Life's Lessons on Stress

by Nona Mae King

  ~*~

  "You know what? I think ‘Hell Strike’ is about ready to submit already." Zell tossed me a towel from my rock. "That only took three weeks, Meg. Awesome!"

  I smiled and wiped the perspiration from my face as I came to stand beside him. "What can I say? I’ve got a great instructor."

  Zell’s lips twitched upward in a one-sided smirk. "Nah. It’s all you from here." He gestured toward the eastern gate into the Training Center. "You want to see about beating some T-Rexaur ass?"

  I wiped my face with the towel. "That’s okay," I said softly. "I’m in need of a shower and a nice long soak in the tub." Sally Regal. You know he’s going to comment on that.

  "Dude. Tell me about it," Zell said as he gathered up his stuff. "You came on strong today. You nearly got me a couple times." He slung his duffel over his shoulder and straightened, turning toward me with his usual boyish smile. "And I’ll take you up on that soak. Maybe a backrub?"

  My eyes twinkled as I took his hand and struck out toward the exit of the Training Center. "Sure, but me on you. Okay?"

  Zell whistled. "Damn straight." He looked over at me with an impish expression. "You better watch it, kitten. I might be tempted to see if you purr."

  "Zell," I scolded in a hushed voice.

  He shrugged. "Hey, I’m just giving you fair warning."

  I giggled and wrapped an arm around him. "I appreciate it."

  His arm made its usual trek around my shoulders, hand draping down in front. "So, after this soak and backrub, you wanna do anything specific?"

  "Mom and Dad hoped we could stop by this weekend to see the new addition. Remember they added that other kennel for boarding?"

  "Oh yeah. I got an email yesterday about that. You wanna spend the weekend? I think there’s a game or two scheduled. Zack promised me tickets."

  I smiled wide. "Oh my gosh. That sounds awesome. We could drop off our submission to C.K., too. Couldn’t we?"

  "Sure! We could work on it on the train ride over. It never takes very long to fill out those forms anymore, and it’ll make the ride go faster."

  We turned toward the dorms to pick up our suits and a change of clothes. I caught sight of Quistis talking with a candidate as they walked toward us. I absently bit my lower lip. "Zell."

  "Yeah?"

  I met his gaze. "Could we bring Quistis?"

  "Sure, if she wants to come."

  I shook my head, holding his gaze. "You don’t mind?"

  "Tch! ’Course not. I’ll ask."

  "That’s okay. I can do it." I moved my focus forward. The candidate had turned off, but Quistis still headed toward us. "Hi, Quistis."

  We all met at the intersection of the main and dormitory corridors. "Hello, Sally. Zell. All done with your workout?"

  "Yep. Meg kicked ass like usual. Finished up on ‘Hell Strike’, too," Zell offered eagerly.

  "Really? Didn’t you just start that one?" Quistis asked, and she sounded generally interested.

  "Yeah. Three weeks ago." He grinned. "She kicks ass all the way around."

  I flushed molten.

  Quistis slightly smiled. "Good job, Sally. Pretty soon you’ll be teaching right alongside Zell here."

  I shook my head. "No, thank you. I’ll keep my desk job."

  She chuckled softly. "I suppose I don’t blame you, although I don’t know how you survive Seifer and Fujin day in and day out."

  Zell laughed. "Neither does she."

  I smiled.

  Quistis raised a hand in farewell and moved past us. "Have a good morning, you two."

  "Quistis, wait," I said quickly.

  She turned with a raised eyebrow. "Hmm?"

  "Are you busy this weekend?"

  She looked from me to Zell and back. "Busy? Why?"

  "Well, we’re going to Timber to spend the weekend with my parents and hang out and stuff and, um, I thought you might like to come with us. You know? Take a little break from stuff here." I glanced toward Zell. "Go shopping? Maybe?"

  "Let me check my schedule."

  I blinked in surprise, but sure enough, Quistis took out her handheld and double-checked her appointments. She tapped and scribbled and tapped some more. Then she tucked it away and looked up with a smile.

  "Something tells me she’s coming," Zell said in a laughing tone.

  Quistis again waved a farewell. "I’ll meet you by the front gate in fifteen."

  "Actually, Quis," Zell called. She stopped and turned. "We’re gonna soak in the hot tub for a bit first. Wanna come with?"

  Quistis’ blue eyes brightened. "I haven’t soaked in the--I’ll be there in five." She turned and stepped down the corridor toward her dorm room.

  We exchanged smiles. "I think that went quite well," I offered.

  "Yeah. Haven’t seen her this relaxed in ages. It almost gives me the creeps."

  "Really? I never figured you for creeping out about anything." We struck out toward the dorms again.

  "They only last about five seconds, but I creep out the same as the next guy."

  "Wow. About what?"

  Zell smiled over at me. "About us, mostly."

  "Us?" My eyes widened. "What creeps you out about us?"

  He chuckled. "Us. The word. You. Me. Together. Rings. Love. The whole nine yards."

  My expression softened. "Oh. The good creeps."

  Zell grinned. "Yeah. My newest drug." I giggled. He wrapped his other arm around me as he pressed his lips against my temple. "Pinch me please."

  I laughed and pinched him on the butt, immediately moving out of reach.

  "Ack! Ho ho ho! Come here, you!"

  I squealed and ran forward, Zell laughing maniacally as he charged after me.