Dork

Dork Chapter Ten: Imprinted

"Hey Ryan, do you remember that dream you were talking about a week ago?" Declan asked as he sat down at the lunch table.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Well how do I put this without freaking you out?" Declan asked himself.

"Declan, just tell me."

"Blaine has been hanging out with your brother a lot recently. They've actually gotten really close and I think they're you know, dating."

"Dating? My brother is dating yours? I don't think so. I mean it's illegal for a teacher to date their student, at least I think it is. And if it's not, it's highly frowned upon by the staff."

"Then explain to me why they've been hanging out with each other after school ever since your brother joined the staff."

"I don't know. I tend to not ask my brother about his life. Why don't you ask Blaine?"

"Blaine has quite a temper and if I'm wrong he'll throw a fit. Do me a favor and just ask your brother what's up. Please!" Declan whined.

"I'm not as close to my brother as you are with Blaine. And I really don't feel comfortable asking Fang that just based on your assumption. Sorry Declan."

"Sounds like it's time for Adam, Ace Detective, to take the case!" Adam said with gusto.

"Adam, I thought I told you no more of that TV? It's really doing a number on your psyche," Riley said sighing.

"Have you guys always been there?" Ryan asked.

"Well excuse us for not being appealing to you today, Sir Ryan," Riley remarked.

"So Declan, can I take the case?" Adam asked as he leaned forward.

"Sure, but it's not really a case. Like Ryan said, it's just my assumption, but it's a strong one."

"Declan, don't encourage him!"

Adam leaned back into his blue chair and set his brown brief case onto the table.

"Wow, he's really going all out on this detective stuff," Ryan said.

Adam then opened his briefcase by pushing in two of the lock-in fasteners. The case swung open revealing only a notepad and a pen in its insides. As Adam took both of the items in hand, he began questioning his witness, Declan.

"Okay Declan, I'm going to ask you a few questions just to help me out with this case. Sound good?"

"Uh sure, I guess."

"When was the first time you suspected that something was going on with Mr. Chau and Blaine?"

"Last week, when Blaine came home talking on the phone with Mr. Ch—Fang."

"Now why was this strange to you?"

"Because Blaine doesn't talk on the phone with guys ever, not even telemarketers or our dad. Nor does he talk on the phone with a guy for five hours straight."

"Five hours?" Riley and Ryan asked in unison.

"Ryan, you live with the guy!"

"I crash when I get home, sue me."

"In these five hours, did you happen to hear any of the conversation between the two?"

"Well since it was on the phone, I could only hear Blaine but I don't remember what they were talking about."

"You eavesdropped on them for five hours?" Ryan asked.

"I was curious on who he was talking to."

"Wait then how did you even know it was Fang he was talking to?" Riley asked.

"Because at the end of their conversation, Blaine said "It was nice talking to Fang, I guess I'll see you tomorrow? Yeah and I'll tell you more about my dream." And I'm pretty sure I heard Blaine laugh after he hung up the phone."

"You said pretty sure, are you telling me that you imagined him laughing or are you sure that he—."

"Adam quit with the detective stuff, it's really weird," Riley interrupted.

"Fine, that's all I was going to ask anyways," Adam said. "From the answers you gave me, it just seems like Blaine and Fang are friends. Plain old friends."

"Oh who asked you anyways?" Declan yelled.

"Well excuse me!" Adam said swinging his head to the left.

"Well speaking of the Devil," Riley added.

"Yo what's up guys?" Blaine asked with Fang by his side.

"Uh what are you guys doing here?" Declan asked.

"What? I can't say hello to my own brother?"

"Oh Ryan, I won't be home till later. Blaine and I are going to an art's exhibit at the Stateline and since it's already ten-thirty I probably won't be home till around late morning to tomorrow. So you can stay at Declan's house for tonight."

"There's a field trip today for Art?"

"No, it's just Blaine and I. I have a sub in class already so it's fine."

The group's eyes widened as they all replayed Fang's words "Blaine and I" in their heads.

"Are you kids alright? You're not on drugs are you?"

"D-Did you say just you and Blaine?" Declan asked.

"Yes."

"Why only you and Blaine if you don't mind me asking?" Adam asked.

