Words I Couldn't Say (Open)

[Jason Prowler]

Jason was little surprised by her response thinking she’d say something along the lines of being a gymnast. This wasn’t the case, “Foster care huh” He could relate to not having parents around when growing up, even though her story made him grateful to be lucky enough to have had his brother. “Growing up on the streets makes you one tough chick then.” He smiled for a moment while he thought about what to say, his story wasn’t much of a tale and definitely not as interesting as living on the streets in a gang.

“Well as for me, I’m what you would call a military brat. I grew up on military basses, I’ve never been to New York but in the past 16 years I’ve lived in 17 states and 4 countries. I went from base to base because my brother was a high ranking officer and he took care of me since my parents both died before I was born, that’s of course until…” Jason paused for a moment as his face showed signs of sadness which he tried to quickly shake off and continued. “Well, until I transferred here, with the whole having powers and all.” Jason grabbed his brother’s dog tags around his neck with his left hand, he didn’t want to say it out loud how his brother was mission in action; it was still a lot to talk about and a heavy burden for Jason to carry.

The two were passing the gymnasium and library as they were walking across the campus. Streams of water were pouring down both of them from the abundance of rain. You could see students through the library windows reading, most likely waiting for the rain to stop.

[Dakota Muller]

She listened to what he told and nodded as he spoke. ''Honestly, I never liked moving around much. I mean, sure. It's exciting and all that; New place and new people. But after some time... I gets lonely, you know?'' That had been of the reasons for why she had decided to run away. ''What's it like?'', she asked and looked at him. ''Having a brother I mean?'' She had never had any real siblings. Sure, the gang she had come from was like a family to her, but they weren't blood related. Of course, she didn't actually KNOW if she had any siblings out there, since she didn't know who here parents were or where she came from.

As they walked across the campus, another beam of lighting shot across the sky, lighting the courtyard up in a yellow shimmer. It was beautiful and powerful. It was magical. She had always believed that the forces of nature were the closest one could get to actual magic, of course until her powers manifested and she learned what her kind could do. ''If you could choose any power in the world, what would you pick?'', she asked the soaked boy who was walking beside her.

[Jason Prowler]

“I know how you feel, it does get lonely especially when you have no one around to talk to you, who understands you, ya know?” She began to ask him more questions most likely out of interest; they were getting along pretty well for being acquaintances and all. DK looked at him and asked him what it was like to have a brother. Upon that word it was as if it commanded the sky itself to shoot a bolt of lightning across the entire campus, the thunder quickly followed. Simultaneously with the thunder, Jason completely stopped walking.

Motionless, his heart became heavy and he zoned out for a second as the image of his brother’s coffin replayed itself within his mind another time, haunting him. Jason’s eyes became watery and his throat was tight, he cleared it while he took a deep breath and swallowed. He snapped out of it, he was looking down as he said “It was the best moments of my life filled with love and fellowship, my brother was a God among men.” Jason slowly looked up, facing DK but sort of looking away so she wouldn’t notice his eyes full of sorrow.

It was like this for a moment until Jason was able to look at her as he whispered “But now it’s just me.”

[Dakota Muller]

She wanted to give him a hug and tell him everything was going to be all right. But she was afraid of touching him - touching anyone. She could see the sadness in his eyes as he talked about his brother. She felt envious, at least he had a brother to talk about. At least he had met his family. ''I'm sorry.'', she said and looked at him. ''Do you miss him?''

She sure missed her 'family', even if they weren't blood related. They had been there for her, saved her and helped her grow as a person. They had even supported her as her powers manifested. DK had promised she'd come home to visit, just as they had promised to come visit her. But as the weeks, months and years had passed, they had completely forgotten to keep in touch. She had been busy with school and training, and Lord knows what they had been up to.

''Well. It's not really just you...'', she began carefully. ''This school is filled with people who have lost someone, who miss someone or people they've been taken away from. It might not be much, but at least you're not alone.''

[Jason Prowler]

“Every day” Jason responded as DK tried to console him. He wanted to keep his composure; he forced a smile “I’m sorry, you probably think I’m so lame now.” Jason looked up at the sky filled with the falling rain. “I know I’m not alone.” He looked back to DK “but it’s just heavy on the heart sometimes, something that you had all your life can be gone in an instant, and the next thing you know you’re breaking down walls and all of a sudden you’re different. But hey, it’s not all bad I got to meet you didn’t I?”

