Orientation 2008, Welcome New Students!

[Blake Bullock]

[OOC: This is for all of you that are wanting to get to know one another. So, I made this orientation thread. This takes place before the start of the school year. This is where you can meet some new people and I just really wanted to starting RPing with you guys so badly.]

Blake walked through the shiny black gates of Woodland Academy and looked directly into the California sunset. Los Angeles was only a short way away and he wanted to ditch orientation at this point and go spend the day on the town. His parents had left him for three hours and that was enough time to get downtown, go into a couple of stores, and get back here. Of course, they would probably want to press him for details, so he refrained from doing so.

He walked down the paved road alone and looked for some sign of life. He was hoping that by some miracle chance he might actually see someone from his old school, but her knew that there would be no such luck. So, he refrained from looking around too much. He knew this would remind him that he had no friends. He would have to start at the bottom of the social chain again. But, isn't that what happens with all high schools? Even if you don't move?

Blake headed towards the administration offices where he would be getting more information. The administration building was a light tan building with a dark black roof that seemed to be absorbing all the sun, or maybe it was because he was under over of the palm trees of the sun. He pushed open the glass doors and a great blast of air-conditioned air made him shiver.

The clock on the all read 6 p.m. Blake had no idea why they would be holding orientation at such a late hour. Maybe to avoid the direct sunlight? Of course, the late hour still did not help much. It was still stifling hot outside. Blake took his folder of information from a woman with a tightly pulled gray bun knotted onto the back of her head and then headed back out of the building.

As he was walking out of the door however, he hit another body. "Sorry," he muttered as picked up his papers that had fallen to the ground when they had collided.

[Katherine Black]

Katherine smirked sardonically at the campus in front of her. 'So they're shipping me off to the other side of the country for this smoldering heap of desert... I would have expected them to send me off to Anchorage, Alaska. Population: 68.' She begrudgingly admitted that the scenery was impressive with the sun setting into the pacific. Not that she could see the ocean from where she was.

Katherine shook her head trying not to think of the friends her parents made her leave. As much as she wanted to believe they'd be able to keep in touch, she doubted that would happen. She still could not believe her parents confiscated her mobile phone before sending her on the plane with the flight attendant so make sure she didn't sneak off the plane.
'And don't think I wouldn't have,' Katherine thought ruefully. 'I just wish they would stop treating me like a child!'

Katherine checked her watch for the third time since she left the airport. She cursed tiredly under her breath as she realized that she barely made it on time for orientation. The flight from New York seemed to last forever and she would like nothing more than to just curl up in her own bed talking to her friends before drifting off to sleep.

As Katherine checked her watch again wondering how long this orientation would last, CRASH, some guy had clumsily walked into her and knocked all of his papers to the floor. In any ordinary situation, Katherine would have no problem helping him pick the papers off the floor and introducing herself, but she had no inclination to make any friends while she was here. Katherine stuck her nose into the air and straightened her clothes out before replying nastily, "Do you always walk into people without watching where you're going or is this just my lucky day?"

Katherine shrugged indifference and tucked her hair behind her ear before she opened the door to walk in the building. She turned around to face the clumsy idiot that made her less punctual, and casually suggested, "You may want to work on your people skills and I suggest you close your mouth before you start collecting flies." She turned her face from his and rolled her eyes before she walked through the door towards the administrative office.

[Blake Granger]

Blake mumbled something as he picked up the papers and ignored the rude retorts the girl above him was shooting at him. Blake was just about ready to turn around and giver her a lesson in manners when he almost thought better of it. When he had gotten all the papers off the ground and brushed all this dirt of his knees, he headed back into the building and approached the girl.

"Sorry, I wasn't looking back there," he said politely. "Erm... My name is Blake." This seemed like the stupidest thing for him to say at the moment.

Ah he got a closer look at the girl, she wasn't someone you would expect to be so mean and rude. She had pin-straight black hair that hit her shoulders and dazzling green eyes that Blake had to pull his eyes away from so he did not seem rude in staring.

She still did not respond.

