Romanticism for Dummies [St. Lucia]

[Starry]

From around five in the morning, Aleksander was running around from place to place without any sort of break. He had spent most of his day traveling from his classes at the university to the library, however, it felt like an eternity at each place. It was his own fault though; spending time at the library, that is. If he had just written his papers on time, then he wouldn't of had to write them ten minutes before they were due. Then again, it would be a blue moon before Aleksander would actually sit down several days before a paper was due and actually write the whole thing. He'd much rather wait till later to do schoolwork, since he could make a list of one hundred better things to do with his time.

After his classes, he had trudged his way over to work, only to sit in a cubicle and refuse to fetch coffee or any government employee. Aleksander didn't see any particular reason why he should do anything for them, especially if he was going to be higher up than all of them. Instead of doing what everyone else wanted him to do, Aleksander played a rubber band ball, throwing it around his cubicle. Unfortunately, the ball ricocheted a few times, hitting a couple of women. Rather than apologizing for his action, he simply laughed to himself and retrieved the ball. Perhaps people would learn to stay out of his way when he was having fun.

When he finished work, the Bulgarian aimlessly wondered around several districts, trying to find something to occupy his time. He stopped at the boardwalk to rest upon the railing and just to gaze out to sea. As the salty sea air pulled him in closer, he found himself only footsteps away from the water. Aleksander closed his eyes and opened them slowly, looking as far out as he could. The sound of the waves crashing against the sand enticed him to move further, but he stayed just where he was, still looking at the waves that seemed forever and a half away. For once, the Bulgarian was quite content and at ease. Now, he just prayed that no one would find him in such a place. Who knows what one would think of him then?

[Stacey Alexander]

Considering what happened the last time she had a lie in, the fact she overslept and the fact her hair style had suffered for it, rather brutally. Stacey had managed to drag herself out of bed at around six or half past six this time around. Albeit this time she was a bit on the drowsy side, had a massive headache from accidentally seeing how her colleague’s wedding went and some sort of thought in her brain she should tell said she should tell that one colleague her husband to be was going to run off with her grandma. Maybe it was best not to say…no one would believe that anyway, right? Even if it had been weighing on her mind all night. Stacey wasn’t all too sure on that one. She shrugged before rubbing her eyes, turning her hair straighteners on and going on the hunt for those oh so elusive headache tablets that had a lovely habit of disappearing when she wanted them.

After getting a shower and getting dressed, Stacey looked at the day of the week. No matter how stupid that sounded part of her was praying it wasn’t ‘office day’ as she so affectionately called it. The day she stood behind a desk, greeted rude people with a smile, hid behind the desk when someone she knew came along and the day she took coffee to stressed out people. ‘Obviously the best job in the world’ the St Lucian thought to herself as she walked into the building, giving a certain colleague of hers a quick wink and a grin before sitting down. As said colleague started chatting happily about her wedding Stacey couldn’t help but let her mind wander to something more interesting…like what she was going to buy the moment she got that pay cheque of hers. Probably not noticing the occasional hum she did while the other woman was talking. What was the point? After all that woman's future husband was going to leave her for a more...'mature' woman.

After listening to her colleague, who still won’t be named, chatter on for a few hours to say the St Lucian was pleased when her work shift was over would have been a huge understatement. She rather literally jumped over the counter on her way to freedom. She’d decided the Boardwalk would be the best place to exercise said freedom, if she was lucky it wouldn’t be all that crowded. And if she was really lucky no one would be there at all. However when she finally arrived there Stacey realized two things, firstly she couldn’t go swimming and secondly she wasn’t all that lucky today after all. “Ah merde…” she sighed the moment she noticed someone else there. Seeing only the back of his head she had yet to make a massive opinion but she couldn't help but wonder if all the guy was good for was staring at the sea. She took a deep breath and looked at the sea. That one place that seemed to remind her so much of 'back home'. At the thought of back home she let out a small, dreamy sigh. A smile making it's way onto her lips.

[Starry]

Aleksander felt a bit girly as he began to take his shoes over to feel the sand between his toes. He threw his shoes and socks behind him and walked closer to the water as it seemed to call out to him. His feet found its way into the water and the cold temperature nearly made the Bulgarian jump from the surprise. He knitted his eyebrows for a brief moment as he felt rocks and shells under his feet. Honestly, Aleksander thought that the ground beneath the waves would be mushy and soft. He shrugged thinking that it may be further out than he'd imagined.

