Time Out (Olesya)

[Mathew Amtrum]

It had been a few weeks since the incident with Olesya at the cafe. The embarrassing event that triggered the new change in himself that he was trying very hard to bring about, and so far he has been more or less successful. But it had only been a few weeks, it was hardly a huge accomplishment. Still Mathew had to meet up with her, since that day her voice kept ringing in his head. Telling him that he wasn't a monster. He didn't know what he felt about her, instead of the normal apathy there was warmth, instead of annoyance there was excitement. He was confused, as a man that didn't like anybody he didn't really know what these positive feelings were.

He had thought about this a lot, planned it out and even called in a few people to help make it happen. They already had reservations, and the route was planned.

Mathew pulled up to the main gates of the school watching for Olesya to leave them to head home or whatever, not that she would end up there. Not if Mathew had anything to say about it. When he spotted her he would move the bike forward quickly, swerving to the right to turn a bit in front of her and stop a few feet from her. He reached up and pulled off his helmet, showing her the identity of the man on the back. Flashing her a quick grin he tossed the helmet at her, expecting her to catch it for no other reason then reflexes.

"Get on." He said motioning his head for her to get one. Little did she know, they had a date.

[Olesya]

After a long day of school, Olesya stood at her locker, staring at her books as she mentally thought out what she would need to take home. Her math book, science book, notebook, planner...that seemed to be it. She would do her homework as she worked at the cafe this afternoon, figuring calculations as she served up lattes. The great thing about working in the family business was that as long as she did her job well, she could do what she wanted as she worked.

Exiting the school, she started her normal walk to the cafe with her younger sister, Gabri. They were clearly sister with their facial structure, but Gabri had long, wavy auburn hair while Les' was chopped short and spunky with a large violet streak on the side. Les hadn't had long hair since middle school, but Gabri had always been the girlier of the younger siblings.

Just as they were about the leave the school grounds though, a motorcycle pulled up in front of them, and the rider revealed himself to be a grinning Mathew Amtrum. Olesya hadn't seen much of him since the incident at the cafe, but she had heard some things through the student grapevine. So here he was, but what did he want?

Snd then he threw the helmet to her.

Of course, she caught it in reflex. One couldn't last as a varsity captain without having amazing reflexes, and she was constantly having things thrown, kicked, and hit at her..."Get on." Her sister squealed, and Olesya elbowed her, giving him a strange look as she contemplated the impulsive opportunity. She slid her backpack off her shoulders, handing it to Gabri, who was smirking at the motorcycle boy.

"I'll text you, you can open shop without me, sorry."

"It's okay, if mom asks, I'll tell her you're out with a cute boy."

"Ugh, Gabriella. Just go."

Always. She always had to mortify her when it came to guys. Les shook her head, sliding the helmet onto her head as Gabri laughed and waved to them, walking off to the cafe on her own. Les climbed onto the motorcycle behind him, wrapping her arms around his torso.

This wasn't awkward. At all.

And more than that, why was she trusting him?! She had to be insane. But she had a liking for motorcycles, and she could hold her own should she need to. It was broad daylight, and he wasn't a bad kid, as much as he had tried to convince her so.

"Where are we going?"

[Mathew Amtrum]

Mathew had sharp ears, he heard the comment from her little sister saying he was cute. That pleased him, he was a vain creature and ego stroking always made him happy. Though he was much happier that she put on the helmet and got on the bike with him. Shifting his weight when she put her arms around his torso, asking where they were going, he just grinned.

"It's a surprise." He said in a playful tone. He wasn't going to ruin it quite yet. "Just make sure to hold on tight, it is going to be a bumpy ride!" He said as he gunned it, the bike taking off with a roar as he accelerated down the street, turning off the main road and in to a back road.

He had already covered this route before on the bike, making sure he knew which way to go, and to ensure there were no dead ends or anything of the sort. He was being a bit reckless with himself since he didn't have on a helmet, but he was always reckless when it came to his own safety, but he was a cursed man, cursed with invulnerability. At least in his mind he was.

