Sit Still, Look Pretty

“I guess Potions club made a mess of everything and everyone ‘became’ their costumes? I believe that’s accurate. I was away that weekend, thankfully, because I’m not sure how well I would’ve handled being a real life butterfly?”

“I’d love to, what are your go to toppings?”

“Um... most people think this is awful, but pineapple and bacon. It’s amazing. What about you?”

“Only the best for the best, you know! I miss you. I miss having Hope in my life!

“I’ve missed you, too, darling. What’s kept you so busy?”

“Yes it does.  Who doesn’t love pizza?”

“I’m not sure I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t enjoy it. I think someone who doesn’t like pizza might be broken a bit.”

“I don’t think it’s odd. It’s kind of a perfect contrast and adds a little bit of sweetness to the pizza actually.” 

“Right. That’s why I love it. Sweet and savory.”

“National Pizza day sounds amazing. Is anyone giving away free pizza anywhere? Or discounted pizza?” 

“Someone should be, shouldn’t they? I suppose one could go on a pizza quest...”

Hayden felt the weight of the other girl’s gaze and arched her back just a bit more as she ran her hand absently over her abdomen. “Oh, no reason. It’s just, if I had a body like yours I’d probably be naked as much as possible. So if you, you know, wanted to get over that whole modesty thing, show it off a little, I wouldn’t hate being your guinea pig. Like, at all.” 

“You... want to see me naked?” Hope asked very slowly, the sentence foreign to her proper tongue as she held her towel around her chest. That’s what she meant by ‘guinea pig’, right? Unless that suddenly had some new hip meaning that Hope missed. “And your body is very much... um... you’re quite fit,” she replied, sure that if she looked like Hayden, she might run about naked a bit more often herself. 

That was an innuendo, wasn’t it? Hope was awful at picking up on those things, but that was loud and clear. She felt her face warm as she cleaned the rest of her figure and it wasn’t until she shut the shower off and reached for her towel that she answered. “I’m not… ashamed,” she replied, peeking out from the curtain as her towel wrapped around her. “Just modest, I suppose. I don’t usually dress or undress in front of people. Ever actually.”

Hayden had only managed to get into a bra and panties when Hope turned off the water and spoke again. “Modest. Mhmm.” She’d started to pull on her jeans and had one leg partway in when the rest of Hope’s statement struck her. She nearly fell, catching herself on the bench with her hands, feet tangled in denim below her knees. “Wait. So you’ve never undressed with anyone, like, ever? For, you know, any reason? At all?” 

Hope felt as if she were staring, which she might have been, but she didn’t mean to be rude. The other woman was just... very fit. Very fit. Very American. Quite stunning, actually. And there she was, all awkward and rambling, too modest to drop her towel. “Um, no. I mean, I’m sure my roommate has seen me in my bra before but... no. I don’t play any sports and... no... Why?”

“Guess I picked the right person to celebrate this day with then! I’ll eat pretty much anything. You can pick I’ll just do the ordering.”

“Pineapple and bacon then? Or extra cheese, mushroom and spinach. Oh, I’m starving just thinking about it.”

“National Pizza Day?  I didn’t even realize that was a thing.”

“Me either. It sounds like a glorious holiday though.”

“Brilliant. Where shall we venture to?”

“I’m a vegetarian so either cheese or all the veggies for me. What kind of pizza do you like? We can totally get half and half. 

“Veggie pizza sounds wonderful. I actually really like pineapple on my pizza. Which is odd, I’m finding out.”

“Is it technically National Pizza day or actually? There’s a difference there.”

“Right. I suppose I meant actually.”

“Did I? Why else would I come to you with this extra-large cheese and mushroom goodness!?”

“You’re quite literally the best. Goodness, this is good.”

“…It is?”

“Oh, a pizza party would’ve been brilliant! I wish I’d thought of it sooner. I love pizza though. Absolutely planning on it. Are you?”