Chapter 9: Sky's the Limit

A calm day it was with an almost imperceptible breeze making faint ripples in the water, which lapped against the dock, piling with wet, rhythmic slap. Sydney awoke and found herself sleeping in Sky's warm arms.

"Morning Syd."

Sydney stretched out a little before turning to face Sky. "Good morning Sky." A wide smile spread across her face.

Sky looked at her with an affectionate look. "What?"

"It's not every day I get to wake up in the wilderness and especially not in the arms of a handsome guy."

With that, Sky pulled her close to him again and Sydney relented.

"Sky?"

"Hmm?" Sky gave her a questioning look. Oh god, she still has the appealing look even without make-up.

"How I wish," she stopped to look at the sunrise in the horizon and said, "that you can accompany me each day to look at both sunrise and sunset. She cocked her head to get a good look at his face, waiting for an expression or something.

"Syd, you know I'll do anything for you." Sky lowered down his head and kissed her.

"Tonight, Syd, we'll have a most memorable time of our lives. This, I promise you."

"Are you asking me on a date?"

Sky nodded and stood up. He dusted the leaves and sand off his pants at the same time.

"I'll pick you up at seven. Is it a good time?"

"Absolutely."

He put out his hand, "let's get going. The others are probably wondering where we have been all night." And they walked back to the academy hand in hand.

Sydney crept back to hers and Z's quarters hoping not to disturb anyone. It was Saturday and they always slept later than usual. When she stepped into her room, "no Z. Where is she?" she mumbled to herself. "Oh well, never mind, I shall wash up first," and she headed to the bathroom.

When Sydney came out of the bathroom, she saw Z sitting on the edge of her bed admiring something but she was unsure what it was. Out of curiosity, she moved forward for a closer look.

"Hello, Z. What a pretty necklace. Bridge?"

Sydney waved to Z who was still staring at the pendant dreamily.

"Earth to Z. Hello, hello.Earth to Z!"

Z dropped the necklace and looked up abruptly. "You scared me, Syd. Why didn't you call me?" Before she could pick it up, Sydney snatched it from the floor.

"I knew it was from Bridge, am I right?" Sydney waved the necklace, willing her to get it back from her hands.

"Give it back, Syd. We don't want to arm-wrestle here."

Reluctantly, Sydney returned the necklace to her and asked for full details of the day before.

When it was almost four in the late afternoon, Sydney dragged Z to their quarters.

"What's the hurry?" Z asked Sydney.

"I'm going out."

"Why am I not surprise? So ahead, why are you dragging me here?"

"Because I need your opinion."

"On?" Z looked at Sydney inquiringly before adding, "it's not your first date yeah, and so what's the deal?"

Sydney ignored her questioning look and continued to rummage her closet looking and trying on dress and skirts.

"Z, what do you think? Do I look good in this?" Sydney stared at her reflection in the mirror, looking satisfied but still needed a second opinion.

"Look good? You look fantastic. I take back that, you look gorgeous in whatever you wore." Z exclaimed. "The guy's going to do flips. "Who's the lucky man you will be meeting tonight?" Z didn't give up.

Sydney and Z spent one hour exchanging the light of their love on the night before.

"… so Sky and I are going out on a date tonight. And I really want to impress him. There, thus I don't want to wear something too flashy, but with an act of simplicity and elegance."

Z assured her that she looks good, gorgeous in fact and that she needn't worry. She will be tossing heads tonight, as usual.

Bridge looked at Sky practicing his lines again and again in front of the mirror.

"This is for you. My love for you never dies…"

"Uh Sky, what are you doing? You know, I've known you for so long but never a time did I see you walking around, umm, having a changing parade and rehearsing lines before. Tell me about it, you are going out right, who is this girl?" Bridge became more enthusiastic than ever. "Are you going to bring her back to show us any time? Is she from school? What is her name? Which course? What…"

"For starters Bridge, you are not my mum and you aren't a detective either." Sky replied with a tone of annoyance.

Bridge glanced at Sky innocently. "No offence okay, I was just being inquisitive. Besides, I really didn't see you going out on a Saturday before." Bridge shrugged.

"Sorry, I guess I'm just being uptight." Sky decided to be frank with his good friend. "It's Syd actually."

Bridge choked from his water. "What again, Sky? I must have heard wrongly, I thought you said Syd." Bridge smacked his head.

Sky replied dryly, "You heard correctly." He emphasized the heard word strongly.

Bridge wore an incredulous look on his face but recovered quickly. He hit on Sky's back, "way to go bro, you have my support. I'm sure Z would be supportive as well." Bridge mentioned her name with an affectionate tone and expression. But Sky was too busy to notice it.

By seven-fifteen, Syd walked out to meet Sky who was waiting patiently at the foot of the stairs. She once again intrigued him. Tonight, she wore a pink tank top and a pair of white jeans with matching sandals. God, she looks hot, thought Sky.

Sydney smiled happily. She was glad that she had that effect on Sky.

"Are you ready?" Sky asked.

"Ready when you are."

Sky brought her to his metallic navy-blue Porsche. "Wow, Sky, I didn't know you drive a Porsche."

"You do now. But I prefer bike. Shall take you on a spin one day."

"I'm in. What are the highlights of tonight, Sky?"

"You'll see."

With that, they drove off…

Ps. Will be right back... tell me how you feel...