Exploring a post-privacy friendship

Ari's black V-neck and cutoffs had joined the flannel in her hamper since I'd discovered the app. My best friend now stood in the middle of our room, wearing just a black bra and hot pink panties. Neither garment was particularly sexy, flat panels with no lace or other frills. But the bra was clearly made for the plunging necklines Ari preferred, leaving her deep cleavage and the plush upper slopes of her breasts bare. Beneath the bra, a cute belly poked out slightly over pink cotton. A utilitarian cut despite the color, but it was hard to complain about the way the panties clung to her round butt and disappeared enticingly between her thighs.

"Uh, Ari? You know the curtain's open, right?" I pointed to the clothesline and fabric we'd hastily strung across the room when I moved in. It wasn't like I'd never seen her in underwear before, when we'd needed to change quickly before going out or shared a fitting room at the thrift store. But she'd always been very quick to redress, visibly conscious of what she was showing until she did. And with me living here, she'd used the privacy curtain religiously, or else changed in the bathroom. I figured it was a way to keep some semblance of her personal space. Or maybe she was worried about sending me the wrong signals, single and heartbroken as I was.

But now, Ari had undressed right in front of me, so casually I hadn't even noticed. Her body language didn't show a hint of hesitation or awkwardness, her movements weren't hurried. Her gaze followed my gesture to the open curtain, and her brow furrowed. "Oh, right. Honestly, I feel kind of silly about insisting on that now. It just makes the room feel even smaller, we should probably take it down. And like you said, we don't need privacy like other roommates."

"I guess did say that." Or something like it, at least. "That doesn't explain why you're stripping in the first place, though."

"Oh, that! I've been thinking for a while that I should take my showers earlier in the afternoon. There's never enough hot water at bedtime."

"The price of five roommates in one old house," I said absently. I was pretty sure I'd only understand what was happening when I got back into the app, and I fidgeted with my phone anxiously. But if Ari was getting ready to shower, there was good reason not to look away just yet.

"Really, I should get in on the morning showers like you." Her hands moved behind her back as she chattered on. I watched intently as her shoulders flexed, then shrugged forward. One smooth motion to remove a bra. I'd learned to do that myself — for the rare occasion I bothered to wear one — but it hadn't become any less fascinating to watch.

"But I don't know," Ari continued as the bra fell away. "There's just something nice about washing the day off when I get home."

"Mm-hmm." My eyes were fixed on Ari's boobs. Round and full — not massive, but impressive on her small frame. A lot firmer than I'd have thought, barely sagging as they lost their support. Light brown areolas pointed straight ahead, capped by short, plump nipples. My erection had subsided during our aborted argument, but now it came back strong, and I had to squeeze my thighs tight to avoid tenting my dress.

"Anyway, I guess I'm just passing the hot water problem on to the rest of the night-shower people," Ari mused. She turned away from me toward the hamper, shimmying the hot pink underwear down and stepping out of them. I got a great view of her plump butt and generous hips as she bent slightly to grab the panties from her ankles.

"Maybe you're starting an arms race on early showers," I suggested, momentarily spared the ultimate distraction of visible tits. Ari agreed with a chuckle. It was surreal, and strikingly intimate, to be chatting and joking just like normal while she stood there fully nude. I stared at her backside eagerly, awaiting the full-frontal view I hadn't quite gotten yet.

Ari opted to deny me. She walked over to her dresser, back still turned, and fished out a clean towel. She started tying it around herself right there, and by the time I could see her front again, all the fun bits were covered.

+2 BS. 92 remaining.

Another notification? And gaining BS this time? I had to figure out this app.

"Anyway," Ari said. "Seriously think about the Moira thing. Even if you and I are good, I really don't want conflict at home. I was really lucky to find this place, and I want to make sure I can stay here."

"Don't worry, I'll squat in a classroom before it comes to that. But I'll talk to Moira, I bet we can work things out."

Ari nodded, looking unconvinced. On any other day, I would have shared her skepticism. But I'd just seen proof of my newfound rhetorical superpower, in the literal flesh. Ari had hardly left the bedroom before I had the app open again.