1 comments/ 11823 views/ 2 favorites Cammy, Ada, and Lauren By: Kyoketsu_Shoge Here's a long one for you guys. Might install this one in multiple parts. Just remember that this one has a loooong slow buildup. Don't expect graphic content in every installment, however I will try to keep you interested with some service until the action picks up. Either way, enjoy the read. Usual Disclaimer, all characters over 18, I own nothing, etc. --Kyoketsu_Shoge DRAMATIS PERSONAE: Blaine Willstrom -- 19, instructor of martial arts, typical college student. 6'4", 196 lbs. Untidy wavy brown hair, brown eyes. Camille Eschod -- 18, an instructor at the same dojo as Blaine, as well as the daughter of the chief instructor. 5'2", 115 lbs. Wavy blonde hair, cool blue eyes. Called Cammy by most everyone. Ada Suessmorn -- 19, a student at the dojo as well as friend of Blaine's and acquaintance of Cammy's. Straight dark hair, green eyes. Pale skinned, slight of build. 5'8", 126 lbs. ****************** SCENE I: College cafeteria, Blaine sits with his mind occupied... SCENE BEGINS ****************** The dojo. The martial arts academy where I learned so much more than self defense. It made me stronger, though the tests were rigorous, and the tribulation ever-present. What could plague a student of martial arts to such an extent, save a complicated kata, or perhaps those tricky shoulder-rolls? She was beautiful. I mean, both of them were. But Cammy... There's only so many words I could use before you got bored and stopped listening. But succinctly, Cammy was an angel. The lightest blonde hair tumbled down to her shoulders, and her blue eyes were as cold as late December mornings. I would watch every class as her nimble body performed the trickiest of techniques, and the strongest of strikes. For though her body was very womanly, the force with which she struck would set her breasts alight with motion; and to see her stretch her lithe form was an unworldly pleasure. Her skin was stretched taught over her perfect form, and her demurely concave stomach was artfully connected to what were fast becoming perfectly womanly hips. Most women couldn't make the uniform (a standard karate gi) look good, but Cammy certainly could. The only other girl at the dojo who could even rival Cammy's beauty was Ada. She was a treasure all her own: dark hair cut short bobbed around her neck, contrasting with her pale light skin. Her height was slight, as was her build; "barely-there" breasts were paired with the fullness of her thighs and rear, creating a deliciously sexy dichotomy that plagued my mind on many an occasion. This would have been no problem, had Ada not been a good friend of mine. Now, it was no secret that I had feelings for Cammy. Well, it was a secret to her. After all, she was an instructor like me, which meant we were forbidden to be together. Not that it stopped me from dropping hints...which she never seemed to pick up on. It's hard to be too up-front, when her parents own the dojo. But, that's the way it's always been...Every day I go to the dojo, and instead of confessing my love for her, I keep my job. Every day I keep on training instead of asking her out. Every day, I savor the fruits of seven years of training, instead of the lips of an angel. Of course, these lamentations were old news to Ada. Being both my friend and confidant, it often seemed she knew me better than I knew myself. "Blaine! Are you even listening to me?" I shook myself from the internal monologue, my spicy tuna roll coming back into focus. "Sorry Ada. There's a lot on my mind lately." "Bullshit," she countered, leaning down to look me in the eyes. "There's only one thing on your mind, just like every day. You've got that 'Cammy look' in your eyes." "Like I can help it. Maybe if she weren't so close." "Just because she's here doesn't mean you should keep thinking about her." It was true, though. There I sat in the college cafeteria, trying to eat and hold a conversation, but my mind was very much absorbed by Cammy. She was sitting about five tables away; alone as usual. She'd been home-schooled since her earliest years, and so had trouble being outwardly social. Within her circle of friends she was cheery as a picnic on a Tuesday afternoon. However, no one had ever known her to have had any boyfriends. This was one of the things which attracted me to her. A pure, innocent, beautiful shrine maiden. She seemed so happy, and yet