I'll Get You This Time (Anthony)

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak was really, really looking forward to starting college. New place, new beginnings.... She didn't have to worry about anyone knowing who she was or the reputation she had. She could meet new people and have new relationships and push forward with her life.

Of course, it wasn't all fun in games, though. Like textbook shopping. How the hell did schools get away with making this shit so expensive? Tak grunted as she picked up the third and last one she had to get for her math class, feeling both the physical weight and the monetary weight pulling her down. She hoped she actually got some good use out of these things.

Tak started heading over to the checkout line, and groaned internally when she caught sight of it. It was really long. The last thing she wanted to do was stand there for ages, but... Well, she didn't have much choice. So she shifted the heavy load in her arms and went to the end of the line, shaking some stray strands of hair out of her face. Tak hoped she could hold onto the books until it was hurt turn, but her arms were already starting to hurt. She'd never had great upper body strength.

[Deleted]

Anthony had, blessedly, finished getting everything in his new residence set up so that the place was, well, livable. He’d gotten a roommate, someone who went to the University of Vermont, but there was still an empty room that he hoped would be taken up pretty quickly. He wasn’t sure by who though….of course, his mind immediately went to hoping that maybe some hot girl would pick it up, but that was probably hoping too hard.

Sheesh, had he really gotten over Kailin that quickly? Was he really that shallow?

What else was he supposed to do? She wouldn’t even talk to him. It was like the Olivia incident all over again, only this time Anthony had actually screwed up.

Either way, moping about it wasn’t going to get him anywhere, especially not when he had things needing to be taken care of. Like getting his books for the upcoming semester. Sheesh, why were these so expensive?? It was insane!

Anthony had a total of four textbooks - English, Calculus, Chemistry, and Communication - and each one seemed like they could take out a pro-wrestler if it were to fall on his head. Luckily, he didn’t have the problem that most people did. It helped that he was a regular weight trainer. Now to go pay for them…

Of course, the first thing he noticed as he approached the line was a mass of long dark-brown hair on a very short woman. That stature looked strangely familiar too. As he stepped in line behind her, he twisted a bit forward, hoping to catch a glimpse of her face.

It couldn’t be…

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak was sort of spacing out as she stood in line, not really paying much attention to what was going on around her except for when she needed to step forward to keep the line moving. Her arms were starting to hurt more, and she shifted them again, grimacing as her muscles complained. She really needed to do some more weight lifting or something...

Movement caught her attention out of the corner of her eye, and Tak slowly came out of her daydreaming to glance in that direction. She did a double-take as she recognized the face she realized was looking at her. "Anthony?" she asked, lips curling into a grin. Tak turned so she was facing more towards him. There as no mistaking that face. "Wow, what are the chances?" she chuckled, shuffling forward a bit as the line moved. "You're taking classes here in the fall too?"

Maybe they'd have a class or two together. That would be nice. Tak still was determined to get him into her bed somehow, and maybe now she would have that opportunity. Her smirk stayed in place as she looked him up and down. She was dressed modestly in comparison to how he'd last seen her, but there was still a fair amount of leg and cleavage showing. "You haven't called or texted me at all," she chided him with a frown, trying to act hurt. "Do you not like me that much?"

[Deleted]

Oh wow. It was her! That Tak girl who….Anthony should be livid at her right now…if he actually thought anything was her fault. Well, maybe he blamed her a little bit, but Anthony wasn’t stupid enough to absolve himself of complete blame over what happened.

“Yeah,” he said with a nod. “Got all my basics.” He held up his four books with a cheery smile. Yup, he was taking a full load this semester, and a random elective that just required him to show up and participate on a day-to-day basis, or so he heard. Anthony inched forward after her as the line slowly grew shorter.

Slowly.

“What are you taking?” he asked, looking down at her books, wondering if any of them were the same as his. Maybe they would have a class together? Despite all the chaos between himself, Kailin, Tak, and of course Kodi(yes, he put some blame on that dentokinetic), Anthony was hoping they could be friendly, at least. It would be a lot nicer to have a friend in this place rather than to have to start from the ground up.

Anthony’s eyes did happen to follow down her full form, towards the areas she’d purposely exposed. He shook his head, attempting to stop himself.

