"Sarah!" Carina swung open their dorm room.
It was a Friday afternoon, and a chilly one at that. It was their second week in at university life. Sarah wasn't going to lie, it was hard to get use to. But having her best friends and her boyfriend along for the ride made her feel incredibly lucky. If things were different. If Carina was somewhere on the other side of the country studying. If Chuck wasn't with her she probably would have almost packed her bags after her first day and begged her mom to come pick her up. Which sounded childish and weak but she didn't care. She didn't care if living away from home freaked her out. Because it did and it should. It was a whole new chapter of her life without her parents right there in the flesh with her.
But she had friends with her. She had someone who she could arrive back from class, walk into that person's arms and be wrapped up in a comfortable warmth for however long she wanted.
Basically she couldn't believe she had a boyfriend.
She was in love at nineteen.
She was so in love at nineteen.
It felt too good and it scared her. A little. What if one day they break up? What if he told her he didn't love her anymore. She couldn't picture the words coming out of his mouth, but what if he did. What if he said 'Sarah it's not working, we're young..we have our whole life ahead of us.'
She wasn't so sure what she would do because she knew that things like this happened. More often than not.
And having such thoughts were freaking her out even more. Because the more she thought about it, the more she thought that what if what she's playing through her head pans out in life just the way she worried about and then...
"Sarah!"
"Oh my god." Oh my god. Something is seriously wrong with me.
"What? What is it?" Carina looked worried for a second.
Sarah turned quickly on the pastel, purple painted stall she was sitting on and shook her head. "No, no...nothing, it's cool. What's up?"
"You will NEVER guess what just happened."
"What?" Sarah asked as she let her wandering thoughts disappear for now. It was something good obviously. Because the smile and blush? on her face was glowing.
"This guy called Bryn, really hot if I may add." Carina's tone had turned girly and Sarah started to smile. Boys.
Sarah rolled her eyes, but was glad for the distraction. "Blue eyes, blonde hair?"
"No, quite the opposite really."
"Really?"
"Brown hair, green eyes. Really, really good-looking."
Sarah looked a tad more interested. "Do tell."
"I almost stuttered." Carina replied. "And I don't stutter often." That was true, Sarah thought. Boys usually stuttered around Carina, never the other way around. "Anyway, he rushed into me. It was like full on, movie like. Books flying, damsel in distress. Anyway, he's a couple of years older and has a flat close by. They're having a big party tonight and-"
"And he invited you and you are sooo excited to go and you can't wait, and I just HAVE to come with you!"
Carina didn't reply right away, replaying Sarah's impression of her in her head. She shrugged, it sounded kind of pretty. "YES!" She grinned as she threw herself on her bed. "Pleeease. You have to." Carina begged. "And you do have that new dress that I know you're just dying to wear."
Sarah twisted her mouth to the side, she did have a point there.
Carina knew she had her...almost.
"What about Chuck? No, wait what about Morgan? Carina, seriously?" Sarah felt a sudden wave of frustration run through her. "You need to give Morgan like a clear explanation of what you want with him. Friends? More? I feel sorry for him!"
It was like their budding romance was flat lining before it even lifted off the ground. One minute Morgan kisses her, prom date, they go on a few double dates, they apparently kiss a little more and the next minute... that's it.
Are they together? Who knows.
Are they going to go on another date? Who knows.
And Carina is all Morgan talks about. 'Oh she's so pretty.' 'Man I was thinking of inviting her over? What do you guys reckon? ' 'Man! Carina and I did this and that and do you know she is one special girl?' 'She's really beautiful.'
And it was cute and Sarah was all 'come on Morgan!' trying to give him a little more confidence in himself. She had a feeling that's where the problem lay. It was like Morgan felt not good enough. He had all these grand ideas but never went through with any. Saying it may not be Carina's thing. 'Oh maybe she won't like it.' 'I don't think I'll do that anymore.'
And then Carina didn't do much either and well, really, Sarah had no clue. She didn't really know what was going on. Other than Morgan was living with hearts in his eyes but not really putting himself out there and Carina she ...
Like I said. I have no clue.
"I know, I know I will. They can come!"
"And you introduce Morgan to this oh, so hot guy named Bryn?" Sarah asked. "I don't think that's going to go very smoothly..."
"Well..no, but I'll talk to Morgan. I just need a little more time, you know?" Carina wrinkled her brow slightly as she inspected her fingernails. She didn't want to talk about it, she didn't really want to think about it either.
