Chapter 219. Girls, 1 Bed (The Amnesiac)

"Holy SHIT!"

Lily stifles a gasp, covering her mouth with one hand and her boobs with the other as she re-enters her bedroom, finding you engrossed in your phone, staring at a few missed calls.

"Huh?" You lower your screen.

"You're actually here..." She gasps. "We actually kissed, and..." She turns bright red.

"Are you kidding me?" Your chest explodes with laughter. "Not only did we fuck last night, we just went through three more rounds this morning, and now you're realizing that?!"

"Well, I- !" She pauses.

"..."

Her expression turns curious.

"Do you really love me?" She whispers, almost inaudibly.

Your cocky comebacks fade away into thin air.

"I... of course I do," you hesitantly reply. "It wasn't just sex, if that's what you're asking. Do... do you?"

Her hands drop to her sides, and you compel yourself to keep your eyes on hers.

"Yeah, I already told you that," she nods. "It just feels so quick. I barely remember how this happened - all I remember is that I confessed everything, and then... we were having sex."

You squint, searching for any signs of regret. She smiles peacefully, assuaging your fear.

"It's just so strange how fast everything happened... I need some time to think," she mutters, scrunching her face in an expression so cute that you nearly drag her back into bed.

...

"Are you going to get your... tumor checked out?" She asks, placing a hand on your phone and pushing it down.

You wince, and she immediately mimics the action, regretting her words.

"What do you mean, checked out?" You ignore the existential pain.

"I think you should go to a doctor and have them take more scans. All we know is that it's there. But it's been over a month since you last saw it. Maybe it's gotten better since your accident!" She grins.

"Yeah, maybe it's gotten better. Or maybe..." You mouth, leaving the other possibility hauntingly unfinished.

The frown on her face makes you regret your crudeness for a moment, but you brush it off.

"I don't really care about that right now. I don't want to be thinking about it," you sigh.

She bites her lower lip, contemplating. "If you say so..."

"..."

"Oh, shit." She gasps, staring at the wall.

You raise an eyebrow, following her gaze.

"Jaime and Emi probably overheard us earlier. I was too loud," she grumbles.

"Oh, shit," you groan, glancing up. "That's gonna take some explaining..."

"I can explain it to them. You should get out and go home now - your roomies are probably worried about you," she says, beckoning you off the bed.

"Alright..." You wheeze, pushing your fatigued muscles off the mattress to collect your clothes.

"Hey, wait," she softly mumbles. Her tone pleasantly tingles the crown of your head.

She reaches out her hands, palms facing up. "Kiss me before you go."

...

"Baby..." Rae's speed-walking breaks into a jog, then a run, all before she leaps into your arms.

Her body is light enough to carry with ease, and her soft kisses on your jaw make it easier. You kick the door closed behind you, then take a deep breath, inhaling the minty scent of the hair plastered over your eyelids.

"Hi, Rae." You put on your best smile. "I'm back. Sorry if I scared you."

Two nimble pairs of footsteps grow in volume behind you.

"Rae, can you get off?" You kindly ask as you sit down on a couch. "You can sit in my lap."

The furniture in the room is rearranged back to exactly as it was before. The carpet is spotless, cleaned of all the used tissues that once littered it.

She unwraps her strong legs from your waist and stands up. You put your arms out invitingly, but she scoots back and sits on the couch opposite you, smiling politely.

Leslie and Aria come around to face you. Leslie stares at her fingernails, pursing her quivering lips. Aria's posture is as defeated as ever, with one hand on the couch to support her as she stands behind it, head tilted forward to hide behind her long, straight locks. They look as fatigued as can be expected, but Leslie manages a small smile.

Rae gazes at you, starting to regret not taking you up on your offer.

"Do you want to talk about it?" You finally blurt. "Or just keep sitting here?"

"Ok, babe, I'm going to be completely honest!" Rae suddenly stands up.

You lean back, prepared.

"I think you're in denial," she states.

Leslie gasps, and even Aria picks her head up.

You smile softly.

"You could be right," you concede. "But I don't think so."

She releases a shaky breath.

"I don't know how you're so calm. It's scaring me, baby..." She pleads.

A tired sigh escapes your lips. "I get it. I'm not completely sure why I'm so calm either, but I think it has to do with the fact that I already made my choice."

Leslie cocks her head curiously.

"I mean, the past me," you gesture behind you, "decided to keep this a secret for months. Even though I don't have any recollection of that, I think some part of me, deep down, already knew about the illness. And that's why I've accepted it," you reason.

Accepted it...

Have I? I can't tell. But that would explain why I'm so apathetic.

You rub your eyes, wiping away the fatigue of stress.

"That... makes sense..." Rae remarks. "So you really think you've already accepted it?" She confirms.

Your confidence in the answer departs as soon as Rae's eyes light up with a tinge of hope. Your lips purse flatly and your shoulders slump into a loose shrug.

"I'm not sure," you mutter.

"So then..." Rae whispers, the longing in her voice making your heart ache. "What are you going to do now?"

You stand up, stretching your arms over your head.

What do I want to do? That's the one thing I haven't thought about.

I want to spend time with the girls, that's really it. I don't care what we do, I just want to remember and experience as much as I can.

It's like what Lily said. I don't want to waste another moment being uncertain of anything.

Two years can be a lot of time if I know how to use it well.

You reel back in sheer surprise. The girls follow your gaze as you stare out into space, utterly bewildered.

What the hell is up with me?

Was I right? Have I somehow already accepted my fate? I know damn well that people don't accept death nearly as quickly as I did.

...am I in denial?

The girls wait patiently, concealing their burning hearts. Their years of experience with you provide a clear window into your thoughts, and they can't help but scrutinize every detail.

Fuck it. There's only one way to find out.

"I want to spend time with all of you!" You boldly declare, silencing the clashing voices in your head. "Yeah, that's it!" You grin as a surge of ideas begins to bubble up from within.

