Count Down discussion

Courtyard

Mills walked out of class with a weary look in his eyes. He'd spent the entire class whispering to the girl that sat beside him. Her clock had reached zero a long time ago and she was going to marry the lucky guy as soon as she graduated with her Master's degree. Mills wondered what that was like, getting married, as he walked into the courtyard. He immeadiately noticed Adriana, the girl from the library yesterday, sitting in the courtyard. She had large bags under her eyes and kept taking sips from her large coffee.

"You know, you could be taking years off of your life by not getting enough sleep." Mills spoke up as he sat down on the bench beside her. He was joking of course, but that didn't magically make getting very little sleep any better for anyone.

"Mills." He corrected. Mills knew his name was weird. It was hinted by the fact that everyone wanted to call him Miles, but at least it wasn't his first name. Who in their right mind would name their child Sutton? His mother of course.

"Astronomy. Right now I have an internship at one of the better local observatories, but it seems that even with an internship I can't escape my astrology teacher." Mills sighed. His astrology teacher was crazy. But Mills wouldn't be getting enough credits that semester in order to graduate on time if he didn't take at least two or three classes during his internship.

"Medicine isn't that cliche." Mills replied, "I think it's more so for me because I just never left that phase of wanting to be an astronaut. I just always thought it would be cool to go into space, walk around on the moon, you know, cliche things."

Mills shrugged and rested his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped as he surveyed the courtyard around him. "Most people in the astronomy just want to do a bunch of math things and discover new stars and things of the like."

"It beats listening to my Astrology teacher drone on about the Zodiac signs being real and relevant to people's actual abilities and personalities. That's just a little too much crazy talk for me in one lecture." Mills chuckled and scratched his head. He wasn't exactly the best conversationalist, but he was easy to relate to.

"So how do you want to help people? Are you going to be a brain surgeon or are you going to just work in a hospital dealing with the flu day in and day out?"

Emily lugged her duffle bag across the courtyard, on her way to the dorm. She had stopped crying but her eyes were all puffy and red still. She couldn't believe Adrianna had said all of those harsh things. Emily knew she was just trying to protect her but she didn't have to hurt her feelings.

Emily's vision was a little blurry from crying still and she ended up crashing into someone. She fell down hard and was only vaguely aware that strong arms were helping her stand. She snapped to attention when she heard the voice of the person who had helped her. She may have only heard his voice once but she would recognize it anywhere. She stumbled away from him and looked around worriedly. There weren't that many people around and she really really didn't want to be around him by herself.

Emily glanced at his hand but didn't offer her own. "Emily." She said. Even when she was scared she couldn't be mean. She really needed to work on that like Adrianna told her. She picked up her duffle bag and slung it on her shoulder. "Sorry about bumping into you but I should be going." She tried not to sound scared but her voice wavered slightly.

Emily watched him warily. It looked like he wasn't letting her get away as easily as she had hoped. "She didn't tell me anything." She said carefully. She didn't know why he wanted to know what she had been told but she knew that it couldn't mean anything good.

"If you were me wouldn't you be scared to be alone with a guy you've never met? Plus this is LA. Anything could happen." She said wording her sentence carefully. She was trying not to say anything that would make him want to come after Adrianna even more.

Emily started forward but hesitated. He may tell her more about what was going on then Adrianna ever will. But that doesn't mean it will all be true. She was torn between going and staying but eventually she chose to stay. She would hear what he had to say and then come to her own conclusions.

Emily made her face as blank as possible and sat down on the bench. She made sure to keep a good distance between them. "What happened between you and Adrianna?" She asked. That was only one of many that she wanted to ask but she felt it was the most important.

Emily nodded. "So far everything matched up with what Adrianna had told her earlier but that didn't mean he wouldn't try to trick her or lie to her later. "But what happened to you guys dating? Obviously you aren't anymore." She said.

