Educated Hearts

Chapter Four           

(A month later)

Mimi had been staring at the same page in her history book for the past five minutes. She was sitting on her bed, back against the wall, and could not make it past the page in front of her. Her head was throbbing after a long day of classes and studying, but that wasn't the only thing causing her to stall.

As he often had in the past few weeks, thoughts of Jason were filling her head. They had been spending a lot of time together, too much time really. They studied together; they made each other laugh, they went out for dinners and movies together, and were growing closer and closer as the days wore on. She would have never thought it possible, but it was true. Jason was her friend, perhaps even her best friend at this moment.

Sure, Belle was truly her best friend, and always would be, but Belle was in New York with Phillip and Chloe. And, even though she was a thousand miles away, Mimi knew she could always depend on her for anything. Of course, half of their phone conversations were spent with Belle pouting because Shawn was all the way in California attending Pepperdine. So, lately, when her problems needed more immediate attention she found herself turning to Jason. All she had to do was walk across the hall and knock on his door if she needed someone to make her smile. Then there were times when he would somehow just show up without her even calling him.

And, this was one of those times. She heard him clear his throat as he stood in the doorway, and she looked up from her book. A smile immediately graced her lips and Jason smiled back at her.

"Hey Jase..."

"Meems... You look..."

"Terrible?"

Jason shook his head. "No, I was going to be a bit more complimentary than that. You just look tired, that's all."

Mimi nodded in agreement. "I am tired. I think I slept weird last night, and I've had this pain in my neck all day. I named it Jason, in your honor, of course. And, now I've got his headache from reading this stupid history book."

Jason grinned and wagged his eyebrows at her, causing her to giggle softly and roll her eyes. "I think I can take care of that for you."

"Oh really?"

Jason rubbed his hands together and then sat himself on the bed next to her. He grabbed the book out of her hands and haphazardly threw it to the floor. "Scoot up, Lockhart."

Mimi did as she was told, moving so that her back was facing him. She felt his hands go to either side of his face, and he began gently rubbing her temples with his index fingers. Mimi let her head droop slightly and closed her eyes.

Each tiny circle he smoothed into her skin started to make her headache disappear gradually. He continued massaging her temples until she let out a soft sigh.

Jason leaned forward and whispered softly into her ear. "Headache better?"

Mimi could barely speak, she just muttered a quiet, "Mmm-hmmm..."

"Good, now let's see what I can do about that pain in your neck."

"Its name is Jason."

Jason laughed and cracked his knuckles, flexing his fingers to get them loose. "Only you, Mimi Lockhart, would name your aches and pains."

Mimi kept her head bowed and mumbled. "Uh-huh." She was feeling far too good to practice their normal sarcastic banter.

Jason slipped his fingers into her hair and Mimi sighed again. He began slowly, rubbing the tips of his fingers at the place where her hair met the base of her neck. Gradually, he applied a bit more pressure and moved his fingers further down her neck. He let one hand stray down her back, gently applying pressure up and down her spine, as the other hand continued massaging her sore neck muscles.

Mimi held herself back from making any noise. Jason's fingers were strong but tender at the same time, and they were stirring feelings inside her that she hadn't felt in far too long. He moved himself closer to her, and she leaned backwards slightly, until she was practically resting on his chest. The heat of his body warmed her, and she felt a tingle move from her toes up to her head.

*Oh no. For God's sake, Mimi, calm yourself. Just because an incredibly hot guy happens to be giving you a fantastic massage is no reason for you to forget who the hot guy happens to be.*

Jason continued moving his hands over her neck and back, and Mimi could hardly believe how sensual this entire experience was becoming. The feel of his warm breath blowing through her hair as he leaned into her was unbearably sexy. Not to mention, he smelled clean and fresh, like he was just out of the shower, even though Mimi figured it had been hours since his last shower.

*Damnit, Mimi* She thought to herself. *This is not supposed to be a time for sexy thoughts. You are not supposed to be attracted to your friend, especially if that friend is Jason Masters.*

Jason's firm hands continued the massage, tenderly kneading the muscles in her tired back, and running over her neck. Mimi felt like her insides were on fire, as he was relentless with his touches. She tried to tell herself that this was just a friend giving another friend a massage, helping her to relieve her aches and pains after a stressful day. But, never had any of her other friends given her a massage like this.