Jason began to walk again; he didn’t want to make a big deal of his sadness, especially not in front of a girl. “What about you DK? You must miss all your friends, when you’re in a gang, I would imagine they’d be like a family to you, like a small platoon.” He said with a smile.

[Dakota Muller]

She shook her head. ''Missing someone and being sad over it doesn't make you lame.'', she said in another attempt to comfort him. ''Yeah.. I know the feeling.'' Missing someone - or losing someone you care about was never easy, no matter if they are blood related or not. It hurt. ''There's always two sides of a cause, one good and one bad.'', she said and nodded.

She followed him as he started to walk again, her eyes locked on the sky. Yeah, she missed them. All the time. Every day, every second. ''Yeah, I do.'', she said and smiled. ''Well, it's the only family I've ever known - and had.'' It was almost as if a piece of her was missing. But she couldn't really complain. She had a good life here too, and she had new friends. They wouldn't replace the old ones, of course. But life moves on and people grow apart. She bumped into his side and chuckled. ''All right, enough sob stories. We got to stay positive!'' She raised her thumb in the air and put a huge, cheerful grin on her face.

[Jason Prowler]

What is wrong with me, he thought. It was normally Jason being the positive one trying to cheer up others. “You’re right! “he exclaimed optimistically. “It’s time to look on the brighter side of things, like how a pretty girl scaled down a building just to meet me.” Jason said jokingly with an enormous grin.

The smell of wet grass was in the air, they continued walking until the two reached the school pond. They stopped for a bit as the rain fell beautifully into the pond water causing ripple effects throughout its surface. Each droplet creating a new epicenter of magnificence as the ripples intersected one another blurring the view of the orange and white Koi fish that lay beneath the pond water. Jason took in the scene with a deep breath closing his eyes for a second and reopening them to appreciate the sight. DK was enjoying the same view as she was looking out into the pond; she must have loved the rain, or maybe the fact she’s been reliant on living outside so long it was nature and the freedom she really appreciated.

As DK was memorized by the rain, Jason was fascinated by her. She was a gang member after all and with everything he knew he wouldn’t normally associate with that kind of person. However, regardless of the fact she was nothing but nice, sweet as pie in fact, at least that was his first impression of the girl.

“What’s there to do around here anyway?” Jason was bored of the school campus for some time now but who could blame him, he didn’t pack most of his things and he didn’t know many of the students around. “You been here a while you should know all the hot spots by now right. I heard there’s a town not too far from here, Pilot Ridge or something like that? We should go! Unless, of course Catwoman doesn’t get her paws dirty anymore?” he said playfully.

[Dakota Muller]

She chuckled and quickly patted his shoulder before retracting her hand. ''Exactly!''

She could feel his eyes on her, but she pretended as if she didn't notice. She didn't know what he was thinking, but she didn't mind. The short amount of silence was nice. Just standing here, looking at the world's wonders happen right in front of her eyes was more than enough for her. The way the nature smelled and felt as it rained. The way it looked... It was everyday magic so many seemed to take for granted.

His words broke her out of her bubble and she leaned her head to the side to look at him. She had to try hard to focus on him, and she bet she probably looked crazy as she slowly crawled out of the bubble of serenity she had just been in. She laughed. ''Well...'', she began. ''There's always the downtown area. Clubs, shops, y'know. All that.'' She blinked. ''The school have a lot of different classrooms, with the usual school crap. Art, music, etc.'' She ran her hand trough her hair and smiled. ''And I'm always up for a new adventure, whatever it might be.''

[Jason Prowler]

She tilted her head like a Cocker Spaniel as she processed what Jason was saying. He knew this look all too well as he often zoned out himself in social settings. He laughed “I don’t think we’re getting in any club, not like this anyway. We look like we just once first prize at a wet t-shirt contest.” He pointed at himself, his shirt completely drenched.

She ran her hand through her hair; Jason always thought that was so cute when girls did that. “You know Superman is all about adventure!” He crossed his arms looking up and left posing for her, he laughed because he couldn’t seriously hold the pose for too long without laughing. “Forget finding somewhere inside, I heard there was lake nearby, lets go find it! I know Catwoman can’t swim, but don’t worry I got you.” Jason said with a confident smile.

