I Been Runnin' Around

[Riley Forrester]

There was just something about running early in the morning that helped Riley start her day off cool and calm. Maybe it was just the fact that no one else was there to bother her or hold her back. Maybe it was just the fact that no one was up period. Seriously. It was 6 in the morning; Riley hardly expected anyone else to be up. Unless they're as crazy as me. Her brain added helpfully. Her early hours had always driven her other siblings mad, except Lily of course. The others didn't understand the feel of a good early morning jog to jump start their hearts.

Now that made Riley snort even as she huffed. Her siblings having hearts. Yeaaaaaaah right. Riley had a sneaking suspicion that all of their hearts had been stored away to pour into Riley herself and Lily. Everyone else in her family was butt, plain and simple.

Riley shook her head, focusing on running again, going around the campus. How did she always manage to get all sentimental and deep when she exercised? Seriously, it was almost like a trigger for her brain to just go 'Oop, she's exercising. Better bring out every single one of her issues for her to have no choice but to think about.' Yeah. Thanks brain. Really appreciate it. She thought. It made Riley sneer slightly. Yeah, well two could play at that game. Riley turned up the volume of her iPod and reached into her hood to readjust her headphones. God she loved Pendulum. 

"...In the trail of fire I'll burn before you bury me... Set your sights for the suuunn" She sang under her breath between her panting. Truth be told, with her hoodie and track pants, she looked a helluva lot like a guy right then. A crazy guy running super early in the morning. But did she care? Mmmm.... Nah. Maybe it'll just make em think I'm some exercise obsessed dude.

It then she heard someone. Someone yelling at her? Riley frowned slightly and popped an earphone out. Who the hell is that? "What?" She asked loudly, glancing over to see who had spoken. Was someone else seriously up at this hour?

[Ashlin Hale]

"I said you're in my shot." Ashlin said loudly again. With her eyebrows arched and one hand on her hip she looked at the person who had apparently been jogging at this early hour. It wasn't all the time that Ashlin found herself awoke at this time, but she couldn't sleep for the life of her so she decided to try and get some good shots since there was nobody around….or so she thought. Putting the camera over her shoulder by the strap, she decided to walkover to the person who was jogging, hmmm it's a girl, she thought to herself. Maybe it was the hoody that made Ashlin question the gender of this runner. With the shrug of her shoulder, "I didn't mean to yell out at you, but I was saying you ran right smack dab into my shot." she said in a much lower tone now that she was just next to the girl and pointed towards the school, which was illuminated by the rising sun.

Their attire was kind of the same. The girl had on jogging pants and a hoodie, Ashlin was sporting a hoodie that was way to big that it hung off one shoulder and a pair of cut up jeans along with her combat boots. Some would say that Ashlin had no since of fashion at all, but she'd like to think that her way of dressing was unique to her personality, not that it mattered what anyone thought. Tucking her hands into her pocket she now focused on the girl and pointed to the sky, "Best time to work out huh? No students are around for you to bump into or run over." she said giggling.

It had been just about 3 days since she's arrived at school. She still had not met her roommate, maybe they were missing each other, or maybe the girl just didn't want to meet Ashlin, either way, it was kind of comforting for Ashlin to have the room to herself.

Ashlin pulled her hoodie up over her shoulder then sucked her teeth when it fell back down, that's what I get for taking dads hoodie. His favorite hoodie at that. she thought to herself. She wondered if he even noticed it was gone. She'd spoken to him a few times since she's been here and reassured him that she was doing ok. Of course her mother had only been home like once or twice, and didn't bother to even call Ashlin to make sure she was ok, that lady is surely not nominated for mother of the year, she merely thought then just rolled her eyes at the thought of that woman.

"Once again, I didn't mean to yell out at you, I just didn't want anybody in my shot. I'm trying to capture the beauty of this school." she said then pulled her camera to her eye and took her shot from a different angle.

