Breaking News (OPEN)

[Cole Kessler]

Cole's day had been a bit boring. He'd spent all day in his room playing Call of Duty: Black Ops and wanted to get out and do something. Normally he'd be with Taeyeon by now, but her night was full-up with homework. So he'd decided to go to the lounge and see if anything interesting was going on. He'd had time to play a lonely game of billiards and had just sat down.

It wasn't until he'd sat down that he started paying attention to the TV in the lounge. It was on Fox, broadcasting a baseball game when a Fox News: Special Report had cut in. The anchor's voice floated into his mind, "This just in ladies and gentlemen, we have a breaking news for all of you tonight. Osama Bin Laden has been confirmed dead. We take you now to our correspondent in--........"

Cole tuned the man out. His mind was running through everything. Ten years worth of war and fighting in the middle east and now it was all over. Just like that? Cole couldn't believe it, not yet. He'd seen Hussein hung in a leaked video, and figured in his mind that they could do something like that with Osama.

A tear trickled from his eye as the reality of it sank in. Five of his friends, his uncle, and his dad's adopted brother were over there. This news broadcast meant quite possibly that they were all coming home. He grabbed his phone and got on Facebook and looked over everyone's statuses and commented on some of them. Tears were flowing from his eyes and he didn't care. He was too happy to care. He texted a lot of his contacts and called some. the information was all there, and Cole smiled. He wasn't sure if anyone else was in the room but figured someone else would eventually come in. It may have been a bit late, but this news was call for a big party.

[Zachary LaRousse]

blonde!Zac

Zac’s doesn’t really frequent the student lounge. He did when he was younger, but as his ego inflated to epic proportions, he doesn’t feel like the lounge (and those that inhabit it on a regular basis) deserve his presence. The smell, the noise, the chaos – it was all too much for him. And besides, he had his own flat screen TV installed in his dorm suite, the couches are much more comfortable and their shared pantry is almost always stocked to the brim. ‘Almost’ being the operative word.

Unfortunately for the self-proclaimed Hammel royalty, today just happened to be one of those rare days when the pantry suddenly runs out of something. They ran out of coffee, to be exact. While normally Zac can whether out the shortage of such a commodity, he had tons and tons of homework to be done for the coming week (i.e. Monday and Tuesday) that he’d definitely need his caffeine fix.

Too lazy to make a quick drive through town to grab a few instant coffee packets, he simply opted to grab two of his coffee pots and walked over to the said lounge to fill them up. Granted he doesn’t really drink instant coffee on a daily basis (he gets his imported from their plantations somewhere in Africa), but desperate times call for desperate measures as they say.

He had just started filling his first pot up when the newsflash suddenly went in. Apathetic towards anything that doesn’t have anything to do with his own life, he easily drowned the broadcast out of his mind. What did capture his attention though is the seemingly immersed expression the boy had on his face. The glee and excitement on his face was just priceless. The small tear trickling down his cheek was just a cherry on what seems to be a very delicious ice cream sundae really.

“Geez Cole, I didn’t know you were quite the melodramatic guy. Is bin Laden your dad-mentor figure or whatever?” he asked, his tone mocking and extremely sarcastic.

[/blockquote][/justify]

[Cole Kessler]

Cole turned at the voice of a fellow student. He hadn't hung out with Zach much, but still considered him a friend. He simply laughed at Zach's words before standing from the couch. It was actually relieving to have someone else to talk to.

He walked over the the soda vending machine, inserted his change and grabbed the Mountain Dew as it dropped into the tray. He turned to face Zach, "Moldramatic? Me? Abosolutely not. I've got a handful of friends and family over there, maybe this means they get to come home." Cole said as he twisted the top off his soda and took a gulp, replacing the lid when he finished.

He let out a small sigh of happiness. A combination of the fresh taste of his soda and the news he'd just heard. His phone had gone off multiple times and he took a moment to reply to all of the texts before looking back at Zach, "The only thing that could make this better is if I had some Vodka or Whiskey to mix with this. I'd be the happiest man alive."

