You're kidding," Penny said, blinking.

Camille stretched her arms over her head like a cat. "Nope. We were gonna get messy tonight anyway--just a light scene. We've got some pies in the fridge, a few cartons of pudding, and some leftover slime from last weekend."

Darcy chimed in, pulling open the fridge with a flourish. "Banana cream, chocolate, and a cherry monstrosity that's basically just jam in a crust. Wanna try one?"

Penny sat frozen for a moment, heart pounding.

"Wait. You mean now?"

Darcy grinned. "We believe in striking while the curiosity's hot."

Camille sat beside her again, voice softer now. "No pressure, Penny. We'll tarp the living room. You don't have to strip. You don't even have to say yes. But if you want to feel what it's like--to get hit with a pie, to laugh and squirm and let yourself go a little--we'd love to share that."

"You could even pie me first," Darcy offered, cocky and relaxed. "So you know what it feels like to do it. No expectations."

Penny licked her lips. Her head felt like static. "I I think I want to."

"Fuck yes," Camille whispered, giving her hand a squeeze. "C'mon, new girl. Let's make a mess."

--

Ten minutes later, the living room had transformed. A heavy tarp blanketed the floor. Towels lined the couch. Camille had set up a plastic bin near the edge for cleanup. Penny stood in the corner of the room wearing an old T-shirt Darcy had tossed her, her jeans rolled up, barefoot and bouncing on her toes.

Darcy stood center-stage, grinning like she'd just won a bet. "Ready?"

Penny held the banana cream pie in both hands like it was radioactive. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Oh baby," Darcy said, "that's kind of the point."

Penny laughed. A short, breathy, totally surprised sound.

Camille, filming with her phone for private use only (she promised), called out: "Three two one"

SMACK.

The pie exploded against Darcy's face in a glorious, sloppy splatter. Crust crumbled down her chest. Cream oozed into her tank top. Her jaw dropped in exaggerated shock, and she wiped her eyes dramatically, licking a glob off her cheek.

Penny gasped--then burst out laughing.

Darcy pointed a pudding-slick finger at her. "You're next, baby doll."

Penny barely had time to squeak before Camille stepped behind her, holding a chocolate pie like a gift.

"You sure?" Camille whispered at her ear.

Penny nodded. "Wreck me."

SPLAT.

It hit square in the face. Cold, thick, sticky. It coated her vision. It dripped down her neck. It shocked her. And then--

She giggled.

Then laughed harder.

Then practically screamed with glee.

"Oh my god," Penny gasped, wiping her eyes. "This is ridiculous!"

Darcy tackled her into a careful, squelching hug. "Welcome to the fucking club."

Camille looked down at the two of them, smiling wide. "So, still curious?"

Penny wiped pudding off her nose, breathless. "I think I might be in love."