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After The Dust Had Settled

By: MoogPlayer



My name is Mark Thompson and I was born and raised in a small town a few miles southeast of Houston, Texas. My parents, Michael and Kerrie Thompson, were both professionals that commuted back and forth into Houston every day. They were both attorneys, but my father however, was a federal judge. My mother had no political ambitions therefore; she chose to be her own boss and became the head of one of the most powerful law firms in the state of Texas.

I grew up an only child and believe me; it really sucks. I didn't have any brothers or sisters to play with while I was growing up. But my parents really loved me because, before I was born; they were told that they would never be able to have any children whatsoever so, I guess that's why they lavished all their attention on me. They loved me very much and always taught me to respect others and not to ever let my wants and needs supercede those who were less fortunate. All in all, they are both good people as well as great parents who taught me to trust in myself and that's why I'm where I am now, but let me back up a bit 

When I was five years old, my mother sat me behind a piano and I was given lessons until I turned fourteen. By then I was playing at the same level as any teacher in the area, only I was better than all of them. Once I reached high school, I stayed focused until I graduated. However, that was during the seventies and electronic musical instruments were beginning to appear with groups like Yes, Emerson Lake and Palmer as well as Electric Light Orchestra and Kansas. The keyboards back during that time were as complicated to use as they were expensive. But I showed a real aptitude for it, as my father said, and he proceeded to purchase for me, the same instruments used by the afore mentioned groups. I learned how to use them in no time, and within less than two months of having them; I could play as well as many of the keyboardists I'd heard in those bands or on the radio.

As a sort of "buffer" as he called it, Dad had me put under marital arts instruction from the time I was seven. "This will help you concentrate on your music better, son. Plus, you'll stay strong and in good shape for the rest of your life," he would say. I believed him, because as in music; I seemed to excel at it with the same intensity and at the same pace. I wanted to make my Sensei (Teacher) proud of me so, like with the piano, I worked hard until I had it perfected, and became a Second Dan (degree) Black Belt when I turned seventeen. My parents saw to it that I had a rounded education before I went to college.

In high school I was my band director's star pupil, and because of the numerous awards I'd received in the four years I was there, I was offered a scholarship, the Master's program, from what was then North Texas State University, one of the top three music universities in the country. The other two were, of course, Julliard in New York City, and then Berkeley School of Music in California. I wanted to be near home so, without question, I chose North Texas. However, before I left for college, and as a graduation present, my father took me to London, England to see my mentor and all time favorite keyboard player, Rick Wakeman, perform "Journey to the Centre of the Earth" with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Chamber Choir in the Royal Albert Hall. We were only there for five days but it was glorious time, none the less.

           ********************

As soon as I arrived on campus that fall, I realized that college was going to be like nothing I'd ever known before. I never really had much of a social life in high school except for the occasional dates, set up by my parents, with the daughters of some of their business associates. These girls had been alright in looks, I guess. But it was plain to see that they disliked being in the situation as much as I did. So, the few dates I had never went anywhere or amounted to anything. Needless to say, I went to college a virgin, but that was all about go to hell in a hand-basket. I just didn't know it yet. 

I brought all of my keyboards to college with me as well as the modules it took to make them work as well as the appropriate amplifiers etc. I checked in and was given my dormitory assignment at Townsend Hall. I was shocked to find out that, not only was it a coed dorm, but I also discovered that I would have a dorm room all to myself. I didn't realize until later, that these were part of the "provisions" that my father had negotiated with the university as part of my scholarship. I smiled and immediately began to unpack and set my gear up. I knew I was going to like being here and I couldn't wait to get started on my education. It didn't take me long to get my clothes unpacked, put in the dresser and hung in the closet. 

What I worried about more than my clothes and supplies was my musical gear. I had plenty of room in my dorm for my gear so I set it all up against the far wall of my room and hooked everything up and plugged in my amps. Thinking that I would not be heard, I began to play. It was really cool being able to play stuff like Chopin, Beethoven, Bach and Rachmaninov, with all of it done through musical synthesis. I was just getting ready to begin playing some more when I heard a soft knock on my door. 

"Come on in," I said loudly, to whoever was on the other side. As the door opened, I was stunned by the beautiful creature that entered my room. She stood about 5'6" and I would guess that she probably weighed no more than 115, maybe 120 pounds. Her body measurements were proportionate to her height and she had long dark brown hair that flowed to the middle of her thighs. My God, she was beautiful! "Can I help you?" I asked, trying to be polite.

Her sparkling blue eyes lit up her beautiful face as she replied, "Hi! I'm Andrea Matthews, but my friends call me Andie, and I live across the hall from you!"

"Hi Andie, my name is Mark Thompson. It's nice to meet you," I replied grinning.

Wasting no time in getting to the point of her visit, Andrea smiled and said, "I heard the most beautiful music being played a few minutes ago, and I just had to find out where it was coming from. I hope you don't mind!"

"I don't mind at all. Would you like to come in and sit down for a while?" I asked smiling.

"If you're sure it's okay," she replied, looking around the room uneasily.

"It's no problem at all. Come on in and sit here," I said, pulling a chair away from my desk and offering it to her. She came into my room and sat down in the chair I'd pulled out for her.

As she took a seat, she looked over at the synthesis modules stacked on top of one another with different colored patch cords connecting each of them, looking like a sort of psychedelic spaghetti. Then she smiled and asked, "What is that thing?"

"It's called a modular synthesizer" I replied excitedly.

"What are those two little ones with all the knobs and switches called?" she asked, pointing to the two synthesizers I had stacked, one atop the other.

"Those two are called Mini Moogs™! Would you like to hear what they sound like?" I asked.

"Oh, Yes!" she replied, grinning from ear-to-ear.

I began to play a piece that, not only was one of my favorites, but was from Rick Wakeman's, The Six Wives of Henry VIII", album. As I played, the music began to strike a chord deep within me, and before I knew it, I had played nearly half the album. I stopped playing; realizing that I'd got a little carried away, and then looked at her and said, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to bore you with this stuff. 

Boy was I wrong about her being bored. The moment I began to apologize to Andie, she got up and walked over to where I stood, and wrapping her arms around my neck, she kissed me on the cheek and said, "I think it was beautiful, Mark. And, you can play for me anytime, handsome." Then she looked at her watch and said, "I was going to go get something to eat. Would you like to come?"

Sure!" I said excitedly, "Where are we going?"

Andie giggled and said, "I thought that we could go to the cafeteria, if that's alright with you?"

"I've got a better idea," I replied winking.

"What do you mean?" she asked suspiciously.

"Do you like Italian food?" 

"God yes, I love it,"

"I passed a restaurant called Giuseppe's on the way here. It looked pretty promising and it's not too far from campus. Would you like to have lunch there? It's my treat," I said.

Andie shifted uneasily beside me and said, "I couldn't let you do that, because we just met and I'm not really......"    

"Look Andie, I'm not trying to do anything other than thank you for your praising my music when everyone else criticized my style of music, which, by the way, is called progressive rock. Besides, I don't know anyone here and I want to take my new friend out for a bite of lunch, okay?" I said, interrupting her protests.

Her sudden apprehension turned to delight when a warm smile appeared on her face. "Well....since you put it like that, I guess it would be rather rude of me to decline now, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah, it would." I said grinning, "Come on, I'll drive us!"

           *********************

After we had been seated at the restaurant, Andie smiled and asked, "This is your freshman year, yes?"

"Is it that obvious?"

Reaching across the table and placing her hand on mine, Andie smiled and replied, "That's not a bad thing, ya know. It's just that I was curious because I've never seen you around here before."

"What year are you?"

"This is my sophomore year" she proudly replied, "I'm on scholarship, the Master's program!"

"That's cool, I am too!" I excitedly replied.

"So you're the new star on the horizon, huh?" she asked slyly, grinning like a Possum. (I know its spelled "Opossum" but down here in Texas, we call em Possums so, deal with it!)

"What do mean?" I asked my curiosity piqued. 

"Why do you think we are the only ones in Townsend Hall who have private rooms?" she replied, grinning slyly, "Besides, Doctor Breeden, the head of the music department, told us you were coming!"

"He's a nice guy!"

"He also told us that you would be playing with me...uh...I mean us in the One O'clock Jazz Band," Andie said, her beautiful eyes now dancing like flames in the wind.

I had no idea what she was talking about so I just said, "Oh really, that's cool, I guess!"

"You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" she asked smiling.

I shook my head, and laughing, replied, "I guess that also shows, doesn't it? Okay, I'll bite. What is the One O'clock Jazz Band?"

Andie took my hand and held it in hers, and smiling sweetly, said, "You are about to become member of a group of people who are not only the best musicians on campus, but are the best musicians in the state. We play at places all over the country and are known world wide. So, let me be the first one to say, welcome to the band," and then she stood and leaned across the table and kissed me gently but briefly on the lips then, sat back down smiling brightly.

"Wow! That was nice," I replied blushing from head to toe. 

She took my hand again and quietly asked, "That was you first kiss, wasn't it?" By this time I was in a state of total embarrassment, but Andie softly added, "Aw Sweetie, don't be embarrassed. I won't tell a soul as long as I can have more kisses."

"But you're beautiful and you can have any guy you want so, why me? I'm not handsome like most of the guys who go to college here," I blurted out, not knowing exactly where that came from.

Andie released my hand and then abruptly sat back in her chair and harshly asked, "Are you trying to tell me I have bad taste in men?" and before I could reply, she added, "Let me tell you something, Mark. I happen to think you're very handsome and that's all that matters to me. I don't care what anyone else thinks either, you got that?" I began to laugh, making her ask, "What?"

I smiled, "Has anyone ever told you that you're even more beautiful when you're mad?"

She began giggling delightfully and said, "Oh, you, has anyone ever told you that you're a silly boy?"

"Not lately," I replied, "Let's talk about that after we're done eating!"

The waitress had just finished taking our order when, two girls, both also absolutely stunning, walked into the restaurant. Andie waved at them, beckoning them to our table. One had shoulder length blonde hair while the other had short black hair and as they approached, Andie smiled and said, "You're about to meet two of the finest flutists in the country. They're in the One O'clock Jazz Band too!"

As soon as they were at our table, the blonde smiled and said, "Hi Andie! Who's this? Is he a new boyfriend? He sure is cute!" 

