Thread: A Knight without Shining Armor (Google+Velvet Stars)

Although Marisa could feel a blush creep up on her once more as he pulled her close, there was also a little shiver that she couldn't ignore. It flickered across her for a moment in a blend of contentment and...something else that she didn't have a name for. But it felt good sitting so near to Jason, so she decided it was nothing to worry about. Even the noticeable weight of his arm and the slight pressure against her side where they touched made her feel warm and fuzzy. Or at least it was what she imagined that oft-talked about sensation must be like. There was something else too...a light brush, faint enough to almost be ticklish, below her shoulders. She nearly pointed it out to him but hesitated at the last second. Jason was a gentleman, of that she was sure, and that meant that he couldn't possibly have placed his fingers so near to her breasts on purpose. Besides, if she were to blurt it out, he might move away, and Marisa wasn't so sure that she wanted that just yet. Maybe soon, but it wouldn't hurt to enjoy the moment a little longer. Oh, thanks! I'll only have a little I don't want to take all your leftovers. She said this with a smile while picking up her chopsticks, letting go of his hand as she did so. To her surprise, she let go only reluctantly, and wasn't sure why she thought of it that way. Maybe it was because of how comfortable and natural the action had seemed. That made sense it wasn't uncommon for her to hold hands with friends or even with her sister sometimes, so of course it would be natural to hold hands with someone she liked, too. So natural that she had nearly forgotten about that smaller contact in the wake of everything else that had happened. But having already stumbled over how to respond to the kiss, she didn't try to put words to her thoughts. Do you want to keep ours, too? she asked instead. I don't think anything with seafood would stay fresh during the bus ride home... Marisa paused, her lowered brows and sudden silence hinting at the difficulty of getting noodles to wrap around her chopsticks long enough to eat some. After a moment, she finally managed to raise the bundle to her mouth without it falling halfway through the trip. In her focus on the plate, she didn't notice that Melanie had lowered the phone and was on her way back to their table. If she had, she might have also spotted the slight break in the girl's stride as she came back into a clear line of sight. From that spot, she easily spotted the dramatic change in their positions. She blinked once, surprised initially then she frowned. There was no telling when and how the two of them had gotten so close, but it was obvious to her that Marisa either didn't know or didn't want to say anything about the subtle move Jason was making towards her chest. Subtle to Marisa, that is. Melanie noticed it almost instantly, another moment worth a mental red flag. During the pause before she resumed walking towards them, several thoughts flashed through her mind, each echoed faintly in how she looked at the pair. First was the urge to glare at Jason until he backed off. A close second was the realization that it would be more effective to get her twin to move instead. It took a heartbeat more for her to realize that Marisa didn't look upset or uneasy, which she would have if she was an unwilling target of groping. That turned her frown more thoughtful. She didn't like it...but she was here to make sure Marisa wasn't taken advantage of, not to stop her from enjoying her date. A spark of suspicion flared in her thoughts then she sighed inwardly and finished crossing the room. If her sister looked unsettled for even a second, she would step in. Until then, she would hold her tongue - no matter how much it bothered her right now. Though she made a mental note to point this out to Marisa later, when they could talk in private. Before you ask, she directed towards her sister when she arrived, everything's okay. Not worse than last week, not better than last month. She shrugged a shoulder and reclaimed her chair, noting with a bit of disappointment that her food cooled off some while she was gone. Long story short, she said toward Jason, a friend of ours is a drama magnet. It's not totally her fault some of it's bad luck. She shook her head a bit at that, though it seemed as much exasperated as it was sympathetic. Marisa's own head rose, a few trailing ends of noodles peeking between her lips before she sucked them in. Even with her mouth full, the questioning expression she sent at her twin was enough to replace what she planned to say. You don't have to say it 'not worse' isn't the same as better, I know. But it's still better than nothing. Her twin's brows furrowed in concern, but she nodded slowly, then swallowed and spoke. Did you tell her I was sorry? Melanie actually looked confused for a split second then she snickered quietly. I told Tanya where we were, and she told me to tell you this 'Mari, don't you dare call me on your date, or I'll do that the next time I see you!' So I don't think you have anything to be sorry for. Marisa's face went from apologetic to flustered in the blink of an eye. Wha--she did not! She promised she wouldn't do that again! Again, there was that twitching of Melanie's mouth that hinted at a near-smile. Actually, she told me I should help, but-- Whatever she was going to say got cut off as Marisa leaned forward, hands frantically gesturing in the air between them. No way, that's not fair! Instead of replying, Melanie took a bite of her own food and chewed, while her twin pouted at her. Okay, okay... the protesting girl relented. I'll wait until we get home to find out what she called about. Then, so quiet that even Melanie barely heard it, came a small mutter. Geez, I thought she got rid of that feather... Taking a drink of semi-watered down soda was the only thing that kept the returning twin from laughing out loud. Eventually, Marisa settled back into her chair and brought up the growing lack of time, prompting them both to get their food boxed up to take along with them. Then the topic shifted to the cause of the time limit itself. Lani, what time are our tickets for again? I'll set the alarm on my phone too. As she spoke, Marisa pulled the gadget out of her purse and navigated to the tool in question. We're going back on the 845. From how long it took to walk there, if we're back at the cafe by...830, there'll be enough time to get to the station and board. She nodded, putting the numbers in, then put the phone back and closed the purse. Okay, I got it. Then the longer-haired twin looked thoughtful. We won't even be back until...after 11, huh? It's a good thing Amy doesn't have to work tomorrow I'll have to get her something to say thanks for picking us up so late at night. The look on Melanie's face was amused. Nah, I don't think she'll expect a gift from you. If this place were any closer, I think she would've tried to drive you here just to hear the gossip before anyone else. Both of them continued to chat, plates pushed back from their seats, while they waited for the check and carryout boxes to arrive. Yet Melanie occasionally eyed Jason, taking note of any hands that wandered across his date's figure. Marisa had settled back into the same place she had been before her sister returned, so such wandering would have been easy if no one had been watching.