cameron sweet
pittsburgh resident[/i][/font]
love, love, love.
Posts: 93
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Post by cameron sweet on May 3, 2009 1:14:25 GMT -5
Violet clouds stretched across the evening sky, while a beautiful sunset took place on the horizon. A slight breeze made the trees whistle and brush against each other. A dog could be heard barking off in the distance. It was cool and relaxing, which was all Cameron could ask for during the summer. He was sick of the humid weather outside, so when the temperatures dropped a bit at night, he took the opportunity to go out and do what he did best: smoke.
Cigarettes were really a wonderful thing. They numbed the senses and made Cameron feel invincible. Something about inhaling tobacco and blowing puffs of smoke from his mouth was absolutely incredible to him. He could waste away with cigarettes for hours on end, and he did so often. Tonight was no different. He was sprawled out in the lush grass by the Monongahela river, listening to the water while watching smoke rise from his mouth and into the air. Now this was the way he liked to spend his summer.
Naturally, visiting back home wasn't even an option for him. There was no way in hell he was going back to see either his mother or father. Besides, he had a job and his apartment to take care of. Remaining in the city was really the only choice he had, which Cameron was perfectly okay with. It was just that life was getting a little boring for him. He had no friends to hang out with, besides acquaintances from work. But he was a strong believer in keeping his job separate from his personal life. Er, non-existent personal life, that is.
It was just difficult for someone like him to find friends nowadays. He could sneak into clubs easily, but the people in there were never interested in finding someone to hang out with on a regular basis. It wasn't like he attended Stewart anymore, where finding a close friend was practically a given. Cameron was technically a teenager living in the adult world. It was more lonely than he had expected it would be.
But still, he much preferred his lonely days to the restrictions of attending school. Maybe he had no one to hang out with on this lovely evening, but he did have his freedom, which was most important. Cameron took another long drag of his cigarette and coughed into his sleeve. Then he closed his eyes and just listened to the rush of the water nearby.
Soothing...
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Post by anastasiya ivanov on May 7, 2009 19:01:54 GMT -5
someone come quickly this place was built for moving out• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • [/CENTER] Nights were absolutely essential to Anastasiya. Though they were boring and drawn out, achingly long and subsequently dreary, they provided the one thing that every person needed: sleep. Anastasiya and sleep had an odd, love-hate relationship: there were times when she desperately needed it to keep herself going and crashed, waking up in an incoherent haze, and there were the times when she couldn’t fall asleep no matter how hard she tried or how tired she was. Tonight was one of those nights where sleep seemed elusive. For once in her life, her dancing hadn’t completely entertained her. She’d practiced her little heart out and had then attempted sleep to no avail. So she’d thrown on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, slipped into a pair of sandals, and had headed out to the shoreline.
Ana had always loved the shoreline. In a bustling, upbeat city like Pittsburgh, it was easy to lose oneself in the chaos. Even when it seemed the city was quiet, there was someone awake, someone fighting, someone going through something rough. It was the melting pot of everyone’s troubles that usually got to Ana. Through her half-awake, half-asleep daze, she’d always hear someone crying or laughing or singing or whining, someone ranting and raving or screaming or praying. The worst was that it was always different people that she heard, no matter where she went. Usually, Ana found this exciting, and found this source of culture riveting. But she was only human, and humans needed peace, quiet, and rest periodically to function well.
The only place Ana had found complete and utter silence was at the shoreline. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. There was still the whistling of the wind, the sloshing of sand as she made her way through the sand, and the rustle of flora brushing together. Everything had a peaceful silence, though, one that was undisturbed by man or his city. Ana liked that. She had never been particularly infatuated with nature, but the shoreline seemed different. The first time she’d stepped on the sand, she’d felt like it was made especially for her, like God had created this sanctuary of silence and serenity for her own pleasure. Though Anastasiya had never been particularly religious, she liked the obscure idea that someone had possibly made this beautiful place just so she could relax.
It was clear that her sentiments were wildly intangible when she spotted another figure on the edge of the water. Ana felt her heart sink slightly and she stood awkwardly for a moment at the beginning of the sand, wondering what to do next. At any time other than this, she would turn and head straight back to her dorm. Tonight, she was determined to clear her mind at the shoreline. And maybe this strange visitor wouldn’t talk to her. There was always the possibility of that, right? Ana thought that sounded pretty reasonable. With this irrational reasoning looping on a reel in her brain, Ana took a few cautious steps forward and positioned herself a few feet away from the stranger.
Her silence didn’t last long, though. As soon as Ana saw smoke coming from the boy’s mouth, she cocked her head to the side. Though she didn’t smoke, she’d never really had a problem with it. As long as people kept their cigarettes to themselves and she kept her distance from the smoke, she was fine. Plus, she’d always loved watching her grandfather blow smoke rings back home. She still didn’t know how he did it. “Can you blow smoke rings?” she asked softly, biting down on her lip slightly when she realized how soft her words were.
Why am I so quiet all the time? she asked herself, looking back at the boy while simultaneously trying to wipe away the insecurity held in her five words. Anastasiya – 0. Everything else – 1.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • STATUS • complete WORD COUNT • 641 LYRICS • the execution of all things – rilo kiley CREDIT • AMANDA IN WONDERLAND !? @ CAUTION [/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER][/blockquote]
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cameron sweet
pittsburgh resident[/i][/font]
love, love, love.
Posts: 93
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Post by cameron sweet on May 8, 2009 23:35:13 GMT -5
Cameron had been enjoying a slight daze when the soft voice interrupted him. He lazily opened his eyes and peered sideways to see the girl who had spoken. She was incredibly gorgeous, he noticed; she looked like one of those models in Vogue magazines. Usually girls with faces like hers were loud and obnoxious - a direct result of their self-obsession. So it was quite the lovely surprise to hear such a timid and quiet voice coming out of her mouth.
