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Post by PETER WALKER on Apr 11, 2009 23:53:18 GMT -5
Peter watched the television screen intently. He was always amazed at how dangerous and exciting fishing for Alaskan king crab must be. Deadliest Catch was one of Peter's favorite shows on Discovery channel. He yawned as the credits began to scroll. There had to be something good coming on next. For Peter's sanity there had to be. Peter had let Hobo stay with Ashton for the day so he didn't really have anything to keep his mind off of scary stuff. He rolled his eyes when the next show happened to be something about whether or not Jesus really existed. For some reason Discovery really liked to do those. Peter turned the television off with a frustrated sigh and just stared at the blank screeen for a moment. His thoughts almost became repetitive. There just had to be something to do. He couldn't stand being bored. Peter drummed his fingers on his bed sheets before finally moving from the bed. The silence would drive him crazy eventually.
For a second Peter stood there, wondering what he could do to occupy his time. He glanced to his bed... no- there would be no sleeping. Peter had already wasted half the day sitting around in that bed. His eyes then his the bathroom. A grin slid across his face. AHA! A shower would be perfect! Peter hurried toward the bathroom, stripping his clothes off before he ever even reached the door. Peter loved showers. They were so relaxing. A good hot shower would have him in a good mood in no time at all. Peter turned on the water and waited for it to get hot. He liked HOT showers... to the point where his skin would turn a bright red color when the water hit it. That was something that Peter had gotten used to as a child that he probably shouldn't have. After being forced in scolding hot water so many times... one generally would get used to it.
The shower, like most of Peter's showers, was a routine. Peter had to shampoo, condition, wash, then sing. It was the ritual that was not to be broken under any circumstances. Peter liked that one routine. It showed him that there was at least SOME constant thing in his life. After the ritual had been completed to Peter's satisfaction... he turned the water off and stepped out of the shower, reaching under the counter to grab a towel and dry off. It wasn't long before Peter was completely dry except for his hair. He wrapped the towel around his waist and moved toward his closet. Peter picked out his third favorite pair of boxers, the spiderman boxers, and dropped the towel to put them on. Peter never minded walking around in his boxers, but walking around completely naked was sort of... well, he didn't do it often. The lowest he got was a towel.
Peter then took the time to pick out a good shirt and a nice pair of pants to wear. After slipping a pair of shoes on Peter headed toward the door. Taking one glance around his room to make sure that he didn't forget anything, Peter locked his door and shut it behind him. He walked down the hallway of the doorms, wondering all along if he would be able to keep his mind as clear as it had been so far. Of course, in thinking that, Peter brought up the thoughts that he had been trying to fight off. Most of the thoughts revolved around Ashton, but there were a few wandering thoughts about his parents mixed in there. He had been so deep in thought that he hadn't even realized that he had walked outside. Glancing around the area, Peter simply walked down and sat on the steps. He didn't need to go far. Sometimes he wished he were as resourceful when it came to finding something to do as Taylor.
Being bored always sucked, but Peter didn't want to bother Ashton, Cait was probably off with Malachi (if Peter had to guess), and there was no doubt that Taylor was probably trailing along with Damian. Everyone was off with someone, doing something...except Peter. Oh well. It wasn't like Peter had to be around people at all times of the day... oh, okay, he did. Peter needed social interaction to function properly in life. Even during the time when he wasn't supposed to interact too often with the public... Peter jumped at the chance to have someone to hang with. Some might even make the argument that Peter would hang out with a serial killer if there wasn't anyone else to hang out with. But Peter tried not to focus on the fact that he was alone. He could take care of himself... right?
