Totally Not Blowing It Off, Right? (Summer)

[Mason McQueen]

continued from
Coffee, por favor?

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Mason blushed a little when Summer called him nice. Seriously, someone should really teach him how to handle the compliments thrown at him. It wasn’t really all that special – people do call him nice from time to time, but then again not everyone’s as hotbeautiful as Summer – so why is he feeling so hot all of a sudden. Heaven knows a kid in sixth grade could actually take stuff like these better than him.

“Jibbs?” he asked, covering his mouth to stifle his chuckle. “I’m sorry,” Mason barely uttered, his face growing redder and redder due to the whole laughter-stopping thing he’s been trying, “I mean no disrespect, I really do. It’s just that, the name, it’s…what’s that word again…lolgasmic?” That’s what his students used in class, right?

He could only hope that he didn’t blow his chance off right there and then.

-xxx-

The drive around town had been relatively pleasant. He did feel like he sounded like a lame tourist guide at some point, so he tried to liven it up with some jokes he thought were funny. Which, considering how obscure his sense of humour can be at times, could’ve been easily considered as bland.

“…so yeah, the building to the right is where I go with Flo for yoga every Tuesdays and with Levente for self-defence classes every Wednesdays,” he said, pointing to the building with glass sliding doors and a black car parked right in front of it. “The community center’s just behind it. I think Mr. Romanov, the Head of Security, volunteers there from time to time. I’m planning on helping out in the LGBT center after midterms.” Paul’s told him about it when he started working in Hammel; heaven knows why he just decided to volunteer just now.

Stopping at a red light, he subtly (or at least he tried to be subtle) stole a glance from the lady in his passenger seat, trying to act cool by absentmindedly tapping on his steering wheel. “So, you hungry already? Or you’d want a look around town? The Italian place I told you about earlier’s just two blocks away.”

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[Summer Accurso]

The ride had been surprisingly pleasant, especially since Mason had decided to drive. Summer wasn't the best of drivers; in fact, she was plain horrible at it. It baffled her that she was even able to obtain her license; it only went to show how much people cared about highway safety. A driving hazard she definitely she was. Well, she wasn't completely horrible, but people were known to a say a quick prayer before getting in the passenger side. Funnily enough, Summer had yet to get in an accident, though that was probably due to other drivers knowing to get out of the way when they saw her coming. Laughing at her own thoughts, Summer turned her attention back to Mason who was telling another joke. It only caused her to laugh harder; Summer tended to laugh at the smallest of things, whether others found it funny or not.

"Yoga seems very hard; I just don't see you as the flexible type," she said, trying her hardest to suppress her laughter. The self-defense class sounded like fun as well, but it wasn't really Summer's cup of tea. Besides, Summer couldn't imagine herself punching another person no matter how much they bothered her. At the mention of the LGBT center, Summer raised an eyebrow. "That's an amazing thing to do. Most guys seem too embarrassed to do something like that. Maybe I can tag along?" Summer loved people, and anyway she could help out, she wouldn't hesitate to do it.

Summer thought about it for a second, she wasn't nearly as hungry as she had been earlier. The coffee had helped diminish most of her appetite, so a nice tour on all she had missed out on while she was touring the world seemed nice. "A date -- I mean day around town sounds like fun," Summer said correcting herself. Needless to say, her face had turned red once again. "Oh, and Mason. Thank you," she said simply.

[Mason McQueen]

Mason wouldn’t deny the fact that he had Summer laughing at his jokes (it didn’t occur to him that she might’ve been just laughing out of politeness) made his ego inflate a whole lot. It was a great confidence boost, and thus people would expect that he’d be telling such lame jokes in a not-so-far future. Sam and Levi, better prepare your ears.

“Oh trust me, I’m not,” chuckled the man, not really minding the traces of laughter seemingly forming around his companion’s face. It’s one of those things that he doesn’t mind being laughed at really. “It doesn’t help that before, when I started, I was the only guy in there. And all the women were so pros. I kept on tumbling and turning and groaning loud. It was embarrassing.” It also didn’t help that Flo made it a point to ‘accidentally’ get the class’s attention whenever he does something funny wrong. “But I had a bet back then that I’d get rid of my belly fat within six weeks so I had to try everything.” He still lost in the end though (since Ella managed to pinch a small piece from his side). “It’s growing on me now though. And a lot of articles right now are showing that even varsity players in university are encouraged to do yoga alongside their usual workouts. So I think it’s good. I think.”

Then suddenly paranoia appeared and the man worried that he might’ve sounded a little too vain in those few statements. Other than his hair (which he looks after with much care), he doesn’t really care all that much on how he looks. At least that’s what he thinks.

