*Sorry for the delay. Thank you for your comments. I appreciate all of the feedback.*
Chapter 14: Indelible
I took my seat in the swivel chair that was bolted to the desk. I was taking my penultimate exam and pressed my palms into my eyes and rubbed gently, trying to relieve some tension. Stacks of answer sheets were being circulated and I grabbed one before passing the stack back. My professor licked his finger as he meticulously counted and handed exams to each row of students.
"Good luck." Was his final comment before everyone's head dropped and focused on the exam in front of them. I quickly bubbled in my student ID on the answer sheet and started filling in the tiny rectangles with my answers. Thankfully, I had been attending study groups and was certain of a majority of the answers. I could feel a few of the answers lurking, hiding in the recesses of my mind, teasing, taunting me, just out of reach. I glanced at the clock and stretched my arms over my head hoping the synapses in my brain would fire, igniting a path, illuminating the answers.
I closed my eyes, but instead of seeing the answers, I saw Rob's smiling face. He had his last final this morning and was packing his stuff for our journey home tomorrow after my last exam. I shook my head, quickly trying to refocus on my final. I filled in the last rectangle and sighed as I let my pencil fall to the desk. I double-checked my answers, changed a few, and second-guessed others. Students had started streaming down the aisles, turning in their tests, and exiting the classroom. Time was running short and I quickly gave my answers another run-through before turning in my answer sheet and exam papers.
I pushed the door open, the spring sun was brilliant, and slid my sunglasses over my eyes. The heat hit me like a wall as the cooled air behind me was trapped inside. I was going to meet Rob at his dorm before we headed off to supper and then I was going to study. I pulled out my phone to call him, but he didn't answer. I made my way across campus to his dorm. Luckily someone was exiting as I approached and held the door open for me. The hall was quiet, most of the students had either finished exams and had left or were studying. Rob's door was locked and I knocked a few times before giving up. I poked my head into the bathroom, but it was empty.
Not wanting to walk back across campus to my room, I headed to the basement to the study lounge. The fluorescent lights buzzed over wooden cubicles. I walked to the end and found an empty one and pulled out my notes and sat down. I checked my phone to see if Rob had tried to reach me, but he hadn't. There was a group study room to my right that had a glass door and windows I glanced and saw a group of four guys sitting around a wooden table. Chase grinned at me and waved He said something to the guys before poking his head out the door.
"What're you doing here?" He whispered.
"I'm meeting Rob for supper, but he's not here, or answering his phone. You don't know where he is do you?"
Chase glanced at his watch before looking at me. "He should be back by now." He shrugged. "Well we have a final in a couple hours, better get back"
"Alright, good luck." I smiled encouragingly.
"You too Bobby." Chase grinned before slipping back inside the study room.
I checked my phone again, wishful thinking. I opened my notebook and was reviewing notes that I knew would be on my final. Thirty minutes had passed and I still hadn't heard from Rob. I picked up my phone and sent Rob a quick text before placing it on the desk. I heard a tapping on the glass and glanced over to see two plump ass cheeks smashed against the glass. Chase peeled his ass off of the glass and I could see him laughing as he pulled up his pants. He winked at me as I shook my head and refocused on my notes.
After a few minutes my phone started vibrating on the desk and I picked it up. I stepped into the hall, not wanting to piss off the others studying.
"Hey. I whispered.
"Hey Bobby. I got held up, I'll be ready shortly. I'm sorry."
"It's okay." I was curious as to what he was up to, but would find out later. "I'm in your study lounge, just come get me when you're ready."
"Perfect. Bye babe."
"Bye Robbie." I had only gone through a couple more pages of notes when I heard more tapping on the glass beside me. This time when I glanced up there were four asses, four varying shades of flesh, one was covered in dark curly fur, pressed against the glass. I mockingly covered my eyes as they pulled up their pants. I could tell they were laughing and couldn't help but join in. If anything, it was good stress relief. I grinned and flipped them the bird which caused them to laugh harder. They sat back around their notes and I turned back to my own.
I pulled my headphones out of my backpack and plugged them into my phone. The background music helped me focus and I diligently took some notes and started making a study guide. I'm not sure how long I was at it before I felt a strong hand on my shoulder. I looked up and saw Rob's handsome and scruffy face smiling down at me. I kissed his hand on my shoulder before taking off my headphones and packing my bag. When I glanced up, I was again greeted by a full moon from the group study room. I chuckled and pointed. Rob turned and saw his roommate's ass.
Rob laughed out loud when he saw Chase's ass against the glass. Rob walked over and pushed the glass door open. "You better get some sun on that this summer, don't want to blind anyone." The laughter escaped the room and I stood up as Rob let the door close behind him.
"Ready?"
"Ready." Rob answered, taking my hand as we headed to dinner.
*
After supper Rob walked me back to my dorm. We stopped in the courtyard outside my building.
"So are you going to tell me where you were?"
"I had to run downtown for a couple things." Rob went to wrap his arms around me, but I held out my palms and pressed them into his chest. Rob tried to hide it, but I could tell he winced.
"Rob...?" I studied his face, he was hiding something. "Rob." I said again, pressing against his chest. This time I was sure of it. Rob's muscles tensed from the contact. "Spill it." I commanded, wanting to know what he was hiding.
"It's nothing babe." Rob kissed my cheek. "Go study."
"Study?" There was no way I could study, I needed to know what happened . "Robert." I crossed my arms and tried unsuccessfully to look menacing.
Rob tried to stifle a laugh, but straightened his face before speaking. "It's a surprise. You'll know tomorrow."
"Rob." I signed, not wanting to wait.
"You really want to know?" Rob raised his eyebrows in question.
"Of course I want to know."
"Okay, well I guess the first half of your surprise won't hurt." Rob looked around before pulling up his T-shirt. There was white gauze taped over his left pectoral muscle. I gasped at the sight, fearing he had been injured. "It's okay." Rob reassured as he carefully pulled the tape off of one edge of the bandage. Rob slowly peeled back the gauze, revealing a red and black swollen mark on his left pec. The soft fur that was usually there was gone and I felt water pooling in my eyes as I took in the sight of my name written above Rob's heart.
"Rob." I spoke into my hand as I looked into his eyes.
"Do you like it?" Rob's eyes were filled with love and a hint of worry.
"Can I?" I asked and he nodded before I let my fingers lightly trace the raised letters on his chest spelling 'Bobby.' "It's like I wrote it on you myself."
"You did." Rob grinned before removing my hand and covering the raised skin with the bandage and lowering his shirt. "It's your handwriting. I took it off of a letter you had written me." Rob leaned down and I felt his silky lips lingering on mine. I sighed and opened my mouth as Rob slid his sensual tongue passed my lips to mingle with my own. I closed my eyes and was lost in the moment. I felt blood rushing south and my briefs tightened before Rob disengaged from the kiss.
"You've gotta study babe." "I don't want to study" I protested, studying was the last thing I wanted to do.
"Too bad." Rob grinned and I remembered we were outside in the open.
"Okay." I sighed and turned to head inside. Rob was right, I needed to study. "Wait, is there another surprise?"
"There will be." Rob smiled and started to walk away. "Patience." He shouted before disappearing behind a shrub.
*
"How'd it go babe?"
"School's out for summer." I was trying to give my best Syd Barrett impression. I heard Rob laughing at my singing.