Sarah nodded. "Yeah, OK. I don't want you to feel pressured to go out with Morgan if you don't actually have feelings for him." She ducked her head a little so Carina could see her soft smile. "But, but just don't lead him on OK?"
"I won't," Carina promised. "So you'll come? We can go?"
"Yeah, I'm going to go and force Chuck to come though." Sarah grinned, hopping up from her bed and walking towards the door.
"Get him to ask Morgan!"
Sarah wasn't far away from Chucks door when a frustrated "Argggh!" travelled down the hall. She stopped briefly. Chuck?
"Gah!"
Definitely Chuck.
She passed a couple of boys on her way and she gave them a small smile. They always saw her walking down and they always, always stopped walking to let her pass. She wasn't sure why because the hallway was clearly wide enough for them to pass without making contact. Then as she passed she felt them watching her so she would turn around and look at them, giving them a friendly wave.
It happened so often.
"Hi hey hi!" One of them would ramble out quickly while the other one watched on nervously, blush bright on his cheeks.
They reminded her of Chuck a little so she thought they were kind of cute.
She left them with another dazzling smile which made her feel like a bit of a tease.
"Chuck?" She knocked quietly, when the other two boys had finally left down the hall. "You OK?"
No reply.
"Babe...?"
She finally heard quick footsteps, then looked down as the door handle begun to turn. She took a step back when it flew open and a flustered, frustrated looking Chuck stood on the other side.
Oh his hair.
He must have run his hand through it because it was sticking up, curling around and hanging in his eyes. She would have to fix it for him.
"Sarah, hey!"
She did a double take. "Since-" She tilted her head and gazed at him. What the? "Since when did you wear glasses?"
Chucks eyes widened behind the black rimmed glasses and he quickly took them off. "Uh, just reading ones. My eyes had got a bit sore back at home. Mom insisted I take them." He shoved them in his pocket and rubbed his eyes quickly. He hadn't got use to wearing them.
Sarah's mouth dropped open as she pinched him lightly in the stomach. "You never told me." She seemed shocked. "Put them back on!"
"Hey!" Chuck jumped back from her hands. "The stomachs tender. No touching the stomach."
She still couldn't believe he had worn glasses and he hadn't told her.
"Since when has it been tender?" She scoffed as she backed him into his room. She kicked the door shut with the heel of her leather converse.
"Since..since ages," Chuck nodded quickly as he stumbled backwards. She always made such a sexy entrance. "Very-"
"Very what?" Sarah asked as she moistened her lips. She wanted to ask him to put his glasses back on so she could have a better look. But instead she took a step closer to him and lightly grazed her hand over his stomach and around his waist.
She hadn't seen him all day and his text were just not enough to hold her over until dinner.
"Wha-what are you here for?" Chuck swallowed.
Sarah dropped her hands and took a step back. Her eyes narrowed. He was so annoyingly annoying. "Oh I don't know. You know? I mean clearly not to see my boyfriend."
"Ohh, you know I didn't mean it like that." Chuck smiled some stupid 'you're so cheeky' smile at her and it made her insides clinch a little. He reached out for her but she wasn't through with him yet.
"Hmm," Sarah turned on her heel, just missing Chuck's grasp. "There's a lot of things I don't know it seems. You wearing glasses for one."
He knew she wouldn't let it go. But he wasn't going to put them on just to make her happy.
OK that was a lie. He would put them on to make her happy but he would rather not.
"It's the first time! One time." Chuck said. "I was trying to go over what we learnt today but it's a serious step up. I'm so lost on this," He opened the tab on his laptop. "See this it's-"
"Nope," Sarah placed her hands over her eyes. "This is not my field Chuck, I'm sorry but please don't explain it to me. You know I'll never get it."
Chuck grinned. "OK, that's fair enough I suppose." He closed his laptop down and crossed his arms, leaning against his desk. "What you been up to?"
"Not muuuuch." She did her routine walk around his small room, knowing that soon he'd stop her and pull her softly against him, or link their hands or do something that Sarah always looked forward to. She really loved that he had a single room.
"You wanna hang out tonight?" He asked as he caught her hand.
"Uh huh." Sarah nodded as she let him lead her towards his bed. "I was thinking... we could go to a party or something? Maybe?"
