A Teenager's Guide to Life in the Uncharted Territories
Chapter 6
The Dance (aka The Night Sarcasm Abounds)
It was a forty-five minutes drive to the local high school. When we (finally) got there people were already dancing. Or what I'm going to assume is their idea of dancing, aka, standing there talking. Maybe it's just me, but if you go to a dance, it seems kinda appropriate to actually dance. Apparently, that was lost on them since they continued to stand there, that is, until they saw us. They all started whispering and 'discretely' pointing at us. Guess word got out Mom and I aren't from around here. Damn. And I was hoping I could have one night of 'normalcy', whatever that is. Thankfully, unbeknownst to Mom and Dad, I brought my CD player. It's hidden in my bag, begging for use. Who am I to deny a good product use? I found a nice, dark corner (which was actually kinda hard to do with all the unnatural colors of light going everywhere) and settled in for the long two hours. I was only half surprised when Mom didn't come looking for me when I hadn't been seen for an hour. Then I realized the couple everyone was pointing at in the corner was my parents. Wonderful. I also noticed a boy slightly older than myself starring at me. Terrific. I'm having such fun. The bleachers where everyone has piled their stuff catch my eye. This is has possibilities. I gather my stuff and go lay down on the top. Now maybe I can make better use of my time, translation; nap. I was almost asleep when two girls came over to me. Dear god. Now what?
"Andrew is starring at you." One girl said, as if I didn't know that myself.
"Yeah, I noticed," I replied raising my eyebrows slightly.
"He never stares at girls." The other one said.
Like I care. "Are you going anywhere with this?" I ask. Frankly, they're starting to get on my nerves.
"We think you should dance with him."
So that was it. I was coerced into this and now I get to dance with a guy who probably just wants to dance because I'm not from around here. This keeps getting better and better.
"If I say yes, will you two go away?" Maybe they'll get the message.
"Yes." They're so frelling happy. What is their problem?
"Fine. I'll dance with Andrew. Happy?" Those smirks are getting awfully annoying.
"Very. And we're sure he will be too," the first one said.
Kill me now. Please. I'm begging. Maybe he'll forget. Doubtful, but work with me here. I got optimism from my Dad and the wonderful pessimism from Mom. Amazing how well they work together isn't it? The girls go over and tell him that I'll dance with him. They obviously don't mention that they had to annoying the frell out of me first. He smiles. I grimace. Whimper. Might as well get this over with. I walk over, and look him over. Not bad actually.
"You wanna dance," I ask. Just my luck, the pulsing music changes into a slower song. The powers that be are really intent on making me suffer aren't they?
"Yes," he answers. We stand there awkwardly for a microt before he puts his arms around my waist. I unwillingly put my arms around his neck. This isn't as bad as I thought. It doesn't hurt that he's cute. Cute in that adorable puppy kinda way. Whoa. Wait. Rewind. I just compared him to a puppy. This music must be messing with my head. I plead temporary insanity. "So, what's your name?"
"Rayne."
"Unique name, huh?"
"Yeah."
"You're parents must really like rain."
"When I was born, my mom had only seen rain once, and my dad figured out that if you rearranged the letters in my mom's name, you could spell rain. Granted it's not the traditional spelling, but it works."
"You're that alien girl everyone's talking about?"
"You didn't know?"
"Well, I do now. You seem so normal."
"Gee, thanks."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"Okay."
"Are you mad?"
I give him a look. "I've known you for all of two minutes, no I'm not mad.yet."
"Good."
"Good?"
"I'm glad."
"Why?" He's starting to get annoying.
"Because I really like you."
"How can you tell you really like me? You've known me as long as I've known you."
"I'm not sure. But I do."
"You sound exactly like my dad."
"Is that good or bad?"
"That all depends." Now I know how Mom feels. I can't decide if I'd rather hit him or hug him. Granted I am technically in his arms. Okay, this isn't helping my argument.
"On?"
"The situation he's in."
