AN: Hey guys... Short chapter today... I have no excuse *hangs head in shame and walks away*

Saturday July 26th 2014

Dear Diary,

OH. MY. GOD.

He kissed me… I mean… Properly kissed, not like the kiss in May… It was deep and passionate, and I feel so silly and wonderful and I'm going to be so embarrassed when Ellen comes back to the room… She's going to ask why I'm red as a tomato and why I can't stop grinning, and I think it's because I'm in love…

Yes. I am in love with Hieronymous Grabiner.

I think I've been denying that for a while… Ever since our first kiss. I was scared he'd reject me, push me away (he's good at that). But today was so wonderful and I can't handle all the feelings rushing through my head, I'm so happy, and surprised (because I was not expecting such a display of passion and care from a man most people fear so much).

My handwriting is horrid tonight, but I'm shaking and I don't know why. I just…

I CAN'T BELIEVE WE KISSED LIKE THAT!

She fell back onto her bed, her hair splayed out on the pillow, clutching the now closed diary to her chest and closing her eyes, remembering his hand on the back of her neck… She sighed.

She knew that seeing him like that would be rare, she wasn't a fool. But that made her happy all the same. She loved him because he was smart, terrifying, serious to a fault, quick witted and had the darkest sense of humour she'd ever seen. She loved him because he was who he was, and seeing even a tiny bit of passion from him was her treat, her privilege… And goddamn it she was going to savour it.

She pulled herself back up to finish her entry.

ANYWAY!

The Church looks absolutely amazing… It really is beautiful… I thought it was finished when I first saw it, but Hieronymous said they still had to restore the windows. I hadn't noticed. We missed lunch because I was exploring it. I hope he didn't mind; he didn't complain or anything… I think today might have been the best day of my life…

As she closed the small book again with finality, she heard the door open. She didn't look at her roommate, opting to focus on stuffing her diary under her pillow, trying to wipe the smile and blush from her face. She failed.

"What're you so happy about?" Ellen asked, one eyebrow raised, as she reached to place the book she was carrying on her shelf. Arianna remained silent, biting her lip. "Arianna?" there was a hint of amusement in her tone that suggested she had at least some idea what was running through her roommate's mind.

"He kissed me!" she exclaimed before she could stop herself, and she hurriedly buried herself in her covers. Silence blanketed the room for a moment before Ellen found her voice.

"Wait what!?"

"He kissed me… Like… properly…" came her muffled reply. Ellen stared at the lump of burgundy covers, unsure how she should react to her friend having just admitted to kissing her husband/professor… Then she smiled.

Arianna had occasionally seen fit to inform Ellen of her intentions concerning Professor Grabiner. Or more, her feelings. The word intentions suggested that she was manipulating him to meet a certain goal (which most people seemed to believe). Rather, she wanted to prove to him that she could be trusted, in turn allowing him to prove affections he had vaguely admitted to but not confirmed. Affections that were most definitely reciprocated.

"Well, I suppose congratulations are in order?" Ellen teased. "Although I find the topsy-turvy nature of your love life hilarious beyond all measure." She laughed. "Most people fall in love before they get married."

Arianna threw a pillow at her, but when Ellen just laughed more, she couldn't help bursting into giddy giggles herself.

"Can I ask you a favour though?" Ellen asked lightly. Arianna looked at her expectantly. "I do not want details… I'd prefer not to imagine my best friend and my professor in any situation other than a classroom one." She winked. "But then you won't have anyone to talk to about it…" she speculated. After a moment, she spoke again, energetically: "Okay, here's the agreement! Keep details to a minimum, and don't refer to him by name. That way, I can imagine it's someone else!" she exclaimed, and Arianna burst into another sudden fit of giggles. "What? It's a sound solution…"

"And it's so entirely you! Methodical and detailed." Arianna said between laughs. Then she smiled and winked at her friend. "It's a deal."

Meanwhile, Hieronymous held a hand to his head as the world swam a little. He felt dizzy, confused… Why did I do that? Why did I say that? You fool, Hieronymous. You bumbling, love-sick fool…

He paused as the thoughts raced through his head, his hand frozen on the door handle to his room. Love-sick? Was he truly love-sick? Hissing an irritated breath through his teeth, he pushed open the door and promptly slammed it shut, stabbing a hand through his hair in exasperation, forgetting that his hat was still perched there, and therefore knocking it to the floor. For a long moment, he stared at the grey lump of material, before he stormed past it and to his desk.

Upon the desk sat a fast growing pile of paperwork alongside a group of unfinished lesson plans. He sat for several hours, as the sun set and the air turned cool, trying to fill in the papers, but to no avail. His mind could focus on nothing but his actions that afternoon.

Eventually, he gave up, throwing the pen down on the desk violently with a growl of outrage and letting his head fall into his hands. He rubbed at his eyes, trying to push away the image of her face that had invaded his mind.

But his mind brought up their first conversation after her return to Iris… His confession, her tears… And then he remembered kissing her… Why had he done that? Why, after all his effort to avoid such a connection with her, had he been unable to stop himself from kissing her in that moment?

He grumbled to himself, staring at the papers on his desk as if they would magically command his attention, despite their failure a couple of hours past.

This went on for a long time, but he didn't realise how long until light began to peek through his window. He passed a hand over his eyes and groaned.

What has happened to me?

I know! I know! It's short and not much happens... I'm sowwy! Regardless, I hope you liked it xx

This chapter is now a tad longer, thanks to an idea from a guest review who thought an insight into Hieronymous' reaction would be interesting :) I hope you like the addition xx

By the way! Another time-jump warning which I forgot about! See you soon guys!