Chapter 2: Lance's date
The concert that Lance and Kristen were going to was taking place at a large field in the outskirts of the city. The short grass in the field provided a comfortable sitting space. Skyscrapers could be seen in the horizon, seeming to tower above the stage even though they were far off. Most people were sitting on blankets and chairs they brought from home.
"We'll just sit on the grass," Lance told Kristen.
So they lay on the grass, side by side. A few minutes later, Night Raid showed up. Their songs were actually pretty good. Kristen seemed to cheer every time they paused between songs. Kristen inched closer to Lance. He let her. He tried paying attention to the lyrics of the songs the band was singing, but it was difficult because so many people who had already shown up before them were in front of them, blocking out the words. So instead he just held Kristen's hand and listened to the music.
The two of them finally started talking at an intermission between songs. The lead singer had strained his voice from screaming too loud-actually a common occurrence.
"I heard from some people at school that you can play guitar. Is that true?" asked Kristen.
"I don't mean to brag, but I'm actually pretty good. Sorry I forgot to tell you on your first date. By the way, remember that band, Disenfranchised?" Lance asked.
"Yeah. I didn't go to their concert because I thought it would suck, as usual, but I heard everyone liked it. It had something to do with a new band member, I think?"
"That new band member was me," Lance replied proudly.
"You?"
"Yep. But for some weird reason, they kicked me out after the concert."
"Whoa. That totally sucks," she replied. "So I guess you're a one-hit wonder, huh?" she said, chuckling at her own joke.
"Yeah, but it's okay. I'm not trying to be famous; it's just that playing music is fun for me," Lance replied.
"Could you...write me a song and play it for me sometime?" Kristen asked.
"It's not that simple, but I could take a crack at it," he said. "But it would have to be just for you."
They sat in silence for a while as the band started playing another, more quiet song. Kristen spoke up. "You know, sometimes you seem like the perfect guy for me."
"What do you mean?" Lance asked.
"Well, it seems like, after several awful boyfriends, you just show up, out of the blue," she explained. "It's like someone wanted us to be together, so they placed you right here in Sherman, just for me. It seems like we were made for each other you know? I mean, we have the same mindsets and personalities, and we haven't argued or disagreed on anything yet. I know it sounds so clichéd, but I think we were a match made in heaven. I know we've only known each other for a little while, but...I think love you, Lance," she said.
Lance did NOT see that coming. They had only been on a few dates. He already knew she liked him, but love was something entirely. He knew that he would have to say that he loved her back, but was he sure if he meant it? He didn't know. There was no real answer. He liked Kristen, but love was something different.
"And I..." he hesitated. "Well, I...um...love you too," he said, trying to hide the anxiety he had with his feelings for her.
"Great," said Kristen. She gripped his hand. Suddenly, she leaned over and kissed him on the lips. Her lips pressed against his for a little longer than necessary. She finally drew back after what seemed like an eternity to Lance.
Lance was amazed. That was his first kiss, ever! It felt amazing, having this girl's soft lips press against his own. He wanted to do it again. So he leaned over and kissed his girlfriend again. This time, he could give her some affection like she had given him. When they drew back, Kristen said, "Wow. You're a great kisser."
"You, too," said Lance.
After all that kissing, they just wanted to sit in silence. They both had butterflies in their stomachs. After their heartbeats slowed down Kristen got up. "I have to go the bathroom," she said. There were a few port-o-potties left over from the concert behind the stage.
"Be careful," Lance jokingly warned her. "Those things are usually disgusting. I can't have you die because you got so grossed out."
"Don't worry, I think I'll live," Kristen replied jokingly. "If you drive away while I'm gone..."
"Now why would I do that to my favorite girl?" asked Lance flirtatiously.
When Kristen left, Lance walked beyond the field. He chuckled, remembering that Octus was usually the one who made some up sort of "bathroom" excuse whenever he had to leave. Kristen had nothing to hide, unlike him. Maybe they were meant to be. He started walking away from the stage. Eventually he arrived at the nearby hill that overlooked a city. It was blanketed with thousands of stars. Lance was beginning to love this planet. He almost felt like he belonged here. He wished he could stay here forever, in this beautiful planet, with Ilana and Octus. Here there was no stress, or dangerous bullies like Baron. Whenever trouble came, he could just beat it back with Titan. They didn't really have any worries here, the three of them. But then he looked at the night sky. Just one small white moon, not three large ones like on Galaluna. When he thought of home world, he remembered all the people he left behind, helplessly facing the Mutradi alone. As much as he wanted to stay here, he knew he would have to go home eventually. But what would be waiting for him there? Just tears, destruction, war, and death. What he wanted more than anything was to pretend that he had always lived on Earth. He wanted to be here, with Kristen, forever. But he knew that that could never be. Would he ever be able to tell her who he really was...?
No. It didn't matter right now. At that moment, Lance felt like his past and future didn't matter. Right now, he just wanted to enjoy the fact that, for once in his life, he could relax and feel like a normal Earth teenager. It really wasn't that bad at all. As he and Kristen met back up and got ready to go back home, Lance kissed her once again as they got in the car.
"What was that for?" Kristen asked.
"Thanks," Lance said. "This has been the best night of my life," he said. "Because it's been the most normal," he said under his breath. He tried to remember the last time he had enjoyed something like this. Then he realized:
The last time he had felt this way, normal and carefree, had been when he danced with Ilana in the empty gym...what did it mean?