"Ah. What would your dad do in this situation?"
"Well, he's over there in the corner with my mom," I said, motioning to the corner where people were still pointing at.
"Wow. Are they always that bad?"
"Yeah. More or less." Unfortunately.
"That sucks. Big time."
"Yeah. They're pretty cool when they're not doing that."
"That's good."
"How about your parents? Are they as bad as mine?"
"No. Not even close."
Just then the song ended. Damn. And I was just starting to enjoy myself.
"Thanks for the dance."
"No problem. We might have to do it again sometime. Soon."
"I agree."
Oh god. Am I flirting? I'm flirting. Help. This is bad. This is very bad. I don't flirt. Frell. Dad is going to go marga farbot. I really pity Andrew when Dad finds out about this. Either he's going to ask the secret for 'taming the female' or go after him with a pulse rifle. Neither option is appealing. The good news is that he's to busy with Mom to notice. Well, sorta a good thing. It doesn't make it any less disturbing. I'll have to talk to Mom about PDA tomorrow. Especially PDA in front of me. It's just wrong.
"Rayne?"
"Huh?" Frell. I did it again.
"I asked if you wanted to keep dancing, despise the increased tempo."
"I'd like that." Where did that come from? I didn't mean to say that. Someone find the control for my brain and take it off automatic and put it back on manual. Please. And hurry.
~~~~
Time has flown. There's only half and hour until this dance is over. The two girls from earlier captured Andrew and dragged him off somewhere. (I found out that their names are Carly and Shana.) I'm now lying on the bleachers. Again. This time, I actually manage to fall asleep. I'm guessing that, because one minute I'm listening to a really crappy song and the next, Andrew is putting a piece of ice on my back.
"What was that for?"
"You were asleep."
"And?"
"The dance is almost over. People are going to want their coats."
"Your point?"
"You were sleeping on them." I hate when people make sense.
"Oh. I feel really smart now."
"Don't worry about it."
"I wasn't planning on worrying about it."
"When are you leaving?"
"As soon as my parents are ready."
"No. Leaving."
"Oh." Time for the long awkward pause now. "I'm really not sure."
"Is there a way we can keep in touch?"
"Well, I have e-mail, but it's monitored by IASA. And the fact that I can only read it while we're here."
"Oh."
"If you give me your number, I can call you tomorrow. And whenever I come back." Oh frell. I just asked for his number.
"That works."
And he agreed. Oh frell. This is still bad. I can't like him. I haven't known him long enough to like him. Frell. I have to talk to Adaria. She's DK's daughter. She's my age and she's the closest thing I have to a sister and best friend. I only get to talk to her once twice a cycle, which really sucks. This calls for a major consultation. She'll know what to do. She's really good with guys from what I remember.
"Here you go."
"Thanks. I'll call you tomorrow."
"You'll call who tomorrow?"
Oh frell. Please don't let Dad be with her, please don't let Dad be with her. I turn to face the speaker, my mom. Thankfully, Dad is nowhere to be seen.
"I sent him off to help clean up."
"Thank you. So much."
"Who is this?"
Damn.
"Mom, this is Andrew."
"Nice to meet you, Andrew."
"Nice to meet you also."
"Rayne, we better go before you father comes back in here. He almost saw Andrew before I sent him off."
"Bye."
He's so obedient. "We don't say goodbye in our family." I explain.
"I'll talk to you soon, then."
"I'll talk to you soon." Mom gave me a look and I sent one right back at her. She can't be serious. As soon as we were out of hearing range I call her on it. "What was that look about?"
"You and that boy."
"What about you and Dad? You were in the corner the whole night!"
She's blushing. Oh god. "Okay, I won't mention that if you don't mention Andrew."
"All right."
~~~~ Sorry it's been so long since I posted. The Internet has gone screwy at home and even more so at school due the fact that our connection thing (so very technical, I now) got struck by lightning. But it's all good now because it's fixed and I can get online again. As usual, let me know what you thought. Thanks for all the reviews!!
