Inconstant Moon - Default Font Edition (6 page)

“Okay,” Ethan asks, “Just, what if I don't like it?”

“Ah,” Oscar raises his eyebrows, “A virgin.”

“Woo hoo,” Mouse and Barbie hoot, and the normally self assured Ethan looks about ready to melt through the floor.

“We'll help you download and install if you're ready, but since you're not sure, you'd be better off running it from one of Maggie's “live” disks so you can try it out without having to install.”

“That's cool.” Ethan nods and people start helping themselves to the freshly burned Ubuntu DVDs stacked on the table. Jose drifts over and sets up in an empty spot and Barbie squeezes into the corner beside Adam, flashing him a big smile as she sets up.

Maggie sets out bowls of munchies on the side counter while Kate builds a soft drink pyramid at the end.

Krystal crosses over to Jose, and looks over his shoulder, asking, “How are you doing there?”

“I want to try this Ubuntu, and I'm up for the partition thing. But I could use some help, you know?”

“That's what I'm here for.” Krystal sits beside him, covering the hand holding his mouse with her own.

Jose asks, “It's not going to mess up my Facebook, is it?”

“Not at all.” Krystal types in the password and connects the Wi-Fi. “Let's get started.”

More students drift in and set up along the benches.

Adam is looking at Barbie's laptop screen with dismay. Her desktop is a mess of icons. “So what do you think?” Barbie asks.

“Ah, maybe the best thing would be to run off of a live disk for now, and see how that works for you. But you really should be better organized. How can you find anything? It looks as though all your documents are on the desktop.”

Barbie looks up at him, tilting her head and frowning prettily. “Well yeah. What's wrong with that? I mean, that way I can find everything.”

Adam frowns, “May I show you?” She nods and he slides over beside her. Reaching for her keyboard he creates a folder.

Adam says, “We will call this one assignments. Inside it we can make another for biology. We can make a folder for each of your courses so you can keep the work separate.”

“You mean the way I keep my notes in binders?”

“Exactly.”

Barbie's frown is replaced with a smile just for Adam. “Huh. I never really got the whole computer folder thing, but binders makes sense. It might be a good idea. Thanks Alan.”

Liz and Amelia stand in the doorway, amazed at the turnout. The room is awash with students. Amelia carries a mic attached to a digital recorder clipped on her belt. Liz starts taking photographs before even stepping through the door.

“Wow,” says Amelia, “looks like close to a hundred people in there. Let me see if anybody's done a head count. This is a good turnout for any club.”

“I can't even see Maggie.”

“There's Oz. I'll go talk to him first.”

“Okay,” Liz is just lifting her camera again when a touch on her shoulder startles her. She jumps with a little shriek, then glowers at Jake.

“Sorry. I just wanted to tell you I've that I've already taken some pictures. Won't do it again,” raising two fingers, “Scouts' honour”.

“You were a boy scout?” she asks, curious.

“Nawww,” he grins, “You know they don't let in nerds.” Liz laughs as he starts stowing his camera. “This is way more people than Maggie expected. And more are coming in all the time. Gotta go do my computer club job now.”

Liz nods and edges around the room, photographing students helping students. Some faces are pensive, some squint in concentration, some are vacant with boredom. Others glance shyly at people they like, sparkle as they tell jokes, flutter in outrageous flirtation, discuss theories or argue with animation. Close shots of hands on mice, fingers tapping on keyboards.

Liz's camera captures them all, making sure to grab quick shots of faces for a photo essay she's been playing around with. Funny, she seems to be taking more photos of Ethan than just about anybody. Stop it girl. Do you really want to go there?

Ethan catches her eye and winks again. She can feel the flush starting at the roots of her hair. Down, girl. She turns away but she feels him watching. She tries to ignore him and concentrate on taking pictures. For the first time in her life, that isn't easy.

The crowd ebbs and flows throughout the evening, and Maggie is pleased with the level of interest. As it gets late, although she is well into her second wind people start drifting away.

Around about midnight the last of the release party guests straggle through the front doors of the Computer Centre and fan out in various directions. Barbie emerges into the cool night air flanked by Jose and Adam. Jose's glance lingers on Barbie, but it's late, and he's tired. He's not worried about Adam as competition. The guy is like Dilbert come to life.

