The next few parts are a small collection focused on the most annoying thing in a college dorm: Fire alarms.
Poetry and Headwear
"Read it one more time," Myka said. "I think I nearly got it."
Helena nodded and started to read the poem again.
"Where is that holy fire, which verse is said
To have? Is that enchanting force decay'd?
Verse that draws nature's works from nature's law,
Thee, her best work, to her work cannot draw. "
Myka slowly sipped her hot chocolate as she listened. She kept her eyes on her own copy of the poem. She had to make sure to actually pay attention to the meaning of the words this time, instead of on Helena reading them.
"My two lips, eyes, thighs, differ from thy two,
But so, as thine from one another do;
and, oh, no more; the likeness being such,
Why should they not alike in all parts touch?
Hand to strange hand, lip to lip none denies;
Why should they breast to breast, or thighs to thighs?"
Myka's eyes rose from her book and settled on Helena's lips. The first few times Helena had read the poem, Myka had been too distracted by the way the words flowed through her accent, then the way her lips moved around the words.
It was happening again.
Helena looked up, and smiled when she saw Myka's eyes on her. Myka blushed slightly, and pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. Before she could think herself out of it, she leaned across the couch and lightly kissed Helena.
"I don't think I'm going to be able to focus on the poem," she quietly admitted. "Not if you're reading it."
"At least let me finish," Helena replied.
"If you must."
"O cure this loving madness, and restore
Me to me; thee, my half, my all, my more."
She was cut off abruptly as a loud wailing filled the air; for the third time that week.
"Another fire alarm?" Myka moaned.
"Hopefully it will be quick," Helena said. She put the book down and stood up.
Myka held her arm out. Helena took it and pulled her up. Myka stumbled forward. She wrapped her arms around Helena for support. Helena brushed her lips against Myka's, then pulled back.
They grabbed their jackets, pulled on their shoes, and joined the rush of students leaving the building.
The ground outside was covered in a few inches of snow. The sky was cloudless and the stars shone bright. A sharp wind blew across the quad.
Myka and Helena managed to secure a spot under a tree where the snow wasn't as thick. Myka leaned back against the truck, and wrapped her arms around Helena, who was leaning on her.
"There's the lovebirds," Claudia said as she emerged from the crowd. A blanket was wrapped around her shoulders.
Myka rolled her eyes. Helena scanned the crowd.
"Where's Pete?" Helena asked.
Claudia shrugged. "He's staying at Kelly's tonight. Different dorm. One with less fire alarms," she explained. "How long you think we're gunna be stuck out here?"
"Hopefully not too long," Myka replied.
"It better not be," Helena muttered. "My ears are already going numb."
Myka reached into her jacket pocket and pulled a beanie out. She slipped it onto Helena's head, making sure it covered her ears.
Helena twisted her neck around to glare at Myka. "You know I hate wearing this thing," she said, but made no movement to take it off.
"I know you do," Myka laughed, and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"God, you two are sickeningly sweet," Claudia commented.
The poem is 'Sappho to Philaenis' by John Donne.