On the road to recovery (Marree)

[Jack Lexington]

From my position on the chair I can't see which neighbor she's talking about. There are a lot of people with children on the street. But when she's talking about Mr. Grumpy downstairs I know exactly who she means.
"Oh you met Mr. Grumpy. Don't worry about him. He's always like that. I've never seen the guy in a good mood. " To make a point I stomp my good foot on the wooden floor boards. "Right?"

I'm a little surprised that she'd put ice cubes in our cups because tea is supposed to be hot but maybe she likes hers cold or drinkable so I don't say anything.
Kalina likes my food, which is flattering or very polite, I'm not sure so I taste it and come to the conclusion that it is edible and not that bad. "You do? Good, cause I can't help it if you don't."

She goes on to tell me about her work the next day, which makes me think that she might have some spare time later in the afternoon. "If you're not too busy..." Am I getting ahead of myself if I ask her to see me again. I bite my lip smiling and take a spoonful. "It's not that bad for a guy who can't really cook, eh?"

Shaking my head I assure her that she doesn't sound like a broken record. "No, I mean, not really, I do have some hobbies. I like swimming and playing the odd game of football..." Scratching my head I wonder what else I could tell her. "When I was younger I used to play the mandolin but not anymore, so you could safely say I don't have anything to do." I shrug because unfortunately I can't tell her any more intellectual hobbies because I don't read or write poems or anything like that.
"What about you? Maybe you can show me one of yours so I don't become too bore while I have to sit around."
Scooping up some more food I keep blowing at the hot food and eat it. I've been really hungry so my plate is already half empty while hers has barely changed.
"Are you sure you like it?"

Suddenly there's a loud knock on my door that makes me jump. My neighbors voice hollers through the door. "Stop making so much noise, James!" The guy never gets my name right. Plus he seems to be having an extremely bad day.
"That's what happens when people are unemployed for too long." I whisper and show her not to answer the man.

[*]

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Kalina nodded with yet another bite of the potatoes, but taking to the cold tea instead. She leaned back in her chair for a moment as Tyler began to say something, but went another direction with his words. "Its great Tyler. I mean, Chef Tyler."

She wondered what he was going to ask her. She was curious if he was going to ask her to visit him again. She wouldn't deny the visit, though she wondered how he was going to get to his construction site unaided. She would be working with the tree's tomorrow, but maybe once she got done, she could stop by? Surprise him with a visit?

She takes a few more bites of the potatoes, listening to his hobbies. A lot of the things that he wouldn't be able to do without the use of the uncasted leg, so her reasoning for asking was pretty much gone. She was hoping that he would have something to do to make his days go by faster. In the hospital, at least he would have the constant companions of his groaning neighbors or his nurses. At home? She could only imagine how bored he would be. Would she be welcomed to his place without wearing out her welcome?

"The mandolin? You have got to show me, if you've got the instrument with you!" Kalina told him. She wondered if he'd still be able to play it even though he mentioned only playing it when he was younger. She picked up her cup again, drinking it once more. "Oh, I have no hobbies to speak of. Really! None that I can think of. Other than climbing trees, or just shaping them. I don't think you can really call that a hobby. Let alone one I can show you to keep you entertained."

She noticed his plate was already half gone, whereas her's was barely touched. He commented on it, making her shy about it. "Of course. I've always been one to savor the flavor rather than to eat out of haste and trying to let it cool off a bit more" She tells him, giving him a warm smile as she, too, takes up a fork full and lightly blowing on it. Just as soon as she tries to take a bit, a loud knock makes her jump, and she looks ot the door.

"Who do you suppose?" She whispers out to Tyler, and takes the motion not to speak. She doesn't, but she has a hard time keeping a grin from showing. "Who is it? Is it that man from downstairs again?" She whispered to him. She stands up and walks over to the door to listen outside of it. WAiting to see if he'll walk away. She listened intently to try to see if he was still standing. She could hear his breaths. She shook her head to Tyler and mouthed the words. 'He's not leaving'. She shrugged her shoulders. 'What do you want me to do'? She questioned Tyler. Should she open it or let him walk away, if he did.