“I know, which is sad, I think. I mean, there’s nothing wrong about it if you’re confident about who you are,” he shrugged, stepping on the gas pedal as the light finally turned green, “And besides, my brother Paul, has been a huge help with me over the past two years. I figured it’s time to, I don’t know, give back to him by helping the community?” He just likes working with kids, that’s that, he thinks.

It took them a while, but after a few minutes, Mason finally saw the restaurant’s signboard and pointed it out to Summer. He tried to hide the smile that formed at her sudden slip, but it was just too big that he couldn’t completely rein it in. “And we’re here,” he said as he parked his car, “I promise you you’ll love this place.”

[Summer Accurso]

Summer listened to him talk about yoga -- he seemed pretty excited about it. Personally, it was something Summer could never get into. Part of that was because she absolutely didn't have a single coordinated bone in her body. She had tried yoga several times, but she always ended up on her back. In fact, it only seemed to frustrate her and make her sore, rather than make her calm and feel at ease. Then again, Summer doubt she would care with Mason there. His very presence sent her into a state of relaxation, which she guessed was because of his calming demeanor. And for the fact that she kind-of-maybe-not-so-really-possibly thought he was extremely handsome. Summer shook her hand, that was definitely not the reason.

Summer listened as he talked about his brother; a brother who she had no idea existed. Then again, she didn't know a lot of things about Mason until this afternoon. It was kind of funny, she had never even noticed him until now. Though, in her defense, she didn't notice much of anything a few weeks ago. Heck, she was now adjusting to this teaching thing. "Well, I think it's really amazing what you're doing," she simply responded, knowing what a cliche of an answer she gave. Still, it was a genuine answer and that was all that mattered. "Why can't every guy be like you?" The question was a rhetorical one, and was never meant to leave her lips. But as for the second time today, Summer had completely screwed up.

Thankfully, they had just arrived outside the restaurant, meaning she was saved from embarrassment...for now. "I'm sure I would have loved any place, especially considering my current company," she said in a slightly husky tone, that would have sounded unfamiliar to those who knew her. (Okay, Summer. You are completely losing your mind), she thought, hoping the evident shade of red plastered on her cheeks would disappear.

[Mason McQueen]

Mason would most probably laugh rather loudly would he have known Summer thinks that he has a calming aura around him. While he does seem unshakeable most of the time, he does have a tendency to overreact and panic, especially when his inner klutz surfaces and decides to do something stupid, like that episode with Mitya a few days back. Boy was that embarrassing.

“You should come and join us then,” he nodded, taking in Summer’s silence as shy interest rather than reluctance, “It’s a nice way to get into the community, I think. Pilot Ridge’s a small town after all; almost everyone knows everyone.” Until then, Mason’s circle only involved the handful of Hammel staff and a few people his brother knew from working in the local paper (and being somewhat of a celebrity, courtesy of his books). Now he knows Mrs. Greene who makes the best apple turnovers he’s ever tasted, Joy’s fiancé Bill who invited him for fishing two weekends ago, and Cindy, a UVM student who’s planning on going on the same path he did, and thus, is frequently asking him for help. “It’s fun really. And they don’t bite.” He gently squeezed Summer’s hand and nodded to tell her that she’s got nothing to worry about.

A blush once again crept up the man’s cheeks when Summer praised what he thinks is a rather ordinary deed. He should really get used to being all red the whole evening. “If all guys were like me, I think I’d experience some kind of identity crisis,” he chuckled. While he’s not really one to like to stand out from the crowd (that’s Paul’s thing, not his), blending in too much seemed a little too eerie for him too. “And I don’t think you’d want all the men in the world to be like me. Klutzy and lazy. Have I told you I sleep around 12 hours a day in the weekends?” One of the reasons why he doesn’t get anything done during those times really.

Once fully parked, Mason quickly went over Summer’s side and offered his arm out. Hearing her compliment made his heart skip a beat, and while he managed to rein that shout of joy from escaping him, there was a sudden spring in his step as they walked in.

“We’re lucky they have a table ready. This place’s usually packed, even during weeknights,” he nodded as a server handed them their menus. He happily looked over the things in the menu, but since he basically has what he wants in his head (he’s been in the place for a few times already), he decided to try and talk to Summer a bit more. “So Summer, if you don’t mind me asking, before you went to Hammel, what were you doing anyway? Like, were you researching in the Great Barrier Reef or across the Amazon?”

