Disclaimer: Glee belongs to Fox, not to me.
So this was an extremely fun chapter to write and was much easier than I expected it to be. It's in a different style than I normally write in because most of it is texting. I'd appreciate it if you let me know whether it was confusing to follow or not. I tried to make it clear without constantly saying 'he said' or 'she said.' Of course I'd welcome any other comments about the chapter and, as always, please enjoy!
What are the chances I can convince you to come out again this Friday?
Rachel stared at her phone with a blush rising on her face. Okay, she had to admit she was flattered…and that Sebastian was very persistent. However, she had chosen to fix her relationship with Finn so even though she continued to communicate with Sebastian (purely as…acquaintances), she had to be clear. She responded, Zero. Finn and I have already arranged plans.
And where will the bumbling lumberjack be taking you?
She huffed. She was smarter than he probably gave her credit for. I am not telling you that information because I have little doubt that if I told you that you would show up. She didn't add that it would give her a heart attack if Finn and Sebastian actually met. There's no way Finn would believe that kiss was a mistake if heknew that it came from someone as attractive as Sebastian.
That would be bad because…? Don't tell me you aren't dying to see my handsome face again.
I'm not.
So you admit I'm handsome?
I admit that I won't be able to convince you otherwise. She smirked as she sent her response.
"Who are you texting?"
Rachel immediately shut her phone and stuffed in her pocket, looking up in alarm. "No one," she said quickly.
Fortunately it was only Blaine. He quirked his eyebrows at her. "You are a horrible liar," he said with amusement. "Who wouldn't you want anyone to know you were texting…let me guess – Sebastian?"
"Shh!" Rachel said. They were in the halls of McKinley, both headed to lunch. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, signaling Sebastian had responded.
"Look, I'm glad that everything is okay between you and Finn. But I don't understand why you continue to talk to Sebastian…and that Finn doesn't even care!"
"Keep your voice down, Blaine," Rachel hissed at him. She brought her phone back out – Blaine wasn't going to rat her out. Sebastian's reply was, can't deny the truth.
Watch me, she sent back.
"Finn doesn't know that it was Sebastian that night– he thinks it was just some random gay guy," Rachel explained. "Or that I even talk to Sebastian. And haven't you ever heard the saying, 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer?' I'm keeping tabs on our competition."
Gladly. Would that be through Skype or is this an invitation to come over?
"If you say so," Blaine said, shaking his head.
I didn't mean you could literally watch me, Sebastian.
"Trust me, Blaine. It's completely innocent." She read the Sebastian's reply: If I came over I could do more than just watch, though that's always fun too. Okay, maybe not completely innocent. She blushed.
Sebastian… She meant it as a warning.
And that's all you would be saying. She tried to keep the shock off her face.
Sebastian Smythe!
Adding the last name is a bit long, but I'd love to see you try.
"That blush tells me it's not 'completely innocent,'" Blaine said, his eyebrow raised and tone curious. "And I don't believe for a second that Sebastian Smythe can be completely innocent."
Stop it. I have a boyfriend.
"Oh? Is that why Kurt allows you and him to chat so frequently?" Rachel said sweetly.
Who I'm guessing doesn't realize that you're practically sexting another guy, right?
He knows about…what happened. He's forgiven me and trusts me. And I am NOT even close to 'sexting' you.
"Are you blackmailing me into keeping quiet?" Blaine asked, but she could tell the anger in his voice was merely for show. "Because I will have you know that there is nothing inappropriate in my conversations with Sebastian," he defended.
So defensive. You don't know what you're missing ;)
"Nothing that you noticed, anyway," Rachel teased Blaine. They had finally made it to the cafeteria and she saw Kurt waving them down from a corner.
I'll keep it that way, thank you. Now I must go – lunch with Kurt. She knew there wasn't a chance that she would be able to text Sebastian in Kurt's presence without everything being found out.
Tell him I say hi. Make sure to get a picture of his face when you do and send it to me.
Not a chance. GoodBYE Sebastian.
Until later, Rachel. She put her phone away but the smile stayed on her face. She greeted Kurt happily.
