Yay! I'm really excited to be starting a new fic :) The title is a bit clunky, but it's what fits, in my opinion :P

It's a pairing that most people probably wouldn't think of, haha...but what can I say? I love thinking of odd pairings, and even more than that, I love being surprised by odd pairings that other people come up with. :D So um, have an open mind? Haha.

I really wanted this to be a romantic comedy...I mean, it'll be a lot lighter than anything else I've done lately, I think. But unfortunately I'm not so good at the comedy aspect DX Oh well. Please enjoy it anyway~ I'd appreciate reviews, too. ;)

x x x

Chapter One

I don't need anyone! I'm living on my own! Don't look for me!

That's what I yelled at them this morning, but… Selena gritted her teeth, standing at the bottom of the ramp that led off the ferryboat and feeling very foolish.

She'd finally had enough of her boring life on Toucan Island and boldly stormed out of Pineapple Inn that morning, to the surprise and dismay of her parents. It felt great at the time to do something so rebellious, but now it was quickly catching up to her that she wasn't quite as ready as she'd thought.

For starters, she was practically penniless. Although she had gone so far as to pack her things up in a knapsack the night before in preparation, she found the ferry tickets outrageously overpriced (One thousand gold for a trip to the mainland?! she'd yelped when the boat captain told her the cost) and was forced to take the only trip that could fit in her budget—the voyage to Waffle Town, on an island so close that the ticket was free. It wasn't ideal, but she'd only planned on spending money on necessities.

And now, Selena realized, she was homeless. "Agh," she groaned, tugging at the loose strands of her ponytail. "What was I thinking?" No matter what, she couldn't go back home. At least not for a while. It would be mortifying after the show she put on that morning if she came slinking back with her head hanging low.

I'm just going to have to tough it out. Remember what you're here for! she thought, clenching her fists and concentrating on psyching herself up. You're going to be the best damn dancer that…that…Waffle Town's ever seen!

Sufficiently motivated, Selena took a deep breath and walked down the pier towards the town. She passed a shack with a sign that read On The Hook and wrinkled her nose at the overwhelming smell of fish. It reminded her of her mom, Sue, and all times she'd come home after a long day of fishing…

No, no! she reprimanded herself, shaking her head slightly. Thinking anything or anyone from that stupid island is off limits!

After less than five minutes of walking she came upon a hotel-and-bar. It was called Sundae Inn, according to the sign posted outside. She stood in front of the building, a few feet away from the door, deliberating. The place looked quaint and almost a little rundown, so it probably wouldn't cost that much. On the other hand, she barely had enough money as it was. She wondered if they would even take her, seeing as how she wasn't even eighteen yet. Would they try to call her parents and have her picked up? The thought alone made her shudder from humiliation. She just wouldn't tell them the truth.

"Sorry, but you're in the way, so could you move please?"

Serena jumped at the voice that suddenly came from behind her, and turned slowly around to face the person who'd spoken, raising her eyebrows. If she hadn't already heard his voice, she would've mistaken him for a girl, for his voice was just about the only masculine quality he possessed.

The sleeves of his crisp white shirt were neatly rolled up to his elbows, and he was wearing a dark green apron smeared with some kind of floury substance. His frame was quite slender overall, and his hair stuck out every direction in wild strawberry blonde curls, only tamed on one side of his head by bobby pins. What stood out to her most of all at the moment, however, were his shoes. She could see the toes of his feet (one of which was tapping impatiently as he waited for her to move) poking out from his worn sandals. The sight of the exposed skin made her shiver a little in her own skimpy outfit; despite Waffle Town's relatively close position to Toucan Island and the fact that it was already spring, the late morning breeze felt much more chilly than it did back home, especially against her bare navel.

During her silence in which she took in his feminine appearance, he paraphrased his request, this time a little more forcefully. "Move, please. You're blocking the way for customers."

It's almost wrong to hear rude things coming from such a sweet-looking face, Selena thought to herself, frowning in her slight irritation. His face was rounded and his skin was smooth and fair; the only thing that offset his look of innocence were his shockingly violet eyes, which were, at that instant, focused sharply on her.

"Maybe I am a customer," she huffed, flipping her auburn ponytail over her shoulder and sticking out her chest, hands resting on her curvy hips. In spite of her outward appearance she was no slut, nor had she much experience with the opposite sex, but she knew enough to use her rather well endowed body to her advantage.

He was unfazed by her attempts to sway him, however, giving her a clinical once-over before his eyes flicked back to hers. He then stepped so that he was standing very close to her and reached out to grasp the doorknob of the inn's entrance.

"In that case," he said, flashing her a maddeningly patronizing smile as he pulled the door open and held it for her, gesturing for her to go inside, "please, come in."

x x x

That guy…

Selena found him astoundingly annoying. He'd barely said a few sentences to her and already she disliked him. Of course, she had a tendency to not like people from the start. But who could blame her when there were people like him walking around?

She couldn't even pick out what exactly it was that got to her. His stupid smile, maybe, or the way he treated her like she was such a burden, a pest. Like she was a stray dog that wouldn't stop following him, and he had to finally give up and let her trail behind him.

