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Chapter 12 - Karen
Music blared in the night club that Arles and Samuel walked into. The red and blue lights danced in time with the song playing and the dance floor was full people. No doubt, the majority of them students from the nearby University just blocks away.
Up the iron steps, was a DJ dancing as he spun the music. He waved his hand as he danced along.
Sam and Arles looked at one another and grinned at the scene.
"Not bad, man." Sam grinned.
Arles pat his brother on the shoulder. "Let's get a drink."
They walked together to the bar. Arles ordered them both a soda. Sam leaned on the bar and sipped his drink.
Ofenbach's song, 'Be Mine', played loudly. Arles danced and looked around the club. "I love this song. It's fun to play."
Sam tapped the bar. "I wanted to surprise you, but I imagine you need some good news, too."
"What's that?"
"Drums, delivered in the morning. Set just like you have at home."
Arles laughed, "Yes! Brilliant! See, we can survive here, Sammy. In fact, I think I'll go have a chat with someone."
Sam watched as Arles walked away. He rolled his eyes and returned to his drink. Of course Arles had found a girl to go chat with. He always did. Sam wasn't even sure how his brother had talked him into this. He imagined he would sit at the bar all night and sip soda. Might as well order some chips, too.
Sam looked up to wave the bartender over, just as a young woman stepped next to him and whistled loudly to get the bartender's attention. She wore a tight pair of jeans with a lovely white blouse. Her brown, long hair was pulled back in a pony tail.
She turned around and smiled at Samuel. "You wanted him too, right?"
Sam was momentarily speechless. She was absolutely beautiful. "Ummm. Sorry?"
She pointed at the bartender. "You wanted him?"
Sam grinned, "He's not really my type."
She giggled.
The bartender joined them. "Karen, the entire city can hear you whistle like that-"
"Who cares?" She insisted with her American accent. "I need two Pina Colonas, and he wanted something."
Sam grinned. "Chips."
The bartender looked confused. "Chips?"
"Fries. French fries. Yes. Sorry."
The bartender nodded as he walked away. "Sure thing."
The beautiful young girl leaned on the bar next to Sam. She sweat from dancing and seemed a little out of breath. "English, huh?"
"What gave it away?"
"Chips? Isn't that a British thing?"
He smiled, "Yes. I suppose it is."
Another bartender sat two Pina Colonas in front of her. Karen pushed one in front of Sam. "And one for you."
He shook his head, "I'm sorry. I don't really drink."
"Why not?"
"I don't like the taste."
She giggled, "I'm the same way. Pina Colonas are about the only thing I drink because it tastes like a snowball."
Sam chuckled. "A snowball?"
"Have you ever had one of those? It's shaved ice with the syrup in them?"
"I don't think so." Sam sipped the drink and rose his eyes in surprise. "That's really nice."
"See, a snowball." She giggled.
He glanced back and saw Arles was now dancing with a girl and laughing.
Sam shook his head.
The girl noticed and looked back at him. "That your roommate?"
"It is." Sam nodded.
"Let me guess. You had a rotten day, and he insisted you come out to the club."
"Written rather clearly on my face, huh?" Sam grinned.
She laughed. "Yours mirrors my own. My roommate did the same thing to me. I wanted to stay in and study. Are you a student there? I've never seen you."
Sam loved those words. "You've never seen me?"
"No. I'm Karen." She smiled at him.
Sam had never introduced himself to a girl before in his life. As soon as he had walked into wherever he was, everyone knew immediately him. "Sam. Sam Smith."
The bartender sat the fries in front of Sam and smiled at him. "Your chips, mate!"
Sam chuckled. "Cheers."
She sipped her drink. "Well, Sam. Do you mind sharing your 'chips'?"
He shook his head and picked up the plate. "Not at all. Let's go find a table."
They took a few steps away from the bar and sat at a tall table. Sam sat the chips in the middle of the table. Karen wasn't shy and helped herself.
Sam sipped his Pina Colona. "Thank you for this. Can I pay you back for it?"
"No." She insisted. "I'll just eat all of these chips and we'll be even."
He nodded. "Sounds fair."
She smiled at him. "Still enjoying it?"