Girlish giggles erupted all around and before I could respond, Andie took my hand, and nodding toward the girls, replied, "Mark Thompson, I'd like you to meet two of my best friends in the whole world. The ditzy blonde here is Becky Davidson and the quiet brunette is Marsha Hill!"

"I'm not quiet. I just can't seem to get a word in edgewise with you two around," said Marsha.

This time it was me who burst out laughing before Becky smiled and said, "Don't laugh at her, Mark. It only makes her worse!" At Andie's suggestion, the other two girls joined us for lunch and were seated at our table, but not before Andie moved around the table to sit next to me. Not missing the chance to tease her friend, Becky elbowed Marsha and said, "My, my, she sure is possessive these days isn't she, Marsha?"

"She sure is. I've never seen her this worked up over a guy before," teased Marsha.

Andie took it all in stride and said, "Do you guys remember what Doctor Breeden said last semester about the prodigy that would be joining our ranks this year?" Then taking my hand, she added, "Well...here he is!"

"Oh wow, I've heard some pretty amazing things about you," said Becky, with Marsha nodding in agreement.

"I don't know about that," I humbly replied, not being able to remember a time when I was more embarrassed.

Marsha spoke up and said, "Well, I do. I've heard that you're some kind of mad genius in electronic music!"

I began to laugh, but before I could reply, Andie excitedly said, "I got to hear him play. He lives right across the hall from me and you should see his synthesizers. It's so cool!"

"Will you play for us, too, Mark?" asked Becky.

I looked at Andie, who nodded her head in agreement, and said, "Sure, why not?" About that time, the waitress came back to our table and took Marsha's and Becky's orders and when I asked her to put it all on one bill, all three girls protested, but to no avail. After we finished, they made sure to thank me with hugs and kisses on the cheek, except for Andie. She kissed me right on the lips, leaving me with a feeling that was beginning to arise within me, a feeling I'd never experienced before.

           *********************

As we drove back to the dorm, Andie scooted over to sit next to me on the bench seat of my truck and said, "I hope you don't mind me sitting here like this. I just can't help it, Mark.....Oh....and thanks for lunch. That was very sweet of you!"

"That's fine with me, and you're very welcome, Andie," I replied smiling.

We got back to our dorm with Becky and Marsha in tow, all three girls found comfortable seats in my room. After a barrage of questions about my keyboards, I began to play. I played some stuff by Emerson Lake and Palmer, and some stuff by Rick Wakeman, as well as some Yes. When I was done, I turned around to find all three of the girls practically drooling over what I'd just done. It wasn't long before Becky spoke up first, and looking at Andie, said, "Shit! That made me hot! No wonder you snatched him up so quick, girl!"

Andie smiled and replied, "That's right, I found him first so, leave him alone. Oh, and one more thing...." and then she rose from her seat to sit in my lap and added, "....be sure to tell the rest of these bitches around here that he's mine!"

"No problem, way to go, girl," said Marsha, and after both girls said their good-byes, they left, closing my door behind them, leaving me stunned at the conversation that had just taken place.

Andie, still seated in my lap, put her arms around my neck and laid her head on my shoulder and said, "I hope you don't mind, Mark, I know we just met, but I really like you!"

I wrapped my arms around her, and holding her closely, said, "Andie sweetie, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, and I really like you too?" Thus began my first day in college. Without trying, I managed to land one of the most beautiful girls on campus and she was actually very attracted to me. I hugged Andie tightly to me and asked, "Does this make us girlfriend and boyfriend now?"

"Only if you want it to," Andie replied hopefully.

I smiled and said, "I would love to be your boyfriend, but..." and then I hung my head and added, "...there's something you need to know about me before this goes any further and I'm not real sure you're gonna like it either!"

"It can't be that bad, can it?" she sweetly asked.

While still holding her in my lap, I sighed and said, "Well, no, but it's just that, I've never had a girlfriend before and I don't know what to do or how to act. I'm sorry, Andie!"

She smiled, and after giving me another one of her tender kisses, and breathing softly into my ear, she said, "You sweet, sweet boy, I don't care about that. I'll teach you everything you need to know about how to treat a girl. Trust me, baby!"

"Okay!" I said.

Suddenly Andie rose from my lap, taking me by the hand, making me stand with her. Then she put her arms around me and pulled me as close to her as I could get. Our faces were mere inches apart and tilting her head to the side, our lips met while she rubbed her body against mine. Her kisses were like wine and before long; our tongues were doing a dance as old as time itself. We continued kissing and making out for a good twenty minutes before we parted, both of us breathing heavily. Almost out of breath, Andie grinned and said, "It seems to me that you are already off to a good start, baby." Then, out of the blue, she said, "Oh, hey, some friends of mine are playing in Dallas tonight and I want to go and show off my new boyfriend. Do you wanna go?"

"I think that sounds like fun to me. Besides; it's not everyday that a man gets to go somewhere with the most beautiful woman in the world on his arm," I replied, hugging her slightly.

"I think you and I are going to get along just fine, Mark, you handsome devil...Mmmm!" said Andie, her eyes again shining brightly. The she became serious and said, "I know we just met, Mark. But there's just something about you that I can't resist!"

I laughed and replied, "Then, don't!" We spent the rest of the afternoon together talking and just getting to know each other better until it was time to get ready to go out. Andie went to her room across the hall, leaving me to dress in mine. I showered and shaved and put on a pair of nice pants and a dress shirt. I knew it would take her longer to get ready than it would me so, I took my time.

After an hour or so, I heard a knock at my door, and replied, "Come on in!"

I only thought that Andie was beautiful until I saw her dressed up to go out. She was wearing a black mini skirt and black boots with three inch heels on the long sleek legs that came from out of it. Her hair was back and slightly up on her head but still flowed gracefully down her back and legs. She had a white silk top that made her blue eyes sparkle even more brilliantly than ever before. Andie laughed and said, "By the look on your face, I guess you like what you see, huh?"

"My God, you really are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen," I breathed, a single tear rolling slowly down my face.


After The Dust Had Settled



"Oh baby, here, here, what's wrong?" she asked, alarm in her voice.

I smiled, then wiped my face and said, "Nothing's wrong, it's just that I never thought that I would be with someone as beautiful you. I guess it was kind of childish for me to act like that. I'm sorry!"

"You're beautiful yourself, ya know. I thought so the first time I laid eyes on you. I think that you're a very special person, and to tell you the truth, I'm in awe of you, Mark," said Andie, as she put her arms around me and kissed me softly on the lips.

"You're in awe of me?" I asked, then smiled and added, "I think it's the other way around, Beautiful!"

Taking me by the hand, Andie grinned and replied, "Then we can be in awe of each other. Come on, handsome. I'm gonna introduce you to some musician friends of mine and I think that you all will get along famously!" So, off we went. At Andie's suggestion, we took her car this time as she knew her way around Dallas a hell of lot better than I did.

           *********************

We drove around downtown Dallas for about an hour until we came to a place that had the words "Nick's Uptown Lounge" lit up in big green and red neon letters on the marquee. As we pulled into the parking lot, Andie turned to me and said, "These guys that I'm about to introduce you to are all members of the One O'clock Jazz Band. They call themselves "Prodigy" and if I remember correctly; Doctor Breeden used that word on more than one occasion when he spoke to us about you last year!"

"I don't know about all that," I replied sheepishly.

"Oh, yeah? Well, I do," Andie replied grinning, and then with a nod of her head, she opened her car door and said, "Come on handsome! It's time for you to shine!" As we went into the club, she took my hand, and leaning up to my ear, whispered, "Listen baby, classes don't start for a few more days so, act like you don't know anything. Besides, I've got a plan that you're gonna love!"

"What kind of plan?" I nervously asked.

After softly kissing my lips, she smiled and replied, "Trust me, baby, you're gonna love it!"

"Okay beautiful, I'm gonna trust you!" I replied, proudly walking into the club with this gorgeous creature on my arm.

Legal drinking age in Texas was eighteen at that time so; I ordered a beer for myself and a Tom Collins for Andie. The band had just taken the stage when we sat down so; when the waitress left our table, Andie leaned into me and I put my arm around her as we listened to her friends play. These guys were really very good, and it seemed like I knew every song they played. The band consisted of four people, a singer, a guitar player, a bass player, and a drummer. These guys were progressive rockers like me and I really dug everything I heard. Andie could tell I was getting into the music when she leaned over and said, "See? I told you that you'd like these guys, huh?"

"Oh hell yeah, they rock!" I replied excitedly, making Andie giggle then hug me.

After a couple of hours, they took a break and the singer came to our table, and greeting Andie, smiled and said, "Hi Andie! Thanks for coming out, gorgeous." Then he looked at me and asked, "Who's your friend?"

Andie smiled proudly and replied, "Hi Bryan. Bryan Rogers, this is Mark Thompson. Not only is he my boyfriend, but he's also the keyboard player that you guys have been searching all over hell and back for!"

Bryan smiled and shook my hand and said, "In that case, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mark. Andie is a good friend and not only do I trust her judgment, but she knows good musicians when she hears them so, I have no doubt you're probably pretty good!" 

"I can hold my own, I guess!" I replied happily.

"What kind of music do you like?" asked Bryan.

"I like Yes, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Rick Wakeman's solo stuff, and Keith Emerson's solo stuff! I really dig King Crimson, and that predates Emerson Lake and Palmer" I replied smiling.

"Man! I like this guy already, Andie," said Bryan grinning wildly.

"I knew you would," said Andie proudly. 

About that time, the rest of the guys in the band came over to our table. Before anyone else could say anything, Bryan stood up and said, "Guys! Andie found us a keyboard player. She's gonna bring him over to the house tomorrow so he can jam with us."

"Who is he?" asked the drummer.

Once again, Bryan said, "I'm sorry," then looking at me, added, "Mark Thompson, this is our drummer, Tommy Adams. The guy standing next to him is our bass player, Philip Ross. And this guy over on your side of the table is our guitar player, Danny Reed!"

After the introductions were made, everyone took a seat at our table and we all sat around and discussed progressive rock and roll. I discovered that these guys were my kind of people and I couldn't wait to jam with them the next day. The time came for them to go back onstage while Andie and I held one another's hands, having drinks and enjoying the music. The night ended with promises that I would see them all tomorrow. As we were walking out to her car, Andie stopped me and gave me a searing kiss that nearly curled my toes and then smiled and seductively said, "You're mine, Mark. You know that, don't you?"

