Free Ride

The lush green lawns of the Neven academy were crawling with students and their parents. I looked down on them from my new dorm room window, allowing my eyes to sweep across the scene. Not only the people, but the academy itself. It was a remote campus, an island in a sea of wheat fields in western Nebraska, and an hour drive to the nearest one bar town. The campus itself was lovely, filled with buildings designed back when architecture was a symbol of grace and grandeur. To look on it was to be amazed, especially compared to the cookie cutter, concrete covered world that has taken over everywhere else.

I had fallen in love with the campus on my first visit, and from then on I knew I wanted to come here. The school was a wonder academically as well, with surprising quality in it math and science departments for such an out of the way school. When I received the letter telling me that I had received a full ride scholarship here, I literally fainted. I could scarcely believe it was true, but now I'm here, ready to begin this great adventure.

My mother put her hand on my shoulder as I looked out the window.

"Are you still sure you want to do this, honey?" She asked.

I turned to her, giving my best reassuring smile. "It'll be okay, Mom. I know this will be hard on you and Dad, but I think I can do really great here. It's only two years, then I'll be able to come visit."

The only real problem I had in deciding to go to Neven was their strange policy on leaving the campus. For the first two years of school, underclassmen can't leave the campus. They explained it as a way of reinforcing the learning environment, as class went on continuously. Certainly there would be slow periods, but all students would be expected to keep working all year long. I found the thought very appealing, but still, I knew it would be hard on my parents. The full ride scholarship helped me to convince them, but I knew they would have preferred I go to a local state university instead.

"I know, we're going to miss you, that's all, Ana." Mom reached over and gave me a hug, which I returned happily. I was going to miss them too.

We spent another quiet moment looking out over the bustling campus before my dad stumbled in with the last of my moving boxes.

"Just like you girls to let me do all the work." Dad laughed as he set down the box.

"Well, you aren't going to have to look after me anymore, Daddy." I smiled as I ran over and gave him a hearty hug.

Dad wrapped his arms around me tightly and held me for a bit. "I'll always look after you, kitten, that's what I'm here for."

We exchanged a few more cautious comments, none of us quite sure what to say. Of course we didn't need to say anything. I knew they wanted me to be happy, and even recognized the opportunity that this place would be. We were going to miss each other too. Everything else was just trying to find ways to express these feelings without saying them out loud.

Finally it was time to go. They would have a long drive back home, and I had my own life to begin as well. We walked down to the car, and held out for the final good-byes.

"Take care, Ana. Keep in touch." Mom smiled a she hugged me, her lip twitching as she fought back her tears.

I couldn't hold back mine, and my eyes began to run over with tears as we held each other.

Dad was next, and he simply held me without a word. I hugged him back as strong as I could, not wanting to let go of this moment. It would be the last time I would be in his arms for several years.

Then it was over, time for them to leave, and for me to get back to my room and unpack.

No sooner had I walked back into my room, than a little wisp of a girl came barreling in with a duffel bag over her shoulder and three boxes in her arms. I grabbed the top two boxes without a comment and set them down for her.

"Thanks, I don't know how I made it this far. I'm Kylie." She smiled as she set down her last box and tossed the duffel off her shoulder. Kylie was slightly shorter than I was with long brown hair running down to the small of her back. She had kind of an elf like face, which seemed appropriate for her slight figure.

"I'm Ana, I guess we're going to be roommates." I offered my hand and we shook.

"Unless this isn't room 329." Kylie laughed, quickly checking the number on the door.

"Nope this is the right room. It's got a nice view too." I pointed out to the window.

Kylie bounced over to the window and looked out, survey the scene as I had only minutes before. "Ooh, girl, there's some cute guys out there."

I pulled myself up to the window and followed Kylie's gaze. She wasn't kidding either. That was something I hadn't really though much about. Through school I'd kept pretty much to my little circle of friends, to busy with glasswork to let myself be distracted by boys much. I didn't want to be another girl who let relationships take over her life. It certainly didn't help my popularity, but then I never had really fit in. I hadn't worried about it then, securing my future was more important, and I had done a good job of that so far.

"Don't tell me you were a book worm in high school. No time for boys and all that nonsense." Kylie smiled as I sheepishly looked out the window.

