The Drums of War-- Day 5 (February 6, 2317)

[Lithium]

Cheiko

Cheiko rolled over in bed and glanced at the clock. 9 in the morning? Uhg... I just want to sle–– She paused.

Will Jason call me this early? When does he wake up? Should I––

She was wide awake as memories from yesterday and her desire to catch Jason's call before her voice mail did swirled through her.

French toast sounds good... then, maybe Missy and I can hit the gym.

She hauled herself out of bed and into the kitchen.

Missy

"Good morning, Cheiko," Missy said as she flipped a slice of... french toast?! "Are you hungry? I can make enough for two?"

"You read my mind," Cheiko replied. "Have you heard from Matty? How long is he going to be gone?"

"A few weeks, maybe. He might get delayed. You never know," she said with a shrug. Mystery man hasn't written again. I hope Matty is still okay.

She flipped over another slice of french toast as Cheiko took a seat at the breakfast bar.

[Cytherea]

Jason sat up in bed. He had almost been too excited to fall asleep last night, but he had managed. He had woken up early; 6:00. He knew it would be way too early to call Cheiko up, but he wanted to sooo bad. He busied himself with making preparations for the day ahead.

"She will be so excited..." he murmured to himself as he tried to figure out his outfit for the day ahead.

[Lithium]

"Can we order some coffee?" Cheiko asked.

"You mean frappuccinos? That's not really coffee," Missy said without looking up from her cooking.

"It is for me," Cheiko replied as she walked to the computer screen in the kitchen. "What do you want?"

"Nothing. I don't need anything."

Cheiko shrugged. "All right, then. Suit yourself." She turned on the screen, selected coffee shops, then their favorite place and put together her drink.

Are you sure you'd like to order a "Caramel Frappuccino, made with skim milk?"

She selected the yes icon.

Thank you for your order! It will be prepared and sent shortly. Please allow ten minutes for making and delivery time.

She sighed, then flopped down on the couch.

"What are you watching?" she asked, staring at the screen.

"Something called Doctor Who," Missy replied. "It's old, but pretty good."

[Cytherea]

Jason finished his breakfast and grabbed his photosphere. He was smiling excitedly.

Quickly, he dialed Cheiko's number. The ring echoed, and he waited anxiously for her to pick up. He was so excited, that he quickly made himself take some breaths to calm his mind.

What's with me? Why am I so... flustered today?

[Lithium]

Cheiko's photosphere rang loudly and she scrambled to get it. Missy answered it first. Cheiko motioned for Missy to toss it to her, but Missy just shook her head with a smile and answered it.

"Hello?" she said calmly into the receiver. "Who is this?

[Cytherea]

Jason was startled with a different girl's voice. He pulled the phone away from his ear and checked the number he had dialed.

Ok... that is her number...

He cleared his throat, and tried to recognize the speaker's voice.

I know I've heard this voice before, He mused but where?

Suddenly it hit him. He, terribly, didn't remember her name, but he knew who she was.

"This is Jason Underhill." he answered. "You are... Matthew Fletcher's sister, correct? I'm calling for your lovely friend, Cheiko."

[Lithium]

Missy smiled. "Ah! I see. Yes. I'm Mistalyn Fletcher. Let me get Cheiko for you."

She glanced at Cheiko and covered the phone's mouthpiece so he couldn't hear. "It's Jason Underhill. He says you're lovely."

She handed the phone to Cheiko who immediately said, "Hey, Jason! What's up?"

[Cytherea]

Jason's face brightened when he heard Cheiko's voice.

"Hey Cheiko! I wanted to see if you were free today. I've got something big planned. For it to work out, I'll have to pick you up... between 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Can you make it?"

[Lithium]

"Sure!" Cheiko said. "I've got a few things to do this morning, so how does 1 sound?"

Missy sang, "Cheiko and Jason sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

Cheiko put a hand over her friend's mouth to keep her quiet. She could still hear her sing, "First comes love, then comes marriage!"

Rolling her eyes, Cheiko waited for Jason's answer.

[Cytherea]

Jason could faintly hear someone singing in the background, but he couldn't make out the words.

"1:00 sounds fine." Jason said with a smile. I'll see you then!"

He hung up and quickly went about getting things ready.

[Lithium]

The call ended and Cheiko turned to Missy, rolling her eyes. "Real mature, Mistalyn. Real mature."

Missy turned off the stove and transferred the steaming french toast to two plates, then grabbed the syrup. "Thanks!"

"After this," Cheiko replied, "We should hit the gym."

