Cleaning up after

Tiny-Top Beach II: The Secret Cove was even more terrible than its predecessor. It constantly tried to one up the original despite clearly having half the budget. Claire understood why May fell asleep an hour in. In fact, she'd go so far as to say she'd rather watch the motionless May than another volleyball action scene. Her gaze again turned to sleeping beauty.

Obviously Claire didn't find May attractive. Yes, her new friend looked quite adorable curled up on the couch, but of all the men she'd dated, there'd been none that she thought seemed all the cuter when they snored. This was not the case with May as her gentle sawing was quite relaxing, ergo this was clearly a different situation, and Claire didn't have the hots for her.

As the tacky film drew to a close, Claire considered letting the young woman sleep, she looked so peaceful, but she thought it'd be upsetting for May to wake up all alone. Perhaps Claire could just stay here until May awoke on her own, or would that be weird? Her conundrum was solved when the credits summoned an intense guitar solo. May snorted then bolted straight up, "ah man, I missed the phone boob scene."

"Phone booth," corrected Claire.

"Yeah that's what it was called, but that camera operator told a different story." May mimicked one of the exaggerated poses the gifted actress had struck.

Claire couldn't help but giggle. That particular scene was in the "so bad it's good" territory. Looking back, maybe the movie was more charming than she thought.

May's pose turned into a stretch and she roared out a long yawn. "I'm really sorry," she said, covering the last of her yawn. "I know I promised you a wild night, but I think it's closing time."

"I'll take a raincheck. Why don't I help you clean some of this up?"

"'Cause I was gonna do it tomorrow."

Claire stared at her silently, trying to think of a response.

May shifted nervously. "Come on. I'm sill tipsy; you can't clean up while you're drunk. It's against party law."

Claire continued to say nothing, a little surprised with how effective her silence was.

"Oh alright, we'll clean up some of it."

The duo proceeded to do just that. Claire did more than May, who wasn't much help in her sloshy state. Working together though, they were able to drag the inflatable pool to her tub and drain it, but it soon became clear to Claire that May was a bit too mischievous to get much else done. So she sent her bikini-clad friend to bed, even tucking her in to make it more likely she'd stay put.

On the nightstand, Claire put a glass of water and some aspirin, rather proud of herself for getting the latter out of the medicine cabinet. "I'll lock your door behind me," she explained to the cocooned woman, "and put your key through the mail slot."

"I love you," was May's lazy reply before she asked, "am I naked?"

Claire tried not to giggle, but a tiny chortle squeaked out. "No silly, you're still in your bikini."

"Oh," May shifted a bit under the covers, "there it is." She seemed content with the discovery of her clothes for a second, but a moment later, she yanked on the covers in an attempt to sit up, but they held her firm. "The heaters," she sleepily half-yelled.

"Turned off, and unplugged," Claire reminded her, gently guiding her into a sleeping position.

"Oh." May settled into the covers again. "You're so thoughtful," she mumbled into her pillow, "I guess I'm gonna have to marry you."

"Pleasant dreams," replied Claire softly as she made her way out of the apartment.