Survival Of The Fittest

Original Post Title: "Who Needs History When You've Got the Present?"
Location: Mrs. Rowena's Homeroom, Bathurst High School

Posted by: Megami Jul 3 2006, 01:08 AM
Unbenownst to the small group that was still occupying the classroom of Mrs. Rowena after the bell had rang, a tall, slender figure had now occupied the doorway of the classroom, casting a rather voluptuous silouette across the floor of the classroom. The slim, curvaceous form leaning against the doorway should have been familiar to just about everyone at Bathurst High School. The professionally highlighted, long mocha brown hair... the piercing emerald green eyes... the full and pouty lips... the bronzed skin... even the perfectly manicured nails and pedicured toes, they were all signature of only one student, the daughter of Senator Grayston.

A sly smile contorted the unusually beautiful features of Miss Ali Grayston as she noted the small group of students still occupying homeroom after the day had ended. She had come back after documents Mrs. Rowena was put in charge of for their upcoming school formal, but, unfortunately, the soft-spoken woman was nowhere to be found at present. A small pout formed on the girl's lips as she searched the classroom in vain for the teacher, only to see that indeed, she had left the classroom and gone elsewhere.

Taking notice of the hispanic boy standing with two others, a smile once again returned to Ali's face. She blatantly ignored the duo that accompanied Ian Rico as she approached him from behind. From what she knew of Ian he was shy, rather reserved, rather close to one, Sofie de Wilde... in other words, Ian Rico was quite the little challenge, and as disinterested as Ali Grayston was in younger boys, she thrived on competition and absolutely adored challenges. As she slinked up behind the dark complected boy, her hand fell across his shoulder in an attempt to get his attention, her perfectly manicured fingers wrapping loosely around it.

"Well hi there," the brown-haired vixen mused, her face alighting in a smile as she got Ian's attention.

This was typical of Ali Grayston, and anyone who knew the Senator's daughter could tell you of that fact. Ali enjoyed a challenge, and Ali also enjoyed male company, at times a bit too much. It had gotten many a nasty rumor spread around the school about her, although whether or not they were true remained to be seen. For the most part, people tended to grovel at Ali's feet. They say looks can't buy you everything, but Ali would be the first to tell you that her stunning looks had gotten her just about everything she could ever want in life... not that she didn't have her fair share of work to do in order to keep them in tact.

Ali's eyes slowly traced her fellow classmate up and down as she mentally sized up the prospect. He wasn't bad looking by any means. Dark skin, dark hair, no apparent acne, well-built. She passed by him occassionally in the hallway, and she'd overheard students talking about him on occassion. A martial artist, they claimed. He never seemed very outspoken, she had always seen him with people like Sofie de Wilde and Lavender Heart. Ian Rico was definitely a challenge, and that fact alone excited Ali.

However, out of the corner of her eye, Ali could see the atrocity of a duo standing near Ian, and she rolled her typically mesmerizing green eyes in frustration. Mitch Gunther and Cathalie Meguro. Could it get much worse? Mitch was a strange little individual, often wandering pointlessly around their homeroom class doing some ignorant rant or another about ridiculous matters. He looked and acted more like he belonged in a special education class room than in a real classroom with real students.

And Cathalie Meguro was no better. Another special needs student, Ali supposed. She was strange, always bossing the retarded one, Mitch, around. The girl had an atrocious fashion sense, always dressed in black leather and the like and, quite frankly, Ali thought she looked like she belonged on a BSDM pornography site or something to that extent. Sighing in an annoyed manner, she cast sidelong glance at the duo, then back to the boy she had currently placed her attention upon.

"Friends of yours?" she mused sweetly, her voice suddenly turning nasty as the next word was spit from her mouth, "Pity."

Casting another glance at Mitch and Cathalie, as though sizing up the duo, her face twisted into an expression of pure disgust, as though she were looking at some filthy foreign object. The look, however, was oblivious to Ian from his current vantage point and the way Ali was standing. However, it was conveyed in a manner that would be more than clear to both Mitch and Cathalie. Quickly turning back to Ian, the angelic smile once again graced Ali's lips as she looked the boy over once again. Not a bad catch at all, shame he came with such... icky... baggage.

"Ian, that's so sweet! It's great that you offer to spend time with the... you know, special kids," the brunette stated in an excruciatingly sweet voice.

All at once the brunette's attention turned back to the duo standing in front of her, casting them what could almost be considered a sympathetic glance on her own part. Quite frankly, she thought the two standing in front of her were scum off the bottom of Seth Mattlock's shoe who needed nothing more than to head on home and take a nice, long bath to wash away their own filth. However, these... people... were obviously two that Ian had a genuine interest in being nice to... for whatever reason. Grimacing slightly at the thought, the sickeningly sweet look once again plastered itself onto Ali's face. Well, she had wanted a challenge.  

Posted by: LadyMakaze Jul 3 2006, 02:11 AM
"You know, you don't need parents to be happy."

Turning away from Mitch, Cathalie turned back towards the one named Ian as he uttered those words, looking at him with an oddly calm expression on her face as she looked him up and down, plainly surprised by his suddenly insightful words.

Judging the boy from face value, he seemed sincere enough, not that Cathalie could ever know for sure, having lived with liars left and right throughout her childhood. At first meeting, she had learned to be cautious of those who tried to be friendly, this Ian-boy being no different. After all, just what ulterior motive he had to gain from being friends with her and Mitch? This what had Cathalie had been wondering since the moment Ian had gotten friendly with them.

Maybe, he just pitied them, something which didn't impress Cathalie at all. It was pitiful enough being an orphan, she didn't need the sympathy of strangers. Then again, perhaps it wasn't pity that motivated this boy to try and make friends with them. Maybe it was something else….but for all her experience and jadedness with the world, Cathalie couldn't quite place it.

At Ian's question, Cathalie only replied huffily, her hands placed on her hips expressing a somewhat closed and arrogant demeanor. "Jeez, I don't know what to think of you. Are you just trying to be nice, or are you being kind to us for real? You're not trying to trick us, are you?"

The gnarled figure of Mitch, who had taken to crouching at Cathalie's ankles, looked up at his dark-eyed companion with cloudy eyes of his own, bearing that ever curious expression. "Trick? Like a card trick?" He giggled suddenly upon inquiring this, falling back against the linoleum. Looking slightly disgusted, Cathalie was about to make a retort when she suddenly froze in place, her hackles raising slightly, as though a hostile presence was approaching. Stiffly, she turned her head towards the newcomer that had approached ever brazenly.

Ali Greyston, one of the prestigious social ‘elites' of the school, being the Senator's pampered little daughter, and quite the glamourous beauty at that. But of course, Cathalie should have known. Gritting her teeth and regarding coldly the well-endowed form of Ali Greyston as she made her way gracefully into the room. As she neared Ian, Cathalie raised her eyebrow in a slight twitch, feeling rather sickened by the presence of Ali Greyston.

Why sickening, of all things? Just the way she wandered playfully about Ian, looking him over as though he were some open exhibition…that flirtatious manner, the coquettish way in which she attempted to draw his attention… Cathalie's stomach could never help but turn just at the mere sight of her. Of course her irritation could only melt completely into anger and infuriation as Ali Greyston regarded her and Mitch with a cold look of contempt of her own.

And as always, this girl was no different from most the other students Cathalie had to deal with on a daily basis, looking at the two young orphans as though they were something utterly repulsive and disgusting. Except this one, confident and self assured as she was, didn't bother to hide her disgust, making her contempt clear with remarks spiteful enough to make Cathalie's face burn with shame and anger.

Just as Cathalie was about to spit out an angry remark on her own, her anger suddenly evaporated into slight surprise, as the voice of Mitch suddenly rang out, clear as a bell out of morning air.

"RED CARD! Somebody stop this child molester!"

Cathalie swirled around to see the scrawny form of Mitch standing upright, his green-eyes wide and attentive in contrast with their usually sleepy and carefree nature. His bandaged arm was lifted to point an accusing finger towards the older girl. And the next thing she knew, before Cathalie could stop him, Mitch had already sprung off the pads of his bare, callused feet, vaulting clear above the cracked linoleum in a full-force leap onto Ali.

And at this point, Cathalie finally realized what was coming next…having known Mitch for the better half of her life, she knew exactly what to expect. She had half a mind to stop him, before the damage was done. But in the split second that followed Mitch's vault towards Ali, Cathalie shrugged to herself, deciding to refrain from interfering for the time being. After all, what was the point? She might as well take this as a source of amusement.

"I'll save you, Ian! It's O-KAY!" Mitch yelled as he tackled Ali with a force and momentum strong enough to knock her over. Grabbing at the nearest limb, which happened to be her left arm, he opened his mouth wide and clamped it over her wrist, sinking his teeth into the bronzed flesh of her arm.


Posted by: Theseus Jul 3 2006, 08:53 AM
Ian kept looking at Mitch and Cathalie, when Cathalie asked Ian if he was just trying to be nice, or if he was being kind to them for real. She asked if he was trying to trick them. Ian didn't fully understand why this strange duo was so protective of each other, and why Cathalie wasn't trusting, but Ian didn't let him bother him. He just smiled and said, "Look, friends look out for each other right? I was hoping we could be friends."

Ian was going to say more, until Ali Grayston entered the classroom. Ian didn't see her enter, but he felt her hand wrap around his shoulder and her mis-leading voice say, "Well hi there." Turning around Ian looked at the girl. Daughter of the senator she was truly one of the most popular, powerful kids in the school. She ruled with her looks, and rumor had it that she was a bit of a....slut.

Ian didn't notice Ali as she sized up Cathalie and Mitch. Ali was an interesting girl, varsity cheerleader, she had a homecoming nomination. Ian didn't doubt that she would be homecoming queen, especially if the rumors were true, and she gave it up to get the votes.

"Friends of yours?" "Pity."

Those words didn't exactly make Ian the happiest, especially the way she said pity. If there was one thing Ian didn't like about the social elite like Ali, it was their complete disregard for other's not deemed "cool" like them. Ian wondered why she was treating him like she was, for he was definately not one of the popular kids, and hanging out with Mitch and Cathalie sure wasn't helping his situation.

Problem was though, Ian enjoyed hanging out with Mitch and Cathalie, they seemed like nice people, and Ian didn't take too kindly when someone would put down his friends.

"Ian, that's so sweet! It's great that you offer to spend time with the... you know, special kids"

Ian just looked at Ali, as she smiled at him, her almost angelic face looking at him, and Ian would admit, Ali was gorgeous, but only on the outside. He really wasn't one to judge people, but from what he's seen and heard, Ali was not the greatest person around, but very few of the social elite were.

That is when Mitch shouted "RED CARD! Somebody stop this child molester!" and before Ian could react, the boy had leaped on top of Ali.

"I'll save you, Ian! It's O-KAY!"

Ian lightly smiled, Mitch was protecting him? Ian waited for Cathalie to hold back Mitch, but when she didn't Ian wasn't too surprised, especially with the way Ali was treating them. Ian just smiled at Mitch biting Ali's left arm. It was almost a friendly act of Mitch to be protecting Ian. Friendly.  

Posted by: Megami Jul 3 2006, 12:02 PM
As the voice of Mitch Gunther rang clear through the classroom in a rather rude remark about Ali, she once again cast her "special needs" classmate another annoyed look. Red card? What was this, Kindergarten? People like Mitch and Cathalie, they were nuisances to society, and right now, they were certainly nuisances to Ali Grayston. Running her delicate fingers through the glistening head of hair atop her head, she cast a look back to Ian Rico, completely unable to decipher why the boy would waste his time with such vile, wretched creatures.

She was wrenched back to reality instantly as Mitch Gunther shouted something inaudible to her at the top of his lungs and suddenly pounced toward the vivacious girl who had apparently defiled Ian Rico's inner circle. Ali barely had time to think as the disgusting creature that had been kneeled at Cathalie's ankles like a dog pounced on her, knocking her to the floor. She was completely taken aback by the bold course of action on Mitch's part, and found herself unable to fight back in retaliation.

As the boy's teeth latched down deep into the flesh of her wrist, Ali let out a pained and surprised shriek, and almost immediately, her dominant right hand came flying full-force from it's previously pinned position, slamming into the side of Mitch's face in an attempt to remove Cathalie's guard dog from her rather prone form.

"Wretch."

Coming off of the momentum of having slapped the boy across the face, she pushed the scrawny and lanky form of Mitch Gunther off of her, her pricey high-heeled sandals coming into contact with Mitch's shin in the fray. That would certainly leave a mark... and the wiry little bastard deserved it after having BIT her. Forcing herself to her feet and taking a somewhat reserved stance behind Ian, Ali's right hand instinctively held her left wrist in pain.

"Ugh," the repulsed sound left the cheerleader's lips as she stared unbelievingly at Mitch and Cathalie, all the while still nursing her bitten wrist, "I really hope that disgusting little creature doesn't have AIDS or something."

Running her hand up and down her bleeding wrist, Ali couldn't help but feel sickened at the sight of her own blood. Just who did that... that THING think he was, anyway? Nobody laid a hand on her, not if they knew what was good for them. Casting a pouty glance back toward Ian, as though surprised and hurt that his so-called friend had attacked her, her lips formed the Ali Grayston signature "pout" as she continued to nurse her wounded hand.

"You should really put a muzzle on that," she mused.

Despite the cruel comment that had left her lips, the bewitching, almost saddened expression that had transfixed her features remained. Inwardly, Ali Grayston was insulted. Insulted that Ian Rico had had the nerve to practically shun her advances, insulted that those vile, wretched, filthy creatures were still near her, wasting her oxygen, insulted that Ian had done nothing to prevent the malicious attack on her by Cathalie's guarddog.

Her attention turned to Mitch and Cathalie as her formerly bewitching expression changed into an almost sinister looking glare. The girl's hands found her way to her hips, and she stood there, standing at them with a look of utter revulsion having blazed across her delicate features. Eyeing Mitch warily, she took a few steps forward to address the duo standing before her.

"I'll have you suspended for this, you know," she mused, no hint of remorse echoing in her words, "I don't think you understand who you're messing with. My Daddy's a senator, don't you know that I can pull the strings to get whatever I want? You people... I could make your lives a living hell. Remember that."

Just as quickly as she had approached the dominatrix looking girl and her drooling mutt, Ali Grayston had backed away. And just as quickly as her features had turned evil and sinister, they had melted back into the sugary-sweet look that generally stayed plastered to the brunette's features. She once again turned to Ian, the ever-bewitching smile with which she had been endowed returning to her face, though this time Ali had no retort. Shaking her head in aggravation, the brunette walked off toward the door, headed for the nurse's office, and then the principal's.

If that disgusting excuse for a human being had given her anything, so help her God, this would mean war. As it was, Mitch Gunther had blatantly stepped on Ali Grayston's toes, and that was something you didn't do to the Senator's daughter. She had friends, she had connections. And quite frankly, Mitch Gunther had no idea what could be in store for him upon the horizon after the careless atrocity he had committed against the young woman. Storming off in a rage, the girl slammed the door to Mrs. Rowena's room closed and headed down the hallway. Well... she had wanted a challenge.

Original Post Title: "Something's Getting in the Way..."
Location: Nurse's Office, Bathurst High School

Posted by: Megami Jul 5 2006, 02:16 PM
(Continued from: http://s10.PLACEHOLDERLINK/SurvivalOfTheF...opic=920&st=15)

The door to the nurse's office flew open carelessly, and a resounding thud echoed throughout the room as the door swung around on its hinges, pounding into the small nurse's station that was located behind it. Of course, Ali Grayston didn't know, or really care, either, that she had just slammed the door into the desk. All she knew was that mere moments ago, that disgusting little excuse for a human being named Mitch Gunther had BITTEN her.

"EXCUSE ME!" the brunette called out, her outburst somewhat startling the nurse, who looked on at her with a look of distain on her face.

Matching the nurse's look with one of her own, Ali raised the arm she had been carefully cradling up in the air, showing the nurse the bite marks on her wrist as well as the blood that continued to ooze down her arm, coating her perfectly bronzed skin in a hue of orangish-red. The nurse sighed a bit, then pointed to an open seat near where Ali was standing before disappearing into the back room.

