Allie woke up, blushing. She sat up quickly, heart pounding, and threw off her blankets. She didn't dare to admit what it was that she had dreamed of, even to herself. Chill winter night air blew in from a large window with white curtains so thin as to be translucent. Allie shivered, pulled her arms into her sleeves, and wrapped her arms around herself. She was clad only in panties and a long-sleeved button shirt, both of which were white. Her shirt was buttoned except for the very top button; she didn't like anything around her neck while she slept. Allie hurried over to the window, arms still wrapped around herself. She hastily shut the window. She turned around, rested against the edge of the window ledge and sighed. The dreams came back to her, flashing vividly in her mind. She buried her face in her hands, and wept.
*
The next morning was Monday. The sun flooded Allie's bedroom with a soft, warm glow as it rose. Allie cracked open an eyelid. Hey eyes flew open. “Oh no!” Allie cried. She was late. She threw off her covers and rushed to the bathroom. She got ready quickly, not believing in make-up. She could afford not to wear make-up with her perfect, smooth, cream-colored skin. She examined her face in the mirror briefly. Her large, brilliant deep blue eyes swept over full pink lips, long luxurious golden hair, medium-sized ears, and a nose that was slightly smaller than most. She pulled her hair forward so that one side of her face was mostly hidden, and rushed from the bathroom. Her school was about ten minutes away walking, but Allie figured she could make it there in five minutes if she ran. Allie snatched a tapioca pudding from the refrigerator, her book from the dining room table, and she was gone.
Allie ran along a hard-packed dirt trail through the forest, knowing that this route would get her to school more quickly. Allie suddenly spotted movement from the corner of her eye. Turning her head in the direction of the shadow, Allie didn't see the tree root in front of her. Her eyes barely had time to widen before she found herself sprawled out on the ground. She groaned, and clutched her head. She stood up slowly, wincing as she touched her head gingerly in the spot where it had slammed into the ground.
“Are you okay?” came a voice from behind her. Allie jumped and spun, having forgotten about the figure she had turned to see. In front of her was a beautiful young lady with pure white hair. The girl was thin, tall, and had ample breasts. “H-hair,” stuttered Allie. The lady laughed musically, and Allie flushed deep red. “Ah, yes, I'm fine thank you,” Allie shot out rapidly, remembering the question. The lady held out her hand. Her fingers were long and delicate, the nails perfect as if she had just had them done.
“Ryoko,” she said simply.
“Eh?!” Allie accepted the hand, but looked puzzled.
Ryoko rolled her eyes. “My name,” she stated tartly. “Or can you not get past the hair?”
“I'm sorry,” Allie laughed, “but it's so unusual.” “Oh, and I'm Allie, nice to meet you.”
Ryoko sighed, and started walking away. Allie stared after her, stunned. Her eyes narrowed, and she began to trail after Ryoko, flitting from tree to tree. Ryoko stopped suddenly. Allie hid behind a tree, heart pounding.
“Why are you following me?” Ryoko asked calmly.
Allie tensed, then sighed, drooping, and sheepishly came out from behind the tree where she was hiding. Allie shrugged, uncomfortable at being caught. Ryoko tilted her head to the side. “Well, come on then,” Ryoko said lightly, smiling. She turned, skipping and dancing, into the forest. Allie grinned, running after Ryoko. Allie crashed through branches and plants into a small glade, where she found Ryoko frolicking. Ryoko started to dance, singing. Allie didn't recognize the song, as it was in another language. Allie just stood there, flushing. Ryoko held out her hands. “Dance with me,” she said, her eyes laughing, twinkling. Allie shuffled her feet, looking down in shame. “I... I don't know how to dance,” Allie blurted out. Ryoko stopped and came over to Allie. “Then... I shall teach you.” She held out her hands to Allie again. Allie took her hands this time. Ryoko smiled at Allie reassuringly. Ryoko taught Allie, slowly at first, but by the early afternoon Allie was a passable dancer.
Ryoko and Allie both lied down against a colossal tree, exhausted. The two lay there in silence for a few minutes. Allie turned to Ryoko and started to speak, but Ryoko's head slipped onto Allie's shoulder. Allie tensed, then relaxed, seeing that Ryoko had fallen asleep. Allie put her head on Ryoko's and closed her eyes. Ryoko's hair smelled like white roses. This fragrance and the steady breeze lulled Allie to sleep.
