The Golden Nox

X-Men: Mutant Academy: Part 29


poster: Allison
date: 19 August 2002, 5:45am EST


I had a half hour before Cammo and I were supposed to meet; I finally went up to my room to get dressed. Angelica was blaring away on her violin when I walked in; she glared at me and began to play louder if possible.

I grimaced before grabbing an armful of clothing and my stereo and retreating into the bathroom.

As I closed the door she stopped playing and asked, “Primping for your date?”

I poked my head out, “First off I don’t primp, second of all, it’s not a date, I lost a bet.”

“I think you’re confused about who lost,” she muttered before returning the bow to the strings.

I just slammed the door and plugged in my CD player to drown out the Bach or whoever she was butchering today.

I cranked up the Lynyrd Skynyrd and set about sorting through my clothes. Figured layers would be my best bet incase the weather changed. Once I had decided what would protect me best from the elements at sixty miles an hour, I attacked my scraggly hair, with a brush and a thick rubber band.

My CD was on its last song when I heard Angelica stop playing, and start talking to some one. It didn’t take very long to figure out who it was, so I crammed the rest of my hair into a tight pony tail before opening the door.

I heard Angelica say, “I was just practicing, any requests?”

“How about ‘Free Bird’?” I asked.

Cameron grinned, “I think you need more than a violin for that one. Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah, just let me grab my sweatshirt and my keys,” I responded, snatching them off my dresser.

I gave a jaunty wave to Angelica before walking with Cameron out to the hallway. “What do you say, pizza first and then the park?”


poster: nacey
date: 19 August 2002, 4:16pm EST


I was really, really pissed off. I was generally a good natured person, so being able to get me into that state was quite a feat, but it was one Angelica accomplished with no difficulty what-so-ever. Secretly, I enjoyed wiping that smug look off her face with a deep chested growl of warning, and the smell of her fear was all over me. All I wanted to do was to attack a perfectly innocent punching bag, but I wanted to pop by and see how Sarah was before doing that.

I was stalking down the hall towards the dorms when one of the kids ran up to me and tugged on a tuft of my arm fur.

"Maxie," she said, "The phone... it's for you."

I smiled at her. She was one of the youngest students we had - ten years old. She had strangely iridescent skin and oddly mauve looking eyes that were spotty, and funny little hands with thick nails on the ends like tiny hooves on a dinosaur or something. I don't recall what her mutation is, but it was enough to make her unsafe in regular schools. I smiled at her, ruffling her blonde hair and running off towards the phone around the corner.

I picked it up. "Yello?"

"Max my baby!"

I smiled brightly, mood instantly improving. "Mom!"

"How are ya? You sounded ... miffy."

"Oh, no," I sighed. "Never mind, just had a run in with one of the students... you know how it goes. So what's up?"

"Oh, well, your father has some time off this weekend from work and Freda has a break in hockey practice, so I thought we'd all come over to the school to visit you!"

My heart swelled with utter glee. I missed my parents, and Freddie, so much it hurt like mad. Oh! And Sarah!! My glee skidded to a halt... shit. Sarah.

"Wow!" I said, nearly forgetting to respond, "That's great Ma!"

Mom paused. "Are you sure? You're sounding miffy again..."

"No no no, not miffy," I said. "I just - my room's a mess and stuff and I just - yeah. Don't you worry, just you come along, okay?"

"Okay!" she said.

"How's Freddie anyway?"

"Oh, bigger, growing so fast I lose track."

I smiled at that. "I miss her."

"I know you do, dear, that's why I'm dragging her along."

I sighed and tapped the phone.

"So... how's that girl you said you were seeing... er... Sarah?"

"Oh... she's great, she's fine... Uhm..." I paused. I didn't know what I could tell her, what I should and shouldn't. "Life here is always hectic but uhm, things are going great between us."

"I can't wait to meet her, dear," said Mom, and there was genuine glee in her voice. "Well, I musn't keep you. I'll see you next weekend then!"

"Okay!" I said, and with a few kissy noises down the phone, Mom hung up.

Shit. I had some news to tell Sarah. I walked to her room, and fear increased in me. I didn't want to weird her out, or scare her, or ... whatever.

When I got to her room she was cleaning it, from top to tails. I tilted my head as I walked in, scratching behind an ear.

"Wow... early spring fever?"

"It needed to be done." She shuddered. "I had dust."

I laughed, a little uneasily. "Beware and take heed, O' particles of filth."

