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Post by Rebecca Swenson on May 23, 2008 0:31:08 GMT -5
Becky swallowed the strange lump in her throat and then nodded to all he'd said. Just then she realized Jasmine was watching them. Oh gosh...had she seen the...uh...whatever it was. She bit her lip hard to keep from blushing up.
"Alrighty, I'll catch you after cross country tryouts!" she said to Eli, then looked at Jasmine blankly. "Uh...okay," she said. So far today Jasmine had been largely ignoring her, it must be important for the prep to go talk to her in front of everyone.
Dumping her plate in the trash, Becky turned and followed Jasmine out into the hallway and in the direction of her locker. The five minute bell sounded through the corridors, telling all unaware students that it was time to be getting ready for class. Thankfully Becky's locker wasn't far off and her Calc class only a few doors down from there.
"What is it?" she asked, looking at Jasmine's locker curiously.
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Post by Jasmine Doyle on May 23, 2008 0:41:55 GMT -5
Jasmine glanced up and down the hall quickly before slipping the piece of paper into Rebecca's hand, "Look." she ordered, looking around again, obviously worried that someone was going to see them. Hopefully her 'sister' would be smart enough to know what she wanted and she would have the skills to do it. She opened her locker and rumaged around it so it would look like she was doing something, maybe looking for something.
She jumped when she felt someone tapping her on the shoulder, "Who's your friend?" One of the prep girls asked accusingly, "You didn't tell us that you hung with this type of girl."
"Oh, this is my foster sister, she needed me to give her some uhm, girl things, you know." Jasmine rolled her eyes, "She's too much of a jock to keep the things she needs around. I don't think she's even ever heard of a purse." she said, pulling a small pouch out of her locker, "Okay, Becky, here's the...items you needed." she let out a small sigh, showing the others how annoyed she was with her sister. "And if you need anything else, go ask Eli. He's your twin, not me." she snapped, actually meaning, "If you don't understand what to do, go to Eli, he'll explain it to you."
Turning to her friends she smiled, "Now that I'm done with miss track and field, why don't we go?" she said, closing her locker and giving Rebecca the evil eye. She hoped the junior agent would understand that she was just playing the part and didn't actually hate her. She walked down the hall with her new friends, complaining about her foster siblings.
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Post by Andrew Ivanovi on May 23, 2008 0:52:23 GMT -5
Andrew put the finishing touches on his history homework just as the warning bell rang. Breathing a sigh of relief, he looked it over once to check for typos then stuffed it in his backpack with his history textbooks.
Out in the hall, he waved to a few of the other jocks and grinned at a few of the girls...finding himself comparing them to Jasmine. None of them matched her, of course.
"Afternoon, Andrew," Mr. Kampton said as the young man stepped into the room and set his homework assignment on the teacher's desk. He was the first one to arrive and was able to pick one of the seats in the back. Dropping his pack under the chair, he sat down and propped his feet up on the desk to wait for the other students to arrive.
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Post by Elijah Channing on May 23, 2008 1:03:44 GMT -5
Eli didn't really need to stop at his locker before heading to class, so he didn't. The way he figured it, the less time spent alone in the hallways, the better. Most likely, the majority of the jocks wouldn't be in his classes and, if they were, they hopefully wouldn't do anything with the teachers around.
He walked into his AP History class and stopped short when he saw the quarterback, Andrew, sitting in the back with his feet propped up, looking like he thought he owned the world. In reality, he probably did think that. Eli tried to tell his feet to move, but he was stuck in place, just staring. His heart was pounding and he had a sudden urge to bolt out of the room right then and there.
"Is there a problem?" The teacher, Mr. Kampton, asked, looking at Eli as if wondering if he was sick or stupid or some such thing.
"N-no, sir," Eli muttered, then hurriedly shuffled to the furthest possible seat from Andrew. Silently, he hoped that Andrew the Ukwtakun wasn't the same person as Andrew the jock. Somehow, Eli thought he might die if he was.
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Post by Rebecca Swenson on May 23, 2008 1:08:09 GMT -5
Becky cocked an eyebrow at Jasmine's back but took no offense at her words. It was all just an act, after all...or so she hoped. She gripped the small piece of paper so no one would see it in her fist as she wove her way through the people on her way to her locker.
