Laurel rolled her eyes a little as she leaned against his desk, "Aw~ but they looked so cute on you," she teased as she reached out and tugged on his ear.

Nic batted Laurel's hand away gently, but definitively.

Laurel sighed a little, "She's not mean spirited, just silly," she told him before crossing her arms, "I didn't know you were this sensitive. You can't take a joke?"

"That wasn't a 'funny joke,'" Nic explained.

Laurel rolled her eyes a little, "Loosen up, Nic. It's called a prank. You've never been pranked before?"

"That was hardly a prank," Nic argued, still tight.

Laurel let out a 'pfft' sound as the smile peeked back out, "Nic," she murmured before chuckling lightly, "It was just a bow..."

"And what's next?" Nic demanded.

Laurel raised an eyebrow, "A necklace?" she teased, "I'm sure you'll survive." She nodded with perfect seriousness.

Nic didn't seem to like that response. "I'm gonna take a shower," he told her before grabbing a towel.

Laurel grabbed his arm, "I didn't mean to make you upset. I would have stopped her if I'd known you'd be so offended," she explained, eyes confused.

Nic shook her arm off and kept walking.

Laurel let out an exasperated sigh, "Seriously?" she asked no one in particular before following after him. "What's wrong? This isn't just about Kandy, is it?"

That approach didn't seem to be working as he kicked off his shoes and kept walking.

"I won't understand unless you tell me," Laurel persisted as she reached out for his arm once more.

Still nothing. But he stopped at the doorway, waiting for her to let go.