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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 16:30:48 GMT -5
Ace was sitting on a bench just outside of the library, reading one of the books he had borrowed. Of course, there were libraries in New Jersey, but they didn't always have the books he wanted. Queens had a pretty good collection, so he enjoyed coming over here to get a few books to read. He was reading outside today, hoping to catch sight of Rip or Astrid. He wanted to talk to Rip about a few things, and well, he owed Astrid lunch.
It was a little risky to be out reading like this, but Ace didn't really care. Most of the boys were out selling, so they wouldn't really pay him any mind. Even if they did, they knew better than to cross with him now. He was a lot bigger and stronger than most of them, plus Rip had told them not to mess with him. He should be fairly safe. He could enjoy his books in peace.
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 17:22:12 GMT -5
Astrid was walking back to the girls lodge after her shift had ended. She felt soaked and sticky from sodas that a couple of twins had happened to knock her tray of drinks for a large family on her. Sadly it was early in her shift and she had to try and dry off and wash her hands so she wasn't to sticky serving her other patrons. It had been a long day and all she kept thinking about was finding her own place. The lodge had been her home for a long time but she needed her own place. Then there was Ace...her mind had been drifting to him every once in a while and those pesky butterflies had always bothered her.
Mostly she was just curious if she had pushed him away to not want to do their lunch plans. Astrid was actually looking forward to it but she wasn't too nice to him when they met. Part of her still hoped he would come. Maybe not today...today she was far from ready to go to lunch. Part of her knew she wouldn't turn him down if he magically showed up today of all day.
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 17:29:38 GMT -5
Ace had just finished reading a chapter in his book when he spotted Astrid walking past him. He quickly bookmarked his book and tucked his books under his arm before hurrying over to her.
"Hey, Astrid!" he called out.
He carefully juggled his books in his arms. He really should have brought a bag or something to carry all those books, but he hadn't thought of it at the time. He didn't think he'd find so many good books to read! It was rare to find more than two good books to read so Ace couldn't resist borrowing them all, but now it was giving him a little trouble.
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 17:39:38 GMT -5
Hey, Astrid!
Astrid looked back a bit surprised hearing her name. She was even more surprised to see it was Ace. "A-Ace?" She asked her shock still evident. "Um hi." She noted his arms full of books. "I'm sorry I shouldn't help ya...soda isn't my friend taday." Astrid said with a small crook of a smile. "What are ya doin in Queens? Other then books." Astrid said with a small laugh. She cleaned out the small bag that held most of her money and some odds and ends. "Why don't ya use this ta carry some of them? The outside should be the only thing that's sticks."
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 17:47:45 GMT -5
"A-Ace?"
Ace's brows furrowed some at her shock. He wasn't expecting that reaction. Was she still upset with him? Had he scared her? Was she not expecting to see him?
"Um hi."
"Hi," he replied softly, panting some from his sudden run.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't help ya...soda isn't my friend tada."
He quickly shook his head. "It's fine. I got 'em." He smiled as he got his books nicely tucked under his arm. "It'll teach me not to borrow so many books or just ta bring a bag with me next time."
"What are ya doin in Queens? Other then books."
He shrugged. "Nothin' much. Just hopin' ta bump inta you an' Rip." He smiled. "I didn't want ta forget the lunch I owe ya."
He almost said lunch date, but he caught himself in time. He didn't even slip up. This wasn't a lunch date. It was just a lunch between to possible friends. He could never call it a date. He didn't do dates well. He certainly did not want to make this failed date number 23. Besides, he didn't really need a girlfriend right now. He should wait until he was sure Lottie was fine on her own before he tried looking for a girlfriend.
"Why don't ya use this ta carry some of them? The outside should be the only thing that's sticks."
He cocked his head some. "It's fine, but thanks for the offer. It's only a couple of books, and I can manage them as long as I'm not runnin' all over New York and Jersey," he joked.
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 17:57:44 GMT -5
Hi
She reaped her brow a bit. "Ya ok?"
It's fine. I got 'em. It'll teach me not to borrow so many books or just ta bring a bag with me next time.
Astrid smiled a bit. "Yeah that's true. But still...I hate ya not be able ta help ya."
Nothin' much. Just hopin' ta bump inta you an' Rip. I didn't want ta forget the lunch I owe ya.
"Well I probably should get cleaned up before we go anywhere..." Astrid said tryin g to ignore the butterflies again. "But I shouldn't be long." She added quickly.
