(no subject)

[nextinline]

Jay: It's early afternoon, and Kellen - after a brief break for weed and lunch - has reclaimed the spot he's occupied most of the day, lounging on a couch in the common room. Leech is across the room, along with that bizarre science teacher, checking off kids' names as they show up, and giving them their dorm assignments. It seems like tedious work, and Leech doesn't look to be enjoying it, but for his part Kellen is entertained by watching the newcomers trickle in and studying them. It's easy to tell which are returning students; they look harassed, but lack the wild-eyed look of uncertainty that the new kids display.


Jackie:: Having been one of those returning students, Tim is already tucked away in his dorm room, the few items he has packed (from switching residence halls, of course) are on his bed, waiting to be put back into their new home. As much as he tried, he couldn't get any information about his room mate, but was able to swindle enough information to know that Jesse would be somewhere near. Back in the common room, Jesse approaches and unlike the other new students, is sans parents. Adjusting the straps on his shoulders, he approaches one of the tables occupied by what looks to be adults, and waits patiently to be addressed before giving the teacher his first and last name. As he waits for the teacher to gather his living information, he peers around-- not doe eyed, but definitely trying to find the one familiar face he knows is here.


Jay: When given the new victim's name, Leech shifts through the few papers on his clipboard to find it on the list. It sounds familiar, and a moment later, Leech realizes why - this Jesse kid is apparently going to be living with his brother. Given this, the look Leech gives Jesse when he raises his head is coldly analytical, and more than slightly unfriendly. There's a couple uncomfortable beats of silence while he sizes the kid up before speaking. "Yer in dorm C-3. Down that hall." Leech jerks his head to the left in lieu of pointing, and offers Jesse the bible-sized packet of papers outlining the school rules, schedules, dogma, etc. Then he flashes a quick look to Kellen, who catches it, and somehow understands the silent communication enough to roll off the couch to his feet., following Jesse as he departs towards what will be their shared room.


Jackie:: With that analytical stare, Jesse shifts a bit on his feet-- not quite displaying any sort of nervousness, but his comfort level obviously changes. He adjusts the straps on his shoulders again, since his bags are heavy with sweatshirts and plaid pajama pants, and he can only nod when that packet is given to him. Looking in the direction that Leech directed him in, he makes down the hall, peering at the room numbers on each door before finally finding his new residence. And now comes the awkward part, the part he doesn't quite know because he's never lived in situations like this-- so he knocks on the wood grain and waits a beat. When he gets no resposne, he purses his lips in thought before opening the door, peering inside and taking a step in. "...Hello?"


Jay: Kellen's only a couple of steps behind Jesse, so he arrives in time to see him awkwardly address the empty room. Of course, it's not totally empty: Kellen has at least thrown the majority of his belongings (which he didn't really bother to pack, they were all downstairs in Leech's rooms) onto the bed, but that's all a jumbled mess. Stepping silently up behind the kid as he starts into the room, Kellen addresses the back of his head in a loud, obscenely cheerful voice. "HI!" This is followed by an untrustworthily manic grin that shows way too many teeth.


Jackie:: Jesse makes it a few steps into the room before Kellen gives his greeting, which immediately makes the other boy jump in surprise. Turning around a bit, Jesse looks over at Kellen with raised eyebrows and somewhat wide eyes, instinctively withdrawing because that one word and that big smile are already too much. "...Hey." He peers at those teeth and then glances around the room, then noticing the items strewn on the bed and deducting that this boy is probably the one he'll be sharing quarters with. "Are you...uh, my room mate?"


Jay: That reaction was, of course, exactly what Kellen was expecting, if not quite as Shatner-overreactive as he'd hoped. Playing it straight despite the urge to laugh, Kellen takes a couple more steps forward, unapologetically into Jesse's personal space, eyes wide and unblinking. "Yeah! My name is Kellen White! And your name is Jesse Michaels and you're a freshman, like me, and you're from California. I've never been to California. Do they have seals there, or only sea lions? Do you know that in parts of India, baby seal eyes are still considered a delicacy and there's a huge black market for them? Also, the Indian god of thunder, Indra, he was once cursed with a thousand vaginas all over his body by some magician who caught Indra doing the nasty with his wife. Although I don't understand why they still call the god a god, because a thousand vaginas, one dick, I'd say that's a goddess, amirite? I guess he could be called a hermaphrodite, but I don't think they have a term for hermaphrodite gods, do they? Maybe we could come up with one and discuss it in religion class, but I think they really mean bible class when they say religion class, because it's a Catholic church. I was baptised Catholic, but I'm not a practicing Catholic. Are you a Catholic? Hey, I heard about this one Catholic priest one time-- " Please, for the love of your sanity, interrupt this kid so he can take a breath before he turns completely blue in the face.


