Hit the Books! (Jackson)

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri hummed to herself as she slid on a pair of sweats and tank top. Comfortable attire was always much easier to hit the books with than the fancy things people wore around. Brass meowed at his owner, wondering why in the world she was actually in a happy mood. The brunette smiled, giving her cat a kiss on the head before humming her happy tune again. She was still marveling over the fact of her and Hutch’s jump earlier. The girl’s thoughts zoomed back to the boy that had ridden with her. Studying surely would be a lot more fun with someone around, though she was unsure on how much she would get done.

The brunette was still marveling on how outgoing she had been in the arena, especially to an older boy. Henri was quite sure the boy was at least a year older than her sixteen year old self. A small grin settled over her lips as she heaved the many books into her bags. It was only the beginning of the year and she had things to memorize. While some may have called this obsessiveness over getting perfect scored grades, Henri called it being prepared. She hoped Jackson didn’t find it too much of a bore.

Henri sighed as she lifted the three billion pound backpack swinging it onto her already aching shoulders. She really needed to find some way to travel around the school without breaking her back by the end of the year. The brunette walked on, checking her map for the library. She hadn’t been to it yet, though the sound of it seemed quite promising. Nodding to herself, the girl peeked in through the glass doors and let herself into the serene area. Students sat lined at the computers or doing their homework. Jackson didn’t seem to be there yet, so she simply picked out a table and sat down. Her hands flew down to her backpack as she pulled out her books. Her eyes read the words, but they didn’t go into her mind and she found herself re reading the page once again.

[Jackson Reinken]

Jackson heard his alarm on his phone go off; pulling him away from his homework. It was thrity minutes before he was suppose to be going to meet Henri at the Library; so he decided to get ready. Jackson was already in black sweatpants, with a Nike swoosh going across the bottom.

Having been shirtless; Jackson walked to his closet, pulling out on of his team Lacrosse tee shirts. Pulling it over his head, Jackson then walked out and placed all his homework and books into the backpack, having to carry his phone; since the screen would most likely break if it was closed inside the bag.

Walking out of the door, he headed towards the library; remembering what he had said earlier to Henri. Well I better keep my promise; she'll find out sooner or later anyways Jackson thought to himself. She didn't know about his past, and present, problems. As he was nearing the building, Jackson walked inside. Spotting Henri quickly, Jackson smiled and approched the table she was already seated at.

Hey, you ready? he asked her, sitting down beside her. Letting his brown orbs follow upon her, he noticed sweatpants; much like his but in a girl style, and a tank top. Himself was in sweatpants, a simple shirt, and then nike sandals. Hopefully I wasn't suppose to be dressed nice for the occasion. Jackson said sarcastically; and motioning to his apparel.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri’s expression held a bored stare as she looked at the heavy textbook, her eyes refusing to read the words. Why did she have to find biology so uninteresting? The brunette sighed, letting her elbow rest against the wooden top of the table before looking up in a happy expression. She smiled at the incoming boy, happy to see another person to get tortured along with her. At the boy’s question, Henri made a half nod referring to the textbook sitting dutifully upon the table. “Well… My materials are definitely ready, but my brain just doesn’t want to process.” she said with a thoughtful little laugh.

At the boy’s comment on attire, Henri chuckled and nodded, happy to see he was just as sarcastic as her “Oh yeah, I think I could say the same thing.” she said, looking down at her comfy sweats. Attempting to learn something she wasn’t quite interested in in anything but something comfortable proved to be a very difficult thing for her. Henri shoved the book away finally, sighing exasperation. “Gah… Biology is just so…” the brunette struggled for the right words to describe what the subject felt like in her mind.

Henri looked over at Jackson, the same intrigue she had for him earlier coming back. He was extremely mysterious and this led her curiosity to burst like a flame. Finally, the girl allowed herself for questions “So ermm… Got anything you need to work on?” she said with a look before pulling her book back and trying to read it again. She would give herself five minutes to try and study the material and if she was still reading the same stuff by then, Henri decided she was going to screw studying all together. Screwing studying was very new concept for her, though she was starting to really enjoy the idea. Of course, she would studying all night long then anyway.

