Howdy, Readers !
Time for new clarifications. This story is NOT an action story, and although my OC is a Rhapsodian, it's not an alien fiction. So don't expect fights again aliens or such, coz there won't be any such stuff. Fair warning.
Just re-read the foreword : this is a realistic drama. Which means real-life plot, with normal dramatic elements. Although it will get hard and tragic, and not little ! Expect tough times, and terrible events ! Fair warning (bis).
A great thanxxxx to Marisa (you deserve the dedication, any may ya be happy !) and Yuna for reviewing and putting an alert, a maxxxxi thanks to my awesome Bos for her comment and soon carrying it on wz her MBC story. No one else to thank this time. (what's taking other folks so long to review ?)
And an homage to the great R.E.M., who are IMO one of the best American bands ever. They announced last year their definitve split. 30 years of career… one word : bravo, and not only for the length, for the quality mostly ! I'll miss you, guys ! :'(
And now, time to let my feminine side express itself (it's more developed than in many men around, coz i hate machos and revere women, hence my being friend wz almost only girls !) Time for a bit of romance, for a change !
N'joy !
/
3 / TOGETHER
/
{("You & I" – Pure Orchestra)}
The library was really cool, thanks to air-conditioning, while it was pretty hot outside. One would always feel very comfortable in that place, especially when there were few students.
Today, not many folks around indeed. The rare people were working at their own rhythm, without hurry. Then again, why hurry when the school term just came to an end ?
Among those scarce students, one finally lifted her head from the book she desperately tried to read and dropped her pen on the sheet nearby. She felt it would be most difficult to focus that day, and now began to doubt that anything profitable would be collected before evening.
She looked dreamily out of the window, her golden eyes staring absently at the blue cloudless sky stretching beyond the glass. And began to wonder.
NOW, SAM, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU, EH ? WHAT IS IT THAT'S TROUBLING YOU ? As if you didn't know… THAT BOY, EH ? Him ! A CHARMING PERSON, ISN'T IT ? Oh yes, definitely ! AND SOMEONE YOU MAY WANT TO SEE AGAIN SOON, PERHAPS ? Yeah ! I hope we can meet once more soon ! AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER MORE… INTIMATELY ? No no no, don't think of that, Sam ! You're losing your focus ! I feel that I can't study properly, anyway… I'll go out for some fresh air !
This being… thought, the African-American rose from her seat and slowly walked towards the exit.
When she arrived at the main entrance of the building, she could see an ocean of light flooding the premises from the big windows. Today would be a most beautiful day, no doubt. Why spend so much time in a library ? To win a contest, okay… but still, ignoring such an attractive sun…
She reached the great door, opened it, stepped out… and found herself nose to nose with Nathanaël Wassylom !
Immediately, her heart started beating faster, but not so much from the surprise she had experienced. Rather, for some feeling hidden deep inside…
"Oh… uh, hi, Samantha ! How are you ?" He looked slightly uneasy. "I was just on my way to the school library, to check what you have for physics books."
"Hi… Nat' ! I… it's a pleasure to see you again ! I was in the library and just got out to take my mind off work a bit !"
"Can I have your hand ?" he said, holding out his right arm to her, hand wide open.
"Sure…" she said, and placed hers inside his.
He shook it gently, squeezing it tightly in his own.
"Your hand is really soft… I mean, I mean… it's softer than most of the hands… (what the HECK am I saying ?!) Not… not all hands are that soft… hum, anyway, you get my point, don't you ?"
His look quickly flew to the ground, but immediately shot back up when she giggled.
"You're really funny, you know that, Nat' ?"
"Thank you, Samantha."
"Sam !"
"Excuse me ?"
"Sam. Call me simply Sam, just like I call you simply Nat'. Nobody ever calls me by my full firstname, except for teachers and strangers. But for friends, it'll only be : Sam ! Okay ?"
Her mouth stretched up some more.
"Well… like your friend said… Danny, is that right ? (she nodded) … so as he pertinently said, we are not friends yet…"
She chuckled.
"Forget about Dan'. He was teasing you, that's all. You'll get to know him better and realize he likes to do that quite often, notably with me and Chris."
