Resurfacing

[Oliver Seabrooke]

"Wait - you went to Hammel too?" Oliver blinked, then let out a small laugh. "I graduated from there about... Five years ago now? Actually... I'm working there now as a dorm monitor." Since he'd had to leave the band, he'd had to find a job somewhere, and without a college education, they were rather limited. He rubbed the back of his head, still smiling. "Too bad we didn't know each other. We could have bonded over being different."

His grin widened despite himself. "You better have a good headline, then," he teased. Oliver was finally starting to really relax and open up around the girl. Of course, the idea of an article about him wasn't all that great in his eyes, but.... He and the band had been in them before.

"Well, you're definitely not a bad-looking type of person that looks older than they are," he replied, realizing only afterwards how awkward that sounded. "Er, I mean..." He glanced away, fumbling, before snorting at himself and shaking his head. "Forget I said that." He'd meant to flatter her; he hoped she took it as such. However, Oliver was glad she accepted. "Sounds great," he smiled, nodding into the distance. "Is it in walking distance? I, um, rode the bus over." He didn't explain why.

[Jade Parrish]

"Yep! Four years of that shit and I'm still scarred from it two years later. It's like high school on crack," Jade told him, although now she was looking at him in a different way, trying to peg him for his power. "And sorry about your job. That's gotta be rough. I know I was a bitch about rules when I went there, so I apologize for anybody who followed in my footsteps." She grinned at him, about what he said about bonding. She was sure they could have bonded over a lot more. Mostly music, because he had kickass taste. She wanted to know more about him. Typical Jade.

Jade was about to say something once more when he made a comment that was incredibly confusing, even for her. She found herself laughing, brushing a strand of raven hair out of her face. "Thanks, I think." She smirked. "But seriously, that was the lamest thing I ever heard. It's a good thing you've got me. I'm awesome at flirting." She winked at him, trying to make him feel more comfortable, but when she tried that it usually had the opposite effect on people.

"No, not really. But you're lucky because my car is here. It's at the mall. Starbucks. I've been working there for a few years."

[Oliver Seabrooke]

Oliver, too, was curious about Jade's ability - powers intrigued him, especially since his was so low-key and really only made him sick sometimes. Other than that, it was somewhat purposeless, although it did make him become aware of how much people were really damaging the environment. "It's not the most fun job, no," he agreed with a small sigh. "Being a regular dorm monitor would be hard enough; it's even worse when the little buggers can turn invisible or walk through walls..." Ollie trailed off, then let out an exasperated laugh. "I wish there were more people my age around."

His cheeks flushed deeply as Jade laughed at his awkward strike at a compliment, and he tried to chuckle back, but it was weak as he stared with embarrassment at the ground. "I don't get out of the dorms much," he offered as way of explanation. He was glad, though, she didn't seem put off by it too much; the wink just made him smile awkwardly. "That's.... Good. I think." Were they still flirting? What was this?

"Ahh, that's good then," he nodded, looking around for a car as though he'd spot it out. "Although... I, uh, I've always been told it's dangerous to get in cars with strangers." His smile turned more amused, glad he was able to think of something at least a little wittier to say. "How do I know you're actually taking me for coffee?" Assuming Jade started walking towards her car, Oliver followed after, wondering just what he was getting into.

[Jade Parrish]

"Oh, I can imagine it gets pretty crazy, but now I'm sort of wishing I was still a student. You probably wouldn't have liked me then anyway. That place drove me crazy." It wasn't that she was some rebellious teenager, it was just that she'd acted out because she was pissed. She was pissed at her ability, pissed at being at a place for it because she wanted nothing to do with it. It wasn't an ability, it was a way to hurt people and Jade had no idea why the universe decided it was a good idea to give her a power like that. A power that could only be abused if it was in the wrong hands. And years ago when she manifested, it had been the wrong hands. Because she was young and incapable of knowing how to use it.

"Well, we'll have to work on that, now won't we?" She couldn't imagine being in those stuffy dorms all the time, but then again, it was his job. He did have to monitor, but still, what a sucky job. At least it probably paid better than hers. "I get out a lot. Some say too much." She grinned at him. An excuse to wiggle her way into his life and take him out. Yeah, that's what that was.

She began walking as Oliver followed, picking up her pace a little as it was a little too cold for a dress at this time of year in Vermont. When she heard his comment, she smirked, whipping around to look at him as she walked. The playful banter. He was doing it right. It amused her, his attempt to be witty. "Well, you're the one who asked me out for coffee...or wait, alcohol first," she reminded him. "So if I do anything but that, then it's your fault for being attracted to me in the first place." She pressed the unlock button on her keys, satisfied with her answer. Her car beeped and she smiled over at Oliver. "Come on, it's not a white van with no windows." It was her baby. A black Honda Civic.

[Oliver Seabrooke]

Ollie smirked at Jade's comments. "I'm sure you wouldn't be too bad. Can't be any worse than my cousins, at least," he mumbled. The two twins were an absolute nightmare, especially now that they were gestalts. "I wish I could just think of a way to be more intimidating so they wouldn't try to get away with so much," he sighed. He was strict, but there was only so much Oliver was allowed to do. If he had it his way, there would be less tolerance of misbehavior, especially the kind that woke him up in the middle of the night from students complaining about suspicious noises next door...

