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Caelum watched the man stall, she knew he was interested, but she wasn't sure of herself. "I have to work over the weekend to make up for taking today off to help move in..." She knew it was a lame excuse, but she couldn't stop herself. She chose this part of America for the reason that she thought she'd be secluded, she should have known better with her brother around. Ever the people person.
"Party?" She tilted her head. "Is there an American holiday?" She was sure she knew all the events and holidays in the area and country, she didn't think today was anything important. She very nearly took out her blackberry to check her information, but stopped herself in the presence of a civilian. |
Rowan chuckled and nodded his at Chris but frowned with the loud noise. He mumbled under his breath Crap. This is never going to end when it starts. This day starts the rest of my time staying here, and it will be filled with loud guitar music. Thankfully I tolerate rock. Rowan looked over at Chris and gave him a look, he secretly backed away just incase the music would be too loud. He wanted to try at least protect himself while he could.
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Chris grins, noticing the look and walks to the main amp, strumming a few chords to check if it was still tuned before adjusting the knobs and said, "Hope you don't mind, I just want to see if things are set up right and the easiest way to do that is to play, ya know?" And with that, he began playing. (This, try to imagine it w/out the non-guitar parts YouTube - Coheed & Cambria - Welcome Home (Instrumental) FULL Song. )
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((Btw, I effin' love Coheed & Cambria. -School girl squeal at Chris.-))
Rowan blushed, hoping Chris did not noticed what he did. He nodded at Chris saying "Uh, sure." He still felt uneasy but Chris did have a point he figured. He tensed up but when the guitar started, he was impressed. He nodded his head along with the song and said over the loud music "That sounds good. Just would be a bit better if the volume was a little lower." He shrugged and smiled sheepishly, but he did sincerely think that song was good. |
Lexi left the room and went to her apartment. She started boiling some water as she got down some mugs and put tea bags in two of them and some cocoa in the other. When the water was boiled, she poured it into each cup. She stirred the cocoa before moving the mugs onto a tray and bringing it back over to 2B. She went over to Rowan. "Tea's done." she told him.
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Rowan glanced at Lexi when she left and turned back around to watch Chris. When Lexi returned he smiled and said "Thank you." He took a small sip of the tea, being afraid of burning his tongue. He winced a bit since he sipped it too soon but he smiled at her again saying "It's good." He thought It's hot. Ouch. He gently rubbed his tongue along the roof of his mouth to attempt to fix the damage done.
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Caleb peered down into the bowl at the floating gummies. "You sure those will taste okay?" He reached his hand out to poke one. "I mean....I'm not going to turn into an actual commie by eating one right?" He stressed on the word actual. "Unless you want me to be." He smiled at Joshua.
His attention shifted to Charlotte and he pulled a piece of plastic out of her hair. "Don't worry hun, what's the worst that could happen?" He shrugged. |
Chris smiled, grabbing the cup and taking a big gulp... before spitting it all out screaming, "CRAP! HOT! HOTHOTHOTHOT!" He rushed over to the kitchenette and turned the water on cold, sticking his mouth over the faucet... despite the fact that the water was the rusty brown ickyness.
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Lexi smiled slightly at Rowan when he took the tea. She looked at Chris and laughed lightly. "Of course its hot. What were you expecting? For it to be cold?" she asked him, sipping her own tea. She set the tray down on a table as she waited for an answer to her question.
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Caleb had startled her when he pulled something from her hair. Moving back no more than in inch, Charlotte began to check her hair just in case there was something else. When she addressed her finally, Charlotte had to think about that for a moment. What was the worst that could happen? I mean they were all adults so it wasn't like they weren't allowed to drink if they wanted. Still, if Alex wanted everyone to stay sober, and Josh didn't want to it might cause some problems.