"A party? Is there one down in the common room?" He went to wrap his arms around her waist when she caught his arms to stop him.
"Ah, not exactly.." Sarah looked at him then down at the bed. She let go of one of his arms and pulled down the covers. She slipped her shoes off and climbed in and snuggled down, the side of her face squashed into his pillow.
It was cold, Autumn and Friday.
She closed her eyes and Chuck wondered if she was going to fall asleep on him. She popped one eye open and crept one hand out from under the covers. Giving him a little 'come here' gesture with her hands she spoke softly and needy. "Come cuddle."
Chuck watched her adorable pout for a second before slipping...more like fumbling because he wasn't so graceful at taking his shoes off into his bed. He circled his arms around her waist and pulled her near. "Have you been invited to a party already? "
"No, Carina got invited." Sarah replied as she let herself relax into him. "You're warm."
"So the truth comes out," Chuck teased as he let his fingers dance across her lower back where her sweat shirt was riding up. "You're using me as a hot water bottle."
"That and a few other reasons," She smiled as she kissed his lips softly. "We haven't been alone in ages...and ages and-" she stopped speaking when she deepened the kiss.
That was true, Chuck thought. They had slept together regularly because Sarah had told him it getting harder to sleep alone at night when she had another option of sleeping with someone. It always ended up with her curled right up next to him. Her back facing him, his arms around her waist, her hands covering his hands. All warm and smelling like her coco shea butter moisturizer.
But it had been a whole month since they had done anything more than making out. Ok some pretty serious making out. But no more than that. Chuck didn't know why exactly but he had a feeling it had to do with the stress of moving to a new town, uni starting then once at university, that Sarah shared a room with Carina. Which was fine because he was in a single room. So they could have his room when they wanted. But at the same time it was only the second week in and Sarah wasn't comfortable with ditching Carina so early in the year.
"And I do love being alone with you." Chuck replied once she parted her lips from his. She let out a contented sigh when he kissed his way down her neck.
Sarah grinned and tilted her head back. "Mm."
"Did you lock my door?"
"Mm."
Chuck stopped his kisses and looked at her. "Is that a yes or a no?"
"To what?" Sarah opened her eyes.
"Locking the door."
"Who cares?"
"You. If Morgan walks in."
"Chuck no, please just keep going I'm too tired to think."
She sounded whiny and Chuck grinned. "Well if you're tired.."
"What?"
"I don't want to keep you awake."
"God I hate you sometimes."
"Aw, Sarah.." He gave her his best puppy dog eyes as he looked down at her. "That was mean."
Sarah smiled up at him, his weight sitting comfortably on her hips. "But you were being annoying."
"I never say I hate you when you're being annoying."
"When am I ever annoying?" Her face was full of innocence.
"When, when...hmm...when you kept putting your cold hands on my stomach the other night!"
Sarah dropped her bottom lip a little. "But you said you were going to warm them up for me."
"Not that way!" Chuck faked a shiver at the memory.
Sarah grinned. "Not my fault your abs are just too irresistible. "
Chuck narrowed his eyes. "You know I can't take that as a compliment."
"Why?" She turned on her side to look at him. She was feeling a little sleepy and she was so comfortable that she had second thoughts on going to the party.
He lifted up on his elbows and pulled his shirt up. "Point them out."
Sarah looked at his pale stomach and the fine hairs trailing down to the waist of his jeans.
"See you can't see any abs can you?" Chuck smiled when she didn't answer.
"Yes." Sarah looked at him briefly. "Here," She kissed the left side of his stomach. "And here." SHe kissed the right side. She ran her hands up his chest and rested her head on his stomach.
"So I have only two abs?" Chuck grinned.
Chuckling, Sarah climbed her way back up and looked down at his face. She was dangerously close to him and she really hoped that she had locked the door.
"Chuck, we actually have no parents downstairs now." Sarah whispered as she kissed him. "We are actually alone, and.." She buried her head into the crook of his shoulder. "You smell like my favourite."
"Yo Chuck!" Morgan banged loudly on Chucks door. "Did Sarah tell you about the party tonight? So keen for it! Oi, dude let me in!"
Morgan. I will kill you. I will Seriously kill you.
"You will never guess what I have!"
"Well at least you locked the door." Chuck sighed as he gently rolled Sarah off him and hopped out of the bed.
"Noo-mmn.." Sarah moaned as she lost contact with him. "Commme back."