“I…I should be pissed at you! My girlfriend broke up with me because of you!” Again, he knew it was mostly his own fault, but she tempted him and he was pretty sure by now that it was on purpose!

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak felt a swirl of emotions start to roll off the boy in waves; anger, guilt, frustration, lust... She immediately knew something had gone wrong in his life recently, and apparently seeing her had triggered these feelings. Tak had a pretty good guess what had happened, but she didn't mention anything.

She smiled and nodded at his books. "Looks like it," she replied, wondering how strong he must be to lift all four heavy books without obvious effort. Her arms were still burning, and she adjusted the books to rest against her hip to try to ease some of the weight.

"Let's see... I'm taking Biology, Calculus, and Mythology... Oh, and Speech." That class definitely wasn't something she was looking forward to, but it was required, so she figured she might as well get it out of the way. "What about you? Maybe we have something together and can help each other out," she added with a flirtatious wink.

Of course she noticed his wandering eyes, but Tak did nothing but smirk. Such a boy.

Her smirk faded as he started speaking again, and her brow slowly furrowed. "Because of me?" she repeated, starting to pout. "You didn't tell me you guys were together when I saw you last time. I'm sorry if I thought that meant you were available." Tak feigned hurt and turned away slightly. In reality, she felt a little guilty. But to be honest, she really didn't care that much; she was never a relationship sort of person anyway, and had a hard time caring that much about girls she didn't know. "Are you doing alright? Need someone to... Talk to?" Once again, Tak inched forward.

[Deleted]

“Oh, I’m taking Calculus too. Who’s your instructor? What time?” Anthony wasn’t sounding too eager, was he? He still had issues with this girl Tak, but he would rather be friends with her and have someone to talk to in this foreign environment than to be wandering through the experience alone, all by himself. Alone.

Dammit! Why couldn’t Salem have graduated too!

Sigh…Anthony hoped the boy was doing okay. After the chaos that happened with the blonde the other day, Anthony had been trying to be there for him more often, but it was hard when one was so far away and busy preparing for his next stage in life. Like college.

Anthony was, however, not amused by the ‘sad girl’ act she was putting on. “Right….do you always go around seducing men and breaking up relationships?” He was coming down a little hard on her…but probably still not hard enough. He scoffed at her offer. “Hey, I’m serious here! I should be really mad at you for doing that! I’ve been, like, legit in love with Kailin for the past three years and I only just found the guts to ask her out this year…and then you came along.” And everything came tumbling down in an instant. “Does it really amuse you that much?”

[Takchawee Ominotago]

"Um...." Tak struggled to pull out her schedule, and showed it to Anthony. "That professor at that time," she told him, pointing to the class listed. She wasn't sure what the chances were that they had the class together, but there was always a possibility, right? Tak wouldn't mind at all if they did. In fact, she would welcome it... And use it to her advantage.

Because teenage boys were fun. And she couldn't resist.

Tak shook her head and peered up at the taller boy, her brow furrowing more at his accusation. "Not always," she responded, slightly offended. "I have standards. And I don't mean to break people up. I think sometimes people just aren't meant to be together anyway." If he'd been that tempted, enough to risk his relationship with his girlfriend, then he obviously hadn't been that involved in the first place. Or so she told herself.

"Were you really?" she asked with a slight hint of disbelief. "I'm sorry if I'd be inclined to disagree. People in love don't let a pair of breasts and a few sweet words lead them to cheating." Tak didn't believe in all that 'true love' bullshit anyway, so it was easy for her to scoff silently. "Still, I'm sorry it happened. I know breakups are hard. And I'm not happy that I caused you both pain." That was true, at least. She was just more... Apathetic. Tak turned away a bit more and took a few steps forward. ".... So why aren't you mad at me?" she asked after a few moments, peeking back at Anthony again. "Since you said you 'should' be, not that you are."

[Deleted]

Anthony saw her struggling and considered taking some of those books off her hands…but then decided against it. Why should he? This was the girl who ruined the first and only relationship he’d ever had, and probably ever will(he’s pessimistic)!! Why should he help this itty-bitty person carry a pile of books that probably equaled half her weight….