"I'm not sure...but I still think we should ask before hand." She replied calmly. "These things are awesome, they still taste like a gummy bear in the end, but with a little after burn." Joshua grinned just thinking about all the times he made these with his friends back home. Although their parties kinda sucked when it came down to a group of drunk men, and no chicks to speak of. It was much better to be home, and a social drinker. "You won't care what you turn into if you eat to many, I'll warn you that right now." He laughed. Joshua finished up, and leaned back against the wall, watching the two interact. It was interesting how Charlotte always seemed to shy away from guys, but at the same time she would flirt. Girls never made sense to him, and this was even more perplexing to him. Maybe she did it to get what she wanted, but even then she did almost everything on her own. If Joshua couldn't figure out his own sister how was he ever going to understand any other girl? maybe it was better to just hang out with men.. |
Caleb smirked at Charlotte, it was cute how she shied away from him. Maybe it was smart that she did. He's attention was shifted back to Joshua. "If I end up running around naked and trying to find Santa Clause I'm going to kill you." He smiled and gave the bowl a small wiggle to send the little floating candies moving around. "I'm kind of excited now for this party. I want to see if I can get my sister to eat one of these, maybe she'll finally relax." He wondered what his tight assed sister would be like slightly intoxicated. "Just one though...I love her to death but getting her drunk is defiantly out of the question." He nodded as if her were a proud brother.
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"If you start stripping I'm gonna kill you, I didn't leave a bunker full of guys to come home to a naked dude. I'm telling you right now I'll staple your clothing on if I have to." Joshua threatened him, but with a pinch of humor to it. Still he didn't want to see a naked guy his first few weeks back.
"I second that, I really don't want to see you naked." Charlotte told him. In her opinion she didn't mess with men like him. Players didn't even make good one-night stands because you had to worry about what they left you with, and Caleb might have been that kind of player from how he acted. Charlotte didn't trust many guys, but that didn't mean she was open to them, and relationships. "You sister however I'm all for getting drunk if it will loosen her up." |
Caleb laughed good and hard, giving Joshua a pat on the back. "Don't worry friend!" His true Russian accent showing again. "I don't think I've ever been that drunk." His grin was full of mischief. "Though I think it'd be pretty amazing if you had to catch me." He laughed at the thought.
"Aww little Char, don't worry kid you wont see much. You're too tiny." He gave her head a pat and tried not to laugh at the look she gave him. "Though I do agree with you, I'm just now sure how Caelum will take to alcohol." He worried about her. "Maybe I should just tell her to not come?" He over thought his situation. |
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Turning his back to her and opening his apartment door, Alex said over his shoulder, “I’m just going to setup a few things. If you want to come back in 20 minutes I should have everything ready.” With that he slipped inside and shut the door behind him. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath Alex wondered if she would show up. Probably not. She obviously had no interest in being around him. Setting out chips, soft drinks, and cups, followed by microwaving finger foods and arranging them on a tray, Alex looked around his apartment. A couch, a couple soft chairs, and an old coffee table were clustered around his small TV. A table with four chairs was tucked into the small, yet open dining room. His place was small, and Alex had a sinking feeling that it probably wasn’t big enough to fit all the people he had invited. Where had Charlotte gone? He wondered. Maybe she couldn’t stand him either. He was a regular chick magnet, but somehow his polarity was mixed up and instead of drawing girls to him, he pushed them away. This party was such a mistake, he thought to himself as he propped the door open and waited to see it anyone would show. |
Rayne had been in bed asleep for quite some time. She had set an alarm clock to wake her before the party started so she could get ready.
Beep, beep, beep, beep. the alarm blared down Rayne's ear and she woke with a started look and a throbbing headache. It seemed she had not slept for anywhere near as long as she had wanted to, but she was really looking forward to the party later. Hauling her over exhausted body out of bed, she made her way to the kitchen and began to boil the kettle to make herself a mug of coffee. As the kettle boiled, Rayne walked into the bathroom and turned the shower faucet on to allow the water to heat up; it always did take a while to get hot. After finished a large cup of coffee, Rayne felt a lot better. She went for a shower and washed her long blond hair twice to remove any dirt that had formed in the two days she had been working straight. When she had done, she wrapped a towel around her body and went over to her front door. Sticking her head out, Rayne looked around to see if she could see or hear anyone, but there was nobody around and no noise to be heard, so she went back in and set to work on her face. A touch of blusher on her pale cheeks, a few strokes of mascara on her long eye lashes and a small amount of eye liner later, and she decided she looked good enough. Pulling out her favorite skinny jeans, she slipped into them and found a top that she thought would be acceptable... Most of her clothes were designed for work rather than casual, but she did have at least 10 pairs of jeans. These particular ones were a pail washed blue with a few small rips along the front and back. When she knew she was ready, Rayne sat down on her sofa and waited for the clock to strike the hour so she could go down to the party and meet all her neighbors properly. |
Caelum bit her bottom lip to keep herself from knocking on his door and offering help. She just straightened her back and walked back toward her apartment. The lights were off from what she could see at the base of the stairs. No one was there. She turned back toward Alex's apartment then berated herself for being silly and girly. She was better than that, had to be better than that. So what if no one was home. She could survive.
