(c) 2007 - 2008 by LFox
A World Apart
Chapter 15: The People That We Love

In Eden in the forest area around Shalielaith Nathan and Jessica are walking side by side.  A short distance behind them Elisha and Athel are walking together as they talk.

“You two are really hitting it off.  You’re meeting pretty much every day” says Elisha.

“Yeah, well Jess is such a sweet girl” says Athel.

“Well you seem like a really decent guy”

“Actually I’m not a guy.  I’m really a woman”

Elisha stares at Athel in shock completely speechless.  “You’re…?”

Ahead of them Jessica yells out and waves.  “Hey Athel hurry up”

Athel smiles.  “Sorry gotta go”

Elisha watches as he runs off ahead after Jessica.  She stands there for several moments watching in utter shock as the two walk side by side talking.  After a few moments they stop and Athel disappears.

Elisha quickly runs over to them and looks at them.  “What’s going on?”

Jessica smiles brightly at her.  “We’re gonna meet in the real world for a date.  I’ll see you guys later”

Elisha holds a hand out and her mouth opens as if she’s going to say something but nothing comes out.  Before she has a chance to form the words Jessica disappears.

Elisha turns to Nathan with almost a terrified look on her face.  “She, she didn’t just say she’s going to meet Athel in the real world to go on a date did she?”

Nathan looks at her blankly and nods.  “Yeah, that’s what she said, why?”

“Athel is a woman.  She told me just a few moments ago.  I don’t think Jess knows”

Nathan keeps the same blank look on his face.  “Oh, well that should be interesting”

Elisha turns away and starts to get agitated as her mind reels trying to think.  “We, we should do something.  She’s going to be horrified”

“Like what?  Tell her she can’t meet Athel because he’s actually a woman?”

Elisha puts a hand to her face and shakes her head.  “I don’t know”

Meanwhile in the real world Jessica walks over to the center of the lobby where a woman’s standing around waiting.  The twenty one year old woman is 6ft tall with grey eyes and long reddy brown hair down to her shoulders.  For clothes she has a pair of black pointed two inch high heel shoes and a pair of long black pants with a silver belt.  On her top she has a white blouse covered by a black trench coat that stretches down to her ankles and finally around her neck she has a black scarf and on her fingers she has several expensive looking rings.

Jessica smiles at the woman.  “You waiting for someone too huh?”

The woman turns to her with a smile.  “Jess right?”

Jessica looks at her confused.  “You…you know my name?”

The woman smiles.  “Of course silly, remember we were gonna meet in the real world?”

The very essence itself seems to drain from Jessica’s body.  Her face goes deathly pale and a look of such shock covers her face that the word mortified doesn’t even cover it.  Jessica takes a step back in fear.  “You, you’re…?  Oh god”.  Jessica turns to the side and clutches her chest as she stares down at the ground.

The woman puts a hand to her mouth in shock.  “Oh my god I’m so sorry, oh god, I, I thought I told you”

“You’re…” starts Jessica.

The woman holds a hand out toward her slightly.  “Okay, calm down.  Yeah I’m actually a woman”.  The woman shakes her head.  “Look I’ll just go, I’m really sorry about this”.  The woman walks past Jessica to go to the elevators when Jessica grabs a hold of her arm and looks up at her face.  The woman turns and looks at Jessica surprised.

Jessica gulps down in fear as she tries to form the words she wants to say.  “We…t-t-talk…talk about this”

The woman looks at her sympathetically.  “I’m so sorry, I thought I already told you and…”.  She turns her head away.  “God this is such a mess”.  She turns back to look at Jessica.  “You must be horrified”

Jessica nods slightly.  “Y-eah”

“Alright look let’s go grab some lunch”.  The woman motions her hands in front of her as she speaks her next sentence.  “Strictly friendish nothing more basis and we’ll talk about this”

Jessica nods.  “Okay”

A while later Jessica and the woman are sitting up on the twentieth floor of a building inside a coffee shop by the window.  In front of them they each have a cup of hot chocolate, Jessica’s is completely untouched while the woman’s has had a few sips taken from it.  Despite not having touched her drink Jessica has calmed down significantly and most of all her skins color has returned.

The woman looks at Jessica sympathetically again.  “I’m so sorry about this”

“It’s, it’s okay.  I, I obviously didn’t listen when you told me so it’s my fault.  I’m sorry what was your name again?” says Jessica.

“Vanessa.  You’re totally straight aren’t you?”

Jessica nods.  “Yeah”

“So the whole thing was, cause of the body?”