It's fine, but thanks for the offer. It's only a couple of books, and I can manage them as long as I'm not runnin' all over New York and Jersey
Astrid made a small frown and snapped her fingers. "Darn...there goes my plan." She said before laughing softly. "As long as you're sure ya got it I'll leave ya be."
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 18:14:47 GMT -5
"Ya ok?"
Ace looked at her curiously. "Yeah, I'm fine. Maybe a little outta breath, but I'm fine."
"Yeah that's true. But still...I hate ya not be able ta help ya."
"It's fine really," he assured. "I've carried more than this dozens of time." He smiled. "No need ta feel guilty about not helpin'. I'm practically a man now so I should be able ta carry my own stuff."
"Well I probably should get cleaned up before we go anywhere... But I shouldn't be long."
He nodded in understanding. "All right. I'll just wait right here so you won't lose me," he teased lightly.
"Darn...there goes my plan."
He cocked his head again. Plan? What plan? He wasn't sure what he thought of Astrid, but she certainly was one of the most interesting people he had ever met.
"As long as you're sure ya got it I'll leave ya be."
"I got it," he assured her once more, smiling as he shifted the books some in his arms. "This is really nothing."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 19:13:59 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm fine. Maybe a little outta breath, but I'm fine.
Astrid nodded a bit. As long as he could handle it.
It's fine really, I've carried more than this dozens of time. No need ta feel guilty about not helpin'. I'm practically a man now so I should be able ta carry my own stuff.
She laughed a bit. "Alright. If it makes ya a man." Astrid said with a smile.
All right. I'll just wait right here so you won't lose me
"I'll be back in a flash." She smiled and hurried to the lodge to get cleaned up and be back as quickly as she could. Seeing his confusion at her home she laughed a bit. "It was a joke." Astrid smiled.
I got it, This is really nothing.
Astrid nodded and smiled some.
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 19:21:45 GMT -5
"Alright. If it makes ya a man."
Ace shook his head and chuckled softly. "Carryin' all these books doesn't make me a man. It's my age and maturity." He furrowed his brows some. "At least, that's what my father used ta say."
"I'll be back in a flash.
He smiled and nodded. "I'm sure you will. I'll just be right here waitin'."
He watched her go off and found a nearby bench. While he waited, he decided to catch up on his reading. It was a very interesting book called The Wizard of Oz. Once he finished reading it, he planned on letting his little sister read it. He was quite sure she would enjoy it as much as he was.
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 19:36:35 GMT -5
Carryin' all these books doesn't make me a man. It's my age and maturity. At least, that's what my father used ta say
Astrid smiled. "Maybe age and maturity. I'd say it's all the books." She said with a playful nudge.
[/i]I'm sure you will. I'll just be right here waitin'.[/i]
She smiled a bit and hurried off. After a quick rinse off removing most of the sticky soda off of her. Then she was looking through her clothes and suddenly didn't know what to wear. What was going on? Astrid never had this problem. After staring at the few clothes she had she grabbed a casual pale pink dress and moved to make sure she was ready. She hurried back to meet Ace. "Now I can help you with your books." Astrid smiled softly.
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 19:43:20 GMT -5
"Maybe age and maturity. I'd say it's all the books."
Ace laughed, eyes sparkling mischievously. "Naw, I doubt it's the books. I've only recently become an avid reader," he admitted. "Lottie got me inta reading almost a year or two ago."
"Now I can help you with your books."
He looked up from his books and had a very faint blush on his cheeks when he saw Astrid. "Oh hi... um nice dress..." he said softly and he bookmarked his book once again and stacked all of his books under his arm. He stood up and pursed his lips some. This wasn't a date... He had to keep repeating that to himself. It wasn't a date, so nothing bad would happen. There was still a pretty good chance that he and Astrid could become friends because this was not a date.
He gave her a smile. "So where should we eat? I haven't really eaten in Queens very often, so I don't know where the best places are ta eat around here."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 19:51:43 GMT -5
Naw, I doubt it's the books. I've only recently become an avid reader, Lottie got me inta reading almost a year or two ago.
Astrid smiled a bit. "Well maybe it's a bit a both."
Oh hi... um nice dress...
"You like it...? It's not...too much or somethin?" She asked looking up at him. "I mean I can go back and change..." Astrid said quietly looking down at the dress.
So where should we eat? I haven't really eaten in Queens very often, so I don't know where the best places are ta eat around here.