[Zachary LaRousse]

blonde!Zac

Unfortunately for Cole, the feeling of camaraderie isn’t exactly reciprocated by the smug Prince. If anything, he’s seen by Zac with apathy at its best, dislike at its worse. It’s nothing personal though – Zac’s just extremely judgmental that way. There’s just something about Cole that he didn’t quite like when they first met, and it’ll take more than just a few random small talks here and there to change his opinion. Sorry Cole.

“You’re taking my insult rather lightly. Good for you,” he replied, tinge of sarcasm still evident in his voice as he rolled his eyes in slight irritation. So his mocking didn’t work. Darn it. “Family and friends there? Nice. So would there be a big reunion/gathering in the works then?” Zac had a few relatives stationed in the said place as well, but he’s not really close to them so as to swell up and cry at the mention of their imminent return.

Since the coffeemaker’s apparently taking its sweet, sweet time brewing Zac’s coffee, the boy decided that well, some small talk wouldn’t really hurt that much. Maybe he’d finally get a spike from the boy the more he prods him and everything. “So you think the world’s finally a safer place? What about his minions then, you think they won’t retaliate?” Because heaven knows how dangerous a vengeful bunch one’s followers can be. Just look at MSAD (not that he’d know about it of course).

“Vodka? Whiskey? You’re a bad, bad boy Kessler,” he smirked, teasing as he took a quick sip off the cup he poured in a while ago. “You think I should report you? I am part of the Student Council after all?”

[Cole Kessler]

Cole quirked an eyebrow at Zac, "That was an insult? C'mon you can do better than that. You are the self-proclaimed Prince of Hammel aren't you?" Cole's voice now hinted with sarcasm just as Zac's was. Zac's attitude, however cynical and his giant ego still wouldn't be enough to sway Cole's happiness. It was pretty funny that he'd tried. Cole didn't care how big Zac's ego was, Cole's head could get pretty big too but now wasn't the time for that.

Then Zac asked him about a big family gathering. Cole's mind raced through possibilities of if and when that could happen, "Perhaps. If they're back home by two weeks from now, definitely. That's when I'm headed back to Oklahoma for a concert and race." Cole told him. "That may not sound like a good time to you, but I'm gonna win that race and rock that concert."

Zac's next comment brought fire to Cole's eyes, "Minions? Scared of them? Nah. If they do retaliate then we'll do the same to them as we did to their leader." Cole thought for a moment, "It may take us ten years for each of them, but we'll get them." Cole chuckled at the thought, "Regardless, even with that bastard's death, the threat of Terrorist Attacks is ever present. Something that we'll never be able to deter them from, but we can do our damnedest."

Cole smiled when he threatened to report him, "What are you going to report me for, bruh? I said 'If I had some' not that I do." Cole laughed, "And if Idid have some I wouldn't have it here, man. I'm underage, sure, but I still like to drink, just not in public or around people I don't know. Does that include you? Don't know yet."

Cole took another drink of his Dew, "So what's up with the coffee? None up in your room?"

[Zachary LaRousse]

blonde!Zac

So his insult didn’t work. He got it. May it be that the boy was just too happy to be affected, too oblivious to get it or his punchline lacked timing and delivery. Fine. But to have it rubbed on his face? That was just asking for trouble. “Are you mocking me?” he asked, cocking his head to the side as he took another sip off his cup. This isn’t good. He should be the one irking the hell out of the boy, not the other way around. “I haven’t had my caffeine fix yet Wannabe-Rocker,” said the teen as he blew into his cup in an effort to cool it down, “I apologize for that. Give me five or more minutes and I’d be on my A-game already.”

True to Cole’s predictions, a race and a concert are two things that doesn’t really sound too enticing to the boy’s ears. While he’s got his fair share of cars, he wasn’t really too car-savvy like the teen beside him – he just buys them to show them off then stows them away when he’s tired of it. Hooray frugality. As for his musical ability, well, maybe a dog has better hope of learning how to play Mozart than him. “You’re having a concert? Don’t tell me you’re a big name in your hometown?” Because that is just plain insane, right?

