An: CalonLan ( and Burnsier), thanx for the feedback. This is the first fic I've posted in years so I'm extra nervous about reviews.

Chemical reaction

Definitely I feel attraction

Chemical reaction

But how many times have I been fed this kind of lie

Marian stepped out of her bedroom the following morning looking pale and gloomy. Pulling her hair back in to a sloppy ponytail she entered the kitchen and went straight for the coffeepot on the counter.

"Hello sleepyhead," Sarah, her older sister (and roommate), greeted her affectionately. "What's up with the dark circles under your eyes? Had a bad night, huh?"

"I couldn't sleep, had a lot on my mind, that's all …," Marian replied as she poured herself a cup of the steaming black fluid.

"So, what's wrong? Problem at work? Your boss still acting like a jerk? Want me to come with you and kick his ass?!"

"Uhm… no…. And what makes you think there is something wrong?," Marian asked, stirring her coffee. She always drank it heavy with sugar, and white with milk.

"Please girl, you weren't exactly 'all there' at our dinner last night," her sister replied, rolling her eyes. "And what was up with your clothes, by the way? Your were practically covered in mud. I didn't mention it last night because I didn't want to embarrass you in front of the others. But we are all alone now so come on spill it. What's going on, sis?"

"Nothing… Everything is fine. I tripped and fell when I crossed the street leaving work. My ankle is still throbbing a little, I probably sprained it or something… but other that that, everything is just dandy…. Or it will be when I get my daily dosage of caffeine," Marian sighed and blew the steam off the top of her cup, inhaling the aroma.

"Okay that explains the clothes, but it doesn't explain the far away look on your face… hmm…unless," Sarah trailed off, and Marian could see the cogs in her mind turning.

"Unless what?," she asked, almost afraid of what the answer would be.

"Unless it was a man you tripped over…."

"Don't be daft, you know as well as I do that my love life is about as dry as a desert craving for rain," Marian protested with an exaggerated a sigh.

"Oooh oh, I'm on to something aren't I?! Don't deny it! You're blushing like a schoolgirl."

"Okay, fine, now that you mention it, this random guy approached me outside the office yesterday… I think he might have been flirting with me… I didn't take him serious though. I mean, why on earth would anyone be interested in little ol' me?! That's just stupid," Marian said with a sigh.

"Why is that so stupid?," Sarah replied calmly. "Why do you think it is stupid for a guy to make a move on you?"

"Look at me." Marian said and gestured at herself with disgust. " I'm not exactly the kind of girl that guys fall head over heels for. I'm a big girl and that seems to turns most of them off."

Feeling bad for her sister Sarah leaned over the kitchen table and gave her a quick hug. "You may not be skinniest person I know, but that doesn't mean you're not beautiful. Because you are, inside and out! Don't you ever forget that!"

"Aww, thanks. Your pep talks always does wonders for my self-esteem!," Marian smiled weakly.

"You're welcome. That's what big sisters are for… Now come on tell me more about this guy. What did he look like? Was he cute? Did you talk to him? Are you seeing him again?"

"Well, his name is Robin. He seemed nice, but what do I know?! I only spent a couple minutes talking to him... Bright blue eyes, unruly hair, boyish charm...Oh and a NICE body. You could almost see his pecs through his t-shirt!"

"Whoa, so he is hot… I get the picture…;" Sarah laughed and fanned herself. "You ARE seeing him again, aren't you?"

"Uhm…I don't know. I mean, he didn't ask for my number or anything…so probably not… But he did say he wanted to see me again… or sort of anyway...so you never know…," she sighed with a distant dreamy look on her face.

"There she goes again...," Sarah chuckled to herself. "I hate to interrupt your steamy fantasies, sister dearest, but aren't you suppose to be at work in less than ten minutes."

"Shit!" Marian groaned and shot up from her chair. A quick glance at the clock on the wall by the refrigerator confirmed that she was indeed going to be late for work… again… for the second time that week.

"Ugh, my boss is so gonna kill me for this," she shouted over her shoulder as she grabbed the car keys and rushed for the door.