too much of nothing, seraph

[Keith Deckerton]

Okay, so what is the time? The time is now is an old saying that is redundant and just plain out of fashion. In this day and age, the time was apathy. The time was money. The time was greed and the time was letting nothing in the whole entire world get in the way of Keith Deckerton having the time of his life. If one could say anything about the dark-haired seventh year that strode down the corridor, it was that nothing would stop him from having the time of his life. In any way he thought appropriate. It was clear in the way he carried himself, a lazy saunter that oozed arrogance and the sure, sure belief that he was just better than every single other individual he passed. It was obvious in the way he gave a faint smile to those he passed who he knew, a nod of his head that was done in such a way that the impression was of a great honour bestowed upon them and in Keith’s very biased opinion, it was a fucking honour and everyone better fucking believe it. Look at me and cry, motherfuckers. You’ll never be here and you know it, even if you don’t want to. The thought made him smile and lift a hand to adjust the strap of the satchel cutting into his shoulder, slightly weighed down with textbooks. An iPod was hooked onto the waist of low slung black slacks, the dark cord that connected to earphones breaking the simple white of his shirt. That way, technically he was oblivious to most of the world around, only seeing the smile on people’s faces and the pretty women who looked at him even when they didn’t want to. It was all very gratifying, all just the way he wanted it and pretty much all good in the world of Keith Deckerton thank you very much.

However, the question remains about what shall be done tonight. Ah, indeed, what shall be done tonight? Should Keith retire to his room and focus on the open pages of books spread across his bed? Go and socialise at some club and hope that enough alcohol will suppress the complete and utter boredom he found in the same fucking routine night after fucking night? He didn’t know. All of it seemed equally unattractive and the truth of the matter was that Keith was looking for something new that he could either cultivate or destroy. Or perhaps something in between. The options were limitless. The journey from classroom to bedroom was done with nary attention paid to the milling mass of life around him. School was boring as well and as much as he was aware of the benefits, perhaps, of having an education, did not mean he could not dislike it. The teachers are hot. Some of them. That’s it. It was an absent-minded thought that filtered across his consciousness and was dismissed when a quick survey of his surroundings placed him just outside his own room door. He only opened it briefly, to deposit his satchel and pick up a packet of cigarettes and a worn copy of To Kill A Mockingbird from his desk before he shut it again and turned away from the lure of his room and some peace and quiet. Who wants peace and quiet when you can make noise? Noise you start and then walk away from. To go and read somewhere quiet. Maybe even grab a coffee.

Just need to get out of this building for a little while. Just a little while.

Keith’s room was at the top of North Tower. And on his way down, he passed familiar and unfamiliar faces and pretty much the faint sound humming from his speakers kept most of the people who were brave enough to approach him backed off and leaving him to his own happy devices. And until Keith wanted to change that, he would leave them to their own conceptions of whether he wanted to be in his own world or not. It meant little to him. It was just a lazy stroll down flights of stairs and around corners, adeptly weaving between the other bodies moving through the passages, one hand slinking into a pocket lingering there, the laid-back, almost lackadaisical approach he had adopted for the afternoon shown in the set of his shoulders and the half-smirk that lingered on his expression, almost as if he did not know it was there, passing through wooden double doors without taking much cognizance of that fact. At least, until brown eyes that might have been warm on someone else caught the flick of blonde hair in front of him and lifted to survey the figure that had appeared ahead of him. Curves were noted with a swift glint and the girl had, perhaps not all, but plenty of Keith’s attention.

He did not recognise the slender shape in his vision, versed as he was in the figures of enough women in the college, but it did not matter either because recognition would not have changed what he was going to do in the least. His saunter picked up pace and it was not long before he had caught up and was walking next to the girl, a brief glance sideways affording a glimpse of her properly. If his expression did shift to one of approval it was quickly replaced with the familiar casual amusement that so often was carried in his approach and with a fluid movement of his arm, reached up and slid the earphones out of his ears. The sound of music could be heard more clearly now, an eclectic mix of sounds courtesy of The Cure, The Pixies and The Faint. “I’m going to walk next to you. Why? Because you move nicely and of course, that makes me look good.” Low, husky tones were casual and whilst not openly friendly, held amusement and interest enough to make do. Turning, he flashed her a slight grin although, whilst his eyes were not warm, they had certainly taken on a different cool from the cold gaze he most often adopted when treading through the hallways.

