Me, My Honda and My Princess
Chapter 3
Mrs. G was none too pleased with Blair and Jo when they wandered into the kitchen half an hour into dinner service. She kept her comments to herself, as she knew their peers could do all the talking for her.
"Again? Mrs. Garrett, this is unacceptable!" Tootie said angrily as she tossed dishes into the bus tub that Natalie Green was holding.
"Watch it Tootie, you're going to stain my hair with Mrs. Garrett's linguini sauce!" Natalie said with annoyance.
Edna Garrett gave Jo and Blair a curious look for they looked...different but shrugged it off as weariness and left the girls to finish cleaning the kitchen and dining area. Her gams were killing her and a nice soak in her tub was just what the doctor ordered.
"You work it out amongst yourselves; I'm going for a bath. Good night girls". Edna said as she waltzed out of the room leaving them to quarrel.
"We were studying for our term papers, Tootie and we lost track of time. It happens!" Jo said loudly as she wiped down a table. She gave Blair a glance and saw that she was looking at her with a smile. Jo winked and Blair blushed.
Natalie noticed the exchange and looked at the two girls with interest, "So you both have term papers, huh? What class?"
Jo looked at Blair and shrugged, "What class? History!"
Blair nodded in agreement. She continued to wash the tables with her rag, trying to look uninterested.
Tootie stopped bussing and stared at Blair, "I thought you did your History class last semester?
Blair blanched, and gave Jo a panicked look, "Well, yes, I did but I..."
Jo interrupted, "But she's helping me study now! So lay off, Tootie."
Natalie looked at Blair and Jo, and then whispered to Tootie, "Leave it alone for now, we'll talk later."
She rolled her eyes and moodily took the bus tub to the kitchen leaving Nat, Blair and Jo in the dining area.
"So what's the deal, here?" Natalie said with a sly grin.
Jo gave Natalie an annoyed look, "Drop it, Nat."
Blair kept herself busy with wiping tables, avoiding both Natalie and Jo's gaze. She said nothing.
"Fine, fine. I'll fill in the details in my journal myself. But I am watching you two." Natalie said with a smile and she walked out of the dining area and headed into the kitchen.
Blair stopped pretending to work, dropped her rag and ran over to Jo. The dining area had emptied quickly and the two girls were now alone. "What are we going to do, Jo? How does Natalie know...what...we...did?"
"She's just pulling your chain, Blair. She doesn't know anything. Let's get our work finished so we can go upstairs and talk." Jo said quietly.
"We can't talk up...there! They'll hear us." Blair whined in a whisper.
Jo rolled her eyes, but could see Blair's point. This was making Blair skittish and Jo was worried it would freak her out and make her run from her again.
"Hmmm...maybe we should find somewhere private to talk. We can sneak out after Nat and Tootie get ready for bed."
"Where? Mrs. Garrett won't let us go into town and everything on campus is closed!" Blair said as she slumped into a chair.
Jo tried to think, and snapped her fingers suddenly, "The Chug-a-Lug is open and we can get in! We still have our fake ID's!"
Blair shook her head, "That's how we ended up in the kitchen in the first place, Jo. It's a running theme in our lives. I'd rather not be slinging hash in a grips school when I'm 25."
"Naw, we are going to take my bike and we won't order booze or try to pick up guys." Jo said with a sly smile.
Blair was worried but thought their options were limited. Any coffee house in town would know who they were, and call Eastland to report them. That was the bad side of going to a boarding school near a small town. Also it didn't help that they already broke the law 1 and a half years ago.
"Okay, that's a plan. Let's meet outside the garage and make a break for it. But we better walk your bike to the gates so we don't wake Mrs. Garrett." Blair said quietly.
Jo nodded and gave Blair a wink. In turn, Blair blushed and looked away with a small smile. They finished their work in silence, watching the slow moving clock.
