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Xander walked out of the dressing room at the pool, his hair tied up in a bun, not that it would do much good because his hair usually managed to escape. He dropped his duffle bag next to a chair and went to the lap lane then proceeded to jump right in and start off, totally ignoring all his onlookers. They were always their starring and sometimes swarming him when he was done. It only served to make him very very uncomfortable. He went back and forth back and forth, freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breast stroke repeatedly. Unfortunately for Xander his hair started to come free, much like he thought it would making it harder for him to swim.

He frowned standing up in the lap lane, free his long locks completely, a little longer waist length curls, now butt length waves. He shook it out and proceeded to try to tie the wet heavy hair back up, his abs on display for the women to swoon over. He sighed heavily feeling a little annoyed at the moment, but it was his own fault for not getting a haircut!

With the warmer weather, Cherry had been spending more of her free time at the pool. Some of her normal daily pursuits had been boring her, and the local pool offered her a pleasant respite from her boring day in and day out stuff. Not to mention that her little games of cat and mouse weren't as exciting with certain persons. In fact, she had been feeling plenty bored with most of the persons in which she often satiated her need for conquests and excitement. There was nothing quite as exciting as luring in someone new. Someone unsuspecting. She was almost like a cat who sat around stalking birds who were silly enough to land on the ground near her. She was out in a bikini that day with a halter style top. She had been asked by management not to wear the string ones anymore because they sometimes "accidentally" came undone. Not that she could explain how that happened. Apparently the water broke them or something like that. The right cup had a pair of cherries on it. That had been the reason she got it in the first place.

All this week when she came here, an interesting thing had caught her attention. She had noticed the flocks of younger girls hanging around when someone would show up. Seeing someone have that many people hounding him made her jealous. Deep down, she was seething with envy. She was so jelly that if you were what you felt; she'd be 100% pure cherry jello cup for sure. However, Cherry was almost always diplomatic. Never one to want to have to resort to fighting or anything with such outright hostility or malice. No. She preferred to handle things entirely different. Finally, today when she came to the pool, she came with a loose plan. She would stick it to all those lame a** girls who fawned over the guy and not her. It was going to be a little rude, but she was going to do it anyways. She waited till he was well into his routine. then, when he stopped to fix his hair, she saw her opportunity. She quickly slipped in the pool, swam up to him, and circled around him. " can help you with that. Since I have long hair too, I'm really good at putting mine up." Her eyes were full of the hunt, and if she were lucky, he wouldn't notice and rebuff her.

Xander didn't notice Cherry coming over, but when she spoke, he turned and looked at her. "Thanks that would be really appreciated. One would think I would be able to tie it up better, but its not easy when its wet like that. I think it may be time for a haircut." He handed over the hair tie and saw no problems in allowing Cherry to tie his hair up for him. He didn't realize her intentions weren't exactly as innocent as they appeared to be.

"I'm Xander," he said introducing himself to Cherry. She had offered to help him and he figured he'd at least pay her back by not remaining a total stranger. Beyond that he didn't say anything else. He wasn't exactly a conversationalist, not especially if he was the one that had to start the conversation. He was currently just relieved that maybe he might be able to finish his swim without his hair coming free of the tie.

The minute he responded with acceptance, her smile never faded. In fact, it continued to grow brighter. "You're so welcome! I know just what you mean. Well, ok... maybe not exactly. My hair isn't curly. It can be wavy, and the curls that are usually at the bottom of mine are put there with a curling iron or some rollers...." Though while she started gathering his hair and working on it with the same gentility she would her own. She would sometimes though saying nothing in particular to him make faces to make the girls by the side of the pool think it was much more exciting. "I'm Cerise, but most people who know me call me Cherry... like as in pie." Her saying so was in an almost sing song voice.
Cherry was neither for or against conversation. Being a diplomatic and self serving type, she often just talked with people for as much as was necessary to work whatever personal agenda she had. For now, there wasn't much to do except to possibly make good with this guy. If she could make progress and thus in turn offend all the other girls there. Well, wouldn't that just be the icing on the cake?
As she finished, she gently let go and gently patted his arm before coming around the front of him. She attempted to make keen eye contact she often used in charming others. "I see you been here almost daily with this routine. Is it really helpful for keeping in shape? Mind if I... swim with you?" She knew she was really kind of just possibly interrupting someone else's personal time and exercise, but hey! A girl had to do whatever. She had noticed previously him not really attending to the other girls. If she could get more response out of him, well wouldn't that just burn the biscuits of every girl watching from the sides. She could feel their glares already. It was almost as soothing as the warm sun touching her skin.

