Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
Charlie was chatting with one of the players, he seemed to be getting a little distracted with her chest however since his eyes kept lowering so he was talking with her front rather than her face. She didn't seem to mind that much though because she had a quite animated look about her as the poor man dragged his eyes back up to look at her face, even though they ended up just staring at her lips. Charlie wasn't that thin, she was more curvy but she had such a pretty disposition that Cat could see why men overlooked the fact that didn't have an amazing figure.
A few feet from Charlie's side Cat exchanged pleasantries with a couple of the players she was more freindly with. She couldn't help wishing that Riley was one of the group. She let her eyes wander back over her shoulder towards her ex, but he was talking to Forrest and at that moment at least wasn't looking at her. Feeling a little sulky she looked back to the other guys. Perhaps a little part of her had been hoping that it might make him jealous if she went off and talked to other Guys. She wished she had more courage though, that way she could have the nerve to just walk up to him and ask him straight out if he still felt anything for her. There was an flickering thought that perhaps she should just get so drunk that she'd just blurt out how she felt to him ... at least she'd know one way or the other then.
"Hey guys! How about a game, my team verse all of you lot, first team to lose the fall five times loses the game, if the girls wonna play, last team that had the ball before the girls catch it loses automatically." A couple of minutes later she heard Graham call out towards them, she looked around but to her disappointment couldn't see Riley.
"I'm ok with that, but the winners get to have drinks with the girls and the losers have to sit out during the bonfire until the drinks with the girls are finished." She glanced over at Pete and then at Charlie who was grinning. Cat knew she wanted to have drinks with the guys she'd been talking to. But if Forrest and Graham won then perhaps Riley would come over and drink with them. She didn't even seem to realise how she managed to work Riley into her whole life and almost every thought even though they weren't together any more. Charlie and Catherine hadn't been good friends that long yet she was beginning to think that Cat had a soft spot for him since Riley was her number one topic of conversation most of the time and if not that then she'd talk about things that involved Riley ... like when the next basketball match was ... and who playing out of the team.
It was rather hard to move through the water but she half walked, half swam over to where Forrest and Graham were. That way she might be able to catch the ball and make the others loose. Charlie stayed with the others though, obviously more interested in the guys over there rather than Graham and Forrest. She smiled at the two boys and looked around in time to see Riley tripping up Peter so that he missed the ball.
Her whole countenance seemed to instantly brighten at the prospect that she might get to have drinks with him after all. She watched as he ran a hand through his hair and smiled at her. Her heart did a funny flip thing, instantly making her feel more nervous. It felt like the stakes in the match were really high for her, she wanted an excuse to spend some time with him so much. But she didn't want to go over there and have him feel like she was tagging along. She returned his smile looking shy and with a faint rosy blush to her cheeks.
Cat: It feels like my world is slipping through my fingers and I don't know how to hold onto it
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
With Catherine looking back at him it was hard to be the one to look away, he didn't want to, what if she thought he was uncomfortable with her looking at him? Or.. wait, maybe she was just pleased he wasn't sulking any more, he can't just assume because she's looking at him it's signally anything. But she was smiling, it looked nice, she was always so pretty when she had that shy little smile.
He missed her so much, he'd give anything for a kiss, for a hug, to run his fingers across her cheek, through her hair.. a moment alone with her.. a moment together again. Forrest called out Riley's name since he seemed to have been igoring the game and didn't notice the ball that Graham had just taken off one of the others and tossed towards him and splashed lightly between him and Catherine. Peter and another guy lunged onto Riley as he was pulled from his daydream and Peter demanded rather strongly that Catherine and Charlie get the ball. Peter was generally rather demanding during games and compatitions, but all Riley really noticed was that Peter just told Catherine to get the ball and that meant he'd not be allowed to even sit with her on his birthday.
Instantly Riley leaned back, his upper body falling backwards into the water, but instead of kicking his legs up and splashing water in Catherine's face, not sure if she was goin gto swim over to them or not, he pulled the two boys under the water by using his weight. Since they were holding onto his arms, as soon as he lifted his legs to let his feet sat beneath the ball, grabbing onto their wraists the instant they let go and holding them under while blindingly lifting the ball from the water and thowing it off back where it came from with a flick of his legs. The ball was thrown up so it was a higher risk of being caught by the other team, Peter didn't even seemed phased by being tugged unwater. The boys were always rough with each other so they were all used it, he was more focused on not losing the game swimming off after the wall that was being fought over.
Riley's powerful arms helped him menouver about, his body basically doing a back flip under water until he was facing Catherine's direction again. Quickly breaking the waters surface, he took in a rushed breath since he didn't have time to take in a lungful before. Graham gave a yell as three of the opposing team basically pounced on him, Riley seemed fully content on staring at Catherine for a moment longer before looking over towards Graham. Peter had finally managed to get the ball again, Graham was recovering from his tackle and the other boys were passing the ball between each other while Forrest tried to grab hold of it.
Riley sank beneath the water again, but instead of going towards the others he moved stealthily towards Catherine, he went around her, trying to keep far enough to hopefully be unseen. Once he was around her, he snuck up behind her, very slowly letting his face emerge from beneath the lapping water. He was about a meter behind her, raising his arm beneath the surface, he took a few quiet breaths as he flicked water at her with his hand, grinning teasingly as he lightly splashed her back.
I wake up cold and afraid, then reach out for the warmth
of your body.. only to remember you left and that I’m alone..
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
Cat had flatly refused to move over to get the ball when Peter and one of his mates had lunged on to Riley ... after all if she got hold of it then Peter's team would win and she'd not get to spend some precious time having drinks with Riley. Charlie on the other hand had started to swim over toward the ball before Riley managed to flick it out of the water and back over to his team mates before she got to it. She pouted and moved off in the direction on the ball in the hope of managing to get it off Forest or Graham.
She anxiously watched as Peter's mates all grouped together to attack Graham at once. She could feel her pulse increasing slightly as the boys started throwing the ball amongst themselves. It wasn't fair that there were more of them than there were of Riley's team. She suddenly wondered where Riley had gone, she'd seen him standing off to one side of her a minute ago and now he was no where to be seen.
