Aqua & Shap's Game of Life - [Closed - Started!]

[Lost In The Void]

Once he gotten the text, Josh left and locked up his room and headed towards the Library. Sure he had only been there a little while ago, but if that was where there was some sort of excitement, then thats where he was headed.

Soon he was at the library where he saw two groups approaching each other. One was Claudette and some girl that he had spotted at the dry party with...the dude that was with Tori; were the two mystery folks dating, eh well it was easy to be the bridging gap between the two parties.

He slid down the stairs onto the Library area, "Claudette, Tori, whats up?"

 

[Lambi]

"Looks like we did, my dear Claudette. Let us be on our way to him." Susan giggled a little at her silliness and headed towards Gabriel, who was with some girl she hadn't seen before. A friend, perhaps? she thought as she walked over to Gabe and the girl.

"Hello, Gabe." Susan said to him with a smile. "Me and Claudette just finished our first class and have a break now and then another class. Would you care to join us for lunch? Perhaps your lady friend would like to join us as well." She giggled again at her slight silliness, but she couldn't help it for some reason.

 

[CounterAttack]

"Hey, guys. Or girls, I should say," Gabe said jovially as Susan and Claudette approached. "Lunch sounds good, actually, unless Tori has an objection," he answered before remembering that his roommates probably didn't know Gabe's newest friend.

"Ah, geez. Should have made proper introductions before anything else. Tori, meet Susan Garth and Claudette Bellerose. Susan, Claudette, this is Tori. Uh, not sure on her last name, though," he added with a slightly embarrassed smile. At that point a guy slid down the stairs - not walked, he actually slid down the handrail - and joined the conversation. "Claudette, Tori, what's up?"

Gabriel elected to hold off on introducing himself to the stranger until one of the two he had spoken to responded. If he wanted to join the small group as they walked around, that would be fine after introductions were done and dusted.

 

[Shapsters]

Tori wasn't sure why this girl was laughing... but it didn't matter, she seemed to be in high spirits. Reaching out to shake the two girls hands, she smiled and introduced herself,

"I'm Victoria Lawson, you can call me Tori if you like. Sorry if the handshake is a bit weird, just how I was raised and all." turning her head toward Josh's call, Tori smiled a broad smile, "Josh! Buddy you found me. Come over here, we're making lunch plans!"

As Josh approached the group she pointed at Gabe,

"This is Gabriel, Gabe this is Josh. He's a friend from high school and aren't I lucky that he's here now!"

 

[CounterAttack]

"Gabriel Nayl, my friends call me Gabe," Gabriel introduced himself. "As with Susan and Claudette, I'm studying music here." He looked over Josh as he spoke; the guy was the tallest out of the group of five, dressed casually enough to blend in despite the unfamiliar jacket and muted colour scheme. He seemed like a nice enough guy, and if Tori was alright with him - heck, she knew him from high school - then that was good enough unless he tried to pull something Gabe had a problem with.

"So, wait. Which high school were you both at?" he asked to make conversation.

 

[Lost In The Void]

Josh faced the person who had introduced himself as Gabe and quickly brought him into the classic 'bro hug,' feeling the other guy stiffen as if he was extremely uncomfortable to be in that situation. Josh laughed and then took the man's hand in a quick, firm handshake, "Well you obviously know me as Josh now, I think I saw you; maybe spoke to you at the dry party, its a little fuzzy though, I threw a preparty ahead of time and definitely had a little too much that night."

Josh snapped out of the quick speech though, as he remembered Gabe's question, "Um...we went to Central High, I believe that was the name, I was only there for my last year though, I actually grew up in New York, knew Claudette from those days too," he flashed a smile at the new girl, Susan he thought it was, "Only one I don't know is this fine lady over here."

He turned to Tori, "So lunch right? Why don't you guys choose and I'll treat, you know since we're all getting to know each other and what not?" he laughed again, his eyes lighting up at the chance to meet more people than he already knew.

 

[Shapsters]

Tori swatted Josh's shoulder,

"Psh always jumping on the chance to show off how much money you have! Hey if you are offering, I will never complain about someone buying me stuff, especially food." Tori turned to address the group, Gabe looked a bit awkward after Josh's hug attempt, but the general mood seemed to be positive. Tori was glad, first day of school and she is already making friends, just like when she was five, "Well I don't really have a preference as to what food to eat, but I would like to find a place with balcony seating so we can enjoy the sun. What do you guys want?"

Quickly checking her phone again Tori noted the time. It was odd that Nathan hadn't texted yet, but his first class was starting soon, she would text him again after that was over.

 

[ae86gamer]

"It's a pleasure to meet you Tori, I'm Claudette Bellerose." She shook Tori's hand, then turned to Josh. It was funny and kind of odd how everyone had accidentally bumped into each other.

"It's nice to see you again, Josh. And I don't mind where we go to eat."

 

[CounterAttack]

"Central High..." Gabriel mused aloud as the attentions of Tori and Josh turned to other matters. That had been the high school he had been to before taking a break to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. He didn't remember Josh or Tori, though; maybe they had been in a year level younger than himself. Neither seemed like they would be a year older based on looks and mannerisms: Josh's introductory hug had been nothing if not awkward and uncomfortable.

"Y'know, I think the three of us, Tori, Josh and myself, might have all been at the same high school. You may not remember or know me from back then; I was the guy who was always picked on by less intelligent people 'cause of my mismatched eyes. Amazing, really, the things people will do to make themselves feel good. But I digress. If you're buying lunch for all of us, Josh, perhaps I'll provide another time," he suggested to the group as a whole.

