Swallow My Pride

[Carter Chevalier]

[Jacelynn: Exactly.]

Carter's answer was simple, but that was all it required. He understood now that she could see his train of thought. It made him feel relief that he'd bothered to tell her in the first place.

He smirked at her message. She was right. Chevalier's learned from the best.

[Jacelynn: Learning from the best, I believe.]

Even as she continued on, he found himself growing more and more amused by the situation. Carter would easily express that he was glad she messaged him, but at that point in time, it didn't feel prominent.

[Jacelynn: I'll have to keep that in mind.]

[Jacelynn Heron]

To: Cart

Can't wait to see what happens when your learning is done

They both knew he was plenty charming without needing more lessons, but if he was still learning, she didn't want to know what he'd be able to do to her afterwards. It was bad enough she had fallen once. She wasn't about to let it happen so easily this time. Hence her last message.

To: Cart

Good ;P

God this was driving her crazy, being so happy about talking to him, but so frustrated because she didn't want a repeat of previous events. She wanted friendship, but she knew she also wanted more than that and that she likely wouldn't get it. Especially if she didn't have the guts to tell him what she wanted. And for now, she didn't.

To: Cart

I know this is a totally lame topic, but I'm curious so sue me How's school been?

[Carter Chevalier]

Carter chuckled at the simplicity of her message. Good, she'd said. It was enough to prompt Dom coming back over to ask him what he was laughing at. Again, Carter opted not to really tell him. Dom could already denote that he was talking to someone who flagged his interest.

[Jacelynn: Good, actually. I think I might actually graduate this time around.]

He recalled knowing her around the time he'd found out he'd have to stay for another year.

[Jacelynn: I might stay for the college here, if I like it enough.]

[Jacelynn Heron]

Jacelynn smiled at his answer, happy that school life was treating him well. She'd been hoping he would graduate this year because he simply was too smart to still be in high school in her opinion anyway. Though, she had been surprised she hadn't been stuck there another year with some of the classes she'd slacked on. An art major didn't need math.

To: Cart

That's great! :3 I'm happy for you

When he told her that he might be sticking around Vermont, she had to admit, she was a little surprised. She'd have pegged him for one of the types that would escape Pilot Ridge the first chance he got. But it brought a smile to her lips and she actually found herself excited.

To: Cart

The school really isn't bad. It offers a lot of great classes. But don't let me sway your decision

Not that she figured he would ever do anything just for a random girl, especially if he didn't want to do it at all.

[Carter Chevalier]

Carter felt genuinely glad she felt happy for him. He believed her, too. He wouldn't say that about many people. Most looked at the concept of a late graduation with disdain. He had, when he was held back.

[Jacelynn: As am I.]

Truthfully, he didn't know how to reply to her next message. Compared to his other college choices, UVM was an absolute waste of time. He knew his mother would quickly see it that way. But there were factors in place - the foremost being that Carter was an adult who could make his own life choices.

[Jacelynn: As much as I dislike Vermont, I might find reason to stay.]

[Jacelynn Heron]

To: Cart

Can't say I wouldn't be happy to have a familiar face around here.

Seeing as how she rarely talked to anyone that went to the uni, she just kind of kept to herself. Half of her friends were still back at Hammel. Carter included. It was sucky not having anyone to talk to on the way to class. No one to meet up with for lunch. She was in loner mode, and it made her feel pathetic.

To: Cart

Any ideas on what you'd want to major in, regardless of where you go?

[Carter Chevalier]

[Jacelynn: My thoughts exactly.]

Truthfully, the more Carter thought about leaving, the more he felt like he couldn't. He'd made a lot of connections in his time at Pilot Ridge. And some of those connections had followed him there in the first place. Nevertheless, he felt the very concept wouldn't go well with Dominique. It was clear his brother had every intention of leaving.

He... Hadn't managed to bring it up yet.

[Jacelynn: Business, I'd suspect.]

[Jacelynn: If Dominique stays, I'd expect he'll choose the same.]

[Jacelynn Heron]

When he answered that he'd major in business, she couldn't say she was all that surprised. This was Carter, he was full of logical thought and business was full of logical nonsense that Jacelynn couldn't say she'd ever be able to study. She was a little surprised he wasn't going to do anything artistic, since he was a painter. Then again, not everyone wanted a hobby to turn into a job. Hence why she wasn't going into anything having to do with cars.

To: Cart

Well you'd definitely rock a nice suit and tie look :3

When he sent the message about 'if' Dom stayed, she found herself a little taken back by it. She'd always thought it was sort of a package deal with them. Where one went, the other was close behind.

To: Cart

Would he leave if you stayed?

Jace didn't know much about his brother, or the details of their relationship, so maybe she as assuming too much in thinking they had to be together at all times. It just seemed to her that twins were typically very close or very distant from each other. This coming from an only child.

[Carter Chevalier]

The concept of a suit and tie look had him grinning again, this time involuntarily chuckling to himself. By now his brother, uncle and father had given up really trying to interact with him. They seemed to understand why.

[Jacelynn: I already do. You just haven't had the fortune of seeing it.]

But the posed question about hisbrother had him thinking again, and Carter very briefly turned his eyes to his slightly younger, slightly taller twin with mild dismay.

[Jacelynn: He has less keeping him here. It means he has more reasons to want to leave.]

But that didn't feel right enough, so he continued on.

[Jacelynn: I mightn't be enough to anchor him.]

[Jacelynn Heron]

Jacelynn snorted out a laugh and pursed her lips. She heard her mother calling from downstairs, but ignored it. She could just blame it on the music that was playing in the background that had blocked out her mother's voice. That was the beauty of having a mother who didn't understand her ability in the slightest.

To: Cart

Well may I say that I do so hope I am fortunate enough to see it one day

Jace couldn't say she would mind it. Being a potential fashion photographer, she had an eye for things like that. His facial structure and the elegant curves of his muscular body would just be accentuated by a suit that was tailored well.

His answer made her nod to herself. She could understand not having very many ties in Vermont. But he did have Carter and she'd always just guessed that would be enough for both of them.

To: Cart

I guess I'm just surprised at the idea of you two not being in the same place.

To: Cart

Maybe it's just me, but I always figured it was sort of a package deal, ya know?

[Carter Chevalier]

It took him a minute or so to respond to her set of messages about Dom. Partly because he didn't know what to say. He'd gone from smiling and chuckling to himself to pressing his mouth into a hardened line. It prompted his uncle to ask him what was wrong, so he first had to dodge that conversation before he could think properly.

[Jacelynn: You're not the first to see it that way.]

It was all he offered on the subject.

[Jacelynn: I should go. My uncle has been glaring at me for some time.]

[Jacelynn Heron]

Jacelynn's face fell as soon as she read the second message and she instantly regretted saying anything at all. Of course she couldn't say she was surprised. She'd knew that there would be something she said that ended the conversation before she wanted it to end. She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed.

To: Cart

Sorry. Guess I'll talk to you later? Or something...

She frowned and shook her head, that wasn't what she wanted to say. But what else was there? Jace bit her lower lip.

To: Cart

Can I see you when you get back?

[Carter Chevalier]

At first, Carter didn't respond. Usually when he sent messages of that nature, that was it for the conversation at hand. But he searched the screen anyway, as if trying his best to think of a decent response.

[Jacelynn: Of course.]

Because he meant it. Every time he told her he wanted to reconnect with her, he meant it.