"So, are you new here?" he asked, trying to strike up a conversation. The last thing he wanted was a problem with someone at his new school. Any problem with someone made him cringe.

Obviously, she was trying to ignore him the best that she could. He was fed up. Blake's voice suddenly went from sweet and polite to fierce. "You know what, I'm not going to sit here and talk to thin air. So, just let me know if I'm wasting my time trying to be friends with you. If so, I'll leave. If not, we can hang out until the tour starts. I'm bored out of my damn mind and I don't think I can stand this bullshit another second. I know how you're feeling. You miss your friends. You miss your old town. Yeah. Me too. I don't want to deal with this alone and I know you don't either. So, what do you say?"

[Katherine Black]

Katherine mused to herself, 'So, the timid rabbit shows it scales.' Katherine sighed to herself, as much as she hated being here, this 'Blake' had nothing to do with her problems.

Katherine grimaced to helfself as she prepared to apologize to this stranger. "Look, I'm sorry. I've just been having a really bad day. I really didn't mean to take it out on you. Blake, it is Blake right?" she added unnecessarily, "I think you're sweet and all but I'm sorry, I don't really see where this is going. As far as I can tell, we've got nothing in common. Why in the world would you just want to hang out with me?"

Katherine took a step back to look over his apparel, "We dress completely different from each other and have completely different personalities. You were so involved in your paperwork that you could have walked into anyone. Is the fact I blew you off part of the reason you persue me? Either way, it doesn't really matter now. I would really just like to get this orientation over with so I can curl up with my Shakespeare book and go to sleep."

Katherine felt a little disheartened as she started to walk away. Blake seemed like a decent guy but she really needed to know 'why' he wanted to hang out with her and if boredom was simply the only reason, she did not need a friend like that when her friends at home were twelve times as sincere.

As if frozen in the spot by an enchantment, Katherine still has no idea what propelled her to turn around and say, "Hey, my name's Katherine by the way. If you come up with a reason why you want to be my friend, I might consider it. This shit is always bullshit and everyone knows it's always boring. As compelling as those arguements are, I must decline. Why would you like to be my friend anyway, I'm crass and rude and just altogther impossible to be agreeable with?"

Katherine hoped this Blake wasn't like all the other fake she's met in the past with a fake kind facade and a slimy character inside. Only time could tell what would happen and even though she wasn't holding her hopes high, she truly hoped that Blake was one of the nicer guys.

[Blake Granger]

Blake gave a small laugh.

"Are you honestly asking why I want to be your friend? Well, the truth is I can't have a problem with anyone. It's in my nature to be kind with all people and if I walk away from here, I might regret never getting to know you. Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you'll never get a second chance at something. So, why not just try it?" he said shrugging and pulling his file closer to his chest.

Blake looked down at his apparel and realized that he was absolutely right. She was in no way similar to Blake. She wore darker colors and nothing that seemed to come from a well-known designer, unless you counted Faded Glory. Blake was wearing a Hollister t-shirt and plaid shorts. The flip flops on his feet shifted awkwardly as he readjusted them so she couldn't so how abnormally large they were. She didn't need to know he was clumsy.

"And, as for us not having the same personality and acting different, there is a simple explanation to that. I assume, seeing that you've read Shakespeare, and this tells me you aren't the dullest knife in the drawer, that you have heard of the saying 'Opposites attract'. Am I right?" Blake said looking at her up and down.

Blake shrugged and almost walked away from her, but he stopped when he accidentally brushed against her arm. "Sorry about that." he said, pointing to the small area of skin that his arm had brushed. "If you want to talk or hang out, here is my cell." He scribbled it on a piece of paper. "But, for now, do you want to do this tour together or not?"

[Katherine Black]

Katherine sighed as he pointed out the obvious. 'Who gives ulimatums to people they just meet? I could just hit myself over the head.' Katherine shook her head and turned slightly pink as his arm came in contact with her skin. She brushed off the slight tingling sensation in her arm as the result of talking about 'opposites attract' philosophy concept.

Katherine took his phone number graciously and pocketed it carefully. She'd tell him another time that it might be a while before she could dial the number of a person who was not part of her immediate family.

