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 Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 5:34 pm
Reserved: Title/intro thinger
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 6:14 pm
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 6:17 pm
Reserved: Whatever else we need
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 6:24 pm
Finally... Lance couldn't help but smile to himself. The whole twelve hour plane ride had been conversing (or flirting) with the two girls across the aisle from him. They weren't even good looking either, just something else besides Disturbed to keep his attention on. One of them was too big and the other was too emo. However, in that twelve hours he never showed his dislike for them and managed to get the phone number from each of them, which he would never call. Either way, he plugged them in on his phone.
Once the plane landed, he walked out through the narrow tunnel with his arm swung casually over the two girls. Lance was thoroughly amused. These girls were best friends and it looked to him like they were competing for his attention. What was worse was the fact that neither of them cared that he was woeing both of them. Oh well, though. He said his goodbyes to the girls and watched them leave the terminal.
From what he knew of, his brother, Arthur, was supposed to be picking him up. He doubted, though, that there would be a welcoming committee for him. It's not like his parents wanted him home anymore, it was just Arthur that wanted him back. How in the name of God Arthur actually convinced his parents to make him return was beyond him. But what were big brothers for besides making your life living hell? Lance scoffed. This most definitely would be an interesting reunion.
Besides the obvious fact that his parents practically banished him from the United States to some rich kid all boys boarding school, Lance was concerned with one more thing. How was Arthur supposed to recognize him now? His appearance had changed drastically since he left the U.S. His body had grown to the height of 6'2" but he was no longer that scrawny muscleless kid. His body was well muscled and lean through all the sports at the boarding school, plus he was deeply tanned. Lance's unruly dark hair was still wild, that was the same, but now the deep auburn hair was grown out in a boyish way, going past his ears. He knew that his parents wouldn't approve of that, but then again, they didn't approve of anything he did anymore. The only feature that remained in tact over the years was his pale green eyes, they still didn't have a fleck of any other color in them. The only reassurance he had was the fact that Arthur still sent him Christmas Cards every year. Lance would know what he looked like.
He wasn't in the least concerned about the fact he barely remembered anything about his life in the U.S. Hell, his parents shipped him away at the age of seven, how was he supposed to remember anything? It had been almost ten years since they threw him out. Lance frowned, annoyed that he couldn't find Arthur. He began to rummage in his bag to find his phone and on the screen it said, 'One Text Message: Arthur'. He opened up the message to find,
Yo Lance,
Welcome back to the U.S.
I know I said I'd come and pick you up...
but I couldn't get out of the damned morning practice,
you know, soccer.
I sent one of your old friends to pick you up,
you know, Kaimin?
Sorry, dude.
Have fun though.
Lance immediately paled when he read the message. Who in the name of God was Kaimin? He desperately tried to search his thoughts but came up with nothing. Nothing in his brain clicked and he began to glower. Great, I don't even know who this person is... Are they a guy or a girl? Lance's eyebrow raised. This was definitely the same God damned annoying U.S. What was he supposed to do about it? This was a plan doomed to fail. He had no idea who this Kaimin was and it was unlikely that they'd recognize him.
You dumbass.
Who the hell is Kaimin?!
Lance quickly texted, hoping that his brother would have some sense and send him a picture or something. Maybe a description? Otherwise, he was pretty royally effed.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:42 pm
"What the...?"
Arthur had parked the car in the airport garage and left Kaimin, with the keys in her hand, to stare at him leaving in a cab. She was thoroughly confused. Why would he leave like this? Does he not want to see Lance? His sudden departure almost made her forget the reason she came here, and she shook her head. How could she forget about Lance for even a second? So after another few seconds of dazedly standing by Arthur's car, Kaimin put the keys away in her hoodie pocket and walked nervously into the elevator leading to the terminal.
The waiting area was ridiculously crowded. Not only was there no open seats left, there were barely any open standing spaces either. Well, at least the ones close to the entry point for the ones arriving. So Kaimin had no choice but to stand idly behind a large mass of waiting peoples. Her anxiety seemed to want to grow enough to cover for the rest of the people here too.
She couldn't keep track of the time anymore. Had she waited a few minutes? Or had it been an hour? What if she wasn't at the right terminal at all and Lance found another ride home? Kaimin almost cried at the thought of not being able to see her childhood friend and was tempted to call Arthur for some kind of confirmation. But then firmly knocked her head and took hold of herself. Calm down Kaimin... It hasn't been that long yet, she assured herself, forcing her feelings to come down many levels. She looked around in the crowd to try and catch a glimpse of Lance. No luck. So Kaimin busied herself with playing with the hoodie strings and watching the clock.