II
Around 10pm, Natalie and Tootie finally settled into their shared bunk bed, and turned down the lights after Jo and Blair told them they were studying in the lounge area for a pop quiz in the AM. (Jo wondered why they couldn't just talk in the lounge, but sometimes a story just has to go with the flow and it's too late to rewrite it so, to the outdoors we go)
Mrs. Garrett wished Jo and Blair a good night and left them with a plate of cookies and milk before she called it a night herself. Once the coast was clear, Jo and Blair ran towards the door. "Get your knapsack, Jo!" Blair whispered as she pulled her windbreaker on and slipped into her Nike runners. Jo grabbed her bag, and threw her leather jacket over her shoulder. "Come on, Princess. We don't have alot of time."
They snuck out of the commissary without a hitch, and Jo wheeled the bike to the front gates while Blair held onto Jo's knapsack and one helmet. Once outside the school grounds, Jo jumped on her bike and waited for Blair to get on too. Once secure, Jo revved the bike and they took off towards the highway bar, the infamous Chug-A-Lug.
The night was cool and Blair was glad she wore the less than stylish black windbreaker with her newly acquired Yale sweatshirt underneath. Along with the blue jeans and runners, she looked like a boy but it seemed appropriate. She just hoped Jo would like how she looked.
Jo, on the other hand, was not thinking about her clothes at the moment. She was just wondering if she could pull this evening off without getting them both in trouble. She had touched up their fake ID's so they looked a bit more realistic with recent photo's from the yearbook, and made their ages just at 21 and not any older so they would pass.
As they rode thru the darkness of the road, Jo noticed that there was a small diner on the right side of the road that she had forgotten about. She slowed down and checked it out. It was open and only a few cars were out front. This seemed like a better locale than a seedy bar.
Once stopped, Blair got off the bike and removed her helmet. "I thought it was farther away?" Jo grinned and pointed to cafe sign.
"This is better than some dirty ole bar, huh?" Jo said with a thumb up.
Blair smiled with a shrugged, "I'd rather be alone with you, but this is a second best."
It was Jo's turn to blush, and she reached over and kissed Blair softly on the lips, "Let's get a table and some Java, huh?" Blair smiled and they parked the bike, and walked into the small diner eager to find a quiet table and start talking.
The place wasn't half bad. Jo glanced at the sign and read "Half Moon Cafe" on a grimy metal...board? She wasn't sure and she hoped Blair wasn't turned off by the...
"This is quaint...if you like eating off a man hole cover." Blair said drolly as they eyed the room for a cozy booth.
Right on cue, Jo thought with amusement, "It'll have to do, Princess. I think we have to seat our selves. There's a spot over there. Come on."
The booth was adequate, and Jo wiped the seat with her sleeve before letting Blair sit down. They sat opposite to each other and once settled, Blair smiled with relief, "This isn't so bad. At least if we get caught, we have only broken one rule."
"Yeah, I guess we are growing up. Graduation is next year." Jo said casually as she looked at the menu.
"How's the college application process going for you?" Blair asked, curious, as she never really thought about Jo going to college until now.
"Aw...I don't know if I will even be going to college. It costs a lot and I'm not sure I can swing a full scholarship." Jo said uneasily. The truth was she knew she qualified for enough scholarship money to pay for her schooling, but she'd have to work part time to have money to actually live, and possibly receive money from her parents. Plus she always needed money for her bike. The Honda was getting old and she yearned to buy a dirt bike so she could compete again. She figured she would sell the Honda and get enough money for the Kawasaki dirt bike she had been eyeing in the Peekskill auto shop for over a year. It was blue like her Honda but it was a street dirt bike, meaning she could ride the bike on the street and compete in motocross events all over the New York area. She wondered if that was something she should mention to Blair, now that they were...dating? Maybe later...She thought.
But the uncertainty of college was frightening and she hadn't really discussed the subject with anyone but her mother and father. Oh and Mrs. G, she thought with a smile.
"You have better grades than anyone, even me! If you don't go to college, it would be a waste!" Blair said in all seriousness. She reached out to hold Jo's hand but Jo retracted her arm from the table when she saw that the waitress was finally sauntering over to their booth.
"Rather late for you girls, isn't it?" The waitress said with an air of uncertainty.
Jo and Blair gave the waitress wild grins and Jo shrugged it off, "We college girls need our coffee!"
