Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 You all expect to see something above the story right....well here goes.

   My work is my work but it is for anybody who wants it to enjoy.  Copy
it, share it, do what you want but please don't claim it as your own.

   The work is fictional.  It may be based on reality but it should be
regarded as pure fiction.

   If you don't approve of young people exploring feelings and sensations
in a sexual way, or if such reading material is banned where you come from,
then read no further.

   OK then.....hope you enjoy the tale.  Any feedback can be sent to:

   Knjfriend(at)yahoo.co.uk (don't forget to adjust the (at)).
Musketeers: One:
Gary Basil, Mikey Lawrence, Jo Holloway and Kyle Sams had grown up

together.

   Years before their parents, amongst a group of 12 families in total, had
come together for a self build project.  Now the small community was
established in a small cul de sac on the outskirts of a Cornish market
town.

   The four children were all the same age when the project started and
formed a firm bond from the very earliest days.  One or other of the
parents had once referred to them as the Musketeers and the kids loved the
title.  Until recently, whenever play was over for the day, they would come
together, raise their imaginary swords above their heads and chant the
familiar line.

   "All for one and One for all!"

   Now, having spent half a term at the local comprehensive and having
learned to mix with their peers from other communities they were a little
more self-conscious and simply whispered the lines to each other in a form
of code.

   Despite the new mix of people at school and the pressures of homework
and natural peer pressure they had maintained their unseen bond throughout
the first half of the school term and continued to shun outsiders when the
opportunity presented itself for them to play together.

   The half term break had been kind to them.  Homework was not too heavy
and the weather was incredibly mild, even downright warm some days.  The
kids had revelled in each others company, played football, ridden their
bikes and engaged in periodic rough and tumbles as the mood took them.

   Some differences were apparent within the group, but only within the
group.  To their families and neighbours nothing had changed.  Today,
Friday, was Jo's birthday.

   For years birthdays had been celebrated in much the same way.  On the
birthday afternoon, or the closest weekend if necessary, the parents of the
birthday child would take the four out for food or a movie.  Then, in the
evening, the kids would gather together for a birthday tea and would spend
the evening playing games until it was time for them to bundle upstairs,
spread out sleeping bags and, once changed for bed, watch the scariest dvd
rental they could persuade a parent to rent for them.

   Today was to be no exception.  Jo's mother had attempted to persuade her
daughter that she was now too old to have sleepovers with the boys.  Jo had
pouted and sulked and then asked her dad why she couldn't sleep with the
boys.  Her dad had stuttered a little and then agreed that he could see
nothing wrong with the tradition continuing.

   Jo knew deep down that it couldn't continue for ever.  She had detected
the early signs of toilet humour that boys become addicted too when thrown
together in large groups.  She was aware, from conversations with girls at
school, that "most boys just wanna get in ya pants" and, during the half
term week she had realised that the boys had started to notice the effects
of the hormones now coursing through her young body.

   During football games suggestions were made that she and whoever was
partnering her might like to play as skins.  Suggestions that she stuck her
tongue out at and ignored.  This morning during one of the all against all
rough and tumbles she had found herself pinned down by Kyle.

   He held her arms above her head and brought one knee up to lean on her
stomach the way he might always have done.  Today was different though. 
Today she had felt his shin bone pressing down between her parted legs. 
She had felt a tingle in the pit of her being and she had noticed her
nipples harden and press upwards against the thin material of the tee shirt
that she was wearing.

   Kyle had no idea what he was doing.  He didn't even notice that her
struggles to get away were less that normal or that she had absently
started grinding her crotch into his leg as he held her there.  He did
eventually notice the nipples pressing up through the thin cotton of her
shirt though and she saw his eyes fix on her chest.

   It was all over in a few seconds really.  The rules of the game meant
that everybody helped everybody else and Kyle was soon knocked sideways off
of her by Gary before he, in turn, was knocked flying by Mikey.  Jo did
notice that throughout the game Kyle kept picking on her.  He never quite
managed to get into that same position again but that had nothing to do
with Jo.  She would have been quite happy to resurrect that feeling.

   Lunchtime came and with it the time to part company and get cleaned up
and ready for the afternoons fun.  They met in a rough circle.  "All for
one" whispered Kyle "One for all" the others replied.

   Jo stood in her bedroom.  She looked at herself in the mirror.  She
didn't look any different really.  Her short cropped blond hair and wiry
frame would have looked just as normal on one of the boys.  The jeans she
wore and the sweatshirt she had on would have been a good choice for any of
her friends.  What was different, what she knew was different was the small
but growing mounds on her chest and that tingly feeling that she got
sometimes around the boys.

