New Girl

2

Nicki lay on her side, her nose buried in an Ian Rankin thriller. She looked up as Robyn entered the room. “Nice PJs.” Nicki gave her a once-over and curled her lips into an innocent smile.
“This old thing?” While scolding herself for behaving so pathetically, Robyn switched off the overhead light, leaving Nicki’s face solely illuminated by a small reading lamp. At least the legs are covered, Robyn noticed, torn between relief and disappointment. Either way, some miracle would have to happen for this not be a feverish sleepless night for her.
“Do you mind if I read?” Nicki lifted her book up and presented it as a piece of evidence. “Never had time at uni to read a decent thriller. It was all Jane Austen here and Emily Brontë there.”
“Could be worse.” Robyn found herself tongue-tied and unable to engage in intelligent conversation with this girl.
“I understand if you’re tired, what with barely escaping a concussion.”
Nicki pulled the covers away on Robyn's side of the bed and Robyn didn’t know what to make of the gesture. It was so easy—so tempting—to see more in it than it was.
“That’s all right. I don’t mind the light.” Robyn slipped under the sheets and the pressure of the blanket reminded her of the stiffness of her nipples. Sheer fabric like silk was quite revealing and Robyn was suddenly mortified. She pulled the sheets up to her chin and lay there with no idea of how to
relax, let alone fall asleep. She listened to Nicki’s breathing and the rustling of the pages. The rate at which she turned them made Robyn suspect the book was worth staying up late for and she made a mental note to buy it. At least they would have something to talk about next time they had to share
a room. If there ever was a next time. Kate was not one to miss out on many games and it had only been the distance—and the fact that she had
to put her knee up—that had kept her from joining this trip.
    After twenty minutes Nicki switched off her reading light and turned on her back. “Are you asleep?” she whispered as soon as it had gone dark.
“Mmm,” Robyn mumbled. She was wide awake and had spent the better part of the last ten minutes wondering if she should lie on her hands to
prevent her from inadvertently touching herself. Nicki’s body heat seemed to multiply under the sheets and the thought of those legs mere inches
away from hers made Robyn's skin sizzle. It was a good thing she had on an extra layer to hide the goosebumps.
“How long have you been on the team?” Nicki obviously took Robyn's grumble as willingness to talk. As long as the subject was the team, Nicki
could handle it.
“Twelve years and barely missed a game.” Inside, Robyn swelled with pride. She’d given a lot for the team, but had gotten much more in return.
Two girlfriends for instance, and a lot of pent up lust, it seemed now.
“And still the best player. Amazing.” Nicki hesitated for a split second.
“I really look up to you.”
   Robyn lay there blushing in the dark, gobsmacked but with pure joy rushing through her veins. “They just keep me on because I’m so tall.” She shuffled nervously under the covers. “My reflexes are not what they used to be. You saw what happened today.” Robyn heard the sound of skin rustling
against sheets.
“Are you kidding?” Nicki had propped herself up on one elbow, half her body towering over Robyn.
Don’t come too close, Robyn prayed, not sure if she had the necessary will power to refrain from curling her hands around Nicki’s neck and pulling her in for a kiss. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
“I’m nowhere near as good as you and never will be.”
  Robyn's eyes were used to the dark now and she could make out the contours of Nicki’s face. A few strands of hair had come loose from her ponytail and crinkled along her cheeks. Nicki sank down into the mattress and her bent elbow hit Robyn in the bicep.
“I’m so sorry.” In a flash Nicki sat back up, a hand stroking Robyn's upper arm. “And you’re already so bruised.”
“It’s okay.” Robyn flexed her bicep a little to give Nicki a good feel. “I can take it.”
Nicki’s thumb gingerly trailed along the sleeve of Robyn's pyjama. “I was just babbling, trying to make conversation.” Her face was close enough for
Robyn to feel her breath when she spoke. “Sharing a room with you is a bit nerve-wracking”
“Don’t worry,” Robyn sighed, “I won’t touch you inappropriately.”
“Oh.” Nicki’s grip on her arm intensified and left Robyn quite confused. “I was sort of hoping that you would.” Nicki’s fingers snuck up to Robyn bare neck and their touch electrified her skin.