Rising Tension (Ella and Milan)

[James Lawrence]

Takes place at the Holiday Bash 2014

For the better part of the night, James had been hovering by the bar, chatting away with familiar and not so familiar faces. The extrovert had been looking forward to this event for awhile, mostly because it was an opportunity to meet new people, have a few drinks and just... do something. That was one aspect he missed about New York; the ever changing nightlife, different people... everything. He still frequented the bars and clubs in Pilot Ridge but seeing the same faces night after night got old.

Plus, ever since the one night James had walked into his neighbour's apartment by accident, he'd decided he needed to not do that ever again.

With a topped off glass, James turned to leave the area he had called home for the evening, a decent buzz in his system now. His walk was confident and full of determination, because across the room he saw a familiar dorm monitor with brown locks of hair. Her.

It didn't take long for him to cross the distance of the room, maneuvering through crowds of dancing people and coworkers with drinks in hands. James breathed a sigh of relief, unconciously smoothing down the front of his button up shirt with a free hand. He would have grabbed her one too, had he known her drink of preference or if she even did.

James cleared his throat, a friendly half smirk on his face. Like always. "Never thought I'd see you here. Didn't take you for the party type." He said as an introduction, eyes landing on Ella before flickering to the male companion next to her. Had he been here all this time? James hadn't noticed. He raised his glass to his lips, eyes not leaving the pair

[Ella Robbinson]

Social events weren't usually Ella's thing. She preferred the comforts of her home which wasn't really a home at all. But when Milan asked if she might be interested in going - attentive as he was - she felt no need to say no. Because social events were far different when she had someone with her. Someone she actually wanted to be around.

So she got dressed up - a short, black and white printed dress with a tan coloured jacket. Heels to give her a few extra inches, rare as it was for her to wear them at all.

Things were going pretty well. She was actually having fun. It was well worth the effort to look good in order to go out. So invested in the current moment was she that she didn't notice a familiar individual coming towards her until he was there. Talking to her. She turned her head, raising a hand to smooth out the soft curls of her dark hair. She looked to his mouth. Smirking. Again.

It almost hurt, really. To have him assume she wouldn't be there. Given the look on his face and the tone to his voice, she took it as such. But she wore a smile regardless. "I'm not surprised to see you here." She offered in response, raising her eyebrows as she attuned herself to other company. "It's nice to see you, James." Ella offered, as politely as she could manage. With a small turn, she rested her hand against the taller man's free arm. "This is Milan."

[Deleted]

Had Ella declined the suggestion the attend this holiday bash, Milan would have been more than happy to arrange a comfortable evening at ‘home’. He was glad she had agreed though. In his opinion it was going to be a blast. They would get to socialize and to take a break from the rest. In addition, which was always a nice plus, a beautiful woman was by his side. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

In other words, he could have gone without James walking up to Ella. While the recruiter was not against conversations, it was the fact that he immediately recognized his bully from so many years ago which caused tension to ripple through his body. He subconsciously straightened his back, and had to bite his lip to not answer for the woman. As long as she gave of no signs of him having to interfere, he would stand down.

Heck, he even swallowed back any defensiveness that might have come with his words. “We’ve met before.” His voice firm as a hand reached forward. If it weren’t for Ella, Milan wouldn’t have gone over the pleasantries. “James.” A brief nod of the head indicating that the taller man acknowledged him.

“Never thought we would meet again.” Never hoped they would meet again. He frowned. Made him wonder what brought him there. Made him wonder how Ella knew him. So many questions, but none were asked. Instead his gaze on James remained as his arm gently looped behind Ella’s back for his hand to settle on her waist. Something made him grow defensive.

[James Lawrence]

With the glass to his lips, James took a long and steady pull as his gaze took in the taller man. Much taller. He couldn't help the frown that coloured his expression for a moment, quickly wiped away from years of practice. Years of maintaining the calm and collected facade. From there, James' eyes landed on Ella, lingering on her form longer than necessary. She looked good. Real good.

The smirk curled the corner of his lips upright as she gave her response. Of course, anyone that knew James for more than a minute could figure that out. It wasn't until she said his name that he realized who he was standing in front of now.

