As the week drew to a close, the sky over Lumen Cove had turned a steely gray. Kelsey squinted up at the angry sky as her feet drug along the wooden landing that led up to the entrance to Building 2. Her head felt thoroughly pummeled having spent the last hour and a half in Mr. Danvers’ classroom, first giving an oral presentation on Pride and Prejudice which he politely applauded upon her conclusion and laughed when she curtsied. A smile tugged at her mouth as she took the stairs to the second floor landing but it fell as she then remembered the hellish AP practice test she sat through afterwards. She couldn’t concentrate and kept feeling as if he was watching her, but every time she peeked up he was thoroughly immersed in his grading. She still wasn’t very comfortable with the one on one time and there were moments she sensed he wasn’t either. Reva had practically been salivating for details all week. In fact, Kelsey wondered why she hadn’t heard from her yet. She pulled out her phone as she reached the top of the stairs to check if she had any messages but there were none. She tried to remember if Reva had a date this evening then snorted at herself. It was Friday night. Of course Reva had a date.

“Scue me,” a roughened voice said behind her and she jumped as she slid out of the way automatically, watching a grizzled looking man with stringy gray hair and overtanned skin amble around her, his old flip-flops thwacking on the cement as he hobbled down the hall holding a giant cooler.

It was then that Kelsey noticed the door to her condo open at the end of the hall and much to her horror the man, who she had never seen before in her life, walked right in. Kelsey hurried forward in alarm trying to think of what she could use as a weapon. Her physics book was pretty formidable but she would need to be in close range. Unless she threw it…

Kelsey’s panic quadrupled when she came to her doorway and saw not only the strange man in her living room but an array of people she didn’t know. All of them were laughing and carrying on, an old Jimmy Buffett track playing through the entertainment system. Some of them, to her horror, were smoking. All of them were drinking. Kelsey was struck dumb, having no earthly idea what to do or how to process this turn of events. But as Sully sauntered out of the kitchen, holding four beers by their necks and distributing them amongst the crowd her bewilderment clicked over into rage.

“Sully!” she yelled, her voice cutting through the din like a knife and the laughter cut off abruptly. Sully turned his smile fading but not completely.

“Kels!” he hollered opening an arm to her. She ripped her bag over her head, throwing it to the ground with a very loud thump. Sully chuckled. “Guys this is my daughter, Kelsey. Real science whiz. You set up the system here didn’t you babe?” Sully asked as he reached over to fiddle with the volume on the stereo so that it surged loudly. Kelsey winced.

“It sounds great,” a leather-skinned blond hollered, her voice a rough cigarette rasp. She gave an exaggerated okay sign to show her approval and others chimed in as well.

“That’s my girl,” Sully beamed and Kelsey felt a strange tug in her chest as he looked at her with swelling pride. Had Sully ever looked at her that way before?

“What…what’s going on?” she asked, stepping cautiously into the room, noting the throw pillows unceremoniously tossed to the floor. Gram hated that.

“Just a little Friday night celebration,” Sully said, throwing an arm around her neck; she could smell the beer on his breath. She tried not to gag.

“Celebrating what?” she asked, looking around nervously, trying to discreetly pull out of his embrace.

“It’s the weekend!” said a brunette that looked familiar but Kelsey didn’t know her name. She may have seen her coming out of Lambency Liquors a few times while she had been at Greens Corner Grocery.

“You’re celebrating something that happens 52 times a year?” Kelsey asked, perplexed and Sully’s booming laugh made her jump.

“Did I tell you she was also a math genius? 52 times a year. Good one honey.”

Kelsey actually did cringe when he kissed her forehead. “Uh I’m just gonna get my stuff,” she said, gesturing to Grams…well… her room. “I’m staying with Reva tonight.”

“Okay just be careful sweetie,” Sully said finally removing his arm from around her shoulders. “No boys,” he added sternly, shaking a finger at her and Kelsey blinked at him.

“Sure thing, Dad,” she replied but the sarcasm was lost on all of them as they fell back into their conversation.

Kelsey entered Gram’s - her - room and shut the door quickly behind her, leaning back against it and closing her eyes. She could still hear the thumping music and laughter behind her, muffled but still distinctly loud. This was not good. She jumped as she heard the toilet flush and a woman walked out of the master bathroom, rubbing her hands together.

“Oh heeeeey,” she said, her heavily kohled eyes crinkling into a smile, her jaw moving in a circling motion as she smacked her gum. “Kelsey, right? We had geometry together my senior year.”

