Authors Note: This is chapter 3 of my series. To
find out how this came to be please read chapter 1&2
at http://www.ranma13.homestead.com. Please be kind
on your comments.
----------------------------------------------
The Road Less Traveled
by Michael "Ranma13" Cerda
4/21/00
I do not take credit for the Ranma 1/2 characters.
They are owned and created by the goddess Rumiko
Takahashi. The rights go to her and Viz
communications. This is my own story and in no way
express how Rumiko wanted her story to go. All other
characters are my creation and are not to be used
without my permission. With this at mind, enjoy.
--------------------
Chapter 3: Changes
A beautiful sunny California morning, the sun is just
rising out of the east over a small California town.
A small beach town, with some of the most beautiful
beaches in the Golden State. That is until a
university was built; now young students overrun the
town. Most of the locals feel that it was a mistake
to have the university built. The businesses feel
otherwise, they enjoy having the extra income in the
community. With the good are the bad, the parties,
and the extra clubs popping up out of nowhere and with
that the extra police. Yes, just a
small California town.
The beaches even this early have people on them, most
are jogging, some are surfing and other just come out
to see the beautiful sunrise. On the other hand
some come out not by their own will.
"I'm going to kill you."
"What do you mean."
"Dragging me out here to go walking. Don't you know
this is the time to sleep? School starts tomorrow;
this will most likely be the last time I actually get
to sleep in."
Beth just looks at Daryn and gives her a smile. Daryn
has been her friend since they were freshman. Having
been stuck as roommates, they didn't get along at
first. They were two complete opposites. Beth was
always preppy. She was the usual blond hair, blue
eyed girl who grew up in an upper class family. In
California she was a dime a dozen. Which she didn't
really like because she was considered stereotyped as
a ditzy blonde who had an attitude. She looks
over at Daryn. Daryn looks back giving her an evil
eye.
When they first were roommates they didn't get along
what so ever. Daryn was a grunge skater girl. She
always wore baggy pants and had her hair short,
sometimes with color in it. She was very pretty, even
with what she wore you could tell she was gorgeous.
After the middle of the first semester, Daryn had a
hard time adjusting to college life. Beth helped her
get through that tough time and since then they have
been best friends. They live in different dorm
building now. Daryn is a Psychology major and wanted
a room closer to the classes she will be taking. Beth
was a history major and wanted the same thing; too bad
the buildings were on opposite sides of the
University.
Beth has been in a long-term relationship for two
years. Over the summer they decided to break up and
go there separate ways. She spent most of the
vacation healing trying to get over it. She kicks
herself now for wasting so much time. This year Beth
wanted to make a new beginning and one of them was to
run on the beach. After having begged, pleaded and
then harassed, Daryn agreed to join her. They decided
to start out slow and just walk for the first month.
"I hate you Beth" Daryn looks at Beth sternly, but
then cracks a smile.
"I love you too," Beth, trying not to giggle.
"Let's stop for a second." Stopping without Beth
replying.
"Sure why not." Beth stops and looks out at the
ocean. The sun has risen and more and more people
are starting to make their way on the beach. Beth
doesn't like the crowd and to her this is the perfect
time to go to the beach. She looks around the beach.
Something or someone grabs her attention. "Hey
Daryn?"
Daryn turns to Beth "What?�
Beth points to some guy out a ways from them. Daryn
looks at him, they haven�t seen him around before.
People also usually don�t do things that he does
around here also. �What do you think he�s doing?�
Beth shakes her head, �I don�t know, I�m guessing
though that it maybe karate or something.� That was
just a guess at that. The only thing Beth knew about
karate was what she has seen in the movies.
They watch as the person stands on one foot and raises
his other foot up above his head. He holds the pose
for a little bit till he slowly lowers his leg. He
then goes into a series of what appears to be dances.
They watch as he stops, puts his hands together like
he is praying and then bows. They look at each other,
and shrug. They turn back to see him sit in an
extreme Indian style position.
