The tall blonde woman entered the Green Chapel Mall via the door at the east entrance, dragging the smaller look-alike girl by the hand. No one paid attention to the pair. That scene plays out many times a day in malls all over the country. What made this unique was the girl was not a three-year-old toddler or even a six-year-old brat. No, the child had just celebrated her twelfth birthday the week before, making the preteen practically an adolescent, though you couldn't tell it by her attitude.
"Mommy, I don't want to go in there," the girl cried, loud enough for anyone around to hear.
"Hush, Dori Anne. Be quiet."
"But nobody ever goes into the mall from this door down here. If anyone sees me, I'll be the laughingstock of school."
While in other malls that might have a ring of truth, nothing could be further from reality at Green Chapel. The east end of the mall had little foot traffic, the huge department store that served as its anchor a distant memory, as were its customers. The specialty shops that surrounded it had either moved to better locations on the west end or gone out of business also. Only an art warehouse, open by appointment only, and a portrait studio used during the Christmas season even had signs. While the senior citizen walking brigade might venture to that end, those old fogies rarely attended public school. Dori Anne's secret was surely safe.
Once inside the dimly lit corridor, the girl caught sight of something unexpected. A small storefront glowed faintly purple. As though it called to them, the pair approached the solitary opening not closed off by a security grate. Dori Anne marveled at the two display windows guarding the entrance, the only two with glass showing instead of decades-old Coming Soon plywood signs covering them.
Each display featured a mannequin with a life-like face and hair, not much bigger than Dori Anne. The one to the left wore a simple cotton sundress, the white fabric barely reaching mid-thigh. She liked the rainbow of horizontal lines giving it an accent along with the silver choker with the sparkly blue stone. To the right, the twin mannequin wore black, in this case a leather jacket and long pants covering a tee shirt. The most intriguing part was the two-inch wide matching dog collar complete with silver spikes. The two models couldn't have been more different.
No longer struggling, her mother let go of the girl's hand. "Well?"
"I love, love that dress. It would make Jenna sooo jealous."
"You want to make your best friend jealous?" Her mother chuckled. "Now, you are sounding like a proper young teenager." She then gestured for her daughter to enter the store.
Numb from the discovery, the girl barely noticed the temporary banner over her head proclaiming the store as Forever 12.
Across the threshold and inside the security barriers, the store continued the theme of low illumination. Dori Anne strained to make out the dozen or so racks, evenly divided by a center aisle leading back to a well-lit checkout counter. To the left, the racks held lighter-colored garments, some for sundresses, another group for crop tops and short shorts, still another set for sleeveless tees and short skirt sets. To the right, the dark colors almost obscured the heavier outfits. The only anomaly, a rack of mid-length dresses, in pastel hues, hid behind the leather.
As she perused the selections, she noted that none of the garments had size tags. In fact, she never saw clothes for younger kids, or even juniors. Everything would fit her. This realization sent shivers up her spine.
At the end of the racks, Dori Anne spied the only other person in the place. Sitting on a high stool with a paperback in hand, the clerk with wild blue hair wore a conservative lime polo shirt with a thin black band just below her chin. What a contrast.
"Welcome to Forever 12," said the clerk, her face barely looking old enough to be in high school. "I'm Sybil. What can I help you with today?"
"I'm Mrs. Henry Grey and this is my daughter, Dori Anne."
"Dori Anne? That's…"
"Yeah, I was named for a freakin' fish," snapped the girl. "Get over it."
Sybil simply smiled. "I was going to say how marvelously unique it was for such a pretty young lady."
"A lady, she is not," said the mother. "Though I wish she experienced the pleasures of the world. My daughter thinks having her nosed glued to her phone is the ultimate in fun."
"And why did you bring her here?"
"I read an article about your philosophy. I grew up in a family that, let us say, were rather open to nonconformity. My grandparents met at Woodstock and all."
The clerk giggled. "Our founder had a similar upbringing. That's why he started our stores. He believes in the power and potential of young girls." She turned to Dori Anne. "Would you like to have the most fun a person can possibly experience without any worries or responsibilities?"
"I…I guess," the girl answered, glancing at her mother.
