My Boogie

The moon was large and unencumbered by clouds. They could easily see their surroundings. If someone passed while they broke in the Park of The Golden Head, they'd be in deep trouble.

Conan started to doubt his brilliant expedition.

"I can't! I can't Lance it's too high," said Zyra who stood in precarious equilibrium on top of the fence.

"Stop worrying," he said. "Conan will help you."

Conan raised his arms, palms up. Zyra lowered herself until he held her feet, and then eased her down.

"Sassara," he said. "Your turn."

She climbed up the fence. Looked down at Conan and Zyra. "Go on Boogie," he said.

She smirked. Jumped.

Tam! She stood up and stuck her tongue out "The Boogie is strong."

"But the doogie is stronger," said Conan, looking down at her foot.

She groaned. "Jesus! Why didn't you tell us there was dog shit right under us," Sassara exclaimed. 

They were all chuckling. Lance jumped as well, and Conan guided them through the immensity of the park. You could get lost even during the day here. He had to be careful.

Sassara closed up to him. "Where is the lake, Student Rep?"

Zyra turned to him. "Is it ok if we use your sister's bathing suits?"

"Not far. And yes. They're old. It's fine. And we don't have to swim. We can just dip our toes."

"I did not break-in just so I could have a foot bath."

"Ah stop complaining," said Lance and tickled Zyra. She shrieked in panic. "Damn woman. I need my ears."

They walked ten minutes. The lake was noisy. Croaks and criks. Small animals rustled in plants.

Zyra shivered. Sassara took her hand and guided her. "Just walk in my path. My feet will be your shield." Zyra laughed and they started exploring the river banks. "We'll go put on our bathing suits."

"Don't go too far! Have your phone at hand in case we call you."

"Yes dad," said Sassara. The girls laughed even harder.

"You do act like a papa bear you know," said Lance. He undressed. Conan had lent him one of his swim trunks.

Lance tested the water. "Oof! A little chilly today!"

Conan followed him. The initial strip of water was shallow. His feet sunk in the thin layer of muck. Oh the girls would not like that. Neither did Conan, to be honest.

"Come here!" Lance was further in. Waist deep. "There are stones here."

Conan reached him. No sludge there. He looked around. Who knows when the girls would return. 

Lance turned to Conan. "Dude. What do you plan on doing about Sassara?"

Man. This was annoying. "What about you? You know, if you don't hurry, Zyra will end up with another guy." Lance did not answer. "No bullcrap Lance."

"Alright you want to know the truth? It's you guys."

"What about us?"

"I know myself, Conan. If Zyra was my girlfriend, I'd spend all my time with her. And you guys would get bitter." He sank neck deep in the water. 

"I wouldn't be bitter," said Conan.

"Maybe not you, but Ali and Marco? Why should I risk my friendships? For a girl which we all know I'll end up breaking up with?." He paused, and exhaled. Annoyed. "You said it yourself Conan. We're all leaving next year. What's the point?"

Lance was right. At least that's what Conan would have thought before.

"But isn't Zyra you friend as well?"

"Of course. But you know it's different, Conan."

He did.

"If I never flirt with girls, it's because I don't want to. I tried. This summer, I really tried. But I can't."

Conan had not realised to what extent Lance was torn. He had felt the same way after seeing Sassara, had whined, and Lance had dealt with it all this time. Had acted chill, nonchalant, full of jokes. Like cool dudes behaved. 

"When I saw Sassara on that beach, it was like my brain had done an update. Everything seemed the same. But it felt different. Like I couldn't navigate despite knowing the way."

Lance nodded. Conan groaned and dunked his head in the water. He needed to cool down.

He was uncertain about everything. But one thing was anchored deep in the pit of his stomach.

He resurfaced. 

"I want her, Lance."

"Me too."

Another silence. They were both thinking hard. Conan laughed. "What do you say? Should we put our big boy's pants on?"

Lance smiled like the sneaky guy he was. "And the guys?"

"If they whine-"

"Oh you jerks! Why didn't you wait for us," said Zyra. They wore the one piece swim suits with their hair pulled up.

The guys headed their way. Big pants on. Ready to go.

"Don't talk about the slime," said Lance. Conan grinned and shook his head.

They reached the girls. Lance lent his hand to Zyra. "Are you sure there's nothing scary down there," she said.

"Come on Zyra. It's water."

Her feet sunk in the muck. She shrieked again. Lance was deliriously happy. She went out of the water right away. He coaxed her again.

Conan looked up at Sassara. "So you've heard. There's muck at the start, but then it's only stones."

"I don't mind the muck."

"Oh ok Miss tough girl." He took her hands, and guided her in. "Let's see if I can make the tough girl scream."

The water rose to her thighs. "Wait Conan wait let me get used to the water it's cold." She tried to let go but he had a firm grip on her hands.

He laughed "Oh yeah? A little too chilly for the cool girl?"

The water reached her waist. She laughed, a little hysterical. "Wait wait stop it stop it!" Her voice kept on climbing octaves. 

And then he sank neck deep, forcing her along and she shrieked. Shivers reverberated in her and did not stop.

Conan still held her hands. He couldn't help laughing. "I'm sorry. But it was a beautiful scream. Are you cold?"

She brought her arms together against her chest. "No, no I'm fine." 

Ask her.

"Sassara," his voice came out more serious than anticipated. She raised her head again. Locked eyes with him. "You know at the dojo? When we fought... Were you scared?" She broke her gaze. "Did I remind you of your ex?"

He thought she would gape her mouth open like in the past when it was tough to articulate her feelings. "No." He closed his eyes and exhaled. "But I was scared. Not of you. It just brought back some unpleasant memories. I couldn't focus."

"Are you sure you're ok? If you don't want to compete I won't be disappointed."

"I'm fine. I feel safe when I'm with you." She looked up at him. "I want to be here. At the dojo, with you guys. I like it here." 

He let her words sink in. Let himself sink in her eyes.

Her teeth chattered. Conan squeezed her hands."Can I warm you up a little? Then I'll let you go. Promise."

She nodded. He pulled her towards him. She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Thank you." 

Her body was so cold against his. They stayed lying against each other a few blissful seconds. 

"Sassara?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember in the elevator? How you said I was special?"

"Yeah?"

Say it.

"Well you're important to me too." She gazed up at him again. Agh! It was harder to say if she stared at him like this. "When you left the beach, I realised I had lost my chance. I felt terrible. And the first day of school was just as bleak. But then I saw you in the hall and everything changed" 

She rested her head on his shoulder again. Her breadth tickled his neck. "I know I've been pretty open with everyone. But the truth is, sometimes I still worry that I'm intruding on your lives. Like I mess things up."

"I cannot speak for the others. But personally, I am much happier when you're around."

She looked at him again. "Really?" 

"Yes. Really. And I want to take it slow. Honestly I'm bad at all this. My ex broke up with me for this very reason. But... If we could both agree that we're special to each other. And that...we'll keep on learning about each other... Would that work for you?"

"Yes it would. We'll make many more memories together. We'll spar, and laugh and have new inside jokes... So please stop with that."

"With what?"

She gazed at him, still smiling.

She kissed her thumbs, and slid them across his forehead, they were warm. 

He realised she wasn't shaking anymore.

"Unfrown your frown," she said.

Conan melted. He had kept his arms to his sides, afraid she would feel constricted. But he trusted Sassara would tell him to stop if she was uncomfortable.

He folded his arms around her. Pulled her closer. Closer. Their bodies were so warm they both shivered. Her head nested in his neck again. And he felt wonderful.

Lance was right. He could get addicted to this.

"I'm glad I caught you, Boogie."

"Me too."