[Jackson Reinken]

Seeing Henri's bored expression towards the textbook, Jackson laughed as it seemed her pupils were about to fall out of her eyeball. Placing his bag on the back of the chair, and taking out some books and work; Jackson then looked at her, as she mentioned something that he couldn't miss.

Trust me, we have the same feelings about our brains. I'm not even sure I have one at this point.

Jackson told her chuckling. School had been hard lately; and it wasn't getting any easier as life went on. It might be his last year here, and he was sad about that; he was eighteen and didn't want to leave now, not after meeting everyone.

Hearing her own comment on their clothing, Jackson smiled wiping his palms on his sweats; they were grey with a simple high school name on the front. As the girl tried to find the correct words for Biology, Jackson filled in, Feels like s*it. he stated, not even questioning it himself.

Pulling stuff out of his bag, and a pencil; he noticed Henri start to read her book again. Pushing it away from her, he said, Lets stay away from that for awhile, ok? he commented with a grin playing on his face.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri felt a grin fall onto her lips as the boy confessed to her about his brain as well. The brunette nodded in agreement. “I’m still searching for my brain.” she said in a fake whisper. She wasn’t so sure if she was joking about that anymore. Before she had come to BRRA, she had thought that she was completely focused and had a lot of knowledge about the world with all the books she read. Still, despite, her parent’s dislike in her actions, Henri realized she was quite inexperienced when it came to life. Being thrown into it now, Henri felt as if she was in fact, losing her mind. She might’ve already lost it.

Henri chuckled as Jackson competed her thought and made a face “Couldn’t. Agree. With. You. More.” she said poking her book in time to her broken sentence. The brunette played with the corner of the textbook, noticing its wear with the crumpled edges. She was more interested in finding out who had the book before her than the actual context she was supposed to be reading. Biology was the only science her tutor and her hadn’t completely studied, and it being somewhat confusing to her caused the girl to in turn, find it boring.

Her blue orbs flickered over the blonde’s stuff as he proceeded to pull it out of her bag. It looked as if he had a crapload of stuff to do. Henri chuckled in spite of this and pulled her book back to try and focus on it again. Her eyes widened in mischief as the boy pushed it away however and she shot him a small grin. “Hmm… What do you suppose we do?” she asked in a mischievous voice, wondering what they would do now. Anything seemed to be better than reading that book however and Henri was all for what Jackson had said.

[Jackson Reinken]

Laughing as Henri made her comment back, it slowly died down; leaving Jackson's throat scratchy and hoarse. Clearing his throat up and then swallowing a couple times, he felt better than he had at the start; and would deal with it, for now.

Sometimes I could care less about school, like Biology of course; but it has to get done. he replied smiling and watching the corner of the girl's book. It seemed floppy at the corners and flicked down everytime she touched it, and flicked it up.

Feeling like he should tell her about his shocks and abusive moments, Jackson thought about where he could "fit it in". He knew that it should be more of a study time, but he needed to share this to her, now.

Seeing the brunette hair and dark orbs, glancing at her every now and then, Jackson couldn't wait any longer. As her next voice came around, it led him into the moment of truth; that he had been awaiting.

Well, I could tell you the story of my life. he said; hoping she knew what he referred too. Or, we can work on Biology.... Jackson said, in a dorky voice that sounded crumpled up and squeaky.

OOC: Sorry for not replying quicker, and also it's sort of blah.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Blue orbs looked over the boy, a slight of concern crossing the brunette’s face as she noticed Jackson’s slow dying laugh. He seemed nearly broken or nervous in a way. She didn’t like to see people sad, but it seemed she was seeing a lot lately. Henri knew everyone had their own problems, as did she. Unlike others, the girl seemed to be nearly willing to think about them unless they got really bad. It all depended on what her father had done. Lately, he had crossed the line, but what had she done? Nothing. This was a moment she didn’t really want to embrace her problems. Henri shook her head to rid of the thoughts.

