{{I like watching puddles gather rain|, open lovelies

[Spencer Lemay]

Forty-Five minutes. That's how long she had been sitting in that damn booth in the Target Cafe, looking like a complete loner with her Diet coke and cookies and cream ice cream. She was supposed to be meeting a friend, but didn't find out that she wouldn't be coming until forty-five minutes after they were supposed to meet. Spencer tried her best not to sound irritated on the phone, and resisted the urge to ask the girl on the other line why she hadn't called sooner. After hanging up the phone, counting to ten, and thinking about it for another good ten seconds, she realized it wasn't that big of a deal. It was saturday, 12:00 in the after noon. The whole day was ahead of her. Though she would have to shop alone, sometimes it could be better that way.

Though Spencer was rarely described as shallow... ever. She did like fashion, and she would never speak it aloud, but even she had to admit that she did look cute today. She held her diet Coke by the top of the cup as she browsed a selection of Jersey Dresses in some random store. Spence hardly ever looked at the names of the shops she went into. If something in the window caught her eye, she would make a sharp turn right through the doorway in a minute. Finding her way from the jersey dresses to a selection of shoes on a shelf, she picked up a pair of cute ballet flats. White with yellow polka dots. She had to get them.

Still studying the shoes and making sure they were the right size, she turned abrubtly, bumping into someone and staggering back as her drink fell to the floor. Coke and ice cubes scattered everywhere. And like most places she went, Spencer got the attention of everyone in the store, at least for a couple minutes. Just as everyone was about to go back to the duty of their shopping, a woman wearing a pant suit came bursting through the back door, walking at an authoritive pace. The expression over her features was hard and agitated as she spoke into the wire microphone hanging by her glossed lips. In her hand was a mop, and she lugged a bucket full of water on wheels behind her. "You're going to have to clean this up." The woman's jaw was set and she was casting a glare. What the hell? It wasn't like Spencer had stolen anything, this was not a big deal.

Ever the arrogant little firecracker, the small girl merely shrugged, giving the woman of authority one of those, I'm-not-cleaning-it-up, so-I-guess-you're-shit-out-of-luck, looks. "I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't spill anything." She was lying through her teeth, even though she knew the woman had seen the cup drop from her hands. Making sure to agitate the woman just a tad bit more, she examined the spill, staring at it for a good moment. Than looking up and giving the woman a bright a cheery smile. And with that, she turned to go. But was stunted in her sweeping exit by a firm hold on her thin arm, "I'll call security." The threat was blank. She knew there was no way this woman could make her clean this up. Why would they sell drinks in the mall if they weren't planning on this? Didn't they have people who got payed for that? This woman was probably just having a pissy day and had to take it out on someone. "Oh Really! Will you tell them I said Hi!?" Her tone was filled with mock glee. Even if she didn't get in trouble for the law for this, she would certainly be grounded.... again.

[Stephen Kaiser]

12:00 noon. Why the hell was Stephen at the mall at 12:00 noon on a Saturday afternoon? Wait, let's back up a bit. Why the hell was Stephen even awake at 12:00 noon? I'll tell you why! I've got no idea! Stephen had woken up at 11:00 and couldn't get back to sleep. Which was odd and outta character for a few reasons. Mainly the fact that he can usually sleep through anything. And I mean anything. So something like silence usually wont wake Stephen up. and let me tell you, their dorm room on this particular day was silent. Nikkos had muttered something about working at the clinic, so he'd probably left at some ridiculous hour of the morning. Like 10:00am.

None the less, once Stephen was awake, he was awake. And since he had nothing better to do, he figured he'd venture over to the mall again. See, Stephen hadn't been to the Triston Club Mall a whole lot. Actually, he'd only come once before. That was the time that what’s-her-face Ali had tried to knaw his wrist off. Ever since then, Stephen had been more than a little bit wary of the freaks that hung out at the mall. But he wanted a new hat, and possibly more fake lip and face jewelry. So he figured he had to venture into the mall.