As they zoomed down one of the side roads they were quickly approaching a drop off, gunning it faster, the engine roaring loudly as the bike ran off the side of the drop off, soaring through the air, Mathew let out an excited yell as they flew through the air, landing on the street below with a small swerve before taking off again, he wasn't going to stop.

[Olesya]

From under the helmet, Olesya quirked an eyebrow, and her sensible side (in her mother's voice no doubt) told her to 'get off that bike right now, young lady,' but instead she lifted her feet, placing them on the running board as he took off down the street. What was life without a little excitement, anyway?

She held onto him as she sped up, watching the colors of the city around them blur and fade as they turned onto a side road. Olesya always loved motorcycles, her father even owned one. Like Les, he was a bit of a daredevil, and often took the kids on joyrides, but never this fast. He had to look after his kids after all.

Following the side street, she looked up in front of them and saw the drop off looming ahead A nervous look appear on her face, her jaw dropping slightly, and when they zoomed off it she shrieked, clinging to the driver, but her shriek turned into a laugh as they landed and swerved.

This surprise was turning out to be pretty exciting, Olesya couldn't complain.

[Mathew Amtrum]

He would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy the feeling of her clinging on to him tighter as they jumped. A smile touched his lips, unseen by the girl he was with due to their positioning.

As they zoomed down this street he grinned knowing what was coming up next, this time it was going to be a jump, he looked to the right quickly, seeing on of the guys he had called in a window using a walkie talkie. It was go time. Once again Mathew sped up, heading right to a makeshift ramp in front of a street. It was an odd place to put a ramp since a car could come and try and turn in, but this was all set up. As the bike got closer to the ramp a car would be seen speeding down the road, jump or not Mathew would have to stop or risk being hit.

"Hold on tight!" He called out as he gunned it as fast as he could, of course this was all scripted out, Mathew had even practiced it a few times. She wouldn't know that though, he was going to give her a thrill, get her blood pumping. The bike went up the ramp like a lightning bolt, the bike jumping over the street, the car passing where they were midair not a second later. Once again Mathew was laughing, not a maniacal life, but one of someone getting a thrill. The laugh of someone that almost got hit by a car.

"You ok back there?" He called back still laughing, still driving. They were almost to the destination, just one more obstacle to go and it wouldn't be far.

"We are almost there, if we keep this pace up we won't be late." He called back grinning, he was trying to tease her in to guessing what it was that they were not going to be late for.

[Olesya]

It was an exciting ride, for sure. Les always loved the thrill of defying gravity and testing the limits, but this motorcycle ride was beginning to show her how much she had deviated from her old tendencies. She had begun to play it safe and smart, thinking responsibly more than for the thrill. Granted, you could be responsible and still have fun, but on the back of this motorcycle, zooming through the streets, Les felt like she was waking up.

"Hold on tight!"

She had seen the ramp, and as they reached the street she saw the car. Again, she clung to Mathew, her helmeted head resting against his back and neck as he jump the car and she found herself laughing as well, her heart pounding at the walls of her ribcage from the adrenaline.

"Jeezus.."

She breathed, shaking her head as they landed.

"You ok back there?"

"Hah. Yeah. Where the hell'd you get your license from, anyway?"

She joked, though she was curious as to his next words. Late? Late for what exactly? He had just shown up after school, telling her to get on and taking off into who-knows-where...unless he had something up his sleeve. It was beginning to dawn on the ex-pillar that there was more to this surprise than it seemed. And it was exciting.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"What license?" He said before laughing, he was kidding he had a license and he was hoping she would pick up on the joke. He had a California one even, before that was New York, but he had to renew it when he moved. Such was life. As the continued down the side roads zooming by, her arms wrapped around him, his heart pounding, partly from the thrill, partly from her. Though he still wasn't sure why. He didn't think he was in love, but he honestly wouldn't know from experience. This was all new territory to him.

