Besties pt. 2

Samantha

Sorress left once he finished measuring me. To be honest, it went smoother then I thought. I wasn't as nervous or self-concious as I was last time. Sorress said that he'd have the shirts custom fitted and mailed to me within the week. A blessing really.

I slip back into my t-shirt and overalls when I hear a dreaded scream coming from a few doors over. A woman shouting about how she's been drenched in water.

A second later, I feel something fall right between my breasts. The feeling surprises me, causing me to gasp and nearly let a terrified scream of my own.

I'm too afriad to look at first. The thought that a nasty bug or mouse falling into my chest makes me feel disgusted to the core. It sends a shiver through my entire body while dread consumes me.

Please don't be a mouse. Please don't be a mouse.

I peer down my chest to see a small familiar feminine face staring back up at me. She looks relieved to see me, but that relieved look fades into udder embarrass with a feisty blush that may as well be glowing.

I'm too shocked say anything. All I can do is stare at the girl trapped in my bust, though I'm sure Caesar would like for me to remove her as soon as possible.

"H-hi." Caesar squeeks out, waving to me sheepishly.

I give her an airy hello back. My brain is too busy piecing everything together.  The woman screaming about the water. Why Caesar came from the ceiling and why Ashley didn't keep a better eye on her.

"How did you-"

"Miss Gains?" Sorress interupts me suddenly.

"Y-yes?" I squeek out, jumping up in fright.

I forgotten that I'm in a dressing room in a store that's in a mall. The small jump shifts Caesar around, causing her to get squished. She reacts by wiggling around so she doesn't get crushed. The feeling of her squirming sends an eletrify tingle up my body. My cheeks redden from the unfamiliar feeling.

I let out an airy gasp. "C-Caesar, st-stop."

The human freezes.

I suck in a deep breath and release it, gaining my composure back. "Is there something wrong, Sorress?"

I move to the door and open it. The chaos happening in the dressing room hallway is out of place for a store like this.

A woman, dripping from head to toe in water, crying and rambling about something in the ceiling to her boyfriend. The man has a hard time understanding the woman as she clinges to him.

"We had a sprinkler burst and wanted to check in on you." Sorress says. "We'll have to close for the rest of the day in order to clean up the mess and get a maitenance crew down here to work on the pipe." He tells me before he goes to tend to the sobbing woman.

I stare at the pool of water forming in the dressing room next to me. Close to the door is the cap to the sprinkler.

It's not a busted pipe. Someone broke it on purpose. The cap doesn't just pop off like that.

A scowl crosses my face and I look down at the human stowing away in my bust. She looks up at me with fear on her face. She's been made.

You're in so much trouble. I tell myself mentaly.

Caesar

I'm in so much trouble.

"Seriously, what were you two thinking?" Samantha askes sternly as she swings open the garage door.

Samantha didn't say a single word the entire car ride home. She was too angry to talk or even look at us.

Do Ashley and I feel bad for upsetting Samantha? Yes. Do we regret what we did? Nope. The woman deserved it to be honest. Seriously, who talks like that about about another person? It's disjusting.

"We're thinking the lady needed some good ol' fashion karma." Ashley says. "She said-"

"That I had a botched boob job, Ash. I know, I heard you the first time." Samantha says. "But that doesn't mean you go and torture the woman."

"She's a bitch." Ashley counters. "She deserved to be knocked down a peg."

"I agree." I say casually.

It's Samantha turn to glare at me. It's rare to see Samantha angry, but when she is I wouldn't want to be on the other end of her rage.

"Right, shutting up."

The three of us walk up stairs. Well, Samantha marches on up, showing how angry she is. Ashley and I follow behind her.

The burnette swings up the door and sets the bags from her shopping spree on the floor. She immediately starts unloading the bags and putting the items away.

Ashley takes a seat on the bed, plucks me off her shoulder and sets me down on the bed. The redhead sifts through Samantha's stuff  with her and hands over the jacket she had gotten me. I was so sure that she wouldn't get after figuring out what we did.

She bought it begrudgingly though.

"Look, Sam. We went a little overboard, but if you heard someone talk like that to your friends you'd be upset too." Ashley says.

