Chapter 13

It was mid-afternoon on the Friday... that time of the week when you are mentally already at home, relaxing. Instead, I was at my desk, having my last cup of coffee at work, relaxing for a few brief moments, thinking back to last night. And the night before.

For years, I've had a thing for braces, and girls with braces, but I've never had the chance to kiss a girl in braces. At school, yes, there were several girls with braces, but I just felt awkward about even approaching them, let alone hoping I could kiss one of them. 

However, in the last 2 evenings, I had taken out two different girls, both of whom had braces. Not only that, I had managed to kiss both of them. Run my tongue over and around their braces. Very different sorts of braces.

Ellie's retainers had the joy of the very smooth plastic plates inside her mouth, which still gave her a slight lisp.... which sounded very sexy to my ears. Then the feel of that smooth wire across the front of her lovely straight white teeth. I had briefly seen Ellie's retainers when she had removed them... nice.

Angela's braces were very different. No plastic plates, but they looked quite stunning, and it was interesting to feel how 'lumpy', and slightly 'sharp' they were, pushing her lips slightly outwards, and no doubt, in the first few weeks of having them, cutting into her cheeks. Whilst I had seen her elastics, they were more to the side of her mouth, so it was rather difficult to feel them with my tongue without her realising that my interest in her braces was more than just passing. I needed to take Angela out for a meal, so I could see how she coped with getting food stuck in her braces!

So, yes, two dreams fulfilled in one week!

My dreams were interrupted by my phone ringing: it was Ellie, someone I was very willing to talk to.

"Hi, Ellie!" I said, answering the call.

"Hi Juthtin! hey, what you doing tonight?". Well, I would never complain when a girl called ME up, asking what I was doing, it made a change from always being the one doing the chasing.

"Half a moment, let me look at my big and heavy diary, see if I'm free at all tonight!" I joked, making Ellie laugh. "Oh, look, you're lucky, I seem to have a slot tonight, from about 5:30 until around midnight.... What would you like to do?"

"Well, mum called me earlier, she wondered if you'd like to join uth all for dinner tonight?" It sounded to me that Ellie had 'mentioned" our recent dinner date, and her mum was wanting to play 'match maker'. Well, I would not complain on that count. Besides, I knew that both Derek and Shirly were both good company. And beside besides, it meant I would see Ellie again.

"Yes, that would be nice. What time?"

"Why don't you just come over thtraight after work - I assume you finish at 5:30?"

"Yeah, I do..."

"In that cathe, I should be there well before you, I finish at 5 on a Friday!"

"Ok, do I need to bring anything with me?"

"No, just yourthelf.....". Oh, that slight lisp was music to my ears! "By the way, thanks for Wednesday, I had a really nice time with you!" Yup, she definitely still has a crush on me, doesn't she?

Chapter 15

We sat at the table in the kitchen to eat dinner. I should explain that their kitchen was pretty large, as was the fairly old-looking table. I was wondering what Ellie would do about removing her retainers before eating her dinner: sadly for me, she went off upstairs and removed them.

Clearly, Derek and Shirley knew that I'd taken Ellie out the other night, and had probably guessed that, even if we weren't formally dating yet, there was a closeness between us, but they didn't embarrass either Ellie or me by saying anything about it. We did, of course, talk about Simon, and about the funeral (which had been less than a week before) and how - as I had expected - it had brought a certain level of closure to the three of them.

I did mention that I'd been out for a drink with Angela, having chatted to her at the wake, after the funeral. But I didn't feel any of them needed to know about what happened back at Angela's place after the drink.

After dinner, Ellie went and brushed her teeth, returning to the lounge with her retainer back in her mouth, where we all continued to chat.

"So, it was good to see you again, Justin, thanks for coming along," said Shirley. "hope it's not too much of a trek back home again"

"It's not too bad," I replied, "it's only about 20 miles, takes about 30 minutes or so."

"Oh, not as close as I had thought then" commented Derek.

"So, what you doing tomorrow?" asked Ellie a bit later as she came out to the car to see me off.

"Nothing planned yet, why?"

"Well, I need to go to town to do some shopping tomorrow, I'd love to buy you lunch...." said Ellie, looking at me the way a puppy looks at you when he wants you to throw its ball.

"I'd love to!" I replied.

She came up close to me, and put her arms around me: her face was inches from his. "Do I get a goodnight kiss then?" she asked. Our lips touched once more. Our tongues met between our lips, and she let me slowly push my tongue past her lips so that I could once again savour the feel of the wires across her front teeth. Wires that seemed to be conducting sparks of excitement between us. Then I managed to push my tongue between her teeth, which allowed me to feel the lovely smooth plastic of the plate of her retainer on the roof of her mouth.

Ellie knows that I had a thing for braces, and that I definitely liked her retainers, so was pretty ok about letting me investigate them with my tongue. Of course, she wouldn't be able to feel my tongue on the plastic of her retainer, but I guessed that she could vaguely work out where it was because my tongue was also touching hers a bit.

Thank you for pointing that out: I've edited it to correct it.