There was the sudden feeling of water splashing over her back, her body twisting to look over her back. There was a suprised expression on her face, wondering what had caused the splashing. When he eyes fell on Riley she found a shy look creeping into her face followed by a small teasing grin of her own. Looking rather playful herself she splashed water back toward his face which was just out of the water. Her heart beat that tiny bit faster as she looked at his face, he was teasing her ....
She suddenly had a feeling of being totally exposed .... neither of them was wearing much and perhaps there was a chance that they might be able to brush skin to skin, especially if he wanted to play fight with her. She took a teasing step back wards in case he decided that he wanted to splash her some more.
Cat: It feels like my world is slipping through my fingers and I don't know how to hold onto it
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
It seemed he had managed to take her by surprise, much to Riley's delight, she seemed to return the teasing smile Riley had been giving her as she splashed him back. Riley half chuckled under his breath while he stood up properly and ran his hands through his hair quickly, giving a quick shake of his head after, making a complete mess of his short wet hair.
This was much better then the game, this is the only reason the other two even suggested playing ball with their team mates, just so Riley had a chance to get closer to Catherine. He was underwater while everyone was talking so most of what was said was a little blury but he still got a good idea on the fact that if they lost the game the others would sit with the girls and his team would have to sit out. A roguish grin crept onto his lips as he let his arms slip back beneath the waters surface.
Forrest's voice could easily be heard as he insulted basically every one of the other teams players, getting a few remarks thrown back at him in the process, though the laughs told everyone it was all in good fun. Riley wasn't paying any attention to the game though, his hands raising partially to the surface and fingers starting to flick the water continuously towards Catherine.
He wanted to say something, but he wanted it to be funny, to have her laugh and smile, but he couldn't think of anything, it was hard enough to actually take up the courage of coming over her but he was pushed on by the fact all these other guys were around her. He stepped closer to her, obviously attempting to try and annoy her with the flicking of the water instead of getting her soaking wet. This way when she becomes more responsive to his attempts and they become more playful, then he might be able to sneak even closer to her.
The only time Riley's seen her in something like this was when they were undressed, and he kept picturing her in that red bra while they had played one of their games. He'd be better at those games now.. a woman's touch was so new to him back then, but now he had to learn self-discipline and control around her once she broke up with him.
How am I going to be strong without you? I need you by my side..
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
Her eyes followed the movement of his hand as he ran it through his hair, followed quickly by him shaking his head. When he looked back at her she could see that he had mussed his hair up. Her heart seemed to do a small somersault in her chest, he still managed to look amazingly handsom when he wasn't looking his best. She let her eyes slide back down to the sea, watching as it rocked about her upper stomach, almost lifting her off her feet each time it moved. There was a quick thought that made her blush as she wondered what it would be like to make love to him in the sea or on the beach.
Trying to shove such thoughts aside for the moment she realised he was splashing water at her again, not enough to soak her but she still turned her head away as the water lightly hit her. The curls had almost all fallen out of her hair by now since it she was wet, she looked almost odd now with straight hair.
Her hands splashed water back at Riley again, more violently than he had been before, there was also a laugh from her. If he chased her in the water it was probable he'd be able to easily catch her, he had more brute strength to force him through the water than she did. Even though the tables would have been turned if they were on dry land. She shot him a very playful look, her eyes wandering for a moment back onto the game before untill she looked back at Riley again. This was an oppertunity she didn't want to miss.
Cat: It feels like my world is slipping through my fingers and I don't know how to hold onto it
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
With a laugh as she had began to splash him, her hands kicking up a lot more water then he had been flicking at her, he missed her laugh, it had been so long since he heard it, and they had been mucking about last time she started laughing as well. Having to turn his head away so the salty water didn't get into his mouth when he grinned brightly and gave another soft laugh.
A moment later, Riley's hands reached out and took hold of Catherine's. His face was still turned away, but as one of his hands lifted over her head, guiding her body around with the added help of the current so that her feet had lifted slightly off the ground to stop any resistance. By the time her back was to him, her arms where crossed over her chest nd since both his hands where still holding hers they to where crossed over in front of her while she was trapped within his embrace.
The actual realization of what he had done seemed to dawn on him very slowly, combined with the warm sensation of holding her again. His heart was racing and his knees felt weak, as if the shifting waters was the only thing keeping him standing, though his body swayed a little more before he took in a breath. It felt like he'd been holding her forever yet it had only been mere seconds before the bright ball skidded pass them.
"Hey! Get the ball, Joseph was last to have it," Riley's head turned over towards the ball behind them and turned their bodies about. His hands slipped down to Catherine's wrists and had them reach out for the ball, giving a slight laugh as he stepped forward and pushed her body towards it. It felt so right to hold her that for the shortest of moments he felt too comfortable to be so close to her, reluctantly he took a step back and let his hands slip away from her. It was like when they were together really, every time he let go of her he was always scared that he might not be able to hold her again for a long while.
The fact they were so uncomfortable at times with each other hadn't helped their relationship, if they had given themselves time to get to know each other better and develop a stronger friendship it would have be better for them when things had gotten so bad in their lives. The other boys were sulking and complaining, Riley flashed a rather bright smile as Forrest and Graham started to call out excitedly, but he found himself staring back at Catherine rather longing and shyly. It hardly felt fair, he wanted to hold her long, he didn't want to feel so bad for having held her like that, taking advantage of a moment just to have her in his arms.. but it had felt so lovely.
How am I going to be strong without you? I need you by my side..
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
She was a little suprsied that Riley didn't splash her back but he did move a little closer to her. Cat felt her heart rate increase slightly as he approached her, he was so near now she could almost touch him. She suddenly felt very hot and the sea around her rather cold and ... then he was touching her. His hands had reached out, taking hold of hers, making her shiver slightly at the contact. Knowing she was just being stupid she swallowed nervously and glanced down at the water, overly aware at the fact that their hands were clasped under the waves.
One of his hands was suddenly lifted, spinning her around in the water, her feet being lifted from the sea bed as he turned her. Her back was suddenly resting lightly upon his chest and she could feel him breathing. Everything in her screamed at her that she should just press herself back into his chest. For one spine tingling moment she held her breath as she thought he was going to press his lips against her neck. Just then the ball skidded past them.
