Frost (Open)

[David B.]

OOC((Takes place before "MAN UP".))

Man...it was COLD.

Wrapping his jacket around himself, David stepped across the threshold and on to school grounds. Walking through the front doors, David headed for his locker, ignoring the eyes that followed him closely, stepping out of the way and giving him a clear path. Eyes stared as he opened his locker, unloading books and reloading others into it. He stopped, looked over his shoulder, and glanced over the faces of those watching him. Gritting his teeth, Clenching a fist, he said nothing.

SLAM.

His locker shut harshly, David taking a quick breather, trying to cool his temper. He had always had trouble with it, but usually he kept such good control. He didn't do things the way his old self did- tell them to get away. In fact, he usually welcomed trouble or told them to fuck off. Not today, however. Today felt slow, depressing. He was tired of the same old life.

He turned, moving through the crowd, his hood once again pulled up over his head. He liked to wear it more often now adays, keeping it around his ears, warming him, blocking him from view. He had his name Stitched into the back of the sweater as well, so none could miss who they were looking for. He continued to walk, knowing that whatever the opportunity that arose, he would take it as it came. He rejected all gangs he was currently affiliated with, stripping his name from their rosters. He was on his own now. He wanted new decisions. A new road.

He hated the way the people were watching him.

Then again, he was used to it. Whever he walked, it seemed, a river of blood followed. Perhaps, one day, he could actually hang up the gloves, but while he was there, it wasn't too likely. He came to terms with that fact, pushing open the door to the courtyard and walking over to a table. He sat down, popped open his text for History, and studied on his own, writing down notes as the day wore on.

It felt good to feel the frost on his skin.

Heat was over-rated.

[Your Mom~]

Les had a love-hate relationship with the truancy officers of Long Beach. They hated her, she loved thwarting them. Today though, she left them catch her outside of a pizzeria. She had been exiting the establishment with a deliciously greasy piece of pizza en route to her mouth. And that was the precise moment that Truant Office Joe was strolling down the street.

"Well hello, Joe."

She greeted the officer casually, taking a bite of the pizza. Joe scowled.

"You again! Damn it, what have I told you about cutting class?!"

She allowed him to grab her roughly by the arm, let him feel like he was tough and doing his job. Some days she would put up a fight, leave them in the dust or mess with their heads before giving them the slip. But today she had pizza, and illustrated her priorities by simply glancing at him before shoving more pizza in her mouth, as if to say 'good job, Joe, now let me eat my slice.'

A few minutes later, Officer Joe pulled her through the school gates. "Now be a good lass and get to class. Don't let me see you on the streets again." He warned, letting go of her arm.

Les turned around, wiping her greasy fingers on his jacket. "Sure Joe, I'll study hard. You've steered me straight this time." At that, he shoved her lightly, grumbling and leaving the school grounds. Rather than going inside the building, she rounded the school to the courtyard, ice blue eyes widening slightly as she noticed a hooded figure sitting alone at a table in the otherwise deserted courtyard. Despite the hood, it wasn't difficult to recognize the name emblazoned on the back. Blaze.

Walking up behind him, she grabbed the boys hood and pulled it down from around his ears.

"You'll catch your death out here."

Not that she was one to talk, dressed in a worn black long sleeve shirt and jeans, torn at the knees. Her ragged cut brown and violet hair fluttered just above her shoulders with longer pieces framing her face. A carefully neutral expression masked her features as she looked down at him with her unnaturally ice blue eyes.

[David B.]

David looked up at the figure which loomed over him, the sun cast behind her causing her to look like nothing so much as a giant shadow. Bringing his hand up to cover his eyes, he chewed the inside of his cheek.

"Hey Les...Whats up?"

He was a little nervous about speaking with the girl, especially since the last time they had met she had threatened him in more than one way. Not to mention, if you Add to that what she saw as his previous "abandonments" of the school itself, and his kissing her frankly in battle...well, he always did and still considered her a friend. He slid over, giving her the option of taking a seat. He didn't shoot back that she was no better dressed, as was obvious; instead he just grinned.

"I actually like it. Kind of...refreshing compared to the usual Californian heat." He would grab his books and move them over so she could have a place to plant her pizza. She was thin, as always, but not without curve and shape. He slipped open his book and continued writing, although a little slower. "Besides, Some may see the death of Blaze as a gift." He shrugged,without looking over. She seemed...different. More...controlled. He would bite his bottom lip, wondering if she had more planned here than he expected, or if she was just catching him at random. Either way, he welcomed her presence. Familiarity was something lacking nowadays for him...in many ways.

[Your Mom~]

When the words left his mouth, they echoed in her brain, rattling her memory synapses all the way back to simpler times. Back when she, he, and Emily had been pillars, back when they were...friends. Had they been friends? David hadn't stuck around long enough for the two of them to develop a solid relationship. In another world, they would have become really close, maybe even romantically involved. David had always been so strong, so charismatic, and embodied values that Olesya had admired.

But the truth was that this wasn't another world, and things would never be...could never be ideal and good. Olesya, Emily, and David had gotten unseated by a group of dragons, the very same dragons that Mathew had claimed to be a part of. And the last time Les had fallen for someone, she wound up with an arcade machine thrown at her head. Stu had lost his mind over her, over her disappearance...little did she know that she had been imprisoned in the correctional facility and tortured, experimented on and forced to fight.

"Hm."

Les just watched him for a minute with her unnatural blue eyes. Her emotions felt like a bit of a storm whirling inside of her. She still recalled the fight they had to determine whether or not she was varsity captain material. He had kissed her, warning her to never put down her guard. She rarely did any more.

[David B.]

David gave a soft smile.

"Hey...you mind if i tell you something?" He would wait for a response. If yes, then he would continue working following a shrug and a chuckling "ok". If no, he would continue. "A long while ago, back when i was school Captain, i...left. You and Emily were faithful and tried your best to remain Pillars but....well-" He turned toward her, lifting his leg up and over the bench seat so he would be straddling it, facing toward her.

"-Basically. Im sorry."

He reached up and scratched his chin. "I know it felt like i abandoned you and i never really came forward to you guys and gave any sort of explaination. I have always thought of you as a friend though...and...well anyway." He placed a hand behind his head.

"I suppose i'd be more deserving of an ass kicking than forgiveness, huh?" He laughed a little into the awkwardness that likely unfolded. He had, in reality, meant to say something to them, but not only did a chance to do so never come up, but she seemed ready to tear him in half every time they met since then. Clearing his throat, he'd turn his gaze from the side of the building back to her frame to follow her reaction.