(Untitled)

[meet_the_thorn]

Jenny's sitting on the edge of the stage, heels drumming absently, looking happy, but rather warily so.

Though really, it's the happy that's out of the ordinary.

Comments

[sky_from_sea]

Anna looks up from her book (one in reasonably good condition, actually) and smiles faintly.

"Thorn, right?"

[meet_the_thorn]

"Yeah," Jenny says, brightening. "You're Anna, aren't you?"

[sky_from_sea]

Anna nods.

"I would be, yes. Have you been settling in?"

[meet_the_thorn]

Jenny nods enthusiastically. "I'm staying at the Field Museum. It's awesome."

[saw_too_much]

Helen looks up from rummaging inside her cart. The girl on the stage reminds her of-

...brushing tangles out of long hair at night, legs kicking against the air as they hang off the fishing dock, waiting for the lights to go up on the school play...

Well, it reminds her of too many things that she won't let herself think about anymore.

[meet_the_thorn]

Jenny raises an eyebrow slightly at the old woman, the cart - the whole rather strange image - but doesn't say anything.

[saw_too_much]

This girl is so young. Of course, she probably thinks she's old and wise in the way of the world.

Of course, in this world, she might well be.

She pulls the cart to a table near the stage and sits down heavily. Why she wants to make friends at her age she can't say, but she finally says, "Hi."

[meet_the_thorn]

"Hey," Jenny says, surprised into friendliness.

And she's totally wise in the ways of the world.

[undermyheel]

Claire strolls in, her gait easy. She smiles when she sees Jenny.

"Hey there, peaches."

[meet_the_thorn]

"Hi, Claire," Jenny says eagerly, smiling back at her.

[undermyheel]

"Feeling better?" Claire asks, stringing her necklace through her fingers.

[meet_the_thorn]

"Oh, totally," Jenny says. "It was no big deal. But thanks."

[bass_line_blues]

Preston's picked up a new book from the bookstall: A Plague of Angels, reads the rather vivid cover.

He's flipping through it, apparently absorbed.

[meet_the_thorn]

Jenny looks at him. Looks away. Looks again.

Then stands and walks over to him.

"Hey," she says, quietly.

[bass_line_blues]

Preston glances up, bending the spine adeptly and placing the book face-down on the table.

(His ninth-grade teacher would have killed him for it.)

"Hey, Thorn. What's up?"

[meet_the_thorn]

"Um. I just wanted to. Um."

She looks down at her feet.

"I just wanted to say I was sorry." It comes out in a rush.

[k_gabriel]

Karla glances in Jenny's direction as she heads into the club, and smiles faintly.

"Hey. Haven't seen much of you around, lately."

[meet_the_thorn]

"Hey, Karla," Jenny says, with a faint smile in return. "I've been around, some. How've you been?"

[k_gabriel]

Karla shrugs. "Not bad."

There's a moment of clear hesitation before she says, in a neutral tone, "Heard you've been staying at the Field Museum. How's that going?"

[meet_the_thorn]

"Really well," Jenny says, far more defensive than happy. "I'm really happy there."