She shrugged. "Sorry, my dirt tolerance threshold is low."

"That's okay," I said, "Makes you all the more adorable." I paused for a moment, rubbing my bottom lip, silently thinking of how to put my news. Best way was to be out with it. "Uhm... I have some erm... news."

"News? What? Hank reneg on letting go about on my own? He can't, he promised!"

I smiled at that, but sobered quickly. "No, no, nothing like that. Uhm... I'll be having some visitors next weekend." She stared back at me blankly, and I added... "My parents, and my sister Freda."

She shrugged. "Oh. OK. No problem. I'm sure Annie and I can find something to do."

I frowned then, a puzzled smile battling to make it's way to my face. "Uhm... I was kinda hoping you'd... you'd meet them." I lifted my brows charmingly, but I don't think it worked.

She was chewing on her lip and I don't think that the finish on that bed post has a chance the way she's scrubbing it. "You... ah ... uhm.. you really think that's a good idea? I can make myself scarce. It won't bother me any."

I pouted, shrugging a little. "Well, it'd bother me. I just... I thought it'd be nice if you met my family. Mom's really dying to meet you, and Freda..." I smiled softly. "She was so hard to leave behind. I'd so love it if you met her."

She looked pained. "I - ok. I'll meet them if you want. I just.. Max, my family doesn't like me. Why should yours?"

I could kiss her. As it was I went over and hugged her tightly. "I've told Mom all about you. From your cropped hair to your army upbringing and the way you keep your room so tidy. She can't wait to meet you, she's been hassling me about it for months." I smiled at her then. "They'll love you, like I love you, because you're a wonderful person, Sarah. Trust me."

"And if they don't?"

I rolled my eyes and held her tightly. "They will."

She buried her face in my shirt and abruptly pulled back. "You ran into Angelica."

I lifted a brow and nodded. "I also I scared the crap out of her."

"What'd she do to you?"

I met her eyes and pressed my lips together. "She hurt you."

"You got that backwards," she whispered looking down. "I'm the one who hurt her."

I tucked a finger underneath her chin, tilting her head back up again. "What did she say to you, Sarah?"

"It's not important."

"It is to me," I said. "It is if it nearly got you killed. I want to know."

"She was complaining about...uhm.. the noise."

I sighed, closing my eyes and hugging her again. "I'm sorry, baby, I'm sorry."

"I just don't know what to do. I can't seem to get along with anybody and either your neighbors are more tolerant or just alot less vocal than those two."

"I think it's cause they're older, they're X-Men recruits." I shrugged. "They're used to it, and make plenty of their own noise, I guess."


poster: Jen
date: 20 August 2002, 1:24am EST


“That makes it all better,” I said grimacing.

“I’ll take care of anyone who says anything. Just let me know, okay baby?”

“I don’t need you fighting my battles.”

“I know, but they aren’t your battles – they’re ours. And you shouldn’t have to handle it yourself.”

I figured I wasn’t winning this one and I really didn’t want to. Having Max deal with some of them was preferable to another attempted homicide in the hallway any day. Further thought on the matter ended as Lynrd Skynrd began competing with Rachmaninoff next door causing us both to wince at the painful decibel level. Max stared at the wall I could see vibrating faintly, shaking his head, one hand protecting his ear. “And they complain about the noise we make?”

“Yeah, well… New rule?” I asked, searching Max’s face for the courage to continue. “Your room?”

“Will you be okay with that? I know you prefer sleeping in your own bed.”

“Who said anything about sleeping?” I asked swiping at him with my rag.

“Certainly not me.” He grinned and descended on my neck, his teeth grazing along the column of my throat in a move he knew left me weak in the knees and incapable of thought.

“2 requests,” I added, trying to keep my head. It was becoming increasingly difficult, as he knew exactly where and how to touch me. “Can we get me another lamp to keep in there and can we clean it up a bit? You have... mmm… dust bunnies that are arming them-ooh- elves.” How Max heard the knock on the door is beyond me. I think I should be insulted just how fast he moved away from me and opened the door too. I’ll say something later – when I regain my speech capability.

“Come in, sir.”

“Good evening,” Professor Xavier said Am I disturbing you?”

Max’s answer was lost in the fog as I tried to get my brain to function again.

“I just came by to see how you were doing, Sarah. I understand Dr. McCoy lifted your escort requirement.”

“Yes sir.”