"Then you have come to the right place." Sibyl gestured to the racks behind them. "Did either side appeal to you?"
"I…I liked the sundress in the window," answered Dori Anne.
"A fine choice. How would you like a wardrobe filled with sundresses like that along with other fashions to make every other teenager envious?"
"Well, yeah."
Sybil turned back to the woman. "You came to the right place." She unlocked the panel on the top of the counter and slid it open. Underneath she revealed a collection of silver chokers and black collars. "We'll start with these. More times accessories are an afterthought. Here at Forever 12, they are more of a jumping on spot. Dori Anne, which style of neckwear do you like better?"
"Definitely the choker," said the wide-eyed girl.
"I expected as much," said Sybil as she spread the silver bands on the countertop. "They go much better with the light colors. Now, I have to ask you this. Don't be embarrassed, but have you had your first period?"
Dori Anne turned bright red. Of all the shops she had been in, that subject had never ever come up. "No," she said meekly.
"Good," said Sybil, returning two of the chokers to their hiding place. "The precocious ones occasionally pose a problem. Now, which of these do you like?"
"Can I try this one?" Dori Anne pointed to the one with the blue stone, matching the one in the display window.
"It would go well with your blue eyes. Turn around please so I can put it on you."
The girl spun around and felt the cold metal touch her skin. From her mother's expression, she knew it would be perfect. Turning back, she looked into the mirror.
"I've never looked so beautiful," the preteen girl exclaimed.
"How much is it?" asked her practical mother. The clerk pointed to a price tag. "Oh my. That's almost as much as her college fund."
"But well worth it," said Sybil. "The years of happiness she will experience outweigh any education she might get in a stuffy college."
"It promises to be what I missed out on," said the mother with a soft sigh. She leaned forward and gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead. "This is for you, my darling."
Dori Anne felt her mother's fingers on her neck just before hearing a soft click. Her mind went blank for a second before she experienced a flash. In an instant, the room became brightly lit, every color more vibrant than possible. A pleasant fragrance wafted through the room, a bit musky yet intoxicating. All around, in notes of music, a symphony of love drifted here and there.
"She'll need these," said Sybil, handing the mother a pair of glasses. "Her heightened sense of sight will take some getting used to."
Putting the glasses on, Dori Anne noted a slight red tinge everywhere she looked. They made the world rosy. "What…what happens next?" she asked.
"Go to the racks and begin picking out your wardrobe. Start with a week's worth. When you have some, bring them to the fitting room and I will help you. Mrs. Grey, you may find this boring. If you go to the food court, we will meet you there in about an hour."
"Goodbye, my darling." The woman departed the store, leaving Dori Anne alone with the clerk.
Dori Anne headed straight to the rack of sundresses, picking out the one from the display. She then turned to another rack, snagging a powder blue crop top and white shorts. To complete her look, she chose a silky mauve tee and green tartan skirt. With the three outfits in hand, she headed for the dressing area.
"Good choices," said the waiting Sybil.
"They kind of called out to me. I'll start with these. I just hope they fit."
"They will, guaranteed. Now, let's get you out of your old clothes."
Dori Anne wasn't used to undressing in front of anyone. Sure she did at Jenna's once for a slumber party. But that day she wore her best undies. This morning, she just threw on the top pair of panties in the drawer and the handiest training bra.
Turning her back toward the clerk, she began unbuttoning her shirt. "Please let me watch you," said Sybil. "It's nothing I haven't seen before. Besides, I can take mine off if that would make you less shy."
"Ok. But what if another customer comes in?"
Sybil giggled as she pulled the polo over her head. "They won't. I dropped the gate after your mother left. We won't be disturbed."
As the girl turned back and opened the shirt, she caught sight of the small breasts of the clerk. The mounds were barely larger than her own bee stings.
"I know what you are thinking," said Sybil. "I received my forever band after puberty kicked in. I was glad they only grew to A size. I won't ever have to worry about them drooping."
Still gawking, Dori Anne removed the shirt and dropped it on the floor. Carefully, she lifted the training bra over her head. "You can throw that in the can. Trust me, your little puffies have had all they training they will ever need."