so fragile. "But then again," Ada said slyly, "why don't you just ask her to come sit with us?" I looked at my food, dumbfounded for several seconds till I found a response. "Why would she want to sit with us?" "She knows us. You two chat often. She's eating alone. Isn't this one of the scenarios you teach the kids about showing compassion," Ada said. It was true. Maybe that would strike a chord with Cammy. "Okay, but if I crash and burn, what happens then?" "It's just eating lunch with you, genius. And besides, I'm here too. You don't think I'd leave you two alone, do you?" With that, I rose and walked towards Cammy. As I approached, I marveled at what she wore. I guess I was still getting used to seeing her out of her dojo uniform. Her blouse was sheer, and though she wore another shirt beneath, as I approached it allowed me a peek at the peak. Peaks, I should say. Such delightful buoyancy, such a gap there between! Not too large, not too small. The perfect handful... "Hi, Blaine," she said with a smile, craning her neck to identify who stood behind her. Lechery puts a foul voice on the air; one she must have heard. "I didn't know you ate lunch in this slot too," she continued. "Yeah, it's weird, but, uh...we seem to share nearly all our lunch blocks together. Weird, eh?" She giggled. "You're not stalking me are you?" I thought quickly. A joke to lighten the heavy question. "Only when I need the best sparring partner in the dojo," I replied with a smirk. "You're sweet, but you give me too much credit. It takes two to tango." "Or two to Taijutsu as this case may be." "Exactly," she said, with one of her trademark smiles; perfect row of white peeking from behind the full lips, delicately painted with a slight amount of girlish pink. "Did you need something?" I need you. Need your presence in my life, not just at the dojo, as a partner, and not just here to look at. I need you to be with, in all things. Beauty radiates from you like light from a glorious star. I could spend a perfect week just breathing with you, and die happily a moment after. "Well, not really," I said, holding my tongue as well as my romance. "I was just wondering, you're eating alone, and I was thinking, my friend and I are over there. You remember Ada from the dojo, right?" I motioned over to Ada, who waved to Cammy, who returned the gesture in kind. "Yes, her," I continued, trying to be brief. "Well, we're over there, do you maybe want to eat with us?" "That's nice of you to offer, Blaine. I'll get my things," she replied. That was easy, I thought. Time to score some bonus points. "Let me get that for you," I remarked, picking up a bag which I assumed to be full of clothes. I knew from chatting with her that she was in some dance classes, so a change of clothes made sense. Cammy grinned as we picked up her things, and moseyed back to Ada. As we sat, I took another bite of my roll, unsure of what to talk about. Ada looked at me, confused. She saw my mouth was full, and so took the initiative. "Your top looks great, I love the color, Cammy." "This? Thanks, Ada." Ada smiled, settling into the topic. "It's the perfect color for your eyes." She looked to me. "Doesn't it match her eyes, that cool blue hue, Blaine?" Dammit, Ada. Using color temperature and eye contact. She knew I couldn't resist an art discussion or Cammy. Put together...Forget it. I swallowed the large bite I had with a loud gulp. "Yeah, it's cool blue alright." Don't stop there, man. Throw in a compliment. "But maybe it's the light or something, 'cause from here, her eyes look much brighter than the blouse." I took this opportunity to lean in closer, peering into Cammy's eyes as she tried not to blink with giggles. "But hey," Ada said. "Anything's better than the gi jacket, right Cammy?" "Oh my God, I know. It's cut way too far forward. Not slimming in the least," she responded. From there, I let them take the conversation, occasionally peppering the conversation with wit, compliments and jokes like arrows from a company of crossbowmen. They talked about the changes Cammy would make to the uniform: high-heeled tabi-boots, a pink gi, so forth. Girly stuff. With a start, Cammy jumped and began to shiver as she reached below the table. She appeared to be in pain, but my fears were allayed as she produced a her cell phone (pink no less), which shook in her hand with a low whirring noise. As she answered the call: "Hi mom...No, school...Blaine and Ada..., Ada...Black belt, Thursdays mostly. Yeah, her... ... Okay...Understood. 