Chapter 6

"You'll never guess what happened," Kate said seconds after she had dashed into the room and breathlessly crossed to sit on the edge of her bed where Melanie was still sleeping.

"What," Melanie moaned, followed by a yawn. She did not have any classes that morning and Kate had been considerate enough to get up and get out without disturbing her. She stretched her legs until they hurt and desperately tried to come to life. "What time is it, Kate?" she added as an afterthought.

"Nine thirty."

"Oh, go away," Melanie moaned once more. "I don't have a class until two thirty."

"I know," Kate said quickly, "but you've just got to hear this. It's priceless."

Melanie peered at Kate through one eye. "Oh, Kate, nothing is as priceless as sleep."

"This is," Kate assured her. "My class in advanced calculus was canceled this morning."

"So, your class was canceled," Melanie repeated, still groggy and half asleep. "Happy days. Have a ball, but let me rest in peace."

"No, you don't understand," Kate replied as she nudged a little more life into Melanie. "Wake up. That's Mrs. Briar's class. She's not in school today. All her classes have been canceled until tomorrow."

If somebody had jabbed a pin into Melanie, she could not have shot up to a sitting position any faster. "Oh, my God! What do you suppose that means?"

Kate shrugged with a chuckle. "Maybe the old bitch was up all night reading 'Love Is a Four Letter Word.' Maybe she killed poor old Mr. Briar. Who knows."

"I don't think it's very funny, Kate. I haven't heard the last of this."

"Oh, don't worry. The Witchwags won't let you take all the blame for this."

"Ursula said I was on my own."

"Oh, that's just part of the routine."

"Kate, do you know who the girl was who was caught by Mrs. Briar?"

Kate seemed surprised. "You mean Ursula didn't tell you?"

"No."

"It was Ursula."

"Oh!"

Kate hopped off the bed and crossed to the window. "Come on, Melanie, get up. It's a glorious day and I feel marvelous. Wouldn't it be a great idea, if we drove up to the ski lodge and took the north slope down? A lot of the girls from Mrs. Briar's class are going up there for breakfast."

The north slope was the steepest and you had to be an expert skier to reach the bottom without injuries. Kate was from Colorado and a very good skier. Melanie never by-passed an opportunity to ski with her.

As Melanie threw back the sheets, she suddenly realized that she had slept in the nude. She looked up and caught Kate staring at her.

"By the way," Kate said softly, purring like a kitten, "did I tell you I adore you?"

Melanie was somewhat startled by the remark and then blushed with embarrassment. "Oh, Kate, please, don't say things like that." In the cold light of day things always looked different, Melanie thought to herself. People felt more inhibited, more withdrawn and Melanie considered herself no different.

A wave of dismay swept through her as Kate turned away from the window and crossed back to her, a knowing smile upon her lips, to squeeze her shoulder in another show of intimate meaning.

"Thank you for last night, Melanie."

"Uh-huh," was all that Melanie could bring herself to say. She looked up briefly into the soft blue eyes and felt her cheeks beginning to flush. Grabbing at the bedspread, she wrapped it about her nakedness as she jumped off the bed and headed for the bathroom. Before closing the bathroom door, she turned back to Kate. "I'll only be a few minutes."

As Melanie dropped the bedspread from her shoulders and was about to step into the shower, the bathroom door swung open and Kate stood in the doorway.

"I forgot to tell you, I saw Ursula this morning," Kate informed her. "She said she would be up at the ski lodge and she hoped that you would join her there."

"Oh, really," Melanie exclaimed in an effort to be as casual as she could. "Maybe we'll see her there."

"But you are going to ski with me, aren't you."

"Of course," Melanie replied with a trifle annoyance in her voice. "Now close the door or I'll never be ready." As she stepped into the shower, she experienced a pang of guilt for being so calloused in her own attitude toward the young girl who had been responsible for opening a new door to a strange exciting new way of life. After all, what had happened between them the night before was as much her doing as Kate's and she had no right to expect Kate to remain unaffected by it. That led Melanie to another and far more disturbing aspect as the warm water splashed over her body. Why wasn't she similarly affected? How was it possible for her to look upon their intimacy with such impersonal detachment only a few hours later? It didn't make sense and yet lately, nothing made much sense to Melanie. At that moment she made up her mind to take life as she found it.

