WHOOF! "Eeeeek!"
And that's how I found myself falling backwards with a bundle of terrified girl in my arms. I landed on my butt and rolled sideways to avoid slamming my head on the floor, automatically tightening my grip around Laura to protect her. We ended up with me nearly on top of her, my arms under both of us.
"Are you alright?" We both said it at the same time, and then we both laughed.
That broke the disorientation, and I suddenly realized what my right hand was tightly squeezing. A firm, very nicely shaped, breast. Laura's breast. Laura the super brain.
I let go. "Sorry!"
"It's alright. Small price to avoid banging my head." Laura stood up as I scrambled up behind her. She added in an offhand tone, "But you'll have to date me to do that again."
"I'd love to." Shit, what just came out of my mouth? Before I even thought about it?
Laura turned, an arch in her eyes. "Which one, date me or feel me up?"
"Both." Again, I couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth. My face started burning.
"How romantic." But there was a small smile playing across her lips. I decided to gamble before I lost my nerve.
"Laura, could I interest you in a date this weekend?"
"Maybe. What do have in mind?"
"Dinner and a movie? Saturday?"
"Sounds lovely. I think I can fit that in. Now, let's get this experiment working again."
And she was back to business. We went through the procedure and discovered we had the Bunsen burner a little too close, and the next time we got the reaction to occur without the pyrotechnics. Laura's cool efficiency mirrored over to me, and it kept my mind off the ramifications of our earlier discussion. We put things away and notified the bored student on duty that we were done.
"Thanks for getting this lab done during a free period. It's much better without everyone else around."
"Especially when we nearly blew the lab up," I added. We both laughed.
Walking out, Laura bumped my hips with hers. "Looking forward to Saturday, Shawn."
"Me too."
She waved. "See ya' around."
My mind went into overdrive as soon as she walked away. A lot had happened in the last hour. First request for a date. Check. First request accepted. Check. First boob in my hand. Well, maybe not a complete check. But Laura kept a nice pair tucked under her loose shirts. Very nice. She also kept a sassy, playful side hidden under her high-achiever exterior. The brainy, driven girl I had known for so long was changing in my mind.
And what about me? What the hell was I doing when I answered her? I had known Laura as a lab and study partner for a while now. She and her friend Susan pulled their weight and kept me challenged. But I had never been attracted. Laura just seemed too smart to be any fun. Apparently, a hidden side of me thought it knew better, and it hijacked my mouth during our conversation. I was just happy that she took it well.
Saturday found me walking up to Laura's house. Her mother let me in.
"It looks like our daughter's giving you the full treatment. She'll be down in a few minutes, so you have to talk to us for a while."
I laughed. "At least I've been here many times, studying with Laura and Susan. And enjoying your fine cooking."
Laura's mother laughed. "Buttering us up before your date?"
"Well, you're not cleaning your gun collection for my benefit, but I thought I had better play the part of the respectful boy taking your daughter out."
Both her parents laughed. "I can see why she likes you. Now, let's see what embarrassing stories from her childhood we can discuss."
"Alas, there's no time!" Laura's voice came down the stairs. Her mother winked, then I turned to the sound of steps.
"Wow, Laura, you look great!" Laura was decked out in a soft, fine shirt over a skirt of equally fine fabric. A set of tasteful sandals completed the big picture, and matching necklace and bracelets filled in the details. She had that effortless classy yet casual look that only a few people can pull off. Compared to her usual t-shirt and jeans, she really caught my eye. The hidden side of me said
this is what you've been missing.
"Why thank you, Shawn. You look very nice yourself."
"In fact, you both look so nice that we'd like a picture, if that's okay."
"Going through all the family rituals, Mom?"
"They wouldn't be rituals if we didn't, right?"
Laura sighed. "Where would you like us?"
"How about on the staircase, here? And Shawn, please put your arm around her waist and act relaxed. We want to show off Laura's dashing date to family. It'll ruin the effect if you're all nervous and stiff."
Laura leaned in and whispered, "Just grab me like you did in the lab."
"I'm not sure your mother wants me
that
relaxed," I whispered back. We both laughed, and I heard the click.
"Fantastic. Must be some inside joke. Keep going."