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Post by Paul Lahote on Sept 17, 2009 13:02:36 GMT -5
Paul didn't even bother putting a leash on Murtaugh. His dog was hyper, but it was also obedient. . . some what. It was not one of those overly tough dogs, in fact, he was a bit if a wimp. Something that Paul wished he could change about him, and never ceased to try. "Come on boy," he said, knowing he didn't even need to encourage him to leave the house. As soon as he opened the front door, Murtaugh was bounding outside, running on to their regular route. La Push was not large, and so it only took a few minutes to get there.
As they got on the beach, and Murtaugh was running -- not too far from Paul -- on the soft sand, Paul scanned through the crowd, looking for someone in particular: Maya. They would often meet up, since they both had dogs, and therefore, both needed to go on walks. But today, Paul was going to try something different. He wasn't sure why . . . maybe it was because he felt comfortable around her, and she was one of the few people that didn't get on his nerves. It was no secret that he was easily agitated, and therefore didn't have many good friends, but he got along with Maya well enough, and they were both single . . . . and it just made sense to Paul. It helped that she was an extremely attractive individual, only in Paul's mind . . . he would describe her as 'one hot chick'.
"Hey!" He called to her when Murtaugh seemed to find her dog before he saw the two of them. "Sup?" He asked, closing the distance between them so he was standing in front of her. He would be casual; he was not going to get all nervous and scared in front of her. Paul Moran wasn't insecure enough to get all flustered in front of a pretty girl.
--- Tag Maya --- |
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Post by maya on Sept 17, 2009 13:33:10 GMT -5
Maya was only 16, about to turn 17. She was finally starting to grow into her features. Her lips growing fuller to help balance out her prominent angular chin. Her long awkward limbs growing curvier and making her figure look more athletic than boy-ish. She was sitting on a log, bleached by the sun and smooth from being turned in the rough La Push tides. It was her usual spot to wait for Paul to get to the beach. Darcey, her mutt pup was only 7 months old and was starting to regain his courage. She rescued him from a shelter a few months earlier and she didn't know where he had come from, but he was a sick, meek thing when she found him. Now he was healthy, but just starting to come out of his shell again.
He sat quietly by her feet watching the sea birds when she saw Paul. She waved and smiled broadly. Paul was one of her oldest friends. Really, one of her only friends. She hung out with Paul and his friends on occasion, but Paul was the only one she considered a "friend". When he called her earlier to see if she wanted to go for a walk and grab some food at the diner something seemed different. It wasn't out of the ordinary for them to spend and afternoon alone together, but something about the way he asked on the phone, it was just different.
Maya was wearing a pair of cut off shorts with a white wife-beater tank and a yellow cardigan that was so worn, the seams and armpits were starting to run. She stood up to meet him halfway, picking up her leather sandals and shoving them in her back pocket. She smiled and kneeled to greet Murtaugh properly, rubbing his ears and letting him lick her cheek, laughing.
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Post by Paul Lahote on Sept 17, 2009 13:43:50 GMT -5
Paul watched her properly greet Murtaugh who really loved her. It did not take much for Murtaugh to get attached to people, but seeing as how they went for most of their walks together . . . Murtaugh was very friendly towards Maya and her pup. "I see how it is . . . the dog gets a greeting before me?" He said, pretending he was hurt, as he made a mock pout. "I didn't think I could be that easily replaced by a dog." He then went further to glare at Murtaugh as he continued to lick Maya's cheek. "Thanks a lot pal. So much for a dog being a man's best friend." Paul was of course just teasing Maya.
"Hey Darcey," he then went on to say, moving closer to the other canine. He roughly scratched him behind the ears. "How are you doing boy?" He picked up a stick and threw it, watching to see which dog would run after it first . . . that is if they didn't race to get it together. "Hows it going?" He asked, this time talking to someone who could actually give a reply that was more than a bark.
