Snakes & Scoundrels

26: pastels & overcast

I know I'm a fragile grenade. Not a delicate flower. I know I'm absorbed in the dark moiety of the world where emotions like angst, temper, flight, hostile, and consuming relationships exist. I know my instinct is to pick up my dark emotions over any softcore alternative if I were given a choice. I thought the tenderness didn't suit me. 

That's until I grew accustomed to Collin Hunt's kisses. 

He kissed me like I was a flower anticipating a bloom. His lips swept across mine like caressing pastel petals of blossomed rose. He never rushed. His makeout dictionary didn't have the words aggressive or angsty. He was calm, steady, aware, and present. Every time he kissed me, he assured me without words that I could count on him and that he would be my safety net. The root of my intricate plant.  

My past was a chaotic turmoil. Even though I hadn't narrated to him every little detail, he had a brief idea of how I slipped into the dark side. Perhaps after all that consuming and draining mayhem, soft, slow, and steady was my prescribed medicine to heal. 

And Collin was just that. Soft, slow, and steady. 

His hands held my face as he pressed his lips to mine for another ten seconds before we both broke away, smiling. "Chuck your car. Let me drive you home." 

I chuckle, clipping my bottom lip in my teeth. "If I leave my car here, I'm pretty sure I'll be coming back tomorrow to a glittery pink car with slashed tires and an axe pinned to my window frame." Collin groans. "I love my car. I don't trust these idiots."

"Fine, then I'll follow you until you park your car at your house and then you hop into mine." I tilt my head, hesitantly. "Come on, I'll buy you that cotton candy ice cream you love. Two scoops." 

I force shut my eyes. "Ugh, the ice cream is making me want to say yes..." He looks hopeful. "But I can't. I have my Raven meeting now. We're supposed to discuss how the Raventown launch was yesterday."

Collin tugs the ends of my golden hair. "And how was it for you, Miss Mellon?" 

I look away smiling, "It was...enchanting." 

We mirror the same kind of smile. "Emphasize that for me?" 

"I met a man. He was cringy and romantic. He kissed me in the middle of the dance floor. And then on top of the Ferris wheel. We talked the whole night. The sun came up, the reality set in, and it was epic." 

His hands cup my cheek and pull me for another kiss. He lays soft pecks against my mouth and we end up smiling some more. 

"What would it take for your friend to stop gawking at us?" Collin mutters, slowly releasing me. 

I whip my head and spot Alex waiting by the door with a milkshake in his hand and a flattened straw pressed in between his teeth. His arms are crossed and his foot is impatiently tapping against the ground, as he, like Collin put it, gawks at us. 

A moment later I realize it isn't just Alex. It's the whole of Ravenford giving us the lingering eyes as they pass by. Barring the traditional rules, according to their customs I'm now dating a teacher. This isn't against the rules, because Collin is an interim coach, but it is actually "frowned upon." And "frowned upon" does not mean "pack up." 

"It's not just him, it's the whole college." I avoid a few more eyes as I spot Collin looking slightly annoyed. "It's Day One. They'll get used to it." 

His brows furrow as he shifts his attention back to me. "Would you look at how the tables have turned? Who is this woman who's filled with patience and understanding--where's my explosive Park?" 

I chuckle, "You've calmed her down." 

"I like this change," He kisses my hand. "And it's only Day One."