Fluid like water [Melody]

Taylor had watched as the the blue haired girl went on to partake in one of the festival’s game. He hadn’t had the chance to partake in any of them, mostly because they all reminded him of the ones back home. Ring toss, duck pick ems, all sorts of weird little games that usually snuck a few bucks out of people’s pockets. That was why he didn’t want to try any of them, he suspected most of them to be rigged to be more difficult than they actually should have been. That said, once he noticed the frustration that radiated off of his former dance partner and the way she was mocked by the stand he stood up and made his way towards them.

He’d only spare her a glance and side smile as he held up a finger to the male who ran the game. Handing over the proper payment for a try he’d take the mallet and look back at the girl. She’d get another smile from him before he’d gesture for her to back away with his left hand before getting a strong grip on the end of his hammer.

There was a trick to winning this game, at least he thought so. When so many people swung with their arms, he usually swung with his back. Thus, once able he’d stand with his feet planted right arm leading the left. After a deep breath he’d slam the hammer down onto the lever with a fair amount of power. Once his swing was done, no matter the result he’d put the hammer down and point to the large plush sea bunny she had been yelling about. The loud DING of the bell at the top of the tower signaled the game had been won.

The stand operator, while momentarily stunned handed over the strange bean bag plush to Taylor would would in turn look at Melody. He’d stare for just a moment, maybe five seconds at the most before bowing and handing the beanbag to her. If she accepted it, still silent he would place his right hand on her shoulder and smile down at her.

“Ya know, for someone with the lungs of an opera singer, the temper of a stack of dynamite and the heel stomping technique of a kick boxer... You still have the most beautiful set of eyes I’ve ever seen. You're too pretty for all that yelling mama." and with that awkward line he’d nod to the girl and depart back to his table. Hood over his head, hands in his pockets and eyes on the ground.

Taylor parked himself at his tabled without much noise, his chair just barely creaked beneath his weight as he relaxed into it. His hood was still pulled over his head, his eyes were cast forward and his mouth was pursed as he watched the crowd move on, or so he tried to.

Not long after he got back to his seat a familiar face would approach him, he wouldn’t say anything to her this time as she spoke to him, when she presented the lack of his name he reluctantly spoke out of fear she may have known who he was, “Taylor” inserted, “Taylor Martinez and don’t mention it.” he cleared his throat.

“Well, I gave it to you because you wanted it.” he looked down at the ground, he wasn’t good at these things. These sorts of interactions. There was a million things he could have said that would have been cheesy, romantic or whatever but he simply just offered his honesty, “The way you were giving that guy the business I figured it was important to you, so I wanted to get it for you. As for me walking off, well I figured someone like you wouldn’t want to be seen with me. You know the ‘racist’ of UA’s student chat.” he laughed at the name he had been given by the journalist.

His expression would soften again, “Why don’t you take a seat? Unless you need to get cheerleading. Maybe we can talk about the dance and how you almost broke a few of my toes.” his smile had been presented for just a few seconds before he caught himself from lightning up.

“If you want.”

“They are from San Fransico. Just near the bay.” he offered retort to her question. His hands balled into fist as he finally looked up at her, he couldn’t quite put his finger on it but for some reason til now he hadn’t realized when he looked at her his chest ached.

The first time, at the dance he thought it to be nothing but the suit causing him mild discomfort, like it was nothing but his mind playing tricks on him or yet it was merely a sign he had been working out too much and his body was tired. No, these things weren’t mere signs of mental or physical fatigue but rather something new. Something he hadn’t felt before...

As the bluenette spoke on about his situation he couldn’t help but crack a relieved smile as it seemed she had forgiven his past transgressions or rather she had looked past them at him. He was thankful she felt this way, the relief painted across his face in the form of raised brows and a meek grin. Taylor’s hands had clasped on the table top as they laced together in a tight clutch. From balled fist to clutched hands it should have been evident to his self that he was getting nervous.

