“Casey, get that!” I groaned from the cocoon I had made of my sheets and comforter. Lately I had gotten into the bad habit of wrapping my blankets around me during the night and usually when I woke up it took me a good 10 minutes to detangle myself. The knocking at the door got even more persistent. “Casey please!” I whined even louder, beginning to struggle even more to bust out of my cocoon. I was pretty positive that I was only managing to make everything worse. The knocking stopped and I slumped against the bed hoping that it was one of Casey’s dumb flavor of the weeks. Two loud pounds on the door made me jump.

“Casey-” I got my head free of my cocoon and looked across the small dorm room where I had expected Casey to be but alas, my roommate was not there. I looked over at the clock on my desk, wincing slightly at the bright light that was coming through the small window in our room. It was nearly two, I had slept in way past the normal time I got up.

“Jordan open up!” I knew that deep voice. My struggles to free myself became frantic, I got one arm free just before I twisted the wrong way and fell off my twin bed, landing hard on my shoulder. I hissed out a cuss word as I wiggled my way out of the blankets, standing up and stumbling because the blanket was still wrapped around my foot. I kicked that off and finally made it to the door, throwing it open with gusto. No one was there.

I stepped out into the hall, glancing towards the left and saw three girls coming back from the bathroom. I looked to the right and saw the shrinking back of a broad shoulder man as he walked away at a pace that had me running at full speed.

“Wait!” I called out. The man turned and I didn’t have time to stop as my body collided with his. Strong arms wrapped around me as we fell over together.

“Jesus Jordan,” The wheeze came from beneath me. As soon as I had slammed into his hard body I had clenched my eyes tightly shut, now I slowly opened them to assess the damage. I looked up into slightly narrowed green eyes.

“Why’d you walk away?” I asked, purposely sticking out my lower lip as I looked at him. His deep chuckle rumbled through his chest and I automatically put my head down to listen to it.

“What is going on here?!” My head snapped up, making a loud, disgusting cracking noise. The deep chuckle rumbled again before a large, warm hand pressed against my sore neck. “This is a college dorm, not a motel 8!” I rolled my eyes as I slowly got up and pulled the large man up with me. I looked over at Winnie, our floors attendant. She thought it was her personal job to keep all of us sophomores safe, which meant scaring away all guys.

“Hey, for once it’s not my fault Winnie, she tackled me.” His hands came up in surrender and I hit his stomach, glaring over at him. “Not that I can really blame her, I mean, look at me.” His famous cocky grin spread across his face and I made gagging noises.

“How did you even get up here Warrick?” Winnie hissed, crossing her arms over her nonexistent chest and glared at Warrick. I pursed my lips and glanced between the two people I was stuck in-between. I understood why Winnie was yelling at us, this wasn’t the first time she had found us together but it was the most innocent time. Also Warrick loved pushing Winnie’s buttons.

“That’s a secret.” Warrick said, wiggling his fingers at her and making ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ing noises.

“Sorry Winnie, its my fault but we weren’t doing anything wrong, I swear I just hadn’t seen him in a long time and got excited.” I rambled, running a hand through my hair, which I’m sure was sticking out at all sorts of odd angles.

“Well you two can meet in the common room or somewhere else, the girls dorm room is only for girls.” She glared at Warrick, who gave her a beaming smile back. “That means you have to leave.” Warrick turned me to him, his hands on my shoulders and his face looked grim.

“I don’t know when we shall see each other next so I will leave you with something to remember me with,” I went to protest but his mouth was against mine instantly. The familiar heat spread throughout my body as his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against him. Distantly I heard Winnie yelling.

Before I had a chance to kiss him back Warrick was off at a full run, his hand over his head. I noticed that Winnie had gotten closer and had a rolled up magazine in her hand. I laughed before she spun around to glare at me, murder in her eyes. I squeaked and took off to my own room, listening as a bunch of girls laughed, some applauding.

I looked at the full length mirror that Casey and I shared, it was on the back of our dorm room door. My hair was indeed sticking up at odd angles and slightly wavy from falling asleep right after I had taken a shower. I was wearing a large gray t-shirt with Army stamped across the front, it was twisted and wrinkled. My plaid pajama pants were like the shirt, and one of the legs of the pants had been pulled up to my knee. I was also missing one sock.

