Diorama

© Sweet-Kisses™

~*~

Alex glanced at his watch and then looked up from the bed at Anna, who was busy pondering over an issue of Architectural Digest. She had several textbooks opened on her desk, a black laptop perched in front of her, and a pen in her hand. Soft music was playing in the background, and Anna was humming along with the song. Framed portraits of her family, including her dog, were hung up on the walls.

He had found out, as unfortunate as it was for Alex, that Anna came from a wealthy family in which money was no object for anything. But what made him in awe of her was that she was anything but the typical "rich girl." She didn't care where Alex came from, his family, history. She didn't care about all that. She claimed that what she was interested in was him. Right then, as he were.

He had to consider himself blessed for having her in his life, the only good thing besides his three friends.

Alex closed his textbook and sat up. "Uh, well, I have to go now."

Anna quickly turned around, her blue eyes wide. "Really? Where?"

"Work."

"You still haven't told me what it's all about," she said, her eyes narrowing.

"It's nothing, just a boring old job," Alex replied defensively. He stood up and grabbed his bag before heading over to the door. Before he knew it, he was rambling. "Jesus, Anna, who gives a shit? A job's a job!"

Anna quickly maneuvered herself past Alex and stood in front of the door. She folded her arms across her chest. "If you want to come back here later, if you still want a girlfriend, I suggest you tell me right now what's going on."

Alex sighed and looked away. He knew it was time to confess. He had been wanting to tell someone, anyone, since he started working for Jim and...that other guy. He hadn't heard from him in a while. Maybe that was a good thing.

Alex dropped his bag to the floor and looked at Anna. The expression on her face meant business. "Shit, this is so humiliating," he whispered. He took a small breath. "I've been working at a club..."

"A club? Doing what?"

"Well." He squeezed his eyes shut. "Dancing."

Anna gasped. "What! You mean..."

Alex nodded and opened his eyes. "Yes. Exactly."

Anna shook her head slowly and exhaled deeply. "Oh, Alex. What? I mean, how?"

"Your poor dumb stripper of a boyfriend won't be here for too much longer if he doesn't get money from somewhere."

"But." Anna ran her fingers through her hair, moved away from the door and began to pace the room. "That's illegal! Surely there's another way."

"There isn't," Alex replied firmly. "I know what I'm doing, nothing bad is going to happen."

Anna stopped pacing and stared at Alex for several moments. His eyes were wide with determination. "I have to admire you for your courage," she said, kissing him gently. "Does anyone else know?"

"No, and don't tell another soul." Alex paused. "Hopefully this won't be for much longer. The money's decent."

Anna wrapped her arms around Alex and held him tightly. "I really love you," she said. She pulled away and smiled. "I think I just realised that."

Alex gave her a crooked grin. "Oh, I've been telling you that for ages."

Anna laughed and watched him pick up his bag and head for the door. "You'll come back here after?"

"You bet," Alex said, holding the door open. "You might even get lucky."

"You wish!"

~**~

Nick had a sense of deja vu as he entered the music building once again. There were lots of people hanging around outside the building, talking in large and small groups. Some people were sitting individually underneath trees while reading textbooks, awaiting their next class. Nick still had the feeling inside him, the feeling of missing something. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying the "college experience" but him.

He felt like a fish out of water, and he was convinced everyone knew it.

He wandered down to the end of the hall, to the same room where he had previously been. He hoped this time would be an improvement. He took a deep breath and opened the door. He saw his music professor standing at the piano, leafing through papers. He still couldn't get over how good his professor looked in his clothes and glasses. For some reason, he just couldn't get it out of his mind.

Nick closed the door loudly to announce his arrival. "Hi."

"Nickolas!" Kevin said brightly, walking toward him. "You made it just on time."

"Well, Professor - "

"Kevin," he emphasised, smiling. He handed Nick a book. "This is for you."

Nick took the book in his hands. "Overcoming shyness?"

"It's gold, trust me," Kevin said. He stood still for a moment, watching Nick as he flicked through the book. There was something so captivating about him, so innocent and vulnerable. He knew there would be some interesting stories about him.

"Thank you," Nick said softly, staring into Kevin's eyes which were twinkling.

"You're welcome," Kevin said, tapping Nick lightly on the shoulder.

Nick gasped, staring down at where Kevin's hand had been. "Um..."

"So, let's get started!" Kevin wandered over to the piano and sat down. "As I said previously, I think you have a great voice. I really do. So now I'd like to work out what your style is."

"Style?"

"Generally, singers have a style," Kevin explained. "Whitney Houston has r 'n' b, Bryan Adams has rock. You know what I mean? Say you were to make an album of all your favorite singers. Who would they be?"

Nick thought for a moment, baffled. He really didn't understand. "Well, Bryan Adams definitely. Steve Perry. Eric Clapton? I, uh, I can't really think of any more."

