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Tweak says, "Jenny... 867-5309!"

Alice West (bestwest) wrote in genome_project,
@ 2012-05-28 10:32:00

Entry tags:

alice west, boo collins, may 2012, prompt table 1

Who: Boo and Alice
What: Going to the wrong yoga class
When: Monday afternoon
Where: Gym
Rating: TBD

With the office closed for the holiday, Alice had earned herself the right to sleep in. Of course, her version of sleeping in wasn't quite like most people's, and she only made it until about 8:00 before her body insisted on waking her up. It was still much later, however, than her usual yoga class, and seeing as she had all day to herself, she ran a few errands, and in the afternoon, decided she'd get a session in anyway, even if it wasn't her usual morning routine.

As she walked into the studio, Alice realized immediately that something was off. For one thing, there was a different, impossibly toned instructor. For another... every single person resting on their mats looked old enough to be her mother. Actually, now that she was looking closer, a fair lot of them could pass for her grandmother.

Alice could feel the eyes in the room turn to stare at her and swallowed thickly, letting out a small, nervous laugh. She couldn't exactly leave now. She was quite clearly dressed for a yoga class, and her yoga mat was guiltily clenched in her hands.

Slowly, she moved into the room, choosing a spot in the back left corner in hopes of being as inconspicuous as possible.

Well, this was going to be interesting.

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iamtheoddone
2012-05-28 04:38 pm UTC (link)

Boo had found out very early on in his decision to teach yoga, that the afternoon crowd was mostly comprised of middleaged women, with a good sized handful of their 65+ mothers. Since he had never been keen on waking up before 8 (and truthfully usually slept until 10 most days, which was more than he could say for Scout, but that was another matter) he had decided that this was alright with him. It was much easier to teach when you didn't have an urge to take your students home with you. (Unless, of course, there were cookies)

That said, he had gotten used to not expecting young, professional women in his classroom. So the appearance of one that day was a bit shocking, to say the least. But he still had a class to teach, and so, as she set up her mat as far in the back as possible, he started the other women on tree pose, glancing occasionally toward the back left corner. Because, alright, that was one attractive woman.

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bestwest
2012-05-28 05:00 pm UTC (link)

As Alice shifted her foot up into the proper position, leveling her hands at heart's center, she felt a gaze upon her. While most of the older women had managed to return their focus to what they were doing (and what a certain instructor was doing), Mr. Instructor was sneaking glimpses at her, and she was having a difficult time not sneaking them back.

At least this wasn't a Vinyasa flow class. Something told her that watching him drop down and press through a vinyasa would have any woman blushing like an idiot. Any sign of that today would obviously be a result of physical exertion and nothing else.

Obviously.

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iamtheoddone
2012-05-28 05:26 pm UTC (link)

Obviously.

There could be no showing off here, unfortunately. Though he would be lying if he said the thought hadn't crossed his mind. Especially when the lady in the corner started checking him out. It was a knee jerk reaction really. Testosterone or something. But in order to be a calmer, better Boo Collins than he was known for being, teaching these nice ladies yoga had to go as planned. No displaced hips on his watch.

But that didn't mean he couldn't swagger on over to check on her progress or anything. The class moved on to warrior pose and he snuck off to the back of the room. "You're new." He said in a low voice (so as not to disrupt the class too much), with a small smirk. So he was stating the obvious. It was as good a place to start as any.

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bestwest
2012-05-28 05:40 pm UTC (link)

Oh God. He was coming over. A few quick glances in the mirror assured her that her posture was just fine, and that she hadn't managed to somehow embarrass herself, though if she took a moment to be rational, she would have to admit to herself that she was considerably more flexible than the large majority of women (and few men) in the room.

"I'm only here for one day," she explained softly with a small smile. She left out the whole 'I slept through my usual class' bit. He didn't need to hear about how she was having a lazy day.

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	Blah, sorry this is short! iamtheoddone 2012-05-28 07:01 pm UTC (link)
	Only today? That was too bad. "I suspect this isn't your first class. Your form is perfect." He gave her a wink and with that, headed back up to the front of the room to instruct the class into a new pose. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Unacceptable. I require novels with every post.

bestwest
2012-05-28 07:35 pm UTC (link)

Alice could feel her cheeks pinken (from the physical exertion, of course). Well, she supposed she should have expected that kind of line from someone who looked like him. He was used to the world ogling at him. And she couldn't exactly fault the world for it.

As the class came to a close, Alice let her eyes slide open and smiled, relaxed. The last few minutes of class were always her favorite part, getting rid of all the day's tension.

She started to roll up her mat, but not for offering up, "Thank you for the class. Very peaceful." Minus that whole interlude at the beginning anyway.