'Kay, love you...Uh huh, bye." She ended the call, and took a large sip of her drink, and stood up with her tray. "Sorry guys, I have to go. They need me at work to help set up. We've got a test tonight. You're gonna be there, right Blaine?" "You know I couldn't miss the promotion exams. Such a big event for the kids. I'll see you around 6--" I felt a pain in my leg as Ada kicked me in my shin. She always did have a mean snap kick, in this instructor's opinion. She shot me a look, and motioned with her eyes to Cammy. "around 6--unless...Unless you needed an extra set of hands to help set up," I finished, without much of a break. Cammy looked away for a moment, then back with something resembling a sad smile. "Oh, that's alright. I think we'll be good. Save your hands for tonight. You'll need them," she remarked. I'll admit my mind began to wander at that point...Images of just what my hands would love to do for her tonight. "For attacking during the test, I mean," she added, with a faint blush to her face. I sighed wistfully, perhaps a bit too loud: it seemed Cammy heard me, as she stopped before walking away again, backpack hoisted. I thought to myself: BLESSED BE THE LORD MY STRENGTH, WHICH MAKETH MY HANDS TO WAR, AND MY FINGERS TO FIGHT...AND SADLY, NOTHING ELSE. SCENE 1 ENDS ****************** SCENE 2: Same cafeteria, Blaine watches as the wind outside blows Cammy's hair. SCENE BEGINS ****************** "Well, that went surprisingly well," Ada said cheerfully, raising her drink to her lips, happy eyes visible over the bottle rim. "Yeah," I said. "Was it just me, or do you think she caught her own innuendo?" "Of course she did. You saw her blush. I think she heard you sigh too. Too cute." Ada grinned. She looked as pleased with my conversation as I was. Suddenly her grin faded, and she cast her eyes downward. She ducked under the table. Shit, I thought. It hadn't occurred to me how stiff I got just being next to Cammy. Had Ada seen me when she was under the table? I crossed one leg over the other, attempting to hide my obvious arousal. "Well, well...What's this, Blaine," Ada said slyly as I felt a hand brush past my leg. Why the hell would she tease me like this? Did she like what she saw? "Now, Ada," I said, trying to keep my voice level despite the embarrassment. "Let's be adult about this." "Whose bag is this, Blaine?" "Excuse me?" "This bag...it's pink and black. It's not yours, is it?" Damn. I guess it wasn't me she had seen. A bag though...whose was it? I looked under the table as well, surprised at how close Ada's face was. "Christ, back off, Ada. I can smell your lunch." She cracked a smile, and blew another whiff of her salad laden breath into my face. I reeled, but regained my composure to look at the bag. It was indeed pink and black, with kanji on the sides. Cammy's? "I think this belongs to Cammy, Ada." "Oh yeah, didn't you carry it over from her table for her?" It was true. This was definitely hers. We exited the table-cave, and more closely examined the bag. It had her name on it, as well as her address and other information for returning it. "Look on the bright side, Blaine." "What's good about this? She probably needs this." "At least now you know her address and phone number." "Not funny, Ada." "Oh, I thought it was hilarious." We finished eating, and exited the cafeteria into the fresh spring air. It was only the second day of spring, but already the campus was bustling with students like a flower crowded by bee-traffic. "The late spring break sucks," Ada lamented, turning to me as we neared the diverging paths to our classes. "But the spring air's so nice around here. Love is in the air, Blaine." "Every goddamned day. It definitely is." "You just need to get confidence, Blaine. Maybe date someone else for practice before you go for Cammy." "I don't think I could do that. I'd feel like I was using them. I guess because I would be." "That's true," she responded, casting her gaze aside. "Besides, I don't know who I would ask, anyway. I'd probably spend the whole time comparing her to Cammy, too." "Well, you know I'm always available," Ada said with a smirk. "You could use me." "You're just full of funny jokes today, aren't you Ada?" Her smile faded. Again her eyes avoided mine. "Yeah," she said sadly. "another funny, stupid joke." We said our goodbyes; a hug from