Not At Fault

[Cash Hunter]

                        

| Tagged: Jeremiah Johnson |

Shit. Shit shit shit shit.

Cash Hunter had gone running again that morning, without using his super speed of course. After an hour and his legs were beginning to feel the strain of the muscles, he stopped his run and decided to pop into one of the shops downtown for brunch. Since he had been running in the area, it did not take him long to choose a cafe for his meal.

It was midday, and it was lunch hour. Just his luck -- not. Since the young man skipped breakfast that morning and gone straight to exercise, he had worked himself quite an appetite. But unfortunately for Cash, once he was about to pay for his sandwich he realized he had stupidly left his wallet back at the dorm.

The lady behind the register would not be swayed. She said she would hold the sandwich for twenty minutes and if he did not pay for it then he could say goodbye to it. With an empty stomach, the boy had little energy to use his power. So he ran back to the academy the old fashion way.

He only had one goal in mind which was to run straight to his dorm and get his wallet and run straight back to his sandwich. Cash paid little attention to his surrounding which caused him run straight into another boy and tumble to the ground.

"Ow!"

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Well it could be worse...Right?

Those mere words keeps echoing, lock into his mind as the young teen begin to travel from his classroom. He wasn't in trouble, thank God, but his instinct suddenly kicked in during class, prompting his wolf to handle the nerve wreaking test that they had; in fact, his wolf thought that tearing the room up a bit would help with the already embarrassing moment! So, for summary, he had to stay after class to clean up the mess he didn't intended. A little 'sorry' and added with 'it won't happen again', Jeremiah was free to leave after his pity promises that he can't keep but he try to remain calm with a smile printed on his dry face. A fake smile as usual.

Combing through his soft hair with thin fingers, his oceanic blue eyes scan the now empty and peaceful hallways, but the scent of the place storm through his nose that countless of students had once roam this scene. 'I wonder if there's a pack on campus...' he thought to himself, dazing himself running amok through the nearby forest with others like him. Ha! The thought of him circling around with his kind is promising, but amusing at the same time. Him with bigger, stronger, possibly anger prone students? Not his first ride because of his half brother, but cloning him is the same with that wish. Oh well, it's nice to be alone at least. Like it or not.

Jeremiah finally enter the dorm section of the building, quiet but at least a few faces is here and there, but he didn't engage them nor talk to them. Almost to his room, Jeremiah quickly turn a corner, not realizing someone was coming as well making the two crash to each other! He fell backwards and slam his body hard on the floor, swearing. "Damn it...I'm...sorry..."

[Cash Hunter]

                        

He was making good time. Since running was a passion of his, even before he manifested, Cash Hunter could effort to exert himself a little bit more. No matter how much his muscles were yelling at him to stop, his stomach forced himself to keep going. He was going at a good pace and he really believed he would make it back to the cafe for his sandwich in time.

But that was before he ran into another boy.

Due to the momentum, Cash was sent to the ground hard. Now not only were the muscles in his calves were aching but his upper body as well. "What the hell," he groaned as he was sprawled on the ground. Great. His growling stomach did not help much either.

The older boy scoffed. "You're sorry? Perfect," he said in annoyance. He knew it was not the other boy's fault but his instead because he should not have been running in the halls in the first place. But a little part of him was kinda happy that the other boy was taking the blame.

Not forgetting his goal, Cash glanced at his watch hopefully only to have it thrown back at him when he realized he had only five minutes left before his sandwich was not on hold anymore. "Un-fucking-believable," he cursed under his breath. Still on the ground, he shut his eyes and called out to the other boy.

"You okay, man?"

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Rubbing the back of his head, Jeremiah tries to lift himself, staring at the other student with both worry, but annoyance at the same time. "Seriously, why don't people ever look at where they're going! Jerk!" he thought to himself. His eyes rage when the scoffing of the boy can be heard, but quickly as it came, the teen breath in and safely calm down before he let the anger travel. Now on a sitting position, Jeremiah silently smell the strange boy from afar, smelling a fresh scent of coffee and muffin surrounding him; it was clear that he came straight from a coffee shop or something. Evening rush? Yet he's still an asshole.

