Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2004 01:10:53 -0800 (PST) From: JB <jbcs3@yahoo.com> Subject: To Where Life Takes Me Chapter 3 Title: To Where Life Takes Me - Chapter Three Author: JB (jbcs3@yahoo.com) Disclaimer: This work is fiction. All characters present within this story are property of the writer. Please contact me if you wish to put this story on your website. Also, if you are underage (18 or 21, depending on your location) or otherwise prohibited from viewing this material, please do not read this and go elsewhere. Author's Note: I'm trying something different this time. ^_^ PS - I've gotten a lot of e-mails concerning the character Josh Bell. It was pure coincidence that he's got the same name as the violinist. ^_^ I like the name Josh and Bell was a history teacher I once knew. And yes, I live in Houston. ^_^;; A lot of this is mixture of reality and my imagination, meaning some of the places/families/etc. may or may not exist. Oh, sorry for the short chapter. ^_^;; =-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= To Where Life Takes Me Chapter Three: Finally Getting There With the warm summer breeze creeping in from the open window of his room, Josh Bell woke up from the night's slumber. Remembering yesterday's events, he couldn't help but to smile. `Man, I'm seriously crushing on this kid,' he thought to himself. He got up and did his usual morning routine, one that he's been accustomed to ever since he finished graduate school at Princeton University. He first showered, shaved, and finally had his breakfast, coffee and a blueberry bagel. Josh, short for Joshua, was the eldest son of the Bells, a wealthy family prominent in the cultivation of vineyards in Napa Valley. Josh, much like Nick, was brought up knowing the amount of wealth he was bound to inherit someday. As a result, Josh attended the best of the best schools and led a pampered life, much to Josh's dismay. Josh tried to hide the fact that he came from money as much as possible. He felt that people ought to know him, it just so happens that he was wealthy. In fact, he often refused the lavish gifts his family tried to give him. He lived an independent life. He was one who thought the only person you can depend on is yourself. Throughout all the years in school, he wasn't very popular, or even desired to be. He did graduate salutatorian in the preparatory school that his parents sent him to. As a result of his class ranking and exemplary school record, he was eagerly accepted by Princeton University. He ended up actually majoring in History and took it further by going back to Princeton to earn his Master's. He ended up graduating top 10 in his class. Job offers came at him from almost every corner of the world. He chose to teach the Honors section of US History at University of Houston. Why Houston? He had no idea. But so far, he's had no regrets. He taught both courses, US History Until 1877 and Since 1877. He loved it. History fascinated him, especially US History. It was a damn hot day. Of course, that's Houston summer for you. It must've been at least 95 degrees outside. `Damn, I was hoping to jog a little bit. I guess I'll have to wake up earlier next time,' Josh thought to himself as he stepped outside of his quaint three bedroom town home. He peered at his watch, reading 9:00AM. He changed and was headed out to do some errands in no time. Josh drove a silver 2003 Audi TT Coupe. He needed a car and his parents gave it to him as a congratulatory present. He did some grocery shopping at Whole Foods and finally at lunch at Hunan Village at around 11:30. Josh loved Chinese food along with just about any other Asian cuisine. When he got home, he decided to call Nick. He dialed the number to his cell phone since that was probably the best way to get in touch with him. Ring... Ring... Ring... "Ughmphf...who the hell is this?" asked the groggy voice on the other line. "Oh, shit! Did I wake ya?" questioned Josh. "Oh! Josh, hey! Err...sorry about that," said Nick, trying to sound as awake as humanly possible. Josh laughed. "It's ok. I just wanted to see if you'd want to maybe go see a movie and have dinner with me later today, if you don't have other plans?" Nick felt his heart begin to race faster and faster. He was definitely awake now. "Oh...um, ok. Yeah, I didn't have any other plans. So, yeah. I can go. With you," he said nervously. 'Great, you fucking idiot, way to sound intelligent,' he inwardly thought. "Great, how about I pick you up at around 6:30?" questioned Josh. "Oh, sure. Let me give you directions," replied Nick. He tried his best to give the clearest directions as possible. Of course, easier said than done. Nick just woke up, after all. "Where are we eating by the way?" "Well, I was thinking about dragging you over to Princes over at 59 and Weslayan. I thought we'd see a movie at Edwards," replied Josh. "Sounds great. I've been wanting to see Pirates of the Caribbean again," Nick said. "Great!" Josh laughed. "I was thinking of suggesting that movie myself. I love it. Oh hey, sorry again for waking you up. Forgot you young ones like to sleep in." Nick didn't miss that end comment. "Yeah, we've got a better life going on than you old folks - always waking up early and sleeping early." "Hah!" exclaimed Josh. "Ooooo, nice comeback. `Hah!'", Nick said in return. "I'll get you, just you wait. Well, I've got some things to do before coming over and picking you up. So I'll talk to you later. I'll call before I come," Josh stated. "Alright, I'll be waiting," replied Nick, almost too enthusiastically. Nick looked at his watch, reading 2:00PM. `Damn, I really did oversleep. My sleeping schedule's going to be so fucked up now.' He sighed and started getting ready. `Might as well,' he thought. "Just a few more hours..." Nick said as he got off his bed.