What Real Life's Like (AU,CC,MATURE) Thread #1

[isabelle]

Glad you're enjoying it Sternbetrachter! I'm glad it's going again, too.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*MICHAEL*

I almost choke on Isabel's words. On a date? Does Maria think I asked her out on a date? That wasn't what I intended, exactly. I look over, but Maria isn't looking in my direction.

Still, she said yes. I thought she was still all about Max-the-stud, but I guess since Max is going with Tess, Maria's available?

I'm not sure how I feel about being a back-up date, even 'though it wasn't supposed to be a date in the first place. Still, Maria is kinda cute. Maybe I could do something with this.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*MAX*

I'm sorta surprised when Isabel mentions other people going on dates tonight, besides herself. I hadn't actually mentioned my date with Tess to anyone. Not that that I was trying to keep it a secret, exactly, just that with all this confusion going on, I wasn't sure how to bring it up. I guess Tess mentioned it while I was out getting the car. Then again, it might have been the way she acted with me at the station, too.

I reach for Tess' hand and give it a little squeeze. It's good, I think, that they know. I'm sure it'll be best to be open about it. I just hope that Maria's not feeling hurt by this. It could make things awkward at work tomorrow.

Tess gives me a smile, and it makes me feel really good. I think we're gonna have a great time tonight. I smile back at her, but look up when Alex mentions that he's going to a movie with Liz. I guess he managed to get together with her without my help. But if he's still interested in Liz, then why did he hit me over being nice to Maria? It really makes no sense. It's sad. I had thought that he and I were going to be good friends, but that doesn't seem to be the case, any longer.

Yesterday, this news would have made me just a little jealous, because Liz seems like such a great girl, but I also would have been glad, knowing that Alex has been so interested. It's hard to be glad for him now.

"That's nice," I manage to say. I look over at Tess. She had been open to a movie, or to "someplace where we could talk." It sounds like a loud club would be out, but I'm sure we can come up with something. Maybe a coffee house or diner before or after the movie.

"You about ready to go?" I ask Tess, as everyone starts getting up from the table.

"Sure," she says. "But I think we need a new ride. Maria's taking Michael to the club."

"That's okay," I grin, pulling my new keys from my pocket. "I've got us a ride."
.

[~Ruby~]

Ok so my computer is playing up so this is kinda rushed and I will be back on Sunday to write about the date etc.

-hugs-

Ruby


Isabel


I look at my watch, Oh my god, I can't believe its 7.00pm already. Jake is going to be here any minute and I'm not even half way ready. Oh my god. I'm not going to be ready in time, I haven't got enough time to look my best. Why didn't I say 8 instead? Why did there have to be so much stupid traffic?

"Get a grip Isabel!" I order myself as I open my wardrobe. Ok so this is easy, don't think just pick. I close my eyes and reach into the mouth of the wardrobe just grabbing the first thing my hand lands on. Whatever it is I will wear it. I open my eyes, Ok so maybe I won't wear that

Second time lucky! I smile when I notice my Ralph Lauren Pleated Bustier & Skirt. Perfect.

Ok next hair and make up.

I look in the mirror. 30 minutes to get ready. I can do this!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

28 minutes and with time to waste.

I can barely control my excitement as I finish getting ready for my second date with Jake. I can't believe I'm going on a second date. Jake is just so amazing, I've never clinked with anyone the way I do with Jake. He is everything I've always wanted in a guy. Funny, smart, charming, good looking, rich and the list goes on. Its like we are two sides of the same coin.

I finger my locket gently as I look in the mirror, for a second its almost like I'm looking at my mother, I reach forward to touch her and the spell is broken. Tears threaten to spill and ruin my perfect make up. I blink them away. I'm no cry baby.

I take a deep breath before walking down the stairs. Jake is going to be here any minute.

'Speak of the devil!' I think as the doorbell rings just as I reach the bottom of the stairs.

"Hey!" I say smiling warmly at him. God he is so hot.

"hey yourself!" he says smiling back at me "for you!" he says handing me a single red rose.

"Its beautiful. Thank you!"

"You're beautiful" he states and I blush. God what is wrong with me? I don't blush.

"You're not too bad yourself!" I grin, taking everything about him in. He looks so hot dressed in a black suit and white shirt, the first few buttons left undone giving him the casual but smart look.

"Thank you Ms Anderson!" Jake says taking my hand and kissing it, his lips barely touching my skin.

"Come in, I just put this in some water, grab my bag and then we can go!" I state leading the way to the kitchen. I bite my lip to keep from grinning like a fool. Kathryn would be laughing herself stupid if she knew I was thinking like a love stuck teenager.