Xander gave a bit of a laugh at her ramble, he didn't know the first thing about curling ones hair. Everyone in his family had curly hair and generally left it alone, except for the occasional cut. "It's nice to meet you Cerise. That is a very pretty name, Cherry is nice too, but if you don't mind I will call you Cerise. Are you french?" Xander wasn't like his sister's, he was a bit more formal and preferred people's birth names, nickname were used much less frequently until he was far more comfortable with a person.

When she was finished with his hair he gave her and smile and thanked her, but it seemed she wanted to talk more and she had been helpful so he didn't see a problem with it. When she asked if she could swim with him, he wasn't so sure about it though. "It's helpful in keeping me in shape. It's the thing Im best as physically, so it's what I do. As often as I can. Ive been lucky this week being able to get in here before work, but I work in the E.R. so I'm sure it won't always be possible. But, I digress, if you would like to swim with me, that is fine, though I have to ask if you a good swimmer because a friend challenged me to swim once and I ended up finding out he couldn't swim very well."

Xander wasn't trying to be insulting, but he didn't want to take off swimming only to find out that Cerise couldn't even remotely keep up. The race between him in Richard had been no contest, at all.

Cherry smiled away her charming smile. Her smile kicked it up a notch when he said her name was nice. If there was one thing to know about this girl, she had quite an ego. She liked nothing better than compliments and hearing other people acknowledge her greatness. She was completely in love with herself. When other people were astute enough to discern this for themselves. It raised her opinion of them dramatically. In fact, she had been known to judge people harshly who were dismissive of her and would refuse to see her amazing self no matter what she did to show them.
"Yeah. You can call me Cerise, of course. Thanks. Well, my mother is french. Supposedly, my father met here while in Paris on an assignment there. I've never been there though. She often talks about how she needs to go back and see her family. How she wants me to go to..."

She sighed whimsically. The idea of going to France was always one of particular interest. France in general sounded rather fancy and posh. She liked that a great deal. Then, she quickly changed gears with him as he answered her questions about the swimming. "Yeah. I'm not sure what I'd say is the best thing I'm at physically. Other than walking, I don't really do anything enough to determine that I guess. I sure could use it though. Gotta keep my figure in tact!" She just giggled. Then, she moved to be rather next to him.

"Oh, Xander... Aren't you just the cutest thing ever... Of course, I'm a great swimmer. I'm either great at something, or I absolutely just don't do it." Then again, that was likely her ego tripping all over itself. "Oh, well... I mean.. would it be a race? I was just gonna follow your pattern and swim parallel to you.. But.. oh.. a race? I think I'm pretty down for that."

The idea of competing with this guy to see if she was better. Also, to see if she were better than whoever this other friend of his was. "You are so on!" She smacked the top of the water with enthusiasm. She grinned sheepishly at the people on the other side who whined about her splashing them. She waved at them. "Sorry!" Her eyes flashed with excitement. She really hoped she was at least as good as this person. At least, it'd be great to beat his other friend. She loved being the best of people's friends.

Xander nodded, her name was french so it didn't surprise him. When she spoke about her mother he couldn't help but to smile, he had to admit he found himself missing his mother now that they no longer lived in the same country. To go from seeing your parents everyday to seeing them pretty much only on major holidays was hard. When Cerise said her mother wanted her to go Xander definitely thought she should go. "France is beautiful. I have only been their twice while I live in England, but it is a lovely city and you will likely enjoy it especially if you have family there. I can't speak french, so it would have been nice to have a french friend or family member their. Instead my family relied on my father and sister's minimal french."

Xander didn't know how to respond to her saying she was probably best at walking or the comment about her figure, so he stuck to a generic comment because he felt like a fish out of water so to speak. "Exercise is important. It's nice to stay in shape. I don't want to feel more bogged down and tired than necessary. Eat right and keep fit, those things are essential for the body." It was such a doctor answer, but it was the only answer he had.

