Alissa nodded, "Mother says girls my age are touchy because they're between being a child and a grown-up, I suppose it's all the same thing." she reasoned.

"Yes, that is a simpler way to explain it," Randy replied with a nod.

"I don't know if I can face mama's friends again.....I mean...they saw me," she said, tears threatening to spill from her eyes again.

"I understand," Randy said quietly, though all he truly understood about it was that humans seemed to have some irrational fear of being seen nude except in very specific situations. "But I am sure they will forget all about it. Accidents happen."

Alissa buried her face in his shirt and sniffled, "This has been an awful day!"

He gave her a hesitant pat on the back. "It will get better."

Alissa nodded, "I hope so," she gave him a squeeze and rubbed her face against his chest.

After a moment's silence, Randy asked, "Would you like to come and share dinner with me?"

Alissa wiped her eyes and nodded, giving him a weak smile, "That would be lovely..."

"I hope it hasn't gone too cold by now," Randy murmured as he led the way back to his room where the tray was still waiting.

the food was quiet cold, but it was still pleasant and enjoyable and by the time the evening was done Alissa seemed to have forgotten her woes and she gave Randy his kiss on the cheek as she always had.

Randy beamed and bid her goodnight, pleased with the apparent success (however shaky) of his attempt.

The next few months progressed peacefully until a full year had passed and soon it was approaching Alissa's fifteenth birthday.

Randy had kept record of all of the progress made during that time, and noted fondly how much Alissa had grown. She was developing into a beautiful young woman and he was happy to play an important role in her life.

Alissa, for her part, had begun to notice just how large and muscular Randy was and whenever she was near him she'd feel a fluttering in her stomach and she found herself wanting to look nice for him and attract his attention.

While Randy had noticed how she had developed, the thought of his being anything more than her friend--and in some ways perhaps even a father figure--had not occurred to him. She was still a child, and he still intended to help her study and look after her as usual.