"It's making my head swim a bit."
"Then slow down. Don't drink it all in a second."
He pushed it away from himself and started to eat the chips. "Maybe this will soak some of it up."
She giggled. "So, you're a student here?"
He shook his head. "No."
"Where are you from? Close by?"
He nodded and tossed a chip in his mouth. "Yeah. I'm just up the street a bit. My roommate knew about this place and drug me out."
She sipped her drink and giggled at him.
He watched her sip her drink. Her lips on the neon straw. He couldn't help but wonder what they would feel like on his own. He cleared his throat. "So, Karen, where are you from?"
"I bet you can't guess."
"Try me." He grinned. "I'm rather clever. But, I'll need a hint."
"What is the oldest city in the United States?"
Sam smiled, "Easy. St. Augustine, Florida! Founded in September of 1565. Ponce de Leon, who also sailed on Columbus' third trip to the 'Indies', thought he had found the Fountain of Youth there."
Karen looked surprised. "He sailed with Columbus?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"Wow. I'm impressed. I didn't know that. Have you been there?"
"No. I know it's on the Atlantic. The beach is white."
"It's like snow." She smiled. "Drinking this reminds me of home."
He nodded. "Makes sense. I remember my uncle says this drink tastes like sunscreen to him."
She teased, "Your uncle drinks sunscreen?"
They both laughed.
"Where are you from, Sam?"
"Like yourself. I grew up near the ocean. Sand between my toes."
"Gosh, sand everywhere." She grinned. "I don't think people understand how it just, gets everywhere."
He nodded, "Yes. And how wearing socks, just feels…."
"Isn't it strange? I never wear them at home!" She smiled.
"Yes, but then you walk around on the tile floor here and your feet just freeze."
She giggled, "Exactly. It's a reminder with every step, that you are someplace else."
He couldn't describe it, but he felt like he had known her forever. Maybe he knew her in the future?
"So, Karen."
"Yes?" She said tossing a chip in her mouth.
"What's your last name?"
"Bennett." She told him.
He thought. He had never heard of a Karen or a Karen Bennett. He pulled his drink back to himself and sipped it.
"So, rotten day?" She asked. "Want to talk about it?"
"Nope." He told her flatly as he picked up his straw and pushed down the shaved ice in the glass. "Why was your day rotten?"
She rolled her eyes. "It really wasn't terrible. I just….scored lower on an exam than I thought I would. I was…disappointed."
"What class?"
"Latin." She told him. "And it's proving to be much more difficult than I thought it would be."
They were interrupted as another girl sat down at the table next to Karen and took her drink from her. She was panting and sweaty. "I need a break from dancing."
"I bet you do. We've been dancing since we got here." Karen laughed, "Sam, this is one my roommates, Emily."
"Are you alright?"
Emily waved her hand in front of her face. "I'm fine. I just, need some water."
Sam smiled at them. "I'll be straight back, then. Excuse me."
Samuel ordered three waters and returned to the table with them. Emily thanked him and started to drink it.
"Slowly. Or you might make yourself sick." He told her.
Karen asked Sam, "Do you have the time?"
Not wanting to look odd to her, he looked at his watch and actually checked the time. "It's not late. Only 8:34."
Emily looked back at her. "Are you still-"
"I have to finish that tonight. It's due in the morning."
Emily shook her head. "Well, damn. At least I got you out for a while. All work and no play did wonders for Jack's career."
Karen rolled her eyes at her roommate.
Emily smiled at Sam. "Isn't that true?"
"That's what I've heard." Sam agreed.
Emily laughed at him. "See, Karen?"
Karen looked back at Sam and smiled. "I'm sorry, but I really need to go. I have some homework to do."
Arles sat down next to Sam and pat his back. "And I love this place!"
Karen pointed at Arles. "And who are you?"
Arles was taken aback. He smiled as he realized the two girls looking at him had no idea who he was. "Arles. Arles Smith."
Karen sipped her drink. "Two Smiths. You must be brothers."
Sam nodded. "Yes."
Emily grinned, "Well, who is older?"
Sam pointed at himself. "I am. Not by much though."
