"Oh Lord," I groaned as we collapsed against the mattress in a sweaty heap, exhausted and pleased. Breathing heavily, Rich rolled off of me and onto his back, wiping his brow before shoving out of bed and disappearing into the bathroom. After only a minute I heard water running and Rich'strained baritone booming against the marbled walls: he always sung in the shower, and loudly at that. How his neighbors dealt, I never figured out.
"Elli?" he called, my ears barely picking up on the sound against the cotton sheets pulled over my head.
"Yes love?"
"Come shower. You have to get home before school." Grinning, I realized he was right, as the clock now read 4:45 AM. Rolling to my side and padding across the bedroom, I stepped into the well and wrapped my arms around his waist.
"I say we forget school today."
"While I'm all for fighting the system and what have you, it would be rather obvious if both serial attendees were absent simultaneously, don't you think?
"Not nearly as obvious as the hicky you left on me."
"Touché, my dear." He turned in my arms and kissed me, the taste of fresh toothpaste lingering on his lips. "When can I see you again?" he asked, running a soaped hand through my tangled curls.
"Second block," I said with a coy smile. Rolling his eyes, Rich ran his palm down my front, his talented fingers coming to rest in between my legs. "Now that's just unfair."
"A little persuasion never hurt anyone. It's all fair in love."
"Decidedly not." Curling my fingers around his forearms, I managed to pull away. "I'll see you later, alright?"
"Fine," he pouted as I stepped under the faucet to rinse my hair.
"I love you," I mouthed, unable to actually say the words. Climbing out of the shower, I dried of quickly and headed back into the bedroom to dress.
"Elli," he called as I pulled my jeans on.
"Yes?"
"I love you too."