Chapter 5 Hardly a competition

On Friday, I finally started to understand what the coach had been talking about. Paul was proving to be a solid training partner-competing with him constantly pushed me to improve my time, and he always encouraged me. He was acting like a true teammate.

In the locker room, I didn't talk much to Paul, but the others did. I learned that his family had moved here at the beginning of summer, had lived in Japan for a few years before that, and had been in another city before that. No one asked about the girls or his sister, so he didn't mention them.

"So, you're coming with your sister tomorrow?" Brian asked.

"Partly," Paul said. "I also invited Jane, if that's okay with everyone." He glanced at me, but I didn't react.

"No problem," Brian answered for me. "She can come."

"Thanks," Paul smiled, and I quietly left the locker room.

Thanks to training, I arrived early again that day, but Jane was already in the classroom.

"You read really slowly," I remarked as I entered and saw her reading as usual.

"Because someone always keeps talking to me," she sighed with a smile and closed the book. "I see your hair gel shipment arrived," she noted, referring to my styled hair.

"Some spend on gel, some on nerdy books," I retorted, though I realized I had set myself up for an easy comeback.

"Yes, some are superficial, and some are smart," she laughed, which made her look particularly beautiful. I laughed too-her wit was sharp.

Paul and the others trickled in, and biology class began.

At lunchtime, my gaze wandered to the new students. The girls were pestering Paul, but he mostly talked with Jane. They seemed to get along well. After a while, Paul's attention was drawn by the familiar flirty girls from last year, so Jane took out her book and started reading. Occasionally, they exchanged words over the book, and Jane blushed.

"What are you looking at?" Brian asked.

"Just the new students," I said, averting my gaze. "Paul seems pretty cool."

"Competition?" Aaron asked.

"For me?" I asked arrogantly. "Hardly." I grinned. "He just looks like he swims."

My eyes wandered back to them. Jane was reading; Paul was juggling conversations with the girls and still passed his cake to Jane, as usual.

"Do you think they're dating?" Aaron's girlfriend whispered.

"Who?" Daryl asked as he set his tray down.

"The new girl and the Japanese guy," Brian said, glancing at me.

"They already had dinner at her parents' place one evening," Daryl added. "I heard them talking about it in the hallway today."

Brian cautiously looked at me.

"They can do whatever they want as long as they don't mess up my grades," I said dryly, burying myself in my food. But for some reason, I didn't like the thought.

"Uh-huh, I see," Brian said quietly.

--

Friday evening came, and I picked up Shannon in front of her house. She didn't live far-it was a fifteen-minute walk-but by car, we had to cross the bridge, which was a big detour.

"You look great, kitten."

She didn't leave much to the imagination. She wore a low-cut, short red dress, heavy makeup, and a strong perfume that hit my nose immediately.

"Where are you taking me, Pretty Boy?"

"To Tony Burgers."

"Oh no! I thought of something much better. It wasn't worth dressing up like this for that." She started whining.

"Sorry, my allowance only covers this," I replied curtly.

"You probably spend the rest on your other girls."

Strangely enough, I was starting to get fed up-but I didn't show it.

"I don't have other girls. I'm a monogamous type," I said and smirked. I'm monogamous- not that the girls need to know it's a short-term arrangement.

"So I'm your girl?" she asked in a sultry voice.

"We'll see," I smiled mischievously.

I liked the place. The building was bright white with big windows, a counter facing the entrance, and red booths running along both sides. The kitchen opened behind the counter, where Tony usually worked. He was medium height, dark-haired, dark-eyed, about Amber's age. After taking over from his father, he'd made the spot his own, always in his apron and cap. We knew each other-his sister often stopped by to see my dad. I never asked why; it wasn't my business. Still, his family was grateful, and I always got a discount.

"Hey Jay, your booth's free. You've got a gorgeous companion today," he greeted Shannon with a cheerful smile, shaking my hand.

