Walking with Strangers| (Two-Bit) INACTIVE

[tuna]

OUTFIT:: here! // TAG:: Two-Bit // NOTES:: n/a //

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It was Saturday morning, class for the little girls, and a few boys. Alice was teaching the class to privileged children in turn for their parents donating to the battered women’s shelter in New York City. The children ranged in ages from 4-7, all dressed up in their leotards, tights, and practice flats. They were a rather difficult group of children to teach, but they enjoyed classes none the less. As did Alice. They filled the studio with giggling and laughter, a pleasant sound that was unusual for her. But the class was near its end, and she felt herself wishing she could bottle their laughter in the room forever. Stretches had been completed, positions had been practiced. And now was their ten minutes of free dance. Alice smiled as she hit the play button on the sound system, and the cutesy song blared out of the speakers. It was a mash up recently recorded for a television show that revolved around a show choir. It was a little upbeat song that had all of the kids up and dancing, swinging their heads around and jumping in place. She studied their odd movements for a moment, before noticing the little girl in the corner that was avoiding the gaggle of thrashing students. Alice walked over to her and crouched down to look at her on her level.

It was little five year old Sarah Bout, daughter to two gay New York investors. Alice smiled at the little blue eyed, blonde curly haired girl. She didn’t smile back. Not a good sign. But before Alice could ask, the little girl quickly offered an explanation.

“Bobby doesn’t want to dance with me,” she mumbled out. It was adorable, really, and so Alice tried hard to conceal a smile so the little girl wouldn’t feel mocked or like Alice didn’t appreciate the graveness of the situation.

“Hmmm… how about we make Bobby jealous then. How about you and I dance?” she said, offering a hand to the little one. She took a moment, and then placed her own little hand inside Alice’s, getting up off the floor as Alice got off her knees. As they reached the crazy group of other little children, Alice picked up Sarah and began to twirl her around in a circle. Sarah giggled loudly, happily and suddenly the students were watching them. Everyone was clamoring for the next turn, especially Bobby. Alice sat Sarah down after the relatively short song ended, and then addressed the crowd.

“Sorry, it was Sarah’s special dance. Maybe next week guys, I’m sure your parents are anxious to get you guys home,” Alice said, trying to sooth the little ones. There was a group groan, and then they all headed off to their lockers to pick up their gym bags and water bottles. She ushered all of the students into the waiting room, and one by one they were all signed out and headed home. Alice turned off the lights and locked the studio door. Now it was her turn to head home.

It was about mid-day, and the sun was out as she stepped onto the sidewalk outside of the studio. Alice had been running late this morning and had completely forgotten her wallet, leaving her to walk the few miles home.

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[merrill]

Two-Bit pulled the rusty, tin can of a car into the parking lot of a dance studio. He cut the engine and could almost still hear the deafening clatter in his ears. He would kill for an Advil right now, but he would especially kill for a new car. It was getting a little tiring cruising around in a windowless car without a muffler.

He was about to light a cigarette when he remembered the no public smoking law. Under normal circumstances, he would have disobeyed that, but today he had to pick up Kathy from her stupid dance class. Something told him that she wouldn't be too happy if he never showed up. Well, except in a jail cell. She never was the one to pride herself in having a jailbird for a boyfriend.

Without bothering to open the door for himself, he leaped out onto the sidewalk. He landed hard and could feel the small ache from the bruise he'd received from a recent bar fight. Funny thing is, he wasn't even drunk at that time. Two-Bit hardly ever gained any scars or injuries from fights while he was sober.

The place was really fancy-looking. It wasn't hard to find Kathy, though. There she was, waiting for him. Or so he thought. "C'mon, babe, you comin'?" he asked, reaching he arm out to put around her thin shoulders. She shrugged it away and threw him a glare.

"I ain't goin' with you today, Keith," she hissed at him. "Lacey's driving me to the house."

She pulled a thread at her ballerina suit and flicked it away. Two-Bit cocked an eyebrow in confusion. Kathy was obviously in one of her 'moods', but this time he had no idea why. Which was exactly what he asked of her.