[Jack Lexington]

"No, I don't have a mandolin anymore. The one I had broke and .... I haven't really gotten around to playing all that much anymore. Didn't have any time. Maybe I'll try and find a used one because I seem to have more time at my hands than I can handle right now."

I can't believe Kalina is actually getting up to open the door. When I think she'll opened it and most likely receive the shitstorm directed at me, she has the sense to wait and whisper what she should do.
Wildly I shake my head and gesture for her to keep the door shut.

Instead of letting her open I clear my throat and say loud and clear so the man on the other side can hear it.
"I got you...understood. Now go home."
Instead of him leaving the guy decides to bang on my door again and says a little too loud to be comfortable. "If I had a home where I could just be in peace but you and your darn friends disturb me constantly. Today this girl comes by and yesterday and the day before you're always making so much damn noise."
Both of us look at each other because I wasn't even here the day before.
For a while I keep quiet, then simply say out loud. "Alright."
"No, not alright, open the damn door, James!" He shouts out.
So I cast an apologetic glance at Kalina and get up to make my way over to where she's standing. As soon as she's stepped out of the line of fire I turn the handle and look into my neighbors bright red face.
Trying to remain calm I tell him. "Listen, I don't want any trouble and I haven't been noisy. I wasn't even here two days ago. It's the kids down the hallway."
For a moment he gives me an irritated look, then his eyes spot Kalina and his face turns even a little more red. "Her! She's disturbed me."
His finger points right at my friend, which I find very rude. If it wasn't for her I'd probably give him a piece of my mind now but I hold my horses and swallow any other comments.

[*]

Kalina stood right by the door, awaiting the chance to open it or to keep it closed. She was unsure if the guy would try to break it down or not, but he wasn't moving. The moment she was trying to ask Tyler what to do, another, very loud, banging occured. Kalina jumped back in fear that he was about to do just what she was thinking he was going to. She was expecting the door to just fly open. Her eyes darted to Tyler. His voice comes out in a demanding tone for the man to leave. It doesn't work.

Kalina doesn't jump as much as she did the first time, but the guy was relentless. He just wouldn't leave well enough alone. instead the guy bangs on the door yet again. She steps back even more, especially when Tyler gets up and comes over to her. She places a hand at his back as he stands in front of her. She shakes her head at Tyler and whispers into his ear. "Be careful, k? Maybe he'll just leave?"

Tyler opens the door and the man begins his rage of words. Kalina tries to hide herself behind Tyler, but the man spots her anyways. It is then that he begins to point a finger at her. Her body runs cold. She doesn't know whether or not to say something or stay quiet and Tyler seems upset about the whole sitation as he just takes the angry words from his downstairs neighbor. Kalina couldn't just let him run his mouth.

"Sir, I"m sorry I woke you earlier. I was only trying to find Tyler. I meant no harm. I've never been to this side of town before. I was lost. Besides, He's been in the hospital for the last week or so, so how could he possibly even have been making the noise? You need to leave now, I'm sure. PLease? It was purely accidental. I apologize!" Kalina had walked out from behind Tyler, trying to defend him and herself from this man. His face screws up a bit more. The apology wasn't acceptable to him. Instead, he jabs his stubby finger into Kalina's shoulder hard, her body jarred a little.

"You DON'T tell me what to do. I'll stay here for as long as I want to, and no little girl can tell me different. I'll leave when I'm damn well ready to." He shouts at Kalina. She puts a hand to the spot where the man jabbed her and shook her head.

"I said I was sorry for waking you... what do you not understand? Now, as I said, I think it's time for you to go. It won't happen again." Her voice came out again, the confidence she has moments ago, came out even stronger this time. Her eyes staring deeply at the man. The man looks to Tyler, then back at her. Would he dare to try to make a move? Would he turn around and leave or make things worse? It was all in Kalina's mind that he would turn away. She didn't want to fight him. She wouldn't be able to. Her concerns were with Tyler. He was in no shape to take a fight because she spoke up against the man. Kalina began to shut the door, hoping that he would just let it close and the confrontation be done.

