Don't know how

At first, Susanne is surprised that Chuck seems to not want to walk anymore. Was it something she'd said? Had she offended him? She hadn't meant to. She'd just been honest with him and...

Her thoughts trail off as her confusion builds, watching Chuck back off. When his soft singing hits her ears, it's one of the warmest sounds she's ever heard. She recognizes the tune right away, and a little smile starts at the corner of her mouth. Though still confused as to what on earth he was intending, she cocks her head, just listening for a moment. But as his question is asked of her, the smile fades and her eyes hold a look of pure astonishment.

Susanne's heart almost stops for a moment as she looks down at his outstretched hands then back up to his face again as he begins the soft singing once more. Someone... a man... was... actually asking her to dance. Never once had anyone ever done that. Never once had anyone paid that much attention to her as a woman. She'd never complain about the friendships she had, or the way her "family" at TJY treated her - she knew they all loved her. But this was different. This was the direct attention of a man in a way that was very different.

Her mouth opens slightly, still amazed that Chuck would be so observant... thoughtful... tender, in a way. She didn't want to open up to him... she didn't want to allow herself to fall into this moment, knowing that tomorrow it would be over. But... but maybe... just this once... it wouldn't be so bad? She could live in a single moment... right?

Without realizing her eyes had filled, she blinks, allowing a tear to escape and run down her cheek. It wasn't one of sadness... perhaps one of happiness, mixed with melancholy. No matter the reason, she feels a little silly, but doesn't want Chuck to think she's upset. So reaching out with trembling hands, she takes his own. Both hands in his, it made her warm all over, and she takes a small step forward to leave a smaller space between them. "I don't know how to dance," she whispers.

Unchained Melody

Continuing to keep his full attachen on Susanne as she talks Chuck's eyes dont wonder around like some might. They stay on her and give her all his focus. Every words she said he herd, and every bit of hurt he saw he could feel. To think he dad use to say that struck him hard. A family was meant to support not bring down, even if it was in joking.

Letting the wheels in his mind turn Chuck's eyes wonder her face, her eyes, studying them, taking them in. Her questions he just cocks his head a little to one side before give it a shake say no he didn't want to walk anymore with her.

Backing up a little bit Chuck clears his throat before looking away. Taping his foot for a moment finally a soft song starting low comes from his lips. The song was familiar and played at many dances. The words from Unchained Melody come from his lips before becoming more stronger as he looks up at Susanne.

Letting the words die off Chuck lets the melody continue to be hummed as he holds his hand out to Susanne again. The hum going away for now as he speaks.

"We arnt in high school anymore, but I think you've missed out far to long on your first dance. Can I have the honor of shearing it with you, Susanne may I have this dance?"

Once his question to her was out Chuck starts to hum again not skipping a beat to where he left off the words coming out softly again as he wait for her reply.

Coming into the room with the bag of food Karla sets it on the nightstand before sitting in on the bed next to Kip.

"You don't look to sick, but if you are thats ok. I'd rather be with you and get sick than be alone."

Resting her hand on Kip's back Karla gives it a nice rub quiet for a moment. She really had missed him a lot, and she was worried too.

"I've missed you. Wanna talk about whats been bothing you?"

Giving a swig of his beer Trey gives a little shrug as he puts his other hand in his pocket. Starting forward with Ariel they walk a little ways away from the camp fire. He'd always been a party animal but this were calmer than what he was use too. But it was nice not to worry about anything to bad going wrong.

"I'm doing ok I guess. I don't really do much right now so there is not much to talk about. Unless you want to count in being hounded by the big boss at TJY exciting."

Shaking his head he takes another swig of beer walking a little ways more before turning to Ariel a little bit. Studing her side profile as they walked he couldn't help but wonder about her. He hardly new anything about who she was, yet how did he ask? He wasn't use to talking to women before, least not like this.

"How about you? Anything fun and exciting going on?"

Homely

Karla's voice jolts Kip from his sleep. He hadn't intended on taking a nap, but after he'd laid on his bed for a while, sleep had taken over. Sitting up, he tries to shake the fog from his mind. His hair was a little matted on one side and his eyes were red, proving he'd been sleeping.

Getting up, he shuffles to the door in his bare feet, his t-shirt a bit wrinkled and his jeans hanging loose without a belt. Pulling on the knob, he looks out at Karla and spies the McDonald's bag. His stomach growls again but he seems less than enthusiastic as he yawns. He does muster up something close to a smile though and sleepily rubs a hand over his face. "Hi." His voice was gravely and he clears his throat before backing up and letting Karla through. "Come on in."

Returning to the bed, he flops down on his stomach, hiding his face in his pillow. He knew Karla wasn't stupid. She probably already sensed something was more wrong than his lie of being sick. The smell of the french fries tempts him and his stomach growls again. Gram had been trying to feed him all day, and he'd refused. Unfortunately, Karla knew his weakness. He remains stubborn though and doesn't move.

"What I got's probably catching," he mumbles into the pillow.


Susanne didn't want to feel Chuck's words the way she did. She didn't want to feel that tingle that ran down her spine or that warmth that spread through her veins. His voice was like an embrace itself, wrapping her in the most peculiar state of mind where she felt far less control than what was comfortable. She finds herself gripping his hand just a little tighter as if trying to remember this was reality and not some dream that would always have a happy ending.

He really did want to get to know her? Why? His mention of fifteen years ago makes Susanne wonder what he must have been through. He seemed so gentle and kind with a dash of danger about him... what kind of a woman would abuse that? She feels a bit of sympathy for Chuck now, realizing that he was indeed human as well.

As he stops again and looks down at her, Susanne looks up this time, willing to fall into those eyes once more. Why did he want to open his heart up to her? After one look? One glance? She wanted to believe him, but it just seemed so impossible. He admitted that he knew nothing about her, so how could he possibly want to share himself with her like that after she'd simply walked through the door? If he was telling the truth, it couldn't be her... it had to be something in his imagination or he was just in the right mood or something.

"I don't have the presence or looks or personality to deserve such compliments," she responds quietly. "It's like my father used to say when I'd try to dress up for a school dance. He'd say, 'Suzy, don't put so much work into looking good. The guys are going to ignore you anyway.' And he was always right. I'd go, sit in the corner, unnoticed and be miserable the whole time. Then when the next dance or party came around, I'd do the same thing all over again." She chuckles. "Until one day I realized that nothing I did would change any of that. My dad would introduce me to others as his 'homely child' and I came to realize he was right. There was never anything special about me... then or now."

Pausing, she shakes her head, the defeated smile still on her lips. "So you see why I can't believe you? It's all just a game and none of it is real. But because you're such a gentleman, no, I won't just write you off. I plan to have a fun dinner and maybe by the time we get back to town, I'll even like the motorcycle ride."

Lifting her eyes, she sees that Chuck's hair had been matted down in his helmet and she grins. Standing on her toes and reaching up like she had that morning, she runs her fingers through his hair to mess it up again. This time though, she takes just a little longer doing it, feeling the soft locks between her fingertips.

Taking back her hand, she swallows hard, her eyes resting on his again. She wondered if the tingle than ran through her was what chemistry felt like. "Shall we... keep walking?"


Trey's comment makes Ariel laugh, her eyes sparkling by the light of the nearby fire. "Yeah well... party hearty, right?" She was anything but, and she was sure Trey sensed that.

Accepting the beer, she smiles at him. 'Thanks. One's my limit but I haven't had any yet."

Just standing a moment to take a swig, she give him a sidelong glance. "So... how's it going?" She nods towards the beachside. "Wanna walk and talk?"