Emily sat there silent, processing what he had told her. This sounded like the relationship that Adrianna had said turned out to be a disaster. But the way that he was telling it didn't sound so bad. Why was Adrianna so scared that she broke down crying. "Why did you move here other than trying to find Adrianna. Or is that the only reason?" She asked slowly. She didn't want him to start acting wary and stop talking. Once Adrianna started talking to her again she would bring up the subject of this conversation.

Emily raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why didn't you tell that to Adrianna. You might have avoided getting punched in the face." She said. She thought it was kind of funny that a girl like Adrianna could punch a guy like Alejandro in the face and have him running.

"How do you know that she said anything bad to me? Maybe I left her so she could cool down because I'm a good friend." Emily said. She didn't want Alejandro to think that he had an advantage over them since they were fighting. Emily felt that it would cause even more problems if he knew they were at odds.

Emily glanced around and saw that the sky had lightened. She checked her watch and saw that she was gonna be late. Again. "Shit I gotta go." She stood quickly, knocking her bag to the ground. Bending to pick it up she glanced back at Alejandro. "Thanks for sharing I guess." She said. She was definitely going to have to talk to Adrianna about this whether she wanted to talk or not. With an awkward wave she hurried away to her dorm.

Philip slowly walked into the courtyard, looking at his test results. He wasn't the smart twin, so he ad gotten a C on his first test at this school. He sighed and fond a place to sit, he put his papers away and looked around. The courtyard, surprisingly, didn't have many people there, only a few people. He looked at the time, he would have to go to work soon, then he would have to go home and cook for his siblings.

Colette sat in the courtyard, perched on one of the dozens of various tables in the vast area. She wouldn't deny that she was tired, tired of the world. It was bad enough with her brothers always badgering her. Adelaide didn't even have to worry about that type of stuff, Colette was the important one for their mother's sake, that everyone in the family focused on. But Lett couldn't live with the attention for much longer. Shaking her head to wake herself from her daze, she clasped her hands together, shutting her eyes in the glaring sun. Peaceful, that was one word to describe the courtyard. To Lett, peaceful was the open road with nothing but her and speed.

Philip looked around, he saw the few people that were there before, and the trees, and the tables. He sighed, he looked down at his hands and reached for his phone. He texted his friends back in New York, he missed that place, he never really wanted to come here anyways. He looked up again and decided to try and see if he knew anyone here, he saw a few people get up and leave, a girl from his science class, and a girl from his history class. The he saw another girl that he didnt know, he smiled slightly her way, wanting her to look at him. He was always begging for attention, he loved being known, and being the center of attention.

((hello?))

((sorry I didn't see this! I'll reply now, I'm so sorry.))

Colette noticed a guy looking at her, and she felt an all too familiar warmth spread to her cheeks. Why did she always have to be the center of attention? It wasn't fair, and it made her so uncomfortable it wasn't even funny. At least it wasn't funny to her, a lot of others found it funny in a sick sort of way. A hesitant smile pulled at her lips, and she glanced back down at her clasped hands. Letting a deep exhale escape her lips, she moved stood up, leaning against the edge of the table and propped up with one hand.

Philip smiled and pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose slightly. He watched her stand up and lean on the table. She was only about ten feet away, "Hi" he waved slightly and stood up. He was pretty tall and thin, and he got made fun of for that, but it didn't really bother him. "I'm Philip" he walked over to her and held out his hand. He was always friendly and asking for attention. He was just that twin, since his twin was more of a shy guy.

After breakfast Emily and Jamie came back to campus so they could go to their next class. After a quick good bye they split off into their separate directions. Emily's economics class was as dull as ever and she was so glad when it was finally over. This meant that she had a few hours to go home and rest before she had to go out again for track practice. She hurried out the second that their teacher dismissed them.

Rachel sauntered across the courtyard and surveyed the students walking about. She was still simmering after seeing Jamie with his new girlfriend. That girl was a goody toe shoes and she wouldn't last long with a guy like Jamie. Speak of the devil She thought when she saw him walking past one of the buildings. No girlfriend she observed. Perfect

Jamie walked leisurely to the courtyard where emit had greed to meet up after classes. It was a beautiful day out, and Jamie was relieved found that his classes had barely assigned work for the day. Jamie waited casually for Emily, having minutes before Emily was let out. He occasionally conversed with old friends, grinning goodbyes to them as they left. It was good to be back.

