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Post by misssunflower on Feb 5, 2011 18:58:34 GMT -5
So, I'm more than a wee bit behind on stories I HAVE written and stories I've posted for y'all to read. :/ Trying to get you all back on track with a Keith story of mine. Enjoy.
Castles In The Air
“So…? What do you think?” “It’s great.” Keith lied to his girlfriend with no hesitation. Truthfully, looking at the apartment’s design, it was a lot of things… but he didn’t really think great was one of them. Mackenzie, thank the Lord, didn’t catch the lie, and beamed a stunning smile at him, “You like it? Oh good! I was so worried you wouldn’t!” Her hazel eyes were wider with what was certain to have been genuine worry and now genuine delight. He hid a sigh. Well, alright. So, he didn’t exactly expect much different, and certainly didn’t have high hopes for moving in with his girlfriend of a year and a half. Though, that wasn’t too bad, as she really was amazing, in nearly every other way Keith could think of. Beautiful and funny, and nice, and never demanding or well, he just couldn’t really find a bad quality about her. And he was happy with her, most of the time. But certainly in style they found their differences, he thought glancing around their apartment. He had no real talent in designing so had happily left everything to her. And so he’d seen this coming. The room, Keith supposed it was the living room, was white. Pure, pure, clean white. The kind of white your afraid to touch even after washing your hands a dozen times. The walls, the floors, and most of the furniture – aside from two red pillows on a couch and a black TV. The coffee table was a clear glass, and had little on it. It all looked perfect, like a museum. Not a home. Mackenzie loved modern art, and furniture and designs. She was an art major and while most of her stuff Keith good-naturedly teased her about looking like random paint in not too interesting patterns, it was still somehow considered great and she had graduated top of her class, making her incredibly happy. And himself happy to see her as such. He’d always found that style, modern art to seem just too… too cold, and he’d never really liked it. But he didn’t criticize her passion for it. As far as he knew art was something with a million different branches and it was not something another artist should put down, just because it’s not their style. And his girlfriend certainly wasn’t cold, Keith thought as he watched her flutter around and adjust some fake flowers in a clear vase on the clear table, sending him a smile as she did. She was perfectly warm, and sweet and sensitive. Which was another reason he could never argue about their mild differences. If Mackenzie knew he didn’t like something she’d tried so hard on, she’d be heartbroken. He laid an arm on her shoulder as she continued to mess with the flowers. From where he stood he could see the rest of the flat was similarly designed, but he was willing to ignore that. “Perfectionist.” He murmured in her ear. She blushed, her strawberry curls looking pale next to her heated red face, “I know,” She sighed, at last, “I just want you to like living here, like us living together.” Keith rolled his eyes, “Kenz, I’m yer boyfriend, not someone ya need to worry about impressing. I love you, and bein’ with you no matter where we are. You think I’d be out here if that weren’t true?” “Ah, but that’s just it!” She continued, “You know I feel really, really bad about that still.” “Don’t.” “It’s hard not to, Keith. It’s one of the first things you said when we started datin’. You’re not a city kind of guy. And here I propose we move in together, miles from where you live – in Dublin, Keith. A city.” “Kenz, I told ya. I wouldn’t be out here if I wasn’t okay with this.” He didn’t much like thinking about that. He loved Mackenzie, he really truly did. But he was going to miss the small country towns, if you could even call them towns that he was used to. He’d left a lot of his friends, knowing he’d still contact them or maybe visit on a free week here or there, when he wasn’t touring with Celtic Thunder or doing his own recording. But it wouldn’t really be the same. She seemed to read his mind, something she’d always been unnervingly good at. “I love you, Keith.” She said softly, “It took a lot to ask you to move together… I was so afraid you’d say no.” He shook his head to clear the thoughts of home out of his mind, and gathered his lovely girl into his arms, “I wouldn’t say no to ya, Kenzie. I love you too.”
Mackenzie cocked her head at him at the restaurant, catching something in his face Keith had been trying not to show, “What’s wrong?” “Nothing’s wrong.” It was a few days after they'd officially moved in, and she'd proposed a pretty fancy dinner that night. She laughed a little, “You keep glancing around this place, then back at me, then you look ready to say something, but don’t. What’s up?” He rolled his eyes; she was way too good at reading his expressions. But he didn’t want to lie any more than needed. He sighed, “You DO realize my birthday is TOMORROW… right?” Now she laughed harder, to Keith’s relief. She’d never forgotten dates before, but she was really busy with work a lot of times, and he could expect for the date to have been confused or lost in the shuffle of other things. But that didn’t appear to be the case. Then why were they eating out TONIGHT? “Course I know, Keith. Give me a little more credit.” She grinned that disarmingly gorgeous smile. “So why are we out tonight, then?” “Because tomorrow you’ll be going home for your birthday – celebrate it with friends and things.” She trailed off with a little wink. “What!?” When had THIS been discussed? It wasn’t that he wasn’t fond of the idea… the idea was amazing. And the fact that Mackenzie was alright with this… “You don’t – no, Kenz, it’s fine.” She shook her head, “I know you’d rather be home for it. I would too, if this were flipped. And I know YOU’D tell me to go. So, go.” “You come with me then.” He proposed, “Most of my friends have only met ya once, they’d like to see you again. I know they would.” The only friends of Keith’s she’d met more than once were the other lads of Celtic Thunder, only because she’d travel to see him during a weekend here or there as he toured. Mackenzie paused, thinking about it. He could practically see her working through the idea in her mind. Just as Keith wasn’t big on cities, he’d known from very early in this relationship, she wasn’t exactly a big fan of small country towns. She never openly said it, but Keith knew she often found this excuse or that to keep from going to his home. He wasn’t really bothered by it, but he’d always wished she’d spend more time out there – it may have grown on her… Like he thought she sighed a little and ran her fingers through her hair, “No, Keith. I want this to be just you and your friends. I’d be in the way.” “I want you to be apart of that though.” “I know, but I really don’t think I’d fit in with them…” She cut off for a moment and began again, “but that’s fine, really! Just go and have fun for a weekend, I know you miss them and I don’t want to have that.” He wanted to continue arguing this with her, but she could be pretty stubborn when she wanted to, and he didn’t want the argument to become an all out fight. And he didn’t want to argue it so much that she took her offer back. He did want to go home for his birthday weekend. He wasn’t going to lie about that. But he only wished that his girl would be out with him too. He didn’t like having his world with her and his world with his mates so separated. And so he grinned, “All right then. Then we should enjoy this dinner as much as we can, as I’ll be gone all weekend.” She nodded and with that they changed the conversation onto something lighter. Though, all Keith could think of was the thought of being back in the county – back home the next day.
