Shopping Disaters! [Romeo/ Gia]

[Craven Grimley]

Shopping for Christmas. God he hated it but he needed to get some stuff for his friends. Adrianna, Thyme, Robbie... maybe Sage and most importantly!... Gia. There were not enough gifts ordered off the net yet for Gia and Adrianna. It was easy to buy guy gifts. Harder to buy girl gifts. You always saw something prettier that you wanted to buy for them and then rethought your previous gift THEN thought about making a choice. Eventually he was stuck with two gifts then the list kept growing...

He's sent Gia off to go and decide on something for her mom, stuffing some cash into her hands because she was better at it when he was when it came to shopping for her mom... naturally. Now if he could buy her mom a new body... that would have been even better. He saw the strain on Gia each time they went back home. It was heartbreaking for him to see the woman grow so fragile, so thin, loosing muscle weight every day.

He was certain though, that at some point, his dad would realize that she needed to take it easy and would simply fling her in a place that would care for her at his expence. He'd do that with any loyal employee anyway. Craven watched Gia walk away with a smirk on his face before backing up toward what seemed like a rather pricey jewelry store.

~~~

Craven came out of the jewerly store, the beautiful little velvet casing open in his hand, holding within it, the most beautiful of promise rings. The engraving had been completed and Craven had been called to collect. He was smiling contentedly when he slammed into another body and blinked up at who it was, horrified when he saw Romeo.

"God are you like... stalking me now?"
Craven snapped the box shut and wrapped it up in his first as turned on Romeo.

[Romeo Buckland]

Romeo doesn’t really Christmas shop. While he loves the holiday and he’d like to give his friends something special, the fact remains that he just doesn’t have enough money to spare to do just that. After all, the Bucklands aren’t the exactly rich – they’re just sending the boy enough so he can live properly, maybe a few extras so he’d have something for when those rainy days come, and he knows how hard it is for them just to get those together. And since he’s still indulging Autie with her plan to escape back to Ireland (he’s still trying to think of a good excuse to use not to go, since he knows there’s just no convincing her), the money saved can’t be touched at all costs.

Which is why Romeo made tons of friends. A rather crafty boy, there’s no surprise in the fact that he’s managed to coerce his friends into treating him out every time they watch a movie or eat out. He even got two new shirts for simply accompanying a friend out.

The Irish boy does insist that he’s not using them. That he isn’t forcing them to treat him out really, he just has a way with words. And he does repay them with favours if there need be. Yes, favours.

In any case, the boy was given a $25 gift card by a friend for a certain coffee shop, and since it says that it’ll expire within two weeks, Romeo went to the mall to use it. Clutching a specialty latte on one hand and a brownie on the other (which altogether cost $10, which means he can still go back and buy another within the next few days, because the brownies are just to die for), he idly walked around the mall, casually looking at their displays. So far, nothing has caught his fancy.

That is, until he saw a leather jacket. Rather pricey, but looking at the threadwork (something Romeo oddly has knowledge of), it seemed worth it. He was so into it that he didn’t see someone else approach him, bumping into him and accidentally spilling some of his coffee on the poor lad (Romeo doesn’t do traveller lids).

“Oh god my bad!” he said almost immediately, before taking in who exactly bumped into him. “Craven? What are you doing here?” He hasn’t talked to the guy in a while, seeing as he told him to stay out of his life, but he really wants to. Not like this though. “Haha. Why would I stalk you? And what’s that in your hand, a ring? You’re asking Gia’s hand out in marriage already?”

Boy that was fast. Couldn’t say he didn’t feel jealous though.

[Gia Elliot]

To claim that Gia knew what to buy for anyone was laughable. She hadn't had money to buy gifts since she was too young to go out and actually buy them. She'd always gotten by with making a gift for her mother. Yes, she knew what her mom liked, and what sorts of things her mother had had back in Australia, before their family fell to pieces, but Gia had no idea where to find things like that. So when Craven stuffed her hands with money and set her off to find a gift for him, she had to wander around the department stores aimlessly. She passed several things that her mother might have bought for herself once upon a time, but Gia was having trouble picturing them being opened from wrapping paper.

