((Conceptually, the natural world was anathema to the sound of a mechanical future.))
Their band was Beyond Human, after all. Did that not imply that they were beyond nature, as well? That Mother Earth had her run, and sure, she'd done a decent enough job at it up to this point, but it was time to step aside and let the people with a vision take control? Every sound ringing out exactly as intended, timed right to the millisecond. Perfection bordering on sterility.
Why, then, did he find the riverside a constant source of comfort and inspiration? Was it the simple truth that he was human, was natural, and could never escape his origins despite his delusions of grandeur? Or perhaps it was because the river - because nature itself carried its own strange form of perfection? A river was a river no matter what metric you applied to it. It just was. The soothing sounds created by the water weren't part of any elaborate design, they just happened, because those were the sounds water made. Because they couldn't conceivably have been anything different, and there was no reason for them to be different.
Perhaps nature had been perfect before humanity had thrust their perceptions of imperfection upon it, irrevocably changing the world.
Perhaps Alexander Brooke's thoughts were just extremely pretentious, but at least he could take comfort in the fact that he was thinking. He sighed, idly adjusting his dark sunglasses. He felt like there'd been a workable point, somewhere in there. Perfection being marred by false claims of imperfection could be a passable core for a song. He'd have to figure out what the hell he was trying to actually say before he floated it by the band, though.
He sat on his favorite bench on the foot bridge, Montague sitting patiently in front of him. Alexander had come here often enough that his faithful guide dog knew exactly where to lead him - about the halfway point, where you were furthest from shore and most isolated from any passerby. His phone vibrated, and he pressed it to his ear - the friendly robotic voice informed him that his father would be busy with his errands around the waterfront for a while longer, so there was no rush for him to head back. Good.
He breathed. Felt the cool breeze. Listened to the water pass by. Idly patted Montague's head. Let the natural world carry him away for a while.
All the Power in the Universe Conspires to Carry You
To some people, teenagers were like ants - always scurrying around, showing up where you least expected them to. As a teenager with a particularly loose set of boundaries, Ross Miller saw where the comparison might apply. He often found himself bored, and would slip his shoes on, making his way down some street, or on some path. Occasionally he'd go to the mall to people-watch, other times he'd end up at the zoo to check out the animals.
The thought had occurred to him that the two activities had a lot more in common than he'd first realized.
((Ross Miller continued from Reveries))
Today was more of the same for Ross. He'd gotten bored at home, slipped on his shoes, and tossed on the tunes, letting his body roll on autopilot, unsure of where he'd end up today. Ariana was in the city visiting her mother, and his parents were out at some barbeque that he had approximately zero interest in, so a good old-fashioned wander seemed like a great way to kill some time.
It was nice, he thought to himself, that as of late, his wandering had lessened. Being in a relationship was a brand new thing that he was discovering perks to each day, the most of which was that he almost never felt very lonely anymore. It was actually kind of nice to feel in-demand, and he continually smacked himself for never putting much effort into the dating game until just now. Of course, that was barely even true. The dating game was one that continued to perplex him, considering that he and Ari had gotten together by fluke coincidence. Still, it felt really nice not to have to worry as much about having to put himself together to impress everyone. He only really needed to impress one person, and for her, it felt like he didn't need to try that hard. It was cool.
So as he strode down the man-made boardwalk path in front of the river, he had a bit of a bounce to his step. Things were good - hell, they were really good. He was feeling like he had a bit more of a purpose these days, and with high school winding down, he was able to look back and feel like he'd actually acquitted himself pretty well, all things considered. Even his ill-fated run for president the year before was a pretty neat feather in his cap. He didn't win, of course, but there was a big part of him that hadn't wanted to. It was a lot of responsibility and wasn't something that someone as laid-back as he would probably take all that well to.
Besides, it wasn't like he was going to be the one to derail the Nathan Coleman Presidential train. Ross smiled to himself as he passed by a few empty benches, enjoying the cool breeze that was coming in from the river. There weren't a whole lot of people that were out and about today only a couple of cyclists and an elderly couple that he'd passed a few minutes back. He was coming up upon the middle of the pathway, so he wasn't exactly shocked that the populace was beginning to thin out. As he rounded the bend, his eyes came upon a bit of an unusual sight - seated on one of the benches looking out at the river was a well-dressed teenager staring out at the water.
Or at least, Ross figured he would be, if he could see.
If the guide dog seated in front of him was a hint, the dark glasses he wore were a dead giveaway. Of course, Ross knew the identity of the boy seated on the bench; the music that his band played wasn't exactly Ross' cup of tea, but he'd seen them play a couple of times. They put on a good show, and there was a degree of novelty about the fact that they had a blind vocalist, but that was about all he knew about the teen.
