Social Life? What Social Life? (Open)

[CELESTE CHARLENE ST. JAMES]

One would think, given that there were horses everywhere and in theory a bunch of kids who loved horses hanging around together, that everyone would kind of team together, pal around and get to know one another. But outside of class, the only person that Celeste had met was Monty, and she was pretty sure that he didn't like her. Maybe it was because she didn't swing in his direction. He'd seemed terribly interested in sex, and what she could do for him as opposed to what he could do for her (not something Celeste was particularly accustomed to, given her family situation). Seeing as she came from a huge family, she wasn't used to being alone all that much, and the lack of socialization was driving her up a wall. Even if she was a bit shier than her sisters, that didn't mean that she didn't want to be around people, and things were getting boring, fast. One could only spend so much time around horses, after all.

School kept them all pretty busy, even though it was summer, but the rains were starting to simmer down, which meant that the horses were able to spend more good time outside, the students had a bit more freedom with their time, and it was a Friday between class and supper. Her stomach growled to remind her that it was time to eat something, but Celeste ignored it as she carried her guitar case out to the yard so that she could find somewhere to sit and play.

Ordinarily she wouldn't have done this in public. Noelle was the musician, not Celeste, and it was a bit intimidating to stand in the shadow of her more talented sibling, but Celeste loved what she did more than she could say. Sometimes she wondered if her parents even knew that she owned a guitar, but she was fond of playing it, and she felt that she was rather good at it too. Maybe. She'd feel better if she had any feedback to tell her one way or another.

Sitting down at one of the picnic tables, Celeste pulled out the instrument and set it in her lap, then began to pick gently at the strings, warming up her fingers. It had been a while since she played, and she was beginning to feel rusty. Hopefully she could lose herself in her instrument and the sensation of playing it instead of needing to worry about what other people would think. But there was no privacy in a place like this. Everybody was constantly watching her to make sure that she didn't get involved in any of the drugs that she'd been fond of doing back home. She sighed, closing her eyes as she played a couple of chords, then began to pick at the strings as she made up a little tune to match her mood.

[ABIGAIL PAIGE NEWLYNN]

[atrb=border,0,true] [atrb=width,400px,true] The storm that was settling over the ranch had Abigail pacing. She had been to visit River, but he had failed to calm her as thunder rumbled in the distance. She was now proceeding to wear a path onto the wooden floor of her cabin, gnawing on her lip and twisting her fingers together. Emma reclined on the bed behind her, arms folded behind her head. "This is boring, Abi. Come on, let's go find something fun to do." Abi glanced to her friend, pausing for a moment. "Like what?" Emma rolled onto her side, propping herself up on an elbow. "I dunno. Let's go check out the other horses. Go for a walk. Ooh, we could go check out the boys!" Abigail twirled to look at Emma, pouting. "Emma! You know I don't like storms. And I don't want to check out the boys." With a frustrated sigh, Emma climbed off the bed and petted Abigail on the shoulder. "Fine, fine. I'll go perv, and you can stay here and be boring." Sitting on the bed alone, with Emma gone to 'perv on the boys', the storm seemed worse. Abi began to fret, scratching her nails against the back of her hands. She needed to get out and find Emma. She near on ran for the door, slamming it behind her as she darted out the world that threatened to pour rain and shoot bolts of lightning down upon her. She had no idea where to start looking, but the lodge seemed like a good idea. She was quick to learn that western boots weren't for running in, but she continued onwards, desperate for the company of her friend. She was poised to leap up the stairs to the lodge when a sound caught her ears. The noise made her pause, one foot upon the first step. Sounds began to flow together, and Abigail was quick to recognise the strumming of the guitar. A smile flickered on her lips and she turned away from the lodge, her quest to find Emma temporarily abandoned. She circled around the large building, finding herself in one of the common areas she had avoided in her first days, partly due to weather, partly due to the fact that she didn't want to meet anyone. Perched atop one of the wooden tables was a blonde, and a smile flickered onto Abi's lips. She couldn't pick a particular tune, but it was one that was somehow soothing. The distant thunder rolling went unnoticed as she watched the girl, eyes closed, play the strings of the guitar. She shifted her weight, unsure whether it would be best to turn and leave. After all, she knew just how little privacy this place was affording, and the girl look so peaceful. But, she couldn't help it. The gentle music drew her closer, a friendly smile on her face. "You're good. You should play something more cheerful though, to brighten up this horrible day." She immediately felt awkward, with making the approach being so odd for her. She had good reason to avoid people, and that was that they usually thought she was crazy. But surely, if she kept friendly and didn't mention Emma, everything would be fine. Guilt panged her at the thought of disregarding her old friend, but there was just something about her that no one ever seemed to like.

[CELESTE CHARLENE ST. JAMES]

Celeste jerked at the words, surprised to have heard a voice apart from her own at all, and she looked up, scanning to see whether or not the newcomer had an entourage with her. If she did, maybe she was poking fun at her. But she was alone, at least as far as Celeste could see, and she turned back to look up into the face of the blonde girl who had spoken to her. For a moment she was quiet, reserved the way that most people thought Noelle would be reserved, but then she smiled, her face bursting open as her normally social demeanor returned.

Nobody ever complimented Celeste on her music, mostly because her mother was too busy fawning over Noelle and her father was too interested in Blake for anybody to so much as give her the time of day. Sometimes she was even jealous of her brother Kyle, who lived with their uncle. At least somebody noticed him now. She sighed, then tapped her guitar before turning her attention back to the other girl.

"I'm Celeste. Are you new here?" She smiled, thinking about maybe getting a cup of coffee and sitting down for a good chat. It had been too long since she just had a chat. "You want to get some coffee or something? I mean, I'm up for anything inside with the weather coming. But I'd much rather go riding." She couldn't help but grin again.

[ABIGAIL PAIGE NEWLYNN]

[atrb=border,0,true] [atrb=width,400px,true] The idea of becoming friends with someone was a foreign thought to Abigail. For as long as she remembered, Emma had been the only one. It wasn't until the blonde introduced herself as Celeste that Abi realised just what she had gotten herself into. A conversation with a stranger, someone who was a blank slate but could find out at any moment that Abigail was what most people called crazy. An unsure smile flickered on her lips and she gave a hesitant nod. "Yes... I've only been here for about a week. I'm Abigail." "Oh, I don't like coffee." A few quiet seconds passed before she realised that it could have easily been an open invitation, not just for coffee. The temptation to turn on her heel and flee from this awkward moment was strong, but Emma would never let her live it down if she found out. "But, uh, that'd be good. Maybe we could go visit the stables for a bit?" Even though she'd only seen River earlier that day, he would do wonders to soothe the nerves that were coming from this socialisation She stood awkwardly and tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans, averting her eyes from Celeste with a soft blush on her cheeks. This was such a new thing for her, being around someone that didn't know. This was her chance to truly impress, to form a relationship without her sister spreading rumours and without Emma's existence coming into question. Truthfully, Abigail was glad that Emma wasn't present for this moment. She would be laughing, without a doubt. She often poked fun at Abi's social awkwardness, but there was never a doubt in Abigail's mind that it was for her own good. Emma was trying to help her, to make her stronger. If all went well, perhaps tonight she could tell Emma about how she made herself a friend, the first one in years.