unfinished

chapter 22

The next day Izabelle was up early and showered before Olivia awakened.  She was dressing when her roommate finally stumbled from the bed.

“Hey. You did not say much last night.  You are OK with this, right? “ she asked.

Izzy turned and shared her very best fake smile. Livi clapped and took that for a “yes".

“Are you going home this weekend then?” Olivia asked as she trudged to the bathroom.

Izzy had not considered that.  She had not been home this semester.  Maybe this was a good time to get away for a couple of days.  By the time Olivia returned she had pulled out her weekender and was packing.

“I think that is a great idea,” she said as she packed.

Olivia stood in front of Izzy’s closet watching her pull casual clothes for her quick trip.

“ Ohhh….” Livi said as her eyes fell on a deep pink cashmere sweater, “ can I borrow this?”

Izzy hesitated.  The sweater was a favorite. For some reason it reminded her of Hobi.  But shaking her head she thought
“what does that matter now?”

“ Sure,” she said as Livi squealed and hugged her.  Izzy felt ashamed.  She should be happy for her friends. Right?

Izzy left after her 1 o'clock class to beat the afternoon traffic.  Four hours and she would be home.  She would decide what to do with herself once she got there.

Olivia rushed back to the dorm after her last class.  Hobi had called to tell her they should meet at the theater at 7.  The time seemed to drag on forever.  But finally showered and primped to perfection, she pulled Izzy’s pink sweater over her head and surveyed the result in her mirror. 

She was taller and longer waisted than Izzy so just a hint of tanned skin showed above her distressed jeans.  Her breasts were fuller so the sweater fit her curves perfectly.  She checked the time and realized she was late, even for her.  She rushed out without her usual spritz of perfume.

She parked at the theater and rushed to the crowded front entrance.  She saw Hobi first and sighed in appreciation as she approached him. 

He had selected a pair of baggie painted pants and layered shirts that were cutting edge fashion.  He always created the best styles.  She knew he would be very successful in the design business. She planned to be right there beside him.

He finally saw her as she neared and she lost her breath when those dark eyes locked on hers.  His intensity was overwhelming sometimes.  And then that slow smile made her insides flip.

She pretended not to notice the fact that he was looking  behind her as she stepped up to him, reaching her hands out to take his.

 He squeezed her hands, then dropped them, still looking over her head.

“ Where's Izzy?” he asked.

“Izzy? Oh she went home this weekend.  It's just us,” she said, linking her arm in his and heading to the ticket booth.

He cocked his head in confusion, but then they were inside the theater discussing what snacks went best with a “ zombie rom-com".  He had to be persuaded to watch that particular one, but they were  quickly seated. 

The movie had it's moments where Hobi hid his eyes and she laughed and squeezed his hand in encouragement.  In the end, the zombies fell in love and danced the closing number to an 80's love song.  They left the theater arm and arm, laughing as they recalled the most ridiculous parts.

Olivia led Hobi to her car and suggested a late night snack.  They grabbed burgers at the campus dive and listened to music. They were both surprised to find it was 2 am and they had closed the place down.

Livi drove back to campus and Hobi walked her to the dorm.  For the first time that evening, there was an awkward silence between them.

He stopped at the front steps of the dorm and she took one step closer, then looked up at their room, the invitation unspoken.

Hobi looked at her under the soft glow of the decorative lights strung across the dorm lawn.  She was beautiful.  Her short hair was ruffled by the wind and her lips curved in a sweet smile.  She placed one hand on his chest and leaned into him, her eyes falling to his lips.

His hands dropped to her waist, but as he felt the cashmere he paused.  He looked down at the pink sweater, but he was not seeing the deep cleavage of her breasts or the quickening of her breath. Something had been nagging at him all night. 

As soon as he saw Livi crossing the parking lot he had noticed the sweater. 

Then it hit him.  It was Izzy's, or one like hers.  He remembered seeing her wear this color, remembered thinking how her hair glinted more red that day, how her eyes were most green just then.

His attention was drawn back to the woman in his arms as she softly called his name.  He saw what she wanted, and part of him wanted that too.

She was beautiful and kind and funny and sweet. She flitted her way into his life and his world was lighter for it.

But still he stood there in awkward confusion.  He slowly bent and kissed her on the cheek and embraced her in a warm hug.

She was taken by surprise.  She clearly expected a kiss, but quickly she put her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. 

He sighed.  This was nice.  He liked the way she fit him.  He stirred at the way her body felt against his.  He tightened his embraced and kissed her temple.

He held her like that, swaying with the sound of the music drifting from a room above them.

Finally a drunken group stumbled by and yelled “ get a room!” and a couple more crude comments and he finally stepped away from her. 

Her eyes were shining up at him and he felt a rush of emotions he needed to sort.  Before he said anything she spoke.

“ Will you be at the cafeteria for breakfast in the morning?” she asked.

“ Not tomorrow.  I have a tennis lesson at 9,” he responded.

“ I love tennis. May I come? Maybe I'll pick up a few pointers!” she said.

“ You play tennis?” he asked surprised. “Sure.  Maybe we can play a couple of sets after.  I could use the practice!”

“ Just remember, I said I play, not that I play well!” she teased. 

As he laughed down at her she laid her hands on his hard chest and leaned to kiss him.  She kissed the deep dimple that had appeared, her mouth brushing the corner of his.

He felt a jolt at her lips so close to his.  She had his head swimming.  Then she put a safe distance between them.

“ 10 tomorrow at the main courts?” she asked, only a small tremor to her voice betraying that the embrace had affected her as well.

He cleared his throat. “ Sounds great.  Seen you then.” He said, watching her turn toward the dorm.

He watched as she safely entered the building, waving as she turned one last time.  Then he walked to his own dorm, grateful for the time to clear the confusion from his brain and cool the rush of heat in his body.