Chapter 11

Allison could hear her roommate laughing from under the covers. In a way, she couldn't blame Kaija for laughing. After all, going from shy Catholic girl to topless online exhibitionist was quite a leap, especially in a single evening. If she could have gotten away with it, she'd've hidden under the covers forever. But when the laughter died down, she slinked out, tiptoed over to her shirt and bra, and slipped into them before Kaija could notice her.

How in the world was she supposed to get refocused on schoolwork after a wild episode like that; especially with Kaija sitting across the desk from her nude, typing happily to Barclay?

As she stared at her notebook willing ideas to pop into her head, something occurred to her. While Allison was certainly embarrassed by what happened earlier, she was a long way from being mortified. Was she actually starting to loosen up a tad, or was she on the expressway to hell? She wasn't sure, but she had to admit that she liked the carefree feeling. Yeah, there were still a lot of things she wasn't quite ready to try yet, but she was heading in the right direction.

With a smile, Allison finally started to pen a few words in her notebook. She hadn't even finished the first paragraph when she heard this buzzing sound coming from Kaija's direction.

Panicking, Allison jumped up and ran over to Kaija. "Get away from that thing, Kaija, I think your laptop's about to explode!"

Kaija's words came out as puffs of air. "My laptop's... about to... explode alright..." she managed between pants, "But not the laptop you mean!"

Kaija looked down, and Allison's eyes followed. Between her legs, Kaija held a buzzing toy. She skillfully worked it in and out of her body as she leaned back in her chair, eyes closed. Kaija was even too far gone to laugh at her own joke, Allison noticed, still taking in her roommate's every move.

Human contact scared the living daylights out of her, but the toys... they seemed like the perfect compromise to Allison. No risk of pregnancy, and no need for anyone else to be involved at all. She could almost see herself-

"Hey, Ally, want to take a closer look?" Kaija had finished her business and was holding the toy up for Allison to see. It was a bright orange oversized gel penis! Allison gasped at the thought of something so large being buried inside of Kaija's petite body. Kaija smiled at Allison's relatively tranquil reaction to the toy. "Hmm, maybe we'll have to get you one of your very own."

Allison didn't say a word. She just walked back to her side of the desk and began writing in her notebook.

Barclay called around noon the next day with a change of plans for the evening. Since it was Sunday, the usual night spots wouldn't be open. Luckily, some of his buddies on Frat Row were having a party, so Allison could still have her coming out party of sorts. He couldn't wait to see her again, especially after getting a good look at her tight round breasts. And he knew Kaija was planning to work some magic with Allison's hair and clothing, too.

Even though his thoughts were of Allison, Barclay did his best to pay proper attention to Kaija as she rambled on and on about the week ahead.

"Well enough for now," Kaija finally sighed. "After all, we'll be seeing each other tonight."

Barclay smiled at that. "I can't wait," he added, thinking more of Allison than of Kaija.

Kaija hung up the receiver and rubbed her hands together. "Okay, time to get to work!"

Allison looked at her watch. "It's only a little after noon," she groaned, looking back down at her notebook with an overwhelming sense of guilt. Her story for Honors Creative Writing still wasn't done, and she had the distinct feeling Professor Salinger wasn't about to cut her any slack. But this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, she decided. Getting a full makeover and a party on the same night didn't happen every day. And her parents did say she should work hard and play hard to maintain a balance in her life. With a shrug, Allison closed the notebook and turned to Kaija. "Okay, I'm all yours. Where do we start?"

"The first order of business is food. We'll need our energy."

Allison didn't know whether to be offended that Kaija thought it'd take that much time to make her look presentable, or to be honored that her roommate was willing to invest so much time in her. Deciding to think positive, Allison grabbed her purse and followed Kaija to the dining commons. With every step she prayed that Barclay was anywhere but the DC. Seeing him at the party tonight was going to be awkward enough after last night's little show, but at least there she hoped her new look would take his mind off of it. Well, maybe not, she thought with a lopsided grin. If Barclay was even remotely normal, the sight of her exposed breasts was probably permanently embossed in his brain!

There were worse things in life, Allison thought as she opened the door to the dining hall. She could do much worse than Barclay. If only he weren't dating her roommate. And if only that roommate hadn't become such a good friend to Allison... He was literally the first guy who ever tempted her romantically. Besides Professor Salinger that was, but he was an unattainable goal at best.

The girls gathered their lunch, and then found a sunny window seat.

"So where do we start?" Allison asked, popping a potato chip into her mouth.

Kaija shrugged, taking a sip of V-8 juice. "We have to do this systematically so we don't undo our hard work," she said. "I say we pick out your clothes first, and then move on to your nails, get dressed, and then finish with makeup and hair. Sound good?"

