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       #Post#: 345078--------------------------------------------------
       Oakridge
       By: Deadelus DeAngelo Date: June 23, 2013, 11:27 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       A small breath, the crisp summer breeze blowing quietly down the
       streets, lights above each corner and creating a nice thin line
       of sight from one corner to the next. It was obviously not an
       ordinary night, no it was pretty much different quite easily.
       Being dark at only Eight o'clock at night, and a certain shin
       high mist forming around everywhere. It was stark, and cold, the
       night breeze catching everything quite nicely in a cold embrace
       yet somehow warming up to the touch after a while. His chest
       rose and fell as he looked out and around the area. It was
       definitely dark, and most likely deserted and he shrugged.
       Walking out to one of the corners, then continuing on. It wasn't
       only dark, but as well it seemed deserted. No noises and somehow
       no traffic whatsoever. He shrugged his shoulders back as they
       lightly touched the small amount of cotton fabric that was his
       hoodie. Quite fitting in areas where it showed definition from
       his arms to his flattened stomach. So he had slow breaths, quick
       and long strides, and yet his hood had covered all facial
       features. His eyes seeming to know and see everywhere he went as
       if knowing beforehand how fast his footsteps would be. He
       quickly made a left and started walking again. The mist clearing
       up slightly as he walked into the park, the nice sized area
       housing a rather large water fountain that just so happened to
       give off enough perspiration to keep the mist at bay. So he
       quickly dug around in his front left pocket, picking out all the
       change he had and tossing it in. Every coin landing with smaller
       sounds. He had only just turned around before he sighed and
       looked around. The mist not really doing much, just annoyingly
       evaporating in small areas and creating a slight humidity to the
       air which he hated. He shook his head as he stood tall again. A
       rather tall muscular figure, standing at a high 6'3", his broad
       shoulders more than fitting on his size and as well the amount
       of definition from his physic was astounding considering his
       coat was so lacking in form. His dark hoody keeping his eyes out
       of site but his chiseled facial features were prominent. His
       dark sneakers covering his feet and as well black carpenter
       jeans adorned his waist and downward. His hands still in his
       pocket as he brought in a breath. Then a few seconds later let
       it out into his hands, the breath quickly freezing and appearing
       as a rose of complete ice, his mouth pulled to smile as he
       laughed and set the rose on the fountain side and sat next to
       it. Quietly taking small breaths as he sat.
       #Post#: 345174--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Oakridge
       By: Samantha Date: June 24, 2013, 8:50 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Something was... off. Being summer, one would think the weather
       be bright and sunny, warm and humid; but Oakridge was a special
       place, being not only foggy, but abnormally cold for the time of
       year. It was different, which was why Berlin decided it was
       where she needed to live. Or at least that was one of the
       reasons why she chose it, but alas, there is no time to dwell on
       such details. Right now, Berlin needed to find her way home in
       this dense fog. Having never been good with directions even in
       her so very small home town in which she occupied for eighteen
       yeas, just imagine how much frustration the god was giving her
       right now. Not to mention it was also dark - rally dark for it
       being only eight o’clock at night.
       An exasperated sigh left pink lips, phalanges of her right hand
       forcing themselves through the tangled tresses on her head.
       Berlin was lucky to even have hair left on her head with the
       amount of pulling she had done to it. It was at that moment that
       her long legs carried her past the gates to the park. Again. For
       the third time that night. Wow, B, way to be directionally
       challenged. As the snide remark of a thought crossed through her
       head, Berlin looked around aimlessly, chewing intently on her
       bottom lip. Well, let’s think. The apartment is on Cunningham,
       just off of Elm. The park is on Green, just off of.... I don’t
       know.. A manicured brow furrowed, another sigh leaving her lips
       louder than the last one. Hell, it was so deserted she could
       just scream... And she did. As loud as she would allow herself
       when standing in town, which actually wasn’t that loud. “Third
       time I’ve walked past you,” She mumbled to the park gates, a
       hand reaching out around the cold metal bars. “It must be a sign
       - destiny brought us together,” Now, a sarcastic smile appeared
       on her lips, a little chuckle too. So, with a shrug, Berlin
       walked her way to the opening of the gate and finally entered
       the park, noticing how the fog seemed thinner in this particular
       area. The red oxfords on her feet clicked daintily with every
       step she took on the concrete path, black jeans hugging her
       curves with a gray t shirt under a dark blue cardigan kept her
       top half warm against the cold. Should’ve worn a heavier jacket,
       I’m freezing. Button nose wrinkled at the thought. “Could’ve
       should’ve would’ve,” She answered back aloud, shrugging before
       pulling the cardigan closer to her body in an attempt to
       conserve some form of heat.