“That's it for me.” Jose says. “Later.” and Barbie waves as he sets off along the path that will take him to the Fyfield House residence.

“I'm parked in C Lot,” Barbie tells Adam, “How about you? Do you live on campus or off?”

“Oh, I live at home.” confesses Adam, wishing for the first time that he didn't.

But Barbie giggles, “Me too. I thought I was the only one.”

They walk companionably toward the parking lot, Adam lugging a laptop on each shoulder. They get to her car first. A shiny new looking compact car. She pushes the button to unlock it, and opens the door, turning to Adam and giving him a peck on the cheek.

“Thanks for all the help Alan, I really appreciate it.”

Adam flushes and looks away, bashful under her intense blue eyed gaze. “It's no problem Barbie, I'll have it finished and back to you Monday, good as new. Better.”

“That'd be great. I've got a family thing this weekend so I won't hardly even miss it. Just call me when it's ready and we'll get together. You're an angel, Alan.” and she ducks into the driver's seat. Barbie flashes Adam a smile, then the lights, and away she goes.

Dazzled, Adam watches her drive away, head spinning as he makes his way to the back to his own car. Funny, he never cared what a hunk of junk it was before. He smiles to himself; he doesn't even mind she got his name wrong. Barbie kissed him! He's in such a good mood he pats his beater fondly on the roof. His car is so old there isn't a remote — you actually have to put a key in the lock. He opens the door and tucks Barbie's computer carefully behind the seat. He slides his computer in beside hers.

He can't help but grin as he slams the door. Barbie wants his help. She even gave him her phone number. And her computer. Adam is simply amazed that a girl like that would even talk to him. He doesn't even mind that she calls him Alan. How can he possibly correct her? He's in a daze as he buckles the seat belt, then turns the key in the ignition. Before disengaging the emergency brake he touches his cheek in awe. “She kissed me,” he marvels. “Me.”

As Adam drives out of the lot his lights illuminate Krystal and Jake emerging from the Computer Centre. He taps the horn and they wave as he goes past.

Maggie is curled up in bed, speaking softly into the cell phone.

“Oh I'm sorry babe . . . I can imagine . . . it's good you saved the kittens . ..  just a minute, Stu.” Dropping the phone on the bed, Maggie brushes her eyes with a tissue, then blows her nose before picking up the phone again.

“No, I haven't said anything to Kate or Oz. Krystal asked me not to say anything. And I understand why, really, but that doesn't make it any easier. I mean, Oz was ticked because she never got the release party plugged in the school paper, but since I'm sworn to secrecy I can't even stick up for her without saying anything.”

Elsie sits at her computer, organizing her notes. Glancing at her watch, she rolls away from her desk, wondering where Eric is. He gives a mean massage and she could use one, but has to settle for neck stretches and rotations.

Surprising, really, he hasn't called or anything. Just as well, she has to get this done, and he's been becoming a bit of a pest lately. Pah. Men are supposed to be the ones who want sex without ties.

Except Eric. He wants commitment.

But she simply can't afford it. Sex is all she has time for. Some fun to ease the stress. Med school is the only priority. She simply does not have time to spend in relationships and emotional negotiations. Which is not to say she doesn't want a nice uncomplicated roll in the hay every so often. Maybe a little more. Twice daily is good. She smiles at the memory of Chuck this afternoon. Very talented, that one.

Distracting, even, so she checks email to see if Eric . . . shit. She was supposed to meet him for dinner but, well, Chuck was a temptation she couldn't pass up.

Dinner date interruptis, so now there's petulant email from Eric. So much for a massage.

She'd thought a dalliance with Eric would be just the thing, but maybe it's been a mistake.

He has such wonderful skin though. Smiling she thinks about him, then shakes her head to realign her focus.

Work. This has to be done for tomorrow. Maybe she should think of cutting him loose. Not yet though. She's not done enjoying him just yet. There's something about the boy, addictive almost. Stop thinking about him. Get the work done. He probably just wants to punish her for standing him up.

But he won't be able to stay away. Rolling back to the desk she stubs her her toe on something hard and irregular.

Twisting around and under Elsie sees what it is. Eric's keys.

Hmmm.