Rachel waited until Jamie's other friends left before approaching him. "Hi Jamie." She purred when she was close enough for him to see her. She could tell that he was waiting for that retched girlfriend and it made her that much more determined. "We missed you around here." She pouted, sticking out her bottom lip and staring up at him with big blue eyes.

Jamie turned his head to see Rachel, a fellow classmate in two f hid classes. "Hey Rachel!" He grinned, waving as she approached. He shrugged at her comment, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, just had a little injury, kept me out a good week," he agreed. "What've you been up to?" He asked friendly, unsuspecting her motions.

Rachel placed a light hand on his arm. "You're better now right?" She asked, worry on her face. She shrugged and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Not much. Went to a few parties but they weren't the same without you there." She said. "Are you going to come to parties anymore or has your girlfriend stopped you from going?"

Emily hurried across the courtyard. She saw Jamie standing there and she was about to wave and call his name when she saw him talking to one of the girls from earlier. She slowed slightly but didn't stop walking.

"Oh yeah! I've got some physical therapy to do, but... Yeah," he smiled emu inept. Jamie raised an eyebrow. Was she insulting his Emily? "Nah, I can start going to them again, I've just been stuck in the house recovering," he defended. Where was Emily?

Rachel's gaze shifted to a figure coming across the courtyard behind Jamie. Her smile turned calculated and she stepped closer to Jamie. "There's a party tonight. You should come." She looked up at him through her lashes and smiled a sugary sweet smile.

Emily sucked in a sharp breath when the girl stepped closer. She knew Jamie loved her. She wouldn't let some girl get to her like this. She increased her stride wanting to get to Jamie before something happened.

Jamie sucked in a breath at the offer to a party, not wanting to seem rude while he contemplated the option. "Can I bring Emily?" Jamie scratched his head, his hands shoved into his pockets. He knew there'd be alcohol at this party, as well as excessive drugs and underage... Stuff. He had been to one before, and knew that Rachel's parties weren't to be trusted.

Rachel stepped even closer. "Do you really think it's her scene?" She asked, put off that he wanted to bring his girlfriend. But what had she expected? Him to just drop Emily to go to the party? She was frustrated that he wasn't falling for her flirting. She saw Emily coming closer and the more steps Emily took towards them the closer Rachel got to Jamie.

Emily clenched her hands. Get away from my man b**** she thought. She didn't understand why Jamie wasn't backing away.

Jamie took a hesitant step backwards, his breath picking up as Rachel neared. What did she want? He had a feeling that she was wanting more than his appearance at her party. "She's been to parties...?" He defended, his eyes caught on Rachel's. they couldn't be seen so close to each other, he felt so uncomfortable. Watched. Where was Emily? "Look, Rachel, I'm not sure if I'm too interested... I've hot to go, sorry," he shook his head, turning away from the girl.

Rachel couldn't let him get away. Especially with Emily walking up behind him. She grabbed onto his arm and pulled him towards her, pressing her chest against his. "Come on. Just for one night be your old self." She murmured, looking up at him a slight smirk on her face.

Emily stopped frozen. That b**** She was close enough now to hear their conversation and she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Did that chick really think Jamie would go somewhere without her? "Get your hands off him." She said finally able to find her voice.

Jamie froze, Rachel pressed up against him dangerously. He almost began to sweat, nervous for her next move. "My old self?" He raised an eyebrow, wrapping his free hand around hers to pry her away. "Rachel, I can't-" he was interrupted by Emily's voice behind him. Crap. "Emily...! This isn't what it looks like, I swear-!" He panicked, batting away at Rachel's form grip as his girlfriend approached. If she didnt believe him...

