the gauntlet discussion

Pierce had been at the Academy for a little less than five seconds before his parents had started lecturing him on every single thing he needed to hold himself responsbile for once they were gone, since they would no longer be there to make sure he was keeping up with his training, he had to do it himself. Like it wasn't the umpteenth time they had given him the same speech that week, or the speech about not showing off and making himself a target too soon, or about talking to girls because they were all trouble. He had heard every single one, and more, a million times, and bet he got to here them all again before his parents finally went back home... after making him promise to write everyday.

It wasn't to stay in touch, they gave him specific charts he was to fill out at the end of the day and mail at the end of the week.

Needless to say, Pierce was in a pissed off mood. He wasn't paying much attention to his surrounds, and was carrying his food tray in front of him like any normal person would. You know what normal people don't do? Make a dead stop in the middle of a walkway and expect someone not to run into them. And would this idiot with flaming ass red hair get food spilt on themselves for stopping to pick something up with absolutely no warning what so ever? Of course not. Only Pierce could be so lucky to have some little ass girl back her little ass into him and spill his food all done his front.

"Are you fucking joking me right now?"

There were those like Pierce . . . And then there were those like Ophelia, who were all but estranged from their parents because of the Academy. Not that she was giving any of that negativity much thought, instead taking in the large room with widespanding ceilings and wooden tables. Everything in the Academy was so awe-inspiring and she found herself stopping just to take it all in on more than one occasion. And that forest? Those trees? It was absolutely stunning, though she was quickly beginning to understand that was the least of most people's concerns. Not that she blamed anyone. It was easy to overlook beauty when so many futures were riding on this opportunity. And at the moment, she was merely attempting to find a decent seat, one that wasn't too bothersome for anyone else. Heading towards a table near the doors, plastic on the ground caught her eye and she stopped, leaning down to grab it.

Which was when a solid form was suddenly bumping into her from behind and a surprised sound, one that wasn't at all embarrassing, escaped her throat. Straightening, she turned around - and the first thing that caught her attention? That very unhappy scowl. The second? The food dumped all over the front of the stranger's chest. "Oh my-" Without thinking, she reached out and took his tray from him, free hand attempting to brush something -anything- off his shirt. "I'm so sorry. I hope this shirt um, wasn't important." And because she was nervous and there was nothing else to do, she laughed. In the face of his clear anger. Seemed smart.

Pierce had to close his eyes and envision those happy thoughts that people sometimes tried to think of before they beat the living crap out of someone. He tried to tell himself that she was just a little defenseless girl and she probably didn't mean to dump all of his food down his chest, but you know, maybe she was mentally handicapped or something. But no, she was in Ainsley, his school, walking around like it was a tourist spot. The only thing she was missing was a camera and the too big of a sunflower hat that screamed idiot.

He caught her hand and squeezed it harder than was appropriate before throwing it away from his body, repulsed at her very touch. When he did open his eyes, Pierce's face became incredulous at the fact that she was actually smiling. Okay, he took it back, maybe she was handicapped. He stared down at her, and it was staring down, because he had at least a foot on her. Pierce watched the smile drain from her face along with the rosy color, and he could almost imagine how fast her heart was beating. He almost felt guilty, but then he remember that this was his favorite shirt. "Do not touch me. Ever." His voice was deep and probably a lot more menacing than his face, which went on to say a lot.

As every second ticked in front of the guy, Ophelia couldn't help the way her heartbeat picked up speed a bit. Mostly out of guilt because hey, she'd just dumped this guy's food all over him and surely he hadn't planned on wearing his meal all day, but there was definitely some nerves in there too. After all . . . He didn't look happy, to say the least. Which was a shame, because he had such a nice face and yet something was telling her that unamused expression didn't change much. But it was more than unamusement, wasn't it? It almost seemed like - hatred? But how could anyone hate someone they didn't know? Her blue eyes staring up into his, the slight spike in pressure at her hand was enough to make her eyes widen ever so slightly before he dropped it.

She could feel the smile fading from her lips and she looked back at his shirt, biting her bottom lip. "I really am sorry. Do you want me to get some wet paper towels? I'm sure the cold water will get it right out. That way, you know, if the shirt was important . . . It'd be saved." Her smile was sheepishly bright, like she'd just provided all life's answers in one go. Never mind the fact that he'd just made it very clear he didn't want her hands anywhere near him, said in a tone that left little to be discussed. But maybe she would - make it up to him? By getting the stain out? Then maybe he wouldn't be staring at her like she'd just tripped him at the finish line.

Pierceton started to hear a small amount of ringing in his ears, and that was the moment he realized he needed to get out of this lunch room before he did something incredibly stupid. I'm not saying he had anger issues, but he definitely had blacked out once or twice or maybe more who knows? He certainly hadn't been counting 13 times. Anyways, as much as he really hated the fact the he had food all down his front, and that it was girl who had done it - you know, the girl that shouldn't even fucking be here standing in front of him - he wasn't going to be known as the kid who had beat a little girl to near death on the first day.

So he settled for something less painful.

Pierce wiped his hand down the length of his shirt, gathering what was left of his lunch that hadn't already dropped onto his shoes. Then he flicked her hand out at her, letting his mixed food splatter across her face, neck, hair, the top of her shirt. There, now they were even... ish. He stepped around her then, not entirely, since he still bumped her shoulder as he passed, but walked out of the lunchroom to change his stupid fucking shirt and to take a shower thanks to the ginger girl.