Kelsey did indeed recognize the buxom blond from the geometry class she took freshman year though she couldn’t remember the girl’s name. Only that she was a complete moron that could barely understand graphing on a plane. Kelsey squeaked a spastic “hi” at her, wondering how she could get her out of Gram’s room…her room.

“Man, Sully is great, isn’t he? How do you know him?” she asked, checking her hair in the mirror behind the door.

“He’s my dad,” Kelsey replied and the girl stopped her preening to stare wide eyed at her, her jaw stopping it’s orbit to hang open for a minute before resuming it’s chewing.

“Oh… wow how cool. My dad would never let me party with him,” she said with a roll of her eyes and a slicing gesture.

“Yeah well,” Kelsey muttered. There was a pause before she grabbed the door handle and opened it. “You… uh you better get back out there. Don’t wanna miss anything!” she chirped enthusiastically and the blond grinned scrunching her shoulders as she sashayed out the door.

Kelsey quickly shut it behind her, mouthing oh my God to the room as if it were bearing witness to this absurd turn of events. She could not deal with this. Absolutely could not, she decided as she stepped over to the chair in the corner that held all of her clothes. She plucked out some things at random, retrieving her overnight rucksack from under the bed and shoving things inside. She checked the side pockets finding a toothbrush and stick of deodorant and she was about to head back out into the living room but she hesitated her hand on the knob. She didn’t think she could handle seeing her dad - Sully, he wasn’t her dad - hitting on some blond that was only a few years older than herself. She sighed flicking the lock and walking over to the sliding glass doors.

She stepped out onto the balcony, the wind whipping her hair wildly. A storm was brewing out there, the sea tumultuous and gray underneath the frothy waves. She shouldered her rucksack, not even glancing in the glass doors of the living room as she passed and walked over to the railing separating her deck from Mrs. Konig’s. She threw a leg over, spinning awkwardly and quickly crossed. She saw Mrs. Konig in the kitchen and gave her a wave. The woman looked very displeased and Kelsey gave her an apologetic smile. The old woman waved a hand at her as if to say, “not your fault” and Kelsey moved on, climbing over the railing on the other side onto the Sarno’s deck.

She tapped lightly on the glass so as not to scare Mrs. Sarno who was shucking peas and watching Wheel of Fortune on television. Lavali Sarno looked up at the noise and gave a small start at finding Kelsey on her deck but immediately stood to let her in.

“Kelsey come in before you’re washed away,” she exclaimed, her Indian accent light but present and Kelsey smiled.

“Hey Lavali. Is Reva home?”

“Yes,” the small woman said, her eyes cutting toward Reva’s door with disapproval. “She’s getting ready for her date tonight. I tell her this morning that I am making kachoris and she says she has a date.” Lavali sniffed, flinging a hand in apparent disgust.

“You know Reva,” Kelsey said trying to cover for her friend even though she herself would never choose some boy over Lavali’s kachoris. “Never wants to miss an opportunity to make…” she paused, horrified that she almost told her best friend’s conservative Indian mother that her daughter never missed an opportunity to make out with boys, “memories,” she fumbled lightly. “Always about the memories for her.”

“Yes. Are you going on the date too? You double?”

“Oh no,” Kelsey said with a wave of her hand and Lavali looked oddly disappointed. “I’m just here to tell Reva about my AP test today.”

Lavali’s face lit up. “Oh good for you Kelsey. I’m so glad you are doing the AP.” She scowled at Reva’s door again. “This one could do AP but does she? No. She chases boys and plays make believe in that theater”

Kelsey burst out laughing at this and Lavali smiled as well. Lavali liked to pretend she was hard on Reva but when it came down to it she was front row center at every play or musical Reva starred in and was the first one to say she needed a new dress for date night.

“Go in,” Lavali said finally, waving a hand at Reva’s door and moving to sit back down on the couch, pulling her bowl into her lap once more.

Kelsey knocked softly on Reva’s door and heard a muffled “come in” from inside. Reva was sitting at a vanity that was covered in makeup. Her face reflected in the mirror was a flat cappuccino canvas, flawless but without color. Her eyes danced as she put down her highlighter and spun in her chair.

“How was AP with Mr. Danvers? Tell me everything.”

Kelsey rolled her eyes sitting on the end of Reva’s bed, letting her rucksack slide to the floor. “It was just a presentation and a test.”

“What was it like having his complete and undivided attention?” Reva asked intensely. Kelsey blinked at her. “Oh gosh, I know, my face,” Reva exclaimed with a wave of her hand, turning to look back in the mirror. “You talk while I contour.”

