If the music's too loud, just move closer

[Allison Rivers]

Jeremiah Johnson  

Alice found herself at another party. Music blaring in her ears and people dancing close together. She found it strange that she almost always found herself in the same position, in the middle of the crowd dancing by herself and everyone at the same time. It wasn't long until she had forgotten where the sea of people ended and where she began. Something that she had been good at was losing herself int he music and luckily it just didn't have to be music she was playing. One song blended into two and then two into three and pretty soon she had no idea how long she was on the dance floor. The music had changed an became something that she couldn't fake not having a partner to dance with to. She moved herself expertly through the crowd of heavily influenced teens to the drink cooler outside.

The night was clear and not as cold as normal winter night in Montana. Something that was a miracle in itself, so she took her soda and sited herself on the patio rail. It would seem that everyone had found someone to dance to, the medium sized patio wasn't as packed as it had been before, but the music was still ringing in her hears loud enough to know, the sounded was deafening inside. Even if she wanted to continue dancing to whatever slow song was playing in side, she didn't envy the people that were. Even watching dancing was somewhat amazing to her, how everyone could do it so different.

She noticed a familiar face sitting on the patio, and decided to make a new friend. She had seen him around school enough that she was comfortable talking to him. She dropped down from her place on the rail and moved over to the other side. "Hi! my name is Alice" she said offering her hands towards the taller boy.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Another party, another damn hours lost as usual. Jeremiah sigh heavily, gripping his empty cup as he wander why he even joined this group in the first place. Don't get him wrong, partying use to blend into his core long ago, but now, while everything is all flashing lights and bodies push together, it was all the same to him. One person get drunk; girls on girls, boys on boys, or girls on boys making out; the "remix" of music ringing aloud; and the obviously passed out person lounging about the couch. All cliches in this typical party; however, even though he knew what was bond to happen, why did he come along? He been asking that question since the beginning of the party and letting the thought echo through his mind without any conclusion to this mind game of his. He watch his phone, eyeing the text message that his half brother gave him not long ago.

Party at a friend's house! Don't be late...And bring a girl or boy, whatever you dig!

"Fuck you." he thought to himself after pushing the phone back into his pocket. The music was gradually getting loud to the point that sweat soon fumble and rain down on his face; the swift movement of everyone quickly daze his eyes! Panicking, Jeremiah push his way into the rowdy crowd into his position was on the open space of the patio. Thank goodness it was only a few souls outside than inside.

The young teen peek at the beautiful night with his oceanic blue eyes, smiling that somewhere above him, his mother was smiling down on him. Well he hope. Not paying attention to his surroundings, a sudden voice slice through his thought as a female offer out her name and hand at him. "Um...Jeremiah..." he reply, extending his hand as well.

[Allison Rivers]

Alice smiled, at least she wasn't completely ignored, it would seem no matter how many parties she went to there was that one person who thought they were better than everything else. Of course she wasn't sure if he was pretending or not but she liked to give people the benefit of the doubt. It wasn't her business if they didn't want to talk to people, some people liked to be alone and she respected that, "It's nice to meet you Jeremiah" She said smiling brightly, at least she was making one friend.

"Not to intrude or anything but did you come out here for the sky or the noise?" She was a curious soul, and it would help her make a conversation. Both were good reasons, especially since Montana had beautiful starry nights. The kind that made you want to pitch and tent and sleep outside. She tried it once, her hair wrapped around a near by bush and it made for an interesting morning after.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Looking at her smile, he can't help but copy as well, beaming his blue eyes on her. He have no idea but it was now contagious! "Nice to meet you too Alice! Enjoying the party?" His voice may stream nicely, but really he was being sarcastic in his second comment. Before he knew it, his eyes was dancing at Alice's choice of clothing and take a quick glimpse at his wardrobe; in contract with his, her clothes are far better with her white pelt jacket and finishing it with a beautiful black dress, even her shoes are far better! In his style, he didn't realize that he was either overdress or just your typical slacker at a party with his stripe long sleeves shirt and normal blue jean pants and black sneakers. He just label as 'loner'.

