Chapter 5: Actual Feelings
"This class was an elective for all of you. You chose it because you want your lives to be as successful as possible."
Or because Laura was taking it…and SHE wants a successful life…
"This class is the best choice when it comes to your one elective you need to graduate. In this class you will learn how to run a proper household. How to survive when you finally marry and have children."
That'll be one lucky woman…
"That is why I have decided to do a little experiment…a male and female student will act like they are married for one week. They will have to spend all their time together and they will have 'children'. There are new high-tech automotive babies that act like real children. I have already gotten a female volunteer."
Laura…please be Laura…
"Laura Marshall has volunteered her time and the apartment above her parents garage. Do I have any male volunteers?"
There is a god!
"I volunteer," said Boone standing up so fast that he knocked all of his books off his desk. "I would love to be able to get a better understanding on how life will be once we are out of college and in the real world."
"Thank you Mr. Shepard," said Professor Barnett beaming brightly, "You and Laura will need to stay after school for a little while…so we can go over things."
Boone sat down after Laura shot him an angry look from across the room. As he sat down his friends each gave him a high-five. Boone sat back in his chair very proud of himself.
An hour later the bell rang signaling the end of class. Boone remained seated as the rest of the students left the room. Professor Barnett excused herself for a moment and said to just relax. Boone was smiling to himself as Laura walked back towards him. She looked very pretty today, she was wearing a dark pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt, over that she had on a white sweater with glitter accents. She had straightened her curly hair and it hung loosely around her face. Boone smiled at her as she sat down in the desk in front of him.
"Why are you doing this?" asked Laura softly, "Are you trying to be a pain?"
"No," said Boone shocked, "I would never try and be a pain."
"Like hell you wouldn't," replied Laura a little louder.
"Shush," replied Boone his tone full of sarcasm, "You wouldn't want the professor to hear her favorite student swearing."
"Shut---"
"Okay you two come up here," said Professor Barnett walking into the classroom. As Laura and Boone walked towards her she pulled two car seats out from behind her desk. In them were two robot babies…they were so realistic it was creepy. "These robot babies will act just like normal children. They have computer chips in them so they will cry, they will need to be held, they will go to the bathroom, and they will need to be giving a bottle containing water, and they will need sleep."
Laura and Boone exchanged looks, Laura looked excited, Boone looked terrified.
"You two are now the proud parents of twins," said Professor Barnett happily, "A little boy and a little girl."
"Oh goody."
"So what are you going to name yours?" asked Boone as he and Laura walked through the door of her parent's upstairs garage. Boone had dropped Christian off at home (he and Chris now shared a car because of Aunt Lorraine's present to Hannah) and told his parents the good news. Laura then had to tell her father that she was temporarily married to Boone…it went as well as possible.
"I don't know," said Laura flicking on the lights. The apartment had three rooms, a bathroom, a single bedroom, and a great room that included a small kitchenette, a small dining room table and chairs, and a living room containing a couch a television. "I have to give it some thought. Did you already name the boy?"
"Yes I did," said Boone proudly putting the 'baby' on the floor and walking towards the couch.
"Do I dare ask what you named it?" asked Laura putting the other 'baby' on the dining room table.
"I named it Obi-Wan Kenobi," replied Boone happily.
"Your not serious?" asked Laura disgusted.
"Yes I am," said Boone shrugging his shoulders. "You don't like it dear?"
"Don't call me that," said Laura, "I do have a boyfriend remember…even though we are fighting at the moment."
"I vaguely remember something like that," mumbled Boone. "What are you making me and the kids for dinner?"
OUCH!
Boone rubbed his hand angrily and looked down in his lap where a banana was sitting. Shannon had fully stocked the fridge for the two of them. "Thanks dear!"
"Let me get this right," said Hannah's friend Kim as they walked through the mall together. Hannah had just gone on break from her job at 'Shoe Palace' and needed to take a walk. Kim also worked at 'Shoe Palace' and was craving pizza. "Boone, your crazy brother, and Laura, innocent perfect, Laura have to spend a whole week together like they are married."
"That's right," said Hannah smiling, "Laura called me right after school to tell me. I guess she isn't to trilled."
"Like anyone would be," said Kim, "Your brothers are hot and their funny, but sometimes they are a little too crazy."
"Crazy, yes, hot…that's gross," said Hannah laughing as they made their way into the food court. At once Kim grabbed Hannah's arm and gasped.
"Where is he?" asked Hannah sarcastically as Kim spun her around. Jake was standing at the counter of 'Fish n Fry' with a few of his friends.
"He is so hot," sighed Kim as they walked towards Jake. "And just think you could stare into his bedroom window if you wanted too."
"But I don't want to," said Hannah laughing at her boy-crazy friend.
