teenage lobotomy [ open ]

[harlow rochelle smith]

Normally, the computer lab was a cool place to hangout. Instead of putting pen to paper, you were able to race the person next to you on how quickly you could type, or laugh when the silly wanker at the end of the row struggled to get through the firewall to watch porn (and how they usually failed). But the fun was sucked right out of the room the moment you were told that you had to be there. It was the same with reading, she found. Combine both, toss in a certain Mr. Alfredo, and you were destined for one hell of an afternoon.

Of course, Harlow had learned her way around discomfort. When in the presence of authority figures, she acted out. But instead of doing it in big ways, the brunette often opted for smaller ways. Little habits that she knew would be more of a bother, mostly because they didn't quite cross the line enough for detention--or worse, isolation. Last she heard, they were supposed to be working on some kind of research paper. She'd be damned if she knew the topic. Or maybe he just hadn't said it yet, she didn't quite know.

See, she was still a little buzzed from last night's activities and apart from going through withdrawals, she was also looking to pick a fight. The other student sitting across from her was stroking the screen delicately, whispering something about 'the government watching,' and Harlow simply smirked. Some of these loony tunes didn't make a lick of sense, but others did. The distinction was very hard to make though.

Reaching down into her sneaker, she pulled out a lollipop and stuck it into her mouth with an audible "pop" that seemed to echo through the room, chuckling when the computer lover ducked for cover.

[chance joseph wilson]

Stalking down the hallway Chance didn't care about trying to fit in. He didn't need to go unnoticed. A couple of people had warned him about the apparently dangerous individuals that could be found in these hallways but Chance didn't care. So he was new, so what? It didn't mean he was going to be a coward and be afraid or the people who were better known around these parts. Hell no, he was going to do his thing and if anyone had a problem with it then they had better plan of getting their face punched in cause that was exactly what was going to happen.

Moving down past the classrooms, Chance didn't care to even pretend like he was a good student. He wasn't here to try and study or ace his tests and right now he just wanted to get on AIM, talk to a couple of friends and not have anyone get in the way of that.

Finally finding the computer lab, he push the door wide open, not caring that it would get the attention of the other people in the room or perhaps distract them from whatever important work they were doing. Did the students here even study? They were all misfits and rejects, right? So probably not.

Letting the door slam shut behind him, Chance moved to the nearest desk and sat down, turning the computer on and logging in. He had some important shit to do and god help whoever dared to get in the way of that. Glancing over he managed to sneer at the crazy who was practically making love to the screen while spewing some conspiracy theory rubbish. Some people were just plain crazy and Chance didn't know what the hell he was doing in here with them. They should all just get locked up somewhere.

[harlow rochelle smith]

Temporarily calmed by the sugar of the sucker in her mouth, Harlow's icy blues flickered around the room. People either didn't care, or didn't want to start trouble, but technically, they weren't supposed to eat in here. Not that she had a five course meal or anything, but still. It was almost disappointing, but then again, she didn't mind being invisible. It gave her the time to watch others and try to get her mind off of her cravings. She was in a bit of a mood at the moment.

When the door connected with the wall, she didn't glance at it right away. In fact, she didn't have to, because the new stranger just so happened to take the seat beside her. It seemed like his mind was on one thing and one thing only... that is, until he acknowledged the paranoid one.

Harlow smirked slightly at the brief exchange, before staring straight ahead at her blank document open on her screen. Maybe if she couldn't get any classwork done, she could at least write. The topic bouncing around in her head right now was crawling into bed and sleeping this whole thing away. Sometimes she wondered if these places thrived on making them be in pain. Clearly, if they knew how hard withdrawal was, they wouldn't make people go through it, right? It was inhumane.

"You are aware that the government tracks most of your activity through the computer, right?" she said as she propped her head up on her elbows and peered over at the computer hugger. Their eyes widened in fear, staring slowly from the screen back to her. Nodding the affirmative, Harlow leaned back in her seat. "Facebook, Myspace, instant messenger services... the whole lot." Her British accent seemed to leak through a bit towards the end.

[chance joseph wilson]

Chance just wanted to go online for a bit, check his e-mails, talk to a few friends, maybe abuse a couple of strangers on the internet and then find something else to do but his attention turned away from the screen in front of him and to the girl beside him when she spoke.

He hadn't planned on socializing but he couldn't help but at least smirk at what the girl had said to the crazy who was babbling his non-sense at the screen.

She was making the crazy kid paranoid and it was actually mildly entertaining. Chance figured she couldn't be all bad. He wouldn't go out of his way to hurt someone but the kid was already paranoid and this was sort of funny so why not.

She had an accent too. Foreign, that was kind of hot. She didn't seem nearly as crazy as some of the people he had met. Maybe she was here from some stupid reason like he was.. Yeah, Chance would easily believe that.

He had to hold back a laugh when the kid disconnected the computer, unplugging the power chord and then hugging it as though this was suppose to stop the government from getting to it. He had even frowned at the girl which made the situation even funnier.

Chance just sat back in his seat and watched the show before turning to the girl. He would have just let it be but he had to at least say hi to the girl who seemed like fun. "I'm Chance, and you are?" he asked, looking over at her.