"I will I'll just-" Chuck opened the door as Morgan held up two new, shiny games."Are- are they?" His eyes grew wide as Morgan nodded his head.
"Got em on-line," Morgan grinned widely. "Just come out. Wana play?"
"I-i..."
Sarah hearing the conversation narrowed her eyes as she climbed out of his bed. "Of course he does." She said as she strutted past the two and out the door. "Because he has nothing better to do!"
Chuck quickly followed her out the door. "No, nononono wait, Sarah!"
She stopped walking. She knew she could tell Morgan to go see Carina, or pull Chuck back in his room and lock the door (which would be kind of mean to Morgan) but she didn't have to. If there was some new game out that they were just dying to play then so be it.
"I'm kidding Chuck," she smiled softly as she turned around. "You do your thing and I'll see you at dinner." She gave them a head nod and took another step backwards. "And uh, we'll continue our..conversation tonight OK? Because I feel that it's a conversation long overdue and yeah.."
"Right!" Chuck nodded quickly. "Yes. Yes...long, long.." he coughed a little. "Overdue."
She gave them another smile then turned back around and left back to her room.
"Chuck," Morgan came up behind him as Chuck watched Sarah saunter off. "I'm sorry man. Were you guys? You know? Getting jiggy?"
"Getting jiggy? Morgan where do you get these words from?"
Morgan ignored the question. "I'm super proud of you man."
Chuck wasn't sure for what but he took the praise. "Thanks man." It probably had something to do with having Sarah as a girlfriend.
"Alright, we got an hour. Lets go lets go!"
"Are you snap chatting Chuck?" Carina asked as she tied the laces on her black heels.
"No." Sarah flipped her iPhone down on her lap.
"What was that puppy dog look you were doing then?"
"I wasn't." Sarah stuck her tongue out and walked over to their shared mirror. She grabbed her black eyeliner and closed her left eye.
Focus.
Carina laughed and tied her other heel up. "We are finally going out!"
"I know," Sarah said slowly as she steadily drew the eyeliner on. "It's making me feel older."
"Chuck snapped ya back," Carina said quickly as she leaped for the phone.
"Carina no!" Sarah felt the eyeliner swerve up her eyelid. "Dammit! Now look what you made me do!"
"Gross you guys are sexting!" Carina chucked the phone back on the bed. "Yuck."
"We are no-" Sarah smiled as she read his text. "Chuck and I don't 'sext'. That's not really our thing..and I don't even know what that is."
"Duh."
"What do you mean duh?" Sarah asked. "Gah this eyeliner is smudging now." She grabbed a cotton bud to try to erase the smudge.
"Even mentioning something about sex he goes all red. I don't even have to say the word but imply it and he turns into a tomato!"
Sarah chuckled as she ran the pad of her finger along her eyelid to make sure it had all come off. Starting again, she spoke a little slower. "Well why would he want to talk to you about it anyway? You're such a tease."
"I am not!"
Sarah didn't reply for a couple of minutes as she drew a small flick with the black liquid.
"Damn, one eyes thicker than the other." She blinked her eyes in the mirror.
"You have another message." Carina picked up her phone. "Who's Zondra?
2 Weeks ago...
Sarah sat next to a girl name Lisa in their lecture. She was nice enough and Sarah shared her notes to her when Lisa wasn't quick enough to jot them down. She was from DC and apparently had been basically told to do law by her dad. Which Sarah couldn't even imagine how that must feel. Her parents never, ever pushed her to do anything she didn't want to. In part from tidying her room or doing the dishes but she wasn't really sure if that counted.
As their professor left to grab something that Sarah didn't hear what, she sat back in her chair and occasionally said a few words in the conversation the other girls were having. She felt kind of antisocial but it was her second day, and she brought it down to just not quite adjusting yet.
She had done better than her first day though. This time forcing herself to actually go and sit by the other girls in class.
The door flew open sending a cool breeze through the room. She still couldn't get over the fact that it had turned to Autumn so quickly. It was dresses, shorts, singlets and bikinis and she was in absolute summer bliss. Then uni started and it chilled off and now she was pulling out the scarves and beanies and she just wasn't ready for it yet.
A tall, brunette girl with tanned skin looked around the room, seemingly happy when she didn't spot the professor. Sarah looked up from her iPhone as the girl squashed in next to her.
