Soar Chaser

The entire school day had past and Tyson saw no sign of Odette. He waited in the library at break; a spot he knew Odette truly enjoyed and now it was after school and Tyson stood by the school gate in hopes that Odette would catch a glimpse of him. As the minutes ticked by he talked himself into doubt; maybe Odette had been laughing at him? Considering the clothes he was wearing, or lack of, when he spoke with her; why would she want to draw such a loser. Today had been a mixture of hell and heaven; he was ridiculed by his peers for his daring costume yet the girl he had dreamed of just last night spoke to him today. Tyson smiled at the thought of the nickname she had given him and he wanted to tell her the nickname he had thought of for her. Tyson was nearly knocked over when Odette stalked past him and out the gate.

“Odette! Wait!” Tyson had to jog to catch up to her long legged strides. She didn’t stop walking or even look back, “Hey.” Was all he could manage because of his shortness of breath.

“There’s a gym around here.” She said but from the tone of her voice Tyson could tell that she was asking.

“Yeah, there’s a Virgin Active at the shopping centre.” Tyson pointed ahead of them to a building that was five minutes away by foot.

“Good because I need to . . .” She trailed of and exhaled deeply. Odette looked tense and grave.

“Mind if I workout with you?”

“Whatever.”

The pair walked in silence and Tyson tried to not take Odette’s attitude personally. Obviously something must have made her angry and he didn’t want to add to it. They eventually reached the gym and Tyson had to pay for Odette to get in because she wasn’t a member. Odette didn’t thank him instead she surveyed the gym map plaque and stalked off downstairs to the weights. Tyson caught up to her and found her school bag, jacket and shirt in a pile.

“Come here.” Odette ordered as she strapped a pair of boxing gloves onto her hands. Tyson was surprised by Odette’s brazen choice of dress for gym: she wore red All Stars, grey skinny jeans and a tight fitting sports bra. Tyson obeyed her and stood behind the punching bag that was in the corner of the room. Odette hurtled her fists into the bag rhythmically and skillfully like she had been doing this all of her life. Tyson tried to avert his eyes from her bouncing cleavage and to the painful determination on her face.

Thirty minutes passed and Odette hadn’t even stopped for a water break. Tyson had assumed that sooner or later Odette would tire of this emotional release but as time passed her punches grew more frequent and powerful. Tyson could almost feel the punches through the bag.

“I think we should take a break.” Tyson meekly suggested.

Odette stopped abruptly and stared at him as if he had just sworn at her. She looked fiercely intimidating as she panted and glowered at Tyson: Her skin had a luster due to the sweat, veins laced her neck and one throbbed on her forehead. She squinted as if she couldn’t see him properly. Odette took a step toward him but as soon as she did all the strength her muscles possessed was expelled and she crumbled to the ground.

“S**t.” Tyson caught her before she met the ground. He wrapped an arm around her waist. He bought her a bottle of water and she rehydrated her body.

“I think you’re right about the break thing.” Odette finally spoke with a sense of civility.

As much as Tyson was obsessed with Odette’s beauty he was pissed off by her little episode, “What the f**k was that about?”

She looked at him with raised eyebrows as if she couldn’t fathom a reason as to why he was angry, “Angry. I was angry and instead of murdering someone I redirected my energy.” Odette put her shirt back on.

“Who were you angry at?”

“Sonny! Don’t make me sad. Don’t make me cry!” She playfully sang Lana Del Rey’s Born To Die and tugged his arms for him to stand up. Tyson felt uneasy about her sudden mood change but he couldn’t help but smile when she used his nickname. He stood up, “Awesome, now I have an art assignment due tomorrow and I need to sketch while you lounge about looking pretty.” She put his arm over her shoulder and batted her eyelashes.

“Sure but only if you stop singing.” Tyson was beyond confused but he just went along with whatever she was up for which involved strutting out of the gym in a most intimate fashion.

“Hardy har  har. Ok so you should stir me in the direction of your house so we can do the damn thing.”

The wind of a winter’s afternoon whirled about them as they walked and Odette’s arm tightened around his waist and walked closer to him Tyson liked to think that the weather wasn’t accountable for her desire to be closer to him. Tyson lived in a cul-de-sac that was extremely close to the gym and Odette pulled away from him while Tyson fished in bag pack for his house keys.

“So I’m guessing no one’s home.” Odette said with her nose pressed against the window and her hands cupped around her eyes as she peered through a window.

“No, my mom’s at work.” Tyson opened the door and motioned for her to utilize his chivalry and walk in before him. Odette walked into the house and was greeted by the paws of a large German shepherd’s on her stomach. She lost her mind and shrieked at a milk curdling pitch. The dog barked in her face and Odette thrashed under the confused dog.

“Max! Down boy!” Tyson instructed and eventually gave up and grabbed his dog by the collar and removed the dog. “Are you ok?”

“I’m perfect considering that my phobia of dogs just made me act like a pathetic lunatic.” Odette stood up and quickly wiped away the tears that had escaped her eyes.