Perhaps it was his new relationship with Ariana that was spurring him on, but Ross suddenly found himself intrigued by the kid on the bench. What was he doing here? What was he staring at? How did he perceive the world, and the future? The curiousity bug had bitten him. Ariana was never one to shy away from talking to anyone - stranger or otherwise, and so perhaps he'd take a page out of her book. Slowing his pace as he approached the bench, he took the headphones out of his ears and stopped a few feet to Alexander's left, hopeful that he wouldn't startle the kid, who obviously wouldn't have seen him coming.
"Hey, Alexander." He glanced down at the guide dog in front of him, who was giving him an inquisitive glance. "Hell of a day we're having, huh?"
Ugh. Conversations were hard, and Ross felt like an idiot. It was a beautiful day, but Alexander wouldn't be able to see that. Feel it, maybe. He mentally chastised himself some more. Thankfully for him, Alexander couldn't see the grimace he made after he made the comment.
Hopefully he wouldn't notice, or take offense.
The thought had occurred to him that the two activities had a lot more in common than he'd first realized.
((Ross Miller continued from Reveries))
Today was more of the same for Ross. He'd gotten bored at home, slipped on his shoes, and tossed on the tunes, letting his body roll on autopilot, unsure of where he'd end up today. Ariana was in the city visiting her mother, and his parents were out at some barbeque that he had approximately zero interest in, so a good old-fashioned wander seemed like a great way to kill some time.
It was nice, he thought to himself, that as of late, his wandering had lessened. Being in a relationship was a brand new thing that he was discovering perks to each day, the most of which was that he almost never felt very lonely anymore. It was actually kind of nice to feel in-demand, and he continually smacked himself for never putting much effort into the dating game until just now. Of course, that was barely even true. The dating game was one that continued to perplex him, considering that he and Ari had gotten together by fluke coincidence. Still, it felt really nice not to have to worry as much about having to put himself together to impress everyone. He only really needed to impress one person, and for her, it felt like he didn't need to try that hard. It was cool.
So as he strode down the man-made boardwalk path in front of the river, he had a bit of a bounce to his step. Things were good - hell, they were really good. He was feeling like he had a bit more of a purpose these days, and with high school winding down, he was able to look back and feel like he'd actually acquitted himself pretty well, all things considered. Even his ill-fated run for president the year before was a pretty neat feather in his cap. He didn't win, of course, but there was a big part of him that hadn't wanted to. It was a lot of responsibility and wasn't something that someone as laid-back as he would probably take all that well to.
Besides, it wasn't like he was going to be the one to derail the Nathan Coleman Presidential train. Ross smiled to himself as he passed by a few empty benches, enjoying the cool breeze that was coming in from the river. There weren't a whole lot of people that were out and about today only a couple of cyclists and an elderly couple that he'd passed a few minutes back. He was coming up upon the middle of the pathway, so he wasn't exactly shocked that the populace was beginning to thin out. As he rounded the bend, his eyes came upon a bit of an unusual sight - seated on one of the benches looking out at the river was a well-dressed teenager staring out at the water.
Or at least, Ross figured he would be, if he could see.
If the guide dog seated in front of him was a hint, the dark glasses he wore were a dead giveaway. Of course, Ross knew the identity of the boy seated on the bench; the music that his band played wasn't exactly Ross' cup of tea, but he'd seen them play a couple of times. They put on a good show, and there was a degree of novelty about the fact that they had a blind vocalist, but that was about all he knew about the teen.
Perhaps it was his new relationship with Ariana that was spurring him on, but Ross suddenly found himself intrigued by the kid on the bench. What was he doing here? What was he staring at? How did he perceive the world, and the future? The curiousity bug had bitten him. Ariana was never one to shy away from talking to anyone - stranger or otherwise, and so perhaps he'd take a page out of her book. Slowing his pace as he approached the bench, he took the headphones out of his ears and stopped a few feet to Alexander's left, hopeful that he wouldn't startle the kid, who obviously wouldn't have seen him coming.
"Hey, Alexander." He glanced down at the guide dog in front of him, who was giving him an inquisitive glance. "Hell of a day we're having, huh?"
Ugh. Conversations were hard, and Ross felt like an idiot. It was a beautiful day, but Alexander wouldn't be able to see that. Feel it, maybe. He mentally chastised himself some more. Thankfully for him, Alexander couldn't see the grimace he made after he made the comment.
Hopefully he wouldn't notice, or take offense.
Someone was walking by, the wooden boardwalk creaking slightly as they approached. This normally wouldn't have distracted Alexander from his quiet contemplation, but then the footsteps stopped near the bench, the absence of sound heralding a new presence. He would've sighed, if he didn't care about being obviously rude. All he could do was brace himself for 'Can I pet your dog's, or even worse, people who had the correct combination of courage and callousness to skip directly to harassing Montague.
