The Last Incubus

The Last Incubus: Chapter 04

Chapter 4: Unexpected results.

"For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." ~ Proverbs 73 v. 3

*****

After leaving the cafeteria, the cold air helped me to gather my thoughts. What's wrong with me? For someone who's smart enough to get good grades in school, I'm a complete idiot around girls. Bailie was right there. I saw the tears in her eyes just before she hugged me. I could feel her emotion, and I just wanted to hold her, comfort her, protect her . . . kiss her.

When she told me her story, I felt bad for her. What an awful life she'd had. If losing her mother at an early age wasn't bad enough, it sounded like her stepfather was hell to live with. Then having to work as a waitress in a place that underappreciated her must have felt humiliating, especially in front of her classmates. Maybe that's why no one wanted to partner with her in Forensics class.

When I offered her my old laptop, I first thought it was out of pity. But thinking about it now, I know it was more than that. Working with her in class, I saw how clever and talented she was - and that was with limited study time and without a working laptop.

"I manage,"

she said. Living under those conditions requires a strong will and limitless determination. I admired her for that. Maybe that's why I wanted to kiss her.

But what stopped me? Was I afraid? Afraid of what? That she'd scream and run away? That seemed silly, but maybe I was afraid because I didn't know what to expect. Or maybe I was afraid I'd hurt her . . . or was I more afraid that she'd hurt me? What if I tried to kiss her and she rejected me? Could I handle that? What if, in her eyes, kissing her made me no better than those two hockey creeps, Gil and Darryl?

How do other guys do this? Do they just follow their emotions and worry about the consequences afterwards? Maybe I'm overthinking all of this, I mean we're only talking about a kiss, right? But a kiss could mean different things to different people. It could mean a lot of things. Why was this so complicated? . . . Because I was an idiot, that's why.

I had been walking for ten minutes before I realized I was going in the wrong direction. I quickly retraced my steps and headed back towards the library. It was Tuesday and I had no afternoon classes. I needed this time to catch up on the massive amount of reading from the beginning of the semester and to work on the current material.

I found a quiet cubicle in the back of the library near the stacks and settled in for some serious studying. At quarter to four I remembered Tripp's invitation to work out with him and decided to take him up on the offer. I found him in the weight room working out with the other wrestlers. He looked happy to see me.

"Hey, Ross! Glad you could make it. Let me introduce you to the guys and show you around."

After all the introductions and a quick tour of the facilities, we did some serious weight training. The wrestling team paired off in twos and my presence made the numbers even. Tripp and I spotted each other on free weights and worked on a circuit alternating upper body, lower body, and core muscle groups. We were still completing the circuit when Tripp's teammates interrupted us.

"Hey Tripp. Better finish it up, it's almost 5." That was Bill, the team captain.

"Almost done, then I'll spot you," I puffed, just starting my third set of squats.

"Ah, Ross, I think I'm going to skip my third set," Tripp replied.

"Three. Come on, it's the last one. You can do this. Four," I panted.

"That's okay. It's nearly 5 o'clock," Tripp replied nervously.

"Seven. Why? What happens at 5? Eight," I asked.

"The hockey team uses the room then," he replied, looking at the clock.

"Two more. Eleven," I panted.

"Hurry!" Tripp urged.

"Twelve. There!" I gasped, putting the barbells down.

Suddenly, the room was filled with a lot of shouting. The hockey team had arrived.

"Well, if it isn't 'Burnt toast'! What are you still doing here?"

I looked up and saw Gil Dubois coming towards us. Behind him was Darryl and the rest of the hockey team.

"Fuckin' Gil,"

Tripp muttered under his breath.

I stood beside Tripp. The hockey players were between us and the exit.

"Oh, and look who's with him. It's that pathetic loser-nerd from the diner!" Gil sneered

"At least I don't hide behind helpless waitresses!" I retorted.

"Leave it, Ross,"

Tripp whispered from the side of his mouth.

"You fuckin' bastard! I'll show you who's helpless!" Gil shouted as he rushed towards me. Darryl and the rest of the team was right behind him.

Suddenly I was dodging punches and kicks with Tripp trying to do the same beside me.

Shouts of "Fight! Fight!" Filled the gym as I managed to dodge a few kicks and fists while landing a couple of my own. We were badly outnumbered, and Tripp and I got the worst of it. Thankfully, it only lasted a couple of minutes.