But just a little bit she wanted to go to the party. See what kind of things Alex had in his apartment. People's things always told stories. Though of course she knew about him already, but there were somethings a background check couldn't tell you. She started up the stairs to go pace in her room until the party started. |
"You can't just make her stay home, that's so rude. And don't call me little I'm the older one." Charlotte huffed, and crossed her arms in frustration. She didn't like being thought of as the younger sibling just because she wasn't as tall. Girls weren't suppose to be that tall, height had little to do with age by the time they were adults.
Charlotte got up from the chair, and grabbed her large purse. Making sure her camera, and makeup bag was inside she grabbed her keys. "I'm going to find Alex, I'll meet you two at the party." She told them as she shut the door behind her. Jousha nodded in agreement with Charlotte. "Let her come, and do what she wants, it won't kill anyone." He explained. After all, he knew what it was like to be left home when everyone else went out. It sucked, and it just made him hate the people who left him; not forever but for a while. "You'll be fine, just don't drink to the point you forget who, and where you are. That is when the problems start, and you go home with a barker from the bar." Her laughed. |
It was six o’clock and no one was there yet. Oh no. It was a bust. The party was a bust. What if only one person shows up and it is just him and Alex making awkward small talk? That would be worse than no one showing up.
Alex’s heart rate sped up as he went over the endless possibilities for failure. He sat heavily on a dining room chair and rested his hands on his knees. Take deep calming breaths he told himself. It didn’t help. Pulling out his phone, Alex again glanced at the time. 6:01 flashed bright green on the interface. The party had officially started one minute ago and he was the only one here! Pausing to think for a moment, Alex wondered if he was really this insecure. None of this should feel like such a big deal. After a moment of deliberation he decided that, yes, he was very insecure. Speed dialing Dr. Kinzal, his psychiatrist, Alex tapped his foot impatiently. When he heard a tired “Hello?” on the other end of the line, Alex breathed a sigh of relief, and promptly forgot that his door was still open. He began talking in hurried and anxious tones about how her whole idea of a party was giving him a reputation as the friendless looser in the apartment building with so few friends that he had to invite his neighbors over for a ‘meet and greet’ party. |
Charlotte knocked at Alex's door, but he didn't answer. Maybe since he was having a party they didn't have to knock; so she checked the door and found it unlocked. That was a good sign to just come in.
"Alex?" She called out to him as she looked around; finding he already set up she began to feel like she'd abandoned him. After telling him she was going to help he still did everything himself. "Aw, I feel so bad now." Charlotte said aloud to herself. What kind of tenet, and friend doesn't help someone set up for a party? ((I'm sorry for the short post!)) |
Looking up at the clock on the wall, Rayne saw that it was just past 6.00. She stood up and went to her closet. Opening the door, she reached down and pulled out a pretty pair of flat dolly shoes. The pale cream color matched the color of the top she was wearing, though the top had tiny red buttons running down it and her shoes were just plain with a tiny peach bow on the front.
She slipped on the shoes and made her way out of the front door, locking it as she left. It took her a few minutes to get to Alex's apartment. His door was open but Rayne decided to be courteous she would knock on the door rather than just walking through. What if she was only one who showed up? At least she was going though, because she was sure poor Alex would rather just have her there than no body there at all... But she still hoped she was not the only one there. She really wanted to get to know the people in her building. Rayne wanted to meet people and make friends. |
Lexi stayed and chatted with Rowan and Chris for another few minutes, sipping her tea. When he cup was empty, she said goodbye and for them to just return her mugs when they could. She went back her apartment and put her mug in the sink. Then took a quick shower.
