between the drinks & subtle things

[alexa grace walker]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 400px; background-color: #343434; padding:20px; border-top: 10px #af9390 solid; border-bottom: 10px #af9390 solid;] repair your broken wings ( WORDS ) 497 ( TAGGED ) TAMMEH ( STATUS ) COMPLETE alexa drew in a deep breath, pushing the coffee shop door open. absentmindedly reading the menu, she stood taking in the sights and smells that the small shop had to offer. it had a warm and welcoming sort of feel to it, but at the same time she felt that everyone in it was judging her. as soon as she stepped in the door, every person inside (though there weren't many) turned to look at her. she smiled and nodded at them politely, but she couldn't fight the inevitable feeling that she didn't belong there. having just moved to paris from california, it was a big jump. she didn't know a soul, and she was scheduled to start classes soon. while alexa was good at making friends, she had been on both sides of the spectrum. she had been in with the "popular crowd," and they judged very easily. that was what she hated most about them, how they thought they could make a decision about someone based on their looks or first impressions. there is so much more to a person than that. but she knew that it was just human nature to judge based on such little information. and she knew that there was a good chance that was what everyone was doing right now. scanning her up and down, making assumptions. maybe because her hair was such an unnatural shade of red, maybe because she still dressed like a californian. either way, she would let them jump to conclusions. let them have their fun talking about her behind her back. or maybe she was just being crazy. she was in a different county, for god's sakes. this was an opportunity for a second chance, for another first impression. and that's not something everyone gets to have. and she was beyond grateful for that. as someone, a young girl, brushed by her to order a drink, alexa remembered what she was doing. back to reality. she moved into the line, ordering a small iced coffee. after digging through her bag and handing the cashier her money, she made her way to the back of the shop and sat down. it was the only table open, and she wasn't one to ask to sit with a group of strangers. while she waited, alexa took out her phone and began to idly look for something to do. it seemed that she was the only one sitting alone; that she was the only one who didn't know everyone in the area. " alex? " someone called from behind the counter. because no one else was going to claim the drink, she figured they misheard her name and stood up. she pushed her way through the crowd of people, much less worried about what they were thinking. let them think what they want. grabbing her coffee, alexa glanced back to her table, but it was taken. instead, she stood drinking the beverage, debating whether she should leave or not. you can reply with either character, i don't care C:

table by CALIFORNIA DREAMING of CAUTION 2.0, lyrics by maroon 5

[ciaran cassidy corbett]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; padding: 10px;,bTable][style=margin-right: 5px; height: 100px; width: 100px; -moz-border-radius: 200px; border-radius: 100px; overflow: auto; float: left; overflow: hidden; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/98bdg.png);][cs=2][/style] [style=margin-bottom: -5px; font-weight: bold; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 35px; letter-spacing: -3px;]the rest is unwritten[/style] [style=border-top: 1px dotted #b3b3b3; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 10px; padding-top: 3px;]STARING AT THE BLANK PAGE BEFORE YOU[/style]

[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #2a2a2a; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]668 WORDS[/style]

[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]It was unbelievable how after almost six months of living in Paris, Cass’ French was as good as a Mexican’s Chinese was; meaning: not good at all. Cass had struggled from the moment he placed a step on the country. In fact, he kept secret the fun adventure of getting lost in the airport and almost being shipped back to London because of his foul mouth. French was just so hard to learn for him. It was nothing like English and considering the fact that Cass’ English wasn’t as good as a native speaker’s should be then it would become understandable why he just simply didn’t like languages at all. He normally would’ve dismissed it, ignore it even but French had turned into one of the biggest obstacles which now stood between himself and one of Cass’ most precious goals: food. “Ugh, I want…” He rolled his eyes, his finger madly pointing at the chalkboard on top and behind of the several workers behind the counter, two of which were trying to figure out just what the silly british man wanted. “THAT. I. WANT. THAT!” He practically jumped, pointing again at the sign that read ‘Tarte Aux Pommes’ as if his life depended on it. Cass didn’t know how to pronounce it, he didn’t know what the hell it had, all he knew was that he wanted it but he couldn’t make these people understand him. “Come oooooon! Look at the finger!!” He whimpered loudly, earning the attention of a few of the shop’s costumers. “For the love of… THAT! THAT! Taaa-reee-teeeei… aaaau… aaaau… oh my god this language is so stupid! Just give me some coffee!! Coffee? Le coffee? You get that don’t you? Yes you do.” Cass narrowed his eyes at the barista who proceeded to fix up a generic cup of coffee that Cass didn’t even want. He’d be lucky if the guy didn’t spit on his drink. Scenes like these were all too common for Cass. Most of the times he was accompanied by a French speaker and he wouldn’t have to flail and beg to get his food but he wasn’t always so lucky. Five frustrating minutes later his name on a plastic container (misspelled as Kass) was handed over along with a couple glares from the barista and the not-so-lovely cashier. Cass of course did his good share of glaring back before turning around to be encountered with a full café, no place to sit down, and a pretty redhead standing next to him. Wait, backtrack, pretty redhead? Turning to look at her Cass recognized the face. It was the new girl he had spotted in some of his classes. It was really hard to miss her, with the hair and the fact that she was American and all but Cass never really had time to give her much of a thought until now. “Alexa!” He drew the name from the back of his very narrow memory, his mood giving a 180° turn at the prospect of finding some sort of entertainment. “It is Alexa right? I remember because I thought ‘oh that name suits her well~’ before getting distracted with something else…” Cass trailed off for a second, obviously distracted by something or the other. Oh no, Cass didn’t get distracted often, what are you thinking about? Pshhhh nonsense! Back to reality now… “Come on, help me find a table~” He grinned rather cheerfully as he took Alexa’s hand in his and walked towards the crowded tables. Standing in the middle he put on his best serious face before clearing his throat, gathering the occupants’ attention. “Ehem, la police portent une peugeot rouge, là-bas” He said with a very shitty accent. Oh well, at least his little lie served the purpose. A worried couple left their seats, taking their coffee with them and left an empty spot. “Everyone has a red peugeot. Ladies first~” He grinned, letting go of Alexa’s hand and motioning towards the table. Aw Cass… you clown. [/style]

