Keeping it Real

The area that feeds into Aurora High is representative of the ethnic and economic diversity that makes Seattle so unique. The architecture is varied, illustrating the growth and expansion that the city has undergone. Turning a corner can lead you from townhouses and apartments to quiet tree-lined streets of modest single-family homes, while the next turn might lead you to areas of much higher or lower property values. The unifying sight in the area is the herds of students who trudge to and from the school daily.
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Keeping it Real

#1

Post by umop-ap!sdn* »

Jaq pulled off her sunglasses as she pulled the handle on her door. She lifted her knees while pushing with her elbow, putting her right hand on the door to rotate herself. Her shoes hit the ground and she leaned back to pull her phone from her jeans pocket. She scrolled down to "Scarecrow" in her contacts and punched in "here."

Standing up, she closed the door behind her, clicking the lock button on her remote as she walked away. The audible click indicated success. She casually strolled up the familiar steps to the door to wait for the answer.

Hopefully, Tim would answer and she wouldn't have to make small talk. She could just follow him to wherever they were hanging out today. Maybe Travis or somebody would be over too.

No. Weirdly, she didn't feel like hanging out with anybody else today. Maybe she didn't feel like dealing with a group. Maybe she just wanted a relaxed one-on-one hangout with somebody real. Either way, she wasn't in the mood for waiting around on a porch.
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#2

Post by RXK* »

[[Tim Tavares continued/Restart?]]

Tim had plenty of grievances with Seattle, but he did know there were good amount of people and places that often reminded him of the fact that it wasn't all bad. The friends he had were often his anchor. It was kind of a relief in a way just to know there were people that understood and saw the world the same way he did. Not so much even that as just magnifying the way he thought of himself. Things he never really thought about.

About sometimes just calming down and just being a citizen for once- he would spend so much time discussing and protesting and fighting for his cause that he hadn't been as social as he probably should have been. He'd been so involved that he had completely forgotten the prom was even coming. Anarchy and class conflict never meant he couldn't just hang out with his friends, for one. Shoot the shit; Horizontalidad essays could wait a day.

Jaquilyn's name flashed on his phone, but he had already heard her car door slam. By the time he had headed down the stairs, she was probably already on the doorstep.

Tim opened the door with the beginning of a rare smile on his face. "Hey."
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#3

Post by umop-ap!sdn* »

Jaq leaned to the side to peer through the opening door. It was Tim.

"Hey, you!"

She grinned and half barged in, play punching him in his skinny chest. She liked to be "one of the guys" around him. Most of the time, at least.

She looked around, searching for anybody else in the house she'd have to interact with. Quietly cursing herself for not looking for more other cars outside, she turned her gaze back towards Tim.

Her mouth opened to ask if anybody was home, but stopped when it sounded to much like "let's fuck" in her head. She wondered if he'd heard about her and Zubin going to prom together. Tim probably didn't care about such things though.

She turned the rest of herbody to face him as well, showing that he had her full attention now, and she was done awkwardly scanning the room.

"Whatcha up to?"
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#4

Post by RXK* »

"I'm up to a whole lot of nothing," Tim gave a mock yelp as Jaq playfully punched him in the chest. "I woke up pretty late."

Days like this didn't bring much to the table. His mother was at work, leaving Tim as pretty much the only soul in the small rowhome. He'd never been much for furnishings and they didn't really have the cash to "pimp out" any of the rooms, which was just as well by him.

Shit, my house is kind of barren.

With any other person Tim would have been a little embarrassed to open the door on. He really didn't care about his house- I don't care for fancy things, or to take part in the vicious race. But he guessed it might be a bad impression on some people- though now that he thought about it, he didn't really care about that either. Neither did Jaq- she was the kind of person that cared more about friends than social status, and he loved that about her. Tim didn't care about much in the course of socializing, but Jaq always seemed to bring a more extroverted part of himself out from the shell.

Jaquilyn is... cool. And if I blush right now, I'm going to throw myself out a window.

"Are you down for anything? Not much is happening here, but we could go hit up somewhere." Fuck, did that come out too date-y? "Or just hang around. I'm not doing much."
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#5

Post by umop-ap!sdn* »

"Are you down for anything? Not much is happening here, but we could go hit up somewhere."

