Rose 2-19: You smell like flowers

Donovan

      I finish my midterm, and when I get home, I can't find Skye to ask him how his went. I guess he went out somewhere to get rid of some stress. He didn't look happy all weekend.
      My phone rings in my pocket, and I pull it out to see who it is. Tiffany?

     "Tiffany." I say as a way to answer the phone. I never know what to expect from this woman.
     "Yes. It's Tiffany." she says, and I can immediately tell that something is bothering her.
     "What can I do for you, Tiffany?" I like saying her name to her, and I can't help but smile because I can almost hear her squirming on the other end of the line just from the sound of my voice.

       She clears her throat and takes on a very business-like tone as she tells me, "Did you know that Shauna is in my art history class?"
      "No, I did not know that." Am I supposed to keep a record of everyone's schedules?
      "Well, she is, and I overheard her saying the most interesting things today. Can you guess what they might be?"

      "I know her parents are coming this weekend. Is that what she said?" I ask, wondering.
      "Yes. She did mention that, but that's not what caught my attention." Tiffany says, acting like she's enjoying making me guess.

 

     "Are you going to tell me, or are you going to make me guess all night? If that's the case, maybe we could meet somewhere and chat face-to-face." I change my tone back to the one that will make her squirm.
      "We can talk face-to-face if you want." she says, and my mouth drops open the tiniest amount. She tells me where to meet her.
      "I look forward to seeing you soon." I say before I hang up.

     Tiffany has been avoiding me lately, so I haven't actually seen her close up for a long time. She's done something different with her hair, and I like it.

    I decide to hug her to see how she'll react and to get a guess about her mood.

     I take a step closer to her after she acts like she wants to keep this hug at a friendly level.
     There's a very nice smell coming from just behind her ear. Is she wearing perfume?
     "What is that?" I ask quietly as I keep my arms around her and turn my nose into her hair. She smells like a field of flowers in spring.
     She turns a little in my arms to look at me. Our lips get very close as she says, "I have no idea what you're talking about." She wiggles a little like she wants me to let go of her, and I pretend I don't notice.
     "That." I say and lean in to smell again. "I've not noticed this scent before. What is it?"
     "I'm not wearing any perfume or anything, and I still use the same shampoo as I always have. I have no idea what you're talking about." she repeats, sounding a little nervous.
      "Were you laying in a field of flowers earlier today or something?" I say softly into her ear.
      She takes a deep breath and says, "Donovan, stop with your lines."
      "Lines." I scoff. "I don't need lines. This is no line. You smell like flowers." I breathe in when the smell gets stronger, and I bring my lips to just behind her ear to tenderly kiss where the smell is strongest.
     I smile to myself when I feel the smallest tremble go through her.
     "Stop it, Donovan. I don't think your girlfriend would approve." she says in a snappish yet breathless voice.

     I pull back in surprise. "What do you mean?"
     A vicious, victorious grin shows up on her face. "I was right." she says like she's about to maniacally laugh about something. "You have no idea. Well now, this does make it interesting. I thought to myself 'no way would Donovan settle for just one woman', and now I see I'm right."

     I sigh in a patient manner as I prepare to explain myself once again to this woman. "Tiffany, you know we're young. I don't want to limit myself now. Have you forgotten this?"
     She rolls her eyes!
     "No, I haven't forgotten, but maybe you need to explain that to Shauna." she replies in a snide voice.
     "I have explained this to Shauna."

     "Well, either she didn't get the message or she thinks you've changed your mind because she was talking in class today to someone else how she was happy that you said you were her boyfriend." she explains and watches the confused expression on my face.
     All of a sudden, I understand. "Oh!" I say and smile a little. "That. It's for her to fool her parents so that she doesn't have to tell them how things really are when they visit this weekend."
     Tiffany gives me a skeptical look and says, "I don't know, Donovan, you might want to talk to her a little more about that because from what I could tell, she doesn't think it's just for this weekend."
     Tiffany is jealous! She doesn't need to be jealous.
     "I'm doing her a favor, just the same as I would do for you if you needed me to."

