His heavy breathing had stopped. "Dang that's tough." he said aloud His arms were engorged with blood from the rather intense weight training he had just finished. He looked down at his arms and admired the veins as they pulsated with his heartbeat. "[Well now,]" he thought to himself, "[this isn't so bad]". He wasn't all that big and he wasn't all that cut. Just enough to make him confident. The phone rang. "Hello," Stef answered "Hey handsome," remarked the voice on the phone. "Oh, Hi Cass" "[Why's she callin me before seminary?]" he thought, "so why call so early?" "I need a ride to seminary, my car won't start" was her reply. "Most people turn the key in the ignition, do I have to explain to you how to start a car?" "Shutuuup, patronizing little punk, just come pick me up" "You know this could be dangerous it is dark outside. I'm only 17 I shouldn't be in a dark car alone with a girl" "Please Steph, pretty please," she retorted in her cutest voice. "Fine, you've forced me into submission.... just remember you owe me now." "kay" Steph hung up the phone. "[Woohoo, that was exciting]" Steph ran to the bathroom for a quick shower. Turned the water on and sat on the counter waiting the requisite minute for it to get warm. "[Yeah right, who checks their car at 5:15 to see if it'll start. Nifty, she likes me... I thought she had a non member boyfriend... She shouldn't be dating a non member. It's my duty to break them up. Well we are supposed to protect the young women]" He quietly laughed to himself. Whoops, the bathroom had steamed up a bit while he was lost in thought. "[I should pay more attention]" he thought. After his shower he toweled himself off and wrapped the towel around his waist. While walking out he glanced at himself. Cocked one eybrow and gave himself an evil little grin. "[Boyfriend... who cares he's a runt anyway.]" he thought, stroking his ego. For a guy who had been a dweeb for so long he had changed a bit. He strolled to his room and began rummaging around looking for some decent clothes to wear. He pulled out a pair of baggy cutoffs that used to be his dad's slacks but in cutoff form lended themselves quite well to his punk appearance. He picked out a bright purple shirt, and white ankle socks. On his way out the door he picked up his CD face for his stereo. "[Crud I forgot my shoes]," he thought as he walked out the door. He jogged back in jumped the stair banister bolted up the stairs, grabbed his airwalks and turned around. Feeling a bit spritely he jumped over the stairwell onto the banister, and jumped off onto the ground floor. He landed on the balls of his feet and fingertips, and once again bolted out the door. "[I think I'm a little too anxious to get out the door today, then again girls have that effect on me]" He jumped in his compact Toyota pickup and started the engine. "[I really feel like loud music]" He popped in his deftones CD and cranked the stereo. The truck was warmed up. He took off toward Cass' house. Accelerating through 1st he shifted to second and dropped the clutch while he buried the throttle. The tires screamed in protest as the truck jolted forward. "[I love that. I better ease up a bit I don't wanna wake the neighbors]" After a few minutes of driving he pulled up to Cass's house. He liked her family, they were nice people, and just like all adults in the ward they liked him. Stef had a way with peoples parents. Maybe it was his outwardly humble attitude, or his non-chalance and self effacing manner, but the older generation liked him, even respected him. There sat her car only 3 years old and she claims it won't start. "[this rocks]" he thought. He turned the keys and shut off the truck. Opened the door and started on the way to her porch. As he was approaching, the door opened and out stepped Cass. She was a small girl. Only 5 months younger than Stef. She had short blonde hair. It was styled with the front slightly longer than the back, about chin length. Her face was beautiful and she had an enchanting smile. She was only about 5 foot 4 and had a slight build. Essentially she took cute to a whole new level. She was wearing white t-shirt with a light red button up shirt thrown on almost as an afterthought, and left to hang loosely off her slight shoulders unbuttoned. She had on a pair of jeans with slight holes in the knees. This girl was definitely cute. What captured Stef the most were her eyes. Some peoples eyes seemed dull or hardened by life. Cass's eyes were a subtle green. The normally white part of her eye was actually slightly blue in hue. Like a newborn's. Her eyes were innocent yet alive and that made her all the more enchanting. Stef was almost the complete opposite. He was about 6 feet tall with broad shoulders and V-shaped torso. His hair was jet black and styled to stick straight up but it was kept short enough so it didn't appear messy. His eyebrows formed a dark v, almost sinister looking. His pale skin contrasted with his hair to an interesting effect. His eyes were light green almost yellow and he had a mischievous grin. Cass winked and let out a short sigh. "Mornin' beautiful" remarked Stef in his most non chalant voice. "Don't flirt now I'm tired, I