"Let's see. First, I want to make up for how our last date ended," you say, pointing to Rae, "and I also want to take Aria out on a proper date to cheer her up. And then I'll spend some quality time with Leslie," you continue.

Your smile only grows wider as the endless possibilities start to rush in.

"I'll also spend time with some of the other girls. I still haven't really met Brooke yet, so I'd like to do that. And then maybe hang out more with Hyoon, Poki, and Celine, and do everything we can together, and..."

For just a moment, your mind is finally let loose from the shackles of your circumstance, and it runs wild. "Then, of course, there's even more! I want to take everyone out on dates again, and..."

You finally shut up. You quickly glance between the girls, alarmed, swiftly retracing through every word you've spoken.

"Did I say something?" you ask, scanning the room.

All three of the girls have tears charging down their cheeks, their contorted faces leaking foreign emotions.

Leslie steps forward, wiping her gorgeous round eyes clear. Her soft, sensitive gaze calms you, and she places her hands on your hips once she gets close enough.

Rae sits quietly, stifling back her sobs.

"Do you know how hard it is..." Leslie grunts, her grip tightening on your side.

You place your hands on her forearms, strengthening her resolve.

"What is it, Les?" Your thumb traces a figure-eight on her wrist.

She clears her throat, starting again.

"Do you know how hard it is to be sad... when you're so happy...?" She sniffles, her eyes quickly clouding again. "I don't know how to feel anymore."

"Oh... well, why don't you just feel happy?" You ask, playfully.

Rae throws her arms out to the side, squinting. "WOW, babe, I can't believe we never thought of that!"

Your contagious chuckle quickly has Leslie and Rae shaking their heads and giggling along. Even Aria's chest vibrates pleasantly.

The pure absurdity of the situation isn't lost on any of you, but your smile stays affixed.

"Two years is a long time," you grin. "But not if you keep being mopey."

"Yeah!" Leslie smiles, losing herself in the joy behind your eyes. "Let's have some fun!" She exclaims, wrapping her arm around your back. "Right, Aria?"

"Mmhmm," Aria nods, finally looking up.

...

At the top of the stairwell, just around the corner from the living room, a slim figure sits with her legs crossed, leaning against the wall.

Every word uttered downstairs reverberates upward, but it barely makes it through to her head.

"Promises... Something about... promises..."

The recurrence of Lily's words, now for the hundredth time, stings with the same intensity as the first. Even the warm, lighthearted laughter echoing from below falls short of dispelling the heaviness weighing her down.

...

"Why don't we go on a date today, Aria?"

"Huh?!?" She gasps.

Leslie cranes her neck forward from her resting position. Her feet, dressed in rainbow socks, rest in your lap, blissfully receiving your absent-minded kneading.

Aria sits up straighter, suddenly aware of everyone's directed gaze. Rae shuts her phone, observing.

"Do you want to?" You ask.

The laughter you'd managed to evoke from her earlier was the first time she'd felt truly carefree in weeks, and it seemed to break her out of the stoic shell she was burying herself inside. As a result, her expression is much more revealing of the doubts eating away at her.

"...no..."

"Why not?" You pry.

"Because we're not dating," she murmurs.

"Well, do you want to?" You beam.

A muffled snort escapes Leslie's attempt to stifle it. Rae can't hold her giggles back after Leslie's honk breaks the tension, and the two of them try their best to shut each other up from opposite couches, giggling away.

You squeeze Leslie's feet, trying to relax her.

"Why are you being so calm about this?" Aria frustratedly demands to know. "I lied to you. That's all I've done."

"You were trying to help me, Aria! I forgive you for all of that. I don't want to dwell on mistakes, I just want to enjoy myself. And if you want to, I'd like to enjoy my life with you in it."

"...fine," she responds, quicker than anticipated. "We can go."

"Yes!" You cheer.

She shakes her head, scoffing with a small grin on her lips, as she lowers her head into her hands. As her eyes fall out of view, she slowly and silently opens the overflowing dam of her heart.

"I thought you were going to make it up to me today!" Rae feigns a pout. "Am I going to have to wait again?"

"Oh! Uh..." You pause, looking at Aria.

"You can have them after our date," Aria says to Rae, still not lifting her head. "I'll be too tired."

"Okey!" Rae kicks her feet out.

"Alright, then! Let's-"

"WAIT!" Rae yelps. "Everyone else!"

"Huh?!?" Leslie's feet nearly sock you in the jaw as she jolts back.

"I- We- AHH!" She clasps her hands into white fists, hyperventilating. "It's almost noon, and we haven't even talked to anyone else yet! They must all be freaking out still! Shit..."

She yanks her phone out, quickly issuing commands.

"Leslie, text Hyoon's house! I'll get Lily's and Poki's. I hope everyone's ok..."

The girls quickly busy themselves with inviting the other girls over, as was promised yesterday.

Right. There's a lot more to be discussed.

I think I'm mostly settled, but the other girls are probably still fuming.

I hope I can pull them out of it.

...

The golden glow of midday light seeping through the half-drawn curtains has never felt so depressing.

Miyoung enters her abode carrying the fractured remains of a heavy heart. The room, once a sanctuary, now feels more like an echo chamber with her desolation as its center.

The foam of her mattress offers no protest as she lazily sinks into the worn outline of her body's imprint, only remembering to kick the door closed at the last instant. Her phone slips from her pocket into her nimble fingers.

Every breath is too loud, every giggle from downstairs too pervasive.

Navigating on its own, her thumb slides around the screen and presses.

Her body stiffly flips over, letting her hang her arm out in front of her. She starts scrolling through the names, searching for no one and anyone.

The contacts pass through her vision like foggy clouds, her blurred eyes distorting them beyond comprehension.

Until, finally, she stops.