       #Post#: 345180--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Oakridge
       By: Deadelus DeAngelo Date: June 24, 2013, 10:14 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       A light sigh had parted his lips carefully. His hand lightly
       pressing down on the small ice rose, crushing it into a small
       powdery snow as it drifted with the next wind. His ears flicked
       slightly as he heard a not so distant or even loud scream, just
       the end of it. And then he looked in the direction, noticing a
       small clicking. It sounded like footsteps and it probably was,
       he knew he couldn't be the only one outside, even though it was
       at an odd time and odd amount of fog. His eyes closed lightly as
       his lips pursed together. Creating a high pitched yet dull toned
       whistle. His arm outstretched as he did so. Within a few seconds
       a rather large owl fluttered in and perched itself on his
       forearm, it's grip eased and eyes blinking one after the other.
       He tilted his head slightly and the owl followed. He nodded and
       the owl "Who'd" as they often do. With a second glance at each
       other he lifted his arm into the air as the owl fluttered back
       away. He cleared his throat into his hand as he turned to the
       sound of the clicking his eyes flashing lightly and the dense
       fog slowly drifted aback. Somehow it all started evaporating and
       he sat at the fountain with his head down and his hands in his
       lap. The fog going from dense and lingering to nothing and
       nowhere. Within a few seconds it was completely gone and for no
       reasoning of it happening. The man sat calmly resting on the
       fountain as the winds blew lightly, less cold as they once were.
       He was new to the town, so it would help to have him around. For
       a name like Oakridge, the place lacked most common Oak trees.
       Yet it didn't even live up to the part of always being nice out,
       much like the area around it. Something was definitely different
       about the place, that wasn't hard to tell. Just what was
       different was the problem. It seemed like a nice place to visit
       or explore rather, but somehow the place just didn't seem too
       homely. Though this was his first real night at this new town,
       and of course he wouldn't know which way to go in such a place
       but, another thing occurred to him just then. His head lifting
       slowly and tilting in the direction of the footsteps. They were
       growing louder still, every second a tap, then another until he
       heard them stop he looked down again. His head shaking lightly
       as he did so and he yawned lightly. "It's not even nine and I'm
       tired... I must be up too long to be able to do that..." He
       covered his face and stood up, leaning back slightly and
       stretching his back. His hands traveling down and into his pants
       pockets again. Turning on his right heel slowly and walking
       towards the sound of the steps again. His hand raising in a
       light wave as he passed a rather attractive woman with a smile.
       "Evening Miss..."
       #Post#: 345200--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Oakridge
       By: Samantha Date: June 25, 2013, 5:47 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       With every step she took her shoes made a click. It was alright
       at first, but the more she walked in the ominous silence about
       the city, the more it grew annoying. If she was being stalked by
       a serial killer, the sound of her shoes would give her away --
       she almost had the nerve to take them off, but the threat of
       stepping on some unknown object that could potentially cut her
       and infect her with ickiness made her decide against it. It was
       better to be safe than sorry. Eventually, she noticed, the more
       she walked into the park the warmer the outside air grew, and
       the dense fog was finally lifting, allowing her eyes to detect
       the outline of another person. People! Or rather a single
       person. Most likely male, considering the rather buff and
       masculine outline they had. Who would be out on such a night?
       Sure, Berlin was, but that was because she was just leaving a
       rather lame party. Well, the party wasn’t so bad, it was more so
       she wanted to go home, curl up with a good book under warm
       covers and fall asleep. Partying wasn’t a bad thing -- it was
       good every once in a while to just let go -- but Berlin wasn’t
       in the mood to let go and get tipsy. She had work in the morning
       at Val’s and wouldn’t look forward to waking up with a hangover.
       Berlin neared the fountain, where the mysterious foggy figure
       had previously been seated, but was now on the move toward her.
