Look at the Green, Green Grass -{Adrianna}-

[Nicholas Faulkner]

Nicholas Faulkner would never refer to himself as a naturey kind of guy. He had never been one for camping and hiking. Not that he was afraid of the bugs or getting dirty, it was just that he'd not exactly done it a million times. There weren't many trees in California, let alone entire forests. Besides, his family wasn't the camping type. But evey now and then, he could appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. The sophomore had rarely come to Easton park for his entire Freshman year, and figured it would be something new.

So, as he strolled along at no particular pace, his eyes darted around, taking in all the plant life and such. He stifled the need ot roll his eyes as he found a couple making out on one of the benches. Turning in another direction, Nick made his way deeper into the park. It was rather relaxing, walking through a place like this. It was certainly a nice place to think. And it was very private. He liked that about it. Maybe he would be coming here more often. Expecially when he needed to study. Sometimes the school was just too loud or crowded for him, he liked to get away.

Speaking of studying, he knew he should be doing some of that. He wasn't the kind of person who actually liked studying, and so he was often putting it off. Procrastination was his specialty sometimes. Giving a little sigh, Nick made his way over to a lonely bench and sat down. He figured he'd stay here for a few more minutes before heading back to school. He was in no hurry by any means.

Quite suddenly, he gave a loud sneeze. Maybe there was a reason he wasn't normally around nature.

[Adrianna Evans]

Adrianna was bored. Okay, yeah, she was bored alot. It wasn't her fault that nothing exciting happened when she wanted it to. That was just how it happened, sadly enough. So, she went searching for people to talk to or things to do. That's just how she did things.

So, today found Adrianna heading to the park. Adrianna was one that enjoyed nature. She wasn't one of those crazy tree-huggers, but she enjoyed the outdoors. It would be expected, considering she played, and enjoyed softball, an outdoor sport. So, why wouldn't she like the outdoors?

Entering the park, the first thing Adrianna noticed were several couples kissing. She considered feigning retching, but she decided against it. Instead, she rolled her eyes in disgust. Sure, she wanted a boyfried, she wouldn't mind making out with said boyfriend, but she wasn't going to sit there and stick her tongue down someone's throat out in public, not like that.

So, Adrianna found solace in the path that wound through the deeper parts of the park, nearer to a forest than the rest of it. It was where she often found herself, just sitting in the deeper reaches of the park. Of course, you could sometimes find couples further along in their love life doing things, but you usually didn't. Today, luckily, she found none of those.

Approaching the bench where she normally sat, she found someone sitting there. Adrianna frowned, slightly annoyed. Getting closer, she brightened up. It wasn't some weird stranger, it was her friend, Nicholas; better known as Nick. He was a friend of her brothers, and therefore, hers. She didn't think she'd see him here, but then she remembered her brother saying that he had been accepted at Hastings as well.

Adrianna stifled a giggle when he sneezed. He never was an outdoor kind of person, and it seemed he had allergies. Adrianna creeped up behind him, a smirk on her lips. Slowly, she approached; quiet as a mouse, no, quieter. When she was right behind him, she placed her small hands over his eyes, chirping, "Guess who!"

[Nicholas Faulkner]

Nick had become quite interested in a leaf that was blowing in the wind when he was attacked from behind. Okay, attacked may have been overstating it a bit, but at first, that's what he thought. He jumped up with a "Woah", and turned around to find someone he knew. He was almost shocked to see her, then remembered that Marco had told him his younger sister had gotten into Hastings. This was the first time he'd seen her here, though.

He grinned, glad to see her. He'd always enjoyed Adrianna's company. The young man tried to push back that strange feeling he always got when he was around her anymore, and be normal. He was an actor, after all. She didn't need to see him being all blubbery and ridiculous. Honestly, he'd almost forgotten what it was that he felt when she was around. He hadn't seen her in so long that it went to the back of his mind. But, here she was again. Nick felt annoyed with himself that he would be so easily flustered by one person. It wasn't normally like him. He was a stone wall. Or something.

But, damn she looked pretty today. No, he couldn't think like that. It was his best friend's little sister. It was just too weird. Besides, she didn't feel the same way about him. And he didn't blame her. However, Nick was happy to see her. He allowed himself to feel that way at least.

"Geez, woman. You could have given me a heart attack." he said playfully. "You should know not to sneak up on a man in a park."