[Riley Forrester]

Her shot? Riley thought curiously, but that's when she spotted the camera. Oh! She's a photographer! She realized. Riley took one glance around to see that, indeed, there was a perfect shot of the school. And she was standing right in the middle of it. "Whoop! Sorry!" Riley called back, but it seemed like the girl was going approach her anyways. When she reached Riley, the girl apologized for yelling. However, Riley waved it off. "Nah, that's ok. i see what you were trying to take a pic of." Riley said, pointing.

The girl was dressed a bit like Riley was. Aka: not a care was given for fashion. Just what was comfortable. The fact made Riley smile a little, and then she looked up as the girl pointed. "Yeah. That and they can't complain about my fashion sense." Riley added, looking back at the girl and grinning. "I think I'm going for 'hobo-shiek'" Riley said with air quotes using her hands. Cheeeeeeeesy. Her brain said ever-so kindly.

"As I said, it's fine." Riley assured the girl, watching her take the picture. "Oh! I'm Riley by the way." She added. 

[Ashlin Hale]

"Nice to meet you Riley, I'm Ashlin." she said as she snapped another picture of the school. She giggled as the girl referred to her clothing as hobo-sheik. Looking down at her clothes Ashlin probably figured she looked the same but just shrugged her shoulders. Listening to what she said about the students complaining about her fashion just made Ashlin sigh. There was a time she had wished she could rid the world of all people who judged or made fun of others just because they didn't dress like the masses. Looking to get another vantage point for the picture o the fountain, she hung the camera over her shoulder and decided to climb the tall tree.

perfect vantage point for this shot, she thought as the camera lens made contact with the shady part of the school. With a small smile, Ashlin took the picture then looked at the screen. Being very happy with the shot, she climbed back down and walked back to Riley. "Sorry about that, sometimes I just have to get a shot before it changes." she mentioned. As rambling as she usually was, there was nothing that was coming out of her mouth, which was a surprise. Usually Ashlin would have so many things to talk about, but she figured it was due to her lack of caffeine that had her this way.

"So." she said making eye contact with Riley. "Do you run every morning or this was just a one time thing?" she asked.

[Riley Forrester]

The girl, thankfully, seemed pretty cool. She introduced herself as well, and even giggled at little at Riley's terribly corny joke Well how's about that. She thought, smiling a little wider. "Ashlin, huh? Nice name." Riley said honestly, watching as the girl moved. She ended up scaling a tall tree just for a picture, and Riley couldn't help but laugh. "Determined, aren't you?" Riley called up, teasing a little. But it was all in good fun. This chick seemed alright.

Riley just shook her head. "It's ok!" She assured the girl, chuckling. "I get it. I know some people who are photographers too." Of course, one of them I really, really like and would prefer to cuddle 24/7 except her powers kind of paralyze me. But there's no need to tell her that. Riley's brain ever-so-helpfully added. Riley pushed that thought away as Ashlin asked her a question about her running.

"Yeah, usually every morning. It helps my mind stay fresh and all. Clears it out." Riley explained with a shrug. "You? This a one-time thing or the usual?"

[Ashlin Hale]

"It's the usual for me. I woke up every morning around this same time back at home. It's just something about the sun rise that makes things more beautiful....at least to me." she said with a small smile. Ashlin liked to believe the camera made a lot of things more beautiful. Riley thought her name was nice? Truth be told, Ashlin couldn't stand the name, maybe it was because she use to get teased and the other kids called her ashy or ashtray. "Thanks. I think Riley is pretty cool as well." she said with a smile. As far as her being determined, yes she surely was.

There wasn't really anything that Ashlin wouldn't climb to catch a great shot. Speaking of a great shot, Ashlin hurried and pull out her camera then stepped a few feet behind Riley. "OK, do you mind staying really still. The silhouette of your body and your shadow are looking good right now. And you facing the fountain is a great picture." she said as she looked and didn't bother to wait for her approval. Mentally crossing her fingers, Ashlin snapped the picture and hoped that Riley didn't mind.