Ada and I ruffled her hair. Something she always said felt like a big-brotherly gesture. As she left, I pondered on that fact. Ada was a friend, and I knew she was pretty, but I also felt like I had that brotherly duty to her; a duty to protect her, keep her from harm, be her best friend when no one else would. If she had ever been interested in a guy, I would be the first to judge him, to warn her if I knew anything bad. I suppose she trusted my judgments; she hadn't had a boyfriend in four years, back when she was 15, back when relationships were immature. Not to suggest that anyone else was any different. Even then, when we had entered college, dating and relationships still seemed like kids playing house. Although, that opinion came from an onlooker, not a participant. I'm sure to them, it felt like the most important, wonderful thing in their tiny, two-person world. As Ada walked away, I saw the breeze lift her conservative skirt, exposing some of her tender thighs. They were pale as the rest of her, but the gaze was brief as she realized it occurred. She flattened the pleats with her palm, and walked off. Was she really suggesting we date, or was she joking again? Either way, the thought intrigued me. Dating a friend? And even further, dating Cammy? My mind a blur with the beauty of my friends, I strayed off the cement, thinking... TWO BRIGHT LIGHTS CAST A SHADOW AGAINST ME. THE CLOSER I STAND, THE GREATER THE SHADOW. THE LIGHTS ARE TOO HOT TO TOUCH. SCENE 2 ENDS ****************** SCENE 3: Alone in his room, Blaine recovers from his classes. SCENE BEGINS ****************** I guess one could call it recovery. I certainly was starting to feel the stress leave my body. It left me feeling drained, but the emptiness was a pleasant lack of reason: replaced instead by bliss and feebleness. Single dorms were second to none for this sort of thing. My hand moved faster, today would be a quick release, I could tell. The first one was always quick. I tried to limit myself o once per day, although I still don't know why. In my mind, I couldn't help but picture Cammy. Stroking up and down, I decided to slow, and be more methodical to prolong the excruciating tension. In my mind I saw Cammy in her school attire from today. The blouse which had allowed me a view at her perky buoyant breasts. The same chest I had felt pressed against me countless times as we practiced ground defenses. Although never long enough for my tastes, I still felt guilty about imagining Cammy when I pleasured myself. I evoked memories of her, sweating with effort, trying to retain her mount on my waist. I thrust my hips, trying to throw her from me, but her thighs gripped me expertly, and I was torn on whether or not to tap out. I regained my speed, my erection expanding just so, as it filled with my seed. Out it spilled, in thick gouts of sperm, landing across my chest and stomach. I sighed heavily, managing to clean myself off before sleep took me. I opened my eyes, sleep-covered lids wrestled open to behold beauty. Cammy's face hovered over me. I tried to sit up, but Found my body trapped. Cammy sat on my torso, and pushed my shoulders back into the soft bed. "We're not in class, so you don't have to throw me off this time," she said in a soft, low voice. She motioned to her chest, more specifically her bra, which hooked in the front. "Would you like to do the honors, Mr. Willstrom?" I never answered, instead reached my hand out, trying my best not to mess up. Despite my efforts, the clasp would not come undone. Bewitched by some anti-perversion charm, I chuckled to no one. Cammy looked down at me and smiled. "Come on, Blaine, this isn't a test." THE TEST!!! I woke and bolted my body forward. What time was it? I looked to the clock, wiping the drowsiness from my eyes. It was ten till five. Thank God, I thought. I still have time. I jumped out of bed and grabbed my things to head for the shower. Dressed and refreshed, I left my room at around quarter past five. I walked to the parking lot, and there she was, where she always was. The trusty Hummer. Dirt and wear-tear had taken it's toll, but the black hunk of metal and toughness kept on rolling. Expensive to fuel, but it was such a short commute to the dojo, it was rarely a problem. Ada had always teased me about the Hummer, mostly because she thought it was too big. Compensating for something, she had joked. I had nothing to be shy about, but the Hummer