[R682]

(With acknowledgement due to Tamae, for the basic idea, and an awesome comic)

The summer stretched before them like a boundless ocean; warm, soft and gentle. College was behind them now for six long weeks, free of exams, work or stress. Instead, time to relax, kick back and take stock after a full year of pressure.

Indeed, Sandra had finished completely with such things, and was more than prepared therefore to consider herself a huge step above her younger sister, Dakota, who was only at the end of her first year. Not that Sandra had any intention of starting to look for work until this summer was at its end. She'd earned that much, as far as she was concerned. Especially for the time being, as the two girls watched their parents' car make its cheerful departure from the driveway. Living at home all through college might have been far cheaper, but it had its drawbacks when it came to private time and space. A two week parental vacation was something to be cherished, even if it stung a little that their parents hadn't even tried to invite them to come along.

Now Sandra made her way back to the computer, sat down in the easy chair and leaned back with a satisfied sigh. What were her plans for the next two weeks? She hadn't even got that far. She wondered if Dakota would stay out of her way. No doubt she had her own little plans. Still, it was kind of nice to still have somebody about to kick around. Her little sister was no real threat to Sandra; especially not considering some of the things she knew about her.

There was a polite cough at the doorway, and Sandra looked up to see Dakota standing there, almost as if summoned by her thoughts. Well, well. It actually looked as if she might already have something to say.