|
Post by NELL DOE DALE on Sept 10, 2011 13:22:20 GMT -5
&&the sea is just a wetter version of[/color] - - - - - - - the sky [/center] Nell focused intently on the mound of sand in front of her, on her knees with with a plastic shovel in her hand. Tongue sticking out a bit as she concentrated, she deliberated on how big her castle should be. She’d never built one before, however, and so the task seemed quite overwhelming. How would she even start? She lifted up the bucket that was filled with water and blinked. Well then. ”Hey, Katie—oh, what’s up?” Nell hadn’t noticed that her friend had been texting on her phone as she sat in her chair, sunglasses shielding her eyes from the bright summer sun—the look of discontent was visible in the rest of her features however. It took a moment for the other Earth girl to answer, and even though it would have been annoying to some others, Nell waited patiently as she looked up with curious brown eyes.
Katie slid the phone shut with an audible click, and even that sound seemed to be frustrated. ”My mom wants me home,” she groaned, rolling her eyes. Nell tilted her head, and asked, ”This early?” It was mid-afternoon, the sun hanging above the water like a child watching its toys moving around in the sand. Nell sometimes thought it strange that most of her friends lived with their parents, when authority figures—save for the police—were something she didn’t have to worry about. Not that even Katie knew about it: a lot of her friends assumed she had parents somewhere, or they accepted Nell’s answer of “it’s complicated” to questions of her personal life as truth. ”She wants me to watch my sister,” she sighed, picking up her towel and bag, and pushing her sunglasses up as they begun to fall. ”I’ll call you later,” Katie said as she turned to leave, and Nell waved at her back with the shovel. She was alone now, but she didn’t mind. Sure, hanging out with her friends was something she loved, but there was little that actually got to her.
So she returned to planning out the layout of her castle. She had seen others make magnificent looking sculptures in the sand, and couldn’t help but feel somewhat envious. How in the world could she make something so admirable? Nell looked at her nails and the sand crushed underneath from all her digging. The feeling was something new to her, the sun beating down on her as she adjusted her sunglasses while still squinting—she’d never experienced the feeling of being on a beach and beside a giant lake that was more like the ocean in her eyes. It was part of the reason she didn’t mind being alone during this time—the experience was nice no matter what. Scooping up some more sand with her shovel, she patted the sides to smooth it out and it came out as a deformed…something. It was supposed to be a turret, or at least that’s what she’d been planning. ”This is not working,” she stated plainly with a shake of her head. Dropping the shovel, she balanced on her knees as she leaned over to try and sculpt a little more. The sand was a minor annoyance, especially since she was wearing shorts, just to add to the fact she was wearing a one-piece bathing suit. Her body was not something she was proud of, but she would be damn proud of this sand castle when she completed it…eventually.
|
|
|
Post by erin on Sept 13, 2011 17:08:33 GMT -5
Summer was easily Ethan’s favorite season. He loved the warm air, the green leaves, and the fresh feeling in the air. Summer only added to his already bright outlook on the world. He typically spent most of these days around some body of water, whether it be a pool, the ocean, or the lake in Maple Hollow. Today he found himself lingering around the outskirts of the lake, deciding what to do with the day.
He didn’t have much on his mind. These days also allowed a sense of freedom for him. He remembered being a kid and counting down the days until vacation. School, to him, meant teasing, shoving, and name calling. The boys never accepted him, just like his dad never approved of his lack of physical strength. Acting and singing never went over well in his household or at school. Even though the summer meant more time spent at home, it at least allowed him a break from the kids who made fun of him at school. Even when he was in junior high, he always felt a calming feeling by water. Growing up, he was constantly in the ocean whether it be swimming or surfing. These qualities gave his father hope that his son may pursue one of these talents, but Ethan was never one for competition. He lacked the passion behind competing for anything sports related and liked swimming merely because it gave him joy. Being by the water, however, always dispelled the anxiety in him from the disapproval from his father and peers.
This was why Ethan found himself moseying about the lake. He hadn’t had any destination in mind but just felt like taking a walk and soaking up some fresh air. He entered the beach of the lake, gazing down at the sand as he walked. He occasionally poked his head up, looking for someone he knew. It wouldn’t be uncommon if he had; Ethan was friendly among many people he went to school with. A few moments later, he spotted a friendly face. “Nell!