was awfully hard to park. I had such troubles as I struggled to find a space which would accommodate me in the dojo's parking lot. "I guess it's no surprise it's crowded," I mused. "This test's a big one." As I strolled inside, I was greeted by Cammy, who was marking off the boundaries for audience seating. "Hi, Blaine," she chirped as I started to change into my tabi boots. "Hi there, Ms. Cammy," I responded. Because the students referred to the instructors with either Mr. or Ms. before their names, it wasn't uncommon for us to hold a conversation this way. "How was your afternoon, Blaine, err...Mr. Blaine?" A snapshot of my dream thrilled my brain for a moment before I shook it off. "Interesting," I said, finishing with the tabi. I walked onto the training floor, and practiced a few dive rolls before walking over to Cammy, picking up the test roster. "So who's testing tonight," I pondered. "The usual suspects. Mostly kids this time. How boring, right?" "Yeah," I laughed. "I fancy a good beating tonight. If only some of the big guys were here." I decided to push my luck. "Unless you'd grace me with a match before the test starts?" I looked at the clock. It would be a good fifteen minutes before anyone started to trickle in. "Wish I could," she said with a sigh, "but I've got some intro paperwork to do. We got a whole family started today. "Sorry." Damn again. "Oh yeah," I remarked, a new thought entering my mind. "Where's the old man?" "I heard that," a gruff low voice tolled from across the room. A door closed after it spoke, and I knew he had exited the bathroom. "Good hearing, huh? Hi granddad," Cammy said cheerfully. "Evening, Mr. Eschill," I said, trying to override my previous comment. * * * * * A NEW CHARACTER ENTERS: Elsom Eschill -- 67, 5'10", Cammy's Grandfather as well as owner, head instructor of the dojo. * * * * * "That's more like it," he said with a warm smile. "How was your weekend, Blaine?" Cammy, Ada, and Lauren "It went well, sir," I said, relieved he wasn't mad. "That spring air is finally getting here." "Indeed," he remarked, taking his usual place near the front of the mat. "Maybe we'll have to train outside sometime this week, eh?" "To me, that sounds just fine, sir." We didn't get outside nearly enough. And hey, it was free publicity being just off the main road. I had some plans to run tactical maneuvers through the woods for the students. Teach them some more of the ninja arts of tracking and capture evasion. The students started to file in, their parents and families taking seats in the audience whilst the students bowed onto the training floor to stretch out. I wasn't disappointed after all: there was one adult testing. A particularly large gentleman who I was told was called Tom. He was a gold belt. "Ian, I want you to be Tom's attacker," Mr. Eschill told me. Just what I need, I thought. A large, powerful attacker. He's not very advanced, so he doesn't have much control, but he's not a beginner, so he'll be tested on some painful techniques. I would be the sacrificial receiver of those same techniques that night. As the test progressed, I was surprised by just how good the student was. He appeared to be in his middle forties, but his attacks were nimble, and his posture impeccable. His power was overbearing, and since I was to be a punching bag rather than opponent, I took the full brunt of his force. As the test drew close to the end, it was time to spar this behemoth. This is it, I thought. The one part of the test where I could fight back, and was meant to be a challenge. He threw his attacks slowly at first until I struck him directly several times. He took a step back, and scratched at the area I had struck. "You alright, sir," I asked him. "Just fine, good hits," he responded with a smirk. "Same to you, sir. Don't feel as though you need to hold back." He changed his tactics to offense then, and I took several hard blows, returning them as best I could. At that point the had ceased using his ability, and instead relied upon sheer power. As well as I could avoid his attacks, he was a good fifty pounds heavier than me, and I was soon getting weary and overpowered. As he came towards me with his fist cocked back for a powerful right hook, I heard Mr. Eschill call an end to the sparring. The other groups stopped, and I faced my partner, Tom, to bow to him as was customary. And that's about the time I faced the floor, and it all got