Jessica sighs and nods slightly.  “I guess so.  Look I’m sorry I freaked out on you earlier”

Vanessa waves her hand.  “Oh no don’t be.  I would have done the same.  It’s…kind of a shame, I really liked you in that way”

Jessica lowers her eyes and rubs her shoulder with her hand nervously.  “Yeah, I, I liked you too in that way”

Vanessa smiles.  “And the sex was good”.  She quickly waves her hands in from of her.  “Sorry, sorry”

Jessica sighs.  “No, it was.  You were a guy…”.  Jessica finally raises her gaze to look at Vanessa.  “To be honest that was my first time”

Vanessa hangs her head down on the table for several moments then glances up.  “Really?”

Jessica nods nervously.

Vanessa puts her head back down against the table.  “God, I am SO SORRY”.  Vanessa sits back up and looks at Jessica sadly.  “God no wonder you’re so horrified”

“It’s, it’s okay.  Even if you are…least my first time was good.  Besides I’m still a virgin here”

Vanessa reaches into her purse and pulls out a small plastic card and hands it to Jessica.  “Look here’s my card.  I know I can NEVER make this up to you but…you ever need something.  Some help, just anything, call me.  Doesn’t matter what time it is”

Vanessa is about to get up from her seat when Jessica reaches out and grabs her hand.  Jessica looks at her nervously and scared.  “I, I wanta, see you again”

Vanessa looks at her.  “You, why?”.  She sits back down and stares at Jessica.  “Why would you want to see me again?”

“We, we had something”

“But you’re not gay.  You should be out dating guys your own age.  In the real world”

Jessica looks at her sadly with almost tears in her eyes.  “I, I liked who you were”

Vanessa puts a hand over Jessica’s.  “Jess listen I am who I am, in this world and Eden but, I obviously don’t have the body your after”

Jessica glances away.  “Still…”

“Look at me”.  Jessica turns back to look at her.  “You tell me, can you love this body?  This face?”

Tears build up in the corner of Jessica’s eyes as she shakes her head.  “I don’t know.  When I look in your eyes, I see everything I want but…I just don’t know”

Vanessa lets out a heavy sigh.  “Okay look here’s what we’ll do.  Sleep on it, tomorrow when you wake up think very very carefully.  If you still want to see me again, call me.  Don’t worry about your sexual preference, don’t worry about what happened but if you want to see me for me, call me.  We can have lunch, just talk, go shopping whatever you want okay?”

A tear streams down Jessica’s cheek and she nods.

“Look don’t worry about my feelings.  Don’t feel pressured by anything, I don’t expect anything to happen.  In fact I expect you to leave today and never see me again okay?”

Jessica nods slowly.  With that Vanessa stands up and walks off.  After several moments of sitting around with tears in her eyes Jessica pulls out her mobile and turns it on finding she has seven missed calls and four messages.  She presses on her mobile to call back the number and after a few moments Elisha appears on the screen.

Elisha sadly looks at the tears in Jessica’s eyes for a moment.  “You okay?  I’ve been trying to reach you for ages”

“I’m, I’m fine” says Jessica.

“I take it you met, your person?”

Jessica wipes away her tears and nods.  “Yeah”

“Look Jess she told me earlier before you left.  You, you were gone before I could say anything”

“It’s okay”.  Jessica takes a deep breath.  “Look I’m not going to Eden tomorrow, maybe for a few days.  And…could you, not call me.  I, I need some time to think”

Elisha nods.  “Yeah, yeah I understand.  I’ll tell Nathan”

The next morning Jessica is sitting on her bed in her nighty with Vanessa’s card in one hand and her mobile in the other.  She breaths heavily and gulps down then starts dialing the number.  After ringing for several moments Vanessa appears on the monitor.

“Hi” says Jessica.

Vanessa smiles warmly.  “I’m surprised you called.  You thought about everything?”

Jessica nods and takes another deep breath.  “Yeah, you, you wanta, you…”

“I’d love to.  How about we go to Willson Park?  We can walk around and talk”.  Jessica nods.  “You wanta meet me there or you want me to pick you up?”

“I’ll, I’ll meet you there”

“See you there in an hour by the fountains?”

Jessica nods.  The monitor goes black as Vanessa disconnects the call.  Jessica breaths out heavily and puts her phone away.  After a few moments she gets up and goes over to her closet then starts browsing through her clothes.  An hour later Jessica is sitting on a bench by a massive stone fountain.  Around her there’s large trees with lush green freshly cut grass.  Plants and bushes surround the area and there’s not a single spec of garbage in sight.

Jessica herself is all trussed up in a long white dress with a skinny white handbag , high heels and tiny splash of makeup on her face.  After several moments Vanessa walks over to her wearing another classy outfit like the day before.

Vanessa smiles and waves slightly.  “Hi”

Jessica quickly stands up awkwardly showing off her nervousness.  “H-hi”

Vanessa smiles warmly.  “You don’t have to be so tense”.  Jessica nods silently.  Vanessa looks her up and down slyly.  “You look pretty dressed up, this a date?”

