Faded [Jen]

[Lucas Blacke]

It had taken a long time to finally look through all the pictures on his phone without anyone around, and it also took some time before his mind got a bit of a jolt as he looked at a picture he had on there that was of something he only recognized as himself, but with some scribbling on his forehead. He had blocked that entire time of his life out but he finally remembered that the thing on his forehead on the picture was a phonenumber, he even remembered (with some help) that it took a good amount of time before he got it off. Luckily not before writing it down.

The time he had gone through had been nagging at his brain and he had constantly been looking for someone to help him through it, and with that memory of her raked up he knew she could just be what he needed. Maybe she was a one off thing, maybe she wanted just simple playthings instead of men with depth. And maybe, just maybe that was what he needed despite it being what he abhored. He never would have thought meaningless sex, even the thought of it would do anything for him, but from the little he remembered he did remember it being good, which was the exact opposite of how he had been feeling lately.

He looked around his room form the slip of paper he had written the number on with the help of a mirror and some thinking, turning mirror-images around to jolt down so he could see it clearly. When he found it he navigated his phone to the area he could enter phonenumbers, his most recent calls catching his eye before he realised witth a shrug that they had nothing to do with what he was up to, not now at least.

He entered the number and pressed ''call'', bringing the device to his hear and gulping lightly.
What if she had forgotten him?

[Jen Mitchellson]

"Oh, come ON!" Jen yelled at her screen, waving a hand to it, "Dammit, Arno! Get in the blasted stairs! Why the hell are you climbing the window for! THERE'S A STAIR CASE RIGHT THERE!" And the guard got her. Desynchronised. Of course. "Fuck you, Arno." She muttered at the screen as she dropped her controller next to her in a fit. Stupid game, no wonder it got so many bad reviews.

Jen sat in the couch with her legs crossed and sighed. So maybe she should've used her time better than to play a bad game, but what else was she supposed to do apart from that? School work? She almost snorted at the thought. Nah, some days were meant to stay in, wearing unsexy house clothes and yell at a French bastard for hours.

Just then her phone rang and she raised an eyebrow at the screen. Unknown number, just what she needed. With a disgruntled sigh she tapped the screen and placed the phone next to her ear, dropping backwards on the sofa and stretching her legs out.

"I so hope this is Ubisoft with an apology." She joked on the phone, "If so, don't worry about it. Just send me a check for the 60 bucks I spent on this monstrosity and we can call it even."

[Lucas Blacke]

When the tone finally changed and the call was answered he kinda felt like he should have hung up right then and there, like he had done with his parents the instant they answered, but this was slightly different as he and Jen bore no actual ties to each other, except that one accidental hook up in the gym that one time. And though he would look back on it with joy and would argue it was not an accident, he found he could cope slightly better if he maintained it was just that brought on by a very dark place.

As the voice on the other side which he assumed was the girl he was meaning to call started them off by saying she hoped it was Ubisoft with an apology and offering a refund for something she didn't like he cracked a small smile. And yet he had no reason to assume he hadf reason to. She didn't talk like she knew who was calling, which after a few seconds of mulling it over seemed logical as he never gave her his number, she just gave him hers.

Still though, what if she had forgotten about him? He tried not to think about that and faked a grin even though she couldn't see a thing he did. ''Only 60? I think I'm worth more 'n that.'' He answered, wanting to see if she knew who was calling just by the voice.

[Jen Mitchellson]

Whoa, who was that? Jen grinned at the voice. He sounded hot, though she just couldn't place him. "Arno?" She wondered in joke, though the man certainly lacked the French accent she'd been hoping whomever had answered would had faked. Nah, this was much more fun. She turned on the couch, placing her legs over the back and let her head fall back.

"Fine! You can send in more than 60. I'm not going to complain." She teased, going back to her previous joke and following whomever was at the other line, "But only if you send a gift card along."

[Lucas Blacke]

Ah, so she played her little game. At least, he hoped it was a game, maybe she really didn't know who he was though and was doing her best to hide that. Either way, it took him no more then five seconds of thought to get him from being confident to down in the well he kept everything locked up. What if she forgot him? She'd shatter all of the thoughts he had about himself being memorable and she'd be no better than both Marnie and Karalie in that situation.

He had best not think of that, it'd only get him down even more than he had already been the past few days without anything to do but ponder his decisions when he was with other girls. Perhaps the one he had made with her was a bad one, maybe she thought the same and that was why she wanted to not be remembered? But if that was the case why did she give him her number? His eyes twitched a little bit as he inhaled.

Was it nothing but a pity fuck? Did he look that down and depressed? ''Arno?'' He finally asked, trying to maintain his cool. ''I can be whoever ya want me to be.''

