Disclaimer: see end of part 4.
Children
Part 6
Girls are Evil
By Random1377
"WHY ME!?" I yelled, as the shelf collapsed, spilling cardboard boxes all over the floor.
I looked around, praying that no one I knew was in the store... it was the only one of my prayers that was answered that day. Seeing no one, I quickly scooped up the boxes and shoved them back on the shelf, turning a color normally associated with roses.
I grabbed a few more items while I was in the store (mostly to camouflage what I had tucked under my arm) and hurried to the front.
-At least it can't get any worse...-I thought with a frown as I lay my items on the belt to get rung up.
The girl at the cash register proved me wrong.
"These yours?" she asked loudly, holding up the box of tampons, "Or maybe... your girlfriend's?"
"I..." I swallowed, "My... roommate..." I mumbled, blushing. I thought she looked vaguely familiar, but she was too old to be in my class. -Maybe she's in Mitsuki's room,- I thought idly.
She nodded, grinning widely, "Super absorbency, huh?" she asked, "Must be a bad month..."
I flushed deeper, "I... I don't know..." I wished with all my heart and soul that she would hurry up... but she seemed inclined to lingering over this topic.
"Hmmm..." she said thoughtfully, "I'm going to need a price-check on these, I think they're on sale..." before I could say I'd rather pay full price, she grabbed a microphone by her register and said, loudly, "hey, Tsukasa! Are the super-absorbency Tampax on sale this week? This young man needs to know!"
I closed my eyes, thinking, -Oh God... I'm in Hell...- From the back of the store, a voice confirmed (also, loudly) that they were in fact on sale.
"Just saved you forty-two cents," the girl said, smiling as I opened my eyes, "you're welcome."
"Thanks..." I mumbled, handing her my NERV payment card. As soon as the transaction was complete, I grabbed the bag and started for the door, my head down.
"Hey, Shinji..." she called after me, stopping me dead in my tracks.
I didn't turn around... the tone in her voice was enough to let me know she was smiling, "Yeah?" I whispered, already beginning to suspect something.
"Tell Asuka I'll be over around five, ok?" she said, barely containing a laugh.
My shoulders slumped, "Yeah..." I repeated, feeling like a fool. Of course she looked familiar - she was one of Asuka's friends. I didn't know her name, offhand... but I knew that the evening would not be pleasant for me. -Well...- I thought, trying to stay optimistic, -at least I don't have to run any more errands...-
I remembered Asuka's promise, 'Do this, and you're off the hook, Third Child...' she had said with a faint smile. I should have known it was a setup.
I sighed and walked out, glad at least that Kensuke and Touji weren't there... they would've never let me live something like that down.
My advice to you? Never think things can't get worse.
"Hey! Shinji!!" Kensuke's voice reached me before I had gotten three blocks from the store.
I looked around, catching sight of him and Touji coming the other way (most likely from the arcade that was a block up the street).
"What's up, man?" Kensuke said, "The Devil still working you like a dog?"
I paled, "Umm... no, actually..." I said, trying to make the bag in my hands seem smaller.
"Hey," Kensuke said, quickly noticing my pathetic attempt to conceal, "what's in the ba-"
"Touji," I blurted, desperate to take attention away, "how's Miho?"
Touji's frown lightened, "She's good..." he said, looking relieved to have something to talk about besides whatever had been dragging him down lately.
"Still going to her house every weekend?" I inquired, folding the top of the bag down twice, as discretely as I could.
"Yeah," he said, now smiling, "in fact I was," his hand flashed out and snatched the bag before I could even think to stop him, "just going to go over there now. Whatcha got here?"
"N-nothing!" I said, trying not to sound frantic... and get the bag back unopened.
Remember what I said earlier about things getting worse?
The bag was open before my hand closed the distance between myself and it, and an eerie silence descended as they peered in. After a moment, they looked up at me... then back into the bag, then back up at me again.
Flushing, I stammered, "I... umm... I... that is... those are... I..."