[Jack Lexington]

The moment he touches Kalina something inside me explodes. I can't help but slap his hand away from the girl. The last thing I want is a fight with my neighbor but he's really asking for it. Of course I know he'll come out on top but something tells me I have to defend Kalina.

Her words area apologetic but the way she tells him to leave doesn't sit well with the guy from downstairs. So he puts his foot in the door and pushes iot open again.
"Don't tell me what to do, little girl." He glares at her, then changes his wild look onto me.
Through gritted teeth I tell him "You touch her one more time and you'll regret it." The guy must know that I mean every word I say. After all I have a reputation of putting my money where my mouth is and my injury stems from the last fight against a virtual giant, that i didn't stand a chance against. That won't stop me though. neither will my neighbor.
With my left hand I direct Kalina behind me and away from the door because I don't want her to get caught in the middle.
My neighbor shoots another nasty look at her, then me, pushes the door open with full force so I have to back away. Of course I don't make it that quickly so I fall backwards onto my butt.
Just when I think he's going to launch himself at me or her he looks at my sorry figure on the ground and starts laughing like a mad man. He's shaking with laughter from one moment to the next. The next thing I know is he's shaking his head, turns around and leaves.

The door remains wide open while his slow steps walk away from it and then down the old, wooden stairs.
Irritated I watch him leave, then look over at Kalina, who seems bewildered.
"Are you okay?"
With some effort I make it back to my feet and close the door, then lean my back against it letting out some air. Suddenly I also chuckle. "Weird!"

My eyes meet her dak ones before I commend her. "Wow, you're really brave!" There's a lot of admiration in my voice. She's the only girl who would actually stand up against a fully grown man.

[*]

Kalina couldn't help but feel a shot of adrenaline course through her viens when the man jabbed his finger into her shoulder hard. She didn't react to it, but instead Tyler did by slapping his hand away. She felt safe around him. She was also sure, if he wasn't at such a disadvantage then he would have gone off on him all the way. Why was he holding back? Was it because she was there or simply because he didn't want to fight. Fear stricken, she tried to close the door on the man, but he puts his foot in the door. Something she really didn't expect. She wanted him to just walk away. To leave Tyler and her alone so that they may finish their meal. However, the guy had no plans of doing so. He pushed the door open against Kalina'a own hand. She stumbled back a little as she once again called her a little girl. Tyler, though, stands up for Kalina. Her eyes look at him fearfully and with respect. Any man who defends a woman with those words are worth keeping around. SHe made a mentle note of that.

Kalina sees the motion Tyler gives her and she goes behind Tyler again. Her hand going to his back. Her fingers shaking as she watches the man's blood boil. The door opens with a crack as it slams against the wall behind the door. Kalina gasps loudly. If she had been behind the door, it woudn't have turned out good at all. She was thankful for Tyler's quick thinking to make her move, but the swinging door had Tyler backing away and with little effort to try to keep him up, he falls anyways and so does she.

To see the two sitting on the ground would put humor to anyone from the situation was a lot more dire. The man leaves without so much as a goodbye, but uses his laughter as his exit. Tyler makes it to a standing position before she does and he asks her if she's okay. She's visibly shaking but nodds anyways. She stands to meet his eyes. She returns his question. "Are you alright, too, Tyler?" She could only imagine that the fall must have jolted his leg. After all he'd been through just to now have this stress put on his leg. She would feel awful he had done something more to his leg because of this guy and because she spoke out of fear against the guy.

"Brave? More like stupid and terrifying!" She tells him and wraps her arms up into her body. She turns away from the door and Tyler, walking to his couch. She sat down, leaning back against the cushions, and brought her hands up to her face. Her breaths come out in slow, uneven breaths, as she searched for Tyler. Searched for his eyes to tell her it was alright. She wanted to see the caring and comfort in them. He couldn't know the thoughts running through her mind.

Now the question was, if she'd be able to make it past his door without another commotion, or would he be waiting for her? Waiting to taunt her or jab another stubby finger into her shoulder. She subconsciously brought a hand up to her shoulder, feeling the foreign touch she didn't want. She remembered the way Tyler reacted when he touched her. "... a charming neighbor you got there, Tyler."