       As he passed, her eyes darted up to his, giving him a quick look
       over before he was out of her sight. Wait a minute.. Berlin
       quickly turned around, jogging up next to the guy, a hand
       reaching out to touch his bicep, informing him of her presence
       next to him. “Hey. Do you know where Cunningham is from here? I
       could use some help getting home..” The last bit left her lips
       with a sheepish tone. How horrible did it look for someone, a
       residence in the town, asking for directions home? It had to be
       bad, but Berlin was not that ashamed -- those little quirks are
       what make her special and different. Green eyes met his, locking
       momentarily before dropping and looking him over once more. She
       didn’t notice just how attractive he was before. He wasn’t
       necessarily drop dead gorgeous, but he was quite the looker..
       You’re staring, B.. A bout of furious blinking brought her to,
       flashing the guy a smile before she ran a hand through her hair,
       attempting to make it look decent and make a good impression.
       Too late. He probably thinks you’re creepy.  With that thought,
       the hand running through her red-tinted locked fell helplessly
       to her side, a sigh leaving her lips.
       #Post#: 345304--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Oakridge
       By: Deadelus DeAngelo Date: June 27, 2013, 7:54 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       He noticed the woman's shoes stopping first, then the slight
       turn as it made a hair pin scratching, then a faster tapping as
       she jogged. He turned his head slightly and raised an eyebrow
       before her hand had even touched his arm. He nodded at her and
       kept his eyes closed, his smile still apparent as he nodded this
       time at her question. "Why yes, in fact I was just heading there
       now, I had just this morning started renting one of the
       apartments in the complex near there." He had let out a light
       chuckle as he finished as he looked straight again, then turned
       back around to face her again. This time his eyes were open and
       the color was a shining ice blue, a light flicker of green and
       yellow mixing around his pupil. He smiled again. His smile never
       faded from him as he gently offered his hand. "The name is
       Derek, Derek Daemon. The pleasure is mine I'm sure." After he
       felt her hand in his he would gently but firmly shake it down,
       then bring it back up with a bow as he kissed the knuckles of
       her fingers. Releasing her hand and gently pushing back his hood
       to reveal his hair. It was a darker brown on the bottom and the
       top was spiked out naturally and a light blonde. His stern look
       was quite different from his attitude as his eyes glanced the
       woman once over and he turned again.
       "C'mon, I'd be happy to accompany you there." He turned his feet
       again motioning to the gate with his hand and smiling back at
       her. His feet easily keeping the same pace as hers, though the
       every now and again clicking would be irritating he would subdue
       such thoughts by blocking it out. His eyes keen to watch the
       mist as it moved and the figures that both stood and moved
       inside of it. All on the opposite side of the ride were they
       didn't necessarily have to go he sighed. He looked over at her
       again and chuckled. "So if you don't mind my asking, how does
       one stay in the city so long but forget where they are going so
       easily? The obstacles aren't different, mostly everyone has the
       same schedule everyday, so counting steps and being keen on your
       surroundings usually isn't hard." He looked at her again and
       then at the street as he took a right and kept down the
       sidewalk. "Then again, with dense fog like this usually anyone
       could get lost..." He shrugged and lightly took a hand through
       his hair letting it set and spike again. "Just cross the street
       on a left, then straight up a block and we'll be there. Easy..."
       He spoke again, then chuckled looking again at her and nodding
       with a smile. "Would you like to know anything?" He smiled still
       his eyes on hers as he stopped walking and turned to the left,
       the intersection light still waiting to change.
       #Post#: 345461--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Oakridge
       By: Samantha Date: June 30, 2013, 9:53 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Berlin gave the man a look of surprise when he said he was
       renting a room in a nearby apartment. What a coincidence. It
       seemed quite suspicious, but she wasn’t going to question a
       stranger who had the physique of a person who went to the gym
       every day, and could most likely kill a person. Shaking the
       rather intimidating through from her head, Berlin blinked away
       any tension she would have towards him due to her thoughts and
       smiled. “That’s cool. How are you liking it here so far?” Her
       own brown eyes gazed up into his ice blue ones, noticing the
       additional colors swirling around in the pools. They were
       unique, something She had seen before, but the colors in his
       eyes seemed alive and would move elegantly in his irises. Her
       hand gently, and cautiously, fell into his, appearing miniscule
       in his. Berlin, being the person she was, immediately began
       shaking his hand quite vigorously, and was extremely surprised
       when he brought her hand up to his mouth and placed a kiss on
       her knuckles. A blush was immediately on the apex of her cheeks,
       accentuating her slight embarrassment.