"Well it's a special exhibit that only applies to Blaine's artwork."

"Would it be alright if we came with you guys?"

"I don't see why not. Are you all fine with skipping the rest of your classes cause I'm not going to fake all your illnesses for a measly trip to the Stateline."

"Wait you're faking Blaine's illness so why not us?" Riley asked.

"I'm not faking anything. I got my mom to write me a note for this and she even called the school."

"Mom did that for you?"

"Well it was Mom more or less," Blaine said looking at Fang.

"What can I say? I used to imitate other's voices for fun when I was your age."

"It was fucking awesome!"

"So what you're saying is that you're not faking an illness but you're faking an absence just to go to an art's exhibit?" Adam asked.

"Fine you guys can come, just don't get caught. Remember there are cameras at every corner of this school and they know I'm only here to pick up Blaine. I still don't understand why there are so many cameras. I mean they have all these cameras but they don't have enough money for a quality Arts Program? BLASPHEMY!"

"You're a teacher here so it won't look very suspicious."

"I'm just being cautious, Ace Defective."

"Did he just call me—."

"You have to admit, Adam. That was pretty funny."

"You really don't want to have sex, do you?"

"I've already decided that if I want to have sex with a guy, it's going to have to be with my hand."

"Fine we can tonight," Adam mumbled.

"What's that? Are you finally giving in?"

"Don't push it, I just don't want to be replaced by a hand," Adam said looking away.

"Please tell me I died and these two are just dancing on my grave," Fang whined.

"Riley, Adam, shut the fuck up please," Blaine demanded politely.

"Well then!" Riley and Adam yelled.

The six of them walked out of the cafeteria doors and into the teacher parking lot. Fang whacked his keychain, which was hanging on his right most belt loop, when suddenly a screeching loud alarm went off that seemed to get louder as it echoed off all the cars in the lot. Everyone except Fang covered their ears and looked around like idiots. Blaine nudged Fang and he noticed all of hem covering their ears. Fang swiftly whacked his keychain again and the alarm quickly died out.

"Sorry about that, I have poor memory when it comes to remembering where my car is."

"A warning would have been nice," Declan said.

Fang turned around and glared at Declan who only glared right back. Ryan tugged at Declan's sleeve to stop. Fang rolled his eyes and walked away.

"Let's go kids," Fang said as he walked to his car, which was the first car right in front of them.

"The car was right in front of us and he still had to use his car alarm?" Riley said to himself.

The five got into Fang's SUV with Blaine riding shotgun, Declan and Ryan in the middle row, and Riley and Adam in the rear. The rest of the car ride was quiet except for Fang's stereo blasting through the speakers.

"I thought with age your music taste is supposed to get better?" Declan asked.

"Are you trying to compare Fang to wine or cheese?" Ryan whispered.

"If you want to get with me there's some things you gotta know. I like my beats fast and my bass down. B-B-Bass down low. Bass Bass Bass down low," Fang sing talked with the music while waving his right forefinger at Blaine.

"Well I know Blaine doesn't like this music. He always complains when songs like this come on the radio."

"It's like one, two, three, fuck it!" Blaine sing talked along.

"Oh God, Blaine's gone to the Darkside," Declan sighed. "Can you believe this Riley?"

Declan turned around and saw something he didn't expect from Riley or Adam for that matter.

"It's like one, two, three, okay. Can I get a little goose in my O.J.? Everyday feels like my birthday and we sip Champagne when we thirstay!" Riley sing talked grooving in the back.

"Quit fightin' while yo husband tryna get his mitts in my oven. Wanna get a lick of this lovin'? G-G-G-Get a lick of this lovin'?" Adam sing talked along while grooving in the back.

"Ryan did we die and go to hell?"

"I don't know. I kinda like it," Ryan answered as he raised his arms in the air and grooved.

"God, someone shoot me now!"

"La la la la. La la la la."

"I'm starting to regret coming with you guys," Declan said putting his head in his hands. "Ryan, tell me when we get there."

"Okay we're here, Declan!" Ryan said knocking on his skull.

"What? But I just closed my eyes."