She made an effort for a joke, although her voice was quiet. The food sits on the table, cooling all the while. THe steam starting to disappear the longer they stay away from the table.

[Jack Lexington]

It was true, the fall had sent a jolt up into my hip and even though I'm concerned about it, right now my focus is on Kalina, who's also taken a fall right behind me. Who knows, maybe I've fallen onto her fragile frame with my heavy weight.
As soon as I stand I hold on to the shelf next to us and offer her a hand to pull her up. Concern evident on my feature I ask. "I'm fine, I think. Are you okay? Did I fall on you?"
The look on her face has completely changed from this brave gleam in her eyes to absolutely terrified. Obviously my rude neighbor has scared her, which I don't like one bit. Under any other circumstances I would have dashed after him and challenged him to a fight.
As she walks over to the couch I hobble to the door to close it so he can't come back and enter my apartment, then I pad over to her and sit on the couch next to her.
"I'm really sorry, Kalina. The guy's an idiot but he's usually not this bad. He must have a bad day."
Why am I making excuses for the man, who's been bugging me for months?

"You were pretty brave. I've never seen a girl hold her ground against a stranger like that."
To my shame I must admit falling onto my behind in a little graceful way wasn't really what I'd want to put on display for her. Somehow I have to set this straight or she'll think of me as a weakling.
"I should have pushed him the way he pushed us. I'm sorry. Next time I'll make sure I defend you better. I'm not always this..." No other word than weak comes to my mind so I swallow the end of my sentence.

When I look down I can see her hands on her own lap shaking. A little bewildered I look at the previously so strong girl. Her eyes are slightly wet and her lips trembling. Is she really that afraid?
Gently I put my arm around her shoulder and rub it. "Don't worry. He's not coming back. Do you want me to go down and make sure he's not bothering us any more...with the frying pan maybe?" The last part is a joke. I do plan on giving my neighbor a good talk, at least, though. Deep down I'm furiuous although I'm hiding it well with my guest.

All steam has vanished from our meal, which is most likely getting cold now.
I'm a little helpless when it comes to upset girls so I start biting my lip and then opt for getting her drink and offering it to her.

[*]

Kalina sat on the couch, waiting. Waiting for Tyler to make a move. Waiting on someone to knock on the door to find out what was going on. Waiting on the loud banging again to once again come across the door, signaling the man wanted more than to just walk away laughing. To be strong in the face of danger was one thing, but when all is said and done, the after effects weighed heavy on Kalina and she was sure Tyler was feeling the same thing. He apologizes to her, but he had no need to. It wasn't him that came up and challenged them. Tyler didn't jab a finger into her shoulder. Tyler had done what he could. He tried to protect her. Luck just wasn't ontheir side with Tyler not being up to par. Kalina didn't blame him in the least.

"Tyler.. don't apologize for something that he did." She told him, her hands brought down and laced together as he sat beside her. She listened to him tell her she was brave, but she didn't feel that way. She felt humiliated. Being called a little girl in front of Tyler. Pushed by the man. Then having him take advantage of Tyler's situation, no reguard to seeing his leg and then both of them falling in his sights. It was embarassing. Her cheeks turned a pink color. "I"m glad you didn't. I don't know what he would have done, if you had fought him back. I couldn't stand watching you get hurt."

Kalina reaches up, quickly wiping away the liquid that formed at the corner of her eye. Why was she starting to cry? She was so strong a minute ago. To stand up against the man, but now in front of Tyler, he'll see her weakness yet again. STorms of any sense seemed to terrify her. Instead of lightning and thunder, it was a storm of rage that almost led to a fight. Only minutes ago, she was dinning with an amazing man, smiling all the while. Just till now, and he's wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

There! That feeling again. She notices it once again as she's sitting with his arm around her. That comfort. That feeling of security and his words help it by him saying that he wont come back. Not to worry. She hears the words and the meaning behind them. She smiled partly when he mentions the frying pan. The sense of comfort lulls her enough, that he lays her head down on his shoulder. She takes in his scent. His skin. She don't want to leave his side yet, but he gets up and gets her drink. She takes it, holding it in her hands.