He was acting, doing his best to come across as confident, though his mind screamed everything but that fact. He shrugged. What else was new?

''Either Arno or that guy at the gym.'' He hoped she remembered by now.

[Jen Mitchellson]

"Oh, kinky." She teased when he mentioned he would be anyone she wanted. "I think I'll stick with Arno, sexy costume included." She nibbled on her lower lip, wondering who the hell it was. Maybe someone had just called randomly in hopes to play a joke? Well, hopefully, because she loved jokes.

"Wait- the gym?" Crap. It wasn't a joke, this was an actual guy, actually calling her back. Well, that was new, wasn't it? They never called back. Why would they? Jen gave them what they wanted as soon as she met them, so what was the big deal? He wanted a redo? Ha. Funny, and not in a 'ha ha' way she so loved, but in a 'holy crap, now I have to remember every guy I've ever met at the gym, I'm so screwed' kind of way.

"Of course! The gym! Right. Hey, I didn't think you would call." She said, though she still had no idea whom it was. Was it that guy with the rocking eyes or maybe that guy with the rocking lips? Ugh, she should so stop being so slutty.

"What's up... handsome?" She so hoped he wouldn't notice, since he sounded fun enough to interest her for a second... meeting? What the hell did she do with this guy? Plus, if she knew him already it meant he was hot, right? "It's been a while." At least she hoped it'd been a while. Hell, it had to be. It'd been a while since she slept with anyone as it was, so probably. Ugh, she needed to get laid... while at the same time stop being so slutty. That would prove hard.

[Lucas Blacke]

It was kind of fun to play with people like this, god knew he only did it to make himself feel less miserable but that didn't occur to him at the moment. He liked making people squirm because they almost never did so in his presence, and maybe what Jen was doing wasn't exactly squirming as much as playing right back. He figured she was more than capable of doing that.

He had every intention of telling her his name, as if it would make any difference but with the way she had been around him and how casual it was he wouldn't put it past her if she had dozens of Lukes. Though he was sure he'd be the most memorable out of the bunch. ''Yes, yes, I didn't think I'd call either Jen.'' A single thought flew through his mind asking him why she was still in his mind, he didn't need a tramp, he wanted steady. To know what he was in for, with her it seemed that all he really knew was what he was in and out for. Multiple times. But at least he found comfort in the fact he still knew her name where she didn't know his.

How long would it take before this went creepy, he thought.

''Luke.'' He finally said with a grin on his face. ''Though I'd just as gladly make ya wait for it. An' ya know I would, just like last time.''

[Jen Mitchellson]

He called her by name and she almost winced. Of course he remembered her, just her luck. Well, of course he did. Did men forget about women they slept with? Who knew. Jen remembered... most of them. Not by voice, certainly, since this conversation had proved just that. Maybe the dude just had been quiet the entire time they... yeah. Or maybe it HAD been a while. Wait, did he just say he didn't think he would call? She felt bitterness grow in her chest and she pursed her lip in a tight smile. Ass.

"Why did you, then?" she asked in a forced voice, annoyed that he would admit such a thing. Sure, Jen had no problem playing with guys, hell, it was just what they wanted, yet she hated to be their plaything, particularly lately. Stupid Julien making her learn that men could want more than sex, and stupid Zach for talking her about love and relationships. She should just buy a toy and get over men.

He mentioned his name and she blinked in surprise, suddenly turning in the couch to sit up. Luke. Of course she knew Luke. "Sugar lips!" She exclaimed his nickname. Yeah, rocking lips it was. Her face broke into an awkward smile. Did he want a redo then? She felt her face warm up at the memories of their night together. This guy would make it difficult to keep her 'not a slut anymore' resolution. "That's a surprise." She said with a smirk, "You already went through all the girls in your agenda and are doing a redo of them all?" Of course she'd figured he was a player, considering how easily he'd fallen into flirting when they met, not that she minded since she'd been the same. Besides, it'd been fun and hot, her favourite combination. "I hope you know, I'm already very invested in a relationship with my Xbox." She grinned as she said that, not feeling in the least bit ashamed about it anymore. Not with Lucas, he'd seen her most embarrassing bits already after all, and he'd seem to enjoy them too.

[Lucas Blacke]

When she avoided using his name in favor of his nickname, one only she used, he felt some kind of relief that she still knew who he was. Like they'd forget, he realized with a chuckle. There wasn't much he wouldn't do and he knew the ladies liked that. The moment she began asking about all the other girls in his agenda though was the moment every happy though flew off. Did she think he was one of those guys? He could easily pull it off, sure, but he didn't want to. Women were to be respected and not toyed with only to be discarded like yesterdays paper.

