Selena blinked. Long years of dealing with people had given her great insight into their motives. Emmy seemed guileless, so honest was she about her intentions. "I...thank you", was all she could manage to say. What happened to the eloquence that had served her so well all these years? She couldn't shake this feeling of vulnerability...or the sudden desire to have Emmy protect her. "No", she told herself, "it's good to have a friend, but I'm still a woman. I'm still in control."
Again Emmy marvelled at the inner war that seemed to be going on behind Selena's eyes. Most people would mistake the look on the woman-child's face for intense concentration, but Emmy had a great deal of empathy. "Hey...did I say something wrong, Selena?"
Selena shook herself out of her reverie. "No, no, nothing like that. Sorry." She sighed. "I seem to suddendly be having a hard time communicating...hard to believe that was my job for so long, huh?"
"Not at all, hon. By your own words, you haven't let your guard down in a long time...you've forgotten how to just be yourself. But hey, we got all afternoon, feel like having some fun?"
Selena looked dubious. "Fun? Like what?"
"For starters, buying you some new clothes..." Emmy noted Selena's pretty face contorting into a very adult frown. "Relax hon, I'm not trying to play dress-up, but one way to keep people from staring at you would be to wear something a bit less...severe. And trust me, if you've seen the things kids your age wear anymore, you won't feel like a child."
Selena wasn't sure why she went along with Emmy, but something about her cheerful attitude was infectious. The two girls spent most of the afternoon at the mall, where Emmy was proven right; girls nowadays were showing a lot of mid-riff, with baby t-shirts and low-rider jeans. Even though she was much shorter wearing a pair of sensible sneakers (which Emmy insisted on, despite Selena's protests that she had about as much chance of tripping as Godzilla arising from the ocean to attack the city), she felt a lot better. She didn't even mind Emmy's presence when she changed; normally she avoided letting anyone see her youthful unsplendor.
But having her near felt almost euphoric...Selena was reminded of a lover she'd had long ago, Claudia. Selena had never had a female partner before, both of them had gotten very drunk at a party, and they were both a little surprised to wake up in bed together. Surprised, but in a good way. They were very good together, but eventually Claudia realized she couldn't compete with Selena's first love, her company. They parted on good terms, but ever since, there had been something hollow inside...which she tried to ignore by throwing herself into her work.
Selena sighed. Not that she could have a lover of any kind now. Not with her child-like body. Who would want to make love to a doll? Mentally, she corrected that thought. Some would, but she was sure most of them would not be people she'd want to be near for long!
Emmy was feeling similar thoughts. Once you got past her serious demeanor, Emmy was a lot like a thoughtful, mature version of her ex-lover, Alison. And she was so damned cute, especially in the clothes they had gotten for her...Emmy realized more than once her mind was sinking into the gutter when she looked at her new friend. "Get it together, Em, the last thing she needs is more complication in her life. I wonder if this is how a pedophile feels? I should be ashamed of myself." Should be...but wasn't. And Emmy had no idea how to feel about that.
By the time it was dark outside, they'd become fast friends, as if they'd known each other forever. The high point was likely when they entered a Victoria's Secret, and the clerk asked if they were sisters. Almost in unison, both girls said "yes". They just looked at each other afterwards, and smiled like fools. Of course, nobody would believe which one was actually the elder sister, but...at some point, that ceased to matter.
After leaving the mall, Selena managed to muster up enough courage to invite Emmy out for dinner...her treat. "Well in that case, I'd be glad to, Sis. I'm a college girl, I'm always on a limited budget." It turned out both of them loved Chinese food, and so they found themselves at the Dragon Sun restaurant.
"I love this stuff, Selena, but I'll be damned if I can figure out how to stay thin eating it!" said Emy, between bites.
With a smirk, Selena replied "Ancient Chinese secret...and lots of excercise. Of course, my metabolism is so keyed up it's not funny...I actually tried to see how much I could eat once...it was disgusting."
"Huh, I find it hard to believe that flat tummy of yours could hold a cheeseburger" said Emy, reaching over to poke Selena's stomach, which elicited an unreserved giggle.
"You just don't understand how fast I burn up food. It doesn't stay in my stomach long...and the best part is, I don't ever have to go to the bathroom!" Selena blushed a little, hard pressed to believe she'd just said that.
Emy, for her part, was incredulous. "Wow. It's official, you're my hero. I want to be just like you when I grow up." In reality, that wasn't far from the truth; Emily was more than impressed with Selena's "super powers". It really did sound like a comic book to her; woman exposed to radiation, develops great strength and agility, not to mention a mutant-style "healing factor". She'd already seen first hand that Selena was at least as strong as an adult, and Emy was really curious as to how strong her "Big Sister" really was.
Selena laughed nervously. She was used to admiration, but the hungry looks of medical researchers and scientists was far less wholesome. Emy's comments bordered on envious, which Selena had a hard time understanding. After dinner, Emy finally had to call it a night.
"I'm sorry hon, but I need to get some sleep...and go back to hitting the books tomorrow."
"You sound...reluctant." Selena bit her lower lip unconciously, eliciting a tight hug from Emy.
"Of course I am! I haven't had such a good time in....months, I guess. Hey, when are you free next?"
Selena had to pull her thoughts away from how wonderful Emy's embrace was...or the very adult sensation she felt between her legs, just to answer. "Oh Sis, I'm always free. What's left of the company pretty much runs itself, really. I go out mostly to fight boredom."
Emy pulled back, largely because she was feeling the same way Selena was, and she didn't want her friend to feel how stiff her nipples had become. "Well, um, maybe we could get together tomorrow night? Oh hey, do you need a lift home?"
Selena shook her head. "No, I have a ride" she replied, producing her cellular phone. "And tomorrow...would be great." She then made a magician's pass, pulling a business card out of thin air. "Call me?"
Emy impulsively kissed Selena on the cheek, then covered up the moment of intimacy by ruffling her hair. "Definitely! Take care of yourself, Sis."
Selena watched Emy walk away, a bit bemused. She'd have punched anyone else who treated her like a child...yet...the physical contact...it felt like a lover's caress. She was falling for Emy, hard, and the idea scared her. She knew she was going to be hurt, but like a moth, she was drawn to Emy's flame. She opened the cell phone. "Jonathon? I'm at the 'usual restaurant'. Can you pick me up?"
Jonathon's voice, warm and rich, answered. "Of course, Miss. I'll be there shortly." Jonathon, one of her few employees she could trust implicitly...he'd taken her change in stride, and had been there for her through the whole ordeal, even when her assets had been frozen, leaving her unable to buy a McDonald's Happy Meal. His demeanor had always been fatherly, so their relationship had been mostly unchanged...save that she depended on him more. She wondered what he would say when she told him about her new friend...
As for Emy, she got into her ancient Jeep, and noticed the faint scent of Selena's perfume lingering inside. She breathed it deeply, and after a few blocks, slipped two fingers into her crotch, unable to keep herself from masturbating, lost in thoughts of Selena. How she wanted her...wanted to touch her, please her...it was too sudden, too fast, this desire. She knew this, knew that it would hurt the both of them...but she could not deny it.
She lay in her bed, and slowly fell asleep pleasing herself, wishing Selena was in her arms.
END CHAPTER TWO