Wh@t A G@m3r N33ds

[Erin Hackett]

It had been a while since Erin had really hung out with Alex since that last time the two talked and slightly hung out when Alex helped her with her locker. They of course talked when they saw one another and Alex even played a few shooter games with her a few times. Through all of it, Erin had not forgotten about the fact that she had decided to build Alex a computer. Sure the other girl had said that she was fine with what she had but the girl was a fellow gamer and she wanted to make sure Alex was equipped with some pretty decent gear for gaming.

Part of it could have even been as selfish on Erin's part, since better gear for Alex meant that Erin would not have to worry about her friend lagging or not have a problem adding new video games that Erin recommended to her. She already built the computer, using her own money and various ideal parts that she used for her own computer. Needless to say, it was not really in her power to carry all of that to Alex's room, but she was able to borrow a cart and headed to the girl's room. She had also brought along a large Umberon plushie.

Alex said that it was her favorite and while she could have given the girl the average size one, she figured make it extra special by going big. Erin used her power the whole time to Alex's dorm room, since she didn't like the idea of people seeing her carrying a fresh built computer and a large Pokémon plushie to Alex room. She didn't want to ruin any possible reputation the other girl had, so been just playing it safe. Only canceling out her power when she was outside the girl's room and knocking on the door.

She already knew the girl's schedule and that she would be in her room at the moment. "Alex! Ca-can you come out real quick. I got something for you." Erin said, already feeling like just leaving the gifts and running off.

((Tag:Alexandra Lawson))

[Alexandra Lawson]

That Alex had stumbled upon a new gaming buddy had been met with a great deal of enthusiasm. She was the type of gamer than generally preferred to fly solo unless friends were involved. She occasionally ventured into the online realm to make fun of the 12 year old that were going to get beaten by a girl (that also sounded 12) but the bulk of her enjoyment was gaming with the handful of friends she had at the Academy, as well as a couple from back home she still kept in touch with. That Erin was always eager to play (and was damn good at whatever they usually played) was just icing on the cake. While the two of them hadn't gotten together face-to-face for a while, Erin would rarely find Alex too busy to notch at least a couple rounds of whatever game was the choice of the day.

Alex was sitting on the couch in the common area of the dorm. She was idly thumbing through a magazine that had a cover enticing enough for her to buy it. Much to her chagrin it was mostly ads and the same old boring crap articles about the same old boring crap games. At least she had the dorm to herself for the moment and had commandeered the stereo shared by the roommates.

The magazine instantly found itself tossed aside at the sound of the knock at the door. As she pushed off the couch to her feet, a new song with a prominent groove started through the speakers of the stereo. She crossed the room on her way toward the door and turned the music down to a suitable level but it was too late. Even at a lower volume the tune had already wormed its way into her heart and she continued her path to answer the door with a slight shuffle in her step in time to the song's bass line. She swayed to the breezy tune and even added a little hip shimmy in there for good measure just before opening the door.

"Hey!" She exclaimed, eyes bright from the unplanned appearance of her newest friend mixing wonderfully with the upbeat tempo of the music playing behind her. "Come on in!" She said, stepping aside to give Erin space to bring her entire haul in. "What, uh... what's all this?" Alex didn't remember setting up a LAN party or anything in her dorm today... although it wouldn't have been the first time someone had shown up after she'd forgotten plans.

[Erin Hackett]

The door opened and the sound of a catchy tune could be heard, but Erin was far more distracted by the girl that answered the door. As always, Alex was looking pretty as every and the sound of her voice was an always welcome audio over Erin's headset. That was where she mostly heard the other girl's voice and where she was able to be more of herself. Now that they were in person again, well things proved to be difficult, but she was going to give it her best. With how recent events had gone in Erin's life in general she felt a little bit more confident talking to people.

"Thanks...uh how are you?" Erin asked when Alex extended an invention for her to come on in. It was still very weird to go into another girl’s room but she tried to not think about it too much and just focused on what she was here to do. To drop off the desktop and the plushie and maybe run after. Running away after doing such a thing always seemed like a good idea, to Erin anyways. At Alex's question, Erin could not help but to start to blush a little as she tried to gather all of her courage to speak.

"Uh…well remember when we talked about you and a new desktop and how I would build you one? Well...surprise. Your very own hand built and brand new desktop ideal for gaming among a few other things. I also uh...got you a plushie since I remember you saying that it was your favorite Pokémon." Erin said, managing to at least talk at a normal speed and appropriate volume. She just hoped that Alex didn't hate it and would be honest about it all. Worse case, she could sell both things and hope that she would be able to help Alex out another time.