A slow smirk spread across Rachel's face as Emily walked up. "And if I don't." She asked reaching for Jamie again.
Emily stepped forward. "I said get your hands off him." She briefly looked over at Jamie to see the panic on his face. She gave him a look that told him to calm down. "He said no. Take the hint."

Jamie was confused on what to do, what to say. He stood there between the two girls, caught in the middle of the two girls. "Rachel..." He said slowly, warning her. He wanted so desperately to get out of this situation. Some people had begun to watch, Emily's icy shouts echoing in the hallway. "Lets just... I've got to go, Rachel," he said firmy, prying her fingers gently so as no to break them.

Rachel glared at Emily. "I will get him one way or another." She said. They hadnt seen the last of her. What she wanted she got and she wouldn't let some prissy gold digger keep her from what she wanted. With that said she turned and sashayed away.

"I seriously doubt that." She said, glaring at her retreating back. When she was out of sight, Emily turned to Jamie, her face red. He probably thought she was one of those jealous girlfriends who didn't want their boyfriends to have girls that were friends but she definitely wasn't. At least she didn't want to be.

Jamie held his breath unil Rachel was well out of sight. "Emily-!" He breathed softly, taking two jog steps towards her and embracing her. "I'm sorry..." He whispered gently, kissing her forehead gently. "What's wrong? I swear I don't know what her problem is," Jamie babbled helplessly, stroking her warm cheek.

Emily retuned his embrace and shook her head. "You didn't do anything." She murmured into his chest. She was going to have to get used to this. Girls would always give her trouble because Jamie was "popular". Emily sighed and pulled back slightly. "I'm just glad I got here when I did." She said smiling slightly. "I can't have people thinking that I'm okay with what she was doing."

Jamie hugged Emily tightly, smiling as he kissed her lips gently. "Don't worry, I won't let it happen again," he swore, squeezing her shoulder gently. "I'm glad you did too, I didnt know what I'd do..." Jamie murmured to himself, tucking his textbook under his arm and lacing their hands together. "Shall we?" He grinned, attempting to get their minds off of crazy Rachel. She had always shown some kind of bizarre interest in him, and it made him uncomfortable. He had to be careful how friendly he was being to everyone.

"Home?" She asked, already beginning to relax at the thought of getting away from here for a few hours. Emily let Jamie lead her away from the courtyard and the recent events that just took place. She only had to get through this week and then they would be able to leave and visit her mom. She hoped that trip would be as relaxing as she thought it would be.

Andrew had been furious with Paul, annoyed that Adrianna hadnt been willing to make him back down so e could have his dream job. When he got home, however, a strange man he recognized as Alejandro greeted him at the door. Andrew pounced a the offer to join forces, to bring Paul down and torture him so badly, to hurt him and his little girlfriend. Andrew had been assigned by the drug lord to follow the Adrianna girl, pleased to find out the news that she had broken up and moved out of Paul's apartment. Paul had been strangely absent from his apartment, however, the whole place a whirlwind of broken things. Andrew disguised himself as a student, switching disguises now and then to a janitor as he listened in. He froze, unbelieving the second girls words. So she was pregnant? Oh, this was wonderful. Now he'd have the burden of a child! He'd have to quit for sure!

((I'll have Andrew tell Paul))

When Paul had arrived T the department, he had been immediately deployed on a mission across the states, out into the Middle East again, the same place he had been tortured. The same exact building. The mission passed without incident, Paul's thoughts often reflecting on Adrianna. Now that e was past the anger and denial stage, he had severe depression. He could barely summon the energy during his mission to hurt anyone, but got the job done regardless. He sat on the airplane with his arm in a sling and his cheek stitched up, his blank face staring straight ahead. It had been two weeks. Two weeks! Paul had gone on one of his missions to distract himself, to run away from Adrianna. But it didnt work, it made matters worse. His heart ached for her, for the feel of her lips against his, for the smell of her shampoo. Anything. Paul slept therest of the plane ride home, not wanting to think anymore. He secretly wished the plane would crash and kill him.

