K is for Kiss

Here we are, kicking off another week of the A to Z Challenge!  Today I have a piece of flash fiction for your enjoyment.  I was in a bit of an odd mood when I wrote this one, and I think it shows.  It's okay, though.  Writer's can produce good things from odd moods.

Today's word: KISS

Here it is!

Kiss

“What a terrible day to die,” Emma murmured as she scraped several flecks of dried blood off her uniform.

Renny sluggishly moved his head so he could stare at her.  However, given that his entire system was sluggish due to blood loss and oxygen deprivation, he felt certain his eyes didn’t look as focused as they normally would.  “As far as I’m concerned, every day is a bad day to die.”

Emma looked thoughtful.  When she finally gave a curt nod, the disheveled pile of hair atop her head came tumbling down around her shoulders.  “You’re right, but it’s a Monday.  I always knew that it would be the day that killed me.”

Renny could hardly believe the strange turn this conversation had taken.  The oxygen deprivation had to be the culprit.  What other explanation could there be for the fact that, absurd as he thought this conversation was, he wanted to go along with it anyway?  “I think Friday would be worse.  Dying on a Monday gets you out of a week of work.  Dying on a Friday means you miss out on the weekend, and that just seems like a cruel cosmic joke.”

Emma snorted.  Then she turned and gave Renny a long, piercing look.  It’s the same look she always had when studying something with her microscope.  Then her features softened somewhat, and before he had a chance to ask about the sudden change, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

His hand immediately moved to cover the spot, stunned by the warmth that lingered there.  “Why?” he asked, as that was the only word he could manage.

With a small shrug, Emma replied, “I felt like it.  Dying sucks, yes, but it could be worse.  At least I’m here with someone who’s cute and has a good sense of humor.”

Renny’s heart skipped a beat, which really wasn’t necessary considering how few remained him anyway.  “So, if we’d met under different circumstances and I asked you out, what would you have said?”

A small smile pulled at the corners of Emma’s mouth.  “I think I would have said yes.”

Now it was Renny’s turn to snort.  “Good to know.  And I guess dying today is a cruel cosmic joke after all.”

Emma’s smile grew.  “What else can you expect from a Monday at work?”