“Did he place any other restrictions on your movements?”

I rolled my eyes. “You’ve obviously already spoken to him.”

“Yes I have, but he declined to share the substance of your conversation with me.”

That made me stop. I was sure McCoy would have run to the Professor after my revelation last night, for the safety of the other students, if not my own. “He didn’t?”

“No Sarah, he didn’t. Dr. McCoy takes doctor-patient privilege very seriously, as do I. I would not ask him to break it.”

I eyed him cautiously, trying to decide if he could be trusted. His scent said he was being sincere, but if he could mess with people’s minds, perhaps he could change how I scented things as well. “So… why are you here then?”

“I wanted to check on you myself. I did speak with Dr. McCoy regarding the possibility of him doing some research to see if we can come up with something to allow you to move about in colder weather. ”

“That’s great, Sarah.” Max beamed, squeezing my hand. I didn’t know what to say. I certainly didn’t want to get my hopes up.

“I understand your parents will be joining us next weekend, Max.”

“Yes, sir. I’m looking forward to introducing Sarah to them.”

I couldn’t resist the nervous shuffle and Xavier’s eyes bored right into me, piercing for a moment and then softening. “I’m sure they will find you as delightful as we do.”

I don’t know if that’s a good thing.

“I’ll leave you two to your evening. I believe they are showing The Mummy and The Mummy Returns this evening in the rec room.” Professor Xavier smiled. “Perhaps this time you can see the whole thing.”


poster: Angelface
date: 20 August 2002, 1:42am EST


My roommate is as dense as a rock. “It’s not a date,” she says before retreating into the bathroom. Of course it wasn’t as though she improved her looks any, I doubt that is possible, but Cameron didn’t seem to mind, if his smile was any judge.

It took a few minutes before I was back in my practicing rhythm, when I was interrupted yet again. I opened up the door, trying not to seethe at the new distraction.

“Hi, Angelica!”

I smiled, it was Claire, she was a friend of Jamie’s and would be taking lessons with me as well, but her mutated nails made it impossible to hold the bow properly.

“Hello, Claire.”

“Sorry to interrupt your practicing but there’s someone on the phone for you,” she said quickly, mauve eyes shining.

"Oh thank you," I replied mechanically, wondering whom it could be. I'd just spoken with Mother yesterday. I picked up the phone and gave Claire a pointed look to send her on her way. "Hello, Angelica speaking."

“Hello Angelica, this is Dimitri Sergetov, we met on the last tour?” a nervous voice asked across the line.

I racked my brain trying to place the name. Then it came to me - the pianist. The incredibly handsome, talented pianist. "Oh yes. How have you been?"

"Very well, thank you, I'm settling in to Juliard nicely. In fact, one of my roommates had an extra pair of tickets to see London Philharmonic Orchestra - performing Prokofiev's Symphony Number 5 at Carniege Hall tomorrow night. I was hoping that you might be able to accompany me."

"Oh. I'd love to, but I have to ask permission. They are strict about that here. Can I call you back in say - thirty minutes?"

“Of course, do you need my phone number?”

"Oh yes. Silly me."

He rattled off the digits and I copied them down, “I’ll talk to you in a half hour.”

I clutched the number in my hand and went in search of a reasonable adult. Academy rules didn't allow dating until 16 and dating people from off campus was frowned upon anyway, but this was a special case. Surely, Mr. Summers would see that.

“Mr. Summers?” I asked, when I saw him.

“Yes, Angelica?”

“I was wondering if I could go into the city tomorrow afternoon. My friend has ticket’s to the symphony and he invited me.”

There, I didn’t call it a date, just going out with a friend, dear lord I sound like Annie.

"Who is this friend?"

I really didn't like the emphasis he was putting on friend. He made it sound like code for 'axe murderer.'

“His name is Dimitri Sergetov, we became friends on the last tour, he plays piano.”

"And how old is this Dimitri?"

“Seventeen,” I responded.

Oh dear, I can see his eyebrows lifting over the glasses, not a good sign.

“He goes to Juliard,” I added.

"I'm sorry, Angelica. You know the rules here."

“I know but I was really hoping I’d get to meet with some people who understand my music,” I pleaded.

The odd twist of his mouth tells me I might just be winning. "What time is the concert?"

“Five o’clock, so I shouldn’t be out very late.”

"All right. You can go, but,' he added holding up a finger. "I will take you there and back."

I grinned, “Thanks, Mr. Summers!”

