Wednesday, February 16, 2011

It began at the end

It wasn't supposed to happen.

There was a flaw in their design. Don't ask me how. Hell, don't even ask me who They are. If I knew- things might be different.

Or they might be just as they were now.

The last I remembered of life was the screech of metal tearing apart. Twisting and scraping in a horrendous mess. Most of all I remember the burning flesh. The smell would forever mar my senses. Even now I could sense it was still there, in the back of my mind. I could see the skin burning, layers flaying away in molten masses to show the glean of impossible white. Bone.

Who knew it could be so white?

At the most, it was unfair. Cruel even, that my last (and only for that matter) memory of real life was so horrendous that I pretended It wasn't mine to begin with. In reality however, I knew that it had been my flesh melting away. My bone. The metal around me had trapped me inside, burned me alive. Even now I couldn't tell you what the metal was.

It didn't matter. It wouldn't change anything.

I awoke to a room far to child like for my own comfort. Pastel yellows and pinks blended around me. There was no furniture however, no fluffy bunnies or happy ponies. Only pastel yellow walls, trimmed with pink lining. No bed. No door. No window.

Only walls surrounded me. Had I been claustrophobic I may have died. It's only now that I can laugh at that expression. The moment I woke up, my mind hadn't exactly wrapped around the fact that I wasn't breathing. If I had put my hand to my chest, there would have been no hammering where my heart should be.

It wasn't until the robed figure marched through the wall that I began to panic. Upon entering my room, the figure stood in front of me even as the walls began to evaporate. Around me now, was nothingness.

I screamed.

To my credit, most people would have done more. Most people wouldn't stand and listen as a faceless robe explained to them that they were dead, and that now they had a job to do. I did, however. Once the warm greetings were out of the way (Not that there were any), I was sent back to Earth. Not to live, but to start my duty. Before me was a list of names, people that had to be taken care of.

I was given only this list, a spotted feline like creature, and the task of collecting these 99 souls. I would take them to where I had awoken. I would not harm them, not spiritually at least. It took me years, yet I found them all.

To my credit, the 99 souls were collected far faster than the robes expected. One by one they were captured in my private hell of nothing, and even though not one of them looked familiar to me, I knew that they had played some part in what had happened. I believed that.

It was the feline that brought in number 99. He was the evasive one. He seemed to always know when we were upon him, and when we would strike. Earth children called him magical, their adults called him crazy. I didn't care much for calling him anything.

I only wanted him.

Once inside the vast nothing I had been 'born' into, he stumbled. Clearly shaking, and understanding well of what was to become of him, he demanded I let him go. He threatened he would harm me.

Then he fell to his knees and begged me not to harm him.

“Where am I?” he stammered. It was a question I had never allowed the others an answer to. Now, with them all here however, I granted him the pleasure of knowledge. If only this once.

“Your in the in between” I announced, my voice cold and raspy from years of non use. I had already forgotten what I had sounded like in life. “Now it's time you moved forward”

They all became alert. As they should have. Yet nothing they did could have deemed any difference to the robes. The appeared from nowhere, encompassing the room within seconds. Once they were gone, so were my souls.

All 99 of them.

In there place now where lanterns. They floated in exact locations where there had once been a person. Or at least the remembrance of a person. I stared on at this site, suddenly feeling robbed. It was only then, that the feline who had accompanied me in my many conquest, finally spoke:

“It wasn't supposed to happen. You dying. There was a flaw in there design. In ancient China, the symbol of a lantern burning bright through the darkness was meant to welcome lost souls. You've captured all ninety nine.

All those that participated in breaking the original plan of life, thus causing your death."

I smiled. Yes. This was what I had wanted. Revenge.
Life.

The triumph however, was short lived. Pain shot through me, causing me to double over in an effort to stay on my feet. Falling in the in between- was much different than standing after all. Acid burned through my veins, causing me to dig my nails into flesh. I shouldn't have felt pain. Pain meant I was alive.

Was I?

It didn't matter. The pain continued, getting worse. The tearing of flesh filled the air. It was then I decided that burning wasn't the worst memory I had.

Once it all subsided, and I stood- I knew all to well what had happened. Without a mirror, I knew without a doubt about the wings that had grown outwards. The feathers were still bloody, streaking down my back and onto the floor.

