sweet disposition [open].

[Lorelai Anchors]

[Mike Chang]

Empty feelings usually filled Mike whenever Glee didn't have practice. Sure he could always practice football, but even the physical sport seemed to be a fallback compared to dancing, and, sometimes, even singing with the rest of the people in the club. In fact, he'd take Rachel's overly-assertive leadership attitude, Finn's handicapped dancing, and Brittany's random (and usually senseless) remarks any day if it meant he could be himself for once. And if there was one thing Mike wanted most, it was to be himself openly, and not hide in his bedroom like back in the day.

But, there was no Glee, or no football, no nothing really. Most of his friends were probably out doing something much better with their time...yet Mike Chang was wandering around school, aimlessly, in the late afternoon once classes had subsided. What a great...waste of time.

A plan. That's something he always had no matter what. And his plan today (everything else not going so great) was to just go to the auditorium...perhaps the choir room...hell he'd spend time in the locker room maybe if it meant enjoying himself somewhere other then his house. Too much time was wasted in that place, where he'd plop on the couch and watch old college football games that were displayed on some of the hundred's channels.

So, auditorium it was. Maybe he'd sing a bit, because obviously nobody would be in need of the room on this day. He'd already had a pair of huge headphones around his neck, waiting for the chance when he could "pop-and-lock"...either to impress the ladies (which rarely worked) or for pure entertainment.

He went the long way to the auditorium, not the backstage way that he usually went, and he just walked into the dimly lit setting when he noticed that he was not alone. From what he could see, a little ways up, a girl sat at the piano, back to him. For a split second, Mike hesitated, foot still raised slightly off the ground as though contemplating his next step.

Should I stay, or should I go? he sang in his mind, mustering a small smile. Well, he'd walked all this way, and didn't want it to be a complete waste of time. Besides, he didn't care that he would be in the company of another, just worried that he'd scare the crap outta her if he came up from behind. Shrugging, Mike hopped a few rows of seats and came to a stop a row or two away from the piano and the girl...where he could hear soft humming.

She wasn't bad, he thought, and with that, and as always, a smile, he nervously remarked, "You know, the humming adds a nice touch to the song you're playing."

[Lorelai Anchors]

[/I] It finally registered in her mind and a small, amicable smile played along her lips. She dared to release her death grip on the edge of the bench to tuck a dark brown curl right back behind her ear.

”Th-thank you,” she greeted finally, and allowed herself to relax ever so slightly. ”I’m, uhm, s-sorry. I didn’t know th-that anyone was, uh, in here.” Lorelai would have been so nervous and awkward no matter who walked in (aside from, perhaps, Jacob Ben Isreal, because she knew he was pretty harmless). She was an observer, someone who stayed quiet for as long as possible and sat off in the corner. It was a personal choice, one that kept her out of trouble and therefore it was a shock when anyone spoke to her, let alone someone on the actual football team.

At least he didn’t have a Slushie in his hand. While she never had the misfortune of getting hit with one, she had seen people like Rachel Berry get it and that was something she really didn’t want to experience.

It then hit Lorelai that Mike Chang had probably entered into the auditorium for a reason, and if he didn’t want to carry out that reason, he would have left. So, promptly, she stood up and cleared her throat, tugging awkwardly on the hem of her dress. “I-if you want to, uhm, use the auditorium, I can l-leave. It wouldn't be a, uhm, p-problem.” She watched him, waiting for an answer and worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.[/size][/ul]

[Mike Chang]

The whole trying not to scare her thing, didn't quite work out the way Mike had planned. He lightly bit his lip in a manner close to...worry? No...nervousness, that had to be it? Regret, that was it. He considered himself to be a pretty harmless guy, and sure the nerds and the druggies often shuffled against a locker in cowering fear whenever he walked by -- but that was only if he was accompanied by Matt, and maybe Puck.

"Hah..." a small, nervous chuckle escaped his lips. "I'm really sorry if I startled you."

Mike was just about to speak again, another useless apology, when the girl turned around. The first thing that happened to Mike, was his eyebrows scrunched slightly, as though he was putting all his brain into trying to figure out if he'd met this girl before. Then, she turned around, and his eyebrows went up so high they were most likely hidden underneath tousled black hair. Now he was facing her entirely...she did look oddly familiar...

Smooth, ya idiot. She's gunna think you're checkin her out.

