Feb. 2,1981 Sitting down, studying my new schedule for the final term in 1E17, I am in disbelief. "Metal Eurgy 1st and 2nd period period on Mondays and Tuesdays; Swimming 1st, 2nd Wednesdays, 3rd and 4th Monday Tuesday Thursday, Friday; Physics 8th Period-switching with 7th period English on Thursdays, and AP Math on 6th Period? Who writes up this crazy schedule? 0- Period Hygene?!!?", I think to myself. Most of the other seniors were talking about what they're going to do in June, my concerns were about the next hour, let alone the rest of my life after graduation. Bell Rings, time to aquaint ourselves with our new teachers and class rooms. I do not think that I can get used to this routine. As the others get going through the prefect's door, I linger behind thinking of my options. Evadney and Sandra came in, Evadney from behind grabs me and hugs me a little too tight for my comfort. Sandra approaches to my front, placing a hand to my chest. "Where's my favorite white-boy", as she coes at me, placing the side of her head on my chest. Evadney puts a hand on her head and pushes her away. "Go get your own white-boy, Fernando's mine.", as Evadney pulls me back into my chair. "I'm not white...", I complain, but Evadney quickly muffles my mouth with her hand. Stu, finally leaves the room after confering with Mr Akst about his schedule. He stops by my desk and looks down at me, imprisoned in Evadney's arms, and saids, "...and you call this problem? I wish I had your problems Fer...." and continues his way out the door. Mr Akst just looks at us sternly and leaves the room, saying something about not being late for the next period's class. The girls giggled, which usually meant that I was heading for trouble. Evadney finally lets me go, "you know, we only do this to keep your reputation dirty..." "Thats fine, but I wish you guys wouldn't carry on like so...", complaining as I head to the door. "But we must, we all know about your ravenous sex-appitite you have, my dear Fernando.", she continues playfully out the door as I hold it open for her. "I don't know why we all fall for you... but I prefer Ronny, myself.", Sandra continues out the door. Leaving last, I close the door behind me. Only to have the girls block my way out the doorway. "You better watch yourself, lover...", as Evadney pokes a finger into my chest, "...we heard a rumour that your girlfriend is pregnant again." "...and its not yours... again", Sandra added. "You will not marry her, despite what your latino pride and honor tells you..., Evadney continues, "I won't let you..." "Or I...", Sandra added. "Nor I...", a third voice enters from around the corner of the 3 floor center section. It was Denise with Jaunita (Gloria), "...or Jaunita, or Won-won, or Cecil, or Raul, or John-jon, Kevin, any of the other short-fellows..." "....guys, I have to go to see if my credits from night school have been transfered...", trying to squeeze between Evadney and Sandra. Instead, Denise blocks my path. "Can we at least go to the office?", I asked. "36976?", Evadney asked, "I'll get the information for you by 8th period today." "But if they don't, I have to give them this...", pulling out a sealed envelope from my bookbag, "Its, a copy of my nightschool transcript." Evadney snatches the envelope from me and after quickly folding it, stuffs it down her shirt. I tried to reach for it, but she jumps away clutching at her breasts. "That is all you ever think about- sex, sex, sex! But that will all change when our baby is born!", yelling at me as she continues to back away towards the center stairway door. Sandra stood in front of me, almost challenging me to get by her. As soon as Evadney backs herself onto the door, Sandra slaps me across the face, while making a comment about men. The center stairway door slowly swings closed, with Evadney nowhere in sight. Sandra quickly follow suit with the same disappearing act. "How could you!", Denise slaps me as she walks by, without a pause in her step, "First Cathy, and now Evadney..." She continues her way through the center stairway doors. Jaunita(Gloria) waited behind until the others have gone. "Things will be alright...", she stated softly wanting to get closer to comfort me. The red-glow in my eyes kept her from getting any closer, but the tears that was forming, told her that for the time being I would not going to rip her lovely little head off her pretty little neck. Doing the man-thing of holding tight of one's emotion can be the hardest thing to do. So I close my eyes as tight as I can, taking a deep breath, I hold it in. "Gutich?...", as she gets closer, putting her head against my chest, "...I think I understand what you're going through." She steps back as I begin to open my eyes. "Wait for me after 8th...", she asked. "Yea, I will.", I said "We do need to talk... about alot of things.", as she started to slowly walk away. "Juan?...", I ask. "After 8th... not before.", as she steps through the double swinging doors. "If it weren't happening to me, I would be laughing 'cause its so funny. Now that morning is ruined, lets hope the rest of the day doesn't turn out as bad.", I say to myself as I think these same words. But I was wrong. 8 classes thus far and 200 different ways to fill out a Deleane card. Once again, I'm the only male in swimming and must share the same locker room and showers with the girls. Girls who do not know how to swim and must learn how to by the end of the term. Girls who are going to drown on a weekly basis when Mr Braum or Ms O'Reiden decides that its their day to be pushed into 9ft. And I'll be there, waiting for them, to save them- every single one of them. Lunch was worse; the only available seat belonged to the sophmore group of Kristen, Lydia & Hawkeye. Depending on how and what favors I can pull this semester, I'll be eating in the bookroom or the computer lab as often as possible. 6th Period- AP Math, with Wienstein, the man who rather see me dead or incarcerated than to be in his class. But what class is this? No books, and we're in another room twice a week? At the end of the period, he forces everyone to line at the door and makes them leave singly, with me holding the rear. He steps in front of me and puts his pen to my chest, "You may have passed Pre-Cal and Calc, and there maybe no Math teacher who can fail you because of some gift you have, or so says your records, but this is not Math... this is a course that I am currently attending college to learn while I teach it to you and the class. This is a course so new, there is no way you are going to sleep this one into a passing grade... I have you now where every math teacher in this school wants you... There is no way you are going to pass Fortran IV Computer Programming..." looking at me with a sick and preversed grin on his face, looking like as if he actually accomplished something with that statement. "Are you finished? If you are, then go have a talk with Mr Rosebluth- you know, the Physics Dept. Dean, and ask him for me when does he want me to complete the Solar Sail simulator program?" "Don't be cute with me young man...", He says with anger in his stale-coffee breathe. "I'm just want you to see him... Oh, by the way, does this mean that you'll be giving us your homework and be bringing the best programs back to your teacher? If so, if you fail your class, we all fail too? I thought you were a lot nicer than that..." as I stare back into his face, he is turning red, bright red! He just stands there speechless, now turning purple. Before I get blamed for teacher's death, I walk around and under his way and proceed to 7th period class: English at 1E17. Need I say more? In her typical fashion, Jastrey sums up the Semester's work in 15 minutes: Shakespere, Shakespere, and more Shakespere, with 1 day during the week for tests and quizzes, and another reviewing and preparing for the Regents- a must pass or don't graduate from high school exam. 8th period, Physics in 2E2; not too far from1E17, in fact I can run the distance in under 30 seconds or less. Selecting a seat was always simple for me- second row, next to last seat. But with class so out of the way, unless one knows where this class is at, it will take even the most experienced Techie the maximum time to find it. Just a few feet from the aero course's wind tunnel in the 2nd floor south section of the building. So I sit here and wait for everybody else to come. A very tall, but ran-downed figure of a man lurches in and places himself behind the demonstration table; where all science teachers belong. Tired, I place my bookbag and coat on the desk and rest my head on them. My program schedule on the empty corner of the desk. As I fall asleep, the rest of the class flows in through the doors. Through the noise of the settling class, I can hear many familar voices, including that of Ronald and Sandra; which meant that Evadney was not far away. But no one in the seat in front of mine. As the class quieted down, I can sense a large figure walking around the class with the noise paper shuffleing in the air. The figure stops by my desk and picks up my program card and seconds later wedges it between my curled up index and middle finger. It also wedges a smaller card between my thumb and index finger; its a Delaney card. The front door opens quietly, but is followed by a loud slam. Evadney stood there cringing from the loud noise- almost 10 mintue late for a 20 minute class. "Well, well. I hope that this is the last time you will be late; lateness is grounds for failure, as is sleeping in class...", he stated in his calm monotoned voice. "I'm sorry Mr Fonder...", she meekly stated. "Don't just stand there- take a seat, take this seat...", he stated while tapping the desk in front of mine. I know that she had him for Physics the term before and manage a 95 on the Physics1 finals in his class, but it seems that their relationship end there. Mr Fonder has the reputation of a soft-spoken man with little mercy and no humor. As she sits down and hands him her program card, "...transfering into my class will not help you at all... you will start at the bottom with the rest of them.", he stated, not once to look at her while signing her card. She turns around and sees me dozing off, and snatches my paper work from my sleeping hand. She begins to fill out my Delaney card, as he returns to her, the program card with a blank Delaney card. But he notices that she already has a Delaney card- my Delaney card. "Helping him will only assist to you failing too. And trying to get out of a inquiry for cheating... will not look good for your college records.", he continued in his calm soft voice. "But I figure I could help out my friend...", she continued softy. "Friend? There are no friends, Evadney, just competition for a grade, a number on a piece of paper, derived from your work, and nothing more.", he stated, walking to the front of the room. "Tough cookie- isn't he? But the scent of cocoa-butter on you would still smell as sweet...", I spoke in a half sleepy voice. Just enough for her to hear me. "Fernnando!", she squealed. "Tough cookie- chew harder...", in my 1/2 sleepy tone. She turns around and starts to play with my hair, "you were pretending to be sleeping." I stretch out my arms and start clawing at the desk. Mr Fonder just stands in front of the class with his arms crossed, staring intently annoyed at the two of us. "Evadney?", as I put my head back down on my crossed arms. "Yes my dear?", cooing and giggleing as she continues to play with my hair. "The class is staring at us...", I softly stated. "So...", she continues playfully on, "... I almost forgotten how soft your hair is..." "Evadney... Ronald and Sandra are staring at us...", I state with a little more authority. Though she stops, her fingers are buried deep in my hair. "Your hair is turning grey!", she almost yelled. Everybody who was either female or just plain interested immediately gather around my desk to gawk at or touch it as Evadney flips the locks as if they were pages in a book. "Its black here, but its silvery-grey underneath...", she saids to herself. I just wanted to bury myself and die under the desk, but phasing through matter is one power I haven't perfected. "And if we're finished with human biology, we can start with Physics.", Mr Fonder stated loud enough for all to hear. Everyone who had their fingers in my hair, pull out and run for their seats. The End-of-8th period bell rings, as everybody gets their books and try to head for the door. In the background, there is a loud noise of a door slamming. "Nobody leaves until we are done with the work at hand.", Mr Fonder says at the top of his soft voice could allow him. "First, the Delaney cards. They must be filled in this certain order.", as he returns to the center of the room and raises the Element-table screen, exposing the blackboard behind. There is a diagram of a large delaney card with instructions. "I was afraid of this...", Ronald could be heard wispering to himself. Evadney presses her head against mine, still ruffleing up