And so, the plot thickens. You're going to have to excuse the title of this chapter. Unfortunally, my best friend's infatuation with Keanu Reeves led me to watch one of his movies for her sake. And well, the results ended with me titling a chapter after a rather cheesy comment that had me laughing....and is still making me laugh.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Or is it bogus journey? It's excellent adventure right? I get so confused with Bill and Ted.
Easily Amused: Bill, Something Strange Is Afoot At The Circle K
I hadn't exactly intended on mourning over my love loss, it just kinda happened. I came home, plopped my ass on the couch and counted down the hours with reruns of 'Friends' and made for cable movies. Not to mention that I was rudely attacked by Ben and Jerry. And i'm not talking about men here. I also isolated myself from the family. The sweet reunion lasted about a week, which consisted of repeated trips to eccentric resturaunts, and musical outings. After that, I sent myself to my room, without doing anything to deserve it. I'd come down for dinner and maybe for a family movie but they were short appearances and I rarely talked. I was beginning to worry myself after that. Even when there wasn't anything to talk about at the table, i'd manage to dig up some odd topic of conversation. But I hardly did that after my escapade in Japan. It was maybe two weeks after being back in New Orleans that I overheard a little confabulation between my best friend and my mother. Momma had obviously called Becky when my lovesick condition worsened.
I turned over in my bed, listening to Becky's rapid steps up the stairs to my bedroom. Granted, I could've at least dressed for her arrival, but I didn't feel like doing that. Come to think of it, a shower would've worked too. The door slammed open and I covered myself with the comforter as if I was caught sleeping with yet another man.
"Dusty! How are you this fine day?" I rubbed my eyes and lifted myself from the unbearably soft mattress.
"It's day time?" My dark curtains were closed to block out any sunlight and I had to squint to make out Becky's outline. She just seemed to mesh with the bleak shadows. The curtains were suddenly thrown open and I found myself going into the light that everyone is warned to stay away from.
"Beck!!"
"You need to get out of bed." I crawled back underneath the covers, hoping Becky would catch the hint.
"You're not my therapist." I could now feel Becky tugging at the edge of my blanket. She just didn't know when she was beat.
"You need to stop moping over him and get out of bed. And take a shower. You reek." Ah, the gift of friendship. Every girl should have a best friend that tells you when you smell like yesterday's garbage. I sat up at the mention of 'him' and let my soiled hair fall over my face. I hated to admit it, but I felt like crap and probably looked like it as well.
"It has nothing to do with him." Who was I kidding? Of course I was moping around because of Shigure. It sucks to be rejected like that and he was no exception.
"Prove it." I almost went cockeyed when Becky stuck out my body wash and a small bottle of stolen hotel shampoo/conditioner. How dare she! Hotels work hard to provide their little shampoos and bars of soaps and complimentary mints! Mental post it- hide my stash of stolen hotel products before Becky finds them. I grabbed the bath materials from her hand and headed towards my bathroom. It was time to move on and stop stinking.
About an hour later, I returned downstairs only to find out that Becky had lost her patience with my overdue shower and left when her mother called her about some college replying to her application. I was a tidbit outraged that she just left for something as stupid has her future, but hey, life's tough like that. It's even more tougher when your mother hands you a shopping list and sends you to fetch a week's worth of groceries. Uh- huh. So there WAS an alternative plan to bringing Becky here today. How sneaky of you mother. I reluctantly took the wretched slip of paper and headed out to the local supermarket followed by an unplanned adventure to the local Circle K. Maybe treat myself to a squishie or those delightful little pepperoni pockets.
