The doorbell

"Why? What is it, Mike?" Mom asked, a flicker of worry crossing her face.

"I... I thought I heard something," I said, frowning slightly as I listened carefully.

"I didn't..." Mom started to say, only to frown as the faint chime of the doorbell sounded again.

"I'll get it," I assured her, my eyes darting down over her naked body, openly ogling her for a brief second. "You're not really dressed for it."

Mom giggled at me as I left her bedroom, silently cursing whoever was ringing our doorbell at a time like this. At least they didn't interrupt us during the movie, I mused with a smile, thinking about how awkward that would have. Opening the door, I smiled as I saw who it was.

"Hi Ria," I greeted her warmly, holding the door open for her.

"Hi Mike," Ria greeted me shyly, bowing her head slightly and giving me a look up from under her thick black eyelashes. As I stood there looking at her, I noticed something had changed in her appearance... she looked different and at first I couldn't figure out what it was. Then finally I realized that she'd put on makeup - nothing too showy or vulgar, especially compared to what Rachel usually wears. Just some kohl and mascara to highlight her big brown eyes, dark purple lipstick to accentuate her full lips. She'd even platted her hair, letting it rest seductively on her shoulder. I must have been staring because Ria cleared her throat, giving me a smile, "Can I come in?" She asked pointedly, holding out a large terra cotta pot to me.

"Wha.... oh, yeah, sorry," I stammered, swinging the door open wider for her. "Come on in," I say with an embarrassed smile.

"Thank you," Ria murmurs as she enters the apartment, brushing against me as she passes, my nose suddenly filled with the sweet floral spicy scent of her hair.

"Here, let me take that from you," I offered, reaching for the heavy pot, marveling at how good Ria looked right then. She always looked good but now... there was something different about her, something more mature, something more alluring. Did she change her clothes? I wondered to myself as I took the pot from her. It seemed that she was wearing the same pink top and tight jeans that she'd been before, but now.... now they seemed to fit better.

"Oh, thanks, Mike," Ria says as she hand me the heavy pot, our hands touching each others', her fingers lingering against mine. "So... where's Rachel?" She asked with a slight blush on her cheeks as the touch lingered.

"In her room. Sleeping, I think," I shrugged, although I'd honestly forgotten about my sister being home during what Mom and I had just done.

"Oh, so it's just the two of us?" Ria asked with what I thought might be a hopeful little smile.

"No," I admitted truthfully, nodding my head towards my mother's bedroom. "Mom decided to stay home this afternoon, to take care of us... to take care of Rachel."

"Oh," Ria said, a small frown of disappointment flashing across her face before she could hide it. "Then I guess I'll be going. I just wanted to check in on Rachel and deliver the soup," she excused herself hurriedly.

"Wait," I said as she turned towards the door, my eyes drifting down to her toned little bum. Those jeans definitely fit her better now, I mused to myself, pulling my eyes up just in time as she turned back to face me. "Uh...Don't you want to check in on Rachel? Or maybe just hang out with me... and my mom?" I asked, wanting to keep Ria there, wondering how the Axe effect might be effecting her.