A Terrible Night to Make Friends

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

"..At least when I was growing up, I apologized when I bumped into somebody. Even Brandon had some manners. Maybe it's just kids today...I feel so old saying that." He laughed with her as they walked side by side. He couldn't say he was always the nicest kid growing up. He'd been withdrawn and at times hyperactive. He liked to believe he always apologized but in reality he probably didn't. Then in his teenage years he became angry and now he was himself, not anything like the boy he'd been.

He wondered how old she was. She didn't look to be much older than him so he didn't feel the need to ask. Hopefully she wasn't a baby.. but she didn't act like a young girl trying to be older. She acted, well, like the age she appeared to be, at least as far as Kevin could tell.

"So, you didn't say what you do in your free time. Yeah, you're not off the hook." He gave a nervous sort of smile at her and rolled his shoulders. Damn. "Unless...unless you don't want to talk about it. I don't want to be too forceful," It felt weird to be on the receiving end of the nervous comments back. He couldn't help but feel a little bad and amused for her stumbling over her words.

"No, it's okay, I just sort of... well I'm boring is all." He offered, wishing he had better hobbies that seemed more interesting. He wished in general he seemed more interesting, but he was a boring kind of guy. "I watch TV or read some. I like to go out and just look at things. Video games are fun but I don't really have anything worth playing.." He shrugged. "I'm really boring. I mean, I like to do other things but I just don't often. Time and money and...sister.." He shrugged not wanting to make himself seem completely pathetic. "I paint a really bad picture of myself. I don't think I'm nearly as lame as I'm coming off. I don't think anyway." He gave a nervous sort of laugh. "I guess I just don't have anyone to do stuff with so I just pass the time when I have it. Kelsey sometimes hangs out with me, but it usually ends in an argument or something. Always something stupid, too. I swear we get along... usually.." He cleared his throat and furrowed his brow.

"Seriously, how have I not made you want to run away screaming and crying yet?" He asked, amused.

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

"No, it's okay, I just sort of...well I'm boring is all." Melanie relaxed with a soft laugh. How could Kevin be boring? He hadn't bored her yet. "I watch TV or read some. I like to go out and just look at things. Video games are fun but I don't really have anything worth playing...I'm really boring. I mean, I like to do other things but I just don't often. Time and money and...sister." Well, if that made him boring, then she was boring too. Most of her time was spent at the hospital, so she didn't have a lot of time to do much by way of fun either. She was going to say as much, but he continued. "I paint a really bad picture of myself. I don't think I'm nearly as lame as I'm coming off. I don't think anyway." Melanie shook her head in reassurance as he gave her a nervous laugh. "I guess I just don't have anyone to do stuff with so I just pass the time when I have it. Kelsey sometimes hangs out with me, but it usually ends in an argument or something. Always something stupid, too. I swear we get along...usually..." It sounded so much like her. Most of the time she spent outside of work, if it was spent with another person, it was spent with her brother. She had friends, but she mostly kept to herself. It was hard to have friends when you aged as slowly as she did.

"Seriously, how have I not made you want to run away screaming and crying yet?" Melanie laughed, looking up at him. She shrugged playfully. "Do you want me to?" she retorted in an amused voice. She gave another laugh before glancing at her feet. "It's just...we have a lot in common. I don't have a lot of free time, so I don't really have a lot of friends or hobbies. Not that I mind it, really, it just makes me a little...I prefer the term 'reserved' instead of 'boring.'" She laughed a little, turning her eyes back up to him. "I spend most of my time working or hanging out with my brother. Sounds like you're very similar. It seems like we should at least be friends." Her smile was sweet as she continued on down the Pier, moving further from the musicians and closer to the artists now.