"We aren't offering you a new life. We're simply giving you the right to consume it”

- To be continued??? -
(Not really)

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Assassins -Raize's POV- (Part 1)

So this, dear readers, is a short clip of a story that I've written to entertain you. I may write more on it if I get great feedback. After all, I do want to write you all I series that you may look forward to reading weekly. And as of now I don't have ideas of what that series may be. It may be this. It may not. Just enjoy.

Misery is a funny thing.

For some the mere presence of such a feeling is undeniable, unreachable, and maddening. Others may erase the existence of it with an intricate mask of ignorance, thus creating a false world of safety and contentment. In this safe world, some will do nearly anything if it means they're haven can remain intact.

But denial and safety come with a price, almost always paid in blood.

This notion had never occurred to me. Even if it had, chances are I wouldn't have cared. The spilling of blood (most of all, my own) meant nothing to me.

In some ways it wasn't even mine to worry about. Nothing ever had been. For so long I had lived in my father's shadow and his life. Somewhere down the road I had stopped caring about the control he held over me, and the life I was never allowed to live.

Until she came.

It's always a woman that throws things off track and sends you realing, wondering what the hell happened. The worst part was, in some ways I felt that she knew exactly what she was doing and had enjoyed my entire struggle.

Then again, I'm getting ahead of myself.


- - - -


Pink fabric against white

Watching in annoyance, Frostcut (and his terribly feminine pink scarf) skipped out the automatic doors without a further word. Closing my eyes momentarily for comfort, I turned back to the endless bookshelves panned out in front of me.

"Keep your head low boys, and you just may come home alive"

Those had been The Boss's exact words, and every since hearing them two days ago I couldn't help but muse at how pointless this entire assignment had the potential of being.

I had only arrived in the ShadowGlen this morning. The community was small, and gated in to keep out anyone unwanted. Their had long been legends throughout the NSP that here in solitude, an unnamed deadly presence that even The Boss feared lived.

Some say he's an executive that got discharged for being too homicidal. The more paranoid believe that the remaining members of the Elite were here, and wouldn't bother being found.

I of all people knew all to well how little that chance was.

I turned just in time to see her exiting the Starbucks across the street. She moved with unusual grace, and her poise seemed almost theatrical. Crossing the street without the tiniest of glances, I couldn't help myself from amazement as traffic parted like the sea I had once read about in some distant fairy tale.

She entered the store in much the same way. Eyes ahead and sipping her coffee, she held every eye in the room and moved as if she was the only person on earth. I was far from being the only person to notice this. The others however, seemed to keep there awe in check with a thick mask of reverence and something so close to fear it made unease wash through me.

Who could have guessed that when she passed by me, for the tiniest second her eyes would flicker over me? She recovered quickly however, making her way to the mystery section without a trace of mortality. Leaving me in the psychology department, unsure if I had imagined the entire thing.

I made my way towards her. Eyes trained on a small shelf of books just behind her, I attempted my best at casual passing. All I wanted was a small look.

"I've heard that you've been asking around for me"

Her voice, not at all what I imagined it to be, came out cool and easy. She seemed to find it simplistic to act as if we'd always known each other. Her eyes, however, only strayed from the book in her hands a few times. Just enough to know that I had been listening. I stopped short, allowing myself a full on glance to take in her sleek form. She was thin, dainty almost in the true essence of old world beauty. It was hard not to notice.

Even harder not to show yourself noticing.

"H-have we met?" I asked, struggling to form words. Surely she couldn't have me confused with someone else. The Shadowglen was small, the perfect example of a tight knit community. No. She knew I was outsider.

I could tell by her stance.

"No" She offered, her voice crisp "But word gets around when someone new arrives" This time she looked at me, and her smile showed genuine laughter. There was something underneath it, however. "But I have heard that your asking around for who's in charge"

I didn't miss a beat: "I am. Do you know where I can find him?"
True laughter escaped her throat now. Throwing her arms out to her side, she made a grand gesture before speaking. Which gave me the perfect view of curves, sleek legs, and a plunging neckline that she proudly sported. For a moment, it almost didn't matter what was going on around us.

Until she spoke, that is.