It looked awesome, she knew that it would come out great. Turning the camera around, Ashlin showed Riley the picture of her facing the fountain. "What do you think?" she asked with a smile. jeez what is with the heat in this place? she asked herself as the too big hoodie came up over her head and she tossed it onto her messenger bag that was laying on the ground. She smoothed out her tank top and instantly felt a little cooler. Focusing her attention back on Riley, she wondered what her power was. Could she have an animal trait like Jacob or is she able to heal really fast like the recruiters had told her about. Either way, Ashlin wasn't going to pry and ask because she had just met this girl and didn't want to impose.

"Other photographers? I saw in the office that there is a photography club...is that still going on do you know?" she asked wondering how it would be to be among other photographers, and to be in a club no less. This school was starting to appeal to Ashlin more and more.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley could definitely agree with that. True, she loved running in the morning because then no one bothered her. But she also loved it because the views were just.... Amazing! "I get you." Riley agreed with a nod and a kind smile. But then the smile grew as Ashlin said she liked Riley's name. "Thanks! I think it fits my personality well enough." Riley joked, giving a lopsided grin in return.

But then the girl was quickly pulling out her camera and on the move again. She threw out a quick question that didn't really seem like one before saying some stuff about how Riley was standing and making a good shot. Again!? Wow, seriously. Why do so many people like using me in pictures? I'm not THAT pretty. Seriously, there are actual models at the school, people! Riley thought but nonetheless she chuckled with amusement and held still for the girl.

Then the girl came back and showed Riley the picture, which she had to admit was pretty cool to see. "Nice! Although I still don't know why this keeps happening to me." Riley said, chuckling. "But I'm glad to help." She added, reassuring the girl she didn't mind. Because she really didm,t but she just didn't get why she was picked for pictures. But she moved on once the girl had taken off her hoodie and asked a question. The action made Riley pull down her hood as well, and take out the last earbud out.

"Oh, I have no idea." Riley confessed. "I'm still pretty new, to be honest. Transferred in." She added with a shrug and a smile. "What about you? I'm figuring you're new here. You just get recruited or transfer in?"

[Ashlin Hale]

"Oh," laughed Ashlin as she heard the girl mention that she was often other photographers muse. "sorry, didn't mean to just...you know" she said holding up the camera and being unable to find the right words to say. She tossed her camera in her bag and watched the girl take off her hoodie as well. "Yea, I'm new as well. I was recruited. Where did you transfer from if you don't mind me asking?" she asked. Seeing as how they both loved early morning, perhaps Riley and herself could become friends. She could maybe take shots of Riley while she was out running, only if Riley didn't mind of course. "And as far as this always happening to you," Ashlin smiled a bit then continued, "your beautiful. You have a unique body and face so that is what attracts photographers to you, well that's my opinion anyway." Now Ashlin didn't feel so new being that Riley was still fairly new as well, maybe they could get use to the school together.

"So, are you part of the high school or college?" she asked, hoping she would say the high school, but seeing as Ashlin have been meeting various college students lately, she knew Riley would probably be one of them as well. Sitting on the side of the fountain, she felt through her pocket and tossed a new shiny quarter into the cold water. No wish was made since she didn't believe in wishes coming true from throwing a quarter into a fountain. But then again, she didn't believe in regular people having abilities and in turn it making them extraordinary.

Putting all her attention back on Riley, she sighed a bit "You don't miss your old school? Like are you not lonely here?" she asked, but that was more of a question she was asking herself. Ashlin was a bit lonely and missing her old friends as well as her dad, and not to admit her pet lizard Riku. Now she was wishing she brought him, maybe she could call her dad and tell him to bring her when he visits. 

[Riley Forrester]

Riley only shook her head and laughed at the apology. "It's ok! I swear!" She repeated, trying to assure the girl as she grinned. "When the muse hits, it hits." It was true. Whenever Riley had a song on her mind, she'd go play. Simple as that. One does not simply fight the muse. Her brain said wisely, but Riley focused back on Ashlin when she asked a question. "I don't mind. I come from Acton Vale. It's up in Canada." She explained with a smile. Of course, she didn't add in the fire bit. Ashlin didn't need to know that.

