City Limits (Spencer Reid Fanfic)

Chapter Seven: Underneath His Layers

I bit my lip off outside Reid's door while singing High School Musical under my breath.

Okay, that was maybe a weird way to describe the situation, but technically, it was true. I had every nervous habit in the book, and gnawing at my own face and digging up Zac Efron tunes from my childhood weren't exceptions. Judging by the metallic taste in my mouth, I'd drawn blood.

Wow. That probably looks extra attractive, Rae. He'll definitely want to kiss you now...

I grimaced and shook off my wishful thinking. I had yet to talk to him, and I was already imagining some Disney-type crap. This was real life, and I don't know what I expected out of it, but I had to stop with this rose-tinted, lovesick bullshit. Maybe Reid and I were just meant to be friends.

But being friends meant he first had to accept my apology, and I was hardly deserving of his forgiveness. Digging up Elle was way out of bounds, and it didn't take a rocket scientist-- or a genius, in Reid's case-- to know I'd probably struck a nerve. He had every right to throw me out in the metaphorical rain.

Nevertheless, I was willing to give it a shot and get down on my knees and beg, and that had to count for something. And anyway, I'd come prepared. With Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Before I could regret it, I closed my eyes and rapped my knuckles on the door.

Instead of pacing anxiously for his answer, I resorted to chanting the lyrics to "Now or Never" from High School Musical 3, which oddly fit the circumstances.

"This is the last time to get it right, this is the last chance to make it our night. We gotta show what we're all about, work together! This is the last chance to make our mark, history will know who we are. This is the last game, so make it count. It's now or never!" I puffed out.

One of the security guards posted at Reid's room raised an eyebrow at me like I had three heads. I wasn't crazy! I sounded crazy, but that was totally different than being crazy...right? Whether he was doubting my vocal skills or choice of song, I'll never know, because Reid himself suddenly appeared.

"Oh. Hi," I squeaked self-consciously, hugging the gift-wrapped book to my chest.

"Hi. Is... is everything alright?" Reid echoed.

He swiped away a strand of his unruly hair and glanced behind me to check for others. I cleared my throat and stepped to the side to allow him to peek around. I couldn't tell the emotion in his gaze when he discovered I was alone. I decided to pretend it was relief... or even happiness.

"So... um, what-- what do you need?"

I tugged at my scarf and tapped my fingers lightly at my side. The thing was starting to resurface. I couldn't let it get the best of me. Not now, not here. Not in front of Reid, and certainly not in front of the guards. I'd be whisked off to a mental hospital so fast...

"I, uh, wanted to come by and... uh, could we actually talk about this... um, somewhere else? I mean, it's kinda awkward, out here, with these guys... no offense, Bill," I chirped, reading the name tag of one of the officers. Reid gave an affirming nod to each of them before ushering me inside.

"Are you okay?" he inquired after the door was closed behind us. Normally, I would've felt the need to emphasize the little worried crinkles on his forehead, and how adorable he looked in plaid pajamas, but at the moment, I was too lightheaded to focus on the whole puppy-love stuff.

"I'm good, yeah! I mean--" I choked, and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground.

"Rae! What's wrong?" Reid's frantic voice wavered from some distant place.