Karen nodded. "Well, it was nice to meet you both. I really need to get back to the dorms though."
"You're going to walk back on your own?" Sam asked.
"Well, yeah. It's not that late." She said as she stood up.
Sam shook his head. "No. I'll walk you back. Arles?"
Arles waved his hand. "I'm good, man. Be careful."
Sam pointed at the glass of water and grinned, "Hydrate. I'll see you later."
The music changed as Missy Elliott's song, 'One Minute Man' started to play. Arles started to bob his head in time with the song. He looked across from him at Emily. "Want to dance?"
She smiled. "Sure!"
Meanwhile, Samuel and Karen had gotten outside of the club. The bass from the song could be heard as they stood outside. It had begun to snow.
"Did you have a jacket?" Sam asked.
She laughed. "No. Call me crazy, but I left it in the dorm so I didn't have to keep up with it."
Sam took off his wool coat.
"You don't have to do that." She insisted.
"Nah. I have a jumper. I'll be fine. You're going to freeze."
She smiled as he put it on her. "Oh wow. This is so warm."
Sam couldn't believe how beautiful she was. He smiled, "My ears are ringing and I wasn't there that long."
Karen laughed and walked next to him. "I feel as though I've gone deaf."
He looked back at her as they waited for the light to change at the cross walk. When it did, Sam offered her his arm. She took it and they walked across the street together into the park.
The city's night sky seemed calm. Sounds from the city could be heard in the distance. Only two Zeppelins floated nearby. She didn't let go of his arm as they continued to walk along the sidewalk.
"What is a 'jumper?' She asked.
He pulled at his jumper. "This is a jumper. Or a sweater. Is that what you call it?"
She giggled. "I love your accent. Sam, right?"
She had already forgotten his name? He loved this. "Yes. Samuel."
She stopped walking. "Okay. Which is it? Sam? Or Samuel?"
"Is there a difference?"
"Yeah. Which do you prefer?"
He smiled at her, "Samuel. Sam seems…incomplete."
She nodded. "I agree. Samuel."
"Plus, I like the way you say it."
She giggled. "My accent, huh?"
He chuckled. "It has a very strong 'L' the way you say it."
They began to walk together slowly again with her hugging his arm again. "I feel badly, taking your coat on a night like tonight."
"I'm fine. Are you warm?"
"I don't think I've been this warm all night."
He smiled back at her.
"Are you warm, in your 'jumper'?" She attempted to say it with a British accent.
He laughed and teased her by saying in an American accent. "I'm very warm in my sweater."
They both laughed.
"You could have been an American. You do the accent perfectly."
"I've teased my uncle all my life. He believes he can do a great British accent. It's absolutely dreadful."
"He's an American?" She asked.
"Very American." Samuel nodded.
"This is very kind of you to walk me home. Thank you, Samuel."
His heart leap at hearing her say his name. She seemed to sing it. It sounded so sweet to him. "It's my pleasure. And it might save my hearing, so thank you."
She giggled, "You're welcome."
He absolutely loved this. She had no idea who he was. He had always dreamed of a conversation like this. "What are you studying here? Besides Latin."
"I'm thinking about dropping that. It's really so confusing. Take a different language for that requirement. Maybe, Spanish."
"Dropping it? What does that mean?"
"If you start to take a course, that you don't feel that you will do well in, you can stop taking the course before you're very far in it. That way it doesn't count against your overall grades. Latin is the only one I've ever thought about dropping. But, I would really like to learn more about it. It would help my major."
"What's that?" Samuel asked her.
"History." She told him.
"So you can be….. a teacher?"
"An archaeologist. But, who wouldn't love to be Indiana Jones?"
Sam grinned, "That's true. I love those films."
She giggled, "But, I'll confess. I'm taking something now that has really peaked my interest even more."
"Yeah? What class is that?" He asked as they continued to walk along the path.
"Astronomy."
Sam stopped and looked surprised back at her. "Why?"
"Why not? I find it fascinating. You're not one of those people who think all aliens are Cybermen-"
He laughed and ran his hand through his hair. "No. I'm not."
She held her hands to his chest. "I'm sorry. Have I made you uncomfortable talking about this? I know it's a subject-"
"No. It's fine." He smiled to reassure her.
