Lovebirds

WELCOME BACK HILLSDALE

"Good morning Hillsdale Central High School, and welcome to a brand spanking new school year! I'm your host, Freddie Carmichael, and these are your first day announcements."

She takes a deep breath. One step within the building and it smells like something new. A little damp from the sweat of so many bodies in the hall, but every molecule feels charged; with hope, anticipation, or something more serendipitous. Possibilities tap-dancing across the static-covered voice of Freddie Carmichael as he informs the student body that,

"The first football game of the season will be held next Friday against the Fairday Falcons. Any Harpy that doesn't show will be considered a traitor. Don't be a traitor, folks. In other, less exciting news (sorry Principal Rudd), the faculty school year kickoff will be held in the library tomorrow. Get to know your favorite teachers and—oh! More importantly, folks, they'll have free food. Thank you, Principal Rudd... Um, what else is on here..."

The sound of Freddie's shifting paper fills the halls as she finds her locker. Spins the code across the lock and yanks the door open. The cold maroon metal smells like cleaning solution. She hangs her backpack on a hook before removing a small magnetic mirror from the front pocket and positioning it at her height on the door. Checks how her hair faired the summer weather, before grinning approvingly at her reflection.

"Textbook check out will occur during whatever period you have PE—wait what? That's right?! Oh, Dean Matthew, I love you. Passionately. No gym class for anyone today folks! And for you lucky varsity people with no gym class, you'll just have to go during your lunch period or after school, before the library closes at four... That looks like the end of the announcements this morning. This is Freddie Carmichael wishing you a great first day back. Go fighting Harpies!"

She laughs, pulling a notebook from her bag. The first thing she'll miss at college next year: Freddie's morning announcements.

A hand snakes around her waist, pressing her to the stomach of someone behind. Soft yet solid stature, his lips find their place behind her ear. Gentle fingers pull her hair behind her shoulder, and she hears the breath he breathes before speaking.

"Morning, Spencer."

"Oh boy," Spencer replies, looking over her shoulder at Vincent. "Some girls might find this a little assertive."

"Hmm." He twists her hips to face him, a smile playing across his lips, "It's a good thing, then, that you're not just some girl."

Spencer rolls her eyes. Chokes on a little laugh, and yet her fingers still wrap around the door of her locker to pull it closed. Pen and spiral notebook in her other hand, she leans back against the maroon metal, reaching for his t-shirt to pull him to her lips when the door clicks closed. He wraps his arms around her, pulling himself closer while her touch traces up his shoulders to the back of his neck. And gently, the corners of her lips pull into a smile as the warning bell rings to remind them that it's still the first day of school. 

"We have five minutes," she whispers between them. 

He smiles and kisses her again.