Stephanie

"...are you flirting with my fiancee?" inquired Tom in an indecipherable tone.

Before Jonathan could respond, a scream pierced the sudden stillness of the dining hall.

"GENETICALLY MODIFIED OHMYGOD! YOU TWO ARE... ENGAGED?" JJ cried in ALLCAPS.

"No!" I barked.

"Yes!" he barked.

"!" went a potted tree in the corner, wobbling from the extreme tension in the room. Emily appeared in the doorway and ran (as well as possible in crutches) over to it and tried to soothe it.

I ran a hand over my nosebridge. "Sit down and I'll explain."

There was a 'fwoosh' of air as everyone sat down at the table as quickly as possible. If not for Emily, the tree would have toppled over.

"Watch it!" she barked, petting the tree's smooth, unblemished bark.

I sighed and began my story. "It all happened last summer. Let me first disclaim that I was young and foolish, and Tom was stunningly drunk...actually, stunning and drunk."

Tom smiled.