Charlie “Sky” Winchester<br/>Location: GP: GCC<br/>Tagged Cassie Gutierrez<br/><br/>The cold reverie she had become lost in was halted when she heard the soft voice. Opening her eyes, her smile grew. Charlie would never be angry with someone for wanting to chat. Most people avoided conversation with her. Sure there were the kind words here or there but actual conversation? Oh no. She was the scraggly homeless girl. Why would they want to chat with her? Yet here was this kind woman speaking to her. She didn’t want her to play. She didn’t want her life story. She just wanted to talk.<br/><br/>Charlie had watched her taste the sample. She had a euphoric on her face. It was the look of someone truly enjoying something. A cold drink on a hot day. Finally getting to rest your head after a long day. That first stretch when you awaken. Yeah. She had that same look on her face. Charlie had enjoyed it right along with her in her mind, closing her eyes and drinking it in. Now she looked in her direction while the man behind the counter prepared her order. “Stick to the ice cream,” she said. “It’ll help. It already has,” she mused, still able to recall her expression as she tasted it. “Drinks, Xanax they won’t work. Take it from me. Those things wear off, and what you’re running from is still there, right behind you. So eat this ice cream, let it soak in, take a deep breath, and relax. “ She looked away, fearful she may have gone too far or given away too much. With a deep breath, she continued, telling her, “It’s okay nothing makes sense right now. It happens. Times like that are when things are readjusting, coming back into focus, but never forget who you are. You know exactly who you are. Sure it can get lost in the mess, but who you are is still there. Maybe it got hidden by all the crap in the world or by the faces you were made to wear your whole life, but it’s still there. All you gotta do is eat some ice cream, relax, take a deep breath, and you’ll find her.”<br/><br/>She watched her, hoping her advice could help. If nothing else, she hoped the girl would stay away from the booze and pills. Charlie knew it wouldn’t help, and she had the scars to prove it. A hand moved slowly up one arm, feeling the chill and remembering the scars. Her other arm carried them as well. Ancient history she reminded herself. Ancient history.<br/><br/>Lucy Martin<br/>Location” The GPC – Split Bean<br/>Tagged: Dylan Murphy<br/><br/>It’s okay. His words let her know it was okay, and that he knew how she felt. All the jitters in her voice she feared he might hear, the star struck look in her eyes, the slight tremble in her hand when he touched hers’, he had noticed it all, and it was okay. She smiled, relieved. “That sounds….lovely,” she told him. “Except I’ll never be able to see where my parents live. I mean it’s so far away, but I think the view will be just fine despite that.” Of course it would be. She already knew that. Her parents would not be who she was looking for. The skyline would be breathtaking, of course, but again, that would not be what she would want to see. It was him.<br/><br/>His gaze burned through her. No one had ever been able to do that before. ‘Why this man,’ she wondered. Of course he was attractive. That part was apparent, but there was something else about him, something that seemed to lurk just beneath the surface. His words were fresh in her ears, and she knew he was right. Standing up, she felt his hand slip from hers’. It was not what she wanted, but he clearly could not stay with her the rest of the day. “I don’t know,” she said. “I mean if it’s not too cloudy we could take in that view tonight. Of course, there still is your place that I’d like to see. Either one sounds like a great evening to me.  I mean as long as you’re there I could,” she paused, feeling that familiar burn in her cheeks. “What I meant to say was I think we will hit off just fine.” There was no need to try and recover. The statement had been made, and she was sure he already knew how she felt. After a quick look over her shoulder, she looked back to him and those eyes, those eyes that saw right through her. “Two it is then, and I’ll even treat you at the pizza place. A couple of slices and something cold to drink for you when we get there. Sound good?”<br/><br/>“LUCY!” The voice rang out from behind the counter. Her eyes widened. “Oh. I gotta go. Two o’clock,” she said, holding up two fingers as she backed her way towards the counter, hoping that the world would remain as perfect as it was now, and he would be there.