“Hooray patriotism.” Unlike Cole, Zac has never really experienced any strong feelings towards terrorism and all that jazz in general. True, he did feel mighty scared when the attacks first started ten years ago, but hey, he was 7/8 by that time; it’s understandable. As it was, time has made him quite numb and apathetic to the cause really. “Do I smell any indication that you’d be joining the military soon after Rockstar?”

“You wouldn’t want to drink around me. You’d feel like a total lightweight if you do.” A huge bluff (‘cause heaven knows how lightweight the boy can be), but it’s not like Cole can tell, right? “Ran out of supplies in the room. Shipment’s coming in tomorrow but I have to stay up all night to write three damn papers.”

“You’re graduating this year too, right?”

[/blockquote][/justify]

[Cole Kessler]

((OOC: Dude, I'm sorry I dropped the ball on posting. Been without internet the past couple weeks.))

Cole chuckled, "A big name? Nah, I'm just one of the more talked about people back home. My friends and I have been playing together for damn near six years." Cole had actually lost track of how long it had been. They hadn't been an official band for that long, but they'd practiced and played together since they learned each respective instrument.

Cole took another drink of his soda before replying to any more of Zac's questions. "Hmmmm...... No. Military's not the life for me. I could do it if I really wanted to, but it's not something I felt the call of. Of course, if my uncle wanted me to, I probably would at least try to get through boot camp. I have no doubt I could do it, but I don't wanna sound conceited."

Then Zac made a comment about how much of a lightweight he would feel like if they drank together, "I don't know, man..... I've been drinking for quite a long time. As for graduating, I'm not sure. I need to check. It'll be either this year or next."

[Zachary LaRousse]

blonde!Zac

Ah. Small bands and their (equally small) hometowns. Zac could never really get his head wrapped around the bond between those two, particularly because he doesn’t dream of having a band himself nor did he stay in one place too long in his childhood. Not that he wants to understand it anyway. “So if you’re not a big name, then this concert, is it more of a gig than an actual concert then?” he asked, confused as hell, though he’s probably just over thinking everything right now.

He promptly sat down on the couch, grabbed the remote and began flipping through the channels, trying to find one that fits (Cole’s channel was currently showing commercial’s anyway, hopefully the boy won’t mind). “So, you the lead singer? Or are you just the stage manager?” he added, going back to Cole’s channel as he found no suitable show in sight.

“Boot camp will eat you alive,” Zac teased. Not that he’d do any better though (he’d probably die within a week really, if he makes it through the first day anyway). He absentmindedly flipped through the booklet that’s been in his pocket since he entered the lounge and took note of the stuff he thinks might be valuable for his paper writing later. “And no, you’re not conceited. I know conceited and you’re not even near it. Trust me.”

“And who says I haven’t been?” Hooray for major bluffing. Hopefully Cole wouldn’t ask Zac to prove his claim, else he’d be screwed. Really screwed.

ooc:
Pfft. It's no bother Auron. It's not like you like having no net connection anyway. :3. Glad to have you baaaack~
- Jam

[Cole Kessler]

Cole pondered his words for a moment. The boy was just trying to be modest, but Zac's remark pushed him into reality, "Gig? No. It's a concert. Last I checked having half the state come see you, along with half the two neighboring states, I'd say that's a 'Big Name' Band, I suppose." Cole chuckled and finished his soda. He reared back and aimed his shot, releasing the bottle perfectly. He watched it seemingly float in the air and bank off the back side of the trash can in the corner.

Watching as Zac plopped down on the couch and grabbed the remote, Cole shrugged. He'd seen enough of the news broadcast anyway. He didn't care what Zac decided to leave it on. Then he heard Zac speak again, "Stage Manager? This guy?" He gestured to himself, "Nah, I'm lead vocals and lead guitarist. I can play pretty much anything, but guitar appeals to me the most." Cole smiled. "And what makes you so sure that boot camp would eat me alive!? I'm in great physical shape." He raised the front of his shirt and gestured to his supremely cut abdomen, "You see this? This is what I live with. Every morning I lather this up with Irish Spring in the Shower." He laughed, "You wish you had this shit, huh?" He dropped his shirt and sat down at the other end of the couch, "Just messin' with you, bro. Gotta have my fun, yeah?"