[Adrianna Evans]

Adrianna loved to scare people. It was just something enjoyed doing. Not to mention she loved to see people’s responses to her frightening them. Needless to say, they were usually quite amusing. And, of course, he was no exception. He had jumped whirled around in surprise, his eyes wide. Adrianna started to giggle at the situation. “You should have seen your face!” She laughed, eyes crinkling in her amusement.

Of course, she was happy to see Nick. He was one of the best friends she had ever had. Sure, he had come in high school, but four years can do a lot for a person. Four years of friendship. Adrianna always had an odd feeling around him. It wasn’t the same feeling she had around cute guys; not to say that he wasn’t cute, but she had the feeling that everything was somehow...right.

Adrianna smirked. “You mean I didn’t succeed?” She inquired, feigning surprise and innocence. “I was hoping to give you one...pity.” She smiled and sat down next to him on the bench. “It serves you right. You’re sitting on my bench.” She informed him, raising an eyebrow. “And should I? Mother never told me that, nor has Marco. Are you saying that my education is lacking, because I’ve not heard such a thing in my life.” She replied, her smirk growing larger, mischief in her eyes

[Nicholas Faulkner]

Unlike Adrianna, Nick had never been overly enthusiatic about scaring other people. He tended to not get noticed by most of them, anyway. And that was the way he liked it. However, if he did happen to scare someone he didn't like, well, that was okay. He did have to admit, though, that the occasional scare was fun. It provided some sorto f entertainment in an otherwise boring life. And the boredom had only increased since he had started attending college. There was much more work involved, especially since this was a university.

He fake scowled as she made fun of him. Knowing that she was only doing it out of love. A platonic love, sadly. Dri wasn't the type of person who liked to make someone feel bad about themselves, and so he didn't bother feeling self-conscious. It would have been a wasted effort. Besides, he found it hard to be in a bad mood when Adrianna was smiling and laughing, anyway.

"Unfortunately, no." he replied, mimicking her sarcasm. He would hope that she didn't actually want him to have a heart attack. That would have been a bit disturbing. "I'm sorry your efforts were in vain." He wasn't actually sorry, though. This would have also been disturbing.

His grin widened as well at her last comment. "You mean you didn't get the manual? That's a shame. I guess it means that you are just worthless when it comes to knowing what a member of the male gender would want."

[Adrianna Evans]

Adrianna, although usually shy and quiet, came out of her shell with her friends and her brother. Also when it came to her sport, but that was beside the point. Around her brother, who was also her best friend, and Nick, she was somewhat of a talkative person. She would talk about odd, random things, usually. Something she would never do with someone she barely knew.

Adrianna smirked at his scowl. It was her job, practically, to tease and pick on him. He was one of the few people she knew here, the other being her brother. She knew him for four years, and had the privelage of teasing him. She loved him very much, and when together, they were practically inseperable. It was only natural that she could pick on him.

"I know," she sighed, grinning widely. Of course, she would never wish a true heart attack upon him, she would be devastated for such a thing to happen. She'd break down and start crying, most likely, should that occur. But she was teasing, and he knew that. Therefore, all their words were lies, really.

A smirk graced Adrianna's lips at his final comments. "Oh, I do not believe I did. Perhaps I was sick or some emergency rose when they were given out. And they probably weren't in circulation yet when my mother went to school, so she knew nothing of such a thing." She replied, a chuckle escaping her mouth. A sigh followed. "Of course. I am worthless when it comes to men." She told him, her brown eyes looking into his. "Perhaps....you could teach me?" A smirk lighted her lips as she looked up at him, an adorable look upon her face as she teased him.

[Nicholas Faulkner]

Nick guessed he was a certain type of shy. He mostly didn't talk to people he didn't know. Especially the ones from this school. But that was just because most of them were horrid to try and make conversation with. They felt as if the world revolved around them and stuff. Not exactly his cup of tea in a friend. But, when he was around people he knew were not selfish morons, he was generally quite loud. He liked to be crazy and silly at times. It was much more fun to live like that.

He didn't know that Dri took so much pride in teasing him. He liked to tease her, too, knowing that it would only bring them closer. He knew he could have fun with her without her taking it to heart. She wasn't one to get offended if he told her that she was short or something. She would just laugh and possible smack him playfully. Or throw and insult right back.