I just kind of nodded my head. I could feel my face redden in embarrassment.

"That's okay, but now you can let loose. Besides with three girls to every guy here, you're going to have to be quick if you want a shot at any of them." Kylie laughed.

That was something I hadn't thought about before. I had considered the ratio beneficial before, less boys meant less chance for distraction by them. Now I began to see the down side, if I waited too long to fire up a social life I wasn't going to find many unattached guys to hang out with.

"It's not like I really need a boyfriend right now anyway." I scoffed, trying to remain aloof about such things.

"Well, you might not have to go hunting, with a body like yours you might just get a few solicitations." Kylie smiled. "I suppose we should start setting up this place before we get too involved in extracurricular activities. Which side do you want?"

"This one's fine, if you don't mind." I answered, pointing to where my stuff was already sitting. There wasn't much difference anyway, the room was basically a box with two beds, two desks and a closet on each side. Not a lot to choose from. Kylie simply shrugged in response and began to crack into her boxes.

As we set up the room, I considered what Kylie had said about my looks. I'd never really considered myself anything special, but I guess I wasn't ugly or anything. I kept my light brown hair shoulder length and simple. I didn't work out much, but I wasn't in bad shape, though certainly not a stick figure like the fashion world loves. Sometimes I thought of myself as a bit chubby, but I knew better. Maybe I had some potential after all. It was something I would think about, and I was certain that Kylie wouldn't let me forget either.

Since the school was so isolated, and self contained, the administration could keep a tight lid on things on campus. The first weekend was routine, setting up our rooms and meeting our floor mates. Each dorm floor was set up as a community, you were supposed to be able to lean on each other for support and hang out together. So the first weekend was filled with getting aquatinted types of activities.

As was normal, I didn't feel like I really fit in with the group. Most of the girls were the same type of vacuous socialites that had populated my high school, and I didn't care for them at our first meeting. There weren't any really objectionable types at least, and I figured we'd probably grow on each other a bit since we were living in such close quarters.

It was really close quarters too. The rooms were fairly small so there wasn't much room to do things in, and there was a nice living room in the center of the floor filled with couches, tables and everything else needed for lazing around, including a TV and stereo. Most of the first weekend activities were spent either in this den or out on the campus.

The really strange thing about the floor was the bathroom arrangements. I knew this was going to take some getting used to. Neither the showers or the toilets were private, they didn't have walls or anything. I didn't really like the notion of using either in public, but there wasn't much of a choice, especially for the showers. I noticed a few other girls look kind of squeamish when they looked in too. At least I wasn't going to be alone on that.

I didn't even see any guys until the first day of class, the first Monday I was at school. True to the statistics, they were badly outnumbered in every class I had. Still, I didn't let it worry me, instead I just focused on the first day of classes and looked forward to a busy course load. I was taking an engineering prep load for the first year. I would decide my specific field after that, so I wanted to get as much of an understanding of the fields as possible now, while I could.

After my last class I went over to the auditorium for the first day welcoming ceremony for first year students. The auditorium was packed so I ended up taking a seat near the back. I was still close enough to make out a figure stepping into the center of the stage and behind a podium.

"Greetings to the freshmen class of Neven Academy. I am President Raymond Portter, the man in charge of this Academy. I'm happy to see so many cheerful faces today, on this first day of school. We at the Neven Academy want to welcome you to a new world, a place where your academic potential will be harnessed. As some of you may be aware, all students here were selected for their outstanding backgrounds, and with the generous support of the academy's patrons, all of you are receiving a free education. In exchange for that, you will all have to make some sacrifices of your own to help us mold you to meet your highest potential. I realize that all of this institution's traditions will be new to you, and I only hope that you will embrace them, and let us become a community strong enough to help everyone succeed. With that, here is a video presentation to explain many of the more routine facts of life here at Neven." Portter finished. With that he stepped off the stage as a screen dropped down over the stage.

I waited patiently for the film to start. It didn't take long and soon I was being bombarded with the trivialities of life at Neven Academy. The film covered such things as dining etiquette and usage of the campus ground. All in all the school was fairly tame, don't go too far was pretty much the message. The film was routine however, and it didn't take long before I felt my eyelids drooping.