"Hey! Get the ball, Joseph was last to have it," Mentally cursing the ball she let Riley push her over towards it. She wondered what would have happened if it hadn't disturbed the two of them. Her hands closed around the ball, turning around and grinning over at Riley as she suddenly realised that this meant she'd be able to have drinks with him.
Charlie however looked a little crestfallen and sulky, her bottom lip pouting slightly as she looked at the ball in Cat's hand's. One look at Cat's face told her how delighted her friend was with the prospect of drinks with Riley. With a slightly brighter look about her Charlie quickly swam over to her friend, giving Riley a quick smile as she approached the pair of them. Perhaps she should try and persuade Cat to say something to Riley ... it was so obvious that she liked him, every second thing that came out of Cat's mouth seemed to be something connected with Riley in some form or another.
'Did you wanna have drinks now?' Catherine's body stepped over towards Riley.. her hands holding out the ball in front of her. She sounded a little breathless though she'd done nothing that could cause that. Her face had a sweet nervousness about her, as if she was half worried he might refuse. She'd almost convinced herself that the drinks were a date, there was a slight blush that rose into her cheeks at the thought of what she'd just said.
Cat: It feels like my world is slipping through my fingers and I don't know how to hold onto it
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game'Did you wanna have drinks now?' It was still day time, and the fire wasn't starting till later around midnight, Forrest was about to comment on that but he barely said three words before Riley's hand flicked water towards him while still staring at Catherine with a grin. She had moved towards him, he glanced at the ball in her hands and then at her face, was she offering it to him? The expression on her face caused him to move towards her and reach out for the ball, offering her a smile as he took it, purposefully touching the very tips of her fingers with an extreme attempt to make it look casual before looking back at Graham with a grin.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah.. I'll get some drinks from the cooler, meet you at the table or where ever." Looking rather excited, mostly because he figured he had gotten Catherine's attention taken off the other boys and focused on him once again, Riley tossed the ball over towards Forrest who yet again had water splashed in his face as a result when it landed in front of him.
"Hey! I liked it better when you were moody, I didn't get abused so much." Riley flashed him a teasing grin before focusing on Catherine again, Graham was already getting out of the water and heading off to set out some of the drinks.
"The winner get's to have anything she wants," Riley spoke looking a little playful and still smiling, he glanced over towards Forrest as he added a little louder, "Even if Forreset has to be abuse for you to get it." There was an insulted little laugh from the other tall and well built man as he splashed water over towards Riley. Catherine's ex-boyfriend flashed her another bright grin as Forrest reached for him, only to miss since Riley dived under the water before Forrest was close enough to grab hold of him.
Riley had made it all the way to the shore, but he didn't stand up, instead laying down on the sand with the water lapping gently about his legs and waist. After running his fingers through his hair once again, taking a moment to comb the spiked hair with his fingers, he glanced over his shoulder and back towards Catherine. Graham was wandering towards Riley with a towel for him since usually Riley didn't like being around woman without a top on or something to cover himself with. Katie came bounding towards him, she had been laying by Dawn and Angela's feet while they talk and only noticed Riley when he stood up as Graham handed his towel to him and said thank you.
It was easy to see that Katie was getting very tired since she just ran up to him and then stood there wagging her tail and looking up at him. Riley grinned down at her, one of the reasons he was so absolutely obsessed with her was because she was always so excited to see him, it made him always feel as if he was wanted, at times it seemed she was the only one that really wanted him around.
How am I going to be strong without you? I need you by my side..
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game"Yeah, yeah, yeah.. I'll get some drinks from the cooler, meet you at the table or where ever." Her fingers were tingling slightly from where he'd touched her and there was an embaressed look on her face. It had been about three months since they'd broken up and she was still blushing like mad if he came near her. She knew that soon she was either going to have to tell him how she felt or get over him and stop acting like this, she knew the one she would pefer to do. She looked down at the waves that were surrounding her,deciding that if she could pluck up the courage she'd say something to him. There was a feeling of extreem nervousness that trembled through her at the idea of telling him something so important.
She didn't really pay any attention to what Forrest was saying, she was too lost in her own thoughts about how perhaps she could lure Riley away from all the others for long enough for her to tell him how she really felt. She felt a little sick as he tried to return the bright smile Riley was flashing at her. She wouldn't do it now, she'd do it later, just before they went home so if he did turn her down she could just walk away and go back to the school. She knew she wouldn't have the nerve to go back to his classes if he didn't like her, she didn't think she'd be able to look him in the eye. Perhaps she could tell him she needed help with some of her work and that way he could get him away from the others long enough for her to have her conversation with him. She could tell him she'd lost the book that he'd lent her or something.
With her head clouded by thoughts she made her way out of the sea. Charlie catching up with her and talking excitedly to her about how she thought the guy she liked off the basketball team might like her too. The preocupied look on Cat's face didn't go unnoticed by her friend who looked over at Riley and smirked. Charlie wondered if perhaps she shouldn't just give them a little nudge in the right direction, if she left it to the pair of them to it, they might still be like this in a years time. She didn't know that Riley had decided to talk to Cat tonight over tea .... even though that plan was out of the window now that the party would be going on late into the night.
The pair of girls hurried over to where their clothes were and toweled themselves dry once again, Cat's hair had begun to curl again even though it looked quite scruffy at the moment. Charlie knew she'd get upset and worried if she thought she looked anything over than perfect so she didn't say anything. Her friend looked so excited about the prospect of having drinks with Riley that she didn't want to make her feel self concious in front of her ex.
Cat: It feels like my world is slipping through my fingers and I don't know how to hold onto it
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
The boys had hurried over towards the table while the girls went off to the places they had put their things down, so by the time they were toweling their bodies they were sitting down. The way Riley was watching Catherine had started to bug Forrest, he didn't understand what the problem was, why didn't Riley just go over to her and tell her how he felt? Graham knew more sympathetically that since Riley had been dumped by her it had been very difficult for them to regain their friendship and he didn't want to ruin it by telling her he still felt so strongly towards her. Riley had his towel over his lap in a casual manner, but left it there.. just incase..