They began to walk along the path again.
"Good!" She insisted. "My roommate is. She thinks I'm crazy. But, think about it Samuel. If there are Cybermen. There have to be more, right?"
He stopped walking again as she stood in front of him and looked surprised.
"I'm sorry, I'm freaking you out."
He grinned and shook his head. "No. It's really fine. And I think you're right. After all, it's a big universe."
"Yes, it is." She giggled.
They continued to walk together. She lead him down a path that opened up to a small, five story building. She rubbed her hands together and typed in a code by the door. It clicked and opened. Samuel held it for her and they walked inside of the lobby.
A desk for a security guard sat empty. A television played a football game, loudly. Samuel had never been in a place like this on Earth. The building smelled old. The fresh coat of paint hadn't really improved the place at all. The broken window allowed the cold air and snow inside.
Karen grabbed Samuel's arm again just as the lift doors opened, and pulled him inside with her. She clicked the button and rocked on her feet as the lift took them both up. Sam looked around the lift and took in the environment he found himself in. The carpet on the lift was worn and tattered. The bulletin board inside had writing on top of it and strange drawings.
Karen pointed at it. "This dorm also has art students in it. They are bit odd."
Samuel smiled. "Right."
The lift dinged and the doors opened. Karen walked down the narrow hallway where one of the lights blinked. Samuel couldn't help but look around and keep a close eye out for everything. He was without his Quauhtin and even though he had been alone before, he had never found himself in such a place. Karen, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease.
She opened the door to her dorm. "Would you like to come inside?"
"You don't lock your door? That doesn't seem safe."
She smiled and held up her finger. "SCOTT!"
Four yards away, another door opened and a huge, muscular black man with long dreadlocks looked ready to pound someone. "Everything alright, Karen? Who is this?"
She pointed back at Samuel. "Meet Samuel. He walked me home because he was concerned for my safety. You don't have to kill him."
Scott, with blood shot eyes, walked out of his room and Sam smelled the aroma of burning gym socks. Scott had paint all over his hands. "Oh. It's nice to meet you. Excuse me for not shaking your hand."
Relieved he didn't have to touch him and possibility having to explain why he suddenly felt so happy, Samuel grinned. "It's quiet alright. Nice to meet you, Scott."
"Want to come inside? I have some good stuff."
Karen waved her hand in front of her face. "Doesn't smell like it."
"Nah. That was the bad stuff. I was just burning it to get into the mood. Now, I'm going to smoke the good stuff. What do you say?"
Samuel shook his head. "Nah. But, thank you."
Scott laughed.
Karen smiled at Scott. "Goodnight, Scott. Get back to your…studies."
"I'm creating!" Scott insisted.
Karen laughed as her and Sam walked into the small dormitory. The telly was showing the same football game that the security guard had been watching downstairs. About twelve people sat around it, nearly on top of one another. They all greeted her as she walked in.
She laughed. "That's everyone. I'd introduce you, but they are all into the game. Who's winning?"
One of them shouted, "Them!"
Samuel glanced at them. "Guys and girls…."
"It's a co-ed dorm. They all live here. But, the guys have their own room somewhere else. We are the only ones on this floor that have cable. It's a mystery why." She tapped her lips and giggled.
Samuel chuckled. His kitchen would have fit in this entire flat.
Karen smiled and told him quietly as she pointed. "Kitchen, living room, and four bedrooms. There are four of us who actually live her, one per room."
"In this tiny place?" He asked in disbelief. He couldn't imagine Arles even fitting inside of one of these tiny rooms.
She opened another door and turned on a light. The tiny room had a small half bed with a pink quilt spread across it. Stuffed animals lay on it. A Mickey Mouse and a Goofy doll.
Samuel picked up the Goofy doll and smiled at it. "My sister has the exact same one."
Karen giggled. "Yes. Reminds me not to take life too seriously."
"Did you get it at Disneyworld?"
She giggled, "No. I've never been. Have you?"
"A few times."
"What is it like?" She asked.
"Hot." He insisted. "That's what I remember most. Just….humid."
