Ally was released from the hospital Saturday evening. Despite Karen telling her she needed rest, Ally was certain she would start school on Monday. She said she didn’t want to fall behind in her new school, especially with so little time left.

She was lying on Rosuto’s bed, watching TV and playing with her hair that night when Karen popped into to wish the two good-night before she headed out to work. She promised to lock the door behind her, which she figured made Ally feel a bit more secure, even though the girl didn’t show it. Rosuto smiled though from her chair. At least she felt more secure.

When Karen was gone, Rosuto looked at Ally, who was staring back at the TV.

“Um, Ally?”

“Yeah?” The blonde asked, reached down and fiddling with the hem on her black sweat pants.

“…My mom knows…about…us.” Rosuto blushed and looked away, afraid Ally would be mad. She only shrugged, however.

“Cool. At least she’s still letting us sleep in the same bed. Guess she either thinks we won’t do anything or doesn’t care.”

“I wouldn’t do anything to you now!” Rosuto said, and then realized that may have come out wrong when Ally turned and glared daggers at her.

“Why not? Am I suddenly not good enough?” Rosuto’s eye widened and she shook her head.

“No! Ally, no! I didn’t mean anything like that! I just meant…ya know…maybe you’re not ready for anything. You might be hurt…or torn…or something. And I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want anything for a while.” Rosuto shrugged. “That’s all, Ally, I swear.”

Ally blushed and looked down. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I should’ve known…and I shouldn’t have snapped.” Rosuto shrugged and whispered how it was okay, then the two turned back to the TV, as if trying to brush it all off.

Sunday morning came bright and startling, the sun shining into Rosuto’s room and over the two sleeping girls. Ally got up first and somehow crawled over Rosuto without waking her and stumbled out for a shower.

Rosuto woke up when she heard the shower water turn off, and rubbed her eyes. By the time her vision cleared, Ally was standing in the doorway, wet body covered by a light blue towel. She walked in and up to the bed, looking down at Rosuto.

“What…time is it?” Rosuto muttered, and Ally said something after nine. Rosuto sighed and rolled over, closing her eyes and nuzzling her pillows. She sighed, then felt a weight pressing over her as Ally crawled across the bed.

Rosuto opened her eyes and stared up at Ally, naked, on her hands and knees. Her wet hair fell over her shoulders and small, shapely breasts, her eyes staring down intently at Rosuto.

The brunette sat up, and said, “Um…Ally…what’re you doing?”

“I can’t believe you’d roll back over and try to sleep while I was standing around, wet, in nothing but a towel!” Rosuto blushed, then shrugged.

“I just…didn’t wanna get too…aroused looking at you and want something…” She blushed, and felt a warm hand cup her cheek and direct her face back towards Ally.

“I want you to be aroused by me,” Ally whispered. “I want you to want me. I want to know you still want me…even if I’m…so filthy now…”

Her pale eyes seemed to fade, and Rosuto’s heart sank a little. She reached out and placed her hands on Ally’s shoulders as she sat up.

“Baby, look at me.” Ally looked up, her eyes so sad that Rosuto felt her heart crack. “You’re not filthy. You just showered honey, you can’t be filthy.” Ally laughed, bringing brightness back to her eyes. Rosuto smiled. “But seriously, love…you’re not filthy…you’re no different then you were…before. Not to me anyway. You’re still Ally, still the love of my life.”

Rosuto swore Ally’s eyes sparkled, her smile dazzled. She reached out and hugged Rosuto, pressing herself to the brunette and sighing blissfully. Rosuto smiled and held Ally tight, her hands tracing over the blonde’s spine. Ally whimpered softly, then looked up at Rosuto.

“Will you…show me that you still want me?” Ally whispered, and Rosuto hesitated for a moment. “I promise you won’t hurt me…please…”

Rosuto looked into Ally’s eyes, and a smile crossed her face. She leaned down and softly kissed her lips, cupped her left breast close to Ally’s body. She could feel the steady rhythm of Ally’s heart, pressing against her hand as if trying to embed it’s rhythm into her veins.

It was mid-day when the two girls stepped out into the sunlight. The sun was warm on their bodies, the first really warm day all spring. It was very later this season.

They fingers were laced as they walked down the streets, eyes sparkling, smiles wide. Ally’s blonde hair had dried naturally, giving it an extra wave here and there, making it seem alive, as if it was dancing in the sunlight.

Rosuto seemed to have a bounce in her step, her body exuding an energy so intense, so intimate it could turn even the most hateful person into the star of an overly done romantic movie. She looked at Ally and pulled her closer, throwing her arm around her shoulders. The shorted blonde grinned up at her.

They walked like this for a while in the sun, then entered the small coffee shop. Behind the counter, a pair of green eyes greeted them with a sparkle.

“Look who’s up and out of the house!” Charm said, grinning. She waved at Rosuto, who smiled back. “Can I get you two some coffee? Totally on the house.”

The two smiled and agreed, thanking Charm before she disappeared. She emerged with two cups of steaming coffee and handed it to the girls.

“I get off shift,” she said as she set them down on a small table. “If you guys want…maybe we could hit a movie or something?”

“Rosuto’s actually got plans,” Ally said. “She’s gonna meet some girls from a club at school at the mall. But if you wanna, you can come along. Then I won’t feel so out of place.” Ally laughed, and Charm smiled.

“I’d love to.”

When night fell on the city, the street lights kicked up. Sitting at two tables pushed together outside a fast food joint sat a bunch of girls, laughing as they munched away on their food. Ally was between Rosuto and Charm, who sat on the end, her feet kicked up on a trash can. She was drinking a shake and whining as Ally stole fry after fry off her plastic burger wrapper.

“Eat your own!” Charm said, shoving her renewed friend lightly. Ally laughed and simply stole another fry.

Rosuto shook her head, then turned back, as Sandy was in the middle of a story about walking in on her older brother and his girlfriend. Though slightly…disturbing, it was hilarious, and Rosuto found she couldn’t even swallow her soda while it was being told.

But that was a nice feeling. It was nice to be able to laugh so hard, so freely. Rosuto felt truly good today, like nothing could be better. She was with a group of friends who were like her, who knew what she went through and understood her fully. She was with a new friend, who was just as nice in her own way, and brought smiles to Ally’s beautiful lips. And then there was Ally…

The love of her life was laughing like she used to laugh. Back when her life wasn’t so bad that she could hold her head high and laugh. That she could let loose and enjoy the sunny day, or the cool refreshing night.

Rosuto hoped life would be just like this for Ally from now on. Nothing but sunny days, refreshing nights, mornings of soft kisses and needy touches. And most of all, she hoped it would forever be full of smiles and laughs.