painted black. "He's coming around," I heard Cammy say. I opened my eyes after only a few failed attempts. I saw Cammy's face A nagging pain under my left eye made me wince in pain. Cammy reached behind her, and as she got up, produced a cold pack. She tried to snap it to get it to work, but handed it to me. "Would you like to do the honors, Mr. Willstrom," she asked. I chuckled to myself. "I must be dreaming." "Well, you're not. Although you may have been until just now." "What happened? How long was I out?" "Well, granddad told everyone to stop." "Right." "And you turned to bow to Tom, but he threw that right hook." "Oh." "That's it? Oh? You had me worried. This hasn't happened before, you know." I saw the worry in her face replace her initial relief. It touched me that she was worried for me. "Sorry," I rationalized. He kind of took me by surprise. Sucker punch really." "I think he just got lost in the moment. You were only out for ten seconds," she continued, "but it scared me. I kept calling, but you wouldn't answer." "Where's the guy? Tom, where'd he go," I asked, not seeing him nearby. "I think granddad's still talking with him. He seemed worried too." I smiled. At least he cared. "That's good," I said, standing up and seeing Tom talking with Mr. Eschill. Eschill motioned towards me, and Tom turned with a relieved smile. I walked over to him, and extended my hand. He took it, and we shook. No words were exchanged; none were needed. Both of us understood. He drew me in closer, and we switched the humble handshake into the fraternity of a man-hug. The audience clapped, happy at our resolution. It was a good feeling. I turned towards him as the audience applauded, and we finished the bow we could not before. As Tom and I went back to join the line of students and instructors respectively, I saw that even Cammy was clapping. By 7:15 the test was over, and we began tearing down; folding chairs and cleaning up trash, the like. Cammy and I had just finished the chairs, when she spoke up with something unexpected: "Hey Blaine...do you want to, I dunno, grab something to eat?" I was taken aback. We had never done anything together outside the dojo besides talk at the college. This could be my chance to do something besides just talk shop. "Where did you have in mind," I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. She pondered for a moment, as if surprised she had gotten this far. "Coffee?" I took a slight pause, trying not to sound too eager. "That sounds fine, Cammy. There's a place just down the street in the mall, isn't there?" "That works for me. Did you want to go now?" "No better time than the present, I suppose." "Okay," she said with a new glow in her face. "Let me go tell Granddad and I'll be right out." I pushed the full cart of chairs into the closet whence they came, and headed outside to wait for Cammy. She hurried past me on her way to the bathroom. I turned to the office, and saw her grandfather going through some papers. "Make sure she doesn't get back too late, Blaine." "Shop closes soon, sir. Won't be gone for too long." "Cammy should be out in a few," he said, nodding to the bathroom. "I think she's changing. Did you bring something?" "Good idea, sir," I said. I walked over to the changing rooms, and locked the door behind me. As I shed my uniform it became apparent just how powerful Tom's punches had been. Bruises had just started to form a ghostly sick green, and a few seemed to break the skin into an abrasion. "They really were good hits, I guess." Grabbing a small towel from my bag, I wiped any residual sweat from my face and underarms before putting on the new clothes. I buttoned the cuffs on my shirt (never was able to get them shut once I put it on), and stepped into some jeans. Probably a bit tighter than what was fashionable for guys my age, but I'd worked hard to keep myself in shape. I had nothing to hide; I wasn't really muscular as, say, Michelangelo's David. More like Donatello's David. But with clothes. And not made of bronze. And not so feminine a face. And no Goliath head at my feet. And no Tuscan shepherd's hat. Actually, in retrospect, I wasn't much like the statue at all. I buttoned, tucked and thumb-rolled my shirt into my pants, fastening and securing with a belt. Over this I pulled a black blazer. Put my shoes back on, grabbed my hat (the old fedora people knew me by) and I was ready to go. I stepped out of the tiny room