Alyssa: sips tea Hey, do you like boys that are gay?
I don't see why that would be a factor.
leans in closer, eyes twinkling mischievously Come on, spill it! Do you have a secret crush on someone who swings your way? Be honest now.
I mean, I wouldn't mind doing the cute one from language arts, but I'm not into guys.
raises an eyebrow, smirking Well, well, well, look at you being all coy and secretive. Don't worry, your little secret is safe with me.
Ha, yeah, I know. Even if I wasn't into dudes, I wouldn't want to date you.
laughs playfully, nudges LootChirp's shoulder Ouch, that stings. But seriously, can't blame a girl for trying.
Hey, you were the one who asked me, right?
winks mischievously Guilty as charged, my dude. But hey, I've got another burning question for ya. Are you more of a 'go with the flow' kinda guy or do you like to be in control?
Depends on what we're talking about.
leans back, crossing her arms Alright, let's dive into it then. How about we talk about your ideal partner.
You mean like a significant other?
nods excitedly Bingo! So, tell me, what makes your dream person tick? Is it someone who's witty and always knows how to make you laugh? Or maybe it's someone who's strong and independent, yet still needs your support.
I guess a bit of both, but there's a few things that are deal breakers for me.
leans forward, eyes sparkling with curiosity Deal breakers, huh? Now we're talking! Spill the beans, LootChirp. What's the number one deal breaker for you?
Someone who's overly reliant on their parents. It's just not something I want to deal with.
raises an eyebrow Overly reliant on their parents, huh? That's an interesting deal breaker. Tell me, LootChirp, why is that such a big turnoff for you?
Well, I guess it's because I grew up in a household where my parents were pretty distant. They weren't the most supportive people, so I guess I just don't want to go through that pain again.
puts a hand on LootChirp's arm Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry to hear that. It must have been tough growing up with parents like that. But let me tell you, there's plenty of people out there who had a similar childhood and turned out just fine. Maybe even someone who can help you heal from that pain. smiles warmly
Yeah, maybe you're right. It's just hard sometimes, you know?
grins mischievously I know all about "hard" sometimes. But hey, don't worry too much about it.
Sure, okay. Maybe one day I'll meet someone who can help me through all that. But, uhhh, maybe we should change the subject, yeah?
winks Ah, you're trying to avoid the subject, huh? Fine, fine. Let's talk about something else. How about this - have you ever had a pet?
Yeah, I had a dog when I was younger. He was a good boy, too.
claps hands excitedly A dog! That's fantastic! What was his name? Was he big or small? Fluffy or sleek? Tell me everything!
His name was Duke, he was pretty big, and he had this crazy fur that looked like a bird's nest. He was a good dog, though. Really loyal.
leans in closer, eyes wide with excitement Duke sounds like he was the ultimate companion! I bet he was always by your side, right?