“Erm,” Kelsey said, reaching to tuck her hair behind her ear. “Well, I mean it was awkward.”

Reva paused looking at her through the mirror. “How?”

“I mean it was just him sitting there and me… presenting. Like you think giving a presentation to the whole class is bad, try giving it to just the teacher. Just that teacher.” A shiver rolled down her spine at the recollection of looking directly into his eyes as she spoke.

“His eyes, right?” Reva grinned at her through the mirror. Kelsey nodded.

“Yeah, I mean, I never saw the big deal until he’s like staring right at me, ya know? Like who has eyes that blue?”

“No one,” Reva said slamming her brush down on the table dramatically. “Ugh I am so jealous,” She shook a tube vigorously before applying its contents to her eyelids. “This opportunity is wasted on you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kelsey asked with a laugh and Reva gave her a wry look in the mirror.

“You are the only girl in the senior class that wouldn’t ever do anything with Mr. Danvers,” Reva said authoritatively and Kelsey’s mouth fell open, not sure if she should feel offended or shocked by Reva’s brazenness.

“You’re saying that any other girl in my situation would… would… put the moves on Mr. Danvers???” Reva burst out laughing.

“Kelsey, you are so naive. No, no one would put the moves,” she snorted, “on him. You just…” She trailed giving Kelsey a sly smile. “Flirt a little,” she gave a little shrug of her shoulder. “Bat your eyes, little touches here and there.” She mimed touching his hand lightly and Kelsey shivered, remembering herself doing just that. “It’s more like you let him know the door is open.”

Kelsey’s mouth dropped open. “Is it???”

“Oh my God. Kelsey,” Reva said turning around again. “Yes. It is.” Reva shook her head. “Will it happen? Of course not, Danvers is wound so tight you’d need to shove a flashlight up his ass to get him to lighten up,” Reva said turning back around again. “But is it fun to think about?” Another sly smile. “You bet your ass it is.”

Kelsey found her heart thumping hard in her chest and swallowed dryly. Reva was a lot more forward than she was, especially with boys, but this seemed unfathomable. She wanted to inquire further but felt that Reva’s head might shoot off if she did. Apparently, she was the only girl in the senior class who wasn’t actively trying to get in Danvers’ pants. The irony.

“Hey, can I stay here tonight?” Kelsey asked and Reva’s eyes met hers through the mirror.

“Yeah sure,” she said eyeing her. “Mom’s making kachoris. Maybe if you’re here to eat them she won’t bitch at me quite so much.” They laughed and were silent for a moment, Kelsey watching Reva apply eyeshadow. “Any reason you need to crash here?” Reva asked finally, her eyes cutting to Kelsey.

“Sully’s Discotheque has opened for the weekend,” Kelsey replied and Reva rolled her eyes.

“Gross,” Reva commented, dropping an eyeshadow in disgust. “You can stay here as long as you need. I’ll be out late though.”

“No worries,” Kelsey said with a sigh, laying back on Reva’s bed and staring up at the glow in the dark stars they had stuck there when they were seven. “I like hanging out with Lavali and Ezio.”

Reva snorted. “You are the perfect Indian-Italian daughter Kelsey. You were born to the wrong family.”

Kelsey’s smile faltered and she sighed. “Sometimes I think you’re right.”

* * *

Kelsey was nearly out of breath but she didn’t dare stop running. When the library had closed it had been a mere drizzle but within a block it turned into a steady rain and by the time she reached the north end of the boardwalk it was pouring. She struggled to see through the blinding rain, feeling her knapsack thump hard against her hip, irritating the bruise there. Her sneakers slapped against the boardwalk as she flew past Ezio’s Pizzeria and Sandy Toes Nail Salon, thunder rumbling maliciously in the distance. She was wet to the skin, her hair plastered to her face and neck as she took the stairs down to the beach, being careful not to slip but trying to hurry just the same. Waves crashed loudly against the sand and she could see the narrow strip of shoreline that separated her from the Cove illuminated by a streak of lightning that made it bright as day for a split second. Kelsey ran for it, not trusting herself to wait to see when the next wave was coming in. She felt it splash against the rock just as she cleared the space, ocean water sprinkling against her back to mix with the rain.