When his private flight touched down at the LAX airport, he found Andrew waiting for him with his name on a large poster. Paul's blood boiled, finding the manti seem pleased with himself. What was e smirking about? Paul walked past Andrew with his duffel hoisted high into his good shoulder, watching jealously as the others returned to their families, their children and wives greeting them with open arms and squealing faces. Paul scowled, feeling Andrews hand on his shoulder. "Paul, my man!" He greeted over enthusiastically. If it wasnt for his arms bent occupied, he would have knocked Andrew out. Paul was back I his old self. "Heard any news from Adrianna yet?" He gloated, walking alongside Paul's dark shady figure. When Paul didnt respond, Andrew decided to tell him out of eagerness to see his reaction. "She's pregnant! Congrats, Paul, you've got a kid to take care of!" He laughed, disappearing shortly into the crowd. He had disturbed Paul, he could see. Paul looked around bewildered, in attempt to find the man. Where was e? Adrianna couldn't be- oh. Paul remembered their nights, the two nights before she left him. She was pregnant. Why hadnt she called him, said anything? Why would she? Glumly, Paul slipped inside a taxi.

On the taxi ride home, Paul brandished his cell phone finally, unable to hold in the feels he had about this new disturbing piece of information. She hadnt even told him! Was she planning to raise him or her on her own? Tell her child that its father was such an awful person, a brutal killer? He dialed Adrianna's phone number as he stopped the taxi outside the UCLA dorms, slinging his duffel across his chest and his cell phone the other. He hadnt seen Adrianna in too long, and he was nervous. Their fight was hazy in his mind, but he was always reminded of why it was about when he looked in the mirror. He was a killer. The dial tone rang, as he waited for Adrianna to pick up.

Paul's sharp features stood out on his face, a lovely purple bruise complimented by a cut across his cheek bond. He stared up towards Adrianna's window, sighing softly before sitting on one f the benches. "You told me not to talk to you ever again. I'm outside your dorm, and I think you have something to tell me?" He put curtly, upset still about the fact that Adrianna hadnt told him anything. How long had she known? Was she keeping it a secret from him on purpose? His heart ached, appalled by the thought that that may have been the case. Paul adjusted his itchy arm in his sling, uncomfortable, sore, and exhausted.

"Well I'm here," Paul said plainly, no emotion to his voice. He was exactly how he had been when Adrianna had first met him, cold, bitter, without a sense of hope. The way Adrianna avoided his question, he knew it was true. She didnt want her child, their child, to know of his or her awful father, who killed and tortured for a living. He refused to weaken, to allow his walls to come bck down at the sound of her voice. No, they were even stronger. Paul turned his head when he heard Adrianna's voice behind him a distance away, her stomach still flat. Maybe slightly rounder. But for the most part, it was unnoticeable. Paul still felt his heart squeeze at the sight f who he thought would love him no matter what. He was here strictly to find out if Andrews words had been true. He wasnt sure he wanted to find out. Paul stood with some difficulty, hanging up on Adrianna as he stuffed his phone into his duffel bag, yanking at the zipper with only one hand available.

Paul tore his eyes away from Adrianna, wanting to run from Adrianna, into the safety of his destroyed apartment. She didnt seem disgusted with him, at least not yet. Paul shifted awkwardly with his cast, balancing his duffel on his other shoulder. He couldn't allow himself to her any closer, for the fear that he would break down again. Adrianna had full on rejected him, calling him a while slew of names. Yes, he could remember now her angry screams. Paul turned his face away, his distorted heart threatening to reshatter. He was a but disappointed that he was alive from his mission, only suffering a punch bruise tithe face and a split fore arm and twisted wrist. It wasnt fair. "Yes?" Paul looked up finally as his name was called, his chest heaving as he caught sight of Adrianna. He wanted to run into her arms so badly... But knew he was only going to be slapped in te face, be called a liar, inhumane, a monster, a cruel cold hearted person. Because that was what he was.