On the road to recovery (Marree)

[*]

This is a new side to you. Kalina hears his voice and begins to wonder what that meant. Did he suddenly see her as a weak person now? He had seen her at her best, and now to her dismay, he was seeing her at her worse. When she wasn't full of optimism and hope. When she was truly frightened of something that made her change her tone. She should have stayed home knowing the sky looked dim and grey, but it was the anticipation to see him again that made her get out and chance it. Life is about chances. This was one chance that was going to tell all. If he would leave her or stay to comfort her. It was then, that she felt his hand on her arm, and a smile appeared. She was pleased with what he did, but could she take it as a sign?

Kalina takes the coffee back up to her lips, letting it rest on the cup a second, inhaling the sweet smell before letting the hot beverage pass her lips. She puts the cup down, listening to him tell her about where he lived and that he did in fact live in town. It would make it so much easier to find his place instead of the outlying area where it was larger than town. It was then, that he invited her over to his place when she got done shopping, but would that idea be good? THey were just friends, but could that mean? Surely, it was just because of his leg, though. She understood how he might not want to get out, or use the crutches that were so hard to manuever in. Should she accept or deny the invitiation or suggest somewhere else and risk him falling somewhere in town or having someone trip over his leg again causing him pain.

She takes a few sips more of her coffee before she answers. "I can stop by if you want. Do you want me to get you anything in town, since I'll already be doing the errands for my mom?" She plays with the idea of going to his place. Sitting in his living room and chatting with him in a comfortable atmostphere. Nothing like the waiting room of the emergency department or his hospital room with the groaning men or the nurse's interruptions. She looks out the window for a moment, staring at the rain drops quickly cascading down the glass. How it forms together with the others on the way down and then disappears at the bottom. The storm was coming to a close, but the rain was still falling. The rain didn't bother her, but its the lightning and the rumbles of thunder that frightened her. That suddenly would make her heart race and her nerves sent chills down her back. How could she explain that to Tyler without sounding like a weakling.

"No. I'm in no hurry at all, really." She says so casually to him. With the storm calming down, she starts to ease up a bit. "I guess everyone else wants to get out of here as soon as they can since the storm is dying now." She sits there with the coffee in her hands, silent for the moment. Unsure of what else to say. She casually glances up at him from beyond the cup, studying his eyes again, until he see's her and she drops them. She doesn't want to make it obvious she's searching his features, but its so temping when he's sitting across from her. The water still falling from his drenched hair.

[Jack Lexington]

Our eyes meet for a brief, uncomfortable moment. Or is it actually comfortable? I like looking at her gorgeous face and she seems to be studying me. So I offer her a quick smile before answering her question. "I could really use some food. My place has been empty for almost ten days and there's nothing to eat or drink there, just water and some old cans. I'll buy everything else myself in a day or two but just something for tomorrow would be very nice." I don't want to sound like a weakling now. I'll put a backpack on my back the day after tomorrow and hobble to the market but tomorrow I'll have to check out the construction site. So I accept her offer. Plus this way I'll definetly see her again.

She stresses that she's in no hurry and takes her sweet time to sip her coffee but I'm not sure whether she's simply too shaken up to go outside yet. "I guess we could stay a little longer. I don't want to get this 'thing' wet." I motion for the cast that almost made a second person trip. If things keep going like this I won't be able to show myself in public anymore.
"Plus I'm pretty hungry."
Turning around I try to catch a glimpse of the waitress but she's too busy running around and placing drinks on tables to notice me. So I give up.

Once again our eyes meet and this time I allow myself to actually look at Kalina longer without getting uncomfortable. A smile tugs on my lips every time I look at her so I simply state what's on my mind without thinking about it much further.
"You are...er you're gorgeous."
One heck of an awkward moment follows. I hope she doesn't take this in the wrong way. When she doesn't say anything right away I take a deep breath and smile a little lopsided.

Outside the last drops of rain are now running down the window and the clouds are a lighter shade of grey. But in the west there's another dark front approaching. It definetly looks like a good time to leave but I don't want to ruin the moment.
"If you don't want to get caught in the rain it's now or never." I'm pretty sure that I'd prefer getting home before the next storm hits us so I decide that it's time to get a move on.
"Finish your coffee and I'll pay. I'll meet you at the door."

Of course the way through the remaining crowd, who all have the exact same idea as I have is no easier than the way in but eventually I manage to simply shove a bill in the bar keepers hand and push through to the door. But where was Kalina?