Allison nodded. She made a mental note to have Kaija take her picture once the makeover was done. Her high school friends would never believe it!

"Try this one," Kaija said, pulling a short black dress out of her closet.

Allison followed her roommate's suggestion, but the outfit couldn't have looked more out of place on her. It was a sexy black silk number. Sexy wasn't a word Allison would use to describe herself, and it showed as she modeled the outfit for Kaija. Both girls collapsed into a heap of laughter on Allison's bed.

"Oh my God," Kaija laughed, holding her stomach. "You look like you've been playing in mommy's closet!"

Tears rolled down Allison's face. "Yeah, all I need are the high heels and bright red lipstick," she giggled in return.

"So I guess that's not the outfit we wanna go with then..." Kaija said, stating the obvious. Jumping off the bed, she made her way back to the closet and pulled out a black leather miniskirt and bright red peach skin blouse. She held it up proudly. "How 'bout this one?"

Allison didn't think it could get any worse than the black dress, but she was clearly mistaken. She rubbed her aching forehead and rolled her eyes. "You've got to be kidding me!" When Kaija remained silent, Allison added, "You are joking, right?" Kaija shook her head. "No way! Absolutely not!" Allison cried out.

"Are you sure you don't wanna think about it some more? 'Cause-" Her sentence was interrupted by a sock ball that hit her right between the eyes. Laughing, Kaija returned the outfit to the closet and fished out yet another one. It was a ruffly neutral colored floral dress her mom had bought her. It was definitely more sweet than sexy. It might be just the ticket for Allison.

Unfortunately, Allison thought differently. She wrinkled her nose at the sight of the garment. "I can't believe you own a cutesy dress like that!" she teased. "It's so... so un-Kaija!"

"I know," Kaija blushed. "My mom got it for me once. If she could only see my real wardrobe... Well, I don't even want to think about it! So what's wrong with this one? For you, I mean."

"Other than the fact that it looks like something out of a children's nursery rhyme? Absolutely nothing!"

Kaija sighed. "Let me get this straight. The black dress and miniskirt were too revealing, and the sundress was too innocent." Allison nodded. "Hmm... I do believe you stumped me." Looking defeated, Allison tightened her terry cloth robe around her slender body. Her body's silhouette reminded Kaija of the fiasco with Barclay the night before. "Wait! I've got it!"

In a burst of excited energy, Kaija ran to her closet and came out with a pair of designer jeans and one of those short shirts that hug your body and show off your belly button. Allison's eyes lit up. The outfit was perfect! It was daring without being trashy or too revealing. So maybe it wasn't something she'd've worn before, but things were different now. She was on a quest to become the new and improved Allison Delaney. One she hoped could make friends easily and maybe even find romance for the first time in her life.

Allison hid behind her closet door and slipped into the outfit. She emerged wearing the biggest grin Kaija had ever seen. Allison spun around, arms extended to the side, modeling her new look.

Smiling, Kaija clapped in appreciation. It was truly the perfect choice. Once they had tackled her hair and makeup, Allison was going to take Frat Row by storm. Kaija was sure of it. "You look incredible!" she complimented.

"Thanks," Allison returned, blushing slightly.

"Now have a seat, Princess Delaney," Kaija ordered, gesturing to one of the desk chairs, "and we'll finish what we've started. You're going to be a total knockout!"

With nails and makeup in place, it was time to concentrate on the hair style.

"Can't I just take a peek," Allison pleaded. "Please?"

Kaija shook her head, determined not to let Allison see the new look until she was completely finished.

"You're torturing me you know," Allison pouted, folding her arms in front of her.

"I know, but it'll be worth it. Trust me." Kaija walked around her, taking in every detail of her dark blond hair. The lighter shade from the coloring gave Kaija the perfect idea. She grabbed the shears from her closet shelf and headed back toward Allison.

"Not too much!" Allison shrieked.

"It's okay," Kaija reassured her. "I know what I'm doing. You won't be disappointed," she promised. Kaija plugged in a curling iron she borrowed from a girl down the hall, and then began carefully clipping off the ends of Allison's long hair. Allison winced with each snip as if her fingertips themselves were being cut off. Kaija giggled at the dramatic reaction, but kept working.

In just under an hour, Kaija was ready to let Allison see the end result. Excitedly, Allison reached for the hand mirror on the desk in front of her.

"Wait! Don't move, Allison; I have one more thing to do." Kaija's command was almost a shout. She ran back to the closet and came back with something cupped in her dainty hand. "Okay, stand up."

Allison did as she was told. Kaija bent over and placed something in Allison's bellybutton.

Before Allison had a chance to look or ask what it was, Kaija grabbed her hand and led her to the closet door. "Close your eyes," she commanded. Kaija had mounted a full length mirror inside her closet door. It was a must-have item in her book.