She paused, leaning against the rocky crag that shielded Lumen Cove from the rest of Lambency, taking a break from the howling wind if not the water. Her clothes were heavy, sticking to her skin and weighing her down while the denim of her jeans had chaffed her thighs nearly raw. She felt as if she couldn’t run another step. She could barely even breathe. She reconciled the fact that she was already drenched and close enough to home that her panic was ebbing; she could walk the rest of the way. Reluctantly pushing herself away from the rock she stepped back into the gale, trudging through wet sand as rain and wind whipped her face. Another crack of lightening illuminated the complex and she saw a man on his deck struggling to reign in an awning that was being pulled this way and that by the raging wind.

“Mr. Danvers?” She found herself hollering over the swell and he whipped around as if startled, squinting his eyes to see who had called to him from the dark. “It’s Kelsey! Kelsey Charming! Do you need help?”

But her words were drowned out by an earsplitting crack of thunder and in his distraction Alex neglected to pay attention to the outhaul which swung around with violent force, catching him just above the eyebrow. He slumped to the ground immediately and Kelsey didn’t even pause to think, just ran up the stairs to his deck, fumbling with the latch on the gate before rushing in.

He was sitting on the ground, supporting himself on one arm while his free hand prodded gingerly at his forehead. Kelsey ripped her bag over her head and let it fall to the deck before sinking to her knees next to him. Lightening lit the sky once more and in its light she saw a stream of red coursing down his face before it went dark again. She asked if he was okay but her voice was drowned by another heavy clap of thunder. She could make out his grimace in the dark as he tried to say something to her, but the wind was howling and she couldn’t make it out. He pointed to the sky and she looked up just in time to see the outhaul swing wildly towards them again. She ducked on instinct and felt a large hand cup the back of her head, his body moving to shield her the best he could from his clumsy position. The outhaul banged against the side of the building. Kelsey felt the wind of it against the back of her neck as it swung over their heads.

“We have to secure it,” she heard him yell, feeling his hand leave her. She looked up to find him trying to stand but he wobbled dangerously.

Kelsey surged upwards, her arms hooking under his as his knees gave way, his head colliding painfully with her collarbone. His hands went to her back, clutching at her shirt to try to catch himself. She couldn’t hold him, he was too heavy. She was able to lower him to the deck with as little of a jolt as possible before she straightened to reach for the rigging. She grabbed the rope and held on tight but it slid through her grip, setting her palms on fire. She cried out, letting go and hugging her hands to her chest, eyes stinging as the burning surged before waning into a dull heat that throbbed with the beat of her heart.

Mr. Danvers was trying to stand but he slipped down again. She pulled the sleeves of her jacket over her burning hands and reached for the rope again. She caught it, holding fast and the sail drug her forward into Mr. Danvers' prone form. He plastered his hands on her stomach, keeping her upright as she threw all of her bodyweight backwards and the sail finally turned, losing some of its wind and became easier to manage.

“Wrap it around the winch!” Alex yelled over the din, his head throbbing painfully. Kelsey swam in his vision as lightning lit up the sky, followed immediately by a deafening boom of thunder.

Kelsey struggled to tug the rope to the railing of the deck, fumbling as she slipped it around the pulley system. She cranked as fast as she could, her hands feeling as if they had been set aflame. The rain stung her eyes, her hair clung to her cheeks and blew into her mouth but finally the sail was closed and secured. She quickly threaded the end of the rope around the railing securing it with a buntline hitch before scuttling over to Mr. Danvers.

“Can you stand?” She yelled over the wind as it battered them both, trying to send them to their knees.

“I think so,” he hollered back. Kelsey slid her arm around him, his arm going around her neck automatically as they stood together, swaying against the force of the storm.

They walked slowly to the sliding glass door that led into his condo, trying not to trip over each other’s feet. Kelsey grimaced, a thin whine sounding through her gritted teeth as she gripped the handle and pulled. They tumbled inside, Alex letting go of her to fall against the bed directly inside the doorway. He struggled onto his back, his feet landing on the floor with a heavy thump. Kelsey was struggling to get the door closed and when it finally latched it was as if someone had spun the volume to low, the dull whistle of the wind and pattering of the rain against the windows the only indication of the storm raging outside. She too collapsed then, her legs giving way as she sat down hard on his entry way rug, her back thumping against the side of the bed, resting her head against it.

The only sound was the raging wind and the panting of their breath as they tried to get their hearts back to a normal rhythm. Kelsey felt as if the dark were pressing in on her eyes and that’s when she realized the power must have gone out. It was never this dark in the Cove. Alex’s head was pounding and he feared if he removed his hand from his head it might fall right off his neck and bounce away like a basketball. He could feel blood seeping through his fingers, knew he should move, get out of his water-logged clothes, find bandages but he could barely form a full train of thought much less stand.