Daryn nudges Beth, �Hey lets go over and take a look
at this guy.�
Beth not wanting to seem too eager, �Yeah, why not.�
Walking towards the guy they start to get a better
look at how he�s sitting and how much more painful it
appears upclose.
"Ouch that has to hurt." Daryn looks on with
fascination.
"Yeah, look it seems he doesn't even feel it."
As they pass by they both hold their breaths. The guy
is obviously Asian, but he is absolutely gorgeous. He
is wearing a white tank top with a pair of drawstring
pants. He has his hair in a ponytail, what appears to
be average height and build, but there is something
about him that almost shouts out confidence. As they
stare at him as they walk by. The guy opens up his
eyes and looks at the two girls, he gives them a
smile. The girls quickly turn their heads and look
straight ahead. The guy watches as the girls pass by
him. He just smiles as he closes his eyes to continue
meditating.
When Beth and Daryn are far enough away, they start to
laugh. "Oh, man did you see him. What a babe?"
"Yes he is cute isn�t he." Beth wanted to hide her
true feelings. Looking at that stranger made her feel
something in her. She would have gone off with him
right there and then if he had asked her. She has
never felt like that before in her
life. She needs to calm down.
"Well that�s enough site seeing." Daryn elbows Beth.
"Yeah I guess we should be getting back. I still need
to get a few things before school tomorrow. Along
with eating breakfast and taking a shower." She
wanted to take a look at the stranger again, but she
would then get ridiculed for
it.
"Whew, yeah you be stinking." As Daryn, starts to
plug her nose.
"Shut up, Let's go." Beth takes Daryn's arm and drags
her off of the beach. Before hey goes out of her sight
she risks one last glance, wondering if she will
ever get a chance to see him again.
********
Beth lies down on her bed, having just taken a shower
she feels relaxed. Having to get up early has its
drawbacks, one she is completely tired. She lays her
head down on her pillow, staring at the ceiling she
allows sleep to overtake her.
* ring * * ring *
The phone quickly wakes up Beth, cursing the person
who interrupted her sleep she picks up the phone.
"Hello" Trying not to sound too annoyed, even though
she's probably not
succeeding.
<"My aren't we cheerful.">
"Hey, What's going on?" Beth tries to keep her eyes
open, sleep is trying to take her over.
<"Oh nothing, I was just wondering what your doing
tonight.">
"Why"
<"This frat is having a beginning of the school year
party. A bunch of people are going. So do you want
to go?">
"So it's an excuse to get the first drunk on of the
school year, right" Beth should
have known that this was going to happen.
<"You are correct. So do you want to make a guess
appearance or what.">
"Sure why not, pick me up at eight, but for right now
I think I'm going to take a little nap" That was an
understatement she was going to take a long nap.
<"What are you going to dream about? That guy at the
beach.">
"Be quiet!" Beth gets a little red, she was actually
hoping she would. She hates it when Daryn can read
her mind.
<"Alright see ya at eight, bye">
"Bye." Beth hangs up the phone, lying her head on the
pillow again. She closes her eyes, to her surprise
she falls almost instantly to sleep.
********
Looking in the mirror, �Yeah I guess this will do�
She wasn�t really looking forward to this party. This
was just an excuse for people to get drunk. She was
just going to get out though; she didn�t plan on
staying long.
* Knock * *Knock *
Daryn walks through, �Hey are we going or what?�
�Yeah, lets go� They head out the door.
Daryn and Beth head downstairs, they laugh. You can
tell there is excitement on campus with the new school
year starting. People are running around, laughing,
and having a good time.
They leave the building to head to Daryn�s care; �I�m
probably not going to stay too long tonight.�
�Yeah same here� Daryn looks around. �Look around,
don�t you wish you could be a freshman again. When
you�re a senior, you have to take everything so
seriously, but as a freshman your just starting out.
Those were the times.�
Beth looks at Daryn, �Yeah, we spent almost half of
our freshman year hating each other.� She starts to
laugh; it�s funny how life takes unexpected turns.
