More Than Just Spilled Milk

A roller coaster of emotions so high speed it gave you whiplash; that's what Rosalee was riding right now. First she was angry, then she was scared, then she started crying, now she just wanted to be comforted and hugged and have a cup of hot cocoa.

Back home it was normal for her family members to comfort each other with hugs, so Rosalee didn't see any problem with hugging Ater after everything that just happened if it meant she got some comfort. She stepped closer to the poor, poor young man, wrapped her arms around him very gently, and started using his shirt as an outlet for her tears.

"B-because," she said, her words muffled by his clothing. "I'm scared to death what people might think, or do...if they found out just what kind of beast I am."

Rosalee rubbed her face from side to side on him to dry her tears, her flowery scent tickling her nose, and she thanked herself for having chosen waterproof mascara that morning. No matter how awkward his comforting was, she didn't notice; she was just glad he hadn't shoved her to the ground and pulled her hair or something.

His list of races, however, didn't make her feel any better. If anything, it only made her feel worse. All the races he mentioned were actually cool and not weak and dumb like her race was. Come on...a vampire? They could totally knock her lights out. Aliens? Way more interesting than a chick who sometimes turned into a bunny.

...Knock someone's lights out. That was a good one. She didn't notice either how quickly she'd snapped that saying up from him.

"Thanks," said Rosalee. She sniffled and pulled her head away to look up at him. . .and remembered she still didn't know his name. "You're really nice. I know it's kind of weird to ask now, but um...What's your name? And...sorry for crying on you."

"Rosie. Uhmm...Rosalee Amor. It's nice to meet you, Ater," she said with that sweet southern drawl that she'd never been able to get rid of and a little smile to go with it. Her grey eyes flickered between his, and she couldn't help but admire his face--hold on was he stuttering?

"Are you cold? Maybe we should get back inside--" Rosalee went to pull away, but that was probably the last thing she wanted to do if he was cold, so she huffed and squeezed her arms around him in an attempt to keep him warm.

Being small was not very good for sharing body heat. Was her sweater big enough for two? No, wait, that would be weird.

"What do I do? I don't know what to do. Do you want my number?" Oops--that one slipped out.

The time it took Ater to respond to her offer had Rosalee wanting to kick herself. She drew away from him and took several steps back, refusing to meet his eyes. He totally thought she was creepy.

There was a sneaking suspicion that he probably wouldn't text her, but she opened her mouth and slowly recited her number for him anyways--"XXX-XXXX." At least she was trying.

Rosalee stood there, chewing on her bottom lip and playing with the sleeves of her sweater. He...probably didn't like being touched, so she resolved not to do that anymore.

She glanced up at him. "I...guess I should be getting back to my dorm. I have a test I need to study for.."

"You...want to walk me home?" she asked with some disbelief. With her phone put away, she stopped chewing on her lip. Rosalee had been planning on shifting before she started getting itches, but she supposed it could wait. "I didn't expect that, actually...Um, sure. Go ahead."

She reached up and ran her fingers through her hair, turning to start down the path towards the academy. "Soo...Valentine's Day is coming up." For the first few moments Rosalee was nonchalant about it, trying to make conversation--and then she realized how that might sound. He probably already thought she was creepy and she was not making it any better.