"Something you want to tell us, Shinji?" Touji said, arching an eyebrow. "Are there... changes in your future?"
"Ya know..." Kensuke said to Touji thoughtfully, "girls are always saying they want to go out with a guy who could be their friend... maybe now that we're his friends..." he let the thought trail off.
"You think he wants you or me?" Touji whispered, edging back from me, "And what will we call him after the Change? Shinjko?"
"What if he wants both of us?" Kensuke replied, "You'd have to take 'her' on Tuesdays and Thursdays... we couldn't just ignore her..."
"I've got a girl..." Touji said, smiling wider, "and what about that freshman you like?"
Kensuke sighed a long-suffering sigh, "Well... a man's gotta make sacrifices for friendship..."
"True... true..." Touji said, uttering a similar sigh, "but there is no way that I'm going to be 'her' first, I mean... that's just-"
"I'm not getting a sex-change!!" I shouted, flushing brighter as an elderly couple stopped to stare at us.
Touji and Kensuke both continued grinning... and suddenly I knew how to get out of the situation.
I sighed, "Ok..." I said, defeated, "YOU go give them to Asuka."
The smiles disappeared. "Asuka?" Kensuke repeated, looking down at the bag as if he'd just realized it had snakes in it.
"Yeah," I said, turning away from them, "and thanks. She's in a REALLY bad mood, so I'm glad I don't have to be the one to-"
"Here," Kensuke said, thrusting the bag back into my hands, "I just remembered that I have a homework assignment due on Monday..." he turned and walked off quickly before I could say a word.
Touji slowly grinned at me, his voice becoming low and wise as he said, "Very clever, Ikari-san... you have learned well the ways of deception..."
I returned his grin, "I wasn't kidding."
Touji's smile fell away once more, "Ahem, well... I gotta get to Miho's... see ya."
I sighed as he made his retreat, then continued on my way, trying to think how I could arrange to be gone when Asuka's friend arrived.
Needless to say, I was destined to fail.
**
"Can you get the door?" Asuka called from her room, "I'm kinda busy..."
I sighed, getting off the couch and heading for the door. -Why is it always at the GOOD scene??- I thought sorrowfully.
"Hi, Shinji," the girl on the other side of the door said as I opened it, "how are ya?"
I blinked. "I'm... ok, I guess..." I said cautiously. -How could I forget that she was coming?- I thought, wondering idly why she was being so polite.
It was the homework. Kensuke wasn't kidding about the assignment, and I had just finished mine up - totally forgetting that she was coming.
"Are... you going to let me in?" she asked after a moment, smiling faintly.
"Ahh, of course!" I said, stepping aside, "Forgive my manners..."
"Forget about it," she said with a wink, "I'll let it slide this time... because you're so cute."
My eyes nearly came out of my sockets. "Ummm... thanks..." I said, "A-Asuka's... in her room."
She nodded and headed that way (I didn't feel the need to show her the way... I figured she had been here before), and I headed back to finish watching my show.
Note: from a purely tactical point of view - if you are ever in the presence of overwhelming opposition, it is perfectly acceptable to make a strategic withdrawal.
Addendum to note above: Always know who your opponents are.
I never was very good at tactics...
"Anything good on?" Asuka said, coming in and sitting beside me on the couch. Before I could reply, her friend sat on the other side of me, flanking me. "I think you've met Mitsune Konno, right?"
I looked from one to the other, feeling a vague sense of unease, "We... haven't been introduced yet..." I said, wondering if it was too late to make a break for it.
It was.
Mitsune put her leg across both of mine. "Asuka," she said causally, "can you see if you can fix that tear in my shoe like you said?"
Had I not been pinned in place, I would have fell off the couch as Asuka leaned to the side and pulled out (I kid you not) a shoe repair kit.
"Sure thing," Asuka said brightly, smiling, "by the way... thanks for that pointer on using the plastic applicators..."
"Any time," Mitsune replied, "the cardboard ones chafe too much..."