With a little blush, she shrugged and looked back up at him, saying, "Plus you're sweet and pretty cute." She giggled nervously, looking away from him bashfully. It was hard for her to give men compliments and look them in the eye as she did so. She made sure she did with Kevin, but that didn't mean she couldn't look away right after! For Melanie, she was being incredibly bold tonight, and her legs felt like jelly because of it. It was a miracle she was still walking. But she kept moving, hoping Kevin didn't think she was too forward. In truth, she was trying to be more comfortable saying what was on her mind.

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

"Do you want me to?" His eyes widened a little and he let out a quick little "No!" and then blushed. "I didn't mean that.." But she was laughing so he knew she was just playing around so he relaxed again and smiled.

"It's just...we have a lot in common. I don't have a lot of free time, so I don't really have a lot of friends or hobbies. Not that I mind it, really, it just makes me a little...I prefer the term 'reserved' instead of 'boring.'" He nodded and grinned. He suppose that was a better way of saying it. Reserved. He would need to remember that word. "It seems like we should at least be friends." He raised a brow. At least be friends? That sounded promising. If the whole dating thing didn't work, he could at least have a friend, which would be nice in this city. He wondered if Kelsey would object to that. She sometimes got weird about him having girl friends. Or girlfriends. It was like he was replacing her in a way, putting another girl before her. She was as protective as him as he was of her, but in a different way. Kevin thought Kelsey's way was a little more selfish.

"Plus you're sweet and pretty cute." He blushed and looked at her, offering a bashful smirk. "Yea? Pretty cute?" He inquired, suddenly feeling a little more anxious but relaxed at the same time, like he didn't have to try as hard because she thought he was cute and sweet. "The feelings mutual.." He offered, his tone soft and bashful, just loud enough for her to hear as he was obviously less comfortable being bold. Though he did ask her out, so that was a start. "But you probably get the cute thing all the time." He offered a little nervously. Girls like Melanie probably got hit on a lot. He was no different than any other Joe on the streets.

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

"Yeah? Pretty cute?" Melanie giggled and nodded, letting her eyes quickly glance to Kevin. "I'd say so," she said softly, her hands clenched in her pockets. "The feeling's mutual..." She couldn't remember the last time she blushed so much. Part of her wanted to squeal with delight, while the other part of her wanting to cover her face. She settled for nervously pushing some hair behind her ears and looking down at the ground bashfully. He thought she was cute! It was a relief. Considering she had hardly any make-up on and was in casual jeans, a hooded zip-up sweatshirt and sneakers, she felt a little puffed up at the idea that he thought she was cute.

"But you probably get the cute thing all the time." She shook her head, looking back up at him, still blushing. If she wasn't mistaken, though, he was blushing too. It made her smile more. "I'm flattered, but I don't really hear that a lot. Then again, I don't talk to many men," she said with a shrug. "I'm so awkward around them, at least when I think they're cute. I'm sure you've noticed." She laughed a little, still blushing as she glanced at him. "If they do think I'm cute, they keep that thought to themselves most of the time." She gave a small shrug, wondering if maybe it was also that she didn't pick up on subtleties very well, at least when it came to compliments.

"I would think you heard the cute thing all the time," she said as she smiled up at him, a red blush still on her cheeks. He was tall, cute, and sweet; what wasn't there to like? Kevin seemed so unsure of himself, and Melanie couldn't figure out why. Maybe it was because he was awkward too. That was why she was unsure of herself, so it was a possibility. "Honestly, I'm surprised we're still just walking and talking and...well, talking about a date. Usually when I'm a klutz and then act as awkwardly as I do, it gets me funny looks instead of a guy's number." She laughed, the corners of her eyes crinkling a little as she did so. She was having a much better time than she anticipated having this evening on the Pier.

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

"I'm flattered, but I don't really hear that a lot. Then again, I don't talk to many men. I'm so awkward around them, at least when I think they're cute. I'm sure you've noticed." He was surprised that she didn't hear it more often and wondered if that had anything to do with her hanging around her brother so much. If he was as overprotective as she claimed then he was sure guys wouldn't often get close enough to make those compliments. He then realized she had called him cute again and his cheeks flamed once more. It was weird having someone compliment him. He knew he wasn't terrible looking but he never thought he was the kind of guy to make girls blush.

