Through the corner of her eye, Beth watched as Meri mumbled to himself pumping the gas, unable to stop herself from smiling.  Picking up an extra bag of trail mix she carefully made her way to the register in a poorly executed balancing act, arms loaded with goodies.  She barely made it to the counter before the mass tumbled in disarray, hands instantly attempting to straighten them all out by food types before offering an apology.  Grace wasn't her forte. [color=deepskyblue] "You needn't worry about that miss," [/color] the warm voice caused her head to snap straight, finally taking a moment to consider the man in front of her, [color=deepskyblue]"a pretty thing like yourself. I can let it slide." [/color]  

The soft sound of items beeping in filled the void as the young girl did her assessment.  Tall and lanky, the figure appeared to be in his late 20s.  Dark hair, slightly unkempt, drifted over pale blue eyes.  Plastered on his face was a simple smile, the kind that didn't tell the whole story like the prelude of a novel.  Overall, she decided he seemed harmless.  Unfortunately, she couldn't deny the slight twinge in her stomach.

[i]He seems familiar.[/i]

Shaking her head, a small laugh escaped her lips at the thought.  [i]Gah idiot, you are back in 1980; you haven't even been born yet! Such a dummy dum dum.[/i] [color=deepskyblue] "Still a scatterbrain,"[/color] the voice drew her back in with odd words. [i]Still?[/i] [color=deepskyblue] "Or rather, I mean you look like the kind of girl who can get lost in her thoughts.  Sorry if I'm being presumptuous.[/color]  The man's smile perked a little at one end, as if smirking to some inside joke.  Bluegreen eyes wandered down to a nametag, [i]Hello, my name is Matthew.[/i]  The next few minutes were spent with small talk as the last of the drinks were scanned and bagged.

[color=deepskyblue][i]"We need to get to the choppa."[/i][/color]  Turning back to her old friend her head cocked to one side.  That was their code for crap hitting the fan.  Leaning back to peak outside she scanned for cops, atomic bombs, or alien invasions.  Left with confusion her eyes turned back to the man behind the counter handing him the cash.  In taking it she watched as Matthew's facade faded for a split second to that of disdain, an icy glare to the maneagle.  As quick as it came it left, making Beth question if she really saw anything at all.  Peeking back at Meri, she doubted he noticed a thing.  Pale blue eyes redirected themselves at her with a hidden humor behind them, that fake smile perfectly in place, pale hand holding her change. [color=deepskyblue] "I hope you find what you're looking for.  Be seeing you again soon."[/color] 

Heart skipping a beat she grabbed the coins from the outreached hand slipping the plastic bags over her arms.  [color=deepskyblue] "Th..thank you."[/color] Grabbing Meri's arm she pulled him out the door, bell rining in their wake.  Once safely in the parking lot, she playfully nudged him, running to the car and swinging open the passenger door.  [color=deepskyblue]"Nose goes on driving!"[/color] [i]Stop being paranoid you ninny![/i] 

Sliding into the seat she set the bags on the floor, looking at the change in her hand.  Touching the bronze coin with an hourglass on either, she rubbed her thumb across the surface before shoving it deep into her pocket. 

[i]Seeing you soon.[/i]

She definitely wouldn't be telling Merbear about this.

[color=deepskyblue]"Hurry up you slowpoke!  The future waits for no man, only women! Plus I'll eat your trail mix without you"[/color]