She threw the strap of her bag over her shoulder and started towards the door. "Because I've had enough of you," she said. "Go have fun with your barmaid lady-friend." With that, she pushed open the door to the studio and disappeared among the crowds of the New York population.

Two-Bit groaned. He knew he wasn't the most faithful of men, but she had no right to accuse him of actually having an 'affair' of sorts (if you could call it that, they weren't married, but they might as well be). He may have engaged in several flings, but none of them were anything he was committing to. He was committed to Kathy. He groaned and shook his head in frustration. He needed a release.

He jumped back into his car and started the engine. It was a lot like the roar of a lion, but he ignored it as he usually tried to. He pulled out of the spot he had parked in and began driving down the street. No fewer than a few blocks down a particularly empty street, he spotted a lady walking on her own. He recognized her as one of the ladies at Kathy's dance rehearsals.

"Hey, need a good ride home?" he asked, leaning out the car window with a cocky grin on his face. He found his release.

[tuna]

OUTFIT:: here! // TAG:: Two-Bit // NOTES:: n/a //

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The sound of the awful muffler-less car caught Alice’s attention before it was upon her. The sound annoyed her slight, but mostly because it reminded her of her parents. Their old blue Buick. She remember how the fabric on the ceiling would almost rest on her father’s head. The windows that wouldn’t crank down. The air conditioning/heater never worked, and neither did the radio. The awful sound it emitted was the most pleasant thing about the heap of junk. And that sound was awful. She remembered when they drove the nearly one hundred miles to her Uncle Frank, and how she’d tried so hard to sleep to no avail. The memory that came rushing back to her, quickly went rushing away and left her with a rather sad look on her face as she walked.

“Hey, need a good ride home?”

His voice startled her and stopped her in her tracks. It was unusual to be asked such a question. Even more unusual for a guy in a car that could only be described as ‘dumpster chic.’ She thought about saying something to make him aware of the fact that he was being super creepy. Instead she shrugged her shoulder and found herself nodding. Her feet hurt. Walking the few miles home didn’t seem like an option that was all that pleasant either. But was it preferable to what this guy might do to her? She walked over to his car and rested her elbows where a window should’ve been, and her head on her fists. She stared at him for a moment. He was handsome. She stared about the car for a moment, taking notice that there weren’t any visible weapons. But she was aware of the fact that if he honestly wanted to hurt her, she’d be powerless to stop him.

“Sure. I’m just right down the street,” she said softly, smiling. She decided to take her chances and get in, closing the door carefully after her for fear it might break. She put on her seatbelt and then offered him her right hand for his taking.

“I’m Alice. Alice Ayers,” she said, still smiling gently.

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[merrill]

Two-Bit let the engine calm down to a gentle purr. He didn't bother pointing her to the other side, instead he opened his side and jabbed his thumb in the passenger's seat direction. He was not going to bother telling her the other door was jammed. Man, he wished he had a Camaro.

He had a peculiar feeling about this Alice girl. Just the way she had looked at him and inspected his car. Like she didn't trust him. He internally snorted at himself, who wouldn't trust ol' Two-Bit? He was as trustworthy as a collie and its sheep. "The name's Two-Bit Mathews," he said. "And how would you be feelin' today?" He cocked an eyebrow very suggestively.

He might as well outwardly asked her for sex, but he knew it would be better to be more subtle about it. He could almost feel his mother scorning him. Kathy too. He was not ashamed at all, but he knew that sex wouldn't always drown one's misery. It didn't get him anywhere either, besides pleasure. Also, his mother was religious and didn't like the whole 'sex before marriage' thing; but when she had told Two-Bit that, he had told her that she should practice what she preaches.

He slammed the door shut and revved the engine again, turning up the dial on his radio. It was some Elton John song and he immediately switched off to another station. He hated that guy. An Elvis song filled the cab and he tapped his fingers along with the beat. "Ya dig him?" he asked, making an attempt to break the ice.