Home for the Holidays (Closed)

(Closed for Bad_Thad and Fira)

"No fucking way," muttered Chris shaking his head. The game was flawed, obviously, all of it. Rob disagreed.

"To the house boy!"

He watched his digital player high-step towards the end zone.

"Fucking bullshit, you know it Rob," Chris tossed his controller onto the couch, "Bullshit, all I gotta say."

"Hey, hey, salty chops, relax. I got lucky."

Rob reached up to give Chris a pat on the back. It was quickly brushed away. Chris cocked his arm back and faked a punch at Rob.

"Why'd you flinch?"

Chris spun in consolation victory. He hoped to distract Rob from reminding him about the game. Chris tossed air-combinations, allowing his breath to exit his mouth and nose in unison with each punch.

Music blared from Chris' pants, my milk shake brings all the boys to the yard. Christ. He had been home for just under an hour and already Camille was calling him. He aimlessly dug through his pockets, found and flipped open his Blackberry. Rob brought a closed fist to his widening mouth. Chris covered the bottom of the blue rectangle.

"Cut it, asshole," he warned.

Small coughs escaped Robs lips. Chris faked another punch before bringing a finger to his extruded lips. What a dick. The douchebag, also known as his best friend, had it out for Camille. According to him, she was simply fulfilling her duties as football and basketball team slut, extraordinaire. He had even actually tried to sit down with Chris to talk about it seriously, once. Which did throw up a few precautionary flags. A serious chat with Rob, was well, rare. He was a 24/7 goof, 365 days a year.

"Hey," Chris took a step further from the couch, "Hey baby. No, no, yea, I'm at Rob's," he continued to poke for passive escape routes. He rolled his eyes, "Ok, love you too, bye."

"PFFWAAAA!"

"Fuck you."

Chris headed back to his room and yelled, "What time are your parents coming back!?"

"About an hour and Mindi is coming too, and like, some of my aunts and shit!"

Chris paused, a nervous weight suddenly hanging onto the conversation. Mindi too? The words repeated in his mind.

He tossed his phone on the bed, "I thought she was still in Logan!?"

Rob neared Chris' door, "No, she's back. Her boyfriend lives here," he peered in to finish, "apparently he only lives down in Sacremento, he's coming tonight, I think."

Chris mentally slapped himself in the face. Of course she'd be bringing a boyfriend. He told himself he didn't care, because, he really didn't. Really.

He stopped curling his arm in front of the mirror. Maybe he'd go back home for a bit during the break. It'd be crowded, with everyone there at Rob's after all,what with his aunts, Mindi, her boyfriend, and himself. He speed dialed Camille.

He jumped at the thud against his wall.

"Save me some hot water!"

He replaced the phone to his ear, voicemail. Of course.

"Figures," she thought to herself. "Damn!" she exclaimed aloud. Holidays and her place was going to have to be treated for termites. The landlord had informed her this morning she would have to be out of the house for at least a week while it was treated.

Kevin had family coming in, so she couldn't stay with him. His folks hated her for some stupid reason. Thought she was a gold digger or somthing. Her parents had a bunch of family showing up to stay with them, so that was out as well. Frustrated as she packed clothes and necessities for the next week, she wondered how she was going to be able to afford a motel for the duration.

Mindi looked at the clock and cursed again. She was due at her parent's place in an hour for dinner with them, her brother Rob, and some other family members that were flying in. She really hoped her brother had actually had his room cleaned up since the last time she was there. There was no doubt when you walked into the place that a bachelor lived there.

Smacking her head as the most obvious answer to her plight was sudenly crystal clear to her. She would just talk to her brother, and crash in his room, like they had done as kids. Finally smiling, Mindi loaded up her things in the car and headed out.

Rob paused, "You have another dinner to go to or something?"

"What?"

Chris stopped and looked down, examining himself. He wondered what Rob was talking about, his hands turned palm up.

Rob laughed, "What, look at you, Mr. Preppy, a vest, long sleeve button up?"

He strutted around fixing an invisible tie, adjusting a phantom monocle and rolling his lips, "Look at me, I'm Mr. Preppy," in a stiff spasm. He froze.

"You still have a thing for Min--," he turned abruptly back to Chris, "You mother fucker, you still have a thing for Mindi don't you?"

Chris was already retreating to his room. The door closed behind him. He didn't have the time, or patience for his constant shenanigans.

"Holy Shit," murmured Rob, running over to the railing, "Hey pops," yelled Rob, "Chris still has a thing for Mindi!"

Chris flew out of his room, tackling Rob to the ground.

"Shut the fuck up."

"What about Camille?"

"I should beat the shit out of you."

He got off Rob and walked into his room, collapsing back-first onto the bed. He stared at the ceiling.

"Rob! Get down here and help your sister if she's brought anything," yelled Mr. Wiskie.

Rob ran to the window in Chris' room. He burst out in laughter, hopping up and down, clapping his hands with wide fingers and open mouth.

"Guess who," he teased, running out the door.