    "You misunderstood." I finish and realize how much I miss Tiffany. I miss looking into those eyes that caught my attention the first day I was here at university. I soak up as much of her as I can right now in this moment.
    "I still think you need to talk to her." she repeats.
    "Okay, I will, but later. How have you been, Tiffany? It's so nice to see you again."
    She looks down at the floor with a sad expression. "Okay I guess." she mumbles.

    I pounce on this opportunity. "You guess? Why is it only a guess? It shouldn't be a guess. You're at university! You should be having the time of your life!"
    She lets out a huff. "Contrary to what my roommates think, I came to university to do more than have a good time and party. I came to get a degree."
     "Did not we all?" I ask. "This, I think, is something you do not understand. You have to get out of your room. You have to escape your easel and your books and experience life!"
      She sighs patiently like I did a moment ago. "Not everyone can make A's with little effort. Some of us have to study much, much more than you."
      "You are going to look back on these years of your life and say 'I wish I'd lived more! I wish I'd enjoyed being young!'"
      "I am enjoying being young!" she says defensively, and I wonder how long it's been since she's had a little fun.

      "How long has it been, Tiffany? How long has it been since you've done something just for fun?" I say as I work at resisting the need to breathe in more of her wonderful smell, and I try to content myself with looking into her eyes.
     "I have fun! My roommates throw a party every weekend for goodness' sake!"
     "Do you join in?" I ask, remembering how she used to complain about the loud noise that I used to try to distract her from during those parties I would go to.

     I can't help but think she looks like she wants to bolt while I work on pinning her to her spot with a look. I still want her, and it drives me crazy she won't see me anymore.
     "I ... um ... had a drink at the last one."
     "I think ... I think you're in desperate need of a 'fun intervention'. It's too late in the evening now, but what about we," I think for a moment, "go to the bowling alley tomorrow evening?"
     "Donovan, are you asking me out? Because if you are-"
     "I miss you so much, Tiffany." I say and pout the tiniest bit.
     "I should've known you'd try something like this."
     "Something like what?" I ask with a small smile playing about my lips.
     "You say you've missed me, but you never tried anything until today when I called you. I told myself not to see you face-to-face."
      "I'm so glad you did though." I get in before she continues.
      "You're only acting like this because I'm right in front of you. If it were Shauna or Willow standing in front of you right now, you'd be the same way with them." she points out.
     "No, because they're not Tiffany, and I've missed Tiffany with the beautiful blue eyes that smells like flowers." I say, putting her name in twice to combat her using the other women's names.
      "Why nothing until today?" she asks sadly.
      "Because I didn't think you missed me the same." I answer, hoping I'm right.

     I quickly lean in and kiss her full red lips. She's wearing flavored lipgloss. Tiffany is wearing flavored lipgloss! I think as I do more than linger on these sweet lips. My hand reaches up and gently holds the back of her head. I only want a little more, and I remember how she was about kissing in public as I plan to stop soon. Why wear flavored lipgloss unless she wanted me to kiss her?
     "Donovan." she says in warning with her mouth barely moving while my tongue wants inside it.
     I force myself to back off before I smile mischievously at her. "Nice lipgloss." I say and watch as she blushes.
     "I forgot I was wearing it." she says, and I think she's lying.
     "Go out with me tomorrow, Tiffany." I demand quietly.

     She smiles and looks at me like I'm crazy while I run my fingers through her hair.
     "Don't you have enough going on without adding me back into the mix?" she asks in place of an answer to my ardent request.
     "You never left it; I just did my best to get by without you. I can't do that anymore." I look into her eyes to see that the silly smile has left her face, and she watches me carefully. "One date. That's all I ask."
     "This time." she says as a way she thinks I should have ended my sentence.
     I decide to use it. "You're right. This time. I will never get enough." My hand running through her hair reaches around to the back of her neck, and I pull her close to me again. She relaxes when she realizes it's only for a hug.

