[Chris pulled back, nodding and biting her lip. Her stomach felt floppy. Holding up a finger to her irritated-looking friends and dance mates, she did some serious thinking that ended in digging into her purse and pulling out credits to hand to Tonia.]
It's not much, but anything helps, huh? I hope your Grandma's still as awesome as I remember her being, because Starfleet would be good for you. And... try to stay in touch, will you? Even if I "haven't heard from you in years." Because I did miss you, Ton.
Tonia, don't be stubborn. It's probably better I don't buy another pair of shoes like I was planning to, anyway. I've got no room for them in my closet anymore as it is.
[Setting her face in a stubborn 'I know best' face, she dropped the credits into the pocket of Tonia's hoodie.]
And I know you're not, sweetie. Just stay strong. Even if he does find you, it won't be as bad as you think it will. [Maybe an outright lie, but she wants to make Tonia feel better. Chris just wants to help.]
[And the credits were being dug back out and placed back in Chris's hand if she could manage. She wasn't a charity case. Even if people thought the Barrows family was. The flinch of her face at the 'won't be as bad' made her shake her head. Last time she had run away like this there had been bruised ribs and a broken arm. It had been.. agreed upon that it was from a horseback riding accident.]
I'll be fine. It won't be the first time I've taken a beating.
[Stubborn wasn't the right wording for it. She was worse at times. Mule headed. Giving her head a shake Tonia stuffed her hands in to her pockets making it harder for Chris to stuff the credits back in to them.]
[Well it had Tonia up and trying to do a dance to get them out.]
Because what if your parents ask where the money went? Then you'd have to tell them where it went and then I'd be found out then I'd have to go back to Montana.
Psh. Between birthday money from the summer and what I just won in my last dance competition, I'm pretty sure my parents didn't even know how much spending money I brought with me.
Ton, you know I'd never rat you out. [But she might snicker at bit at that little dance.]
Umm... hi?
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It's not much, but anything helps, huh? I hope your Grandma's still as awesome as I remember her being, because Starfleet would be good for you. And... try to stay in touch, will you? Even if I "haven't heard from you in years." Because I did miss you, Ton.
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[As Chris tried to push the credits in to her hand the older girl was trying to push them back.]
I got enough to get me to my Grandma's and possible to Frisco on a stretch if I have to. This is yours, Chris, for.. where ever it is you're going.
Dad's gonna kill me when he finds me. I'm not going back there. Ever.
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[Setting her face in a stubborn 'I know best' face, she dropped the credits into the pocket of Tonia's hoodie.]
And I know you're not, sweetie. Just stay strong. Even if he does find you, it won't be as bad as you think it will. [Maybe an outright lie, but she wants to make Tonia feel better. Chris just wants to help.]
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I'll be fine. It won't be the first time I've taken a beating.
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[And back the credits go into Tonia's pocket.]
Happy birthday.
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Merry Christmas.
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Don't be such a goddamn goober. I'm trying to give you a present. It's rude to refuse presents.
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You're also trying to make it a birthday present and it's not my birthday.
[Yes this could go on for a while.]
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Hello? Did you not just hear the bit about how I don't need any more shoes?
And I know it's not your birthday. This is for those birthdays I missed.
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[Stubborn wasn't the right wording for it. She was worse at times. Mule headed. Giving her head a shake Tonia stuffed her hands in to her pockets making it harder for Chris to stuff the credits back in to them.]
Everyone needs shoes. Get yourself another pair.
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[And, yes, that was the credits dropping down into Tonia's hoodie. That's gotta work.]
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Because what if your parents ask where the money went? Then you'd have to tell them where it went and then I'd be found out then I'd have to go back to Montana.
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Ton, you know I'd never rat you out. [But she might snicker at bit at that little dance.]
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[Taking a seat after scooping the credits up off the ground she offered them to Christine one more time.]
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No. Keep them. And those bozos? They're just a bunch of dancers. Probably won't even remember you by the time the weekend's over.
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