Green Tea 15 & Papaya 19
Author: Casey
Story: Marina’s DragonWorld
Challenges: Green Tea 15 (modern) & Papaya 19 (I've still got a few more tricks up my sleeve)
Toppings & Extras: Caramel, Milkshake
Word Count: 1463
Rating: PG
Summary: A first day and a first meeting
Notes: This was my Christmas present for Marina. Figured I’d share as I try and get back on here :) I meant to be back sooner, but the cruise ship has been kicking my butt and keeping me going. I had some prompts that matched this so here it is! In the real DW, Dean grew up just outside Chicago, all family relationships are the same, and Sage moved in with them about 6 years before and still lives with them on vacations. He’s 16 here and much more capable than his TR counterpart.
Dean hitched his backpack up more firmly on his shoulders and stared at the low building stretching in front of him, ignoring the cheerful back and forth between the kids cutting around him to reach it. He’d purposely walked to school on his first day, needing some time away from his unusually sunny father. After a moment of indecision, he fished in his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, calling a memorized number.
After three rings, Sage picked up. “Happy first day of school, Deany!”
“Don’t call me that. Are you sure you won’t call Dad and convince him to reconsider this?”
“He can’t homeschool you when he works at a school during the school day, genius. Suck it up and go inside.”
“How do you know I’m not?”
“Because you’re a chicken and it’s too quiet.”
“How would you know? You never went to high school.”
“Hey, now, I made it through ninth grade.”
Dean blew out a breath. “I don’t know, Sage. I want it to work for Dad’s sake, but it’s been years.”
“And it’s an entirely new place. Deany, don’t be ridiculous. Take advantage of the new start. New kids, new place, new everything. No baggage.”
“Just because you’ve taken to college…”
“Stop it,” Sage said firmly. “If you didn’t want my advice, you shouldn’t have called me. You’re also not a whiner. You’re going to be fine. You’re bound to make friends after a few days and if any bullies come after you, punch them first and ask questions later. Sorin made sure we both know how to fight for a reason.”
Dean smiled at the memory. “I’m totally either pulling you away from class or Natie, aren’t I?”
“Nathan and I are just friends,” she insisted, but Dean wasn’t buying it for a minute. “But yes, you are pulling me out of class, which I should get back to if your bout of insecurity has ended.”
He let out a breath. “Yeah, I’m good. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Call me when you get home and let me know how it goes, okay?” she said, sounding a bit more sympathetic. “I’m sure you’ll do great.”
“Thanks, Sage. I will.” He hung up, turned his phone off and slipped it into his back pocket. Then, squaring his shoulders, he marched into the building.
The first four periods went off without a hitch. In his father’s class, fourth period, he met a nice kid named Chase, who he was partnered with on the first project and had been helpful in showing Dean where everything was. Dean headed straight towards the cafeteria after class, knowing his father was going to eat lunch with some of the other teachers. As a result, he was there early and hopped through line quickly, grabbing a sandwich and a few other things before finding himself a seat at a four person empty table. He’d only managed a couple bites of his sandwich, current book spread out next to him, when the scrape of a chair drew his attention. He glanced up to see five boys, all bigger than him, cluster around the table. The obvious leader had pulled one of the chairs out and now settled himself at the corner of the table, aimed towards Dean.
“Well hello there,” he said with a wide, unfriendly smile, “and you are?”
“I’m Dean,” he replied pleasantly, although his mental alarms started to go off as three of the boys loomed menacingly behind the first. “And you?”
The boy ignored him, looking Dean up and down. “Where’re you from?”
“Chicago.”
A second boy, leaning against the chair of the first, snorted. “You’re too much of a runt to be from Chicago.”
“Wow, stereotyping already? That’s ever so classy of you. Yes, I’m from Chicago, regardless,” Dean said mildly, taking another bite of his sandwich in studious unconcern.
“Now, now, Dean, we’re just trying to be friends here.”
“Really? Is that friends or,” he made quotes in the air, “friends?”