�Do you want to walk, it�s not that far and if you
drink I don�t want you to drive.�
Daryn nods her head, �That�s a good idea. You know
me.�
She does know Daryn that is why she suggested it. The
party isn�t that far, and as they walk to the party.
The campus does feel alive. Everyone is out; old
friends are getting together, while new students are
talking amongst each other. Hoping to make new
friends to help the transition to college easier.
They eventually arrive at the party. The frat house
is just like any other house, except for all of the
people hanging out everywhere. They go up to the
walkway as everyone says hi to them. Beth knew most
of the people here, having been in school for three
years with them.
As they go inside the house, Beth realizes that she
will not be staying here long at all. There are
people everywhere, upstairs, downstairs, in closets.
There are so many people it�s almost dizzying. Almost
immediately she loses Daryn amongst the crowd. Beth
looks around to see if she can find her. Looking
around, she is nowhere to be seen. Giving up Beth
chooses a room and enters the party.
********
Beth has stayed at the party longer than she expected.
She starting talking to some people she knew. She
also drank a little more than she expected. Since she
didn�t have class tomorrow she felt it was ok, just as
long as she didn�t get plastered.
Walking around the party, for awhile she ended up
talking to a guy she saw around campus. She thought
he was cute, but didn�t talk to him since she was in a
relationship. Now though, she can be interested
again.
They�ve been talking for awhile now, but she really
needs to get going. �I�m, uh, Tom have to go, I
gotten more drunk than expected and I don�t know if I
can make it home walking by myself.� She can�t
believe she got drunk, she told herself that she
wouldn�t.
�How would you like me to take you back to your
building.�
This guy�s charming, looking up at him. �Yeah lets
go.� As they leave she tries to find Daryn, but she
hasn�t seen her since they arrived.
They walk out of the house and onto the sidewalk, Beth
though being a little out of it doesn�t realize that
Tom is taking her in the opposite direction of the
campus. Heading towards the town�s park.
He leads her into a small clearing of the park. Beth
doesn�t realize what is happening till it�s too late.
He grabs her and tries to kiss her. She struggles,
wondering what the hell�s going on. She turns her
head trying to get away. Tom wraps his arms around
her holding her tight trying to kiss her.
�Come on babe, you know you want it. You�ve been
coming on to me all night.�
Beth is able to get some movement and pushes him down.
Trying to run away from him. He quickly reaches his
arms out and grabs her ankles. Beth trips and falls
to the ground. Tom, before she can get up crawls on
top of her and slaps her.
�HELP!!!! SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!!!� Beth is panicking
now as Tom pins her wrists to the ground.
�Now bitch I will show you what a real man is all
about.�
Beth doesn�t hear anything as she gets knocks
unconscious; last image is of Tom over her giving her
an evil smile.
********
It was a nice night, just wanting to go out and get
some fresh air. Ranma decides to go for a walk. He
likes the California nights. They are different from
Japan. He sighs he still misses his home. When he
arrived here, he was completely homesick. He even
thought of going back, but he pushed back that
thought. He decided to stick it out here, and if he
didn�t like it he would move somewhere else. He would
not go back.
Ranma stops, he decides to take a stroll through the
park. He has always liked this park and it�s really
peaceful at night. As he enters the park. He takes a
path that goes through a little forest.
Ranma stops, senses some type of struggle happening.
Trying to listen he hears something very faint.
�Help. Somebody help me.� He can barely hear it, but
he doesn�t hesitate. Quickly he rushes over to where
the voice was coming from. Ranma goes through a set
of bushes and emerges from a small clearing.
He�s totally in shock at what is taking place in front
of him. Some guy is on top of a girl. Both of her
wrists are pinned to the ground. �Excuse me would
mind getting off of her.�
Tom looks up, �This doesn�t involve you, get out of
here now and you might live another day.�
�Well I guess I�m not that smart then. I repeat will
you please get off of her.� Ranma is almost seething
with anger. He looks at the girl motionless on the
ground. He looks a little closer to find her still
breathing. Ranma turns his attention back to the
attacker. He gets himself into a fighting position.