Xander's cheeks flushed slightly at being called cute, it made him feel kind of young and he wasn't not really at all, "I'm not cute," she started but didn't press further. HE hardly realized he was very easy on the eyes. He almost frowned at her not doing things she wasn't good an encouragement on the tip of his tongue, but he stopped realizing he did the same thing. He hadn't been good at any sport except swimming and he hadn't thought or wanted to give them another shot after failing miserably at them.

"I'm glad to hear you are a good swimmer and I wasn't suggesting a race. I don't mind if you swim parallel ...," he said but she seemed excited, so he changed up not wanting to hurt or disappoint her to much. They were after all having a fairly nice conversation which wasn't exactly common for Xander. "... if you want to race though, that's fine too."

As Cerise accidentally splashed some of the onlookers at the pool, he couldn't help but to parallel the meeting to his meeting with Richard. He laughed at how similar they were even if the order of how things happened was different. He thought briefly that maybe he should make more effort to talk to people at the pool every so often. "I will definitely be telling my friend Richard about this meeting, it so much like when I met him here. I guess we ought to race them, because then it will be really similar, only I doubt you will look like your half drowning."

So, he lived in England before? Amazing! She wondered if it were London at that. Or.. What was that other city that had a lot of history and fab to it. She couldn't remember, but most of the time, Brits always seemed to be just about as classy as French folk were. Of course, deep down, she felt another pang of envy. He had been outside this country; Cherry never had. This immediately went on her bucket list of things she wanted to do before having children. GO to France..AND ENGLAND TOO!

She hummed some sing song like notes in agreement with him about the body. "Yeah. I can definitely use more help with eating right. I've been doing better. I have been cutting back on the coffee. The only sweets I eat mostly are just taste testing the desserts I maek for bake sales and whatnot." Oh yeah. She managed to slip in her forte of baking. That was where her true gifts lie. She didn't intend for him to be overly excited about it or anything. Someone who was intent on keeping his body fit; he probably wouldn't eat much pie or cinnamon rolls. She just left it there. Never know when sharing information with someone would turn into a networked connection down the road!

She then smiled a squeeful smile. These grew rare for her as being as old as she was in her late 20's; it was totally uncool to react like this. She never did the teenager kawaii desu reactions. His blush though looked super adorable to her. She would have said something except she caught his tone when he said he wasn't cute. "Are you not cute because... cute sounds like maybe not a masculine enough description?"

She wasn't asking him to making fun either. She was always interested in what made others tick. It was part of her diplomatic nature. Her diplomacy often steered her to take other people's feelings into consideration. If she were ever going to walk right over their feelings, she'd at least know she was doing it first off. She'd do it with every intention of being a jerk. Not that it came to that very often.

So then she moved down the lane to stand next to him ready to race to the end of the pool. "Is it... first one to touch the wall down there and be back here first?" Her eyes lit up at hte mention of his friend, Richard. Could he be the same Richard she knew? Hahaha... Well... Now she felt ten times as motivated to do well. She fancied in her mind going up to him the next time she saw him and ask about his lack of knowing how to swim. How if he wanted her to be his life ring; she would. She was so entirely tickled by this; she was having a hard time not letting her laugh out loud. "Does... your friend... Does he happen to also own a candy store? And... have red hair and red eyes?" Was she being too nosy? The chances of him knowing the same person. It wasn't out of the question in this town, but she was just surprised a little bit. It amused her to know they were befriending the same people.

She mused inwardly how she only came to talk to him to piss off the girls lounging on sun lounge chairs. She bathed in their glares she was getting left and right. She found the more she heard from him; the more she liked him. If he knew Moreau, she was going to make sure to befriend this guy as well. "I like you, Xander. Maybe one day, I'll surprise you with one of my yummies." Then, she got in position. "Ok, you ready? on 3, 2, 1, GOOOO..." and off into the water she went.

Xander hadn't really took notice of her earlier mention of pie, but her mention of baking desserts got him thinking about pie. Of course if she baked desserts she could bake pie right. "Oh you bake, do you work at a bakery or is it strictly a bake sale or charity type thing?" He wanted to know, all thoughts of healthy eating out the flown out the window, especially if it meant a new place to get good pie. He was doubtful though if her pie would be better than Noah's but he wasn't about to knock it, until he tried it. That was of course if she backed pies at all.