She giggled. "In Atlanta? I imagine so. At least in Florida, we have the breeze from the ocean."
Samuel sat Goofy back down on the bed, looked around and saw posters of the solar system, pictures of Karen on a snow white beach with several of her girlfriends, and desk that was neatly organized. A tiny cupboard sat in the corner.
Karen took off the wool coat she wore and handed it back to him. He grinned and hung it on the back of a chair that sat at the desk.
"So, homework. What are you working on?"
"Do you really want to know?" She asked in surprise.
Samuel, anxious for any reason to be able to talk to her some more, found that he actually was interested. "Yeah."
Karen sat down in the chair. "History."
He leaned next to her and nodded. "The Shortest War – Kosovo." He looked back at her, "Kosovo?"
"Have you heard of it?"
"Well, yes….but….well…."
"What?"
He sighed. "That's not the shortest war."
"It's not?"
"No. The Anglo-Zanzibar War is."
"The what?"
He pulled up the sleeves of his jumper and sat down on the bed. "Ummm. Kosovo was from late February 1998 and lasted until 11 June 1999. So, fifteen months?"
"Yeah? How long did that other last?"
"Between 38 and 45 minutes."
She looked impressed. "Maybe this is a British thing."
He held up a finger. "Hang on. It might be. Kosovo was an American battle. Anglo-Zanzibar was between the UK and Zanzibar Sultanate."
She giggled. "I think I'm right. After all, the class is American History."
He ran his hand through his hair and nodded. "Oh, then yes. You're right. American History. There's enough information for a full class of that?"
She playfully slapped his shoulder. "Of course."
He chuckled. "Sorry. Just a very young country."
The crowd in the living room shouted at a play that had apparently gone badly.
Samuel pointed towards the wall. "You can study with that going on?"
"It's dorm life. Quiet would be nice, but….well, not really reasonable."
He rose his eyebrows in surprise. "Amazing."
She sat back and smiled. "History is interesting to me. Growing up where I did."
"Well, yeah. St. Augustine is the site of so many historical things."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "I bet you can't name three-"
"Well….ummm….the Fountain of Youth, the oldest wooden schoolhouse that still stands, ummm….that stone fortress."
"The Castillo de San Marcos. Yes. Wow, Samuel. You really know your history. Have you ever been there?"
He shook his head. "No. I don't know why. I should go."
"There's also a lighthouse that is haunted by the keeper who was painting it, and sadly, fell to his death. And carriage rides through the city."
"Like in Central Park?"
"I have no idea. I've never been to New York."
He rubbed his chin and realized for the first time that he wasn't even sure where he was. "Do you mean, New York City?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, I realize I'm actually in the state of New York now."
He nodded and smiled. "Right."
She crossed her arms. "That's a place I would like to go."
"New York City?"
"Times Square! It looks so….fun."
"It's tiny. What you see on the telly is really all there is to it."
"You've been there!"
"That's where my Uncle lives. Well, close to it."
"Wow. What does he do?"
"If you ask him, he would tell you that he stays in trouble." Samuel teased.
They both laughed.
He stood up and rubbed his hands together. "Well, I need to go. Let you study."
She stood up just as the crowd in the living room went nuts over another bad play.
"Come on!" Some shouted.
Samuel pointed at the wall. "Are you safe here?"
"Of course, I am. They are harmless."
"And you can study with that going on?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I have noise canceling headphones and music. I'll be fine."
He nodded his head and looked around the room.
She stepped towards him. "Thank you for walking me back."
He grinned at her. "You're welcome."
"Samuel."
He smiled, "I love how you say my name."
She put her hands behind her back and returned his smile. "Maybe you should tell me your entire name and we'll see how it sounds."
She didn't know him. His name. His family. Who is uncle in New York was. He loved this. He looked into her eyes and debated if he wanted to kiss her or not. Somewhere between a voice telling him to go for it, and a voice telling him to run from the room as fast as he could, he leaned down and his lips met hers.
A spark of electricity shot between their lips, shocking them both and causing them to jump.
Karen covered her mouth and laughed, "What was that?"
Samuel rubbed his lip, too and smiled, "I'm sorry! That's strange."