"That would be me" She said, and though her smile was genuine, and her stance showed her to be open, her voice remained icy. As if she knew the reasons behind my visit. Regardless, she offered her hand and I took it lightly. Her grasp was firm, demanding. "I'm Jerome. Founder of the Shadowglen"

"Raize"

"I know" She said. I was at a loss for words again. Of course she knew by now who I was. If the rumors had been true, then she would have definitely been keeping tabs on both me and Frost since we had arrived.

She was walking away before I could protest.

Leaving me to make my way towards the register. Once the line had finally diminished, and I was at the front, I caught yet another glimpse of her. Now she sat in the back corner, watching over the store discreetly while immersing herself in a large book. Her coffee still in hand, she seemed content.

I didn't miss the moment her eyes rested on me.

In one sweeping motion, I reached for the rack situated on the counter. Usually the section where most stores advertised candy or other junk, instead I found a small lineup of bookmarks. My eyes caught one in specific, advertising the bright blues of the ocean. I picked it up, placing it with my book without a second though. Upon paying for my things, I borrowed a pen to scribble a line of numbers on the back before striding towards her.

She was in charge after all. And The Boss had ordered I speak with those in charge...

Her eyes followed me, watching as I approached and set the brightly colored bookmark inside her open book. For a moment, she looked down to analyze it. She flipped it, reading the numbers I had written in messy scrawl.

"How bold" She commented.

I was already walking away.

- - - -


In any relationship, once three simple words are spoken everything changes. Whether it be for the good or the bad, the inevitable is that change will happen. Because proclaiming your love for someone aloud - well that's different.

Awkward when they don't love you back.

Worse when you know they do, yet they push you away anyways.

Not that I needed to be pushed, feelings aside once The Boss called for me to leave, it had to be done. So it was willed that I pack up and allow the Shadowglen to fall behind me. My mission here was over.

She never even said good-bye

What she had said was far stranger. Because she knew that once I was gone, it was forever. I never had disclosed to her what I did for a living, or even how dangerous it was to harbor thoughts of forever with her. Dangerous for not only myself. Yet somehow she knew.

The thought that she understood everything so clearly, and took it all so well did leave me at unease. More than once I wondered if she could be what we had been sent to find all along. Maybe some higher intelligence was hidden within the Shadowglens. But not her. She was too kind, too gentle. She could never comprehend the tragedies of the life I had lived. This girl- had never seen death

Yet I walked among it, and caused it- daily.

"We'll meet again" she assured me, stone faced. Her palm placed flat against my chest, not as a symbol of kindness. She was keeping me arms length away. I was allowed no closer. Since my proclamation, it had been this way.

Strained.

"Only this time you won't like me so much"

I shook my head at the absurdity. I couldn't comprehend what she meant. If only I had listened. "That's impossible. You know it. I'm leaving tomorrow Jer"

Her face remained as stone. Unease took hold.

"I'll miss you"

"Save it"

She turned on her heel. I knew it would be my last time to see her walking away.

- - - -


If only I had listened

"Kill her"

She had been trying to warn me.
She knew all along.
I couldn't do it.
Wouldn't.


"Raize" he repeated, his raspy breath echoing through my head. I pressed my hand against the earpiece, wishing that I would wake up. This had to be a dream.

We were the good guys.

"Raize did you hear me?" "Are you listening?" "Kill her!" He growled, every word becoming more demanding, the doom becoming eminent. "NOW RAIZE!"

We didn't kill innocent people.

"Now Raize?" she repeated coolly, as if she could hear his words as well. Even though the darkness shrouded her, even I could see the look on her face. Cold anger, alongside rage.
But underneath it was regret. Which did nothing to the way she grasped her weapon closely, raising it high enough so it would glint in the light. Beside her, was a man.

No. Not a man at all.

A corpse

"Do you miss me now?"

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Under Construction



So you may have noticed that 98% of what was here has been deleted.

That's right kids, we're going under construction for a little while. I'm sorry to my readers (If I have any left for that matter!) for the great inconvenience. Once we're up and running again I'll have more stories coming up and I do plan on starting that series soon.

I will be updating on the progress regularly.

To keep yourselves busy, why not debate about what you might be interested in reading about.

Saturday, July 03, 2010

With a Little Luck [1]

--- Rayne ---


The crowd went wild, and my blood pumped as we reached the final verse and the sound of Adam's guitar faded off into the distance. I stopped, taking in a deep breath as the roar of music died down, causing the crowd's excitement to only intensify.

