lol, wow, RF. just... wow.
more!!! lots more!! took long enough.
mostly dialogue. that means they're talking; YEA!!!!!!!!
~*~
“Well, goodnight, Kathy. I’ll see you later.”
“Goodnight, Edmund.” What she didn’t see was Edmund winking at Peter right before he went inside. Peter inwardly groaned. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen! Kathy sat there serenely with her hands in her lap. Peter swallowed hard and wondered what to say next. He had never felt this way when he had been with Katriana. He had always known exactly what to say to make her feel better, and here he was, sitting there like an idiot.
“Um, so… do you like working at the tailor shop?” She shrugged her shoulders.
“It’s not bad. I get paid better there than anywhere else, and I enjoy the work. My employer is rather… stiff, if you take my meaning. So are the customers. If it weren’t for that, I would love the job.”
“I know how you feel. I’ve been in a few jobs like that before.” Peter paused before going on. “Do… do you like living in London?” Kathy sat there for a moment, solemnly considering his question.
“I… I like parts of it. It’s hard to describe,” she answered apologetically. He nodded.
“In what ways?”
“Well, I enjoy having my jobs, because then I can live here. And I really like working for your family. But London… isn’t….,” here she sighed. “I grew up in the country, you might say. And London certainly isn’t that.”
“I understand completely. Really, you have no idea how much I agree with you.”
“It’s such a dirty place, and the people are… well… some of them are nice, but others are… not,” Kathy added slowly. “I miss home,” she whispered. Peter felt a chill go up his spine when she said that. “But it’s worth it to me to be here.”
“What brought you to London?” Kathy didn’t answer for a bit. She tugged at the sleeves of her coat and avoided his gaze.
“I’d rather not talk about it, please,” she requested quietly. Peter was slightly confused, but didn’t press the matter. Just then she looked up quickly. “Oh, it’s getting late. I really should be headed home.” She got up and excused herself to go say goodbye to Mrs. Pevensie. When she came back out again, Peter was standing there on the porch still, waiting for her.
“Are you going to get a cab?” Kathy stopped suddenly when he said this. Swallowing hard, she choked out,
“No.”
“Why not?” he asked quietly, although he had already guessed the answer.
“I can’t afford another cab ride today.” To his surprise and pleasure, she did not drop her gaze from his, like she had done so many times before. He saw a flicker of something that he grabbed at desperately, wanting very much to figure her out, but he could not hold onto it long enough.
“Then I’ll walk you home.”
“No! You don’t need to do that!” she protested.
“Yes, I do. And even if I didn’t, I would anyway.” Peter took a breath before going on. “I’m not about to let you go wandering about in London at this time of night.” His tone of voice made the deal final, and she said nothing more about it.
They made small talk as they walked to her apartment. Peter began to realize that she had a sweet, quiet spirit that he had not seen before. Usually she was so reserved that he thought she was too withdrawn to ever be close to, but slowly she was opening up to him. It was exactly like what had happened with him and Katriana. He shuddered slightly to think of this. The ache of her absence was still ever-present in his life. As the kept walking, Peter realized that they were going further and further to the bad side of town. After a little bit longer, she stopped in front of an old building.
“This… is where I live.” Peter looked the building over. This was no place for a young girl. She couldn’t be much older than him, if she even was older. He shook his head warily and sucked in his breath.
“I think I’d feel better if I walked you up to your room.”
“No,” she said so quickly and harshly that Peter was taken aback. Kathy licked her lips nervously. “No.” This time it was more gentle.
“Why not?” Peter demanded. It was foolish of her to reject his protection, especially when she obviously realized as he did that this was a dangerous place.
“I will not let you,” she said firmly. Peter was quite put out at this.
“I think you’re making the wrong choice.”
“I come up here every single day, and I am fine. I know some of the other people who live here, and we look out for each other. I will not let you come up.” Peter took a step back. He was not used to being refused like this.
“What on earth would make you not want to let me come up? Is it dirty? Because I don’t really care. I know that you weren’t expecting company, so what does it matter?” Kathy looked down at the ground.
“I’m embarrassed for you to see it,” she whispered. His mouth dropped open slightly when she said this.
“Kathy, you don’t ever have to be embarrassed around me.”
“I know, but I am. Please, just let me go up by myself. I’ll be fine,” she pleaded, looking back up at him. What could he say now? Reluctantly he nodded, but stood there and watched her go to the door.
“Goodnight, Kathy,” he called as she was about to go inside. She paused and turned back to him.
“Goodnight, Peter.”
she's absolutely perfect. *contented sigh*
I'm relaxed! If I were anymore relaxed...I'D BE DEAD!
All he wanted was to walk her to the door. Aaah! that's no fair!!
jk Or it could be because if Peter recognized her, it would make everything much less complicated...and then who would we yell at?