“Do you have a first aid kit?” A small voice asked from the floor next to the bed and Alex, startled, sat up a lot faster than his bruised brain would allow. His vision tunneled and his stomach rolled violently. For a minute, he was sure he was going to be sick.

“Easy,” Kelsey chided softly and he felt a hand grip his shoulder, guiding him back into a laying position. “You’re bleeding pretty bad.”

“Head wounds bleed a lot.” He grimaced, pulling his hand back to look at his palm but it was so dark he literally couldn’t see his hand in front of his face.

“I know,” Kelsey replied simply. “First aid kit?”

“In the laundry,” Alex replied, as lightning lit up the room so Kelsey was able to catch his vague gesture towards the dark condo. Kelsey opened her eyes wide to the darkness, trying to make out the shapes in the unfamiliar space. “There’s a flashlight on the counter.”

She nodded, taking small shuffling steps around the end of the bed and within a few short steps she had bumped into the end of the counter. Her hands fumbled over the surface, encountering what felt like a wire basket with fruit in it, a wallet, a ribbed drinking glass then finally the flashlight. She let out a slow breath of relief as she flicked it on. She swung the light around the condo, trying to get her bearings. A cased opening was directly in front of her leading to a tiny room no bigger than a closet that had a stackable washer/dryer on one side and a tall wardrobe unit on the other. A door, which she assumed led outside, was between them. She stepped through his kitchen, peering around the small space, and she marveled at how much stuff he managed to get in here. The wall next to the washing machine, where there was maybe half a foot of space, was covered with racks and pegs to hold mops and brooms, fishing gear and the first aid kit. She grabbed it and a fresh dish towel that was tucked in a rack with cleaning supplies. She carried the kit with both hands trying to hold it just with her fingers, her palms still blazing almost unbearably.

Mr. Danvers was half laying on the bed still, though he had relocated to the end so that he was facing the room. He was holding his head and as she ran the light over his face quickly she found him to be a gruesome sight, blood smearing his forehead, trickling between his fingers and down his arm. She set the first aid kit on the bed next to him and pressed the towel to the hand covering his wound, lightly tugging on his wrist to get him to move it and hold the towel in place. Kelsey moved to climb onto the bed then but caught herself before her knee hit the mattress. This was very unfamiliar territory. She’d never been in a teacher’s home before, much less in their bedroom and Mr. Danvers…well…while she wasn’t falling head over feet for him like the other girls, she certainly wasn’t blind. This was certainly the most extenuated of an extenuating circumstance, but she needed to stay within the realm of propriety as much as possible. And climbing into bed with him did not fall into that realm.

“Can you sit up?” She asked as she knelt on the floor next to his knees and a low grumble sounded in his chest before he struggled into a sitting position. “Dizzy?”

“A little,” he muttered, keeping his eyes closed to prevent the room from spinning. He heard her rustling in the first aid kit, the light of the flashlight dancing behind his closed lids.

“Okay keep your eyes closed I need to shine the light on your face,” Kelsey said and his eyelids glowed red, feeling the lightest touch at his temple, fingers raking his hair back from his forehead as she guided his wrist down to move the towel. “It just split the skin,” she said after a moment of gentle prodding, “You don’t need stitches. Do…do you want me to clean and bandage it for you?”

Alex’s eyes opened of their own accord, the flashlight nearly blinding him and she swung the beam away almost instantly. It was then he was suddenly vary aware of the precarious situation they were in. A student - a female student - was in his home and they were technically in his bedroom, although it could be argued that they were also in the kitchen, living room and office given that it was a studio. Kelsey still had her hand in his hair, holding it back so it didn’t flop over the wound and he swallowed hard.

He cleared his throat “Miss Charming, I appreciate your assistance but-”

“I understand,” she said quickly, her hand leaving his hair and he felt her stand.

Suddenly the lights came on and the hum of the refrigerator sounded like a cacophony after the previous silence. Both of their eyes snapped shut against the brightness now all around them and they groaned in unison. They blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the light again and Alex’s gaze fell on her finding her completely drenched, hair windblown and dripping. She was holding her hands in front of her as if she were carrying something, her fingers loosely curled and that’s when he remembered the rope.

“How are your hands?” He asked and without thinking he reached for one wrist, pulling it to him. A long bloodless gash ran across the center of her palm, angry and red around the edges. He took her other wrist and examined the twin wound, this one oozing a little blood. He hissed, looking up at her sympathetically and her brow was drawn in discomfort.

“They really hurt,” she said, coughing out a laugh as he watched her eyes well up before she swallowed and pushed it down.

