aaronbowen

[aaronbowen]

[aaronbowen]

Well look at you, Miss Social Butterfly.

Taking a break from all of your studying?

Well hey, St. Mary's.

How’s it goin’ hm?

[aaronbowen]

[[inner thoughts]]

Uncle Adam's coming to the senior game.

Here. At St. Mary's.

It doesn't seem like a big deal, but he's done so much for me that having him at that game means so much. Coach is really drilling us hard to make sure we close the season strong and, for the sake of everyone that got us here, I hope we do.

[aaronbowen]

Wow. Really?

I mean, I was hoping you'd say yes, but I thought it'd require way more pleading on my part. I don't care if you go to the ball in jeans, Silver Snake. Wouldn't change a thing. This, uh...this doesn't mean we have to rush back into things... I'd understand if you were still upset about me leaving but... I'm glad you're giving me a chance, Vic. I won't let you down.

Hey, uh, Silver Snake...?

[aaronbowen]

So. My uncle just brought me out to get this suit...

And I'm kind of looking for an occasion to wear it. Maybe the ball? And as awesome as the suit is...I don't think the night would quite be right without my team mate by my side... Would you care to go to the Valentine's Day ball with me? I'd even wear silver. Or match whatever color you pick, I don't care. I'd... I'd just like to go... with you, Vic.

Hey, uh, Silver Snake...?

[aaronbowen]

Hey, uh, Silver Snake...?

Are you around?

I gotta ask you something.

[aaronbowen]

It was late and Aaron knew breaking curfew was a stupid and a risky mood. But his senioritis had only worsened since getting accepted at Notre Dame and his desire to see Vicky had overpowered his sense of reasoning. Before he could talk himself out of it, he pulled a ND sweatshirt on over his head, slipped into the jeans he'd worn the previous day, and made his way out of his dorm and toward the girls' dorms.

He knew Vicky and figured she must not have been asleep just yet. While he had breezed through his exams, he knew that she would do anything to make sure she stayed on top of her class. Which probably meant she was still up, pouring over her books like the good student she was. The thought of it brought a small smile to his lips and he shook his head as he pulled open the back door to the girls' dormitory staircase. As a veteran St. Mary's student, he knew the door never quite shut and had kept the knowledge tucked away, just in case he ever needed it.

But when he made his way up the stairs to get to Vicky's floor, he was surprised to see her seated in the common area kitchen. It erased his worry about explaining himself when he knocked on her door in the middle of the night. A bowl of cereal sat on the counter in front of her and she'd been playing with her hair. "You okay, Silver Snake?" he asked, his smooth voice easily breaking the silence. With a small grin, Aaron easily crossed the distance between them and took a seat on the stool next to her, lightly bumping her knee with his. "I couldn't sleep and figured there was a chance you'd still be up too," he explained easily, letting his shoulder rest against hers for a moment before taking in her tired appearance. "Are you doing okay?"

Late Night Rendezvous || Peru

Moving around the pantry of the kitchen, Vicky opened cabinet after cabinet in search of a late night snack, something healthy, and delicious at the same time. There were boxes of pancake mix and fruit snacks that were packed into the cupboards for those students who couldn’t wait until the next day’s breakfast before eating.Finally pulling out a box of Cheerios, she poured a few out into a bowl and grabbed a spoon, looking down at the bowl with a sigh. 

She hadn’t been getting much sleep, and sure part of it had been the amount of studying and preparing she had been doing for midterms, even if it was a week or so in advance, but she was also conflicted. How was she supposed to sleep when all she did at night was think, in the past week she had about When Aaron was gone, she had missed him more than anything. But he had left her, disappeared. Digging her spoon into her bowl, she rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand before taking in a deep breath.

Hearing a noise from the steps near the kitchen, rubbing underneath her eyes as if it would magically make the bags disappear, she sat up straight and pushed her hair back out of her face.

[aaronbowen]

[aaronbowen]

Morning, sunshine.

Someone's happy to be up.

Morning, everyone.

[aaronbowen]

Rooting for you guys?

I don't know if I'd say that. I just see something great that could happen and two people too hesitant to really find out, that's all.