"You've been snoring the whole four hours of me driving," Fang said turning shutting off the engine. "Come on, get out of the car Homopatrol!"

The couple groggily got out of the car and looked at the giant mansion that stood before them. It had no windows except one steel door right in the middle of the building.

"This is the place?" Blaine asked.

"Yeah, it may not look like much on the outside but on the inside it's pretty neat. Well shall we?"

The group walked along the stone path leading to the door when suddenly they heard loud barking to their right. The group stopped and noticed a white Akita Inu growling at them.

"Are you sure this is the place?" Adam asked wrapping his arms around Riley's waist.

"Oh don't worry about the dog, she's harmless."

"She doesn't look harmless!"

"As long as you don't show her fear, she won't bite you."

"Bite me?!"

Suddenly the door opened wide and an old man with long silvery gray hair walked out with a metal cane. He was clothed in a full black suit with a white tie. On each of his hands, he had numerous age spots and the name Maki tattooed on his right hand fingers.

"Fang? Is that you?" the old man asked.

"Yes, it's nice to see you again Oakley."

"Ah, I have been expecting you. Well come on in!"

"I would love to but my group here seems to be scared of your lil girl."

"Kora! How many times do I have to tell you not yell at our guests? Especially if it's Fang! Now come over here," the old man scolded Kora.

Kora whined and walked over to the left side of her master. Fang walked over to Kora and bent down.

"Have you already forgotten about me, Kora?" Fang asked petting her. "It's okay now guys, you can go inside."

The group quickly ran inside and Oakley and Fang followed.

"Come on, Kora, let's go inside!"

"Fang, I remember you saying that you were going to bring a young man over but I see five in front of me," Oakley said sitting in his oak rocking chair. "Introduce me, please."

"Well the other Asian is my little brother, Ryan, red eyes over here is Declan, the cute yet highly annoying couple is Riley and Adam, and the burly, barbarian here is Blaine, the one here to see you," Fang said pointing at each one.

Blaine walked towards Oakley but was abruptly stopped by a growling Kora.

"I'm sorry Blaine, Kora is a bit sensitive around strangers. She only trusts people she has imprints with," Oakley said rocking back and forth in his chair.

"Imprints?" Blaine asked.

"I heard that imprints are the equivalent to absolute trust in a human from an animal's point of view. It's highly difficult for a person to get close to anyone if they have a pet that has trust issues," Adam said.

"Was that from TV too, Adam?" Riley asked.

"I'm not answering that question."

"I'm sorry Blaine, if Kora doesn't trust you then I can't teach you anything."

"I see. Well I guess I came for nothing."

"Hold on, not so fast Blaine. I did not drive all the way here just so Kora can turn you down. I'll help you acquire an imprint with her. I am the one she imprinted first," Fang said. "Oakley, can you give the rest of them a tour of your house?"

"Ah yes, the rest of you follow me. Will you be alright by yourself Fang?"

"Yeah, I am Kora's original master so she should obedient to me. At least that's what I hope."

Kora continued to growl at Blaine, which only made feel uneasy about the whole imprinting ordeal.

"Are you sure I can get an imprint from her?" Blaine asked with a shaky voice.

"With the lack of confidence you have right now, I highly doubt it," Oakley said as he lead the group downstairs.

"It'll be fine Blaine, the imprinting process isn't anything to be afraid of, unless she bites you of course."

"What?!"

"Don't worry she's only done it once to Oakley when he tried his first time to get imprinted."

"She only bit him the first time?"

"Well now that I think about it, Oakley tried for years to get imprinted. So that's more than three hundred and sixty five bites."

"I don't think I want to do this anymore."

"Is Mr. Barbarian scared to get bitten? Trust me, you won't turn into a werewolf or a shape shifter," Fang laughed.

"It's not funny. I've always been afraid of dogs since I was a kid."

"Why? I mean sure the news always says that some breeds of dogs are dangerous but they're just untrained."

"You just don't get it!"

"Then tell me, Blaine. It's the only way I'll understand."

"Can we just go?"

"No, just tell me Blaine."

"Fine I'll walk home."

"Is it really that big of a deal? Sure you're afraid of dogs but I'm afraid of spiders and cockroaches because they're creepy and nasty but that doesn't mean I'm going to let them control my life. You can't let your fear hold down on a leash."