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Post by ALEX TURNER on Apr 13, 2009 18:29:07 GMT -5
 Sitting on a bench, Alex stared at the sky, mulling over all the recent changes to his life. He had been kicked out of his home, dropped into this miserable place, and now was trying to replant himself into the institutes food chain. So far he had already made a few 'friends' and in a way it was nice having a clean slate. Well, overall clean. It would be squeaky clean with no connections to his life in Chicago if an unsuspected person hadn't run to him while he was looking over St. John's. To tell you the truth, Alex wasn't sure how he felt towards the surprise of coming across Peter Walker. At first, he was relieved. More than relieved, actually. He had been worried the boy had ran out of state or worse, found his way into the slums. After their whole nasty break-up, he hadn't thought he'd see him ever again, which was a disheartening notion. Then again, after watching him for a little bit on the chat box something made him grow cold. This Ashton guy, who appeared to be rude and sarcastic, was close to Peter. He wasn't positive about their standings, but it did make him stumble. For Ashton's sake, they better just be friends.
When he had sat at his computer he had felt his entire body tighten up as he watched Peter talk in such a happy manner. It was nice to see him happy... he had missed it. Alex was glad that Peter had no idea that it was him on the box, otherwise he was sure Peter would have went quiet. Another bad scenario would have been if they had met each other on the grounds before Alex knew he was here. The control Alex usually had would have been shattered upon seeing the boy. He'd stare like a deer in headlights and probably no words would have been able to leave his lips. If anything, he'd look like a pathetic idiot compared to his stable composure. Now, he had an advantage though. He had already gone over what he'd do if he confronted the boy, which was be as gentle as always. Maybe it wasn't a great idea to act like it had been, but what else was he suppose to do? He would never admit why he cheated on Peter and it wasn't like he'd start on a bad note. If Peter brought it up, he brought it up. He already had gone over ways to respond to it.
Taking a deep breath, he lowered his gaze down, adjusting his black vest that sat over his dark blue t-shirt. His bulldog who was sitting on the ground, and perked his head up at him, tongue lulling out of his mouth upon realizing Alex was going to start walking again. “Only a few more times around, Iz.” he said with a soft smile at the dog, one of the few creatures he had genuine love for. He probably cared more about the dog then most of his 'friends' and parents combined. Izzy never got on his bad side, never betrayed him, and was always loyal. Too bad people couldn't be like that. Instead they jumped at any weakness and rarely stayed by your side when the going got tough. It was sad when animals became more trustworthy than people.
As a small breeze went by the dog's nose wrinkled as it caught a scent that made him whine excitedly. “Iz what-” he began at the dog's odd behavior, only to watch him dart off. “Izzy!” As he watched the white bulldog dash off, he reached down the grab his red leash, only to feel it slip through his hands. “Izzy!” he called again, hoping the dog would return, only to release an annoyed groan as the dog turned a corner. He obviously found something he wanted. With a small frown, he jogged after the dog, the slightest bit of worry coloring his eyes. He really loved that dog to pieces. The last thing he wanted was to see him unsuspectingly run into a street and... The thought made Alex's movements faster, nearly tripping as he made a tight turn around the grounds. If he knew the grounds better he could have probably found a route he could cut the dog off. Hearing the dog whines grow louder, he began approaching a few stairs, watching as the dog was circling and sniffing some poor stranger for attention.
“Izzy, please don't get me in trouble on my first days here,” he chuckled with a relief. As well, he worded it well so it sounded gentle, knowing he'd probably want to introduce himself to this guy. Best to leave a good first impression. Taking a few steps closer he knelt down near the boy as he gave the dog a pat on the head, a friendly smile bright on his face. “Sorry about that, this institute is like a whole big playground to him.” As he stood back up he took a few more steps to get a better look at the other boy, only to realize as he took each step that the small features of this kid were linking themselves to memories. Those brown locks, those sweet eyes, those soft lips. It was unnoticeable, but Alex nearly missed a step. “Peter?” he asked, the smile still there as if this was a wonderful surprise. “Well no wonder he couldn't ignore you,” The smile turned more simple, gentle and genuine. “So this is where you've been... you're looking good.” The chat box picture didn't do him justice. No picture could capture the glow Peter gave off, it would be a useless effort. “May I sit?” One of the things he decided immediately upon realizing Peter was here was to take everything slowly. When he cheated on Peter, he destroyed not only their relationship, but their friendship. Nonetheless, he was determined to earn back that trust. He didn't want to lose Peter again...