Jackie:: He takes a few more steps into the room, not really looking away from Kellen at any point because he's already coming across as the type you don't want to take your eye off of for fear of mischief. He drops his bags near the unoccupied bed and then rubs at his left shoulder to ease it of its pain, only looking at the other boy in something akin to sheer horror for the fact that he just...isn't stopping his talking. At all. He doesn't even know how to interrupt him, or stop him, or even respond to him-- instead, he just stands there with his mouth open a bit and a hand raised up like he's trying to draw attention to the fact that Kellen is still yapping. "There are sea lions in the Bay area, yeah...but. Uh..." blink blink "...you said your name is Kellen?"


Jay: Finally reaching a point in his monologue where he's interrupted, Kellen stops talking and freezes, then nods frantically. He starts to go on, but no, the look of horror on Jesse's face is too much. Kellen abruptly turns around, covering his mouth, though that does nothing to stifle the sound of his laughter. Once he can speak again, he half-turns to face his new roommate, a much more natural grin of amusement on his face now. "I'm just fuckin' with you, man. Yeah, it's Kellen." Another snort of mirth makes its way out belatedly. "You shoulda seen your face."


Jackie:: Oh god, he was joking. As soon as Kellen turns around to laugh, Jesse's shoulders relax and he lets out a breath he wasn't even aware he was holding. "Oh, man. You're joking." He laughs himself, swiping a hand through his short mop of hair and then smiles a bit, taking the opportunity to peer around the room and get situated a bit in this setting. "That would've sucked so much."


Jay: The look of relief is nearly as comical as the look of horror had been, and Kellen can't help laughing again for it. He takes a couple of strides to his bed, dropping onto it with complete disregard for the clothes and other items strewn on it. "See, now, if you ever get sick of living with me, you can remember: It could be a lot worse." Unearthing the everpresent pack of cigarettes from a hip pocket of his tight black jeans, he lights it, squinting at Jesse in consideration. "'s this your first year here? Most the guys, I could tell when they came in, by the way they looked, but you're not so easy to read."


Jackie:: Jesse again laughs for that, stepping away from his bed to then approach the window, peering out through the blinds to the courtyard below. "Most situations are like that, I suppose." Wrinkling his nose when he notices the tall gates off in the distance of the court yard, Jesse then paces over towards some closet space, pulling open a drawer in the nearby dresser and peeking inside. "What makes the other guys so transparent?"


Jay: Continuing to watch Jesse curiously, although in nowhere near as intent a manner as before, Kellen tilts his head thoughtfully. "Just the way they look. The new ones are either half-terrified lookin', or trying to look like total badasses. The ones who've been here before, they just look kinda downcast and unimpressed." He pauses to take a drag, then ashes carelessly on the floor. "But I notice you didn't answer me." Meanwhile, Ness - who looks both like a total badass and unimpressed, and also possibly intoxicated, swaggers past the open door of Kellen's and Jesse's room to the next one down the hall. Not bothering to knock, he shoves the door open with a shoulder. After a quick glance around the room which apparently fails to take in the other occupant of it, Ness moves to the empty bed and hoists his duffel bag onto it, then takes more care in leaning his guitar case against the wall.


Jackie:: "I'll take it as a compliment that I don't fit into either one of those descriptions, then." When that drawer proves to house nothing, Jesse slides it back into place, then rounding back towards his bed and perching on it carefully. "And yeah...I'm new. To the school. My mom thought it'd be a good idea, I guess." He shrugs a shoulder loosely, like he can't decipher is his enrollment here is valuable or not, and then nods over in Kellen's direction. "But you're not new, right?" Back in the other room, Tim is unzipping his duffel bag and taking out his clothes-- haphazardly folded, but not at all organized. When the door budges open and his new room mate appears, Tim cranes his neck backwards to take stock of the boy. He immediately snorts quietly for the entire illusion the other boy has, and simply shakes his head-- going back to his clothing and already determining that it's going to be a long, long year.


