The Circle

Night Out

(As a change of pace, I decided to do a 1st-person POV from Rob MacCallister's (Walker's) perspective. I was inspired from a Dragon Age fanfic, so that's why it may look smiling to something else!)

"Rob, move over!"

Nataly's elbowing me in the side as we slide into a booth at Arnold's Diner- one of our regular haunts when we aren't dressing-up for the Ritz's upper-class bar or restaurant. Well, I was starting to move until her shove almost knocked me over. For someone so small, she's strong as hell. What with the super-strength coming from her anger and annoyance and all.

"Damn it, Nat, give me a minute!" I snap. Why in the hell am I sitting on the inside of the booth anyway? I'm bigger than everyone here, except Chris. I don't even know where he is...probably off making moon eyes at the TV.

Nat and I settle on one side of the booth as Allis and Alfred slide into the other. I'm assuming Chris is putting in our order - when he's not drooling at the TV - and Nat said Hanna was on her way.

I try to casually fix my hair when no one is looking, although that's next to impossible with Allis and her eagle eyes right across from me. She leans forward with her elbows on the table and I'm trying really hard not to stare at her chest.

"You look fine, Rob," Allis smirks. I decide to examine the ceiling. The very interesting, very boob-less ceiling. Nat glances up as well, and I see her shoot me a look out of the corner of my eye before she hops up, muttering something about helping Chris. Seconds later I see Allis lean back as she and Alfred look up. Now we're all staring at the ceiling like idiots. There's literally nothing up there except wood, but I don't want to tell them I'm trying not to stare at Allis' boobs.

"Thanks?" I reply instead. "I don't know what..."

"Oooh, what are we all looking at?"

The voice approaching the table makes me snap my head in that direction, and I see Hanna walking (for a change) over to the table, too focused on the ceiling to watch where she's going.

"Hanna, be careful of-"

She's about to collide with the waitress, Tina, who is also not paying attention as she rushes by. I use my powers to make a leaf from the salad we ordered turn into a shooting vine to pull her out of the way.

"Oh, hello Rob," she smiles cheerfully at me, releasing herself from the vine with her other hand, and I transform it back into the salad leaf subconsciously. I can feel my face getting hot as I try to stutter out a hello, but it's just not working. I let go and put my hands in my pockets, gesturing with my head towards the booth where I see Allis laughing and Alfred trying to hide a smile. Hanna says hello to them as well as she slides into the booth first and I follow. I shoot them both a glare as I sit, happy that Nat wasn't here to witness it.

"I saw Chris on the way in," Hanna chirps happily. "I don't think he saw me though, he was sitting at the bar and staring at the TV with that smile on his face. It's really quite adorable."

Nat gives me a sharp kick under the table.

"Ow! What the hell was that for?" I grumble back, rubbing my shin. Alfred rolls his eyes and - oh. Right. Hanna puts her hand on my arm as she peers up at me.

"Are you all right?" It's so genuine, her care. I have no idea why she hangs around with us. Aside from Johnny and all that followed with The Hive, that is. For once, I remember to breathe and I guess that helps because I can form coherent thoughts again.

"I'm all right," I smile. "Allis accidentally hit me with her foot."

"Ohhh," she nods, glancing at Allis quizzically before looking back at me. "I'm sure it was just a mistake. Allis has ve-ry long legs."