001. Beginnings
Title: Distracted
Word Count: 509
Characters: Maureen/Mark
Summary: Mark "runs into" Maureen
Link: "I'm such a klutz"
It was a cool fall evening the night they met. Mark was out filming as dusk approached. The sky was a dark orange color with splashes of pink and hints of purple. Mark sighed happily as he strolled down the sidewalk; he'd had a good day today – he'd gotten some interesting footage, the woman outside of the bakery hadn't yelled at him like she usually did and the weather had been very cooperative. Mark pulled his camera out as he headed towards the loft and began filming again.
He'd been too busy preparing his camera to notice the beautiful woman who was headed in his direction. She, too, was preoccupied. She was repeating lines aloud to herself, practicing for the audition she had tomorrow afternoon. She didn't notice the dorky cameraman headed straight for her until his camera collided with her stomach and her elbow met his forehead, resulting in both of them landing on the ground entangled in each other.
Mark rubbed his tender forehead as he slowly sat up. My camera! he thought. His head turned every which way in search of it. He looked down at his lap but found the camera wasn't there. The woman sat up as Mark leaned to look beside her and before he could move, his head smacked into hers.
"Damn it," she whispered harshly, clutching her forehead.
"Oww," he exclaimed. It wasn't until she spoke that Mark took notice to the creature he'd bumped into, twice now. He winced at the pain as he looked over at the woman. Mark's jaw dropped as he struggled to find words.
"I uh, I-I'm sorry," he stuttered.
"S'okay," she replied, looking over at the blond.
Mark couldn't help but stare; she was gorgeous. Her dark hair fell across her deep green eyes and Mark found himself speechless. She cleared her throat, bringing Mark out of his daze.
"Oh, geez," Mark said, struggling to his feet. "I'm such a klutz."
He held out a sandy hand to her, trying to keep his cool. She grasped it and pulled herself to her feet. She held his camera in one hand and his hand in the other. Mark found himself staring again. He let go of her hand.
"I believe this is yours," she said, offering the camera to him.
"Oh, thanks," Mark said, taking it. He brushed his dirty hands on his jeans, knocking the sand off. "I'm Mark."
She nodded. "Nice to meet you Mark."
"I'm really sorry for bumping into you. And then bumping into you again."
She chuckled as she brushed her hands together. "Don't worry about it."
Mark looked down at his feet as he shifted his weight. He wanted to say something but his brain refused to send anything down to his mouth. He stood gawking, in awe of her beauty, until she spoke again.
"What are you looking at?" she asked.
"N-nothing," he replied, averting his gaze.
She paused for a moment, thinking about introducing herself. "I'm Maureen," she smiled, holding out her hand. "So you're a film maker?"