' even COWGIRLS get the b l u e s, tag: aj

[Seraph Dylan]

it was getting colder out as the months wore on toward the end of the year. each day was was getting shorter and sera did not like this one bit. when winter came, she felt as though she wanted to go into hibernation. it was no secret that sera was not a fan of the cold, but she was not a fan of being cooped up indoors either. nothing could change that, even her dislike for the frigid weather. so, she threw on a large winter coat, and wrapped a scarf around her neck. it was almost comical to see her small frame so bundled, but it was the best way to keep the cold out and the warmth in. every winter, people would only see sera's eyes as she walked around the campus. her bright blue orbs were the only things visible beneath layers, and layers of clothing.

today, it wasn't absolutely freezing, so she refrained from wearing a hat and gloves, but immediately regretted it when she left the school building. the wind was wicked and tossed her long blond hair around her face. aj said that he was going to meet her at the watch house, and she was on her way there. the guy had been pretty down lately, and sera had taken it upon herself to make sure that he wasn't moping in his room twenty four hours a day. it was kind of sad to be honest. aj was a good looking guy and for him to be anti social was almost a crime. the girl he had been dating really messed him up, but it was time to get back up on the horse. there was no way sera was going to let him waste away in his room listening to sad music. luckily, there was a photography assignment due soon, and sera managed to convince him to come out with her so he could take a few pictures. telling him to bring his camera was always incentive to get him outside.

sera and aj had a somewhat strange relationship. for the first two years at cedar creek, they didn't really talk to one another. sera knew who he was, and what his name was, but she never really went to the effort of getting to know him. from what she could tell, he was really into art, and photography and such. that was just not the path she was going down and sera knew it. her father always thought that the arts were frivolous. they took up time and energy that could be spent on other things. so, sera took mainly law, and history classes, hoping to bulk up her knowledge before applying to law school. when she wasn't her law classes, sera took math. the subject had always been really easy to her and she was able to get really good marks. plus, it helped her learn how to problem solve.

when she finally did take on a photography lecture as one of her electives, sera quickly found herself bored, but gained a new friend. it just so happened that aj sat right beside her on the first day. when sera saw how much he loved taking pictures, it inspired her to try harder and maybe find some fun in the subject. they started a conversation and he asked her if she wanted to work on one of their assignments together. sera said yes, and their friendship started from there. ever since, both of them have been looking to push each other to new limits. they had similar views on 'the norm' and both strove to act, and think outside of the box. after two years, sera had grown very close to aj and could often be found with him by her side.

when sera finally reached the watch house, she ran her fingers through her hair and slowly unwrapped her scarf to place it on a windowsill. even though it wasn't as cold in the place as it was outside, a chill still managed to work it's way up her spine, so she decided to leave her jacket on, at least until aj showed up. sera looked down at her watch and rolled her eyes. he was late. as usual. it wasn't really uncharacteristic of him, so she wouldn't worry until he stood her up for more then half an hour. if aj did decide to stand her up, he knew that there was an ass kicking in the mix for him later on. sighing, sera looked out the window and placed her hands in her pockets as she waited for her friend.

[AJ Daniels]

AJ was rather sure that Sera was punishing him for being not happy. Not that he could blame her. She was not a fan of his sulking, and for the most part he could see where she was coming from. But just as well he was flying through his school work so that had to be worth something right? Wrong, Sera had been trying to lure him out of his room for the past few weeks, and while he had been able to fend off the first few attempts with ease. He had not been able to keep it up. The more that she was rebuffed the harder Sera came back. And come back she did again and again. It did not take long for Sera to play AJ's gambit against him, she lured him out with the same homework he had been using for a defense. It was a master stroke of brilliance as it was clear that Sera was waiting for him to use his tried and true excuse. Then she gave him that look with those big eyes of her. It was not a look of cute girlish charm. No that was a look that AJ had learned to over power long ago. This was the ever so rare, serious face that seemed to be saved as a trump card. In the two years that he had known Sera, AJ was not sure that he could say that he knew of her to use that face on anyone but him. He often thought that she created it just for those moments when she needed no words to get him to do her bidding.

Needless to say the look worked and AJ found himself bonding across the school grounds in a nice thick black woolen overcoat. He had his camera in a sling bag and it was just cold enough that he was thinking about wearing gloves. Having grown up in Cedar Creek AJ had the advantage of being used to shift of seasons and so he was not assaulted but the cold. Indeed it had just begun to get cold there would be plenty of time for full on bundle's at a later point. Well for most people, right now AJ was rather sure that Sera had on one of those full body thermal jackets much like one can often see the younger children in. She hated the cold, but perhaps the best thing to note was that she hated being stuck indoors more, so whenever she found herself in a situation that made her choose between being warm and inside over being cold, she chose the cold every time. Granted that was so how she caught the flu last year. Though AJ was rather sure that she also did that because she just wanted him to make soup for her. Indeed the two weeks that she was down with the nasty little bug had been rough as she HAD to stay inside. Not that she was one to listen to reason. AJ had snuck in and out of the girls dorms more times to check on that little pixie then he would like to recall. But that was what friends were for right? To keep you in good spirits when you were shut in and could not get out of your room. Apparently even when you WANTED to be in there.

