The Photonegative Girl

Open (Concluded)

The library at Red Rock is located within the English building, and takes up much of the first floor. It’s a bright and accommodating space thanks to its large glass windows, with sofas and chairs arranged to make seating areas. There are also computer banks, arranged in cross patterns throughout the center of the room.
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StarletDevil
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The Photonegative Girl

#1

Post by StarletDevil »

("She's just constantly angry!"
"She should learn how to smile haha!"
"I bet actually talking to people would fix her!"
"Who would want to talk to her though?"
"Yeah she's scary!"
"Well she's not going to
change herself is she?"
"She should "Well she "Should she "What's wrong with
"Change "Who's "Why "She should "She should "Should she)

"Change yourself"


((Rozlyn Dolor continued from Watching NASCAR for the pile-ups))

Rozlyn sits alone on one of the library couches, palm against her head groaning and staring at her phone, faced away from the sun as best she can.

(Stupid fucking headache, stupid fucking sinuses, stupid fucking seasons, stupid fucking insomnia, stupid stupid stupid shit.)

Further fuelling her headache is her music, earbuds in as P!nk's "Centerfold" is injected directly into her eardrums. She surveys the library's signs of life, hopeful that maybe she'll be able to slide a short rest into her schedule uninterrupted... though... the last interaction she had wasn't the worst... maybe she could go for another... if this headache doesn't split her skull in half beforehand.
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Rootbeerpants
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#2

Post by Rootbeerpants »

The door to the library swings open gently and closes with a small click as Helena slips inside, letting out a sigh of relief. School is so loud all the time. So many people all just…talking so loudly. Her dad had hopped that the recent successful attempt to make a friend had opened up a new world where Helena wasn’t terrified of the general public anymore. Just more wishful thinking on that one. From both of them.

((The continuation of Helena from The Worst Pies in London))

Helena shakes her head, pulling the hood of her hoodie down to let her hair out again. Thinking about stuff like that is just gonna make her feel even worse. Just enjoy the silence. With that Helena trudges over to the sitting area, practically throwing herself down onto one of the chairs in the first sitting area she could find. The initial plan was to come here and see if they have any of those horror books Abby was talking about so Helena could get a head start on them. But now her energy is so drained Helena’s pretty sure she’s just gonna pass away on this chair. Too many people in this school. Too much noise and eyes. Still at least she’s alo-

That thought is suddenly cut off as Helena only just notices the girl on the sofa next to her chair. The one who looks incredibly upset. Is that…her fault? Did she want this section of the library for herself? Oh god but now it’ll look weird if Helena gets up. But if she stays they’ll just get more mad! With her brain rapidly shutting down Helena elects to just stare at the floor and hope to eventually come up with a plan that won’t get her killed inside this library. Or worse.
No I don’t know what I’m doing either.
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StarletDevil
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#3

Post by StarletDevil »

Rozlyn glances at the sudden new arrival, she reflexively uses her arm position to scratch her hair so it looks like she has an itchy scalp rather than her being an broody edgelord. The itchy scalp facade is just as much of a lie but the last thing she needs is somebody pitying her for having a headache.

(Heeeere we go.)

She readjusts herself, both feet on the floor, legs spread at a total angle of 60°, elbows resting just behind the knees, and arms hanging down into the gap. A tried and true posture of dads wanting to try and listen.

(God, two for two for being like my dad today. Next thing I know I'll have that stupid mustache too.)

(Simple greetings right? She looks, uhhh... uncomfortable, I think. Survey says... "fucking i dunno".)

She gently leans forwards until her face enters Helena's vision, she looks at the floor then at Helena's general face area.

(Can't go much worse than that other kid, right?)


"So uh... big linoleum fan?"

( )
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Rootbeerpants
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#4

Post by Rootbeerpants »

To say Helena was lost in thought would be a slight understatement. Her entire thought process had crashed and she was in the middle of trying to fix it while cursing the fact that she was built like this when the woman suddenly came into view and asked her a question. Something that maybe a cooler person wouldn’t have completely freaked out at. Helena is not a cool person though so instead she made a weird strangled yelp sound while flying back in her chair, nearly tipping it before she caught her hand on the sofa to pull it back down.

Now with a mind full of both panic and embarrassment Helena quickly scrambled to try and say something. Something that won’t get her ridiculed for the rest of her life. “Ah um no I-I mean uh…I don’t hate it I guess. I like…carpet more.” Internally Helena groaned. This woman probably didn’t actually wanna know what kind of flooring Helena liked. She should know that. Stupid brain. With a sigh Helena slumps forward a bit in her chair, the panic simmering down into a mix of embarrassment and anxiety.