As Kate and Melanie made their way through the clusters of students, all costumed in colorful ski togs and jackets lounging on the sun-drenched deck of the ski lodge, Melanie was warmed by the friendly hellos called out to her by various members of The Witchwags. She returned the greetings happily, cradling her skis in one arm, basking in the glow of feeling as if she finally belonged. She finally had an identity of her own at Turbenthal Hall!

They found an empty table inside the lodge near the large open circular fireplace situated in the center of the room.

"I'm starved, aren't you;" Kate remarked as she handed Melanie a menu. "What would you like to have? It's on me, this morning."

Ever since awakening, Kate's attitude and behavior had been one of puppy-dog adoration and it made Melanie uncomfortable, particularly in public where it seemed to her that the other girls from Turbenthal could not miss noticing it.

As they were about to give their order to the waiter, Kate remembered that she had promised to pick up one of the girls who went to Turbenthal, but didn't live in the dorm.

"Oh, damn!" Kate complained. "Where's my mind? How could I forget a thing like that."

"Who is it?"

"Anita Borge. I don't believe you know her. She's sort of on the dull side, but she's been a big help to me in calculus. I just can't ignore her."

"Maybe you can call her," Melanie suggested.

"She still has no way of getting up here," Kate explained. "No, I'll have to drive back and pick her up. It shouldn't take me too long."

"Do you warn me to wait for you?"

"No, you go ahead and order breakfast. And remember I'm picking up the tab. I'll grab something fast when I get back. I'm sorry about this, Melanie."

"Forget it," Melanie said as Kate pranced away from the table, leaving her skis and other equipment with Melanie's.

Kate had no sooner departed when Melanie's gaze came to rest on a rear booth where she saw Ursula Povia seated opposite the regal Sheila Winslow. Ursula looked up and nodded, her smile unfathomable, her eyes vaguely amused and as always, rather cynical. Sheila turned and smiled sweetly, and, with a movement of her head, invited Melanie over to join their table.

Melanie w-edged herself through the wall of laughing and chattering skiers that clogged the room. She could feel her pulse quickening and she realized that she'd come to the ski lodge more in the hope of seeing Ursula than skiing with Kate. For some reason, one she was afraid to analyze to any degree, she wanted desperately to undo the damage done to their relationship during the episode in the parked car the previous night.

"Here," Sheila said, rising to her feet, "take my seat. I was just leaving."

Melanie smiled her thanks and slid into the vacated seat, looking shyly and hesitantly across the narrow table at the chic and relaxed Ursula, who looked dramatically and boyishly attractive in the severe black sweater and matching ski togs. "Hi...." Melanie murmured.

"Hi yourself," Ursula replied, puffing on a cigarette. She seemed to enjoy using American terms.

Sheila touched Melanie's shoulder. "Oh, by the way ... I forgot to tell you last night. We're having a small party tonight at my chalet. A mixed group-boys and girls for a change. At any rate, it's a party for no particular reason than to have a ball and I'd like you to come. Feel free to drag along a date. I've got to run along." With a wink to Melanie, she added, "I'm paying Mrs. Briar a visit just to find out what is up."

Melanie said good bye and watched the slender blonde weave her way gracefully and haughtily through the crowd. When Sheila was out of sight, Melanie turned and looked at Ursula. "Do you think there's going to be any repercussions over last night."

"None at all. It will all blow over," Ursula predicted. "And if there is any trouble, we'll get you out of it. I promise you. Now forget it. Have something to eat and tell me how you feel, little virgin."

Melanie blushed and lowered her eyes. "I'm glad I found you here today, Ursula. I ... I want to apologize for last night."

"Apology accepted."

Melanie moistened her lips, wishing that the darkly attractive girl would drop her breezy manner. "I just wanted you to know that ... well, that I'm sorry I acted the way I did. It was silly and childish and ... well, it just took me by surprise."

Ursula laughed softly. "It does seem as though I was a bit premature, doesn't it?"

"Premature?"

The older and more poised girl leaned forward to deliberately crush out her cigarette in the tray. "I should have waited until you had made the scene with Kate before I made my move."

Melanie's mouth dropped open. "How did you...."

"Baby, all it took was one look at Kate's pretty little face this morning. She's like an open book."

Melanie sagged despairingly. "Yes, I know."