Whoa, wait. Beautiful? Riley looked surprise to have that adjective used to describe her. Sure, she had gotten cute, and even sexy from Zoe (Which she still was unsure about). But beautiful? Not something she had heard before. it made Riley blush just a tad and instinctively run her fingers through her hair. "Oh. Thanks, although I'm not that sure about 'beautiful.' Punky, sure. And maybe the occasional cute." Riley said, chuckling.

But then they moved onto another question, for which Riley was glad. "The college. I'm guessing you're a student?" She asked curiously. All the new recruits seemed to be around that 14-16 range or something, so Riley just figured. The girl sat down and threw a quarter in the well, which made Riley smile a little before the next question was asked. Did she miss her old school? Was she lonely? Wow. Deep questions. Don't screw this up Riley. Her brain said.

So Riley mulled over it for a bit before shrugging. "Well... Yeah, I do miss it. I mean, I had my friends and all. But we keep in contact, so it's not like they disappeared. And I've met a few people here already who seem really nice. Hell, I've even made some friends." She stated with a chuckle. "Trust me, I'm sure you'll make a lot of friends yourself."

[Ashlin Hale]

"Canada? Cool. I think you're like the second person I met that came from Canada." she mentioned as she listened to Riley talk. Ashlin smirked as she saw Riley blush at her statement of her being beautiful. It was sort of cute the way she blushed and smiled. She laughed at her comment, "Yes I can agree that you are punky, maybe it's the pixie haircut." she said shrugging. Getting a haircut was always something in the back of her mind, but she just couldn't picture not being able to pull her sandy blonde hair up into a pony tail. She did however want to get some streaks in her hair, not sure what color. Looking at Riley run her fingers through her hair she giggled, "I take it you don't get compliments like beautiful often do you?" she asked while flipping her camera open and reviewing the pictures she had just taken.

Another college students, Ashlin thought to herself and laughed. Well maybe she was just destined to have older friends. When you think about it, it wasn't so bad, maybe she would be able to get into some places she normally wouldn't. "You got that right, I'm a students. I just turned 16 a few weeks ago." she told her. "I've met a few people. I'm starting to like it here, I do get lonely but it's not as bad as I thought it would be when I first arrived." Closing her camera and gently putting it back in her bag, Ashlin looked over at Riley. "I talk to my old friends back and, and my dad even more. I'm a daddies girl so it's more or so him that I really miss." she said as blushed a little bit. Every girl didn't admit that she was a daddies girl,  but Ashlin was one to quickly say it, she loved her dad to pieces.

"Just to warn you a bit, I'm such a rambling person. I ask many questions that normal people won't ask when they are first meeting someone." she said with a laugh and hoping that didn't turn Riley off from being friendly with her. She cleared her throat and tried to muster up the cutest smile she could, "So, are you dating anyone? Or crushing?" she asked mainly because Ashlin had to live her love life through other people because she had not one single once of love in her life. Honestly, she wanted to run back into that boy who she accidentally bumped into on her first day. The boy with the beautiful green eyes.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley blinked. "Really? Cool! Who else have you met already?" Riley asked, curious. The only people she knew so far from there was Val and one of the old teachers from Acton Vale. But then there was the smirk thing at Riley's blush, followed by the compliment that made Riley grin. "Probably. That and my usual attire is much more punky than this." She admitted with a shrug. "And no, No I don't." Riley answered with a chuckle and a shrug.

But then the girl was answering her question. She was, indeed, a student, so Riley had guessed right. Woo! Riley's brain cried triumphantly. And then the girl went on about turning 16 only a little while ago, and that she did like the school. That made Riley smile. "Hey, happy late birthday then." She said with a lopsided grin. "And I'm glad you like it." But then the girl was blushing as she confessed she was a daddy's girl, which only made Riley smile warmly. Dawwww, she's like Val. "One of my friends is like that. It's cute. Don't sweat it." She assured the girl.

Riley laughed at the warning, grinning back at her. "I don't mind as long as you don't mind corniness. Cause I'm definitely one of the corniest people you'll ever meet." She stated. It was true, and she might as well warn the girl before she accidentally went off on one of her cheesy bits. But then Riley was drawn back as the girl was putting on a super cute smile and asking her about crushes and dating. Whoa, wait. Is she... hitting on me? Riley thought. But then her brain quickly pushed that away. No, probably not. She decided. Still, the question made Riley blush a little and look away-- although a smile was tugging on her lips. "Yeah. Crushing though. We ain't together-together." She confessed with a shrug before looking at the girl and raising an eyebrow, smirking. "What about you?"

