To Be or Not To Be *6th Hr Theatre Class* 01/27/05

[ashen]

It was almost the last lesson of the his first full week at Forks. It had gone suprisingly quickly and he was enjoying the fact no one here seemed to know his life story. It was refreshing to walk freely without the whispers behind his back for the first time since he cant even remember when. To top it all off it was Theatre and he loved this class, it let him be someone else for a change. He was first in class and so he went to take a seat, his day had been rather uneventful, though it was such a small school he had been drawing a little attention.

He had met loads of people, but Ashen was a shy boy and thus had no friends to speak of yet. He was always quiet in class and hated drawing attention to himself. Everyone seemed to have their own tight nit little groups and Ashen just wasnt in any of them. Though he didn't mind all that much, even if he did feel a little lonely. He knew he wasnt the only new student in town so the curiosity was distributed between all of them.

As he waited for the rest of the class to arrive he reached into his bag and took out the book he was currently getting into. Northen Lights by Philip Pullman. He had heard rumours that they were going to make a film based on the series, and so far he was liking what he was reading. He loved fantasy books, perhaps it was the whole escapism feel you got from believing there was more beyond the normal every day life. As the rest of the students filed into the room Ashen put the book down and waited, he was hoping end of week theatre was going to be as fun as he imagined.

[joe]

Through the haze in his mind, Josef heard the knob on the door turn, and the click of the catch as it shut once more. Timid footsteps made their way across the room, the Chuck Taylor's that were on the feet clear to Joe through the space between the desk and the floor. His head ached, and his vision was blurry but the flames on the shoes that had finally settled down burned into his mind. Where was he? The floor under his body was tiled with cheap and old vinyl composite, checkered black and white. A dented metal desk rose above him, worn chair sitting near his ankles. It looked like somewhere a teacher would sit. He had been a teacher once, hadn't he? Maybe this was a memory.

Rolling onto his back, his vision took in the bland ceiling tile, noting the water stains that littered the supposed to be white surface. Where was it that he had taught. Some wretched place in the far north of the states, where it was rainy all the time. Gah, how he hated it there. Why was he on this floor now, in a school, near a desk? Getting unsteadily to his knees, the Irish man peered over the laminated top, seeing a teen boy reading a Phillip Pullman novel. The boy looked familiar, like a student he had once had. Maybe he had the student now ….

That was it. It wasn't a memory at all, but instead the present. Yes, yes. He had come here to escape his past and encroaching fame, both things that he didn't want. Along with the voices, he wanted them to leave as well. The characters within him that cried to be released, that hounded him mercilessly day and night to be freed. Moving hadn't helped though. No one here knew that he was the man who had written “that book” other than the people who hired him, and they were sworn to secrecy. He had drank much more than usual last night in an effort to silence them. It had done no better than moving, and instead they only got louder. Josef's apartment was redecorated with papers covered in scrawl both legible and not as he tried to release them from their prison. As a result, the writer had gotten no sleep the night before.

The door opened again and Joe ducked behind the desk, only to spring up once more quickly, attention focused on the boy, whatever his name was. Ash, Alex, something to that effect. “Why are ya reading that trash?” He asked accusingly, the Irish lilt of his voice coming through as he spoke.

He was a sight to be seen, impeccably dressed in black turtle neck sweater, dark slacks and matching dress shoes. Hair just barley finding it's way out of place as it hung to his shoulders. He had become talented at hiding his madness from his appearance over the years. The only thing hinting to the long night was the stubble that had grown on his jaw. One thing he could never hid, however, was the bright spark of insanity in his eyes, eyes that were focused soully on the boy.

[ashen]

Ash looked up from the book startled as he heard someone talking to him, quickly sliding the book into his bag. His face burned red, having thought he was the only on there. His face burned, was the book really meant to be that bad? He had been rather enjoying it 'Dunno sir... I...' He trailed off his eyes looking up briefly to Josefs before moving away again. Ashen was shy and he hated having attention drawn to himself. His fingers intertwined nervously, feeling Josef's gaze on him. 'I guess... I like the thought of there being something more to the world than just what we see...'

He tried focusing on something other than those eyes that seemingly burned into him. God, he thought, please let someone else turn up... He took deep breaths not liking the pressure he felt under the teachers gaze. 'I take it... you have read it Sir?' He knew there was quite a bit of contriversy over the series of books. They weren't everyones cup of tea, but Ashen read all sorts of books. He was never bound by other peoples thoughts or opinions. Books were wonderful things since they could be interpreted in so many different ways.

[hound]

Last class of the day, thank the Goddess. She was going to be out of there and able to go home and then go running, something she'd been itching to do since she'd gotten up that morning. Walking towards the drama building on the cloudy day, she was wearing a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, a pair of black vans, a gray tank top, and a orange, striped button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her tan bag over her shoulder and binder in hand, she stepped into theatre, not entirely ready for what was to come next.