He wondered if he should tell her she just happened to catch him at a low point in his life. He'd never do anyone just by crossing paths, even if they offered. Not that she offered but it was still an implied action. She had toyed with him and didn't hesitate to make him squirm, even the way they parted was Jen being in control. The only way Luke was remotely in control was his stamina. '''Cause I felt like it.'' He lied. ''Can't forget the time we spent together.'' Even if he tried he couldn't, and he tried. He didn't enjoy it, or maybe he did and he just thought he didn't.

''Good to know yer capable of a relationship.'' He joked, he hoped she knew that though. He saw how it could be perceived as hurtful. With some luck, she wouldn't want to be in a relationship with him in any way and force him to tell what he was thinking, that it was a mistake and a moment of weakness.

''So how've ya been?''

[Jen Mitchellson]

"Oh?" Jen wasn't sure how to respond to that. She did feel a tad proud when he said he couldn't forget their time together, not that Jen blamed him of course. Kudos to Lukey for that performance. Still, it felt a tad... odd. He hadn't called for such a long time and then suddenly he decided to do it because he couldn't forget her? "You have one slow memory." She said with a bitter smile. Yeah, maybe he'd broken up with some girl and wanted more no strings attached fun, and he just called the easiest girl he could think of. This was exactly why she didn't want any relationships. Screw what Julien had said, all men were pigs. Okay, so maybe she was making up an entire story about this short call, but it was still possible. Plus she was bored.

Ouch. That last joke made her wince. So it was that noticeable, eh? Even for a guy who'd spent just one night with her, and most of the evening not talking to her. Still, she smiled and resisted her urge to turn off the phone on him. "Hey, with my special moves? You know I can make anyone real happy." She teased back, though now she felt tense. Screw him... metaphorically.

She leaned back on the couch when he asked his next question. How she'd been? Her eyes went to the screen of her TV with her lovely assassin in the middle of a street, the coffee table in front of her with a half eaten bag of pop corn and a carelessly thrown half empty bottle of water, all while she sat there on her biggest, most unflattering t-shirt and shorts. Oh yeah, she was great.

"I'm great." She answered, keeping the sarcasm off her voice unlike her thoughts. "But I'm sure you didn't call just to ask that." She resisted a sigh once more and patted on a random pillow. "How are YOU, Sugar lips? Anything I can do for you?" Not that she cared, not after that funny line at her expense. Sure, she knew she didn't exactly scream out commitment, but it hurt that anyone reminded her of that, especially someone who'd behaved as easy as she had the last time they met.

[Lucas Blacke]

''Aye.'' He ignored all the other things she said, mainly because it'd complicate things right now, or so he caught himself thinking. He could reply to everything she said but that'd only delay the inevitable, though rushing into things without giving it some more proper though might make it end like his little chat with Marnie. Not that he loved Jen or anything like that, but they'd just keep avoiding each other after he'd blurt something out he didn't mean.. or did mean.. he didn't know. ''I mean yes, there is something ya can do for me.'' So she was okay.. he had a feeling she wouldn't be after what Luke wanted.

He wasn't sure what to say at that moment other than just say what was on his mind. But why be a dick about it and say it over the phone? Saying it in person might give it a bit more oomph if she'd even agree to that, she could very well break down, but girls deserved to know the truth right? Deserved the right to know whatever and be able to react to it in real time.

Luke wondered what exactly he was going to say himself, what he was going to tell her as he made himself think he was breaking up with her and finding ways to let her down easy. Obviously this wasn't the case, was it?

''I need to talk to ya.'' He finally just said, reminding himself of an earlier conversation with someone else. This is nothing like that, he kept telling himself. ''In person.''

He was wrong, he just didn't realize it yet.

[Jen Mitchellson]

"Why am I not surprised?" She replied with a smirk. Of course he wanted something. What else would he call? She figured it was sex and she stretched out on the couch, wondering what to do. On the one hand, she had enjoyed their time together, on the other hand she'd already made a commitment not to fall for exactly the kind of man she'd assumed Lucas was.

Hold on a sec- Talk? "What?" She repeated with raised eyebrows. "Talk?" She snorted, and then chuckled. "Since when are you this boring?" She wondered although it was mostly rhetorical. Maybe he'd always been that boring and she'd just hadn't seen that side of him. Mind you, she'd already seen plenty sides of him already. Yet, he'd said in person and she nibbled on her lower lip. What a strange way to ask her for a redo. Maybe that wasn't what he wanted? Well, if that was the case then-

"What's it in for me?" She asked in a bored tone, turning her attention to her nails. She so needed a manicure. "I mean, I'm a busy girl, Sugar lips. I've got my dates going." She waved at the screen of her TV even though he couldn't see. No matter, she still liked to joke. "Buy me something and I'm all yours." She recommended with a smirk, "Throw in actual food and not just candy this time and I'll meet up with you." No need to pay it up with anything this time either, or so she felt. She'd given him far too much last time, though to be fair she'd taken just as much.

