Spencer: “Yeah, well, I’m sorry I was so weird last week…I…”

Ashley: “No, its okay, I understand. It was my fault. I should have…”

Guy: “Oh Spencer! Well, you came and you gave without takin’ but I sent you away, oh Spencer well, you kissed me and stopped me from shakin’ and I need you today. Oh, Spencer!”

Fuck! I forgot about that. There are some light chuckles around the room and I turn to see that all eyes are on us and that some dick in the back decided to remind me why I hate karaoke: because you’re usually too drunk when you do it and you never sound as good as you think you do. I’m pretty sure my face is beat red and Spencer and I finally take our seats.

Spencer: “What was that about?”

Ashley: “Maybe he has a crush on you?”

Spencer: “Is that why your face is all red?” She taps me on the nose and I blush deeper and look down at my desk. When I look up her eyes are sparkling again and she’s giving me a sly smile. Great now I’m even more turned on!

Ashley: “I have no idea what you are talking about, it’s just warm in here.”

Spencer: “Oh, so a girl in my literature class didn’t say you were singing karaoke the other night?” She gives me a playful grin and to my immense relief Professor Atkins enters the room in her usual dramatic fashion. But before I turn my attention to her I give Spencer a shy grin which she returns.

Professor Atkins: “Alight my little chickadees, we have a lot to cover and only two and half hours to do it in. I will be meeting with all the pairs for my critiques and hand you your next assignment. While I’m doing that I would like you all to read chapter four in your books: The Art of Pausing. Get to work. Mr. Finnegan and Ms. Wood, you’re up first.

While Spence and I waited for our critique we talked and joked, not really reading anything, but we mostly flirted. We both found ways to touch another too. Like I asked her about her necklace, examining the little angel on its chain longer than I needed to, grazing her skin as I held it. Or she’d scoot closer to me and our arms would brush up against each other sending chills throughout my body. She teased me a little more about the drunken karaoke debacle mostly.

Spencer: “I heard you were really good though.”

Ashley: “Oh yeah, I rocked the mic!”

Spencer: “I wanna hear you sing.”

Ashley: “What right now, fine, any requests?” She laughs.

Spencer: “How about some other time, you never did get to sing My Heart Will Go On.” Ugh, alcohol!

Ashley: “Oh God, don’t remind me!” I groan.

Spencer: “Fine, you can sing me something else, then.”

Ashley: “I would love to.” Our expressions get serious as her eyes lock. But I hear our names being called for our critique and we let our gaze linger a moment longer before we both get up and walk to the front of the class.

Professor Atkins in sitting in the chair beside her large desk and there are two chairs directly in front of it. I can honestly say I couldn’t give two shits what she thought of our performance, but I hope for Spencer that she liked it.
Professor Atkins: “Yes, Ms. Davies and Ms. Carlin- the great Odysseus and Penelope. Well, you both are talented actors, to begin with, however I think it’s safe to say that I can expect more from you. You followed my requirements therefore you will be receiving an A-, however, given the chemistry that you both seem to share I will be holding your next performance to a higher esteem.

Ashley: “We have good chemistry?” I can’t help but ask the question. Even though I feel I already know the answer. I can feel the chemistry coming off us in waves!

Spencer gives a shy grin as I wait for an answer.

Professor Atkins: “Indeed,” She pronounces in a low voice to emphasize the point. “That is why I think we’ll stick to the great love stories for the two of you. I hope this is okay?” As she asks she doesn’t even look up or pretend to care for our opinion. She just rifles through her binder looking for our assignment.

Spencer: “That’s not a problem, Professor,” She says locking eyes with me once again. “I’m sure Ashley and I will make a great love story.”

And I’m an Ashley puddle once again.