“I’m so sorry, I should’ve warned you.” Odette nodded and exhaled deeply. Tyson regretted not telling her and he was scared that he had ruined this very coveted experience. He watched her nervous gaze at the window where Max was whining and barking. She took small tentative steps backwards and stopped when she hit a wall. Tyson could see that she was really shaken by what happened and thought of words of comfort but none came to mind.

Odette’s pulse was so fast that she was barely conscience of anything except the beast outside that was so desperate to get inside. She only noticed Tyson when he hugged her; it was a comforting hug in which he rubbed her back and Odette couldn’t wait for it to end. The one thing she hated more than weakness was sympathy and Tyson was smothering her in it. She pushed him away slightly and crossed her arms, “And your dad?”

“What?” Tyson looked at her like she was speaking some African language.

“You said your mom was at work. Where’s your dad?” She cleared her throat and asked awkwardly trying to distract from her humiliation.

“Uh he’s in the hospital. I guess you can say that he’s ‘sick’” Tyson replied and avoided eye contact. “Hey, um, are you thirsty or hungry? “ Tyson left the living room and walked into his kitchen then peered into his fridge, “Could I perhaps interest you in some left over pasta?” he said this in an Italian accent.

Odette smiled at this boy who had just witnessed her in various unpleasant shades of her personality and yet he still wanted to be around her and even offer her a meal, “Those who do not work shall not eat.” Odette joked, “So where’s that snazzy red number from earlier?”

“Uh, its, erm . . .” Tyson tried to think up some excuse for the location of the unitard.

“”Spit it out Sonny Boy.”

“Ok, the thing is . . .it was Nora’s costume so she wanted me to give it back when we were done. So . . .” Tyson hoped Odette would buy his lie because the unitard was actually still in his possession.

“Hmmmm, so this means that you’ll have to pose in . . . your underwear.” Odette mused aloud and tapped her finger on her chin.

“What?”

“Preferably a sexy pair of tighty whiteys.” Odette stuck her tongue out at the befuddled Tyson. Tyson stuttered out a response and they laughed at his shyness, “Don’t worry your virtue is safe with me.” Odette crossed her heart, “Room?” Tyson led her to his room which was perfectly clean and smelled clinical like he sprayed disinfectant every night before bed, “Your room is . . .”

“ODC kinda clean?” Tyson finished her sentence and took his shoes off before entering. Seeing this Odette took her shoes off too so as not to disrespect his space.

“Just a little bit.” Odette surveyed the room and searched it for a single speck of dirt which she couldn’t find.

“So do you want me to-“ Tyson was cut off by Odette.

“First things first Sonny, I need a nickname before we continue these proceedings.” Odette crossed her arms and arched her eyebrow to emphasis the seriousness of the matter.

“Detty?” Tyson suggested. Odette digested the word and eventually let a broad smile stretch across her face.

“I quite like it! Excellent, our friendship has been legitimized.” Odette raised her hand for a high five and Tyson lamely high fived her, “That was weak, what’s wrong with you?” Odette waited for his response but the time on the clock that hung on his wall sparked a sense of urgency inside her, “Mmm, never mind. Time isn’t on our side so strip and let’s do this.”

Odette yanked her sketch pad out of her bag and selected the charcoal stick and pencils she would use. When she was about to draw a human specimen her mind shifted into single focus; the perfect composition. The harsh light in the room did little to create dramatic shadow so she turned them off and closed the curtains. Satisfied with the effect she took a lamp and repositioned it near the bed so as to create an attractive light source. Odette sighed and pondered the one element that was missing. Tyson.

 She turned to find Tyson still standing in the same place she had left him; nervously clenching and unclenching his fists, “Sonny? Are you sure you’re cool with this?” He nodded but didn’t speak. Odette thought of a way to make him feel less unbearably embarrassed and more bearably embarrassed, “Nervous? Don’t worry just do what I do.” Odette pulled her shirt off and he copied. She then started to unzip her pants and at this Tyson let out a low gasp and Odette flashed him a smile to prove how semi nudity wasn’t a big deal to her. She slipped her pants off and threw them across the room. Her jeans bumped the table and a few papers feel off of his table, “I’ll clean that later.”

Tyson stood in his underwear and felt comfortable because Odette (AKA the most beautiful person Tyson had ever seen) was in the exact same state as him. Tyson’s nervousness returned again when Odette invaded his space and brushed up; right against him. Tyson was tall and Odette was rather tall as well but she stared right into his arms and the feeling in them changed; they went from neutral looking to possessing a mischievous spark. And out of nowhere she put her hands on his chest and pushed him back so that he landed on his bed.

Odette straddled him, took both his hands in hers and placed them on either side of head. Odette ran her warm hands down his arms and ruffled his hair. Tyson was so taken aback by all of this that he question if this was a dream. Tyson closed his eyes when Odette caressed his face; the feel of her hand on his face was electrifying. Tyson opened his eyes when he couldn’t feel Odette sitting on him anymore. Tyson lifted his head slightly and he found that Odette was between his legs; rearranging them so that they were bent and apart, “Now don’t you dare move.”