Jessica looks up at her looking nervous and confused.  “I don’t know, is it?”

“It is if you want it to be”

Jessica lowers her eyes.  “I don’t know”

Vanessa smiles.  “You look cute”

Jessica blushes and looks Vanessa over quickly.  “You, you look nice too”

Vanessa turns to the side and motions a hand at the pathway.  “Let’s walk a bit shall we?”.  Jessica nods silently and they walk off side by side.  “You know I usually don’t date people so much younger than me, but, I thought we had something so I made an exception”

“You always been…?”

Vanessa nods.  “Yep, ever since I was a little girl.  Of course there were quite a few others so I managed to date a bit while still in school.  You always been straight?”

“Yeah, to be honest I never even considered going out with another girl before”

Vanessa looks at her slyly.  “Never peeked at lesbian porn just once?”

Jessica blushes and shakes her head.  “No, no never”

“And now you’re on a date with a woman five years older than you”.  Jessica nods.  Vanessa glances at her with a curious look.  “Tell me, what are you REALLY hoping for out of this?”

Jessica looks down at the ground and shakes her head.  “I have no idea.  I honestly don’t even know why I came here today”.  She glances up at Vanessa for a moment then turns her gaze back down and blushes.  “I’m, glad I did though”

Meanwhile Nathan and Elisha ride the elevator up at the Eden center.

“So, Jess is really shaken up about it?” asks Nathan.

Elisha sighs and looks at him.  “How would you feel if you found out the person your all lovey over is actually a guy when you thought they were a woman?”

“Point taken.  So what we’re just gonna leave her alone for a few days?”

Elisha shakes her head.  “That’s what she wanted”

Nathan leans forward slightly and looks deeply at Elisha’s face.  “Is that okay though?”

“She needs to sort things out, it’s for the best.  Anyway in the meantime we’ll be in Eden with your girlfriend killing stuff”

Nathan nods.  “Right”

A few minutes later Elisha and Nathan appear in Elwyn’s house in the living room.  They walk over to the doorway of the kitchen where they see Elwyn humming in front of the stove as she uses telekinesis to cook some eggs and bacon for breakfast.

“Morning” says Nathan.

Elwyn turns around with a smile.  “Morning”.  She notices Jessica’s absence and looks at them in confusion.  “Where’s Jess?”

“She won’t be coming” says Elisha.

Nathan rubs the back of his head with a hand.  “That guy she liked…turned out it was actually a woman so…”

Elwyn’s eyes go wide and she raises a hand to her mouth in shock.  “Oh, oh boy”

“She needs some time to sort things out”

Elwyn nods.  “Yeah, I, I bet.  So…you guys want some breakfast?”

Nathan smiles.  “No thanks”

Elisha waves a hand.  “I’m fine thank you”

Elwyn turns back to the stove.  The cupboard above her on the side opens and a plate floats out.  It floats around until it’s in front of Elwyn where she grabs a hold of it.  The food in the pan quickly rises up and floats over and lands on the plate in her hand.  With a smile she turns around and sits down at the table where she begins to eat her food.

“So, what are we doing today?” asks Elwyn.

Nathan reaches back and rubs the back of his neck with a hand.  “To be honest I hadn’t really given it much thought”

Elisha smirks.  “Maybe I should just leave you two love birds alone?”

Nathan and Elwyn both turn red and speak at the same time.  “That’s not necessary”.  They turn to each other then turn away with red faces.

Elisha sighs heavily.  “I really feel out of place here without Jess”

“Well, anyway why don’t we check around town for work?” says Nathan.

“That’s a good idea.  Just give me a few minutes to eat” says Elwyn.

Nathan and Elisha take a seat at the table as they wait for Elwyn to finish eating.

Nathan lets out a sigh.  “You know I really feel we should be doing something for Jess.  After all we’ve known her since we were little kids”

Elisha sighs.  “I know how you feel but I think for the time being it’s best to respect her wishes and let her be alone for a while”

“I guess”

“Then after a few days we’ll stick to her like glue regardless if she wants us around or not”

Elwyn giggles.  “I’m sure she’ll be fine after she’s had some time to think things over for a while”

An hour or so later Jessica’s date finally comes to a close, Vanessa and her stand facing each other as they prepare to leave.

“Before we part today would you mind if I give you a kiss?” asks Vanessa.

Jessica stares at her face in shock and turns beet red.  “A k-k-kiss?”

Vanessa nods with a soft smile.

Jessica glances downward as she debates it in her mind.  Finally her face blushes deeper in color and she nods slightly.

Vanessa reaches a hand back behind Jessica’s head and leans down.  Very slowly she presses her lips against Jessica’s.  Slowly yet sensually she kisses her being careful to watch if she wants to pull away at any time.  Finally after several moments she pulls away with a smile and looks at Jessica who’s locked in a daze.