The sounds of people moving snapped me out of my little nap. I looked up to see the auditoriums clearing out. I followed the rest of my groggy peers out of the hall and into the welcoming sunlight. The fact that it was nearly dusk surprised me, and I quickly noticed that I'd lost three hours to that stupid film. Worst of all, I'd slept through most of it, so I wondered if there was anything important that I missed. I just hoped that Kylie had seen it all.

Kylie had started to grow on me too. She was a bit high strung and certainly a socialite, but she also seemed to understand me. She didn't bug me about my lack of initiative over boys, but she did make me promise not to turn down any dates out of hand. Of course I made her promise to double with me too, so it was only fair.

I was almost halfway back to the dorms when Kylie caught me. "Hi, Ana, did you just love that movie or what? I haven't had a nap like that in the afternoon since kindergarten."

"Yeah, it was pretty dull. I wonder what they were thinking when they came up with it." I laughed.

"So, how much homework in your first day?" Kylie asked, pulling her own book bag up to emphasize that she had been hit too.

"Oh, just a couple chapters to read for next week and some basic problems. Nothing that should keep me too busy, unless they load more onto me tomorrow." I answered.

"Good, then you can come to the movie on Friday. They have a movie every Friday at the auditorium, they've got some really cool ones too. I also got a couple of cute guys to meet us down in the dining hall before we head over. A little dinner and a movie." Kylie giggled.

I thought about turning her down flat, but then I remembered my promise. The wicked grin she flashed told me that Kylie hadn't forgotten either.

"Okay, just promise to consult me next time, ok?" I sighed. This wasn't exactly my first choice for ending the week, but it could be worse. At the very least I'd get to see a good movie.

"Not quite the enthusiasm I was looking for but it'll do. Don't worry, it'll be fun, you'll see. Besides, they're both really cute, I'm sure you'll like them." Kylie replied.

I just shook my head. I was beginning to see that I would have to be really firm with Kylie if I ever didn't want to do something, and it wouldn't be easy. Still, my curiosity was piqued and there couldn't be any real harm in going off for a simple date like this.

"Oh, you're just impossible, Ana! I can't believe you did that in front of the whole theater!" Kylie boomed as we walked back to our dorm. For a little girl she sure could carry her voice when she wanted too.

"But he was putting his hand, you know." I blushed just thinking about it. My date had decided to try copping a feel after he put his arm around me. I was paying attention to the movie as he slipped his hand under my arm. Before I knew it he was wrapping his fingers around my right breast. I jumped out of my seat and screamed in shock before I'd even thought about it. Of course, everyone around me pretty much saw what was going on and broke out laughing. My date stormed out, and Kylie quickly escorted me out as well after apologizing to her date.

"I wish I'd known you were so jumping. You really haven't been out on a date before have you?" Kylie asked.

"No, not really. You didn't help any either, leading those guys on like that." I replied. Kylie had spent pretty much the whole meal pouring over her date, and tickling my ribs to get me to socialize as well. Even I could tell where Kylie was going with her flirting, and I was pretty sure now that my date had expected the same kind of treatment.

"He was cute, and now you've forced me to write him off, along with his side kick. Too bad really, we could have had a lot of fun together." Kylie huffed. "So is this the way you want your life to go, Ana?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if you don't want to play with boys, there are other options. Otherwise, we're going to have to find a way to take the edge off the deer in the headlights look you've got going." Kylie smiled.

"What do you have in mind?" I asked, not so sure I wanted to know.

"I'll have to think about it, but you should too. You aren't a caged animal, Ana, and you're going to have to control those impulses if you want to date. Besides, boys can be a lot of fun if you give them a chance. They can be jerks too, but you can't win them all." She answered.

"I'll think about it." I said as we walked into our building. As we did I noticed a soft music playing in the halls. It wasn't the first time I had noticed it, but now, with only the two of us, I could hear it better.

"I wonder what that's about?" I wondered aloud.

"I don't know, I'll ask our RA tomorrow. It's kind of nice though. I think I heard it last night when I was going to sleep, just like a lullaby." Kylie cooed.