There had been remarkably little effect from her night of infidelity. Blaine was comfortable with the fact that she had talked it over with Finn…though he was under the impression that Finn was aware of the details, which he wasn't. Finn, of course, didn't think it had been anything but an accident. Rachel didn't even know if Finn remembered the conversation or if it had been eclipsed by the football game – he certainly hadn't brought it up since. Rachel had gotten Blaine to agree to keep Kurt in the dark. Blaine wasn't exactly lying, she had explained, just not going to bring it up in conversation. Kurt would go ballistic if he knew and since she and Finn were already okay, there wasn't much of a reason, was there? Blaine wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea but had agreed to not bring it up in conversation – though if Kurt asked about it Blaine wasn't going to lie, he insisted.
The only difference between Rachel's life pre and post-Scandals was that Sebastian now had her number – and used it often.
Want to know where I would take you Friday if you dropped your baggage of a boyfriend?
Rachel rolled her eyes at Sebastian's text. I suspect it would start somewhere with alcohol and end in your bedroom.
Kinky – I like it. I have a roommate… but it doesn't bother me if it doesn't bother you.
She blushed at the mental image. I find myself unsurprised at your lack of propriety.
And I find myself turned on. Planning on doing something about that?
Did he always have to be so inappropriate? I'll have to check my schedule.
I'm free this weekend.
And I'm free…oh look, Finn seems to have me booked until further notice. She did enjoy thwarting his attempts, though.
Sounds clingy. She could hear his disdain in his voice.
It sounds like a relationship. You might not be familiar with the term.
Well I'd like to have relations with your hips. Does that count? She couldn't help her gasp of shock. The good news is that she was simply lounging in her bedroom after school so there was no one to ask any awkward questions.
You're revolting. She pounded the keys typing that message out a little more forcefully than necessary.
And yet remarkably kissable. Remember that?
I try not to. It was the complete truth, too.
I suppose your boyfriend wouldn't survive the comparison.
What could she say to that? I understand your ego needs constant deflating, but don't you have anything better to do then harass me?
I sense a topic change. Am I winning?
Never.
Well there was that one time… Of course he remembered. And she had lost that game at Scandals…
Goodbye, Sebastian.
Not even an excuse this time?
Rachel didn't bother responding.
But Sebastian wasn't always making sexually inappropriate comments. Sometimes they could actually have a normal conversation. She learned bits about his life before he came to Ohio. He lived in Paris but also in London. Right before he moved to Ohio he had been living in the state of Washington. She told him about NYADA and New York. When she told him she was a vegan they had a heated debate about food choices such as veganism, vegetarians, and fair trade products. Rachel will forever stubbornly claim that she won that argument – though Sebastian claims there wasn't anything to win. Other times their conversations were more bantering (she refused to call it flirty).
Sebastian also wasn't the only one to start a texting conversation. She, too, initiated them. I hear you've been chased out of the Lima Bean, she sent him when Blaine had mentioned that he hadn't seen Sebastian around for a few days. Usually Kurt claimed that Sebastian lived there.
Aw, do they miss me?
Kurt and Blaine? Definitely not
Right. Because now you're going to pretend that you and the poster couple for gays don't talk about me. Glad I'm such a hot topic between you. Okay, so it was true that Sebastian was a topic of conversation between them. Kurt often complained about him to her. Her conversations with Blaine, those not involving Kurt, were not as negative but just as frequent.
You're incorrigible.
Thank you. And unlike your idiot of a boyfriend, I know what that means. She could never get him to stop insulting Finn.
You don't know the first thing about Finn, she argued. What he said was most likely true, but still.
I have my sources. Well that was obvious. Sebastian only talked to one other person who knew, and would possibly insult, Finn.
Blaine? I can't believe he would insult Finn!
Mostly pre-Sectionals – back when your idiot co-captain wouldn't listen to someone who actually knew what they were doing. I think they've come to an 'understanding' now.
Excuse me? I take offense at that statement. She knew what she was doing! Just because Blaine used to lead the Warblers…New Directions had beaten the Warblers last year quite handily!
Why? It's not like he listened to you either. Oh. Well that was true. The good news is that it still worked out in New Directions favor, even without her to carry them. And yes, Blaine had been instrumental in that. Time for a topic change.
So are you going to explain your absence from what previously was the only place you got coffee? That was the whole reason she started texting him, after all. He still hadn't answered her original question.
Why so curious? Good question. How to respond…
You have obviously changed your schedule. On the occasions where I need coffee, I'd like to be sure to do so at a time when you are not present. Not quite true. She had been considering accompanying Kurt and Blaine to the Lima Bean more frequently because of Sebastian. She had to admit she enjoyed arguing with him – and she wanted to be sure that he wasn't still pursuing Blaine, of course. Blaine's, and even Kurt's, information couldn't be trusted - they weren't an objective third party.