A single name, scrolling past, makes her pause. She rolls the screen back, blinking rapidly until the name returns with clarity.

Silently, she presses again.

"..."

"..."

"...miyoung?" A crackling voice speaks up. "Hey..."

"..."

"Hello?" She repeats. "You there?"

"H-hey, Tina," Miyoung exhales. "Sorry."

"Hi," Tina replies, her voice getting magnitudes softer as she picks up the fragility on the other end of the line. "Is this about what Rae just texted us? I'm coming over soon."

"Oh, you're coming over? Good. I... I wanted to talk. If that's ok."

"Yeah, I can talk. I'll get there as soon as I can, ok?" Tina's voice quiets as she pulls away from her phone.

"W-wait, Tina." Miyoung finally raises her voice a hair.

"Huh?"

"Can you stay on the phone with me? Just until you get here."

Tina's neutral nod melts into despondency as Miyoung's breathy whimpers make it through to the other side.

"...please?"

"Yeah, I'll stay on the line," Tina whispers, trying not to cry. "Don't worry."

She clutches the phone to her chest like a lifeline, as Miyoung silently does the same.

...

The déjà vu strikes hard, and the low, nauseating feeling in your gut makes a quiet return.

The girls are sitting in small circles, far more fatigued than they were yesterday. Some still have on the same clothes, now wrinkled from wear.

Everything feels so similar, yet one peculiar difference keeps your eyes peeled.

No one's crying. Not yet.

You quickly glance at everyone, making a tally.

Jodi, Tina, Sydney, Celine, Emi, and Jaime appear far gone, their sunken faces painting a gruesome psychological portrait.

Imane, Lily, Janet, Aria, and Hyoon appear to be faring much better, at least on the outside.

In particular, Hyoon seems incredibly calm, her legs crossed politely with her hands in her lap. She appears so calm, in fact, that she almost seems...

Impatient? Nervous? Like she doesn't want to be here.

Her sharp eyes glance in your direction, her spine jolting straight as she sees your gaze trained on her.

Mumbling something to herself, she diverts her gaze.

I asked her to find my diaries, didn't I? That seems like it happened so long ago.

The thought that she might be blaming herself for not succeeding in her task crosses your mind.

Rae and Leslie are the only ones with a smile, continually greeting everyone with their pristine grins in the hopes that more of the girls would join them.

You look around, counting only thirteen women.

Miyoung must still be upstairs, but who's the other?

"Hey, any updates?" Leslie asks, tugging on Rae's arm.

"No, Brooke still hasn't responded. I don't know if she's coming," Rae shakes her head worriedly.

Brooke!

Shit, I didn't even remember! That's so bad of me!

...

The black ball of fuzzy memories in the back of your mind rises again, startling your nervous system into sympathetic action.

You clutch your head, fighting it off.

But I know about the tumor now! Why is this damn thing still here?

The wretchedly obvious answer appears a few seconds later as you look out among the crowd of women, all of whom you'd once loved dearly, now invisibly pouring their hearts out. The ache in your heart grows with every tissue pulled from the near-empty Kleenex box. They sit around the floor, all turned in various directions, but all away from you.

A tingle of guilt appears, but you force it away.

I should think of what to say. I'm the only one who can pull them out of this, the same way I pulled Leslie and Aria out.

You lower your head. Ideas come from all directions, most of them quickly pushed aside by new ones. The hushed commotion in front of you continues, signaling that you still have time.

Come on, think...

What did I say earlier? How did I do it?

I decided I wanted to spend time with everyone, and I told them how I was going to do it. If they can have that to focus on, then...

You look up, ready to wing it. You take a deep breath in, the words building in your throat.

Leslie, sitting up on her knees, tilts her head down to meet the earnest gazes of five girls gathered around her as she speaks.

"...and we got to thinking..."

"...we really weren't sure at first, but we decided..."

Your words taper off before they can begin.

She's animated and lively, contrasting the dull, muted misery around her. The girls scoot closer, gravitating toward the impossible hope her easy smile conveys.

Leslie glances at you with a nod and a knowing grin, as if to say I got this.

You turn to Rae, seeing that she's already caught on.

"...it'll take us all a while, I know..."

"...see things the way they do..."

The other five sitting around Rae stare at her like children gathered around their kindergarten teacher, hanging onto her every word. She continues whisper-speaking, as the atmosphere demands.

Woah...

A surreal feeling washes over you. For the first time, it feels like no one's paying attention to you. Everyone's awareness is focused on Rae and Leslie, their two strangely positive auras slowly seeping into the cracks of everyone's emotional shields.

"...only have one chance..."

"...why try to..."

"...even if this only means..."

You catch only glimpses of their hushed conversations, but body language conveys everything else you need to see.

The pressure is finally gone, and if this conversation wasn't so heavily centered around you, you'd be tempted to get up and leave.

"Psst. Wanna get out of here?" A figure leans in from your side.

"W-what?!?" You blurt, keeping your voice quiet. "Now? Why?"

Aria looks dead straight at you with the gorgeous, bright eyes you've missed so dearly. "Do you trust me?"

"With my life," you instantly respond.

"..."

She places her hand on your chin and softly turns your head back.

The girls look different than they did moments ago. Tears are finally streaming down more cheeks, and sobs escape from more lips. But despite it all, they look more at ease.

"Let's go," she whispers.

You place your hand on hers and stand up, pulling her to the door. No one but Rae and Leslie notice as you slip your shoes on and step outside, your hand held tightly in Aria's.

"Where are we going?" You ask, catching up to her as she races toward the car.

You climb into the passenger seat, barely finishing strapping your seatbelt before her foot hits the gas.

"We don't have much time. I want to take you somewhere special."

Her cryptic smile says enough.

...

With her arm around your side, the two of you stroll into a secluded area, ducking underbrush and thorny branches.

"Welcome to my happy place," she says, beckoning her arms forward. "I come here to unwind and heal."