Jay: His naturally high energy quota makes Kellen restlessly stand up again, pacing to the window to peer at the courtyard below and making a noise of consideration for Jesse's reasoning as to why he's here. "Actually, I'm new, too. But I been here a couple'a days already, showed up early, so I've had a little time to get used to the place." He mimics Jesse's earlier shrug, turning and leaning back, hips against the windowsill.


Jay: Hearing that snort, Ness turns quickly to re-inspect the room, weaving a little off-balanced and arching an eyebrow. "Oh." Spotting Tim bent over his bag, Ness stills, and his inebriation is much less obvious for it. "Didn't see you there. Hey." He doesn't sound enthusiastic, but neither does he sound totally unaffected. The last place he was at, he spent a lot of time alone, and he's not sure how to feel about having a roommate. So long as the guy isn't a total prude, it might work out, plus the ass looks promising. On the strength of another once-over, he adds in a somewhat more friendly tone. "I'm Mike Ness."


Jackie:: Jesse shifts a bit as Kellen moves about, being sure to face him as he settles down into his own bed more-- still sitting, but curling his legs up to his chest and wrapping his arms loosely around his shins. "Is it as dismal as it seems? I was waiting for a crow to start squawking overhead as I walked in."


Jay: Kellen laughs a little for that, more relaxed than the laughter before, but it still comes easily. "I dunno, really. Judging by the way a lot of these kids act, it's a step away from Hell, but I can't say how it'll be with classes and everything. It's sort of a creepy old building; I spend the last couple'a days exploring, and found some rad places, and stuff that's definitely been here longer than it's been a school." Another dismissive sort of shrug, and a sort of half-smile as he recalls an earlier part of the conversation: "My guess, it's another of those situations where it could be a lot worse."


Jackie:: Making little piles of clothing on his bed, Tim tosses a few of his rolled up socks near his pillow, and then starts organizing his shirts. He doesn't have much, due to their dress code and him being here for a year without returning home, and eventually the first duffel bag is empty and his t-shirts are stacked somewhat neatly. When Mike speaks, Tim glances over again, watching him for a moment and then nodding, yanking up another duffel for him to sort through. "I'm Tim." Those eyes go back to Mike's body, scan over his appearance that goes totally against school policy, and then goes back to his bag. "You're new."


Jay: "Yeah." It's a flat tone, agreement with a little insinuation of 'no shit, sherlock.' "You're not new?" Not bothering with unpacking as yet, Ness lets himself drop onto his bed with a bonelessness that again exposes his slight intoxication. His left hand goes to his right wrist, toying with the knot in the torn bandana wrapped a few times around it. Again looking Tim over casually, his lined eyes divert afterward to look over the faded stone walls and Spartan furnishings of the room.


Jackie:: The mention of the building being creepy catches Jesse's attention and he perks up a bit at that, tilting his head curiously. "Really? That's kinda cool. We never have any history on the west coast. Everything is always so new." He wrinkles his nose for that, then rolls his eyes up to the ceiling. "I wonder if people have died in here. It could be haunted."


Jackie:: This duffel bag isn't as organized as the last-- in fact, none of the clothing is folded, and Tim just dumps the contents onto his bed and starts the folding. His actions seem methodical, like he's done this all before, and that tone in Mike's voice doesn't escape him. He nods for the question and then rounds his bed to go to the dresser, pulling open a drawer to then fill it with his boxer briefs and socks. "..no, not new." He sighs a bit, because it's always so annoying when the new-room-mate-contract-discussion has to happen, so he just dives right in. "I hate sleeping with any lights on, and I shower in the morning."


Jay: "Yeah, everything where I live is all industrial or commercial, so the really old stuff was demolished way back in the day. Boston's big on history, though; in the city you can even find some of the original buildings from, like, before the revolution." Finishing that last drag on his cigarette, he tosses it out the window, between the bars that cover it to keep kids from jumping or breaking out. "I'm not sure what this building was before it was a school, but the main part looks like, at least a hundred years old?" Not that he's any genius about architecture; he's going off of what Leech told him, and that likely included what else the building housed in the past. But Kellen can see Jesse's curiosity and doesn't want to ruin it by having all the answers. "I bet if we did some research, we could find out."


