The chortling of a noisy coffeemaker woke me just as the sun peeked over the horizon. Stumbling out of bed and into the shower, I relished how the steamy water refreshed my body and spirit like a baptism into adulthood, washing away the old Jess. The one who had hidden behind her family. Behind her celibacy. It removed the dead cells that had clung to my old mask and allowed the fresh, healthy skin to grow anew.

"Remind me again why I'm up at oh-dark-thirty?" I groaned as I wrapped a towel around myself and dried my hair.

"Just one little French class with Eric," Helen said with a yawn. "Then you can spend the morning together until your grandparents pick you up."

"Don't remind me of them," I said. "Not before coffee at least."

Nerves twisted in my belly like a bundle of worms, the sudden rush of adrenaline almost negating my need for caffeine. I'd forgotten that my reprieve would soon end. In a few hours I'd have to go back to my old life. My strict life. Without Eric, Helen, or the other guys.

With a heavy sigh I put on the same drab outfit I'd worn on Saturday.

"Oh, no, you don't," Helen growled as she took out the cute black velvet dress. "I let you get away with that crazy outfit yesterday, but not today."

"I'm not sure when I can return it to you."

"Keep it," she said with a wink. "It'll remind you of us."

"I couldn't possibly--!"

"Accept my gift like a sensible friend, Jess."

"Thank you so much," I said, taking the hanger. The bodice fit me like a glove, hugging my body while demurely falling to the knee. "I love it, but Mom will kill me!"

"Well, tell her she's wrong," Helen huffed. "Damn, even I'm jealous. Give me your curves, girl!"

"Are you sure this is appropriate for class?" I asked, twirling in front of the mirror.

Helen handed me the same black platform sandals I wore for movie night. "You should see what some people wear. Especially for eight a.m. classes. Some go in PJs."

"Are you for real?"

"You'll see," she said. "If anything you'll be overdressed. You're just not used to stretch. Trust me."

Helen helped me choose my makeup and styled my hair, which hung in gentle, dark waves down my back. It reminded me of Eric's chat when he'd said how much he loved that kind of hair and running his hands through it.

Oh, God! I wish he would.

The thought warmed me to the core.

"Like I said, Eric will be panting on the inside when he sees you."

"Thanks, Helen."

She gave me a hug. "Don't mention it. I've got a dozen more dresses where that came from. When you visit again, I'll set you up with another outfit."

"But my family would never--"

She held up a hand to stop me. "Don't worry. We're a clever bunch. We'll make it work."

Helen headed towards Smith Hall for class while I knocked on Eric's door. I exhaled a deep breath and shook out my hands to dispel my nervous energy.

When Eric greeted me, I was glad I'd dressed up after all. Today he was wearing a smart collared shirt with expensive khaki pants. His hair was slightly tousled, which added to his charm. Upon seeing me, his eyes widened and his mouth opened a fraction in surprise.

"Jess," he breathed.

"Morning," I said, trying to sound as chipper as possible without caffeine.

"You look lovely," Eric said, running a hand through his hair. "I mean, as always. I mean..."

"Ready for French class?" I asked to break the tension.

"Sorry, yes." He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I'm not a morning person, I'm afraid. Would you like to grab some coffee first?"

"Would I ever!"

To my pleasant surprise, he held out the crook of his arm and smiled.

"If I may...?"

My heart almost burst with happiness at his gesture. Oh, gosh! Guys still do that? This is awesome!

Beaming with delight, I slipped my arm inside the crook of his. It was a bit awkward because of our height difference, but that didn't matter.

Never in my life had my heart felt so free.

As we walked past sleepy students, we might as well have been their morning coffee. People began to look, smile, or give gentle nods in our direction.

"Why are they staring?" I whispered.

"Probably never seen a couple so happy this early in the morning," he said with a grin. "Especially this close to finals."

Couple?

Did I mishear him? Or imagine it?

No...he definitely said 'couple'.

What do I say? Anything?

I decided to play it casual. "Probably right," I said with a happy chuckle.

Eric patted my hand and dropped his arm. "I'm a bit lopsided, I'm afraid."

As we walked side by side, our hands almost touched. In a bold move I took his hand with an inquisitive look, not quite sure of the right way to get his consent.

Eric's face lit up like the morning sun. He gave me a gentle squeeze of reassurance and intertwined our fingers.

Standing on the landscaped path before Stein Hall, Eric took both my hands in his. He gazed down at me, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I wish we could go to the Music Hall instead of class," he said. "I have so much to show you."

"Moi aussi, mais nous devons aller au cours de français maintenant," I said, suggesting that we should go to his French class first. 

"Oui, mademoiselle," he said, agreeing with me. "Allons-y."

That was the first time we walked hand in hand to class.

***

"Now we're free," said Eric as we bounded out of French class. "What did you think?"

"I loved it!" My face fell. "Do you think it was okay that I answered some of the questions?"

"Absolutely. I think you made a great impression."

I wish I didn't have to go back.

Eric squeezed my hand as though he detected my nerves. "Would you like to hear classical music on a real piano? They have a Steinway in Brooks."

"I'd love that," I said, my enthusiasm renewed.

We headed towards Brooks and entered the concert hall. Several rows of tiered seats were arranged in a semicircle around a large open area made of light wooden laminate. Or perhaps it was real wood. It was hard to tell.

In the center stood a gorgeous black grand piano. I gaped at it, never having seen an instrument so gorgeous--so expensive--in all my life.

"Would you accompany me to the stage?" he asked.

"I'd love to," I whispered as we strode towards the instrument.

"Lady's request," he said as he sat on the bench. "What would you like?"

The words tumbled from my lips, probably thanks to Helen's comment after movie night. "Phantom of the Opera?"