After little debate, I chose the convienence store over the supermarket. A squishie and a doughnut were so much more tempting than milk, eggs, bread, kiwi, and a twelve pack of pop. Oh, and how could I forget the spaghetti sauce? Silly me. New Orleans would fall apart if Mom didn't have Spaghetti Tuesdays. However, the Circle K was eerily quiet. Too quiet for my tastebuds. Not really. I still managed a bear claw and a cherry slushie. And, lucky me, I didn't get a brain freeze after being parted with my wonderful slushie for a whole week. Odd? Yes I am! I was in and out of the grocery store in approximately fifteen minutes, not that I was counting or anything. I hastily loaded up the small Pinto I received from Nana and Pops. I loved my grandparents, but they needed better tastes in cars. I was surprised the chuck wagon on wheels made it home in the summer heat but was even more surprised to see a sleek, black corvette sitting in front of our house. I grabbed the four large paper bags, dropping nothing I might add, and shoved the door open with my rear. I knew that body part was good for more than flaunting.
"Poppet!!" Ick. Another childhood name. Why couldn't parents just call me 'Dusty' like it was printed on my birth certificate? But I knew the voice. That deep, excited voice was the one that gave me my Yankee roots. It was my father. I was bombarded by a tight hug and noticed my mother shrugging her version of an apology at the kitchen table. Fred. That was my father's name. Fred Monroe. I was granted my mother's maiden name as my last name. But if I still had Mr. Eckers, my biology teacher who could never get my name, first or last, right, then I would gladly have accepted Monroe as my birthright.
"Dad? What are you doing here?" Most daughters would be delighted to see their father. But I never saw him to begin with, why start showing up now? Hell, he even missed my graduation. My day of salvation and freedom.
"Well, i'm glad you asked that..." He held a firm grip on my shoulders, which was starting to freak me out a little. I should've trusted my Circle K instincts and stayed at the grocery store longer. Maybe then Fred would've given up on me. In fact, I would have appreciated it even more if he took all his fatherly morals and shoved them straight up his candy a-
"Button!!" Oh no. Oh please no. I can't handle a family get together right now. I watched my Nana and Pops scatter from the kitchen and welcome me with kisses and endless hugs that could suck the air right out of you. And it did.
While everyone sat down in the living room and greeted Meredith with compliments and the occasional pinch on the cheek, I slipped into the kitchen with my mother. Meredith was still young. I could teach her how to maneuver out of those so called loving gestures with easy excuse techniques later. Right now though, I needed a heart to heart talk with my mom.
"What in God's name made you invite HIM!?" She stopped stirring her meal and glanced up at me. Man, this woman has the patience of a saint. If only her saintliness hadn't been brought on by inviting my father to dinner.
"He's your father, Dusty. He has certain rights." Ooh, the big guns. I knew when my mother was being serious, for she would bring in the governement and laws and whatnot. But I was hotter than Cajun shrimp at the moment.
"I am technically an adult! His rights ended on June 20 of last summer when I turned 18!!" She shook the spoon at me, almost dotting my t- shirt with spaghetti sauce.
"Enough Dusty! He is trying to earn a second chance with you! At least hear what he has to say!" I was bitter. Incredibly bitter. Bitter enough to take this little date to Dr. Phil.
The dinner was basically quiet except for a rude comment here and there and the witty repsonses from Nana. I tapped my fingernails on the oak table, wrapping my long noodles around my fork and suddenly finding Meredith's rendition of spaghetti more amusing than this supper.
"So, Fred, what brings you to New Orleans? Last I heard, you were in India." My father swallowed his large chunk of garlic bread.
"Well, i'm glad you asked that Monica. My reappearance has to do with Dusty." Nana frowned when he spoke her formal name but the smile was pasted back on when he mentioned my name. I,however, almost choked on a crouton when he said my name. Fred wiped his mouth and placed his napkin by his plate, turning his body just right as to see me when he spoke. "I thought that you and I could spend more time together. Your mom told me that you have a love for Japan." Well that was close to the truth. The love part was right. And I guess it happened in Japan. Sure. Continue. "My latest assignment is destined to that country and I thought that maybe you would like to go." Shock drifted out of my body and I found myself nodding in agreement. "Good! Then it's settled. We leave in the morning."