Ursula's slow smile was taunting and bold. "Well, how was it, baby. Did you enjoy your debut or not?"

Melanie squirmed uncomfortably. "Please, Ursula, I'd rather not discuss it."

"Never mind, I can guess."

"What I mean to say," Melanie went on, "it's difficult for me to talk about." Ursula's level gaze added to Melanie's dismay and she blew out her breath in surrender. "All right. She was sweet and kind to me and ... and I'm glad it happened. Does that satisfy you?"

Ursula arched an eyebrow. "Not me. Kate maybe, but not me. I am the one you left in the car, remember? That hardly satisfies me."

"I said I was sorry, Ursula. If you want to know the real truth, when I was with Kate I kept thinking about you."

Ursula's smile faded. "Are you serious?"

Melanie nodded shyly. "Very serious."

"It wouldn't be the same, you know," Ursula stated, her eyes glowing with a new intensity. "I am not the sweet and kind type like Kate. When I play, I play for keeps."

Melanie's stomach skipped a beat. "Yes, I know."

"Do you? It'll be different, a whole lot different."

Melanie suddenly felt reckless. "I'd like you to show me how different it can be, Ursula. That is, if you still want to."

Ursula's smile was dazzling. "Why don't we get out of here, before you change your mind or before Kate comes back?"

Melanie left a note for Kate with the waiter and then checked Kate's skies and equipment at the desk. They had considered taking the towing bucket seats up the mountainside and skiing back down so that they would be relaxed and exhilarated, but on the steps just outside the ski lodge, Melanie's nervousness caused her to slip on the snow and turn her ankle, which was immediately painful.

"We better forget about skiing," Ursula advised.

"It's nothing serious, Ursula. I'll be all right."

"It might prove dangerous. Besides we both have to be in class this afternoon and there isn't much time. My place isn't far. Let's go there and you can soak your foot."

Ursula took Melanie's arm, guiding her along the path to where the gleaming white sports car was parked.

"I think I'll be all right, Ursula. Just walking and putting pressure on my foot makes it feel better already."

"Good. But let's still go to my place."

"Okay. Whatever you say."

Melanie waited until they were some distance from the ski lodge before initiating further conversation. "Wouldn't you prefer living in the dormitory, Ursula, instead of living alone-off to yourself?"

"No." Ursula answered directly. "Most of us who can afford it try to find places of our own. The privacy is worth the added expense. Besides, I couldn't stand the strain of living in a dorm with a bunch of giggling screaming little virgins." Ursula glanced at Melanie, momentarily taking her eyes off the road. "Present company excluded," she smiled wryly.

Melanie smiled back at her and lowered her lashes, not quite sure of what she should say next. The thought of sharing a room with Ursula ran through her mind and she was surprised to discover that she found the idea most exciting. She started to make a remark about her thoughts, when Ursula stopped her.

"Tell me something?"

"Tell you what?"

Ursula's eyes were fixed on the winding road, her hands efficient in the handling of the steering wheel and yet seeming almost overly casual. "Tell me why you're in this car with me right now, headed for my place. You must have given it a lot of thought since last night."

"Yes, I have," Melanie replied. "I'm not sure exactly why I'm here. I'm not sure about anything at this point. Every things been happening so fast. I just know that I want to be with you."

Ursula nodded in silent understanding as she turned a corner and diminished the speed of the car. "Do you think you'd be here, going to my place, if my name was Roberto, or Sam or Bill and I needed a shave? Do you know what I'm saying?"

Melanie thought for a moment, welcoming the analysis, wanting to find out as much about herself as she could. "No, I don't think I would. As a matter-of-fact, I'm sure I wouldn't."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Quite sure," Melanie said as she shifted her position in the leather seat. "I can't explain it yet," she began slowly, searching for the words. "I just can't imagine myself letting a man do anything with me. I don't think I would ever enjoy it."

"Does it scare you?"

"Yes, it does. I don't know why. It didn't before, but it does now, since I came to Turbenthal. The idea frightens me. I'm sure if I ever find a boy I can love, the fear will go away and everything will be all right. But for now, I don't know." She looked at Ursula sheepishly. "Of course, ever since I've been old enough to know what it was all about, I've never met a boy I was wild about. Does that sound silly?"