[Dakota Muller]

''Ooooh, a wet t-shirt contest!'' She grinned and bumped his chest with her fist. ''I bet you'd get all them ladies watching you.'', she winked at him and chuckled. Yeah, she didn't doubt his luck with the ladies at all. Luckily for him, she wasn't like some squealing teenager girl who'd throw herself at anyone just because they were hot.

She laughed at him posing, trying to look cool. He failed, but she had to admit it was rather cute that he even tried. And anyone who wasn't afraid of making a fool out of themselves got an A in her book. ''Oooh, you mean the school's pond? Or the lake down... Errr... Somewhere?'', she laughed. She didn't really know where the lake was - but she knew there was one. Somewhere...

''Psh! Just because cats doesn't like water, it doesn't mean we're not excellent swimmers, Mr. Clark Kent!'' She stuck her tongue out at him with a playful look in her eyes. ''All right, adventure time!'' She jumped up and down before skipping down the pathway whereever they were going.

''Oh! We need a Superman-Catwoman theme song!''

[Jason Prowler]

Dk bumped his chest with her fist, for a girl who was careful about touching people she seemed to be touching him a lot. He smiled modestly “I don’t know about all that.” He chuckled. “Why you think I’m good lookin?” He teased he a little but the truth was he was particularly naïve about his appearance, he was a real attractive guy, but he never had a girl his age tell him that before.

“Nah, not the school pond.” He looked at the unimpressive Koi pond in front of him. “To the lake, I know there’s one around here and we should go find it.” He said with excitement. “We’ll have more room to swim and I bet it looks awesome with this weather.”

They were playful with one another as DK stuck here tongue out at him and
he returned the sentiment. Jason accompanied her as she skipped down the pathway, walking of course, skipping wasn’t his thing. DK was obviously excited as they began their search for the lake. “A theme song?” He asked. “it would have to be epic with some bass and electric guitar!”

[Dakota Muller]

Who wouldn't want to touch this guy a lot? He was handsome, had a great body and best of all; He had a killer personality. And she had no problem telling someone exactly why she thought so either. ''Oh, where to start! You make this so hard, Romeo!'', she said with a dramatic tone added to her voice. ''You're handsome, you have a killer body and that personality of yours isn't half bad.'', she said with a grin.

She laughed. ''You're just trying to get me undressed miles away from people, aren't you?'', she said jokingly and winked at him. She hadn't been to the lake herself, and she had wanted to go for a while. Now was a better time than any, besides, she got him to look at. Half naked. Swimming. Oh la la.

Theme song, theme song... ''Yes, deffinetly something epic.'', she said excited. She didn't know what would fit, but she hummed on the batman theme as a joke. ''Nanananananananananana!''

[Jason Prowler]

Jason beamed and looked away as she complimented him; he didn’t want her to see how cheerful he was to hear her say those things. It was obviously easy for her to say what was on her mind and she wasn’t hesitant at all to say what she thought.

“You figured out my whole plan Juliet, whisk you away from this boring land of textbooks and empty campus halls so we can swim half naked at the lake.” He said jestingly with his playful grin. “But seriously, I’m not like that, a lady needs to be treated with proper respect, and it’s really just by coincidence that we will need to undress a little.” He chortled. “Besides, from what I’m hearing it’s you who wants to see me half naked.” He couldn’t help to poke a little fun at her saying he had a killer body, he lifted up a little of his wet t-shirt to insinuate that he would pull it up all the way to reveal his abs but stopped right before DK could see them. “Oops, I’ll guess you’ll have to wait.” Jason said as he put his shirt back down.

Jason snickered a little at her batman themed song, “If that’s our song you can be Robin, but something tells me that you would rather not be the boy wonder.” He thought for a moment, “I got it! Renegade VIP by The Qemis , have you ever heard of it? I don’t know if you’re into dubstep but the songs hard.”

