Three Shot : Then He Kissed Me - [Completed]

Then He Kissed Me : Part 1

~ The Crystals

New York

"Andie" I grab my roommate's - peabrained, interfering and generally pain in the butt roommate's - arm and squeeze it, talking fast and low. "Don't let him stay for dinner! Tell him we don't have enough food ! Tell him ...tell him you're dying of cancer and don't have time to host guests for dinner anymore !"

Andie crossed her arms and cocked a perfectly shaped eyebrow "What's gotten into you ? Are you okay ?"

I failed my arms like the retarded seal I was feeling like "Andie ! Are you even listening to me ? I am serious !"

She narrowed her eyes in understanding "You know that gorgeous hunk of man meat, don't you ?" she leaned towards me and whispered in conspiratory tone "Fess up, sister. One night stand or ex-boyfriend ?"

I shrug, keeping my tone low "Neither. He is the teaching assistant for one of my course"

Andie waits patiently, blowing air on her very long, very polished nails. Waiting for me to elaborate. I hate this girl. Remind me to punch her after the dinner is over. Blowing an irritated breath of air, I confess "And ... and he kissed me to make Amay jealous"

"Oh, he is that noble soul ?" her eyes widen. I had already told her about the whole kissing episode where I had dinner with my TA. Kissed the said TA to apparently make my ex-boyfriend jealous. Then made out while plastered against a wall with the same TA. Ofcourse, to make my ex Amay jealous. Don't believe me ? Good for you. This is my story and I am sticking with it.

She grins big "The guy did helluva charity. Tell me was he any good ? I might kiss him just for that"

"You think I am a charity case ?"

She ignores me completely " Did he use his tongue, did he bite the ..."

I interrupt her ridiculous musings "Seriously ! Did you fall out of the stupid tree and hit every branch on the way?" Andie and Brett have been in a relationship for a hundred years. They are the sickening case of childhood buddies turned attached on the hip sweethearts. Those who do everything together, finishes each other's sentences and can't live without each other for three seconds. If there is something as being too much in love, Andie and Brett were textbook examples

I decided to bring out the big guns "Today is Tuesday Andie"

"Is that supposed to mean something ?"

"Yes, it is supposed to mean special Tuesday. Delicious Tuesday. I-will-eat-even-if-I-gain-10-pounds Tuesday. The only day in the whole week where we get to eat Bhavana's Mexican magic. I am talking soft tacos, spicy crunchy nachos, mouth watering cilantro rice and chipotle lentils. How can you do this Andie ... how can you invite anyone to our secret society ? It is supposed to be me, you, Bhavana and Brett. The four amigos" I point a finger at her "Et tu Brutus"

I hear someone say "Everything okay here ?" The same someone I had been trying to avoid.

Just fantastic.

Mr TA also known as Aditya Hooda stood on the threshold of my room in jeans and sneakers, his dark blue jersey proclaiming to the world that he was a NYU student. I try not to think about him too much. Or his teeth which did a number on my shoulder. Or those soft lips battling mine in a duel to ...obviously make Amay jealous.Obviously. Solace in denial is the mantra to live by.

"Zoya just had a brain fart. Pretty common, ignore her" my helpful roommate replies.I glare at Andie but she ignores me completely. In fact, the smile on her face says she's enjoying way too much. I would pull her perfect pony if Aditya wasn't looking right at her.

"Let's have dinner. I am starving !" she clapped her hands and walked away to the kitchen. Leaving me alone with him.Remind me to never go to war with Andie as my wingwoman. Chicken !

Aditya stands on the threshold, staring at me. Expressionless. I want to start a conversation about him crossing all boundaries of a student TA relationship, about him coming to my house - alright shared house without my permission, about him being friends with Andie, but none of those words come out. I'm mute standing a few feet away from him as I wait for my sentence to be handed down.

I smile despite my panic "Welcome to the family"

What the freaking hell - welcome to the family ! I mentally kick my butt all the way to Timbuktu and my face is on fire, I feel like running out of the room as far and as fast as my feet will take me. I guess I'll have to get them out of my mouth first though.

His expression doesn't change but I know, I just know he is laughing his ass off. I can hear it in his voice "Family ?"

I take a deep breath in and let it out, focusing all my energy on connecting with the calm, rational part of my brain. Squaring my shoulders, I decide that it would be unbecoming of a lady to engage in witty repartee with a stranger and it was best if I let him off the hook. This time. I leave the room, passing him without a glance, down the hall and into the kitchen.

Aditya follows like a subject to the Queen. I slam to a halt as I hear the song wafting in the air.

Well, he walked up to me and he asked me if I wanted to dance

He looked kinda nice and so I said I might take a chance

"What the hell"Aditya bumps into me and I stumble forward. His right hand shoots out to steady my klutzy self. I look at his fingers latched on my upper arm in a death grip. He steps forward, his jersey rubbing against my bare arm."You alright ?" he asks.

When he danced he held me tight

And when he walked me home that night

"Thanks" I say and try to smile. He peels away his fingers, ensuring that I had my balance. Then, like the sexually confident woman I am, I scurry away to the kitchen as fast as humanly possible. I take the seat I usually take and Aditya takes the one next to me. Acting like it's no big deal at all, I take a plate and put my napkin in my lap. I could feel the heat coming from his body near my arm and leg.

All the stars were shining bright

And then he kissed me

I know I can make through this meal in one piece and without committing assault or battery against Andie. Who is seated opposite me. Smiling.