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 Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:07 pm
Ella couldn't resist snorting as she gestured to a table in the corner, next to a window that filtered in gentle sunlight.
" How about there?" Sam nodded, and they both seated themselves, checking over the menu and chatting.
" I don't usually drink coffee. It's always been tea in Glastonbury, where I grew up."
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:10 pm
"I grew up in London, actually." Already they were on different paths of life. Sam scanned through his menu, and settled on getting california rolls. It was the only form of sushi they had, and he knew they got it from the school's banquet hall.
"And I do like coffee, but it has to be sweet, or it doesn't agree with my tastebuds at all. People and coffee shouldn't be bitter." Immediately he wondered if that sounded completely lame or not, so Sam smiled in the hopes she'd return the look, or maybe even laugh.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:14 pm
Ella smiled, and set her menu down.
" What was your family like, if you don't mind my asking?" She said, already having chosen coffee and a salad. An odd mixture, but flavors never seemed to clash for her taste buds.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:21 pm
Ah, family conversations. Those were always dull.
"Well, dad's from the states, mom's a CEO at her own floral business. It's really taken off, you know. You know that whole 1-800-Buds and bows jingle? That's her."
They'd lived quite comfortably, to be sure.
"Dad's an engineer for plastic moulding. Not the most exciting thing to do, but what he does really creates the building blocks for things like cars or toys. We were happy, you know. And then I went off to college because mom was starting to drive me nuts about jobs and living out on my own..."
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:27 pm
Ella smiled and looked a little sad too.
" It must be nice to have parents, huh?" At his inquiring look, she sighed.
" My parents gave me up to an orphanage when I was four because they simply didn't want me anymore, so I never really had any." She shrugged.
" My friend Colin grew up with me, so he's like my brother. But it kinda sucks having to make your own way in the world and not having any parents to look after you and help you. But I think I turned out alright." A waitress came over, took their orders, then darted away again. Ella looked thoughtful.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:33 pm
They gave up their daughter? he thought sadly. Such a beautiful creature, and there she was, sitting in front of him with no adult to guide her or coddle her. It was a wonder she'd somehow made her own way to Grove.
"How did you come here, then, if you don't mind me asking? Did you work, or scholarship, funds...?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:36 pm
" A combination of work, grades, and recommendation. The matron of my orphanage knows the headmaster, and I work really hard, so he accepted me here. Same goes for Colin." She smiled at him.
" It's no biggie. I resigned myself to it a long time ago, Sam." She shrugged as their coffees were brought over. After pouring a gratuitous amount of sugar into hers, she handed the sugar shaker off to Sam.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:43 pm
It still bothered him. She was taking it so well, but he wondered if deep down there was a hurt she always forced away. To not be wanted by your own parents must have made her feel worthless sometimes, if not always.
Sam took the sugar and poured a bit into his coffee, still thinking quietly as he always did.
"You're brave, you know. Even if you don't see it as being brave."
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:45 pm
Ella smiled and reached forward to squeeze his hand lightly as he replaced the sugar shaker.
" Thanks." She let go of her hand and raised the coffee to her lips to hide her smile in her cup.
" So, interests outside of what we've already spoken of, Sam?" She asked, after wiping her mouth.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:53 pm
His skin tingled where she had touched it. Ella was definitely becoming a different person in his views, piquing his curiosities and just being sweet. Sam wondered if they'd see more of each other soon, or if this day would pass like a dream.
Sam recovered and tried to come up with an answer.
"I do like music. Listening, not playing so much. Little bit of drawing, little bit of yoga. I'm searching still for that one thing that catches me. Reading has that, I think, but I want to try writing. You, Ella?"
Sam took a sip, though his eyes never leaving hers.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 7:56 pm
Ella smiled.
" Lots of yoga and metaphysical stuff-as you know- writing, reading, the works. I also can play guitar, bass guitar, and my friends think I can hole a tune." She grinned and took another sip of her coffee.
" I love singing and dancing, really. It's very freeing, though..." She flushed.
" I'm too shy to really do so infront of people. I freak out."
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:04 pm
"Ah, so you're a songbird. You should try to get out there, if you want to someday. Even if it's just for your friends."
Sam could sort of sing, but like Ella he'd always been too shy and never developed any sort of real talent for it.
"Do you and your friends play together often? A band sounds like something this campus needs."
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:09 pm
" Yeah, but we're not too big in public stuff. We're pretty low key." She grinned.
" You can come and listen when we practice, if you like." Their food was delivered to their table, and a few minutes were taken just eating and not speaking.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:04 pm
Meanwhile, Colin and Rosie were just having a walk around Moline. Earlier they'd replenished Rosie's candy stash and bought her a new notebook at the shop, but the weather was so nice they decided just to poke around.
It wasn't until Rosie caught Ella in the window of the restaurant that there was any real excitement or even fast movement from her.
"Colin, look!" she said, taking her boyfriend's hand. "It's Ella, and she's with a guy."
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:17 pm
Colin frowned immediately.
" What is she doing with a guy?" He scowled and grabbed Rosies hand.
" C'mon I gotta protect my little sister." He wiggled his arm a bit as she tugged on it, trying to prevent him from interfering.
Ella laughed at one of her stories.
" And of course, there I was with a pot of burnt water and no dinner to speak of. That was embarressing."
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