The sixteen year old nodded in agreement, unfortunately it did need to get done. She really wished it didn’t though. Henri hadn’t really been planning on becoming a vet after Blue Ridge and school, rather something in equine massage therapy or something. She honestly wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, but depending on her science grades, she could figure she probably wouldn’t be able to do something like a vet. That wasn’t even including the whole bloody and gruesome part of that job. Henri didn’t enjoy seeing any horses getting hurt, little pricks or huge cuts.

“Blah… Unfortunately.” Henri shot the boy a grin, but it dwindled down when her curiosity and intrigue of Jackson got into her mind. He always seemed as if he had something to tell as he had also said in the arena, though she wasn’t sure if it was something he wanted to share with her now. Henri waited patiently for him to speak in reply to her question and her eyes lit up in soft excitement. Learning about other people’s life stories sounded a lot better than studying biology. Henri gave him a soft smile and made herself comfortable in the seat. “I’m all ears. “ she said, happy to have her curiosity cured for once finally.

[Jackson Reinken]

Jackson stared into space as they both sat there, mezmerized by something; curiousity? He didn't know what it was, but they didn't communicate a lot during the beginning. Although looking at the binding of the Biology book before him, was distracting him, and making him smile.

He made out the letters on the book, and stared them down carefully, trailing every letter possible, and then glancing at the clock; like a race. It was when Henri's words brought him back into reality.

Oh, crap. Sorry. From the beginning? I had a family, a sister, mom, and dad. Sister was nineteen, and dad started to do drugs....she went to live with her fiance; leaving me. Do not judge me on this next part. He started abusing me and my mother; then I started to smoke, like him. My friends, Lindsey, she goes here you might know her? They stood up for me, and kept with me. But I ran. Police caught me. My father had hit me with a Lacrosse Stick and I was in the hospital, and they found the drugs in me. My- someone, set my house on fire, I got out, but my family died; including my sister's baby. I wasn't allowed at the funeral, as I was a addict and my friends helped me ease off, soon I was good as new. Lindsey left, for here, and then I was left with my uncle to look after me. I tried to run, got beat. My aunt wanted me to be free, but couldn't help. Something happened and I knew she was going to die, which is where I got the cops; while I was drunk and on drugs. They arrested my uncle, tested me, and I was in Juvi; for a month or so. I got bailed out by my best friends, and I can tell you more about them later, but he applied me here, and yeah...

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri watched the boy in silence, actually quite enjoying it. She hadn’t had silence with someone else in a while due to the fact her father had always had a few words of discouragement for her whenever he saw her as did everyone else it seemed back home. Of course, in BRRA, mainly everyone she’d met was nice and sweet, though quiet was certainly soothing. She looked back at Jackson, wondering whether he felt the same. She was wrapped up in curiosity at his earlier words and waited for the boy to continue. Henri was rather quiet about her past, though she wondered if he would want to know now that he was going to tell her his.

As he began, her blue eyes grew somber and her lips parted slightly in sadness. Henri interrupted only once as he asked her not judge him. After how people judged her and how his life going, the brunette could never. She shook her head slightly, voice quiet and soothing “I would never judge you.” Henri’s voice came out soft and sweet. While she had no idea what it felt like to experience the things he was talking about, she was ready to try and understand.

Someone? House on fire? Drugs? Cops? It was a world Henri had only ever heard about. Her brows creased together, not in pity, rather in trying to see herself in that situation. She felt bad he had to go through all that crap, but extremely proud of Jackson for making it through to this day where she could see him right now. When he finished on a somewhat omnious note, Henri’s eyes were filled with kindness and she gave him one long look. Then on her instincts, the brunette leaned forward and gave the boy a hug. She held him tight before letting go and looking up “I’m sorry.” her voice was hoarse, and she wondered if he needed to tell someone that. “I’m so happy you’re here though, and not in trouble. I’m so happy you made it through.”

