Chapter Six: One Week
The next week ultimately proved fruitless in terms of finding anything on Grandpa Max or any signs of alien activity. Not knowing exactly where to search was a bit of a setback. We basically got lucky when we decided to explore where Alan was kidnapped, and having to balance school work with it all didn't help too much either. That being said the week wasn't completely uneventful. I'd like to go over a few of the highlights. We'll start early in the morning at my high school.
Monday
I was at my locker getting my books sorted when Julie approached me.
"Hey, Ben."
"Oh hey, Julie."
"What's...Oh right the notes. One sec. They're pretty basic."
"That's alright. Like the new watch by the way.
"Thanks. I, uh, got it from a video game convention."
"Cool. Um, well, Cya."
"Cya."
After Julie left I continued to sort my books when I heard a familiar and most certainly unexpected voice come from behind.
"She's pretty cute. So who was she?"
I turned around to see the last person I expected to find in a school.
"Kevin!?"
"Last time I checked."
"What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like? I'm going to school."
"Since when...how...why?"
"Officially, about two months ago. Actually, right now."
"How have you not been expelled?"
"It's easy if you know the right palms to grease."
"I should have figured." I said as I let out a sigh. "So what made you decide to start today?"
"Figured if we're going to be working together. Being able to talk strategies and whatnot throughout the day would be helpful."
"Well, you do have a point."
"So who was that girl you were talking too?"
"That was Julie. I was helping her out with some notes."
"Interesting." I heard him say to himself.
"What's interesting?"
"Never mind, Tennyson."
After that bit of weirdness, the rest of the school day went on as usual minus the fact that Kevin was now in a couple of my classes. That was pretty much the highlight of that day. After school, Kevin, Gwen, and I met at Mr. Smoothy. I told Gwen about Kevin attending school, she pretty much had the same reaction I did. We also discussed what to do for Spring Break which was next week. After that, we patrolled for a few hours, then homework if there was any, then sleep. That was the basic schedule for the week. There were some other activities sprinkled throughout, however. Like my silat practice.
Wednesday
Silat practice was one of the few things that I was never late for. But on this day I arrived a little late due to a recent adage to my new routine. That might explain my instructor, Guru Liwanag almost seemed surprised to see me. I have arrived on time and even a little early ever since the first time I was late. It was my first week taking the class. She made me do so many crunches I had nightmares about my abs coming to life and trying to seek revenge on me for a week.
"Mr. Tennyson, it's not like you to be tardy." Guru Liwanag said in her typical stern tone.
Let me give you a bit of info about my teacher or Guru, Mali Liwanag. I'm not sure exactly how old she is but I'd say most likely late 30's maybe early 40's, but she could pass for her late 20's easily. She came to America from the Philippines when she was 5. That's pretty much all the personal information she's been willing to discuss with her students. Most of the guys, hell even a few of the girls, in our class clearly had the hots for her. Given her almost golden brown skin with eyes to match, her short wavy raven black hair, and statuesque height. It's not hard to see why.
"Sorry, Guru Liwanag. I'll try not to let it happen again." I replied, ready for whatever punishment she had in store.
"I'll forgo any punishment this time. I was a little late myself. I arrived just before you did."
"Really? You, late?"
"Yes, yes. I know, but I assure you hell hasn't frozen over."
Seriously I'd almost be tempted to try to check and see if it was. Much as she hated her students being late to practice, she was never late herself. In fact, she prided herself on punctuality.
After everyone changed into their gi's and lining up. Guro Liwanag began to address the class which led to the next surprise.
"Alright students, Because of my tardiness, I will do all the post-class cleaning myself. Also, helping with today's lesson will be my step-daughter, Julie Yamamoto."
'Wait, what?'
Sure enough. Julie came out of the changing room dressed in a gi. Not only that. She had a black belt too.
"Hey, Ben!" She happily greeted. "I didn't know you took Mali's class."
"When in this dojo you will address me as Guru Liwanag."
"Yes, Guru, sorry. Forgot. It's just been a while."
"So you two know each other."
"Yes, Ben's in one of my classes at school."
"I see. Alright, class. Miss Yamamoto and I will be demonstrating an advanced jurus. Although, Miss Yamanaka may be a little out of practice as she decided to focus more on her tennis. You do remember how it goes right?"
"Yes...I think. No no. I got this."
Despite her confirmation, I couldn't help but hear a slight hint of nervousness in her voice but from what I could tell she pulled it off flawlessly.
"That was adequate."
