Maroon Socks

14: UNTOLD STORIES

Dakota and Arthur have been sitting on the patio ledge for a good ten minutes. It's only when Dakota feels really bored does she tap her fingers on Arthur's bicep, as she still hasn't let go of it. She feels a weird texture beneath a fingertips, making her twist his arm towards her in curiosity. Her fingers push up the fabric covering the muscle. Dakota glides her fingers over the blank ink that rests there, staring at is mesmerizingly.

"What is it?" Dakota whispers, hot into his ear. Arthur frowns, looking down. He's almost forgotten all about the tattoo he got a year back. Once noticing what she is referring to, Arthur begins to explain, "I got it last year. It's a sound wave, you see."

Dakota looks up, not minding the fact that their faces are unnecessarily close. "What does it say?" she questions, her lips pouting.

There's a small smile resting on Arthur's lips, as he says, "It's a sound wave." Whilst Dakota is tracing the wave with her index finger, Arthur adds, "It says: If not us, who?"

Dakota has a lip-tight grin on her mouth, as she tilts her head up, mouth mere inches away from his. "Wise words of Sir John F. Kennedy." Arthur nods, lips pursed. "Have you ever actually followed his words?"

Arthur's mouth is sealed. Dakota sighs, resting her cheek on her knees, looking at him, as he stares off at the view to his left. She marks the strong jawline he has and how pale his skin is. She notices the short scar resting on the upper half of his neck. Dakota lets out another sigh and pushes her hands on her knees to get up.

Arthur's movements are quick compared to hers. Just as her thighs are lifted off the ledge, high enough for her to straighten her back, Arthur grabs her hand pulling her 5'8 frame back down to sit. Dakota's slightly lanky form gives up on her, causing her to stumble and fall half onto Arthur's lap.

Arthur opens his mouth, as if to say something and it stays open. Dakota's eyes automatically widen, a barely audible gasp leaving her lips. "I was — I — am sitting — lap, alright," Dakota softly pushes out.

Arthur expects her to get off him but she remains there: sitting on his leg. He is surprised that Dakota isn't even the slightest bit fazed by the situation and just looks at him.

Next, Dakota trails her fingers along his collarbone and blinks between inconsistent intervals. On the contrary, Arthur breath quickens, heart thumping and a light coat of sweat covering his palms.

"Hey, should I switch off the oven? No one's using it or does anyone want to still —" Brooke enters, talking whilst looking over her shoulder and pointing at the oven. When she looks at the pair sitting, she instantly cuts herself off mid-sentence. Brooke's arms slump beside her and then she tries to say something to avoid any awkward situations (re: she spoke too soon.)

"We were just talkin —"

"This is exactly what it looks like —" Dakota says at the same time as Arthur. Arthur looks at Dakota, horrified and Dakota bluntly looks at him. Suddenly something snaps in her head and she begins to shake her head. "This is exactly not what it looks like."

"As you can see —" Arthur laughs, trying to explain.

"Oh, right, I can. You were just sitting. . . . with Dakota on your lap and — should - should Calvin know about this?" Brooke says, cheekily, folding her hands over her chest. "You know since he still has this ongoing theory about you two —"

"NO!" the pair exclaim, hand reaching forward but Brooke quickly steps back.

"Well, then," Brooke says after a few moments. "Arthur, will you be a darling and excuse us for a minute?"