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Post by PETER WALKER on Apr 13, 2009 21:14:08 GMT -5
As Peter sat on the steps, breathing in the clean air, he was forced to realize that for once his life was back on track. The amount of things that Peter still needed to do before he died was dwindling into a small list, which was a good thing. One of the first things on his list had been to play in public. That had already been check off. But when Peter thought about it... he was in a relationship that he thought would be healthy in time, was doing great with his music, had Hobo part time, and had the best friends the world could ever offer him. There was no way Peter would have any of that had he stayed at home. His father would have never allowed him to play in public, the healthy relationship Peter had thought he had...turned out not to be so healthy after all, and he didn't have friends other than Alex, and Peter didn't want to think about how badly that had turned out. He was starting to do better with not thinking about it now that he had Ashton to concentrate on.
Peter was just about to stand up and move on to some other place to waste his time, but before he could stand a bulldog suddenly started sniffing at him excitedly. Peter raised an eyebrow, unsure of when exactly the dog had showed up. He hadn't noticed it come up to him before. Reaching down and running a hand over the dog's fur, Peter smiled. "Hey there, little guy." He said to the dog. Peter tilted his head and chuckled as the dog continued to sniff him. The dog looked oddly familiar, but Peter didn't want it to be that dog. Just when Peter was about to check the tag for a name or information, a voice broke through. Peter's hand froze in mid stroke. The dog didn't seem to want him to stop petting, nuzzling his hand with it's nose. Peter tried to tell himself that the voice he heard was just part of a memory. A memory... that was it. The silly dog caused him to replay a memory.
But when Peter looked up his breath caught in his throat. He felt like he couldn't breathe... like all the memories he could have of Alex had resurfaced and closed off every inch of his mind that told him how to function properly. Peter looked away from Alex, unsure of whether or not he would be able to speak. He couldn't even think straight. Alex was supposed to be just another part of his past... he was supposed to be leaving that behind... yet there he was... the boy of his dreams... and nightmares standing right there in front of him. "Sure," Peter said, his voice soft because his nerves were going haywire. "Have a seat." He should get up and walk away. Peter knew that he should get up, go to his room, and pretend like Alex was just another nightmare. He was sure that in a minute he would wake up in his room.
Peter decided that he should just be casual and not let his nerves get the best of him. "Yeah, I've, uh, been here for about a year and a half now." He had spent a good six months on his own trying to make it, but that hadn't worked out so well. Peter hadn't seen Alex in two years... it was hard for Peter to believe that the boy was even real. "What are you doing here?" He asked. Peter didn't mean for it to sound like it did. He didn't want to be mean. Of course, Peter was still hurt beyond belief, but he didn't want to treat Alex like a leper because of that. Peter had learned his lesson about ignoring people after he had ignored Ashton for that four days. But this was different... Peter had spent the last two years being careful about running into Alex. "I mean, um, I never thought I would see you again, Alex."
When Peter spoke he tried to make it so that it was difficult to tell which way he wanted the words to go. Peter didn't want Alex to be able to tell the intentions behind his words. It would be better off that way. Peter still looked away, his hand finally moving back to pet Izzy. He couldn't bring himself to look directly at Alex. Then he would have to see Alex in all his glory... his extremely well done tattoos, his hair, his eyes, his lips... Peter wasn't sure he could handle looking for toolong. He would have to go with brief glances for the time being.
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Post by ALEX TURNER on Apr 19, 2009 19:44:32 GMT -5
Time was slowing down, it just had to be. It felt like he was waiting for a century for Peter to reply to him, even though he knew deep down it was only a few seconds. This whole encounter was just so unreal. It was funny how he had wanted it to come and now he was picking and choosing what he wanted to say. He missed the good times where he could spill anything to Peter, whatever it was on his mind. The other boy would never judge him and he'd be satisfied with a few sentences to a whole rant to get some pressure off Alex's chest. Would he ever have that option again? Nodding, he took a seat on the steps, letting his brown eyes greedily look over Peter's familiar features. It was sad that part of him worried that if he touched Peter, just to see if he was real, the other boy would fade as if he were a mirage made by Alex's imagination.