The full impact of what I had agreed on didn't hit me until later that night when my mother was cleaning Meredith up for bed. Usually, I would be at Becky's house, sliding down the wood floors of her hallway in a white button up shirt and my tighty whiteys. Of course, my true intention was to slide by Jett's room while his door was open. And sure, i'd end up as a permanent fixture on the hallway end closet. But it was a lot better than going to Japan with a man I hardly knew. Well I knew him. But I didn't want to. I watched my mom wrestle with Meredith and the petite pink pajamas she refused to wear.
"It's unfair Momma! I didn't know what I was nodding to!" She finally managed to button the top button. I couldn't help but smile to myself. Meredith was becoming more and more like me everyday. If I were two years old and the cutest little bugger that ever walked the Earth's crust then I wouldn't be caught dead in pink ruffled pajamas either.
"Dusty, you're bitter with the man for no reason. Just give him a chance and put a little love in your heart." She suddenly perked up at the mentioning of a song title from the seventies. At least I think it was the seventies. I have no idea of the year, I just know it's older than me.
"Please don't." She stood up and wrapped a tanned arm around my shoulder.
"Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand. Put a little love in your heart." This is ridiculous.
"Mom....I did the soup kitchen thing last year. That's helpin' out."
"You see it's getting late, Please don't hesitate. Put a little love in your heart."
"It's not even ten thirty. And there's plenty of love here!!"
"And the world would be a better place."
"I'm outta here." I ran into my room and locked the door behind me.I wasn't going to have another run in like that. It was then that reality hit me like a thungerbolt. Actually I bumped my head on the corner of my dresser when I went to pick up Beaker, but I had an epiphany nonetheless. This second chance was given to me for a reason. It was more than likely that Fred, I mean Father, I mean Dad, would let me pick the hotel. I could go back to the Americana and retrace my steps to Shigure and apologize. No, scratch that. Have HIM apologize. No, scratch that too. Just kiss and make up. Loneliness was getting to me at a rapid speed. I laid my head back, hoping that Beaker wouldn't pee on the bed I intended to sleep on that night, and let my eyes drift to sleep.
I don't exactly remember when Fred..um..Dad woke me up. I just know that I ended up on the plane. Which is a plus in my book. And before I knew it, I was back in Japan. Back in Japan. Who would've thought? And sure enough, the professional photographer let me pick the hotel, which I called out Hotel Americana in a heartbeat. The rooms were slightly larger and I was allowed room service. Becky preferred take out over a stingy bellboy any day of the week. It wasn't until later that I learned I was to attend a social gathering the next night. I was to go find myself an "elegant' gown, which isn't in my vocabulary. I was brought up in jeans and t-shirts and you were lucky if, like Meredith and her pajamas, you could wrestle me into a nice dress. But never, I mean never, would I be caught in an elegant dress. I didn't even wear a dress for prom! Actually, it's a funny story really. I went as a pimp and.....enough said. The point is, i'm not an elegant lady. But I went shopping regardless.
It sucks to let your mind wander aimlessly and let your legs lead you to where they want to go. And mine took me to the store, Ayame. Of all places, legs. You chose this place. The place of business for a very dear friend of the man i'm royally pissed at right now. I paused in front of the doors, not sure if this was the right place for me to find an evening gown. Damn Fred, I mean...forget it. I swallowed my strength and entered the store, praying to Buddah, or whomever was listening that I wouldn't find Shigure in there.
Within an hour, I was leaving the store with a very nice dress Ayame just happened to have. He told me it was 'perfect for breaking hearts and then some'. I didn't read into it. I draped the covered clothing over my shoulder and raced down the street. Hopefully, my father had ordered some kind of food. Airplane food just doesn't do it for me. However, just as I neared the pearly doors, I noticed my shoelace had come untied. Now this is highly unusual, for my shoes are either double knotted or laceless. I see no point in confining my feet to cheap leather. Besides, monkeys don't have to wear shoes and we supposedly evolved from them. If I have to wear shoes then I want every primate in every zoo to wear them also. Mental post it: Put shoes on a monkey first chance I get. A shadow fell upon me and I found myself looking up at the most handsome man i've seen in a long time. Dirty blonde hair, gelled neatly into some sophisticated spikes, gorgeous blue eyes, and a smile (equipped with perfect dimples) that would send Marlon Brando into a heated frenzy.