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Post by maya on Sept 17, 2009 20:42:09 GMT -5
Maya laughed again as the two pups took off down the beach. Darcey was younger so he was not quite as fast and barked as he tried to keep up. She heard Paul's greeting and stood up flinging and arm around his neck. She had to stand on her toes to reach but she managed to hook it around his neck and lead him in the direction of the dogs. "It's going well." She smiled as they started down the beach. "How about you?" She smiled looking at the side of his face as they walked. What would she do without her Paul. They had practically grown up together, two outsiders that found each other by chance. No one else would put up with her 'honesty' and sometimes her outbursts.
The beach was littered with people. Probably 10 or 15 people scattered in different spots. That was a lot for their little reservation beach, but the weather was beautiful that afternoon, so it wasn't too surprising. It was a rare sunny day in the pacific northwest and probably one of the last before fall settled in. If Paul hadn't called she would be at the beach anyway, but in her bikini and rash-guard instead of shorts. She looked out at the surf for a moment. The waves were ok, but soon she would have to start wearing a full wetsuit and would miss being able to go without it until next summer.
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Post by Paul Lahote on Sept 18, 2009 8:49:55 GMT -5
He grinned when she put her arm around him. "Things are cool. Nothing new ya know. I got another detention the other day. I broke some eggs for a project, and the teacher got mad. Man . . . some people don't know how to take a joke." He thought about that Rebecca girl . . . . Rebecca? Or was it something else? Either way, it was one of the Black girls. "But hey, no school talk on a sunny day like this . . . its depressing." Paul hated school. He was just getting high enough marks to pass, and that's all he cared about since he didn't really have plans to go to university . . . for now.
"So where do you wanna grab a bite after the dogs suck all the energy out of us?" He asked, half kidding. He knew he would have to ask her soon about going out on a real date . . . something nicer than a diner. Paul had a bit of money kicking around for occasions like this, and if he was going to ask out one of his closest friends, then that certainly called for an occasion.
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Post by maya on Sept 18, 2009 9:10:11 GMT -5
Maya smiled as he told her about his latest detention. He always seemed to be getting in trouble. She was too, but usually for her mouth. She wasn't afraid to say what she was thinking and often times it wasn't what people wanted to hear. Her grades were not much better than Pauls, doing just enough to squeak by with a C but never putting in the extra effort to get better marks. She didn't see the point. If she was going to go to art school, it was better to focus on her portfolio right? And besides, their heritage gave them a huge advantage for scholarships and grants.
The pups ran up and down the beach, barking and running out into the water a few feet to chase waves before dashing back up onto the beach to check in on Maya and Paul. "Food sounds great. I'm starving." Maya grinned. Since they had the dogs the diner was the only place that didn't mind if the dogs laid under the table while they ate.
She used her free hand to push her dark wavy hair back into place. For some reason she had spent an extra five minutes trying to do SOMETHING with her wild hair before meeting him. She had tried using a couple of her mom's bobby pins to pin back a few pieces, letting a few locks fall around her face and the rest to cascade down her back. She had even put on a little mascara. Something about the way he had asked her on the phone gave her the feeling this was more than just a dog walk. But what has it? |
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Post by Paul Lahote on Sept 19, 2009 8:54:28 GMT -5
"Cool cool. Sounds good. Man, I'm starving . . .I feel like I could eat a horse or something." Paul was going to have to try and find out what her favorite kind of food was so that he could plan out their date. He was really riding on the fact that she would say yes . . . he didn't see why not. Unless she was really into that whole 'I can't see you as more than a friend' sort of thing, and didn't want to try since it 'may risk their friendship'. Either way, Paul was definitely going to try. Despite the fact that she was a year older than him -- something that Paul liked -- he felt he had so much in common with her. Neither were really a people person and that's why he valued her as a friend so much.