[Lucas Blacke]

Boring? Talking was- He was boring? He tried finding the words to respond to it in a timely fashion as it was still a phonecall but honestly, it kind of insulted him. She didn't even know him so how could she say or ask why he was boring? ''If talking is boring I'm afraid I have to say I've always been borin' doll.'' He wasn't some kind of uptight douche that didn't talk, and he was annoyed by the fact anyone could think that. All the more reason for him to assume it had been nothing but a mistake.

''A talk. Yer gonna get a talk outta it.'' He replied even after hearing her talk about how he just had to buy her something to snare her. Last time he didn't need to buy her anything, but that was out of the question too, he figured. No, the only thing she'd be getting was a talk, nothing more and nothing less. He wasn't going to cave and give her what she wanted even if he wanted to give it to her. There was a time and place for that and it wouldn't be with her, not again. Sleeping with someone just to barely speak to them after was a no-no for him, other people were free to live like that but he couldn't stand it personally. He wasn't above bending the rules a bit, but he'd rather not.

''Not gonna buy ya anythin'.'' With everything she had said she began annoying him more and more, making it easier for him to go around and not care about her. ''An' obviously yer not busy enough to take a call from someone whose name ya don't even know.''

Why he kept hanging on right then he didn't know. Maybe to let her have the satisfaction of hanging up on him.

[Jen Mitchellson]

"Well, you didn't do much talking the night we met." She teased right back, sort of enjoying that she sensed some strain in his voice. Maybe she'd managed to hurt him with her little joke as much as he'd managed to hurt her with his. Good. Why the hell was he calling anyway? A meeting sounded awful if it was meant for talking.

When he mention all she would get was a talk she sighed before pursing her lips. That was no fun. "Then you have to know I don't do anything I don't want if I don't get something good out of it." Jerk. Why did the hot ones always had to be such assholes? He kept going though. He wouldn't buy her anything, he made fun of her for even picking up. Who was this douche? Ugh. Did she really sleep with such a dick?

"Then you know I don't want to meet up. Whatever I do with my precious time is my own problem, and should I remind you? You called me, hun." She pulled a leg up under herself, feeling tense, "You were the one who held all the cards last time we met. You were the one who put his arms around me and you were the one squeezing my ass in a public place." She took a deep breath and kept going, "You were the one who had my number and you were the one who could call me any time he wanted." She pursed her lips before continuing. "It's been months, darling. Whatever you want to tell to me, I have no idea because whatever happened between us obviously meant nothing to neither of us." She wanted to hurt him, just like his rejection had hurt her. "So why are you calling? What could you possibly tell me? That girl you once met at a gym. We had our fun, that was it. You don't want to go out, you don't want to sleep with me again, that much I can tell. So, unless you're missing something from your room, I assure you there's no reason to call me. And no, I didn't steal anything either." She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath and continued talking. "So you want to talk? We're talking. Shoot." Yourself she wanted to add, but she'd been trying her best to be civil. Hell, he knew she'd been a one night stand, but he didn't have to be such an ass about it. Yes, she'd been slutty, but he had no reason to treat her like that and be such an ass. She'd been joking, she'd been teasing, yet he seemed set to be a dick. Fine. She could be a bitch too.

[Lucas Blacke]

Well, there was another person he had successfully pushed away. Or was he in the process of doing so? Hell, he didn't know, or maybe he did. She was taking shots at him as much or even more as he was at her, so did she enjoy hurting people and stayed on the phone for that reason or..? Why did she keep talking to him? He didn't see that much reason for her to continue this conversation other than the fact he just thought up.

''Yer makin' this easy for me. Thanks.'' He replied shortly after she was done speaking. ''Serves me right for not gettin' to know ya I guess. I knew I made a mistake, I'm not built for no strings attached sex. My bad for thinkin' I was. Suppose I'm not that awesome after all.'' His free hand was tightly balled into a fist before and now slowly began unclenching, not quite as annoyed anymore. He glanced into his own room for a moment and smiled, she really was making this easy for him, almost as if she knew what he wanted to say. Part of him figured she didn't though, that she was keeping him at a distance for the same reason he kept people at a distance.

''An' no, I ain't missin' anythin' from my room.'' Except maybe the presence of a girl, but that was beside the point and not at all what he felt like sharing with her. ''I'm missin' my pride as of late, but I'm sure ya already knew that.''

''Say, ya know that what we did was a mistake right?'' And I would like a refund.