[Seraph Dylan]

it had been a very long day. a good day, but a very long one. all sera wanted to do was head back to her room, turn some music on and dance in her underwear until it was three in the morning. she was hyped up on caffeine, as she thought she was going to need to pull an all nighter due to the amount of homework she had, but was surprised when it was all done in a matter of two hours. quadratic equations continued to run through her mind incessantly, and sera knew that she needed to drown them out somehow or they would not go away. as she wound through the halls of the school, she reached into her messenger bag and produced an iPod. it was one of the older generations, but she didn't mind. it had been a present from her father, and even though he offered to buy her something more up to date, she refused as the small white box held a lot of memories. sera placed the white head phones into her ears and turned the music up way too loud. the play list of the moment was filled with old bob dylan songs. sera was very interested in the song writer and his song hurricane could probably be heard by everyone she walked past. soon, the blond was in her own world.

as she walked through the long halls toward her destination, sera pretty much ignored everyone around. finally making her way to the room, sera decided that it was too early to retire for the night. exhaustion had not hit yet and she felt as though going for a swim would be in order. this year, she had been placed as captain of the women's swim team and needed to be sure that she was at the top of her game. as she unpacked and then re-packed her messenger bag sera danced around slightly, swaying her hips slowly to times they are a-changin'. once her towel, bathing suit, and a change of clothes were stowed safely away she headed out the door.

before hitting the main hall again, sera changed the music to something more upbeat. sabotage by the beastie boys flowed through her ears, and a small smirk made it's way onto her soft, pink lips. most of the people she knew did not like this particular group, but sera couldn't get enough of them. completely lost in the song, she did not realize that someone had sauntered up beside her. in her peripheral vision sera saw that keith deckerton was walking beside her... and it appeared that he was... speaking? to her? it was rather strange as he had never made an effort to do so before. sera popped her headphones out and stuffed the iPod away in her bag just to catch the end of what he was saying - and what she heard made her want to clock him almost instantly.

most people said that first impressions were always the ones that stuck, and if that was true then keith was ever going to be in sera's good books. sure, he was a good looking guy, but from what she understood he roamed around the school and acted as though he owned it. from his statement, sera figured that this was in fact true. rounding a corner, she hoped to lose him, but to her dismay it did not work. keith followed and was able to keep in stride with her pace easily due to the fact that he was probably more then a foot taller then she was. realizing that she was going to need to acknowledge him, sera cocked an eyebrow and turned a blue gaze to look at him more closely. keith was very good looking. the kind of good looking that you saw in like... movies and magazines. in a way she just wanted him to be all over her, but everything he embodied was everything she hated. "did you seriously think that line would work?" sera finally said with a raised brow.

[Keith Deckerton]

Why did Keith Deckerton do the things he did?

Not because he wanted to irritate, or impress, or woo into bed (though that often proved itself an agenda) and not to cause trouble. It was not for other people. Not for their benefit or their disapproval and quite frankly, Keith would tell anyone who was interested in discussing the matter to go fuck themselves and walk away before it was too late and he thought them a complete douche forever. No, he did it for the simple fact that he could. He just could. It was an odd little reasoning perhaps, selfish, but Keith did never not claim he was a selfish person and on special nights seemed to revel in the concept of only thinking of himself and nobody else. Nobody else at all. Generally, within the walls of academia and scandal flawlessly melded, that permanently controlled sense of the bee’s knees and everything in between from sliced bread to coffee. Arrogance, bred into his bones and never leaving no matter what he did and how he tried, if he were to ever try. He didn’t though. Of course, because this was the natural order of things and as much as people hated to admit it and he knew they did, he was on top. No question.

