Betty's besties

The living room of the small college apartment was a cozy mess of mismatched furniture, fairy lights strung haphazardly across the walls, and a coffee table littered with empty wine bottles and half-eaten bowls of popcorn. The air was thick with the sweet tang of cheap rosé and the faint hum of a playlist Laura had curated—soft indie tunes that felt like a warm hug. Betty, Laura, and Shannon sprawled across the worn couch and floor, their laughter echoing as the night grew looser, their cheeks flushed from the wine.

Betty, her dark hair spilling over her shoulders, leaned back against the couch, clutching a glass that was dangerously close to spilling. “Okay, okay,” she said, her voice slurring just enough to betray her buzz. “You guys wanna know something wild? Like, something I’ve never told anyone?”

Laura, perched cross-legged on the floor, raised an eyebrow under her short, hazelnut-brown hair, which fell in a tousled bob just above her shoulders. Her sharp green eyes glinted with curiosity and a spark of playful villainy, her slim frame leaning forward, a mischievous smirk tugging at her full lips. “Oh, this better be good, Betty. Spill it. What’s the juiciest secret you’ve been hiding?”

Shannon, lounging on a beanbag with her long blonde braid slightly undone, propped herself up on her elbows. Her curvy figure strained against her soft hoodie, her blue eyes flickering with warmth and a hint of intrigue as they darted to Betty’s breasts, hugged by a tight shirt. “Yeah, come on. We’ve known you since, what, eighth grade? You can’t possibly have secrets left.”

Betty bit her lip, her gaze darting between her two best friends. The warmth of the wine and the safety of their shared history loosened the knot in her chest. She took a deep breath, then let it out in a rush. “Okay, fine. But you guys cannot judge me, alright? Promise?”

“Promise,” Laura said immediately, leaning forward with a cold curiosity.

“Swear on my grandma’s secret cookie recipe,” Shannon added, raising her hand solemnly, though her grin betrayed her.

Betty hesitated, then set her glass down, her hands fidgeting in her lap. “So… I kinda love running naked in the woods.”

The room went silent for a beat, the only sound the faint strumming of a guitar from the speakers. Then Laura burst out laughing, clapping a hand over her mouth. “Wait, what? Like, fully naked? In the woods?”

Shannon’s eyes widened, but her smile was warm, not mocking. “Hold up. You’re serious? Like, no clothes, just… running around like some forest nymph?”

Betty’s cheeks burned, but she nodded, a shy smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah. I started doing it a couple of years ago, back home.” She hesitated waiting for any further judgement but continued when her best friends remained silent to listen for more. “There’s this forest near my parents’ place, super secluded, barely any trails people use. I’d sneak out at dawn or late evening, strip down, and just… run. It’s like, I don’t know, shedding everything—school stress, expectations, all that crap. It feels… free.”

Laura tilted her head with a thoughtful expression. “Throwing off the shackles of society or whatever. You little naughty thing.”

“Ah, so many girls do way naughtier things for sororities.” Shannon waved it off, nudging Laura with her foot. “I am happy for you, Betts.” She underlined her statement with a warm, genuine smile towards Betty. But then her mind wandered and soon did her look drop to Betty’s chest again. She quickly looked up this time clearly caught by her bestie. Both burst out in a short laughter, until Shannon changed the topic. “But isn’t it chilly? Don’t you get cold? Or, I dunno, worried someone’s gonna see you? What happens if you get caught?!”

Betty shrugged, her smile growing more confident. “I have gotten used to mildly low temperatures, and I mostly do short runs. But the risk, that’s a whole different topic. The possibility gives me a roller-coaster in my stomach, pretty much like falling in love, just on my own.” She grinned before getting serious on the facts. “But I’m careful. I stick to the least-used paths, and I’ve never been caught. I don’t wanna be seen, though the thoughts and tiniest risk give me wonderful goosebumps. In the end, it’s quite freeing dropping clothes and all caution and concerns from daily life for once. Sometimes, I really need that breather.”