He glanced at the cigarette in his hand, and then looked back to the girl. "I've managed it once or twice before. I could try now, but it won't look as cool because this type of cigarette gives off thin smoke," he shrugged, somewhat proud of his tobacco knowledge. He realized a moment later how pathetic he was to take pride in that, though.
Cameron had a problem understanding common courtesy. Most people might ask for the other's name when first meeting someone. Instead, Cameron just stared at her. He was trying to decipher what type of person she was. What were her reasons for coming here tonight? Was she getting away from something? Or did she come here for peace and quiet, just like he did?
He closed his eyes again and took a quick drag. "Why?" he sighed, the smoke tumbling out amongst his breath. "Did you want to see some?"
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Post by anastasiya ivanov on May 11, 2009 20:22:41 GMT -5
someone come quickly this place was built for moving out• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • [/CENTER] Ana’s lips twitched up into a half-smile as the boy explained why he wouldn’t be able to blow smoke rings. Well, at least he was well aware of what kind of cigarettes he smoked, and how thick their smoke was. She wasn’t sure if that was something to take pride in, though. If she smoked, she wouldn’t be able to spit out facts like that, and even if she could, she wouldn’t. Smoking had never been very appealing to her, but she understood the addiction people possessed once they smoked one too many. “You know your facts,” she remarked, smirking.
She watched carefully as his eyes fluttered open, only slightly, to cast a glance her way. She could sense him scrutinizing her appearance, her movements, and the aura she gave off. The spotlight was cast onto her and Ana shied away from its bright light by awkwardly tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and shooting him a small smile. Before she could overanalyze her actions, she lowered herself to the ground a few feet beside him and took a seat, hugging her knees to her chest. A moment of silence passed between the two and Anastasiya was thankful. Instead of rudely interrupting the delicate balance between them, she took the opportunity to look at the small waves breaking against the shoreline.
For a moment or so, Ana completely forgot that she was in the presence of a complete stranger who was most probably judging her every move. Inhaling quietly, she closed her eyes and smiled. Though the shoreline was nothing more than a strip of grass and rocks eroded by the wandering surf, the distinct smell caused sweet memories to cascade into her mind. Her first sandcastle, finding her first shell, going to the warm, calming weather of Florida for her first trip to the beach. She could almost sense the unmistakable smell of sand and surf, the creamy, oily texture of sunscreen dissolving into her skin, and the shade of a beach umbrella cooling the normally burning sand beneath her feet.
“красивый,” she murmured, a gentle smile painting itself onto her lips. “Beautiful.” It was true; if the smell of the shoreline was enough to take her back, but the view was another thing. The Monongahela was the perfect place to unwind. It offered a breathtaking view of the city, but only that – a view. One could take themselves away from the hustle and bustle of city drama and place themselves back at their roots. The shoreline showed the true beauty of life – the gulls cawing out in symphonies, the water harmonizing with the wind in a simple arrangement similar to that of an opera. Even the shoreline itself was beautiful – the idea that one could be here one moment and gone the next was shown in the footprints that washed away with every tide. Years ago a young Ana had been infatuated with the idea that she could etch her name into the sand, make herself a part of life forever, and have it never fade away. She’d return to the beach minutes later, only to find her name gone, new sand filling in the cracks and crevices she’d created. At first, she’d whined to her father about how her fancy drawing of a snail or a butterfly alongside her name had washed away. Only later had her mother pacified her growing imagination with the possibility that those snails and butterflies were all being taken into the earth, along with her name. “That is how you know the earth has received your beautiful creations, Anastasiya. They are not gone; they are just taken to a better place.”
Running her hands through the grass slowly, she savored the gentle feeling rolling past her fingertips. Slowly opening her eyes, the realization of another’s presence slowly dissolved her idyllic senses. Her eyes scanned the vista one last time, soaking in the vibrant colors dancing across her irises, as if looking back at the boy would cause the scene to fade away in the blink of an eye, each beauty fading in rapid succession. Then, after what seemed like an eternity of relaxation, she eyed Cameron and smiled. “Well, I did. Only because my grandfather used to, though. He made the most perfect ones, all different kinds of sizes. Big ones, little ones, all kinds,” she remarked, shrugging slightly. “I miss him. Whenever I smell smoke, I think of him.”
Though Cameron seemed to lack common courtesy, Ana didn’t mind. She’d noticed that he hadn’t asked her name, though she enjoyed having a certain amount of anonymity to her comments. Perhaps if she told him who she was, he’d judge her for it. She was certain she didn’t know him from anywhere, and that was nice. She felt the urge to ask the generic questions – What’s your name? How old are you? What grade are you in? Do you go to Stewart? – though she’d never liked those questions to begin with. They had always seemed very ‘cookie-cutter’ in that they were so boring and general that she’d never really considered them part of a decent ‘conversation’ at all. Those questions always seemed preliminary, in a way, like questions that were required for entrance into a sweepstakes or a game show.
Even she had to admit, though, that the two of them simply couldn’t sit here in silence, wasting the beauty of the night away through lack of communication. So she decided to risk her pristine and unblemished exterior and comment on the scenery. “It’s beautiful here. I’m surprised more people don’t come here,” Ana offered, fiddling with a blade of grass absentmindedly. Considering her statement, she added, “I enjoy it, though. That not many people come here, I mean. And if they do, it’s nice to know we space ourselves out. We give others a chance to experience the magic, if that makes sense.” It was then that she realized she’d skipped from smoke rings to (love and sex and) magic. Now would be a good time to get back on track, smartie, she thought as her usual nervous tendencies seeped back into her senses. “I’m sorry. Where are my manners? I’m Anastasiya,” she introduced in a softer, more reserved tone.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • STATUS • complete WORD COUNT • 1,041 LYRICS • the execution of all things – rilo kiley CREDIT • AMANDA IN WONDERLAND !? @ CAUTION [/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER][/blockquote]
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cameron sweet
pittsburgh resident[/i][/font]
love, love, love.