“Sorry I didn’t…mean to bother you.”
No I don’t know what I’m doing either.
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StarletDevil
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#5

Post by StarletDevil »

(Carpet huh....... in the house like car(Kill yourself (Fuck you)))

Rozlyn's eyes widen as she watches Helena fly backwards, but the resting bitch face is otherwise unchanged as she sits up and leans back a little, pulling her shoulders together at the back slightly, producing a quiet pop.

(Yeesh, flighty much? Guess, credit for answering my goofy ass question at least... why are all the anxious people the hot ones?)

She chuckles lightly and chuckles, shaking her head.

"Yeah you look like a carpet girl. Uh, nah, not botherin' me... well not bothering me any more than this fuuucking headache. I'll be fine."

Rozlyn eyes Helena's shirt... convenient for sapphicism and necessary for icebreaking... you can figure out a lot about a person by what's on their shirt. Their interests, favorite colors, where they've been, what they ate last, if they haven't showered, if they jerked off in the bathroom, lots of things.


She has no idea what's on the shirt.


(Time for a shot in the dark, I'm probably gonna make myself look like an idiot but fuck it)


"...They put Limp Bizkit in the Devil May Cry trailer. Crazy shit."
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Rootbeerpants
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#6

Post by Rootbeerpants »

Helena started nervously fiddling with the drawstring of her hoodie, not sure what looking like a carpet girl actually means. She’s heard a term kinda similar to that online but that’s…unlikely to be what she meant right? Oh but also she has a headache. That’s probably why she looked upset. Doesn’t mean she won’t beat Helena up but try and take comfort where you can.

Helena looked down at her shirt, visible through her unzipped hoodie, as she noticed the other girl doing so. It was just a black shirt with Kakashi Hatake from Naruto on it. Why is she staring at it? Does she like Naruto? Or maybe she thinks it’s lame? Maybe she’s gonna make fun of her? Or maybe-

Helena shook her head a little, pulling herself away from another thought spiral while trying to register the question she was just asked. She’s…not entirely sure how the topic came up from staring at her shirt but at least it is something she can talk about. “O-oh yeah! I wasn’t…super familiar with the music being played but the trailer was pretty cool! I-I’ve only played the fifth game but I was hoping to get some of the others soon. I wanna watch the show though. Looks fun. Video game anime’s can be kinda hit or miss for me but when they’re good they…they’re really good…uh” Helena’s sudden burst of excitement over having a topic she has some knowledge about petered out as her brain started flooding with thoughts of how lame she sounded and how much she was talking. Helena looked back down at the floor, letting out a small sigh. “Sorry I…I didn’t mean to talk so much.”
No I don’t know what I’m doing either.
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lanzandpine
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#7

Post by lanzandpine »

At times, a man needs not much else but the Dewey Decimal System.

[David Whitehead walks in, continuing from Shakes n' Bakes.]

Libraries always felt like some kind of haven to David, for no reason in particular. Corridors of books and a quiet atmosphere seemed to hold much certainty for the visitors. Life oozed from the cracks and the pages. The library was never lively, but was always alive.

Besides, you didn't need to have some kind of love for reading or a need to read something. Roaming about the place and marinating in the atmosphere wasn't prohibited, at least as far as David knew. Which was very convenient for him, because that was his goal for today. No one said that he didn't walk around buildings, too.

The door to the school library clicked open, and David walked in slowly, a loose, lazy smile plastered over his face. His movements were almost unnecessarily gentle — the silence of the library was akin to a precious brilliant held in his hands, something that he couldn't allow himself to break. This was what he was looking for, yes, the safety of the library. The shelves that were always sorted, the very fragile smell of old paper, and always a bunch of yellowed books printed on cheap paper sitting somewhere in the depths of the place — this was it.

Did he have a specific book that he was looking for? No, of course not, he was here to dawdle and absentmindedly stare at various writings. And it seemed that he wasn't the only person that craved the safety of the library. He gave a momentary glance to the sitting area, noticing the two students conversing, but immediately tore his gaze away and focused on that which was far more important — walking around bookshelves and smiling away, steeped deeply in thoughts both far-flung and homely. But the thought of other people being here felt only good. The beating of the collective heart resonated in the library. "Or something like that," David thought to himself as his feet dragged him towards the shelves.

