Nuthin' ta do

[El Loco [Jessie]]

.:. J E S S I E -- P O R T E R .:.

» Jessie heaved a sigh. This really wasn't her day. She had packed all her stuff just this morning, before leaving to board the train that would take her to her new school. Upon arriving at said school, she had discovered it hadn't been anything like what she had been imagining, that was for sure. Not wanting to seem like the idiot newbie, she had hurried to the office, checking the roster and heading swiftly to her dorm to put away her stuff.

» The room wasn't too big, but it wasn't tiny. Jessie wasn't sure if she would be sharing it or not. She shrugged to herself, it didn't really matter either way. She pulled out a shirt and jeans, changing, and then discarding the clothes she had been wearing onto the bed to be dealt with later. She didn't bother unpacking yet.
She looked around the room once more, eyes settling on the patched quilt that covered the bed. Sighing to herself, she snatched her sketchpad, which she had previously dumped there upon getting in.

» Now officially bored, Jessie left the room, deciding it best to wander around and explore a bit. It would definitely suck if she got lost, and ended up being late for classes. She peaked behind many of the closed doors in the hall. Finding mostly empty dorm, rooms. A few had stuff in them, posters on the walls and the like. She also found the bathroom, along with numerous storage closets. Having had enough, she found her way back toward the entrance of the building. Her gaze stayed locked on her bare fleet padding along as she walked.

» Before she got to the entrance, she paused yet again. It couldn't hurt, she supposed. She entered the lounge, immediately seeing a comfy looking armchair and plopping herself in it. She grinned, relaxing back into the plush cushion behind her back. Pulling out her ever present pencil from behind her ear, she opened to a clean page in her sketchpad.

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[ace]

Theo had just gotten out of his lesson, wishing he had his own horse instead of the lesson horse he was riding. He didnt ride at the school but at a stable about a half hour away, because he wanted to get a little better before he started riding in front of everyone there. They were all so good, and he hated to admit but they intimidated him a little. He was good with animals but the finesse and training came a little more difficult to him. He parked his car and got out, jogging to the dorm. He stripped down and showered quickly, washing the dirt off of him from his spectacular emergency dismount. He pulled on some comfortable sweat pants and flip flops, along with his favorite red Beatles shirt, though it was getting a little tight. He didnt fancy he would see too many people as he went out.

Slowly he walked around, trying to find a place where he wanted to stay for an hour or so before heading back to his room. He wasnt really a fan of his dorm room. It was nice, just not a place he liked to hang out. It was too confining, and he was just a tad claustrophobic. He went and bought a Coke before heading over to the lounge, figuring no one would really be there. Lots of people were active in the evening, for one thing or another. But he liked to be lazy sometimes. He quietly opened the door, in case anyone was in there, and turned to shut it. When he swung back around he discovered that he was not alone at all. There was a girl sitting in one of his favorite chairs sketching. With a quizzical look, he tried to see if he knew her from anywhere but drew a complete blank. Ah, he had never been that good with matching faces and names. He didnt think he had seen her anywhere but that didnt really mean anything. Feeling a little forward since they had the same taste in armchair, he sat down next to her in the Lazy Boy.

He watched her for a moment, and then leaned next to her to see what she was drawing. Hi Im Theo. He grinned and stuck out his hand after switching the Coke to the coffee table. You do go here, right? He wasnt trying to be rude or anything, he just wanted to make sure. He'd made disastrous assumptions with previous situations and the consequences were more than he had really wanted. So he was just checking. Sue him. He brushed his hair behind his ears, a sort of nervous tick thing. He tried not to do it but it happened.

[El Loco [Jessie]]

» She didn't think about what she was drawing much. She let her hand guide the pencil across the page in long strokes, short, brisk strokes, medium strokes, darker lines, bold lines, thin lines. All sorts of lines. The picture on the page began to form, ghosting the frame of her old house. Every brick, every crack in the windowpanes. Jessie wasn't very good at drawing, or so she told herself. Whenever someone complimented her art as wonderful, she would scoff and say:
"I can do much better."

