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 Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:30 pm
There were lines at every shop, and the foot court was packed with happy shoppers taking a break between their Sunday shopping. Strollers and shopping bags filled the aisles. Since Alatta Fruits was farther down, he went with Andrea to Mrs. Meadows and waited in line with him, not wanting to venture to get a smoothie just yet, and maybe not by alone if things went well.
Since the place was packed, Ladon moved in closer to be able to hear and talk to the dancer. “My parents wanted me to get into sports too, but I wasn’t really into it either. I do like being outdoors, but I don’t like the games.” The blistering sun of a baseball field or the hard tackles of football were not made for him. He wasn’t build for an effective tackle and he certainly didn’t meet the height requirement for basketball. Baseball had been his only chance, and while he did like it for a time, he wasn’t playing for long.
When the question of what Ladon sewed came up, he went quiet and looked around for a while. Now they were getting into specifics. Admitting he was sewing, even if it was by accident, was nowhere near as bad as saying what he sewed. He stood other, looking ahead of the line, and then at his bag. “Promise not to laugh?” He looked up at him quickly, before dropping his eyes to his shoelaces, then the right. “…I…” He muttered under his breath. “…make plushies.”
If he laughed, Ladon was going to run off and then deny whatever was said at school later.
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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:06 am
It looked like the shamrock cookies were, in fact, out already at Mrs. Meadows, and that appeared to be part of why there was a line. A girl with her hair back in a ponytail and the uniform of the other workers at the shop cheerfully worked the line with a paper plate of crumbled cookie samples, to the elation of the children in line ahead of the two Meadowview boys.
The dancer could sympathize with the pressure to get into sports - likely unavoidable for any boy. His brother Lucas had enjoyed first soccer and later football more than Andrea ever had, and, while his brother gave him no end of crap for it, Andrea was glad that Lucas's playing had, in effect, opted him out from any sporting obligations himself. He had tried a few low-contact things for fun in intermurals in middle school, like volleyball, but in spite of the athleticism he possessed as a result of his dancing, Andrea preferred to stay out of sports. He nodded in agreement with Ladon's feelings on competitive sports...
and then looked surprised as the other boy related the details of his sewing hobby, and leaned closer to be sure he had heard properly.
"Really, plushes? Like-" He let his bag hang from its loops over his wrist, and used both free hands to indicate a height of about six inches. "- those little Japanese anime guys? Or like teddy bears and other stuff like that? Animals?" Andrea was genuinely curious, and it was fairly clearly reflected in his [removed](and tone, if that could be discerned over the general din of the food court).
And he seemed to be about to ask something else when the cookie sample girl managed to get away from the grasping hands of the three youngest members of the family of five in front of the two boys in the queue, and moved to stand near them, smiling cheerfully and offering the paper plate of crumbled cookies.
"Hello, welcome to Missus Meadows and thanks for waiting," she told them. "We have our shamrock sugar cookies already for Saint Patty's Day, and we're also trying out some new caramel chunk-tastic cookies for a limited time." The two distinct types of cookies were both represented on the sample plate, separated at some point, but they had since been jumbled together. Still, it was not difficult to tell apart the shortbreads with caramel chunks in them from the green shamrock pieces.
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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:04 am
The reaction of disbelief wasn't something he was hoping for. Saying it was hard enough as it was without going into the whole details. If it wasn't for Andrea looking at him with some interest, then he would have already lied that he got a text message and had to go home immediately.
The first part confused him, as he didn't know about anime guys being called plushies. He'd have to ask Tate about that, since she knew all about anime, something he only recently started looking into because of her.
When the girl came, he stepped closer to Andrea, watching as the girl offered them a plate of sample cookies. Ladon politely shook his head. "No thank you." The idea of eating off a communal plate that a bunch of little kids harboring who-knows-what was not something he found in any way inviting. He whispered to Andrea. "You should avoid eating from a sample plate. It's not healthy."
As he continued, he decided to whisper exactly what he did sew to clear it up. This would be the moment he either left or stayed, and even if he stayed, who knew if Andrea was leading him on to find out more to use against him. "Stuffed animals. Not just teddy bears, but many animals." He wasn't fond of teddy bears anyways. "I started a while back and...just never grew out of it." He tried to excuse his hobby as best he could. Most people said he should grow up, not to mention that it wasn't something normal highschool boys did.