When she was done, she pulled on a pair of black flats, black pants that went down to her shins, and a red silk shirt with black Chinese/Japanese symbols on it. This was her favorite outfit and she was sure that it would leave a good impression. She pulled her hair up into a bun and stuck a pair of oriental/decorative chopsticks through it. Now her outfit was complete. She left her room and went down to where the party was. Upon arriving, she knocked lightly on the door. Even though it was a party and she could probably just go in, she knocked anyway. That was what her father always told her to do. It was the polite thing to do, no matter what. |
Caleb looked at his watch and shoved Joshua lightly. "Hey it's already time to go." He looked back at the gummies and grinned. "Let's go get this little guys in action!" He picked up his keys were he'd left them on the counter and paused. "Is it alright if I leave my bags in your fridge till the party is over?" He stuck his thumb out toward the refrigerator.
Caelum stared at the clock. She hated being late, but what choice did she have? She'd been rude to everyone for no reason really. She might as well show up late and try to avoid the early crowds and small chat. She would go simply to find her brother, not to see anyone else. She kept telling herself this but even she didn't believe it. Maybe apologize to the small doll like girl from earlier, she mused. And the young man who was also moving in a bit ago, she nearly groaned. "Why am I an idiot!?" She kicked the waste basket near her desk and it toppled over. Such a tough girl, she mocked herself, pushing over a trash can. Why was it easier to work with computers than people? She slouched forward and put her elbow on her knee with her chin resting on her hand. "Stupid human interaction." She pouted. ((Sorry I was gone. My birthday surprise extended almost all weekend. I had fun though lol)) |
Alex looked up sharply when he heard someone speak softly, almost as if to themselves. A wide smile spread across his face when he saw Charlotte. She looked a little uncomfortable.
“I, uh, gotta go.” He said hastily into the phone. “Yes. Yes, we’ll discuss next week.” Hanging up on his psychiatrist was rude, especially so abruptly. He hadn’t really had enough time to tell her much of anything. It could wait. It was more important to not have this increasingly awkward moment continue to stretch between himself and the pretty redhead Charlotte. “I’m glad you made it.” Alex said. “Everything ok? You disappeared earlier.” A gentle knocking on his door distracted Alex from Charlotte. People were actually showing up? He brushed past Charlotte and opened the door. Lexi and Rayne were patiently waiting on the other side. Whoa! If this kept up it was going to be a room full of women, with only one available man in the room. He could only hope things would continue this way. Suddenly feeling very foolish for his panicked phone call to Dr. Kinzal, Alex blushed while he greeted the two women. “I’m glad you guys could make it.” He gestured for them to come inside. |
Rayne blushed when Alex opened the door to her and Lexi. She had seen him around before, yes, but his soft brown curls and almost white looking eyes were definately a handsome sight. "Like I would miss this!" she giggled in response to his extremely relieved seeming remark.
Looking around the room, Ray could see that Charlotte was already there. She smiled at her friend and walked over to stand by her side. Looking back at Alex, Rayne blushed again. She did feel stupid always blushing around handsome men, but she had never been on any kind of date before and men were somewhat a mystery to the still innocent 20 year old. It was not by choice that she was that way, she had just never found anyone that she could trust and that would stand by her even when she missed her mother. Now that she thought about, her mother's birthday was coming up. Or what should have been her birthday anyway... A pang of guilt struck Rayne and she suddenly felt very cramped and out of place. Taking a few deep breaths she tried to calm herself. She had to remind herself that her mother would have wanted her to have fun, and unfortunately, this was a constant thing... "Alex, I'm sure I heard Joshua say that he would come before. You look really relieved that myself, Charlotte and Lexi showed up. Did you really doubt this party!?". Rayne smiled, then she remembered that just because she wanted to be there and had always intended to be, did not mean that everyone else in the building had the same idea. "Nice place you have" she noted as she gazed around the spacious apartment. |
Alex felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Did he look that way too? His wide, nervous eyes looked at Rayne.
After a heartbeat he said, “Of course I didn't doubt the party. The owners of this building wanted to create a more community atmosphere. They figured they would make me throw a party to meet the neighbors and we could all be happy friends. Watch out for each other and whatnot.” His voice came out harsher than intended as the lie slipped out from between his lips. Alex glanced from Rayne to Charlotte. “I thought things were headed off to a good start when Charlotte offered to help me setup, but she never showed.” “This is just some party that the owners cooked up. I’m just doing my job. Doesn’t matter to me if anyone comes or not.” He forced the comment out offhandedly, desperately trying to seem as if it didn’t bother him. As if he didn’t care. If it sounded defensive or angry, he didn’t notice. “Hors d'oeuvres?” He offered one of the appetizer trays to his guests and forced a smile. |
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