Overland Park, KS, Monday Afternoon

[vanillajello]

Saturday had seen a very weird trip to the mall, and as a consequence, Sunday had been pretty quiet. Tara had woken up as herself again, and everything was a little awkward. It wasn’t as if Tara’s condition was a big family secret, but it was out now, and it affected the mood in the house. Everyone tried to do their own thing, and conversations revolved around trivial stuff. Kate’s family, in an effort to make light conversation, asked questions about life in Fandom and where Leto was from. They didn’t know how much editing went into answering them.

And today the house was empty apart from Kate and Leto. Max had gone to work, Tara had gone somewhere with Charmaine, and Marshall had gone to visit his best friend. It seemed like they were all maybe slightly running away, glad to put the weekend behind them.

Kate was holed up in her room for the moment. She had taken a shower, and after getting dressed and blowdrying her hair, she rummaged around her desk drawer until she found a lighter and a near-empty packet of cigarettes. She took one, and after opening her door a little to signal it was okay to come in, she went to smoke the cigarette by the open window.


[For the boy. NFB due to distance.]

Comments

[future_sandworm]

"It might just be a coincidence," Leto told her, laughing too, then nudged Kate's arm lightly as he followed her.

[thegregsons.livejournal.com]

"Sorry, I didn't have time to bake anything," Tara said as they entered the kitchen. "But there's store bought cookies and I can make some hot chocolate."

Charmaine rolled her eyes. "Gee, how wholesome, Tara."

[vanillajello]

"We ate a wholesome breakfast," Kate told Charmaine with a grin. "And we're going back to school cafeteria food in two days. We deserve cookies and hot chocolate."

Because there wasn't any of either those in the dorms. Ever. Nuh uh.

[future_sandworm]

"I have never had hot chocolate before coming here," Leto said, thinking this was probably a safe topic of conversation. "My people serve coffee or tea."

[thegregsons.livejournal.com]

"Where exactly is it that you're from?" Charmaine asked, leaning on the counter and watching Tara pour the milk into a saucepan to heat it up. "I have never seen anyone with eyes as blue as yours."

[vanillajello]

Kate took a seat by the table and helped herself to a cookie. Leto had done fine with the questions before, and she saw no reason this time would be any different.

[future_sandworm]

"My family is originally from Greece," he replied, smiling. "And I like coloured contacts. Do you live nearby?"

[thegregsons.livejournal.com]

"Greece, huh? I've always wanted to go there. It seems like it would be a nice vacation spot," Charmaine said. "But, yeah, I live nearby. How could I ever leave good old Overland Park?"

[vanillajello]

Kate smiled at Leto. Good work, there.

"Leaving Overland Park is surprisingly easy," she smirked at her aunt. "All it took for me was a ride to the airport."

[future_sandworm]

"And I'm glad you did, or I would miss your company at Fandom," Leto said, then looked at Charmaine. "But this is a pleasant place."

[thegregsons.livejournal.com]

Charmaine laughed. "Yeah, it's pleasant if you visit for a few days. Try living your entire life here. If I lived in New York, I'd be like one of those girls on meta for Sex in the City."

[vanillajello]

"You wouldn't miss something you never even knew," Kate told Leto.

And Charmaine got a snort, which wasn't entirely connected to her next comment. "I don't think he knows the show."

[future_sandworm]

"And some people enjoy making fun of compliments," he replied quickly, grinning. "And no, I don't know the show. I don't watch TV often."

[thegregsons.livejournal.com]

"So Greece doesn't have TV or hot chocolate," Charmaine said, raising an eyebrow? Maybe it wouldn't be so fun. They have wine, at least?"

[vanillajello]

"His family does some things differently," Kate saw fit to remark. "Doesn't mean all of Greece is the same."

[future_sandworm]

"They do have wine." They did! As far as Leto knew. "And I've just spent my time doing other things than watching TV, although Kate has been introducing me to some movies." One movie, to be specific.

[thegregsons.livejournal.com]

"What kind of movies?" Tara asked, moving to the cupboard for the cocoa mix.

[vanillajello]

"High school movies. Well, one high school movie," Kate replied, not sure what more to say about the subject. She glanced at Leto.

[future_sandworm]

"I thought it might be a good way to learn more about what a high school should be like," Leto said cheerfully.

[thegregsons.livejournal.com]

"They don't have high schools in Greece?" Charmaine asked.

[vanillajello]

Kate grinned to herself, watching Tara make the hot chocolate. Charmaine's questions weren't too hard, and she was happy about it.

[future_sandworm]

"My stepmother was responsible for my and my sister's education," he said. "But yes, there is an equivalent of high school." Or so he assumed.

[and now I need to sleep]

[thegregsons.livejournal.com]

"Oh, you were homeschooled," Charmaine said. "That's... interesting."

It seemed kind of uppity to her, but she wasn't going to outright insult Kate's friend.

Tara shot her a warning look. "Kate, you want to get the cookies out of the cupboard please?"


[Niiight!]

[vanillajello]

"Sure," Kate nodded, getting up and going to the cupboard. "So Charmaine, you got me a present?" she asked, steering the conversation away from schooling.


[Sleep seems like a mighty fine idea!]

[future_sandworm]

Also preferring a change of subject, Leto said: "I'm sure it's a better present than the ones my stepmother insists on giving me. She owns a hat shop. I don't wear hats."