Jay: Ness' gaze flicks back to Tim for that information, quizzical. "Okay...I hate sleeping with any clothes on and I shower when I'm dirty." He doesn't sound like he understands why he's being given this superfluous information. Most of the people who have lived with Mike have either put up with his habits, or left quickly. His attention is distracted by the sound of other voices, and he looks towards the open bathroom door. "...does that connect to another dorm?"


Jackie:: Jesse actually smiles for that, enough to show a little dimple in his cheek that hasn't made an appearance since before he left California. "That's so neat. We should research it more. I got a funny feeling when I was down in the main lobby. Like I was being watched, or something." Flicking his eyes back to Kellen, he shrugs and dismisses the thought before he thinks about it too much. "So you're from Boston, then?"


Jackie:: Yes, a long, long year. Tim rolls his eyes to himself and once that drawer is filled, he begins folding the other clothes-- sweat pants and athletic shorts, a few pairs of baseball uniform pants and some plaid pajamas that he got from Jesse's mom. Glancing at the bathroom, Tim nods his head, not all that interested in meeting his suite mates because he's already not impressed with the one he's sharing a room with. "Yeah, it's jack and jill style. Two rooms share a common bathroom."


Jay: Kellen nods his agreement for the thought of researching the place. "They wouldn't let me bring my laptop, but there's a computer room on the first floor with internet - limited, of course, but probably they don't block historical research sites." Restless as always, he pushes away from the wall and goes to pacing the room aimlessly, looking down at his mismatched converse as he does - one red shoe, one black, with laces patterned with card suits. "Nah, I'm not. Or, I am, sometimes. Part'a the family lives in Boston, but I was living in Jersey with my dad before coming here. Trenton." He pauses in his pacing, peering through the bathroom door into the next dorm when he spots someone looking back. And because Kellen's as friendly and curious as a butt-sniffing hound, he redirects his path to go through the bathroom, giving an affable smile to the guy looking at him and turning his head to include the other occupant of the room in the expression. "Hey. I'm Kellen, and that's my roommate, Jesse. Guess we're all sharing the shower?"


Jay: Ness rolls his eyes some at Tim's turned back. If this guy were any more enthusiastic about life, he might reach the status of a zombie. But then he spots the kid coming through the bathroom, and at least this one looks marginally friendly, so Ness responds to the greeting with a sly little grin. "Mike Ness. I look forward to it." The emphasis is given to that last line by the way Ness' eyes travel appreciatively over Kellen's form.


Jackie:: Jesse makes a face for the mention of laptops not being allowed, because really-- he shouldn't be surprised. Lint warned him about this place and its unrelenting set of rules, and its not at all surprising that his mother was so eager to enroll him. He registers Kellen's information in the back of his brain, knowing that it'll be safe there for him to go back to and process, and then follows the boy's path into the bathroom. Staying a few feet behind, he watches as Mike introduces himself, offering a little wave as a greeting and absolutely not missing the way Mike looks at Kellen.


Jackie:: Just as he's stuffing his clothing into another drawer, Tim hears Kellen's voice and the mention of Jesse, and he quirks his head a bit to see into the bathroom. He knows Jesse should be near, but doesn't quite expect him to be one room over since typically, suites are determined by year. But then Jesse comes into partial view and Tim can't help but feel a little better, picking his head up a bit when they meet eyes. Jesse in turn beams for that, walking more through the bathroom and eventually entering the room. "Hey, Lint."


Jay: Kellen doesn't miss the way Mike looks at him, either, and laughs with only the faintest tinge of self-consciousness for that lack of subtlety. He's aware, of course, that most of the boys here are either gay, bisexual, or simply willing to make do with what's available, but he hasn't seen much blatant evidence of it yet. Luckily, he's saved from trying to come up with a response by Jesse's entrance into the room and his greeting of Mike's roommate. "Lint? Is that really your name?" He sounds a little bewildered, but not patronizing, looking back at Jesse in query.


