04/12/2007 10:07:00

Dusk settled on LA and Beth walked along the boardwalk at her own pace near the carnival. For some reason, Feeling Good by Muse just seemed the perfect song right now. The chill against her skin made her wear her large black coat and her dark blue jeans made her feel just a little bad. Right now, she should be home to Josh and they should be having dinner, but tonight she wasn't. There was a carnival; there was always a story.

As she walked in and out of the booths and rides, she stared at the people. All different shapes, sizes, and back-stories. When she was younger, she used to make stories for each one of them, just play with some sort of idea and let it ride. To bad she didn't become a writer.

In front of the water and behind the Ferris wheel was a little wooden bench cloaked in the dark. The bench was cool against her fingertips and she sat down watching the people.

"This seat taken?" She lazily looked up at the apparent male and was struck by his handsome features. He had pale skin and black hair that fell in his dark blue eyes. Everything about his was long and slim, even his nose. "No."

He smiled and she noticed that although it was crooked as can be, there was something charismatic about it. "Thanks."

His voice was low and had a jazzy kind of sound to it, but filled her up and washed over her. She had been so focused she hadn't focused on him, which was easily a focal point.

His whole look was a bit weird. He wore a large black coat over black slacks, bright green cons, and a black v-neck sweater with and white collared button down. He also sat like he had the world in the palm of his hand and seemed comfortable. Damn him for being hot, Beth thought.

"You don't strike me as the carnival type." He looked at her with those dark blue eyes and she stared straight back, after traveling with Mick, she could do almost anything.

"You don't either."

He chuckled and looked down, "Yeah, but that's the fun thing." He stood up and stretched, taking his large black coat off, he was skinny.

"See anything you like?" He chuckled and Beth raised an eyebrow in exasperation. He laughed more at this and watched as she got up to go away.

"Come on darling, don't need to act that way, I'm just playing."

Beth stopped and turned around and stared at him, he was a good eight inches taller than her five six, but she was still intimating.

"Listen, I have had a bad week that went from bad to hell. I don't need your kind tonight." She turned but felt his long fingers around her wrist, "Don't even think about it," she began but was spun around. He had his hands around her arms and his crooked smile mesmerized her. "I was kidding sweetheart, no need to be angry." He let her go and backed away looking all over until he settled on her. "Hey, let me make this week better for you, I'll take you out to dinner, an apology for my behavior." Beth rolled her eyes and began to walk away but he was to quick and stepped in front of her. "Hey," he said and bent down to stare her straight in the eyes, "this is not game, I just want to take you out to dinner, your choice, and it's a free meal."

She nodded and linked her arm around his as he grabbed his coat. "Surprise me."

"Surprise you, aren't you a bit trusting?"

"I can always just kick your ass."

"What makes you think you can?"

"I've had a hell of a week."

"Point taken."