"God, when was that?" the raven head wondered.
"Senior year of college, remember?" said Mina, "You wanted to get some new shoes for when you walked down the aisle to get that business degree."
"You mean the 'participation degree?'" said Lita teasingly.
"Go to hell, Lita." Raye replied playfully.
The brunette held up her hands defensively. "Hey, it's not my fault that they don't offer degrees in shrine keeping."
They all laughed at that.
"Oooh, speaking of shoes, I need to get some new dancing shoes. I hear this town has a killer club scene." Serena said, her shopping mania returning full force.
"Maybe if we tell them that we're friends with famed pop singer, Mina Aino, they'll let us in to the clubs for free." Raye suggested.
"Not only that, but people will probably buy you all the drinks you want to get them my autograph." Said Mina with a laugh.
"Knowing Raye, she'll be able to drink all of them for us." Amy cut in, remembering their college days when the group would go out partying. Raye could put away more shots than Amy had ever seen and, since getting her medical degree, she marveled that Raye was still alive to tell the tale.
"Good point, she drinks like a sailor on shore leave with only a twenty-four-hour pass." Lita agreed.
"You know what, we should get going to the mall. If we go to late, all of the good stuff will be gone." Serena said excitedly, having polished off the rest of her plate while the others were not even halfway done.
"Serena, calm done, I'm sure there are plenty of…." But in a flash, the blonde was gone, leaving the sentence hanging from Amy's mouth.
"There she goes." Lita muttered.
"There she goes agaaaain." Raye sang, bringing back memories of that old La's song.
"Racing through my brain, and I just can't contaaaaaain, this feeling that remaaaains." Mina and Raye began singing.
Amy's fork froze as the song filtered into the deep recesses of her brain and pulled out an old dusty memory from the back shelves of her long-term memory banks. It was a memory from college.
They had all gone to some new club that had just opened up down the street from campus. People were drinking heavily, and Raye soon joined them. She was completely plastered by midnight. At some point the raven head stumbled into the bathroom, most likely because she wasn't feeling too well after ingesting eight shots of whatever the inventive barman could slam together. Amy watched her go in and, after ten minutes or so, she became concerned and went to check on her. Raye was leaning over one of the sinks looking pretty ill.
"Hey, Raye you…you Ok?" Amy inquired, swaying a bit (she was beginning to feel the effects of her own drinking).
"Oh yeeeeeeaah, I'm gooood." Raye slurred as she pushed herself away from the sink and stumbled toward Amy. "Whhhat are you doin' heeer?"
"I just wanted to check in on you, you know, make sure you weren't passed out in a toilet or nothing."
"Aaaaaw, that's so shweeet…." Raye bumped right onto Amy and she had to struggle to hold the raven head up.
"Yur so shweet, Amyyyy, so shweeet…" Raye stared intently into Amy's blue eyes. She had that look, like she wanted something, and Raye always got what she wanted.
Suddenly, she slammed her lips into Amy's. The medical student pulled back in surprise, but Raye grabbed her face and pulled her back in for another deep kiss.
"Raye…Raye, you're drunk." Amy insisted, pushing the dark haired beauty away, still trying to fight away the cloudiness that was threatening to envelope her own senses.
"Show are hew." Raye pointed out with a drunken grin.
"Yeah…but…you have Mina."
"We're onna break, right now." Raye assured her, pulling Amy tight to her. "C'mon, at least I'm doin it with a friend and nawsome stranijer."
Despite her reservations on the matter, Amy had to admit that she would feel better knowing Raye was with someone who cared about her and not passed out in a back ally get felt up by some perv. So, after some initial hesitation, she leaned in and kissed Raye. By now the alcohol had hit her, and she had to admit that she found Raye quite sexy. Her ass was incredible, her dark hair so mysterious, and those dark eyes were like fishing hooks, catching her and reeling her in. This was long after Amy had learned under the tutelage of Lita that she went both ways. Raye pulled her into one of the stalls. In went the deadbolt lock, up went the skirt that Amy was wearing, and down came her panties. Amy leaned against the wall of the stall as Raye's mouth went to work on her. She moaned and sighed at the feelings of pleasure that radiated from her precious jewel under the raven hair's tongue. It felt wonderful, and the alcohol may have even added to it a little. There was a single speaker in the ceiling in the bathroom, and it was playing that song by The La's. Amy leaned her head back, another moan escaping her lips as Raye licked her and the song echoed in her ears.
"There she goes; there she goes again. Racing through my veins, and I just can't contain this feeling that remains."
