Chapter 2

I was looking up at the worried face of Karen who was kneeling on the ground next to my prone form holding one of my hands between hers. "Brad, are you okay? I've never seen that effect before."

I grimaced. "I've never been kissed by a beautiful girl before. I would like to try it again from down here where I'm safe." She kissed my lips this time and I felt faint again. I wasn't totally out because I kept hold of her hand. I smiled at her. "You have a powerful effect on me. I like it. Could we try it once more before I get up."

She grinned at me. "I'm not sure how healthy it is for you to black out so often." She leaned down and kissed my lips again lingering some. I could feel my body flutter but I didn't black out.

I was still looking up into her eyes. I said, "I'm getting used to it. I would like to get very used to it. Kissing you is a very pleasant feeling."

I began to get to my feet and managed to sit back on the bench. She had never released my hand. She said, "You worried me."

I responded, "I'm sorry. I can't really tell you how many times I have blacked out but it's a lot. This ranks as by far the most pleasant though." I grinned at her. After an instant, she grinned back shaking her head.

"I was afraid you were allergic to me."

"No, just unused to that much pleasure." She really did grin at my statement easily this time.

She said, "I will just sit beside you very correctly. I wouldn't want you to overload." She smirked.

Then her face became serious and she said, "Tell me your ideas for the story."

I didn't have much of an idea but I had a glimmer. I thought for an instant to let it develop sufficiently to tell someone. I said, "It's half formed but I'm thinking about two college students receiving some strange text messages or voice mails allegedly from each other telling them to meet and to continue to meet. They do meet and work together to solve the mystery of who really sent the messages. In the process of finding the alien who sent the messages, they fall in love."

She chuckled. "That sounds preposterous but it does have promise. Do you like science fiction?" I nodded. "I do, too. I think we could make this work."

I said very slowly, "You and me or the story idea?"

She looked at me slowly and said in a low voice, "Both." I almost fainted again!

I felt like Snoopy in the comic strip and wanted to dance around with joy. I said, "That is promising. Creative writing is not really my strong suit.

"As to the other, I would like to know you better, Karen. Perhaps if we tried some more kissing, I could get used to that much pleasure to the point that it would only make me weak in the knees."

She laughed and it was a happy, friendly sound. She pulled my arm close to place her head on my shoulder. I liked that feeling. We sat like that for many long, comfortable minutes.

She said, "I would like to talk about our story. I like the idea. What do we need to write up for our next class?"

"We need a description and a thesis statement. I can understand and figure out the description but the thesis statement could sound a little strange." I thought for a moment. "Of course, we get to prove our thesis with our fictional story."

Karen nodded. "As much as this spot is lovely, I think we need to go to the library or some place to sit down and open my computer. If we can agree on those two things, I can print them out."

I nodded. She said, "Do you have a laptop?"

"Yes, it's safely in my room and I don't bring anything wet nor any kind of food anywhere close to it." Karen grinned. "I keep it there and take written notes in classes. I've learned to make that work. It's safer."

"Okay, Brad. Let's head for the library and find a quiet spot."

I walked carefully. After a hundred feet or so, Karen noticed and grinned. "Come on." She said. "I'll protect you."

"How can you protect me from me?"

"I gave you a magic potion when I kissed you. No more tripping, stumbling, falling, or dropping."

"I would like to think that but I don't know."

"Brad, all you have to do is believe."

"Karen, I want to believe you but a lifetime of misfortune stands in the way."

"Trust me, Brad."

"I'm trying to do that. I'm also trying not to trip you or fall into anything face first. Maybe I need another kiss to help the process along."

"Okay." I only thought I had been kissed before. She plastered her body tightly to mine and kissed me for an eternity or two. We were both breathless and I hadn't fallen though my knees did feel weak. She said, "You're feeling better, aren't you?"

"Oh, yes!" I said that slowly and fervently. "That was amazing though my knees are weak."

We untangled. She said, "Good. Let's walk."

We made it to the library without incident and found a quiet place to study and talk through our class assignment. With her laptop ready, Karen said, "Try your description on me again, Brad."