Not understanding the significance, Dori Anne followed the command. She watched as the clerk reached forward, putting a thumb on each nipple, and gently rubbed them. Even that mere touch sent electrical waves pulsing through the preteen's body.
"That's just an inkling of your future," said Sybil. "Now, the rest."
Hooking her thumbs in the elastic holding up her jogging shorts, Dori Anne pulled them down her legs and kicked them away. Realizing she donned pink Barbie panties that morning, she hurriedly yanked down on their waistband. She felt more embarrassment about them than anything underneath.
While the girl hid behind her hands, the clerk unhooked her skirt and let it fall. "You aren't wearing panties," said the observant girl.
"You won't want to either. You'll love the freedom going commando gives to you. I have my monthly pairs, but you might not even need those." Sybil stepped forward, letting her body get close to her client. "Have you ever been with another girl before?"
"No," said Dori Anne, shaking her head.
"You can tell me the truth."
"Well, once at my best friend, Jenna's. We kinda kissed and…then, well…"
"Well, what?"
"We…we touched each other's …"
"Your pussies?"
"Yeah, pussies."
"Like this?" The clerk's fingers walked down Dori Anne's front from her breast to her groin. As a finger pushed between the closed lips, the girl flinched, her legs parting by themselves, to allow easier access to everything secret. The well-practiced digits located the sensitive point and triggered the preteen's pleasure system.
Dori Anne's legs failed her, causing her to fall back to the padded seat. Kneeling at the girl's feet, Sybil parted the knees wide enough to allow access to the virgin region. Hungrily, she dove into the pussy, licking the slit up and down until the flower opened. She continued until the preteen exploded in orgasm.
Afterward, as they cuddled together, Dori Anne said, "That was wonderful. Thank you."
"My pleasure, my dear." She gave her another kiss. "The first of many, I assure you. Many different partners, sharing love and lust."
"Then I'll be a slut?"
"That's just a word. You're just a person trying to find happiness." She looked at her watch. "We need to pick out the rest of your clothes. Your mother will be wondering what we are doing."
From behind the rosy glasses, those blue eyes glistened, ready to do anything the older girl told her to do, in hopes of just one more moment of ecstasy.
Mrs. Grey watched as her daughter approached, accompanied by the clerk from Forever 12. Between them the two girls wheeled a fully-loaded clothes rack. "Hi, Mommy," called out Dori Anne, squealing in glee.
"Did she clean out the store? I sure hope we have room in the car."
"There's a lot of outfits still available," said Sybil. "But Dori Anne now has a diverse wardrobe."
"I like the one she's wearing. You look just like the one in the display window."
"I know, Mommy. Isn't it beautiful?"
Her mother nodded, looking at her suddenly fashionable daughter. "I hope she doesn't outgrow them too soon."
Sybil shook her head as she sat down. "She won't. We have a very liberal return policy. If she wants to trade an outfit, she can bring it in and pick another."
"That's so generous."
"And because we like to see our clients, if Dori Anne brings in a friend, we'll give her or him an outfit."
"This is the absolutely bestest present ever," said Dori Anne as she hugged her mother. "I love you Mommy."
"I'm glad I dragged you here." Turning to the clerk, she said, "Thank you so much, Sybil."
"My pleasure."
As the Greys wheeled their purchases away, the clerk sat at the table. "See you soon," she whispered to no one. "I wonder if I should have told them everything." She shook her head. "Nah, I'll let them figure it out."
For the rest of the afternoon, Dori Anne organized the closets and dressers, trying to find anywhere to squeeze her windfall of clothes. Complicating everything were her boring school appropriate outfits. Knowing her principal, wearing any of the new things would earn a quick detention. But after she stepped into the house, it would be off with the old and on with the new duds. So she shifted some of her better clothes into the guest room, just in case. Most of the rest she bagged for charity.
While she sorted the sundresses, a knock came and her door opened. "Can I come in?" Jenna Wylde stuck her head into the room.
"Hey, Jenna. I was hoping you could come over." She crossed the room and gave her best friend a huge bear hug.