     There's something special about Tiffany. Maybe it's because she was the one that got away. Maybe it's because she's the first one that I ever wanted. Really wanted. Want.
     That wonderful smell traps me again, and I have to turn my face into her hair again.
     "Tomorrow." I say low into her ear with a sudden desire to rip her shirt from her body.
     "No, I don't want to go through that again." she says sadly, but I can tell she's still on the verge of saying yes.

    "Then don't go through that again." I say. "I adore you, Tiffany. Be patient with me." I have no idea what possessed me to say that, but I realize that if there's a woman out there that I don't want to lose, it's her. I decide not to worry myself with thoughts about how far I'd go to keep her.
     She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes for a few seconds, and says, "As long as you promise to talk to Shauna about what you really mean about this weekend, okay."
     I smile, we agree upon a time, and ...

    ... I kiss her again. I keep it simple for her sake. Then she tells me she has to go. I tell her I'll see her tomorrow.

    Yes! Tiffany!
    My phone rings in my pocket.

     "Hello, Willow." I say with the happiness still in my voice.
     "Well, well. If it isn't Don Robles. I was wondering about you." she says smoothly.
     "Yes. I was wondering about you too."
     "Oh, you know me. I'm just hanging around. Right now, I'm at the bowling alley, but they're about to close." She acts like she's waiting for me to ask her out.
     "Are you free Thursday?" I ask. "We need to catch up."
     "Um ... yeah. I can do Thursday. Want me to come over?"
     "That would be perfect." I say. "I've missed you."
     "I'm only a phone call away." she reminds me. She sounds a little upset.
     "I know. I've been terrible."
     "It's fine, Don Robles. I'll see you Thursday." she replies and hangs up.

     A small voice inside my head warns me that I need to be concerned, but I can't understand why. I am so happy! I have Tiffany back! And I'm seeing Willow on Thursday! Life should be great, but I can't escape this nagging feeling I have that everything is about to explode in my face.
     But why? Everyone knows where they stand. Well, Tiffany says she's concerned about Shauna. That must be it.

      I need to talk to Shauna to remind her that this weekend is only an act. Then I need to talk to her again once the weekend is over to let her go.
     Huh? Why? I think, shocked at my unconscious decision.
     No! I don't want to lose my Shauna! She's special to me.
     Why do I feel like I need to let her go? She takes care of me like ...
     ... like she's in love with me.
     I remember that she didn't see the smirk on my face when I said I'd be her boyfriend. Tiffany was right, and she was looking out for me. Jealous too, but also looking out for me.

     For now, I quickly dismiss my worries about Shauna and instead think about how happy I am to have Tiffany back.

Click here to go to 2.20

Rose 2-18: An 'oh' moment

Donovan

     The invisibility epidemic takes another victim .... or ... is it the same victim as before and we can't tell? Still wondering if they wear clothes or not.

    My class ends, and I find my Shauna outside talking to the creepy vampire professor. I walk up behind Shauna and think how I'd love it if she came home with me tonight. She sees me out of the corner of her eye and turns around like she's very happy I showed up.

      She says my name like a sigh of relief before she throws her arms around my neck. I glare at the creepy professor while she rudely watches us. She starts like she figured out that I want her to make tracks in the snow away from us and leaves.

      "You're growing a beard?" Shauna asks.

      I smile. "I don't know. I just didn't feel like shaving."

      I haven't seen my Shauna for days. I'm not sure how many days. Hanna and I went on our date, and I don't think it went very well. She looked happy, and I acted charming. But there wasn't anything there. I think I'm going to have to stop seeing her, and I hope I don't have to hurt her.

       I'm sure to ask Shauna out for this weekend. She says yes, of course.

     I get off my bicycle to see Hanna about ready to ring the doorbell at my house. I call out to her, and she walks over to talk to me. She then proceeds to tell me about seeing someone else and how he wants to be exclusive. I feel so relieved and tell her that that's fine and wish her well.

      Monday is our mid-term, and as I sit with my brother while we eat the dinner Clark made for us before leaving for home for the weekend, I ask him if he thinks Clark would be okay with me using his bed with Shauna.

