Guys were discussing a new task, but not very dedicatedly. They often interrupted to poke jokes about Dan. Dan was due to marry in three weeks; so, it wasn't too late to talk him out of becoming a "walking dead man", as Eric put it. Dan was trying to concentrate on his work, but it didn't go well. He kept thinking about his fiancée. Dan was 20, and Rachel was 21. There wasn't one soul in the world, which thought it was right for Dan to marry, especially marry her. You are too young, too inexperienced, you don't have full-time job yet, you are both still in college. Plus, a man should be a bit older than a woman, not other way around. He heard it all by now. Dan wasn't exactly known for his conformist choices. Every once in a while, he did something he was completely sure about, but it made no sense to anyone else, sometimes even to Rachel. But Rachel laughed it off, she wasn't exactly conformist herself studying in technical college and getting married at 21.
- So, you're about to become a walking dead man, aren't you?
Dan just smiled.
- Man, look at me. Ask me when last time I went to have a beer with my buddies...
Dan waited for an answer. Beer drinking with buddies was not exactly his thing, but he didn't want to antagonize the guys.
- Eric, drop it! You went with Jack and me last Friday!
- Quiet, Mike! I am trying to teach this young man about life!
People gave him all the different reasons not to marry. Traditional men said he should play around first, at least for several years, then only he would be ready to settle down, then only he wouldn't feel tempted to cheat on his wife. Dan thought it's an insane idea. Getting into a habit of using women will somehow make him a better husband in future? And then Rachel, too, is supposed to date maximum number of man to become a better wife? No way. Rachel will only date him. Every weekend of their lives. Others suggested simply living togather without too much fuzz.
- You test drive a car before you buy it, riight? Test drive your family life, too! it is at least as important as buying a car, isn't it?
Dan agreed it was important. Dan agreed some testing would be nice. But he was very sure (as usually) test-driving Rachel was somehow wrong. He could articulate it only 20 years later to his own daughter; he would say it's wrong to treat women as cars, he would say many successfull people make a lot of right choices without any hint of a test drive: going to interviews and starting new jobs, raising kids, retiring, dying even. But not at the moment. Now he just knew he wouldn't do it, period. No test drive. Just marry at once, try his best and pray. It's just a saying. He never prayed. He would rather do something practical and productive. For example, finally make this module work!
- Dan, it's not too late! Tell her you discovered that you're gay, and you're a free man again!
- Nah, guys, she will whip him. He will be washing dishes and singing in shower!
The men from his team were almost 20 years his senior. Some of them were married, some - happily married, and some - proudly single. They could indeed tell some interesting personal accounts, and Dan would listen without interruptions and nod occasionally. These men could describe in every detail all annoyances and difficulties women cause to men, how unappreciative, greedy, hysterical and illogical women are. However, Dan's mind again flew to New Jersey.
Doesn't anyone love any more? Rachel loves him. He remembers very well how they met. He still laughs about it. Picture computer lab. All the dorky international and domestic students, just like himself, are typing something on their terminals, looking very serious. And some student, system administrator's assistant, sits at the front desk.
- Daniel... who?.. - She looked at his studeent ID and then at him. - Is it arabic last name?
- No. It's not. But it sounds a bit like that, I see what you mean.
- You don't see anything, you are just a sophmore.
- And you yourself?! And why are you so mean?
- Sir, I am JUNIOR already. And I am paid for being mean. Am I not good at it? - now it was clear to Dan, he is being flirted with.
- Yeah, you are very good... - he smiled. - ...at it...
Next time he came to the lab, the mean girl was there again. She smirked at him. He was blushing, but his tan and group of classmates around him disguised it very well. He played it cool, pretended she means nothing, dropped quick "Hi" and proceeded to the nearest vacant work station. He felt very smart. She's just a front desk girl. He doesn't care about her. He is here to debug his program. That's why he is here. And he will concentrate on his project and get it done very well. That's what he's here for. Now and always.
Suddenly, a paper ball hit his head. Everything was peaceful and quiet: people were working on their terminals, no heads turned.
Another paper ball made it's trajectory beside his head and smashed into a window. Everything was still peaceful and quiet: people were working.
- Yes?..
- These, - Dan pointed at paper balls, which he placed on front desk counter, - were thrown at me!..
Dan bended a bit and spotted freshly made paper ball ready for action sitting at her desk. She was busted. Her name was Rachel...
Dan grabbed his bag. He needed to hurry - next train to New Jersey was leaving in 10 minutes.