"Alright, fine." She replied as huffy as she could muster. Blake was making it increasingly difficult stay annoyed at anything. Plus he made a valid point on second chances. Too many times, Katherine wished she had chosen seperately ('Maybe I'd still be at home, if I weren't so reckless?'). "Let's pop this orientation in the butt. Oh, and by the way, you really 'can' have a problem with other people. It can sometimes be easier to hate than it is to love. You're so much more than someone than needs to care about other people. Sometimes, you are allowed to think of yourself."

[Blake Bullock]

Blake laughed as he pushed open the door and said very clearly, "Ladies first," she headed out the door and they were soon heading down the paved road to where the tour would begin. They were all gathering by the stadium so they could take a walk around the campus.

The temperature had lowered considerably since he had last been outside. This still did not make a difference in humidity. The air was still as hot and heavy as ever and it made it slightly difficult for Blake to breathe. As they walked down the paved road, Blake tried to strike up conversation, while also trying to get to the core of this girl that seemed to be pushing him away.

"So, where did you come from?" was his first question and he had barely waited for an answer when he started another question and a small talk.

"So, do you really think that I'm a complete asshole or are you just trying to keep it safe and wait for you to get back to your friends at home? I mean, I really can't be that bad can I? And I think you might be right about having a problem with people. But, I think what really bothers me is when I don't have a reason to have a problem with them," he said nodding and looking back at the ground.

She had no idea how hard it was to express his personality this early. He was usually very shy when he first met someone. He kept to himself until someone stepped up the courage to ask him something or offer him a seat at their lunch table. He didn't know what was so different about this girl. She was no different than other girl that was at his old school. Actually, there was all the difference in the world. They had different takes on things, but she was intelligent. She was... Not exactly beautiful, but intriguing. She was everything that all the girls at his old school weren't. Maybe this is why he felt attached.

Am I attached? No. I'm not. I just met her. He looked back down at the ground and tried to avoid her gaze as he waited for the answer the would confirm his fears or make his feelings soar.

[Katherine Black]

For the first time since Katherine arrived in California, she finally felt relaxed. She even allowed allowed herself to laugh as he opened the door for her. 'Alright, maybe he can be a little endearing, if he really tried. Not that I'll let him know that after only knowing him for maybe 10 minutes!'

Katherine almost couldn't contain her laughter as he shot off at least twenty questions. "Woah, slow down a second and let me breathe," she teased lightly. Normally, she would find so many questions irratating but Blake's personality made it impossible to stay angry. "Well, I'm from Lockport, New York. You probably haven't heard of it. It's about 40 minutes outside of Buffalo."

The next question though, almost blew her away. Is that what he thought that she was just putting up with him until she got back to her real friends? "Alright, I know I came off as a bitchier earlier but if I really thought you were an asshole, I would have really just blown you off. I don't associate myself with assholes. Did you ever think I may just want to get to know you better?" she teased lightly. "You aren't that bad at all. I just think you need to relax a little. If you find it hard to open up to me, that's fine. The words will come as the moment is right. You don't have to worry about having to say everything at once. Just say what you feel, if anything's supposed to happen it will. Reasons don't account for everything, intuition and trusting yourself do more than enough justice. You don't have to befriend everyone you meet, not that I'm complaining or anything. It's nice to have company that doesn't try to hit on you every two seconds." If Katherine were the modest type, she probably would have shuffled her feet, looked down and blushed. Instead she intentionally looked into his eyes with an air of defiance.


"So Mr. Perfection, where are 'you' from and how in the world did you manage to end up in this school?" she asked snatching his class schedule to check if they shared any classes.

[Blake Bullock]

Blake smiled and looked at the ground. He really didn't want to tell her the truth about how he got here. What if she thought he was some kind of math freak> Nothing could be worse than being shunned by the whole school. Blake didn't respond at once. Instead, he walked forward, grabbing Katherine's hand unintentionally and leaning against a fence.