"Why do you have the shades drawn? What are you up to?"
"Nothing…yet. The sun's just too bright today." Dori Anne crossed the room and flipped the light switch.
"Wow, when did you get glasses?"
"Just ignore them. I needed help with the brightness. Instead, what do ya think?" She gestured to her new sundress and then spun around.
"That's so cute. I couldn't even see the panty lines." Dori Anne giggled and flipped up the hem on her dress. "Where are your undies?"
"Do I have a story to tell you." The girl gave her best friend the long version of her mall trip, leaving out the details about the changing room encounter. That would make better pillow talk later.
"I wish I had a cool sundress like yours."
"Perhaps, I could get one for you sometime. Until then, would you like to try on one of mine?"
"Could I? I could kiss you."
Dori Anne smiled as she handed her a yellow one. The kiss could wait until later.
The best friends spent the rest of the day hanging out, just being crazy. Their hands found ways to touch the other's body. The first few might have been accidents, but then it became a contest. By the time they said goodnight to Mrs. Grey, both girls were feeling more than a bit horny.
Upstairs Dori Anne closed the bedroom and flipped the lock. She thought about her best friend, knowing exactly what she wanted to do. How to entice the other girl? Now, that was the question.
"Did you get any cool pjs?" asked Jenna.
"Sorry. I hadn't thought about them." She couldn't recall seeing any at the new store. Besides, she figured she'd be sleeping in the nude from now on. "We'll figure something out."
Both girls stood there, shyly eyeing each other, nervously waiting for the other to suggest the next step. Finally, an idea struck Dori Anne. "Have you grown taller recently? I mean we used to be the same size, but today, I think I have to look up at you."
Jenna scowled at her strange friend, saying nothing. The other girl stepped over to her desk and picked up a pencil. "I'll go first," she said, stepping back to the door. With her back flat on the panel, she drew a line at the top of her head. "Your turn."
The girls exchanged positions though Dori Anne retained the pencil. "Stand up tall. And close your eyes."
Without complaint, Jenna prepared herself. The next thing she knew, a pair of moist lips touched hers. Without thinking, she reached out and pulled her host even closer. She opened her eyes to see an angel standing in front of her.
They kissed until their legs almost gave out. Dori Anne led her guest to her bed where they flopped down facing each other.
"I…I wanted to do that for so long," said Jenna. "Even before the slumber party. Had my brother not walked in on us…"
"James won't stop us tonight. I am going to do things to you. That is, if you want."
"I want you to…"
"To do what?"
"To fuck me. Please Dori Anne. Fuck me."
The girl rose from her bed, helping her friend up. "Let's get you out of that dress." Jenna lifted the yellow sundress over her head and laid it over the desk chair. "My turn," said Dori Anne and the white sundress joined the other. While she did so, Jenna unhooked her bra, letting fall to the ground, and the panties completed the pile.
"You're beautiful, Jenna," said the admiring girl.
"Then stop talking and fuck me."
Dori Anne pushed her best friend down onto the bed and proceeded to pleasure Jenna. Whether it was mimicking Sybil, or instinct, or some unexplained brilliance, but she had Jenna moaning when she sucked on her well-formed titties or her prominent clit. And when her visitor climaxed, the entire bed shook.
Holding the sleeping Jenna, the girl took a deep breath. That musky smell from before caught in her nose. Not exactly the same as what she noticed at the store, but still very strong. Perhaps it was the odor of sex.
Of course, now she knew the taste of sex was exquisite. Thank you, Jenna.
The next two weeks disappeared like a blur for Dori Anne. She spent all of her free time at school with Jenna, all of her daydreams thinking about Jenna, and all of her sleep lusting for Jenna. The sound of her whisper, the smell of her body, the mere mention of her name brought tingles to Dori Anne's pussy. If this is the stuff of love, play on.
The two girls shared the new wardrobe, enjoying their closeness and new-found popularity. The stylish clothes elevated them from the shadows to the most visible of her class. Even Victoria Lippencott and her posse acknowledged the pair, an impossible situation since the reigning popularity queen and her princesses of the school bowed to no one.