I needed a ride anyway, so it wasn’t that much of a sacrifice. I hurried back to the phone to call Dimitri, and then I would head up to my closet and figure out what to wear.

Perhaps I would call Jane and share the news with her as well.


poster: nacey
date: 21 August 2002, 4:03pm EST


CAMMO:

It was just a night out. Just a night out. No need to be stressed. I chose a nice casual loose shirt, some jeans, a t-shirt underneath the shirt, and my regular shark-tooth leather-strung necklace from Rottnest Island. There. Completely casual.

I rocked up to Annie's room, and Angelica was practicing again. The girl looked rather annoyed, but I didn't blame her, we were interrupting her music. She was really good, I think she'll go somewhere with that talent.

Speaking of talent, Annie looked gorgeous. I can't get over her eyes, and the cute colour of her hair, and her funky little outfits she always manages to wear. They always have an edge to them, and I love it. I try to keep the huge grin off my face.

We ended up going for pizza first, mainly because I was starving after a day of hard X-Men slog. I let Annie choose the joint, cause I barely knew my way around the city.

So, this was a nice progression, I think. I have hope that maybe this 'just friends' thing might change. I pray that it does. Not that I want to push Annie towards anything she's not wanting, but I like her. For the first time in years, I feel like my mutation isn't everything.

I think I even want to take up swimming again


poster: nacey
date: 21 August 2002, 4:21pm EST


Sarah and I rocked down to the rec room to catch a Mummy movie or two on the wide-screen plasma mega tv screen. Jubilee was down there, directing the evening, in the midst of swarms of teens and a few younger kids, making sure the snack foods were shared evenly and soda pop was kept off the Professor's expensive couch. What was really wierd was that the Professor and Jean and Scott were down there too, along with Rogue. The place was packed. I strolled up to Jubes, Sarah's hand in mine, and bent down to speak in her ear.

"Man... full house tonight eh?"

She glanced to me and grinned, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Puddy-Tat! Come siddown... make room guys!"

A few kids grumbled and moved down the couch, and Sarah looked unsure. There wasn't a lot of space on the couch, and I know she doesn't like close contact (unless it's with me. So I sandwiched her firmly between me and Jubes. Seeing as she'd gotten drunk with the girl before, it seemed that she didn't mind.

Once Jubilee had gotten everyone to quieten down, and for Remy to turn off the lights and sit down next to her on the other side, she got the movie started.

They started with the Mummy, and the Ancient Egypt sequence started.

"We went and saw the sequel to this on our first date, didn't we?" I said to Sarah.

"I think so," she said.

Imhotep came on, and Sarah chuckled. I looked to her.

"The king guy should rub Imhotep's head for good luck."

I laughed, and Jubilee frowned.

"These are classic Brendan Frasier and Oded Fehr flicks! Shall not have laughing and riffing! Will lead to withholding of snacks and beverages!"

Rogue, not far away, just chuckled at this.

I think it was going to be a fun night.


poster: Allison
date: 22 August 2002, 11:31am EST


We stepped off of The Cyclone for what had to be the fifth time since we got there when Cameron headed off to the bathroom. Judging by the size of the line I would be on my own for a bit, so I wandered over to the game section.

I grinned when I saw they had the game where you have to shoot the water into the impossibly small hole faster than everyone else. I loved this game so I sat down in the last seat and picked up the squirt gun.

“That’ll be two dollars,” the man running it said.

I fished two singles out of my pocket and handed them to him. He nodded and rang the bell. Immediately I began squeezing the trigger, focusing on the little hole, not checking how quickly my seahorse was rising.

Suddenly the bell rang again and I looked up, my seahorse was sitting right up there at the top. Some of the people around me groaned as they saw how close they had been.

“Which do you want, ma’am?” the man behind the counter asked, pointing to the ridiculously large stuffed animals hanging from the ceiling.

I grinned when I saw it, “That one.”

He lifted the behemoth down and passed it over to me. I thanked him and went back towards the restrooms, trying to see Cammo through the yellow fur.

“Annie?” a voice called.

I swung in the direction of his voice, “Yeah, Cammo?”

“Uhm, what is that?” he asked poking at the fur.

“It’s a llama.”

“But it’s yellow and, uh…”

“Horrendously tacky?” I finished smiling over the top, “I know isn’t it great, it’s yours.”

He looked oddly at the creature in my arms, "Wow... I'm touched."