She thought for a moment, wrinkling her nose at the idea of going out and dealing with people.

"Or just hang around. I'm not doing much."

That was more her speed, for now. She didn't need to go out to enjoy herself when she was with Tim, hell, it was almost distracting trying to have a conversation with the kid while doing anything else. He was, more or less, a brother really cool person. With him, she could just vent about the world, or have her mind blown by one of his ideals. When she was around Tim, she was around a down-to-earth, no-nonsense person.

"Here's fine. I don't feel like doing shit today."

Well, that didn't help the cause of finding an activity to do. She looked around, taking in the scenery of simpler living. It was nothing like her house, which was two stories, furnished by a designer, and cleaned to spotlessness. This place was REAL. There was evidence that people actually lived there, there was wear and tear. It was refreshing. Nobody would give a shit if she accidently spilled something, or left a pillow looking used and baggy.

Her mental rantings of her own home remided her of what she'd wanted to tell him. "So Papa Locke says he's gonna run again next election." She turned her gaze back to her rebel friend. "What do you think of that?"
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#6

Post by RXK* »

"Here's fine. I don't feel like doing shit today."

That was okay by Tim. Before Jaq had let him know she was coming; he really didn't have anything planned to really do during the day. Maybe at the most he would have considered going down the waterfront but he'd have all weekend to do that.

And if Jaquilyn just wanted to stay around and hang out- that was fine. In the long run they'd probably need to find some kind of timesink, but he wasn't in any sort of rush. He wasn't normally talkative, but he'd always enjoyed talking with Jaq, just shooting the shit, mostly.

"So Papa Locke says he's gonna run again next election. What do you think of that?"

It was an interesting question and a good discussion starter, but Tim knew he had to keep in mind- don't say anything stupid. He had an opinion, a strong one, not just about the election but politics in general- though he didn't necessarily have a horse in the race. He had no relatives in office, but he knew Jaq's dad was on the city council, and even though he wasn't entirely enamored with some of the stuff that the council or local government had been doing, it was still Jaq's dad. He didn't want to say anything she might take the wrong way.

Shrugging, Tim paused, choosing his words carefully. "He's not running on the Democratic ballot this time, since current mayor McGinn's running for re-election. That gives him some more freedom to change up his platform, though. I think he can do a lot if he extends his stance to a more... I 'unno, receptive sort of deal towards unions. A lot of shit has been brought up about a lot of robocalls from the last election. I feel like even though there has been some progress, the local government here still has a long way to go about, like, just general transparency, you know? Everything's still really hush-hush and a lot of stuff is still fucking hidden from the public. What do they have to hide?"

"And on a personal level: I don't really know. It seems like it could be a deal where he could be caught up with politicking so much you can lose sight of what really matters, your family." Tim had been thinking of his father abandoning him in favor of his employment and social status, and he immediately bit his tongue. That was real stupid of me. Tim and Jaq were close friends, but even so, he didn't know what the relationship was really like between Jaquilyn and her father. He didn't want to go off saying something that may not have been true. "I don't really know for sure, though. You know better than I do. I'm just... fucking speculating, I guess. Maybe he runs, maybe he doesn't. Still some time before election season, you know?"
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#7

Post by umop-ap!sdn* »

He's not running on the Democratic ballot this time, since current mayor McGinn's running for re-election. That gives him some more freedom to change up his platform, though. I think he can do a lot if he extends his stance to a more... I 'unno, receptive sort of deal towards unions.

Blah. Not exactly the down-with-the-man speech she was hoping for. Tim know politics, and if she had any real interest, what he was saying would probably be very interesting and informative.

Everything's still really hush-hush and a lot of stuff is still fucking hidden from the public. What do they have to hide?

Here it came. No more talk of strategy or party, just some young and hotheaded fight-the-power speculation.

And on a personal level: I don't really know. It seems like it could be a deal where he could be caught up with politicking so much you can lose sight of what really matters, your family.

A shockwave was sent through Jaquilyn's consciousness. He had struck a nerve like a mallet striking a base drum. Daddy wasn't running for political office, Locke was.  Daddy wasn't aiming for a seat in the house, Locke was. The more she separated the two characters the more devastating it was to realize they were one in the same.

