Laughing Fate by Roxy Emilia Means Page B

picture; tonight Puck had resembled that smiling girl in the photo. He had to forcefully relax his arms, which had on reflex tightened around Puck. Tomorrow he was going to talk to Sandy about that Kyle. He disliked thinking that Puck had probably been nestled into his arms too, and probably much more, being that they went out for three years. Potter frowned as he thought of that punk dating Puck. If he was responsible for hurting Puck, then Potter would make him pay. It was the least any friend would do.
    Puck stirred from her sleep, feeling his arms tighten around her. She stared sleepily up into his face and asked, "Why are you frowning? Am I too heavy? I shouldn’t have fallen asleep, I’m sorry. I should be getting home, Perri is probably frantic."
    Potter blinked, letting go of thoughts of Kyle and what he’d like to do to him. He slowly smiled and said that no, she wasn’t too heavy and then with a little bit of reluctance, allowed her to get up. He loved the way she smelled. It was a strong perfume that smelled of flowers and wine, it clung to her skin and filled the room with it when she walked in. Why hadn’t he noticed that before?
    "What perfume are you wearing?" he asked as she tugged her skirt into place. She really did look cute, all rumpled up from her nap. Her hair was tied in a pony tail and her face was free of any make up. She looked tired, but happy. She was certainly the most relaxed he had ever seen her. She looked beautiful.
    "I’m not wearing any." Puck said as she stared at him as if he was an idiot. She sniffed her shirt and looked back at him. "Why, do I smell bad or something?"
    Potter grinned and stood up to hug her good bye. "You don’t smell bad, don’t worry. Do you want me to walk with you home? Not because you need protection, but because I’m your friend and I want to know you get home safely."
    Puck narrowed her eyes at him and considered his offer. It held a slight note of machoism 101, that a guy had to protect a girl, but he looked so cute when he asked it that she couldn’t really say no. Besides she was being hugged by him at the time and she was slightly drugged by the scent of surf wax. God, he smelt good. So in the end she accepted his offer and let him walk her home. They chatted of this and that and soon they were at her door and they were saying good bye.
     
    ****
     
    The next morning, Potter knocked on Sandy’s door bright and early. She opened it up wearing plaid pajamas and holding a cup of coffee. She looked surprised to see him at her door, but she let him in.
    Potter thanked her and walked inside her house. It was decorated in a very homey sort of way. There were flowers and pillows and little figurines everywhere. Her couch looked comfortable and inviting as did the rest of her house. He stared at a picture of the beach on her wall and tried to think of the best way to broach the subject.
    Sandy stared at him as she sipped her coffee. She knew he must have a reason for calling on her, but he was certainly taking his sweet time with it. She watched him contemplate the painting of the seaside on her wall for all of five minutes. Finally she lost her patience and decided to prod him along. If left to his own devises, the stupid man might be in her home all day long. She guessed it had something to do with Puck, but she had no clue what it could be.
    "So what can I do for you?" Sandy asked to break the silence.
    Potter turned around and took a bracing breath. Maybe he could ease into the conversation. ‘Hi Sandy nice place, so tell me about that punk Kyle....’ There had to be some way to ease into it. After a moment of thought, Potter decided to stop thinking about it and just spit it out.
    "You are Puck’s best friend, so you must know all about Puck’s past, right?"
    Sandy took another sip of coffee and then answered him, "What do you want to know?"
    “ Has she ever dated anyone? I was trying to think if she had, and I can’t remember her ever dating."