And, as though some god above was tired of watching her mentally squirming, Kaimin finally found the person she was waiting for for ten years coming out from the doors of the terminal. Of course, at first she passed him off as another stranger, but as he got closer she could see the resemblance to his younger self. And when she saw him, she realized just how much she missed him. He still had his pale eyes, and his hair now looked kind of cool to her. Unable to resist, she started to run up to him, to give him a long-awaited hug or something.
But when she was only ten or so feet away from him, Kaimin grew alarmed. Who are those girls that are with him? Did he hook up with them overseas? Well... I guess it was about time anyways... the assuring part of her said, He wasn't that popular with girls back then, so this should be a good change... in its own way. So she fixed her approach into something less intimate and just walked cautiously and politely [for his girlfriends] up to him.
"Lance! That's you right? You look completely different now!" Kaimin said with a smile she was sure looked forced. "So... you got a girlfriend now? Well, I should say girlfriends, but whatever. Congrats!" She hoped this didn't sound as fake as she thought it was, and the congratulations were from the bottom of her heart... or somewhere close. Kaimin felt completely awkward in front of him, and she didn't know why.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:06 pm
Lance tried his best to hide his sunrise when a dark haired girl came up to him and started to chat away. "Uh, hey... Kaimin...?" Nothing about this girl was familiar to him. No sparks of his memory whatsoever. But, he just had to assume this was Kaimin, hell, who else could it have been? So she's actually a girl... kinda cute, I guess. A small quirky smile appeared on his face when she said he changed. That seemed to be a plus of some sort if he hadn't already known that. Even though this girl seemed friendly, Lance couldn't help but feel that this was insanely awkward. Her smile seemed too happy. Guilt began to flood him, why had this girl remembered him so vividly while he didn't even see any faint resemblance in her?
His eyebrows furrowed when Kaimin immediately asked about girlfriends. Had they had something? No... I don't think so. I wasn't a pimp of an eight year old... was I? The conversation was heading toward unsettling waters. Girlfriends...? Does she mean those two girls? All he could do was raise an brow at her for several seconds before replying, "Nah, those girls are just some people I met on the plane. Hell, it was twelve hours. Had to do something... you know?" Lance gave a half smile at her. Ever since he got off the plane, it was extremely apparent how thick his British accent was. Lance had never noticed while he was in Europe. The only thing he could be thankful for was the fact his voice was low and gruff enough so that it didn't sound whiny. Lance had heard that his voice sounded like Hugh Laurie's, whoever that was.
The air around them was beginning to get hot with all the people around. Feeling oddly claustrophobic, Lance grabbed Kaimin's hand and wove through the crowd, pulling her behind him. Once they got to some clear air, he released her hand. "Sorry 'bout that." He mumbled, leading the way to the luggage pick up.
Once they arrived, Lance leaned against the metal railings which separated each flight's luggage. The machinery hummed with life as it began depositing large bags. Once he spotted his, Lance pushed off and walked over, his hands in his dark jean pockets. With hand, he picked up a large black gym bag and threw it over his shoulder. Another one of his bags would be coming soon, this one in an actual suitcase. He grabbed this one with the other hand and hauled it off of the metal.
As he moved back to where he had left Kaimin, he couldn't help but ask, "Where's Arthur?" Lance had to cut himself off before he said anything rude to this girl, which was the last thing he wanted to do. It was just, he didn't know her. He couldn't help but ask himself why Arthur had sent her here. So Arthur pulls me over here and yet doesn't show his face... What a brother. he thought sarcastically.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:37 pm
Wait, wait... what? Kaimin blinked in surprise when Lance said he picked up those girls because he "needed something to do". He never thought like that when they were kids. But Kaimin tried her best to shrug it off and think that it's just part of growing up. And besides that point, Lance's voice was a lot rougher than she had remembered. It reminded her of the guy from the show House MD. The thought amused her for a bit, until she got dragged off to the luggage area.
Kaimin was used to them being close, so shes didn't really mind when he grabbed her hand. Actually, she kind of liked it and was disappointed when he let go and apologized. And this feeling only deepened when she realized that he didn't need any help with his bags.
When he asked where his brother was, Kaimin frowned a bit. She had forgotten about him suddenly leaving her here. "I don't know where he is..." she replied, trying to hide her annoyance. "The only thing I know is where he parked the car." She wanted to grab his hand this time and lead him to the car, but saw that he had no free hands at the moment. So Kaimin just walked up to and stood beside Lance, wanting to talk to him while walking to the garage.