[harlow rochelle smith]

One could argue that Harlow was doing the girl a favor by alerting her of what everyone else already knew. It wasn't a lie or anything; the government really did monitor the world through technology. Now, you could choose to be paranoid about the truth and let it affect your life, or you can just be careful about it. The brunette often opted for the latter. So this was all a matter of opinion, really.

Normally, she was pretty easygoing and friendly. Instead of feeding the kid's paranoia, she could have tried to help it. But she was in a mood and the medication that she had tongued wasn't doing her any good now. Honestly, this wasn't either, but it sure made her feel a little better.

Harlow didn't notice that they were being watched, not that it would have made much of a difference if she had. But when the plug was pulled and the fun was over, the blue-eyed beauty had to focus her attention elsewhere. This time to the amused peer sitting beside her. Well, he was pretty fit, and he wasn't going to nag her for it, or so it seemed. So why not, right? Socializing was always encouraged here.

Hmm, Chance... interesting choice. It almost sounded poetic. But what's in a name, anyway? "I'm Harlow," she replied as she glanced back at him, noticing the shade of blue that were mirrored back into her own. He certainly looked like he could take on a couple of the orderlies around here, no problem, and that was never a bad thing.

[chance joseph wilson]

"Like Jean Harlow?" he suggested. "Nice name," he said. Chance really wasn't much of a talker but his bad mood seemed to fizzle out when the girl started talking to the crazy, making things more interesting. He figured he could at least be nice to the girl.

"You do that a lot? Mess with people like that," he asked, gesturing back at the crazy kid with his head. He was staying pretty cool and chilled out about all of it. Sitting back in his chair like he owned the room but didn't care enough to rule over it like anyone else might have.

She seemed kind of fun anyway. It wasn't like she was hurting the kid or anything, it was all just in fun and he liked that. This place seemed boring enough and anything or anyone that could make this a little more interesting was good.

[harlow rochelle smith]

Well, well, that was a new one. Harlow hadn't really gotten that reaction before, so it took her by surprise when he mentioned an American sex symbol from the 30's... what? Just because she was European didn't mean that she had to be ignorant to every other country's phenomenon. She knew culture. She also knew boys and their methods of flattery, however unintentional it may be.

"I'm not sure that was what was running through my mum's head when she named me, but that's definitely more interesting than my 'pick from a hat' theory," she smirked at him, before nodding curtly. "Thanks, Chance. Likewise."

His next words made her brows furrow towards the middle, not knowing what he was getting at until he mentioned 'messing with people.' Oh, that. "Not really," she shrugged, not bothering to deny it, nor gloating about her behavior. It simply was what it was. "I can't really be held accountable for the truth. Poor kid's probably been lied to their whole life... that's what makes them paranoid." Yep, so Harlow had absolutely no responsibility for the white knuckle grip the kid had on the monitor screen. No, none whatsoever.

If it were charades, the answer here would probably be along the lines of: things a troublemaker would say.

[chance joseph wilson]

Chance just smiled. "Yeah, my mom likes old movies. That's the only reason I even know who that is," he explained. His name wasn't exactly pulled out of a hat, thought was put into it but Chance didn't care too much. He didn't really fit in with his family. They went to church every Sunday and there were never any swearing. Everyone was so polite and abstinence was encouraged. Then there was Chance who had gotten into fights a few times, dated cheerleaders, skipped class and would sneak out whenever possibly.

"I guess that's one way of looking at it," Chance admitted. He wasn't the type to be overly cruel but messing with people just kinda happened sometimes and besides, all his friends did it from time to time and it was just easier to join in than to walk away.

He had done it too but just as a joke. It was never anything too serious and the girl had a point. She was just giving the kid the truth and if people can't deal with the truth then that was just too bad.

[harlow rochelle smith]

Nice smile? Check. "Ahh, that explains it," she said with a knowing nod of her head, having been exposed to plenty of things by her own mum. Mostly her screaming and patronizing ways, but hey, who's counting? "I will admit, some old films are pretty good. Especially when it comes to originals versus remakes, or even sequels. Dreadful letdowns, those tend to be." She could have asked about his own name, or made up some kind of theory, but she didn't. Chance seemed like an alright bloke for now. No need to ruin it with labels or silly filler.

Harlow wasn't the type to follow. Even in terms of fashion, she always went by the beat of her own drum. Sometimes a little risque, sometimes a little casual. It all depended on her mood. When it came to people, she usually sat back and watched. But every once in a while, the Brit liked to manipulate them. This time it didn't really grant her anything other than temporary amusement, but sometimes it did. Like a lower price for a bag of candy at the pharmacy, that sort of thing.

So, she just nodded her head simply, pleased that he wasn't going to nag her about it because that would have been both a shame and a waste. You know, a waste of his time. Harlow didn't do well with authority, in any way, shape, or form. It was a personal decision, not a personality flaw. "So, what do you do for fun, Chance?"

[chance joseph wilson]

Chance just smiled. Yeah, it wasn't like he watched really old movies or anything. He was just a pretty regular guy, at least in this place. Course, there wasn't a really high standard here when it came down to it.