Astrid thought a bit. "Can go ta my work. Got the best dessert I think. Chocolate cake was also mine and Dacry's favorite." She smiled brightly but it didn't last long when she realized she brought up Darcy.
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 19:59:35 GMT -5
"Well maybe it's a bit a both."
Ace chuckled. "Maybe, who knows? I personally think it's age and maturity that makes a boy a man."
"You like it...? It's not...too much or somethin? I mean I can go back and change..."
He quickly shook his head. "It's fine really," he assured her. "I just um wasn't expecting ta see you in a dress," he admitted shyly. "It looks real nice on ya."
"Can go ta my work. Got the best dessert I think. Chocolate cake was also mine and Dacry's favorite."
He smiled at the mention of chocolate cake, but it faded as Astrid's smile also faded. "That sounds good to me."
He wanted to ask how she knew Darcy, but he knew it probably wasn't a good idea. He didn't want to pry. It wasn't nice, and it especially wasn't nice since they weren't even official friends yet.
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 20:05:17 GMT -5
Maybe, who knows? I personally think it's age and maturity that makes a boy a man.
Astrid smiled and laughed softly.
It's fine really, I just um wasn't expecting ta see you in a dress, It looks real nice on ya.
She smiled and blushes slightly. "You like it...?" She asked softly.
That sounds good to me.
"Alright. Follow me." She said with a soft smile. Astrid was glad that he didn't dig into past. "Thank you..." Astrid whispered after a moment.
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 20:12:27 GMT -5
"You like it...?"
Ace ducked his head some in embarrassment. "Y-yeah... it's real purdy."
He wanted to crawl in hole and die. He really was bad at talking with pretty girls like this. The dress looked great on her and all he could say was that it looked pretty. This really wasn't the "just friends" lunch he had been expecting. It almost looked like this was going to be a date after all. He didn't want it to be, because it it was... he knew it would end badly. He looked at the bright side of course, but he knew it was inevitable. He just had such bad luck. Remember, he already had 22 failed dates.
"Alright. Follow me."
He smiled and walked beside her. "So what sort of food does this place have?"
"Thank you..."
He cocked his head slightly, barely catching her thanks. He shrugged. After all, it was the polite thing to do, and well, technically it wasn't any of his business if Astrid happened to know Darcy. She and Darcy were free to make friends with whoever they wished. He was just surprised that he had never met Astrid despite having been to Queens on numerous occasions and knowing two of the same people she did. Apparently, Queens wasn't as small as he thought.
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 20:29:52 GMT -5
Y-yeah... it's real purdy.
Astrid smiled a bit brighter. "Thank-" she started when she saw his face. He seemed distant and she almost got the feeling that he was thinking about their lunch. "D-did I do something...?" She asked quietly. "You don't seem like you're all...inta this..." Had she done something wrong? If so what? Was it the dress? Did she make it this way? Her confusion was evident.
So what sort of food does this place have?
"Lots of food. And we get a discount since I work there." Astrid said with a small smile.
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 20:44:02 GMT -5
"Thank- D-did I do something...? You don't seem like you're all...inta this..."
Ace's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh no! You didn't do nothin' wrong," he assured her. "It's just..." He pursed his lips trying to find the right words to explain how he was feeling. "I just um I don't know what to do around pretty girls," he finally admitted. "I have extremely bad luck on dates."
"Lots of food. And we get a discount since I work there."
He chuckled softly. "Ah, but what kinda food they got? Is it like Tibby's, mostly soups and sandwiches? Or somethin' else?"
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 21:03:39 GMT -5
Oh no! You didn't do nothin' wrong, It's just...I just um I don't know what to do around pretty girls, I have extremely bad luck on dates.
Astrid watched him. "Is...is this a date...?" She asked softly. "I...I just...is it a date...?" Astrid asked cocking her head some.
Ah, but what kinda food they got? Is it like Tibby's, mostly soups and sandwiches? Or somethin' else?
"Yeah. But they also got some fancier stuff to. Somethin for everyone."
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 21:14:27 GMT -5
"Is...is this a date...? I...I just...is it a date...?"
Ace's eyes widened once more. "Oh no... This ain't a date. I mean, it's just lunch, right?" He bit his lip nervously. He didn't want to hurt her feelings or anything. "I mean... if you want it ta be one, it can be a date. It's just um... I've got terrible luck on dates. You really wouldn't want ta date me," he joked weakly. "An' well we don't really know each other yet..." He added as a question, "So it's just a lunch between two hopeful friends?"
