Tactical Retreat

[Jennifer Newgate]

After having bolted from the classroom Jennifer had fled the building and is now sitting somewhere past the Rec Center, quietly brooding and smoking a regular cigarette.

[Graham Jaeger]

Shortly after Jennifer bolted, Graham walked out after her despite Sackville's objections. If she did like him like him, then his thoughtless thought would've hurt... right?

He walked up to her, looking vaguely apologetic.

[Jennifer Newgate]

"What do you want?" she growls at him without looking up, instead taking another drag from her cigarette.

[Graham Jaeger]

"I..." he began awkwardly, "Is what I thought why you ran out?"

[Jennifer Newgate]

"I don't know, Graham. I'd rather not try and figure out which of the voices in all of that was yours."

[Graham Jaeger]

"It's just Haley thinks you like me and I guess Sackville thinks so too and I'm a complete idiot about that stuff so if you did hear my thought I'm sorry," he rambled without a breath.

[Jennifer Newgate]

"Oh my god what the fuck is wrong with that blonde bitch!" she says, burying her head in her hands.

[Graham Jaeger]

"... do you? 'Cause... well... y'know... you're kinda cool..." he said lamely.

[Jennifer Newgate]

"What?" she looks up, too distracted by anger and self-pity for what Graham is saying to really register.

[Graham Jaeger]

"Do you? Like me, I mean..."

[Jennifer Newgate]

"I dunno. Maybe. You're alright." she says, taking a puff from her smoke as an excuse to not have to look at Graham.

[Graham Jaeger]

"No, like, like like."

[Jennifer Newgate]

"Did you just run out on Sackville?" she suddenly changes the topic.

[Graham Jaeger]

He blinked, momentarily caught off-guard by the shift.

"Yeah. I was... y'know... worried and stuff."

[Jennifer Newgate]

"That's... pretty cool of you." she admits and pushes herself up along the wall, brushing her hair out of her face with her free hand.

[Graham Jaeger]

"What's a little more yard work or whatever when a friend might need you, right?"

[Jennifer Newgate]

"And the blonde bimbo is right..." she admits begrudgingly.

[Graham Jaeger]

"I... kinda like you too," he smiled a little sheepishly.

[Jennifer Newgate]

"I hate it when Haley is right." she says, trying to conceal a smile.

[Graham Jaeger]

"Everyone gets to be right occasionally," he smirked.

[Jennifer Newgate]

"Okay, fine. Still sucks when even the teacher's making fun of you."

[Graham Jaeger]

"Yeah... though it's not like Sackville has any room to make fun of anyone."

[Jennifer Newgate]

"What do you mean?"

[Graham Jaeger]

"Just because you're ancient doesn't mean your clothes have to be. Seriously, dude dresses like a British grandpa."

[Jennifer Newgate]

"For reals. How are those not falling apart at the seams anyway?"

[Graham Jaeger]

"I know, right?"

[Jennifer Newgate]

"Wanna go get those leaves now? If I help you maybe we can get enough to stuff some in Haley's too."

[Graham Jaeger]

"I dunno... maybe we should save that for when she isn't right. Which won't be long."

[Jennifer Newgate]

"What does it matter? She's still a bitch."

[Graham Jaeger]

"Well, okay, but maybe not the same prank as narc girl."

[Jennifer Newgate]

"But I'm lazy and it's a good prank. They can't punish us for something that they think we probably did if they have no proof."

[Graham Jaeger]

"Unless some of the leaves are Mister Stanton."

[Jennifer Newgate]

"Doesn't he have better things to do than lie around outside all day? Come on, don't be such a wuss."

[Graham Jaeger]

Pause.

"I'll get the rake."

[Jennifer Newgate]

"Awesome. I'll get the bags." she says, dropping her cigarette and stomping it out.