Milan.

While James would be quick to defend himself and insist that he wasn't a bully, there were instances where his teasing had been taken too far. Trapping a once chubby shadow traveler in the shadow realms probably counted as a joke that had gone on for too long. The smirk dropped into a stiff line, nodding. "Milan." James offered back as a response, taking his former tormentee's hand and giving it a stiff shake.

"Yeah... it's been awhile." He answered after another sip. The buzz didn't feel strong enough now as his eyes landed on Milan's arm around Ella's waist in a way that only meant one thing. The physical contact spoke out loud what no one had said yet.

A fake, pleasant smile made its way onto James' face. "Nice to see the two of you here." A lie. He'd be much happier if she was not with company.

[Ella Robbinson]

It was impossible to ignore the way he was looking at her. How his eyes followed the contours of her form with obvious, lingering connotations. But to Ella, he was doing it for the same reason he'd done so many things in his youth; for attention.

When Milan spoke, Ella glanced at him with a definite surprised look to her features. But it shouldn't have surprised her; she'd known him from high school, too. And it always baffled her that she'd never run into him. Or maybe she just couldn't remember that she had? It was impossible to tell.

Those exchanged names were awkward. If not awkward, then definitely tense. Both men didn't seem to wear the former as well as they did the latter. A familiar hand circled around her waist, and she felt a quick rush of relief to know he was there. That he was close, too. It didn't take a genius to see that James was in a particular state. He was hardly about to be the individual who continuously shared personal details at opportune times.

Because his eyes were on the safety hand at her waist.

And that grin was gone. Replaced by an incredibly fake smile. It suited him far too well.

"So," Ella drawled lightly, "You know each other?"

And immediately, she regretting asking that.

[Deleted]

It definitely was hard to ignore the way James was looking at Ella. It took a lot from Milan to not tell the former bully to show some respect. Of course it didn’t surprise him that the young woman attracted male attention, but he rather didn’t witness it right in front of his own nose. Especially from someone like James Lawrence. Being aware what kind of women magnet the trainer used to be definitely didn’t help the circumstances either.

And while it had been a while, it had not been long enough! Glaring eyes lingered on the other man a couple seconds longer before features softened and blue optics drifted down to the brunette. “Let’s say that I hope you met him under more pleasant circumstances than I did.” Milan wasn’t one to completely drag someone through the dirt. He wasn’t sure to which extent he could expand on the details. If James were to put it down in a different light, a discussion might ensue. The recruiter did not plan on ruining Ella’s evening.

His gaze now settled on James again. The look on his face close to a wordless question: did he have more to add to that? “One of the few people I wasn’t invisible to.” And not in a good way. Milan remembered telling Ella about how he tried to blend in with the background for several reasons… James was one of them, but the recruiter never succeeded when it came to him.

By maintaining eye contact with the guy, Milan hoped to keep them from checking out Ella. It was why, upon turning his head to his girlfriend again, that he occasionally glanced at the other man from the corners of his eyes.

Only when he spoke did he focus all his attention on Ella. James wasn't worth it, unless he opted to prove otherwise. “You two are friends?”

[James Lawrence]

James felt the daggers that Milan was sending in his direction, only leading the arrogant to smirk triumphantly. Because Ella was right; a lot of his actions were for attention. Clearly, it worked and was something he had done for the better part, if not all, of his life. His eyes moved from her form to stare at the bottom of his glass that was already half drained, bringing the glass down to his side. He really needed to slow down but given the current situation, it would prove difficult.

Tense was one word to describe the encounter between the trainer and the recruiter. It hung in the air, as thick as a fog and only seemed to get worse the longer James stood in front of the pair. He let out a long breath, swirling the last of the liquid around in his glass. The urge to step out and have a cigarette was almost overwhelming, but he couldn’t just walk away now. It’d feel like admitting defeat; something James didn’t deal well with.

James didn’t want to out himself as someone who use to relentlessly tease ‘geekier’ guys, such as Milan or Everett, especially not in front of Ella. While he never saw it as particularly hostile, James also wasn’t on the receiving end of it. He brushed a free hand along the side of his jaw, before letting it fall back to his side. “It wasn’t that bad.” He decided to counter, “Just… jokes, you know.” He dismissed, drinking the last of his alcoholic beverage.