The waitress seemed to relax, "Oh you two must be from Langley. Thought you were Eastland trouble makers. Thank God, you're not, I heard some wild Eastlanders caused a huge scandal over at the Chug bar and almost got it closed down. Now we don't let anyone in here after 9pm without an ID."
Blair looked at Jo, winked and reached into her back pocket and produced an ID fresh from Jo's desk the previous day, "Here's mine, Miss." Jo fished her's out too and gave it to the waitress. Once they were accepted as over 21 years old, they were allowed to order coffee and no one bothered them again.
"Good thing we had these ID's!" Blair whispered after their coffee was served to them.
"Well I knew we would need them for the bar but I had no idea we had such a reputation around Peekskill. I'm impressed!" Jo said proudly. She sipped her black coffee and watched Blair fuss with her cream and sweet and low.
"So, where should we start?" Blair said once her coffee was completed and she could drink it without making a face.
"Well, I was thinking about selling my Honda for a Kawasaki dirt bike, one I could race in competitions around the area. Maybe pick up some cash." Jo said.
"That's nice and dangerous, and I don't approve but that not my place, it's your mothers. I'll call her tomorrow about it. I was meaning more about you and me, grease monkey." Blair said with her usual air of arrogance and charm.
"Oh yeah, us." Jo said as she gulped down her hot coffee.
"Do you want me to start?" Blair asked seriously. She sipped her coffee and watched Jo's face. She could learn a lot about Jo from her facial expressions.
Jo nodded and gave her a quick grin, "Well, no, I guess I should start since I did drag us all the way here." She shifted around in her seat and leaned in to the table. She wanted to give Blair the appearance of being really really interested, although she was. But at times she did give off an look of "I just don't give a f-u-c-k".
Blair smiled politely, trying not to show off her nervous vibe she was feeling inside.
Jo took in a deep breath and let it out, bracing herself for the intense feelings that were going to be laid out onto the Formica cafe table. "Well, first I'd like to thank you for the kiss in the parking lot. It meant a lot to me. So...thanks."
Blair grinned, "Your welcome. It wasn't my best but it was unrehearsed."
"You rehearse your kisses?" Jo asked with a scowl.
"Of course, I do. That's why I am who I am." Blair said with sincerity.
"Hmmmm...Good job Blair. I look forward to your better well rehearsed kisses. Now that we have that settled, I'd like to know something else." Jo said, feeling slightly amused.
"Shoot!" Blair said happily.
"Ah well, were you hiding in the library that day? That day I was studying for my History midterm?" Jo asked.
"Yes. Yes I was, Jo. I admit it. I was going to talk to you but you seemed so intent on studying that I didn't have the heart or the guts to approach you. I was running out of time so I thought I'd run into you in the parking lot." She said quickly before she changed the story.
"I thought so. Okay now about the morning after?" Jo asked.
Blair looked uncomfortable, "I kind of had a meltdown that morning. I got cold feet and I felt so bad afterwards. The hurt look on your face, it tore me up."
"I was confused, that's for sure. Then when you were locking lips with Nathan Hawkins, well I was ready to plow someone...you, him. anyone really." Jo drained her coffee cup and wiped her mouth with her sleeve.
"That was an unfortunate occurrence that had no relevance to our encounter the day before. I told you that. I was trying to protect Sue Ann's reputation." Blair retorted, giving Jo a look of annoyance. She handed her a paper napkin. Jo took it and looked at with confusion.
"I suppose. I guess I was looking for you and I found you. Sorry I over reacted, Princess."
The conversation stopped and the waitress wandered over and refilled their cups, and left them alone once more. It was almost 11:30pm, and Jo was getting antsy. She needed answers.
"So are you wondering where we are going with this?" Blair asked.
"Kinda yeah." Jo replied.
"Well, let's just say we are embarking on an inclusive journey. A new road taken. Something very special and hopefully romantic as hell!" Blair said with conviction.
Jo grinned, "That sounds great and kinda pretty."
"Like you, Jo." Blair replied with a wink.
"Princess?" Jo whispered.
"Yes?" Blair said in a husky voice. Jo grinned and then glanced at her watch. "Yikes!" blustered Jo.
