Shermie laughed softly to herself as she changed into her neglige.  It wasn't too daring, but it wasn't exactly boring either--just right for the occasion.  She examined her reflection in the full-length mirror behind her door, then, satisfied, opened the door slightly.

    "Chris!" she called into the hallway.  A moment later the door to his room opened, and he looked out.

    "You're ready?" he asked.

    "Yup, come on in," she said, smiling.

    The boy slipped out of his room and came to Shermie's, walking through the door and then stopping to stare at her.  After a moment he turned his head away, blushing.  "Sorry," he blurted.

    "For what?" Shermie laughed.  "Now, I'm not sure exactly what you have in mind, so you're going to have to tell me what you want me to do."  She walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, crossing her legs.  "Close the door, would you please?"

    He gave her a startled look, but turned and pushed the door shut before nervously approaching her.  "So it's your lower back bothering you...?  From sitting at work?"

    "Mmm-hm.  Hurts terribly when I stand for a while, or even sit still, for that matter."

    "Okay...umm...well, could you lay on your stomach, please?"  Chris' voice sounded slightly unsteady.

    "Sure!"  Shermie stretched out on the bed, lying on her front as he directed.  She could tell that her panties were showing a little, but all to the good.

    Chris coughed a little, trying to figure out how to reach the girl, then finally kneeled on the bed next to her.  "Okay, this might hurt a little at first...but I think your muscles are pretty locked up," he said, tentatively rubbing at the small of her back.

    "Please, unlock them!" the girl laughed.  "Do what you need to do, but make the ache go away!"

    "All right..."  He started kneading the tired muscles of her back in earnest, his touch firm but gentle.  Shermie sighed in appreciation, stretching a little to direct his hands to the right spots.

    "You're very good at this," she said, smiling.

    "Oh?"  a faint blush appeared over the boy's cheeks.  "It's not very difficult...you just have to know where the muscles are..."

    "Mm, if you say so.  All I know is, it feels really good."  And it did.  She was surprised at his apparent skill.  That's extra points for him, then, she thought to herself.  But when will I make a move?  Moving too fast will unsettle him.

    "Well...good then."  He smiled shyly.  "As long as it's working..."

    "Oh, it is, it is...but it's making me sleepy," Shermie laughed.  "A little more, if you don't mind, and then I think I'll go to bed."

    "Okay..."  Chris continued in silence for a little while,  moving up her back slowly to work at the area between her shoulders.  She hummed in appreciation, closing her eyes.

    The boy shifted his weight a few times as he massaged her back, apparently trying to get comfortable.  Ha!  I wonder what's making him uncomfortable...  Shermie stifled a mischievous giggle and an urge to look back at him to see just what was making him shift his position.  That would just embarrass him too much.

    "Well," Chris said after a while, sliding off of the bed and standing, "how was that?"

    "Marvelous," Shermie sighed, turning over and smiling at him.  "You'll definitely have to do that again sometime, honey..."  Knowing that he wouldn't dare make a move on his own, she hopped out of the bed and slid her arms around him, hugging him tightly.  That confirmed her suspicions about the cause of his discomfort, but she tactfully didn't react to it, knowing it would probably cause him to flee in humiliation.  "Thanks so much, Chris, it was great."  She gave him a little kiss on the lips, then backed away to sit on the bed again.

    The boy blinked several times before speaking in a slightly shaky voice.  "Sure, anytime, Shermie...anytime you want..." he looked at her once more before turning to leave, paused at the open door.  "Good night..."

    "Good night, Chris...sweet dreams..."

    He stepped out, quietly closing the door behind him.

    God, that was perfect!  Shermie laughed quietly and hugged a pillow. I almost feel sorry for him now...  A mischievous little smirk crossed her lips.  Sweet dreams indeed, honey...
 
 

    Ohmygodohmygodohmygod...  Chris' mind ran around in a little dizzy circle.  Am I really awake, or what?

    He numbly pulled off his t-shirt and running shorts, and climbed into bed in his boxers.  I don' t think I have much of a chance falling asleep tonight, he thought.  Does she have any idea what she's doing to me?

    A sudden, horrible thought crossed his mind then.  What if she's perfectly aware of what she's doing, and she's just toying with me?  What if, a few days from now, she turns around and laughs at me like she did to Yashiro?  He shivered, suddenly cold.  No!  She's picky, like Yashiro said, but she's not cruel, the boy rationalized. But then...what is she doing?  He thought about what Yashiro had told him earlier.  She's playing a game, all right...but what's the point of it?

    His mind went back to the moment Shermie had hugged him tightly, her body pressed closely against his.  Stop thinking about that, he told himself, shuddering violently.  That line of thought was nothing but trouble. Why would she do that, though?...there's no way I could guess at her motives, he finally decided.  But...I don't think she's trying to hurt me...I hope.  Sighing, he stared out the window at the midnight sky.  How am I supposed to get to sleep, dammit?

    He was awake for a long time, gazing out the window and fantasizing.  When he finally drifted off to sleep, the last thought he had was of Shermie saying, "Sweet dreams..."  What other kind could they be, tonight?

    If he did dream, he did not remember them later.