Chapter 2

9-Volt Makes A Choice

"Hey there!" said the girl after she spotted 9-Volt, and she walked across the dance floor to meet him. "What's your name, dude?"

9-Volt's heart was beating so rapidly that at first he wasn't even aware that he had been asked a question. "Um… yeah!" He finally exclaimed, desperate to break the silence.

"Oh, weak. I haven't given you an introduction," said Jimmy, who had been standing in the doorway behind 9-Volt. "Gamer dude, meet rockin' sister Jamie. Jamie, this is 9-Volt."

"What's up?" Jamie offered as a greeting.

"Nothing," 9-Volt said bashfully, avoiding eye contact with her. His heart was doing somersaults; he had never been so struck by someone's beauty before. If only he could… but Ashley would surely…

"What's the matter with him?" Jamie asked Jimmy after another somewhat awkward silence.

Jimmy, of course, was immediately wise, but for 9-Volt's sake he played coy. "I think he's just dazzled by your raw funkitude, sis. What say we get out of your hair so you can set that dance floor back on fire?"

"All right," Jamie said.

Jimmy put his hand on 9-Volt's back and started to lead him out of the room, but in a pure act of impulse, 9-Volt wheeled around and shouted, "Jamie, I would like to hang out with you very much one day!!"

Jamie cocked her head to the side for a moment, confused as to why Jimmy had slapped his face with his palm. But then she said, "Well that's cool dude. What would you want to do?"

Jimmy was not about to hesitate for too long and let 9-Volt say something he'd regret. "Well, Sis, I'm sure he doesn't have too much in mind. Maybe you could teach him to tear up the dance floor."

"Dance lessons?" Jamie mused. "Well, sure, I guess. I'm actually free most of next week. Is that good for you, kid?"

9-Volt shot a sidelong glance up at Jimmy, and Jimmy, whose hand was still on 9-Volt's shoulder, tightened his grip until 9-Volt almost winced.

"Yes. Yes, I would love some dance lessons," 9-Volt agreed. "But wait… next week?"

A vision of Ashley passed through his mind, taking his hand tenderly and asking him to come to the campsite. She would not be pleased if he ditched her. However, he rationalized, his attraction to Ashley was always gentle and contained. This… this was pure nature. Surely this had to be the real thing! Ashley would just have to understand.

"Is that not cool?" Jamie asked.

"…No. Next week is great! I'll be here!"

"Rock on!" Jamie said with a grin.

"All right, I'm sure little Leroy is late for dinner," Jimmy said, and he promptly escorted 9-Volt to the front door.

"Now listen up, little man, I'm only going to say this once:" Jimmy said when they reached the door. "You need to think carefully about what's going to please your heart and what's going to get you really, really hurt. I'm sure you can figure it out." And the door was closed.

But 9-Volt was sure he knew what he had to do.

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It was Monday morning, the morning 9-Volt was supposed to be going with Ashley to their campsite. 9-Volt was eating breakfast in deep thought when the phone rang.

"Hellooo?" said 5-Volt. "Oh? Oh yes, he's right here. Hold on, I'll ask him." She put the receiver on her shoulder. "Leroy? Are you ready for me to drive you to Ashley's house?"

9-Volt replied with his perfect lie: "Um… well actually, Wario needs me to do a little extra work at his game lab, but then he said he'd drive me all the way to the campsite on Tuesday."

5-Volt relayed her son's response, then came to him with the phone. "Ashley wants to speak to you."

9-Volt gulped, but took the phone. "H-hello?"

"Hello, Leroy." Said Ashley softly. "What do you mean you're not coming?"

"No, no! I'm coming! I will just meet you there, I'm getting a ride from Wario."

"Leroy… I really hope you wouldn't betray my trust. That would displease me greatly."

9-Volt's eyes grew shifty, but then he came to this realization: his attraction to Ashley had always been gentle, familiar, and comfortable. But with Jamie, it was just pure, unadulterated nature. He swallowed and made his decision.

"I'm not going to betray you, Ashley. I will be there." He lied.

There was a long silence on the other end of the line, during which 9-Volt could hear Ashley breathing. Finally, she said "Very well." And disconnected.

9-Volt sighed and hung up the phone.

"Well, son, I guess you'd better get over to Mr. Wario's house right away." Said 5-Volt.

"Right mom! I'm on my way!"

And off he dashed, to his skateboard that would take him to Jimmy's house, to the dance floor… to the goddess.