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Post by misssunflower on Feb 5, 2011 20:19:00 GMT -5
“Isn’t it gorgeous here?” The breeze seemed to speak to him on his birthday, as he sat out, not far from his old home and stared at nothing. He had called his friends to tell him he was there, but had yet to meet with them – he just wanted to enjoy sitting out in the open while he could. Donegal hills stretched out in front of him, very nearly in his backyard. His old backyard, actually. Emerald green hills that stretched out as far as his eyes wandered to. Green hills meeting a surprisingly cloudless sky. What were the odds he’d come home on a sunny day? He loved the hills he’d grown up with he’d seen them everyday for a lot of his life, but that certainly didn’t take away the beauty of it. He could stare at it everyday for the rest of his life for all that mattered to him. Well, then there was Mackenzie. It said something that she mattered enough to him that he was leaving the warmth and the beauty of his old home to be with her. He couldn’t tell her, he could NEVER tell her, how he was much happier here, how he really wished that she would have moved in with HIM instead of vise versa. She was so happy to have him living with her, and she was letting him take trips out here. He shouldn’t have been thinking complaining thoughts about all of this. But he just wished… he wasn’t even sure what he wished… it was so beautiful here, so free, so empty of bothers. This was his favorite place to go… aside from the ocean. It was bittersweet to see it again, knowing it would be a lot less often that he saw it. It took him a full few minutes to register that the breeze speaking to him had not, in fact, been a breeze, as the words were repeated. He turned his head around to see a young woman standing a few paces behind him. She wasn’t particularly short or tall, and had the palest blonde hair he’d ever seen, being tossed wildly around by the wind. Despite the warm sun she was dressed in a thick navy sweater and torn blue jeans and was smiling warmly at him. From where he sat she looked young, he could hardly place her to be older than 17. “What?” He asked dumbly. She blinked, then colored a little, “I’m sorry, is this – am I disturbing you here? I could go…” Never the type to keep anyone from something wonderful he shrugged, “Course not. It’s fine.” The girl beamed at him, and openly took the invitation to sit down beside him. Closer, she looked even younger in his eyes. Blue eyes full of wonder at what she was looking at. Her accent was American, too. A tourist then? He felt proud she liked it there. “I’ve only been here two days,” She commented, “And this is my favorite spot.” Keith grinned at her, “This was my favorite spot when I lived here too.” “Lived here?” She quoted, “You mean..?” “I moved just a few days ago myself.” She looked at him for a moment, then away at the hills again. “Oh.” She said softly, “Where to?” “Dublin.” “Ahh, city boy then? I never think of Ireland as having many big cities compared to the U.S. but I suppose Dublin is…” He suppressed a scoff as the city boy comment, “So where do you come from, in the U.S., then?” “Chicago.” She sighed a little, “Everyone thinks NYC is the huge city in the U.S. but Chicago is just as hectic. I love it here already.” “I’d hate to leave again, in that case.” He said. He’d been to Chicago. Dublin was just as big, but it felt tamer, he knew. He’d hate to go back from this to that. The girl turned her deep blue eyes to him, looking mildly irritated, and once again, looked away without saying much. He blinked, “What?” “I just don’t think you should be assuming I’m a tourist.” Another blink, “I’m sorry!” He paused, “I mean, I just heard the accent and- well, you live here then? That’s great, I’m glad you like it!” A smile grudgingly made it’s way back on her face, “Yes, yes I moved here last week.” “What for? Parent’s jobs, then?” He liked this girl already; he wanted to know a bit more about her. The smile evaporated, and she raised her eyebrows, “Just how old do you think I am?” Now there was a question Keith knew not to answer. That was a trick question, and he had no idea which answer she’d like more… so he just gave a half hearted shrug. “I’ll have you know,” She continued, “I’m a week past my 21st birthday.” He let out a laugh, “Really? You don’t – I mean – “ “I have a baby face,” She finished, laughing with him, “Will do me good in 20 years or so but right now it’s a bother.” She paused, “I feel so rude! Here we’ve been chatting all this time and we’re not even introduced! I’m Dana. Dana Kretchmer.” “Keith Harkin.” He replied, taking the hand she’d offered. “So, Keith, whatever convinced you to move to Dublin, when it appears you’re still smitten with home?” “Um, well my girlfriend and I moved in together.” He tried to put the littlest stress on girlfriend as it suddenly occurred to him that to an outside eye they looked to be flirting. But Dana noticed nothing of that, and the girlfriend comment only made her smile more, “Oh well that’s so sweet of you! Are you back with her, then – or are you visiting alone?” “I’m back alone. Kenzie, my girlfriend, thought she’d treat me to a visit back here for my birthday today. Spend it with old friends.” “Happy birthday!” She laughed, “How old are you turning?” He laughed, “24. And thank ye.” There was a silence and both looked away from each other and out at the rolling hills again. Out of the corner of Keith’s eye he could see Dana playing with a lock of her white-blonde hair, softly chewing on the ends, and nearly laughed. There was something infectious in all her actions. He liked it. Finally she stretched and let out a yawning sigh. “Well, Mr. Harkin. It has been absolutely lovely to meet you, and I should probably head in and make something like dinner…” He grinned at her, wishing the conversation didn’t have to end, “Was nice to meet you too, Dana.” What else to say… “So, where did you move to, here anyways?” He asked without thinking. Smooth, Keith. She blinked blue eyes at him, then laughed a little, “On the road just north of here… this is kind of my backyard now.” Keith laughed, “You moved into me old house? Geez that’s irony if I’ve ever heard it.” “YOUR old house? Really!?” She paused, “Now that you mention it, the house kind of smells like you.” “Smells like…?” “You know, everyone has a distinct smell, and so do houses. You don’t notice cause you live there but when someone visits they notice.” He raised his eyebrows at her and they both broke out laughing, “Well, I’m gonna take that as a compliment.” “Good. It was meant as one.” She stood up, “Now, I really should be going.” “Why don’t you come to the pub tonight?” “What?” What? Where did that come from? Too late to take it back now, though, “Do you want to come out tonight, to the pub – my birthday… I suppose you could say party...” She stared at him like he’d lost his mind, “I just met you. I think your friends would find it weird for me to be there. To say the least.” “You’d be surprised how welcoming we Irish are. You come there as my friend and you’ll have half a dozen more before the night is out.” He grinned, “Plus once anyone has a few pints in them they’ll hardly know someone new is there. And if anyone is sober enough to ask, I’ll introduce you. What do you say?” She put her hands on her hips and shook her head, but at last replied, “I think, Mr. Harkin, that you have yourself a deal.”