Cole took a moment to breathe a bit before he answered Zac's final question, "Zac, I'm no the best poker player in the world, but I know a bluff when I see one. You're good, but I think I'm a bit better."

[Zachary LaRousse]

blonde!Zac

Zac’s jaw almost dropped at Cole’s statement. “Like seriously?” As much as he’d want to question his claims on the basis of his character, the smug teen couldn’t. Cole doesn’t seem like the one to lie, especially about something as big as that (heck, even he wouldn’t bluff about hosting an event that big). “Fine. You win,” chuckled Zac, giving the electrokinetic a friendly punch on the arm. “I didn’t know you were that big in your hometown. What state did you come from again?” He made a mental note to double-check later, just so he’s sure. “And have you ever considered signing in with a huge management at that?”

“Well, I figure if I look like you, well, I’d want to stay backstage in shame,” he teased, laughing loudly in an effort to tell/show Cole that he’s only kidding. Fame he could handle (he was published as one of the world’s most eligible bachelors a few months back, as well as being among the wealthiest teens in the world), but musicality? Damn. Now he wishes he had continued with those violin lessons he had back when he was a kid. “You think you can teach me how to play the guitar sometime then?”

The smug teen shook his head and sent a mock scoff when Cole promptly showed his abs. “Yes Cole, I fantasize about licking every crease of your hot-tastic body every damn day,” he said, rolling his eyes then chuckling soon after. “I’d show you mine, but I don’t want you to feel, what’s that word again, incompetent.” Unfortunately for Cole, egotistic and narcissistic banters are what Zac lives for. As it was, the self-proclaimed Prince is actually enjoying the whole lighthearted ego-banter. It’s been long since people let him show off without shooting him down soon after.

“Is that a challenge?” No Zac. Just…no.

[Cole Kessler]

"Yeah, honestly, I'm getting kinda nervous about it. Haven't been home since I got recruited to come here. And none of us really want a label right now. We want to see where life takes us first. See what the world has in store for us." Cole looked down at his thighs. He was partially ashamed of the fact that he hadn't been home, but he'd seen his mom and dad since then. Nonetheless, his friends texted him all the time about how much they missed him, his grandparents would call him often, his best friends talked to him on Xbox LIVE every night, so he wasn't completely cut off from home.

Cole laughed at Zac's first joke about his looks. "Liar!" He exclaimed as Zac said what he would do. For such a "pompous ass" as some people would say, he had a great sense of humor. It was one of the only things Cole had seen that others hadn't. Maybe that was the key? Show the Prince that his insults don't work and he'll turn into a great friend. "The guitar? Definitely, man. I'd be happy to teach you how to play. You sure that egho of yours can handle it, though?" Cole laughed.

Then Zac conintued joking, "Well, I don't blame you, man. I'm just that good looking." He said with a hard chuckle. Cole wasn't gay, nor was Zac (at least that Cole knew of), and in no way did Cole want a man touching him in such a way. That is a special privelege reserved for Taeyeon, who has already claimed that his body is hers to touch and see. No one else's.

Cole quirked a brow at Zac's last question. "A Challenge?" Cole laughed. Was Zac really going there? Did he really ask Cole to challenge him? It's not like Cole wanted to have a drink-off with the Hammel Prince, but if Zac was up for it, "Absolutely." He said as his eyes focused.

[Zachary LaRousse]

blonde!Zac

“You? Nervous? Isn’t your ego big enough to erase all forms of shame from your body?” teased the smug teen. Then again, isn’t he talking more about himself than of Cole? “Ooh. That’s too bad. If you need a label to go with, tell me. I have all sorts of connections.” Before anything else, Zac would like to clarify that he’s not being helpful here; it might seem like that, but he’s more of trying to place himself in the whole business-deal-making thing. It’s not as big as the ones he’d be dealing with in the future (hopefully), but he says it’s a start.

