Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

As night fell, Murray had tackled a mountain of work when his phone buzzed. It was Cliff. "Murray, it's been ages, man. Fancy grabbing a beer?"

"Sure."

Murray left his study and changed out of his home clothes into something more casual. As he was heading downstairs, he saw Millie coming in through the front door, taking off her shoes in the foyer. Their eyes met, and both paused, stunned.

Murray asked, "What brings you here?"

Millie ignored his question. "Babe, you heading out?"

"Yeah."

Millie bit her lip awkwardly. "Did... Did I pick a bad time?"

No reply came.

"I, um, I came straight after class. I didn't skip or anything. It's just that I'm feeling sore down there after last night. I've been feeling off all day..."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"I was too embarrassed to hit up the pharmacy alone, worried about getting weird looks. I remembered we had some pain relief patches in the medicine cabinet here, so I came over." Her explanation was hesitant, fearful of being a bother.

"I'll head back to campus now!" Millie waited for his response, which never came. With a determined bite of her lip, she turned to leave.

But then, Murray called out to her. "Come here."

A smile flickered on her lips, quickly suppressed as she turned back. "Babe..."

Murray fetched the first aid kit, rifling through it before frowning. "None of these will work for that part."

Millie's eyes welled up. "So, what now? Pharmacy? But how can I even ask for..."

Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment.

Murray sighed, standing up. "Let's go. I'll take you to the clinic."

Millie sobbed. "It's fine. I don't want to be a bother..."

Grabbing his car keys, Murray was firm. "It's no bother. Cliff just wanted to grab a beer. We can head over after."

Millie hesitated to ask, "Can I... Can I come with you afterward?"

"Yeah."

Millie's face was as red as a beet when they left the clinic.

Murray apologized, "Sorry."

"It's okay. I, I like it. As long as it's with you, I'm happy." Her eyes sparkled with an innocent joy.

Her carefree attitude only made

Murray feel worse. He had mistaken her for Roseanne, and things had gotten complicated. He couldn't bear to think of the heartbreak she'd face if he brought up breaking up.

"Get in the car." Murray opened the driver's side door.

"What?" Millie blinked, confused. "Where to?"

"Weren't you coming with me to Cliff's gathering?"

"Oh." She nodded obediently and climbed into the passenger seat.

...

The party room was buzzing, heavy metal

Sting through the speakers.

Cliff

his

s lost in his world, swirling "One-two-cha-cha-cha..."

York kicked him lightly. "Cut it out. Don't dance before me. It's nauseating."

Cliff raised an eyebrow. "Jealous? It is the latest dance craze. You should try it."

"I'll pass. I'm not keen on making a fool of myself." York stepped back with a look that screamed, "Stay away."

"Where's Murray? You called him, right?" asked York.

Cliff answered casually, "No clue, but he said he'd make it."

York pondered for a moment. "Did you invite Corley?"

"Yeah."

Cliff gave him a thumbs up. "Bold move."

Everyone knew about the fallout between Murray and Corley. Inviting them both was like mixing fire and gasoline.

"You think 'm

Cliff snorted. "I called Murray

tupid, don't you?" Corley bailed. Oh, speak of the è he comes." Contentet