Posts: 93
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Post by cameron sweet on May 11, 2009 22:22:59 GMT -5
He held the cigarette steady in his hand, wishing he could reminisce about some charming grandfather who used to blow smoke rings for him. Sadly, Cameron didn't even know if his grandparents from either side of the family were even alive. The whole 'sweet memory' thing was kind of a bust.
This girl was a pretty decent person, he decided after a minute or two. Yes, she had intruded his personal peace, but she hadn't necessarily disturbed it. Her voice was very sweet and kind, and she didn't try flirting with him like a desperate teenager at the mall might do. She was just another human being who had decided to visit the shoreline. They were two strangers sharing this random moment together.
Cameron listened carefully as she described her feelings about the location, and he smirked to himself. Her reasons for coming to the river were identical to his: to experience the silence and the magic of nature taking it's course. He put his cigarette out using the edge of his box, and then stuffed the butt in his pocket. He'd figure out what to do with it later. Either that, or he'd forget all about it and it would remain in his pocket forever. Probably the latter.
Anastasiya was quite the glorious name. Cameron chuckled to himself, seeing as it reminded him of the Disney movie. He supposed she got that a lot, though, so he didn't bother to mention it.
"That's a lovely name," he said, turning to fully face her. "I'm Cam." Then he reached over and took her hand, even though she hadn't offered it for shaking. His handshake was firm, and she was so calm and delicate that he was almost scared it might be too much for her. "And yes... the shore is beautiful. Stunning."
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Post by anastasiya ivanov on May 16, 2009 18:00:33 GMT -5
someone come quickly this place was built for moving out • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • [/CENTER] Ana watched Cameron thoughtfully, watching as he held the cigarette and gently exhaled smoke, his features emotionless. For a moment, she wondered if her reminiscing about her grandfather had weirded him out, or if it had offended him. Who wanted to be compared to an old person? Ana would enjoy it simply because she enjoyed old people and their wisdom – but she was pretty sure the average person found it offensive. Opening her mouth slightly, she prepared to apologize. As another wisp of dull smoke dispersed into the air, she decided against it. Perhaps bringing the subject up again would just make it worse.
And then he smirked. Ana gulped, gently biting down on her lower lip. Had she said something funny? It was probably her analysis of the situation that had sent him into hysterics. Instantly she was wishing she could take back her words, take back the delicate moment where she’d let her concentration of the situation slip into that gray area. Ana hated that about herself – how she could twist and turn her words into a mask of repulsion and fright that she seemed to always wear when she met someone new. She didn’t understand it, either; why did people not like her when they met her? Why was she so incredibly awkward when it came to introductions? Everything made so much sense in her head; the words fit together perfectly, the actions were all in sync, yet when she tried to execute them, things fell apart.
Her anxiety faded slightly when he complimented her name. Ana smiled slightly, a bit of reassurance settling into her features. “Thank you,” she thanked modestly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. She was quite surprised that he hadn’t referenced the Disney film when referring to her name. Usually people somehow managed to mention it – “Oh, like the movie?” “That was a movie, right? With the Russians?” “Hey, you’re Russian too! Did your parents name you after her?” Then she’d have to go through the tedious process of confirming or negating each statement: “Yes”, “Yes”, “Yes, but no”. It wasn’t that it was a stupid comment, because it wasn’t; it just got rather annoying when every person Ana met somehow managed to turn the entire conversation into one about ‘That Disney movie with the Romanovs’. Cameron’s simple compliment was refreshing.
“Cam,” she repeated, smiling. Looking back at him, she decided that that fit. He looked like a Cam. Listening carefully to his next comment, she nodded. After a moment of silence, she added, “Do you come here often?” It was a cliché way of starting a conversation, but it was better than nothing. At least she hadn’t said something lame like ‘so, the weather’s nice’ – even though, technically, she had. She’d just drawn it out and made it an even more awkward comment than it was as usual. As the wind picked up slightly, she rubbed her arms and sighed, cursing herself for not bringing a jacket. For a girl who was used to heavy snow and harsh winters, it was odd for Ana to be cold when a nighttime wind during the summer struck. Maybe it was the awkward situation she’d somehow placed her in.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • STATUS • complete WORD COUNT • 537 LYRICS • the execution of all things – rilo kiley CREDIT • AMANDA IN WONDERLAND !? @ CAUTION [/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER][/blockquote]
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cameron sweet
pittsburgh resident[/i][/font]
love, love, love.
Posts: 93
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Post by cameron sweet on May 17, 2009 17:25:15 GMT -5
He wasn't sure why, but it seemed like every girl he ever talked to for the first time was always nervous in some way. Back in middle school, he used to believe it was because he was good-looking, or charming in some way. Now that he was older and not so full of himself, he figured it must have something to do with the entire gender itself. Were all girls just generally anxious when meeting new people? Or perhaps it was Cameron's own fault. Maybe the fact that he just laid there smoking a cigarette coolly made things awkward. Perhaps if he gained more female friends in the future, he could ask one of them what the deal was.
His smirk morphed into a grin when she asked if he came here often. Cameron knew Anastasiya hadn't meant it to sound this way, but it reminded him of those cheesy pickup lines men used on women in bars. He pushed his upper body up and rested on his elbows, so he could look at the girl without having to crane his neck. Now that he was sitting up, he could see the river as well, instead of just listening to it.
