The Boarding House - Fitz

 

By Greg Hill at Bookhaven

Fitz didn't know shit about hedgehogs. 

He wasn't really here for the hedgehog, though, was he?

He fidgeted a little as he looked around Sarah's room. Noting that she'd mostly closed the door. Oh, it was open a crack, but she had clearly closed it most of the way when they'd gone in. And she had sashayed her way up the stairs too, walking up ahead of him, and he felt that was no accident. He'd wanted to say something as he watched her ass, something pithy, but for once he was at a loss for words. 

Was this happening?

He'd been so honed in on Miss Olivia he hadn't given much thought to the younger girls, although they were hot. Each one in their own way. And Sarah especially was nice. He'd meant what he said in the shower...

"So... Harry, huh?" he asked, mostly to make conversation, keep things flowing. His throat was a little dry. He could see her hedgehog running about making rooting noises. He stole a sideways look her way. She was cute with her elfin face and long hair. The way she self consciously tucked that strand of hair behind her ear. 

"Look... I'm sorry about the shower." He wasn't really, of course, and looking at her standing just a few feet away reminded him of how she looked in the shower. Her wet hair, her back turned to him... and yes that derriere. 

He felt a little warm. 

"I just..." He wasn't sure how to explain. "Did you tell anyone?"

"Oh, I told everyone," she said airily, and his heart spiked. Great. Now he'd have that bonehead Kirby breathing down his neck, all high and mighty. And the girls would look daggers at him. Oh well, it was done now. He wondered how Miss Olivia would react. 

"You did? Wonderful," he said drily. 

"Oh, don't worry. I told them it was alright. You ran away awfully fast, though. Lose your nerve?"

He just looked at her. Was she... serious?

She picked Harry up and held him out. "You can hold him."

Fitz wasn't sure he wanted anything to do with the creature but he took it anyway. It was a him, apparently. Light brown with white streaks, and the quills on its back were interesting. It smelled a little. Squirming in his hand, its back leg spasmed a little as if it were trying to get better purchase, unsure of this new fellow holding it. 

Him. 

"What do you feed it?" 

"Oh, I feed it cat food and crickets. And pellets. I have to go to Pet Haus to get his food."

Fitz nodded skeptically. 

"Here," she reached out for him. "You can watch me feed him crickets sometime if you like."

"Sure. It's a date," he laughed. 

Sarah put Harry back in his enclosure. She seemed to be lost in thought. "You know, you have the same last name as Miss Olivia."

"Yeah, I noticed that too." So what?

There was an uncomfortable silence. 

"Why'd you ask me if I lost my nerve?" he broke the silence. 

"You ran away awfully fast."

"Shouldn't I have?"

"What do you think?"

"You did scream."

"I wasn't expecting you there. Did you like what you saw?" She moved a little closer. 

"You know I did."

"Fitz..." She looked conflicted. 

"Yes?"

She sighed as if she'd made up her mind. "Go close the door."