Evan Jackson's Story

Sasori looked up from his drawing when Evan arrived "Kon'nichiwa Evan-san and it's okay I was late as well." he said giving a small smile shaking his head, "But I'll pass I'm content as I am. Arigatoo for offer though." Sasori looked back to his finished drawing and closed his book, toke off his socks and shoes witch he did when he was with his friends, and stood up bowing to Evan before sitting at the table and grabbing a water, "Juunin toiro" he whispered. It was his favorite saying when he was with friends, "So Cadence-san is there any other reason you called us here other than to 'hang out'?" he did air quotes as he said 'hang out' because even though he was born in america he still was of Japanese origin and spoke it at home all the time and a little with his friends, but still the term confused him to no end despite his friends telling him it's meaning many times before.

Ethan looked up when Sasori arrived. "Hey man!" He smiled up at him, but made no move to get up. It had been a few years, though he did remember that the guy wasn't that social and he didn't want to make him uncomfortable. He watched as the male brought out his sketchbook and shook his head smiling. Then another male entered the clearing, Evan, and Ethan was surprised at how much he had grown. A lot can change in a few years. His ears perked up however at the mention of his suit and he once again cursed himself for not changing before coming to meet up with his old pals. Just as he was about to go to give him a hug, he stopped in his tracks at what he said. "No. No one wants you, bro." He said jokingly and made a face at the male. He had a feeling that if he hugged him he would be groped in some way. He shook his head, then went back and took his seat at the table. He didn't know why, but he had a certain feeling that Evan was into guys.

Although throughout their childhood and up until high school he seemed to only date females, though he sometimes borderline, flirted with other guys. It was the way that he looked at him sometimes that made him think twice about whether he was eye fucking him or just looking at him. His mind began wandering off to a night four years ago, the summer before all of them had gone their separate ways. They were in the clearing, everyone was there and they were talking and laughing and having a good time as they sat around the bonfire. He had been drinking of course, but not as much as he usually would have. The two of them had wandered off from the group, Evan and Ethan, and were roaming around the open woods. One minute they were talking, then suddenly they were kissing and touching and other things that he didn't want to remember. His eyes widened as the rest of the memory started to become clearer and clearer. He leaned forward on his elbows and rubbed each of his thumbs against either side his temple. It was funny that out of everything that had happened out here over the years, that was the one thing he could remember from the drunken nights. He cleared his throat and sat up straight in his seat. "Yeah..um, why exactly are we all here today?" He questioned. He knew it was to catch up, though he didn't know if everyone there now wanted to do that. It seemed like everyone had grown up and matured and they were all in their own little worlds, leaving behind their old one.

Cadence grinned at Fan's comment. She hoped the boys would be here soon, then they could really get started on catching up. They all sat around the table and chatted and when Ella asked Ethan what he did, Cade was intrigued. She took in now his presence of business, maybe even power, but with the buttons undone he looked casual for them. She cocked her head to the side as he answered. "What comp-" she started, but was cutoff at the arrival of Sasori. She started to get up and hug him hello, but he was soon caught up in his drawing. She raised her eyebrows in mild surprise. She started to turn back to ask Ethan again, but she heard an all too familiar voice. A smile broke across her face and she jumped up. "Evan!" she squealed, bounding towards him and throwing her arms around him. "I'm so glad you came!" she said quietly, smiling. She took in his appearance as she stepped back. He was certainly no boy anymore. Just like Ethan, he had changed to look almost powerful, though in a completely different way. Ethan looked like a CEO, while Evan looked like a kickboxer or something. "I didn't think you would come."

"........" Was all Sasori had to say this was a huge shock to him, "Gomenasai Cadence-san I didn't know please forgive me!" he was on the ground in less then a second sitting on his legs leaning foreword so his torso was really close to the dirt below him and his for arms touched the ground at a 90 degree bend to them with head looking down, to put it simply he was in a traditional Japanese bow for a apology, "Gomenasai gomenasai gomenasai..." was all he was able to say he didn't dare look up or say anything else, 'Kami-sama why are you so cruel?' he thought as he waited to be forgiven.

