Wandering Souls

Author's Notes: This story has been posted to Literotica.Com with the full knowledge of the original author, JimBob44. No part or whole of this story may be reprinted in any other format or on any other web site without the express written consent of the original author.

Any and all persons engaging in any sexual activity are at least eighteen years of age.

This story has been edited by myself, using Microsoft Spell-check. You have been forewarned; expect to find mistakes.

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Xantha Thomas stood outside of the Flowers Movie Theater, waiting for her boyfriend to do things her way for once. She always acquiesced to his wishes; for once, he should give in to her wishes. They had already seen the Dune 2 movie. In fact, they'd had seen it twice. She wanted to see Wonka and Jacoby Green had agreed. They would see Wonka. Then at the last minute, Jacoby told her they were seeing the Dune movie again.

"Uh, no we ain't," Xantha snapped. "Seen it twice already and it sucked both times. Second time even more 'cause we'd already seen it."

"You can suck my dick 'cause we seeing it again," Jacoby snapped.

The eighteen year old girl had dug her heels in and glared white-hot hatred at him. Jacoby simply smirked as he purchased his ticket and pushed into the theater, leaving Xantha outside in the cold January night.

Xantha wondered what to do; her mother was working and couldn't just come get her. She didn't have enough money to buy her own ticket. She didn't have enough money to take a cab home. It was seven miles from the parking lot to the apartment she and her mother lived in. And with the icy cold wind blowing in from the Atchafalaya Basin, she did not relish the thought of a seven mile walk.

As she always did when she was frustrated, Xantha tugged on a lock of her straight black hair. She'd combed some blonde highlights into her shoulder length hair; thankfully they were fading out.

The highlights had looked cute against her caramel brown skin, really showed off her large brown eyes, small nose and full pouting lips. But a lot of the African-American girls, and quite a few of the Latin girls at Northside High School had looked at the blonde streaks and accused Xantha of 'just trying be white.'

She tugged on the lock of hair again, sighed and walked toward Jacoby's 2003 Infinity. Hopefully, he'd left it unlocked and she could sit in it and wait for him, out of the cold night air.

"Hey, I uh, Xantha, right?" a slightly chubby young white boy said as she walked past.

"Uh, yeah, yeah, it's Xantha," she agreed, looking at the chubby young man and his companion, another chubby white kid.

"Hey, hi, I uh, yeah, I'm sure you don't remember me," the smiling young man said. "EJ. Went to Northside. Well, couple of weeks, then some ass hole said I disrespected him and tried to kill me."

"Shit, happens all the time," Xantha said, shaking her head.

"EJ. Everett Upjohn. Sat right behind you in Mrs. Johnson's class," EJ pressed.

"Mrs. John... Damn, she ain't been there in forever," Xantha said.

"Come on, EJ, dude, we're going be late, huh?" EJ's companion mumbled.

"Dude, huh? Talking here," EJ snapped at his buddy. "And, uh, see that line? You that worried 'bout it, go stand in line, hold our place."

"Ain't holding shit for you," his companion snapped, but did go to take his place in line.

"Sorry about that. Mitchell's super anal; if we ain't there thirty minutes early, he's sure we're going be late," EJ apologized. "So, how you been, huh?"

Xantha told him about wanting to see the Wonka movie; the trailers had looked so cute, but her asshole boyfriend demanded to see Dune 2, again. EJ smiled sympathetically; he did not tell her that he and Mitchell were there to see Dune 2again, for the fifth time.

"I uh, your boyfriend get all mad I take you see that Wonka thing?" EJ asked as they sidled to where Mitchell was standing, huffing impatiently.

"Ex-boyfriend he don't get out here," Xantha said.

"Dude, we're seeing that uh, Wonka movie," EJ told his friend.

"Won... Fuck we are, man," Mitchell sneered. "I ain't going see that pussy shit, dude."

"Oh, that sound like I meant you?" EJ snapped.

He and Mitchell had earned their reputations of being geeks, dorks, nerds at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School. Neither could throw a ball, catch a ball, hit a ball. Both liked Science Fiction, liked comic books, spent hours playing video games. They also shared the misfortune of being from broken homes. Mitchell's father was married to another woman, had been married to that woman when he'd impregnated Mitchell's mother. EJ's mother had been an aspiring actress and had run off to California with a slime ball that claimed he could get her into movies when EJ was eight years old. He'd not heard from his mother since his tenth birthday.