don't think I could keep up," replied Cass. "You always were a little slow. You probably'll have ride the short bus today since your car won't start," Stef cocked his eyebrow and smiled his mischievous little grin. Cass stuck her tongue out at him and frowned in reply. Stef reached out made grab for her tongue. "You should keep that in your mouth where it's safe," "Safe from what?" "Bugs" "Oh, like you." "Just get in the car," Stef stuck his tongue out at Cass at which point she giggled and jumped into his truck. Stef walked around the front and jumped in the driver's side. He rolled down his window. Then Cass rolled down hers and started thumbing through his CD's. She picked out one of his ska CD's and traded it out with the deftones CD that was currently in the player. She then laid her head on her arms across the door and closed her eyes. "I'll give you a ride to school, if you want," said Stef. "Okay that'd be great." Cass turned around and beamed at Stef. Pulled her legs up on the seat and sat indian style, tapping the seat to the rhythym of the music. Stef wouldn't have noticed really but the way she was sitting, forced him to brush her leg every time he shifted gears. It made him a little uncomfortable. She didn't seem to pay any attention though. Stef pulled up to the church building turned off the truck and kept the stereo going. He leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes. It was almost 10 before seminary would start and he wasn't about to go in yet. Cass shifted her body and leaned her head on his shoulder. Stef drew a quick breath at this as it made him really nervous. He swallowed once and closed his eyes again hoping something would happen that would give him an excuse to move. "Hey are you and Tom still going out?" "Yeah, but I really shouldn't be dating a non- member. I just need an excuse to break up." Stef smiled to himself, "Just tell him there's this really hot guy at church named Stef, and that you've secretly had a crush on him for the past few years. Now it looks like this Stef guy may like you and you don't wanna lose this chance." "[Wow that was so money, I just hope she doesn't take it too seriously]" "That sounds perfect," Cass leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "[Oh no, what did I just do? I like her and all but I don't exclusively date anyone. In fact I've never gone on a date with the same girl more than twice in a row. I don't want to hurt her feelings so what do I do?]" Stef thought frantically, "[I always did flirt too much]." Just then one of the other kids walked up to Stef's truck. "You guys don't need a chaperone, do you?" remarked Todd "[Here's an oppurtunity]" thought Stef. "Hey check out this band I just found, they're called Limp Bizkit," "[Maybe this loud music'll get her off my back]" Stef popped out the ska CD from O'Phil and popped in Limp Bizkit. As the aggressive band started playin' Cass remarked, "What's with boys and loud music? Actually I kind of like it." "[I'm diggin' myself deeper]" thought Stef. Stef glanced at the clock and saw that it was time for Seminary to start. He breathed a sigh of relief turned off the truck and went into the building, followed closely by Cass and Todd. Stef was the usual cut up during class. His quiet comments bringing a giggle to the people near him. Even better was the fact that Sister Castle, the seminary teacher, liked him even though he was a little bit of a cut up. Seminary was interesting but a little tiring sometimes. Some of his classmates were downright annoying. On his way to the truck, Stef saw Cass talking with one of the other girls. They both saw him approaching and fell silent. They both turned to face him and had mischeivous grins on their faces. "Hey Cass you wanna go grab some donuts?" asked Stef. Cass's friend giggled. "Sure." "Bye Cass." "Bye Amy," answered Cass. Amy giggled again. "What was that all about?" asked Stef "Oh...nuthin." Cass and Stef went over to the donut shop. Stef ordered two chocolate cake donuts and Cass ordered a bag of donut holes. "How long were you and Tom going out?" "Oh, not very long, only like a month," "Did you guys ever really go on dates?" Stef inquired. "No not really. We have a few classes together, and he called me a few times. Then when we were talking he asked me out." "That's pretty dumb. What's this teenage deal with going out, anyway? I never did understand. It's pretty much a guy asking for exclusive rights to call you his girlfriend and brag about you while treating you like an object. He pretty much asked if he could own you and you said yes? He doesn't even take you out on dates. I really just don't get it." Cass's eyes were a little red now, as she looked at Stef. "No one else talks to me all that much." "Huh?!?!?" replied Stef. "I took you out quite a few times last year. I don't get it, what made you think you had to tell him yes?" "Well for one thing, if he asked me out I can guarantee he likes me," added Cass, "You only went on dates and you never tried to kiss me and half the time you didn't walk me to my door." "[Wow she remembers all that, I always took it for granted. My policy was always just friends. I dated so many girls I