Lets just talk...[[1 female needed]]

[nixon]

Nostalgia. If David could ever completely get rid of one thing in this entire world, it would be that. It was the only reason he was out here in the first place, swinging on one of the lone swings in a slowly emptying park. The sun was setting, and anyone who had chanced coming out here in the chilly but sunny day were heading off toward their homes for the night. Well, if you could call it swinging really. He was more just sitting there moving the smallest bit backwards and forwards without really taking his feet off the ground. To actually swing would take far too much effort for the man who would rather sit here in his silent musings and watch the familiar stretches of the park cover themselves in shadows as the sun slipped over the trees. His hands were stuffed deep in the pockets of his zippered hoodie, his shoulders hunched forward somewhat to keep his body heat at least partially warming himself. It was cold out today/tonight, he couldn’t argue with that. But the chill in the darkening air wasn’t going to scare him away, not in the least.

He didn’t want to go home to an empty little one-room apartment that was his. He didn’t want to drop by his mother’s and get caught up in idle ‘dinner/evening chat’ about things he would rather not think about. And he didn’t want to head over to the bar that was so strategically placed close to his said apartment. Although the alcohol was tempting. Just not tempting enough tonight.

Tonight he was more focused on the memories he would rather forget. The days he had spent in this park that hadn’t been completely and utterly carefree like every other teenager. When he had been thinking about how much he could work while balancing the dojo and whatever social life he had. It was time to head home, he supposes. But, of course, the way back home from the park’s swing sets was the long way, and so he trudged along in his worn down Converse, folded up upon himself against the cold, head down watching the ground. Who else would be out and about at this time? Or, well, who else that he would really care to even share a passing glance with? Because there were always people who waited until the more obscure hours of the night to do what they couldn’t do in broad daylight.

He did pause as he neared one of the benches along the sidewalk of the park, looking over a girl whom looks outwardly innocence. She didn’t look like she wanted to be bothered, but she didn’t look like one of the people that David was hoping not to find out here in the semi-dark of the lamp lit night. And the fact that she was just sitting out here by herself made him want to stop and figure out why, even if he was probably a lot more antisocial right now than he normally was. Because normally he would have absolutely no problem starting a conversation with a complete stranger like her – right now he only considered the option, weighing it heavily against simply walking by and going home. His nostalgia had caught him by the throat and while he didn’t want to sit and sulk for the rest of the night, his version of ‘hiding’ from it usually led to that. So his options were to go home and let that happen, or stopping here and hoping that perhaps a short little conversation could distract him enough to derail the familiar and dangerous train of thought he couldn’t otherwise rid himself of.

Sitting down at the other end of the bench – far enough away not to encroach upon any kind of personal bubble but not wanting to stand there and talk with her – he found himself giving her one more small once-over, not even thinking about it. “You know, most people hanging around out here after the sun goes down aren’t out here alone.” People didn’t necessarily trust the dark, even in this ‘small town.’ There were always troublemakers looking for the perfect target, or just people’s imaginations scaring them inside. Those that stayed out stayed with friends, or lovers out to enjoy the night’s silence. But wasn’t that all true everywhere? Honestly, he wouldn’t really know, he had spent most of his life around here, and he didn’t really see himself leaving anytime soon. Oh well. “So what’s your reason to sit out all alone?” There was a small smile on his features as he watched her for a moment, waiting for her answer. Friendly, willing to chat, but not really having all that much to say himself. He could only hope she had something to say, otherwise he’d be out of luck with any form of distraction tonight.

[DANIELLE O'SHEA]

Tilting her head back slightly the young woman enjoyed the last warm rays of sunlight on her skin. She had always been used to colder weather but that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy a little warmth. Especially considering it didn’t occur a lot. A lot of people had clearly followed her train of thought because the park was filled with people. Young and older couples holding hands and stealing kisses every once in a while, children playing on the grass and dogs and their owners jogging or playing. Everything looked so peaceful and carefree it made a smile form on Danielle’s lips. It was funny how sometimes the world could look so innocent. Especially considering it was exactly the opposite. She wasn’t going to let her dark thoughts ruin her evening though, maybe for once she would actually remember it. The last few weeks there had been holes in her memory, some bigger than others. Last week she was missing two days in her memory and according to her boss she hadn’t showed up at work. Luckily for her she had a very flexible boss, or she would have to worry about finding a new job too on top of the constant worrying about her health. Distracted she didn’t see the yellow frisbee fly towards her head until it was just a meter away from her. Any normal person would have probably been hit on the head and stuck with a major headache, some reflex however caused Danielle to lift her hand and catch the disk before it landed against her head. The kids that were halfway to her were staring at her with awe as she got up confused looking where it had come from.

“Hey I’m sorry about that!” One of the boys apologized no older than 16 years old. ”It’s okay, no harm done.” She said handing him the Frisbee. “That were some wicked reflexes by the way”. The boy added as he took it from her, shooting her a wink. Danielle couldn’t hold back the laugh escaping her lips, partly trying to hide her own surprise. “A gift.” She said shrugging turning her back on him and sitting back on the bench, ending the conversation. The last thing she felt like now was to flirt with a teenage over hormonal boy. Unfortunately for him she had caught his glances and of course the wink just made the picture complete. Looking around she noticed most people starting to clear out and go home. Seattle wasn’t a safe place at night, especially lately. There had been a record of murders and cops were starting to expect a serial murderer. The police were all on high alert and citizens had been warned to not leave their house unless it was really necessary. Danielle however never had been a girl to follow up the law or take advice for that matter. She didn’t feel like going home yet, and she was sure that if any strange guys did come up to her and try anything the gun tucked away in her handbag would quickly change their mind on the matter. If only they knew Danielle had never even used a gun in her entire life. Her father had always taken her brother out on hunting trips but whenever she had asked to join them the usual answer had been said to her ”It’s a guy thing kiddo She rolled her eyes hearing the voice of her father in her head. She had always hated his overprotective behavior, everyone’s overprotective behavior towards her. It pissed her off more than anything.

Arching her back without really thinking about it she couldn’t help but blush as a quiet sort of spinning sound escaped her lips. She had noticed the guy approaching her and was wondering if he had heard it. Good job at scaring them off before they have even said a word to you girl She thought to herself moving a hand through her hair. For a second she expected him to simply walk past her, so could you could probably guess how surprised she was when he sat down on the bench. A good distance away still but next to her. Turning to him as he spoke to her she smiled. “How do you know I’m not one of them?” She said holding her head to the side somewhat teasingly, obviously joking. “I’m just thinking honestly, trying to put my mind of some things, What’s your reason?”