She cursed herself silently. *You're thinking too much. You should just try and enjoy yourself. Don't think about why he's doing this, just let him work his magic.*

Jason moved his hands over to her shoulders and began massaging them, and he pulled her closer to him. Mimi didn't even think to stop what happened next; she moaned softly, the intensity of his touch causing her to finally break the silence. Jason paused, apparently startled by the gasp of pleasure that escaped her lips.

Mimi opened her eyes and turned her face to look at him. They were only centimeters apart from each other, and Mimi looked into his eyes, as he seemed to stare right into her brain. *Oh God, please don't let him see what I'm thinking.*

All she wanted him to do was to capture her lips with his own and take her in his arms. But, she couldn't let herself think that. She refused to let herself give in to the physical temptation that was right before her eyes, making herself believe that's all it was. A physical urge and nothing else.

"Jason... I... I..."

Jason smiled slightly. "Better?"

"Uhh-huhhh..."

He quickly let go of her and Mimi scooted away from him, shaking off whatever desire had built up inside her. And, thankfully, they had perfect timing, because Rory chose that exact moment to return to the room.

"Hey you two... Whatcha up to?"

Jason looked at her awkwardly and shrugged. "Not much... I was helping Mimi..."

Mimi smiled nervously and finished his sentence. "Study. Jason was helping me study."

Rory raised one pointed eyebrow and pointed at Mimi's history book on the floor. "Uh-huh... Then why is your book on the floor, Meems?"

"Because, uhm... I..." Mimi cringed slightly and tried to cover herself. "I was angry, frustrated even, about the stupid chapter we're reading. So, I got mad and I threw it on the ground."

She pointed at the book angrily, as if she was scolding it. "Damn book. Stupid stupid book."

Rory nodded and threw her purse on the bed. Mimi acting strange was definitely something she had grown used to. "So enough about your weirdness... let me tell you all about my weirdness for the day."

Mimi smiled gratefully at her roommate. Rory always seemed to be around to save her when she most needed it. And over the past month, she had unknowingly been a chaperone on many of Jason and Mimi's evenings out. Instead of feeling like they were a couple, Mimi had Rory around, so that they were just a trio of friends. She continuously had to deny that she was developing feelings for Jason at all, but Rory had begun to question it.

There was a quiet pause and Mimi motioned for Rory to continue. "Go on. Tell us about it."

"You know that guy that works at the coffee cart by the arts building?"

Mimi sighed dreamily and nodded. "The one who looks like the guy from the Gilmore Girls?"

"Yeah, that's the one."

"Oh yeah, he's a total cutie."

Jason looked at them in confusion. "Who does he look like?"

Mimi tapped him on the knee and replied. "You know, the guy that used to play Tristan. Chad Michael Murray... something like that."

Jason shrugged and threw up his hands. "Sorry. Chick show. Wouldn't know."

"Oh you'd totally recognize him if you saw him. But, the point is... He's very hot."

"Hotter than me?"

There was another awkward pause and Mimi looked like a deer in headlights. Rory stepped in and replied. "Nobody's hotter than you, Jase."

Jason winked at her in appreciation. "Thanks, Rory."

"Okay, anyway, as I was saying... The first day we met, I mentioned that I thought he looked like Tristan. Then I said, 'Which is really funny because my name is Rory.' So, every day when I go get my coffee, I'd call him Tristan and he'd call me... well, Rory, because that *is* my name. So, we'd have our snappy little banter, and flirty gestures, the whole deal. Well, guess what happened today?"

Mimi's eyes widened anxiously. "He finally asked you out after a month of flirting over frappucinos?"

Rory shook her head and crossed her arms angrily. "Oh no no no... First off, I found out his REAL name."

"Which is...?"

"Bart. I mean, seriously... Tristan is a much better name. He should just go by that. Secondly, he's got a girlfriend."

Jason shook his head shamefully. "Damn... Denied. You were denied."

