Reluctant Diva 11
Inspired by Lipstick Discipline
Chapter 11 – A new ride
The following morning I was looking forward to a quiet Sunday with no new ordeals for me to face. I was in my bra and panty girdle and had just decided which of my tea dresses to put on when Mom briefly appeared in the doorway.
Her cryptic utterance “You might wanted wear something a little more ‘everyday’ this morning.” sounded more like an instruction than advice.
Completely mystified though I was, I made no objection and chose a simple day dress instead of the one I had already selected. When I came downstairs the rationale became clear. Through the open kitchen doorway I could see a shiny blue girl’s bicycle in the backyard. I gazed at it wondering where it had appeared from.

“Rachel brought it around for you yesterday evening.” Mom went on to explain. “I will be on different shifts at work this week so you will need to make your own way to school. I was chatting to the Bennetts on the phone and it occurred to Rachel that you may prefer cycling there instead of catching the school-bus. You have a very thoughtful friend.”

“She’s wonderful!” I agreed. I meant it wholeheartedly although my mind was already whirling once more. I hadn’t ridden a bicycle for a couple of years now and my old boy’s bike was way too small. After Dad had left us Mom hadn’t been able to afford to buy us new ones as we grew. They do say that cycling was something you never forget, but I wasn’t entirely convinced that riding in a dress and girl’s shoes would be so simple. Somehow I didn’t seem to have any confidence any more when it came to trying anything unfamiliar. Unhappily I reflected on what a “big girl” I’d become lately!

I need not have worried. After breakfast, telling Mom I wouldn’t be long, I took my newly loaned wheels out to the roadway and set off for the park. With a few preliminary wobbles, the technique soon came back to me and I found myself speeding along in the sunshine.

This was like a dream. I’d had no opportunity to take part in any outdoor activities for so long that the invigorating exercise in the fresh air was a real joy to me. After riding twice around the park I determined that I would call to see my benefactor on the way home. I sped gaily along, all my cares forgotten. By the time I reached the Bennett’s, my face was glowing. The trip had seemed to take no time. Trying to get my breath back I dismounted demurely and pushed the bike up the driveway to the door.

I was still rather breathless when it was opened to me, “Hello Mrs Bennett, is Rachel in?”

“Oh, you want Rachel, do you” she laughed. “At first I thought you had mixed up your days and come here to do some work. You still can if you like, you know, even if you’re not dressed for it!”

My cleaning job took me there twice a week when I would be attired as a maid. I was always thankful that Chris was usually out at ball practice and so far he hadn’t got to see me in my ‘uniform’.

“No, I’ve come to say thank-you” I smiled. “She’s the best friend a girl… I mean, anyone could have.”

“Stick with ‘girl’ dearie” she corrected. “You are a special one to me!”

For some reason this made me feel all warm inside and on impulse I hugged her. When she hugged me back, I burst into tears.

“There, there” she soothed, holding me to her ample bosom and patting my head.

“I’m sorry” I sniffed. “I don’t know why I’m crying. You’re all so nice to me.” I blinked back my tears.

“It’s just teenage hormones” she smiled. “Rachel was just the same. Run through and see her now. She’s in the yard.”

I did as I was bid and found my idol sitting in the sun reading her magazine. On my approach she started up and hugged me. There was such a smile on her pretty face and the skimpy little sundress she wore outlined her figure to perfection. To me she looked like an angel and when we hugged I was nearly overcome with tears all over again. As she pressed her shapely breasts against mine she had her usual effect on me and I even experienced that familiar tingling sensation in my nether regions.

“I’ve come to say thanks for the loan of the bike” I managed to blurt out, in an effort to overcome my confusion.

“Oh that’s okay. I hardly ever ride it now. Keep it as long as you like.” Rachel grabbed my hands and twirled me round. “This is fun! Let’s spend the day together. Chris is at football practice so you will have to make do with me, I’m afraid.”

“Really? Oh I’d love to! But I’d better tell Mom.” I had no wish for her to see that I would be asking permission but mentally I revised ‘tell’ to ‘ask’. “Can I use the phone?”

“Sure thing. You know where it is. I’ll let mother know you will be here for lunch.”

When I made the call, I took care that my friend couldn’t overhear. “Hi Mom. I thought I’d better let you know I rode over to the Bennett’s to say thanks for loaning me the bike.”

Thankfully she seemed pleased. “Well done, Jennifer. That was thoughtful.”

“They would like me to stay and have lunch. Is that okay with you?”

As I half-expected the proposal was not best received. As she hesitated, I found time to wonder if her response revealed a reluctance to loosen those strings of hers which seemed to control me.
“I don’t know about that. It isn’t right to impose yourself on Mrs Bennett when they have been so kind to you.”

