Simpsational

Dance with the One You're With

Kayla

"So, what are you studying?" asked the man sitting across the table from her in the romantic little French restaurant. Kayla was pretty sure his name was Rick. The desperate text to the friend who had set them up had yet to be returned with verification.

"History, with a minor in English." Kayla wondered how many times she would have to have this conversation before she found a boyfriend.

"Ah, nice. I have a history minor."

Kayla put on a smile and engaged in conversation about history and school with him. He was really easy to talk to and seemed genuinely interested in her. There was just one problem, and his next statement brought her focus to it again.

"Oh, yes. My student loans were brutal. The day I paid them off, it was like I suddenly could afford to breathe."

"That must have been really amazing," she said. Something in her tone gave away her lack of enthusiasm, because he frowned.

"I said something wrong again, didn't I?"

"I'm sorry," she said, "this just isn't working."

"But we're getting along so well."

"I know. I'm so stupid."

"Is it my age?"

"No." She had to try to explain, she owed him that. She wasn't sure she completely understood herself. "Twenty-nine is kinda hot, if your life was a mess. I'm just starting this next exciting chapter of my life. You're already two chapters ahead of me." She hoped this was making sense. "A lot of my friends would love the idea of a man who already had it all together, who could take care of them while they faced the big bad world for the first time. I want someone to explore the world with, a partner on the great adventure."

He laughed, thank God. "So, I'm too successful?"

"I'm really dumb, sorry."

"Oh, that's ok. Better this way than having you ghost me after a great date and wondering what's wrong with me. This way I can catch the end of the Yankees game."

"Oh, we can still fool around," she blurted. She'd sounded a little eager, so she added, "If you want to?"

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah. You're fricking adorable and we're getting along so well. Besides, I waxed. I'd hate to waste it."

"I'd love to, then." Then he gave a wicked smile. "Since we're not going to be dating, do you want to try something a little risqué?"

"Like?" She returned his smile. "I can be pretty adventurous."

He told her. She felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Give me a full body massage after?"

He scoffed. "I'd pay money for a chance to give you a massage."

"So, it's a deal?"

"Deal," he said, smiling like a child.

"Ok. I'm going to need a few more drinks first."

Jace

These people were completely insane. The night was nearly pitch black. The clouds that had made the day's heat tolerable now made the nights activity impossible.

The quarry below would have been dark anyway, but in the current conditions it was a bottomless void of black. Page had stripped nude before leaping into the darkness, only a distant splashing noise to assure him that survival was at least possible.

"You don't have to go naked," said Hawk, "but if you do, be sure to cover your balls."

"What if we don't jump?" asked Trinity, one of Jace's fellow newbies.

"We always need someone to run the petting zoo," answered Chuck.

"I'll go," said Jace. He didn't feel like he had a choice. It was clearly important to his grandfather, and all his coworkers were watching.

He stripped off everything but his boxers and lined up where Page had started her run. He couldn't even tell where the edge was in the dark. His heart was hammering the inside of his chest.

"Jace coming down!" shouted Hawk over at the edge.

"Wet and ready!" came the faint sound of Page's response.

"On you, Jace. Make some noise."

Jace sucked in a deep breath. They did this every year. It had to be safe, right? Or they had just been lucky. He ran up to the edge at a careful pace, not wanting to miss the edge and tumble down the rock face. He planted a foot and launched into the black.

He knew it could only have been a few seconds, but the fall took forever. He'd messed up, imparting too much spin to hit the water feet first as he'd been instructed. But he couldn't tell by how much, there being no frame of reference in the dark. He'd been falling long enough for panic to set in, at least.

His feet hit first, but at an angle. He slammed sideways into the water, all the air forced from his lungs. He was underwater, panicked, in pain, and out of breath. And he couldn't see. He thrashed about, unsure even what direction was up.

Then a strong hand caught his wrist and pulled him to the surface. "Easy, Jace, I've got you." He was surprised when she shoved a safety flotation device into his hands. He shouldn't have been surprised. The point was for the jumpers to believe they were in danger, not to actually risk their lives.

She towed him out of the way and over to the cliff face where they could hold on. "Keep an eye on the edge, I'll be right back." She ducked under the water and, before he realized what she was doing, pulled his boxers down and off. She resurfaced with a giggle. Jace had never heard her giggle before, making him wonder if she was as drunk as he was.

"Hey, give those back."

"Oh, they're gone now, Jace." She put her arms around his neck and wrapped him in her legs, pressing her nude body against his.

He barely noticed the "Yahoooo," of Hawk's cry as he launched from the cliff above. Page pressed her mouth against his, her teeth sinking painfully into his lip. She pulled away as Hawk splashed into to darkness behind her.

"Page, I---"

"Shhh," she whispered into his ear, "she isn't here."

Jace had never been much good at telling women no, and it wasn't like he could hide his body's response to her.

"Ok, Trin, come on down!"

Jace thought he saw a flicker of movement above as the girls scream echoed around him. Her splash at least sounded less painful than his. Page pushed off, but returned shortly after hearing Hawk say, "I've got her."

It continued like that for a while, Page coming and going frequently but always returning to embrace him in the dark. He listened as Hawk teased and charmed Trinity out of her clothing as well.

"Did Chrissy do this her first year?"

"Yeah, first one off the cliff. We had to tame a lot of the other stuff way down for her, though." Page put her mouth close to his ear. "She's not here either."

Jace was somewhat relieved when an end to the cliff diving was called with his grandfather still on the cliff above. He was a tough old guy, but Jace felt like a jump would be pushing it. They all swam over to a nearby beach and started up a huge bonfire.

Chuck brought a truck around loaded with beer and a pulled out a guitar. Jace hadn't known what to expect, his fears of peyote fueled orgy proving unfounded. It was mostly just fun. Singing, dancing, and drinking. Naked.