That's what happens when you haven't worked on a story for a while: not only do you start to forget the storyline, you forget whether you're writing in first person or third person... I seem to alternate between them in different stories. First-person can feel a lot 'closer', but you then lose the ability to 'pass comment on how others feel' when 'you' don't actually know.

Ok, need to re-do the next chapter back to first person now!!!

Chapter 17

As I drove home, I was thinking about both Ellie and Angela. First of all, what's their feelings towards me? Clearly they both like me, and must be happy spending time with me, as each of them have suggested at our last meetings. In terms of my feelings towards them... well, the two are quite different: Ellie seems to be a bit 'cuter' and more vulnerable, plus I've known here for a longer time.. which probably means I'm trying hard to make sure I don't upset our relationship in any way. I hardly know Angela, but she seems to be  noticeably more self-confident.

They both have braces, which is a positive plus for me. Ellie also has her leg-brace, which is also 'of interest'. Strangely, that is one thing she's quite confident about: today I'd actually managed to forget about it for most of the the time we were together... clearly she had needed to unlock her knee joint when she had sat down for lunch, but she had just done it, no big deal. She was starting to get like that with her retainers, but maybe that was because she knew I liked them, and that made her more confident when taking them out in front of me.

So, would I like to have a longer-term relationship (so, boyfriend - girlfriend) with either of them? Yes, I would, but I don't know either of them well enough yet to take that big step. For the moment, I'm happy to get to know them both some more, see how things develop. Do I need to tell them each about the other... difficult one that. I think the safest way there is to not positively offer any details, but if asked, not to tell any lies.

One really pleasant side effect of all this, is that my social life had improved massively in the last week, and it looked like it might stay like that for a bit yet... it sure beat being at home alone, or just meeting friends at the pub!

So, for my last couple of stories, I've been writing ahead, and letting Braceface2015 have an advanced copy, for the Archive. Whilst I know where this story is heading, I'm only writing the chapters just before they get posted, so this time he has no detailed idea what's gonna happen.

So, it's Sunday, and Justin is about to go and have lunch with Angela...

----------------------

Chapter 18

I was looking forward to lunchtime today: for a very pleasant change, I was going out for Sunday lunch... with Angela. Which would mean I would be able to watch her eat. And get food stuck in her braces. Her lovely GOLDEN braces. Plus I'd get to see her remove her elastics, and maybe even see her put some new ones in again.

She had called me back yesterday evening, to tell me that we had a booking for 12:15 at The Falcon (it's proper name is "The Falcon Arms", but everyone seems to just call it 'The Falcon'!), and could I get to her place by noon.

Being a sunday, the traffic was light, and I arrived at 11:50, so in plenty of time. When she opened the door, she leaned towards me and gave me a quick 'peck' on my lips. "Come on in," she said with a smile - a lovely golden smile.

As I walked in, I took a look at her. I would describe her attire as casual but still quite smart. Her hair remained blonde (must ask her if it's natural - I couldn't see any telltale signs of dark roots), and I realised that her hair style was amazingly like the new haircut that Ellie had just got. Her top was white with thing black horizontal stripes, a colourful skirt down to her knees, and long knee-socks. She had an elegant bracelet on her left wrist, and a couple of simple rings on her fingers. Strangely though, she had some very practical trainers on her feet: of course, she had suggested a walk after lunch.

She clearly had several pairs of glasses, because today she was wearing some very different round black-framed glasses. Yes, that was a noticeable difference between Ellie and Angela: Ellie dressed comparitively 'plainly', whilst Angela was far bolder, clearly spending much more money on her clothes (or maybe she got some of them given, to show off on her YouTube channel?)

"It's nice to see you again" I said. She smiled, letting me see a little gold between her lips, then went and grabbed a lightweight jacket.

"We might as well get there early, the worst that can happen is that we have to sit and drink extra booze!".

Lunch of course was carvery, and very good it was too: I went for the roast beef (don't get that all that often!), and a load of nicely cooked vegetables, Angela chose the pork. As we ate, we chatted, mainly about work, what I was doing, what she had been doing. Whilst we looked at the (rather nice) desert menu, we both decided not to.

After lunch, we went for a walk. It took about 10 minutes to get to the river, then it was a lovely walk alongside the river. After walking for about 30 minutes, we came across a seat, and sat down for a rest.

"You know, this was a good idea," I commented.

"Yes, it is a rather nice walk....". She took my hand in hers. "Look, I'm not 100% sure how to say this, but.... I've been in a couple of relationships this last year, but they both ended up a bit badly...".

"Oh, what happened" I asked.

"I guess it came down to a lack of trust. Keeping secrets, telling lies. Look, Justin, I'm enjoying spending time with you, but I need to ask you to be honest with me."

Ok, I could probably do that, except.... what do I say about Ellie? "Ok, well, I can think of a couple of things I maybe ought to mention."

"Do tell...."

"Well, you know I've seen Ellie a few times. When you rang me yesterday, we'd just had lunch together, and did a bit of shopping together. She wanted to show me her new haircut...". Well, that was 100% true. I just left out the bit about the goodbye kiss. But maybe that's sort-of implied. let's be honest, when I saw Angela, I gave her a goodbye kiss too.