oh look. the plot thickens.
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Post by misssunflower on Feb 5, 2011 21:44:44 GMT -5
Good thing about this already being typed is you get A LOT of updates It's a fairly long-ish story too, so this is good. Keith dropped Dana off at her house, as there was a little time to spare before he was to be at the pub. And walking in with a girl on his hip, that WASN’T Mackenzie? He couldn’t imagine that was a very good idea. Even if he explained everything to his friends. So he went, without her, and for a little while he wondered if she would really come or not. Everyone there was in great spirits though, and so he was too. They laughed and talked and were happy to see him. There was a lot of talk about Dublin, about what Keith had missed in his absence. It was great, and sad simultaneously. Dana showed up about half an hour into the party. She’d changed. Her blonde hair was combed out and was pinned back, framing her face. She was now in a long purple sundress and was smiling widely. He couldn’t help but break into a beam, just seeing her. “Dana!” He called over, cutting off whatever Paul had been saying, as he was talking a little to the other CT lads at that time, all of which had happily come for his birthday. She looked for his voice and when she saw him, she laughed and pushed over to talk to him. “Good evening, and happy birthday, Mr. Harkin.” She said. Her eyes flicked to the other guys. “Dana, this is Ryan, George, Paul, Damian, and Neil. We’re in a group together.” “Like a music group?” “Exactly.” He laughed. She looked at each of them, smiling widely, “Well, that’s something! Great to meet all of you.” “You too.” They all said, but were looking at Keith a little strangely. Oh right. Explanation time. But before she’d explained with her there to help, she said something about meeting others and disappeared. “Keith…” Paul began. “What?” “She was nice,” Damian continued, “And very pretty, and I’m pretty sure she’s not your girlfriend…” Keith rolled his eyes, “Guys I know what you think but… I just met her today. She moved into my old place – she needs to make some friends here. I’m just being a friend to her.” “Does she know that?” Ryan asked. “I told her I had a girlfriend before we even introduced ourselves. I’m pretty sure she’s not going to get the wrong idea.” He shrugged. “You sure?” “I can promise you guys. She’s just a friend. Just talk to her, she’s great.” Dana understood though, that something was confusing other people about her. Even when he introduced her to his mates as a friend he’d made, as the girl who’d moved into his old place, as she made small talk with all of them. She caught him at a particularly quiet moment, the quietest they could find in the cheery atmosphere. “Do they like me? Some of them seem very friendly but they give me strange looks…” Her voice was small, like a girl’s, and he laughed a little. Keith shrugged, “Most of them were just surprised your not Mackenzie I came in with. I explained to all of them that you aren’t, like, me knew girl or anything. Just a friend I made today.” She exhaled, “I’m sorry they thought that. Yeah, and I can understand the looks a wee bit more now.” “A ‘wee’ bit? Getting the accent already, now?” “Well, it’s hard not to. I’m surrounded by people with the thickest accents I’ve heard outside a badly cast movie!” She laughed, “Not to mention all of them drinking.” She rolled her eyes there. “Speaking of, why aren’t you?” “I moved just before my 21st birthday, so I have yet to get used to the taste of alcohol.” He laughed, “I forget the drinking age is older in the U.S.” “What’s it in Ireland?” “18.” She blinked then shook her head, “No one you Irish are all nuts.” “I think I’ll take that as a compliment too.” He grinned, “Now, c’mon, what do you want?” She paused, debating whether or not to refuse the offer entirely. “I don’t know the difference yet, so whatever you think I’d like.” She paused, “And really, just one drink – I don’t expect I’m a pretty sight drunk.” However, one guinness appeared to be all it took. Dana was flushed and giggly within a half hour. Keith couldn’t help but find that hysterical and wondered idly if she’d remember anything from this half of the party tomorrow. And despite what she said, she was still a very pretty sight drunk, just a slightly more entertaining one too. The guys seemed to like her better, after everything had been explained, or after they’d had a couple drinks in themselves as well, or both. Either way, Keith was happy with as little awkwardness as possible between his new friend, his old mates, and his girlfriend. Finally, she rested her arm on Keith’s shoulder in the middle of laughing at another story Paul was telling, this one A LOT further from the truth than the first to mumble to him, “Shoul’ be goin home now.” He laughed, and nodded, “Thanks for comin’.” “N’problem. Laters!” With a little goodbye to the crew there, she took her leave. Only to appear not 5 minutes later. Looking a little lost. When she met Keith’s questioning eye she blushed a little. “I think I locked myself out.”