"Oh hi guys" I say when I notice Alex and Liz are already in the kitchen, making what seems to be pop corn.

"Ready for your date?" Liz asks with a soft smile.

"Nearly. Jake this is Liz, my roomie and Alex. He lives here too! Guys this is Jake my date." I state without glancing in Alex's direction. There's something about him, that sends a shiver down my spine. I tug on one of my curls to keep from thinking about it.

"Its a pleasure to meet you both!" Jake says extending his hand to Alex and then Liz. He is such the perfect gentleman. So very perfect.

"We've heard so much about you." Alex says with a smirk and I blush. Oh my god. How embarrassing! Jake going to think that I've been talking about him to every Tom, Dick and Harry. "You're like boy wonder or something. Isabel even said she wants to have your babies!"

“Alex!” Liz hisses with a look of disbelief on her face

“What?” he asks with a shrug

I’m going to kill Alex.

“Did she now?” Jake says with a smug smile “I’m sure we could have fun practising sweetness!”

I feel my jaw drop slightly in shock and thank god he isn’t running out of that door.

“You’re be so lucky” I state “I don’t ‘put out’ on the second date!”

“There’s a first for everything!” Jake grins

“You know I suddenly feel a headache coming on!” I say dramatically

“Would you like me to carry you up to your room? Maybe help you lay down?” Jake asks raising an eyebrow.

“Men! You are all the same!” I groan rolling my eyes

“Come on Ms Anderson. I’ve got a table booked for two and plan to show the time of your life!” Jake says grabbing my hand “We can save the other stuff for the third date sweetness!” he whispers in my ear

“What makes you think there will be a third date?” I ask to which Jake just shrugs with a sly smile. “I see you guys later!” I say waving at Liz and Alex.

“Have fun!” Liz says

“We will!” Jake says "Your carriage M'lady!"

Oh. My. God.


Isabel's outfit

[isabelle]

*MAX*

I sit in the parlor waiting for Tess to change her clothes. The piano is empty and silent. The rosebud on it, still looking fresh, only slightly more open than it had been last night when I put it there.

I know Liz is in the kitchen with Alex and Kyle, getting ready to settle back with a video rental and I try not to be jealous. Afterall, I'm going out with Tess. Tess is pretty, and smart, and fun, and spunky. I smile as I think about her. Yeah, this is gonna be a great night.

A few minutes later, I hear voices in the hallway. I look up, but it's Michael and Maria, obviously on their way out to the club.

"Hey guys," I say.

"Hey Max," Maria says, smiling. "Whatcha doing here?"

"Just waiting on Tess," I explain, and I notice Maria's smile dimming slightly at the mention of her name.

"Oh, well, have a nice time," Maria says.

"You, too," I tell her. Then, remembering how the evening turned out last night, I turn to Michael, and grin. "You'll keep her away from swimming pools, won't you?"

Michael rolls his eyes. "You bet. Don't want to repeat that."

"What are you two talking about?" Maria asks.

"Don't you remember?" I say, noting her blank look of confusion. "Last night you got a little... a little too well lubricated. You almost drowned in the pool out back, but Michael played 'Baywatch,' and got you out."
.

[baby_bre]

Maria


I can't believe what I'm hearing, Michael saved my life? I jumped in a pool! In my dress and everything? That was an expensive dress and it must be all ruined.

Okay I think I might have sounded like Isabel for a moment there, I still can't believe that Michael jumped in a pool to save me, maybe my thoughts of him from last night were right, maybe he's not as tough as he likes to think he is. Even if he does act like sex is the only thing to live for.

"You saved me?" I repeat staring at him.

[isabelle]

*MICHAEL*

"Yeah, whatever," I admit. She didn't seem to think all that much of it last night. As soon as I pulled her out she was all about Max 'stay-with-me-until-I-fall-asleep' Evans. "It was nothing." I don't appreciate the 'Baywatch' comment, and I give Max a glare.

"Nothing?" Maria echoes.

Maria still looks confused, but her eyes are wide, staring at me. Is she actually seeing ME now? Not Max? Maybe I'm doing this wrong. I should play it up. Yeah. "No, not nothing, babe. I'm just saying, I used to be a life-guard. I'm always happy to help a beautiful girl in distress."

[baby_bre]

Ditto what Katie said ! I love reading your comments, it makes us all happy that someone enjoys ready what we're doing here.

Ruby- Nothing is wrong with being like Isabel lol, I just thought it was weird for me to write Maria like her but then maybe she does have some Isabel in her !