"You'll probably laugh at me... But, I'm going to be completely honest with you," he said, nodding and, just realizing her hand was in his, he pulled it away and rested it on onf the bars of the metal fence. "Well, I'm from a small town in Illinois. I was... I don't mean to sound conceited or anything, but I was kind of the brightest person in my school. So bright, they gave me a scholarship to come here. So, now I suppose yo think that I'm some sort of geek or something."

Blake looked down and tried to avoid her gaze. He didn't want to see the expression in her eyes. What if she didn't say anything? What if she just walked away? The seconds were ticking and nothing left her mouth. Blake was horrified. He could have just ruined his entire high school career and not relaized it. He knew how brutal high school was and he didn't want to face the torture.

[Katherine Black]

Katherine smiled unconsciously as Blake took her hand and pulled her over to the fence. She normally didn't find such insecurities endearing as she found them to be weak within herself; though, she felt a desire to help this person feel confident with himself.

Slowly and deliberately, Katherine placed her index finger under Blake's chin and lifted his face to look into her eyes. "Hey, it does not matter to me at all if you are some math whiz from your old school. I think it's really interesting that you got here on a scholorship! If other people can't accept that, then it's really their proble and you really shouldn't concern yourself with the likes of them."

Katherine could see by Blake's pose that he was self-conscious about his achievements and she couldn't understand that. He should be proud of all that he has accomplished! She felt an overwhelming desire to tell him that she was there for him. Spontaneously, she whispered conspiratorially, "Hey, do you want to skip out on the tour? We have our maps and schedules. I'd rather exploring this place on my own than have some stuffy teacher show us around. I might even stop by and pick you up early and we can explore what this school together," she winked playfully. "So what do you say, are you in or out?"

She hadn't felt this nervous since Bobby Whitterkins asked her to the 8th grade dance. Carefully, she tucked her hair behind her ear and masked her insecurities with an air of confidence. "It's really cool if you want to continue on with the tour and everything. I know you're into the whole school thing. I have a feeling 'you' won't have any problems making friends here at all," she mentioned casually, slightly inferring that many people at this institution would have a problem with her simply under the basis of her attire, "You don't have to be worried about being shunned by the entire school, they'll take to you instantly." Katherine preoccupied herself by straightening her clothes waiting for Blake's response.

[Blake Granger]

Blake's chin burnt as Katherine touched his chin. He smiled slightly, before looking back down to the ground. This time, he was avoiding her gaze because he knew that bright red patches were growing on his cheekbones. He didn't know why, but he felt that he didn't want to go home. He wanted to stay here with Katherine.

"I think what I really want here is to fit in and be wanted. But, I guess if I just have a small group of people that truly care about and love me, I'm okay with that," he said, smiling and moving closer to Katherine.

Then, the mention of the skipping the tour made his heart burn slightly. "Uhm..." he shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Yeah! I would love to explore the ground with you," he said smiling and looking around at what the new school had to offer.

Blake noticed that Katherine seemed to be eyeing herself as if she didn't approve of what she was wearing. She seemed to think that she stood out. Blake moved closer to her and put his lips next to her ear. "Listen to me, you're fine the way you are. Take my advice. Never change. I like you too much the way you are," he whispered smiling and pulling away from her.

His hands rested on her shoulders. "Now, lets go explore this bitch. You lead the way!" he yelled smiling and letting go of her.

[Katherine Black]

Katherine's cheecks flushed a deep red, partially to do with the words Blake told her about her appearance, and the other due to the proximity in which Blake was standing to her. She fondly thought that what he said was one of the nicest things, anyone has ever told her. Her parents hasseled her appearance on a daily basis saying she was giving them a bad reputation and her friends from New York simply didn't pay attention to that sort of stuff. They were all too desperately making sure they were unique themselves to pay others compliments.

Katherine grinned at the thought of exploring the new terrain with Blake. "So, you automatically think I know where the heck I am?" Katherine teased lightly.
Without waiting for his reply, she continued, "Well, you're in luck. I'm only slightly familiar with the area. My aunt lives about 30 minutes away in Anaheim."