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Post by celticbear on Feb 5, 2011 21:51:05 GMT -5
Tangy! This was a Wonderful, Entertaining Update to read! I love Dana a bit tippsy and locking her self out of her HOUSE! KEITH'S OLD HOUSE! THIS TWO BELONG TOGETHER! SO HURRY UP AND HAVE KEITH DUMP THE MODERN GIRL AND START COURTING DANA!
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Post by CelticPrincess24 on Feb 5, 2011 22:21:13 GMT -5
Oh and we wouldn't mind another update! *hint* *hint*
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Post by misssunflower on Feb 6, 2011 9:40:41 GMT -5
A few minutes later Keith was pulling the young woman along – her arm around his shoulder for support. He still found it VERY amusing how drunk she was after one drink. Granted, he wasn’t all there, himself, but he’d had about three more than her. “Keef,” She murmured, confused, “I said it was locked. What’re ya gonna do?” He rolled his eyes a little. “Been there before.” Was his only reply as they reached his house – well, actually Dana’s house. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to that idea. It felt so familiar going down this street, back to his house, like he’d done a million and a half times – it was so strange that anything changed in this routine, and that all too soon he was going to have to leave again. Walking up the front porch he suddenly looked at her, “You sure your locked out?” “mhnmmm… I thought I took my keys but I think I lef’ em.” “Sure?” Dana rolled her eyes and dramatically looked down at her outfit, and he followed her eyes. The long dress, absolutely stunning on her as it was, was pocket-less and she didn’t have a purse on her. Nowhere to put a house key. “Just checking.” He said quickly before peeling her arm off of him – thankfully she wasn’t so drunk she could still stand on her own. With both hands free he turned the turned the, locked, doorknob this was and that – before finally, with it still turned as far as possible, kicking the door slightly. It opened. Dana laughed, “I’m not sure I know what to think about you being able to break into my house.” “Hey, it was mine first and like I said, this has happened before. You pick up a few tricks living here for a while.” “Yean, sorry about that.” “About what?” He was confused. He’d kind of expected for her to thank him and say goodnight. But he couldn’t really have a short conversation with Dana, it appeared. “That I have your house now.” She sounded less drunk at this point, more sleepy. He laughed a little, “That’s nothin’ to be sorry about. Someone woulda bought it no matter what.” He shrugged, “I suppose, I’m glad it’s you – you at least appreciate where ya live now.” “And some people don’t?” “I don’t think I did, completely, until I moved. You know?” She nodded, and there was a silence, “You really love her, don’t you?” She didn’t wait for a reply though, “Well, thank you for helpin’ me out. And um… thank you for letting me crash your party – it was really nice to meet everyone. It was great to meet you.” “Same, Dana.” “So... um… ni-“ She took a step toward the now open entry of the house and promptly stumbled and would have fell. Would have fell if Keith hadn’t caught her arm and steadied her. Debating for a moment, Keith decided leaving her walking unattended would not be a good idea – the lingering affects of her first Guinness, plus her own exhaustion wouldn’t be good while meandering a dark house. With one arm now around her shoulder, he bent a little to place the other at the bend of her knee, lifting her up into his arms. “Keith. Harkin. What in God’s name are you doing?” She protested in what would have been a pretty firm voice, if she hadn’t yawned. He chuckled, “Relax. What I’m doin’ is making sure that the second I close that door you don’t trip over yerseslf and end up in a bigger mess than being locked out.” When he didn’t hear another protest he took it she’d given up and took a few steps inside. The house still smelt familiar, kind of like how she’d said, and it felt insanely weird to think he wasn’t the one living there anymore. “So um…” He didn’t exactly know what to do now. He couldn’t help but think he shouldn’t bring her to her bedroom… that was just a little TOO strange. “Can I put you on the couch?” There was no reply, and Keith looked down to find a slightly drunk Dana now sleeping in his arms. He had to choke down a laugh so not to wake her. And with that did as he suggested and put her down on the small couch she had in the living room. He thought about just leaving with that, but before he had an idea. Finding some old envelope on the table he quickly jotted down his signature and phone number. Grinning again at her, he quietly left.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2011 12:16:06 GMT -5
Good job Harkin! Good respectable man, we love you for that! Or rather, we love YOU Tangy, for making him that way! (Though I have a feeling he's pretty similar in reality)
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Post by misssunflower on Feb 6, 2011 16:10:20 GMT -5
Keith knew that his stay was supposed to be a weekend. But well, as with most things, the longer you stayed the harder it was to leave. And he wanted to make leaving for Dublin as painless as possible. Besides, there wasn’t much he could do back at home without having an underlying feeling of depression. He could talk to Dana. That was the one thing that didn’t make him even the slightest bit upset. She was a great friend, though he’d only known her, well, less than a day. A few hours really. But she seemed to, well… get him, or something. She understood how he felt about home versus Mackenzie, with very little explanation. And that also meant she didn’t ask too much about it – he didn’t like getting pounded with questions about moving too often. But talking to Dana meant becoming closer friends with her, which, on the surface, Keith had no issue with. But he’d be becoming closer friends with her only to add her to the list of friends he’d be leaving behind when going back. And it was hard enough as was. All in all, the sooner Keith was back in Dublin, the better. Of course, he didn’t want to lose conversation with Dana entirely though. That would have been awful. He was her first