The air was brisk and it gently brushed his hair back with each gust. Aleksander took in the air, allowing the salty sea air to rejuvenate his senses and allow the scent of his body to be kissed by the sea salt. The Bulgarian was at peace with himself and everything he had done that might be deemed "malicious". It felt as if the ocean forgave him for his behavior and how he treated others. Still, he didn't dwell on the past, but instead, he enjoyed the sea and its splendor.

Oddly enough, he had the sudden urge to turn around and see if there was anyone else on the beach. Normally, it wouldn't bother him as much, but he sort of felt "girly" with his feet in only a couple inches of water. Aleksander did turn around only to find that there was only one woman there, looking out to sea.

In an instant, numerous thoughts entered his brain kicking out the peace and tranquility that once resided there. "Do I know her? Who is she? Did she see me? Ugh. Of course she saw me, I am the only one here besides her." He let out a sigh as his cheeks began to become more of a pink color. If the woman recognized him, then she probably knew some of the same people he knew, which would entail her telling someone he knew. Truthfully, the Bulgarian didn't want anyone to know he enjoyed the beach so much. However, all he could do was stand there and look at the woman, while the waves crashed against the back of his ankles and a darker blush creeping upon his face ever so slowly.

[Stacey Alexander]

Stacey shifted her weight slightly to her other leg as she pushed her hair back, trying to make sure her hair, that she’d always worked so hard to perfect, wasn’t ruined in the salty, sea breeze. As much as she loved back home and how much this place reminded her of it...she didn’t appreciate how hard it was to keep oneself looking presentable in the heat or rain. She looked up after straightening her clothes, and noticed Mr Stranger had finally turned around and shown that rather nice face of his.

Well maybe when this stranger was gone she’d go swimming in her clothes or something, or just in her underwear when no one was around. That wouldn’t be a problem, however someone was around and that was a bit of a problem. Could she make him leave? Maybe a shark would come and eat him, that was harsh but it’d solve that problem. It was a free beach and all so…she’d just have to enjoy herself as much as she could. She had work tomorrow after all. And who wants to spend their free time staring at someone anyway?

Taking in a deep breath the St Lucian just stared at her surroundings for a little longer…and when she took a better look at the figure on the beach, well Stacey Alexander genuinely could have laughed out loud. There was no way that was rubber band ball boy right? She’d heard girls chattering on about how…well, rude he was. And being one for gossip, Stacey had to admit she genuinely believed what she’d heard of the man. A bit of a bully and all that. From what she saw he had a pretty nice face well that counted for something in her book. Silly of her really, to judge a book by it's cover. “Hmm he can’t really be Rubber Band Ball boy…he looks too nice. That wasn’t his actual name was it? …Did someone say it once? Maybe if I wave or something, this is kind of awkward. Just staring. Scratch that Bon dous it’s bloody awkward”. And so she walked towards the sea, giving this man she wasn’t too sure if she actually knew a wave and a smile.

“Bonjou? Sa ou fe?” she tilted her head. Hello, how are you? Standard greeting, right? “Hello?” she repeated, it was more of a question than a greeting, the St Lucian noticed, she could have rolled her eyes at that tone of voice she was using. And she could have cringed at her thick accent while she was at it. What happened to that lovely fake one she could usually put on so easily at work? Maybe she shouldn't have started with speaking creole.

[Starry]

Aleksander watched as the woman brushed her hair back, titling his head slightly as if that was going to give him a better view. Whoever it was, had really, really nice hair. It was peculiar that Aleks could only think about the woman's hair, but it sidetracked him from thinking about embarrassing himself. As he watched the woman fix herself, he couldn't help but wonder if the woman was either embarrassed or nervous like him; it'd make him feel better on some level if she was. That being said, he looked down at himself and straightened his shirt out a bit, abashed due to his appearance.

Really, the Bulgarian had absolutely no idea who the woman was. Perhaps it was because he couldn't see her face that well, but either way, he had no idea. From what he could see though, she had a nice body. In Aleksander's experiences, nice body usually equals beautiful face as well. As soon as she saw her walking towards him, he froze in place, not moving a single muscle. The blush that was already present on his face became ridiculously noticeable.

