forum One-on-one (Closed, stalkers welcome)

Started June 04, 2019 by @Periwinkle_

tune

"You'll laugh," he muttered, with a lingering shadow of a smile.

“I promise I won’t,” she replied. “I’m not that type of person.”
It was funny; she got the feeling that he wasn’t that type of person either. That he wouldn’t judge her for her hopes and dreams, the same way she wouldn’t judge him.

"Leadworth in England."
He had all but shut his eyes and ran away, tapping his feet onto the linoleum floor of the train.

She tapped her fingers on her chin for a second. “No, I don’t believe that I’ve heard of that place before. What’s so special about it?”

"It's, uh… amy (the most wonderful woman in the world) Pond lives there."

She smiled a knowing smile. “Oh, from Doctor Who,” she nodded. “I’ve never seen it, but one of my friends from back home loves it.” Her body jerked a little as the train came to a stop. Then she watched some passengers get off.

Relieved, he sighed with a small smile. "Yeah, it's my favourite show. Have you got a favourite show?" he asked, his curiosity not having abated in the least.

“Not really, I don’t watch much tv. But I do love watching nature documentaries, like Blue Planet. So I guess that’s my favorite.” She tucked some of her hair back behind her shoulder. “So, how long have you been an artist?”

"I started really getting into it when I was eleven and a quarter, though it was always in me. It was a natural talent, I think," Theo reminisced slightly sadly. "Art was healing to me in a hard time…"
Memories were assembling in his mind, both dark and happy, and he let his thoughts drown out his speech; he trailed off.

(feel free to make the story exciting.
So, I remembered you said this, and I feel as though the very cliche way I'm taking this in might fail to do that.
Maybe we brainstorm. Cause I have an idea, but it's equally cliche even if it's more interesting)

She replied in a soft voice, so as not to break his train of thought.
“I think I know what you mean,” she almost whispered. You could barely hear her voice over the noise of the train. Then she put her chin in her hands and looked over at him.
“I really like art too, although I’m more of a writer. And I know what it can feel like to let it all out, let everything get out of you system and onto the page.”

It took Theo a second to distract himself and then understand what he was saying. "What do you write?"

“My stuff is more creative writing, like just for fun,” she answered. “Poetry, short stories, that sort of thing. I honestly am really bad with details, so it’s best if my writing is shorter and straight to the point.”

"Could I… read some? If I take you to my workshop?" Theo asked softly, eyes glistening with the excitement of an easy connection with someone.

She widened her eyes at him, her head still in her hands. “Yeah, sure, if you like that sort of thing,” she replied. “When would we do it? I’m free after work today. And I could also see some of your paintings if you don’t mind.”

"Today is great," Theo sputtered, his voice rising in pitch in his excitement. "And of course, you can come over to my workshop so you can see my paintings!"
He fumbled with his phone, typing in the address for his workshop and texting it to Piper. "What time are you off work?"

She giggled at his excitement. “I get off at four. If you want I can head over right after work?”

He nodded over-enthusiastically, grinning like a child with a lollipop. "Yes, yeah. I'll be there!"

“Alright, that works!” She smiled and nodded. Over the loudspeaker, someone announced the next stop, which was only half a block away from the coffee shop Piper worked at. She stood.
“It was really nice to meet you, but I have to get going. I’ll see you later.”

"You will!" Theo assured with an energetic wave. As she got of the train, Theo couldn't help but feel happy; he hadn't had any real company for a long time.

Piper ran the small distance to work, and went to the back to put on her apron and cap. She didn’t realize she’d been smiling to herself the whole time.

Abby, her coworker, nudged her. “What happened to you? You’re smiling like an idiot.”

“I just met someone interesting on the train, that’s all.” She thought about telling Abby for a moment, but customers were coming in droves, so she decided to wait.

He got off three stations after her, sprinting to the laminate white building that was the hospital.
The familiar stench of metal and medicine assaulted Theo as he slid up to the main desk, his great mood darkening under the glaring LEDs.
"Theodore!" Nellie greeted from her desk, smiling as she spotted him. "I was starting to think you weren't coming today."
Shaking his head, he forced himself to smile back. "I wouldn't do that."
Nellie nodded her permission and he set off down the hallway to his mother's room at the end of it.

Mrs. Ingram, a regular who always came in and sat for over an hour, walked up to the desk.
“How come you weren’t here earlier young lady?” She inquired and waved her cane.

“I’m sorry, I missed my train,” she replied with a laugh. “I’m assuming you want the usual?”

“No, Abby got my coffee already, thank you.” She turned and made her way back to her favorite seat.

The walk down the hall was slow and deliberate. It took a good 5 minutes of slow breathing and careful steps, until finally Theo went to push the door open.
The first thing he heard was the steady beat of her monitor, keep track of her BP and blood pressure. Then the shallow, laboured breaths of the frail woman curled up on her side, sleeping, breathing into the plastic tube plugged into her nose.
Theo shuffled over to his chair beside her, sitting and taking her hand in his.