Odette got off the bed entirely and sat on the chair next to the bed with a sketch pad in hand. As soon as her charcoal stick raced across the page; Tyson’s fantasy ended and he realized that she had only been composing him for her picture. Five minutes past, “Done! let’s do another one.” This time Odette jumped on the bed with the sketch pad. She sat on her knees between his legs and pulled Tyson up so that he was face to face with her. Tyson watched her sketch rapidly and he glanced down to find a quick-sketch portrait of himself.

“Its beautiful.” Tyson commented and Odette abruptly stopped her sketching and cupped his chin in her hand.

“Give me some emotion other than confused; Sonny and when you find it keep perfectly still.” At this Tyson tried to move the muscles in his face to give Odette something new but she just laughed.

“Shut up, I’m trying.” Tyson laughed off his poor modeling.

“Exactly! Stop trying. Just-” Odette stopped talking and lend in to give Tyson a quick kiss. “Awesome, don’t change a thing.” Odette sketched for another five minutes.

“So is this how you always work? Half naked on someone’s bed with unexpected kisses?” Tyson asked when Odette said it was ok to take a break.

Odette had climbed off the bed and she was neatening up her pervious sketches, “No, it just depends on my models needs.” She said this casually.

“My needs?” Tyson put his clothes back on.

“You looked so nervous so I took off my clothes to break the ice and the look on your face was the funniest thing ever!” Odette packed her work away and put her jeans on. She was about to pick up her shirt when Tyson realized that the paper she had knocked over were her portraits. He dashed over and snatched the drawings, unfortunately he also grabbed her shirt, “Uh? Sonny? What are you doing?”

Tyson held the bundle behind his back, “Nothing, just me being chivalrous.” He handed her shirt but Odette was curious as to what was behind his back.

“Mmm,  thanks but what’s that you’ve got back there?” Odette took her shirt and threw it on the floor to show her singular focus was on the secret he was trying so desperately to keep.

“It’s just a few doodles. You’d laugh if you saw them.” He stopped backing away because he was about to walk into his bed.

“Good because believe it or not I love laughing.” Odette invaded his space again, “C’mon Sonny! Pretty please?” But Tyson refused and held her away but Odette ducked under his hand and her mouth crashed against his. She kissed him with such urgency that Tyson had forgotten about his mortifying draw and held Odette’s hips; bringing her closer to him. Odette stopped kissing him but Tyson couldn’t break his lustful spell so easily so continued and kissed her neck.

“Me? You drew me?” Odette said and her voice was bare of any emotion; happy, annoyed, creeped out- nothing. Odette pulled away from him and stared at the drawing while shaking her head. “This is something you imagined, isn’t it?” Odette was so close to him so that she could see the slightest change in his face.

Tyson was so mortified that he could barely think of a reasonable and non-stalker reply, “Yeah, I just had a really vivid dream and . . .” Tyson decided to just tell the truth and pray that Odette wouldn’t want to discontinue any and all social interaction.

“You dream of me and then you draw me.” Odette said this to herself and thought for a while, “How did you find out about me?” Odette let this question escape her mouth and regretted it. She didn’t wait for his response instead she quickly got dressed and packed away her art stuff.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Detty.” Tyson said this and helped her pack away.

“How long have you been doing this for?” Odette snatched her things away from him in a protective way and she looked around the room like she was paranoid that some invisible ninja was about to attack her.

“Uh, not long I promise. I’ve just done a few doodles.” Tyson was nervous about her reaction.

Her breathing became more labored and her eyes became more lustrous. She looked up at Tyson with interrogative intention but she didn’t find what she was looking for, “Why did you draw me?”

Tyson was at a loss for words. He had mental wit lash from how Odette could spring into all sorts of emotion in such quick time periods. Too embarrassed to answer; Tyson just shrugged and tried to make it seem that drawing the girl you desire is normal, “Detty, this is a really awkward situation and I-”

“You don’t anything about anything.” Odette’s eyes were on the verge of tears but she covered her smile. She looked hysterical and Tyson began to question her stability. Tyson shook his head, “Good, the last thing I need is a clueless, lovelorn Soar-Chaser bothering me.”

“What did you call me?” Tyson was suddenly intrigued that Odette had called him this word. He had heard his mother call him that when he was younger because Tyson liked to chase birds. He was confused that Odette even knew that this made up word existed.

“Thanks for all the trouble you’ve gone through for me, Tyson. I appreciate your time but I’m afraid I won’t be able to do this again.” Odette’s voice was so even and calculated that it sounded artificial. Tyson’s mother was home and she was calling for Tyson downstairs. Odette opted to use the window to leave. She swiftly and skillfully jumped from the two story window and blithely landed on her feet. Then strut away with long strides. Tyson felt ill as he watched leave because if anyone else had jumped from his window they were sure to parish. . .