Rory nodded and frowned. "Yeah, I know. We were standing there, talking about, of all things... Thoreau. Henry David freakin' Thoreau. Most guys have never even heard of him. So, we're all deep in conversation when she shows up. And you will never guess who it is?"

Jason raised one eyebrow curiously. "The woman who cleans the shower room on our floor?"

Mimi grinned and threw in her own guess. "Professor Walsh?"

Rory shook her head and stuck her tongue out at both of them. "Gross, and grosser. And believe me, it's far worse than that."

"Oh no... It can't be, Rory. It just can't be. It's not Aquanet, is it?"

"Oh, it is."

Mimi groaned loudly and smacked her head to her forehead. "Yuck... Is he blind and deaf? How could he ever date that?"

Jason waved his hands to interrupt them, lost in confusion. "Hold on, hold on. I know you two have your own special Room 217 language that you've developed. But, please, clue me in. Who is Aquanet?"

Mimi turned to him and grinned. "Oh, you've seen her. The girl who lives on the first floor. She's got the big poofy blonde hair, she uses all that hairspray. That's why Rory started calling her Aquanet. Plus, she's got that really annoying squeaky voice... Like fingernails on a chalkboard."

"Well, maybe beauty is only skin deep to Tristan, Bart... whatever his name is."

Rory perched herself on the edge of her bed and wrinkled up her nose in disgust. "It's not just her outer beauty that needs work, Jase. Trust me. She's in my English class. One day, she decided to favor us with a poetry reading. It sounded like a birthday card you'd give a four year old. She's not that bright, which I could handle if she was nice... But, she's not. She's stuck-up. And, she's dating a hot guy who reads Thoreau. Will wonders never cease?"

Mimi sighed and went over to Rory's bed, wrapping her arm around her roommate's shoulder. "It's okay, Rory... We'll find you a man, I promise."

Rory frowned sadly. "It's not that I care about having a man... It's just... That's a whole month of a caffeine addiction I didn't need, and some of my best flirting right down the drain. And, it's all Aquanet's fault."

Jason offered up a little help of his own. "I could always hook you up with Nick. He really needs to get out of the dorm more."

"Oh, no you don't. Do NOT hook me up with your roommate just so you could have the place to yourself more often or because he's lonely and somewhat of a hermit."

"Okay, okay, it was just a suggestion."

Mimi tried her best to console her. "Awwwwww... poor Rory. How about we get out of here and go to the Brady Pub for some comfort food?"

Rory smiled happily and clapped her hands together like a child. "Yes! Great idea... Are you coming too Jason?"

Jason stood and nodded affirmatively. "Yeah, sure... Let me run back to room for a minute, I'll be right back."

They watched Jason leave and then Rory turned to Mimi with a suspicious glance on her face. "Okay, Mimi... So what exactly did I almost walk in on just now?"

Mimi shrugged innocently and smiled. "Nothing... Nothing at all."

"Yeah, right. Spill it."

"I had a headache, and a sore neck... Jason just stopped in to say hi, and he gave me a massage."

Rory's eyes narrowed, knowing that there was more to the story than Mimi was offering. "Okay, was it a sensual massage or a chiropractic massage?"

Mimi bit her lower lip nervously. "It was a platonic, just friends and only friends, kind of massage."

Rory stood from the bed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. Whatever you say..."

Rory waved her hand dismissively and went into the bathroom to touch up her wind-blown hair. Mimi frowned as she sat in the room alone. She knew that Rory was trying to imply that something was definitely going on between her and Jason. But, Mimi kept denying it fervently. Even if she was attracted to Jason, which she would never admit to, she didn't think there was any possible way he would be attracted to her too.

They were friends now, and that was something special indeed. And, starting a relationship that was even vaguely sexual with Jason would completely ruin the friendship they had been working hard to build. At least that's what she thought might happen. But then again, how much did a girl who had only ever had one boyfriend know about relationships?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ohhhh - DENIAL. Thy name is Mimi Lockhart.

There's not a huge important reason for this chapter to exist. I just wanted to do a Mason massage. (mee-yow!!) Plus, I thought we needed to see more of Rory's personality. (The kind of girl who always has a funny story, and seems to be enthusiastic about a lot of things. I know them well.)

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