“You need to-”

He was cut off by a sharp knock at his door and both of them looked back at the other wide eyed. Kelsey’s head whipped around wildly, looking for a place to hide, her hair slinging water at him and he blinked.

“Bathroom,” he said in a loud whisper and pointed to the the doorway in the opposite corner of the room.

“Alex? It’s Sal. I hooked you up to my generator,” an aged voice hollered from behind the door.

Kelsey, not needing to be told twice, sprinted across the space, side stepping furniture to slide into the bathroom and pushed the door closed behind her. Sal continued.

“Me and Henry share when the power goes out so I had an extra.”

Alex grimaced reapplying the towel to his head as he pulled himself to his feet. The room swam in front of him for a moment and he waited for it to stop see-sawing before he staggered to the door, pulling it open.

A short, old man in a faded bowling shirt stood in his doorway, a porkpie hat covering his bald head. He squinted at Alex from behind thick framed glasses. “What the hell happened to you?” Sal asked taking in Alex’s gruesome appearance.

“I was trying to tie down the awning and got whacked in the head,” Alex replied with a sigh, examining the large blood spot on the towel before reapplying it to his head. “I’m fine. Thanks for hooking me up to the generator, Sal.”

“Hey, what are neighbors for?” Sal asked, opening his palms and grinning at him. Then he raised a finger, the large gold ring on his pinky glinting in the hallway light. “You just remember this when it comes time to vote for the new chair.”

“Chair?” Alex asked confused for a second and the look of astonished outrage on the older man’s face caused everything to click into place. “Oh, the chair of the HOA. Yes, I’ll keep you in mind, Sal,” he said moving to close the door.

“Has Sarno gotten to you?” Sal asked aggrieved. “That no good dago will have this place turned into a parking lot if-”

“Mr. Goldhirsch,” Alex chided and Sal waved a hand.

“It’s an expression. Forgive an old man’s lack of political correctness, would you?” he said and Alex gave him a smile. “You take care of that head.”

“I will. Thanks again Sal.”

Alex watched until Sal was shut inside before he closed his own door quickly and turned toward the bathroom. It creaked open slowly, Kelsey’s white face peering at him from the crack. He wasn’t sure if it was the head wound or some kind of slap happy sense of relief but he laughed. Really laughed as in doubled over, can’t breathe, belly aching laughed.

“This is ridiculous,” Alex said finally once he was able to control himself, wiping at the corner of his eye and smearing a clean swipe through the blood there. Kelsey had stepped out and was giggling herself.

She took the opportunity to look around then, eyes falling on an updated kitchen with walnut cabinets and a black quartz counter that doubled as kitchen island and breakfast bar. In the nook created between the laundry space and the bathroom he’d built shelves all the way to the ceiling, holding an assortment of books and trinkets. A large desk was tucked into the space, creating a nice little office area. A small couch and coffee table sat in the middle of the room in front of an entertainment cabinet with a modest flat screen. Her eyes fell on him again, standing in front of the door that led out to the hallway and just behind him was what looked like a reading nook with two wing back chairs and a wood burning stove.

“Hey, how’d you get that past the board?” Kelsey asked and Alex turned to see what she was referring to. When he looked back he had a sheepish expression on his face.

“I…uh… kind of didn’t ask…” He grimaced; Kelsey raised her eyebrows, blinking slowly as her gaze slid across the sliding glass door to his bed which was neatly made, a long walnut headboard with built in side tables framing it. A small horizontal window ran nearly the entire width of the bed which she imagined was lovely with the morning sun streaming through.

“You’ve done a lot of work on the place,” Kelsey commented, nodding and pressing her lips together. “I mean, like, it looks good. You can tell you worked hard on it,” she clarified and Alex gave her a weak version of his tight smile. She shook her head. “Uh… I should go,” she said, stutter stepping in what felt like three different directions trying to decide which way to exit. “I left my bag outside…”

“Hang on,” he said as he closed his eyes, holding out his free hand in an attempt to halt her skittish movement so he could think. He heaved a heavy sigh and opened his eyes on her again. She looked uncomfortable, almost scared, holding her hands out in front of her as if she were readying herself to take communion. He cleared his throat and straightened his back, glancing at the bloody towel in his hand as he spoke.

“Miss Charming if you will permit me I’d like to help you with your hands,” he said and Kelsey’s back straightened to mimic his stance. “I make a salve that works really well on rope burns.”