Gia eventually found two possible gifts, but was caught between them. Perfume that Gia was having a sense of deja vu over, or a beautiful dress that she knew would look amazing on her mother. And hopefully, that would detract from the toll everything was taking on the poor woman. She sat down, both of the gifts in one hand while she clutched Craven's money in the other. She didn't want to let Craven or her mother down with the choice, and both would make Diane happy. Heck, any present made her mother happy, but these, Gia wasn't going to be able to compete with them. Buy the perfume, which would be a temporary gift with a slightly higher price tag, or the dress which the woman could wear forever. Gia didn't want to think about anything around her mother being only temporary, and that was the final decision made.

She put the glass jar back where she'd found it and moved to the register to pay for the dress. Rather than count out the money for herself, Gia handed the clerk the entire bundle and put the dress as neatly as she could into the bag. She'd be able to iron it before Craven actually gave Diane the present, so wrinkles weren't much of a concern. Change was returned, and Gia left the shop, wandering around the store to find Craven again. It was a large mall, and after about ten minutes, Gia gave up and worked her power to attempt to figure out where he was from his thoughts.

All she got was annoyance from him, but it was enough to locate her boyfriend and walk over. There, just across one of the gaps in the floor, which looked down on the lower levels of the mall, Craven was standing, talking to another boy, whom Gia had seen around but didn't actually know. She did like meeting people, she just didn't do it very often, do to some self-confidence issues over what her mother did for a living. So many of the people at the school had parents who worked in an office job, rather than cleaning someone else's house. She blushed a moment before walking over to the pair and coming to stand beside Craven, having missed the conversation they were having. Gia smiled at the strange boy and offered Craven the change from the store before she held her hand out to Romeo. "Hi, I'm Gia. You're Craven's friend?"

[Craven Grimley]

Craven had not only bumped into Romeo but felt the red hot seeping into his clothes and he quickly gave a cry of alarm pulling the shirt away from his skin so it wouldn't burn so much. He frowned at Romeo. The last person he expected to see then frowned down at the big coffee stain across his white shirt. Craven groaned. It had been an above average priced shirt as well but nothing that he couldn't afford to pay. Craven snapped the lid shut of the ring box and shoved it in his pocket frowning at Romeo about the whole marriage thing.

"What?! We're sixteen years old. Seriously? Marriage? And this is a mall, it's only few weeks before Christmas. What do you think I'm doing here?"
Damn it felt awakward talking to Romeo about Gia especially. It felt strange to be near Romeo again. It felt strange to not feel warm and fuzzy around Romeo. Craven lowered his eyes and sighed.
"How can you be so calm when my mind had been in turmoil? Do you really not have a heart?"
Craven's eyes flicked back to meet Romeo and then his eyes widened.

He'd become an expert at feeling Gia's presence in his mind.
"Shhh shhh. Don't think about anything...Think about stupid thinks like Donkey's or ... or... boobs."
Craven twisted when he felt Gia closing in on him and smiled half heartedly though she knew him better then he knew himself. She also must have know who Romeo was. The stupid little crush he'd fantasized about when they were just friends. She must have seen images of Romeo in his mind. Craven flinched when she said the word 'friend'.

"No, He's not my friend. He's just..."
Craven looked Romeo up and down for a moment before taking Gia by the shoulders and turning her away, praying Romeo's thoughts were dull enough to not be paid any notice of them by Gia.
"He's just nothing..."
He smiled when his back was turned on Romeo and he was trying to guide his girlfriend away.

"What am I gonna do with the change? Maybe we can give it to charity or something. Or we can buy her something else, love. When has your mom ever been spent a hundred dollars on, within the last 10 years? Let's spoil her..."
He was in chatty mode because he was nervous and trembling and trying to distract himself from thinking about Romeo. Romeo his lover... not Romeo his friend...

