4:45 PM
I shoved the textbook in my locker and shut it, jumping as I spotted Mr. Wilkinson…uh, Petey, smiling that 100-watt smile.
"Good afternoon, Miss Gibson! Here's your assignment for today, make sure to get your cutie partner his as well. Directions are on the back! Tootles!" he flounced off.
I stared at his retreating back for a second, then looked at the paper.
"Oh God…
…
"We have to do what?!"
McGinnis shouted indignantly. I nodded sadly, stuffing the dreaded bikini in my duffel bag.
"First lesson in modeling is posing for an art class."
Terry collapsed on my bed spread-eagle and closed his eyes, running a hand through his tousled black hair. I stared for a few seconds longer than I should have, taking in the absolutely wonderful presence of his body across my bed. I snapped out of it and half-blushed, turning back to my bag and shouldering it.
"C'mon, let's go. I'll meet you there."
He sighed and got up, following me out.
…
I clutched Terry's jacket around me, furious.
"Terry, there are BOYS in that class, I am not going!" I hissed angrily.
"Tell that to Mr. Fashion Fairy! Do you think I WANT to pose half-naked in front of people I don't know?!" he hissed back. (A/N: Oh, and you want to pose half-naked in front of people you DO know? (evil grin) )
"We have GOT to get this assignment changed."
Terry smirked darkly. "Hey, at least we're not naked."
That comment made me blush and visions of naked Terry flashed across my mind. I shook my head and jumped as the classroom door opened.
Mr….Petey was wearing some sort of painter's outfit, complete with a small paintbrush tucked behind his left ear.
"Come in!" he chirped, beckoning us. McGinnis made gagging noises and I choked back a laugh.
The students were in individual spots all over the room, big easels in front of them, chairs set to the side so they could see. There were at least 20 of them. Great.
"Today, class, we have two lovely seniors from Hamilton Hill High School. We'll do some individuals and then some pairings."
I blinked, shocked. "Wh-What d'you mean pairings?"
"Y'know, pairings? You and Mr. McGinnis will do some poses for us together."
Now my head was on fire.
The little evil voice in my head started to say something but I told it to shut the hell up.
Petey clapped his hands together and smiled, much like a cheerleader. Yeek.
"Now, let's start with your scrumptious partner, Terry." He pulled McGinnis by the arm (who looked like he was fighting the urge to puke) to the large platform behind us. It was about 3 ½ feet high and covered in a white cloth.
"Stand up straight with your feet apart, head slightly turned, hands loose and relax."
Every time Petey touched him, he winced. Maybe this won't be so bad after all.
"How long will I have to stand like this?"
"10 to 15 minutes."
His shoulders slumped. The afternoon was looking up.
45 minutes later…
Terry rubbed the back of his neck and leaned against the wall, finally finished with his poses. I clutched his jacket tighter, nervous as Petey came for me. He pulled me up to the stage.
"Come on, girlie, show that beautiful body!" he exclaimed as he pulled off the jacket and I kind of huddled uncomfortably, hands crossed over my breasts.
"Yeah, Max, flaunt it." Terry whispered lowly with a smirk. I glared at him over my shoulder. Pete clucked his tongue disapprovingly and pried my arms from over my chest. He sat me down on the platform, curling my legs underneath me to the side, one hand resting down, and one on my right knee. My heart hammered in my chest and the room felt warmer. I fought the urge to glance at Terry and tried not to look so nervous.
"Begin."
The sound of the clock on the wall behind me filled the room, getting louder as each second passed. The class was dead quite except for the few sounds of scratching utensils and my own breathing. It felt like eternity, as Terry had mentioned before. An eternity to wonder how I would tell him about Dana.
40 minutes later…
"Now, here comes the fun part! Pairings!" Pete squealed. Both of us blushed simultaneously.
"First pose…" he paused, a hand cupping his feminine chin in thought.
"Terry, come and sit sideways on the platform."
He did. Pete pushed me to the platform. I sat reluctantly.
"Align your bodies, please." I slid back until Terry's bare chest met my back. At the first touch of our skin, I bristled and stiffened. I put my hand on one knee and the other at my side, propping me up. McGinnis did the same, but settled his hand on my waist, putting us at a very close position. My pulse quickened. I could feel his steady heartbeat through my back.
"Jesus, Max, relax, it's just me." He whispered in my ear.
"Perfect! Alright, ten minutes class."
