Burnt Ramen

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

            One day.

            That’s all Kate has left before officially beginning her second year at college. She finds herself stuck between two choices; swaddling herself into a blanket to silently mourn her freedom, or to get dressed and spend her last day productively.

            It’s already nearing twelve, and Kate would’ve found it very easy to fall back asleep had there not been a gentle knock at the door. “Come in,” she grumbles into her pillow, before realizing she hasn’t even been up long enough to look in a mirror yet. Momentary panic ensues, and quickly Kate wipes her hand across her mouth and pulls her hair into a pony tail.

            Finn walks into her room and Kate sits up, blinking the last bits of sleep out of her eyes. He seems a bit tired as well, because his head shakes slightly as if a reminder to become more awake. “Hey Kate,” he greets her. “Do you have plans today?” He watches her almost a bit nervously, waiting for her response and running his hand through his dark hair.

            For a moment Kate finds herself wondering just how soft his hair is exactly, but she chalks it up to her drowsiness and formulates a response, “Does it count if I planned to spend the day with my bed?”

            Smiling and letting out a light laugh, Finn says, “Wouldn’t you rather spend the day with me? I can actually speak.”

            She would and Finn’s right, her bed isn’t exactly the greatest converser. “Yes actually, that sounds much better. Do you have anything in mind?”

            She watches as his happy expression is replaced with one of confusion and he says, “Well…my plan only went as far as to ask you.” His eyebrows are drawn together and he looks a bit lost, “So, what do girls like to do?”

            It’s Kate’s turn to laugh. Finn’s so naïve and she wonders really how his mother or perhaps a sister—if he even has one—hasn’t given him at least an idea of what’s fun to the female gender. He seems genuinely muddled, so Kate decides to spare him any embarrassment, “I’m fine with anything. As long as you don’t drag me along to some sports game or something.”

            “No,” Finn says, shaking his head. “I can’t stand watching sports either, I can’t even play them.”

            “Really?” Kate asks, taking a closer look at Finn. She had originally thought that perhaps he was a swimmer, due to his broad shoulders. She hadn’t really pictured him as someone without athletic skills.

            “Really,” Finn assures her. “You don’t even want to see me attempt football.”

            Laughing again, Kate starts to climb out of bed now that she feels more awake. Again though, she’s wearing a pair of shorts and she can’t help but subconsciously try to inch them down a bit, which only draws Finn’s attention to her bare legs. “Are you cold?” he asks.