Chris, lying motionless on the bed, sighed. He contemplated staying in the room. If he did, at least there wasn't anything else Rob could do to embarrass him. On the flip side, he wouldn't have anywhere else to run when Rob came up with a fresh scheme to humiliate him.

Ever since he had set up a filthy drunk Rob, with Mr. Sasha from Wildmore Ave., the two had been in a constant battle to ruin the other's love life.

"Rob you better keep your fucking mouth shut you dumb fuck, or I'll crush your skull!"

Chris took off after him, like it would matter.

"Rob!"

"Mom! Dad!" Mindi called as she walked in the door at her parents' place. "I'm here!"

She dropped on of her bags on the floor in the foyer as her dad came out of the living room to give him a hug. "Daddy, you won't mind if I bunk with Rob for a couple of weeks, do you?" she started in right away. "I know things will be close with all the family coming in, but my place is being treated for termites...."

Mr. Wiskie laughed, "Of course you can. We'll just work it out later. Did you bring aything other than that one bag?" At her nod, he yelled for Rob to come help with the rest of her things.

Mindi looked up as she heard the comotion coming from the stairs, her brother barrelling down and sliding to a stop in front of her, a huge knowing grin on his face. She laughed and hugged him, "Looks like you're stuck with me for a couple of weeks, Robby!" A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she glanced back at the stairs to see Chris.

"Hi, Chris! I didn't know you were here too. All the better...you can help me and Rob get my things out of the car." Giving Chris a quick hug, she hooked an arm in his, the other in her brother's and chattered non-stop as they went out the door to the car.

"Hi, Chris! I didn't know you were here too," smiled Mindi, "All the better... you can help me and Robby get my things out of the car."

He tried, and failed, to restrict his wide smile to a reasonable display. Just relax. Chris paused briefly, his eyes no longer locked wandered for a beat. Is that it? He tried to shake off the twinge of insignificance splashed in his face.

"Sure," Chris leaned in to hug Mindi, "It's good to see you," he trailed off.

Mindi broke their embrace quickly. She took both Rob and Chris by an arm. Her scent lingered close. Chris allowed himself to indulge the familiarity for a moment. She smelled the same. Definitely the same fabric softener, he coasted on it's scent back to the 7th grade. It was May 26th and they had hugged. It was great. Sure he was only leaving for 3 days for baseball in Oregon, but it was still 3 days. Their parents were looking on, so they just waved after letting go.

Their arms separated, Rob and Mindi made their way through the door first. Chris followed them into the afternoon clinging to the memories of his last breath.

"So you're staying for a few weeks," asked Rob.

Chris pondered sprinting to take up Mindi's other arm. Would she think it's weird? Nah. He took a few brief steps and caught up with Mindi. He didn't take her arm.

"It's looking that way," replied Mindi squinting in the sun, "I hope your room isn't a wreck."

Chris was caught for a second. The smallest change at the side of her mouth, the way her hair frolicked in the soft breeze. He shook the slowed motion. Chris crinkled his nose, fiddled at it with a finger and looked away. He had Camille. They continued towards the white sedan. And Mindi had, someone.

Rob laughed and grinned, "No, it's clean."

He opened the trunk. He lowered a suitcase onto the ground. Mindi turned briefly to Chris and smiled. He smiled, and almost commented about her missing braces.

After removing the second suitcase, Rob closed the trunk, "So is your boyfriend coming down too?"

His eyes shifted to Chris. Chris glared at him. He was already starting, the little prick. He buried his anger beneath a smug and genuinely fake smile, fearful Mindi would turn again towards him any second. Rob looked back to Mindi.

"Kevin was it?"

"Let me get one of those."

Chris slid in to get a suitcase and quickly picked it up. He passed Mindi's line of sight and made sure to have his arm flexed. It looked good, definitely a feature he was proud to openly show. Even beneath the rather thick cloth, one could observe mass and definition. He began briskly towards the house. His footsteps slowed. His chin led the slightest of turns.

"Oh, um, he has relatives heading in for the holidays so he won't be joining us I don't think," she answered.

Chris returned to his quick trudge, entering the house. Stop smiling! He tried to.

"Did you hear that Chris!?"

Mother Fucker.

She couldn't help but smile on the inside. Mindi had known for years that Chris had the hots for her; Rob had let it slip once when they had been drinking. And judging by Chris' reactions, it hadn't changed any.

She tried not to frown when Rob brought up Kevin. She was secretly kinda glad he had other plans for the holidays. Things really weren't working out very well between them, and this couple of weeks away from each other was a much needed break.

Mindi pulled Rob aside as Chris continued on into the house. "I don't know that Kevin and I are going to be an item for much longer," she whispered, "I think he's interested in someone else, even though he won't admit it." Suddenly she giggled, her eyes following Chris as he went on into the house with one of her bags. "You could say that I'm hoping for a bit of distraction while I'm home."

Rob laughed with her, a knowing grin on his face. "And I have a feeling I know just what kind of distraction you're looking for!"

