How Green Becomes Wood

[pandakatiefominz]

"Oh, thanks," She laughed slightly, averting her eyes when he complimented her, "It's fine, I think. I wore it, um, because Sloan actually said all your friends were wearing something sparkly today. She told me I should too, so I did."

 

[BookKnight]

Alec's ush deepened, and he smiled at her. "Thank you! It was really sweet of you. All of you. I really appreciated it. Appreciate it, I mean."

Xander tried to pretend he was not there.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"It really wasn't a big deal to me," She assured him, playing with a strand of her hair, "I like wearing sparkly clothes, so I really just had an excuse to wear some of my favourite things."

 

[BookKnight]

"Those are your favorite things? I can see why!" He reached out but stopped short of touching her arm. "That bracelet is really pretty!"

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Thank you," Claire said, looking down at it, "My aunt gave it to me after I took first for the first time."

 

[BookKnight]

"That's a special gift," Alec said admiringly. "You look really good in sparkles and pink. Is pink your favorite?"

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"I actually prefer purple," Claire answered, "But I still like pink a lot."

 

[BookKnight]

"Oh, I really like purple and pink together! Not everyone says they actually should go together, but I like them," Alec said, thinking of a certain someone when he said it. "Bright colors really suit you."

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"I like them too," Claire grinned, "But I've never really cared about what colours they say go together, because I follow the words of the great Philospher Cyndy Lauper. But also, I guess, I was assigned purple. I've got an older sister, so she was given all the pink stuff, because all the relatives saw girl and deployed the colour, but they couldn't also give me pink, so I've always grown up being given the purple stuff... And all the pink hand-me-downs!"

 

[BookKnight]

Alec tried to remember any Cyndy Lauper songs. "If you're lost, you can look, and you will find me time after time?" he asked. He grinned at her story. "I didn't know you have an older sister. Personally, I think you lucked out! Pink is great, but purple," he wiggled his brows, "is superior!"

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun," Claire winked, "And yeah, I do. She's in college right now, her name's Amelia. But I think purple is better too, it's a little more special."

 

[BookKnight]

Alec patted his forehead in a light favepalm. "Oh, duh! Of course that one! That makes so much more sense. Yes, Purple is a super special color."

"Hey, purple people," Xander told them mildly, "we still have classes to get to."

"Right," Alec said sheepishly. He smiled at Claire. "Thank you for dressing up special for me. I really appreciate the thought."

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"It was no trouble, I'll see you later, okay?" Claire replied, and with a wave headed off to her next class.

 

[BookKnight]

"See you!" Alec called, waving. He hoped they would run into each other more often. Claire was nice.

Xander rolled his eyes.

 

[pandakatiefominz]

At the end of the school day, Milo went up to Xander and said simply, "I thought about it, I can't do it, at least not today. It would kill me even to try."

 

[BookKnight]

"Alright," Xander agreed easily. "Don't want you dead. When you're ready, then. Want a ride home?"

 

[pandakatiefominz]

Milo shook his head, "It's okay. I can make it home by myself, I'll see you tomorrow, though."

 

[BookKnight]

"Hey," Xander said, reaching out to briefly tug his sleeve, "don't spend all night thinking about it. Okay? Write it down, set the paper aside to be picked up later, and distract your brain."

 

[pandakatiefominz]

"I think that's easier said than done," Milo replied, "but I'll try not to, at least."

 

[BookKnight]

"Good. It gets easier with practice," Xander told him. "Text me if you want. Anytime." He collected Alec, and they headed for home.