"I guess I do now!" I replied smiling.

Then she nodded her beautiful head toward the car and said, "Come on, handsome. We're going home!"

When we got back to the dorm, we walked down the hall, hand in hand until we came to our doors. I looked at Andie and said, "I think you're the most beautiful creature I've ever seen and I love being your boyfriend, even if it's only been for a few hours!"

She draped her arms around my neck, then laughed and said, "You're so cute. I had a good time tonight, Mark. Thank you!" As we kissed each other good night, I felt her shiver slightly but thought nothing of it at the time. Hell I didn't know any better then, but I would learn a lot of things, and a whole lot sooner than I expected, too. That much was certain. As we turned to go to our separate rooms, Andie looked at me one last time and said, "Good night. Baby! I'll see you in the morning!"

"I can't wait!" I replied, and then turned and went into my room, closing the door behind me. I walked into my room and sat down on my bed and just smiled, amazed at all the things that had taken place in the past twelve hours. I had a new and very beautiful girlfriend that seemed like she was crazy about me, not to mention the fact that she helped set me up with some really good musicians that I couldn't wait to jam with. But, if the truth were known, I think I was more excited about that than anything. 

I stood up and began to take off my clothes, preparing to go bed. I turned off the lights, got into bed and then rolled over and before long, dropped off to sleep. I dreamed that Andie and I were lying on a beach, basking in the sunlight. I could actually feel her body cuddled next mine. I smiled to myself in my dream and began to feel something I'd never experienced before. Suddenly, my dream became all too real as I could literally feel someone or something behind me. As I slowly woke and my eyes became accustomed to the small amount of ambient light pouring through my window, I found Andie lying next to me, cuddled against me, her arm draped across my chest and her nose buried in the space where my throat met my chest.



I looked over at the clock which sat on the table next to my bed and saw that it was only four in the morning so; I slowly leaned over and very tenderly kissed her the top of her head. She stirred, and then opening her eyes, sleepily said, "Mmmm! Hi!"

"What're you doing here?" I asked smiling.

"I got lonely over there across the hall, all by myself. I hope you don't mind," Andie replied, snuggling closer to me.

Here I was, wearing nothing but my underwear, and she lay next me wearing nothing but a long tee shirt. I could feel the softness of her body and the sensation of her breasts, unfettered and pressing softly against me so, who was I to mind. "I don't mind at all," I replied.

"Thank you, sweetie," said Andie, and then she drifted back to sleep, with me

following closely behind her.

           *********************

The next morning I awoke to find the bed empty and Andie gone. I looked over at the clock to discover that it was nearing nine-thirty. I got out of bed and headed for the shower. The hot water felt good as it soothed the aching muscles of my back. It was going to take only a short time for my back to get used to sleeping in a different bed, hence the reason it was aching. I had just dunked my head beneath the spraying shower of water let it wash over me when, suddenly, I heard Andie's voice right behind me say, "Good morning, Handsome! Hurry up in there because I want to go get something to eat before we go over to Bryan's house. Okay?" 

"JEEZ!" I shouted, and turned around to Andie's head sticking through the shower curtain and a seductive grin on her face.

I was trying by best to cover my exposed body and never felt more embarrassed in my life till she replied, "Yum! You look great. Too bad we don't know each other a little better. But, I guess we've got time," and then giggling as she slapped my bare ass, she added, "I'll meet you in my room once you're dressed!" Then as quickly as she appeared, she was gone. 

Once I was finished with my shower and was in my room getting dressed, I opened the door and shouted for Andie. As she opened her door smiling, I grinned and said, "I've still got to get my gear loaded into my truck before we leave. That way we won't have come back and get it. We can go to Bryan's house from wherever we eat!"

I went to put on a shirt and the moment I got it over my head, Andie was right there to kiss me on the lips and then said, "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in the shower!

One look into those beautiful blue eyes of hers, and any misgivings or resolve that I might, or might not have had, melted straight away. I finished pulling my shirt down, put my arms around her waist, and then tenderly kissed her on the cheek, teasingly near her lips and replied, "Don't give it another thought, Beautiful!"

"Oooo, Mark! You better not do that again or we really will be late....for everything!" Andie said, giggling yet, I could've sworn I felt her slightly shiver in my arms again.

She pushed me away grinning, but blushing brightly. I could tell that I embarrassed her, but I wasn't about to push it any further. So I walked over to my keyboards, and picking up a nearby empty box; I held it out to her and said, "If you'll put the cords I give you into this box, it will go a little faster!" I could see obvious look of relief written on her face as she walked over to me smiling and took the box from my hand.

As I was taking the cords from each module of my main synthesizer, I noticed Andie looking oddly at me. I continued working until she scratched her head, and looking at my synth, said, "How do you remember what all that stuff does?"

Not really knowing where it came from, I just looked at her blankly and replied, "I don't know, it just kinda makes sense I guess!"

           *********************

Once Andie and I had finished eating our breakfast and were on our way to Bryan's house, it must've been written all over me because she smiled and asked, "Are you excited, Sweetie?"

"Like you wouldn't believe," I replied laughing, and added, "I've wanted to play in a band since forever!"

"You played in band when you were in high school, didn't you?" asked Andie.

I smiled and said, "Well, yeah, but I always wanted to play in a rock and roll band when I was younger, but my mother wouldn't hear of it!"

Andie lightly squeezed my arm and said, "Well now's your chance, darlin. Besides, I already told you that I think you guys are all going to get along famously. Something else I know is that ya'll are gonna sound better than anything anybody's ever heard!"

When we got to Bryan's house, he was waiting for us at the door. As we pulled into his driveway, I saw him look back inside his house saying something while motioning toward the door with his hand. Less than two seconds later, a group of about twenty guys appeared in his front yard. Bryan made his way to my side of the truck and greeted me with a hand shake. Then looking at all the people around us, he grinned and said, "I heard you had a little more gear than the usual keyboard player so, I called our road crew!"

"I'm a usual keyboard player," I stated worriedly.

Looking at all my gear that everyone was unloading from my truck under Andie's strict supervision, Bryan laughed and replied, "If you're even half as good as I think you are then, we're going to see some history in the making today." Then with a motion of his head, he added, "Come on, man. We're gonna rock in the back yard."

Andie and I followed Bryan into his back yard where I found all my gear neatly stacked on the patio near where the rest of the band was set up. I looked all around me and there were roughly forty or so, guys and girls in his back yard, the guys that were in the front yard included. A very pretty girl with blonde hair was mixing Margaritas behind a bar that sat on the patio near the back door of the house. Trying not to sound anymore overwhelmed than I was, I looked at Bryan and said, "It's gonna take me a few minutes to get set up!"

Bryan walked over to watch me as I set up my gear stopping me only to ask a brief question here and there. I noticed different people closely watching me, but I still kept at it until I was finished. Then after walking over and grabbing two of the five drinks that sat on the bar, Bryan, followed by Tommy, Philip and Danny, who grabbed a drink each, all walked over to me. Brian handed me one of the drinks he was holding, and raising his glass, said, "Here's to rock and roll," and then at the top of his lungs, he yelled, "ONE O'CLOCK, YEAH!" Echoes of his toast could be heard all over the back yard. I raised my glass then drank.

After I had all my gear set up and ready to play and the other guys took their places, Bryan looked at me and said, "What do you want to play, Little Bro?"

I looked and all the guys and asked, "Do you guys know any Emerson Lake and Palmer?"

Danny grinned and replied, "Aw man! I like him already!"

"You got the chops to play "Lucky Man"?" asked Bryan.

"If you're waiting on me, you're backing up, bro," I replied, grinning devilishly.

The guys all began laughing and in no time, Danny began the intro with Bryan bringing the vocals in right on time. When Tommy and Philip came in, I felt as if I were floating on a cloud. Up until now, I had only ever heard music played at it's purest and finest solely on records or the radio, and when it came time for me to come in; I began to live the day dreams I had entertained as a boy. With every note I played, a felt as if a small piece of my soul was part of it. As the song began its main crescendo and my synthesizer began making its presence known within the music, I took my lead amidst the cheers and loud applause of the crowd there. I looked over at Bryan and the rest of the guys, only to find all four of them grinning from ear-to-ear. And when the song finally came to its end, every single person in the back yard were on their feet, applauding wildly. However, nobody cheered louder than Andie. It was at that moment in time that I began to realize that I might be developing feelings for her and I simply smiled at the thought of it. We spent the next two and a half hours playing everything that we in the band, as well as the people there, all could think of. I would be lying if I said that I didn't feel as if I were in heaven, because every song that we played ended up being keyboard driven. 

We played a while longer and then we took a break. People came up and introduced themselves. I'd been drinking margaritas for the past two hours, and I'm sad to say that I couldn't remember all their names. Suddenly, this one girl walked up to me and said, "You're going to makes us all sound great this year! Glad to have you, man!" I thought I was just there to jam with the band when I realized that something was amiss. I heard someone laughing behind me, causing me to turn around.

I saw Bryan looking at me grinning, and asked, "What?"

"Well, I guess the cat is out of the bag now," he replied, still grinning.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, now thoroughly confused.

Waving his hand amongst the crowd that was in the back yard when I first got there, Bryan smiled and said, "Please don't be mad at us, Mark. But when Doctor Breeden told us last year that you were coming, we were all worried that you'd either be some child that played well, or some arrogant anti-social asshole. We had one of those last year but we hounded him so bad that he transferred to Berkeley!"

"You're going to have to forgive me, but I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about," I replied.

Andie appeared out of nowhere, then took my hand and looked at Bryan and said, "Tell him, Bry!"

Bryan grinned and loudly replied, "Eighty percent of the people that are here today all play in the One O'clock Jazz Band. They, we, all wanted to check you out and make sure you weren't an asshole before we all played with you in class!"

I had never felt so humiliated in my life. The anger in my face was quite apparent when I glared at Andie, and saying it loud enough that only she and Bryan could hear me, I asked, "So, all this, you, it was all a set-up, wasn't it?"

Andie looked at me and sheepishly and replied, "Yes, in a way, but not....."

I jerked my hand out of hers, and interrupting her, coolly but politely said, "I think its time for me to go!"

