Secrets of an outcast

Dry

"What a flirt! She doesn't even know you!" She almost yelled as we headed towards a 2 seated table.

"Don't overreact Stacey, It's what some people do, it's just one of those things" I tried to comfort her.

I contemplated as to why she was so troubled by this. A part of me hope that it was because she cared for me as I did for her, but at the same time. A part of me argued that it wasn't because I didn't want her twisted up into my life and my problems, and vice versa.

"Anyway, I'm in a stable relationship" I told her.

"Oh really?" Her face dropped slightly.

"Yes, me and my TV get along very well. No arguments, no problems- well aside from the fact that she isn't very good in storms." I winked at her.

She laughed louder than I had ever heard her.

"So what did you get up to last night?" She requested.

"Well, I got hit by a car. You know average night, how about you" I mumbled.

"Oh right,yeah im sure that happens all the time. Well yesterday was one of the rare nights I get alone" She responded.

Before answering, I noticed she had a little life in her eyes, not a lot but certainly more.

"Alone?" I questioned.

"Well my...roommate if you like...Is usually at home but he went to the casino. He wasn't there when I left for work but who knows..." She trailed off.

Hmm so she lives with a man, Could he possibly be her boyfriend? I shook off the thought.

"We aren't close, but I don't really have another choice. I have no where else to go" She continued and then took a sip of her cappuccino.

Knowing she wasn't going to mention anything else on the matter, I sat and drank my latte.

___________________________________________________

Typically, It was raining heavily when we wandered back outside, I noted Stacey didn't have a coat or anything to cover her arms, we stood on the step just about covered by the little candy striped canopy above the door.

I shrugged out of my jacket and handed it to her in an age old gesture.

"What are you doing?" She looked up at me with her enticing eyes.

"Keeping you dry." I stated.

She stared at me for a few moments, I thought she was going to argue with me like she usually does whenever I try to do her a favour, but astoundingly she took it and put her arms through the sleeves. They were much too long.

"Thank you" she spoke slowly as a slight smile perched its self on her face.

We stepped out into the afternoon down pour and walked with haste back to Alpha. Taking a huge risk, I placed my arm around her shoulder, I claimed that I was keeping the jacket on when she gave me an indecipherable look but she didn't make any attempt to remove it.

________________________________________________________

"Well, I will tell you one thing I know for sure. This weather really sucks." I smiled.

Stacey returned my statement with a nod of acknowledgement.

Jared stared through the glass of reception with wide as he took in Stacey with my jacket on.

"Raining" I muttered as Stacey and I strolled past him towards the lifts. I didn't feel like I had to explain myself to him.

Stacey pivoted towards me outside the lift and handed me my jacket.

"Keep it" I offered "you don't have one with you."

"Thank you but It's fine." She gave a smile that I could easily decipher as false.

"Well if your sure you don't need it." I took it out of her slender arms and placed it over my shoulder.

All was silent as we made our way into the lift.

Until Stacey tripped over.

I caught her in my arms just before she collided with the ground, her eyes were open and she stared straight up at me with shock.

"Oh, thanks" Her cheeks flamed a furious red under the pale of her skin.

I kept hold of her shoulder until she had steadied herself, which earned me a few glances from individuals, most of them appearing to be envious.

"Not a problem, have a nice day Stacey... Oh and be careful not to walk into the wall" I teased.

She gave me one last smile and went into the lift, I however remained standing in reception, with a ridiculous sized grin plastered onto my face.

I headed over to Jared who was giving me a sly grin.

"I know what your thinking, but honestly, it is not what it looks like." I tried to defend myself.

"who are you trying to convince? Me or you?"

Now that gave me something to think about. I pretended to act nonchalant by waving him off and heading to the lift myself.