We made our way off stage then, and as the crowd became further away and I started to catch my breath I slowed my pace, still feeling all affects of the adrenaline.

"Rayne!"

Suddenly beside me, like a lost puppy, was Darren. In his usual doggy manner, he followed my footsteps until I turned to face him. There he seemed to bounce in place, always excited.

"You need a female vocal Rayne"

"That would be lovely Darren" I mused, not even bothering to give the statement half a thought as I reached over for a bottled water. "Very original"

He stopped bouncing, suddenly glaring daggers at me.

"I'm serious Rayne!"

"I know you are Darren"

Turning my back to him, I began striding up the stairs and took my place on one of the comfy chairs on the loft up above. From here, I could glimpse out at a small portion of the crowd as the next band started their beginning chords. Also within view was a magnificent look of the entire backstage, and I watched as Adam put away his guitar and Matt leaned against the wall to talk with two girls dressed in mini skirts.

Even as I watched this, Darren seemed to come out of his 'anger trance' (as he lovingly called the few moments where he merely stared off into space like a moron) and was starting his way up the stairs. Eyes fixated on me, he was the perfect invision of a golden retriever set on getting someone to throw his Frisbee just one last time.

"I don't think you take me seriously" he huffed, now standing on the top step. Taking in a breath, I waited for him to take a seat "Seriously Rayne, sure the bands doing great now. And sure you've got all these great gigs, but there all in places like this. You'll never get your CD out at this rate"

Now I perked up, sitting straight to glare at him. He didn't back down like he usually would.

Maybe he's on to something.

"You've got a great voice, and the crowd loves you. However, this string of rave gigs is getting you nowhere. Do you think anyone is going to sign the three of you to a record contract knowing that your just a drunk party band? No. You need more serious gigs, and I think if you find a good female to back up your vocals, dress her sexy and get her to dance around - people will look."

"Only because we'll have a sex icon with us" I grumbled, now leaning back.

Sure, he was on to something, and going in the wrong direction with it. Again.

"
Don't think of it like that-"

"But that's exactly what it will be" I noted, cutting him off mid sentence "We'll never be taking seriously. However-"

"However...." He began, once again nearly jumping up and down, I could practically see his ass wagging around like a tail.

And what a nice ass it is...
Stop it. Not the time or the place.

"
We could use an edge. If we could find someone with talent to lend their vocals, we could turn our style from straight rock to an alternative dance edge. We need someone brilliant though. Someone that could get us attention- without being a sex icon dressed in tight barbie clothes."

"Your brilliant Rayne!!!"

Now he really was jumping up and down.

"Mmm hmm" I muttered, again leaning back to relax. "We'll start auditions in a week. Get the word out, and I'll talk with Adam and Matt about this"

"Great idea! They'll love it!"

"We'll see" I muttered, closing my eyes "Darren?"

I cracked my eyes open just in time to see him half turn, already half way down the steps and shaking with excitement.

"Yeah?"

"How open are you to trying guys?"

--- Kendra ---

My new home was fabulous.

Okay, less than fabulous. It was practically four walls, a stove and a toilet.

However, it was still fabulous. It had been almost too easy to find a job, and with the way things were already going in the finance department, I saw no reason why I wouldn't be able to move into something better within no time.

England was everything I had ever dreamed. The people were nice enough, the shopping was amazing, I had endless possibilities, and best off all - I was in control of my own life.

Sliding on a tight top, I did one last hair check in the mirror before grabbing my phone, bike & car keys while leaving my new home. No one from my family had called since my disappearance, not even Mitchy. Not that I expected my parents to call of course, I was eighteen and they were finally in the clear of raising me. They had always wanted to get rid of me anyways.

But Mitchy - no matter how much older he was than me (Eleven years to be exact), he had always looked out for me as if I were his daughter instead of his sister. Then again, he lived at least a hundred miles away from my parents home, and they probably hadn't bothered to tell him about my midnight disappearance.

Still, it had been almost a month now. Even if he didn't know that I was already gone, his silence bothered me.

I let these thoughts envelope me as I peddled my way down the winding streets of London. It didn't bother me that Shep hadn't called. Related or not, we had never been close enough to care. Actually, even if we had been I doubted Shepherd would call. He wasn't the type to waste energy on caring. Not about the people or things that mattered at least.

He'd always have his 'collectibles' at least. Even with me gone, good ol Shep was never alone in that room filled with children's things.