She squealed, covering her mouth with her hand. "Thanks, you're so sweet!"

"Sit down, I'll bring the menu."

We sat down, Shannon next to me, so I put my arm around her shoulder. Since last summer, it hadn't been much of a challenge.

Tony placed the menu card down.

The food wasn't complicated-hot dogs and a hundred kinds of burgers. It was a casual spot for real teens. I'd been here with other girls before-here, I could afford to pay the bill.

"What are you eating?" I asked Shannon, browsing the menu.

I glanced at her and saw she was flipping through the card. Just don't say it, I thought. And then, she spoke.

"I'll have a salad."

I wanted to fall on my sword.

"And you, Pretty Boy?"

"I'll have a Tony's Special burger and a cola."

"Alright," said the waiter, and he left.

"Aren't you afraid of gaining weight? That's pretty unhealthy." Shannon said.

"Sorry, I'll pay more attention next time. But I've had exhausting training sessions."

"Yes, I saw you swimming-you looked good." With that, she leaned in and kissed me.

I had to admit-she didn't waste time.

"Kitten, let me ask you something." I was genuinely curious about her answer.

"Sure, Pretty Boy, anything."

"If you could travel back in time, what would you change?"

"Have they invented time travel? I didn't see it in the news," she said, surprised. I tried to hide my brain's shock and rephrased the question.

"Not yet, but if you could, what would you change?"

"Oh, I know." She thought for a moment. "Last summer, there was a great sale at a store. They had this divine dress-you would have loved it. I hesitated too much, and by the time I decided, it wasn't available in my size. Well, that's what I'd change-I'd buy the dress."

"I see. What kind of dress was it?"

From that point on, I couldn't focus on what she was saying. The difference between her response and Jane's was shocking. I hadn't noticed it before, but since talking to the new girl, this realization hit hard. I nodded, throwing in combinations of "it must have been nice" and "that's good," while waiting for the food to arrive.

It did. The hamburger was divine-meat, bacon, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and two kinds of sauce. I loved it. Shannon, meanwhile, was picking at her salad.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, bored.

"Oh, no, it's just that mayonnaise is very fattening, and I don't want to eat all of it."

"I see."

From that point on, I just wanted to get through the evening. We already had another date planned for tomorrow-hopefully, that one would be better.

After dinner, I drove her home. As soon as I parked, she wasted no time, expertly unbuttoning my pants. In this area, at least, she was good. She knew exactly what to do, and how to do it, to make it satisfying for me. I didn't stop her.

"Tomorrow, my parents won't be here," she said after sitting back. "They're going away for the weekend to look at houses. Maybe you could stay over after the movie." She didn't beat around the bush.

"We'll see. Now go, so you don't get in trouble," I said with a smile.

She kissed me, got out, and walked inside while I headed home. My parents were in the living room watching a movie. Amber came down from her room.

"So, how was it? Is the same girl coming tomorrow?"

"I'll do the dishes if I don't have to bring her home tomorrow," I said, feeling drained.

"Now I'm curious," my sister laughed.

"Hey, Mom," I asked, "at what age do you stop eating salad?"

Mom looked up from the TV, and Dad turned down the volume.

"My son, whoever eats salad now will continue to do so later. Find someone who chooses differently," Dad said meaningfully. It was clear he understood the true essence of my question.

"I don't think such a person exists. I have a good eye-I would notice something like that."

"Change your perspective," he said, patting my shoulder before heading upstairs.

"Good night, kids," Mom said, stepping over to give me and Amber a kiss.

"I'm already looking forward to tomorrow," Amber winked before heading up the stairs.

I was left alone, quickly got ready, and collapsed into bed. My thoughts drifted to the new girl. She was a strange one-whatever topic I brought up, she always had a more intelligent response than any of my previous girlfriends, though sometimes she thought she was too smart.

Anyway, she was just a nerd.

I had a feeling tomorrow would be a long day.