"This is law right?"
Sarah nodded her head, she was sure she hadn't seen this girl before. "Yeah. Are you in this class?"
"Yep. Mom moved with me here so we were still unpacking yesterday."
"Oh cool, where are you from?"
"California. Long Beach, you?"
"Burbank."
"Nice. So what's the lecturer like? Young? Sexy? Smart?"
"Uhh.." Sarah chuckled. "Old and smart?"
"Goh." Zondra pulled out her laptop case and unzipped it. "The names Zondra Rizzo by the way."
"Sarah Walker."
"Nice to meet you Sarah but I have one question...well observation really."
"Yeah?" Sarah smiled slightly, wondering what it would be.
"You have a boyfriend don't you?"
"Um," Sarah looked at her phone, the screen was black so her screen saver wasn't the clue. And her laptop's shut, also not the clue. "How do you know?"
"Because," Zondra lowered her voice as the professor rushed back in. "Those guys over there? Are super good-looking. And you're not sitting by them."
Sarah laughed quietly. "That's how you can tell?"
"And you're in love."
"I am?" Sarah raised an eyebrow.
"Yep." Zondra smirked. "Because you still haven't turned around to look at them."
Sarah turned around.
Not that she had anything to prove because she didn't. She was guilty of both Zondra's observations. But she looked anyway because she could honestly say she hadn't taken any notice of them before. Which made her feel kind of nice.
She wondered if Chuck had ever looked at a girl a second longer than normal.
Probably.
But hopefully not.
It wasn't a crime but she secretly, very, only secretly wished that she was the only girl he would ever look at longer than your usual glance.
But then there were models and actresses and singers and famous people.
She was kidding herself, of course he would. Because she could stare and Leonardo DiCaprio all day. Literally all day. With his blue eyes and blonde hair and cheeky, confident smile.
But then she could stare at Chuck her whole life.
"Oh my god they're looking!" Zondra whispered and quickly started tapping aimlessly on her laptop.
Sarah shook the image of Chuck out of her head when she realised that four out of the seven of the guys were looking straight back at her.
"Oh god," Sarah blushed and turned her head to Zondra. "They just caught us staring!"
Zondra laughed loudly before receiving a look from the professor, which then led to a 'who are you?' which then led to a new round of introductions.
Chuck wondered who this 'friend' was that invited Carina to the party. He didn't think about it for too long though because she didn't say much and Sarah didn't seem to keen to elaborate on anything. But the house they strolled up to at 10:30pm was, well, flash. For a bunch of flatter anyway. He couldn't think much more to say. It was a two storey, wooden house with a small balcony on the top floor. Light flooded out from the wide windows and he could already hear a dull thud of music coming from the speakers.
"Noise control might be here soon."
"Oh lighten up Chuck!" Carina strode on ahead. "You better get use to it."
"She's happy tonight," Chuck told Morgan and Sarah as they followed slowly behind.
Sarah shivered in her little blue dress, cursing herself for not listening to her moms continual advise.
God I wish I brought a jacket. God I envy boys.
"I can't belive uni students flat in this? It's nicer than my parents house." Morgan shoved his hands in his pockets as he tilted his head to look up at the balcony. "I might go catch up with Carina. Meet you guys in there?"
"Yeah buddy," Chuck replied and stopped halfway up the driveway to look at Sarah. "You look really, amazingly gorgeous tonight."
Sarah loved her navy blue, flowy dress. It was a little see through so she wore a slip under, but it was one of those dresses that just fitted well. And her black heels made her feel tall and she didn't know, but she felt good and she wanted to hear Chuck say something. Because it made her feel even better.
It made her blush too and she cursed herself yet again. He said it so often, but her cheeks always, always heated up.
"But are you cold? You have goosebumps." He rubbed her hands up and down her arms. "Do you want my jacket?"
Sarah looked longingly at his jacket, she would love it. All warm and comfy and smelling like him and his cologne.
But she shook her head and linked her hand with his.
"I'm OK." She spoke softly to him. Suddenly feeling the urge to go somewhere where it was just them two. "I love you."
"I love-" Chucks reply got washed out by the large group of boys rustling pass them. Chucks arm snaked around Sarahs waist protectively.
"Evening chap! You have a fiiiine lass with ya here. Have you two just met?"
Chuck took a small step back from the sloshing beer in the twenty-something year old guys hand. His Scottish accent was terrible but the guys behind him obviously thought he was some sort of comedian.