“Knew each other for awhile though, yeah.” James placed the now empty glass on a table with others, turning his attention back onto them, eyes glancing between the two. His eyes met with Milan’s; blue and brown, both met with general disdain for one another. Maybe in different circumstances, they’d be more amiable towards each other. Maybe.

“Yes.” James answered quickly, almost defensively. They were friends, right? The question wasn’t directed towards him, but he felt the need to answer. “We are.”

[Ella Robbinson]

Ella lowered her eyebrows, confusion evident on her expression when Milan answered. She supposed it was an answer, vague as it was. She looked at his face as his eyes crossed towards the third party in question, and the latter half of her explanation was just as daunting as the first. She easily recalled the context in which Milan was referring to.

High school. She glanced back to James. Did it always come back to who they were?

She breathed a slow sigh. Her life since Hammel had been about avoiding that very thing. The idea of who she was before she was given the irksome ability she still had. The one that kept the blush off her cheeks and the rhythm of her heartbeat in check. But when it came to the men nearby - at least James, for sure - she felt what adrenalin did to him. And his defensive nature only highlighted that. How quick he was to draw on a question that wasn't even given to him in the first place.

"Yes." She repeated, but her expression questioned his answer directly. Were they friends? Because they were certainly something, and she wanted to count him as such. It was just impossible to determine what the hell was going on whenever he made contact. "Friends. For a little while, now."

Desperate not to leave a lingering moment of silence, she took a breath and fought to continue; "That day I ran into you," She started, indicating towards her apparent friend with a mild shift of her hand, "I'd been looking for Milan." A tall man with bright blue eyes and dark hair.

[Deleted]

If Ella wanted to find out about more details, she was free to ask. Milan simply didn’t label it worthy of possibly ruining what should have been a great evening. What he could not simply ignore, however, was the way James seemed to brush it off as if it were nothing. It had signed the recruiter for life, and the other guy still didn’t seem to grasp that his attitude and behavior bruised others’ lives.

“Some jokes,” Milan began. “- are not to be made.” And that was that. If James lacked insight on how his bullying had left a mark, he had not changed and was still the same jerk he had been so many years ago. That smirk and obvious expression of ego and pride easily confirmed Milan’s suspicions.

As for them being friends… With the hand on Ella’s waist, she should be able to catch on to the unpleasant fastening of Milan’s heart. He quite honestly wasn’t sure if she would be able to detect emotion in a certain pace, but if she did, it would probably tell her insecurity struck. Of course the young woman had to pick her own friends, but having James as one just felt like bad news.

Not appreciative of how James claimed a question that was not even his to answer, the recruiter tensed even more – if possible. “I… am quickly getting something to drink, alright?” He gazed down at Ella. It shouldn’t take longer than a few seconds given they were standing near the bar. “Anything you want?”

With her having answered, he now looked at the other man. “James?” A friend of his girlfriend pretty much had to be his as well, right? Plus, it would be plain rude not to ask. So once both had given a possible order to him, Milan took a few steps to the bar… but not without sideways leaning on it with an elbow in order to keep an eye out. Might even catch on to some words if he paid enough attention.

[James Lawrence]

High school left more of a mark on the trainer than he ever could have expected. James never thought that period of his life would have such an impact on his life as an adult. Then again, it was careless for him to assume that, especially since coming back to the small town of Pilot Ridge. Which seemed to be the exact same people from his years as a youth.

He didn't say anything further on the subject, his fingers idly curling into a loose fist before relaxing. James let out a short, staccato breath as the adrenaline continued racing through his veins, with no signs of slowing down. Friends. Because that was the title he'd have to be satisfied with, for now.

Still radiating a defensive stance, James relaxed as Ella directed her next sentence towards him. She didn't have to specify; he knew exactly what she was talking about. Their first encounter since high school. The way everything just connected so perfectly. "I see." He said with a couple of nods. Milan matched the description of the man she'd been looking for.

Oh, how he craved another drink. And a cigarette. His forehead creased momentarily in thought, before shaking his head. "No thanks," James declined with a forced smile. Because he couldn't afford another with the way the world was turning already.

