Chapter 2: Getting Acquainted
"You wanna take me school supply shopping when I get back tomorrow? I remember we used to do that in like 4th grade," Chastity was talking to Ken as she packed up her suitcases. The Tse family was on vacation in New York, and Chastity would be getting home a few days before school started. Having left shortly after the dinner at the Bay Café, she still hadn't built any new friendships.
"Sure, but only if you agree to come to Shelly's end of year party tomorrow night."
"Have I ever turned down a party invite, Ken? Besides, I like Shelly. She seems really sweet," Chastity replied.
"You girls are so predictable. Shelly said the same thing about you. Sweet is getting to be such a generic term," Ken scoffed.
"Whatever Ken. It's the same thing when guys say a girl is nice. It means she's probably a good person, but she doesn't have the ass to be worth the effort," Chastity retorted.
"Point taken. Well Chastity, I hope you have a nice flight. I'll pick you up around 2 tomorrow. It'll be such a nice day."
~
"So what are the teachers like? Strict? Boring?" Chastity and Ken roamed up and down the aisles of Wal-Mart occasionally throwing an item in the shopping cart.
"They're alright. You know Shelly's dad is the headmaster right? A lot of it depends on who you are, who you know, and what grades you make. That's not much different from what you're used to."
"Yeah, I guess. You want a pack of these pens?" Chastity held up a package for Ken to see.
"Sure. Is that it? Wanna get some lunch now? I'm perished," Ken pushed the cart into a checkout line and leaned against it.
"That'll be 68.52," the girl at the checkout said quietly. Chastity noticed how this girl who was probably the same age as her was eyeing Ken nervously. Ken took no notice of the girl and carelessly handed her the cash. As they walked through the parking lot Chastity couldn't help but giggle, "O god Ken, didn't you notice how that girl was practically drooling over you?"
"What girl?" Ken asked innocently.
"O Ken, I couldn't bear the thought of you shunning me like that. How could you be so cold?" Chastity clung to the sleeve of his shirt, placed a hand to her forehead and pretended to feel faint.
"Chastity, darling, I could never neglect you. I'd never hear the end of it if I did. Now are you trying to ruin my new Paul Smith?" Ken swung his arm over Chastity shoulder's affectionately.
"If I didn't know you better, your obsession with your image would give off that gay vibe," Chastity teased before running off ahead of him. She turned and shouted back to him, "Hurry up! Or I won't treat you to lunch!"
~
"Sup Ken."
"Hey Ken!"
"Ken!! It's about time!" Having just walked into Shelly's house Ken was immediately bombarded by friends. He took care to hold Chastity's hand tightly so she wouldn't get lost in the crowd.
"Hey anyone seen Vanness?" Ken asked a group of girls cluttered near the stairs.
"Hey Ken! Yeah he's out back by the pool."
"Thanks Melissa, where's your Matt?" Ken asked as he turned to leave.
"We broke up. Why don't you and I go out sometime?" Melissa suggested coyly. Ken just smiled but held Chastity's hand up higher so that Melissa could see they were together.
"Ken what was that all about?" Chastity asked the boy who was dragging her towards the back of the house.
"Ugh. That Melissa has been trying to get with me for years now. She's vicious. Stay clear of her little posse of tramps," Ken said disgustedly. They had finally shoved through to the back patio, a large and spacious addition to the house that sheltered the indoor pool. Shelly's massive home was impressive, and Chastity wondered how she could bear to have all these people stomping around in it. Ken spotted Vanness quickly, or rather once the throng of girls cleared off him, he was easier to see.
"Ken, you've been getting in the habit of being fashionably late. Could this pretty thing be the reason? Cause if so I wonder why you bother showing up at all!" Vanness grinned and approached his friend.
"Hey Chastity, how was your vacation? We missed you! Here barely a week and you're already off trotting the globe huh?" Vanness reached over to give her a quick peck on the cheek.
"I could only take so much of your greatness at one time," Chastity winked.
