The Bonding Chronicles Ch. 07

"Whatever you need, Karen. You know I'm here for you." Sara's face showed her genuine concern for her friend.

"Thank you, dear. You are such an amazing girl."

"Yeah, I am aren't I?" Sara said with a playful wink. "I'm sure Andrew will be there for you as well, once he gets over this WASPY bullshit."

Karen chuckled as she sipped her tea before saying, "I'm still going to be fighting this bond, Sara. I know you are convinced that this relationship is happening, but that is something I am not prepared for. It still feels very inappropriate for all the reasons we discussed."

Sara took a long drink of tea and smiled as if Karen didn't believed what she had just said. The young woman's confident grin frustrated Karen, who knew in a small way that Sara was probably right, she didn't entirely believe her own words.

***** A New Normal *****

Andrew's car drove back to Sara's industrial residence in near silence. The storm buffeted the vehicle enough to distract Andrew from his fears and anxiety. Sara wondered how they would be able to get back to the happy life they had been leading before they had left for Karen's house. The silence within the car added to the deep pain within each of the teenagers as they struggled to think of what to say.

They exited the car and again settled into the living room with many hours ahead of them before they would need to leave for school. Andrew sat on the couch and Sara went into the kitchen to fetch them something to drink. As Andrew studied the remote, Psycho appeared at his side and headbutted his arm. Pulling the fluffy cat onto his lap, Andrew fought back tears as his fingers glided through the soft multi-colored fur.

While the cat purred against his chest he focused inward and found Sara's sprite hiding in a corner of his mind. He could almost see her emotions as he sensed her love for him, and her fear that he was pulling away from her. She was in turmoil, and he knew it.

Andrew nudged Psycho off of his lap and stood before the cat could turn and hop back on. He moved with quick steps into the kitchen and found Sara balled up in a corner just beside the sink. She was sitting on the floor hugging her legs which were pulled up against her chest. Her shoulders shook with her silent sobs as she tried not to be heard. He was thankful that she had not noticed him enter the kitchen.

Seeing her broken and weeping on the tile helped Andrew to realize how much he loved and needed her. He had been so consumed by his fear of losing his relationship with Sara, that he had ignored the fact that it was still there and strong as ever. Her acceptance of his falling in love with another woman still worried him, but he knew that the bond would never be able to make him love Sara any less. No matter how hard it tried to shift his focus away from her.

Kneeling before her, he ran his hands along her shoulder with a gentle and soothing touch. She raised her eyes from behind her arms and he could see how red and swollen they had become in the brief time she had been there.

"Ohhh, kitten. I am soo sorry if I made you feel like I was leaving you. That is the last thing I want." A few tears ran down his cheek as he realized just how fragile love can be. This was a realization that tempered his resolve to not allow the bond to force him to be with Karen.

Sara reached her shaky arms out and pulled him down to the floor where they embraced and shared a much needed kiss. The passionate act driving back their fears and anxiety as their supernatural lust reinforced their sense of fulfillment in each other.

"I know that whatever happens between you and Karen, we will always be in love." Sara's confident tone portrayed her trust in their relationship.

To Andrew, Sara's adoration sounded in direct conflict to the message of her statement.

"Nothing is ever going to happen between Karen and I, kitten. I will never let the bond pull us apart like that." His voice was commanding and resolved.

Sara felt a deep sense of frustration as she realized how completely Andrew failed to understand what she was saying. She knew that for whatever reason he was not in a place to comprehend her message, and she just hoped that with time, and perhaps the bond's influence he would begin to understand.

She cupped his face and said, "I know that we will always be together. Can you promise me something?"

Andrew smiled at her and raised an eyebrow, "Sure, whatever you need." He hoped he was not going to regret volunteering that.

"I promise I will support you in your fight against the bond that you have with Karen, if you can promise me that you will never do anything to hurt her. She has been a huge part of my life, and this path that you are taking seems like it will be really, really hard. Karen is as much a victim in this as you are, and no matter how frustrated you get... you can't... just don't hurt her, OK?"