Mindi swatted at his arm as he danced easily away from her. "Oh hush, you!" she exclaimed, heat washing over her face. She had to admit, though, Chris certainly had filled out the last couple of years, and Mindi couldn't help but wonder how it would feel to have his arms around her for more than just a brief hug.

"Come on," she ordered Rob, "Let's get this stuff up to your room. Then I'll go see if Mom needs any help in the kitchen." She eyed Rob, "And you and Chris can make sure Dad doesn't need you to do anything before the other family arrives. I'm sure the two of you have been holed up playing video games instead of helping out!"

Chris made his way up the stairs, his arms relaxed. He carried the small suitcase with ease. Abruptly, he switched it to his left hand, peering over the railing to the floor below.

".. the other family arrives. I'm sure the two of you have been holed up playing video games instead of helping out," teased Mindi.

She followed Rob through the door. Mindi looked up towards Rob's room. Mindi and Chris briefly made eye contact. Chris ducked back behind the rail. He nearly lost his balance. A suitcase wheel thudded against the staircase. Flustered and growing warmer Chris proceeded with haste. He could hear Rob and Mindi heading up the stairs towards him. Chris left her luggage outside the door. He scooted to his room and locked the door. CALM DOWN.

Chris paced back and forth, pinching the carpet between his toes with each step. His lips were tight and he shook his head back and forth. No, No, NO. He told himself to stop thinking about her. He ran a hand briskly through his wavy golden locks before snapping his head back, freeing his bangs from his forehead. Fuck it's hot. Footsteps lightly sounded down the stairs and Chris felt a vibration in his pants. He pulled out his Blackberry and flipped it open.

Fuck me now Chris. I want you, read the mobile device. Chris' breath caught in his throat. The pounding in his chest took flight. He looked at his phone and reread the message. He continued to stare at the screen until he had read the message 7 times over. Contemplating his actions he found himself stuck in place and unable to move. The calming carpet now an increasingly damp reminder of his predicament. His hand wrapped his chin, he looked to and fro within his room for something, something he didn't know he wanted, something... He took a deep breath. He tried to take a deep breath again. He tried again. Relax. He closed his eyes, finally able to catch his breath. His pockets sprang to life with a buzz.

"Fuck," Chris yelled in a whisper.

Fuck me with your big, hard, loooooooong, cock, Chris, flashed the text. He pulled the fabric over his left inner thigh away from his skin. It allowed his flaring package to re-situate in comfort. He continued over to Rob's door and paused. He turned and peered over the railing to check if anyone was heading up, or moving about in the living room. There was no one. Not a single person. He fought the tremble in his hand and began to open the door. He inhaled deeply. The door slowly creaked open. Chris' eyes took in the sight of a foot, that gave way to an ankle, that yielded to--

"ugghhhhhh," moaned Rob, running his hands over his body.

His legs spread at Chris, feet dangling in the air. Rob lay with his basketball shorts tucked underneath his briefs. His pale legs, sprawled with curly brown hairs stretching to the depths of his makeshift bikini bottom.

"hugggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," echoed Rob moving his hands to his nipples.

He circled them in sarcastic ecstasy, red cell phone in his palm. Rob's mouth was open with seizuring eyes. His head gyrated like a bobble head. He writhed on the bed before stopping. Collecting himself, he stalked, slowly, hand-step, by hand-step, until he reached the edge. He made a pouty mouth and his eyes focused on Chris. Rob began kissing the air between them.

Rob whispered, "Hey lover," raising and lowering his eyebrow.

He tilted his head down and gazed at Chris through the tops of his eyes. Chris' head fell low, then turned to the side in disgust.

"Not cool dude."

He retreated back towards his room.

Mindi yelled up to the second floor giggling, "What in the hell... are you guys doing up there!?!"

Chris slammed his room door, unable to muster an excuse. Dawned with basketball-short-bikini-bottom and a knotted, hi-top, t-shirt Rob came running out and poked his head over the railing.

"You want some too Min?" asked Rob.

He laughed and alternated hands behind his head. He started posing for Mindi. She laughed and shook her head from below.

Laughing at her brother's antics, Mindi called back up to him, "Will you two get down here? Daddy needs your help with the lights!"

Turning back into the kitchen, she wondered again about Chris. He had been staying here for a while; ever since she had moved out and his folks had moved away. Since Rob and he had been best friends for as long as anyone could remember, it was only natural that he stayed with them to continue on at the local college both boys attended.

"Mom, I really don't know how you put up with them," she said as she came back in, "I don't know how I'm going to deal with them over the next couple of weeks!"

"There just boys, Min," her mother replied. "To be honest, having Chris around hasn't been a bother at all. He and Rob get along too well, and they are both fairly easy going...if not a bit loud at times," she finished with an exasperated look towards the hall, where the pounding feet and yelling of the boys could be heard as they thundered down the stairs.

Mindi turned to slicing the various veggies for the tossed salad, popping a cherry tomato in her mouth as her thoughts turned once again to Chris. "It sure is going to be hard to ignore him this time," she thought to herself. "Well, for Rob's sake, I'm glad that Chris is here," she confided to her mother as they continued their dinner preparations, stopping suddenly when the object of her musings suddenly appeared at the kitchen door.