[*]

Kalina is more than excited to have a reason to go over to his place tomorrow. With the gesture to bring him something, a meal, to his house, it won't seem as awkward to accept his invitation now and it sends a warm feeling through her body. Butterflies inhabit her stomach furiously and she finishes off her coffee, already missing the warmth of the cup on her hands, but as she notices Tyler looking at her features as well, she gets a little shy. Even when he mentions that they could stay a little longer, it could only mean more stares. More glances. More wishes to hear his sultry voice and wish for it to never end. She quickly starts to realize the two things that she likes about him. His eyes and his voice. Both comforting and everlasting in her memories. If only... but its too soon. It is a start though. Sitting in the cafe with him. Talking and enjoying his company. Maybe one day, under the sun's warm rays, she'll be able to sit next to him on the grass. Maybe reading a book or just simply enjoying his company. Is it possible that might happen?

She pulls herself out of her daydream hearing him say something about being hungry, but the waitress makes herself scarce to them. She shakes her head. "She's so busy with all the unexpected customers."

The next moment, their eyes meet, she can't help but throw her head down to advert the gaze, all the while blushing. you are...er you're gorgeous. She looks up suddenly at him. STricken without words, unsure of what to say to a comment like that out of the blue. SHould she comment back? Would that be too much like a comeback with his unexpected compliment. She simply replys back to him with reddened cheeks. Would he understand the reaction? Finally, she voices out with just a simple, "thank you" and see's his awkward smile. She wishes this wasn't so awkward, but if it wasn't, then the attraction wouldn't be there. It would be just a simple compliment and a simple thank you with nothing more.

The offer to pay for the coffee surprises her and was totally unexpected and with the rain tapered off for the moment, she watches Tyler get up and goes in search of the waitress. However, she sits there for a few moments. Completely in awe of him. Watching as he walks away, his shirt still stuck to his body, but a little less wet than when they first come in. She slowly gets up and admires him as he makes his way to the door. It suddenly donned on her that she was already suppose to be there and quickly goes to meet him. He looks surprised when she isn't there, but she simply puts both hands on the back of his shoulders, playingly and whispers out the word "Boo" to him and goes to his side.

"So glad the storms over with for now. I might be able to make it home before the next one hits. Thank you for the coffee, that was sweet of you." She see's the second set of clouds rolling in and keeps her stance beside him. She doesn't want to leave him just yet, but they both need to get home before nature takes a second roll through the town. "Are you goign to be okay to make it home?"

Kalina asks out of concern. Her eyes conveying the message more than her voice. As if nature wasn't already out to get them, a crack of thunder booms out suddenly, already announcing the second storm on its way. Kalina gasps and finds herself suddenly molding herself against his right arm out of fear.

[Jack Lexington]

I'm not sure what has taken her so long but after a minute or two she meets me at the door with a 'boo'.
In mock shock I jump but then laugh out loud. "Was that supposed to scare me?"

Together we step outside, where the air has cooled down considerably and the wind is still blowing. Instantly a cold shiver runs down my back and goosebumps form on my arms. "Brr, cold. No problem, Kalina, any time." I tell her as if I was the big spender when really I'm broke after the stay at the hospital, which I was only able to afford because my rich friend lend me the necessary money.

When she jumps at another roll of thunder and clings to my right arm, which I'm using to hold on to my crutch. She is so worried about this that it almost makes me laugh. Just like a small girl. I'd like to wrap my arm around her shoulder so I free myself from her tight grasp and do exactly that after grabbing both crutches with my left hand. "Oh boy. the question is whether you'll make it home okay. I'd offer to walk you home but..." I cut myself off. I should really not make excuses.

Instead I offer her a quick way out. "Go ahead and run so you get home before the next set hits us."

I look at her face for a moment. I would so like to kiss her cheek but am not sure whether she'd slap me a second later. The signals she's sending me tell me that she wouldn't so I simply take my chance. Leaning down I place my lips on her cheeks just for a very brief moment so I'm not doing too much.
Then I draw back. "Go ahead."

Oh my, I hope I've not done the wrong thing. I really hope she won't hate me now and never want to see me again. I guess I'll find out tomorrow. For some reason I suddenly feel overly insecure about my own action.

[*]

The thunder had frightened Kalina to the point that she molded herself up against Tyler's arm in fear. Her heart began to race, her face paled within his arm for mere moments that she was against his arm, she felt him shift and then his arm wrapped around her back. If the thunder hadn't of shocked her, she was sure she would be having a heart attack right now. Instead of gentle touching her hand or grazing her arm, his arm surrounded her back in a comforting form. As though the mere touch had calmed her, she loosened her grip on his arm, and lifted her head slightly to answer his question.

