She was quiet, her face buried in his neck. “You understand it, though, right? You understand why it’s hard.” *** “No, of course not. I like you too much.”
“It’s just... God. I don’t want to be with you just because a metal machine on my wrist says I need to.” *** “Or maybe I’m the realest mantis shrimp around.”
"I know," he said again, his voice quieting. "It's okay." *** "Do you know how ridiculous that sounded?"
She wrapped her arms around herself before clearing her throat awkwardly. “I’m, uh... I’m going to go shower.” *** “That’s what you think.”
He nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Ah.. Alright." *** She kissed his cheek. "It's what I know."
She looked down at him before kissing his cheek and headin to the bathroom, her clothes wrapped around herself. *** “Uh huh. Keep thinking that.”
The door clicked quietly behind her and the lock turned in place. *** “Just wait until the revolution, though,” he muttered under his breath.
(orp) * * * "Sure you can. And besides, I'm not a mantis shrimp. I'm 20 mantis shrimp in a trenchcoat."
Val exited the bathroom, pulling the bottom of her shirt down her stomach. She wore black pants and a dark grey v-neck tee shirt. "Landon, have you seen my coat?" * * * "Wow. And I thought we had something."
He looked up at her, then pointed by the door. "Arm rest of the chair." *** "Not when you're 20 Mantis shrimp in a trench coat."
She looked over at it before nodding and crossing the room, pulling it on. "Great. Thanks." * * * "But... we're soulmates..."