Once at her locker, she used the door as a shield to take a look at the paper. "My gosh, you move fast, Jasmine," she thought, having a pretty good idea which one this "Andy" guy was. She ran her fingers over the writing, closing her eyes for a second. There was her own essence, of course, and quite a bit of Jasmine's...but below all that she picked up another that she'd never encountered before.
She pressed her eyes shut harder, trying to pull any information from it that she could, but nothing further came. She stuffed the paper in her pocket and sighed. Well, she had one of the Andy's essences down...and should be able to track him if necessary. But that didn't help if they didn't know whether he was the right one or not. Feeling incompetent, she grabbed her calc textbook and headed to her next class. If only she'd had more experience at this...
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Post by Andrew Ivanovi on May 23, 2008 1:37:03 GMT -5
Andrew looked up when another student entered the room. A smile inched it's way across his face when he saw it was Super-Nerd, and that he was staring at him in horror. Andrew's eyes flickered towards Mr. Kampton to see if he'd noticed the reason for Eli's reaction -he hadn't- then leaned back in the chair and started planning his attack strategy once class was out. He was closer to the door than the other boy was so it would be fairly easy to ambush him once he stepped outside the door.
The rest of the class filed in during the last minute before the bell rang...and a few of them in the minute afterwards...and soon the room was filled. Mr. Kampton leapt from his chair with his characteristic energy, looking over her star pupils with a proud eye. "As most of you know," he said, picking up a chalk and starting to write in huge letters that covered most of the chalkboard, "Today we're beginning our study of the way our country works at the 'Big Cheese' level." He tapped the chalkboard which read FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. "Some of you love it, some of you hate it, some of my other classes don't even know what it is...thank goodness you're all AP students."
"So..." he said, moving back to his desk, "Since you all have such wonderful and well set opinions on this topic, I've decided to put you into pairs. That way you can learn about your partner's views while you're working on the subject. There's no specific subject, just as long as it pertains to the federal government. It can be anything from governmental agencies, parties to the furniture in the Oval Office," he grinned, "Points will be given for originality."
Then Mr. Kampton moved towards his desk and pulled out plastic bucket filled with slips of paper. "Here are your names...I'll be drawing for partners." He proceeded to draw pairs of slips, reading them off. The responses from the students ranged from cheers to groans, from uncomfortable looks to shy smiles.
"Elijah Weller..." the teacher began, then turned over the other slip, "will be working with Andrew Trindale."
Andrew leaned to the side so he could see Eli and grinned.
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Post by Elijah Channing on May 23, 2008 1:48:36 GMT -5
Eli was sure in that moment of pure horror that his heart stopped beating for at least, oh, a few minutes or so. He slid farther down in his chair as if that would help him disappear from view and stared at his desk. He was almost positive that Andrew was looking directly at him, probably laughing his head off--at least inwardly.
Get over it! He snapped to himself, but he couldn't seem to sit up straight or even remove his gaze from its place on his desk. You've taken down guys twice his size, for Pete's sake. Why in the heck are you so afraid of him? Even as he asked himself that, Eli knew the answer. He wasn't so much afraid of Andrew's size or strength, but his power to do basically whatever he wanted to Eli and get away with it. After all, if the teachers didn't see, there was really no one to stop him. And, for the sake of the mission, Eli couldn't exactly fight back unless he absolutely had to.
With a sigh, he straightened a little and did his best to pay attention to the teacher. Still, he couldn't help thinking that this was just like grade school all over again. He risked a glance over at Andrew and felt anger bubble up in him, pushing away most of the fear. Oh, how he wanted to punch that guy's lights out.
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Post by Andrew Ivanovi on May 23, 2008 2:06:34 GMT -5
Andrew's jaw worked back and forth deviously as he watched Elijah try to hide in his chair. Good luck with that, bro, he thought with a smirk.
Mr. Kampton went on in his usual energetic manner, blissfully unaware of the politics going on within his classroom. He threw quite a few of his questions in Andrew's direction, making sure that the team quarterback didn't think he was hiding in the back, but Andrew answered each of the questions easily. They'd studied this stuff in the Ukwtakun ages ago, and though most of their 15 year olds could've easily graduated from high school, all students went through annual reviews to make sure they remembered all they had learned and could rattle it off easily in a classroom situation.
Finally, the "five minutes left" bell rang, bringing Mr. Kampton to a halt in the middle of a very animated description of political debates. He looked towards the door in surprise, then smiled. The class pulled out their assignment notebooks. "No homework tonight, just get with your project buddy and start working on it. It's due a week from Friday," he said, opening the door.
