DJ Trighton
Junior Admin
as many times as i blink, i'll think of you tonight...
Posts: 405
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Post by DJ Trighton on Nov 22, 2009 0:14:17 GMT -5
He fixed things? That sounded perfect to DJ. It wasn't that she needed something fixed or whatever. It just sounded right. Weren't guys supposed to be there to fix things? Of course she knew that not every guy lived up to the stereotypical role of the male partner, but it just seemed to her that fixing things, especially cars, was undeniably masculine and, as such, undeniably sexy.
It took about four seconds for his talk of the car to progress beyond her knowledge, but DJ still listened even if just because she enjoyed the sound of his voice. It was deep and soft, rich and warm in all the right ways. She wondered briefly if he smelled perfect, too. If that was the case, she was sure she was dreaming. But her fingers still tingled where he'd touched them, so maybe he really was real...
She didn't quite process the fact that he'd spoken to her for a few seconds. She probably looked like a moron. "Oh... Right... You know the apartment complex across from the public library? I live in that one." Almost anyone who went to the university could find the library. It wasn't far from campus and, if they were doing their work right, they had to spend a lot of time there to get things done for classes. "Jamey? Is it okay if I call you that? Um... I mean, I'll call you James if you'd rather... I just.... um... where are you from? It's just that... you kind of have an accent, and it doesn't sound like it's from here."
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James Barker
Sophomore
don't mind me if i get weak in the knees, 'cause you have that affect on me
Posts: 83
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Post by James Barker on Nov 22, 2009 0:28:57 GMT -5
"Yeah, I know the one." he said with a nod, carefully pulling out of the parking spot and joining the flow of traffic. Things in Cordova were just far enough apart that you wanted a car but felt wasteful using one because you could really walk. They didn't really get lucky though because the hit a few red lights right off the bat.
But it left her time to ask him a question or two.
James laughed, no one had ever asked to call him Jamey before. "Sure, if it makes you happy you can call me Jamey." he nodded, hitting the gas as the light changed and pulling up in front of the apartment building. "And I'm from North Carolina originally, right near the big Reservation. Then we lived in New York for about a year, and been living in Jersey for three, counting college last year." James smiled again and shut off the car, unbuckling and heading around the car to open her door. It was the least he could do.
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DJ Trighton
Junior Admin
as many times as i blink, i'll think of you tonight...
Posts: 405
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Post by DJ Trighton on Nov 22, 2009 0:35:30 GMT -5
She hadn't commented yet on his heritage, and she wasn't sure if she was supposed to. Was it one of those things people were really touchy about? If she wouldn't go up to a black person and ask about his heritage, was it fair to ask about Jamey's? Rather than letting herself head down that road, she decided to offer him a little information about herself. She'd just started to open her mouth, though, when they made it to her apartment building. She grinned at the boy's obvious good manners. She wasn't from the south, but she'd heard that was something they taught there. Maybe she'd have to raise her own family in the south one day.
DJ held her breath as she climbed down out of the passenger side. She stood close enough to James that their fingers brushed when she started walking, but she didn't quite have the guts to grab his hand the way he'd grabbed hers. She just led him through the lobby and to the elevator. She and her sister had a penthouse, but she really didn't flaunt that all that often. She just hit the "P" button in the elevator and settled in for the ride to the top.
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James Barker
Sophomore
don't mind me if i get weak in the knees, 'cause you have that affect on me
Posts: 83
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Post by James Barker on Nov 22, 2009 0:47:46 GMT -5
He could tell she wasn't exactly sure what to say, so as he followed her into the building and into the elevator he decided he'd just tell her what she was probably wondering. It didn't bother him, and he didn't play the big minority card. he really didn't care that much. "I'm half Native American, mom's a Lumbee and dad's a pale face." he winked lightly. "I think he's like British and German or something... I dunno, we usually do things mom's way. Dad likes her heritage better than he likes his own."James offered a shrug and watched the metal doors close.
Penthouse. The girl had money. And here was talking about his Native American family, not like his family was poor, his father did very well, they just lived modestly for the most part. She didn't seem the annoying rich type, so he said nothing because there was no problem at all. It would just be a long ride up if things stayed so quiet, he was a talkative soul.
"So what about you, where are you from?" he asked her. It seemed only fair to ask, though, she didn't have to give him as much detail as he'd given her. there was a little twist in her voice that wasn't exactly 'American' or at least not from around here.
ooc- i did not make up the word Lumbee lol, it is a name of a tribe, and there is a reservation in NC
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DJ Trighton
Junior Admin
as many times as i blink, i'll think of you tonight...