It was like a dream just watching her body, it had been so amazing when he was allowed to run his fingers across her skin, he wanted to hold her against his body again so badly. Just a few moments with his arms about her again, his skin was still tingling from the previous touch he had stolen from her.
"Riley, you really ought to just stop sulking and go over and talk with her about this," Talk with her? About what.. that he'd give anything for her to love him again, for the right to run his palm across her skin and caress her form.. To make love to her right now, he wished so desperately that he could just have a moment alone with her. He knew he shouldn't, that he ought to avoid any risky moments of having her all to himself incase he did something that he might regret the moment she turns and storms off never to speak to him again.
No, he'd already thought of this, he had to tell her he wasn't coping well with being so close around her, if he couldn't have her then he might as well leave the school and go back to Iowa. He had land there, already started building, and he was using a company that had mutants employed, they were much quicker builders then the human workers. He could just live up in the barn at his parents place for another month or two and then the new house should be ready and then he'll not be hovering around her, or anyone, he can just live peacefully and alone with Katie. That way he'll not be tormented every day with seeing the one thing he wanted so badly and yet was never allowed to have again.
He didn't even hear the rest of what Graham was saying, Catherine was moving towards them and his attention become solely focused on her, even though he made it look as if he was playing with Katie and pointing Catherine out for Katie to see. The puppy's back paws where on Riley's knees while her front paws were on the edge of the table, her nose sniffing at the bottle Graham and placed infront of Riley even though her eyes were staring towards Catherine who had obviously caught her attention as her tail started to wag happily, she had calmed down a great deal now and seemed far more relaxed with everything and everyone.
Riley grabbed one of the bottles Graham had placed in the center of the table and held it out for Catherine, more luring her towards him then an act of being polite, after all, he had no idea which drink she liked best. He didn't even look at the bottel he picked for her, just holding it out so she'd move towards him, either accepting it or asking for a different one, maybe she'd sit next to him, or at least closer to him, she had friends so the hopes of her sitting next to him of all people were very low, but if he coax her into approaching him then maybe the chances would increase slightly, it was his birthday after all. He was only enjoying himself because it was proving a wonderful chance of getting close to Catherine, and seeing her wearing so little was a pleasure, whether he would admit it to himself or not.
How am I going to be strong without you? I need you by my side..
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
A pretty smile appeared on her face as she saw Riley reach over and pick up a bottle and hold it out towards her. She incresed her speed a little in order to get to his side quicker, Charlie gave her an amused smile before she hurried up so that she was walking at Cat's speed. Personally she didn't see what was holding Cat back from just telling him how she felt, it was so obvious he liked her. His eyes rarley seemed to look at anything else than her, but she guessed that perhaps it wasn't so easy to interprate body language when you were nervous and confused. Maybe all the pair of them needed was a little time to themselves, perhaps she could talk to Forrest and Graham and see if they couldn't split Cat and Riley up from the rest of the party for a little bit. The beach was likley to look romantic in the moonlight, perhaps the two just needed the right conditions.
With these thoughts in mind Charlie veered away from Cat slightly and over towards Riley's friend's. Picking up one of the open bottles from the table she turned her back on Riley and Cat as she spoke to Graham in a rather low voice though she doubted either of the two love birds behind her would even notice anyone else was at the beach anymore.
'Hey, can't you just get Riley to ask her out or something?' She was awfuly blunt but then Charlie had learnt that that was often the best way of getting what she wanted. She raised the bottle to her lips and drank a little while she waited for Graham to answer her question.
'Thanks Riley.' Cat streatched out both her hands, one to take the bottle from him, looking chuffed that he'd picked a drink that she liked; the other to pat Katie rather affectionatly on the head. Cat often treated Katie almost like an extension of Riley, especaily when he wasn't around. The result, when added to the way Riley acted around the puppy meant that Katie was completley spoilt. She let herself take a step backwards, dropping her eyes to her body for a moment to make sure she was still looking her best.
'Errr I got you a gift ...' There was a twsisting feeling in the pit of her stomach ... what if he didn't like it? Would he reject her gift the way he had the gold necklace. Her fingers picked nervously at the lable on the bottle as her eyes moved to look over at the table that had Riley's gifts on it. 'It's ummm wrapped in a bluey purple wrapping paper and ... and I stuck your card on the side. Just in case the tags fallen off ... I thought you should know ... in case you know....' She should stop talking now before she made an even bigger fool of herself in front of him. 'Umm anyway it's over on the table .... with all your other gifts.' ... 'Errrr.' her cheeks were turning slightly red now and she was talking to the ground. She should just shut up. 'an ... an if you don't like it I think I've got the recipt somewhere so you can always exchange it for something else.' Her eyes flashed over to look at him again before darting over to the table again. She could feel her hands trembling slightly.
Cat: It feels like my world is slipping through my fingers and I don't know how to hold onto it
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game'Hey, can't you just get Riley to ask her out or something?' Graham glanced over at Cat's friend and offered an amused smile before glancing over at the other two and then back at her.
"Well I suggested that, but it's hard for him, he asked her out once already, then again after she left the school, she dumped him officially for the first time and he's been finding it really hard, says he doesn't want to ruin what he has with her." Graham figured if he explained that it was a little more complicated then asking someone out for the first time, at least for them, they had been through so much hardship together. "I think he's waiting for her to make the first step this time." Graham spoke thoughtfully but was looking towards Forrest who merely shrugged while watching his new girlfriend who was flirting with him while sitting off at another table with some of her friends.
'Thanks Riley.' Reply with a grin as she took the bottle and patted Katie, who shifted about excitedly on his lap until his hands kept her still. When Catherine moved back a little, her eyes had dropped down, automatically Riley's eyes followed to see what she was looking at before he blushed slightly with an extremely embarressed feeling as he quickly glanced down at Katie. If he wanted to, he could reach out right now and touch her anywhere he wanted, he could pull her towards him and hold her, sit her on his lap and kiss and caress her..
