kaleidoscope

“What is wrong with you, Collier?” The blond looked to his companion with a mix of disgust and confusion, “I ask to borrow one umbrella and suddenly you’re softer than marshmallow?”

“To some extent, I thought I could be civil.” He clenched the umbrella in his hand tightly, turning aside to mask how quick the other guy had gotten under his skin. “But I retract my statement. I need this actually. Get soaked for all I care.”

She felt the twinge at the corner of her lips but fought against it, staring up at him, “I may be your editorial adviser and an English professor by trade but it’s forty percent.” She could faintly smell his cologne and it was calming, reminding her of lazy late Saturday mornings. “You know, a hundred percent minus sixty…”

He paused, corrected. Biting down his laugh he simply cocked his head to the side. “Huh, my mistake then.” He’d have to save the snippiness until later when they were at home. She couldn’t get away from that one. “Thanks for the quick lesson. Got anything more to share before class?”

“Oh,” she paused, squinting slightly as she looked up at the sky. It was easier to be near him in the open with the excuse of rain. They’d needed a lot of excuses lately. “Are you sure?” she asked, her eyes returning to his, “I could maybe bring it by later…you know, in case in rains this evening.”

“I did hear it was a 60% chance today...” He offered back with the slightest smile. He tried to hold it back from growing wider, from bantering back as they usually did. “Yeah...Maybe the other 30% will show up this evening.” Stepping closer to her he used trying to keep dry under the umbrella to hover. “A bit of rain won’t kill me though. You...you’ve just got your hair done recently.” He slipped because that he already knew.  But it was just this once. They could go back to their roles a moment after.

…somethin’ else?

If I was, would y’ say yes?

Mmmm.... depends. What am I supposed to surprise you with if you see me in it now?

Yeah, well, my mama raised nothing less than a gentleman.

Couldn’t let m’ girl be alone with all that. So, that black bikini?

Saw y’ toss it around when y’ were lookin’ for that skirt thing you wore t’ the Kappa party.

Y’know, before y’ threw up on it. all over it. Like, everywhere.

Yeah....I got a little carried away. Not..my finest moment. At least I had you. And you held back my hair? And all that other stuff to take care of me...

Nah, Darlin’, keep it up. Feels good.

I vote any place warm ‘nough for that black bikini b’ that’s just me.

Oh yeah? What makes you so sure it’s a black one this year?

Babe? Someone’d feelin’ gen’rous.

What? No pet names allowed? I can definitely revoke my usage.

That’s a good one. He’s from old money, too, so know what that means - messy stories.

However, I think you’ll have to settle for me. Sorry.

Damn. Of all people I could’ve thought of. I guess you’ll do too...

I don’t know who - wait, yes I do. That’s not Colin Firth. Colin Firth is Mr. Darcy or Amanda Bynes’ father in ‘What A Girl Wants’.

Who would be your celebrity Valentine?

Oh. That guy.

Oh, yeah. If your significant other takes you out the day before or after, it’s for Side Chick Day. Because they’re out with their real relationship on Valentine’s Day…get it?