the rain comes pouring down,

[karlee jameson ,]

[ooc] closed to sean teddick.

It was raining out. But the auditorium would drown out the rythym of the rain. It wasn't that the seventeen-year old didn't like the sound of the rain, but on rainy days, she always did one thing.

The doors shut behind Karlee with a loud clunk. It was now dark inside again, except for the dim light that illuminated the stage. She practically ran to the stage, and up the stairs. For a moment, she disappeared behind the curtains. Emerging minutes later, she was pushing a white piano to the middle of the stage. Modeling might be her 'profession', but ever since she was a little girl she wanted to play piano for the rest of her life.

She wore nothing under her white blouse, except for a white bra which could be seen in the right light. But the light was dim, and it wasn't noticeable. She also wore Levi jeans and a pair of plain white pointed-toe high heels. It was a vision...the white piano, Karlee's light blond hair, her white blouse, her white shoes.

Gracefully, she sat down and ran her fingers along the keys. Nothing was going through her mind, just the notes to the song she was about to play. She began the song, which was one of Alicia Key's songs. Alicia was Karlee's idol, and she played and sang her songs a lot. She stretched her fingers out, and began playing.

"I just want you close, where you can stay forever..."

Karlee didn't think she had a stunning voice like Alicia Keys, or any of the famous artists. One person told her she sounded like Sara Bareilles, but Karlee just blushed. She wasn't aware of her amazing vocal skills.

[sean teddick]

Sean Teddick could only be average to a certain point. For example, he preferred rainy days to sunny ones. Ask him why, and he couldn't come straight out to tell you. Maybe it was because of how the rain made the scenery look dark, hopeless, and lost. Like it was the reality within the perfection people try to pull off. Or maybe it was because of how the rain sounded as it hit an object. Each with a different beat and sound. Like it was playing it's own little concert. But either way, he was found roaming the castle and it's grounds. Which, in reality, wasn't uncommon at all.

A black and white fedora protected his head (and his prized orange hair) from the sky's waterworks. The same colors covered the rest of his body as well. Black pants, black-and-white checkered shirt, black converse. Wow, a rare occasion where he matched. Even the obscurely orange-colored guitar case on his back matched. He frowned at himself, and then just shrugged it off. Fashion was too over-rated for him.

For one reason or another, he found himself headed towards the auditorium. The faint sound of the rain hitting the roof could be heard. Sean closed his eyes and listened to hit. Enjoying it, embracing it. That was, until he heard a loud door shut. His eyes shot open before he realized it was the auditorium door. It was then that he started questioning on whether to go there or not. But in the end, he decided to. When he reached the door, he tried to open it as quietly as he could, and then shut it like so as well so he wouldn't disturb the person inside. The sound of a piano playing filled the air, almost pulling him in. Yes, he was an odd one. But what more could you expect from him? He was just himself, and that was that.

It took Sean a minute or so before he realized who the figure at the piano was. Karlee. A knot started to form in his stomach. Yes, one could think that he get over her, but in reality he didn't. And he still questioned the cause of the end of their relationship. But whatever it was, it didn't stop them from being friends. Even if it was rather awkward. A sigh passed through his pale lips and he walked down the center aisle of the room, stopping at the second row from the stage. She sounded wonderful, as always. And she still looked as gorgeous as ever. He took a deep breath before speaking. Truthfully, he didn't want to disturb her, but then again, he didn't want to look weird just standing there.

"Karlee."

[karlee jameson ,]

Her fingers moved across the keys, hitting the ones that the song was composed of. She moved her head side to side, to the rhythm of the song, and the words she was singing. "People keep talking, they can say what they like. But all I know is that every thing's gonna be alright." Her breathing was steady, and locks of wavy, blond hair had fallen over her eyes. They were closed anyway.

Completely oblivious to the figure that emerged into the auditorium, Karlee kept singing and playing. She knew there was the possibility that someone could walk in on her, but she didn't care much. She thought it was unlikely. Most people would be doing term papers today, since the rain permitted everyone sane to stay indoors.

For a moment, Karlee stopped singing and simply played the piano. Karlee. She opened her eyes and looked up to find the owner of the voice. There he was, at the second row of seats. Karlee stopped playing and stared at him for a moment. He was dressed nicely, and she noticed that he matched. She smiled briefly. He never matched. And despite the eccentricity of it, she admired his orange hair.