       “Why thank you, I would greatly appreciate that, Derek.” She
       quickly began walking to the exit of the park, feeling him catch
       up with her and match her pace. Just then she realized she
       hadn’t given him her name, which caused her to freeze with even
       more embarrassment before heating up and continuing to walk
       alongside him. “Oh! I’m Berlin by the way... If you stick around
       you’ll get a last name.” She added with a wink, giggling soon
       after at herself. Gosh. Flirting was definitely not her forte,
       but it was worth a shot. Besides, he’s staying in an apartment
       near hers, meaning she would most likely see him again. They
       walked in silence for a little ways before he broke it with the
       question she was dreading to hear. “Well.. It’s um.. crazy foggy
       out.. I was leaving a party, and just kinda... got lost?” Her
       face definitely showed her unease with her answer, so she
       quickly shook her head and ran a hand through her hair. “I guess
       it’s a good thing you know where we’re going, otherwise we’d
       both be lost.” An amused look appeared on her face, her eyes
       glancing up from the ground to give his face a quick look before
       they resumed their spot. “Well, what would you like me to know?”
       She asked with a raised brow, giving him another glance.
       #Post#: 345462--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Oakridge
       By: Deadelus DeAngelo Date: June 30, 2013, 10:14 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       He shrugged at her question. "It's quite the place so far, but
       you know nothing too exciting going on at all it seems." He
       stopped and cleared his voice into his hand before sighing and
       taking a breath. The light had changed and he shrugged his
       shoulders at her next question his eyes gazing back and forth
       piercing the mist easily and catching everything around them.
       Other walkers, cars and trucks, the occasional bird or animal
       tossing about. He looked at her then at the road and continued
       on through the path waiting for her to cross first and following
       a step behind, stepping up about the same time she had he looked
       to the right just in time to catch a glimmer of something and he
       shrugged it off. Slowly placing a warm hand around her and on
       top of her shoulder lightly. "I'm sorry if I'm getting a little
       close, but with the streets how they are it's better if we
       aren't separated." He sighed again and looked around before
       matching paces again and holding her closely, but not tightly at
       all. His arm basically just draped across her as they walked and
       he looked down at her before smiling. "I mean it you know,
       whatever you want to know, just ask and I'll answer."
       He continued walking with her at the same pace before again
       coming to the next street and waiting, the sign signalling them
       to walk and he did so. This time he stopped before stepping up
       and looked to his right again, the shimmer finding its way again
       as he shook his head. He chuckled, stepping up beside her again
       this time, politely taking her hand and looking down at her with
       a sigh. "Okay so we're being followed and instead of flipping
       out and running like they want, we're going to head into the
       alley about a block up. So they don't know where we live, and
       once we're back there I want you to hide immediately and stay
       quiet alright?" Without a second word he started walking again,
       and passed their apartment building quickly. Making a left and
       putting her in front of him quickly and pushing her politely
       further into the alley. Unzipping his hoodie he slid it off of
       his torso and slid it around her pointing to the nearest
       dumpster. "Use my jacket to mask the scent so it won't bother
       you, it should smell a lot better I promise. I'll be fine just
       be quick alright." This wasn't a problem, and he knew it
       wouldn't, but for her to be drug into it, it would have been
       quite easily. His voice was filled with worry and caring as he
       sighed and slid a hand backwards through his hair, before
       finally brushing his hand off onto his skin tight black under
       shirt. His forearms and shoulders seeming larger than what they
       had been before.
       #Post#: 345740--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Oakridge
       By: Samantha Date: July 2, 2013, 7:58 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Berlin nodded her head,  understanding exactly what Derek meant.
       “I know. But that’s why I like it. It’s so low-key and mellow.
       Sure, daily life seems to fall into a routine, but there is
       always something coming to mix it up.” She paused thoughtfully,
       eyes drifting to looking back and forth down the street before
       crossing it. Once she was safely on the other side, Derek half a
       step behind her, she continued speaking: “Like you, for example.
