{"sf1_id":123926,"sf2_id":"Xnr02ZEe","title":"Espresso--First installment","author":"Ink-arrow","words":2320,"posted_at":"2010-02-04T01:14:00.000Z","tags":["Cat","Cheetah","Introduction","M/F","M/M","No-Yiff","Romance","Wolf"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/123926-espresso-first-installment","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/Xnr02ZEe","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/50/c4/50c4cc0f-fe46-4af6-99da-95429dc4c60d","description":"","content":"\u0026nbsp;_This is just the first part of the story I've been working on.\u0026nbsp; It's going to be a romance.\u0026nbsp; This is basically a teaser.\u0026nbsp; There's really no sex to speak of in this bit, but there will be in the rest of the story, so disclaimer done.\u0026nbsp; Also, feedback is welcome and appreciated, and if any suggestion fits well with my own ideas, I'll change stuff and reconsider options for where it'll go.\u0026nbsp; So yeah.\u0026nbsp; Okay.\u0026nbsp; Read._\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe small tink of a bell sounded, signaling the entrance of a customer.\u0026nbsp; I looked up from my book and saw a wolf stamping his feet on the floor mat, a small whirl of snowflakes following him in from outside.\u0026nbsp; He looked up at the counter, where I was seated, and I closed my book.\u0026nbsp; He pulled off his hat and ruffled his hair as he approached, and I put on my smile.\u0026nbsp; \"Hey there, what can I get you?\"\n\n\"Medium London Fog.\u0026nbsp; Make it for here,\" he said as he pulled out his wallet.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"London Fog, eh?\u0026nbsp; One of my favorites.\"\u0026nbsp; He grunted in acknowledgement and my smile faltered.\u0026nbsp; No big deal, really.\u0026nbsp; Not everyone wanted a conversation.\u0026nbsp; Still, the London Fog wasn't that common of an order, and I couldn't help but try and satisfy my curious side.\u0026nbsp; It killed the cat, I know, but so far, I'd been a cat free of death by curiosity.\u0026nbsp; \"Can I get you anything else?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No, that's all,\" he said, rather plain-faced.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Alright, that's going to be 2.97.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He handed me a five and I got him his change before I got his drink in the making.\u0026nbsp; English breakfast tea with a splash of cream and a shot of vanilla.\u0026nbsp; I always made the splash of cream a little bigger than was called for, but it was better that way in my opinion.\u0026nbsp; I brought the drink to the table he'd sat at, and I tried my luck at conversation once more.\u0026nbsp; \"Haven't I seen you around campus?\"\u0026nbsp; I wasn't sure if I had or not, but maybe it'd loosen the guy up.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Probably,\" he replied, taking the drink from me.\u0026nbsp; He opened up his laptop, an effective red light.\u0026nbsp; My tail bristled a little.\u0026nbsp; On one hand, I was flustered by the cold shoulder he was giving me.\u0026nbsp; I was a cute enough barista, and even if guys weren't your thing, I thought I was nice and charismatic enough to warrant a smile at least.\u0026nbsp; On the other hand, though, I was just as frustrated that I was upset by it.\u0026nbsp; Here he was, just another customer--nothing special to mention, and the more he walled himself off, the stronger my desperation became to see what was being hidden.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Of course, easier said than done.\u0026nbsp; I was defeated, at least for the moment.\u0026nbsp; I sulked back to the counter and noisily set the dirty dishes in the sink.\u0026nbsp; I went back to the book I'd been reading, _Anansi Boys.\u0026nbsp;_ After every few pages, I looked up from the book and tried to catch the wolf at something interesting, something revealing.\u0026nbsp; But no, each time I glanced at him, he was in the same position, typing at his computer.\u0026nbsp; I sighed, flicked my tail in minor annoyance, and closed my book.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What's up, pussycat?\" someone said into my ear.\u0026nbsp; I jumped and felt the fur on my tail bush out in surprise.\u0026nbsp; I whirled around and saw Sara, my coworker, giggling.\u0026nbsp; Evidently, she'd gotten done taking inventory.\u0026nbsp; Sara was a cat, like me.\u0026nbsp; But where I was basically a mutt--I had light creamy fur and brown ears, paws, and tail tip--Sara fit the Somali breed well.\u0026nbsp; Her fur was a rusty color, full of highlights.\u0026nbsp; The fur on her tail, neck, and cheeks was particularly long and soft; Sara was a very attractive girl.\u0026nbsp; She knew that I wasn't that into girls, and she liked to push her limits with me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Nothin.\u0026nbsp; It's been slow.\u0026nbsp; We've only had one in since you started inventory.\"\u0026nbsp; I pointed to the wolf, who remained oblivious.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Sara leaned against me.\u0026nbsp; \"Sundays are the worst, huh, Chess?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah.\u0026nbsp; Nothing interesting ever happens.\"\u0026nbsp; I looked over at the wolf again, fruitlessly.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What?\u0026nbsp; That guy?\"\u0026nbsp; Sara had caught me at it.\u0026nbsp; \"You know him or something?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Shh!\"\u0026nbsp; I shook my head and ran my finger across my throat.\u0026nbsp; _Shut up!_\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She laughed.