[Ashlin Hale]

"I've met a guy named Jacob and ummm a girl named Devyn, all in college. I think I'm a magnet for you college folk." she said with a giggle. Punk attire is what Ashlin lived off of. She had plenty of clothes that she ordered from dollskill.com. "My attire is about the same. I probably have a few outfits that aren't punk just to make my dad happy. If it was up to him, he'd replace my whole attire, I can't live without my slouch pants and combat boots." she said pointing to her favorite pair of red combat boots and her black slouch pants that read Hell Bent on the crouch. She didn't get compliments often? thought Ashlin as she raised an eyebrow and was wondering what was wrong with this school. Riley was obviously gorgeous, but not many compliments.

"Thanks! It wasn't such a great party though." she sighed thinking back on that day. It was suppose to be the greatest day of her teenage life but it turned out to be horrid. Her party didn't even last for the amount of time it was suppose to. One call for that woman and everything was ruined. Lucky her dad came to the rescue and made sure the party goers got food as well as cake, they did leave some pretty awesome presents though. "I think all girls should be able to know what it's like to be a daddies girl. Some of my friends back home didn't have their dads so I tried not to gloat about mine in front of them." she shrugged and her smile was beginning to betray her, thinking of her father was making her a tad bit sad. "Anyway," she said. "Oh I seriously doubt that Riley. I've met my fair share of corny people, in fact your looking at one." she said while hitting her chest like Tarzan would do then letting out a laugh.

"Awwww you're crushing! But if you're crushing why aren't you two together? Does this guy not know you like him?" she asked while scooting closer to Riley. What about you?she heard her ask, ha, yea right. I think I sweat boy repellent or something. she thought then cracked a fake smile and shook her head. "Nope no crush or boyfriend to speak of. I'm only 16 so maybe I'm still developing some kind of boy pheromone to where they'll see I exist." she said and laughed.

Although Ashlin was making light of the situation she kind of did want to have a crush on a boy, but most of the guys at her school and the ones she knew went after the taller more developed girls. Standing at only 5'4, Ashlin couldn't help it if she was possibly slower than other girls her age to grow some boobs and bum. Letting out a deep sigh, she looked back at Riley, "You should cease the day, let this guy know you exist and just give him a huge wet one right on the lips." she said while laughing and falling to the grass.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley wracked her brain trying to think if she knew anyone by those names. Hmm..... Nope, I've got nothing. Her brain said. Still Riley chuckled at the girl's joke and shrugged. "Eh, that's not bad. A lot of them are cool." She stated. But then the girl revealed that her outfits were similar and Riley perked up. "Really? Nice! I definitely understand you there." Riley confirmed with a nod and a grin. This girl seemed pretty cool, especially if she liked punk outfits too!

"Oh. Sorry to hear about that." Riley said honestly. She didn't want to pry though. It might be personal. And the girl was already moving on, although it was still a bit sad. Riley could see the smile on her face fading, and it made her sympathetic. But once again, she moved on, and Riley didn't linger in a subject that seemed sad. Instead, she raised an eyebrow and grinned. "I don't know. I'm pretty bad." She said, chuckling.

Then there was the exclamation on her crushing that just made Riley blush a bit more. And made her grin since the girl thought it was on a guy. Should I tell her now? Eh, maybe not just yet. Riley decided. Still, she ran her fingers through her hair at the question. "Well... We're taking it slow. Sort of. I don't think we really have a pace to be honest." Riley confessed. At the girl's comment, Riley scoffed. "Trust me, you'll have a boyfriend in no time. You seem like a neat gal, Ashlin." Riley complimented with a smirk.