If anything, Peter's voice was what kept him grounded. No memory or dream could make such a perfect imitation. The voice lacked the happiness that was usually tied so closely around it, but that was understandable. Alex was only somewhat disappointed that Peter wasn't more pleased to see him. Then again, it would have been unrealistic. Taking in the information that left the other boy's mouth, he tried to make a mental time line in his head. He would have still been finishing up high school then, which was only a few miles from here. The eyes that had been focused on Peter for a second wavered towards the cement on the ground as he felt his stomach twist painfully. The other boy hadn't been far... at all. If he had just taken a different route on his 'jogs' or even drove more out this direction maybe this meeting would have been sooner... Only if.
Hearing his question he debated how to describe the tone Peter gave off. Defensive? Or could he be just reading too much into it? “Oh, I got here a few days ago. I decided to leave home and needed a place to stay while I gathered up enough money to stand on my own two feet.” He was watering down the truth, but he didn't think his personal problems with his parents should be anyone's concern. Being kicked out of his own home was definitely a shot at his dignity and he'd hate to give the impression like he was some violent kid who hit his mother. People were way to quick to judge, so he would never give them the chance. “Hopefully I'll catch a big break soon, but until then, I'm glad this place is here,” he added with a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck. He hated feeling like he was another broke homeless kid in this place. Alex probably would never acknowledge the truth that he would fit the exact quota of a resident of St. John's. He had too much pride for his own good.
As he placed his hands behind him to allow himself to lean back, he finally turned his gaze from ahead of him to back to Peter. Alex felt like he was forced to because Peter's tone wasn't enough for him. The other boy was playing Alex's game, and a matter of fact, very well. In a way, it bothered him being at such a disadvantage. He would have been much happier if Peter plan out hated him. At least he'd know how to work with that and mend to the mistakes he made. With options going either way, it made it hard for him to figure out what to say. To think that Peter had not want him to be part of his life ever again made Alex wince underneath his calm mask. It stung to be rejected so quickly. “Yeah, I'm kind of too after two years. A lot had changed,” he replied with a crooked smile. As his hand twitched behind him as he looked over Peter's face for the thousandth time, he remembered something else he wanted to add. '… and a lot has never gone a way,'
Brow raising he tried to change the topic to something that might be more in Peter's territory, making him more comfortable. “You still playing Eleanor? I couldn't imagine you ever giving up music,” It was nice to feel that familiar name leave his lips. With so much at question at this point, he enjoyed talking about something he was certain about. In a way he felt like he was standing on a fence, unsure where to sway. Two years was a long time. Who knows who Peter's friends were, what other relationships he had been in, and if his personality had been phased. “And if you've been here so long, I can only hope I can make myself just as comfortable. The people seem pretty nice. Do you have any tips for the new guy?” he asked with a smirk, tilting his head.
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Post by PETER WALKER on Apr 20, 2009 13:13:04 GMT -5
Peter really wished that Alex would tell him the exact reason that he had come to St. John's. Of course, it was just like Alex to not answer him directly with as much detail as possible. Alex said that he had been at St. John's for a few days already, but Peter hadn't seen him anywhere... then again, that could have been just because Peter hadn't been trying to get out that much. He didn't have many people he thought wanted to see him anymore. Well, Peter figured that Taylor preferred Damian anyway and he assumed that Cait was trying to patch up her feelings for Malachi...then there was Ashton. Peter found himself spending more and more time with Ashton. But Peter shook those thoughts out of his head, focusing once more on Alex as he spoke again. He wasn't sure how much he should tell Alex, but old habits died hard and he just wanted to talk to him... as friends. yeah- friends.