I've never seen you at the Lima Bean before. Have you been going with Kurt and Blaine so that you might oh so accidentally run into me? I'm flattered. Well, she hadn't yet. She was going to but then Blaine mentioned he hadn't been around lately…
I've already explained my reasoning for inquiring after your coffee habits.
Careful. The next time I see you at the Lima Bean it will be obvious you were lying. Oops, he was right.
Do you always avoid questions like this?
Am I getting you all hot and flustered? And he was still avoiding her question!
I would describe my current state as thoroughly irritated, she responded. And she was, in truth.
Close enough.
Well that was just rude. She had merely asked him a simple question. Now she wasn't going to respond…see how he liked it. She huffed in irritation and glared at her phone. It was much harder conveying angry silence through texting – it's not like she could execute a storm out that would be appreciated. Soon enough, though, her patience was rewarded as Sebastian sent her another text : Lacrosse practice. Well that was unhelpful. Did he send it to the wrong person?
What?
We've been having extra lacrosse practices in preparation for a big game this Saturday. Oh. So his practices had kept him from his usual coffee. She didn't know he played lacrosse!
Oh. Well…good luck! It seemed only polite to wish him luck.
You can buy me a congratulatory coffee at the Lima Bean for our win after school on Monday. Now he was just being presumptuous, she thought as she rolled her eyes.
I'm not going on a date with you, Sebastian. I'm taken!
Then don't think of it as a date. See you Monday ;)
It would be rude to not show up, wouldn't it? After all, like he said – it wasn't a date. Kurt and Blaine would be there too, after all.
Then things got complicated, Rachel thought. Sometime, somewhere, lines had gotten blurred. He was no longer an 'enemy' to be kept closer.
So Thad was telling this funny story in rehearsal yesterday. Something about Blaine questioning his sexuality. Know anything about that?
Don't.
Did I hit a nerve?
I can't do this right now.
?
I just got slushied in my new dress.
What? Is that code for some barbaric public school ritual?
I got an icy-cold syrupy drink thrown in my face. Need further explanation?
You got ice thrown in your face? It's DECEMBER. You'll freeze.
Congratulations, you almost sound like you care. I've already changed into my spare clothes I just don't need you making my day any worse, ok?
Look, I'm not the one who threw the slushie. If I didn't know that he would completely spaz knowing that we talk, I would almost think I was talking to Hummel right now. And yes, Rachel that was me being concerned. Sorry I bothered. Let me know when I can harass you again.
She had felt guilty. Guilty. Guilty that she had taken out her anger and frustration about her ruined new outfit out on Sebastian who had actually only been concerned. And Sebastian shouldn't be concerned. He shouldn't care at all, he should've laughed. She could more easily see him throwing a slushie then defending her against one, after all. And now she felt the need to apologize to Sebastian Smythe. It had been bothering her all day – Finn had even commented on it (though he hadn't noticed her change of outfit).
I'm sorry. I was just having a bad day and I got your message right after the slushie, she sent him after she had gone home for the day. His response was quicker than she expected and she opened it hesitantly.
Ok. She stared at those two letters for a minute before sending a response.
That's it? That's all you're going to say?
…yeah.
You're not even going to ask if I'm ok? He had been concerned before! He could ask if she had frozen…if she had been able to save her clothes…if anyone had helped her clean up…
I assume you wouldn't be texting ME if you weren't. She felt a bit of sting at that comment. Okay, so he was still a little angry. That was justified, she supposed. She had told him that he would only make her day worse.
I'm sorry. Thank you for being concerned. She even apologized to Sebastian Smythe a second time!
Sure.
Sebastian, please stop responding with one word.
Ok. Fine.
Sebastian!
Couldn't help myself. So are slushies common at McKinley? She smiled. That was so like him…and now he didn't seem upset with her, which was a good sign.
They are for me and usually the rest of the Glee Club. The jocks throw them at us for fun. It's died down some, but it still happens. She supposed he'd never been slushied, going to private schools. They were a step above, he liked to brag.
What about those in Glee and sports?
Well, Finn has both thrown slushies and taken them. He hasn't thrown one in a long time, though.
Has he thrown one at you? She didn't know if she should be touched at his concern (as hard as it was to discern), or offended that he would think her boyfriend would slushie her.
No. Noah has, though. I've completely forgiven him and he doesn't do it anymore. Wait…did he know who Noah was?