   She grew annoyed that things were changing.  Annoyed that the boys were
being crude and vulgar and suddenly wanted to see her with her top off. 
After all it was only a year or two since all four would strip to the waist
to wash cars for pocket money.  "The boys didn't care about my top then."
She thought.

   The anger passed as quickly as it had come and she turned on her heel
and marched out of her room and down the stairs.

   Later that evening whilst her parents occupied the kitchen to put tea
together Jo and the boys spread themselves around the dining room table
playing Risk.

   Years before the kids had agreed various changes to the rules of most
games to make them fit better with their own needs and temperaments.  Risk
being a normally long game they had agreed that instead of playing until
one person won, they would instead stop when one person lost.

   They didn't always play like this of course.  Sometimes challenges were
issued or tournaments would be played to occupy whole wet days, but usually
they played until the first army was defeated when the loser would have to
submit to a forfeit decided upon by the rest of the group.

   Each of the kids had their own strengths and weaknesses and Jo had
chosen Risk because she rarely lost.  Indeed, by the time the break for
food was called she had captured both the South American and African
continents for herself whilst the other three remained locked in silent
battle.

   In fact, it would be Gary's turn next and either he or Mikey were almost
certain to be able to destroy the paltry forces that Kyle maintained in
Europe.

   Tea was a good natured affair with a moderate but acceptable amount of
food throwing.  After swilling down cocktail sausages, crisps and
sandwiches with copies quantities of coke and lemonade they dashed back to
the board and left mum and dad to clear up!

   It took a few moments for Jo to realise that Gary, instead of attacking
Kyle as she would have done, had moved his reinforcements down to attack
her defensive troops in South America.  Despite a few bad dice rolls she
easily defended the continent and held her ground.  She was equally
surprised and more than a little annoyed when Mikey too launched an attack
on her forces instead of destroying Kyle.

   She challenged him.

   "Mikey!  Why attack me when you could kill Kyle?" she demanded

   "Well, umm, I might not be able to get him this turn and I don't want
you too strong."

   She let it drop.

   Kyle put his troops on the board and managed to take one of Mikey's
countries before launching a strike at Jo's forces in North Africa.  She
laughed at his puny army but a series of bad dice rolls meant that her
forces were seriously depleted before the attack failed.

   During her own turn Jo strengthened her borders and moved northwards
into the North American continent against Gary.  On his turn he responded
and took back the ground that she had captured whilst Mikey took advantage
of her weakened defences in North Africa and finally broke through to break
her continental hold.  Mikey also took a country off the beleaguered Kyle,
thus preventing complaints from Jo.

   During his turn Kyle attacked Mikey rather impotently and Jo was given
the opportunity to regain North Africa from Mikey but failed.  Having
committed her forces to the retaking of that country she had left herself
weak in South America and Gary poured into the region taking her advantage
away in a single turn.

   Three turns later and Kyle was holding out with a single country when
Mikey finally defeated Jo and swept her last remaining forces from the
board.  Jo was annoyed and a little confused but they had all lost over the
years and she wasn't about to let it spoil the day.

   "OK guys, what's the forfeit?"

   The three boys looked at each other and then went into a huddle whilst
the exasperated Jo looked on.  Eventually, they broke and Kyle spoke.

   "OK.  Well.  The forfeit is....umm...  when we watch the dvd
tonight....." he paused and looked at the others who urged him on.  "When
we watch the movie.....you have to take off your pyjamas."

   He rushed the words out of his mouth and stood waiting for the explosion
that he felt must surely come from Jo.  She put her hands on her hips.

   "You guys are unreal.  You expect me to get naked?" she spluttered

   "No Jo" said Kyle quickly "you can er...  keep your panties on."

   Further conversation was abruptly silenced as Jo's mother appeared at
the door.

   "Ok kids, time you went and got your stuff for tonight.  Go on, and
don't forget toothbrushes." She said as she waved them out of the front
door.

   Jo sat on her bed.

   It was no big thing.  But no.  She couldn't.  Her mum always popped in
often to check on them.  No, that is what she will tell them.  They will
understand.

   Jo was watching from her bedroom window as the boys came out of their
respective houses one by one.  Gary and Kyle joined up immediately and
Mikey was only a few moments behind them.  They each carried a sleeping bag
and a small carry bag.  This was a well rehearsed routine and Jo knew that
each bag would hold their pyjamas, clean underwear for the morning and wash
things.