Andie looked at me with fear in her eyes and said, "Mark, honey you've got it all wrong!"

"Boy, do I ever!" I said, and then staring coldly into her eyes, I stood up and loudly enough that every one could hear, I added, "All any of you needed to do was just come and talk to me. I'm not a bad guy ya know!" 

I began to unplug and pack my gear up when, with Bryan right behind her, Andie walked up to me and put her hand on my shoulder and said, "Mark, please give us a chance to explain!"

I jerked away from her and said, "I'm trying very hard to be an adult about this even though I wasn't given the consideration of being treated like one. Please, just leave me alone and let me leave in peace!"

"I can respect that, man. I don't know if it means anything right now, but I'm really sorry, Mark," said Bryan, as he and Andie slowly backed away from me.

You could've heard a pin drop as I packed and loaded out my gear, refusing all offers of help. As I took the last piece out to my truck, Andie ran into the house through the back door crying. I got into my truck and started it up. Right before I put it into reverse, I caught a glimpse of Andie looking at me from out of the front window of the house, tears raining down her face and weeping bitterly.

There were four days left until classes began, and in that time, I stayed in my room, only leaving to eat. During the days I would play and study, and at night I would sit in my room alone and read or watch T.V. Each night I could see Andie's reflection in the floor as she would pause by my door, then turn and go into her room directly across the hall. On the last night before classes began the next day, I was sitting in my room reading when I heard a knock at my door. I knew it was Andie, but I still wasn't ready to talk to her yet so; I didn't answer. She knocked a little louder the next time and said, "Mark! Mark, I know you're in there!" Then she knocked again. I still refused to answer. Suddenly I heard her begin crying as she walked away.

           *********************

My first day in college consisted of sitting in different classrooms taking notes, and filling out the different papers that pertained to each class I was in, for the whole morning. I discovered that Andie was in one of my classes, and when we made eye contact as I walked into the class room, she smiled but I politely ignored her. Thank God that class only lasted for an hour. When the class ended, it was time for lunch, and I made a hasty retreat as soon as possible in order to avoid having to talk to Andie.




After The Dust Had Settled



I had about an hour to eat lunch before I spent the rest of the afternoon doing the same thing I had done that morning. I was walking across the campus when I heard someone shout my name. I turned to see Doctor Breeden trying to catch up to me. When he was within range, he smiled and said, "Mark! Can you spare a few minutes?" This was the man who awarded me my scholarship so; I always had time for him.

"Yes, sir, what can I do for you?" I asked smiling.

"Let's go to my office, shall we?" he said cheerfully.

"That's fine, sir," I replied, following him as he led me away.

When we reached his office, Doctor Breeden pointed to a large chair that faced his desk and said, "Please, make yourself comfortable, Mark." Once I was seated, he took a seat behind his desk and pointedly said, "I understand that, a few days ago, the One O'clock gave you the business!"

"It's nothing I can't handle, sir," I smugly replied at the thought of it.

"I'm going to ask you as a personal favor to me to give them a second chance, Mark. It's my fault that they treated you the way they did," he said disdainfully.

"I'm listening, sir," I respectfully replied.

As if he were staring into space, Doctor Breeden began, "When I first began teaching here at North Texas, I wanted to create not only a certain a sound, but a band like no other college band in the world. So, I searched the country to find the best musicians I could, and I succeeded, too. I had the best band in the world. We won awards and medals left and right. The problem was, is that I brought people in here because their gifts, not taking into consideration as to what kind of person they were. The last one I had in here nearly ripped this band apart until I transferred him to Berkeley."

"Yeah, I heard about him, "I laughed.

Doctor Breeden leaned across his desk and sternly looked me in the eye, making me uncomfortable. However, I remained steadfast and didn't break his stare nor did I move a single muscle. Then he suddenly smiled, and then leaning back in his chair, he laughed and said, "Now I know that I was right to bring you here!"

"I don't understand, sir."

"You're one of the most driven young men I've ever met," he said, "You didn't break my stare and you didn't flinch one bit just now, and that's the same way you are when it comes to your music, correct?"

"Yes sir, that's correct."

"Good," he replied, and then he leaned back in his chair and added, "There's the matter with Miss Matthews?"

"Andie, what about her?"

He smiled and simply replied, "Beautiful opportunities come but once in a very great while!"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Doctor Breeden just laughed and said, "That's something you're going to have to figure out for yourself, young Mark. Now, get out of here and I'll see you for band tomorrow after noon!"

Remembering that band was the only class I had on Tuesdays and Thursdays I asked Doctor Breeden, "Can I take my gear over there this afternoon after my classes so it'll be easier to set up tomorrow?"

"That's fine with me," he replied as I was leaving.

           *********************

That afternoon as I was setting up my gear in the gigantic room where the One O'clock Jazz Band played, I heard two distinctly female voices call my name. I turned around to find Marsha and Becky walking toward me waving. "Hi, you two," I cheerfully said, as they approached me.

"I heard we missed a really fucked up party the other night," said Becky regretfully.

"Be glad of it, too," I replied flatly.

Suddenly Marsha walked up to me, and gently patting my arm, said, "Mark, we're really sorry about that."

I smiled and said, "Why should either one of you be sorry? You weren't even there."

"Maybe not, but we're both still members of this band and if one of us fucks up, then we're all responsible for making it right," said Becky.

"I just laughed and replied, "Don't sweat it. Everything's going to be alright, okay?"

"Good," they both replied.

"What about Andie?" asked Marsha.

"What about her?" I replied coldly.

"She's really torn up about this, Mark!" said Becky.

I just laughed and said, "Yeah, right. Next semester she'll be right back in business, teasing and leading some other unsuspecting guy around by the nose before she rubs shit in his face!"

"Sometimes you men can be so dumb. She's not like that, Mark," scolded Marsha.

I took an immediate dislike to what she said, and crossing my arms in a defensive posture, I said, "Now wait a minute. I never once lied to her about anything. I've been nothing but nice to her. Hell, she climbed into my bed barely dressed and I was a complete gentleman. I laid there holding her while she slept while any other asshole would've surely done a whole lot worse....and then she takes me over to Bryan's place and humiliates me. Well, fuck that, I don't need it!"

"She's in love with you, Mark," said Becky softly.

"Bullshit! She hasn't known me long enough," I spat.

Then taking me by the hand and leading me to a group of chairs, Marsha smiled and said, "Would you please sit down and hear us out?"

I took a seat, and then crossing my arms across my chest, said, "Alright, I'm listening."

With Becky and Marsha sitting on both sides of me, Marsha began, "Do you remember when you conducted the all-state orchestra last semester, and then after the concert, Doctor Breeden approached you with a scholarship offer?"

"Sure I do," I replied.

Becky gently touched my hand and softly said, "Andie was at that concert with Doctor Breeden. She was the one that Doctor Breeden asked to do the research on you. She fell in love with the idea of you at first, and then when she saw you play; she fell madly in love with you." 

"But...how can that be?" I asked, stunned.

Marsha smiled and said, "You forget that we're girls, too, Mark. You think we don't see what she sees in you?" I began to blush at what she said. It was obvious as hell and both she and Becky giggled when they noticed it, but Marsha continued, "Please give her another chance, Mark. I promise you that you won't regret it!"

As memories of Andie's beautiful smiling face entered my mind, it was then that I realized that I really did miss her. Maybe I took everything the wrong way after all. I had some thinking to do before I made another move. So, I looked at both girls and said, "I'll tell you what. I promise to give it some very serious thought, okay?" That satisfied them because they both stood up and bid me a quick good-bye, but not before I received a kiss on each cheek from the both of them. Then they walked away.

           *********************

That night as I slept, I dreamed that I was on the beach that I used to surf when I was in high school, when all of a sudden, the sky got dark and it began to thunder. As the storm moved closer in my dream, it began to get louder and I thought I heard a muffled scream coming from somewhere off in the distance. Suddenly the storm was on me, and in my dream; I saw a giant lightning bolt about to strike me. It seemed like it was moving in slow motion toward me and right before it hit; I abruptly awoke, bolting straight up in bed. After my head cleared, I looked out the window to find that it actually was storming outside. I had always liked watching the lightning as it danced across the sky. Suddenly a brilliant bolt of lightning struck across the sky with a loud thunderous clap. I heard something just then; it was the same muffled scream I thought I had dreamt. Then, when the lightning crashed again, I distinctly heard it. It was the sound of someone who was terrified and it was coming from Andie's room.  

I threw on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt, and then made a mad dash across the hall. As the lightning pounded again, I heard her screaming and I didn't even knock as I pushed her door open. I tried to turn on her lights but the storm had knocked out the power. My eyes were adjusted to the dark and I looked around her room to find her crumpled the far right hand corner with her face buried into a pillow. "Andie, are you okay?" I asked, slightly startling her.

When she discovered that I was in her room, she practically flew into my arms, sobbing and saying, "Mark, baby, I'm so sorry, please don't leave," and before I could answer, the lightning crashed again making her scream, her arms wrapped tightly around me, her face buried in my chest.

"Shhh....it's gonna be alright, my love," I softly replied, trying to soothe this beautiful girl that I now knew I was bound to, heart, mind and soul. 

"What did you just say?" she asked sniffling.

"I said, it's going to be aright," I replied.

Slightly pushing away from, Andie grinned and said, "No, you just said that I was your love!"

"And?" I replied, grinning knowingly.

To this day, I've never seen a woman as beautiful as my Andie, but at that moment she looked more beautiful then ever, especially when she smiled and said, "I love you very much, Mark, and I'm sorry that I made you mad," and then she began to cry again.

"You didn't do anything wrong," I replied smiling, "I'm the one who should be apologizing to you!"

"I need to tell you something and I'm not really sure how you're going to take it, Mark," said Andie, wiping the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand.

"I'm all ears, darlin and there's nothing you could tell me that's going to make me mad," I replied, already knowing what she was going to say.

I could tell that she was nervous, but she took me by the hand, and leading me to her bed, sat down with me while still holding my hand. Then she took a deep breath and began, "Last year, Doctor Breeden asked me to research you for the purposes of making sure you qualified for the scholarship you were given. I found out everything I could about you. I even read what your teachers wrote about you in your transcripts. It really piqued my interest and when I saw you play for the first time......" she began to cry again, ".....I fell in love with you, Mark! Why else do you think that your room is directly across the hall from mine?" 

