Getting To Know Each Other

The trickling of water filled Avery's ears as he comfortably lay on the bedroom couch. The teen was idly flipping through his phone, but for once, he didn't pay much attention to what he was doing. Normally a game or book might have his attention during the later time at night, but this time, it was a girl on his mind, and for the first time that girl was Juliet Clark. Avery wasn't blind, he knew exactly how beautiful Juliet was, but he was content with knowing how utterly hopeless thinking anything could happen was. That's exactly how he stayed so settled after four years of knowing Kenny and being around her time and time again. It was very simple, Juliet was impossible so there was no point in trying...now the cheerleader had screwed it all up.

The conversation on top of Kaster Mountain was still ringing through the teenager's ears, and as dumb as it all was, the idea that he somehow got under Juliet's skin due to his "disinterest" had the gears turning. Sure, this could have just as easily been a case of overblown ego, Juliet merely needed to know he wanted her to feel good about herself, and she had no interest otherwise. Ideally, Avery would have even liked to believe that, it was the safest route to make sure he didn't make a fool out of himself and get burned in a massive blunder. But everything else in the conversation, and the rush back to the lodge together, it just made that little hope wedge itself deeper into his skull. On the slimmest of chances, he actually had a chance with Juliet, and ignoring that was becoming impossible. Well, it might have been doable, but knowing that the brunette was only a room away naked, covered in soap and steamy water sorta kept full control of him now.

Finally, a good thirty minutes later, the door clicked and Juliet sauntered back into the bedroom. "Sorry, I hope you weren't waiting on me, showers just help me relax my nerves..."

Avery sat up, craning his neck, "Worried about Kenny?"

"Nicole too," Juliet gave her long slick hair one final drying scrub and tossed her towel aside, "I know Kenny isn't an idiot, he radioed in and told us he was going to be just fine, but...I can't help it, he's still my cousin and I'd much rather have Nikki and him here with us where I can know they're okay." She reached for a brush off her dresser, brushing through the raven-colored locks.

"I wouldn't be worried, like you said, Kenny's smart, and those watch towers were built for this kind of thing. They might even be safer there than in here." Juliet felt the worry in her stomach simmer from the confidence of Avery's words, "And thanks to the packs Brian made us pack, they have food, water, thermal gear, and a sat phone, they are far from lost. They just aren't here right now."

Juliet smiled half-heartedly at the teen, "I'm glad one of us sure, it helps." Setting her brush back down the cheerleader headed toward the bed, "I think the best thing I could do now is try and get a little sleep. Otherwise, I'll be thinking about this all night long."

"Probably a good idea, I'm going the other route, distraction." Avery joked as he returned his attention back to the television on the wall, "I'll keep it low and make sure to shut it off before I crash on the couch."

"Avery," The teen turned his head at Juliet's sudden sharp tone, "No." Her arms folded, "After everything else going on today, and I'm talking before my cousin ended up out there, I'm not dealing with you on couch duty. You're sharing a bed with me. We're starting over, remember? You don't need to make things try and stay weird."

"R-Right," Avery stood up, giving his throat a clear, "I didn't mean to offend you or anything. You're right, it's just...just a bed." He murmured as he made his way over but the teen paused as Juliet climbed into the center. After a brief moment, Avery climbed on as well, sticking to the very leftmost edge.

It was only a moment before Juliet's head lifted with lowered eyes, "Avery, quit being a dummy, you're practically half off the bed, scooch in."

"Yeah, I --" Avery cleared his throat once more, scooting closer to Juliet, feeling the radiance of her body and the sweetness of her smell fill his nose, "I didn't want to be in your personal space."

"You're fine, you don't have to worry about insulting me or something Avery." Juliet curled to her side, blissfully shutting her eyes, "You'll thank me in the morning when you're back isn't killing you, anyway."

"Okay, goodnight," The room crew was silent beyond the low mutters of the television on the other side of the room. Avery wasn't even certain what he was watching either, his entire focus now internally on the girl sleeping next to him. The conversation they had on the mountain continued to chew at him. Why did Juliet get so upset? What did it mean that she seemed to want him to want her? This starting over, was being in bed together really something that was normal for new friends? And the worst of all the thoughts, was Juliet just playing at something, or was Avery simply reading into it all too much? The teen let out a sharp, low exhale at the thought.