Letting out a resigned sigh, Ali took a seat in the dreary and almost colorless pastel looking chair. All at once, Ali's eyes caught hold of Sofie de Wilde, who had presumably been sitting in her current position the entire time. Tilting her head to the side curiously as if she had just noticed her, Ali traced her eyes up and down the girl, noting the bandages covering her legs.

"De Wilde..." she mused, a smile growing on her lips, "Nasty looking bandages. What happened to you?"

Ali knew Sofie de Wilde... knew of her, to be more precise. While the girl's weren't exactly friends, and Ali had never quite considered Sofie on an equal level with the rest of the "popular" crowd, she wasn't all that bad. Not really, anyway. There were much better targets around school to be picked on. Regardless, it was in Ali's nature to start mischief and cause trouble, and as she mused over the girl, thoughts began to formulate in her mind.

"You know..." the vivacious brunette mused quietly, an innocent smile forming on her lips, "I wondered where you'd gone. When I came into class to pick up some things from Mrs. Rowena, Ian was with some nasty hooker-looking girl."

Trouble, indeed. Ali was going to enjoy this... causing tension and jealousy, especially after what that freak of a human being Mitch Gunther, Cathalie Meguro's little pet, had done to her. Now it was war, and the war was beginning here. She saw Sofie and Ian together all the time, and truth be told, in Ali's eyes, anybody who was that close had to have been involved with one another in some way, shape, or form. As was the way she thought.

"She looked... skanky," Ali stated, a faux sympathetic look forming over the brunette's features, "I just thought you'd want to know, seeing as you and Ian seem so..." pausing for a moment as if to determine the right word without insulting the girl, it took a moment before Ali finished her sentence, "close."

Nursing the bite wound on her wrist with her right hand, Ali couldn't help but be mesmerized by the site of her own blood momentarily. It wasn't something she saw often, and it looked almost foreign as it bathed her arm in the orangeish hue. Sighing quietly, she pondered what to say next, knowing to steer away from discussing the wound on her arm lest she bring up what had happened between she and Ian moments before. Especially now that she was trying to turn Sofie against Cathalie, the less Sofie knew about Ali talking to Ian, the better.

Tilting her head to the side slightly, she studied the de Wilde girl with quite a bit of curiosity, taking into account her features and judging them against her own. Ali'd seen girls like Sofie a million times... girls with the potential to be beautiful, but let their looks get lost in the fray. Sofie was definitely one of those girls. If not for the fact that she was so tomboyish and seemed to have little to no care for her physical appearance, she might have the potential to give some of the girls a run for their money.

Some.

Ali mentally compared herself to the girl sitting across from her, taking every detail into account. She compared her long, highlighted brown hair against the other girl's short and chopped off strawberry blonde... not a very attractive color. She compared her deeply bronzed, almost exotic looking skin tone to the milky white of Sofie de Wilde's, inwardly curious as to whether or not the girl actually thought "pale" looked good on anyone. Her piercing green eyes took in the childlike features of Sofie de Wilde's face, and all at once the haircut made sense. For lack of a better word, Sofie resembled a little girl. A small smirk formed on Ali's lips as the comment crossed her mind.

Of course, although she wouldn't say anything, Ali had been comparing herself to Sofie for a reason. If she wanted to get to Ian Rico, who was definitely a current prospect in her mind, she would have to befriend this girl. Then, she would have to turn around and completely crush her to get what she wanted. She'd done it a thousand times before, and Sofie would be no different. Looking on at the girl with the sugary-sweet "plastic" smile Ali always conveyed, she felt no remorse for the girl sitting before her, or the things she was plotting to do to her. It's a dog-eat-dog world, don't you know? Survival of the Fittest... the Darwin theory. The strong shall survive, while the weak shall perish. Ali smiled at the thought.  

Posted by: riserugu Jul 5 2006, 09:42 PM
In the time between when the nurse disappeared to gather her papers, and when the bronzed bulldozer broke through the doorway, Sofie had taken the short time to remove her workbook for her French class and idly begin working on some of the upcoming lessons she found herself able to understand without much difficultly.

The process of writing down the correct, least in some cases what she figured to be correct, answers against the paper – it was right when she had begun translating a sentence from English to French when Miss. Grayston made her grand entrance into the nurses' office, one of the nurses' sadly meeting the door in the others' plow through the doorway; she glanced upward to she what the source of the all the new commotion was – and once she saw who it was; she returned to her work book… after all the girl wasn't, least in her held opinion, worth much of a second glance.

Sofie's opinion on the Senator's daughter was mainly built upon the rumors that circled about the girl, who by today's labels would fall under the category of ‘popular', and though she at first didn't bother to heed much attention to the rumors – figuring it better to base ones thoughts on a person after meeting them; Sofie soon found herself shooting those ideas straight into the wind.

Ali was one of the many girls that had formed a close-knit "sisterhood" of sorts within the inner workings of the school. A sisterhood of annoying Barbies as she had come to view it, fakes and as shallow as a puddle on a rainy day – their thoughts seemed to work around what they could get out doing something.

But as mentioned – Sofie didn't think much of it until she was comforted by two of her crying teammates on the swim team; Lizzie and Michelle. Both where freshmen, and neither were by today's standards ‘pretty' as one would say, Lizzie was a smallish girl in height though it weight was somewhat large, brown hair was usually worn in pigtails – her family wasn't that well-off; and a majority of her clothes where hand-me downs from family and older siblings that had grown out of them.

Michelle wasn't much different – she was very tall, and very thin for her age, her pale skin was, like some teenagers at this time in their life, acne-ridded – and a bit scarred. She wore thick-blue wired rimmed glasses, and an interesting sense of fashion that did not match society's standards. Nonetheless, both girls where smart, and good at what they set themselves to do… sweet, a thought of them hurting or belittling someone never crossing her mind.

But because of their simple flaws – they where prime targets for this pack of plastic. And when Sofie heard the names of a couple of Ali's "sisters" mentioned, she didn't bother to wonder if the rumors spoke about the girls where true or not. As far as she was concerned, they probably where – and they wouldn't surprise her the least.

Focused on her work Sofie hardly took notice to the girl now moving to sit across from her until she spoke up, questioning her on the bandages currently donning her leg. She kicked her uninjured one out a bit before moving it behind the other, locking her foot about her ankle, continuing to scribble words against paper as she spoke, "Accident by the pool, I got knocked over." She answered plainly, returning to her work – though wondering where the nurse with her papers where.

Though she enjoyed missing out on today's grueling practice with the rest of the swim team, she found the thought of swimming with concrete blocks attached to her hands and feet more appealing that being within seeing distance of Ali Grayston.

Though she tempted herself into working as Ali started speaking again, it wasn't until Ian's name was mentioned did her writing pause, and when she decided to give the girl a second glance over. Finally taking note of the oddly shaped wound that she was holding on to, dying her usually bronze skin orange about the broken skin. Sofie giving this marking a curious look before turning blue eyes on green ones, raising a brow in a light manner, placing the pencil in the cease of the book and closing it –

"Hooker-looking, hmm?" She repeated in a thoughtfully manner, tapping her chin lightly, before she turned to look Ali over once more, tilting her head a bit. "Well – Then I'm glad to see that you're not around him anymore then."  

Posted by: Megami Jul 6 2006, 10:36 PM
A sarcastic smile painted itself across Ali Grayston's features as the girl sitting across from her in the nurse's station actually had the nerve to insult her. However, Sofie's insult had little impact on the Senator's daughter. This girl thought she was funny. Ali, however, thought she was simply a fool. A jealous, attention-craving fool.

"You know honey, just because I have enough money that I don't have to buy my clothes at Wal-Mart doesn't make me a skank. I'm refined, I'm cultured. I'm a fashionista. I'm everything you're not and will never be."

Flipping her flowing brown hair as if to get it out of her face, the girl once again smiled at the figure seated across from her... one of her better-than-thou smiles that she often conveyed. She had considered being nice to this girl, trying to befriend her, if only for the moment. Sofie, however, had ruined those chances with her smart-aleck attitude. The grand part of it all was that she found herself amusing, and she honestly seemed to think that her meager little opinion mattered.

"Let me tell you something, doll. If I wanted Ian, I'd have him in the blink of an eye. Believe it. I know you're just jealous Sofie, and it's okay. If I were in your position, I'd be jealous of me too, because you know, no matter how much you want him, and no matter how much you want him to want you, you'll never, ever have him."

The bronze-skinned brunette looked on toward the blonde in mild amusement. Getting under people's skin was one of the simple things in life that brought Ali great amusement. Even though Ian had seemingly shunned her advances as well, with enough time and effort, she could break through that invisible shield that Ian Rico put around himself, whereas this girl, Ali was confident, never even stood a chance.

"I'm not trying to compete with you, you know," the brunette mused as if it were an afterthought, "I don't have to, I already know who'd win. I'm telling you about that... girl... as a favor to you, because I know how far you've shoved your head up Ian's ass, and I think it's pretty obvious how desperately you want to be with him. I'm just telling you... you're losing your stake on him... to common trash."

Sighing loudly in an irritated manner, the brunette managed to attract the attention of one of the nurse's bouncing around the room momentarily with her outburst. Quite frankly, Ali was more than a little tired of being seated in the dull pastel chair, and she was even more tired of having a conversation turned heated argument with the swimmer sitting across from her. This entire ordeal could be summed up in one word.

Pointless.

Although, Ali supposed, some good had come out of this ordeal. She had seen what a complete and utter waste of time Ian Rico truly was. He was cute, sure. Nothing special, really. Bathurst High had more fruitful candidates than the hispanic boy, as did the neighboring schools. At first, she had been intrigued by the quiet martial artist. He had been a challenge, and to put it bluntly, that turned Ali on. That's why she had become interested in the boy in the first place.

However, upon taking note of the fact that Ian hung out with the school's special needs students, and actually seemed to be... ugh... friends with them, Ali had been a bit turned off. Now, as she sat across the room from Ian's best friend, a chick with no features, no chest, and the personality of a dead fish, Ali couldn't help but think that perhaps the mysterious young man she had focused her attention on had been nothing but a colossal waste of her time. There were so many other perfectly good candidates to consider. Still, she had to admit, screwing with the mind of Sofie de Wilde was fun, and although Sofie didn't outwardly act as though the words affected her, Ali knew that the thoughts would continue to pierce the girl's mind long after the ordeal ended. It was like that with all of them.  

Posted by: riserugu Jul 8 2006, 12:20 AM
Oh, Sofie wasn't sitting here to be funny… after all; you're not aiming to be amusing when you're stating simple, and rather oblivious facts. Though she had to admit, the girl's try at getting under her skin was amusing at best, it was rather interesting trying to contain her laughter. Though found herself unable to help the small giggles escaping her.

"Well honey, in case you don't know – it isn't the clothes that make the person, it's their actions, and I'm sure if we hold a candle to just a small bit of what you've probably done – I'm quite sure you'll surpass ‘skank' by a far, and wide margin." She said lightly, leaning back somewhat where she sat on the thin white sheets. Rocking legs back and forth in a slow motion, "You hide behind your daddy's money because you're personality runs about as deep as a simple puddle on a rainy day – you say you're cultured rather in truth you're rather barbarous, churlish, and quite vapid."

A tilt of her head and she glanced off to one of the nurses bopping about the room, glancing Ali out the corner of her eye.

"And if that's everything you are, well then – I'm quite happy with my life in more than a few ways."

Rubbing at an area along the back of her neck, she couldn't help the sigh that escaped her lips --- that whole concept of practice today was looking rather tempting at the moment as the brunette continued to babble on in the type of speech she had heard not only Ali herself, but many others. But similarly like Ali thought of her opinion of being pointless and not mattering, this is how Sofie felt on a lot of people. Though mostly people like this – people so egocentric they can't take their own heads out of their ass long enough to see their was actually a world out there, and it didn't revolve around them and which over-expensive outfit they should where that day.

"Jealous of you? Sorry dear, but I'm rather fond of being able to get what I need myself – instead of having to… favors? And compete? With you?" She mused in sarcasm with a roll of her eyes, "Wouldn't think it, because I know Ian – I know he wouldn't fall for someone such as yourself. After all the boy has some common sense, and you're right – I do care about him, and want to be with him. But still, least I'll be somewhat happy if he doesn't end up with someone who'll cast them aside like trash when they get what they want. I also know Cathalie is a better person than what you're putting her off as, yeah, her sense of style is rather interesting, but don't put her on your level. Least she has dignity and respect for herself – unlike yourself it seems Miss Ali."

It was at that point that one of the nurses placed herself between Sofie and Ali, holding over a small sheet, basically explaining what all had happened. She also going onto to explain, that though it would be no problem for her to swim in the meet this weekend – it would probably be best if she didn't attended the remaining two hours of practice today; explaining something along the lines of ‘not wanting any of the chemicals they use to infect the wound' the blonde haired girl simply nodding at the words as they where spoken. Watching more as the nurse gave the girl sitting across from her, a ‘hold on a moment' gesture and rushing off to one of the back rooms again.

"You're a helpless person Miss. Grayston, you put other's down to hide your own flaws. It's rather sad."

She slid off the table-bed with a push, leaning down and picking her bag up, turning and placing her workbook back inside. Turning back toward the other female with a small smile, "Though I know this conversation is probably becoming as menial to you, as it has been to me I will give you the befit of the doubt. You're a rather engaging person to speak with; you've confirmed a lot of what I heard about you… be it for better or worse." Swinging the bag onto her shoulder, she sighed again and began to move away from the other girl, and back toward the exit the other has just stormed through.

"Good luck with the whole Homecoming walk, hate to see all those votes you earned go to waste, though I'm sure the football players will be happy either way."

((Continued in: http://z10.PLACEHOLDERLINK/SurvivalOfTheF...howtopic=1208))  

Posted by: Megami Jul 10 2006, 04:52 PM
The last few words Ali had spoken seemed to have struck a nerve with Miss Sofie de Wilde, as the strawberry blonde haired girl went on a tirade of insults of her own following Ali's remarks. Ali's face gradually went from a smug smile to a full-fledged Cheshire Cat grin as the girl continued to rant and rave, putting Ali down left and right as if it were the only way to make herself feel better. The girl was quite amusing, so much so that the Senator's daughter could barely contain her laughter.

"My dear, sweet girl," Ali chimed, the smile never escaping her lips, "You're only showing me the kind of person you truly are. You're a hypocrite, you know. You have the nerve to reprimand me for talking about Cathalie, when you yourself are no better. Listen to you, basing your judgment of me on spiteful rumors you've heard from people who are just jealous."

The brunette's voice lowered slightly, into a matter-of-fact sounding whisper, and her eyebrows arched upward as she continued to speak.

"You're a childish person, Sofie de Wilde. Your insults are baseless and have no real meaning. They're pure speculation on your part, because the truth is, you know absolutely nothing about me. I, on the other hand, know far more about you. I've seen the way you look at Ian... I know it tears you up inside that he's not interested. It breaks your heart, doesn't it Sofie? And the sad thing is, there's nothing you can do about it, because after all, there are much more attractive, better-off people out there that he could be with. And you know that."

Her tone had taken on a spiteful, somewhat cynical sound to it, which was typical of Ali Grayston when she felt she'd won an argument and felt the need to get the final word in on it. It was a talent she'd perfected over the years, putting people down and getting inside their heads, screwing with things she personally knew would get to them. This had all just become a game to her, and she took Sofie's more and more hostile attitude to mean that she was certainly doing the job well.

"Your hostility toward me is only proving that I'm right, and you're jealous. The thought that he would ever even look at me gets under your skin, doesn't it my dear? It makes you sick inside to think that I could easily be with the guy you've been after for probably your entire trivial little existence. That's the way it goes, love. Life's a bitch. People like you... you just don't make the cut, and one day several years from now, I'm sure you'll settle down... with a fat, balding man who works for minimum wage at a convenience store. That's the sort of hand you've been dealt, love, and terrible though it may be, that's what happens to people like you."