As for the hat that was already on his head, well, he'd worn it around campus once or twice before. It was the hat that read "The child of doom" boldly across the front. The one that his friend Caitlin had made him how ever many years ago. She was a sweet-heart that Caitlin. Not that it really mattered to Stephen. She was hot and not afraid to crawl into bed with people she hardly knew. That's what count in Stephens' books.

Anyway, his hat matched the rest of his clothes. For the most part. I mean, did it really matter if the hat matched the shoes? Not really. But anyway, Stephen was wearing his bright blue new sneakers today. Along with a pair of low slung dark wash jeans and a plain green T-shirt. Over top of his T-shirt was his favorite hoodie. His favorite hoodie was the Clandestine Industries "Stay Gold" hoodie, which was black and covered in golden foil type things. An exciting outfit? Not really.

Stephen had been making his way to the facial jewelry when he'd heard the smash of what he knew was a glass filled with some kind of drink. He totally ignored it and kept on his way, his hands deep in his hoodie pockets, until he heard voices being raised. And not just any voices either. Stephen immediately recognized the once voice and Spence's. ' The little girl's in trouble again.'

A grin playing on his lip, Stephen made his way towards the ever-louder voices. Rounding the corner Stephen saw that the girl in trouble was indeed Spencer. "Oh Really! Will you tell them I said Hi!?" Coming up beside Spencer and putting his arm around her shoulder casually; Stephen sent a grin towards the lady who was yelling at Spence.

Turning his attention back to Spencer, he spoke more into her ear than into her face. Considering her face was still facing the angry lady threatening to call security.

"Now, now Spence. No need to get sarcastic with the law."

[Spencer Lemay]

Goodness fucking dammit. Shit. Profanities were shooting across her thoughts in marquee form. But the only sign she showed to acknowledge her mixed feelings of the boys presence was the set line of her jaw. She loved Stephen. Manwhore or not (it wasn't like she was giving it up), but right now just wasn't the time for his snide remarks. Although, his mouth that close to her ear, she had to admit. Even being such a suddle move, it was getting to her. And it shouldn't. Because they were friends. Spence quickly turned her focus back to the words that had flooded from his mouth just seconds before her thoughts had wondered. Really, he couldn't even offer to beat her up?

But from the looks of it, no threats from Stephen were needed to baffle the woman. Her brows knitted together, as if the situation at hand was just too much for her to comprehend. The boy walking up, and just giving her that signature grin, it was enough to put the cow in hush mode for a few moments. Spencer wasn't sure if it was because of the completely spontaneous arrival and interuption, or if she was being some sick disgusting pervert and checking him out. The thought almost lurched a dose of jealousy in her. But who was his arm around again? Even in a casual manner, the person in question was Spencer at the moment. And that was enough for her to manage a small grin. Just a teensy one.

"Stephen do you really have nothing better to do today? Or can you just not resist my drama? Because this stalking shit is getting ridiculous." The woman had obviously gotten over her momentary shock, and was now crossing her arms and eyeing the two like they had just been got keying her car. It didn't help that Spencer had turned her head to face him and lowered her voice a reasonable amount so they were now having their own conversation. [i]"I'm sure you're attitude will change once we get your parents on the line."[/b] She unclipped her walkie talkie and mumbled some junk into it, as if trying to make an authorative point. Damn her height. And her weight. And her hair. and her clothes. Because all of the above definitely did not scream 'I'm no longer a minor!'. Turning away from Stephen, Spencer couldn't help but let a half-hearted laugh escape her lips. "Ma'am I'm nineteen, and this isn't school. You can't make housecalls. That was a nice try though. I mean, the whole walkie talkie thing, that was pretty convincing.. loved it."

