heart halved !

This wasn’t normal. The catcalling, or the record speed at which someone came to her rescue for said catcalling? You decide. Mia had been discomfited by the bugging (and lack of comprehension when it came to the word no) coming from the young man, though she would’ve just as easily shrugged him off or done worse herself if he didn’t get it through his thick head that she wanted nothing to do with him. It was broad daylight nonetheless, which just made the whole situation more perplexing ; her own inhibition all the more palpable. Maybe that was this dick’s plan, presuming that Mia wouldn’t kick up a fuss because of it due to the time of day—— he was under the wrong impression, but it’s not like she would’ve needed to. Someone seemed raring to go way before she could even get a word in herself.

And before that somebody could make it over here (again, in record speed,) the jerk had retreated. Definitely seemed like there was some history behind that reaction, but then again, Mia figured it would be best to put that aside for now ; in favor of the present.

“Um…! Yes, thank you…” she nods her head shyly. “I’m alright. I didn’t– I’m not from around here, obviously- so…” smoothing down her dress, ( and taking the time to allow just the slightest root of doubt snake in before gnashing it ; ) Mia’s eyes flicker down at the pavement before returning the stranger’s eye contact.

“I didn’t know I’d run into any trouble. I’m just glad my little brother wasn’t around to see that, that’s for sure.”

“I’m glad you’re good!  Most of the people in this area are real nice, Brad excepting, and I know everybody --- don’t see a lotta new faces!  So I was really worried when I saw he was trying to act like some kind of playboy to a new victim.”  It’s nice to meet new people.  They wipe their hands together to get the last of the DUST THEY COLLECTED CLIMBING DOWN THE WALL off, and those hands then travel to too - thin hips.  “You have a brother?  That’s cute --- is he around?  I love meeting kids ------ oh, shoot, I’m sorry!  I’m being all chatty and interrogating you about your life and I haven’t even introduced myself.”  No manners, as Mom always said.

They extend a hand between them, smile going warmer.