Chapter 27: Hang Out

There were days when things just didn't go as planned. And after a particularly tiring Tuesday, Dell had to almost drag herself home late that night. She still had work to do, and was again balancing folders in her arms as she arrived her door.

Again, the problem with the keys. She managed to fish out her keys but was having trouble getting it into the keyhole. And after a little struggle, she dropped her keys.

Sighing, she stooped down to pick it up, but Sean's door suddenly opened.

"Oh, hey there, dear. Working late again I see." He locked his door and approached her.

"Yeah, things just kept popping up," she said, straightening up.

"Aww, my poor girl." Sean took the folders from her arms.

She couldn't help but chuckle. "You make me sound like a little girl. Thanks, Sean."

Dell picked up her keys and opened her door. But instead of giving her folders back to her, Sean entered her apartment with the files.

"Umm, you could just... put them anywhere."

Sean placed them on her dining table but proceeded to check the cupboards over her sink.

"What are you doing?"

"I want to hang out tonight." He closed the cupboards. "No popcorn?"

"But I have so much to do tonight! And I thought you were all about being healthy? Why are you looking for popcorn?"

"It's hangout night. Technically cheat day." He opened her fridge. "Ah, found something!" He took out a pint of ice cream.

"Hey that's my stash for when I'm feeling down."

"What do you need this for? You can always come to me for a hug." And as if to demonstrate, he squeezed Dell around the shoulders.

"How is that going to help." She asked, sulking.

"Endorphins." Sean took a seat on her sofa, turned on the television, and started eating the ice cream. "Here, let me feed you some."

"No, thanks," she said, giving up trying to shoo him away. "I'm going to go take a bath."

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After she got out of the shower, Sean was still on the couch watching television. She went and got her folders. Then with a huff, Dell sat on the opposite end of the couch with her back against the armrest and her feet in the middle of the couch. She was going to work even if he wanted to stay. He couldn't just come over unscheduled and expect her to drop everything for him.

After a while, Sean turned of the television and slouched against the couch. Dell read and signed away. Then, Sean suddenly took her one foot and started massaging it. This made Dell stop.

"What are you doing?"

"Hanging out with my stressed out girlfriend... Your feet stink."

"Hey, you're the one who took it." But he made no attempt to stop massaging, and she made no move to pull her foot away. She had to admit, the foot massage did feel better than ice cream. They just looked at each other from across the couch as he continued massaging her foot.

Then after a while, she pulled her foot and put the other one in its place.

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