“Calm down Porter. It doesn’t even hurt much.”

“Come here.."

"H-hey! W-what are you doing???"

"Kissing your boo-boo.. its supposed to make it better."

"Let me go Porter! People are looking!"

"Who cares? Let them stare. That is about the only thing they can do."

"This is embarrassing.. stop hugging me.."

"I just want to hold you for a while.. you got me worried you know.."

"Fine. But only for one more minute."

"Okay."

"Umm.. hey Porter.."

"Yes?"

"I like your shampoo.. it smells like strawberry. And.." -sniff sniff- "..I like your lotion too.. it’s vanilla right?"

"Kennard?"

"Hmm?"

"You’re hungry aren’t you?"

"..Is it that obvious?"

"Yeah.."

"Strawberry and vanilla comment gave me away?"

"Pretty much."

"Damn. I wasn’t able to eat lunch."

"Don’t worry, I’ll get you a salad from the cafeteria.."

"Really? You don’t have to do that you know.."

"I insist.”

“Thanks..”

“Umm.. I know you’re hungry and its almost past the one minute mark.. but can I please hold you just a little bit longer?"

"Fine.. but just cause you’re buying me lunch.."

"Thanks.."

"Porter.."

"Hmm?"

"Get your hand off my ass.."

——————————–

THURSDAY. 10:10 AM.

Tina absentmindedly tapped her fingers on her desk as her eyes stayed transfixed on the clock mounted on the wall. She furrowed her brows in concentration as she watched every small movement of the minute hand. Where the heck are you? She asked in frustration as she momentarily glanced sideways at the empty chair beside her. The teacher’s loud voice coming from the front of the classroom faded into the background as her ears listened intently to the soft ‘tic-toc’ sound from the clock. What was that saying again about absence making the heart grow fonder? She sighed.. the truth of those words hitting her now like a ton of bricks.

It was now Thursday. Four days after their first date, three days after their first kiss, two days after their first arrival in Redwind together and a day after their first public display of affection in school. And now.. on the day that they were supposed to have their first meal together inside the cafeteria, Bette was nowhere to be found. There was only fifteen minutes left till break time and the sight of the cold, empty chair beside her irritated Tina to no end. After all, wasn’t it the brunette who had been so insistent last night that they share a meal together in school today?