sixwordstories | (no subject)

Let's see... IIIIIII... played soccer. REALLY well. I was awesome. And I partied a lot in high school. Um, I like watching movies aaaand [Her eyes narrow just a teeny bit, clearly amused.] ... long walks on the beach, picnics and slow dancing.... [She chuckles, shaking her head.]

One more than you. And not even one, really, because we never actually got to the dating part of... you know, dating.

So soccer and boys? I have it right? [Yeah, he was so not letting this go. Not in the least.]

And now you sound like a Playmate. Just saying.

Did you get to the dating part with Ben?

I am not boy crazy! Remember, I can't even get a date!

A Playmate, huh? [She grins.] Well, at one point I did say I would become a stripper. I'd be realllllly good at it. [She laughs, shaking her head.]

Yeah. We got pretty serious, actually. Like, do I go on birth control kinda serious. [And suddenly, she's not so smiley anymore.]

Just because you can't get a date doesn't mean you aren't crazy for boys.

You did? Seriously? You want to be a stripper?

Did you do it then? The birth control not... [But he so meant sex and they both knew it.]

I LIKE boys. Obviously. But I wouldn't call myself crazy for them. Is that a fair compromise?

And yes, I did. I was 15 and thought it would be an awesome way to make bank. Plus, I mean, I am in pretty good shape. And... yeah. But it's definitely not on my list now. Not even like, in the top ten.

[Aaaaand her eyes are wide and she's onto an entirely new shade of pink.] I... [She shakes her head.] Um... we talked about it and stuff, but then I got kidnapped. Twice. And it just... never happened. After the second time I got kidnapped, I just never went back. He didn't deserve to be put through all of that again. Plus, he... sorta moved on. [And embarassed goes to sad just like that.]

You liiiiike them. Yep. Got it.

So at fifteen you wanted to strip. You're kind of racy, you know?

So you just bailed on him? Seriously? [He does seem a bit shocked at that.]

Racy? I guess. I mean... it was either that or be a soccer star. Guess which one pays more. [She might actually be a little shocked at his assessment. Because she doesn't FEEL racy. She feels... stupid, actually, for admitting that she wanted to be a stripper when she was a kid.]

You know... when you put it like that, I sound like a horrible person. [Which was pretty much how she felt.] But consider the fact that he never came to look for me. And that when I finally got away after like, six MONTHS, he was dating this chick that he swore was only a friend. I... I'm making it sound like I'm mad at him, and I'm not. He deserved better. And he got it. So... [She shrugs, not even sure she wants to continue that line of thinking.]

I don't know. I think it's racy. Not in a bad way. Like in a sexy swimsuit model kind of way. It isn't a bad thing.

I'm just asking. Sorry. [He shrugged, not upset, just stating fact. Tact wasn't entirely something he learned from his dad or Johnny.] So you move on, Bea. All you can do.

[She blinked once; twice. Then started laughing. Hard.] Oh god, John would SO hate you right now. He spent WEEKS trying to convince me to come up with a job that would require me keeping my clothes ON. [She giggles and sighs.]

I did. Move on, I mean. It made me sad, but... I've spent so much time living in the past that I'm missing a lot of my present. And I've kinda made a deal with myself to stop doing that so much.

[Being told he'd be hated made him smile.] Yeah well, you're a grown up. Right? I mean, you would be in my time so... How old are you? [Manners, what?]

You should. You deserve better than letting the hell of another's behavior - the kidnappings, that is - and the damn Phoenix Force dictate your life.

I'm 20! [She laughs.] You really think I could be a swimsuit model?

And you're right. It seems like everyone in the world has been dictating my life but me. Wanda, the Phoenix, Tyler... I'm pretty tired of having my life shuffled around.

Okay then. Old enough to make your own decisions. If you want to strip, do it. You want to be a world class soccer player... well, accept that might not happen but if you want, try it.

Honestly? I don't want to do either of those things anymore. And I actually was a model, kinda. I got paid to show up to parties and look good, basically. Nice work if you can get it, but boring. And you would be amazed at some of the stupid crap that famous people do. I guess I just need something more... fulfilling. I don't think stripping fits the bill. [Smirk.]

You got any suggestions. Well, besides swimwear model?

You don't ask me that. I mean, you did but the truth? You should make that decision for yourself. What do you want to do, Bea?