Page 67 of Until We Burn
I’m so fucking glad there’s no windows in this room because nothing is stopping me from coming closer to her. Diana’s breath catches, as my forearm props over her head.
“I’ll have you know, I am fully capable of behaving myself when it counts.”
Diana’s eyes flicker up, shining wickedly at me. “That’s not what the hickeys you left on my chest are telling me.”
“I didn’t want you to forget me while I was gone.”
“I suppose that was a good call. Ithasbeen a while since I’ve been railed by you.”
“Keep running your mouth like that and that might change.”
“If this is you behaving, then I’d hate to see what having bad manners looks like to you.”
“If there weren't people in the room next door, I’d hike you onto that desk and show you.”
Diana struggles to find her words. A slow smirk draws across my lips. It’s been three years since I last saw her in this room. I remember there were snowflakes in her hair and this hopeful, nervous glint in her eyes that you only saw in first years who were desperate to prove themselves in a new place. Diana isn’t that girl anymore. She’s earned her spot with her head held up high and the sharpest heels on her feet.
Now all I want is to feel them rake down my back again.
She scoffs and thwacks me with her clipboard.
“Ow!”
“We can’t be acting like this!” Diana hisses. “We’re in a newsroom!”
“You started it first,” I point out, “And you’re roastingmysocial etiquette? Look at yours!”
“You’ve taken worse hits.”
“I don’t know. I might need a kiss for this one.”
Diana shakes her head, patting my chest. “You’ve had a puck fly at your face three years ago. You’ll be just fine.”
I gawk at her and scoff. “Exactly how much do you know about me?”
Diana gulps, her face going pale. She glances at the clock and perks up. “Oh, wow! Look at that! We’re out of time.” Diana pushes me out of the way and rushes towards the door. “You best be leaving.”
“Oh, no, no—” I hurry after her. “You’re not going anywhere.”
Before she can reach for the door, I push my hand against it. Diana avoids my eyes, yet she stares straight ahead with a stubborn lift to her chin.
“I have a very busy schedule to keep up with just so you’re aware.”
“Well, what does your schedule for this weekend look like?” I ask.
Her eyes peek up at me. “Why?”
“My presentation for Nirah is coming up and it’s been stressing me out lately. I was hoping you’d be free to provide some stress relief.”
“Say no more.” Diana turns around to face me again. She smiles teasingly. “I’ll bring the tea and stress ball.”
I chuckle. “As long as you’re naked when you do, it’s alright with me.”
Diana softens. “Seriously though, don’t stress too much. You did a good job delivering that presentation with me for Mellonbaum’s class on Monday.”
She has a point. After all, it’s not easy to do a presentation for your midterm over Zoom while drunk truckers are having a bash in the hotel room next to yours. Luckily enough, Mellonbaum gave us an A.
“Nirah already knows you’re capable,” Diana reminds me. “She wouldn’t keep you around if that weren’t true.”
