.v. Black Sunday .v. [open]

[Jayda Inglisse]

I wish, I wish it was all that easy


I would trade it all
For another day
Just to feel you and your warmth
But even pictures fade.

Jayda's alarm clock ran noisily beside her head on the bedside table. Giving a groan, the seventeen year old flopped over and ran her left hand along the wooden surface as her face was pushed into her pillow. Fingers danced as they tried to find the shrieking electronic encased in plastic. Giving an irritated moan, Jayda's hand found the box and her fist pounded on the top three times and on the fourth, finally finding the button to end her misery. The dorm was eerily quiet now that she was half awake.

Lifting her arms above her back, Jayda gave a big stretch, curving her back and reaching out, giving a satisfied yawn. Rolling over, she then stretched out her long legs, letting her toes poke out from underneath the warm blankets. Green eyes found her toes and watched them as they gave a few wiggles. A light smile appeared on her face as she entertained herself. Jayda grabbed the blankets from her torso and flipped them off, exposing red silk pajamas. She rose from the bed and shuffled to the mirror, frowning. Her dirty blonde hair was sticking out from every angle and was thoroughly knotted. That's what she got for taking a shower the night before.

Moving slowly, Jayda started getting ready for the day. It was ten thirty, meaning that she had no classes that day. Stifling a yawn, the seventeen year old started making herself a bowl of cereal. She'd decided to relax a bit before actually getting ready to go out in public.

It took her thirty minutes to get out the door without feeling like a total mess. Jayda walked briskly down the hallway, her shoes making a rythmical clicking as the heels hit the polished floors. She knew most of the school by now but did get lost sometimes; it was just so big. Moving down a flight of stairs, she took an immediate right to the entrance hall type foyer. Her right hand opened the front doors and gave way to what was thought sunshine but really was almost a downpour of rain. Halting suddenly, Jayda's face had a look of confusion, as she had thought it was a sunny day. Apparently not. The sun was peeking through the rain clouds but that was about it. It was still a beautiful day even when the rain's pouring down.

Taking a deep breath, Jayda took a step forwards and past the door. She couldn't see anyone in the courtyard but then again, who would be outside on a rainy day even if the sun was sending rays of colour as it hit the ralling droplets. The rain splattered upon her face as she moved along the walkway, heading towards a large oak tree that provided some shelter. The rain penetrated her clothes and hair, dampening the materials. This day was weird, as the temperature suggested sunshine but gave rain.

Long legs carried her towards the beautiful tree that had always captured her attention from the first day she'd been at Hoffman. Hearing something hit the solid walkway, Jayda stopped and looked around, her green eyes scanning behind her and then on the ground. Spotting her cell phone that had fallen out of her back pocket, she sighed and knelt down to pick up the thin communication device as the rain seemed to attack it, daring the phone not to work due to water entering the inside. Picking up the cell, Jayda tried to flip it open but to her horror, the top flew off the phone entirely. Her lips parted in a surprised 'oh!' as she asessed the situation. O-kay then, her phone was officially broken.

[Zander Dredly]

He had a good sleep last night. After a week of insomnia, Zander had finally got rested, with happy dreams of frollicking near a brook in old-fashioned English style with the girl he saw on a poster around the school yesterday. Call it virtual, call it intangible. Zander calls it a sweet dream. He had woke up with a smile on his face that gave no clue of his grouchiness for the past few days. And because he felt inspired, like he always does after a night with a beauty irregardless of how real she is, the boy grabbed his camera, intending to reward himself with a morning of attempts at good photography.

Zander Dredly loves to watch people. Better still, he's happy when he snaps a good-looking spontaneous picture of people who've caught his eye. Dressed in a cream-coloured Lacoste jumper and a pair of slim-cut dark-grey bermudas, the boy strolled across the courtyard and squinted his eyes against the brightness of the sun. He remembered his old obsession of attempts to catch a good angle of the sun's rays with his camera. It took quite a long while before he got a shot worthy to be sold as a pretty postcard. He would have sent it to his mother, if only he knows where she could possibly be now.