“Well?” asks Vanessa.

Jessica snaps out of her daze and opens her mouth to say something.  Just before the words reach her mouth and stops and turns her head to the side as she blushes furiously.

Vanessa smiles at her reaction.  “You’re so cute.  You want to go out again tomorrow after I finish work?”

Jessica turns to look at her seeming surprised.  She opens her mouth but no words come to her so she nods slightly.

“I’ll pick you up at seven and dress fancy okay?”

Jessica nods blankly.  “Okay”

The next night the doorbell rings on Jessica’s house.  Jessica’s mother who happens to look similar to her Eden character opens the door.  She looks to be in her 40s as she stands at around 5ft tall with green eyes and strawberry blond hair down to her chin.  As she opens the door she’s greeted with Vanessa standing at the door who’s wearing red high heels and a beautiful elegant red dress that goes down to her ankles but has slit open on the side that goes up to her thigh.

Vanessa smiles warmly.  “Hi I’m Vanessa I’m a friend of Jess’s is she ready yet?”

Jessica’s mother looks at her in surprise for a moment then smiles.  “She’ll be down in a moment why don’t you come in and wait?”.  She stands aside and motions Vanessa to come in.

As Vanessa walks in Jessica comes halfway down the staircase and stops.  “Mum is she…oh hey”

Vanessa smiles and waves.  “You all ready to go?”

“Yeah”.  Jessica quickly comes down the stairs wearing a beautiful white dress that stops just after her thighs along with a pair of white high heels.  “Mum I might be out late so don’t wait up okay?”

Jessica’s mother smiles.  “Have fun”

Together Vanessa and Jessica walk outside.  As they walk down the pathway Jessica stares in shock at the brilliant white Lamborghini parked in front of her house.  As she gets closer she quickly realizes it’s the very latest model worth almost four hundred thousand dollars.

“This, is your car?” asks Jessica.

Vanessa smiles.  “Yeah, I bought it a few weeks ago.  Come on get in”

Together they get in the car.  Jessica quickly pulls the seatbelt across and locks it in then turns her gaze to Vanessa.

“So, where are we going?” asks Jessica.

Vanessa smiles.  “I thought we’d go to a nice restaurant for dinner.  That’s not too much is it?”

Jessica looks at her fearfully.  “You mean, as a, as a couple?”

“Yeah”.  Jessica glances down at her lap nervously unsure of what to do or do.  Seeing her reaction Vanessa quickly feels rather bad as she realizes perhaps dinner wasn’t exactly the best idea.  “We don’t have to if you don’t want to”.  Vanessa puts a hand to her forehead in defeat.  “I guess I shoulda put a little more thought into things”

Jessica quickly perks up and waves a hand.  “No, no, let’s go to dinner”

Vanessa looks at her with uncertainty.  “You sure?”

Jessica nods.

A while later they walk into a very extravagant and expensive restaurant.  Around them sitting at the various tables are people in suits and gowns all looking very wealthy or very professional as they go about their business.

Vanessa confidently strides up to the podium and smiles at the thin man in a suit behind it.  “Excuse me I have a reservation for two.  The names Light”

The man quickly flips through his list then smiles at her.  “Follow me this way and I’ll show you to your table Miss Light”.  The man quickly leads them through the restaurant over to a table by the window especially made for two people.  “The waiter will be along shortly”.  With that the man leaves.

Vanessa casually picks up a menu and starts browsing it.  Jessica reaches out and picks the other menu up and glances over it.  After several moments her face turns deathly pale as she sees the prices of each of the dishes ranging in the hundreds.  Jessica quickly puts the menu down and leans over the table.

“Can you afford this place?” whispers Jessica.

Vanessa smiles.  “Of course.  You did already see my car so…”

Jessica relaxes back in her seat as she remembers the car.  “Y-yeah I, I guess you have quite a bit of money”

“I have a very well paying job.  Better than most”

Jessica puts on a serious expression.  “Look I hope you don’t think I’m trying to…”

Vanessa smiles.  “I know you’re not.  So, what are you having?”

Jessica glances down at the menu then shakes her head.  “I, I don’t know”

“How about I order for you?”

Jessica looks at her a moment the nods.  “Yeah, okay”

A female waiter comes by several moments later and begins to talk with Vanessa.  While she’s busy Jessica looks around the restaurant quickly noticing several other same gender couples about the place eating dinner together, as friends or more.  As the waiter leaves Vanessa turns to look at Jessica whose face has slowly filled with worry.

“You okay?” asks Vanessa.

Jessica turns to look at Vanessa in shock, then quickly nods.  “Yeah, yeah I’m, I’m fine”

“Bit nervous in a restaurant as a couple?”