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Post by maya on Sept 19, 2009 9:15:17 GMT -5
Maya smiled to herself. Paul seemed to be hungrier these days. She chalked it up to him being a teenager, but it never ceased to amaze her how much guys could eat. She peeked at him through the corner of her eye. Like her, Paul seemed to be changing lately, his body was looking more solid and his features more chiseled but she could still see the Paul she knew and loved in his eyes. She wondered why no one else seemed to notice how kind and warm he was. Maya secretly wondered to herself if he noticed the effort she put into her hair that day.
Noticing the sudden silence, Maya pulled her arm back down to her side and shoved one hand into the pocket of her cut-offs letting the one closet to him dangle at her side as they walked. She tried to think of something to say. Why did things feel so different today? They usually could talk so easily. Before she knew it, she had started laughing. Was the reason this was all so awkward because they were on a 'date' or something? "I'm sorry." She laughed. Best to be honest now she supposed. "This is so ridiculous. Why am I trying so hard?" She said outloud. She could always be honest with Paul. There was no reason she couldn't be now.
(OOC: Sorry if that was weird. Maya has word-vomit sometimes.) |
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Post by Paul Lahote on Sept 19, 2009 9:27:59 GMT -5
Paul was pulled out of his date planning, and looked at her curiously. "What do ya mean?" He asked. She was trying hard? Wait! Did that mean that she felt there was potential between them as well, and that it wasn't just a one sided thing. "You okay?" He added. Though she was laughing about it, he still just needed to make sure. Maybe he shouldn't wait until after they ate some food to ask her . . . he would wait and see what she meant, and if he got the hint that it was something she would be interested in, he would go for it.
[Hahah no worries! She's awesome. Sorry that my posts are short. Let me know if you are having a hard time replying to them cause they are so short in length]
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Post by maya on Sept 19, 2009 9:39:00 GMT -5
She stopped walking and turned to Paul. She smiled and looked up into his face trying to read him. He seemed almost nervous for some reason. As she looked at him, it hit her. She was attracted to him. They had been friends so long it took her awhile to realize it. He was turning into a man before her eyes, and not just a man, but a man she could see herself dating. Darcey barked at sea bird down the beach and Maya snapped back to attention. She realized she was staring and her tan cheeks flushed.
Remember his question she answered. "I'm fine... I mean great really." She tore her eyes away from his face and studied her feet in the sand. She thought it best to change the subject for now, but hoped they could talk over dinner. "You're hungry, she said taking his arm and turning him back the direction they came from. "Did you walk here? My jeep is just over there. I can drive if you like." She said as they started back toward the public access staircase to the parking lot. She gave a sharp whistle over her shoulder and the dogs came bounding their way. |
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Post by Paul Lahote on Sept 19, 2009 10:05:48 GMT -5
When she paused to look at him, he took the time to return what seemed to be her contemplative expression. Because Paul didn't think too much, he took the opportunity to study every feature on her face, and wonder why he hadn't asked her out sooner. He wasn't shy, yet he found himself wondering how he would react if she said no to his question. He knew that if he didn't ask, he would regret it and Paul Moran was not one to have regrets in life.
He wanted to blurt out the question right now, but maybe it would be easier for him to think on a full stomach. "Sounds good. Yeah, Darcey and Murtaugh seem kinda tired too. I think we'd be better off driving there, even though its not far. Beats walking right now." He couldn't help but smile widely when she took his arm. It was as if to show the world 'heeey, this chick is with me' . . . even though perhaps it was still too early to be thinking like that. It still made Paul feel very content. When they got to the jeep, he opened the car door so the pups could hop inside, before he got into the passengers seat. "You aren't gonna let me drive, are you?" He asked with a mischievous grin. If anyone knew Paul's personality . . . they would not feel comfortable or safe in a car that he was steering.
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Post by maya on Sept 19, 2009 10:16:40 GMT -5
They walked in comfortable silence toward the car and she went immediately to the drivers side. She had left her keys on the seat as usual and opened the unlocked door. "Are you kidding me?" She asked as she tossed her sandals on the floor of the car. "I just got this Jeep, there is no way I'm going to let you run it into a ditch." She said with a wink as she slid on to the seat. She always drove barefoot. It was a habit she would carry into her adult years. Perhaps it made her feel more connected to the car and therefore a better driver. It didn't matter all the same.