"ALRIGHT! BREAK IT UP! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?" the hockey coach shouted as he entered the room.

"They started it!" Gil quickly shouted, pointing at us.

Tripp and I picked ourselves up.

"Just the two of them against all of you, huh? Dubois, this is the reason you have more penalty minutes than everyone else on the team. We can't win games if we're always playing a man down," the coach remanded.

"We were just leaving," Tripp said as he pushed past the crowd of hockey players.

I went to follow, but the coach stopped me. "I haven't seen you here before. Are you new?"

"Yes, sir. I'm a transfer. I just started here yesterday," I replied. My eye was swollen, and I had a fat lip.

"We don't need any troublemakers around here. Do you read me?" the coach said angrily.

"Yes sir. I'll make sure I'm out of here before 5, sir," I replied as I pushed passed the crowd of hockey players.

"You haven't heard the last of me, loser!" Gil shouted as I was leaving.

"Drop it, Dubois," the coach shouted as I left the room.

When I caught up with Tripp, he was icing his black eye while sucking on his split lower lip.

"I'm sorry, Tripp. I had no idea."

"It's my fault. I should have said something earlier," he replied, quietly.

"It's not your fault either. How long have you been putting up with that crap? Have they always treated you like that?" I asked.

"Pretty much since I got here. I thought I left that racist shit back in Boston, but those guys are just as bad if not worse," he replied.

"Why don't you report him?"

Tripp shivered.

"I did once. The Dean put him on probation, but two days later, a bunch of guys wearing masks beat me and told me that if I ever reported them again, it would be worse."

My jaw dropped. "Gil did that while on probation?"

"No. He was having dinner with the hockey coach. The coach verified that to the Dean."

"Next time I'll keep my mouth shut," I noted.

"There won't be a next time," Tripp said, bitterly.

"Amen to that."

After a quick break for supper, I went back to the library, this time for my 3-hour work shift.

Most of the half dozen students were the same ones I saw there on Monday. That included the blonde with big boobs who was giving head to a different guy, this time in the men's bathroom. I chased them out without reporting the incident to campus security. I hoped I wouldn't get in trouble for that.

When I got back to Tina's place, I heard giggling and moaning coming from behind Tina's bedroom door. I quickly ducked into my room and closed the door and began preparing my old laptop for Bailie by removing some of my personal data. I was almost done when I heard giggling just outside my door. There was an exchange of whispers loud enough for me to hear that they were wondering whether or not I was in my room. The whispered discussion ended with a knock on my door.

When I opened the door, there were Tina and Leslie, wearing nothing but shit-eating grins standing side-by-side with an arm around each other's shoulder. Their breasts were staring me in the face, and they smelled of bourbon and sex. They both wove unsteadily, especially Leslie. Their boobs jiggled slightly as they swayed. It was a sight that got my attention, especially in my groin.

Tina turned her head towards Leslie. "Shee, Lezzie, I told you he waz in," she slurred with a giggle.

"Ye—" I began hoarsely before clearing my throat, "Yes?"

"We—what happened to you?" Tina began as she turned back before seeing my eye.

"Nothing. Just a little misunderstanding. What do you want?"

"Teeny, hez dresshed," Leslie slurred, tapping Tina's shoulder.

"He's always dressed, 'cuz he's shy," Tina replied.

"Well then, h-how will we know eff this works?"

"It's working now. I can shee it."

Leslie looked down at my pants. "Are you shore? I don't shee any (hic) thing."

"Look at the front. Shee? It's there," Tina replied pointing at my crotch.

"You're drunk. What do you want?" I asked, trying to keep a straight face.

"Jes' watsch us," Tina slurred, as she turned and put both arms around Leslie's neck and kissed her full on the mouth.

I had the perfect profile view as they mashed their breasts together and exchanged tongue-filled kisses. They broke the kiss about 15 or 20 seconds later, full of smiles.

"Look, shee what I mean?" Tina said to Leslie, pointing to my crotch.

"Oh, yeah. I shee it now. Do you think he let me shee it without the pants?" she asked Tina.

"I doubt it. I told you he was shy."

"Ashk him," Leslie insisted.

"No, you ask him."

"He'sh your cuzzin."

"Ho-kay," Tina replied, and she turned to me. "Lezzie wants to shee your penish."

