"
Yes, please" he said, his hands out, ready to accept the charity. As he held them up, they shook uncontrollably. The whites of Drake's eyes were looking far more pink and glassy than usual. "
Need liquid, c-cold liquid," he managed to sputter. As time went on, he was considering abandoning etiquette and rules and just jumping into the kitchen and grabbing whatever he could, but he'd also rather not get a reputation for being that guy.
Aya's alarm only grew as he held out shaking hands. And she saw the glazed look in his eyes.
Is he... is he on something? With fumbling fingers, Aya yanked open her wallet and grabbed a $5 bill. She pushed it into his hand but then jumped back with a gasp. His hands... they were like touching an open fire. The skin on Aya's fingers burned, stinging her. Aya looked down at them, then back up at the man.
Mutant.
Aya stumbled back another step, eyes widening.
Drake gripped the bill and, like a track star who just heard the starting gun, sprinted off toward the student lounge. There was a cashier to the left side of the open sitting area who was surrounded by snacks and food items. Beside her was a stand-up cooler with an assortment of drinks. When Drake's eyes fell upon this, his pupils widened.
YES! He ran the rest of the way over there, apathetic about if he pushed over a chair or bumped a person's shoulder. He threw open the glass door of the cooler and grabbed the first thing he saw; a large container containing apple juice. Ferociously, he ripped off the top and dipped his head back, pouring the contents into his mouth, allowing it to spill out over his cheeks and chin as he chugged away. It was only seconds before the container was empty and Drake's clothes were soaked with the overflow.
With a long audible breath, Drake felt as though he were breathing out smoke. It was helping, but more was needed. He grabbed another bottle, this time it was a half gallon of milk. Again, he drank and partially bathed in it. and again, he sighed out forcefully in relief. He looked to the cashier and held out the 5 dollar bill. She didn't look like she was happy, but took the money anyway before calling for janitorial services to come to the lounge.
Stumbling, but calm, Drake found his way to an empty chair and sat, looking as though he had just finished a 72 hour workout marathon, breathing heavily and staring at the table top, trying to regain sanity.
"Hey! Aya started when he suddenly took off. Forgetting herself, she ran after him. By the time she'd reached the lounge, he was already soaking wet, guzzling liquid like his life depended on it. Aya could only stare as he drank, until he finally seemed satisfied and dropped into a chair like he hadn't just made a mess of the lounge.
Aya crept forward until she stood behind an empty chair at his table. She looked down at him silently for a moment before looking at the puddles on the floor, and the liquid pooling around him on the table. Her fingers still stung from where she'd touched him.
"I don't think five dollars quite covered that." Drake looked up, nearly forgetting the last 3 minutes. "
Huh? Oh, right," he said, looking back at the mess he created, a look of shame on his face. "
Yeah," his fingers pinched the bridge of his nose and his eyes were squished shut. "
I'm so sorry about that and.. and thank you," he said, looking at Aya once more. "
This was... Can we pretend this didn't happen and start today over?" he asked, seemingly sincere in the request. He looked at himself, embarrassed, but feeling so much better than before. Eventually he glanced up again and continued, "
A nightmare turned real." The comment wasn't much of an explanation, but it was the only one he had. "
It's like I swallowed fire and it just kept-" Drake started waving his hands higher and higher, trying to illustrate flames growing bigger. "
And then I forgot my wallet and.... cheezus." What a way to start the day.
Aya looked down at him, biting her lip. Then she pulled the chair out and sat down across from him. She curled her fingers into a fist in her lap.
"Yeah..." she said with a sigh.
"Tuesdays are a bitch, aren't they?" She glanced up at him, fighting against the smile that tugged at her lips.
Drake huffed out a quiet laugh and ran his fingers though his wet beard.
Gross, he thought to himself. "
I suppose I ought to grab a shower," he said aloud, stating the obvious, "
and get out of these." He pulled the collar of his tank top and let it snap back into place. "
What are you doing this morning?"
Aya blinked at the light spray of liquid that snapped off of his shirt when he pulled at it.
"Just... getting ready for class," she answered, swiping at her cheek where a droplet had landed.
"Fighting jet-lag." She paused, trying to find the nerve to say what she wanted to.
"I'm sorry you had a nightmare." It hadn't seemed like a normal jolt-awake-in-a-sweat type of nightmare. His panicked eyes flashed through her mind again, the way he burned like a miniature sun.
"We... don't have to talk about it. But if you wanted someone to..." Aya gave a shrug. His own words to her from last night played in her mind. It only felt right to give him the same offer he'd given her.
"Y'know." Aya felt embarrassment begin to heat her skin as she heard her own insufficient words. She pushed herself up out of the chair.
"But yes. I'm sure the janitors would appreciate it if you showered." Drake gave a sideways smile, genuinely tickled by the comment. "
You're right," he said as he stood up from his chair, "
and thank you, again." He drew in a little closer, his face becoming more serious, yet soft. "
I mean it." He then straightened up and began to walk off back toward the dorms. While he moved, he pulled off his soaking wet shirt and held the dripping wad of cloth in his right hand. "
You're my hero, Aya!" he called back. Just before he turned the corner, he shot her a grin.
He continued walking down the hall, his head hanging as he watched his feet take each advancing step.
Weirdest walk of shame ever, he thought, smelling of milk, sweat and applejuice.
Aya gave her own soft, smile when he thanked her, feeling less insecure about her words. When he started walking back towards the hall, she was careful to move aside so as not to get any of the odd mixture that he was coated in on her. Aya watched, amused as he left a trail of liquid behind him. Then he pulled off his shirt and shouted his parting words. Aya didn't hear them.
Oh.
Oh no. Aya had never really worried about romance or dating. She'd never had the time or the energy, and the one time she'd come close -- well, the less said about that the better. But watching this man walk away, with his vibrant eyes, his soft words, and now his back --
His back was
beautiful.
Aya felt a hot blush shoot up her neck to her cheeks. He smiled at her over her shoulder and Aya was frozen. All she could do was stand there, stunned, watching him walk away.
But oh, how she enjoyed the view.
Member
Oso
The Raven Calls
