Renegade Rupture (10 page)

“I’d rather go to war than dance,” Gisbo said, folding his arms.

“Oooo! You tough guy you!” Kennis said, crossing her arms, imitating Gisbo with an upturned lip. “Tell you what, I’d hate for you to look awkward and silly out there. I’ll do you a favor and dance with you tonight and coach you the whole way through,”

“Wait a minute, are you asking me to go with you?” Gisbo asked.

“Rolce was right; you are a bit slow,” Kennis said.

“Hey! Rolce said that?” Gisbo asked.

“It’s only fair, considering all the good things he says about you,” Kennis said.

“Oh, well, yeah,” Gisbo said.

“You don’t take compliments well, do you?” Kennis asked.

“Um,” Gisbo said.

“I don’t either,” Kennis said.

“Why, why are you doing this?” Gisbo asked.

“Doing what?” Kennis asked.

“Being nice to me,” Gisbo said.

“Did we not agree to be friends?” Kennis asked.

“Well, yeah, but . . .” Gisbo started.

“And did I not promise Kalloway I’d keep an eye on you?” Kennis asked. “She’s like my mother, you know.”

“Well, sure, but . . .” Gisbo said.

“And would Kinny or Kalloway want you to look stupid on the dance floor tonight? I think not,” Kennis said, smiling a sweet smile that made Gisbo’s knees weaken just enough to nearly stumble. Kennis grabbed his arm in a flash and kept him up.

“Oh boy, if walking’s a problem for you, I can only imagine how you’ll dance,” Kennis said. “Don’t worry; lucky for you, I’m a good teacher.”

“Good, something tells me I’ll need it,” Gisbo said.

“You will,” Kennis said. “And to tell you the truth, I also feel like I owe you one. You saved my life. One dance lesson should clear my debt.”

“Oh?” Gisbo said.

“Yup,” Kennis said.

“So, how are you doing without . . . Kinny?” Gisbo asked.

“About as good as I can. Another reason why I wanted to befriend you. It’s been lonely having no one to talk to,” Kennis said.

“What about Niffin or Ashlin?” Gisbo asked.

“Ashlin’s dating some younger boy. He’s still a Renegara. She’s never around anymore,” Kennis said. “I have Niffin, but she’s very shy. I can barely get ‘boo’ out of her half the time, and the rest of the girls, sort of keep to themselves in their own little clique. So, who else can I go to but you?”

“Glad to be a last resort,” Gisbo said.

“You’re welcome!” Kennis said, grinning. Gisbo laughed. “Well, here we are. Steak, eggs, home fries, and some toast sound good?”

“Perfect, thanks,” Gisbo said.

“Coming right up! Coffee?” Kennis said.

“Cream and sugar, and Kennis,” Gisbo said.

“Yeah?” Kennis asked, turning around.

“Seriously, thanks,” Gisbo said. Kennis smiled.

“Just have a seat. I’ll have it out in a bit,” Kennis said.

Gisbo sat down at the same table he and Whip had occupied hours ago. Out of instinct, Gisbo looked over at the side of the steak shack for the Goat Man. Fortunately, nothing was there. Gisbo turned his attention to Kennis as she went about cooking him a wonderful brunch after she tied back her long, blond hair in a silky, flowing ponytail that bounced from side to side as she worked.

Something was different about her, besides the obvious changes that seemed to have bloomed out of nowhere. She had a good heart, a naturally caring personality, a smile and gaze that made him melt, and quite possibly the most attractive body Gisbo ever laid eyes on. She had no idea how truly beautiful she was, possibly because her beauty came over night, much like the old fairy tale
The Ugly Duckling
.

Even her Boon’s a swan.
Gisbo smiled at the thought.

“Here you go. I’d love to talk more, but, you know, hate for you to get bored of me before tonight,” Kennis said, placing the meal before him.

“That’d be awful. I hate awkward silence,” Gisbo said.

“It’s the worst. I’ll see you tonight then?” Kennis asked.

“Yup,” Gisbo said.

“I’ll be at your place at seven. Dress nice!” Kennis said as she turned around and made her way back to the kitchen. Gisbo watched her walk away and nearly lost his breath. Her swaying behind and curves danced and writhed, causing his body to tingle all over.