And the slip of girl next to him was raising one finely shaped eyebrow in his direction, as if his words were a surprise and she had not been expecting them. Which seemed ludicrous and irritated him about women who shrieked how dare he, when they knew full well that he dared. Often. No matter how much they railed against it. Oh, and she was pretty. Beautiful, even, a sway that caught his eye and an attitude problem to match that only widened his grin and deepened the amusement that flickered in his eyes. She studied him for a minute and whilst anyone else might have been slightly uncomfortable not just with that, but with the entire situation, Keith did not profess himself to be one of those people and was completely at his ease under her scrutiny or whatever it was, since she didn’t look too impressed with anything. That was also something that did not phase him at all, clear by the fact that he was still in place with no apparent intention of going anywhere else.

“Did you seriously think that line would work?"

If Keith was the kind of individual that snorted with offence, he would have done so then. But he was not like that and had not snorted about anything since he was a kid and still thought it was okay to act like… your age. It was a whole different ballgame now and so the only response what should have been cutting words received from the dark-haired youth was the implication that she was being ridiculous in his eyes, slightly widened in deliberate surprise. She was… shorter than him, by a goodly amount and quick thoughts leapt across his mind as he puzzled out her place in this world everyone from outside of it called a school. He called it anything but, but his own opinion was never the point in a discussion, or argument like as not. “If that was a line, then you’d have been in my lap long before this.” he told her, smooth without being unctuous, a fine line to walk and one he walked too well, it had been said. “Usually, I’d just walk and expect you to stay in place but you’re… hot,” the emphasis on the word was completely unmistakeable, but then again, he had meant it to be, “and I thought you deserved more than that.”

Isn’t he the perfect man, always having the lady’s best interests at heart?

But it was Keith all over. You could not fault him for his self-assurance, his rock solid confidence in himself that literally meant there was nothing he would not do. I make this look good, he told himself, the truest litany since Christ had told the world to love their neighbour and not forget. Was it Keith trying to get on the good side of a girl? Not really. Generally, he irritated girls and made them blush with either anger or pleasure, but they stuck around. When he arrived, the baser instinct was tempted and it was all that was needed because from there on outwards, the little niggling attraction was always present. He knew that much, because it was a secondary response to most of the beautiful women he had ever come across. “And look at her.” he suggested, making no attempt to lower his voice, indicating the girl that was passing them, books clutched to her chest, jagged green gaze stalking across the pair before she was behind them, throwing only one more glance over her shoulder, murderous for both Keith and the blonde. His laughter was as husky as his voice, as if he had smoked one too many cigarettes, a throaty hum of sound that mocked the girl who had been fool enough to even expect a response from him. “She hates me, but she hates you more. Jealous, mostly. As well she should be.” he informed the disdainful little form walking next to him. “I make you look good.”

[Seraph Dylan]

it was rare for sera to show full blown anger or frustration. over the years, she learned that those emotions usually cause people to spew useless dribble about nothing - never getting them to any particular point. due to this, she had come to live by the idiom, 'don't get mad, get even.' it made sense, because a lot of the time anger faded, or it just rolled off the back of whoever it was directed to. on rare occasions though, certain people who were able to get under her skin in just the right way. the high and mighty. those who walked around the world acting as if they owned it - viewing people as no more then insects who should bow down and serve them.

keith deckerton was the embodiment of this.

pure anger started to bubble just below the surface, and even though she was able to keep a calm, and collected exterior, eventually that would fade and she knew it. it was good that sera was headed toward the pool, a little exercise was exactly what she would need after a conversation with the man. there was no way she would let him have the satisfaction of driving another girl crazy with his womanizing ways. repressing her considerable desire to kick him in the balls and walk away, sera just kept on heading toward her destination.

there was a reason she tried to stay somewhat under the radar at cedar creek. most of the people who attended were total and complete assholes. it was hard for her to paint the entire school one color, as there were a few people who were tolerable and even fewer that she was able to call friend. the rich, and the snobbish were crawling all over the place. her dad has come from humble roots, and even though he was rolling in cash now, he made sure to teach sera not to be one of those people who seemed to think that money and status was everything. there were more important things in life then egos and expensive cars.