I still felt bad about leaving him behind though, I guessed I always would. What was it they called it, Survivors guilt?

Yeah, that's it.

Head still in the clouds, I though of Halley Mae, my best friend. She had called. She always would. I thought of Kelvin, and a pang of guilt hit me as I realized I was here having the time of my life and my best friend was killing himself with drugs to ease the pain of living.

Me and Kelvin had always been one of the same. Brought up in the exact same lifestyles.

Both with terribly different futures.

I thought of Michelle, and couldn't help but smile thinking about how she would react if she could see me now. I even thought of Shayne Jayson, Halley's 'boyfriend'. Or if you'd prefer the technical term - Her leach. We had all went to high school together and while we had been studying, Shayne was always off doing something else. He eventually quit altogether and got himself a plant job making next to nothing.

Chaining my bike next to a tall, brightly lit building now, I took in a deep breath before entering. Even from where I stood, you could already hear the loud music, drunk laughter, and practically taste the acrid scent of cigarettes.

What were they called here? Fags...

Silently cursing my lack of cultural word know-how, I entered the pub with my head high.

So I was in England, a giant ocean separated me from friends in family, I worked at a pub practically modeling lingerie for my tips and lived in a rats apartment.

Oh, and I couldn't be happier with the way things were going for me.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

With A Little Luck [Prolouge]

--- Kendra ---


Step 1::: Ignore their stares


I ducked my head, climbing the stairs of the plane and taking my designated seat. Right next to a forty something mother and her screaming baby.


A breath escaped from my throat. I knew escaping from hell would be hard - but things were getting ridiculous. Flight attendants bustled by me busily, and within moments we were in the air, heading towards England.


And as far away from the states as possible.


I curled up in my seat, leaning as far away from the screaming child as possible. Drawing my knees to my chest I closed my eyes.


It was all over, finally. I‘m eighteen today, on a flight towards a different country, and I would never have to see my family again. They wouldn’t find me…Not that they were going to try anyway.


--- Rayne ---


I leaned back, rolling my eyes and slamming my head lightly against the headboard of my bed. A low growl escaped from my throat, and I pressed the phone against my ear.


“Are you even listening to me Rayne!?”


“Yes dad” I began, keeping my voice level “Loud and clear dad”


“I’m serious boy. We’re paying two hundred and seventy dollars a month for that damn apartment, plus your immigration fee so you can stay in England. Not to mention your cell phone bill…”


I rolled my eyes “Dad, I’m telling you, it’s worth it”


“Mmm-hmm” somehow, he didn’t seem convinced


“Really dad, it’s worth it. This is where I wanna be”


He took in a deep breath, probably shaking his head on the other line. “Alright boy, as long as your happy there”


“I am dad” I assured him


“Alright, well your mom wants to talk to you. One minute”


“K. Night dad”


“Uh huh”


He dropped the phone, probably on the kitchen counter, and I heard his footsteps retreating down the hall. Taking in a breath, I leaned back further as my bedroom door opened and Jake stood there, hand on hip. He was dressed nice as usual, dark pants over a white stripped button up shirt and heavily jelled hair.


I smiled to him, narrowing my eyes and biting my lip. He scowled to me, obviously disgusted.


“Stop that!” his voice came out annoyed and yet still smooth and dark


“Stop what?” I laughed, winking at him and smiling broadly


“That sex look…I give that look to hot girls”


“And give that look to hot guys” I smiled back to him, cutting him off mid sentence. His face contorted in disgust and I couldn’t help myself from laughing


“Damn gay people” he growled, turning to walk away “Be ready in half an hour, we’ve got a gig”


I nodded as the other line was finally picked up and a loud bubbly, teenager like voice came through


“Hey mom” I began, sitting up and pulling myself off my ass to get dressed.

:Escaping Normalacy:
How I fell in love with a freak

If you’ve never juggled two suitcases, a purse and two jam-packed shopping bags up a flight of stairs while keeping a phone pressed to your ear…then their really is no way I can explain to you how I was feeling.

But to put it in words…I was tired. My feet ached and quiet frankly, I wanted nothing more than to toss that stupid cell phone down the steps, run down after it and then run it over again and again with my giant, jam packed light blue convertible VW beetle.