She looked up quickly, then away, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "Can I get you something, Chris?"

"Can I get you something, Chris," asked Mindi.

She turned her attention back to the salad bowl filled with greens and red Cherry tomatoes.

"Yea.. uh.. I could use--," Chris started walking towards Mindi and Mrs. Wiskie.

Lyrics broke him mid sentence, my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard. Chris' hands flew into his pocket.

He turned around, "Yea? .... I'm done, just, wait, just gimme a sec. I'll call you back."

Rob hollered towards Chris' phone, "He's busy."

Chris slid the phone back together and put it in his Khaki pocket. Rob sounded a quick tsk from his lips, still looking at Chris. Rob hated Camille. Although he was never able to confirm it, he held to the rumors she was nothing more than a slut.

Chris began to blush, "Sorry."

He smiled lightly, his eyes wandering around the room avoiding eye contact. He made his way around the wooden isle in the kitchen and over to Mindi.

Filled with a momentary burst of confidence he leaned in, "Need any help with that?"

He pointed to the salad. Chris' gritted his teeth, the song rudely interjecting his flirtatious moment. FUCK!

"What?........ What do I mean- I'm b-"

Rob rolled his eyes, "He's helping toss my sister's salad. He'll call you back!"

Chris turned to Rob at the sound of his voice and now found himself glaring.

Chris pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at his screen, "Hello?.. Hellooooo?" He listened for a response. He blew hot air from his mouth, closing his phone again, "I'll be right back."

Rob stepped into his path, he titled his head at Chris and mouthed, fuck, just stay fucking here. He motioned his head towards Mindi with clenched brows and bared teeth.

"She's pissed," Chris silently replied.

"Fuck her."

He moved out of Chris' way, hunched with invisible weight. Chris offered a hand that went unrecognized.

Mrs. Wiskie was caught off guard by her son's language, "Rob!" She stared at Rob and then walked over to Chris. She gave him a soft rub on his shoulder, "It's OK," and left the kitchen.

Chris flipped his phone open and walked beyond the kitchen's tiled floor. He dialed Camille back. Rob was still irritated by it all. He just couldn't understand how he could trust her so blindly, especially after all the rumors that circled about her. Rob headed to the fridge and after rummaging into it's depths for a few moments, popped open a Pepsi. He tapped his foot against the tiles slowly and shook his head from side to side. The sticky, faint taps began to pick up in speed. He walked softly, closer to the edge of the kitchen.

"What do you mean why am I acting like this? No. He's just fucking around, he does like you. No. Dinner's going to be ready soon, let me just call yo-... Hello? Hello,"

Chris was compelled to give attention towards the kitchen entrance.

"Told you, she's a bitch. Just fucking dump the broad for Christ's sake."

Chris sighed, looking back over to the television. He couldn't help but invite Mindi back into his conscious thought. Rob vanished from behind the corner, uncomfortable holding himself in that position. Chris could hear Rob walking back towards Mindi. Chris let her smile drift in; a hazy sunrise. He didn't notice Rob nearing him. She was so hot, even more gorgeous than he remembered. Rob walked out of the kitchen and headed to the stairs without a word.

Chris interrupted, "Where are you going?"

Rob paused to turn and answer him, "Don't worry about me Romeotard. Just go help Min," loud enough for Mindi to hear.

Chris walked into the kitchen, "Sorry about that."

His hands sought refuge in their respective pockets. He smiled, heading over to Mindi.

Shaking her head at the antics of the boys, Mindi couldn't help but sigh in frustration. It seemed that Chris did indeed have a girlfriend, although by Rob's reaction, she must not be much. "That certainly complicates things," she thought to herself.

Left to herself in the kitchen, Mindi continued with the salad, her thoughts more on what a long two weeks it was going to be than on her task at hand. Slicing the cucumbers as Chris came back in, she offered him a smile as he tried to apologize.

"No worries," she said, "OH SHIT!!" The curse resounded through the room as Mindi dropped the knife and snatched her hand back, rushing over to the sink, one finger stuck in her mouth as she twisted the tap for the cold water. Dancing in place as the water hit the cut, tears rolling down her face, Mindi kept up a steady streaming of cussing.

"Ohshitohshitohshit! It fucking HURTS!"

Mindi turned to Chris briefly and smiled, "No worries."

He couldn't help but begin to smile. Mindi jumped back, the knife fell out of her hands. It rattled to rest. Chris looked on. His feet were cemented to the tiled floor. Mindi held her hand to her mouth. Small drops of blood dripped on the ground. The crimson dots outlined her path to the sink. Her eyes upon him were a distant memory.

"OH SHIT," she cursed.

He wasn't sure what to do.

Chris edged towards her cautiously; a man walking an invisible tight rope, "Are you ok?"

Of course she isn't dumbass!

He tried to collect his thoughts, "I'll go get some Iodine."