I'm not exactly a SLOW person... but it took me a moment to figure out what they were talking about. When I did... I jumped off the couch and ran from the room.
Or at least, I would have if I wasn't confined.
"I know!" Asuka said, starting (slowly) to mend the tear in the other girl's shoe, "And this month has been really heavy for me..."
"Good thing you got the supers," Mitsune replied sagely as I tried my best to focus on the television, "nothing worse than messing up a perfectly good pair of panties."
"I use pads too," Asuka said, trying to hide her grin at my discomfort, "only on the really heavy days..."
I think I may very well have gone insane, had the phone not rung just then. "I'll get it!!" I all by cried.
"No, no!" Asuka said quickly, "You stay here and talk to Mitsune, I'll get the phone..."
I groaned as Mitsune put a (restraining) arm around my shoulder and said, "Oh, I'm sure Shinji and I can find SOMETHING to talk about..."
Her grin warned me that I might not like the topic she chose.
Asuka's echoing smile made it a practical guarantee. "Ok..." I said meekly, not really wanting to offend her (I wondered how father managed to get people to leave him alone... and made a mental note to buy some white gloves and sunglasses).
"So Shinji," Mitsune said lightly, tightening her grip a bit to ensure I wouldn't bolt, "have you ever... gone all the way?"
I will tell you right now that it was a good thing that she was strong, because my initial, instinctive response (RUN!!) kicked in, and I tried to stand.
"Oh, you can tell me," she said soothingly, practically pinning me to the couch, "I won't tell anyone." Her voice become conspiratorial, "Have you and Asuka...?"
"NO!!" I blurted, blushing bright red, "I... she... we..."
Ironically, my reprieve came from the girl in question. "It's for you," Asuka said flatly, coming back into the living room.
I sighed in relief and practically jumped off the couch as Mitsune released me (looking a bit disappointed, I thought), "Who is it?"
"Find out for yourself," Asuka retorted coldly.
I blinked... and Mitsune did too. "I'm... gonna go," she said, sensing the shift in her friend's mood, "call me later, Asuka. And Shinji..." she winked at me as she stood, "we'll finish this conversation another time..."
She laughed with delight as I blushed again, and I went to answer the phone while Asuka showed her out, a deep scowl on the girl's face.
"Hello?" I said hesitantly as I picked up the phone.
It couldn't be Misato - Asuka wouldn't have been so mad. It couldn't be Kaji (for the same reason), or Touji, or Kensuke... or even Rei.
To be honest, I had no idea WHO could upset Asuka that much.
It became no clearer to me as a soft, decidedly feminine voice replied, "Shinji?"
"Ummm... yeah?" I answered cautiously. -Who is this?- I thought, -another of Asuka's friends, helping her make my life into a bad Vanilla Sky remake?-
After a pause, she said, "Hi, it's... Mitsuki Rara... how are you?"
"Mitsuki?" I said, knowing I sounded shocked, "I... I'm fine... how are you?"
"I'm... good," she said, sounding as nervous as I felt, "I was... wondering if you were going on the combined class trip tomorrow... to the water park?"
Now, I don't know about you... but sometimes, a certain question hits me a certain way - and I just can't function. This would be a perfect example.
"I... huh?" I replied, trying desperately to grasp WHY a senior would be calling me to ask if I was going on a trip.
"You know," she replied, sounding slightly flustered, "the class trip... the entire school was invited..."
I think she had maybe expected a simple yes or no... crazy girl, had she NEVER talked to a fourteen-year-old?
"I... was thinking about it," I said, after a rather long pause (during which time I observed the Second Child stomping back to her room). Rei was scheduled to be on call at NERV, so I technically COULD go... and Touji and Kensuke would be there. Then again, so would Asuka - and right now, I wasn't too sure that spending a lot of time with her was such a hot idea.
"I'm... going to be there..." Mitsuki said, sounding as if each word was forced out, "I'd... like to see you there... Shinji..."
