She drew in a long breath, relieved to have left behind the heavy moodthat reigned in the stairwell.She changed into something more comfortable - tank...top and skirt - andbegan to take stock of the room's condition. The worst of the damage hadbeen suffered by the table and the cushion on which she was sitting theprevious night. They were heavily burned and she would have had to throwthem away.The rest of the room, including her bed, was covered by a thin layer ofash, probably the remains of. "Then I had to explain putting Karl in the hospital. Once he learned the details he laughed and said, "I bet he thinks twice before he tries raping another girl. I'm surprised, though. I thought Lisa had all the balls. I'm really impressed."I was feeling all warm and fuzzy about that when he said, "Sister Benedict called me at work today. How long have you known that you were going to be the class valedictorian?"I shrugged and said, "I don't know, probably since we took the midterms. It was. I shouldn’t tell you this. We barely know each other.”“It’s okay. I’m glad you’re so comfortable with me as to tell me.”“I don’t either.” She seemed disappointed to admit that.Jack held his breath and dived in. “Except me. I do the same thing.”“What? You like cigarettes too? It’s kind of a strange fetish sort of thing. You’re not joking, are you?”“Not joking in the slightest. I love Winstons.”“Oh, god, so do I. It makes me want one now.”“Me too. Would you like to go to my place? I have a carton. “How can I with you standing there?” she said bluntly. He smiled again before turning around. Den hesitated for a moment and then quickly slipped the gown around her. As she tied the belt she looked up and realised that he was standing in front of the large wall mirror. He was grinning. He had seen everything; seen the nakedness that was meant to be for her fiancés eyes only. Of course it was only tit-for-tat. She had seen him naked earlier that evening. He was the leader of the ‘Stripping.