"Yeah," he said, not adding too much to the conversation. He was no expert on old movies but he had seen a few at least, all thanks to his family. It was really just him and his dad and then the girls. They were out numbered and his mother and sisters always seemed to get their way in the end so if they wanted to see some old movie then chances were that was what they would be watching that night.

"Fun?" he repeated, sitting back in his chair and thinking about it for a quick second. "I work out, I run, play football, basketball, swim, surf. I'll do just about any sport," he told her. Yeah that was what his spare time was used for. Sports actually calmed him a bit and he did a lot of it. "What do you do for fun?" he asked.

[harlow rochelle smith]

Harlow didn't know what it was like to have siblings. Sure, they were probably out there, thanks to her father dearest, but she didn't make it a personal goal to go looking for anyone that didn't really give a toss about her. They were guilty by association. Sometimes she tended to be a little too blunt about things, often throwing her opinion into a conversation and dominating it briefly. It wasn't much fun when people just went with it. But hey, when she was right, she was right.

She glanced back at her blank word document, toying with her bottom lip as she just half-expected the work to write itself. She didn't have to do it, since she could just ace his tests and make up for it later, but there was really not much else to do.

At his next words, the brunette turned her head towards him with an expectant look and a nod. When he gave her a full list--mostly comprised of sports--she wasn't really surprised, but it was impressive. How in the world did he find time for all of that? Oh, that's right. This is Hawthorne. "Nice. I'm a swimmer and I enjoy tennis. I tried fencing once, but it was rubbish. It gives people an excuse to whine and roll around mortally wounded," she replied with a sarcastic bite towards the end. Some people were downright ridiculous.

[chance joseph wilson]

Chance just listened as she spoke. So apparently she liked sports too. That was always a good thing, it gave them something to talk about at least. Swimming was something he did a lot of. Chance practically lived on the beach and surfing was one of his favorite activities.

He didn't usually care too much for small talk. It wasn't something that he ever thought was too important but they seemed to have found a good topic to talk about and that helped. Usually when Chance hung out and talked to his friends it was about sports or girls. It wasn't too interesting or ground breaking. They didn't have discussions and debates about current events or history but then what teenage boy would willingly have a conversation like that?

Swimming sounded good. Tennis? Sure why not. Fencing?! That wasn't something he expected to hear at all. "Fencing? People still do that?" he asked, he didn't know too much about it. It just seemed like something some that no one really did much of anymore, at least not that he was aware of.

[[Crap post but I'm running low on muse sorry]]

[harlow rochelle smith]

Harlow knew that she couldn't go wrong with sports, mostly because he was the first to express his interest in it, of course. Sports and music were usually the big topic back home, so she wasn't surprised with the turn that this conversation had taken. "I take it you're joining the swim team, then?" she asked curiously, wondering if he'd do it competitively or just for kicks. If so, they'd probably be seeing a lot more of each other in the near future.

She knew that there was a pretty good chance that he wouldn't talk to her about girls, since she was one. She was attracted to both, so it wasn't a big deal to her, and she also didn't mind talking to her gay friends about other guys. It was an advantage, in her opinion, although she knew that it wasn't a choice. Harlow wasn't confused, or uncertain, she was just open-minded. She didn't limit herself and her physical makeup allowed that to be so. She wasn't one for labels anyway.

His reaction to fencing was highly amusing, looking like he was a deer caught in headlights. Priceless. "Oh yeah," she nodded, "They have clubs that offer classes in central London that provide the fencing kits and everything. Serious stuff to some, believe it or not. Associations and everything."


( ooc: no worries, i thought it was fine c: )

[chance joseph wilson]

"I will when try outs start," he told her. "Gotta try out for football too and maybe basket ball but that's gonna be it for me this year," he told her. He didn't need to over do it. That generally let to stress which led to more rage which was always a bad thing.

Besides, Chance wanted to do alright academically too and that kind of stuff required time and effort so he couldn't just dive head first into sports and forget about everything else. "What are you gonna try out for?" he asked. She seemed like the sporty type, or at least she was interested so he assumed she'd be trying out for something.

He nodded at her words. Fencing. He didn't know anything at all who actually did that but he figured she'd know. Maybe it was a British thing cause he sure as hell didn't see any of it here.. Though maybe they had that at those fancy prep school..

[harlow rochelle smith]

"Cool. Best not to be involved in too many things and get tied up. I hear you," she nodded back to him. Although she didn't really have any anger issues persay, sports were a nice way to release any pent up frustrations. Besides, it was nice to stay fit too. Sure, so she had a fast metabolism and she didn't have to worry too much about carbs and the like, but that didn't mean that she didn't like to look after herself.

When it came to academics, Harlow was pretty solid. She didn't show much interest in her courses, but she still managed to ace them. She was a secret favorite among her teachers for her potential, but frustrating in terms of her rebellious demeanor.

"Same, the swim team. Might go for track too, not sure yet," the brunette answered as she leaned back in her seat. She could almost see the gears turning in his head about the fencing thing. "It's not specifically a British thing, but I doubt Americans can do it right... or any worse, really. No offense."