1.1.1 Section 8: 3 weeks later
"What do you mean? Of course I know about you and Liam." Melinda went extremely red. I turned away as quickly as I could before I cracked a smile. Melinda had been antsy all day trying to ask me something. I didn't realize she thought I still didn't know she was seeing Liam on a regular basis.
"What?! I, I thought we had kept it pretty secret up until now! Oh god, this is so awkward. Are you serious? Does this mean everyone else knows?" She hit her hand to her forehead.
I had heard Norman and Gregory talking about them the other day. Melinda and Liam had missed their daily bridge game. I didn't know if Brock knew, but he didn't miss much. As far as Manny went, I no longer knew of any Manny. He didn't exist to me.
"No! No. I doubt it."
"That's good."
"What does it matter anyways? It just makes it harder on you guys to try and hide. Especially when we all live in such a confined space together."
"You're right of course, but," she leaned closer to me and spoke in a hushed voice, "it's more exciting this way."
I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing. With my luck, Liam walked in at that same moment. Melinda saw him and started laughing too. When he asked what was going on we started howling. After I calmed down and my gut stopped hurting, I took my coffee cup and headed out the door. "See you later Melinda," and as I was about to walk out the door, "Later Fabio." I heard Melinda spit out her coffee and start laughing again as I strolled toward the hull.
My body had been getting thinner from the lack of fatty foods and from all of the work I had been doing in the engine room. Brock had begun me on my training with fixing machinery. I was incredibly lucky he was a mechanic as well. It's a good skill to learn, and something that can come in very handy. The immense amount of heat that comes off of the torches roasts the human skin. We received a relayed message on the radio from Bisham Tech. They were pleased to announce that I'll be allowed to take the test for a piloting permit if I train hard enough. When they say train, they mean I have to train to meet the extreme physical requirements as well. Soon I would have to begin working out, with Brock as my coach. He promises to work out with me, but that wasn't saying much since he does anyways. I came in on him once while he was doing one-armed pull ups from a lead pipe on the ceiling. God he's gorgeous.
It was just two hours before the next stop when Gregory would be getting off. He was sitting in the copilots seat next to Brock, chattering away about nothing and everything. When I walked into the cockpit he was saying something about how nice it was to have something to look at other than the same old boring stars. I'd like to say Brock looked interested, but I wasn't even sure he was listening. "Gregory! I guess you're pretty excited to finally get off this damn ship huh?"
He looked around hurriedly with a startled look on his face. When he had seen it was me he relaxed. "Quite, quite indeed." He leaned forward in his seat. "Here, come look at this." I walked up to the middle between the two seats. "There, isn't it beautiful?" He was pointing at the planet Pulak. "Even from way up here you can see the silvery blueness of the water. I'm going to do nothing but tan and do business on that sea ship."
I rolled my eyes. "And pick up chicks, right?"
"Oh, of course."
There was a knock at the door. Norman opened the door and came in. "Come on Gregory, I'll help you put your stuff together for the arrival. You don't want to rush to get everything just before you get off, and then forget something now do you?"
"Ah yes, that'd be a good idea I think. It was good talking to you Mr. Richardson. You too Elise." Norman left and I moved to allow Gregory to get by. He closed the door softly. I heard him whisper loudly to Norman about how quiet Brock is. I couldn't help think that it was strange. He was never completely silent around me. A man of few words perhaps, but he always listened closely and asked questions.
I sat beside him, and was about to ask something about how to land on a sea ship, but he spoke first. "I like it better when it's just the stars to look at. You can get lost in them. Having a planet to divert your attention makes it seem like the journeys going to end. And I don't want the journey to end." He looked over at me. His strikingly blue eyes bore into mine, and my breath caught in my throat. His voice was so soft, so seductive. My body craved the things I had denied it for my entire life. My mind could only think how nice it would be to be wrapped in his muscular arms, his lips brushing mine, kissing my neck.