Why was she bothering with this? She should have left when the drink dropped. but she stuck around for too long. Thankfully long enough to catch Stephen's eye. But unfortunately long enough to also be stared down by some scary, menopause stricken woman from the black lagoon. "Wipe some of that lipstick off your teeth and pull your pants down to get rid of that camel toe and you might get laid." Spencer shot the woman a big, cheesy smile and held two thumbs up before turning, rolling her eyes (how mature), and wlaking towards the exit. Stephen was no lost puppy dog. and he certainly didn't have Spencer as his owner. Oh jesus no. but nevertheless, she expected him to follow her until she got to the fountain and sat at the edge. Well, he better have followed. Or he would be dealing with one pissed off Spencer. And that was not good.

[Stephen Kaiser]

How was it that Stephen always managed to find a way to find Spencer when she was in trouble? In all honesty, Stephen didn't see it that way. He just figured that Spence was always in trouble. He just happend to be around when the fights started, that's all. Heisnotastalkerisweartogodo.o.

Watching the diffrent emotions cross Spence's face was interseting for Stephen. First of all their was the inital shock. The shock of some random person coming up and putting their arm around you. Then once Spence had seen/heard Stephen, there came.... what? Was that a... jealous look that crossed her face when Stephen had grinned at the seemingly-fake mall cop? 'couldn't be' was the only thought that crossed Stephens' mind. They were just friends. Really good friends, at that. And they were alike in a lot of ways, but they were still just friends. He knew that, and Spence did too. Right?

'....this stalking shit is getting ridiculous!' Typical Spence, wasn't it? Of course it was. Ignoring the fact that miss. fake-mall-cop was still staring at Stephen like he was some sort of freak, (either that, or she thought he was pretty hot. And Stephen just assumed that it was the latter.) Stephen spoke smoothly and let his arm drop from Spence's shoulder. "Oh Spence, you know I can't resist following you. In all honesty, I thought you'd have figured that out ages ago.

Before Spencer could get a word in, the fake cop seemed to get her voice back. And what was this? She was thinking of calling Spencers' parents? Stephen couldn't help letting out a snort/laugh at that. First of all, how smart do you have to be to realize that parents don't live on campus with their kids? Honestly. This is college, and not many parents stop by to visit, let alone move into the tiny dorms.
Second of all, Stephen knew Spencer well enough to know that even if she did get in trouble with her parents, it wouldn't matter to her. She'd just roll with the punches and work it out. Just like she always had, and most likly always would. Stephen couldn't even muster up a mental image of Spencer being all 'No mommy, i'll never do it again. I promise.'

As Spencer finished telling off the fake-cop, Stephen threw in his own remark. Though not to the older woman. No, he figured she didn't really deserve to be spoken to directly. Not after the way she was treating Spencer. Instead, Stephen lowered his voice to the point where he knew Spencer could hear him, but whatsherface couldn't. "Nice. Like our parents could do anything to us when we're over in Maryland for god's sake.

"Wipe some of that lipstick off your teeth and pull your pants down to get rid of that camel toe and you might get laid." Stephen blinked for a second. Why was Spencer making this like a personal attack on this woman? I mean, not that Stephen didn't think she deserved it. Believe me, he did. And he didn't think Spencer was a coward who would run away. But of all the things Stephen knew Spencer to be, a bitch wasn't one of them. Spence knew how far to take things, usually. And she wouldn't make personal attacks on people unless the really, seriously desereved it. And as far as Stephen could see, this woman didn't really deserve Spencer's last remarks."Whoa... too far, Spence."

Wether Spencer actually heard him or not was a mystery to Stephen. Why? Well, that could be due to the fact that she speed walked/ran over towards to fountain quickly after her personal attack on this woman's appearance. Shifting his line of vision between the older cop and Spencers' back, Stephen shifted his weight back and forth. He wasn't really sure what to do. And he wasn't sure what he'd done to make Spencer dash off like that.

Finally deciding he better figure out what was bugging Spence, Stephen sent a quick 'im-sort-of-sorry-but-i-dont-know-what-for' look at the lady before jogging up besides Spencer.

Once he reached her, Stephen chose his words carfully. Not really sure how upset Spencer was."Cummon Spence, what's the matter?" Hey, it was worth a try.