The small pocket of nature unfolding before you carries every imaginable hue of green, illuminated by the noon sunlight overhead.

The plush carpet of grass under you is covered by a layer of decaying leaves that crunch under your feet. Sky-high birds sing their melodies, and, in a secluded alcove at the center, stands a motionless, dry, and rusted fountain.

"Wow... this place is beautiful, Aria."

It's a sliver of heaven, despite the evident lack of care put toward maintaining it.

"Do you remember why I started coming here?" She asks, taking your arm.

"No, I don't even remember this place," you sigh, still in awe.

"It's because of a promise we made each other."

Aria sparkles angelically in the sunlight, yet her soft frown catches your breath.

You whip around, sensing the memory pricking at your mind.

Promise. A promise.

"What was it?" You ask, swallowing your apprehension.

She places her hands on the side of the fountain, gently tracing her finger over the curved stone.

"My mental health isn't great. It hasn't been for years." She bites her lower lip, finally confronting the source of her anxiety.

"Right. I remember that."

You place your hand on top of her outstretched palm, slotting your fingers in the gaps of hers.

"You promised me that you would stay by my side to help me heal, no matter how long it took. But only under one condition."

You stare at the center of the fountain, finally starting to remember. Aria sees your glint of recognition but speaks anyway.

"I promised you that I'd do everything I could to start healing without you. So I started coming here to work on that by myself."

"I remember now," you nod solemnly. "I felt bad about that - I wanted to help you so much, but I knew that there was only so much I could do for you. So I asked you to work on it by yourself."

"..."

"..."

She tilts her head to the sky like a plant reaching for sunlight.

"Mmm~ it's so nice, isn't it~?"

You giggle and copy her, sensing the faint tingle of warmth pouring over you.

"That's why I love you so much," she grins, returning back to the conversation as easily as she'd paused it. "You loved me enough that you were willing to push me away a little, to force me to be more independent, so I could heal on my own."

"I really did love you a lot. And I still do."

Her smile grows a hint darker. "And that's why... even if you pass, I'll be strong enough to live on. I won't do anything I'd regret, I promise you."

"..."

"I- Oh!"

She melts into your arms as you wrap them around her. After weeks of heartbreak and guilt, this is the first comfortable hug she's felt. Her forehead comes to rest on your shoulder. Your heartbeats fall in sync, and for a moment, the two of you are one, in body and mind.

"You're a badass, Aria. The baddest."

Her smile presses into your neck.

...

"This place became so much more meaningful to me after your accident," Aria whispers.

The two of you are now sitting on a worn bench nearby, looking around every few seconds for signs of insects.

"I actually promised myself that if you ever woke up again, I'd..."

She kisses you on the cheek, pulling you in by the neck. Her body's warmth makes it incredibly easy to sink into her embrace.

"I'd propose to you here," she finishes.

For the first time since you'd arrived, her smile fades away. Haunting remnants of the woman you'd once been afraid of appear again.

"Aria..."

"Oh! We should go check on the girlies. We've been out here for a long time."

She stands up, grinning. It's fake, but you don't press her.

"I'll drive us back. You should get some rest," you decide.

"What? It's not even nighttime yet. I don't need rest!"

"You're exhausted, Aria. Let me drive us back," you plead.

"Fine, fine," she shrugs. "No big deal."

...

"Aria...?"

With her hands lying limp in her lap and her head tilted unnaturally sideways, you know you're not going to get a response.

Quickly stepping out to the other side of the car, you open the passenger door and slip your arms under her legs.

"Come here, sugar..." You mutter. "Let's get you into bed."

The faintest of smiles pushes the corners of her lips apart for just a moment.

You carefully make your way up the porch steps, carrying her bridal style.

Hold on.

You turn around in a full circle, squinting through the glare of the setting sun, noting the empty street space.

All the other girls left already.

Were we out that long?

...

Tina's petite fingers catch a descending tear under her eye, absorbing it. Her bird-like humming soothes the girl lying on her lap, lulling her eyes closed.

Tina continues braiding and unbraiding bundles of the brunette's locks with her slim fingers, keeping her gaze away from the makeup staining Miyoung's beautiful cheeks.

"...i'm sleepy..." Miyoung yawns. Her breathing slows to a crawl.

"You can sleep now, Mina," Tina coos. "I'll stay right here. I'm not going anywhere."

Miyoung rolls on her side, using Tina's thigh as a pillow.

"..."

"...hmm~ hmm~ mm~" Tina continues, praying she could finally put Miyoung to sleep.

"G'night, master..." Miyoung droopily mutters, not alert enough to catch her mistake.

Tina's cheeks burst into a violent crimson. She sputters but clamps her mouth shut just in time.

Miyoung releases a gentle snore.

"Good... night..." Tina replies.

One more word lingers on the tip of her tongue, teetering on the edge of escaping. Even the thought of it nearly makes her pass out.

Perhaps it's the rollercoaster of emotions, the surge of panicked adrenaline, or one of the million reasons she could blame for it, but regardless, it finally slips out.

"...mistress."

...

Aria softly grunts as you tuck the blanket over her.

"Goodnight, princess," you smile, brushing her bangs up to kiss her on the forehead. "Let's go on a date tomorrow, ok?"

"We'll go on a date later," she responds, her eyes shooting open and startling you.

"O-oh! You're... um... why?" You ask.

"Today was enough for me. I said everything I wanted to. Spend time with the girls you haven't gotten to yet, then I'll go out with you."

"..."

She rolls over on her side.

"Good night. Love you," she finishes.

"...love you too."

...

As you quietly shut Aria's bedroom door behind you, a new figure quickly pops into view.

"Hey, babe?"

"Hmm?" You stare through her, still distracted.

"There's something I want to do. Can we do it tomorrow?" Rae clasps her hands around your back in a bear hug.

"Well, what is it?"