The moment passed with reluctance, he reached down with his hand and clasped mine loosely. He observed my hand like he'd never seen it before, and licked his lips nervously. "Is this ok?" I was shocked that he would even ask. He acted as though he was an inexperienced schoolboy on his first date. The thought that he should be so shy and sensitive made me only pine for him more. Instead of answering, I timidly brought my hand to the side of his face. The skin beneath my fingertips was warm and smooth. I brought my body forward. He did the same. Our faces were so close, I could feel the small trickle of air as he breathed out. My eyes were captured in his, together we closed them and our lips touched. He reached out and touched my hair, my cheek. The back of his fingers danced over my neck. The kiss became passionate in its fury, and my mind was lost.
BAM! In our moment of infatuation we hadn't realized someone had opened the door until the person slammed it the rest of the way open. My eyes flew open only to stare into his. I pulled away unwillingly, my body resentful that his hands should fall away. Melinda stood there, jaw wide open, gaping. She let out a weak cry in disbelief at what she had seen. Then it happened. She snapped her jaw closed suddenly and stamped over to where he sat. Her hand was quick as lightning, the sound was sharp, solid as it connected with his face. She'd used full force, and as he brought his head back I could see a deep maroon colored mark begin to form where she'd hit him.
"Melinda!" She turned to me, a fanatical look in her eyes. She began shaking her head in disbelief, then she spun back towards the door and ran. "Melinda!!" I looked apologetically at Brock before running after her.
He sat, unmoving. A thousand warning lights were burning across his mind and he didn't know what to make of them. He hated Melinda for interrupting, and more for slapping him, but shouldn't he be thankful? He didn't want to know what could have happened if she hadn't caught them. Elise was just a girl for Christ's sake! What did he think he was doing anyhow? And asking to hold her hand? Fucking immature moron with a hard-on! Although, he wasn't sure it would have gone any farther than that anyways. But god every piece of him wanted to find out.
Melinda stopped running half way down the hall. She turned and leaned heavily against the wall, her chest heaving, her face contorted trying to hold in the tears. Elise didn't know what to say. Finally she just blurted out what came to mind, "I wanted to kiss him. I was the one who made the first move to kiss even!"
Melinda didn't look too surprised, instead she looked angry. Elise thought she was mad at her, until Melinda said, " I knew you wanted too. I could tell you were taken with him. I just knew. But he's the adult. He's supposed to be able to say, "Now wait a minute. I don't think this is right." But he didn't."
It was my turn to be angry. "He was just as scared as I was! He asked me if holding my fucking hand was ok! And besides, I'm 19, it's my choice to make. I don't need you standing over me, deciding who I date and who I don't! It's not like I'm dating anybody anyways. We just kissed."
"Oh come on. What is he, 27? 28? That's 9 years older than you. You and I both know you can do better than that."
"Who are you saying I should go for then? Manny? Fucking NORMAN?!"
"Why do you have to go for anybody? Why can't it just be like it was at the beginning of the trip?"
"You want to know the truth about how it was at the beginning of the trip? Do you want to know what really happened? I'll tell you. Manny tried hitting on me within 10 minutes of my being alone with him, Brock attacked me when I went into the lower levels, and then after supper when I went into my room, Manny performed attempted assault on me." Melinda's eyes bulged and her mouth was open in a silent scream. "Brock at least stopped himself from doing more damage, and now we've obviously worked out our little problem. Manny on the other hand, would not have stopped, but I overcame him. I haven't spoken hardly a word to him since. I bet he's still brewing about how easily I beat him." Melinda's hands went up to her mouth, they were trembling slightly. "That was all on the first day. If things were like they were in the beginning, Manny might be dead. I don't allow someone who comes at me with a knife, attack twice and live."
"Why didn't you tell me all of this? Those two should be in prison right now. And to think I've been living on a ship with the two of them for the last 5 weeks! Who knows if they might suddenly get the whim to come after one of the other people on this ship! I, I think maybe I should get off with Gregory."
