Destined for Destruction

chapter three - luke

It was a hot July afternoon at the Bucks County Fire Academy. We had finally gotten to the point where we were spending more time outside than in, and we were doing just that. Outside in the thick, insufferable heat, we were working on our ropes and knots. My favorite part of firefighting. Not! At least the instructors were kind enough to teach us and review knots inside where it was nice and cold in the air conditioning. As much as the guys at the station tell me I'll never use them once I graduate, learning to tie knots wasn't completely for naught. They weren't just to look pretty; they were used to haul tools and do life safety measures.

Except for one. James had taught me a knot and it was definitely meant to make a girl look pretty for me.

"Hey Arianna," I called out, getting the hot, petite girl named Arianna from Platoon 5's attention. I had my eyes on the rope in my hands, making two loops and pulling them through each other. "Wanna see this knot I learned? Gimme your wrists."

Okay fine. The handcuff knot is supposed to be used as a way to drag a victim out of a fire. You need to make sure the loops are far down on a victim's arms and not at a joint; the humerus bones are the sweet spot.

At least according to the textbook. If you asked me, the sweet spot would be around Arianna's wrists, pinned above her head. I bit my lip, trying my hardest to focus on dressing the knot down. I didn't want gaping holes, at least not in the rope. "Pretty cool, huh?"

"Where did you learn this?" She laughed as she tried to wiggle her way out.

"Self taught," I winked at her. "I've taught myself a lot more that I can show you later." She caught my gaze before scoffing, shifting her attention to the z-hook.

"Mr. Hertz," One of the instructors came up behind me and spooked me, putting his hand on me back. "I would suggest you wait until after class to flirt with Miss Lopez here and focus now on your tools. Test day is sooner than you realize."

The guys in my platoon snickered as the instructor walked on and my cheeks flushed a bright pink. "Give it a rest, Hertz."

My attention had once again been stolen by Arianna as we made direct eye contact. I could see it in her eyes; she was hungry and I was the only thing on her menu. "Yeah yeah, cool story," I said dismissively to Gavin. My eyes were glued to Arianna and my heart fluttered as she blew me a kiss.

Flynn stood next to me, practicing his tracer-eight knot. "She is smoking hot," he said, looking over at Arianna.

"No kidding." I nodded, fidgeting with my rope. "You know if she's single?"

"Those eyes say single," Flynn remarked and I chuckled. "Go for it. Ask her out."

"Yeah," I nodded, not putting a lot of effort to take the sarcasm out of my voice. "Ask her out."

I took my sweet time getting my gear into my car after class, making sure I hung around long enough to see Arianna again and invite her over to the firehouse. As soon as she walked out the front door, I waved her over. "Hey Arianna, c'mere a second."

She walked over to my car, giggling something to her friend. "Hi Luke," she greeted me, tucking a lock of her brown hair behind her ear. She was so shy; I wondered how quick I could break down those walls.

"What are you up to?"

"After I drop off my gear, not much. Why? What are you up to?"

"Need a ride? You're with Station 18, right? That's right by my place."

"No it's not," she laughed. She was right. Montgomery Township, or simply Station 18, was more than 10 miles away.

"You're right. It's not. But I'm still willing to make the drive if you'd like to hang out after you get your gear back."