"You would?" I asked, stunned, "But, wh-"
"I have to go," she cut me off, sounding reluctant, "my sister needs the phone. Goodbye Shinji, I hope I see you there." There was a soft click... and she was gone.
I hung up the phone slowly, thinking about this turn of events.
-Maybe today wasn't so bad,- I thought, trying to get my mind around the idea that a GIRL had just called ME.
I went back into the living room to think things over. Several minutes later, Asuka came back in, wearing her swimsuit (now, I don't really need to say this... but I will anyway - Asuka, plus two-piece red and white swimsuit, equals: niiiiiice).
"Does this still fit me?" she asked, sounding as if the last twenty minutes never happened as she turned around slowly, "I'm afraid I might have put on a couple pounds since I wore it last... what do you think?"
I'm pretty sure my initial reply was something along the lines of 'Der...' and was accompanied by a large quantity of saliva. Once I had regained my composure, I averted my eyes, "It umm... looks fine..." I mumbled, hoping she didn't see the flush on my cheeks.
"Such a boring little boy..." she whispered, sounding disappointed. "Are you going tomorrow, or do I only have to deal with two of the three stooges?"
"No," I said, making up my mind, "I'll be there."
Now, I THINK she may have smiled... but that could have been a trick of the light, and she DID turn away pretty fast. "Great," she sighed, walking towards her room, "more immature boys to ogle me."
She walked into her room and shut the door, my eyes following her - discreetly - every step of the way.
"Shinji..." she said after a moment.
"Yeah?" I replied
I could tell by her tone that she was smiling, "You can close your mouth now..."
I did as I was told, blushing as I thought that tomorrow could prove to be just as bad as today.
Thankfully, I couldn't have been more wrong... and the next day proved to be one of the best of my life.
Continued...
Author's notes: Yes, yes... I know... I'll try and work faster.
Thanks to 20Eva, Lord Deathscythe, and especially Rhine for pre-reading on this one.
Feedback is always welcome at random1377@yahoo.com
Children
Part 6
Girls are Evil
By Random1377
"WHY ME!?" I yelled, as the shelf collapsed, spilling cardboard boxes all over the floor.
I looked around, praying that no one I knew was in the store... it was the only one of my prayers that was answered that day. Seeing no one, I quickly scooped up the boxes and shoved them back on the shelf, turning a color normally associated with roses.
I grabbed a few more items while I was in the store (mostly to camouflage what I had tucked under my arm) and hurried to the front.
-At least it can't get any worse...-I thought with a frown as I lay my items on the belt to get rung up.
The girl at the cash register proved me wrong.
"These yours?" she asked loudly, holding up the box of tampons, "Or maybe... your girlfriend's?"
"I..." I swallowed, "My... roommate..." I mumbled, blushing. I thought she looked vaguely familiar, but she was too old to be in my class. -Maybe she's in Mitsuki's room,- I thought idly.
She nodded, grinning widely, "Super absorbency, huh?" she asked, "Must be a bad month..."
I flushed deeper, "I... I don't know..." I wished with all my heart and soul that she would hurry up... but she seemed inclined to lingering over this topic.
"Hmmm..." she said thoughtfully, "I'm going to need a price-check on these, I think they're on sale..." before I could say I'd rather pay full price, she grabbed a microphone by her register and said, loudly, "hey, Tsukasa! Are the super-absorbency Tampax on sale this week? This young man needs to know!"
I closed my eyes, thinking, -Oh God... I'm in Hell...- From the back of the store, a voice confirmed (also, loudly) that they were in fact on sale.
"Just saved you forty-two cents," the girl said, smiling as I opened my eyes, "you're welcome."
"Thanks..." I mumbled, handing her my NERV payment card. As soon as the transaction was complete, I grabbed the bag and started for the door, my head down.
"Hey, Shinji..." she called after me, stopping me dead in my tracks.
I didn't turn around... the tone in her voice was enough to let me know she was smiling, "Yeah?" I whispered, already beginning to suspect something.