�Fine� Tom charges after Ranma.
Ranma easily dodges the attack. He quickly goes
behind Tom and kicks him in the back. The blow isn�t
powerful, but it�s enough to send Tom flying forward
to the ground. Tom gets back up and charges after
Ranma again. Tom brings his arms back and throws a
punch at Ranma. Ranma easily ducks below the punch.
Looking up at Tom, Ranma throws an uppercut that
knocks him out as soon as it connected. Tom goes
flying landing a few feet away from where Ranma was
standing.
Ranma�s moves were so quick and smooth, Tom didn�t
realize what was happening till it was too late.
Ranma makes sure that the guy is unconscious.
Looking back he walks over to the unconscious girl.
He kneels down and looks her over to makes sure she
isn�t injured. Looking around, he just can�t leave
her here. Trying to think what to do, Ranma picks up
the girl and decides to take her back to his place.
As he walks back to his apartment carrying Beth, she
slightly opens her eyes to see somebody carrying her.
She doesn�t have the strength nor will to move. She
looks up at Ranma who is looking forward. Beth smiles
as her eyes close on her again. She gets an image of
an angel carrying her to heaven.
********
Beth wakes up in a shock. She looks around
frantically, wondering where the hell she is. She
sighs; realizing it was only a dream. She looks down
to find she is still in her shirt from last night. To
her relief so are her pants. Then something came to
her; she realized some guy was carrying her. She must
be at his house, how nice to let her have the bed.
Looking down and around, well the mattress anyway.
Touching her tender cheek, she knows that there is a
bruise from when that bastard hit her. She ignores
the bruise and looks over the room. The room is very
plain with a backpack in the corner. Looking around
she sees a closet on one side of the wall and in front
of her are two doors. Obviously one is a bathroom.
Walking in the room, Beth watches as the guy who was
at the beach walks through the door carrying a lunch
tray. At first she thought she was still asleep, but
she knew better. She smiles at the guy who smiles
back.
�Are you alright.� Ranma places the tray down on the
bed and sits next to Beth. He looks over the bruise
that formed on her cheek. �That bruise will go away,
I think I may have something that will help the
healing process.�
She watches has he goes into the bathroom and emerges
with a little jar in his hands. Putting a little on
his fingers he reaches out to put some jelly like
substance on her face. The spot where he put the
jelly automatically goes warm. She can feel her
cheeks get flush, and as quick as it was getting warm
her cheek gets cold. Then her cheek feels normal
again.
�Just leave it on for a little while it�s working into
your injury.� Giving her a slight smile.
�Thank you.� She can�t believe he�s being so nice to
her. �I want to thank you for helping me out last
night. It was my fault for getting into that position
in the first place.�
�No it�s not your fault. No matter what you do, that
gives no guy the right to try and force himself on
somebody. I�m just glad that I was there to help. I
get so angry when I think about what may have happened
to you if I wasn�t there.�
�Well I could have prevented it, if I didn�t let him
take me home. Hell, I didn�t even really know him.�
Realizing something, �Oh I guess I should introduce
myself. My name is Elizabeth Montgomery, but my
friends call me Beth.� Reaching her hand out.
�I�m Ranma Saotome, nice to meet you.� Taking Beth�s
hand.
�R�Ran..ma� Trying to pronounce his name.
Ranma nods as he takes a bottle on the tray and puts
some powder in a cup. �Want some tea.�
�Sure.� She watches as he pours some hot water into
the cup. He takes what looks like a whisk and stirs
the water. He hands the cup to her. She looks down
at the tea. �I never had green tea before.�
Ranma looks up; �It�s definitely different from
regular tea. I think you�ll like it though.�
She looks at Ranma and then back down at the tea,
smelling the cup Beth hesitantly takes a sip of the
tea. Her first impression is that the tea was bad.
