her arrival nearly startles him out of the uncomfortable chair he’d been perched in, pen cap dangling from his mouth whilst flashing her a brilliant smile, “ s'okay. better late than never, i presume, “ dark oculars glance at his watch briefly, “ only a half hour late this time — i’m impressed. you’re getting better at this. “ tone is lighthearted as he leans back, eyebrows arching during her theatrical story. he didn’t bother stifling his amusement ; her attitude was something he’d always admired from afar. this whole being ‘ up-close and personal ‘ agreement was definitely gonna take some getting used to, however. the annoyed scoffs she’d earned by their peers from her rather boisterous entrance made him roll his eyes, physique leaning across the table to gesture towards the accounting book lain out in front of her, “ we agreed to meet up here because this is a studying safe haven and you have quite a bit to learn for the sake of your gpa and by the sounds of it, you’re not doing too hot according to professor hansen, “ calloused fingertips flip gingerly through a few pages before reaching the chapter they would be going over today, “ besides, “ his voice lowers as he leans across the table, trying to remain discreet in case they drew any unwanted ears nearby, “ i have a date tomorrow night and i need you to give me some tips on how to woo her. “
she could hardly conceal the scoff that accompanied his commentary on her attendance, incapable of taking the criticism she so freely would dish. “at least i’m fashionably late,” she retorted, though the remark held little value as her hair looked as if a robin had nested in it and three small babies would pop out for her chocolate locks at any time. swinging her bag over the perched up arm, she dug out the textbooks she’d seldom used as more than a coffee holster, flipping through the pages attempting to find the one he’d been on. sure, she could just ask, though simple questions stunned her pride, especially given the blow he’d just placed on her intelligence. “well, hansen’s lying, i’m doing fine,” there was a slight stutter in her words, defenses high as the words came out in a slightly faster and higher tone. “she’s probably mad because i confused her for a fifty year old woman instead of thirty.” she rolled her eyes, another blow following as he mentioned the word date. she wasn’t sure why it had such an impact, given it’d been part of the agreement in the first place, though a piece of her heart seemed to sink to her chest as the four letter word fell from his lips. of course, she wouldn’t show a physical reaction, outside of swallowing the ever forming lump in her throat and her signature eye roll. instead she’d feign a smile, lips curled upward as she leans in closer, propped up on her elbows as she swore the beat of her heart slowed with the increased proximity. “for starters, lose the school boy look.” she mused, raising her eyebrows as she eyed him down, somehow envying the way he could make nerdy look couture. “unbutton a couple, you don’t have any girls to show off but the pecks. use ‘em, show a bit more of the muscle and she’ll be swooning.” the answer was shallow, though one would be ridiculous to expect any less. the truth was there was no need for vain flaunting, as his personality alone would likely woo the girl, though she wouldn’t tell him that. how she held little criticism on him as a whole, but instead searched for minor flaws to nitpick and call deal breakers, as if she hadn’t spent half their time studying examining them herself.