Of course, a journey of a thousand li starts beneath one's feet. A hors d'oeuvre was to be had. David threw tentative glances all around the shelves, and found the place where he should start from. Yes, of course — DDC, class 111, definitely one very filling starter. With a confident stride, he walked over to the shelf, a grin practically spread all over his face. The shelf was a little close to the sitting area (did these shelves go from lowest to highest?), which was quite convenient — just a minute or two of searching will surely bring him a harvest of a book or two that he'd like to skim.
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StarletDevil
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#8

Post by StarletDevil »

Rozlyn is momentarily distracted by the new presence walking past, before refocusing on Helena, looking down at the floor then at Helena's legs

(Uhhhhh crap how do I...)

"Hey uh, it's fine. Nice to uh, listen to other people talk. Means I don't have to."

She laughs slightly and rubs the back of her neck, glancing back over where she saw David, then refocusing once again on Helena

"Haven't uh, watched or played much stuff like that, music's more my shit... I mean I made the joke about Bizkit being in the trailer but like, fuckin'... not the hugest fan of them really, not my vibe. I think I watched one of those shows... fucking... the, like, it had vampires and shit... 'Castlevania'? Yeah that sounds right. Watched that one, shit went real hard."

(I am talking. Like a lot. Oh god.)

The self-consciousness hits her suddenly and her posture shifts to face slightly away, rubbing the back of her neck and holding her knee. This is maybe the most she's talked to somebody in a while, there's a sense of rediscovery, people aren't all bad, but she'd really like to not put her faith in people she just met.

"Uh... my bad, I'm just talkin' fuckin'... nothin' at all. You can keep going if you want, carpet girl."

(Terrible nickname. Eh, it suits her I think.)
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Rootbeerpants
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#9

Post by Rootbeerpants »

Helena’s looked back up at the sound of footsteps, eyes following the new person in the room before looking back at the floor. They don’t look like they’re heading this way yet but Helena still needs to mentally prepare herself in case he does. She’s already bad at talking to one person let alone two.

Then something unexpected happened. As Helena listened to the girl talk about Castlevania a small smile found its way on her face. Then without thinking she laughed when they apologised for talking too much. Not a long or loud one. More of a giggle than anything. But it still suprised Helena, who nervously cleared her throat afterwards. “Sorry I didn’t mean to laugh I just think it’s um…kinda funny that we apologised for the same thing.” Helena looked back up at Rozlyn, feeling a small surge of confidence. She’s not sure why but knowing this girl is just as bad at this as she is kinda makes it easier. Kinda. Shes still kinda terrified though. Especially with the unknown quantity walking around.

“But um…I don’t mind you talking. I guess for the same reason you don’t mind me talking. Uh…but yeah the Castlevania show was pretty good. Better than most of the games honestly. Plus Sypha is in it and she’s…” Helena stops for a second, looking off to side while her brain tries to come up with something that doesn’t make her sound gay. The last thing she needs is for this to go badly now. “…cool. Yeah. I like her.” Helena could feel her heart beating a little harder. Talking so much to a stranger is really unlike her. Maybe all she needed was encouragement from an equally socially inept but attractive stranger? Probably shouldn’t think like that. Nothing good happens down that road.

“Oh um I’m Helena by the way. But um you can call me Carpet Girl I guess. Better than what most people call me.”
No I don’t know what I’m doing either.
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lanzandpine
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#10

Post by lanzandpine »

Maybe starting with the "Philosophy" section was a bad play. David hummed to himself in thought as he browsed and browsed, his eyes catching the spines of the books. Many names were recognized and even more weren't. There was something both beautiful and disconcerting about the fact of his lack of knowledge, but he knew that he couldn't let himself get too lost in such musings, not right now. He wanted to take this easy and slowly, with great care in his step.

Of course, no great care was taken. David's eyes immediately fell on a lone edition of "Philosophical Investigations", and who was he to not try and read it? His greedy hands immediately took the book and cracked it open. First, a quick skim — an apéritif, he thought to himself. As he let his eyes wander over the text, no doubt taking in less information that he would have liked, David listened in on the two students' conversation. It only warranted a smile taking its place on his lips. Precious, he thought, were these kinds of interactions. Perhaps his days would be brighter if he had more of them.