It made sense that she might not hear it often once he thought about it. He had thought she was cute but it wasn't until she said something that he did. He was too bashful to come right out and tell a girl he thought she was pretty, but the fact he'd asked her out showed he was interested and only an idiot wouldn't put two and two together that he found her cute.

"I would think you heard the cute thing all the time," He raised his brow in surprise. "Me?" He asked, thinking surely she was joking. "No.. no men don't get that very often." He offered softly, shrugging with his hands deep into his pocket, giving him an almost slouching look considering his height.

"Honestly, I'm surprised we're still just walking and talking and...well, talking about a date. Usually when I'm a klutz and then act as awkwardly as I do, it gets me funny looks instead of a guy's number." The more she talked the more Kevin realized he genuinely liked this girl and he was starting to feel excited for this date they were planning to have. He wanted to get to know her more than he had any girl in a long time. She was cute, funny, quirky and so down to earth. Plus she would understand his situation, or it seemed she would.

"Anyone who gives you a funny look is an idiot and not worth your time anyway." He said softly, his tone still teetering on bashful as if he wasn't sure what he was saying was appropriate or not. "If anyone's been awkward it's been me. I ran into you, too... If anything I should be the one surprised you haven't run away screaming." He had a sweet, genuine smile but he wouldn't look at Melanie as he spoke to her. "I don't meet a lot of women.. so I don't have much to really compare you to but in my experience you're far from awkward. Maybe nervous but I am too. I don't hit on girls. Like, ever.. You're sort of making my head swell a little." He admitted with a light laugh. "I feel like I hit the jackpot or something. Not that we're anything! Just.. because you're still here and interested... it's nice. Especially since I told you about my sister issues and you're not completely freaked. Then again you don't know the half of it yet so I guess I have plenty of time to still freak you out.." He was starting to ramble, his brows creasing. Kevin let out a deep sigh and wiped a hand down his face. "I'm doing it again.. I'm digging a hole here. Cut me off anytime, please.." He grumbled feeling like a complete moron. He was his own worst enemy.

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

"Anyone who gives you a funny look is an idiot and not worth your time anyway." Melanie smiled at Kevin and nodded. She had learned how to brush off the funny looks a long time ago. It nice to have some affirmation from him, though. "If anyone's been awkward it's been me. I ran into you, too... If anything I should be the one surprised you haven't run away screaming." He was so funny. Why on earth would she run away? It seemed so silly to her. A nice guy, a genuinely nice guy, was hard to find these days. She wasn't going to run away from that and she could always use more friends. And, well, he was good boyfriend material. Just thinking about that made her blush; was she really thinking about a boyfriend right now? How about a first date? She was such a girl sometimes.

"I don't meet a lot of women...so I don't have much to really compare you to but in my experience you're far from awkward. Maybe nervous but I am too. I don't hit on girls. Like, ever...You're sort of making my head swell a little." Melanie giggled, giving a playful little, "Uh-oh!" Still, it was good to know she wasn't being awkward in Kevin's eyes. And that he didn't meet a lot of girls. Melanie was a shy girl and she didn't like going up against competition. She would gracefully bow out before fighting over a guy. Not only was it not her style, but she always assumed she would lose. Perhaps that was pessimistic, but she couldn't help it. "I feel like I hit the jackpot or something." Melanie looked up at him surprised, blushing bright red. The jackpot? She was the jackpot? It made her heart race and fly into her throat. No one had ever told her she was the jackpot before. It was such a sweet thing to say. "Not that we're anything! Just.. because you're still here and interested...it's nice. Especially since I told you about my sister issues and you're not completely freaked. Then again you don't know the half of it yet so I guess I have plenty of time to still freak you out...I'm doing it again...I'm digging a hole here. Cut me off anytime, please..." She smiled wide. Had she ever met a guy so cute? Not that she could recall. She doubted there was anything that could chase her off about his relationship with his sister aside from her killing off the women he was interested in or incest. But how likely were either of those, really?