Quite often, EJ felt that their shared status of being on the outside looking in was all that kept his and Mitchell's friendship together. Mitchel Bouman was demanding, petulant, passive aggressive. He rarely acquiesced, rarely did things that EJ wanted to do. He would sit and sulk until he got his way.

"Fine, ass hole, I'm going home," Mitchell barked and abruptly walked away.

EJ almost walked after his friend. Then shrugged his shoulders. He was the one that had driven them to the theater; it was a two and a half mile walk from parking lot to Mitchell's house.

"You uh, you just drop me off?" Xantha offered.

"Naw; he needs the exercise," EJ smiled and she giggled.

"Two for Wonka," EJ said, buying the two tickets.

Inside, he pulled Xantha to the concession stand and bought them a large buttered popcorn and an orange soda for her and a water for himself. Then he let her pick out their seats.

As they sat and talked, EJ would occasionally brush against her. Xantha thought it was cute; his pale features would blush hotly and he'd mumble an apology every time they came in contact with one another.

The fourth time he brushed against her arm, she grabbed his right arm and held it in her two arms. The lights dimmed and the first of the several movies trailers started to blare.

"Hey," she husked into his ear.

"Yeah?" EJ asked, turning to face her.

She pressed her soft lips against his. She giggled as he almost dropped the popcorn.

"Thank you taking me see this; been wanting see it forever now," Xantha said.

"Welcome," EJ mumbled.

It had been his very first kiss. And with her clutching his arm, her two D cup breasts rubbed against him. So, technically, it was also his first time copping a feel.

EJ sat, head in a fog. His forearm could feel luscious breasts. His hand rested on a shapely thigh. He wanted to kiss her again, maybe even use a little tongue. But he'd never had a date before, had no idea how to proceed.

Xantha enjoyed being able to watch a movie without Jacoby's negative comments throughout the film. She enjoyed being able to lose herself in the story, without Jacoby's hands on her breasts, without his hands on her crotch.

She rested her head against EJ's shoulder and gave a contented sigh. EJ lightly shook the tub of popcorn.

"I uh, I bought this for both of us," he whispered to her.

Xantha took a kernel and ate it. Then she reached in, grabbed a second kernel and put it to his lips.

She followed the kernel with a soft buttery kiss to his lips.

It was Xantha that opened her mouth. It was her that sucked his tongue out. It was her that gave EJ a soft kiss then pulled away when dialogue started up again.

Xantha again rested her head on EJ's shoulder and nibbled some popcorn as they watched the movie.

As the movie closed, she again tilted her head up and kissed him.

"I uh, you uh, you want go to that Yum Yum place?" EJ asked.

"You?" Xantha asked, peering into his hazel eyes.

"I, uh, yeah, really don't uh, don't want this, this is a date right? Don't want this date to end," EJ admitted.

"I kissed you; that makes it a date," Xantha declared.

They bundled against the chill and EJ opened the door for them. Then they walked briskly across the Flowers Movie Theater parking lot toward the small building of Yum Yum Ice Cream. As they walked, Xantha scanned the well-lighted parking lot. Xantha felt relieved; Jacoby's car was not in sight.

She considered their relationship finished. She had not fooled herself into thinking that she loved the brash, demanding young man, even if he was handsome, even if Jacoby did have a reputation of being a bad boy around Northside High School. Xantha had a notion that much of that reputation was talk, not based on any actual knowledge.

"What you like get here?" Xantha asked as they entered the small diner.

"They got this hot chocolate, it's really a hot caramel," EJ said.

"Ooh! That sounds good!" Xantha enthused.

Paula Don, the portly Asian-American shop's proprietor smiled and quickly made the two Hot Caramel concoctions. For each tall mug, she squirted a large dollop of whipped cream, then sprinkled some chocolate shavings to top the floating islands of whipped cream.

"Enjoy," she smiled as she placed the two steaming mugs onto the table.

"Damn!" Xantha praised as she tasted the sweet beverage.

They held hands as they left the small diner; it was Xantha that grabbed EJ's hand. He blushed hotly but smiled at her and she giggled happily. Their happy mood vanished when they walked toward EJ's 2009 Ruby Red Mustang and saw the smashed headlights.

"Oh, now that boy done gone too far, hear?" Xantha shrilled. "Damn, EJ, I'm so sorry! Aw damn, I can't believe that Jacoby done..."

"Huh? How would your boyfriend even know what car's mine?" EJ asked, looking at the smashed taillights.

He unlocked the car so that they could get out of the cold wind. He used his cell phone to call the Flowers Police Department, then pulled up his dashboard camera.

"Wasn't your boyfriend," EJ said as the small screen showed Mitchell savagely kicking EJ's car.