"Thank you Tyler." She took a sip of her cold tea, and let the cup settle in her hands. " I"m sorry. I hope that I havn't caused you neighbor to go off on you anymore after this. I.. do you think he'll start more trouble now? If I leave... I'd be afraid for you. If I had only went to the door on the other side, instead of picking his." She gave him a half smile.

She looked to the window again. The sun shining through the curtains. Some first date, right?

[Jack Lexington]

I can tell how bad Kalina is feeling, not only because she's scared but also for me. She's a sensitive girl, what can I say. If it was for me only I'd go down and punch my neighbor in the face for scaring my friend. Aparently Kalina thinks I work like her and tells me. "I"m glad you didn't. I don't know what he would have done, if you had fought him back. I couldn't stand watching you get hurt."
So I tell her what I think. "He's the one who can be glad because it wouldn't be me who'd get hurt. I can easily take on that old man!" Maybe I'm a little over confident right now but who cares?

Once my arm's around her Kalina becomes a little quieter, calmer. I'm not sure whether she feels comforted by me or whether she gets uncomfortable and therefore quiet because I'm too close.
Suddenly her head is on my shoulder so I think it's safe to assume it's the former. She seems to like being hugged by me.
"Welcome." I say in an unusually quiet tone.
Her hands aren't shaling any more but they are folded so tightly together I'm afraid she'll break her own fingers. The reason soon becomes known to me when she tells me what she's worried about.
" I"m sorry. I hope that I havn't caused you neighbor to go off on you anymore after this. I.. do you think he'll start more trouble now? If I leave... I'd be afraid for you. If I had only went to the door on the other side, instead of picking his."
"Oh shhh, stop blaming yourself." I shake my head and grin.
"No need to worry about me, Kalina. I'm a big boy and that down there is an old unemployed guy, who has nothing better to do than go off on all the people in the house. The only reason we haven't said anything to our landlord is because he doesn't have a job. If he ever looks at me weird again I'll not only punch his lights out but also make sure he'll get evicted. Don't worry. I'll have a chat with him once he's calmed down. And I'll walk you outside so you don't need to be scared of running into him." Gently I rub her hand but then drop it because my touching her seems a little inappropriate.
"Should we finish our meal before it's completely cold?"
I get up and taste a spoonful but have to admit. "Too late."

Somt strange idea crosses my mind while I look at her and a grin starts spreading on my lips. "Maybe I should go and thank him though...because of him I got to hug you." Could I be any more direct? I might as well tell her I'd like her to be more than just a friend.

[*]

Kalina suddenly felt like she had insulted him with her comment when he retorted back to her that he wouldn't be the one to get hurt. She shakes her head. "I didn't mean it that way... I would just be afraid he'd take advantage of you because of your leg. If it wasn't for that, I would say the same thing. I would be behind you all the way. I wouldn't worry... " She tells him. She's so used to her little sisters and taking care of the, and she didn't want to see anyone get hurt. Fights were something that could never have a good outcome. It would be bad for either party. Kalina didn't want to offend him with her comment, so she tried to make up for it with what she just had spoken.

As his arm was around her, she heard him whisper out 'welcome' to her and she gave him a half smile. Even when he returns a reply about not blaming herself, she still felt guilty. The man had a bad temper and she still was unsure if it would cause him problems after she left. After he would come back up to his apartment. She would worry all night until she saw him again, she was sure. She listens to his voice, taking every word and hanging on to the sound. It was easy to get lost in comfort around him and she didn't understand why. It was then that he touched her hand and rubbed it, did she look over at him, then he seemed to let it go almost as suddenly. Just earlier, she got jabbed in the shoulder by the man and the feeling still wanted to linger where it shouldn't have been, and just now Tyler had touched her hand and left it alone. A feeling she didn't want to leave. It gave her a sense of hope that they just might be more than friends, but he gets up.

Too late. His words come from the table. She didn't know if he was commenting on her previous thoughts or commenting on the food. Instead, she only nodded, getting up and walking over to Tyler. The distraction kept them from their warm meal. "It'll be fine. I'll warm them up."