» So absorbed in her task of sketching was she, that she didn't hear the click as the door to the lounge closed shut. Her eyes remained locked on the page, all attention focused on the sketch forming at a painstakingly slow pace. When the person did speak, she jerked, her hand gripping the pencil tight and scratching a long, dark line across the page. She snapped her head up to glare at the offender. The glare slowly melted off her face, head ducking back down to stare at the page. With a sigh, she picked up the eraser tucked under the pages at the top, and began carefully erasing the line.

"Yea, I go here," she muttered. Her hand ghosted over the page, the dark line gone, but leaving a long, white gap where it used to be. She would have to redraw all those lines and details. She sighed, putting her feet back on the floor and resting the sketchpad in her lap. She turned to look at him again. "I'm Jessica, but I hate that name, so you can call me Jessie."

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[ace]

Oh shit! He exclaimed when he saw the damage he had caused to her drawing. Stupid stupid stupid. It was a beautiful piece, with painstaking detail and his error had destroyed a portion of that work. He sat back in his chair, tucking that hair behind his ears once more and shaking his head at himself. He had come in here for a quiet evening and so had she, and now he had nearly ruined her drawing and would feel guilty for the rest of the night, in essence destroying the peace completely. I'm really sorry, I didnt mean to startle you. But she seemed more apathetic than angry at him, which puzzled him slightly. He knew a fair number of emotionally insane girls who would have given him hell for even just scaring them, let alone causing damage to something they had worked hard on.

Jesse. It semed to suit her, somehow. Jessica would not have fit her at all, he decided. She was different, and deserved a name to go with the claim. He ran a hand through his hair, and it all pulled out over his ears again. Ah, she made him nervous for some reason. He leaned back over to glance at her drawing again before speaking. It really was beautiful. Hi Jesse. He smiled. I didnt mean to be rude or anything, I just havent seen you before, I dont think. But its probably because I'm hopelessly unobsevant. Or maybe you're new. Are you new? I'm.....talking way to much and now I look like a fool. He finished and grinned sheepishly. He was sheepish now? What the hell? He had never been like this before. She was really pretty...That could be it. He shook his head and started over. I like your drawing.

[El Loco [Jessie]]

» Her head had drifted back down to stare at her lap after she had talked. She found it hard to talk to people without accidentally staring. It was an old habit of hers, to memorize peoples faces as they talked. She never forgot names that way. She jumped again at his exclamation, then found herself grinning widely at her skittishness. Must be because she was in a new place, she reasoned. The grin faded, head turning to gaze at Theo out of the corners of her eyes.

» Sorry, he says. Jessie's checks flushed a light pink. Blushes on her face weren't all that obvious. Sure her cheeks were paler than the rest of her skin, but not as pale as most Caucasians. She gestured to her drawing. "Don't worry about it. I can fix it," she said.

» Theo began to talk incessantly. She giggled. Then gasped, hand flying to cover her mouth. She didn't giggle, or at least, she couldn't remember ever giggling. Once she felt she had her emotions under control again, she turned her face the rest of the way. He ran his hand through his hair again. Must be a nervous habit. Was she making him nervous? She decided not to answer that. She wasn't sure if she wanted to know.

» Jessie fidgeted, chewing on her bottom lip, contemplating how she could answer. "Yea, I'm new," she settled on. Deciding to push it father, she added, "What about you?"

ooc | yeesh... that was kinda short :/ sorreh[/size]

[ace]

He contemplated for a moment, then stood and moved his armchair so he could face her and then he settled into the lovely plush relaxation. He liked her laugh. He was also somewhat glad that she was new to the school; he didnt feel like such a moron for not knowing who she was now, because how could he? Oh, rationalization was a joy. He was also feeling slightly less guilty about interrupting her and scaring her, because she said it was okay and because he was glad he had struck up a conversation with her. He really couldnt help himself when he watched her mouth as she bit her lip. Perfectly shaped lips were hard to come by, and especially more noticeable after his bad breakup several months ago. Well, I have gone here for two years, transferred during sophomore year, and about six months ago I started actively learning how to ride, though I'd appreciate if you didnt tell anyone...I dont ride here, I'm not very good yet. Whoa. Where did that come from? He never told anyone his deepest darkest secrets when he first met someone. He expected not many people did or should and yet here he had. She was not some sort of witch or harpy, so it was definitely his own fault but still.