Biting his lip in bitterness at the reminder of a mother who chose to leave the family without a word, Zander scowled in self-reflection until a -thud- interrupted his pensive moment. Instinctively, his eyes searched for the source of the -thud- as his hands casually gripped the camera that now hangs loosely around his neck. Zander watched the girl inspect her phone. When the top of her phone flew off, he chuckled and a smirk of amusement naturally plastered itself on his face.

Not bothering with a greeting or the asking of permission first, Zander hurriedly lifted the camera and snapped the girl's look of surprise. As soon as he caught it on his camera, the boy retrieved the image and studied it in a mocked act of deep appreciation.
"Adorable," he commented in an attempted nonchalant manner. In a moment of intention to tease this girl whom he hardly knows, Zander pretended to forget greetings and introductions.

[Jayda Inglisse]

I wish, I wish it was all that easy


I would trade it all
For another day
Just to feel you and your warmth
But even pictures fade.

Jayda's green eyes were rested on the broken phone that was in her hands. Her look of surprise was still on her face as she tried to asess the situation again. How the hell did the flip just fly off? A look of confusion was now evident as she then looked for the screen. Her hair fell from resting over her shoulder to now sending strands into her face as she looked for the piece that flew off the phone.

Her family wasn't the wealthiest but they weren't poor; far from it. Her mother had made her pay for the phone herself. The store phone guy told them that this phone was very hard to break so why was it the first time she'd ever dropped the device, the screen flys off? Jayda wasn't usually clumbsy; you couldn't be if you wanted to deliver a good performance.

Giving an irritated sigh, she forgot about the rain that was easing up to a light drizzle. Finding the location of the top of her phone, she was about to stand and go over to where it was resting; at the base of the stairs that led to the side of the school. It was funny how things flew farther than expected. Hearing another voice besides her own, Jayda looked up from where she was, completely shocked that someone was standing there. She wondered how long he had been there for; the whole time or just after the top of her cell came flying off?

Standing with what dignity she still had, Jayda tilted her head a little, wondering what was so adorable. Her mouth opened just a bit giving the hint of how embarassed she was although she refused to let her face grow scarlet. After standing there for a moment, Jayda then moved towards the stairs and retrieved the other half of the phone before halting her movements with a questioning look on her face. She then spoke for what seemed like the first time this day.

Can I help you?

Her voice came out smooth and full of questions that she hadn't asked about this attractive stranger. Jade eyes almost penetrated into the guy but then widened as she saw the camera in his hands. He did not just take a picture of me.. Oh I hope not. Her thoughts exploded in her mind after realizing what had just happened. A good day just turned into one not worth remembering. Her instincts told her to run; get out of there before he takes a beating on her pride but her body didn't listen. Why wasn't she turning and walking back into the school? That was another question that Jayda couldn't answer as she studied the photographer.

[Zander Dredly]

Along with the rain, the wind started to pick up fair speed. It wasn't vicious. Rather, it gave enough breeze to have Zander's hair flowing along with it. A little irritated, he swept his fringe to the side and continued to watch the girl. He never really thought about how people would feel under his gaze. He never really cared. Often, it was done deliberately too.

"Yes, you can." Zander responded to the girl's question after a moment's deliberation.

"My camera's smiling at the sight of a pretty face. I don't plan to change that." In a curiously rude fashion, Zander lifted his camera and took another snap of the girl again, smiling to himself all the time. He had meant that. Being rude, that is. There was just something in him, something that loves beholding reactions from people whom he deliberately teases.
Zander rarely bothers people he's not interested in.

[Jayda Inglisse]

I wish, I wish it was all that easy


I would trade it all
For another day
Just to feel you and your warmth
But even pictures fade.


Her hands held what was left of her cellular phone; the left cradled the body of the phone and the right, the top flippy part that was composed of the screen and speaker. Normally, Jayda would be pretty mad that her cell was quite unusable but then again, she wasn't acting herself lately which complicated matters more. For one, Jayda wouldn't be caught dead outside in the rain and wind without having a dead set destination. Once again, she wasn't herself. If this had happened a month ago, Jayda'd find herself inside at this very moment ignoring the incredibly charming but revolting stranger. Instead, she found herself intrigued by his antics and decided to play along.