Pushing open the door, she walked in to find only one other student already in the class. Looks like everyone ditches this class. She thought as she walked to one of the desk and dropped her bag onto it. The teacher was there, and he was a strange sort, while the other student she didn't know. He was just a young man about her age and he was human. Normal, compared to her and some of the other characters in the class. As she sat down she eyed the book the other student was reading. Ah, Northern Lights, or otherwise known in the states as The Golden Compass. Jack smiled. She had especially liked that book, it was sweet and she really liked the authors ideas. Smiling at the young man, she sat on a desk next to his. "That book is really good." She smiled, peering over his shoulder to see what page he was on. "Have you ever read the Pellinor series? They're a little different, but just as good."

[Damienne F. Renton]

Damienne cautiously and reluctantly left Edward when he suddenly needed to take a call. He'd seem distracted all day, perhaps the phone call would clear a few things up. She made her way to theater class, after Edward insisted he would catch up. She chewed on her lip as she walked down the main corridor, hoping she was going in the right direction. Having been blessed with the ability to apparently repel people away from her had given her the time to explore the school a little more than she perhaps would have otherwise, but she was still uncertain of where she was going. She had grown used to Edward's company over the course of the day and this just felt a little strange. She would go back to being the one no one knew and ignored.

Thumbs tucked around the straps of her bag, which hung from both of her shoulders, she slowly made her way int he direction that she believed the class was. Finding the room, she took a wild guess and opened the door, looking around. She recognized the teacher instantly and heard him speaking to a couple of students that were there already. She remained at the back of the room, hoping to stay out of the way until Edward arrived at least, but at least she was in the room and no one would complain about her being late surely. She chewed on her lip more, chocolate coloured eyes flickering around the room, noting the two other students there. She had seen them yesterday and in other classes, but didn't know them. She just stayed out of the way.

[ashen]

Ashen saw as Jack entered and he offered her a shy smile. He didnt really like being singled out from the rest of the class. He hated having attention draw to him, then again he was used to it for one reason or another. I'm enjoying it so far... Though not read that much, Lyra's just escaped Mrs Coulter and is traveling with the Gyptians.' He shook his head to her question 'Afraid not... Though I will be sure to make that the next lot I get through.' He reached for his notebook and scribbled down the name. His eyes flickered to Josef as he bit hi lip lightly, his cheeks flashed red, he was feeling uncomfortable under everyones gaze.

'I'm Ashen...' He had noticed Jack before but never spoken to her, he didnt really talk to anyone unless they talked to him first. He was terribly shy thanks to his troubled past, he had never been the strong one, that had been Tyler. He was glad no one here seemed to know his story, though he knew it wasnt long before someone recognised him. It had been a big story in LA, though he secretly hope no one would have been there around the time it all happened. Only time would tell though.

[joe]

The boy was nervous, that much was obvious. Somehow, somewhere inside of the madman's body he felt elated at the realization. Intense gaze never leaving the young man before him Josef listened as the teenager tried to explain his preference rather than just defending his ability to read whatever he liked. Interesting. Before Joe had a chance to respond, another one of his students waltzed in, proclaiming her feelings on the novel. The theater professor scoffed allowed at her rudeness, eyebrow's rising in shock. “Have you ever been taught manners?” Joe snipped back at her, his blue orbs now glaring in her direction.

His attention did not stay on either of the duo for long, however, when a student he had never seen before entered the room. Or had he seen her? He couldn't fully remember, so he assumed that he hadn't. His vision moved away from both Jack and Ashen, and stalked closer to her. The thumbs of his hands tucked into his pants pocket and he leaned back slightly on the desk. “What about you then?” He asked, voice louder than it needed to be, loud enough to draw attention to what he was doing. “Why are you hiding alone in the back?”

[hound]

Jack smiled at Ashen and held out her hand as she spoke. "Its a good series. I'm Jack by the way." Her smile vanished as she heard the teacher speak. Jack huffed, and straightened, as she got of the desk and stood facing the teacher with a sickening sweet smile on her lips, but her eyes, with hints of hazel, gave him a glare that said her feelings. "I was raised by coyotes. I believe somewhere along the line they taught me the etiquette of kissing ass to higher ranking beings, but they never stuck. Sorry." She smiled and watched him. He was a complete ass hole. It was official.

Her attention turned to the girl in the back, whom he was scrutinizing and asking her questions. All Jack wanted to do was snarl and teach the guy a lesson, but sadly, the only thing she could use was her tongue, which also got her in trouble some of the time. "You know, by the way your acting, you weren't taught any manners either. I mean, we are you students and even though your allowed to be an ass, you'll earn our respect a lot faster if you treat us like human beings, not creatures you can abuse and snap at for your benefit." She hated teachers. The only teacher she had ever liked was Ben, but even he she didn't like at the moment. Turning back to the girl in the she smiled and moved towards her. "Hey I'm Jack."