It was a surprise when the words of concern flew from this guy's mouth, dubbing him not a bad guy after all. "Yeah..Yeah, I'm fine. You too? Need help?" ask Jeremiah, finally pulling himself upwards until he hover the other, then extend his arms out for him.

[Cash Hunter]

                        

After calling out to the other boy and shutting his eyes, images of the juicy sandwich flew through his mind. The juicy slices of meat, fresh chilled vegetable and freshly baked bread that was soft he felt he did not mind making a bed out of it. Ah. That would make a nice afternoon meal for the boy.

But no. That was not happening.

Instead of satisfying his growling stomach, Cash Hunter was sprawled on the ground. Nowhere near where he wanted to be. What did I do to deserve this? He thought grumpily. But really he was just being a little over dramatic. His eyes opened when the other voice pierced through.

He let out a heavy sigh before he took the helping hand and heaved himself up onto a sitting position. Because standing seemed like too much of an effort at the moment. "Thanks. Yeah, it's cool. Sorry about that. Say, you got any food? I think I'd accept anything at this point."

[Jeremiah Johnson]

After feeling the hand of the teen, Jeremiah quickly pull him up, revealing a nice smile as he listen. Nodding by the apologies Jeremiah's face daze with confuse when the other asked for a meal, something that he wish he had already. Wait! He did!

Gripping his back pack and slamming it yo the ground, he knee down beside it and start digging through the bundle of over stack books; the bag was stuff was an arsenal of homework from his pervious classes and decrepit books from home that he took with him before he left home, even unnecessary crap that he brought from the supply store. After scouting forever, an object fold in a foil was held gently between Jeremiah's fingers. "Here. You can have my lunch. I don't know why I keep eating it, it'll just keep making me sick because it's meat...Are you a meat lover?" The teen stare at Cash, hoping that he'll accept this meal.

[Cash Hunter]

                        

Cash Hunter was already feeling like a deflated balloon. His voice had carried false hope when he had asked the boy for any food. He was not expecting anything out of it but it never hurt to try his luck -- even though he ran out of it with the sandwich back at the cafe.

But as ever, the universe never failed to help out the young man. It was a little shock to him when the other boy had slammed his bag to the ground. It took awhile as he dug through that bag of his. Which only made Cash wonder what exactly he had stored in there. He figured the boy was probably still in high school, judging by how much younger he looked. But even still, Cash never had that big of a back pack. But he did not read too much into it as the boy produced a foil wrapped object.

"God bless you," he exclaimed. Cash gladly accepted it. His greedy hands were already working to unwrap the foil to reveal its contents when he stopped midway. "Yes..." Returning his gaze back to the boy, he cocked an eyebrow in questioning. "Are you somehow allergic to meat? Or vegetarian? What exactly is in this?"

[Jeremiah Johnson]

The sparks in Jeremiah's eyes burst while smiling, gladly donating his meal to Cash. It has been awhile since someone actully accept a gift from him in the past, but now...life changed him, metaphorical and figuratively. Of course, he should speak out more to peers around his age if he should be 'label' as one if cool kids here; then after, his instinct is scratching out his mind to just flee the scene. Again. Sighing at this conflict Jeremiah simply tape back his smile as Cash did as well. After zipping back and pulling the book bag over his his shoulder, the teen watch as the other immediately begin to unravel the foiling up meat, but suddenly asked him in a buzzard question of his diet and the food.

"No. In fact, a love meat more than vegetables! I guess the food isn't tangy enough for my taste buds." he explain, pause as he look at the revealing simply meat with no bread. "I was on my way to class when I decided to get a quick snack...But I can't remember what I got. Chicken? Turkey?"

The meat was flop sideways, still fresh looking but it take the shape of an unfamiliar figure.