However I had my attempt at persuasion all worked out. “Oh I know Mom. But I’ll help her with the meal and clear up afterwards so she won’t have any trouble.”

“And what about our lunch? Who will get that?” As usual she had an unanswerable argument. It was one of my regular tasks to make lunch on Sundays.

Crestfallen, I hadn’t a counter for that one. “Oh sure. I’ll tell them ‘no’ then.”

My disappointment was short-lived however. “Well if you will really be a help to Mrs Bennett, then you can stay this once. I shall expect you to make our supper instead. Back by 4:30 mind.”

As I normally did most of the prepping for our evening meal this was hardly any extra imposition.
“Gee thanks, Mom! You really are the best!”

All obstacles removed, Rachel and I spent the morning happily in the garden. I was able to bring her up to speed with the events of the previous evening. She was shocked to hear how I’d been tricked into a double date with someone I didn’t know.

“You need to stay away from mean girls” she chided, but she looked her admiration at the way I had got myself out of my sticky situation. We were so engrossed that I forgot how time was passing and it was fortunate that I caught the sound of her mother being busy in the kitchen. Lunch!

“Gotta help your mom!” I gasped to Rachel before running in to offer my services. Looking back I could see her laughing at the panic-stricken expression on my face.

“Oh Mrs Bennett, you must let me make lunch for you” I panted. “It’s the least I can do.”

She was surprised at the urgency in my voice but seemed pleased too. “Well that’s really kind of you, dearie! It will be nice to have help for a change.” More loudly “My good-for-nothing girl is far too lazy to be of any use to me.”

Through the window I could see Rachel smiling back at us pretending she couldn’t hear, her fingers stuck ostentatiously in her ears. Relieved that Mom was likely to get a favourable report, I set to work making sandwiches and preparing drinks. After we’d eaten I cleared away with alacrity, despite my hostess’s protests. Rachel came to help me with the dishes so we could continue our heart to heart. She started to tell me of the trainee pharmacist who had recently started at her place of work and with whom her mind was filled. She made me blush to hear how she felt about some of his better ‘features’.

“His name is George. I think he likes me too, but I don’t know,” she hazarded at one point in our conversation.

Her diffidence took me a little by surprise. I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous. I guess I didn’t want to share my friend’s attention with anyone else. “Of course he likes you!” I tried to reassure her. “He’s not blind, is he?”

She shook her head but looked unconvinced.

I turned back to the sink. “Even if you weren’t so devastatingly gorgeous, he is bound to like you. You’re the nicest person I know!” and I meant every word.

Glancing over my shoulder at her I could see her colour up at this praise, but she looked happier. My reward for my declaration was to feel her arms encircle my waist in another hug. There followed by an unexpected request. “Just say, if he were to ask me out, would you double date with me?”
She continued slyly, “You and Chris?”

It was my turn to blush and I had to stand for a moment thinking. “I… I guess so. If Chris wanted me to. He might, as he’s such a good friend. It would probably be okay.” Then, trying to keep my disappointment out of my voice, “but he’s bound to want to date a real girl not… well not someone like me.”

One of Rachel’s hands slid down and gave my butt a friendly squeeze. I could do nothing with my hands in the sink and was starting to let myself enjoy the sensation when next thing I nearly jumped out of my skin as she gave my bottom a sharp pinch. “Oww!”

“He’s crazy about you, silly!” and she turned me around to face her, suds flying everywhere. “Seriously! I mean it.”

Just then Chris himself entered the room. Rachel’s eyes and mine met in alarm and I spun back to the sink.

“Er… Hi Chris!” I stammered, colouring to the roots of my hair.

“Hi er… Hi you two!” He sounded surprised I was there but seemed pleased as well, which reassured me.

Rachel was equal to the situation. “Hungry? We saved you all the nicest sandwiches from lunch. I wasn’t going to, but your little girlie friend here insisted” she lied. “Isn’t she a sweetheart?”

He didn’t seem fazed by this attack “Mmm, thanks Jennifer. I’m starving!”

Prompted by a nudge and meaning look from his sister, I dried my hands and retrieved the plate of food from the refrigerator. I removed the cover and held it out to him, smiling. “Well I hope you approve of my selection.” I gave him what I hoped was an arch look. “My aim is to please.”

He looked a little conscious as he took the food from me and placed it on the table. Returning to stand next to Rachel, I received another nudge from her and an admiring glance. “Nice work!” she murmured.

I was encouraged by her approval. “Can I get you something to drink? We had fruit juice but I believe there’s Seven-Up too.”

“Oh, fruit juice is fine. But I’ll get it. Don’t trouble.” He sounded a little flustered.