Anthony sighed. “Here, let me get those while you…” Anthony took a couple of her books and placed them on his own pile, making it easier for the girl to negotiate herself into finding and showing him the class schedule. He peered down into it. “Huh…well, what do you know? That’s the same class I have.” Interesting coincidence. Probably not, that teacher only had three classes, so there was a one in three chance that they’d get the same one(then again, there were 3 teachers who taught calculus too and Anthony wasn’t factoring those in. Lol, he definitely needs the class if that’s the case!).

“Not always? So you do sometimes??” Anthony should have know, considering the rumors that were surrounding this girl…no that wasn’t fair, but she hadn’t really done much to make him think they were untrue either. “And you think you’re qualified to make that judgment because….?” He left the question open ended, hoping she’d provide him with the ending.

Anthony grunted, irritated. “Yes, I was!” Anthony was perfectly aware of what his feelings were! He’d do anything for Kailin! The only reason this happened was because… Anthony sighed. “Because I’m not stupid. And I know I’m the one who screwed up and let it go farther than it should have.” Anthony should have stopped it the first moment he thought he should have. And he didn’t. That was where he messed up. “I mean, I’m not saying you’re not completely without blame, but I at least I’m not putting it all on you.”

And Anthony learned an important lesson from all this. If you’re going to keep a secret, make sure nobody knows who could possibly tell the person you don’t want to know most. Also, commitment was hard.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak blinked in surprise as Anthony took her books, but didn't reject the help. "You're so sweet," she murmured, managing to hold onto her other books as she pulled out the schedule. "And strong... Wow. I'd like to feel those muscles up." She eyed his biceps for a moment before looking back to Anthony, trying a faint smile. "Oh, really?" Tak's smile widened. "That's... That's great! It will be nice having someone in the class that I know. I don't suck at math or anything, but it's not my favorite subject." She winked. "We can have study sessions or something." Mmm. She really wanted to bring Anthony back to her apartment while Gryph was away...

Her brow furrowed, though, at his continued questions. "I don't purposefully seek out boys in relationships and try to get them to break up, if that's what you're asking," she replied, a little hurt. "I just flirt with men I find attractive. Is that wrong?" Guys did it with women all the time, and no one blinked an eye. "I don't make the judgement. If someone isn't interested, then they tell me, and I move on. When a man touches my breasts and kisses me despite having a girlfriend, that's when I figure something's up."

Fair enough, right?

She smiled sadly but said nothing when Anthony defended his feelings. Whatever he thought. Tak just nodded when he went on, stepping forward a few more steps as the line moved. "I think... Personally... You're just not ready to be held down to a relationship yet," she told him slowly, cautiously. "You're young, and relationships are a lot of work and commitment. They're not for everyone, even if you do have feelings for someone." Herself included. "So... I don't know. Take my advice if you want it, but I understand if you don't want to."

She took another step forward. They were getting close to the counter. "But you know, now that you're single, you can take advantage of it," she shrugged. "Find hot people to be casual with, as long as everyone gives consent. It's worked for me for a while." Tak didn't want any relationship anytime soon.

[Deleted]

“Don’t mention it,” he said dryly. Sometimes he felt like he was too nice for his own good. Especially to the person who single-handedly(or no-handedly) ruined his last relationship. Though her compliment about his muscles…no! He will not be deceived! “Yeah, that’s the same thing I was thinking. Not my favorite(or best) subject, but better to know someone there than not know someone.” And then they could have study sessions…right, “study” sessions. “Are you sure you just want to study? You aren’t trying to pull me into something else, are you?” Anthony was fooled once by his own weak will, he wasn’t going to succumb to her wiles so easily a second time.

Nope.

“No, it’s not…but I told you I had a girlfriend,” he said, just a little bit irritated. “You should have stopped as soon as I said that.” If she had, then Anthony wouldn’t have been tempted so much. “I didn’t fall on top of you on purpose.” He just didn’t know how to get up without making it worse. Without…touching her more. “And the kiss….yeah, I admit, that was my bad, shouldn’t have done it.” That was a stupid move on his part.