What could he possibly say to her? "Hi" sounded like he was a prat. The woman probably didn't speak his native language and it didn't have a nice ring to it like French. If he recognized her then perhaps he could say just "Hi". But what if he didn't recognize her? Then he couldn't say "Hi" or anything else for that matter. Maybe "Hello", but that sounded way too formal to him. Why on Earth was he having so much trouble thinking of a simple greeting?

When she first spoke in what seemed like her native language, he melted away at how pretty it sounded. Aleksander almost forgot to answer the woman, but he didn't really have an answer to that anyway. "I.. Uh.. You have pretty hair." "Did I really just say that to her?" Of all the things the Bulgarian could have said, all the pick up lines he had said numerous times to women... and he just said the woman had pretty hair.

Taking a good look at the woman, he realized it was the receptionist at work. "Shit." If she hadn't thought of him as a moron due to his unruly antics at work, she'd surely think of him as a major idiot now.

[Stacey Alexander]

Yes, without a doubt that was rubber band ball boy…taking a closer look at him, she could confirm that much. Dark hair, pale-ish skin, same build as what was described to her. She stared at his face for a while though, then at other parts of his body, not really taking her eyes off of him.

If it was in any other situation it would seem that she was desperately trying to memorize every single one of his features. Like she’d never see him again or something. This time, she just wanted to make sure she got the right person before just asking if he was Aleskander with the last name she had trouble pronouncing.

Mihov? Was that it? Something Romanian…no it wasn’t it was Bulgarian…right? Well this man was a quiet one that was for sure, not quite what she had expected considering his unruly antics at work, she was going to turn back or ask if something was wrong until he finally spoke. ‘You have pretty hair’. Stacey just smiled. If it had been about anyone else or any other words has gone out of his mouth…she would have just labelled him a loser, talked to him for a bit…then she probably would have ran off to gossip about how much of a…well absolute and utter moron he seemed to be. Women really were quite awful that way…sneaky, two faced.

“I…have pretty hair? Thanks, I try my best~.” She put her hand out, for him to shake. Preparing herself for whatever sort of thing she was going to see. It better not be anything scarring like it was with that one old man. Or she wouldn’t be too pleased. “I’m not sure if you recognize me but we work together in the same building. I’m Stacey, Stacey Alexander. You know…the same place as Vivian who’s getting married is at?” she laughed, almost nervously.

And for once in her life the St Lucian was pretty glad that she only had a reputation at the café she worked at. After all how many people strike up a conversation with a girl when she’s so cocky as to say that she’s the prettiest girl where she works? Not exactly the best character trait she had. Really she could have been gossiped about almost as much as the man she was currently holding her hand out to. Maybe she could have had an even worse reputation...her 'attraction' to rich men and all.

[Starry]

The Bulgarian had to calm down because if he didn't, it wouldn't end well. In fact, the end result would him actually making more of a fool out of himself. He breathed slowly, slightly calming down with each breath.

Normally, Aleksander didn't have that much trouble talking to women. In fact, he was usually the one to start the conversation and hitting on them was a breeze. "Why is she so different?" Confused was the best word to describe how the Bulgarian felt. Still, he needed to be just as smooth as he was with other girls. Calm, smooth, cool; those were three words that just needed to keep repeating in his head.

His words shot out faster than he ever thought they would, "Well, I didn't mean to say that. I mean, yes I did! You do have pretty hair... But.. Ugh. Shit. What am I even saying?" He shook his head. "Now she really thinks I'm an idiot," he mentally sighed.

"Calm. Smooth. And stop acting like a friggin' idiot, Aleks." All Aleksander wanted to do was act like he usually was with women; that was it. He didn't understand why calming himself didn't work, but he didn't read too much into it. After all, he had to focus much more on not sounding stupid again.

He looked down at her hand and shook it, while he flicked his eyes back to her face. "I recognize you. You're the beautiful receptionist all the guys fawn over," he laughed, "Vivian's the annoying one who has the high-pitched voice, right?" He smiled, "Oh, and I'm Aleksander Mihov".

