Author's Notes: I have a question: Brunette is the term for females, and it's spelt brunet for males, right? Just like how blonde and blond works?
Anyway, nothing exciting happens in this chapter. It's more filler-ish if anything, so it might bore a few people. =.= *sigh*; But I did say this was going to be Selena-centric from the very beginning. At least, more Selena-centric than KaseyxSelena... Yeah.
Thanks to everyone who read the story. You guys are the best. 'Nuff said.
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing. Yup, absolutely nothing.
Whenever she thought of the main island, she had envisioned tall buildings, busy streets, crowded places and the glamour of city life. What she was seeing through lavender eyes was definitely not in her list of expectations.
Selena must have stood out in her dancer clothing and sun-kissed skin. Yet, she was surprised when a few townspeople sent her a friendly smile as she passed them by; there were no questioning stares, or wary glances sent in her direction. And it wasn't just the people; even the whole atmosphere of the town seemed nice enough, surrounded by lots of greenery and clean country air. It was easy to see that these folks appreciated nature very much.
Externally, Selena appeared to be completely calm, lips curved upwards into a confident smile. Though the smile wasn't fully a façade; On the contrary, she actually found it quite exciting, refreshing to be out in a new place. But admittedly, everything was too unfamiliar. She suddenly felt so small, trapped in a large unknown world. Even though it didn't show, she could feel her stomach twist into a small knot, as seeds of doubt and worry were beginning to surface.
There was the fact that she was completely penniless. She desperately needed the money if she ever wanted to survive on her own. So how easy would it be to find a job? Selena didn't even know where or how to begin looking. What if no one accepted her? How long would it take? What if the recruitment process was strict? What if they ask tedious questions about her education or her lack of experience in the real word? Sure, she was good at being persistent, and could be intimidating when she wanted to be. But, she couldn't always act like her usual self. What if it gave a bad impression on the person who was going to hire her? She was fully aware that she wasn't exactly good at first impressions. She often came off as arrogant and selfish at first glance. Would this be a big drawback to everything she's worked so hard for?
It was so unlike her to think of such thoughts, since she was usually so confident. She knew that there was no point in worrying, because she would always find a way. She went on the boat without hesitation, so why was she so worried now that she was finally where she wanted to be? She came to the island all by herself, didn't she? This was what she always wanted, wasn't it?
Maybe it was just... normal to feel that way, right?
"Hey," she said questioningly to the brunet who was walking beside her. "Do you know where I could find a job?"
"Depends," he replied detachedly. "What kind of work are you looking for?"
Selena cocked an eyebrow in his direction. Wasn't it obvious? She may have been anxious about how to find a job, but she certainly never had any doubts about her dancing ability. "Teehee! Didn't I already tell you?" She let out a small giggle to hide her insecurities. She also folded her arms over her chest for good measure. "I want to be a dancer."
"Hm." He didn't seem to hear her. "I guess you could be a waitress to start with, I'm sure Jake and Colleen wouldn't mind hiring you."
Selena's eyes narrowed further- if that was possible. Was he deaf or something? What was so complicated about what she had just said? She thought she made it very clear. "No, I want to be a dancer," she enunciated with a small smile. Just to be polite. "Dancer."
"Oh." He halted his steps for a second and regarded her with piercing brown eyes. She could see from his expression a mixture of bewilderment and... something that closely resembled mild humour? "Heh, really? I didn't think you were serious about that."
Selena felt her blood boil. She looked at him as if he had just insulted her sense of clothing. Just what was he trying to insinuate? Her reaction may have seemed irrational. And sure, she may have been overreacting a little. But dancing was very personal to her. An art, everything that defined her. To think this stranger could just shrug it off so dismissively! And what was with that disbelieving tone! ?
She didn't even realise the extent of her annoyance until she had heard how loudly she spoke, "Just WHAT are you implying? Are you saying that I can't be a dancer? Have you even seen me dance?"
There was a moment of silence and heavy tension in the air, her angry eyes daring him to speak. The young man knitted his eyebrows warily and uncertainly before he said, "Nothing. Never mind."
"No, tell me," she insisted, venom clear in her voice.
In response, he let out a sigh and ran a hand over his messy brown hair. "Fine. Sorry, I wasn't thinking when I said that. It was my mistake, clearly."
He obviously didn't mean a word of it, but Selena eventually calmed down, deciding that she could just let it go for now. After all, it wouldn't be wise to make an enemy out of the person who was willing to pay for her first night at the inn.
