Something not on the list

While Melody finishes up her breakfast, you step into the bedroom and toss some fresh clothes on your bed. As soon as you sit down, a wave of exhaustion comes over you and your head crashes to the pillow. You aren’t sleeping long when you feel a weight join you on the bed.

“Hey girl! Whatcha doing?” You ask Melody.

“I just wanted to cuddle for a bit.” She replies as she crawls up next to you and throws her arm across your chest. “You mind?”

“No, not at all. What brought this on?” You want to know, as she is not known to cuddle.

“I could use a good cuddle partner while we talk about today.” Melody tells you.

“Do you want to catch a ballgame?” You ask her.

“Nah, I’m not ready for baseball to begin yet.” She tells you.

“How about a museum?” You figure she would jump at the chance to go to the Natural History Museum.

“It’s Saturday, it’ll be mobbed with families…I know. It’s a nice day out. Let’s go for a stroll in the park.” She smiles

“I’ll do you one better. I’ll throw on some clothes and head down to the deli while you hop in the shower. When I come back, you pack up the cooler while I get cleaned up. Toss the blanket your mom gave us in my bag and we could have a picnic.” You say.

“I like that idea. But could we cuddle some more first?” She asks, not quite ready to go out yet.

“Sure. Roll over though. It’s your turn to get cuddled now.” She does as you tell her, then you quickly shuffle up behind her and drape your right arm over hers. Your fingers interlock and the two of you just lay there in silence for a few moments.

“Hey!!! Talk to me or I’m gonna fall asleep here.” She gently elbows you.

“What would you like me to talk about?” You whisper.

“Why you are so good to me?” She asks.

“Cuz you’re a special girl and you deserve it.” You respond, which makes her a bit giddy.

“God, why aren’t you using that charm on some of the other girls on campus?” She asks you.

“I’m taking a break from that for a while. The last time didn’t go so well.” You tell her, even though she knows that already.

Melody looks like she wants to ask you something, but doesn’t quite have the heart for it yet. Instead she just rolls over to face you.

“Okay, your turn again!!!” She exclaims as you quickly flop back onto your back and she rolls onto your chest again. A minute or so passes before she speaks.

“Jack, why do you think Gia left you?” She asks delicately.

“I don’t know.” is all you can say as you turn away from her. As hard as you try to hide it, Melody senses your pain. She runs her hand down your left cheek then back and forth across your chest and shoulders.

“It’s not our fault, you know. They left us.” She whispers as you try to forget the heartache.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.” You tell her, trying not to sound cold.

“I know. We just gotta help each other move on.” She says as she gives a weak smile that you can just barely see out of the corner of your eye. After a few seconds, you roll onto your side and face her. It takes a few seconds for your eyes to lock on hers. As soon as they do, she flashes another weak smile at you while she rubs your cheek again. The two of you are silent for what seems like an hour, but in reality is only about five minutes.

“Jack?” She whispers your name.

“Melody.” You whisper in response. She sighs as the space between the two of you slowly disappears. Her eyes close and she rolls on her back as your lips meet. Your heart is pounding as you gingerly peck at your roommate’s lips. The need for a visual response, and air, causes you to break contact.

“Mmm!!!” is all Melody can muster. The smile on her face and the tear in her eye says more than enough, so you lean in and kiss her again, this time with a bit more passion. She wraps her arms around you and pulls you on top of her. You break contact with your lips but quickly plant them on her neck.

“So does this mean our picnic has just become our first date?” You whisper into Melody’s ear.