[Damienne F. Renton]

Damienne still felt out of place, despite having been at the school since the start of term. The class she felt even less settled in was theatre. Why had she even chose it in the first place? On the one hand, she was glad that she knew Edward was in the same class as well, but, right now, he wasn't in the room yet and, having kept his company and attention for the better part of the day, she was used to having him around. She chewed on the inside of her lip as she listened to the other students in the class converse with the teacher. It seemed everyone was having a jab at them from the teacher, the kid she'd heard was called Ashen getting it first, it would seem. Damienne couldn't help, but feel bad for the guy, but she didn't really know him to be able to jump in in defence and she knew it would be her turn soon enough.

She had clearly walked in at the completely wrong time. She looked from Ashen, who seemed kind of shifty; the teacher, Mr. McKinley, who, in her opinion, seemed kind of self righteous or something; and Jack, who she was relatively sure she had seen in La Push when she still lived there. She continued to chew on the inside of her lip as the teacher seemed to avert his attention from Ashen in order to snap at Jack. She stopped chewing on her lip, just to scowl at the situation. She swallowed nervously as Mr. McKinley turned his attention to her now. She watched hi as he learned against the desk closest to her. Slowly, she dropped her bag off of her shoulders, dropping it onto the desk beside him. He was sat on the desk on the side she assumed Edward sat. “I'm waiting for someone,” she commented softly as she pulled out her chair and sat down beside him, trying to be calm.

She looked up at him, holding his gaze the best she could, noticing how he was just trying to draw attention to her. She'd had that all day, due to hanging round Edward. Well, that's what she attributed it to. No one else had paid much attention to her until today. She had watched the exchange between Mr. McKinley and Jack with a smirk on her face. She didn't wager that had helped much in her keeping out of his line of attack. She smirked towards Jack as she spoke again, once the teacher had squared his attention on her. Her eyes flicked back to the teacher, trying to bite back her smirk. Damienne didn't normally have problems with teachers, giving them her respect because, after all, they were in charge, but with Mr. McKinley...it was kind of difficult to respect a guy with his attitude problems. She refocused on Jack with a smile. “Thanks,” she mumbled. “I'm Damienne,” she introduced herself, for the first time since she started.

[hound]

Jack smiled at Damienne as she sat next to her, keeping an eye on the obnoxious teacher. Really, did the guy have to be such a dick. I mean, come on, you don't start your teaching period by treating students like shit. Then again, it was only Jacks first week and first time in the class that she had usually ditched, so she was in for discovery. "No problem Damienne." Jack smiled, letting her arms fold on her binder which lay on the desk. She leaned over towards Damienne with a smile, "Truthfully, I think Mr. McKilnee or whatever his name is just doesn't like the fact that he has to stay here for this period." She whispered and leaned back away, giving the girl space.

She was a pretty girl and Jack was sure she'd seen her somewhere oround before, but she couldn't place it. Obviously she'd seen her at the school. She'd been hanging out with Edward. Smiling Jack remembered what the young man was. It made her laugh slightly. But she remembered something Damienne said and decided to stick her nose in and be curious. "So, who are you waiting for? You said that you were waiting for someone to come into the class. Who is it, if you don't mind my asking."

{{Sorry for the lamely short post...}}

[Damienne F. Renton]

Damienne smiled at the other girl as she sat beside her. Today seemed to be her day for making friends. It was strange that she'd been at the school since the start of term and only today were people speaking to her. Maybe it was people seeing her with Edward. Maybe he made her worth talking to or something. She shook off the thoughts, looking to the door again. Where was he? He said it was only going to be a quick phone call. He'd be late at this rate. She refocused on Jack sat beside her. She tugged at the ends of her hair, twisting them in her fingers as she waited from something to happen. Jack spoke again causing Damienne to smile and bite back a laugh at the other girl's words. “Well, it is the last period,” she offered, half glancing at the teacher. “Personally, he just seems to like the sound of his own voice. A very good representation of the Narcissus complex, perhaps,” she went on with a smirk before turning back to Jack. That was probably the cleverest thing she'd said all day, considering everything Edward had come out with in every single lesson. Even in computer science, when she thought she knew a lot, she found herself keeping quiet.

She adjusted herself in her seat, glancing nervously at the door again. Having been in Edward's company for most of the day, she felt a little shifty without him around. What the hell was that about? Maybe he wasn't coming now. Maybe he'd had to leave. She chewed on the inside of her lip as she considered the options. She was really over thinking things. She shook off the thoughts the best she could and hoped that a conversation would pick up in the room that would distract her. She refocused on Jack as she heard the girl laugh slightly. Clearly she was remembering something funny from another time. Damienne did that sometimes too: randomly laughed because of something that had happened or had been said some time before, even if the laughter was a little inappropriate. “Oh, ummm...” she began when Jack asked who she was waiting for. “Edward Cullen,” she explained, saying his name slowly. She hadn't meant to say it slowly. It had just happened that way. “He's been in all of my classes today and he's been real helpful. He was just on the phone...” she continued, looking to the door again.