That is so messed up. Either Blaine told him or he just assumed he was another jock and Glee club member.
He only threw grape slushies at me after I told him they were my favorite. She defended. She really didn't hold a grudge against Noah, after all. He was a fellow Jew and it would only be right to forgive him.
Because THAT makes it ok. And grape as your favorite? Please. Cherry all the way.
Are you really arguing with me about slushie flavors? She had never argued over which kind was the best tasting – she and Kurt had only argued about which color was easiest to get out of clothes. Both agreed that the blue kind (whatever it was supposed to taste like) was the worst.
Arguing would imply you have a valid opinion on the matter. Rude. Completely rude.
Excuse me, but I have much more slushie experience than you do. I've tasted all the flavors and have reached a well-researched decision that grape is the best.
You clearly just have poor taste.
…I feel like you're attempting to insult my boyfriend again.
If you think I'm only attempting, I'm clearly not trying hard enough.
I'd rather you didn't.
Or was I insulting your musical taste?
She gasped in horror. She started texting an extremely long reply about where he could shove his musical opinion as well as her qualifications for being of excellent musical taste. The conversation went on for awhile (Sebastian had proved his taste in music adequate, she had to admit) before she had to start her homework. Finally, she sent him a message of, Thank you. Despite my words earlier, you actually ended up making my day better.
There are other ways I could make your day better ;) She decided to let his innuendo slide this time in light of recent events.
No, this was enough. Thank you. Goodnight, Sebastian.
Night Rachel
She could still sense that something wasn't right, though. She was talking to Sebastian way too often – he was definitely turning into a friend. She had also grown bolder with her texting. She was currently texting him when Finn was not but two feet from her. She and Finn were even on a date, though they were just hanging out at the Hummel-Hudson home.
Tell me more about Paris, she sent Sebastian.
Bored?
…Finn is talking football, she admitted.
So yes.
Paris, please, Sebastian. She still didn't like his implied insults towards Finn. He was still her boyfriend, after all.
Don't get me wrong, Paris is great. Eiffel Tower, the Seine, Louvre and all, but I think you would find London more fascinating.
Why?
London is more like New York City. And since you don't speak French, the Parisians will hate you which I don't think you would appreciate.
True. Maybe you could give me lessons sometime, though. Yeah, she was definitely getting bolder with her texting. She might have just crossed into Kurt's definition of flirty texting.
Oh, I could teach you a lot… ;) That type of response no longer surprised her – she'd be more surprised if he hadn't implied anything.
I meant lessons in the French language ONLY, Sebastian.
Why limit yourself?
Can you restrain yourself from the sexual innuendos for ten minutes and tell me about London, please? While normally she could handle Sebastian and his comments, it made her uncomfortable to do so when Finn was really just right there.
Anything to entertain a lady. How do you feel about polar bears?
…um…I wouldn't want to meet one. Is this a joke?
Nope. I met one in London and not in a zoo. One night I happened to be walking through Trafalgar Square… and he continued the story, keeping her entertained as Finn continued to chat about football with Burt.
She had even started conversations with him when she was bored during the lulls of Glee practice. So how are the Warblers?
Nick and Jeff are driving me INSANE. They will not stop arguing over the STUPIDEST things all through practice!
Do I smell discord? Don't make Regionals too easy, she teased.
Don't stress yourself – the Warblers will win easily enough. New Directions should just toss in the towel now and save yourselves the humiliation. If he had made this comment to her face, she would have stuck her tongue at him.
Ha! I will have you know that we are working on an epic performance number that will have the Warblers bowing at our feet! She sniped back at him.
Nice try. You forget I still talk to Blaine. He mentioned that you guys haven't even started to talk about song choices for Regionals.
He's such a traitor. She would definitely be talking to Blaine about that. He really shouldn't be talking about anything Glee related with Sebastian – Sebastian was simply too clever.
A very naïve one, yes. Don't blame him too much – he's still a Warbler at heart.
Are you trying to steal Blaine back? Because I will not stand for it! Blaine would never, she knew. He definitely would have cut out pre-Sectionals if he was going to abandon ship. Now that Finn had started listening to his ideas, Blaine finally felt fully accepted into New Directions. Plus Kurt would never forgive Blaine if he went back to Dalton during his senior year.
Such accusations! I would never do such a thing…
The innocent act has never worked for you, Sebastian.
Better cross that off my role-playing list, then. She could feel her face heating up and she was afraid of being found out.