[Romeo Buckland]

Romeo could only bite his lower lip and awkwardly run his hand through his hair before rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. He not only scalded Craven, he also ruined what looked like a rather expensive shirt. And to think this is probably the first time they’ve seen each other after that rather dreadful night in the gym. What an impression he’s making, as it seems.

“Well don’t blame me. You haven’t shopped for rings during those times I hung out in the mall with you,” said the Irish boy in jest, wide grin plastered on his face. He’d usually strong armsubtly ask Craven into the arcades and a quick bite soon after during those times. While some may see it as him taking advantage of Craven since he had the boy pay for those things, he insists that he only did so because he didn’t have cash to spare during those times (while the boy certainly has tons to burn). And besides, he made sure that the shy boy had fun as well, so he says that it’s not entirely selfish of him. “What are those then? You don’t just give rings to your girlfriend without meaning, right?” Whatever it might mean though, he’s pretty good with it, surprisingly. As long as it’s not marriage yet, he’ll manage.

His smile did fade almost immediately when the boy mentioned the ripples that came out of that dreadfulfateful night in the gym. “That’s harsh Cravee,” he sighed, shaking his head, “I do have a heart of course, but I can’t go live every day with a broken heart. It’s hard not having you around, but I’m trying to move on. That’s what you have wanted anyway, right?” He gently put a hand on the other boy’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Huh? Say what? Why-Oh hi Gia,” muttered Romeo, forcing a smile to reappear on his face. Boy that was surprising. Craven has nothing to worry about though, Romeo says, as part of the whole favours thing that he does is the secrecy behind it. That no one should know their trysts. He knows exactly how not to think about how good it felt boning a certain someone inside the janitor’s closet when he passes by him and his telepathic best friend, for example.

Or so he claims. For some reason, seeing Gia in the flesh – and Craven nervous as hell beside him – seems to be getting under him and through his supposed mental walls.

“I’m Romeo, Romeo Buckland,” he said with a grin, extending his arm out for a handshake, “Cravee’s being mean. I’m his friend from Mr. Demidov’s PE class. I saved his butt from being creamed in dodge ball thousands of times before, has he told you that?” Not entirely a lie, since they do have the same class under Ev, but not the entire truth also.

Does Gia’s telepathy get stronger through physical contact by the way? Hrm.

[Gia Elliot]

Gia was so confused at the look on Craven's face when she walked up. And the odd things they were thinking about not actually lining up together. Surely when two people had a conversation, they would be thinking about the same thing. This was highly confusing. Plus, that wasn't a happy smileon Craven's face. It was more of a what-are-you-doing-back-so-soon-you're-supposed-to-be-shopping look, with the added forced smile thrown on top for good measure. Yes she knew Craven, and she had assumed he was finished with his shopping already. Her paced slowed, but she didn't actually stop walking until she was next to him. She took Romeo's hand when it was offered and shook it, but as soon as Craven took her shoulders and started leading her away, Gia's hand retracted slowly and her eyes found Craven's. "Wait... but... why? Craven? I don't don't... Where are we going?"

Right. Change. What would he do with change? How exactly was Gia supposed to know what he did with his change? She, for one, put it in a safe place. Right. Rhetorical question. She glanced back to flash an apologetic smile at Romeo as Craven pushed her away, but she still had no idea why exactly Craven would be talking to someone before she got there and just clam up and act... well act like this as soon as she'd arrived. She didn't like secrets. Eventually she dug her heels in to attempt to stop the guiding by the shoulders and she grabbed Craven's hand. "Are you planning on telling me what on earth is going on? You were fine when it was just the two of you there. Why the denial that he has any relation to you at all? Clearly he does."

There was always time to get her mother new gifts later anyway. She wanted to get to know more of Craven's friends. And Craven hadn't even said goodbye to this apparent nothing person who had saved him in gym class.

[Craven Grimley]

Craven wasn't impressed by the jest about the rings and it showed on his face. His eyes were narrowed, dark, moody and his face showed a scorching fury in them as they fixed on his old lover. Craven was NOT in the mood for silly jokes at all. Not right then. Not when he saw that Romeo was clearly not fussed about him and their distance from one another. Their shattered relationship. What had he ever seen in Romeo? Besides the beautiful bright eyes, those fair locks and that stunning smile? Craven sighed and shook his head. It was useless having a serious conversation with him.

