Lucy Martin<br/>Location: GPC Split Bean<br/>Tagged: Dylan Murphy<br/><br/>Just breathe. The words resonated in her mind, forcing her body to do what came natural at any other given moment. She could hear her own breath pulling in through her slightly parted lips and exhaling. Within seconds, she was blinking, her eyes widened. “Wow,” was all she managed to say, at first. This man wanted to take her out. That rarely happened. In fact, that never happened.  No make-up, hair pulled back in a pony tail Lucy never was asked out. Dating was something she had long ago put out of her mind.  She firmly believed people were their own worst critics. No matter how harshly the world judged a person, they viewed themselves, their past transgressions as well, far worse. I’m nobody. The words were in mind as she looked at him, and was astounded her as much as him actually asking her out was the fact that he didn’t seem to agree with that.<br/><br/>“Ten. Tonight,” she  stammered. Wanting to get a grip before he had second thoughts, she shook her head slightly. “I’m sorry. I get off at ten tonight. I work at A Little Slice down the street as well. Best pizza in town with the best prices. Takes a lot to afford my place.” She left out that she was in the assisted units of the building. Somehow she knew he would be able to figure that out with her working two jobs, and yet she hoped he could somehow remain in the dark about that truth. “I do have a couple of hours between shifts though. I get off from here at 2. If you’re interested, I could use some company on the walk there.” Lucy looked down at her hands, her fingers now clenched together tighter than before.  No sense in driving when it’s such a beautiful city, and the air is so sweet and fragrant,” she teased. It took everything she had to sit still with all the nervous energy running through her body. Her voice reflected how she felt as well. She hoped he didn’t notice. The thought he had gave way to light blush across her cheeks. “So what do you say? Walk me to work?”<br/><br/><br/><br/>Charlie (Sky) Winchester<br/>Location: Alley 74<br/>Tags: Cassie Gutierrez<br/><br/>The morning was ebbing on. Money was filling up in her cloth hat. She always tipped her violin to the patrons, flashing them her best smile. To perform was easy. The notes, the melodies, flowed through her mind even when her instrument wasn’t in her grasp. It was her took, her way of conveying to the world how she felt inside as well. Music speaks to people, it sings. When she was sad, her pain slid along the strings and took flight in the air. When she was happy, her tune was lighthearted, airy, and addictive. That was the idea of course. Draw people in with the sounds, something they may not hear otherwise, and it would guide them to give. Around this place, Gramercy, she had found people were more likely to give. Sometimes she would treat herself. Other times she would put her money away. When mother nature prevented her from performing, the money came in handy. Other times she would spend her money if for nothing else to feel normal. A Little Slice pizza place would offer customers the chance to donate a buy one slice of pizza for someone in need. Charlie was a regular there.  Sometimes she just wanted to feel like any other customer and buy a slice, a drink, and sit inside. It never lasted long though. Someone would start to stare, and soon Charlie felt as though she were under a microscope, the poor, little homeless girl.<br/><br/>Today was a good day though. There was extra money in her hat and a kick in her step as she danced around performing. The crowds would draw in and thin out. AS it was, when the girl appeared and sat down the crowd had dissipated. Still the girl brought good fortune, leaving her a nice tip. Charlie bowed to her, giving her the respect she felt she deserved. That was her way of thanking her. When she posed her question, Charlie almost stopped playing. The girl fled, though Charlie wasn’t sure why. “Be yourself,” she called out to her after she stopped playing. “You be somebody else for everybody else, but yourself? Nah. You gotta be true to yourself. So it doesn’t matter what other people do for fun. Just stop, take a breath, and think about what makes you happy. The rest? Well. It comes.” She wasn’t sure if the girl heard everything or not. So with a smile she lifted Strings and began to play once more. She recognized so many of the people. Friends? Family? Neither. They were routine. Nothing more. Friends and family she once had. Leaving them behind was difficult, but to go back would be even harder.