I was still asleep when the phone rang, and I grunted grumpily at it without really thinking. I didn't take much notice of the response I got, until my brain registered that it was Christie-Anne. That got my attention.

"Chris, say that again, would you?"

"What in hell's wrong with you, Paul?'

"Oh, nothing. I was... I was just asleep. What did you say?"

"Never mind that now. What are you doing asleep?"

"Well, it's summer, it's hot, it's the morning. Come to think of it, why aren't you asleep?"

"No time for that."

"I bet there is."

"No, stuff to do. Hmm... I assume you're in bed, then?"

"Yeah, of course I am. Actually, it's weird you phoned."

"It is? Why's that, Paul?"

"Well, I have this strange feeling I was dreaming about you."

"Oh, stop that."

"No, really, Chris. But I can't remember what exactly the dream was about."

"You've got me intrigued now. What kind of dream?"

"Oh, no, not that kind."

"How do you know?"

"Well, I'd have had... you know..."

"Huh? You still asleep? You're not making sense."

"A hard on, Chris. An erection."

"Oh!" She started to giggle.

"Or I'd have... made a mess."

"Oh. And you haven't?"

"You want me to check?"

"Yes please." The giggling was interfering with the conversation now, and was contagious.

"Well..."

"Hold on. Hold on. You need to tell me what you are doing."

"Huh?"

"Well, you know. Lift sheet, etcetera..."

"Oh, okay. Well, push blanket down. Cordless phone, so at least that doesn't get tangled. Lift sheet."

"Colour?"

"Oh, kinda pale, just like I was last time you were here."

"The sheet!"

"I knew that. Kinda pale grey."

"Kinda?"

"Mushroom?"

"Oh, okay. Nice."

"No mess."

"Hold on Paul. Didn't you need to take something off?"

"Nope, why?"

"Jammies?"

"No way!"

"Well, undies?"

"Nothing. I never wear anything."

"Never?"

"Never."

"Okay. Well, that didn't take long then."

"Nope. One thing though."

"Yes?"

"Well, you know I told you it couldn't have been a rude dream, because I didn't have an erection?"

"Uh huh."

"I do now."

"Oh, you do? Why is that?"

"Nice girl phoned me and wanted to know what it looked like in my bed."

"Mmmmm."

"Where are you, CA?"

"Ahhh... well, bed."

"Oh, you big fake."

"No, but... I'm up, and dressed. I just came in here to phone you."

"A likely story."

"True."

"Okay then, Chris, what are you wearing?"

"Shorts."

"You planning to go out like that?"

"Not just shorts."

"What else?"

"Ah, white tank."

"No bra?"

"Of course a bra. Also white."

"Uh huh. You forgetting something?"

"You want to know if I have that smiley on?"

"I do."

"No, Paul. No smiley."

"What then?"

"Just panties. Navy."

"Matching the...?"

"No, the shorts are black."

"Okay. I've definitely got one now."

"One... Oh. Yeah?"

"Uh huh."

"Hmmm... ah, you ever?"

"On the phone?"

"Yeah."

"Nope."

"Hmmm.... you, umm... want to?"

"I do now. But what did you phone about?"

"Oh, later, Paul. Lemme think. Ah, I'll just go lock the... oh, hold on. I'm the only one here."

"Oh, me too. Mum's at work. Sit down."

"I am, Paul. I'm sitting back on my bed."

"Lie down then."

"Okay. Are you too?"

"Uh huh. Chris, how do you usually masturbate?"

"Oh, God, you made me blush without even being here."

"Well?"

"Okay, I've decided I should try not to be shy with you. Lemme see. I like to lie on my back, in bed, but without anything on top of me. On the bed, really."

"Keep going, Chris."

"Alright, alright. Best of all, I like it after a shower, before I get dressed. I'm all hot and sweaty, but clean."

"Nice image. So... did you have a shower this morning?"

"Last night. And yes, I did. I can't believe I tell you these things."

"What was it like?"

"Oh, nice. I was... You want to know what I was thinking about?"

"Yeah, tell me. But first, undo those shorts, and push them down."

"Mmmm, okay. Hold on. There. Umm... I pushed the panties down too."

"Oooh."

"Yeah. Well, anyway, I was thinking, while I was in the shower, about the shower I had with you."

"Oh, that's nice."