Kalina walks over, taking both of the plates to the microwave. She sticks Tyler's in first and waits. She doesn't see that Tyler was looking at her, but his voice draws her out of her thoughts enough she hears him. She turns to him to reply. "Well, I guess that makes two of us.. even if he was being a pain, ruined our dinner and practically broke down the door... he did tell me where you lived. So, I guess the guy, somewhere really, really deep down has something good about him? You think?" Her eyes linger on Tyler momentarily, before her laugh erupts a little. Her body stance going back to normal as she switched out the plates to the food. She pushes a button and she brings Tyler his plate back and puts it on the table.

"It probably won't be the same reheated, but I'd rather start this where we left off before the interruption." She tells him and the microwave beeps. She returns with her plate and sits down. Her eyes flash to Tyler, then down to the plate, where the potatoes take to steaming once again. She uses her fork to mess with the potatoes before she takes a bite.

[Jack Lexington]

Kalina takes it upon herself to reheat our food, which I find amusing because only moments ago she was shaking. Maybe it's her way of dealing with things. So I let her do it and take a deep breath. My neighbor really ruined our 'date'. Could you really call it that though? I'm starting to wonder more and more what she wants from me..or not. What we are.
For a while I watch her place plate after plate in the microwave oven, then I ask her. "May I ask you a question?"
Instead of waiting for her permission I continue. "Are you taking care of me here because you pity me...or..." 'do you really like me?' I think but don't complete my sentence.
"I mean, would you do that for any guy you..." That sentence sounds really weird as well. As if I'm asking her whether she's a girl who continuously picks up strange guys. So I cut myself off.

"I mean..." That sentence gets stuck in my throat just like the ones before because I can't come up with any subtle way to ask her. Instead I turn red and smile.
"Would you like some more tea, Kalina?" It's very obvious that I'm embarassed. So I get up and walk over to the kitchen where she's standing to hold out her empty cup just to be a little closer to her again.

Downstairs we can hear some more yelling going on but this time it's not directed at us. Maybe my friendly neighbor has found a different target.
"Looks like somebody else knocked on his door." I smirk.
Then lowered my head to look her in the eyes. "You're not really worried about him any more, are you?"

[*]

Kalina was so in much in thought, that when Tyler had said something about asking her a question, she had to focus her eyes on him to do so. May I ask you a question? His words came out so foreign to her. It wasn't like it was going to be a regular question. Maybe this thing that Tyler wanted or needed to ask was something of importance. With his words, Kalina felt a sudden anxious emotion throughout her body. Would he comment on the man? Would he mention something about the fight again. What if he asked why she had stood up to him again. Would she be able to answer? That she was frightened he would get hurt. That the man might have even hurt her if she didn't do something about it? Ask her to not come back?

His questions come out all too sudden for her to comprehend. The questions broken and incomplete and before she knows it, his questions turn into yet another different one, and yet again half complete. It confused her, but she tried to gather what information she could get from his words, peiceing them together.

"Some more tea would be great." She accepts the offer and when he brings the pitcher to her, she wants nothing more than to have his arms around her again like moments ago. That was twice that she had been in his arms, or comforting reasons. What would happen for the third time? Would there even be a third time? She mused. Imagining the moment when they wouldn't pull apart from each other so abruptly, but it would only be in her thoughts. However, she would have to find a reason to be found back in his arms again, somehow. One day, if not sooner, than later. Good things come to those who wait.

"Tyler.. I didn't get to answer your question from earlier." She grinned at him from where she was sitting. She took a sip of the tea and sat it down. "I don't pity you at all. I can't beleive you would think that? I kinda like.... being with you. It was so weird that day when we met. Something drew me to you, but I'm not sure why. You keep me calm... something no one ever has done before. You are a mystery to me."

