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[perfectsymmetry]

[Did you ever notice that the more you try to avoid something, the more it continues to show up in your face? That's the problem Crowe is having with the prom.

He's not really been in a socializing mood, not to mention he knows he'll never find a date. A lot of his friends already seemed paired off, even though the event was announced just this week. So naturally, because he doesn't want to go, it seems to be haunting him wherever he goes. You'll find him:

A) Politely trying to turn down a nerdy drone girl's offer of a date. Crowe is one of the few people in town who actually feels bad for drones, but there's no explaining to them that drones aren't allowed in to this event. Or that you'd rather not go with an brainwashed automaton. Or a girl. But that's beyond the point, really. While being gentle about it, the girl eventually starts to cry at the rejection before running off. Crowe looks beyond exasperated.

---

B) In the halls between classes, being followed by a recently-redroned BFF, who pleasantly chatters away, while Crowe looks like he'd rather be dumped in boiling oil.]

I think I'm going to ask Suzy to go! Boy, it'll sure be swell. I hope she says yes!

Yeah. Good luck.

What about you, Calleo? Have you asked anyone yet? What about Jeanie? I hear she likes you!

Maybe.

You better hurry up, before someone else asks her!

Okay.

[Someone, please rescue him.]

---

C) A drone art teacher has approached him now, asking if he'd like to be the official photographer for the dance. Never mind that Crowe doesn't want to go, or that drones aren't welcome to this particular festivity. The teacher prattles on about how Crowe has been improving a lot these last few months and that he knows what a good job he'd do. Crowe looks a bit confused, but mostly unimpressed. But maybe if his friends are going to insist on dragging him to the actual non-drone prom, then photography would be a good way to keep his mind off of being a dateless wonder.

You might find him practicing with his camera around school later, since he hasn't used it in a few weeks. He'll be snapping some candid shots. Smile for the camera?]

Comments

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Eheh. She said there was only one girl signed up, anyway, so you probably don't have anything to worry about . . .

I wonder .....

[Lucas trails off there.]

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I-I wasn't really too concerned about it anyway.

Wonder what?

I need to stop using the same three icons over and over

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas will flash an embarrassed smile.]

Nothing.

. . . Can I ask you something, Crowe?

same here XD

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Of course.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[He will only turn the slightest bit red before slowly continuing.]

What would you do if . . . there was someone you ... you liked. But you know you shouldn't.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[That's not a question he expected to hear from Lucas. He can't help but smile a little. He wondered who it was.]

Well... hard to say. I suppose it depends on the reason why you "shouldn't", I guess.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Slightest bit red is now defined as 'like a tomato'.]

B-Because. Um. It might be that she . . . likes someone else? Maybe. As an example.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He looks sympathetic.]

Ah. That does make it tough, huh? Unfortunately, it's not like you can change someone's mind...

[Is he speaking from experience? Perhaps...]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I know. . . . It's hard to change my own mind, too.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Your brain says one thing and your heart says another. They don't really listen to each other.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

So I guess the answer is that there's nothing I can really do, right?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

In my experience? [A hefty sigh.] I'm afraid not.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I'll just try to forget about it, then. . . . Thanks.

And, um, maybe you could forget I asked this, too.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, Lucas. You'll figure it out. I did.

Don't worry. The secret's safe with me.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Thanks. It was the same way with you, huh . . . ? I guess this isn't something that's unique.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

Mm, back home, awhile ago. [He almost looks nostal if a 17-year-old can have that look.] B-But, ah, I guess I just learned to cope with it, eventually.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

So you still feel the same way, even now?

. . . Oh, um. You don't actually have to answer that. Sorry.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He bites his lip, thinking.] I think that person will always be special to me, but I realize now that it won't happen... I-I don't know if I'll actually remember that if I ever go home, though, but I... I was being, um, o-overbearing about it so I actually own an apology, I think....

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

O-Oh.

[After a few seconds, Lucas will try to pat Crowe a little awkwardly.]

Don't feel too bad. I think . . . if she's a friend, then she'll understand, right? If she's special to you, then you must be special to her, too. Just maybe differently.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[He's quiet for a moment. Oh, get out with it already, boy. Lucas has to be the least judgmental person Crowe's ever met, he won't have a problem, right...?]

I-I hope so. B-But, um, just... for the record, it, ah...

I-It wasn't a girl.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Blink blink. Lucas has had three people tell him the same sort of thing in his time here, so it isn't as if the idea is totally new to him. He may still be a few seconds longer in understanding, though. ...Maybe he understands too well once he does.]

Was it the friend you've told me about before? Al?

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe's eyes go wide for a moment. You're a wise kid, Lucas. His face does go red at that comment, though.]

Mm. Yeah. Guess I'm still that obvious, huh.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I just remember . . . the way you looked when you told me about him. I guess I've seen it before.

[perfektsymmetry.livejournal.com]

[Crowe rubs the back of is head, obviously embarrassed, but he smiles anyway.]

Guess I can't help myself. H-He'll always be special, but... There's a point where you realize you have to move on.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

With me, sometimes, I-I . . . feel like I could be happy just being close to her. ... You're probably right, though. Feeling that way doesn't help. I don't know if I wanted to feel like this in the first place.