Charlotte Raven Greene's Story

As light flooded her room and interrupted her sleep, Laci's bright blue eyes fluttered open as she yawned. She groaned lightly and curled back up in her warm blankets, trying to fight off the early morning light. She laid there for a few moments and tried to find the warm comfort that had just escaped her. After being unsuccessful in her attempts to fall back asleep, she reluctantly swung her legs over the side of her bed and stretched out her limbs like a cat. Her blue eyes flicked towards the window, basking in the warm late spring air for a moment.
Laci fluently made her way across her room to her dresser, and quickly changed into her practice clothes. She pulled her hair up into a loose bun with a few soft blonde curls hanging down by her face and picked up her pointe shoes as she left her bedroom silently.

She carefully passed Jason and Charlotte's rooms, trying not to wake them up. When she came to Leo's room, she poked her head in his room. "Morning, Leo. Remember, we have to head over to the Noxs' house in a few hours. I think there's a meeting or something, to make sure we haven't allowed our problem children to continue on with their dangerous ways or whatever." She offered him a smile and a wink, then quickly left him. They had been living together as close friends for a while before the mentor program, and knew each other well.
Humming lightly, she made her was to the small, humble dance studio they had next to Leo's art studio where he spend most of her time. Laci sat down on the bench against the wall and stretched, before pulling on her pointe shoes and tying them tightly.

Laci closed her eyes and took a deep breath before leaping up and languidly making her way to the center of the room. Watching her body carefully in the mirror for any mistakes, she silently began to practice. She moved gracefully, like water, as she focused on her movements carefully. One misstep, and she could easily get herself seriously injured. Vaguely, she though she heard someone enter the room. She left into the air gracefully, but just as she was coming down she realized her balance was quite off and she came crashing down. She fell on the wood hard, with a loud thud.
Wincing, she bent her fingers, toes, and limbs to make sure nothing was sprained or broken. Her jaw clenched as she glanced at her abdomen, knowing exactly why her balance was so off. Slowly sitting up, she pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs.

Leon had been snoring peacefully in his warm bed, but of course that didn't last long. Laci interpreted his slumber, forcing Leon to get up. He yawned loudly, stretching up as he walked over to his dresser, seeing the long sleeves of the shirt he'd been sleeping in had been pushed up, revealing the scars he'd inflected on himself so long ago. He pulled out his paint slathered jeans and long sleeved t-shirt. He knew that they were supposed to leave in a few hours, but that didn't mean than he couldn't finish up a project he'd been working on. Leon slipped out his door, silently walking towards his art studio, trying his best not to wake anyone else up, hey he was just courteous like that. He could see Laci dancing in the studio next to his, smiling widely. Not only was this house a miracle sent from heaven, Leon was so lucky to have a roommate he actually liked.

He entered his messy studio, smiling as he walked past his other projects to reach his current project. It was just a painting he was doing for some lady who offered to pay him for his work. Leon only worked for a few moments, loosing focus on the canvas before him. He walked out of his studio, walking towards Charlotte's room. He suddenly stopped, he wasn't going towards her room, no, not at all, why would he? He walked towards the kitchen, grabbing the sketch pad he'd left there the night before. Leo looked back to his previous sketches, a few of them containing Charlotte. She seemed to be his latest muse, all his artwork seemed better and he was more creative as of late. Not that he'd ever tell her that to her, no need to inflate her ego. Leon sighed, rubbing his neck, he was rather confused as to were they were in a relationship, he hated her of course, but he sort of liked her. It was futile, trying to figure it out, he just opened his sketch book to a new page, drawing the room around him as he plopped down on the comfy sofa, waiting for the others to come downstairs.

---

Riley woke up with a long yawn, stretching slightly and... knocking over a glass of water? He looked to the tipped over glass with sleepy eyes. He shook his head, taking the cup downstairs, still in his pajamas, a plain grey shirt and navy boxers. Riley smiled as he saw Beth cooking in the kitchen, "Nice try Bethy." he grinned, placing the cup in the sink. He whistled lowly to himself as he walked around the kitchen towards Beth, looking over her shoulder to the pancakes she was making. "Yum, but aren't we having brunch later? Seems like you're trying to fatten me up so I won't be the prettiest in the house." He half joked, grinning. What could he say, he was proud of his body, he wouldn't lie. "I'll go wake the children up." he smiled, walking back up the stairs, entering Jake's room first, "Hey Jakey, Wakey Wakey... oh that rhymed." he grinned, "Beth's making breakfast, if you want any." He left the room shortly, knowing there would be no convincing him if he didn't want to get up. He moved on to Claire's room, silently walking in. He'd always been secretly protective over the girl, but never told her, unsure of just how she would react. Riley hesitantly walked into the room, he was always sort of cautious around her, only playfully teasing most the time. "Hey Claire, you awake?" he squatted down to be eye level, "Sleeping beauty, time to wake up to your prince." he teased, grinning, carefully tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Chloe smiled as Jared padded down the stairs. She smiled at him and ruffled his hair a little. "Hey, don't mind the staff, you'll get used to it. Since me and Delilah usually host functions for the program." She shrugged and walked to the backdoor, watching the staff as they set up everything for the brunch. She smiled thankfully to them then sighed and pushed a hair off her face.

