Chapter 28
I don't own these characters, but it would be nice if I did.
Wait...In this story, I actually created some of them, so I do own them.
Anyways, I do promise to keep them true to themselves.
And as for the ones I did create, who they are is up to me, so...
After a hot breakfast, Cody and Bailey headed back to Cody's dorm room to drop off Bailey's bag. And while they were there, they emptied their pockets of anything they didn't want to get wet. While they were there, Cody rummaged through a few drawers and boxes trying to find something to use as eyes for their snowman. Once he found some old bottle caps to go along with the carrot they smuggled out of the dining hall, they both wrapped up warmly and headed outside.
Being smart, they found chunks of ice to use as cores for their three snowballs. The ice made it easier to roll the snowballs, and before long, they had a large base built right outside of Cody's window. Making two smaller snowballs, they finished their snowman. Bailey placed the eyes as Cody fitted in the nose. After adding a few sticks for arms to complete it, they stepped back.
"Not bad if I do say so myself..."
Bailey smiled. "I know. And its like we have a guard for the room now."
Cody nodded. "Yeah, I guess we do...What should we name him?"
Bailey paused. "How about Kirby?"
Cody smiled. "Kirby...I like it. For some reason, it seems appropriate."
"I know. I..." But before Bailey could finish, she was hit with in the back with a snowball. Cody and Bailey turned and saw Monica and her boyfriend grinning at them. And they had even more snowballs ready to unload on them.
"Take cover!"
Cody and Bailey dove behind a small line of shrubs. Cody began packing snowballs himself.
"Never fear, milady...I shall defend your honor!"
Cody rose up and launched several snowballs back in the direction of Monica and her boyfriend. Of course, that lead to them focusing their next barrage on him.
Bailey grinned. "I think you've made them angry..."
"I think so." Cody began packing an even bigger snowball. He stood back up, threw it and yelled. "Take that, Czolgosz!"
Bailey laughed and began packing her own snowballs. She stood and began throwing in rapid succession at her roommate. "And that's for you, Guiteau!"
Of course, that brought another barrage of snowballs their way. As they huddled behind the shrubs, Bailey turned to Cody.
"We need a decisive blow to end this once and for all."
Cody nodded and turned around to scout the situation. Finally, he saw something and grinned.
"Bails, I have an idea. You see that tree branch right above them?"
Bailey looked and nodded. "Yeah..."
"Those pine needles are full of snow. One good hit, and we can cause a chain reaction that will dump a ton of snow right on top of them."
Bailey looked again. "Maybe...You think you can hit it?"
Cody shook his head. "I know better than that, but I have ever confidence that you can though. So, I'm going to be a decoy and draw their fire towards me. Once they're distracted, you throw a strike and and victory is ours."
Bailey smiled. "I'll do my best."
Cody leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. "For good luck...and in case I don't make it back, I love you."
"I love you too...be careful out there!"
Cody grinned and nodded, and crawled to the other side of the shrub. After gathering a few more snowballs, He ran out and began hurling snowballs. And like he thought, the new hail of snowballs were aimed right at him. Once Bailey saw that she had her opening, she aimed her throw and let it go. She watched as it hit the branch. Seemingly, it caused a chain reaction, and a whole avalanche of snow fell...right on top of Monica and her boyfriend. Bailey gathered two snowballs, and ran over to them, poised to fire again.
"Surrender?"
Monica looked up at her roommate. She was totally covered in snow. "You got us...We surrender. I'm now soaked to the bone and freezing. I'm going inside!"
Bailey smiled. "That'll teach you!"
She turned to find Cody only to see him lying back in the snow. Concerned, she ran over and knelt down next to him.
"Cody! Are you alright?"
Cody looked up. "Bails...I'm hit...I don't think I'm going to make it."
Bailey smiled at him. "Is that so?"
"I regret I only have but one life to give for my lady..."
Bailey leaned down and kissed him. "How do you feel now?"
Cody grinned. "Better...But I might need a few more of those...you know, just to make sure."
"Uh huh...Well, I suppose." She leaned down, but Cody was ready for her and flipped her over onto her back. He was still grinning as Bailey began laughing.
"Cody!"
"Yes, my dear?"
Bailey grinned. "Good thing you aren't a theater major. I wasn't buying that for a second!"
Cody put his hands over his heart, but he was still smiling. "You wound me. Say what you will about me, but not my thespian abilities! Besides, in the last two months, you've already praised my acting skills several times..."
Bailey laughed again. "You're crazy, you know that?"
"Yes, I am...about you."
"Well, I guess I can deal with that. Although, right now, my sweats are soaked, and I'd deal with it a lot better inside and in dry clothes."
Cody laughed. "I can take a hint." He stood up and offered his hand to help pull Bailey up. Several minutes later, they returned back inside Cody's room. Of course, Bailey was shivering and her teeth were chattering. Cody looked at her in concern.
"Are you alright?"
Bailey nodded. "Just a little cold."
"Tell you what. Why don't you grab a hot shower and warm up, and I'll head up to the dining room and get us some soup and sandwiches to go..."
Bailey smiled. "You would do that?"
"Sure. While I go put on some dry clothes, just write down everything you want."
A few minutes later, Cody came out of the bathroom in a long sleeve t-shirt and pajama pants. He slipped on his slippers and walked up behind Bailey.
"Write down everything you want?"
Bailey turned. "Yeah, I..." She paused and grinned. "You're going up there like that?"
Cody shrugged. "Why not? I'm not trying to impress anyone around here."
Bailey teased him. "Not even me?"