I felt kind of peaceful too. It was definitely some kind of mood music, and pretty good too. With the academic load they put on the students, touches like this were perfect. It helped keep the stress of school in check, something that was always beneficial.

With that we made our way to our room and went to bed. It had been a long week, capped with a terrible date. Now I had a couple days off and I was ready to make use of them and relax.

Over the weekend, my thoughts returned to Friday's events repeatedly. I couldn't help but consider just what had happened. I didn't want to be some kind of prude, I just hadn't ever done anything like that before. When the final realization hit me, I was a bit stunned with myself. I was scared, I was in unfamiliar territory and I had been too comfortable in my old rut to care. Now, it was coming back to bite me. Kylie remained silent on her plans for me as well. I did try some gentle coaxing but it was obvious that she hadn't figured anything out either.

I was paging through one of my math books on Sunday morning when Kylie bounced into the room. Her wicked grin told me that she had some kind of plans for me. I had a bookmark in place before she could open her mouth.

"Come on, Ana, I've figured out something to help with your shyness problem." Kylie giggled as she grabbed my hand and pulled me from my desk.

I resisted a little, but not much. I really didn't want to fight her. In truth I was just a little worried as to what she was planning. Still, I was willing to follow her lead for now, and see just where she was going to lead me. "Where are you taking me?"

"Down to the shop, I was doing a little browsing when I figured this out. Promise you're not going to chicken out on me!" Kylie insisted even as she pulled me by the hand down the hall.

I considered it for a moment. She couldn't have anything that terrible planned for me I reasoned. "Okay, I'll go along with this, just don't make me do anything I'll have to hate you for."

"Oh, Ana, if everything goes as planned you'll be thanking me when I'm done." Kylie said.

Kyle quickly led us to the campus shop. Since we were so far from civilization, the shop was more than just a convenience store. It was virtually a department store filled with anything a college student might need, and some things they probably shouldn't bother with. I hadn't taken more than a glance at it myself, not being much for shopping, another of my quirks.

Kylie dragged me through the store and into the clothing section. She finally stopped in a relatively closed off section in the back, complete with several three pane mirrors, and rows of swimsuits.

"Here we are. I was thinking for our first step, we can get you a little more comfortable with your looks. I'll bet you never went sunbathing in public before have you?" Kylie smiled.

"No, I've never went sunbathing." I answered. It just wasn't something that seamed like a good way to spend my time. There were so many other things to do, and I wasn't exactly a very appearance oriented person either.

"I thought as much. Their nothing better for your self esteem than showing off your body, especially when you've got one as nice as you, Ana."

My cheeks flushed at Kylie's comments. I still wasn't too keen on my looks, but I promised Kylie I'd go along with this and I would.

"Okay, then, pick out a few suits and try them on. We've got to get to the pool soon or everyone will have left for supper." Kylie prodded. She quickly helped me pick out a few selections.

For the next half hour, I tried on everything Kylie had picked out, even the thong bikini, though I couldn't bring myself to leave the dressing room like that. Other than that, I came back out and checked myself out in the mirror and in front of Kylie. I found it kind of fun too, posing in the mirror, and seeing myself in outfits with varying coverage.

"So is this the one?" Kylie asked as I twisted in the mirror looking at myself. "It compliments you nicely, Ana, don't you agree?"

"Yeah, it does. I can't believe it but I actually think I'll get this one." I smiled as I studied myself in the mirror some more. If someone had asked what kind of a suit I'd have gotten, it'd have said a simple one piece suit that covered up pretty much anything worth seeing. Yet here I was in a two piece, nearly string bikini, marveling at how I looked in it, even down too the obvious little bumps on the top where my nipples poked into the fabric. The top was so small, that I knew it couldn't possibly stay on if I actually got in the water, but I liked the way it showed off my nicely rounded breasts and equally nice cleavage. I couldn't believe that I actually enjoyed being suited up like this, but it was remarkably freeing.

"Well, I'm glad, the guys will definitely pay attention to you looking like that. Now let me just get the tags." Kylie reached over and pulled the tags from my bikini top.

"You mean they'll just let me walk out like this?" I asked, rather stunned at the prospect. I found the thought oddly appealing as well, but I knew that most stores wouldn't allow such things.