"Interesting," Kevin said softly, stroking his goatee thoughtfully. "Okay, from that I'd say if you were to make an album, the songs you would sing would be pushing the rock sound. Right?"

"Yes. Well, rock, pop."

"Right." Kevin cleared his throat. "Let's hear you sing another song, employing those techniques I taught you."

"Again?"

"Again."

Nick felt his hands shaking as he began to sing "Oh Sherry", a Steve Perry classic. He looked up toward the ceiling as he sang. He knew that if he made eye contact with his professor at any time, he'd want to run out of the room. He nearly did as Kevin stood up and slowly walked toward him. Nick felt his voice wavering. Nick felt his voice trembling as Kevin placed a hand on his abdomen and kept it there for the duration of the song.

Nick nearly died.

"Very good," Kevin said with a smile, his eyes holding Nick's gaze. "Much better this time."

Nick's eyes were wide. Was it his imagination, or was his professor stepping closer to him? "You did? That's...good."

"It is," Kevin replied in a low voice, nodding. He arched an eyebrow. "What are you doing this weekend?"

~***~

Howie scooped up his books and followed the que of students out of the building. He glanced up at the clock just upon exit. He had exactly five minutes to run back to his room, dump his books, possibly even change clothes and then meet -

Before his thoughts went any further, his books fell out of his arms onto the ground as he crashed into something. "Sorry!"

It turned out that the something was female. A dark haired female with friendly green eyes. Howie slowly stood up and watched the girl scramble on the ground for her books in awe. His mind had a flashback. This girl looked exactly like someone from his past, someone who meant something to him...

"I'm so sorry," the female gushed, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder. "I'm just in such a hurry these days!"

Howie gasped. This girl even sounded exactly the same! What was going on?

Before he had a chance to work it out, the girl had disappeared.

~****~

Nick stood at his professor's door. Kevin's door. He wondered what he was doing there again. Kevin had invited him there. It had taken him a full day and a half to psyche himself, to find the courage. But this was wrong! This was Kevin's home. Well, apartment. And it was conveniently close to campus. So if he ever needed to make a hasty dash away...

Nick knocked on the door. He felt himself shaking. He glanced over his shoulder, to check to see if he was being followed. He felt any courage he did have dying, and just as he was about to turn away the door opened.

Kevin was standing before him, wearing a white t-shirt and faded jeans. His long hair was loose around his shoulders. "Nickolas," he said, moving to the side and holding the door open. "Come on in."

Nick slowly took his eyes off his professor and wandered into the apartment. Everything was simple in black and white. He could hear music playing somewhere. "Uh, I've been reading that book you gave me," he said, quickly glancing around the apartment. "It's...it's really good."

"I'm glad," Kevin replied, falling onto the sofa. "Have a seat," he added, patting the space next to him.

This isn't right, Nick thought, feeling just a little scared. But he sat down, anyway. Kevin wouldn't take his eyes off Nick, and Nick hated it. He looked away while making conversation. "Yeah, it's taught me to think better about - "

Nick was cut off by Kevin, who pressed his lips against Nick's. Nick let out a involuntary surprised sound. Kevin pulled away and stared into Nick's eyes, which were wide. His whole expression was stunned. Kevin kissed him again, only deeper.

Nick's heart began to race. He didn't know exactly what to do, and it made Nick feel more at a loss than ever. Kevin's hand reached around to the nape of Nick's neck and simultaneously his tongue found its way to meet Nick's. Nick let out a louder surprised sound.

This isn't right!

But he kissed Kevin, anyway.

~*****~

Brian was sitting across from Catherine in her room, with a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. Catherine was curled up on one side of the couch, a leopard-print cushion held tightly to her chest. They had spent the entire evening talking about themselves. Where they came from, their family, who they hoped to be in the future.

He hadn't been able to take his eyes off her since he had arrived. Dressed casually, everything Catherine said was either witty, profound or incredibly interesting. He had indeed felt an attraction to her when he first met her, but now it was becoming different. He really liked this girl, and he meant the word strongly.

"When did you say your room-mate was getting back?" Brian asked, taking a sip of coffee.

"She's at her parents this weekend so..." Catherine trailed off, shrugging.

"Oh," Brian replied quietly, staring into his cup.

Catherine giggled and tapped his knee lightly. "I'm not asking you to stay. Don't take this to heart, but I don't want you to."

Brian breathed a sigh of relief and downed the rest of his coffee. "Well, I should probably go. It's getting late."

Catherine nodded. "Okay." She wandered toward the door and held it open for Brian. "This was good. I learned a lot about you, Mr Southern Gentleman."

"Please," Brian said, rolling his eyes.

Catherine stepped closer to Brian and pressed her lips against his. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist. Both felt completely comfortable where they were, enjoying each other's embrace.

After several seconds, Brian pulled away. He quickly thanked Catherine and made the walk back to his dorm, feeling as though he were walking on air.

~******~