Jessica nods shyly.  “It’s not just that.  I’ve never set foot in a place like this in my life or dressed up so fancy.  It’s…it’s…”

“Let’s just try to enjoy ourselves okay?”

Jessica nods.  “Okay”

Several minutes later the waiter comes back and sits their meals on the table along with a bottle of wine.  As they begin eating Jessica starts to calm down and loosen up especially as she starts to sip at the wine.  By the time they’ve finished their meal the two of them are chatting like old high school friends.  After dinner they both head back to the car and slump down into the seats.  Vanessa stares ahead for a moment then turns to Jessica with a serious expression.

“Would you like to come back to my place?” asks Vanessa.

Jessica smiles.  “Okay”

Vanessa looks at her oddly as she wonders if Jessica grasped the context of what she was implying.  “You…do realize I meant that in a, sexual way right?”

Jessica leans over to Vanessa and kisses her on the lips.  “I know.  I think I know what I like about you now and it’s not the body you had”

Vanessa raises an eyebrow.  “You’re sure it’s not too fast?  It’s only our second date after all and that’s not the wine talking is it?”

“No it’s not.  Besides we’ve already had sex once”

“Yeah, but that was in Eden so…”

Jessica cuts her off.  “Still”

“You sure you can handle doing it with a girl though?”

Jessica gulps down then nods slightly.  “Yeah, because…I think I love you”

Vanessa smiles warmly.  “Alright then”

Not even ten minutes later they walk through the door of Vanessa’s penthouse.  Inside expensive furniture sits about the room, white and glass.  A massive TV hangs on the wall almost the size of the wall itself and over on the far wall a set of glass doors lead out to the pool and balcony that overlook the city.  None of it though is taken notice of as Jessica and Vanessa start furiously kissing each other.

Vanessa pulls away briefly with a husky voice.  “You sure you wanta do this?”

Jessica nods furiously.  “I’m sure”.  With that she grabs Vanessa and starts kissing her wildly again.

As they kiss Vanessa reaches a hand around and gently begins to rub and squeeze Jessica’s ass.  After several moments Jessica pulls away and slides down the straps of her dress.

In the morning Vanessa wakes up in bed naked with Jessica.  Around them the sheets are a bundled mess and nearby on the floor a phone rings repeatedly.  Vanessa crawls out of bed sleepily and picks up the phone lying on the floor.  As she flips it open Elisha appears on the monitor.

Elisha looks at her surprised.  “Uh, who are you?  And what are you doing with my friends mobile?”

Jessica suddenly sits upright in bed with the covers around her waist leaving her breasts in full view.  She quickly turns seeing her mobile in Vanessa’s hand.  “Oh my god”

Vanessa gives a woops look and quickly passes the phone to Jessica.  “Sorry, I, I thought it was mine”

“Hi” says Jessica.

Elisha stares at Jessica for several moments then raises an eyebrow and smirks.  “Are you naked?”

“What?  No, no”.  Jessica blushes and quickly pulls the blanket up around her in hopes of covering herself a bit.

“You are, you”.  Elisha’s eyes go wide.  “Oh my god”.  Elisha leans toward her phone and whispers.  “You had sex with that woman didn’t you?”

Jessica blushes red.  “No, no it’s nothing like that”

Elisha grins broadly.  “Yeah right and pigs fly.  Just admit it, by the way your breasts are showing”

Jessica quickly looks down when she looks up again Elisha starts snickering.  Jessica stares at Elisha in annoyance.  “Yeah, okay, I did”

“God I can’t believe you turned gay”

Jessica glares at Elisha angrily.  “Is there a reason you called so early?”

Elisha smiles.  “No, but I’m sure glad I did.  I mostly called to see if you’re okay, but judging by the situation I’d say you very much are”

Jessica continues to glare at Elisha.  “I REALLY hate you”

Elisha straightens her face and puts on a serious expression.  “Okay seriously though, you two are together now?”

“It’s, it’s weird.  I don’t know, I like her, but for her you know?  I guess when you get down to it I want to be with her, regardless of her gender”

“Okay, so your gay no big deal”.  Elisha smiles.  “When do I get to meet your girlfriend?”

Jessica glares at her in annoyance.  “Do you have to?  I mean you already met her anyway”

“That was in Eden though.  Come on, I wanta meet her”

“…fine, fine, maybe later today then”

Elisha grins.  “Can I tell Nathan?”

Jessica’s eyes go wide and her face turns pale.  “WHAT?”

“He’s gonna find out anyway”

Jessica quickly calms down and thinks it over.  “No, no, let me tell him”

“Fine fine.  So how was the sex?”

Jessica’s expression quickly darkens and she glares coldly at Elisha for a moment before hitting the end call button and turning off her mobile.

