Anywhere Else But Here [Open]

[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel sighed as he walked into the food court, his eyes roaming over the people already seated, happily tucking into their food with their friends. He couldn't deny the fact that he liked to be on his own, in fact, a lot of the time, Samuel loved to be on his own. But every now and then, he just wished he had a few more friends who he could meet up with and eat lunch with. You've only been here for a couple of days, he mumbled to himself, Just give it some time. At least he knew one person - Vinny - although said person was rather high energy for Samuel, so he tried to keep their time together limited.

Picking up a tray, Samuel selected a few items of food before paying for them and making his way to a table near the back of the hall. It was actions like this that had secured the fact that he hadn't met that many people, but he wasn't exactly confident enough to just waltz up to people and introduce himself. Glancing over his shoulder, he pulled his book out from his coat pocket and dived into it, soon becoming caught up in the fantasy world. Although he didn't outwardly like to admit it, Samuel adored books and of course, reading them. His favourites, embarassed as he was to admit it, were romance novels - impossibly sickly love stories that always ended happily.

There was something rather endearing about them. But a guy of his age should never be caught with a book like that, and so, when he was out in public, the only books you would catch him with were crime novels - grisely tales of murder, theft, and out-of-this-world plots - which more often than not, ended with the bad guy getting caught. There was a part of him that adored the idea of commiting crimes, thinking up plots that even the best inspectors would never solve. But Samuel was blissfully unaware of this part, or at least, he pretended to be. And of course, there were always the drugs and his cigarettes to keep this darker side at bay.

Samuel was so involved in the story, flicking through the pages at a pace that seemed almost inhuman, he was blissfully unaware of any people sitting next to him.

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[berkeley4]

Annie was always a little surprised by how actually tasty the food here was. High School food had always been so gross...so much so that she usually just ended up getting lunchables or something like her older brother and gagged as she saw her friends eating whatever it is they served.

This place, though, was different. And enjoyable...even really good sometimes. She was happy for the change.


She was sitting by a window, eating and losing herself in quite a difficult folding pattern for a camel spider when she noticed Samuel sitting on his own. Was he new? She felt a little bad for him not having anyone to talk to.

After finishing the bite of her food she was on, she grabbed her tray and carried it over to him, putting the half folded spider away and pulling out a shiny and green sheet of origami paper. Putting it at the edge of the tray, she decided to finally speak up. "Hey, I'm Anne... is it okay if I sit with you?"

Annie was usually good at getting herself to talk to people. She didn't quite get why she'd stalled this time. Maybe she thought he'd get mad or something. She shook the thought from her head as she started to quickly fold her normal greeting--a simple yet nice looking dragon. Even if he didn't want her bothering him, she'd probably slip it his way when she was finished as a kind gesture.


((All my posts are feeling so short lately. I'M SORRY I'LL MAKE UP FOR IT))

[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel was so far into his book that it took a rather long time for him to process the fact that someone was actually talking to him. He looked up from his book and blinked a few times, trying to bring himself back to reality. I'm sorry? Oh...Right..Umm.. Hi, he stuttered, rather shyly, smiling at the girl. Oh, yeah...sure.. Sit down. I'm Samuel by the way, he said, his eyes falling to the origami paper that the girl, Annie, was moulding. Wow, you're really good at that, he said, his eyes transfixed as Annie's fingers nimbly folded the small piece of paper into a dragon.

Pushing his book to the side, Samuel focused his attention onto Annie, rather taken aback that she had even bothered to come and talk to him. 'Or maybe she just didn't have anywhere else to sit,' he thought, before he could stop himself. No, this girl seemed nice enough, he was sure - well, mostly sure - that she had indeed come over to speak to him. So...ummm...what classes do you take? he asked, unsure of what else to say. You're obviously an artist, so i'm going to guess Fine Art as one of them, he commented, his face lighting up as he saw the paper transform into the perfect replica of a dragon. Tentatively, he reached out his hand, holding it flat, Can i hold it? he asked, his eyes wide and bright. He'd never seen such good origami before! 'Vinny would love this,' he thought, wondering whether the girl would let him keep it so that he could give it to his flat-mate

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[berkeley4]

"It's nice to meet you, Samuel," Annie smiled as she sat down across from him, finishing up the dragon and admiring it for a minute. "And you were really close, actually." She laughed slightly. Of course her origami would give something like that away. It made sense that that would be something he'd guess. She was still blushing slightly at the compliment...she wasn't sure why, but sometimes people commenting on her pieces got her that way. She shook her head, trying to push it away.

