"I think so, yeah."

The confession surprises both of you. Not just you having the courage to say it but also the realisation as the words pass your lips that you actually mean it. Jessica blinks a few times, and then her face softens. Suddenly, you're in her tight embrace, arms pinned to your side as she holds you close and whispers gently in your ear: "Oh, I'm so sorry... I didn't realise."

Before you melt in the warmth and softness of her affection, she releases her grasp and steps back, leaving you still a frozen in the wake of her.

She smiles. "Well, Elliot, you do look pretty cute. Do you want to try on some more outfits now?" She looks at the ceiling in an exaggerated thinking pose for a moment, before pointing at you nonchalantly.

"Actually wait, would you prefer to be called something else? Just yaknow... Between us girls?"

Called something else? "Us girls"? Sure, there's a name bubbling in the back of your mind, gnawing at its bonds to get free, but that could be a trick, right? You stare at your feet in nervous indecision as your mind battles over this. You want to embrace Jessica as your savior so badly, but her sudden change in attitude confuses you. One moment you're just a charity case and the next she's holding you close and warm?

Then you notice she's stepped closer. Not just that but she's cupping your cheek in her hand. A delicious tingling tensation flows through your flushed face.

"OK forget about that for now." she soothes. "How about that kiss..?"