When she busted into laughter at his secret identity he took a moment to relax himself, holding his breath and exhaling through his knows as she laughed on. He was partially embarrassed for her to have outed him so loudly, but once he looked at her again he had found her to be even more beautiful then he first saw her. Without the make up or fancy dress seeing her like this made him feel strange, it’d explain the tightness in his chest.

“Actually before we do any eating I need to come clean about something.” he blurted out the words, they were like lightning from his lips as he turned a soft gaze to Melody, he felt comfortable rather it was just for a moment his brain had tricked his body into blurting out the next few things with great vigor.

“I know this is random, but I didn’t just get all dressed up for the dance to look good...” he gritted his teeth and looked away. There was a mental barking, him berating himself to push forward with it before he lost his moment, “I wanted look like someone you would want to dance with. And when I say you I really mean you Melody!”

The ball was rolling he couldn’t stop it now, “You’re beautiful, your voice is sweet like a bird’s morning song, and your eyes... Oh god your eyes. I’ve never seen two pools of sapphire like them. Even though we’ve only spoken so few times I get lost in your gaze whenever my unworthy green visages even drifts towards them.” every word came with more and more hardiness, more robust in tone.

“Even now I can barely contain myself, I can barely do any justice to you with my words other than you are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met and I don’t know much about it but..” he finally managed to force a hand up to his lips, to cover his ramblings.

“I know you may have a boyfriend, but if I sat here and looked at you in all of your angelic beauty anymore I fear I’d go mad. If you have a man let him beat me up, I don’t fear it. Because in truth the night I spent to you by that punch bowl was one of the happiest I’ve had in Japan and I don’t regret anything but being a bad dance partner.” he spoke through two parted fingers. He knew rejection would come, but his conscious would leave him be about her damned eyes.

he wasn't blushing, he wasn't embarassed anymore, the lion had roared and his emotions were known. Rather she accepted or not was on her as he was not sure how he felt right now. His expression at the moment looking down at the table, clenched jaw staring daggers into the hard wood. 

Taylor did not know why he said what he did, it felt right to say it but ultimately it would prove all for not as she retorted. He nodded at the very end, he understood entirely but near the end is when he would interject.

“Please do not get the wrong idea,” he held up a hand, “I do not wish to be your... other.” before he could speak she had already handed the plushie back to him, but he wouldn’t accept. No, he had no reason to as he did not want it and he won it simply because she wanted it.

“I do not know what it means to be broken inside or what it means to lead on,” he raised a finger, “Do not worry about any feelings or anything I do not know why I am saying. Maybe I am joking and this is all just a joke or maybe I am not joking and I’m serious. I know for certain though I am not asking you to be my... Other.” he trailed off with the word again.

He could see she already had her mind made up but he would not leave things like this, the chat could be damned, anyone with an ill stance on him could be damned for all he cared what he didn’t want misconstrued however was Melody’s perception of what he just said. Before he knew it she had already booked it and he would follow.

“You can’t just run from it! You’re running for no reason!” he called after her, bellowed after her he was fast enough to do so at least it seemed it.

“Do not leave this with me because of what you might think, take it. Take it as a token from one friend to another Melody.” this of course would be him with the thing under his arm, “Just please do not run out on our friendship because you think I may feel some way. I do not know what I feel.”

He was getting winded running and talking, “Just know atleast that we are friends and I hold nothing against you Melody. But please do not think for a minute I hold anything against you!” he reached out tagged her shoulder. given he was an ex quarterback scrambling close enough to do it would have atleast been a sench. Had he been fast enough he’d put a hand on her shoulder and hopefully stop her. Had she heard anything he said he’d hand her the plushie back and nod.

“Keep your head up my friend, shit you’re fast though.” now plushieless he’d turn away from the girl and weeze, “Somethings are more important than feelings.” he’d pant again. He could see her crying but she had no reason to. He didn’t understand why she would.

“I have been talking alot... So stop crying already. Also.. I don't even know what a girl is. I'm starting to think it's cake by the way you all talk about it here."

Melody Miro