"I could get out more than I do..." he admitted. "I just... Don't really have reason to." And besides, getting around now was a lot harder than it used to be. He still wasn't completely used to it. At Jade's words, he sent her a surprised, uncertain smile. "Is that an offer?" he had to ask. Oliver couldn't be certain.

All was going fine until the word attracted came up, and Oliver's eyes widened in surprise as he began to stammer intelligibly. "That's not... I wasn't... I didn't say..." Oh, he was pathetic. Oliver let out an embarrassed laugh and rubbed the back of his head. "You're too... Good at this," he mumbled. But wait, did that mean... Maybe... She could be attracted to him too...? The thought hadn't even crossed his mind yet. With another chuckle, he scooted into her car, closing the door with a quick snap. "Alright, then... Um, allons-y?" Oh, did he really just say that? He could have cringed.

[Jade Parrish]

"I don't mean to be rude, but Oliver...you're anything but intimidating," Jade told him, a laugh in her voice. She was jut being honest and while Jade found that she was often a little too intimidating, Oliver wasn't anywhere near enough. God, being a dorm monitor must suck.

"Exactly!" Jade told him, punching him in the arm maybe a little too hard. For being small, she didn't realize her own strength. "And yes it's an offer, now you have a reason to get out!" And she wanted to be that reason, which she was finding incredibly odd when she thought it.

She chuckled at his awkward response. "Calm down, Ollie. I was using the term loosely. You know, like you were attracted to me...you wanted to talk to me. Or maybe it's that kick in the head I gave you that made you dumb enough to talk to me." She was going on and on, joking and continuing the flirting and he seemed lost, flailing around. It amused her and yet she knew that she should probably tone it down. "Sorry. I am really good at this. I've spent years flirting, although it never usually goes beyond that." She shrugged and started up her car, looking over at him with a wink. "Allons-y," she declared back, grinning.

[Oliver Seabrooke]

Oliver visibly cringed at Jade's honesty, then managed to let out a small laugh. "Wow, harsh!" he complained. "Well, if you're such an... Expert at intimidation, why don't you give me a tip or two?" Or, better yet, come help him take care of the little wankers herself. He kept getting thrown off by how bold and quick this girl was. It was... A breath of fresh air, really.

He winced again as she punched him; it didn't hurt, but it was another surprise, and he feigned hurt as he pouted in her direction. "Not one of the worst offers I've gotten," he mused. "As long as you're not going to beat me up, or something." Ollie couldn't make it too obvious he was very interested in getting to know her past tonight.

When she told him to calm down, he just grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck again. "Yeah, alright," he mumbled, hoping his blush wouldn't show in the dim light. The mention of the kick in the head made him laugh. "That's it. You gave me brain damage. Thanks a lot." He sent her a sideways smile to show he was joking. At the comment about her not ever getting past flirting, Oliver went a little quiet, pondering this. "Well, I've hardly ever even made it to flirting, so you've got me there," he replied a little quieter. The only reason he'd gotten any luck at all was because he hooked up with his best friend... And that one girl on tour that he hardly remembered because he was drunk. His eyes lit up as she responded in kind to his nerdy exclamation, and he laughed again as he leaned back and relaxed in the seat. He wondered... If it might be too much to ask if she could take him back to Hammel afterwards. "I... Better get back before too long, you know. Being a dorm monitor's a constant job, so we'll have to make this quick," he told her apologetically.

[Jade Parrish]

"Maybe, but at least I'm honest. Sometimes harsh and honest are the same thing," Jade offered to Oliver with a laugh. "And I have lots of tips for you. Although I'm not sure you'll benefit from me telling you them. Maybe I ought to take your job." She smirked. She wasn't really out to steal his job. After all, she really didn't want to be back at Hammel and she was still in college, working hard, taking names. The usual.

"And I'm glad you've gotten worse offers," she said with a roll of her eyes. "Nah, I'm not violent. At least not usually. Although I do throw a mean punch even if I am small, so beware." She liked that he was learning how to play along, he was catching on really well, keeping up with her speed, something that shocked her and intrigued her at the same time.

"Man, are we playing 'who's gone further?' now?" Jade laughed. It seemed like such a high school thing to do. "You're telling me you're twenty-three years old and you haven't made it past flirting? Or what--do you not even flirt and get straight to the bangin'? Because flirting is the best part." Everything leading up to it was the best part. Sometimes Jade thought it was all together better than the sex itself which is maybe why she didn't go that far yet.

"Okay, okay, relax, I won't keep you out past your curfew," she said as she peeled down the street. "It doesn't take that long to have a cup of coffee, you know." But she didn't want this to end. Oliver was a breath of fresh air. He was different and she liked that.

She pulled up in front of the mall not too much later, near the entrance to Starbucks.

