August 8, 2360

I had smiled as Jarzen rushed in just as we were about to start. He looked like he'd been running and had a dish towel in his hand, looking lost as to what to do with it. I'd intentionally saw to it that the seat next to me was free, smiling as he sat in it and looked to see who he was sitting next to.

The first morning of class was spent making sure everyone was on the same page safety wise. They hadn't held us to any particular safety standards when testing us for the class. Some of the rules seemed annoying but I was going to have to follow them if I wanted to stay in the class, they weren't going to slide when enforcing safety rules.

When they dismissed us for lunch, Jarzen turned to me. He asked me my name, having not gotten it when he'd eaten with Mara and I. We ate lunch together at his family's restaurant, but this time he had no responsibilities to distract, and I didn't order anything that was best eaten alive. I think he was grateful for that.

He treated me to lunch even though I tried to insist on paying. He managed to get me to stop insisting when he pointed out that we would be late if we continued to debate the issue. I told him if he could beat me to class, I'd drop it, but if I beat him that he'd have to let me pay him back.

He agreed, then pulled me into a kiss. Not just any kiss, but one of those long deep ones that, even with kissing experience, would probably throw the recipient for a loop. I, having never been kissed before, was thrown for one hell of a loop and I didn't react to his smile and wink as he called over his shoulder as he left the restaurant that he'd see me in class.

When it finally sunk in what he pulled, I ran after him fuming. When I got back to the class, he was already sitting with the last empty seat next to him. I shot him a look as I sat down, which he shrugged off with a wink as the instructor called class to order. I spent the afternoon thinking it over as the class was being familiarized with the craft we were to be learning in, but since it was the same one I'd learned in thus far, I didn't see the point in paying attention.

I soon came to the conclusion that what had happened wasn't all that bad. I'd heard first kisses are often disastrous and this one had been pretty good. If he wanted to pay for my lunch that bad, why should I argue? I may even be able to get another kiss from him again, he is, after all, pretty cute.

After class I caught him before we left. He shrunk back as I smiled. When I asked him about it, he apologized for the trick he'd pulled. I insisted it was fine and I had actually enjoyed the kiss. I had just been irritated that I hadn't gotten my way.

He then smiled and told me that he had to work tonight, but he had tomorrow night off, and asked if I would join him for dinner and maybe some fun afterwards. I asked him if I get another kiss if I insisted on paying for my half again. With a smile he said he'd rather that he could just have those without having to make an excuse. By that point we'd come to the restaurant and we stood silently for a minute.

I had been just about to say bye and head off when he pulled me in for our second kiss. This one didn't knock me off balance so bad and I was able to smile when we pulled apart. He smiled back at me and we both said good-bye.

As soon as I got back to my room I grabbed my journal to write and now that I have I'm going to call Mara, she should be home by now having left yesterday morning. She'll be glad when I report that I doubt I'll have to use my regenerator at this school.