Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two

The Perils of Love Day, part two, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two Update

Erik and Kayleigh had barely stepped out of the turbo-lift into Wyvern Hall, when they were confronted by one of the older students. “You’re out past curfew, you know. You two are so busted.”    

“You know what, buddy?” Erik said, in a pleasant tone. “Two things. One, I don’t like how you’re looking at my girl, and two, it’s only five-fifteen in the late afternoon. Curfew, as stated in the House Rules, is midnight. So, back off.” Gazing over at Kayleigh, he said, “Grab your books and let’s sit over there to study, shall we?” Upon their return Kayleigh took the armchair and Erik sat on the sofa. As if to make a point, they both cracked open their booklets. Finally, the guy walked off.

He’s probably the one leaving the nasty little notes I’ve heard about. There’s a name for people like that . . .Erik silently groused.

For the first several minutes the two were actually able to get some of their reading done. Suddenly the whoosh of the turbo-lift doors caught their ears and a small media scrum of Paparazzi invaded their quarters. Happily, they were singularly focused on Erik, as they took numerous pictures of the star, the clack-clacking of the shutter resounding like the keys of several old-fashioned typewriters from days gone by. Obnoxious, the sound was disrupting. Erik found himself reading the same paragraph over and over.

“Enough, please,” Kayleigh spoke up. “People are studying here. Bad enough we have to put up with His Nibs, as nice as he is,” She quickly added to Erik’s dismayed expression, “But, as you can imagine, you and your fellow Shutterbugs, invade our space on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. This is university, it’s not exactly easy. So, please, let us study. Thank you.”

Skulking off again, they waited until they heard the closing of the elevator doors. 
“Wow,” Erik said, “maybe I should hire you as my manager. You have me wishing to crawl off somewhere,” and then he laughed. A long, heartfelt chuckle. “Do you mind if we extend this date,” he asked once he calmed down again. 
Smiling, Kayleigh said, “I was about to ask you the same thing. So, yes, let’s do.”
Before they could resume their studies, another roommate walked right between them.

“Are you kidding me?” Kayleigh said, “I don’t know about you, but I was taught to walk behind people not in front of them. Not like there’s not room to do so.”
“I know,” Erik said. “Welcome to dorm life!”
“Must be akin to a boarding house.”
“As in ‘pardon my boarding house reach’?”

“I need a bit of a break,” Erik said. “I’m just going to get a soda from the fridge, do you want anything?”
“No, thanks.”

They were having such a good time Kayleigh asked if they could extend their date again.  This time, Erik, sitting on the sofa next to her, soda in hand gently explained that as terrific a time as he was having, enjoying her company immensely, that he seriously needed to focus solely on his studies.

 “Doesn’t mean we can’t still sit here together; it just means I won’t be able to participate in so much conversation. There’s Prom tomorrow . . .”
“Oh, but I wasn’t planning on that. I have to be at Midnight Services, or that skinning Daddy promised you will befall on me.”

“No, Kayleigh we’re going. I promise we’ll leave in more than enough time to get to Church Services tomorrow night. It will be a fun way to get to that late hour. Besides, I don’t want it to turn out later you resent me for not taking you.”
“Erik, I would never . . .”
“Because I realize already, those are your father’s words. Our dance card is full, which is another reason we have to end our date tonight.”

“Okay, but it doesn’t make me happy.” She pouted.
“Oh, oh, none of that. Don’t you do it,” Erik said, as he wriggled his fingers and then commenced to tickle her.

 “That’s better,” he said to her peals of laughter. Placing his hands over hers, he gazed deeply into her big blue eyes. “I really, really like you,” he murmured. “But I have to get some sleep.” 

As they stood up, Erik pulled her into him and kissed her. “See you in the morning.”

All for now. Thanks for reading.