The Boarding House - Kirby

Kirby could not get to sleep for the life of him. The house was quiet. Maybe quieter than usual. 

What was Fitz up to? He shook the thought. He didn't have thoughts like that. Never. Of course, he might as well have been a monk...until...

He cringed when he thought of Mina. "No, no, no..." It was supposed to be a bad dream. Only it wasn't. What had happened to him? 

Here, he was doing his best to send most of his money every month to Grandy because nobody else in the family was thinking of her, and all she'd done for them all her life was keep them on the right path. Of course, he was doing this for her. He always wanted to be on the right path.

He clutched his comforter, possibly as giddy as a schoolgirl. He'd met Mina. She wasn't like anyone else he'd ever met. Those honest eyes of hers, and the body of pixie. He sighed, throwing the comfort off of him. It was downright hot in here. He got out of bed in the dark and thought maybe going to the kitchen for some cold water could do the trick. Still, he thought it through as he walked down the stairs..... Couldn't he be on the right path with Mina? Truly they were worthy of each other. He just knew. Still, he thought he might be losing it., but as soon as he got down the hall on the girl's floor someone ran smack into his bare chest.

The collision left them both a little breathless or was it unnerving?

"What are you doing here?" He looked at her wide-eyed. He flinched because he was cold. He guessed. He wrapped his arms across his chest.

"What? What are you talking about?" Mina shot him a look. No way was she up to no good.

"Were you trying to spy on Sarah?" He looked needed the truth.

"Well he's in there, you know," She whispered shouted but he put his finger on her top lip and told her to stay quiet. He took her hand and they wandered down to the kitchen. He quietly got her a bottle of water and they went outside to the humid ocean air. 

It was a cool breeze, but at least they were alone, even if he was in his jogging shorts and she was in her stretch shorts and tank.

"Just leave it alone," he told her.

"What? I can't believe you," she looked at him taking a sip of cold water.

"I think Fitz's bark is worse than his bite," Kirby told her.

"I don't want anything to happen to Sarah," Mina hugged herself, but she was looking at him. Especially, his abs.

Kirby cleared his throat and apologized for not wearing a shirt.

"No, it's really OK. Really," she possibly said it more than once but sipped her bottled water.

"You're such a good person," Kirby said and she spewed the water out her mouth that dribbled down her tank. 

"You are too."

For a moment it might be a code for something else. 

"I've got something to tell you," Kirby then confided.

"What's that?" Mina was curious.

"I'll be working at the base, I won't be going on the ship anymore," he pressed his lips tight. "Not that I'll miss it, you know. Lots of cramped conditions. It can make you stir-crazy."

Mina nodded.

"What kind of job is it?" She looked at him blankly, but even then he saw her true beauty..

"Well," Kirby winced, he knew it would be a joke to those back on the ship. They'd call him a day-wienee. "I'll be an officer's secretary."

"Well, that's great," she smiled. and gave him a side hug. 

Kirby couldn't help but let a smile slip. He liked the feeling of having her by his side.

"Now, I can see you every day." She smiled ever so genuinely and he smiled ever so pleased.

He hugged her but told her they should get back to their rooms. Only the front door was locked.