*
Ryoko opened her eyes slowly, still feeling fatigued from the lesson she had given to Allie earlier. She found that her head was on Allie's shoulder. She quickly sat up. She looked over at Allie, only to find Allie staring at her. “What is it?” Ryoko whispered, her face draining of color. “N-Nothing,” Allie stammered, looking away. The blood rushed back to Ryoko's face. “Okay,” Ryoko said, calm once more. The sun was just starting to go down. The two friends watched the sunset together. After a few minutes Allie said, “Well, I should really get going … aren't you going too?” Ryoko burst into tears. “Ryoko, what's wrong!?” Ryoko covered her face with her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. “Don't tell me … you have nowhere to go?” Allie asked uncertainly. Ryoko nodded through her tears, sniffling. Allie stood up and held out her hand to Ryoko, smiling. Ryoko took her hand hesitantly, her tear-filled eyes looking into Allie's disbelievingly. “But,” Ryoko began, but Allie cut her off. “Shh,” she said, still grasping Ryoko's hand tightly, her other hand putting one finger on Ryoko's lips. “From now on we'll be the best of friends,” Allie laughed, practically dragging Ryoko in her haste to get back home. Tears filled Ryoko's eyes once again. “Domo arigatou gozaimasu,” she whispered. “You're welcome,” Allie replied warmly.
They arrived at Allie's house. “Umm,” Ryoko said.
“Hmm?”
“You can let me go now,” Ryoko giggled.
“Oh.” Allie let go of her death grip on Ryoko's hand, and fished around in her pocket for her keys. Allie pulled out her keys and opened the door, ushering Ryoko in. Allie came in behind Ryoko, turning on the lights and shutting the door behind them. Ryoko took in the ambiance of the house in silence. “Do you live here by yourself?” Ryoko inquired. Allie laughed, “No silly, I live here with my father.” Allie saw the anxious expression on Ryoko's face and quickly added, “But don't worry, he's cool with just about anything I do.” In truth, Allie was anxious about how her father would react to Ryoko's presence as well, but she would never admit it to Ryoko. “We only have two rooms here, so you'll have to stay in my room,” Allie said, taking hold of Ryoko's hand again to lead her to their room. Allie released Ryoko's hand and flung open her door. Allie grabbed a towel and washcloth and handed them to Ryoko. “Hmm,” Allie pondered. “Hmm?” Ryoko asked. “I guess you'll have to wear my clothes for now until we can get you some clothes of your own... I have some clothes that are a little too big for me that should fit you,” Allie chattered, looking through her drawers for clothing for Ryoko. “Well, I have a shirt here that looks like it will fit you, but...” Allie bit her lip. “Hmm?” Ryoko repeated sleepily. “I don't have any larger underwear...” Allie trailed off, indicating Ryoko's generous bust. “You'll have to see if my panties fit you too,” Allie went on uncertainly. Ryoko swallowed hard and nodded. Allie handed the shirt and panties to Ryoko. Ryoko smiled her thanks at Allie and stepped into the washroom to take her shower. She left the door slightly ajar, allowing Allie to see Ryoko through the transparent wash curtain. Allie blushed and quickly turned away. Ryoko started to sing, and Allie recognized it as the song that Ryoko sang earlier that day in the forest. Allie listened, captivated. Ryoko finished singing, turned off the water, and got dressed. Ryoko stepped out of the washroom with the towel wrapped around her hair. “Did the panties fit?” Allie asked bluntly. Ryoko blushed. “Hai, umm, yes.” Allie nodded, and went to take her shower. Allie closed the door and showered quickly. She came out dressed only in shirt and panties as well. Allie looked around her room, not seeing Ryoko at first. Ryoko was leaning up against the wall. “Ryoko, why are you on the floor?” She asked. Ryoko looked down. “C'mon, sleep in bed with me,” Allie said, “we'll be practically like sisters in no time.” Allie pulled Ryoko up and pushed her backwards onto the bed, jumping on top of her. Ryoko's eyes widened. Allie looked deeply into Ryoko's eyes and said, “Don't worry. I'm going to take care of you from now on.” With that, Allie rolled off of Ryoko, pulled the sheets up, and closed her eyes. Ryoko smiled peacefully, put her arms around Allie, and closed her eyes as well.
*
“ALLIE!” Allie bolted upright, inadvertently tearing herself from Ryoko's embrace. She saw her father standing in the doorway. Ryoko sat up too, having been woken by Allie's jolt. Her face was drawn and drained of color. She gave a wan, uncertain smile to the man standing in the doorway. “Oh,” Allie's father said, suddenly looking uncomfortable. He turned to go, but Allie said, “Wait.” He turned back around, “What?”
“Dad, this is my friend Ryoko. She doesn't have anywhere to go and I told her she could stay with us.”
“Oh,” said Allie's father, brightening, “so that's how it is.”
Allie's father turned to Ryoko. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Ryoko. Why don't you join us for breakfast?”
Ryoko nodded, speechless.
Allie's father misunderstood Ryoko's silence, “Of course, since you're going to be staying with us, I imagine we'll be eating all our meals together … ah, I'm just a babbling old fool, I'll leave you two to it.” Allie's father left the room, shaking his head.
