Closer…and closer to 40. At least it's an even number . . . if that means anything . . . probably doesn't.
TT
"I found dynamite the other day" Luke chuckled. He and his father were inventorying the arsenal.
"You just found it lying around?" Jay asked.
"No. I pried it out of his cold, dead hands" he said blankly. Jay turned to look at him.
"I'm kidding . . . he was living, at least I think he was . . ." He looked off thoughtfully. He shrugged indifferently.
"That'll be useful if we see a coyote that needs help catching a roadrunner" Jay said sarcastically "I already have that."
"You can never have too much dynamite. If the coyote knew that, he'd have dinner by now."
"Anyways . . . I think we have everything we need" Jay decided.
"What about this mystery car?"
"I'll have that today."
"-And this mystery house? I'm not sharing a room."
"Everything's taken care of."
"Right . . ."
TT
He quickly grabbed Tori's attention.
"Are you ever not here?" She groaned. He chuckled sheepishly.
"So, I'm, uh, going on a trip in a few days."
"So?"
"I wanted to make it up you, standing you up, I mean" he mumbled. She looked uncertain.
"Fine" she agreed, mostly so he'd stop with the puppy eyes.
"Want to see a movie?"
"Sure."
"Eight o'clock. Definitely eight" he promised. She looked at him blankly.
"Definitely."
TT
Melissa and Luke admired the new car. It was silver and slick.
"Whose life did you threaten to get it?" Luke smirked. Jay stared at him dryly.
"I borrowed it from someone" he admitted. Luke and Melissa both looked at each other. They suddenly burst out into laughter. Jay continued with an annoyed expression.
"It's an electric car, so it's quieter."
That reminded Luke. He didn't know how he would pick up Tori. He didn't want to use the motorcycle, it was their first date! This was perfect.
"Can I take it for a test drive tonight?" Luke asked innocently.
"Yeah, then you can leave it on the street tonight with the doors open."
"Please, I should make sure it's actually functional" he reasoned.
"Yeah, if it's rigged to explode, he should test it" Melissa laughed. Luke rolled his eyes at her. There was a long pause.
"If the battery dies, you going to pay for gas?" Jay finally asked.
"Uh huh."
Jay sighed.
"Fine." He finally agreed "but only if Melissa goes with you."
His shoulders visibly slumped.
"Brother, sister bonding time" she laughed. He scowled at her.
"-But if you don't want the car . . ."
"Fine, I'll take her."
TT
Luke smoothened out a crinkle in his shirt. After hours of debate, he decided to keep it simple.
He chose a red shirt, a black vest, black jeans, and red shoes. He decided against the fedora. He had greased up his hair though.
He slipped out into the hallway quietly, and knocked on Melissa's door.
"So that's why you needed the car? A night out on the town?" she smirked.
"Yeah, whatever. Just go get in the car" he said irritably.
Once she was gone, he slipped into her room. His cash stash was a little low. He decided he would take out a little loan. So he looked into her drawer.
A diary? I will certainly be back, a grin spread across his face. He noticed a small case. Fifty dollars would have to do.
He quickly ran to the car.
TT
The door slid down as he started the car.
"I'm dropping you off at the movies" he said sternly.
"Um, I'm supposed to stay with you" she pointed out. He was extremely desperate.
"Look, I'll drop you off, leave and come back" he reasoned.
"What for?"
He banged his head against the wheel.
"I just got to do something, then I'm seeing a movie."
He drove off, before she could question him. Later, he pulled up at the movie theater.
"Don't talk to strangers, and most importantly: don't talk to me" he instructed.
"Whatever. What movie are you seeing?"
"None of your business 2. It's the sequel to get out the car!" He shouted angrily. She scoffed and got out the car.
It was 7:39. He still had time. He just hoped Melissa didn't ruin the night.
He drove off, and soon enough he arrived. He ran inside, and much to his excitement, found Tori.
She was wearing skinny jeans, a leather jacket, and a red graphic tee. Her hair flowed loosely.
"If you're done gawking?" She gestured to the door.
"Sorry. You just look really nice."
"Thanks, you do too."
"Do you like that movie Nightrider?"
"That one with the assassin who kills everyone?" she asked.
"Seemed appropriate" they both laughed.
They were in the car, and down the road.
"Nice car. Where'd you get it?"
"Well, I just walked into the dealership, looked the guy in the eye, and demanded this car" he said smoothly.
"So . . . you borrowed it from someone?" She saw right through his story.
"Yeah . . ."
He parked the car, and they made their way to the door. He was shocked to see the price of tickets.