"Tell Asuka I'll be over around five, ok?" she said, barely containing a laugh.
My shoulders slumped, "Yeah..." I repeated, feeling like a fool. Of course she looked familiar - she was one of Asuka's friends. I didn't know her name, offhand... but I knew that the evening would not be pleasant for me. -Well...- I thought, trying to stay optimistic, -at least I don't have to run any more errands...-
I remembered Asuka's promise, 'Do this, and you're off the hook, Third Child...' she had said with a faint smile. I should have known it was a setup.
I sighed and walked out, glad at least that Kensuke and Touji weren't there... they would've never let me live something like that down.
My advice to you? Never think things can't get worse.
"Hey! Shinji!!" Kensuke's voice reached me before I had gotten three blocks from the store.
I looked around, catching sight of him and Touji coming the other way (most likely from the arcade that was a block up the street).
"What's up, man?" Kensuke said, "The Devil still working you like a dog?"
I paled, "Umm... no, actually..." I said, trying to make the bag in my hands seem smaller.
"Hey," Kensuke said, quickly noticing my pathetic attempt to conceal, "what's in the ba-"
"Touji," I blurted, desperate to take attention away, "how's Miho?"
Touji's frown lightened, "She's good..." he said, looking relieved to have something to talk about besides whatever had been dragging him down lately.
"Still going to her house every weekend?" I inquired, folding the top of the bag down twice, as discretely as I could.
"Yeah," he said, now smiling, "in fact I was," his hand flashed out and snatched the bag before I could even think to stop him, "just going to go over there now. Whatcha got here?"
"N-nothing!" I said, trying not to sound frantic... and get the bag back unopened.
Remember what I said earlier about things getting worse?
The bag was open before my hand closed the distance between myself and it, and an eerie silence descended as they peered in. After a moment, they looked up at me... then back into the bag, then back up at me again.
Flushing, I stammered, "I... umm... I... that is... those are... I..."
"Something you want to tell us, Shinji?" Touji said, arching an eyebrow. "Are there... changes in your future?"
"Ya know..." Kensuke said to Touji thoughtfully, "girls are always saying they want to go out with a guy who could be their friend... maybe now that we're his friends..." he let the thought trail off.
"You think he wants you or me?" Touji whispered, edging back from me, "And what will we call him after the Change? Shinjko?"
"What if he wants both of us?" Kensuke replied, "You'd have to take 'her' on Tuesdays and Thursdays... we couldn't just ignore her..."
"I've got a girl..." Touji said, smiling wider, "and what about that freshman you like?"
Kensuke sighed a long-suffering sigh, "Well... a man's gotta make sacrifices for friendship..."
"True... true..." Touji said, uttering a similar sigh, "but there is no way that I'm going to be 'her' first, I mean... that's just-"
"I'm not getting a sex-change!!" I shouted, flushing brighter as an elderly couple stopped to stare at us.
Touji and Kensuke both continued grinning... and suddenly I knew how to get out of the situation.
I sighed, "Ok..." I said, defeated, "YOU go give them to Asuka."
The smiles disappeared. "Asuka?" Kensuke repeated, looking down at the bag as if he'd just realized it had snakes in it.
"Yeah," I said, turning away from them, "and thanks. She's in a REALLY bad mood, so I'm glad I don't have to be the one to-"
"Here," Kensuke said, thrusting the bag back into my hands, "I just remembered that I have a homework assignment due on Monday..." he turned and walked off quickly before I could say a word.
Touji slowly grinned at me, his voice becoming low and wise as he said, "Very clever, Ikari-san... you have learned well the ways of deception..."
I returned his grin, "I wasn't kidding."
Touji's smile fell away once more, "Ahem, well... I gotta get to Miho's... see ya."
I sighed as he made his retreat, then continued on my way, trying to think how I could arrange to be gone when Asuka's friend arrived.
Needless to say, I was destined to fail.