friend in the whole country; he didn’t just want to walk out of her life. So he’d left her his number at least, leaving it up to her to continue the easy friendship they’d formed in hours. Mackenzie was predictably delighted to see her boyfriend back early, hearing him open the apartment door. He nearly flinched at the garish white of the whole place, but stopped himself. “Keith! You’re back early!” She came round in a white apron that wasn’t really white – splattered with more than a little paint, and the same amount on her hands. He grinned, she was so adorable when she was painting. “I’d love to hug you right now, but I don’t want to get you messy.” He didn’t much care, and pulled her close, ignoring that acrylic paint was now on his shirt and his hair. He was just happy to see her. There was another reason he’d left early, one that he didn’t even consciously think of until right then. “I missed ya, Kenz.” He beamed. “I had a lot of fun at home yesterday, but I did miss you.” She pulled back and grinned at him, “But you still had fun, though?” “’Course I did. Was great to see everyone.” He paused briefly, “Oh and I met the girl who moved into my old place.” Mackenzie didn’t even blink, “That’s great, what’s she like? Just a single girl?” “Yeah. Girl named Dana, moved from Chicago. She really likes it here, so that’s nice.” He could have kept going but thought it may be best to leave it there, for the time being at least. “That’s great. So –“ She began when Keith’s phone rang. He was willing to ignore it, but Mackenzie stopped talking, “You can answer it, no big.” She smiled at him. With a shrug, Keith did just that. “Hello?” “Keith!? Ohh so THIS is who’s number that was! I hope you realize you have a completely illegible signature.” Dana’s voice was flowing with sudden relief. Keith chocked down a hysterical laugh, “Yeah, sorry about that. You could at least read the number though.” Mackenzie had her eyebrows raised a little bit, and he mouthed ‘Dana’ to her. Thankfully that made her smile, and nod a little. Permission to keep talking to her for bit, though he planned to keep it short. “I could, I could.” Dana continued, “Anyways, I remember terribly little from last night, and I’m sure I could live without the details – but I would kinda like to know how your hat made it over to my house?” He blinked. His hat? He hadn’t even remembered having one on, much less taking it off at any point. Goes to show how coherent he had been… He glanced at his girlfriend, wondering how on earth to phrase how exactly the end of the party had gone. “Well, you were drunk-“ He began. “Clearly.” He laughed a little, “And apparently you’d locked yourself out an’ I knew how to get in my own house when it’s locked. Experience, you know?” He spared Mackenzie a glance. Her eyebrows were raised again, but she looked to be holding back a smile. She rarely drunk so stories of anyone being even a little intoxicated were downright hysterical to her. “So, I got you in, and you- being drunk- kinda fell a bit… so I- kinda pulled ya over to a couch.” ‘Pulled’ was of course the wrong verb to use, but ‘carried’ was not going to be said. “And I guess I lost my hat at some point.” “I guess so.” She laughed a little, and he could hear a little embarrassment in her voice. This was clearly a story she’d rather not remember. “Anyways, where are you staying? I’ll bring it over.” “I’m back in Dublin, Dana.” “… oh.” He shrugged, “Don’t worry about it, I’ll just run by and grab it later. No problem.” His girlfriend nodded along, and he wondered if she had the slightest idea what they were talking about. “Ah, but you just got back! I’d hate to be draggin’ ya away from your girl so soon! No, I’ll just come and bring it to you. I’ve been wanting to see Dublin anyhow.” “Dana, you don’t have to do that…” She laughed, “Ah, ‘have to’ ‘s aside, Mr. Harkin, I’m perfectly happy with running it out to you, as an excuse to see some of the city. Besides, I’d love to meet Kenzie… if that’s kay?” Keith blinked. He didn’t see anything particularly wrong with that. He ran it quickly and quietly to her, and she smiled a stunning smile at him. “She sounds like great craic, Keith. I’d be fine meeting her too.” He went back to the phone, “Yeah, that would be fine. I guess, if that’s really okay with you …” “It is.” She laughed again, “I’ll run it by tomorrow afternoon. See you then!” He hung up and grinned a little at Mackenzie. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2011 17:04:13 GMT -5
Interesting indeed! What will Kenz and Dana think of each other?! Oh dear!
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Post by CelticPrincess24 on Feb 6, 2011 22:38:14 GMT -5
Oh please dump Kenz and go with Dana!!!! sorry I guess thats a little mean but..... Dana would be better for him! UPDATE SOON!
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Post by misssunflower on Feb 6, 2011 22:58:06 GMT -5
Haha CP. You have to understand, I'm trying to make this as realistic as possible. He's been with Mackenzie for over a year, and does TRUELY love her. He has known Dana less than 24 hours. The likelyhood of him just dropping one for the other is very slim and would make for a very short story.
Mackenzie had a thing with impressing people. No matter if it was someone she’d just met, someone she was just meeting. A friend, a co-worker, a random stranger, a third cousin twice removed. Anyone. It was just ingrained in her head to have to try to impress them, or at least make everything look nice. Keith had never seen the point in it, well not really. Well, he liked things to look decent for his girlfriend, and maybe for people he knew just a bit. But he’d never gone out of his way to try and impress someone coming over. Like in Dana’s case, he knew she knew him well enough to not care what the state of his apartment was. In fact, she’d probably expect it; she knew enough about him. But he knew better than to stop her when she got going. So, he listened as she rattled off ideas of food. Dana would be showing up any time, as she’d only said afternoon. Could be hours… could be seconds. “I wasn’t aware we were feeding her.” He mumbled. Mackenzie rolled her eyes, like he was missing the point entirely, “She is driving out this whole way, to give