"Well ello there." Oh my freaking jellyfish! He was British! I could've fainted right there. I mean, that's my weakness. You hand me any man from Europe, well, except Germans or Swiss, or somewhere like that, and my knees go weak from their accent. I always told my mom ' Don't send me to Europe cause i'll come back pregnant.' Not really, but i'd do naughty, naughty things. And this man would be no exception. "Are you alright?" I quickly escaped my shoelaces and stood up.
"Huh?" He smiled once more, producing a giddish smirk from me.
"Well I thought it would hurt to fall from Heaven like that." Cheesy? Never!! But I played it cool.
"Do you always use cheesy pick up lines on every girl you find tying her shoes?" He looked down and I noted that he was wearing a dress shirt and slacks. I take that back, a Versace dress shirt. You speak my kind of Italian!!
"No. I was just trying to get a pretty girl's attention. Elijah Johnson." He bent down and gently grabbed my hand, planting a light kiss on my skin. Heeheeheehee! "And you are?" He released my hand and continued his neat posture.
"Dusty LaFayette." He raised his eyebrows and bowed.
"You're Fred Monroe's daughter, are you not? I've hear so much about you and your antics. I must say, I never thought such a wonderful personality could belong to such a beautiful woman." Woman! Wow! This guy couldn't be much older than Shigure and yet he was calling me a woman. He should just go ahead and place a wedding ring on me and save himself the trouble of wooing.
"Dusty?" Both Elijah and I turned to a violet eyed boy walking by. Yuki! I excused myself and went in for an embrace. And then I remembered the curse. Damn! Elijah was still watching me so I had to keep the whole smoke and nakedness thing on the downlow. I gave a white girl handshake that consisted of fifteen hand movements.
"How ya doin?" He rubbed the back of his head, probably wondering what I was doing back so soon.
"I thought you went back to America." Oh dear. "Maybe Shigure will stop moping around now." Oh bigger de- wait. Moping?
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Or is it bogus journey? It's excellent adventure right? I get so confused with Bill and Ted.
Easily Amused: Bill, Something Strange Is Afoot At The Circle K
I hadn't exactly intended on mourning over my love loss, it just kinda happened. I came home, plopped my ass on the couch and counted down the hours with reruns of 'Friends' and made for cable movies. Not to mention that I was rudely attacked by Ben and Jerry. And i'm not talking about men here. I also isolated myself from the family. The sweet reunion lasted about a week, which consisted of repeated trips to eccentric resturaunts, and musical outings. After that, I sent myself to my room, without doing anything to deserve it. I'd come down for dinner and maybe for a family movie but they were short appearances and I rarely talked. I was beginning to worry myself after that. Even when there wasn't anything to talk about at the table, i'd manage to dig up some odd topic of conversation. But I hardly did that after my escapade in Japan. It was maybe two weeks after being back in New Orleans that I overheard a little confabulation between my best friend and my mother. Momma had obviously called Becky when my lovesick condition worsened.
I turned over in my bed, listening to Becky's rapid steps up the stairs to my bedroom. Granted, I could've at least dressed for her arrival, but I didn't feel like doing that. Come to think of it, a shower would've worked too. The door slammed open and I covered myself with the comforter as if I was caught sleeping with yet another man.
"Dusty! How are you this fine day?" I rubbed my eyes and lifted myself from the unbearably soft mattress.
"It's day time?" My dark curtains were closed to block out any sunlight and I had to squint to make out Becky's outline. She just seemed to mesh with the bleak shadows. The curtains were suddenly thrown open and I found myself going into the light that everyone is warned to stay away from.
"Beck!!"
"You need to get out of bed." I crawled back underneath the covers, hoping Becky would catch the hint.
"You're not my therapist." I could now feel Becky tugging at the edge of my blanket. She just didn't know when she was beat.
