| Lara approached the ringside. Cell stood in the middle once again with his back turned. When she was next to the ring, Cell turned around and smiled. “So, you didn’t chicken out after all,” he said. Lara didn’t say a thing. She just stood there with a blank look on her face. “You can come up here. I won’t bite don’t worry. One thing I don’t do is lie. I said you can draw me and I’ll keep my promise.” Lara decided to trust him. She stepped onto the ring, took a few steps, and then stopped. Cell walked over to her and stopped until he was an arm’s length away. “Tell me what you want me to do,” he said. Lara looked around and tried to figure out how she was going to do this. He’s too tall for me to see if I sit on the ground. “Umm…maybe if you step down off the ring I could see your face better.” Cell did so and looked at her again. “Okay, now take a few steps back.” As he did, she sat down, her legs hanging off the edge of the ring. “Now can you give me a half smile at least?” Lara began drawing. All of the sudden I don’t feel as scared of him as I was. He’s actually really nice. I can’t believe how strong he is; he’s so muscular! She never thought it would be like this. She thought it was going to be a pain to stay undercover and keep looking through those stupid binoculars. She was surprised at how patient he was. He wasn’t constantly asking how much longer it would take like her cousin did when she drew him. Cell stayed in the same position for a little more than hour. As she drew him he thought to himself; what is it about this girl? For some reason I couldn’t even consider hurting her. Letting her draw me looks like it made her so happy. Why? Finally Lara put her pad upside-down next to her. She got up and stretched her arms. “Are you done?” asked Cell. “Nope. I need to take a brake. My hand started to hurt.” Cell walked over to the ringside and started to reach for the sketchpad. Before he could take it, Lara put her foot down on top of it. “Nice try. But you can’t see it until I’m finished.” “That’s not fair. I think you should be happy I’m letting you do this in the first place.” “I am. But it’s my own rule. I don’t let anyone see the drawing before I’ve totally finished. And that goes for you too,” she finished with a smile. “Be that way then.” He smiled and went back to his spot. Lara resumed her drawing. She continued for another ten minutes then said, “Okay, you don’t have to stay like that anymore. I just need to do the finishing touches now.” Cell stepped onto the ring floor and tried to get a peek over her shoulder. Lara just moved over to the column in the corner and leaned back against it. She glanced up to see what Cell was doing. He stood there watching her draw. She smiled and continued. “Done,” Lara said finally. She stood up and walked over to Cell. “Can I see it now?” he asked. She nodded and handed him the pad. Cell looked at the drawing in amazement. He’d never seen something done with such talent. She’s really good, he thought. Lara put her hands behind her back. “So…what do ya think?” “It’s very good. I’m impressed,” he said handing the pad back to her. “Thank-you,” she said with a smile. They both stood there for a moment. “So…where did you come from?” Cell looked up. “The future.” “The future? How?” “I took a time machine and came to this time period.” “Why did you go back in time?” “All of the sudden you’re full of questions, aren’t you?” “Just curiosity.” “If I’m not mistaking, curiosity killed the cat,” he replied. “But I’m not a cat,” she said back. She seems to feel more comfortable around me now. Humans are so unpredictable. “In my timeline I was unable to become complete, so I came back here.” “Complete? What do you mean by complete?” “In order to become what you see in front of you I needed to absorb two androids. In my time, those androids no longer existed. I found a time machine, borrowed it if you will, and came back here. I was able to find the androids I needed, absorb them, and become complete. Does that answer your questions?” “Yes. So you are from Earth?” “Yes. A scientist that wanted revenge on his enemies created me. I am here to fulfill his revenge.” “Why?” “Why what?” “Why get revenge? It’s pointless.” “No it’s not. The doctor’s last wish was for me to ‘take care of’ his enemies.” “So this guy is dead?” Cell nodded. “Then why still try to ‘take care of’ them? If he’s not here to force you to do this, then why continue? Besides, it doesn’t look like anyone can hurt you anyway.” “I’m not holding this tournament just to kill his enemies; I want to test my strength as well. Why would you care if those people die anyway? It wouldn’t affect you.” “If you destroyed the Earth it would.” Lara looked at him. Cell didn’t say a word. “I’m sorry. This is none of my business.” Cell still didn’t respond. Lara felt out of place, and decided it might be best to leave before she made him angry. She looked at her watch and it read 5:30. Wow, I’ve been here for a long time. “Well, thanks for letting me draw you. And also for not ending my life.” Cell wasn’t sure why, but he was enjoying her company. “You spend all this time here and you’re going to leave without even telling me your name.” Lara was surprised that he would even care to know. “It’s Lara,” she told him. Lara, Cell repeated in his mind. “Did you want a copy of this,” she asked, referring to the drawing. “No, you keep it. I’d have no use for it.” Lara smiled and decided to end her ‘drawing session’ like she does with everyone. She extended her hand to him. “What’s that for?” “A hand shake. It’s like another way I’d say thank-you.” Cell looked at her hand for a moment, deciding whether or not to accept it. Finally, he decided yes. He extended his hand and she took it. Neither of them really shook the other’s hand; they mostly just held it. Lara looked down at his hand. She noticed how her’s was so much smaller than his was. Finally, the two released the other’s hand and Lara smile at Cell again. She said thank-you again, turned, and started walking away very slowly. Cell watched her walk away from him. “You aren’t walking the whole way are you?” he asked. Lara turned around. She was surprised that he was still talking to her. “Yeah, I took a taxi here, but the guy was too scared and ditched me.” “How far is it?” “To my house? Couple of hours. I should get there by seven, hopefully.” Cell didn’t say