The two naked girls giggled. Their boobs jiggled as they did.

The bulge in the front of my pants got bigger as I strained against the material. I was uncomfortable, nearly in pain. Looking down, I saw how obvious the tenting was. Leslie could practically see the outline now. I wanted to adjust myself and relieve some of the pressure, but not while I was standing in front of them.

"If you guys are only here to make fun of me, I'm going back to study," I said as I started shutting the door.

"No wait! We want to ashk you a favor," Tina slurred, holding the door open.

"Yeah, I heard want you wanted," I replied as I pushed against the door to close it.

"No, not that. It'sh sumpthin' elsh," Tina insisted.

"Two. It's two. Tell him," Leslie said, looking at Tina.

"Two favorsh," Tina corrected, "First . . ." She interrupted herself and turned to Leslie, "Whish one do you want me to ashk first? The ride or the library?"

"The library," Leslie replied, holding onto Tina's shoulder to keep from swaying.

"Why don't you ashk him?" Tina wondered.

"Cuz he's your cuzzin, and he's a guy. I don't wanna give him enny ideas."

"Oh, right. I forgot," Tina replied before turning back towards me, "Lezzie wants to know if you could take her shift at the library tomorrow and shheel take your shift on Thursday."

"Leslie works at the library?" I asked.

"No, I don't want to have sex with you. I only do wimmen," Leslie replied.

Tina giggled at Leslie's response. "Don't lissen to her, shees drunk. Yesh, she works at the library."

"Leslie, when is your shift? At what time?" I asked.

A puzzled look came over Leslie's face. "I dunno what time it is. After ten I think."

"No, shweetie. He wants to know what time you want him to work your shift at the library," Tina explained.

"You called me shweetie! That's so nice. You get a kissh for that," Leslie giggled.

She puckered her lips and leaned into Tina, but Tina grabbed her chin and turned her face towards me. "No kisses," Tina giggled, "Tell Ross when you want him to take your shift at the library."

"Why didn't you say so?" she said, still giggling, "I need you to take my 1 to 3 shift."

"Yeah, I can take her shift. What's the other favor?" I asked impatiently, still trying to hide my bulge with my hands.

"Can you take her home for me? I'm in no condishion to drive," Tina answered.

"Sure, but you'll have to help her get dressed -- and tell me where I can find your keys."

***

The cold air in the short walk to the car plus the time it took for the car to warm up helped to sober Leslie a bit. She was able to direct me to her apartment and thanked me when I walked her to the door.

"You're not such a bad person, for a guy," she said groggily, giving me a peck on the cheek before going inside.

When I got back, I found Tina sprawled out on her queen-sized bed. She had passed out and was naked—of course. I placed the comforter over her and tucked her in before closing her door and going back to my room.

I tried to go to sleep, but my mind kept visualizing the sight of those two beautiful, drunk women standing in front of me kissing each other. After a while, I gave up and read half a dozen chapters in the Business Systems textbook before finally dozing off around 3:30 or 4 in the morning.

*****

Wednesday, November 29

th

It seemed as if I had just closed my eyes when my 6:30 alarm went off. I got up to see if I could beat Tina into the bathroom, thinking she might still be sleeping off her binge and I could shower without her peeking in on me. But when I got there, the bathroom door was open, and she was rotating under the spray.

So, I went downstairs and started the coffee maker and put an extra scoop of coffee in the filter before heading back upstairs. Tina was out of the shower toweling off when I reached the top of the stairs. I was so tired and desperate to get under the spray to wake up that I stripped down in front of her and got into the shower still sporting a morning hard-on. To my surprise, Tina didn't make any teasing comments.

However, when I stepped out of the shower, there she was, holding two cups of coffee.

"Thanks for making coffee," she said sleepily as she handed me one of the cups.

I took a quick sip and gave the cup back. "You're welcome, but would you mind handing me a towel instead?"

She took the cup and set it down before handing me a towel, all while staring at the erection I was still sporting.

"Too bad Lezzie isn't here to see that," she smirked on her way out.

After my 9 AM Economics class, I went to Dean Sanford's office to see if I could switch out of my Business Calculus course. He reviewed my transcripts and agreed to let me opt out. In its place, I enrolled in the History of Ancient Civilizations course, as the only other option open to me was Animal Psychology. He said his office would process the change and I could start on Friday.

Leaving the Dean's office, I took out my phone.

