“Yes," she said.

“Though I have no idea how you knew I was upset.”

He shrugged.

“Didn't take a genius to see it. You were wound up so tight it looked you were going to snap if someone said the wrong thing.

I've seen it a lot at school. There's a certain look people get when they're one step away from completely losing their shit. Everyone in law school hits the wall at some point. Where we're one homework assignment or bad night's sleep from going off the rails. You had that same thousand-yard stare.

“The best thing to do is to get your mind off what is causing you stress. For some it's a night out at the bars, or singing karaoke.

Others dive into a book, or video games, or just go on a run."

“What do you do?"

"Well," he said, brushing dirt off his hands, “being a naturally calm and serene sort of fellow, I never feel the need for that sort of self-indulgent behavior. But if I did, it would have taken the form of drinking beer, playing terrible music videos, and singing off-tune at the top of my Lungs."

Despite herself, she Laughed.

“What kind of music videos?"

"I'm not telling.”

“Come on! Now you have to tell me!”

He kept his lips obstinately shut, and she pounced on him, wrestling him to the ground. She crouched above him as he sprawled on his back, a victim of her superior strength and speed.

“Tell me! Or

I'll...I''Ul..." She tried to find a punishment to suit his awful crime. "I'll tickle you!”

“You wouldn't dare.”

“Hal" She suited actions to words, drawing her fingers teasingly up his rib cage, tormenting him. She bit her lip as he twitched helplessly under her onslaught. He tried to fend her off with his hands, but she caught his wrists in one hand and pinned them over his head with contemptuous ease. The movement brought their heads closer together, and she found herself gazing at his lips, which looked temptingly kissable.

“ALL right! I give up! I watch...

"I watch cheesy hair metal videos."

She gasped and sat back on her heels. "No," she said, letting her voice take on horrified tones. "That can't be true. That's impossible. I would never associate with someone who had such terrible musical taste."

He shook his head sorrowfully.

“It's true. Ratt, Poison, Van Halen, Def

Leppard, Bon Jovi, Cinderella. All the greats. Even..." his voice lowered, as if he was going to confess some sick perversion which would destroy her faith in him.

“Even Meat Loaf."