Ella nodded after Ethan told her what he did for a living. She heard Cadence about to ask a question, but then Sasori arrived. Ella watched as he sat down and pulled out a sketchbook. Ella laughed--he hadn't changed much. Not long after, Evan arrived. He had a changed a lot. Ella's eyes scanned him up and down and then she smiled. He looked like a grown up now, and so did Ethan, and Cadence and... looking around it sunk in that they were all grown up now and that it had been a long, long time since they had all been together. "Evan," she said, "It's good to see you again!" She gave him a hug and then sat back down at the table as Sasori asked Cadence a question. Cadence sat down and talked about how she was happy to see all of them and that she had needed and them and then said that she had tried to kill her self. Ella sat up, her eyes widening in surprise. Cadence had always seemed so happy, she wondered what could have gone wrong for her. "Oh, Cade," she said softly. "I'm sorry you had to go through something like that," she said sadly, putting her arm comfortingly on Cadence's. "I'm glad us being her cheers you up."

Fantine couldn't contain the annoyed grimace that crossed her lips as her question was almost immediately answered with the arrival of the two boys in question. One was a stammering, skinny man with glasses who appeared to be a bit of a geek and was often muttering in Japanese, even in high school. The other was a young, handsome young man, who appeared to have taken on the role of the 'Badass', completely decked out in a biking uniform. He held a cocky air about him now-a-days, causing her to huff a sigh and look away.

It wasn't that these people were annoying her - it was the exact opposite, actually. She enjoyed being around them. Which was good at all, seeing as she was in the midst of dying and had severed all emotional ties to friend and family in order to lessen the pain that they felt when she finally passed.

"I never should have come back ..." Her words were a soft mutter, almost indiscernible even to her own ears, and she leaned forward, her jaw and mouth concealed by her arms. "I should have just stayed home and slept. Damn, I'm tired ..." In fact, it seemed almost as if she didn't realize that she was mumbling aloud, but in fact, thought that she was, well, thinking them.

After a few sluggish moments, Fantine lifted her head slightly in order to look over at Evan.

"You're still as cocky and full-of-yourself as ever, Evan," she said, locking gazes temporarily with him. "I most definitely do not want a hug from you, because I still hate being touched."

"... Tried to kill myself ..."

Fantine jerked and then went still, her joints locking and her muscles tensing. Her entire body took on a ghostly pale look to it, and after several painstaking moments ticked away, she straightened, her head slightly lowered, before she shot up, her hand slapping painfully atop the wood of the picnic table. The sound of the slap echoed in the clearing, and after a moment, she lifted her head to give a stormy, glaring look at the woman.

"How dare you?" she said lowly, her voice nearing a growl as she spoke. More beats passed by, and out of nowhere, a volcano seemed to explode. "How dare you!" she shouted, trembling as she fought the urge to pounce across the table and pummel the girl that sat in front of her.

"You have a living, healthy body, that you can use for anything that you your heart desires, and you decide that you want to kill yourself instead?" she yelled, her hands clenching atop the table. "You aren't sick, you aren't handicapped, you aren't injured, and you aren't dying. You have perfectly good limbs that work for you, and you use them to attempt suicide? What is wrong with you!" she shouted. Her heart was thundering painfully in her chest, and with a small curse, she climbed out of the crevasse between the bench and the table. "Dammit, I knew it was a mistake to come back here," she growled, her hand lifting to clench in the front of her shirt, directly between her chest. Her legs were shaking and a sweat had broken across her brows, and after a few long-lasting, painful seconds, she shoved her hand into the pocket of her pants, removed a bottle, and snapped it open.

It didn't take her long to swallow the pills, and after a few heartbeats, the pain in her chest lessened immensely. She slowly relaxed, and after a grimacing second, she straightened.

"I'm out of here. It was a mistake for me to ever come here, and I would rather not surround myself with people who hold no care for the treasure of the life that they've been given," she said, her feet sinking softly in the grass as she walked and spoke at the same time.