Samantha pauses for a moment. She lets out a sigh and turns around. "I would, Ashley. But they are just words and I have enough control now to not let those words hurt me anymore."

"Doesn't give her the right to say them though." I add.

I probably should stay out of this conversation, but I'm the one who started all this. Ashley was just there for the ride.

"And it doesn't give you the right to break a water sprinkler to get revenge." Samantha counter argues, again glaring at me.

"Sorry, but I'm not going to stand by and let some stranger berate my friend." I snap back, crossing my arms. "Especially over something she's insecure about."

Samantha's glare loosens up when she hears the word friend. Yes, I do consider Samantha a friend of mine, but it's loose. She's like an aquantence more then anything. Friend is more effective in this situation though.

The giant burnette bites her lip. She lets out a sigh of defeat, knowing that she will not win this argument. She's right to be angry, but we also have the right to protect our friends as well.

"I'm not going to win this argument, am I?" Samantha sighs, letting her shoulders slump in defeat.

"Nope!" The two of us say at the same time.

"Fine, fine, but you two are not allowed to do something like that again!"

Ashley and I look at each other. We silently agree that we will be doing something like that again if the time arises. For now, we will be on the down low for it.

The giantesses and I head down to eat lunch. The chefs made fried chicken, corn on the cob, and mash potatoes with gravy. If I could shower the chefs with compliment for eternity then I would.

"So... plans for tonight?" Ashley asks before taking a bite of mash potatoes.

I wasn't told there were plans for tonight either and look over at Samantha.

Samantha has a thoughtful look on her face then a lightbulb blinks on above her head. "Oh, right! I got the tent set up in the back yard for tonight."

I sit up slightly from the new information

"Oh, sweet! We can star gaze, roast marshmallows, maybe even go for a nightly swim." Ashley says then turns to me. "What do you think, Caesar? Wanna join us on swimming and that fun outdoorsy stuff?"

"Maybe not the swimming part, but everything else sounds fun." I say earnestly.

"Don't like getting wet at night?" Ashley asks teasingly. It has to some kind innuendo.

I shake my head. "Can't swim."

You'd think there'd be a moment of silence for my inability to swim. It's shocking information to hear that human can't swim. Considering that I know how to survive in the wild, you'd think knowing how to swim would be on that list.

"Bummer." Ashley comments casually.

"Ashley." Samantha groans.

The red headed girl snaps her fingers as a twinkle forms in her eyes. "Sam and I could teach you! It'll be fun!"

"Hehe, no."

Ashley rolls her eyes and leans in close to me. She uses a hand to hide her mouth and me. "Don't you wanna see Sam in a swimsuit."

"Ashley!" Sam exclaims, outraged.

My face heats up as I let an embarrassed squeak. "Nope! No thanks! I'm good!"

I've already seen more of Samantha than I needed to. Given the events at the mall today, which Ashley knows nothing about, I'm okay with missing out on seeing Samantha in a swimsuit.

Ashley snickers. The girl sure loves to tease and she definitely knows how to do it well. The girl has to be good at reading people to figure out how to tease them. Ashley has only met me for, what? Six hours? That or I'm really easy to read. It could be both.

Yeah, it's probably both.

...

It's both.

Ashley leans back in her chair and sighs. "I guess we could still go night swimming without Caesar."

"I don't know, Ash," Samantha answers skeptically. "It's supposed to get a little chilly tonight."

The redhead slumps deep into her chair to the point where her eyes and the top of her head can only be seen above the table.

"Lame." She pops back up without a care in the world though. "Welp, it is what it is! We can still do other fun stuff."

Samantha stands up from the table, collecting me in a soft hand and sets me down on her shoulder. "I'll head up and start gathering things for our little backyard camping trip." She boops me on the nose out of nowhere. "And I'm sure Caesar will need to grab some stuff as well."

I blink once then again. My brain registering what Samantha just did. A warm feeling quickly overcomes me. It isn't a blush and embarrassment. This is different. It's like sitting next to a warm camp fire at night. It's relaxing and freeing.