[/color]” he called, walking over to her. He peered at the sand mound she was working on. “ Well, that’s coming along nicely,[/color]” he joked, smiling. He was glad he had spotted a friend; he found himself wanting some company.[/justify][/blockquote][/size]
|
|
|
Post by NELL DOE DALE on Sept 13, 2011 20:02:23 GMT -5
&&the sea is just a wetter version of[/color] - - - - - - - the sky [/center] Nell was about to knock over the castle and start anew when she heard a voice. Looking up from her creation, her demeanor immediately brightened from frustration. Ethan was a Water elemental, so she wasn’t surprised to see him at the beach. But it was still strange to see him outside of school since she hadn’t talked to him all summer. ”¡Hola, Señor Ethan!” she called out with a grin, waving him over with the shovel in her hand. Then, seriously, she said, ”What’s up? Nice day, right?” The sun was particularly hot, which was perfect for going to the beach. Or rather lake beach. It was still strange to her. Everything was strange to her, but she’d had the idea that beaches were for oceans. She guessed being a city girl helped in that assumption. Even if she were allowed out of the house, she would have never seen the ocean. The Bronx was not where one went for a summer vacation. It hadn’t even been a good place to live.
Ethan complimented her structure, and she wondered if he was joking. She snorted, pointing her shovel at the castle as if it owed her money. ”Oh please, this thing is pathetic. I wouldn’t let peasants live in it.” She laughed after stating this, shaking her head. She wasn’t too frustrated and she honestly wasn’t complaining—otherwise, she would have given up. Holding up the yellow children’s pail, she asked, ”Wanna help?” Nell wondered if it was something too immature for him. She did that a lot, she noticed—the time she went to the playground with Josh came to mind. There was a lot of things she missed as a child that she was trying to claim now. ”If you’ve got something better to do, though, I don’t mind.” She looked around, but noticed that there was no one else that looked like they came with him. Placing her hands in her lap to give her full attention to him, she asked, ”You came alone?” That seemed awfully boring, so she was ready to keep him company if he wanted it. For explanation, she went on, ”My friend just abandoned me, actually. I’m marooned!” Then she looked over at her belongings which was a beach chair and her bag. Like Tom Hanks in Cast Away, she thought, and if it wasn’t weird she would have shaken her head at the thought.
|
|
|
Post by erin on Sept 14, 2011 16:39:35 GMT -5
Ethan smiled at Nell, realizing how long the summer had been and how few people he had seen. He preferred school over being home any day, even if school work didn’t exactly get along with him. “It sure is, perfect beach weather,
[/color]” he agreed with a smile. He loved the sunshine but at the same time savored rainy days. A good rainstorm comforted him, just like being around the lake. But he preferred outdoors activities over sitting inside anyday. “ I’d love to help,[/color]” he said, plopping down in the sand, sitting Indian style. “ You’re actually in the midst of an expert sand castle-maker,[/color]” he exaggerated with a grin. Actually, he did have a little knack for the sand buildings. He practically grew up on the beach as a kid, before he knew about being a water elemental, feeling completely at home there. It was always the one place he felt like he belonged, away from school and his house. He had never felt too old for anything, anyways. Ethan loved to keep in touch with his inner child. Well, he practically was still a child. Maturity wasn’t something he was fond of; he liked being carefree. He was always up for anything. “ Yep, just me. Lazy summer days usually find me wandering around,[/color]” he explained. He usually wasn’t found alone when school was in session. He usually was found around a few water or earth friends. Even when he was in the dormitories there was usually someone. “ I’ll save you from being marooned if you’ll save me from being bored,[/color]” he proposed. He was happy to have found some company for he was afraid where his thoughts might have taken him. Sometimes when he spent too much time alone, he started thinking about things that bugged him. His father, his brother, the usual. Distractions were always welcomed. [/justify][/blockquote][/size]
|
|
|
Post by NELL DOE DALE on Sept 14, 2011 18:32:33 GMT -5
&&the sea is just a wetter version of[/color] - - - - - - - the sky [/center] Nell grinned as Ethan sat down, glad for his presence. Who wanted to be lonely on the beach? He stated that he was a wunderkind with sand castle building. She dropped the shovel upon this earth-shattering revelation. Clasping her hands together, she pleaded, ”Please teach me your ways, oh wise one!” The tone was joking, but the request was actually quite serious. Nell always had to wonder at the people who could design and construct castles as high as her waist. It made her quite envious, to be honest, so she was enthusiastic to see if Ethan was at least close to the level he bragged about. She placed the pail in front of him, and said, ”Work your magic!” She returned to trying to make the turret into a shape. Currently it stood as an amorphous blob, and she was at least attempting a spherical shape. If only she could use her element to help with this, but sand was not in her range. She didn’t think it was at all possible, as a matter of fact, now that she was rather educated. Thank god for the Academy—it truly was her saving grace.