"Sean..." She smiled as his name rolled from her lips. Then she stood, grabbed the black button-up cardigan she had tossed to the stage floor. She put her arms through it and buttoned a couple of middle buttons. Showing off a see-through shirt was not something she did around him.

[sean teddick]

A small smile formed over his lips as he heard her says his name. Oh, the little things that made him happy. Not that he would tell anyone. No, he would just sit back and enjoy the simple things in life while they were there.

One of his hands reached up and took off the fedora, exposing the messy mop of hair on top of his head. Once he had placed down on the chair besides him, he nodded up at her. His signature nod of hello. And with everything he did, he tried to ignore the feelings inside of him. Oh what he would give to express them. But of course, she couldn't. No. Not today, and probably not ever. . .

"You sound absolutely magnificent," he spoke in his shy, timid voice as he looked at her. But he didn't dare look into her eyes. The small smile was still present on his lips, though it never fully reached his eyes. . . ."You really do."

If only, if only, he thought to himself. Naturally, he knew about her reputation. And it didn't hurt what he thought of her. If anything, it could have enhanced it. From what he heard, she embraced who she was. And that's what drew him to her. The fact she was who she was. And nothing else. . . But all of this was in the past. And people change, just like everything else. Just like everything else. . . .

[karlee jameson ,]

Her heartbeat quickened inside of her chest. She folded her hands together and let them hang at her waist. She watched his every move, her eyes trailing the fedora as he took it off. She looked back to him, and smiled gently at the sight of his messy hair. A laugh wanted to escape her lips, and she wanted to run down the steps and jump into his arms. She wanted him to embrace her, to hold her. But she couldn't do that, and he wouldn't, and she would cry about this later. She knew she would...

Karlee descended the stairs slowly, as if being careful not to make a mistake in her steps. In reality, she was just trying not to make the mistake she wanted to make. Her eyes watched his as he complimented her singing. Though, it wasn't a compliment...it sounded as if he stating an everyday fact. "Thank you." she said, quietly, finally reaching the floor. She looked down again, when she noticed him avoiding her eyes.

Karlee pushed her hair back behind her ears. "H-How are you?" She asked. It wasn't the cliche line, she said it with care, like she really cared how he was. And she did. But she didn't want to hear that he was with someone else. She didn't want to hear how he was so good...better than ever. Yet, she hoped he wasn't doing bad.

Karlee crossed her arms uncomfortably, suddenly hating herself.

She knew she would cry about this later.

[sean teddick]

Oh, the dreaded question. Truthfully, he wanted to tell her that he was good, that he was seeing someone else. But in reality, that was all a lie. And he didn't want to lie to her. Though, he didn't want to tell her the full truth. That he was miserable, despite all of his disguises. . . .

"I've been. . . alright," he paused for a moment. "And yourself?"

Sean ran his hand through his hair. One of his few nervous habits. Why couldn't he just tell her? Just tell her that he missed her, that he wanted her. Why couldn't he just ask her why she had left him? Because he was too afraid of being rejected. Sure, he didn't care what people thought of him. But Karlee. . . she was one of the few people he didn't want to lose. And he could be fine with just a friendship, if he convinced himself enough. Then maybe. . . .

He watched her for a moment, just wishing to go up to her. But he felt like he was paralyzed. Instead of fighting with himself, he just leaned against the seat he had been standing next to. Hopefully this awkwardness would just be temporary.

[karlee jameson ,]

She listened to his response, but didn't seem to hear his question about her. She just stared at him, her eyes searching every inch of his face, looking for some indication of what he was feeling right now. Snapping back to reality, Karlee cleared her throat and took a tiny step toward him. The distance between them must have been nine or teen feet. "I've been...okay." When she numbed herself and hooked up with a guy, she was okay. But now, and whenever she was alone, it was always a struggle to breathe. He was so beautiful.

You are making this hard on me, Sean Teddick. She thought to herself, wishing she could say it to him. But then again, this was all her fault. Maybe if she hadn't have broken up him, they would be together right now. Maybe they would be ridiculously in love. Maybe she wouldn't be afraid. Maybe.

She swallowed and looked down at her shoes. "Classes and all that are alright?" Karlee asked, looking back up. "And Christmas break? How is that going?" She was babbling, and aware of it. But Karlee let herself give off a smile.