Ah, whats your story? He effectively changed the subject so that he didnt reveal his family history or anything he may have done and regretted in the past, mostly because he didnt want to scare her away.

[ooc: Ive literally been staring at the end of this paragraph for ten minutes, trying to think of what to write next while my burn-Ed shoulders try to cripple me, so ill just stop ]

[El Loco [Jessie]]

» She shivered when Theo maneuvered his chair around so that he could face her, and she wasn't sure why. Fear? Anticipation? Excitement...? She gulped, fighting the twitch tugging at the corners of her mouth. She wasn't sure what to think about feeling anticipation, excitement over a boy. She had felt fear, last year, when her supposed best-friend had gone crazy and killed a person. She knew what fear felt like.

» He was talking again. Something about transferring, then riding. She nodded appropriately, then actually did smile slightly about him not being very good yet. She had turned her head down again, ducking back under the veil of her hair to hide the blush. She waited, breathing as evenly and silently as she good. The burn in her cheeks dulled. Taking a chance, she glanced up at him from under her lashes, innocent smile stretching her lips.

"That's OK, I won't tell," she said. Theo paused, she noticed, before the words were rolling off his tongue again. She caught herself watching his mouth form the words, and quickly looked down again; and then froze entirely when what he said registered in her brain. She took a moment, relaxing her suddenly stiff posture, and forcing herself too look at him again, nonchalant expression on her face.

"Not much," she shrugged. "Grew up around horses, so I've known how to ride and stuff as long as I can remember. I can teach you some time, if you want," she said, feeling rather stupid for suggesting such a thing to someone she hardly knew.

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[»PANDORA!]

ACTIVITY NOTE!

thanks for role playin guys! read your thread and its some fantastic roleplaying! for doing so much roleplaying on campus, and being the first to do so, both of you will recieve the first season staying at arrowfield e. centre free
enjoy your stay

now, as you were (:
just keep in IC babes <3

[ace]

He grinned at her answer, feeling like a kindergartener who'd just shared something to a loyal friend who swore to take it to the grave, even if it was something like, I forgot to write my name on my homework. He registered the frozen moment she had, though he had no idea why she had tensed up like that. It passed as quickly as it came and she spoke once more, so he decided to forget it. Maybe she got a sudden chill, or whatever. He didnt need to analyze her every movement. It wasnt like he could make her nervous like she was doing to him. A huge smile lit up his face at her offer. That would be awesome! As long as you'd be willing to come over to the other stable, at least until you can turn me into a decent rider. He chuckled, very grateful to her for it. His own instructer was decent but he felt like he wasnt going anywhere. It would be nice to see if it was the teacher or himself that was keeping him from advancing.

A stupendously unorigional idea popped into his head and he decided to act upon it, before his knees turned to jelly and he never saw the girl again. Hey, I could show you around the campus if you want? He tried to sound casual about it but his heart was pounding in his chest. Rejection was a fear of his, which was why he hardly ever made any moves himself. It was often the girl who had to put a foot forward before he made a leap, but this just seemed different to him. He wanted to leap first this time. I can show you the stables and stuff? There's some amazing horses...unless you want to stay here and thats okay, me too. Wow. Now he sounded like a complete idiot, or someone who said anything to get a girl. Ugh. He felt a slight burn in his face but he did not acknowledge it. If he had, it would have flamed into quite the fire, and he did NOT want that.

[El Loco [Jessie]]

» Theo's sudden enthrallment at the prospect of her giving him lessons dazed her. It had been a casual suggestion, she had expected a calm reply, such as: "Sure, I could try it." Or something of that nature. She noted the change in his tone, nodding appropriately.