"Where's Dehlilah," Jared asked awkwardly, making Chloe smile.
She smirked and placed a hand on her hip. "Don't worry she'll be down soon," She said before grumbling under her breath, "Or I'll drag her out of bed, I swear her and Asher would wake up at noon if I let them." She composed herself and smiled again.

She was about to yell at Asher and Dehlilah when she heard him at the top of the stairs. "Har-Bug! Did you save me some food? At least a crumb, right?" He said jokingly pulling her into a hug.
"Asher! She's eating." Chloe protested with a pout. To which Asher completely ignored.

She was about to whine about him getting Harmony riled up when he gave her a peck on the cheek, making her blush. She sighed, a little upset that Asher so naturally fit into Her and Chloe's life. "Morning." He said sliding past her and making a plate "You're going to spoil brunch you keep feeding me like this." he told her jokingly.

She looked down, "I like cooking," She mumbled, "Anyway I'm glad your dressed," She added with a half smile as Asher sat down next to Jared and began talking to him.

Chloe tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for Delilah. When her sister came down the steps, in a lacy tank and shorts. She sighed deeply "Delilah, what the hell are you wearing?" She asked "Tell me your not wearing that to brunch," She rolled her eyes, "Actually I have the perfect Outfit for you, and it goes with mine?" She added with a smile, since she and Delilah used to coordinate their outfits when they were kids. She pulled a dress out of a bag that was like hers except it was a ivory that complimented Delilah's pale skin and pale hair, making her look like an angel. While hers was a peach color that complimented her tanned skin and golden hair. The sisters looked very much alike with their wild blonde curls and stunning blue grey eyes. However Delilah inherited their mothers pale skin and their fathers naturally pale blonde hair and Chloe had their fathers golden skin and her mothers golden hair. So together they almost looked like a angel and a goddess. Though Chloe envied her sisters slender body, and her innocent vibe. While she had a more sensual air about her and she inherited her father's side of the family's curvy figure.

She gently stood behind Delilah and did her hair, which was in a ponytail. She felt no need to ask, since she walways styled everyone's hair. She quickly turned it into a bun with a braid surrounding it.
She quickly did a braid around her hair next in a loosefishtail. "Ok now get dressed in that dress and you'll look insanely pretty."

Just as she was about to enthuse about the outfit Delilah spoke "I. . . Uhm I have to visit a friend soon. I might have to leave a little early."
Chloe's face fell slightly, making her smile less bright and more forced, "Your... your leaving?" She asked quietly. "Your leaving the brunch.... early?" She said though the last part came out like a whisper.
She sighed and glanced at the clock,"Our guest will be arriving in a few minuets," She walked toward the the back door and glanced back at her " I wish you'd stay and help," Then she walked out back.

---

Harmony pouted as her mom walked out the door and tugged at Asher's shirt "Why is mama sad?" She asked staring up at him with her big brown eyes. She pouted and just as quickly as she asked she changed the subject "Mama wouldn't let me go swim today, she put a blanket thing on the pool and wouldn't let me wear my pretty princess dress." She tapped her chin ad if she was thinking and said "I think it's Mr. Chris's fault, whenever he calls mama cries." She said with a frown.

She balled her tiny hand into a fist and pretended to punch the air "If I ever see him I'm gonna do this and that," She said imitating a kick, which made her stumble a little. Then beamed a dimpled smile at them and got back up.

She loved Aunt Dee, and Asher, and Jar-Bear. Asher made her mama happy and he made her mama smile. But Mama never lets her call Asher daddy. She glanced as her mom came back inside and sat in a stool, well more like she jumped around in the stool. "Dad.. I mean Asher, can I have a cookie" She said seeing the look her mom gave her.

---

"Harmony I told you, you can't call him that, Asher isn't your daddy," Chloe said with a straight face, picking Harmony up and grabbing a cookie out the cabinet and handing it to her. She knew Asher would be mad that she said that but it was the truth. Asher isn't Harmony's dad. She wished that she met Asher before she met Chris but she didn't. I mean she knew him for two years now. Since he was a problem child last year but the fact of the matter was, she didn't want him to get too close to harmony. Just so he could leave when things got tough. She glanced at him and turned away quickly. All that could come from her and Asher was hurt. And she couldn't handle hurt. Not again, not ever. She realized the time and said "Clean your plates everybody should be arriving in like a few minuets."