“Yes mom. I hear you” I sighed, shaking my head as I dropped my bags on the ground a searched my purse for the keys to my new apartment

“I’m just worried about you sweetheart. You’ve never been this far away from home before” she began after a long pause. Her voice was weak, pleading.

I was not going back!

“You know, you don’t have to go to that school baby. You can come home and just go to Lamar instead…it’s a great school and…”

“And it’s only five miles down the street” I finished, having heard this sentence a million times since my acceptance letters came flying through the mail box “Yes mom, I know. But you see…that’s the problem. I’ve always been five miles down the road. I’m eighteen, it’s time to cut the cord”

“Sid-bae”

she was pleading now and I could only imagine her sitting on that ugly plaid sofa of ours, smoking a cigarette and crying her eyes out. It had been the same thing for years now, and anger boiled up inside me. Couldn’t she see I was so much more than that? I had no desire to live in a small town, work at a dead end job and pray over a beer bottle to make ends meet.

That wasn’t me dammit

“Cut the cord mother” I hissed, finally jiggling the key free from the lock and kicking the door open. An astonished breath escaped my throat

“Sid…”

“I’m serious!” cutting her off, I scowled. “Your in Texas, I’m in Virginia, that's the end of it"

A sob escaped her throat then and I rolled my eyes, switched the phone from one hand to another and leaning back on my heels to overlook the apartment parking lot. Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath and leaning forward on the railing

"Look mom" I began, keeping an even tone as best as possible "I'm at my apartment now...I have to go"

"Alright"

Her voice came out weak and scratchy, but I suddenly didn't care. I had cared my whole life, sacrificing my youth to take care of her and protect her from one problem or another. Now, it was my turn to take care of myself and decide who I was.

"I'll call you later" I sighed, shaking my head "Right now I have to start unpacking and get ready to start my classes"

"Alright Sid-bae" she squeaked "Please take care"

"You too mom"

I meant that. No matter how much I resented her drinking problem, I did still care to some extent. Just not enough to go home and sacrifice my chance to escape. 

Pocketing my phone then, I picked up my bags and skipped into the living room happily. It was small, and only a small green couch with a light brown table placed in front of it and a identical green armchair in the corner took up the small space. To the right, a small granite bar jutted from the wall, separating the tiny living room from an even tinier kitchen.

I couldn't help but smile and a scream escaped my throat as I catapulted forward, jumping up and down on the couch now and abandoning my bags at the door

"I did it!!!" I screamed, punching at the air in ecstasy "I made it!!!"

"Yes you did" an unfamiliar voice cracked through the air playfully and I whirled around defensively. Somewhere between jumping, and whirling, I lost my footing on the couch though...and went plowing face first into the dark carpetted floor with a metallic THUD.

"Oh..."

"Oww"

Groaning, I picked myself up and, kneeling on all fours looked to the door where a tall stranger stood. A worried look crossed his face as he crossed the floor towards me

"I am sooo sorry" he began, holding out his hand, which I grasped tightly and climbed to my feet to meet him. Looking up at him, I realized he was tall. Really tall. Spiky golden hair, blue eyes and pale skin met my gaze and I smiled to him, laughing stupidly "I didn't mean to scare you"

"It's alright" I laughed, then realizing that I was still grasping his hand.
Letting go, I stepped back and another laugh escaped my throat "That was...uh...my bad"

"Do you always fall off furniture?" he mocked

"Well actually..." I began, shrugging absently "Yes"

Now it was his turn to laugh, and he shook his head "I'm Laurant"

"Sidney" I began, running a hand through my hair

"Do you always peek into girls' apartments Laurant?"

Smirking: "Well...your door was wide open, and I heard screaming actually"

"Oh"

"Yeah" He teased "I'm your neighbor"

"Oh" I began, this time with more perk and he smiled

"So...why the sofa surfing?"

"Ah! Clever term" I mocked playfully "This is...uh, my first apartment. And I got a little excited about how pretty it was"

Now it was his turn to say "Oh"

"I acted the same way when I first moved in" he smiled "Except I was stupid and paid for a dorm instead and hated it. I just transferred here into the campus apartments instead. They are alot nicer"

"That's what I heard" I smiled "So your a sophomore here?"

"Junior" he smiled easily

"Oooo" I mocked kindly

"Maybe I could help you finish unloading your car?" he tried

"Maybe I'd like that"