"Oh sure, I asked before I went to get you. This was you don't need to waste more time changing clothes. Let's get going." Kylie answered and quickly led us up to the check out.

"Going to the pool, ladies?" The clerk asked as Kylie handed him the price tags to my bikini. I couldn't help but notice him glancing down at my chest. I blushed slightly at the attention, but I didn't want to turn away.

"Yep, it's Ana's first time sun bathing if you can believe it." Kylie answered.

"Such a shame with a body like that." The clerk just shook his head, smiling as he took the payment from Kylie.

"I know, but she was kind of a bookworm. She's trying to mend her ways though." Kylie giggled.

I was quite speechless by now, and a good couple shades redder too. Still, I just stood there, letting the clerk look me over. For all the queasiness I felt, I had to admit that I liked being looked at like that. It was strange. I knew objectively that he was just openly being a pervert by staring at my cleavage, and that I should be offended or something. Yet, all I could muster was a deep blush and an odd tingle of arousal from between my legs. He was kind of cute after all.

"Well, enjoy yourselves at the pool." The clerk finished, handing back the change and receipt.

As we walked away I just knew he was staring at me, and I could imagine the site I was putting on for him in this rather skimpy bikini. I even put an extra wiggle in my walk just for fun.

With the bikini taken care of we set off for the pool. The walk was rather exhilarating too. It felt like I was walking around in a bra and panties and nobody cared. The near nakedness was oddly refreshing, something I hadn't expected.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" Kylie giggled. "It's fun showing off, especially when you've got something to show."

I just gave back an ear to ear smile. It was fun, strange and different, but certainly fun. I wondered why I hadn't done this before, and almost kicked myself mentally for being such a stick in the mud.

The pool wasn't a long walk away, and it wasn't very full either. It was the end of August, and school had just started, so that took the edge off the crowd I supposed. There were even a couple of open lawn chairs and we claimed them.

Kylie had brought along all the supplies we needed. When she pulled out the suntan lotion with a devilish grin on her elfin face, I wondered just what I was in for.

Kylie got up and flagged down a rather cute guy as he walked past. "Hi there, my friend and I just got here, and we were wondering if you'd like to help us put on our suntan lotion."

"Sure, who's first?" He responded with ready enthusiasm. No doubt the prospect of running his hands over a couple half naked women appealed to him.

"Oh, Ana definitely needs to be first, she hasn't been out before and her skin will probably burn pretty fast." Kylie smiled and pulled the guy over to me.

I shot up at hearing that. I wasn't so keen on the idea. At least I thought I shouldn't be. Instead I just rolled onto my stomach. I was here to let Kylie show me how to relax, and this certainly was part of her plan. I quickly quelled the worst of my nerves and looked over to the guy as he squirted lotion into his hands.

"Start on my back first." I said. For some reason this seemed the best place to start.

"Alright, now just relax and enjoy." The guy replied. A moment later, I felt his hands wrap around my shoulders, cool with the slick lotion coating his hands. He quickly built up a rather thorough massage, and I just let him do his work. It was oddly relaxing, and he definitely knew just how to massage a woman. His hands slowly made their way down my back, pausing occasionally to get more lotion. For my part I was fighting back the urge to moan in pleasure as all the tension was thoroughly being pulled right out of me. His hands were strong, and he took his time. Slowly he worked down my legs, rubbing the lotion into my skin. I was surprised at just how easily I was taking this treatment, especially given the occasional glancing touch on my lower lips when he covered my inner thighs. I guess I was so relaxed at that point that it was hardly a concern.

Finally, he had worked his way down to my feet and finished off covering every toe.

"That was great, now do my front." I said, rolling over. He smiled politely, even as his eyes danced over my mostly revealed form. He didn't pause for a moment though, and quickly got to work on the top of my shoulders again and worked his way down. I just closed my eyes and let his hands do the work. He was very thorough too, and this time he had a few more bumps to work around. I don't know why I let him do this, certainly I was more than capable of covering my front, but it just seemed more proper to let him do it. He was rather polite about it too. Even as he covered my upper breasts and cleavage, he didn't spend any more time there than anywhere else. It was a pretty strange feeling though, letting a guy run his fingers between my breasts so casually. I just let him do his work, there wasn't much sense in making a production here, and it felt so good to let him handle my flesh like this. I certainly wasn't going to end this enjoyable experience just because he had to run his hands around a few sensitive areas.