\u0026nbsp; \"Hey you!\u0026nbsp; Wolfie!\"\u0026nbsp; He looked up from his screen with a start, then frowned when he saw Sara flailing her hands at him.\u0026nbsp; \"Chess here thinks you're cute or something!\u0026nbsp; Give him your number!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I was dead.\u0026nbsp; I wanted to die, to slip away into the curls of steam from the coffee, and to vanish into the air.\u0026nbsp; Sara just laughed and laughed and the wolf shook his head and went back to his computer.\u0026nbsp; My face burned, pink through my fur, and I slunk as low behind the counter as I could.\u0026nbsp; Sara kept giggling; she seemed quite pleased with herself.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sara, be my mercy angel.\u0026nbsp; Please?\"\u0026nbsp; I held a paw out to her weakly, smiling despite myself.\u0026nbsp; She took it in hers and kissed it lightly on the back.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You'll be fine, Chess.\u0026nbsp; I was only playing.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I pulled my paw back and rubbed it.\u0026nbsp; \"You didn't have to embarrass me like that, you know.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She smirked. \u0026nbsp;\"It only would have been embarrassing if it was true.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I felt some of the color return to my cheeks and I scooted away from her.\u0026nbsp; \"It's not like that!\u0026nbsp; I don't even know him.\u0026nbsp; He wouldn't even talk to me.\u0026nbsp; He's just some jerk.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The bell tinkled again, and the door closed loudly.\u0026nbsp; Sara and I both jumped up from behind the counter and watched as the wolf walked away down the street.\u0026nbsp; I must have forgotten myself and let my voice raise more than I thought.\u0026nbsp; He'd heard and been offended.\u0026nbsp; Of course, this should have been no problem, had I really no interest in him.\u0026nbsp; Like it or not, something about him intrigued me, and I always had trouble checking my curiosity.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well,\" Sara said, \"that takes care of that I guess.\u0026nbsp; Now he's not a distraction anymore.\"\u0026nbsp; She took a breath and looked around.\u0026nbsp; \"You're off in an hour or so, Chess.\u0026nbsp; Make yourself useful and clean stuff.\u0026nbsp; Then you can take half of whatever's in the tip jar and go home and sulk.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I do more than sulk, you know,\" I said, grabbing a rag and heading to the lounge area.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I wouldn't know.\u0026nbsp; You've never taken me home with you!\" Sara shouted back to me, laughing.\u0026nbsp; I scoffed and started cleaning tables, ready for the end of the shift.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Monday afternoon, and my classes were done for the day.\u0026nbsp; Lucky for me, I had the night off from work and my professor had pushed back the assignment for Tuesday to Thursday.\u0026nbsp; For me, that meant I didn't have to do it tonight anymore.\u0026nbsp; A rare free night to read, play video games, and dick around.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; After having napped for several hours, I decided I'd pick up my book for some more reading.\u0026nbsp; My roommate wasn't home and I wouldn't be able to get the peace required for reading if I waited for him to show up.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Two chapters later, the silence began to unsettle me a little.\u0026nbsp; I rarely had so much time to myself, and I didn't like it quite as much as I thought I would.\u0026nbsp; My roommate, Kieran, was a cheetah, and he was usually too rowdy for my tastes, but he was at least entertaining.\u0026nbsp; Just then, my stomach rumbled loudly, pulling my attention to more impending matters.\u0026nbsp; I grabbed a frozen pizza and set the oven to preheat.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; As I waited, I straightened up a few things in the living room.\u0026nbsp; Kieran had left his dishes from lunch on the table and I took them back to the sink for him to wash later.\u0026nbsp; I reorganized the bookshelf and video game cabinet, returning books and games that had been left out.\u0026nbsp; As I did so, I found one of Kieran's porn mags left on top of the books on the bottom shelf.\u0026nbsp; The cover showed a large-breasted fox getting spit-roasted by two large males: a lion and a bear.\u0026nbsp; I picked up the magazine gingerly and slipped it under the door to his room.\u0026nbsp; Of course, the image of Kieran jacking off came to mind, and I half-heartedly pushed it back as I went to put the pizza in the oven. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I'd been sitting on the couch for about five minutes after the pizza went in when my phone rang.\u0026nbsp; I pulled it out of my pocket and the caller ID showed Sarah's name.\u0026nbsp; Hesitantly I answered.\u0026nbsp; \"Hey Sarah.\u0026nbsp; Something wrong at the store?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No, I just got off, and I have something for you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Huh?\u0026nbsp; Like what?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, someone brought in something for you today, and I have it with me.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Are you gonna tell me what it is then?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I could, but a ride home would be nice.\"\u0026nbsp; I could picture her batting her eyes at me on the other end of the line.