"Uhhhh, it's fine really." he continued, reassuring the girl was easier once his eyebrows fell back to a not so surprised height. "I just got here so...I wasn't like...creepin' or anything."

Fairly certain. That's what Mike was, or what he instantly became, rather. Fairly certain that this girl had passed him in a hallway once or twice. Well, at least he was hoping it was a subtle pass through a hallway, and not a slushie to the face. The first slushie he ever gave out was to a girl, wasn't it?

She was blonde and fat.

Ohhhh. Right.

A voice brought him back from the subtle thoughts, and Mike shrugged, allowing a smirk to grace his facial features as he got up and walked down closer to the girl.

"Mike Chang." he introduced, holding out a hand. "And you can stay, if you want to. I don't mind company."

[Lorelai Anchors]

[/b] she began, nodding her head to emphasize this fact, ”I’m really easily frightened, so it’s all me. Not your fault. Promise.” It was true, after all, and she felt bad for making him feel bad (maybe?) about startling her, especially when it really wasn’t anything he could have controlled. She simply wasn’t made to be around people.

Luckily, Lore’s attention was more on the situation than the raised eyebrow look she was receiving, and her focus only snapped back to him personally when he spoke again. ”I-I wasn’t implying that you were cr-creeping, of course, I j-just…” Her voice trailed off and she let off a light laugh at herself, covering her face with her left hand momentarily. ”I’m sorry, I’m always such a wreck when talking to people. It’s embarrassing.”

And… He was getting closer, holding out a hand, and introducing himself. She certainly couldn’t go now; if he didn’t want her there, he would have said so when she originally offered, and she couldn’t be rude. Not that she particularly wanted to leave (because she didn’t know where else to go), but… Well. He seemed nice enough. Lorelai kept this in mind as a genuine smile settled along her lips, and she stepped forward, extending a hand to grab hold of his, shaking it.

Her grip was much weaker than his; then again, Lore herself was rather weak. Being a heavy user of drugs had kept her pretty thin to begin with, but her HIV was just beginning to take a toll on her. While it wasn’t too noticeable, she had already lost a few pounds, found herself more exhausted than ever and could feel herself getting weak. It might have been an over dramatization of her mind, but it was weighing down heavily on her nevertheless.

”Lorelai. Lorelai Anchors,” she greeted, her smile widening ever so slightly as she released his hand. Lore tucked a curl behind her ear, then, and nodded. ”Well, if you don’t mind the company, I’ll stick around, then.”[/ul][/size]

[Mike Chang]

Mike had just about figured out that this whole encounter -- or, more or less, what he'd walked in on -- could be good for him. He deserved a few decent people to talk to every once in a while. The jocks, 99.9% of em, were usually jerks on and off the field, court...diamond...whatever their turf of choice. The Glee kids were great, sure, but after a while Mike would find himself actually listening to Rachel (which is a telltale sign of not having a social life) and that rather scared him to some extent. Plus you had the random kids that knew Mike, but he didn't know them in return. They'd tell all their friends, who would tell all their friends, that Mike was this awesome pal of theirs. Lies.

But now he had a chance to get, possibly, a real friendship that wasn't built on a song he sang, or a kid he shoved into a locker. Which, in the long run, seemed like a better way to meet someone.

There was something close to sincerity in her voice as she explained how easily frightened she could be. Mike instantly took in her appearance again. She didn't seem too fragile, but there was definitely something going on there. Or maybe she was still reeling from when he inadvertantly startled her? Either way, Mike really didn't have much of a reaction time. She was commenting on his comment on "creeping". He bit his lip, partially because he still felt awkward, and partially to stop himself from laughing as the girl became rather embarrassed.

"It's okay, really. We all have our embarrassing factors." he commented, relaxing a little more. He leaned against a seat in the auditorium and stuck his hands into his pockets. He could feel his ipod, cool, against his hand, and Mike realized that he'd forgotten, already, the real reason he wanted to come to the auditorium. It seemed not to matter anymore, however, because he wouldn't dance in front of someone he just met (He didn't think), nor did he really want to anymore.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Stronger handshake then hers. Much stronger. And upon noticing that, Mike instantly slacked his grip a little. There it was, the sense of fragility, but he pushed the feeling out of the atmosphere with a nice subject change -- or so he hoped was nice.

"Ever thinka' goin out for Glee club? Not that I'm recruiting...but not that we couldn't use another member...not that..." he abruptly stopped himself, and could feel insta-blood flow to the face, which made him apologize, "Sorry. Rambling. It's just...you seem musically talented. The piano, the humming...was great...do you sing?"