Vanessa smiles at Jessica from the end of the bed.  “Sounds like your friends pretty curious”

Jessica stares to her side.  “Too curious if you ask me.  I just had lesbian sex last night for the first time in my life and SHE wants to hear about it”

Vanessa gets up and moves closer to Jessica on the bed.  “You know you may feel a bit uncomfortable talking about it but honestly I think it’d do you good”

Jessica looks up at Vanessa seeming surprised.  “Huh?  Why?”

“It’s always been a girl thing to talk about their dates and sex.  Besides it might help you ease into the whole gay thing a bit easier”

“Maybe you’re right.  I mean we are best friends.  By the way do you think you could?”

Vanessa smiles.  “Sure, I can drop you off before I go to work.  I assume you’re going to Eden right?”

Jessica nods.  “Yeah”

“I’ll meet your friends in the afternoon it’ll give you a chance to explain things”

Jessica nods in agreement.

Later that day Vanessa parks her car outside the Eden center.  Jessica hops out of the car and waves before running inside.  In the lobby Nathan and Elisha are sitting on the side watching the large TV’s on the wall while they wait.

“I’m surprised you suddenly want to join us in Eden again” says Nathan.

Elisha smiles.  “Let’s go to the lounge, we got stuff to talk about”

Nathan looks at her confused.  “We do?”.  Several minutes later their seated in the lounge area across from each other.  “So what do we have to talk about?”

Jessica fidgets in her seat with her head low as she tries to form the words.  “I’m, I’m…”

“Your?”

“She’s gay” says Elisha.

Jessica looks up at Elisha with an angry glare.  “ELISHA”

Nathan stares at Jessica blankly.  “What?”

Elisha smiles slyly.  “She’s been dating that woman she met in Eden”

Nathan stares at Jessica dumbfounded.  “Seriously?”

Jessica sighs and nods.  “Yeah”

“Is this because of me?”

Jessica stares at him for a moment then shakes her head.  “No, no, well I don’t think it is”

“You?  Gay?  Seriously?”

“Is it that hard to believe?”

Nathan nods.  “Yeah it is.  How come?”

Jessica nervously rubs her arm with a hand.  “I, I don’t know.  I just, I just like her so much.  The more I thought about her, it, it just felt right, you know?”

Elisha grins widely clearly enjoying herself.  “She’s an older woman too”

“She’s what?” asks Nathan.

Jessica shoots an angry glare at Elisha.  “She’s twenty one”

“Wow”

Jessica holds a finger out toward Nathan accusingly.  “Hey don’t you wow me your in love with an NPC in Eden for Christ sakes”

“Well you got me there”

Jessica suddenly looks almost scared as she looks at her friends.  “You guys, your okay with this right?  You don’t think of me differently do you?”

Nathan shakes his head.  “No, no of course not.  I don’t care whatever floats your boat”

Elisha grins widely.  “As for me I think it’s awesome.  Seriously it is so cool you’re gay now”

Jessica gives Elisha an odd look as she tries to work her out.  “Right”

Elisha lets out a heavy sigh.  “Now I’m the only one without somebody.  I really gotta find a boyfriend…or maybe a girlfriend hmm”

“Girlfriend?  You’re kidding right?”

“Hey I’m not as straight as you were and if you can find a girlfriend you love I’m sure as hell going to keep all my options open”

“Why don’t you have a boyfriend anyway?  You’ve dated like two guys in your entire life.  There’s been plenty more though that have taken a interest in you”

Elisha smirks.  “I’m very picky”

“You told your parents?” asks Nathan.

Jessica shakes her head and lowers her eyes seeming almost scared.  “No, to be honest I REALLY don’t want to”

“Well you better their gonna find out eventually.  Might be a bit awkward to invite them to your wedding later on if they don’t know” says Elisha.

“I’m scared, I’m scared my parents will freak out” says Jessica.

Nathan shakes his head.  “If we were having this conversation forty years ago or in another country I’d say it’s well founded.  But here in the fifties gay people have as much respect and rights as any other person.  I mean hell they’ve had for the past nine years that place that deals with children for same sex couples, what’s it called?”

Elisha quickly corrects him.  “Cyphergenics”

“Yeah that’s it.  They offer procedures for same sex couples to have kids”

“Well despite all that I’m still a bit worried.  I’m sure my parents think I’m so perfectly straight I’d never even consider what I’ve done” says Jessica.

Elisha smiles smugly.  “Well you were”

Jessica glares at her.  “That’s not the point”

“Look just tell them.  If you want I’ll come there with you and I can promise you if they give you crap I will let them have it”

Jessica shakes her head.  “No, no, it’s okay.  I gotta do it myself”

Elisha smiles happily.  “Well now that that’s all sorted out lets go to Eden”

“Hey Nathan can you book the room?  We’ll meet you by the lift”

Nathan glances between the girls momentarily.  “Uh, sure”

Nathan quickly leaves and together the girls walk to the lobby over to the lift.