"Maybe static electricity?" She suggested.
"We both have on rubber soled shoes. That shouldn't have happened."
She rubbed Samuel's lips with her fingertips. Just her touch seemed to make his heart skip a beat. She slowly looked into his eyes and told him quietly. "See, you're alright."
He watched her beautiful lips speak and leaned down to kiss her. What started as a simple peck on the lips, turned into him licking her lips and their arms wrapping around one another. He could taste the sweetness from the Pina Colona as her tongue wrapped around his. The longer he kissed her, the more he felt like his entire body was charged with electricity. Slowly at first, and growing as the kiss continued. It ran through his entire body and felt better than any sensation he had experienced. The voices in his head became muffled, the world spinning beneath his feet could have stopped, and he found he only wanted more. He grabbed the back of her shirt in his fists as she continued to kiss him.
She leaned back and looked in his eyes. "Wow. I…"
He grit his teeth. That sensation that he always spread to anyone he touched had surely affected her. "Umm…."
"I've never been so at ease with anyone."
"Really?" Had he managed to block that?
She rose her eyebrows at him. "Samuel. I want to make something clear right now. I'm not the sort of girl that brings a guy up to my room and makes out with him."
Right on queue, a girl walked into the room to drop a notebook on the desk. "Your notes." She looked up and seeing Samuel standing there, her face spread into a smile, "Karen has a guy up here? What?"
Karen blushed, "Shoo…"
The girl laughed and walked out of room. "Thank you for the notes. You saved my life."
Samuel was nervously running his hand through his hair. "Umm…. I should…let you go and let you study."
Just as he said that, the crowd in the living room yelled excitedly.
Karen closed her eyes and smiled. "Right. Just a second."
He watched as she turned around and wrote something down on a strip of paper. She ripped it and handed it to him.
"What's this?"
"My number. If I haven't scared you off."
He smiled warmly at her. "You haven't."
"Samuel."
He smiled at the sound of his name. "Yes, Karen."
"May I ask for just one, more, kiss?"
He chuckled, "I don't know. One more might frighten me-"
"Then, one more, for just that reason. In case you decide not to call or text me after tonight."
He looked surprised. "I wouldn't do that."
"Or so you say."
He put her number in his pocket and pulled the sleeves back up on his jumper. He threw his hands out dramatically, causing her to giggle. He smiled as he cupped her face. "So, if this is the very last one…"
She whispered, "Yes."
His lips met hers again and he felt the same electrifying sensation. Everything about her was what he wanted. Someone who would like him because of him, and not what they thought was him. Someone that the press hadn't polluted their minds of who he was. Someone who he could be himself with.
He held her tightly in his arms as she caught his tongue and sucked it. He moaned wishing it was something else she had in her mouth. Could he possibility close the door and just let this move further than he ever had with a girl he had just met? He slowly moved his hand down her back and across her bum. She rose her leg and wrapped it around him.
All he could think about was how much he wanted her. His trousers where getting tighter with every second of their kiss. Before he knew what he was doing, he ran his hands under her blouse to feel the bare skin of her back. Just as he felt of the back of her bra, he seemed to come out of his daze.
He stopped and stepped back. "I'm sorry."
Karen covered her mouth. "No, it's me."
"No." He smiled. "It's not. I….we….need to stop. Gosh, I'm never like this."
She smiled. "Neither am I. You, just make me feel….I don't know."
"Yeah, me too. Umm…I actually don't have anything."
"And we've just met." She reasoned.
"Yeah. And I think….we need to slow down." He said as he exhaled slowly.
She nodded, "Yes. Slow down."
"I need to leave and let you study." He told her quietly.
She cleared her throat and nodded. "Yes. I need to study."
He ran both of his hands through his hair. "Oh, wow! Just…."
She laughed. "Samuel. Let me walk to you to the elevator."
He nodded and took her hand. "Okay."
She walked with him out of the dorm room and into the hallway. It was taking everything in him, not to turn around and go back to her room and throw her down on the bed. He punched the button to the lift with the side of his fist. The doors immediately opened and they stepped inside.
She met his eyes again and before he knew what he had done, he pulled her back into his embrace and began to snog her again.
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