Thankfully, the newcomer just seemed like he wanted to talk; even if his voice didn't sound like anyone Alexander recognized. The man knew his name, but that didn't mean much. Most people from George Hunter knew of him, which led to some of them treating him with a distressing amount of familiarity - even more pronounced than it used to be, given that Montague had been assisting him in school for almost a year. It seemed very hard for anyone to miss a dog on campus.
"I suppose so," Alexander said for a lack of anything else to say. The man's statement was frustratingly ambiguous - was he talking about the pleasant weather? The school election? Some disaster in the news he'd somehow missed? For that matter, how did he even feel about... whatever he was talking about? "Hell of" could easily have positive or negative connotations, and he didn't have nearly enough context to figure it out.
There was a silence. It wasn't Alexander's fault, but he decided to fill it, regardless. "Should I know you from anywhere?" Hopefully that'd give the conversation some actual direction.
Thankfully, the newcomer just seemed like he wanted to talk; even if his voice didn't sound like anyone Alexander recognized. The man knew his name, but that didn't mean much. Most people from George Hunter knew of him, which led to some of them treating him with a distressing amount of familiarity - even more pronounced than it used to be, given that Montague had been assisting him in school for almost a year. It seemed very hard for anyone to miss a dog on campus.
"I suppose so," Alexander said for a lack of anything else to say. The man's statement was frustratingly ambiguous - was he talking about the pleasant weather? The school election? Some disaster in the news he'd somehow missed? For that matter, how did he even feel about... whatever he was talking about? "Hell of" could easily have positive or negative connotations, and he didn't have nearly enough context to figure it out.
There was a silence. It wasn't Alexander's fault, but he decided to fill it, regardless. "Should I know you from anywhere?" Hopefully that'd give the conversation some actual direction.
Oh, dude - DUDE. Way to not identify yourself to the person who can't see you. Ross clenched his eyes shut and grimaced to himself as Alexander dryly inquired to as his identity. It was a great idea, in theory: have a friendly conversation with a classmate that he didn't know all that well. Of course, he was sure making a mess of things to start with, wasn't he?
It was amazing he'd managed to make it this far in life.
"Oh, uh, right. Sorry, man. It's Ross Miller. I don't think we've ever met, but we've had a couple of classes together. I've seen your band play a few times." Ross paused, and looked out onto the river. As far as Alexander was concerned, Ross could very well have been a total anonymous kid that he'd never have had reason to cross paths with.
And yet, here they stood. Or sat. Or whatever.
"Oh, and I ran for student council last year. Didn't really turn out my way, but it's all good, you know? Got to say that I did."
Another awkward silence was born from the new information, and Ross wasn't really sure what the point was to all of this. Perhaps it was the extrovert within him, and perhaps it was the feeling that he hadn't necessarily taken full advantage of the social opportunities that high school had afforded him, but as of late, Ross Miller had seemingly found a newfound confidence within himself. A confidence which made him curious about those around him - about the people that he had spent the last four years floating within similar orbits to.
People like Alexander Brooke.
"You come out here often? It's a really nice spot." Which of course, he'd totally appreciate since he could SEE IT AND ALL. Another mental facepalm. "You really get the best of both worlds. River in the front, forest in the back. Probably a nice place to sit and relax."
Relaxation - of course, which Ross was disturbing. He gave his head a shake once more. Ariana would have given him a smack for being such a bundle of nerves and awkwardness. Hopefully Alexander wouldn't consider doing the same.
It was amazing he'd managed to make it this far in life.
"Oh, uh, right. Sorry, man. It's Ross Miller. I don't think we've ever met, but we've had a couple of classes together. I've seen your band play a few times." Ross paused, and looked out onto the river. As far as Alexander was concerned, Ross could very well have been a total anonymous kid that he'd never have had reason to cross paths with.
And yet, here they stood. Or sat. Or whatever.
"Oh, and I ran for student council last year. Didn't really turn out my way, but it's all good, you know? Got to say that I did."
Another awkward silence was born from the new information, and Ross wasn't really sure what the point was to all of this. Perhaps it was the extrovert within him, and perhaps it was the feeling that he hadn't necessarily taken full advantage of the social opportunities that high school had afforded him, but as of late, Ross Miller had seemingly found a newfound confidence within himself. A confidence which made him curious about those around him - about the people that he had spent the last four years floating within similar orbits to.
People like Alexander Brooke.
"You come out here often? It's a really nice spot." Which of course, he'd totally appreciate since he could SEE IT AND ALL. Another mental facepalm. "You really get the best of both worlds. River in the front, forest in the back. Probably a nice place to sit and relax."
Relaxation - of course, which Ross was disturbing. He gave his head a shake once more. Ariana would have given him a smack for being such a bundle of nerves and awkwardness. Hopefully Alexander wouldn't consider doing the same.