She moved towards a garbage can and nonchalantly tossed the pieces inside before heading towards the student taking pictures of her. At the words she heard, a half smile appeared on her face as she was sincerely flattered. The rain wetted her long hair, causing it to drip down her face and as the wind drove the droplets into her face and exposed skin, her clothes got more damp by the second. This didn't faze the seventeen year old as she approached him. A thought skittered across her mind and a smirk appeared on her face.

A pretty face? Now tell me, how many times have you said that line to other girls? Four, five, six perhaps?

Jayda stopped moving forwards, her jade eyes flickering with a challenge. He'd have to try harder; she wouldn't crack that easily. She spoke again, her tone mocking now.

Has that one actually worked? Or do you just us it as an opener to catch their attention?

The wind whipped the rain into her face and grabbed a couple pieces of her already soaked hair, although she didn't falter. This was fun; messing with people's minds. It was a challenge of wits persay although this match could be well balanced. An easy win doesn't make a great victor.

[Zander Dredly]

In a mocked act of surrender, Zander raised both hands and gave his best imitation of a sheepish grin.
"Busted."
Placing both hands down to his sides and letting his camera hang loosely against his chest again, Zander absentmindedly ruffled his hair a little.
"Of course it was to catch your attention. It shouldn't be wasted on a broken piece of cell. I reckon I'm better company than everyone in your phonebook put togther."

With a wink and a smug grin, Zander inched closer to the girl. He imagined her to be older than him, most of the girls he talks to are, a fact that would only push his interest in her further.

"Won't you take pity on a poor, lost, boy admiring your beauty in this pouring rain?" Of course it wasn't pouring; it was simply over-dramatizing on Zander's part. He contemplated if he should make a bold move by allowing himself the liberty to touch the girl's wet hair. Better not, the boy thought to himself. Sure, Zander has always assumed a certain reputation that would put him in the leagues of the playboys in school, but he never really had much experiences with girls. Perhaps he was just good at acting? But being sixteen meant so many more years to acquire the much needed experiences. And of course, Zander would not pass that up.

[Jayda Inglisse]

Jayda laughed at his surrender and shook her head, sending water droplets flying. She wondered how old this guy was; probably the same age or a year younger although nowadays you never could tell. Everyone acted older than they really were. Raising an eyebrow, Jayda asessed the situation again and noticed him move forwards although didn't retreat. She was wondering how far he would go even if she does have a boyfriend, he didn't need to know that. It wasn't important anyways.

Looking thoughtful, her intensely green eyes moved from him to a fence to the right and then back again. Her ears caught his words and her thoughts gave a chuckle. He was really giving a show. Maybe he should major in the acting department other than whatever else he was in. Now with his last sentance giving her a push, she put on a face. It wasn't everyday you could put your acting skills into play.

Her face gave a considering look before her mouth formed the words she knew he wanted to hear. Her features showed something of amusement but total and utter seriousness as she spoke.

You would think so, wouldn't you. In any other case I wouldn't but considering you're poor and lost, I suppose you could make an acception.

She spoke smoothly, letting each phrase roll off her tounge as the rain splattered the walk loudly, making a lovely background noise. Her hair was wet enough to gather itself together in sort of clumps and lose its damp status. The rustling trees hissed as they were being tossed around by the bits of wind. There had been a reason barely anyone was outside and this must have been it. The weather promised wind but gave rain as a side. A recipe for a storm.

[Zander Dredly]

“Of course”, he started over-confidently, “I am always an exception.”

“And today, is your lucky day.”
Not venturing to the reasons why he said so, Zander stuck his tongue out playfully to taste the drops of rain. Looking not very much older than a ten-year old child as he did so, he jerked his head to the side in a sudden motion as a droplet got into his eye. Blinking his eyes in a reflexive response, the boy frowned to himself in a quick moment as he remembered that he forgot to introduce himself to the stranger.

Turning his attention back to the girl, Zander offered his hand in an all-polite and old-fashioned manner to her.

“Zander Dredly, the heir of the world.” He started in a half-teasing, half-smug tone of voice.

“And you, the lovely damsel of my dreams, you are…?”

As if coming out of a scene from a fairytale, Zander began to set himself out in a mock gallant-knight voice and pose. Yes, perhaps he should have gone into acting instead of jazz. Too bad he was trained in jazz as soon as he could walk.