The week before spring break brought a multitude of due dates, two presentations, and an array of exams. Meals consisted of yogurt and trail mix or won ton soup from a place by campus. Sleep became an hour or two when their brains and bodies said they had enough. Outings were the public library or local bookstores.
By the time their last exam was done they were so drained they couldn't contemplate doing anything but exactly what they did: collapsing on the couch and not moving for the better part of an hour.
"Mother wants me to attend some charity event next week." Malcolm stirred enough to sigh. "She's even found me a date."
"Oh?" Sorcha heard his bitterness but chose not to comment on it. At that moment, anyway. "What's the event for?"
"Not a clue."
She managed to send him a teasing grin.
"Might wanna find out what you're saving before you get there."
"I would." A small, tired smile tugged at his lips. "But since I'm not attending, I don't overly care."
"Did you tell your mother you won't be attending?"
He sunk lower into the couch cushions.
"She'll know when I don't come home for spring break."
One brow shot up. The most she could muster given her exhausted state. "You're gonna stay on campus during break?"
"Yes." Mal pulled one of the decorative pillows into his arms. "I don't want a repeat of Valentine's."
Things had been better the last few weeks. Mal hadn't had any really bad episodes since they got back from Christmas break. Still, she wasn't sure leaving him alone was such a good idea. What happens if he has an episode and hurts himself? Nobody would be there to get him to the hospital or bandaged up.
"Why don't you come home with me?" she suggested. "We can spend break getting ahead of the reading material in Van Buren's class."
"I thought your parents were going to Hawaii this week?"
"They are," she said. "They left this morning, in fact."
"So…" A frown formed between his eyes. "We'd be in your house."
"Yeah, and?"
"We'd be alone."
Sorcha considered pointing out they were alone now but chose not too. No, she just said, "Yeah, and?" again to see what he'd say.
"Won't they object to me being there while they're away?"
"No, why would they?"
He frowned at her. "You know why, Sorch."
She rolled her eyes. "My folks know they don't have to worry about any hanky-panky going on between us."
"Hanky-panky?"
"Dad's words, not mine."
"You're joking?" His dimples winked when she shook her head. "He actually used the word hanky-panky?"
"Mhm." Her own lips trembled. "He also let me know that he's totally aware of the fact we spend close to all our time alone in this apartment but wisely chooses to believe we are just studying."
"He didn't get upset?"
"About us spending so much time together? No. Now, about there being hanky-panky going on?" She snickered. "He's always concerned about that."
"But…"
"I assured him we aren't fooling around." A bit of the devil got into her and she sent him a slow, easy smile before purring, "After what I saw at Christmas, though…"
Embarrassed color warmed his cheeks. "You shouldn't have seen anything."
"Oh, but I did." She worked up enough energy to send him a playful leer. "And it was glorious, Mal. Absolutely glorious."
He tossed a pillow at her. "You should have knocked."
"Sean told me the bathroom was free!"
"And you believed him?"
"Hey, if my big brother wants to send me upstairs to check out my wet and naked friend?" A giggle nearly burst from her at his unamused look. "Who am I to say no?"
Malcolm closed his eyes, muttering, "You're not funny."
"I think I'm hilarious."
He didn't reply.
A/N: Hello, all! Hope this finds you well!
I just want to send a special thank you to Rookblonkorules and SmolCaffrey for their lovely reviews!
