				FULL METAL JESSICA (Chapter 7)

They spent a few minutes sitting on Sophia's porch, cuddling and kissing a bit, not saying much of anything. Sophia couldn't believe how happy and relieved she felt, and Warren was plainly looking like the cat who had eaten the canary. She was reclining on the seat, the back of her head against his chest, his arms around her waist, both of their legs spread out on the bench. She could hear his heart beating. It was a very comfortable place to be. 

Then Sophia saw movement coming up the street. "Uh Oh."

"Uh oh, what?"

"Remember how you were talking about my friends, and how I said they'd just have to get used to it? Well, here comes the first test. That's Jessie walking up the street."

"Your best friend, Jessie?"

"The same."

"You wanna get up and sit next to me, so she doesn't see us all cozy like this?"

"Not on your life."

"Wow. Did somebody give you a chutzpah infusion today?" They both laughed, as Jessie walked up the stairs to the porch, a very quizzical look on her face.

"Yo, Soph," she said.

"Hiya, Jessie. Jess, this is Warren."

"So this is the famous Prep Boy, eh? Right. So what the fuck is going on here??"

Warren and Sophia both laughed. "OK, Jess," Sophia said, "I fucked up that introduction. Jess, this is my boyfriend Warren."

"BOYFRIEND????"

"That's right."

"When did this happen?"

Warren laughed, as Sophia replied, "Oh, about five or so minutes ago!"

Jessie moved to the chair across from the bench where Warren and Sophia were. She looked completely dumbfounded. Then she looked at Warren and said, "You mean to tell me that the Preppie actually had the balls to ask you out?"

Sophia laughed out loud, as Warren looked embarrassed. "Actually, I asked him out."

"Where did you get the balls to ask him out?"

"Dunno. I just did."

Jessie was completely amazed. Then, she got a wry little smile on her face, and said to Warren, "Very nice. Can't even ask the girl out yourself, haveta wait until she does it. Typical Preppie."

"I am never going to live that one down, I can see it now."

"Got that right." She looked back at Sophia. "So, the Party Woman Extraordinaire is going out with the Ultimate Preppie, have I got this right?"

"Right."

Jessica snorted. "You know, this is gonna go over real well with the gang at the next beer and bong bash."

"I don't care, Jess."

"No, I don't suppose that you do. Probably a good thing. You've spent too much time worrying about what other people think, Soph, I've told you that before. Not caring what anyone else thinks is a big step."

"I know."

Jessica thought for a minute. Then she looked at Warren with a practiced eye. "He's not bad-looking, is he? For a preppy, I mean."

"I feel like a piece of meat," Warren mock-complained.

"You just learn your place, honey, and we'll get along just fine," Jess spat out. Sophia cracked up laughing.
"Course, I can't see his ass in that position, so I can't give him a number grade, but he seems to look presentable and all."

"Is she always like this?" Warren asked.

Sophia giggled. "Oh, this is mild, man-of-mine. You haven't gotten even a hint of Full Metal Jessica just yet."

Jessica snorted, "Damn straight. Hey, I'm trying to be open and welcoming, here."

Warren laughed at that. "And the effort has not gone unappreciated. Unnoticed until you mentioned it, maybe, but not unappreciated."

Jessie looked at Sophia, in amazement. "Prep Boy actually gives as good as he gets?"

"Frequently."

"Wow. The mind boggles. You'll have to excuse me, but I have seen my entire worldview turned upside down in an instant, here."

Sophia said, "Your worldview? Imagine the flips mine has taken in the past couple of months! Actually, Jess, you're taking this quite well. I expected a whole 'Are you crazy, what the hell do you think you're doing???' rant by now."

Jessie looked serious. "And, a month ago you might have gotten one. Sophia, you love him?"

"Yes"

"Preppy, you love her?"

"Completely."

"Good. Considering what's gone on in Sophia's life recently, I only have one rant to make." She stood up. "Preppy, listen to me and listen good. You had better make damn sure you are very fucking good to my one and only best friend. Do you read me?"

"Loud and clear, ma'am."

"Good. You hurt her like those other assholes and I will rip your balls off and feed them to my hamster."
Jess softened, and sat back down. "But you're not the type to hurt his girlfriend, are you? No, not at all, I'd wager," she said almost to herself. Then she recovered herself: "Besides, look at the two of you, cuddling up all cozy-like. It's enough to make a body sick." They all laughed.

"Jess," Sophia said, "thanks for making this easy. I really appreciate it."

Jessie snorted, "What? Me stand in the course of true love? Heaven forbid."

Warren chuckled. "Honey, I have to get going. I have a pile of studying, plus I'm hungry."

"Can you call me later?"

"Sure." They got up, and shared a good-bye kiss, as Jessica made mock-gagging noises. They just looked at her and grinned, and Warren headed off down the street.

From behind him, he heard Jessica yell, so he could hear. "Alright, Sophia, I give the ass an eight!"