The rest of the walk had been awkward and quiet. Until they had finally reached a tall lime-green building with a rather tacky flower logo, presumably the Ocarina Inn.
The young man mechanically knocked on the door two or three times. They waited around for ten minutes. But no one answered. A few moments after, he tried again. This time, with a little more volume. Fifteen minutes passed by. And still, there was no response.
He tried one last time, occasionally exclaiming, "HEY! Maya? Jake? Colleen? Yolanda? Anybody there?" But the result was always the same.
"What's going on?" Selena placed a hand on her mouth apprehensively.
Her companion took once glance at his wrist watch, before realisation slowly dawned on his face. "Oh, right."
The redhead looked at him with suspense. "What?"
"I forgot they're closed at this time."
Selena bit her lip, not liking where the situation was going. Damn, where was she going to stay now? Asking him if she could let him stay at his place was certainly out of the question. He had already done enough for her, and she didn't want to burden him any longer. Besides, it seemed pretty strange to live together with a guy she barely even knew. Just thinking about it was enough to make her feel awkward. After all, the only man she would be willing to live with was "the one", the guy she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Whoever he was.
But at the moment, her love life was the least of her worries.
She then took a deep breath at an attempt to keep herself calm. Or, at the very least, to hide her anxiety. "So, what do we do now?"
He stood still, thoughtfully placing a hand on his lips. "Well, the Brass Bar should be open. Guess we could try there. I'm sure Kathy and Hayden wouldn't mind if you stayed for one night."
So they did.
As soon as they had entered the building, a blonde greeted them with a friendly smile. She was carrying a tray full of drinks with her right hand, and waved them over with her free hand.
The girl seemed to recognise the brunet, then set down her tray at a nearby table and offered them a customary, "Welcome!"
"Heh, sorry. Hope you don't mind giving me a minute. I've got my hands full," she said, neatly dusting off the hem of her mini skirt. The girl had long golden hair tied into a ponytail. She had a very pretty face, and appeared to be the same height as Selena.
"S'okay. We're not here for that," he replied.
"Really? Well, that's odd. You always come in for a drink." The blonde let out a chuckle, and playfully punched his shoulder in response. Then, her emerald eyes darted over to Selena. "Oooh, maybe you're afraid if your girlfriend will think you're an alcoholic?"
Selena gave the blonde a friendly smile, finding it extremely flattering to be mistaken as the handsome guy's girlfriend. But before she could deny the girl's allegations, the brunet released a soft sigh and beat her to it. "She's not my girlfriend, and I'm not an alcoholic."
It was difficult for Selena to determine if they were friends or not. The blonde's playful nature seemed to suggest it. But with him... it was hard to say. After all, he wasn't angry enough to get mad about it, but he wasn't exactly being familiar with the blonde either.
"Haha, I was just kidding! Sheesh." The blonde stuck her tongue out at him, then gave Selena her full attention. "Hi! Are you new around here? I don't think I've seen you around before. I'm Kathy, it's nice to meet you!"
"I'm Selena," she replied with a sincere smile. Even though it had only been their first meeting, she could see that Kathy was a genuinely nice person. Knowing this, her fears subsided a little. At least, there was someone she could be friends with.
There was a brief moment of silence between the three. Selena fiddled with her thumbs and suddenly felt awkward, remembering her true intention of visiting the Brass Bar. She couldn't very well just go up to the girl and say, 'Hey, mind if I crash over for the night?'
Thankfully, the young man had spoken- with a rather forced tone- on her behalf, "Kathy, I was actually wondering if you and your dad wouldn't mind letting her stay with you. Just for tonight. Y'know, since it's pretty late and the inn's already closed."
Kathy's smile faded. Then, she placed a hand on her lips and appeared to be in deep thought. "Hmm, it shouldn't be a problem. But I think we should probably ask my dad first." Her smile returned, as she firmly grabbed Selena's fingers. "Why don't you come with me?"
"Huh? Now? But don't you-" Selena didn't get a chance to verbalise her thoughts as Kathy dragged her away. Selena was left with a pang of guilt, after she had deduced that Kathy must have been really busy; with the way she had been in such a rush. Even if it wasn't obvious from the way Kathy had acted.
"Well, see ya!" Kathy waved to the brunet, who in return, responded with a curt nod.
And that was the last Selena had seen of him that night. She didn't even get to thank him properly. She didn't even know what his name was.