"You need to stop moping over him and get out of bed. And take a shower. You reek." Ah, the gift of friendship. Every girl should have a best friend that tells you when you smell like yesterday's garbage. I sat up at the mention of 'him' and let my soiled hair fall over my face. I hated to admit it, but I felt like crap and probably looked like it as well.
"It has nothing to do with him." Who was I kidding? Of course I was moping around because of Shigure. It sucks to be rejected like that and he was no exception.
"Prove it." I almost went cockeyed when Becky stuck out my body wash and a small bottle of stolen hotel shampoo/conditioner. How dare she! Hotels work hard to provide their little shampoos and bars of soaps and complimentary mints! Mental post it- hide my stash of stolen hotel products before Becky finds them. I grabbed the bath materials from her hand and headed towards my bathroom. It was time to move on and stop stinking.
About an hour later, I returned downstairs only to find out that Becky had lost her patience with my overdue shower and left when her mother called her about some college replying to her application. I was a tidbit outraged that she just left for something as stupid has her future, but hey, life's tough like that. It's even more tougher when your mother hands you a shopping list and sends you to fetch a week's worth of groceries. Uh- huh. So there WAS an alternative plan to bringing Becky here today. How sneaky of you mother. I reluctantly took the wretched slip of paper and headed out to the local supermarket followed by an unplanned adventure to the local Circle K. Maybe treat myself to a squishie or those delightful little pepperoni pockets.
After little debate, I chose the convienence store over the supermarket. A squishie and a doughnut were so much more tempting than milk, eggs, bread, kiwi, and a twelve pack of pop. Oh, and how could I forget the spaghetti sauce? Silly me. New Orleans would fall apart if Mom didn't have Spaghetti Tuesdays. However, the Circle K was eerily quiet. Too quiet for my tastebuds. Not really. I still managed a bear claw and a cherry slushie. And, lucky me, I didn't get a brain freeze after being parted with my wonderful slushie for a whole week. Odd? Yes I am! I was in and out of the grocery store in approximately fifteen minutes, not that I was counting or anything. I hastily loaded up the small Pinto I received from Nana and Pops. I loved my grandparents, but they needed better tastes in cars. I was surprised the chuck wagon on wheels made it home in the summer heat but was even more surprised to see a sleek, black corvette sitting in front of our house. I grabbed the four large paper bags, dropping nothing I might add, and shoved the door open with my rear. I knew that body part was good for more than flaunting.
"Poppet!!" Ick. Another childhood name. Why couldn't parents just call me 'Dusty' like it was printed on my birth certificate? But I knew the voice. That deep, excited voice was the one that gave me my Yankee roots. It was my father. I was bombarded by a tight hug and noticed my mother shrugging her version of an apology at the kitchen table. Fred. That was my father's name. Fred Monroe. I was granted my mother's maiden name as my last name. But if I still had Mr. Eckers, my biology teacher who could never get my name, first or last, right, then I would gladly have accepted Monroe as my birthright.
"Dad? What are you doing here?" Most daughters would be delighted to see their father. But I never saw him to begin with, why start showing up now? Hell, he even missed my graduation. My day of salvation and freedom.
"Well, i'm glad you asked that..." He held a firm grip on my shoulders, which was starting to freak me out a little. I should've trusted my Circle K instincts and stayed at the grocery store longer. Maybe then Fred would've given up on me. In fact, I would have appreciated it even more if he took all his fatherly morals and shoved them straight up his candy a-
"Button!!" Oh no. Oh please no. I can't handle a family get together right now. I watched my Nana and Pops scatter from the kitchen and welcome me with kisses and endless hugs that could suck the air right out of you. And it did.
While everyone sat down in the living room and greeted Meredith with compliments and the occasional pinch on the cheek, I slipped into the kitchen with my mother. Meredith was still young. I could teach her how to maneuver out of those so called loving gestures with easy excuse techniques later. Right now though, I needed a heart to heart talk with my mom.
