Perception

Untitled Part 8

Sang POV:

The next couple weeks were business as usual. We went to school, the guys attempted to figure out what Hendricks was up to, I worked the diner a couple nights a week. Boring for the most part. The only difference was, I was attempting to bring out Mr. Blackbourne's playful side.

I couldn't have been more shocked and...intrigued when we surfaced from the pool.

"If you plan to cheat, I will take payment with a kiss. It's up to you, Miss Sorenson," sneaky Mr. Blackbourne had obviously heard of my penchant for cheating. That stupid "first moves" rule still in effect has me boxed in, but did I have the guts? You bet your bippy I did!

Playful Mr. Blackbourne is an trait that I am determined to find again, but the task of finding him without playing into my shyness and insecurities was a bit tricky. I started small. Such a perfectionist as Mr. Blackbourne takes great care with their appearance. My only contact with him happens to be at school, but I made the best of it. I used the paper schnibbles left in a spiral notebook and sprinkled them on him during my violin lessons. By sprinkling, I generally mean wearing white and hoping to transfer said schnibbles from my own clothing to his while he constantly had to adjust my posture. I may or may not have been exceedingly sloppy in my hold and stance. Mr. Blackbourne does not seem to mind the constant hands-on corrections.

After that, I endeavored to scuff his shoes. Gabriel kept going on and on about this pair of shoes Mr. Blackbourne was wearing even though he had found him a pair that were much more to his (Gabriel's) liking. I know the boys think I'm particularly clumsy since Nathan explained how we met, so I played that up. A simple stumble and swish skidded my foot over his, as he caught me before I fell forward.

I can only hope he attributes my awkwardness to the pool party events, because I am sure I am blushing furiously the entire time I am in class with him. After being asked if I am alright several times, I give up on that plan of action. I needed something...a bit less hands-on. Knowing this may take some help, I enlist Dr. Green in my plans.

"How can I get under Mr. Blackbourne's skin?" I ask conversationally after Japanese. Victor looks at me like I've lost my ever-loving mind, but his eyes are also flaring with amusement.

"Well, Pookie....I think you may already be under his skin," Dr. Green looks decidedly uncomfortable. I don't know what he means, really. I'm sure Mr. Blackbourne would have confronted me if any of my antics have had their intended result.

I explain what I am trying to do, noting both Dr. Sean's and Victor's surprise and amusement, then ask for advice.

"I won't directly do it for you, but you could try moving things around in our office," he suggests with a world of amused mischief and humor in his sparkling eyes. He arranges for me to find the office door unlocked at certain times of the day, but also advises me that Mr. Blackbourne would likely check the security cameras, and tells me where they are placed in the area.

On the third day of tweaking random objects in their shared office, I managed a blushing wink at the camera aimed at their door then scurry toward my next class with a smirking Victor waiting slightly off camera for me.

As I reached gym class, an arm snags me around the waist and pulls me into a janitor's closet. I begin to call out to Victor, but the little traitor smiles brightly and waves before walking away!

"It seems, Miss Sorenson, that you are in need of another lesson in fair play," he says before sweeping me to his chest and giving a swift but passionate kiss. "Do keep in mind that, if you ever have need of me, at any time, I will do my utmost to be of service," he states with his millimeter smile, and mercury eyes before pushing me back into the hallway just as the bell rings.