From cassygravy (Guest): "Can you please write Stan's past with Carlamccorkle? I really want to read a one-shot about them. By the way I love your stories thumbs up."

A Carla story? Ooh, this might be a bit hard... I'll do my best! And, thank you so much!

Heartstrings

He remembered the night very clearly. He had been standing in line, debating whether or not to get a large or medium popcorn when the cries reached his ears.

"Help! My purse!"

It was coming from right behind him.

He acted upon instinct, remembering everything he had learned from boxing lessons, and used his left hook to nail the jerk in the face. For a moment, he stood there breathing hard - and the next, everyone in line was cheering, cheering for him. He gave them a bashful smile when the girl who had called for help kissed his cheek. She was pretty with brown hair, a large flower resting in it, and doe-like brown eyes. He hadn't seen her around here, but he definitely wanted to see more of this beauty now.

Little did he know, he was going to get his wish.

HEARTSTRINGSHEARTSTRINGSHEARTSTRINGSHEARTSTRINGSHEARTSTRINGS

He plopped down into his seat in the theater, grinning to himself at having managed to pickpocket the cashier when the old man wasn't looking. It wasn't like anyone was smart enough in this town to notice anyway. Except maybe his brother - but he definitely wasn't going to find out about it.

"Hey, you."

He jumped, nearly sending his bag of popcorn flying before looking up in shock. About two months had passed since the jerk-outside-the-movie-theater incident, and yet the girl still looked the same as she smiled down at him.

"U-Uh, hey." Why am I stuttering? What's wrong with me?

She only seemed to smile wider at this. "I remember you. You stopped that jerk from stealing my purse. I didn't really get to thank you."

"Oh, um, well..." He blushed when she sat down beside him. "I mean, you don't have to - "

"I'm Carla, by the way. Carla McCorkle. I'm kind of new to town so I don't know everybody yet, sorry."

He felt a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, but he wasn't quite sure why. She really was pretty up close, and she didn't seem conceited like some of the girls at school.

"I'm Stan Pines. N-Nice to meet you."

This made her laugh for some reason - but it was a nice laugh, like the tinkling of bells. It only served to make him smile wider.

"Oh, sorry, is this seat taken? I feel bad for just sitting here if - "

"What - ? Oh, no, no!" He turned pink when she seemed surprised by how eager he was for her to stay. "Um, I mean... I wasn't waiting on anyone. You can sit here, if you, um, want to..."

Carla smiled softly. "Thanks. Beats sitting alone."

Oh, it definitely does.

I have a thing for embarrassed and awkward Stan. Hope you liked the one-shot!