With Milan gone, James turned his focus back to Ella, eyes on hers. "I didn't know you were... with somebody." Not just somebody. A certain someone from the past.

[Ella Robbinson]

The air was so thick Ella was almost positive it was hard to breathe. The evident distress caused heart rates to elevate and she could do so little to keep them calm. To maintain a sense of clarity for herself was the most pressing issue at hand, and so she remained composed despite the urge to blush. Controlled despite the need to feel increasingly nervous. All her energy was for her.

Milan was wise to make a momentary exit. When he asked her if she wanted anything, she took a purposeful set of seconds to think. It'd certainly relieve a little pressure. But then, it was likely the worst idea ever. So she shook her head, and watched him as he moved away.

Because now that he was gone, she had nothing else to give her focus to. So it all landed on James, who was quick to start the conversation that likely should have been hushed. Was that scrutiny in his tone? Some kind of muddled nature to his overbearing confidence? Whatever it was, it was starting to sting. And there was little else she could do but respond to the residual effects.

"Why does it matter if I am?" She asked, no pressure to her tone despite the weight now on her shoulders, "You and I are friends."

A bold strike, but he'd offered the definition first. It only felt right to hand it back to him.

[James Lawrence]

James didn't wait long before asking the question. He normally was forward and bold, but liquor made it more pronounced. Less tactful. He assumed that the pair were together, given the contact that happened just minutes ago. Physical contact spoke where words hadn't.

His fingers twitched; James shoved them in the pocket of his jacket, feeling his comfort item. It provided minimal reassurance. Seeing them together was a shot to his sky high confidence since he assumed otherwise. Until now.

Friends. Somehow, the word coming from her mouth made James flinch. Visibly so. "Right." He added, a little bitterly. "Friends."

"Just... nevermind. Not important." Another forced smile appeared on his face. Maybe he should've taken him up on the offer of a drink.

[Ella Robbinson]

Ella did her best to keep a close eye on everything he was offering. His expression was hardly the one he usually wore around her. There was obvious strain to his features. Even the way he physically stood was a message within itself. Clearly, she'd made the great James Lawrence uncomfortable. It was hardly a good thing.

Thoughts of Milan quickly drifted into her head. Where he was. How easy this had been when he was beside her. Things felt marginally more difficult now that she was on her own, but given their history, it was likely a good thing that he left when he did.

"As you said." She offered anyway. Parameters were in place by his hand, and she'd do her best to accommodate that.

Except that he couldn't let it go. And she couldn't let it go by proxy. "What's not important?"

[Deleted]

The second the bartender handed the drink to Milan, relief washed over. He couldn’t wait to move back over and to at least feel somewhat better than when he was standing by the side, realizing that his lip reading skills were not as developed as initially hoped. Either way, the simple fact that James was in their presence was enough to cause tension in the recruiter.

As he stepped over again, after having plucked a small cupcake from the snack table, the question Ella asked reached his ears. “What did I miss? What’s not important?” Head lightly tilting to the side before eyes drifted from the trainer to the beautiful woman by his side.

In the meanwhile he also offered her the cupcake, nicely seated in the middle of a napkin. No obligation to take it though.

[James Lawrence]

Being reminded that he was the one who labelled them as friends was not what James wanted to hear. She was right, though. "Yeah." He answered in a clipped voice. He'd been quick to the draw, to put the relationship within the parameters of a box. Friends. The definition didn't sit well.

As James debated on whether to answer or not, the presence of the recruiter made the answer that much easier to decide. Briefly, he wondered if he appearance was cracking. The combination of seeing Ella and Milan, together... it was enough to crawl under his skin. Jealousy was not a trait James often felt, not with an ego like his. And he didn't know how to keep himself together. How to hold the bursting seams together.

"As I was just saying, it's not important." James dismissed with a hand wave, that moved to smooth down the sides of his impeccably coiffed hair. Tonight, it felt like the only thing he had going for him. He hoped, for his sake, that she would drop the subject. The growing migraine felt like it was consuming him, but James couldn't pinpoint the source. Too much to drink? The conversation? Their presence? A combination of all three?