my hair and still giggleing.. "Ahem...! Secondly, The sylibus for the term is as follows...", as he starts handing out various sheets of papers out to the class. "Don't worry, I'll get us out of here...", she whispers in my ear. "Thirdly, is the text book...", he continues but is interupted by Evadney getting up and heading to his direction. "Here are the delaney cards, emergency contact cards, and the equipment contracts...", as she handed them over to him. "If there is nothing else, I, we have to leave." She returns to her desk and signals at Sandra. Sandra in turns grabs Ronald by his hand as Evadney does mine along with my bookbag, and guide us out the classroom. In the hallway, we stood outside the classroom. "What did you do in there?", Ronald asked. Evadney just stares at him with a smile, "Oh, nothing. I had him last term, and I know his proceedures already." "Plus a little work in the office...", Sandra stated. "That too, but what are we doing to do about our Birthday-boy here...", as Evadney starts to snuggle up to me, "he's too sleepy to do anything...", giggling. I start to stretch within her grasp, and breathe deeply. I wished that she didn't have to remind me that it was my birthday. Though they think otherwise, I'm actually too tired from the 1/2 day's activities and the 3am ritual pumpleing my brother gives me on this day. "Why do you still get thorazine flash-backs? Its been over a year since you stopped taking them...", She continues. "Yawn! I do not know...", as I put my head on her shoulder. "I think he's pretending...", Sandra stated with a tone of jealously. "You're just jealous; besides, this close, he's not exited, I can barely feel his heart beating, and most of his heavy-ass dead weight is on me!", Evadney trying to prove a point. "He's not that heavy...", Sandra trying to argue the point. "He's heavier than Ronny...", Evadney argues back. "Impossible! Ronny is taller and meatier than Fernando is.", Sandra definantly points out the obvious facts. "I have to leave for a frisbee-team meeting on the roof.", Ronald tries to see if the girls were paying attention to him. "You're not leaving without me- Ronny!..", Sandra tries to command him. "I gotta go too; to the Shortfellow Meeting...", I state in my 1/2 sleepy tone. "Ewww!", Sandra complainig like she has seen what is actually in the cafeteria pizzas. "Fernando!", Evadney complains like a kid argueing with her parent in a toy store, "Why do you have to hang out with those SuperHero Wanna-bees." "I am their leader...", as I try to push myself from her grasp, "and I must lead. But my invitation is still open." "Well, I gotta go...", as Ronald tries to step through 2nd floor south/east stairs. "Oh no you don't...", Sandra chases him up the stairs. We just stare at each other for the few seconds that seems like an eternity. "Evadney...", I whisper to her... "Yes Fernando?", she answers "We got to separate...", I said, slowly pushing away from her embrace. "I know... gotta find Sandra...", she hesitantly stated. "Tomarrow- sameplace....here?", I asked "Tomarrow's Saturday silly, but yes, and for the rest of the term.", she smiled with her response. Silence again. "Evadney?"/"Fernando...", we both say simulateanously to each other. "You first...", she says. Usually I would start a miniscule arguement for her to start, but I don't this time. "Are you going to Rocky Horror tonight or tomarrow...?", I asked, "I can't go this week..." "Is it money you need?", she asks while reaching into her blouse and bra. "Sheesh! My mother and grandmother does that...", I say to myself. "Well! I have been so insulted...", she turns around away from me, clutching at her breast. Evadney is such a excellent actress, it is hard to tell at times whether she is serious or acting. "No, its more serious than money....", I just stare into her eyes, "its a family thing." "Oh... I see...", trying to understand and pulling herself away from me. "You don't, but at least you try.", I slowly state each word as its own sentence. "Are you getting depressed again?", she addresses with concern. "No, well... These family things are depressing on their own.", I continued on, starting for the stairs. She steps in front of my path, "Want me to take you home...?", she asked. "No ones home, we'll end up in my room and get caught... and after they kill me and hang you, we would have to marry each other.", I stated as depressing as possible. She just looks at me with some anger and disgust. "Would you marry me?", I ask her. "If I say yes, it would be for the wrong reasons...", she says with a hug. "What are the wrong resons?", I asked. She lets me go, steps back and slaps me across my face, "Because I love you...", she stated. Slapped 3 times in single day; definately not my day. The female response is something I will never get used to. Like all the others, this was not a playful-type slap in the face- it was one of the violent given- violence needs to be returned slaps, for which I must hold in my anger or else Redeyes comes to visit. She states and shows that she loves me as I do my best in returning it, and at the same time I get punished for it. I do not get it. I keep my eyes closed, holding back the tears that may summoned Redeyes. I can hear her take a couple of steps, backing away from me. "Then what are the right reasons?", I say to myself. "Love, friendship, trust, honesty...", she saids softly while openning the stairway door. I open my eyes knowing that she is far enough away to make it fourth time. Somehow a tear manage to escape as it runs down the rightside of my face. "I thought we had all that...", I stated to her. "And you also have it with Cathy, and Jaunita, and Denise, and some little sophmore girl Cathy is trying to hook you up with, and with almost every girl in this school you have pulled out of the pool..." as she contines, almost complaining. "But I will only have one wife- a mate for life, a friend forever, and I will make her the most happiest woman on this planet- no matter how rich or poor we may end up...", As I lean against the wall, staring at my sneakers. I did not notice her coming back slowly and quietly until she was almost up on me. "Thats the problem, Fernando...", as she puts her arms around me and leans her head against my chest, "...you're too perfect." "Perfect?", I asked, almost tensing up- sensing that there would be another slap coming up, "I... I've been hurt, sick, drugged out, crippled, blinded, cooked and radiated- Umf!", I didn't expect her to elbow me in the stomach. "And you talk too much when you do talk...", continueing to lean against me as if nothing happened, "Just shut up and stay still for me..." I sighed as she leaned against me for what few minutes seems to be hours. Beyond the sounds of the Mr Fonder finishing up his work of class torturing through delanie-card redefinition, at the opposite end of the east side hall, I can hear steps and voices heading towards our direction. Two of the voices I recognize as Jaunita (Gloria) and Denise. "Evadney...?", I softly speak. She's not pleased with the interruption, "What is it..." "I think Denise and Jaunita are coming- and they sound angry about something.", I tell her. "Denise can go to ...", Evadney wispers, but interupted. Bam! The center section corridor doors swing open violently and crash against the walls, Denise standing in between them as if she were about to vaporize everything in her path. The spring loaded hinges refuse to close the doors, as if some force beyond heaven and earth was pinning them against their place. The few Sos'es that were there for their standing patrol run like scattering mice away from the cat that just pounce into the room. I close my eyes and concentrate on to both their brain frequencies, though tired as I was and finding it difficult to even find the concentrate I needed. Even sharing the same frequencies with them, locking onto their thoughts was not going to be easy. In Denise's mind, there is a turmoil of images and loud words- another fight between her, Jaunita, Kevin, Raul and Todd. Other images of Cathy's demise float about her head. And yet, she thinks that I will the savior and solution to all of the world's problems. "...Pompous little bitch- isn't she?" Evadney continues wispering. "I heard that- 'Vadnee!", Denise yells from the middle of the hall. "How could she...?", Evadney whispers. "Telepathy....", I whisper back. "Telepathy- from me?... ooohh....!", Evadney increases the volume a bit between us with a tone of anger. She turns her head to face Denise. "No, from me... most of the time I can block her out...", as I whisper in her ear. "...but if he reads my mind when he is tired- I can read his mind too.", from across the hall Denise exclaims closing the distance between us. Jaunita (Gloria) walks behind her as quietly as she could, Denise is too focused on me to even notice Jaunita's presence. "How?", Evadney asked. "Long story... Explain tomarrow... Now go...", I whisper to her. "Mmm..", in impatience and protest she complians. "Go! Before she starts hitting on you too...", as I gently push her through the starway door. "Fern...!", she squeals as I push her out into the stairwell and close the door behind her. Denise gets behind me and pulls me away from the door by my arm. She tries to turn me around, but I refuse to budge thereafter. When she couldn't turn me, she started to hitting on me- pounding with the side of her fists on my back. Jaunita (Gloria) finally approaches to the side of me and grabbing my arm, pulls me away from Denise and stands between us. "What do I have to do to get your god-damned attention- Gutich!", as Denise tries to reach around Jaunita (Gloria) to grab on me again, Jaunita (Gloria) tries her best to keep Denise away from me. "What happened...?", I whisper at Jaunita (Gloria). "Your bitch of a girlfriend, thats what happened!", Denise yells while trying to get a hold of me through Jaunita (Gloria). "Calm yourself- will you!", Jaunita (Gloria) yells at Denise, but Denise tries to rush through Jaunita (Gloria) to get at me. Jaunita (Gloria) manages to slap Denise on the face. Denise steps back in shock and trips on her own feet landing on her butt on the floor. "Remember your manners... and your elders, young'in!", Jaunita (Gloria) points at Denise, with her rare southern accent that only comes out during when she's very angry. Jaunita (Gloria) angry? All things are possible. I just don't ever want her angry at me. "So what happened?", I asked. "Todd is fighting Kevin and Raul again.", Jaunita (Gloria) stated while keeping a pointed finger and a stern stare on Denise. Denise stays put on the floor- silent and unchallenging. "So how is Cathy involved?", I asked her again. "Its a long story, but first... Get out and wait for us at 1E17...!", Jaunita (Gloria) orders Denise to leave. Denise gets up from the floor and runs down the stairs in a blurred motion that defies humanity itself. Jaunita (Gloria) turns around and hugs me- lack of strength tells me that she must be exhausted; very exhausted. "Cathy was waiting....", she started to tell me of what happened, but I covered her mouth to prevent her from continueing.. "No, Don't tell me. Anytime when Raul and Cathy meet, something's bound to happen.", as I gently break her hug and walk her down the hall. By going down the North-East stair case, we might be able to head them off in the first floor hallway. The crowd on the first floor was dense; between the security guards and the onlookers- most of whom were Tech football players, there was almost no way of getting through to the fight without at least causing another. I grabbed Jaunita (Gloria)'s hand and made sure she grabbed onto the back of my pants and belt, besides the small of my back. Once she was holding on, I charged through the crowd, pushing, shoving, elbowing and kicking anybody who didn't move out of my way. We finally reach the front row where the security guards lined themselves up line like the national guard against a protesting mob. We continued our move to the closest class room door- 1E19, with more pushing, shoving and hitting to get there. Security Guard Geraldine was by the door, guarding it to allow nobody to enter it. Though Kevin and Todd are going at each other like wild apes, Raul's constant jumping in is only making Todd worse- with Raul being the occasional body slam to the wall. "Jaunita-", as I whisper behind me to her, "I'll grab Geri's night stick and you run into the room with our stuff when she chases me..." "What then? You get caught and suspended...", she whispers back. "Don't worry about that- once in 1E19, sneak into 1E17 when I jump into the fight...", I whisper back to her. "But you'll get hurt...", she whispers back. Across from the fight, I notice Evadney and Sandra were there watching the fight from their side. "Now!", I yell out, grabbing Geri's nightstick from her grasp and fling myself against the wall to pull her away from the door. Jaunita (Gloria) dashes into the room as quickly as she could and slams it shut behind her. She