Maria


I give him a look, is he trying to turn this into a sexual thing? Or well a flirting thing at the least, so maybe I hadn't pegged Michael wrong at all. I don't remember the water, one would think if you feel into a pool you'd at least remember being wet from head to toe. I was pretty drunk last night though, which could be the reason I can't really remember a thing, its really embarrassing now that I think of it. I mean I must have looked a mess, my dress plastered to my body, probably ruined or in threads, my hair plastered to my face, make up running down my face. I doubt it was a pretty sight.

"From the sounds of things I'd think I was anything but a beautiful girl." She told him.

[Sugarplum7]

<center>~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ Liz’s Part ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~</center>

Alex and I were discussing which movie we wanted to watch first, when Isabel entered the kitchen with a single rose. That only served to remind me of the mystery surrounding my own rose, which was still resting on the piano. Since Alex is here, maybe we can dabble with some music before or after the movie. It was fun when we did it earlier.

Jake seemed like a really nice guy, and Isabel simply lit up when she was around him. She was happier, nicer, brighter even. That is what should happen. I know that it is early for her to be in love, but I definitely think she is in like. I continue to look at the microwave, paying attention to the pops of the kernels. That was until I heard Alex tell Jake something that would make me trip midstep.

“Isabel even said she wants to have your babies.”

I know my eyes widened as I lightly kicked him from our seats on the stools around the island in the kitchen. “Alex!” I hissed out.

Jake certainly took that comment in stride, and after that jibe Alex made, I ignored Isabel and Jake, hoping to give them some semblance of privacy.

I hopped off the stool and made my way to the cabinet the bowls were held. I pulled two down and took the popcorn out of the microwave, opening the bag and pouring the hot popcorn into the two bowls. I gave a bowl to Alex and noticed that Isabel was saying goodbye.

“Have fun!” I say as I go to get my glass of water sitting on the counter.

“What did you kick me for?” Alex shouted as we made our way over to the main room where Max was waiting for Tess.

“For purposely trying to embarrass Isabel! She is finally defrosting and you go on and say something like that!” I take one of the popped kernels out of my bowl and throw it at him. He moved enough to catch it in his mouth. He then moved to grin unrepentantly at me.

“Show . . .” I trail off as I look at the scene before me. Maria looks like she has ten different shades of shock and disbelief on her. Michael looks a little uncomfortable, and Max has his hands in his pockets and his posture is almost turned in.

I turn to Alex and then back to the three other people in the room. I look back into the kitchen and then back at Alex. “Do you ever feel like you always enter the room at the wrong moment?”

“I have been feeling that a lot since I moved into this house.” This situation was extremely tense and I don’t think that I should try to diffuse it.

Max and Michael turn to us, and Maria was still trying to decide whether she wanted to look at Michael or her shoes.

“Uh, we were just coming in here to hang out before you all left for your respective nights out, for Kyle to finish his shower before we watched the movies, but we can skip over that if you guys need time to talk things out.”

<center>~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ End Liz’s Part ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~</center>

Questions:

What is Kyle doing? Is he watching movies with Alex and Liz? I kinda just assumed he was.
What day is it?

[isabelle]

Katie, I'm not sure about Kyle. I assume he's home with Liz and Alex, as he didn't mention any other plans. But I'm sure it's Monday night.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

*MICHAEL*

"No, you were beautiful, Maria," I tell her, remembering how she looked. It was when I first really saw her, I think. As a person, not just one of the group. I realize that I really mean it. "You are. Beautiful."

Just then, Liz and Alex come into the parlor.

“Do you ever feel like you always enter the room at the wrong moment?” Liz asks Alex.

“I have been feeling that a lot since I moved into this house.” Alex says.

“Uh, we were just coming in here to hang out before you all left for your respective nights out, for Kyle to finish his shower before we watched the movies, but we can skip over that if you guys need time to talk things out.” Liz explains, backpedaling.

"No problem," I tell her. "We were just on our way out."
.

[~Ruby~]

Ok so here's the first part of Isabel and Jake's date. The song I used was Misty by Sarah Vaughan randomly picked because it just happened to be what I was listening to when I wrote this last night I will post another part sometime over the weekend.

Isabel

Touched! That’s how I’m feeling right this minute. And I don’t mean it in ‘Jake is touching me all over’ kind of way so get your mind out of the gutter, I meant what I said before I don’t put out on the second date or even the third but then again most guys don’t even get past the first date so… but anyway I’m feeling really touched as Jake and I follow the waiter to our table out on the terrace.