Mouse drops anise blocks into two mugs of milk before putting them in the microwave, bopping to music only she hears through her ear buds while it counts down. When it beeps she takes the steaming mugs out and stirs them vigorously, shuddering in happy pleasure as she inhales the rich licorice scent of home. Tucking her well thumbed copy of
Don Quixote
under her arm, she pops the spoon in the sink then carefully picks up the mugs and navigates the stairs to the common room.

Mouse sets one mug on the table in front of Amelia curled up on the sofa. Looking up from her own
Don Quixote
, Amelia smiles her thanks, not asking whose milk it is. Mouse settles at the other end and begins reading. Producing a pencil from behind her ear she makes margin notes now and again.

Mouse is just taking her own first sip of anise milk when she hears a thud from the stair door followed by giggling. Amelia and Mouse exchange glances. “I thought everybody was in already.” whispers Amelia.

“Seems not,” says Mouse, setting her mug back down, she stands and pulls her fuzzy robe tight and starts for the door. Amelia lays her book face down on the sofa to preserve her place and follows, curious.

The door creeps open as they approach and Amelia gasps— there's a body on the floor. But then more giggling.

As they arrive at the door the “body” is revealed as an extremely inebriated Eric. The giggling comes in equal parts from Natasha and Liz.

“What happened to him?” hisses Amelia.

“Isn't it obvious? This is one plastered puppy,” says Natasha, which encourages another round of giggling from Liz.

“Boris and I found him at Callaghan's passed out in the back booth. The waitress made us bring him home.”

“Where is Boris?” asks Mouse.

“Putting away the car. When we got here Liz was on her way in so we drafted her to help,” says Natasha.

Liz giggles. “He was conscious then. I guess the elevator rocked him to sleep. It was all we could do to get him out.”

“He can't stay out here in the hall, he'll get in trouble. How about everybody grab corner?”

Natasha and Liz struggle to get Eric's dead weight elevated enough so they can get a grip under his arms, while Mouse and Amelia each hoist a foot. They stumble through the door and manhandle Eric onto the sofa.

“Funny,” says Liz, “He didn't look that heavy.”

“Thanks for your help, guys, but that's it for me,” says Natasha. “G'night all.”

Liz yawns, catching the scent of licorice she notes the two mugs of steaming milk on the coffee table and in a blink decides to let it go. “I'm calling it a night too. Sweet dreams,” and she follows Natasha up.

Amelia and Mouse exchange glances.

“Well.” Amelia says, “We could move to the chairs.”

Just then Eric begins to snore. It's a substantial sound, and Mouse shakes her head.

“Since the Incredible Hulk seems to have appropriated the room I think I will call it a night too.”

Amelia nods. “Like we have a choice.” She snaps off the reading lamp, and they pick up their mugs and start up the stairs. Amelia glances back at the sleeper. “I've got an extra blanket I can bring down for him.”

Mouse smiles at her. “You've a good heart Ami. G'night.” They separate at the top, heading to their rooms.

Amelia shares one of the big corner doubles with Liz, so she gives a quiet tap before entering. As she sets the mug on her desk she sees Liz is nearly asleep. Amelia pulls a fleece blanket down from her closet.

“I'm gonna run this down to sleeping beauty,” she whispers.

Liz mumbles something unintelligible and rolls over, so Amelia turns the desk light off and slips out with the blanket. Boris is just coming in as she comes down the stairs.

Boris asks, “He's out again?”

Amelia grins. “Yup, and that was as far as we could get him.” Taking an end of the blanket, Boris helps her drape it over the sleeper. Eric takes a deep shuddering breath and snores profoundly.

Boris and Amelia both cover their mouths in an effort to keep their laughter from waking the dead, and Boris whispers, “I hope I get treated so nicely when I show up in that condition.”

“You?” whispers Amelia, “You're far too cool to end up like this, Bo. Goodnight.”

Boris grins and gives her a courtly bow before he heads under the stairs on the way to his room. Amelia heads back up and is about to go into her own room when she realizes
Don Quixote
is still downstairs. And she's not finished the chapter. Damn.

So much for a quiet night to catch up on her reading. Back down the stairs. She looks at Eric sleeping so peacefully. Where would the book be? She had been sitting at the door end, meaning the book is probably somewhere under his neck. What are the odds on getting it out without waking him or wrecking the book?