you your hat of all things. LEAST we could do is feed her.” “She said it was no big deal.” “Keith, girls ALWAYS say something is no big deal. They don’ want you thinking you’re trouble or a bother or anything that’d offend you.” He laughed, “Is that so?” His girlfriend colored a little, and he continued, “But even if that’s the case, I’m pretty sure Dana thinks that it’s really just no big deal.” She looked ready to argue that longer, but the doorbell rang. She let out a harmless curse under her breath and disappeared to straighten this or that. “Could you get that?” “Planned to.” He called to her, laughing, and got up from the couch they’d been chatting on to do so. Dana had her signature, ear-to-ear, grin on her face. Most of her white-blonde hair was pulled into a braid that was tossed over her left shoulder, but the rest of it fell in swoop a little over one eye. She was in another dress, this one stopped at her knees in a deep blue. His dark maroon-brown hat looked rather cute on her, he had to say. “If you like it all that much, you could ask for it.” He commented smoothly. Dana blinked, and then realized what he was talking about, “Nah, it looks better on you anyways. I never did look good in hats.” He laughed, “I beg to differ on that one. You look quite good right now. I think ya ought to get one of yer own.” She laughed, and pulled it off of her head, holding it out to him, “Thank you. In the future, Mr. Harkin, I’ll do that.” Taking the hat he smiled, “Well, come in then.” She paused, and he laughed a little, “Bringing this was only half why you came, if I remember right.” “Right! Kenzie! Where is she?” “Did I hear my name?” Mackenzie’s voice echoed in from a hall. “Don’t just leave her standing in the doorway, Keith!” She added with laughter. Keith placed his hand on Dana’s back and steered her inside. “See? Now, you’re gettin’ me in trouble.” “Don’t even joke about that.” She made a face at him. Then paused to look around the apartment, her eyes widened a little bit at the style of all of it. She looked back at him, raising her eyebrows expressively. He hadn’t imagined she would be fond of how his and Mackenzie’s apartment was designed, but was still a little happy to know that someone shared the same distaste for it as he did. Hopefully she wouldn’t say anything like that to his girl, though. That girl finally made it out of the kitchen area to where the two were standing. Keith saw her mild look of surprise at how young Dana looked, and was glad he wasn’t the only person to have misplaced the 21 year old for a high school girl. Dana in return looked politely happy to see the incredibly lovely Mackenzie. Hello’s were shared with no awkwardness and then Dana added, “It’s great to meet you now. Keith talked about you a good bit.” She gave him a little surprised but happy glance, “Did he? He didn’t really say too much about you.” “Oh well that’s just a rule of life. You don’t tell your significant other about your friend of the opposite gender. No matter how close of friends you are…” Keith kind of shrugged at that, it made a little bit of sense. But then Mackenzie’s tone changed totally, “Ohh, what happened?” Dana shrugged a little. Obviously Keith had missed something here, but didn’t ask, as the blonde girl was explaining now. “Oh, had a boyfriend, he liked me, and of course I loved him. But I had a – a best friend… a guy friend. The two guys never met, but I talked about my friend constantly cause, well, he was my friend, practically my brother… well, I talked about him a little too much for my boyfriend’s liking and well, that relationship ended with that. And I was so upset with my friend we didn’t talk much afterwards… we still don’t, actually. Two relationships of mine kinda got screwed cause of me.” She said it all so off-handedly, but Keith could see that she was wishing she hadn’t told it, that she’d never brought it up. And he could definitely understand. Mackenzie looked guilty for asking, “I’m sorry.” She said softly. Keith wanted to say the same but felt out of place doing even that. He just put a hand on her shoulder. She smiled, first at Mackenzie, then at him. “It’s nothing, I mean, well, not anymore. I would have moved here anyways, this just makes it a cleaner slate to start on.” “Why did you move here, anyways?” Keith asked, curiosity getting the best of him. “College.” She grinned, happy for the subject change, “It’s a bit of a drive, but the place is so stunning, I don’t mind.” Mackenzie perked up, “I went to that college! That’s where I met Keith – a bunch of my mates went down to that town for drinks one night and ran into him.” “At a pub.” Dana laughed, winking at him, “Figures.” He stuck his tongue out at her. “So what’s your major?” “Art.” Keith laughed. Oh lord, he’d just brought two art majors into a house together without knowing it. He could hardly see Dana doing his girlfriend’s kind of stuff but from what Mackenzie had told him, that didn’t really matter in conversation. The two of them would probably talk shop for hours. But that was good. He was glad the two girls liked each other and had something to talk about. For a while he saw them almost polar opposites – but they got along. All was well. “I think I’m going to go heat up something to eat before ya both completely lose me here.” He commented. “Aw, that’d be great.” Mackenzie nodded, seeming to lose sight of her usual perfectionist nature. Dana sent him a disarmingly gorgeous grin, “That would be really great, Keith. Thanks.” By the time he came back with a thing of once-frozen pizza the two were talking about brands of paintbrushes. He sat back and let them talk. He didn’t know if they would become good friends, or even friends at all – they seemed too different still for that. But they got along, and that was good.
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Post by celticbear on Feb 6, 2011 23:30:45 GMT -5
Love how Keith did the right thing by placeing Dana on the couch, leaving his number and then high tailing back to Dublin! Whew! Tangy! Keith dodged a big bullet with this visit! I know you want to be realistic! BUT I HAVE TO AGREE WITH CP! DANA MAKES A MUCH BETTER GIRLFRIEND FOR KEITH THAN MACKENZIE! LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT UPDATE!