[Alexandra Lawson]

"I'm good." Alex said with a nod that caused the long, loosely tied tail of her hair to bob about the middle of her back. She smiled brightly, always happy to see a gaming buddy in the flesh, especially one apparently hauling some sort of toys that might be played with. "Finals kicking my ass but it's almost over." She bemoaned with a wave of her hand. At least she was free for the moment. Tomorrow was a different story. "How about you? You're probably murdering all your classes." She commented confidently. It wasn't exactly the best kept secret that Erin was smarter than she was.

"Wait." Alex blinked a few times as she looked over the equipment Erin had brought over. Her mind attempted to wrap itself around not just the weight of the gesture, but also the sheer awesome that came with the gift itself. "You're kidding." The look on Erin's face and, by proxy the fact that she was actually present, told Alex there was no joking to be had.

There was a few seconds of utter silence as Alex looked from Erin, to the computer, back to Erin, over to the computer again and then, just for good measure, back up to Erin. A sudden squeal broke the nearly comical moment and immediately lunged at the redheaded girl. Slender arms threw themselves around Erin and pulled her in for a surprisingly strong bear hug. "My god Erin!" Alex exclaimed with no attempt to hide the excitement in her voice. "That's so awesome! Thank you so much!"

[Erin Hackett]

"That’s good, real good." Erin muttered out as she nodded her head yes several times up and down. She made her way into the room, thankful to be behind at least one door and not just standing out in the hallway for people to possibly see her. Her head was hurting a little bit from having used her power all the way here but she was not going to say anything about it. She was fine for now so long as she didn't end up using her power or try to take off running any time soon. She just smiled a little as Alex admitted that finals were kicking her ass.

Erin wanted to offer to help her she needed to first build up the courage to even subject a little study date. Too many movies had people go on study dates and end up getting hot and heavy with one another for her to be able to just ask it right off the bat. "You could say that." Erin said as she gave a small nod. Yes, she was pretty smart. Smart enough to already be in college but she got held back because she didn't try. So she would be a Senior unless she decided to take the test to prove she could in fact be in college.

Besides, everyone already knew she could but for the sake of official paper work, she needed to and she just didn't feel like it. Erin didn't say anything when Alex seemed to be putting together that Erin was not joking and that she really brought Alex over her very own hand built computer and a Pokémon plushie. Was it too much? Did she already buy a new computer? Erin was pretty sure the latter was not true; because she was a stalker and knew those kinds of things. Not that she would admit that out load or anything and she liked to think she was the good kind of stalker. There were good kinds of it after all, right?

Erin almost ended up using her power when she suddenly found herself in a tight embrace with the other girl. Erin was pretty sure that she had died in that moment. Yup, her heart had totally stopped there and she could not even begin to process what she was supposed to do in response. She could not even come up with any words to say. So she just nodded her head, her mouth opening and moving as if she was trying to say anything but all that came out was, "Oh...well...you...welcome...no problem...leet." Erin was broken.

[Alexandra Lawson]

If Alex hadn't immediately caught the way Erin froze up, she probably would've ended up jumping on the redheaded girl. Alex was easily excitable and tended to become a bit spastic. Erin had triggered the little manic girl and was now doomed to suffer the consequences. If her reaction hadn't been enough to show, it would soon become very obvious that Alex was and unabashed hugger.

She pulled away, even though one of her hands slid across Erin's back and came to rest upon her should. "I can't believe you did this." Alex said, her eyes bright as they turned to the equipment Erin had brought. "I don't know what to say." She admitted, even though she hadn't stopped babbling since Erin revealed the nature of her gift. "I so owe you after this." Alex nodded heartily. Her pride, while a bit squeal-y and excited, wouldn't allow her to let such a gesture go without some sort of response. It may take a while, but Alex was determined to make it up to Erin.

"Do you have time to give me a hand setting it up?" She asked, her bright, expressive brown eyes lifting back up to Erin. She certainly knew well enough to put a computer together and get it up and running herself, though she didn't want to come off as ungrateful and send Erin off without proper thanks. Anyway, she appreciated the company. "Or, maybe you can stick around? After we get the computer going..." She paused a little, studying Erin's features with a hopeful look. "Watch a movie, or something?"

[Erin Hackett]

It was not that Erin didn't like to hug or found it odd, it was more that she was not used to it, from well anyone. She and her farther didn't really even hug, they both had slight social issue so just understood one another without needing to physical comfort one another. Of course her father did hold and hug her whenever there was a storm, because she could not handle them at all and basically needed some there to stabilize her. It was another reason why she hated being at a mutant school, she had no one to hold her through the terrible thunder storms so ended up huddled under her bed while she tried to keep it together alone.