The boy eyed Dean and then announced: “I don’t like you.”
The feeling’s mutual, Dean thought but merely held his gaze.
“I think we should take this outside,” the second boy said with a predatory smile.
“I agree,” the first said and lazily waved a hand. Two of the obvious grunts started to move around the table towards Dean.
Sage’s advice flashed through his head in that instant and he placed his hands on the edge of the table. “I can get up on my own,” he said mildly and then shoved as hard as he could. As he intended, the corner of the table slammed right into the first boy’s stomach, doubling him over. Now he pushed himself back and rose to his feet, scooping up his tray in the same instant. As the first grunt got in range, he swung it, clipping the boy hard in the side before turning it flatways and slamming it into the boy’s chest and pushing, knocking him back a few steps. His partner managed to sidestep but Dean had already stooped, scooped up his backpack and now swung that as hard as he could into the partner’s stomach, doubling him over as well. Then he stepped back, turning his attention back to the first two.
The second boy was now helping the leader to his feet and he glowered darkly at Dean. “This is not over.”
“I wouldn’t continue it if I were you,” Dean said calmly although his heart was pounding so hard he thought it might burst. “Remember, I’m from Chicago. You have no idea how many tricks I’ve picked up."
The second boy clenched his teeth. “C’mon,” he told the others before escorting the leader off, the three grunts trailing behind.
Dean watched them go and then went to stoop to pick up his tray and the remains of his lunch when it abruptly dawned on him that the cafeteria had gone incredibly silent. Cautiously, he lifted his head only to realize that everyone - cafeteria staff included - were watching him. His cheeks flared as he stood still, not sure if he’d just done a good thing or a very bad thing.
Then a boy who he vaguely recognized from his first period class let out a whoop. “Three cheers for the new kid!” he yelled and everyone started applauding and cheering. Dean’s cheeks, at this point, were positively on fire but he felt himself grin widely. After a moment, he ducked back under his table to clean up the mess he’d made as the cheering subsided and people returned to their lunches.
Maybe, he thought as he grabbed his tray and bag, high school won’t be so bad after all.
**
Carrie Michaels stood just inside the cafeteria, dumbfounded by what she’d just witnessed. “Who in the world is that?” she asked Chase, who stood at her side. They had both just entered the cafeteria for Carrie’s requisite curly fries when an unfamiliar blond boy had taken on Karl, Richard and part of their posse and downed them in a total of perhaps a minute.
“That’s Dean,” Chase said slowly. “He’s in my woodworking class. His dad’s the new teacher. We’re partners for the first project.”
The five bullies passed them and disappeared out the door. Only then did Dean appear to notice the attention of a large portion of the student body. He flared red as a boy named Tom, who Carrie shared a few classes with, let out a yell and got everyone clapping. She found herself joining in as Dean ducked beneath the table at the scrutiny.
“That,” she announced, “was awesome.” As she watched Dean reappear, holding his ruined lunch, she reached a decision and grabbed Chase’s arm. Dragging him behind her, she hastened over to Dean and stuck out a hand. “Hi! I’m Carrie!” She grinned as he took it, blinking owlishly. “C’mon, grab some more for lunch and come sit with us.”
“Care,” Chase hissed in her ear but she ignored him. Chase could and would survive being nice for one period.
He smiled almost shyly. “I’d like that. I’m Dean. Hi, Chase.”
“Hi,” her best friend said and even smiled.
With that settled, Carrie calmly grabbed Dean too and dragged the two boys after her towards the line. She admitted to herself, sneaking a glance at Dean as they waited, that she was intrigued and wanted to know more about this new boy. She grinned at him as he caught her staring. “So,” she said brightly, “new to Madison, huh?”
That startled a return grin. “Yeah, pretty obvious, isn’t it?”
“Just billboard obvious, that’s all.”
He laughed. “I guess that’s a relief.”
Maybe this year will end up being a good kind of interesting, Carrie thought and ordered her fries.