Posts: 405
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Post by DJ Trighton on Nov 22, 2009 8:52:25 GMT -5
It didn't seem like James had much to hold back, and DJ was glad for that. She'd always been awful at asking questions. She was terrified that she would manage to offend someone, so she just stood around thinking about the things she really wanted to know. But James just offered what she wanted to know, and it made DJ smile. Maybe she could get along with him. DJ stifled a giggle at his comment about pale faces. "So is that what I am? A pale face?" She didn't sound offended. She wasn't offended. She was just curious.
She didn't mind answering questions. She was better at that than she was at asking them. So when James asked about her heritage, she couldn't help but grin. This was something she could talk about for hours. She was proud of it. "My family is from Yorkshire." When she said the name of the city, she always lapsed into a British accent. She'd learned to speak in England, so she always had a little twist to her voice. "I lived there until I was eight, and then my family moved to Cordova... My dad's the chief of police." Her eyes swept downward at that last bit about her dad. Most people, particularly guys, freaked out a little about that. She figured it was only fair to let James know right away.
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James Barker
Sophomore
don't mind me if i get weak in the knees, 'cause you have that affect on me
Posts: 83
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Post by James Barker on Nov 22, 2009 11:11:37 GMT -5
James smiled lightly, completely forgot the fact that he just met her and leaned in very close for emphasis. "A very pretty pale face." he said with a grin before leaning back. She was paler than his father was, but then again his father had lived down in the country all his life and was tanned beyond most belief. Every moment he wasn't in the office, he was outside. It was how their family worked. None of the boys had been into so many video games, they'd rather run around.
He grinned when she told him she was from England her her accent lapsed a little more strongly. He was so tempted to say something about being like Disney's Pocahontas and John Smith but backwards, since obviously in real life it had been more complicated and Disney was the more romantic choice. But he decided against it, she was just a nice girl, a very trusting one at that. This didn't mean she was going to go out with him, but he would ask her at some point.
Chief of police? Damn. Well, good thing he wasn't a law breaker. He didn't steal, parked in the right place, only had one speeding ticket and that was from back home. "Well I'm a good guy, he doesn't have to worry about me." He almost added, you don't have to worry about me either... But if she hadn't been thinking about what could happen when you invited a strange man over he was not going to fill her in on it. It was pointless anyway, James was a guy but he wasn't going to rape her once he got her alone. Who did that kind of shit anyway? Oh well, the Killer maybe...
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DJ Trighton
Junior Admin
as many times as i blink, i'll think of you tonight...
Posts: 405
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Post by DJ Trighton on Nov 22, 2009 12:59:56 GMT -5
She'd thought she was imagining it, but it didn't take DJ more than a couple of seconds to realize that James really was leaning closer to her. Her heart pounded and she was sure he could hear it through her shirt. DJ chewed on her lower lip and just watched him for a moment. When she registered his comment, she felt herself blush. Her eyes locked on his and flickered down to his lips then to her feet. "Thank you," she mumbled, a shy smile tugging at her lips.
She'd actually been worried that he would be scared off by the fact that her dad was the chief of police. It was kind of a given that cops would be over-protective of their children. Especially their daughters. And especially when there was a killer on the loose. It was kind of a relief to hear that James wasn't scared. She grinned at him a little and, before she realized she'd even moved, laced a couple of her fingers through his. "I was hoping he wouldn't have to arrest you." She'd only just met him, but she was pretty sure she liked James, and she was doubly certain that she'd miss him if something happened and he wasn't around.
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James Barker
Sophomore
don't mind me if i get weak in the knees, 'cause you have that affect on me
Posts: 83
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Post by James Barker on Nov 22, 2009 13:12:42 GMT -5
James had to grin as she laced her fingers in with his. It was just another vote in his favor, not that he was keeping score, but she just didn't seem the obvious type. She had invited him over though, so that definitely counted for something. He just squeezed her hand lightly. "I won't give him any reasons to arrest me, unless liking you is a crime." he said with a smile.
And he did like her. Sure she was a little shy and awkward, but she was sweet and cute and he had an overwhelming urge to protect her because she obviously wasn't that safe if she didn't mind inviting charming strange men over to her home. Maybe her dad had a point to be worried. James already sort of was. What if she'd found someone else that wasn't him, she wouldn't be as safe.
The elevator dinged and the doors opened onto a little hall with a door, obviously to the penthouse. He waited for her to open the door, letting go of her hand in case she needed both to get her key out and open up. He wondered what it was like inside. He was guessing sort of clean and bright, simple, that seemed like her to him. On the other hand, maybe she was messy because she spent so much time thinking, not doing. Who had any idea? He'd find out in a second anyway.