"Opportunity wasted if you ask me," said Kim walked up to the pizza place counter…which happened to be right next to Fish n Fry. She tried to act cool as she ordered her pizza, but couldn't help but blush when Jake walked over to them where his McDonalds uniform.
"Hey Hannah-Banana," said Jake poking her in the arm.
"Jake," said Hannah poking him back, "What's up?"
"Nothing," said Jake, "Just taking a break from my fabulous job…burger flipper."
"You do smell like fries," said Hannah laughing as Kim walked over to them with her tray.
"That's not very nice," said Jake trying to mess up Hannah's hair. She dodged his arm and began to walk away with Kim. "I know where you sleep!" yelled Jake after her.
"Yeah well I'll lock my windows tonight," yelled Hannah over her shoulder as she and Kim found themselves a table.
"Flirty Flirty Flirty," said Kim as they sat down, "I don't know why you just don't go out with him. I mean every girl in the school wants him and it's clear that he likes you."
"He doesn't like me," said Hannah shaking her head, "First of all he is like a brother. Secondly, he is like one of my best friends…you don't date your friends."
"You do if they are that hot," said Kim taking a bite of her pizza. "Hannah Banana."
"What's the score?" asked Kate as she sat down next to Jack. She had just arrived at the high school soccer (or football as it is called everywhere else) field. Matthew waved from the field before charging after the ball.
"Tied at two," said Jack giving Kate a quick kiss. He had Tuesdays off so he was able to get to the game before Kate. "Did you get Lorraine off to the airport okay?"
"Yes," said Kate clapping as their goalie blocked the ball from getting into the net. "She said she is coming back out for Christmas. But I insisted she didn't bring the kids any presents."
"Good," said Jack, "She spoils them."
"But Hannah's new car sure is nice," said Kate clapping again.
"I'm going to get us something to drink," said Jack standing up and walking towards the concession stand. Kate turned to look down at the net and saw Matthew's friend Kenny's mom Michelle. Michelle waved and began to walk towards Kate. Kate stood up and met her half way.
"Matthew is doing great this year," said Michelle who was a very pretty Japanese woman. "I wouldn't be surprised if next year he has scouts out here trying to get him to play for their school."
"That's his goal," said Kate, "Professional football player or Biochemist. Which ever one turns out to be easier."
The two woman continued to chat as the game went on, they final said goodbye when Jack had returned with two diet cokes and a bag of chips.
"You aren't going to eat those are you?" asked Kate as they walked back to their seats. She tried to grab the chips out of Jack's hand.
"No I am going to look at them," said Jack sarcastically.
Kate raised her eyebrow at him and he handed her the bag to chips.
"Fine," said Kate throwing them back at him as they took their seats. "But just this once."
"Thank you," said Jack leaning over and giving Kate a kiss.
"GOAL!" yelled the entire crowd as Matthew kicked the ball and it sailed right through the goalies arms and into the net signaling the end of the game. The entire team and the cheerleaders swarmed the field and Matthew was soon on the shoulders of his team members being carried back to the school locker rooms. Matthew waved to his parents as everyone continued to cheer.
Jack and Kate waited out by the car for Matthew to come. They soon heard the cheers of the team and new he was coming back. Matthew appeared from behind the row of cars, he was still in his grass and mud stained uniform. There was dirt all over his face and hands. When he saw his parents he ran towards them and gave Kate a hug.
"Good job," said Kate patting his back softly as the dirt rubbed off onto her shirt. Matthew hugged Jack and then ran off to join his friends, they would be going to 'The Mix' a teen coffee shop located in town. "He got me all muddy," said Kate looking down at her white t-shirt.
"You look good dirty," said Jack is her ear.
"Of course I do," said Kate, "I was always dirty on the island."
"And smelly," said Jack.
Kate hit him playfully in the stomach.
"Your one to talk," said Kate laughing, "Did you ever talk a shower in the hatch?"
"Oh once or twice," said Jack trying to remember. Kate laughed at him and got into the car.
"Boone feed the baby!" yelled Laura from across the room. Boone was standing back ten feet from the robot baby. It was yelling so loud that Boone had his ears covered.
"Feed it what?" asked Boone trying to walk over to the refrigerator.
"Okay I'll feed that one and you change this one," said Laura walking over to him. They passed each other and Boone stepped in front of the other baby. He yelled when he saw that it was naked and Laura hadn't put its diaper on yet.
"What am I supposed to do again?" asked Boone.
"You are supposed to clean it and put a new diaper on it," said Laura who had gotten the other robot baby to be quiet.
"WHAT?" asked Boone stepping even further back from it.
"Change the damn baby, Boone," yelled Laura.
Boone looked at her angrily and then walked back towards the baby. He poked it in the stomach and clear liquid flew into the air.
"WHAT IS IT DOING?" asked Boone jumping away from it.
"It's peeing on you," said Laura laughing so hard that she was holding her side.