"You're not digging a hole," she assured gently, shaking her head. "I think family is the most important thing anyone can have. I understand being close to your sister, especially your twin, and wanting to help her out. In fact, I think that's a great quality to have. It speaks volumes about your character. I wouldn't not be interested because of family issues." Her voice was soft, as it always was, and gentle too. He shouldn't have to worry about her running away because he had a crazy twin sister, or whatever the deal was. She had a crazy brother, so it worked out! "Well, unless your sister was going to kill me," she added playfully. "Then I might have to give you a rain check." She giggled, looking up at him, and she was surprised at how excited she actually was for their date. A little nervous too, maybe, but more excited. She blushed, not able to look at him for a long time without suffering from heart palpitations, but as she looked to the planks she cleared her throat. "I feel like I hit the jackpot too," she confessed just loud enough so he could hear. She peeked up at him, smiling bashfully. They were coming to the end of the Pier and she felt disappointed that they would have to part ways soon and wanting to make sure he knew she was genuinely interested. She definitely wanted to hear from him again.

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

"I wouldn't not be interested because of family issues." She said that now... Maybe things really would be different there in Scriptor Bay. He decided he wouldn't worry too much now. Yes, he would worry, but there was no sense harping on it in his mind. It would only drive him nuts. More nuts than he was already feeling. "Well, unless your sister was going to kill me,then I might have to give you a rain check." He chuckled with her. "Murder isn't on her repertoire." He promised gently.

"I feel like I hit the jackpot too," She told him and he instantly blushed again. They were coming to the front of the pier where all the fun began. Further ahead was the entrance and he slowed his steps down. He wondered how long she would consider him jackpot material. First date? Second? He was sure if they made it to a third she would be thinking less of him. Kevin had a very low opinion of himself, which had everything to do with his life leading up to that moment. He never had anyone honestly tell him he was worth a damn other than his sister, and she was often putting him down for being overbearing. He failed at keeping her safe, too.

Again he was filled with a sort of dread that he wouldn't be able to live up to whatever expectations she was building for him because she thought he was cute and he was good to his sister. He would inevitably let her down too, or hurt her, or... who even knew. Maybe it wouldn't get far enough for him to hurt her. "I'm no jackpot.. I'm definitely closer to a payout." He offered, giving a sad smile. He had no idea how bad of a picture he was painting of himself, coming off pathetic and lame.

"Anyway.." He offered, shaking his head to try and change the subject and take some of the attention off himself. "Are you going to be okay getting home? It's getting dark. Do you have a car or anything?"

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

“I’m no jackpot…I’m definitely closer to a payout.” Melanie gave Kevin a sad look, her smile gone. Why would he say that? He had such a low opinion of himself. He’d been saying things like that all night. What could she do to convince him that she didn’t think those things about him, that she didn’t want him to think those things about himself? She pondered this, stumbling on her thoughts, when he changed the focus again. “Anyway…Are you going to be okay getting home? It’s getting dark. Do you have a car or anything?” She let her smile come back a little and she nodded. “Yeah, it’s not far. What about you? Do you need a ride or anything?” she inquired, actually willing to give him a ride if he needed it. He didn’t scare her, no matter what he said.

They were coming to the end of the Pier, and when they were within a few steps of it, she came to a halt. What he said was still bothering her and she wanted him to know she did really like him. There wasn’t much she could do, it sounded like his low opinion of himself was pretty well engrained in his mind, but she could take a step in the right direction. With a wary smile, she looked up at him nervously, before she reached up and gave him a hug. The kids at the hospital always told her she gave the best hugs, and she found a hug every now and then was just what people needed. He was tall, so she had to stand on tiptoe to reach his shoulders, but when she did she squeezed tight. “You’re not a payout,” she assured softly, just loud enough for him to hear, her chin barely reaching his shoulder. “Don’t sell yourself short so much.” She firmly believed worthless people did not exist. Everyone had worth, and Kevin, even after this short meeting, was worth something to her. She hoped her warm hug was enough to assure him of that.