"Yeah. I'll be fine... maybe." Kalina gave him a warm smile, half embarrassed by her sudden dependancy to grab on to him. For the breifest of moments, she enjoys the feel of his arm around her. For the briefest of moments, she imaged that this could be wondeful to have this kind of intimate closeness to him everyday, but she wasn't sure if it would come to that or stay friends. " besides, you just make sure you get home before the storm starts up again. I'd hate to have to take you back to the hospital and have your favorite nurse replaster your leg. Wet casts are awful."

Kalina listens to him as he tells her to go ahead and run home, and she feels somewhat disheartened. To lose the contact between them was going to be hard as much as she had felt comfortable in his grasp. His comforting words to tell her it was okay. To coax her into getting home before the next storm. She didn't want to, but she knew she would. She didn't want to get stuck at the cafe again by herself. It wasn't until she was about to pull away from him, that he suddenly leaned down, kissing her cheek. A very unexpected thing, but she couldn't help but grin. His next words, she casually pulled out of his grasp, nodding. She turned around to him, walking backwards as she began to go in the direction of her home, stumbling as she did. She turned around, embarrassment flooding her cheeks as she walked away. Before she got too far away, she stopped and turned to him.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

The next day, she woke up, took the list from her mom, and went into town. For today, she wanted to look nice, so instead of pants a shirt, she pulled out a simple soft pink sundress, a light ruffle on the hemming at the bottom and slip on shoes. She played with her curly hair that she let go natural today as she made her way to town. With the rain storm from the day before, she didn't feel like doing to much to it.

The list wasn't very long, but as she went through the shopping area, she wondered how long it would be before she would go to see Tyler. Until she would arrive at his doorstep with some food for his house for that day. Should she get enough for two, and make it seem as though she wanted to stay or should she just get enough for him and not expect anything more but just a polite conversation with someone she was falling hard for. She wondered about his apartment. The colors inside of it or the decorations he had. Would it show his true nature? Would it tell her anything about him that she was dying to know. She sighed and went on with the shopping for her mom, and for Tyler.

She arrived at the apartments that he told her he lived at, but in the haste to get home, she dind't ask what number he lived in. So, when she got there, she looked to the apartment complex and groaned. A family began to leave their apartment, which prompted her to hold them up.

"Excuse me.... I"m looking for someone named Tyler, he lives here in the apartments, I'm just unsure of which one. Do you know which apartment he lives in?" She asked the woman, who held a small child in her hands, and a little girl who pulled on her mother's dress. She smiled to the child. The little girl looked up to her with the brightest eyes and spoke out.

"He your boyfwend?" Her youthful voice accused her, and she didn't reply to the child, but with a simple grin. She could only hope the woman knew him or she'd have to knock on every door.

[Jack Lexington]

I had really taken my chances with that kiss because I didn't know how she would react. I expected her to either get mad at me or maybe return the kiss but instead Kalina didn't react at all. Well, she gave me a smile. This lack of 'reply' confused me to no end. My head got hot and most likely my ears got bright red while I looked down at her hoping for more but Kalina pulled away and walked away. I can only assume that she wasn't very impressed, yet she's smiling at me when she says her good byes.
I want nothing more than to run after her and asked whether she liked being kissed but that would be highly inappropriate so I just stand there until she's gone and then snap out of my daze.
"I guess I'd better get going." I mutter to nobody in particular and grab both crutches with a firm grip. Then I make my way down the sidewalk on what could easily be described as an obstacle course consisting of puddles and slippery slides.
A few times the small bottoms of the crutches slip and I barely catch myself before I fall.

Somehow I make it home in one piece though. Totally exhausted I make it up the stairs of the old victorian house I live in backwards dragging my leg behind me. Every now and then I have to stop but eventually I fall on the old canvas couch and sigh. I have no energy to take off my wet clothes or shoe but I have enough energy to think about Kalina and hope that I didn't scare her off. If only I didn't mess up a chance with her.
With those thoughts I fall asleep.