"What in God's name made you invite HIM!?" She stopped stirring her meal and glanced up at me. Man, this woman has the patience of a saint. If only her saintliness hadn't been brought on by inviting my father to dinner.
"He's your father, Dusty. He has certain rights." Ooh, the big guns. I knew when my mother was being serious, for she would bring in the governement and laws and whatnot. But I was hotter than Cajun shrimp at the moment.
"I am technically an adult! His rights ended on June 20 of last summer when I turned 18!!" She shook the spoon at me, almost dotting my t- shirt with spaghetti sauce.
"Enough Dusty! He is trying to earn a second chance with you! At least hear what he has to say!" I was bitter. Incredibly bitter. Bitter enough to take this little date to Dr. Phil.
The dinner was basically quiet except for a rude comment here and there and the witty repsonses from Nana. I tapped my fingernails on the oak table, wrapping my long noodles around my fork and suddenly finding Meredith's rendition of spaghetti more amusing than this supper.
"So, Fred, what brings you to New Orleans? Last I heard, you were in India." My father swallowed his large chunk of garlic bread.
"Well, i'm glad you asked that Monica. My reappearance has to do with Dusty." Nana frowned when he spoke her formal name but the smile was pasted back on when he mentioned my name. I,however, almost choked on a crouton when he said my name. Fred wiped his mouth and placed his napkin by his plate, turning his body just right as to see me when he spoke. "I thought that you and I could spend more time together. Your mom told me that you have a love for Japan." Well that was close to the truth. The love part was right. And I guess it happened in Japan. Sure. Continue. "My latest assignment is destined to that country and I thought that maybe you would like to go." Shock drifted out of my body and I found myself nodding in agreement. "Good! Then it's settled. We leave in the morning."
The full impact of what I had agreed on didn't hit me until later that night when my mother was cleaning Meredith up for bed. Usually, I would be at Becky's house, sliding down the wood floors of her hallway in a white button up shirt and my tighty whiteys. Of course, my true intention was to slide by Jett's room while his door was open. And sure, i'd end up as a permanent fixture on the hallway end closet. But it was a lot better than going to Japan with a man I hardly knew. Well I knew him. But I didn't want to. I watched my mom wrestle with Meredith and the petite pink pajamas she refused to wear.
"It's unfair Momma! I didn't know what I was nodding to!" She finally managed to button the top button. I couldn't help but smile to myself. Meredith was becoming more and more like me everyday. If I were two years old and the cutest little bugger that ever walked the Earth's crust then I wouldn't be caught dead in pink ruffled pajamas either.
"Dusty, you're bitter with the man for no reason. Just give him a chance and put a little love in your heart." She suddenly perked up at the mentioning of a song title from the seventies. At least I think it was the seventies. I have no idea of the year, I just know it's older than me.
"Please don't." She stood up and wrapped a tanned arm around my shoulder.
"Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand. Put a little love in your heart." This is ridiculous.
"Mom....I did the soup kitchen thing last year. That's helpin' out."
"You see it's getting late, Please don't hesitate. Put a little love in your heart."
"It's not even ten thirty. And there's plenty of love here!!"
"And the world would be a better place."
"I'm outta here." I ran into my room and locked the door behind me.I wasn't going to have another run in like that. It was then that reality hit me like a thungerbolt. Actually I bumped my head on the corner of my dresser when I went to pick up Beaker, but I had an epiphany nonetheless. This second chance was given to me for a reason. It was more than likely that Fred, I mean Father, I mean Dad, would let me pick the hotel. I could go back to the Americana and retrace my steps to Shigure and apologize. No, scratch that. Have HIM apologize. No, scratch that too. Just kiss and make up. Loneliness was getting to me at a rapid speed. I laid my head back, hoping that Beaker wouldn't pee on the bed I intended to sleep on that night, and let my eyes drift to sleep.