With the watch house in site, AJ was able to relax his stride a bit. He was rather sure he was early at this point but he could not recall what time they were supposed to meet. He assumed that it would have to be half past the hour. So he left his room a whole fifteen minutes earlier so that he would arrive a good ten minutes early. Unless of course Sera had wanted to meet at a quarter past, then he would be late; but really what are the odds of that? They were slim that's what. AJ hit the door and rolled on through to the watch house itself. He noticed Sera herself was here already. So that meant that he was not early. Someone she seemed to always manage to get wherever they were going to meet first. Maybe that was just her special skill or something. Everyone had one right? Well it was that he was late. Offering a demure smile as something of an apology just in case he was indeed behind the clock on this one AJ walked over to Sera; reached into bag and produced an brown ushanka from his bag and set it about her head. "I knew you would be cold." AJ offered simply. The Watch house had never really gotten all that modern, so on a day like today it was not the warmest place to be. While it was somewhat warmer than the bitting air outside this was a great place to sneak off and cuddle up on a summer night. Not on a cool brisk morning like this one. AJ had figured that Sera had neglected to wear a hat today. It was just too much like her to have faith that it was not as cold as it was.

AJ must have been real bad if Sera was willing to endure the elements like this to drag him out of his room. It made AJ feel kinda bad to have to put her through something like this. He stood for a moment looking at her. His eyes focused keenly and his lips pursed trying to make sense of the thoughts running through his mind these days. It seemed like everyone was trying to make him feel better these days. Was he becoming that guy that just moped around? AJ had never like any of the roles that were filled by "That guy" he had never wanted to be any flavor of "That guy." Not the rich guy that treated people like crap, not the quiet guy that you just ignored, not the guy that just did stupid things. So how had he found himself being the guy that was a mood killer for all his friends? Realizing that he might be looking at Sera a bit too hard while locked in his own thoughts, AJ broke the contact with those oh so comfortable eyes and started fishing in his back for his notepad where he wrote all his assignments.

"You know, we could have picked a warmer place to do this than here." AJ offered trying to drum up some conversation. Trying to be less of the sad guy that moped. He owed it to Sera to try at the moment she had after all taken it upon herself to drag him from his room. He should put forth something of an effort to be out and about with his friend. "I mean you are right there is something magical about this place. Like its always trying to tell a story but no one will listen to it." AJ continued, stringing his words together slowly while extracting his camera from the bag. Quickly adjusting the lens on his Nikon D3 AJ allowed himself a moment to work on prepping his camera. AJ had learned long ago that Sera, tended to have something on her mind, and what stayed on her mind soon had to be said, and that while she was saying her pieces it was a great to to listen and set up a camera. It was how he had wound up getting almost all of his candid shots of her. She often did not realize what was happening until after the flash had gone off.

[Seraph Dylan]

despite the fact that she knew winter was coming, fall was one of sera's favorite seasons. the colors were beautiful, and the crisp air smelled lovely. it reminded her of her childhood during the many days where she could be found out in the backyard with her father as he raked leaves. of course, he was never raking for long until sera came over and jumped in the pile he had been working so hard on. while some parents might have been mad, or even scolded their child for doing such a thing, cameron would just laugh and join her in tossing the multicolored leaves about. sera loved her father dearly, and everyday she was away it felt as though there was a deep pit in the bottom of her stomach; but she swallowed it down. even if she did move back home, he would never be around and the loneliness would just follow her back. it was painful, but it was something she had to deal with. sera knew that her dad loved her more then anything in the world, but his job was demanding. when the day that sera became a lawyer finally arrived, she too would know how difficult it was to balance her family life with her job. sometimes she thought that getting married and having a child was not for her. maybe she would be one of those people who lived for their work. besides, he thought of getting pregnant almost made her want to yak, and it always had for some reason. maybe it was because of what happened to her mother... she couldn't be sure.

from her spot by the window, sera could see aj coming toward the watch house. she smirked slightly and looked down at her watch again. it wasn't surprising that he was fifteen minutes late, and to be honest she didn't really mind. when he came in through the door, sera crossed her arms over her chest and tried to look serious. as he walked over to her, she cocked an eyebrow, but laughed when he placed a large fur hat on her head. "you know me too well." sera responded with a grin. whenever she was under dressed for the weather, aj always seemed to be there to save the day. whether it was him offering her a sweater, or a jacket, he always managed to make sure she was warm and cozy. last winter, he joked that she must've been some kind of reptile due to her hate for the cold. maybe she belonged in sunnier climates, but she was too in love with her school and country to leave. when she finally did head out to harvard, it wouldn't be too much better. plus, something about sun all of the time made her uncomfortable. sera liked the seasons, and watching the transformation happen. she could put up with snow for a part of the year, especially during christmas. spending christmas in ninety degree weather almost seemed like a sin.

