By the time she got on the bus, Adelaide was starting to have second thoughts about staying over at a friend's house. Not just because of the fact that she'd rarely spent much time with even her closest friends outside school hours. Not because Toni kept hitting on her, either. She knew that was all done in fun, and she'd stop if there was any sign it was actually making her uncomfortable. Not even because her mom would probably go ballistic and demand to know every detail when she got home, because staying over with a friend was so far out of the norm for Adi's sedate lifestyle.
No, she was nervous because she was wearing diapers, and she didn't want to let her friend know. And because as much as she'd said before, she was still horrified at the thought that somebody else might discover this temporary inconvenience. She'd stuffed a pack of diapers into her bag before coming to school, assuming they would be enough to last the day. But she'd already had to change twice during the day, and she knew she was going to have to change again as soon as they got back to Toni's house. That was nerve-wracking in itself; she could just imagine the next person to use the bathroom noticing that there was a wet diaper in the top of the trashcan. How could she hide it? And she was just realising that she didn't know if Toni lived with family or not. She knew that My Walker was often away on business for weeks at a time, but she couldn't remember if Toni had ever mentioned her mother, or any siblings, or anythig else about where they lived.
It might have been easier to hide her diapers at home, where at least the trash bags were in her own room, and there would be nobody else going in there before she tied up the top of a bag to take it outside.
"You okay, babe?" Toni asked, a gentle hand across Adi's shoulders. "Am I scaring you?"
"No, it's just... I can't say. Sorry."
"You're shaking, you know? You're acting like the essay is just a cover, and you're really expecting to be forced into some full-frontal tribadism when we get back to my place."
"No, it's just– I don't even know what that word means, you know. Did you make it up? No, I trust you, if you wanted anything else, you'd come out and ask. I don't think you'd–"
Adi found she had to stop in the face of her friend's muffled giggling. She tried again: "I mean you say what you mean, no beating around the– Is there anything you can't make sound like an innuendo?"
"Well, you say 'innuendo' and I think–"
"You know what I mean, anyway. Straight-talking is one of your– Oh, come on! Now you got me doing it. But you know what I mean, and you say what you mean. So I don't need to worry about you really want, because you've told me often enough."
"And I'm honest with you, and you're honest with me. I know you're not into girl,s but I can hope someday you'll change your mind, right? Until then, I'll be the best friend I can be, and help you out when I can."
"I know. And that's not why I'm nervous. I think that's what's scaring Mom, but for me it's just..."
"Something else making you uncomfortable?"
"Yeah. This hypnosis thing's given me a new, embarrassing secret. And I'm terrified anyone will find out. I jumped at the chance to not go home because I wanted to hide it from Mom. But then, I don't know how you'd react. Brit already knew part of it, but I think she doesn't really understand. But I don't know if I can tell you either, and that kind of makes me feel bad."
"I can tell this is really bothering you. That brash confidence is all gone, and I want to help you if I can. I'm not going to pry, honest. And if you want to tell me, I'm not going to think any less of you. I mean, from what you already said I know it was some kind of prank, right? You bet someone they couldn't hypnotise you or something, and they made you do something you're not comfortable with. So I know it's not something you chose, or something you like. And as far as I see it, I'd never laugh at somebody for something they can't control. Especially not you."
"Thanks. Will I... Is there a supermarket near you? There's something I need to buy before home, I think." Adi could feel her cheeks flushing as she said that, and before she finished the sentence she was looking down at her hands. She didn't know what was wrong with her lately. It wasn't just the hypnosis thing, she couldn't even carry off her normal unconcerned demeanour. If anyone was watching, someone who didn't know about her unusual predicament, they'd assume she was going home with her girlfriend for the first time, or something. Or her boyfriend; in the right light, and with that heavy jacket stretched around broad shoulders and muscular arms, Toni could have passed for a guy.
"Oh, that's no trouble. We're like two streets away from Samedi's. You can get what you need and I'll meet you in Dominic's. Pick up a couple of pizzas for dinner, then we head back to mine."
"Thanks." Adi glanced around as she spoke. She was aware that every word she said would have convinced the hypothetical observer even more that they were a couple, and she wanted to be sure there was nobody she knew on the bus. "I really mean it. You've done so much for me already."
"Hey, what are girlfriends for?"