"All right."

"Together."

"Duh."

Missy drizzled some syrup across her meal, then passed it to Cheiko, grabbed a forkful and shoved it in her mouth. "I can watch my show from my portable."

Cheiko shrugged. "Sure." She put a bit of syrup on hers, then dug in, savoring each bite.

[Cytherea]

Jason was on his computer for the next few hours. He was making adjustments and last minute add-ons to make his surprise complete. He was so absorbed in his work, he didn't notice when Josh and Eli came in.

"Hey Jason." Eli said.

Jason stared at his tablet screen. He twisted his finger in his mouth before hurriedly writing something. He waited, and then sighed with satisfaction.

"Yo, Jason!" he called again.

Jason looked up at them.

"Oh hi." he gave them both a smile and then glanced back at his screen.

"What's up?" Josh said. Eli and him ran over to Jason. "This must be one awesome video game." they grinned at each-other.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, guys;" Jason said, quickly slamming the tablet to his chest. "It's not a video game. It's the-"

"The download for the new game we've been waiting for for... three days? Finally?"

Jason looked from one face to another. The excitement shone in their eyes and he sighed. A slight smile showed on his lips.

"You guys just don't grow up, do you?" he muttered. "All right, I'll finish up the download. What time is it?"

"Dude, you've been in here for over five hours. Josh and I wanted to know if you were, you know... going to make breakfast?"

Jason searched their faces again, this time in disbelief.

"You guys haven't eaten yet?"

"Well, no." Josh explained. "After the peanut butter sticks yesterday, we-"

"Out of the goodness of our hearts, we let you have your precious time to yourself." Eli interjected, clamping a hand over Josh's mouth. "But now we had to insist. It's lunch time already."

"What's the time exactly?" Jason said as he got up from his comfortable chair. He stretched, and only then realized how cramped he had gotten.

"12:30." Josh said. "Forget breakfast. If you make a-"

"12:30?!" Jason exclaimed. He brought a hand up to his forehead and smacked himself. "Oh my goodness, I hadn't paid any attention to the time... oh dear!"

Jason ran from the room, Eli and Josh following closely behind.

"I didn't expect him to be so excited to cook for us." Eli whispered to Josh.

Jason bolted up the stairs, two at a time. Eli and Josh ran up after him, loudly protesting.

"What about lunch?" Eli wailed.

[Lithium]

Cheiko put in a pair of turquoise and silver earrings to complete her cute ensemble. She swept back her hair, put on some lip gloss and gave one, brilliant smile in the mirror before she stepped outside.

"So, should I be checking up on this guy?" Missy asked, not looking up from her television show. "Is he nice? What's he look like?"

"He's amazing," Cheiko gushed. "He makes me feel so–– so––– I don't know. Fluttery? Happy?"

She glanced out the clear windows to the gray winter day beyond. "It looks like it's going to rain."

"Is he picking you up or are you meeting him somewhere?"

Cheiko shrugged. "I'm pretty sure he's picking me up."

"Good. I want to meet this fellow," Missy murmured before lapsing into silence. My brother gets involved with a girl I've barely met, then before I know it, he'd been banished to the Badlands and become some kind of... of animal-man. This one better be... normal...

[Cytherea]

Jason drove up beside Cheiko's house. He stepped out of his car and smoothed down his hair.

I must look a wreck. I hardly had time to make it over before 1:00!

He walked inside and glanced around. The place was really nice.

He stepped towards a messaging machine nearby. He pressed a button and started talking.

"Cheiko? It's me, Jason. I'm ready for you downstairs, if you are."

[Lithium]

The main computer pinged multiple times and Cheiko scrambled over to it.

"Cheiko?" Jason's voice came over the loud speaker. "It's me, Jason. I''m ready for you downstairs, if you are."

"I'm almost ready. Why don't you come up? You can meet Missy. I'll authorize it." She touched a couple buttons and then she checked thee camera. The elevator door opened and said, "Jason Underhill, please step this way."

"Just go on in there. Thanks!" Cheiko turned off the speakers and ran over to Missy. "Uhg! Why aren't you dressed better?"

Missy rolled her eyes. "He's your crush, not mine."

[Cytherea]

Jason walked into the elevator doors, and they took him up. He heard the ding after riding up for a few moments, and the doors opened. He stepped out and started walking. He straightened his shirt and smoothed his unruly hair yet again. He knocked on the door.

[Lithium]

"Come in!" Missy called out as Cheiko dashed back to her room.

Missy paused her show just as Rose was entering the man's television shop and went to refill her drink. "The door's unlocked. Let yourself in!"

