| *Like a Rose* By: Katie (Princessilsa@aol.com) |
Greenlee came breezing into Jake's loft at 8 am sharp. He looked at her in a mixture of confusion and amusement from his position on the couch. "Hi, Greenlee," he greeted. "Hey," she replied, casually tossing her keys onto the counter. "I forgot to give you those" He nodded, raising an eyebrow. "And that's the only reason you're here?" "Yeah, well, you know, that… and I wanted to ask you how I look," she finished. "Um- well, Greenlee, you look great. You always do, but-" "There's a but?" she questioned. "The thing is, I'm not sure tweed is you're best fabric," he informed her, struggling to suppress a grin. "What's wrong with it?" she asked a bit defensively, smoothing down her tweed, knee- length skirt. "Well… nothing! I'm just not sure it's YOU." "That's where you're wrong, Jake," she said determinedly. "This IS me. It's the new me! I told you, I'm changing my whole attitude. I mean, I'm skilled! I have a degree. I can be a hard worker." A small laugh escaped from him as she made her last point. "I CAN!" she insisted. "From today I'm going to be a whole new me." "Well," Jake said calmly. "That's good, Greenlee, but the truth is I sort of liked the old you." Her eyes softened and she smiled slightly, sitting down next to him. "That's nice of you to say, Jake, but you're going to like the new me even better." She paused for a second. "How's your leg?" He shrugged. "Getting better. So tell me how is the 'new' you going to be different?" "Um-" she began seriously, thinking hard, "I'm going to stop drinking." He nodded. "Okay…" he responded, waving his hand in encouragement for her to continue. "And I'm not going to envy other people, and I'm going to be happy with myself, and not be selfish, and I'll put the people I care about first. Um… I'll…" "I think that's enough to start, Greenlee," he offered generously. "I'll be a giver!" she exclaimed, ignoring him. "I'll help other people even when it won't help me. I'll forget about Le… PEOPLE… who discourage me. I'll-" "Never make it one day," he predicted with a wry grin. "You don't think I can be a good person?" she asked, hurt. "I think you already ARE a good person. Yes, you could use some serious improvement, but most people could. Just be yourself." "This is the new myself," she insisted stubbornly. "I think. Be quiet, you're confusing me," she whined. He laughed. She glared at him, but forced herself to give him a thin smile. "Did I mention I'm going to be forgiving?" she questioned. He shook his head no. CONTINUE Chapter 1 |
| Chapters: 1 2 |