Ch 13
A few months later…
Jake really did enjoy his new job. That and telling Benson that he had chosen him as his secretary was priceless. He also got to visit with Nami a lot. Thanks to the new laws being passed the department was no longer restricted on using the TDVI. Which mostly all of it's employees agreed with. Over the course of the next few months, Jake learned more about Nami. She showed him where she found the old Savage Arm Slave, and where her old school was. And Jake was able to help with the rebuilding process as well. Soon the school was back up and running, and Nami finally got to complete her dream: she got to return to school.
One day as they were walking around the town Jake noticed the girl deep in thought. He poked her, "Hey penny for your thoughts?" she sighed and stopped to sit on a nearby bench. "I don't really know how to explain it, like I feel like this great big weight has been lifted off me, but now I just feel uggh! I don't know like empty I think?" "Hmm, I think I know what your going through." "Really, you do?" "Yea, see before you met me what was your dream? To rebuild your village and go back to school, right?" She nodded. "And now what happened? You achieved your dream. Your village is thriving, and your school is back up and running. Bottom line, you did it Nami." She smiled, "Yup I sure did! But still aren't I supposed to feel happy about my dream becoming a reality? If so than why do I feel empty?" "That's because you need a new dream, a new goal, something to shoot for in life." He said. "Hmm, hey what about you, do you have a dream?" "Honestly, I haven't really thought about a dream lately. Mainly it's just me doing my job." "You never had a dream, like a really big goal or anything Jake? I find that hard to believe." "I mean sure I've had some but they either didn't come to fruition or they just got forgotten to be honest." He looked at the girl and noticed she seemed a bit let down. "That's actually kinda sad really." He put an arm around her. "Hey now don't get all mopey because of me, this is supposed to be a good day, you aced your test…. again, "she wiggled free of his grip and mock glared at him. "And what's that supposed to mean?" "Well you haven't failed a test yet." He laughed, and soon they both were. "God, I missed this." Jake sighed. "Miss what?" she probed. "Laughing, having fun, being around other people. I haven't done a lot of that kind of stuff in a while." "Well I'm glad your happy." She smiled. They began walking again, heading towards Nami's home. "You don't have to walk me home Jake, this place isn't like Namasac, its safe here." "I know that it's just don't know I feel like I should?" came the reply. "Well thanks anyways." "Don't mention it, besides that's what friends are for right?" She nodded approvingly. Jake scratched the back of his head as they approached the house. Deep breath, you can do this. "Hey Nami um speaking of friends," he trailed off. "Yea?" she stopped and turned towards him. "Well I was wondering if you're not ya know busy, that maybe you would like to go out sometime together I mean." Taking out his pouch of peanuts he popped a few in his mouth. "Wait are you asking me out on a date?" she cocked an eyebrow. "Yea, I guess I am. I mean it's not going to be romantic stuff or anything, just mini-golf." He looked a bit sheepishly. She smiled, then started to giggle, then covered her mouth as if trying to hold in her laughter. Now it was Jake's turn to be confused. "Um I don't really see how that was funny." He quipped. "Your face!" she said. "You were looking all over the place hahaha! I've never seen anything like that. You even had trouble forming a sentence!" she said in between laughs. "So, I'll take that as a no?" he questioned. Honestly, he was pretty nervous about asking Nami to go anywhere with him. Not for her sake, but his own. He was getting those strange yet familiar feelings inside him again, and it was a bit unnerving. The girl's laughter quitted down a bit. "I'm sorry Jake what was that? I didn't hear you." "I said so I guess you don't want to go?" "What? Hang on a sec I didn't say anything like that." She sighed, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have laughed like that, at least until after I gave you an answer." "It's ok only my pride took a hit." He chuckled. She smirked, "Well would your pride rebound if I said yes?" "Absolutely." He replied. "Cool! Um one question. What is mini-golf?" she asked innocently. "Well looks like you're just going to have to come along and find out." Jake stated. "You won't even give me a hint?" she mock pouted. "It's a sport, there's your hint." He clarified. She rolled her eyes, "Gee thanks that really helped." He laughed. "So how does next Friday sound?" "Hmm, I'll have to check my schedule first, ya know with school and stuff." He waved his hand dismissively, "It's fine you don't need to give me an answer right now, just once you get around to it." She smiled, "Sure thing Jake thanks. Well I should probably call it a night, got a math test tomorrow don't want to do bad on it." "Yea god forbid you fail one lousy test." He joked. She stuck her lounge out at him as she turned to enter her home. "Goodnight Nami." He said. "Night Jake." She waved. He waved back as she closed the door. Now anyone who knew Jake for a long time knew that he didn't show too much emotion regarding small things, like a good test grade or getting a raise. But for once, Jake felt that sense of accomplishment come over him. He smiled, "Hahahaha! Yes! Haha! Wooooo!" he pumped his fist in the air. Needless to say, he enjoyed the ride back home.