'Errr I got you a gift ...' When she spoke he pushed the thoughts away that had began to plague him yet again while she remained so near him. 'It's ummm wrapped in a bluey purple wrapping paper and ... and I stuck your card on the side. Just in case the tags fallen off ... I thought you should know ... in case you know....' She got him a present!? He wanted to know what, he wanted to see it right away! 'Umm anyway it's over on the table .... with all your other gifts.' ... 'Errrr.' He looked over towards the table with presents on it, he wanted to hurry over there and rip through all of them until he found hers. It was just another thing he could hold and treasure when she wasn't around, another thing to remind him of what he was had, what had once loved him enough to hold him and share her love with him.
'an ... an if you don't like it I think I've got the recipt somewhere so you can always exchange it for something else.' Return her gift? He wouldn't dare! She chose it specially for him and he'd never let go of it, he'd never let anyone take it away from him, whatever it was belonged to him now and she got it for him and he never wanted to let anyone else ever touch it.
"Never." He replied to her comment about returning it, more of a rather surprised remark that slipped out, standing up quickly, he moved over to the table, one hand holding Katie and the other starting to sort through the gifts. After a minute he dropped Katie carefully to the ground where she sat down patiently with her body pressed right up against Riley's foot. It wasn't hard to see that Riley was showing little interest in the other gifts, Graham cleared his throat a little when Riley accidently knocked one of them off the table after flicking it aside from his fingers.
Picking up the present the Catherine discribed, Riley glanced over towards Graham a little shyly as he mumbled 'Sorry', then focused on the present was from Catherine. Some of the others had noticed Riley shifting through the gifts and thought he might be starting to open them but when he moved back to the table they continued on with whatever they were doing.
He had already began carefully unwrapping the paper by the time he sat down again, placing it on the table top and looking thrilled that Catherine had gotten him somethng. He wanted to keep everything, even the paper, he'll find a place to put it, use it somehow, or just stash it somewhere. One day she was going to leave the school and go off and get married, she was never going to see him again, he wanted to collect everything he could from her before that horrific moment where she leaves his life forever.
How am I going to be strong without you? I need you by my side..
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
For a second she wasn't sure why he'd sprung to his feet .... had she said something wrong? Her eyes watched him rather nervously as he walked away from her, she knew she was only being stupid, she couldn't have said anything to upset him all she'd told him was that she'd bought him a gift and that was hardly cause for him to storm off. There was a faint blush that rose in her cheeks when she realised that he'd gone over to the table that was sporting his presents. A hopeful look appeared in her eyes as she watched him search through the gifts, there was an odd little smug feeling inside her as he looked determindly for her gift. He'd rejected that other girls gift she'd bought him but now he'd told her he wouldn't give her the gift she'd bought him back.
With a rising feeling of nervousness she saw him pull out her rather small wrapped package and move back over towards her, unwrapping it as he came. She watched Katie who scampered along at Riley's heels her eyes looking up at her master from adoring chocolate coloured eyes. Riley sat down, still intent on opening the gift she'd got for him.
In order to give her hands something to do she picked up the squirmy little puppy, holding her against her chest as Katie fervently washed Cat's neck for a couple of moments before she gave up since Cat tasted of salt. Instead she wagged her tail and looked over at Riley who'd succeded at opening Cat's gift. Inside the wrapping paper was a small box which was black with silver writing on it informing him that inside was a bottle of men's aftershave.
Hugging Katie a little closer to her she let her eyes flick from the present to Riley and back again, waiting for him to say something to her. She secretly didn't think it was a good a present as the one Melissa had got him, but at the moment she didn't really have much money and she'd not had any clue what to get him. She'd dragged Charlie around about ten shops then umm and arrrred for ages over what precisley she should choose.
'Sorry.. I umm didn't know what you wanted.'
Charlie nodded slightly, taking another gulp of her drink while she watched Riley hurrying off towards the present table, she gave a smirk while she watched him scrabble through the gifts presumably looking for the one Cat had got him.
'Perhaps they just need a little persuasion ... maybe we can get them alone. It's so obvious she likes him but she won't admit it.' Charlie sighed a little and threw a guy who was walking past a flirty look along with a little smile.
Cat: It feels like my world is slipping through my fingers and I don't know how to hold onto it
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
The very tips of his fingers ran over the black box, tracing the silver letters carefully, he wasn't used to seeing things in boxes or packaging so it took until he opened the box to see what was inside before he smiled more brightly in realization of what it was.
'Sorry.. I umm didn't know what you wanted.' He carefully slipped it back into the box and looked up at her, she got him something he can wear, he already planned on wearing it only on special occasions. Though those would include his basketball games and any day he had class with her she she'd know he was wearing it since there'd be a high chance of her getting close enough to him for her to know he was using it.
"Thank you," Riley looked up at her again since his eyes had trailed back down to her present he was holding, "I'm going to put it in the car so I don't lose it." He grinned excitedly as he swang his legs over the bench he was sitting on so at the table so he could stand up, excusing himself once more before hurrying off to his car.
'Perhaps they just need a little persuasion ... maybe we can get them alone. It's so obvious she likes him but she won't admit it.' Graham glanced at Charlie for a moment and then over towards Angela and Dawn, what was it with girls? Always so eager to sort out other people's relationships..
"I think that girl Angela is going to have a word with Catherine later, though I guess I can have a word with Riley at some point.." Graham's long time Girlfriend waved him over towards her group and the dark skinned man hastily excused himself to go over and see what she wanted.
A short while after they brought out a few cakes, and people seemed to be insisting for Riley to start to open his presents, while Forrest carried most of them off to the boot of Riley's car once a small pile formed. Some presents were really nice, others were just really bad, like the one one of the cheerleaders gave him which was sunblock, an one she had opened as well since she forgot her one and had just re-wrapped it thinking Riley wouldn't notice.
"..Sunblock?" Angela had whispered towards Catherine once Riley had finished reading the back of the bottle, he's never worn sunblock before, but most people found it odd that he was actually reading the instructions.. It looked like Riley was just keen on getting the unwrapping of gifts over with, but everyone was wanting to watch him open their presents and he looked as if they were making him do some sort of slave labour. He cheered up a little when he was handed a gift that was from Angela, when it was from people he knew he looked happier. When he unwrapped the neatly wrapped box with shimmery purple paper and a blue glittery card that just said 'Wishing you all the best ~ From Angie'.