Allie looked over at Ryoko, who was staring wide-eyed at the spot Allie's father had just vacated. Allie laughed, “I told you he'd be cool with it. Come on let's wash up and eat.” Allie grabbed Ryoko and dashed off to the washroom, Ryoko moving rapidly behind her. Allie picked up a toothbrush and handed a new one to Ryoko. The two brushed their teeth in silence. Ryoko's hairstyle was similar to that of Audrey Hepburn's in Breakfast at Tiffany's, except neater and swirled so it looked like vanilla ice cream. “Sit,” Allie said when the two were finished in the restroom. Ryoko sat down on the bed with Allie. Allie took out her comb, and started brushing Ryoko's hair. She felt a slight shiver run through Ryoko, and Ryoko relaxed as Allie combed. When Ryoko's hair was done, Ryoko took the comb from Allie. Ryoko spun around and went to work on Allie's hair. When she was done, the two ran downstairs for breakfast. Allie had not bothered to get dressed because Ryoko still did not have any clothes, and she didn't want Ryoko to feel any more awkward than she had to. The table was set with three plates. There were eggs, bacon, cheese, bread, and orange juice on the table. “Ah, I just thought … you aren't vegan are you?” In response, Ryoko took a bite out of a piece of bacon. “Sugoi!” Ryoko exclaimed. Allie just stared at Ryoko uncomprehendingly. Ryoko blushed. “Ah … the food is excellent,” she said quietly. “Really?” Allie's father entered the dining room. He smiled, “I'm glad you think so.” Ryoko's face was still flushed with embarrassment from her prior outburst. She looked down, suddenly uncomfortable. Allie's father saw Ryoko's discomfort, and walked over to the table. He slowly sat down. “What's wrong Ryoko?” He asked quietly. Ryoko shifted nervously. “I … I don't …” her voice trailed off. Allie's father smiled kindly. “As long as you're here, you're a part of the family. So relax.” Ryoko smiled too. “Then … itadakimasu!” All of them began to eat. Allie and her father noticed that Ryoko had a very ladylike, high-brow way of handling herself at the table, but neither of them thought it wise to mention it at that moment. After their meal, Ryoko started to clean up, but Allie's father stopped her. “I always take care of the table,” he stated simply, a hint of sadness in his voice. Allie put her hand on Ryoko's arm, looking into her eyes as if to say, I'll explain everything later. Ryoko swallowed, nodding. “Oh that's right,” Allie's father said. “I don't believe I've introduced myself yet. Please pardon my rudeness. My name is Sani.” Ryoko inclined her head gracefully in acknowledgement. Allie whispered in Ryoko's ear, “Sani means 'the old one' in Navajo.” Ryoko covered her mouth to hide her smile. “C'mon, let's see if we can find a temporary pair of pants for you so we can go shopping for clothes,” Allie urged. Ryoko and Allie went back up to Allie's room. Ryoko sat on the bed while Allie flung clothes about, searching for pants for Ryoko. “Here, try these,” Allie said finally, handing Ryoko black sweatpants. Ryoko took the pants and squeezed into them immediately. “They sort of fit,” Ryoko began uncomfortably. “Good enough,” Allie said cheerfully, “now let's go get you some real clothes.” They were about to leave the room, when Sani appeared in the doorway. His arms were full of clothes, which he promptly handed to Ryoko without a word. He then turned and walked quickly back downstairs. Ryoko tilted her head, her expression one of puzzlement. “Well... you should probably try these on first,” Allie sighed. Ryoko glanced furtively at Allie, but Allie's expression was unreadable. Allie turned around and Ryoko shrugged out of Allie's clothes, putting on the ones Sani had just handed to her. “They're perfect!” Ryoko gasped. Allie turned to face Ryoko, a strange look on her face. “They were my mother's clothes,” Allie said quietly. Ryoko's eyes widened in realization. “Then before... the table...” She trailed off. “Yeah,” Allie murmured, “Mom always took care of the table.” Ryoko came over to Allie and embraced her. “I'm sorry,” she whispered. Allie's body started shaking and she pushed Ryoko away roughly, trying to hide her face. Ryoko fell backwards, shocked, and hit her head on the edge of Allie's bed. “Ita!” Ryoko exclaimed, rubbing her head and wincing in pain. Allie rushed over to Ryoko. “I'm- so sorry,” she choked out, and hugged Ryoko. “It's okay,” Ryoko said sympathetically, patting Allie's shoulder with one hand. Allie looked up at Ryoko and opened her mouth to speak when her alarm suddenly went off. She snapped her mouth shut. “C'mon, we should get going,” Allie said finally. “Where are we going?” Ryoko asked. Allie raised an eyebrow incredulously at Ryoko. “School, of course,” Allie stated.
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