"Make it stop!" yelled Boone as the robot baby continued. Finally the baby stopped and Boone walked towards it. He picked the baby up by the feet and put the diaper on it…backwards. He then put the baby down. The robot baby smiled and closed its eyes. It opened its mouth and smiled. Boone thought this was odd and put his finger in the baby's mouth. The baby closed its mouth hard on Boone's finger and opened its eyes.
"AHHHHHHH!" yelled Boone lifting up his hand so the baby robot was now in midair. "IT'S POSSESSED AND IT"S BITING ME!"
Laura walked forward calmly and pulled the baby off Boone's finger. She continued to hold his hand and led him over to the kitchen cabinet; she opened it and took out a first aid it and then a band-aid.
"See all better," said Laura as she put the band-aid on his finger. Boone smiled and walked towards the robot baby. It was asleep, he looked over at Obi-Wan and it was asleep as well. Boone sighed in relief that he would finally be able to sleep. He walked over to the couch and sat down. Laura sat down next to him and sighed deeply as well.
"I will forever appreciate my mom," said Boone softly.
"Me too," said Laura, "You wanna know something funny."
"What?" asked Boone looking over at her?
"You are completely different when Christian isn't around," said Laura.
"No I'm not," said Boone.
"Yes," said Laura, "You are not as…goofy."
"Is that a good thing?" asked Boone smiling.
"Very," replied Laura yawning, she quickly stopped and sat straight up. A burning smell seemed to be coming from across the room. Laura turned around and looked into the kitchen, smoke was billowing out from the oven. "DAMN!" yelled Laura jumping up off the couch and into the kitchen. She turned off the stove and grabbed a potholder, she opened the over door and black smoke met her face. She stumbled backwards and Boone caught her before she could fall. She reached into the oven and pulled out a tray with what looked like little black coal on it.
"What are those?" asked Boone laughing as he turned on the ceiling fan to clear away some of the smoke.
"They were cookies," said Laura on the verge of tears. She threw the tray into the sink "I suck at this."
"It's okay," said Boone putting his hands on her shoulders, "You don't have to be good at it. That's why we are 18 and still living at home." Laura smiled and a single tear fell down her cheek, Boone wiped it away and walked back towards the couch. Laura remained in the kitchen, she seemed paralyzed, and she felt her face flush pink and her stomach do a quick leap.
"Are you all packed?" asked Laura sticking her head in the apartment's single bedroom. Boone had slept on the living room couch during the past week. He had kept his clothes in the small dresser.
"Almost," said Boone throwing a shirt into the suitcase. "You are going to miss this aren't you?"
"What?" teased Laura, "Having to be married to you?"
"Of course," said Boone closing the suitcase.
"I am," said Laura.
Boone began to laugh, but then stopped when he saw that Laura had a serious look on her face. He walked over to her and touched her arm softly.
"I told you that you were completely different when we are alone," said Laura looking up into his deep brown eyes.
"I know I am," said Boone, "Christian is the evil twin."
Laura laughed and her cheeks flushed pink. She leaned in towards him and went to kiss him, but Boone took a step back from her, Laura flushed a deep red and walked out of the room embarrassed.
"Laura," said Boone following after her.
Laura turned around on her heal and crossed her arms in front of her.
"What?" asked Laura her voice breaking.
"You just tried to kiss me and you don't want to give me an explanation?" asked Boone running his fingers through his hair.
"Not really," said Laura shrugging. "I guess I just feel different about you now. Spending a week with you let me see a whole different side to you."
"That's really sweet…" began Boone.
"Why did you push me away?" asked Laura finally. "I thought you liked me."
"I do," said Boone walking towards her, "You know that. I have liked you forever. But I can't be with you, when you have a boyfriend. I know Mike, he is a good guy."
"We are in the middle of a huge fight," said Laura softly, "And it's all because of you." Boone opened his mouth to argue with her, but Laura quickly spoke. "Right before the trip to the U.S. I began to have weird feelings around you and Mike began to notice. That's why we are fighting. I've been with Mike for two years and I don't have the same feelings for him that I have for you."
"You have know idea how long I have wanted to hear that," laughed Boone as he sat down on the couch. Laura walked over to him and Boone took her hand and pulled her down onto the couch. He held both of her hands in his and looked at her. "Laura…figure out what you want…I can't believe this is happening…Okay--- Figure out what's going on okay. Think things through. You know where you can find me. Okay?"
"Yeah," said Laura giving him a small smile.
Boone leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. He let go of her hands, stood up and walked into the bedroom, grabbed his suitcase, and left the apartment. He stopped halfway down the stairs. Was he seriously doing this? Walking away from Laura after she had just admitted to him that she liked him and wanted to be with him? Boone took a deep breath and walked down the rest of the stairs.
To be continued…
