Meeting the Parents

Jim: Yes, he is. I'm also pretty sure that he didn't sleep last night. Anyway, with the lack of sleep, I'm surprised Leo functions as well as he does. He also has a bad habit of overeating, not all the time, but he still does. I want to have him take some sleeping pills, but knowing him, he will either "forget" to eat them, or lose them right away. I honestly don't know what to do.

He sat down and closed his eyes, thinking about his son.

"Oh, my..." Sora muttered, glancing up, "I-I'm sorry...I didn't know...If there's anything I can do to help him..." She looked up at Jim shyly through her hair, shrugging her shoulders up.

Jim: It's alright, that is just the way it is. And I don't know, just be there for him. He needs you guys as much as they need you. Other then that, have fun. You both are doing well and are relatively good. Although were he doesn't sleep, you sleep a lot. Anyway, I'm sure you two want to go do something other then hang with an old man. Get Leo and go on, have fun.

"Thanks!" Sora squealed, jumping up off the couch. She ran to Leo, "Where to now?" she asked excitedly.

Leo: Well, we have a quick meal, then change and walk down to the beach. Sound like a plan, Sora?

Sora nodded, then said goodbye to Jim before heading out the door. She wondered to herself, Why does Leo have Insomnia?

Leo smiled, and headed out the door as well.

Leo: So, what did you two talk about then?

"Just....Stuff..." Sora mumbled in reply, shuffling along beside Leo.

Leo: Alright.

He continued on the path back to the hotel, starting to whistle. They made their way to their room, and he sat on the bed. He ordered some food, then he grabbed his bag.

Leo:I suggest changing now. After we eat and walk over there, we should have let the food pass by.

"Alright!" Sora squealed, clapping her hands when they entered the hotel room. She picked up her bag and shuffled into the bathroom, quickly changing into her swimsuit. She came out wearing a two piece, blue. The top reached her waist, hiding her ribs, and her bottom was a short skirt with shorts underneath.

Leo was already dressed with red trunks and yellow lining, as well as still wearing his scarf. The food was just a couple of chicken strips and fries, and Leo was reading a book.

Leo: Dig in, Sora.

"Okay" Sora nodded, picking up a chicken strip with delicate fingers. She nibbled a bit on the end, revealing white meat inside of it. She coughed a little bit, her throat dry and coarse. She took another bite, larger this time.

Leo got himself and Sora some water from his bag, then got out some sunscreen. He took a couple of fries, and got back to his book.

Sora nibbled on a few fries before taking a long gulp of water.

"I'm done..." she muttered before reaching for the sunscreen.

He handed her the sunscreen, then grabbed a couple of more fries.

Leo: So, what did you guys talk about then. And don't say stuff, I want to know the details.

"Just....things...." Sora muttered as she began to apply the sunscreen to her arms and legs. "He.....told me about your insomnia..." Sora looked away shyly, tearing up. It wasn't her fault, she just hated seeing others in pain

Leo didn't do anything, thinking to himself.

Leo: Right. . .

He shifted around a bit, not really knowing what to say.

"Yeah...." Sora mumbled, "Um...ready for the beach?" she asked, quickly changing the subject, "I've never been to the ocean before, this'll be fun!" She smiled, trying to lighten the mood of the conversation. But her warm grin faltered, turning into more of a grimace.

Leo: Yeah, I'm ready.

He got up and stretched, then grabbed the bag. He put the card key in a side pocket, then looked back at Sora.

Leo: Let's go.

Sora nodded, then followed Leo out the door.

"Alright, so, anything I should know about the beach?" she asked curiously, bouncing along in step.

Leo: Try not to go to far out if you are not a strong swimmer. And be careful, jerks love hanging at beaches. Other then that, just have fun.

The walked out, and headed to the beach. The sun was bright and hot as they beat on them. They arrived at the coast about 30 min. later, with kids cheering and having fun. There were Ice cream being sold every couple blocks, with huge lines in front of them. They walked down to a nice spot, where there was not too much people. He set the bag down, then started getting the spot ready.

Sora gasped when they hit the beach,standing for a moment and enjoying the feel of sand between her toes. Then she followed Leo down to a nice clear spot, and flopped down on the sand. She drew circles in the eroded particles,then began to (try to) make a sandcastle.

"Wow!" she grinned, looking around at the water and people.

Leo looked at her sad attempt at a sand castle. He laughed, then got up and walked to the water with a bucket. He scooped up some water, then walked back to her.

Leo: Wet sand would help you a bit, makes it sticky.

"Oh yeah!" Sora exclaimed, eagerly taking the bucket of water, "I've never been to the beach..." Was her attempt at exclamation. She excitedly sprinkled the water on her pile of sand, then began to shape it into a small castle. A bit of the tower fell off, but other than that, it was mostly good.

Sora knew she was acting childish, but this part of her childhood had been stolen from her. She just wanted to make up for lost time. Plus, who doesn't get excited over sandcastles?

Leo watched as she played with the sand. She finished the castle, which Leo admitted to Sora, was better then anything he ever did. In his defense, He was only ever at the beach 3 times(for the fun of it). He sat down, then laid down, whistling to himself.