"late, as usual. not that i'm very surprised." sera twitched her lip and uncrossed her arms from her chest as aj started to set up his camera. "and as for the cold... yeah it sucks balls, but whatever. it's pretty outside... therefore you shall get pretty pictures. as she said this a shiver caused her entire body to shake violently. the hat was certainly helping, and for a moment she thought about putting her scarf back on, but it was impair her speech, so she decided against it. "this place is awesome, especially with all the trees changing color and shit. we can go outside in a bit if you want. the forest would probably be prime for picture taking opportunities. thought that just would be the best place to meet." sera gestured to the watch house as she spoke. not only was it a good place to meet, but it would give her a chance to warm up before they headed out.

since aj had come back to school, he had been sullen and to be honest, it was kind of annoying. previously, he had almost been a force of nature, and lived his life without regret. this was what had drawn sera to him in the first place. thanks to a girl who broke his heart, his new attitude was the outcome. some people might just stop calling him, or move on to new friends, but that was not how sera worked. she took it upon herself to make him feel better - break him out of the new shell he had created for himself. sera was loyal to those she called friend and would not drop them just because their attitude had changed slightly.

after a few moments of comfortable silence, sera knew that she needed to speak her mind. some found it annoying that she constantly needed to vocalize her thoughts about everything but others found it somewhat charming. sera didn't really have secrets, what you saw was what you got and that was attractive to some. "aj... seriously. i know that you're all pouty and broody now, but we need to find some way to snap you out of it." sera felt as though finding him a new girl probably wasn't the best course of action, but maybe she was wrong. "we could always find you some nice girl to take your mind of things... ehhh?" she smiled and walked over to him in order to push his shoulder playfully.

[AJ Daniels]

As Sera made a comment about AJ being late, he quickly flashed a soft semi apologetic smile. She was right after all he was late there was no denying that. Unless he ever showed up somewhere before she did. Sera was going to be able to say that he was late and he was not going to be able to contest it. That was just a fact of life AJ did sometime show up late. Though he was pretty sure that if whatever it was, could not start without him, whenever he showed up should be considered on time. Though that was a discussion that he had lost to Sera like a year and a half ago. She pulled her little power pout face and AJ relented. Because like it or not that was one thing that he had learned from his brother Baron; when a girl power pouted it was better just to give in. Otherwise things would get no better.

Sera loved the watch house for some reason that AJ had never really been able to understand. In truth it was something that he had noticed some time ago. He was not sure it was the house it self that she loved or if looking out its windows seemed to remind her of something else. AJ had noticed some time ago that the most profound times where the ones where she was not speaking where she seemed to be lost in some better memory. AJ had taken a few shots of her in those moments because she was something that seemed to me more than happy. AJ was not sure what to call her state during those reflections. But whatever it was they must be so pure. Because when she left them, she seemed sadder for moment. Like she came back less of a person than she was a moment ago.

AJ completed his lens assembly and looked up as Sera made a comment about him meeting a new girl. He pursed his lips for a moment as four responses quickly came to mind and Sera pushed him playfully. None of them were the right one so he quickly tossed them away and strung together a response. "Now now, I think that if we find you a boy toy first that would be better? Because then I could have someone to double date with don't you agree? Plus if I got a new girl now who would you get to drag around?" AJ asked posting the question easily as he flipped his camera forward and took a few test shots of Sera.Too close for a good shot. The furious clicking of his shutter serving as something of a punctuation of his question. It was a lightly veiled attempt to not have to talk about him being a sad sack. He hated being a sad sack for sure. But at the moment he was having a hard time finding any real motivation. Granted Sera seemed to always hold enough for the pair of them. "Or you know I could just do that think we I date vicariously through my cute blond gal pal." AJ offered as thought it would be solution that she would accept. But knowing as long as he had; AJ was aware that this was at best going to stall her point a few moments. Sera had her mind set on something, and that meant that he was doomed.

"Please don't tell me you have already got someone in mind." AJ asked with something of a disparaging look set on his face. Sera was proactive a trait hat was great in its own timing. But in moments like this it means that AJ had to be ready for some girl to come dropping down from the ceiling gift wrapped for him. Though the image of such would be kinda amusing after he was done ducking for cover. AJ had never understood what it was that drew him to Sera, maybe it was the fact that she like him was a simple soul. But once he had gotten to know her better it became clear that he was not going to be able to shake her off anytime soon. Not that he found himself trying to get rid of her too hard. Sera was a good friend and there was no way that he was going to get rid of her because she was spirited. That would be kinda rude. Plus he was not sure that he really could. Sera could easily control a conversation and not let AJ get a word in edgewise. Then he would just find himself following behind her anyway. This was a relationship that she controlled AJ had come to terms with that some time ago. They never crossed a line, and the pair enjoyed much of the same things, and like it or not Sera knew him well. No this girl and he were going to be together for sometime. His father always said that you meet friends you were gonna keep forever at CC, AJ just never thought it meant that he was going to meet a friend like Sera. But he could not say that he was not having fun with her.