"No, agree first! Ask later!"

You snicker at her pouty face. "Ok, I'll bite. Fine. What is it?"

"YAY!" She slips her hands off and turns around, cheering.

"Hey! What was it!" You prepare to chase after her.

"We're gonna have an orgy, we're gonna have an orgy~" She prances away, chanting.

"Oh, criminy!" You laugh. "You really thought I wouldn't agree to that?"

"Well... with how many people I want to come, I thought you might get shy," she admits.

"...w-wait, you mean it's not just this house?" You stutter, proving her correct. "Who else is coming?"

"Everyone that wants to," she winks.

"Wait! How are the other girls?" You clutch her arms. "I completely forgot to ask. Why'd they leave before I came back?"

She puts a hand on the back of your neck, softly stroking with her thumb.

"It's alright, baby. They're... getting used to it," she chooses her words carefully. "Leslie and I talked some sense into them, so I think they'll be fine. I invited them over tomorrow for some sexy times, and I think letting them see and feel you will help them even more."

"...do you really think it'll be that easy?" You ask, dumbfounded at her optimism. "I'm dying, Rae. I don't think sex will help."

"..."

"..."

You lean in for a tight hug before she has to ask.

"I know," she gravely whispers.

"Sorry, Rachel, I-"

"I'm ok right now because you're ok. That's what I mean. I think the other girls will be fine as long as you are. Once you start getting symptoms, though... I don't know."

So it's all temporary?

They're not healing, they're just choosing to forget until they're forced to remember...?

You keep the gnarly thought quiet.

"Do you still want to do it?" She asks. "It's not that we want to forget about what's happening. We just need some relief."

"Yeah, of course. I'm happy to help."

...

"They should be coming soon!" Leslie hops from one foot to the other. "I hope this thing is ready," she giggles, rubbing your cock through your pants. You clear your throat, nervously anticipating how many women will show up while fighting off the urge to undress Leslie right now.

"Leslie! Hands off until everyone's here!" Aria demands, waving her away.

Leslie scoffs and gives you one last squeeze before pulling away. Aria pinches your reddening cheeks, laughing behind her hand.

Rae opens the door with a wide smile on her face.

"Janet! I didn't know you wanted to be a part of the orgy!" She exclaims. "Are you two a thing?" She asks, glancing back and forth.

You freeze.

J-Janet!?!

She steps inside, the clack of her high heels muffled by the carpet. Her eyeliner is darker and bolder than usual, and her low-cut brown top is hanging on for dear life around the mounds threatening to burst it apart.

"What!?! I'm not here for your orgy, Rae!" She snaps, nearly gagging. "I left my jacket here yesterday!"

She stomps inside, wobbling for a moment on her heels before kicking them off. As you enter her gaze for the first time, an unpleasant grimace curls her lips downward.

She glances around the floor and walks around the furniture, keeping you out of her vision. Her aggressive tone keeps everyone quiet as she investigates the scene.

"I think I took it upstairs," Rae admits. "It's in my room."

Janet whips around and heads for the stairs.

You silently follow her, out of earshot.

...

"Janet."

She gasps. A dark blue jean jacket is half-stuffed into her purse as she slowly turns to face you.

"...what?"

Her voice carries no malice - just fear.

"Why do you hate me, Janet?"

"You-! I-!" She instantly stutters, stumbling over herself in an attempt to escape.

"I'm done wasting time playing this guessing game. Please, just give me anything. I'm really sorry for whatever I did to hurt you in the past, Jan, but I don't remember it," you shake your head.

You stand tall in the doorway.

Her head lowers, and her chin juts out in a small pout.

"I wish you would've said that to me ages ago," she whispers. "That you're sorry."

"..."

She musters the courage to speak up. "I never liked you. Did you know that? I never did. Even as my friends were all falling in love with you, I didn't see anything special about you." Crossing her arms and stepping toward you, she continues. "And you took that personally," she accuses, jutting her finger into your sternum.

"How so?"

"You made it your mission to make me fall in love with you. You buttered me up and told me how pretty and special I was," she speaks with growing rage. "And I got weak and stupid, and one day something just snapped inside of me."

You still don't remember much, but you know what happened next.

"I fell in love. I believed everything you'd told me, like an idiot. I thought you were the one for me. And then days, literally days, after I confessed to you and finally gave you what you wanted, you walked into my room with your stupid little puppy eyes and broke up with me."

"..."

She steps closer, letting all the words and emotions she's screamed at you in her head seep through.

"You never gave me a reason why, but I knew what it was. You never gave a fuck about me - I was your toy. And I never told the other girls, because they went on and on about how loving and amazing and sweet you were, and I couldn't fucking tell them what you really were. A cruel demon," she spits out.

Her finger presses into your chest again, and you fold like a piece of paper.

"Wasn't it because of my tumor?" You ask, the color drained from your face. "Isn't that why?"

"Maybe, I don't know. But that doesn't change anything. If you loved me at all, you would've told me."

You step aside, giving her room to leave. She hesitates, lingering beside you.

"I don't want to be angry at you forever. It makes me feel awful, too. But I loved you a lot, and it was all for nothing," she mumbles, glancing at you. The slightest hint of sympathy in her voice is a tiny relief.

"Babe, they're here! Ready to start?"

Leslie impatiently calls you downstairs.

"Have fun with them," Janet sighs. "I'm sorry about your tumor."

Her words are far too polite.

...

10 minutes later...

Celine's abrupt cries spark the tension aflame, finally tearing apart the elephant in the room.

"FUCK~ FUCK~ FUCK!"

Somehow, she was the one who had ended up on top of you first, stripping off her clothes in a brazen display that would've never expected from her.

Her fingers squeeze your air supply as her face turns redder than her butt had become from the sharp slapping of your hips. Her ass feels majestic, and her mounds nearly suffocate you.

