by David Morgan
Chapter 3
“I can’t believe it’s still raining.” Paxton sighed, clearly annoyed.
“Six days without sun has got to be some kind of record for Rayhollow.” Chadwick replied, equally annoyed with the overcast weather.
“Three years ago, Hurricane Victoria, remember? That was at least a week.” Paxton responded.
“Nope.” Chad said without hesitation. “Four days, and two of those were sun showers after we had passed through the eye. It hardly counts.” He added.
“Well still, hopefully it’ll be clear tonight for The Hole. Are you going?”
“Maybe for a little while,” Chad tried to sound as uninterested as possible, “I hope you didn’t forget we’ve got a tournament tomorrow. I need to review my decks—and you should do the same. Did you build them yet?”
“I started one last night, but I need to rethink my mana combinations.”
“Yeah well make sure you have enough healers in the deck; I don’t want to be humiliated again like last time.”
“You won’t be,” Paxton put his hands in his pockets. “Anyhow—I think I’ve got enough time to hang out tonight for a while.” He distractedly looked down the hall.
“Why do you even want to go?” Chad’s voice carried the typical judgment against all things popular. “You know it’s just jocks and douchebags getting wasted on beer ‘cause they hope that they’ll get laid. Just whores and jocks—you’ve got better ways to spend your time.” Chadwick replaced the books from his backpack. “What are you staring at?”
Chadwick followed his friend’s line of sight down the hallway to a girl of short stature and long, blond hair, talking to a guy in a Varsity jacket with another girl leaning against the lockers, clearly more interested in her smartphone than her friends.
Chadwick laughed. “Dude. Karen? Is this your Crush-of-the-Week?”
“What? No.” Paxton searched for a change of subject, but failing, simply added, “Look—she’s been looking at me in Chemistry.”
“Pax—she’s been looking at you in Chemistry because you keep staring at her in Chemistry. She feels creeped out.”
“Why do you always just assume that they’re not interested?”
“Because they aren’t interested, Pax. Not in us—they go after the douches who build muscles instead of vocabulary. Face it—girls don’t like nice guys. They only like jerks—and then whine about how there are ‘no good guys’ out there. When we’re actually right in front of their idiot faces.” Chad hoisted a chain on his side, freeing a small, silver watch from his front pocket. He popped open the lid, “Only one more period today,” he muttered.
“You’re talking out of your ass, Chad. You don’t actually know. It’s a hunch—your hunch.”
“It’s fact.”
“Oh really? You’ve done a survey? Read peer-reviewed research on the subject? You think every single one of the 468 girls in our high school has absolutely zero interest in a nice guy? So what if I don’t have abs—you can’t lump every single girl into one category.”
“Yes you can. They’re women. All women are like that.” Then added, “AWALT.”
“Chad—you seriously need to cut it out with that sexist, misogynistic bullshit. It’s degrading to women.”
“Look, they’re not a bunch of innocent virgin flowers like you seem to think, Pax.” He glanced down at his pocket watch. “We’re gonna be late for class. We should go.”
“So tell me, Captain Statistics, how many girlfriends have you had from which to draw your well of experience?”
The sound of the bell filled the hallways, drowning out all conversation, within seconds the crowds of students began to thin as everyone disappeared into their respective classrooms.
“I’m going to class.”
“I’ll be right behind you. I’ve got to—uhh--” He looked down the hallway back towards Karen, now walking steadily in his direction. “—tie my shoe.” He said.
Pax shoved his arms through the straps of his backpack and hunched over to untie (then re-tie) his left shoe, pretending not to notice the pretty blond girl, now just seconds away from him, coming up from behind.
He finished the second loop, pulling the knot tight, before standing up and beginning to walk, adjusting the vintage flannel shirt that hung open over his Green Lantern Tee. Fate! He was now walking at breadth with the lovely blonde, occasionally stealing glances at what he thought was her stealing glances through her peripheral vision. Just the two of them, together—at the same pace, like she wanted him to talk to her.
“Hi Karen. What’s up?” His heart beat hard in his chest.
“Hi Pax. Nothing—just going to class.” She answered coldly, staring only directly in front of her.
“That’s cool. You going to the Hole tonight?”
“Oh. Umm. I don’t--” she seemed to be struggling with her words. Was she nervous? Did he, Paxton Volvox, make this beautiful girl nervous with his presence?
“Oh, too bad,” Paxton let her get out of the question—a nice guy doesn’t put ladies under pressure. She didn’t need to feel pressured to do something she didn’t want to do, just to impress a guy that she might like. “I was hoping I’d see you there—but another time then, I guess.” He added.
“Yeah, definitely another time.” Karen sounded relieved. Most likely, as Pax thought, from being handed such an easy way out of an awkward answer. She probably doesn’t drink and was embarrassed to admit that a bunch of teenagers getting wasted on cheap beer in the middle of the woods didn’t quite sound like her idea of a good time. Gentlemen don’t judge or pressure girls to do things that make them uncomfortable.
Paxton could hardly believe it—she wanted to see him. ‘Definitely another time.’ Of course she didn’t have to say “definitely”—so she probably expected that he wouldn’t give up ask her out again. She practically asked him to.
Girls are subtle like that, he thought. They never flat out say what they’re thinking, that would be immodest and improper for a lady. Besides, it’s the guy’s job to pursue.
Karen picked up her pace, most likely fearing to be late for class—it was cute, Paxton mused at how diligent she was. A couple minutes doesn’t matter, but let her worry if it makes her feel good—she works hard.
He chuckled to himself, thinking about Chad’s foolishness—pretending to know anything about girls. What does he know? At 17—nearly 18 years old—Chad has never had a girlfriend, and Paxton has had at least one—and he broke up with her. Technically, he’d often reason—especially when disagreements about ladies came up—that gives me infinitely more experience with women than Chad has.