Story: Marina’s DragonWorld
Challenges: Green Tea 15 (modern) & Papaya 19 (I've still got a few more tricks up my sleeve)
Toppings & Extras: Caramel, Milkshake
Word Count: 1463
Rating: PG
Summary: A first day and a first meeting
Notes: This was my Christmas present for Marina. Figured I’d share as I try and get back on here :) I meant to be back sooner, but the cruise ship has been kicking my butt and keeping me going. I had some prompts that matched this so here it is! In the real DW, Dean grew up just outside Chicago, all family relationships are the same, and Sage moved in with them about 6 years before and still lives with them on vacations. He’s 16 here and much more capable than his TR counterpart.
Dean hitched his backpack up more firmly on his shoulders and stared at the low building stretching in front of him, ignoring the cheerful back and forth between the kids cutting around him to reach it. He’d purposely walked to school on his first day, needing some time away from his unusually sunny father. After a moment of indecision, he fished in his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, calling a memorized number.
After three rings, Sage picked up. “Happy first day of school, Deany!”
“Don’t call me that. Are you sure you won’t call Dad and convince him to reconsider this?”
“He can’t homeschool you when he works at a school during the school day, genius. Suck it up and go inside.”
“How do you know I’m not?”
“Because you’re a chicken and it’s too quiet.”
“How would you know? You never went to high school.”
“Hey, now, I made it through ninth grade.”
Dean blew out a breath. “I don’t know, Sage. I want it to work for Dad’s sake, but it’s been years.”
“And it’s an entirely new place. Deany, don’t be ridiculous. Take advantage of the new start. New kids, new place, new everything. No baggage.”
“Just because you’ve taken to college…”
“Stop it,” Sage said firmly. “If you didn’t want my advice, you shouldn’t have called me. You’re also not a whiner. You’re going to be fine. You’re bound to make friends after a few days and if any bullies come after you, punch them first and ask questions later. Sorin made sure we both know how to fight for a reason.”
Dean smiled at the memory. “I’m totally either pulling you away from class or Natie, aren’t I?”
“Nathan and I are just friends,” she insisted, but Dean wasn’t buying it for a minute. “But yes, you are pulling me out of class, which I should get back to if your bout of insecurity has ended.”
He let out a breath. “Yeah, I’m good. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Call me when you get home and let me know how it goes, okay?” she said, sounding a bit more sympathetic. “I’m sure you’ll do great.”
“Thanks, Sage. I will.” He hung up, turned his phone off and slipped it into his back pocket. Then, squaring his shoulders, he marched into the building.
The first four periods went off without a hitch. In his father’s class, fourth period, he met a nice kid named Chase, who he was partnered with on the first project and had been helpful in showing Dean where everything was. Dean headed straight towards the cafeteria after class, knowing his father was going to eat lunch with some of the other teachers. As a result, he was there early and hopped through line quickly, grabbing a sandwich and a few other things before finding himself a seat at a four person empty table. He’d only managed a couple bites of his sandwich, current book spread out next to him, when the scrape of a chair drew his attention. He glanced up to see five boys, all bigger than him, cluster around the table. The obvious leader had pulled one of the chairs out and now settled himself at the corner of the table, aimed towards Dean.
“Well hello there,” he said with a wide, unfriendly smile, “and you are?”
“I’m Dean,” he replied pleasantly, although his mental alarms started to go off as three of the boys loomed menacingly behind the first. “And you?”
The boy ignored him, looking Dean up and down. “Where’re you from?”
“Chicago.”
A second boy, leaning against the chair of the first, snorted. “You’re too much of a runt to be from Chicago.”
“Wow, stereotyping already? That’s ever so classy of you. Yes, I’m from Chicago, regardless,” Dean said mildly, taking another bite of his sandwich in studious unconcern.
“Now, now, Dean, we’re just trying to be friends here.”
“Really? Is that friends or,” he made quotes in the air, “friends?”