I changed quickly, brushing my hair and pulling it into a pony tail. I walked out of the dorm room, remembering to lock it behind me because a couple girls on the floor had a bunch of things stolen when they forgot to lock it. I walked out of the Chester Girls Dorm building and hopped down the couple of stairs, my eyes scanning the large yawn.

Warrick was leaning against a tree, somewhat hidden in the shade and watching me. I waved and began walking towards him as he stood up straight and leisurely made his way over to me.

“What took you so long to get to the door?” He asked, his green eyes still twinkling with amusement. I reached up, grabbing the hair on the nape of his neck lightly before pulling him towards me. His lips were soft and slightly chapped against mine.

“What took you so long to see me?” I asked after our kiss. He rested his forehead against mine. Usually I would be worried about PDA but after nearly two weeks of not seeing my boyfriend I didn’t really care.

“I couldn’t get away,” His voice was low and husky, his eyes slightly hooded and just that quickly, his mind was slipping in the ‘dark space’. Warrick was training to be a medic in the army. After graduating half a year early from high school he had immediately joined up. Warrick learned things quickly and retained knowledge efficiently, he was flying through his training. I could feel the days ticking down until he would be sent over. Medics were on short hand and there was no doubt in my mind that he would be shipped off as soon as his training was done.

“Lets go get something to eat,” I let my arms slid away from him and tried to turn but his arms only tightened around me. I raised an eye brow and looked into his eyes. “No Warrick.” I shook my head firmly, knowing his thoughts were not on food. He growled lowly, the sound vibrating through his chest and making my legs shaky. If I didn’t get away from him soon he’ll have me pulled in.

“Jordan, we haven’t seen each other in two weeks,” Warrick argued and I could see him slowly losing his control. I remember the day at the zoo back in our Junior year when he had gotten angry at me for having this effect on him. He told me I made him lose all control, I told him that’s because he’s a horn dog.

“You think I don’t know that?” I answered back but not angrily. I suppose letting him pull me into the ‘dark space’ wasn’t too bad. Sure I was only half asleep and my stomach was protesting loudly but he looked much worse now that some of my excitement had ebbed off. Warrick wasn’t allowed to talk about his training but he often times went to different army hospitals to practice and help out. There was dark circles underneath his bright green eyes and he had lost a bit of weight, though he was mostly hard muscle now.

“I got a motel right by here,” He moved his head down, kissing my neck lightly and driving me insane. I tilted my head to the side, giving him more access. Warning Jordan, you’re dangerously close to falling head first into the DARK SPACE!

“A motel? How romantic.” I cooed jokingly. I felt his body sag in defeat, his forehead now resting on my shoulder.

“I know, I’m sorry.” He whispered and I knew this was just another one of his tricks. It was this one that usually got me too. I felt him move his face a little and rub it against my bare neck, his warm breath tickling along the sensitive skin. “I’m sorry that all I can think about is being alone with you,” He brushed his lips over my neck and my body automatically heated up. You’re slipping Jordan!

“Warrick I’m just-” He cut me off by taking a small piece of skin between his teeth and nibbling lightly. I let out a small giggle, struggling to push him away but he held on tighter.

“I’m a wreck Jordan, all I can ever think about is you,” Warrick growled, now moving his mouth up to my ear. “I’m a horrible soldier and an even worse boyfriend.”

“You said you have a room?” I groaned out, not believing I had given into him once again. Jerk. He was buying me lunch after this!

--

I traced a big balloon on Warrick’s back with my pointer finger before repeating the same motion. Warrick grunted and I laughed before leaning over and placing a kiss in between his shoulder blades. He turned his head to look at me and I smiled. I knew he was tired and was forcing himself to stay awake for my sake and I was trying everything in my power to get him to go too sleep.

“Just sleep Warrick,” I touched the tips of my fingers to his lips lightly, feeling them stretch out into a lazy smile. He reached out for me, wrapping his arms around me before flipping over onto his back and pulling me down on top of him.