The room pulsates with the frenzied energy of Celine's outburst. Her cries unlock a torrent of desires and unspoken emotions that had remained hidden for too long. The other girls quickly leap onto each other, letting Celine have you for the moment.

Your body responds to her touch with an intensity that surprises even you. It feels like too long since you've thrown everything out of your mind and just fucked someone, and Celine is glad to receive it. One hand grips her hip, and the other is pinned down to the bed by her laced fingers. The weight of her straddling you is intoxicating and suffocating, her fingers loosely constricting your throat heightening the arousal.

Each slap of your hips reverberates through the room, igniting a primal hunger within both of you.

"NYAA~~!" Celine releases a half-meow, half-scream as she creams, curling her fingers around your neck as your cock pummels her into orgasm.

She doesn't want to leave just yet, but for the sake of the impatient girls beside her, she slowly pulls her wet, gripping pussy off of you.

The musky scent of sex begins to fill the air, mixed with the faint aroma of perfume and sweat.

"Mmm~ mmm~ fuuck~" Rae moans from beside you, eyes rolling back as the face buried between her thighs slurps her up. "Imane, you're too good at this~"

Sydney smiles softly and bows her head as she approaches you, asking for permission.

"Come here, Syd," you whisper over the raucous yet pleasing moans coming from beside you, where Rae, Imane, Aria, and Jaime were enjoying themselves in the heat of the action, knowing you couldn't possibly please all of them at once. The other girls finish stripping, tearing their clothes off to get into the action.

Sydney gets on top of you and sinks down onto your cock, letting her uncaged breasts sway as she leans over to kiss you.

"Thanks for letting us do this," she grins, caressing your cheek.

"Thank you for being so hot," you chuckle. "And I forgive you for everything. I know you just wanted to help."

The happy, lighthearted attitude flowing out of you infects even the girls who couldn't hear your exact words, and the mood of the room loosens up even more. Yet the sexual tension continues to build as Sydney releases a sensual moan while your hand squeezes her ass and helps her absorb your length.

Hyoon comes to your side, making your eyes bulge in your head as she fondles her boobs in front of you, leaning down to plant an excruciatingly slow kiss on your neck.

"You're so obvious when you're horny," she teases, poking your cheek. "Quit staring at me and focus on Sydney."

"Mmm, you're the worst," you grumble, making her giggle as she continues pushing her perfect boobs together, just out of reach.

Luckily, Sydney's form is equally impeccable. You shove your face into her boobs, causing her face to twist up in ecstasy. Her strong hips start grinding, reminding you of her athleticism.

"Can I go harder?" She asks, her words swirling around in the mix of ever-growing moans. "I need a release."

You let out a breathless laugh, your fingers gripping Sydney's hips tighter.

"Yes, please," you manage to say between gasps.

Sydney's movements become fervent as she rides you, her body syncing with yours. The sound of skin slapping against skin fills the room, intertwining with the moans and cries coming from the others.

As you focus on Sydney, you can feel the weight of Hyoon's gaze burning into your skin. Her mischievous smile sends a surge of adrenaline through your veins, fueling you further.

Unable to resist any longer, you reach out and grab Hyoon by the waist, pulling her by her butt. She yelps at your strong grip but quickly realizes what's happening as you pull her onto your chest. She straddles you with a playful smirk, her silky hair cascading down her shoulders as she leans in to capture your lips in a final searing kiss before she sits up and spreads her legs apart above your face.

"Aghh~~ FUUUUCK!" Her smug confidence vanishes as soon as your tongue digs into her folds. She's no match for your expertise, and her hips hump over your mouth, begging for you to get deeper.

Sydney pumps her body furiously, exhaling slowly as she nears her orgasm.

With one hand on Hyoon's butt and the other on Sydney's thigh, the three of you rock the bed violently, nearly giving the other girls a fright.

Imane finally pulls away from Rae, her eyes bulging as she sees what's happening.

"Fuck me, I want next," she mutters.

Emiru and Leslie swap saliva, creating friction between their boobs as they press up against each other. Their thighs slide smoothly along each other's bodies, giving them both the odd reminder of how good women felt.

Jodi removes her slick hand from Jaime's sopping entrance, all five of her fingers drenched. She smiles, satisfied with her work as Jaime sits up, quivering pleasantly from what she'd just been through.

Emiru sits up at the same time, passing Leslie off to a horny Aria.

Jaime and Emiru catch each other taking a momentary break. Their eyes are bloodshot and puffy, but desire still courses through them, causing their gaze to wander down to each other's fully exposed, glistening figures.

Jaime's breath catches as she realizes Emi is staring back at her, and her eyes quickly divert.

Emi glances away from her roommate's alluring body, gladly letting Aria pull her down for a rough kiss that quickly turns into mutually sloppy fingering.

"Oh, fuck, Aria~" Emiru moans loudly. "Just like that~"

Jaime's thighs rub together as she watches, fantasizing, only snapping out of it once Rae grabs her arm and pulls her in.

Hyoon's strong hips grind on your face, filling your nose with her wonderful scent as she screams words of praise.

"YES, Jesus, YES~"

Sydney's walls tighten around your cock in an inimitable sensation, and you resist the urge to blow as she gives in.

"Mmmphh," you fail to speak once Hyoon's thighs decide to shut you up.

Sydney is off your cock in a second, and a new girl takes her place. She starts by licking your shaft from the base to the tip, then taking you completely down her throat for a moment, just to remind you what she's capable of.

You cock twitches, and she giggles in delight, finally revealing herself to be Poki through her voice.

"Mmmmphmm-" You stop halfway through your nonsensical sound, but Imane understands.

"Hyoon, can you let them up?" Imane asks, her voice dripping with need. "Please."

Hyoon relents with a disappointed huff and gets off your face.

You gasp for air for a moment, but Imane gives you no time to rest. She pulls you up into a kneeling position, then lies on her back and spreads her feet out.