"I'm taking Multimedia art...and Psychology. Mom said if she was going to pay for school, she wanted me taking something that actually mattered and not just art, so....." She shrugged softly, sliding the finished dragon towards him. "By the way, of course you can hold it. I was making it for you....kind of my way of greeting people. I can make basically anything, really....just ask, and I probably either have a pattern for it or could make it up." She nodded as if to verify her own statement before continuing.

"What're you studying?" She thought it best if she returned the question. She wasn't quite sure, at this point, what she would've brought up otherwise. Probably the book, though from the looks of it they didn't quite share the same taste. She really liked fantasy....or old books that were out of print. Sometimes, when she felt like she could handle the scary bits, she liked Zombie Apocalypse stories....but there really weren't a lot of books of that genre.

[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel's eyes lit up as Annie handed him the paper dragon. Wow! Thank you so much! Would it be alright if i gave this to my room mate? He'll absolutely adore it! He grinned, stroking the dragon's small paper head. Vinny would love this! Maybe he could ask Annie to make them both one? But he didn't want to seem rude... Umm..would...would it be ok if you made another one? It's just...then...we could both have one... he asked, not looking at her directly; he was always shy around new people.

I'm taking Fine Art and Engineering. It's an odd combination, I know, but i find them rather calming, he said, placing the dragon on his palm and stroking it gently. His hands shook slightly, and after a quick rustle in his pocket, he pulled out a small pill box, opening it and popping one in his mouth. He glanced at Annie, hoping she wouldn't ask why he was taking pills, or what those pills were.

Soo...how long have you been here for? I only got here the other day so i haven't had much of a chance to meet anyone, hence why i'm sitting here on my own. I would have brought Vinny with me, but he was busy drawing, he said, in a rush, a light blush colouring his cheeks. He wished he wasn't so nervous around people..it would make things so much easier. But the pill would kick in soon and hopefully that would make him a bit more confindent. And Annie seemed like a friendly person and it was always easier to be confindent around friendly people.

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[berkeley4]

Annie didn't even blink in any kind of a negative way when Samuel asked her for another paper dragon. Instead, she nodded, smiled, and pulled out a box filled with different colored pieces of paper from her bag. She slid it his way, "You know, you get to choose this time....whatever color out of there you want. Doesn't even have to be a dragon, either, it could be different." She loved it when people requested her paper figures. It made her feel somewhat useful and needed....something she really didn't feel of herself too often.

She noticed him take the pills, sure, but she didn't feel the need to inquire about them. She had her own problems she was sure he wouldn't want to know about...so why would she need to know what was up with him? At this moment, she was just enjoying the company of this surprisingly nice guy she'd decided to try to talk with. "Oh, man, engineering....that's got to take a lot of math, doesn't it?"

Math wasn't always one of Annie's best subjects....there was a time back in high school where she was scary good, but all she could use it for anymore were her projects. Other than that, she just kind of failed.

"Oh, wow, so you're really, really new...." That explained some things...like how she hadn't noticed him sitting on his own before. If he was really as nice as he seemed to be showing her, though, she assumed he'd make friends quick. "I dunno...I started a while ago....it's a really neat place when you get used to it, believe me." She nodded, "It's kind of my home away from home....man, that makes me sound pathetically lame."

[SAMUEL HURST]

Hmmmm....I wonder what colour to pick....Ohhh red, please! And no, a dragon is perfect! Thank you so much! Samuel grinned happily, as if he was a small child who had just been given a new bike for Christmas. H watched, transfixed, as once again Annie's nimble fingers began to mould the paper. He would have to get her to teach her how to do origami at some point. But for now, he was content just to chat and watch her create magical beasts from a tiny slice of paper.

Hmmm...there's a reasonable amount of math, but it's not too hard. I find dealing with numbers rather...soothing. At least with math, you always know you're either going to be right or wrong. And once you get the hang of it, it's quite simple really. He smiled, picking up an apple and beginning to slice it into perfect quarters. He wasn't a perfectionist, really, he just liked things to be....neat.

Samuel chuckled, It doesn't make you sound lame! I think a lot of people find college to be a home away from home, once they've made some friends and things! He sighed, picking up a piece of apple and biting into it. I just need to make some more friends, 'if only it was that simple' he added on, in his thoughts. His condition, as unwilling as he was to accept it, made making friends...difficult...at the best of times. People just didn't understand. 'I'll just have to up my dosage when i'm around people,' he thought, looking back up at Annie and smiling. If he could make a good first impression, maybe they would look past his illness. Maybe..

