He climbed the tree outside her window, struggling up onto the branch that hung just outside it, straddling the branch as he scooted forward until he was close enough to knock
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They're young, and they're fairly certain they're invincible, and the only way to live is being a little reckless. Eileen, at least particularly know how to live without a bit of adrenaline, without doing things the hard way or the scary way or at least the way that felt more like danger.
It's one of the things she likes so much about the Ramos boy, actually. He understood her--was one of the few people their age who had ever taken the time to even attempt understanding her. He had never cared about what was different about her, had never held her at arm's length because she was too verbose or too high ranked or too easily frustrated. CJ had always been there for years now. If she needed the ridiculousness of sneaking out the window, he smiled and shrugged and made it up the tree to her window without question.
Like now. Her pen drops instantly from her hand and clatters on the desk as she jumps to her feet. She's grinning ear to ear as she unbolts the window and leans out. "Hey, you."
He leans closer, chewing on his lip and murmuring quietly back "Hey, back. Come on, I have something I want to show you."
He scoots back to give her room on the branch, and reaches out a hand to help her out, beaming at her.
He was glad about one thing, at least, as far as her isolation was concerned. It meant, whenever he wanted to see her, he probably could. There was no one their age vying or competing for his time with her. So, if it was dark out, she'd more than likely be at home, and not out socializing with other young people.
As far as he was concerned, she was his, and that's how he wanted it. He'd been taught how to share as a child, but Eileen was someone he wanted just for himself.
Maybe it would be different when they turned twenty, when everyone their age started settling into 'being grown ups.' Maybe she'd relax more when she became an Ace again. Maybe then she'd start noticing men properly.
But that's all a long way away. Right now, there's just the work she has to do, the goal she needs to achieve burning in the pit of her stomach. Still, there's always time for Leigh, and there's always time for Julien, and there's always time for Blythe--and there's always time for him.
"Absolutely." She only vanishes a second to grab a sweater, switch from high heels to lower ones before crawling into the window. One hand catches his, clings tight, as she moves to the branch and pauses to prop her window open just very slightly with the stone she keeps on her desk for just such escapes. "Is it far?"
He'd be sent off deck soon, in the next couple years, to visit Spain, to get some 'culture'. But he's still in highschool, he's still safe, still without responsibilities. Still allowed to do what he wanted because he was still a teenager. And that's all he wanted to focus on. Having fun, and being with Eileen.
He grinned "Nothing is far, in the deck." He took her hand, when she reappeared and helped her onto the branch. They knew this tree like the back of their hands. This branch here, that branch there, swing with this one onto that low one near the bottom, then hop down. He'd hop down first, and then catch her, helping her to the ground so she wouldn't get hurt.
They'd done this dozens and dozens of times, it was easy. It felt safe. Youthful invulnerability made everything seem possible.
It's a cool, early fall night, and that sweater wont keep her warm forever. But that's great, everything is going according to plan.
Comments 58
It's one of the things she likes so much about the Ramos boy, actually. He understood her--was one of the few people their age who had ever taken the time to even attempt understanding her. He had never cared about what was different about her, had never held her at arm's length because she was too verbose or too high ranked or too easily frustrated. CJ had always been there for years now. If she needed the ridiculousness of sneaking out the window, he smiled and shrugged and made it up the tree to her window without question.
Like now. Her pen drops instantly from her hand and clatters on the desk as she jumps to her feet. She's grinning ear to ear as she unbolts the window and leans out. "Hey, you."
Reply
He scoots back to give her room on the branch, and reaches out a hand to help her out, beaming at her.
He was glad about one thing, at least, as far as her isolation was concerned. It meant, whenever he wanted to see her, he probably could. There was no one their age vying or competing for his time with her. So, if it was dark out, she'd more than likely be at home, and not out socializing with other young people.
As far as he was concerned, she was his, and that's how he wanted it. He'd been taught how to share as a child, but Eileen was someone he wanted just for himself.
Reply
But that's all a long way away. Right now, there's just the work she has to do, the goal she needs to achieve burning in the pit of her stomach. Still, there's always time for Leigh, and there's always time for Julien, and there's always time for Blythe--and there's always time for him.
"Absolutely." She only vanishes a second to grab a sweater, switch from high heels to lower ones before crawling into the window. One hand catches his, clings tight, as she moves to the branch and pauses to prop her window open just very slightly with the stone she keeps on her desk for just such escapes. "Is it far?"
Reply
He grinned "Nothing is far, in the deck." He took her hand, when she reappeared and helped her onto the branch. They knew this tree like the back of their hands. This branch here, that branch there, swing with this one onto that low one near the bottom, then hop down. He'd hop down first, and then catch her, helping her to the ground so she wouldn't get hurt.
They'd done this dozens and dozens of times, it was easy. It felt safe. Youthful invulnerability made everything seem possible.
It's a cool, early fall night, and that sweater wont keep her warm forever. But that's great, everything is going according to plan.
Reply
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