Leon looked up from his sketch pad, hearing noise coming from the next room over. As far as he knew no one was visiting so it could only be either Laci, Jason, or Charlotte. He silently hoped that it was Charlotte, even if he acted like he hated the girl (although he'll admit most of it isn't quite acting) he was starting to grow fond of her. They'd slept together a few times, to be honest Leon thought things might change a bit, but it seemed to stay exactly the same, they still hated each other and still would never tell anyone other wise.

He was glad things hadn't changed, it was exactly this 'hate' that seemed to fuel his creative fire. As Leon walked into the room, he was pleasantly surprised to see Charlotte sitting on a chair, "Hope you weren't planning on reverting back to you're old ways. We still need to head over to the Nox's for brunch, don't forget." he muttered, eyes glued to his sketch pad. Despite his comment, he was actually sort of proud of her for being able to quit like it seemed she had. Leon took a seat in another chair near her, taking to sketching again. But he flipped the page again to a blank page. It was rare that he got a living object to sketch, the fact that she happened to be his latest muse was the cherry on top. Leon had a feeling that he should most likely tell her eventually that she was to thank for all his latest pieces, but was pretty sure she's either end up creeped out or laughing and making fun of him mercilessly.

Leon's gaze caught the clock on the wall. Being too lazy to actually get up, he ended up yelling out, "Hey Laci! Aren't we going to be late?" he questioned, hoping she could hear him from her studio. He looked back to Charlotte, "Aren't you going to get ready?" he asked, not really bothering to wait for an answer as he turned all his attention back to his drawing, focusing on the small details of her features. As creepy as it might sound, Leon had already practically memorized her features, mainly from drawing her so many times before.

((ignore Riley, Elizabeth, Jake, and Claire tags....))

Jason heard the commotion going on around the house and opening his lids, he snuck a peek at the alarm clock on his bedside table. He'd slept in later than he'd thought and threw the covers from his body. With virtually no time to get ready, Jason hurried to the shower, only going through the basics before hopping right back out. He didn't have time to go through his drawers and so, he settled on the first suitable thing he could find. It was fitting for the brunch at the Nox residence.

Still in his hasty mindset, the young man padded downstairs. He smelled the aroma of pancakes, but dismissed almost instantly. He would be having brunch in just a few minutes if they ever got a move on. "Good Morning!" he announced to Charlotte and Leon before leaving the room as quickly as he had entered. Laci was the one he wanted to find. Without even having to ask, he knew where she would be - where she always was. Dancing.

Somewhere in the time he'd gotten to know Laci, Jason had fallen in love with watching her dance. Feelings for the girl were more than apparent, but he'd never admit it. Even after all that had happened - the whirlwind romance, the tangling of limbs - they both pretended it had never happen. Randomly the two would fall into the same pattern, but nothing ever came of it. They acted as though it had never happened and returned to their respected roles - the mentor and the mentored.

Momentarily, Jason peeked into the studio, watching the graceful movement of Laci. She was beautiful. Jason was sure even a blind man would be able to tell. With regret, he reminded himself that they were in a hurry. "Laci," he started, "we really should be making our way to the Nox Estate. The brunch is scheduled to start here soon and we wouldn't want to be late." he told her. Some days Jason would practice with her, but today they had no time. He wasn't anywhere near as graceful as she though.

Leon focused on his drawing, deciding to leave the face for last just in case Charlotte tried to take a peek. Not that he really needed to worry, she only showed vauge interest in any of his paintings. Most girls Leon encountered turned to mush when ever his artistic ability was brought up. Not Charlotte, Leon couldn't figure out what went on in her mind, and she showed barely any interest in him. Maybe that was her apeal, showing just enough interest vieled with hate to hook the young artist's interest. That may have been a weird way to phrase it but it was the closest, reasonable thing to the answer he wanted to the question: Does she like me/ Do I like her?

He broke out of his auto-draw mode when Charlotte asked him about what he drew. Looking up to the girl in question, he kept a blank innocent face, "Nothing much. This is just my practice pad." he semi-lied, it wasn't his practice pad, but he did need practice drawing her. Leon looked over what he'd already acomplished in the drawing, frowning slightly. She was just in an ordinary pose, lieing on her stomach legs swinging in the air. He just didn't know how to put her, but it wouldn't be in such a Plain Jane pose. He looked back up, too late to greet Jason who just gave a quick hello.

When Leon turned back from Jason to Charlotte, she was already gone. Possibly to get ready. Leon sighed, looking down to his pad, noticing his still paint stained pants, "Oh crap." he muttered to himself, abandoning his sketch pad on the couch, running up the stairs to his room. He rushed to change out of his worn and stained clothes into some clean and respectable one. He only took a second with his hair, running his fingers through it before rushing back downstairs, car keys in hand. He froze for a second at a mirror, staring at the clearly visible ring around his neck. There was no time to change though so he just shook off any memory that might have come up, looking to Charlotte, "You actually don't look half bad." he smiled lightly, only giving a half complement, which really, was rather good progress considering how much the two seemed to hate each other. "We really got to go..." he muttered more or less to himself as he looked to his watch, already walking towards his car.