Brain Games Ch 01
"Now, please close your laptops, and any textbooks."
Professor Enkins paused through the shuffling of taps, zips, and snaps as students put away their belongings.
"We have covered a tremendous amount of material pertaining to the brain, brain-stem, neural system, as well as the functions of cognition, memory, sensory interpretation, language, emotion, and motor coordination. But now I ask you to close your eyes and just listen. Let yourself breathe, and pay attention to that breath, inviting a stillness to your thought processes. Invite some quiet into the mind."
He paused, letting some silence settle through the room.
"As you read the text assigned for this topic, you will see that much of this knowledge comes from the study of damaged brains, and experimentation on animals in which brain function is derived from selective interruption of different brain structures. But I also suggest that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, and much can be learned by simply doing this: coming to silence and studying the experience of your own inner thoughts and feelings."
Some stifled giggles and others snorted, but the silence returned.
"Throughout history, those who have practiced rigorous mental discipline have accomplished far more than the study of damaged brains has yet revealed to be possible. It is beyond the scope of this course to undertake such study, but if the topic resonates with any of you, see me at office hours for guidance."
And with that he clapped his hands. "Have a good weekend, but don't neglect the reading."
Zach startled to attention. The warmth of the afternoon and the slightly stifling atmosphere of the cramped lecture hall had left his eyelids heavy and drooping.
Sarah, a bright, blond, buxom girl he knew by name but little else, was laughing. "I think the teach is recruiting for his meditation group," she said. "Is he even allowed to do that?"
Zach shrugged, and slung his pack over his shoulder. As he walked out he immediately kicked himself. This was why he never had any dates. A golden opportunity to strike up a conversation, and he didn't even open his mouth. But he felt the moment was passed, and in any case he mainly wanted a nap right about now.
He crossed campus hoping his room would be free. Thursday afternoon, so it was very possible that Jacob, his dorm-mate, was getting sexy with Ava. Maybe they would use her room for once.
Even down the hallway, he could see the paper taped to their door.
Zach started to turn away; it was warm, sunny, he could lie in the grass and use his backpack for a somewhat uncomfortable pillow.
But he didn't. His feet carried him forward.
"Meet at 5," the paper said, meaning they would be done by then and he could have his room back. Jacob and Ava would have dinner together at the meal-hall, and then go drinking or partying for the evening. Zach could have a nice, quiet evening reading, or maybe there would be card games in the common room.
There was no one around, so Zach put his ear to the door. He could hear them rustling. He could hear Ava's heavy breathing. The bed creaking very slightly.
Zach pulled his ear from the door and shook his head. He didn't want to be a perv. More, he didn't want anyone catching him at being a perv.
By the time he got back out to the quad, the professor's words came back to him. "Those who have undertaken serious mental discipline have accomplished far more..." What did he mean by that?
Zach let the sunlight soak into him, inviting his mind to drift.
* * *
The evening was much as he had predicted: Zach ate with some of the other homebodies from the dorm, and they played spades. He partnered with Maddy, a shy girl who might or might not be interested in him--she certainly preferred him as a card partner in spades or bridge. As much as he was feeling the heavy weight of his virgin-at-19 status, she wasn't the person his eyes tended to follow. He really did want his first time to be with someone he was totally attracted to. Anyway, any time he ever tried to think about opening his mouth to ask anyone on a date, his mind would freeze up, or he would realize the opportunity only later, as he had with Sarah after class.
So, Zach finished reading his literature assignment in bed, put out his light, and let sleep approach. Again, he found himself lingering on the professor's invitation. He had always been curious about meditation, and had read enough books about magic or things like magic. He had read and re-read a book about astral travel, and tried all the exercises in it, but didn't think he was doing anything more than imagining floating around. He had left that book back home when he started college.
His wandering half-dream reverie was interrupted when Jacob came in. And Ava, Zach realized. They were suppressing their laughter, and sounded at least a little drunk.
The dorm was dark, but there was just enough light coming through the shades for Zach to make out their shadowy silhouettes.
Zach watched from the corners of his mostly closed eyes, keeping his body still and his breath regular. Jacob and Ava undressed, and Zach saw enough of the shape of her curves to feel his arousal twitch hard. If Maddy looked more like that...
They slid into Jacob's bed, whispering and laughing. Zach couldn't make out their words, but the sounds were soon unmistakable. In the darkness, there was only a lumpy shadow, but Zach could just make out some kind of motion and the sound of the sheets rustling rhythmically.
Soon, Jacob was grunting out his breaths, trying to keep his voice out of it with incomplete success.
Zach concluded Ava must be giving Jacob a blow job, or at least that's what his "astral travel" imagination told him.
He pictured her curved and leaning down to stroke Jacob's shaft with her full, pretty lips.
This was something Zach had seen plenty of on the internet, but never experienced. In his mind, it was tantamount to being in heaven.
"Ssss... sss.... Ssstop.... Gonna..." Jacob hissed and the rhythmic sounds stopped.