Nell nodded as he spoke, then turned her attention away from the castle. ”Same here, I s’pose,” she said brightly. ”I’ve been hiking and everything, though. Have you ever climbed a mountain, Ethan?” The last part was slightly random, but that had been where her train of thought went. She’d been out hiking and camping with friends, but she never really went mountain climbing. It seemed like a good adventure to have if you were just wandering around like he said he was doing. ”I’ve been planning to, since this is British Columbia, and there’s one everywhere you look.” They seemed to be Canada’s equivalent of skyscrapers. She grew up in the city, but she was getting used to this place. It had been months since she moved—over half a year, now that she thought about it—and she could call the Academy her home with confidence now. ”Deal,” she told him. ”Demonstrate your prowess.” Nell then thought about something before saying, ”Have you eaten recently?” Of course the topic would move onto food with her, but she always had to worry about that.
|
|
|
Post by erin on Sept 18, 2011 16:59:21 GMT -5
Ethan laughed at Nell’s reaction to his sand-castle talent. He took the pail and gathered sand in it, packing it in tightly. He flipped it over in the sand where it took the shape of the pail. “Well, I have to admit I cheat a little,
[/color]” he confessed. “ I’ve got a trick up my sleeve, puts me at an unfair advantage.[/color]” With that, he formed a small circle of water in his palm and ran it alongside the small sand structure. The sand absorbed the water immediately. It was just the right amount of water; enough to make it stronger, but not too much to make it mud. He’d made countless sand castles as a kid. He would gather a pail of water to use when making the structures and was always intrigued by the way it seemed to know exactly what he wanted to do with it. His brother was always envious of this talent whenever they went to the beach as kids; probably the only time he was ever jealous about Ethan. Ethan continued with this method, stacking four more of the same. Three sat on the ground while two more stood sturdily on top. He turned to Nell as she changed the subject and was a bit taken off guard by her comment of climbing a mountain. “ Well, I—no I can’t say I have,[/color]” he said. “ Never thought about that before. It sure would be something though, huh?[/color]” Ethan was always up to new things and the idea of trying something as crazy as climbing a mountain sounded intriguing and thrilling to him. He nodded at Nell’s comment about the mountains. “ There sure are! Definitely is different from where I grew up. There weren’t a lot of mountains by the beach in Miami. Or even winter, for the matter,[/color]” he added, continuing with a fifth sand mound stacked on top of the others. He again was caught off guard by Nell’s statement of eating. But now that he thought about it, he hadn’t eaten all day. “ Now that you mention it, I haven’t really eaten since last night,[/color]” he said, patting his stomach for emphasis. Food didn’t sound too bad to him.[/blockquote][/justify][/size]
|
|
|
Post by NELL DOE DALE on Sept 18, 2011 20:50:13 GMT -5
&&the sea is just a wetter version of[/color] - - - - - - - the sky [/center] Nell keenly observed as Ethan went through the motions of castle-building. It wasn’t put on such a level as painting or sculpting, but it was an art. As a matter of fact, it was sculpting. She wondered if there were any influential artists out there who specialized in sand castles. Her mind was brought back to the present situation as Ethan spoke, and she giggled rather devilishly as she watched the water sink into the sand. ”Don’t worry, I won’t tell on you,” she said with a wave of her hand, looking around surreptitiously. She herself had been planning to make a flower to perch on it somewhere. Even though such a display of powers was risky, she’d make sure to keep it out of sight enough that people wouldn’t peer over curiously. As did Ethan, since no one else on the beach cared about the fact that he didn’t go down to the lake to get water he was now using to pack the sand. Sometimes she did envy the other elements, but that was a fleeting thought—she loved her element too much to give it up. ”I have my on little tricks to use.” Nell was getting much better with her powers, and a sense of pride came with that. However, she was still not confident enough to use her powers in self-defense. She didn’t think she’d ever be that confident after what she did to her mother.