The next day I wake up pretty early because I'm so uncomfortable. The first rays of light falling onto my face tickle my skin and wake me up.
Immediately I think about the raven haired beauty.
Instead of worrying more I decide to claen up my place, put all magazines and books on a stack, do the dishes, fold the blanket and put the cushions back on the couch before trying to take a shower.
It's almost impossible to balance on one foot while sticking the other outside the shower curtain and not get everything but me wet.
Somehow I manage that, too and put on some new clothes, which consist of my boxers and a plaid shirt so far. If only I could find pants that are wide enough. With a deep sigh and some anger building up I sit down and weigh my options. If Kalina really comes I can open the door half naked or cut one of my good pants to shreds.
It's cold outside but my favourite option is number three. Put on a pair of baggy shorts.

--
"Emily!" the woman scolds her daughter because of her nosy question and thinks about the girls question for a moment.
"I'm sorry. Tyler....Tyler...you mean Tyler Jameson? Tall, dark hair, in his twenties?"
She can see the girls face light up and actually has the same assumption as her daughter.
"He fixed my pipe once. But he doesn't live in this apartment complex right here but across the street in that old house."
The lady, who was wearing a nice dress and had her hair in a bun, pointed to the other side of the street where a large victorian brick house with 4 apartments was situated in a small garden.
"Over there. But I haven't seen him around for a few days. He might not be home."

[*]

Kalina could only grin to the child's accusing question. He your boyfwend?. Her mind wanted to say 'no'. Her heart wanted to say 'maybe'. Her smile was a guilty sign saying, she wished. The woman instantly hushed her child and Kalina could only think that her little sister was just like the child. The woman had almost had her thinking that Tyler gave her the wrong address on purpose. That maybe the last few weeks were a waste. That he just was using her for company over the last few days. When the woman said his name the first time, it sounded like she had no clue who he was. Her heart dropped and sent a chill down her spine. THen she said it again, and then again with a last name. She knew him. She was full of hope now.

"Oh, He's home now. Just in the hospital for a few days. Over there, right?" Kalina told the woman and started to walk away from her before she got a confirmation from the woman. "Thank you, very much. I appriciate the help."

His name played in her mind. Over and over again, as she walked to the old victorian place that she told her he lived. As it was, she reached the opening to the door, and went in. The hallway inside was long, and lead to a staircase, but she had no idea which one he lived in still. So, she went to the first door and knocked.

A man came to the door, opening it up. His rough looking face hadn't seen a razor in weeks and his wife beater shirt had stains on it. He looked at her with a harsh glare like she had just woken him up. "What?" He growled out at her. Kalina was taken aback by his voice and intimidation that he was giving her through the glare. She backed up a bit from him and then spoke out.

"I'm looking for a Tyler Jameson... trying to find out which apartment his is." Kalina spoke out, her voice meek against his gruff grumbling.

"Upstairs. On the right..." He said, slamming the door in her face. It wasn't exacty the response she was expecting, but she had gotten an answer and the answer she was wanting. She stood there a few moments, catching her breath. The man wasn't pleasant at all. With a shake of her head, she took off to the stairs and ascended them slowly, her heart racing. She was going to Tyler's place. A bag full of different foods to make for small meals for a day. Her heart pounding away with every step of the stairs. What would happen when she knocked? Would he answer? Turn her away? Play silent and let her walk away after all she had done to get there. Different scenario's playing through her mind. What if he didn't really want to be around her?

But the kiss? That was what kept her going, and soon enough, she reached his door and let her fingers clinch up into a fist. Her knuckled so close to the wooden door, that she could easily pull it away and walk out. He wouldn't really be expecting her, right? She was only a distraction from the mundane hospital rules and used her as a fair-weather friend? But the kiss...

Her clinched hand, quickly clicked on the door three times. She waited with an anxious breath, almost wanting to just turn and walk away first should he want to stand her up. She messed with the bag on her arm.

[Jack Lexington]

Just when I've managed to pull on the shorts- an exercise that made me wish I had taken up yoga when I had the chance- I hear a knock on the door. Scrambling to get up from the floor I holler. "Just a moment."
This had to be Kalina because nobody else knows that I'm back. Maybe one of the neighbors heard my noise but my heart doing little skips tells me it's the girl I met at the hospital. She promised to bring me some food after all.
I used the shelf next to me to pull myself to a standing position and then hop to the door as fast as I can. I don't want to make her wait so long that she'll leave again.
"I'm coming!"

Then my hands at the door and as soon as I pull it open I looked into her gorgeous face. A smile spreads on my features as I take in her appearance. She's wearing a pretty dress today, which makes her look even better. Did she put this on for me? Or to walk around town?
"You came!" I state the obvious and keep smiling at her.