As Andrew placed his hand on hers at his cheek a broad loving smile spread across his face. "She is important to me now too, and hurting her is the last thing I want to do, baby."

The young couple kissed, sprawling out on the kitchen floor in an intimate embrace. As their lips picked up a slow rhythm a soft chuckle escaped Sara. Pulling away they both looked down and watched as Psycho walked with casual purpose along Sara's leg before collapsing on her chest. The cat nestled between Andrew and Sara with a loud and proud purr. They both laughed and began rubbing the cat on the neck and belly while they looked at each other with loving relief.

They concluded their night by finishing the movie they had started before heading to Karen's, followed by talking and relaxing on the sofa. They took turns streaming music to the house's stereo system from their phones. Andrew was enthralled by all the amazing forms of integration the house possessed, and Sara enjoyed watching Andrew figure them all out. Psycho benefited from their leisurely evening and was the happy recipient of plentiful pets.

Andrew read through the manual for the automation system while Sara napped with Psycho on the couch. He admired how beautiful she looked sprawled out, and laughed as her hands wiggled and her face twitched in response to her dream.

A little while later the young couple pulled into a spot near the school entrance. Andrew was relieved that he no longer had to wear the diapers. Focusing inward he could sense that his block was firmly in place, and despite his persistent arousal while he watched Sara hop out of the car he knew that he would remain dry. He wondered if there was anything he could do to lesson his hardened state, and after a moment of trying he felt his turgid penis struggle within the confines of his pants. If anything, he seemed harder.

"Hey there, daydreamer, you coming?"

Sara was looking at him through the open car door and Andrew blushed as he smiled and said, "Yeah, just trying something."

"Ooh, really? Anything you want to show me?" Her voice was playful and held a sexy undertone that Andrew appreciated as his cock flexed in his jeans.

"Focus, woman." He said with a joking laugh as he hopped out of the car and shut his door. The young couple laughed as they took each other's hands and walked confidently into the school.

Andrew and Sara were both pleased as they seemed to have started settling into a rhythm with each other. The other students still seemed to be paying them extra attention, but the glances and conversations seemed far more subdued than they had been just yesterday. They remained affectionate and playful with each other as they started building their own routine.

Even Seth seemed relaxed all through first period as the friends bantered and joked before and after class. Dr. Blake remained insufferable as he continued to try and catch Andrew with trick questions and ambush tactics before settling into his usual routine of picking on the jocks and less scientifically minded students. Andrew was concerned that Seth would still be upset about Will and how Andrew had handled that situation, but he was grateful to see that his friend had seemed to let it run off like water down the stream of their life.

To say that Andrew was anxious about his English class would be a tremendous understatement. As he entered the room he could see his teacher seated behind her desk, her glasses hanging onto the tip of her nose as she read through some papers. Karen's full body dress hide her feminine curves, and Andrew now knew that her wardrobe was designed to make her look older than she actually was.

Well, older than her body was, Andrew was forced to concede as he remembered their conversation about her long life from the night before. He wondered if she had used magic to make herself appear older. In the light of day the early forty year old woman that sat across the room from him seemed at least a decade older than the woman he had spent a large part of last night with. His cock jerked slightly within his pants as he imagined what her mature and firm breasts must look like under her frumpy frock.

Karen looked up and startled Andrew out of his reverie with a warm smiled. He thought for a moment that he could see hunger behind her calm gaze, but made his way to the back of the room before he had a chance to confirm. Sara was grinning at him from her seat, entertained by the spectacle she had just witnessed as her boyfriend stopped to stared at their teacher for a few seconds before rushing to the back of the room.

She leaned over and whispered into his ear, "Karen is looking good today, no?" Her playful smile revealed her subtle game.

Andrew sighed as he responded, "She looked better last night, but I know what you are doing."

Sara gave a quiet laugh as she shook her head and said with feigned innocence, "Who, me? Whatever could you mean?"

"You know what I mean, and nothing is going to happen between us." His voice was shaky but determined.

