Peace and quiet (Open)

[Mia Bell]

Mia walked up the hiking trial, yet again, and yet again by herself. It seemed she had become quite the loner on this trip; she wasn’t even sure why. She knew Dani was around somewhere, just didn’t know where. Being a loner, made her feel well very alone; it was quite distressing for her. She was hoping she would never feel like this again, but she guessed everyone had those times. It was something she had to get used to, she couldn’t surround herself with friends every day. It would help if she knew more people and would help more if she wasn’t one of the ‘new’ kids. She wasn’t as new as some people but was still pretty new.

Mia saw a nice big tree and smiled, perfect for sitting under. She walked over to it and sat down under it; it had good shade and she could still see the trail. So she wouldn’t get lost; that was the last thing she needed out here. She took her notebook and pencil out of her bag. She flipped to an empty page and started drawing a rose. It was quite peaceful out on the trails, just the sounds of scurrying animals, the leaves rustling in the wind, and the distant voices of other students. It made her feel better about being alone in a weird way. She figured it was because it was so peaceful.

[Analeigh Monroe]

Ana was actually enjoying herself on the Hammel retreat. When she first found out that they would be going out into the woods, Ana took it upon herself to pack her best hiking boots and all her equipment. She loved the outdoors and even more so, the forests. She could climb the trees and she had recently been practicing the tail of a monkey to swing about and use the muscles to support her. It took much more effort than she thought, mostly because she was mainly focused on dogs and cats most of the time, but she wanted to try this, wanted something new for a change.

Ana had left early in the morning to explore, slipping out of view of the teachers that had tagged along. She was quite good at sneaking and being invisible without having to actually have that power. She was quick on her feet and soon, she was heading up a hill and vanishing from the campsite.

Finding the perfect tree to climb was easy for her and there was a nice one right off the beaten trail. She pushed through the leaves to get to it and once her hands touched the trunk, a large smile spread across her lips. She hoisted herself into the air by a low hanging branch and began to climb, reaching fifteen feet in no time. She continued until she was at least forty feet off the ground. Height was no issue for her and now she could see over the tree line. The view was beautiful even though she scowled slightly as the lake came into view.

Ana stayed there for a while until she heard the crunching of leaves on the forest's floor. She scurried down a bit to get a good look at what it was. A blob of pink appeared and she bit down on her bottom lip hard. She wasn't prepared for encountering anyone. The inner debate on whether to stay in the tree until she left or go down and talk to her. She thought she recognized her from the Environmental Awareness Club, mostly because Amos had given her descriptions of what the other members looked like.

Letting out a small sigh, Ana began her descend and soon, she was hanging upside down, head cocked to one side, staring at the picture. "It's a lovely rose... Though I think it needs a butterfly.." She whispered softly.

[Mia Bell]

Mia finished her drawing, no one really knew about her drawing skills. It was something she kept hidden from the world. She didn’t think she was that great anyways. She just drew when she was bored, a lot of her drawings were fan art, like scenes from Final Fantasy or cartoon shows. Or what she would have wanted to happen, mixing different game character together. She was a very creative girl who had only so much to work with.

She heard the leaves above her head rustle; she figured it was just the wind. It wasn’t until she heard a voice that she knew it wasn’t just the wind. She jumped foot; she wasn’t expecting anyone to be watching her. She placed her hand to her heart, breathing slowly. Once her heart rate went back to normal she looked up at the girl with cat ears and tilted her head to the side. “Hello, Kitty.” She chuckled a little and blushed at the somewhat compliment. “Ah thank you I guess.” She looked down at the drawing and nodded “Ah you are quite right. It does seem the rose is a bit lonely.” She gave the girl one of her famous warm smiles. “You can come down and sit with me. If you want that is.” She wasn’t going to force the girl to do anything. But she wanted to make herself seem inviting and friendly.

[Analeigh Monroe]

Ana gave another small smile though she hesitated. Up in the tree, she was safe, could easily climb right back up and vanish in the leaves. On the ground, she felt exposed, open to the girl. She didn't enjoy being vulnerable and that bothered her to think she could be if she dropped down to her level. Nibbling on her bottom lip, she waited a few moments before swinging up to hook her hands on the limb of the tree and then let her legs dangled. She released and landed effortlessly on the ground, standing up straight and brushing the leaves from her body.

