Diorama

© Sweet-Kisses™

~*~

Winter had secured itself about campus. However mild, it was cold nonetheless. Halloween had been and gone, with celebrations and festivities throughout campus. Students were looking forward to Christmas and being around old friends and family. Most, however, seemed to be looking forward to the break, no matter how short it was.

Nick pulled his coat  tighter around him as he walked toward Professor Richardson's room. If there was ever a vendetta, his professor seemed to have one against him. Nick had attempted to explain himself, but there seemed to be nothing he could do. So it had gotten to the point where Nick couldn't take it anymore.

"Is Professor Richardson around?" Nick asked a tall brunette in a crisp, white suit as she wandered to the door. "I really need to talk to him."

"Concerning?"

"Um." Nick frowned. "An assignment. I'm just a little confused on a few areas."

"Well, you'll have to wait until Monday. He's left for the weekend."

"Already? Do you know why?"

"He had no classes as far as I know. I don't know why he left. Even if I did, I couldn't tell you."

Nick sullenly walked back to his room. He felt depressed. As he closed the door, he found a large envelope on the floor. He snatched it up in his hands, tore it open and pulled out a small rectangular booklet. A plane ticket. His ticket. In big red and blue letters on the front were the letters ‘AA’. He flipped it open and saw the details.

He frowned. “What the hell?”

He found a note in the package. Embossed in gold at the top of the paper were the initials ‘KSR’.

After reading the note, he gasped.

Maybe this will help us become better acquainted. No pressure.

KSR.

At the bottom of the note, were directions to an apartment on Park Avenue in New York City.

“Holy...,” he whispered.

He noticed that the note was moving in his hand. He was shaking. He blinked and quickly stuffed everything back into the envelope and clutched it tightly to his chest. This was a momentous decision. Kevin was obviously sure about what he wanted and that scared Nick. But nothing had to happen, after all Kevin had said that himself. But what if something did happen? What did that mean? Did that mean that Kevin actually loved him, and he loved Kevin in return? Was he really in love...with his professor?

Should he? Shouldn’t he? Nick began to think of the possibility of actually accepting the invitation. Who would find out? He could quickly pack and no-one would question him, no-one was around but him. Howie, Brian and Alex would just assume he went home for the weekend.

A smile slowly crossed Nick’s face as he pulled out a bag and began to pack. After all, he only had a few hours to catch his flight.

~**~

Nick stood on Park Avenue in New York City and looked up at the tall building in which he’d be staying for the weekend. It was huge! There was even a doorman in a red and gold suit greeting people as they entered or left the building. Nick was in awe and he couldn’t help thinking that Kevin must be absolutely filthy, stinking rich!

Nick nodded to the doorman and was soon on his way up to Kevin’s apartment. Correction: penthouse! He could hardly contain his nerves and when the elevator doors opened, he felt slightly queasy in the stomach. On his way to New York, he was nothing but excited. Now, the reality of staying with someone so much older than he, his professor, another man, was hitting him over the head like a sledge-hammer.

He took small steps, but not small enough. The door to Kevin’s apartment was only a few feet from the elevator. He took a small breath and pressed the doorbell. Quicker than Nick might’ve hoped Kevin swung open the door. Nick almost let out a loud gasp at the image standing before him.

Kevin was leaning against the door with one arm, wearing faded blue jeans and a white shirt which stated ‘UK’ in bold blue letters, looking as though it had seen better days. His dark hair was loose, brushing against his neck and framing his face perfectly. His dark green eyes sparkled with anticipation. He didn’t look like the Kevin Nick knew around campus, but then again this was entirely different.

Kevin smiled. “Soooo,” he drawled, “you decided to accept my invitation.”

“Well, I thought it would be rude not to,” Nick replied.

Kevin stared at him for a few moments then chuckled to himself as though it were a private joke. “Well then, come on in.”

If Nick was awestruck by New York itself, he was even more in awe of Kevin’s penthouse. Everything was decorated in white with a few pieces of black furniture here and there. It was like entering a snowstorm! And there was even a fireplace in the living room. Nick had never been in a more beautiful place ever and he even secretly contemplated the thought of giving up college and living there permanently. Or transferring to NYU. That could definitely work.

“Impressed?” Kevin asked, still smiling and crossing his arms.

Nick’s eyes were wide. “Oh yeah, just a little! This place is amazing. You never told me you lived like this!”

“Well, it’s not something I tell everyone.” Kevin shrugged. “But anyway. You can stay in the spare bedroom. Like I said, no pressure. Nothing has to happen if you don’t want it to.”

“What if I want something to happen?” Nick questioned. “Isn’t that why I’m here?”

Kevin was taken aback. “Now I’m the one who’s shocked! You should be more open like that, Nick. But let me say,” he added, “that if you want something to happen you have to make it happen, baby.”

Nick felt himself blushing. “Right.”

Kevin wrapped an arm around Nick’s waist and leaned in close, so close that their lips were almost touching. He could feel Nick breathing deeply. “I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Nick whispered, painfully aware of how close Kevin was. "My fault, really."

Kevin smiled softly. "Tell me something,” he said softly, “you like Italian food?”

~***~

Howie glanced at his watch for what seemed like the millionth time in a matter of minutes. He was anxiously waiting outside one of the smaller rooms on campus. He was waiting for Liz. She had refused to talk to him or be in contact. He was desperate. The more time he spent thinking about her, the more he knew he was hooked, and he had learned from experience that he had to confess his feelings.