"Yeah ? Anyway, thanks for calling me your friend… Sam !"
He sniggered.
She showed him her teeth in extenso.
"My pleasure to do so. Tell me, since I was thinking of having a drink, in order to make that break I told you about, would be so kind as to join me in ?"
"For a drink ? But yes, with pleasure. I'm following you !"
/
They were now sitting face to face, his eyes alternatively set on her beautiful face and looking elsewhere when her own globes were trying to meet his.
Really a shy boy ! But I like it ! I like when there's challenge… I hope I can make him comfortable rapidly : I wouldn't want us to just sit there and rarely talk or talk but only on relatively banal stuff. Come on, Sam, help him being more at his ease !
"So, where do you come from exactly, tell me ?" she asked, smiling.
"Well, I was raised in England and came to USA with my parents at the age of 11. They wanted to go to the "promised land" that America was, according to them. And I must say it's a great place to be. Not everything pleases me here, notably regarding politics, but I still enjoy my life in your beautiful country."
"So you were born in United Kingdom, is that right ?"
Her eyes were spying his in an alert way, and the final part of her question had been pronounced in a curious tone. As if she wanted to double-check… He noticed it and suddenly suspected that if she asked him that question, then it might mean…
"Why are you asking me that, Sam ?"
"Hum… just checking if I got it right, that's all"
"Are you sure that "that's all", as you say ? Is there another reason ? Sorry, I don't want to sound paranoid or anything, but I had the inkling that there was… an underlying reason. But maybe I'm imagining things…?"
He trailed off a bit on the last part of his sentence, and his tone seemed somewhat… difficult to name it precisely, but like a tad ironic. And his look, as he uttered it, was a questioning one.
Was she hiding anything from him ?
"Okay, I guess concealment and secretiveness are definitely not the best ones to start up a friendship relationship. So I'll be honest with you, Nat', but I hope you get neither shocked, nor angry or disappointed about it."
She took the time to inhale, a long breath in, a few seconds to gather her courage, and…
"Our friend Cathy was taken aback last time because she sensed where you originated from… initially ! And she said you got astonished because you felt the same about her. So I know that you… (she leaned over to him, now whispering ) may look human, but that you are not, in fact. But that's totally okay with me, and for the others too. You have to know that Cathy is very excited about it, because you're the first Rhapsodian she meets here. The only one she already knew is her grandfather, and she told us many times that she was sad not to know any other Rhapsodian. So, as you can see, nothing wrong with your secret ID, even on the contrary !"
She ceased talking and waited for his reaction.
He sighed but still grinned afterwards.
"Yes, I expected this. When I felt her alien aura, I immediately knew we came from the same planet, and that there were good chances she would tell you about my "secret ID", as you call it. That's because, you see, Rhapsodian females are very talkative, especially the younger ones. They can be such chatterboxes, you have no ideas ! (Sam chuckled at this) But what I didn't expect is that you would tell me about my alien origins already on our second meeting. That was a surprise, but there's no problem with that. I'm neither shocked nor angry or disappointed, to answer you. I'm actually glad that things are straightforward between us, rather than secretive."
Sam had a regret look plastered on her features.
"Look, Nat', I'm sorry if I told you this so early after we got to know each other. Maybe I should have waited more before bringing up the matter. Sorry, really !"
But Nat' raised his hands, his palms directed at her, in a clearly soothing way.
"No no no, don't worry, it's okay, honestly ! I prefer to get things straight at the beginning of our friendship relation, rather than having to explain it later. So it's perfectly fine with me, I swear. You needn't apologize about it !"
She offered him her most grateful look.
"Thank you, Nat' !"
"No, thank you, Sam, for basing our contact on truth and sincerity from the start. I always thought it to be better. But given that aliens must not give away their origins, I probably wouldn't have told you before long… if Cathy hadn't been Rhapsodian herself, and found out who I was under my human appearance ! It's one of those things we aliens must keep secret."
"Yes, I know. I understand. But don't worry, only the four of us know about your secret, and Cathy's grandfather, who is also Rhapsodian, of course. And you can be sure that, with us, you secret is well kept !"