runs to the back door and peers through the window to see her next chance. As I expected, Geri tried her best not to give up her nightstick, Curely and Violia were already closing in on me when I decided to let her go and jump into the fight. Heart begins to pound hard, adrenaline already flowing, just a few more seconds of intellegent thought before RedEyes steps in for action. For a brief few seconds, all the guards close in on me as I dive for the battling trio. Better make that the battling duo and the floppy rag-doll that was thrown in for laughs, who was Raul in a very exhausted state. Though an excellent fighter, Raul does not have much in power to staminia ratio. Jaunita (Gloria) jumps out of the doorway of1E19 and dashes through 1E17. The door on 1E17 was starting to slowly close, as I grab Raul by the back of his shirt and fling him across the hall and into the closing door of1E17. The door slams itself shut as it bounces off the wall from Raul's impact. Security Guard Al runs into the other 1E17 entrance to grab Raul. Grabbing onto Todd and Kevin, I tear them apart from each other, taking a few hits along the way from the both of them. Getting them at my arms' length away from each other, Kevin realizes to stop- at least for the moment. Todd on the other hand takes a cheap-shot across my jaw. My eyes close instinctively as my head swings violently around from the impact. A loud snap inside my head echoes as everything turns red. The crowd oooh's in bewilderment. Some of the football players laughing and making comments about how long I would not last. But at this point nothing matters, now that RedEyes is standing where I was. And before this day is through, another page of lore will be written forever. I slowly look up and open my eyes to see Kevin. The look on his face changed from vengence-seeking-anger to fear and dispair as he see the bright red pair of eyes glowing, staring back at him. I smiled back at him and somehow knew to let go of him. He steps away in respect and fear, knowing all too well that once RedEyes is around, he is to get away or get hurt in the maylay that is to follow. Todd takes another cheap shot to my midsection, I just turn to face him and smile an evil smile. Another cheap shot to the mouth, But I still stand there smiling, the glow in my eyes glowing brighter. He takes another hit to my ribs, just knocking me off-balance for the moment. At this point I charge into him, lifting him up and pinning him against the wall of class 1E18. He manages to get one of his feet against the wall, making it hard for me to effectively keep him pinned there. With all of his strength, he manages to push me away and get a couple of cheap shots across my face along the way. More jeers and laughter from the football team, as Todd manages to score more hits to my none. I clench my fist as I close the gap between us and swing for his head. He manages to duck in time, as my fist slams against the wall of contrete and steel reinforced of 2 inch thick pink marble. The jeers and laughter stops as an erie silence grabs the entire floor, as I pull my fist out of the wall along with white concrete dust and pink marble shards. The steel reinforcement behind bent inward from the impact to a bulge inside 1E18. Most of the football team and the majority of students rush out the nearest exits, as if the annoucer on the loud speaker stated "the New York State Lotto Jackpot is now 120 million dollars." In 1E18, the Elder Steshko was heard yelling profanities to the tune of, "What the God Danm was that Fucking Shit!" as his class turned away from their studies to see a normally flat wall that is now cracked and bulging inward. And if you think Jaunita (Gloria) being mad was a rare site, hearing the Elder Steshko curse was proclaimed by various religious sects as 1 of the 7 signs of Armagedon. Todd stared intensely as I pull my fist out the wall. An intellegent man would run after witnessing the impossible. A fool would also run in fear that the impossible would go after him. Todd is neither intellegent or fool. He is Todd, a juggernaunt of 3 times my normal size and strength, intellegent perhaps- but not when he's fighting. Then he believes no matter the odds- he's unbeatable. And like all the other times before, he's going to loose this fight with RedEyes. From behind, with a double fisted lunge, he strikes me from behind. I hardly move from the impact, instead turning around to face him. He then punches my midsection, but to not avail as I rear-up another fist to strike him with. In his desperate attempt in winning this fight, he grabs me by my shirt, drawing me closer to him and knees me in the groin... once, twice, three times! I grab his neck with my weaker left hand and tighten. Not being able to breathe, he panics and tries everything he could: from clawing at my face to more knee-groin kicks. I throw him across the hall onto 1E17's wall. He stays plastered against the wall for only a moment. As I approach him, he jumps at me in a death like charge. In midair, I catch him with a right to the jaw and another left to the stomache. But he manages to grab me and tries to tackle me against the floor. I twist my body around, forcing him to slam himself against 1E18's wall. Gasping for air, he stays put against the wall. I kick him with my shin against his chest. He begins to pass out, but I prop him against the wall. A look into his face says that he's barely consious, unable to fight back, and it would be unfair to strike somebody in this condiction. Though everybody expects it, RedEyes has never hit anyone in this condiction- deservingly or not. My only alternative is to strike the wall beside hs head- sending the fist through the wall again. Appearences can be decieving; pink marble dust flys about us, making it look like I impoded his head. Shreiks and screams fill the halls with panic, the remaining few running out the nearest exits. After removing my fist from the wall a second time, I let him go and walk into 1E17. He slumps to the floor and is carried of by security. I sit down in my usual english classroom chair- the rear window corner, putting my head down on th desk. Jaunita (Gloria), Cathy and Denise, encircle the chair I'm in; Jaunita, Kevin and Raul approach behind them. Ms Jastrey sits behind her desk. "Another daring rescue from our Gutich", Ms Jastrey states with authority, "another debt you two numbskulls owe him...!" Raul turns in disgust to face her, "My dear boy, don't start up with me...", she continues. "Listen here Mrs J., I didn't go out there to start this!", Raul stated in anger. The door opens slowly, and Evadney steps in. Sandra stays behind in the hall. "Then who did, I remember it you and your friend that he rescued from the thrashing that monster have given you.", as she points her cane sword at both Raul and Kevin. "Is he alright?" Evadney softly speaks as she slowly walks to where the girls were surrounding my desk. BAM! "And who allowed you to enter this room?", Ms Jastrey stands up and slams her cane sword on the desk- speaking to Evadney. Evadney freezes in her place, pratically in mid-step. "I just want to see if Fernando's...*", Evadney ties to explain sheepishly. Ms Jastrey bangs the sword on her desk, interupting Evadney. "Enough!", Ms Jastrey shouts. "Is she a Shortfellow...?", staring at the group while pointing the sword at her. "No, Ms Jastrey...", Denise stated without hesitation. "I'll get you for this...", Jaunita (Gloria) whispers in her ear. "So you must be one of his harrem girls...", Ms Jastrey states "What did you say?", Evadney asks almost to herself. "Get out! We don't need sexual coherts and suspicous individuals in this room!", Ms Jastrey yells as she point the sword to the door. "Denise, I will definately get you for this...", Jaunita (Gloria) states with more authority. Jaunita (Gloria) nods her head to Evadney, and Evadney does in return and heads out the door. As the door closes, security enters the room and demands for me by name. Ms Jastrey looks at them and asks, "What do you want of him?" "None of your business, Mrs J.", Curley answers. "He's under my protection. He stays with me...", Ms Jastrey declares. "Not this time... Mrs. J.", Curley states in his pompous attitude, "I want them too." pointing at Kevin and Raul. "Get out...", I say tiredly. "Round'em up guys- everybody in the room.", Curley orders the others. I got up and look at him square in the eye, "Get Out and leave me alone..." Curley walks towards my desk, getting close enough to poke his night stick at my chest. I yank it out of his hand and smash it against the window sill. As the slate of the sill cracks on impact, so does the wooden shaft shatters explosing a steel rod inside the night stick. I then place the rod against his chest. He grabs whats left of his night stick and tries to pull it out my grasp, pulling harder as the seconds ticks away. Eventually I let go. He had to take a couple of steps back to regain his balance. "Don't mess with him Curley...", Jaunita (Gloria) whispers to herself. "Hey, isn't that illegal?", Raul say with impuntity. "Fuck you Raul- you're still coming with us...!", Curley stated in an angry tone. Jaunita takes Kevin by the hand and starts to slowly backing out to the rear exit of the room. Al was already there waiting. "Everybody get out!", as I yelled at the top of my lungs. Though as they tried, all of the Shortfellows couldn't leave the doorways because Security had already blocked them. "Let us out!", as Jaunita (Gloria) pleaded with Security Guard Geraldine, "its not safe to be in the same room when he gets like that!" Geri just rolled her eyes, stay put as she blocks the door. "Lets go into the office...", as Curley pokes the night stick at my chest again. I grab it one more time. "Al, help me restrain this fuck...", Curley orders. "Be glad too.", Al states in confidence. "Second time in less than 2 weeks I have to deal with you, and this time you're not getting away.", Curley steps up to my face and sprays that security guard breathe as he wispers those words to me. I place a grasp on to his jacket and push him to the center of the room- under the center light socket assembly. "Oh no...", Jaunita (Gloria) wispers to herself. "Not again...", Cathy whispers to herself as well, as they both curl up into a ball under their coats. The others follow suit. Al swings his night stick at me, but I catch it an pull on it until both he and Curley are standing under the light fixture. "Curley...", I say slowly to him, "don't... fuck.... with... me...". With the last word, I close my eyes and release a small bit of nuero engery. The light fixture above sprays electrical sparks right before... Ka-Bamf! The bulb inside shatters, and it rains hot glass on the three of us. "That's one...", Jaunita (Gloria) could be heard from inside her coat. Curley and Al look at each other in disbelief, yet both decide that it was a coincidence. "You're still coming with... us...", Curley stated but noticing that all the furniture in the room was trembling in ther places. Though still guarding the doors, the other guards shifts themselves into corners and other assorted blindspots in the room. "Get out and LEAVE... ME... ALONE...!", I stated to him one last time. Both he and Al grab on to my arms, I take in one deep breath and hold it, releasing another nuero engery shockwave- much larger than the first. A bright flash and Ka-BOOM! Anything made out of glass explode outward into the courtyard and the halls. Al and Curley find themselves both flat on their asses, wondering what the hell happened. "Did he just trashed the room?", Cathy could be heard from inside her coat. "Sounds like he did...", Jaunita (Gloria) could be heard from inside her coat. The police and fire department rush in and are knocking on the doors. The guards open the doors to let them in. "What the hell happened in here!", the first officer exclaimed. Firefighters rush in with hoses- armed to fight a fire but find nothing to fight. "Electrical wiring shorted out again...", Ms Jastrey stated calmy as she leans up against her dest. The firefighters help the Shortfellows get up and leave the room. "Whose in charge here...?" a firemarshall walks into the room. "Its my room, but he's in charge...", as Ms Jastrey points at Curley who is still on his butt. The officers and firefighters start attending to the guards after all the Shortfellows leave the room. The Fire Marshall help Curley get off from the floor. "Well, what happned sir?", the fire marshall asks. "... I ...I don't know...!", Curley states dumbfounded. ".... First thing was that... that lightbulb blew up.... next thing we're on the floor!", he continues, pointing to the light bulb above. Firemarshall excorts the rest of us out the building. I walk down South Elliot to Ft Greene Park and up its long winding path to Shortfelllow tree. Denise, Jaunita (Gloria), and Cathy all follow as Evadney follows too, but keeps her distance. I get to the tree and look up its branches, but decide to sit down at the base of the tree