Chapter 6
The Dance (aka The Night Sarcasm Abounds)
It was a forty-five minutes drive to the local high school. When we (finally) got there people were already dancing. Or what I'm going to assume is their idea of dancing, aka, standing there talking. Maybe it's just me, but if you go to a dance, it seems kinda appropriate to actually dance. Apparently, that was lost on them since they continued to stand there, that is, until they saw us. They all started whispering and 'discretely' pointing at us. Guess word got out Mom and I aren't from around here. Damn. And I was hoping I could have one night of 'normalcy', whatever that is. Thankfully, unbeknownst to Mom and Dad, I brought my CD player. It's hidden in my bag, begging for use. Who am I to deny a good product use? I found a nice, dark corner (which was actually kinda hard to do with all the unnatural colors of light going everywhere) and settled in for the long two hours. I was only half surprised when Mom didn't come looking for me when I hadn't been seen for an hour. Then I realized the couple everyone was pointing at in the corner was my parents. Wonderful. I also noticed a boy slightly older than myself starring at me. Terrific. I'm having such fun. The bleachers where everyone has piled their stuff catch my eye. This is has possibilities. I gather my stuff and go lay down on the top. Now maybe I can make better use of my time, translation; nap. I was almost asleep when two girls came over to me. Dear god. Now what?
"Andrew is starring at you." One girl said, as if I didn't know that myself.
"Yeah, I noticed," I replied raising my eyebrows slightly.
"He never stares at girls." The other one said.
Like I care. "Are you going anywhere with this?" I ask. Frankly, they're starting to get on my nerves.
"We think you should dance with him."
So that was it. I was coerced into this and now I get to dance with a guy who probably just wants to dance because I'm not from around here. This keeps getting better and better.
"If I say yes, will you two go away?" Maybe they'll get the message.
"Yes." They're so frelling happy. What is their problem?
"Fine. I'll dance with Andrew. Happy?" Those smirks are getting awfully annoying.
"Very. And we're sure he will be too," the first one said.
Kill me now. Please. I'm begging. Maybe he'll forget. Doubtful, but work with me here. I got optimism from my Dad and the wonderful pessimism from Mom. Amazing how well they work together isn't it? The girls go over and tell him that I'll dance with him. They obviously don't mention that they had to annoying the frell out of me first. He smiles. I grimace. Whimper. Might as well get this over with. I walk over, and look him over. Not bad actually.
"You wanna dance," I ask. Just my luck, the pulsing music changes into a slower song. The powers that be are really intent on making me suffer aren't they?
"Yes," he answers. We stand there awkwardly for a microt before he puts his arms around my waist. I unwillingly put my arms around his neck. This isn't as bad as I thought. It doesn't hurt that he's cute. Cute in that adorable puppy kinda way. Whoa. Wait. Rewind. I just compared him to a puppy. This music must be messing with my head. I plead temporary insanity. "So, what's your name?"
"Rayne."
"Unique name, huh?"
"Yeah."
"You're parents must really like rain."
"When I was born, my mom had only seen rain once, and my dad figured out that if you rearranged the letters in my mom's name, you could spell rain. Granted it's not the traditional spelling, but it works."
"You're that alien girl everyone's talking about?"
"You didn't know?"
"Well, I do now. You seem so normal."
"Gee, thanks."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"Okay."
"Are you mad?"
I give him a look. "I've known you for all of two minutes, no I'm not mad.yet."
"Good."
"Good?"
"I'm glad."
"Why?" He's starting to get annoying.
"Because I really like you."
"How can you tell you really like me? You've known me as long as I've known you."
"I'm not sure. But I do."
"You sound exactly like my dad."
"Is that good or bad?"
"That all depends." Now I know how Mom feels. I can't decide if I'd rather hit him or hug him. Granted I am technically in his arms. Okay, this isn't helping my argument.
"On?"
"The situation he's in."
"Ah. What would your dad do in this situation?"