Trying to copy Ethan, she grabbed another pail that she remembered had actually been her friend’s and that she should return it afterward, and gathered some sand that was further down to the lake. She couldn’t cheat like Ethan, after all. Plopping down next to Ethan once more, she listened to his response. ”Neither have I!” she said excitedly. There was a lot she’d never done with her life, and she had a feeling that the people who knew her well enough understood that. It was something one could only perceive over time, when they realize that simple things like riding a bike and swimming without dog-paddling was something a teenage girl should know. Well, she was very close to nearing adulthood. ”Well, the reason I asked is because I’m trying to organize a trip with a few friends. Would you be in?” She always liked getting people together to do something fun. Nell laughed a bit, realizing something. ”I forgot you were from America! I guess I haven’t been assimilating too well if I still think American accent are normal.” There wasn’t much of a dialect different, but with her it was pretty noticeable. New Yorkers were one of the most noticeable accents, other than Southern.
The response to Ethan stating that he hadn’t eaten anything since last night was quite immediate. Nell cried, ”Drop everything, we’re getting you food!” As she said that, she placed the pail down and started to tug on Ethan’s arm. ”The sand castle can wait, we are going to get some food in that stomach!” Even though the tone was joking and light, such a thing was actually serious business to Nell. Concerned as she was about other people’s health, not eating was a big no-no in her book. Not only because she was a human garbage disposal, but because she knew what could happen when people didn’t eat. She’d seen it in Tilly, in Tilly’s wrists that were too small for her hands, in Tilly’s ribcage that pushed against her skin—if Nell had ever thought about it, she’d have been able to trace the reason she ate so much back to that girl. But people never really think about where their traits come from. ”Of course, unless you want to finish the sand castle first.” As worried she was about his health, she never wanted to push people into doing things they didn’t want to do. Her life was full of paradoxes she didn’t know how to work through.
|
|
|
Post by erin on Sept 20, 2011 16:31:18 GMT -5
Ethan smirked at Nell as he continued with his sand structure. “Why, I appreciate it,
[/color]” he said, continuing the joking tone. The only time Ethan’s power really ever came into play was for little things such as this. They became a part of his everyday life; he used it for shortcuts, such as when brushing his teeth. But it never defined him really. He wasn’t too sharp when it came to the finer bits of his power; he slacked off in school. However, it didn’t mean he didn’t appreciate his gift any less. Since he was a kid, Ethan always felt different. The day he had learned about his power was like a missing puzzle piece had been fit in. Everything made sense. He no longer felt isolated from everyone, and coming to the academy only enhanced this new feeling of belonging. The sand castle now stood with eight small structures stacked in a neat formation. Ethan enjoyed the absent-minded activity and didn’t realize it when he continued building more. He supposed he was aiming to make something wide and tall. He was now intent on his castle to be hard to miss, just like everything he seemed to do. Ethan was again caught off guard with Nell’s response to the topic of mountain climbing. “ Oh! That sounds awesome, really,[/color]” he answered truthfully. “ ‘Course I’d be in! I’m always up for something new.[/color]” He grinned at this. It was true too; Ethan hardly ever turned down an opportunity to do something new. “ Don’t worry about it; I’ve been here three years and I still can’t tell the different accents apart.[/color]” Ethan was, yet again, not expecting Nell’s reaction. He laughed and dropped what he was doing, putting his hands up in the air as if he were caught stealing something. “ Well, since you insist,[/color]” he joked. “ Food sounds spectacular right now, forget the sand castle![/color]” he agreed, smiling. And it did; Ethan was always up for a good bite to eat. Like most boys his age, food was always welcomed.[/blockquote][/justify][/size]
|
|
|
Post by NELL DOE DALE on Sept 21, 2011 19:11:23 GMT -5
&&the sea is just a wetter version of[/color] - - - - - - - the sky [/center] Nell knew she would not have been able to achieve this kind of sand castle by herself. It was always nice to have Water elementals around. She actually liked them a lot. They were the playful sort and energetic and it was always exhilerating to be around them. And she liked the Earth elementals because she felt comfortable with them, somehow safe (even though safety was something she rarely felt nowadays). As for the Thunder elementals…well, she tried not to hate them or anything, but she didn’t really spend time with them. Of course not. For months she’d been terrified of them, and that wasn’t something easily forgotten. The Fire students? Well, they back down but they were still the aggressive sort. Her boyfriend was Fire though, but he was…a special case. Definitely a special case. ”Oh, happy day!” she said, her voice intentionally theatrical as she clapped her hands. The sound wasn’t very loud for her palm made contact with the shovel in her other hand. She tried to do something new every day—and there was a lot of things new to her. ”Oh jeez, really? I haven’t been to many places in Canada yet, actually.” She hadn’t been to many places at all, but that was something she always avoided talking about. Anyway, she rather liked talking about others. ”Did you like it in Miami?” she asked with genuine curiosity. Nell didn’t like to pry, so if he didn’t like the place, she’d lay off. But she also loved learning about other people.