"Actually, I don't. But I might have to start coming more often. It's a really nice place to let frustrations out," he nodded, letting out a relaxing sigh. Work was becoming stressful lately, and the fact that he could come to a place like this and just smoke... well, that was a very comforting thought. "Why? Do you come here often?" he asked her, slightly amused that he was keeping this conversation going. Not meaning he didn't want to talk with her, but he could tell she just didn't know what else to talk about.
Cameron frowned slightly when a particularly heavy wind passed through, making some hair fall in his eyes. He brushed it away and noticed Anastasiya shivering. "Are you cold?" Without waiting for her to answer, he started slipping off his jacket. He hated just sitting there all warm and comfortable while someone else was feeling chilly. Besides, he was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, so he could handle not having a jacket on for a while.
"Here," he mumbled, holding it out for her. "I mean, unless you have a thing against wearing stuff that smells like cigarette smoke. I'd understand." Cameron smirked. The leather jacket was his favorite thing to wear, mostly because he'd been through a ton of stuff with it. It was a bit worn down, but it still worked well and kept him cozy. Even though it was the summer, he still put it on whenever he went outside. It was a little cheesy, but it made him feel like he looked cool, and he liked the smell of it. It's scent was a mixture of smoke and this really nice cologne that he sometimes put on. The only time he didn't wear it was when he was inside and at work.
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Post by anastasiya ivanov on May 20, 2009 17:50:23 GMT -5
someone come quickly this place was built for moving out • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • [/CENTER] Had Cameron mentioned that he always seemed to make girls feel awkward, Ana would’ve stepped up her socialization. Not that she wasn’t stepping it up to begin with; even approaching someone was usually hard for Ana, so talking to Cameron was significant to her. Still, she hated that there was an uncomfortable aura radiating from his presence. Maybe that was just her. She seemed to feel that aura around her everywhere she went, pulsating from half-smiles and shifty eyes. The idea that someone else could possibly feel that pressure – especially when it was a result of her actions – made her sick to her stomach. Ana was in the same predicament that Cameron was in; when around her, most boys bit their lips and made little conversation, and what conversation they made was thin, reminding her of the skin of an apple or the earth’s atmosphere. She hated that skin so much; why boys simply couldn’t approach her and start a conversation baffled her. Then again, she couldn’t reciprocate that action, even with the same sex, so she had no room to talk.
She watched, silent, as Cam’s smirk stretched itself into a grin. Shit, he got it, Ana mused, pulling a mental face-palm. She was grateful when he pushed himself up and looked at both the river and her. Some of the tension was let up that way; Ana liked to think it was transferred to the river, which absorbed it and cleansed it like some natural sponge. She wished she could do that; simply take laughs and smirks and snickers of the other person and take them in stride. She never could, though – for some reason, everything had to be analyzed, right down to the very last letter or simper or snort, till it could be understood properly. To call her Analytical Ana would be an understatement.
Thankful for his change of subject, Anastasiya smiled. “Frustrations?” she inquired, leaving the question out in the open. If Anastasiya was one thing, it was respectful. She always respected people’s privacy, no matter how inquisitive she was. She’d ask questions but accept if people didn’t answer them. Her concern dissipated when Cameron asked if she came to the shoreline often. “Well, I come here occasionally. It’s not a regular occurrence, but this is the best place I can find to clear my mind if something’s on my mind,” she offered, quieting herself after realizing her answer was nearly identical to Cameron’s. How, after thinking it over for so long, had she somehow managed to come off as repetitive and boring?
The concern crashed back into her mind when she saw Cameron’s expression change slightly. He seemed slightly annoyed by the wind. Ana usually liked the wind; it was nice, refreshing, soothing. It reminded her that things she couldn’t necessarily see were still there. She also found it fascinating how one wind could have passed through China, India, Europe, and Africa before even reaching her. A different wind could have been through South America, or Canada, or the Pacific Rim. One might have even blown through Australia. The wind reminded her that everything was connected in some way, somehow, and she liked that. Now, however, was one of the rare times when the wind didn’t quite tickle her fancy. The night winds were different, at least in Anastasiya’s eyes; they were more brutal, colder, and almost more… robotic, as if their circulation was necessary and uniform. The nighttime winds making their rounds always left Ana shivering, no matter how many layers she wore.
She found herself smiling at Cameron’s extended arm. Usually, Ana would politely deny his offer; she always denied offers, no matter how badly she needed them, simply because she felt it rude and imposing to accept. But man, was she freaking cold. Slipping it on as gently as she could, Ana inhaled and inadvertently grinned. The smell was intoxicating, deep with the scent of cigarettes and cologne. It was so stereotypically male, yet unlike any scent Ana had ever smelled before. It brought back memories of her grandpa and her father when he came back from work. When Ana was little, she’d wait at the door for her father to come back from the hospital. When he came back, she’d jump into his arms with a grin dancing on her features, and he’d always hug her, no matter how tired or angry he was. Now that she was older and away for school, she and her father talked less and less. She missed his bear hugs and his distinct cologne. Even though this wasn’t the same cologne, Ana had the same smile on her face as the one she had when her father was around.
“No, no. Your jacket actually smells really nice. It’s so… distinct, and strong. I like it,” Ana insisted. Her shivers subsided as the warmth of Cameron’s body soaked into her skin. Looking back at him, she smiled. “Thank you. That was really sweet of you. I must’ve forgotten to bring a jacket with me when I came here,” she thanked, her voice sincere. It was only then that she took note of his attire: a long-sleeved shirt adorned his top half, and she wasn’t certain as to whether it would keep him warm or not. Eyes widening, she immediately added, “Are you sure you’ll be warm, though? I wouldn’t want to take your jacket if you’ll be cold.”