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Somersault
- Posts: 312
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:56 am
Kelly Nguyen - Pregame START
Honestly, the past few weeks of Kelly's life had not been going amazingly, but she was going to remain optimistic about it. Sure, maybe Demetri somehow became the one in charge of the yearbook, and sure, maybe there was a gigantic influx of new animals at the shelter that she now had to assist with, but she could deal with that stress. At the very least, she could try, until her eyes were red and her smile threatening to crack at the edges. As long as she focused on that possibility, then she would be able to get through this week. And the next. And then the one after that. Ithaca, Cornell, success. All good.
As long as the sun was still shining, then she was going to remain as bright as it. Having set out that morning with her sunglasses on her head and a purse full of money, Kelly left home with a wave and a hop in her step, trying to will herself not to worry about assignment deadlines and lost presidencies. Just like that cute cat in those inspiration posters, she was going to hang in there.
Besides, weekends were ostensibly meant for relaxing, weren't they? That word had periodically lost it's meaning for her from time to time, but still, it lingered. Almost in her grap. Now, she was going to take it, hold it, and treasure it. Maybe it wasn't a memory that deserved to be immortalized, but the sky shining above still gave Kelly a lightness of heart that she longed to keep.
She was still musing on that as she continued to make her way to the footbridge, before she noticed two people in the distance. Two people who she thought she knew from George Hunter. Two people that she was most definitely going to pass by.
The grip on her purse strap tightened just a bit.
Polite and friendly, though, that's what Kelly had to be, that's what she was known around school for, and so she put on her friendliest smile and walked with her back straight as she approached the pair, squinting her eyes to see if she could make the people out any more clearly.
Sunglasses, blond hair, and - oh, a guide dog! That was what she always noticed. That meant Alexander Brooke was just up ahead, and the guy next to him was none other than Ross...something. It felt as if it was at the edge of her tongue, and could have sworn she had seen him in the hallways, even maybe spoke to him in class sometimes, but her mind was just coming up blank as to what his last name was. It wasn't too important at the moment, though, and Kelly guessed she could just go search him up on Facebook. Still stung, though. She tried to make it a point to remember everyone.
There was time for sulking over that later though, because now there was conversation to be had. Waving as she began to approach the pair, she tried to introduce herself in as charming a manner as possible.
"Hi! Hope I'm not interrupting anything too important. Finding the weather nice?"
That had to work as an icebreaker, right? Nothing more pleasant at this very moment than the Chattanooga sun.
Honestly, the past few weeks of Kelly's life had not been going amazingly, but she was going to remain optimistic about it. Sure, maybe Demetri somehow became the one in charge of the yearbook, and sure, maybe there was a gigantic influx of new animals at the shelter that she now had to assist with, but she could deal with that stress. At the very least, she could try, until her eyes were red and her smile threatening to crack at the edges. As long as she focused on that possibility, then she would be able to get through this week. And the next. And then the one after that. Ithaca, Cornell, success. All good.
As long as the sun was still shining, then she was going to remain as bright as it. Having set out that morning with her sunglasses on her head and a purse full of money, Kelly left home with a wave and a hop in her step, trying to will herself not to worry about assignment deadlines and lost presidencies. Just like that cute cat in those inspiration posters, she was going to hang in there.
Besides, weekends were ostensibly meant for relaxing, weren't they? That word had periodically lost it's meaning for her from time to time, but still, it lingered. Almost in her grap. Now, she was going to take it, hold it, and treasure it. Maybe it wasn't a memory that deserved to be immortalized, but the sky shining above still gave Kelly a lightness of heart that she longed to keep.
She was still musing on that as she continued to make her way to the footbridge, before she noticed two people in the distance. Two people who she thought she knew from George Hunter. Two people that she was most definitely going to pass by.
The grip on her purse strap tightened just a bit.
Polite and friendly, though, that's what Kelly had to be, that's what she was known around school for, and so she put on her friendliest smile and walked with her back straight as she approached the pair, squinting her eyes to see if she could make the people out any more clearly.
Sunglasses, blond hair, and - oh, a guide dog! That was what she always noticed. That meant Alexander Brooke was just up ahead, and the guy next to him was none other than Ross...something. It felt as if it was at the edge of her tongue, and could have sworn she had seen him in the hallways, even maybe spoke to him in class sometimes, but her mind was just coming up blank as to what his last name was. It wasn't too important at the moment, though, and Kelly guessed she could just go search him up on Facebook. Still stung, though. She tried to make it a point to remember everyone.
There was time for sulking over that later though, because now there was conversation to be had. Waving as she began to approach the pair, she tried to introduce herself in as charming a manner as possible.
"Hi! Hope I'm not interrupting anything too important. Finding the weather nice?"
That had to work as an icebreaker, right? Nothing more pleasant at this very moment than the Chattanooga sun.
