| The following Friday, Tyra had drove home in her boyfriend’s car. She had invited him over for dinner that night. This would be an interesting night for the whole family and Tyra’s boyfriend. He was going to meet her father, and her father was probably going to blow up the house in anger. They arrived at Tyra’s house around four o’clock. Lara had agreed to make an early dinner so Tyra and her new boyfriend could go out later. Lara had assured her daughter that she’d try to keep Cell under control. The car was parked and the two teens got out. “Well, this is my humble home,” Tyra said. “It’s cute. I like the area,” her boyfriend said. “My brothers will be here shortly, and my dad basically shows up when he wants too. Oh, and I should tell you right now, my dad and brother look a little different, but they won’t hurt you.” I hope, she finished in her mind. “Oh, okay. What do you mean by a little different?” “You’ll see…” Lara met the two when they entered the house. “Mom,” Tyra said. “This is Sam; Sam, this is my mom.” “Hi Sam,” Lara said. “Hi,” Sam returned. “Where are Seru and Mikau?” Tyra asked. “They should be back any time now,” Lara said. “Let’s go out back ‘till dinner is ready,” Tyra suggested. Her and Sam went out the back door. Before they even had a chance to start talking, Tyra sensed two forces heading their way. “Oh, here they are now,” she said. Sam looked around. “Where? I don’t see anyone.” Ten seconds later, a tall boy with tall black hair and pink eyes landed in front of Tyra and Sam. A rather strange looking person accompanied him. Sam couldn’t help but stare at Mikau. “You must be Sam,” Seru said extending his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” “Uh, yeah.” Sam shook Seru’s hand, not taking his eyes off Mikau. Mikau walked up to Sam. “I’m Mikau.” He extended his hand. Sam hesitated but finally decided to take it. Mikau tightened his grip and gave an evil smile to the slightly frightened human. “Mikau, stop scaring him,” Tyra said. “Don’t be alarmed, Sam. These are my brothers.” “Even him?” “Yeah. His bark is worse than his bite.” “Is not!” Mikau protested. “I think I hear Mom calling,” Seru said dragging Mikau by his arm. When they left, Tyra turned to Sam. “I’m sorry if he scared you. Mikau has my Dad’s sense of humor.” “What’s your dad like then?” Sam said trying not to act nervous. Later on, everyone sat at the kitchen table. Sam sat next to Tyra, Seru and Mikau sat across from them, and Lara sat on the end. Cell, however, hadn’t made an appearance yet. They ate mostly in silence. Sam wasn’t as nervous around Mikau anymore once he learned that Mikau wasn’t going to hurt him. Tyra was excused from picking up that night, so she and Sam went to her room after dinner. Tyra sat Indian style on her bed and Sam wondered around the room. Just then a different voice could be heard coming from the kitchen. Tyra crossed her fingers and hoped nothing would go wrong. “Who’s that?” Sam asked not recognizing the voice. “My father.” In the kitchen, Cell stood by the window with his arms crossed. Lara sat at the table, doing a crossword puzzle in the newspaper. “So where is this friend of Tyra’s?” Cell asked. He still didn’t know that the ‘friend’ was actually a ‘boyfriend.’ “They’re in her room,” Lara said. “Cell, promise me you’ll keep your temper under control. Please don’t scare the boy.” “Boy? What boy?” Cell said, unfolding his arms and turning around. “I’ll let Tyra explain that to you.” Back in Tyra’s room, she sat on her bed thinking of a way to tell her father. She never told him anything that she was seeing a guy. She knew he’d have a fit; Cell was very protective of his daughter. “Sam, I think you should meet him,” Tyra said getting up. “Do I have to?” Sam said. He didn’t like the way everyone acted when they talked about Tyra’s father. “He’s not like your brother, is he?” “To rephrase that, my brother isn’t like him.” Tyra took Sam’s hand and pulled him down the hallway. They entered the kitchen, both Cell and Lara turning around. Cell eyed the young man standing before him. “Who’s that?” He asked in a gruff voice. “Daddy,” Tyra started. “This is Sam, my boyfriend.” “You’re what?!” “Cell…” Lara started. Sam was frozen in place. Now he knew why he could have sworn he saw Mikau somewhere before. Mikau was a replica of his father…the evil Cell that tried to destroy Earth. The guy Hercule killed in the Cell Games. He had seen a movie special a few years ago on Hercule, and one of the battle he was in called the Cell Games. “Tyra…that isn’t your father is it?” He said with a shaky voice. Cell walked up to the frightened human. He looked down at him with his pink eyes. “So, your Tyra’s boyfriend, are you?” “Y-yes, s-sir.” Cell started laughing. “Let me tell you right now. If something ever happens to her while she’s around you, you better start running for your life. Though it won’t do you much good, but it might make you feel better that you tried to get away.” He turned and left the house. Sam stood in the same position with wide eyes. Lara shook her head and left, and Tyra put her hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Sam. I’ve got him wrapped around all ten of my fingers.” Later that night, Sam and Tyra decided to go to a movie. They said good-bye to Seru and Mikau, then Lara, and then left the house. As they were about to get into the car, Tyra heard her name being called. She turned to find her father leaning against a tree. “I’ll be fine, Daddy. You know me,” she said walking over to him. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Cell said. Tyra smiled and gave him a small kiss on the cheek and returned to the car. Cell looked at Sam who nervously waved to him. As they drove off, Tyra turned around and waved out the window. Cell slowly waved back with two fingers. When they were out of sight, Lara came out of the house and accompanied Cell. “I’m proud of you,” she said. “What for now?” “You didn’t blow the roof off the house when you met Sam. It means a lot to Tyra.” “I know. That’s why I kept my cool. Where are the other two?” “Who knows? They probably went to spare someplace,” Lara said. She unfolded Cell’s arms and put them around her. “Is this a hint?” Cell said leaning down to kiss her. |