"Is that Ken? And Chastity?!" A sudden shrill cry announced Shelly's arrival in the room. She embraced them both tightly and stood back to look at Chastity.
"Great outfit Chas! Remind me to raid your closet sometime." Shelly beamed at her. The guys had to agree, it really was a flattering dress that Chastity had on. The solid white cotton halter dress hugged her figure snuggly and was embroidered with flowers all around the hem, and the ties of her floral blue bikini peeked though.
"It's great that you're here. I can finally introduce you to Kiki. Don't move, I'll be right back," Shelly darted back into the house to find her best friend.
"So Kiki's finally back from Europe huh," Vanness commented. Ken's face was expressionless, and he suddenly thought of something.
"Where's Jerry?" he asked Vanness.
"Jerry.is probably shooting pool in the rec room. Have you introduced Chastity to him yet?" Vanness inquired.
"Nope. I'm going to after Kiki gets here." With perfect timing, Shelly waltzed in with another petite girl in tow. Kiki was so obviously different from Shelly. She looked almost uncomfortable being rushed into the pool area. Chastity noted that Kiki was avoiding making eye contact.
"Kiki, this is Chastity. Chastity this is Kiki." Shelly made the introductions short and simple.
"It's nice to finally meet you Chastity. Shelly's been going on about you."
"Yeah same here. I heard you were in Europe?" Chastity inquired.
"O it was just a little vacation," Kiki smiled. Noticing the two guys behind Chastity, she added, "Hey Vanness, Ken. Have a good summer?"
"Better now that you're back!" Vanness laughed, giving her the usual kiss on the cheek, and Ken did the same.
"Only you two? Where are the other two brat boys?" Shelly asked Ken.
"Who are the brat boys?" Chastity assumed these two were the same Tweedle twins mentioned at the last gathering.
"So you haven't met all of the infamous 4 huh? What, Ken, you're afraid of more competition?" Shelly teased lightly.
"The other two, Vic and Jerry, are our good friends. They weren't at the Bay Café last time," Ken mentioned brusquely.
"Good friends? No, it's more like the four of you are attached at the hips," Shelly corrected.
"Come on then, let's go find them," Vanness sighed.
~
"Aww come on! Do I really have to drink that?" A guy whined in the rec room. He was pointing toward a glass of orange tinted liquid.
"You shouldn't have lost then! Drink up!" A tall and devastatingly handsome guy replied snidely. He ran a hand through his floppy hair and nodded when he saw Vanness and Ken.
"About time. Where've you two been?"
"There are still people willing to play pool with you? What is that? Tabasco something?" Ken laughed as he moved over to greet his friend.
"Jerry if he spits up on my carpet who's going to clean it?" Shelly slid next to the guy leaning on the pool table and crossed her arms.
"Relax Shell, he'll clean it. Hey Kiki, back from Europe?" He smiled at Kiki who was backed against the doorframe.
"Jerry allow me to introduce Chastity. She's new in town," Vanness gestured to Chastity who was surveying the spacious rec room. She hadn't heard her name mentioned but turned in time to catch Jerry's next remark.
"Chastity huh? Meaning purity? Oo and wearing white too. Maybe we should call her Mary," Jerry smirked.
"Jerry means...holy doesn't it? So your parents must have known you'd have this holier-than-thou arrogance," Chastity's reply was acidic. She hated when guys made cracks at her name. She'd heard the Mary and virgin jokes too often. Chastity was usually really open minded about people, but Jerry hadn't given her the greatest first impression.
"Ouch. Why don't we try this again. Jerry meet Chastity. Chastity this is Jerry," Shelly reconciled.
"It's nice to meet you Jerry," Chastity was going to be graceful about this and spoke up first.
"Yes. I'm pleased to meet you too." Jerry locked his eyes on Chastity's, and they simply stood staring at each other until Ken spoke up.
"Jerry have you seen Vic? What's he been up to lately? He's never home."
"O who knows. I think he's been pulling longer shifts at the studio. I haven't seen him all week," Jerry responded, not taking his eyes off Chastity.
"Chastity, what's your last name?" he asked suddenly.
