For the next two weeks, Lex and I are together almost constantly. We go on spontaneous dates, like to the Big Dipper ice cream shop or to the on-campus movie nights. Sometimes, we do nothing at all. We just lay in bed, holding each other and talking about school, life, and the future. Of course, it's only been a few weeks, so we don't get into anything too serious, but I think we will one day. I just have one of those feelings.

Today, we stand in the parking lot of Pantzer Hall. He leans into his truck, only his butt visible, and I stand across from him, juggling the bags of groceries from today's trip to the store. I have more food than I could eat in a month, but that's what happens when you go to the grocery store hungry.

"Are there more?" I ask with a laugh. "I'm about to fall over!"

"Just one more," says Lex. He climbs backward out of the truck, holding a small jug of milk in his left hand. He snatches a few bags from my heavily weighted arm and easily holds them in his left hand.

We start inching our way toward Miller Hall, me struggling with fewer bags than Lex, and him, constantly offering to take more of the load.

"There's a swing dance next month," says Lex when we're halfway between the parking lot and Miller.

"Oh cool," I say. "You should go."

Lex lets out a soft snort. "No, we should go. Together. It'd be fun."

"Oh, I can't dance," I say, shaking my head. "Especially not swing dance. I've never even done it before."

It takes me a few steps to realize Lex stopped walking. I turn, nearly dropping one of my bags.

"What?" I ask.

"You've never swung dance?"

"Nope," I say, popping the p.

"Well, we better fix that," says Lex with an impish grin.

"Right now?" I ask, widening my eyes and glancing down at my grocery bags.

"Right now," says Lex. He nods and slowly shimmies his arms out of his bags. "C'mon, put down your groceries."

I let out a nervous giggle, unable to resist the urge of glancing over my shoulder. One or two people mill between the surrounding dorm buildings, but none are paying attention. We are free.

I slip the bags off my arms and rest them on the sidewalk. Lex sets down the jug of milk, and then holds out his hand to me.

"Okay, well I'm going to be really bad, just warning you," I say. "Don't be mad when I suck."

"You're not going to suck," says Lex with a laugh. He wraps his fingers around my trembling hands and tugs me closer. "Just relax and follow."

It isn't until we start dancing that I realize how truly horrible I am. My feet keep getting in the way, and every time Lex goes to spin me, I end up bumping into his body. One time, I even smack my head against his elbow, earning a muffled mixture of laughter and apologies.

"You're not relaxed," murmurs Lex. He pulls me into his chest before spinning me out again.

"That's because I'm terrified," I say through thick laughter.

"Terrified?" he repeats. "Of me?"

"No, of embarrassing myself," I say. The blush creeps up my cheeks, as if to prove my point.

"Well, I think you're perfect, bad dancer or not," says Lex. He again pulls me into his body, but this time, he doesn't let go. Instead, he folds his arms around me and rocks us gently in a slow dance.

"So you admit I suck at dancing," I say. I try to look over my shoulder for possible judging spectators, but Lex's hands tighten, keeping me in place.

"I admit nothing," says Lex, his voice mischievous. He pulls back to rest his forehead against mine. "So will you go with me?"

"Okay," I say, sure that I would agree to anything he wanted.

Lex presses his lips against mine, once twice, his hot breath spreading through my body. But then, he pulls back, a smug smile on his mouth, as if he knows exactly what he does to me.

"What?" I ask, my fingers pressing into his shoulders like claws.

"We should probably get your food inside," says Lex. "If we get too carried away, someone's going to come steal it."

"And we wouldn't want that to happen," I say, rolling my eyes.

Lex scoops up his half of the bags and then pauses to grab a few more of mine. I'm too distant in my thoughts to protest, otherwise I would've rambled on about gender equality or some defiant explanation.

When we get up to my dorm (which was a far greater battle than it sounds, between the door-opening and the stair-walking and the food-juggling), I set down a few bags to slide my key into the door. I kick it open and wave for Lex to go first. He pokes his head around the small living room before ducking into my room with the bags. I hurry after him, letting the door close behind me with an audible smack.

"I have no idea where you're going to put all this food," says Lex. He sorts the bags onto my couch, and I leave mine on the cluttered desk.

"We can figure that out later," I say, suddenly desperate for his nearness. Our miniature dance session awakened the nerves in my system, made me crave everything that is Lex.

"Yeah?" asks Lex. He squeezes the milk into the mini-fridge and then turns to face me. "And what should we do instead?"

I bite down on my lower lip-something I've never done intentionally-and luckily, Lex takes notice. His pupils dilate and he takes a step toward me, arms reaching for my waist. I fall against him, my chest brushing against his and our arms tangling together. Mine work my way to his shoulders, and his twine through my hair, pulling me closer with each passing breath.

He breathes my name, so quietly I barely hear it, but it's enough to jumpstart my pulse. I tug him close to me and closer, until finally, he lifts me from the ground and tucks his hands under my butt. I wrap my legs around his waist, suddenly feeling the changed tension in the air. Somehow, this time is different than the other times we've made out. Somehow, I know something big is about to happen.

"Lex," I murmur. I try to pull away, but he kisses me harder, makes it impossible to think beyond his mouth and mine, moving so perfectly together. "Lex," I say again. "Bed."

Lex nods against my mouth and slowly lowers my legs to the floor. I lead the way up to my bed, silently going through my check list. Did I shave today? When did I last brush my teeth? Am I wearing a cute bra and underwear set?

I situate myself on the bed, heart thudding through my entire body. Lex crawls into the space beside me, his hand silently trailing up and down the length of my body. A warm tingling sensation travels through every inch of my skin and burns hot between my thighs.

"Do you have..." I ask, then pause to clear my throat. "Do you have a condom?"

Lex nods slowly, and his hot breath comes faster, tickling the edges of my face.

"Are you sure you want to?" he asks. "Don't feel pressured to do anything."

"No, I'm sure," I say with a sharp nod. "I want this."

Lex leans forward to kiss me, and in that moment, I know everything is just as it should be.