"Yeah. But they also got some fancier stuff to. Somethin for everyone."
He nodded. "Sounds good. Don't know if I'll actually try the fancy stuff, but I like ta try new foods."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 21:27:18 GMT -5
Oh no... This ain't a date. I mean, it's just lunch, right? I mean... if you want it ta be one, it can be a date. It's just um... I've got terrible luck on dates. You really wouldn't want ta date me, An' well we don't really know each other yet...So it's just a lunch between two hopeful friends?
Astrid felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. "Isn't a date getting ya know each other...?" She asked softly. Astrid shook her head a bit getting the thought out of her head. "Just much is perfect." She said smiling at him. "Besides. I'm not good on dates either. So it's best."
Sounds good. Don't know if I'll actually try the fancy stuff, but I like ta try new foods.
"I'll tell ya all the good food." She smiled happily. "Promise it'll be good."
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 21:37:02 GMT -5
"Isn't a date getting ta know each other...?"
Ace bit his lip once more. "Well... I guess if ya wanna put it that way. I always kinda thought of dates as two people who like each other goin' out as boyfriend and girlfriend." He quickly added, "Not that I don't like you or anythin' like that... we just met last night, after all. A bit early to think of us as a couple or anythin' like that."
"Just as much is perfect. Besides. I'm not good on dates either. So it's best."
He felt his heart skip a beat. She sounded... kind of sad and disappointed. Did she like him? Did he hurt her feelings? Wow... being around girls was really tough! No wonder he didn't really have any friends with girls. He just didn't know how to communicate with any girl that wasn't his sister. He was seriously botching this whole lunch thing. He should've just kept his mouth shut.
"I'll tell ya all the good food. Promise it'll be good."
He grinned. "Sounds good to me. An' don't worry, I'm sure it's good even if you didn't promise. Like I told ya, I'm not a picky eater by any means."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 21:47:23 GMT -5
Well... I guess if ya wanna put it that way. I always kinda thought of dates as two people who like each other goin' out as boyfriend and girlfriend. Not that I don't like you or anythin' like that... we just met last night, after all. A bit early to think of us as a couple or anythin' like that.
Astrid shrugged some. "Don't worry about it...I just...that what I think. Let's not think about it ok?" She said a bit quietly. Astrid wasn't going to lie to herself. It hurt that he was so against the thought of them being more then friends. She hadn't thought of this being a date till he mentioned it.
Sounds good to me. An' don't worry, I'm sure it's good even if you didn't promise. Like I told ya, I'm not a picky eater by any means.
She smiled happily. "Promise it's all good."
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Post by Ace on Aug 21, 2016 21:59:12 GMT -5
"Don't worry about it...I just...that what I think. Let's not think about it ok?"
Ace found himself biting his lip once more as he adjusted his books under his arms. She didn't sound to happy... He jsut wasn't ready to go on a date. The last one had been pretty bad, and well, he didn't know Astrid well enough to ask her on a date. That didn't mean he though badly of her or anything like that, he just wanted to get to know her better before he took their friendship a step further. He'd hate to ruin a relationship if it was just him having a one-sided love. It seemed like Astrid liked him in a different sort of way. He wasn't too sure how he felt about it. He just felt rather flustered and angry with himself. He really should keep his mouth shut. He messed up what was just supposed to be a nice lunch. Looks like he should probably not offer to go out to lunch with anyone for awhile. Him and his stupid mouth.
"Promise it's all good."
He smiled back. "Whatever you say."
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Post by Astrid on Aug 21, 2016 23:00:10 GMT -5
Whatever you say.
Astrid smiled. "Glad ya trust me." As they made they're way out to the restaurant. She stayed a bit quiet thinking things over. Heading into the front of the restaurant, Astrid smiled at the hostess. "Table for two please." Astrid said with a smile.
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Post by Ace on Aug 22, 2016 10:36:03 GMT -5
"Glad ya trust me."
Ace smiled softly as he walked beside her. The walk to the restaurant wasn't too long, but it wasn't too short either. It have him time to recollect himself. Hopefully, he wouldn't mess up the actually lunch part.
"Table for two please."
He gave their waitress a friendly smile as she lead them over to their table. He pulled out Astrid's chair for her before sitting down himself. He carefully placed his books under his seat where they would hopefully not be bothered.
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