"Hey, if it's not to much to ask can I throw my shirts in your dryer?" He would keep the damp jeans on, that was no big deal, besides he would not be caught with his pants off in the police chief's daughter's place.
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DJ Trighton
Junior Admin
as many times as i blink, i'll think of you tonight...
Posts: 405
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Post by DJ Trighton on Nov 22, 2009 17:17:22 GMT -5
Did this guy walk around just thinking of ways to make girls blush or what? DJ chuckled nervously and offered him a half smile. Was he saying he liked her? And was it fair of her to say that she liked him back? Or was she supposed to say anything at all? "I think it's only a crime if I don't like you, too," she assured him, shocked by the fact that she was suddenly comfortable enough to tease him a little. "So you have nothing to worry about. Obviously." Her cheeks were pretty much permanently pink now, and she was starting to wish she had more control over that. Or that she was slightly less pale so that the color was less drastic.
A grin burst over her face as the elevator doors opened. It only lasted until she felt James unlace their fingers. He was probably just being practical, but she hadn't wanted to lose his touch. Reluctantly, she moved to find the keys in her purse. When she pulled them out, she cast a glance over her shoulder. She almost wanted to ask James not to judge her on what her house looked like. It wasn't as if there was anything bad about it. Quite the opposite. Her family had money, and she didn't like to be judged by that fact.
She'd just opened the door to reveal a wide, open room with a solid glass wall. Sunlight flooded the room, casting a glow on her plush white sofa and armchairs. Her sister had been responsible for the deep pink and purple pillows tossed on the couch, but DJ had selected most of the other furniture. She'd been living in the apartment longer than her sister had, and got to choose what sort of furniture they had. One wall was lined with heavy oak book shelves, which were piled full of antique book volumes. The kitchen featured brand new stainless steel appliances, and the dining room set had belonged to her grandmother.
She took a step into the room and stepped aside so that James could come in. His question caught her off guard. She wasn't sure why, but it surprised her that he wanted to put his shirts in her dryer, but it took her several more seconds to realize that if his shirts were in her dryer, they wouldn't be on him. Her cheeks turned deep pink. "Oh, um... Of course." She closed the door behind him and shuffled around awkwardly, really not sure what to do or say.
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James Barker
Sophomore
don't mind me if i get weak in the knees, 'cause you have that affect on me
Posts: 83
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Post by James Barker on Nov 22, 2009 17:28:24 GMT -5
He grinned widely as she told him that she liked him. Nothing to worry about. Perfect. He was content with where this was ultimately heading and he just hoped her cop father would understand.
James followed her inside and smiled. It seemed like her to him. Clean, bright, white, with little bits of color. Though, he had her pegged as a green and blue girl, not purple and pink. But he had only met her about a half hour ago or so. Obviously, she did come from money, but it didn't throw him off, he would still insist on paying if he took her out, and he wasn't embarrassed of his lower middle class background. he was happy with things the way they were. The place really looked like hers, simple, clean, bright... but it didn't look like much action went on here. He thought of home, with the deep reddish brown wood floors and the walls painted cream and greens with simple furniture. Different, obviously, but he liked it here. Although he was quite a bit worried to mess anything up, everything seemed perfectly in place.
He saw her hesitate and blush lightly and furrowed his eyebrows, almost worried he had upset her. "I don't have to if you don't want. I don't mean to impose..." he was just damp and he didn't want to lean or sit on anything if the color would bleed.
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DJ Trighton
Junior Admin
as many times as i blink, i'll think of you tonight...
Posts: 405
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Post by DJ Trighton on Nov 22, 2009 17:42:23 GMT -5
DJ frowned. Now that he was offering to keep his clothes on, she kind of wished she hadn't said anything. "No, really! It's not a problem at all. I'll just... I'll put whatever you want in the dryer. I promise I don't mind." Her blush was only getting deeper, and DJ wished there was something she could do about it. "Look. Here's my dryer. Right here." She grabbed his hand again without thinking twice about it and dragged him to a small closet outside of the kitchen. She opened it to reveal a brand new wasther and dryer. She stepped aside and gestured toward the dryer.
After a couple of seconds, she began to feel a little awkward again. Her apartment was pretty, but it wasn't exactly the best for entertaining. People were afraid of white couches. Hers had held up pretty well, though. "And don't worry about the couches. They're pretty durable." She chewed her lower lip and stared at her shoes for a second before looking back up at him.