Before he can finish his thoughts, Alice cut through his mind again as she asked him a question, which he reply in a shaking of his head. "I guess the sky. The noise there was getting too loud for me, but the night sky here is far more beautiful than flashing lights and stuff."

In a matter of fact, he once remembered once when his parents were together. They would all travel up a trail to hike and enjoy a nice and quiet time together. Too bad that didn't lost long liked he hoped for.

[Allison Rivers]

Alice nodded a bit, she didn't really catch the sarcasm. She wouldn't have guessed that he was there for any other reason than him wanting to be. Mostly because Alice had decided to live her life for herself, and less for other people. Alice did catch him looking her over but she didn't say anything, nope she wasn't going to call him out. Her eyes darted towards what he was wearing but couldn't find anything wrong with it. She wasn't really all that judgmental of what others were wearing. She felt that everyone had the right to wear what they wanted, after all fashion was just another form of creativity.

Alice smiled "I actually came out here because I don't like slow songs, but the sky is beautiful." She said smiling wistfully at the sky, sometimes she wanted to try and count the stars, even though she knew it would be impossible. "The music does get kind of loud though, the trick is to focus on something..or someone else. I think that why most people bring dates to parties." It was either that or a designated driver, she had been one of those numerous times.

She moved slightly on the rail t make her self more comfortable "I've seen you around at a few parties, do you go to alot?"

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Jeremiah look back at her as she begin to speak, and agree to the sky at this night. It was beautiful out here than back home; more sky and less lights glaring at your face to see them. "Heh, yeah, slow songs are not my specializes..." he chuckle, but when she announce that slow songs are meant for another person, his face blushes to red. He had dance in the past before but only to himself. He never thought about dancing with someone else, especially a female at that case! "Like going on a date?! No, just me alone."

His head slowly place on his arms as he begin to lean forward on the rail. When Alice asked him a question, he simple nod slightly. "Mostly, but only if there are food there! My brother just dragged me here because of the girls...But I don't see him yet. The fourth time this month." A sigh fly through his mouth as he lift his head back up and eye at Alice. "And you? You're partying because of the guys here or just to have fun?"

[Allison Rivers]

Alice tilted her head to the side, she was sure that he would be the one to want to be around people. After all didn't everyone want someone they could rely on to be there through it all? Then again Alice for as closed off as she was, she was a hopeless romantic. She dreamed about meeting someone and falling in love. It was kind of weird she was always looking for someone in the crowd of people whens he was normally too wasted to even contemplate anyone beyond a good dance partner. "Why not? Slow songs are the easiest songs to dance to."

Alice smiled and hopped down from the railing "Would you like to dance with me?" She asked holding out her hand. She was kind of hoping that he wouldn't say no. She would feel horrible if she got reject after trying to show someone the wonders of dancing with someone. Plus he seemed to be the most sober person around her at the moment, less of a chance of him feeling her up. "Ah, Im always at parties, mostly because I get invited, and just for the fun. I normally don't have good experience with guys at parties, they normally drink to much and get handsy. Though you seem seem sober enough.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

When she mention the now theme slow dance, the teen chuckle a little bit before shake his head. "No...Not to me it isn't. If you see me dancing to it, I'll look like a stick trying to dance!" Although he didn't mean true to his words, just dancing in general wasn't his greatest abilities; thankfully he mostly avoided the dance team club last week. Just when his eyes swift back to the sky, Alice's body suddenly fly off the rail, scaring him for a bit as she reach out for him and invited him for a dance on their own. His face flush with an amazing rose feature.

Jeremiah shrug his shoulders, just thinking about dancing or even surrounding himself with other unfamiliar faces is just...creepy. Not that he doesn't like other people, it just that blending his body with some random girl at a party he clearly was forced to go wasn't a good thought; however, just talking to someone new seem to going well. Alice seem to be the only one willing to not be in the cliche of circles! Having no other choice, Jeremiah leap on over the rail and touch her hand. "We...er...should do this...alone?" his voice quickly begin to crack as his face still swirl in blushing from the single prick of her hand.