instead. Girls finally catch up with me. I put my head in my coat and pretend to be asleep. "It must be 5-below zero", I think to myself. The three encircle me, looking down at me, Evadney is not too far behind. Kicking at my feet, "How the hell he does it?", Denise protests, "He falls asleep anywhere." Cathy pushes her hard to get her stop kicking me. As Denise falls to the ground, Jaunita (Gloria) steps in between them. Evadney finally reaches the top of the hill, seeing that Denise- being restrained by Jaunita(Gloria), wanting to fight Cathy, Evadney holds Cathy back and pulls her away a few feet. Cathy tries to fight back against Evadney's hold. Being unable to fight each other, they start to call each other obsenities. "Maybe I'm fucking tired!" I yell out at the top of my lungs as I jump onto my feet. Jaunita (Gloria) and Evadney let go of their captives, and everyone freezes in their place. "I'm tired! I'm always fucking tired!..." I continue yelling at the top of my lungs, "Jesus Christ... I am always fucking tired because I always fighting the headaches and pain I go through every fucking day!!!", falling onto my knees and pounding the snow covered earth with my fists. The girls just stare at me in awe. The emotions well up inside me, tring to force out tears that I have held back since I was told by my mother at the age of 6 that I am now a man, and that men do not cry. "Another circus act by our esteem ring leader.", Denise states to herself; and begins to notice that she has an oppertunity to pouce on Cathy. Unfortunatly Jaunita (Gloria) also noticed. Both Evadney and Cathy stepped towards me, but stop when they see each other heading towards my direction. As they stare at each other for those few instance seconds, Denise makes her move against Cathy by trying to get over me first. Jaunita (Gloria) stuck her leg out, as Denise charges towards Cathy, tripping on it. She falls on me, knocking both of us onto the ground. She curses everyone silently. Cathy takes a defensive position, Jaunita (Gloria) starts to laugh. Evadney tries to help Denise, but Cathy gestures to her not to do to so. Soon they start to laugh as Denise's cursing gets louder. I just lay there in the cold snow wondering how I got in to this mess. She eventually gets up in disgust and after shouting a few profanities, walks out of the park cursing everything under creation. Cathy, Evadney and Jaunita(Gloria) remain for a while, as I recompose myself to a wet and freezing, but normal being. Picking up my bag from the tree, Evadney stood behind me until I turned around to head down the hill. She stops me in my tracks, grabs my hands and pulls herself up to my face and gives me a quick kiss. "I'll miss you hun...", she whispers. Cathy stand behind her with her arms crossed, before tapping her on Evadney's shoulder, and signals her to step away. "Cheating on me?", Cathy states with a jealous tone. "Uhm.... you dont have the right to complain, Cathy.", Jaunita(Gloria) whispers to her. Cathy returned one of those "If looks could kill" stares at her. Jaunita (Gloria) returns the threatening stare in defiance to Cathy's challenge. I turn to the tree and step onto it and lean against it, wiping the excess snow that is slowly building up from the wind swept hill. Checking my footing against the tree's roots, I stood there pondering. About what is hard to say, it is one of the uneasy feelings that are hard to justify but can not be ignored. A sixth sense warning of things to immediately become, but unsure of what it is. As they continue with their staring contest, Jaunita (Gloria) steps around Cathy and position herself in front of me. She puts down her bag and opens up her coat in the cold wind before stepping in front of me and wrapping her coat around us. As she presses herself against me I can feel that she is cold. She leans her head against my chest, holding me for comfort and heat. "Its getting late...", Cathy said getting near us to break us up. "The Who?" Jaunita (Gloria) asked silently "What?" as I look at her, asking "Behind Blue Eyes, by The Who. I can sense it floating around in your mind.", she says. "Oh yeah, that.", I reply almost talking to myself. "You getting depressed again?", she asked. Cathy starts to pace back and forth trying to keep herself warm, though her long coat should have provided ample protection against the elements, but having it open to allow the body heat inside escape into the air defeated its purpose. "No." I said, trying to reassure myself that anything is possible. "Cathy...." Jaunita (Gloria) calls out for her. "What you want this time?", Cathy replies in an annoyed tone. "Before you freeze to death waiting for Fernando to take you home- leave without him..." Jaunita (Gloria) states in an authoritative tone. Cathy seemed to be very bothered by this, perhaps being threatened by Jaunita (Gloria)'s presence. "I'll wait", Cathy answers, shivering the cold from her body. "Leave Young'in, before I teach you how to properly repsect your elders....", Jaunita (Gloria) reply in an almost threatening tone marked by a distinct southern accent. Cathy seemed to be scared of this statement, not as what was said but how. As if each word, meaning and inflection thereof cut into her being in a very painful way. So she gathered our bookbags, dropped Jaunita (Gloria)'s and mine next to us, and flipped the strap of her book bag over her shoulder. "Call me tonight, Fernando." Cathy said as she started to back down the hill. Before I could respond, Jaunita (Gloria) placed two of her fingers over my lips to keep me from answering. "And button up your coat", Jaunita (Gloria) demanded from her again, "Dont want you to catch a death of cold!" Not once in all this did Jaunita (Gloria) turned away from me to speak to Cathy directly in her face. Either she did this to prove her point of who's in command between the two of them or was showing Cathy how cruel and vicious she can truly be, I can not be sure about. It was rather confusing seeing her in this way, but I can understand why she would not take the ShortFellow Vice-Presidency. In order to be the leader of the group, you have to be cold, visious and accurate in your decisions, and down right vulger in applying these decisions into actions. Jaunita (Gloria), though authoratative and demanding when she wants to be, she is the little old quiet lady of the group, the one who needs protection from the hellspawns of society, not the one who would lead a suicide team into battle. Cathy started to go down the hill to head home. In the distance quiet, the B27 Bus can be heard rolling down DeKalb Avenue, just entering the park's perimeter at the far end. Cathy only lives a short 9 blocks away from school, but depending on her mood, she can walk, take the train or the bus to get there. DownTown Brooklyn is a strange maze of streets and avenues that crisscross in an intertwining way. "AND TAKE THE BUS HOME!" Jaunita (Gloria) yells at her, but through me and the coats that are keeping us warm. Cathy continues to walk down the hill silently. "Remind me not to...*", I wisper as to not hurt her ears or my pounding head. But she interupts me by placing her two fingers against my lips again. I make no attempt to struggle against it. "Why that song?", she asks. "Huh?", I reply. "The one floating inside your head, Behind Blue Eyes...", she continues, "No one knows what its like, to be hated.... to be slated... its sad" "Its how I feel", I said. "But why do you hold it in?", she asked. I think for an answer, which I already knew but have trouble trying to find the words. "You were taught not to... cry", she finishes my answer for me. "Yeah, and not much of anything else.", I add. "Not true...", she argues in her soft voice. I pretend not to have heard that, and remain silent for a while. "Jaunita...?", I ask "Yes Gutch...", she replied. "Is this why...?", I continue to ask. "Why, what?", she answers with a question. "Both this morning and this afternoon, you said you wanted to see me... why?", I answer. "Dont question your friend who wants to give you a birthday present.", she complains, and starts to hug and cuddle a little tighter. I continue to just hold her as I was before, thinking. More seconds of silence pass as eternity hangs around. "We should be leaving.", I try to start another conversation. "You haven't gotten your present yet.", she saids. "You can put it in my bag and I'll open it at home.", I say, almost not wanting to separate from her. "I dont fit in your bag.", she complains almost with a smile. I put my hands on her waist and try to gently push her away. We only separate a tiny bit, but enough for her to look up at me. "Anything wrong?", she asks. "Jaunita, I dont want to hurt you...*", I started to complain, but she places her two fingers against my lips again. "Fernandez, you have been through a lot more today than most people in their lives....", she saids softly, with me interupting her, taking her fingers off my lips. "Jaunita,...*" as I try to begin again, but she covers my mouth with the palm of the her hand. "Geesh, they're right- why cant you remain the quiet loveable Gutich that we all love. That mouth of yours gets you into alot of trouble.", Jaunita (Gloria) complains to herself. "Gutich- remember that promise I made you last summer; anytime, anywhere you need me- I'll be there for you. And right now, you need me...", she continues on, getting closer to me with a hug and leans against my chest. I just stay there, thinking, "might as well enjoy the hug...", but its cold outside. Very cold, very windy, very wet where we stand, with the very posibility that we might freeze to death if we stay out here long enough, but our shared body heat is what is keeping us warm form now. "...but might as well get to someplace more comfortable.", I think to myself. "Lunch?", I ask her. "I dont always eat lunch- you know that.", she saids in her very calm and silent voice. Sometimes I swear if she isn't going through a simillar thorazine swing like I do sometimes, then what is she going through? Her calmness is worse then my most fit of violence, frightening to say the least. "We cant stay here all day...", I state with some concern, "...or we'll freeze." "Where will we go, the school is closed, the guards are guarding all the exits will be waiting for you to show up again and start trouble. Either my place or yours...", she said under the coats, not wanting to separate. "Not every door is closed or guarded.", I said, "and Jastrey can back us up once we're in." "I would prefer to go to our place instead.", she said softly. She continued on, but I could not hear her. Grabbing her hand from behind my back, I try to separate us from her embrace to lead her down the hill back to school but she puts up a struggle. "Jaunita?", I dare to ask after ending our little tug of war. "Yes?", she answer "Dont you want to leave?", I ask. "Dont you want your birthday present?", she answered with a question. I had to think for a while. Think about this reference of this birthday present she is refering herself as. Dare I think- sex? Sex with the Last American Virgin? I had to almost laugh inside at that one, but held it down to a mental giggle. She looks up displeased at me, almost sensing what I was thinking- yet knowing what my true thoughts were, "...its not happeneing..." But I must ask to make sure. "Jaunita", I ask, "what birthday present?" "Me...", she answers, "what do you expect?" As I thought she would say, but I know there is more to this than meets the eye. Thinking that she might be sensing my thoughts, I think at my near lightspeed limit. Though at this level, nuerons signals travel on the silver nerve endings, signals tend to bounce around and give me a major head ache. But its my secret to my powers, and my curse. "You? Jaunita- what do you mean by that?" I finally dared to ask. "Like I said before- anytime, anywhere you need me, I'm there for you.", she answers. "Need,- how?" I ask. "Anyway you want...", she saids, but with a slight hesitence in her words. "Even...