Then I realize I've been blocking the way so I step aside and let her inside, where a cosy but old apartment awaits her. The hardwood floors and old furniture give it a rustic appearance. I don't have many frills in my place but it's still comfortable.
"Come on in. I'm glad you came." Obviously, since I was the one kissing her yesterday. I still don't know what she thinks about it.
"Did you get home alright in the rain?" I wonder because of her fear of storms.

[*]

From the time her hand meets the wood, Kalina fidgits with the bag hanging on her arm. Wondering if she got the right ingredients or if if he would even eat the items she brought for him. It worried her a bit, but from beyond the door somewhere, she heard his voice. Just a minute. She took a step back from the door, unsure of what was going on. If he was having trouble getting to the door or whatever else. She feels likes it has been a while before she hears his voice again then the door opens.
"Of course I came. I can't let you go hungry, could I? Goodness. I would hate to have to think that your last meal was some hospital food. What kind of friend would I be, if I let that happen to you?" She tells him, returning his grin with one of her own. When she said the word 'friend', in her mind she wanted to add alittle more to it, but kept it simple. He had shown to her that he might have an interest in her, but to assume anything more would be premature. As it was, the butterflies instantly began to make her heart thump wildly just with the sight of him. She takes a look at his attire, it was different from the hospital where he was either bare chested or in a hospital outfit. Her mind suddenly placing that image into her mind, but she pushed it away. "Its a little chilly for shorts, isn't it?"

Even for her wearing a dress, it was still one that reached partway to her ankles, although the top of the dress exposed just enough of her shoulders, that she wished she had thought about a light jacket when she had left the house that morning. The rain from yesterday had cooled the air considerably. She raised her arm up a bit, showing off the two bags she held.

"I brought some food to last you until tomorrow. I'm sorry I coudln't get more, but I wasn't really sure what you liked. I just got a few basic things." She told him. Some basic food items like a couple of potatoes, two banana's and a few other items at the bottom. She was sure it would tide him over until he could get some shopping done, or unless he asked her again to help him out, which she woudln't mind. She motioned to the bag. "Where do you want me to put it?"

Upon entering his apartment, she grinned. It was cute. Comfortable and not showy at all. She didn't expect him to be like that. He was too cool natured to want to show off and he didn't need to. Not around her. She wasn't interested in what he had, but rather just him. The apartment did seem to reflect him well.

"I got home well enough. A little more drenched than I'd like, but I got home just in time. My sister, Lotus, was worried about me. She was afraid I'd gotten lost in the woods or something." She laughed. She thought to herself about the stories her mom told her sister about her getting lost in a storm when she was five. The fear of storms came from just that one experience that had her sick for a week, and terrified forever. Lotus always was anxious whenever there were storms, just for the sake of her sister's well being. Knowing that they scared her. Lotus was her strength though. If she would be at home, Lotus would keep her company and keep her mind busy. A special bond they both had.

Kalina layed the two bags on the table near the kitchen, and turned around. Her eyes looking over everything, until she got back to Tyler. "You have a nice place here. It's so... I don't know... homey. Like, it's just so serene." She mused outloud, and walking over to a window in his living area. She pulled the curtain aside to look out the window, looking at the view that he had of the front yard and the apartment complex across the street where she had met that woman and the child. The child that asked if he was her boyfriend. She thought back to the child's youthful voice. "Nice view, too."

[Jack Lexington]

Kalina is visibly nervous but why? Maybe she's never been to a strange guys place before. She's not that old after all.
She explains her visit with my need for food. Damn. "Of course I came. I can't let you go hungry, could I? Goodness. I would hate to have to think that your last meal was some hospital food. What kind of friend would I be, if I let that happen to you?" Friend. I love that word but right now I hate it, yet I try to keep the smile on my face while I hop over to the couch on one leg. My healthy leg is going to be so strong by the end of this. There I wait for her to take a good look around and finally ask where she should put the bags.
"Over there in the kitchen would be great." I point in the direction of the kitchen at the left side of the living area.

Her eyes linger on my crotch for a moment which really makes me blush but then she comments that it's too cold for short.
"Yeah, but I had nothing else that fits at the moment. I'm not usually this fat." I explain indicating the size with my hands.

Kalina tells me the things she bought while she pulls them out of a canvas bag. "Don't worry. I'll eat anything. I'm starving. There's nothing in my apartment. I'm sorry, all I can offer you is water or tea."
Most of us can't afford any other drinks anyway. It's not like juice is available to the normal folks, nor is meat. It's a real treat. "With an income like mine I can afford decent food but delicacies."
I have no idea what Kalina is used to but judging by her clothing and job she's not part of a rich family.