I pulled my handkerchief out of my pocket, and wiping her face for her, happily replied, "If that's the case, then why are you crying? You're supposed to happy about that. I know that I sure am!"

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Andie asked, grinning from ear-to-ear.

"And, what would that be?" I asked knowingly.

Andie put her arms around my neck, and after softly kissing my lips, replied, "You're in love with me. Aren't you?"

"Yes, since the first time I saw you," I admitted, looking down at the floor ashamedly.

Suddenly I felt her hand under my chin, lifting my head till we were face-to-face. Then she leaned in and very tenderly and very softly kissed my lips then said, "I love you, Mark!"

"I love you too!" I replied.

"So, what do you propose we do about this, then?" asked Andie, grinning seductively.

Suddenly I got very nervous, but I decided right then and there that, because I was in love with her; then Andie deserved to know the truth about me. I cleared my throat and looked her in the eyes and said, "Andie, I've never been with a girl before and I'm a little scared!"

I actually heard her breathe what sounded like a sigh of relief. Then she very slowly and very gently put her arms around my neck and softly replied, "I'm still a virgin too, Mark. But I've finally found the man I want to lose my virginity to and that man is you, baby!" She must've been as scared as I was, because the moment after she told me this; she smiled and said, "Is it alright if it doesn't happen tonight?" 

Now it was her turn to hear me breathing a sigh of relief, and in doing so, she giggled and kissed me on the cheek as I replied, "That's just fine with me. Besides, I hope you don't think I'm strange, but I would like to get to know you a lot better before we make love, okay?"

"Now I know you're the right guy for me," Andie said, as she pulled me closer to her and held our bodies tightly against one another. We lay down together on her bed still holding one another as the storm outside continued to rage. This time however, we were like one person, making no sound, only breathing and loving. We slept the whole night through and woke the next morning in one another's arms.



          *********************

The next day brought a free morning of no classes until one o'clock that afternoon. Once we were both cleaned up and dressed, Andie and I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast together in my room, as I had gone to a Denny's restaurant near campus and brought us back something while Andie was taking her shower.

While we were eating, Andie simply watched me with a smile on her face, making me ask, "What are looking at?"

"I'm looking at my beautiful and brilliant boyfriend whom I can't wait to show off to my sorority sisters as well as the rest of my friends," she sweetly replied, making me blush like nothing I'd ever experienced before.

All of a sudden, someone unexpectedly knocked on my door. "Come on in," I replied loudly. The door opened and lo and behold, Marsha and Becky stood there, both of them wearing silly grins on their faces. "Good morning, ladies! What can I do for you, this morning?" I asked smiling.

Walking in and closing the door behind them, they came into my room and sat one on either side of Andie and I. Then, with knowing smiles on both of their faces; Marsha spoke up first and said, "Well, it looks like you two are getting along just fine this morning!"

"Yes, we are. Is there something that you wanted?" asked Andie, looking back and forth between her two friends with a knowing grin.

"We just wanted to make sure that Mark was still planning on coming to class today," said Becky smiling.

"I guess it's safe to say that we'll both be there," laughed Andie. Then she smiled at Becky and Marsha and added, "You're more than welcome to stick around, but if you two will excuse us, we haven't finished eating our breakfast yet!" Of course, no one said anything and we ate until we could eat no more and then Andie took our mess to the trash. I can't remember ever feeling more like I was on top of the world than I did that morning, and the best part of it all, was that I had my beautiful Andie back, although she later told me that I never lost her in the first place. She was, and still is, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. As young boys, most men only dream about having a girlfriend that looks like her. Me, I did, and I considered myself to be the luckiest man alive. I was going to do whatever it took to honor this girl because there was no way I was ever going to risk losing her again.

           *********************

The moment I walked into the band hall, several smiling faces were there to greet me. Leading the crowd were the guys from "Prodigy". Bryan extended his hand in friendship and said, "I hope there are no hard feelings!"

I smiled, and while shaking his hand, said, "Nah, I just hope that you guys will let me jam with you again sometime soon!"

"You really mean that?" asked Bryan, and when I nodded my head, he added, "Well...in that case, would you like to join our band?"

"As in, I'm a member of the group?" I asked hopefully.

"That's exactly what I mean, little brother. What do you say to that?" replied Bryan, grinning from ear-to-ear.

"Like I said the other night at your house, if you're waiting on me, then you're backing up, bro," I replied laughing. 

Just then, Dr. Breeden walked in and said, "Alright ladies and gentlemen, would everyone take their places, please?" After everyone was in place, Dr. Breeden began passing out the sheet music he produced from a box he'd carried in with him and said, "This semester I want to take the One O'clock to a whole new level!" Then, pointing at me, he added, "Now that we have Mr. Thompson in our midst, new doors are about to open themselves before us. The music we're going to learn this year, no other college band in the nation does, nor do they have the ability to do! So, hang on to your hats, gang, because we're going to seriously rock and roll!"

Loud cheers echoed throughout the band hall as the members of The One O'clock Jazz Band applauded our director for his sudden change in taste of music. I looked over at the brass section to find my beautiful Andie sitting in her chair, saxophone in hand and smiling brightly at me. Shit, I just realized that I didn't even know what instrument she played until now. Little did I know that she was a virtuoso on the saxophone? We began to play, and we weren't that far into the music, when I realized we were doing a cut from Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" album, called, "The Machine". There was no way that Dr. Breeden could've known that this was one of my favorite songs. As we were all playing together, I smiled thinking how much we sounded just like the record. Then it came time for Andie to play a solo. I could see the music literally flowing from her perfect body with every note she played. I felt her soul touching my heart as I watched her perform. She truly was touched by God and I thanked him that this, one of his most beautiful creations ever, was more and more becoming a part of me. We rocked and rolled for at least two more hours and then class was done. After class we all stood around joking and cutting up for a few minutes until Bryan and the rest of "Prodigy" approached me about setting up a rehearsal schedule. "After what we heard today, I think we need to get together and practice for at least the next three nights straight, L.B.," laughed Brian.

"What did you just call me?" I asked grinning.

"L.B., its short for little brother, little brother," replied Bryan laughing.

"In that case, I've got the next three nights free," I said, smiling and holding Andie's hand.

           *********************

That night at Bryan's house, we rehearsed all of the top forty hits as well as the progressive rock material that we were all so fond of. It was no wonder these guys named themselves Prodigy. It was apparent after the first time I ever played with them that they were all prodigies themselves. I guess that's why we sounded so good. Andie, Marsha and Becky, as well as half of the sorority they belonged to were all there smiling and listening to us, and applauded after every song we played. It was more fun than I remembered ever having before. Andie looked so beautiful and you know what they say; there's nothing more attractive to a man than a beautiful woman who is in love with him. I still couldn't believe that Andie was in love with me. The best way to describe what she looked like would be that she looked like a very young version of the actress, Jacqueline Smith, only prettier. Every time I would look at her, a feeling of contentment would begin to warm me from within. When Andie would look at me, her smile struck beautiful notes in my heart that I had yet to play.

As we drove home from practice that night, Andie was sitting right next me as closely as she could get with her hand on the inside of my right thigh. "So what did you think about practice tonight, baby?" I asked smiling.

"I thought it was fantastic, darlin. You know that Bryan and the rest of the guys have been absolutely beside themselves since you jammed with them, don't you?" she asked, as she laid her head on my shoulder.

"No, I guess not. But why would they be beside themselves when they're just as good, if not better, than I am?" I asked bewildered.

Lifting her head from my shoulder and looking me in the eyes, Andie smiled and said, "You really don't know, do ya?"

"Andie sweetie, I don't have the foggiest idea what you're talking about," I replied truthfully.

By this time we were pulling into the parking lot of our dorm rooms. The moment I stopped the truck and turned it off, Andie looked at me and said, "Mark, honey, you don't realize how good you are, do you?" and before I had the chance to respond, she added, "Since you got here, no one has been, nor do I doubt will ever be, able to hold a candle to your abilities. You're the best that any of us, Dr. Breeden included, have ever seen!"




After The Dust Had Settled



"Well, I don't know about all that," I replied quietly.

As we were getting out of the truck, Andie looked at me and insistently asked, "Mark, why do you do that?"

"Do what?" I asked.

"Every time I pay you a compliment, you always try to downplay it like it's nothing?" replied Andie, with a slight irritation in her voice. 

"I don't know, I guess it's just that....well...I don't think I'm all that good," I said, putting my hands in my pockets.

Coming around to my side of the truck, Andie wrapped her arms around me and said, "Aw baby boy, look at it this way. Number one, Doctor Breeden would not have given you a full Master's program ride if you weren't any good. Number two, I've been around some very impressive pianists/keyboardists my entire life and you are, hands down, the best I've ever heard!" Then after softly kissing my lips, she added, "Last but certainly not least, I love you with all my heart, Mark and that's not something I give lightly!"

I stepped slightly away from her and replied, "I guess I'm pretty good. It's just that...well...I refuse to act like all those egomaniacal assholes that Bryan was talking about at the party the other night!"

Andie began to giggle then as she pulled me close to her; she smiled and said, "Baby, you'll never be like them, ever!"

"Why are you laughing?" I asked smiling.

Andie kissed me lightly on the lips and replied, "I'm laughing because I love you and no one that I love would ever be an asshole!"

That night after dinner, we stayed in my room while Andie filled me in on what to expect from the up and coming classes that I would be taking. She also let me know which teachers were strict and precise and which teachers were a little more lenient. 

           *********************

The next day, which was Wednesday, I had an eight o'clock Creative Writing class. My teacher's name was Miss Darlene Johannsen. She had just graduated from Southern Methodist University (SMU), in Dallas, with her Master's degree in English Literature, and as I found out later, we were her very first class. The moment I walked into the classroom, I felt at ease and comfortable. It also didn't hurt that my teacher was a knockout either. She had long blonde hair that flowed to her waist with blue eyes that, while they were not as beautiful as Andie's, were very pretty in their own right. Her body was nothing to laugh at either. Still though, she couldn't hold a candle to Andie, not many women could then, nor can they now.

