Jungle Adventures: Second Date

At the end of the fourth day, they packed everything up and headed back to the camp house to clean up.  After four days of rough camping, Avirelle and the others were glad to be back and they were all looking forward to heading to the cantina for some fun.

After her shower, Dr. Clement called Avi over to where he was authenticating an interesting statue he had found at the site.

“Miss Adamson,” he said.  “Would you like to help me with our finds when we get to town?  I know that it means you won’t be able to relax right away, but I thought you might be eager to analyze what we brought in.”

Avi was both excited to be asked but also disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to hangout with the others.  However, she hoped that Dr. Clement asking for her assistance now meant that he was seriously considering appointing her as a graduate assistant once they returned to UBrite.

Once again, Avi found herself working until the sun had nearly set.  Her stomach had been protesting for awhile, but she wanted to finish before going into the cantina for some food.

“So we meet again,” a male voice greeted her.  Avi recognized it as Zaiden’s and had to force herself not to growl in annoyance.  If he even made one crack about her work, she was going to punch him. She decided to ignore him.

“Looks like you found quite a bunch of items,” the man said, coming close and peering over her shoulder.  She turned her head and glared at him, willing him to get the hint. He didn’t.

“Judging from all of the broken plates, bowls, and various utensils, it looks like you guys discovered an ancient Selvadoradan dining hall.  How exciting.”

“It is exciting!” Avi said, putting her hands on her hips and facing Zaiden who stepped back and raised his hands in mocking retreat.

“So sorry!  Of course. Dishes. What a treasure!”

“I told you before that everything is a treasure.  Each piece is a window into a lost culture.”

“So you said.”

“Yes I did, and I meant it.  If you don’t find this interesting, you should just go do whatever it is you were doing and leave me alone.”

Zaiden quirked a smile, his eyes still laughing at her.  “Sorry, sorry. We’ll stop talking about your treasures.”

“Good.  Now, let me finish.  Go away.”

“Sure, but first I think we should decide what we’re going to do on our second date.”

Avi whipped around to face Zaiden again, incredulous.  “What are you talking about? What date? We have never gone on a date, and I certainly don’t want to go on two!”

“Sure we did.  I bought you dinner.  We had scintillating conversation, getting to know each other. I thought you were attractive and interesting and you found me almost irresistible.  We didn’t have a good night kiss, but I have high hopes for our second date.”

Avi couldn’t believe this idiot’s audacity.  What arrogance! What conceit!

Her stomach rumbled.

“Ah, I see it’s dinner again then.”

“No!  I am not having dinner with you.  I wouldn’t go out with you if you were the last man in the jungle!”

“Gotcha.  No dinner.”

“Finally you accept reality.”

“So I’ll pick you up tomorrow.  I like this idea better anyway. I’ll take you out to the ruins.  Hope you don’t mind an early start. I’ll pick you up at 8.” Zaiden walked away as Avi sputtered in angry, impodent fury.

“I’m sleeping in tomorrow!” she finally managed to call out.

“8 o’clock.  Wear sturdy shoes!”

“GAH!” Avi stomped her foot and slammed her hands on the archaeological workstation table.  One of the shards of pottery she had been cleaning teetered toward the edge and she had to scramble to catch it.

“Damn the man!”

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