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[berkeley4]

Annie nodded as she took one of her nicer pieces of red paper and started to fold it into another dragon. She was always at such peace making these for people....there wasn't anything to worry about. She knew what she was doing, and she knew she could do it well if she tried hard enough. That was why this was the one she ended up giving to people when she met them. "Hey, you're welcome,"' She smiled when he thanked her. "If you ever want to see anything else done in paper, let me know..." She laughed slightly, "I'm making myself sound like a dealer or something."

She listened to him talk about the simplicity of math as she folded, shrugging softly. "There was a point in my life where I probably would've agreed with you....it just all kind of slipped me, you know? Stuff happened and my brain kind of gave up." Actually, her brain stopped comprehending math around the time her dad got arrested....it all sort of made sense. "I can understand that kind of thinking, though, really."

She looked to her noodles and decided to pause folding for a moment, grabbing some chopsticks from her bag and using them to take a bite. Part of her wished she was good enough that she'd know who he'd get along with, but nothing was really coming to her. "If you want, I could introduce you to a few people....I don't know if you'd get along with my friend group, but it's worth an offer."

Not too long after she stopped talking, her second dragon of the day was done. She smiled, admiring her work again before putting it next to the first one she'd folded. "There, he's all done now. It's a slightly different folding pattern, but it leads to the same thing."

[SAMUEL HURST]

That would be really cool! Maybe you could teach me how to make them!! he smiled, tentatively, seriously hoping that Annie would agree to teaching him how to make origami animals. They were just so cool! It was almost like a form of magic, how one small piece of paper could be turned into something so intricate and delicate. Samuel chuckled, Well i hardly think you'll be arrested for dealing in origami animals, somehow!

Samuel smiled, understandingly, Well math isn't for everyone! For me, it's Creative Writing. Despite the amount of books i read, whenever i try to put pen to paper, words fail me! It's always really bothered me, because i can be so creative in my artwork and the ways in which i see how to fix things, and yet, ask me to write a poem and i'm stumped! He shook his head, popping another piece of apple into his mouth, It's rather frustrating, really. Ahh well, i guess there's not a lot you can do about it!

He looked up nervously as Annie mentioned introducing him to some of her frinds. Well...umm... he stuttered, suddenly feeling nervous again. Y-yeah.. could..do he said, twisting his fingers around each other. He really should grow a pair and stop being so nervous around new people, otherwise he was never going to make friends! But, as soon as the dragon was finished, his nervousness vanished, replaced once again by awe at the perfect little figure. Ohh thank you, thank you, thank you! He beamed at her, stroking his new dragon on its head.

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[berkeley4]

"That would be a story. Girl arrested for dealing in origami creatures." Annie couldn't help but laugh at the thought as she closed her little origami paper box, putting it away. It kind of scared her, though--the thought of getting in that kind of trouble. She guessed it was just that all the times of being ranted at about staying in line and being good had stuck with her. It would be completely out of her way to do anything her parents wouldn't approve of, even if only one of them ever counted anymore.

"Oh, man....me and writing clash so horribly." She shook her head, letting out a soft sigh. "I went through this phase where I was ultra obsessed with Jim Morrison and thought I could write deep poetry. It was so bad. Don't ask me to show you any of it." That had been....such an awkward little phase in high school. "The only art I can do is origami and....well....animation. Which is why I'm taking the multimedia art class."

Annie frowned when she saw how nervous he seemed after her mentioning introducing him to some people. Alright. She knew not to bring that one up for a while. It was understandable that he was nervous....she was, too, really. Just, somehow, she was able to push herself to at least give things a shot and see where it ended up. She shook the feeling away when she saw him get excited about the second dragon, and allowed herself to smile again. "I'm glad you like them so much.....I'm not really used to people getting so excited. It's a pleasant change." Sure, people have liked when she'd made things for them in the past, but his excitement for them seemed different somehow. She couldn't quite figure it out.

[SAMUEL HURST]

Multimedia must be really interesting! If i was better at making things, i probably would have applied for that. But i'm best at drawing and painting, plus i enjoy it more...so... Samuel shrugged his shoulders, petting his paper dragon, a child-like grin still on his face. He blushed at her comment, looking down, I just find them really cool! I've never seen anything like this before! And the way you manipulated the paper...it was kinda like magic! 'God, you sound like a complete idiot,' he thought, shaking his head slightly at his ridiculous comment.