She stood there for a bit, ears flattening to her skull and tail wrapping around her protectively. She hugged her sides and continued to chew up her bottom lip as she watched Mia intently. What should she say? She was very pretty and Ana actually liked the color of her hair. She reached up absentmindedly and played with her hair wondering what she would look like with maybe a few highlights of purple.

Swallowing hard, Ana stepped forward and took a seat beside her, giving a shy smile. "Ana.. B-But.. you can call me kitty if you.. if you want.."

She looked down at her hands, her accent poking through a bit. She typically whispered when she spoke and that made it difficult for anyone to actually hear where she came from. Only when she gave long sentences was it drawn out of her. Fiddling with her fingers, Ana fell silent, unsure exactly what she could say that wouldn't be strange or awkward.

"This.. is nice.. That Hammel is letting out on a retreat.."

[Mia Bell]

Mia smiled up at Ana when she jumped out of the tree. “Nice agility.” She had done gymnastics for years on end until events happened and then she stopped. Though she still does some of the things to keep her limber she didn’t think she could have dropped out of a tree as gracefully as she had. She felt a bit awkward as Ana stood there silently looking at her, and she didn’t want to make the girl uncomfortable by staring. So to compensate she went back to her drawing, taking Ana’s suggestion by add a butterfly to the flower.

She glanced up at the girl, seeing how uncomfortable she already was she bit down on her bottom lip. “You don’t have to stay down here with me if you don’t want to.” The girl didn’t even have to talk to Mia, she loved making new friends and she was always friendly but didn’t like people feeling like they ‘had’ to do something or say something. If Mia knew the girl wanted highlight she would defiantly gently nudge her to get them, heck she would even put the highlights in the girl’s hair herself. She dyed her own hair so why not?

Mia smiled back as the girl sat next to her. “Ah sorry. It’s just the cat ears.” She said pointing to her own ear “It’s makes me want to call you Kitty. But if you don’t like it then Ana it is. I’m sorry.” Mia found the girl very cute; she always had a thing for shy girls she didn’t know why. It was weird because she didn’t have as much of a thing for shy guys. She thought it was because of the fact that if she wanted to have a boyfriend than she would want them to be able to keep up with her, drag her along, and make all the choices. Where as with girls, Mia didn’t mind wearing the pants and being the outgoing one and dragging them along. She was weird that way.

Mia looked at the Ana when she started talking and nodded “Ah it is. It’s nice to have the scenery change… And be able to get away from the drama we might have back at the school. It’s also a nice way to meet new people since there are fewer students at the retreat.” Yes, Mia was very talkative. “Hey you’re in the EAC club right? How’s your cheek? “

[Analeigh Monroe]

"I.. I want to.." She gave a small smile as she leaned against the tree, bringing her knees up into her chest. She wrapped her arms tightly around her legs and rested her head on them, looking at Mia sideways. Her hair fell down the side of her legs and she watched as she added a butterfly to the drawing as per to her suggestion. That warmed Ana a bit, that someone would actually use her ideas. A small blush crossed over her cheeks and the bridge of her nose.

Ana reached up and felt her furry ears. They twitched at the touch, but otherwise, she was able to stroke them a bit. The blush remained. She actually liked the nickname and didn't mind it too much. "Y-You can call me that.. I.. I like it..

"I really like the outdoors.. A-And being able to climb in the trees... And feeling the warm breeze on my skin.." She bit her lip and looked away, out to where she could still hear the other students. Her curiosity peaked slightly, wondering what everyone else was doing but was content where she was. It was the mention of the Environmental Awareness Club that reminded Ana of the cut on her cheek. Reaching up, her fingers smoothed over the rough skin that was healing. She knew there would be a small, white scar there but over time, it would heal and fade.

"It's fine.. It really wasn't that.. big of a deal... I.. reacted poorly." She buried her face into her knees for a moment before looking up at Mia again, large doe like, baby blues taking in her features.

"I didn't mean to disturb the meeting.. Honest..." Ana felt as though it was her fault, though it was for her being the way that she was. She blamed herself for a lot of things and being bullied happened to be one of them.