The sample girl, seeming to notice their whispers and reluctance to try a sample, moved on down the line. Watching her go, he looked back at Andrea. "I bet you get a lot of people saying dancing isn't for guys, right? How do your friends take it?"
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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:07 pm
By the time Ladon voiced his concerns about germs on the plate, Andrea already had a handful of ... well, caramel chunks with cookie flakes stuck to them at least. He shrugged a bit to his companion as he thanked the girl, and popped the chewy bits into his mouth. ... And promptly reconsidered his original plan to get a double-chocolate cookie as his brows lifted in surprise.
"Those are pretty good," he murmured around a small hunk of caramel. "And I figure some germs are alright. Give my immune cells some target practice." His grin was a bit crooked as he was trying to suck sticky sugar off of his teeth as he smiled.
"What do you like to make best?" Andrea questioned once he had swallowed the caramel bits. Then he responded to Ladon's questions: "I figure I like dancing, so it doesn't matter what other people thing. I've had some people give me s**t for it, but," he tilted his head a bit to one side. "Anyone who gives me s**t probably isn't a friend anyway. That's how I figure it."
Granted, he also probably would not have brought up that he danced to Ladon if the shorter boy had not caught his flying slipper. Just because it was his biggest hobby did not mean he had to bring it up the first time he met anyone, Andrea had always figured. The thought had, of course, crossed his mind that Ladon might try to tease him about it in school if he did decide to be the slightly snippy kid Andrea had first met behind the bleachers, but this time around, the other dark-haired boy seemed nicer, and Andrea could always just not care if Ladon did feel some urge to tease him. Would not have been the first time, and it would not be the last. The smaller boy seemed embarrassed about his own hobby, as well, and the dancer strongly suspected that Ladon feared teasing too - loathe was Andrea to initiate such harassment, so, with any luck, they would both be cool from this point forward.
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:03 pm
It was the textbook answer and something many parents told their children. If they don’t like you for you, then they aren’t worth having as friends anyways. It was what parents used to excuse the fact that they weren’t invited to a party or given the cold shoulder while in the hallways. It was a pretty excuse, but he didn’t like it. He’d rather have friends, even if they didn’t know who he truly was, but he instead gave a smile and a nod. “I bet you have some true friends then?” Probably not. Just because someone accepted one thing didn’t mean they were going to be on your side with another. His friends could be as two-faced as the next person without him noticing. He doubted there was such a thing as true friends…then again, he did have Tate even IF she was dating some loser. Not true, but still a friend.
“Yeah, there a plenty of horrible people out there not worth the time.” He stepped up to the counter and watched as the group of kids left, laughing as they chewed on their oversized cookies. Stepping up to the counter and having to tip-toe to be better seen and heard, he ordered a Shamrock cookie, and since he knew he might like more, two more. It would be nice to take them home and save them for later.
As his order was being taken, he stepped aside to let Andrea order.
“I think I like fixing more than I like making the most of all. There are a lot of unique antique stuffed animals you can find that people have given up on because they might have a ripped seam here or there. I like taking one of those, fixing them as good as new, adding clothes or a little added detail, and making them even better. You can see the improvement at the end. I don’t like the toys that are made today. They are slapped together without any real thought and it’s all about some TV show or gimmick. The stuffed animals made back when were the ones people actually put time into, put some thought and care into making.” Ladon had a high opinion on the craftsmanship of older stuffed animals and disliked the recent toys he saw out. When he spotted something that was both cute and had some signs of being well-made, he usually loved it.
“What about you? What do you like best about dancing?” He reached up to pay for his money, taking his bag to a girl who was smiling down at him. He shot her a narrow glare back and stepped away from her, digging in to find a shamrock cookie with pastel-green icing.
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:38 pm
Stepping up to the counter, Andrea peered with surprise at Ladon as the other boy detailed his thoughts on plush toys and repairing the old ones - more because he was not really expecting him to offer so much information about his hobby all of a sudden than because he thought it silly. Really, the dancer had never thought about repairing old toys like that.