Xantha shook her head as she watched EJ's supposed best friend intentionally vandalizing EJ's car. EJ shook his head at his friend's immature behavior. He then called his father.

"Hey Dad, I uh, listen, need you come pick us up," he said.

Everett Upjohn Senior arrived at the theater parking lot a few minutes after the Flowers Police Department cruiser pulled up next to his son's car. Everett listened, face hard was EJ showed them the recording of Mitchel Bouman kicking his car.

"Boy is a loser, son. Keep hanging out with him? You're going be a loser too," Everett snapped.

"I know that, Dad," EJ said. "Ain't hanging out with anyone like that no more, here?"

EJ hesitated for a brief moment, but then introduced Xantha to his father. Xantha did notice the slight hesitation, but smiled and greeted Everett Senior.

"Xantha? Spell that?" Everett asked as he opened the rear door of his car for the two teenagers.

She did, then gave the man directions to the apartment complex. As he drove, she filled his ear with a nonstop monologue of the movie they'd seen.

"We up there, second building, number three," Xantha cheerfully said when Everett pulled into the crumbling, pock-marked parking lot of the apartment complex.

"Walk your friend to her door," Everett ordered his son, whom had sat silently throughout the ten minute drive from theater to apartment.

"Uh, yeah, okay," EJ mumbled.

"And make sure you get her phone number, boy," Everett thought to throw out.

EJ smiled, blushing hotly. With that simple statement, his father had let him know he was all right with EJ having an African-American friend, potentially a girlfriend.

"And find out if she's got an older sister, huh?" Everett demanded before EJ could close the rear door of the car.

Just me and my momma," Xantha giggled to EJ as they stomped up the flight of stairs to the second floor.

In front of Apartment 2A, Xantha turned and smiled up at EJ. He blushed hotly, then clumsily put his arms around her.

"It too cold out here," she whispered. "Quick, give me your phone, huh?"

EJ wiggled the cell phone out of his far too snug jeans and she rapidly punched her number into the phone. A second later, her purse gave a buzz. Then she reached up and gave him an open mouthed kiss.

"Bye," she cheerfully said.

"She's cute," Everett complimented when EJ got into the passenger seat of the warm car.

EJ's phone buzzed, letting him know he had a message. He frowned; wondering why it had not rung.

"Had any trouble getting home, asshole?" Mitchell's mocking voice cut through when EJ opened the voice mail.

"Boy that'll get that pissed off just because you got you a girlfriend?" Everett said, displeasure evident. "Son, that's not a friend. A friend would have been happy for you, not thrown a hissy fit."

EJ found the police officer's card and called the man. He then told Officer Mike Marchon about Mitchell's call.

"Son, need to have your car towed down to Boudreaux Ford, tell them you want the highest estimate they can give you," Everett said when EJ got off the phone with Officer Mike Marchon.

As Everett backed his car under his carport, Polly opened the door of her small home to find two police officers on her small porch. She allowed the two officers into her living room and stomped to Mitchell's bedroom door. She banged loudly on the door and demanded Mitchell get in the living room. NOW.

Mitchell gloated when the police spoke to him about EJ's car. Even his mother's tight faced disapproval did not wipe the smirk from Mitchell's face.

"I uh, nuh uh, it was turned off," Mitchell crowed when Mike Marchon mentioned EJ's dashboard camera.

Mitchell was sure these buffoons were trying to trick him into confessing to the willful vandalism of EJ's car. He was too smart for them, though.

"Apparently not, son. Oh, and uh, real cute, sending him the voice mail, huh?" the police officer smirked as Mitchell paled. "If you didn't kick his headlights and taillights in, then how would you have known he would have trouble getting home? Explain that."

Then Mitchell grew angry. How could his friend snitch on him? How could his friend tell the police about the voice mail?

"Way to go, Mitchell, way to go," Polly Bouman snarled bitterly. "I've been trying to save up enough money to get my car fixed, but no! Now I got to pay to get your friend's car fixed. Way to go."

"What. Ever," Mitchell sneered.

Polly's slap stunned Mitchell. Then he glared white hot hatred at his mother. It was bad enough that she would dare slap him. But it was just unthinkable that she would slap him in front of two smirking police officers.

"Have a nice day," Mike Marchon said cheerfully as they left the Bouman house.

"Thanks a God damned lot, Mitchell. Thanks a God damned lot," Polly snarled as she slammed the door behind the two officers.