But the "Investigations" soon began mattering more than the thoughts of socializing or finding friends. David quickly realized that this work was definitely going to be worth more than a simple skim. "This is trouble," he mumbled to himself as he flipped through page after page of nebulous ordinary language philosophy. This world of 20th century thought was just as tantalizing as it was appallingly enigmatic and hard to get into, David thought, and pirouetted towards the sitting area. He definitely needed to find a seat.

If he wanted to join the conversation with two people that he didn't really know about a topic that he didn't really understand, then that need was buried in his subconscious, because David was truly thinking simply about giving the book in his hands a tentative look. With a languid bounce in his step, he walked over to the sitting area and found himself a seat, just a little removed from the other two occupants (but tragically not removed enough to not let David feel like he's encroaching on someone's personal space). "Excuse me," he mumbled, before taking his seat. It was a mystery to both others and himself why his smile appears so naturally, but nevertheless, it appeared on his face this time around as well. David opened the book and slowly submerged himself in the tepid waters of words, words, and words.
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StarletDevil
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#11

Post by StarletDevil »

Rozlyn watches this new entrant into the space, stopping train if thought for a moment. Who is this guy? Why is he here? Why us? Why me? Why her? Why him?

(What the fuck?)
".... the fuck?"

She catches herself as she realizes she just said that out loud.

"Ah- sorry, not like, about you."
Lying
"Just like, not used to people like, sitting near me?"
Lying
"Whatever, it's fine."
Lying?

Not entirely, she struggles with holding a one-on-one dynamic enough, so adding in an entire extra person means some extra social complications. She could easily be edged out of this conversation if those two got it moving. She takes a breath and thinks, then leans back a bit facing Helena.

"Yeah Sypha's hot, she's got the whole redhead thing going for her."
She knows what she's doing. She wiggles a finger at Helena's hair and shrugs.
"Y'know kinda like yours Carpet Girl."

(Use her name jackass (Maybe next time, the sentence is over dillweed))
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Rootbeerpants
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#12

Post by Rootbeerpants »

Helena didn’t say anything as the new guy came and sat…well not with them but close to them. She just eyed him. Like a stay cat eyeing a stranger, debating on if it’ll have to run or not. Her eyes darted back to Rozlyn when she blurts out the swear word. Honestly it was kinda funny watching her try to recover from that. Though maybe it’s just nice to see someone else fumbling for a change. Still it’s best to prepare for trouble. Maybe this guy will be really offended. Maybe he’ll get aggressive and start a fight. Maybe…maybe Helena shouldn’t have come here. Talking to this girl has been weirdly enjoyable but it’s possible she’s just being nice and actually hates this conversation. She’s got a headache after all. But it would be rude to leave now. She’ll just run if an argument breaks out or something. They probably wouldn’t notice.

Helena was so caught up in her train of thought that she didn’t put as much thought into replying to Rozlyn. Not register what she was getting at for a moment. “Yeah I guess so. Though my hairs not as…as uh…” Helena stalled out as her brain caught up with reality. Was that…a flirt thing? Did she clock Helena? Is she…interested? No she couldn’t be. It’s just a coincidence. How did she pick up on Helena thinking Sypha was attractive anyway? She hid that so well. Wait does all this mean she likes girls too? Or is she just trying to see if Helena does? Oh no Shes spiralling again.

From an outside view it looked like Helena had shut down. Her eyes were locked on the floor again while her hands fiddled with her hoodies drawstring incessantly. It took a full twenty seconds before she looked back at Rozlyn, only to look back down on the ground. “Uh…sorry uh…I-I don’t usually get comments about…myself. Um…I like your hair too. It’s…cool.” If it were possible to die from just sheer embarrassment Helena would be six feet under by now. Probably for the better too. She could feel her face getting hotter. They’re gonna both make fun of her she just knows it.
No I don’t know what I’m doing either.
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lanzandpine
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#13

Post by lanzandpine »

David did have strong subvocalization, but Wittgenstein never wrote any swear words in English; so once he heard the cussing, he had to tear his gaze away and look around, because it surely wasn't in his mind. His eyes, too used to trite sentences and the written word, had to now confront the people before him. Was the vocal confusion directed at him?

Well, whether it was or not, he had no time to respond properly, as one of the women began, seemingly, explaining herself. Not about him, not used, it's fine, so on and so forth, flowing from her mouth. Why David was still smiling was not clear, but at the very least, he was not going to be getting violent and fussy.