*", I start to ask, but she answers before I can finish. "Even if you want to have sex... with me.", she states, with some hesitation. Evil thoughts of doing her in the snow fills my mind, but I fight them away. Although its too late as my body makes a lair out of me with an hard erection getting harder against her. I sigh, unsure what to say or do next, but not wanting Jaunita in that way, not wanting to hurt her in that way, trying to conceal myself and my thoughts, I close my eyes briefly and concentrate. I can feel her weight trying to pull me down to her height, as she has her arms around my neck in a lover's embrace; waking me up from my mini-trance. The added stress on my back from her pulling only adds to the pain I normally go through. To compensate, I grab her by the waist and lift her up to eye level. She just hugs my tighter, and plants a kiss on the lips. Then she lets go, and drops those few inches back on the ground. "Wwwhoat was that for?", I ask neverously. She waits a couple of seconds before answering. "For being so nice and considerate." she saids. I push her away for a second and slide down to sit against the tree. She gets on my lap when I am finally comfortable against the cold floor, continuing the neck hug again. "Jaunita- we gotta talk.", I say to her nervously. "Thats why I'm here.", she answers, "There is a lot that I want you to know and have." "Maybe I dont want to know- *", I continue, but she puts her hand over my mouth again. "Gutich, I have not been honest with you for a long time...", she begins, looking down as if she had to confess some crime. I try try to pull her hand off my mouth, but she looks at me with the corner of her eye in her 'respect your elder's look.' "I know that you are going through a lot, and have secrets that you want nobody to know.", she continues, "But I know them." I finally pulled her hand off my face- breathing heavy, cause she was holding back my airway. Most people would be able to breathe through their noses, but for me- breathing cold winter air through my nostrils lowers my inside head temperature, which leads to pain, dizziness and eventually unconsciousness. When she is sitting on my lap, I think to myself- 'Explain yourself.', while looking into her brown eyes, trying to get in to her thoughts. But she pushes me back against the tree and leans against me . "You're too tired to read my mind right now- I can sense you trying but not getting anywhere with it...", she starts again, "but since you will find out anyway- I'm going to tell you everything." She takes a deep breathe before she begins. "Your sister, ", she adds, "I know who she is." "Who?", I ask, though within my mind I already knew who it iwas- Elaine Gutierrez; but in a sense of denial- that can never be. "Elaine-*" she saids. "Already knew that years ago..." I reply, interupting her. She thinks for the moment. "How*- No, dont answer it. Somehow I wont believe it....." she hesitates to think for a bit, "...your medical records." "What about them?", I ask. "I got access to them and read them...", she continues. I do my best to hold back the anger that slowly is welling up inside until I tire out. Releasing a sigh, "How, nevermind, I can guess- What you know?" "You're dying." she saids sadly. "You're dying too, everyone is... its life, then you die.", I say as normal as posibble. "But you will be dead before you have a chance to live out your life.", she continues on, holding back tears as best she can. "If you read my file- then you know that I can drop dead right now.", stating the facts as calmly as I can. "...'By any over excersion of strength limitations caused by adreneline induced berzerker rage...'..." she pauses for a moment in thought, "Red Eyes..." She looks into my eyes, scared and worried, knowing with what information she owns, I could have been killed in the last fight. But her information is imcomplete. "Thats not quite the entire complete or correct.", I tell her calmly. "But thats what your medcial*", she begins to say but I put my fingers against her lips to keep them quiet. "The exact reason is this: besides the possibility of a fatal stroke doing me a favor, I can also burn out nuerons when they are at a heightened level of stimuli. Burn the wrong nuerons, and I dont ever have to worry about waking up again.", I explain. "I know- I read that too." she tries not to cry. "So, what's your concern?" I bluntly ask. "I'm your dam'd friend, one who cares very much for you..."as tears start to flow from her eyes. Silence for a few seconds as I think about the damage I may have caused. "Look, Jaunita- I know you care... Love you for it", as I start, "But as for matters of my life, I need no help in. I can die now, or 20 years from now or 80 years from now. The future is uncertain, but this much I know..." I deliberately wait for an answer from her. She stops crying for a moment, giving me the oppertunity for me to continue as I wanted to- in peace, "You care about me, and I care about you too. You are probably one of my most precious friends I will ever have." She looks into my eyes for a second before planting a kiss on my lips. Not expecting this- throws me off balance with the rest of my comment. She continues to hug me afterwards. "Jaunita-*?" I try to start, but she interupts me. "Gooch- Just shut up and dont spoil the moment for now.", she states, continueing with the embrace. We sit there silently, though I have a suspicion that she's in my tired mind wondering what I am thinking. I loose track of time, loosing count to how many times the traffic light changes from stop to go- each cycle of change lasting 6 and half minutes. "Jaunita?" I ask. She looks up at me with sleepy eyes. Inside my thoughts plays an old Beatle's song, "With a little help from my friends." I put my forehead against hers, close my eyes, and softly sings the words, "What would you think if I sang out of tune; would you stand up and walk out on me?" She slowly looks up into my still closed eyelids and smiles. In her tiny voice, she sings back, "I get by with a little help from my friends." We continue switching from chorus to rephraine for a while with me continueing from, "Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song and I'll try not to sing out of key." "I get by with a little help from my friends.... Fernando?", she finally breaks off the song. "Yes, Juan...", I answer. "Are you crying?" she asks, wiping a tear from my face. "No.", with some slight concern in my voice. "Then why the tears?", she asks. Wiping them away, I ask her, "Would you go into my coat pocket and get my glasses?" "I cant do that," she says, looking up at my hat. "Why not?", I asked. She reaches over the hat's bill and pull them out of their resting spot. "They were on your head...", she explained. She examines thems closely at each lens and wipes the crap and fingerprints clean. Then she examines them again, before putting them on my face. I reach in to the hat's band and adjust the glasses' handles onto my ears, first the left side, then the right and finally pushing them them up against my nose. She inches up until we're nose to nose, staring into the dark lens trying to find my eyes. "Fernando, as dark as they are, how can you see out of them?", she asks. "Jaunita- can I trust you for one secret?", I ask in turn. "If you cant trust me now...*", she started to say before I stop her. "Can I trust you? Trust you more than I can Cathy, Denise or Evadney?", I ask again. "Why?", she asks with a bit of worry in her voice. "Just reach over and hand me my bag...", I state in a demanding and tired voice. She looks over to find it, reaches over and drag it towards us. I reach over with her and unzip the bag's zipper enough to put my hand inside. Feeling around inside- I find my eyeglass case, the one that holds a special pair. I pull it out of bookbag, and hold it up for her to see. "Fernando- Whats that?", she asks. "Just another eyeglass case." I said in a wisper, reaching foward towards her nose again. She pulls back and takes the case out of my, opens it once she figures out how, and looks inside. She stares at them in strangely, like she was looking at a weapon like a gun, or large knife. Then she slowly looks up at me and reaches over to take off the pair I'm wearing and holds them side by side. "They're different.", she saids softly. "I know.", as I reach over to get the other pair, "But its not they are- its what I can do with them." "What do you mean by that?", she asks, as I push my hat off my head while putting them on. "These are Quartz Ruby lenses...", I say with a smile, "But my regular pair is Smoked Quartz." "Whats the difference?", she asked. "Wouldn't you like to know...", as I look around for the sun, and see it breaking against a few clouds and stare into it. The temperature inside my eyes start to heat up, and the dark red lenses start to glow in contrast to their dark red tint. At a certain time, I close my eyes and face her. The lenses have returned to their dark red hue. "This.", as I look up to make sure there nothing in my way, lift up the glasses off my eyes and open my eyes. A bright beam of light shoot out and strike the tree branches above us, shaking the snow off them and unto us. She stood there staring at me in aw, even while I removed my glasses. I look back at her, and she can see my eyes glowing, though fading away. "My glasses, please", I ask her. "How...?", she still dumbstruck, as I reach over and take my smoked quartz pair out of her hand. "What else you know about me?" I ask while putting on the other pair and put away the ruby lensed pair in their case and back in the bag. "How... you... did... that...?" she asked 1/2 scared. "Ok- I'll tell you, thats the secret.", I said, "Know your laser physics?" She looks back at me, "Only you and Evadney are that advanced...", she saids looking around at the snow that fell on us. "Sorry about that.", realizing that we're now lighty blanketted with the cold white stuff. She reaches over and pulls my glasses down my nose by its bridge, staring into my eyes. "They're purple...?", she asks. "Purple?", as I close my eyes and fall against the tree, "It must be a side affect." "Side affect?", she asks, getting closer to me so we dont get too exposed against the cold and freeze. "Yeah- I know how it happens, and why, but the lasting effects are not known." I tried to explain. She just looks at my annoyed cause I may have demonstrated to her another one of my abilities that seems to be self destructive this body of mine. "Look- it just happens. Purple usually means that I'm very sick or tired.", I continue, but knowing that she is not listening. "Well...", she start to comment, "you are not ever going to do that again." "Maybe it would have been better if I laid you down right here and fucked your brains out", I think to myself, followed by a cold slap to my face. "DID YOU FORGET OR SOMETHING?!?!?!!!", in an angry tone of voice she almost yells. I have to concentrate on not having Red-eyes come out and do any possible harm to her. Closing my eyes, I take off my glasses and stuff them into my coat pocket, still holding back the anger that can manifiest itself into something I dont want to be. "Leave....", I state in a semi demonic voice which is RedEyes's only vocal warning. "What?", she asks, still angry at me. "LEAVE...", my unnatural voice says in a much louder tone. She gets up off me, but still sitting on my lap. Our coats separating, exposing us to the elements. "Jaunita... Leave... Before.... I dont want to hurt you...", I continue in that unhuman tone. "You wouldn't dare...", she says almost daringly. I open my eyes and stare into hers. They have already shifted from purple to bright red in a very short amount of time. And she sees in what state they are in. She reaches over for her book bag, which I swing my arm against and pin it against the floor. "Just leave...", I tell her one final time. She kneels up on me to button up her coat before getting up to start down the hill. I just lay there, closing my eyes and concentrate on holding back the monster within. I hear her last foot steps stepping onto the concrete path below and out towards the exit of the park. It starts to snow again, though very lightly. I lay there, watching the sun move against the sky, not caring how much time has gone by. Minutes pass into hours, though I do not seem to notice or even care about it or the light blanket of white stuff that has accumilated on me. But 1/2 tired, I lay there, almost asleep, or almost dead; the mamalian effect had started to kick in, making my body impervious to the cold, but also in a semiconsious state. The pale blue tinge on forming on my skin does not help either. Jaunita returns to the tree on the hill, noticing that I was still there in the same place, in the same position that I was in when she left. "Fernando?", she asks, kneeling down besides me. Reaching over and patting my face trying to get a response from me. "Fernando?!!?", she calls again, reaching over trying to my wrist, feeling for a pulse. There is none, at least, not for a while. Though she would not have recognized it. The mamalian effect drops the heart rate to a bare 4 to 10 beats a minute, and breathing to a shallow 2 to 5. Most medical professionals would diagnose me for dead, until I get up and scare the hell out of them. Jaunita (Gloria) is no medical professional, only a 17yr old high school girl- though she is proficent on basic first aid. Her shaking of and yelling at me is getting my attention, though its going to take a while to wake up totally from this effect. Eventually- I open up my eyes to look at her as she has me by my shirt collar, appearing as if she is manhandling me like some poor hen-pecked husband. Eventually she notices that I'm awake (or some sembalence thereof), and stops shaking me by letting go. I fall hard against the tree. "Ow...", is all I can think of. She kneels there 1/2 scared and 1/2 angry at me. "Fernando? You Ok?", she asks. It takes several seconds for my automontic functions to return to near normal levels. I just stare straight ahead, in a lot of pain and strangle tingling sensation of my entire body trying to wake. "Yeah, I'll be fine.", I say softly. She looks at me, covered in a light blanket of snow and starts brushing it off. "You dont look ok.", she comments. "Just give me a while to warm up.", I said. Now the cold temperature starts to hit my warming body. Like it or not, my body starts to shiver and I cant control it. Jaunita starts to get worried, unbuttoning her coat, taking it off and placing it on me. She starts to shiver from being exposed in the cold. "It works better when you're in the coat with me- like before", I said slowly. She thinks about it, repling, "But you're all wet...." "Body heat will take care of it....", I said. She pauses for a while before removing her coat off me, sits on my lap, wraps us both in her coat, and hugs me to get warm. "You're freezing!!!", she squeals. "Give me a few minutes...", I stuttered. I try to compress my muscles tightly so that they would have to fight against each other as they shiver to keep warm. Doing so increases the friction between them and their internal temperature. My body starts to heat up, and the shivering slows down to a stop after a couple of minutes. "Better?", as I start to pant for air. "What did you do?", she asks. "I would not know how to explain it.", I said, continueing panting for air. My body seemed more adjusted to the environment and more capable of handleing it. Slowly, my breathing returned to normal. "Then you dont need to explain.", she saids. "Why not?... I mean, even if I could.", I ask "You dont, because, we share certain gifts that others wont believe. We know what the other feels and think...", she starts to explain. "But...