Ursula laughed throatily as she pulled the Ferrari up and stopped in front of her father's luxurious discarded lodge. "You are asking the wrong girl, Melanie. For one thing, I've tried it and it doesn't frighten me ... it sickens me. For another thing, I don't put much faith in the loyalty and trust of men. I suppose my father has something to do with that. He has so many women and he makes such fools out of them." She braked the car and turned off the motor. "Well, here we are. Back to the scene of the crime yesterday."

Ursula walked ahead to unlock the door. Melanie's knees began to tremble as she recalled being led up the same path to the same house yesterday blindfolded. Now her eyes were wide open and she still was not sure that she knew what she was doing. Was it right or was it wrong? She had to know. Maybe Ursula Povia would provide her with the answer.

Ursula's voice suddenly made her aware of the fact that she was inside the lodge now and her hostess was closing and locking the door behind her. She took a breath to steady herself.

"Take off your shoes, anything you like and make yourself comfortable," Ursula was saying, "while I mix a couple of drinks."

"Thank you." Melanie eased herself down on one of the enormously puffy sofas and proceeded to take off her boots.

"How's the ankle?" Ursula called to her from the bar across the room.

"Fine. I don't feel anything."

When Ursula returned with two drinks, Melanie was struck by how much taller and more dramatically stunning the girl seemed indoors than outside. The tailored slacks and black matching sweater left little doubt as to her feminine slenderness and yet gave the sleek lines of her body an elusive sensuality. Melanie was aware of a ripple of eagerness within her as she accepted her drink and moved slightly to allow Ursula to sit down on the sofa closely beside her.

Ursula clinked their glasses. "A toast is in order. Here's to the mixed-up modern generation to which we both belong. May the merry-go-round never break down or Heaven help us."

"Are we on a merry-go-round?"

Ursula nodded soberly and leaned back against the cushion of the low-slung sofa. "That we are, little virgin. That we are. And where we stop, nobody knows." She stared at Melanie steadily for a moment before speaking again. "Are you sure you don't want to get off while there's still time?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Melanie answered, averting her eyes nervously.

"And you promise you will not panic and run away?"

"I promise," Melanie replied as she sipped the pleasant tasting drink.

"Then hurry up and finish your drink so I can put you to the test."

Trembling, Melanie gulped down the mixture of scotch and soda. "Ursula?"

Ursula took the glass from her. "Yes."

Knowing she'd never achieve full relaxation until she voiced one final admission, Melanie said, "Please be patient with me. I want you to like me but ... well, I really don't know what I'm supposed to do. Last night with Kate...."

The words were cut off by Ursula's warm lips and Melanie felt instantly reassured by the kiss. Nestling closer in the arms that encircled her, she parted her lips freely and decided she'd been right in her suspicions of the previous night. It was better with Ursula than it had been with Kate. Much better. Ursula's kisses were firmer and more meaningful. The unhurried game they played together seemed to have more purpose. Melanie's eyes closed and her body relaxed. Ursula was right. It was a whole lot different.

Ursula slowly withdrew her lips. "Don't move."

"I won't," Melanie replied without opening her eyes.

"And stop worrying about what you should do."

"All right."

"I'll do all that has to be done. That's the way it has to be with me."

Very slowly, with amazing artistry, Ursula's hands removed Melanie's clothing piece by piece. It was a strange sensation, a thrilling one. Melanie kept her eyes closed, basking in the pleasure of the occasional tantalizing touch and the exposure of warm flesh to the cool air of the room. She allowed the hands to move and guide her down full-length to the yielding cushions. She sighed deeply as the knowing experienced fingers eased her brief panties down her bare legs, completing her nudity.

Then, for a long moment, the hands were gone and Melanie shivered with awareness, sensing that Ursula was studying her total nakedness. "Do you like me, Ursula?" she asked tremulously, her heart pounding, her breasts tingling.

"You're gorgeous," the husky sexy voice responded from very near, as her hands began moving so lovingly over her body.

Concentrating on the pleasures that the knowing hands were stirring deep within her, Melanie could not help but compare all that Ursula was doing to all that Kate had done. Where Kate had been so eager and avid and hurried in their lovemaking, Ursula was playing upon her body as though it was a delicate instrument.