"Thank you Angela." Flashing her a little grin as he examined the new paints she had gotten for him and a book on 'Inspirational Ideas'. Angela blushed slightly since she was a horrible gift buyer, but Riley didn't look disappointed so she felt she didn't have to shamefully hide her face at least. Most of the others now went off to grab cakes and more drinks, the past hour had been really boring for Riley, even if he had been opening knew gifts and talking to people, he wanted to get back to just talking with Catherine again.
"I'll help you." Riley scooped up some of the remainders of his presents and followed Forrest over towards his car to pack them away. Angela reached out and picked up the sunblock, opening the lid to see the top had residue of the continents from inside on it, "God, and she's used it," Angela stated rather indignantly, Angela hadn't liked the way the girl commented on other people so this only helped lower the girls status in the elemental mutants mind.
"But hey, you ought to offer to rub some onto Riley's back," Angela gave a mischivious little grin towards Catherine as she added slyly, "I bet he'd enjoy that." Her hand tilted the bottle from side to side teasingly, she wasn't sure if Catherine really didn't know Riley liked her still, which she thought was too bluntly obvious for her to not know, or if she was just pretending not to notice. Since she dumped him she probably didn't want to provoke him into thinking she was still interested when she wasn't. But it wasn't hard to see she liked him by the way she looked at him, especially the way the two have been acting today and the recent times they have been together.
How am I going to be strong without you? I need you by my side..
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
She hadn't really wanted to watch Riley opening his gifts, she knew she'd just judge them up against her one and she was sure that he'd only been polite with her about her gift. As everyone had started to flock around him she'd moved off and settled down on a table a little away from him, though close enough that she could see what he was opening if she wanted too. She tried to make it appear as if she wasn't watching what he was unwrapping even though she was shooting furtive glances over to the table and glaring at people who looked over at her. Her hand closed around a bottle that was resting on the table, she took a quick drink of it and looked down at it ruefully as she used her nails to pull off the label.
Looking over Charlie noticed Cat's sudden detachment and guessing correctly that it might partly be due to the fact she didn't have Riley's attention solely upon her gave a small smile before making her way over towards her friend.
'Hey Cat.' Cat gave her a slightly strained smile and looked back at the bottle in her hands and ran her fingers over the smooth glass before she let her nails try and remove part of the label again. 'Wot's up?' Cat shrugged her shoulders not looking over at her friend, but looking at the bottle as if her very life depended upon it. 'Riley seemed really chuffed with your gift.' She got Cat's attention straight away, after all she'd just mentioned her friends favourite topic of conversation.
'Really? ... yeah well I guess so.' Cat looked a little happier at the thought, she glanced over at the table, but Riley was walking over towards his car with the gifts he'd been given in his arms. Charlie didn't get chance to expand on what she'd been saying since Angela had made her way over towards the pair of them. Thinking perhaps she wanted to talk to Cat about Riley Charlie made her excuses and slipped away. The agility mutant shot Angie a rather nervous look, watching the movement of the sun screen as Angela shook the bottle at her.
"But hey, you ought to offer to rub some onto Riley's back," Cat's ears turned a red colour at the idea and she tried to appear like she hadn't heard what Angela had just said. "I bet he'd enjoy that." Cat's insides twisted at the thought though she tried to keep her face unemotional even though she could feel her cheeks burning.
'I'm sure he's old enough to put his own sun screen on.' She said a little coolly, glancing past Angie towards the car Riley was placing his gifts into. She felt that the mutant was teasing her and she didn't like to be made to feel stupid. Plus she didn't want to admit she still had feelings for Riley to Angie, she hadn't forgotten the last time Angie had tried to bully how she felt out of her.
Cat: It feels like my world is slipping through my fingers and I don't know how to hold onto it
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game"Yeah, but where's the fun in that?" Angela replied, not really liking the way Cat had spoken to her and yet feeling she deserved that since it was her idea to send them off to Iowa together.. "Ok, let's just say I'm here because as an X-men, and Riley being my leader, it's my job to voice my concerns." She stated in a rather formal, though slightly annoyed tone, she didn't take friends turning their backs on her very well and since Cat's done a few things that Angela hasn't held against her, the singer felt she derserved to at least be able to hold a polite conversation with the girl.
"You know Talia says Riley's spending a lot of time in the Medical Bay?" She started rather sternly, bluntly trying to get Cat's attention on the matter, "and the last few months, up until about a week or so ago, that during our Danger Room sessions he's sore all over all the time? Dawn was helping Sean with some of his things and she says Riley had bruises all over himself, and Talia says Dr McCoy isn't permitting him into the lab any more." Dawn was talking with Riley now, he looked a little stressed since he was getting bored and he wanted to know when the party was finishing so he could leave and hopefully whisk Catherine off for some quiet time to chat about anything.
"He's destroying himself, and everyone but you seems to know why." Pulling a folded sheet of previously crumpled up paper out of her small bag, she seemed to unceremoniously dump it on Catherine's lap and got up and walked off over towards Dawn. She had only been trying to be friendly and it really hurt her already guilty heart by the way Cat had acted.
The note started with a rather poorly made up poem that had cross scribbled over the neat black writing in a red pen;
Do not fear,
Can’t you hear?
I am near,
To hold you dear,
To be right here,
To be the one to see you clear
To love you.. only you my dear
To hold you.. till you disappear.
The next sample of writing had a few words scribbled out roughly and some whited out neatly with new words written over the layer of whiteout carefully. The title had been whited out as well, though 'Your Love that Carries me' was readable, there was a line drawn through it to show he didn't like the name.
The winds came, and upon them I heard your whisper
The warm and sweet caress of the breeze, I felt your arms about me
The cool gust on a hot day, like promises within a pleasant dream, soon fade and die away.
Was it wrong of me to open my arms and wish to soar, like a bird, to be above it all,
You where the wind beneath my wings, you lifted me so near to all I found so dear.
Was it wrong of me to close my eyes and dream the dreams that now lead to my demise?
