The day had been a difficult one for Autor. Most aggravating was that he wasn't allowed to leave the room with the particular book he needed to complete his essay on Herr Brandt.
The situation was made more unfortunate due to girls being present. They were ostensibly cleaning the room, and they refused to be quiet.
"Hermia," one of them said, laying the back of her hand across her forehead in an all too dramatic fashion. "You just have to tell us what you and Lysander did for Valentine's Day!"
Hermia placed her hands on her cheeks and tittered. "Well, he sculpted me a rose out of red clay, and we had a simple picnic down by the duck pond."
"Ooh," said the one Autor had dubbed Annoying and Shrill Girl-Child number two. "But how do you know you're really in love with him?"
"I guess it's just when you enjoy spending time together!"
Autor frowned. That's ridiculous, he thought. I enjoy spending time around no one. Why, I don't even enjoy spending time around...
He raised his head at the sound of the door opening, only to see his broad-shouldered, loud-mouthed ballerina enter the room.
Erina.
She waved, and his cheeks burned scarlet.
He slammed his book shut and immediately stood, stammering around a greeting. "I-I-I should go," he said, laying his book on the table.
"Uh," she said, furrowing her brow. "Okay? Don't forget your book."
"It's fine there," he said, and nearly tripped over his own feet leaving. "You're fine there, too. Ah! I mean... stay here."
The girls, watching the two, burst into giggles as soon as he cleared the doorway.