Just Friends by k71

Chapter 6

Lisa’s head was still spinning from the afternoon events as she walked back to
her office to change.

“Wow, I can’t believe Jeff really asked me out,” Lisa thought to herself. “Hmm,
and Rick had practically asked me out, too! Two dates in one night! Amazing.”

She would have gone to dinner with Rick if she had not already had plans, but
what about Jeff? No, she thought, she was glad she had an excuse to turn Jeff
down. She wasn’t comfortable around many people and although the guy seemed
nice enough, she really wasn’t interested in going out with anyone at right now,
especially if she had a chance to spend time with Rick.

Lisa changed in her office quickly and was just finished getting ready when
Miriya arrived. She had changed from her uniform into a tight sweater and
jeans, similar to what Lisa was wearing.

Lisa and Miriya had been introduced when Lisa had returned to work after Rick
had brought her back from Alaska base. They had immediately hit it off and
became friends. Lisa supposed it was her family’s military history and her life
growing up among soldiers that helped Miriya become comfortable with her.

“Are you ready for our adventure?” Miriya asked.

“Sure am. Let’s get going before we’re late for our first day,” Lisa replied
happily. The two friends left the base excitedly, ready for their big
adventure.

----------------------------------------

Rick arrived home in emotional chaos. He was certain Lisa was going out with
Jeff. He could tell by their body language when they were talking after the
meeting that Jeff had asked her out. The only thing was, it didn’t look like
she accepted. So why didn’t she want to go to dinner?

“Maybe I’m being too paranoid,” Rick said aloud to his empty living room, “maybe
she’s not going out with him at all.”

Then why was she so secretive about her plans? They always kept up with each
other; so why wouldn’t Lisa tell him what she was doing?

His thoughts turned to the idea of Lisa on a date. Where would they go? What
would they do? How late would they stay out? He would be moving nearby soon,
would she see him again?

He paced his floor, picturing Lisa on a date; looking lovely, laughing, giving
Jeff that sexy, shy smile that starts slow then grows as she looks up at you
with those big, green eyes…

“Uhhhhhh!!” What’s wrong with me? Rick plopped down on his couch and put his
head in his hands. “I should be happy for her, for BOTH of them.”

Rick was by now mentally and physically tired. He glanced at the clock and was
surprised to find it was already past eight o’clock. He turned on the news and
tried to calm himself.

As the news anchor droned on, his thoughts would not leave Lisa. “Maybe I’ll
call her on her cell phone. Just to make sure she’s OK.”

He dialed her cell number quickly, then panicked as he realized he didn’t know
what to say to her when she answered. After all, she had told him she had
plans. It would be obvious that he was checking up on her. He started to hang
up when her phone picked up and went straight to voice mail.

“Of course she has her phone off, it’s only polite to turn your phone off on a
DATE,” Rick said sarcastically to the empty room.

He laid down on the couch again as an old movie came on television. He dozed
off to sleep thinking of Lisa. He dreamed he went to Lisa’s house and found her
making out with Jeff. In his dream, he told Jeff to leave, that it was all a
mistake and Lisa belonged to him. Jeff disappeared, leaving him alone with Lisa
in her living room. He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately as he
pushed her back on the couch and began running his hands up and down her body….

“WE WILL RETURN TO THE MOVIE AFTER THESE MESSAGES!”

The TV announcer was aloud enough to wake Rick from his dream abruptly. The
first thing he noticed was he was still on his couch in his living room. Then
he noticed it was almost midnight. As he sat up and swung his legs over the
side of the couch, the third thing he noticed was that he needed a shower. A
cold shower- A LONG, COLD shower.

After his shower, Rick again thought about calling Lisa but he couldn’t think of
an excuse for calling so late, so he decided against it. He decided to go to
bed and call her early in the morning. He finally drifted into a fitful sleep
where he dreamed of Lisa ignoring him and dating a variety of other men. It was
a painful dream.

-------------------------------------------

After leaving Lisa’s office, Lisa and Miriya walked to their destination in
downtown Macross.

“You didn’t tell Rick where we are going, did you?” Miriya asked.

“Nope, not Rick, not even Claudia,” Lisa replied happily, “they both wanted to
know my plans, too. You know, everyone always complains that I’m so
predictable, it’s kinda fun being mysterious for a change.”

“Good, I don’t want Max to find out what we’re doing.”

“He won’t. By the way, where DID you tell him we were going?”

“I told him you and I were on a secret mission,” Miriya said in her usual
confidant, yet innocent tone.

“Well, that is true.”

“So, we’re not ‘lying’ to them, are we?” Miriya asked worriedly.

“No, no. We’re not lying, we’re just not telling them what we’re doing
exactly,” Lisa said, trying to reassure her friend. Marriage and relationships
were still a new experience for Miriya and she was always worried about doing
the right thing.

“But should I be keeping secrets from my husband?” Miriya asked, still worried.

“Well, it’s not a secret so much as a surprise, so I think it’s OK in this
case.”

“Oh yes, surprises are good!” exclaimed Miriya.

“Yes, well, usually. In this case it’s definitely going to be a good surprise,”
Lisa chuckled with her friend.

Miriya still looked worried, “But Lisa, from what I understand, I’m not supposed
to be making appointments with other men, besides my husband I mean.”

“Well, this isn’t an appointment really. Think of it more as training,” Lisa
said.

“And this man will teach me things that will please my husband?”

Lisa was again amused by her friend’s desire to please her mate, “Yes, I think
he will.”

“And he will teach you things to please Rick?”

Lisa was a little surprised by the question. “Well, Rick and I are just
friends, we don’t do all the things married people do. But yes, I hope to use
some of this training on Rick someday.”

“Well, I’m not sure I understand fully, but I hope I learn things to help me
with my duties as a woman and a wife.”

“I think you will. And when it’s all over, we’ll surprise everyone!” Lisa told
her friend as they arrived at their destination. “Well, here we are.”

“Oh, our teacher is very handsome!” Miriya said loudly as they entered the room.

Miriya’s loud announcement caused everyone in the room, including the teacher,
to turn and look at them. Lisa tried to hide her embarrassment. When you were
with Miriya, you got used to situations like this.

“Yeah, uh…he is,” Lisa said quietly, “let’s sit down.”

They had arrived late, so the class was almost full. The only two seats
available together were at the front of the class. Lisa and Miriya made their
way to the front, brushing past the people already seated. Lisa noticed most
were young girls, but there were more than a few young men, many of which Lisa
recognized as military. Most of the men gave Lisa and Miriya appreciative looks
as they passed.

“This is exciting!” Miriya said as they sat down.

Lisa could only nod her head in agreement as the teacher brought the class to
order.

“Welcome to Macross Community College’s class of Cooking 101. I am Chef Michael
DeLugio. Today we will start by learning basic kitchen appliances….”