"That works. I don't really know anybody else, and so I would have nothing better to do. And I'm pretty sure that you're not that bad." She shrugged, looking down again. "I'm kind of rusty, though. Haven't ridden since I was fourteen," she murmured.

» It wasn't something she talked about, really. Her past. At least, it didn't used to be. Lately, in the last few years, she had found herself way more willing to talk than she had previously thought, and the realization befuddled her. She didn't like not knowing who she was, or what was going on with herself. Especially after the incident last year.

» Jessie stood from the chair, switching the sketchpad to her left hand. "Sure, I guess. If you want you." The opportunity to be shown the campus instead of having to explore it on her own relieved her. While exploring would have been fun, without a doubt, she wasn't sure if it would do her any good. It would probably take twice, or maybe thrice, as long as it would if a person were to show her around, plus she might accidentally miss the first day of school. She had a horrible sense of direction. You point one direction and tell her that was the way to go, and she'd run off in the opposite.

"I'd like that," she amended, solidifying the offer.

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[ace]

She seemed to be taken aback by his excitement and he kicked himself for practically throwing himself in her lap. Maybe that was also the reason that she didnt seem too emphatic about taking the campus tour with him but she did agree, which was a huge step in the right direction, he liked to think. He stood and reached out a hand to help her up, because he knew the squishy depths of that armchair were difficult to part with, but she was already up, so he dropped his hand awkwardly and went to the door. He pushed it open and gestured with a wild flourish. Ladies first. He smiled. So what, he was a gentleman. He hadnt exactly been raised with a gentlemanly father so he decided that he should be one, for the good of the world. Well, the good of his own world anyway, and any girl that happened to be in it. Which today, happened to be Jesse, and he was inexplicably thrilled by that. He hadnt taken such a liking to a girl for a long time-not even his last girlfriend. But she had been more of a convenience than an attraction.

Lets go see the stables first, Im sure you've already been to your dorm and everything. What dorm are you in, by the way? Im in number three. Oh, there he went again, rambling rambling. But he didnt want to be too quiet and shy and impossible to talk to, like he usually was with new people. So his way of making sure that didnt happen was overcompensating, he guessed. He felt like he was being a little pushy though, being since he had just met her and all, so he quickly added, But you dont have to tell me, if thats creepy. How many times could he mess up a conversation? He wondered to himself as the internal kicking commenced.

[El Loco [Jessie]]

» She didn't miss the hand reached toward her. A simple gesture, and yet it caused her to blush. She turned her head away, allowing her hair to fall across her cheek. What was with this guy? No one had ever made her blush, ever. And yet, this guy, had made her blush twice in the course of only so many minutes, she hadn't been keeping track. She quelled her shaking hands, clutching them around her sketchpad, then turned back to Theo. Perhaps a bit hesitantly, she nodded, proceeding out the door to the lounge.

"Yea, I've been to my dorm. No where else though," she stopped, looking over at Theo suddenly. She caught herself quickly, shaking her head to dispel the thought. "Er, I guess we're in the same dorm then." She missed the casual remark he had added at the end, too focused in her head.

» What if he was like Alex? He didn't seem that way, but then, neither had Alex. She growled internally at herself. She was seriously being way too paranoid. There was absolutely no way, none at all. She plastered a smile onto her face.

"The stables? Okay. To be honest, I bought a horse, so I could check if he's there yet."

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[ace]

Oh em shit, his brain was processing about thirty things at once, the most important and probably foremost thing was that she was in his dorm. He had noticed when he went to shower on the upper floor that the room directly above his seemed to have a new occupant. That couldnt be her, could it? His spine tingled, and it was a very odd sensation to be feeling whilst walking. He definitly began to imagine nights with him lying awake and knowing that she was right there in the room above his head, close enough to nearly touch and incredibly, inexplicably far away. So the torment had just begun, it seemed, though he didnt view it as a foreboding thing. He liked a little bit of adventure, as long as it didnt end up with injury. Though he should know that phsycological damage was way worse than any physical beating, because it was permenant. It would almost be funny except that it was true.