I can only imagine how fast she was running to get away from the storm but now she's playing it cool, which actually makes me laugh. "Admit it, you ran like the wind!" A sheepish grin plays on my lips because I love teasing her and know she'll have a come back.
"I got pretty wet, too, this thing..." I knock on the cast, which has become a constant companion and slowly but surely I'm getting used to it. "...is still damp and starting to smell. My apologies upfront."

While she muses about my places and inspects the view I can't help but inspect her. Her outline against the light coming in from the window is perfect. The way her hair falls over her back, that sweet voice and most of all her sense of humor. I really hope so much that her feelings for me are deeper than just friends but how will i know?
I can't simply ask.

"Are you going to stay for some lunch...dinner...linner?" I make my way to the kitchen. Bare foot padding against solid, old wood. There I pull out some pots and pans, salt and pepper and a cutting board.
Carefully I start peeling the potatoes and cut them into thin slices.
"How much do I owe you for these things?" Hopefully she won't refuse to take my money.

With a nod at one of the cupboards I tell her. "Plates and cuttlery's over there."

[*]

Kalina couldn't agree more with him about finances. The money used to buy him the small amount of groceries didn't do hardly any damage to her pocket, because what she made was used for extras anyway to help the family. It was her parents that supplied barely enough for the household and they didn't take advantage of Kalina's wages. So, taking care of Tyler's basic necessity for the day was purely from her.

"I totally understand, Tyler. I"m trying everything I've got to save up while I can." She merely told him, and when he offered just water or tea, she graciously accepted for the tea, but waited. She didn't want to make him get up seeing as how he was so comfortable where he sat. As she had explained about the rain getting her a little more wet than she would, like, he came back with a teasing comment back to her. She dropped her mouth.

"I did not!" She exclaimed, trying to act a little embarressed, the gave off a cheeky grin. "Okay. YOu got me. I might have been walking a little too fast for my own good, but can you blame me? My hair looked a mess!" She tried to act coy about the situation. It still made her self-conscious about yesterday. The way he'd been able to see her at her worst. Afraid and fearful of the thunder and lightning that plauged the day. She wished that he hadn't seen it, but it have given him amunition to kiss her on the cheek. It gave both of them a reason to become more intimate in proximity.

She grinned when he asked about staying for the food. She turned away from the window, the sun illuminating strands of her hair, making it glow a golden color against her dark locks. Before she even gets to answer, he makes his way to the kitchen, making Kalina grin toward him. Watching him pad his way into his kitchen. She shook her head.

"Can't keep a good man down for long, eh? But, I guess you've been lazy enough, am I right?" She teased him and walked over to the cooking area, watching as he began to slice at the potatoes. She watched with earnest as he hands moved easily with the knife. She leaned against the counter for a few minute, watching him before he mentioned where the plates and cutlery was. She got up from leaning on the counter, and brushed against his back as she rounded him to reach for the cabinet with the dinnerware. She pulled out two plates, and then went for the silverware, taking just two forks and laying them on the counter.

"So, what's on the menu, chef Tyler?" Her eyes gave him a playful look. "Is there anything you want me to do? To help out with... 'Linner'." She says with a stiffled giggle. She loved the word he had used a few minutes ago. "Oh, and don't worry about paying me back. It's my treat. But, if you want to pay me back, you can make sure to take it easy on your feet so that when you get that thing off, we can go to the lake."

She picked the plate and silverware back up and once again, grazed his back with her arm again. Whether it was accident or on purpose, the reasoning unknown. She took the dinnerware to the small table and placed it across from each other, the fork laying in the center of each plate as she returned to his side, to see if he needed help with anything else.

[Jack Lexington]

Her attitude about saving money makes her even more attractive because I can't stand it when girls spend all their and my money on the latest clothing.
From the cupboard I grab a pot and put it on the stove to boil some water for tea.

"Your hair looked a mess...ha!" I laugh at her weak excuse for running like a scared little mouse. When I gaze over at her I see her hair illuminated by the back light from the setting sun outside. "Doesn't look a mess now, on the contrary. You look really good."
I avert my gaze because I'm making her a compliment when I don't even know if she likes me. Maybe she's just got a mother theresa syndrom and feels the need to take care of me.

