Welcome to Chapter 4 of Can You Fight Fate

italics = thoughts

Chapter Four

Mara's sleep was anything but peaceful. She woke with the sheets wrapped tightly around her. Pushing them off impatiently she rolled over and blearily eyed her clock.

9:30...on a Saturday. Wonderful.

After attempting to return to a peaceful sleeping state, Mara gave up with a groan and pushed back her comforter and swung her legs over the side of the bed, sitting up with a grunt.

Immediately the memory of Reid's lips on hers invaded her brain. The pleasant feeling of his lips embracing hers made Mara pause and close her eyes. I can't believe that actually happened. What now?...

Pushing the thoughts from her mind Mara stumbled to her bathroom to get ready for a leisurely Saturday.

While she wished for an hour long soak in the deep claw-footed tub that stood regally in her bathroom at home, she settled for steaming hot shower. Standing lazily under the spray until the water began to run cold.

As she quickly washed her hair and body her mind slowly turned back to Reid. She knew he was a ladies' man, and clearly not boyfriend material. But why kiss her? Did he want to dater her? Just get in her pants? She didn't know what the next step was supposed to be. I've only ever dated two guys! They asked me out, then kept asking me out, then we were boyfriend and girlfriend, and then we broke up. They never kissed me first! UGH!

Mara abandoned these thoughts as she dried herself furiously. He already had a date set up for tonight, so he probably just kissed me because he's Reid. I'll just forget about it and then he'll forget about it, and it'll be like it never happened.

Mara exited her bathroom and headed for her dresser. Pulling out a set of underwear she put it on then pulled a pair of short gray sweats from another drawer. She finished of her lounging outfit with a Seether t-shirt and sat on the bed to brush out her hair.

Finally combing out all of the tangles she pull it back into a messy braid and reclined on her bed. She spent a few minutes contemplating what to do with her day before leaning over and picking up her remote. After channel surfing for a few miutes she settled on a Buffy rerun and let herself get lost in the fictional world of Sunnydale.

While Mara was busy not thinking about Reid, she was all that Reid could think about. Having slept badly Reid had woken before dawn and headed across campus to the weight room.

After working out for over an hour he changed into his swimsuit and jumped into the pool. Back and forth he swam; focusing only on his breathing and technique. As he saw the suns' rays begin to shine through the windows he pulled himself up onto the side of the pool.

As he sat there his thoughts once again returned to Mara. Frustrated with his inability to get her out of his mind he pushed to his feet and headed to the showers.

Returning to his dorm, Reid found Tyler just getting out of bed.

"Where you been, man?"

"Went for a swim."

"Cool. Got plans for today," tyler asked as he grabbed some clothes and disappeared into the bathroom.

"Date tonight. Suzanne Evans."

"Hot number, whatcha gonna do?"

"Movie probably."

"I see." With this last comment Tyler reentered the room and sat heavily on his bed.

"Something on your mind baby boy?"

"I'm gonna ask Mara out."

"Really?"

"Yes. I mean she's cool, and pretty. She came all this way and jumped into a dangerous situation for strangers. That shows gumption, you know?"

"Yeah. Well you should go for it. If you like her."

"I do. I think I really like her."

"Ok."

Standing abruptly, Tyler mad his way to the door. "I'm gonna do it now. Before I lose my nerve."

"Good plan," Reid responded. Now that Tyler's back was to him he dropped his careless facade and laid back on his bed.

"Yeah. See you later." He tossed back pulling the door closed behind him.

"What part does she play in all this? That's the question."

"Doesn't seem to be playing any part as far as I can tell. You dig up anything about her?"

"Normal kid, far as her school records say. Bit of a loner; does well in her classes; above average amount of absences."

"But will she interfere?"

"I don't see her involving herself, but she could be a tool should we need one."

"Ok. Let's focus on this Chase guy again. He's definitely not in Ipswich, so where is he?"

Tyler knocked nervously on Mara's door. Should I have waited til later? Is she gonna think that I'm desperate? God, that would be-

"Hi Tyler. How's your hand?"

I looked vaguely down at my scratched knuckles. "They're fine. No big deal. I've gotten worse rough-housing with the others."

"Good. So what brings you to my end of the hallway?"

"I- uh. I was wondering if you might like to go somewhere? Sometime?"

"Oh...uh sure. That would be fun."

"Great. So...is Sunday good for you?"

"Sure."

"Awesome. I'll be by Sunday at seven."

"Sounds wonderful."

"Great. So..uh bye."

"Bye."

After watching her close the door I headed back to my room alternating between excitement about our date- I really have to impress her. I almost can't believe she said yes. -and berating myself for sounding like a reject eighth-grader. Uh you wanna go somewhere sometime. Could I be more spastic?

Still, I was going on a date with Mara, a hot, interesting, smart girl. Life at this moment was perfect.

Re-entering my dorm I nearly floated to my bed, collapsing onto it and resting my arms behind my head.

"She said yes I see," commented Reid.

"Yeeaah," I sighed.

"Good for you dude."

In my euphoria I failed to see the sarcasm and Reid's bad mood in general. Instead my mind was fully occupied with finding a way to pull off an awesome date with only two days of prep time and very little knowledge of my date.

Before I sign off, I would just like to thank everyone who reviewed my previous chapters, favorite my story (or me), or put this story on their story alert. You guys are awesome. Next chapter will hopefully be up within two weeks.

Much love,

HallieS