   Mikey's bag would also include a small blue teddy bear that went
everywhere with him.  It always had and always would.  The musketeers
understood and had previously ensured that the secret of the small blue
teddy bear had been maintained when the four were included on a school trip
to London the previous year.  There was only one overnight stop but Mikey
had been desperate to ensure that the other kids didn't find out about that
small blue teddy bear and the musketeers had gathered close together to
protect the contents of the bag during that trip.

   Jo was already wearing her pyjamas.  They consisted of a short sleeve
top and long trousers in brushed cotton.  They were worn and faded and the
original brilliant yellow had become muted over time.  She was barefoot
and, other than the pyjamas, wore only her plain white cotton panties
underneath.  The house was well heated and there was no need for any form
of gown or robe.  Besides, the boys wouldn't be wearing anything different.


   She dashed down the stairs to open the door and the boys hurried in. 
Gary said a quick hello to Jo's father as he passed the open door to the
kitchen and then he and Kyle made their way upstairs.  Jo waited for Mikey
to catch up and then shut the door and followed the boys up the stairs.

   Kyle had already disappeared into the bathroom to change.  Gary was
laying out his sleeping bag and Mikey joined in, squabbling good naturedly
about Gary taking up too much floor space.  Jo busied herself with the dvd
player and got the film to the end of the opening credits before pausing
the player to wait for everybody to finish getting ready.  Pretty soon they
had all settled down.  Gary, Kyle and Mikey leaning up against the bottom
of Jo's bed, shoulder to shoulder.

   Jo picked up the remote and moved to sit with the boys.

   "ummm" said Gary "did you forget the forfeit or are you gonna chicken
out?" he asked.

   Jo stopped in her tracks.

   "I ain't no chicken Gary.  You know that.  I would do it but I can't."
she answered quietly.

   The boys waited for her to go on.  To explain.

   "Look guys" she continued "you know how often my mum pops her head in to
make sure we're ok - there's no way that I can risk it.  Honest, I'm not
chicken but I can't let mum catch me huh?"

   Almost on cue there was a short rap on the door and it opened.  Jo's mum
stuck her head in.

   "Oh, not started the film yet?  Never mind there's plenty of time." She
said, busying herself folding some clothes as she spoke.  "I just popped up
to let you know that we're popping up to Mikey's for a couple of hours. 
You know where to find us if you need us.  Be good and enjoy the film."

   With that she turned and left, dragging the door shut behind her.

   The four children sat in silence.  They listened to muted conversation
between Jo's parents, heard the jangle of keys and a distant "cheerio" and
then heard the front door shut and listened to the footsteps receding down
the path.

   "Well" grinned Kyle "If you ain't no chicken it's about time to lose the
pj's"

   Jo felt a surge of anger at her parents for doing this to her and
another at her friends for asking her in the first place.  But she also
felt a tinge of excitement and a familiar tingle deep inside as she looked
at the eager faces of the three boys.

   With a dramatic sigh she tossed the remote onto the bed, hooked her
thumbs into the waistband of her pyjama bottoms and slid them down to
reveal her white cotton panties.  The boys all held their breath as she
then grabbed the bottom of her top and inched it up.  She paused for effect
just before her small immature breasts became exposed and was rewarded with
a collective "go on" from her friends.

   Swiftly, so that she couldn't change her mind, she tugged her top over
her head and tossed it to the other side of the room.  She stepped out of
the pool of faded yellow around her ankles and grinned at the boys with
their mouths open.

   "Can we watch the film now?" she asked.

   She collected the remote and, on Kyle's invitation, sat between his legs
and leaned back against him.  Mikey tugged the duvet off of the bed and
tossed it across them so that they were all covered and Jo reached out her
arm, aimed and fired and the film began.

   It was the usual sort of thing.  Creepy house, group of people, one or
other gets separated and then the carnage begins.

   The film was only one death old when Jo noticed Kyle place one hand on
each of her hips.  She waited for him to do something else and quickly he
did.  Slowly his right hand moved a little higher up her ribcage whilst his
left drew small circles on her hip.

   He stopped every now and then and she could sense him hold his breath to
try and detect any sound or objection before he moved onwards some more.

   His next stop was just at the base of her right breast.  Just where the
flesh had started to gently bulge out from her ribcage.  In normal dress
the slight bulge was imperceptible but he seemed to be able to feel it and
stopped again.

   When he moved again it was jerky.  He rapidly covered her breast with
his hand and held her.  It was as if he felt that she might have stopped
him had he not moved quickly enough.  She wouldn't have.

   Jo felt her nipple harden under his touch and felt the tingle deep
within once more.  She took comfort from the small circles being drawn on
her hip with his left hand and from the warmth of his body behind hers and
she settled back to see what would happen next.