Upon the gentle winds I flew, so trusting and naive,
Upon the blissful breeze I thought I saw what’s true.
How was I to know, that when I looked down and took pity on those lonely souls,
With their broken wings, their flightless forms unable to ascend,
Unable to feel free, to soar upon a gentle wind like me..
How was I to know.. that moments before I was to reach the light,
The promise of eternal bliss, like the taste of your delightful kiss
I would then be cast off your liberating breeze, allowed to fall.. allowed now to lose it all.
Did I not tell you once that I believe in you?
Would it shame you to know that I still do?
And here I stand-alone, my broken wings are waiting,
Upon this rock I stay, my shattered form berating.
I’ll pray there be another day, where your winds beneath my battered wings will carry me away.
On the sides of the words he had 'Note to self: You might have just stooped to a lower form of 'Awful' then Spike's famously terrible poems'. It wasn't hard to see he had been going through a few different emotions since one part he was teasing himself and another part of the note had 'She Hates You', each letter written over repeatedly to make it bolder, slightly messy, and then he had underlined it.
One the other side he had the letter he was trying to start when he began to consider talking with her about his feelings for her and how they should handle that.. if it was a problem or if she might still care about him enough to return those feelings. The letter was a complete mess though, starting with 'Dear Catherine'. then having it scribbled out and changed to 'My dearest Catherine', and then scribbled out again to have just 'Catherine,'. There was only a start of the letter, he gave up since he lost his nerve, the start was just as messy, beginning with 'There's something I wanted to talk with you about', then crossed out to have 'I know things didn't work out with us, I know you said we're over, but it's not as easy as just saying that, can we please talk?'. The ending was scribbled out and altered a few times, 'I think we should talk', 'It might be best if we sit down and talk', 'I just want some time to speak with you about things.' eventually it was easy to see he gave up since he just doodled things on the last half of the page with another few short poems.
'My Forgotten Love
Even when my mind is empty, my heart is filled with love for you.'
'She is my desert rose: A wonderful soul brought up in a harsh enviroment.'
It was dated mid Feburary though, around the time they started being more friendly with each other, Riley had been half asleep during class and just spent his time doodling on the sheet of paper until he scrunched it up and threw it away in the bin on the way out of class. Angela had been the last to leave the room for the sole purpose to see what Riley had been so engrossed in for his entire class. She had been meaning to talk with Cat about it for a while now but it was really hard when the agility mutant kept herself busy, occupied herself with Riley or just plain avoided everyone.
"We'll start the fire now!" Graham called out loudly, Riley had been discreetly watching Catherine as she seemed busy with her attention focused on reading something, so he glanced about rather confused as people scurried about eagerly to get ready for the bon fire.
"Catherine!!" Riley called for her eagerly as if her reading meant she wouldn't have possibly heard Graham's voice. Moving over towards the area they set up for the fire, having placed towels and large logs all around the area so they could sit comfortably. Katie trailed at his feet, her tail wagging as she trotted after him, looking tired though, her tiny pink tongue flopping out sweetly at the end of her muzzle as she panted. Riley sat down on one of the towels, but leaned his back against the log some others were sitting on, Forrest gave him a plate with a cake on it and handed him another drink. Riley felt a little queasy now though so he didn't feel like anything, closing his eyes patiently instead as he waited for Catherine to arrive.
How am I going to be strong without you? I need you by my side..
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game"Yeah, but where's the fun in that?" Was it everyone's life goal to embaress her like this? Couldn't Angie just keep out of her business. Riley didn't want her to do anything of the sort or he'd have already asked her. She fixed her eyes on the bottle in front of her, almost acting as if ignoring Angela's presence would make the other mutant go away. She was big enough to look after herself, couldn't they all just understand that, if she didn't want to tell Riley how she felt about him then she didn't have to. It wasn't up to them what she decided to do or not.
"Ok, let's just say I'm here because as an X-men, and Riley being my leader, it's my job to voice my concerns." Cat assuming this was going to be another rant about the fact that Cat should be running after Riley even though he seemed to her own mind to be getting along fine without her. She only had this picture because Riley was doing everything he could not to let her see that he was spirit broken without her. "He's destroying himself, and everyone but you seems to know why." There was a painful little twisting sensation in her stomach at the thought that he'd confided in things to other people rather than her. Maybe they weren't as good friends as she'd imagined them to be. Perhaps it was because she'd lost his baby ... maybe he was really angry over it ... it would figure that he hadn't talked to her about it.
She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't realise at first that Angie had pulled out a rather tattered piece of paper until she had waggled it under her nose. Rather irritably Cat reached out for the paper, after only a glance she could tell it was written in Riley's handwriting. She read through the first poem alright since it was only short but seemed to struggle a with the second one since it contained alot of words that were rather complicated to her. She let her eyes settle on the 'she hates you' words, wondering who he was talking about. Maybe he'd fallen out with someone.
Her fingers curiously turned over the paper, she'd forgotten Angie was there, her eyes too engrossed in reading the lines that Riley had written. It was a letter ... to her ... but he'd never sent it. Her eyes flicked upto the date, her heart suddenly speeding up, he'd only written in last month. Did this mean he still liked her? She bluntly ignored Graham as he called out that they were going to light the bonfire. Her hands drew the paper towards her chest a little, her eyes re-reading what she'd written as if the words might have changed since she'd last read them. Upon hearing Riley's voice calling for her she glanced over at him, looking quickly down at the paper in her hands and then over at Angie again, looking slightly surprised to see her.
'Can I keep this.' It wasn't a question, it was more of a statement since she'd already folded the paper up and was holding it clenched rather hard in her hand as if daring Angie to try and get it back again. There was a strange turmoil of feelings running around inside her at the thought of what he'd written, did it mean he still liked her. She wanted to talk to him, but he was surrounded by people and she was too chicken to go right up to him and ask for a word.
'Do ... d'ya think ... that maybe you could ask him if he could maybe perhaps come and find me later if he's free?' She sounded almost absent minded and she walked off without either looking at Angie or waiting to hear her reply. She was too engrossed in her letter to notice much at all. She'd think of something to say to him when and if he came to talk to her.
