Cracking Open a Book [Jude tags Juniper]

[Juniper Birdsong]

"Everyone works differently," she replied with a flash of a smile. "Personally, I think it's wonderful that you can study for so long. My brain just kinda goes crazy if I try to stuff too much into it at one time." She reached her hand up next to her head and made a sort of 'exploding' motion with it while closing her eyes and sticking out her tongue, symbolizing her brain getting an overload. Yes, she was quirky, and she realized Jude might think it was weird, but she didn't particularly care.

"I've never been to Rhode Island," she mused. It was such a small state, she didn't really know anything about it. "I've been to a lot of other places though. Mom likes to travel a lot. But I'm originally from Oregon. Eugene, home of the hippies and weed." She laughed. "I guess you could say I really fit in there. Well, with the hippies. The drugs, not so much." Again she giggled, then realized she was probably laughing too much and stopped. "I like Hammel though. The land is nice and green. Although it does get cold." As she continued to talk, she felt that the conversation was quite one-sided. Not that she minded; it was just an observation. She hoped she wasn't making him irritated or uncomfortable. She went quiet and played with her braid for a few seconds before sitting down again. "I'm having fun talking to you," she ventured, hoping she wouldn't scare him off. "This study session is really going to help me in class."

[Jude Shepherd]

"It's nothing special. I don't have anything else distracting me." He said brusquely. Of course, he didn't mean to sound short but he wasn't used to talking at all. Especially to girls. Who happened to look like June.

The exploding thing made him chuckle, which he tried to cover up with a cough. "Yeah...that...probably happens to people." He said with the clearing of his throat.

"It's a nice place to retire in. I live in this sleepy town where shops close at 7 in the evening. I love it." Jude wanted to go home, if that wasn't obvious enough.

When she announced her enjoyment in talking to him, Jude's cheek heated up as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry I'm not responding. I'm...I don't like talking that much. And...I'm glad. I hope it helps."

[Juniper Birdsong]

"Oh yes, I've seen people's brains exploding before. It's quite terrible." She said this as seriously as possible, keeping a straight face for about five seconds before breaking into giggles. "Sorry," she sighed, grinning. "At least hopefully I won't have to worry about that now that we're study buddies." She picked at the grass for a moment, not particularly wanting to get back into study mode quite yet. Making friends was so much more fun.

"Is that so?" she replied about his town. "It sounds lovely. Maybe I'll have to visit someday." She realized a moment later that that statement could be taken more intimately than she meant, and she added,"My mom and sister like seeing new places, so if it's somewhere that you like, then I'm sure they would like it, too. My mom's actually moving up here soon..." She trailed off, stopping her rambling. He probably didn't really care.

She glanced up again at his movement, hoping she hadn't made him too uncomfortable. "It's quite alright. I realize I talk too much sometimes. I hope you don't mind." She bit her lip. "But yes, this is definitely going to help. I hope you get some benefit out of it as well!" After all, this was a joint effort, and they should both get equal benefits from the process. "I guess we should probably get to work again...." She sighed.

[Jude Shepherd]

Jude let out a surprised laugh at June's facial expression and gave a big smile. "I can only imagine." He responded, sort of relaxing a bit. It was a huge step on Jude's part but it was a long time coming. He did need to relax a little bit. "Yeah. I'm glad I could help. With...the not exploding." He chuckled, mimicking June's previous expression.

"Mm, yeah. Uh..." he turned to her with a curious expression on his face before realisation dawned on him with her conclusive statement. "Of course." He nodded, thinking nothing of it. "Oh, that's great for you," he forced a big smile on his face. Wow, being sociable is hard. Especially when you were talking to someone who was basically happiness in a skirt.

"No...it's okay...I guess..." Jude's pale cheeks reddened considerably as he realised he talked too little. It wasn't entirely his fault. People were sometimes mean and obnoxious. It wasn't every day he met people like June.

"I'm sure I already have." He assured her with a tiny crack of a smile. Her move to get back to work made him nod slowly. "You...you can rest. I don't mind doing this on my own." He offered. He didn't want her to not enjoy studying. "Really, if you want to continue with your daisy chains...I won't stop you."

[Juniper Birdsong]

And he smiled again! A big, genuine one. Juniper almost clapped in glee. But she didn't. She just smiled in return. And giggled as he mimicked her previous 'explosion'. Apparently he was finally starting to get used to her bubbly nature. She knew some people were a little freaked out with her almost constant happiness, but she didn't let it get her down. She just kept bothering people until they were happy, too. She had great logic. (Sarcasm).

"Yeah, I'm excited for her coming up here," she continued. "My sister is too. It's been a while since we've seen her." She dropped the subject, knowing it meant nothing to him. She was just blabbing on, as usual.

"Oh, it's alright. I've had enough of a break." She twisted her arm around a bit, admiring the new daisy chain around her wrist. "I'd like to go ahead and plow through this so we can get it done and go about our day. If that's alright with you?" Assuming it was, she pulled over the journals and began scribbling down notes again, glancing up to see if he was following suit. Hopefully it wouldn't take too much longer. And even if it did, at least she had made a new sort-of friend.