"That sounds really awesome," he told Ladon, his tone reflecting his genuine appreciation. Then he started to ask, "I'd like to see-"
... And then the lady at the counter cut him off.
"Oh, sorry," he stammered, turning back to her to order a trio of the green-colored sugar cookies for later, and one of the chunk-tastic caramel ones for now. Then he considered Ladon's question about dancing as he studied the rainbow of drinks in Mrs. Meadow's refrigerator.
After ordering a Sprite as an afterthought, Andrea paid and turned back to Ladon as he edged down the counter out of the way to wait for the cookies. "I guess," he began, rubbing his chin with the back of his hand. "I've been dancing for so long that I can't really imagine not doing it, you know? I'm good at it, but I can always get better, and I guess it's just good for clearing my mind?" Chuckling, he held up the bag that contained his slippers. "And really, where else can you wear stuff like this and not have people give you crap for it?"
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:37 pm
When you didn’t talk much, Ladon often found he just spilled everything from lack of actually talking to anyone. His social quota had to be filled, and he usually tried to get it through the few people who talked to him. Since Tate was dating now, he didn’t have anyone else to chat with, and since he rarely ever got to talk of his favorite hobbies, it just all came out. Embarrassed again, he almost wanted to apologize for ranting, but it seemed Andrea didn’t mind at all which was a relief.
Shyly breaking off a corner of his shamrock cookie, slipping the little piece into his mouth, he listened to Andrea giving off his own reasons for dancing. Ladon really expected there to be more passion, or at least a equal rant to his own, but it seemed Andrea didn’t give it much thought. That or it was so natural for him to do that it didn’t require any thought, like breathing or walking. Ladon could also agree to the last statement. While he didn’t wear tights or ballet slippers, he wore other clothes that most teenage boys did not wear, and he liked being able to wear them. Still, he’d feel too exposed in tights. They just revealed too much. Even if he was fully dressed, they showed things, and his modesty wouldn’t allow it.
“Sounds like you have fun, and I can see how having at least one place where ballet slippers are acceptable would be comforting. Do they hurt your feet?” He was actually curious how dancers didn’t have crushed or deformed toes from those shoes. Didn’t they have hard parts in them or something? “I could never see me in those, let alone dancing.” He let a small chuckle escape him, but not a full smile. Ladon wasn’t the type for full smiles. “…then again, I can’t even dance.” It was a sad fact, but really, who did he have to dance with? He hadn’t even neared the dance floor when he went with Tate to the Singes’ Awareness Party. Tate danced beautifully, and even if he wanted to cut in, he wouldn’t have been able to keep up.
The thought didn’t strike will with him, and he looked off. “Want to get a smoothie?” He didn’t’ wait for an answer, and started to head for Alatta Fruits.
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:39 pm
"Well, mostly the girls learn the balancing on their toes. It's one of those things where, if you do it right, it doesn't hurt. But they also have to work up to it," Andrea told the other boy. "Guys' parts are different. More jumps, and picking up the girls."
He took a bite of his chunky cookie, and followed Ladon over towards the smoothies. "Ballet is different than ballroom dancing, though, but I've taken some classes in ballroom for fun." His lips distorted awkwardly as he attempted to suck a bit of caramel loose from where it had stuck to one of his molars. Then, giving up after a moment, he added, "For starters, ballroom is easier to learn, I'd say."
At that point, Andrea came to a point of decision - was it appropriate to offer to teach dance steps to another boy? He knew he could do it; he knew both male and female parts for basic swing steps and such, so he could teach Ladon either part. But it boiled down to whether or not offering would make him look queer.
And, well ... the taller boy realized that he thought Ladon was kind of cute. He was still sort of wary of the other boy's seemingly defensive nature, but he was good-looking, at least. Maybe he could just offer, and if Ladon called him something untoward in response, then they could just leave each other alone from then on.
"If you want, I could show you a couple steps sometime," he offered casually as they reached Alatta Fruits. There was a line here, too, but not quite as long as the one in front of Mrs. Meadows. "Nothing too fancy, and it wouldn't take long." Andrea peered up at the smoothie menu while he awaited Ladon's response; there were a lot of choices, making for a lot of menu to read, so it made a good excuse not to look at him.