Elisha looks at Jessica confused.  “Why’d you send him to book the room?”

“Tonight, can you come over to my place?” asks Jessica.

Elisha nods.  “Yeah, sure, what for?”

Jessica glances off to the side as she tries to avoid Elisha’s eyes.  “Well, you wanted to know about…you know”

Elisha smiles and puts a hand on Jessica’s shoulder.  “Jess you don’t have to indulge me if you don’t want to.  I do understand”

Jessica shakes her head.  “No, no Vanessa said that I should talk about it and, and I agree.  I mean you told me about your first time”

“I think your forgetting that was with a guy.  Besides you already told me about the good pounding you received in Eden”

Jessica blushes red.  “Still, I think I want to talk about it”

Elisha grins broadly.  “Okay great, but be prepared to be embarrassed to death by my questions.  I’m not gonna hold anything back”

Jessica nods silently.  “Uh, can you give me an hour or two first to talk to my parents?  So maybe fivish?”

“Sure”

Nathan walks over to them with the keycard and room code in his hand.  “Okay we’re booked in.  You guys done talking or should I go watch one of the TV’s for now?”

“We’re done.  I was just saying to El I’d like her to come over this afternoon so we can talk about some personal stuff” explains Jessica.

Elisha grins broadly.  “About her first experience of lesbian sex”

Jessica stares at Elisha in utter shock.  After a moment she punches Elisha in the arm.  “You bitch, there’s a reason I pulled you away to talk”

“Oh come on Nathan doesn’t care.  Besides we’re all friends here”

Jessica turns to look at Nathan.  He smiles warmly at her.  “Don’t worry Jess I know it’s the kind of thing you talk about with Elisha even if she is a careless idiot”

“Hey” growls Elisha.

Several minutes later the three of them login and arrive in Elwyn’s house.  After looking around for several moments they spot her sitting in a chair with a book on her lap.  Elwyn looks up from her book and smiles as she sees them.

“Hey Jess good to see you again.  I guess you sorted everything out?” asks Elwyn.

Elisha grins broadly.  “Yeah she did alright.  She’s gay now”

Jessica turns and yells in Elisha’s face.  “Are you going to tell everybody that now?”

Elwyn stares at them blankly for several moments.  “She’s, gay now?”

Jessica sighs heavily.  “Turns out I like who she was even if she’s not a guy”

Elwyn smiles.  “Well I’m glad you worked it out one way or another”

Later in the afternoon Jessica and Elisha are in the toilets freshening up after a long day in Eden.  Suddenly Jessica runs back into the toilet and starts throwing up.  Elisha quickly goes to the stall door and looks in on her.

“Hey you alright?  You’ve been acting weird all day” says Elisha.

Jessica stays kneeling over the toilet with a pale face.  “I’m, I’m fine”

Elisha raises an eyebrow.  “You sure?”

Jessica nods.  “Yeah I’ve just been thinking about how to tell my parents.  It’s making me feel sick”

“I really don’t think you have to worry so much about it”

“El, if, if something, if, if things go bad.  I can stay at your place right?”

“Stay at my place?  Christ what are you thinking?  Your parents are gonna disown you because your gay now?”

Jessica turns to look at Elisha with tears in her eyes.  “Can I?”

Elisha sighs and nods.  “Yeah, yeah.  There’s no way I’d leave you stuck.  You’re worrying for nothing though.  If they disown you over this they’re not what I’d call parents”

After several minutes of talking in the bathroom and helping Jessica calm down the two of them walk outside to find Nathan leaning against the wall.  Seeing Jessica’s puffy red eyes he quickly perks up.

“Hey Jess you okay?” asks Nathan.

Jessica nods.

“She’s worried about telling her parents she’s gay” says Elisha.

Nathan shakes his head.  “I thought we sorted this out?”

“Come on you said your girlfriend would be waiting for us”

Jessica nods silently and they quickly head outside.  When they do they find Vanessa standing by her car with a smile.  Seeing Jessica’s face Vanessa quickly rushes over to her.

“Jess you okay?” asks Vanessa.

Jessica nods.  “I’m fine, I’m just worried about telling my parents about us”

Vanessa hugs Jessica.  “You silly thing”

“So your Jess’s girlfriend?” asks Elisha.

Vanessa nods.  “Yeah I’m Vanessa”

“So tell me I’m curious why play a guy in Eden if you’re gay?”

Vanessa smiles.  “Well I’ve always enjoyed role playing.  So several months ago I figured I’d role play a male character from time to time.  I find it an interesting change”

Elisha nods at her explanation.  “Makes sense”

“Truthfully I never intended to date anyone it just kind of happened.  Once more is I’m sure I told Jess I was a woman because I remember asking her that very question”

Nathan raises an eyebrow.  “Is that right Jess?”