-*", I try to convey, although she interupts me. "No buts. You think that this little group was formed together by accident?", she asks. "No, everything has a purpose, put together by god...", she continues. "...and love?", I asks. "In a way- yes.", she answers, "John has his iron laced bones; Kevin- his agility and superstrength; Raul and his knowledge of the arts, immunity to poisons and Superfast reflexes." "But-*", I try to interupt her again. "Hush up- will ya?", she almost yells at me. "No.... then explain the girls.", I added. "We girls?", she thinks, "isn't is obvious?" "No...", I answer. "Ours are on a mental level, as the guys are physical: Denise, Cathy, me, even Evadney are empathic. Denise and I are telepathic, well I more than her...", she explains some more. "And of Cathy?", I ask "Cathy's teleknetic, but doesn't know it.", she answers. "How could she not know?", I ask "Well, she's blind and cant see, and all those little accidents are her reaching out and stumbling on everything.", she explains. "I see.", I reply. "and Evadney- she hears whispering voices which she ignores. Those voices are other people's thoughts...", she explains. I almost laugh, "Whipsers?" "Well, you perceive them as radio stations.", she replies. "Yes, thats why I have to tune them in.", I explain. "And she percieves thoughts on a large frequency range all at once.", she explains with some anger in her voice. "But... how you know so much and what about the others?", I ask. She looks at me with with a stern look at her face, "Nosey aren't you?", she saids "Yes, I know.", I say in a pompous attitude. "Well, the others have simillar abilities- males and females alike.", she explains. "But you...", she continues. "What abut me?", I dared ask. "With mental and physical abilities, you are the most powerful of all... and we girls know it.", she explains. "And you all want to have my baby.", I sarcastically add. She looks at me angrily. "And if we do?", she comments. "You-all are not having it.", I answer. "And why not?", she continues to play for answers. "Cause to have a child like me is a curse.", I explain. "I dont know- your kiddie picture looks cute.", she comments. I think for an answer, wondering how to answer, "Want to be awake during the pregnancy?", I ask. "I think its normal to be awake, at least 1/2 the time.", as she tries to explain the basics of female anatomical functions. "No- I meant- drinking coffee 24 hours a day, and not ever sleep at all... from day 1 to birth.", I explain. "Thats unnatural and impossible!", she exclaims. "Nope- Mom did with me. No sleep and coffee all the time. I was born with a hypersensitve system, and a Need Caffine Headache.", I explain. She looks at me with some disbelief, trying to figure out if I saying the truth, but senses no lie coming from me. "Isn't that from the high silver concentration in your body?", she asks. "No.", I answer, "Though its part of the reason." "Reason?", she asked "Jaunita- its like having wires and light bulbs on a circuit, but no juice to turn it on.", I explain. "And right now, you're tired...", she states. "Dont try to change the subject.", I complain. "I'm not trying to change the subject.", she says in self defence. "Then you still want to have my baby?", I dare to ask. "What are you trying to insinuate?", she asks, giving me a mean stare. "Nothing really.", I answer. "Fernandez....", she saids in her southern accent. I look at her annoyed, challenging her, even though I been tired for a long time now. "Well, I cant say that I would be a good father", I said. She looks at me confused. I get up and look at her in the eye, "Jaunita- I may not even be able to be a father..." "What you mean by that?!!!", she asks. "Look..., everything seems to work, but I do not know if my sperm is capable of fertilizing an egg.", I explain to her. "Things should be ok.", she says. I look at her as if she was stupid. "Sure, they will be.", I state sarcastically. She looks back at me trying to find answer from me, somehow to be expressed. But I would rather tell her than show her, but first, I have to calm down a bit. I take a deep breathe and sigh. "I'm sorry.", I appologize. "What for?", she replies. we just look at each other in the eye, in one of those awkward moments of weither we are going to kiss or not. But we dont, knowing that this is the line we do not cross. "Fernando...", she continues, "if there is one thing I know about you is that you make the world around you." "What? Explain that one to me...", I ask. "Well...", as she quickly tried to find the words to her answer, "I know that there is nothing you can do when you put your mind to it." I look at her, almost not accepting her answer. "But...-*", as I started to say as she interupts me. "But nothing. I know that you were blind and crippled before, you came to Tech and somehow you managed to place your mark on this school that many will try to copy and will not suceed.", she stated. "Jaunita...-*", as I tried to explain, but she continues to interupt me. "No buts- Fernandez...", as her southern accent kicks in, "I've seen you triumph over your worst, when others would have rolled over and died." "You haven't seen me at my worst", I say to myself. "That little boy who walked around tapping his cane about the school, often in pain from his recent spinal operations, was not your worse...?", she reples. "You were not there during my days in Richman.", I answer her. "Those days of being dropped or blown up, the hell you got from your ex, and those who called themselves your friend... I was there. Inside your head. Observing who you were and what you are.", she explains. "You sensed my back then?", I asked. "Back then, I sensed something. You were like part of a dream, but had no part being there. But when you finally came here, things sorted themselves out, and I sensed you all the time.", she continued to explain. "You had dreams about me?", I ask, almost too proudly. "Honestly?", she gets closer towards me, "Not those dreams... but you know what I mean.... I was in yours, if you can remember them.", she almost boasts. I stare back into her eyes, thinking for at least the moment. "Then what else you know?", I asked. "You rasied two very lovely god-daughters.", she answers. "Jaunita- you want to be my girlfriend?", I asked. "Not now.", she quickly answers. "Becuase of Cathy?", I asked. "She needs you, very much. More than I ever would.", she answers "But, she has Randal, who she's going to marry.", I state. "Thats the cause of her problems and you're the savior of her pain.", she explains. "But what about me?", I ask. "I'll be there for you, just call.", she answers. "And then what?", I ask. "Nothing, and everything. Just do me one favor.", she answers. "Whats that?", I reply. "You better not have any other girlfriends around...", she says in an almost threatening tone. "You're the jealous type then.", I replied, "so this situation I'm in with Cathy makes it difficult for you." She just glares at me, as if I angered her, but calming down from it. "She got to you first.", she manages to say. "She did not, as you say- 'got to me first.'", I answer back. "What you mean by that?", drawing back away from me, she states confused. "You know... we're not as serious as you may think.", I said almost hesitently. "Fernando....", she starts to say, "explain whats going on between you two." "What has she been telling you...?", I ask. "Only things that she would know if she was sexually involved with you.", she explained. "Sexually- involved?", I asked. "You know- how big you are and stuff like that.", she continued explaining. I succeed in holding back my laughter, though I sense that she does not think its funny. "Jaunita...", as I begin to explain, "every girl in tech who shared swimming class with me- knows 'HOW BIG I AM...' its something you cant hide in a tight bathingsuit.", I answer. She looks at in slightly confused. "Somehow I dont believe that.", she saids almost to herself. "You want me to demonstrate?", I ask "FERNANDO!!', she squeals, "I'm Still A Virgin!!" she tries to slap me, but I parry her hand before it can strike me. "I wouldn't do that to you.", I said. "Then what do you mean...", she asks. "Remember the time when the girls attacked me and ripped up my clothes?", I asked. "Yeah, that was last year.", she said. "Who's gym clothes was I wearing?", I asked. "Mine...", she answered. "Then who changed me into your gym clothes?", I continued asking. "They did.", she answers. "They?", I asked. "Denise, Cecelia, Evadney, Lisa, and Cathy.", she answers. "What about you?", I ask. "They locked me up in my own locker until they finished changing you.", she answers. "How convient.", I say to myself, "But, seriously, you noticed anything? I'm sure I was ripped up to my underwear when it happened." "Well..., No!", she replied. "You cant be that blind, girl.", I stated to her. "I just dont look at other people's crotches...", she tried to explain. "And you want to be a doctor?", I asked, "you cant be that much of a virgin...." "Ok... its just an act.", she replies. "Then, you should know 'HOW BIG I AM...'", I state. "Well, I have some idea.", she says in a slightly innocent and confused tone. "But Cathy said that she has held you and stuff.", she continues, interupting me before I can start. I think for a second, trying to calculate where her pelvis is in relation to mine, though my body is 1/2 numb from both the cold and her body's weight pressing against those misdirected nerves the surgery tried to correct so many years ago. I take a guess and shift my hands down to her waist and take hold her her there. She looks at me as if I was going to do something to her that her flight or fight instincts should take care of. I lift her up a couple of inches and set her down right on up against my groin, if we were naked at this point, we would be at a point where we would be having sex. Her eyes open up really wide, surprized at something I was not really quite sure of. Actually, I was sure, but was not expecting a screaming reaction from her. "FERNANDO!!", she squeals. I try to hush her up by placing my fingers against her lips. "You dont have to yell...", I state, covering my ears with my free hand and opposite shoulder. "What are you doing?!!", as she takes me hand away from my face and pins it it to the floor. I slowly take my free hand away from her waist. "Jaunita- this is as far as Cathy and I ever got. I dont mean to hurt you or scare you, but I want you to think about it.", I softly say to her. She lowers herself on to me, and inching away from where I placed her. We're almost nose to nose when she stops and looks into my eyes. I know that she's trying to read my thoughts, but its easier to sense the truths and lies than it is to search for details. I think she only telepathically seaching for the truth and not to get details, it would be easier for her if she is. But she thinks about it. I have yet to lie to her and dont need to start now. Time plays its illusion of eternity slowly passing by in its ever standing still pace. Her eyes fixated onto my pupils as if she's reading me from within with all seriousness of a med-school student on the night before final exams. Then she begins to laugh. At first softly. Then slowly getting louder, while pounding on my chest. I