Even the kisses were entirely different. Kate's had been those of a greedy child, feeding and nibbling kisses, all centered on the tips of her breasts. Ursula's lips moved in a totally unpredictable fashion, from throat to thigh to breast to mouth to palm to belly to knee to nipple, tasting and sampling, teasing and delighting. Each moist new contact was made all the more wonderful because of the surprise and Melanie could feel the pleasure becoming desire and the desire becoming passion as her body twitched and writhed beneath the prolonged dalliances.

"Oh, Ursula," she breathed weakly, her head rolling on the soft cushion, "hold me in your arms, please."

"Wait."

Melanie groaned as the lips and hands withdrew again. It was agonizing and although she lay untouched, she .could feel her hips moving in want almost of their own volition. The throbbing in her aroused breasts became unbearable and she was forced to cup her hands over the aching fullness of them in a vain attempt to lessen their agitation.

"Hurry," she moaned. "Please hurry."

"You can open your eyes now."

The voice sounded far away. Melanie lifted her lashes and focused her eyes on the naked girl who loomed incredibly tall and straight at the side of the sofa. A spurt of new excitement shot through her veins as she stared in open admiration at the towering figure. "You're beautiful, Ursula," she whispered, shocked at the perfection of the long and finely curved legs, the neatness of the narrow hips, the polished tautness of the smooth belly, the exquisite tilt of the well-spaced and diminutive breasts.

Dizzy with desire, Melanie lifted both arms in the air entreatingly, as Ursula came to her, her superbly formed body cool and wondrously firm as their bodies meshed and their lips fused. The kisses were unrestrained and wildly passionate and Melanie began to lose contact with reality. She could hear herself moaning aloud as Ursula exerted her mastery and dominance. There was a terrible pounding at her temples as the fiery kisses traced sensuous patterns on her body and she could hear her fingernails scraping the fabric of the sofa as she convulsed with breathless expectancy.

Then, with a suddenness that brought her body high off the sofa in arching responsiveness, the exploring lips put an end to their tantalizing game and sent Melanie into a whirlpool of ecstatic sensation. Great shock waves rolled over her, lifted her, buffeted her. She felt a tidal wave gathering force and then it was upon her, carrying her on its crest at an ever increasing velocity, higher and higher in the air until the wind whistled in one single shrieking sound about her. Still higher, still faster, until she felt she could no longer endure it. And then, with a momentous roar, the wave crashed ... and crashed again ... and again.

Melanie could feel her senses slowly shedding the heavy cobwebs of what seemed at first a deep sleep. She became conscious of the sound of ragged breathing and realized it was her own. Her body felt as if it had been drained of blood. She tried to move her arms and legs, but they were lifeless and incapable of obeying the command of her fogged brain. She licked her parched lips and took a deep breath and slowly lifted her lashes.

She moved her head to the right and the first thing she saw was Ursula Povia seated naked on the floor beside the sofa, her arms hugging her drawn up knees, a cigarette burning between her two fingers.

"How do you feel now," the lovely familiar face smiled.

"I can't move."

"Don't try."

Melanie closed her eyes and opened them again, and looked down the length of her drugged body. "I feel so ... so empty," she uttered, summoning the strength to move one leg in order to minimize the wanton abandonment of her position. "Is it always like that?" she asked truthfully, awed by the experience. "Is it always like a tidal wave."

"Not always, baby, but sometimes when two people are well matched. It's rare."

Melanie started to analyze the reply but decided to wait until she was in a more lucid state of mind. A not totally-unrelated thought occurred to her and she looked over at the smooth olive skinned, small breasted girl quickly. "What about you? How do you feel?"

Ursula smiled sadly. "Just fine."

"You do?"

"Of course. Why?"

"I don't know. I feel a little guilty. I mean after all what did I do to please you?"

Ursula shook her head and sighed. "Will you believe me when I tell you it was every bit as satisfying for me as it was for you, my darling? I know it must be difficult to understand, so just take my word for it. Later on, when we're both in a mood to discuss things, I'll tell you all about the birds and the bees ... but for now, just relax and don't let yourself be concerned about anything.

You'll find out all the answers soon enough I'm afraid now that you are a member of The Witchwags."

Melanie smiled mischievously and extended one hand to rumple Ursula's short dark hair. "You know something, Ursula? I'm so glad we met."

Ursula pulled Melanie's hand down to her mouth and kissed the palm tenderly. "So am I, little virgin. So am I."