Xander cheeks flushes even more at the her guessing why he wasn't too keen on being called cute, she wasn't right really, but her guess didn't make him sound to mature. Honestly neither did his reason. "I just feel have a certain age you stop being cute, though people disagree. I don't feel I'm particularly cute, especially not at 28. I'll be 29 in August, so no definitely not cute." But he was, in his gestures and his looks, cute meant different things to different people.

He moved with her when it seemed she was setting up to race him, but was side tracked by her giving an accurate description of Richard. He couldn't remember if the other owned a candy shop, but he definitely have red hair and eyes. So it was like that he did in fact own a candy shop. "Yes, that's a pretty accurate description of him. Well I'm not sure he owns an candy shop, but how many other guys name Richard, which red hair and eyes could their be."

Xander finished getting into position to race and gave Cerise a curious look at her saying that she liked him, for once actually believing that she might. The offer of yummies, was definitely welcome and he couldn't help but to put in a request, "cherry apple pie, or blueberry, or peach." This however served to get him left behind when she kicked off thinking about pie. Still he was taller so her head start didn't bother him, as he took off, being 6' had its advantages. The main being when he kicked off he was already half way to the other side, so he didn't actually have far to swim. He swam as fast as he could, flipping at the end and kicking off once more to rocket him half way before he swam the rest of the way. He touched the side and popped up to catch his breath feeling confident that he won, even if Cherry had a good head start.

It was a good thing that he didn't mention Noah to her aloud. It probably would have procured an even bigger reaction than her one to Richard. The fact they seemed to know the same people. How uncanny. However, she was fierce when it came to her pies. She wanted people to like hers the most. Liking her pies the most was pretty akin to just liking her personally the most out of anyone. Being liked the most out of anyone was right there at the top of her list. She had few other priorities that would motivate her to reconstruct entire week's worth of schedules to accommodate for becoming someone's favorite.
In fact, it was that sort of thing that got her working at the St. Waverly place for a while. She went there just to work and help Noah's diner to be a fly in his vicinity. Always there buzzing around where she could be seen. Right then, the idea of being Xander's friend and possibly a best friend of his was a necessary point on her new agenda. Whatever else she had been thinking about doing with her time was scrapped. Though her mind was all a stir with wanting to answer him about the pies; she had been swimming fiercely. Sadly, while she was swimming well. Being both shorter and a little slower from lack of frequent exercise held her back. She practically pouted when she was the last one up. "Ok. Well... free pie for you it is. You could have either of those flavors, but I got to tell you my cherry pie is what makes everyone weak in the knees. Peach is pretty seriously yum too."

Then, she felt she needed to be clear on that thing about not being cute at 28. "Also, just so you know. I'm also 28. I totally think people could say I'm cute. Of course, I'm much more pleased if they say I'm hot... or... drop dead gorgeous or a total babe. Any of that is acceptable. Cute doesn't have to mean you're cute like a baby kitten or the little footed pajamas kids wear. But, whatever man. What makes you happy is all that matters. If you don't wanna be cute, then what about....." While she tried to think of something else to offer as an exchange; she started slapping the top of the water. This time she smacked it right at him. A little smirk grew there. This time totally doing it on purpose to test his responses.

She let the Richard thing go. That was a juicy tidbit she'd keep filed away in her mind for her own uses. Instead though, she remembered she had forgotten to answer his first question. "Oh, and for that pie. I don't really make it at a bakery. I make it in my kitchen. My kitchen is like.. a sanctuary I guess. You should come by sometime after work. I'll make you a nice dinner with dessert." She squatted down into the water to let it cover her torso and shoulders. She kept moving around him as she talked. She LOVED having men over in her kitchen for these little dinners she'd give them. She rarely had anyone over at the same time as another guy. She liked taking the time to provide an intimate evening where she could learn more about whoever was visiting. She'd give people her undivided attention. She was pretty sure this Xander was a likable fellow. Something about him reminded her of her museum friend, Iouri.

"Do you have to work super long shifts when you're in the ER?"

Xander looked to Cerise who seemed like she would pout and oh how pouting made him so uncomfortable, because it lead to feeling of guilt like he done something wrong and needed to fix it. He was however save by her offer for free pie which he nodded to and readily excepted. "Make whatever you like, pie is my favorite and I haven't found a pie yet that I do not like. Even meat pie," he admitted. Intelligent and oblivious as he may be he did have one stereo typical male thing about him and that was he could definitely be intrigued by certain food of his liking, to a point anyway.