On Saturday, Mrs. Grey chauffeured the girls to Green Chapel and allowed them to visit the store by themselves. While sharing was nice, Dori Anne wanted to get Jenna her own special outfit. She also had a question or two for the clerk.
As they entered the dimly lit corridor, Jenna hesitated. The foreboding atmosphere sucked her courage out. Only buoyed by the presence of her lover would she continue.
The outer appearance of Forever 12 hadn't improved since the Greys were there originally. Inside the racks that Dori Anne raided had new items, some with even brighter colors and fashionable wear. Jenna's eyes grew wider than saucers, like a kid in a candy store.
Before examining the goods, the girls stepped to the sales counter. Sybil sat behind it, perched on a stool with a book in hand. "Welcome back to Forever 12," she said as she noticed Dori Anne eyeing the title: The Importance of Being Earnest. "I see you have a friend with you."
"My best friend, Jenna. And this is the best sales clerk in the world, Sybil."
"Is she the one you…" asked Jenna, admiring the beautiful worker.
"Yes," said Dori Anne.
"I…could…see…why."
Sybil blushed a little, something Dori Anne didn't expect. Recovering quickly, the clerk said, "As a friend of a valuable customer, you are entitled to select an outfit. Choose carefully."
While Jenna headed for the racks, Dori Anne hesitated at the counter. "Do you have a question?" asked Sybil.
"Yes," whispered the girl. "When Jenna first tried on one of my sundresses, she showed some…she got all horny. Why?"
"Your choker sends out a wave that is picked up by a tag in the outfit. You might not have noticed, but you have been a little more excited since I put it on you. The wave just amplifies the hormones already active. If she became attracted to you, the seed was already planted." Sybil let the information sink in before continuing. "Do you have another question?"
"I can't afford to get her a choker. Is there anything else that I could give her to show my feelings?"
"I could think of two possibilities, though you are a bit young to exchange rings." She opened up a panel on the counter an extracted a small silver orb. "This is a special gift. It also reacts to the wave from the choker, but it goes on the person, not in a garment."
"Where does it go?"
"I'll let you figure that out on your own."
"Ok. How much do I owe you?"
Sybil leaned over the counter. "To taste your lips once more, I'd give it to you."
Dori Anne snuck a peek at the distracted Jenna before closing her eyes and kissing the clerk.
"Jenna is the luckiest girl on this planet. Now, go help her decide. And let me know how my present works out."
For the next two months, the girls were inseparable. Weekend slumber parties turned into weekday sleepovers so often Jenna's mother joked about renting out her room. Their parents worried at first that their grades might suffer, but found the former daydreaming time converted into study group sessions. Their complementary strengths abolished their individual weaknesses.
About a month before summer vacation, Jenna's father announced a job transfer, devastating both girls. They pleaded not to be separated, but adult reason won out. Resigned, they began making plans for their remaining time together. Their nightly lovemaking became the twice a night intense fuck sessions. They crammed years of enjoyment into only twenty-seven days.
On the last night, with the Wylde household packed up, both families stayed with the Greys. The entire evening had the atmosphere of a funeral, all of the pleasant conversation and memories disappearing. Silence reigned.
Upstairs as they quietly prepared for bed, Dori Anne picked up a pencil. "Remember this?"
"Oh, yeah. The icebreaker. Let's do it one more time."
Dori Anne assumed the position while Jenna marked on the door. Then they changed places. Stepping back and holding each other, they examined the four marks.
"You've grown up on me yet again, Jenna," said the host girl. "At least another inch."
"You're just jealous." Frowning, she continued, "I'd say you're about the same."
"I just haven't hit that growth spurt yet. Besides, I love how your boobies have plumped out and all that new peach fuzz down there. I'm going to miss it."
"I remember thinking you were so perfect that first time we were naked together. You still are."
The two girls kissed, falling onto the bed. No longer naïve, they explored each other as they had ever since that first night. Tongues and fingers teased and fucked the other to a series of climaxes like they had never felt before. Or might never again.
As Dori Anne held her exhausted lover in her arms for one last time, her mind focused on one thing. She had not grown since that first night. Was she doomed to go through life forever twelve?