Anthony followed beside her, moving along slowly with the line. “I…I don’t think you’re qualified to make that decision,” he said. Anthony sighed. “You might be right. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like the idea of having that one person. Or trying to find them….I was hoping that that would be Kailin.” But looking back on it, maybe she was right. Not in that Anthony was a person not to be tied down, but the relationship itself. Anthony was happy with how it was…but he had other needs too. A boys needs. And…Anthony couldn’t picture Kailin ever being ready to take that step, at least not for a long time. Maybe it was just a bad match up to begin with. “I don’t know….I just wish it hadn’t ended so quickly over something so….small. She just ended it when she found out. Didn’t even want to try again and give it another chance….I know I could do better if she’d just…” And now Anthony was just putting the blame on Kailin. He really was a douchbag, wasn’t he?

Tak was right about one thing. Now that he wasn’t in a relationship anymore, he could use the opportunity to try out other girls. He didn’t want to be labeled as a player or anything though. Talking to girls wasn’t the problem. It was having feelings for them that tripped him up so much. “I’m not even sure if I’m ready for that, honestly.” He was still a virgin, after all. “I’m not sure I want casual either. I kind of want it all to be….special, you know?”

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak blinked innocently at Anthony's suspicions, which he of course was totally right about, but she wouldn't tell him that. "What else would I have us do?" she asked with a bat of her eyelashes. "I want to pass my classes. And that means studying." Tak had never actually even tried study sessions before, but... Oh who was she kidding, she wasn't going to let them study at all.

"You did," she said apologetically,"And I'm sorry I didn't stop right away. I... I've just been so lonely lately, and when such an attractive guy just comes falling on top of me... How was I supposed to contain myself?" Tak gave Anthony the big doe eyes she'd perfected over the years (mostly because her name, literally, meant doe, and it was fun to play innocent sometimes). "Will you ever forgive me?" She didn't comment about the kiss; she'd enjoyed that immensely.

She let him talk, scooting closer and closer to the counter until they were next in line. "Do you believe in fate?" Tak quipped at him. "Because maybe there's someone out there just around the corner that you find is far more suitable for you. Someone who can better fill your... Needs, and make you happy." Of course she knew what Anthony wanted, even without her ability. He was a teenage boy, for goodness' sake. "It's in the past now," she finished off as she was called to the counter. "I think it's best to look to the future and try not to dwell too much on 'could haves' or 'should haves'."

The quick (and expensive) purchase of her books kept her from responding to Anthony's last comments until everything was paid for and they were stepping away from the counter. "Damn, that was a lot," Tak muttered as she looked at her receipt. "Anyway... I get that," she finally responded, glancing up at the taller boy. "At least, I understand why. I thought it was special when I lost my virginity too, but that guy, my boyfriend, turned out to be a complete jackass and I regret doing it," she went on wryly. "Never been in a relationship since." Too much emotional trauma.

[Deleted]

Anthony didn’t believe her for a second. Almost. It was true, he wanted to pass his classes too, and he was sure she did too, but….something told him that it was just as likely that these “study sessions” were going to end up with specific “extracurricular activities”, which made him wary. And Anthony wasn’t sure if he wanted to get into that with her, considering the hype she’d dredged up over the past couple months. It seemed like he just couldn’t get rid of her.

But…dammit, when she pouted up at him like that, it was hard to hold a grudge against her. He said he wasn’t mad…well, he wasn’t, kinda, but yes maybe a little…but it really was hard to commit, especially when she was so darned cute and…when Anthony knew it was mostly his own fault anyway. Anthony sighed. “Well…when you ask me like that….” He smirked. “I guess I can forgive you.”

Anthony raised an eyebrow. “Fate? Kinda…I don’t know, maybe?” Sort of. Like, he like the idea of “make your own fate”, but who was to say that what you thought you were doing of your own free will, might just have been a part of the plan to begin with? It was hard to tell. “I don’t know about finding the “right” person to fulfill my “needs” or whatever, but…I don’t know, I guess I can see your point with the not dwelling part.” Anthony didn’t like to dwell.

Anthony waited patiently as she paid for her books, setting the ones which were hers upon the counter for the cashier to scan. When she was done, Anthony took his own stack and promptly paid for them himself. Whoo, it was a doozy, why were textbooks so freaking expensive?? “Yeah, my poor wallet,” he joked with a playful sob in his voice. But now they were back to the original conversation. “He was? I’m sorry.” What else was he supposed to say to that kind of admission.

