harlequined | ( an open post #1 )

[ The lacrosse team is doing some summer conditioning, and while normally he wouldn't mind having to be at school after it's over for the year, it's just too hot to be outside. Even for someone whose body can take more than the average person's.

His inner wolf is no match for the California sun, and it's not long before he needs to go inside refill his water bottle. (And maybe spend some time in the nice, air conditioned building.)

The minute he steps into the hallway, he can hear it: piano. Someone was in the music room playing, and his legs are taking him in the direction of the sound before he's even aware that they're moving. It sounds too good to be a student, so it's no surprise that his curiosity gets the best of him.

Upon arriving at the room the music's coming from, Scott comes to a halt in the doorway. He's wrong, of course, and the she is definitely no older than he is. His eyebrows raise high on his forehead and he listens quietly, not wanting to disturb her (or seem like some creepy stalker).

Before he can stop himself, though, he opens his mouth to speak. ]

You play really well.

[ At least he's quiet. ]

[ Natalie is one of the most gifted students around. There are summer music classes indoors while the sports teams practice and, though she may not sound like she needs it, she is content to practice until her joints ache. And even more so after that. She excels in all her classes but she keeps her head down, away from people and drama, disappearing when school is over.

Her fingers dance over the keys and she's pretty certain there are a few off key notes but on a school piano, that doesn't surprise her. She isn't picky about where she practices but she does take issue with interruptions. Slowly, she lifts her hands and rests them in her lap. ]

I'll be out of here soon.

[ The way he shakes his head is as if he's personally offended by the idea of her stopping. ]

No, no, I'm not... [ Musically inclined? Gifted in any kind of way when it comes to music? ] I'm here for lacrosse. [ He points at his jersey, if it wasn't obvious enough, and takes a few steps into the classroom. ] I was just coming inside for more water and heard you playing and got curious.

[ Scott gives her a rather sheepish smile in apology for interrupting, but that's not enough, so he speaks again. ]

I'm sorry for interrupting you, but you play so well and I just got curious.

Oh.

[ That at least gets a half-smile to form on her face. That was incredibly ... earnest. Something she isn't accustomed to, honestly. ]

I don't pay attention to sports. [ Normally, that would be the comment to shut down any further conversation, but she says it almost apologetically, in response to his compliments. ] I'm just - it's just practice, that's all. It's not perfect.

[ Well, that's gotta be a good sign, right? She hasn't asked him to leave outright, and he even seemed to make her semi-happy just by being honest with her.

So instead of saying goodbye and getting back to the field like he should do, he takes a few more steps forward. He lifts his shoulders in a shrug and tilts his head, looking at the piano.

He literally could not find something more out of his element even if he tried. Too delicate, too intricate. ]

Could've fooled me. If that's not perfect, it's gotta be pretty close. [ He smiles again, looking back at her, now. ] But I also can't play at all, so what do I know.

[ Okay, handsome, friendly athlete talking to the pianist with the scowling resting face. She tries not to look so dour today, even turning around on the bench to look at him. ]

Believe me, I've got ... a lot of work to do. [ She holds her hands up, shrugging herself. Conversation. How do you continue a conversation when you're so used to being alone with your own thoughts? ]

I can't play -- uh, whatever you play, so. I guess we're even or something.

[ Someone as good as she is, continually putting herself down? Scott frowns a bit and shakes his head. He's not having any of this. ] Well, then you're going to be fantastic.

[ Even or something? Not even a little bit. ] Yeah, maybe, but anyone could learn to play lacrosse. A few practices and you get the gist of things. [ He motions at the piano. ] I think that's a little different. Takes talent and years of hard work.

[ Sometimes she thinks about going out for the swim team here to maybe add it to her college applications, if anything. Show that she's a well-rounded student. After transferring in, in the middle of last year, maybe she's more settled now. ]

Don't you need to get back to lacrosse practice or something?

[ Which sounds mean, but she doesn't intend for it to come out that way, so she quickly amends: ] I mean, you shouldn't get in trouble.

[ She's right, he should be getting back to lacrosse practice. So why Scott shrugs his shoulders and takes another step forward (while making sure to stay a safe distance away, just in case she had a larger ... bubble than others) instead is entirely beyond him. ]

I guess, but— [ He'd rather stay here. ] —they'll be okay without me for a while.

[ That's assuming that she even wants him to stick around, and he's not entirely sure about that.

Raising an eyebrow and grinning, he nods back at the door. ]

Unless you want to get back to your playing. I can go if you'd like. [ That sounds a bit like he's guilt tripping her into letting him stay, and that's not his intention at all. Hopefully she catches on. ] I don't want to distract you.

[ Natalie looks at him through a narrowed gaze, her lip curling into a half grin as she considers him. ]

I can't tell if you're giving up or if you want to be more persistent, [ she observes out loud, snorting to herself as she turns around on the piano bench again, letting her fingers dance up the keys in a light trill. ]

You ever learn how to play "Heart and Soul?" [ But before he can answer, Natalie starts playing both parts easily, a jaunty, easy tune. She points her elbow to the empty spot next to her on the bench. ]

( an open post #1 )

hey hi hello hope this is okay!

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