Zac gave Cole a look of mock hurt, acting as if he was offending about being called a liar. “Me? Lie? When did I ever do that?” he chuckled, “I’m really serious. I’m actually quite amazed at your confidence to strut yourself despite looking like that.” It might seem harsh, but that’s Zac’s brand of humor really – hurtful, mocking, offensive and condescending. Probably why the boy only has a handful of friends. Not that it bothers him anyway. “As long as you worship me every time we meet, I’d be the perfect student.”

This was probably the first time someone shared a playful banter with Zac, especially regarding his looks (people shoot him down almost immediately, which was the best course of action in my opinion anyway). Who knew Cole was this much fun? “Dude, don’t push it,” he said in a matter-of-factly voice, trying to look serious as he stifled a chuckle that almost escaped, “You ain’t got nothin’ on this.” Apparently the boy couldn’t last a day without flaunting his abs. I’m sorry. “Come on, touch it. I know you want to,” he added an overtly exaggerated seductive wink and laughed soon after.

A smirk suddenly crept on the boy’s face at Cole’s reply. All he needed was that. A confirmation. “Challenge accepted. How shall we proceed with this then? I have a place in town we could crash into for the night, should you suggest sneaking out and stuff, that is.”

This is truly a disaster just waiting to unfold.

[/blockquote][/justify]

[Cole Kessler]

"My ego may be big, Zac, but I think you've got me beat in that category." Cole laughed in return to Zac's comment. IT was funny really, that Zac had made the joke about Cole's ego, ironic even. Then Zac's hand pulled the boy's shirt up as well. He joked about his body, just as Cole had, but in more of a sense like thee character "Derek" from Step-Brothers. It was rather amusing, for sure, Cole could watch that movie, quote every line, and still laugh while watching it.

Cole thought on Zac's offer for a moment. Did he want to get smashed tonight? Not entirely sure, but his brain had already switched to drinking mode, "I'm not suggesting anything that is against the rules, but abso-fucking-lutely." He said enthusiastically and with emphasis. Cole said as he pulled his keys from his back pocket, dangling them from his finger and jingling them with a chuckle. His eyes narrowed and a sly smile crept across his face.

[Zachary LaRousse]

“Oh Cole, I’m bigger than you in more ways than one,” taunted the smug teen, winking coyly as a smirk suddenly formed on his face. And yes, apparently Zac couldn’t have one conversation, may it be with a guy or a girl, without referring to his supposed sexual prowess (if that’s the measure of it anyway). I’m sorry Cole has to live through that.

Initially, no. Zac has no intention of getting smashed, may it be tonight or within the next few weeks. He’s trying to come clean to his father after all, and (underage) drinking at a school night is a sure fire way to make his redemption even further away from his grasp. But as it was, his ego has other plans, taking a simple taunt as a full-blown challenge. All we can do is hope that this wouldn’t end up like what had happened between Luke and him a few months before (nasty, nasty, nasty).

“You have a car? Awesome. Didn’t see that one coming,” he nodded, putting the remote down as he turned the TV off and stood up. “Ready to get your ass whopped Kessler?”

[Cole Kessler]

Cole laughed at Zac's referencing of his groin area. Normally, Cole's ego would bounce back with another joke about his own, but he wasn't feeling that right now. His mind had already switched to looking forward to the beer. He finally spoke, "Just wait until you see what kind of car it is." He chuckled. Zac's shock already had proven that he hadn't seen Cole driving it or just hadn't seen it period.

His keys clinked together as he tossed them up, caught them in the air and turned into a quick jog out of the lounge, "C'mon, Mr. LaRousse, let's go, man." Cole said while he kept moving forward. Before long he was outside in the parking lot. He stood in front of his car waiting for Zac to come down. He opened the door of his Camaro Firebreather and sat inside, putting the key in the ignition but not starting it just yet.