“If that was a line, then you’d have been in my lap long before this.”

swallowing an urge to snort with laughter, sera just ran her nimble fingers through her hair and responded in the only way she could. chock full of sarcasm. "is that right? you're that good. i had no idea." while her face remained straight, inside she was welling with some sense of pride. a lot of girls just crumbled at keith's feet, but she was actually putting up some kind of a fight. the battle had begun, and she was not going to back down because he was good looking and had a way with words. of course, his way with words made her want to yak, so it was easier for her to put up a front.

“Usually, I’d just walk and expect you to stay in place but you’re… hot, and I thought you deserved more than that.”

"well, thank you for noticing." it was the only thing she could think to say at the moment. in some sick way, sera felt somewhat happy at the fact that one of the most attractive guys in the school deemed her steamy enough to talk to, but with keith's rep almost every girl had that privilege at one point or another. her thoughts were verified as another young woman walked past and he treated her like a piece of meat - almost cat calling, but not quite. it was classier then barking at her, but only by a little. she decided to continue on with what she had been saying before he had been distracted by boobs and brown hair. "i've been told how good looking i am before though, and i really don't need you to stroke my ego. thanks though." it was almost as if she was trying to dismiss him, but she knew that was not going to happen. it seemed that what keith wanted, he got... usually. when it came to sera dylan, he was not going to go away happy.

“She hates me, but she hates you more. Jealous, mostly. As well she should be. I make you look good.”

you cannot be serious. sera thought, more anger boiling through her veins. how was it that everything he said was insulting and yet complimentary at the same time? it seemed that everything he said was not in fact a compliment to her, but a compliment to himself. "jealousy is a useless emotion, and i look good enough by myself thank you very much. so, if you could just fuck off now - i would like to continue on with my evening without an escort." a slight slip in her otherwise pristine composure almost caused her to wince, but she didn't miss a step. the pool was still a good distance away, and sera hoped that he would finally catch on to the fact that she was not interested and walk away.

[Keith Deckerton]

Okay, so you could call Keith Deckerton a lot of things but stupid was not one of them. Because he wasn’t. He might not have been book smart, but then again, book smarts where not the be all and end all of everything and Keith was well aware of that. But he was clever. Clever with his tongue (a fact that more than a few could attest to, in a variety of different way), clever with his thinking and clever with his approach. Because here was the point… the little blonde was slowly starting to boil beneath that cool façade. He could see it in the flash of her eyes and the way she wanted to sneer at him, perhaps and tell him exactly where to get off, but also from the way she moved, the way fingers remained slightly rigid as they trailed the sun-blonde hair. Nice hair, an absent part of his mind noted. Absent because he was not really paying attention to it or to her and the way it was a sure signal of her frustration. With his presence, most likely but here we arrive at the very same point that Keith Deckerton and those that know him well enough will always bring to light – he could not give a continental shit.

And of course, whilst the little spitfire next to him was spouting cutting remarks and contemptuous retorts to his comments, the attempt to control her temper flagging, Keith realised that he did not know her name. He also realised, in almost the same breath, that he did not want to know her name and set about thinking up a nickname for her and her holier than thou, I have so many morals and please, what do you know attitude. He listened with half an ear, something about stroking her ego and reluctant thanks and a myriad of other things he could not be bothered with. They passed someone else, someone who at the moment was just not important enough to be noticed by Keith Deckerton. What did happen though, in that little interaction, was that the a greeting was sent the way of the now irritated and gratified blonde. A very soft greeting but her name was mentioned and in that, Keith smiled. Sera. That was her name and once had learnt that, everything else started to fall into place and it was a major effort not to pause, lean against the wall, and laugh until the tears rolled out of his eyes. Or something equally dramatic that was so contradictory to his personality that it would probably be the reason he was laughing. As it stood, Keith just chuckled and in the throaty sound was a lifetime of cynicism and bitterness, directed at life in general. Just beneath his ears, lingering in small little white speakers at his shoulder, a man asked where his mind was in tune to an eclectic and thrilling guitar riff. Taking in the entire situation, later Keith would wonder about the sheer silliness of life and the way it passed and did not pass, or whether it affected and did not affect the people who rode it. Only later on, though. Right now, he had someone’s calm to break. Sera’s, to be specific.