She put the keys in the ignition and as the car started the radio kicked on playing the Decemberists latest album Castaways and Cutouts. She turned down the stereo with one hand and she pulled out of the parking lot. It was a short ride to the diner, maybe 5 minutes, but she had a car now and was eager to use it.
They pulled into the tiny parking lot in front of the diner and she took one of the open spots near the entrance. There were only 2 other cars in the lot since it was still fairly early for dinner, but she was glad, hoping they would be able to talk without being interrupted by an uninvited guest. Maya turned off the igniation and slipped her shoes back on before sliding out of the car and tossing her keys through the open window onto her seat again. |
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Post by Paul Lahote on Sept 19, 2009 10:23:19 GMT -5
Paul expected her to say no to that. "Oh well, can't blame a guy for trying." He really hoped he wouldn't have to say that line twice today. When they pulled into the diner, he quickly got out of the seat and opened the back door for their canine friends to get out. "Gotta love a place that lets dogs in, or at least in certain parts of the place." Even though La Push was small, and it wouldn't be difficult to drop Murtaugh home, it was still nice to have the company of his four legged friend.
He waited for Maya before walking towards the diner and opening the door for her and the pups, before going in himself. Looking for a booth table -- and successfully locating one -- he went towards it, and slid into one of the seats. "I swear, you're about to see something pretty amazing today. I'm gonna eat every single thing on the menu."
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Post by maya on Sept 19, 2009 19:54:41 GMT -5
"It honestly wouldn't surprise me." She said with a coy eyebrow as she picked up the menu and looked over the single sheet. She probably knew it by heart, but out of habit she picked it up anyway and skimmed it briefly before deciding and tucking it back into place behind the ketchup bottle.
She server, an older native woman named Violet came over and dropped off a couple of waters saying she needed a second and she would come back for their orders. Maya picked up the glass and took a sip looking over her should to be sure none of their classmates were there. Just some older gentlemen at the counter and a young couple, clearly not from the area at a table. She assumed they were passing though on vacation and needed a bite to eat. This was the closest restaurant to the highway and often attracted that crowd a long with the locals.
She turned back to Paul and put her glass down. Darcey was now lay comfortably at her feet and she slipped off her shoe and scratched by his neck with her foot. |
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Post by Paul Lahote on Sept 22, 2009 14:14:48 GMT -5
Paul briefly made eye contact with their waitress, as he was busy deciding what he wanted to eat. When she left, he put down the menu and took a rather large gulp of water. "I think I'm gonna go with a burger. Maybe a double cheese burger, with lots of fries." That may only temporarily suffice his hunger, but he could always order more later. His apetite was far too substantial to be satisfied with a mere burger. "What about you?" He felt Murtaugh nudge his foot a little and he looked down at the canine.
"Don't worry. I didn't forget about you. I'll get some leftover scraps from the kitchen for ya. . . and some of my fries." When Murtaugh seemed reassured by that answer, Paul looked back at Maya. "Jeez. Needy little pups aren't they."
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Post by maya on Sept 23, 2009 9:35:27 GMT -5
"The usual" She said with a wink when Paul asked her what she was going to get. She didn't need to elaborate. They came to this spot often to grab a bite after a hike or walk. She came here alone too after a morning surf. Violet the waitress came back. After Paul had ordered Maya rattled off her usual "I'm going to do the #2 breakfast. Scrambled, with bacon and wholegrain toast place." She loved breakfast food and loves that this diner served breakfast all day.
After the server left and out their ticket in the window she took another sip of water, leaning back in the booth and putting her feet up on Dacey's back. She didn't know what to say to him right now. She lifted her eyes up to him and smiled through her heavy lashes before looking away again. There was no denying Paul was good looking. She couldn't help but take notice now. She played with a little pool of water on the table where her glass had once been and waited for him to break the silence. |
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