"Thank you, Ma...I mean. Thank you, Guru Liwanag."
"Now I would like one student to try and replicate that. Hmm, Mr. Tennyson. If you would come up here."
"After one demonstration?" One of the students spoke up.
"Yes, after one demonstration. The next person who asks a ridiculous question gets two hundred squats." She replied, obviously not joking. "Now whom shall it be? Hmm, Mr. Tennyson. If you would come up here."
"Um, sure."
I replicated what I saw to the best of my ability, but I'm sure I missed a few steps here and there.
"Not a bad attempt. Your strikes were precise as always."
After that, the rest of practice went by like normal.
"That will be all for today. Practice on Friday will, unfortunately, have to be canceled as I have another engagement to attend."
As I was getting ready to leave Julie approached me.
"Hey, Ben."
"Hey, Julie. So Guru Liwanag is your Step-mom, huh."
"Yeah. I still can't believe you were taking her class. Guess you must be the one she talks about."
"Guru Liwanag talks about me?"
"Well, not you specifically but she does like to talk about a promising student of hers. I figured you must be the one she's referring too."
"I'm flattered." I said a light chuckle.
"Listen, I have a tennis match at the park on Friday. I was wondering if you'd like to check it out. You could bring some friends along if you'd like."
"Um, sure. I don't see why not."
"Great. See you there."
Thursday
This was the day Gwen and I decided to have our study session
After finishing patrolling and heading back to our houses to clean up. I met back up with Gwen at her house, a Standard suburban house, always kept in pristine condition. Aunt Natalie always loved to keep up appearances.
'Relax, Ben. It's just a study session.' I thought as I walked up to the door.
"Ah Ben, It's been far too long." Aunt Natalie greeted in her usual pleasant but somewhat apathetic tone. Gwen took after in a lot of ways. There were a few minor differences in terms of facial features but, overall, if it wasn't for her dark blue eyes, Aunt Natalie could pass for an older version of Gwen.
"Hey, Aunt Natalie."
"Gwen's up in her room. I'm making some cookies. I'll bring some up in a bit."
"Thanks." I replied before heading up the stairs to Gwen's room. As I walked up to Gwen's room I could feel the butterflies in my stomach continue to stir. I hadn't been in her room in god knows how long. I hesitated for a second before knocking on her door.
"Come in." I heard her say.
I took a deep breath to calm myself before entering the room. As soon as I entered the room the nostalgic smell of floral-scented incense filled my nose.
"Hey, Ben." Gwen greeted with her usual warm smile. "You can put your books over there."
"Alright." I replied before setting my books down on a nearby desk. I glanced around the room and wasn't too surprised that not a lot had changed since the last time I'd been in there there were a couple of new posters on the wall of the hottest new boy band. Still can't get how Gwen can listen to that stuff, but other than that, everything was in the same place. Gwen's always been a bit of a creature of habit, likes having things neat and organized. Not that she doesn't have her moments of spontaneity. The thing that stuck out to me the most though was her spellbook. She kept it proudly displayed on her dresser. What struck me about it was the cover...It was the one I had made for her. I had used yellow sequins as the primary color and covered it with various mementos from that fateful summer. A shell from the lake where we encountered and helped the Kraken. A rubber band ball pin from the Sparksville gift shop, and a silhouette of a couple dancing to commemorate the time she taught me how to dance, along with a few other things. 'She kept it...'
We quickly got to studying, making casual conversation while doing so. We talked about our usual things, that is until Gwen brought up a surprising subject.
"So, any girls at school catch your interest? I'm sure there have to be a few girls vying for your attention, or do you already have a girlfriend?"
'Wait, what!?' I thought.
"No to all of the above." I replied as casually as I could.
And I wasn't lying either, no girls at my school had my interest. And as far as I knew there weren't any girls at my school that were interested in me romantically.
"Why do you ask, anyway?"
Maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me but just then I thought I saw something in her eyes. A glimmer as if some thought was darting around in her head.
"Just curious." She replied "We're both at that age where relationships start to get taken a little more seriously. I just want to make sure you don't end up with some trying to take advantage of you or something."
"I appreciate your concern." I chuckled. "But trust me. You have nothing to worry about. What about you? You seeing anyone?"
"No. I've had a few guys ask me out but I turned them down. Told them I was too busy with my school work and my extracurriculars."
I hate to admit it but that filled me with an odd sense of relief after hearing that.
"Always the overachiever." I teased.
"And you'll be an underachiever if you let your grades slip. So let's study some more.
"I know. I know."