Silence. Absolute silence. The only thing I could hear was my own heartbeat thundering blood through my ears. Dammit…I shouldn't be this damn nervous. Hormones were shooting around in me, making me feel like I was burning up. It was as if the whole world had slowed down to this one moment. Our bodies molded together felt…good. Better than anything I'd ever experienced. It felt…right, like we were meant for each other. I almost shook my head. No, get back to reality. Terry probably didn't feel anything for me except friendship. I could tell he was utterly comfortable this close to me while I jumped every time he moved. When I was away from him, I could almost talk myself out of it, but it always came back the second he was near me. Why did I feel this way now? It hadn't been this bad any other time before. We had always been best friends, never really romantically interested in each other to the point where we'd admit it but now…maybe it was because I'd always thought of him as "taken" but now that Dana broke up with him I felt…different.
Just when I was getting comfortable, Pete called the time and we had to switch again. I stood up, stretched my legs and exhaled, relieved not to be so close to him now.
"You two look like the perfect little couple all snuggled up together!"
Petey grinned mischievously. My face exploded in a blush once more. Good thing no one can see it. Terry stood behind me and his hand brushed my backside. I glared at him and he grinned. Men.
"Next pose, I need Mr. McGinnis sitting, legs slightly open."
He fought not to make another repulsed face and stiffly complied.
"Miss Gibson, in front of him, please."
Still frowning and blushing, I sat and scooted back a little. Pete waved me back so I kept scooting until we were chest to back once more, his abs tracing the line of my spine. I could feel his breath on the nape of my neck and my heart skipped a beat. I tried to be casual but it wasn't working. Dammit.
Pete fixed my arms into my lap, hands lying on top of each other and pulled Terry's arms under them, palms up, so we were holding hands. Weird, but artful…I guess.
The next drawing session began.
I started counting the blocks on the opposite wall to pass the time, thinking,
'Just be cool, it's no big deal, you're best friends, it's not like that.'
Mentally, I snorted. Yeah, right.
I was getting used to the warmth of his skin, like a big, cozy blanket of flesh, intoxicating, relaxing. I felt like going to sleep with his arms around me. It was too intimate for words.
Minutes felt like hours, now. I was getting tired of all this silence. So was Terry.
"You bored yet?" he murmured, so low that only I heard him.
"Yep, been bored."
"My back can't take much more of this 'sitting up straight' stuff. Yaay for slouching."
I fought off a chuckle, covering it by clearing my throat.
"You smell good. What kind of perfume is that?"
He sniffed my neck and it tickled. I tried really hard not to hit him, or laugh.
"Chanel Experience." I whispered back, discreetly pushing my shoulder into his chest to give me some room. He chuckled and it slid down my spine. Eek.
I sighed very quietly and started counting bats in my head. I got to 127 when Pete called time.
"Alrighty, it's 6:30 and time to go!"
The students started packing up and both of us relaxed, automatically slouching. I slid off the platform, dying to hide in his jacket, again, not sure of the reason, though.
"Great job, pupils! We're meeting here tomorrow and you can dress normally. I'll have long clothes for you to change into." I sighed in relief, grabbing McGinnis' jacket from a stool. It was still slightly warm.
"See you tomorrow!" the model instructor sang as we left for the locker room a couple of doors down. This was a school, after all. One I'd never heard of, as a matter of fact.
"Well, wasn't that fun?" Terry grumbled, pulling on his pants. Come to think of it, I enjoyed seeing him in his boxers…no one heard that…
I snorted, pulling my own jeans back on. "Yeah, a barrel of laughs."
We dressed and I handed his jacket back, heading for our cars.
"I gotta go straight to Wayne's so I'll see you later tonight."
I nodded and got in my car.
…
Kyoko: (grins) That was fun! And now, review responses:
Girlgambit: Max just feels bad for him since he's Batman and can't be the best boyfriend because of his responsibility. You'll find out what happens next chapter! (Impish Wink of Suspense) Thanks for reviewing!
Blade's Daughter: I love T/M pairings too! That's why I wrote this! There aren't enough! Thanks for the review!
Kim: You shall wait no longer! Next chappie's coming up soon too, but I'm still writing the end and stuff. Thanks for reviewing!
Chrissa: Don't worry about the poor people: they don't know the glory that is Terry McGinnis! CONVERT THEM! (runs around converting random people) Heh, sorry, randomness. Thanks for the review! Hope you like the new chappie!
Andy Quinn: In the words of my brother, "ALL HOMOS MUST DIE!!" XD…J/K. I luffle this fic too. You should write one. And try not to lose it. (glares) Thankies!
Spicy Tears: Yes, I have something very evil planned for them soon…once I figure out what that is, I'll get back to you. XD…Thanks for reviewing!
Next Chapter…nightmares, a fight and Max's tears! See ya!
-Kyoko Kasshu Minamino