**
"Can you get the door?" Asuka called from her room, "I'm kinda busy..."
I sighed, getting off the couch and heading for the door. -Why is it always at the GOOD scene??- I thought sorrowfully.
"Hi, Shinji," the girl on the other side of the door said as I opened it, "how are ya?"
I blinked. "I'm... ok, I guess..." I said cautiously. -How could I forget that she was coming?- I thought, wondering idly why she was being so polite.
It was the homework. Kensuke wasn't kidding about the assignment, and I had just finished mine up - totally forgetting that she was coming.
"Are... you going to let me in?" she asked after a moment, smiling faintly.
"Ahh, of course!" I said, stepping aside, "Forgive my manners..."
"Forget about it," she said with a wink, "I'll let it slide this time... because you're so cute."
My eyes nearly came out of my sockets. "Ummm... thanks..." I said, "A-Asuka's... in her room."
She nodded and headed that way (I didn't feel the need to show her the way... I figured she had been here before), and I headed back to finish watching my show.
Note: from a purely tactical point of view - if you are ever in the presence of overwhelming opposition, it is perfectly acceptable to make a strategic withdrawal.
Addendum to note above: Always know who your opponents are.
I never was very good at tactics...
"Anything good on?" Asuka said, coming in and sitting beside me on the couch. Before I could reply, her friend sat on the other side of me, flanking me. "I think you've met Mitsune Konno, right?"
I looked from one to the other, feeling a vague sense of unease, "We... haven't been introduced yet..." I said, wondering if it was too late to make a break for it.
It was.
Mitsune put her leg across both of mine. "Asuka," she said causally, "can you see if you can fix that tear in my shoe like you said?"
Had I not been pinned in place, I would have fell off the couch as Asuka leaned to the side and pulled out (I kid you not) a shoe repair kit.
"Sure thing," Asuka said brightly, smiling, "by the way... thanks for that pointer on using the plastic applicators..."
"Any time," Mitsune replied, "the cardboard ones chafe too much..."
I'm not exactly a SLOW person... but it took me a moment to figure out what they were talking about. When I did... I jumped off the couch and ran from the room.
Or at least, I would have if I wasn't confined.
"I know!" Asuka said, starting (slowly) to mend the tear in the other girl's shoe, "And this month has been really heavy for me..."
"Good thing you got the supers," Mitsune replied sagely as I tried my best to focus on the television, "nothing worse than messing up a perfectly good pair of panties."
"I use pads too," Asuka said, trying to hide her grin at my discomfort, "only on the really heavy days..."
I think I may very well have gone insane, had the phone not rung just then. "I'll get it!!" I all by cried.
"No, no!" Asuka said quickly, "You stay here and talk to Mitsune, I'll get the phone..."
I groaned as Mitsune put a (restraining) arm around my shoulder and said, "Oh, I'm sure Shinji and I can find SOMETHING to talk about..."
Her grin warned me that I might not like the topic she chose.
Asuka's echoing smile made it a practical guarantee. "Ok..." I said meekly, not really wanting to offend her (I wondered how father managed to get people to leave him alone... and made a mental note to buy some white gloves and sunglasses).
"So Shinji," Mitsune said lightly, tightening her grip a bit to ensure I wouldn't bolt, "have you ever... gone all the way?"
I will tell you right now that it was a good thing that she was strong, because my initial, instinctive response (RUN!!) kicked in, and I tried to stand.
"Oh, you can tell me," she said soothingly, practically pinning me to the couch, "I won't tell anyone." Her voice become conspiratorial, "Have you and Asuka...?"
"NO!!" I blurted, blushing bright red, "I... she... we..."
Ironically, my reprieve came from the girl in question. "It's for you," Asuka said flatly, coming back into the living room.
I sighed in relief and practically jumped off the couch as Mitsune released me (looking a bit disappointed, I thought), "Who is it?"
"Find out for yourself," Asuka retorted coldly.