When she pulled away, she was flushed but smiling. She put her hands back in her pockets, her heart still thumping and feeling a little nervous again, but better than she had. “I hope…I hope that wasn’t too forward,” she said shyly, hardly able to look at him. Hugging pediatric patients was one thing, but hugging a guy she just met and wanted to go on a date with was another. She forgot that some people didn’t like that invasion of space, but he had asked her on a date. He wouldn’t mind, would he?

[KEVIN WHITFIELD]

“Yeah, it’s not far. What about you? Do you need a ride or anything?” He shook his head. "Not far for me either." He admitted softly, glad she didn't have far to go and wondered if they lived close to each other. Well if they were in walking distance to the pier they must! He doubted they lived in the same place, though.

He was surprised when he felt the girl leaning up and wrapping her arms around his neck. He stood there, frozen, her warm body pressing against his. He was so much taller than her, her head barely coming to his shoulder and he gulped. “You’re not a payout,” she told him softly “Don’t sell yourself short so much.” He turned red and blushed, his hesitant arms coming up to slid around her, his own body still very rigid. His brows furrow when he felt a sort of lump on her back, like she was wearing a book bag under her shirt maybe. He didn't have time to really feel around when she pulled away, making him gulp again as he looked down at her bashfully. He wasn't used to people randomly hugging him, and he was uncomfortable with it, not that he would ever tell her that. It was simply one of his quirks.

“I hope…I hope that wasn’t too forward,” she said and his shoulder twitched a little. "No, it was okay.." He lied softly hoping he sounded convincing and reassuring. He hugged Kelsey and he'd hugged other people, it was simply the suddenness of someone he didn't know attacking him with affection. He was starting to wonder if a date was such a good idea after all. This girl didn't need all his baggage. He licked his lips. "Sorry.." He offered in way of making up for his awkward reaction.

He forced a sort of smile on his face and cleared his throat. "Anyway, be careful getting home, okay?" He said, his voice nervous once more, his back slightly hunched as his hands dug deep into his pockets. "I'll call you tomorrow and we can make the arrangements, okay?" There was a hopeful glint in his eye, hoping he didn't scare her off suddenly. He wanted to leave on a good note.

[MELANIE WHITFIELD]

"No, it was okay..." Melanie smiled, but she had a feeling in her gut that it wasn't. So Kevin didn't like to be touched. She wouldn't do that again. At least, she didn't think she could initiate it. She pushed some hair behind her ears nervously, looking at the ground. She knew better than to hug people she didn't know. It made her feel so awkward. "Sorry..." Melanie was surprised to hear the word come out of his mouth and she softened a little, her anxiety easing just a hair. She shook her head, looking back down at the ground. "It's okay," she all but whispered.

When he cleared his throat and smiled, she smiled back up at him. "Anyway, be careful getting home, okay?" The way he said it lightened her mood just a little more. "You too," she said. She hoped, really, really hoped that she would hear from him again. It was hard being stood up or turned down as many times as she had. With Kevin, she'd felt a connection, however small, and she would be greatly disappointed if she didn't hear from him again. "I'll call you tomorrow and we can make arrangements, okay?" At that promise and the hopeful look on his face, she smiled wider, letting out a long breath. Good! She hadn't scared him. "Okay! I really look forward to hearing from you, Kevin!" she assured, taking a step back. "Well, I'll talk to you tomorrow, then. Good night!" She was cheerful and she backed away slowly, giving him a wide, hopeful smile. She did like Kevin. That much was for certain.

She looked back at him one more time over her shoulder, giving a sweet smile and a wave. He was so cute. She really, really, really hoped he would call. Walking quickly, she excitedly made her way back to her car to make the drive home to her and Brandon's house.