I look at Samantha who doesn't seem to notice the effect she has on me from that simple action.

We leave the kitchen together and head up stares. Samantha drops me off at the house and begins to pulls fluffy blankets, plushies, and pillows together. All the while I stare at my duffle bag.

It still holds clothes, journals, and my axe.

I drum my thumb against my thigh, letting thoughts of escaping flow through my head. Escaping... I haven't thought about that in the last couple of day.

It seems I have grown accustomed to living with Samantha. I can't lie, but not having to spend every waking moment surviving and fighting for my life is nice. Having hot water and a place that's nicer than anything I've ever seen is great.

What about my family? My friends? My own home? I ask myself as sift through the duffle bag. Do they even think I'm still alive? Do they wonder how I'm doing or have they moved on already? Should I move on too?

I brush my fingers through my blonde hair and release an exhausted sigh. All this thinking has gotten me nowhere. I want to be free from this belt and the gaints that constently watch over me because they have no choice. Because Samantha fears I'll get hurt or run away... She's not wrong. At first, I'd take the first opportunity of leaving without hesitation. Now that escape is right in front of me, I question it.

Why?

Is it possible that Samantha has changed me this much? Or do I feel obligated to return the favor in someway and staying is repaying her? Is there some other reason?

I grit my teeth and cletch my fists. Why should I owe her anything? All because she's shown me some kindness? Because she's doing the bare minimum? To hell with that!

I snatch up the duffle bag and march down stairs to the kitchen and begin to stuff cans of food, noodles, a small pot and pan, a mug into my bag.

I'm leaving. I'm going to leave. I have to leave.

A knock on the wall shakes in the inside a bit. Samantha is waiting outside with two big bags full cozy blankets, pillows, plushies, and clothes to change into.

I strap the duffle bag to my back and walk out to meet Samantha. I have to crane my neck to look up at her. Sometimes I forget how big she is since I'm always being carried or held. Samantha looks beautiful with the light shing behind her.

The girl looks at her watch, tapping on the screen a few times and smiles with satisfation. She kneels down and reaches for the tracker belt around my waist. She pulls the belt off and sets it down on her bed.

"You won't be needing that for night." She says then smiles down at me and cocks her head to the side. "You ready?"

I grip the strap when a fluttering feeling arises in my chest. She's... trusting me?

I smile back at her. "Yeah, I'm ready."

When we get outside in the backyard, I'm wowed to see it all.

Chairs and a long table sit under the balcony of the upstairs open livingroom. The beach-entry pool is enromious with two sets of diving boards. A short kid-like one and a more adult one. Lining the pool are lounge chairs and stubby tables. Off to the side of the diving boards is a rocky waterfall that also is a side.

As a back drop for the pool are the tall pine trees that I've longed to see since I was taken away.

Their scent calls to me, along with the chirping birds and creaking crickets. Gods, I can't wait to be back in my natural habitat.

Samantha walks on past the pool and starts down a stepping stone path that leads deep into the woods.

I can't help but look all around me. It's a literal play ground out here for me. I can't help but let an excited smile cross my lips as I spot squirls hopping from branch to branch above me.

"Enjoying the view?" Samantha asks me gently.

"You have no idea," I say breathlessly.

We come to a clearing where there's a large, yellow pinned down tent. The main flap is unzipped and Ashley is already inside setting things up.

It looks like she's already raided the kitchen of snacks and drinks. She looks excited to get this back yard camping trip started. And given how much soda she grabbed, I don't think the girl plan on sleeping any time soon. I wouldn't be surprised if they pulled an all nighter.

The girls spread out the blankets, pillows and plushies. They've already broken into the potatoe chips and cans of root beer while setting up their haul. There's also a lot more chatter and jokes being made.

I sit on a fluffed up pillow watching as the girls hang up a sheet and set up the projector. Samantha plugs in her laptop and starts up some true crime or murder mystery story. Samantha flops down on the blankets and takes in an armfull of plushies.

It's childish to see, but how often do I get to see Samantha genuinly happy and messing around with her friend.

Maybe if you hung around her more often, you'll see it more. I think to myself.