He paused briefly looking at Mindi. The Iodine? Tears streamed down Mindi's face. I hope that the cut isn't serious. He began to turn and exit the kitchen. How about you go and make sure it isn't serious!

Turning again, Chris made his way over to Mindi, extending his palm over the sink, "Lemme take a look at it. Real quick Min, I promise."

Chris shouldn't have been, but he was excited. Filled with that flirtatious exuberance he had earlier, before Camille had called. Her hand was cut, yes. He had a girlfriend, yes. But he felt her eyes were about to raise. He was reacting, not thinking, going with the flow. He was Maverick and those Sidewinders were just locking on their own. Here.. we.. go.. The world halted. Her hand in his. Her gaze shifted towards him, but he couldn't do it. He could not bring himself to meet them. Could not. Overcome by nerves he focused his attention on the cut. It wasn't particularly deep and he squeezed at it lightly. It opened and took a breath, the slit oozed a small bit of blood.

Mindi slapped his arm with her free hand, "Ouch!"

She mixed her laughter with sobs and pouts.

Chris instinctively flexed the arm nearest her. He shielded her open handed taps, "You don't wanna run water over it. It won't coagulate. The blood that is."

He reached across to grab a paper towel. He folded it over once, twice and a third time. He firmly, yet delicately wrapped Mindi's fingers around the paper towel, "Hold this in place til I get a bandaid and some Iodine."

Chris found himself staring into Mindi's gaze; a fly trapped in a spider's web. He couldn't escape. All of a sudden he had accidentally chased downers with about 6 shots of vodka. Her lips spread into a smile. He instinctively shook free of the mental sludge.

Mindi smiled, "Thanks Chris."

"N-," Chris cleared his voice. "No problem M-," he tried to finish. Chris smiled and cleared his throat again, "No problem Min."

It felt natural. He wasn't worried about having to say, no problem Min, and fucking up twice. He just smiled. His heart was racing, his legs were a little shaky, he could smell her light perfume. It snuck up his nostril and drove him bonkers. Eyes. Lips. Smell. He could feel hairs raising all over his body in nervous systemic disarray. His cock was stiff inside his pants. Fuck, it was probably tenting too. Chris didn't give a shit. He hadn't brushed his teeth since this morning. Who the fuck cares? It's now, or never. No one is fucking around. GO! Chris was on auto-pilot. He closed his eyes and began to lean forward; confident; a plane on final approach.

"Mindi!" Mrs. Wiskie's footsteps neared.

Mindi instinctively avoided Chris' advance, bending down to pick up the fallen knife. Chris opened his eyes to find Mindi bending down. He held Mindi's finger and quickly spun, looking over his shoulder in reaction to Mrs. Wiskie approaching them. His torso still faced Mindi.

Mrs. Wiskie slid around the corner, "Min are you..", she turned, hand over her eyes, "Heavens!" She did her best to gather her speech, "Well, um, I heard.."

Mindi, Chris and Mrs. Wiskie tried their best to each finish the exchange.

".. you scream"
"She cut her.."
"I was fixing.."

"I'll...," Chris started again, "I'll get the Iodine."

He smiled at Mindi and Mrs. Wiske and took the fastest walking strides he could muster, up the stairs and towards his room. Whether or not he would ever return with the Iodine, or if he would choose to leap from his rooms window was still being sorted out. Thank god. Chris walked past Rob's room. Chris closed his door behind himself and slid to the floor, his back still pressed against the wood. The events replayed in his mind, over, and over again. He banged his head back with a thud against the door.

Mindi watched Chris practically flee from the room, a hint of a frown crossing her features. “Mom…” she started to say, a blush infusing her cheeks, “Chris was just helping me with my cut…”

“Min,” her mother interrupted her. “You don’t have to try to explain yourself to me.”

“Honestly, Mother!” she held out her still bleeding finger as she heard a door shut upstairs, then a barely perceptible thumping. Sighing, she reached into one of the kitchen drawers and pulled out a bandaid. After she got it affixed to the cut, she grabbed a rag and cleaned up the blood, tossing the rag into the hamper that sat in the laundry room just off the kitchen. “Well, the salad’s done. If you don’t need me for anything else, I’m gonna go get settled in Rob’s room,” she told her mother as she headed for the stairs in the hall.

She was still thinking about the reaction she had sensed in Chris. She was sure he had been about to kiss her, and when she had bent down to pick up the knife as her mother entered, there was no mistaking the hard-on as it nearly poked her in the eye! She blushed more at the feelings it caused in her, and she hurried on to Rob’s room. There was silence from Chris’ room, and she passed Rob’s to stand just outside the door. Raising her hand to knock, she hesitated. She didn’t want to embarrass him any more than he obviously was, but she also wanted to somehow let him know that it was okay. A soft sigh escaped her as she placed the flat of her hand against the door, gently leaning her head against it for a moment.