“Jordan-” Warrick let out a loud sigh, his chest raising beneath me. He tucked my head under his chin so I couldn’t look at his face so I just closed my eyes and waited for him to finish what he started saying. Warrick was weird in that sense, if he had something really important to tell someone he would start off and then stop himself and if you pushed him to continue he would just clam up. You had to just wait patiently, which was sometimes very frustrating.

“Jordan, I’m shipping off soon.” He finally whispered. I felt like all the air had been knocked out of my lungs. My stomach tightened into a knot and I was suddenly glad he couldn’t see my face.

“How soon?” I managed to get out in a surprisingly steady voice.

“A week.” Warrick croaked out. His arms tightened around me as my whole body felt very heavy. A week? He only had a week to spend here before being shipped over to Iraq and then I wouldn’t see him for a year, or even more.

The room was suddenly deadly silent, the air had once been carefree and fun but now it had a heavy feeling to it. I squirmed out of his arm and sat beside him, looking down at him. His bright green eyes were searching mine worriedly. This didn’t seem like the right time to have this conversation. I was wearing his large t-shirt that went down to mid-thigh on me and he was only in his boxers. I wanted to go back to five minutes ago.

“I wanted to tell you to your face, that’s why I had to wait so long,” He reached up while he spoke, cupping his large hand around my face. I closed my eyes and leaned my head towards the warmth that was radiating from his hand. “There’s something else.”

“There’s more?” I asked, my eyes opening in surprise.

“Yeah, they are throwing us a party, all our family and friends are invited. We’re suppose to wear our uniforms and for everyone else it’s 20’s themed.” He turned his hand over and ran his knuckles lightly over my cheek. I took his hand in mine and kissed the palm. The moment was so sickly sweet if I was reading about it I’d probably start laughing.

“So I can dress up as a swinger?” I asked, getting a little excited. Kale would help me find an outfit, she would most likely be going too. Kale was Warrick’s step sister and one of my best friends, she was really into history and fashion so she would know about what to wear.

“You can come in your underwear for all I care,” Warrick stopped mid chuckle, his green eyes glistening with mischief. “I wouldn’t mind that in the least.” His fingers trailed from my bare knee up my thigh, teasing along the line where the bottom of the shirt started.

“You want all your army buddies to see me in my underwear?” I asked, trying to keep my voice light and ignore the head that spread throughout my face and the goose bumps his fingers were raising. I didn’t find it quite fair that after 2 years he could still make me react like this, like some love sick preteen crushing over Leonardo Dicaprio. Except Warrick was right here, real and warm beneath me and he was staring directly at me with those impossibly green eyes.

“No, I’ll kill them,” Warrick grunted out in a voice that could only be described as He-Man. I grunted back, pounding a fist against my chest.

“Me women, you kiss women now.” He didn’t find my impersonation of him funny at all. I let out an indignant squeak as he flipped me over, so I was now laying flat on my back and he was looming over me, pinning me down. Warrick put both my wrists in one of his large hands above my head and I attempted to give him an innocent look. “What are you doing?” I asked, raising my eye brows at him in mock innocence.

“You ordered me to kiss you.” Warrick said with a shrug before a slow grin crept across his face. “I don’t like being ordered around.” He lowered his face until his nose was touching mine, his warm breath cascaded over my face, smelling like York peppermint.

“Then you are in the wrong occupation buddy,” I smiled at him, as his free hand slid along my side and rested on my hip. The small movement made me shiver.

“Jordan, I missed you-” I could tell it made him uncomfortable to say this, he didn’t come from a background where it was okay to admit your feelings and he didn’t do it very often. I opened my mouth to tell him just how much I missed him, since I had come from a family where I was encouraged to show and voice my every emotion but he cut me off before I could.

“No Warrick stop!” A loud, girlish squeal broke through and I was horrified to acknowledge that the hideous noise came from me. He continued to tickle my side with a renewed vigor as my laughter got louder and my protests came out in gasps, I squirmed beneath him but he was too big for me to move.

Even in this perfect moment I couldn’t help think of all our other moments like this. It seemed to me it was the calm before the storm. Let the storm come, I could handle it if just on the other side was another moment like this.