Nick would make sure to never have a heart attack. Aside from the physical pain, he didn't want to see Adrianna sad. The last thing he wanted to do was make her cry. So, staying healthy seemed like a win win. He laughed at the thought of there actually being a manual for men. He'd like to get one of those because sometimes he didn't even understand himself.

Okay, now that wasn't even fair. Did she want to torture him? He cleared his throat, hesitating before he spoke again. He knew the only way he would get out of thsi situation without a new joke to tease him, would be if he played it cool. He put on a smirk. "Oh, anytime." he said.

[Adrianna Evans]

Adrianna loved being herself. Well, not in front of complete strangers, but in front of her friends, she was her crazy self. Okay, sure, she had some flaws, but, hey, wasn’t that what life was for? Working on those flaws, attempting to make them better. Not make them perfect, of course, but making them not as prominent, even when the subject of that flaw confronts them. But that didn’t matter. Adrianna was weird, and rather kooky sometimes. Yeah, she was generally shy, and easily intimidated, but who wasn’t at times? No, Adrianna much preferred to be wacky.

Adrianna knew Nick’s position in the social web of the school. He was pretty much in the same place as her. They were marked, by the jocks and preps, as losers, pretty much. Adrianna loved to read and listen to music. She also loved to learn and draw, but that didn’t make her a loser. Adrianna didn’t like stereotypes, really. But if they called her a loser, well, then she was a loser. It didn’t matter to Adrianna. Life goes on.

A laugh escaped Adrianna’s lips after Nick laughed at her mention of a manual. Yes, it was quite amusing, really. But that was what having friends is all about, having fun and laughing. And that was something Adrianna loved best, having fun and making memories with those she loved. Hey, why not? Life is short, so you had to make the best of it.

Speaking of which, an odd tingle spread through her stomach at Nick’s smile. It wasn’t that floaty, butterfly-like feeling she got around Daniel Jameson, her crush, or Ian Roberts, a total hottie that she had met recently. No, this feeling was different. To her, being here with Nick, talking, having fun, just seemed....right. It felt like she should be here, in such a position, for the rest of her life. It just seemed right. Adrianna didn’t know exactly what it was, but a light blush crept upon her cheeks with that feeling, wishing she could take her words back. One, it was an odd choice of words, two, Nick seemed to grow nervous from those words. A hesitant laugh followed his words, a sound that didn’t seem to belong to her...but it did. She cleared her throat and shook her head, ridding those words from her head, smiling back at Nick. “Hmm...might take you up on that offer.” She told him, grinning.

[Nicholas Faulkner]

Nick would bethe first one to tell you that he wasn't perfect and that he had many flaws. Everybody had flaws, it was just the way the world worked. People could claim that they were perfect, but they really weren't. His aunt had once claimed that she was perfect and it had been all he could do to keep himself from laughing in her face while simultaneously retching from disgust.

Nick could agree that Adrianna was quite strange. Though, he himself wasn't exactly the definition of normal. He supposed those qualities were what made them fun to be around. If someone was going to think less of him because he acted a bit different, he didn't need them as a friend. Adrianna, for example, was just as crazy as he was, and it made him like her all the more.

Well, he had been pretty much a loser at his high school, but only because he didn't try to make friends with the other jocks. He had all the makings of a classic jock. He was rich, one more than one sports team, and not so bad to look at. But, it was his attitude that set him apart. He never talked to them or like them. He never tried to conform to their beliefs and social cliques. Therefore, he was labeled as an outsider. A loser. He could never fathom why Adrianna hadn't been one of the populr girls. Not that he didn't like the fact that shewasn't popular, because it meant that she had more time to hang out with losers like him.

It always felt right when Nick was around Adrianna. As corny as that sounded, it was true. It was like when he was around her he was more himself than with anyone. He'd noticed it a long time ago, but only just recently started to realize what to make of it. It was safe to say that he'd missed her his Freshman year. He had missed the feeling he got when he was around her. Now that he was with her again, he didn't want to not see her for another year.

Was it just him, or had Adrianna also become uncomfortable? He figured that the safe way to end this was to just turn to a different subject alltogether. Literally biting his tongue, he resisted the urge to make a come back to her comment. Instead he thought of something else to talk about. "So, anyway, how are you liking the school so far?" Maybe ot the best of subjects, but it was something.