have to grab her by the shoulders try to raise her off me so to stop her from hitting me from her hysterics. She hits me pretty hard to almost hurt, while laughing uncontrollably. "JAUNITA!!!", I yell at her. She finally realizes that she has to calm down, and does so accordingly. "I didn't..." she begins to apologize. "Dont apologize.", I commented. She starts to sit up on me, with her mood changing from one extreme to another. "Fernando-*", she started to say with all the seriousness she can create. "What?", I try to ask, while shifting myself into a more comfortable position. "Cathy is going to try-*", she started off slowly, trying to accellerate with every word before I can interupt her. She looses this race. "Cathy is going to blame me for a lot of things, including; a) getting her pregnant, b) giving her some kind of VD, c) almost getting her killed d) getting Randal almost killed, e) stealing her money f) destroying her life or g) all of the above. Which one is it.", I state as if All-knowing. "So you know of her plans?", she asks. "No. But its your plans.... I mean the Shortfellows, not you.", I said looking into her eyes for answers that are not quite there. She tries to look away, feeling uncomfortable for a while. "Denise has had it for her ever since Cathy and I somehow linked up ever since I first came in and we first met....", I added, "so has Raul and everyone else that follows them." "Does that include me?", she asked. "No, you and John are the only two that have not interfered with what I have had with her in the past.", I answered. "John?", she asked. "Gonzo- medium sized guy with the iron enhanced skeleton, in the navy right now...", I described to her who he was. She still looks at me inquizzitively, but I sense that she knows who I'm talking about, but need that 1 final clue to set it straight, "Denise's Ex." "Oh, That John...", she replies, "But how do you know?" "All the patterns are there.", I answer. "But, what if she does something to blame you or hurt you...-*?", she tries to ask before I stop her. "Because we're friends. Because we're more than friends." I explained, "Like you and I, maybe more so." "But what if she wants to hurt you, to break up with you?", she asked. I look at her for a while thinking in what is this girl trying to tell me. The answer is as obvious as the nose on my face, but for the most part, its invisable to me. "Do you want to be my girlfiend?" I ask her She sits there half frozen in shock from the asking. "Seriously.", I add. It take her a while to get an answer togehter, "But I'm not in love with you...", she explains. "Are you?", I ask, "I sense that somehow you are." "We're just friends...", she continues. "Are we?", as I reach to her blouse and start pulling it by its top button. She slowly leans towards me, as I try to get a glimpse of her breasts from down of the top of her shirt. She extends her right arm and places her hand against my shoulder in trying not to fall back on me. "Fernando-*", she whispers to me. "Do friends share each other's bodies?", I continue to ask. She stares back into my eyes, probably noticing that they are yellow-white than their typical hazel color. But she does not answer, just continues to look back, almost hypnotized by what we're doing, or about to do. I try to sit up against the tree, with her full weight resting against my lap and groin. But I manage enough to start leaning towards her, reaching for an intimate kiss. Inches narrow into fractions of an inch, getting closer together but yet slowing down at the same time. Her eyes begin to close, slowly. But this conflicts with her programming. Contact is almost made, as I can feel the heat of her lips near mine, her breath heavy and panting. I can feel her heart racing inside her chest, as no doubt she can probably feel mine. But she pushes away, crying. "This cant happen...!", she saids to herself. "This wont happen...", I said to her. She looks at me in almost total disbelief to what the actions were eariler saying before. "Jaunita,",I start to say, "you love me as much as Cathy does, maybe more.... As I do you..., but we are friends. And that says something that we can not explain but must respect. Maybe we'll get married one day, have kids, raise a family- for rich or for poor, better or worse. But that cant happen now.", trying to wipe a tear from her eye. "Its more than that, Fernando.", she saids. "How so." I almost asked. Then I realize that it was a mistake to ask that. She looks at my eyes, with a tear rolling down hers. I reach out to wipe it again, but she stops me in mid reach. Inside, she going through an emotional rollercoaster ride of her life, and I'm the one who put her there. Sometimes my logistical side gets the better of my friends, especially the female ones. "Dont ask.", she saids, holding back something more then words could explain. "I know I should not have.", I answer. "Then why do you?", she asks, "you do it almost all the time." "Dont know, I just do... and I cant help it at times.", I answered. Continuing to look into my eyes, she leans forward. "Dont change on the account of me." she whispers. I stare back at her trying to digest what she just said. "But seriously, Jaunita...", I began to ask. "You want an answer, and Its so simple that you cant see it.", she explains. "It has to do something with Cathy... Right?", I asked. "Yes.", she answers. "But there's more to it?", I ask. "Lets just say thats its a girl thing.", she adds. "I dont think respect is a 'Girl Thing.'", I said. She looks at me disapprovely, "Its more than just respect.", she saids a bit more sternly. "OK- I'll leave it alone...", I replied, "...for now." "Fernando...", she continues. "So Cathy has some plan to hurt me?", I said to quickly change the subject, "But I already know that." She looks at me, crossing her arms. "Jaunita- I'm not stupid or crazy, and I know what trouble I am having her as my girl friend.", I continue. "You only know 1/2 the story.", she adds. I think for a quick answer, "About a debt that her family owes and that she has to end up paying? I knew about that." "Fernando- you only know a little bit more than everynoe else. But Cathy and I have ben friends since Kindergarden, and there is a lot more to it than anyone should ever know.", she tries to explain, "...and besides, I dont want you to get hurt." "Because she's not worth it?", I ask "Because no one is worth it.", she answers. "Then explain what is love to me...", I begin to say, but she interupts. She leans over to me until we're almost nose to nose, "What you two share is not love." "Then what is it?", I almost challenge her to answer it. She stares into my eyes for a few seconds, perhaps thinking for an answer or reaching inside my mind to find the truth behind my feelings. "If its not love, then what is it?", I ask in an almost demanding tone. She pushes away to separate the distance between us before answering, "Confusion." "Confusion?", I almost yell out. "Both of you love each other, but both of you dont know what to do about it.", she explains. I give her one of those 'if looks can kill' stare. She returns one of those 'I Dare You To', stares. "Neither of you dont, so dont try to defend it.", she adds. "And what do you know about love?", I dare to ask in the most challenging tone possible. She just stares back, as if she could tear an answer out of me, or to at least nail one. "Alot more than you.", she dares to answer. "You're going to have to prove that one to me.", I said almost laughing. She thrust me in the stomache, but I dont move. "I-*", as she began to say. "Just dont say a damned word....", I began my explaination. "Would you do anything with your power to make the 1 person you love- happy?" She begins to answer, but I cover her mouth with my hand, and continue with the tongue lashing. "Would you do anything beyond your power to make that 1 person you love happy?" She reaches to my hand to pull it away, as I continue, "Would you do anything and everything, including to die for that 1 person who is so special that no matter what you do, it may not be enough.... but at least you tried....?" She finally pulls my hand away, and is about to answer, but I finish with my final statement, "As I would do for you, and for her, and for Evadney..." She sits there quiet for the moment. Thought frozen in time, for at least the moment. "But she is going to hurt you.", she is able to say. "Hurt, how? I've been...-*", I start again with my historical rambling. "...shot at, blown up, beaten, dropped and left for dead. I know the history.", she recites from memory. "Then, if you know, for whom....", I challenge her for an answer. "For some girl named Mary something or other...", she answers, staring me in the eyes for the next loaded question. "Then what did I do for her?", I asked. "You didn't do anything for her, but you almost got killed for her.", she answered, slowing down towards the end as she begins to realize the exact meaning of the words themselves. "Then what can Cathy ever do to me?", I ask. For the moment, she sits there silently. A silent "Nothing." is what she could say. I shift myself to get a more comfortable position against the tree, holding to her to make sure she does not fall off in the process. "Look,", as I begin to say, "I have no problems with you or anyone else in the group, I just want to be left alone with my decisions." "Even though those decisions might get you hurt or worse?", she asks almost silently. I hold her by the chin to gaze into her eyes, "Yes, even if those decisions gets me hurt or killed." She gently pushes my hand off her chin and leans her head against my chest, curling up into a little ball on my lap. I reach over and move the coats on us to better cover us up. "Then you wont be there alone when it happens...", I can hear her saying to herself. "Then you know what love is.", I said to myself silently. We stay there for almost an hour, saying nothing much at all other than enjoying the time as it passes by and each other company. The heat from our bodies under the coats keeps the cold at bay. For me, my blood pressure starts to drop again and I slowly go back into sleep mode. "Fernando, wake up", as she nudges me. I begin to wake up slowly. "Yes-", I said with a sigh, slowly stretching. "Its getting late.", she saids. "What time it is?", as I continue to stretch and yawn. She reaches over to grab my arm and presses a button on my LED Watch. "Its almost 4pm.", she said, "soon it will be dark." I finally shake off the sleep from my head and take a deep breathe. "We better go then.", I commented, looking around at the position of the sun and noticing the amount of snow that accumilated around us, but not on us. She inches up to my nose and gives it a quick peck. "What was that for?", I asked. "Nothing...", she answered. I shift myself to get a better seating position before trying to get up, but I notice that I had an erection pressed up against her, and stop from moving any further. "Jaunita?", I asked "I know...", she saids with a smile, trying to keep herself from giggleing. "I'm sorry...-*", I began to appologize She places her fingers against my lips. "Dont be." We stare into each other eyes for a moment. "I know that it not because you want me here and now.", She continues. "But-*", as I try to say while moving her fingers. She smiles back at me, "I know you too well. As a friend, you dont. As a sex-starved maniac you are, you do. But as with me- only because we want to continue in that direction." I try to relax, hoping that she did not get a glimpse of my dreams, as wild and strange that they are. "Fernando....", as she calls for me quietly. I just return the look at her. "Just want you to know, if I ever wanted to have premarital sex with anyone, it would be with you.", she explained. "Why?" I asked. "Because you would not hurt me, and if we do, it would be out of love.", she continues to explain. "Would you really want too?", I asked. "Here and now?", she looks at me surprized. "Do you want too?" as she puts a hand on my shoulder to help herself get into a more comfortable position. I just look at her for a reaction. "It would be difficult and all...", she said courisously. But she slides her hand down to our pants and starts tugging on my belt. I quickly grab it and hold against me so she would stop pulling. I think to myself that I hope it is not a test, yet somehow I cant stop to think that maybe it is. "But you're a virgin....", I tried to protest. "I know, and I'm willing to give it to you when you want it.", she said. I think for a while, wondering what to say. "What if you get pregnant.", I asked. "I'd have it, and hope that you would do the right thing.", she said. "I would.", I said. She gives me another quick peck on the nose. "Juainta? Would you seriously want too, or are you....", I ask. She looks at me, slowly sliding her finger down my nose, knowing what affects it does to me. "You have some interesting dreams...", she whispers as she leans towards my ear. "You didn't- did you?", I asked. She places both her hands on my shoulders and pushes herself up from me and seem to shake something off. "Oh my...", she saids in a surpized tone. "You ok?", I asked. "Nothing happened?", she asked as I can hear her silently say to herself, "I hope." "Nothing happened....", I said to reassure her, "what happened to you?" "Nothing major- just something that girls go through once in a while...", she tried to sheepishly explain. "But what...", I asked, almost demanding for an answer. She looks at me sternly, almost refusing to answer. "Well?" I asked. "I was horny- ALRIGHT!", she saids almost yelling. "But why?", I asked. I take the coats of us and wrap her around her. She remains quiet, embarressed by whats happened. I give her a hug, and whisper in her ear, "Dont answer. I dont want to know." She turns to face me, "I'm sorry." "I should be the one that is sorry.", I said. "You dont understand, I was in there," as she tapped my forehead, "in your dreams with you." I close my eyes, thinking, almost wanting to concentrate and put up those mental walls that I have put down some time ago. "I'm sorry", she apologizes again. I give her a quick kiss on the fore head. "Dont be.", I said. She looks at me confused and unsure what to do. "Dont be sorry...", I continue, "...sometimes we can not control our powers." "But...