#rivervale_lodge

"Huh?"

"You said you got a job 'met some guys'" She reminds amusement as his brain reloading

"Oh, uh, Zane. And a guy named Symon. And some asshole Dirk. They said they know you."

"oh those guys. Yeah, theyr'e okay" she smiles "Symon's been ..well, he's an odd fellow but if he's your friend he'll look out for you. Not that he'd admit it. Zane's sweeter than you'd think. And Dirk ? Well, afraid he IS an asshole, but he used to be worse"

Adam shakes his head. "One day we're gonna see that guy on the news."

"True, but as the most wanted? or the guy who beat the living crap out of the most wanted?"

"Most wanted." Firmly. "That kid is bad news. Creepy. No, more than creepy. Psycho."

"He hurt you?" Worried look, "Beat you up? Rob you?"

"Nah, I told him where to shove it and he stepped off." Confidently.

"YOU told HIM to shove it, and stepped off?" An arched brow "was he perhaps facing you with a broken arm?"

"-I- didn't touch him! Nah, he tried giving me some lip. I explained things to him and he left." Shrug. No big.

"Uh huh" Dubious indeed, and she shows her doubt "I would not suggest that tact too often with him. As ye said, he's dangerous."

Ye? That slipped but yeah, that was a ye.

A crooked grin. "I hope never to see the little twerp again but I'm telling you, he's gonna be famous for 15 minutes one day."

"Oh you'll see him around. He goes to our school."

A face. "I thought maybe he was too young."

"Not quite ..." She enjoys her drink "Don't worry. I'll protect you from him"

He laughs. It's a nice laugh.

"Oh he laughs" She says stating the obvious.

"Yeah. Don't you? Laugh?"

"Oh quite often," A nod "But you think a girl can't protect a boy?"

"I think -you- don't need to protect -me-."

Her eyes sparkle "You might feel different one day. Good looks won't always save a person"

"Hey, I have mad b-ball skilz too!" He protests with humor.

"Good looks, huh?" Cocky.

A roll of her eyes, but yeah, she realizes he caught that. "Little bit" her smile stays constant but he imagines a slight purple blush.

purple?

He's too pleased to be overly concerned. "You have a great smile." Oh yes, he is definitely flirting.

She runs a hand through her hair, "It's... sweet. This is fun It... I..liked flirting back in the..."She then says "I should be honest. Adam- I just broke up with a guy who was really special to me . It was a month ago. So I'm not at top of my game, you know? "

He nods. "I heard. And, sorry. I'll stop, I didn't mean to bring it up, it just kind of.... flowed." He takes a long pull from his straw.

He seems ashamed of his behavior.

"No it's not... " Siv shakes her head, "Any other time it would be nice. Heck, I'd be quite the tease I'm afraid. Drives my parents nuts that I flirt so...which adds to the fun. But I think you deserve a girl whose a bit less of a baggage bundle right now. " A curious look at him, "You knew? Mmm so... were you going for rebound guy?"

For a moment he seems almost afronted but tempers it. "No. I'm not that kind of guy." He fidgets in his seat.

"Sorry.. I didn't mean it to sound as bad as it probably did." She frowns herself, then says "You're very sweet to be feeling bad about things but please don't. We're young. Flirting is..well..heck, it's fun even when it's not going anywhere. "

"Still seems like a shitty thing to do."

"If that's the worse thing you do you're better than a lot of guys," She pats his shoulder ,"But do be careful not to antagonize Dirk. He's not your run of the mill asshole bully."

"Yeah, like I said." Adam emphasizes. "You should be careful too."

"I got it" she seems flattered "But thanks for the concern. I hope you're making friends with others "

A shrug. He seems much more....well, businesslike but not cold. "Heard about some but haven't figured out where people hang out yet. Oh, met Zane's girlfriend too."

"Ah," A smile "Tanya. Yeah. I didn't like her at first but she grew on me. "

"Zane's a lucky dude." He observes.

"One might say she's a lucky girl, but yes. Zane's got a bit of hoof in mouth disease at times but a good heart. Tanya is definitely one of the prettiest girls in school. If I were into lasses, I could see the appeal."

"Hoof in mouth?" He laughs again. There -was- a bit of startlement at her aside about ... lasses.

"I mean sometimes he speaks without thinking.. but when he thinks, he can be worth paying attention to."

She blushes at something

"I'll keep that in mind." Despite his promise of good behavior, he still finds her deep blush enchanting.

"Good. Always nice to have friends in a new place. I came here just last year... I ah, lived overseas" She explains then goes on "It was really intimidating...but neat too. "

"Yeah? Where?" Interested. He sucks down more smoothie.

"Ever been to the Isle of Mann?"

"Nah. Never been out of New York or New Jersey." Some regret.