Leaning back in the chair she had taken a seat in some time ago and subconsciously casting a glance toward the back room where the nurse had once again taken off toward, Ali couldn't help but wonder what on earth was taking the older woman so long to get back and clean up the bite wound she'd received quite a while ago now. Sitting here any longer for treatment almost seemed pointless. Duly noting the vast expanse of time that had surpassed, Ali made a mental note that she would have to have Daddy talk to the board of directors about their incompetent nurses.

Averting her attention from the back of the room and back toward her present company, Ali noticed the blonde clambering off of the table and sliding her items into her bag. Apparently, she'd had all she could stand. Shaking her head somewhat, the smile never leaving the brunette's lips, she was a bit disappointed to see her new companion go. They'd had so much fun chatting about life, love, and companionship over the short while they'd been sitting together. Taking notice of the rude remark Sofie made as she was leaving the nurse's office, Ali simply shrugged her shoulders and blew the wounded girl a kiss.

"Au revoir mon chéri, I do so hope we'll meet again," as if the comment were an afterthought for her, Ali proceeded to follow up with a retort of her own, "And thank you love, from the bottom of my heart. Although a girl like you could never even dream of being in the Homecoming Court, homely as you are, I'm so glad you've come to terms with that. As for the football players, well, I wouldn't worry about it, my dear. That's something you'll never have the privelege of knowing about."

Smiling to herself as the blonde exited the nurse's office, Ali slid backward in her chair a bit, crossing her legs and humming lightly to herself as she awaited the nurse's attention. Casting another glance back to the back, she breathed a sigh of relief as one of the nurses, an elderly white haired woman, appeared from out of the back room. It was about time, that's all Ali could say. The sly, evil grin that had graced her features during her discussion with Sofie de Wilde was immediately replaced by her usual sugary-sweet smile as she looked at the elderly woman.

Sighing audibly as the woman began doing this and that to patch up the bite wound, a few words were exchanged between the two women, but Ali was completely lost in thought. Throughout the entire process, she had been off in her own little world, the smile never leaving her lips as if she had slipped into some sort of reverie. In fact, the brunette barely even noticed as the nurse finally finished patching up her wound. Today had certainly been an interesting day, and she and the rest of the Sisterhood could have very well just made a new target. Oh, the fun they could have with this one. Ali was quite looking forward to taking anything and everything from her. Now, it was just a matter of time.

(Continued in: http://s10.PLACEHOLDERLINK/SurvivalOfTheF...10entry1306110)  

Original Post Title: "Doin' Rounds"
Location: Hallway, Bathurst High School

(Continued from: Something's Getting in the Way...)

Ali Grayston had left the cramped confides of the nurse's office several minutes ago, directly after the nurse had patched up the nasty bite wound she'd received to her wrist from the boy who had to be the school's biggest retard, Mitch Gunther.  For most people, the tense situation she had found herself in with Sofie de Wilde a while before would leave them frustrated and angry.  Ali, however, still held her content smile as she meandered down the empty hallways of Bathurst High School.

As she rounded the corner, the Senator's daughter was taken aback as the figures of that nasty old school janitor named C.J., the loud-mouthed and hotheaded Calvert boy, and a short girl that she didn't recognize came into view.  Tilting her head to the side curiously, she wandered closer, the sly and smug grin never vanishing from her painted red lips.  The brunette that seemed to be talking with Calvert and C.J. seemed a bit nervous, and considering Ali didn't recognize her, and let's face it, Ali Grayston knew everybody, the brunette could only imagine that perhaps the girl was new to the school.

She's certainly doing a good job of getting mixed up with bad company already...

This girl certainly had bad taste, that much was for certain.  C.J. was a creepy looking individual, what with having a hook for a hand and all.  Ali had always been weirded out by the old janitor, and had never exactly taken an interest in the circumstances surrounding the loss of his hand.  Then again, Ali had never taken much of an interest in talking to C.J., either.  She often went out of her way to avoid the old janitor.  Especially since she and the other girls of the Sisterhood had decided long ago that the strange old man was probably a pedophile.

And then there was Bryan Calvert.  The boy had a short-fuse and martial arts training, and so he was, apparently, not one to be messed with.  Not that Ali cared.  In fact, all she saw when she looked at him was a raggy boy in what could easily be called a half-baked excuse for a gang who desperately needed to go home and do his laundry.  Apparently he'd never heard about things like laundry detergent... or body odor, for that matter.  Ali laughed internally at the thought.

This girl, though... the vivacious brunette cocked her head to the side a bit in amusement.  She wasn't a bad looking girl, really.  Granted, she was certainly no Carmen Somerset or Karah Lawrence, nor could she hold a candle to Ali Grayston, in her own humble opinion.  Sisterhood potential?  Perhaps.  Probably not, though.  This girl had the "look", but did she have the personality?  Somehow, Ali doubted it, especially given her present company.

Then again, the girls had been looking to fill the void that had been made when Mileena Saint had moved away several months prior and put a dent in the social clique known school-wide as the Sisterhood.  Like sisters, they were.  At least, that's what the Vice Principal, who just happened to be on good terms with Ali's father, had dubbed them.  It was a cute name, it personified the girls, and it just seemed to stick.

As she continued to approach the group at a snail's pace, the brunette folded her arms across her chest lightly.  She could always extend a friendly hand to the new girl, offer to show her to her class and all that jazz, but Ali had never exactly been known for her graciousness and hospitality.  In fact, given her reputation, she'd probably send the poor girl in the wrong direction just for kicks.  Instead of addressing anybody in particular, she simply passed by the trio, casting a half-hearted glance at Bryan and C.J. in the process.

"You missed a spot," the girl mused, her finger trailing up to point at the tracked in dirt and mud that seemed to form a trail behind the new girl, "Somebody could slip in that mess."

(Continued in: Lunch Room)

Original Post Title: Lunch Room
Location: Cafeteria, Bathurst High School

Posted by: Megami Jul 22 2006, 10:23 PM
(Continued from: http://s10.PLACEHOLDERLINK/SurvivalOfTheF...110entry1306110. Thought I'd liven things up a bit.  )

Although Ali had, of course, contemplated heading back to class after seeing the nurse about her wound and running into C.J., Calvert, and the new girl, she had ultimately decided against it. She was Ali Grayston, after all. Senator Grayston personally donated a hoard of money to Bathurst High's funds every year. It's not like she'd be reprimanded for skipping class or anything of that nature. Instead, she'd cast a fleeting glance back down the hallway, musing to herself that she'd probably pissed Calvert off real good with the dirt comment... not that it was a hard thing to do in and of itself.

After that, the brunette had headed down the hallway, eventually retrieving her salad lunch from the teacher's lounge. Normally, students weren't allowed in the faculty's private lounge, but like so many other things around Bathurst High, an exception was made for people like Ali Grayston. In places like this backwoods high school, exceptions were always made for the right people. People like Ali. People like Jack Bexley. People like Carmen Somerset and Walter Smith. They were "special" people with V.I.P. priveleges in a place like this.

She smiled to herself at the thought. Indeed, this entire school system seemed to play favorites, and even Ali had noted how often they seemed to turn a blind eye to the capers of certain students. Carrying her salad down the hallway, she noted Walter Smith apparently talking to Mariavel Varella further down the hallway. Though the sight caught her a bit offguard, she paid it no mind and kept her distance away from the duo, opting to go out the side door instead. Ali was notorious for her smart mouth, but even she knew when to keep her mouth closed... and Walter Smith was one of those people that you just didn't pop off to.

Still carrying her salad, the brunette strolled down the relatively uncrowded side path to the cafeteria, steering clear of the few loitering students who stood in her way. Pushing the cafeteria door open, she was greeted with the aroma of the school's provided lunch entering her nostrils. Ali scoffed lightly at the smell... just what were they serving, anyway? She was never one to eat the cafeteria's food, or even their salads, for that matter. She always brought her own from home. The loud noise echoing from the cafeteria was a bit overwhelming, but then again, this was just an average day at Bathurst High School.

After taking a moment to scan the crowded cafeteria interior, Ali frowned in annoyance. Carmen and Karah were nowhere in sight. So, what now? Ali meandered down the walkway through the rows of cafeteria tables, searching for someone she deemed suitable enough to sit with. Up ahead, at a relatively uncrowded table, she saw Preston Grey sitting across from, well, Ali couldn't tell. From her position walking toward the duo, all she could see was the girl's brown hair. Smiling sweetly, she slowly made her way over to the duo.

She knew Preston pretty well, and while they weren't exactly close friends like she and Carmen or Karah, they still hung out every now and again. Mostly at parties, now that Ali thought about it. Preston was one crazy motherfucker. The last time she'd partied with him, she'd been one of the students to bear witness to Preston stripping and chasing one of the party guests around the neighborhood. Great times, indeed. All in all, he was a good guy. Fun to be around, a blast to party with... even if he did always look like he was half lit.

Sliding into the open seat beside him without so much as asking if she could join the two, Ali smiled that pouty-lipped smile at the sandy-haired boy. It was then that her attention focused on the brunette that had been sitting across the table from Preston. Immediately the face clicked. She was the girl from the hallway! The one who was trying to get directions from Calvert and that creepy old perverted janitor. Shaking her head lightly at this revelation, Ali smiled that classic Ali Grayston smile at the girl.

"Pres!" she mused a bit loudly, "How's it goin'?"

As if the girl were an afterthought, Ali cocked her head toward her once again, smiling slightly. Ali'd completely ignored her in the hallway, so striking up a conversation with her might prove to be rather awkward. Then again, there was nothing else to do, and Ali was feeling rather personable at the moment, "New girl, right? Saw you in the hallway with Calvert and that weirdo janitor earlier. Word of advice honey, those two... ugh."

The brunette rolled her eyes at the mere thought of it. Calvert was a troublemaker, a wanna-be gang member who was really nothing more than a school bully, and he seemed to reek constantly. Then again, anybody would smell if they never changed their shirt. Laughing inwardly at the thought, she turned her attention back to the new girl.

"Calvert's a bad egg. That's why he helps the janitor during two periods. He claims he's volunteering, but I think it's because none of the teachers want him in class," Ali took a moment to laugh before continuing," By the way, I'm Ali. Ali Grayston... you are?"  

Posted by: baby_g Jul 23 2006, 04:35 PM
"Tori Jefferson" she said, smiling at the new girl.

Tori had remembered seeing her in the hall when she was talking to Calvert and CJ. when she was talking to them, she didn't think all that bad, but then she remembered.

Ali eh? she thought. someone to help her get into the 'in' crowd. appearently preston wasnt a bad choice of friends, so it proved she was getting there.

"Nice to meet you," she continued laughing to herself, "Dont like Calvert much eh? why's that?



Posted by: I-eat-cute-animals Jul 26 2006, 01:44 AM
Randy stood against a wall, looking at the new girl, she seemed quite popular, he was new as well and decided to flap his lip.
"The flower of charisma is in bloom this year" he said looking at the group "rarely have I seen a group form this quickly, Randolf Silver wolf Nightwalker."
He flashed a half smile, glancing around, the school was trashed, Like the rest of jersey.  

Posted by: Megami Jul 26 2006, 09:50 PM
(OOC: The original plan was for me to wait for Mitsuko2 to post Preston's reaction but... I'm bored and impatient.  )

Ali's highly-defined eyebrows knitted together in a serious manner momentarily as Tori interrogated her about her feelings toward Bryan Calvert. For half a second, Ali looked as though she might have actually been offended by the question. Within seconds, though, the puzzled and shocked expression vanished from the girl's features, and Ali let out a small laugh that gradually became louder and louder. After taking a moment to recuperate, she once again glanced at Tori, shaking her head somewhat as the last of her fit of giggles escaped her lips.

"You're... you're serious?" Ali gasped out, once again erupting into a fit of laughter.

The brunette threw her head back, placing a hand over her mouth in a vain attempt to cease the fit of laughter that seemed to force its way from her mouth with a will all its own. Fighting off the giggling fit the best she could, Ali tilted her head to the side curiously, studying the girl sitting across the table from her. Was she for real? If she was indeed Sisterhood potential, Ali wouldn't even have to explain what was "wrong" with Bryan Calvert. Then again...

Give her a break, Ali. She's been here what, two class periods? She probably didn't talk to the guy for more than ten minutes tops. Maybe she didn't catch a good whiff of him.

Deciding to give the brunette across from her a clue as to what exactly was so comical, Ali took a deep breath, still shaking her head from side to side slowly to clear out the fit of laughter that had encompassed her for a few moments. For as long as she could remember, Ali Grayston had gone to school with these kids. It wasn't often that she took the time to think of the new kids in class, and how they must be feeling. Poor dears didn't know right from wrong, in from out... and Ali was feeling generous, so she'd show this girl.

"Calvert's lower than the dirt on the bottom of my shoe. He's filth... vermin. The rats in the janitor's closet have more class than he does. For starters, love, he doesn't bathe, I'm positive of it. He wears that same shirt for days and weeks at a time, he never washes it, and if that's any indication, his personal hygiene is attrocious."

Ali paused for a moment, looking over her shoulder as if scowering the surrounding area for potential eavesdroppers before continuing her tirade on the horrors of Bryan Calvert .

"He's a wannabe thug who's really nothing more than a school bully. He gets off on picking on the... how you say, less important among us. He's one of those people who has to pick on kids with a big group so he doesn't get his ass handed to him. He's supposed to be some muy macho fighter, but I don't buy that story."

Ali's features slowly twisted into that signature Ali Grayston "I'm always right" look... her eyebrows raising ever so slightly, her eyes narrowing a bit, her lips forming into a pout, and her chin jutting upward just slightly to give her the perfect look.

"And besides... I'm pretty sure Mariavel's already tagged him," she mused in a sweet and innocent voice.

Tagged him indeed. Him, and probably Seth, and Rischio, and probably even Kingston and that Darcy chick. Mariavel's a real freak, at least, that's what they say. I wouldn't know, nor do I care to find out. She's not Sisterhood potential. We don't invite gang girls.

Of course, these thoughts were never uttered by the brunette. Instead, she left the subject matter where it was, leaving Tori on her own to discover who this Mariavel girl was and what, exactly, 'tagged' meant. It was, of course, terminology that she used often enough, as it seemed not many people had heard the expression in this hick little down. Before she could say any more about Mariavel, Bryan, or anything else she happened to be ranting about, the trio was approached by an Indian boy, sputtering out some indecipherable words before introducing himself as Randy Nightwalker. Ali inwardly scoffed at the newcomer.

You feel the need to introduce yourself by your nickname? Gay. Are you hoping it'll catch on? This is New Jersey bud, best get on back to the reservation where you belong.

Instead of being the snotty brat that she generally was, for the sake of being sociable, Ali forced that painted-on smile onto her lips once again. She couldn't hide the sense of melancholy and boredom that she felt toward the newcomer, however. She wasn't impressed in the slightest. Didn't this kid know who she was? Probably not, in all actuality. He looked like a newbie to the school as well. Ali sighed audibly as she looked at the boy. So many new kids these days, and none of them had a clue.

Then again, the population of upstate New York had thinned out somewhat since that whole incident with the high school kids at Barry Coleson being abducted and forced into that dreary television program. Ali honestly thought the whole thing was some stupid hoax, but it seemed to have gotten into the heads of many of the upstate New York residents. Denton had become rather flooded with them lately, come to think of it. Ali secretly wondered whether or not either of the two newcomers sitting at the table were among those drifters who had journeyed across the river. Not really caring the answer, she didn't bother to ask. Instead, she merely cocked her head to the side a bit to look at the new boy.

"A pleasure, I'm sure," she mused in a rather monotone and dreary tone.  

Posted by: baby_g Jul 27 2006, 09:14 AM
whoa, Tori thought, that was an earful!

Ali seemed to have all the information about Calvert, and to be honest, alittle more than she wanted to know. Tagged? That was definetly a new term she'd come across. If tagged ment anything like her usual catch phrase "I'd tap that" which she'd often say as a joke, she feels sorry for that chick.... Mariavel. Who was she?