"Well, he's over there in the corner with my mom," I said, motioning to the corner where people were still pointing at.
"Wow. Are they always that bad?"
"Yeah. More or less." Unfortunately.
"That sucks. Big time."
"Yeah. They're pretty cool when they're not doing that."
"That's good."
"How about your parents? Are they as bad as mine?"
"No. Not even close."
Just then the song ended. Damn. And I was just starting to enjoy myself.
"Thanks for the dance."
"No problem. We might have to do it again sometime. Soon."
"I agree."
Oh god. Am I flirting? I'm flirting. Help. This is bad. This is very bad. I don't flirt. Frell. Dad is going to go marga farbot. I really pity Andrew when Dad finds out about this. Either he's going to ask the secret for 'taming the female' or go after him with a pulse rifle. Neither option is appealing. The good news is that he's to busy with Mom to notice. Well, sorta a good thing. It doesn't make it any less disturbing. I'll have to talk to Mom about PDA tomorrow. Especially PDA in front of me. It's just wrong.
"Rayne?"
"Huh?" Frell. I did it again.
"I asked if you wanted to keep dancing, despise the increased tempo."
"I'd like that." Where did that come from? I didn't mean to say that. Someone find the control for my brain and take it off automatic and put it back on manual. Please. And hurry.
~~~~
Time has flown. There's only half and hour until this dance is over. The two girls from earlier captured Andrew and dragged him off somewhere. (I found out that their names are Carly and Shana.) I'm now lying on the bleachers. Again. This time, I actually manage to fall asleep. I'm guessing that, because one minute I'm listening to a really crappy song and the next, Andrew is putting a piece of ice on my back.
"What was that for?"
"You were asleep."
"And?"
"The dance is almost over. People are going to want their coats."
"Your point?"
"You were sleeping on them." I hate when people make sense.
"Oh. I feel really smart now."
"Don't worry about it."
"I wasn't planning on worrying about it."
"When are you leaving?"
"As soon as my parents are ready."
"No. Leaving."
"Oh." Time for the long awkward pause now. "I'm really not sure."
"Is there a way we can keep in touch?"
"Well, I have e-mail, but it's monitored by IASA. And the fact that I can only read it while we're here."
"Oh."
"If you give me your number, I can call you tomorrow. And whenever I come back." Oh frell. I just asked for his number.
"That works."
And he agreed. Oh frell. This is still bad. I can't like him. I haven't known him long enough to like him. Frell. I have to talk to Adaria. She's DK's daughter. She's my age and she's the closest thing I have to a sister and best friend. I only get to talk to her once twice a cycle, which really sucks. This calls for a major consultation. She'll know what to do. She's really good with guys from what I remember.
"Here you go."
"Thanks. I'll call you tomorrow."
"You'll call who tomorrow?"
Oh frell. Please don't let Dad be with her, please don't let Dad be with her. I turn to face the speaker, my mom. Thankfully, Dad is nowhere to be seen.
"I sent him off to help clean up."
"Thank you. So much."
"Who is this?"
Damn.
"Mom, this is Andrew."
"Nice to meet you, Andrew."
"Nice to meet you also."
"Rayne, we better go before you father comes back in here. He almost saw Andrew before I sent him off."
"Bye."
He's so obedient. "We don't say goodbye in our family." I explain.
"I'll talk to you soon, then."
"I'll talk to you soon." Mom gave me a look and I sent one right back at her. She can't be serious. As soon as we were out of hearing range I call her on it. "What was that look about?"
"You and that boy."
"What about you and Dad? You were in the corner the whole night!"
She's blushing. Oh god. "Okay, I won't mention that if you don't mention Andrew."
"All right."
~~~~ Sorry it's been so long since I posted. The Internet has gone screwy at home and even more so at school due the fact that our connection thing (so very technical, I now) got struck by lightning. But it's all good now because it's fixed and I can get online again. As usual, let me know what you thought. Thanks for all the reviews!!