Laura leaned back, sipping her wine, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. “Okay, I’m obsessed with this. You’re like a secret woodland slut. We need to see this in action.”

Shannon nodded, her grin mischievous. “Yeah, that sounds wonderful! You can’t just drop this bomb and not let us witness the magic. When’s your next run? We’re coming with.”

Betty’s eyes widened. “What? No way, you guys don’t have to—”

“Oh, we’re coming,” Laura interrupted, her tone firm. “We’re your best friends. If you’re out there living your truth, we’re gonna support it. Right, Shan?”

“Damn right,” Shannon said, raising her glass. “To Betty, our naked forest queen!”

Betty groaned, burying her face in her hands, but her laughter bubbled through. “You guys are ridiculous. But… fine. Next weekend, there’s this trail about twenty minutes’ drive from campus. Super quiet, barely anyone goes there. If you’re serious, you can come.”

The following Saturday, the three friends piled into Laura’s beat-up hatchback, the car rattling as they drove toward the edge of town. The late afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting golden streaks across the winding road. Betty sat in the passenger seat, her knee bouncing nervously, a backpack with a towel and a water bottle stuffed inside. Laura and Shannon, dressed in leggings and hoodies, chattered excitedly in the back, their energy infectious.

“You sure we’re alone here?” Laura asked, glancing at Betty as she parked near a dirt trailhead half-hidden by overgrown ferns.

“Positive,” Betty said, though her voice held a hint of nerves. “I’ve been here a few times. It’s like the forest forgot this trail exists. People certainly did.”

Shannon hopped out, stretching her arms and her whole curvy body. “Alright, forest goddess, lead the way.”

The trail was narrow, dappled with sunlight and lined with towering pines and thick underbrush. The air smelled of earth and moss, and the only sounds were the rustle of leaves and the distant call of a bird. Betty led them a good distance in, her steps sure despite the flutter in her chest. When they reached a small clearing, she stopped, turning to face her friends.

“Okay,” she said, her voice soft but steady. “This is where I usually… you know.”

“… get naked.” Laura finished the unspoken. She grinned, plopping down on a fallen log with Betty’s backpack. “Go for it. We’re just here for moral support.”

Shannon nodded, sitting beside Laura. “Yeah, no pressure. Pretend we’re not even here.”

Betty rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress her smile. She kicked off her sneakers, then hesitated, glancing at them. “You guys sure you’re cool with this?”

“Betty,” Laura said, her tone gentle but firm, “we’re here because we love you. Do your thing.”

Betty took a deep breath, her fingers trembling with a mix of nerves and excitement as she peeled off her hoodie, revealing the tight curve of her breasts beneath a thin shirt. She slipped the shirt over her head, her long, dark hair cascading down her back, brushing just past her shoulder blades, not quite long enough to cover the rosy peaks of her nipples, which tightened in the cool forest air. Her pants followed, sliding down her toned legs, and finally, her underwear—a simple black pair—joined the neat pile. She stood bare under the dappled canopy, her smooth skin glowing faintly in the golden light. Goosebumps prickled across her arms and thighs; her cheeks flushed a soft pink from both the chill and the thrill. Her bare mound, hairless and sleek, caught a fleeting glint of sunlight, accentuating the delicate curve of her hips. For a moment, she stood still, her breath shallow, feeling the weight of her friends’ gazes and the exhilarating freedom of being utterly exposed.

“Wow,” Shannon whispered, her voice soft with awe. “You look… beautiful. I wasn’t aware you are shaving everywhere.”

Betty grinned, a spark of mischief in her eyes. “Permanent laser hair removal.”

When she saw Betty’s happy reaction, Shannon dared to ask. “Betts, since this is the first time you are so open to us, would you mind me take a picture? For the memory. Well, for myself actually.” She straightened herself up, gathering some courage and gave it some comical official tone. “Betty Harper, I hereby admit I admire your body.” Then she dropped the charade. “Really sexy, Betts. Especially like this.”