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Post by misssunflower on Feb 7, 2011 7:49:01 GMT -5
“She’s so sweet.” Mackenzie commented, when Dana was looking at the apartments balcony and the two had a quick alone moment. “I’m so glad she came over. Sad to hear she’s got no one here though…” Keith nodded a little, “Yeah, she never told me that before, but it makes me even more glad I met her. Though she probably would have made friends within a day anyways… I’m still glad.” She beamed, “I’m glad you did, too. You both seem really close already. She’s like a female you, from what I can tell.” “Never thought of that. That’s kinda disturbin’ though, don’t you think? I guess we do have a bit in common – I just think she’s great craic.” “Agreed.” “I agree, too!” Dana poked in, closing the sliding glass door behind her and giving the pair a wide smile. “Now what am I agreeing on?” Keith laughed and Mackenzie joined in, “Oh nothing much,” She said. “Did you like the view?” The view was of downtown Dublin, all city lights and bustling streets. Keith saw enough of that when he was in big city venues on tour with Celtic Thunder, it had lost a good lot of it’s thrill. Great to visit, great to see… but to live? Well… “A bit loud for my liking… and bright.” Dana pushed back some of the hair from her eyes, “I mean, last night I sat out on my porch and saw twice as million stars as I ever did in Chicago… but you can’t really see them here either. Mackenzie just beamed, “That might also have been because it was cloudy, but I guess I know what you mean. The city lights make up for it, for me though – and those shine no matter the weather.” She made a little face, one Keith wasn’t sure his girlfriend caught, but he did. Sure, she and Mackenzie got along, but they were very different people. “I suppose you’re right, then… that is nice.” There was a bit of an awkward silence, “So, do you want to have dinner here too – or we could go out?” He mumbled not sure how to propose things like that, but Mackenzie gave him a very happy smile for his effort and he returned it. Dana laughed and shook her head, “No, no, I’ve imposed on the two of you enough. In fact, really, I’ve just been a bother since I’ve met you.” She looked at him, a small smile still on her face. He rolled his eyes, “Dana, you are certainly not a bother. Besides it was my fault leaving the hat.” “My fault getting drunk.” “My fault offering you a drink.” “My fault buying your ho-“ “Dana!” He laughed now, “I promise, it’s cool.” Mackenzie was trying not to laugh too. She gave him a sheepish shrug, “Alright, but seriously you don’t have to take me to dinner – I need to find a place to stay anyways.” “You don’t know where you’re staying yet?” Mackenzie, being the planner she was, was completely shocked. Keith, being the lack of planner he was, was even a little surprised himself. “Can I at least help ya find a hote-“ She cut off at her own phone ringing. She smiled weakly and answered. “Hello? OH! Y-Yeah, I mean, one second…” She put her hand over the speaker, and whispered, “Work. Got another idea and someone’s calling a meeting… in like 10 minutes… but-“ She glanced at Dana, who looked terribly confused. “I’ll find her a place to stay, Kenz. You go.” “Really?” “No.” He teased, and she made a face, “Really, of course it’s fine.” “Thanks, Keith.” She tossed her arms around him and gave him a quick kiss. She then turned to a slightly blushing Dana and smiled, “Hate to run on you when we just met, but I really got to. It was amazing to meet you – I’m glad you and Keith met.” “I’m glad we did, too.” She shot Keith a helpless look, like she didn’t know what to say now. But she smiled again and Mackenzie, “It was nice meeting you to, give me a call when any of your art’s in a show! I wanna check it out!” “Will do. Bye! Keith, get her something to eat too! See you tonight!” She grabbed her purse on the kitchen table, gave Keith another hug and took off. There was another silence. “So um…. What just happened?” Dana asked, confused. He laughed, “Kenzie’s been assigned as one of the designers for some knew building going up downtown, apparently they like her style. It’s a huge deal for her, clearly.” Dana beamed, “Well that’s great for her then! Does she have to leave randomly like this often though?” “Yeah, every now and then.” He shrugged, “But she loves it, so that’s fine by me. Now come on, what do you want to eat?” “Keith, I am NOT letting you give me dinner! It’s fine! Just like, if you want to help me find a hotel, that’s fine – but that’s all ya need to do for me, really.” He held his hands up in surrender, “Fine, fine, I know where to take ya, anyways. Do you want to go now?” “Did you have something else planned if I don’t?” “Um…. No.” She laughed, “Then now is fine, Mr. Harkin.” As they walked out from the apartment he glanced at her, “You drive here?” “Clearly.” He paused, “Well, you can leave your car out here, the hotel isn’t even a block away.” She laughed at that, “Geez, this is like Chicago! I can see why you don’t like living out here.” “Hey I never said that!” “You didn’t have to!” “I like living here fine…” He began, as they walked down the street. Dana shook her head, still laughing, “Oh you like living with KENZIE, fine. But you don’t like living here. I’ve seen you back home and I’ve seen you here – don’t try to lie to me here. I know.” He sighed and tugged on her braid, “Alright, alright, ya got me there. But, well, you’ve seen it there, and you see here – who wouldn’t be feeling this.” “Kenzie.” She murmured dryly. He laughed, “Sometimes I truly don’t understand that woman.” He shook his head as they were now in front of the hotel. “You fine from here?” “I was fine from the start, Mr. Harkin. YOU were the one who decided to walk me out here.” “Yes, ma’am.” He laughed, “Well, then, I’ll…” He paused. He didn’t know to say ‘see you later’ or ‘talk to you later’ or what now… Dana smiled and gave him a tiny hug. “Kenzie seems to be okay with you coming back home every couple weekends right? Maybe I’ll catch you around there sometime.” “Maybe…” He said, not sure what else he could say, then, “I hope so.” She laughed, “Me too.” And with that moved into the hotel lobby.
