Chapter 3 | Drinks

With the sun blazing down, hot enough to melt ice with a single smile, most of the students were trapped inside on this not-so-lovely day, Irving sat with his books to the side and hers on the table, she was bound to come back to the library, he should have just waited. 

Tapping his fingers against the table, he loosened the collar of his uniform a bit, and pulled one of the books from the stack, deciding he may as well at the very least kill time, he absentmindedly scanned the pages, glancing around at the slightest sound, and every so often looking behind him to see if she was coming. She’s usually here by now……did something happen? She couldn’t have found a new study spot that fast right?

As he pondered away, he felt a strand of hair grace his neck, then he looked over and saw Thora leaning over his shoulder, looking at his book, her hair tied up in a ponytail for once as an orange ribbon held it together. “Another book on poison?”

SHE'S GORGEOUS OH MY GLOB! IS THIS GONNA BE HER NEW NORMAL? I CAN SEE SO MUCH MORE OF HER FACE, SHE LOOKS EVEN SOFTER THAN USUAL AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! 

“That’s right……” Was all he could think of to say as he just stared blankly at her, fighting to keep his expression somewhat natural.

“I see…” She said while standing up, and walking to the opposite side of the table, taking her seat as she pulled out her notes from her bag. I DID IT! HE HAS TO HAVE NOTICED MY HAIR RIGHT?! IT'S SO CUTE! No No No, calm down, he probably won’t notice a change as small as this, just act natural. 

Sneaking small glances at her, he brought his free arm over to the table, and propped his elbow on it, resting his face in his palm. SHOULD I SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT?! I REALLY WANNA TELL HER IT LOOKS AMAZING AND THAT SHE’S AMAZING IN EVERY WAY AND- CALM DOWN Calm down, let’s think this through, if you’re gonna bring it up, do it casually, stay frosty.

“You look prepared for the heat.” Glancing up, he held his gaze on her for a few moments before returning to his book. WHAT WAS THAT?!? I SAID COOL NOT FORMAL YOU IDIOT! NOW SHE’S GONNA THINK WE’RE WEIRD! WHYYYYY?!

Nodding her head, she flipped the pages of her notebook as she looked to the window that was so hot, if she touched it, her fingers would burn, tugging at her collar she aired it out a bit, then she spoke. “Yes, I wanted to be ready.” 

HE NOTICED! DOES HE LIKE IT?! OR DID HE LIKE MY HAIR DOWN?! No, calm down! Be cool! Try to just relax and act natural! “Being careful in hot weather is a must, don’t you agree?”

Nodding, he brought a hand up, and ran it back through his hair, brushing it away from his face along with the sweat on his brow. “Indeed, especially when it’s this dreadful.”

OKAY IT'S NOT A TOTAL FAILURE! I GOT THE REASON RIGHT AT LEAST SO THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK?! OKAY! Okay relax, she’s clearly just as bothered by the heat as I am soooo let’s change the subject! “What brings you here-“

“Would you like to go get a drink?” Interrupting him, she kept her breathing calm to try and keep her face neutral as she looked over her notes, her ears rapidly twitching. NO! I CUT HIM OFF! I SOUNDED SO RUDE AND FORCEFUL!!! 

For a few moments, silence was all that hung in the air, but soon, the sound of a book closing and being put down cut through it as Irving sighed. “I suppose that sounds good, if it’ll quell this heat.”

SHE WANTS TO GET DRINKS TOGETHER?!? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?! IS THIS A DATE?! IS SHE ASKING ME ON A DATE?!?! NO No no no, calm down, this is unexpected territory but we got this! It’s probably that it’s really hot out and she doesn’t wanna go alone! Yeah, that’s probably it! “Lead the way.”

Standing up, she nods and puts her notes in her bag, grabbing it and putting it on her side as she walked beside Irving out the door, fighting the smile. WE LOOK LIKE A COUPLE! THIS IS THE BEST! I can’t breathe, I’m so happy, he’s so cool, I’m walking with the coolest guy in- the world. 

While she may have fought the smile, she couldn’t fight the sway in her walk, or the twitch of her ears that brightened her entire walk as the two headed down the white marble halls. 

Walking just a bit behind, he couldn’t help but glance down at the way her hips would sway back and forth as she walked, his hands sitting in his pockets as he kept pace with her.

I wonder how flexible she is…..by the Plight I can just imagine how supple her skin must feel, my hands would sink into her- HOLD YOURSELF TOGETHER MAN YOU’RE ALMOST THERE JUST SEE IT THROUGH!

Turning to the left, Thora held her hands behind her back as she stopped in front of a little shop attached to the wall, its entrance curved as if it were a hill on the wall. “Is there anything in particular you like?

Bringing a hand to his chin, Irving took a moment before responding, taking a deep breath to cool off a bit as well. “Anything bubbly.”

“Oh! You like those too?” With a sparkle in her eyes, she looked at him, a little smile on her face as she skipped into the shop, her pace faster than a walk yet slower than a jaunt. 

Taking two bottles from the ice-covered freezer, she looked up to the clerk and waved, the auburn-colored hair girl smiled. 

“Rosie! Take as much as you want, how have you been?!” The girl had these sapphire eyes that shimmered like pearls, and freckles that looked like butterfly kisses, kind features, no doubt. 

“Are you sure? I don’t mind paying, oh! And I’ve been well.” Walking up to the counter, Thora holds the two bottles in her arm as the girl waves her hand dismissively. 

“Of course! You’re always such a big help, two little drinks won’t be a big deal.” The clerk said. 

Mika, you are a SAINT thank you so much!! Nodding Thora giggles and grins at her. “Then, thank you Mika, I hope to see you over the weekend.” 

Turning on her heel, Thora handed Irving one of the glass bottles, which he took, and turned over in his hand a few times, eyeing the flavor and nodding to the store clerk. Of course she helps out here during her free time, AS IF SHE COULD GET ANY MORE KIND AND PERFECT HHHNNNGGGGGG!!!

Cracking open the bottle, he turned to her, taking note of the flavor she had gotten as he softly spoke before taking a sip. “Friend of yours?”

Looking at him, she nods before putting the drink to her cheek, feeling how cold the glass felt on her pink-tinted face. HE'S SO COOL EVEN WHEN DRINKING SOMETHING!! “We’re neighbors.”

A satisfied sigh left him as his lips popped off the glass bottle, and he stared ahead as he then pressed it to his neck, holding it there while they walked for a bit. “I see…..quite handy to have acquaintances like that.”

Taking deep breaths, the cold glass felt quite nice on his neck as he matched her pace. HOW IS SHE SO CUTE WHEN HER CHEEKS SQUISH LIKE THAT?!? MY HEART CAN'T TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS! SHE'S THE CUTEST THING IN THE WORLD!!!

“Yeah….it is, I’m glad I know her.” Walking beside him, she stopped for a second to pop open the bottle, a slight shaky struggle as she pulled it off and then quickly caught back up to him, taking a sip. I WISH I WAS THAT BOTTLE! I know that sounds weird but ngggghhHHHHHHHH HE’S SO HANDSOME AND COOL AND AHHHH!!!

And so, the remainder of their walk was spent in relative silence, save for the occasional pant or deep breath due to the heat, and the sound of their drinks swishing around in the cool glass bottles.

Irving couldn’t help but glance at her repeatedly, every so often his gaze would linger as a bead of sweat dripped down her neck, and below her collar. What I wouldn’t GIVE to be that bead of sweat……okay that sounds really weird but MMMMMMM IT'S PROBABLY DRIPPING DOWN INTO HER- AND OKAY THAT'S ENOUGH DRINK YOUR BUBBLY NOW.

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