“Jealousy is a useless emotion, and I look good enough by myself thank you very much. So, if you could just fuck off now - I would like to continue on with my evening without an escort.”

The options regarding a response were endless and variable. See – laugh outright and she might get violent, getting physical with her was not quite an option yet (that was all about timing), ignore it and she won and follow the distinct authoritative tone in her voice and the rumour going around the school tomorrow was that Keith Deckerton had been put in a place by a girl head and shoulders shorter than him. None of it would work and the plain, bald truth was that she could just run on ahead. However, knowing women and the million little things that drive them, he suspected she would never give him that kind of satisfaction and would insult him the entire walk to the pool if she felt it was justified. “Temper, temper, kitten. It could get you into trouble. And by all means, it appears that you do need an escort for the evening. Can’t just walk around blowing your top at every guy that thinks you’re pretty. It’s… not dignified.” The pause was clear, as if Keith had been intent on saying a myriad of different things and had selected the most innocuous to deliver right then. “Besides, can you really, honestly say it was that insulting? You’re very… sensitive then, I imagine.” And of course, those words were layered with a whole realm of different meanings, the innuendo clear in his husky tones. He considered her reaction. It would be swell, in his opinion.

Oh yes, another thing about Keith Deckerton? He didn’t just let things slide. Never. Ever. “And jealousy, for what it is worth, is a useful little emotion. It lets one take the measure of people, what they are truly capable of. Sounds like you’ve never been jealous in your life… cold little world you live in.” Judgement passed and sentence handed down. But then again, Keith was not lying. Personal experience had proven him right about that particular bit of wisdom more than one. Jealousy tested your mettle. Keith was never jealous.

But then again, he had always known that he lived in a cold little world.

[Seraph Dylan]

everyone had their own opinions of everyone else. no matter ho hard you tried someone was going to think of you as a hypocrite, or a liar. not everyone could be sated. when it came to sera, a lot of people assumed the worst of her. even though she hated the word, she was often called a hypocrite due to her views on the world and how she reacted to everyone else. sometimes such things were hard to avoid. plus, usually the personality traits you hate the most in other people are the ones that you wish gone from your own. for a fleeting moment, sera thought about just giving in, and letting keith woo her. it wouldn't be easy because she hated every fiber of his being at the moment. maybe sera could push that aside for a little while and just focus on his looks.

“Temper, temper, kitten. It could get you into trouble. And by all means, it appears that you do need an escort for the evening. Can’t just walk around blowing your top at every guy that thinks you’re pretty. It’s… not dignified. Besides, can you really, honestly say it was that insulting? You’re very… sensitive then, I imagine.”

it was damn near impossible though because every little thing that came out of his mouth made sera want to scream. the fact stood that he was right though, and she was going to need to back peddle now. how was he able to get under her skin so quickly? it was ridiculous when she thought about it. even though she was loathe to do so, it was time to give the man a chance. it was a long shot, but maybe he was different on the inside. in a way she highly doubted it, but she was one to give people second chances - even when they did not deserve them. "i suppose you're right." sera said with a grimace. "i've only heard things about you in rumor, and that automatically triggered a negative response. i suppose you know what they say about. not that one such as yourself would let those things get to you." sera pulled her bag closer and stuck her hand out sideways to keith. she realized that they had not been formally introduced and it was probably best to get it over with.

"i'm sera dylan." her dad would be proud. if there was one thing she needed to remember it was to remain professional no matter how much you wanted to punch, kick, or scream at your opponent. keith and sera were now in some kind of strange battle of wit and there was no way she would lose. this was great practice for her, and sera could not help but look at it like a challenge.

“And jealousy, for what it is worth, is a useful little emotion. It lets one take the measure of people, what they are truly capable of. Sounds like you’ve never been jealous in your life… cold little world you live in.”

"i suppose you live in a similar world as i do. jealousy is not something i let get in my way. everything needs to be looked at objectively rather then in a green light. don't get jealous, but try harder to obtain." sera very rarely felt jealous of others. first of all she thought that pining over something she very well could have was stupid. when it came to men that sera did not feel that getting jealous was useful. besides, men were just that, men - and eventually they were going to notice her whether she wanted them to or not. look at the situation she was in at the moment. in no way did she want keith to take notice in her, he just did. pining over a guy made you seem desperate. better to just get on with your life, and if something happened, then it did.