[Lorelai Anchors]

[/b] agreed Lore, averting her gaze down to the ground for a moment, ”I suppose that’s pretty prominent in High School, starting to recognize your own faults and struggling to come to terms with them.” She blinked, then, and looked back up, smiling sheepishly. That was the case for her, at any rate, despite the fact that she poorly handled it at first (by not handling it at all). She rubbed the back of her neck somewhat awkwardly, then, and hoisted herself up so she was seated on the back of the chair, feet resting on the seat itself.

”It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Mike,” she responded, grinning more comfortably and turning her gaze back towards the piano. Immediately after he brought up her joining New Directions, her cheeks turned red and she gripped the edge of the seat uncomfortably. ”M-me? Oh, no, I don’t think I’d be a, uhm, very good addition.” Lorelai chuckled awkwardly at the confession, closing her eyes. ”I mean, thank you, I appreciate the recognition but… Well, to start, I’m not the greatest in front of people. Second… I don’t know, I don’t think I’m the greatest of singers. I suppose I’m not terrible, but I never sing outside of my room. Just don’t have the guts or the talent.” Shifting slightly, she shrugged. ”I’m much more comfortable with the piano and my banjo.

She visibly winced -- admitting she played the banjo probably wasn’t the coolest thing in the world. She blushed a deeper crimson and bowed her head, letting her hair fall forward to hide her face slightly. ”B-but you guys are really good, from what I’ve seen, which… I-isn’t much. But I tend to wander the halls after school a lot, so I’ve passed the choir room and this place when you guys practice and all.” Lorelai nodded, keeping her gaze down, sighing slightly.[/ul][/size]

[Mike Chang]

One thing Lorelai did a lot of was play with her dress. Mike figured she did it as sort of a habit, like how he often rambled when he got nervous, and how his legs twitched whenever he got excited. However, not wanting her to think he was studying her -- because, in fact, he wasn't -- Mike averted his eyes slowly and pretended not to notice. Instead, his eyes landed back to the piano, which he'd rarely touched in his life. At best, he could probably master Mary Had a Little Lamb... Jingle Bells, perhaps, but it would involve that playing of only one key, and probably would have no feel to it.

His soft gaze fell back to Lorelai again as she began to talk. Realizing faults? Perhaps she was right. Mike came to terms with his fault of no confidence when it came to his voice and his dancing, and because of it, joined New Directions Glee Club. Perhaps, if he'd dealt with his life earlier, and all the things that made him who he was, he woulda' joined Glee a lot sooner, like when Sandy Ryerson was in charge.

Yeah, and perhaps he'd molest you!

"Yeah...yeah." Mike replied. Yet, he still wasn't convinced that he'd dealt with his own faults yet...he just accepted the fact that they were there.

He was about to apologize for suggesting Glee as a way for her, when he froze after hearing her say how she only sang in her room. There was a certain pang of guilt, confusion, and regret in Mike when she voiced that, because all he could imagine was himself, at a young age, learning to dance and then being afraid to show anyone. Even his family. He'd always been a jock, a footballer, hitting baseballs, jsut running around. How would his family take it if they found out he was playing "ballerina" in his bedroom late at night and early in the morning?

"I know a guy like that." He finally admitted, tone dropping a little. He wasn't upset or anything with Lorelai, and all feeling of disturbances inside his mind were at ease. "Or, I knew him...he was this shy kid, really good with school and sports. But he liked to dance more then anything. And he was ashamed of himself, so he hid in his bedroom."

Mike bit his lip, and then slowly smiled a genuine smile. No half-smile, no smirk, but full blown grin. "I really don't know him anymore, he joined Glee...people made him feel better about himself. If you want..." starting to suggest something, and then catching himself half-way through, Mike decided it'd be best if maybe he jsut left the subject alone.

C'mon, she doesn't wanna do it. Just, chill. Bring up school lunches, talk about shoes...the weather. Everyone talks about crappy Ohio weather...

"...you can sing to me?" he finished, tensing a little. Ballsy move, was all Mike could say, did he just offer to listen to someone sing? He never sang much in Glee himself, major solos and parts going to Rachel and Finn and such, but he had vocals, and contributed a great amount. "I won't bite, and, jussayin, I bet you're really good."