"Tse. Why?" Chastity couldn't think of any reason that would interest him.
"Chastity Tse. The Chastity Tse who won the West Coast Invitational? The Chastity Tse who was a top contender for Nationals but suddenly dropped out?" Jerry was asking about debate of course, and his friends weren't surprised he knew so much about his competition. Jerry was serious about his studies and a maniac about debate. This guy did everything and did it well. He would never admit it, but Chastity was the one competitor he respected and looked forward to facing. He was incredibly curious as to why she dropped out of the national meet so suddenly.
"I expect you're Jerry Yen then. This year's national champ?" Chastity remembered seeing his picture in the papers and commented to herself how much cuter he was in person.
"It's a pity you didn't make it to D.C. The whole thing would probably have been much more enjoyable. Did you get sick?" Jerry was being sincere.
"Yeah, something like that."
Off to the side, Vanness's cell phone sounded loudly. "Hello? Vic? We're all at Shelly's. You coming?" Vanness tucked his cell phone back in his jeans and announced to the group that Vic was going to be busy all night. Shelly whined in disappointment, but she decided to force everyone to go for a swim. With one arm linked in Chastity's and the other hooked with Kiki, the three girls sauntered ahead of the three boys. Chastity had just slipped her dress off and immediately the cat calls started. She smiled and faked a little gasp, putting a hand to her mouth. It wasn't but two seconds later that Ken ran and grabbed her, taking her into the pool with him. She punched him once she surfaced, so he tackled her back into the water. Jerry, Vanness, Kiki, and Shelly were having just as much fun playing around in the pool. Chastity and Ken were engaged in a heated splash fight, and she kept backing up slowly. She giggled as she sent a wave at Ken, but she had backed into something, or someone. Jerry held her elbows to keep her from falling back anymore, and when Chastity turned to see who it was she had run into, her eyes met his again. With water dripping from his loose hair and down his broad chest, he was absolutely devastating, and a slow blush crept up Chastity's face.
Quick update, I know. I'm just so eager to get this story moving. Please review.
"You wanna take me school supply shopping when I get back tomorrow? I remember we used to do that in like 4th grade," Chastity was talking to Ken as she packed up her suitcases. The Tse family was on vacation in New York, and Chastity would be getting home a few days before school started. Having left shortly after the dinner at the Bay Café, she still hadn't built any new friendships.
"Sure, but only if you agree to come to Shelly's end of year party tomorrow night."
"Have I ever turned down a party invite, Ken? Besides, I like Shelly. She seems really sweet," Chastity replied.
"You girls are so predictable. Shelly said the same thing about you. Sweet is getting to be such a generic term," Ken scoffed.
"Whatever Ken. It's the same thing when guys say a girl is nice. It means she's probably a good person, but she doesn't have the ass to be worth the effort," Chastity retorted.
"Point taken. Well Chastity, I hope you have a nice flight. I'll pick you up around 2 tomorrow. It'll be such a nice day."
~
"So what are the teachers like? Strict? Boring?" Chastity and Ken roamed up and down the aisles of Wal-Mart occasionally throwing an item in the shopping cart.
"They're alright. You know Shelly's dad is the headmaster right? A lot of it depends on who you are, who you know, and what grades you make. That's not much different from what you're used to."
"Yeah, I guess. You want a pack of these pens?" Chastity held up a package for Ken to see.
"Sure. Is that it? Wanna get some lunch now? I'm perished," Ken pushed the cart into a checkout line and leaned against it.
"That'll be 68.52," the girl at the checkout said quietly. Chastity noticed how this girl who was probably the same age as her was eyeing Ken nervously. Ken took no notice of the girl and carelessly handed her the cash. As they walked through the parking lot Chastity couldn't help but giggle, "O god Ken, didn't you notice how that girl was practically drooling over you?"
"What girl?" Ken asked innocently.
"O Ken, I couldn't bear the thought of you shunning me like that. How could you be so cold?" Chastity clung to the sleeve of his shirt, placed a hand to her forehead and pretended to feel faint.