Jay: Ness gives Jesse the obligatory once-over, too, but it's a little more dismissive - not quite his type. Or, his types, since he has several. Given that no one's addressing him, he finally gives in and unzips his bag, pawing through haphazardly and separating his clothes into vague piles as he hauls them out.


Jackie:: Jesse is damn near glowing just for seeing Tim, and he smiles a real smile (teeth and dimples) over at Kellen for that question. "His real name is Tim, but I call him Lint. He's my best friend." And with that, Tim quirks his mouth into something that could possibly pass as a smirk, and he approaches Jesse by anchoring his arm around Jesse's neck and then ruffling that hair. While doing so, Tim looks over at Kellen and nods a bit-- he's seen this kid over the past few days, but hasn't actually met him. Since Jesse took care of the introduction, he doesn't feel compelled to repeat it.


Jay: "Oh?" Kellen still looks a little quizzical, but forebears asking why he might be called Lint. "Well, that's rad. Nice to meet you, Tim." He figures he's not at nickname stage with this dude, despite having spotted him a couple times before this. Maybe this explains why Jesse isn't so bummed about being here. Before he can initiate any further conversation, there's a light knock on the door frame, and Kellen turns. Leech is there, his gaze passing over each of the boys in the room with mild disapproval, and Kellen steels himself to not look welcoming or like he knows this person. Once Leech has ascertained that no one is doing anything particularly illegal (or fucking with his brother, which is much worse than illegal), he nods once and tells the room at large, "Dinner's in ten, y'oughta head down." And then he passes on to the next room, and maybe Ness leans to the side a little to watch him walk away.


Jackie:: Tim nods again at Kellen, clearly not one of many words as he releases Jesse in favor of play shoving him away, which only earns him a quick shove from Jesse in return. Jesse is still smiling ear to ear, looking back over at Kellen and about to say something to him but then Leech is in the doorway, looking all authoritative and he snaps his mouth shut before he makes a sound.


Jackie:: Tim, on the other hand, doesn't pay much attention to Leech-- used to his presence and not at all surprised by it. Going back to his bed, he finishes up with his clothing. Jesse peers about the room, or at least Tim's side of it, and tilts his head curiously. "Where's your guitar?" in which Tim tilts his head over to the open closet, where an acoustic guitar case is propped up on the inside. The other boy seems to seem at ease for that, nodding approvingly, and then goes back to Kellen. "Is this place vegetarian friendly?"


Jay: Sounding like he's talking mostly to himself, Ness mutters uncertainly. "What the hell was that?" And Kellen has to hide a little grin, playing straight-man again. "That's Mr. Harvey. He's a teacher and, I think, also in charge of punishments. I've heard some pretty crazy shit about him." Ness looks intrigued by this, but is more intrigued by food, so he rezips his duffel and tosses it in his tiny closet before heading down to the dining area.


Jay: Refocusing on Jesse once Mike takes off, Kellen tilts his head from one side to the other uncertainly. "I didn't really bother to find out. Kind of a carnivore. Should we go downstairs and find out?" He switches his gaze from Jesse to Tim briefly, including the older boy in the invitation.


Jackie:: Jesse keeps that smile on his face for Kellen, nodding his head and then glancing back at Tim, waiting for his response. But Tim just shakes his head lightly, motioning towards the last bag of stuff he wants to unpack. "I'll meet you guys down there, I'm gonna finish this up real quick."


Jackie:: Jesse nods for that and then makes his way towards the door, waiting for Kellen to join him and also lead the way, since he's completely clueless and has yet to get the formal tour. "I hope it's veggie friendly, and not in the "Here's a salad bar" kind of way."


Jay: Shoving his hands in his pockets, Kellen leads the way to the end of the hall and downstairs, walking slowly to keep pace with Jesse. Having met Tim and Mike, he's appreciative that he seems to have a roommate who not only speaks, but also doesn't eyeball fuck him repeatedly. "Wait. What other way is there? I mean, what do you eat?" He pushes open the door at the bottom of the staircase, joining a general exodus through the wider first-floor hall.


Jackie:: Walking alongside Kellen, Jesse laughs a little, obviously still much more light hearted thanks to the presence of Tim. "I mean, I like salads, but...ya know. Brown rice. Tofu. I could eat black bean burgers every day for the rest of my life, I think." He contemplates that for a moment before nodding his head.