[Allison Rivers]

Alice smiled knowningly, she knew that most people weren't great dancers and that was okay. Most people were already too far gone to notice a bad dancer, hell they were bad dancers themselves. They had absoultely no room to judge, than again most teeangers were worried about apperances. She happened to be one of them at times. "Don't worry, I promise not to get mad if you step on my feet" She said smiling brightly up at her soon to be dance partner.

She was surprised when he took her up on her offer. He seemed nervous so she gave him an encouraging smile. "DOn't worry, we can stay right here an dance. She showed him where to place his hands, not that he wouldn't know but he just seemed like the shy type. Another slow came on and she waited for him to be to start the dance she wasn't in a rush.

"At least when the people who dragged you here ask you can say you danced with someone" she gave him a smirk as she hummed along to the song. She was pretty sure she had made at least a partial friend, and would make sure to look for him at up coming parties.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Seeing her smile and the softness of her voice return him to blush, Jeremiah soon start counting down many times he was shut down on females of the past; however, looking at her and feeling her hand gripping his, his mind suddenly flourish as this time she would be unlike the others-- She would be by his side.

Following her orders, his hands soon land correctly on her as they stand together as the slow music begin to play; her humming start with the song, connecting the melody together, but Jeremiah's feet was frozen shut on the empty ground. His mind swirl, his stomach crouch deeply almost making him puke on the first girl he had spoken to in months, and his eyes twitch in a nervous band. He must look like a fool to her. Well, it's now or never!

Holding his breath and closing his eyes, Jeremiah begin to step back then forth in an awkward rhythm section hoping that Alice can follow suit in his clumsiness pursuit. "Damn it, damn it damn it!!" his mind echo, shouting at himself silently.

[Allison Rivers]

Alice was a very paitent person and she could tell he was nervous. She figured it was because his dancing was terrible. However she wasn't going to say anything, instead she just followed his clumsy footsteps. She was careful not to get her footstepped on. "See this isn't so bad right? You're doing great!"

She hoped she was being encouraging, she didnt want him to run away. She could understand flight or fight responses. If hers made her run away why wouldn't someone else's? Still he had gotten this far so perhaps that's progress. "So Jeremiah, tell me about yourself"

She was hoping talking would get his his mind off the awkward slow dance they were doing. Even if she was having fun, she still wanted to.make sure he was having fun also.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

As the two rhythm (if you can call it that) each other dance together, Jeremiah kinda of feel at ease with her already, even if he moving his legs to appear like he is doing something. He should do this often to get the hang of it...no, no the thought sweep pass fast; however, at least he's having fun, and it seem Alice rather enjoying herself as well. Yes! Playing it smooth! His eyes keep sliding up and down upon his feet and his new friend, but her voice capture his attention and her question actually made him chuckle a little. "Ha! That's a load off my chest! I guess my dancing isn't that bad after all..." His face lit up with a calm smile, reassuring Alice that he is now relax from dancing. But what really surprise him is her choice of words of getting to know him. "Well, what's there to know? I'm just your typical guy hanging around in parties like a creep. But if there is something I would say...hm...I'm a newcomer in this grand school called Bellefont. I'm not special." Now that is a full on lie, knowing fully that his change of coat lays a wolf; however, from a town filled with strange wonders, saying 'Hey, I'am a wolf' will make people think he belong in a mental hospital.

[Allison Rivers]

Alice nodded "Dancing is easy, you just gotta lose yourself in the music sometimes" She said smiling, she had gotten him to loosen up a bit. She never understood why people would lure someone unsocial to the party and leave them alone. She was a firm believer that everyone had to have at least one friend. They would totally go crazy if they didn't.

"Now I don't believe that, everyone's special. Even if you don't think so. No two people are the same" She said laughing gently. "Besides you don't want a weird power like, turning things upside down when you laugh right?"