Not like any of that matter at the moment, what mattered right now was the odd feeling in the pit of her stomach when she felt Alex's hands slide along her back and up to her shoulders. Was Alex doing that on purpose? No, could not have been. The girl didn't seem interested in girl in all their gaming sessions so no way. Plus...Erin was Erin and she doubted that anyone would feel that way about her and if they did would it matter? She ran from the last girl that kissed her years ago and that really set things backwards in that never to be relationship.

"I...I said that I was up for it and since you never gave me an uh...you know set in stone answer I just went ahead and did it. If...well...you don't have to say anything and you don't owe me anything. Besides a game of Evolve...if you want." Erin said as she struggled to get words out and had to pause to gather up her courage again. She was at least coming down from the hug that she had gotten a moment ago but who knew how long that would last. Alex was still touching her and now the girl was asking for her to help set up?

Wait, nope not just to set up but to hang out and watch a movie together?! Too many movies where two girls were hanging out alone watching a movie ended up getting hot and steamy. At least in the movies that Erin watched. "Y-yeah, I'll help you set it up. Won't even take long at all." Erin said as she moved to pull away from Alex so she could will the cart into Alex's room and waited for the other girl to point out where she wanted it. "Uh...sure, awesome. I would love to do you, DO a movie with you." Erin said, slipping up there and hoped Alex didn't notice it as she started to move the computer off the cart.

[Alexandra Lawson]

"Deal." Alex gave a wink and pointed a finger at Erin while the smile on her face never wavered. Erin would get every game Alex could muster the time for. She'd certainly enjoyed having someone who could discuss the finer points of pop culture in a similar fashion. While she adored the young man who'd taken her to prom, Erin represented a different side of Alex. A side she didn't get the chance to flex as often as she wanted. "I still can't believe you did this, Erin." Her head shook but the excitement was obvious. "I can't wait." She pulled away, bouncing in place a little as she clapped her hands together in a childish display. "Come on!"

Alex laughed at Erin's slip as she corralled the other girl into her room. "Well, that would make one person on this campus that wants to." She sent a sly wink back toward Erin before turning her attention to the number of tasks at hand. There was the computer, a movie, did Erin want something to eat or drink? A number of question coursed through Alex's mind, though she ultimately decided upon the most basic. "We can set it up here." She said, scrambling to clear the clutter off her desk to make room for the computer. "And he's going... here." She plucked the new Umbreon plushie up and placed it near the smaller one she already owned. She gave a faint giggle as she took a breath to get herself under control before glancing to Erin. "I'll order in and we can find the crapiest looking movie on Netflix and make fun of it." She offered hopefully.

[Erin Hackett]

Alex agreed to the terms of her getting a new computer and tossed in a wink. Why would she toss in that wink? Did she not understand what she was doing to Erin every time she would smile brightly or give her a wink? It felt like she was being flirted with and that just made her feel all mixed up on if Alex was just teasing her or if she had an actual interest in her. She was probably over thinking things and the other girl was just teasing her. Yeah, that had to be it. "Believe it...it’s here right in front of you and it’s all yours." Erin spoke up, trying to let her bold self slip out a little but it was not as easy as she had hoped it would be.

Erin watched as Alex pulled away and went bouncing to her room to show Erin where she could set the computer up. It was so cute to see how happy Alex was to be getting a gift from Erin, this was why she liked girls better. When she gave Quinn an awesome gift he had not acted anything close to how Alex was reacting, girls were so much better. Erin didn't find it at all childish and in fact it made her bounce a little, on the inside. Just happy that Alex really did seem to be happy about this and that she had clearly made a friend with this girl. When Erin slipped up, she was hoping that the other girl did not catch it but she did.

Not only did she catch it, but she didn't get weird about it and made a comment that made Erin feel like she had to say more on the matter. "I bet there are a few people who would want to. You are a very attractive girl after all. Bet there are a ton of guys that would want to." Erin quickly spoke up. After saying that bit she quickly shut up and went about setting up Alex's computer when the girl pointed out a place. Yes, that had taken pretty much all of her courage and she just needed to be silent for a moment to recover.

It would not take long to set up the computer, Erin had to set it up and take it down in her room several times to make sure things worked as she had wanted them to. The giggling just made Erin focus on her work more and just nodding her head a lot at the words about ordering food and watching an awful movie. That sounded really good, but Erin could not say much so just kept nodding her head yes as she worked on the laptop and tried to recover her voice.