From the sounds of Ali's voice, Mariavel probably wasn't that cool to hang out with either. as the trio sat together, Tori was ganging more confidence as the lunch time passed. Her food was already gone, so it was just up to her to keep track of the conversation, and keep it going.

Tori was one of those girls that liked to take in her surroundings and keep mental notes of things. She figured it was just something she'd picked up from her dad, but none the less, it always worked for her.

Ali was pretty, and had a clear way of explaining things. She was probably good when it came to her work, but at the same time, probably hated doing every second of it. What teenager wouldn't.

Though, there was this look she gave when see was saying something about the whole tagged thing. Tori couldn't really explain it, but it was one of those looks that she'd obviously mastered and used to get her way in many situations.

The short brunette laughed to herself, Well, if you got it, flaunt it!

what seemed to have been out of no where, a kid named....

hmmm, was it Randy? Ryan? Richy? no, I think it was Randolf....

"um, Hi." Tori managed to say. She was kind of thrown off by the whole flowers, weather, rain fall mumbo jumbo he'd said.

Not sure to offer him a seat or not, at the risk of destroying a perfectly fine lunch so far, Tori decided to leave the option of sitting down up to him. In all fairness, Tori hadn't even been at the school for a full day, and had no idea how a school lunch room was run. who sits with who, etc.

What a lunch this is turning out to be...



Posted by: mitsuko2 Jul 27 2006, 09:50 AM
Preston was happy to see Ali talking with someone new. She really could be snobby at times, but she was a good girl. He really didn't know much about Calvert of Mariavel, but then again, did he need to? He heard enough.

"Calvert is wierd, I'll give you that Ali. And that Mariavel chick is.... slutty." he looked to Tori. "I wouldn't get involved with them." He flashed a smile.

They were soon interupted by an Indian boy. Preston didn't pay him any mind.  

Posted by: baby_g Jul 28 2006, 12:12 PM
That was interesting, Tori thought, she wasn't used to having people just walk up and say something weird, and that be it. oh well. I guess this is just one of those schools, she continued.

"Preston," She began, "You seem know people around here like Ali too. What would you say about CJ? I feel kind of bad for him, with the whole 'one hand' thing. How'd that happen?"  

Posted by: mitsuko2 Jul 28 2006, 12:21 PM
"well..... I really don't know how it happened... But that guy HAS to be some sort of weird. I mean, I not really one to Judge, but he is crazy."

Preston flashed one of his trademark grins and finished his soda. He put an arm around Ali's shoulders and pulled her close to him. "hang around with us! We'll show ya the ropes!"  

Posted by: baby_g Jul 28 2006, 12:30 PM
Finally! Tori thought, This will be pretty cool.

"Hey, is there any place remotely interesting around this school? I walked around a bit this morning... basically because I couldn't find my way to any of my classes!"

Tori looked around for a second, just to make sure that no one was listening in. It wasn't like she was going to say something bad, she just likes her privacy.

"Well, to tell you the truth, the only reason I'm asking about Calvert and CJ is because I ran into them this morning in the halls. The boy was helping the old man with some garbage. Sadly they were the only ones in the hall to help me at the time."

Tori looked at Preston with his arm around Ali. She couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous. She missed because able to hang out with boys and just flirt innocently. Before Tori had left her old school, her boyfriend of a year and a half broke up with her.

Boys, She thought, Boys are just stupid.

But she wasn't going to let it get to her. She was at a new school now and that ment she was going to meet new people. Who knows, maybe she'd go to a couple parties, meet some guys and forget all about that jerk back home.

show me the ropes eh? That would be pretty cool she thought. Tori looked around the lunch room only to see crowds of people everywhere, talking to other crowds across the way. Obviously this was making for a noisey lunch time.

Finished with her sandwhich from earlier and just staying around to talk to Preston and Ali, Tori decided it was time to walk around the school. In her head, this was the best way to find where her classes actually were. It wouldn't be a bright idea to be late two days in a row. It's one thing to skip class cause you have a reason. Tori was down for that, she used to do it all the time. But skipping just because you dont know where your class is, well, that's kind of sad on her part.

"Sorry guys," Tori said, "I think I'm going to take a rain check on the ropes today. I just figured I should actually find my classes. I'll see ya in the halls."

Tori picked up her garbage and book bag and mad her way out into the hall way. Deciding just to randomly pick one, Tori made her way.

Cool kids, She thought, Atleast now I can actually nod hello to someone in the halls.

((Continued in: http://z10.PLACEHOLDERLINK/SurvivalOfTheF...howtopic=1134))  

Posted by: Megami Aug 8 2006, 12:36 PM
((My poor Ali gets no lovin' these days. ))

Ali looked on disatisfactorily as Tori decided to take a rain check from Preston's offer. Ali Grayston was well-known around school, as were her tendencies. She didn't care to extend a hand to someone, only to have it brushed away in favor of common trash. Of course, Ali had no way of knowing that Tori Jefferson had just journeyed off into Bathurst's hallways to once again seek out Bryan Calvert. Nor would she know. Sighing idly, Ali once again skimmed the lunchroom, searching for either of the two girls she most usually spent her day with. Of course, neither Carmen or Karah were anywhere to be found.

The loud, shrill sound of the first bell ringing signified the end of their lunch period, and Ali shook her head in slight annoyance. Looking down at the bandage currently wrapped around her wrist, she found herself unwilling to go back to class. Instead, the brunette slid out of her taken seat at the lunch table and cast a quick smile at Preston. Not the typical fake Ali Grayston signature smile that she gave everybody else, but a true smile. One that she only saved for her friends.

"Hey Pres," she mused lightly, "I'll catch you later, okay?"

With that the brunette was off, pushing her way through the massive herd of students that had accumulated in Bathurst High's lunch room. Unlike the rest of these cattle, however, she had no intentions of going back to class. That was truly what most of these students reminded her of: cattle. They followed their leader blindly, without any independent or rational thought of their own. The bells rang every hour or so and it sent the masses of Bathurst High School herding along to their next period.

These people really did disgust Ali.

It was times like these when she questioned why she had chosen to attend Bathurst High School as opposed to any of the other three schools located nearby. Sure, Bathurst was the "main" school of Denton, so to speak, but really, it was sort of slummy. Just outside of town there was P.J. Gilroy Academy, a quite prestigious and high-priced school for the well-to-do kids. Unfortunately, Ali's grades weren't stellar, and because of that, she had no desire to attend a school like Gilroy. Besides, from what she'd heard, that was one of those schools where the older you got, the less people there were in your grade... or something. Lots of freshmen went there, but as they progressed through high school, less and less of them could "make the cut".

She could've went to Hobbsborough, she supposed. The problem with Hobbsborough was that for one, it was far too close to the downtown area. On... Mirchelson Avenue, or something of that nature. From what she'd heard, traffic there was a nightmare. In fact, if she recalled correctly, that was the street where the stoplight was almost constantly fried. What a pain. Besides, her father probably wouldn't have let her attend Hobbsborough anyway. They say there've been a lot of problems there since they merged St. Andrews and Southside together. Lots of fights breaking out. Stuff like that. Of course, news of Kim Jones-Larame's murder in the bathroom stalls hadn't spread to Bathurst yet, but that would've been another reason against it.

She could've gone to Franklyn, she supposed. It wasn't a bad school. Not a particularly good school, either. The kind of place that had football coaches teaching Geography courses and the like. That school had a lot of rich little snotty kids at it though, or so she imagined, simply by its location. That wasn't really Ali Grayston's cup of tea. At least at Bathurst, she wasn't rivals with half the school for her position of hierarchy within the high school. Here, the only people she had to contend with were Walter Smith, who she tended to steer clear of; Jack Bexley, who was quite the loudmouth but not much of a social threat; and the remaining girls of the Sisterhood, which... let's face it, Ali was the leader. At least, she liked to think she was. Whether the other girls accepted her as one was a complete mystery.

The brunette was prodded out of her thoughts as she stepped down the now relatively empty corridor which contained locker number 221, her locker. The shrill sound of the second bell ringing, signifying that all those who were still loitering in the hallway were now officially late for the next period resounded, causing Ali to grimace a bit as the ringing filled her ears. Leaning up against her locker, she watched as some of the students in the hallway took off in a full-on sprint to their next class. Others seemed less interested in the fact that they were now officially considered tardy and continued to loiter around, leisurely removing their books from their locker before meandering down the hallway.

Ali opened her locker door, revealing the dozens of pictures of herself and the rest of the Sisterhood girls which were tacked onto the door of the locker for the world to see. The locker itself was very clean and organized, and her eyes locked onto the mirror that had been hung in the back of it. Taking a moment to look herself up and down, Ali fixed a stray strand of hair before leaning down to grab her backpack from its position atop a shelf she had inserted inside the locker. After a few moments of fishing through the backpack, Ali found what she had been looking for: her cell phone.

Sure, they weren't supposed to have them on campus, but she was Ali Grayston. She got away with stuff like that. Besides, it wasn't as if it was impairing anybody's learning ability nestled inside her locker, right? That is, unless it began ringing and one of the drones in the hallway was so mesmerized by the ringtone that they stopped in the hallway and failed to attend class. Regardless, that was their problem. After dialing a few numbers, Ali put the device up to her ear and listened intently as it rang. She was tired of this place, and she'd seen more than enough drama for one day. It was time to get the hell out of dodge.

"Daddy?" the brunette questioned in an uncharacteristically sweet voice as the recipient on the other line picked up, "Could I get you to do me a great big favor? Pretty please?"

...

((Continued in: http://z10.PLACEHOLDERLINK/SurvivalOfTheF...howtopic=1212))  

Original Post Title: A Side Lesser Shown
Location: Garfield's Restaurant, Central Mall

Posted by: Megami Aug 15 2006, 09:10 PM
((Continued from: http://z10.PLACEHOLDERLINK/SurvivalOfTheF...howtopic=1099))

It had been a long while since Ali Grayston had called the Senator and demanded that he release her from her captors at Bathurst High School; a request which Senator Grayston more than willingly obliged to appease the vivacious brunette most commonly known as his daughter. Receiving prompt permission to leave the schoolgrounds, Ali had eventually headed back to the elustrious Kensington Heights subdivision which she called home, only to disappointedly find that once again, her parents were nowhere to be found.

The Grayston mansion located on beautiful and scenic Ramsgate Drive proved to be uneventful, and after much silent contemplation and quite a while of idly staring at the clock, Ali had produced her ever faithful cellular phone from within the confines of her purse and made one very important, at least in her opinion, call. That call had all but determined her plans for the evening.

She now found herself loitering idly by the stairwell that led to Central Mall's underground parking quarters where, after wasting a plethora of time and gas circling around the underground parking chamber of death, Ali had finally found a relatively close spot to park Daddy's brand-new Corvette Convertible, which she had conveniently borrowed while her parents were out of town. It wasn't as if Daddy minded anyway, he never did.

Now Ali stood, arms wrapped loosely around her torso, casting sidelong glances down the nearby stairwell in hopes of spotting the individual she was waiting for. Her hand absent-mindedly strayed down to her waist, where she proceeded to pull lightly at a loose string that hung from the side of her form-fitting shirt. She couldn't help but laugh inwardly at herself at how desperate she seemed... to herself, anyway. Nobody else had a clue, not even the Sisterhood girls.

Pacing back and forth quietly, all the while, toying with the loose string she'd spotted on her shirt, Ali couldn't help but think back to those desperate few hours after she'd pressed the little red "end" key on the cell phone pad. Time seemed to have stopped since that moment. It's funny how relative time is. When you're excited and pumped up about something, it seems to take forever to get here, because it just can't come fast enough. Still pacing absent-mindedly, Ali closed her eyes, thinking back to just a few hours prior.

***

When she'd hung up the cell phone and tossed it onto the bed beside her, Ali couldn't help but roll over into the plush pink comforter that adorned her bed and grin. It's funny how one person can make you feel special... complete, even. That one person had just gotten off the phone with her, and had even gone so far as to accept her invitation to dinner. Ali was simply overjoyed with this fact, which in itself was quite a feat, because Ali Grayston didn't seem to get "overjoyed" about much of anything.

The next few hours that transpired seemed prolong and never-ending, but somewhere during the moments that time all but stopped, Ali had managed to shower and get dressed. Doing a once over of herself in the mirror, Ali couldn't help but think to herself that, to put it bluntly, she looked damned hot. She'd taken the liberty of curling her hair into big, bouyant, loose curls that now cascaded down her shoulders and framed her silouette nicely. Her makeup was even better.

Her eye makeup was thick and dark in color, giving her an overall mysterious and seductive appearance. At least, that's what she'd like to think. In contrast, her lips were a dark red in color, and the liner that encircled them seemed to make them pout even more than normal. She'd opted for rather casual attire in a vain attempt to make her intentions more subtle, and had simply thrown on a black tanktop, overlapped by a torn white t-shirt with the number "87" across the chest, a white band over her right arm, a pair of skin-tight jeans with holes in various places amidst the fabric, and a pair of high-heeled sandals.

Twirling around in front of the mirror, Ali once again confirmed the fact that she looked hot. She looked beyond hot, even. She looked drop dead gorgeous. And she most certainly didn't look sixteen. Smiling knowingly to herself in the mirror, Ali actually got a shiver up her spine. That was the goal, and in her own personal opinion, she'd overcome the whole "sixteen" part very, very well. The tight clothes she'd chosen for the evening framed her perfected figure perfectly, even if they did look a bit suggestive.

It was okay to look suggestive, that's what older guys liked, right?

Snatching the bottle of Dulce and Gabana perfume that sat on the vanity in front of her, Ali spritzed herself, enjoying the aroma a bit too much herself. After putting the final touches on her makeup and throwing on a bit of jewelry, Ali bounded out of her bedroom and down the stairs of the Grayston household, stopping just long enough to snatch Daddy's car keys from the key holder in front of the door. In retrospect, she probably should've asked... but they were out of town, so who cares?

Within a matter of minutes, Ali was off, tearing through the streets of Kensington Heights and down the hill into the bustling town below. Her destination was Central Mall, where she would meet up with a certain Mr. Right... and she just couldn't get there fast enough.

***

And that was how Ali wound up here, standing idly by the stairwell, awaiting this certain special someone. It's funny how people go so far out of their way to impress people. It's even funnier when said people aren't interested in the material things that the impressee owns. Ali knew arriving in Daddy's Corvette wouldn't impress him. She knew the expensive jewelry and perfume that lingered over her form wouldn't impress him. Despite that, she could still hope...

Everybody has crushes and infatuations, even people like Ali Grayston. Of course, nobody could ever know about that, it'd blow her entire persona right out of the water. She couldn't lose the macho-bitch, Queen Bee attitude she held at Bathurst High. Luckily for her, this particular individual didn't attend Bathurst High School.

She found herself smiling just thinking about him. He was different from all those other guys. People like Ian Rico... Ian was cute, yeah. There was no arguing with that point. Truth be told, though, Ali had no desire to have Ian. She simply came onto him as a means of... asserting herself, so to speak. She pretended that she wanted Ian Rico simply to see if she could indeed have him. Chalk it up to inflating one's self-esteem.

This guy... he wasn't like that. At all. Sure, Ali wanted to impress him, but only him. He was... he was perfect. Sighing audibly, Ali immediately came back to her senses and wiped the dopey looking grin that had overtaken her desireable features away. Glancing around haphazardly to ensure that no one had noticed her in her silent reverie, she let out an audible sigh. Absent-mindedly, she looked down at the Fossil watch that adorned her wrist, then back down the stairwell.

What if he didn't show?  

Posted by: riserugu Aug 16 2006, 11:25 PM
Trying to find parking at the mall was always in itself – hell at best, which was currently why Greggory was having such an issue trying to locate a decent parking spot that wouldn't in the end with him trying to locate his car in a confused state of manner. Taking another corner, and ascending further downward in the underground parking – really how deep did this thing go? But sure enough as he figured, no one would want to park this deep and there where quite a number of spots still open here, though this just meant that climbing the stairs was going to be quite the adventure. Oh well, he needed the exercise he supposed.