Holy shit, I have to clean out my football locker soon.

Thanks Aaron…

I will, don’t worry. Josh is one of my best friends. I couldn’t not see him. God, you’re really rooting for us, aren’t you.

[aaronbowen]

Now you're not giving yourself enough credit. I might've just met you, but I've been told I have a good sense for people. And you, Josie, are one of a kind. Too many people think that's a bad thing but, trust me, it isn't.

Just...give him a chance. Josh has a decently good head on his shoulders. He'll sort everything out soon enough. Just don't write yourself off as not being an option or he'll read it the wrong way. And we can't have that happening, now can we?

Holy shit, I have to clean out my football locker soon.

No.. No.. It’s fine Aaron.

I don’t think he gives himself enough credit. I’m just another one in line.. you know? And I highly doubt that’s the reason they haven’t ‘made a move’ on me. I don’t know. I mean, I trust him, more than anyone else. I’ve told him a lot of things, and he hasn’t run like I expected him too. I just assumed he’d want someone… more normal than me.

[aaronbowen]

Shit. Okay, I didn't mean to be like imposing or anything. I might be hurting more than helping, huh?

Ah. The classic 'others' dilemma. Wow, Suit doesn't know how much game he has, huh? Kid's too nice for his own good. But anyway, I digress. He cares about you. A lot. I can see it, and the other guys on the team can see it. Why do you think none of them have tried to make a move on a girl who knows the game? Not to say Josh claimed you or anything. Wow. I suck at this. I'm just saying... don't write him off just yet. The kid's a bit clueless. And a bit guarded because of what happened to his sister. But there's something there. I think so, anyway.

Holy shit, I have to clean out my football locker soon.

I-I…

I mean, I’ve always kind of liked him, you know? I mean, who wouldn’t? He’s handsome, athletic, nice… But there were always others… Phoebe.. Nikki.. Alina.. Even Mallory.. I just… We’re friends. I think I would’ve noticed if he liked me as anything more than friends.

[aaronbowen]

[aaronbowen]

You think? Hmm. You're not sounding so sure there, Josie. What if I put it this way.

I had a nickname for Vicky. And it was something special and just for her. Yes, it was silly, and the guys on the team gave me a lot of shit for it when they heard it. But. That didn't change the meaning behind it. Now, I'm not saying the kid wants to go out and marry you or anything, but have you thought about what might happen if he did have feelings for you? He's a shy one, Suit is. But sincere. And not much of a liar either.

Holy shit, I have to clean out my football locker soon.

Wow.. I didn’t things spread that fast here. Don’t worry Aaron, I’ll be sure she knows everything about it.

How does everyone know he calls me Kitten? And, I mean, I don’t think we’re like that…. At least, I think we’re just friends…

[aaronbowen]

I trust her in your knowledgable football hands. Trust me, the whole team knows you know football. It's a mythical thing--a female loving football--so naturally the knowledge spreads fast. If you manage to teach her, I'll owe you one.

And no, Josie. I definitely didn't get you confused with the little Gardener. Ross would probably kick Suit's ass if he tried anything. And, we both know he doesn't call her Kitten. But, if you two "aren't like that" then I guess I can leave it alone...

Holy shit, I have to clean out my football locker soon.

Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to drag her out to the next game I go to. I bet she’ll catch on sooner or later.

Like Kitten? It’s not… no. It’s not like that. It’s from a show. You must be confused. Josh and I aren’t… like that. You must have me confused with Nikki.

[aaronbowen]

She is, among other things. I feel like you two would get along. And maybe, just maybe, you can explain football to her so she could enjoy a game sometime.

Oh, you know. Just rumors. Don't worry your little head about it, Josie. Let's just say that Josh gets teased a lot in the locker room for his little nicknames for you and the color red he turns definitely doesn't help his case.

Holy shit, I have to clean out my football locker soon.

Well, that sounds complicated. We’ve talked a few times. She seems sweet. 

What rumors? There are rumors?

[aaronbowen]

Well that's good, I'm glad to hear you two are doing okay, even if it's just at the moment.

It's been one hell of a year, I can say that much.

Hey...