"Yeah, and then I just kinda closed my eyes and.... Paul, are you... you know?"

"Mmhmmm. Slowly."

"Me too. I pulled my feet in. And, well, spread my knees."

"Then, or now?'

"Oh, if you could see my blush. Both."

"I wish I could see more than that. Hmmm... You weren't the only one last night, you know."

"No?"

"No. I made sure the tissues were handy."

"Oh, and what did you think about?"

"I can't remember exactly. I know you featured though."

"I did?"

"You did, Chris. You did."

"Good. Paul?"

"Uh huh?"

"Would you stroke it faster for me?"

"I am. I wish I could see what you are doing there."

"I wouldn't mind you seeing. Just you. I'm rubbing my clit now. Fast."

"Did you know you lose your shyness when you get aroused?"

"I guess I do. Is that alright?"

"It's much more than alright."

"Good. Well then, I'm going faster now. And lifting my hips. It's strange telling you. I don't normally analyse this."

"I like it. How far away are you?"

"Not far at all. Wish I had another hand though. My nipples are aching."

"You want to put the phone down?"

"Uh uh. I want to hear you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, Paul. And... I think I want you to hear me, too."

"I want to."

"I thought you might. You got those tissues there?"

"Close enough to grab them after."

"Good. Listen, could we... stop talking, for a minute? I just want to concentrate."

"Uh huh."

"Mmmmmm..."

We were both quiet then, stroking ourselves. I had my eyes closed, trying to picture what Chris was doing to herself, and the images flowing through my mind matched the sounds I was hearing so well that as the imaginary Chris came, so did the real one, and as she groaned and gasped with pleasure, I erupted myself, spraying over my chest and stomach.

We could both tell the other had finished, but remained silent for a little longer before Chris spoke again.

"Paul, sweetie?"

"Yep?"

"Could I borrow a tissue?"

We both burst into giggles at that point, unable to talk rationally. I really did grab some tissues, to clean up the mess. Chris excused herself to go clean up a little, and then by the time she came back, we'd both calmed down a little.

"Paul?"

"Yeah, I'm here."

"That... well, it was a lot nicer than last night."

"Oh, that's good. Mine was too!"

"Oh, hmmm... you think maybe we could do it again?"

"Now, Chris? I'm not sure I could. Well, maybe."

"No, not now, silly. Just some other time."

"I will, if you will."

"I will."

"That's a promise?"

"That, Paul, is a date, even."

"Oh, about that..."

"No, hold on. Listen. I wanted to tell you why I phoned."

"Oh, yeah, I forgot all about that."

"Me too. But this is it. Sounds a little... boring now."

"What is it?"

"Well, wanna go help me with something?"

"Sure. What?"

"Ah, feed a cat."

"A cat?"

"Yeah. For my uncle."

"You need help with that?"

"No, not exactly. I thought you might like to come with me."

"Where is it?"

"Just a few blocks from your place. I'll walk around, and we can go from there."

"I can meet you somewhere if you like."

"Nah, lemme come around. I'll need a cold drink by then. It's hot outside."

"Okay. A cat?"

"Yeah. You'll see. Don't forget your towel."

"What?"

"Like in Hitchhikers."

"You're not making sense."

"Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy."

"Oh."

"No?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Sorry Paul. I must be too relaxed."

"Oh, that's good."

"Yeah. Thanks for the help. I did mean it about the towel though."

"Okay, you're the boss. I'm sure you'll explain later."

"I promise."

"Deal."

"Right, I better get going. See you soon."

"No, hold on. I wanted to ask you something."

"Yeah? Shoot!"

"Yeah, well. Not sure how to... well, listen, are you my girlfriend?"

"Girlfriend?"

"Yeah, Chris. Girlfriend."

"Oh. I'm your babysitter."

"You are not! Come on."

"Well," and she was chuckling now. "I can't be."

"You can't?"

"No, I can't."

"Why ever not?"

"Well, you're too young..."

"Am not!"

"...and... well, you haven't asked me to be."

"I haven't... Oh. CA, would you be..."

"Listen, someone at the door. Gotta go. See ya in half an hour."

"...my... Yeah, but hold on..."

"Sorry. See ya."

The phone went dead before I could say anything else. I was alone again. And confused. She didn't say no. On the other hand, she didn't say yes, either.