A.Step.Down, \\OPEN//

[William Keegan]

William Blake Keegan, a mop of bleached hair, a filthy cigarette and a whole lot of attitude. He was, as per usual seated a top the bleachers having his mid-morning, mid-class smoke. It was only math he was missing, nothing substantially important just something he would probably need later in life. Could you blame him though? The lessons dragged almost as much as the days, this place was far worse than any he had been in before and honestly there just wasn't enough actions. He needed some too tough seniors to fight, some teary, easily hurt girls and some emotionally unstabble staff. Where was all the drama? Certainly not here, on the field at about 10 am on a Monday morning.

Enhailing deeply he removed the cigarette and yawned a board expression on his face. Anything would suffice for amusment, now a ditsy cheerleader would be fun to toy with but he wanted something more intelligable. Maybe a geek... or a freak, either way it would be a far more interesting way to waste his time than insulting someone with the brain capacity of a new born babe. Leaning back on his elbows Will's blue eyed gaze drifted to the sky,there were no clouds in sight and he groaned under his breath. The days where the sun got through were the worst, it was just so damn bright, and not to mention hot. Do you know how uncomfortable it can get sitting out in the sun in all black. Ok so in part it was his own fault the heat bugged him but black's a good colour, and it looks good on him.

Taking another drag he flicked the cigarette to the ground a few feet below him and smirked as the tiny flame began to die out on the concrete. It felt good to be in control of something, not that he needed to do such petty things to feel that way. If he wanted to show he was in control or just wanted a little attention all he had to do was punch someone in the face. It was true that William wasn't a big guy but he was a boxer, he had technique and that was something that often worked in his favour. In fact he was always tempted to hit people, anyone really though he drew the line at girls but he'd been tempted on more than one occassion managing to stop himself and instead put a fist through a wall.

So here he is, no entertainment, no reason and no cigarette. Just sitting in the bleachers waiting for inspiration to strike, or just waiting in general sure he can make the most out of any situation that might arise, scouring the area like a hunter awaiting his prey.

[Nicki Ballard]

Nicki was not pleased with her schedule. She had not wanted a study hall. Study halls were pointless. Stupid. She didn't need a free period in the middle of the day to study, she was perfectly capable of studying in the auditorium while waiting for her scene, or at home, or at Teresa's, or basically anywhere. She came to school for classes, not to have an hour thrown in where she had nothing to do.

Except study more, she guessed. Which, for as much as she did it, she didn't really find all that enjoyable. And today she just sort of didn't feel like it.

So she was allowing herself a little freedom today. But not much.

Her English class was reading A Separate Peace, which she'd actually already read, but not for at least a year. She couldn't possibly remember all the details for the discussions that were going to start happening soon, once the rest of the morons in her class finished it, and she wanted to be on top of things. Plus she had enjoyed the book the first time she read it. So even though she knew she was capable of attending class and getting a decent grade without reading it again, she was going to. It was a good book.

And a nice excuse to spend her free period outside, reading and enjoying some nice weather and hopefully quiet. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy the chaos of her school's halls--in fact it was quite fun sometimes--but not when she was trying to read. That required some actual concentration, and she wouldn't exactly be good at that if she was distracted by something else.

Pushing a strand of loose blonde hair behind her ear, she walked up just a few steps and took a seat on a fairly low bench in the bleachers. Not the most comfortable of reading spots, but typically deserted in the middle of the day and better than sitting on the ground. Hopefully if anyone was here (she hadn't bothered looking around) they'd just leave her alone.

[William Keegan]

[Sorry the post sucks]

That predatory gaze that had been searching the field came to rest on a slender blond girl who he didn't recognise. She appeard to be alone, the fact there was no one around confirming his thought, why he'd had it in the first place he wasn't sure. William was perhaps five benches above her and he grinned softly, he wouldn't have to move he could talk to her from here and if need be he would get a little closer.

The bleached blond noted that she had a book, so todays victim would be a geek, so be it. He cleared his throat casually and leant forward mock curiosity playing on his features and in his voice, "What ya readin' luv?" A certain degree of cruelty laced his words and even in such a simple setence it was obvious he was not a nice person. His pale eyes narrowed slightly and he smiled, it was a hard smile and it was imediatly evident he wasn't even going to pretend to be nice.

A by-stander might have thought he was looking on her as though she were prey, he had the look of a vulture in his eyes and his smile was devilish. It was a look he had practiced and gave just the impression he wanted, a total lack of respect for anyone else; it made him look intimidating, unruly and unpredictable three things he wanted people to believe he was and more often than not managed to make people believe.

[Nicki Ballard]

Goddamn it to hell.

Nicki liked to think she was a person who didn't ask for a lot. It wasn't that she had everything she wanted, just that she had long ago accepted that she wasn't going to be able to get some of the things, and the rest of them she'd just have to work for. Asking was stupid, a huge waste of time.

