The Accidental Like

Gina's stretched out on her bed, jean shorts riding so high her cheeks spill out like she wants to be noticed. Textbooks open, but she's half-done, legs kicking lazy at the air. The phone buzzes. She grabs it fast — anything beats this chapter. The message from Karlee's loaded with heat: dark blue lingerie stretched across soft skin, lace pressing in all the right places. Fuck. Gina's hand's already down her shorts before she can stop herself. She doesn't feel her thumb slip until the heart pops red. Liked. Shit. Shit shit shit. Her pulse slams. She tries to unlike but the damage is done. Karlee's gonna see it. And she does. Phone lights up — Karlee calling. Gina freezes, thumb hovering, heart punching her ribs. She picks up anyway. Karlee's voice comes through sweet, like nothing happened. Wants to study. Wants her over. Gina swallows hard, says she'll be right there, hangs up before her voice cracks. At Karlee's place they're on the couch, books between them, tension thicker than the air. Karlee leans in, fingers brushing Gina's thigh. "You like this bra?" Same one from the picture. Same fucking lace. Gina jerks back. "Stop. I know what this is." Karlee plays coy but Gina's already shaking her head. "I liked it by mistake, alright? I'm not a creep. I just—fuck—I like girls in lingerie." Words tumble out before she can reel them back. Karlee's smile curls slow. "Then why ask?" She peels her top off, nothing underneath but skin and that same bra staring Gina down. "Next time, just say it." Books stay closed. The night just started.