"Chastity, darling, I could never neglect you. I'd never hear the end of it if I did. Now are you trying to ruin my new Paul Smith?" Ken swung his arm over Chastity shoulder's affectionately.
"If I didn't know you better, your obsession with your image would give off that gay vibe," Chastity teased before running off ahead of him. She turned and shouted back to him, "Hurry up! Or I won't treat you to lunch!"
~
"Sup Ken."
"Hey Ken!"
"Ken!! It's about time!" Having just walked into Shelly's house Ken was immediately bombarded by friends. He took care to hold Chastity's hand tightly so she wouldn't get lost in the crowd.
"Hey anyone seen Vanness?" Ken asked a group of girls cluttered near the stairs.
"Hey Ken! Yeah he's out back by the pool."
"Thanks Melissa, where's your Matt?" Ken asked as he turned to leave.
"We broke up. Why don't you and I go out sometime?" Melissa suggested coyly. Ken just smiled but held Chastity's hand up higher so that Melissa could see they were together.
"Ken what was that all about?" Chastity asked the boy who was dragging her towards the back of the house.
"Ugh. That Melissa has been trying to get with me for years now. She's vicious. Stay clear of her little posse of tramps," Ken said disgustedly. They had finally shoved through to the back patio, a large and spacious addition to the house that sheltered the indoor pool. Shelly's massive home was impressive, and Chastity wondered how she could bear to have all these people stomping around in it. Ken spotted Vanness quickly, or rather once the throng of girls cleared off him, he was easier to see.
"Ken, you've been getting in the habit of being fashionably late. Could this pretty thing be the reason? Cause if so I wonder why you bother showing up at all!" Vanness grinned and approached his friend.
"Hey Chastity, how was your vacation? We missed you! Here barely a week and you're already off trotting the globe huh?" Vanness reached over to give her a quick peck on the cheek.
"I could only take so much of your greatness at one time," Chastity winked.
"Is that Ken? And Chastity?!" A sudden shrill cry announced Shelly's arrival in the room. She embraced them both tightly and stood back to look at Chastity.
"Great outfit Chas! Remind me to raid your closet sometime." Shelly beamed at her. The guys had to agree, it really was a flattering dress that Chastity had on. The solid white cotton halter dress hugged her figure snuggly and was embroidered with flowers all around the hem, and the ties of her floral blue bikini peeked though.
"It's great that you're here. I can finally introduce you to Kiki. Don't move, I'll be right back," Shelly darted back into the house to find her best friend.
"So Kiki's finally back from Europe huh," Vanness commented. Ken's face was expressionless, and he suddenly thought of something.
"Where's Jerry?" he asked Vanness.
"Jerry.is probably shooting pool in the rec room. Have you introduced Chastity to him yet?" Vanness inquired.
"Nope. I'm going to after Kiki gets here." With perfect timing, Shelly waltzed in with another petite girl in tow. Kiki was so obviously different from Shelly. She looked almost uncomfortable being rushed into the pool area. Chastity noted that Kiki was avoiding making eye contact.
"Kiki, this is Chastity. Chastity this is Kiki." Shelly made the introductions short and simple.
"It's nice to finally meet you Chastity. Shelly's been going on about you."
"Yeah same here. I heard you were in Europe?" Chastity inquired.
"O it was just a little vacation," Kiki smiled. Noticing the two guys behind Chastity, she added, "Hey Vanness, Ken. Have a good summer?"
"Better now that you're back!" Vanness laughed, giving her the usual kiss on the cheek, and Ken did the same.
"Only you two? Where are the other two brat boys?" Shelly asked Ken.
"Who are the brat boys?" Chastity assumed these two were the same Tweedle twins mentioned at the last gathering.
"So you haven't met all of the infamous 4 huh? What, Ken, you're afraid of more competition?" Shelly teased lightly.
"The other two, Vic and Jerry, are our good friends. They weren't at the Bay Café last time," Ken mentioned brusquely.
"Good friends? No, it's more like the four of you are attached at the hips," Shelly corrected.