"Hey, no this is my girlfriend, Sarah." Chuck nodded. "Love the shirt by the way."
The guy looked down at his Star Wars shirt then back up to Chuck, a grin erupting on his face.
"HAAA! This guy is classy. Come on take a swig! Take a drink." The guy turned around and gestured to his friend to pass him a beer. Cracking open the top he passed it to Chuck.
"Star Wars man and a girl friend this good-looking? You're living legend mate." He looked at Sarah then back to Chuck, still in awe of the girl standing next to Chuck. "This one's on us."
Chuck took the beer and looked quickly in Sarahs direction. He wasn't sure if she was impressed, horrified or amused.
He took a small sip then gave the beer a tilt. "Thanks guys."
"Scull!"
Scull?
All of a sudden all he could hear was the word scull roaming around the driveway. Are people shouting it from the windows?
"I-uh.."
"Scull, scull, scull!"
"Chuck you don't have to." Sarah said quietly next to him.
He looked down at the beer in his hand, this was a first. Sure, he'd had alcohol here and there but not really at a social gathering. One with his dad every now and then. One on Christmas night when his grandma poured him a cherry.
But never out. Not because he wasn't old enough, but because he hadn't actually been to too many parties before. It was all sort of new and now he just felt silly and young and innocent so he shrugged his shoulders and drunk the rest of the beer.
He hiccupped at the end of it.
"Can I have-" he hiccupped again. "Another?"
Sarahs eyes widened.
"You can stop smirking now you know."
Sarah looked at him and shook her head. "Nah I'm good."
"I, i wasn't trying to act all cool you know. I was just, I was thirsty! There that's my excuse."
Sarah turned on her Scottish accent, which Chuck was thoroughly impressed by. "Can I have another?"
Chuck sighed. "You're not going to let that go are you?"
"Probably not, no." Sarah grinned. "Feeling a little tipsy or do you think you can dance?"
"I'm not even remotely drunk!" He shot back quickly. "I had two!"
"Sure you don't want another?"
Her accent was so flawless that he couldn't even be bothered with her teasing.
"Are we gonna dance or not?"
Sarah's face lit up quickly and she dragged him into the crowds of crazy dancers. When he finally was able to move a little he realised she had led him to Morgan, Jenny, Rebekah and a few other random people who had formed some sort of dancing circle.
"Carina invited us!" Rebekah shouted over the loud music when Sarah gave her a 'ahhh! Hi!' look.
"Have you seen her?"
"No!" Rebekah shrugged. "We've seen a few people in our residence hall though!"
Sarah gave her a thumbs up, it was too noisy to carry much more of a conversation. She smiled at Morgan who was showing off some dance moves to Jenny. Their circle became a little more cramped and Sarah soon found herself getting wedge between a group of sweaty, intoxicated dancers. She couldn't see Chuck anymore so she grabbed onto Rebekah's hand.
"I don't want to lose you guys!" She said loudly as they got pushed further towards the front where the speakers were.
"I'm not letting go of your hand!" Rebekah laughed back as she started jumping a little. "I love this song!"
Sarah paused for a second listening to the catchy beat then started dancing as best she could in the small space. "Same!"
After a few more songs and finally retracing their way back to the others Sarah asked Jenny where Chuck was.
"He went to sit down!" Jenny pointed towards the stalls. "He said he'd be back in a second."
Sarah nodded and left them to dance while she weaved her way through the crowd. She spotted him sitting on one of the stalls tapping his hand on his knee as he drunk a glass of water.
She walked up to him and took a sip of his water. Resting her hands on his thighs, she smiled happily at him.
"Come dance with me."
"I was!" He leaned closer, to talk into her ear. "I just thought I'd get some water!"
She shook her head. "That wasn't with me." She took his hands and pulled him off the chair slowly. The room, or the house seemed even more crowded and Sarah did wonder if the neighbours were going to call noise control. But she forgot about that when another modern day, pop song came on and she grabbed his hands and placed them on her hips.
She grinned at him when he looked nervous.
"Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Just do it. I will too."
Chuck closed both eyes, then quickly opened them to see hers shut.
He shut them again. "Why are we shutting our eyes?"
She pressed closer against him and placed her hands over his which on her hips. "Now we can dance by ourselves."
She felt him loosen up a little. "Are your eyes actually closed?"
