| As stated earlier, hooray for slow Sundays and beautiful clear skies.
Overhead the fall sun warms an otherwise breezy boardwalk. It may be chilly, but it's pleasant at least. Perfect weather for a walk by the water or a cup of coffee and one of the best views in the city.
While he may have been summoned away earlier that day, the afternoon has found him back at the shopping center. This time, rather than slumping against the seawall railing, he's found a table outside the caf. He's slouched in the seat, a cup of something steamy in front of him. As he flips lazily through social media posts on his phone. As always those way-to-dark shades have been pulled down over his eyes and the replacement hoodie has been shrugged on. Judging by his expression, all is at peace for the moment.
The occasional cluster of students wander by, drawing his attention and an infrequent wave from the teen, though for the most part he seems content.
Isabelle was, until a moment ago, inside the cafe. Now however she steps outside, readjusting the strap of her purse on her shoulder before taking a sip of the drink in hand, shinny new bracelet sparkling in the sunlight. Spotting Kelly there's only one greeting she can give, "You missed the cake."
"But I gained so much more." Is Kelly's almost instant response to the brunette. He grins, glancing upward toward her, "I'm sure it was a good party though. I doubt anyone missed me really." His grin widens for a moment before he reaches into the bag at his feet, tugging free a shopping bag that /clearly/ doesn't belong to him. It's tossed in turn toward Isabelle. "But you can't say I'm not a good friend. Happy Birthday Hell-Bell."
"Oh really?" Isabelle counters, sarcasm dripping from those two words, a shrug following. "I doubt it," she agrees about anyone missing him without missing a beat or waiting for an answer to the aforementioned question. The bag has her raising a perfectly manicured brow, "Who'd you steal that from? But you're right, I can't because you're not my friend." Heaven forbid anyone think they're anything more than the casual acquaintance. "You shouldn't have," doesn't mean she's not opening said present.
"You're so full of shit." Kelly allows with a roll of his eyes. "Anyway I didn't steal it. I bought it. Just ask Lizzy Gold." He shifts in his seat, stretching his arms upward to give his back a small pop. "But if you don't want it I can give it to another girl. I'm sure someone will enjoy the punchline a little." After all..presents!
Pulling the necklace from the bag Isabelle can only laugh, "Lighten up, I was teasing about the stealing part. It's perfect." An amazing compliment coming from this cheerleader. "Plated or 24 carat?" she asks, cutting a look from the necklace to Kelly. So she's curious how much he spent, she has standards.
"I'm an asshole, not a cheap ass." He points out with a roll of his eyes. "It's real." He feigns irritation, but the truth of the matter is that he's beyond amused. "So you really did have a nice birthday?"
"Hey, you never know sometimes," Isabelle replies, "and the fake stuff never lasts." Laying it carefully back into the bag for safekeeping she nods, "This," she says, holding out her hand so he can get a better look at her bracelet, "Was from mom and dad. That new guy.. Ethan? No, Eten - Etienne! He got me a ring from this English maker, very hip." she rattles off a few of her other better gifts.
Kelly chuckles, listening, though behind his shades his eyes glaze over almost immediately. "Etienne, yeah." he allows easily, "Cool enough guy. Pretty sure he.." he pauses, hesitating with his gossip, and in the end his humanity gets the better of him. "Like I said, pretty cool." He laughs, though at himself really. "In fact I'm pretty sure he belongs more with you guys than with me and El. Not that's I'm complaining. Our group could use some culture but still." He shrugs, slumping back again.
"He...?" Isabelle prods. Kelly might have some semblance of humanity when it comes to gossip, but she does not. Gossip is gossip and totally worth sharing. "He seems to be, yeah. Something about his grandparents and my grandparents," she shrugs. Where Kelly glazed over on her story she apparently did the same to Etienne.
Kelly eyes her for a moment, "He's a cool guy." He repeats with a small but easy enough growl. He's not stupid! "So what you doin now? You can sit down." Beat, "Then again people may think we're friends. Can't have that."
Isabelle shrugs, "Coffee," she notes, holding up the cup as she plucks it back up from the table where she'd set it to open her present. "Might go to the hotel pool later," she shrugs taking a sip of her drink, obviously she doesn't have any pressing plans for the day. "No, we can't have that," she agrees, "Two different circles, just wouldn't be right."
Kelly laughs. "I don't have a circle." He allows with a shrug. "I am legion." He teases back at her, rolling his eyes again behind the shades. "Anyway, you think I'm hot, so shush." He even grins, clicking his tongue ring against the back of his teeth as he watches her. "Anyway, I've made out with half your friends. I'm not a very far drop." Then again, half her friends buy into the 'ex-actress mom' bit hook line and sinker.
Isabelle chuckles, "Yes, but I'm not them," she points out. "And I never said it was a far drop, just that it wasn't going to happen," she adds, pausing midway for another sip. "I hate to burst your bubble, but I was over you in the seventh grade." Right about the time she stopped being friends with Ellis, the other girl moved, and Isabelle made her move to become what she is today - popular with a side of bitch.
Kelly shrugs, "I doubt that." He teases back, "Then again, I'm too good for YOU, so you're right. Not going to happen. I actually like my fellow humans." He doesn't wear them like accessories either. He also seems mostly done with his place at the table and moves to push himself to his feet with a sigh, "And on that note, I think I'm gonna head home. I'm tired and I need to make sure moms not .... ya know. Being mom."
|