       You’re a complete stranger, here for the first time ever in your
       life, and I just so happened to meet you after walking out on a
       routine weekend party. You’re mixing it up for me.” Her dark
       hazel gaze settled on him, a slight sparkle entering her eyes as
       she smiled warmly. “So thank you.” It was then that Berlin felt
       a weight on her shoulders, and looking over she spotted Derek’s
       arms draped lazily around her. A brow raised skeptically. “And
       how exactly are these streets dangerous? Nothing has ever
       happened before, so you don’t need to lie. If you want to get
       cozy, tell me, you don’t need to make up a lie.” It was just a
       playful accusation, but she couldn’t help but to think into what
       he said. There were dangers on the street. Of course there were,
       but in Oakridge? That seemed highly unlikely. But wait.. did she
       not just talk about mixing up routine lives...? The thought
       caused an eerie chill to slowly take over her body, sending a
       shiver down her spine. If she was thinking about pushing Derek
       away before, there was no way in hell she would do it now. “What
       I want to know,” Berlin began, taking a cautionary glance behind
       her before settling her worried eyes on him, “is just why did
       you decide to come here? You’re renting an apartment, so you
       obviously plan to stay longer than just a few days...” Her voice
       trailed off once more, it no longer felt like a time for small
       talk, that notion soon being confirmed as he whispered to her
       about being followed.
       Immediately there were goosebumps across her skin, and she had
       to fight the urge to run. In every slasher movie there was that
       dumb girl who ran and got caught, Berlin definitely didn’t want
       to be that stupid girl, so she instead pressed herself closer to
       Derek, finding him as the most protection she could get at the
       moment without going to the local police. Hell, for all she
       knew, Derek could be the police. How ironic that would be. In
       response to what he said, Berlin nodded her head, wide eyes
       looking up at him in panic. She didn’t want to die. She was too
       young to die. Once they reached the alley way, Berlin was at a
       panic. What was going to happen? What was he going to do? Her
       hands clenched the jacket tightly, holding it to her chest as
       she looked to him. “Just be careful, alright?” With that being
       said to took him into her arms for a quick, tight hug before she
       pulled away and hid behind a garbage can, doing exactly what
       Derek had instructed. Her eyes were closed tight, body shaking
       and shivering. To say she was scared was an understatement.
       #Post#: 345964--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Oakridge
       By: Deadelus DeAngelo Date: July 5, 2013, 4:05 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       With all being said and done he followed his instincts from the
       beginning. His eyes closed for a few seconds as he gathered
       himself quickly. His face stern as four pairs of footsteps
       quickly made their way into the alley. Then they stopped, one
       obviously in front the other two at opposite sides, then the
       last one behind him. Once they were all in position and had
       stopped was when the talking began. "Hey guys, how's it going?
       You finding what you need?" A quick snap as another voice lashed
       out at him, hushing him for the moment. "Give us all your money
       or we'll take it by force." A quick laugh as Derek took a quick
       glance around, all of them a foot shorter than he was and yet
       they were skinny as well, no signs of muscle or strength
       anywhere. "Oh well. In that case, you guys better have something
       going for ya cause. This is gonna turn out horribly for the lot
       of ya." A quick three cracks of his neck to the side, then the
       other way and he took a breath his chest flaring up and settling
       as he rolled his shoulders lightly. Both popping out loud as he
       rolled his neck again. "Four on one, you probably have weapons
       were I pretty much am a weapon... I like my odds..." He spoke
       before another snap and then three straight hits one colliding
       with the wall on the left, the other on his right then the final
       third hit sending him back and past the garbage bin with a
       tumble. Three had gone down and it was obvious that Derek was
       still up and so was the first man in front of him. He glared,
       and so did Derek. "Either you need a miracle or you walk away
       clean, that's your choice. I however, have someone I promised to
       take care of, so if you could excuse me for a second..." He had
       just finished speaking when he turned around, his footsteps not
       quick, but a very steady and calm pace. Soon knelt down to the
       bin and put out his hand to Berlin again and nodded. "We're safe
       now, as long as he isn't stupid about it." With a reassuring
       smile he stood up and took her hand gently. Pulling her up and
       still smiling as his right legged kicked up and collided with
       the mans jaw sending him up a foot and then crashing back down
       as Derek steadied himself he laughed lightly and slid his arm
       around her shoulders again, this time his hand holding both of
       hers as he sighed and walked past the other two unconscious ones
       and back into the street, a quick right as he stepped forward
       and took hold of the door to the main building and pulled it
       open. Leading her quickly into the building and taking a breath.