His turn to express gratitude through his stare.
"Thank you so much, Sam !"
She smiled gently, warm air quickly exiting her nose, and nictated slowly.
"It's a pleasure to know you, Nat'."
He rubbed the back of his head, and the hot wave surrounding him gave away his feelings in an explicit blush.
"Yeah… well… thank you… it's a delight to know you too… Sam !"
There he is, getting all shy again. He's just too cute. Oh, I have an idea !
"Tell me" she began after a short silent break "would you be free on Saturday ? I haven't been to the movies in a long time and just noticed a new film that I'd like to watch. Would you agree to accompany me ?"
"Just… just you and me ?"
"Yes"
Her grin was bigger than ever.
His heart was pounding like crazy within his chest.
A date ! With Sam ! And she proposes it only after our second meeting up ! That's a miracle !
What do I say ? YOU SAY YES, OF COURSE ! Isn't it too early ? WANNA SPOIL YOUR BEST CHANCE, MAN ? IT'S NOT EVERY DAY THAT A GIRL ASKS YOU OUT ! Yes, it's more the boys to ask out the girls, rarely the other way round… SO COME ON, SAY YES !
"Well… yes, then !"
"Wonderful ! I can't wait for Saturday ! Thank you, Nat' !"
"Sure…" he said, blushing hard. "So it's… it's a date ?"
But he immediately realized the awkwardness of it.
"Sorry, I… stupid question… sorry !"
She giggled once again. He definitely was too cute, especially when he took a clumsy step.
"Don't worry, it's okay. No problem. And yes, it is a date. I'm delighted to have that date with you, Nathanaël Wassylom ! And most pleased to have you as my friend !"
Perhaps BOYfriend soon…?
His eyes were making the to-and-fro between the table and her golden orbs.
"Yes… eh eh… yes… same here… look, I… hum, I apologize but… but I gotta go now… I have… other things to do… sorry to leave so early…"
The "other things" were the only part of his sentence that weren't true. It's just that he felt his mind about to explode out of intense happiness, and he couldn't take this huge positive vibe any longer in front of her. He just needed to scream his welfare, to yell his joy out, to do somersaults in a row outdoors to celebrate his date with Sam. But anyway, he couldn't stand his swollen joy any longer and his shyness was making it quite difficult for this intimate instant to go on.
"Sure, I understand. And even if it was a tad short, I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm looking forward to our Saturaday moment !"
That last part was uttered in an almost sexy voice.
"Yeah… me too… (he felt he was redder than a tomato)… have a nice day… and see you soon !"
They shook hands, and she could feel his grip tightening softly on her hand.
"So, I propose we meet at… hum, say 1.15 p.m. And if you had time to stroll a bit in Singletown, you may know where the park is ?"
"Yes, I do."
"Cool. So let's meet at its entrance at 1.15, right ?"
"Yes"
Then he gave her one last glance, his face crimson, his body still overheating, and waved her goodbye.
"Take care, Nat' !" she called out.
He looked at her, silent for a few seconds, not expecting this, then returned it.
"You too, Sam !"
And it was gone with him.
The brunette's look nevertheless remained set on the door he had just exited through, a sweet dreamy smile over her lips.
I never had a boyfriend, and never had a date. And there comes the date, and perhaps the boyfriend will become a reality as well. Who would have thought ? Oh, Nat', I'm so happy to have you in my life, even if we just got to know each other a bit… You're already taking some space in my heart, Rhapsodian love !
/
{("Reveal" – R.E.M.)}
The dinner was over.
Faces were beaming with welfare.
"Aaaaah, so delicious ! You're an artist, Mr Smith !"
The old man's face lit up.
"Why, thank you, Danny ! Glad you appreciate."
"Appreciate ? I LOVE it, you mean !"
The rest of them giggled.
"Someone's a real gourmet, eh eh !" teased Chris.
"A greedy pig, no less !" chirped the hyper blonde.
Danny gave her a look.
"A greedy PIG ? Well, so much for friendly comment…!"
And he crossed his arms to back up his somewhat grumpy comment.
The young Rhapsodian gestured swiftly towards the jock.
