Iridescent Pearls

he'd done it before

He'd done it before, stolen her breath away with just one look from across the room. She had no experience in handling this type of reaction, no one had ever made her heart take flight. He stole his way into her smile; introvert by nature, she wasn't accustomed to drawing any type of attention.

"Hey," he flirted once she was within arm's reach.

"Hi," a reply without beguilement, "hi-hi Robert," Marie glanced over his shoulder. Robert loved the way her face played out every single secret, it really wasn't fair that he could mask his gut reactions. She affected him just as deeply, and he so desperately wished she and him had crossed paths sooner.

"Marie, let's get out of here?" Robert bit the inside of his cheek as his dimple showed. His anxious smile played the part of confidence. So often Marie said no, he wondered why he even bothered asking anymore.

Yet today, today Marie wanted to say yes. Marie knew that if she stayed today would be like any other day. Today could be a routine in class, books, library, tests, teachers, friends, and work. Today could be just like any other Tuesday in the last two years of her high school life. She was tired of monotonous todays.

"Yes..." Marie flushed a bright scarlet and a smile was born, not one as bold as his but still. Robert fought for self-control, he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of Marie. Robert always wanted to steal her breath.

Since he was afraid his voice would squeak, Robert instead took her hand and led her to the parking lot. She had turned mute as soon as they touched. Robert didn't run, but he also didn't slow down. He knew she would run away the moment she felt the weight of her backpack on her shoulder.

Marie was a smart girl, and he loved to see the spark in her eye when she was faced with a challenge in class. It was that spark that caught his eye and stole his breath.

Robert opened the door to his brother's truck, thankful Andrew was too lazy to carry his own keys. He'd have to deal with that drama later. Ha, this moment was worth all the punishment and more. Inside his ribcage, his heart beat like a woodpecker at his favorite tree.

"Robbie," Marie muttered, "I want to see something other than the inside of a book."

"I want to breathe and live, you always seem to be in the middle of something fun. I'd like to join you today."

Robert cringed a little at the nickname, "Marie, you and me, today we are the fun." Her blush blossomed further down her neck and across her shoulders, a delicate dance of pink on her skin. He knew that he would make today unforgettable for Marie. This was his mission.

"I know just where to take you, and it's going to be a blast."

That sentence hung in the air, and he turned the key to start their adventure. Marie had already been hidden in plain sight long enough.

Even though he secretly read almost every book she checked back into the library, today Marie would live an adventure instead of reading about one. Robert rattled his head for ideas as they drove away.

C. Dougherty