While Mitchell sulked in his bedroom, EJ was in his own bedroom, laying on his bed. He replayed the feel of Xantha's lips on his, the taste and feel of her soft tongue in his mouth, the feel of her breasts as they pressed against his arm in the theater. He replayed the smile on her face as they sipped their hot caramel drinks. He replayed her large brown eyes looking up at him as they stood outside of her apartment.

"Hello?" Xantha's voice sang out when EJ summoned up all of his courage and called her.

"Hi, uh hi, it's uh, this is EJ," EJ said.

"Uh huh, I know that," she smiled. "Says it right here on my phone. EJ."

"I uh, I mean, I don't know how long it's going take get my car back, but soon as, you like bowling? Or hey, you like skating?" EJ asked.

EJ and Mitchell would go to the bowling alley. Most of the time, they just played the video games along the back wall of the bowling alley. But they'd ogle the cute girls, they'd glare at the guys that were lucky enough to be with the cute girls. They would tell one another what they would do if they were with any of these cute girls.

Neither one of them was any good at skating, but when they tired of hanging out at the bowling alley, Mitchell and EJ would go to the skating rink. There, they'd skate around and ogle the cute girls that skated. They'd glare at the guys that were lucky enough to be with the cute girls. Then they'd tell one another what they would do if they were ever lucky enough to have a girl to skate with.

"Ooh! I ain't been skating in I don't know when!" Xantha enthused.

"Soon as I get my car how 'bout we go, there's that Manny's; you like Mexican? Pizza, then skating?" EJ asked.

"Okay!" Xantha enthused.

Then EJ ran out of things to talk about. Xantha did not run out of things to talk about, though.

She told him about her mother, Ann Marie Thomas, about her classes at Northside High School, about her hopes to become a published poet.

"Here, I read one of my poems to you," Xantha said and found her notebook.

"Wow, that was, I mean, I don't know shit about poetry, but that was nice," EJ lied, having no idea what she had just read to him.

Finally, EJ managed to end the phone conversation. Then he smiled widely. He wasn't one hundred percent sure, but he thought he might actually have a girlfriend. A stunning, beautiful girlfriend with large brown eyes, a sweet smile and soft lips.

He frowned; his phone had buzzed several times during the long, long telephone call. Looking, EJ saw that there had been twenty eight missed calls, all from Mitchell Bowman. And, as was to be expected, there were no voice mails. As he shook his head, the phone rang.

"Dude, really? Called the fucking cops on me?" Mitchell spat into the telephone when EJ answered.

"Uh, dude, really? Kicked my headlights and taillights in?" EJ spat back. "And uh, you're paying for my new ones, hear?"

"Fuck I am, bitch," Mitchell snarled.

"Fuck you ain't," EJ said. "And uh, who's the bitch? Who's the bitch ain't got a girlfriend? Uh, that would be you."

"Dude, an n----r?" Mitchell sneered.

Huvall's Texaco sent out its tow truck and towed the Mustang down to Boudreaux Ford. Everett did the talking and the mechanic smiled but told Everett he would not 'pad' an estimate. But he would fix the car as quickly as possible, have EJ back on the road.

"Thanks, Dad," EJ said when the mechanic began to pull the front end assembly off.

"Uh huh, little loser really pisses me off," Everett spat, face dark.

"Hey, excuse me, sir? How much for a locking gas cap?" EJ suddenly asked.

He would not put it past Mitchell to pour sugar or something else into his gas tank. More than once, he'd heard Mitchell threaten to do just that to any number of their perceived enemies. A person only had to have something Mitchell desired to become an enemy of Mitchell Bowman. And, even if Mitchell was crass enough to call Xantha the 'N' word, Xantha was something Mitchell would desire to call his own.

"Hmm? Tell you what, son, let you have one for nothing, huh?" the mechanic said and pointed to his bench where he had a locking gas cap and keys sitting. "Wife said it's too much trouble every time she goes fill the car up."

Father and son walked around the showroom; it was too cold to walk around outside. To EJ's embarrassment, Everett flirted with the cute saleswoman that approached. Everett smiled at his son's embarrassment, and smiled wider when the saleswoman winked at him.

Three hours later, EJ was paged; his car was ready. Everett waited until EJ backed out before driving away.

Xantha loved Manny's Mexican food. EJ loved Manny's fare as well, but because Mitchell found their salsa too spicy for his sensitive palate, EJ rarely got to eat at Manny's.

Skating with Xantha was fun. Holding hands with Xantha as they both clumsily staggered around, trying to maintain their balance was fun. Xantha leaning against him for balance was fun. Her large breasts pressed against him and her luscious buttocks pressed against him.