Chapter #22Prepping a Preppy by: rugal b.   You realize right away that anything involving Andrea is beyond absurd. If you were worried about how Yumi and Chen would look, imagine what people would think if Yumi was suddenly into girls. Besides, Yumi shares no classes with Andrea, doesn't talk to her and doesn't talk to the people who are generally part of her social circle, so how on earth would you even get her? Going after another couple or Jenny is fraught with its own problems. Chelsea seemed annoyed when you'd initially rejected Chen as an option so trying to change it up on her even more might really set her off.
So that leaves the two guys who made your list and of them, Patrick Currier is the easier get, seeing as he's right here in the orchestra room with you and all. So during a break in practice, you send a text off to Chelsea telling her of your decision. But you also tell her that you've got masks that need polishing. You were able to make up a couple -- as well as some bands -- while you and your double were working last night but unfortunately you lacked the time to polish them.
how long? she asks.
idk maybe some time in evening, you respond. i also have to get patrick on board.
She tells you instead to bring the masks by the loft after school and that she'll have Gordon do it while you "do your thing", whatever that is, and tell you when they're ready. You agree put your phone back as Eva grabs your attention.
"Who was that?" she asks.
You give her the stink eye. "It was my cousin who goes to Eastman, not Chelsea," you grumble.
"Sorry, Yumi. I wasn't trying to imply--"
But you simply cut her off with a frustrated sigh. "Yeah, I know, it's just... this whole business with Chelsea has me so mindfucked," you complain. "First she tries to be nice to me, then she's giving me the business."
"Maybe she's bipolar," Eva dryly observers.
"She's definitely crazy," you retort. "And maybe her bullshit the last couple of days has made me crazy, because I think I'm going to do something I don't think I would've done otherwise."
"What are you talking about?" she asks.
You simply give her a confident, knowing smile. "It's what I was trying to get some reassurance from Dana about," you tell her. "But I think I'll keep it a surprise for the end of class."
Mrs. Heinz calls an end to practice about ten minutes before the bell in order to allow everyone to put away their instruments. Though as expected of a group of teenagers, even ones as relatively well behaved as the orchestra, the time is mostly used for chatting and mingling. You chit-chat with Eva as you put away your own viola and you notice Chen casting you lustful, and expectant, looks but you ignore him. Instead, you tell Eva that you'll be back but that she should watch you and make your way over to Patrick, who's talking with Brent Pruitt.
Patrick Currier is a preppy country club guy who looks the part. He's clean cut with close cropped hair that he styles with gel and hairspray. He wears polos and slacks from brands that you yourself could never afford. His face, on one hand, has a smug quality to it yet it's (in Yumi's opinion) boyishly cute and that image it projects is betrayed by soft hazel eyes.
It's those eyes that drew Yumi's attention and helped form the belief that there was a kind, sensitive man beneath the swaggering country club facade, reinforced by the few times the two of them have talked.
"Patrick?" you call out and are surprised by how softly your voice comes out, like it's catching in your throat. Your palms feel clammy and when Patrick turns to face you, you feel your chest thumping, though you press on. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Patrick and Brent exchange looks and Brent gives his companion a nod. "I'll catch up with you later," he says before walking off.
"So, what'd you want?" asks Patrick.
You pause for a moment which seems to catch his attention. "Sorry," you mutter, "things have just been weird for me the last couple of days."
"Nathan said you were looking pretty bad in fourth," he states.
"Ugh, yeah, I know. It's just..." Again, you pause and draw in a breath. "Do you want to get together this afternoon?"
He cocks an eyebrow. "Just the two of us?"
You nod. "Just something casual. Um, maybe Milagro?"
You look at him with pleading-yet-hopeful eyes and that seems to quickly break him down. "Sure, that'd be nice," he says.
"Thanks!" you exclaim and excitedly clasp his hand inbetween both of yours. "I really appreciate it! Oh, uh, but let me get your number first. I've got some errands I have to run but I can text you when I'm ready."
You make your way back over to Eva who's looking at you in complete shock. With a smile, you plainly state to her, "I have a date."
* * * * *
You drop by the elementary school basement and grab the masks, as well as the bands you'd made last night, and any other material that's needed. You then stop back by the school and head up to the loft where Chelsea and Gordon are waiting.
"Patrick Currier?" she asks as you hand the stuff to her.
"He's a good choice, right?"
"I think he's on the outs with Kelsey and her crew but," she pauses as she passes it along to Gordon and tells him to get to work. "I can work with that, though. But are you going to be able to keep him busy until we're done?"
"I don't think it'll be too hard," you tell her. "Do you want me to bring him by here when you're ready?"
"If you can think of a good enough reason. I'd like to get it done soon and this is probably the safest place for us to meet."
"Then that's what I'll do," you assure her.
"Great!" she exclaims. However, her expression soon turns mischievous. "So, is he the kind of guy that's acceptable to Yumi?"
* * * * *
Patrick is, in fact, very acceptable to Yumi. She took an interest in him at the beginning of the year when his attitude seemed to change and since then, from their interactions, she's built up a version of him in her head that she likes. Someone whose confident swagger belies a sensitivity. It's probably the eyes, sighs a stray Yumi thought. Yumi generally never talks about her love life but she is certainly interest in guys. Cody Schaefer is easily at the top of that list but if he's 1a, then Patrick would be 1b.
"So, is this a date?" asks Patrick. He takes a sip of his coffee and then gives you a small smirk that's both friendly and confident.
"A date is a more formal thing. This is just a casual get together," you tell him.
"Casual's good," he says. "You know a lot about dating?"
"I've never even had a boyfriend," you answer. "What about you?"
"I did for a little bit last year," he replies. "It ended right before summer."
You cover your mouth. "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to dredge up bad memories!"
But Patrick just smiles and shakes his head. "No, it's fine. It was months ago. Besides, it wasn't that serious,"just Brent setting me up with his cousin because he thought we'd be good together," he tells you. "Nice enough girl, but she's a swimmer over at Eastman so between her team and my orchestra stuff and the different schools it just didn't work out."
"I have cousins who go to Eastman, maybe they know her," you say.
"Probably but like I said, I'm over it," he says. You can't help but to thrill a bit as he reaches a hand over the table and gently takes yours in it. "I'm more interested in the girl sitting across from me now."
Oh god! Yumi's emotions are in overdrive and so you want to melt at that when a text from Chelsea comes in telling you the stuff is ready. It's been about an hour and a half since you dropped off the stuff and an hour since you first arrived at Milagro. The flirting between the two of you has been frequent and heavy and more and more, her feelings are pushing you and prodding you and you find yourself being charmed by him.
Which is maybe why you tell him that you've been given permission to use the loft up above the school gym for the evening and suggest that the two of you "step it up a bit".
* * * * *
Chelsea and Gordon -- the duplicates of them at least -- are gone. It's just you and a sleeping, nude Patrick up in the loft. While not an athlete, he keeps himself in good shape and you can't help but to run slim fingers of a smooth body with just the nicest hints of muscle definition. You caress his chest and his stomach and you have to fight all the urges in your head to move your hands just a little bit lower. Instead, you sit back and watch him until his eyes flutter open.
You watch as he groggily pushes himself up into a sitting position and shakes the cobwebs out. Then he turns those soft hazel eyes on you. Again, you feel the part of your head that's Yumi become giddy. Your heartbeat quickens. You reach out a hand and stroke his cheek.
"Will?" he asks.
But you don't answer. You give into the pressure being exuded on you, pull yourself in close, and kiss your partner. You have the following choice: 1. Continue |
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