Sara leaned over and pecked him on the cheek before settling into her seat. She could see the frustration on Andrew's face as he looked at her with eager anticipation for a kiss. She shook her head at him before leaning back across and whispering, "Not here." She looked at Karen who was focused on her paperwork. "It's not fair to those who can't participate."

As Sara again settled into her chair — for what she hoped was the last time — she could see that Andrew was struggling, but understood what she meant.

"Yeah, you're right." his quiet voice was shaky but resolved.

"Ohh, look over there." Sara pointed out the window.

As Andrew followed her gaze he was able to spot a large silver bird perched in a tree across the clearing from the school. He focused on it and thought it might be an owl, but it was too far for him to be able to say with confidence.

He was still squinting as he looked out the window and asked, "Is that the owl you saw yesterday?"

"I don't know, maybe?"

They tried to study the bird for a few moments before the bell for class rang and startled them from their investigation. By the time they looked back the large bird had disappeared. Their thoughts of the owl faded as Karen began class.

Andrew remained impressed by Karen's ability to educate and lead the young minds under her charge. As the lesson continued he found her insight and guidance enticing. He noticed that he was getting distracted by the cadence of her voice and the pointed questions she used to guide her students. She truly was an amazing woman and he fought the attraction which he could feel tugging at him. Even within her disguise he could see her beauty, and the depth of compassion he saw in her eyes only fueled his desires for her.

Sara watched Andrew between micro naps and note taking. She appreciated the happy look on her boyfriend's face as he learned from their teacher, and recognized the deeper emotions that were beginning to pull him towards her. She wondered how long he would be able to resist these urges, and hoped that he would not sabotage this added avenue for happiness in both of their lives. Despite Karen's great skill, Sara could see subtle hints of the teachers attraction for Andrew as her gaze would settle on him a fraction of a second too long, or she would get a subtle rosy glow as she saw his smiling face.

Zack cast furtive glances towards the back of the room and was frustrated beyond belief that this little spaz had somehow tamed the mighty Sara. Something he had failed to do for most of his life. As he watched this elusive woman for whom he had pined for stare lovingly at this weak little boy he questioned whether he should back out of his deal with Sara. A part of him knew he had no chance with her, but he also knew that if he attacked Andrew any possibility would be lost forever. She could never forgive him for that, and he had already placed so many roadblocks in the path of a relationship with Sara that he knew he could not risk adding even a single additional one.

Class passed with relative ease. Andrew and Karen ignored each other as Sara and Andrew exited the room heading towards PE. The young couple grasped hands as soon as they rounded the corner and almost skipped with happy anticipation for one of Sara's favorite classes.

Karen sighed in relief as she was finally able to relax. She could feel moist radiant heat from between her legs and knew that her desires had built despite her efforts to ignore Andrew's presence. Karen appreciated the effort that the lovers had made to keep their affections tempered, recognizing how much more subdued they had been with each other than previous classes. She looked at the open door and wondered if she would actually be able to withstand the pull she could feel from the bond as she imagined Andrew running back into the room, jumping into her arms.

She shook her head and wondered how she could find such a small man so inexhaustibly attractive. Of course Karen immediately realized it was the bond. "Damn." She muttered to herself as she began to focus on her next room full of eager students.

The Gymnasium was loud with happy and excited students as Andrew, Sara and Seth passed teasing comments to one another. Mr. Spencer did not disappoint the expectations of the students as he had them pair off and work on dribbling and defensive drills with the basketballs. Sara was eager to work with Andrew, but Mr. Spencer forced her to work with Zack. When she refused the large teacher furrowed his brow and gave her his most intimidating scowl.

Seth, Andrew and even Zack laughed as Sara just watched the teacher with a look of complete indifference. She crossed her arms and said, "So, am I running around the gym or do you want me to work with someone else? Because I am NOT working with Zack."

Andrew was surprised that Zack didn't seem hurt in the slightest by Sara's refusal to be his partner. He seemed a bit shy about the scene that Sara was making but any sign of hurt or defensive slight was nowhere to be seen. After all, it was a look Andrew had seen many times over the last week, so he knew he would spot it if it were there.