They would turn down an alley, another ramp set up this time with a flaming around in front of it. That's right, the RING OF FIRE! Mathew's face was fulling grinning now, he lowered his body as he zoomed in to jump it.

"Get down!" He called out before they hit the ramp, jumping through the ring of fire, heat blasting them for an instant before they made it to the other side safely, finishing down the alleyway he stopped at where the street would meet. It was a dingy looking part of town. Most of the people walking the street were black or Indian. It was not a white part of town. Mathew though was as casual as could be as he turned off the bike and set up the kick stand.

"We're here." He said with a grin as he turned to face her, curious as to what her face would look like after everything.

[Olesya]

Honestly, she couldn't think of how the ride could be any more exciting, but then they turned a curve and...was that a ring of fire?! Any notion that this had been completely impulsive were out the window, as rings of fire didn't generally pop up on their own free will. Despite being completely fabricated, she had to hand it to him, this was the most fun she'd had on a joyride thus far.

"Get down!" Tightening her grip on him one more time, she ducked as they flew through the ring of fire, landing safely on the ground one more. Once they were stopped, she put her feet back on the ground, pulling the helmet from her head and running a hand through her disheveled brown and violet hair.

"Unbelievable."

She tried to sound scolding, but she had a grin on her face. She glanced about the alleyway, noting the people walking by. It wasn't a part she was familiar with, and she turned to Mathew, curiosity getting the best of her. What did he mean, we're here?

"Where are we?"

She asked as she climbed from his bike, setting the helmet down.

[Mathew Amtrum]

He grinned when he saw the grin on her face, despite her half scolding tone it was clear that she was enjoying herself, that was good. It was the point, well one of the points. He watched her look around at the people and area, obviously unfamiliar with this place, not that he blamed her, it wasn't the best part of town. Still he couldn't just tell her where they were, that wouldn't be any fun. So instead he would tap his lips, leaning in to her grinning. If she wanted to know, she was going to have to pay for it.

If she gave in and kissed him he would grin before telling her that they were at this really wonderful Indian restaurant. Family own, and authentic. Very Spicy food. She seemed to be the type to like spicy stuff, she had spunk, and spunky people liked spice.

If she didn't kiss him though, he would just lean against the wall of the alley waiting for her to give in as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Well if you don't hurry up and get it over with we will be late." He would say flashing her another grin and raising up an eyebrow, almost as if asking if she was going to chicken out after they got this far.

[Olesya]

When he shook his head, she quirked an eyebrow curiously, though her look melted to an amused 'are you serious' look when he pointed to his lips and leaned toward her. He honestly wanted her to kiss him for information? Olesya shook her head.

"Tch, you wish. Tell me."

She crossed her own arms over her chest in equal stubbornness, and a hint of mimicking as he looked at her. She kept her gaze on him, hoping to press him into telling her without her having to lose to his little games. Games, not matter how small or insignificant, meant competition, and Olesya was a competitor.

"Well if you don't hurry up and get it over with we will be late."

"Late for what?"

She questioned him, smirking.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"You're gift." He said smugly. That was right, this was her day, though he was going to have fun with it. His own little thank you for helping him with his issues, though, he was still going through them a bit. Not as bad as the first day though. Mathew was stubborn as hell though, he wasn't going to cave in to her. He had to be dominant in any relationship he was in, romantic or otherwise.

"I am surprised you are going to let a little thing like this stop you though. I mean it wouldn't be our first kiss." He said with a grin still leaning against the wall watching her. "We go through a ring of fire, a drop off, and avoid a car all at high speed. But a small peck on the lips and you put on the breaks. We both know you want to know what I got up my sleeve, and we both know I am going to get what I want in the end anyways. So how about we just get this over with quickly so the day can continue." He said smugly, he was One Hundred percent sure that he was going to win, he always did. Besides he knew she had to be dying to know what was up, especially with what has happened so far.

