It had been a week since she had spoken to him. But that wasn't completely true. They spoke when necessary, but nothing extra, like before. They would both come and go, never telling each other of whereabouts, never leaving friendly messages on her bullitin board that was nailed firmly to the door.
Zac watched from over the top of his magazine as Ricki sat at her desk and pulled a brush through her silky hair. She brushed it a few more times, then pulled out a ponytail holder, and put it back in a low ponytail. Then she pulled out a little mirror to carefully check for any loose pieces.
Zac smiled. Perfectionist, Zac thought. Not wanting to get caught, he went back to his magazine. He didn't really like not talking to Ricki. Sure, she was obsessive compulsive, annoying at times, and she liked to yell, but most of the time Zac liked to have her around. She was by far one of the most interesting people he had ever talked to. She was smart; not just book smart, but people smart.
Zac felt like he had been smacked. People smart....Ricki is people smart... He recalled the times she had told him about people and they way they were in life by the way they looked or behaved. Most of the time she was right. Could she have done that with Susan? Nah....Susan's a nice girl....It's just one of those cases where Ricki's wrong....or is she?
Fifteen minutes later, Zac was still watching Ricki. She appeared to be organizing her socks. Zac smiled to himself. She suddenly ripped her hair out of the pony tail and went into the bathroom. He heard her shower, wash her face, and the brush her teeth. After ten minutes of the hairdryer and another fifteen of her messing with what sounded like a curling iron, Ricki emerged. Showered, clean, robe-clad and curled, she walked over to her closet and began digging.
Zac watched over his magazine as she picked out a pair of dark jeans and a long sleeved wine colored shirt. She got a bra, underwear, and some socks out of her dresser then went back into the bedroom to change. When she emerged the second time, she was dressed. She went back to her closet and pulled out some shoes, then went over to her bed to put them on.
Zac couldn't resist. "What are you getting all spiffied up for?"
Ricki was silent for a moment as she tied her first shoe.
"I have a date." She said quietly.
"You? A date?"
"Yes." She said stiffly.
Zac whistled. "With who?"
"Ashton."
"The jock?"
"Yes, he plays football."
"Wow."
"What?"
"I didn't thin you'd sink to that level."
Ricki clenched her jaw and fought with herself not to retaliate back.
Zac watched from his bed as she tied her second shoe and stood up.
"You're wearing makeup." he said.
"So kind of you to notice." She said, pushing her glasses up her nose.
"Uh huh." Zac said slowly. She pulled her glasses off and rummaged in her bedside drawer for a few moments before pulling out a disposable pack of contacts. She opened them and applied them to her eyes.
"You never wear contacts."
"I know."
"But you're wearing them."
"Tonight is special." Ricki said. She put on her coat and picked up her purse.
"When are you going to be home?" Zac asked.
The only answer he got was the click of the door. Ricki smiled to herself as she waited for the elevator.
Zac looked over at Susan and smiled when she caught him. They both turned their attention back to the TV screen. The two were sitting longways on their stomachs in front of Zac's TV that same night. Susan had called him, bored, and had decided to come over. That left Zac a good three minutes to shove all his dirty clothes either into his closet or under his bed.
Now they were watching a romantic comedy that Zac couldn't remember the name of for the life of him. He felt Susan rub her feet on his flirtatiously. He looked at her from the corner of his eye and saw her grinning at him. He took that as an invatation.
Thirty seconds later, a heavy makeout session was taking place. He felt Susan's hands at his belt. He pulled away and faked a grin at her.
"What?" She asked quietly.
"Nothing."
"Okay..." They continued. Thirty seconds later, her hands were at his belt again.
"Hey there." He said, pulling away.
"Zac, what is it?" She asked.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I was just moving things along...." She said with a sweet smile.
"That's okay." he said, feeling butterflies in his stomach.
"We're alone..." She said.
"I know."
"Well?"
"Not now."
"Okay." Susan said. They both went back to watching the movie in silence. Ten minutes later, Susan looked at him and rubbed a foot against his. Zac remained focused on the movie screen.
"Zac?"
"Hmmm?"
"Have you ever had sex?" She asked.
"What?" Zac asked. She now had his full attention.
"You heard me...Have you ever had sex." She repeated.
Zac snorted. "Of course I have." He said.
"Oh."
They were silent for a few seconds.
"Why?" Zac asked. "Have you?"
"Uh huh." Susan said. "Lots of times."
Doesn't surprise me.... Zac thought.
"Sooo....don't you want to have sex with me?" She asked with a grin.
"Um, sure." Zac lied.
"Okay." Susan said, sitting up.
"What, now?" Zac asked, rolling onto his back.
"Well, yeah." Susan said, starting to unbutton her sweater.
"Why now?"
"What?" She asked. "Why not now? We're in here, we're comfy, that frumy roomate of yours isn't home.."
"She's not frumpy."
"Oh come on."
"Yeah, well..." Zac didn't want to get her started.
"Now is just a good a time as any." Susan insited.
"Susan...not now. She'll be home any minute." Zac said, pulling her back down.
"Okay...whatever you say. But promise me one thing." Susan said, twisting a lock of Zac's hair around her finger.
"What's that?" Zac asked.
"Promise me that we will soon?" She asked. "I can't wait to feel you." She added.
Zac bit his lip. He could feel himself start to blush. Was he making the right choice? He didn't now. "Okay." He said. Susan smiled and pecked him on the lips, satisfied.