"It is. I find that sitting and listening to the water for a while helps when I'm struggling to come up with new material for the band," Alexander said once Ross finally left him an opening that was long enough to exploit. The man had an irritating habit of branching off into a new tangent before Alexander could properly react to the previous topic. Did he take Alexander's brief silences as sign that he was disengaged from the conversation, when he was actually trying to take a moment to form a meaningful response? Was he floundering and trying to save what he saw as a failing interaction, then? Or did he just like the sound of his own voice? Too soon to tell. At least he had ambition, if he wasn't overplaying his bid at the student council. Alexander had never cared much about school politics, but he respected the people who did.
Before their conversation could take any further steps towards being meaningful, they were joined by a new, also unfamiliar voice. Alexander wanted to sigh. He didn't, because these people weren't doing anything wrong, and you never knew what connections you could form from a chance encounter, whether it be in the world of business or your ordinary life. He just wished this encounter hadn't come at the price of his precious riverside time.
"No, we're just chatting. Beautiful day, yes." He hoped the woman had more to contribute to the conversation than trite observations about the weather.
Before their conversation could take any further steps towards being meaningful, they were joined by a new, also unfamiliar voice. Alexander wanted to sigh. He didn't, because these people weren't doing anything wrong, and you never knew what connections you could form from a chance encounter, whether it be in the world of business or your ordinary life. He just wished this encounter hadn't come at the price of his precious riverside time.
"No, we're just chatting. Beautiful day, yes." He hoped the woman had more to contribute to the conversation than trite observations about the weather.
Ross nodded along as Alexander confirmed what was readily apparent - he came to listen. Not to his jabbering, of course, but to listen to the sounds of nature, to probably get his mind off of whatever was ailing him. Like Ross himself might throw himself on the couch and shut down to Netflix for a few hours, he couldn't imagine that would have been a very appealing passtime for someone who couldn't see. He had so many questions that he could have asked, so much that would have been appropriate had they been friends and had known each other, but this was neither the time nor the place to ask them. He wasn't about to give the third degree to someone he'd just met about their disability. That'd be like going to a police officer and asking them if they'd ever shot their gun before.
He wasn't a child anymore; he knew how to socialize better than that.
Or so he thought, he grimaced as he realized that he'd done almost exactly that as he'd shown up.
He opened his mouth in response, but was cut off by a new arrival: a familiar face, to boot. Kelly Nguyen wasn't the most popular girl in school, but if he had to put down a ranking on paper, she'd probably at least be on the periphery of the list. Her arrival actually relaxed Ross a little bit; Kelly was good people, and they'd shared a few classes, attended a few of the same parties. She was amicable and good-natured, if not a bit of a try-hard at times, but he could forgive that as just ambition. As she approached, he threw up a hand in greeting, a casual half-wave to indicate the lack of serious tones in the conversation.
"Oh, hey Kelly." As she made her way towards the duo, Alexander acknowledged her greeting in kind, though he lacked the same kind of enthusiasm in his voice that Kelly did in hers. Ross didn't suppose that Alexander was a particularly extroverted sort, but he didn't up and tell them to go away, so that was something. He didn't offer much in return to Kelly, so Ross decided that he'd take a stab at filling the dead air.
"Yeah, was just out for a walk and saw Alexander over here, figured I'd say hey." He paused, taking a second to try and read Alexander's facial expression - he got nothing. The boy was a tough read. He glanced back at the more upbeat Kelly. "Might as well enjoy it while it's still mild. I'm hearing it's supposed to be a hot summer. Probably a busy one too, since I'm sure everyone's off to college and shit. You guys leaving the city?"
He was genuinely curious. Part of his motivation in speaking to people was to see if anyone familiar would be attending the same schools that he would. Ross hadn't yet been offered acceptance anywhere, but he knew he'd be finding out any day now, and while it wasn't exactly weighing on him, it would be neat to see if any of his cohorts would be wandering around in the fall.
Any of his cohorts; any of his enemies, too. Not that he had any, but... you never knew, in high school.
He wasn't a child anymore; he knew how to socialize better than that.
Or so he thought, he grimaced as he realized that he'd done almost exactly that as he'd shown up.
He opened his mouth in response, but was cut off by a new arrival: a familiar face, to boot. Kelly Nguyen wasn't the most popular girl in school, but if he had to put down a ranking on paper, she'd probably at least be on the periphery of the list. Her arrival actually relaxed Ross a little bit; Kelly was good people, and they'd shared a few classes, attended a few of the same parties. She was amicable and good-natured, if not a bit of a try-hard at times, but he could forgive that as just ambition. As she approached, he threw up a hand in greeting, a casual half-wave to indicate the lack of serious tones in the conversation.
"Oh, hey Kelly." As she made her way towards the duo, Alexander acknowledged her greeting in kind, though he lacked the same kind of enthusiasm in his voice that Kelly did in hers. Ross didn't suppose that Alexander was a particularly extroverted sort, but he didn't up and tell them to go away, so that was something. He didn't offer much in return to Kelly, so Ross decided that he'd take a stab at filling the dead air.