"So where were you all this time?" she asked. At least ten other questions popped up in her head, but she kept them silent for now. She wanted to know why he didn't leave some form of contact, what he did over there, why he didn't visit at least once. She knew his parents were kind of strict, but being sent away for ten years was at least a little too harsh wasn't it? The whole way to the car, she kept asking questions in her mind, and it was hard to keep them all suppressed. To make it easier for herself, Kaimin looked at Lance a little more closely, as if that might answer something. He was really dark now, and his body was a lot more muscular. If she had a word for him, it would be "hot", but that just made her blush a little. It was strange for her to check her friend out like that, especially since he had just come back from wherever. But she couldn't really help it. He was just so... well... Kaimin pushed this thought away,
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:23 am
Lance let out an amused chuckle when Kaimin said that the only thing she knew was where his brother parked the car. So pretty much he couldn't miss five minutes to come see me. How disappointing. he thought bitterly, his eyes narrowing. What had been the point of shipping him back? Arthur couldn't have just missed him... Besides, why wait all these years to suddenly remember that you have a brother and that you want him back? Lance was just being skeptical about the whole thing, it didn't make sense.
He knew that once he got out of the airport, he'd have no idea where anything was. His point was proven when he followed Kaimin to the garage. That's right, the steering wheel is on the left here... Lance quietly glanced at the cars all around him. There were models like these ones in England. He was never really a car freak so it didn't matter to him much.
His eyes traveled to where Kaimin was walking. Damn... still nothing. This girl seemed so familiar with him and yet he still didn't have the slightest idea to who the hell she was. Lance couldn't help but wonder if she had caught on to the fact. His question was answered when she asked where he had gone. It was obvious to him that she was oblivious now. "Saint Claire's Boys Boarding School." He answered her, giving no more information than that.
Once Kaimin stopped at a car and unlocked it, Lance opened the trunk and put his two bags inside. Then, he followed her lead and entered the car. "Look, Kaimin... How do I know you?" He was getting agitated at himself for faking around this girl. It just seemed wrong. Lance didn't want her to have some sort of fantasy of him that caused expectations; he was never good with that s**t. He enjoyed doing the bare minimum when it came to many things.
Just as he asked the question, his phone dinged with a text message. He opened it up and saw that Arthur had finally replied.
She was a friend before you got sent away.
A minute too late, Arthur. Lance thought with ill humor. A minute earlier and he could've at least avoided the awkward explanation Kaimin was bound to give him. But even with the information his brother gave him, he still didn't remember the girl. Oh well... I suppose some things are lost.
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:27 am
Kaimin stopped dead in the driver's seat. It was a good thing she hadn't started driving yet, or there would've been an accident. Lance's words echoed in her mind. How do I know you?
She wanted to look at him, but decided not to because she was sure that her look towards him would be something between anguish and disgust. How could he forget her? Kaimin wasn't sure how she was supposed to feel, whether she should be angry or sad. Unfortunately, her body automatically started to feel both. Tears started forming, and almost to herself, she whispered, "What do you mean?"
Here she was, a girl that had waited for her best friend for at least a decade, only to find out that he hadn't even recognized her when they finally got to see each other again. And why didn't she notice this right away? Kaimin felt terrible, both at Lance and herself. She hated herself for not at least expecting the possibility. But still... she thought miserably, couldn't he get at least something from the back of his mind about me? Not even a glimpse?
Lance had gotten a text, and Kaimin sourly fantasized that it was some foreign friend from Saint Claire's. Her thoughts got a little meaner and she started silently accusing him of turning gay, therefore the text from his "friend" at boarding school must be very intimate. But at the same time, she knew she was just being childish and stopped her weird imaginations. Kaimin glanced over at him, wondering if he was still waiting for a legitimate answer. Ugh... she groaned mentally, turning away again, and finally composed herself enough to finally bring the car to life.
Kaimin hoped he wouldn't talk, or even better, wouldn't look at her. The tears were still flowing, the disbelief was still growing. Don't look this way, don't look this way, don't look this way... she wished. In her current state, she knew talking to Lance wasn't going to go well.
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:30 am
Lance watched her face react to his question and immediately started to panic. Aw ********] She was effing crying. Immediately, he felt guilt inside his stomach. What the heck could he have done to this girl? Why was she so attached? Lance couldn't even remember one thing about her yet she seemed to have made the time they spent together (whenever that was) sacred. He couldn't hate but help himself, he had managed to make another girl cry.
