The Remembrance of You *ON HOLD*

Chapter 4

"So city boy, what do you plan on doing for the holiday week?" I tilt my head and stretch as Ricky turns to me, giving me a small smile. It had only been about an hour since we got to my dorm room, but conversation was dwindling and I wanted to get him talking. That... or get him to leave. I wasn't good with awkwardness. "Same as I always do. I'm gonna stay here and do the schoolwork I fell behind on." He explains and I frown, catching his eyes. "You don't have anyone to go home to?" I ask in a mere whisper, emotion that I can't help seeping into my voice. I knew his family was gone, but I just wished that he'd tell me he has a friend, or an extended relative. Ricky looks ahead at my wall though before back to me. "No, I plan on staying here again." He says simply and this time I can't help it. I reach my hand out and press it against the back of his. His eyes shoot to mine and I can't read what he's thinking. His skin is warm though, and I rub my thumb across his knuckles. He watches my motions with extreme caution, before looking back into my eyes when I speak again. "I'd invite you to my Thanksgiving dinner with my family, if I knew you better." I joke quietly and Ricky gives me a smile. "It's not that I'm looking to have a home cooked Thanksgiving... but if I could use that as an excuse to get to know you?" Ricky grins fully and I shake my head in humor, partly shocked that this calculated, quiet boy took me up on my offer so quickly but partly relieved. "Slick city boy, very slick. I see you." He laughs, a beautiful sound, and I watch as he looks down at our touching hands. His gaze reminds me of my hand on top of his and I pull it away quickly. "Oh sorry" I mumble and he shakes his head. "No need to apologize." He says confidently and I flush. "But um, I guess if you really want to get to know me... we have five days until Thanksgiving. If you're not a stranger by then, I'll bring you home to my folks and we'll share dinner." Ricky shakes his head, almost in disbelief and smiles. "Is that a challenge?" He muses and I scoff. "Only if you make it one." I fire back and he turns to me quickly. "Let's do it." I laugh at his forwardness and he scans my face for a response. "You're on city boy. Tell me about yourself. Like actual stuff about you." I clarify and he takes a deep breath and shifts himself as if he's getting more comfortable.

I had a feeling we'd be up all night.

We were. By the end of the night, and the start of the morning, Ricky and I had talked as if we had known each other our entire lives. The highlight of the night was when I made fun of him for majoring in economics after he played such a gorgeous piece of music on my instrument, and he called me an idiot for wasting my talent to pursue English. Something about the way our smiles lingered, after we had finished teasing, it was comfortable and something that I wanted to go on forever.