As distractions went it wasn't the worst. And his genuinely accidental mishap had given James pause for thought.
By this point Morgan and Carly were pretty much out of the equation but he'd love a few minutes alone time with Maria. She was drop dead gorgeous in a wonderfully exotic way and seemed to be remarkably easy going and fun. Maybe if he could wrap up with Melanie in reasonable time and Elspeth was generous with him he might just be able to sneak in a five minute chat with her later? But for now his mind wss made up.
On paper, Melanie was James' ideal woman. She was strikingly attractive but not in an out of this world way, with dark brooding looks and a curvaceous body he couldn't keep his eyes off (and which he had seen in it's full glory thanks to Sara).
Melanie had given off a kind and considerate aura during the demonstration where she had shrunk and held him (which had surprisingly turned him on greatly) He even felt they may have had a moment then. If he had picked at the end of class, she was his choice.
However, since then he had got to know three of her classmates, all of whom had made a big impression on him, and yet he hardly knew this girl at all. Had he built her up into more than she was? He needed to find out before getting back to Elspeth.
Melanie was still perched on her rock, looking exquisite in a modest blue sarong and a bikini top that accentuated her beautifully proportioned breasts without looking tacky. There was something other wordly about her, like she didn't belong here somehow.
"Mind if I join you?" James asked, feeling strangely like a schoolboy with a crush. Perhaps that was more noticeable than he had thought, Meghan had figured it out.
Melanie turned to face him, immediately she smiled in a way that radiated warmth "Of course!"
James sat down next to her and she went back to gazing at whatever it was in the distance that was holding her attention.
"So, Melanie.." James began.
"Please, call me Mel" she smiled back. James almost felt giddy at this point. Not even Roxanne made him feel so awkward. What was it about this girl?
"Mel, I just wanted to know a bit more about you I guess" he asked, relieved he had managed to form a coherent sentence.
"There's not that much to tell" Melanie answered "I'm pretty run of the mill for a witch."
James wanted to tell her that wasn't true, that she stood out more than any of the others he had met. But he thought better of it.
"So how did you end up here?" James asked.
"On a scholarship" Melanie replied "They like to say this is the most prestigious college of it's type but...I don't know" she looked as if there was more to say but paused a moment "my parents pushed me in this direction I suppose. And it seemed like the logical choice"
James could sense a sadness in her words, but she was obviously far more guarded than thr other girls he had talked to. That was fair enough, so he didn't persue it any further. Instead James tried to think of a lighter hearted subject, but the effect Melanie had on him meant he wasn't at his best conversationally.
"Um, so do you have any hobbies?"
Melanie smiled warmly again "I wish I had time. I always fancied myself as a writer but...that's silly I suppose"
"No it isn"t" James answered "who wouldn't want to read a book about a beautiful witch?"
Melanie smiled at him, but said nothing. There was that momenf again. James desperately wanted to kiss her, but he had no idea if she would even want that and, difficult though it was to remember, she wasn't the only other person here. He needed to extract himself before his last remaining will power desertrd him.
"I'll probably speak to you later" James sounded more formal then he meant to as he stood up.
"Of course" Melanie nodded with her usual warm smile before staring back out to see.
So that about settled it. James was hopelessly besotted witb Mel and knew practically nothing about her, other than she'd quite like to write a book. Most of the girls here were gorgeous, what was it about this one that made him lose all sense of reason?
Anyway, he couldn't make a decision after that experience without first regaining his composure. He still had time for a short chat with Maria, and that mighf be just what he needed. Then it would be time for him to report back to Elspeth.