Stay out of it

“You’re not scary.” She just replied, though it seemed that everyone else would disagree. Either this guy was widely known by everyone or something was up. And she felt like she wanted to figure that out. It wasnt a nickname? She just nodded. She did keep an eye out on where they were going, because she wasnt sure she really trusted him. But the pond wasnt actually so bad, it looked serene and made her wonder if he came around here often? Maybe to get away from everyone who seemed to run at the sight of him?
“I was named after my great grandma Emmeline, but they never really told me anything about her either.” She shrugged, moving her eyes from him and out on the pond. He asked quite a lot of leading questions, though she was still quite a bit suspicious of him. “I dont know. I used to like a lot of things. Like fashion, reading magazines, planning out my next outfit like it really mattered.” She explained, though it was quite clear that she wasnt like that anymore. Or so she told herself, pulling softly at the cloth strip of her bag around her shoulder. “I get home and I feed the stray cat in my area.” Was all that she could say for her life now, even if it sounded so different.

The question made her frown. “Not really.” She said, standing for a bit before that seemed awkward and she sat down. But she did put her bag between them, in case he truly just was some weirdo through and through. He however did hit a nerve with his next question, she looked out on the pond and was just silent for a bit, clutching onto the strip. He gave her the trinket and she looked at it. “I just decided to turn my life around. Like the old man you beat up every week.” She said, though it was more just a fact at this point. She looked down at the trinket. No, when she thought about it, she didnt really seem like a good person. Maybe the things she did now was helping it a bit, but she refused to believe that she was a saint. “Also the stray is cute. He or she deserves some food at least.” She argued.

She just scoffed at the remark. She hadnt exactly been a gang banger, going around beating up people. She had been a mean girl for sure. But she did believe she had changed. The confession made her chuckle. He did seem like someone who liked dogs. Maybe the big muscle dogs as well, she reckoned. But no muscle dog could have the name Tinker. “Why Tinkerbell?” She asked, looking at him, noticing how he was fiddling with the trinket.
He placed it in her hand and seemed to keep his hand there too. She did wonder what his deal was, making sure she held the things he gave her? The notion that animals wouldnt avoid him was peculiar. But it also made sense. At least as long as he didnt beat them up too, they’d have no reason to be scared of him. She watched the ducks as well but turned her eyes to him as he pointed out the obvious. “I dont know what it is about you that seems to scare everyone else, but you dont scare me. I dont give in to bullies.” She admitted, as harsh as it may seem.

“Hm.” She hummed at his explanation. He wasnt really wrong, but it was quite an interesting choice. Because she didnt believe she had ever met someone who’d choose Tinkerbell as their favorite. She had however never kept favorites. At least not long enough to remember any. It felt a little sad now to remember. But she had quickly clicked into her place as a snob. Which was why she felt so alien now that she couldnt.
He reminded her that this was a date and she scoffed. “It’s hardly a date!” She argued. They were just walking around the park! And as he said so himself, he had forced her, even if she had been completely free to choose and not show up. “You wish you were a villain. A villain is typically cool and a little mysterious but also very attractive.”

“I have been on dates.” She argued, narrowing her eyes at him. Though she wouldnt say she had ever been on a date like this one. The other dates were more like set ups, because everyone thought her and someone else would make a great couple. A weird concept when she thought about it. He apologized for his looks and the addition made her roll her eyes. “You dont look bad.” She then just said, a little lower than her normal voice. Like she was admitting something she wasnt supposed to.
He seemed to insist that this was in fact a date and she was a little surprised to see him take out the sweets he had bought. And then she smiled and chuckled. Because it was actually a little bit funny. In a sweet sense. But then it was like she caught herself and quickly pulled a frown before looking at the pond rather than him. “Why me though? Do you do this to every girl you find in the stores you rob?”

The first? And she was really supposed to believe that? She looked at him, trying to look for any indicators of a lie. “You dont really mean that.” She argued but he honestly didnt seem like he was kidding. His assumption was maybe a bit spot on. “You had just beaten up an old man and yet you put candy in my hand like you were giving me something important.. fresh blood on your knuckles too and yet you were gentle.” She said as she remembered it. At least before she decided to hurl the candy right back at him. “It’s just weird. You’re a weird guy.” She said, looking at him like somehow he would have an answer to why he would be weird. She however quickly let it go, glancing down at the candy. “I’m allergic to sugar.” She lied, but frankly she wasnt about to try eating sweets for the first time in her second life and risk throwing up in front of this guy.

“Then it’s good it’s not a date.” She just smiled. Yeah, she wouldnt just give in and call this a date. That would mean that she thought this grunt was in any way dateable. She noticed the frown but didnt say anything. The suggestion of feeding the ducks made her turn her head to look at them as they waddled around. But he would just enjoy if she just agreed to it because he suggested it! So she had to look for a reason to do it, that was beyond just his company. “They are kind of cute. So it would be rude not to.” She said before she got up and looked at him. “Come on then.” She nodded for him to follow.

Getting over to the hotdog stand, she could see how yet another person seemed to tremble at Rhys’ presence. It was an odd encounter and as the salesman looked to her she just frowned and shook her head like she wanted him to mind his own business. She was a big girl, she could spend her time with whoever. However it seemed that the brute was almost if not visibly  annoyed at the man’s reaction to him. Did that mean that he maybe didnt want everyone to cower and hide away? But it had to be because of something he did! They got back and she took the bag of breadcrumbs, thanking him in a quiet tone as she sat down as well. She held the bag in her hands, just looking out on the ducks. “It annoys you.” She said, before she looked at him. “Doesnt it?”

It had always been like that? Why did he make it sound so tragic? She looked at him while he was paying attention to the ducks he was feeding. It did make more sense that it might not be somwthing he could control when it seemed that everyone in his presence was looking for ways to get out of sight. “There has to be more people like me?” She argued, maybe because it would be absurd for him if everyone was feeling that way about him and he only now found someone who didnt. Was she feeling a bit bad for him? She sighed. “You’re not that bad. It’s just a shame that you’re an ass as well.” She then said, which may have sounded genuine but she was smiling, looking down to open her bag of breadcrumbs to feed the ducks as well.

The duck wasnt really coming closer, not until he reached out and held under her hand. It surprised her a little but she didnt move away as she looked at the duck coming closer. At least it was coming closer now without a problem and soon it began nibbling at the food. “Oh my gods!” She exclaimed happily, trying not to jump out of joy where she sat. She barely remembered that he was still holding her hand in place and frankly it didnt matter because a duck was actually eating from her hand!

She was mesmerized by the duck and as soon as it waddled off, she wanted to offer it more. Rhys moved his hand and it was maybe a good idea that he did that before she realized how nice it was to feel his hand under hers. She looked to the duck as well as he snatched the bag from it. “You let him.” She argued, in a softer tone now that she was quite full with joy. She looked back at the ducks with a lingering smile on her lips, actually having quite a good time now. She wasnt really used to the prospect of dating and now it was like she was actually letting go and enjoying herself.