Taking a deep breath, he looked up and, glancing away every now and then, he rushed out Sodoyouwannaintroducemetoyourfriends?, barely leaving any gap between the words. Blushing again, he cleared his throat and repeated his sentence, So do you wanna introduce me to your friends? It would...nice...to know some more people.. He smiled, rather timidly, the thought of meeting new people putting butterflies in his stomach. He really wasn't any good at this sort of thing, he'd much rather sit back and let a curious person come to him, like Annie had done, than outwardly put himself in the centre of attention. But this was a new start for him, and a new start meant making new friends. Or trying to at least!

-sorry it's short >.< i'll make it up to you <3 -

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[berkeley4]

Annie couldn't help but blush as he told her what he thought about her folding. No one. Had ever thought of it like that before....or if they had, they'd never said anything out loud about it. "I..."She tried to search for the right thing to say, but her brain just landed on, "T--thanks," before deciding to just leave it at that. It wasn't like saying anymore would do anything different. She just hoped she didn't seem too pathetic being so flattered over something that would seem minor to most people.

She frowned though, noticing how nervous he seemed at the thought of her introducing him to her friends. "You know, we can wait on that if you want..." She glanced around slightly before looking back at him, "I know how hard it is, being the new kid. Sometimes you need to take some time to yourself before forcing yourself onto new people." She reached out and patted him on the shoulder quickly before pulling back. Why she'd pushed herself to go outside her usual comfort limit, she didn't know....she just hoped it would somehow help.

"But if you're really up for it, sure. Totally." She nodded, hoping he wouldn't think she was trying to keep him away from her friends or something.
((Mine is even shorter >> It's ok))

[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel blushed, embarassed by how nervous he was, Umm...yeah, that would be good. Maybe you can introduce them to me tomorrow or something? He sighed, running a hand through his hair, I don't know why i'm so nervous around new people... It's just the thought of being the centre of attention... He shuddered lightly at the thought. He hated the feeling of everyone's eyes on him, it made him panic which was never a good thing with his...condition... Always best to stay calm and stay aware of his actions.

Yeah, maybe that is for the best! At least I've met you and Vinny,he said, smiling. I'v only been here for a couple of days anyway, and these things take time, right? he said, reassuring himself more than anything. There would be several opportunities to make new friends, he didn't have to meet everyone in the college on one day! He smiled, feeling more relaxed now that he knew he wasn't going to meet any more new people for the time being. Thanks, Annie, you know...for coming and speaking to me, he said, blushing, It was really nice of you.

-Lame again...SORRY!!!!-

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[berkeley4]

"I understand, actually," Annie said with a nod and a smile. "I get that way sometimes....I think everyone does, just some worry more than others. Don't worry, I'll never ask you to talk to anyone I wouldn't think you'd get along with." She didn't quite know why she'd said that part. She guessed she was trying to help calm down paranoia before it happened, if that was possible.

Vinny. She'd heard that name before--oh right! She'd even spoken to him on chat once. From what she knew about the boy, it was a good thing the two were friends....he'd seemed really sweet. "Yeah, I'm sure you'll make a lot more friends in no time...most people I've met around here are really nice....." Sure, there were the few people she thought the place could deal without, but even they had their high points.

Once again, she blushed, hearing him thank her for coming over and talking to him. What was she supposed to say to something like that? "I....you're welcome." She nodded, "I just saw you were alone....I guess I just know how it feels being alone on one of your first days." She shrugged softly, "I'm just glad you didn't try to shun me away or whatever...."

[SAMUEL HURST]

Samuel smiled, feeling the panic disappear as Annie reassured him that she wouldn't force him to do anything. Thanks, Annie, he said, smiling. He hoped she was right about how easily he would make friends, although he wasn't sure whether he fully believed her or not. Even without meeting people face-to-face, he had gotten into a couple of arguements, and even though that was on a computer, some people could hold grudges. He didn't think him and Freude would be best buddies anytime soon!

I wouldn't shun you! he said, chuckling lightly. How could i shun someone who makes such cool origami animals?! He smiled at her, genuinely thankful for her company. So anyway, tell me a bit about yourself, he asked, hoping he wasn't being too intrusive. Some people, himself included, didn't like giving away personal information. But she didn't have to say anything she didn't want to, and afterall, he was only trying to make conversation!

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