I continue watching the girl, well, be girls. Never had any interest in girly chatter or gossip, but it's fun to watch them have their own version of fun.

As the sun continues to dip in the sky outside, the girls turn on something a little more childish and friendly. Scooby-doo. They also open up the top of the tent so they can see outside. Bigger stars have began forming in the sky. It's actually a nice night too since the moon isn't out.

The binge-watching and star gazing is inturpted by a text to Samantha. She checks her phone and pops up in delight.

"Fire's ready for roasting." She says while crawling out of the tent.

"Hell, yeah!" Ashley exclaims as she gets up and follows Samantha.

I'm too enthrawled with Scooby-doo to realize that the two giantesses had left. Until Samantha returnes and plucks me off the cozy pillow.

"Hey!" I shout, wiggling around to face Samantha. "I was watching that!"

Samantha can't help but snort. It makes me frown.

"What?"

Samantha smiles cheekily. "Oh, nothing."

I can't help but roll my eyes and cross my in a huff.

The three of us walk back to the house where the fire pit is waiting. A cold gust of wind rolls over me and it sends a shiver all throughout my body. Reacting on instinct, I huddle closer to the giantess's neck for warmth.

Either Samantha doesn't notice or she chooses not to acknowlegde it. Good. I won't want to be teased anymore then I already have.

Ashley is already sticking marshmallows on a stick when we walk up to her. Sitting close to the fire warms me up really quick. The warm embrace in the middle of the cool summer night is refreshing in a way, like coming in from a long cold day.

Samantha grabs a stick and stabs a few marshmallows onto it.

I expected campfire stories or ghost stories, instead the girls reminisce about their past adventures, endavors, and many other things. It's fun listening to their stories. It makes me wonder if I ever got back home, would my family and friends sit around and listen to my stories?

How would they react to all the horrible things I've been through? How would they react to my escapes? my near death experiences? Or the fact I've possibly refriended a giantess?

Could I call Samantha and I friends?

Compared to what she and Ashley have done and gone through, I wouldn't label us as that even if I did say it earlier.

The night continues to crawl on and the girls finish up their story tellings and get ready for bed. Not to look suspiscious either, I also get ready for bed.

I pop off my shoes, then pull off my pants, and pull on a pair of running shorts from my duffle. I leave my shirt and hoodie on.

Samantha and Ashley lay in their respectible sleeping bags and blankets. Ashley looking up through the open roof of the tent and Samantha is snuggled up with her armadillo while scrolling through her phone.

She looks casual yet something about the plain look and the glint in her eyes from the phone brings that unfamiliar fuzzy and warm feeling back again.

At the worst moment though, Samantha's eyes flicker up to me. I'm caught redhanded staring again and unintentally my face heats up.

Why is my face heating up? I've seen her before. What's the difference now?

"Sorry," I mumble, looking away.

"For what?" She asks.

"Staring."

Samantha can't help but let out an airy laugh. "That's okay, I think it's cute when you do it."

I blink, my brain having to replay what she said. "You think it's cute?"

The girl squeezes her plushie close her chest while trying to hide the blush. It's easy to see though.

"Well, yeah... in a way." She mumbles into her armadillo.

I snort and roll my eyes. To play the sweet but slightly awkward incounter, I ask Samantha if that means I have permission to stare at her whenever I want.

"Now you're really sounding like a pervert." She says with a soft smile.

"Won't be the first time you've called me that." I say, turning to my designated pillow and clambering onto it.

Samantha reaches for a large blanket and basically tucks me in. The giantess then reaches over turns off the lamp light. Darkness fills my vision until my eyes adjust and I can all the stars above us.

"That's so much better." Ashley says. The redhead releases a sigh, stretches out her arms and rests her hands behind her head.

"This is my favorite thing when it comes to backyard camping." Samantha says gently.

I stare up at the stars. The twinkling little dots in the sky are so nice to see again.

"That's the Oriaon belt!" I remember saying when I was much younger, happier, and with my parents while out in the woods.

I continue to look at the stars for who knows how long until I wake up later in the night. I didn't even realize I had fallen asleep. I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes. I wish I could rub it out of my body as well, but that's not possible.

