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tagged⇨ Jessie relationship⇨ non-existant locale⇨ park role⇨ meetings in the park boy
- Clayton stands steady as Jessie tests her ankle with weight. It didn't seem too bad as he watched the process, so he wasn't surprised when she told him her findings. Still, it was reassuring to hear. He feels bad for his initial reaction now that he knows she was actually hurt. He'd be twice as guilty had it been serious. "Good, let me know if it starts feeling worse, though," he says, because instead of helping her around the park he'd help her right on home to rest the joint. At this point he thinks he remembers the way to her house, reminding him that's he's been there too many times. If her mom knew he'd gotten Jessie hurt, and let her walk around on an injured ankle... he really didn't know much about the woman but the one interaction he had was enough to know what he was dealing with. He looks at Jessie when she suggests that they continue, but he can't bring himself to return her smile. Eyeing her dubiously, he sighs discreetly. "If you're up for it, but... I think I've already put you through a lot today." Clayton brings his hand up to her side again so she doesn't have to put as much effort into her balance. "Sorry for laughing, it was reflex." And it was really funny at the time to watch her struggle, but he wasn't about to tell her that. Probably spoke something about him to find amusement like that, but he would defend himself by bringing up how many other people laugh at videos of just the same thing. The way she's looking at him, though, reminds him of who they were at the start of all this. Completely different to one another. Really, they still were. A couple similarities didn't erase all the differences. He can't quite grasp how they got to the point they were at, and the things they'd done and said lately.
✬ N A T H A N I E L ✬
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tagged⇨ Skylar relationship⇨ non-existant locale⇨ school role⇨ science project boy
- Nathaniel doesn't let his focus slip to Skylar as she finishes addressing her burn, instead tinkering with the equipment on their table distractedly while he waits for her to finish up. He reaches down and shifts the ice cubes about until he's satisfied. The determination to not look at her remains as she sits back at the table, and he writes down the temperatures of all the waters for future record. The cool and cold still have a little bit of time left before they're stable, but the initial reading will help him decide if the changes have slowed down enough when they transition. Skylar's gratitude is hesitant, and he finally looks at her with a doubtful glance. Not that she can see, since she still won't look at him. He could only imagine how often she extended the words 'thank' and 'you' if that was how she went about saying it. He hummed a brief "uh-huh," in response, eying her wrapped hand before shifting his attention back to their experiment. He checks the burner again before answering her question, "Yeah, it's all set. Cold water will be ready by the time we move onto it." As he straightens out the solute containers again, Nathaniel covers a yawn. The monotony of the experiment, and having to sit down to it again, was starting to get to him. "Want me to measure them out this time?" he asks, both in consideration for not making her do all the work and in reference to her hand.
⊰ A U D R E Y ⊱
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tagged⇨ Michael relationship⇨ non-existant locale⇨ cafe role⇨ the third girl
- The one word answer Michael gives her, however enthusiastically said, makes her pause and raise an eyebrow at him. She focuses quickly on her task, though, pulling out a cup and filling it with coffee, capping it deftly before handing it off. There's no one else in line at the moment, giving her time to rest her palms on the counter and watch Michael bus. Her bottom lip is securely between her teeth, brow tight. Something was up with him. Obviously, things were getting weird back in the break room. But he was extra distant, barely even looking at her. Any other day she's be praising whatever forces brought this upon her, but she found that she was a little confused. Almost concerned, but she wasn't quite sure it was strong enough to be the main reason for watching him work. A small group approaches the register, giving her a distraction. Their drinks are just complicated enough that she's pretty sure it's a joke, but she fulfills them accordingly. Unfortunately, she doesn't think she'll have many opportunities like this to pass the time. The shop further down the mall is still new and promoting, and while customers were returning here one by one, the lack of a fancy sale like the other store wasn't as appealing. The last person in the group orders a bagel sandwich to go with his drink, and her professional smile tightens. She couldn't even hear the term 'bagel sandwich,' without thinking of Michael anymore. Trying not to glance at her coworker, Audrey turns and puts the bagel in the oven, just as he'd showed her, and then starts on the bizarre drink. Something in her wants to apologize, or reach out and ask what's wrong, without either of them being particularly applicable. She just doesn't know what's going on, and it's her least favorite feeling in the world, especially when she can't fix whatever's happening.