As Miss Johannsen began to speak, informing the class of what she expected of us, I realized that I was going to like her class. As she assigned us our work to be done in class, I was hoping that all my classes were going to be this easy, but I had a feeling that that was most definitely not the case. "Now class, I want you to write at least a thousand words and I want you to be as descriptive as possible. In other words, I want to be able to see in my mind that which you write about," she told us as we began to write.

This was going to be easy for me. All I did was to describe the way I felt whenever I was around Andie. I described in detail, all the things that happened in inside of me the first time I ever laid eyes on her. I explained the feelings that arose within me the first time I saw her play. I even described what I saw through my eyes as each note emanated from her sax when I watched her put her soft lips to it for the first time. All of this took me about forty-five minutes to write, and when I was done; I handed in four pages, finishing before the rest of the students. Because we were allowed to leave once our work had been handed in, I went back to my room to study for a pop quiz that I knew we would be having in my next class, which was World History.  

It just so happens that I love history. I always have, and when I was in high school, my teachers would love it when I would debate with other students about the pros and cons of different historical events or characters. Now, because I'd taken some first year college level classes in high school, one of them being World History; I would be taking a second year level history class this semester in college. I already knew ahead of time that Andie was in this class with me so; I was looking forward to not only being with my girlfriend, but getting off to good start. The only thing was; I forgot that this was one of the teachers that Andie had told me was very strict and that her teaching methods were very rigid. This began the onslaught of a historical campus-wide awareness as well as the exorcism of professors teaching their personal political views in the classrooms.

When I walked into the lecture hall, I found Andie sitting in the third row of the middle section of seats. I made my way over to and sat down beside her. She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and said, "Hi, baby! It's good to see you made it here."

"No problem," I replied grinning.

"Oh no?" she asked, one eyebrow raised.

I kissed her lips and said, "No, all I had to do was follow my heart and it led me right here to you."

"Oh my, what a charmer you are..." Andie purred, then added, "....but you better save it because you're gonna need it in this class!"

"Oh yeah, I remember now. This is what's-her-name's class, the one you said was a real bitch," I replied.

Andie smiled and said, "Her name is Ilia Von Rohmer and she is a total bitch!"

I chuckled and replied, "With a name like "Von Rohmer" I can see why. That's a German name ya know!"

"Well, that explains it then," laughed Andie.

About that time, Professor Ilia Von Rohmer walked into the classroom. She was a solidly built woman who wore a very hard look no her face. Her coal black hair was braided to, and pinned up upon her head. She came in, and after dropping her books onto her desk, peered at the class, and with a clear German accent, said, "Open your text books to page one forty-six!" Her lecture began at the point in history where Nazi Germany invaded Poland. For a period of about forty-five minutes, her emotionless voice droned on and on, nearly putting me to sleep. However, I was awakened from my reverie when she began to talk about Adolph Hitler. It was almost as if she were infatuated with the man as she spoke of his accomplishments. She began to rave, making him look like some kind of hero when the rest of the world knew what an animal he was.

She spoke on and on, praising him until I interrupted her by standing up and saying, "Excuse me, ma'am, but the whole world knows that Adolph Hitler was a monster!"

If looks could kill, I would've been drawn and quartered on the spot. She gave me an evil glare that sent near paralyzing chills down my spine and hissed, "You will sit down and shut up, young man. This is my class and you will act accordingly or else you will get an "F" in this class. Do I make myself clear?"

"I stood defiantly and said, "I will not sit down and shut up while you stand there and glorify someone who was not only a monstrous, bi-sexual pig who kept Eva Braun on the side the side to make the rest of the world think he was straight while he ravished teen-aged boys, but was responsible for the murder of over six million innocent people!"

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, SPEAKING TO ME THAT WAY!" she yelled, her fists balled tightly.

"Mark, take it easy, or she's gonna flunk you and you'll lose your scholarship" whispered Andie, warning me.

I looked at Andie and winked, then answered the professor's question with, "I'll tell you exactly who I am. My name is Mark Thompson! My mother is an attorney and my father is a judge, and I know for a fact that the law says that you're not allowed to teach this totalitarianistic, Nazi bullshit that we've been listening to for the last hour!" 

The whole class had heard the argument, and by now, was cheering me on, making Professor Von Rohmer furious. "YOU WILL ALL BE EXPELLED IF YOU DON'T SHUT YOUR MOUTHS THIS INSTANT!!!!!" she yelled.

"You can spout that Gestapo crap all you want, but you and I both know that you don't have the authority," I said, realizing that at this particular point in time, I didn't give three shits less about college, much less my scholarship.

It took no time before Professor Von Rohmer was upon me with her hands around my right arm and the devil in her eyes. And with the smell of coffee slightly mixed with liquor on her breath, she leaned in with an evil hiss, and violently shaking my arm, said, "I will find a way to silence you, young man. You can count on it!"

Grabbing her hands with my own, I squeezed them hard enough to make her release her grip, and then growled, "Keep your fucking hands off of me, Bitch!" Then turning and grabbing my books and the rest of my belongings, I left the classroom without looking back. I knew that I was going to have to answer for my actions, but I really didn't care. What she said, the way she acted, not to mention her putting her hands on me, was neither allowed nor permitted, and I was not about to stand for any of it.

The moment I got to my dorm, I went to the resident advisors office and called my father from there. I told him everything that happened as well as everything that Professor Von Rohmer had said to me and the other students in the classroom, including her threats of expulsion and that she had put her hands on me as well as what she'd said about silencing me. I told him the truth about what I had said to her as well. I've never lied to my parents and they always respected me for it. After asking me a series of questions pertaining to the matter, my father assured me that I had nothing to worry about, and that I had done the right thing in calling him. He did, however, tell me to immediately go to Dr. Breeden's office and apprise him of the situation.

           *********************

"You've got to be kidding me? She actually said and did that?" asked Dr. Breeden, after I informed him of the morning's activities, omitting nothing.

"Yes, sir, you can ask anyone that was in that class this morning," I replied, and then added, "Professor Von Rohmer said she was going to give me an "F". Am I going to lose my scholarship?"

"If what you say is true, and the fact that she put her hands on you without physical provocation, then no. At the very least, and I do mean the very least, all that will happen to you is that you will have to testify at her hearing when the school brings charges against her for assaulting you," Dr. Breeden informed me. Suddenly the intercom on his desk came to life, informing him that Andie was waiting to see him in the outer office. He smiled and pushed the 'speak' button on the intercom and said, "Just in time too, send her in Mrs. Davis!"

The door opened and Andie walked in as Dr. Breeden's secretary, Mrs. Davis, closed the door behind her. She smiled widely when she saw me sitting in the chair in front of Dr. Breeden's desk and said, "Hi Mark. Are you okay, sweetie?" 

Before I could respond, Dr. Breeden rose from behind his desk, and with a wave of his hand, indicating that he wanted Andie to take a seat in the chair next to mine; he smiled at her and said, "Miss Matthews, I'm glad that you're here. Please take a seat and tell me what happened in Professor Von Rohmer's class this morning." She began to tell him everything I had told him earlier, and when she was done; Dr. Breeden looked at her and replied, "Tonight I want the both of you to write down, word-for-word, everything she said, and when you're done; bring your completed papers to me, first thing in the morning. Is that clear?" We both nodded, indicating that we understood what he'd requested of us. I had to go to one more class that afternoon with Dr. Richard Barnes, my Psychology 101 teacher. I liked him and he seemed like he was going to be a good teacher. I knew I was going to enjoy being in his class.

           *********************

That night was practice night with "Prodigy". Needless to say, everything went well and practice went off without a hitch. Bryan and Danny had put a set list together and I was informed that we would be playing the upcoming Friday and Saturday nights at "Nick's Uptown Lounge" in Dallas. I was really looking forward to it as this would be my first professional gig with my first rock and roll band. After practice, we were all sitting around talking about music when Bryan smiled conspiratorially. Then looking at Tommy, Danny and Phil, he laughed and said, "Do you guys wanna tell him or do you want me to?"

"Tell me what?" I asked confused.

"Tomorrow, after we're done with the One O'clock, we're all going to get our promo picture taken," Tommy said grinning.

The confusion must've been evident on my face, when Bryan asked, "What's wrong little brother?"

"I don't want to sound like a dumb ass, but, what's a promo picture?" I replied, feeling slightly stupid.

Bryan reached over, and putting his hand on my shoulder, asked, "This is all new to you, isn't it?" 

"I'm sorry that I don't have any experience guys. I just never got the chance when I was in high school. My parents are very driven people and they believed that school was more important than having a social life," I said ashamedly.

Danny stood up and walked over to where I sat. Placing his hand on my other shoulder, he grinned and announced, "We'll pop your cherry easy so it doesn't hurt ya too bad, little brother," and then laughed along with everyone else, me included. It was then that they all explained the reason of having a promo picture. Bryan made sure to include the news that we would all be going into the studio next week to record a three song demo that would go along with the promo picture to help us get bookings in the future.

Later that night, Andie and I were sitting in my room and had just finished writing down everything that had happened in Professor Von Rohmer's class that morning. I finished before Andie and I sat on my bed, smiling and watching her. I loved the determined expression that she wore on her face as she wrote. She was, and as far as I'm concerned, still is, the most beautiful creature on the face of the earth.

She must have seen me looking at her from out of the corner of her eye, because she suddenly turned, and with her beautiful blue eyes on fire, looked at me smiling and said, "Are you staring at me, Mark?"

"I can't help it...I'm sorry if that makes you uncomfortable, Andie," I replied, then added, "Ya see, I've been feeling something for you that I've never felt before, for some time now and I just...." Before I had a chance to continue, Andie had smothered my mouth with hers in a deep and passionate kiss, deeper and more passionate than I'd ever had in my life. Soon she began to grind her crotch against mine and the obvious occurred shortly thereafter. In no time, Andie had me as hard as a rock. I knew she could feel it and I didn't care. 

As she ground herself against me, she pushed her wonderfully soft breasts against my chest and leaned into my ear and breathed, "I love you with all my heart, Mark. I think it's time we took this to the next level," and then softly reaching down and unbuttoning my pants, she reached in and pulled out my manhood, and while softly stroking it, purred, "What do you think, baby...Hmmm?" I reached down and took her hand off of me, making her ask, "What did I...?" I interrupted her by kissing her. When I pulled away she was smiling. Then I took off her shirt, not before I was able to unsnap her bra, all at once. I laid her back on my bed and began kissing her.