He walked with her out of the bookstore. “So…are you walking home? Or do you have a ride?” May as well put it out there. You know, to be polite.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Hahaaa, Tak had gotten to him, and she knew it. A faint spark of smugness might have flashed in her eyes, but she hid it behind a ‘relieved’ sigh and a smile. “Oh, thank goodness,” she breathed, seeming to relax a little. “I was so worried you wouldn’t say that. Thank you, hun.” She reached out and squeezed his arm, keeping contact for perhaps a moment longer than she needed to before letting go.

She just let him ramble about the whole fate thing, nodding along with what Anthony was saying. “I think we probably all have several people in the world that could work for us, to be honest,” he mused. “I mean… What are the chances of anyone finding ‘the one’ when there are billions of people?” It was ridiculous. “And good. Dwelling does nothing but make people have regrets, and I want to have as few of those as possible.” It wasn’t healthy to be stuck on the past, Tak knew.

She flashed him another flirty smile as he continued to help with her books, though she really was thankful that he was giving his assistance. “I know what you mean,” she chuckled. “I’ve been working at a diner for several weeks now and I swear I just spent the majority of it here.” Thank goodness for loans and scholarships. “Oh, don’t be,” Tak replied with a wave of her hand. “It’s in the past, and I learned a lot from it.” Mostly, don’t trust men with your emotions, because you’ll be disappointed.

“Hmm?” she hummed, sauntering alongside the taller boy outside. “Oh, I just took the bus. I’ll probably have to wait for a bit until the next one gets here, but… I think I’ll manage alright.” Tak batted her eyelashes at Anthony again. “What about you? You probably have a big truck or something, am I right?” He seemed like the type that might.

[Deleted]

Ughh…she got him. Hook, line, and sinker, Tak had Anthony pretty much wrapped around her finger. And the worst part was that Anthony knew it! He couldn’t believe himself for being so weak-willed, but he rationalized it by convincing himself that they were most definitely just going to study. Nothing…no surprises…nope….

Sigh…

“Well, I also think that that could be true too. I mean, regarding fate, what if your fate is not to be with any one person. But it is for someone else. There’s no rule that says fate has to only include one person for one person, right? And so, if you end up with those several people, how can you be so sure that it wasn’t fate who decided that that’s what it wanted for you?” Did that make any sense? It did to Anthony. At least they agreed on the ‘not dwelling’ part.

“Okay,” he replied. If she said it was okay, then it was okay.

Anthony shook his head. “No, not a truck. Just the old Volvo from the 1800s.” His first car and stupid cheap to get, but it got the job done. His dad wouldn’t help him get a better one until he’d had a few years of driving under his belt. “But…hey, I can give you a ride, if you’d like. I mean, you couldn’t even carry those books to the register. It’d probably help if you didn’t have to carry them all the way home too.” Anthony flashed a smile, hopefully in that playful way to show he was joking, but was serious about the offer.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak chuckled at what Anthony was saying, slowly nodding as they walked. “Yeah, it’s… It’s just really weird to think about, I guess,” she replied. “I really hope my fate isn’t to constantly go after assholes,” she added wryly. “Not that you are, by a long shot. You’re one of the most gentlemanly men I’ve met in a good long while.” Tak sent Anthony a genuine smile. “So…. Thank you.”

“A Volvo from the 1800s, huh?” she repeated, her smile widening in amusement. “Wow, I’m surprised it still runs.” Sarcasm, of course. “Better than me. I haven’t even had the chance to get my license after everything that’s been going on in my life.” Tak blinked and glanced up at the taller boy at the offer, not surprised by it, but pleased nonetheless. “Would you mind terribly? I would appreciate it so much, otherwise I might have to call Gryph to help carry these all upstairs.” When they reached the car, Tak set her books inside on the seat and then reached up to peck Anthony on the cheek. “Thank you, hun. They really don’t make boys like you much anymore.”

She hopped into the passenger seat and folded her hands into her lap after buckling in. “It’s about fifteen minutes away, towards the University,” Tak told him, shaking some loose strands of hair out of her face. She would give him clearer directions when they got closer. “And… I’m happy to pay for the gas.” Maybe not just in money… Heh.