Aravic looked at Chylissa's sleeping head. She was sighing softly in her sleep, and he wondered why. They hadn't gone that far last night. True, pretty far, but not… anything truly major.

He wouldn't have been ready anyway. Not now… and not with her. She was a very pretty girl, and she proved that she was actually pretty smart and sweet and witty, but he couldn't do that with anybody after seeing his… what should he call her?

That pretty girl with the black hair that he saw and fell in love with? The one he was cheating on Chylissa with in his head? The person he imagined to be his soul mate?

He looked at Chylissa. Her hair still looked cutely messy, her face was still prettily flushed, and her makeup hadn't even run. She was perfect in every way.

Except for one thing. She may have been perfectly beautiful, perfectly smart, perfectly funny, but she wasn't perfectly perfect for him.

He wanted someone who wasn't perfect. Who had flaws that were plain, which she put out there. Who knows if that beauty he had seen earlier was that girl? He hadn't noticed any physical flaws, really… But he was sure that she would be proud of any flaws that she had.

He turned his head just in time to see Chylissa opening her eyes and smiling at him.

"Hey there, sunshine," she said in a tired voice.

"Well, hello, beautiful," he said. "Did you sleep well?"

She smiled. "Yeah. I dreamed about you."

"Did you now?" he asked, trying to sound tired as well, not like he'd been up for hours thinking.

"Yeah."

He stroked her blonde hair fondly. It was very soft and smelled (and tasted) like strawberries. He smiled at her and she beamed back.

"What time is it?" Chylissa reached over the thin linen sheets.

He checked the clock next to the bed. "Ten forty-seven."

Chylissa leapt up. "Seriously? Oh my Oz, I have to go! Oh my Oz, oh my Oz, oh my Oz!"

"What?" He sat up. "What's wrong?"

"I really have to talk to Madam Morrible and I have to be there in, like, ten minutes!"

"But-"

"I'm so sorry!" she yelled as she rushed out the door.

He fell back down into bed. At least she hadn't thrown anything at him. But it was kind of an insult to his manhood, having her run out like that. He shook his head. He just needed some more sleep.