Moving into one of the parking spots near the stairwell, parking her car and killing the engine. Removing himself from the vehicle, making sure the doors where lock – though he wasn't sure who'd want to take anything out of it, let alone steal it. Slightly bending at his waist, he glanced himself over in one of the car's side mirrors, the call he had received today was quite unexpected – which left him little time to clean up, though he by the looks of it seemed to have done a good job. Seeing as a few hours ago he was partly covered in varying colors of paint.

Brushing the front of his shirt he moved over toward where the stairwell lay, moving in and glancing upward toward where the top level lay. Sighing a bit at the sight in the distance between him and where Ali was to be meeting him. Exercise indeed, so pushing the thought as to how much his legs where going to be bothering him once he reached the top he started up the stairs, already having the feeling he was running slightly meet in meeting his friend. Changing from his paint-splattered clothing and into a nicer pair of khaki colored cargo pants and white button up top, not bothering to locate his decent pair of sneakers and simply slipping on a pair of sandals – he was sure Ali wouldn't mind too much, he knew she worried about her looks a lot, he wasn't sure how she felt about other's.

Though it was rather funny, least in his opinion, how different his friend was from when he had first met her. They had been young, he was twelve, and so she had been around eleven at the time. Back then, he remembered, first seeing her at some random function they had been holding during her father's run for office, his adopted father acting as advisor and campaign manager for Senator Grayston. He was new to the area, and she had been the only other kid there – and that had been pretty much it.

Now though, he was currently rushing up a large staircase for this friend who had been the one to make the unexpected call some hours before. It had been a while since they had last did anything together, each of them always seemed to be busy with something or the other. Basketball and baseball taking up a lot of the spare time Gregg had during the school year, and art projects and other things in relation always seemed to keep him busy in all the rest of his spare time throughout the rest of year, that and trying to prepare himself for upcoming graduation next year, and then college after that.

So he had to admit, hearing from Ali was something unexpected, though surprising and at the same time nicely surprising.

As the top of the stairs came into view, Gregg allowed his ascend up them to slow down a bit – trying to recapture his breath before reaching the top. Brushing a couple strands of dirty colored blond hair out of his face, noting a faint trace of blue paint captured along between his index and middle finger. Seemed he hadn't scrubbed hard enough during his shower…

Licking the index finger on his other hand, and began scrubbing at the area of paint as he reached the top of the stairwell and exited outside in the fresh air and light – a lot better than the stale air of that underground parking area. Glancing about, though quickly found himself catching where Ali seemed to be pacing herself. Smiling a bit brightly as he began moving toward the younger girl, dropping his hands and pushing them into his pocket jeans, musing lightly as he paused in his steps a foot or so away.

"Sorry if I'm late, parking is always a rather eventful trip."  

Posted by: Megami Aug 17 2006, 01:01 AM
After taking the time to check her watch one more time and study her cell phone scrutinizingly to confirm that Gregg had in fact not called and cancelled their planned evening together, Ali had once again begun pacing the tiled floor of the first story of the mall at a leisurely pace. When she heard the unmistakable voice of Gregg Archer echo out from behind her, her heart automatically leapt up into her throat.

Stay cool, girl. Stay cool. You don't want him to think you're a spaz, do you?

Slowly, Ali stopped her pacing and turned to face Gregg, her arms still wrapped loosely around her torso in an unassuming manner. The disappointed look that had formed on her features was apparent. Of course, Gregg had no way of knowing that Ali was not at all disappointed by the fact that he was late. In fact, she was ecstatic that he had actually shown up. No, Ali's disappointment stemmed from the fact that she'd gone above, beyond, and tremendously out of her way to "beautify" herself, and Gregg hadn't said a word about it. Not that he had any way of knowing that.

"Hey..." she stated quietly, the discouraged look that had overtaken her features just as quickly fading into her signature smile as it had come.

Taking a few steps toward Gregg, quickly shortening the already limited distance between the two in the process, Ali stretched out her arms, embracing the somewhat taller boy in a tight hug. It had been quite a while since they'd last hung out. For that matter, it had been quite a while since she'd last seen him, not counting that appearance she'd made at his last baseball game that he was completely unaware of. Despite herself, she could feel the warm smile that made its way across her lips as she embraced her counterpart tightly, quickly releasing him from her grasp lest the entire scenario become awkward.

"It's good to see you," she added, subtly giving him a once over as she did so, "...You look nice."

So maybe it was said in the hopes that Gregg would tell her that she looked nice. Or smelled nice. Or was pretty. Or just... anything. Not that he didn't look nice. Greg always looked nice, especially in Ali's eyes. Her head tilted sideways a bit, and she hoped he wouldn't notice that she was indeed scooping out someone that she could easily consider to be a childhood friend. He had been so much more than that for such a long while now though that it hardly seemed awkward or unusual anymore. Too bad Gregg didn't know that.

Ali didn't have many constants in her ever-changing life. Her father was always here, there, or the other place. Her mother was always orchestrating some new campaign or off trying to sell some new idea. Everything was always pushing forward in the Grayston household, be it her father's re-election into the Senate or a new add-on to the house or something in between. Gregg Archer, whom she had met at the tender age of eleven, was one of those constants. Maybe that was why he was so much more "special", so to speak, than the majority of the other people entangled in Ali's life.

They'd played together a lot as kids. Greg's father, adopted apparently, was a crucial player in her father's election campaigns. Greg, who was probably around twelve at the time, often seemed to accompany his father to this or that political event, and Ali was always being ushered around by her parents as well. Thus, the two, being the only children to attend such things, found a playmate within one another. He was older than her, but age didn't seem to be such a big deal back then. A lot of things didn't seem to be such a big deal back then...

Ali didn't really know when it happened, but sometime after her fifteenth birthday she had begun to look at Gregg. I mean, really look at Gregg. Sometime after the disconcerting and embarrassing years of adolescence and puberty had surpassed the two, Gregg began to change. Or maybe it was Ali who changed. It was during that time that Ali realized that Gregg wasn't Gregg anymore. He'd begun to change into something different. Something more. Simply put, Gregg had changed into something that Ali desired. Even to this day, those feelings of infatuation and admiration continued, although Ali would never admit it.

Stepping away from Gregg a bit, Ali absent-mindedly rubbed a spot on her arm, focusing her attention on it instead of her companion. She didn't want him to feel put off or anything. She sighed, eventually settling for scrutinizing the nearby restaurants and bistros for something suitable to eat. Not seeing anything that particularly struck her fancy, not that she was really hungry anyway, she once again turned to Gregg, the smile once again overtaking her features.

"So..." she began, somewhat awkwardly, "What sounds good?"

In truth, he could've dragged her to the scuzziest, filthiest, most disgusting restaurant this side of the Mississippi river and she couldn't have cared, simply because it would mean that she'd get to spend time with him. Casting a sidelong glance at her companion that she could only assume he was oblivious to, she secretly wondered if perhaps he was just as crazy about her. If he was, he certainly didn't act it. Sighing inwardly, Ali forced the thought into the back of her mind. Gregg didn't think of her like that. Why would he?

She was probably just some kid to him. Some goofy, awkward adolescent who fawned over him to no end. Even if that weren't the case, the fact remained, she and Gregg Archer would never work. They were far too close, they'd known one another far too long. And yet, in the back of her mind, Ali couldn't help but silently hope that one day they'd cross that fine line between friendship and something more.

Maybe one day...

Around anybody else, Ali would've been the one barking orders and issuing commands. Here and now, given her present company, however, Ali was quite reserved. Instead, she'd planned on letting Gregg make the choice concerning their plans for the evening. Anything to keep him happy... content... that was what Ali wanted. She wanted whatever made Gregg happy. Even now, she didn't quite understand it. It was so much more than an infatuation, and he was so much more than just another random guy. Gregg was special. If only she could tell him that... even if she did... no, it was a bad idea. It would just make things uncomfortable and ruin any sort of friendship the two had had prior.

Instead, Ali remained silent in her thoughts and idle daydreaming. She looked on at Gregg, the faux smile she usually adorned replaced by something rare for Ali - a genuine smile. She was adamant about the fact that he was choosing the night's events, and truth be told, she didn't care what they were or what it entailed. None of that mattered, because for Ali, this was the perfect evening. In the back of her mind, however, she couldn't help but feel a bit panicky that they might run into one of the girls, or worse... another of her classmates from Bathurst.  

Posted by: riserugu Aug 20 2006, 12:53 AM
Gregg found himself blinking in a slightly confused manner when Ali turned to face him – the look of disappointed etched in across her features sent the male into a tailspin of question formatting about what he could of done in the past seven seconds since he had arrived. Thought the formatting of thoughts where a bit thrown to the wind when the other approached him, he frowning slightly before being pulled into a tight hug; returning it warmly and as best he could, pondering still as to what might be the problem. Usually, though it had been awhile since they had last seen one another, Ali was usually all grins and giggles when they where together, now though…

When she pulled away, commenting on his dress, Gregg couldn't help though laugh as he look himself over. "Thanks, seeing as this was all I could find that wasn't covered in paint in some form." He mused, glancing up as he scanned Ali over lightly, cocking his head with a grin. "You look nice yourself – but then again you always do look pretty, out of the two of us you've certainly always been the one with the better sense of style."

Though of course, Ali's sense of style certainly had changed from when they had first met – back then at those functions when it was Sunday dress they where forced into a majority of the time. But what did he really expect, for Ali to show up dressed in some puffy white dress with ribbons in her hair? Sighing a little, he rubbed an area along the back of his neck as the other fell into a bit of a bout of silence.

"But, yeah… it's really good to see you again too."

He really had missed his friend, it was odd almost now though – they had hardly any time for one another. What with all they did at their own schools and all, Ali was never talkative of what she did at Bathurst, or the dealings on over there, hardly ever did she talk about it. Though he never pushed, though he was sure she knew all there was to too know of him and his dealing about his own school – what with the main point of a lot of his conversations. Ever since he moved here he tried to keep his focus on a lot of after school stuff, kept him from having to go home to an empty house so early every day.

What with his dad always gone off somewhere with Ali's own father – he wondering how long this latest trip of theirs' was too last before they got a chance to come home. And though his mother wasn't into politics, she was the one of the heads leading a chain of banks across New Jersey, and the Northeastern region as was always busy at the office or on a trip to open a new bank or something to that nature weekly. So he usually just found himself either in the comfort of training for some sport at school, or trying to amuse himself at home in every humanly way possible without getting himself killed or setting the house on fire – or both for that matter.

Though as the question came, he was caught a bit off-guard, what focused on his thoughts and all at the moment, which really he shouldn't be. He was here to spend time with someone he considered a close, and good friend, not ponder his home life. Smiling though, Gregg cast a short look about the area – eyeing the nearby eateries with a rose eyebrow, he never was one for eating out, usually in was microwaveable mac ‘n' cheese for him, so with a slight shrug toward Ali, he kept the smile. "I don't know – though really I should be asking that question, because you should know by know; I suck at choosing."

That said and done, he moved over to the girl, locking arms with her and started to move into a walk.

"Though I suppose if you can't choose, we can walk around until we spot something that looks good, alright?"  

Posted by: Megami Aug 20 2006, 10:55 PM
Although the flattering comments thrown her way by her companion were shrugged off visibly, Ali was inwardly jumping for joy at the fact that he'd even acknowledged her choice of attire. Told her she was pretty, no less. Of course, she shouldn't be thinking like that, Gregg clearly didn't think of her that way... did he? Ali made a futile attempt at brushing the thoughts from her mind.

His comment toward choosing a dining establishment sent Ali into a fit of giggles. Men suck at a lot of things -- asking for directions, driving, cooking, cleaning, doing their laundry, choosing restaurants -- Gregg Archer was certainly no exception to that last rule. He was bad at choosing anything, at any time. So much so that Ali had been forced to order for him on more than one occassion. Of course, this often sparked an awkward glance by the current waiter or waitress who'd already seemed to jump to the conclusion that she must be his over-controlling girlfriend... but who cared what those people thought?

The passing thought was quickly snapped from her mind as Gregg took her by the arm and began ushering her through the mall, clearly intent on her being the one to choose the restaurant -- by any means necessary, it seemed. She couldn't help but be taken a bit aback by this quite forward move, and although once again she outwardly paid it no mind, it sent her thoughts into a tailspin.

Casting a sidelong glance at her companion as they walked through the mall, the brunette made an attempt at studying the older boy's features to see what he was thinking. He was being awfully forward for someone who was just a friend -- then again, he was a childhood friend. They'd known one another for years, so a simply gesture like the one he'd just made shouldn't be thought of as anything other than friendly.

Sighing in annoyance at the inner feud that was being waged in her mind, Ali inconspicuously wrapped her fingers around Gregg's arm, eventually allowing her vision to linger over the restaurant choices lining the corridors of the mall, she taking the time to mentally evaluate each one before making a selection.

There was La Fiesta, a quite popular little Mexican restaurant where the waiters walked around with sombraros on. No, that wasn't a good idea. Kady Williams was a hostess there, and the two girls shared an Algebra class together. Kady was a bit of a gossip, if she saw Ali out, especially with her current companion, it would surely spread around the hallways of Bathurst High School like wildfire. That idea was a definite no, Ali decided.

Continuing to skim the corridors of the mall for a quiet and offset restaurant to eat, her eyes fell on another little bistro amongst the shops and chambers of the mall -- Sally Ann's. It was a small restaurant and only housed a few tables and chairs, and at this time of the day, it looked relatively uncrowded. Wait a second. Shellie and Shana Bodine's parents' owned that restaurant. Ali was well-aquainted with the Bodine twins and hung out on them quite often. Another bad idea.

Shaking her head in mild annoyance, Ali inwardly cursed at the small town in which they lived and the fact that she knew much of the crowd that had flooded into the mall on this weekday evening. Why don't we just go back to my house? Of course, she couldn't really suggest that they just blow the mall for somewhere more private. He might get the wrong idea. Plus, she'd already made him drive all the way to the mall, fight the hustle and bustle of work traffic, and probably run up half a dozen flights of stairs to meet her here.

That would just be rude.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Garfield's, and suddenly the lightbulb in her head came on. As far as she remembered, she'd never seen hide nor hair of any of her classmates inside the contours of the somewhat posh and overly expensive little restaurant. It was secluded, right down to the booths. It was perfect. Smiling outwardly, she motioned toward the eatery, casting an almost pleading look toward Gregg in the process.

"How about there?" she mused, suddenly stopping to think that it was indeed quite expensive and Gregg might not have the cash on him, "If you don't have the money, I'll spot you."

There. Crisis averted. He'd bought her lunch on a couple of occassions when she'd misplaced Daddy's credit card, so she probably owed him the cost of a meal anyway. Besides, it was just perfect. She wouldn't have to worry about those cumbersome classmates of hers interrupting her perfect evening. Besides, maybe she could spring heading back to her place on him inside. They could always go swimming or something. Nobody was home, therefore, nobody was there to care, right?

Smirking inwardly and patting herself on the shoulder, Ali Grayston thought she had it all figured out. They'd grab a bite to eat, head back to her place to go swimming later, maybe rent some movies or something. It was perfect, at least in theory. Now, all she had to do was convince Gregg that it was perfect. Over the course of dinner, Ali was positive she could do that. Almost not awaiting his response, she tugged on his arm, virtually dragging him in the direction of the restaurant.  

Posted by: riserugu Aug 27 2006, 12:58 AM
As they walked along the length of the mall were more of the finer dining establishment were, Gregg noted quite a few that would have been nice – though glances toward Ali toward him his friend was thinking other wise as a majority of the ones they passed she didn't give much of a second glance. Though Gregg simply shrugged this off, after all he did request she be the one to choose because his choices in life always seemed to steer toward the harsher paths that one could take, a sigh pressing past lips at this thought.

Though as a sharp tug which caused him to be jerked off into a certain direction broke his train of thought, Gregg glanced over Ali lightly before glancing over into the direction they where going. Eyeing the restaurant with a questioning glance, Garfield's? To which Gregg almost continued help the tilt his head at, the name didn't strike him familiar – then again, the mall wasn't commonplace for him, let alone the finer eating establishments about the location of said mall they had been browsing about these last few.

