Quinn showed up at five on Liza's doorstep. Like Liza, he had taken the time to shower and change clothes. Suddenly, this was starting to feel more like an informal date than just him coming over to look at some books with her. Smiling at each other like goofy children, Liza and Quinn sat on the couch, books between them. Shortly after, Leslie arrived home from work. It didn't take long to realize that this was more than just a study date. Leslie knew her daughter well enough to know when she liked something. With that in mind, she wanted to get to know this boy better, so she invited him to stay for dinner. Quinn agreed and after calling his aunt to let her know, he settled back in on the couch with Liza while Leslie cooked.
Liza was giddy at being this close to Quinn, but even still, she was occasionally able to forget that she couldn't think around him and become more interested in what she was reading. It was at these times that she would let her guard down and her hair would fall just so, and Quinn became more interested in the view. Instinctively, he would lean in, not realizing he was doing so, and catch a small whiff of her shampoo. Then she would look up at him and smile and he would realize he was probably too close and back off.
Quinn nervously cleared his throat.
"You know, if you told me more about what we're looking for, I might be more useful."
Liza's face clouded and suddenly Quinn could see a wall where earlier he had seen Liza clearly.
"Are you ok?"
Liza smiled weakly at him.
"Sure. It's just...it's a little...vague. I haven't decided exactly what part I want to write about."
"When's it due?"
"Oh, we have three months to get it done. I just wanted an early start."
Quinn nodded. To Liza's relief, her mother called them to dinner.
Sitting at the table, Liza concentrated on not dripping food down her front as her mother and Quinn talked. She was glad her mother was taking a lot of the conversation; it kept her from making an idiot of herself as she ate. She would be mortified if she ended up with something stuck between her teeth. She kept running her tongue over her teeth, just in case.
Finally, dinner came to an end, uneventfully, and Quinn and Liza reseated themselves on the couch with the books.
"Liza, I know we haven't really known each other a long time. I mean, we've known each other, but not known each other for very long."
Liza looked at Quinn. What was he trying to say? Petrified, she stayed quiet.
"But I hope you know that you can trust me. You can talk to me about anything."
Liza breathed a mental sigh and smiled.
"Ok. That's really sweet of you. Thanks."
Quinn checked his watch and stood up.
"I gotta get going. I still have a little studying to do before tomorrow's geology test."
Liza stood too and walked him to the door. Before leaving, Quinn turned to Liza and again she felt his intense stare. He was standing very close to her, staring into her eyes. The butterflies decided to hold another dance in her stomach and her heart felt the need to join in. There was a distinct possibility that she might pass out. He stood there, just looking at her for several moments. Then finally, he reached up his hand and brushed her cheek before turning and walking to his bike.
Stunned, Liza closed the door and stood against it for a moment, her head reeling. Wasn't he supposed to kiss her when he looks at her like that? Liza may be sixteen, but she had never been kissed before. All she had to go on was Shara's stories and movies. She was sure that a look like that preceded a kiss.
The phone rang and her mother poked her head out from the kitchen to let her know it was Shara. Liza ran up the stairs and picked up her extension.
"Hi! So, how's life?" Shara's greeting was a little suspicious.
"Fine."
"Just fine? How was psychology?"
"Shara, what did you do?"
"Do? Whatever do you mean?"
"Shara! Did you talk to Quinn?"
"Why, why ever would I do a thing like that?" Shara adopted her best southern accent. "I know nothing of a reason why it would matter if Quinn spoke to you or not."
Liza groaned.
"I'm sorry, I should have told you."
"Yes you should have! Now, I want details."
"I don't understand!" Liza filled Shara in on everything, including the night before. It felt really good to unload.
"Wow. He actually said that about the shirt thing? Who knew he had it in him to be so flirty?"
"No kidding. But why didn't he kiss me?"
"That boy is an odd one." Another accent, this time an old British lady.
Liza sighed. It was such a wonderful evening. She just wished it had ended even more wonderful.