"Come on then, let's go find them," Vanness sighed.
~
"Aww come on! Do I really have to drink that?" A guy whined in the rec room. He was pointing toward a glass of orange tinted liquid.
"You shouldn't have lost then! Drink up!" A tall and devastatingly handsome guy replied snidely. He ran a hand through his floppy hair and nodded when he saw Vanness and Ken.
"About time. Where've you two been?"
"There are still people willing to play pool with you? What is that? Tabasco something?" Ken laughed as he moved over to greet his friend.
"Jerry if he spits up on my carpet who's going to clean it?" Shelly slid next to the guy leaning on the pool table and crossed her arms.
"Relax Shell, he'll clean it. Hey Kiki, back from Europe?" He smiled at Kiki who was backed against the doorframe.
"Jerry allow me to introduce Chastity. She's new in town," Vanness gestured to Chastity who was surveying the spacious rec room. She hadn't heard her name mentioned but turned in time to catch Jerry's next remark.
"Chastity huh? Meaning purity? Oo and wearing white too. Maybe we should call her Mary," Jerry smirked.
"Jerry means...holy doesn't it? So your parents must have known you'd have this holier-than-thou arrogance," Chastity's reply was acidic. She hated when guys made cracks at her name. She'd heard the Mary and virgin jokes too often. Chastity was usually really open minded about people, but Jerry hadn't given her the greatest first impression.
"Ouch. Why don't we try this again. Jerry meet Chastity. Chastity this is Jerry," Shelly reconciled.
"It's nice to meet you Jerry," Chastity was going to be graceful about this and spoke up first.
"Yes. I'm pleased to meet you too." Jerry locked his eyes on Chastity's, and they simply stood staring at each other until Ken spoke up.
"Jerry have you seen Vic? What's he been up to lately? He's never home."
"O who knows. I think he's been pulling longer shifts at the studio. I haven't seen him all week," Jerry responded, not taking his eyes off Chastity.
"Chastity, what's your last name?" he asked suddenly.
"Tse. Why?" Chastity couldn't think of any reason that would interest him.
"Chastity Tse. The Chastity Tse who won the West Coast Invitational? The Chastity Tse who was a top contender for Nationals but suddenly dropped out?" Jerry was asking about debate of course, and his friends weren't surprised he knew so much about his competition. Jerry was serious about his studies and a maniac about debate. This guy did everything and did it well. He would never admit it, but Chastity was the one competitor he respected and looked forward to facing. He was incredibly curious as to why she dropped out of the national meet so suddenly.
"I expect you're Jerry Yen then. This year's national champ?" Chastity remembered seeing his picture in the papers and commented to herself how much cuter he was in person.
"It's a pity you didn't make it to D.C. The whole thing would probably have been much more enjoyable. Did you get sick?" Jerry was being sincere.
"Yeah, something like that."
Off to the side, Vanness's cell phone sounded loudly. "Hello? Vic? We're all at Shelly's. You coming?" Vanness tucked his cell phone back in his jeans and announced to the group that Vic was going to be busy all night. Shelly whined in disappointment, but she decided to force everyone to go for a swim. With one arm linked in Chastity's and the other hooked with Kiki, the three girls sauntered ahead of the three boys. Chastity had just slipped her dress off and immediately the cat calls started. She smiled and faked a little gasp, putting a hand to her mouth. It wasn't but two seconds later that Ken ran and grabbed her, taking her into the pool with him. She punched him once she surfaced, so he tackled her back into the water. Jerry, Vanness, Kiki, and Shelly were having just as much fun playing around in the pool. Chastity and Ken were engaged in a heated splash fight, and she kept backing up slowly. She giggled as she sent a wave at Ken, but she had backed into something, or someone. Jerry held her elbows to keep her from falling back anymore, and when Chastity turned to see who it was she had run into, her eyes met his again. With water dripping from his loose hair and down his broad chest, he was absolutely devastating, and a slow blush crept up Chastity's face.
Quick update, I know. I'm just so eager to get this story moving. Please review.