He glanced at Ali again at the question she asked about it, to which – once again, Gregg just simply shrugged. "Sounds good." Though the rest of the statement caused a small laugh to escape him as he shook his head. "No that's fine – I just got my pay check a few days ago, so I still got some of that left over, more than enough to cover a meal; least I hope."

Entering the small eatery, he took the time to take a glance about. It seemed one of those restaurants where the lights where kept down to the dimmest they could get without everyone running into one and tripping over everything. Vines, plants and the like circling and hanging about the lot of things, giving the whole place a rather comfortable, down-to-earth kind of feel to it. The soft music, which he couldn't quite place but seemed to be play about the classical sense, overlapped in the background – making everything just seem, well rather claming. The lack of people that seemed to be present in the restaurant added on to it, he rather curious as to such but perhaps the people around preferred those crowded ones, with the blaring loud music.

Or perhaps he was thinking to hard on the subject at hand.
Yeah, probably…

It didn't take long for one of the hostess to appear, she seemed to be rather happy to see people. Questioning if it was only the two of two of them, Gregg nodded his head a bit watching as she grabbed at two menus and lead them along away from the near front of the restaurant to one of the smaller booths turning toward the back, she placing both menus down and mentioning that someone would be with them shortly.

Detaching himself away from Ali, he moved toward to sit down – happy, as mentioned running up almost what seemed to be several dozen sets of stairs did not do his legs any good. Baseball and basketball were both sports that required a bunch of running on the players part, but he didn't have basketball till the winter, and baseball till next spring, so with no practice and hardly any training on his part. A bit out of shape in his running as a bit of an understatement in a few ways…

Though all the running had been done for a good cause, so he was content though still exhausted by it all none the less. A glance at Ali and he smiled a slight bit, nodding toward the other side of the booth, "Come on sit, this'll give a chance to catch up - seeing as neither as been nice enough to call the other till today."  

Posted by: Megami Aug 27 2006, 02:13 AM
Inwardly jumping for joy that Gregg held an indifference toward eating at that particular restaurant, Ali steered the boy in that direction. The bright lights and loud sounds of the bustling mall were soon replaced by the restaurant's dim lighting and mellow, relaxing music as they entered, and Ali quickly found herself griping more tightly to Gregg's arm out of sheer habit. Garfield's was known as being a hot date spot, though Ali could only assume that Gregg was oblivious to this fact -- as far as she knew, he didn't make it out to the mall often, much less opt to eat at elaborate and overpriced restaurants such as this. The hostess greeted them politely, although Ali couldn't help but notice the older girl sizing Gregg up out of the corner of her eye. Of course, given the proximity (or lack thereof) between Gregg and his brown-headed companion, it was only natural for the hostess to assume that this one was most certainly off the market.

And Ali was fine with conveying that image to people like her.

Casting a faux smile at the dainty-looking hostess, Ali continued to attach herself to her companion's arm and followed the bleach-blonde girl at a meandering pace, casting sidelong glances around the entirety of the restaurant every so often to ensure that indeed, none of her classmates -- especially none of her girlfriends -- were anywhere in the immediate area. Content with the fact that no threat appeared present, Ali finally snapped back to reality long enough to slide into the cooshy seat across the table from Gregg. Avoiding direct eye contact with her companion, she instead opted for looking absent-mindedly at the menu that the hostess had presented them with.

"So..." she mused, suddenly at a loss for words, "What's new with you?"

***

"Regina, you've got a couple in your section," the hostess mused quietly as she returned to her stationary position at the podium. A reluctant sigh slipped from the lips of she by the name of Regina as she glanced to the two people who had been seated in her section. Krystle, previously known as the bleach-blonde hostess, shrugged her shoulders lightly at the annoyed look that had plastered itself onto Regina's dark features.

"Pretty sure I'm about to leave," Regina mused in an annoyed manner.

"It's worth hanging around for," Krystle mused, a sly grin slipping across her delicate features, "The guy's a looker."

Despite herself, Regina was suddenly curiously peaking out from behind the wall at the booth in which her two newest customers had just been seated. Her eyebrows raised slightly as she took in the baseball boy facing toward them, but a resigned sigh quickly escaped her lips, "Yeah, Krystle. It looks like he's very, very taken. That girl's probably a trick, too. It's not worth hanging around for the lousy tip."

Before the hostess could speak up to reprimand Regina for her selfish attitude, a voice spoke up from behind the two. "If you don't want the table, I'll take it," the dark-headed boy who had just stepped out of the kitchen mused with a grin.

"Whatever," Regina stated flatly, her arms crossing over her chest as she uttered the word, "You can have it."

"Fantastic," the boy, whose nametag read Colt, mused, "I'm glad you're wealthy Gina, but some of us have bills to pay. You know, if you weren't such an uptight bitch, and if you didn't go around insulting people's girlfriends, you might actually get decent tip money."

The never-faltering smile that remained plastered on Colton's face conveyed the joking manner in which he spoke to his colleague, but the baffled and befuddled look that crossed over Regina's features remained fixated on them as Krystle let out a laugh-turned-snort at the comment. Despite the air of jokingness that Colt had made the remark with, part of him was serious, and part of the words he had uttered had a valid point. Continuing to grin, Colton snatched the check pad from the hands of his fellow waitstaff member and gave her a small salute and a wink.

The rather annoyed look that Regina had expressed only moments prior quickly melted into a giddy smile at this action. Despite the pompous and overbearing manner in which he presented himself, despite the egotistical and smart-mouthed way he spoke to his companions, despite his overall attitude, Colton had a personality that you could only hate in a playful manner. For starters, he had an air of attractiveness about him that you couldn't help but notice, and was friendly and charismatic. His words always held a comical demeanor to them, and despite the nasty and callous words that often spilled freely from his lips, it was almost impossible to take him seriously. He was one of the "veteran" waitstaff at Garfield's, having started as a dishwasher at the age of sixteen. By eighteen, he had made his way out onto the floor and was one of the more popular waiters, driven by his charismatic personality. Colton was good at his job and he knew it.

Attaching the ever-present, never-faked Colton Valero smile to his lips, Colt meandered slowly over to the table where the couple formerly known as Regina's latest clients glanced idly at their menus. Upon discovering who his latest customer was, Colt couldn't help but grin amusedly. Gregg Archer, fellow Franklyn classmate, fellow baseball teammate, and quite frankly, good buddy of his sat seated in the booth. Colt was a little taken aback to see Gregg in a place like Garfield's, he never knowing Gregg to enjoy luxuries like fine cuisine and expensive prices. What Colt was truly curious about, however, was not why Gregg Archer had made an appearance in a restaurant like Garfield's, but who had persuaded him to undergo such a feat. Quite frankly, Colton was rather curious about the dark-haired lady friend who sat across from Gregg, her back turned to Colt.

To Colton's knowledge, Gregg didn't have a girlfriend. If he did, he never talked about her, and even only being able to see the back of the girl's features, Colt noted that she was quite pretty. Most definitely something worth telling others about, if you know what I mean. Colt's curiosity was suddenly overwhelming, as the girl held a sense of familiarity to him, but not because she was a student at Franklyn. In fact, Colt was almost positive he didn't recognize the girl from school, which only baffled him even more. Casually strolling up to the table, he grasped Gregg on the shoulder to get his attention, the grin once again overtaking his features as he greeted his fellow teammate.

"Hey, man!" It wasn't the most polite greeting in the world, and it wasn't etiquette he would normally use on-the-clock, but this was Gregg, and Colt didn't care how much money they paid him, he wouldn't be calling his baseball teammate 'sir' anytime soon. Inconspicuously turning his attention to the lady friend that currently occupied the seat horizontal to Gregg's, Colton's eyebrows raised in mild shock. It wasn't an expression that was noticeable along his features, but one glance at the face of the young lady accompanying his teammate instantaneously made a name click into place. He knew the girl with Gregg, all right.

In the biblical sense.

His head tilted to the side ever so slightly and a smirk came across his features as he looked at the brunette, his head beginning to shake a little bit in dismay and confusion at the awkward situation that he'd unwittingly put himself in. He and Ali Grayston, they knew one another alright -- intimately. Neither one of them were ever really one for relationships, so what they had could best be called a fling. Not even a fling, really. To put it bluntly, for quite a while, he and Ali were what could best be described as "fuck buddies". It wasn't a pretty term, but that was pretty much the gist of it. They'd met at a party a while back -- both of them had been intoxicated at the time, he thought she was hot, she thought he was cute, and they wound up going off in his truck and hooking up later on that night. Not the most romantic story, right?

Things sped up from there, and although neither one of them were looking for a committed relationship, nothing was stopping them from being friends-with-benefits, as it was so often coined. This relationship, if it could truly be called one, had continued for a couple months, and when she had suddenly stopped calling him, Colton had simply gone elsewhere to find that which he'd apparently lost with Ali. He hadn't talked to her since then, though in all actuality it had only been roughly a month since things had come to an abrupt halt with the two of them. Now, the first time he saw her since then, she was here with one of his teammates -- one of his friends. Ali glanced up at him, and although a look of astonishment and surprise overtook her features for a brief instant, it was quickly overtaken by a look of indifference. Obviously, she had no intentions of shining any sort of light on their connections to one another.

"... What do you guys want to drink?" Colt asked after a moment.

"Diet coke..." Ali mused.

She'd grown rather silent since the appearance of their waiter, but if asked, could simply blame it on the fact that she'd been browsing through the rather vast menu of foods that Garfield's provided. As Colton took Gregg's drink order and wandered off for the back, Ali couldn't help but curse inwardly at the recent turn of events. She'd been so careful to choose an eatery where she and Gregg wouldn't be bothered by the plebians and urchins that Bathurst High School was known for. She had never once stopped to think about people that she wasn't connected to through Bathurst High. Besides, she had no idea that Colton Valero worked here. Unsurprisingly, throughout the course of their "relationship", his place of employment had never come up. Shaking her head a bit in mental anguish, Ali continued with the plastered facade of nonchalance on the outside.

Within a few moments, she looked up at Gregg, a smile alighting her features as her eyes met with his momentarily. This had to be dealt with immediately, lest it be blown out of proportion and end in a bad scenario for her. The more oblivious Gregg was to the fact that she and Colton knew one another -- and just how close they had been -- the better of the both of them would be, she imagined. Besides, she'd like to think that Gregg didn't know about her "reputation" at Bathurst High. In all actuality, she hadn't been with that many guys. Yes, she'd had her fair share of partners at sixteen years of age, but things get blown out of proportion rather quickly, and she didn't need Gregg thinking that she was a common whore.

"Hey," she mused quietly, "I'll be back in a minute."

Excusing herself in a matter that was rather polite and unbefitting of Ali Grayston, she cast another glance back toward Gregg and smiled once again before exusing herself in the direction of the restrooms -- which just happened to be around a corner and near the kitchen. Rounding the corner, she caught sight of Colton standing in the back, not even having to wave the dark-headed boy down before he came over to her with a bit of a baffled expression on his face. Before he had time to ask, Ali simply held her finger to her lips and shook her head. She didn't owe him any explanation, it was none of his business. Colton seemed to simply shrug this off. It wasn't as if he cared that she was here with someone else, they weren't ever seriously involved anyway. Not committed-wise.

"Listen," Ali stated sharply, her voice hushed so that no one could hear them speaking, "I don't want Gregg to find out about... you know, about us. It just wouldn't be right, you know? Not on my part, not on your part... he is one of your friends, after all. And... look, it'll just cause us all a lot less trouble if you act like you don't know who I am, or like we're just casual acquaintances, or... or something."

Interrupting her before she continued to babble on, Colton placed his hand on her shoulder and offered an encouraging smile, "You read my mind, doll."

And that was that. Nothing else had to be said, nor would it be. Both Colton and Ali were on the same page when it came to avoiding risque situations, and exposing their relationship as ex-lovers to the one guy Ali truly cared about as well as one of the guys Colton was rather close to on the baseball team could only mean turmoil on both their parts. Giving him a curt nod, Ali turned around, slowly making her way back to the booth where Gregg was seated. For all he knew, she had just gone for a short bathroom break. And frankly, if Ali Grayston had her way, that's all Gregg would ever know. A relieved sigh escaped her lips at Colton's cooperation in retaining their secret. Of all the things that had gone wrong today, at least that much was going right. Then again, why would Colton want to expose a dark secret from the past anyway? It wasn't as though either of them were emotionally attached to one another or anything of the sort, neither had ever considered the other anything more than a casual acquaintance at best.

Sliding back into the table across from Gregg, Ali once again smiled. When she was with him, it was one of the few times she actually conveyed a genuine smile, and despite the reputations, the rumors, the high-school drama, and the compulsive need to be on top of the world, the kind smile that she conveyed when she was genuinely happy was very becoming of the brunette. Reopening her menu and continuing to mull over it for a minute, Ali glanced idly at the dozens upon dozens of potential dishes plastered to the menu before once again looking up at Gregg.

"What looks good?" she inquired lightly, silently hoping her companion would remain oblivious to the events going on around him.

("A Side Lesser Shown" continued)

Posted by: riserugu Aug 31 2006, 09:58 PM
Focusing his attention downward on to the somewhat small, and lightly fashioned text of the menu placed before him by the waitress that had left some moments before. Gregg eyeing the contents with a slightly withdrawn expression, personally he was never much for food like this – true both his parents where really well off, they liked in a great house on the right side of town, and seen he had been adopted he had been offered all the good things in life and then some, though he be damned if he acted like a majority of the kids that where in the same shoes as him. Perhaps it was because he had grown up being on such a different level, being shuffled from one family to the next for so long – actually having concerning, loving parents was a bit of a shock for him for lack of a better way of putting it.

Simply put some mac' n' cheese would do him over well, though remembering he was here more or less for Ali – he simply allowed himself to smile the thought away.

Flipping over to another side of the menu, Gregg lightly lifted his attention away as the question from Ali came – he looking at the younger female for a brief moment before smiling with a shrug and returning his attention downward too the menu. "Not really – mostly just working on applications and the like, for college and all. Trying to work out all my classes for next year, least trying to work it all around so I can at least do baseball without it being a burden on anything."

He sighed lightly, flipping the page back; "What about you? You never seem to talk about your school with me?"

For a moment he wondered if the other girl was going to open up and actually talk, or if this was going to turn into a one-sided conversation like it usually did sometimes. Though before Gregg had a chance to think any harder on the subject, a grip on his shoulder and a odd greeting for such a place made him take his attention away from what he had been so focused on and turn to look on the features of one of his fellow classmates and teammates at school, a rather odd expression between shock and confusion spreading across his features. "Colt?"

He knew he probably shouldn't be surprised to see his teammate, because he knew somewhere in the back of his mind he remembered Colt making some mention of his work-place, he knew they pretty much all knew he worked in the at the cinema – then again like with making choices remembering bits of information about people, like birthdays and the name of their cat's wasn't something he usually kept on top priority; heck he had a time usually remembering names he wasn't going to bother remembering all this other stuff. Though as he smiled at the other male, he found himself blinking slightly, eyeing the odd glance over he seemed to be giving Ali – the shake of his head made the question form at an even faster pace.

Turning his head away from Colt he glanced toward Ali and nothing other than a look of indifference seemed to don the features of her face, Gregg lightly chewing down on his bottom lip with his teeth – a horrid habit he performed when slightly, or in this case, overwhelmingly confused about a situation. Though still – it was odd.

But with a shrug he allowed himself to push the thought away and back, returning to his menu though continuing to lightly chew on his lip. By the look on Ali's face they didn't seem to know one another, which was what his mind was telling him was going on. Though if they did they had done a grand job of never mentioning the other around him. Maybe this was something he also didn't know about Ali too add to slightly growing list, a sigh escaping him as he just simply shook his head of the thought, it really wasn't his place to wonder. If Colt and Ali knew one another, they seemed to not care to acknowledge it, or perhaps his thoughts where just getting the better of himself, and things weren't as big as he was portraying them.

He was starting to become convinced, though – that life was more difficult to figure out than a majority of his math homework a lot of the time.