"I promise."
He started to move a little more freely, opening his eyes and just enjoying how everyone was dancing ridiculously and not really caring.
"Open them up."
Sarah opened her eyes and smiled up at him. She loved being just a little shorter than him, even in heels. "A little liquid courage huh?"
"It just takes me awhile to get going. Especially when I have someone like you as a dance partner."
"Mm, but I am more than just a dance partner." She slowed their dancing down a notch so she could rest against his chest.
"That's true. You also are staying in the same hall as me."
"Yeah." She lifted her head so her face was mere inches away from his. "I wasn't going for the girlfriend answer."
"I was saving the best till last obviously." Chuck grinned at her.
The hall light flickered off, making it near impossible to see anything. Taking advantage of the situation he moved her back away from the dancers.
"I can't see a thing." Sarah said as she held on to his hand tightly.
Chuck found a quiet spot, a little further away from people, other than a few who were lounging about on the couch and a couple not really into dancing.
He kissed the side of her head when she rested herself into him.
"You OK?"
She nodded and let him cup her cheek with one hand. He kissed her lightly on the lips."Mm babe."
She kissed him back and let her eyes fall close. She felt her back press against the wall they were standing by and she could hear the blurred music in the background making this kiss quite different to any she had experienced before.
Ok well, this is better than dancing.
She let her hands run behind his neck to pull him closer, a little in shock by his forwardness but loving it nonetheless. He had her pinned against the wall, a position they hadn't found themselves doing in public yet. Until now. And she frankly, didn't really care if people were watching them. He also tasted slightly of beer and it made her want to laugh but the feeling of his tongue brushing with hers ,and his body pressed up against hers was far too good to ruin.
"Chuck," She moaned quickly as their mouths separated briefly then locking together again as soon as they got a mouthful of air. Her eyes were squeezed shut so tightly that flashes of colour sneaked into her vision. She knew then, that she had to stop and push him away from her because they were too far away from somewhere private and finding a room in some person they hadn't met before house didn't quite feel right.
She pushed at his chest, and dropped her forehead against it breathing heavily. Opening her eyes she could see a few people looking at them.
"Chuck."
She could only just make out the features on his face, his eyes a little wider than normal. His smile a little dreamy.
She let her mouth drop a little, for the second time today. "Chuck are you drunk?"
"What! No!"
"You so are!" She accused him poking a finger into his chest. "Because you would have never have kissed my like that in public."
"Wait, so you're saying I can't handle two drinks?"
She let out a laugh. "Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying."
He folded his arms across his chest. "Well you're wrong and that before, was all me."
She fumbled with the hem of his shirt. She could see Morgan, Jenny and Rebekah take seats on the couch. "I should probably go see if I can find Carina."
He took her hands. "I'll come."
"No, it's OK. Why don't you go sit with them," She turned him towards Morgan and the others. "And I'll come back and get you?"
"OK. Right. Drunk guys not allowed to come right?" He gave her a crooked grin and even in the dark it made her swoon.
"Yeah, I don't want you falling into anyone." She teased back.
"That wouldn't be a problem, because I've already fallen into you." He paused for a second. What a cheese ball. "Ok, yep I'm going to go now."
She grinned as he walked off shamefully. Then she turned around and got her phone out to text Carina within a second she received a reply.
I'm in the kitchen!
"Where is the kitchen?" She mumbled as she text Carina back and started to make her way out of the rumpus room.
"Sarah! Hey!" Her grin was bright and lazy.
"Hey Carina," Sarah eyed her suspiciously.
A tanned, lanky guy stepped up behind Carina and passed her a glass of water. "Here, I think you should probably drink this." His hair was sandy brown and his eyes were a deep green.
Bryn.
Ok, he is good-looking. Very good-looking.
Carina took the glass and a small sip. "Water?"
"Yeah," Bryn chuckled and looked at Sarah. "Are you Sarah?"
"Yeah," Sarah took her eyes off Carina and cut them to Bryn. Aww he has braces.
"She's been talking about you all night." Bryn laughed a little. "I'm Bryn, uh this is my flat and I'm staying here with my younger brother...wherever he is."
"The good-looking brother of course!" Another guy, slightly shorter but with the same hair and eyes as Bryn stepped into the conversation. "Hey I know you!"
Sarah recognised him...kind of. She tried to remember where from. "Yes!" She clicked her fingers. "You're..you're.."
