First Staked (Alan Frog/The Lost Boys)

Chapter #5: First Date

*Katie's POV*

Around 8:00, Alan ended his shift. He came out of the back room of the shop and leaned over the counter to say something to Edgar before coming over to me.

    "Ready?" He asked, giving me a grin.

I nodded at him, not being able to stop an excitement from bubbling in my stomach.
    "All set!"

The two of us walked out of the Frog's comic store and out onto the busy boardwalk. To help keep us together in the large crowd, Alan offered me his arm which I gladly took, smiling up at him. He led me through the people and finally we came to a break in the crowd. This is where we were able to unlink arms and walk side by side without losing one another. It's also where I was able to really see the shops, games and rides all lit up. Everything looked so cool! The lights twinkled off mine and Alan's eyes, making his look more dreamy than they already were.

Now that the two of us were free from the large crowd, Alan shoved his hands into his pockets. Clearing his throat, he glanced over at me.
    "So, how are you liking Santa Carla so far?"

I thought for a moment, not that my answer was really that hard.
    "It's not so bad - I'm starting to see the appeal."
I looked over at him, smirking slightly.
    "For the record, I've been in your shop most of that time though."

Alan chuckled, smiling a bit as he did. He had such a charming smile, every time I saw it a cage of rabid butterflies unleashed in my stomach. His eyes trailed back up to mine.
    "I hope that's not a bad thing?"

    "Not at all. You and Edgar are the first two people I've met here. You were really nice from the start and Edgar...doesn't seem to hate me too much." I replied, giving him a thoughtful grin.

Alan let out a quiet breath, shaking his head.
    "Don't mind my brother, he's always been like that, especially towards new people he doesn't know. I'm normally like that too, but..." He trailed off the end of his words, making me turn to him.

    "But what?" I urged, raising my eyebrows.

    "But...I saw you and I guess I just felt like being nice for once." Alan murmured, a pink color already evident on his face.

My own cheeks heated up a bit at this, but I shook it off quickly and giggled at him.
    "Didn't feel like being a hardass around me, huh?"

Alan ran a hand through his hair.
    "Edgars a hardass enough for the both of us. It's no wonder as to why we're each other's only friend."

I gazed at him, a bit surprised.
     "You guys don't have any other friends? No one else you talk to?"

He shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest.
    "Not really. There's our parents, but they're always too blacked-out drunk or stoned-to-hell to even talk to, so Edgar and I don't really count them. That's what he meant yesterday when he said that us being "raised here" was a pretty loose word. Because him and I kind of had to raise ourselves...We're all the other has."

I watched Alan cast his eyes to the ground after saying this. In my chest, my heartstrings tugged for him. That was...really sad honestly; their parents hardly played a part in raising him and Edgar...I frowned, feeling bad about bringing it up, when clearly by Alan's body language, the subject bothered him deep inside. I wanted to say something to make him feel better.

Growing a warmer smile, I reached out and placed my hand on his arm, squeezing gently.
    "You have me now. Both you and Edgar do."

Alan's dark eyes gazed back up at me, the nighttime lighting illuminating them like stars. His solemn expression melted away into a small grin.
    "Thank you, Katie, that means more than you know. I'm sure even Edgar would appreciate that, as stony as he can be."