[Adrianna Evans]

Most people would think that sitting in a park talking to someone was absolutely boring. Well, normal people would, usually. Who would sit in a park, and just talk? Most poeple would make out or play music or whatever. Then again, Adrianna was not normal. She was far from normal, really. Anybody that knew her knew that as well. All her friends didn't care how she acted, and if they did, they weren't true friends.

Adrianna knew that Nick was somewhat odd too, but that was fine with her. She didn't care how he acted. She didn't try to change him, she wasn't that way. She liked how crazy he was, and it fit him, and made him fun to hang out with. That was probably how they first bonded when they were introduced by her brother.

Her senior year had been hectic for Adrianna. She didn't have Nick there to lighten things up, and her classes were stressful. Nick had always been there, to cheer her up when things went bad, and he always made her happy. That year was horrible because she didn't have him, or her brother to cheer her up. Now that she was back with the two of them in her life, she was happy again.

Finally, the subject changed, much to her relief. The conversation had been rather....akward to say the least. But he changed the subject to school. Okay, that wasn't the best subject you could choose, but it was better than before, or some other subjects that could be chosen. "It's alright, I guess. Some of my classes are slightly hectic at times, but they are fun." She was always one that studied for her classes, and generally loved them, and she didn't care whether or not that made her seem a nerd or anything like that.

[Nicholas Faulkner]

Most of the time Nick's short attention span would prevent him from staying in one spot for too long. Especially if he was just talking. But it made all the difference that he was talking to Adrianna. Tiem always seemed to fly by when he was with her. It was sort of silly to think such a thing. She was just a girl, after all. But that wasn't true at all, was it? As much as he tried to deny it, Adrianna wasn't just another face in the crowd, or one of those girls that he would randomly hang out with. She was...different. Surprisingly so. It was hard to place just what made her different. He knew, though, that it wasn't just one thing.

Nick hadn't been able to get in touch with Adrianna a whole lot the last year due to the distance in between Connecticut and California. He could cay that he'd missed her quite a bit. Sure, they'd been able to talk online and stuff, but it just wasn't the same. He was glad that she chose to attend this school.

He had to agree that the classes could be hectic, especially his theatre class. They were in the middle of rehearsing for a production that they would be doing with the students from the department that handles all the backstage business. He was proud tosay that he had one of the lead roles, bu that also meant that he had a lot of memorizing to do when it came to lines and blocking. It was always stressful when they were getting ready for a play, but he liked it. He could feel the electricity in the air on stage.

"Some classes are pretty fun, I'd have to say." he paused, staring at a tree before he could think ofsomething else to say that wouldn't sound riciulous. "How do you like the weather here? It gets a lot colder."

[Adrianna Evans]

Adrianna usually couldn't concentrate too long on one thing. Well, except for art and languages. Those were a different story. But normal, boring things? Couldn't concentrate long on that. Time was usually so slow when it came to things like that. Sometimes even when hanging out with friends, time just crept by, simply because she either wasn't having much fun, or she just couldn't stay concentrated on it, therefore making it rather boring. That wasn't the way with Nick. Whenever they hung out, time just flew by. She didn't know why, but that was what happened. It might have to do with the fact that both of them had somewhat short attention spans, and just changed from one thing to another, making it so much less boring.

Okay, sure, she had talked to Nick over the year, with e-mail and IM services, but it wasn't the same as physically meeting with him, and hanging out. It was so much more different. Actually seeing him was so much more fun, and so much better than any other way of talking to him. But hey, now she was here, and was able to talk to him, thankfully.

Classes were hectic at Hastings. Probably the one class that she had that was the hardest would be her Japanese class. It was a lot different than the Latin-based languages, like Spanish and French. The base of Japanese wasn't really even known. Not to mention the writing system was completely different. Luckily, since writing in hirigana and katakana was so hard to understand, they wrote in romaji, the romanization of the Japanese language. Only in her final year, maybe even semester, would she have to start writing in hirigana and katakana.

"Yeah, my art class is really fun," she answered. A silence ensued, and Adrianna looked around at the park around her. Several trees lined the path, condensing into a forest in the middle. The trees were of varying heights and species. Nick then spoke, and she turned back to look at him. "It's good. A tad colder, but a heck of a lot less foggy. Although, sometimes it was kind of cool to wake up and see fog, especially cool from the top of that hill where that military language school is at."