This time, he had to.

Students began to vacate the room and Howie stood tall. He waited for Liz to walk out. He continued to wait until, finally, she appeared. He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. She gasped and pushed Howie away. Looking closely at her, Howie could tell that something was wrong. She had a defeated, beaten-down look in her eyes.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

"I had to see you," Howie said quickly. "I want to say some things. I have to say what I need to or else I never will."

"Howie." Liz shook her head sadly. "I thought I made it quite clear. I'm in love with Michael. I'm marrying him, for crying out loud! Why are you doing this?"

"He's hurting you," Howie said in a low voice. "You can't possibly love someone who does that. If you do, you're fooling nobody but yourself."

"What makes this any of your business?" she hissed, her eyes forming razor-thin slits.

Howie looked away momentarily. "I just...I really care about you. Okay? You resemble someone I used to - " He shook his head. "You're a beautiful woman and I honestly care about what happens to you. Since we ran into each other, I haven't stopped thinking about you."

"I see." Liz cleared her throat. "Well, I mean, you're a nice guy and apart from that kiss which I take full responsibility for, I think we could be - "

"I really like you," Howie interrupted, "and it just kills me to know what this guy is doing to you. Do you know that you can press charges?"

Liz shook her head while rolling her eyes. "Look, Howie, you're nice and all but I really think this is getting beyond a joke. I think it would be best for all of us if you just keep your distance from now on."

"I can't do that! I won't let him hurt you!"

"Well, that's just not for you to decide," Liz replied coldly. "From now on, you stay away from me. If not, I'll be the one enforcing the law. On you."

~****~

"Alex," Anna warned, firmly scolding him with a pillow, "you promised to tell me the truth!"

"But I am, my dearest," Alex said with a wicked grin. "I always tell the truth!"

"Sure you do."

Alex wasn't stupid enough to recognize the annoyed look in her eyes. As it was, he was still thanking his lucky stars that Anna actually took him back after what he had done. Even though he was careful around her, things were running fairly smoothly between the two of them. The atmosphere was relaxed and calm around them as they talked, Eric Clapton's "Change the World" playing softly in the background added to the comforting effect.

"Okay" Alex admonished. "I met Red outside Jim's place. You know all about Jim. So this guy says he can offer me good money for being his P.A. or whatever. So I took the offer. I needed it." He paused. He felt uncomfortable. "Look, you know all about this already. All you need to know is that I'm done with that now. And you know about that audition next week..."

"What?" Anna sat up in surprise. "What audition? When?"

Alex chuckled. "Well, well, look at who's the inquisitive cat! If you must know, my dance teacher has recommended yours truly with a few others to audition for some big time choreographers next week. Excited?"

"Holy hell, Alex," Anna whispered, her china blue eyes wide with disbelief. "This could be, like - "

"My big break," he finished. "I know, I know."

"Nervous?"

"Shitting myself already."

Anna smiled encouragingly. "Don't sweat it, babe. If anyone's got the moves, you have."

"And you know...? Oh, yes. Of course you do," Alex laughed.

"I do."

Alex cupped his girlfriend's face in his hands. "Marry me."

Anna stared at him for several silent moments. She saw his feelings reflected in his deep brown eyes. He was serious. "Alex. We haven't known each other very long. Marriage is the last thing on my mind. I want to actually finish college first before any of that."

"But why wait?" Alex asked. "I want to marry you. I'd love to spend the rest of my life with you. I'd love to get you pregnant and - "

"Thanks, Alex," Anna replied dryly, shifting back on the bed. "You'd love to get me pregnant? What a romantic expression. So when do I start to swoon?"

"Come on, Anna, you know what I mean! I'm saying that I want to marry you, that I want to have children with only you, grow old with you and all that together. What do you think?"

"I think you're insane, that's what I think," Anna said, frowning. "Maybe you should see the campus counsellor."

Alex groaned in frustration and jumped off the bed. He then lowered himself onto one knee and grabbed Anna's hand. "Anna, will you marry me?"

Anna appeared worried. "I wont make a decision until I see a ring. I'm sorry but that's just how I am.

"Should I ask your parents for permission then?" Alex asked.

"No!" Anna exclaimed. "I mean, umm..."

Alex took the silence as a bad sign. He slowly got to his feet and sat down on the edge of the bed. He stared down at the carpet. "They don't know about me, do they?"

"Do your parents know about me?" Anna countered.

"Yes," Alex whispered. "My mother knows all about you." He paused. "I suppose I'm not what they expect for their daughter, right?"

"Cliche, but yes," Anna said. "My parents are very traditional and expect me to marry someone from their circle. It's not easy for me, Alex."

"Why? All you have to do is tell them who I am. That's it."

Anna didn't answer for a moment. "I know. I'm sorry that I haven't." She placed a gentle hand on his arm. "I'm not ashamed of you, Alex. I love you."

Alex turned his head quickly to stare at her. "So just tell them. I should really get going. It's late."

Anna felt her heart sink as she watched Alex head for the door. She knew he was hurt. She could tell. "By the way, Alex. What exactly did you tell your parents about me?"

"I told them that you rescued me."

Anna smiled despite herself. "So when do you plan on getting my ring?"

~*****~