"Oh and I think dinner should be ready soon. You are staying for dinner right?"
"Of course. When have I ever turned down a free meal?"
"When Grandpa Max offers to cook."
"Touche."
After that, the rest of the evening went by casually.
Friday
Oh boy, let me tell you what a day this was. Things started off pretty tame. Gwen and Kevin came along with me, and we talked to Julie before her match.
"Hey, Ben. Glad you could make it."
"It's no problem. Oh, this is my cousin Gwen, and Kevin."
"Nice to meet you, Gwen."
"Likewise."
"And you're the new kid at school, right?" She asked Kevin.
"Sure am."
"Nice to officially meet you too."
"Well, wish me luck."
After the friendly introductions, we found some seats in the stands and watched the match.
"She's pretty good." Kevin pointed out, as Julie, deep into the second set continued to dominate her competition who didn't seem like any sort of rookie either.
"And pretty cute." Gwen added before giving me a not so subtle look.
"What?"
"I thought you said there weren't any girls interested in you?"
"What? No way. Julie doesn't like me like that."
That caused Kevin to not so subtly chuckle.
"Got something to say?"
"Come on, dude. It's obvious she's got a thing for you. But then again you do have tunnel vision in that area."
Kevin made sure to mutter that last sentence near my ear.
"What was that?' Gwen asked.
"Oh, nothing." Kevin replied with a sly grin.
"Kevin is right though. I could tell she likes you just from that conversation alone."
"I…" And the realization hit me. She had been flirting with me. "Oh man, I'm an idiot."
"Totally." Gwen teased, but then she paused for a brief moment, and at that moment I thought I saw it again. Another glimmer. What was going through her head? Her next words completely caught me off guard. "You should ask her out."
They didn't even quite register to me at first.
"You know you don't have to agree that I'm an id...Wait, what!?"
"Yeah, she's nice, athletic, and seems like she has a good head on her shoulders. You should go for it."
"I…"
I wasn't sure what to say. The girl I pined for just told me to ask someone else. I know she's just trying to do what she thinks is best for me but…
I tried giving a subtle glance to Kevin. Hoping he'd bail me out of this situation but he just simply shrugged. I don't think he knew what to say either. Thankfully it was Gwen herself who saved me from having to respond.
"But then again maybe she'll just work up the courage to ask you herself."
Shortly after that, the whistle sounded the match came to an end. Julie won with her opponent managing to score only once
"Sorry, Gwen. I need to talk to Kevin about something." I said just as we left the stands. "It's guy stuff."
"Oh really?"
"It'll only take a minute."
"Fine. Have your little guy talk."
"So what do you want a talk about?"
"Am I really that obvious? How could I not see that Julie likes me?"
"Do you actually want me to answer that?"
"No, but…"
"You're not seriously thinking about asking her out are you?"
"No way. It's just the opposite. What if she does ask me out? I can't very well say, 'Sorry I can't go out with you because I'm in love with my cousin.' I'm not sure how to let her down. I suppose I could just say no but, I don't want to hurt her feelings."
"Just leave it to me. Tennyson."
"But what about…"
"Relax I ain't gonna tell her about your feelings for Gwen."
"But…"
Kevin ignored that last but and walked away. I thought about speaking up again but decided maybe it was for the best to Kevin do whatever it was he was going to do.
I walked back up to Gwen who had a puzzled look on his face.
"You alright?"
"Oh, It's nothing. I'm fine."
"If you say so."
"What's Kevin talking to Julie about?"
"He's...Well...He's talking to Julie. He's letting her know I'm not interested."
Once again I thought I saw something in her eyes. A brief glimmer. Normally I could read Gwen pretty easily but these last few times left me stumped.
"Why not? She seems nice enough. Why not give it a shot."
"She's...She's just not my type."
"What exactly is your type?" She asked innocently.
"Someone who really clicks." I replied trying to keep my answer as vague as possible.
"And you're sure Julie doesn't click?"
"I'm sure."
I wasn't sure what to say after that but luckily I didn't have to say anything as Kevin approached us.
"So how did she take it?" I asked.
"Pretty well. We're, uh, actually going on a date next week."
"Okay, that's good...Wait, what!?"
I have to say I did not see that coming. But yeah, that was pretty much it. The weekend passed by with little drama or activity. I can't say the same for the week that followed. The week of Spring break, when things changed in more ways than one.
A/N
I know this wasn't an incredibly long chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless. Much like the chapter, I'll keep the notes short, so please let me know your thoughts. Cya, and stay safe.