She was surprised then to hear a low grunt from the other side of the door. Then something that sounded like her name. “Oh my God!” she thought, “Surely he’s not…” Strangely, the thought of Chris jacking off as he thought of her kinda turned her on. Things with Kevin had been going downhill fast, and they hadn’t had sex in weeks. Trying to back away from the door without being detected, she let out a startled cry as she bumped into Rob, standing behind her, arms folded, a huge mocking grin on his face.

“Rob!” she hissed through clenched teeth as she glanced back at Chris’ door, “What are you doing?!” She grabbed his arm as he let out a laugh and dragged him into his room, slamming the door behind them and glaring at him.

“No worries, Sis,” he grinned, “I won’t tell Chris your were listening to him jack-off!” His voice grew louder at each word, trying to elicit a response from his sister. “Robby! I’m going to kill you! Will you shut up?!” she hissed as she tackled him to put a hand over his mouth. Unfortunately, he was able to easily overpower her feeble attempts at silencing him, and in moments he had her pinned under him. She glared up at him. “I will so get you back for this you little twerp!’

The entire fucking day had been an embarrassment. Chris paused in memory. He couldn't help but chuckle lightly. Fucking Rob. At least he isn't-- He sharply turned his head, careful not to bang it against the door. Footsteps? His eyes moved side to side quickly. A smile crept to his lips, his teeth unveiled with retaliatory mischief. He turned his wrist upward, not to slit his wrist, or shed blood onto the carpet. Oh no, no. With his free hand, Chris promptly made a fist and began firmly pounding his exposed forearm.

He reached into thought, stealing Rob's fanatic libido and moaned, "Oh Mindi."

His head bobbed restraining the laughter creeping from his lips. Then he heard the cry. He stopped mid tap. His eyes tiptoed to the side with a courage that he himself could never hope to possess. Silence.

"Rob," hissed Mindi.

At the sound of her voice Chris' hands shot up to console his grimacing face.

"What are you doing?"

Chris could hear Rob snickering. Rob is going, to FUCKING die! Air was profusely exiting his nose; a bull knocked up on steroids. He rose to his feet. He heard Rob's bedroom door slam shut. His hands and arms raised, unable to lay waste to the Wiskie's belongings scattering his ever shrinking holding cell. He strutted arms flailing like a crazed chimpanzee. He wasn't jacking-- He was playing a-- A-- FUCK! Everything he wanted to excuse himself with sounded absolutely, fucking, ridiculous.

"..won't tell Chris you were listening to him jack-off."

I wasn't jacking off. I wasn't jacking off! Chris mouthed the words to himself. He tried to convince himself he wasn't. Because he fucking wasn't. He didn't do anything wrong. He was just playing a joke. He was just-- His hand was on the doorknob in an instant, the next it was open and he was on the move.

Rob's bedroom door flung open, "..you little twerp," said Mindi.

Chris stood in the doorway, shot by a sizzling, invisible round. He staggered backwards, wounded. Rob held Mindi's hands at her sides, straddling her on the bed.

Chris opened his mouth, "...," the words could not escape, he tried the word Mindi, "M--," but was unsuccessful.

His eyes blinked and he shook his head in disbelief. What the fuck is going on?

Finally he stammered, "Are you ok," his voice raised by two vocal chords in a hoarse croak.

Rob flung his hands up in arrest, "Not what you think man. I mean-- It's not like that. I mean--"

He laughed nervously and bolted out, leaving Mindi still frozen on the bed.

Still in shock, fright and confusion, Chris couldn't lift an arm to stop him. He had maybe wanted to profess his affection to Mindi, but how could he now? No, there is no way they-- No. Chris hoped that Mindi would say something. Please! Mindi's face was crimson. Rob's fleeing footsteps rambled down the stairs in terror. END THE MADNESS AND SAY SOMETHING TO HER!

He was off to a horrible start, "..I.. You..," he paused, trying to collect his speech; a kid grabbing at strewn Skittles spilled on a grocery mart floor.

He sighed, "I still have feelings for you Min."

He couldn't kid, or act. He was 20 fucking years of age. He was a man, no longer a boy.

"I, I, I,"

The tsunami of self-consciousness was suddenly, too strong. I want to-- CHOOSE ME! The shame of it all, the momentum gone, the flaring sensation building in his eyes. Chris had to get out of there. It was all a blur that ended with himself, locked in a room, separated by a wall, eight feet from the girl he had loved for the majority of his life on the planet. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he didn't need his shirt's sympathetic dabs. He let the tears fall.

His final words echoed in her ears as she heard the door to his room slam. Through the entire scene, she hadn’t moved a muscle. Shock, anger, hilarity, she couldn’t decide witch one to turn loose and it kept her frozen to the bed where Rob had pinned her.

She let her head fall back, staring up at the ceiling. “He still has feelings for me…” she thought to herself, “But what do I want?” She flipped over on her stomach, grabbing and hugging a pillow to her as her thoughts whirled. Kevin had been pulling away. She was pretty certain that the relationship was over, but it needed closure. If that happened, she would most likely have to move back home for a little while, at least until she could find her own place again. If she moved back home, she would have to deal with the tensions that were very apparent between her and Chris.