But today, she'd set that belief aside and just asked for some quiet. Some alone time. Really, it wasn't a lot. It was barely anything, actually.

But of course she couldn't have it.

Damning her luck, she just rolled her eyes slightly but kept her them focused on the book held open in front of her. She caught the edge in his voice and had to stifle a bitter laugh--was he trying to scare her or something?

Despite the fact that she did exercise great self-control in keeping herself from looking at whoever the hell this guy was, she couldn't make it stretch to all things she needed to. And she really couldn't help it. She was pissed off. She'd wanted quiet, a chance to read this damned book, and he'd fucked it up by speaking to her. She wasn't going to even try deluding herself with notions that maybe he was talking to someone else--it was just completely obvious that he was asking her.

"Leave." Her voice was sharp, and there was no room for question--it was a demand. She was irritated and she was going to make it very obvious that she was not interested in conversation or any stupid mind games he felt like playing. She just wanted him to go away.

[William Keegan]

The hard smile turned to a grin at her harsh demand and William stood, she wanted him to leave, fine he would do the complete opposite. He started down the bleachers as if to go, to leave her in peace like she wished. Instead of taking those last few steps to be on the feild he slid in a row in front of the girl and sat down, facing her. His forearms were resting on his legs just above his knees and he was leaning forward slightly his eyes following the words on the front of the book. A Separate Peace was what it was called and he yawned, sounded boring or at least he gave the impression he believed it sounded boring; given the chance he might have read it himself.

Raising his brow William bit the nail of his right thumb and considered what he would say next, he already knew of corse but it was good to have a think about what other things he could come out with. "Now, why would I leave when it bothers you so much my being here?" His gaze moved to her and he took in her appearance, she was attractive he supposed and dominant, that thought made him grin. She was probably younger than him, he didn't imagine there was much of an age difference though.

People skills were certainly not his strong point, in fact they were almost non-existant. He didn't like people and didn't keep it secret, the only purpse other's played in his life were for amusment and to vent his frustration. This girl was a tool for amusment, he figured he'd toy with her a while before he moved on. If he'd stummbled across a dits he was sure he would be venting frustration rather than playing. Lucky this girl crossed his path really, instead of some guy since a fight wasn't at the top of his list of wants but it did come in a close second.

[Nicki Ballard]

She should have known he'd do the opposite. How she was supposed to know she wasn't sure, but she just should have guessed it. He definitely gave off that "I want to irritate the hell out of you just for my own sick amusement" vibe. And he was living up to it spectacularly. He should have won a fucking medal for how great he was doing. And she knew it had to be completely obvious that she was annoyed (actually a little more than just that--she was in a bad mood and quite angry), so of course that would probably just fuel him further. Damn.

She only managed to keep her eyes trained on the book for a few moments after he spoke before she looked up at him, her eyes narrowed slightly and a slight scowl forming on her face. Lowering the book to her knees, she could feel her spine straighten slightly in a subconscious attempt to better her posture. Typically it was quite good anyway, but now that he was sitting in the row below hers, she looked like the taller one. And she was going to use the slight height advantage (even if it was a false one--she could guess that he'd be taller than her if they were standing on the same level) the most she could.

"Is there something you want?" she asked, her voice cool and the sharpness still present as an eyebrow raised slightly with her question. She didn't really want an answer. She didn't give a damn what he wanted, all she cared about was what she wanted. Which was for him to leave. But considering her demanding that happen hadn't exactly worked, she'd try a new approach. For about half a second anyway, and if that didn't work then she'd just give up her spot and go read somewhere else. It couldn't be that hard, and the short walk she'd have to make around school grounds to find a new place would surely be worth it if he kept this up much longer.

[William Keegan]

William drew in a breath, what a question, though she didn't care for an answer and he knew it. She was about as hard headed as he was and stubborn to boot, he liked that but it didn't change what he had set out to do. His brain was set to annoy and there wasn't a lot he could do about that. Leaning back to make what height difference the benches had already set in even more substantial. His eyes narrowed again and after a moment his features relaxed and he considered her question.

"There are a lot of things I want." He started with a wicked grin his eyes glistening with a certain degree of mischief. "A willing sex slave." He winked at her, it was another cover up, a sheild to protect his broken heart; if you don't let them in they can't hurt you the only rule Will lives by. "Or unwilling, whichever." His grin broadened as he continued. "A pack a fags would be nice." As he spoke he patted his coat and jeans searching for the pack he had retreived the recently discarded cigarette from but there wasn't one. Sighing he raised a brow at her and reached for the book with one hadn, his long fingers covering most of the page as they closed around it.

Pulling gently, though it was hard enough for him to over power her he made a swift attempt to confiscate the novel. "You know it's rude to read while someone's talking to you." The peroxid blond had a mock dissapointed look on his face and shook his head. "I would have expected better." William knew that the girl knew what he was up to and he didn't mind, it was a game he liked to play and whether the other participants knew they were playing or not didn't bother him in the slightest.