"Oh, what? Don't worry." David closed the book and put it away, leaving Wittgenstein for later. Much to the chagrin of the two, they have interacted with him, and that meant that he was now ready to talk more. "Should I give you two some space? Sorry for that," David apologized, the life-loving smile never leaving him as he did. "Thought that I'd just sit down and get some reading done, y'know..."

He let out a small chuckle that was loud enough to topple all of the bookshelves. He reached for the "Investigations" once more and flipped through a couple of pages. This was not at all a sign or hinting at anything, he simply wanted to do something with his hands for the moment. David apologized to the poor 20th century philosopher for doing that with his book, of all things, in his mind. The hopeful thought that the two students would be pleased to join a conversation about philosophy flickered in his mind for just a single, naive moment, but was quickly snuffed out by the continuation of their dialogue. What carpet had to do anything with the other woman escaped his mind.

David stayed silent, his eyes hesitantly returning to the book, as he didn't receive an answer just yet, but his ears managed to catch the hesitation in the pair's voices. Moments passed, the silence between their words grew heavier, and he slowly looked away from the book, giving the two a furtive glance.

Tick, tock, crank, tock, tick. The cogs in his brain took only seconds to turn. The machine whirred as it processed the situation in the span of moments. Tick, tock, tick, ding.

Oh. "Oh," he laughed, taking his book with him, and stood up from the seat. "I won't be bothering you two, sorry about, uh, that." He primed himself to prance away and find a different place, suitable for brooding and lamentation, because this area certainly was far away from the ideal. The atmosphere might as well have been as sweet and airy as panna cotta, David thought, as he gave a guilty nod to the two, topped with a friendly smile. He would've liked to talk, of course, but maybe his needs were to be put off for another time. Either way, he would walk away happy.

"Don't fuck their moment up," he rebuked himself in thought. "And don't you fumble." A show of silent support from the clueless young man, as he glanced at the girl that cussed in the first place. Followed by a smile, of course.
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StarletDevil
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#14

Post by StarletDevil »

Rozlyn is somewhat surprised by his sudden move to depart, having expected him to stick around, but it's relieving he's not, admittedly

"Uhh, yeah, hope you don't either. See ya."

(...)

She holds in an embarrassed cough and returns her focus to Helena. Has she figured it out? Is she denying the idea? It's really hard to read somebody when they keep staring at the floor, she almost wants to reach out and pull Helena into eye contact with her. Is that too forceful? Probably, if somebody did that to her, she'd break their fucking arm. Carpet Girl's nice and cute and all, is she interested or afraid though?

(Maybe she's straight and I come off like a dude (What (Yeah I don't know either)))

Warring with her thoughts, Rozlyn still has to say something, but what? Maybe focus on the hair thing? Does that make her seem weird? Like she has a hair fetish? Or is it just slightly normal enough like that cheer chick Kasta's thing for mouth scars? Whatever, she should just, commit to something. Say something nice about this girl, it's not AP Calculus.

"Uh, heh, thanks... Helena. You uh... you good? Lookin' a little red there. More than just your hair."

Close enough.

(Am I good? I've barely flirted with anyone, and I'm trying to do it while I'm like this? Fucking idiot.)

"Uh, Rozlyn. By the way."
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Rootbeerpants
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#15

Post by Rootbeerpants »

Helena looked up at the mystery man as he made to leave, trying her best to avoid eye contact with Rozlyn. Not that she didn’t want to look at her but more just not being ready to look at her. Regardless she gave the man a small wave goodbye, a little confused why he sat down only to immediately leave. Right up until he told Rozlyn to not fumble. Is he implying what Helena thinks he is? Is this actually flirting? Will he tell her dad? Wait no he doesn’t know her dad. Probably. But he might tell other people in the school. God that’s too much to think about. Just focus on…her. That might be even harder.

Helena forced herself to look up at Rozlyn, trying desperately to maintain eye contact. Her attempts weren’t the most successful since she kept looking off to the side before forcing herself back but at least it’s an attempt right? “Uh…I’m fine yeah just…bad at talking. Rozlyn is a very…pretty name. I like it.” Is that a good compliment? What is she doing? Would it be weird to just…ask if she’s flirting with her? If she isn’t though then Rozlyn will think Helena’s weird. But not being sure is killing her. Why couldn’t she just be a confident flirter who doesn’t fear rejection? Life would be so much easier.

“Hey uh…Rozlyn…”Just ask and if it goes badly then maybe she can convince dad to move back to Carson City. “Just to check uh…are you…f-flirting with me or being nice?”
No I don’t know what I’m doing either.
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