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T.T I will write harder next time!

iamtheoddone
2012-05-28 07:58 pm UTC (link)

Boo kept an eye on her the rest of the class. Subtly, though. He wasn't creeping on her or anything. It was just refreshing to see someone who knew what they were doing for once. (And was easy on the eyes.) It was a pretty low impact class. Sge could probably handle something more difficult.

"Yeah no problem," He grinned, "Probably easier than what you're used to, huh?"

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	bestwest 2012-05-28 08:46 pm UTC (link)
	"Not easy," she assured him. "Just different. Much more meditative. It's nice." She clipped her mat into place and rose up to her feet. "Got to clear my head a little for the rest of the day." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	iamtheoddone 2012-05-28 11:22 pm UTC (link)
	He nodded, "I think that's what I like best." Ir really, it was what he needed it to be. "I'm Bradley Collins, by the way, but everyone calls me Boo." He offered her a hand to shake. And prepared to have to explain the nickname. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bestwest 2012-05-28 11:40 pm UTC (link)
	His hands looked huge next to hers, but she took the one he offered nonetheless. "Boo, huh?" Her head tilted slightly. "That's an interesting nickname." It seemed so small for such a large man. She wondered how many other contradictions he was full of. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

iamtheoddone
2012-05-29 01:06 am UTC (link)

Her hands were indeed pretty tiny, but he sort of liked that small, delicate thing in a woman if he was going to be honest. Small, delicate and good at yoga. Win, win, win.

"It's like Boo Radley. I have a twin sister named Gemma and a brother who goes by Scout." He explained, deliberately not mentioning Ian, since he no longer went by Dil. "Plus, you can never tell when people are cheering you on or when they're not," he added. It was a bad joke, but it was true. Especially when he used to fight.

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	bestwest 2012-05-29 01:20 am UTC (link)
	It might have been a lame joke, but it earned a small snort of laughter out of Alice before she regained composure. "I take it your parents were 'To Kill a Mockingbird' fans?" she asked. "It's kind of cool, though. You all having that kind of thing in common." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	iamtheoddone 2012-05-29 03:20 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah something like that." The Collins' all had more in common than names though. Like generally mean-spirited dispositions. "And now you know my secret, but I haven't learned a think about you except that you don't normally show up for yoga in the middle of the day. Doesn't quite seem fair." Not at all. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bestwest 2012-05-29 04:06 am UTC (link)
	Alice wasn't entirely sure an explanation for his nickname counted as a secret, but she supposed it was only polite to return the favor. "My name is Alice," she answered with a soft chuckle. "Now you have two facts. We're even." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

iamtheoddone
2012-05-29 05:10 am UTC (link)

Perhaps not a true secret, since most people he met demanded an explanation, but it certainly wasn't something she had known. "Alice." He repeated, testing it out. He liked it. It suited her, as far as he could tell. "Any story behind that one?" Alice in Wonderland fans for parents, perhaps?

"Only two? No chance of getting to learn more?" Being even was all well and good, but since she had obviously come to his class on accident, the chances of bumping into her again were low. Unless, you kow, he got her number or something.

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bestwest
2012-05-29 04:09 pm UTC (link)

"Not as far as I know. I don't think there was any 'down the rabbit hole' type reasoning behind it." Although having siblings with Alice in Wonderland names would turn out rather interesting. This is my brother, Cheshire. And this is my sister Mad Hatter.

"Well, I usually go to the six am yoga class every day before work," she offered with a small smirk. "There's three."

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	iamtheoddone 2012-05-29 08:07 pm UTC (link)
	Of course not, that would be silly. "It's nice though. I can't tell if it suits you yet, but I like it." Yet. "Six?" Boo scrunched up his face, "I can't wake up that early. I guess that's three for me too." Even again. "Why six?" Nothing good ever happened before ten am at the earliest, in his opinion. And if it did, he didn't want to know about it. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bestwest
2012-05-29 08:18 pm UTC (link)

Alice quirked a brow at him. "So I can make it to work on time. Some of us work the boring old nine to fives, you know." She rather envied the idea of getting to sleep in and do yoga for a job. Not to mention the fact that she noticed a few old ladies conspicuously placing what she had to consider tips into his gym bag.

Alice had been particularly impressed by the seventy year old woman who had tossed him a wink as she did so. Maybe she had envied him a little less after that.

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iamtheoddone
2012-05-29 11:22 pm UTC (link)

Work? What was that? 9-5 what? Was it embarrassing that Boo never ally had a traditional job? He didn't think so. He'd always made his own hours and did pretty well for himself between fighting (previously), yoga (presently), and doing all the repairs in his building (always). So who needed a real job? Old ladies were generous tippers.

"Sounds rough." Boo replied, with a smirk, "Is it worth it?"

