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	Before Krista could respond to any of the other arrivals, Wadsworth had ushered the entire group to the hotel to prepare for the evening event. So far, it looked like the group was filled with interesting people. Even if some wouldn't find their [i]other half[/i], at least it looked like some people could leave the island in a week with a couple of new friends. However, at the front of Krista's mind was the nap she was going to take once she locks herself in her new room.

	Her room on the second floor looked simple, if not cosy. It was filled with warm tones of browns, oranges and reds, a balcony that over looked a pretty green scenery (and the pool - Krista dreaded the moment people would figure out where the pool was). Her bed faced the large TV that hung above the unlit fireplace, the TV remote left on the mantle waiting to be used. Krista slipped off her shoes beside the door, heading over to the bathroom for a quick shower to wash off the scent of [i]beach[/i] off her body.

	She left the bathroom wrapped in a towel, realising her suitcase was already waiting for her beside the bed. She picked up the case, her arms shaking slightly under the weight before plopping it over the table between the two chairs in front of her bed. Krista pulled out a couple of her clothes, critically eyeing each piece before settling on [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ba/2b/4f/ba2b4fe7a13ff31a151c68660c1053ae.jpg]one[/url] eventually - a simple dark blue-green dress with nude toned heels. The dress was left hanging over the back of the chair as Krista sat down on the newly made bed tiredly. The day's events - from the trolling alarm clock to the shitty neighbour she had on the plane to the unplanned dip she had in front of people she was supposed to meet for a date - took a toll on the tired teacher, the red head eventually passed out within minutes.

	It looked like Krista's day was doomed to repeat again; by the time she woke up again, the skies were already growing darker and the opened balcony doors let in the cool evening breeze that chilled Krista's bare arms and legs. [color=teal][b]"Oh fuck, not again--"[/b][/color] She swore, cursing the gods above as she rushed towards the chair and slipped on her clothes, almost stabbing her eye with the eyeliner pen as she tried doing her make-up [i]while[/i] zipping up the side of her dress. 

	She stumbled out of her hotel room fifteen minutes later, praying that her first date wasn't mad -- or for lady luck to be on her side for once and have her date be just as late as her to save her the awkwardness. She entered the hall, looking at everyone as she realised she was one of the last few people to arrive. It seemed like her date was just as late as she was, and just as Krista raised the glass of cool water up to her red painted lips the seat opposite her was taken up by none other than Lukas. 

	Lukas was [url=http://www2.pictures.stylebistro.com/gi/Ben+Barnes+Outerwear+Blazer+Jtv5ZJl1o0el.jpg]dressed[/url] nicely, a a light, plain tee shirt underneath a light grey blazer with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows to give him a casual look. He wore dark washed jeans, along with nice dark dress shoes. His hair was styled back, and his face held a welcoming smile -- the same smile he wore when he introduced himself to Krista earlier that day on the beach.

	[color=wheat][b]"I hope I didn't keep you waiting for long, Miss Hale,"[/b][/color] The man apologised, his voice sending shivers up her body. [color=wheat][b]"My Patati-- [i]son[/i] is sick and was making it hard for my mother to put him to sleep."[/b][/color]

	Wait a minute, [i]son[/i]!? The first thing Krista did was check Lukas' left hand for any ring, the last thing that she wanted was to be talking to some creep that was cheating on his wife. Lukas noticed the direction of her gaze and let out a laugh. [color=wheat][b]"If you're wondering whether I'm married, I assure you I'm not. My wife passed two years ago so it's just me and my son now."[/b][/color]

	And now Krista felt like a bitch. She avoided his eyes, her own widened as she stammered out an apology. [color=teal][b]"I- I'm sorry for your loss, and f-for the way I just acted."[/b][/color] The night was already starting off bad, she felt like she'd just offended him and it was only the [i]first[/i] round. Krista was truly hopeless.

	The tanned god in front of her simply smiled sweetly in return, melting the red head from the inside as he waved off her apology. [color=wheat][b]"It's okay. I expect that if we're going to be speed dating, I might as well be honest so you can make your judgement about me."[/b][/color]

	At least he was honest, Krista could appreciate that. Despite what he was saying, Krista could note the sadness between his words. He may be okay [i]now[/i] but for how long? And even if Krista was thinking about continuing the date with Lukas some other time and even go far enough to be with him after the dating programme, was she going to be okay with his son? I mean, Krista [i]loves[/i] children - she would've killed herself by now if she didn't because of her job (even if she taught bratty teenagers rather than the cuter toddlers) - but if (and that's a BIG if) things went well between her and Lukas, was she ready to look after a child that wasn't her own?

	Krista knew she was thinking way too much into this; there was a possibility that absolutely [i]nothing[/i] would happen between herself and Lukas. But to Krista, thinking about even the most unlikeliest of futures was common. She took a sip of her cool drink, using it to try and think of something to talk about as the time ticked on. She cleared her throat, setting the drink down carefully [color=teal][b]"you were honest with me, so it's only fair that I'm honest with you right?"[/b][/color]

	Lukas looked up at Krista, as if waiting for her to continue. [color=teal][b]"I don't have anything as big to admit as what you, but I'll lay down the basics so [i]you[/i] can make your judgement about me. I grew up in New York, my mother ran away to live with her younger boyfriend and left my father - bless that man - and my two older brothers and I alone to be raised solely by him. The fact that you're a single dad just raises my respect for you- it really must be hard to raise a child all on your own. Um, what else... Um, I'm a school teacher now? I teach at the high school I used to study at and I like to think I'm doing well at it? There's also this... my track record with relationships is pretty much non-existent. This whole trip was a birthday gift for me to [i]'find myself a man to annoy'[/i]-- which I think I am doing right n-now, God I'm sorry for talking your ear off."[/b][/color]

	There was a moment of silence, Lukas staring back at her stunned. He probably didn't expect her to talk his ear off, causing Krista's cheeks to darken in embarrassment as she reached out to pour herself another glass of water. 

	[color=wheat][b]"I'm the head chef at an Italian place called Basil. It's in Cali, and before that I worked in Vegas before... well."[/b][/color] He waved his arm about before continuing. [color=wheat][b]"I grew up near Texas before I moved to Vegas with her. My son-- Brendan-- is staying with his nonna right now. My parents divorced, my father is back in Italy and my mother is still loving her life in that town.

	About relationships... you know how my last one went, so I won't talk about that. I haven't dated anyone since her, not as seriously anyway. Brendan is too young to understand -- he's only five -- but it was my mother's idea to try this. A gift, so I understand what you mean by that last bit."[/b][/color]

	The ringing sound of a bell stopped Lukas from continuing, suddenly going quiet as he looked back over at Krista with a sheepish smile. [color=wheat][b]"It looks like our time is up."[/b][/color] Lukas said as he slowly stood up. [color=wheat][b]"It was nice talking to you, Miss Hale."[/b][/color] Krista followed, dusting her lap as she gave him a soft, awkward smile in return. 

	[color=teal][b]"Please, call me Krista. I hear enough of that from my students. It was nice talking to you too."[/b][/color] She responded. With another smile from the sweet single father, Lukas left the table in the direction of his next date.

	Krista sat back down, looking at the sheet as she decided where to place Lukas' name. As much as she liked talking to him, she wanted to give others' a chance before deciding which name would go where. Though, Krista was sure that she enjoyed the talk with Lukas, no matter how short it felt or what exactly they were talking about. She wondered whether Lukas felt the same.