[Stacey Alexander]

The St Lucian had decided that she quite liked Aleksander. Maybe it was the somewhat adorable idiocy he had displayed or perhaps it had been the fact that he had told her she had pretty hair, Stacey wasn’t too sure, but she did know one thing…she was a bit curious about Mr Mihov. Maybe one little abuse of her powers to find out more wouldn’t hurt…?

Well…if she said something it would be suspicious wouldn’t it? That would be kind of awkward and strange. She wouldn’t want to say something now and just…ruin it or something.

“Oh its fine…don’t worry~. You have pretty hair too, doll. ” She said, judging by that smile on her face she could have been teasing she might not have been, she wasn’t even all that sure if she were to tell someone the truth.


It was an invasion of privacy to use her powers this time around. Or attempt to. That much Stacey had decided, considering the awkward and not at work situation she’d met this man. Her hand twitched when the Bulgarian had shook it though. Her eyebrows furrowed for a moment before going back to the normal expression.

“Aleksander Mihov, you flatterer. I’m not too sure if I’ve seen you around, I’d never be able to forget a face like yours” she giggled, seemingly embarrassed not that she was ever going to ask him to stop or anything. “Yes, darling Vivian shame about her fiancé…strange kid that guy is...” she mumbled, shame her fiancé was going to run out of the wedding with Viv’s gran, that was.

[Starry]

Aleksander could barely contain himself. There were butterflies in his stomach and his chest felt all achy. It definitely was an odd feeling; not one he was used to. Yet, it gave him a warm, tingly feeling that he did particularly like and certainly was not opposed to. In fact, it began to turn into something Aleksander craved; he didn't want it to go away. Ever.

A sheepish grin formed on Aleksander's face when Stacey complimented his hair. "She thinks I have nice hair... Heh. Do I really? Hm. I should check that out at some point. But, hehe. She thinks I have nice hair~ Hehehe. And she called me doll".

It was strange but Aleksander suddenly got the urge to touch Stacey's hair to see if it was truly soft as it appeared, not that there was a doubt in the Bulgarian's mind. He didn't want to hear about Vivian nor her stupid soon-to-be ex-fiancé; he'd much rather listen to Stacey talk about herself while he twisted his fingers in her hair. He quickly reconsidered it, for surely she'd think of him as some kind of creep. Still, her hair was shiny and soft-looking and the Bulgarian wanted to touch it.

As always, the Bulgarian acted upon his impulse. Oddly enough, his hand went to Stacey's cheek and he softly stroked it. He smiled, "Ah~" Aleksander quickly shook his head and removed his hand, "Geez. You're so beautiful you made me forget my pick up line".

It was a stupid thing to say. Stupid. But it was the first thing he thought of. On top of that though, it was the truth; both parts. Aleksander found Stacey extremely beautiful and he did forget his pick up line. He'd kick himself later for forgetting it, though. Now certainly wasn't the time.

[Stacey Alexander]

The St Lucian felt her heart skip a beat the moment Aleksander touched her. She swore her stomach just did a backflip, it was like being in high school all over again, like she was staring at the face of her first ever crush. What a strange yet wonderful feeling. She loved it and she hated it. How bizarre.

Beautiful? Did he just call her beautiful? He definitely knew how to stroke a girl’s ego. Honestly she couldn’t think of anything to say, this guy who had been nothing but someone from work a few moments ago, had managed to make her somewhat speechless.

“D-did this guy really just say that? Shoot Stace you’ve not even had a drink and you’re already hearing things, stupid” she thought, kicking herself for being tongue tied. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go! She was supposed to at least say something back, something that wouldn’t make her sound like an idiot or...uneducated.

“Oh, that’s sweet of you to say” she chuckled, keeping it as natural as she could but it almost seemed awkward, or forced, like that fake smile she put on when someone she gossiped about was nearby. She didn’t want it to be like that, she really didn’t. But at least she’d managed to say something, finally.

“Pick up line, hm? So I guess in that case you wouldn’t mind us having dinner or something, then?” she asked, swaying to the left slightly. “I want to see you again, J’amerais te revoir and all that...” she explained, looking somewhat confident. “But if not we could…always see each other at work?” she added on quickly and her tone sounded a bit disappointed the moment she said work. It wasn’t like anyone could have a nice long chat at work, especially in a building where the best you can hope for in terms of communication is distracting someone else from working.