Ethan looked from person to person as they spoke. The next words out of Candences' mouth made him tense up a bit. His best friend had attempted suicide. Why hadn't he known about this? He didn't even know that she was depressed, or mad enough to want to take her own life. All those years that he'd known her she seemed normal to him. Though for a good part of that time he was under the influence of some drug or alcohol. He furrowed his brows as he looked at her and shook his head. He felt like he didn't even know her at all anymore. "Here I thought Ella was the actress.." He muttered under his breath at Fantine's sudden outburst. It was over exaggerated and none the less completely rude. He didn't understand what had just happened. One second they were all happy to be around one another and the next they were talking about dying and being sick. He shook his head as she began walking away. "I understand that you're upset Fantine, but what gives you the right to talk to any of us like that? Especially Cadence. If you didn't want to be here, then why the hell did you even come back? You haven't changed, you know. You're acting like you think you're better than any of us. If you want some sympathy, you sure as hell aren't getting it from me." He was upset about Cadence's news too as well but not to that extent. It was also clear to him and practically everyone else that Fantine was sickly, but he wasn't one to feel sympathy towards those who don't deserve it. Her attitude and her words to them were rude and hateful. There was far too much tension for him to handle. He was starting to regret the idea of coming back at all. It was obvious that everyone had changed and they no longer would get along like they used to. He felt like he didn't know any of them anymore.

"Now wait just a minute!" Ella practically shouted as she jumped up from the picnic table. Her voice took on a strong tone of authority and stubbornness. "I came here to take a break from all the drama in Hollywood and to enjoy a reunion with my five people who used to be my best friends," she said, glancing at each person. "Yeah, remember that? We used to be friends, not the quarreling group of people we are right now." She paused and took a breath before continuing. "So Ethan, apologize to Fantine, and Fantine, apologize to Cadence." Ella's eyes gleamed with determination. "Right. Now." She said sternly.

Sasori stopped speaking and slowly lifted his head to Ella's and Evan's small speech, "Gomenasai" he whispered as he stood back up as a song popped in his head it was one his mother sang to him if he was ever upset, 'Might as well try.' and with that thought as he began to sing.

"Soshite bouya wa nemuri ni tsuita
ikizuku hai no naka no honoo hitotsu futatsu to
ukabu fukurami itoshii yokogao

Daichi ni taruru ikusen no yume yume
Gin no hitomi no yuragu yoru ni
umare-ochita kagayaku omae

Ikuoku no toshitsuki ga
ikutsu inori wo
tsuchi e kaeshitemo

Watashi wa inori tsuzukeru
Douka kono ko ni ai wo
Tsunaida te ni kiss wo

(Translation: Then the boy fell asleep
and one or two ambers in the fading ashes of the fire
flared up in the shape of a beloved face

Dreaming many thousands of dreams
spreading across the land
Your silver gray eyes shine their light
like stars falling down from the night sky

Even though countless of years
turn so many prayers back to earth

I will keep praying
somehow, love for this child please
kissing the joined hands )"

After he finished he smiled, "Ella-san and Evan-san are right we shouldn't fight but Issho ni tatte iru ka, wareware wa, barabara ni narudeshou. Stand together or we'll fall apart."

Cadence smiled and shook her head at Sasori and Ella, "It's in the past and I'm better n--" she started, tucking wild crimson waves behind her ears, but suddenly Fantine was screaming at her. She flinched back from the other woman's words. "I would rather not surround myself with people who hold no care for the treasure of the life that they've been given," Cadence was staring at her lap again, picking anxiously at her nails. "Sometimes, Fan, mental diseases are just as bad as physical diseases. I'm sorry that you're angry..." She trailed off as Ethan , Ella and Evan all spoke their piece, and Sasori sang his song. She smiled gently and squeezed Evan's hand, finding comfort and possibly bravery in the warmth of his large palm. She stood up abruptly. "Guys. This isn't why I brought you here. To yell at each other and be hateful, no matter what we've been through. It's probable that we've all had pretty shitty times the last few years. And, it's obvious that we've changed. But why does that mean that we can't still be friends? We know the kids we once were, we need to know the adults that we are now. Damn it!" She exclaimed throwing up her arm. She unlaced her fingers gently from Evan's and then moved to a cooler that was on the opposite side of the clearing. She pulled out a beer and popped the top, taking a swig. "Anyone want one? I sure as hell needed one..."

