feels like today,

[Sam Courtwright]

keep running towards it,
don't stop until you fall

It was, in simplest terms, hot. Maybe not so much humid, which would have made the day more unbearable, but it was hot. Even in the shade where Sam now stood. She had walked from Eastern Suburbs down to the harbour in the morning, when it was cooler and barely anyone was around yet. But as she did most of her errands, now weighing her down, the day grew worse and she decided to just stay in town until it was cooler again. As long as she didn't do any more shopping anyway. The bangs dangling from her arms were not filled with clothes as most people might guess, but in fact books and research. One plastic bag was for a few groceries, but nothing that would melt or spoil in the sun.

Sam slipped between two occupied chairs on the patio of the ice cream parlour, in search of a table of her own. She didn't have to wander aimlessly for long before she spotted one near the open door to the parlour. Flopping into it, she let her bags fall around her legs, just relaxing for a moment and taking a breather. A pair of cheap sunglasses shaded her ocean gaze from the brightness, but she still had to squint against the sun's rays to read a menu on the glass window across from her. She wasn't hungry any, but the sound of ice cream was drawing her inside. She just left her bags at the table to keep her seat saved while she went inside. The air conditioning was on and felt good against her warm skin as she lifted her sunglasses to the top of her head.

The line hadn't been long, which was surprising considering what a day it was, and when it was Sam's turn to order she didn't have much time to make up her mind. "Uh..." Looking down into the coolers at the different flavors, she finally decided. "Can I get a double scoop of mint chocolate chip with some whipped cream?" Shifting her hand into the pocket of her shorts she drew out a five dollar bill for the clerk, sliding across the counter once her charge was given. "Thank you." Accepting her change, she then moved down as another employee scooped out her order. She politely thanked him as well, taking her styrofoam dish and plastic spoon back outside to her table. Sam set her ice cream on the table top to bend down and adjust her bags from falling over and spilling out, trying her best to keep them in the shade. Reaching out for her dish, Sam slouched against the chair and brought the cold treat to her, not hesitating to dig into it.

[Poppy Wilson]

This happens about a week before Poppy and Jimmy get engaged at the park, and some time after they met. =]
Just to keep track of time, sorta thing. 8)

---

Ice cream?
Her schedule allowed it, her tongue even more so, so after locking the bakery for a bit, she, a large white hat resplendant on her red locks, set of to Lower Town in search of amusement. Perhaps Steve would give her some free Sardines and come eat them with her later that day. Or she'd run in to Jimmy (most of the time she didn't know where on Earth he was and sometimes couldn't reach him on his mobile, but would run into him in town, or somewhere random like the Ducky Pond or even chilling near the edge of the forest) and could drag him off to spend some time with her somewhere.

The latter option being less likely, she decided that she would go and say hello to Steve, and maybe sit and chat to him under the tent-like shade of his stall. To get to the market where Steve was sure to be, a stroll through lower town was required, as she didn't feel like taking the more scenic route along the beach.
This was the point where she decided that stopping for Ice cream was a necessity, especially in this heat.
The heat had reduced her attire to a mere plain summer dress; a strappy one with a knee-lenght, poofy skirt that floated in every direction at the slightest breeze. But alas, no winds today, just the still, scorching heat of the summer.

She had almost reached the Ice cream parlour by now, she could see the inviting white fascia that bore the shop's title above the front door. She stepped onto the extensive and pretty paved patio where the majority of the tables of the ice cream parlour stood, and looked for a table. She saw several, but her attention was distracted by the sight of a friend of hers - Sam Courtwright, the sweet soul who had fled from her family after having had enough of it all.
A dimpled grin on her round, healthy-cheeked face, Poppy trotted over, and gave Sam two huge air kisses, trying not to dive her face into the ice cream Sam had started on.

Fancy running into you here, Sam! How pleasant. I'll Jolly well join you, if you're not expecting anybody?

she inquired. She didn't want to rudely plonk herself down, just in case Sam was planning on meeting someone here.