Jackie:: Tim finishes up his unpacking a few minutes behind the rest of the boys and makes his way down to the dining hall, mulling over the interaction he's seen between Kellen and Jesse. Overall, he's thankful that Jesse doesn't seem immediately suicidal, and Kellen doesn't appear to be anything like his own room mate. When he enters the hall, it's crowded with other students, and seating is certainly lacking.


Jay: Kellen still wears the perplexed expression of someone who consumes pretty much anything without regard for what it's made of. "I don't know, really...there are a few different menus to choose from, maybe they'll have something." Entering the dining hall, he motions around the room, indicating the three different lines kids are making in front of the various food-dispensing places, the entrees offered at each showing on signs above their stands. Kellen spots one making burritos, and since that sounds like an excellent change from Leech's total lack of culinary skills, heads for that. After selecting from the various offered items to build his burrito, he steps away, searching around the room for a place to sit as he waits for Jesse to finish assembling his own dinner, since Kellen knows hardly anyone else here.


Jackie:: Peering around the dining room, Jesse wrinkles his nose at most of the food options, settling on the salad bar. After assembling a salad that could otherwise feed a small family, Jesse meets back up with Kellen and then slinks off to a table in the back corner-- half of it is occupied by some upper classmen, but there's enough seating for them and Jesse figures it's enough. "It'd be nice if we could cook for ourselves, ya know? I have a feeling this is going to get old."


Jackie:: Grabbing his own dinner, which consists of mostly raw vegetables, Tim peers around the dining hall. He spots a few people he knows-- people he'd otherwise eat with, but then he sees that mop of blonde and its new friend, and he figures its in his best interest to try to create even a fraction of the enthusiasm Jesse has for Kellen himself. Taking a seat next to Jesse, he catches what the other boy says to Kellen, and nods his head. "Trust me, it does."


Jay: Letting Jesse lead the way to the table, Kellen peers around the mostly full room. Though the school houses something short of 200 students, it seems like many more after the past few days of the halls being almost entirely empty. He nods in greeting to Tim before responding to Jesse. "Ahhh, maybe you can lodge a protest? Claim food allergies or something. Religious reasons." Dropping into a seat at the table, Kellen opens the soda he acquired with his meal before digging into his food with that voracious hunger and complete disregard exhibited by most teenage boys. There are a few staff members at the front of the hall, Leech among them, and they seem to be waiting for all the boys to get settled before starting in on some kind of orientation.


Jackie:: Jesse snorts for that, but its light hearted-- more so in amusement than disgust. "I doubt a religious institution would take to heart the protest of an atheist." Quirking his head to the side, as if considering it, Jesse shrugs a shoulder. "Maybe I'll wait a while. Ya know, settle in. Don't need to make a name for myself in the first week."


Jackie:: Tim, baby carrot in hand, jabs it into the hummus lumped onto Jesse's salad plate and then pops the vegetable into his mouth, about to chime in but then just...stares at the way Kellen destroys his food. It's not so much disgust as it is impressive-- two bites and nearly half the burrito is gone.


Jay: Kellen emerges from his food long enough to smirk at that response. "Good point. They prolly wouldn't give a fuck if you claimed Buddhism, either." If he notices Tim watching his eating habits, he gives no sign of it, and only vaguely seems to notice when the crazy headmaster calls for silence and starts explaining how students will be expected to arrive at their home room classes tomorrow morning to arrange the rest of their schedules and pick elective courses, followed by a really boring discourse on mandatory prayer meetings after class and other churchy obligations, given by a priest in late middle age.


Jackie:: Forking some more salad into his mouth, Jesse nods at Kellen's words, figuring as much in an place like this. When Lint reaches over to snag some more hummus, he jabs at the fingers with his fork in good humor, which only makes Tim glop more of the bean spread onto his carrot.


Jackie:: As the headmaster speaks, Tim picks his head up, looking around the room dully and then curiously peering around for his room mate. He doesn't look too hard, and isn't all that disappointed when Mike isn't located-- but he does inwardly groan when the headmaster starts discussing the rules that he could all but recite on his own.