"Is it serious?" she asked me.

"Not at the moment, no. No more serious than you and me, I guess.". Angela smiled at that news - she realised that there was definitely a chance that we could end up going out together, certainly something I think I'd be happy with.

"Ok. You said you had a couple of things...."

"Yeah... right". Oh, this is difficult. It was so easy with Ellie, but I guess I know Ellie a bit better than Angela. "You, see.... it's like this...".

She could see I was feeling awkward, so took my hand in both of hers. "Hey, I can't actually think of much that would upset me, unless you're something like a murderer... I really hope you're not a murderer!". That made me laugh, as well as making me realise that my 'secret' wasn't actually THAT bad.

I looked straight at her. "I have a bit of a thing for braces, and girls with braces.". There, I've said it!

"Ah.... right... yes, that DOES explain a few things!" She made a point of smiling widely straight at me, letting me see both her upper and lower golden braces. Yes, a nice sight! "So you like my braces then??" She didn't seem to be upset, worried or anything about my revelation. "I guess it's no worse than a guy having a thing for buxom girls or something like that."

"Yes, it IS a bit like that. I'm not sure why - in the same way that guys who like buxom girls probably don't know why either - but yes, it's a nice sight for me. And the fact that you have golden brackets makes it extra special for me."

"Hmmm... I don't suppose that might explain why you've been seeing Ellie too, would it? You're attracted to her braces too, aren't you?" Hell, I couldn't really deny that one, could I?

"I can not deny it, yes..." I took a breath. "So, you're ok with my 'strangeness'?". Angela smiled again for me.

"Well, it's going to be easier for me to smile for you than having to make my cleavage look bigger," she joked. "I guess it's my turn now, isn't it? I have a bit of a secret, and I really hope you're going to be ok with it. The good news is that I'm not a murderer either. However, I am a mother: I have a ten year old daughter..."

Woah, talk about 'little secrets': that was a rather big little secret. But half a moment, where IS the kid? Ok, I've not seen a lot of Angela's house, but a 10 year old in a house is gonna be hard to miss.

"Ok... I'm guessing she doesn't live with you then?"

"No, she doesn't. Maybe it's easier if I explain the full story."

"Sure, go on..."

"So, I met Chris when I was 17, and a few months later I found I was pregnant. Back then we thought we were madly in love with each other, so he proposed to me, and we got married shortly after I was 18. Sally arrived about 3 months later." She paused a moment. "I'm not really sure why, maybe it was to do with the fact that she had just 'ruined my life', but I never bonded with her. On the other hand, Chris did: Sally was the apple of his eyes, and he ended up giving her a lot of love that I didn't seem to be able to give her back then". Again she paused, and I decided to remain quiet, and let her continue her story.

"Chris and I lasted just over 5 years. We separated, then divorced, and I was quite ok with his suggestion that he should take custody of Sally. So, she officially lives with him, and his mum and aunt both help out - which wasn't too hard, as Sally had started school by then."

"I assume you get to see her regularly?"

"Oh, yeah, luckily our separation was surprisingly civilised, so whilst there's an official document in place, we're pretty flexible about looking after her. So, initially, I had problems bonding with Sally, but a couple of years ago, when she was about 8, she started to become her 'own person', and we started to get on really well, and we both quite enjoy each other's company now. She's a bright girl too, and amazingly mature for her age."

"How did she cope with the divorce?"

"Amazingly well. She knows that she's always welcome at my place, and she sometimes brings her friends back to play after school. So whilst I officially have her every other weekend, I'll often help out by taking her at other times, I can usually plan it around my work quite ok. And sometimes she'll call me, and ask if she can come over after school - maybe she and her dad exchanged words in the morning! As long as Chris and I both know, it's not a big deal. She has her own bedroom, and she keeps plenty of spare clothes at my place."

Well, yes, this WAS a bit of a biggie, and how I REALLY felt about it might actually depend on what this 'Sally' was actually like. Some 10 year olds can be a right pain, but I remember my cousin, she was pretty ok when she was 10.

"You've not run away then?". I smiled at Angela's comment.

"No, not yet, I'll maybe do that when I meet her!"

"Oh, don't worry, she really IS a cutie, I'm sure you'll get on ok. And when she's not there... well, you've seen: I'm my own person. So, if I can put up with your braces interests, you gonna try and accept that I have a daughter?"

"I'll give it a go..."

"Thanks!". She leaned over to me, and put her lips to mine, and moments later we were kissing, with my tongue exploring her braces. now that Angela understood my love of braces, she seemed to be very relaxed about letting me investigate her golden brackets with my tongue.

I have always said, "Write what you feel like reading, not what you think other people want to read."

So, when I finished my Serina (the witch) story, someone did ask if I was going to continue it. So, taking what Braceface2015 said there, I decided that I AM going to continue it at some point. It will be a MASSIVE fairies / witches (and the other 5 realms too) crossover, but with very little braces content, but should be fun to write. And I CAN say that the witch's prophecy will be fulfilled!

Keep up the good work @sparky, really enjoying this story!