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • STATUS • complete WORD COUNT • 903 LYRICS • the execution of all things – rilo kiley CREDIT • AMANDA IN WONDERLAND !? @ CAUTION [/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER][/blockquote]
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cameron sweet
pittsburgh resident[/i][/font]
love, love, love.
Posts: 93
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Post by cameron sweet on May 27, 2009 19:36:19 GMT -5
It truly was a magnificent place to release stress, and now Cameron was taking a liking to the shoreline even more after meeting Ana. After all, he'd been quite lonely lately, and the fact that he was talking to someone right now (even if it was a random stranger) was a step in the right direction. Overall, coming to see the river was so far proving to be a good choice.
"Frustrations," he repeated, thinking for a moment on how he would explain. "Y'know, like when you have to work all morning and afternoon. And that one damn person just can't leave you alone - they say that you haven't fixed their car properly, or that you chipped their paint, or some other stupid scam to get their money back. Or if your boss yells at you for asking for a raise or something. That sort of thing." He glanced at Ana and smiled sheepishly. "I mean, unless you don't have a job. Then I guess you can't really relate to any of this."
She looked old enough to have a job, but one could never really tell these days. And besides, most kids who attended Stewart didn't bother with jobs since they had so much schoolwork to deal with. That was, assuming Ana was even going to Stewart. She could just be a very young looking college student.
"Where do you go?" Cameron blurted suddenly, feeling ridiculous a moment later. What a stupid way to word the question. "I mean... are you in high school? Or college, or what? Do you go to Stewart?" He didn't exactly know why he was so curious. A year ago he never wanted to hear anything about Stewart again. Now he found himself meeting up with students from the school, and asking numerous questions about how it was lately. He definitely didn't want to go back; he just wanted to know.
An odd smile appeared on his face when Ana replied that she liked the smell of his old jacket. Most people had something against the stench of cigarette smoke mixed with cologne, but it was apparent that both he and Ana understood the strength of it. He couldn't help but laugh when she asked him if he would get cold.
"Don't even worry about me," he told her, shaking his head and chuckling. "Most people I've offered my jacket too just take it and don't say anything. They're so damn flattered that I let them wear an article of my clothing, they don't even think about if I'll get cold." Cameron reached over and softly punched her shoulder. "But not you. That's a good quality, though. I like that about you. You're decent and polite."
He sat up a bit more and started playing with the blades of grass in between his fingers. "But yeah, I'm not cold at all. That jacket was actually getting a little hot, believe it or not."
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Post by anastasiya ivanov on May 28, 2009 22:24:59 GMT -5
someone come quickly this place was built for moving out • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • [/CENTER] Ana smiled. Of course she knew what frustrations were; they were one of the things that became known to her the moment she moved to America. Frustration transcended any language; there was always the feeling of being pushed around, the feeling of your blood boiling in your veins. She was just eager to see what Cameron’s explanation would be. Listening intently, she nodded. A few phrases in his sentences made her smile – “y’know”, “some stupid scam”, and “I mean”, to be precise. The majority of people she’d met in Pittsburgh sounded like their sentences were typed up by a secretary at a well-respected law firm. Even she was guilty of trying to process her ideas beforehand, glorify them and put them in the prettiest words possible before releasing them from her lips. Cam was different – he seemed so much more relaxed and down-to-earth than the stuck-up snobs at Stewart or her dad’s haughty colleagues.
The gist of his explanation made her grin. “You work on cars?” she asked, intrigued. Without thinking, she scooted closer to him and beamed. “I’ve always thought cars were so complicated. I can barely drive my own without getting scared and hoping I won’t get in a collision. I like to watch the mechanics work on my car when it needs something changed. It’s interesting to me when I can’t even read the car manual and understand how everything works. They just fix it like that –”here she stopped to snap, “ – and then it’s in perfectly new condition. It’s like magic,” she finished, beaming.
I mean, unless you don’t have a job. Then I guess you can’t really relate to any of this. Ana smiled, shaking her head. “I work at the record store a few blocks away from school. Well, I guess it’s not really a record store. We carry more indie CDs and old movies than vinyls – but I always like to call it a record store because I like records better than CDs.” She shrugged slightly, playing with a blade of grass absentmindedly. She’d never really had any outrageously obnoxious customers at the store like Cam had. “I never really get rude customers, though. Most of the people who come in are regulars who know me so they won’t get angry if I take a little while to find something if they can’t find it themselves. There are the occasional people who come in and throw a fit and make me search for half an hour before just leaving and not buying anything. That annoys me,” she responded. That usually didn’t bother Anastasiya, though – her frustrations were nearly always with herself and her performance in school, or dance, or at home, but she wasn’t going to share that with Cam.
She was a bit taken aback by his sudden curiosity but found it understandable. After all, only moments ago she’d pounced on the fact that Cam fixed cars; who was she to judge if his he was curious about her? “I go to Stewart. I’m a junior,” she answered, her voice returning to its normal, meek tone. Clearing her throat quietly, she attempted to add in a stronger tone, “Do you? I haven’t seen you around before.” She sincerely hoped he didn’t attend Stewart; if he did, she would feel obligated to know him, and then it would be awkward trying to see if she’d known him from previous years. Plus, there was always the possibility that he was in one of her classes and she didn’t know it.
Ana listened as Cam talked and a small smile made its way onto her lips. “Thank you,” she replied. “You’re sweet for offering it to me.” She still felt bad, though, taking his jacket and not offering him something in return for his thoughts. Looking at him without his jacket, he seemed different – almost empty. “Really? I’m always cold. I don’t know why,” she added nonchalantly, the smile still on her features as she fingered the fibers of the jacket.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • STATUS • complete WORD COUNT • 693 LYRICS • the execution of all things – rilo kiley CREDIT • AMANDA IN WONDERLAND !? @ CAUTION [/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER][/blockquote]
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cameron sweet
pittsburgh resident[/i][/font]
love, love, love.