The boy eyed Dean and then announced: “I don’t like you.”
The feeling’s mutual, Dean thought but merely held his gaze.
“I think we should take this outside,” the second boy said with a predatory smile.
“I agree,” the first said and lazily waved a hand. Two of the obvious grunts started to move around the table towards Dean.
Sage’s advice flashed through his head in that instant and he placed his hands on the edge of the table. “I can get up on my own,” he said mildly and then shoved as hard as he could. As he intended, the corner of the table slammed right into the first boy’s stomach, doubling him over. Now he pushed himself back and rose to his feet, scooping up his tray in the same instant. As the first grunt got in range, he swung it, clipping the boy hard in the side before turning it flatways and slamming it into the boy’s chest and pushing, knocking him back a few steps. His partner managed to sidestep but Dean had already stooped, scooped up his backpack and now swung that as hard as he could into the partner’s stomach, doubling him over as well. Then he stepped back, turning his attention back to the first two.
The second boy was now helping the leader to his feet and he glowered darkly at Dean. “This is not over.”
“I wouldn’t continue it if I were you,” Dean said calmly although his heart was pounding so hard he thought it might burst. “Remember, I’m from Chicago. You have no idea how many tricks I’ve picked up."
The second boy clenched his teeth. “C’mon,” he told the others before escorting the leader off, the three grunts trailing behind.
Dean watched them go and then went to stoop to pick up his tray and the remains of his lunch when it abruptly dawned on him that the cafeteria had gone incredibly silent. Cautiously, he lifted his head only to realize that everyone - cafeteria staff included - were watching him. His cheeks flared as he stood still, not sure if he’d just done a good thing or a very bad thing.
Then a boy who he vaguely recognized from his first period class let out a whoop. “Three cheers for the new kid!” he yelled and everyone started applauding and cheering. Dean’s cheeks, at this point, were positively on fire but he felt himself grin widely. After a moment, he ducked back under his table to clean up the mess he’d made as the cheering subsided and people returned to their lunches.
Maybe, he thought as he grabbed his tray and bag, high school won’t be so bad after all.
**
Carrie Michaels stood just inside the cafeteria, dumbfounded by what she’d just witnessed. “Who in the world is that?” she asked Chase, who stood at her side. They had both just entered the cafeteria for Carrie’s requisite curly fries when an unfamiliar blond boy had taken on Karl, Richard and part of their posse and downed them in a total of perhaps a minute.
“That’s Dean,” Chase said slowly. “He’s in my woodworking class. His dad’s the new teacher. We’re partners for the first project.”
The five bullies passed them and disappeared out the door. Only then did Dean appear to notice the attention of a large portion of the student body. He flared red as a boy named Tom, who Carrie shared a few classes with, let out a yell and got everyone clapping. She found herself joining in as Dean ducked beneath the table at the scrutiny.
“That,” she announced, “was awesome.” As she watched Dean reappear, holding his ruined lunch, she reached a decision and grabbed Chase’s arm. Dragging him behind her, she hastened over to Dean and stuck out a hand. “Hi! I’m Carrie!” She grinned as he took it, blinking owlishly. “C’mon, grab some more for lunch and come sit with us.”
“Care,” Chase hissed in her ear but she ignored him. Chase could and would survive being nice for one period.
He smiled almost shyly. “I’d like that. I’m Dean. Hi, Chase.”
“Hi,” her best friend said and even smiled.
With that settled, Carrie calmly grabbed Dean too and dragged the two boys after her towards the line. She admitted to herself, sneaking a glance at Dean as they waited, that she was intrigued and wanted to know more about this new boy. She grinned at him as he caught her staring. “So,” she said brightly, “new to Madison, huh?”
That startled a return grin. “Yeah, pretty obvious, isn’t it?”
“Just billboard obvious, that’s all.”
He laughed. “I guess that’s a relief.”
Maybe this year will end up being a good kind of interesting, Carrie thought and ordered her fries.