She started gathering her stuff, shaking the sand from the bottom rung of the chair. ”I’m going to put the stuff in my car, actually, I wasn’t planning on staying too long anyway.” Since she was a bit of a health freak, she was concerned about getting sunburn, too. Luckily, her Hispanic heritage tanned her skin a light copper that was especially noticeable in the summer, but not as dark as some Chileans or Mexicans. Nell led the way to her PT Cruiser parked near the beach, and loaded the stuff in her trunk, shrugging on a tanktop. She would need a shower thanks to sand being in places it shouldn’t, but right now she needed to feed Ethan. ”How does pizza sound?” she asked, spotting a place across the street. She lifted her sunglasses as she regarded the building, and then turned her brown gaze to Ethan. ”Then we can get ice cream or something.” Going into the restaurant, they took their seats and received their food rather quickly. Nell ordered a pie for herself, but even she would have to take quite a bit home. She just didn’t like to underestimate her appetite. ”How’s life been to ya?” she asked, taking an already crumpled napkin and wiping her fingers off on it.
|
|
|
Post by erin on Sept 25, 2011 10:02:20 GMT -5
Ethan found himself enjoying the day, appreciative of the change in events. He loved spontaneous things like these. Unexpected things were always welcomed by him. He liked to keep his days open and see where they took him. Planning had never really been part of his person, and he preferred it that way. He always enjoyed things more when they were unplanned; there were no expectations that way. He had finally decided his castle was finished, complete with turrets and eight symmetrical structures. He started running his hands in the sand, soaking up the warmth it had gotten from the sun. “Neither have I. I haven’t actually seen much of America either, really,
[/color]” he said with a light laugh. He always wanted to travel but he never got the opportunity. It was one of his goals when he left the academy, whether that be the end of this year, or if he moved on to college, he wasn’t sure yet. “ I did like Miami. Most of the time I spent on the beach, swimming, or surfing. It definitely fit my needs,[/color]” he said with a smile. And it was honest; he loved growing up there. However, he never really could call it home. At least not with his family. Shaking off this brief negative feeling, he added, “ But I definitely prefer it here. Even with the winters,[/color]” he said, grinning. Warmth was something he missed about Miami. A bright, sunny day always heightened his usual bubbly attitude. Winter was something that took a while to get used to. Ethan nodded at Nell’s next statement and followed her to her car. He hadn’t brought anything, besides the phone and wallet in the pocket of his cargo shorts. “ Pizza and ice cream sound good to me,[/color]” he agreed, shoving a hand in his pocket as he followed Nell across the street and into the restaurant. He ordered a veggie pie. Unlike most guys his age, he didn’t eat meat. Being a vegetarian was also another thing frowned upon by his father; apparently eating meat (and a lot of it) was part of being a guy. But ever since he was a kid, his heart broke for the animals he watched his brother and father devour. Just another thing for his father to disapprove of. Ethan took a bite out of a piece, his stomach happy to have some substance. “ Life has been…good,[/color]” he said. And he realized this was true. “ Yeah, it really has.[/color]” He said this almost as a confirmation to himself. “ Well, what about you? How’s life?[/color]” Summer had prevented him from keeping in touch with a lot of his friends and he appreciated the chance to catch up.[/blockquote][/justify][/size]
|
|
|
Post by NELL DOE DALE on Sept 25, 2011 14:22:56 GMT -5
&&the sea is just a wetter version of[/color] - - - - - - - the sky [/center] Nell rolled her eyes at the boy’s words as if wholly-exasperated. ”Water students, of course. Always have to be swimming.” It really did sound like a nice place, though. For her, anything would have been better than the projects she grew up in. She would have loved to live in Pennsylvania where Ace grew up, knowing that there was a lot more farmland than the ‘big apple’—it was funny hearing some people refer to the city as that, since any New Yorker would probably punch or flip off whoever called it that. Luckily, she hadn’t inherited that rudeness. Probably because she’d been effectively isolated by her mother. Except when she snuck out—still, there was little to no physical contact then. Only when she had to speak to the librarian, a man who she now wondered if he ever noticed the cuts and the bruises. Would he just chalk those things off to accidents? Even with the grotesque stitching—she stopped that train of thought right there. Some things were taboo for even her. ”The winters are especially cruel for us Earthies,” Nell said. Even though she liked how pretty the snow was and making the snowmen with Ashton and Dani and having snowball fights, her powers had been pretty much squashed for a while. That was not a very good foot to have started off on when first arriving to the Academy. "And definitely harsher here in the mountains. But it's still so pretty."