Deeper and deeper I kissed my beautiful Andie, making her purr like a kitten. I didn't know what I was doing, but then my human instincts took over. Only after feasting on Andie's beautifully round and full breasts, making her squirm beneath me, I took off her pants and began to take off her panties until she stopped me. I looked at her face to see her smiling and she said, "All in good time, Tiger. I've got something for you first. Now stand up and let me take off your pants before we go any further!"

No sooner had I stood up than she had my pants around my ankles and her lips around my cock. I found myself becoming paralyzed, not being able to move. My beautiful Andie gently laid me back on the bad proceeded to give me the blow-job of the century. It only took mere seconds before I was exploding in her mouth though. However, she lapped up every drop and swallowed all of my sperm, but not before sucking me dry. Then with a smile on her face, she scooted up in the bed until we were face-to-face and kissed me deeply, making me taste myself on her and said, "That was so you wouldn't cum too soon when we make love, baby!"

It didn't bother me in the least. If anything, it only deepened my desire for her. Now I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, how being loved purely and unconditionally truly felt. I kissed my way down the front of her body, only briefly stopping to caress her nipples, which were rock hard by now, and then I plunged, headlong down her stomach to the dark thatch of furry (remember that this was in the seventies) brown hair that lay between her long smooth legs.

Andie moaned as I used my face to gently part her thighs, and once her legs were spread open, her feminine aroma began to permeate the air, making my mouth water and awakening my cock again. She must've seen the question on my face when she reached down and spread her beautiful pussy open, and pointing with her finger to what I now know to be her clit, softly said, "Kiss me right there, baby. I love you so much, Mark!" 

I licked and sucked her clit for only a few minutes when, suddenly; her body became as rigid as steel. After grabbing me by the hair and humping her pussy against my face, her orgasm overtook her making her moan and squeal, lasting a good fifteen to twenty seconds. I simply held her against me and kissed her face as she came. When she opened her eyes again, I saw pure and total love radiating from her eyes every time she looked into mine.

"Hi," I whispered.

"Mmmm...hi baby," she cooed, running her hand down the front of my body and grabbing my iron hard cock. Then she looked me in the eyes as she smiled and said, "This is it, baby! I'm giving myself to you!" Then she climbed on top of me and slowly lowered her velvet walled pussy down my eight inches of solid cock and became the only woman I would ever be inside of. I was now the only man who would ever be inside of her also.

As Andie sat astride my cock, she moved her hips in a way that made her breasts dance. I reached up and gently but firmly pulled on her rosy pink nipples with the thumb and fore finger of both hands. The harder I pulled, the more she shuddered until she began to cum again. I watched as wave after wave of pleasure swept across this beautiful angel God had put in my life. Before long, the animal urge in me took over, making me gently roll her on her back placing me between her silky thighs. 

Suddenly, she got a delightfully nasty little grin on her face, and reaching her hands down and placing them on the cheeks of my ass, she grabbed hold and said, "This is something we've both been waiting a long time for, baby. Come on, Mark! I want you to fuck me hard," and that is exactly what I proceeded to do. I was glad that I had already cum once and saw the wisdom in Andie's sucking my cock before we fucked. As I slowly pushed and pulled my cock in and out of her pussy, I could feel her body shivering slightly, making her smile. Then whenever I would push my cock back into her, Andie would erotically moan and use her legs and heels to push my ass, wanting my cock deeper inside her.

I started off with slow, gentle strokes until I could hold back no more and began, much to her delight, pounding Andie's little pussy as hard as I could. We were both now being driven by pure animal lust, each trying to get the other to cum. After a time I began to feel the all too familiar tingle that started deep inside my core. And when I could no longer hold back, I cried out as I emptied my balls deep into Andie's molten cunt. The moment my torrent of sperm hit her cervix, she began to cum, sending us both into simultaneous erotic seizures of pleasure, our bodies intertwined together and writhing in orgasm. The last thing I remembered was Andie telling me that she loved me before everything went black.




After The Dust Had Settled



When I opened my eyes again, I was lying naked on my bed. I felt something cool on my forehead and something wonderfully soft and naked beside me. "What happened?" I asked.

"You passed out, Baby! Are you alright?" replied Andie, lying naked next to me, her arms wrapped around my torso.

Realizing that we were both lying together, naked in the bed, and that Andie's beautifully body was intertwine with mine, I smiled and replied, "I am now," as the reality of the moment hit me. "Andie, I love you," I said.

Rising up on her elbows to look at me, she smiled, and as a lone tear trickled slowly down her cheek, Andie whispered, "I love you, Mark. I always have and I always will!" I smiled and laughed. "What's funny, Baby?" she asked playfully.

"You know what this means, don't you?"

"No, tell me, sweetie," she purred.

I gently pulled her closer to me and nuzzling her behind the ear with my nose, I took a deep breath, and then as I slowly exhaled, I said, "It means that we're part of one another now!"

"Mmmm...gladly baby," she replied, slowly rubbing her body against mine as we both drifted off to sleep, content in the new love of one another.



           *********************

The next morning I awoke to an empty bed. However, there was a note left on the pillow next to mine in handwriting that I began to recognize as Andie's. It said that she was gone to get us some breakfast and that she would be right back. I had to pee so I put on a pair of boxers and a tee shirt and made my way down the hall to the bathroom.

When I got back to my room, Andie was there waiting for me, her clothes in the floor, naked on my bed. I smiled, but before I could speak, she grinned and said, "Come and get it while it's hot, big boy!" I began pulling off my clothes, as just the very thought of her naked was enough to make me as hard as a rock, much less the full visual. As I began to get into bed with her, she handed me a take out bag and said, "I was talking about breakfast, baby. But you can leave your clothe off just the same," and then she broke into a fit of giggles.

"Smart ass!" I replied laughing, while taking the bag from her. We talked while we ate, and because we'd made love to one another the previous night, Andie was not shy about letting me see any part of her body nor was I with her. For the rest of the morning we either lay together in bed or talked, or we made love. As we were both virgins, we were very anxious to try new things, and try new things we did. We made love until we were both sore, but neither of us complained about it. Instead, we went to "One O'clock", as everyone all called it, holding hands and smiling.

           *********************

That afternoon Dr Breeden gave us an exercise. He told us what key he wanted us to play in. Then he gave us a chord progression and a tempo. He also told us that the first chair player of each section would take a solo for eight bars and that each person was to improvise as they played. This was always one of my favorite things to do when I would practice alone, plus, were we going to play in the key of "C" which was also my favorite key, so I was more than ready. As Dr. Breeden began to tap the tempo out, we began to come in, a section at a time. First to come in was the rhythm section, drums, percussion, bass, guitar, etc. Then came the brass and woodwinds, and last but certainly not least, it was my turn. Bryan may have been the lead singer for Prodigy, but he was a first rate trombone player as well, the first chair player in his section. Being the first chair player means that you're the best in the section, and in the One O'clock; that meant being the best in the state. Tommy, Danny and Phil were kicking it with a thumping groove while the rest of the band was jamming right along with them. It started with the brass section when the time came for solos. None other than my beautiful Andie was the first to stand up and play. Not only was she beautiful to look at, but, my God, she could damn sure play her ass off when the time came. I looked over at Bryan while she was playing to find him looking back at me and grinning from ear-to-ear. I looked back at Andie and she was now facing me while she played. I was watching her so closely and was getting off on every note she played that I almost forgot what I was doing for a moment. 

When Bryan's turn came, he stepped up and rocked. I never knew that so many cool riffs could be played on a trombone, but Bryan definitely took me to school that day, I can tell you that. He never wavered in pitch unless he was bending a note, and only then, did he slide, but it was all on pitch, in tune and on time. I watched as every first chair player in the One O'clock stepped up to the plate, only to hit a home run every time.

My turn came last, and as I stepped up I felt every eye in the band upon me. I started off on the piano and jammed there. Then I went to my Moog Modular™ and rocked the house down with some low voltage saw wave riffs. I left the sustain knob turned up far enough for me to get on my Mini Moog™. I ended by playing both the Modular and Mini Moogs together, and by pure luck, the filters on each separate instrument just happened to be oscillating on the same frequencies, making the notes whistle as the filters opened and closed. We ended on the last note of my solo with everyone in the band looking directly at me. I cleared my throat nervously and then smiled and asked, "Did I do something wrong?"

I heard a pair of hands start off singularly clapping, and then shortly, every member of the band, my beautiful Andie included, were standing and applauding me. "I told ya'll he was good, didn't I?" said Dr. Breeden, trying to bring the class back to order. The rest of the class was spent learning some of the newer hits that were played on the radio. And because I already knew ninety-five percent of the material, I saw the look of personal satisfaction written all over Dr. Breeden's face as he watched me helping my classmates learn the new music. I felt blessed being surrounded by really amazing people and because I was given a deep sense of pride in being a member of such an elite group. We played and worked for the rest of the day, making sure we would be prepared for the next class on the following Tuesday which wasn't until next week, nor did Andie and I forget to hand in the papers that Dr. Breeden had requested of us

When I was finished loading up my gear, Andie and I headed over to Bryan's house to set up again for practice that night. We decided to stop and eat at Giuseppe's before hand though. We had been sitting just long enough to have our order taken when Danny and his girlfriend Tara came in and sat at the table next to us. "Well, hey, you two," he said.

"Hey man, what're you doing here?" I asked, as we shook hands.

In an obvious teasing tone of voice, Danny cowered and mockingly said, "Excuse me, Mister Keyboardist-Of-The-Century, Sir, but even us lowly guitar players have to eat every now and then!"

"Oh, shut up, that's bullshit and you know it," I said, laughing so hard it was beginning to make my stomach muscles hurt.

After all the laughter had died down, Danny smiled, and patting me on the shoulder, said, "All bullshit aside, little brother, you are, hands down, the baddest assed keyboard player I've ever seen, man. I'm sure glad we got you before those assholes at Julliard or Berkeley got their hooks into you!"

"Yeah, well, they tried, but I came here instead," I replied smiling, and at Andie's urging, I invited Danny and Tara to sit at our table.

The moment they took their seats Tara stuck out her hand and said, "We know each other from the One O'clock, but we've not been introduced. Hi Mark, I'm Tara Hammond; it's nice to meet you!"