 

[Lost In The Void]

"Alright well if no one's going to choose, I know a place not too far from here, just need to pass by the dorms. Its a cafe that I used to visit when my parents went to check out what their funding was doing to this school; anyways though, its got great coffee and food so I guess we'll go there."

With the decision apparently made, Josh led the group past the dorms, making sure to situate himself between all the women, had an image to keep after all. As they walked, Josh spotted Lance, having a quick smoke. He waved the guy over, "Dude we're going for lunch my treat, you got a smoke I can bum off you?"

 

[The Zango]

"Hey mate, sweet party the other day" said Lance with a smile by way of greeting, handing Josh a cigarette and his silver zippo that had a jade image of a cannabis leaf on it, which Lance hoped the girls wouldn't notice, since he was sure it would taint their views of him, Josh however, he seemed different.

"Hello again everyone and I dont think we've been introduced" continued Lance, nodding to each of the party in turn, giving Claudette a friendly smile, before finally extending his hand to Tori.

"You can call me Lance"

 

[Lambi]

Susan shook Tori's hand and smiled to her. "It's alright. I don't mind if it's a little weird." As she was about to introduce herself, a man approached them and told them his name was Josh. She giggled when he flashed a smile to her and called her a fine lady. "I'm Susan. Susan Garth. Nice to meet you, Josh."

As they started walking, they saw Lance, which Susan had seen before. "Hello again, Lance. Do you want to join us in lunch?"

 

[Shapsters]

Firmly shaking Lance's hand, Tori flashed a pleasant smile,

"Nice to meet you Lance, I'm Tori and it seems like I'm the only one here who hasn't met you." releasing her grip she chuckled, "Guess we missed each other at the last party, looks like we'll have to meet at the next one."

 

[CounterAttack]

At the sight of the objects in Lance's hands, and the one between his lips, Gabriel's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly and he quickly stuck his hands in his pockets to avoid anyone seeing them close into tight fists. It seemed that both Lance and Josh smoked, and they were both pretty blasé about it. Gabe hated drugs, especially anything that could be smoked or inhaled. Alcohol, however, he had no problem with, as long as people drank responsibly. With those thoughts in mind, he acted with discretion, and moved away from Josh and Lance, placing himself on the outskirts of the group next to Susan.

Making a comment about the cigarettes would simply draw attention to himself. For now, Gabriel would put up with it - he respected the decisions of other people, most if not all of the time - but if it became too much for him, something would have to be said.

 

[ae86gamer]

Claudette continued to walk beside her companions. She had no problem with people who smoked. Their life, their choices. Though that didn't mean that she liked to be around people when they were smoking.

"Um.. I don't mean to be rude, but do you think that you could put those out?" Claudette asked both Josh and Lance. "Its just that.. the smoke irritates my asthma."

 

[The Zango]

"Oh damn, sure thing Claudette" replied Lance quickly, his eyes widening slightly. While his cigarette was barely half-way finished, he didn't want to cause Claudette any discomfort.. Plus, was it just him, or did that Gabriel guy seem a little put off with his smoking? It was hard to tell, but Lance sensed something was there, as since he'd smoked for a number of years now and he was used to getting disapproving glances a plenty, especially when he started at 16, he had a pretty good sense as to when people had a problem with his smoking.

Obliging Claudette's request, he stubbed his fag out on a nearby bin and then deposited it inside.

He could always smoke later.

 

[Lost In The Void]

Josh's eyes widened and he stomped the half smoked butt into the ground, "My apologies then, I never intended to irritate your asthma," it seemed that Gabe didn't like it either, as he had moved to another side of their little group, "Anyways it seems we're almost here anyways."

The group stepped into the cafe and were directed to one of the patio tables so they could enjoy the nice weather while it lasted, "So get whatever you want," Josh said with a warm smile and turned to the waitress, "I'll have a large coffee, two cream two sugars and your potatoe leek soup please."

 

[Shapsters]

Tori smiled as the group was seated, they were pleasantly greeted by a smiling waitress, the girl looked about their age and Tori figured she might be working her way through college,

"Thanks Josh. Um hi Kristin..." Tori greeted the waitress by reading her name tag, "I would like... lets see. A strawberry lemonade to drink and... I think I'll have the chicken caesar wrap. Perfect thank you!"

Handing the menu to the waitress Tori smiled and quickly checked her phone, she selected Nathan from her contacts and sent a quick message,

Hey were at The Cafe if u r done and wanna stop by

 

[The Zango]

"Cheers mate, your a star" said Lance to Josh once they had gotten into the cafe and had gotten seated. It was a nice little place, clean, efficient, yet welcoming places you found at faculties everywhere, including Lance's old college back in England.

"Erm, let me see" pondered Lance when the waitress turned to him, the student quickly perusing at the menu, making up his mind almost instantly.

"I'd like the Turkey club and just to be really British, an English breakfast tea aswell please" he continued, pronouncing British in a regal, stereotypical British accent.

 

[CounterAttack]

Gabriel had grinned as the group walked into the café and found a decent table; it was the one he worked for on weekends as a barista. It was kinda weird, making a purchase at the place in which one worked. Kristin seemed to share his thoughts, as she gave Gabe a grin and a wink in addition to the menu.

"Hmm... I'm gonna go with the toasted sandwich with double ham, and you know the way I like my coffee," he said to Kristin, passing the menu back with a slightly awkward, slightly amused smile. The whole coffee thing was kind of a given, considering they worked together on Sundays.