"Yeah, was just out for a walk and saw Alexander over here, figured I'd say hey." He paused, taking a second to try and read Alexander's facial expression - he got nothing. The boy was a tough read. He glanced back at the more upbeat Kelly. "Might as well enjoy it while it's still mild. I'm hearing it's supposed to be a hot summer. Probably a busy one too, since I'm sure everyone's off to college and shit. You guys leaving the city?"
He was genuinely curious. Part of his motivation in speaking to people was to see if anyone familiar would be attending the same schools that he would. Ross hadn't yet been offered acceptance anywhere, but he knew he'd be finding out any day now, and while it wasn't exactly weighing on him, it would be neat to see if any of his cohorts would be wandering around in the fall.
Any of his cohorts; any of his enemies, too. Not that he had any, but... you never knew, in high school.
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Somersault
- Posts: 312
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:56 am
Oh. Now someone certainly didn't sound like a happy camper.
Despite that initial setback, she kept her smile on and continued to approach the pair. Maybe the disinterest evident in Alexander's voice would have dissuaded a lesser person, or at least a less determined person, but Kelly was neither, and so she pressed on. She had already made her bed, and not it was time to speak to it. Backing out of this conversation would only mean potential future awkwardness, which meant the only solution was to press on and turn that frown upside-down. At the very least, maybe the presence of Ross would help this conversation become a bit more pleasant. At least he was waving. At least he was trying to put on the airs of a decent conversation. She could work with that. She just couldn't work with nothing.
There was a time to be passive-aggressive, though, and that time wasn't now. Honestly, in most cases, she would've been totally up for some pleasant weekend conversation, but a girl also had to have some alone time. Didn't seem like she was gonna be getting that any time soon, so perhaps it was best to just go and shoot the breeze. Simple enough.
Seeing as it seemed Ross was the one other person who really seemed invested in this present conversation, she turned to him. Thankfully, college was an easy enough topic to respond too. Not many (if any) social landmines to avoid, a shared interest, it had all the makings of a good topic to chat about. Besides, it would be very easy to just continue speaking without really saying anything.
"Well, I'll be doing a bit more than leaving the city." She put on a bashful smile, just so it didn't look as if she was relishing the opportunity to take off for Cornell. Not that Chattanooga was great, it really was, but college meant new beginnings, a new chance for her to pursue the things that she loved above all else. That was worth smiling about. "I'm gonna be leaving the state, in fact! Cornell awaits me."
Saying the words out was reassuring. It confirmed her future in her mind, only waiting for her to reach out and take it. Enough about herself, though. It was time to go find out about some other people's educational prospections.
"What about you guys, though?" Kelly asked, brushing her hair out of her face. "Staying in Chattanooga, or leaving the nest?"
Despite that initial setback, she kept her smile on and continued to approach the pair. Maybe the disinterest evident in Alexander's voice would have dissuaded a lesser person, or at least a less determined person, but Kelly was neither, and so she pressed on. She had already made her bed, and not it was time to speak to it. Backing out of this conversation would only mean potential future awkwardness, which meant the only solution was to press on and turn that frown upside-down. At the very least, maybe the presence of Ross would help this conversation become a bit more pleasant. At least he was waving. At least he was trying to put on the airs of a decent conversation. She could work with that. She just couldn't work with nothing.
There was a time to be passive-aggressive, though, and that time wasn't now. Honestly, in most cases, she would've been totally up for some pleasant weekend conversation, but a girl also had to have some alone time. Didn't seem like she was gonna be getting that any time soon, so perhaps it was best to just go and shoot the breeze. Simple enough.
Seeing as it seemed Ross was the one other person who really seemed invested in this present conversation, she turned to him. Thankfully, college was an easy enough topic to respond too. Not many (if any) social landmines to avoid, a shared interest, it had all the makings of a good topic to chat about. Besides, it would be very easy to just continue speaking without really saying anything.
"Well, I'll be doing a bit more than leaving the city." She put on a bashful smile, just so it didn't look as if she was relishing the opportunity to take off for Cornell. Not that Chattanooga was great, it really was, but college meant new beginnings, a new chance for her to pursue the things that she loved above all else. That was worth smiling about. "I'm gonna be leaving the state, in fact! Cornell awaits me."
Saying the words out was reassuring. It confirmed her future in her mind, only waiting for her to reach out and take it. Enough about herself, though. It was time to go find out about some other people's educational prospections.
"What about you guys, though?" Kelly asked, brushing her hair out of her face. "Staying in Chattanooga, or leaving the nest?"
Ah, another classmate. Still unfamiliar, but a classmate nevertheless. Alexander could work with this. He silently thanked Ross for immediately using the girl's name, though it obviously hadn't been for his sake. Having to mentally refer to people by their pronouns alone always irritated him.
