Offbeat

Just a Friend

A/N: I haven't posted to my main story in a looooooooong time. I've been having writers block, but then I was inspired (by a friend) to write a Kevin x Kirstin (Kirvin? Kevstie?) one shot. I'm hoping it will break my writers block, in fact, I think it has, so I'm off to write some more for Experiment 51 now. Enjoy.

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It sounded mean, but Kevin was really glad Kirstin's car had broken down.

'Are you sure it's okay to do this? I know it's not technically work, but I still feel bad.' Kirstin asked.

'Homegirl, it's fine. I'm always here to help out a friend, even on Sabbath. Especially if it involves puppies.' He opened the passenger door for her as she hopped in the car, beaming.

'I'm so excited, literally hold me back!' She laughed and he rolled his eyes as he got in and started the engine.

He made several small mistakes driving to the pet store, distracted by glancing over at the giggly blonde next to him. He sometimes kicked himself for being so involved with the contest during The Sing-Off, and work after, that he didn't take the time to notice her until someone else did. But Jeremy was a good man, and she was very happy with him. Too little too late.

As soon as the car was parked she leapt out and practically danced into the store, like a five year-old told there was cake inside. Kevin got out and followed behind her, smiling to himself at her energetic nature.

*****

Inside she was already by the dogs, her head darting to and fro between the yapping animals.

'What time is Jeremy getting here?' Kevin asked her.

'What? Oh, he should be here in a few minutes.' She barely looked up from the dogs and so didn't notice the sales assistant approaching.

'Hi,' Kevin addressed the girl, 'she's a little overwhelmed, so I'll speak for her.'

'I am not!' Kirstin retorted, making the girl laugh.

'What are you looking for today, ma'am?'

'I've been here quite a few times now and I've decided that I definitely want to buy a puppy.'

'Do you have a breed in mind?'

'Literally anything is perfect, but I actually thought about maybe a husky?'

'You're in luck, we have one little husky that came to us a couple of days ago.'

'Ohmygosh yes.' Kirstin blurted, and the girl laughed again. She seemed sweet, Kevin thought. But not Kirstin.

'Have you had dogs before?'

'As a kid, yeah.'

'That should be okay then. He's a lively one, so probably not for beginners.'

The girl let them further into the back of the shop, where the puppies were kept. Kirstin turned to Kevin, whispering.

'Did you hear her call me ma'am? I'm a ma'am!' She raised her eyebrows with a faux-haughty expression, dragging out the last word in a terrible British accent. Kevin tried desperately not to laugh loudly, but to no avail, receiving weird looks from the other customers.

The girl had stopped, and was lifting out a snowy-white, very fluffy husky from a kennel.

'Here's the little guy!' She turned and handed it carefully to Kirstin.

'What's her name?' Kirstin asked, not taking her eyes off the puppy as it licked her nose.

'His name is Olaf, since he's so white.'

Kevin groaned internally. This was it. There was no talking her out of it now.

'No way!' She squealed. 'I wanted to call him Olaf, as well! This is so perfect. He's the one.'

'Are you sure you don't wanna see some of the others first?' Kevin stood over her shoulder, looking down at the small furball wiggling in her hands.

'Nope. When can I take him home?' Kirstin asked excitedly.

'Not today,' the girl chuckled, 'we like to have potential owners get to know the animals so we can see it'll be a good match before they make any permanent decisions.'

'Damn it!' Kirstin joked.

'He actually needs to sleep soon, but maybe you wanna drop by when you're next free and spend a little time with him?'

'Yeah, definitely. I will. Thank you very much, I'll be back very soon!' She said, turning to leave.

'Uhh, we'll need him back first, though.'

'Oh, right.' Kirstin said, her cheeks turning red, laughing nervously as she gave the puppy back to the sales assistant, laughing nervously. The girl laughed too.

'Don't worry, happens all the time.' She placed him back in his kennel, and began discussing what sort of food and toys the puppy would need if Kirstin got him as they walked to the exit. Kevin walked behind, smiling at the disappointment in Kirstin's body language at having to leave the dog behind.

'I actually might go and look at all that and see what it's gonna all add up to.' Kirstin said, moving towards the dog toys. She marched down the aisle, her brow tight in concentration as she located and priced up items.

'She's a handful,' The sales assistant said, turning to smile at Kevin, 'but a lovely girl. Getting a dog is quite a commitment though. How long have you guys been together?'

'Oh... uh- we're not together. I'm just a friend.' Kevin stammered, startled, tearing his eyes away from the beautiful young woman who was now on the phone.

'Really? You got a lot of love in your eyes for someone who's just a friend.'

Kevin sighed and turned away. The girl looked at him sympathetically.

'Why don't you tell her?'

'Because her long-term boyfriend will be here any minute.'

'I see.'

'What you're talking about?' Kirstin asked, returning with a chew toy in her hand.

'Jeremy. Speaking of him, I thought you said he'd be here soon.'

'He just called, he got held up at work.' she said, placing the toy back on the shelf.

'Right. Guess you want a life home then?'

'Yes please! Thanks Kevvy' She smiled and leaned into him as he put his arm round her and ruffled her hair.

'Let's go then before you actually steal a puppy and get us in jail.' She laughed as they walked towards the door.

'One second!' Said the girl, catching Kevin by the arm. He turned.

'Take this,' the girl said in a low tone, handing him a piece of paper, 'and give me a call. We can talk any time, if you need it.' She smiled at him, a genuine smile rather than a polite professional one.

'Thanks.' He smiled back at her weakly, and turned to leave.

*****

'Did she give you her number?' Kirstin asked excitedly as they got back in the car.

'Yeah.' Kevin replied nonchalantly, avoiding eye-contact.

'Get it, Kevin.' She said, playfully pushing his arm.

He looked down at the paper.  On it, written in pencil in rounded handwriting was 'Alyssa' and a phone number underneath.

As he drove home, he decided he would call her. She seemed very nice, and there was no point sitting and moping about someone he'd lost his chance with. Who knew, maybe that girl would one day make him wonder why he ever was so hung up on his friend.

Maybe.