[Sam Courtwright]

there comes a time in everyone's life
when all you can see are the years passing by

With her sunglasses now shifted comfortably over her eyes, Sam was able to gander at the people passing by the ice cream parlor. Very few could make it completely passed without contemplating making a stop in their life’s journey for a refreshing treat. A couple of them did actually stop, giving into temptation, but others decided against it. One little girl, attached to her mother’s hand, began pointing and speaking excitedly, encouraging her mother to stop. The mother, a young brunette, glanced at the parlor before looking down to her daughter and shaking her head, then began pulling her away. The girl went, reluctantly, looking back. Sam felt for the girl, having been that same age once. It felt so long ago now that she was persuading her own mother to get her sweets, rarely did she give in. Now she was hundreds of miles away from her, and loving it. She wouldn’t lie to herself, there were times when she wanted to pick up the phone and call home, just to talk to her mother and ask for advice, but she knew that it would end in bickering and the slamming of the phone so she didn’t bother. She did, however, keep in contact with her brother who was studying at the University of Pennsylvania. He had promised not to say anything to their mother, but to keep Sam in the loop with any major changes going on. Nothing so far, so all they did was talk about his classes and her life.

Sam had forgotten she had ice cream in her hand, until it dripped from the spoon onto her knuckles. The cold sensation brought her back to the dessert and she set the cup on the table, reaching for the napkin dispenser to clean the ice cream off. Folding the used napkin on the table she retrieved her treat and returned to her previous position against the chair, digging her spoon into the center mountain of green mint. The cold felt good against her palette, but she knew in time her mouth would become too cold to eat anymore. Until then, she was delving into the snack. She didn’t know what time it was, only that is was afternoon sometimes, judging by the shadows on the ground. Probably closer to dinner then lunch, but maybe just far enough away not to spoil dinner. Well, ice cream wouldn’t spoil Sam’s dinner anyway, since she was preparing to eat a whole lot of nothing. She had plenty to eat at her place, she just hadn’t been planning on cooking. Maybe if she got hungry at all she would make a sandwich, or throw in a pizza. Either way, she was preparing for a long night of notes. She had gotten information (the research in her bags) on different colleges in the area, but since they were a distance, so she decided on online courses instead. It wasn’t the same experience, but worth it all the same. However, her goal tonight was to find the best option at the cheapest price.

Sliding the spoon into her mouth, Sam had just gotten it back into the bowl when a shadow fell over her, rather quickly followed by someone blowing air kisses at her. If she hadn’t known any better she would have dumped her ice cream on the person, but the distinct British accent caused her to hold the bowl rather carefully. Sam couldn’t hide her smile from Poppy, the first person she had run into on the island, it was just impossible and her friend would more then likely see through it. ”Where else would anyone be on a day like this?” Sam gestured toward the sun, or more specifically the heat radiating from it, then leaned down to shift her bags out of the way of the chair next to her. ”Oh, not at all. You know there is always a place for you at my table. And if there isn’t, I’ll make one. Sam refrained from falling back into the slouch she was in, setting her cup of ice cream on the table to eat it there, where she was able to talk more personally with Poppy.

[Poppy Wilson]

GAAAAARGH when I was almost done typing this the first time, I had this awesome post but the PC decided to shut down. >_0 forgot half of it the 2nd time, and was grumpy, so sucky post. But ah well. ^_^

---

"Where else would anyone be on a day like this?”

Poppy laughed, agreeing with her friends reasoning. She was a sunshine child since she was very young, and had learnt to overcome the annoyance of the heat by wearing (as she was now) loose flowy summer dresses, and wide rimmed hats to shade her face. It did a world of difference, but not as much as ice cream can save you from exessive temperature. And the ice cream at the Tropico Ice cream parlour was better than any other.

Oh, not at all. You know there is always a place for you at my table. And if there isn’t, I’ll make one.

Poppy gave Sam a grateful smile, and pulled up a chair where she seated herself, and cocked her head sideways at Sam's ice cream while deciding which flavour she would take. Forest Berries was her usual, but she customised the recipe by adding several tablespoon measures of Berry Liquor while the waitrons wern't looking, but today, as her bag with belongings was locked up safely in the bakery, she didn't have the bottle with her that usually hardly left her side.

I must confess I was also considering the possibility of taking a dip out in the sea, but decided that ice cream would be a better option for the moment.

She muttered while she scanned the menu, and waved her hand around at the height of her shoulder, attracting the attention of a waitress.

Chocolate and hazelnut would be lovely, thank you.

She gave the waitress a brief smile, and after handing her menu back, she placed her elbows on the table and her chin on her hands, and leaned forward, pleased to see Sam again. It had been a while since they had last spoken, and had a lot to catch up on.

So how's life treating you? Any luck with the studies at all? Met anyone special?