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Post by misssunflower on Feb 7, 2011 18:19:27 GMT -5
I'm glad you like Dana. I wrote her so she was likable Keith wasn’t sure what kind of mood he was in upon returning to his apartment. Happy? A bit. Unhappy? A bit as well. Confused? Oh yes. He wished Dana had stayed over longer. He wished Mackenzie didn’t have to be at work. He wasn’t much of a loner type, unless he was working on something, keeping busy. There was nothing to keep busy with at the apartment, and so he was left to his thoughts. Something he didn’t terribly like. He wished Dana hadn’t left him how she had – planting a thought in his head he could either act on or shake away… not that the latter seemed easy to do. It was heard to shake away anything that was relating to Dana. Anything she did, anything she said… In fact, he could play back every conversation he’d had with her since they met, perfectly. Sitting back against the Ivory white couch, Keith played with that hat Dana had brought back. Turning it over and over in his hands he caught the smallest scent of sweet grass and fresh air and the tiniest hint of Guinness – it smelt like- like home. He supposed she had a point. Mackenzie certainly didn’t mind him coming home. But he’d only done so once, so he couldn’t TOTALLY say. And he didn’t want to make it a very regular thing, as he wanted to make sure his girlfriend knew he did love being with her. She’d be the kind to worry if he left for a home visit too often. Besides, he didn’t like the idea of leaving her often. But if she was working? She was surely going to be getting more busy in the next few weeks, the next few months – he had no idea how long something like what she was working on would last. Surely she wouldn’t care if he took a visit home, if she’d be gone for most of the day anyways? Why shouldn’t he take a random day here or there to visit his old friends? And a new friend. Keith didn’t know what delighted him so much in having Dana say she hoped to see him again. Maybe he was just glad she seemed so happy to have met him, as he was to have met her. She was so great, funny and relaxed and always at ease with things. Why he had to meet her AFTER he’d left he’d never know or understand. Though, probably, having known her before hand would have made leaving all the worse. Would it be easier to leave, if he came back every other week or weekend? He wasn’t sure… It wasn’t as though he spent a LOT of time there. He was recording or on tour or what not. But this felt different, and he still didn’t like that after a tour he’d be returning to Dublin, and not to Donegal. To the city, and not the country. He decided he would take up Dana’s offer. Mackenzie wouldn’t mind; especially if she had her own things to concentrate on. He’d just visit, every other weekend, every other week. A free moment. When he was bored, and Mackenzie was busy. He’d find time. He just didn’t want to slip away from his favorite place just because it wasn’t his home anymore… Surprisingly, the first… it could be called ‘excuse' – to go back out and see some old mates came sooner than he’d expected. In his thoughts, it had gotten fairly late, and Mackenzie was still gone. He couldn’t imagine what on earth took so long… but then he’d never really done something that huge. In any case, there he was, thinking about when he could go back to visit first, when to talk to his girlfriend, and what not, when his phone rang. He truly half expected it to be Dana, and was almost disappointed when it wasn’t. Shaking that out of his mind, he grinned at who actually WAS calling him. “Damo! Hey, what’s up?” He laughed. It was good to be talking to one of the lads again, as, when he thought about it…. He had been surrounded by girls all day. Damian’s always shockingly deep laugh echoed from the speakers, “Not much, honestly. You?” He debated telling Damian about Dana and Mackenzie’s meeting and what not but decided against it, “Same. So do what do I owe yer calling me?” There was a pause, “Well,” He suddenly sounded awkward, much more like the teenager he was. Keith choked down laughter, “I was wondering if ye were ever going to get around to teaching me how to surf?” Keith paused also, then sighed. He was all set to teach Damian to surf when he’d lived minutes from the best surf spots in all of Ireland. He didn’t exactly have that in Dublin. “Not exactly, in the best place for that anymore, mate.” He wondered if he sounded miserable, “I’ll ask Rosy, he’d probably be happy to give you some pointers on it.” He knew his surf friend would gladly give his Celtic Thunder mate a few tips with it. But he’d really wanted to do it. Damian laughed, “I guess… but I kinda wanted you to do it.” Now, Keith laughed aloud, feeling a little flattered, when the idea hit him. “Well, you know, I could probably take a trip out to teach you some weekend, if you’d like?” He liked it very much, “Ah, that’d be grand Keith! Um… could ya come out next weekend – I’m so swamped with college right now… I mean I don’t mind the courses but it’s just, you know, still work. But, ah, I think I can get it all done by next weekend.” That would give him time to tell Mackenzie. And this was much better than just asking to visit home to visit home. His girlfriend loved all the lads Keith sang with plenty! She thought his surfing in Ireland was crazy but liked it all the same. Combining the two would make her plenty happy, he was sure. He wanted to thank Damian so much right then, but that would probably confuse the lad greatly, so instead he laughed, “Next weekend is perfect, Damo!” He replied, “I’ll see you then.” He hung up the phone, grinning, and happily awaited his girlfriends return. “Keith, I really hate how you’re asking me this, I hope you realize that.” Mackenzie murmured the next morning over breakfast. She was smiling still, just the smallest bit. “What?” She shook her head, “You’re asking me as though I am your mother, not your girlfriend, Keith. As if because you are dating me, you have no freedom to do anything else. It’s bothering me – is that really how you feel?” He blinked, “No! Kenz! Of course not! I just- I didn’t know-“ God, he was digging himself a whole here, wasn’t he? “I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it – just incase.” “Why wouldn’t I be?” “I don’t know,” He shrugged, “But like I said, I didn’t know so I wanted to check. Didn’t mean for it to come out how you thought it did, Kenzie, I swear.” She sighed, but the smile grew a little, “Well, I guess I should thank you for asking then. And yes, Keith, it is perfectly fine that next weekend you teach young Damo to surf. I don’t know how you could have been worried about that.” Now that it was over, Keith didn’t really know either. But he couldn’t help feeling insanely relieved, knowing that he would be able to go out. He supposed his girlfriend had a point – he was her boyfriend not her prisoner, he shouldn’t have been concerned about whether or not he could leave for this reason or that. It was ridiculous, but all the same it was something that had found its way into his head, and had made asking pretty difficult. He only hoped he’d convinced Mackenzie thoroughly enough that he really knew that wasn’t the actual case. Still, he grinned, “Thanks Kenz.” He paused, “You should come out too.” “And do what?” “I don’t know. Watch. Learn.” He shrugged. Why did she need to have a plan for everything? “Learn to surf?” She made a face, “Keith, I love ya… but that’s a definite no-no for me. Thanks for the offer, but I’m gonna stay behind on this one.” Keith sighed. It had been worth a try, but he knew he should have seen this one coming. He idly wondered if Mackenzie would ever see his home again, now that she had no reason to come, now that he’d moved in with her. He wondered if he could convince her to come to visit Dana… that MAY be enough. He’d have to work that idea out later. “Suit yourself,” He said at last, giving a convincing enough grin. He would never understand what she didn’t like about his home, as he figured it had everything a person could want. Then again, she probably didn’t understand his dislike of the city. He never really thought of them as terribly different people… but he supposed in some cases like that they really were. But she was letting him go. That was all that mattered right then. And so, with that behind both of them, the week continued.
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Post by celticbear on Feb 7, 2011 21:31:14 GMT -5
I know you want this to be realistic! But I have to say the seeds are planted by Keith himself to dump Kenzie and be with Dana! I mean here he is looking for all kinds of excuses to return to Donegal! KEITH IS A COUNTRY BOY! GIVE THAT BOY A COUNTRY GIRL AND GIVE HIM BACK HIS HOUSE IN DONEGAL! UPDATE SOON,PLEASE!
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