“Hey, yo, earth to Gisbo!” a voice said.

“Hm?” Gisbo asked, as if waking from a dream. “Oh, hey, Grandfield, what’s up?”

Grandfield slid into the chair across from Gisbo.

“Did you know there’s supposed to be a dance tonight?” Grandfield asked.

“Yeah,” Gisbo said.

“A required dance?” Grandfield asked.

“Um, as of fifteen minutes ago, yeah,” Gisbo said.

“A girl’s supposed to ask me to go! And no one has! What am I supposed to do?” Grandfield asked.

“Can’t help you there. I’m not a girl last time I checked,” Gisbo said.

“Crap, crap, crap! I hate this! Who the hell would ask a fat oaf like me out?” Grandfield asked as he pulled a box of donuts out of his pack and began scarfing them down.

“Don’t you think you should take it easy? I mean, you . . .” Gisbo started.

“I DON’T HAVE AN EATING PROBLEM!” Grandfield bellowed, spraying crumbs everywhere.

“Um, I didn’t say that. I meant take it easy about a girl asking you out, but . . .” Gisbo started.

“I’m, I’m sorry, buddy, you’re right. It’s still only noon, plenty of time, I just, to go out dancing with nobody? Jeesh, what the hell am I gonna do? Wait a minute, why are you so calm? Did someone ask you?” Grandfield asked.

“Yeah, actually. I’m going with Kennis,” Gisbo said.

“WHAT? How in the blue hell did you manage that? She’s, like, every man’s dream girl around here now! I mean, I’m not one for change. Never have been. Change scares the hell out of me. But let me tell ya, when it comes to Kennis Flora, that is the kind of change that nobody saw coming! And, just, wow, even in that ponytail, just look at her! Which begs the question, why’s she bringing someone like you?” Grandfield asked.

“Are you ok, man? You’re talking a mile a minute,” Gisbo said.

“Ugh, sorry, sugar rush. What about Nina? How does she feel about that?” Grandfield asked. Just the name set him on edge and immediately brought his thoughts to Malik.

“We, I think we called it quits,” Gisbo said.

“Say what? Really? When?” Grandfield asked.

“Today,” Gisbo said.

“And then, just like that, Kennis asks you out?” Grandfield asked.

“Um, yeah, yeah, I guess,” Gisbo said. “Believe me, I don’t know how it happened either.”

“Jeesh, you move quick, huh? Some guys just have all the luck. The hottest girl in Heaven’s Shelter, and she’s going with Gisbo Falcon,” Grandfield said. “Which only means I have a chance too! Thanks, Gisbo, I appreciate it, man. I’m gonna go, um, put out the vibe or something.”

“Uh, yeah, sure. Good luck with that,” Gisbo said.

“Luck ain’t got nothing to do with it. It’s called sex appeal, buddy, and believe you me, I got loads of it!” Grandfield said as he lifted his stomach and let it fall, jiggling, then dumped the rest of the donut box in the trash. With a big, impish grin, he pulled up his pants and began strutting about as sexily as a bloated peacock through every group of girls he could. Gisbo shook his head and couldn’t help but laugh as he looked down at Fao.

“Maybe you should just ask him out, girl,” Gisbo asked. Fao looked up and cocked her head to the side with a whine. “Here, finish up this plate and we’ll go get in a quick training session, then take a nap,” Gisbo said, offering his plate beneath the table, and Fao devoured it in a flash.

Gisbo said goodbye to Kennis and made his way through the woods to his usual training spot. With Fao, he trained in his Boon form, unessential form, and full essence until he could no longer move. He went back to his dwelling and collapsed into his bed with thoughts of the beautiful Kennis to fill his dreams.

Chapter Seven:
Moonlit Flight

“I . . . holy hell, I mean, well, no, but . . .” Gisbo managed to stammer out. There, standing in the doorway, was a girl, no, a woman, whose beauty literally took his breath away. He always thought it was just an expression, an expression from some lonely, closet case poet.