"Can't keep a good man down for long, eh? But, I guess you've been lazy enough, am I right?" At first I think it's a compliment but then she adds a teasing end. "Yeah, been lying around all morning and told the broom where to clean by itself. It's magic, you know?" I tease her back. Getting my apartment cleaned up was actually pretty difficult and a little exhausting.

Once she walks over to grab the dishes from the cabinet I notice how she brushes by me. I really hope she's done that on purpose but surely I am delusional to think so but then she repeats the same action and asks what's on the menu but her touch has messed with my mind. I can't concentrate. I want to take her in my arms so much it's ridiculous.
"Huh?" I asked while looking at the potatoes in my hands and then simply ask. "Did you do that on purpose?" There's a teasing remark on my lips already. "Can't keep your hands off me...eh?"
Grinning boyishly I start cutting some onions, which instantly make my eyes water. "Oh, onions, so sad. Fried potatoes, onions and peppers." I finally answer her question.

There goes mother Theresa again."Oh, and don't worry about paying me back. It's my treat. But, if you want to pay me back, you can make sure to take it easy on your feet so that when you get that thing off..."
leaning both of my hands on the counter I smile at her.
"We're still going to the lake? Is that a date? If it's a date I lay down right now and not get up for a week. No matter what comes."
I can't help but remember the kiss, I wish she'd say something about it but I know I have to be patient.

The pan's hot enough to throw everything in. It sizzles right away and the onions become glaced withing seconds.

[*]

You look really good. His words play in her mind for a moment. Could that be a sign that all of this was coming off as a flirt. Was he flirting with her as much as she was with him? Could it possibily come to something more soon? How long would it take? A few days? Month? Year? If it happened at all. She couldn't help but imagine it. She replied to him. "The compliment is well appriciated but I'm sure your just saying that. The rain does awful things to my hair. Your sweet for saying that though." Everything about him was making her nervous around him, she tried not to let it show. Even when she grazed his back to go around him, she wanted that contact like the first time. She wanted that arm around her again. A comforting hug and the kiss. However, to have the hug for more than just a comfort... It sent chills down her back just thinking about it. His sense of humor sent her to laugh at him momentarily with the thought of a magic broom.

The second time Kalina rounded him, her arm grazed his back again, but this time it was just by pure luck. HOwever, it wasn't totally on accident either and he commented on it. "Do what on purpose? Run in to you? Of course not!" She said, playing hitting his shoulder with her hand. "Now, that was on purpose and I guess your right... I just can't help hitting on you." She turned her head into her shoulder to hide the grin from letting Tyler see it.

With the menu on her mind, she could only imagine how well he could cook. Cooking wasn't one of her strong points, but ask her anything about trees, she'd be able to spout off the information off the top of her head. It wasn't that she couldn't cook, but nature seemed to always draw her away from where she was needed at home. Her next youngest sister was the one who love to cook. So, she never denied her the opportunity. Kalina, though, was the one with the sense for herbs and ingredients. Her mom was always sending her to get them. Those items in one of the bags, she brought with her to Tyler's place, sitting forgotten for the moment. In reply to his response, she nodded her head in approval. "Sounds yumm!"

The next part had her stunned. His reaction to her statement about staying off his foot and healing up enough for them to go to the lake. His boyish nature coming out in excitment. She shrugged her shoulders laughing at him at his sudden enthusiasm to make sure to do nothing for the next week in exchange for her to say yes. To say yes, to the fact that it would be a date, but she was curious if he was the one asking for the date or if she did when she mentioned it. "Well, I'll give you that answer after you cook, because what you are making smells fantastic and I'd hate to ruin it with taking over!" She shyly bumped his arm and walked away.

She took a few moments to want to explore his living area again. She heard the sizzling of the pan with the ingredients already to cook, the onions and peppers giving his apartment a tantilizing smell. She went to the window, her gaze went back out of it, staring at the street and the child across the street playing. The same little girl whose question had her sheepishly smiling. "When will you see about your work? When you'll get to go back or anything?" She asked him, her gaze going to him as he tended to the pan with the potatoes.

[Jack Lexington]

Kalina claims she didn't brush up against me on purpose but with that smile on her lips I don't buy it.
"Now, that was on purpose and I guess your right... I just can't help hitting on you." That actually makes me laugh out loud. "Hit on me...? That has a double meaning." I hope she means 'flirting with me' but i'm pretty sure that was slip.