[Jackson Reinken]

As he finished up the whole paragraph he had said aloud, Jackson grinned weakly; making a side smile. Too much to tell at once? he asked Henri.

Then like an adrenaline rush he was being hugged; for the first time in years. Hearing her words in his ears was the strangest thing that had ever happened to him; weird in a way, but soothign and kind at the same time. As he finsihed with the hug, he pulled back; clapping his hands together once.

Also, I have these anger issues. Might as well get it out now; but whenever I get mad or feel threatened I go into a frenzy of fighting, or a rush of anger in me. It's like Holt Hyde against Jackson Jekyll. he said referring to past "monsters".

It's a terrible feeling and it hurts me too, I want you to know Henri; whenever I say get away from me, I mean it. Jackson said to her, not wanting the girl to get hurt if he ever felt the anger he had the day with Tyson. That horrible day could of changed everything, but thankfully it hadn't; and he was alright now.

[Henrietta Charleston]

Henri had never had the same amount of trouble Jackson went through throughout her life. To other’s eyes, she actually had a perfect life. However, a perfect life was something quite nonexistent and the brunette knew this better than a lot of people. To live in a messed up version of a reality competition television show was certainly not something everyone envied. It was always a competition between her and Clarence, except her older sister won the majority of the time. Henri had been quite jealous of this, but she’d pushed herself harder than she had ever really needed to. Still, her problems were tiny compared to Jackson’s and she felt bad.

She smiled at his playfulness, quite surprised how he could still maintain humor after that long story. The brunette shook her head softly, “No. I think it was the perfect side.” she said, her voice only holding genuine care. Henri realized quite quickly why he acted so bluntly now. A rough past tended to get people to change. Still, she was a kind person in general when it came to that, but the brunette knew she had her less fine traits. She watched Jackson intently, wondering how he managed to deal with the pain of all his losses throughout his day.

As he began to speak again, Henri’s face turned once more sorrowful. She felt perhaps it was time to expose a secret of her own since he had pretty much exposed everything to her. She wasn’t afraid of his temper. Henri in general was quite cocky when it came to scary things. The girl once thought she could take on a group of burly men attacking another man in a particularly shady town she’d driven through. Of course, her parents had stopped her from figuring this out. She bit her lip before beginning “I’m sorry Jackson… I guess I kind of get that way too… I-I…” she hesitated nervously, but continued. “I get drunk when I’m stressed out.”

The girl said in a rush, hoping to get it out fast before she could change her mind. Henri gave him a shameful look before listening as he continued on. Again, her cocky side played up as he told her he meant it when he said to get away. She scoffed slightly, giving him a little impish grin “Jackson, I’m not just going to leave you when you’re in trouble like that.” Henri said quietly.

[Jackson Reinken]

After his long sided story, Jackson listened to her confess one of her secrets? He didn't know if she liked that being personal, or if she told many. Nodding after she was done, he smiled a bit. I thought I was the only one.. with that he put his hand up for a fist bump and then lingered it back down once she hit it.

Chuckling a bit, he hung his head at her next comment. Thanks, I'll be sure to remember that. He liked Henri, and never noticed how genuine a person could be.

As the girl had watched him, and listened to his double sided story; Jackson noticed something in her eyes. There were stars, and all he wanted right then and there was to be there for her. Never thinking of more that being friends, he wanted to be there when she needed him. Protect her, stand by her side, never leave her.....

Shaking his head he sighed out, rubbing the sides of his nose. I cannot be thinking like this right now.Jackson whispered to himself, hoping no one heard. Getting up from his chair, he packed up his stuff from the desk.

I have to get out in the air. Getting......dizzy, he said, hoping it would work. Turning out of the library, he then headed out and thought about what had just happened. What exactly had?