[Lorelai Anchors]

[/b] Or, maybe they did. She just didn’t pay enough attention to notice. ”It’s good he found somewhere that made him feel more confident.” And, it was. Just because she messed up didn’t mean she liked to see others in bad places in their lives. Despite the fact that she was scared shitless of most people and despite her social awkwardness, Lorelai had a habit of finding happiness when others were happy. She lived vicariously through others.

This was probably why, as she raised her gaze to see his genuine grin, her own lips spread up into a smile. Then again, it faded right when he suggested she sing. An inner battle erupted within her.

He’ll think you’re a wuss!
You are.
But he doesn’t have to know it.
But it’s sort of obvious.
You’ll make a fool out of yourself.
Then again, you already are.
What if it’s a trap?
What if he wants to make a fool out of you?
Wow, way to give him the benefit of the doubt. He’s nice.
But…
Just do it.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes.
No.
Yes!
… Fine.

A surge of confidence washed through her (in a sense) and she worried her bottom lip between her teeth, an uneasy look taking over her features. She quickly walked over to the piano bench, smoothing out her dress beneath her and staring at it. Lorelai closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. ”If you laugh…” She shook her head, knowing she wouldn’t do a thing. ”Just try to do it quietly, okay? Because I’m really not a-all that g-good.”

Her fingers hit the keys, and she began to play. She was going to freaking regret this. At least she could make a fast exit. She was small enough to be speedy.

He never ever saw it coming at all
He never ever saw it coming at all
He never ever saw it coming at all

It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right

Hey, open wide, here comes original sin
Hey, open wide, here comes original sin
Hey, open wide, here comes original sin

Her eyes were squeezed shut and her voice was relatively quiet. Eventually she found herself able to block everything out and focus on the lyrics. She was a notch louder and a few notches more emotional as she bridged into the first verse.

Power to the people
We don’t want it
We want pleasure
And the TVs try to rape us
And I guess that they’re succeeding
Now we’re going to these meetings
But we’re not doing any meeting
And we’re trying to be faithful
But we’re cheating, cheating, cheating

She continued through, the song extremely repetitive, and eventually the emotion in her voice heightened again as it hit verse three.

I’m the hero of the story
Don’t need to be saved
I’m the hero of this story
Don’t need to be saved
I’m the hero of this story
Don’t need to be saved
I’m the hero of this story
Don’t need to be saved

It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right
It’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right

No one’s got it all
No one’s got it all
No one’s got it all

Lorelai ended the last note and winced, bowing her head. Regret, as it so often did, filled her and she squeezed her eyes shut. Finally, she muttered, ”Shit.”[/size][/ul]

[Mike Chang]

"Yeah...he's glad too." Mike said, smiling warmly. He could tell that she was smiling as well, and he wondered if it was because she finally became comfortable with him for real, or if she knew that "dancing shy kid" was really him. Either way, Mike really didn't have to do to normal over-analyzation of her facial expressions, because the smile faded from her face faster then he expected. And he felt guilty...because his stupid-ass suggestion was the reason why.

Michael Chang what the hell did you do?

He frowned slightly, and looked over towards the stage. A twinge of painful regret surged through him, and he realized that, had someone he barely known come up to him and said "Well dance for me", he'd probably feel on the spot and awkward as well. But it was too late. He could take the words back, sure, but there'd still be that air around them, suggesting that, since she wouldn't perform, Lorelai was incompetent, and chicken. But she wasn't...at least, Mike didn't think so. Yet, she was probably feeling as though, if she were to decline, he would take her as some sort baby.

So Mike was pleasantly surprised that he could spare voicing these thoughts when Lorelai agreed to sing. He smiled, and replied through a rather encouraging tone, "Pinky promise...no laughing."

And from the way she sang, there was no reason to. She'd complained and all that she wasn't real good, yet Mike thought she was incredible. It was a pleasant change to see someone other then the usual ol' man playing the piano, and to hear someone other then the show-choir queen herself, Rachel Berry, sing by themself. And though the song wasn't the usual techno and dance, Mike could feel himself being slightly moved by it, and was forcing himself to remain still by putting one foot on top of the other.

She herself, in fact, seemed to get lost in the lyrics and the piano, and the rush around that was, at its finest, pure music. And by the end of the song, Mike realized that his mouth had opened in a small statement of awe, and he immediately closed it before she could notice and, perhaps, think it was a bad sign. But something told him that she already thought she did awful -- more or less, she told him that when he heard her mutter "shit". And that's what threw him off.

