The Warriors

Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Shang was going to take me on a date tonight, at least that's what he told me when we landed the airplane.  I hadn't seen him for about two days, because he had to do something, but tonight he's going to pick me up and take me someplace special.

                I decide to wear a peach/pink tank top that was ruffled with spaghetti straps, on top of a pleated black skirt, lace tights, and black high heels that have a rose on each tip of the shoe.  I leave my hair down, and tuck a pearl encrusted headband on my head pulling stray hairs away from my face, and I put on a black crystal studded bracelet. Then I put my black blazer on, because it is freezingly cold outside.

"Shang is one lucky guy," Larry says, as I walk down the stairs with him, to meet Shang in the living room.  "You are gay Larry.  You cannot be jealous," I laugh, pushing him ahead of me.  He guffaws, and runs down the steps to meet Dale and Shang.

He is dressed so superbly that I cannot take my eyes off him.  He is wearing a long black coat, with felt lapels, and a fitted with shirt underneath along with fitted black slacks.  His shirt has a white bow loosely tied on, as part of the shirt.  His long hair is swept out of his face.  He breaks into a huge smile as he sees me.  I hurry down the rest of the stairs, wanting to get closer to him, to feel his warm embrace.  He sweeps me into a hug, laughing as I kiss him aggressively. 

"I take it you missed me," he chuckles, squeezing me closer to him, then letting go.  "Of course not," I tease, grabbing his hand, dragging him towards the door.  "You two have fun!" Larry calls out, faking his voice to sound girly and motherly.  "Kay mom!" I call laughing, happy that I am once again with Shang.

"Where are we going?" I ask, stuffing my hands in his pockets, since I forgot to bring gloves.  "I'm not going to say," he mysteriously answers, pulling me across the street.  We stop in front of a huge building.  There are bunches of people wearing costumes, going in through the doors. "What?" I ask, then spot a Lady Gaga poster.  "Are we?" I ask.  He smiles, as I jump up and down. "I'm going to see Lady Gaga!" I exclaim, and start walking to the doors.  "Are you coming?" I ask, as I see him still standing in the same spot.  "Of course," he says, shaking his head as if clearing his thoughts.

                Larry is soooooooo going to be jealous of me.  I have just seen one of the best performers, live, and cannot believe I have just experienced something so cool.  "Oh, Shang, that was the best date in the world!" I sigh, as we walk, arm in arm back to the car.  He smiles down at me, not saying anything.  "I'm glad," he says after awhile. 

"What's wrong?" I question, as he drives us home in silence.  He doesn't say a thing, which only confirms my worries that there is something bad he needs to tell me.  "If you don't want to tell me what's wrong, that's fine, but you should tell me what's wrong because then I can help you," I proclaim.  "I don't want to worry you," he mutters.  "Don't worry about me! Just spit it out, because you'll feel better after you let it all out," I declare, rubbing his back.  A faint smile crosses his face, "You are so cute," he says, and brushes my hair off of my shoulder. 

We park the car in front of my house, and sit in silence.  "My father is still alive," he states, in the dead silence.  Fear gripes my heart, but I don't show it.  Grabbing his hand, I say, "It's going to be alright," and kiss his cheek.  He nods, and smiles, but I can tell it is forced.  "You want to come in?" I ask, unlocking the door.  He seems to ponder that question, "No one is home, Lisa is with Alexander, Talon with Laura, and Larry with Dale," I inform.  "Well, I can't leave you all alone, can I?" he asks, his regular, unmoody self coming back to me.  "That would be a sin," I laugh, and get out of the car. 

I get some wine down from one of the cabinets, and pour some out for both of us. He is sitting down on the counter top, so I hand him the drink there.  "How old are you really?" I ask, sitting down on the counter top also.  "Twenty five," he says right before taking a drink.  "Your ancient," I contemplate.  "Yah, I was born in a cave," he says, nonchalantly as if everyone gets born in a cave.  I cackle with laughter.  "And how old are you, dear Madame?" he inquires, tipping his wine glass towards me.  "Twenty one," I reveal, as if it is a secret that I hardly ever tell.  "I'm ancient?" he asks, shocked.  I scowl at his shocked act.  "Oh, stop being a wimp," I exclaim playfully, shoving his shoulder.  After a while, we just sit there in silence, hearing each other breath.  "This is my favorite part about being with you," he says, quietly.  I crinkle my brows, not understanding what he is saying. "I love that I can just sit here with you, and feel as if I have everything I need in life," he finally adds. It shocks me, how insightful he is about everything.  "So you like that I don't talk a lot, is what you're really saying," I inform, with a small smile on my lips.  "Yes," he chuckles, setting down his wine glass.  "It is so weird for me, because I always thought that it was stupid when people would say they were in love, when they only knew that person for such a little time, but now I understand.  I knew you were the one, when I first saw you," he says, exposing a part of him I never thought to see.  I don't know what to say, to this declaration of whatever it is.  "Shang, I love you," say after a while of silence, "And I understand what you are talking about, in a way, but I don't understand how you knew I was the one you wanted to be with, just by seeing me."  "I don't either, it was like my gut instincts telling me that I had to have you, I had to get to know you," he reveals.  "Well, all I know is that because of that feeling, we are here now, together," I declare, taking his hand in mine.  He nods his head in agreement, and kisses me lightly on the lips. 

"What time is it?" I ask, after awhile of lying on my bed doing nothing.  Really, all we were doing was talking.  The closest we got, was holding hands.  "I have no idea," he answers, turning to his side to play with my hair.  His fingers gently brush my curls away from my face, and run through them.  Faint shivers run through my body, at his soothing touch.  "You should get some rest," he finally states.  I think he noticed my eyes, closing against my will.  "Okay," I say, as he gently takes my shoes off and my jacket, "Don't go?" I ask, as he starts to get off of the bed.  "Jane," he sighs, then takes his shoes and jacket off too.   I fall asleep with my face pressed against his firm chest, and his musky scent filling my nostrils.