"Shit...I mean...shoot...no I meant shit...we gotta split. If Mrs. G does a bed check, we'll be on a journey to a mile high of dishes for life!" Jo as she got up and tossed some change onto the table. "We gotta go, Blair and now."
Blair looked confused, "Why the rush all of a sudden. Did you just realize we were not at Eastland? See how head injuries from your bike riding has come back to haunt you!"
"I don't know, I looked at my watch and then I thought about the fact that Natalie was weird at dinner service and I wouldn't put it past her to get up and look for us. She could alert Mrs. G." Jo said quickly with a look of panic.
Blair shrugged and got up, "I'll leave the tip." Jo nodded absentmindedly and they rushed out of the cafe as if it were on fire.
Once outside, Jo donned her jacket and helped Blair with hers. The air was cool and they could see the moon high in the sky. Jo could see the blue light shine onto Blair's long hair and the smell of Blair's perfume; suddenly she started to look at her with glassy eyes. Blair noticed this, flashed a smile and moved closer to Jo. Before Jo could say Kawasaki, Blair had pounced on her once again with such force that she almost fell over. This time she kissed Blair Warner back, with lust and the two girls were so deeply entwined that they wouldn't have noticed an alien land beside them.
Of the two, only Jo seemed to have any moral responsibility and she pried Blair off of her, reluctantly, gave her a quick kiss before she shoved the brain bucket onto Blair's head and they mounted the bike, roaring off towards the school.
Blair held Jo tight and sighed as they rode quickly through the cool night air. She had a funny feeling in her heart, as if someone had walked in and turned on a million sparkling lights within her. It made her hug Jo tighter and wanted no more than to have Jo lie down with her tonight and kiss her more. Although out of the question, the thoughts still felt good.
Jo was also feeling pretty good, she liked how Blair was holding her so tight, having the blonde pressed onto her back made her feel...like having a make out session with the girl later in a broom closet on the first floor. She'd mention that later; see if Blair was up for it.
They finally arrived at the Eastland gates and she stopped the cycle, turning it off. "Hope off, Blondie." Jo said as she patted Blair's arm. They dismounted the bike and quietly walked it to the parking area where Mrs. Garret kept her yellow beetle. Jo secured the helmets and took Blair's hand.
"I guess we better go inside. I have the key." Blair said as she squeezed Jo's hand.
Jo smiled, and although it was dark, she could still make out Blair's beautiful face. She sighed, leaned in and kissed her without asking. When their lips met, it felt wonderful. They made out for awhile, knowing full well it would have to stop the minute they entered the dorm. Finally, they parted, but Blair engulfed Jo into a hug and she whispered in her ear, "Let's not end this, please. No matter how idiotic I might become!"
Jo hugged her back, "No way in Hell we can ever turn back now, Blair."
They snuck back into the dorm, the lights were out and all was quiet. They gathered up the text books they left on the table and brought them up stair with them. Jo gulped down the warm milk Mrs. G had left hours earlier and stuffed a cookie in her pocket.
"I'll change in Mrs. Garrett's bathroom. I hid my PJ's I her cupboard, under the towels." Blair whispered to Jo.
"Smart thinking. I'll change in our bathroom. See you in a minute." Jo said and they kissed quickly. Blair tiptoed into Edna's bathroom and Jo slowly opened the door of their shared living quarters. Once inside the dark room, she found her way to her bed and put the books down on the floor beside her spare cycle tire. She found her PJ's under her pillow and she got into them quickly, munching the cookie while she dressed. She used the bathroom, brushed her teeth and combed out her hair. Once she was back in the room, she sat on her bed and waited for Blair.
Blair entered the room and closed the door quietly. Jo could see her in the dim lit room, and watched her put away her clothes. Blair sat on her own bed and let out a sigh. "Sweet dreams, Jo."
Jo smiled, "Night, Princess."
Jo got under her comforter and got comfortable, feeling the tiredness of the day envelope her. Blair did the same in her own bed, rolling over and watching Jo's shape in the bed next to her bed.
It was so quiet that they could hear a pin drop, when suddenly, "So what's new with you two?" Natalie Green said from her bunk.
Jo and Blair both groaned. Damn, Jo thought. Busted.