"Is it too spicy?" Lita's voice broke into Amy's thoughts.
"Huh?" She shook her head and glanced over at her brunette friend, who looked concerned.
"Your face is really red. Is it the chicken? Did I add too much curry?"
"No, no, it's terrific, Lita, it really is."
"So why is your face red? Are you feeling alright?" Lita reached out and felt her forehead.
"Aaaw, look at you mothering over Amy." Raye teased Lita, who shot her an annoyed look.
"I just want to make sure she isn't sick."
Amy squirmed a little in her chair, uncomfortably aware of how moist it had become between her legs during the memory.
I can't tell them that I was thinking about…oh God, why did I have to remember that now?! Stupid song…
Mina stood up from the table. "She probably just needs to get outside for a bit. C'mon, let's get going to the mall before Serena decides to go by herself."
"Hell yeah." Raye agreed with a grin.
The pair dumped their plates into the sink and headed off down the hall toward Mina's room, ostensibly to get Mina's disguise. Lita remained behind, still looking at Amy with concern.
"Well, the color is going away a little." She observed, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine, really." Amy assured her with a squeeze of her hand, "Maybe I'm just having hot flashes or something."
Lita laughed. "At your age? Aren't you a little young for that?"
"I'm not that young."
"You're only turning thirty-four next month."
Amy was surprised. "You remembered my birthday?"
"Of course…"
Amy stared down at her plate, suddenly very embarrassed. "I'm sorry I…I forgot yours."
"It's alright."
"No, I…I'm sorry. I'm sorry I haven't called…or emailed…or even visited. I've just been so busy with medical school and residency and…"
"Amy you don't have to apologize. Things happen…"
"But you remembered my birthday, every year for the last twelve years. I could barely even remember what you looked like, Lita…until I saw you yesterday."
Lita captured her friend (and sometimes lover) in a tight hug as Amy began to sob, tears leaking down her face.
How could you let her see you cry? What right have you to cry? You're the one who left her.
"It's alright, Amy." The brunette assured her quietly, stroking her hair. "People drift, life moves on, it's not your fault."
C'mon, you're too old to be blubbering like a baby.
Amy stifled her tears, sniffed a little, and looked up into those green eyes with a small smile.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"Any time." Lita replied just as quietly. Their mouths began to gravitate toward one another.
Closer…closer….
"Hey, you two ready to go?!" Raye's voice from the entry hall brought them back to the rest of the world.
"Yeah, we'll be right there!" Amy shouted back before giving Lita a grin.
"C'mon…" she said, standing up.
"…nothing helps cheer me up more than spending a little money."
Lita laughed and shook her head.
"Doctors…"
The shopping trip proved a success, as far as shopping trips go. Serena went absolutely nuts in Belk, buying just about everything that she could find on sale. Amy was not immune from the call either. She purchased a new shirt (a nice, dark blue cotton piece with short sleeves) and a new bathing suit. Unlike the skimpy bikini that Serena found, Amy's choice was more conservative. It was a one-piece that exposed her back down to a modest distance just above her butt, but was a seamless sea of dark blue on her front. Mina joked that it looked like something the women might wear on Baywatch. Raye bought herself a new pair of bright red high heels.
Some things never change.
The group stopped by (or, more accurately, was forced to follow Serena into) a Kay's Jewelers. Amy admired the rows upon rows of precious stones, marveling at their beauty. She had never really been one for wearing jewelry, but that didn't stop her eye's from being drawn to a particularly exquisite necklace with a silver chain and a light blue stone dangling from it that had been carved into a peculiar symbol.
"It's the symbol of the planet Mercury." The woman behind the counter explained after Amy inquired about it.
"It's beautiful." The price for such a treasure, however, was over eighty dollars. While it certainly wasn't the most expensive thing in the store, and she was far from poor, that was still a little rich for Amy's blood.
Lita noticed her staring at the piece and pulled her credit card from her purse. "I'll take that necklace."
"No, you don't have to…"
"But I want to." Lita moved behind her and hung the necklace across her neck. "It suits you." She said with a smile.
Amy smiled as well and reached up to touch the symbol.
Mercury.
After letting Serena take in her fill of the sights (and sales) the gang headed toward the parking lot. As they did so, however, they passed by several movie posters advertising what was playing in the mall's cinema.
"Ooooh, June Bug is out! I really wanted to go see that." Mina paused to observe one of the posters.
"Is that that romantic comedy about that landscaper who works at that botanical garden and the entomologist?" Serena smiled broadly, "I saw the trailer for that too, it looked hilarious. We should totally go see it."