“You know now we have to name it.”

Cammo gave it an appraising look, "I think he should be called Algernon."

“Algernon it is,” I answered shifting him over to one arm. Then I grabbed Cameron’s hand, “Come on, let’s go on the Ferris wheel!”

"Okay," he laughed. "Just don't rock the carriage, I might be sick."

“You sound like my mother,” I said using Algernon’s head to wipe a strand of hair out of my face, seeing as both hands were a bit preoccupied.

Cammo's hand was warming up my chilly fingers, so I didn't see much reason to let go.


poster: Jen
date: 22 August 2002, 4:05pm EST


Oh like snack withholding is gonna bother me. This crammed in like sardines on the other hand is making my skin crawl. And the smells in this room. Eww. Between the teenage boys that think showering is a quarterly activity and Remy who must bathe in that cologne, my head is killing me.

The men in this movie are its saving grace. I don’t think I like that look Max is giving me. I can appreciate gorgeous half naked men if I want. I’m not dead, but the guy on TV should be. Unable to contain it any longer, I hissed in Max’s ear. “Look at that! He’s leaving his left side wide open.”

"It's just a movie, babe," he said, laughter in his voice.

“But it’s all wrong!”

"I know, it's cause it's made by people that have never fought in their lives," he said. "Don't let it bother you. Enjoy the show."

I settled back in my seat and tried to do as he asked. I’m sure things would make more sense if I actually understood anything about Egypt and didn’t know anything about fighting. Maybe that’s why I like the space movies so much better. There all I have to bitch about it their total inability to aim.

I squirmed in my seat. I hope this movie doesn’t last too much longer or that some of the little ones are sent to bed after this, because I can’t take much more of this close quarter mess. I’m sure getting a seat on the couch is a status thing here, but I’d almost rather be off in the corner so I could have some room. Even having Max right up against me is starting to bug me. I thought the ‘arm across the shoulders’ thing was just a dating myth, but apparently not, ‘cause Remy has his arm around Jubes and if he brushes it against me one more time, I’m going to feed it to him.

“You ok?” Max asked.

“It’s just a little close in here.”

"You wanna go someplace else?"

“No, you wanted to see the movie. I’ll be ok.”

I certainly hope I’ll be okay. As long as the action was moving I can ignore the room and my growing inability to breathe and my increasing jumpiness about being touched. I think I need to talk this over with McCoy. This cannot be normal.

I survived the first movie without bolting from the room, snarling at anyone or having our access to snacks withheld. It’s a bit sick, but I’m rather proud of myself. The room is clearing a bit as Professor Xavier is sending the younger kids to bed. They’re going, but with a lot of grumbling. I can’t believe the Professor tolerates that. The General would’ve knocked me into next week, not given me an ‘I’m sorry. Your bedtime will get later when you’re older’ and an indulgent smile.

Max smiled and ruffled my hair. “What do you want to do now?”

“Uhm… go outside for a walk.” I waited a second before adding, “Just kidding.”

Max sighed, grabbing me and hugging me tightly. "You nut."

I returned the hug, happy that he seemed okay enough to let me joke about what I’d done. I really didn’t want to watch the second movie, but given that Max wasn’t moving from the couch, I figured he wanted to see it. And maybe see the whole thing this time. “Maybe we could try to sit through this one. You know without all the shooting and kidnappings and near-death experiences of our last attempt.”

"That'd be cool," he said. "Jubes... is that a new bowl of popcorn?"

“Sure is. Want some? ” she asked.

Max gave her a look that said ‘if I didn’t I wouldn’t have asked.’

“Open wide,” were the only words of warning we got before she tossed the piece of popcorn at his mouth. Max caught the first one, but the next three went right down my shirt.

I gave him a pointed look, trying to keep the smile and building giggles at bay. “Are you going to get those?”

"Ohhhh yes."

"Well?"

He made an attempt to stuff his head down my cleavage, growling as he went. I dissolved into laughter, which didn’t help his attempted popcorn extraction any.

Jubes started shouting ‘get a room, but Remy I think had other ideas, for a moment later she was laughing and squealing as loud as I was.

And of course, The Professor would choose that exact moment to come back to the rec room.

"Shiph!" Max said around a mouthful of popcorn.