Hey thats cool. He smiled, genuinely impressed. And not just about the money it would cost to buy a competition horse for a place like this. Owning a horse showed commitement. He really wanted to own one, but would either end up horseless for life, or he'd have to get way better as a rider and then just but a cheap green horse that he could work up to show and such. Whats his slash her name, do you know? Just small talk to keep the conversations rolling. Awkward silences were the least fun form of communication, for sure. As the campus was rather small (excepting the riding areas, of course) they made it to the barn in short time. Theo raised his hand as if to place it on the small of Jesse's back, and then jerked it away. Oh F. What was he thinking? She was NOT Amanda, she was not his girlfriend, she was hardly even his friend. (Not because he didnt want to be her friend, but because he didnt know her very well, of course)

He just hadnt spend much time with a girl like this in awhile, he supposed. Maybe he was just craving the comany and he had just let it slip, but whatever the case he didnt want to weird out this particular girl. He would save his weird-ass reminiscent moments for another girl or guy, that he didnt particularly mind weirding out. He really hoped she hadnt noticed, he wasnt trying to be a flirt or a player or anything. But what was done had been done so he tried his very best to ignore the little incident, and it was made easier by the fact that they had reached the intended destination and there was something to do. Here we are. He swept both of his arms out with a grand swoosh, encompassing the stable in his open arms. He was weird. He turned back to Jesse with a kid-ish grin. Do you want to look for your horse first? We can just take a turn about the aisles and then check out the arena and such. Oh, what an eager beaver he was.

ooc: Live, muse, live!

[El Loco [Jessie]]

» Jessie nodded absently, not noting his semi-lapse in conversation. She was buried in her own thoughts at the moment anyway. Not only was she currently very nervous, walking alone with Theo, but she was hesitant to even talk or respond to him. She knew she was being overly paranoid, and dwelling on the past, and was seriously killing any chance she had, but she couldn't help herself. She was wary, and cautious. Mostly thanks to her dad, but it had only gotten worse when Alex had... she instantly flung him from her thoughts. She hated him, after all.

» She 'hmmed', nodding to show her agreement. She supposed it was cool, but wasn't it also a requirement? She voiced her question out loud, echoing her thoughts; 'Wasn't it a requirement?' She had looked up at him suddenly in her sudden urge to ask, and now found herself looking back down, ducking under her hair. "His name's Icy Event, they said," she whispered, not really trusting herself not to waver or sound anything else than completely normal.

» She stopped mid-step then, sighing, then looking up slowly. "Er," she said, walking once again, "sure. That'd be cool I guess, he's supposed to get here today anyway."

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[ace]

So, Theo sort of felt like a fool now, walking along with this beautiful, artistic girl who seemed obviously to not want to be with him. She had probably accepted his invitation trying not to be mean to the weird kid who had ruined her drawing. She seemed content on not speaking words or sentences to him, and then finally she opened up those ridiculously pretty lips of hers. When she asked the question she raised her face to look at him and for just a split second he saw vulnerability and warmth, and what he assumed was really who she was. And then the protective guard was raised again, set in place as a warning. He didnt know what she had been through, but he knew he wanted to see that face again, that real expression. Ah, no, it is not. But Im thinking of getting one when I can afford it. He supplied helpfully.

The horse's name was Icy Event. Hm. How fitting, since she seemed to be giving him the cold shoulder. He immediatly regretted thinking that, rebuking himself for being so judgemental. He had no idea what her circumstances were and had no right. Theo did know that he wanted to help Jesse to open up to him-He wanted to get to know her. He started down the aisles, looking at all the horses nameplates on the outsides of their stalls. While they walked, he decided to stop being so taciturn. So where'd you come here from? Have you signed up for any of the art classes here? He hoped she said Art A, because that was what he was in. And even if being in the same dorm and having the same classes was a sort of creepy coincidence, he would be okay with it.