"For that price I should get to meet the movie star too" he chortled.
He ordered one large popcorn, and two drinks.
I still got it he thought coolly.
One would think it was a boring movie, with the amount of yawning Luke did. Around the middle, he casually slipped his arm onto the back of her chair. If she noticed, she didn't mind.
He thought things were going quite well. As long as he didn't see his pestering sister.
After the movie concluded, they decided to enjoy a burger. Even though he was gone, he hoped Melissa didn't notice.
"Want a shake?"
"Sure."
"Want to share one?"
"Who knew you were so romantic" she smirked.
"That, and I'm pretty sure someone snagged my wallet."
Dang it, Karma!
Tori couldn't help but laugh.
Once the blonde waitress brought them a shake, she turned her attention to Luke.
"Can I get you anything else?" she asked innocently, biting her lip.
"No, that'll be all for us" Tori spoke up briskly. With an annoyed expression, she stalked away.
Who knew she could be so territorial? Luke liked it.
The milkshake had a nice blend of creamy and thick textures to it. Eventually the night came to an end.
They went back to the silver car, shining in the moonlight.
"So, I can take you home, if you want" he offered.
"Sure."
Once he had directions, the journey began. It was a house outside the city, but not too far.
It was a good sized house, and it looked comfortable. The rain pattered against the hood of the car as he came to a halt.
"Tonight was fun" Tori admitted.
"I had fun too."
"Thanks for everything."
"No problem" he grinned. The car suddenly turned off. The battery was dead! He also forgot to put gas in the gas tank.
"I'm stuck here."
"Oh, well you can come inside until the rain stops."
He couldn't help but feel this night was going to get better.
TT
Luke was nowhere to be found. Melissa had wandered aimlessly around the theater, but he still was missing. She doubted he ever even came back. Looks like she was walking home.
She was walking down the sidewalk, when it began to rain. Just her luck!
She walked into a building, having to get out of the rain. She climbed the stairs pointlessly so she wouldn't be spotted. Walking around the hallways futilely, she stumbled upon a door with no number on it. She opened it slowly, and walked inside.
She was face to face with her mother.
TT
Luke and Tori sat on the couch together, watching TV.
"Celebrities trying to survive in the wild is quality television" Luke grinned.
"Is he really going to walk in that cave?"
The TV emitted a large chomp sound.
"They never stay away from caves when you want them to" Luke shook his head.
"Guess that's the end of his singing career" Tori shrugged.
The thunder continued to shake the earth.
"Guess I can't go anywhere tonight."
The power suddenly went out. A few moments later, Tori came back with a candle.
"Now all we need is some jazz music" Luke laughed.
"That is so you."
Tori reached for a button on the radio. The radio played just what Luke requested.
"Forgot I left it on that station" she chuckled awkwardly.
"It's nice" she could practically hear the smirk on his face.
"Yeah, let's not listen to the news, let's listen to smooth jazz" she said sarcastically. She heard a loud spraying sound.
"That was breath spray, wasn't it?" she said dryly.
"No . . ." he snickered.
"You're just so smooth" she mocked. Oddly enough, he took it as a compliment.
"So, where has Rose been lately?" he asked. He could use whatever information he could get.
"Whatever the project is, she's been dealing with that a lot."
"You ever feel like we're being used by people?" He randomly asked.
"Actually, yes."
"Like they're using your abilities for their own purpose?" he asked.
"Uh huh."
"Like they're pressuring you to do what they want, and it's wrong if you don't want to?"
"We have a lot in common" she noticed.
"Yeah. Sometimes I want to get away from it all."
"How would you?"
"I don't know. Run away I guess."
"Come on, Luke, what kind of life would that be?"
"I mean, it'd be better than being trapped in some scheme your whole life."
"True."
"We really are being used by Rose" he gasped in realization. Tori's sharp gasp could be heard also.
"We have to do something" Tori decided. He stared intently at her. She could feel his gaze, even in the pitch black.
"Soon, I'll be going to stop her and this project."
"What if you can't?"
"But what if I can? She didn't want us to be together, but when she's out of the picture, who is stopping us?"
"No one" she realized "she told me to stay away from you too."
"We can't let her know we're onto her yet."
"So things stay the same for now?" she clarified.
"Yep."
"So this is the last time we could see each other for a while?" she asked glumly. He nodded dejectedly. An evil smirk grew on her face.
"May as well make it worth our while."
She pushed him back onto the couch, and kissed him. His eyes were wide, but he quickly melted into the kiss.
He finally had the girl of his dreams. Nothing would get in the way of that
TT
This was long, but I hope you enjoyed.