“No trouble” I tripped past him to the fridge once more. Then selecting a tall glass I stood directly before him and held it up high while I poured the drink. “Say when!”

He was definitely distracted now. The glass was full nearly to the brim before he collected himself to say “Oh! When!”

I placed it next to his plate giving him with another of my best smiles. “Have you everything you want?”

“Oh! Er… Yeah, thanks” he muttered hesitantly.

I returned to stand by my friend who decided to take charge at that point and motioned me to follow her into the back yard.
“Come Jennifer, let’s leave Chris to refresh himself. We have things to discuss.”

Once outside she burst into giggles. When she had recovered somewhat “Well that was delicate. I can see I have little to teach you about the art of flirting. Where did you learn to be so coy?”

“I dunno” and I really didn’t. “I just did whatever came into my head.”

“Well you’re a natural, let me tell you! You definitely got his attention!” and still giggling to herself now and then, she found me a magazine and sat me down next to her.

When Chris emerged from the house he had showered and changed. His hair was neatly parted. He sat himself down on the grass in front of me.

“Thanks for lunch. I was ready for that, I can tell you.” He went on “Coach works us pretty hard”.

“Oh, is my little brother tired, then?” his sister crooned in mock sympathy. “Don’t listen to him, Jennifer. He’s only playing up because he wants your interest.”

He looked a little nettled at this sisterly jibe, but I was ready to provide the necessary balm.

“Well he doesn’t need to do anything special to get my attention” was my rejoinder “because he already deserves it. Chris, you have been so good to me, looking after me at school these last two weeks. Don’t think I’m not grateful. Every ‘girl’ needs a knight errant, sometimes, and you have been mine.”

“That’s okay. It was nothing.” He looked deeply embarrassed.

“No, it wasn’t nothing” I insisted. “You stood up for me and made me feel safe."
"Anyway, from now on I should be all right” I continued. “With Rachel’s bike I won’t need to travel on the school-bus to get to school. When I’m at school I can stay close to the teachers. At the end of the day I only have to get the bike from the rack and ride home. I’ll be fine.”

Rachel looked concerned at this. “She’ll be fine? Chris, will she be fine?”

He looked doubtful.

“Honestly, you two. It will be okay.” I tried to feel convinced by my own words.

To change the subject I asked innocently, “Are you good at all sports, Chris?” I’d noticed a tall spike stuck into the lawn with a metal coil at the top from which hung a tennis ball on a length of cord.

He looked pleased. “Pretty fair” he answered modestly.

“He’s rubbish at swing-ball” chimed in his sister, following my gaze. “I can beat him any time!”

“Hah! Not true!”

“Prove it!”

The result of this spat was a contest between us all. The competition started off light-heartedly but soon became deadly serious. I was a novice at the game but between brother and sister there was little to choose. Chris was much stronger of course but Rachel was faster so they were evenly matched. Thus happily engaged, the time flew past and looking at my watch I realised I would soon have to leave if I were to meet Mom’s deadline. I said so and thanked them once again for all their kindnesses. As I made to depart, I hugged Chris first. The feel of his strong hands on my waist was delicious and impulsively I left the imprint of my lips on his cheek once again.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Rachel grinning from ear to ear. When it was her turn, “Hussy!” she whispered so only I could hear. Then she folded me in her arms as if she would never let me go. This was heaven!

At this point Rachel clapped her hand to her forehead. “Oh I nearly forgot. I sorted out some of my old school clothes for you. Now that Jennifer is at school full time, she can’t have so many skirts that fall within the school dress code. They are nearly new but if you don’t like them just give them to Goodwill.”

She ran upstairs and returned with a parcel which she wedged into the bike basket before waving me off. I found the thought of wearing anything that had graced my glamorous friend’s body intoxicating and it occupied my mind all the way home. I couldn’t wait to try them, although it was later in the evening when I got the chance. It was intoxicating to conduct my own little fashion show. As I tried skirts and tops to see which combination I liked best, I could imagine how Rachel would have looked in each outfit. My goal, if not a very attainable one, was to imitate her style as closely as I could. I did find two or three looks with which I was satisfied and wearing the best of these I ran down to show Mom.

The one I had on, my favourite pairing, was a white skinny rib sweater which accentuated my bustline and a flared skater skirt in a deep pink. She seemed to approve and when I asked her if I could wear it the next day, she nodded and said it suited me. She went on to express the concern that it might not fall within the dress-code. The skirt ended well above the knee it was true, but it was high-waisted so didn’t look all that short, which I presumed was how Rachel had managed to get away with wearing it to school.

“You will certainly turn some heads in that. If they send you home, don’t say I didn’t warn you” she chided but from her accompanying smile I guessed she thought it would probably be okay.
I should have heeded the glint in her eye, however. That was always a warning!