Chapter 3
Lina pushed her sunglasses onto the top of her head as Zel switched gears. The blue convertible was a beauty, with out a single dent or scratch. Her hair blew behind her as they picked up speed.
"Thanks again for the ride," She said, turning to the driver. Zel offered her a smile and slowed to a stop at the light.
"No problem. Which way?" He looked in his rear view for a second, and then waited for the light.
"Keep going straight, at the next light turn left into Atlas Apartments. It looks like we're going to get some rain." Lina looked up as Zel switched on the weather report.
"Today we will be experiencing thunderstorms towards 8 o'clock this evening. Expect heavy rain and," Zel switched off the report and sighed.
"And I thought it would be okay to take the convertible today." Lina smiled at him as they turned into her apartment ring.
"There's a garage you can park her until after the rain stops. Besides, I was going to ask to come in any way." Lina hopped out of the car and gave him a wink. She pointed to a small garage off to the side. "It's right over there,"
Zel drove over and parked his car, after locking it, and walked over to Lina. "Thanks,"
"My turn to return the favor, come on." Lina led him up the stair to the third story of apartments 24-34.
She led him to apartment 31 and pulled out a key, and then opened the door. "Miki? Miki, I'm home!" She called. Her apartment had three rooms that were separated by doors the bedroom, the bathroom, and the guest room. The kitchen and living room were joined. In the living room there was a sky blue couch, a comfortable looking chair, and a television. Out of nowhere a calico jumped onto her head.
"Oh, Miki, there you are! You had me worried! Go ahead and make your self comfortable, Zel, and I'll make some coffee." Zel nodded and wandered over to the couch. When he got there, he noticed several pictures sitting on a small table. They were of Lina and a few others. The most recent were of Lina, Filia, the girl Sylphiel, and a tall blonde man. All of them were holding a set of figure skates.
Lina walked over with the coffee and noticed Zel's eyes were on her pictures. She smiled and handed him his cup. "That was Christmas last year."
Zel looked up and accepted the coffee. "That girl from the mall is in it." He said as he took a sip.
"Sylphiel is one of my skating friends, the big man, he was my old partner, Gourry Gabrief." Zel nodded in understanding. "We're going to have a similar party this Christmas. I guess this year we're going to have some extras."
Zel looked at her in surprise. "You mean he's not mad at you for getting another partner?"
Lina sat down next to him and set her coffee down. "No, Gourry and I have been friends for years, even before we were partners. He's still my friend, and besides, I gave Syl a chance."
Zel raised an eyebrow. "A chance?"
Lina smiled at her new partner. "Yeah, one, she's wanted to go pairs for a while, two she's had a huge crush on Gourry for a while, and three, It would be a good experience for her." Lina ticked off each reason her figures. Then, the lights went out and it was completely dark.
"Oh, lovely, power out!" Lina called.
"Uh, Lina, why did you do that?"
"Hm? Oh, the walls here are thin, so if you call out, the people next door can hear you. I did it so that they wouldn't freak." Zelgadis nodded. Both of them jumped when a crash of thunder and a bolt of lightning filled the dark sky.
"Oh joy," Zel said in sarcasm.