Sebastian!
Are you blushing? Hot.
Stop! I'm in Glee right now
I suppose I'll have to tell you what's left on my list later, then. She quickly put her phone away and inserted herself into a conversation between Tina and Quinn to get her mind off the implications of that statement.
Any news from NYADA?
No! And I've been trolling the chat forums and some people have received responses already!
New York mail is notoriously slow
You don't know that…but I appreciate the sentiment.
My father has connections. I could try and see…for a favor or two.
…
Rachel, I was kidding.
Oh.
Wait...did you not respond because you were offended or were you actually considering my offer?
…I was extremely angry that you had connections and didn't tell me before so I could utilize them.
It would've been with strings attached, trust me.
You would've blackmailed me?
I wouldn't have asked for anything you would've found…distasteful.
Sebastian Smythe.
You have such a fondness for my name. I think you just love saying it.
I say it with exasperation.
Not in my head.
Let me guess, in your head 'it's going down?'
Caught my reference, did you? Except in my head, you're screaming my name
My sexy moans aren't enough?
Definitely those too.
Some dudes know all the right things to say
Instead of talking let me demonstrate
Get down to business and skip foreplay
I'll be your teacher, I'll show you the ropes
You'll see a side of love you've never known
I can see it going down, going down
In my head
I see you all over me
In my head
You fulfill my fantasy
In my head
You're singing to me baby in my head right now.
I'll be screaming out when it all goes down.
Yes, you will.
Rachel hadn't texted Sebastian for the rest of the night after that. She could barely even look at her phone…or herself in the mirror. She couldn't believe that she had done it again. She had given into the temptation that was Sebastian Smythe and had…well, she hadn't sent any dirty messages or anything. It wasn't the words but the emotion behind them that scared her. It had been so much more heated then it should have been.
If that had been a face to face confrontation, she knew without a doubt she would've made out with him again.
Rachel cringed when she heard her phone vibrate. She had been doing that for the past twenty-four hours. It didn't even matter who the message was from – every time she just assumed it was Sebastian. She hadn't explained to him why she had suddenly cut off last night…but no doubt he guessed. And he was probably laughing, the jerk.
She had already ignored two text messages from him earlier today. So last night? Super hot. She hadn't responded. Several hours later, he had sent her, Rachel? She hadn't responded to that one either.
She looked at her phone. She had one new text message from Sebastian Smythe. She hesitated, took a breath, and opened it.
Trent was talking at rehearsal today about Barbra Streisand's newly released album. He thought it was crap and she should've stopped years ago.
In a frenzy, she immediately sent back: Barbra Streisand is and forever will be one of the great musical icons of all time. Trent should experience painful public humiliation for speaking so lowly of such great talent. His opinion is NOTHING.
Okay, calm down. Don't hire out a hit man on Trent – I lied to see if you were ignoring me. Rachel felt all the anger immediately leave her body. He had tricked her.
Oh.
If I call you, will you answer?
Depends. What are you going to talk about?
I've been working on a new arrangement for the Warblers – not for Regionals, of course. Could use your input.
When he called several seconds after she sent him ok, she picked up after the second ring. When she hung up, the call duration had been for an hour and twenty-seven minutes. She hummed happily to herself with a smile as she proceeded to look through her sheet music for a solo she wanted to work on.
You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar when I met you
No. Oh God. Blaine didn't.
Don't…don't you want me? Blaine totally did.
NO.
You know I can't believe it when I hear that you won't see me…
Does Blaine keep nothing a secret?
Besides our love affair? Apparently not. It took me a bit of convincing since Thad mentioned something before, but I finally got him to spill.
We are NOT having an affair, Sebastian.
I much prefer our duet, to be honest. A very inspired choice on my part.
Stop complimenting yourself. I preformed both songs very admirably given the level of alcohol in my blood.
But seriously – Blaine or me? Who was better?
Better at what? Duet or…
That which I am forbidden to speak of
I'm not answering that question
Come on. I'm dying of curiosity.
No, Sebastian.
Would you at least tell me how he was? Why would Sebastian even care? He hadn't thrown any seriously inappropriate comments or even looks Blaine's way since Scandals. It was obvious to Rachel that he only did it occasionally now just to spite Kurt. He wasn't…interested still, was he?
You are shameless.
True. But if you tell me, I'll tell you what Blaine said about you.