wonder how many others thought like this]" he thought to himself, "You know my policy. I don't 'go out' with anyone." "Yeah I know," she replied "Hey sorry if I came off like a punk, but it worries me when you sell yourself short with these non member guys. In fact it kinda makes me jealous, to put it simply, besides if you don't have a boyfriend you'll always have a friend." He smiled and winked at her. She stepped on his foot lightly, then walked out of the donut shop smiling all the way. "I'll break up with him at lunch." "Good for you.... That makes you free for lunch. How bout we go to lunch together and we can talk some more." "Sure just meet me in the courtyard." Stef dropped Cass off in the front then drove around back to the rear parking lot where it was less crowded. The first few classes were pretty boring and uneventful. But not so when Calculus came around. This class was a blast. The teacher was absolutely awesome. Stef's lack of enthusiasm towards homework fit perfectly into the teacher's 'tests are worth 90 percent of the grade' mentality. Usually it ended up being a discussion period about politically touchy subjects. Everyone was so illogical it was hilarious to watch the idiotic bantering. Everyone was smart but didn't really have personal beliefs. Just a bunch of copies of their parents. It would have been another uneventful day, but today apparently was a free day for absolutely no apparent reason. Given that the school year was almost over it didn't suprise anybody. Stef decided it would be fun to try a few tricks. When the teacher left the room. Stef got up and ran over to her computer. He set up an alias that told the computer to shut down as soon as it booted up. Everyone got a good laugh when the teacher walked in and spent 20 minutes trying to figure out what was going on. Finally the bell rang signalling lunch time. The rest of the class and the teacher walked out the door. Stef stayed behind walked over and fixed the trouble he had caused. Then calmly walked out the door to find Cass. "Whaddya mean another guy?! A guy at church?" "Yeah I just don't really wanna go out anymore." came Cass's reply. "Oh just quit being a #$%@&!" Stef heard that comment. They were still arguing and Stef strolled up to Tom. They were about the same size. Stef's shoulders were only a bit bigger but his arm muscles were clearly defined whereas Tom's looked small in comparison. Stef reached out and grabbed Tom's left forearm in his left hand, and pulled towards him. At the same time he used his right hand and quickly pushed Tom against the wall. He heard a bit of breathe escape from Tom's lungs. He kept enough pressure to make it hard for Tom to breathe. "I don't mind the arguing that's expected. But you will NEVER use that word to refer to her again. You hear me BOY." Stef used the last word with as much spite as possible. He knew Tom would hate being called a boy by a fellow senior. "I suppose I should tell you to leave my friends alone. Treat her with a little respect bucko." Stef backed off and fully turned his back towards Tom. Stef started to walk away, his head cocked to the side so he could catch any movement from Tom. Tom lept from where he was standing against the wall, his eyes bloodshot. Stef spun and glared at Tom. "[Maybe I'm being a little overconfident. It doesn't matter I'll let him make the first move so I don't get suspended]" thought Stef, "[I don't want to get caught in a wrestling match so I'll have to keep my distance]" Stef was already planning his first move. "[Tom is gonna go for my face]" Stef turned a bit to his left so he was looking to his right to face Tom. He kept his right hand high to guard any incoming attacks and rested his weight on his left leg so he was leaning back a bit. This left him the ability to spring forward while deflecting the attack. Tom twitched and started to punch. Stef moved all his weight forward and dropped as low as his body could go, Tom's punch flew over his head. Stef put his left hand over his right fist and raised his right elbow as fast as he could into Tom's side. The feeling made him sick as he felt his elbow sink impossibly far into Tom's side. Tom doubled over in pain and cussed at Stef through gritted teeth. There were tears coming out of Tom's eyes. "I really am sorry Tom." Stef said in his most calm voice. "Who was that guy? I don't even know him." Tom whispered to one of his friends. Stef walked off and Cass followed him. "That was pretty dumb," remarked Cass, "You didn't have to pick a fight." "Whaddya mean?" "I was only trying to help." "What, to help me break up with him?" asked Cass. "Didn't you hear what he said to you?" "Yeah," answered Cass, "Lotsa people say stuff like that." "Ya know, you don't have to hang out with people ....like that". "Most of the people in band are like that, and about half my time is spent there." remarked Cass. "Oh that's right Tom plays trumpet, I almost forgot. Just ignore them or get em to change. No one cusses around me in Jazz. But then again I suppose I did quit normal band because of all the dweebs. It pretty much seems to be the land for the socially reclusive. Everyone gets to hide behind their instrument. Jazz