At last, the conversation was becoming something of substance. Alexander gave a single, serious nod in response to Kelly's mention of her Ivy League future. "Congratulations." He couldn't muster the energy to sound excited for a stranger's achievement, but her effort obviously deserved respect, so he hoped his response didn't come across as apathetic or disingenuous; especially as she had the decency to avoid making a display of her success.
"I'll be leaving as well, heading for the University of Texas." Even though cost hadn't been an issue, Alexander had still spent many nights on his search for higher education. For the first time in his life, he had been given full responsibility of a choice that would affect the entire course of his future - it could hardly be made on a whim. UT Austin had prevailed in the end, being rated highly for both the quality of its education and the accessibility of its campus. He hoped Montague would settle well into his new home. He hoped the band-shaped hole in his life wouldn't hurt an unreasonable amount. He had enough to worry about, and being glum wouldn't help anybody.
"I'm majoring in business - how about you two?" Too late, he realized his mistake. Ross hadn't confirmed that he was even attending college, yet. Oh well. Even if it turned out to be a faux pas, he seemed the forgiving type.
At last, the conversation was becoming something of substance. Alexander gave a single, serious nod in response to Kelly's mention of her Ivy League future. "Congratulations." He couldn't muster the energy to sound excited for a stranger's achievement, but her effort obviously deserved respect, so he hoped his response didn't come across as apathetic or disingenuous; especially as she had the decency to avoid making a display of her success.
"I'll be leaving as well, heading for the University of Texas." Even though cost hadn't been an issue, Alexander had still spent many nights on his search for higher education. For the first time in his life, he had been given full responsibility of a choice that would affect the entire course of his future - it could hardly be made on a whim. UT Austin had prevailed in the end, being rated highly for both the quality of its education and the accessibility of its campus. He hoped Montague would settle well into his new home. He hoped the band-shaped hole in his life wouldn't hurt an unreasonable amount. He had enough to worry about, and being glum wouldn't help anybody.
"I'm majoring in business - how about you two?" Too late, he realized his mistake. Ross hadn't confirmed that he was even attending college, yet. Oh well. Even if it turned out to be a faux pas, he seemed the forgiving type.
"Cornell? Wow, nice."
Admittedly, Ross was impressed. Particularly when it came to the other two's schools of choice. He wasn't altogether shocked that Kelly was heading to a school with a reputation like Cornell, but that fit his general impression he had of her. She was to be a girl with good grades, a good demeanour, and a good education. A classic under-the-radar overachiever, if that made any sense. As far as Alexander went, though...
"Texas, huh? Hope you like giant steaks." He flashed a grin at Alexander, which quickly fell away as he once again caught on to the fact that the boy couldn't see it. Ugh. It sometimes felt like he'd trip over his own feet while sitting down if it were possible. As the smile fell away, Ross realized that it was his turn to share.
He wished that he had something impressive to say.
"Uh, well..." He trailed off, trying to think of the best way to put it. "I've got a few schools that I'm waiting to hear back from, but I'm not," another pause, "uh, I'm not sure where I'm really going to go yet."
But that wasn't the whole bit, either.
"Or, uh... or what I'm actually going to do with my life!"
Ross threw up his hands in mock frustration, though he tossed on a smirk and shrugged as he let his hands fall limply to his sides. His future was something that was fairly up in the air to him, and while he envied Ariana for having a goal, a plan of action, he just couldn't decide what to devote the entirety of his life to.
"I've got a couple of schools scattered around that I'm still waiting to hear back from. Honestly, sticking around with the fam wouldn't be a bad thing, but... the appeal to leaving town; honestly, I get it. I even have an application in at a Canadian university, just for the heck of it. Leaving the country doesn't sound like the worst idea these days, anyhow."
Pursing his lips, he couldn't help but inquire how his peers had managed to discover the one thing that he hadn't yet - and so naturally, he asked.
"How'd you guys do it, by the way?" Ross clarified. "Figure out what you wanted to do, I mean. It's fuckin' tough."
Admittedly, Ross was impressed. Particularly when it came to the other two's schools of choice. He wasn't altogether shocked that Kelly was heading to a school with a reputation like Cornell, but that fit his general impression he had of her. She was to be a girl with good grades, a good demeanour, and a good education. A classic under-the-radar overachiever, if that made any sense. As far as Alexander went, though...
"Texas, huh? Hope you like giant steaks." He flashed a grin at Alexander, which quickly fell away as he once again caught on to the fact that the boy couldn't see it. Ugh. It sometimes felt like he'd trip over his own feet while sitting down if it were possible. As the smile fell away, Ross realized that it was his turn to share.
He wished that he had something impressive to say.
"Uh, well..." He trailed off, trying to think of the best way to put it. "I've got a few schools that I'm waiting to hear back from, but I'm not," another pause, "uh, I'm not sure where I'm really going to go yet."