Posts: 93
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Post by cameron sweet on May 29, 2009 22:45:38 GMT -5
Cameron's relaxed attitude and speech most likely had to do with the new lifestyle in which he lived. Sure, working and paying the rent were stressful sometimes, but he preferred it over schoolwork and deadlines anyday. He didn't have to worry about teachers telling him what to do, or having a strict curfew, or any of that ridiculous stuff that he couldn't deal with before. Sometimes he wondered how he'd been able to deal with it for so long.
"Once you work on cars for a while, it really isn't that complicated anymore. Trust me, none of the guys I work with are really that smart," he joked, although anyone could tell he was flattered that Ana seemed so interested. Just as she scooched closer, he found himself sliding towards her as well. "But you should bring your car by sometime. I'll give it a free check, and maybe, if you play your cards right, I'll wash it too." He winked and then laughed a little.
It was actually a bit endearing that she preferred records to CDs. Nowadays, people wouldn't even buy a CD - all they needed was iTunes and they were set. Cameron understood the appeal of an old-fashioned record, though. It was comforting to hear the scratch of the player against the big disc, and the voices of the past filling up the room. "Sounds like a good place to work. Definitely don't have to worry about snobby people who get pissed if you even touch the paint on their car." He laughed again and tossed his hair out of his eyes.
His jaw dropped in shock when she revealed she was only a junior at Stewart. Since when did junior girls look so mature?! "Really?" he asked, not even attempting to mask his surprise. "Jesus, I would've thought you were at least a senior. But I guess you're younger than me."
This was the part of the conversation that would either make or break the small friendship they were forming. Cameron never considered it that big a deal that he dropped out of school, but he knew a lot of other students at Stewart looked down on him for it. High school dropouts didn't exactly have the best reputation. But Ana didn't seem like she would be too judging of him, so Cameron wasn't too nervous about admitting it.
"I went there for a little bit, but I stopped going last year. I mean, I kinda quit. Dropped out." He shrugged a shoulder and smiled shyly. "School and structured shit like that... it's not really my thing, y'know?" This was true, of course. Cameron wasn't very strong in an environment like high school. But at the same time, he wasn't doing extremely well with his current job and apartment either. He was able to pay rent and eat and stuff, but he was lacking fun in his life. He felt like he was still missing something, oddly enough.
"You're always cold, eh? Well, that just means either you're a vampire, or I'm a werewolf. There's definitely something wrong with one of our body temperatures, though." The full smile returned to his face.
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Post by anastasiya ivanov on May 31, 2009 20:10:18 GMT -5
someone come quickly this place was built for moving out • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • [/CENTER] Ana let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “I don’t think that’s true. Lots of people I know from school are very smart but can’t figure their way out of a paper bag when it comes to cars. And stuff like working on cars is the actual practical application of all the stuff you have to learn in school. You’d be surprised how many people are intelligent but not very smart when it comes to common sense.” That was true – Ana had seen her fair share of geniuses at Stewart, but the majority of them were all talk and memorized facts and figures. When they really had to put their skills to use, the majority of students at Stewart were up a creek without a paddle. Still, the majority of them had daddy’s money by their side and could rest on their laurels.
She chuckled and shook her head as Cameron offered to inspect her car for free. “It’s sweet of you to offer, but I could never let you work on my car without paying you. I believe in giving credit where credit is due. And besides, in this economy, shouldn’t we be spending? Kick-start the economy again… or something,” she offered, a nervous laugh escaping from her lips. Kick-start the economy? KICK-START THE ECONOMY? Who talks about ‘kick-starting the economy’ when they talk about mechanics? Certainly no one normal, Ana thought to herself, a light color dotting her cheeks and revealing her embarrassment.
“It actually is a great place to work. There’s nothing better than getting paid to find music, of all things,” she commented, smirking. It always amazed Ana how many people couldn’t simply follow the patterns throughout the store. Things were alphabetized and put into categories for that exact reason. She couldn’t count the number of times she encountered someone looking in ‘R&B’ for Bob Dylan, or ‘Metal’ for Michael Jackson. Sometimes people just didn’t have much common sense.
Ana couldn’t help but giggle when she saw Cameron’s reaction to her age. She got a reaction similar to his the majority of the time she told someone her age. For some reason, people liked to believe that she was older than sixteen. “I get that a lot. I’m sixteen,” she added, nodding. Cocking her head to the side slightly, she tacked on, “How old are you?” Taking in his features, Ana figured that Cam was around seventeen or eighteen; nowhere past that. He seemed to have a few definitive features to his face, yet there was a fresh, effervescent quality about his visage that one only lost to age.
She listened carefully to his next few sentences, watching as his smile slightly faltered and he seemed to hesitate for a moment. For the first time in their conversation, Ana sensed uneasiness as Cam began to speak, something edgy about the way he formulated his words. That slowly faded away as he eased into the topic, but she could feel his tone clearly wasn’t as strong enough as it was earlier. “I kinda quit. Dropped out. School and structured shit… it’s not really my thing, y’know?” The words registered in her mind and Ana felt herself smiling. She’d never met someone who’d dropped out of Stewart before. Still, she didn’t judge him for it. If anything, it made Cam all the more interesting to know. He wasn’t a typical two-faced student at Stewart, taking all the high-level classes and extracurricular activities he or she could to make it to the top of the social and academic ladders. She could honestly say that, even though he had dropped out, he was significantly more real than a lot of the kids at school. He was genuine in his comments and he was realistic, and for that Ana applauded him. One tended to forget about their character and their relation to the real world when he or she went to a school as competitive and dramatic as Stewart.