He'd always hosted barbecues for their neighbors, acting as a perfect host, and never forgetting a name. Every hand of a guest at the Locke estate held either a sandwich type food cooked by himself or a martini. Every head was topped with designer sunglasses or a cap boasting the name of a prestigious school. And every ass was all but kissed.

Jaq had thought of him as the nicest of nice guys until overhearing her parents talk about them once they'd left. There was no camaraderie, only fronts and faces. The things they said to one another about the neighbors, who apparently were disgusting people, were either behind the back accusations, or downright mean.

"Yeah. People throw themselves away when the want power more than they want change."
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#8

Post by RXK* »

Tim wasn't sure if he had inadvertently struck a nerve or something with his words- Jaq wasn't the type to get offended, but she was probably closer with Locke than Tim was with his father. The way she seemed more or less looked stressed in turn kind of worried him.

He had always prided himself on being honest when the time came, but for a moment, Tim fretted internally- You idiot. That's still her dad you're talking about.

"People throw themselves away when the want power more than they want change."

Okay, he hadn't completely screwed up. Tim knew that Jaq was just as honest as he was. What she said, as well, was completely right.

Nodding, Tim relaxed a bit, letting his thin frame sag a bit. "School's been running us fucking ragged lately, right? Everyone running around for the prom?"

[sorry about the absence, first month of school has been wild]
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#9

Post by umop-ap!sdn* »

"School's been running us fucking ragged lately, right? Everyone running around for the prom?"

Jaq looked away. Sure, she had a date, but she wasn't incredibly stoked. She wasn't disgusted by Zubin, but she'd said yes more out of obligation than interest. Zubin was a good guy who deserved a date, and she was a pretty girl who deserved to go to prom.

"Yeah. The season's hardly started and people are already hunting down dates."

While proud that she'd been asked so early, she was disappointed that the rush of wondering who'd ask was over. She didn't bring up Zubin. She didn't feel like gloating about having paired up already, and she was curious to know what was going through Tim's head. If he'd heard, he could bring it up. Otherwise, she was curious to see where this was going.

She looked back at him, wondering if she was being cruel. She was stringing him along for information. She was keeping her cards to her chest to see if he'd lay anything down. She was a sneaky girl, she was everything she hated.

But was this different? She wasn't going to use him to get dirt on somebody, and she wasn't just toying with him. She wanted to know why prom had been brought up. For all she knew, he was just setting up a rant on the general shallowness of the school. But then again, for all she knew, he had mentioned it strategically.

For now, she would just wait for him to continue. Her poker-face expression of relaxation and casualness felt like a heavy mask, ready to slide off her face if she even swallowed. He's just making conversation. Quit fucking overthinking everything. A nervous pit formed in her stomach, she didn't know what she felt. It's Tim, it's your best friend. Why the hell are you so anxious.
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#10

Post by RXK* »

"Yeah. The season's hardly started and people are already hunting down dates."


Tim nodded. In all honesty he didn't know where he was even going with this. He'd been at this school for years and he had never been to, or even given thought to the prom. It just had never been something that interested him- it had always seemed hollow, superficial.  Who had anything to gain from being voted Prom King or Prom queen? It had always been dipped in consumerism and as a result had never really rubbed him the right way.

But he had also never really given much thought to it because in the past he had had no one to even think about asking. 4 years had gone by quickly and he hadn't been necessarily the most social of people in that time.

Even so, in the back of his head Tim felt a mixture of regret and disappointment. He... kind of wanted to go. He had shut himself out so completely that the possibility of attending the Senior prom was pretty much null for what he knew.

Tim looked up, lips pursed in thought.

He could ask Jaq and risk screwing up their friendship or just plain embarrassment if she already had a date to the prom. He didn't know how she would respond and he didn't know how to ask her. What if she said no? What if she said yes? What if she had another guy already?

Nevermind. It's not even that big of a deal.

"Seems like it. Kind of ridiculous, you know? So much to do during the senior year and most of it is spent on one dance."

Fuck. I blew it.