anything right away, so Lara continued on home. Suddenly she walked right into something and fell to the ground. Looking up, she saw that it was Cell that she walked into. “Do you really want to walk all that way,” Cell asked. “I really have no choice.” “Yes you do.” He outstretched his hand down to her. Lara looked at it. She took it and he pulled her up off the ground; however, by accident, he pulled a little too hard and she fell right up against him. Both didn’t move for a second. Lara was so embarrassed she could tell her face was turning red. She moved away and apologized. “It’s not you’re fault. Sometimes I can’t even control my own strength.” “Well, I’m such a klutz anyway,” Lara said, brushing herself off. “I’m willing to bring you home if you want,” Cell said. “You have a car?” Cell laughed. “No, of course not. I’d fly you home.” Lara didn’t know what to say. Should I trust him? He’s been so nice to me so far; maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea. That would save me a two-hour walk. “Well?” Cell asked. “If you don’t mind, then I’d love a ride.” “Good.” Lara felt awkward. Cell took a step towards her and Lara stepped back. “I thought you wanted me to give you a ride?” “Oh, I do. I’m sorry, I just feel embarrassed.” “There’s no reason for that. If you don’t trust me then you can walk.” “I trust you…” Lara looked into his eyes. They weren’t filled with evil like she originally thought. “Okay then. Put your arms around my neck and hang on tight.” Cell kneeled down so she could reach him. Lara hesitated for a second, then did as he told her. When Cell felt that she had a good grip, he put his arm around her waist and stood up. “Ready?” Cell looked over at her. “I think so,” she said. Cell slowly left the ground and waited for a reaction from Lara. When she didn’t give him one, he took off like a rocket. Lara let out a quick screech and buried her face in Cell’s shoulder. “You’re not scared are you,” he asked. “No,” she said with her head down still, “I just need a second to get used to it.” After a few seconds Lara looked up and saw nothing but a blue sky ahead of them. She looked all around and saw small cities, mountains and forests. “Cell! This is so cool!” “You like it?” “Yeah!” Cell smiled. “I am going the right way right?” “Yes. Actually you should go a little right more.” Cell heard her, but didn’t turn right. Instead he continued heading for a city that was in the distance. When they got there, Lara was amazed on how different the buildings looked from the sky. Cell started diving down to the streets below. Lara tightened her arms around Cell’s neck. They flew between the buildings, and right on top of the streets, dodging cars that came their way. This was thrilling to Lara and she wished it would never end. Cell flew up to the top of a skyscraper and landed on the roof. He put her down, and she walked over to the edge and looked down. “Wow, we’re really up high…” “Did you like that?” he asked. “It was awesome. I’ve never done anything like that before. It’s so different than flying on a plane.” Lara noticed that the sun was beginning to set. “Cell, I want to show you something now.” Surprised, Cell said, “And what would that be?” “It’s near my house. I’ll tell you when we get there.” Cell picked her up again and they flew in the direction Lara told him. When they were close to Lara’s house she told him to go beyond the woods when he came to them. He did and just as the last trees were in sight, Lara said, “Down there.” Cell landed on the cliff near a tree stump where she told him. “This is the place I always come to,” she said jumping down again. “What’s so special about this place?” Cell walked up behind her. “I love this place. It’s so peaceful. This is where I often come to draw. See, look.” Lara pointed to the setting sun. “Isn’t it beautiful?” Cell didn’t say anything. He watched the sun slowly setting beyond the ocean. Then he glanced down at Lara. She’s so happy. Something as simple as this makes her happy. Lara was happy. This moment felt so right to her. She leaned back against Cell. He looked down at her again. A weird feeling came over him. Something he had never felt before. The two stood there until the sun was barely visible anymore. Lara turned around and looked up into Cell’s eyes. He in turn looked into her’s. A gust of wind blew Lara’s blue hair into her face. She laughed and started to push it back. Then Cell did something Lara never expected. He helped her push her hair back behind her ears. The sky had started to darken and Lara glanced down at her watch. 6:36, she said in her mind. “It’s late,” she said. Once again, Cell didn’t respond. He just looked at her. Then a small noise was heard. Lara laughed and said, “I forgot, I didn’t have anything to eat since this morning.” “You better go eat then,” Cell said quietly. But I don’t want to…Lara thought. “I probably should. Do you want anything?” “No.” In a way, Lara was disappointed to hear that. Her day with Cell was over. The two stood there for a few more minutes in silence. Lara’s stomach growled again. “You better go eat before you’re stomach gets too anxious.” Lara nodded and turned to walk home. Then she stopped and turned back towards Cell. She noticed he was standing right next to the tree stump. She walked over to the stump and stepped up onto it. She put one of her hands on his shoulder, leaned up, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Cell’s eyes widened. She came back down and waited for a reaction. Cell starred at her with a blank look. He didn’t know what to say. No one had ever done that to him before. Lara smiled and started home again. She didn’t turn back, and Cell didn’t stop her. He didn’t move until he saw her disappear into the woods. When he couldn’t see her anymore, he put his hand to his cheek. He smiled and flew back to his tournament arena. Lara reached her house and stood in front of the door. She took her sketchpad out of her backpack and flipped to the page her new drawing was on. She looked at it for a while, and then closed her eyes. She remembered the day she had. Drawing Cell, the two of them flying together, and then the kiss. She couldn’t believe she did that. What she couldn’t believe even more was that Cell didn’t say anything about it. He just stood there. She closed the pad and unlocked the door, walking in with a smile on her face. |