Jessica nods slightly.  “Y-eah, just goes to show.  Pay attention”

Elisha smiles.  “Well at least everything worked out fine”

“Not until I tell my parents” mumbles Jessica.

Vanessa strokes Jessica’s hair.  “Stop worrying about that for now”

“So you going to be joining us in Eden from time to time?” asks Elisha.

Vanessa thinks it over for several moments.  “Mmm well I’m very busy with work so probably not too often.  Although I would like to join you occasionally.  I mainly use Eden as a place to relax or have some fun every now and then and when I do I usually role-play”

“Well whenever you go you can join us” says Nathan.

Vanessa smiles.  “I will.  We better get going.  You ready Jess?”

Jessica nods.  “Yeah, I’ll see you guys later”

Elisha and Nathan wave and watch as the two of them get in Vanessa’s car.  After a moment Elisha turns to Nathan and smiles.

“Well she still seems like a nice person.  I’m glad” says Elisha.

Nathan nods.  “Yeah, me too.  I was worried but, I think she’ll be fine”

Inside the car Vanessa looks over Jessica concerned as she strokes her hair gently.  “You okay?” asks Vanessa.

Jessica nods.  “I just feel so sick.  I’m so worried my parents are gonna freak out when I tell them”

“You want me there with you?”

Jessica shakes her head.  “No, no I wanta do this alone”

“Okay but if you need anything just call me okay?  And if things go for the absolute worst you can stay with me”

Jessica nods.  “Thanks”

Later that evening Jessica is standing in front of her parents.  Her father was busy reading and her mother quickly paused the movie she was watching so they could talk.

Jessica looks over her parents anxiously.  “Mum, dad…I’m, I’m gay”

Her mother looks at her blankly.  “Really?”.  She suddenly smiles.  “Good for you”

“If that’s what makes you happy” says her father.  His eyes never leave the paper he’s reading as he speaks.

Jessica stares at them in astonishment.  “You guys…don’t care?”

Her father stops and looks up from his paper.  “You date whoever and whatever gender you want it’s not our place to say otherwise”

Her mother nods in agreement.  “Yeah what he said.  So when do we get to meet your girlfriend?”

Jessica continues to stare at her parents.  “Well, uh, actually, you already met her”

“Who?”

Jessica rubs her neck nervously.  “Uh, the woman who picked me up last night”

Her mother smiles warmly.  “She was nice and very pretty too”.  She puts a finger to her chin as she goes into thought.  “She did look quite a bit older than you though”

“She’s twenty one, I, I really like her though”

Her mother shrugs.  “Well whatever.  Make sure you invite her over for dinner sometime okay?”

With that her mother unpauses the movie on the TV.  Jessica nods blankly and walks out of the room like a zombie.  As she comes into the hallway she pulls out her mobile and quickly calls Elisha.  After a few rings Elisha picks up and looks at Jessica’s face.

“You okay?  You look…dazed” says Elisha.

Jessica nods slightly.  “Yeah, my, my parents didn’t even care”

“So their fine with you being gay?”

Jessica nods blankly.  “Yeah, I expected them to say…something but, they said whatever makes you happy”

Elisha smiles brightly.  “See, you were worried for nothing.  I told you it’d be alright.  By the way if you’re ready now I can head over there instead of later”

Jessica suddenly perks up.  “Uh, sure, just gimme a moment”

One Week Later

The gang is standing in the lobby of the Eden center as they talk to Jessica quickly.

Elisha stares at Jessica in surprise.  “She wants you to move in with her?”

“Yeah” says Jessica.

“It’s been what though?  A week?”

Jessica nods.  “Yeah, it’s really fast but, I really like her”

“You gonna do it?” asks Nathan.

Jessica shakes her head.  “I don’t know.  I’m thinking about it though”

“What about transport?  I mean I’ve always given you rides”

Jessica nods.  “Yeah I know.  She, she said she’d buy me a motorbike but, I don’t know that’d feel weird”

“Well you are girlfriend and girlfriend I mean people buy each other gifts all the time” says Elisha.

Jessica stares at Elisha blankly.  “Yeah jewelry, flowers and chocolates.  Not two to five thousand dollar vehicles”

Elisha shrugs.  “It all depends on how much she makes though.  What’s she do for a living anyway?”

“She’s a big time computer technician for some major corporation”

Elisha smiles.  “Well she’s loaded then so don’t worry about it”

Nathan waves a hand.  “Hold on back to the issue.  Are you really going to move in with her?”

They all look at each other then go silent as they try to think about it.

To be Continued

Please send any comments/suggestions/death threats to [email protected]

Please address your email with the title of the story in the subject line otherwise there's a good chance your email will be deleted by accident.