Author's Notes – Big thanks to Chylea3784, who totally wrote the majority of the dialog for this part.
Also I'm sure some people are wondering 'where the hell does she come up with Tommy's thought process for this story' well I'll tell you. Basically I drink a lot of caffeinated drinks, put on random movies, and just type what ever the hell comes into my head. Thus we get Tommy's choppy and not all there thought process…so I guess in other words it's my own.
Summary – Tommy takes a chance.
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Sink or Swim
Tommy
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(Week 35)
"Thanks for bringing me out here." Looking down at the bottle of Orange Soda in my hands, I shift uncomfortably making the old wooden picnic table we're perched on creak in complaint.
"It's a nice change of scenery." Yeah it is. It's been a long time since I've been to the beach. "Any particular reason you wanted to come here though? Maybe go for a swim?" Right, no, don't count on it. The pool might be sort of okay now, but if you think I'm risking being eaten by a shark you have another thing coming. Did you not pay attention when we watched 'Jaws' the other day?
"Not a chance."
Laughing and apparently not expecting any other answer but that one, he nods. "Okay just asking." This is too hard. Why'd I let Jason talk me into it? I don't even think he likes Adam very much, no clue why. I should say something. 'Let's go out?' No that's no good. Jason should have told me what to say, he got Kat so clearly he must know something about this sort of thing. Though Kat's not a guy so maybe it's different. This sucks.
"You know, I was starting to think I could never have any of this again." Any of what exactly I'm not sure of, but it sounded good right? Yeah it's all deep and brooding, that's hot right. Who says that all the time? That slutty Hilton girl on TV. Can't believe they gave her her own show. I get tortured for saving the world and she gets her own show for being a mean skank. That's justice for you.
Looking at me curiously, if not a little confused he response easily. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah." Okay breathe, just breathe. "You know you were the first one who really broke through any of my fears with that little stunt in the pool. Not that I appreciate you scaring me like that, but still." I suppose he got what he deserved in the end though; Jason was definitely not pleased when he learned about how he got me into water. Threatened to actually drown him if I remember right.
Looking rather shamefaced he shakes his head. "I'm sorry about that. I just knew that the Tommy I knew was still in there somewhere and it was the only way I could think of to find him." Man I stink at this, I was trying to compliment him not make him feel bad. This is no good. Maybe what we need is pie.
"I'll never really be him again, you know." Though I think I'm doing a better job at it. I mean if you don't count the new haircut, the black clothes, and my weird conversations. Though I personally don't think they're weird, but Kat, Jason, Rocky, and Tanya keep mentioning it. Maybe they're just weird. You know weird is a weird word too. Can you use a word to describe itself? Weird is weird. That's weird. "You know what's weird, weird is weird."
Frowning briefly and possibly thinking about this, he finally nods before answering. "Yes, I suppose it is. Now about you never being you again, I know that you feel that way, but you can still live and live well, if you decide to. I'm here for you - we all are." See he knows how to follow a conversation, why don't the others. If anything they're weird and me and Adam are the normal ones. Hey wait he just gave me the perfect set up didn't he. Score!
"I know, but sometimes I look at the future and realize that I can't completely move on and it scares me. It's not like I can go up to someone and say 'I used to be a Power Ranger but I was captured and tormented for a really long time, but I'm back now - do you want to go on a date?'" So do you? He's laughing, that's no good. Why's he laughing?
"Well that's true. But maybe someday you can get past it enough that it won't matter as much." Oh he didn't get I was asking him out at the end. That sucks, now I have to do it all over again.
"Or maybe I just have to find someone who understands and has already helped me." Hint hint.
Suddenly looking as if he's caught on, he nevertheless asks anyways. "Like who?" This would have been so much easier had Jason just asked him out for me like I said he should.
Looking back down at the bottle of soda in my hands I mutter it out, "Like maybe you."
"Me?" Well I guess saying it quietly like that is better than him jumping up and yelling it. Though that would have been kind of cool if he'd jumped up and yelled it all happily.
"I know you like guys, I've seen you looking. I like you, I mean you've done so much for me and you're nice and I don't know why I like you more I just do and thought maybe you might a little bit feel–"
Cutting me off, gently but affectively, he still hasn't said yes or no yet. "Do you really think you're ready to take that step? You know you still flinch if people get too close, or get upset when something surprises you." I don't flinch when you get close. So see what's it matter if I don't like other people, I like you, so that should be enough.
Sighing and ready to go home and beat Jason up for saying I should tell him, it's not fair. I look like his type as far as I can tell, I like him, he seems to like me, how come we can't go out? What's difference between calling it a date and doing what we normally do like go places and eat dinner and stuff. "Never mind."
"Hey now." Stopping me before I can slide off the table, he moves closer and no offence but really don't want you closer right now. "I didn't say no."
"You didn't say yes."
"No I just asked if you thought you were ready for something like that. I worry about you and I don't want to do anything to set you back and there's really no more volatile situation than dating." I guess so.
"Gotta start somewhere."
"Like a date?" That was the plan. When I nod, he seems to relent. "Alright, if you're sure it's what you want."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I like you. Never really thought you'd be attracted to me like that considering your past history with women in pink, but can't say I'm not interested. Just like I said a little concerned considering how close we already are and what you've been through." Yeah well not getting much better these days, so might as well try to move on regardless.
"So…you like me?"
Taking the bottle from my hands, he laces his fingers with mine. "Of course I like you. Wouldn't agree to try this if I didn't." That's hot.
"Cool." Waiting a few breathes and just enjoying the fact he agreed, I'm suddenly struck by a rather annoying thought. "Of course you'd have to pay since I have no job and no money."
Laughing he shakes his. "I think that can be arranged."
To be continued……..