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	bestwest 2012-05-29 11:46 pm UTC (link)
	"You get used to it." Alice shrugged. After all, she had attempted to sleep in and hadn't gotten far that morning. Her body was accustomed to it. "It's not hard at all anymore. And, besides, I love the animals. They make my job pretty easy." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	iamtheoddone 2012-05-30 02:26 am UTC (link)
	Boo snorted, "If you say so." Hehad to wake up early for too many years as a kid. He was pretty much over that, and nothing was going to convince him otherwise. His curiosity was peaked when she mentioned animals, however, "So you're a... Pet groomer? Dog walker? Vet?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bestwest 2012-05-30 02:36 am UTC (link)
	Alice grinned at the thought of her walking ten different breeds of dogs all at the same time like those dog walkers you saw in the movies, but no. Wrong occupation. "Close. Vet tech. I'm off for the day with memorial day." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	wtf trying again cuz ij lost my tag iamtheoddone 2012-05-30 11:43 pm UTC (link)
	Boo raised both eyebrows, "Well some of us have to work on the holiday." Some of those who didn't have 9-5 jobs anyway. "So you work with animals. Do you have pets or is that mixing business and pleasure?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bestwest 2012-05-30 11:53 pm UTC (link)
	"Well, when my vet wants the day off, I get the day off," she answered, shrugging. And, she thought, eyeing him. She undoubtedly still had more hours racked up than he did, holidays or not. So there! "Now you're just being greedy," she teased, chuckling. "But since I'm feeling generous. Yes. I have a dog: a corgi. His name's Bailey." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

iamtheoddone
2012-05-31 12:06 am UTC (link)

She probably did, but he was only teasing. It was only a few hours. Three or four classes a day, usually. Not too bad. "Sounds nice." Except for the early morning part.

"Maybe," he shrugged, "You didn't ask anything." He gave her a cheeky sort of grin and crossed his arms, "I've always wanted a dog. Something big. I have a cat right now. Her name's pickles." She was mean to just about everyone but Boo, and screamed at pigeons outside.

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	bestwest 2012-05-31 12:17 am UTC (link)
	"You seem like a big dog kind of person," she agreed. "I'm honestly a little shocked that you have a cat. I see you as a yellow lab kind of person." To match his blonde hair, of course. "But Pickles is a very cute name." She reached up to adjust her ponytail. "But I should probably go. I'm sure you have another class to get ready for." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

iamtheoddone
2012-05-31 12:31 am UTC (link)

"I know, right?" He laughed. Most people thoght the fact tjat he owned a cat odd, but she was kind of like a dog sometimes anyway. She had learned to fetch, after all. A strange mean cat was sort of the best thing for him, "My building doesn't allow dogs. I'd move, but I get paid to do the repairs."

"Right, yeah." Boo glanced at his watch. Fifteen minutes until his next group started showing up. "Well. How about I give you my number and you call me. Or, we could exchange numbers and get dinner sometime. You know, when you're not working?"

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bestwest
2012-05-31 12:48 am UTC (link)

Alice's brows shot up. She supposed she shouldn't have been completely caught off guard. It wasn't exactly unheard of for a guy to try and grab your number after chatting you up, but it never ceased to surprise her when it did happen.

Especially with attractive, athletic, cat-owning yoga instructors.

"You're asking me out?" she asked, lips curling upward in amusement. "After no more than five facts?"

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	iamtheoddone 2012-05-31 01:09 am UTC (link)
	Boo shrugged again, "That's what dinner is for." Honestly, he'd been on dates with women he knew nothing about. So five facts was plenty. She was pretty, liked animals, did yoga, and that pretty much covered Boo's (newly revamped) preliminary checklist. Besides, with her schedule, when would he see her again? Labor day? No thanks. "So how about it?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bestwest 2012-05-31 01:47 am UTC (link)
	Alice eyed him for a moment, sizing him up and trying to process what sort of situation she was about to get herself into. "Why don't you give me your number, and I'll ah- give you a call sometime." Maybe. If she worked up the gall. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	iamtheoddone 2012-05-31 02:05 am UTC (link)
	This was not discouraging. They always called. Boo grinned and reached for a flyer from the wall next to him. "Sure." He handed it to Alice. "Here's my number, and my class schedule. In case ypu feel like dropping in again." He also taught an evening class on Thursdays. Not totally out of the realm of possibility, right? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bestwest 2012-05-31 11:30 pm UTC (link)
	Alice took the flier and folded it in half, sticking it in her bag. "Okay well." She fidgeted with her top a little. "It was nice to meet you, Bradley." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	iamtheoddone 2012-06-01 01:02 am UTC (link)
	Ha! No one ever called him Bradley. It put an amused sirt of smirk on his face, "It was nice meeting you too, Alice." "I hope I hear from you soon." (Reply to this) (Parent)