Can I Not

[Xander Scott]

| Tagged: Jace Webster |

"Attention to Xander Scott, please report to the main office. I repeat, Xander Scott please report to the main office. Thank you."

The boy shoved his books into his book bag and grumpily trudged out the classroom, not paying attention to the pairs of eyes that followed him except for giving a slight nod to the one at the front of the classroom. He knew he was not in trouble, at least not the serious kind of trouble, but he had a rough idea as to why he was called out for. Well, it was not like he would be missing anything since the class he was in was not even one of his.

Once he reached the front desk, the lady behind it gave him a tight smile, daring him to make a run for it -- again. He returned it with a small wave and went to take a seat. Since Xander Scott was the new kid, he was assigned a 'buddy' that would basically show him around and all that stuff -- to which he had been avoiding during his still short time at the academy.

So he sat and waited for this 'buddy' of his.

[Jace Webster]

Having been one of the early bloomers, Jace had been at the school for quite some time. He was friends with nearly everyone he met, the faculty seemed to like him a lot and he was a good student involved in plenty of activities. Just as his best friend had done for him, Jace had volunteered as a guide of sorts to newer students. It was a way for them to befriend someone who already had the school dialed in and knew what they were doing and where they were going. Nate had been his and now Jace was meeting the person he would be showing around.

The guy, older than Jace from what he'd been told, had been avoiding the meeting and the tour. The telepath didn't take it personally and even understood how hard it was coming to Bellefonte. His mother had been here, so he at least had someone to reference and once Nate became his friend, he felt even more comfortable. It was a matter of time, space and comfort until BA started feeling a little bit more like home.

As he reached the office, he gave the lady behind the desk a bright smile and waved at her once she greeted him. She gestured towards the boy sitting and waiting and Jace nodded to himself, "S-so you're, uh, Xander, r-right?" His stuttering was luckily not as bad as he'd been expecting, but it still frustrated him when he did it. This guy was going to think Jace was some loser or something and although Jace didn't quite mind what people thought of him, it still wasn't something he wanted to deal with. All because of a speech impediment.

[Xander Scott]

With his arms crossed over his chest, Xander Scott put his head down, attempting to give off the vibe 'not to come near me' or 'don't disturb me' because he honestly did not want company. Who knew, maybe that 'buddy' of his would take one glance at him and take the hint immediately and just walk away rather than approach him -- saving him the time of having to familiarize with the school building.

Apparently, either that was too much to ask for or his attempt was pathetic and a miserable failure because not long later, he heard a voice called out his name. Rolling his eyes, he untucked his arms and looked up to the source.

To Xander, the other boy did sound like he was stuttering. Well, he was but he just naturally presumed that was the effect of meeting him -- Xander Scott. Britain's hotshot Formula 1 test driver. The annoyance he felt earlier slipped away when he thought he was encountering a fan. There was no need to be rude.

"Yeah, hi," he said, plastering on a smile. "Did you want an autograph, picture or something?"

[Jace Webster]

Jace was immediately confused by what the boy was asking. An autograph? "I mean, uh i-if you w-want?" Because maybe this guy was just insecure and needed people to think that he felt secure about himself. Jace didn't understand, but he wasn't going to judge. Whatever anyone needed to make themselves feel better about who they were, if it was going around handing out pictures and autographs, then by all means, Jace would encourage it.

But as he zeroed in on the guy's voice in front of him, he caught on to the mental tone that went along with it. There wasn't much there, distaste towards the situation at hand. Frustration that he couldn't get out of it. And then a change. Jace's eyebrows pulled together and he heard the word fan echoing in his own mind, an echo of the other boy's voice.

He didn't hear anything other than that which didn't help in his confusion as he stood there, waiting to start their tour. The guy had been here for such a short time, what would make Jace his fan? Was he a famous singer that Jace just didn't recognize? Or an actor? Youtube star? None of them rang any bells and he figured it was just a random word that had passed through his mind with no intent behind it. "You ready to uh s-s-start the tour?"

[Xander Scott]

The reply he received was...strange. His eyebrows rose in confusion. If anything, it was not necessarily if it was him, Xander Scott who wanted to give it. "Err alright then. I guess that's a no." His hands fell to his side and it was starting to feel awkward since the seventeen year old had made such a presumption. Well, there was no use feeling embarrassed about it. He had even made the mistake once or twice before.

Now Xander felt a little uneasy. Why in the world was the boy there calling his name in the first place. But he did not need to wait long before his silent question was answered. "Oh hell mate, you're that buddy of mine?" The seventeen year old boy laughed. He slung on his book bag and stood up. "Is there some way we don't have to start the tour?" He asked, though he was sure he would have to go through this anyway. For the life of me why.