But No. Paxton refused to count his chickens before they’ve hatched. He’d bide his time and it would eventually pay off. When the timing was right, he’d ask her out. Of course girls love the nice guy—they want to be treated right and these jock-douchebags only care about sex and sports. Actually, they only really cared about sex—and the girls knew it; at least Karen knew it. Girls are smart. He understood what other guys didn’t—he had intellect, he was a gentleman.
“Bye Paxton.” She ducked into her classroom.
“See ya, Karen,” and he walked—no, he strutted--to class. He had nearly wooed her, and later—when the moment was right and Karen felt comfortable—he’d seal the deal.
He turned into his classroom, but the way was blocked.
“Mr. Volvox,” a thin, shrill voice jerked him from his daydreaming—which had (as it always does) turned to sex—“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Mrs. Stanley.” He said in surprise at being stopped, “I’m going to class.”
“No, Paxton,” she said dryly. She had tone of a supervillain revealing their entire evil plan to the temporarily captive hero.
“You’re going to the Principal’s office.” Her arms were folded, she was serious. “You’re late—again. As punishment, you’re to take these to the secretary,” and she handed him a stack of old text
books.
Struggling under the overbearing weight of the textbooks, Paxton had almost forgotten about Karen. Then, as he rounded the corner to the Rayhollow High’s main entrance to drop the books off, the door swung open before him---nearly knocking him over. Then he did forget about Karen completely.
A girl stepped out from behind the door with a confident stride so smooth that it gave him the impression she was levitating down the hallway.
Hair as deep and dark as the night sky flowed like a river down to the small of her back: dark, endless waves of silk coming to rest at a tight, narrow waist. His eyes drank in the sight of her straight, back-set shoulders, revealing years of good posture. She was perched on a set of heels, adding three inches of sexy to her gait. An irresistible, animal desire grew from deep inside him as he stood in awe of her wide hips, strong thighs, and legs that seemed miles long.
And then she turned around. To Paxton’s wonder, she smiled shyly at him, blinking large—tear-shaped eyes. Her eyes were black and mysterious, so dark that, for a moment, they blinded him—occupying both his vision and his thoughts. He could make room only for those two, dangerous eyes.
When she looked at him, time slowed its pace to a crawl, stretching the seconds into days. In those eyes, with that one look and that coy smile, Paxton forgot where he was. He forgot who he was. He forgot everything that he had ever seen or been—he saw only her and knew only desire for more of her. And then she turned away, ducking down an adjacent hallway.
Without a word he walked into the principal’s office, dropped the books onto the secretary’s desk, went back to his classroom and took his seat. The moment had abandoned him, and she--whoever she was--had gone. He no longer felt the desire—just an empty desert where the desire had once grown green.
The final bell of the day sounded and Paxton remained in his chair as both teacher and students bustled out of the classroom, anxious to get to wherever Friday night promised to take them.
He sat alone in the classroom. There was no more Karen, there was no more school, neither was there Magic the Gathering, nor Chad, nor anything else—there was only the Girl. And he let himself be taken into a dream.
“Paxton,” her gentle voice cooed to him from the distance. Its sound was as dark as her hair, but warm and comforting—like a summer’s night.
“Paxton,” she was closer now, coming to him; she would lead him to bliss.
“Paxton!” A hand took him by the shoulder and rattled him to consciousness.
“Paxton!” The voice belonged to Chad. “What are you doing? It’s already 3:15—school’s over.” With no energy left to reason, Paxton obeyed Chad without protest, listening to his words but hardly processing them. “Paxton—you ok?” Chad sounded concerned, but Paxton couldn’t understand why. He was now in love—he had seen his soulmate; there was no longer reason for concern…ever.
“Yes.” Paxton answered.
“What has gotten into you? Are you sure you’re ok? Let’s go.” Chad persisted.
“Ok.”
And they walked in complete silence.
“Hey guys!” A perky voice jumped at them from behind.
“What do you want?!” Paxton snapped at the tall, slim girl with the athletic build. A pair of large welding goggles hung around the front of her neck, resting on her breasts and gently moving rhythmically as she breathed.
“Eww. What’s your problem, Paxton?” and without waiting for a response turned to Chad. “Hey Chaddy-boy. You guys going to the Hole tonight?”
“Hey Kara. Yes. For a little while.” The viciousness in Paxton’s voice dissipated.
“Cool! You too, Chaddy?”
Chad’s eyes brightened a little bit, looking at her intently. “I think-“
“Chad said it’s just for cretans and losers.” Paxton had returned from his daze, apparently.
“That’s not what I said,” Chad kicked in defensively. “I just meant that I’m busy on Saturday and I have to get ready.”
“For the MtG tournament? You’re going?” Kara asked anxiously, but continued without waiting for a response, “I’m going—I’ve already got my decks lined up. Fire and Swamp, baby.” And she held up her hand with fingers crossed. “What’s your mana of choice this time?” She asked to both.
“Plains and Water,” Chad responded, trying not to let his eye contact with the girl linger noticeably.
“What about you, Pax?”
“I haven’t decided yet—I’ll figure it out later.”
“Cool. What time are you guys headed over to the Hole?”
“Not sure—what about you?”
“Probably around ten, just when things usually get interesting.” As she shot them a wink, her attention was drawn to her side.
The theme song of Friendship is Magic blasted from her front pocket. With a quick glance at the screen, she turned to the guys, “It’s Sara—I gotta go--I’ll catch you guys later. Peace, suckas!”
“See ya.” Paxton responded with indifference.
“Bye Kara.” Chad’s eyes followed her as she turned away towards the school parking lot.
Paxton turned to Chad.
“So? Going to the Hole now?”
“Don’t be an ass. Yes I’m going.”