[Mia Bell]

Mia grinned at the girl saying she wanted to stay. “awesome!” She always wanted people to do what they wanted to do and not feel forced to do it by any means. She guessed it came from how people just started to be nice to her after her suicide attempt, she knew they weren’t doing it because they wanted to but because they felt they had to. She kept drawing as they talked, she was good at multitasking. While she was focused on her drawing she didn’t notice the girl blush, and the girl probably had to be thankful because Mia would have pointed it out. She was never good at being subtle.

Mia looked at her with a smile “Okay then. You now have a new nickname.” Mia winked at her and then went back to the drawing. She realized the girl was blushing but decided not to point it out; the girl already seemed to be uncomfortable. She was good at vaguely flirting; she even did it without noticing or meaning to.

Mia giggled at how outdoorsy the girl was. “Climbing trees huh? So you normally climb trees? It wasn’t just the one I’m sitting under that you decided to climb? You know to watch me?” She gave her a wide smile and winked at her. Yeah, she might be stepping passed a line somewhere but she couldn’t help it. She liked flirting, it was like second nature to her.

Putting the end of her pencil in her mouth Mia looked at the cut and then went through her bad to find the Neosporin. She took it out, placed a small out of gel on her finger, and then gently rubbed it on the girl’s cut. “It will help with the healing, and it helps make it less of a scar.” She placed the cap back on it and handed the tube to the girl. “You can keep it.” Mia should know all about how the stuff helped cuts leave less of a scar.

She shook her head and then took the pencil out of her mouth. “You reacted the way anyone would have. I know you said you tripped but I know it was a lie. It’s not fun being bullied I know. You reacted the way anyone would have. Stop blaming yourself. It wasn't a big deal; but remember the worst bully is yourself.” It was true; everyone was their own worst bully. Because everyone downgraded themselves, no matter what it was. She was even guilty of doing so. She placed a hand on the girl’s back “don’t beat yourself up about it. Everything turned out quite fine. No one is blaming you for anything. What happened happened you couldn’t control what those guys were going to do to you. You’re not the one to blame.”

[Analeigh Monroe]

Ana felt her cheeks suddenly burn when Mia winked at her. Why would she do that? Ana quickly looked down at her knees to hide her face from the other student. She didn't want her noticing it in case she happened to be the type of person who liked to point things out. It would only make her embarrassed. That was a feeling Ana was familiar with but none too comfortable. She would much rather not feel that way at the moment. It was too nice of a start to a day for it to turn sour.

Ana's head shot up and she stared at Mia with her mouth agape for a moment before a sly smile spread across her lips. "I happened to be here before you even showed up. So Ha!" Ana managed a laugh though, hand reaching up to cover her mouth as she did so, shyly.

It was when Mia reached out suddenly with something on her thumb that caused Ana to instinctively flinch away from her hand. She managed to catch herself though and stood still, biting her bottom lip as she felt Mia's finger smooth over her cut. It didn't hurt anymore, though, Ana had a rather high pain tolerance when it came to cuts. In fact, sometimes she enjoyed the feeling of it, though she would never admit to that. Ana took the tube from Mia with a small smile and slipped it into her pocket.

As for the EAC meeting, Ana continued to hang her head. "I.. didn't want them in trouble.. Maybe that was how their parents raised them... It wouldn't be their fault.." Of course, Ana despised herself. She knew those boys from Elementary School. She just chose not to mention that part.

[Mia Bell]

Mia laughed a little at how the girl told her off. “Ah! Well I guess I’m the stalker than.” But then Ana seemed taken aback by what she said. “Don’t be shy, it’s alright.” She liked how the girl had gotten out of her shell a little, it made her smile then again she seemed to have that effect on people.

“Don’t worry I’m not going to hurt you.” She said when the girl flinched a bit. Mia knew all about cuts, more than she should. She wasn’t sure if she enjoyed the feeling but it took her mind off of her emotional issues. It wasn’t something she wanted anyone to know, but figured sooner or later someone or everyone was going to know about her self harm issues. She smiled a bit when she took the tube.

Mia nodded “I can understand that. But it’s still not right for them to bully people, even if their parents never discouraged that kind of behavior or even encouraged it.” Ana shouldn’t despise herself, there was nothing wrong with her, they were a bunch of people with powers, including herself, being shy was just a part of who she was.

