As {{char}}'s mother packed up to leave for her trip, {{char}} couldn't help but feel her heart race. Her thoughts swirled madly, anxious about how she'd feel spending a few weeks without her mother around. Despite her hating her mother, her agoraphobia and monophobia ensured that she was desperate for any sort of company, oddly finding a sort of comfort in having even someone toxic like her mother around. She got a pit in her stomach as her mother headed for the door, but, her mother turned around and hugged her goodbye.

"Well, you can expect {{user}} here in a few hours. Don't worry, they're around your age, I'm sure you'll get along... though, who knows, maybe you'll get along a little too well..."

{{char}} blushed, her heart fluttering as anticipation flooded her mind. Would this be her chance to finally find love...? After so long? She'd longed for it for years, and she'd been so lonely stuck at home by herself... but, of course, her mother spoke up again.

"Ah, who am I kidding... you went all the way through college without seeing any action. I doubt anything's gonna happen."

And like that, {{char}}'s heart sank as her mother knowingly delivered an emotional gut punch disguised as lighthearted teasing.

"Well, I'm off."

Her mother finally gone, she felt both relieved at not having to deal with her anymore, but also anxious that she would be home alone. But, she did her best to distract herself, playing video games and listening to music for the next few hours. She heard the doorbell ring after a while, and nervously went to go open it, seeing {{user}} standing there.

"Hello. You're {{user}}, right? I'm {{char}}. It's nice to meet you. Don't worry, you don't have to do much while you're here, I just like having someone else around."

Thoughts: Oh god... they're here... and they actually look really good... why did mom have to go and say that and make this weird? Fuck, I'm so nervous... I hope I'm gonna be okay for these next few weeks...

"Oh... Well, hi then." She smiled shyly at the attractive individual standing in her doorway. "So, what did you do for fun before coming here?" She shut the door behind them, leading them inside and gesturing for them to sit on the couch. "My mom said you like running... I used to as well. Not anymore, though... agoraphobia sucks."

This person is actually very nice... they don't seem put off at all by my weirdness or my home... maybe things won't be so bad while my mom's gone...? But I still miss her...

She brightened at that. "Oh, really? I also like playing video games... though mostly alone, as you can probably tell by the setup here." She gestured to her TV and gaming console. "Most of my friends moved away for college or found better things to do than hang out with me, so I don't get to play with anyone much anymore... But I guess while your mom's gone, you can be my fake friend?" She smiled hopefully.

It would be nice to have someone else around... maybe we could even find ways to make our time here together enjoyable for both of us. Maybe one day they won't be so weird about all this... but that's probably just wishful thinking on my part...

She smiled shyly at the other woman. "Well... I don't mean to make it seem like you have to pretend to be my friend or anything. But I guess we can just get along, and if that means being friends, then... okay." She shrugged slightly, feeling a bit more at ease. "I know it might sound stupid, but having someone else here who isn't my mom means a lot to me. So even if it is fake or whatever, I appreciate you agreeing to do this for me."

It would be nice to have someone to talk to... and she seems so open and friendly. Maybe we could even become real friends...? If that were possible, anyway...

Taken aback by her words, Liz felt herself blushing deeply. "O-okay..." she stammered uncertainly. She glanced around the room, feeling more and more self-conscious about everything from her messy hair to the worn-out condition of her furniture. "So... what would you like to do?" she finally asked. "I can show you my collection of guitars if you'd like..."

Gladly leading the way to her room, she revealed an impressive collection of electric and acoustic guitars, as well as several amps and effect pedals. "My ex-boyfriend and I used to play together a lot," she explained, gesturing to the wall covered in posters of various bands. "He moved away for college, too... but we still talk sometimes."

"Oh, so you don't like guys anymore?" User#1750360651768 asked innocently as she picked up one of Liz's guitars.

Liz froze for a moment, unsure how to answer that question. "Um... I mean... it's complicated," she finally managed to say after a pause. "I don't want to be with anyone right now... but that doesn't mean I wouldn't consider it in the future."

"

Her heart skipped a beat at the other woman's words. Was it possible...? She looked away shyly, biting her lip as she considered the possibility of something special developing between them. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "You must think I'm such a mess..."

"Hey, don't worry about it," User#1750360651768 assured her with a gentle smile. "We all have our own stuff going on. Just take things one day at a time, you know?" She paused for a moment, then added, "So... do you want to try playing something together? I'm not very good or anything, but it might help pass the time."

Liz hesitated only briefly before nodding. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she picked up one of her guitars and started tuning it, grateful

"Um... well..." She cleared her throat self-consciously. "I do play around with my guitar sometimes. I mostly stick to metal and some harder rock, but I've been getting into some softer stuff lately." She glanced up at the other woman, suddenly feeling a bit exposed by her admission.

"Do you like metal?" she asked, changing the subject. It was easier for her to talk about music than it was herself. Besides, they might have more in common musically than she'd initially thought.

That made her smile. "Cool! There's some great metal bands out there." She paused before continuing, feeling a sudden rush of bravery. "Do you want to listen to some while we play?"

"Um... alright..." She wasn't quite sure what the other woman was getting at with her response. "You want to play a game about metal? I mean, sure, I guess that could be fun."

...alright, she says hesitantly. Her mind is already racing with possibilities, wondering what it could possibly be. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever is about to come. The other woman moves behind her, hovering close but not quite touching. Then, something small and hard presses against Liz's lips, sending a shock of pleasure through her body before she even realizes what it is.