[Keith Deckerton]

“I’m Sera Dylan.”

When one made headway, especially where it was thought none could be made, it was an occasion worth celebrating and when the little hand extended towards him, somewhat to the side, Keith’s lingering smile should have been warning enough for what he was about to do. Nevertheless, warning was sometimes unnecessary, for the element of surprise was something he put great stock in. Responses were truer that way and there was nothing Keith Deckerton appreciated more than a true response to something he had done. And so he moved, his fingers circled her wrist and prompting her to pause in her walk for a moment, turn slightly, so they could face each other, get a proper measure of one another and perhaps clash will properly for a moment, gaze meeting gaze and the relevant battle of wills would begin. For make no mistake, Keith was well aware that it was a battle of wills. It would never be anything but when regarding Sera Dylan, who’s hair should have been red to match her temperament. Still, Keith did as Keith always would and tried his best to unnerve her. His fingers loosened their grip, sliding down to link with hers and lift them slightly, his head dipping so that his lips could brush lightly against her knuckles. “A pleasure to meet you, Sera.” he almost purred, gaze still fixed on her as he freed her from his touch before she could wrench her hand away, as she might as well have wanted to. He couldn’t be sure.

You could only gauge so much.

“And I’m Keith.” he offered expansively in response, though he figured she was well aware of that, judging by her response. Still, it didn’t hurt to confirm her suspicions, even if Keith was well aware of his reputation. Not that he cared much, but we all knew that already, didn’t we? And on another note, Keith was rather proud of his reputation, which he knew he well deserved and which, quite frankly, had never stopped him from doing exactly what he wanted before. Sera was proof of this and once he was sure the knowledge of his name had sunk in well and good, the gentle brush of his fingertips against her shoulder urged her forward again as his long, loping strides picked up.

“I suppose you live in a similar world as I do. Jealousy is not something I let get in my way. Everything needs to be looked at objectively rather then in a green light. Don’t get jealous, but try harder to obtain.”

Keith Deckerton almost laughed aloud at her words. He could not believe what she had just said and was more than amenable to the idea of turning her words back on her and seeing if she was so sure of them once they had been put into use. Schooling his features till only amusement touched the handsome planes and angles of his face, he afforded Sera another glance. “So,” he began softly, “I should abandon jealously then and try harder to obtain. If you would suffer my ignorance for a moment,” he continued, knowing as well as she did that he was just leading up to a point and euphemisms helped, “if I were jealous of your ability to be quite cutting with your words, hypothetically speaking, how would I go about trying to obtain you?” There were many forms to the standard come on and you could be damn sure Keith had a whole variation in his little armada. Sera was playing victim to one now, whether she was pleased with it or not. “Considering I am not about to let anything get in my way.” Oh, it was all worth laughing about, in hindsight. Right then though, Keith wondered if Sera would fly off her handle or just laugh in his face when his hand found its way to her back, fingers exerting gentle pressure and feeling body heat through clothing before finally rising to toy with delicate strands of blonde hair, something he had wanted to do since he had watched it sway with her movements in front of him much earlier. He carried on.

“What would you suggest I do, Sera Dylan? Since your protests to whatever is happening now would simply be called getting in my way and quite frankly, I think you enjoy it despite yourself.” Oh yes, no one goaded quite like Keith Deckerton. And if anyone were to spot them in their promenade down the corridor, they would catch glimpse of Keith Deckerton, playboy extraordinaire and good at it, with his arm around one Sera Dylan, looking for all the world as if he were about to bring a direct halt to their walk and kiss her in the middle of the corridor. He might. She might rip his head off if he so much as tried, but appearances were deceiving and he liked nothing more than to do the exact opposite of what everyone was expecting one they had gauged the scene. It was ever his way. The smile he gifted the blonde girl was smug, tainted with the faintest challenge and the barest hint of attraction.

She was very pretty, after all.