A low groan escaped her as she sat up, still hugging the pillow to her. “I need to talk to Chris,” she finally decided, tossing the pillow aside and pushing herself to her feet.

She knocked timidly on his door. “Chris?” she said softly. It seemed like forever before she heard the door unlock, and he was standing in front of her, wiping wetness from his face. Her heart caught in her chest to see him looking so vulnerable, and she reached a hand out to him. “Chris, I…” she started to say.

Suddenly she found herself in his arms, his lips crushing hers. His strong arms pulling her into the room, pushing the door shut behind her. The briefest thought of needing to pull away, to struggle against this, to tell him no, flitted through her mind and was gone. Her body was responding to him, her arms going around his neck to pull him closer into the kiss.

"Chris?"

Chris' attention shot to the door mid-sniffle. What does she want? The whole scene replayed in his head; Rob, Mindi, his failed confession, the painful stammering. He turned his head away and fled from the embarrassment, only to overshoot his exit, landing back in high school. Back into the very same room he sat. Except, it was her room.

"I, uh, just stopped by to say.."

Chris stared blankly at the door.

"I wanted to know if you had any," he mentally cheered his former self onward, "I'm going to miss you Min."

He grimaced, reliving the pain he knew would come. His eyes refocused on the door. Tears hung from his chin, their journey complete. Did she have feelings for him? He didn't want to think about how awkward that rejection would be. Was that why she was here? He saw her shadow under the slit of the door. To let him down easy? He fought back the growing doubt. He rose with uncertainty and headed to the door.

Slowly, he turned the knob, with every degree the door opened, the more he felt his heart lift. Conscious of his tears he dabbed at the drying rivers. He let go of the door. They stood silently, looking at each other. He somehow lost the cover to the butterfly jar and felt them fluttering free. He desperately wanted to say something, to apologize about earlier, to confess his affection, to, to simply say, Mindi, I love--

"Chris.."

Mindi's eyes wandered to the floor. No.

Her hand stretched out to him, "..I.." No. Please Mindi, no.

DON'T SAY IT! Chris dove in, meeting the foreign warmth of her lips. His tongue found hers and a torrent of relief sprang free, in minty embrace. YES,the voice of approval screamed. It carried through his body, rattling to rest in his shaky knees. His arms wrapped her tightly. He pulled her into the room, closing the door. Together they shuffled backwards in each others arms. Their tiny, clumsy steps; a horridly beautiful 5th grade slow dance. He stepped on her toe and retrieved his previous step, the back of her legs up against the bed.

"Sorry."

"Shut up.."

They lowered themselves onto the bed, side-by-side, tongues jousting. My milkshake brings.. Fuck. He continued to kiss her, his hand searched in blind chaos, he rejected the call and closed his eyes. Thoughts of Camille and their relationship, the status of it, the ramifications of, this, with Mindi, came, and left in a single moment. Mindi got up on her knees.

"Wait Min, just stay--"

A finger silenced his words. He watched her adjust and straddle him. Her arms crossed and she removed her shirt, flinging it backwards into the air, his excitement and the white shirt soaring in unison. He felt her fingers at his belt buckle. His hands reached to grope at her breasts, hidden beneath the shiny beige cups. He watched his hands on her skin with a juvenile hunger, like the anticipation which filled him the first time he had watched a porno.

"Chris," yelled Rob, slamming on the door.

Mindi and Chris exchanged looks of panic.

"What!?"

He looked over to Mindi, who was now nearing the wall to retrieve her shirt.

"Open up!"

"Why?!"

"Just do it," hollered Rob, pounding on the door.

Chris looked at Mindi, she shrugged, smoothing over her newly re-situated shirt. He nodded towards the door. Mindi's hand ran through her hair a few times before unlocking the door. Rob abruptly shot in, knocking Mindi backwards. He looked flushed and was panting when he spoke.

"Aunt Jane is here, Mom and Dad are coming--"

"Aunt Jane is here," Mrs. Wiskie's voice echoed from the stairs, "guys?"

Mindi picked herself up off the floor and brushed herself off. “Well, it’s not like we didn’t know they were on their way, you twerp!” Mindi threw at him flippantly as she brushed past him and out of the room, acting as if he hadn’t interrupted a thing. “I’ll be down in a minute, Mom!” she yelled as she went into the bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind her.

She braced herself on the sink, looking at her flushed face in the mirror. Her lips were slightly swollen from the frenzied kissing, her eyes had a bit of a glazed look to them. She sat on the edge of the tub and rested her head in her hands, trying to figure out what had just happened, wondering if she truly wanted it to go any further. They both had significant others, but Chris obviously still held feelings for her from way back, and her reaction to him seemed to admit the same.

She grabbed a washcloth from under the sink and wet it with cold water, holding it to her face to cool the heat and embarrassment. She heard Rob thunder back down the stairs, wondered if Chris had stayed behind to talk to her. They really needed to talk about this, but she knew that the second they were alone they would fall all over each other again. She worried about doing anything in her parents’ home, about being caught.