“Hi,” Kennis said sweetly with a big, beaming smile that showed all her glistening, snow-white teeth. She was dressed in a turquoise gown that brought out her eyes, even in the moonlight, and pulled tight to her hourglass figure and womanly assets, but not to the point of flaunting. The dress didn’t need to enhance anything that was already there. She stepped forward and stumbled a bit before Gisbo caught her and held her up.

“Ow! Sorry, sorry, I’m so not used to walking in these,” Kennis said as Gisbo helped her regain her footing. She was just an inch shy of Gisbo’s height in her heels.

“You look handsome,” Kennis said, never once dropping her smile. Gisbo couldn’t take his eyes off her as they traveled up and down her voluptuous form, lips, and moonlit face that seem to make everything glisten. Every breath was hard to take in. Every part of him shivered and tingled pleasantly. Never, ever, had he felt this way around anyone, and rather than drive him nuts, as it would have a few years ago, he welcomed it entirely. While he felt this way, the voice and the Drakeness were completely and utterly silenced.

“Um, this needs to come off though,” Kennis said as she grabbed Gisbo’s tie and popped the tag off.

“Oh, yeah, that could help, I . . .” Gisbo started as he again trailed off, lost within Kennis’s smile, then downward to her overly developed bust.

“Ahem, I’m up here,” Kennis said.

“OH, JEESH! Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean to, I just . . .” Gisbo started.

“It’s all right. Really, I’d be worried if you weren’t looking,” Kennis said with a wink.

“Oh, yeah, good point,” Gisbo said.

An awkward silence befell them both and finally Kennis spoke.

“So, are we ready to go?” Kennis asked.

“Yup, as soon as our ride gets here,” Gisbo said.

“Our . . . our ride?” Kennis asked.

“Of course. Come on, let’s go wait down by the picnic table. It should be here any minute,” Gisbo said.

“Oh, ok,” Kennis said. Together they began to walk the stairs when Kennis suddenly grabbed Gisbo’s hand, sending a surge of pleasure throughout his body. His knees nearly buckled at the surprise. He wasn’t ready for it.

“Hey, whoa! We’re gonna both fall! Come on, help a girl in these heels down these stairs,” Kennis said.

“Right, sorry,” Gisbo said.

“Stop apologizing, you’ve done nothing wrong so far,” Kennis said.

“Sorry, I just . . . damn it, I did it again,” Gisbo said. Kennis stopped them both midway on the stairs and took his other hand in hers.

“It’s ok, there’s no need to be nervous. We’re just friends going to a silly event, ok?” Kennis said, smiling again. Gisbo didn’t know how he should feel about such a sentence. The word “friends” rebounded back and forth in his head as he helped her down the rest of the way.

“So, about this ride . . . how, what is it?” Kennis asked.

“Guess you will have to see when they get here,” Gisbo said.

“They?” Kennis asked.

“Well, I got this idea from one of my favorite stories as a kid. Do you like to read?” Gisbo asked.

“What surprises me is that you do,” Kennis said.

“HEY! I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. Right, you’re a female version of Rolce, of course you like to read, except . . . Wait a minute, no. No, no, no, don’t ever let me say that again, gross,” Gisbo said.

“It’s off the record,” Kennis said.

“Well, anyway, it was a fairy tale about this girl named Flora who lived in this mystical land on a ranch raising horses. She was the youngest of seven sisters who were considered to be the most beautiful in all the land. Travelers would come to this ranch from other parts of the world as a check in station. They would get their horses fed, proper lodging, and the sisters would cater to them and go about their chores. Some would run the restaurant, others prepped the beds, but Flora, because she was the youngest and most beautiful of her sisters, was placed out of sight, out of mind, until her sisters found love first. At least that’s how I think it went, um, anyway . . . So the little ranch house gets word that a prince is coming and means to stay the night. In a hustle, the sisters spend the day prettying up themselves for his arrival. However, while they were waiting for his arrival, an ugly, hunched, beggar arrived, and the sisters took no notice of him as they still awaited the prince’s arrival and tried to shoo him away. The only one who took care of the hunched, ugly man to the best of her ability was Flora. It was then, the beggar de-activated his spell and transformed into the handsome prince, the one they were waiting for, and took Flora away atop his magical flying horse to his caslte in the sky to be wed and lived happily ever after,” Gisbo said. He saw Kennis smile.