But then Riley laughed heartily, imagining her 'seizing the day' with Zoe. She had no idea how that would go. She'd probably be numb by the end of it from Zoe's powers. "I already have. We're just not official" She said, grinning. "And hey, you laughing at me?" She accused with a raised eyebrow, but the tone she used was playful

[Ashlin Hale]

"I think taking it slow is a pace. Some do that so they won't mess up in the beginning right?" she asked scratching her head. She was in no way capable of talking about relationships or giving advice about them because she'd never been in one. And the ones she had the pleasure of seeing wasn't exactly magical. Hmmm, a boyfriend in no time huh. Ashlin smirked then shrugged. That's where Ashlin was unsure of. She wanted to date but then again she didn't want to date anyone exclusively. Hell, she was only 16 so what was the need to get serious for? But then again, she did only want somebody just for her, someone who would make her feel special, someone who she can act crazy with. A long sigh escaped her lips, "Yeah, I am pretty neat huh. And I won't have one if all I run into are college guys" she said giggling. "College guys don't date, nor do they like 16 year old girls. And short 16 year old girls at that." she said then made a fake pout.

"What's with that not official crap? I mean if 2 people like each other enough not to want to deal with anybody else then why NOT be official?" she asked sincerely wanting to know the answer to that question. Just like she was confused at the so called marriage between her father and mother. He had not sent her the divorce papers to her other apartment in New York which is where she was staying at the moment. Ashlin herself knew the marriage was over long ago but her dad couldn't seem to let her go. There were a lot she didn't understand about relationships, but maybe she could learn from her older friends here at the academy.

"Ummm no ma'am I wouldn't dream of laughing AT you, I was merely laughing WITH you Riley." she said with a big grin. Maybe this was the beginning of a great friendship between Ashlin and Riley. She giggled and stretched her body across the grass and squinted a little since the sun wanted to beam right in her eyes. "I am so caffeine deprived that it hurts." she mentioned as she looked at her watch to see what time it was. She was sure that most of the students were probably up by now and making their way to their bathrooms. She wondered if the cafe opened up yet. She wanted to snag a banana nut muffin before they were gone.

"Hey, are you getting hungry too? We should go to the cafe and get some of the fresh breakfast before all those little finger germs are over everything." Ashlin said while smiling but being very serious as well. She dusted off the back of her pants then pull her messenger bag over her head. Walking over to Riley, she smiled, "I know you're hungry, I just heard your stomach growl," Ashlin heard the noise again then blushed, "never mind, that was mine." she said as her face grew dark red.

I can just taste that deliciously warm muffin and my sweet and milky coffee right now. She licked her lips and looked back at Riley as she took a few steps towards the cafe.

[Riley Forrester]

Riley thought about that one. "Huh. Yeah, I guess you're right." Riley confirmed. Her and Zoe's pace was slow but... not. It was... hard to describe really. Like biking up a steep hill at top speed. It's hard, but you're still going pretty slow no matter how hard you're pushing. Huh.... I should remember that one. That one's good. Riley thought as she listened to Ashlin speak about the boy thing. The comment about the college boys only made Riley raise and eyebrow and shrug. "Hey, you never know. And some people like petite girls. They're usually cuter, so don't sell yourself out yet." Riley instructed with a grin.

The question made Riley think, scratching the back of her head. Why weren't she and Zoe official yet? Well... Riley's brain started, trailing off a little. So Riley just decided to say whatever came to mind first. "Well... It's kinda like that slow pace thing I guess. We don't want to rush things, so we're just 'dating' and not actually together-together. In case things don't really work out during the whole dating phase thing so we don't end up hurting each other in a real relationship." Riley said. Wow. Look at you go Riles. Giving speeches on relationships. Her brain said helpfully.

Riley snickered at Ashlin's assurance that the girl had been laughing with Riley instead of at her. "That's what they all say." Riley teased jokingly before chuckling and watching the girl stretch. The comment on the caffeine deprived thing made Riley chuckle, and then the girl was mentioning a cafe and getting up, embarrassed as her stomach growled and she accidentally blamed it on Riley. "Sure! And mine's probably going to ru--" And of course, just then her stomach growled. It made Riley blink before laughing and following the girl. "I rest my case!"