band is more fun you get to stand up and take control when it's your turn to solo..... Oh yeah well what about Paul? He's a member, isn't he in band?" "Paul's worse than some of those other guys. Haven't you noticed he hasn't been coming to church? You can't tell me you didn't notice that he always comes in late to seminary and always leaves early." "Wow, I feel really bad now for not noticing him. He's even in my quorum, maybe I should call him? Yeah I'll invite him go do somethin this weekend. Hey you should come too. Nothin'll get him clean cut again like a big fat crush on a member girl." "So where are we going for lunch?" asked Cass. "Taco Smell sound okay?" "Yeah just great." They were on the way to the band parking lot when they spotted Paul, and about 6 other people. They were all walking towards his huge maroon boat of a car. "Man that car's huge. I'd hate to have to pay for the gas on that thing." commented Stef. Paul was a year younger than Stef. He had black hair that was actually pretty long for a guy. It was all about chin length, and he had impossibly pale skin, and braces. His friends were a group of people of all shapes and sizes none of which were particularly pleasant. Paul always had a hat on. "Why are those girls all wearing those windsuits?" asked Stef "They're all in Color Guard." "Oh" replied Stef, "Sorry I thought it was some chick gang," Stef grinned. "Well you're actually pretty right. They're the most annoying bunch of people you've ever met. Imagine a cheerleader's mentality placed in dweeb social group. The fact that half of em couldn't even pass over small rural bridges only adds to the effect." apparently Cass had a bit of spice in her. Stef and Cass waved at Paul. Paul glanced over his shoulder while getting into his car. He saw them but looked at the ground. Paul opened his car door and got in. "Wow, are you sure he's OK?" asked Stef "I told you he wasn't showing up at church much. He's around those friends of his all the time. We need to do something about it." Stef grinned again more mischievous than ever. "What?!" asked Cass, "Don't grin like that it freaks me out cause I know you're thinkin somethin weird." "Let's take him somewhere tonight, like to a movie or something." replied Stef. "Sure, hey how bout we bring Amy along," added Cass "Even better. So after the football game tonight we'll all go do something. With Amy coming it'll give him something to concentrate on, heh heh," Stef's grin returned. Stef opened the door for Cass and she hopped into his truck. Stef walked around and got in. It was a normal day out for lunch. Filled with your usual one wreck and tons of teenagers driving way too fast. Car radio's could be heard from blocks around the local Mazzio's. Stef pulled up to the stoplight, and then a 1974 Dodge dart pulled up next to him. The owner of the car was named Aaron. One of the craziest kids you'd ever meet. He dressed and acted like a middle-aged military retiree. He always wore golf shirts and he always tucked them in. His favorite music was classic rock and he was notoriously rigid and uptight. He had a decent car but he was far too proud of it. "[Perhaps he.....]" He heard the Dart rev it's engine. The V-8 twisting his car over it's suspension as he threateningly tried to incite a race. "[Eh I not about to race with a girl in the car]" "You can beat him right?" "Huh?!" "Aaron you can beat Aaron?" Cass replied. "[I guess I'm committed now]" Stef thought. Stef revved the engine in his truck. The exhaust let scratchy metallic growl. The only way he would win is if he won off the line. "[Good thing he hasn't replaced the rearend on that thing. If he had better gearing I'd be dead]". Stef noticed the ground was wet. He shifted the truck into 4 wheel drive. He was watching the light out of the corner of his eye. Yellow, red, he floored the truck watching the tachometer and sidestepped the clutch at 3500 RPM, Green. All four wheels gripped hard and sent him hurtling through the intersection. He shifted to second and floored it again. The truck leaned back as the clutch took up the difference between the engine speed and the wheels. Stef glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the green dart fully in view. The speedometer read 50 so he pulled over into Aaron's lane to seal the victory without disobeying too many traffic laws. He shifted back into two wheel drive and pulled into the taco bell parking lot, Aaron followed. Stef hopped out of the truck. "Isn't it amazing how a Japanese v-6 can stomp on an american v-8 almost twice as big," commented Stef. "Almost as amazing as your hair." replied Aaron "Thanks," Stef grinned "Besides if it hadn't been wet I would have won." "Yeah you're right if my hair had been dry you would have won." "You know what I mean punk." replied Aaron. "Yeah but it WAS wet, and you spinning your tires like that didn't help you much." "Boys!.....let's go eat," Cass called from beside Stef. Stef turned and stuck his tongue out at Cass. Cass reached out tried to grab it but missed. "I saw what happened with Tom. He completely hates your guts. He's the most annoying guy on the trumpet line so he had it coming." remarked Aaron. d.