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James Barker
Sophomore
don't mind me if i get weak in the knees, 'cause you have that affect on me
Posts: 83
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Post by James Barker on Nov 22, 2009 18:08:12 GMT -5
James smiled and let her drag her over to the washer and dryer. Even when she was done explaining he was free to use them he couldn't manage to let go of her hand, at least not at first. But finally, he got himself back to normal, he didn't get uncomfortable for very long. "Okay, thanks." He said removing his hand from hers to peel off his flannel shirt, followed by his white tee. Carefully, he popped open the dryer door, bending over to toss the clothes inside and closed the door with his knee. He looked down at the top of the dryer, trying to decide what setting to set it too. The muscles in his back rippling as he moved and eventually selected a cycle. There wasn't even a familiar roar when it began. It was one of those new quieter ones.
He smiled, glad he had managed to figure it out at all. When James turned he wasn't sure if he was surprised or not that she was still standing where she had been before, just watching him. He chuckled lightly and motioned over his shoulder with his thumb at the dryer. "I figured it out."
Obviously, this was her house, and he did not plan on wandering around or asking for anything else while he was here. Of course, he didn't know his way around either and ultimately, he was waiting for her to move and/or lead him wherever she wanted to sit and chat like they were doing before.
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DJ Trighton
Junior Admin
as many times as i blink, i'll think of you tonight...
Posts: 405
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Post by DJ Trighton on Nov 22, 2009 18:50:13 GMT -5
She nodded at his thanks and when she returned her gaze to him, James had peeled off his flannel shirt. Her mouth dropped open slightly as he pulled off his undershirt. She'd taken him to be the type of guy that worked out, but she hadn't realized quite how that would effect the way he looked with his shirt off.
She was staring and gaping like a moron when James turned around. DJ's cheeks instantly grew much pinker when her eyes met his and she cleared her throat. Her grin was forced, but it wasn't because she wasn't thrilled. She just wasn't sure what she was supposed to be doing. "Yeah. Good job!" she congratulated him. She shifted awkwardly on her feet before turning toward the living room. She led him to the couch and curled up in one corner of the sofa with her feet tucked beneath her. She had a nervous habit of clinging to the couch pillows, and she couldn't really help herself. Picking up the nearest deep purple pillow, she hugged it to her chest and rested her chin against the top of it. "So... What are you majoring in?" she asked. It wasn't the most fun thing to talk about, but it got some sort of conversation started.
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James Barker
Sophomore
don't mind me if i get weak in the knees, 'cause you have that affect on me
Posts: 83
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Post by James Barker on Nov 22, 2009 20:45:07 GMT -5
James watched her blush deepen and held back a laugh as she congratulated him on figuring out how work the dryer. But honestly she looked like she hadn't even really been listening given the fact that her eyes were so wide. Maybe she wasn't used to seeing shirtless men? in any case, her efforts to hide the look of shock weren't really working.
He followed her out and sat in the middle of the couch, close to her but not that close. James settled in easily, throwing one arm out over the back of the couch (the hand closest to her end obviously) so he could sit forward, but still face her. When she asked him what he majored in he chuckled, not able to hold back anymore. She was a terrible flirt. And it made her even cuter. "Um, well, I'm still undecided." He admitted. "I like Sociology, I guess, but what I do best is mechanical stuff, but I'm not really smart enough to be an engineer or anything." James had thought of dropping out of school to open a body shop, but he decided he had to make it through college and then he would do whatever. he had practical skills. He'd earn a living.
"What about you?" James asked her, looking at her peeking over her pillow at him. "You strike me as an english or teacher type." She hardly seemed math and science... except those were usually the socially awkward people. DJ, didn't seem analytical in that way to him.
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DJ Trighton
Junior Admin
as many times as i blink, i'll think of you tonight...
Posts: 405
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Post by DJ Trighton on Nov 22, 2009 20:57:17 GMT -5
Smalltalk was alright, but it really wasn't what DJ was hoping for. She just wasn't sure what else to do. She'd never in her life intentionally flirted with anyone, and she didn't even know where to begin. So she decided to start by answering the question. "I'm majoring in creative writing and English Lit. I really don't need to, though. I... well, I had my first novel published when I was seventeen. So I kind of already have the whole job thing taken care of." She shrugged as if to make light of the situation. To her, it might have been a big deal, but to everyone else, maybe her job was just a job.
DJ toyed with the corner of the pillow, her eyes slowly raking over James's bare skin. She'd already told him he was beautiful, so she he certainly wouldn't be wondering what she was looking at. "You, um... You might be more beautiful than I thought you were," she admitted, biting her lip and snuggling into the pillow she was holding. She felt herself starting to blush and grasped for the next possible conversation topic. "Hey, what's that tattoo mean?" she asked, gesturing at the tattoo on his shoulder. She didn't have any tattoos, but she certainly didn't believe people should have them without a decent meaning. Hopefully there was something meaningful related to James's artwork.
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