   Slowly a hand cupped her left breast.  A gentle touch which continued to
move, manipulating the fast growing nipple as it did.

   She wished Kyle would do the same with his right hand and then she
realised that Kyle was still drawing circles on her hip.  This was a new
hand.  This had to be Mikey.

   The tingle went on, her nipples became harder that she believed possible
and yet still harder.

   She heard a moan and then realised with some shock that the sound had
escaped her own mouth.  Still the two hands worked their separate and
different magic.  And then a third arrived.

   There was brief confusion as Gary competed with Kyle for access to her
right breast.  And then, denied access, she felt his fingers slip down her
ribcage and stop at the waistband to her panties.

   She knew what he was thinking.  Under or over, under or over.

   She didn't know the answer but was glad when the fingers moved slightly
further downwards but on the outside of her panties.  She felt them trace
her mound and she opened her legs a little.  The hand slipped between her
legs and cupped her, pressing its warmth into her, enhancing the tingle.

   She heard the door slam, heard her father shouting that they were home,
heard the footsteps on the stairs.

   They all came alive at once.  A scramble of young bodies later and the
door opened.

   Mr Holloway looked at the tv screen and noticed that the final credits
were rolling.  His glance took in the three boys in their sleeping bags and
came to rest on his daughter snuggled up in her own bed, duvet pulled up
around her neck and watching the film from sleepy eyes.

   "Shall I do the honours kids?" he asked, stepping into the room and
pressing the off buttons for both tv and dvd.  "Goodnight all" he whispered
as he retreated and shut the door.

   A few moments later and the children listened as Mr & Mrs Holloway came
up to bed.  They heard the visits to the bathroom and then the landing
light clicked off and all went quiet.

   A rustling later and Gary recovered a torch from his bag.  It lit the
whole room suddenly with a bright and aggressive light.  As he slithered
out of his own bag, Kyle brought with him the pyjama bottoms that he had
hurriedly collected and Mikey displayed the top that he had rescued.

   The three boys stood shoulder to shoulder alongside Jo's bed.  Kyle took
the pyjama top from Mikey.

   "You had better put these on Jo." He said holding both in the stream of
torchlight.  "But first, can we just look at you?"

   He took her silence to mean yes and slipped the duvet back from her
body. She lay curled up on the side and looked up into the torchlight for a
few seconds.  Then slowly she uncurled herself and rolled onto her back. 
She could feel the torchlight and the eyes travelling up and down her slim
body.  She knew that it stopped on each of her breasts in turn and she felt
the burn of three pairs of eyes follow the light down to her panty covered
crotch.  She sensed movement and grabbed Kyle's wrist even as his fingers
achieved the waistband of her panties.

   "That wasn't part of the forfeit Kyle." She whispered "Goodnight boys."

   The pyjamas dropped onto the bed next to her and her audience turned
away.

   As she heard them slipping into sleeping bags she tugged her pyjamas
into place, retrieved her duvet and rolled back onto her side and into deep
sleep.

   None of the boys was quite sure what the following morning would bring.
They were all awake before Jo but swapped few words.  Instead they simply
waited for Jo to awake so that they could find out if they had gone too far
or if they still had that friend.

   Jo awoke almost because of the unnatural silence.  She had turned at
some point during the night and now faced away from the boys.  She lay
still for a few seconds, staring into the wall and trying to listen to her
silent companions.  She heard nothing but she knew that she had a question
to answer.

   A decision quickly made she rolled over and slipped out of bed in a
single instant.  Stepping over the sleeping bags in her way she made her
way over to the chair on which her jeans were hung.  Next she collected a
fresh pair of panties from her drawer and a sweatshirt from another drawer.
Panties in hand she slipped out of the room and down to the bathroom.

   The boys exchanged hurried and frantic whispers but none had a clue what
she was thinking.  Before they had a chance to either be worried or
relieved the door opened again and Jo returned.  She theatrically dropped
her dirty panties into the laundry basket and then, standing in front of
them all, she slipped down her pyjama bottoms and stepped out of them. 
Then she tugged the top up and over her head and stood open before them in
the pale light of day before turning, collecting her clothes and dressing
as if nothing had happened or changed.

   One by one the boys went off to the bathroom, dressed and returned. 
When all were fit to face the day they trooped down the stairs and shared a
breakfast of toast and cereal before shouting a thank you and goodbye to
Jo's parents and making their way out of the house with a football between
them and heading down to their usual pitch for a quick game before the rain
came.  End of part one