Reid fought the fit of laughter threatening to escape as he watched the red blush spread across Kayla's cheeks. He had heard her knock, heard Tyler's voice as he let her in. As childish as it was, he could not resist the chance to make her fume in frustration again. He loved the color that came to her cheeks when she was mad and the animated movement of her mouth as she yelled at him. She was a firecracker; radiating intensity and brilliance. So he remained laying on his stomach, eyes closed as he feigned a deep slumber; anticipating what his little hellcat would do next.

"Garwin, I did not wake up on a Saturday to come watch you sleep," she huffed, before jerking back the sheets covering his body. "Garwin," shrieked Kayla and Reid lost all composure, "stop laughing, you jerk!"

Unprepared and indisposed, Reid didn't see the pillow until it made a forceful impact with his shoulder. The vicious look Kayla gave him, staring him down as she prepared for another swing with her make-shift weapon only reaffirmed his image of her; a fierce little hellcat. Unfortunately, he couldn't stop himself from grinning up at her. Tyler, who stood back watching them with amusement waved a quick goodbye before heading out. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Kayla took aim once more. Anticipating her move, Reid took hold of the pillow and used her force against her; pulling to his chest. In one swift motion, he had her pinned beneath him; back pressed against the soft mattress bedding.

"You finished," asked Reid, not at all ester to let her up.

"Get off Garwin," snapped Kayla, squirming as she lay trapped under Reid's weight.

Deciding it wise not to push her any further, Reid stood up offering her a hand up. "You bring any coffee," he asked, rummaging through the pile of clothing scattered on the floor.

Hands on her hips, Kayla gave him a hard glare before answer, "No Garwin, I did not bring you breakfast. I'm not room service."

"No problem," shrugged Reid, disappearing into the small bathroom. "We'll go out," he called out.

Before Kayla had a chance to object, Reid was leading her out of the dorm and towards the parking lot. Surprising they passed Tyler Simms' huge black trunk, instead walking up a sleek, shiny black corvette resting with the top down. Everyone on campus knew Reid was infamous for borrowing his best friends car. Needless to say Kayla was amazed Reid Garwin actually owed his own car, voicing her thoughts out loud drawing out a cheerful laugh from Reid. Besides being a bit pushy and dragging her to breakfast, Reid Garwin did have manners. That much Kayla could give him as he opened the car door for her.

They drove quietly through the dirt roads of Ipswich, passing the vast fields of greenery and trees. The wind was brisk and bitter cold, signaling the first signs of fall. The foliage gave way to the town; the first sign the old convenience store housing the only pharmacy in Ipswich. Approaching the small-town diner he loved, Reid staked a claim to an empty parking spot before cutting the engine. Again, he was swift, opening Kayla's door before her hand was on the handle. They were seated in a small booth set aside from the other bustling customers. Reid placed his order, asking for the house special; a platter of scrabble eggs, bacon, sausage and toast while Kayla requested a short stack of pancakes.

Reid watched with amusement as Kayla doctored her food. "Are you sure you don't want some pancakes with that syrup, babe," asked Reid, watching as half and contents of the amber brown bottle was poured over her plate.

"Shut it, Garwin," Kayla snapped, before making a show of taking large forkful of food into her mouth.

They ate in comfortable silence, enjoying the hardy food in front of them but halfway through the meal Reid couldn't help himself. In an effort to goad his soulmate, to bring forth the charming heated blush he found so endearing, he began asking questions. Subtly he tried to found out everything he could: it she was dating anyone, if she lived in Ipswich, and all the other questions he could think of.

"Why are you so interested in me, Reid," she finally asked as they waited on the check, "you never really talked to me before and it's not like we run with the same clique?"

The arrival of their waitress gave Reid a few extra minutes to think of his reply. Pulling out his wallet, Reid waited until she was out of earshot to answer, as honestly as he could, "I guess I never really noticed you before."

Kayla watched as Reid's complexion changed to a noticeable red coloring. He had the decency to sheepishly look away; unable to meet her gave. "Well, at least you're honest," she muttered, dropping the subject.

On the way back to school, Kayla wracked her brain over what topic they could write their paper on. Her biggest concern was how seriously her partner was going to take the assignment. Most Spencer students would agree on that Reid Garwin wasn't necessarily know for his brains around campus. Hopefully, she could come up with some compromise with her partner while they were forced to work together. They made plans for Reid to grab his books and meet her in the library in ten minutes.

Thankfully, the library was not too crowded. Seats tended to go quickly as at the day progressed but there was an empty table located near one of the large glass windows of the building. Deciding while there was time to bide, Kayla pulled out her iPod and started listen to music as she worked on other assignments.

Reid opened the door to his dorm unprepared to meet the smirking face of his best friend. "So how was breakfast," asked Tyler.

"Fine," answered Reid, hurriedly shoving books into his backpack, "Got to go."

"Wait, hold on man," Tyler called out as Reid rushed out the door but he was already gone.

He spotted her as soon as he stepped into the quiet room, writing away in a spiral-bound notebook. She was focused, he noticed, judging from the small habits he was observing. A lock of fine blonde hair was twirled around her finger and she was bitting her lower lip. She looked playful and innocent to him. He stood there, watching the concentrated look on her face before walking over.

"Hey," he whispered, trying to keep his voice down while others studied.

"Hi," she nodded in greeting, "let's get stated."

A new thing Reid learned about his life mate, she was a tough task master. She forced him to work diligently, putting all his concentration into their paper but that didn't stop Reid from getting distracted. Sitting next to her, the sweet scent of lavender would waft from her hair, catching his attention.

"Garwin, are you paying attention," repeated Kayla, trying to get him to focus.

"Oh, sorry," smirked Reid, "guess I got a little distracted."

"Well, focus," she ordered.

"I am," protested Reid, "I'd say we got a lot done. How about a break, babe?"

"Okay," agreed Kayla, standing up. "I guess I'll see you later."

"No, wait," Reid exclaimed louder than he meant to, watching Kayla pack away her books, "I meant take a break together."

"Garwin," Kayla sighed. "I just don't get what's up with you all of a suddenly. I've got to go."

Reid watched in frustration as she left, leaving him again. "Just great," he muttered to himself.