Now that your vision is finally clear, you look around and see the variety of toys thrown into the mix.

To your left, Rae holds a buzzing vibrator to her clit, and Hyoon quickly hops on and pushes her pussy up against Rae's, letting it massage both of them into heaven.

Meanwhile, Jodi is on a dominant streak, pounding Aria's thickness from behind with a very familiar-looking dildo tied to her waist while fingering Leslie with her free hand. A devilish grin marks her face as the two girls under her control shiver in delight.

Holy shit, Jodi!

A thin rope is wrapped around Emiru's arms, constraining them above her head as Celine takes full advantage of her. Their energy is mostly fizzled out, but the callous rope restricting her movement makes Emiru shiver.

You get on top of Imane, wrapping your arms around her and pushing her legs up.

The sensation of her tightness enveloping you is overwhelming. Your bodies are so familiar with each other that it feels like second nature to slide in.

"Harder. Hurt me a little. I need it," Imane breathes out in choppy sentences. "Slap my face."

"W-wha-?" You pause, taken aback.

"Please," she begs, rocking her body up to meet your hips. "For me."

Her innocent begging draws it out of you before you can think otherwise.

You pull back your hand, then strike her across the face.

"GAAAH~~" She howls in delight, convulsing around your throbbing cock. Her moans don't stop, as the after-shock of the sting continually stabs her with pleasure.

"Fuck, again," she begs, her nails digging sharply into your back. Her frantic pace comes from a deeply unsated hunger. Imane's face contorts in ecstasy, her eyes squeezing shut and lips parting in a euphoric moan.

Right as she opens her eyes, another slap arrives on her other cheek, leaving a faint red line where each of your fingers hit.

"Fuuuuuck, again, so fucking good," she groans. It seems impossible to believe that she loves this so much, but the way her pussy clamps around you with each hit makes it hard to think otherwise.

She's milking you so well, and you can feel her boobs pressing together onto your body as her hands desperately clutch you closer.

"I'm gonna cum, Imane," you warn, continuing to pound her.

"Inside me," she demands, as expected.

For good measure, you prepare to give her one last slap, relishing the taboo physicality of it.

Instead, another hand delivers the final slap for you, and a dildo is shoved into Imane's mouth at the same time, making her choke on the sudden entry. She cums instantly and powerfully, finally bringing your orgasm out of you. Jodi continues pushing the dildo down Imane's throat, making the brunette gag and gasp for air. She screams silently, her eyes rolling back in her head. Your heart can hardly keep up with your exertion, and you become light-headed as you shoot out your first load of the afternoon.

Jodi slowly pulls the dildo back out of Imane's mouth, grinning.

"Marry me," Imane sighs. You can't tell who she's talking to.

...

Jaime rides you like a cowgirl on a rodeo, except she's the one causing all the ruckus.

Her movements are wild and unrestrained, as she forces every bad thought out of her head through primal fucking.

The girls who are still active are grasping tiredly at each other's bodies, still drawing out as much pleasure as their fried brains can take. Celine and Imane are gently riding each other, small blushes on their cheeks as they whisper something.

Jaime's petite body curves and bends as her hips lift and drop, reminding you of how perfect her figure is. Despite the ruggedness of her raw passion, she moves with grace, her hips rolling and grinding against yours. Her fingers find purchase on your chest, leaving trails of fire in their wake. Her swollen lips part with each gasp for air, and her hungry, fiery eyes lock onto yours.

"Fuck, fuck, just fuck everything out of me," she pleads. "Make me stop thinking, and FUCK ME~!"

Your entwined, sweat-soaked bodies collide, merging into one. Time becomes meaningless, and she's the only object of your desire. Somewhere off to the side, your hand is drenched in someone else's wet slit, but you hardly notice.

A few of the girls are knocked out, sleeping peacefully amid the noise. The rest are still going at it, biting and sucking on wherever their mouths land.

"Shit, I needed this so badly," Jaime mutters, leaning down and sucking on your neck. You shudder at the sensation as her tight hips continue giving you the workout of your life.

"...I couldn't stop myself when you and Lily got together," she whispers. "I touched myself the whole night."

She muffles your gasp with a sharp kiss, slipping her tongue into your mouth.

"Shh... I won't tell."

...

You eagerly press your hips forward, holding Rae's hips and bringing her back onto you. Her body arches against yours, racing for a finish she hadn't gotten from you in a while.

"Sorry I made you wait so long," you apologize. Between her gasps and moans as your hands slide down her thighs and up her stomach, feeling every inch of her smooth skin, she mutters, "Waiting makes it feel even better, hehe."

Her cravings are your commands, and you answer them before she has to ask. Your bodies are made for each other, and you happily take a small break from the furious fucking of the last few hours to enjoy a sensual, slower pace.

Jodi watches the two of you, fiddling with something. Emiru crawls to you, nearly collapsed from exhaustion.

"I'm gonna pass out before I get my turn with you..." Emi groans. "So let me do this instead."

Dipping her head down, she sticks her long tongue out and slurps at the contact area between you and Rae's private areas. Your nerves are so overstimulated that you can barely feel it, but it's still amazing. With one hand on Rae's shoulder and the other on Emi's, you guide the two girls in tandem, addicted to the fiery feeling burning within you.

With each thrust, Rae's firm ass clapping reminds you of how much you've missed her body.

Emiru's talented tongue dances across the sensitive flesh between you and Rae, adding a layer of erotic intensity that shocks your bodies into action. Rae throws her hips backward, loving Emi's warm tongue pressing against her almost as much as the throbbing cock tearing her apart.

Emi's dedication pushes you to give Rae everything she's been wanting. Her arms collapse to the ground, and her face plows into the mattress, muffling the moans that soon become screams of ecstasy.

...