The cute conversation didn't help any in endeavor to feel more mature, he decided for now to agree to disagree and was pleasantly surprised at her seemingly agreeing not to call him cute. He had managed to flub up the conversation at all. It was actually going pretty smoothly, still he didn't realize the predator like behavior she displaced, but these things took time. Baby step, really leaps for Xander. She splashed him and he immediately splashed back recognizing at least the playfulness about her. He have a private pool at his house that he and his sisters swam in all their lives. He knew how to play in a pool, he just didn't often do it. This, however, cause a bit of a chain reaction as he splashed another lady near by who splashed back setting of a bit of a splashing war around them.

He was having a hard time hearing Cerise, "that sounds nice, though its might not be really possible. I tend to work late nights, mostly overnight, not always, but one of my days off could work better." He moved closer to Cerise splashing that the other's who splashed at him. Her question about the E.R. would have to wait for a few moments even though he sort of answered it already. "Let's get out shall we. The splash war is getting a bit out of hand. I'm sure they will blow the whistle soon."

At his suggestion, she quickly followed. Glancing behind, she smirked at all the girls who stared at her. Mission succeeded. As they made their way to a quieter spot, her attention returned to him personally,. She had found the conversation to be going much better than she initially hoped for. Finding out they shared a mutual friend was also a pleasant surprise. Thinking about his objections to the dinner invitation, she lit up with his alternative. "Your days off are ok too. Whatever works for you would work for me too. I'm completely open to accommodating your schedule. I only suggested after a shift since a lot of people are super hungry and in the mood for good eats when they get off of work. It's not like there's a bad time. I usually only work my real job in the mornings or afternoons."

As they walked to take a seat by Xander's duffle bag, he answered her previous questions, "And yes I do work long shifts in the hospital. I work in emergency pediatrics and our age limit is 21 so we are generally always busy, sometimes I have to work two shifts straight. It's okay though, I don't mind. I enjoy helping the children and teens get well."

He sat down on the lawn chair they had set up on the side of the pool, ever the gentleman leaving plenty of room if Cerise wanted to sit too. He didn't see why they couldn't both sit, that chair was long and their was plenty of room. He listened to her continue on about the dinner invitation. He honestly wasn't too sure how comfortable he was with going to her house as they had only just met. He didn't want to say no because he didn't want to upset her and he was actually for once doing a mostly good job at the whole conversation thing. "I think I would prefer it if maybe we went out of lunch or dinner. I feel like having dinner at your house when we just met is a boundary that maybe shouldn't be crossed."

Old-fashion, yes he was, but he didn't like the idea of getting signals crossed and he didn't want to make it seems like he was possibly looking for something he wasn't. He didn't know, he just didn't think it seemed very appropriate.

Most things involving Cherry were anything BUT appropriate. She was one of those girls moms warned their sons about. Most of her conquests and entanglements were never from a place of even wanting any king of future with someone. Usually it was never a problem as most guys had no problem with it. Once in a great while, someone would take it wrong. This was also often the case when she would like someone enough to see them off and on or multiple times. Of course invitations to her house were always laced with intent to undo her visitor. Like a predator laying a trap for her prey. In fact, not unlike the witch from Hansel and Gretel, except instead a house made of candy, she lured with other sweets and carnal pleasures. His reluctance to jump on her invite caused her to give him a more closer look. It wasn't everyday she met someone more concerned with their propriety. He wasn't at all like the others. Suddenly that made him seem even more desirable. In her heart, she coveted not so much him as a person. She felt like she needed his approval. She wanted him to be willing to come to her house even if he stuck to his boundaries. She then knew this might take more time. Perhaps a few meetings. So she sat down next to him in her confident way she did everything. "Ok. Fair enough. Or, hey... would you be opposed to me just dropping off stuff for you at the hospital? Like, it'd be meals you could eat while on breaks. I don't even have to be there." Coming from her, that was supremely generous. She only fed people to watch them be overwhelmed with how amazing her food tasted in their mouth. She savored their palettes being stunned with her glory and talent.

