Snapshots | ✓

Fifteen: Micah

Thursday, February 26th, 2015

Hayes had been glancing furtively at him for ten minutes, slowly moving closer to where he was on the couch. He sighed and closed his laptop. She obviously had something she wanted to say so he may as well get it over with. He set the laptop on the coffee table and turned to her expectantly. "Yes?"

"I've been thinking," she started, moving all the way to the couch and curling up opposite him. "And I know nothing about you. I was telling my friends about you—"

"You talk about me with your friends?"

"—and I realized I only know your name, the names of your siblings, what you look like, and where you live currently."

"Some people would consider that a lot to know about someone."

"Not someone you live with."

"I never learned my college roommate's last name."

"That's because you're you," she said flatly.

He frowned, feeling like he should be offended. "What does that mean?"

"The point is, I'm intent on learning more about you and thought I'd ask you before asking your sister. I've already creeped your social media and there was nothing there."

"That's not usually something you admit to."

"I'm trying to convey my determination. So what do you say? Will you submit to my inquisition?" she asked.

"Only if you answer all of the questions as well."

She narrowed her eyes. "That's one way to keep me away from the uncomfortable questions."

"Just trying to be fair."

"You're limiting my creativity."

"Take the deal or leave the table."

"Fine," she agreed with a scowl.

"Then ask your first question," he said, motioning her ahead with a hand.

"Where were you born?"

"Cheyenne, Wyoming."

She stared at him. "Seriously?"

"Yep."

"When did you move away?"

"You haven't answered the question yet," he pointed out, reclining into a more comfortable position. He could tell they were going to be there for a while.

"I was born in Madrid. The one in Spain, in case that needs clarification."

"Neat."

"It is neat," she agreed. "Now, when did you move away from Wyoming?"

"I was six when we moved."

"Where did you move to?"

"Virginia Beach."

"Really? I would have never guessed, you don't have an accent."

"People are always surprised by that and I don't know why."

"I've lived outside of the US for more than half of my life so I can't really help you there."

He snorted. "Fair enough."

"What—" she stopped, seeing him raise his eyebrows expectantly. "Right. Lived in Madrid until I was five, moved to Toronto where I lived until I was eleven, then to New York until I was thirteen, then to Paris until I was seventeen. Moved back to New York to attend NYU and got degrees in public policy and international relations with a minor in art history in four years. Took my LSATs and scored a 172, got into the law school at the University of Chicago, did two years there before I decided I hated it, and now I'm here."