"Uh..." He tried to make his thoughts words but nothing came out. What was he supposed to say? I'm sorry that I forgot about you? Lance immediately figured it'd make the whole situation worse. So instead of doing something to comfort her, he stared at the black pavement of the highway. Well... this sure is a bad omen. He thought bitterly, cursing his brother for thinking of this damned expedition back to the U.S.
The ride to his parent's house was more than awkward. From the corner of his eye, he could see Kaimin's tears. Lance had never enjoyed making girls cry but he managed to do it so often. He cringed and sank into the car seat. "Uh, actually, do you think you could take me to the High School?" Lance wanted to talk to Arthur about this whole crapping relationship thing before he managed to make it worse.
Just after he asked, his phone dinged again. The ring just added to the awkwardness of the situation but either way, he opened his phone to look at the message.
Hey Lance!
Long time no chat
I heard your back in the U.S.
Call me and we can hook up wink
Lance's eyes darted over to Kaimin. He was beginning to see irritation on her face. Perhaps it was bitterness. Either way, the texting didn't seem to help so he shoved his phone in his pocket after putting it on silent. He was getting the vibe that if she saw that girls were texting him to hang out she would be less than happy. Lance doubted he was wrong about that too. There was, once again, the question of how close Kaimin and he was lingering in Lance's head.
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:31 am
Kaimin stopped at the school, as Lance had asked, and she had sorted out enough of her feelings to talk feebly.
"So... you really don't remember me? At all? Do you remember anything from the time before you went overseas?" she choked out. She secretly hoped that he didn't forget only her, but his whole childhood as a whole. That way, she wouldn't feel as empty.
The stillness of the atmosphere was terrible, but she put up with it. Kaimin wanted to know answers, wanted to confirm her doubts. The questions from the airport started to flood her head once more, and she knew she had to let them go soon or they would explode. And the fact that childhood memories of them being together added themselves into the pool didn't exactly help this situation.
She remembered them playing on the playground, making weird stories of any kind and acting them out. Or when she and Lance took turns getting each other revenge from bullies. Kaimin almost laughed when she remembered them falling in mud while trying to run away from a neighbor's dog one rainy day. And she threw each one of these memories at Lance imaginatively, in the form of a glare, as some sort of fake, self-satisfying punishment.
It started to get really stuffy in the car, but Kaimin had already taken the keys out of the ignition and didn't feel like putting them back in. Not in this kind of moment. Not until she got every possible explanation out of him.
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:37 am
Lance was genuinely surprised when Kaimin asked if he remembered anything about the time he went overseas. Either we spent a lot of time together, or she's being overly hopeful... It's not like I lost a huge chunk of my memory, I just don't remember her. He noted, his eyes looking down at his hands. A part of him couldn't help but be amused by the fact she assumed that something was wrong with his memory. Or, at least it seemed like it.
But when he searched deeper, everything was fuzzy. He could remember Christmas with his family year after year but not what he got for presents, his brother and him playing but he couldn't see the toys, and his parents arguing, but he couldn't remember what it was about. Well, what did I expect? It's not like my memory's great to begin with. It's natural for me to forget about things that happened when I was less than six years old. Lance assured himself, trying to rid himself of the thought that Kaimin was right. It was absolutely ridiculous to think that she was.
"I remember my brother, my mom, and my dad. So yes, I remember things before I went overseas." Lance cringed at the memories of his parents. The one thing that was clear to him was his parents explaining how they wanted him in Saint Claire Boarding School. He couldn't remember what he did, but they were furious. Actually, he did nothing and they were mad. They called him an overall disappointment, nothing like their Arthur.
Lance stepped out of the car and went around to open the door for Kaimin. His attention was immediately drawn by the sound of a soccer field. That's where Arthur should be... Lance immediately made his way over there, whether or not Kaimin was following him. Once he reached the field, he caught the attention of several kids and then his brother, who waved at him with a overjoyed smile.
The kid Lance remembered was gone from his brother's face. Arthur's dark brown hair was buzzed close to his lightly tanned scalp which was the style their parents seemed to favor. Lance could feel Arthur's hazel eyes scanning his face over before he ran over to him. "You've changed a lot, little bro!" He smiled. He doesn't resemble me anymore. Lance's brain commented. At least while they were kids they looked alike, they even smiled alike but that was gone now. Arthur steps forward and gives Lance a man-hug which his brother was completely unresponsive to. Lance's brother wasn't taken aback by it though.