"Lorelai..." he said, going over to her, smiling broadly. He squeezed, just barely, on a small edge of the bench, back to her, and began saying, through laughs, "You're hilarious. You freak out over something that you're a natural at? You were soft at the beginning...but...really good."

With that, he stood, placed his hands on top of the piano and said, "Hell, if I were Mr. Schue, I'd put you in Glee...in a heartbeat. Because...well..." big huge grin on his face as he finished, "...that was beautiful! Just, don't mention it to anyone that I actually said the b-word...cause y'know, jocks..."

[Lorelai Anchors]

[/b] she spoke finally, a soft, appreciative smile settling on her lips. She seemed to gain some of her composure back as his last sentence registered in her mind. Lorelai bit her lip again and rose to her feet, circling around to lean against the piano next to him.

”I guess this really isn’t my place, and I probably don’t ‘get it’ because I’m not popular, nor do I have a reputation to uphold, but…” she paused and shrugged, taking a moment to try and figure out if she should continue. She decided to, and averted her gaze downward. ”If I were you, I wouldn’t be so concerned with sticking to that ‘jock’ stereotype, you know? I mean, you already don’t. You joined Glee Club and you’re here talking to me, and from what I’ve gathered you’re extremely nice. I guess I don’t see the point of keeping up the pretense that you’re exactly like jocks are supposed to be, when you’re not. I mean, I guess there’s always that chance that you’re just here to deceive me or something, faking the whole nice thing, but I doubt it. Just seems to me like you should be able to say whatever you want, you know?”

Lorelai offered him a half grin before glancing down again, shrugging. ”I guess that’s just sprouting from the fact that I like it when guys openly say things like ‘beautiful’ without worrying about stupid stuff,” she continued, then let off a soft laugh. ”I’m such a stereotypical girl.”[/ul][/size]

[Mike Chang]

There was something about her voice that just stayed in his head for a while. Like it was on repeat for the little minutes afterwards, and refused to go away. Maybe it was the lack of voice, and, any noise, for that matter, coming from Lorelai and the auditorium around them. Whatever the reason, he liked it, and something in the back of his mind told him to try and look up that song later. Maybe he could somehow tear up his room trying to figure out a nice, softer dance, like the one he did once upon a time with Tina -- minus the tap shoes, perhaps?

"You are most definitely welcome, Lorelai." Mike replied, and his gaze turned to her as she got up off the bench and moved around, for a second, behind him until she, too, was leaning against the piano, much lke himself. He turned his head to face her straight on, smiling, and then felt it falter ever so slightly -- for a rare milisecond, at most -- as she said that he should think of stopping his whole jock-image. And was she right?

Biting his lip a little, before realizing Lorelai was doing the same, Mike shrugged a bit and sighed, before mumbling softly, "It's complicated..." But even as he said it, he realized how stupid, and ass-hole-ish he sounded. Maybe she was right? Afterall, how many jocks make friendly with people they don't know? How many jocks and football players go out for Glee club, and still think they have it all (other then Puck, of course)? And, so help him, Mike thought, how many jocks evolve from dancing in their bedroom to dancing on stage in front of complete strangers? And to top it off, how many jocks say "beautiful"...how many mean it?

As though reading those thoughts, Lorelai commented on her like for guys who use that word. Not quite sure why, but the fact that she "liked" genuine-feeling guys who spoke their mind, kinda made Mike happy that he got approval from someone. He figured "beautiful" was cool, albeit, slightly girly and Kurt-worthy, but went with it and moved on, saying, "You're right, you know. I'm not much of a jock anymore."

He thrust his hands deep into his pockets and moved away from the piano a bit, stepping in front of Lorelai. "I wasn't gunna admit this, but...the dancer I was telling you about," sigh once again escaping his lips, but Mike knew that he'd tortured Lorelai enough by making her sing for him. Hell, now he would get personal right back with her, "...That was, kinda...me. I can pop-and-lock, and...other stuff. How many jocks do you think dance in a locker room? From experience, not many...actually, just one. Me."

[Lorelai Anchors]

[/b] she pointed out, shrugging a shoulder and grinning, ”But it’s good that you’re starting to stray from the social norm. I’ve never seen you dance, but I’m sure you’re great. No reason for letting a stupid stereotype stand in the way of that.”

