[Opposite Plot] Pre-Play

[forhawkeye]

Everywhere I went, people stared; I could feel their eyes trailing me all day long, as though they were paparazzi for the utterly unimportant. Much to my chagrin, changing into an unassuming outfit of a purple plaid shirt and a pair of ratty jeans hadn't convinced a single person to look elsewhere. I felt uncomfortable in my own skin and, as the day dragged slowly on, I wondered how I ever could have gone around in head-to-toe purple Kevlar. I was a freak among freaks.

I left Geometry in a hurry, my notes and things hugged tightly to my chest. My cheeks flushed a light pink as I walked past Ryan Atwood, and I gladly hid behind my curtain of dull black hair as to avoid making eye contact. I'd sat in stony silence for the duration of the lecture, replaying the stupid fight I'd picked with him only a few weeks prior. Luckily it was the only class I shared with him, which meant I wouldn't have to see him again until at least Saturday. I had never been more grateful to have class on the weekend.

Though it was well past six o'clock when class ended, I couldn't bear the thought of returning to the Compound for supper. The kitchen was always crowded at this hour and I'd had enough of being the center of attention for one day. Instead I trudged back to my hut, eyes downcast, trying to avoid the gaze of any potential onlookers. Unfortunately, in the act of trying so desperately to be ignored, I ended up walking right into someone.

"S-sorry," I apologized quickly, and I looked up with an expression of mild horror, a hand coming up to cover my gaping mouth.

Comments

[forhawkeye]

I made a sound similar to a dying duck, as she hooked her arm through mine. I was shocked beyond belief. Would I like to walk with her? The question that should have been asked was why would she want to walk with me? I nodded mutely in agreement, hoping to delay her inevitable reaction of disgust once she realized just who she was touching.

[faithanbegorrah.livejournal.com]

Terry keeps talking, oblivious to any discomfort Kate may have.

"Have ye ever walked in the orchards? And not just passing through on the path, but beneath the trees-- it's beautiful there, reminds me a bit of Cassidy Keep, though we had a sight more in the way of gardens and grass."

She brings her free hand up to keep the floppy hat on her head from flying off when the wind picks up just a bit. "What about ye, Kate? Ye lived in New York, aye?"

[forhawkeye]

"My entire life," I confirmed, not having been interesting enough to have lived anywhere else. I'd traveled, of course, but that could never compare to truly living abroad.

[faithanbegorrah.livejournal.com]

"Oh, that's lovely," Terry sighs. "I moved all around as a lass, I s'pose me roots are in Ireland, but they never really took, d'ye ken?"

[forhawkeye]

I looked at Siryn for a long, silent moment, worrying my lower lip between my teeth. I was so embarrassed by what I was about to say, but I couldn't bear the thought of leading her on.

"I'm sorry," I said, looking over at her with great trepidation. "I don't understand what you're saying. What does 'ken' mean?"

[faithanbegorrah.livejournal.com]

Terry blinks, unaware of what Kate's talking about until she thinks about what she's just said. "Oh! Oh, sorry! Understand, Kate. It sort o'means understand. Sorry, sometimes I just get carried away with meself."

[forhawkeye]

"No, it's my fault," I assured her quickly. "Go on, though. I love hearing you talk. Your voice is just..." I paused, trying to think of the right word. "Hypnotic, almost."

[faithanbegorrah.livejournal.com]

"Oh." Terry practically droops, a bit of her cheer fading away all too easily. "Thank ye, lass. That reminds me of my powers, and not being able to use them anymore. I miss them so."

[forhawkeye]

"Oh, no, please don't be sad!" I pleaded, holding out my hands as though I were surrendering. "That was so insensitive of me. God, I'm so dense!"

[faithanbegorrah.livejournal.com]

"Ach, don't be hard on yerself girly," Terry says, shaking her head at Kate's apology. "We all get bouts o' sadness, don't we?"

[forhawkeye]

"I guess," I agreed glumly, having felt somewhat depressed since I'd woken up that morning.

[faithanbegorrah.livejournal.com]

"Oh, now, none of that," Terry says, pulling her arm away from Kate's to put it around her shoulders, instead. "It's a beautiful day, and you're a beautiful girl alive to enjoy it. Shouldnae be any reason at all to look so down."

[forhawkeye]

"You think I'm beautiful?" I asked, looking up at her with wide, surprised eyes. Compared to her, surely I must have resembled some sort of troll. "You're too nice. Really, you don't have to lie just for my benefit."

[faithanbegorrah.livejournal.com]

"I never lie," Terry insists, shaking her head. She might normally be offended by the implication, but Kate doesn't seem to believe her, which is not the sort of attitude any teenage girl should have. "You're lovely, ye just have to take some time to realize it."

[forhawkeye]

"Like eternity," I suggested, my tone just barely wry as I almost certainly meant it.