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, I guess.\u0026nbsp; I'll be by in about ten minutes.\u0026nbsp; This had better be worth it.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"It will,\" she said before ending the call.\u0026nbsp; I grabbed my keys and headed out to my car.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; When I pulled up to the coffee shop, Sarah was waiting outside in her coat.\u0026nbsp; Like a little kid, she was catching snowflakes on her tongue.\u0026nbsp; I rolled down my window and called out to her in a deep voice.\u0026nbsp; \"Hey little girl.\u0026nbsp; Why don't you come over here and get some candy?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She perked up in surprise, and when she noticed that it was me, she hurried over to the car and hopped in.\u0026nbsp; I had only opened my mouth to ask what she had for me, but she started in before I could get a word out.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I live at 2316 Forrest Boulevard, if you know where that is.\"\u0026nbsp; I started driving at this point, holding my question for later.\u0026nbsp; \"I forgot my lunch at home today, so all I've had to eat today was a biscotti.\u0026nbsp; I think if I try to make anything for myself when I get home, I'll pass out before I can finish.\u0026nbsp; I think I'll just order a pizza--just a sec Chess.\"\u0026nbsp; She pulled out her phone and started flipping through her contacts for a pizza place.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Pizza!\u0026nbsp; Oh crap!\"\u0026nbsp; I made a sharp turn, of which the driver behind me was not too fond.\u0026nbsp; He gave me a double finger--powerful.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Chess! \u0026nbsp;What are you doing?\" Sarah shouted, having been tossed into the door.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sorry, Sarah!\u0026nbsp; I forgot I left a pizza in the oven at my place.\u0026nbsp; We have to stop there first.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She sighed and slumped back in her seat.\u0026nbsp; She tapped her fingers on the window idly as I hurried to make it back home.\u0026nbsp; Once I got there, I jumped out of the car and shouted over my shoulder to Sarah as I ran to the building.\u0026nbsp; \"You can come in!\"\u0026nbsp; Leaving the building door open for Sarah, I bounded up the stairs to my apartment, 2D.\u0026nbsp; I left that door open as well and hurried into the kitchen.\u0026nbsp; Fortunately, there was no smoke to greet me, but I could tell from the smell of it that the pizza was starting to burn.\u0026nbsp; As I pulled the pizza out to set it on the counter to cool, I heard Sarah's voice.\u0026nbsp; \"Hey, is this your room?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey!\u0026nbsp; Don't go in there!\" I yelled as I headed for my room.\u0026nbsp; \"I said you could come in, not snoop!\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Sarah was sitting on my bed, smiling as me as I entered.\u0026nbsp; \"You're pretty tidy, for a boy.\u0026nbsp; But you left a pair of undies by the closet,\" she said, pointing.\u0026nbsp; \"Boxer-briefs?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I balled my fists as she giggled.\u0026nbsp; \"Okay.\u0026nbsp; Out.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Sourpuss,\" she mumbled as she pranced out of my room.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I closed the door loudly behind me to try and make a point.\u0026nbsp; Sarah sat down on the couch, ignorant of her trespass.\u0026nbsp; I shot her a quick glare as I went back into the kitchen to slice the pizza.\u0026nbsp; As I put a slice on a plate, Sarah walked up behind me.\u0026nbsp; \"Can I have some?\" she asked.\u0026nbsp; I scoffed and went back to the couch.\u0026nbsp; Soon after, Sarah joined me with her own slice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; After finishing my slice in relative silence, I set my plate down on the coffee table and turned to Sarah.\u0026nbsp; \"Alright.\u0026nbsp; What's this about you having something for me?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; She ate the last bite of her pizza and grinned at me.\u0026nbsp; \"Well, you'll never believe this, but that guy actually came back.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What guy?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"The wolf guy.\u0026nbsp; The one that sort of bugged you, or whatever.\u0026nbsp; Remember how I teased you about it?\"\u0026nbsp; I nodded grimly.\u0026nbsp; \"Well, he came back, and he left his number for you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; My jaw dropped.\u0026nbsp; \"No way.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Really.\u0026nbsp; I've got it right here.\"\u0026nbsp; She dug around in her pocket and pulled out a slip of paper.\u0026nbsp; I\u0026nbsp; reached for it, but she pulled it back and grinned again.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What?\" I asked skeptically.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'll give it to you if you kiss me.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What?\u0026nbsp; Sarah, no.\u0026nbsp; I don't want--\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No kiss, no number.\u0026nbsp; I know you want it.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"The number, yes.\u0026nbsp; The kiss, no.\u0026nbsp; Come on, Sarah.\"\u0026nbsp; I reached for her hand again, but she drew it back further.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I just want to try it, Chess.\u0026nbsp; Please?\"\n\n  \n  \n\n"}