Unknown Beginning

Part 28

The team had managed another win at their Saturday game and everyone was chatting happily on the bus ride home. It didn't take long for Kenny to become absorbed in her phone so Riley assumed her typical routine and placed her headphones on to look out the window as the music filled her ears. Riley had been lost in the music and imaginary scenarios when she checked her phone and saw a text awaiting her. Yet again, Riley's heart rate picked up when she saw it was James. The conversation started gradually with small talk about the game but progressed quickly into information gathering. Riley learned James' favorite color. That she was majoring in psychology. The music she listened to. That they had similar music tastes and Riley discovered James' favorite songs from her favorite bands. They discussed characters they liked and most related to from the show The L Word. James identified as Shane which had caused Riley to roll her eyes at this and thought typical as she thought of the somewhat coky air James gave off. Riley was only interrupted from discovering more when they arrived back on campus.

The team had returned early enough that the dining hall was still open but Riley noticed Kenny only had a small plate of salad. This observation triggered a memory from last night when Riley had watched Kenny take only one slice of pizza for dinner, a piece she hadn't even finished. Now that she really looked at Kenny, Riley thought she looked smaller which was saying a lot since Kenny was petite to begin with. How long has this been going on? Riley thought to herself. Had she been so caught up in whatever was going on with James that she failed to notice Kenny struggling? Worried now and determined to keep a closer watch, Riley lost her appetite too.

Sunday and Monday had been uneventful and although Riley had seen James at practice, they hadn't resumed their text conversation. As was routine, they sat next to each other in their psych class, far too aware of the other's presence. And as part of their usual routine Riley hung back to let James leave first and meet Kristin. Except Kristin wasn't waiting for James this time. Instead, Riley found James in the hallway waiting for her.

Confused, Riley asked "Hey... where's Kristin? Don't you two normally meet up after this class?"

James shrugged "I told her not to today."

Trying not to read into this, Riley simply responded "Oh" nodding her head slowly as she began walking.

James fell into step beside her and Riley was suddenly very conscious of how close they were. So close that their arms occasionally brushed the other's. Was it on purpose? Riley thought. Riley knew they had been flirty and obviously couldn't deny the irresistible attraction she felt but she couldn't shake the thought that James had a girlfriend.

Riley's thoughts were interrupted however when James asked "Do you want to meet up to work on the psych project tomorrow afternoon? We could work in one of those private study rooms under the library again."

"Sure,"Riley agreed with anxious anticipation. She wanted to be alone with James but wasn't sure if she could trust herself to do that.

The problem with relying on self control was that Riley had very little of it. Especially when it came to things she really wanted. Like James. Like her hands on James. And James' hands on her. As a result, Riley worked very hard to keep things at the edge of flirty on Wednesday.

Yet again, James had chosen to sit next to Riley at the table rather than across from her. Which meant their arms continued to brush. And Riley's hand found James' thigh again as she leaned towards James to read the powerpoint slide pulled up on her laptop. Riley thought the heat of her hand would burn a hole right through James' jeans as it slid to rest several inches above her knee. Surely James could hear Riley's heart as it thudded against her ribs in an attempt to leave her body. She knew James was fighting the temptation too since Riley saw James' eyes frequently sneaking glances at Riley's lips, then cleavage, and even Riley's hand that rested on the table. Riley couldn't help letting her tongue sneak out to pull her bottom lip in as she caught it between her teeth while watching James run her thumb slowly down the length of her pen. Riley knew James was watching for her reaction and James knew Riley saw James' every movement. The tension between the two was so palpable that Riley could almost taste it.