seemingly a different person. However, I, like all good black belts, wore the belt around my heart, even when I didn't bear the physical object. Cammy came out of the bathroom a few minutes later. She was wearing the same outfit as at school, but had replaced her jeans with a long skirt. She bid farewell to her granddad, grabbed a jacket, and we headed out. PUT ON MY BLACK FELT HAT, AND BOARDED THE CAR PARKED UP NEXT TO THAT COFFEE SHOP, LOVE'S NOT VERY FAR. SCENE 3 ENDS ****************** SCENE 4: In Blaine's car, the two head for the nearby coffee shop SCENE 4 BEGINS ****************** "The hummer's a pretty smooth ride for something so big," she commented, looking out the windows and down at the compacts and sedans sharing the road with us. We headed for the mall, only about five minutes from the dojo, chatting lightly the whole way. "Here we are," I announced, pulling the car into a space perhaps fifty feet from the mall entrance. We hoofed it into the coffee shop, the chilly night air which comes with fresh spring days just beginning to settle in. Cammy ordered first, a small cappuccino with some manner of flavoring. I ordered next, a large black coffee. No nonsense. "I like this place in particular," I noted as we sat down in two of the many comfortable chairs, "since it's not one of the chain shops, it's an atmosphere all its own." Cammy looked around. More people than I had expected still sat in the shop. The usual college-aged kids were there, along with the obligatory laptop users (creating the next great screenplay, maybe?). Semi-professional poets and even some old-timers chuckling about their last rousing game of cribbage filled in the rest of the population. "It is nice," she agreed, taking the first sip of her drink. She recoiled as she drank. "What's wrong," I asked. "Aah, ith's thoo hoth," she said, taking a hand to her tongue. Just like a kid, how cute, I thought. "Sorry about that. I guess they'd rather make it hot, since most people grab it and go about their day. You alright?" "Yeah," she said, recovered from the burning drink. "So how was it attacking Tom, besides the whole K.O. thing?" "I've got a few bruises to remember him by," I chuckled. "The guy's powerful. If he can mix that with some technique, he'll be a sizeable opponent." "Hmm, maybe I'll have to try him out sometime." "I don't know...Don't turn your back on him." She giggled before turning serious: "You know it was probably an accident," she reasoned. "I know...I guess I just worry sometimes. I mean, I have, but have you ever taken it full-force in the face before?" It was only a second after I finished my sentence that I caught how bad it sounded. She looked away. "Well...no, I haven't. I guess I...I was worried too. When you fell like you did. I knew you'd probably be okay, but you just wouldn't answer me." "And that's why I would worry. I don't think I'd want you falling, being non-responsive." "I'm glad," she said, blushing slightly. Why did she have to be so damn cute? We talked of lighter matters, drinking our coffees as more and more the shop emptied. It eventually came to pass that we had exhausted all talking points to do with the dojo. So, as planned, I turned the conversation towards her more personal life. "So, you live with your grandfather, correct?" She laughed at the subject. "I guess I'm kind of weird that way," she rationalized, "going to college, and still living at home?" "Not really," I said. "Plenty of people there do it too." "Really?" "Yeah. You know, there was this kid, way back when. And I do mean way back. He was the same as you and I. Except: when he was sixteen, they say his arm got cut, but he didn't draw any blood. His father was terrified." Cammy looked at me questioningly. "Why didn't the kid bleed?" "Leprosy. His father took him and isolated him immediately, fearing he would infect people. Of course now we know that it isn't terribly contagious. Anyway, fast forward, and that same kid stricken with leprosy is now the king of Jerusalem." "They let him be king?" "Yup. Now see, he didn't have a dorm room, and he ended up king. Just think what you could do, considering since your not a leper and therefore much prettier." "You're like trail mix," she answered. "How's that, Cammy?" "Nutty and sweet." "Hey guys," the man behind the counter called. "Sorry, but we're closing up." Cammy and I finished our drinks quickly and headed out. "What time is it," Cammy