       He slowly looked down to her and put both of his hands on her
       shoulders lightly and squeezed. "Are you alright?" He was
       leaning down slightly to make eye contact as he shook his head
       and chuckled. "I'm really sorry you had to see any of that, but
       the streets and this town really aren't the same as they were.
       Especially with all the new technology and gang violence." He
       sighed and put his hands against her cheeks lightly, his thumb
       warmly rubbing her cheek as he chuckled and shook his head
       again. "How about we try the first date thing again and I just
       have you over for dinner?" He chuckled and shook a hand through
       his hair and smiled. His eyes scanning the area around them
       before taking her hand lightly and again and kissing her
       knuckles lightly. "I'm really really sorry that happened, but
       please. Come over for dinner, say Eight or Nine, whatever is
       good for you?" He scratched his head lightly before finally
       looking to the stairs of the complex and slowly leading her to
       them before even asking where she was staying and he hoped it
       had been close to his or even right across from his and at the
       very top how he liked it. His eyes slowly looking down at her
       and his arm was still close around her shoulders as he smiled
       and held her close before letting go of her and looking at her
       with a smile. "So I don't know where your apartment is, so
       yeah..." He quickly chuckled before he smiled and he looked at
       her again.
       #Post#: 345980--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Oakridge
       By: Samantha Date: July 5, 2013, 8:27 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Berlin had always thought Oakridge to be a safe place, even at
       night when you’re on the streets. It was scary being followed,
       but even scarier hiding behind a trash can and hoping that
       you’re not spotted, granted Derek was out there standing up to
       the thugs, but he was also insanely ripped, and Berlin was just
       a tiny girl. Just imagine how lucky it was to have run in to
       him, that if she hadn’t she would be here alone and scared for
       her life, or be out there trying to stand up for herself, or be
       forking over her money to those pigs. It was disgusting how
       people think they could get away with that. At least Derek was
       man enough to put them in their place.
       As they spoke, Berlin listened to each and every word, biting
       her lip. Hard, soon tasting the gross metallic tang of blood.
       What did Derek mean he was a weapon? It had to be about his
       physique. That was what she decided as she huddled behind the
       trash can, shaking from both the cold and the fear she was
       feeling. It was a surprise that she wasn’t making the metal can
       shake as well, rattling with an annoying sound that would give
       her position away. As if on cue she heard footsteps come her
       way, and she had neglected to listen to the last of Derek’s
       conversation. With each passing footstep her heart lurched
       further up her until she could feel it beating in her throat.
       Then, a face came into view, a hand too, but both were blurry,
       which confused Berlin. A hand went up to her face to examine
       what it was making her vision blurry, and it felt water. Tears.
       She was crying. She frantically wiped the tears away on her
       cardigan, hoping Derek didn’t notice. At the offered hand,
       Berlin stuck a hand through the sleeve of Derek’s jacket, that
       hand being the first to grasp his and pulled herself up as she
       slipped her other arm through the other sleeve, putting on his
       jacket despite using it to shield herself from the garbage bins.
       This time around, when he put his arm around her shoulders,
       Berlin welcomed and appreciated it. The simple gesture was
       comforting, soothing her nerves for the time being, and to help
       her even more she leaned her head against his shoulder with a
       sigh for the short trip into their apartment building. Inside
       the building Berlin felt safe, or at least more than what she
       felt outside, and the arm around her was definitely helping.
       Never again would she ever feel a hundred percent safe, now that
       she knew what was lurking around on the streets.
       She looked up at Derek, nodding her head to his question, yet
       feeling water collect in her eyes again, threatening to spill
       again. “I’m fine,” Her voice croaked out, causing her to cringe.
       How attractive. And crying? Her face was probably all puffy and
       pink and splotchy. Her head nodded in understanding of what he
       said, which was what she already assumed. But him mentioning a
       first date caught her off guard, and she tried not to let the
       surprise cross her face. “So this was a date? You made an
       amazing first impression if it was one.” She cooed, voice
       growing smoother with each word she said. “And yes, I would
       enjoy that..” Pink lips turned up into a smile, and she looked
       away from his eyes and to the ground with a blush on her cheeks.
       “Um.. How about I go to my apartment first to clean up a little
       bit - I was just sitting with garbage a little while ago - and
       then I’ll come over. Just give me like.. half an hour?” Berlin
       followed behind him to the stairs, moving herself from out from
       under his arm, but her hand remained clutching his tightly. “I’m
       on the top floor, room C-5..”
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