Xander was surprised at the offer, but it was one that made his far more comfortable. Still he would insist on dinner or something, but he definitely didn't mind delivery of dinner and fresh pie. He gave a nod, "I think that would be just fine and I wouldn't mind if you stayed for a bit. There's a cafe in the hospital and lots of lobbies. It doesnt seem very fair if you're just making and dropping off food. I can give you my number if you like, so you can call before you come because heavens knows I might be wrist deep in surgery."

He leaned over reaching into his duffle bag and fishing out his cellphone his wet hair dripping everywhere in the process. He fished out a towel to because felt a little cold and his hair was heavy when it was wet. He unlocked and handed his phone over to Cerise and the proceeded dry his hair with the towel he pulled out. Their wasn't much of anything on his phones, only pictures he had we're from when his sister's stole his phone, both red headed and clearly related to him, his background was of his house in England, pretty boring nothing to exciting and not many numbers to speak of, just an okay amount. If she looked she was see Lily, Rose, Orah, Hannah, Richard, Boaz, Quiyue, Ulane, among others.

Egads! He was so polite, holy cow. His insistence she stay if she came all that was appeased her. Surgery, wow, so he was that kind of doctor too? For a brief moment, she recalled that song of 'dr dr, gimme the news, I got a bad case of luvin you...' She would have sang it for him except she didn't want him to think she was making fun. She felt like she was making lots of headway. A phone number!!! How adorable!!! When he passed her his phone, she took and put in both her home phone and her cell phone. When she passed it back, she flashed him one of her super charming smiles. "Ok. Pie or no pie. If you ever are on your free time and need a wingman; feel free to hit me up. I might not be a man, but I am always looking for something exciting to do." She wondered what the chances were her or Richard would ever get a call if the two of them were hanging out, and all three of them ended up hanging out. The idea of hanging out with actual friends and not just easy lays; it was like the same experience people got when they observed paintings of places far away they had never been to. Sure, she got along with everyone, but the tragic side of living the life she did. There wasn't much room for in depth relationships. When most people became aware of her promiscuous nature, they just tended to not hang out with her anymore. She then shrugged. "I mean... normal dinner and or lunch are totally ok too. Lunch is a little more tricky since I often work during the middle of the day. I appreciate your being considerate of me. I was just offering you food while you're at work because you're there saving lives. If you're there for more than 24 hours in a row, you sure need something good right? Can't live on an empty stomach?" Oh yeah. The cafe at the hospital. Of course, in her own mind, that was like comparing eating french fries to eating a pot roast. She then was going to give him her phone except it was in the girls locker room. "Are you on your way out? If you are, I can go grab my phone from my locker." She then wondered if she should just go get it. Why waste a chance like this. Then, she ran off to go get it.

Xander pulled the towel down off his head, knowing his hair even though tied back was frizzy and probably sticking off, but he didn't really care all to much. At her offer to call any time, Xander was kind of impressed with himself. It seemed that he really had managed to make another friend and at the pool no less. It made his feel a little more his age and less like an awkward freshman which he certainly was not. "Well I'm not the most exciting person, but if I ever find myself doing something exciting I will give you a call." Truthfully the most exciting thing he had planned was a trip to England in the summer which he was still trying to convince he sister to come on and she was still refusing. He hoped he would get her to change her mind by July. The only other potentially exciting thing he did, wasn't a good kind of exciting and he had not plans of ever involving someone in them if he could help it.

Xander gave a nod when she said a normal dinner would be fine, of course he idea of a normal dinner was at a five star restaurant, but by her shrug he guessed it wasn't her sort of thing. He smiled at her when she talked about him saving lives and needing food deciding not to mention he had a private cook at home and wasn't likely to ever go hungry ever, but he wasn't going to turn down the opportunity for good pie from a new friend.

"I certainly can't live on an empty stomach. It's really nice of you to offer to do something so nice for me. I will definitely try to make sure I do something nice for you too. I may be saving lives but your giving them something sweet in life."

He nodded when she asked if he was headed out, he didn't think he was going to get back into the pool, wasn't like he couldn't come back soon. When she ran off he figured she was going to get her phone, so he hit the send call button so that it would ring and she would have his number simply enough. He waited wondering if she would answer or figure it was him and let it go to voicemail.