{ooc: sorry it's really short ;-;}

[Analeigh Monroe]

Ana looked at the ground, unable to hold Mia's gaze. It seemed that Mia had much different views about the situation. She wondered if the girl liked Hammel. She hated the thought of being there. She hated that it was a red flag of how 'not normal' she actually was. In fact, Ana was planning an escape. She wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. Each night, she sneaked off campus, branching further out each time in search of the perfect escape route. She was getting closer now and she thought she would have one all settled out in a couple weeks.

"Well, if their parents never discouraged... or if they encouraged, who's to say they think it's wrong? They might not know what is right and wrong and what they are doing is right in the eyes of their parents. I don't blame them."

With that said, Ana remained quiet for a while, unsure exactly what to say next. It seemed they were beginning to grow quiet toward each other and there was an uncomfortable air settling between them. The blush returned to her face as her mind began to wander. She wasn't so sure it would be a good idea.

[You know what would be painful? If Mia invited her to the Retreat Dance. And then Ana went and saw her and Cam. And... And, owwww. Yeah that would probably hurt. :) ]

[Mia Bell]

Mia liked Hammel, maybe it was because she was able to get that fresh start here. She was able to be herself more here, than stick to the shadows where everyone told her she belonged. Yeah she was far from home, yeah she might be a freak; but as far as she was concerned, she was a freak even without her power. Here she had a better chance of getting better. Here there was someone who was willing to help her sort out whatever it was that she needed to sort out and there was a lot of it. Of course there had been drama, but what high school didn’t have drama?

“I guess you have a point. But that doesn’t make it any better. We all have feelings, and that’s something they aren’t getting. It hurts to get bullied and it leads to serious problems for the one who is getting bullied.” She was the greatest example to that, she had gotten bullied and picked on; she knew how it felt. It wasn’t a great feeling.

Mia picked up on the awkward silence, she didn’t like them. “So hey, there’s the retreat dance coming up, are you going? I’m going to go…” It was something at least and at least she would know one person there. She wasn’t sure if Dani was going to go or not.


{ooc: Mia would totally think that she just hadn’t showed up at all… I feel so bad for Ana ;-; }

[Analeigh Monroe]

Ana had been bullied since her arrival to Hammel by who she had once called her friends. It was painful to think that they would call her such horrible names and try to beat and hit her, especially at such the young ages that they were. Of course, they had help from higher grades. That also pained Ana. It was one of the reasons she had picked up on a nasty habit.

Her hands ran over her thighs a bit, feeling the raised fabric of bandages covering them. She hid them under long pants, like she always wore, even in hot weather. Ana would never let anyone see her legs. She hated them and how she had damaged them so greatly, but she could not seem to stop herself from it. Emotional pain was difficult for her to handle but turning it into physical pain... that was something different. Ana dealt with physical pain on a daily basis. That she could handle.

At the mention of the dance, Ana's ears perked forward and she smiled shyly, her entire face turning scarlet. Was Mia asking her to go? "A dance..? That sounds... nice.. I.. If you're going... I'll go..." She managed to say.

[Mia Bell]

Mia had been bullied all her life, for different reasons, from the same people. She knew what it felt like she been through it. The past year was her hardest though, it was a horrible experience for her. Coming to Hammel gave her a second chance. Mia would never say a harsh word to Ana, she wasn’t like that. If she needed a friend, no matter what she was going through she would there for her. Everyone needed that one person, that one person who would be there for you through thick and then. It was all the Mia was looking for, it was easy for her to make friends. But real friends didn’t seem to come as easy.

Mia absentmindedly rubbed her wrist, deep in thought of old memories. She was desperately hoping her past wouldn’t rewrite itself at Hammel. Ana and Mia had more in common than either of them knew. Which would be quite distressing for Mia if she ever found out; she didn’t like the thought of anyone harming themselves like she was.

Mia Smiled “Awesome! I will see you there then! I’ll save you a dance with me.” She winked at the girl and then looked at the time on her phone. “Oh gosh.. I have to go, I told a friend I would meet her to somewhere. It was nice talking to you.” Mia tore out the picture of the rose and butterfly and placed it on Ana’s lap, then placed her notebook in her bag. “Thank you.” She stood up “If you ever see me around, don’t be shy.” Mia started walking off to where she told Dani she would meet her.