Bubblehead (OPEN)

[Coyote]

"I'm a loner most times, darlin'. Coyots don't hunt in packs." He glanced over her again, noting the trepidation on her face. "We do, however, hunt in pairs. Sometimes." He wasn't sure if that was supposed to be an invitation, but it sure as hell sounded like one when it came out his mouth.

[Kennedy]

Kennedy looked back at Ershey and blushed. Even though Kenny never seemed to care what others thought, she had a hard time making girlfriends. She didn't want to ruin her chances with another one by letting her know...

"Uhm, could you help me?" she couldn't look Coyote in the eyes, she stared at his chest instead. "I can't-- can't read," she said in an ashamed whisper.

[Coyote]

"Aw, is that what's been givin' you that bug-eyed look this whole time?" Coyote chuckled, almost relieved that it was something that simple. "No shame in it. Why, I been helpin' out my friend Tree for ages now. Her parents taught her lots o' useful things, but never once how to read. Didn't seem to think it was important, I guess. What others never taught you ain't your fault."

[Kennedy]

Kennedy's cheeks were bright red, anyway.

"But it's my fault that I never tried to learn, either," she practically whispered. For a second, Kennedy thought she was going to cry. She shook her head a second, freeing those thoughts from her. "But you will? Help?"

[Coyote]

"'Course I will, sweetheart. Like I said, you ain't the first one who's asked, so I guess maybe I'm a pretty good teacher, anyway. I can show you around the good spots, too!" Coyote glanced back towards Ershey. "We waitin' on your friend there?"

((I'm so so sorry if my dialogue - oh my god, it took me forever to spell that word properly - starts to go out the wall and get heavy on the accent. I probably shouldn't write while intoxicated.))

[Kennedy]

"I-I don't know her too well. I want to. But I don't want her to know," Kennedy rambled slightly.

((Nah, it's completely good -- I'm on my way out though to meet a friend for lunch. So I'll catch up witcha soon.))

[Coyote]

"Tell you what," Coyote said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "I know from experience that most girls don't like it when you run out on them without so much as a goodbye. Why don't you go over and tell her you're sorry, but you'll have to see her tomorrow because a charming Scot has managed to whisk you away for today? Give her a bit of a wink and a nudge, tell her you fancy me, you know? I bet she won't mind us runnin' off together then, if she's half as romantic as the rest of the girls I know."

[Kennedy]

That was the best idea ever.

Kennedy ran over to Ershey at the window without another word to Coyote.

"Hey, I don't know you that well, but I'd like to. Later. I have a project with Coyote that I need to complete and I don't wanna cramp your style." She put down a dime on the counter. "Your papes are on me, okay? Sorry I'm ditching ya, you're very lovely."

[Coyote]

Coyote watched the two girls at the window as he shifted his stack of papers to his other arm. There was something about Kennedy that was infectious - her energy and exuberance, maybe, or perhaps the way she seemed to be only half paying attention to the world around her, like she was living somewhere in the clouds. He'd never much cared for Brooklyn girls - most of the ones he'd met scared him, in fact - but now he was starting to wonder if he'd been missing out. He sighed. Another reason to hate his crippling fear of water...

[Ershey]

Ershey smirked at Kennedy, pushing the dime back towards her. "Don't fuss over it," she said, teasingly. "I wasn't about to get in between two kids who are head over heels for each other. Your blush gave it away. 'Sides, I've been sellin' papes by myself for a good while now. Kennedy, right? How about you just owe me a drink next time?"

[Kennedy]

"Blush...?" Kennedy couldn't recall for a moment. "OH! Yes. The blush. The blush that was obviously for Coyote cause Coyote's a total looker. That blush, the blush for Coyote..." she rambled, too embarrassed to tell this neat girl she was a newsie who couldn't read. "And a drink definitely needs to happen soon," she agreed, holding out her hand.

[Ershey]

Ershey laughed, completely amused at the girl's behavior.

"Yes, definitely," she smiled, holding out her hand to shake hers. "Now, don't make him wait too long!"

[Kennedy]

"Ohhhh, you know how I work!" Kennedy winked. "No, wait you don't. But you will! Bye Ershey!" she practically shrieked as she ran back to Coyote, waving to Ershey erratically over her shoulder.

Maybe to keep up appearances, she should make-out with Coyote. That'd be stupid! Kennedy didn't care what others thought... Except when it came to this. It was humiliating.

[Coyote]

"Worked, did it?" Coyote asked as Kennedy came running back to him. "She didn't get no hint of your deep, dark secret?"

He pulled his hat down a little lower and pushed his unfashionably long hair out of his eyes. The sun was starting to climb higher in the sky, and he was getting anxious to get out on the streets.

[Kennedy]

"Nope, she thinks I just got the hots for ya," Kennedy responded in a rush. "Where we goin'?"