[Cash Hunter]

                        

He watched the other boy with curiosity. He was bizarrely happy when Cash Hunter had accepted his offering. It was a little puzzle for the nineteen year old. But one that gave him a thought that fed into his ego. Since he was Mr. Popular, he supposed the younger boy was glad his gift was taken or even just the fact that his existence was acknowledged. However, Cash was not a delusional one so the latter sounded too far fetch. Though he found it highly amusing if it was true.

His eyebrow was still arched as he listened to the other boy rattle off about his food preferences. He was not going to comment on it. At that moment, Cash was just glad and thankful he did not have to go far searching for food. His fingers continued making their way tearing through the foil. Curiosity was still latched on his face.

Once the foil was peeled, both eyebrows shoot up in surprised. It was far from the sandwich he ordered not that long ago at the cafe. No bread, no lettuce, tomatoes, onions, any vegetable really. Just this chunk of meat.

Slowly, he tilted his head, looking at the boy. "I have no idea what this is but...I see you like em rare." If it was cooked -- even that was up for debate.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Jeremiah's mind was still trap in a swirling puzzle, forgetting that someone was nearby. The thought of the meal was a test of memory, but what kind of memory suddenly vanished like that; the meal was held in his bag not long ago, in fact just in between classes he took before! The only clear memory was that he was walking through the shops for a quick meal before the bell rang...But something or someone caused a sudden blackout. Was he attacked? No, then he would have felt the pain throbbing on his head or body. Well, whatever the case, he just knew that he had a meal to share it with this kid.

Jeremiah's mind flash back into reality as he soon see Cash opening up the foil, his his face shot upwards in surprise as if he never seen food before! Just when Cash comment on his choice of meat, he laugh in reply. "I guess I do! Or maybe it was left by some old fool that forgot to order bread from the shop!" he smile, then point at the meat. "I can help put all of your favorite bits to make a real sandwich. I was on my way to my dorm anyway."

[Cash Hunter]

                        

Well, Cash Hunter had certainly seen food before. It was the thing he saw frequently everyday. More than what he assumed the average number of times a person should face it. But he rarely was handed a big fat chunk of meat wrapped in a foil just like that. And looking juicy and so very red. Now that would have to be rectified if he was going to let that enter his stomach.

He smiled gratefully and agreed to follow him to his dorm to make the best out of the chunk of meat. Of course, Cash could have just gone to his own dorm and make do with whatever he could find in his refrigerator, but the other boy was being a good sport. It did not hurt to accept the help that was gladly offered to him. So after wrapping back the meat, he stood and followed the younger boy.

Once inside, the two made their way to the kitchenette. "Hey if you don't mind, I'm gonna grill this piece of meat if that's alright." He took out the pan and busied himself with making sure the meat was at least medium rare. Since his mind was preoccupied with the task at hand, Cash had momentarily forgotten about his empty stomach. But when everything was prepared, the meal that greeted him was a sight that made his mouth water. Oh yes.

He made himself comfortable as if it was his own dorm and beamed up at the other boy. "Let's dig in!"

[Jeremiah Johnson]

After agreeing to him, Jeremiah soon herd the two back into his room, knowing that no one was coming over. Thankfully he had the key to unlock the door and lead them to the kitchen where Cash quickly begin cooking the meat. Jeremiah's eyes bounce back to the other as he soon ask to use the grill, which he quickly nod and accept; he never use the stove anyway, so he can use it as he please.

So while the other teen steam up the stove and meat, Jeremiah let his book bag slide off of his aching back and a soft plop can be heard as the bag connection to the floor. "Everything seem normal..." he thought to himself, flopping down himself on the couch in the other room. In a matter of fact, something seem off but he can't spot it, it was truly nerve wreaking! Eyes swift around the entire room, staring at the blank TV, the arsenal set of pictures and other worldly items on shelves, and the hanging plant dangling by the shiny ray of light from the window; however, these subjects was the cause of his sudden fear.

Soon after, sweat start to tickle down his brows, feeling the need to shift to something else. To something not him entirely. Before his change was sum up, his mind force his instinct to calm down, making everything in his system to shut down, bringing himself to slim over on the couch. The sweating may have stop, but now his smile was wipe off and replace with a depress frown. Hearing the familiar voice, Jeremiah look up trying to hold the best smile he can. "No, um, no. I...I didn't even get your name...Je...Jeremiah is my name..."