asked. I checked my watch: "Half past eight," I answered. "Want to head back to the dojo," I asked. "Not really. Anywhere else you can think to go? I don't have to be back till midnight." "Wouldn't want you turning into a pumpkin, would we now?" I thought for another relatively unromantic activity we could do. Wait, I thought. What kind of thought is that? Unromantic? She had coffee with you, but still wants to spend more time with you? Take her somewhere. Movie theatre? I don't think she would like Watchmen...Plus I don't want to feel emasculated by some blue guy for three hours. Perhaps dinner? Boring. Need something original, I thought. And there it was: the evening sky, watching the stars. And I knew just the place. We drove out past the suburbs; Cammy had fallen in love with the idea. "I haven't done that in forever," she had said as we passed by many a rustic rural home. Half an hour later I parked the hummer and shut it down. "Where are we," Cammy asked. "The middle of downtown Scenic Nowhere," I answered. "But in all seriousness, it's an old construction site. Old man Thompson's company went bankrupt what with the economic downturn. So, they halted construction, and I got a new place to run around in." "Is this...legal," she inquired hesitantly, glancing around the darkening landscape. "It's sort of a no-man's-land," I said. We climbed a mesa of what once was fill dirt, now covered with grass for aesthetics. I lay down and hit the button to lock the hummer. A discordant beep confirmed the lock, and Cammy joined me down in the grass. We watched the sky and chatted more about the her life. "Where did you go to school before this," I inquired. "Nowhere," she answered. I was obviously curios. She continued: "I mean, I had education, just that I was home schooled. It was a combination of what my granddad could teach, and online courses." "Well, I'd never have been able to tell. You act just like the typical college student." "What's that supposed to mean?" "Just saying you don't seem any different due to the home-schooling." "Except," she said, "for the fact that I don't have many friends. You guys from the dojo are the longest-running friends I've got." Her concern with friendship struck a not with me. I had undergone similar troubles when I was young. Teasing, bullying, it was par for the day-course in grade school. "I'm sure you could make lots of friends. I bet there's at least fifty guys in the cafeteria that see you every day and would want to talk to you." "You think so?" "Of course. Hell, if I didn't go to the dojo, well...I'd probably be one of them." She smiled, but switched to a more knowing smile as she said, "but I'm sure the vast majority of those guys wouldn't want to be my friend...not exactly. They're just after that one thing." I considered cracking a joke to lighten the mood, like 'why, how many have you got,' but thought better of it. She seemed to be really concerned about this. "Yeah, well, being a guy, I can tell you most of us are jerks. You just need to meet one of the chivalrous few." "And are you one of those happy few?" The question struck me as odd. Was I chivalrous? I had always tried to be a gentleman, and I had never tended towards misogyny. "Supposing I am?" "Well then, I guess I wouldn't have to look for more friends. I've found the gold standard," she said, turning onto her side to face me. "But there's other things to search for," I reasoned. "You've got friends, but being home-schooled, have you--" "no, I've never had a boyfriend," she said, seeming to anticipate my question. "The concept scares me a little. Mostly that I'd end up with someone I hated." "They say that most girls inadvertently end up falling in love with a guy who's a lot like their father. Sort of a subdued Elektra complex." "I...," she started, but said nothing further. "What is it?" "I never really knew my father; my parents. Ever since I can remember, it's just been me and granddad," she said, rather sadly. "I'm sorry." "You don't need to be, I guess if I had known them and then they left, I would be sad or bitter. But really, I'm just disappointed I never got the chance to know them." "When I lie here, I can't help but think about death," I said. "That's why it's nice to have another person with me. Keeps my mind off it." "Why does it make you think of death?" I frowned. It could wait for another, less romantic time, I thought. "Want to head back?" SCENE 4 ENDS