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 Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:40 pm
Serena's foot tapped against the sidewalk, as if she were keeping time with a beat, when really, it was just a habit of hers whenever she was thinking. "Hm, Starbucks, huh? A bit sudden, isn't it?" she asked jokingly, a large smile on her face. "I'm joking... But really, why ask me? Why not someone else?" she asked him curiously. Although this man looked like Devon, the two were very much different from one another... Where this man was out going, Devon would have most likely been very shy... Hence, Serena had had to ask Devon out on a date, not him asking her.
"Well, I was actually going to my apartment to load up these pictures from my camera... If you want to grab a coffee and walk me home?" she asked him, almost in a jokign manner... But, Serena wasn't so sure... Was she really joking? Or did she want to be aroudn this guy?
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Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:03 pm
"Because I bumped into you. It's a habit. That's why my wallet's so empty," smiled Laurence playfully. He looked at her for a moment, as if deciding on something. Finally, he took a step. "I guess I could walk you home. It's not safe for a such a pretty girl to be out here alone."
Outside Laurence was cool and collected, appearing confident. But inside, his heart was pounding and he was questioning his every move. Why did he ask her in the first place? Did he expect something good to happen from this? Laurence let out a mental sigh, mad at his own racing mind.
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Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:47 pm
Gabriel nodded as she said that she was okay, and then his mouth dropped open in surprise when she suggested that Marisol was his daughter. "She's not mine," he said quickly. He was way too young to have a seven-year-old in his opinion, but he knew that sort of thing happened all too often, so he couldn't blame her for making the assumption. Though he guessed he had a sort of older brother or father-like attachment to Marisol. Right - Marisol. "Maybe we'd better wait for the light?" he asked, with a slight smile, making light of the close shave. The cars stopped presently, and he crossed back over to the cafe, checking to see if the woman was following. Once he reached the concrete he picked Marisol up and twirled her around. "I'm sorry for running off like that," he said, looking into her sea green eyes.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Marisol asked, poking him in the chest with a small finger.
Gabriel smiled. "Of course I am." He gently set her back on the ground.
The little girl turned around to look at the woman. "I saw Gabriel save you," she announced with a smile.
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Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:15 pm
She blinked, before a blush covered a cheeks at the mix-up. Of course, such things were possible, after all, she had seen more than a few fathers that looked like children themselves. Nikki looked over at him as they stood waiting for the light, wondering why he had risked his life to save a perfect stranger. She knew she likely would have done the same thing in his place, but she also knew that not many people could claim the same thing. Often times, people would think for a moment too long and then there wasn't a choice to make.
When they crossed the streets and he picked the little girl up, swinging her around, Nikki felt a moment of jealousy and non-stalgia(sp?). She knew that it was stupid to feel either of those, after all, it was just a little girl, but it reminded her of what she never had with her father. When she was younger, her father didn't beat or yell at her, but he also never took the time out of his schedule to spend time with her, especially after her monther died. Watching, she was again struck by the thought that the two could be father and daughter, or a the very least brother and sister. She wondered if that was how fathers were supposed to treat their children, but Nikki immediatly pushed that thought away. Now was not the time to be thinking of such things and she was determined to focus on the matter at hand.
So when the little girl came to stand before her and smiled after annoucing that Gabriel, and she was assuming that was his name, had saved her, she dropped to her knees before the child, offering up a smile of her own. "Yes he did, didn't he? I was silly for not looking both ways. Isn't that the rule? Look both ways before crossing the street?" Nikki smiled again, before poking her gently in the side, a spot she knew was ticklish for small children. "Tell you what? Why don't I take you both out to lunch for scaring you so badly?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:33 pm
Marisol giggled as the woman poked her. "Yeah, that's the rule!" she agreed. She looked up at Gabriel and asked, "Can we go to lunch Gabriel? Mommy made me a peanut butter sandwich today, even though I like it with jelly..." It was true, Lucy could be forgetful at times.
Gabriel laughed at her reason for wanting to eat out, then smiled at the lady. "Normally, I'd say no - I wouldn't want you to spend your money on us, but I'm in a tight spot with money right now..." he said apologetically. He didn't add why he was in a tight spot. The truth was, since he had gotten out of jail, he couldn't find a job anywhere. No one wanted to hire someone who had been arrested for assault. He could of course tell them that he was innocent, but who would believe him? So far, only Lucy. But she was an immigrant from Spain, so maybe society wasn't so harsh there? Maybe if he had enough money he would move away, somewhere his past couldn't find him.
He ran a hand through his hair, embarrassed. "We don't have to go anywhere nice, or even half-way decent. I don't want to cause any problems for you." It was then he noticed the scratch on her hand. His hand automatically went to his shorts pocket, where he always had some bandages - Marisol was often too adventurous for her own good. But her free spirit was one of the things he admired about her. "Do you want a band-aid?" he asked. Yeah... that was probably the weirdest question you could ask a perfect stranger. "I'm Gabriel by the way, and this is Marisol. She's the daughter of my roomate, but she has a long job so I usually end up taking care of her," he explained.