Not exactly the smoothest icebreaker a man could think of, but hey, this is Mason and heaven knows that’s such a great improvement compared to his ‘small talk’ when he’s a teen.

ooc:
Sorry if it's late. And rather crappy. D;.
- Jam

[Summer Accurso]

Summer thought about his offer to join them -- it was a great idea, really. However, Summer was a bit uneasy around lots of people these days, which was weird considering her current occupation. She loved being around people -- she really did -- but somehow it made her feel exposed. For some reason whenever she was around an abundance of people, she felt as if they could see all her secrets. Everything she had ever done, she felt as if they could see it just by looking at her. Nevertheless, Summer smiled and agreed, "I think it would be great to join all of you." Her response was not as convincing as she had hoped, but it would have to do for now.

The feel of his hand touching her shocked Summer, yet she didn't bother to retract from it. His touch sent a tingle throughout her body, a sensation she hadn't felt in years. Taking a calming breath, Summer gave Mason a reassuring smile, letting him know that the simple gesture was much appreciated. Probably a bit more 'appreciated' than she would have liked to admit.

"If all guys were like you, I think the female population would find it hard to control themselves," she said simply. "You'd fit right in, I love to sleep in." Summer needed sleep like most people needed air. In her defense, however, sleep was her getaway from the harsh reality. In her dreams, she was happy and her life was perfect again. Her dreams were practically her escape to the past, and she could relive the times when she didn't have a care in the world. Most of all, though, her dreams provided her with love. Love was an emotion Summer hadn't felt since her husband died, and only in her dreams could she feel it again. It was a sad situation, but Summer had come to terms with such reality a long time ago. It was possible that she could never love again.

Summer gladly took his arm as they walked inside the restaurant. Today was turning out to be a good one, and she couldn't help the small smile that found its way on to her face. However, said smile faded instantly at Mason's question. It was a simple, innocent question, but it was one Summer didn't want to answer. Not because she was a criminal or something, the question just reminded her of so much. Taking a small breath, Summer decided it was best to say it. "Well, actually, I did research the Amazon. Me and my...husband," Summer cringed as the word left her mouth. "Well, I guess you could say former husband. Anyway, we spent most of our life studying the the unique life that lived there," she finished up.

A/N: Shhhh! Your post was amazing as always!

[Mason McQueen]

Not really the type of guy to scrutinize every twitch and tone-change in his conversational partner (which leads some to think of him as rather dense, something he doesn’t really deny), Mason just went in and happily took in what Summer said. Her apprehension and supposed unease was hidden from him; her response was rather positive after all. And no, it wasn’t just because he got lost in that smile of hers.

“That’ll be awesome,” he nodded, extremely excited (and utterly failing to hide such enthusiasm). “I’m not sure if I told you this before, but just don’t believe every word Flo says ok?” That woman knows far more than she should. Much like how Sam and Levi have ten times more embarrassment ammo against him than what he has for them. Unfair how life’s been biased towards his friends really. “Especially if she tells you something along the lines of a slumber party and a burrito dinner. It was so not me.”

And no, it didn’t cross his mind that such a warning might pique his date’sfriend’s interest about said tale. Heaven knows Mason couldn’t resist it if she asks.

“Sleeping in is awesome.” Staying up late during the weekdays really take a toll on him. If he isn’t grading papers, he’s constantly rearranging his excel spreadsheet to make things more organized. If not, he’s brushing up on his lecture topic or reading one of the many scientific journals he’s subscribed to. (So he’s always up-to-date, he says. And besides, with Andrei’s contacts in the print industry, they had a discount anyway. Might as well take advantage of it). “Unfortunately my little brother’s a prick and wakes me up in insane hours so he can jog with me. So I end up waking up early then going back to sleep for the rest of the afternoon.”

Sleep, eat then sleep again. That pretty much sums up the perfect life for the man.

As it was, Summer didn’t need to say anything more. He was dense yes, but he’s not that dense. “I-I’m sorry,” he said simply, reaching over to grab her hand and give it what he thinks is a sympathetic squeeze, “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” He didn’t know how sensitive her background was, but in his mind, it doesn’t really excuse him. “I-I lost my wife before going to Hammel too. About two years ago, a day after our anniversary. Cancer,” he said with a shrug. It was still a bit painful talking about it, but he’s getting better. And besides, they can’t both go emotional at the moment, right?

“Hammel’s one of the nicest places for healing,” Mason said simply, giving Summer a knowing smile before asking her if she’s ready to order. “Should I call the waitress already? I’m thinking of getting a spinach fettu-fetu-fetti- blah. That one with a fillipo in the end.” Clearly one of the reasons why he chose to be a scientist instead of a linguist.

ooc:
Sorry if this was sooooo late. RL is really mean. D;.
- Jam