Flipping the page of the menu over again, not even sure what he was looking for – he hardly understood a majority of it truth be told. It all sounded weird, and looked pricey, too things that never should go together in his humble opinion.

At Ali's voice commenting out on leaving for the bathroom, Gregg tilted his head up nodding lightly and smiling a bit and glancing back downward as Ali wondered away from the table. Sitting there alone now he couldn't help when he began to drum his finger lightly against the table, propping an elbow atop the wooden table and resting his cheek down against an open palm. Eyes wondering over the dishes, upon dishes that this place offered, casting his attention over to his drumming fingers, narrowing them at once again the sight of a spray splatter of paint along his wrist this time.

Really – he was going to have to start funding into paint that washes off easier, that or buy a pair of gloves or something. He thought, lifting his head and licking at one of his fingers, scrubbing at the area once more to try and rid it of the reddish hue that was staining the somewhat tanned skin.

By the time the last remnants of the paint left skin was when Ali returned, he glancing up at his friend with a return smile as he lowered his finger away from his wrist. Watching her lightly for a minute as she went back to looking over her own menu, something he had given up quite sometime ago – simply going with the easiest thing to understand on there. Least it had chicken in the title, most of these things made no sense what so ever to him and he really didn't feel like playing lucky in order to find out what he could be getting with tonight's meal.

The question allowed the smile to stay as he shrugged, "I really don't know – anything that I know what's in it, that's always good for me."  

Posted by: Megami Sep 2 2006, 08:10 PM
A noticeable frown, though it more resembled a pout than a full-on disappointed look, formed across the features of the vivacious brunette who sat across from Gregg Archer as he commented vaguely on the large variety of platters offered at the restaurant. More than anything, Gregg seemed more than a little disinterested, if not a bit turned off, by the restaurant she had chosen to eat at, and that more than anything disheartened the bronze complected girl that sat horizontal from him. This was exactly why she had wanted Gregg to pick the restaurant, she hadn't wanted to drag him somewhere he wasn't interested in going and force him to sit through a meal that he didn't even want. Why did boys have to be so difficult?

"Gregg..." Ali stated coyly, her eyes fixated on her companion as she spoke, "Do you not like the restaurant? We can go somewhere else, you know. We don't have to eat here if you don't want to... really."

Although he probably hadn't intentionally conveyed his distaste for the restaurant she had chosen, it was rather noticeable on Gregg's features as he stared idly at the menu that he wasn't all that impressed with this place. Then again, she'd more than given him ample opportunity to select an establishment of his own accord, so now he had more or less gotten stuck with what Ali wanted, and Ali simply wanted a place where she could be rid of the nuisances that plagued her throughout her time in the compulsory education they call high school. Of course, things had taken a potential turn for the worst when she had run into someone who rivaled even the plebians she was forced to share a classroom with here.

Casting her companion a warm smile, she couldn't help but notice the tall, built physique that was once again approaching their table, this time with drinks in hand. Colt smiled awkwardly, the metal braces that encompassed his teeth gleaming in the dim lighting as he did so. Ali couldn't help but smile half-heartedly as well. Although it would probably just come off to everyone else as her vain attempt at being polite, she really did appreciate Colt's cooperation in withholding a certain bit of information concerning her past -- their past -- from the sandy-haired baseball player sitting across the table for him. She really did owe him, though it was a debt Ali wrongly assumed that she would never be forced to repay.

As Colt slid the drinks down on the table in front of the couple, Ali couldn't help but notice the sidelong glance he cast her from the corner of his eye. Choosing to disregard it, she simply gave him a curt nod in thanks, and Colt seemed to take the hint. The tanned boy had found himself in a lot of situations over past relationships and the choices he had made, and truth be told, this was no exception. Things would have been weird, if not completely uncomfortable, if either himself or Ali had chosen to blow things out of the water in front of their third party, and Colt was actually rather grateful that the brunette hadn't verbally assaulted him on sight.

"So Gregg," he mused casually enough, causing Ali's stomach to knot up inwardly in apprehension at the words that might be uttered next. Her fear seemed unnecessary, however, as Colt's next statements were a direct attempt at pulling Gregg into the conversation and thus making the situation less awkward between himself and Ali. "I've got to know, man. Where've you been hidin' this beautiful lady friend of yours? How come you never introduced us to her?"

Inwardly, Ali let out a sigh of relief. She'd been holding her breath since Colt had addressed him directly, feeling apprehensive at the thought of Colton announcing their prior connections on a whim. When he'd actually gone out of his way to ensure that Gregg didn't get the wrong idea about anything, however, she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She'd have to get ahold of him later and thank him for being so cooperative in the matter. She certainly hadn't expected so much from him.

"And you," he addressed Ali casually, as though he'd met her only moments before. Truth be told, Colt's acting at this point in time was Oscar-worthy. Then again, he'd probably found himself in quite awkward situations many times, so he'd probably had a lot of practice at this sort of thing, "What're you doing with this loser here?"

Ali couldn't help but laugh, a genuine laugh, at Colton's comment. In a way, she couldn't help but contend that many other people had probably asked that question as well -- not that Gregg was a loser by any means -- but the pair just seemed so wrong for one another. They were polar opposites in almost, if not every aspect. Still, Ali couldn't help her growing infatuation with someone who could easily be considered her best friend, but in truth she never knew whether or not her infatuation was requited. Had it been any other boy -- any at all -- she probably wouldn't have been so concerned about it. Around anyone else, Ali didn't just think she was the epitomé of hotness, she knew it. Her unfathomable confidence and entrancing demeanor could have easily won over just about any guy her heart desired... any guy except the one that she truly wanted.

The thought was rather disheartening. Honestly, she didn't know how Gregg felt about her, or if he even thought of her in that way. She secretly hoped that he did, but the signals he threw her were all over the place, and she could never seem to read the other boy's actions or understand his intentions to the fullest. More often than not, trying to understand Gregg simply left Ali confused and frustrated. With anybody else, she probably would have been a lot more assertive and simply came onto them, and for the most part, any of the guys she had dated had reacted very positively to that dominating and somewhat overbearing aspect of her personality. Ali had always remained somewhat placid with Gregg, however. Compliant. The truth was, Ali was almost afraid to assert herself with her counterpart for fear of ruining the deep and trusting friendship that they had established throughout the years.

Better a friend than nothing at all, I guess.

Of course, the thought of using Colton to extract information from her companion only then occurred to the brunette. Of course, the way Colt was poking and prodding now, it could probably be done, and relatively easily. The problem was, Ali wasn't sure if she really wanted to know. For all she knew, Gregg could have a long-time girlfriend at Franklyn or something that he never mentioned around her. Or worse. Girlfriends were one thing, more often than not they were easily removable and simply a minor inconvenience that had to be overcome in order for Ali to get what she wanted. What could possibly be worse than Gregg seeing someone else was the fact that Gregg might honestly be oblivious to her feelings toward him, or, dare she even think it, simply think of her as a kid sister of sorts. That fact in itself would decimate the brunette beyond compare, and Ali wasn't sure if it was something she was willing to find out.

She was quickly burst from her reverie by the sound of Colt's voice ringing out, "So are you guys ready to order yet, or do you need a few more minutes?"

"Oh..." Ali started, shrugging her shoulders lightly, "I'm ready, I suppose... if you are." The last statement was, of course, directed toward the sandy-haired boy who occupied the table alongside her. Having realized that all the tension and nervousness from earlier had erased the majority of her appetite, Ali settled for ordering a small meal consisting of a small steak and a shrimp skewer. As Gregg ordered and Colton retreated from their table and toward the back to give the orders to the chef that awaited in the kitchen, Ali eyed her companion up and down once again.

"Gregg..." she mused quietly, "What do you want to do after this?"

Now was the prime opportunity for the proposition she'd been reiterating in her mind all evening. If all went well, they'd head back to the Grayston household in beautiful Kensington Heights, maybe go swimming in the private pool that sat secluded by a privacy fence behind the Grayston residence, and perhaps hang out and watch movies. Since nobody was at the house aside from her, it wouldn't matter how late Gregg stayed over, or even if he were to crash out on the couch for the evening -- something Ali secretly hoped would come to pass. In her mind, it was the perfect evening... or rather, it would be, if he was up for it. Part of her braced herself for the disappointment that had the possibility of following, but she couldn't help but remain hopeful and optimistic that she would, at the very least, be able to spend the rest of the evening with him.

Colton, meanwhile, had just delivered their orders to the chef. He might have been playing it cool on the outside, but the fact of the matter was the Colt was in a situation where he really didn't feel comfortable. If he'd have had any idea that his classmate was out having dinner with his ex-girlfriend, then he probably would've made Regina wait that table after all. His prayers came in the form of the vivacious blonde who had just clocked in and made her way to the front. She was his ticket out of here, and fast. Colt had had all he could take of this place, and quite frankly, he was tired of putting himself in an awkward situation.

"Kallie baby!" Colt cooed, getting a grin from the blonde-headed girl, "I need a favor."

Kallie's smile turned into a skeptical look as Colt attempted to proposition her. The blonde gave him a bit of a condescending smile before replying, "Colt, you know I have a boyfriend."

Much to her surprise, the dark-headed boy standing before her seemed confused for a moment. Within an instant, though, he burst into a fit of laughter, finally recalling what sort of proposition he'd made for the girl a few weeks prior, "Not that, Kal. I've got a lot of homework to get done babe, I need to split. Think you can take Table 23 for me? I've already taken their order to the back, you'd basically just be on maintenance patrol. You can even have the tip."

"Are you sure?" Kallie inquired lightly, the skeptical look still on her face.

"Yeah babe, I just really gotta go. I've got a big history exam to study for. You know how it is. Truth is, I completely forgot about it 'til my buddy said something."

Okay, so maybe he hadn't completely forgotten about it. He'd never really planned on studying for it anyway, but at the moment, it seemed better than the alternative of continuing to put himself in this awkward situation. Kallie nodded slightly and smiled, even though a puzzled look still remained on her features. Colt smiled lightly and embraced the girl before she ever really had time to respond. At that point, Kallie melted, and the deal was pretty much sealed.

"Thanks hun, I appreciate this. You don't even know," he stated simply, receiving simply another nod from Kallie for his words. Taking that as his cue to exit, Colton hightailed it to the back, clocked out, and made a bee-line for the exit of the restaurant. He'd see Gregg at school, no doubt, and despite himself, he couldn't help but think that he was in store for an interesting conversation. Perhaps it was wrong to lie to his friend, especially for an ex, but it was the easiest way around things. Besides, Gregg probably wouldn't want his left-overs. Smirking at the thought, Colt exited the mall and headed out to the crotchrocket he had taken to riding around town.

((Colt continued elsewhere.))  

Posted by: riserugu Sep 24 2006, 02:32 AM
Gregg found himself blinking in an alarmed manner as Ali spoke out, absorbing each word as it was voiced, and he soon found himself lifting his head in a manner of slight panic shaking it as if to try and shake of Ali's spoken words that where currently dancing about his mind – doing a tap dance of sheer elimination. The frown wasn't helping anyone; namely him as he rose his hands. "No, no. This is fine, really Ali. It's just… hmm, I'm not used to this is all. I'm so used to fending for myself, and being able to tell what I was about to eat by the name alone instead of playing a horrible game of musical chairs with my stomach, that's all. As long as you've known me, really you should know by now not to take anything I say into a higher train of thought."

He smiled lightly, musing a bit as glanced down at his menu with a light sigh. He really didn't mean to make her upset or mad; really it was the furthest thing from his mind. He'd seen his friend express both emotions to their fullest extent, and personally – he wasn't interested in being on the receiving end of either of those this evening. Glancing over the menu in placid expression deciding on his meal for the night, he closed the small menu up. Leaning back in the booth a bit as he returned his eyes on the girl sitting in the booth across from him. Tilting his head somewhat as he opened his mouth to speak –

Though before he was able to put his thoughts into words, the sudden reappearance of his fellow teammate and friend bringing them their drinks caused him to turn his attention upward at him. Giving the other boy a small nod as he lifted his drink, taking a sip, hardly noticing any of the tension that was seemed to practically screaming at him in with a giant neon sign lighting the background in a grand demeanor with fireworks and the whole sa-bang too go along with it.

And Gregg couldn't be any the wiser.

And the sound of his name being called, he placed the cup back down on the table glancing out the corner of his eye at Colton. Smiling a bit at the question as he pressed a smile toward Ali, though at the next statement that left Colton's mouth – this time directed toward the before mentioned Ali made him blink for a moment or so before shooting a glance at the other male. Ali's laughter didn't help the matters either as the smile faded into glance that clearly read ‘You're supposed to be on my side' kind of look. Frowning slightly with a small pout forming along his bottom lip. Though somewhere in the back of his mind he couldn't help but slightly agree to the spoken words.

Least in the presence of Ali he probably looked like quite the loser. Today was a good day of dress; because this was something special though on usual terms he'd simply be dressed in something that was usually spotted and sprinkled in paint. It was his passion after all, painting – though he had scholarships lined up for him for baseball and even basketball, both of which he was an excellent player at. Though it wasn't something he wanted to pursue after high school instead it was painting, something he hadn't been noticed for as much as his athletic or academic career. The passion of it came from what he remembered from his childhood, what little was fresh of the time he lived with his father. His father painted, taught him some things before he died… the things that had been taught disappearing from thought for the longest time.

That is till probably around the time he moved up here and met Ali did he start painting truly, though he be damned if he ever admit it his friend had been the inspiration for a number of the paintings he had done throughout the years. He never had been sure what had drawn him to the girl currently sitting across from him, or what kept them friends – be it wanting to keep this good friendship or perhaps something more he hadn't fully come to terms with yet, be whatever he just knew he was enjoying this part of life more than any other part he had been through already – early life was nice, before his father killed himself, and life was but a simple blur before he moved to New Jersey and begun living with his new family.

He blinked out of his thoughts at Colt's voice, and Ali muttering something back, he glancing up with a nod of his head once the words had time to sink in. He waiting until Ali finished his order before he gave his, watching as Colton walked off before returning and taking another small sip of his drink. Perhaps it was time for the awkward silence portion of the night, Gregg had always been good at bringing those on. After all, that's how his last few dates had ended.

In complete silence.
He enjoyed it, though the girls he asked out didn't seem so keen on the idea, it seemed too most – if they weren't talking about something, and using like every other word, than the world as they knew it would cease to exist and mass chaos and destruction would reign supreme.

Gregg had a hard time picturing such ever happening, but to some of these girls – well they had to have something going on in their heads in place of a brain. That's why he was glad to have Ali – she wasn't like most of the girls that flock about campus, smearing on lip gloss every two minutes, and chatting at such a speed and pitch that he was sure at times only dogs could translate. Even then, it would probably be hard.

Least Ali wasn't like that around him – he hadn't idea of what she was like at school, though he hoped not any different from now. It was rather hard to see her acting any differently than what he was to, the thought just rattled him a bit. It was a bit weird too, trying to picture Ali taking like that – as well as being somewhat scary. Though shrugging off the thought before it got too out of hand, Gregg glanced toward Ali once she started speaking, questioning him on what he was going to do after their dinner. Personally, he hadn't thought about it. Though probably he would just return home and finish up that painting he had been working on when Ali's called.

He shrugged a bit, smiling in the end though. "I hadn't really thought about, I don't have any plans or anything to do, so is there something you'd like to do?"  

(("A Side Lesser Shown" continued))

At Gregg's confirmation that he was indeed free for the remainder of the evening, Ali inwardly jumped for joy.  She had been so nervous that he might've made previous plans, or that he might've had homework stacked up, or that he might've just not wanted to go anywhere else after their little "dinner date", but those fears were quickly put to rest.  However, she couldn't help but feel some sort of fear and apprehension about propositioning Gregg to head back to the house with her after this.  It wasn't like Gregg and Ali didn't hang out quite often anyway, but it was something she'd noticed about herself in recent years -- the more she was around Gregg, the more nervous she felt about opening up to him, or asking him to do simple things.  Inwardly, she couldn't help but think that maybe she was too obvious in that aspect.