"All right, Steve, trade with Sara. What are you all looking at, back to work. Or do you all want to run laps?" Mr. Spencer's voice was loud and authoritative as he stalked away from the infuriating woman.

Mr. Spencer shook his head as he realized that Sara was one of the few people in his life who intimidated him, and he could not put his finger on why. He studied her for a brief moment before returning his attention to the rest of the room as he continued his lesson plan.

Seth laughed and joked with Andrew as he watched his friend continue to struggle with ball control. Andrew had already made some improvements, but it was obvious to the ginger kid that Andrew had no familiarity with ball sports. Even Andrew's intimate understanding of physics failed to help him predict where the ball was going to go and how it would behave.

Sara had a great time running drills with Bruce, and the two old friends settled into a natural rhythm quickly. Their athleticism afforded them the opportunity to joke and poke fun of eachother. Andrew enjoyed watching Sara with her old friend, and hoped that perhaps they would be able to rebuild their relationship if things with Zack ever changed.

By the end of class everyone was coated in a fine layer of sweat, and as Sara came up beside Andrew they shared a quick and gentle kiss before heading their separate ways. As Andrew crossed in front of the equipment room he looked through the open doorway and saw two maintenance workers folding a ladder as they argued.

"No, you have to tell him. I told him last time, and I swear he looked like he was gonna kill me. It's your turn, man."

Andrew leaned against the doorframe and cleared his throat. "What's going on guys?"

The two men looked at each other before one of them smiled and said, "Hey buddy, we were just finishing up a repair and..." He stopped and glanced at his friend who gave him a questioning look. The man smiled and took a piece of paper off of a clipboard that was resting on a box. "We have another repair to get to. Could you tell Mr. Spencer that we repaired the light in the equipment room, and that he will need to order replacements for these."

The man handed over the piece of paper, and as Andrew started to look at the list the men took the ladder and fled the room. They pushing their way past Andrew who stood in the doorway with a frustrated look on his face.

"Well played, guys. Well played." He mumbled to himself as he continued his journey to the locker room. Andrew looked at the paper and saw that Mr. Spencer needed to order some new stopwatches, a new radar gun and a few other miscellaneous pieces of electronics. "Damn, sorry Mr. Spencer." Andrew said under his breath as he knocked on the teacher's office door.

"Come in."

Andrew opened the door and saw the muscular teacher writing on a clipboard while reclining in his office chair. The large man paused from writing long enough to see who was entering.

"How can I help you, Andrew?"

Andrew placed the piece of paper on the teacher's desk and said with a nervous catch to his voice, "Those guys in the equipment room had to go to another project. They asked me to tell you that the light is fixed, and that you need to order replacements for everything on that list."

Mr. Spencer grumbled and picked up the paper, his eyes growing large as he scanned the items. "Do they think I have that kind of fucking budget." His angry question hung in the air without answer as Andrew watched his teacher with an uncomfortable and shifting gaze. "I'm sorry, Andrew. You're dismissed."

His legs could not carry him fast enough as he fled the teachers office. Andrew rushed to his locker, guilt weighing upon him as he thought of the trouble he had put Mr. Spencer through. The entire time that Andrew prepared for the rest of his day these troubling thoughts swam through his mind. As he showered he wondered just how frustrating this must have been for the maintenance workers as well. Andrew tried to speculate on just how much difficulty his simple mistake had caused for so many people. He realized that like Sara's car, his disregard for his gifts had resulted in serious consequences for other people. His only small consolation was that he had no idea about his abilities when he had shorted out the electronics in the equipment room.

As Andrew made his way to the cafeteria he settled on the fact that he needed to figure out why he was shorting out electronics. Most importantly, he was desperate to determine if there was anything he could do to stop it from happening again.

Lunch flew by in a happy haze as Andrew picked up his normal food items before diving into a fun and relaxing conversation with his friends. The tables near them seemed to be getting more popular as their previous conversations had attracted more like minded students to them. Sara caused Andrew to blush as she whispered how much she missed her lunch from Tuesday. Her playful and flirty attitude was welcome to Andrew, who needed the distraction from his continued consideration of how his gifts had affected those around him.