He TALKED about it? With YOU? What did he say? …I was incredibly intoxicated that time. She and Blaine never even really talked about that night. Not after he had completely confirmed he was gay, anyway. What did Blaine say about kissing her?
You first.
…I can't. It's too weird. I feel like I'd be betraying Blaine and Kurt. Even though she was dying of curiosity to know what Blaine said…she just couldn't.
Okay, Blaine I understand but Kurt?
It's his boyfriend. Telling you what it's like to kiss Blaine feels like I'm letting you…sample…him.
You two are both no fun. He wouldn't say anything either. She felt an odd mix of extreme relief and disappointment. More relieved…but she was curious what Blaine honestly thought about it.
He didn't? Sebastian! You had me worried.
I don't know what you're anxious about – I've already 'sampled' you…and I'd do it again, too :)
I forbade you to speak of it!
I did not speak – merely wrote. Loophole in the agreement. My father is an attorney, didn't you know?
Sebastian Smythe!
Well that just brings back good memories…
Please don't
Skype me.
What? Why?
Because it's been too long and the dreams 'in my head' are getting fuzzy.
Not funny. And just for that I'm not going on.
I know you're sitting at your computer already. Just log on.
Only if you promise me you'll stay fully clothed the whole time.
That was ONE time. And it was only my shirt…you know you enjoyed it.
I'm serious.
…fine.
And yes, she logged on to Skype Sebastian. It had been awhile since she'd last seen him.
Are all sports as boring as basketball? She texted Sebastian during one of Finn's games. She was by herself this time – none of her friends could make it to the game. Even Burt and Carole were missing, gone at a political function. She, however, the dedicated girlfriend had attended.
No. Take lacrosse, for instance. She was so thankful Sebastian was giving her someone to talk to. She concentrated on the conversation rather than on the back and forth movement on the court.
I think you're biased. Cheers erupted around her, but she didn't care.
I think you'd thoroughly enjoy watching me play lacrosse. Wait…was he implying…?
Are you subtly telling me that you want me to watch one of your games?
Of course not. He was lying.
I think you're lying, she called him out on it.
You always think I'm lying.
You usually are. I'm calling you. Your voice will give you away.
She left the stands and went to stand out in the hallway to call Sebastian. She talked to him for the next quarter and all through half-time – and he had totally been lying about not wanting her at one of his games (though he hadn't admitted it, of course). She went back to the basketball game during the fourth quarter. She noticed that McKinley was ahead. She watched the game for a few minutes – she ended up seeing Finn score a basket and cheered loudly. However, when the game ended she hadn't been paying attention – instead she was looking at the text Sebastian had sent her of all the dates of his home lacrosse games and wondering if she could fit one into her schedule.
Christmas break was a wonderful time for Rachel. She did some of her favorite things – had sleepovers with Kurt and Mercedes, baked lots of cookies with her dads, and finally re-alphabetized her sheet music collection. Unfortunately, Sebastian was spending the entire break on a family vacation to Switzerland…or maybe it was a blessing. She had to admit she had been sorely neglecting her relationship with Finn because she had been talking to Sebastian. It couldn't have been too much, though, because Finn hadn't said anything. However, now during break she was able to spend lots of time with her boyfriend.
She was still extremely excited, though, when she received a text from Sebastian on Christmas Eve despite the roaming charges she knew he would incur.
So I know you're Jewish, but I still got you a present for Christmas.
What? She was surprised…and flattered. Somehow she hadn't thought Sebastian was the gift-giving type.
The next message she got was a picture message. She opened it to see Sebastian and…nope, just Sebastian. He wasn't holding anything - where was her gift? Oh wait…
My present is a picture of you?
Isn't it what you've always wanted? Besides the real thing, of course
Because my fathers have taught me manners, I say thank you
You're very welcome. Feel free to reciprocate in kind.
You want me to send you a picture of myself? She hadn't gotten him anything because she couldn't give it to him – him being at Dalton and away in Switzerland. He wanted a picture?
Yes. Would you like me to specify what type of picture I'd like? And there was the sexually inappropriate catch to this conversation…
I'd rather you didn't…and just for that you're not getting one.
Does that mean I get the real thing instead?
No.
Where's your Christmas spirit?
Jewish.
Just for the record, I had wanted a black and white picture.
She couldn't help but spite him. She sent him a picture of herself but left it in color. His response came through immediately, and it wasn't a thank you, either, of course.
Prejudiced against the classy black and white?
You're welcome, she responded with a smile.