[Cash Hunter]

                        

As he was left alone to tend to the food, he did not mind the absence of the other boy. He was already kind enough to give him the chunk of meat and now even let him raid his kitchen to satisfy his craving! So it was no big deal. Plus, Cash wanted to find his own way around because asking for more help would make him feel that much more indebted towards the younger boy. No. He would not have that. If anything other people should be owing him, not the other way around. He had gone through life with that principal -- out of the many he has -- and he was not going to change it anytime soon.

Cash of course had been oblivious to the other boy's worries and fears. It was not his dorm and he never been in there before, so whatever he saw he thought was the ordinary. But if there were broken furniture, or shattered glass or anything of that sort then perhaps that would have sent alarm bells to his mind. But the dorm looked like any other normal dorm.

Once the nineteen year old had the food all set up, he prepared a piece of sandwich for the other boy as well. It was a kind gesture and the fact that the chunk of meat was more than enough to feed the two. Even if it was "not tangy enough" for his taste buds, at least Cash tried. So when he walked into the other room, with two plates in hand, he announced the food nonchalantly.

Blue eyes eyed the younger boy curiously as he stuttered. Huh. "Cash Hunter. Bet you already knew that," said Cash in a playful tone. Well he was popular so he naturally assumed people knew of him. "You sure you don't want any? I'm pretty sure it's tasty." He placed the plate near Jeremiah before taking a seat in a chair across from him. "What's up with you, you look like you went for a run," he joked.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Letting the soft, cool air bath in his lungs, he was finally calmed down when enough breathing was set to normal than his usual rapid heart beats like earlier. The place was finally clear of any interactions to pat down, so the only thought of his sudden change was because a stranger step foot into his 'territory' without mentioning his name, but since his scent was now everywhere and so was his voice familiar, the younger teen can relax. If you can call it that.

"I hope the other kid know his way around the kitchen..." Jeremiah thought to himself, hearing the steaming pop of the meat grilling and cooking. He soon lift his body to check on Cash, but he quickly eyed the boy holding two plates towards his way surprising him. "I guess he does!"

When Cash announced his name and mentioned to he already knew, Jeremiah simply shake his head admit his lack of knowledge of him; he was new to the school, so that can be a good excuse. Cash? The named sound weird but he to call him out on it. Jeremiah stare at the plate of food, eyeing it at its perfection, it look too good not to pass up definitely if someone else cooked it for you! Hands quickly grab the sandwich weakly before the small bite chew on the bread and meat flavor. Still tangy but also a thought appeared in his mind of the meat...something not normal.

Cash's voice cut through his thoughts and his eyes look up at him, then he shallow. "It's...It's nothing. Thanks for the food Cash. How is it? Good?"

[Cash Hunter]

                        

He naturally assumed Jeremiah knew of him since he was Mr. Popular. Okay, so Cash Hunter was a little vain, cocky, over confident most at times but that was a part of the charm. Although it helped him a lot esecially with the ladies, not necessarily everyone appreciated it. There was a fine line between being cocky and a jerk and there were countless times Cash ended up being either one.

A lazy smirk formed on his lips as he watched the other boy making movee on the sandwich. Now that was more like it. The feeling of owing the boy was shrinking and he leaned back in satisfaction. He liked to work off his debts as quickly as possible because one of the things the nineteen year old never liked was being in the position to do favors for others.

He waved his hand in the air. "Hey, it's no big deal. I was already making one," he said, shrugging. Finally he took his first bite of the sandwich. It seemed as thought he could not get the food down fast enough. Oh and he was fast. After a couple bites, Cash was already halfway through it. He had definitely been hungry.

"Since I am one to brag, it's hella satisfying," said the dark haired boy good naturedly. "So I've never seen you around. How new are you?" Usually, he was not one to ask but since they would be together for a while, might as well make conversation.