She laughed as he seemed to realize that things were going pretty good for him. ”Good how? Got yourself a girlfried? Any adventures or tales to relate? Tell me, Ethan!” She enjoyed messing around with her friends like this, teasing them good-naturedly. Even though there was sincerity behind what she asked. She always felt she needed to know what was going on with her friends and their lives, how they were doing, if there was anything she could help them out with. He turned the question on her, and she grinned as if manically happy. ”Very nice, I have to say. Especially since I already finished summer work.” This was half-true. That part of her summer was nice, the fact that she didn’t have school to worry about and she’d been spending more time with her friends. But as much as she was optimistic, she was also terrified. Her fate was closing in on her with each passing day, each month. It was a countdown until the end of the school year, when she’d be going to New York for trial. But she didn’t like to talk about herself, especially when it came to that, so she gave no inclination that her life was not entire perfect and cheery. ”You ready for school to come back in? Any homework to do?” She asked this as she started her third slice of pizza.
|
|
|
Post by erin on Sept 27, 2011 18:14:10 GMT -5
Ethan nodded in agreement with Nell about the winter and the mountains. Living here at the academy was certainly a huge lifestyle change for him as far as surroundings went. Goodbye warm, Florida sun and golden skin all year. Hello, cold and snow. Ethan hadn’t realized how much he enjoyed the Miami heat until he left. He did find that snow still enveloped him with a sense of comfort, just like the beach did. However, it still took a while to get accustomed to. “It sure is! There’s always something new to see up here,
[/color]” he added. And it was true. Ethan loved the opportunities his new living arrangements had given him. Ethan laughed as Nell asked for the details on his life. “ Good as…it’s nice to spend the summer away from home. It’s so much…simpler here,[/color]” he said, trying not to give away anything about life back home. “ Oh no, no girlfriends for this guy. I can’t seem to be tied down, I suppose,[/color]” he added lightheartedly, joking. Girls were a whole other matter for Ethan. It wasn’t that he couldn’t talk to them, but quite the opposite; he could count on one hand the amount of guy friends he had. It was that girls just didn’t see him in that way. But, that was another story. “ As for adventure, I’m sad to say that my summer has been lacking. I did the usual—a bit of acting and singing here and there. But not much different from the usual,”[/color] he said with a casual tone as he took another bite from his pizza. “ Well, enough about me, what about your summer adventures? Anything good?[/color]” he asked, honestly curious. He liked to hear what his friends had been up to. He groaned when Nell mentioned school work. Since it was his last year at school, courses were about to get harder. Meaning he had a great deal of summer work. So, naturally, he hadn’t touched it yet. “ Lucky you, Miss Overachiever,[/color]” he said with a laugh, joking. He wished he could be studious. But he just didn’t have that flame in him. He couldn’t sit and do work; he had to be doing something hands-on. “ Well, let’s just say I was planning on my work doing itself. But it looks like that isn’t going to happen...[/color]” he said with a smile. He could picture his schoolwork still sitting in the same place he had left it the last day of school. He figured he’d have to dust it off before starting any work. “ Overall, I’m actually excited for school to start. Maybe not so much the work…But I can’t wait to see everyone. I can’t get over that we’re already in twelfth grade,[/color]” he said, the disbelief clear in his words. “ What about you? Thoughts on this year? Plans for afterward?[/color]” The last part struck a chord in him. He never really thought about his future. He didn’t know what was the best path for him; leaving to go out into the real world or continuing his education. It was all a jumbled mess in his head.[/blockquote][/justify][/size]
|
|
|
Post by NELL DOE DALE on Sept 27, 2011 19:55:42 GMT -5
&&the sea is just a wetter version of[/color] - - - - - - - the sky [/center] ”Simpler,” Nell repeated as if considering. She smiled. ”Yeah, I guess you could say so.” This city was certainly different from the New York she knew—or rather, what she saw of New York in the projects and the nights when most children were in bed. She liked it in British Columbia, loved it actually. And soon you’ll have to leave. Maybe forever. She didn’t used to think like this. She used to be optimistic about the future, because she was sure after she’d run away that things would be better. Then the past came back in the form of her father and her aunt and now she had to face the court and her damnation. ”Oh, so you’re a player, huh,” she teased, shaking her a bit. She didn’t know whether or not Ethan was actually looking, but the way he said it made it seem as if he didn’t really mind. She hadn’t been looking for a boyfriend when Josh had asked her out—that was made clear when she didn’t even understand what he’d meant by ‘going out’. Trying to swallow before speaking, Nell asked, ”You mean like…uhh…” She snapped her fingers, trying to sort through her brain. ”Summerstage?” Nell had heard of it somewhere, but didn’t really know it was about. Still, it seemed like something Ethan would be interested in.