[sean teddick]

A voice in the back of his head as screaming at him to tell her everything. To demand the reason for all of this. But he couldn't bring himself to. And then, there was another one. Telling him to just leave. Which was probably the smarter idea. The only thing this was doing was making things harder fro him, and maybe her. He wasn't sure. Just like most things in his life now. But maybe. . . maybe this could help them get back together. Maybe she would forget (or get over) whatever it was that made her leave him. Oh, but now he was just wishful thinking.

"Classes are. . . well, they're classes." He smiled lightly. He had no idea if that made any sense, but he was also too wrapped up in his own thoughts to correct it. "And the break, it could go by a little faster." Which was the truth. Since the beginning of it, he had had a major lack of creativity. The main reason Sean had come here was to attempt to write a new song, or just write something. But naturally, he had run into her. "And for you? Is everything . . .all right?"

He slid the scrap of his guitar case off his shoulder and placed it on the seat where his hat was. Then, he looked back up at her. Karlee looked gorgeous standing there on the stage, like she belonged there. But of course, she was a goddess--in his mind at least. And what was he? An ugly duckling? Just looking at her, made him think that he didn't deserve her. That maybe this was how things were supposed to be. But at the same time. . . he wanted to run up to her and embrace her (if he hadn't been paralyzed in the spot he was in that is).

And it might be save to say that Mr. I-Love-Life, had taken a trip to Heartbreak Ave.

[karlee jameson ,]

Karlee nodded a bit, understand how he felt about the break, and the classes. Classes were just classes. And they usually sucked. And she had to stay here because this is where her mother was. No trips to Paris, or even Boston. Just boring old Adelaide Academy. She was stranded here. She ignored his question and just smiled briefly.

Watching him set his orange guitar case on the seat, she smiled again. "Why don't you play?" She asked. "Right now, I mean. I'd like to listen." Karlee hadn't heard him play since...well, since they had been together. And she'd always loved it. Although, maybe it was a bit much. He only ever played love songs for her.

Karlee swallowed, and took another deep breath. She wasn't used to this. She was always in control. But standing here looking at Sean, she felt completely helpless. Even worthless. She felt weak and horrible, like her heart was breaking again.

She hooked her fingers into her belt loops and sat down on the stage.

[sean teddick]

"I. . I'm sure you've heard everything already," he spoke as he looked down. A small blush creeping up his neck and a hand ran through his hair again. Naturally, everything he had written were love songs. Most for her, but even with sat aside, it still would have been awkward to sing one in front of your ex-girlfriend. And as if things weren't awkward enough. . .

Damn you, Karlee Jameson he swore inside his head. Damn you. Oh yes, you could say that he could keep a grudge. But he did have a right to, right?

"Why don't you play some more? I'd love to hear you," Sean spoke as he looked back up at her, a faint trace of his previous blush remained. Although he had declined to play, his fingers still played with the zipper. As if they itched to play. But he wouldn't allow himself. No, anything new would sound horrible. And anything old. . .well, he wasn't going to dare.

[karlee jameson ,]

Karlee nodded and looked down at the floor as he did. "I understand." She murmured. It would be awkward, she knew that when she asked him. This whole encounter was awkward. She wondered why she didn't run away like she always did. Of course, you couldn't say she changed just because she didn't run away from one situation she couldn't control. This was minor compared to why she had run from Sean.

Karlee nodded slightly. She wanted to play; there was no doubt. But she would be timid for once. She would go for it, though. Naturally, Karlee was a go-for-it kind of girl. "Um .. sure." Karlee turned and made her way to the piano. She sat and poised her fingers over the keys. She glanced at Sean one last time before she began to play. But because she couldn't think of one exact song to play, she just began with a simple rhythm.

[sean teddick]

Sean could onlly watch her. She looked so. . . goregous. He couldn't help but think so. Though, he probably shouldn't. They were only friends. And that's it. Nohting more. He also couldn't help but think though. Of what they would have probably been. But he had t ostop. No, he didn't want to make things between them worse. He didn't want to make himself feel any worse. No, he could deal with being friends. Sure, he could. . . it was better than nothing, right?

Yes, what she was playing had been simple. But that didn't mean he didn't enjoy it. A small smile formed on his pale lips as she slowly moved closer to her. Maybe it was because of the music. He was wird when it came to that. He could feel like the music would embrase him. That was part of the reason why he liked it so much. But then again. It could have been the lingering temptation to hold her. But either way, he didn't stop himself as he moved closer, stopping only a foot away from the stage.

He didn't say anything though. He didn't want to disturb her, or have her stop. No, he was content just listening to her play. Oh yes, he definitely was.