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Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:20 pm
Nikki couldn't help but grin at the sound of the little girls laughter, having always like the sound of it. Standing, she turned to look at him, wondering if he would agree. When he did, again, she could not stop the smile that slipped over her features. She didn't really know why, but she was happy that he had agreed to lunch. As he introduced himself, she tugged on a strand of hair that had fallen loose, befor speaking. "I'm Nikki. And as for the amount to spend, I don't really mind. Anywhere you'd like to go Marisol?" Her hand burned slightly, so when he offered her the bandaid, she gladly took it, noting that he was prepared incase Marisol got hurt. Again she was struck by what she had missed out on as a kid and again she pushed the thoughts away. Peeling the wrapper off and setting it on the wound, she kept her hand flat because she knew it wouldn't stay any other way, before slipping the small trash into her pockets.
"That's great. I know a lot of people who would have taken the easy way out instead of taking care of the kid."
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Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:57 am
Ah, Lantis knew the kind. He remembered seeing it many times as he passed by on his way to work. He didn't say so right there, but he thought the place was creepy. What he did tell Rae as they got into his beat up old chevy was that he had always wondered if that place was haunted. "I also can't believe you live there. I've lived in this neighborhood all my life, gone to that park countless times, and yet, not once have I ever seen you around. Amazing isn't it?" He chuckled but the sound was drowned out by the noise of his car churning to life. It roared and growled and the body began to move, Lantis shifted gears before backing out and driving off. The drive would only take literally 3 minutes, she was so close, but the car was warm, cozy almost. Before they knew it, the old car slowed to a stop before the old house. Lantis took in the sight of it, that creepy feeling returning. It felt like he was looking at something right out of a horror film, it was both amazing and creepy. "You live in this thing all by yourself? Isn't it...lonely? This place is big." Lantis said, eyes never leaving the building.
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Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 1:47 pm
Lived here all his life? Throughout the drive Rae watched him closely trying to think back on the people she had gone to school with. Had he been one of her friends and she just didn't remember? As they stopped in front of her house, "I just moved back in here about a week ago. This was my home as a kid and it never sold and I needed a house." Looking at it she could see where the rumors came from, even during the day. Still she liked the place even if he was right. It was lonely to be there alone. Reluctant to get out of the car she opened the door, "Did you go to the school just around the corner? With" she paused thoughtful, "I think it was bus 25 that went down this road?" Shaking her head as she stood up, "I moved away when I was still a kid so you might have known me back in the day. Of course I had short pixie hair then." Grimacing at the thought Rae laughed as they walked to the door where she turned the handle and it opened making her sigh, "One of these days I will remember to lock this door." Pushing it open she walked inside, "Make yourself at home I'll be down in a minute. Kitchen that way." she said pointing to the right, "Living room that way." she said pointing left as she ran up the stairs. Though it was a nice enough place, she hated the living room. Along the fireplace was rows of school pictures and family Christmases however the latest showed Rae about 9 years old. The last time she had truly smiled. If he went into the kitchen it would be wall to wall stainless steel to make it easier to clean. Getting into her room she shut her door and grabbed a couple towels and started to dig through her drawers for dry clean clothes.
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Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:38 pm
"Well, it's the least I can do. She's pretty much letting me live there for free," Gabriel said, looking down at the cracks in the sidewalk. It was obviously something he still felt guilty about. Maybe it was his three years in prison that made him feel awkward when anyone did anything charitable for him. Like this woman was doing now. "I never caught your name."
"She didn't throw it at you," Marisol said, obviously confused by Gabriel's slang. However, she was easily distarcted when it came to what to eat. "Jack in the Box!" she exclaimed with a wide smile.
Gabriel smiled too, grateful she hadn't requested a real restaurant. "Okay, but remember - you only get fast food once a week." Wow... he really did sound like her father. Maybe the stranger had been close to the mark. But he knew he'd never have a place in her heart like her mother's. Once again he wondered what ever happened to her real father. He hadn't asked - the past wasn't something he liked to discuss, so he rarely asked about it. Plus, he didn't know if it was a touchy subject.
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Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:31 pm
She laughed at the childs correction for the slang, finding such things cute. Patting her on the head, she looked over at Gabriel again, her head tilted to the side as she smiled at him. Odd, she was full of smiles today. "I'm Nikki. Sorry 'bout that. I tend to forget about introducing myself when I meet interesting people." She kneeled down to Marisol's level again, a wicked grin spreading across her features, before she easily picked the child up and swung her around, much like he had done earlier. "How about this? As an apology for scaring you, I'll give you a piggy back ride until we get there? I'm pretty sure there's one just a couple blocks from here."
