Liz's Predicament

Chapter Twenty: R and R

What a week! I'd had a whirlwind wedding, my friends were pairing off ... it was a good thing it was winter vacation! Not much study was happening!

Randolph had moved me into the new quarters with him.

Carla was visiting family, and Klaus had gone with her.

Saria was holed up with Schuyler.

Amelia was mooning over Saria's brother, Kirito, who had recently been attached to the campus as a doctor. At least it meant I didn't have to go to the clinic in town anymore.

Lisha didn't say much, but she and Luca were pulling an awful lot of pranks.

Melissa had been "kidnapped" by Azusa, but came back looking as though she had gotten the better of him. He looked pretty pleased as well.

Elias was spending time with the new girl, Tania, who had also transferred in, and was going to share the room with Melissa and Carla.

Yukiya seemed rather stunned still by Ruby, whom he had met in town. She was planning to start attending soon.

That brings me to Risa, who was having a bit of a fairytale dream with Randy ...

***

Randy had been dropping gifts off for Risa. One day there was a bouquet outside her door, chocolates left in her desk, little notes left in her books. But there had been so much going on, they hadn't really had much time together.

But now that it was winter break, he finally made a move.

She was doing odd and ends around her room when there was a soft tap at the window. Risa opened it to see Randy waving at her, "Hi Risa! are you busy?"

She shook her head and smiled, "No, not really. Why?"

He grinned, "Because ... well, would you like to go over to the amusement park? They're having a special today. I got tickets."

Well, she didn't really have anything planned ... why not! "Okay," she called down, "Let me just get a jacket."

Despite being winter, it was quite mild, and Risa slipped on jeans and a favorite top, along with her down jacket with the hood.

Randy was waiting outside the building, all smiles. He took her hand and they ran down to the train station. Breathless and laughing, Risa stopped on the platform, and said, "Such a hurry! What are you - mpf!"

She stopped short as Randy pulled her into a kiss. When he let go, she stood and blinked at him a moment. They had kissed a few times, but, wow! that was a bit better than usually. He smiled shyly and took her hand again. "Come on, let's board the train," he said softly, "I ran because I could hardly wait to get you alone." Risa was momentarily speechless, and let him lead her onto the train.

Once they had seats, he grinned and pulled out a small box of her favorite chocolates. "We'll get lunch there, later, I thought we could spend the day out."

Impulsively she hugged him, and then leaned against him, and they munched on the candy and watched the scenery go by.

Once they got there, they wandered around the park, playing some of the games. Risa won a ridiculously gaudy hat. When Randy smirked she hit him with it and he ran! Laughing, she chased him, and found him hiding behind one of the booths. "I've got you now!" she said, and pounced. But he caught her and twisted, so he held her down, "nah, nah, I got you!"

She grinned up at him, but stopped when his face suddenly went serious, "Risa, I - I want ..." and he leaned down and kissed her. And again. And again. Then started to move his hands lower, seeking and tugging. Risa responded, tangling her fingers in his strawberry blond hair, kissing back, sighing lightly. But when he tugged on her jacket to open it, she put a hand on his chest, "No - no, Randy. Not here."