[Olesya]

Gift? Gifts were always fun...though as he spoke, a slow grin grew on her face and she shook her head. She was losing this battle of wits, and she knew it, but it didn't mean she couldn't have fun with it. Sure, she was dying to find out what he had up his sleeve, after all, she still had a load of adrenaline coursing through her system from the freaking motorcycle ride.

She sighed heavily, stepping up to him slowly and feigning reluctance until they stood mere inches apart. She placed her hand on the wall next to his head and leaning in right before their lips touched, she smirked.

"You're just lucky I like surprises."

She said before kissing him. A brief peck, just as he requested. She would then push back from the wall, stepping back and looking at him expectantly.

[Mathew Amtrum]

"Luck has nothing to do with it." He said winking as she leaned in pecking him on the lips. It would do for starters. But he would get more then a peck by the time the evening was over, he was sure of that. When she pushed back from the wall he would move forward, putting his hand on her shoulder. "We are getting lunch. This place here has THE best authentic Indian food in the area. Fair warning it is a bit spicy, but it is good."

He said grinning, he wasn't going to spoil all of the surprises, she bought what leaving the alley and looking at the sign could have told her, but then again she wanted to kiss him. At least he figured, she was having fun and she wanted to go along with it. She just needed a bit of coaxing, and that was fine with him. He was more then happy to coax.

"So, shall we go in?" He said moving his hand down from her shoulder and taking hers, if she was fine with going in he would take her in. It was a dingy looking place, a hole in the wall. But those places always had the best food, besides they were not dressed for fancy.

Walking in he would wave to the waitress, he had talked to her earlier in the day arranging this so she was already expecting them. And she would wave them forward leading them to a booth, though unlike a lot of Western Restaurants there were no chairs or benches, instead they would have to sit on the ground in front of the small table, small pillows arranged around the table and against the walls of the booth to offer both back support and privacy.

"Have you ever had Indian food?" He asked as he took a seat, slightly awkward at the positioning not used to sitting cross legged.

[Olesya]

Les figured she would question her sanity later, and second guess all the innuendos and what-ifs at a later date. Right now she just wanted to enjoy herself, and tell her busy-body rationalization to shut up for a while. She let him take her hand (he cheeks warming slightly) and lead her to the hole-in-the-wall restaurant. It did look pretty dingy, but she trusted his tastes. After all, she was a fan of spicy food, and not a picky eater for the most part.

When they went inside and arrived at the authentic style booth, Olesya smiled, taking a seat across from him. It was easier for her to sit down she was sure, but it was nice to sit on these ornate pillows than tables and chairs. It had a different feel to the experience this way.

"Yeah, I like Indian food. Whole family does, though only my dad, brother, and I really like the spicy things. Iron stomachs, as my dad says."

She laughed, shaking her head slightly. She would have turned the question on him, but he seemed to know what he was doing.

"I guess you've been here before, right? How did you find this place?"

[Mathew Amtrum]

"Good, I would feel bad if I misjudged you and your tastes." He said grinning. He wouldn't tell her if it was because he misjudged someone, or if it was because it would hinder her experience. That was for her to figure out, though it was a bit of both.

"Yeah I have been here a few times. I don't come here that often since normally I am just wanting to go home or I am busy. But it is pretty good. I really like the Chicken Biryani and the Tandoori Chicken personally."

He said as he tried to adjust himself to make the whole thing a bit less awkward for him. It didn't help that much, but the little it did help was better then nothing.

"Hmmm honestly? I always look for hole in the wall places. Good food and they are normally not so crowded. After all you can't talk about gang wars and tactics at an Olive Garden." He said with a grin and a wink.

"Though I am for the most part out of that game. I don't think I will ever fully be out, I made a lot of enemies, but I am doing what I can." He said quietly. He wanted her to know he was trying. He didn't know why, but what she thought of him was important, and he wanted her to know he wasn't spouting shit out of his ass the last time they saw each other.