I check to see if the girls are still asleep. They may as well be passed out right now given how Ashley is snoring and Samantha all bundled in her horde of blankets and stuffed animals.

I throw the blanket off my body and cold swirls all around me. I shiver, but push past the cold and climb down the pillow to my duffle bag and change into my pants, pop on my shoes and reach in the duffle bag for my axe. I gotta get out of the tent somehow.

I pull the duffle bag over my shoulder and turn back around to exit the tent. I have to walk past Samantha and keep a close eye on the girl as I do so.

She looks so calm and peaceful when she sleeps. She also looks warm and cozy, all snuggled up in her blanket and squeezing her armadillo closely to her chest.

A twinge of pain shoots through my chest seeing how peaceful she is and imagining how devistated she'll be when she finds out I'm gone in the morning.

I walk on over the front of the tent. I look back one last time to make sure the girls are asleep. With that last check, I raise the axe for my head and bring it down, cutting through the tent and allowing me to leave now.

But once again, I hesitate to leave.

The opening is right there. Nothings stopping me and yet something is holding me back.

Go!

No! Stay with Samantha!

The questionable thoughts start to flow again through my head again. My hands shake with frustation and my teeth grit angerly.

I can't doubt myself now.

But Samantha has done so much for you.

And why should I care? She's a giantess!

She cares! She genuinely cares!

The frustation and confusing has overwhelmed me now. So much that tears begin to form and run down my face, staining my cheeks.

Finally, the ever consuming emotions swallow me whole and I fall to my knees, letting a sob crawl up my throat. I cover the ugly and sad sounds with a hand, doing my best not to wake up Samantha.

"What am I doing..." I ask myself yet again, dropping my duffle bag and axe. "What am I doing? What am I doing?" I just want to curl up in a ball and rot away. "I can't keep fighting and I can't living like this! L-like someone's pet! Like some accessory!" I try to wipe my tears away, but it's a never ending river. I can't get a hold of my emotions.

I don't know what do anymore. It's impossible to make it back home, but I don't want to live in Samantha's ever looming shadow. It's driving me insane! There needs to be an alternative! A comprise we can come up with! Just like before.

She's trusted me enough to remove the belt for the night, maybe I can convince her to leave the belt off.

I scoff angerly. "It'll never work. She's too protective!" Then I let my shoulders slouch in defeat. "There's nothing I can to fix this. To solve this... I can't... I just can't..." The river comes back again.

I want to scream! I want to release everything that's been built up inside of me for years! All of the pain. All the torture! The anger. The sadness.

"Caesar?"

I feel as though ice water has been dumped on my body and has drowned me. I can't even move from the sheer terror that has filled my body. Samantha hasn't hurt me before, but the lingering possibly is still there.

My body twitches as a warm hand engolfs my body. There's no malice or evil intent behind the touch though. Only comfort and warmth. Her long fingers wrap around me and I'm lifted off the ground then set down on the giantess's pillow.

Her golden brown eyes are gleaming, not with joy though, but with concern.

"What's wrong?" She asks softly and with concern to make me cry again, which is exactly what happens.

Gods! I'm falling apart so fast! I can't keep myself together anymore. All the weight of these last four miserable years is breaking me. I can't hold it all together. I'm bursting at the seems.

"Hey, it's okay. It's okay. I'm right here." Samantha says gently, holding me close to her. "I'm here for you, Caesar."

"I... I'm sorry, Samantha." I croak out between sobs. "I'm so sorry, I... I..."

"Shh. It's okay, You're okay." She soothes me, rubbing her thumb up and down her back. "I got you, let it all out."

I do just that. Burying my face into the girl's chest and letting out a heartbreaking cry. My hands tightening into fist, clutching the shirt.

I cry.

I cry and cry and cry. I keeping crying until my body can't cry anymore tears. My body shutters from all the sobbing and I'm struggling to stay awake.

But that doesn't matter.

I'm in safe hands now. I can let my guard down and finally fall sleep peacefully without the worry of what the next day will bring.

A/N: Such a long freaking chapter.... But I liked the way it turned out.

Published 02/10/2024