[Oliver Seabrooke]

Honest. Yeah, she was definitely that, and it was nice to actually hear it rather than get fed lies and exaggerations from people all the time. Oliver respected and appreciated it, even if it was hard to hear. "Like hell you'll take my job!" he laughed. "I'd have a hard time finding anywhere else with the same benefits, if I could find anywhere else to work at all." He had no job experience in anything other than music and some bullshit retail job he had when he was a kid; he was very fortunate that Hammel had hired him.

"Thanks for warning me," he chuckled, still rubbing where she'd hit him. "I'll make sure not to get on your bad side." Her feistiness was definitely intriguing too. Intimidating, but intriguing.

Oh, God. How the hell was he supposed to respond to this? "Er...." Ollie mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "I just don't get flirting, I guess. Or at least, never do it intentionally?" Before now, that was. "And I've only, uh, gone all the way with two people in my life. Just to be clear." Was that pathetic? Should he be ashamed of that? Whatever. Based on Jade's actions, he assumed she'd seen more than he had. "Was always busy on the road, I guess." That was only part of an excuse. The other being he'd never found anyone that he really found interesting enough to want to get that close to besides Zach, and that was different.

"I know, I know," he let out a breathy laugh. "Just don't want to get fired." And that really was why; he'd be happy to spend more time out of the dorms as long as he had pleasant company like this, but he was sure Ella and Zeb would want him back soon. As they pulled up to the mall, Oliver stepped out and stretched, taking careful steps in the dark towards the coffee shop - he had a much harder time getting around at night. He hoped Jade didn't notice. "Thanks for driving us here," he told her with a small smile as he stepped up and held the door open. He wasn't purposefully trying to be 'chivalrous', but it seemed the polite thing to do.

[Jade Parrish]

"I guess it's true then. Once a Hammelite, always a Hammelite. Somehow I feel like we all end up going back in one way or another," Jade mused. She'd even been back there a few times herself, mostly because she got attached to people younger than her and treated them like siblings. "You might have to fight me for it." She smirked at him, it was like a game and he didn't seem to mind playing along.

"Good," she declared, although she had a feeling he wouldn't be getting on her bad side anytime soon.

It was amusing, the way he was acting. Mostly because Jade knew what he was thinking, not because she was telepathic, but because she could tell by the hesitation and the awkward tone in his voice. He was sure she'd gone farther than him and with many more people. She was used to it. "You didn't have to answer me!" She laughed. "Just so you know, I may ask a lot of questions and try to get in your business, but if you don't want to answer, then don't." She winked over at him. "Because I'm sure I'll ask a lot of questions." But she smiled at him. "Nice, nice. You can still count on one hand. So can I." She held up her own hand, although all of her fingers were down, so it was just her fist. She wasn't ashamed of it. What was there to be ashamed about anyway? Who cared? It was more or less just entertaining to see people's faces when they found out she was a virgin and they hadn't expected it. She loved the shock factor she had with that.

"I wouldn't want you to get fired either," she agreed as they got out of her car and she locked it behind them, following him to the doors of Starbucks. "No problem. I could always go for some caffeine." He'd opened the door for her and she rolled her eyes, although she did appreciate the gesture. "Chivalry isn't dead, eh?"

[Oliver Seabrooke]

You might have to fight me for it. Oliver groaned. "Well, if you really want to try to control little monsters 24/7, be my guest," he teased. Even if he wasn't planning on leaving his job anytime soon, it still wasn't all that fun a lot of the time. Maybe he'd have to have her around sometime to see it.

Had he made things awkward, confessing his near-virginity to someone he barely knew? Whatever, too late to go back now. Ollie just hoped he wasn't as awkward as he felt (he was). "I didn't want to not answer you," he mumbled, blushing. "I mean, it's... It's not all that important to me, really." Agh, that made him wince; it sounded like he didn't care about sexual relationships at all. "But, uh, thanks for the reassurance," he added with a weak smile. He blinked as she held up her hand with all of her fingers in; it did surprise him. She was so flirtatious, he thought maybe she was one of those casual-relation type girls, which would have been fine with him too. This... This was even more interesting. "Well.... We have that in common, at least," he finally said, referring to the ability to be able to count their partners on one hand. "It's been.... A long time for me, anyway." When was his second time? Two, three years ago? He hardly even remembered it...

"Oh, really? I thought you wanted to steal my job," he joked, waiting for Jade to walk beside him. "Yeah... Me too. Especially when the little buggers keep me up all night." He stepped inside after she did, giving an embarrassed smile. "It seemed like a polite thing to do," he replied uncertainly. It took him only a few minutes to get his order, and he waited for Jade to do the same; soon enough, the drinks were ready and Oliver was gratefully sipping at his coffee. "Thanks again," he said, self-consciously brushing some bangs over the faded scar on his forehead now that they were in brighter lighting.

[Jade Parrish]

Jade didn't know his job, she hadn't had the job, but she could only imagine how annoying it would be. She wouldn't want it. And she was realizing the more they talked about it, that he didn't want it either. She could just tell, although she wasn't going to just straight up tell him to quit until she saw him actually working it. For once, she was holding back and knew her place.

"I wouldn't worry about it," she told him. "It's always better after a long time, isn't it?" She winked and went into the door, the warm air of Starbucks greeting him. Maybe this would work out.