In this story watch for ( ), they will contain songs that are paired with the upcoming scene. It is not a requirement to listen to the song while reading but it does add to the story. Please do let me know if you catch any spelling or grammatical errors while reading. If you are a new reader please do give this story a few chapters, it does start out slow. Enjoy!
It had been one week since Kay had moved and both they and Mary Shelley had adjusted well. Kay had spent a little time making the house their own, adjusting furniture, throwing some things that seemed to be ingrained with dust out, and had even repainted the kitchen and study to more suit their tastes. The study was by far their favorite room at the moment. It was a dusted matcha green with deep mahogany floors, and a desk that was almost a perfect match was placed perfectly next to three large book cases that covered an entire wall. There were a few other things scattered in the room as well; a lamp that no longer worked, an easel, an old typewriter, a pot that apparently had once held a plant of some sort, and a day bed against a large bay window overlooking the yard. Kay still hadn't forced themselves to go upstairs, almost afraid of what kind of train wreck it would be. Checking the fridge they sighed realizing they'd have to go grocery shopping if they intended to eat anything after breakfast.
Mary Shelley jumped onto the counter holding some small unidentified fish.
Kay grimaced and took the dead fish from the cat and tossed it into the garbage to go out but that did give them an idea. They could try their hand at fishing since one of their neighbors had mentioned that fishing off the docks was good this time of year. Deciding that was what they'd do with their day Kay poured themselves a bowl of cereal and watched out the bay window, facing the street. Out the window Kay watched Lucas as he attempted to scrub the paint off his door, instead the paint stained the white door a pale pink. They let out a giggle watching as Vincent knocked over a bucket and sent both it and Lucas sprawling, Lucas jumping up and chasing after the dog in some sort of game.
Kay made their way to the docks just after noon, choosing to fish off the one furthest from the shore. Casting their line they waited, simply taking in the scenery.
There was an unusually warm breeze for autumn and the leaves on the trees had changed color. The waves rolled and splashed against the docks and the seagulls filled the air, watching the water Kay began to wonder if there were ever dolphins in the bay, but decided that the water was likely too cold for most marine life. Feeling a tug on the line they reeled in, managing to catch a minnow. Not what they were hoping for but it was a fish. Taking it off the hook they tossed it back and recast.
"Mind if I join you?" A gruff voice asked.
Kay looked over their shoulder and into the sun at a scruffy man, after a second their eyes focused with the light and they nodded. "I don't mind," Kay mumbled taking note of the dog at his side, wondering where Mary Shelley had wandered off to.
Lucas sat on the opposite side of the dock, his back to Kay. "If you use a larger hook you won't catch minnows. The hook will be too large for their mouth," he murmured, offering a small piece of advice. "And not using bread balls."
Kay looked over their shoulder at him blinking surprised. "Uh, thanks," they laughed nervously. Pulling their line out of the water they picked the bread off their hook before changing the hook out for a lure.
They sat in silence with their backs to each other. Lucas seemed to be having better luck fishing than Kay. Kay looked over their shoulder at him occasionally, trying to see what he did different that the fish seemed to be biting less than five feet away.
"Want to change sides?" Lucas asked sounding amused.
"Something tells me that won't help," Kay laughed.
"How bout trading poles then?"
"You sure about that?" Kay asked pulling their line in.
Lucas chuckled and did the same, standing to hand his fishing rod to Kay. "Not like I can't get it back, you just live across the street."
Kay shrugged and turned to shake his hand. "My name is Kay."
He shook their hand, noticing how much rougher his hand was than theirs. "Lucas. Are you the one with the orange and white cat?"
Kay nodded glancing to the shaggy black dog at his side. "Yeah, thats Mary Shelley."
"Ah, so you must a literature lover," he smirked putting a hand on the dogs head. "This is Vincent."
Kay shifted awkwardly holding their arm. "Vincent is an odd name for a dog," they commented.
Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. "Hes named for Van Goh."
"So youre a painter?" They asked.
Lucas nodded and offered to switch fishing rods, which Kay accepted with a somewhat shy smile.
"Id like to see your work sometime. I'm a writer."
Lucas smiled, what appeared to be his first genuine smile and turned back to the water.
Kay attempted using Lucas' fishing rod though it didn't seem to make a difference. "I think the fish like you more," Kay laughed. Then there was a tug on their line, panicking Kay managed to reel in a rather large fish though they couldn't identify what it was. "What do I do?" they asked in a panic, the fish wiggling on the line trying to free itself.
Lucas laughed and turned standing rather close to Kay, showing them how take the fish off the hook. "Didn't your dad teach you how to do this?"
Kay looked away, avoiding his eyes. "I don't know. I don't remember my parents.
"Ah," Lucas grimaced realizing he likely just brought up a painful subject, but before he could apologize Vincent barked and jumped off the dock after something in the water.
As vincent jumped off he slammed into the side of Kays legs, and in an attempt to catch themselves they grabbed onto Lucas. Unfortunately rather than Lucas serving as an anchor to balance them, they both fell into the icy water. Lucas' head popped up first cursing as he looked around for Kay. Kay came up a few feet away from him, struggling to keep their head above water. Lucas grabbed Kay's arm and pulled them up, helping them onto the dock before climbing up himself. "
Lucas shook himself off like a dog then looked to Kay, who sat on the dock shivering. "You alright?"
Kay nodded and looked up at him wide eyed. "S-sorry," they mumbled still shivering.
Lucas shrugged. "Not the first time I've fallen off the dock."
Kay shivered and looked to their house. "Look why don't you come to my house to dry off and I'll make dinner. Its the least I can do," they sighed offering him a small, somewhat apologetic smile.
He blinked, unsure of how to answer, it had been so long since anyone had invited him to anything, but at the same time it meant stepping in to that house again. Hesitantly he nodded, making up his mind.