-*", she saids to herself silently. I shift myself against the tree in order to get my coat on. "But nothing. If I cant trust you with your powers on me, then you should not be here being straddled against me.", I explain. She sat there unsure of what to do or say. Even after I had zipped and buttoned up both our coats, she sat there in an a catatonic state. I tried to push her to get up off me, so we can start off on our way. Her resistance against me proved that she was alert and aware of what was going on around her. The only option I had left was to adjust myself against the tree before trying to get up. But after adjusting myself, she leaned foward against me and gave a quick kiss on the lips, and stared into my eyes afterwards. "What was that for?", I asked. "Everyone's right about you...", she began to say, "...you're too perfect.' "Perfect?", I asked. "Dont ask.", she paused for a while. "When a girl tells you 'you're too perfect', you don ask." I was in no condiction of mind to either question or challenge her answer. "Its getting late.", I stated. She continued to stare into my eyes for a few more moments before taking action. She slowly got up, as I prepare myself to do the same. Taking several steps away from tree, and looking down the hill, I can see that it is still snowing, though its more like the winds blowing the snow around instead of letting it settle onto the ground. I can see Jaunita (Gloria) trying to seal up all the cold spots on her coat while mine remains 1/2 openned. She walks up from behind while I continue to study the weather situation, noticing that the winds are picking up, knowing that an ice storm is approaching from the East. A Nor-Easter as some experts calls it. But I dont seem to care; closing my eyes and concentrating. The winds begin to subside, and the clouds disappate, to revealing a sun that was forced to hide behind them. Jaunita (Gloria) walks besides me and stares at me while I continue with my concentration. I slowly open them up again in satisfaction. "Sometimes I swear...", she started to say. "Swear on what?", I asked, interupting her. She gives me an annoyed look. "God did not give you those powers for you to flaunt and waste on making it a sunny day every time you want it to be...", she complains. I take her by the hand and slowly pull her to me for another hug to protect her against the elements. Eyes closed again, I concentrate on increasing the heat between us, if only for a moment, to be as warm as if we were still inside the vaunted halls of that school we both go to. But I'm also tired, having expended too much energy in so little time, I need to rest and recharge. She notices that the temperature does goes up abnormally between us, and gives me this stern look. I can almost hear her think, 'Sometimes I damn swear about you- Fernando...' Instead she looks into my eyes and smiles. I look back into hers, "You sure that you dont want to steal me from Cathy? I mean- these powers are for the one I love, and that could be you." She pushes back to step away from me, forcing the cold air in between us again. "Lets go to Mikey Dee's and get something to eat.", as she takes a step down the hill and tries to pull me with her. At first I resist, but then decide to go. The few short blocks down DeKalb were deserted as we walked through them. McDonalds was semi deserted as well. Only those who dared to step out into the cold weather were there to fill up on greasy energy reserves and warm up before heading out again. We sit down at the closest table opposite from the door. I get up to pull out my wallet to get some money together, but I know its empty. It always is. "What would you like to have?", I ask her. "You sit down, and I'll take care of it.", she tells me, almost demanding, as she gets up and starts to walk around the partitions that separate the tables from the food service area. So I sit back down and watch her walk past the cashiers and towards a door just past them that has a sign saying 'employees only' on it. A few minutes later, she comes out and sits back down. "I'm not going to ask what you just did back there.", I quietly said. "Then dont.", she saids. "Jaunita?", I ask, "What do you mean by you being my birthday present?" She just leans over towards me and smile. "Haven't you figured it out?", as she reaches over and strokes my nose with her finger tip. I rear back, holding the sensations of that ultra sensitive spot created by a surgeon's mistake of crossing nerves underneath a scar on my forehead. "please dont do that again.", I almost pleaded with her. "Why not? I know what that does to you.", she continues on with her antics. "Just answer me the question- please?", I ask. "What's there to explain? Anytime, anywhere for any reason you need me, I'll be there for you.", she explains. "Even for sex?", I ask. "Why else would I want to take you home?", she asks. "I do have to go to my home, eventually.", I said. "Well, given time...", she stated. The store manager comes in, holding a try of 2 Big Mac, fries and sodas, placing them on the table between us. His only reaction was to nod at Jaunita before walking away from us. "What is this all about?", I ask. "I know you have not had lunch yet. So- enjoy.", she explained. "What about you?", I asked. "You know I dont eat that much, so enjoy.", she said. I reached over and grab one of the burgers, unwrapping it from its paper foil. Unsure of what to say, the only thing that I can say is , "Thanks.", before taking a bite out of it. "Anything for you...", Jaunita replied. "Why?", I asked. "You ask too many questions.", she answers. "I'm sorry then.", I stated, "I just want to know why." "Aint it obvious?...", she started to say. "No.", I interrupted her. "For saving Kevin's and Raul's asses from Todd...", she started to list things for me. "Todd does not fight fair, and one day he's going to stab Kevin during one of these fights.", I tried to explain, interupting her. "But you do it all the time. Why?", she asks. "Kevin can beat Todd, but Todd does not fight fair. I dont want to see kevin get seriously hurt or even dead becuase of Todd. Its that simple.", I answered her. "But what about you? You're in no shape to take on Todd, and I know it.", she says with all authority. "I do as I must.", I said. "And do so until you're hurt or worse.", she saids. "Jaunita- I'm already dead...", I said. "Dont say that.", she interupts me. "Thats the whole point then...", I said. "Look, I know about your condiction, the amount of time you may have left. But I dont want you to go head first into an early grave.", she saids. "I will do as I must.", I said. "Not for them.", she saids. "Then for who?", I ask. "Cathy, for one...", she started. "You agree with that?", I ask. "Let me finish...", she saids, "Evadney and Denise, for two." "Anyone one else?", I stated. "Will you let me finish...", she complained. "Alright then- finish..." I said, taking a bit out of the burger. "For me...", she said. I look at her in silence for a moment. "That's it...", she added. "Just the 4 of you?", I ask. "There are many more, but I think we are on top of the list.", she said. "Many more... care to add names?", I ask. "Not really.", she said. "Do they all have anything in common?", I ask. "Other then we all being girls? No.", she explains in a question. "Why only girls?", I ask. "Its your job to do so.", she said. "And if I refuse...", I ask. "You wont.", she said. "What about...", I started to say. "Who... Oh, them... Yeah, they should be first on your list.", she started to say, realizing that she had forgottten my god-daughters. "Its getting late.", I stated, wanting to get up out of the chair. She take my hand and holds it, keeping me from getting up in a symbolic way. "Dont leave, not just yet.", she saids. "What do you want then...", I said. "You...", she started to say. "Jaunita...", I started to reply in protest. "I just want sometime with you.", she said. "Time... doing...?", I ask. "Nothing. Really.", she answered. "Just to explore how far our friendship goes?", I ask. "Is there anything wrong with that?", she asks. "In all honesty- no.", I answered almost to myself. "Then would you want to, spend the time with me?", she asks. "Yes, I would want to, but...", I started to say. "But what?", she asks. "Nothing really, is just that I have to get home, you know.", I tried to explain. "How about explaining that you would be home late, you know, call them.", she said. "That would only add to the stress I have at home.", I answered. "Then how about sharing the time we got know...", Jaunita asks. "Share them... how? Where?", I asked. "We'll figure out that later on...", she said. I remained silent for the while, eating the burger only to find the other one being placed into my hand when I finished the first one by her. Jaunita herself only picked at the french fries for a while, but left the majority for me to have though I too only had a few of them. The remainder of the time we sat and stared into each others eyes, connecting telepathically, though I was too tired to create the connection, she did most of the work of doing that for us. We must have stayed there for over an hour, as the day grew into night as per the short days of winter allowed. Eventually we got out of our seat and walked to my trainstation just less than a block away. She goes with me through the gate, though only I showed my train pass, the cops at the station allowed her to go through with me. Together we walked down the stairs to the lower platform, finding a warm spot to remain in. I lean against the station's support pillar, as she leans against me, both of us waiting for me train. Several other trains arrive and leave, but none were the one I needed. My train finally does come, and she gets on with me, pulling me back to the door instead of the seat I wanted. Together we lean against the door as the train moves through the tunnel. At Borough Hall, the train stops and she gets off, still holding on to my hand. The train closes its doors, though we try to hold on to the last second. Eventually she lets go, the doors closes before my fingers can get caught in between them, and the train starts to roll away from the station. Another 45 minutes later, I arrived home, not wanting to deal with family or birthday parties or surprizes. Getting on to my bed, I lay there pretending to have a headache and am left alone for the rest of the night. Feb. 3rd, '81- Enbodiment of family secrets do not lie still in the grave. Flight 1611 from San Jaun PR arrives 5 hours late at JFK Airport. Amoungst the 3am crowd leaving the plane, an 18yr old gets onto the tarmack and walks to the carousel, waiting for his luggage arrive. He stands at 5ft 10, almost 180 lbs, just turning grey around the edges of his short cut curly hair, and dark brown quartz crystal lens glasses. At the check out counter, he makes arrangements for a hotel and turns in his property tickets to receive his insured valuables: a wallet with money, various id- including an Emergency Medical Service Unit Badge from Mayaguez PR, and a 9mm Smith & Wesson semi automatic pistol. The name on the ticket saids: Jose Caledron Gutierrez. His is my twin brother that I never knew existed. He walks out the checkout station with his values and hails a cab. He rides it to the nearby Holdiay Inn hotel, where he checks his 2 week reservations and takes his keys. He arrives at his room, putting away his belongings. He finally strips to his underwear and climbs into bed. He lays there, having trouble sleeping. He gets up and reaches over to the the night table and retrieves his gun. It is placed under his pillow, and he seems more at ease now as he turn off the lights.

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