He waved his shirt one more time and then let it settle against him. It had grown cold enough to not be burning him so it was okay to let it next to his skin again. Romeo asked what the rings were.
"Promise rings. It's like a teenaged version of an engagement ring. Don't you have an ounce of romance in you. Dude, for someone with Romeo as a name you certainly fail.."
Craven muttered. He prayed that wouldn't surface in Romeo's mind either cause ruining this surprise for Gia would cost Romeo even more agrovation from Craven.

Craven roughly shrugged off the hand from his shoulder glaring at Romeo. NO. It was not what he wanted! He wanted Romeo. He wanted Gia. Urgh. He didn't really know what he wanted but he'd said yes to Gia and he couldn't go back on anything now. He and Gia were meant to be anyway right? That was how things were supposed to work. Gia joined them and Romeo and Gia shook hands causing Craven to jerk unintentionally. He was quick to kill the connection between them, just incase a flash sprung up in Gia's mind, transferred by Romeo.

Gia was confussed and cautious and worried. Craven stopped and sighed when she asked him who Romeo was. Craven twisted to face Gia and so Romeo too, flashing his blue eyes to Romeo before fixing them on Gia's eyes. His lips pressed together in a firm line before his face colored in regret for Gia.
"We were doing so well avoiding him in school. Now he's here in the Mall. Gee. I don't want to hurt you more then I have already. We've already had a fight about him once. We can't do it again."
Craven tilted his head at her and sighed softly.

"You're smart enough to work out what's going on. I can't say it. I can barely even think it. It hurts too much. I'm so sorry Gee. I love you though. "
Craven's voice was soft, tender as he stroked his thumb across her hand tightening his grip on her hand.
"Can we go get a coffee now and forget this happened? He'll be catching up and we'll have to sit through and awkward coffee with him in tow."
Craven shot a warning look at Romeo.

[Romeo Buckland]

“You hurt me my dear prince, very much so,” said Romeo, clutching his head and shaking his head, though the smirk on his face says a different thing. “I used to believe in all those silly things my dear. True love. Chivalry. Waiting for the one. I lived and breathed those ideas. But a few months in America and I realized that they’re just that – ideas. I don’t know about you, but I really do think it’d be foolish to think of it otherwise.” Or at least that’s what the Irish boy tells himself. He does claim that his heart wasn’t broken, his mind not traumatized or anything drastic of that sort that changed his view. It just did.

Romeo had no intentions of revealing whatever it was that happened between him and Craven. He only stayed to talk to his ex-best friend and went to greet his girlfriend. He was hoping to get to know her, nothing more nothing less. After all, she’s been quite the enigma – Craven talks about her but he himself never got a chance to meet her in person. Before, it’s because he wasn’t really all that interested; after, well, Craven said he should keep his distance. And he needed time to fortify his mental walls should he let a thought slip. He doesn’t want to ruin Craven’s relationship after all.

Though from the look of things, the Grimley kid’s doing enough of it on his own.

“You’ve had a fight about me? Woah. Is it because of the bruises he got from gym class? I swore I tried to protect him from those damn balls as hard as I could. Craven’s just a little uncoordinated, that’s all.” The Irish boy knew exactly where Craven was hinting at, but he’s hoping a little misdirection would do the trick. “Promise I’ll look after the little brat more next time,” grinned Romeo, ruffling Craven’s hair.

He would’ve wanted to go join them for coffee (and he has his own gift card so they don’t have to worry about a thing), but he’s not dense enough to know Craven doesn’t want him around. He didn’t show his sadness/disappointment though, but instead shrugged it off with a smile. “Oh it’s no problem. You two are on a date after all, right? Don’t mind me. I can just go. Though I’m really sorry for the shirt Craven. Maybe you can drop it by my room? I’ll wash it myself.” He’d say he’d replace it, but he can’t possibly have enough money (right now) to buy it. Sucks to be poor at times.