"I don't know, I've kinda had my fill of sightseeing." Amy admitted. The truth be told she was almost one hundred percent certain that if she did go then Lita would insist on paying for her ticket. She didn't want this whole thing to end up like a date. It was already beginning to feel like one.
"I wouldn't mind seeing it." Lita chimed in.
Damn it!
Raye made a disgusted face. "Yuck, no thank you, I'm not very into romantic comedies."
Mina offered up a compromise. "Well, if you two like you can take Honda back to the house. We'll stay behind, catch the next showing, and take the Infiniti home."
"Alright." Raye nodded, and started off toward the parking lot.
Amy glanced over at Lita. Try as she might, the young doctor could not read the expression on the brunette's face.
"I…I'm sorry, I'm just really tired and I…"
"No, it's alright. If you want to go back to the house, I totally understand." Said Lita quickly, but Amy sensed some hollowness to her assurances.
She glanced back and forth between Raye and Lita. Ultimately, however, her concerns won out. Was it not crueler to continue to entertain Lita's hopes that something might be growing between them? Amy was not seeking a relationship, but here was Lita initiating sex and buying her jewelry. Had her love for Amy really survived all of those years? Yes, it had. She could see it in Lita's eyes; those olive green eyes that begged her to stay. But she couldn't. Eventually she had to go back to the real world.
Better to prepare her for that now.
"Well…I'll see you back at the house then." Amy said at last, turning to go.
"Yeah." She heard Lita call after her. The disappointment in her voice was clear.
I'm sorry, Lita. I'm sorry.
The guilt stayed with her across the sea of asphalt to the car, and sat beside her the whole ride back to the house. Raye stayed mostly silent as she drove them back to Mina's residence, except for one point, probably about half way there.
"She's always really liked you, you know?" she told Amy. There was no need to specify who she was talking about.
"I know."
Trust me, I know.
That was all, it seemed, that Raye had to say on the subject, and they rode the rest of the way in silence. They pulled into the driveway just as the sky was turning orange while the sun sank lower and lower, like a bob on a fishing rod, toward the horizon. Amy didn't realize how long they had been at the mall. As she retrieved her shopping bags from the backseat, a brief glimpse of her new bathing suit suddenly made Amy crave a swim.
I could use some time in the pool; relax for a bit, just unwind.
The pair headed inside the house and Raye went for the couch, plopped down, and switched on the TV.
"You wanna watch anything?" She asked politely.
"Nah, I think I'm gonna go for a swim actually."
"Go for it."
Amy headed down the hall into the refurbished garage that was serving as her temporary living space. She was greeted by a blinking light that came from her phone, indicating either missed calls or messages. She had completely forgotten to take it with her today. She switched on the screen.
"Three missed calls, once voice message, twelve texts."
Boy, it was amazing how much communique one could miss in just one day. No doubt it was all from the hospital. Amy hesitated over opening any of them. Did she really want to know? What if they were calling her back early? The though repulsed Amy. She was certainly not missing the stress or demands. It felt so nice to lay in bed in the mornings, no worries, no cares (well, minus the whole situation with Lita of course).
Screw it. She decided. I'll just tell them that I forgot my charger and my phone died.
Amy set the phone back down and went to change into her new suit. As she was stripping, her fingers lingered on the necklace. After rolling the carved symbol between her fingers for a minute, that too was removed and laid gingerly on top of the pile of discarded clothing. She then slipped into the single piece. It was a little snug, but she imagined that was because it was new. It needed to be stretched out to her size a little. After retrieving a towel from the linin closet, Amy stepped out into the backyard and switched on the pool lights. The water ignited, looking even more crisp and inviting in the sun's dying light. Amy stepped down in to the water via a set of stairs on the far end of the pool, shuddering as she did so. The water was pleasantly warm, like stepping into a bath. Inch by inch she submerged her body until the water was up to her shoulders. She swam a couple of laps from one end of the pool to the other, enjoying the pleasant sensations of the water flowing over her. She loved swimming, and did it every chance she got back home. It was her catharsis, her way of dealing with the stress. She certainly needed it now. Amy stopped swimming and leaned up against the side of the pool. Try as she might, she could not ignore the problem that was brewing.
What am I going to do about Lita?