"Is there a reason you wanted me back?" Lance harshly questioned, his green eyes narrowing. This seemed hostility was coming from no where. Even Lance was surprised with himself. Arthur gave a crooked smile, "I missed you." Lance had the greatest urge to shout 'Bull s**t' but stayed quiet. "Here, take a ball. I want to see the skills you got from Europe." Arthur explained, handing Lance a soccer ball. He held it in his hands for several seconds before letting it drop to the ground, his eyes following it's movements but made no action to "show his skills".
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:43 am
She wanted to protest, attempted to grab for him even, but Lance was gone and left her alone like Arthur had done this morning. Kaimin grabbed the steering wheel firmly and hit her head against it. Hard. She kept herself in that position for a while, head throbbing, and tried to accept the fact that she was completely gone from his memory.
But she had nothing to do, so after the slight pain passed, she reluctantly got out of the car and went to find Lance. Of course, he probably went off to search for Arthur since he had asked about him before. Kaimin headed towards the soccer field and caught sight of both brothers soon enough.
She stayed a distance away, close to the school walls. She made sure that both sides were able to see each other if they wanted too and leaned against the rough brick wall across from the field. It looked as if the two siblings were getting along just fine. Arthur had even handed a ball to Lance, as an invitation to play Kaimin guessed. But it seemed as though Lance wasn't taking the invitation well, for he didn't do anything but look at the ball.
I hope he gets smacked in the face, Kaimin thought grudgingly. It would serve him right. Just because of this wish, she decided to watch what happened with intent eyes, waiting for her moment to enjoy his fall.
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:44 am
Lance stared down at the soccer ball for a few minutes before shrugging, "I guess one point won't kill me." He stated with a cocky grin. Arthur just laughed and backed up, ready to guard him. It took him a second to get the ball into play and before anyone could really comprehend, he was down half the field, dribbling the ball in a way that was too controlled for his speed. A player came up to him and tried to snake the ball away from his feet but Lance kicked the ball up into the air and used his knee to keep it up till he was a good distance away from the player. Several players on Arthur's team tried to intercept him while he was near the goal but Lance just kicked the ball up behind him so it stuck on the back of his leg. In one swift motion, his hands hit the ground in an handstand and he used all his body weight to swing the ball with his leg to the goal.
Lucky me, they weren't fast enough to knock me over. Lance thought dryly as he laid on the soft grass, staring up at the sky. He pushed himself up and gave an arrogant smirk. It was obvious that Arthur was glaring daggers at the back of his neck. Jealousy, maybe? His brother had always been the one better at soccer, he guessed that changed now. "Wow, Lance, you were really fast." Arthur commented, Lance could sense a bitterness in his voice. "The last part was unnecessary though." Lance just laughed at his brother. It was necessary to me.
Feeling eyes on him, he turned to look at the school. Kaimin was standing there. "Hey Arthur, who was she to me?" He quietly asked, green orbs wandering to his sibling who just shrugged. "How should I know, you were always so secretive." Arthur answered, walking over past the goalie to grab the ball.
A soccer player from Arthur's team came up to Lance, "Hey, your Arthur's brother, right? Are you going to join the soccer team?" Immediately, the siblings frowned. If I'm even around long enough to join... Lance couldn't help but comment dryly to himself. "Nah, if anything I'm going to join the Track Team." The kid nodded and then gave a forced smile.
"Why won't you join the Soccer Team?" Arthur questioned, leading Lance closer to the building. "Dunno. I guess it's too crowded." He answered, his eyes down on the grass. Lance didn't want his parents comparing him to Arthur again. Soccer was his brother's thing, he didn't have anything besides soccer while Lance had several other sports up his sleeve. Besides, he wouldn't like being on a team. At least in Track, you had your own individual score.
Once they got to the building, Arthur began to talk to Kaimin. "Hey, do you mind leading Lance around the school building if it's not too much trouble? He's going to be in this school in a few days. Might as well make him take a tour before then. You remember how he always gets hopelessly lost." Lance frowned and shot his brother a look. When had he ever gotten lost besides in some cursed corn maze?
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:49 am
-Missing Post Goes Here-
Kaimin leads Lance around, asks about how he likes it and stuff, ends with her hugging him out of impulse. Also, she gets a little more motivated about getting him to remember her.
Edit: Kaimin just argues with herself over what to do... I think... [x__x]
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