The two continued their walk on the path leaving the school grounds heading deeper into Pilot Ridge. They were reaching the downtown area, usually flooded with people this time a day the streets were practically empty. The only pedestrians about had raincoats, umbrellas, or a newspaper covering their head, the two must have looked rather strange walking in their regular clothes, but they obviously didn’t care. There were puddles everywhere, cars swooshed by splashing water onto the sidewalk on the street corners, and Jason made sure he walked on the sidewalk closest to the street to receive most of the oncoming splashing. The two reached a street corner that had a deep puddle at its end; the two stopped for a second contemplating whether to try and jump it. When the crossing light said to cross Jason decided to lift DK up and carry her over it to the next corner. He placed her down softly “I know I didn’t warn ya but I just couldn’t see you step in that puddle. He said with a smile. “Let me know if I get too annoying.” They continued their walk down the path together towards their mystery lake. Jason turned to DK, “So what does DK stand for anyway, are you the Drift King around these parts.” He was reference Tokyo Drift, hoping she saw the movie.

[Dakota Muller]

DK had never been the type who thought a lot about what she said before the words came out of her mouth. Most cases, it got her in trouble, but luckily, this wasn't one of those times.

What girl would ever mind a man, or in this case; a boy being polite and showing some manners? DK loved that, and appreciated it more than she would ever admit. She couldn't help but smile and let out a warm laugh at what he said. And yes, he had a point. But then again, who wouldn't want to see him half naked? He was at a school filled with teenagers packed with hormons and all kinds of lusts. She put on a pouting face as he teased her by lifting his shirt. ''Aww.. Not fair!'', she said and laughed. ''But, be wary so I don't play the same trick with you, boy.'' Her voice strict as she smirked at Jason.

''Robin?! HA. As if.'', she said and flapped her arms. ''I'm Catwoman, remember?'' There was no way DK was going to be someone's sidekick. ''But no, I haven't heard of it. Besides, we'd have to make a completely new song, not steal one! Next time, I'll bring my guitar, and we'll work something out.'' Ah, yes. DK and her guitar, the love of her life. It was what had gotten her through a hard and poor life.

DK didn't pay much attention to what people on the street around them did or what they were wearing. But the second Jason stopped in front of a puddle, as did she. She didn't really see the problem as they were soaked already, but the boy had decided this was a good time for him to play Prince Charming, and so he did. He lifted her up and carried her over the puddle, and put her down back on the other side. ''Oh, thank you 'O so much, my handsome savior!'', she said with a dramatic tone added to her voice and bowed in front of him.

She loved it when people asked what her nickname DK stood for. Most people guessed Donkey Kong, and she didn't really blame them. Drift King on the other hand was a new one. She smiled as she peeked up at him. ''Dakota James.'', she replied and ran her hand through her hair. ''Some people call me DJ, but I prefer DK.''

[Jason Prowler]

“Of course of course, you’re Catwoman, how could I forget, she’s much sexier than Robin anyway”, he said in jest. Jason was pleasantly surprised to hear that DK played the guitar; he himself could also play but recently had some trouble. Jason would have to focus really hard when plucking the strings and every time he would relax and play how he wanted one of the strings would snap from the pressure. It was torturous because that was one of his favorite hobbies. “You play guitar? That’s awesome! We could write some lyrics together for our own theme song.” He said with a smile never mentioning that he could also play, Jason wanted to get more control of his power before bringing it up.

Jason was rather pleased with himself, DK obviously enjoying his chivalrous nature. “Well of course my lady.” He returned the bow and then offered his arm in invitation. “Shall we continue our journey madame?”

“Dakota James” he repeatedly slow and smooth. “Sounds like a famous actress.” Jason began to imitate the movie voiceover guy. “In a world where there is no longer hope and evil is rampant, who could be its savior? This summer, kicking more but than ever before, Dakota James, action hero.” He laughed. “Dakota James is such a pretty name though, I’m surprised you don’t use it more often. “

They were reaching the edge of the downtown area where what looked like the beginning of a forest. The paved roads and busy street buildings were slowly receding behind the two travelers as their feet began to tread along dirt roads. Smells of pine and spruce filled the air as the rain, now only lightly falling, grazed the trees in their pitter patter vibrations. A breeze whistled through the trees rustling the leaves, painted in their forest greens as they danced on their branches. The sounds of twigs breaking beneath their feet could be heard as the two went into the woods to search for the nearby lake. “I hope this is the right way.” Jason uttered with a little uncertainty as he peered at Dakota , her hair blowing in the breeze.