I don't exactly remember when Fred..um..Dad woke me up. I just know that I ended up on the plane. Which is a plus in my book. And before I knew it, I was back in Japan. Back in Japan. Who would've thought? And sure enough, the professional photographer let me pick the hotel, which I called out Hotel Americana in a heartbeat. The rooms were slightly larger and I was allowed room service. Becky preferred take out over a stingy bellboy any day of the week. It wasn't until later that I learned I was to attend a social gathering the next night. I was to go find myself an "elegant' gown, which isn't in my vocabulary. I was brought up in jeans and t-shirts and you were lucky if, like Meredith and her pajamas, you could wrestle me into a nice dress. But never, I mean never, would I be caught in an elegant dress. I didn't even wear a dress for prom! Actually, it's a funny story really. I went as a pimp and.....enough said. The point is, i'm not an elegant lady. But I went shopping regardless.
It sucks to let your mind wander aimlessly and let your legs lead you to where they want to go. And mine took me to the store, Ayame. Of all places, legs. You chose this place. The place of business for a very dear friend of the man i'm royally pissed at right now. I paused in front of the doors, not sure if this was the right place for me to find an evening gown. Damn Fred, I mean...forget it. I swallowed my strength and entered the store, praying to Buddah, or whomever was listening that I wouldn't find Shigure in there.
Within an hour, I was leaving the store with a very nice dress Ayame just happened to have. He told me it was 'perfect for breaking hearts and then some'. I didn't read into it. I draped the covered clothing over my shoulder and raced down the street. Hopefully, my father had ordered some kind of food. Airplane food just doesn't do it for me. However, just as I neared the pearly doors, I noticed my shoelace had come untied. Now this is highly unusual, for my shoes are either double knotted or laceless. I see no point in confining my feet to cheap leather. Besides, monkeys don't have to wear shoes and we supposedly evolved from them. If I have to wear shoes then I want every primate in every zoo to wear them also. Mental post it: Put shoes on a monkey first chance I get. A shadow fell upon me and I found myself looking up at the most handsome man i've seen in a long time. Dirty blonde hair, gelled neatly into some sophisticated spikes, gorgeous blue eyes, and a smile (equipped with perfect dimples) that would send Marlon Brando into a heated frenzy.
"Well ello there." Oh my freaking jellyfish! He was British! I could've fainted right there. I mean, that's my weakness. You hand me any man from Europe, well, except Germans or Swiss, or somewhere like that, and my knees go weak from their accent. I always told my mom ' Don't send me to Europe cause i'll come back pregnant.' Not really, but i'd do naughty, naughty things. And this man would be no exception. "Are you alright?" I quickly escaped my shoelaces and stood up.
"Huh?" He smiled once more, producing a giddish smirk from me.
"Well I thought it would hurt to fall from Heaven like that." Cheesy? Never!! But I played it cool.
"Do you always use cheesy pick up lines on every girl you find tying her shoes?" He looked down and I noted that he was wearing a dress shirt and slacks. I take that back, a Versace dress shirt. You speak my kind of Italian!!
"No. I was just trying to get a pretty girl's attention. Elijah Johnson." He bent down and gently grabbed my hand, planting a light kiss on my skin. Heeheeheehee! "And you are?" He released my hand and continued his neat posture.
"Dusty LaFayette." He raised his eyebrows and bowed.
"You're Fred Monroe's daughter, are you not? I've hear so much about you and your antics. I must say, I never thought such a wonderful personality could belong to such a beautiful woman." Woman! Wow! This guy couldn't be much older than Shigure and yet he was calling me a woman. He should just go ahead and place a wedding ring on me and save himself the trouble of wooing.
"Dusty?" Both Elijah and I turned to a violet eyed boy walking by. Yuki! I excused myself and went in for an embrace. And then I remembered the curse. Damn! Elijah was still watching me so I had to keep the whole smoke and nakedness thing on the downlow. I gave a white girl handshake that consisted of fifteen hand movements.
"How ya doin?" He rubbed the back of his head, probably wondering what I was doing back so soon.
"I thought you went back to America." Oh dear. "Maybe Shigure will stop moping around now." Oh bigger de- wait. Moping?