Perhaps it was a good thing she didn't know that he had a private cook. Or just how well off he was. She hadn't been an especially using person beyond using guys for a good time. However, she had a shortlist of some rather high aspirations. She wanted to be able to move out of her folks house. While she often did all right in having her little private dinners at her kitchen, it was always a sketchy event. She wouldn't actually invite people to stay the night unless her folks were away visiting others. She never wanted others to know that the house actually belonged to her folks and not to her. It was a source of her frequent inner meditating on whether to put them into one of those senior living complexes with other old people. If she had her own place and space, that'd just be the best. Beyond that, her greatest aspiration was to have a cooking show on tv. She wanted to be like Sara Lee, Martha Stewart, or any of those other ladies who had famous cooking shows. She wanted it so much that lately she had started researching how much it'd cost her on the local public access channel to air a half hour segment every Sunday night that was her preparing a different dessert. The number one thing that stopped her was the reluctance to share her secret recipes. Having someone who might be someone who could back her or support her, well, she wouldn't be beyond taking or seeking their help. At her core, she thought the most of her own self and needs. She'd do just about anything to get what she wanted. Those were feelings and aspirations that drove her to a point of almost willing to sell her soul. Little did anyone know that it would soon possibly come to that.

She then squeed and giggled to herself once she was in the safety of the locker room. That had all gone rather well. Sure, she wouldn't' be taking him tonight. From the sounds of it, she wouldn't even probably achieve her ends for him even the next time. She decided to for once in her life just not worry about that and wait and see how this progressed on its own. As she opened her locker, she heard it ringing. The number she didn't recognize. She picked it up right away. What if it was that really hot guy from the other night! She picked it up right away. "Hi there! Who's this?"

Xander sat on the chair phone and half and tried not to laugh at the excited way she answered the phone. It was sweet, "it's Xander," he said, "I figured I'd just call you so that you would have my number since your number is already in my phone." He stood gathering his things still completely oblivious of the pouts and glares that were aimed at him as well as the ladies locker room. "I've got to get changed and head to the grocery store to get a few things, but you can call me whenever you like. I wait for you to come out so we can say goodbye though."

He was ever the gentleman, and saying goodbye to someone over the phone who had was just a few feet away was rude. He made his way closer to the locker room, no need to make her walk all the way to him, still he was a respectable distance away. He wanted to say it proper and tell her it was nice to meet her.

Holy cow. Was he even ******** kidding? He was going to wait for her to come out to say goodbye? She almost dropped her phone. She couldn't think of a single time anyone else had done something like that. Even her good friend, Iouri who had been what she considered an epitome of good manners. Up till he said that, she had considered maybe staying at the pool a little longer. However, at that, she was quick to snap to. "Ummm... HEY XANDER! Well, thanks, and Ok. Just gimme a sec though. I gotta throw my cover up on, and I'll be out."

When she hung up, she stuck the phone in the small hobo bag. She then grabbed her cover up, and she shimmied into it. She didn't even bother to dry off. She only bothered to run her fingers through her hair after pulling the ponytail band out of it. When she thought she was safe for heading out and about, she slipped her feet into her sandals. Then, she slipped out of the front side of the ladies locker room. Her smile and happy demeanor were really at an unusual high. Usually her smiles and happiness were derivatives of mischief and inappropriate behavior. To just feel legitimately excited about someone who was waiting on her, she was beyond even just satiated in her ego. She was borderline twinkling like she was almost ten years younger. "Well, how will i know it's not a good time to call you because you're on a long shift? Also.... I'd rather just say see you later than say goodbye." This was all making her feel like maybe there was a nicer, sweeter and less selfish person somewhere deep down inside. Color her surprised and confounded.

Xander gave a laugh, "alright. I'll be right outside the locker room." He had planned to get changed, but if she was leaving he figured he should probably walk her out. So he pulled a plain navy blue t-shirt out of his duffle and put it on. He could change his clothes when he got home. A towel over his seat in the car would keep the seats from getting messed up, not the leather minded water to much.

When she walked out she indeed looked ready to do, so Xander put his duffle on his shoulder and motion for her to come along. "I'll walk to out," he said before answering her question, "well you can text me. I try to answer my texts back as quickly as possible even if I prefer talking on the phone. If I am busy, my phone is set to auto-respond, in the ER, I will get right back to you."

He gave her a smile, "that reminds me of how my mother always says, no goodbyes are forever. I will see you soon. If you prefer see you later, that see you later it is."