Cody grinned. "By now, you already know what you've gotten yourself involved with."
Bailey smiled. "Yeah, I do. Best decision I've ever made..."
"I know that feeling. Alright, you go get warmed up and I'll be back soon."
Bailey just kept smiling and shaking her head as she watched Cody leave. Turning, she grabbed her a few things from her bag and headed into the bathroom. And once she was under the hot water, she closed her eyes and sighed. She was definitely going to get used to this. Soon enough, she was sufficiently warmed up – which was good as the water was beginning to cool off. Quickly dressing, she hung up hers and Cody's wet clothing up over the shower curtain rod. She did have to smile to herself. Seems Cody was a boxers guy.
Back out in the room. She found the two trays Cody had and set them up side by side next to the bed, and then got each a cold drink out of the refrigerator. Turning, she turned the TV on and tried to find something on they would both enjoy watching. And as she was doing that, the door opened again.
"Honey! I'm home!"
Bailey looked over at him and laughed. "I can see that."
Cody grinned. "I always wanted to say that."
Bailey showed off the trays in front of the bed. "Well, I have the table set with our fine china."
Cody just shook his head and placed the bags of food on the trays. He slipped off his slippers and took a seat next to Bailey on the bed. Bailey was going through the things in her bag when she turned and smiled.
"You got everything just the way I wanted."
Cody grinned. "Well, I can read directions. And your not a doctor yet, so your handwriting is still legible."
And for the next twenty minutes, they sat side by side eating and trading the occasional good humored barb with one another. Once they were done, Cody gathered their trash and took it out to the trash bin down the hall while Bailey put away the trays. When he got back, Bailey grinned at him again.
"You took the trash out without me having to tell you to do it. Good boy! More and more reasons for me to keep you around."
Cody joined her, and both slid back and lounged on the bed to relax. They found a movie on TV both liked and just snuggled together with Bailey laying her head on Cody's shoulder.
"Cody?"
"Yeah, Bails?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
Bailey looked up at him. "For showing me what its like to have a boyfriend who really cares about me and who I really care about. For showing me how wonderful it is when two people can just be themselves with each other. For showing me that its okay to be serious and silly too. And most importantly, for being you. We've only been officially dating for a little over a week now, but I already know I have the best boyfriend."
Cody smiled at her. "Well, I should be thanking you as well. I have to say...I'm really liking having a girlfriend who actually wants to spend time with me."
Bailey smiled. "Of course I do. I missed you way too much when we were apart over Christmas."
"And I'm thankful that I have a girlfriend who can disagree with me in a civilized way. Me...and my toes...are grateful. I know at some point we will have disagreements and arguments. We're two strong minded individuals, so its bound to happen. But I promise you, even if we do argue, it will never change how I feel about you."
"Same here."
"And I'm thankful that I'm in love with my best friend. I have the best of both worlds. I can hang out with you like this, but I can also do this..." He leaned down and began nibbling on her earlobe.
Bailey giggled. "Cody..."
Cody gave her his best innocent look. "What? You're my only friend I can do that with and not worry about getting punched in the face."
Bailey teased him. "You're making an awfully big assumption right there..."
"So, that's off limits with you too?"
"I didn't say that."
Cody pulled her closer to him. "And for the record, I have the best girlfriend too. You do get me and understand me..." He paused. "Has it really only been a week?"
Bailey smiled. "Yeah. That was you locked in the storm shelter with me."
"Oh, I definitely remember. Its just kind of funny."
"What is?"
"I've only been your boyfriend for a week, but after a week, the differences are mind blowing. You already know me better than Barbara ever did. And I don't feel the need to constantly try to impress you. I can just be me, and its okay. I've spent more time with you in the past week than I did with her in the last year I dated her." He stopped and lifted up her chin. "And I got used to not seeing her. I missed you terribly when I went to get lunch. For the first time in my life, I know what its like to truly be in love with someone else."
Bailey smiled up at him. "Can I just say ditto? Cody, I feel the same way. You know me in a way that Moose never could. I never have to worry that you'll get upset if I tell you what I want. Just the opposite. You help me find a better way to accomplish it. You support my dreams and my goals and share them with me. And never once have you pressured me to do anything. Again, just the opposite. From the day I met you, you've been a total gentleman. And I love the way we can be comfortable with each other like this. I know I can talk to you about anything and nothing. We can do anything or nothing, and that's fine with me as long as I'm with you. And like you said, for the first time in my life, I know what its like to truly be in love with someone else."
Cody leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "I'm glad Zack got me on the banned list from Harvard. I'm glad I had to end up matriculating here to Yale."
"I'm glad I chose Yale over Princeton."
Cody teased her. "Princeton? What were you thinking? Its the armpit of the Ivy League!"
Bailey laughed. "True, but in my defense, it was my first offer of a ticket away from the farm." She teased him. "Who knows? I might have found someone there who wasn't a germaphobe and a minor obsessive compulsive."
"Maybe, but I know one thing about him though..."
"What?"
Cody smiled. "No way he could love you as much as I do..."
Bailey smiled back at him. "You think so, huh?"
"I know so."
"And that's why I'm glad I came to Yale. I don't have to worry about that. Like I told your Mom, you can be a pain. But there is a very good reason I keep you around. Because I love you that much too."
To be Continued...
AN: Good to see my old "buddy" SK still can't get enough of my stories. Anyways, for those who don't know, Leon Czolgosz was the assassin of President William McKinley, Charles Guiteau was the assassin of President James Garfield. Everyone knows Booth and Oswald or even Sirhan, but I figured Cody and Bailey would throw out the more obscure ones.