Andrew swung his backpack over his shoulder. Darn right he was going to get with his "project buddy"...and as soon as possible. Even though he was at the back of the room, he was one of the first out the door and found a convenient place to lurk while he waited for Eli to leave the room.
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Post by Elijah Channing on May 23, 2008 2:19:18 GMT -5
Elijah waited until almost everyone was out of the classroom before approaching Mr. Kampton. "Sir?" He asked quietly. When the man didn't turn from erasing the chalkboard, he tried again, louder this time. "Mr. Kampton?" The man turned around and gave him a may-I-help-you sort of look, but not an irritated one, so Eli hurried just in case the man suddenly decided not to listen.
"I have a question," he said hurriedly, "about the project." Mr. Kampton didn't reply, so Eli just went on. "It's just, well, I was wondering if I might switch partners. Because, um--"
But the teacher was already shaking his head. "I'm sorry. . . Elijah, is it? But I just can't go around allowing kids to change their partners. If I did that, then I'd have all the students new partners and it just wouldn't work." He smiled a friendly smile and glanced back at the other students filing into his classroom. "I'm sure whatever problem you and Andrew have, you'll work it out. And, if you give him the chance, he'll probably teach you quite a bit. After all, he's a wonderful student. Very bright." He nodded and smiled again. "Now, if that's all. . ."
He didn't have to say anymore, for Eli just nodded and turned for the door. "Thank you," he muttered even though he wasn't grateful at all. He sighed as he opened the door and stepped into the hallway, cursing the mission for about the millionth time that period alone.
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Post by Andrew Ivanovi on May 23, 2008 12:08:51 GMT -5
A hand whipped out and grabbed Eli's upper arm the second he was out of the teacher's view. Several students looked at Eli with sympathy but they didn't dare risking the wrath of the jocks. Instead, they just hurried on to their next class.
"Thanks for volunteering to do this project for me, Super-Nerd," he said, tightening his grip. A frown flashed across his features as he realized Eli wasn't quite as weak and scrawny as he'd first thought. His biceps were surprising toned...for a nerd. "Been working out, Super-Nerd?" he said, "Trying to fit in?"
For the first time Andrew really considered the guy in front of him. Eli had an inch or two on him but Andrew was at least 20 lbs heavier and much more muscular in build. If it came down to it, Andy had no doubt that he could take the lighter boy on. However, it wasn't fighting that he was so much concerned about. Four new kids at the school...he hadn't forgotten Jasmine's reaction when they'd been introduced and now he added this to his list. He wasn't about to go jumping to conclusions -there were several other kids who he was much more suspicious about- but this family definitely needed watching.
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Post by Elijah Channing on May 23, 2008 12:26:33 GMT -5
Despite the height advantage, and Eli's skill at martial arts--and running, if it came down to it--he shrunk back from the older boy and muttered a rather feeble, "Let me go." He tried to pull away, only to find that Andy was stronger than he'd expect for an average jock. He felt his stomach clench at the thought of Andy being the Andy they were looking for.
"Look, man, I didn't do a thing to you, so just. . ." Eli tried pulling away again. He looked around as if hoping someone might notice and do something instead of turning the blind eye. He swallowed. "Listen, I'm not doing the project alone. I'd rather fail than give you an A for not doing a thing." Though he'd rather punch Andy's lights out than offer a rather pathetic verbal defense, he couldn't so he just stood there, waiting.
Honestly, Eli figured Andrew would just make him pay for "back-talking" though the question was if it would be now or later. Still, he figured he had nothing to lose--except maybe his arm if Andy got really mad--so he went on, staring at the ground as he spoke. "You know, I saw you with my foster sister today. You looked like a stupid. . . um, puppy drooling over her like that. Sad thing is, she probably likes you. But, then again, she's basically just an idiot."
Eli felt bad talking about Jasmine like that, but he knew he needed to for the mission, and it gave him a odd sort of of satisfaction to be dissing Andrew, and Jasmine as well. Even from across the room, he'd seen her expression, and he'd read her text message. It was obvious she liked Andy, and that thought made him not only sick but angry as well.