Kalina hesitates a little when she remembers his other half question. "...and to complete that last question, No. I don't just do that for any guy. Your the only one I have met that..." She grins heavily and turns her head. What was she going to finish saying? Though, before she does, there's a sound downstairs that gets Kalina's heart thumping a bit. The angry man that was just here not long ago was still at it. That meant that her walking by his door was going to be troublesome. That he would possibly be watching out for the moment she was to grace the first floor with her footsteps. She shudders momentarily at the thoughts, but Tyler's voice brings her out of the trance.

"No. Of course not. As long as you walk me down like you said you were going to do, right?" There. Another moment to keep with him for another short length of time. She tried to give him a positive grin against the question, but even though those moment of him intruding were gone, there was still a sense of dread to pass his door.

Kalina had looked around the room, until her eyes fell on the clock noticing what time it was. Their meal had been finished for only a few minutes, but she stood up. "I can help you with the dishes if you want? I need to be heading home with the things I got from town before my sister begins to wonder where I've been." She tells Tyler and takes her plate into the kitchen, washing off the dinnerware and placing it in the sink. She stood in the kitchen, looking back to Tyler, wondering what he was about to do.

[Jack Lexington]

After claiming that she doesn't pity me, Kalina tells me 'I kinda like.... being with you.' There's my answer. Unfortunately she added the 'kinda' but she enjoys my company and calls me a mystery.
"I don't understand what you mean..." I shake my head with a smile. "Nobody's ever called me that."

Her next sentence gets interrupted by more noise from my loud, unfriendly neighbor, which startles her again. Kalina tells me that she has to leave soon, maybe because she's scared or maybe because she'll get in trouble. Either way I don't want to her to be worried so I wave it off. "Don't worry about it. I can do the dishes later. I don't really have anything else to do."

Slowly I walk to the door and tell her. "I'll repay the favor of you bringing me food one day. Promise." After all she doesn't want my money.
With my hand on the door knob I listen whether I can hear Mr. Hinkle downstairs but there's no noise anymore.
"Sounds like the coast is clear." I open the door and have a look. There's still a bad feeling, call it anger, in the pit of my stomach. I will avoid a confrontation while Kalina is here but later I'll talk to the man.

I reach for the crutches, that I've placed near the door, because I need them to make my way down the old wooden stairs. Then I wait for the pretty brunette.
Together we make our way downstairs to find my neighbors door closed.
"Sssshhh." I whisper and sneak by his door as quietly as I can.
Outside I take a deep breath and give her a large smile. "See, all good."

Now is the moment that we'll part ways and I'm not sure when I'll see her again or how the goodbye will go. Will she wave? She my hand? Maybe hug?
For a long weird moment I look at her and softly say. "It was really nice of you to bring me food and stay ...thank you."
I don't dare to touch her again because I've done it twice and she hasn't so I feel I'm getting ahead of myself. Who knows , Maybe she's not used to seeing guys.
"Bye."

[*]

Kalina doesn't know how to explain how he's a mystery to her, so she leaves it open for him to wonder. Something for him to think about while he is gone. Perhaps, she'll figure out how to explain it to him in the near future, but for the moment, she enjoys seeing the look on his face. The smile on his lips. The questions forming in his head with the crease of his forehead. She shrugs her shoulders to him in a playful way to pass it off.

Kalina agree's to Tyler giving her the pass on the dishes. She nodds to him. "Next time don't let me off so easy! Alright? If I wasn't in a hurry, the dishes would get done." She tells him and watches as he slowly walks to the door. This date was ending. It was ending all too soon. They had a wonderful time meeting. Some drama along the way. Some good food and with the time running out to get the ingredients home to start preparing for dinner, she hated to get going. SHe knew her sister would be asking about her, so the sooner she got home Lotus wouldn't worry.

She picked up her bag with the ingredients and items from town, putting it on her left arm and came up to Tyler who had grabbed his crutches and mentioned that the coast sounded clear. THat awful neighbor man of Tyler's had finally settled down. For that, Kalina was glad. Kalina keeps close to Tyler, as he decended the stairs. She hated that he was doing all this work going up and down stairs in the cast, but she wanted these last few moments with the guy she was feeling the butterflies for. They crept past the mans door and passed the front door and into theh outside air.