As for herself? Well, I’m dealing with my dick father, that’s always an adventure. ”I just went to the Maritimes with Josh,” she told him, thinking of that as her greatest adventure this summer. In case he didn’t know, she informed him, ”My boyfriend.” It seemed that she was truly bad with remembering to tell people things, especially her friends. She was a personal girl in the first place, but it was easy for her to neglect to inform her friends of things that they should know about. It wasn’t like she went around saying, “Hey, I’m going out with Joshua Dale!” The rumors actually took care of that. Stupid rumors… ”And of course, there’s been the summer parties and all that fun stuff.” Mostly fun for the friends that she had to drive home as their designated. Her girl friend had thrown up in the back seat two weeks ago, but of course she’d been perfectly calm, cleaning it up after she returned to her apartment.
Nell brushed off her shoulder, saying, ”Don’t hate because I’m a pimp.” Really, though, she had to be an overachiever with the hand she’d been dealt. She wasn’t about to sit on her ass all the time when she’d been given an oppurtunity like the Academy. Oh jeez, I sound so annoying, she thought, and if she were alone she might have shaken her head. ”Unless you’re in a Disney movie, I should think not.” Her last words were said slowly as if she punctuated each. Seriously, though, if Walt Disney could make a pumpkin turn into a carriage, surely he can make a pen answer math questions. It amused her that Ethan took that kind of approach, and she wasn’t about to act all high and mighty because she’d gotten her work done before him. Nell could sympathize with his desire to return to school, strangely enough. The Academy had truly become her home. ”Even harder to believe that in a few months, we’ll be graduated.” The last word held a soft sort of wonderment, because really, she’d just come to the Academy earlier that year, and it felt like time had passed so quickly. And yet—looking back—it seemed to be slow at the same time. Is this what life is like? She wondered, because she’d never experienced it before.
She hesitated a bit at his questions, eyes flickering down to her plate as her fingers were poised to get another piece of pizza. It wasn’t really noticeable unless you were looking for anything that might have revealed she was uncomfortable. ”No,” she started, her voice quiet. It lifted when she continued, ”I’m more of a ‘live in the moment’ kind of gal. Come what may, que sera sera.” She smiled at this, glad that it was a half-truth. She did live in the moment, it’s what suited her best. However, she knew there was no future for her. It didn’t matter how good of a lwyer she had, the world was set up against her like a firing squad. Her future was a prison sentence, or worse. Homicide isn’t bad enough for the death penalty…right? She really didn’t know. Why couldn’t she know about this world? To stop herself from thinking and to prevent the conversation from turning to her, she asked, ”You planning to go to college, Ethan?”
|
|
|
Post by erin on Oct 2, 2011 11:33:51 GMT -5
“Oh yeah, that’s what they call me, Ethan the player,
[/color]” he joked, and couldn’t help but laugh at himself. If there was a word further from the truth that would be it. But he knew Nell was teasing and continued, “ I’m just a hot ticket, I guess.[/color]” He laughed at the absurdity of it, knowing full well he would never be that type of guy. Which was fine with him. It was those types of guys that used to pummel him when he was a kid. He didn’t think he could treat a girl wrongly if he tried. He just didn’t have that in him. Ethan took another bite of pizza, followed by a sip of his Coke. He nodded at Nell’s comment about Summerstage. He’d went to a few shows over the years when he visited New York, but never actually performed. “ Something like it, but I’ve never been on stage there. More like cafés and small places like that around the area. My playing could use a bit of work…[/color]” he added humbly. His voice and acting outshined his ability of playing instruments, but the talent was still obvious in the area. He had always had a knack for music; he could pick up just about any instrument and make it sound good. “ Have you been to any shows there?[/color]” he asked. Ethan had forgotten that Nell and Josh dated. The name struck a sour note for him, but wasn’t going to bring the topic up. Instead, he decided to pass over that subject. “ Of course, who can forget that aspect of summer?