[Alexandra Lawson]

Even though she was still riding the high of the gift Erin had surprised her with, Alex finally managed to compose herself enough to settle into conversation. She never made self-deprecating comments with the hope of getting attention or praise, quite the contrary. Alex often made fun of herself in order to keep herself grounded. It served as a constant reminder that life was that much better when you didn't take yourself so seriously.

"Oh, god, another one." She said with enough of a laugh that caused her to toss her head back slightly. "Everyone keeps saying things like that. "It's cool, though. I mean, I kind of like being one of the little people." Yes, she also understood the little joke she'd made there. "It's so much less complicated when hardly anyone knows who you are." She explained with a nod. Her tone was light even though she was speaking the truth. "Anyway, it's easy for me to blend into the background. Have you seen some of the other cheerleaders?" She exclaimed. "My god." Even she had to admit a handful of them were ridiculously hot. "Hell." Alex playfully threw her hands up and gestured with a wave in Erin's direction. "I'm not even the cutest nerd girl running around."

[Erin Hackett]

Erin didn't say anything at first when Alex spoke of 'another one', which clearly meant that she did have suitors. Damn, well Erin knew she should have guessed that and while she did believe in what she said there had been hope. Hope for what? She didn't know, but it had been there and not it was gone but deep down she felt like it was not that big of a deal. It was not like she was ever going to end up with anyone in the end, so she didn't know why she even bothered to think about it. "Well...if someone else is saying it too...has to be true... I think." Erin muttered out as she mainly kept her focus on setting up Alex's computer.

She was pleased that she brought along an extra surge protector so Alex could plug some more things up and this would also protect her computer in case there was ever a power surge. Going to a mutant school, there was likely to be a lot of power surges at some point or another. Alex assured her that she was fine being a person that no one noticed and when she would blend into the background. Erin was not even sure how Alex could think that she was just some simple girl that would blend into the background.

If anything it was because she was pretty short in a sea of tall girls that she might have gotten lost in the view, but never because of her looks. At least not now and in Erin's opinion but she did like girls a lot so maybe she was a little bias. Erin didn't comment on the question of had she seen any of the cheerleaders. She had seen all of them, several times, and had some photos of them but Alex didn't need to know any of that. Erin did pause in what she was doing only when Alex gestured at her, which made her start to chuckle at the words that left Alex's mouth. "If anything it’s because I'm like that punk rock nerd and everyone likes that girl that looks total badass." Erin said, still chuckling a little.

"But...you should really look in the mirror if you are talking about the cutest nerd running around." Erin said, doing a little bit of flirting. It of course made her turn red right away and she quickly went back to setting up Alex's computer. Not saying anything or moving besides what she needed to do all for the sake of setting up the computer. "D-done." Erin muttered out as she quickly moved away from Alex's new computer so the girl could check it out as it came to life.

[Alexandra Lawson]

"Okay, I'm not one of those girls that has to go on Facebook and post pictures all the while whining that I'm not pretty enough, or how ugly I am, or this or that." Alex said with a faint laugh, her voice shifting to a mockingly high pitched impression of said girls. "I'm hella cute, and I know it." The faintly mocking tone didn't change, even as she became the subject of her own words. "But I'm not like, you know..." She cycled through a few examples of the girls she was thinking of. Names such as Erika Bellefonte, Ellen Banks and Vera Marcello instantly came to mind. Girls that were beyond simply 'cute' but firmly in the territory of 'drop dead frickin' gorgeous'. "Eh, whatever." Alex, feeling a little flustered, waved both her hands about. "It doesn't matter, my boyfriend's happy and that's what matters, right?" She offered a faint smile toward Erin.

"Oh, yeah. I can see it." She scrutinized Erin for a moment, taking in the entirety of the redheaded girl's 'look'. Alex definitely considered Erin to be the better looking of the two, or, at least, Erin seemed to have a more universal type of cuteness whereas Alex tended to attract creepers who had weird obsessions with their nieces. A statuesque beauty Alex was not. "It's still pretty hot though." She said honestly, giving Erin a faintly mischievous smirk. "You're smart, into hella cool things and you've totally got the hot, ginger thing going." At this point Alex was barely paying attention to the work Erin was doing. Her focus had settled squarely upon the other girl for the time being.

[Erin Hackett]

Erin didn't say anything while Alex was giving her impression of those other kinds of girls out there when it came to looks and what not. Erin honestly pretty much liked all girls thus far since she never actually dated or tried to be in a relationship with any of them; so didn't know her type. Everyone had the things that they did on the net and some were just looking for attention or a self-esteem boost. Or something along those lines, Erin didn't pay much mind to it since she didn't do it herself unless it involved a video game and if she was looking up girls on the net it usually was for two main reasons.