Lorelai leaned further back, her smile fading some. ”Now, let me tell you about my friend. Only… This one is actually a friend, not a disguised self tale,” she began, though that was a flat out lie -- she hadn’t told anyone outside of her family this story, and she wasn’t about to tell Mike Chang about it, either, when she only just met him. ”Friend of mine, went into High School trying to find her niche. Just wanted to feel accepted, have friends, stuff like that. Ended up in a basement every weekend, doing drugs. Going to parties. All just because she wanted to fit the stereotype, you know? Hang out with certain people and do what they do. She ended up getting HIV from sharing needles. Eventually, that HIV is going to turn into AIDS. Doctor says she’s probably not going to live past 30. A line needs to be drawn somewhere.”

She shifted awkwardly, lowering her gaze. ”My mom told me a story, once, from when she was little, how she took ballet lessons for years. And all of the other girls seemed to be the same. Clean cut, sort of spoiled. Told me about a time when it was raining once, and all of them were huddled up after lessons and waiting for their parents, but my mom was out there, picking up worms.” Lorelai chuckled slightly, shaking her head. ”Wasn’t worried about what the other kids thought, just… Did what she wanted to. Took ballet and played with worms.”

The smile reappeared on her lips and she shrugged. ”I guess my whole thing is… It’s not bad if you’re dancing in the locker rooms. Not even bad if you want to go around saying the word ‘beautiful’.” It took her a moment to realize what she might have sounded like, and she shook her head vigorously. ”I’m just talking in general, by the way. This is in no way a prompt for you to use it again, because I don’t expect it since that’s the first time anyone’s used that word in regards to me in years. I’m just using it as an example.” More blushing. Way to go, Lorelai. [/size][/ul]

[Mike Chang]

When Mike first mentioned the story about the "kid he once knew, liked to dance", he was afraid that Lorelai would probably see right through him and point out that fact with much satisfaction. And even now, minutes after he'd spilled his guts, he still wondered if she knew, from the get-go, that it was him he was describing, or if she really was clueless as to the issue. So when Lorelai began speaked, of having a friend, he instantly forced down a smile -- one of those, "really?" smiles that people give you when you've been caught in a white lie. And when she said that it really did happen to a friend, despite not fully knowing her and how good of a liar she may be, Mike believed her to the fullest. There was something about her that seemed real, believable. And even if she was lying, it wasn't really his place...and he wouldn't like her any less if it were so.

Then, bam. Drugs, basements, HIV...AIDS and death? Not what he expected. Thoughts reeled in his mind, making him double-think everything.

And if it's not a "real" friend...if it is a lie...
She'll be dead by age 30, I know.
And you've become something of a close acquiantance...
I know.
You're opening yourself to the fact that, if she may die one day...
I'll get hurt too?
...
I know.

In the end, though, agreeing with anything going on in your head sounds pretty messed up and crazy, Mike couldn't help himself, and sided with the version of him that wanted to get hurt. This was a great girl, in pretty much every aspect. She could sing, she didn't care if he didn't live up to everyone's "popularity rating", and she seemed to literally be rude-free.

And of course, all this happened to a friend anyway, he assured himself, and when he finally snapped back to reality swirling all around him, Mike brought his gaze back to a still speaking Lorelai. She was rambling. He rambled too. He understood, and, going back to stand beside her, playfully nudged Lorelai.

"Oh, like you've never been called beautiful before..." rolling his eyes in amusement, they suddenly fell on her face, which was reddened. And that alone made Mike blush, wondering if she was feeling awkward, so he looked away instantly and play with the bulky headphones he'd forgotten were resting on his neck -- yet a very stubborn smile stayed painted to his face, and refused, against all odds, to fade away.

[Lorelai Anchors]

[/b] she admitted (albeit a bit stupidly), ”But he grew out of that eventually. Other than that, no. Not that I ever expect it. I tend to try and not expect anything. Low expectations, no disappointments, right?”

Lorelai reached back to tuck another curl behind her ear before her smile widened slightly, if for no other reason than the fact that she seemed to find great new company in an unexpected form. She reached back to smooth out her dress, taking a minute to peer around the auditorium before her gaze fell right back on him. She forgot what it was like to not be afraid around someone. Forgot what it was like to have a friend (or someone like a friend, anyways), that she could talk to. And while she wasn’t sure what was going through his mind at the moment, she knew that this was one less person she had to be afraid of.

It was an extremely liberating feeling.[/ul][/size]