There was a moment of silence. All of them usually were quite concerned of lewd pictures of themselves, for a good reason given the current world of social media, eternal amateur galleries, exposure pages, and revenge porn. On the other hand, Betty was only nude without any action or context, and these were her besties. “Sure, Shan. But only for yourself, okay? Alright, I’m gonna run a loop. You guys can walk the path if you want, or just chill here. Catch my wiggling butt in a video if you can.”, provocatively turning into the woods.

“Already on it.”, Laura whispered to herself, holding up her recording phone since a while.

Betty took off, her bare feet light on the soft earth, her body moving with a primal grace, her soles already used to the rough terrain. Her long, dark hair streamed behind her, swaying with each stride, occasionally brushing against her bare shoulders but never quite covering her breasts, which bounced softly with her motion, her nipples still taut from the cool air. Her skin, kissed by the dappled sunlight, shimmered with a faint sheen of sweat, her curves fluid and unhindered as she wove through the trees. After a few minutes, Laura and Shannon spotted her darting between trunks, her laughter ringing like a bell on the breeze. She played a quick game of hide-and-seek with herself, her lithe form ducking behind pines, her bare hips swaying as she leaped over gnarled roots, utterly free in her nakedness. Laura and Shannon watched her disappear into the trees, following with their camera eyes.

“She’s really something, plus she has courage.” Laura murmured, dropping the phone and leaning back on her hands.

Shannon nodded, her eyes looking into the void. “Yeah. I kinda get why she loves it. It’s like… a much purer self of her. I haven’t seen her as happy and fulfilled in a while … maybe not ever.”

“And she is having some naked fun without requiring any douchebag dude.”, Laura pointed out, bringing Shannon back to this world.

They both giggled, took Betty’s backpack, and followed the path at a leisurely pace, keeping an eye out for any signs of other hikers. The trail remained blissfully empty, just as Betty had promised. When she rejoined them, slightly breathless and glowing with adrenaline, she held a small branch she’d picked up. “Found this,” she said, twirling it playfully.”

“And you had to pick it up like a dog “, Laura twitted her, taking the stick and tossing it far way. “Go fetch, then!”

Betty gasped, mock-offended, and hesitated. She hadn’t meant it that way. But then she sprinted a few steps for the tossed stick, slowed down in between, but got her pace up again for the final steps, picked up the stick and quickly returned it to Laura.

“Good doggie!”, Shannon praised her compliance with a pitched voice.

Laura snorted, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous. But also… this is kinda fun. Though dogs return the stick in their mouth. Let’s see if you comply again like a little bitch “, tossing the stick again, this time into a bush. Laura ran without sprinting, trying to keep up the pace the whole time. When she reached the bush, she had to fight with her arms through it to find the stick. She put it between her teeth before return to Laura, waiting for her bestie to take it out with hands resting behind her back.

But Laura wanted more: “No, bitch, put your arms up like a begging dog.”

Betty rolled her eyes reluctantly, but finally complied with a puppy look out of the movies.

“Look, Shannon. Isn’t she adorable?”, invited Laura.

“You are right, Laura. That’s quite a scene and totally worth a picture.”, snapped Shannon behind her phone camera.

Now Laura relieved Betty’s teeth of the stick and gently slapped her cheek. “Well played, nature slut.”, starting a contagious laughter her besties couldn’t resist to join in.

When the fun faded, Laura stated: “Since you carried the backpack anyway, Laura, can you give me my clothes back, please?”

“Don’t you usually get back at them at the clearing, Betts?”, Shannon asked.

“Yes”, Laura replied, “I just thought …”

“Well, then let’s keep it this way.”, Laura pressed, earning an accepting, shoulder-sunk sigh from Betty, who started her first, unenthusiastic steps back.

“Not so fast, Betty Harper!”, Laura stopped her, a pair of handcuffs dangling from her hand.

Betty’s jaw dropped in shock, when she turned back: “I … I must have left these in the backpack. I just thought … maybe one day … but I never used them, I swear!”

“Betts!”, Shannon shouted astonished, but her face quickly turned into a wide grin, “I didn’t know. I bet they’d make you even sexier.”