She cared for Lita, she really did. Even after all of those years of disconnect, she still cared. The bonds formed between them over the years, and even those created during those tender moments of intimacy between them in high school, were as strong as ever. Amy thought back to their encounter in the kitchen the previous morning. She would be lying if she said that she hadn't enjoyed it. Lita knew her inside and out. She knew just were to touch her, just were to please her. The train of thought, however, also brought her back to the memory she had recalled that morning…of her and Raye.
Amy leaned her head against the concrete siding and closed her eyes. What had it been like? Similar to Lita? Different? She couldn't remember. The memory, while definitely there, was hazy at best. No doubt the alcohol was to thank for that. Well, that and the passage of time. If fact, if she was completely honest with herself, her memories off all of them had begun to fade until recently, when the sharpness of their faces had been restored by her brain by having access to the models once more. What had Raye looked like back then. Was she as beautiful now as Amy had found her in the bathroom all those years ago?
"Enjoying yourself?"
A very surprised Amy jumped and spun around. Raye was standing with her hands on her hips, grinning down at her.
"I…I…I…" Amy sputtered. She was completely taken aback by how Raye was dressed.
The raven haired beauty was wearing her own bathing suit, a red bikini bottom and matching top that revealed a rather generous amount of skin. To top it all off, she was wearing her new crimson high heels.
"What do you think?" she asked, doing a little turn.
"You…you look like you're ready to walk down the stage during the swimsuit part of the Miss Universe pageant." Amy replied, still quite awestruck by the scene.
Raye laughed and kicked off the high heels before hopping over the side into the lukewarm water, sending a giant splash, and several subsequent waves splashing over Amy. The bluenette laughed, choking a bit on some water that got in her mouth as a result. Raye resurfaced and grinned.
"Wow, this feels great. No wonder you looked so relaxed."
Amy smiled as well. "Yeah, I love swimming in the evening. Especially when the water is the right temperature. It's such a great stress reliever."
"Is that your medical opinion?"
"Yep, if you like I'll write you a prescription for a pool. You can get it installed at your own house for your convenience."
"Ha, that'd be pretty awesome actually. I feel like I'm going to be completely spoiled after I leave here to go back to the shrine."
"Is this your first time coming here?"
"Yeah, Mina and I haven't really spoken much since college. You know how it is. Life's just gotten so busy, there's not much time to catch up with old friends."
"I totally understand." Amy sighed, her cup of woes filling again as she thought about all of the demands that were awaiting her return to the hospital. She shook her head to clear away the dark clouds, however, and grinned at Raye.
"But you and Mina seem to be…'reconnecting' just fine." She teased.
Raye gave her a sly look. "About as fine as you and Lita."
Amy blushed. Raye grinned.
"We've all seen the way you look at each other, and besides…I saw you two in the kitchen."
The heat in Amy's cheeks rose even higher at this revelation. "Really?"
"Yep, once I realized that Mina and I had left our clothes out there, I went to get them. It looked to me like you were giving Lita the ride of her life."
Amy covered her face in embarrassment.
It was her, that was the door we heard.
"So it looks like we weren't the only ones to make use of the kitchen." Raye noted with a chuckle.
"You have no idea how embarrassing this is." Amy muttered, her voice muffled by her hands that still shielded her beat red cheeks.
"Hey, me and Mina's little 'session' was your fault. We were getting all into it on the couch when you arrived. Why do you think it took Mina so long getting to the door? She had to get her shirt and bra back on. Then, after you went to bed, Mina said she was tired to and decided to pass out. I didn't get a chance to get any until that morning."
"Well, I guess that makes us even then." Said Amy, removing her hands from her face.
"Ha, not quite. You still got to see our little show in the kitchen."
"Yeah, and you got to see me and Lita."
"That doesn't make up for vagina blocking me Sunday night."
"Alright, so what does that mean?"
"It means I get a free question, and you gotta answer honestly."
Amy shifted nervously. "Um…Ok?"
"What were you thinking about at lunch?"
"Huh?"
"Earlier, at lunch, your face was as red as it is now. Who or what were you thinking about? Was it Lita?"
"No!" The answer had flown from Amy's lips before she'd really even gotten a chance to contemplate the wisdom behind giving it.
"Ok, then what?" Raye inquired curiously.
"It…I…was…" The doctor struggled to give an answer. This was certainly not something she had expected to have to explain.
"C'mon, be honest."
Amy sighed.
"I was…remembering…that one night in the club…back in college… when you…when we…" By this point Amy imagined she was a red as Raye's high heels.
"That time I ate you out?" Raye's eyebrows rose.
Oh God, she remembers.
"Y…yeah."
Raye laughed loudly. "What? Why? Where did that come from?"