"You alright?" Avery all but jumped at the soft voice,

"Oh sorry, I didn't -- Sorry I woke you, I was just thinking..." Avery stumbled back, "I'll make sure to stay quiet,"

"What's wrong? Is this really bothering you that much?" Juliet sat up on her elbow, looking at the teen who blew out another breath,

"No, it's not the bed it's --" Avery bright a hand to his eyes, rubbing them slowly, "Honestly? I'm thinking about our little talk from earlier, and I'll just say it Juliet, you kinda confused the hell out of me."

The last thing Avery thought he'd hear was a soft giggle in return, "Sorry, I know that was out of nowhere, but I was being honest, Avery. There is no reason that we have to act like strangers who ignore each other. High school is over. You and me? We can be friends."

"That's just it," Avery turned his head, eyeing the girl, "Everything you were saying and doing earlier has me asking if friends is what you want." Juliet's eyes slightly widened, "I know that's not what you *meant* but the way it was all said has me thinking dumb. Like you wanted something more out of me. It's -- It's dumb, I'm just babbling like an idiot, ignore me. I'm sorry."

Juliet was silent for a few minutes, her head slowly returning to her pillow as she took in his words. It should have felt sudden or jarring to hear Avery ask that, but something inside her felt happy with it. He wasn't ignoring her, or acting like he could care less, he was thinking about her as something more. And there was nothing wrong with that either, Avery was a hell of a lot different than the guys she'd been around most of the time in school. He wasn't JJ, or Will, and definitely wasn't a thing like Devin. And thank god, he wasn't like Brian in the slightest. He was his own person, and he...wanted her?

Juliet felt her lips slightly curl and her eyes peered back open, looking at the blonde teen who continued to lay flat on his back, staring up at the ceiling. "Hey..." Avery turned his head and suddenly found the softness of Juliet's lips pressed against his. Avery could scarcely wrap his head around what was happening before a more shocking feeling of Juliet's fingers tracing to the hem of his pants caught his attention, "Juliet?" Avery broke the kiss with an exhale. Juliet very softly shushed him as her hand pressed into his pants and her lips returned back to his.

With a few simple pumps, Avery's cock grew to full mast in Juliet's hand, twitching and pulsing in the firm hold. Juliet began to slide her hand up and down, his kiss growing a little deeper as it went, her tongue brushing against Avery's lips. She felt a flutter in her stomach as a low groan was followed by a hand landing on her hip. Avery's tongue tentatively slipped out to meet Juliet's, and in turn, Juliet's pumping hand began to delicately twist with each pump, working from tip to base.

"Fuck, Juliet..."

Juliet let a purring trill as the kiss broke, "Does this clear some things up about what I wanted?"

"Just trying to -- make sure I'm not dreaming..." Avery sucked in a sharp breath, "B-But I don't t-think -- I don't t-think I can l-last much longer,"

"It's okay...don't try and hold it," Juliet exhaled tightening her hand into a firm squeeze, "Let it all go, Ave..."

Avery felt his hair go on edge, "F-Fuck, Julie...f-fuck...I -- Chrissssst." Avery hissed out, his body nearly shaking as his balls tightened and a surge of spunk fired from his tip. Juliet bit down hard on her lower lip, her body aggressively pressing hard against his body while she began to give him sharp tough tugs with each pump. Avery pressed his head back into the pillows as multiple streams left his tip with even more of his spunk pouring down over Juliet's hand before finally, the virgin felt his body release.

As Avery fell into a panting mess, Juliet slowly pulled her sticky-covered hand away, "Think you'll be able to sleep next to me now?"

"I...I think so, yeah," Avery swallowed, reaching to the nightstand for some tissues, "I, uh, I'm not sure what to say..."

"Just say thanks," Juliet murmured, finishing her own clean-up before returning to her spot only this time her head ended up on Avery's shoulder, "I think that's a fair trade, no?"

"Yeah...thanks, Julie..." Avery shut his eyes, his mind for once numb and silent, having no power to over think a thing for once.