"No, no Melinda. Don't. Really. I have a strong belief that Manny won't try anything again, and I know Brock won't. Besides, you can't go on board that sea ship without a ticket."
Melinda shoved off from the wall and began pacing. "How can you be so sure Brock won't attack again? You've gotta know a man his size isn't going to be afraid of any of us."
"He's not the kind of guy to attack without good reason."
"Oh please, and what reason could he possibly have for attacking you, when he didn't even know you?"
"Well, for one, I was trying to sneak up on him. And for two, I was searching through some of the stuff down there." She purposely avoided telling her it was her own bag she was inquiring into. Melinda looked doubtful. "Come on Melinda. You can't kill the guy just cause he's a little on edge." She rolled her eyes, but she was calmer.
"What do you want with a guy like that anyways? He's not even cute." Elise could tell it was her last line of defense, and a pathetic one at that. It made her laugh, and then Melinda caught on. The two hugged. "So, how long has this, this thing been going on?"
"Uh, that was the first time we even held hands. I didn't know he felt that way until then."
"I'm really sorry."
Melinda was startled by a sudden short burst of laughter from Elise. "You're telling me your sorry, what about Brock? You slapped him pretty hard back there."
"Oh no, wow, I forgot about that. Well, you know what? I'm just not sorry about that. I still firmly believe that it was wrong for him to let things go that far."
"Jesus Melinda, I thought we just went through this. What are you going to do if I go back and we go farther?"
"Nothing, but only because we're friends. If he's really pissed about it, you can tell him it's for all the things you're going to do later." Elise was tired of arguing, and she didn't know how else to explain it to Melinda.
-Hey guys, I know this is a little unlike Riddick. But it's part of how my character is developing. Now I'm going to post a different part of the story. Lets say the other half, the part that sets up a plot to this whole thing. But bare with me, there won't be much Riddick for the next few chapt.s! (Oh, and please review….I need encouragement!)
"What do you mean? Of course I know about you and Liam." Melinda went extremely red. I turned away as quickly as I could before I cracked a smile. Melinda had been antsy all day trying to ask me something. I didn't realize she thought I still didn't know she was seeing Liam on a regular basis.
"What?! I, I thought we had kept it pretty secret up until now! Oh god, this is so awkward. Are you serious? Does this mean everyone else knows?" She hit her hand to her forehead.
I had heard Norman and Gregory talking about them the other day. Melinda and Liam had missed their daily bridge game. I didn't know if Brock knew, but he didn't miss much. As far as Manny went, I no longer knew of any Manny. He didn't exist to me.
"No! No. I doubt it."
"That's good."
"What does it matter anyways? It just makes it harder on you guys to try and hide. Especially when we all live in such a confined space together."
"You're right of course, but," she leaned closer to me and spoke in a hushed voice, "it's more exciting this way."
I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing. With my luck, Liam walked in at that same moment. Melinda saw him and started laughing too. When he asked what was going on we started howling. After I calmed down and my gut stopped hurting, I took my coffee cup and headed out the door. "See you later Melinda," and as I was about to walk out the door, "Later Fabio." I heard Melinda spit out her coffee and start laughing again as I strolled toward the hull.
My body had been getting thinner from the lack of fatty foods and from all of the work I had been doing in the engine room. Brock had begun me on my training with fixing machinery. I was incredibly lucky he was a mechanic as well. It's a good skill to learn, and something that can come in very handy. The immense amount of heat that comes off of the torches roasts the human skin. We received a relayed message on the radio from Bisham Tech. They were pleased to announce that I'll be allowed to take the test for a piloting permit if I train hard enough. When they say train, they mean I have to train to meet the extreme physical requirements as well. Soon I would have to begin working out, with Brock as my coach. He promises to work out with me, but that wasn't saying much since he does anyways. I came in on him once while he was doing one-armed pull ups from a lead pipe on the ceiling. God he's gorgeous.
