But he's not wrong. She turns it over in her mind for a moment, looking back over at her friends (ignoring them waving at her) before she looks back to Frank and nods, ]
Alright. Tomorrow night. Seven-ish? I'll meet you back here.
[Hey lady, you picked him. Little do you know you picked a son of a gun that's not gonna let this off easy. He looks beyond at her friends and gives them a little wave even though Karen won't. Never hurts to be nice to a girl's friends.]
Tomorrow at seven it is. Bring your appetite. I'll leave the guitar.
[ She has no idea what she's gotten herself into. That's a sentiment that stays with her even as she lets go of his hand and walks back over to her friends, tossing over her shoulder, ]
[It's a date. Just a date. First one he's made this week that doesn't involve drills of any kind. That's why he's smiling so wide.]
At least not within earshot.
[For now at least. Frank lets her on her way. That's how it's done before phones were all the rage. And he doesn't linger all that long. Don't want to be a creep or something. He's got a class to get to and books to hit. And a mile or two to run, all minimizing the hours leading up until their date.]
[ Just a date. Something she's been on several times with all kinds of guys. Though few had a smile as cute as Frank's. She keeps thinking about it as she heads to her next set of classes, back to the apartment she's sharing with two other people.
She tries to focus on her work but, every once in a while, her mind drifts back to him and how he looked under that tree. The feel of his callused hand around hers.
She ends up heading back to the same tree nearly a half hour earlier, bringing a book with her. She doesn't want to seem too eager. But she also would rather be early than late. ]
[A good night's sleep and a shave in the morning. The day starts fresh, new and Frank is ready for it. Just a good day. Maybe there'll be a date. He has a feeling that if Karen Page is ballsy enough to go right up to him and tell him shut up she'll at least show. The thought makes his thoughts glaze over as his teacher goes on about Socrates.
Goddamn she's got some baby blue eyes. Six o'clock rolls around and he bides his time. There's a flower filled planter that catches his eye. Frank finds the biggest daisy he can. If you start out with a full bouquet there's no where else to go. Sweet, small little gesture.
Taking the long way back to the grove of trees, he's still got his time. And he spends it strolling and whistling. And wouldn't you know under the same tree, there she is. Frank doesn't want to disturb her. Though they're both early, it's a nice touch.]
[ She nearly jumps at his voice, having been engrossed in what she was reading. She laughs and shakes her head, marking her place and shoving the book into her purse. She'll get back to you later, Mr. Wilde. ]
Not really. Just reading a bit extra because I liked what we covered in class.
[ Well. She wasn't expecting that. It's so... sweet. She actually feels her chest tighten and cheeks get warm. She takes the offered flower with a polite nod. ]
Thank you.
[ She gives it a sniff before shaking her head, ]
Can't say I've heard of it. My friends tend to hit the sushi bar or curry places.
no subject
I like a good lasagna.
no subject
That so? I think I know a place or three that have some delicious lasagna that's not home cooking. When are you free, Karen?
no subject
You're serious about the date?
no subject
Yes. After all, you asked what it would take. I kept up my end of the bargain.
[He's waiting, Karen with baited breath.]
no subject
But he's not wrong. She turns it over in her mind for a moment, looking back over at her friends (ignoring them waving at her) before she looks back to Frank and nods, ]
Alright. Tomorrow night. Seven-ish? I'll meet you back here.
no subject
Tomorrow at seven it is. Bring your appetite. I'll leave the guitar.
no subject
Try not mangle any more songs, Mr. Castle.
no subject
At least not within earshot.
[For now at least. Frank lets her on her way. That's how it's done before phones were all the rage. And he doesn't linger all that long. Don't want to be a creep or something. He's got a class to get to and books to hit. And a mile or two to run, all minimizing the hours leading up until their date.]
no subject
She tries to focus on her work but, every once in a while, her mind drifts back to him and how he looked under that tree. The feel of his callused hand around hers.
She ends up heading back to the same tree nearly a half hour earlier, bringing a book with her. She doesn't want to seem too eager. But she also would rather be early than late. ]
no subject
Goddamn she's got some baby blue eyes. Six o'clock rolls around and he bides his time. There's a flower filled planter that catches his eye. Frank finds the biggest daisy he can. If you start out with a full bouquet there's no where else to go. Sweet, small little gesture.
Taking the long way back to the grove of trees, he's still got his time. And he spends it strolling and whistling. And wouldn't you know under the same tree, there she is. Frank doesn't want to disturb her. Though they're both early, it's a nice touch.]
Something for class?
no subject
Not really. Just reading a bit extra because I liked what we covered in class.
no subject
[Already gave her a start though. Frank keeps his distance until she settles a little before leaning on the tree, offering her a hand.]
Sure got your attention.
no subject
Yeah, well. He's got a way with words. Which I think he knew and used it to his full advantage.
no subject
Before anything else a person's got their words.
no subject
[ Because that's what a lot of people notice first. ]
So, where are you taking me?
no subject
Ever been to Scardino's? It's a little ways away. We can walk or take the subway.
no subject
Thank you.
[ She gives it a sniff before shaking her head, ]
Can't say I've heard of it. My friends tend to hit the sushi bar or curry places.
[ And looking up at the sky, she shrugs, ]
The weather is nice enough for us to walk?
no subject
[Asian fusion places are the rage right now. Frank puts his hands in his pockets and tilts his head.]
I don't mind. Nice to take a stroll now and again. I'm usually doing laps and don't take much time to smell the flowers.
no subject
[ Because she actually skipped lunch without meaning to today. Looking over at him as they walk, ]
"Laps"?
no subject
[It is a pretty day. The spring is warming up slowly but surely in the city. And there is a light breeze and sunshine.]
Yeah I'm going to bootcamp in a month and a half. Trying to get used to the physical activity on the daily.
no subject
Though the mention of bootcamp shocks her some. ]
Bootcamp? Seriously?
no subject
Yeah. I'm going to be a third generation Marine.
no subject
I--I had no idea. I thought maybe you were a jock or a music major.
[ She laughs again, realizing how silly her assumptions sound when said out loud. ]
no subject
Can't a guy do em all?
[The question doesn't betray any worming doubt.]
no subject
Yeah! Of course! I'm just... not used to it.
[ She then faces forward again, continuing to walk in the direction she's assuming they were to continue on to leave the campus, ]
Most guys I know tend to stick to one thing. Until they change their minds.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...