Garnering Courage: A Short Story From the World of Brieltas

I wrote this story while developing David Peterson, the nerdy member of the Protectors. I hope you enjoy!

***

“David, w-we n-need to talk.”

David jumped as Jonah’s deep voice spooked him out of his entranced coding state. He gave a half glare between Jonah and his computer. “Can it wait?”

“N-no.” Jonah sat on the edge of the bed, which push David up about four inches higher. “I’ve noticed something b-between y-you and A-Abby lately.”

David froze. He licked his lips and pushed up his glasses. “What do you mean?”

Jonah scratched the back of his neck. “I d-don’t know exactly. You j-j-just get m-more nervous a-around her.” He smiled. “I-I’m beginning to think that y-you like her.”

David sighed. “Honestly I’m surprised no one’s figured it out yet…”

“I-I can help you.” Jonah said. “Y-You should a-ask her out.”

“Me?” David squeaked. “Come on, Jonah, be real. I’m a nerd with fettucine for arms and legs. She’s an independent girl who could just as easily take you down as anyone. The only reason I’m on this team is because I can code and hack, and maybe invent cool stuff once in a while.”

“Th-that’s not true.” Jonah said. “Y-you’re our friend. And while you’re not the most athletic, y-you are an important p-part of our team. The p-Protectors wouldn’t be the s-same without you.”

David took off his glasses and cleaned them on his shirt. “Thanks. But there’s no way I can ask Abby on a date. She’d never agree to it.”

“T-that’s where I c-come in.” Jonah said, smiling. “D-do you know what Abby l-likes to do, but doesn’t tell a-anyone about?”

“I don’t know much about the girl other than she looks great in denim and leather, she slightly scares me when she’s holding that aquamarine dagger, she hates fish and would do anything for a Klondike bar on a hot day.” David muttered.

“S-she likes to dance.” Jonah said. “I-I’ve sometimes caught her dancing when sh-she’s all alone. She doesn’t l-like admitting it in front of the o-others… but I b-bet if you took her out d-dancing she would say yes.”

David gave a nervous laugh. “Oh, that’s a great plan.” He said. “Except for one thing— I can’t dance.”

Jonah nodded. “W-well then, I-I’ll teach you.”

“You’ll do what now?”

“I think Abby w-would do w-well with a guy like you.” Jonah said. “So I-I’ll teach you how to d-dance, and then y-you can take her out on a date.”

David blinked. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“D-don’t worry.” Jonah said. “I h-highly doubt anything will go wrong.”

“And now you’ve jinxed it.” David groaned.

***

So, Jonah taught David how to dance. And surprisingly… he wasn’t terrible.

Jonah apparently knew a lot of dances. He taught David the two-step, the waltz, the Cotton-Eye Joe, tango, even breakdance.

“How on earth do you know all of these?” David asked.

“My father t-taught dance.” Jonah simply said.

By the end of two weeks, David had mastered them. Jonah watched him breakdance and nodded solemnly. “You’re ready.”

***

They roped Peyton into helping, and things were set into motion. Jonah would take David to the location, and Peyton would take Abby.

“Isn’t this basically a blind date?” David said.

“Call it an i-intervention. S-sounds less cheesy.” Jonah said.

Jonah took David to the abandoned subway station. “I know it’s not i-ideal… but since we can’t risk b-being caught…” Jonah flipped a switch and dozens of patio lights strung across lit up. “Peyton d-decorated it up for you two.”

David smiled. “Thank you, Jonah.”

There was the sound of footsteps behind them. “Jonah? What are you…” Abby’s voice trailed off. “David?”

David pushed up his glasses. Abby was still in her leather jacket and jeans, but her black hair had been pulled up so that only a few tendrils curled around her face.

Peyton giggled. “Come on, Jonah, let’s get out of here.”

“What’s going on?” Abby asked.

Jonah flipped another switch, grinning, and music began to play.

David wiped his sweating palm on his pant leg before holding it out to Abby, trying to steady the shaking. “May I have this dance?”

Abby blinked. “How…”

“Jonah told me.” David blinked. “You can say no if you want and we can forget this…”

She took his hand. “I would love to dance with you.”

“Oh. Great!” David blinked and looked over at Jonah. He smiled and gave him two thumbs up.

It was all the encouragement he needed.

“Well… shall we?” David asked, beginning to sweat a little less.

Abby grinned back at him. “We shall.”

***

Watching from the darkness, Peyton sighed in utter happiness. “Abby and David… they’re so cute together!”

Jonah looked at her. “D-don’t get weird about i-it. I m-might regret asking you to h-help me.” He crossed his arms. “But y-you’re right.”