Kelsey blinked at him not sure whether to take him up on his offer but as her palms gave a painful throb she relented, nodding her head slowly. He gestured her to the kitchen where she climbed cautiously onto a barstool and watched him drop the soiled towel in the sink before turning to nudge some things around in his pantry. He pulled out a small jar from the back and walked towards the bed - Reva would be peeing her pants right now, she thought - and returned with some gauze and tape from the first aid kit. He set the items on the counter in front of her then stopped to wash his hands before he came back around to stand next to her. She swiveled to face him.

“May I?” he asked, the very definition of decorum, as he uncapped the jar and Kelsey was pinned for a moment by his eyes. They really were the bluest eyes she’d ever seen, dark though, with flecks of lighter blue around the pupil like a thunderstorm. His stare was always so intense; she wondered if he knew the power it had.

“Yes. Thank you.”

She opened her palms to him, grimacing against the stretch of her fingers as it pulled the skin of her palms taut. He dipped a finger into the jar and then carefully dabbed the gooey substance along the angry red line, moving carefully across one palm and then the other. She bit her lip against the pain, the sickly sweet smell of the salve making her a little queasy.

“What’s in that stuff?” she asked as he capped the jar again and reached for the gauze.

“A mixture of raw honey and oregano oil,” he said as he began to wrap her left hand. “I’ll send it home with you.”

“Honey?” she asked, watching his face, as he concentrated on winding the gauze tightly around her palm.

His expression was that of greatest concentration as he coaxed her thumb to fold over the wrapping to hold it in place while he ripped off a piece of tape. He had a prominent brow and hooded eyes with long lashes that seemed to fan along his cheekbones while he looked down again to begin wrapping her right hand.

“Yes, it’s good for skin injuries and irritations. The oregano oil fights infection.”

“Where’d you learn that?” Kelsey found herself asking, watching as he carefully folded her thumb as he had with her other hand. His fingers fumbled.

“Uh…” he paused, clearing his throat as he reached for the tape. “My dad,” he said finally tearing off a piece and securing the gauze in place.

“Oh,” she said simply, flexing her fingers with caution. Alex waited but she merely looked up at him, her brown eyes showing no indication of questioning him further on the subject. “If you want I can clean that up for you.” She gestured to his forehead and he blinked, having momentarily forgotten about his head wound.

He reached up to touch it and flinched. A knot about the size of a golf ball began to throb all over again. He should do it himself. He’d patched himself up plenty of times before but the very thought fatigued him and exacerbated the pounding in his head. He looked at her in contemplation and she merely looked back, no expression on her face just waiting for his response.

“I would appreciate that, Miss Charming. Thank you,” he said and she nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“No trouble at all, Mr. Danvers,” she said, slipping off the barstool and padding over to the bed - God help me if this ever gets out, he thought - to retrieve the first aid kit.

He sat on the edge of the same barstool she had just occupied, his feet planted firmly on the floor as she walked back over, laying the kit on the counter next to him. He craned his neck to watch her as she retrieved the bloodied towel from the sink before coming around the counter to stand in front of him. She looked soberly into his eyes and spoke slowly.

“I’m going to wipe your face with this towel and then put some hydrogen peroxide on that cut before bandaging it.” Alex nodded as she brought her hands up to his face tentatively. “I’m going to hold your face.”

He nodded, her overabundance of caution making him nervous. Should he have been so clear and direct with his touches? Even though she had warned him he jumped anyway when one bandaged palm cupped his cheek to hold his head steady as she wiped at his face. They were silent as she cleaned the dried blood from his forehead and down his cheek. Their eyes kept meeting briefly before they would avert their gaze, the intimacy of the moment making them both uneasy.

“Is this weird for you?” Kelsey asked finally, reaching for the small vial of hydrogen peroxide and Alex chuckled, giving her an actual smile which she returned.

“It’s… ah… a first that’s for sure,” he replied as she brought the towel up to his eyebrow, holding it underneath the wound before she began to pour the hydrogen peroxide over it. Alex gritted his teeth but made no sound.

“Your place is really nice.” Kelsey removed the towel and patted the wound dry to prevent any excess medicine from dripping in his eyes. “I like your desk.”

“Thank you,” Alex replied, shifting uncomfortably as she lightly dabbed antibiotic ointment onto the cut. “I made it myself,” he found himself adding which startled him. It almost felt like bragging.

“Really?” Kelsey asked, her eyes lighting with interest and Alex regretted the confession instantly. She must have seen it in his face because her expression sobered. “That’s really cool, Mr. Danvers.”