I'm not sure what sounds so yummy about fried potatoes, after all it's poor man's food but maybe she simply likes it. "You're a big potatoe fan I take it? You can't possibly ruin anything I'm making. Wait until you taste it, you'll see what I mean."
To make sure nothing's burning into the pan I stirr the ingredients around while I keep talking to Kalina. This way they get nicely done from each side.
Again she bumps into me, most likely on purpose. This could all be playful friendly behavior though.

I turn my attention back on the pan because this girl is really messing with my mind right now. I want so much more from her in such a short time we've known each other but the circumstances brought us a pretty close for a week or ten days.

When I lift the pan of the stove I find her at the window gazing out at the house opposite the one I live in.
"What's so interesting out there?" I ask.
One of my hands is still on the countertop and for a moment I wonder whether it's a good idea to hop across the room with a hot pan in my hand. Then again I don't want to seem weak or helpless so I do it anyway instead of asking her to take the pan.
The thing more or less flies onto the table while I catch myself on the edge of it. "Dinner's ready." I cover up my clumsiness although I'm pretty embarassed but maybe she didn't really see it.
I lower myself onto a chair wondering where I should shove the cast so there is some space left for the pretty brunette.
"Damn, I forgot the tea." The water has been boiling but it's still sitting on the stove. What a great host I am.

I serve the food onto the plates and finally answer her question. "I think I'll go to the site tomorrow. I have to let my boss know I'm back and that I'm willing to work again."
Kalina might not understand why I am so eager to get back fast. "If it takes me too long I might not have a job anymore at all." It's a great concern for me, which has been heavy on my heart for a while now.
"What about you? When's your next day of work? And how is your sister now?" She's such a cute girl. I want to get to know her.

[*]

Kalina couldn't help tell the truth. Potatoes were one of her favorite foods. Any way to make them, she could, but she had never tried to use peppers and onions before. The onions, maybe, but the peppers. The thought never crossed her mind. "Sure. They are my all time favorite. Especially made into a creamy broth, vegitables and a few different spices. That would be my specialty." She shook her head. "I'm sure it will taste just fine, Tyler."

As her body moved fluidly to the window, she didn't notice how Tyler had watched her. Even so to the point, that when he asks about what was out there, she breaks her thoughts. "Huh? Oh, nothing too much. Just the view from up here. I love looking out the window. Your neighbors over there, the woman with the two kids, she actually pointed me in the right direction over here to your apartment. I never did get the address from you the other day. I just remember saying you lived about four blocks away." She remembered his other occupant of this building. "OH, and your downstairs neighbor... I think I woke him up. He seemed pretty perturbed that I knocked on his door. If you do happen to see him, will you apologize for me. He shut the door so suddenly. I didn't get to and I was afraid to knock again."

She tells him as she noticed barelly his hobbling to the table with the hot pan, and hides the grin at the effort. She grins behind her hand in awe of him. Cooking and everything for her, was sweet. If only she would tell him how so. She walked away from the window and sits down with him at the table.

"Oh, the tea! I'll get it. Don't be getting up again." She teases him and as she gets up from the table, she passes him by with a quick glance. It took her two drawers, but she finds a suitable spoon to drain the tea into the pitcher and after getting everything stirred, she grabbed two glasses, filled them with ice and brought the two glasses to the table. "Here ya go!" She placed one in front of Tyler, and the other she took with her to her seat and the conversation began as she took a bite of the food. She nodded in approval. "Tis good!"

Kalina understands his need to go to the site to talk to his boss. Anyone in his position needed to do the same, to let them know that they were still in need of the job. Any job in this district was needed. While they weren't the poorest, they definately wasn't the richest. It was merely how much you worked and how many people were providing for the family. "I can totally understand that." She remembers telling him her fears about her shoulder and being out of work. Luckily, it didn't hinder her family, but the medical costs did. She can only imagine that he was lucky to have the help.

"I have to work tomorrow in the field. They've got me pruning a few of the larger trees and stuff, but it shouldn't take but a few hours. Unless they are in desperate need of some shaping. As for my sister, Lotus is doing well. Feeling like a princess still... or well, at least wanting to be the princess again. She tries to milk it for all its worth, but she's the baby of the family. She's gunna get it no matter how hard she tries or not. Especially from me." She was the guilty one for spoiling her. Ever since she was born, Kalina was the one who did everything for her. Even named her and her parents allowed it. She took a sip of the tea and looked to Tyler. Watching him again. Studying his eyes. She would get lost in them if she could.

"What are your plans for the rest of the day?" She was curious if he was goign to try to be active or just be lazy. "do you have a hobby or anything? Sorry, If I sound like a broken record. I can't remember if I asked you that question already."