You glance at Aria and Leslie. They're passed out, snoozing away with faint smiles on their lips. Rae and Emi are napping on your chest like a pair of curled-up kittens, and Jaime, Hyoon, Sydney, Imane, and Celine are all in a big pile at the other end of the bed. The time is past three in the morning.

"Jodi...?" You mutter, trying to ignore the awful aching of your cock. You've lost track of how many orgasms you've had, but achieving another one feels impossible.

"Yes?" She turns to you, and your jaw drops.

She's exactly as she was at the very beginning, barring her wrecked hair and makeup. The energy inside her flows freely, and you stare in awe and concern. Her expression is greedy with desire.

"Jodi, how are you so energized? I'm sorry, I don't know if I'll be able to-"

"Please!" she cries, eyes widening. "I waited all this time, and you... please! Don't tell me you can't!"

"Ok, ok!" You quickly relent, not wanting to disappoint. Her smile returns, but it feels anxious.

I can go for one more round... right?

"Why don't we have a snack first? We can go to a different room to do it after," she suggests, hopping up with far too much energy.

"I suppose..."

...

After a glass of water and some bits of leftovers, Jodi guides you up to the furthest bedroom, which happens to be Aria's.

As you reach the door, a faint sliver of movement appears in the corner of your eye.

"Huh?" You whisper, whipping around.

Was that... Miyoung's door closing?

Hold on, has she spent the whole day in there?

"Hey, you're making me wait, baby," Jodi whines, grabbing your arm and pulling you inside. "I'm so wet, come on..."

"How do you still have so much energy?" You ask incredulously.

"Because I need you," she easily answers, reaching her hands behind her slender back and dropping her bra to the floor.

Her gorgeous body distracts you, and you reach your hands down to your underwear, ready to get started with your final round for the night, and possibly for the month.

But you stop midway, as your fatigued brain finally Fcallchugs a thought out.

"Jodi?" You whisper. "What do you mean by that?"

"Huh? Hey, take it off already! I need you to bend me over and fuck me, or eat me out, or do whatever you want to me-"

"Jodi! That's..." You pause, ensuring your next words are true. "I don't think that's what you want."

"What-! Hey, where is this coming from?!? Just get on the bed!" She nearly yells, nostrils flaring.

"I won't."

"Wha-! Why?!?" She slaps her thighs, visibly angry.

She's not like this when we have sex. Impatient, callous.

"You're not yourself right now, Jodi," you whisper.

She seethes. "How the fuck would you know? You don't even remember who I am!"

And with that, it all makes sense.

She withdraws, reflecting on her words in the silence that follows.

"So that's what it is? That's where this is coming from?" You confirm.

Her fiery eyes lose their luster. Her spine curves forward, and she slouches back, collapsing onto the bed. All her lust is gone in an instant, finally revealing what was truly driving it.

Damn. All of this sex was just meant to distract her. It's the same for the other girls, I suppose, but it didn't work on her.

She stares at the ceiling, her emotions drained.

Her eyes seem hollow, her lips thin. Now that your lust is finally cooling, the subtleties of her appearance become noticeable. Her eyelid twitches with fatigue, and a small tremor takes hold of her fingers.

"All I wanted was a future with you."

"..."

"I was so patient, so hopeful, so goddamn hopeful, that you would wake up and everything would be okay again," she tiredly mutters.

"I understand that."

"No, you don't," she snaps. "You don't understand. I went to your bedside almost every single day to talk to you. I prayed to gods I didn't believe in. And when I finally, finally got my wish to come true..." She clamps her fists together. "Turns out it was all for nothing. You were dying the whole time."

"..."

"It's a sick joke. It's so, so mean."

You crawl onto the bed. You pat the pillow next to you, beckoning her closer.

She scoots up to the head of the bed, curling her body into a question mark. She faces away from you, hiding the tears, and you quickly get behind her, wrapping her up in your love.

"I wish... it wasn't real..." Her voice cracks. "I wish... that you could be wrong about it all..."

"...me too."

She places her hands on top of yours as they wrap around her torso. There's nothing else you can possibly say to take the edge off of the crushing fear she's feeling, so you plant a comforting kiss on the back of her neck and pray.

"Let's get some sleep, my love. I'll stay with you."

"...thanks."

"Goodnight, Jodi."

"'night."

...

Her eyes hover on the papers in front of her a moment longer. The pen rolling around her slim fingers comes to a halt.

"Welcome back. How's LA been treating you?" She sits up straighter, patting down her skirt. Her buttoned top and black skirt match the outfit she'd worn the prior week.

"About as shitty as it treats everyone else," you brusquely answer.

She smiles professionally. "Well, that's unfortunate," she sighs, sounding entirely unapologetic. "But this is how things are going to be from now on. Don't worry, though! I won't hold you for very long. As long as you cooperate, that is."

She produces a clipboard and pen from thin air and lays them on her lap, clicking the pen three times. Her legs uncross and recross tightly.

"Alright, shoot," you sigh, sitting down.

"Question one. How-"

"By the way," you interrupt, "I started reading Dickens the other day. Almost done with A Tale of Two Cities."

Her muffled look of annoyance quickly makes way to curiosity.

"Oh, did you? That's great! How was it?" She sets down her clipboard.

"Meh, alright. I think I understand what you mean about dichotomy. I don't think I had to read a whole book to get it, though. You could've summarized it."

"It's nice to get the experience for yourself, dear," she nods politely.

"I guess so," you shrug. "Thanks for telling me about it."

A genuine smile lights up her features. She's prettier than you realized.

"No, thank you for taking my advice! You're honestly the first to do so," she giggles.

She folds her hands in her lap, forgetting about the questionnaire for a moment.

"Well, you seem like a smart woman. Any advice from someone like you is probably quite valuable," you smoothly remark.

She clears her throat, quickly shifting her gaze down to her lap. Her slim fingers reach up and adjust her tight collar.

"Alright, back to question one," she declares.