He had the chance to let her know how he felt and he shied away again. He watched her neutral expression and wondered if she could tell he was trying to downplay it.

"Anyway, make yourself at home. Unless you wanted to talk in the doorway?" Tim did his best to smile.

Even that was hard.
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#11

Post by umop-ap!sdn* »

"Seems like it. Kind of ridiculous, you know? So much to do during the senior year and most of it is spent on one dance."

Figured. Tim wasn't pro-prom. It was mainstream, it was pretty. She tried to picture him in the scene, but could only conjure images of him with his arms folded over his vest, or spiking the punch bowl. Tim would have been a real feat to see at a prom. Whether he was wreaking havoc or shifting around uncomfortably. He would have been have to have around just to watch squirm.

But she had a date, and Tim was anti-prom. She'd tell him about Zubin eventually, it's not like he'd find out from gossiping.

"Anyway, make yourself at home. Unless you wanted to talk in the doorway?"

Jaquilyn grinned, realizing she was still awkwardly standing in the doorway. She came in and sprawled out on his couch, one leg hanging off as she laid on her back. She was making herself at home, as commanded.

She might as well live here. It wasn't as fancy as her own home, but it was a house nonetheless. Despite her upbringing, Jaquilyn had never considered herself high maintenance. And she felt more in her element her with her friend than at home alone.

She sat up suddenly, using her elbows to support herself. Her right leg bent so her foot lay flat on the couch. She get herself smile at the first revelation of her secret. Her eyes scanned the scarecrows skinny arms before they resumed contact with his.

"So..." She had a wicked smile, "I'm thinking of getting a tattoo."
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#12

Post by RXK* »

It wasn't a big deal about the prom anyway, Tim reasoned. Even with Jaq, he couldn't see himself enjoying the processions. What was he going to do there? Revel in faux-celebrity?

It was all self-worshiping. Tim didn't feel like making a monument out of himself. You couldn't live like that, and few people ever really did. Putting up an image was different from being a person.

On the other hand, someone like Jaquilyn was able to go between two worlds- stuff like the prom was second nature to her, but she was as real and thoughtful of a person that Tim knew.

"I'm thinking of getting a tattoo."

He glanced down at the tattoos adorning his arms. This was something more his speed. Probably not Locke's, though. Jaquilyn probably didn't care.

"Damn, really?" Tim leaned over the couch, smiling. "What parlor did you have in mind?"
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#13

Post by umop-ap!sdn* »

"What parlor did you have in mind?"

She didn't have on in mind. She'd looked up a few places, but was still having trouble even committing to the tattoo itself. "Under the Needle" gave her the chills from the name alone. "Slave to the Needle" sounded obsessive and weirdly sexual. Madame something-or-other's had shit reviews. A place named "Rudy's" seemed reputable, and the least intimidating. She knew Tim could give her a good, safe place. His arms looked awesome, and he didn't seem to have any strange blood diseases yet.

"Rudy's looks good, but I'm still just planning it all out."

While mostly excited he'd brought up parlors, she silently wished she'd told Bianca first. She probably would have asked "what" or "where" Jaquilyn had in mind. And she would have liked to bounce some ideas off of her. Of course, she didn't have the experience Tim had. She certainly wouldn't have been excited about the design as Tim. But she was a girl who could have offered a genuine opinion. Of course, an opinion that had been asked for.

Jaquilyn didn't know exactly what. Nor did she know exactly where. After every shower she would look into the mirror and imagine some bold ink on her blank, flesh canvas. She wanted something bold, something dramatic. Not because she wanted attention, not because she wanted to be the prettiest. She wanted something to differentiate herself from others. Maybe that was vain in itself, but to hell with shame.

She hooked her thumbs through her belt loops and rotated her shoulders, smiling humbly as she asked the expert himself. She half hoped he would tell her that her place was garbage and recommend somewhere superior. So long as it wasn't too sketchy sounding, she didn't want to have to ask him to go with her.

"Where would you suggest?"
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#14

Post by umop-ap!sdn* »

Jaq's phone buzzed, she checked her message and saw the time.

"Oh shit, the mall closes soon. I gotta drop something off, I'll catcha around, Timmy!"

(Jaq Locke continued elsewhere.)
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