She nodded as she reached for a few bandages, holding them up to his forehead to try and find the right size. They were quiet again for a moment as she gingerly placed the bandage on his forehead, pressing as lightly as possible on the edges to make sure it stuck. She leaned back at the waist to examine her work and he cleared his throat, looking away from the strip of skin between her soaked t-shirt and jeans.

“Good as new,” Kelsey said, unconsciously reaching to tug down her shirt.

“Thank you, Miss Charming,” Alex said, reaching up to press against the bandage gingerly.

“You’re welcome, Mr. Danvers,” she replied a hint of humor in her voice and Alex felt the corners of his mouth tug as he lowered his hand to look at her.

They held each other’s gaze for a beat, all awkwardness gone now replaced by a pleasant fondness. The kind of camaraderie that comes from patching up each other’s battle wounds.

“I should get going,” Kelsey said, reaching to tuck her wet hair behind her ear and Alex nodded, standing abruptly and his body collided with hers.

His hands fell to her biceps, holding her steady; this was way too close but he was trapped between her body and the chair behind him. She stared up at him stunned and he counted his breaths - 1…2…3… - before she stammered something unintelligible and scuttled backwards.

For the briefest of moments Kelsey had thought he was going to kiss her. His body had been so close to hers, his face tipped down as he stood over her. She hadn’t realized how tall he was until that moment, almost a full head above hers. She also hadn’t noticed how full his lips were until the tip of his tongue peeked out to wet them. He was stock still, body rigid and she realized that the line of propriety was well behind them now. What the hell was she doing?

“Sorry,” he muttered but she was looking intently at her shoes.

“No… no worries,” she stammered with a dry chuckle. “I’m…uh… gonna go,” she said, still not looking at him as she turned towards the door.

“Uh… Kelsey,” he said quickly, almost reaching to grab her arm again but stopped himself just short of touching her. “Would you…” He reached up to rub a hand across the back of his neck and she found herself looking at him hopefully. “Would you mind going out the back?”

He gave her a sheepish smile and she blinked, shook her head at herself and laughed. She was being absolutely delusional. “Yeah good idea.”

He followed her back across the condo and into the laundry room where he maneuvered past her to open the door for her, his chest sliding against her back, though neither acknowledged it. Kelsey peered out the door finding a small alcove disconnected from the main terrace of the building but with a steep staircase leading down to the first floor and the parking lot where the rain was drizzling feebly, the storm over for now. A nice private entry, she thought to herself and then dismissed it quickly. She was thinking like Reva, which never failed to get her in trouble.

“See you in class, Mr. Danvers,” she said quickly stepping out the door without looking back and beginning to trot down the steps.

Alex didn’t know how to reply and after a moment he gave up, turning back to shut himself safely inside his condo. He rested his back against the door as he swallowed hard, feeling a sense of shame he couldn’t place. He had done absolutely nothing wrong, given no indication that he was interested in something inappropriate. Because I’m not, he insisted to himself and the sickening feeling in his gut swelled. He had noticed things about her, the way her clothes clung and that little strip of skin but he had no inappropriate thoughts. He was being paranoid. This was just a wildly out of the ordinary situation and she was never going to set foot in his place again.

He jumped as a soft knock sounded on the door behind him. He took a deep breath as he opened it and there was Kelsey, bottom lip pinned between her teeth, looking very unsure of herself. Alex steeled himself, ready to bring his hands up in case she closed in for a kiss.

“I left my bag on your deck,” she said, her eyes extremely apologetic and Alex sighed, nodding as he moved back to let her in again.

She hurried across the condo, struggling with the sliding glass door for a moment before getting it open. She was out and in again in a split second, holding her dripping messenger bag over his entryway rug. She looked around as if not knowing what to do with it.

“Hang on,” Alex said, retrieving a trash bag from underneath the sink. Bending at the waist made him slightly dizzy.

He brought it to her on wobbly legs and helped her wrestle the soaking bag into the plastic one. “I guess I won’t get an extension for my Pride and Prejudice paper on account of flooding huh?” She asked. He coughed out a laugh.

“Sorry, Miss Charming.”

She gave a careless shrug. “It was worth a shot.” She hoisted the bag into her arms, holding it against her chest as she passed him to go out the back door again. “Night, Mr. Danvers,” she hollered, letting herself out.

He waited a beat, making sure she was really gone before he heaved a sigh, dropped to the end of his bed, and held his throbbing head in his hands. He had a concussion. That was the only explanation for his thought pattern and behavior. Only Alex Danvers would consider a brain injury preferable to being fond of a girl.