It was just two hours before the next stop when Gregory would be getting off. He was sitting in the copilots seat next to Brock, chattering away about nothing and everything. When I walked into the cockpit he was saying something about how nice it was to have something to look at other than the same old boring stars. I'd like to say Brock looked interested, but I wasn't even sure he was listening. "Gregory! I guess you're pretty excited to finally get off this damn ship huh?"
He looked around hurriedly with a startled look on his face. When he had seen it was me he relaxed. "Quite, quite indeed." He leaned forward in his seat. "Here, come look at this." I walked up to the middle between the two seats. "There, isn't it beautiful?" He was pointing at the planet Pulak. "Even from way up here you can see the silvery blueness of the water. I'm going to do nothing but tan and do business on that sea ship."
I rolled my eyes. "And pick up chicks, right?"
"Oh, of course."
There was a knock at the door. Norman opened the door and came in. "Come on Gregory, I'll help you put your stuff together for the arrival. You don't want to rush to get everything just before you get off, and then forget something now do you?"
"Ah yes, that'd be a good idea I think. It was good talking to you Mr. Richardson. You too Elise." Norman left and I moved to allow Gregory to get by. He closed the door softly. I heard him whisper loudly to Norman about how quiet Brock is. I couldn't help think that it was strange. He was never completely silent around me. A man of few words perhaps, but he always listened closely and asked questions.
I sat beside him, and was about to ask something about how to land on a sea ship, but he spoke first. "I like it better when it's just the stars to look at. You can get lost in them. Having a planet to divert your attention makes it seem like the journeys going to end. And I don't want the journey to end." He looked over at me. His strikingly blue eyes bore into mine, and my breath caught in my throat. His voice was so soft, so seductive. My body craved the things I had denied it for my entire life. My mind could only think how nice it would be to be wrapped in his muscular arms, his lips brushing mine, kissing my neck.
The moment passed with reluctance, he reached down with his hand and clasped mine loosely. He observed my hand like he'd never seen it before, and licked his lips nervously. "Is this ok?" I was shocked that he would even ask. He acted as though he was an inexperienced schoolboy on his first date. The thought that he should be so shy and sensitive made me only pine for him more. Instead of answering, I timidly brought my hand to the side of his face. The skin beneath my fingertips was warm and smooth. I brought my body forward. He did the same. Our faces were so close, I could feel the small trickle of air as he breathed out. My eyes were captured in his, together we closed them and our lips touched. He reached out and touched my hair, my cheek. The back of his fingers danced over my neck. The kiss became passionate in its fury, and my mind was lost.
BAM! In our moment of infatuation we hadn't realized someone had opened the door until the person slammed it the rest of the way open. My eyes flew open only to stare into his. I pulled away unwillingly, my body resentful that his hands should fall away. Melinda stood there, jaw wide open, gaping. She let out a weak cry in disbelief at what she had seen. Then it happened. She snapped her jaw closed suddenly and stamped over to where he sat. Her hand was quick as lightning, the sound was sharp, solid as it connected with his face. She'd used full force, and as he brought his head back I could see a deep maroon colored mark begin to form where she'd hit him.
"Melinda!" She turned to me, a fanatical look in her eyes. She began shaking her head in disbelief, then she spun back towards the door and ran. "Melinda!!" I looked apologetically at Brock before running after her.
He sat, unmoving. A thousand warning lights were burning across his mind and he didn't know what to make of them. He hated Melinda for interrupting, and more for slapping him, but shouldn't he be thankful? He didn't want to know what could have happened if she hadn't caught them. Elise was just a girl for Christ's sake! What did he think he was doing anyhow? And asking to hold her hand? Fucking immature moron with a hard-on! Although, he wasn't sure it would have gone any farther than that anyways. But god every piece of him wanted to find out.