I blinked... and Mitsune did too. "I'm... gonna go," she said, sensing the shift in her friend's mood, "call me later, Asuka. And Shinji..." she winked at me as she stood, "we'll finish this conversation another time..."
She laughed with delight as I blushed again, and I went to answer the phone while Asuka showed her out, a deep scowl on the girl's face.
"Hello?" I said hesitantly as I picked up the phone.
It couldn't be Misato - Asuka wouldn't have been so mad. It couldn't be Kaji (for the same reason), or Touji, or Kensuke... or even Rei.
To be honest, I had no idea WHO could upset Asuka that much.
It became no clearer to me as a soft, decidedly feminine voice replied, "Shinji?"
"Ummm... yeah?" I answered cautiously. -Who is this?- I thought, -another of Asuka's friends, helping her make my life into a bad Vanilla Sky remake?-
After a pause, she said, "Hi, it's... Mitsuki Rara... how are you?"
"Mitsuki?" I said, knowing I sounded shocked, "I... I'm fine... how are you?"
"I'm... good," she said, sounding as nervous as I felt, "I was... wondering if you were going on the combined class trip tomorrow... to the water park?"
Now, I don't know about you... but sometimes, a certain question hits me a certain way - and I just can't function. This would be a perfect example.
"I... huh?" I replied, trying desperately to grasp WHY a senior would be calling me to ask if I was going on a trip.
"You know," she replied, sounding slightly flustered, "the class trip... the entire school was invited..."
I think she had maybe expected a simple yes or no... crazy girl, had she NEVER talked to a fourteen-year-old?
"I... was thinking about it," I said, after a rather long pause (during which time I observed the Second Child stomping back to her room). Rei was scheduled to be on call at NERV, so I technically COULD go... and Touji and Kensuke would be there. Then again, so would Asuka - and right now, I wasn't too sure that spending a lot of time with her was such a hot idea.
"I'm... going to be there..." Mitsuki said, sounding as if each word was forced out, "I'd... like to see you there... Shinji..."
"You would?" I asked, stunned, "But, wh-"
"I have to go," she cut me off, sounding reluctant, "my sister needs the phone. Goodbye Shinji, I hope I see you there." There was a soft click... and she was gone.
I hung up the phone slowly, thinking about this turn of events.
-Maybe today wasn't so bad,- I thought, trying to get my mind around the idea that a GIRL had just called ME.
I went back into the living room to think things over. Several minutes later, Asuka came back in, wearing her swimsuit (now, I don't really need to say this... but I will anyway - Asuka, plus two-piece red and white swimsuit, equals: niiiiiice).
"Does this still fit me?" she asked, sounding as if the last twenty minutes never happened as she turned around slowly, "I'm afraid I might have put on a couple pounds since I wore it last... what do you think?"
I'm pretty sure my initial reply was something along the lines of 'Der...' and was accompanied by a large quantity of saliva. Once I had regained my composure, I averted my eyes, "It umm... looks fine..." I mumbled, hoping she didn't see the flush on my cheeks.
"Such a boring little boy..." she whispered, sounding disappointed. "Are you going tomorrow, or do I only have to deal with two of the three stooges?"
"No," I said, making up my mind, "I'll be there."
Now, I THINK she may have smiled... but that could have been a trick of the light, and she DID turn away pretty fast. "Great," she sighed, walking towards her room, "more immature boys to ogle me."
She walked into her room and shut the door, my eyes following her - discreetly - every step of the way.
"Shinji..." she said after a moment.
"Yeah?" I replied
I could tell by her tone that she was smiling, "You can close your mouth now..."
I did as I was told, blushing as I thought that tomorrow could prove to be just as bad as today.
Thankfully, I couldn't have been more wrong... and the next day proved to be one of the best of my life.
Continued...
Author's notes: Yes, yes... I know... I'll try and work faster.
Thanks to 20Eva, Lord Deathscythe, and especially Rhine for pre-reading on this one.
Feedback is always welcome at random1377@yahoo.com