He chuckled. "Mm, gladly. But I think that would work best on the organ."

"Something touching, like Moonlight Sonata," I suggested.

Eric pondered in silence, cupping his chin with his forefinger. "I know just the thing." He patted the bench. "Would you join me?"

I sat beside him as he closed his eyes and began to play Chopin's Waltz in A Minor.

If I thought his keyboard playing was amazing, this opened up a whole new world of art. His notes resonated within my soul, each tone as rich and as deep as his own voice.

His music lulled me into a kind of waking trance. A lucid daydream of walking in a forest glade. It conjured such a vivid image in my mind's eye that I could almost detect the pungent aroma of pines and wild garlic.

Eric reached out his hand to help me cross a stream over some stepping stones. When I almost fell backward, he pressed me to his chest.

"Stay here with me," he said. "Don't go back there with them."

"I want to stay," I whispered. "But I have no choice."

"Study here next year."

"I'll work hard and make it happen. I promise."

Eric pressed his lips against mine in a chaste kiss. Tingles raced up and down my spine.

"Can you hear it?" His music echoed in the woods. Chopin's Waltz. "Just listen to the notes and what they say."

The forest floor morphed into a dance floor. Eric was dressed in his finest black-tie tuxedo while I wore a flowing white dress, my white chiffon neck scarf blowing in the wind. A hairdo and make-up suitable for prom night.

But it was just the two of us.

"You're beautiful." He held out a gloved hand. "Dance with me."

Free from the confines of reality, I danced a flawless waltz with him like I'd seen in so many movies. One hand of his on my waist, the other holding mine. Gliding me towards freedom...

He played the final chords with a loving caress of the keys and bowed his head, almost grimacing with intense focus. I closed my eyes, relishing those final moments.

The last note reverberated in my heart long after the sound had faded.

Eric held my hand, drawing me back to reality. I slowly opened my watery eyes, squinting in the bright sunlight.

"You understand, don't you?" Eric whispered as he squeezed my hand.

I scooted closer to him and braved a glance into his eyes. He gazed at me with a soft look of tender affection that melted my heart.

"This is the way you kiss." My bluntness terrified even me, and I quickly added, "Or show your affection. Whatever that might be."

His eyes widened. "How do you know? No one knows that, not even Helen."

"I could tell," I replied. "Like you said, I can synthesize the words and phrases."

Eric closed his eyes. "Jess?"

"Yes?"

"You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now."

My voice escaped as a whisper. "I want you to kiss me."

Eric searched my eyes as though he were trying to interpret a complex equation. With small movements he drew nearer, enveloping me in his warm embrace. He nestled his head in the crook of my neck and planted a chaste kiss in that tender spot.

A pleasurable shudder coursed through my body. His lips lingered this time, and a soft, almost inaudible sigh of contentment escaped me.

Yes, Eric. Just like that.

Never had I desired to French kiss anyone. Exchanging saliva and playing tag with a guy's tongue?

No, thanks.

But Eric's warm lips on my sensitive skin set my soul on fire. I didn't think I was capable of romantic passion, but I was wrong. He could kiss me like that for hours if he wanted.

Eric grew a bit more insistent, cupping my neck in his palm. His lips trailing up towards my ear. My skin tingling. My body trembling, overwhelmed by the intense burning his touch had unleashed inside me.

Oh, God. What are you doing to me?

I drew a ragged breath.

Eric hastily pulled away with a concerned look. "Is it okay that--?"

"Do it again."

I was so shocked by my assertive tone that I almost apologized. Not even a please. It sounded downright demanding. But Eric didn't give me a chance to say sorry.

He brushed my neck again with his lips, caressing my back as he did so. A breathy exhale escaped as he ran his fingers through my dark waves.

Oh, Eric, yes...

A trail of his soft, gentle kisses along my shoulder left fiery tingles in its wake. Warm fuzzies cascaded down my spine and spread to my every limb. Even my face tingled as I fought to catch my breath.

"Wow," I breathed. "How...?"

He smiled as he retreated to a polite distance. "It's a relief to know you have a tender spot too."

"What's yours?" I asked with intense curiosity, blushing once I realized the intimacy of the question.

He smiled as he closed the piano cover. "When you find it, you'll know."

The thought gave me tingles, and I flushed crimson. "Oh..."

"When can we schedule our next dance lesson?" he asked, clearing his throat. "I realize you have a...strict schedule."

Strict family, you mean.

"I need more practice before prom," I said, "but I don't know how to sell it to my family."

"Would it help if they met me? Or got to know me first?" he asked, running a hand through his hair.

My family will kill me if I show up with a guy they don't know.

"I'm not sure," I said in all honesty. "They're so damned strict." My stomach leaped into my throat. "What if they don't let me go to prom with you?"

"Hey, we'll find a way. Don't worry." Eric touched my shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "If it's easier, you don't have to tell them about me."

I turned to face him. "What do you mean?"

"Go on your own," he said with a shrug. "We'll meet at prom. As far as they'll know, you had fun with Care and your friends."

"Would you be okay with that?" I asked.

"I understand not wanting to rock the boat," he said. "We should think in the long term. In a few months you'll be on your own."

"But the tickets..."

"I'll pay my way," he said, drawing me close. "It'll be our secret if that helps."

"I feel bad. Like I'm hiding you away." I hugged him, and he pressed me closer. "I don't want to hide."

Eric kissed the crown of my head. "You don't have to decide now. But I'd rather hide than not dance with you at all."

Why do I feel this close to him so soon? Am I crazy? After two days?

"I'll think about it," I said. "But I want you to be there."

His face lit up like the sun, and he kissed my hand. "It'd be my honor."