[style=font-size: 10px; font-family: georiga; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px;]TEMPLATE BY SAMARECARM OF OTE + BTN[/style]

[alexa grace walker]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 400px; background-color: #343434; padding:20px; border-top: 10px #af9390 solid; border-bottom: 10px #af9390 solid;] repair your broken wings ( WORDS ) 608 ( TAGGED ) TAMMEH ( STATUS ) COMPLETE alexa looked up at the people in line, mechanically ordering in french without even having to think twice about it. of course, she was in france now, so why would they struggle with their french? she had taken it upon herself to learn french before moving here, because it was the practical thing to do, but she struggled with the language. being from california, she took spanish in school, and by now she was fluent. but french? she would have none of it. it's a beautiful language, sure, but she had a painfully american accent that she could not seem to shake for anything. so she stood, trying (and failing) to understand what everyone was saying. a boy who looked to be about her age stepped up to the counter, struggling to order a coffee. at least she wasn't the only one. his british accent was infectious. she still hadn't gotten over how wonderful everyone sounded here. and then there was alexa, with a dreadfully basic american accent. something she heard all too much of. " for the love of… THAT! THAT! taaa-reee-teeeei… aaaau… aaaau… oh my god this language is so stupid! just give me some coffee!! coffee? le coffee? you get that don’t you? yes you do. " the boy she had been watching - cass, she thought it was - still couldn't get his point across. she couldn't help but giggle at his frustration. when he turned to look at her, alexa bit the inside of her lip in order to keep a straight face. she was very entertained by his french. at least she knew how to order a drink, more or less. " alexa! " he called, looking more excited than he probably should. someone actually knew her name. maybe she wasn't doing as badly as she thought. " it is alexa right? i remember because i thought ‘oh that name suits her well~’ before getting distracted with something else… " alexa gave a feeble nod, not sure if it was her turn to speak or if he still had more to say. " come on, help me find a table. " with a cheerful smile, he took her hand, led her to the back and, with his best poker face, told a worried-looking couple something in french. alexa couldn't help but laugh out loud as the two took their coffee and left. as the boy gestured toward the now vacant table, she took the invitation and sat with him. " you're cass, right? sorry if that's wrong, but i think i have some classes with you. " alexa grabbed her coffee and lifted it up to her lips, setting it down as she scanned the small coffee shop. she had never talked to him before, but he was in some of her classes. she had been doing her best to keep an inventory of the people she had met, but her memory wasn't quite up to par. " ..you're not from here, are you? " she inquired with a playful smile. " it's alright, i'm not one to judge, i just moved here too. " at least, she hoped he just moved here. otherwise, he would have no excuse for his skills, or lack of them, in the language of love. alexa proceeded to look around the small, but very cute, room. it had a certain charm that a small hippie town in california could never achieve. and she was beginning to appreciate that more and more. forcing herself to return to reality, alexa let her eyes flicker back to the blue eyes of the boy who was sitting with her. ( notes )

table by CALIFORNIA DREAMING of CAUTION 2.0, lyrics by maroon 5