I would've walked in here whether or not you said anything, she imagined telling him, silently fuming as they entered the Sundae Inn. It's not like I needed your permission.

"Colleen!" he called out, shutting the door behind Selena. "There's a guest."

Selena looked in the direction he was looking to see a red-headed woman bustling over to greet them. Behind her came an older-looking man with graying hair, a short, round woman with a stern, wrinkled face, and a ridiculously adorable girl, who was clad in a frilly-looking dress and Mary Janes. She felt all squirmy as soon as they crowded around; she couldn't remember the last time she was in a room with so many people without her parents. She held her head up a little higher and put on a look of nonchalance.

"Welcome to the Sundae Inn!" the red-haired woman said cheerfully. "I'm Colleen, and this is my husband Jake, my mother Yolanda, and my daughter Maya."

Selena's eyes went from person to person as Colleen introduced them, and then looked expectantly at Chase. He smiled that stupid smile again and waved a little. "I'm Chase. I do the cooking around here. I'm Yolanda's apprentice."

"Nice to meet you," Selena said, purposefully turning away from him and focusing on Colleen. She felt awkward just saying it, so she stuck out a hand stiffly for her to shake. Colleen smiled kindly, grasping her hand and obliging her. Jake shook hers next, followed by Yolanda and then Maya. She could feel Chase's pointed stare burning holes into the side of her face but she ignored him. But he clearly wasn't interested in shaking her hand as he made no move to get close enough, which was just as well. Selena then returned her arm to her side, wondering what came next.

"So, how long do you think you'll be staying with us?" Colleen asked, titling her head to the side. "It's two hundred gold a night."

Selena's jaw dropped, but only for a moment. She quickly snapped her mouth shut and tried to rearrange her features into something less surprised. Two hundred gold probably wasn't a lot to the average person. "Um. Well. I'm not entirely sure yet. At least for a night or two…"

"I see. Where are you from?" As Colleen spoke, Selena watched Maya edge away, looking like she was trying to stand closer to Chase, who—Selena finally looked back at him—had plopped himself down at one of the tables scattered about the room and was watching her with a detached sort of interest.

"Um, Toucan Island," Selena answered nervously, praying they hadn't heard of it.

"Oh, I've heard of that," Jake commented. "It's supposed to be a good vacation spot, right?"

Crap crap crap, Selena thought. "I guess. I worked at the inn there." Oh no. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Maybe they know my parents—

"What brings you here?" Colleen inquired, looking at her with an innocent sort of curiosity. Nevertheless, the question made Selena uneasy.

"I'm going to be a dancer," she blurted, earning blank stares from everyone in the room. She could feel herself blush but could feel a bit of pride coming on. "It's…it's a dream of mine. I wanted to go to the mainland, but I'm kind of strapped for cash right now, so I came here instead." She watched their faces carefully. They seemed to finally taking in her appearance—everyone but Chase, that is. His mouth twitched, like he was suppressing a laugh, but his face remained passive otherwise. It made her blush deepen and she narrowed her eyes at him.

"A…dancer?" Colleen echoed, looking perplexed. Jake, Yolanda, and Maya wore similar faces of disbelief.

They're not taking you seriously. It's just like Mom and Dad, Selena thought bitterly. "Maybe it's better if I go," she said coldly, her frustration seeping into her voice. "I'll find somewhere else to stay." It was quite bold of her, even if they might not have realized it—she had nowhere else to go. But at the moment she was more concerned with her dignity than being levelheaded.

To her surprise, Colleen stopped her. "No, no, please wait! I'm sorry if I offended you. I was just a little surprised. It's a…strange occupation, something I've never heard of. But we would love to have you. Money isn't a problem; you can help out in the kitchen to earn your way here! So please, stay. You're very welcome here."

Selena stared at her, feeling her anger subside, replaced with an almost comforting feeling. Colleen seemed so sincere and motherly…

Off limits, off limits, she reminded herself. Absolutely no homesickness allowed, whatsoever!

She opened her mouth to respond, until she remembered what he had said. I'm Yolanda's apprentice. I do the cooking around here.

Meaning he helped out in the kitchen, too. Meaning they'd be working together.

He's not worth throwing away your only place to stay, Selena told herself firmly. You have to take this offer. You have to. She bit her lip, deliberating for a few more minutes before finally giving in. "…All right. Thank you very much." She bowed her head slightly, hoping to convey her gratitude.

"You're welcome, sweetheart. Chase, could you take her bag upstairs? And Maya, could you get the room ready?"

"Yes, Mom!" Maya said with a little salute, grinning and scurrying off up the stairs. Chase stood up and walked over to Selena, offering his hand to take her bag.

"Your things, milady," he quipped, smiling at her. She glared at him and slowly, reluctantly slid her knapsack off her shoulders. She handed it over and he took it without another word, nodding his head a little.

But then, just as he walked away, she swore she heard him mutter loud enough for only her to hear, "I suppose you can dance for your meals, then, eh?"

Her fists clenched and her toes curled.

That guy…

She hated him, she decided. Definitely hated him.

x x x