Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding 1)

A Simple Kiss

Author's Note: Just FYI as you read this chapter if an entire statement is in italics that means it is a text message. Enjoy!

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Is it still me that makes you sweat?

Am I who you think about in bed?

When the lights are dim and your hands are shaking as you're sliding off your dress?

Then think of what you did

And how I hope to God he was worth it.

When the lights are dim and your heart is racing as your fingers touch his skin.

-Panic at the Disco "Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off"

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Chapter 12: Late November Two and a Half Years Earlier

"You busy?"

Lexi read the text message she received from Jack and smiled. She relaxed back against the comfort of Clark's passenger seat. They were on their way back to his place after enjoying the brisk afternoon atmosphere at the quaint downtown deli just before finals.

"Not sure. I'm w/ Clark. What's up?"

"Who's that?" Clark asked his eyebrows furrowing as he watched her fingers slide against her beat up phone.

"Oh," she said her head snapping up as she pressed the send button, "Jack's just seeing what we're doing tonight."

"I want to see your sexy little body."

Lexi grin widened at the message. "You miss me?"

"What did you tell him?" Clark questioned her taking the turn a little faster than anticipated.

"That it was up to you," she trilled merrily.

"It's been five f**king long days!"

"Well, in that case, maybe I can get away."

"Did you want to do something?" Clark asked attempting to read over her shoulder.

"Doesn't matter to me. We can if you want," she said her head still buried in her phone. "Did you want to?"

"Do that. I can't wait another minute without you."

"I mean I was planning on going home," he said checking her reaction.

She snapped her phone shut and turned to face him in her seat. "You want to leave?" she gasped. "I thought we were going to do something together this weekend. You were gone all last weekend with MBA stuff. Don't go." Clark had been accepted into their school's prestigious Business graduate program at the end of last year. It had been extremely beneficial that he had received the offer since that meant that he wasn't leaving for Atlanta to find a job. Instead, he would be able to stay in town for her senior year.

"I'll try. No promises."

"Lex, I'll make it worth it."

"I haven't seen my parents in a long time though. You know that."

"I know, but Thanksgiving isn't even until Thursday. Do you have to leave so early?" she asked. They had originally planned on going to their parents separately on Wednesday and staying through until the next weekend. That would give them both enough time together and apart.

"You could come with me," he offered.

Lexi crinkled her nose. Lexi loved Clark's parents. They were caring and loving and always wanted to take them out, but she had thought they were going to spend some much needed alone time together. Guess he had a different agenda. "You know I have that big paper due."

"Oh I know you will make it worth it."

"Then what's stopping you?"

"It'd only be for the weekend. You'd still have the rest of the break to work on your paper."

"Yeah maybe. I just feel really behind. With applications, LSAT, and everything I've just had no time to work on this paper, and it's due as soon as we get back."

"Maybe I'll just go tonight and be back to be with you tomorrow. Would that give you more time to work on it?"

"Clark."

"…"

"I shouldn't. I can't."

"You won't. It's different."

Lexi stuck out her bottom lip. "I'll miss you."

"I'm sure you will."

"What if he's in town? I can't get away."

"You'll figure it out."

"So what's Jack doing tonight?" Clark asked eyeing her suspiciously. "I didn't think you guys were still talking that much."

"We're not really. I guess he's just bored. He's talking about going to downtown."

"What about Kate?"

"What about her?"

"Is he trying to get a group together?" Clark asked curiously.

"I guess so."

Clark pulled his phone out of his pocket and lit up the screen. "Hmm…I'm surprised he didn't message me too."

"We come as a match set. There'd be no reason to send messages to both of us," she informed him.

"How are you going to get away from her?"

"I don't know. I'll just tell her I don't want to hang out tonight."

"That simple?"

"Yes."

"I supposed you're right. Maybe after you're finished with your studying you could go out tonight. You should go out tonight while I'm gone. Hang out with the crew and all. Have a good time. You've been too stressed lately."

"Maybe," she stated uncertainly.

"Clark thinks we're all going out tonight."

"Why did you tell him that?"

"He was asking a lot of questions..."

"You should text Seth and see if he's going. That way you're guaranteed a good time, and plenty of girls to diffuse his advances," he said chuckling to himself. "Want me to text him?"

"Oh no," she said quickly. She was pretty sure Jack hadn't messaged anyone else about it just yet. "I have his number."

"You'll leave early with me if we go out?"

"Of course. Don't invite Clark."

"Like I'd want to."

Hours later after kissing Clark good-bye and getting all dolled up, Lexi waited rather impatiently in her apartment. She had refused Jack's offer to pick her up just for proprieties sake. If they were going to be out in public, she'd rather not make it look like a date. She had planned on driving herself. However, Olivia had decided she wanted a night out and had insisted on driving. That was fine with Lexi, but Olivia was pretty much the slowest person on the planet. It took her at least thirty minutes longer than anyone else she knew when it came down to getting ready to go out.