After some light channel surfing, FP lands on a random movie to watch. It's quiet in the apartment without Charles. He started to really enjoy the sound of cartoons filling up the silence, and the sound of crayons running across multiple sets of paper.
He's starting to feel extremely lonely on his own.
The movie is no help. When Harry Met Sally is no help at distracting him from his own love life. He shuts it off and tilts his head back against the couch to stare up at the ceiling.
He then sighs and pushes himself off the couch. He walks over to the kitchen and pours himself a glass of water. He gulps it down and ponders for a second before grabbing his keys. He makes his way out with one particular thought in mind. He has to find Alice.
In a matter of minutes he winds up at the diner in search of the blonde. He familiarized himself with her schedule in accordance with their mutual agreement to share Charles.
He climbs out of the car and makes his way to the door, but just before he can open it to go inside he stops. He comes face to face with the glass door and stares in to look at her.
There she is. Happy. She looks so happy. Her smile, her eyes, her scrunched up little nose; she's doing well...without him.
He can't take that away from her. Would he be selfish for asking her to consider him as a partner? Would he make her happy?
He watches as she brings a customer a slice of pie. The man in front of her tells her something to make her laugh. Would he be anything like that stranger?
FP forces himself to look away. He turns and marches back to his car. He can't do it. He can't put himself out there for her. He can't take the risk. Not yet at least.
He gets back in the car and sits in silence. His eyes then shift to the glove department, remembering what he has tossed in there before.
He reaches over and opens it to pull out a piece of paper that was given to him long ago. He gives it a long stare and contemplates what to do with it.
He pulls out his phone and dials the number in.
"Hello? Gladys, it's FP."
+++
FP knocks on the door next door at eight o'clock sharp. Fortunately for him, Gladys was still highly interested in going out on a date with him.
Gladys yanks her door wide open. "Hey there, good looking. All ready to go?"
"Anywhere specific you'd like to go?" FP asks.
"Did you have anything in mind?"
FP shakes his head. He didn't really think that part through.
"Hmm, there's a fun bar not too far from here. Ever been to the Wyrm?"
FP hesitates on the idea. For one, he wasn't looking to drink; two, he wouldn't be allowed in. "How about the Roving Eye?"
"Never been."
"I'll be a good time. Do you like to dance?"
"I'm not the best, but who could pass up dancing with eye candy?"
FP forces a smile. "Great. Let's get going?"
+++
Gladys takes his hand at the end of the song and leads him out of the dance floor. They find an empty couch in the corner. FP takes a seat, but Gladys doesn't follow.
"I'm going to get us drinks. What do you favor?"
"Water is fine," FP answers.
"Just water? You don't want anything stronger?"
YOU ARE READING
You Can't Hurry Love
Fanfiction{COMPLETE} After six years in the army, FP has nothing to his name but a bus ticket back to the town he bitter sweetly calls home. He reaches out to his long time best friend, Fred Andrews, for some help shortly after he gets to town and is labeled...