“I totally get what you mean,” she offered, nodding. “I can usually only work under structured environments. I don’t know why, but I just do better with them, and I like the competition at Stewart. It gives me something to shoot for. But I get how that could break someone’s interest. I’ve noticed that people who are unstructured are generally a lot more interesting, though. They don’t conform to whatever’s around them.” This was an opinion Ana had held for a long time now; after being at a school where everyone fit into the societal grid perfectly, it was nice when she met the one or two exceptions who preferred to break the mold. Though Ana was bad with change and anything other than what was perfectly written and proven in a textbook, she appreciated people with new ideas. They were so much more interesting than everyone who followed the norm.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • STATUS • complete WORD COUNT • 810 LYRICS • the execution of all things – rilo kiley CREDIT • AMANDA IN WONDERLAND !? @ CAUTION [/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER][/blockquote]
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cameron sweet
pittsburgh resident[/i][/font]
love, love, love.
Posts: 93
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Post by cameron sweet on Jun 1, 2009 21:26:55 GMT -5
Cameron shrugged a shoulder again, still flattered that she thought it was impressive being able to work on cars. Sure it required some skill, but he considered it one of those things that once you got the hang of it, it was simple. Then again, he'd take the compliment anyday. People didn't appreciate the automobile maintenance industry enough. Without car repair, the world would be very limited in transportation.
He couldn't help but laugh at her odd remark about kick-starting the economy. Her blush gave away the fact that she was mentally punching herself in the face for the comment. Although Ana was embarassed, Cameron actually thought it was quite adorable.
"Well... I'm sure the economy would be fine if I gave you just one free car check," he said, slipping out another laugh. "But if you insist on paying, not much I can do about it, eh?" It would have been the polite thing to refuse her request to pay, but it just wasn't like Cameron to be that generous. Besides, he did need the money lately. If she was willing to pay for a car check, who was he to turn down her money?
That's just the type of cheapskate he was.
"I'm seventeen. Only a year older than you. Which I have to admit, is a little crazy." He smirked and looked back at the river. As the conversation melted into one about school, structured environments, and conformity, he suddenly had a strong craving for tobacco again. Cameron reached into his pocket and began fishing for his pack of cigarettes.
"Eh, I don't know. I mean, I can't say I don't conform to some stuff, I guess. I still worry a lot about what people think of me and shit. In some ways, I can be just as shallow as some of the brats at Stewart. The only difference is, I'm just not good with school. And teachers. And grades and reports and essays and crap..." He took a moment to shudder. He certainly had a problem with the way society had set up it's education system. It made him uncomfortable to be constantly judged by teachers, and having permanent records kept about him. Besides, what could a test grade honestly say about his intelligence? What if he was just having a bad day and it affected his grade? Cameron didn't understand how any of it made sense, and essentially, this was what forced him to break free from it.
He finally pulled out his pack of cigarettes and slipped one out, gripping a mini-lighter in his other hand. It took a couple of seconds before he properly lit it, but finally he was able to take a drag and relax. Soon he'd need to start chewing Nicotine or something - at this rate, he was going through two cigarettes an hour.
"Want one?" he offered politely, although he didn't see Ana being a smoker. Still, he held out the pack just in case, watching as he blew smoke clouds into the air.
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Post by anastasiya ivanov on Jun 2, 2009 23:56:00 GMT -5
someone come quickly this place was built for moving out • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • [/CENTER] She heard Cameron laugh and, all at once, her heart rate sped up and her blush deepened profusely. It wasn’t that her remark was all that embarrassing or funny. The problem was that Anastasiya was entirely too conscious about what people thought about her. She’d never learned to be very internally tough, and she took things personally, right down to the very last giggle. She never showed it, but she contemplated every snicker, every whisper, in an attempt to figure out why she was so insignificant and laughable in other peoples’ eyes. All in all, she thought she’d been getting along pretty well with Cam – he seemed to take a liking to her and she took an interest in him as well. His sudden laughter threw everything off, though. Instantly she found herself toying absentmindedly with the grass, trying to take his laughter in stride. Shouldn’t have said that, shouldn’t have said that, never ever should have said that.
“I’m sure the economy would be fine if I gave you just one free car check.” Ana’s confidence faltered once more and her blush seemed to deepen once more, if even possible. Perhaps she was creating this in her mind and she actually looked fine? Yes. The economy will be fine. You will be fine. Just laugh it off. She chuckled, somewhat nervously, and nodded. “Of course.” Quite frankly, she hadn’t heard a word Cameron had said. He could’ve said something along the lines of ‘nod if you don’t care about what I’m saying’ or ‘nod if you’re a loser’. He didn’t seem that shallow, though. Playing with the fibers of his jacket again, she looked up, smiling. “Thank you again for the jacket,” she offered. It seemed to fit her perfectly, even though Cam was obviously taller and more muscular than she. She wouldn’t oppose that, though; if the jacket fit, why question?
At his next comment, Ana smirked. “What’s so surprising about that?” she asked, curious. Her attention shifted from the conversation to his hand as he began digging in his pocket, seemingly fishing around for something. Watching him closely, she noted his sudden shift in disposition. He seemed to be so much more self-conscious and insecure when the conversation shifted to school. Listening to his words intently, she nodded. “I still worry about what people think of me.” Well, that makes two of us, Cam, she thought, the tension slowly easing its way out of her system. It was wrong to feel comfortable in Cam’s blanket of insecurity, but Anastasiya did. It was comforting to know that someone was just as afraid as she was of certain aspects of life – Ana’s was what people thought of her and Cam’s was school and grades. She did understand where he came from, though. There were lots of people she knew who weren’t good in school but were smart. Cam seemed to be one of them.