It�s very bitter and not quite what tea usually tastes
like.
Smiling, �It takes getting used too, but it�s can be
stronger than coffee and better for you.�
Looking at Ranma she takes another sip, �You�ve been
too kind to me, I must do something to repay you.�
�You were in trouble, I was in the right place at the
right time. I�m just glad you didn�t get injured.
You don�t need to repay me.� Trying not to sound
impolite. This was how he truly felt. To receive
something for doing good somehow felt wrong.
�Now I�m not going to take no for an answer.�
Thinking for a second. �I know I will take you out to
dinner tonight. This will be my treat, just say yes
and I will stop bothering you.�
Ranma also knowing it will be rude to keep turning
down her offer, �Ok, I give up.�
�Great! I don�t have any classes today and we can
have an early dinner.�
Thinking, �Sure, Why not.� Looking up at the clock on
the wall. �Wow, I�m going to be late.� Looking over
to Beth, �I�m sorry, I have to go. I�m running late.
You can stay here till I get back and then I�ll walk
you back to your room.�
Beth not knowing what to do, she still was a little
shaken from last night�s ordeal. She would definitely
feel better if somebody was there to walk with her.
She nods as Ranma grabs his bag and runs out the door.
Leaving Beth in the room by herself.
She hears the front door close and then silence. She
looks around, �Well what now. Where ever I am.�
Deciding to get up from bed she heads to the living
room. Walking in the middle of the room, �He needs to
get a decorator.� The living room is pretty much
bare. There�s a small table in the middle. Some
weight lifting equipment in one corner, and a few
pictures hung up. �Well there isn�t much to see
here.� Walking over to the window and opening up the
curtains. �What a view.� Ranma�s apartment overlooks
the beach, �What a great apartment.�
The sun is up, casting a beautiful reflection on the
water. The waves are calm, which is perfect for most
people to get into the water. Closing the curtains, a
picture on the wall grabs her attention. She walks
over to the picture.
�Wow this must be Ranma�s family.� She looks over the
picture and spots Ranma with a strange look on his
face. He has three girls hanging over him. One is in
a purple leotard, another has purple hair, and the
third has a giant spatula hanging from her back.
Looking over the picture again. �Look a panda.� One
girl especially gets her attention. �She�s doesn�t
look very happy.�
Stepping away from the picture she looks around.
Feeling tired again; �maybe I�ll take a little nap.�
She walks back into the room and plops back down on
the bed. Looking up at the ceiling, �I hope that
he�ll come back soon.�
Turning over she looks at the wall; she lets her
eyelids close. Knowing that she�s still very tired
from last night. She starts to fall in a deep sleep,
knowing that those dreams from last night will not
come back.
********
�Ahhh, what a great class.� Ranma enters his
apartment looking around expecting to see Beth. �Huh,
I thought she would be awake already.� He walks into
his room and finds Elizabeth asleep. He looks at her,
deciding to go over and wake her. He thinks about how
beautiful she looks. Shaking the thought from his
head. He wasn�t here to find a girlfriend, which was
actually the last thing he wanted.
Walking over, he taps her on the shoulder. �El�.huh,
Beth.� Ranma watches as she slowly starts to open her
eyes. �Huh, I thought you may want to get up now.�
Sitting up, �Oh, Hi.� Looking around trying to wake
up. �What time is it?�
�It�s about one o�clock�
Giggling, �Yeah I guess I should. I should take a
shower and get into a fresh change of clothes.�
�Well�� Ranma starts to get nervous blushing a deep
red.
�What you don�t want to?� Beth is starting to feel
hurt. She wanted to do something to repay him for his
kindness. She also can�t help, but feel a little
attracted to him.
�No, No. It�s not that.� Waving his hands, shaking
his head. �Well, Ok I�ll go tonight.�
Getting excited, �Great! Let me just get up and put my
hair back. Would you mind taking me home.�
�No, I want to make sure you make it home safe.� This
is true; he didn�t want anything to happen to her.