But that wasn't the whole bit, either.
"Or, uh... or what I'm actually going to do with my life!"
Ross threw up his hands in mock frustration, though he tossed on a smirk and shrugged as he let his hands fall limply to his sides. His future was something that was fairly up in the air to him, and while he envied Ariana for having a goal, a plan of action, he just couldn't decide what to devote the entirety of his life to.
"I've got a couple of schools scattered around that I'm still waiting to hear back from. Honestly, sticking around with the fam wouldn't be a bad thing, but... the appeal to leaving town; honestly, I get it. I even have an application in at a Canadian university, just for the heck of it. Leaving the country doesn't sound like the worst idea these days, anyhow."
Pursing his lips, he couldn't help but inquire how his peers had managed to discover the one thing that he hadn't yet - and so naturally, he asked.
"How'd you guys do it, by the way?" Ross clarified. "Figure out what you wanted to do, I mean. It's fuckin' tough."
((Double-posting to exit.))
The words had no sooner gotten out of Ross' mouth than his phone started going off. To his chagrin, he'd forgotten to put his device on silent mode, so the stock Android ringtone loudly blaring through the clearing took him by surprise. His face going as red as his hair, Ross pulled the phone from his pocket and glanced at the caller ID - it was Ariana. That was a surprise. Holding a hand up to the two in front of him (and mentally smacking himself - Alexander wouldn't be able to see it), he answered the call.
"Hey Ari, what's u-"
The voice on the other end of the phone cut him off, his expression instantly fell, but not in annoyance, in concern.
"Wait, what? They locked you down?"
Ross waited for a moment, his eyes flickering with surprise.
"Oh fuck, yeah, no - I'll come over right away. Yeah, okay. Bye."
Looking at his phone for a moment, he grimaced. Evidently, the visit to her mother had been a little bit more eventful than she'd anticipated, and she was most definitely going to need to blow off some steam. That could mean getting vented to. It could also mean angry sex.
Ross was on board with both of those things.
Looking up at the other two, he shrugged in apology.
"Hey guys, I'm really sorry. Gotta run. It was really good talking to you both! I'll see you around!"
Stuffing the phone back into his pocket, Ross Miller turned and went back the way he came, both excited to see his girlfriend and a little uneasy at hearing the details of her unusual trip to prison.
((Ross Miller continued in Pro Tools for Dummies))
The words had no sooner gotten out of Ross' mouth than his phone started going off. To his chagrin, he'd forgotten to put his device on silent mode, so the stock Android ringtone loudly blaring through the clearing took him by surprise. His face going as red as his hair, Ross pulled the phone from his pocket and glanced at the caller ID - it was Ariana. That was a surprise. Holding a hand up to the two in front of him (and mentally smacking himself - Alexander wouldn't be able to see it), he answered the call.
"Hey Ari, what's u-"
The voice on the other end of the phone cut him off, his expression instantly fell, but not in annoyance, in concern.
"Wait, what? They locked you down?"
Ross waited for a moment, his eyes flickering with surprise.
"Oh fuck, yeah, no - I'll come over right away. Yeah, okay. Bye."
Looking at his phone for a moment, he grimaced. Evidently, the visit to her mother had been a little bit more eventful than she'd anticipated, and she was most definitely going to need to blow off some steam. That could mean getting vented to. It could also mean angry sex.
Ross was on board with both of those things.
Looking up at the other two, he shrugged in apology.
"Hey guys, I'm really sorry. Gotta run. It was really good talking to you both! I'll see you around!"
Stuffing the phone back into his pocket, Ross Miller turned and went back the way he came, both excited to see his girlfriend and a little uneasy at hearing the details of her unusual trip to prison.
((Ross Miller continued in Pro Tools for Dummies))
A few moments after Ross was summoned away, Alexander's phone began to vibrate as well. His father had finished his errands, and it was time to return home. Oh well. The conversation had been pleasant enough, but he wasn't exactly sad about getting the chance to excuse himself.
"I need to head out, too. Thanks for the conversation."
(Alexander and Montague made their way back to land.)
"I need to head out, too. Thanks for the conversation."
(Alexander and Montague made their way back to land.)
-
Somersault
- Posts: 312
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:56 am
"Oh, thanks guys! See you around."
Kelly wasn't exactly sure if she should be saying thanks, when both boys got phone-calls and made their way just like that out of the conversation, but Kelly supposed it was all for the best. She still had a lunch date to catch, after all. With a sigh, she waved them off and set off to enjoy the rest of her weekend.
((Kelly Nguyen continued elsewhere))
Kelly wasn't exactly sure if she should be saying thanks, when both boys got phone-calls and made their way just like that out of the conversation, but Kelly supposed it was all for the best. She still had a lunch date to catch, after all. With a sigh, she waved them off and set off to enjoy the rest of her weekend.
((Kelly Nguyen continued elsewhere))