"I was attacked by a dog when I was five. Back then, all I wanted was a dog. I got home one day from kindergarten and my parents surprised me with a dog, an adult Huskie. It latched onto my left thigh and right when I started screaming, the dog was shot on sight. I still have the bite marks on my thigh, a lot of my friends think it's a tattoo but it's just a nightmare," Blaine explained as he sat on the seaweed green carpet.

Fang sat down in front of Blaine and he patted his right thigh. Kora walked over to Fang and nestled into his lap.

"She won't hurt you, just forget about your fear. If I see any indication that she's going to bite, I'll pull her back," Fang said as he scratched Kora behind her pointed ears.

"I-I don't know about this," Blaine stuttered.

"Trust me, Blaine. I won't let anything happen to you," Fang said with a smile.

"Okay," Blaine sighed. "What do I do?"

"Give me your hand."

"Which one?"

"It doesn't matter," Fang laughed. "Left."

Blaine held out his hand and Fang gently grabbed it. He put hit hand right above Kora's nose.

"Kora I want you to imprint Blaine. Now don't bite him or else you understand?" Fang demanded.

Kora cocked her head at Fang as if she was too lazy to even see if she wanted to imprint Blaine. Fang sternly stared at Kora and pointed at Blaine. Kora whimpered and whined as she dug into Fang's lap. Fang sighed and patted the seaweed green carpet.

"Blaine, sit next to me. Kora seems to be too lazy to get up."

"Uh okay," Blaine said as he scooted right next to Fang. Unbeknownst to the both of them, Kora was watching Blaine's body language. Right when Blaine settled next to Fang, she noticed that their shoulders and knees touched and both of them flinched. Kora cocked her head and hopped into Blaine's lap nestling against his ripped abdominals.

"Does this mean that I—."

"Huh, I've never seen her imprint like that without sniffing a person and licking their palm. Funny," Fang laughed.

"So does this mean that I—that Oakley can teach me how to uh—."

"You didn't come here to meet Oakley."

"What? I thought you said Oakley knew a way to get rid of my nightmares? You were lying to me?" Blaine asked raising his voice.

"In a way, yes I did lie to you. But Oakley could never help you in the first place. Kora's the one that can help you and she decided to do it."

"What? I don't understand."

"I relayed your dream to Oakley and he said that he'd agree to have Kora help you with your nightmare and she did."

"I still don't understand. How does a dog help anything?"

"Your dream wasn't a meaning of death. You weren't afraid of dying; you were afraid of never finding love. That no one would love you back. Believe it or not, I had the exact same dream that you had. I had never ending nightmares that included an old man killing me in my dream. That old man was myself. He killed me with a mirror fragment cause I was too afraid to admit to myself that I was wrong. However when I met Kora, she loved me from the very beginning when met. I knew that if a dog could love me then anyone could. I just had to be brave. I couldn't just cower and run like I always did when I was younger," Fang explained. "Your fear of dogs only worsened your fear of dying alone to the point that you had these nightmares."

"Are you sure that it's gone for good?" Blaine asked discontent with the solution.

"If you want, you can borrow Kora. Oakley was only taking care of Kora while I was gone. She's a nightmare catcher, well in her case, eater."

"You sure it's okay?"

"Yeah, I trust you'll take good care of her plus you're imprinted so she'll trust no matter what."

"Thank you, Fang," Blaine said relieved.

"Don't worry about, it's my job to take care of my students," Fang said as he stretched and yawned.

Blaine turned around and saw Fang's shirt lift as he stretched. He had almost the same exact bulging muscles as Blaine but in a smaller build and a bizarrely large diagonal scar that started at the middle of his ribcage and ended at the right side of his ribcage.

"I'm going to get the Homopatrol and then we can go home," Fang said as he stopped stretching. Fang turned to Blaine and noticed that he frozen. "Are you okay, Blaine?"

"I-I'm fine. Why?"

"Were you staring at my scar?"

"What? No!"

"Sure you weren't. It's no biggie, I got it when I was eighteen."

"From what?"

"N-Nothing, don't worry about it," Fang said walking away.