The Moral of the Story

By: Red Turtle

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What is so great about making a pledge to sexual abstinence?
You experience a great freedom when you practice abstinence until marriage. Along with this freedom you will enjoy several benefits!

You are 100 guaranteed that you won't get pregnant.

It's a sure thing that you will stay STD-free!

You will be spared much emotional pain and heartache.

God will provide a way out from temptation 100 of the time.

You will have every opportunity to fulfill your dreams.

If you get married one day, you can present yourself pure to your mate.

You will be honoring God with your body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Teen Absinstence-only program funded by the government, http/ 2005

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(Out of respect for Richie and Shenice's privacy, we shall fast-forward about 24 hours, to the next afternoon.)

"You doing okay, Richie?", Static asked, for about the hundredth time today, although to be fair my mind wasn't focused on controlling my skates, causing me to periodically lose altitude, and that probably warranted some concern on his part.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm better than fine", I replied, also for the hundredth time today. I had not yet told him why I was so fine.

"Why do you keep saying that? How are you better than fine? I'm surprised you made it to school today. Mr. Thomas even took pity on you. And look how you're flying. We really should take you to the hospital Richie; if we go as Static and Gear they won't know your identity."

I bit my lip. Going to the hospital had crossed my mind a few times, but I'd been able to use Backpack to determine that I didn't have a concussion or anything life-threatening. Aspirin took care of most of the body pain; the only thing still bothering me was the pounding headache.

I wanted to forget that any of this had happened at all, except of course the Shenice part. Being in a hospital would confirm everything bad about this whole experience, for me and for Virgil. I didn't want to feed his rage, which I could see building again. I hadn't confronted him yet about the fact that every computer at the school simultaneously exploded yesterday, right about the time me and Shenice were hooking up. I was hoping to just put this all behind us.

"It's not anything we didn't go through in Junior High", I reminded him.

My attempt to dismiss the seriousness of the situation backfired. His eyes became pure light.

"It's way different. I'm a fucking superhero, and we're not in fucking junior high. What good would these fucking powers be if I can't stop my fucking friends from being fucking beat up right fucking in front of me!"

Blinking back tears, he suddenly shot a powerful bolt of electricity into the air, causing me to spin out of control for a second from the residual current. But I was more affected by the gratuitous use of the word 'fucking' from someone who almost never swore in his entire life.

I gingerly took his arm, receiving a literal static shock, but not enough to hurt me.

"V, calm down. It's really okay-"

"No, it's really not. If it happens again…that's it. The whole world is going to know who I am when I get through with them."

His fist glowed dangerously.

"The whole world almost did find out. First you fly lockers into them, then you shorted out the whole school. Anyone paying attention would connect that to Static. Virgil, it's not worth throwing our lives away for."

His eyes narrowed in anger.

"I didn't mean to do that. It just happened. After Shenice kicked me out…I couldn't stop it, I just started popping all the light bulbs and then…"

As if reliving the experience, he released a wave of electricity on some street lights below, exploding them all and causing civilians to run for safety.

"Hey! Virgil!" I yelled, grabbing his fists.

He took a deep breath.

"Sorry."

"You know, normal teenagers use a punching bag. You should try it", I suggested.

We've had this discussion with his before, a lose temper and incredible electrical powers did not mix well.

"I know, Rich", he replied, a little calmer.

"Maybe we should go to the junkyard. Lots of things to blow up there."

We headed in that direction. I let a moment of silence pass while I prepared to tell him my big news.

"So, uh, aren't you curious about why Shenice kicked you out like that?" I asked.

"'cause she has to meddle in everything and have it be her way", he replied bitterly.

"Um, V, think outside yourself a minute. Didn't you notice we didn't leave the school with everyone else after your light show?"

"No. I went home…wait, so you stayed…why?"

I flashed my super-satisfied grin at him as a hint.

"You didn't…"

"Yep."

Static stopped cold, hanging in the air to stare at me, jaw dropped, for about the tenth time in three days.

"You did…you really did?"

"Yep."

"You and Shenice?"

"I told you I liked her."

"You told me you liked me too. You almost…"

I shrugged in response.

'maybe I'm just confused', I said telepathically.

'no, I'm confused', he replied, also telepathically.

"You shouldn't let me do that", I told him out loud.

"What? Do what?"

"Telepathy. It might be dangerous. So don't let me do it."

How would I stop you?"

"I don't know. Zap me."

He arched an eyebrow.

"This is getting too weird for me", he muttered, "My best friend, who is an atheist and gay, yet is sleeping with our former female partner, now wants me to zap him every time he uses telepathy."

'well, if it's too weird for you just leave', I accidentally broadcasted.

"Fine, I will", he replied out loud.

He flew a little bit, stopped, turned, and zapped me. Not to hard, but leaving me uncomfortable buzzed.

"Thanks, bro", I sighed.

"Don't mention it", he replied as he flew away.

Now I was at a loss for what to do with the rest of the day. Until it occurred to me that I had a girlfriend now. For the first time in my life, I could go up to someone and have a reasonable expectation of sex. Not guaranteed, but good chances.

I debated on whether to just go home and rest, because of the headache, which had also marred our encounter yesterday. Truly, it was the best of times; it was the worst of times. Plus, I had a lot of homework due tomorrow. And there was this really good movie coming on TV tonight. It's not like I need sex…

Aw hell…

I flew off to Shenice's house.

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"John, always stick to your conscience. Never let anyone else keep it for you. And I mean anyone else." – Priest to John Rock (co-inventor of birth control pill)

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This is going to be a longer story than I originally anticipated, and this is only the end of the beginning. The next chapter will be the beginning of the end.

So...can I get some reviews up in here? (Looks around hopefully)