"Haha, I don't think that far ahead. Just finishing school would be a great accomplishment."

"But you need to do something after that. Haven't you thought about college?"

"I was thinking in the context that you need either excellent grades or a lot of money to get in. I don't have either," I smiled.

"Uh... Well, I also had a period when I was lost and couldn't find myself. It's normal, you'll figure it out a bit later."

This sounded maximally fake, like a line from a TV show.

"Thanks for the support. Are you planning to go somewhere?"

"Yes, really want to get into one incredibly cool place. I fit all the parameters and skills, but... I need to get one critically important thing, they don't accept without it. I'm working hard on this, hope everything works out."

"As I understand, you're brilliant with studies. Need some additional activities or outside achievements?"

"You could say that. They have extremely strict selection and crazy competition. No matter how talented you are, without this you have no chance."

Can't say I understood anything, but okay.

"What field is it?"

"Uh... Well... In simple terms—a branch of science that studies the structure of the world. Roughly speaking it's physics, but not quite, there are many elements—"

"I sort of understand, don't strain yourself. It's cool that you clearly know what you want to do. Jane too, I've seen it in her since childhood, but for some reason she doesn't reveal it to me. Funny, we're brother and sister but very different."

I thought I saw Lily flinch.

"Oh, c-cool! I'm sure Jane will make it. Her incredible talent is recognized even in my circles, which never happens with those morons."

"Haha, for real. Well, good luck getting in and achieving what you want."

"Thanks, I'm doing everything possible for it."

I break away from the conversation and notice we've reached the exit.

"Oh, I forgot the park isn't very big," Lily giggled. "I enjoyed the walk, we definitely got closer."

Yes, pleasant conversation. Only I didn't learn anything even hinting at her true motives. Am I overthinking...? Or is she just hiding it too well?

"Likewise. Want another lap?"

"Think that's enough, walking back and forth will get boring quickly. Let's go to the shooting range, can't wait to shoot for the first time. By the way, where is it?"

"There's one a half hour walk away, but it's small and the owner's not quite right, asks for extra payment for every little thing. There's a second one, we'd need to split a taxi, but it's bigger, has a wide selection of weapons and clear plans."

"As the experienced one, I trust your choice," she winked. "I'll pay for the taxi if needed."

Holy shit. She's offering to pay?

"Well... in that case—definitely the second option, for the best first impression."

"Then it's decided!" she said, pulling out her cell phone.

##

During the short ride to the shooting range, we casually discussed favorite music, food, video games and similar topics to find more common ground. The most "unnatural" part was discussing recent school gossip. Lily still gave no hint about her goal.

Focusing on finding hidden meaning was becoming harder—she turned out to be truly pleasant to talk with. Without noticing, I got completely drawn into the dialogue.

Moreover, I think I'm really starting to like her, unrelated to her attractive appearance. I try to suppress this feeling, but it keeps surfacing.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

The taxi stops at a medium-sized one-story building with a "SHOOTING RANGE" sign. We get out and approach closer.

"Well, here it is," I say formally.

"Cute, looks just like any commercial building. Honestly, I imagined a shooting range as a huge firing ground in an open desert area among cacti," Lily giggled.

"The range is inside, it's very similar to a training ground where police learn to shoot. You've definitely seen those in TV shows."

"Okay, got it. Forward to the guns!"

She started rushing to the entrance but suddenly stopped and looked at me awkwardly.

"Umm, will anyone mind that I'm in a dress? I didn't think about it not being quite appropriate attire for this place—"

"Don't worry. I remember guys in black latex and anime cosplayers coming here. No one even mentioned their appearance."

"Woow, cool guys! Got it, nothing to fear," she beckoned me, went to the door and swung it open.

A couple seconds later we're standing in a well-renovated hall. Ahead is a counter with a huge tattooed man behind it.

"So where do we shoot?" Lily asks, her eyes darting around the room.

"First we need to buy range time, then they'll take us to the room with targets," I point toward the counter.

"Oh, what a fierce guy. Is he the owner?"

"Manager, I see him often. Always thought with that build and appearance he'd be better suited as a bouncer or gangster."

"Maybe he does both," she smiled. "Please, you talk to him. If I say something wrong, that mountain of muscle will kill me with one hit."

Lily pretends to shiver with fear. I nod and go to the counter.