But surely he would've said something if he knew... anything...

Ali's eyes absent-mindedly fixated on the table separating the two, and her finger traced an undefinable pattern in the dark mahogany of the structure.  Ali Grayston was not a shy person by nature, and she never had been.  She had always been aggressive, dominating, and to several people, quite intimidating.  She was a very self-confident individual and conveyed that message to virtually everyone around her.  So then why did she have so many problems with this one person?  Truthfully, Ali hated this side of herself, but it wasn't something she had learned to overcome.  Her eyes slowly moved from their spot fixated on the table up to her companion once again.  She was sure he hadn't noticed the awkward tone she'd taken within the past few moments, Gregg didn't normally seem to notice those sort of things anyway.

Just ask him and get it over with.

"I actually, well, there is," she stumbled, inwardly kicking herself for the uncouth demeanor in which she was presenting herself.  It was so uncharacteristic of her to be reduced to a bumbling idiot, and by no means did she want Gregg to get that impression from her... then again, maybe she was just reading into her own actions far too much.  "I thought maybe we could go rent a movie... or go back to my house and go swimming... or both... or just whatever, you know?"

Smooth, Ali...

Perhaps it hadn't come out as articulately as she had first hoped, at least the question was out in the open now.  In a way, that sort of took the pressure off of her shoulders.  Of course, at this point, it was completely out of her hands, and solely on Gregg as to what his next course of action would be.  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a blonde-headed girl approaching with the food they had recently ordered, and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.  At least now that the food was here, this conversation wouldn't turn into an awkward or unberable one.  Inevitably, Gregg always seemed to ask about Ali and school, and that wasn't something she particularly wanted to discuss with her companion, because in truth, she wasn't particularly proud of some of the actions she had taken during her time at Bathurst High.

As the waitress approached and slid their respective plates in front of them, she offered up an apologetic smile before stating simply, "Hey guys, I'm Kallie.  Colt had to skip out early today... unforeseen issues, you know how it goes.  I'm gonna be finishing up your meal for you today, if you need anything, just holler."

Giving them a curt nod, the blonde turned and walked off, and Ali couldn't help but smirk a bit.  It was so like Colt to skip out on the situation, especially knowing that she was more or less stuck there answering all the questions her companion might have to offer up about their engagement earlier in the evening.  Simply put, it figured.  Colton Valero was one of those people who breezed through life, and who seemed to know just how to get away scott-free in every little thing he ever did.  She couldn't help but muse over the fact that he'd conned the blonde waitress into working his table for him, and couldn't help but ponder what sort of relationship the two had that she'd so willingly overtake his job for him.  Her mind quickly snapped back into the present, however, and her gaze returned to her companion.

"I just thought that, you know, it's been a really long time since we've spent any real time together."

Although the comment might have sounded like something a whiney girlfriend would say to her significant other, it was true.  With her cheerleading schedule, her work on the dance committee, and now her Homecoming nomination, among other things, Ali had been quite busy.  Gregg too always seemed to be slammed with stuff, from baseball and practice to painting to basketball to scholarship forms and everything in between.  It seemed like ages ago that the two had spent more than a few hours together, and it was something that quite bothered Ali.  A warm smile was cast at her sandy-haired companion in an almost vain attempt to seal the deal, though the fact was that she had no control over it.  Awaiting his response, Ali half gazed over the food that had been offered up, her appetite almost non-existent due to all the tension and apprehension the evening had had to offer.  Truth be told, she was more than ready to go home and just relax.

---

He eyed her again, once she began to speak – though if found it odd that he voice stumbled somewhat, Ali was a rather forward person by nature so seeing her in such a state was a bit shocking to witness. Even when they where young, Gregg had always tried to take on the older, more protective, brother figure to Ali; though she proved time and time again, and if bruises didn't fade he have those as evidence, that she could very well stand up for herself. So this was just – slightly different from what he had become so used to seeing when they where around one another. But he returned to listening, focusing in as she slowly drew out the question, he blinking slightly though allowed a smile to pass in the end.

"That sounds good, been awhile since I've seen a movie and swimming doesn't sound have bad either."

He mused a bit, though he wasn't one to do it as a sport, he enjoyed a swim every now and again. Though as of late, and lacking a pool at his house currently trying to use the bathtub as a substitute pool had turned out some interesting causes, as well as a completely wet floor that he went on to slip upon as he exited said bathtub. That and this would be the first time that him and Ali could actually spend time together, instead of in the company of others like at a mall – or simply just speaking over the phone, he had a habit of falling asleep during such on more than one occasion, this would just be a bit better.

Though out the corner or his eye the approaching blond, food in hand, caught his attention – Gregg lightly wondering somewhere in the back of his mind as too where Colton had run off too. Though as the waitress, Kallie, placed their food down before them she went on to explain Colt's sudden leave of absence. Gregg looking slightly amused because truth be told, it sounded like something Colt would do, though somewhere in the back of his mind something just wasn't fitting into the puzzle, and no matter how much he tried the piece he had come to let be what he believed just wasn't going to wait in.

Turning again he let his attention swift to his food – least it looked better than what they had decided to name it. That was always plus in his book, he glanced toward Ali as she pretty much spoke his earlier thoughts. Musing a smile once as he went about removing his fork from it's napkin entrapment. "That's just what I was thinking – even though we talk on the phone a lot its been a real long while since we've actually just done something together, something simple least like watching a movie and swimming." He poked at his food a bit, before lifting up a bite and chewing thoughtfully.

Tasted better than it looked and what they decided to call it, another plus.

Swallowing, he glanced at Ali simply musing a smile. "I'm sure it'll be great, course that means there has too be a great movie involved too. Anything you want to see, because I haven't really had the chance to check out all that's open to see – though nothing fairy-tale-princess-happy-ending, you know? I have to suffer enough of that when my mom is home."

Well after almost six years of being forced to watch any movie with romance in the genre, be it comedy, tragedy, whatever his mother had seen it and so had he. She didn't like watching movies alone, said it was rather ‘boring' and because his dad wasn't at home a majority of the time – following Ali's father around to make sure he remained in his Senator position kept him on the road all the time, so that meant only Gregg was left to face the wrath of the tear-jerking, love-sick movies – well you'd be a bit sick of it was well.

Though shrugging it off, he sighed, "Course it doesn't really matter, it up to you what we watch." He said lightly, taking another bite of his food.

---

A genuine smile spread across the brunette's lips as Gregg agreed to her offer of swimming and a movie.  Perhaps it wasn't the most romantic of things to be spending a Friday night doing, but the plain truth was that there was virtually no time for any sense of solitude between the two.  The truth about Ali was that she was a very materialistic person in many aspects, not someone who truly enjoyed the simple aspects of life.  When he was around, though, it was so much different.  It didn't matter if they were just sitting on the couch watching a movie, Ali felt a sense of completion around her counterpart, although she'd be far too embarrassed to ever tell him that.  As Gregg commented about renting a movie, a smile played on the other girl's features.

"Any movie is great, as long as you're watching it with me," she mused playfully, "You're disappointing me, Greggory.  I wanted to watch a chick flick."

A light smile once again played across the brunette's features.  By now, the nervousness and anticipation had subsided and the deal was pretty much sealed.  Ali could almost feel her sense of confidence once again blossoming.  She had to admit, that bumbling nature she took on anytime she had to address Gregg about such trivial matters annoyed her to no end, especially given the fact that once he agreed to whatever endeavor she was about to set the boy upon, her flirtacious and ambitious nature once again flared up.  Eyeing the food in front of her a moment before unwrapping her silverware and lightly picking at it, she chewed momentarily on a morsel before once again gazing across the table at her counterpart.

"Gregg Archer," she mused in an almost nagging tone, "I picked the restaurant.  You pick the movie."

Of course, this comment ensured that the two of them would spend probably an hour browsing through the movies at the local video rental store stationed below the Kensington Heights subdivision, but that didn't matter.  Of course, the Graystons had quite a movie collection anyway, simply due to the sheer amount of time Ali spent at the house by herself and her vain attempts at providing some sort of amusement to herself.  Continuing to pick lightly at her food, although her appetite had long since subsided, she couldn't help but allow a mysterious grin to remain fixated across her well-defined features.  The truth was, there was no other way she'd rather spend a Friday night.

And besides that, seeing her companion in swim trunks always made for a good night.

Ali was all but thrown from her daydreaming as the shrill sound of her cell phone ringing from within the confines of her designer purse echoed out across the restaurant.  Letting out a forelorn sigh before reaching into the purse and extracting the phone, Ali glanced warily down at the caller ID.  Of course, it would have to be one of the Sisterhood girls on the other line.  This night was going to have as many complications as possible, Ali reckoned.  Regardless, it was all worth it.  Shrugging her shoulders lightly, she tapped the "ignore" button on the display before shutting the phone off completely and tossing it back into her purse.  No more distractions, not tonight.

"Did I tell you I got nominated to walk in Homecoming?" Ali stated nonchalantly in an attempt to keep a conversation going on between herself and her generally silent counterpart.

What if he heard the rumors?

"I'm excited about it," she mused, a smile playing across her features, "It's already caused a lot of trouble though.  Somebody got jealous and spread this nasty rumor about me around campus.  But... who cares, right?  It's really sort of juvenile, to say the things she did out of jealousy and spite.  I still don't know who did it, either."

Realizing that the topic of conversation could easily turn into a one-sided rant of angriness on Ali's part, she quickly decided that no more angsting over whoever started that vicious rumor was needed.  She had just wanted to get that out there in case word had spread to Franklyn and Gregg had already heard about what she supposedly did to earn her nomination.  Stuff like that seemed to be a big deal to the general consensus of the high school population, though in truth, Ali found it quite juvenile and childish.  Even if he had heard it, he wouldn't have believed it.  She was confident of that much.  Gregg knew her far too well to believe something so horrid about her.

"You're coming to watch me walk, right?" she inquired after a moment.

---

He took another bite of his food, grinning slightly as he pointed his fork at the female sitting across from him with his fork. "Oh, wow – disappoint must be large then if your using my full name. And no, I'll put my foot down to chick-flicks – you and my mother should spend more time together then."

Gregg still couldn't help the grin, namely because he was happy that Ali – however slowly – was starting to return to her normal, open personality. A shy and withdrawn Ali he didn't know what to with, because he was used to being able to usually read what his friend was thinking, usually being the key term, because when she got like this that little ability flew out the window, smacked into a telephone pole before sliding into the ground and being ran over by a car.

Sad mental image indeed, but these are the ever-internal workings of Greggory Archer.

And as said name was being called upon, eyes casting upward from his meal as he took another bit of his food, though somewhere in the back of his mind found himself slightly shuddering at the odd tone of nagging that was fluttering about Ali's voice. Though the statement wasn't as bad as he figured it too be, which allowed his brain to stop going over the closet exits, he frowned a slight bit pondering over the future of the night being spent at the video rental store. Gregg's inability to make a decision on the spot was probably one of the many reasons he couldn't do any field of work involving such – like being a bomb technician.

Oh, the humanity if he ever landed a position to the likes of that.

Though none the less he was snapped out of his thoughts by the shrill ringing of a nearby phone, he glancing toward Ali as he watched the girl go about removing her cell phone from her purse and going over as too who it was that was calling her, and with a simple click of a button the said issue had been, more or less, taken care of – allowing Gregg to play a smile against his features again. "Alright I'll pick the movie as long as you promise we don't need up spending the night in the rental place doing such."

Her next question caught his attention a slight bit, course he hadn't heard Ali had been nominated for Homecoming – that would require speaking of said school in common conversation, something Ali didn't do often. So with a shake of his head was all he gave for the answer as Ali went on to explain about what had happened in the aftermath of the nomination – she only wondering as too what said rumor could be about, and who would spread it, though rumor hadn't reached Franklyn – they where far to busy talking about themselves to worry about the working of what was happening at another school.

Gregg looked thoughtful though, as she pressed the question as too if he was coming to watch her walk for the said Homecoming, he nodding once more. "Sure, I'll come – you just got to tell me when and where and I'll make sure too make it."

---

A slight smile played over the features of Ali Grayston as Gregg all but stated the fact that she had silently contemplated just moments prior -- the fact being that if she forced Gregg into choosing a movie, they'd spend the better portion of their evening in the nearest Blockbuster.  It made for an exciting night, right?  Well, it shouldn't be too hard to keep from spending the entire evening within the confines of the video store... so long as she made sure to usher Gregg out the door after he grabbed the first movie with shiny lettering that seemed to have caught his eye.  And hey, even if it sucked, who really cared? The simply truth was that Ali's attention would be far too focused on certain other things, namely, certain other individuals, to put too much interest into what was playing on the DVD player.

"That, I can do," she assured him, grinning lightly.

Ali could easily recall the last time she had taken Gregg shopping and what a disaster it had turned into.  Well, disaster wasn't the right word, though the sad part was that Ali had pretty much been forced to pick out the entire contents of the wardrobe the boy had bought for himself that day on account of his blatant indecisiveness.  Lord help them all if and when the boy ever had to make a serious decision -- proposing to a girlfriend, naming his children, and God forbid, writing a will.  Those would all be interesting points in the life of Mr. Archer for certain.  Ali couldn't help but smile inwardly at the almost ridiculous thought as she continued to absent-mindedly chew at her food.

Gregg agreeing to come to Bathurst's Football Homecoming to watch her walk made her inwardly dance with glee, although a simple smile was all the gratitude shown outwardly.  Come to think of it, she really didn't understand Gregg.  He could make an impromptu decision like that in the blink of an eye, but when it came to something else as simple as choosing what to eat for dinner or picking out a movie to rent, the boy could spend hours upon hours pondering over such trivial and fickle things.  At the very least, he was amusing.  But really, he was so much more than that, at least to the vivacious brunette that occupied the seat across from him.

"Great," she mused, "I'd better see you there."

As her eyes momentarily interlocked with her companion's, she cast him a light smile before returning to her dinner.  He was so much more.  Despite all his faults and flaws, despite the fact that they were on completely opposite ends of the spectrum concerning a wide variety of daily things, despite all their differences and oddities, Ali couldn't help but inwardly think that despite it all, Gregg was perfect.  The thought was bittersweet, as it was a perfection that the Grayston girl assumed she would never have the pleasure of obtaining.  It's so funny how someone who seems so close to you can seem to be the furthest one from reach.

If only she could just tell him, things might be so much different.

The fact of the matter was, though, that Ali simply couldn't tell him.  She was far too afraid of the aftermath of such a decision.  After all, having grown so close to the individual sitting across from her over the period of their friendship, she couldn't imagine it being ruined by her futile and probably fruitless attempt at obtaining something she'd probably never have.  Despite it all, she couldn't help but have hope that maybe one day, she'd at least be able to tell him how she felt about him, even if it wasn't reciprocated.  It had been on Ali's mind a lot lately, Gregg's Senior year coming fast upon the both of them.

He was a smart boy, sharp as a tack in terms of academics, quite talented in the field of sports, and from what she had seen of his artwork, quite the incredible artist to boot.  So what happened after high school?  Gregg would surely get a scholarship, that much was pretty evident.  He'd go off to some big school somewhere, and where would that leave them?  Would it leave them anywhere at all?  She'd considered telling him on graduation night, because then, what did it matter?  But what if her insecurities were baseless and there really could have been more -- a more that she was currently missing out on?  Since when was it cool for a college freshman to be involved with a high school senior?

Inwardly groaning at the thought, Ali returned to the remainder of her dinner, trying to push the cluttered and scrambled thoughts out of her mind.  It wasn't worth thinking about, no point in worrying about it right now.  For now, it seemed like she had all the time in the world.  Sighing almost inaudibly, Ali inevitably rested her utensils on the semi-empty plate lying in front of her and glanced up toward her counterpart.  After this, she assumed she'd wind up following Gregg back to his house so he could grab his swimming gear, then to the video store, then back to Ali's house.  Unless, of course, her companion had other ideas.  Rather than inquiring, however, she kept the thoughts to herself, rather enjoying the unspoken understanding between the two.  Sometimes, silence is nice -- especially when even the presence of a special somebody can make you smile.