Melinda stopped running half way down the hall. She turned and leaned heavily against the wall, her chest heaving, her face contorted trying to hold in the tears. Elise didn't know what to say. Finally she just blurted out what came to mind, "I wanted to kiss him. I was the one who made the first move to kiss even!"
Melinda didn't look too surprised, instead she looked angry. Elise thought she was mad at her, until Melinda said, " I knew you wanted too. I could tell you were taken with him. I just knew. But he's the adult. He's supposed to be able to say, "Now wait a minute. I don't think this is right." But he didn't."
It was my turn to be angry. "He was just as scared as I was! He asked me if holding my fucking hand was ok! And besides, I'm 19, it's my choice to make. I don't need you standing over me, deciding who I date and who I don't! It's not like I'm dating anybody anyways. We just kissed."
"Oh come on. What is he, 27? 28? That's 9 years older than you. You and I both know you can do better than that."
"Who are you saying I should go for then? Manny? Fucking NORMAN?!"
"Why do you have to go for anybody? Why can't it just be like it was at the beginning of the trip?"
"You want to know the truth about how it was at the beginning of the trip? Do you want to know what really happened? I'll tell you. Manny tried hitting on me within 10 minutes of my being alone with him, Brock attacked me when I went into the lower levels, and then after supper when I went into my room, Manny performed attempted assault on me." Melinda's eyes bulged and her mouth was open in a silent scream. "Brock at least stopped himself from doing more damage, and now we've obviously worked out our little problem. Manny on the other hand, would not have stopped, but I overcame him. I haven't spoken hardly a word to him since. I bet he's still brewing about how easily I beat him." Melinda's hands went up to her mouth, they were trembling slightly. "That was all on the first day. If things were like they were in the beginning, Manny might be dead. I don't allow someone who comes at me with a knife, attack twice and live."
"Why didn't you tell me all of this? Those two should be in prison right now. And to think I've been living on a ship with the two of them for the last 5 weeks! Who knows if they might suddenly get the whim to come after one of the other people on this ship! I, I think maybe I should get off with Gregory."
"No, no Melinda. Don't. Really. I have a strong belief that Manny won't try anything again, and I know Brock won't. Besides, you can't go on board that sea ship without a ticket."
Melinda shoved off from the wall and began pacing. "How can you be so sure Brock won't attack again? You've gotta know a man his size isn't going to be afraid of any of us."
"He's not the kind of guy to attack without good reason."
"Oh please, and what reason could he possibly have for attacking you, when he didn't even know you?"
"Well, for one, I was trying to sneak up on him. And for two, I was searching through some of the stuff down there." She purposely avoided telling her it was her own bag she was inquiring into. Melinda looked doubtful. "Come on Melinda. You can't kill the guy just cause he's a little on edge." She rolled her eyes, but she was calmer.
"What do you want with a guy like that anyways? He's not even cute." Elise could tell it was her last line of defense, and a pathetic one at that. It made her laugh, and then Melinda caught on. The two hugged. "So, how long has this, this thing been going on?"
"Uh, that was the first time we even held hands. I didn't know he felt that way until then."
"I'm really sorry."
Melinda was startled by a sudden short burst of laughter from Elise. "You're telling me your sorry, what about Brock? You slapped him pretty hard back there."
"Oh no, wow, I forgot about that. Well, you know what? I'm just not sorry about that. I still firmly believe that it was wrong for him to let things go that far."
"Jesus Melinda, I thought we just went through this. What are you going to do if I go back and we go farther?"
"Nothing, but only because we're friends. If he's really pissed about it, you can tell him it's for all the things you're going to do later." Elise was tired of arguing, and she didn't know how else to explain it to Melinda.
-Hey guys, I know this is a little unlike Riddick. But it's part of how my character is developing. Now I'm going to post a different part of the story. Lets say the other half, the part that sets up a plot to this whole thing. But bare with me, there won't be much Riddick for the next few chapt.s! (Oh, and please review….I need encouragement!)