Slowly she opened the door to see Chris standing in his bedroom doorway. Biting her bottom lip, she went to him, took both of his hands in hers. She could see the concern on his face, knew that he was wondering if they would continue where they had left off. At that moment, all thoughts of being caught or of their other relationships left her. She smiled up at him, leaned up to give him a soft kiss on his lips, and whispered, “Later.”

Grinning, she pinched his ass and ran down the stairs ahead of him to greet her aunt.

Chris' couldn't control the cresting smile. It washed over his face. The afterglow of conquest trembled inside him with each beat. He was in. He tried to shake the glee, her meaty pinch, the kiss. Mindi's footsteps echoed down the hall. He blushed, allowing himself a moment to indulge the cheating thoughts; some clean, others dirty. A sticky smile clung to his expression. Gathering himself he reached into his pockets and took out his phone. He dialed Camille's number. Whatever she said, however she felt, inevitably, it wouldn't matter. He didn't care, not nearly as much as yesterday. The thoughts of him and Mindi, finally being together, drowned out everything else in his head.

Camille had taken it well, glancing over to Mindi. She sat next to him, their feet, teasing one another beneath the dinner table. Now, he was free to let whatever happened, happen, free of obligation or worry. The dinner had gone smoothly enough, small talk, talk about what he did, what Mindi and Rob were up to, the family, the weather, but it was finally drawing to a close. He wondered when he and Mindi would find time alone. Tonight?

"It was very nice to meet you Chris."

"Likewise Jane."

Chris stood up smiling. He watched Aunt Jane give Rob a hug and make her way towards the door. Chris began stacking some of the plates at the table. The silver of a fork slid into his peripheral, and he followed the smooth skin that trailed it, up to Mindi's smile.

"Mindi," called Mrs. Wiskie. Her voice trailing off from the kitchen.

"I'll be right there," replied Mindi, she reached for the stack of plates in front of Chris, running her arm across his, "I'll get that."

The front door closed and Mindi headed towards the kitchen.

Chris eyed her, grabbing a few stray wine glasses and whispered, "I broke up with Camille."

Rob paused, "No shit?" He patted Chris on the back, "Glad to hear it. She was a slut anyway."

He turned to follow Chris' eye line and spotted Mindi.

"Cause, you wanna bang Mindi?"

"What? No...," Chris frowned at Rob, "You have any plans tonight," before smiling.

"Umm, I'm not gonna leave my fucking house, alone, to go waste my time, just so you can bang my sister," chuckled Rob, "You fucking animal," and jabbed Chris' arm. He tried not to laugh.

"Just take her for a walk or something," said Rob.

"Fuck, it's cold outside."

"Oh well?"

Rob headed up the stairs to his room. Fucker. Chris took the glasses towards the kitchen. He smiled at Mrs. Wiskie and Mindi.

Mindi couldn’t believe what was happening. She felt almost like a kid again. She couldn’t quit smiling through the meal, and it was all she could do to keep from staring at him. She kept fighting with herself, feeling guilty. She had a boyfriend; Chris had a girlfriend. What was to become of those relationships? Or was this going to be some brief fling?

She was glad when dinner was finally over, and stood quickly to start helping with the clearing of the table. Rob’s disappearance to his room was no surprise to her, but Chris pitching in to help was. Pushing through the door to the kitchen, she spied her mother standing at the sink, rinsing dishes and stacking them in the dishwasher.

“Here, Mom,” she said brightly, “Let me do all that. You did enough with the cooking…I’ll clean up in here.”

Just then she noticed Chris come in with an armload of dishes. Turning to smile at him, she just pointed to the counter as she continued to shoo her mother out of the room. “Go on, Mom! Go put your feet up and relax. I’m sure Chris won’t mind helping me in here.”

She watched out of the corner of her eye as Chris set the dishes on the counter next to the sink. Trying to make sure her mother wasn’t going to come back in the room anytime soon, she stepped to the door and listened for the tell tale sign of the rocker squeak as her mother eased into the chair in the other room. Turning, Mindi slowly walked to where Chris stood, leaned against the counter.

She was suddenly at a loss for words, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip as she came to a stop in front of him. The tension between them crackled like lightening, and she wondered briefly if it would also destroy them. Casting her eyes away from his, afraid she would become lost in their depths, Mindi stood in front of the sink and began to wordlessly rinse dishes and put them in the dishwasher.

His arms came around her from behind, wrapping around her waist and pulling her back against him. She leaned her head back on his shoulder, eyes closing for a moment as she enjoyed the embrace. He nuzzled at her neck, causing shivers to tingle up and down her spine.

“I need you, Mindi.”

The simple, whispered words left her sagging against him, nodding silently.

“Tonight,” his husky voice said against her skin as he nibbled at her neck.

Again she nodded, then turned to him. “I’ll sneak into your room after Rob and everyone has settled for the night,” she said with a shy smile. “Why don’t you help me finish up in here first, though?”