"In law with you!" He finished for her.
"Oh! Yeah that's right. Yes." Sarah couldn't help but feel bad, she should have listened to the introductions more.
"Ah little Danny, I don't think she remembered you." Bryn laughed.
"No, no I do. Sorry I just..bad memory?" She looked at Carina who was sipping her water quietly while looking at Sarah then to Bryn. Sarah nodded to her friend.
Yes I see him Carina. She didn't say it out loud but she grinned back. "So i was actually going to head off soon-"
"You can stay with Chuck tonight." Carina quickly said. "You don't have to worry about me anymore OK?"
Sarah blushed a little. "Uh.."
"Chuck's her boyfriend." Carina clarified to the others. "But I'm still coming home with you! Bye guys!"
"Oh, OK..bye- oh.." Bryn quickly pulled out his phone. "Can I have your number maybe?"
Sarah took his phone and typed Carina's number in for her. "How much has she had to drink?" She asked when Carina was already skipping down the hall.
"Not much I swear!" Bryn put his hands up in defense. "Just, just give her another glass of water when you get back."
"OK," She smiled. "See ya guys."
"Sarah, stop being a mom. I'm fine!"
"OK, OK.." Sarah put the giant glass of water on Carina's bedside table. "Just drink it though OK?"
"Yesssss."
"Do you want me to get you an extra blanket or something? It's kind of cold tonight."
Carina rolled her eyes to Chuck who was sitting on Sarah's bed. "Yeah, actually please. That would be good."
Sarah swatted Chuck away and pulled the duvet off of her bed and threw it over Carina. "Where's Carina!" She grinned when the duvet covered ' face.
Pulling it down, Sarah grinned widely. "There she is!"
"Oh my. Chuck, hurry up. Take her please." Carina tried hard not to smile.
"Aw fine." Sarah double checked Carina's phone was next to her bed as well as her water. "You'll text me?"
"Yes."
"OK..." Sarah patted the covers. "Night."
"Have a sexy night."
Sarah snorted then opened the door. "I'm turning off the light."
"Alright, thanks."
"Night!"
"Night!"
"I'm locking the door."
Carina grinned when she heard Sarah triple check that she had locked the door properly. Then she turned over, closed her eyes and fell straight asleep.
"Awww!" Sarah held her hands over Chucks pulling the screen closer to her face. "Oh my god! That is adorable."
Chuck replayed the youtube video of the hampster pretending to die when the owner 'shot it.' "Aww!" Sarah laughed again.
He laughed with her then checked the time on his phone. "We have literally spent over an hour and a half watching cat and hamster videos."
Sarah yawned. "That is the gist of our sexy night."
"We were a little bit sexy." Chuck murmured into her neck as he kissed below her ear.
Sarah closed her eyes as his lips travelled down to her collarbone. "I mean, my foot is-" She moved her leg under the covers and reached down with her hand.
"Is tangled up in your jockeys." She threw his underwear on the ground. "I think we can say we had a very sexy night."
He chuckled and let his hand run down her bare stomach. "And it is only two thirty in the morning."
"And it's Sunday."
"We still have hours!"
"Hours to be even more sexy."
"I'm so tired." Chuck laughed.
"Oh my gosh so am i." Sarah sighed in relief. "Lets sleep."
"I'm so happy to hear that word." He turned his phone on silent. "Say good night to cute cats and hamsters."
"Night cute cat ham-" Sarah pressed herself against Chuck. "Too tired to say anythiiiiing...mmm.."
"I'm skipping the eight breakfast tomorrow." Chuck yawned.
"Same."
"Night baby."
"Looooove yooooooooooooou."
Chuck grinned sleepily. "Who's sounding drunk now."
"It's called sleepy talk."
"I looooooooove yooooooooooooou toooo then."
Sarah grinned, really not sure if she was still awake or not.
"Can i have another?" She said in her drunken-Chuck-Scottish voice. Her new favourite. Even if he wasn't drunk she'll still have him on.
"Ohhh you!" Chuck tickled her stomach, making her squeal and bolting her eyes right open.
"Chuuuuck. You woooke me." She cried into his chest.
"Aww, but you were teasing me!"
"No! I was...sleep talking."
Chuck laughed quietly. "Oh my mistake then."
"I'll forgive you. "
"Thank you and goodnight."