It doesn�t take long for Beth to get ready. They both
walk out the door; Beth looks around noticing that
Ranma lives in a separate apartment on top of a house.
They walk down the stairs that leads to the side of
the house. Getting to the sidewalk they head towards
the university.
Most of the walk was quiet; Beth didn�t really know
what to say. Trying to make some type of
conversation. �I noticed that you have a pretty heavy
accent, Are you from the Orient.�
�Yeah, I moved out here a few months ago. I came from
Japan.� Not really knowing what to say to Beth. Even
though he�s been a little better, Ranma still doesn�t
know what to say to women.
�Really, you speak English fluently� Looking somewhat
astonished.
�Let�s just say that I had a drill instructor as an
English teacher. Not to mention one of the toughest
school masters around.� Trying to forget about the
many of times his teacher tried to hurt him or the
schoolmaster trying to cut off his ponytail.
�Oh.� As they enter the park where Beth had her
attack. She starts to get nervous looking around.
She expects somebody to be jumping out and attacking
her. Getting a little closer to Ranma, with out
noticing she grabs onto his arm.
Noticing the sudden mood of Beth, �Don�t worry, nobody
will harm you.�
For some reason this relaxes Beth. She somehow knew
what he said was true not just something that was said
to try and relax her. They leave the park, letting out
a big sigh of relief. �What brings you to
California?�
�I wanted to find out what it�s like to be on my own.
Let�s just say this is the last place anybody will
find me.�
�Still it�s kinda far isn�t it.�
Ranma starts laughing, �Yeah, but you definitely can�t
rely on anybody else.�
Smirking �True.� Not realizing where she was, �Oh
this is my building.� Turning to look at Ranma �I
want to thank-you for everything.�
Ranma bows, �It was an honor.�
Beth starts to giggle, �We�re still on for tonight
right.�
Thinking, �oh yeah. What is it, Pizza, sure�
Thinking he really hasn�t had a good meal for
sometime.
�Ok how about seven. Just go to the front desk and
ask for me. Well�.� Beth is looks at Ranma; she�s
starting to get nervous. Quickly reaching over, she
gives Ranma a kiss on the cheek. Turning around she
runs to the front door. Before entering she turns
around and waves goodbye to Ranma. She doesn�t know
why, but she feels like a little girl around him.
Ranma just stares, blinking in shock. Touching his
cheek he smiles. Watching Beth go into her building,
�Well I still have sometime to work out.� Ranma turns
and walks in the direction of the gym, with a little
more of a bounce in his step.
****
Beth runs upstairs to her room trying to catch Ranma
leaving. She quickly unlocks her doors and runs to
the window. Looking out she watches Ranma walking out
of her sight. Her heart starts thumping, she doesn�t
know why one person could make her feel this way.
Leaving the window she picks up the phone and dials a
number. Waiting for somebody to pick up.
<Hello>
�Daryn, you�ll never guess what happened last night.�
********
Ranma arrived at Beth�s building, feeling a little
nervous he enters into the lobby. His nervousness
didn�t subside though, as he enters all of the women
stop to look at him. He can feel all of their eyes
staring at him. �There probably not used to guys
coming here.� Thinking this to himself.
Walking up to the podium in the middle of the room.
�Huh, I�m here to see Elizabeth.�
The lady looks up as a bewildered look comes across
her face. �Eliza�Elizabeth.�
Ranma just nods as the lady calls up to Beth�s room.
Ranma looks around as he catches all of the girls
still staring at him. When he makes eye contact with
them, they start to look up at the ceiling or turn
quickly away. Scratching his head in puzzlement, he
looks at the stairway waiting for Beth to come down.
�She will be down in a minute.� The lady at the
podium tries not to, but she can�t help but stare at
him.
A girl comes running down the stairs, �Ranma!�
�Uh, Hi� Giving her a strange look. �Do I know you?�
�Not really. I�m Daryn, Beth�s best friend.� Extending
her hand.