Katherine linked her arms with Blake as she led the was towards the unconfined world ahead, leaving the strict structure of discipline and rules behind her. This was going to be a blast!

[Blake Granger]

Blake laughed as Katherine's arm wound its way around his and she pulled him forward explaining about her aunt.

"So, you know how to get around here? I mean... What is there to offer here?" he looked around as they headed back out of the campus. They passed the dorms which were large tan buildings with the letters A-E on them. There were four different sections of dorms. There was an extremely small building for the Freshman. There was a slightly larger for the Sophmores. Then, the second largest was for the Juniors. Then, a building that resembled a mansion came into view. This building was for the Seniors.

Blake looked at it with utter loathing and desire. He was so jealous that they had to stay in a cramped two person dorm when the Seniors were living it up inside this mansion. They must already be in there yucking up in all the glory of beings kings and queens of the campus.

Blake took a glance at Katherine. "Before we go... Lets see if we can get in there. You know, just to see what it's like," Blake said smiling and leading her over to the building.

He placed his hand upon the dark metal handle of the door and said, "Are you ready?" to her. Then, without waiting for answer, he pushed open the door to be greeted by a blast of air-conditioned air.

[Katherine Black]

Katherine grinned as she noticed the array of emotions running through Blake's eyes as he stared at all of the dorms. Sneaking into Senior dorm trumped any other activity she may have planned. She desperately wanted to see the palace Woodland Academy provided for their 'blessed Seniors." Katherine grumbled and thought to herself, 'you would think a fancy place like this wouldn't pack their freshman in dorms the size of sardine cans.' Katherine supposed it had something to do with earning their place in the dorms.

Katherine smirked as Blake suggested they peek inside the senior dorms. She had also thought of doing it but didn't want to risk getting Blake in trouble as he got into Woodland Academy on a scholorship. Katherine shook that idea out of her head almost as quickly as it came in, she never felt guilty about her choices and the consequences from them and she wouldn't start now! 'A little deviance from the schedule never hurt anyone,' she thought arrogantly.

"Blake, you don't have to tell me twice. Breaking the rules almost comes naturally to me," Katherine snickered. "I was inticed at the very sight of the building."

Katherine followed Blake as he approached the doors. The burst of air-conditioning felt luxurious as he opened the doors to the senior dorm. The sight of the dorm completely blew her away.

"We get to stay here during our senior year?!" Katherine bounced around excitedly. "Are you shitting me? It's a palace in here!" Katherine did a few twirls on the marble floor of the hallway. "I doubt any of the seniors are here yet though. I don't suppose they need an orientation."

Katherine held her head high and in a classy voice she replied, "So, Master Blake. Wherever shall we go now?" Katherine snickered as she broke her regal pose clutching her stomach in laughter.

[Blake Granger]

Blake's mouth dropped at the sight of the marble floor and the high ceilings. The building reminded him of a hotel lobby. There were sofas set aside and there was a coffee machine set to the left. A fireplace with a marble mantel was right in front of him. He was too amazed to say much. His mind was whirling and he was watching Katherine do pirouettes. He laughed and did a cart-wheel.

"This must be some kind of common room... If we even have one it will probably have a couple ripped up arm chairs and it will smell like cat piss," Blake said laughing and enjoying the small moments they had in this happy and luxurious mansion. There were two hallways going off in separate directions. One to Blake's left and one to his right. There was an elevator in front of him.

"Dude... There is a freaking elevator," Blake laughed and punched the bottom with his whole palm. "Let's go for a ride."

The elevator was in front of him in almost an instant. The doors opened and he saw a carpeted floor. There were mirrors all around and it felt awkward to stare back at his reflection. Blake's hair was a dark brown with some sandy streaks mixed into it. He had a pale complexion and his eyes still dazzled him. Blake wore contacts, but he never even considered buying colored contacts. His eyes were fine the way they were. They were a deep grey with a light blue tint. His eyes looked like moonlight.

Blake looked back at Katherine, who was also transfixed at her reflection. Blake moved forward, slipped his hand into hers and pulled her slowly into the elevator.