"You and Mina started singing that song. It was playing in the bathroom that night and…I don't know…it just kinda triggered the memory I guess." Amy explained, beyond embarrassed at this point.
Raye laughed some more, and then grinned mischievously. "Theeeere she goes…" she began signing, "…There she goooes agaaaain."
"Raye, stop."
The raven head did not stop, however. In fact, she continued to sing while swimming toward Amy. The bluenette backed away until she bumped into the side of the pool. Raye swam right up to her and pinned her in by placing her hands on the wall on either side of the Amy.
"Raye, what are you?"
Those dark brown eyes had taken on a much more seductive look.
"This bringing back any memories too?" She asked huskily.
"Raye, please, don't…"
"Don't what?"
"What are you doing?"
"Taking you on a nostalgia trip that could be pretty awesome for the both of us."
"What about Mina?" Amy tried using the same old argument she had tried in that bathroom what seemed like a lifetime ago.
"She knows just as well as I do that this is just a summer fling. We aren't looking to get back together, and somehow I doubt you and Lita are either." Raye murmured as she leaned in and gingerly kissed the side of Amy's neck. The latter gasped in response to the stimuli.
"What, really? Right here? Isn't this a little…public." True there was a fence, but it would not be enough to deter even a moderately determined peeping tom.
"You didn't seem to have a problem with it last time. I think you find it kind of sexy." By now Raye's hands had begun to wonder over the thin, blue material that separated Amy's breasts from the outside world. She pinched one of the increasingly hardening nipples through the spandex. Amy gasped in response.
Raye grinned into the side of her lover's neck. "So…whadya say? For old time's sake?"
"Fine." The world drifted out on a soft breath that escaped Amy's lips, but the raven haired maiden heard it, and it was all she needed.
Amy squeaked in surprise as Raye lifted her up and pressed her against the, surprisingly, cold concrete behind her. Both of Amy's legs were dangling over Raye's shoulders, and her faces was only inches from the bluenette's sacred center. Each warm breath she exhaled onto that spot caused Amy to shudder. With her prey pinned securely between the wall and her own powerful body, Raye used one arm to reach down and pull aside the only barrier between her and her target. She took a moment to admire the view and then, with a ravenousness that befitted her, she dove in for the kill. Amy moaned and arched her back in pleasure as Raye's magical lips and tongue went to work on her for the second time in the pair's entire time of knowing one another. The feeling was incredible. Every gentle brush and lap from that tongue sent fresh waves of euphoria screaming up Amy's spinal cord and to her brain. She let out a loud gasp as she felt Raye's tongue fill her. By now it was only by virtue of Raye's strong shoulder that she had not slid into the pool to drown in ecstasy. Still, seeking even more stimulation, Amy reached up and pulled the straps down from her shoulders before pulling her suit down just far enough to expose her, by now, rock hard nipples to the warm night air. Raye noticed this and got the message. She reached up with her free hand and began to massage the left mound while Amy used one of her own free hands to massage and pinch the other. It was not long, under all of this stimulation, that she felt her climax approaching.
"Raye, I'm gonna cum!" she gasped. The raven head sped up, now thrusting her tongue in and out of Amy.
"AAAAAAAAH!" Amy screamed her release, for the moment oblivious to the world around her. Raye continued her motions, allowing her lover to ride out the high for as long as she could. Then, she withdrew and gave a small laugh.
"Jeez Amy, you're gonna let the whole neighborhood know what we're up to if you keep screaming like that."
"Sorry, I just… that was…wow, that was amazing."
"Better than Lita?"
A frown fell across Amy's face.
"Sorry, I probably shouldn't go there."
"Yeah."
Raye gingerly let Amy back down until her feet were touching the smooth bottom of the pool once more.
"Well that was…and experience." Amy muttered as she moved away from the wall and pulled her swimsuit back over her breasts.
"What are you talking about, sweetheart? You're not done."
Amy turned and saw that Raye had stripped away her bikini bottom and was sitting on the edge of the pool, her legs open wide. She smiled, batting her eyelashes a little. "This is give and take."
Amy smiled as well and slid toward her waiting lover. She kissed Raye's knee, and then slowly began making her way between those exquisitely carved thighs, leaving little kisses along the way until, at long last, she reached Raye's womanhood. Raye gasped with pleasure. Amy's mind recited that single definition she had read in a book somewhere along the course of her medical studies.
Cunnilingus: using one's mouth, nose, or tongue to stimulate a woman's genitals.
Yes indeed…