Taking her hand, �Hi. Nice to meet you.�
�I wanted to come down to thank you for what you did
for Beth.�
Acting very modest, �No need to thank me.�
�Don�t be modest. I�m her best friend.� Very
seriously, �I should have been there for her. If
anything would have happened to her.� With a very sad
tone to her voice, �I wouldn�t have forgiven myself.�
�I�m just glad I was their, right place at the right
time. She�s a great person.�
Beth runs downstairs, �Daryn, What are you doing?�
�Nothing, just introducing myself to your friend.�
Trying to sound as innocent as possible.
Turning to Ranma, �Hi, Ranma. I hope you weren�t
waiting very long.�
�No, your friend kept me company.� Ranma couldn�t
believe how beautiful Beth was. Not as if she wasn�t
beautiful when he met her, but now that she was able
to freshen up she�s looks even better. She was
wearing a T-shirt, with jean shorts on. The shorts
show off her long legs, that with her long blonde
hair, Ranma was almost infatuated with her.
�Are you ready to go Ranma?�
This snaps him out of his trance, �Oh yeah lets go�
Turning to Daryn, �It was nice to meet you.�
�Same here,� She was trying too not to stare at Ranma.
�Talk to you later Daryn.� As Beth turns around,
Daryn is signaling for Beth to call her tonight. Beth
nods as she walks with Ranma out of the dorm. Looking
around she notices all of her classmates staring at
her. Their faces showing how jealous they are. Beth
just smiles as they all give her a mean nasty look.
They walk out the door leaving the building and into
the cool, comfortable night air.
All the girls watch the two walks out the door. Their
faces green with envy all the girls� boyfriend or not
will be having pleasant dreams of the stranger
tonight.
********
Entering the restaurant Beth waits next to Ranma for
them to be seated. Deciding to take Ranma to the best
Pizza place in town, the greeter takes them to their
booths. Handing them the menus the greeter walks
away.
Turning to Ranma, �Do you know what you want to eat.�
Ranma just shrugs his shoulders, �Not really, why
don�t you order for the both of us.�
The waiter comes by, �Good evening, are you ready to
order.�
�Yes, we will have a large combo and two lemonades.�
Handing the waiter the menus.
�Any appetizers tonight, maybe some cheese sticks or
garlic bread.�
�No, that�s ok.�
�Thank-you. I will bring your drinks out shortly.�
The waiter leaves as Beth stares at Ranma. She
watches as he just looks around the restaurant. Well
she knows that she wants to know more about this guy.
To do that she needs to get over this shyness.
�Ranma, tell me a little bit about yourself.�
Turning to look at Beth, �What would you like to
know?�
Looking up at nothing, �I don�t know, tell me a little
bit about what was it like to grow up.�
Ranma gulps, he can�t tell her about his life. She
could possibly run out screaming thinking he�s insane.
Deciding to only tell her bits and pieces, Ranma
starts telling her little bits about his past, how he
spent his whole life training for martial arts. He
failed to mention many things that happened throughout
his life. Especially the countless fianc�s he ended
up having.
Beth listens with her full attention. �Did you come
her right after you left Japan. I noticed you said
you left awhile ago, but you arrived in California a
couple of month�s ago.�
Deciding to tell her half of the truth, �I went to
China to look for awhile, I thought I would be nice to
visit somebody I know.�
Noticing Ranma was getting nervous decided to not
press, �So what do you do for a living her.�
As Ranma was going to speak the waiter comes by and
drops off the drinks. Ranma looks up, �Thank you,�
The waiter nods and walks off, Beth looks at Ranma
�Now what do you do?�
�Well when I came here I had no place to stay. Since
I�m used to sleeping outdoors, I decided to camp on
the beach for awhile. One morning I woke up early and
started doing my morning exercises.�
�That must have been what he was doing that morning we
first saw him on the beach.� Beth thinking to
herself. Paying attention to Ranma again.
�A martial arts instructor was jogging and noticed me.