She kept setting up her computer, glancing at Alex when she started to list of girls that she apparently thought were really pretty. Erin knew of most of them as well, and would agree that they were attractive. Yet, she was not sure what Alex was getting at. There were people who were cute, sexy, hot, and attractive. Some of those blurred together and unless you were interested in a person then it didn't matter what they fell into because you were going to think that they were every one of them. "Well yeah...cause if you were like them then you would not be you." Erin muttered out, moving to stand up to double check the computer as it went through its start up.

There was a pause there, when Erin heard that Alex had a boyfriend but she had guessed as much from the start of them meeting. Knew it, straight and has a boyfriend. All of them always are. Erin thought to herself as she didn't say anything more on the matter and just focused on finishing up the last bit of what she needed to do for Alex's new computer. A blush still spread across her face at Alex's words before Erin was quickly waving her hand at Alex to stop. "You keep complementing me and I'm going to go all super nova red. That and I'll start to think you are flirting with me...which is bad because you are taken. So...be good. Yeah." Erin said, trying to be playful about it all, but it really was not as easy as people made it seem.

"Your computer is already now." Erin quickly added as she stepped away from the computer for Alex to set her password for it. Everything on it was almost top of the line and Erin had even insulted several programs that she felt all gamers needed to have. That and well also other programs for school for when Alex would need to do some work on her desktop if her laptop ever gave up on her.

[Alexandra Lawson]

"Alright, alright." Alex said with a faint smirk touching her lips as she watched Erin. She hadn't meant to make the other girl feel uncomfortable and, while Erin played it off well, Alex could tell her compliments didn't strike the chord she was hoping. "I'll stop." Alex moved closer so she could stand beside Erin to get a better look at the computer screen. She couldn't help but give the other girl a playful nudge with an elbow. "And just because I'm taken, doesn't mean I'm not flirting." She pointed out before turning her eyes to the computer.

"Wow, Erin, this is amazing." Alex's head shook in disbelief as she took in the sight of the computer on her desk. "You, girl, have a gift." She couldn't wait to get behind the wheel of her new machine and take it for a test drive, though she had other, more pressing matters at hand and, since she had a fellow girl nearby, Alex felt it as good a time as any to broach the subject. She pulled away from the computer and glanced to Erin. "On another, completely non-tech related question... how much to you know about dying hair?" Yes. This was how Alex's mind worked. Computers one moment, hair dye the next.

[Erin Hackett]

Erin wanted to speak up and tell Alex that she didn't have to stop if she didn't want to. She just could not bring herself to find the right words to say on the matter. Erin just knew she liked Alex the way she was and obviously others did as well. She didn't get why the other girl felt like she was not like the other girls she had spoken of, because they didn't matter. All that mattered was Alex liked the way she looked and was happy with herself. That was what Erin saw as important but she didn't want to step on Alex's toes.

The other girl already had a boyfriend but Erin was hoping to keep a friend out of all of this so didn't want to mess anything up. Erin could feel the hairs on her body start to stand up a little for a moment as Alex stood next to her. She swallowed hard but managed to keep herself together and focused on what she was doing while doing her best to keep her eyes from drifting over Alex's form. That quickly came impossible when Alex pointed out that because she was taken didn't mean she was not flirting. That of course had Erin turning bright red as she looked at the other girl with her mouth hanging open for a moment.

"I...I'm flattered but...but careful cause I'm a total lezzy and I might try and flip you." Erin said, trying to let out some of her boldness with a playful tease back. She stuttered a little bit at the start, but managed to get it all out at the end. Once it was out, she was quickly to put some space between her and Alex but tried to play it off as she saw something on Alex's self that caught her attention and she needed to get a closer look at it. "It was nothing. I like making computers from time to time...I'm happy you like it." Erin said as she avoided looking at Alex and started to ideally play with some buttons on her leather jacket.

She expected Alex to get right to messing around on her computer, but instead there was a question that had Erin not looking at her. Of course now that she was looking at Alex her eyes could not help but drift for a moment as she thought about the question longer then she needed to so she had an excuse that allowed her to admire Alex's being a little longer. "A lot. I dye this bit of my hair often. Last you saw it, it was blue." Erin pointed out as she took a hold of the few strands that she died. The only reason she did not dye all of her hair was because her dad made a fuss about natural red heads being hard to find sometimes and she should be proud of her natural color.