There wasn’t much for her to say in this situation. She felt choked for words, as if she should reply to his comments with equivocal comments about how much she hated school and teachers and grades. The truth was, Ana succeeded in school. She liked structured environments and deadlines and stress – they forced her to accomplish her goals and get what she needed done. She wanted to be a bioengineer later on in life, and that profession would require deadlines and concentration alike. School, although tedious and boring at times, was preparing her for her career. It was a rare occurrence for Ana to dislike an assignment or teacher, but when she did, she’d remind herself of the fact that she’d need to succeed in school in order to do well later on in life. Bioengineering was a field where you had to go to college to succeed in it – no one would take an eleventh grader as a bioengineer and she knew it.
“I think it’s cool that you’re not in school,” she admitted, smiling. “You’re different. I love people who are different. They’re not afraid to make decisions for themselves. That’s one thing that a lot of people can’t do,” she remarked, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. Ana had noticed his increased worry as he fished in his pockets for what she assumed were his cigarettes. Now, with her hand on his shoulder, she could sense a small tremble within him. Maybe she was imagining it – or was she? As he finally found his cigarettes, she watched as he tried multiple times to light the one in his hand.
It was interesting, watching someone who was addicted – all the worry in the world toppled like a deadweight on their shoulders when they didn’t have their drug. No amount of love or counseling or medication could stop that worry. It was only the drug that could calm them, only the drug that could stop the trembling and pain and yearning they had inside themselves that could never be erased. Her grip instinctively tightened on Cam’s shoulder as her thoughts drifted from his addiction to her own. She’d been off the pills for three years, and even now, she still got the urges to take them. The thoughts of drugs and addiction fueled her desire to pop one pill, then two, then three.
She hadn’t brought them – or had she? Gently letting go of Cam’s shoulder, Ana dug through her pocket, a small frown on her features as she felt only denim and a bit of pocket lint. Frantically, she dug in the next pocket to no avail. The desire was kicking in and she averted her eyes to the water, hoping to calm her ruthless craving for the drugs. God, did sleep sound so good right now. Maybe it wasn’t the sleep, though; maybe it was the feeling of being knocked out, completely dead to the world. Every time she’d taken the pills, she’d been in true bliss – in a world where no one else existed except Ana, where she could follow her thoughts and ideas only. Rather than creating a new world for Ana to live in, the pills took Ana out of the real world, both mentally and physically. She was more comatose than unconscious when she was on the pills, and she liked it. She didn’t have to worry about people judging her or laughing about something she didn’t understand behind her back. When she was on the pills, she wasn’t there to be laughed at for her accent, or whispered about because of her intelligence. She was gone, and that was that.
“Dammit,” she mumbled, dejected at the thought of her pills being miles away. Ana had never been one to curse, so this remark was a bit odd. She was addicted, frustratingly so, and the addiction was kicking back in. Looking back at Cam’s outstretched hand, it took Ana a moment to register that he was offering her a cigarette. Her voice quiet and somewhat shaky, she scrounged up a lame, “I’m fine. Thank you for offering, though.” Clearing her throat softly, she brought her attention back to Cam. “When did you start smoking?” she asked, a bit of obvious curiosity tinting her slightly airy and sidetracked tone.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • STATUS • complete WORD COUNT • 1,200 LYRICS • the execution of all things – rilo kiley CREDIT • AMANDA IN WONDERLAND !? @ CAUTION [/FONT][/COLOR][/CENTER][/blockquote]
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cameron sweet
pittsburgh resident[/i][/font]
love, love, love.
Posts: 93
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Post by cameron sweet on Jun 22, 2009 21:44:45 GMT -5
The conversation was taking odd shifts now. Just a moment ago, Cameron had seemed to be the one in control while Ana self-consciously regretted any silly comment she may have made. Once the discussion had shifted to school, though, it was Ana's turn to be calm, collected, and in charge.
It was indeed a bite to the nerves everytime Cameron thought about his experience with school in the past. It had never been very traumatizing or anything - Stewart had held the same level of difficulty for him as it had for any other student. It was just that he never knew how to handle it properly. He simply wasn't the type of person who could function in an environment such as that, like Ana was. Just thinking about it caused an awful swelling in his chest, which was why he needed those cigarettes so damn badly.
When Ana placed her hand on his shoulder though, something clicked inside of him. It was a simple gesture, and anyone could have done it, but something was especially sweet and heartwarming about it at that moment. It was like she had sensed his insecurity, just as he had sensed hers earlier. Her hand on his shoulder was a comfort he definitely appreciated, and it almost had the same effect on him as the tobacco did.
But then she seemed to lose herself in thought, and her grip tightened slightly. Cameron knew it wasn't about reassuring him anymore; she was thinking about something important to her. Although he couldn't place a finger on exactly why, he felt strongly connected to Ana for a second. He kept his hand outstretched, still offering the box of cigarettes, but he was staring at her face. It was as if he knew what she was feeling, although really he had no idea what was going on inside of her head.
Cameron quickly shook it off. Maybe he was just getting a little crazy now.
"No problem," he mumbled when she turned down the cigarette offer, and he stuffed the box back into his pocket. Then he took another drag and told himself mentally to calm down. Still, Ana's momentary change in emotion had him reeling.
He cleared his throat and looked back at her again, curiousity filling up his eyes. "I started smoking back in... sixth grade, I think? Sometime around then," he said, crinkling his eyebrows as he attempted to recall his first experience with a cigarette. Cameron hadn't liked it at first, but he kept going at it anyway, soon realizing how much weight it seemed to lift off his shoulders. "Why?"
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