[Cytherea]

Jason opened the door and stepped inside. He couldn't help but smile as he looked around the place.

Wow. This is incredibly nice.

He walked forward and stuck his hands into his pockets. He saw Mistalyn getting a drink, and waved a greeting.

"Hi." he said cheerfully. "My name's Jason. I'm not sure if you remember me or not..."

[Lithium]

"Ah! Hello!" Missy replied, recognizing hi face from the party. "I do remember you! Cheiko should be out in a little bit. She's probably just making sure she looks heer best for her handsome young beau." Missy winked, then took a sip from her drink. "Want anything? We've got sodas, juices––"

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Cheiko said as she closed her bedroom door behind her. "Are you guys––"

"We met at the party a few nights ago," Missy said with a smile. "We're acquainted."

Cheiko nodded, then went over to Jason and looked up into his eyes, then smiled warmly. "So what do you have planned?"

[Cytherea]

A huge smile broke out onto Jason's face. He grabbed both of her hands and brought them up excitedly. He gave them a gentle squeeze.

"A big surprise." he looked her over and felt his heart rate pick up. "My... you look splendid!"

[Lithium]

Cheiko blushed. "Aww! Thanks! You don't look bad yourself. What's this surprise, though? Can I know now?" She tried to smile her cutest, most pleasing smile up at him. "Pleeeaasee?"

[Cytherea]

"Well..." he considered her big, brown eyes for a long time, before quickly saying, "No. Unless you really, really, really want a hint. And, assuming that you do, I'll give one. It's something that you've never done before, because my family is the only one with access to it. Because we made it. It's something that has... countless things to do, and--" He laughed and gently tapped her nose. "I almost told you too much."

[Lithium]

Cheiko bit her lower lip, then smiled again and said, "I guess I have no choice but to find out when we get there. Why don't we head over? Are you driving?"

Missy glanced up from her show and looked back at them. They're... cute. I wonder if it'll last.

[Cytherea]

Jason

"Yep." Jason said with a smile. "If you're ready, let's go."

They made their way down and to his car. It was the newest model, and it glistened in the sun as they walked up.

Quickly, he opened the passenger side door for her. He stepped around to the other side and hopped in.

In a few minutes, he pulled up in his own driveway. He jumped out and opened the door for her with a wide grin.

"The surprise is in my house. Eli and Josh will be accompanying us, part of the time. After the special thing I have planned, we'll have to hurry if we want to catch the other part of my surprise."

Alex

Alex stroked his guitar. The wood was polished so, that when the sunlight touched it, it shined. He lightly played a short, sweet tune.

"Alex?"

He turned and looked at his mother standing in his doorway. She was a short woman, and she had blue hair just like her son's. It waved gracefully around her face. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a pale white shirt. She smiled at him.

"Your father and I are just heading out. We- we wondered if you might..."

"Mother," Alex began. He walked towards her and kissed her forehead. "You know how I feel about... out there."

"Please Alex, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, and I know you don't like it, but I think it's time, that you need to." she embraced him, even though he was much taller than she. "Will you consider it?"

Alex wanted to say no, absolutely not, no way... but he knew how long his mother had tried to get him to leave the safety of his room. He sighed and involuntarily fingered the strings on his instrument he was still holding.

"I'll think about it." he finally said.

Endosi

Endosi woke up refreshed and excited the next morning. She practically flew from her bed. How she had ever gotten to sleep last night she would never know, but at least the dawn had finally decided to break.

She was on her toes all the rest of the morning, humming and singing to herself.

Will he come and see me today? I do hope he does... oh will he?

She positioned herself in a chair in the sitting room. She tried to play the advanced Wii that they owned, but her mind kept straying back to yesterday, and her hopes for today.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Endosi nearly tripped over herself, rushing to the door. She opened it, a wide smile on her face.

"I'm here to mow your lawn..." began the man outside. Endosi quickly composed herself, though inside she was crying regretful tears that it had not been William.

"I'm sorry, we did not want our lawn mowed. Maybe try the next house?" she managed.

[Lithium]

Cheiko

"All right," she said with a grin of excitement. "Lead on, brave knight."

Missy

Missy stood up from the couch as her episode finished to refill her water. Her photosphere vibrated in its charging dock. She went over to it, and looked at the message screen.

Suddenly, the message disappeared, telling her she had no messages. Remembering the cameras, she shrugged, then went back to the fridge for more water.

Much have been from that guy. And they deleted it. Uhg! Jerks!