[/color] Ethan said, indicating Nell’s mentioning parties. He wasn’t much for drinking; it wasn’t that he was against it, he just didn’t do it. “ Crazy kids and their parties,[/color]” he joked, grinning. He went to parties, sure, but he’d never been drunk in his life. It just wasn’t his cup of tea. Ethan laughed. “ If only this were all a Disney movie. I’d never do work again, marry a princess, and live happily ever after,[/color]” he said. The idea of homework filled him with dread. He tried not to think of the stack of work waiting to be done. “ Yeah, time really flies. I might actually miss this place,[/color]” he added. This was a complete understatement. The Academy had served as a safe haven for Ethan. It was his beacon of hope. Sure, schoolwork wasn’t his strong suit. But he felt home at the Academy. He didn’t want to think about life outside its doors. He smirked at Nell as he took another bite. “ Yes! Definitely, I agree one-hundred percent. The future freaks me out,[/color]” he said honestly. He never planned things out. He liked to see where life took him. Life was better without expectations. “ College…I’ve thought about it. But I don’t know if this noggin can take any more work,[/color]” he said lightly. The work was really the only thing keeping him back from college. If he didn’t have such a terrible time trying to focus, he’d probably have no hesitation in going. And then there was the matter of his father letting him go. But the alternative would be him pursuing a career in acting. So it was a lose-lose situation for his father. Well, that’s too bad, Ethan thought. “ Are you considering college?[/color]”[/blockquote][/justify][/size]
|
|
|
Post by NELL DOE DALE on Oct 2, 2011 18:20:22 GMT -5
&&the sea is just a wetter version of[/color] - - - - - - - the sky [/center] With a cheeky grin, Nell mimed licking her finger and poked Ethan with a sizzling sound. ”Damn boy,” she said in her best ghetto accent. At least she didn’t have that bad an accent, just the ‘o’s that seemed out of place. Sitting back, she swirled around her soda, thinking of how her boyfriend had actually been a player. And yet that didn’t stop her from agreeing to go out with him, once she realized what that meant. And she didn’t regret it. She tried not to focus on his past flings, so she could trust him. The Brittney incident should have proved his fidelity, but then the incident she’d rather not give a name to happened. Now she was determined to trust him, despite the rumors she ignored anyway. Her mind’s focus still completely on Ethan, Nell said, ”I wish I could see you perform. I’ll paint my face and bring pom poms.” She giggled as she said this, even though with her Ethan could never be too sure what she would do. ”I’m sure you don’t give yourself enough credit,” she said sincerely. Then he asked if she’d seen any shows, and she shook her head. ”No. It would be nice to go there someday.” Don’t let your thoughts go there. But, inevitably they wound up back to the trial and the fact that she would be in New York, just not for Summerstage.
Nell rolled her eys and waved a hand in front of her face. ”Tell me about it,” she said as if wholly exasperated. ”Though I have to say, it was mostly fishing my friends’ heads out of toilets and reassuring them that there isn’t a madman outside with a chainsaw whenever a motorcycle drove by.” She was ironically the straight-edge one, though she did drink sometimes. Last time she got hammered, though, ended up with more than enough bumps and bruises for her liking. She laughed at Ethan’s words and said, ”I think having talking animal sidekicks is very appealing. And you can just sing randomly and no one will even care.” His added comment had her nodding, and thinking again. She didn’t want to think. After graduation, there wouldn’t be college. She could be optimistic with everything else, but when you’re facing the government machine and a family that has so influence it can lie without anyone giving a second though, the prospects were bleak. Even if papa gets that George Glass lawyer, it’s not like all of America doesn’t already hate me.
As usual, she shook the thoughts away and hoped they would disappear when Ethan spoke of living in the present. His last statement made her straighten up however, and tilting her head, she asked, ”What about it freaks you out?” She wondered if it was anything particular on his mind or if it was just the general idea that made him anxious. Picking pepperoni off her…well, she lost count by now, she thought about stalling for even more time for the trial. No, it’s not gonna happen. The fear was a coiled snake in her stomach. Nell laughed again at Ethan. ”It’s not for everyone.” That was true. School wasn’t big with everyone, and so some chose to leave the Academy without going to college. Nothing wrong with that. Nell didn’t reveal anything when he asked his next question even though it struck hard in her gut, and she guessed that everyone wore a mask. ”Yeah, I do. I mean, I came to the Academy so late it feels like I really haven’t learned as much as I can. Besides, I’d hate to leave this place. It’s like home.” She was sure that it was the same for Ethan, for all elementals really. But she’d have to leave. And there was the word that came floating back that could have so many good connotations that just made her think bad things—forever. Forever for her was a fate behind bars.
|
|