"But come on, Danny Boy !" she exclaimed "You know I'm just joshing, don't you ?"
And a wink followed.
The scarred macho remained silent for a while, his arms still crossed, a pout on his face, then he slowly smiled to his alien friend.
"Okay, but it's really because it's you saying it, right ?"
All laughed. Then a few seconds of silence followed.
It was the perfect time for Sam to make her announcement.
"Guys, just in case, I won't be free on Saturday afternoon. I don't know yet about the evening, but I may be still "unavailable". But Sunday will be ok for anything."
The others were observing her, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. And naturally, as often was the case, it was the red member to speak first. And still as often, it was to tease.
"Well well well… someone's having a crush, eh ?"
"Dan', stop embarrassing her !" Chris said, gently scolding hit teammate.
Yet the brunette had raised a hand, in the typical "it's not serious, don't worry" attitude.
"No, it's okay, really, Chris. Since you're my friends, I can tell you. No reason why I should hide it. Yes, I do have a crush. And you probably know on who."
"Is it Nat' ?" the blue-eyed one asked excitedly.
"It is" the black girl merely replied.
"Well, congratulations, Sam !" exclaimed the blunette.
"Yeah, congrat's indeed !" Cathy added. "I could feel Nat's vibes and I know for sure that he is good at heart. A Rhapsodian can tell if another Rhapsodian has a positive or negative nature. His definitely is positive. So you're in good hands with him, Sam !"
Sam grinned up to the ears.
"I could already guess that, eh eh ! But thanks for saying it, Cath' !"
"Tell me" the jock asked his extraterrestrial buddy "if one human and one alien have babies together, will these have alien abilities ?"
The African-American felt herself blushing at this, still uttered nothing.
The pink member pondered her answer.
"Good question ! I had never thought of that. But maybe, yes !"
Danny's face lit up.
"Hey Sam !" he yelled, facing her. "Maybe your kids will have stretchable limbs !"
"Stop it, Dan' ! There's nothing to laugh at !" Cathy said in a clearly annoyed tone. "And you're making Sam uncomfortable, even if she won't admit it !"
"I ensure you that you're wrong, Cath' !" the leader protested. "I'm too happy to get hurt or even upset by anything. I'm on cloud 9 right now ! So you can blurt out anything, I'm okay with it all !"
"We are all happy for you !" Chris cheered "Even if some of us have… hum, say, peculiar means of showing it…"
His oblique glance caught Danny's eyes, who laughed up his sleeve, shrugging.
"I wish you all the pleasure you can possibly have ! I'm so pleased to see you that fulfilled, Sam !" the pink member concluded.
The yellow member showed all of her teeth.
"Thank you all ! And I'm sure I will be most happy with Nat'. Even if he's supposed to be my competitor in the first place…"
"It won't be that easy to focus on your revisions with all that : you are supposed to beat the guy you love. Tricky, no ?" the emerald-eyed teenager couldn't help telling her.
Sam pondered this and her next look was a cunning one. And when she spoke, it was in a calm, relaxed, self-confident tone.
"I'll find a way to make it, believe me ! I'll find a way to combine both. Just trust me…"
/
And… cliffhanger ?
Sort of, Folks, sort of !
I really wanted to make it a romantic chapter : see, Sam is always behaving so bossy and manly in the show that I felt the need to emphasize her feminine side. I wanted her to express her emotions, her feelings. And she doesn't even try to hide these feelings of hers : she may be discreet, but still, once she's on cloud 9, as she says, she wants to share her happiness, and not even Danny's joshing can break her balance.
So Sam and Nat' have a date ! How about that ? And how indeed can Sam deal at the same time with her love for Nat' and her desire to win against him ? Not the most serious paradox ever, mind you, but still a bit of a conflict of interest… just a bit ! ;D
I'll be on next chapter soon, work nowadays leaving me enough spare time to dedicate myself to this new story. And if I delay any update, it'll be either due to workload having augmented… or possibly WB, which I hope NOT !
Please review, please comment, please share opinions ! I love it !
And good luck yourselves, Guys ! =)
Peace, Love, Ecstasy !
XXXX