Ella nodded as Evan talked, and watched as Sasori sang, and Cadence talked. She agreed with everyone. It was obvious they weren't the same kids who had been best friends, so they had to get to know each other and become friends all over again, or else it wouldn't work out. "I'll take one," Ella said to Cadence, grabbing a bottle from the cooler. She twisted the top off and took a sip, then set the bottle down on the table and looked at the five other people around her. Her thoughts drifted to her mother, who had recently passed away, and her father, who had passed away just before she left Middle Missouri for California. "So what has everyone been doing since that summer we all left?" She asked. She wanted to catch up with everyone, wanted to know what had been going on in their lives for the past six years. She wanted to know if they'd been successful, or happy, or sad, or busy, or lonely, or heartbroken, or in love, or working hard, or lazy, and whatever else a human can do in six years. She wanted to know what had made each of her friends change so much, and who they were today.

"No thank you I don't drink beer." Sasori said and watched as Ella toke one and asked her question, "I've been drawling and working on a new project. But it's not going well, it keeps acting out or short circuiting." he sighed because he had been working on building a mechanical bird, which was hard for him since he's never worked with mechanical parts or wiring, "I think I put wires in wrong or something, imaimashii (translation: damn) then I am going to make a A.I program for it so it can do thing on it own, imaimashii." it was obvious it angered him if he cursed, Sasori looked in the cooler he found and grabbed a bottle of sake (Japanese rice wine), "Akarui mirai e. (To a bright future)" he said before drinking his sake.

Fantine recoiled from Ethan's words, stiffening and halting in her walk, her fingers curling into fists at her sides.

"As if I would ever want your pity or sympathy, Ethan, even if you were capable of those types of emotions. You're about as sympathetic and caring as a brick wall. And that whole thing about 'You've always thought you were better than all of us', is bullshit and you know it. If anyone here ever thought such a thing, it was you. 'I'm Ethan and I'm the most popular freaking member in this group. I'm so much better than the rest of you and you're lucky to have me around'. Or do you not remember saying those precise words to your other friends from middle school, before we all left? Obviously not, because it's quite a hypocritical thing for you to say that I find myself better than any of you."

In that moment, she didn't really care if she was acting childish. Of course all of them would jump to defend Cadence. Cadence, who could do no wrong. Cadence, who was the perfect little angel. Cadence, who was never caught for anything that she did. Cadence, who was just freaking perfect. Cadence, Cadence, Cadence. Everything had always been about Cadence. No matter what Fantine had done in her life, nothing had ever been just about her, even once. Even when she was at her various doctor appointments, it had always been about her parents and how she was only 'taking up their spare time', and how she had always been 'a pain in the ass'. Well, they could all kiss her ass! She was done with being kind. She was done with trying to help people. She was done with giving all of her spare time to the needy. She was done with everything that she had done with her life so far.

She was done.

"What gives you the right to act like you know everything, Ethan?" she asked, her voice a deathly chill. "Cadence is allowed to break the news that she tried to commit freaking suicide, and everyone reacts with sadness and worry. Something happens to me that I can't control, and as soon as I stand up for living, I'm the bad guy. You're an awful person, Ethan, and I don't know what happened over the years, because at least when we were younger, you acted like you cared. Now? You're just a ... You're a dick."

With that, she moved several more steps away, stopped beside a tree, and dropped down to a sitting position in front of it, her knees drawn up and her arms wrapped around her legs.

(OOC @ Kura - so if Fan says no to going back and the cuddle, Evan will give a cuddle anyway, so you are free to rp Evan doing so)