"It's nice to meet you, too, Tara," I replied, shaking her hand.

Tara was a nice girl that both Andie and I thought the world of. She was very well liked by everyone in the One O'clock as well as being Danny's girlfriend. She was a trumpeter that had it where it counted. I'd heard her play earlier, as she was first chair in her section. She smiled and said, "I've heard great keyboard players before, but I've never heard anything like you, Mark. Man, you rock!"

With Andie beaming proudly beside me, I smiled and replied, "Thank you, Tara. That's awfully nice of you to say and it means a lot coming from someone who plays as well as you do!" 

"Are you ready for practice tonight?" asked Danny grinning wildly.

"Hell yeah," I replied eagerly.

Danny laughed and said, "It's our last one before we play tomorrow and Saturday. There aren't any classes tomorrow so, were gonna make it a late one. Are you okay with that?"

I guess I'll have to be. Now, won't I?" I replied excitedly.

That evening at Bryan's house, we were rocking and rolling with several people in attendance. I knew some of the people but not all. Practice this night was basically an open party. I met some really cool people though. However, when I was not playing, Andie stayed right beside me, holding my hand to let all the girls at the party, and there were a lot of them, know that I belonged to her and to lay off. The girls were only there because word had gotten out that the One O'clock had a new "smoking hot" keyboard player, and that he was supposed to have been single. But Andie cut that rumor to shreds by staying so close to me that we were almost inseparable the entire night. It wouldn't have mattered to me in the least. Andie was, and still is, the most beautiful woman in the world as far as I'm concerned. 

While we were taking our second break of the night, I noticed that some people were moving orchestral instruments in and setting them up by where we set up. I looked at Bryan, and nodding to the people setting up, asked, "What's going on?" 

He laughed and replied, "It's a surprise, little brother. Just wait and see, you're gonna love it, I promise!"

I trusted Bryan so; I simply shrugged my shoulders and said, "Okay," and continued on with Andie. She introduced me to every single one of her sorority sisters. They were all very nice girls, but the only person that existed as far as I was concerned was my beautiful Andie. The beginning of our relationship was a wondrous journey that, to this day, is still going on. Andie is everything to me, and I never dreamed that I would ever be with a woman that is as beautiful as she is. We were in the house and had just finished eating some barbeque that had been brought in when, Danny's girlfriend, Tara came walking briskly up to us and excitedly said, "Bryan said for me to tell you to come on. Everybody is waiting!" 

"Waiting for what?" I asked smiling.

With a wave of her hand, beckoning us to follow, Tara replied, "Come on, you're gonna love it, I swear!"

The moment I walked back outside I saw an entire orchestra set up next to us in Bryan's back yard. He was standing there smiling, and as I approached, he asked, "Well, whadaya think, Little Bro?"

"What is all this?" I asked awe struck.

He laughed, put his arm around me and then replied, "Well, you see, when we all heard that you were going to be coming to school here, we were afraid that you were going to be just like the asshole you replaced. We treated you unfairly before we got to know you, Mark, and this our way of saying we're really sorry, man!"

"That's all well and good, but I still don't understand what's going on," I replied smiling, albeit confused, but still smiling none the less.

"That's when I heard Tommy laugh and say, "Tell him Bry, he's gonna pee his pants!"

Bryan smiled, and patting Andie's shoulder, began, "Andie told us that you were a massive Rick Wakeman fan. So, in order to thank you for honoring us, we all got together and crammed to learn all the parts from "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and we would be deeply in your debt if you would play keyboards with us tonight!" He even had the conductor's score to it. Where he got his hands on it, I'll never know but everyone else had their own separate scores as well, and it was then that I knew these people had gone to a lot of trouble, and had spent several hours working on it, too. Who was I to deny such a beautifully stated request? Besides; I knew all this stuff by heart and didn't need the sheet music. I played and conducted the orchestra while Bryan narrated and sang. Everyone else nailed their parts and no one missed a single note and everything was played to perfection.

And when we were done, the music had been so pure even the neighbors had come out to hear us play. Everyone who heard us, praised us, but no one applauded us any louder than my beautiful Andie. Her eyes were dancing like blue glitter in a kaleidoscope that was lit by a candle in the wind. She came running up to me and threw her arms around and whispered, "I love you," into my ear right before she kissed me.

We all gathered round and shook hands. I got to meet the people in the orchestra, me relishing in their praises, and they in mine. Everyone was so cool and I knew at that moment that this is what I would be doing for the rest of my life. I was talking with Bryan and Phil when, coming from behind us, we heard a familiar voice say, "I heard through the grapevine about what you guys were going to do and I have to tell you, that was very good. You all ought to perform that for the big show we do every fall." We turned around to find Dr. Breeden and his wife, Linda, standing behind us grinning. 

"Jeez Doc, you scared the hell outta me," laughed Bryan. 

"I highly doubt that, Mister Rogers," Dr. Breeden replied smirking then added, "I'm serious about you all performing this for the fall show. I've never heard this before, whose is it?"

"What you just heard was written by a guy named Rick Wakeman. He's the keyboard player for the group, "Yes". The name of this particular piece is "Journey to the Centre of the Earth," I proudly replied, knowing that I wouldn't have to learn a single bit of it because it was my most favorite musical work to date, and I could play it in my sleep.

"I've heard of Yes, but I never knew any of the member's names until now," said Dr. Breeden, nodding his head, and then he asked, "I must say, he's very good, is there anywhere I can get a recording of this?"

"I have the album back in my dorm room. I can drop it by your office tomorrow, if you'd like," I replied excitedly.

"Thank you, Mister Thompson, I'll look forward to listening to it tomorrow night then," said Dr. Breeden, and turning to leave, he looked at Bryan and I and added, "You two are going to do great things for music one day, I can just feel it," and then he left.

"Wow!" I replied, looking at Bryan.

"He's right ya know?" said Andie, as she came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist, pressing her breasts into my back.

"About what?" I asked pointedly.

"What he said about you and Bryan is true," she replied.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms encircling both Andie and I, and then discovered it was Bryan when he said, "I think she may be right about this, little brother!"

I laughed and replied, "Oh yeah, what, do you have a crystal ball or something that sees into the future?"

"I don't need one," said Bryan flatly.

"No?" I asked.

"No," he replied, then added, "All I have to do is feel what I feel every time we play together to know, little brother!"

I could only nod my head in agreement because I knew from the first time he and I played together what it was he was he was feeling and deep down inside; I knew he was right.

           *********************

The next morning I awoke with Andie entangled around me. As the feeling of our naked bodies being held against one another began to affect me, I felt Andie snake her hand down my stomach and grab a hold of my cock. Needless to say, we spent the early part of the morning making the sweetest love that I've ever known.

I dropped off the Wakeman album at Dr. Breeden's office that afternoon and then made my way to Bryan's house to start packing up my gear. Andie was only a few minutes behind me in her car. When I got there, I was surprised to find a girl that I'd met the night before sitting on the couch in Bryan's living room. Her name was Amanda Blake and boy was she hot. "Hi Mark! How are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm doing great, thanks," I replied, then looking around, I asked, "Where's Bryan?" 

As I sat on the other end of the couch to await his return, Amanda scooted over and pinned me to the end and said, "He won't be back for at least an hour. In the mean time, I thought that maybe you and I could get to know each other a little better, handsome!"

Andie burst into the room, and snatching Amanda up by the wrist, she removed her from her seat next to me and possessively growled, "He doesn't need to know you any better than he already does to know what a slut you are so, lay off, Bitch! He's mine!"

"I'm sorry, Andie. I didn't know, I promise," said Amanda.

"Well, now you do, and you need to spread the word to the rest of those skanky whores over at the Tri-Delta house where you live that, if any one of them comes near him; her ass belongs to me," Andie spat, maintaining her defensive posture.

"I got the message. There's no need to be so nasty," said Amanda, beating a hasty retreat. 

After she left I looked at Andie and grinned, making her ask, "What?"

"I never knew you were such a bad ass," I laughed, standing up and wrapping my arms around her, and then I added, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were a little jealous back there!"

"You're damn right I am," said Andie, and then her bottom lip began to quiver, indicating that she was on the verge of tears and she added, "I love you with all my heart, Mark, and I'm not about to lose you to some whore-ass, wannabe beauty queen," and then she began to softly weep into my chest.

I pulled her away from me and looked into her eyes and said, "Now, you listen to me, my beautiful angel. You are the one and only woman in my life, and as far as I'm concerned, the only woman that I'll ever want for the rest of my life. You don't have anything to worry about. I love you, Andrea Matthews and I will until the day I die. Do you understand me?"

"Yes," she replied, smiling and nodding her head. 

I leaned in until our faces were only centimeters apart and very tenderly kissed her sweet lips. We began to kiss more intently until I heard Bryans' voice say, "Jeez, get a room, you two," and then he looked at me and added, "Are you ready to rock and roll all night long, little brother?" 

"Oh hell yeah, I've been ready for something like this my whole life," I excitedly replied.

          *********************

That night at Nicks Uptown Lounge was a type of debutante ball for me. All of the guys in "Prodigy" were encouraging me with every song we did. My beautiful Andie, as well as Danny's girlfriend Tara, were there with eight whole tables full of their girlfriends and sorority sisters, all in attendance to cheer us on. All the gang from the One O'clock came; as did several other people that I didn't know. All in all, the place was packed to a standing room only capacity.

We opened up the show with an Emerson Lake and Palmer medley beginning with "Welcome Back My Friends" followed by "Karn Evil 9, and ending with "Lucky Man". The crowd went crazy and the whole place seemed to shake, and when the audience had become more subdued; Bryan stepped up to the microphone and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Nick's Uptown Lounge in the heart of the big "D". Tonight we've got a very special surprise for you. There have been a few rumors going around that you've all probably heard about some bad ass keyboard player coming to town." Then he pointed at me and added, "Well, those rumors are all true. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to introduce to you all, the newest member of Prodigy. His name is Mark Thompson, and as you all have just seen, he's one bad ass keyboard player!" Then lifting me by the elbow, Bryan grinned, and into the mic, said, "Stand up, Mark, so everyone can see you, little brother!" The applause was deafening and as I looked down into the audience, I saw my beautiful Andie, standing in her chair applauding wildly with a smile on her face and happy tears pouring down her cheeks.