Without waiting for an answer from the girl, Nikki swung the girl around again until Marisol was sitting on her shoulders. Nikki knew that it was probably odd to be so informal with a child she'd never met before, but she just couldn't help herself. She loved children and they were just so fun to play with! Holding onto the kid's legs, Nikki took a few steps forward, before turning around to look at him with another grin. "Coming?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:10 am
acebirchy "Because I bumped into you. It's a habit. That's why my wallet's so empty," smiled Laurence playfully. He looked at her for a moment, as if deciding on something. Finally, he took a step. "I guess I could walk you home. It's not safe for a such a pretty girl to be out here alone."
Outside Laurence was cool and collected, appearing confident. But inside, his heart was pounding and he was questioning his every move. Why did he ask her in the first place? Did he expect something good to happen from this? Laurence let out a mental sigh, mad at his own racing mind.
She blushed a little, having heard the "pretty" in his response. Did he really think that, or was he just saying it to be polite? A small shiver ran up and down his spine... She hadn't really flirted with anyone... Or rather... Hung out with a guy since Devon's leave... She felt a bit guilty, as if she were betraying his love...
"Well, let's go get those coffees, then," she said with a laugh, looking around. Lucky for them, there was a Starbucks on the next street corner, and she pointed over to it. "Ah, there it is," she commented and began walking towards it, looking over her shoulder at him. Surely, he found it strange for her to be soaking wet, but at that moment in time, she didn't care. For once in the past month, she felt light... "Well, you coming?" she asked him jokingly, flashing a pretty smile at him.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:40 pm
"Wait? I have to actually go there to buy it," Laurence asked, pretending to be confused. But it didn't last as he broke out laughing. He jogged after her, his usually gelled hair bouncing slightly with each step. hHe caught up to her and began to pant. "God you walk fast," he smiled playfully.
Laurence went ahead, and he was now the one looking over his shoulder at her. When they approached the counter, he leaned casually against it, sifting through his wallet and pulling out a twenty. "I'll take a grande caramel frappuchino. How 'bout you Serena?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:10 am
Like anyone stepping into a new unfamiliar place, Lantis was a bit hesitant. Perhaps all those stupid rumors about the place being haunted was to blame as well. But as he crossed the threshold, he found a rather normal house hold.
Empty but normal.
Not at all what he had envisioned in his mind countless times while looking on the outside. He had pictured an empty, abandoned building, wood rotting on the inside, wall paper peeling and falling to a dirty floor. The obligatory spider webs would hang from every nook and cranny. Tables and sofas all destroyed and random items scattered about the floor as if the last tenants had practically run out...No not a single thing like that here. It was perhaps nicer than where he lived, Lantis thought.
Still feeling like an invader, Lantis wasn't inclined to take advantage of the kitchen, and he was a little nervous ghosts roamed the living area. As he stood around anxious, he thought back to what Rae said. He didn't recall ever meeting her still, but perhaps they had gone to different schools. After all, she left town at a very young age, and Lantis joined the military right after high school. No he'd remember a pretty girl like Rae.
For some reason, Lantis felt goosebumps on his arms and he rubbed them as though cold. Coffee would be good about now...
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Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:21 pm
"Okay!" Marisol said happily, clinging onto Nikki's shoulders.
Gabriel smiled. "Yeah, I'm coming." He retrieved his guitar from where it had fallen, stowed it in his case, picked it up, and jogged a little to catch up with Nikki and Marisol. "So do you always wait that long for people to catch up?" he joked. She had sure taken off - though he was partly to blame for not packing up his guitar earlier. Though the fact that he wasn't playing right now was because he had saved her. Why had he done that? Gabriel never saw himself as a 'hero' or something. Who knew he could be so impulsive when someone's life depended on it?
[[Sorry for the shortie.]]
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Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:44 pm
Tossing her wet clothes aside she quickly toweled off looking through her things before stopping mid move. Why am I concerned about what I look like? Rae thought with an annoyed sigh. This was thank you coffee. Nothing more. She told herself. Closing her eyes she grabbed the first shirt she touched which happened to be the Pepsi baby t she had thrown off earlier that morning. Grabbing a pair of black jeans that hugged her hips but flared out at the bottom. They were her hippie jeans as she called them as she pulled on her plain worn out sneakers. Luckily her hair dried quickly with a towel as she put on a simple lip gloss, light eye shadow and eyeliner. Moving quickly she didn't want to leave him alone for too long, she knew it was rude. Checking the mirror one last time she opened her door to head down stairs flipping a picture over as she walked past the table. Thinking through all the people she used to know Rae thought she would have remembered him making her think they hadn't gone to the same school and though this house wasn't haunted it haunted her. Landing on the bottom step she spun around the banister pole looking into the living room but she didn't see him so turned to the kitchen, "Sorry for the delay. Still up for coffee? I would love something warm right now and as sad as it is I don't know how to work that monstrosity in the corner." Rae smiled wryly indicating the complex coffee cappachino machine in the corner.
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