"People you
wish for
never make
your dreams
come true."

- Author.

***

Lunchtime invited Chris with its array of colorful smells and sweet aromas as he walked out of the classroom with Gwen in tow. Since their research paper was about relationships, and they knew nothing about how those things work, they had been looking for someone to interview.

One thing was for sure: researching relationships was harder than having one. He glanced at Gwen, who last night had decided for them both that they were on the thin line that was between best friend and boyfriend/girlfriend.

For all he knew, they had already crossed the line ages ago, ever since that kiss happened. But like people lost in a world they were afraid of, both found it hard to accept that reality.

Sure, they weren't holding hands, kissing each other on the cheek, and doing other disgusting stuff, but a passionate kiss was not shared with someone who was "just a friend".

He sighed and shook his head to clear off the clutter in his mind. He would need mental space for the research paper. Well, maybe that kiss hadn't been that passionate, and maybe they had just been pressured to do that. He knew how that pressure felt; he had made the first move.

"We're here," Gwen announced, stopping the thoughts from crowding his mind again. "The student teacher's name is Faye Van Beethoven." She rolled her tongue around, struggling to say the name that was more than a mouthful. A small two-story building stood above them. The smell of fresh paint wafted from its walls. A fair number of teachers entering and exiting through a door identified it as a faculty building.

"Beethoven? That deaf guy?" Chris didn't realize he was thinking out loud until Gwen elbowed him in his stomach, which was an obvious target considering its slight bulge.

"I do believe she's descended from a long line of musicians, Mr. Morrison. Although it appears that their talent has been lost on her," A voice said.

The two of them whirled around and saw Ken Gallagher, the new transferee. According to rumors, Ken was from somewhere in South America, although its location had been too cryptic to be even mentioned, according to the rumor mill.

To the surprise of the entire class, Ken easily and readily aced all of the quizzes and tests handed to him by the teachers. His only flaw came from his inability to finish assignments, always coming up with an excuse to explain that he was busy at home. The teachers seemed to eat up all his excuses. They didn't care; they were looking at a genius that would bless the school with countless awards and trophies.

A haughty look appeared on Ken's face as he regarded Chris. She couldn't blame Ken for being smart, but she wished he wasn't so arrogant. The guy didn't even try to hide his contempt for her best friend, even though he could have been smashed if Chris even laid a hand on his tall, lanky body.

Chris didn't miss the way Ken looked at him. He straightened and squared his shoulders. "Got a problem there, pal?"

Seeing the fire flashing in Chris' eyes, Ken knew he had picked a fight he couldn't win. But he didn't want to pass up a chance to show off what he learned during his extremely personal combat lessons with Faith. Especially now that the assassin, disguised as a student teacher, had walked out of the building right into the confrontation.

"Your lack of exercise offends me," Ken replied, shifting into a fighting stance. "But if a fight is what you want, then a beating is what you'll get!"

Stirred by the wound in his ego and the taunting force in Ken's voice, Chris charged. Ken sidestepped, then landed a solid kick on his crotch. Chris doubled over in pain, but Ken saw that he didn't stumble backward or fall over. That confirmed his earlier assumptions: this was a fight he couldn't win.

But maybe he could tire Chris out and lower his guard. His ego, which was much larger than Chris', urged him on. He crouched, preparing to evade the next attack.

What he got wasn't what he expected. He had to dodge an ax kick from Chris, which would have been fatal had it hit its target. Ken was surprised by the flexibility of the leg that had made the kick, and the speed with which it was executed. He looked at Chris and smirked. "It appears you've been holding out on me."

Chris grinned, showing no signs of pain or injury from the kick to the crotch earlier; not even a drop of sweat. "Learned some martial arts once from my old man." He dropped into a fighting stance, his superior size intimidating Ken. "He told me something once."

"Really? And what might that be?" Ken asked, hoping to distract Chris as he took careful steps towards him while preparing for another attack.

"Never underestimate your enemy," Chris replied, already knowing Ken's plan to land a surprise attack. He anticipated the move as it was fired towards him. A roundhouse kick, he thought as he gripped the leg. He grunted as his arms absorbed the force. For a thin guy, Ken was strong.

Ken was also a bastard. Chris knew that if the kick had succeeded, he would have gotten a broken neck and a coffin.

"That's enough," a melodious voice echoed throughout the clearing, and Chris let go of Ken's leg. Both stood up and brushed themselves off.

Ken glanced in the direction of the voice. "Looks like it's time for that interview of yours."

Then, to his frustration, Ken scurried off like the rat he was, leaving Chris with a dull ache in his crotch.

***

Gwen had stood, mesmerized as she watched the two boys fight. She'd never known Chris was good at martial arts.

Then a voice rang throughout the clearing, and she was knocked out of her trance. She turned to see Faye Van Beethoven, a stern and disappointed look on her gorgeous face.

The teacher approached Gwen as she stood there, unable to move. She didn't even flinch as Faye scolded her. "You were watching them all along, and you did nothing to stop them?"

Gwen stared down at the concrete. "I'm sorry, it's just that--"

"Don't waste your words. Didn't you know that any of them could have been killed, with the skill both had in fighting? I'm surprised you didn't act according to the situation."

Gwen sighed as Chris walked up to them. The kindly teacher who had answered them on the phone now sounded like an army sergeant. "You, what's your name?"

"Christopher. Christopher Morrison, ma'am."

"Do you know that boy?"

Chris shrugged. "We're classmates."

"Then go find him immediately and inform him that the two of you have to be in the principal's office before the final bell rings."

Gwen felt sorry for her best friend as he hung his head. "Yes, ma'am."

As Chris walked off, Faye cupped her hands and yelled, "Make it quick! I don't want to have to resort to giving you both corporal punishment!"

Chris waved a lazy hand in reply, but Gwen could see that his pace had quickened.

"Phew. Now that matter's settled." Faye held out her hand. "Gwen O'Brien."

Gwen nodded. "Nice to meet you."

"Now, let's get on with the interview, shall we?" Gwen hid her surprise as Faye suddenly turned giddy with joy as if she were a child playing with her favorite toy. "I can't wait to talk about relationships!"

Gwen inwardly sighed. She sensed that the interview was going to get weird and uncomfortable. Ah, well. For the sake of research.