acontritemess | Little birds have to jump out of the nest if they're going to fly

Little birds have to jump out of the nest if they're going to fly

[She didn't actually get nervous until they'd passed Ohio. The next step marked the furthest from home she'd ever been. She trusted Freya, at least somewhat, but home wasn't a place, a concept really was what it was. Home was her family, and she was leaving it on the other side of the country. It was terrifying, but she was equally excited, since she was seeing things she'd never had a chance to see before.

The country changed as they made their way across it, and as they neared the mountainous and wide-open country of Montana, she was in awe. It was just like every postcard she'd ever seen, and she was having a hard time thinking it was real.]

....it's so beautiful...

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[David shrugs before taking a seat opposite Cat and Freya. It's the same seat he had sat in the night before, as if trained to take that seat.]

A while. Eat, then we can head out.

[Cat frowns, not liking that answer, but she isn't going to press the issue. She takes a plate and starts eating.]

You make good bacon. [Because bacon is easy to cook, difficult to master. She comes from a family of cooks. She knows this.]

[David smiles at her.]

Thanks. Hopefully the rest of it is acceptable too.

[He digs into his own food, trying not to shovel large amounts of it into his mouth. He's used to eating very fast and then running out of the house. Now he's trying to remember manners.]

[She laughs.]

It's passable. [But she's grinning in a way that says she's teasing.] You didn't overcook the eggs. That's actually pretty hard to pull off.

[David chuckles softly, once again finding it hard to look away from Cat.]

You either really like breakfast or know something about cooking.

[She giggles as she finishes a piece of bacon.]

A little bit of both. My family used to run a diner, and Toby and my sister Emma taught me a lot.

Ah, you can probably out cook me then.

[He has helped his mom cook but he mostly just eats lucky charms cereal for breakfast.]

Freya? You awake yet?

[Freya's face is cradled in her arms, her plate empty. She looks like she went back to sleep for a few minutes and David's voice woke her.]

Uh? Yeah. I'm awake.

Is that a challenge? [She smiles. She'd gladly make him breakfast, if she could find the time to do so. He seemed pretty busy.

She looked over to Freya then and laughed.] You know, I can go into town by myself if you want to go back to bed.

[Freya shakes her head, her fingers slowly pushing back the long blond strands of hair. It takes a minute but she gets everything into place.]

No because David will be at his office. I can at least wander around with you. Sides, I'll be fine in like 5 min. I'm going to change out of my pajamas and get my backpack together. I'll be out in 10. [With that Freya rose from the table and disappeared down the hall. She really isn't a morning person.

David's eyes turn to Cat, not that they stray far from the other were anyway. His lips were tugged into a light smile, his mannerisms a little more relaxed than the night before. Though that might just be because he's getting used to her scent lingering in his head.]

And if it is challenge? [His tone carries an inflection that suggests that he wants her to take up that challenge.]

What? You think I can't handle a challenge? [She smiles.] I guess you'll have to see.

[She glances back in the direction Freya left in.]

I...should probably get dressed too...

[Her smile makes him freeze, his heart hammered instantly in his chest as if it'd never let him go. He is hooked and he doesn't know if he cares.]

I look forward to it.

[A lot.]

The challenge not the... I'll go pack the car.

[Smooth.]

[She laughs, pushing her hair behind her ear and standing.]

You're on, and I'll be there in just a moment.

[She leaves, heading back to the room where Freya is also getting ready, grinning like a fool.]

So...did you wake up yet?

[Freya is already dressed and looking surprisingly more alert.]

Yup! Bright and awake and ready for the awkward drive of David babbling like an idiot and you smiling like one.

[She smiles at Cat.]

It's cute that you like him so much.

[She begins to change into a long sweater and pants with boots, pulling her hair back and braiding it quickly over her shoulder.]

...I don't smile like an idiot!

[Freya pulls her jacket over her shoulder and then her backpack. She rarely goes anywhere without it since it contains the few possessions she still owns.]

I didn't mean it as a bad thing.

[She should really choose what she says more carefully.]

[She laughs, smoothing out her sweater and turning to her friend.]

It's pretty bad, huh? [She looks down bashfully.]

I'm going to stick with my second comment. It's cute.

[She smiles and then steps to the door, waiting for Cat to join her.]

[Cat falls into step behind her, playing idly with the braid over her shoulder. Was it really that obvious she liked David?

Of course it was. A blind person could see it. Though...apparently David was worse than blind.]

He went to pack the car.

Let's not keep him waiting then.

[Freya smiles at Cat before pushing the door open and heading outside. She beelined to the front door, not wanting to chance waking anyone else in the house though the smell of breakfast continued to linger in the air.

Outside David had the car packed, his dogs were locked in the room though he'd left the window open in case they wanted to jump out and run around outside. His mom will probably close it when she notices it's open but that's okay. They have some time now. When Freya and Cat step outside he's waving away Dancer who felt the need to jump into the back of his jeep.]

Out. [He commands in a surprisingly firm voice. Dancer huffs but obeys moving to sit near the open window. When there are do more dogs in the car he looks over at Freay and Cat with a smile.] Your chariot. [He holds open the door for the pair before slipping behind the drivers seat.]

[The tone he takes with Dancer does something to Cat that surprises her. She likes it. A lot. It's hot, she's pretty sure, but it's strange. She's never seen herself looking at another male like that before.

Of course, David is the first non-related male she's ever met. Maybe that's why. Could it really be this simple?

No. Of course it isn't. Her family has a sad history with his. If this were going to work, and she didn't know 100% whether it would or not, she'd never leave them behind. They'd have to reconcile. She swallowed then forced a smile on her face, something she was very practiced at, and stepped into the jeep.]

Is that all you are to us? Our driver?

I'm whatever you need.

[He replied with a smile before turning the key and starting the engine. David can be firm, he is when it comes to his kids but that's usually in the privacy of his own home.]

There are CD's in the center compartment.

[Cat grins, reaching for the CDs in the center console. Not only does she love music, but she wants to know what music David loves. She begins sorting through them, still smiling.]

Anything, huh?

[David can't spare Cat a glance until they turn off the dirt road and onto the main road. He chuckles softly at her reply.]

Will I regret saying that?

[He only has his sister to go by.]

[Freya sits silently, smiling as her eyes flick between David and Cat. She's a little tired of their banter but it's to cute for her to ask them to stop.]

I promise it's 100% safe. [She continues to smile, but mostly because of the music she's finding.]

Oh! Journey! My mother used to listen to this in the car when I was kid, when she was taking my brothers and sisters to school!

[Her memories of her young childhood are fragmented. Shards here and there: a song, a movie. Nothing concrete, but she's pretty sure most people remember being five that way. She reaches to the console and inserts the disc, and after a few moments, an iconic keyboard intro starts and she looks up to the rearview mirror to grin at Freya. Don't leave me hanging with the singing starts, sister.]

[Freya smiles at Cat and there aren't any words needed for her to communicate that yes, she's going to sing along to. Anyone who doesn't know the words to this song hasn't lived.

At first David just listens, captivated by Cat's voice but after a swift kick from Freya to the back of his seat he begins to sing along as well.]

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

That next morning...

Re: That next morning...

That next morning...