Me: I have a laptop ready 4 u. Can u meet 4 lunch @ 11:30?

Bailie: Luv 2. C u then.

I got to the cafeteria ahead of time and leaned against the wall just inside the doorway, yawning. Bailie arrived ten minutes later, and her face lit up when she saw me. It was a beautiful smile, and it seemed to change her whole appearance. The smile quickly disappeared however, when she saw my black eye.

"What happened?"

"I got into an altercation at the gym with our mutual enemy, Gil along with nine of his buddies."

"Oh my God, that looks terrible! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, really. Just a little tired. I was up late last night driving a friend of Tina's home and then I couldn't fall asleep afterwards, so I stayed awake half the night studying."

"We can cancel lunch together if you're too tired," Bailie suggested.

I heard the disappointment in her voice even in my tired state.

"No, I'm fine. Really. I've been looking forward to this since yesterday. Let's go inside and find a table before it starts to get crowded."

Bailie put a small salad on her tray and headed for the cashier. I stayed behind and ordered two plates of shepherd's pie and two desserts. We found a nice table for two that was perfect for conversation, and I gave her one of the plates and a dessert.

"Ross! What are you doing?"

"Um, I just realized I can't eat all this, so I was hoping you would help me out," I replied.

"You did that on purpose! You don't have to feed me. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I'm not trying to embarrass you. I heard your stomach rumbling when you came in and I saw the way you looked at the shepherd's pie. I just wanted to be sure you had enough to eat. Besides, I invited you to lunch, the least I could do is make sure you got one," I explained.

She looked at me suspiciously.

"Well . . . thank you for lunch. I love shepherd's pie," she said quietly.

"Me too. You're one of the few people here that I know, and having lunch with you beats eating alone . . . Wait, that didn't come out right. What I meant to say was that I enjoyed having lunch with you yesterday. I didn't mean to imply that I invited you to avoid eating alone," I sputtered.

She giggled quietly. "I knew what you meant the first time you don't have to explain. But you seem flustered. Are you okay?"

I felt myself blush.

"Yeah, a little. I get nervous around pretty girls—I mean women, pretty women. I'm afraid I'll say something stupid like I just did."

Bailie blushed. "You think I'm pretty?"

"Of course, you're pretty! Especially when you smile like the way you did when you came through the door."

Her face turned red, and she looked down at her tray. "I know I'm not pretty. You're just saying that."

I reached over for her hand. "No, I mean it. Why do you think I'm so nervous around you?"

She took my hand and looked up at me. "You don't have to be nervous around me. I think you're handsome. You're also one of the nicest, kindest people I've met. If anybody should be nervous, it should be me."

I smiled uncomfortably. "It sounds like we're both worried about the same thing. Let's agree to act like friends and stop being nervous around each other."

She giggled slightly. "Can't we just be friends, not just act like it?"

I rolled my eyes. "That's what I mean about saying something stupid. I agree, friend."

She caressed my hand absently. "No one's ever told me that I made them nervous before. Whether you know it or not, you have a way of making me feel good about myself."

"I'm starting to feel nervous again, let's change the subject and talk about your new laptop," I said as I withdrew my hand and reached for my backpack to hand her my old laptop.

"It's all set for you. I took out all my personal data and left a couple of computer games for you. I even downloaded the college apps with access to the course materials. You can use it to check on your Forensic class DNA results after one o'clock if you'd like."

"Thank you. See? This is what I meant when I said you were the kindest person I know."

After lunch, we walked to the library and studied together for almost two hours before Bailey had to leave and get ready for work. Before she left, I showed her how to personalize the laptop and change the settings.

We each logged onto the Advanced Forensics website and typed in our student ID numbers to get our DNA results. Unsurprisingly, Bailie, with her French-Canadian ancestry was predominantly French with native American and Anglo-Saxon DNA elements; and she received a perfect grade for her lab technique.

My results were a complete shock. 50% of my DNA came from the middle east, around Lebanon and Syria. The rest was a smattering from various parts of Europe, especially eastern Europe, central Europe, and southern England.

"This can't be right. My father came from Scotland and my mother's family is a combination of Irish and Dutch heritage."

"Maybe there was a mix-up at the lab," Bailie suggested, "Look, you still got a perfect score for your lab technique."

"I'll talk to Professor Talisman after class tomorrow."