     Skye chuckles and says, "Beats me. Ever thought of calling and asking him?"

     Later, I do that, and he says fine. I happily go to wash the sheets.

     As I do this, I'm reminded of that time my dorm mate let me use his bed that time with Willow. I haven't seen Willow in ages. I've been so distracted with Hanna and my Shauna. I decide to call her, and it goes to voice mail. Knowing she'll see I called, I hang up without leaving a message. Besides, Shauna should be here in a few hours.

    I sneeze violently a few times before I get incredibly tired. Skye and Ashley are out at the arcade, so I decide to crash on the couch for a while.

     "Donovan." I hear a few seconds later. I groan because I never got a chance to sleep. I'd wanted to get some good sleep so that I could be really awake for Shauna tonight.

     "Donovan, wake up."

     Wait. Is that my Shauna?

      I open my eyes to see her leaning over me. A glance outside the window shows that much more than a few seconds went by just now because it's dark. I feel so confused.

      "Hey." she says with a small smile. "I hated to wake you, but I was wondering if you might be more comfortable on your bed."

      "Mm?" I ask and run my hand over my face drowsily. "Why would I want to do that?" I sit up slowly, amazed at how exhausted I feel. "Shauna?" I ask stupidly as I look at her, wondering if it's really her.

      "Yes?" she asks in return.

      "How did you get in here? What time is it?"

     "Skye let me in when he and Ashley showed up arguing after I'd been here for about a minute banging on the door to try to wake you up. It's about ten, honey, and you're running a fever." she explains gently.

       "You let me stay asleep?" I ask, feeling mortified. "I don't want to sleep while you're here." I say sleepily. I run my hand over my face again. My eyes feel like they're on fire, and I think she may be right about the fever thing.

       "C'mon, Donny." she says, trying to encourage me to get up and go to bed.

       "Noooo." I whine like a child. I feel like crap. "I don't want to be sick. I missed you." My arms reach up and wrap themselves around her waist before I turn my head and rest it against her stomach. I want to yank her down underneath me on the couch, but I feel so tired that I'm afraid I'd do nothing but pass out asleep on top of her.

      I hear Skye's voice behind in the dining room me say, "You need to go to sleep in your bed, Bro."

      So you can flirt with my Shauna? No way.

      "What were you doing while I was asleep?" I ask in fake innocence. Skye is a Robles after all.

      "Skye and I were playing gin rummy until I couldn't stand you being so pitiful." she answers.

      Cards. They were playing cards, I think, still not completely trusting my brother. After all, Shauna said that he and Ashley had a fight, so I can guess Ashley is upstairs pouting, leaving Skye with no one but a prettier blonde.

     Shauna finally convinces me to go to bed, and I collapse fully clothed on top of my blankets.

     I open my eyes and see that she left. Nooo, I think, worried she left. I feel so tired that I can't muster the energy to get up and find her, and I start to doze when I feel a soft hand on my cheek. Shauna.

      "Don't leave." I beg, opening my eyes a fraction.

      She smiles a little, and she looks like an angel. "I brought you some medicine." she says in her sweet voice.

       I dutifully take my medicine like a good boy before I ask, "Are you going to leave?"

       "No, I guess I don't have to." she says slowly, and I feel my eyelids droop some.

       I fight the sleep as I get out as quick as I can, "Clark is out of town. I put clean sheets on his bed because I wanted us down there this weekend so that I could make love to you, but you can sleep there so I don't get you sick." I'm not sure what I said made sense.

       "Don't worry about getting me sick. I don't usually get sick. I guess I can stay." she says sweetly.

       Her hand rests on the bed while she crouches down to get eye-level with me. I reach out and hold her hand in as tight a grip as I can. "Okay. Don't leave." I beg again, and in the far corner of my mind, I realize that I sound like a child, but I don't care at the moment. "Lock your door." I say, thinking of Skye. I don't know how she reacts to what I said because I fall fast asleep.