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Post by Andrew Ivanovi on May 23, 2008 14:24:26 GMT -5
||OOC: Just so everyone knows, I got Kumi's permission for the powerplaying. Do not do this at home, kids!||
"A stupid...um, puppy?" Andrew parroted back. One second he was laughing, the next he was slamming Eli against the wall. "I guess you would be an expert, now wouldn't you? Considering you were sitting with a hott chick at lunch..." then a look of false enlightenment came over his face, "Oh wait! That's your sister, now wasn't it? I was wondering why she'd be hanging with a freak like you...guess she felt sorry for ya."
He had hardly finished his sentence when he let go of Eli's shirt. He feinted left, the punched the other guy with his right, putting just enough power into it to hopefully send him sprawling on the floor. "Remember your place, Super-Geek," he muttered, "Now what were you saying about the project?"
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Post by Elijah Channing on May 23, 2008 14:39:03 GMT -5
Eli had been expecting some sort of "punishment" for the way he'd talked to Andy. In fact, he'd almost been hoping for it, so it would give him an excuse to hit the guy square in the jaw. Despite this, though, he flinched visibly when Andrew shoved him up against the wall. He wasn't afraid of getting hurt--he'd dislocated his arm just sparring before, not to mention what had happened to him in real fights. No, he was more afraid of the look on Andy's face, which he figured was pretty close to a look of pure, unadulterated hatred.
The punch was even more unexpected, mainly because of the feint. He fell back with a grunt, deciding in a split second to play this up for the sake of the mission. The weaker he looked to Andy, the better. He clutched his midsection and breathed heavily, though the latter part hardly had to be forced--the guy was strong. Then again, Eli had taken much, much worse. He slowly pushed himself onto his knees, trying to make it seem like it was the most difficult thing he'd ever done.
"I said," he panted as he pushed himself to his feet, using the wall as support, "that I'm not doing the stupid project for you."
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Post by Rebecca Swenson on May 23, 2008 15:12:33 GMT -5
Becky was headed towards her next class when she saw the crowd gathered down the hall. She almost ignored it, not wanting to see whatever was going on, when her essence picked up something from that direction: Eli.
"Oh my gosh..." she said, spinning on her heel. As she rushed closer her impression grew stronger. To her horror she also picked up Andrew's essence...and neither of them were giving off good vibes.
Cutting through the crowd, she came to the sight that her senses had been telling her of, but she'd hoped she'd been wrong about. Eli was on his knees, leaning against the wall for support, and Andrew was standing over him, looking like he was about to kick her brother in the face.
"Leave him alone!" she said, jumping out of the crowd. Why was she the only one willing to say anything? She grabbed Andrew's shoulder and spun him around right before he punted Eli's head like a football. Without thinking, she swun for his nose.
Andrew's hand flew up quickly and caught her hand at the wrist before the punch connected, then lowered her fist, twisting her arm in the process. "Hey look, your sissy's come to defend you, Super-Nerd," he said and tsked his tongue, "Sad really...it takes a girl to stand up for you."
Becky's face paled with pain and anger, "Get out of here Andrew. There's a teacher right around that corner and if I scream, he'll be over here in a second."
Andy's mouth tightened. She was right...and it really wouldn't look good if he beat up a girl. He released her with a shove and then looked at Eli. "We'll finish this later," he said, and disappeared into the crowd.
Becky touched her aching arm but her attention immediately turned to Eli. She suddenly felt the eyes of everyone on her and she didn't want to embarrass him but...
She moved to his side and touched his shoulder. She didn't say anything, just bit her lip.
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Post by Elijah Channing on May 23, 2008 15:26:26 GMT -5
Eli watched the scene before him unfold as if he was trapped in a nightmare. There's no freaking way, he thought, and his shoulder's shook with rage as he watched Becky do what he guessed she thought was right. If he hadn't been so mad at her, he would have jumped Andy for even touching her. Instead, he just stood there, his anger about to bubble over like a volcano.
When she touched him, he shrugged her off immediately. "I could kill you," he hissed angrily. "Do you have any idea what you just did? If I was freak before, you just turned me into a freak who needs his sister to protect him. What, do you think I can't handle myself? Gosh! Did you even think about what you were doing or did you just decide it'd be fun to make life hell for me?" His voice grew louder with each word until he was almost shouting. Eyes shooting venom, he stared at her and shook his head. Voice barely above a whisper, he added, "Thanks a lot, sis."
With those four words, Eli stormed off, shoving through the now-dissipated crowd. He slammed his fist into a locker about halfway down the hall, thankful at least that the pain took his mind partly off of everything that had just happened.
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