“Lucky I don’t suffer from hay fever!” I state as I sit down on the chair that Jake had pulled out for me. Our table is in the corner of the terrace, filled with red and white thorn less roses. The sound of the blues float softly on the air companioned by the sound of the ocean caressing the beach. The stars above shine brightly helping to create the perfect atmosphere for a second date. Subtle romance or at least as subtle as Jake will ever be I guess. “I love this music. My parents use to dance to it all the time when I was little. It was my mom’s favourite” I state resting my chin on the palm of my hand as I look at the view.

Jake laughs softly “I know. You said at lunch. About seven times.”

I look at him sharply “You were actually listening?”

“What do you think I was doing?” he asks raising an eyebrow

I shrug “I just figured you were trying to look down the front of my dress. I mean hello you are a guy!”

“Well I’m hurt Ms Anderson that you would think so low of me!” Jake says and I feel a tug of guilt “But I did like the look of the red bra you were wearing. What was that made of lace? Silk?” he laughs

“Jerk!” I state poking my tongue out at him

Jake smirks at me causing butterflies to flutter away in my stomach. “You know you love it really sweet thing!”

“Fiddle-dee-dee” I mutter rolling my eyes which only makes Jake laugh.

“You’re amazing! You know that right?” he says his eyes shining with laughter.

“Of course I know that. I’ve been told that since the day I was born” I say smugly.

“I bet you were!” Jake says as the waiter pours some Champagne into our glasses.

“Oh my god. I love this song. Its was my parents’ song” I sigh remembering the days when my mom would sing the song while she danced with my dad.

“Dance with me.” Jake says getting up reaching for my hand.

“What about dinner?” I ask

“It can wait!” he state tugging me in the direction of the dance floor.

Look at me, I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree;
And I feel like I'm clingin' to a cloud,
I can' t understand
I get misty, just holding your hand.

Tingles dance across my skin and the butterflies in my stomach give birth to more butterflies as Jake wraps one arm around my waist pulling me closer to him. I rest my head against his shoulder and sigh. I feel like an actress in one of those old black and white movies. You know the old classic ones. Girl meets rich and good looking guy and well you know the rest. Its too early yet to say what is going on between me and Jake. But something tells me that he could be…

Walk my way,
And a thousand violins begin to play,
Or it might be the sound of your hello,
That music I hear,
I get misty, whenever you're near.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks, his breath his warm against my neck.

“I just thinking that I feel like I’m in one of those classic black and white movies. You know where everything is so perfect and you just know that they are going to live happily ever after!” I blush slightly at the last part. Maybe I should of just stopped at the movies part.

“So would this be my cue to kiss you?” Jake asks tilting my chin up so I’m facing him. My breath catches in my throat as he leans in to kiss me.

Can't you see that you're leading me on?
And it's just what I want you to do,
Don't you notice how hopelessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you.
On my own,

Everything around us seems to melt away as his lips brush up against mine briefly, I wrap my arms around his neck pulling him as close as possible as I deepen the kiss, capturing them with a urgent fervour. His hands burn the small of my back as he traces his fingers over my skin. I pull back when the need for oxygen becomes too much.

“You’re so beautiful!” he whispers kissing me on the corner of my mouth.

“You are too!” I whisper back before hiding my face against his shoulder again so he won’t see me blush. Again!

“So you want to have my babies?” he asks huskily against my ear, his hand still resting on the bare skin on the small of my back

“Talk about ruining the moment!” I state. I’m really going to kill Alex when I get back to the house.

“Couldn’t help myself!” he laughs twirling me around.

I can’t help but laugh. Everything else in the world seems unimportant, there’s just me and Jake and tonight.

And maybe, maybe he could be it.

When I wander through this wonderland alone,
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I'm too misty, and too much in love.
I'M JUST too misty,
And too much
In love.....

[baby_bre]

I'm here I'm here I'm here ya'll *Twirls* Anyhow I didn't know what Kyle would be doing so I figure what you have him doing is fine..

Maria

I blush when he says that I'm beautiful, even if I'm not it still feels good to hear even if it is from him. Glancing around I notice Liz and Alex come into the parlor cutting off whatever reply I would have come up with.

“Do you ever feel like you always enter the room at the wrong moment?” Liz asks Alex. What are they talking about is what I'd like to know, okay so maybe we were having a 'moment' but so what.

“I have been feeling that a lot since I moved into this house.” Alex says.

“Uh, we were just coming in here to hang out before you all left for your respective nights out, for Kyle to finish his shower before we watched the movies, but we can skip over that if you guys need time to talk things out.” Liz explains, backpedaling.

"No problem," He says . "We were just on our way out."

Were we on our way out? I didn't know that, okay maybe did but would I ever admit that I couldn't wait to leave? Uh no of course not.

"Well we should be going then..." I say trailing off.

(SUCKY post but hahaha)