“Hmmm.” Mrs. Hull said. “I didn’t know it was that serious.” She commented.
Both kids looked suddenly embarrassed.
Vincent chuckled. “Yep, it’s serious.” He said to add to their playful humiliation. Then he surprised them all. “Let’s you and I go get a drink and let these two kids talk.” He said to Mrs. Hull.
“Uh, okay.” She said, being caught just as much off guard as everybody else present. As he directed Tina’s Mom away, he looked back and winked at Lock.
Tina watched them go in a misty confusion. “What is that all about?” She asked.
Lock motioned for Tina to take a seat and they both sat down gazing at each other.
“Look, we’ve been friends a long time right?” Lock began.
Tina nodded. “I… I have feelings for you. I want to be more than friends.” He admitted.
Tina did the most unforgivable thing… she laughed. Lock was horrified.
“You silly, we are more than friends. It took you long enough to build up the courage didn’t it?” She added.
Lock looked hurt. “You let me suffer, knowing all along?” He asked.
Tina shrugged. “I knew when you were ready, you’d tell me. Honestly, your dedication to me and my Mom is obvious. I am happy and proud to be a part of your life and to hold that much of your attention. My only regret is that we never went to a school dance. Now that we will most likely be tutored, that opportunity is gone.” She said.
Lock leaned in. “Maybe not.” He said and the two kissed. Right there in the middle of a busy commuter station, the two kids were lost in each other. “I can see if there are strings to be pulled. Maybe we can still go.” He said hopefully.
Tina’s eyes lit up. “Really? That would be great. I could finally show you off to the other girls.” She said and then she giggled at his look. “Honestly, everybody knows.” She added.
Lock lowered his eyes. “Just one thing, I can’t dance.” He admitted.
“By the time we are ready, you will be able to.” Tina promised. She kissed him back. “That’s two major life changes in one day, I’ve got to write this down.” She said. Then she smiled and stood up. “We’d better go save Mom. Vincent hasn’t dated in centuries.” She said and the two kids went off hand in hand to save her mother from embarrassment.
The maintenance man sat in his favorite chair, far away from the prying eyes of the public. His viewscreen showed him the video of his handiwork and he grimaced. For things to have gotten this out of control, he had been offered up as the scapegoat. He gritted his teeth.
“Well, if I am to go down, I am not going down alone.” He said back to the screen. He looked off into the distance, imagining Vincent in his offices. “I swear to you that you will regret this.” He vowed. Then he went back to his meal. The tray in front of him held something few people would find edible. The maintenance man pressed a button on his mechanical leg and the channel on his screen changed to an action/adventure video.
The main character in the video was being tormented by a madman and the authorities were confused over who was at fault. The man looked out at the cops and screamed at them. “I will not go quietly! I am innocent!” The taser fired and the screaming man went down in a tumble of spazzing limbs. They quickly apprehended him.
“You’re not going to get me that easily.” The maintenance man replied with a grin.
End Book One.
Eternals Among Us: Book one Page 24