"That's what I said when I first came here... that I might catch a break soon, then get out of Chicago for good." Peter said with a slight shrug, "Then I met some of the best friends I've ever had...I'm not sure I could leave if I tried right now." A lot of people thought he was crazy to want to stay, including one of the people he was willing to stay for. But anyone who knew Peter knew that when he got attached to something or someone... he tended to get TOO attached. The level of devotion Peter had for his friends would rival even the strongest christian's faith in God. He tended to overdo the loyalty, but that was also what most of his friends loved about him. They knew that they could count on him. Of course, that was also an easy way to get hurt, as Peter had found out with Alex two years ago.
Peter nodded at Alex's statement, "Yeah... a lot can happen in two years. It's hard to say how much has changed, though. I mean, I'm sure a lot has changed and all, but there has to be something that stayed the same." Peter paused glancing over to Alex for the first time, "I'm pretty sure that I'm close to the same person I was before I left." That could be good and bad. Peter had faultered in his game a little bit, letting a sort of hopeful tone come over his voice. Peter knew he was talking to Alex more than he should... he should have just gotten up and walked away the moment Alex had walked up. One of Peter's major flaws was that he trusted people too much. He was too nice and he hated to think that he would be hurting someone. Peter liked for people to be happy, especially people he cared about.
A smile naturally lit over Peter's features as Alex asked about Eleanor. He was surprised Alex remembered his guitar's name. "Are you kidding me?" Peter asked with a laugh, "Eleanor and I are together for the long run. I thought about giving her up after, well, you know, but I just couldn't do it." It was true that Eleanor was the only part of his past that he had kept with him. Peter had worked so hard doing odd jobs for people to raise the money for her... he wouldn't let her go to waste just like that. "Oh, Alex, you would have been so proud of her. She made it through her first stage performance like a dream. How about you and lucy? Still shredding the bass lines?" Old habits really did die hard. Peter found it hard to keep up the same cool exterior that Alex was. He couldn't help but just be...himself. That was what seemed natural to Peter anyway.
Peter thought for a moment before he glance back toward Alex. "Hm, tips for the new guy... alright, I think I can give you a little run down of some of the people I know. Let's see..." Peter turned toward Alex so that he didn't have to keep his neck in that awkward position. He petted Izzy with a smile, "My best friends here are Caitlin McKenzie, who is totally like the female version of me. She's crazy, but totally fun. Then there's Taylor, he's a stalker... well, not the scary kind, but the fun kind." Peter laughed, "He stalked me for a while, but I think I was pretty boring to stalk. So instead he became one of my best friends. Then there's Ian... he's such a softy, nice to everyone. He's a painter, a really good one if you ever get a chance to look in his room." Peter thought for a moment before drawing in a deep breath, "And then there's Steven... we're working on some sort of arrangement of disney cover songs I think, hah, now he's a character. I think you might really like him."
It didn't take long for Peter to move on to the next category of people. "There are some people, though, that I just don't picture you getting along with. Sort of... personality conflics maybe. But there's Damian Ritter, he's Taylor's current victim for the stalking field. There's rumors flying around everywhere about him. He's not one of my favorites, but I can handle him for Taylor's sake." Damian wasn't as much of a pressure point as some would think. Ashton tended to make fun of the fact that Peter was convinced Damian would hurt Taylor. "The next person is Jasper Sterling. He's good friends with Ian, but he's not exactly a ray of sunshine if you know what I mean. He's always got something negative to say about everything. Then there's Sebastian Stone. I'm pretty sure he hates my guts... I mean... I'm not too fond of his either, but I think he has a thing with trying to make me miserable when he can." Hah, Peter didn't think, he knew. But None of those compared to the last person.
"And uh- the last person is my boyfriend, Ashton Johnson. When I first met him he reminded me a lot of you, but I got to know him more and he's just... I don't know how to explain it." Peter looked away for a moment, "I don't know if you would hate him exactly if you took the time to get to know him, but I think Ashton's kind of an acquired taste." Petet bit his lip, "Wow, that was WAY more than I thought it would be." He laughed, poking Alex's arm, "You totally asked the right guy though. I've been here longer than most people and I know like everyone."
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