“Today is the day”, Laura commanded, “Come here and turn around, bitch.” She grabbed her easy victim’s arms behind the back and snapped the cuffs around the wrists. “Now you are caught! Would be a pity not to use them. Let’s take you for a bit more of a walk. Shannon, worth a picture?!”

“Of course,” Shannon broke out of her gaze, “From dog to prisoner. You are a real shapeshifter, Betts.”, she giggled.

Laura couldn’t resist to join the laughter. ‘Somehow, I was the one buying the cuffs’, she thought to herself and gave in to the additional time. She usually wouldn’t have lasted so short anyways. Laura and Shannon walked her so far along the trail, Betty wasn’t sure anymore if she had ever gotten that far, or more important, explored how safe it was here. The still abandoned trail calmed her mind but not her pounding heart. Despite being with her besties, the usual thrill of possibly being caught by any stranger here kicked in again. ‘It would probably be a man, pretty much eager to exploit the situation’, she imagined.

“Isn’t it enough?”, Betty asked, “I gotta pee.”

“You are right. Better stop when it’s the peak of fun.”, Laura admitted.

As they knew her, Shannon had to drop her praise and thanks now: “You have done so well, Betts. I am so happy for you seeing you this alive. I really appreciate that you shared that with us. Literally.”, waving her phone.

“But first you are going to pee, Betty.”, Laura shocked both her besties.

“Here?!”, Betty couldn’t believe it.

“Yes, here, slut.”, Laura confirmed her order. Fortunately, her besties were used to her occasionally foul language and insults among friends, though they didn’t share this attitude. It often helped getting things done or demands fulfilled. She explained, “There’s no-one around watching us and you don’t spoil your clothes. Where else would you go pee once you are back and dressed. Or can you hold it until the clearing and the whole way back?”

‘She’s right’, Betty had to admit, though the thought of it was embarrassing. She might have done it on her own when alone, but never did. Here and now though, at the presence of her besties, this was something completely different! There seemed to be no way out of it, though. Laura had the keys and Shannon had already readied her phone, so there seemed no way getting Shannon on her side not to do it. Betty sighed, her cheeks burning a deeper shade of pink as she glanced around, ensuring the trail was still empty. She squatted, her toned thighs parting slightly, her smooth, hairless mound exposed under the watchful eyes of her friends. Her breath hitched, nerves and thrill warring within her, her skin prickling with goosebumps as the cool air teased her bare flesh. For a moment, she was blocked, her body tensing under the weight of their gazes and the lenses of their phones.

Laura’s voice broke through, commanding, “State your full name for the records, bitch, and tell us what you’re doing here.”

Betty looked into Laura’s phone camera, her voice trembling with a mix of defiance and arousal. “I am Betty Harper, naked, and peeing in the wild while being watched.”

Laura pressed, “And how does it feel?”

Betty’s lips parted, her eyes half-lidded as a warm, trickling stream finally escaped, glistening briefly in the sunlight before soaking into the earth. “I hate and love it,” she confessed, her voice husky, her body trembling with the raw intensity of vulnerability and exhilaration.

That business done, the three walked back in silence, through the beauty and pure nature of the left alone forest. When they reached the clearing, Shannon unlocked Betty and Laura handed her the clothes. With the start of a mild rain, the atmosphere dropped, and the friendly banter of three besties started again.

“You should have seen yourself, Betty! You were a breathtaking sight.”, Shannon praised her again. “Wait, I could show you “, she laughingly remembered her recordings.

A smiling Betty shook her head. “I didn’t know you like my look so much.”

When Laura opened the door for Betty, she addressed her pretty much in private: “It’s the truest self I have ever seen you being, Betts.”

Back in the car with a started engine, Betty was ready to admit: “Guys, thank you so much. For your understanding, for your support, but also, for joining me today. This has felt amazing!” She began to mumble: “I mean … maybe not all of it … certainly not at once … but …”

“Surely should do this again, toots.”, Laura interrupted her while turning around to park out and turn the car.