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:06 pm
Jumps and picking up anything was out for Ladon. He tried out for basketball once and they turned him down just by looking at him. He couldn’t jump too high, and he also couldn’t lift anyone. Not as normal Ladon anyways. This meant there was a certain frame to a dancer, and deciding to use out his amateur gaze, swept over Andrea to see if he could pick out any signs that he fit years of practice. He was fit, but the boy wasn’t exactly doing twirls or leaps for him to decide if he was nimble or flexible. Thinking he probably was, he continued walking, looking ahead to what was regrettably another line. He had patience, but he didn’t like just standing around doing nothing. At least he had company and a distraction.
And distracted he was. After Andrea suggested he could take dancing lessons with him, he looked up at him with eyes slightly wider than they were before. Not because Andrea was a guy, but that he didn’t seem to mind that he offered at all. The boy was completely comfortable in his own skin, and Ladon could only be amazed by this. Where did he get his confidence and where could Ladon get some?
“Uh…” he looked back down at his half-eaten shamrock, and broke off another piece, letting himself buy time with chewing. He didn’t even know Andrea that well, but he didn’t know how to dance either. What if a situation came up where he had to? He was in High School now. There were bound to be a lot of dances, and while he was single, he could be hopeful. Even he could fantasize about being at a dance and impressing others with how good he was, and Andrea wasn’t about to tell anyone. He hoped.
Ladon finished the bit of cookie he was eating and swallowed.
“….that would be nice. I really would like to learn, what with prom later down the road.” Not that anyone would ask him or he would ask anyone. He didn’t think about that stuff. He made it a point not to.
The more he talked and the more cookie he ate, the more he wished the line would move faster. He could go for a drink. "You don't mind, do you? I wasn't very nice to you when I first met you, and if you want me to pay or something, I can." At least a little.
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:49 pm
In spite of their rocky start, Andrea figured he could, at the very least, teach someone to dance without being his friend. And if Ladon did want to be friends, all the better. The other boy had accepted his offer in the first place, which had to count for something. The kids who had given Andrea s**t for being a dancer, calling him names and all, had notably not shared their own hobbies before criticizing his - that seemed like a good sign, as well.
The thought crossed his mind that he could ask for money; a crueler side of him insisted that he might be able to get quite a bit, depending on how badly Ladon wanted to learn. But really, it did not seem right. The better part of him was really interested more in being friends with the other boy.
"I guess," he began slowly, still scanning over the menu (it was all mix-and-match fruits, and picking 3 from a list of 8 was almost more work than he wanted to do for a smoothie). "I guess if you could just show me how to fix a button, that would be cool, but you don't need to pay me."
Andrea turned to glance at Ladon. "I guess just let me know where and when would be good for you? I can stick around right after school for an hour or two on Mondays and Thursdays, but I work on Tuesdays and Fridays right after. I'm free in the evening those days, though."
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:16 pm
Fixing a button was more in his price range and ability and he agreed. “I can do that.” If Andrea was going to show his secret hobby to teach him, he could do the same. It felt like a good exchange, and one they could, to some degree, be comfortable with. It also would mean he didn’t have to worry about how expensive it could get, because even though Andrea said it was quick to learn the steps, he wasn’t really a dancer. He felt it would go right over his head. The only good thing was that he wasn’t that heavy, which meant he wouldn’t be crushing Andrea’s feet.
Checking his own schedule, they settled on Thursdays for a hour or two, depending on how much he learned and how they felt about it. Ladon had track and then anime club with Tate on the other days. “Thursday it is then?” It seemed right, and then he had to wonder if this would start immediately or not, but it seemed that the following week, he would have his first dancing lesson for only the cost of teaching someone to properly sewn a button. If his dancing wasn't horrible enough to make him a failure, he might even get a guy friend.
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:31 pm
"Thursday sounds great." Andrea grinned. "I'll meet you by the vending machine next to the freshman-sophomore cafeteria."
He committed the appointment to memory, then inched forward in line. Fewer people waiting for smoothies, but it took a little while longer to make a smoothie than it did to just pick a cookie out of the display case. At least that would give him a few extra minutes to mix-and-match his own smoothie creation.
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