It wasn't long before he'd reached my toes again, and I was just sitting there in a minor state of bliss. He didn't even say a word as he walked away, a shared smile was all we really needed to express ourselves. Kylie let him start on her back as well. She wasn't above letting out the occasional gasp or soft moan as he handled her. At that point I was content just to rest and relive the feelings in my mind.

After that, we simply rested in our chair occasionally turning over, and watching people pass by. A part of me thought about how odd this was. It was like I was some kind of living display, showing myself off to anyone passing by. I liked the notion though, finding the thought that dozens of guys considered me worth gazing at to be rather special. I really wasn't considering my thoughts at this point, I was more than content to just let the afternoon float by, and float by it did.

"Good morning, Ana, how are you doing?" Susan asked as I stepped into the showers. She was already enjoying her shower, with lather running down her perfectly tanned skin.

"Just fine." I answered, not being much of a conversationalist in the morning. I was kind of surprised how quickly I got used to the group shower thing. I remember back in high school that I avoided gym class by several means to avoid just this scene, but after only a week it didn't even phase me. I simply pulled off my robe and walked under a shower, just like the other girls. After I got used to being naked around other girls, I actually started to like it. I also found myself sneaking peaks at the other girls.

It was this morning that it struck me though. I found myself looking over Susan's body in a different way. Her curves just held me as she danced in the falling water. I had never noticed just how beautiful the feminine form was before, and now I found myself captivated. Now my eyes were just following the ebb and flow of her breasts and ass as she rinsed off her soap.

A sly smile from Susan finally snapped me out of my leering, and I felt the blood rush to my cheeks instantly.

"It's alright, Ana, I don't mind. I'm a little flattered actually. I have to get to class, but if you want to play around later just stop by my room, Marci won't mind." Susan giggled as she turned off her shower.

I think I was as close to beet red as possible at that moment, as much because I found the idea appealing as anything else. I could scarcely believe that I'd just been propositioned by another girl, or that I was actually considering taking her up on the offer.

"No, way, Susan! She's all mine!" Kylie laughed as she bounded around the corner, tossing her robe up onto a hook with a casual flip. I certainly had a new appreciation for Kylie's cute little form as well this morning. I don't know what was happening too me, but I couldn't hardly take my eyes off her appealing little breasts that looked so nice and perky on her chest like that. They weren't very big, but they complimented her small frame nicely.

Kylie skipped over to me smiling widely as she turned on her own shower. "Of course, I might have to fight for her, you should have seen her yesterday. Ana was all touchy feely with that lotion boy, she even let him cover her front, right between her breasts like this."

Kylie stepped over and ran her hand right between my breasts just like the guy had done yesterday.

"Hey!" I giggled, and pulled back, embarrassed that I was now the subject of the conversation.

"Well, you went from going ballistic about a little touchy feely to getting a full body massage in public in two days. I have to brag about my fine work." Kylie laughed as she stepped back and lathered herself up.

"Your work? All you did was get me to put myself on display like a lawn ornament." I shot back

"And don't say you didn't enjoy it!" Kylie laughed.

I blushed again and gave a shy little smile. I wasn't quite ready to admit that openly yet, even if my body language wasn't leaving much doubt.

"Just don't have too much fun in here girls, you've got classes too." Susan chuckled as she walked out, smiling at our performance. We said our good byes and went back to finishing our showers.

I tried to get done quickly, not being ready for another interrogation by Kylie on my feelings, and a little afraid I'd start staring at Kylie too. She was cute, darling even, and I was suddenly finding that very appealing. Her comments did get me thinking though, that I had changed rather suddenly from Friday night. I didn't know what it was that had happened, maybe it was being away from my parents, and home, or I was just ready for it or something. I was going to have to think about this later, but for now, I had to get ready for classes, and get away from other naked women for a bit. With no more than a nod and smile, I cut off my shower, toweled myself dry and went back to my room to start my day.