He came up asking what art was I practicing. I
mentioned that it was a family, we talked for awhile
and he was really excited. He said that he wanted to
spare with me and see what type of ability I had. We
went to his training facility. He wasn�t bad, I took
it easy on him.� Saying this without any arrogance to
his voice at all. �Well after the match he wanted me
to teach some of his classes. In return he would give
me room and board with some extra spending money.�
As Ranma finished his story the waiter came with the
food. He set a circular dish in front of Ranma.
Ranma�s eyes widen; he�s never seen anything like this
before. It looks like okinomiyaki, but it has a punch
of stuff on top of it. The waiter serves a slice to
Beth and then to Ranma. �Is there anything else I can
get you tonight.�
Beth looks at Ranma who just shakes his head. �No
thank you�
The waiter leaves, �Enjoy�
Ranma looks at the slice in front of him. There
appears to be cheese and a bunch of vegetable and meat
on top of it. Picking up the slice he takes a bite
out of it. His eyes widen, with a huge grin on his
face. �This is GREAT!� He quickly devours the slice.
The cheese mixed with the toppings, and the sauce
it�s great.
Beth looks at him and smiles. He has such a boyish
quality to him. She is amazed though how quickly he�s
eating the pizza. Knowing that she doesn�t have much
time Beth takes a couple more slices for her. How
does he pack that food away, giggling from her
comment.
Ranma looks up, �What�s so funny?�
�Nothing� As Beth continues to eat her pizza.
Ranma just shrugs his shoulders and continues eating
the pizza.
********
Walking out of the restaurant, Ranma pats his stomach.
�Man that was great. Thank you for dinner.�
Beth turns �Your welcome, I�m glad you liked it.�
Getting excited, �Boy did I that was the best thing
I�ve ever tasted.�
Beth just smiles, she was glad he liked it. The pizza
parlor wasn�t far from campus, but Beth wanted to take
the long way. She didn�t want this night to end. She
was having a great time and loved spending time with
Ranma. Even the long way though wouldn�t take very
long to get to campus.
Ranma looking at the stars, �I�m sorry I spent the
whole dinner talking about myself, but I don�t know
anything about you. Tell me a little bit about
yourself.�
Not knowing where to begin, �Well I�m a senior
majoring in History. I�m hoping to teach someday.�
�What about your family?�
�Well I have a mother and father, my mother is English
and my father is Irish and German. I have a twin
brother. He goes to a school on the East Coast. We
only see him on Christmas and summer vacation.�
Ranma looks at Beth; �Sounds like you have a great
family.�
�Yeah I had a pretty normal childhood. Nothing
exciting really happened. Except for the usual family
things.�
Ranma just looks ahead thinking what it would have
been like to grow up in a normal family. His family
was anything, but normal. This saddens him a little,
he realized he will never know what it was like to be
a child.
They arrive at Beth�s dorm. They turn to look at each
other. Both look nervous like they don�t really know
what to do. �Well I guess I should be going inside.�
Ranma just gulps, �Yeah, I have to wake up early. I
should be going to.�
Beth is about to lean forward; she wanted to give him
a kiss so bad. As she is about to lean forward Ranma
puts his hand out. Looking at the she just stares at
it.
�Thank you very much for dinner. Maybe we can hang
out sometime.� Ranma is smiling; he had a very good
time with Beth.
Beth looks at Ranma and smiles. She realizes that he
is being sincere. �No problem, I would love to do
something sometime.� She grabs his hands.
�Great, I will see you sometime.� Ranma watches as
Beth lets go of his hands and walks inside of the
building. Knowing that she�s safe he starts to walk
home.
He thought that at first it was a mistake moving to
California. He didn�t know anybody, no shelter and no
source of income. Walking on he looks up to the full
moon in the air. He realized though that this is what
he wanted, a place where he didn�t know anybody.
Walking off into the distance Ranma starts to whistle
feeling for once secure, happy that he has found a
home where he can make it on his own. A place where
he knows nothing crazy will happen.
--------------------
End of Chapter 3
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