Kalina felt a hint of awkwardness, seeing Tyler staring at her. What was the protocol now? They weren't dating, so surely he wouldn't kiss her, even though the thought of it gave her chill bumps. Instead he thanked her for staying. Thanked her for the food and then told her bye. She felt somewhat disheartened at the words, so in order to keep things real for herself. To keep that moment until she would see him again alive, she replied to him.

"Your welcome. Anytime!" She gave him an awkward smile. Her brain was telling her to just walk away, but her heart was telling her to get one more shy moment of intimacy with him. She went with her heart and even with his crutches in the way, she came close to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, if for only a moment before whispering out. "Until next time..."

She pulled away from him, and turned her bag still dangling on her arm, her heart fluttering wildly as she walked away. She glanced back once. A look of longing for the man who had captivated her since day one. She wanted to know when she would see him again. She was as curious as a kitten. Would she see him again?

[Jack Lexington]

The moment was stretching almost inbarably long and my hopes started to sink because I'm afraid she will hot do anything but wave goodbye.
Just then Kalina wraps her arms around my neck but instead of actually placing a kiss on my cheek she says. 'unitl next time'. Her voice sounds soft and seductive in my ears. As much as I hate that she lets g off me and walks away, I can't help feel chills under her breath on my face. What will happen 'next time'?
Is my imagination running wild now?
I guess it's a good sign she didn't kiss me, because it means she's not one of them easy girls. If she's really interested she is waiting for a good moment and maybe she's just inexperienced when it comes to relationships.
I swallow the huge need for a kiss that has formed somewhere inside of me and wave her goodbye.

Oh, sleeping will be hard tonight.

I'm too confused and happy at the same time to actually go and talk to my stupid neighbor so I postpone that until another day and climb the stairs right away.
The rest of the day is boring so I go to bed early to rest.

The next day I wake up at the crack of dawn and immediately think of HER. I think I'm done for. If she's constantly on my mind there's no denying that I have a crush. There's something else on my mind, too. Work.
Soon I'm dressed in shorts and one work boot again and hobble all the way to the construction site, which almost takes me half an hour. A bag with my work gloves and goggles is slung across my shoulder.
Even from a distance I can see that the outside is completely finished now, including the roof, which is usually my job. Certainly there will still be a lot to do on the inside.

The first worker catches sight of me and comes down the front ramp to greet me with a friendly hug. "Hey Ty, good to see you! We've been wondering whether...when you'll be back!"
Of course I notice his slip. Have they really thought I'm not coming back?
With a strange smile I tell him. "Of course I'm back!"

I follow him inside where the others greet me and tell me that it's good to have me back.
"Where's the boss?" I ask feeling pretty insecure all of a sudden. It doesn't look like they've actually missed me or needed me for the past two weeks.
"He's upstairs in 'the office'."

There's no way I can climb the ladder that leads upstairs with my leg in a cast so I have to ask him to come down.
"You're back." The grey haired man with a well groomed beard tells me.
"Yes, sir."
He gives me the once over, which makes me really uncomfortable. Will he tell me to go home again? Will he say that they did okay without me or maybe he hired somebody else?
"You're replacement did a good job." He informs me. Instantly my gutt drops.
"My replacement?"
"Yes, we're keeping him until you can come back."
I guess there's a bit of good news in there as he's hinting that I will have a chance to come back.
"I'm ready to work again." I state with as firm of a voice as I manage.
His face goes through a few different emotions and I'm afraid he'll laugh at me but he keep his voice calm and simply states. "No, you're not, Tyler."
"There's a whole bunch of things I can do....like painting and electricity."
"We need workers who can do everything." The man starts frowning, which tells me the discussion is over as I don't want to piss him off.
"Come back when you can climb that ladder again." Is the last I hear of him before he returns to his work.
"We'll see then whether you can return to being the foreman here or not."
Did he just intentionally try to rip my heart out? I've worked so hard for that position and a broken knee will possibly take that from me? I can't believe it. It's much more about knowledge and guidance qualities than physical strength!

Sour and without another word I make my way...strangely enough it takes almost an hour this time. But when I reach my house I don't even want to go inside. But where can I go?