"Hello, remind me of your rates please," I ask politely.

"Hello!" despite his appearance, the manager's voice is squeaky. "As I understand, there are two of you?"

"Exactly."

"Sorry, due to high demand we recently introduced a rule: for groups of two or more people the price is higher. Thus, range time costs: handguns only—$100, $150 and $300 for one hour, two hours and all day respectively; rifles only—$140, $200 and $400; both types—$250, $400 and $600. What interests you?"

Shit, I thought. I only have a few hundred bucks for who knows how long, and now this crap.

"Both types for the whole day, paying by card," Lily said confidently as she approached.

I stare at her stunned, the girl winks.

"Listen, you already paid for the taxi... I won't be able to pay you back half anytime soon," I admit bitterly.

"I'm not asking. I invited you on the date, so I'm responsible for expenses."

"But that's not a small amount—"

"Oh, forget it. My financial situation is fine. I spend three times more on one shopping trip."

"Well okay," I pushed past my reservations. For some reason I feel very awkward, essentially becoming indebted to her.

Can her generosity be considered suspicious?

Lily taps her credit card to the terminal, payment goes through successfully.

"Thank you for choosing our shooting range. Let's proceed to the firing area."

"What a hilarious voice that giant has, right?" Lily whispered playfully. "Like someone stepped on something of his in childhood."

"Hey-hey, keep it down. If he hears that, he'll step on something of ours."

We quickly walked down the hallway to a spacious dark gray room. There are two large tables packed with weapons and ammunition, a cabinet with sets of protective headphones and glasses, and five targets behind a partition at medium distance.

The manager briefly explained the rules, wished us a good time and left us alone.

"John, no one else will come in here, right?" Lily asks shyly.

"If they do, we can definitely complain about why they charged you so much money."

"I'll take that as a no. Yaaay, finally—shooting!"

She grabs the first rifle she sees from the table, runs to the partition and aims crookedly.

"Hey, wait! First we need to—"

I don't finish speaking—automatic gunfire deafens me. The girl also cries out from the loud sound and wild recoil. The weapon falls from her hands.

"Ouch! Why is there such ringing in my ears?!" she groaned.

"Because you always put on headphones first, they're specially for noise suppression, and glasses to protect your eyes. And taking a combat rifle as your first weapon isn't the best idea, usually people start with pistols."

"Sorry!" she said guiltily. "That's it, no more acting on my own, I'll only listen to you."

Within a minute the deafening subsided. I put protective gear on her and myself, chose a pistol for her and led her to the partition.

"This thing is a Glock 19, one of the most popular pistols. Light and easy to use. By the way, Jane has exactly the same one."

"Yeah, I know about it. Looks like it was copied from TV shows and games," she examines the gun with interest.

"Next you need to stand properly. Put your feet shoulder-width apart, then left foot slightly forward and bend your knees a bit."

I demonstrate how it's done. On her fourth attempt, Lily gets it.

"Next step—the pistol itself," I grab the same Glock from the table and stand next to her. "Right hand on the grip, and left hand supporting it. Arms straight but not tense, grip should be light."

I show again on myself and correct her position.

"Well... now aim and shoot. Just relax, don't try to hit a series in the center right away. You can hold your breath to improve concentration."

"Got it."

Lily takes a deep breath, squints slightly, hesitates for a few seconds, and fires. A hole appears at the edge of the target.

"This is just fucking awesome! John, did you see? I hit the target, and not even on the outer circle."

"Not a bad start, I missed completely with my first shot. Try again. Tell me when you get bored with the Glock and we'll move on to—"

"COMBAT RIFLE?!"

"A more advanced pistol. You'll be ready for the rifle in about two hours."

"Oh, very soon!" Lily beamed with happiness. "Hey, shoot the Glock. I want to see what a pro can do."

"I wouldn't call myself exactly a pro—"

"Please! I really want to see your skill."

"Okay."

I take her place.

I have to hit it. Don't know why, but right now I have to do this.

I take my stance, aim the pistol, hold my breath and carefully sight in.

5... 4... 3... Damn it, no, right now.

A shot rings out. When the smoke clears, we see where the bullet landed.

"Awesome, right in the center!" Lily got excited. "And you say you're not a pro."

I feel elated from the "victory" and that Lily appreciated it, but outwardly only smirk.

"Well, I do shoot pretty well."