“I think, perhaps, these activities may be better suited to the privacy of you rooms. Xavier said smiling wryly, trying not to look directly at us as Jubes and I rearranged our clothes and Max and Remy turned every shade of red imaginable. “Just a thought,” he added on his way out.


poster: Angelface
date: 25 August 2002, 11:00pm EST


I quickly dialed Jane's school number. I just had to share my news. This was so great. I didn't think he'd even noticed I was alive, let alone bother to hunt down my phone number.

"Hello, Jane speaking."

"Jane, you absolutely will not believe who just called me!"

"Was he tall, dark and handsome, with magic hands?"

I blinked, suspicion rising. That description fit Dimitri to a T. "How'd you know?"

"Did you think your phone number magically appeared before him?"

I guess I was so shocked by him calling; I hadn't given any thought to how he'd found my number - this number. It wasn't one I gave out capriciously. Even the symphony only had Xavier's direct line. "You gave it to him?"

"But of course."

That surprised me. Jane found him as interesting and handsome as I did. For her to pass along my number instead of trying to get his attention herself... "I owe you immensely. You are the best friend in the world."

She laughed, "I know, it was a bout of generosity."

"Now, I am stuck with a serious dilemma. What on earth am I going to wear?"

"Do you still have that terrifically long green skirt?"

I considered the skirt. It was beautiful and I always received compliments on it, but it was a bit much for an afternoon. "Yes, but don't you think that's a bit fancy for a matinee?"

"Nonsense, you look fabulous in that skirt, your top can be more matinee appropriate if you insist."

Jane had an impeccable sense of fashion. If she said it would work, then the green skirt it would be.

"Now what to do with your hair, that is the real question."

Hair! I hadn’t even thought about my hair. Whatever I did with it, it would certainly look better than that ponytail Annie went out in. She didn’t even wash it first. “French twist, or is that too much for day? French braid? Barrettes? Maybe I should just wear it down.”

"All the way up, is a bit much, but all the way down makes it look as though you hardly care. What we need is the perfect medium."

“Barrettes or clips then.” I bit my lip and twisted the phone cord. “I think.” This was getting nerve wracking. I didn’t know what I was thinking in saying ‘yes’ to this. It was too much. She must have heard the hesitation in my voice.

"You aren't going to put my selfless act of the month to waste, are you? Your hair will look great in those clips your grandmother gave you for your birthday, you will look great, he will look dashing and sweep you off your feet. I guarantee it, or double your money back."

I sighed heavily. Jane really was a great friend and she’s right: I can’t let this selfless act of hers go to waste, but I wish she were right here to help me get ready. I really hate that Mother and Father sent me here instead of to St. Claire’s with Jane. I have my mutation under control; there really isn’t any reason for this purgatory. “I certainly hope you’re right. How did he sound when he asked about me?”

"Honestly, he seemed rather rushed, couldn't wait to get off the phone with me so he could call and hear your angelic voice."

“He did? Really? Did he ask say anything else?”

"He made sure you weren't seeing anyone, which I told him that you aren't. Unless something happened with Cameron that you forgot to tell me."

I huffed. “No. Cameron’s all twisted up over my green-haired freak of a roommate.”

"There's no accounting for taste, if Cameron can't see that you're a thousand times better than your roommate, it just confirms that Dimitri is the guy for you. And if Cameron does realize how wrong he was, you could always give him my number."

I laughed. “Absolutely. That’s what friends are for.”


poster: Allison
date: 28 August 2002, 12:12am EST


I arranged Algernon next to me as the attendant locked the bar in place, then I grinned at Cammo; “We couldn’t have him falling out or anything.”

“Of course not, llama safety first and foremost.”

With Algernon taking up a portion of the bench, Cammo and I were squeezed together, not that I was complaining, the further up our carriage went the windier it got and the colder it got, and I could use him as a shield and as a source of warmth.

He had to have noticed the way I pulled up the hood of my sweatshirt, to cover my ears, because he asked, “Are you cold?”

“Only a little,” I replied, trying not to seem like a total wimp. You’d think I’d be used to at least a little cold, nights in Arizona aren’t famous for being toasty, but still sixteen years has you expecting the thermometer to read at least eighty on Easter, cold is not my strong suit.

“Here,” he lifted his arm and put it around by shoulders, I leaned in a bit grateful for the added heat. “Is that better?”

I nodded, “Next time I suggest we come here, make sure I suggest daylight, preferably noonish… In July.”

He laughed, “I’ll try to remember that.”

I smiled, and couldn’t help but notice how nice his laugh was, his arms too.

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