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"Ooh, no, I have you beat. One time, when I was making macaroni and cheese..." And on he went about his escapade of exploding pot lids, bubbling starch water, and at the end he did indeed, by some grace of what must have been supernatural intervention, have macaroni and cheese.

They were both laughing so much that they didn't seem to notice Colin and Rosie take a seat just behind Ella.

Rosie was nearly freaking out. Weren't they spying? She'd never seen Colin this protective of Ella, and it was almost frightening.
"Colin," she hissed. "For heaven's sake,just let her do what she wants! She's a big girl!"
Rosie smiled at the waitress though, politely declining anything other than water, and just ordering a plate of eggs and toast.

Rosie sighed. Her own eyes softened as she looked back at Colin and took his hand for a squeeze.
"I know you want what's best for her, but you can't protect her from everything when everything isn't a threat. You don't know him, and can you hear them laughing?"


Sam wiped at his eye a bit. He hadn't had his ribs hurt in a long time.
"I had one girlfriend who left me because I never made her dinners. I told her I couldn't cook, and when she said that all she wanted was a candlelit dinner with whatever I could make, I offered her a pizza night. Apparently that didn't go over well."

"Ah... Really?" Sam found that hard to believe. Embarrassing as it was, he wanted to kiss her right then and there to take care of all that, but he just set his default smile on his face.
"Key words to my story: I had one girlfriend. And I was fifteen. And you're right, she was a tosspot. I think we dated just to have each other to show off, and nothing more."
An awkward silence passed between them before Sam grinned, rather mischievously for someone like him.
"Never?"


Rosie made him look at her again. Just from his squeeze, she knew Colin was tense.
"Colin... behave."

"No, no, I d-didn't think you would, I mean I just meant that..." What the heck did he mean? Rosie was trying not to laugh as they both listened in on this conversation.
Sam was blushing and trying terribly to gather himself back to center. After a few breaths, it worked and he was back on his energy feet.
"I just meant that for someone I just met today, you're one of the most interesting people I've met on campus and you're beautiful."

He took a swig of his coffee to settle his nerves, though after he had to ask himself what was making him think caffeine would help that.
"It doesn't make sense."

"N-n-no--" But her giggles cured him of any awkward, terrible feeling that he'd messed up with anything. Her laughter eased him, giving him a sense of security so he could properly say what he was thinking.
"It doesn't make sense that no one's ever connected with you on that level. I mean we got to talking about our meditation and everything... and then everything else. I dunno, it just surprises me that you've never found someone because I don't see anything that would drive them away."
His words then were so quiet and sincere that he feared he wouldn't be heard in the place at all, or that Ella would laugh him right out of the booth and out the door.


Rosie calmly took Colin's chin and held it so he could look at her.
"So dearest, what do you think of the weather?" A little sweet smile played on her lips. This was going to be tough.

"I've always sort of been the weird kid, too. I was accepted, sure, but there was always something that set me apart from everyone."
Sam went to drink his coffee, only to find that he was trying to drink air. That made him feel silly, and he set the mug right back down.
"If you want to talk about anything else, I'll try to listen with an open mind."


Rosie always had to look away just as the butterflies rose in her stomach. Colin would give her that feeling forever.
"You're not even looking out the window, goof."

"Then what do you think about energy fields?" And on he went all about his own theories and the paranormal, discussing spirits and everything he could imagine, or didn't understand. He seemed so adamant about sharing all his views that his speech became excitedly quick, without him even noticing.

Rosie blushed terribly. Only Colin could bring those patches of pink to her cheeks.
"You're terrible. So if I'm the sun, what are you? You can't be the moon when you have your own light."

They disagreed on some things, agreed on most, but that was to be expected for anything. Sam knew that there was no way he was letting this girl out of his sight, even if she ended up as just a friend. Because, he knew he wanted her to be more than a friend. He felt like he had a small chance.

Rosie laughed quietly. She could hear their conversation, and looked to Colin for a response to it. He couldn't still be sour if they were having such a good time.