    I wake up in the morning, and I feel completely better. I guess my body plus the medicine my Shauna gave me got rid of whatever made me sick. I hope she's still here!

     It's after lunchtime when I leave my room. I see Shauna making her way towards me, and she looks happy to see that I'm up.

     "Hey, Sleepyhead. I was about to go and check on you, but now I see you're up, obviously. How are you feeling?"

      "I'm better! I don't know what that was." I say sheepishly. I still feel a bit embarrassed that I was sick and sleepy when I should've been making love to her instead.

      "I'm glad." she says sweetly as I close the space between us and wrap my arms around her.

      

      She feels so good in my arms that I don't stop myself from kissing her. She doesn't stop me either. I'd originally planned to study at this point of the weekend, but that's not what I want to do. I was cheated out of my Friday night. I feel I know the material enough, and right now, all I want to study is a naked Shauna.

     I pull back and smile at her while she says, "You need to eat something."

     Shauna likes to take care of me apparently. I don't mind. So, I eat and then decide to bathe. While in the bathroom, I remember how Shauna noticed that I hadn't shaved. My beard is even longer this morning, so I decide to shave - not all of it though.

     I walk out of the bathroom to find Shauna playing a game on my computer. She gets up when she sees me.

     "You shaved." she points out with a smile.

     "I did?" I ask cheekily then feel my cheeks. "Oh, you're right." Then I hug her to me for a few seconds before I ask, "What do you think?"

      "It's ... um... different than before." she stammers.

      I laugh a little before I say. "You don't like it. That's okay. I'm trying it out for a while."

      "No. I mean, I like it. It's just ... different." she says and looks mildly peeved that she can't think of a better way to say what she's thinking. I laugh a little before she says, "Oh. I meant to tell you. My parents are coming here to visit me next weekend, and I'd like for them to meet you."

     Uh oh. Parents. "Oh." I say and take a tiny step backwards.

      She immediately looks nervous. "Well, you know, you don't have to. I just thought that ... um, well ... I told them about you and all."

       "Oh." I repeat, not trusting myself to say anything else.

       "S---. You're having an 'oh' moment. Forget it then." she says in angry panic before she starts to walk past me.

         No, don't go, I think as I reach out and stop her. She wilts into me. 

        "What did you tell them about me?" I ask as something to say, and I'm a bit curious.

        She takes her turn taking a step backwards, and I let her. I know that I can stop her if she bolts for the door again.

      She won't look me in the eyes as she admits, "I told them you were my, um, boyfriend."

      Oh, I think very loudly in my head. I don't know what to say, and I watch as she blushes.

      "I didn't know what else to tell them. 'Yeah, Dad, he's not my boyfriend. We just go on dates and sleep together'."

      So, at least she's not thinking that I am actually her boyfriend - which I'm not.

      "It would help you if I said I was your boyfriend?" I ask, and her beautiful blue eyes finally cut up to me.

      She whispers, "Yes."

      I can do that. I shrug. "Then I will if that's what you need." That earns me having her arms thrown around my neck and her soft body pressed against me as she kisses me exuberantly.

     She insists we study for our mid-terms, and I can't talk her out of it. I do, however, get her to agree to stay tonight.

      I take longer studying than she does now that I know she's staying tonight. She busies herself with cleaning the house up even if I consider it clean already. When I finally finish studying, I wander all over looking for her, and I find her downstairs next to the pool table. She looks lost in thought.
     "What is it?" I ask, and she acts startled.
     "Oh. It's nothing. I was just thinking."
     I've come to realize that when a woman answers a question like that, I probably don't want to know what she's thinking, so I decide not to ask. Instead, I point out how close we are to Clark's bedroom.

    I feel much better.

    "Thank you for not freaking out and instead agreeing to do that for me next weekend." she says sleepily to me while I hold her hand and watch her blue eyes blink slowly.

     I decide to be really nice. "It's no big deal, and it's something I can do for you. I can be your 'boyfriend'." I say with a smirk that she doesn't see as she goes to sleep with a smile on her face.