Cat made her way down the beach to find somewhere that there weren't other people, she wanted to find somewhere secluded where she could gloat over the contents of the letter. She didn't even care that the sun was going down, casting long shadows up the beach a the moment there was only her and the letter and the faint hope that Riley might have meant that he liked her in it.
Cat: It feels like my world is slipping through my fingers and I don't know how to hold onto it
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game'Can I keep this.' Angela shrugged slightly, it seemed at least she was still holding some feelings for him otherwise she wouldn't really keep it would she? She wouldn't talk in that tone of voice anyway.. 'Do ... d'ya think ... that maybe you could ask him if he could maybe perhaps come and find me later if he's free?' Angela watched as Cat walked off and then made her way over towards where the group was gathered. Riley didn't even seem to notice Cat wasn't coming since he was still resting patiently for her arrival, Angela nudged him gently for his attention and he glanced up with a grin thinking it was Catherne but lost his happier look since he was dissapointed it wasn't.
"Catherine wants to talk with you, she went off in that direction," Riley looked worried for a moment as he started to scramble up to his feet, Angela assured him it wasn't anything to worry about but he also didn't like the thought of her being off on her own. When he moved off towards where Angela said Catherine had gone, he looked around rather nervously, he was holding his towel now that he had been sitting on, holding it up in front of his chest as if worried someone might be watching him. Katie trailed after him for a moment but Angie had scooped up the puppy and held her even when she whined and struggled to get down and follow Riley.
"It's ok, she can come," Riley insisted, Angela half rolled her eyes since Riley seemed rather keen for her to join him and he was just going to be distracted with the puppy while Cat was trying to talk with him she figured. Katie bounded after him eventually as he made his way after Catherine, glancing around as if half expecting to see some people lurking in the bushes in the distance.
"Catherine?" Riley called out, Katie wandered off towards the water again and started sniffing at the waves and mucking about with the water that would rush towards her, but she was too tired to run away fast so her paws were getting wet and catching sand all over them.
How am I going to be strong without you? I need you by my side..
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
Her walk had only taken her slightly out of sight of the others before she came to an anxious stop, her eyes darting over the words on the page then back over her shoulder quickly. There was the trunk of a tree, that had been blown down in a fierce storm which had happened a couple of weeks ago near her and it only took her a couple of steps more and she let herself sink down onto the trunk. She shifted about uncomfortably for a couple of moments since all she was wearing was her bikini and the wood was rather rough and pitted.
Settling down again she looked back over the words on the page. Did the statement 'She hates you.' refer to her too? But they were friends ... why would he think that she felt that way about him. She had so many questions all buzzing about inside her head that she wanted answers to and she couldn't ask him about any of them. Feeling a little sick with apprehension at what might happen when Riley came to talk to her she looked down at the ground.
What was she going to say to him, perhaps she should go back and write him a letter .. but then she didn't have any paper or a pen. With a slight frown she transerfered her eyes back to the paper and re-read the first poem he'd written to her. Perhaps she should just tell him how she felt .... but it was a terrifying thought, all her happiness was resting on the answer to that one simple question.
"Catherine?" She sprang to her feet looking flustered as she heard her name being called as if she had a guilty conscience which she did. Was she even supposed to be reading this, she was sure Riley didn't know Angie had it, the way it had been screwed up. Her eyes focused on his form and then swung away to watch Katie who was playing by the edge of the sea. Oh god ... Oh god!! What was she going to say to him.
He'd caught sight of her and was making his way over towards her, she had the sudden desire to turn and run away off up the beach to avoid the situation. She forced some kind of ghastly smile over her face and met his eye for the briefest of moments. He was standing right in front of her now, and she could feel her cheeks burning a bright red colour. There was a rushing sound in her ears and she couldn't tell if he was speaking. The words suddenly and quickly seemed to spill out of her mouth, she just wanted to get it over and done with as quickly as possible.
'Istilllikeyou,didyouwannamaybegooutsometime?' Her eyes were centred on the ground near his feet so she didn't have to see his reaction. One of her hands clasped to the edge of his paper shoved his scrawled letter attempt towards him.
Cat: It feels like my world is slipping through my fingers and I don't know how to hold onto it
Re: The Beachside Party - Night before the Big Game
The way she had leapt to her feet meant that he had been able to notice her sudden movement, offering her a grin until he realized she was looking really uncomfortable. Feeling concerned he hurried over towards her, staring at her odd expression as she smiled at him and feeling slightly awkward suddenly. He glanced up to where the group was around the fire and then looked towards Catherine's bright red cheeks, feeling slightly paranoid he glanced down at himself as if expecting to see something extremely humiliating to cause her to become so unexpectantly uncomfortable and embarrassed.
'Istilllikeyou,didyouwannamaybegooutsometime?' Lifting his eyes as she spilled out a single sentance that had been said so hastily it seemed to have formed a single word without any pause for breath. He stared at her for a moment, accessing what she had said with a blank, yet faintly shocked look, slowly reaching out for what she was handing him without even looking to see what it was. But as soon as he glanced down at it while his fingers smoothed out the paper, he instantly squished it in his hands and pulled it against his chest
"I threw thi-...what?" He started with one thing, speaking to himself in shock that she had found this letter, she wasn't even in his class, then stared with realization of what she actually said. "..You do?" He sounded so hopeful for a moment, glancing down at his crimpled up letter again and then looking over towards her once more. "But.." Now what was the point in reminding her about all the horrible things she had said? He was sure she couldn't have forgotten them.. "..Will you like to go now? I'm bored, we could get a movie, watch something together.. talk a bit?" He sounded like he was bordering being nervous and being terrified, this was so amazing, but she said 'like' not 'love', so he wasn't going to dare push things and just try to be very careful to he didn't do anything to mess this moment up.
"Would you want to? If you want to stay that's alright, I don't mind, we can do something else later.." Looking confused and unsure as he stared at the ground yet again, he wanted to say so much, to throw himself at her, to scream out as loudly as possible that he wanted to be with her and he still felt for her the same way. He felt faint, he wanted to close his eyes and sit down, better yet, he wanted to wrap his arms about her and pull her close.
How am I going to be strong without you? I need you by my side..
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