i'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart --- (open !)

[matt]

And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her.
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart.

[/color]

- - - - - - - - - -[/center]


Money.

Oh money. Money was a funny thing considering how it made people act. The current financial situation in the United States didn’t help any either. Matthew, who was not an American citizen was appalled by the state of the country he was living in. Not that he could help that any. Wasn’t the problem a under stimulated economy? Matt couldn’t really funnel money into the American economy because he didn’t have any funneling into his American bank account.

It had been awhile now, a few months, since his father called with the “we’re cutting you off” conversation. Matt had been furious, obviously. How was he supposed to live the life with only a few thousand dollars left to his name? Matt was forced to stay away from his favorite vice: casinos. Responsibility, his father had said. The key to being reinstated was responsibility. But how could Matt possibly become responsible overnight? What did his parents want form him? Matt supposed that as long as he made it look like he was trying and had people who were willing to vouch for him his parents would reinstate him. That was what Matt needed Cecelia for. But, of course, she was another story.

No, he needed other people to believe his crap too. He realized when Cecelia caught him in the chat room being rude his plan to make her think he was the good guy was going to be harder than he though. But the charade had to go on. He couldn’t just quit. He just needed to secure some things before he continued. One thing he needed was a job. Sure, he had some money. But he also had to live on that money. And if he planned on wooing Cecelia he was sure he could only forget his wallet so many times before she caught on.

That was what he was trying to do now. Of course, it wasn’t all that easy considering Matthew was not from this country and he had absolutely no job experience whatsoever. There had to be something out there that wasn’t totally degrading. There was no way that Matt was ever flipping burgers or waiting tables. No, he needed something low-key, yet respectable. Something that would work with both his school schedule and his social hours. Of course he was picky and he certainly already knew that he wasn’t ever going to find something perfect, but he was trying.

Treble Records was the only place Matt could find that both had a help wanted sign and wasn’t equipped with an industrial size lamp to heat processed meat. It still felt wrong to him though. Working in such a place to have pocket change. A year ago he would have laughed at the thought, would have made fun of the guy with the piercing behind the counter. But what could he do now? Hide behind the CD racks and pretend he wasn’t interested in the job?

Well, yes. Yes, Matthew could do just that. And he did. Clad in his blue jeans and black sleeved, white body baseball shirt, Matt stared blankly at the rows and rows of music he didn’t like or wouldn’t buy. There were girls in the corner talking about a row of discs they were standing in front of.

“Ever heard that song Free Falling? It’s by some guy named Tom Petty.”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Motherchucker! Seriously?”
“Yeah…”

Matt knew it and he probably would have butted into their conversation but right now his mind wasn’t on girls or getting into their pants. Instead he was focused on how degrading it might be to ask for an application.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cecelia emerson reese .]

use s o m e b o d y
somebody like y o u

With the current state of the economy, one would think that Cecelia Reese would perhaps think twice about paying five dollars for imported bottled water, or ten dollars for a French baked good. There she was though, strolling down the street in downtown Seattle. Sipping from her five dollar water and taking small, hopingly graceful bites out of her croissant. The money problems of next to everyone else in her country did not seem to have any affect at all on the young woman. Even if her father’s business ventures were suffering, it probably wouldn’t have changed the way Cecelia spent at all. Her father had a hard time saying no when it came to his little princess.

Finishing of the last of her baked good, Cecelia threw the paper bag into a bin that she passed as she walked. Now that she had something in her stomach, the young fashion savvy youth was ready for a day full of shopping. Shopping was something of a compulsion for Cecelia. A vice if you will. The lure of the latest style in boots or the newest fall line was too strong to resist. If she needed, she’d chalk her spending up to research. She needed to stay on top of the latest trends and designs as a fashion student. Of course, that could be done with the much cheaper purchase of a magazine but no one really ever questioned her.

Taking another sip from her mineral enriched water, Cecelia turned into Pioneer Square. There was a little boutique that she’d seen a few times but never walked in. It was a little too quaint for her usual tastes, but she couldn’t help but fall in love with a faux vintage blouse she had seen on one of the models in the window last time she had walked past. Yes. She’d start her shopping trip with fulfilling her blouse lust, then letting her whims lead her, she’d probably even start composing her perfect Alice outfit. She needed to look perfect for her un-birthday tea-party. Absolutely perfect. Not just to impress her fellow students, but to impress one Matthew Mason. A boy whom she was growing rather smitten with.

Speaking of Mr. Mason, Cecelia must have been day-dreaming, because she was almost certain that she had seen him out of the corner of her eye. Lurking in the record store. Stopping in her tracks at once, the young woman arched her head a little, checking the record store window. Aha! She hadn’t been day-dreaming at all. There he was, plain as day. A smile tugged at her lips. Well, her day was certainly taking a pleasant turn wasn’t it? Glancing down, Cecelia assessed her outfit. True, it wasn’t the ensemble she had chosen as the one she wanted to be wearing when she next saw the boy, but it wasn’t bad at all.

Black leggings covered her legs. A lace design imprinted into the sheer fabric. Over the leggings was a musty purple long-sleeved dress. Normally, Cecelia preferred lighter colours, but autumn seemed like more like a dark earthy colour season. On her feet were comfortable yet stylish heal-less boots. A highly acceptable ‘caught by surprise’ outfit actually. Smiling, she re-adjusted her black head-band and moved to the door of the record store. Quietly, she made her way behind the boy. Once behind him, she slipped her hands over his eyes, leaning in to whisper.

“Guess who?”

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[matt]

And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her.
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart.

[/color]

- - - - - - - - - -[/center]


Matt was still focused rather hard on his internal conflict when the girl came up behind him. This, of course, was his only reason for being startled when the hands ended up over his eyes. Of course, he eased up fast, the voice easily recognizable. Of course, who else? Matt smiled and brought his hands up to the ones covering his eyes. Pausing momentarily to play her game, he pretended to think. She certainly picked the wrong time to notice him out and about town, but what could he do? End his charade? Bullshit. He’d have to keep playing along and come back here later, when Ceceila had her fill of him, certainly. He just hoped that she would have her fill of him eventually and not keep him at her side all day. He was no good at playing the puppy dog.

“Hmm, let me see. It’s obviously a girl, your hands are exceptionally soft. And that voice, so gorgeous…” Matt grinned and peeled the hands away from his eyes so he could turn around and face the girl. “Ahh, just who I hoped it would be. The lovely Cecelia.” Mattie bent down to wrap his arms around the girls middle in a tight hug. He thought about kissing her to get that girly giggly response most females gave but if he knew Cecelia she wasn’t a fan of going fast. That, of course, was no good for Matt. He liked short, quick relationships. Hell, if he could forget their name too that always helped. But he really needed Cec and he couldn’t risk going too fast with her. No, he needed to draw it out and let everyone know about it.

“What are you doing here?” Matt knew that he didn’t belong in this store either, but what did she know? He could say he was looking for a CD and that he hadn’t found it. Right? That’d make plenty of sense. Even Matt listened to music. He’d just as soon purchase (or rather pirate) it from the internet, but it was a legitimate excuse to be in the music store at that particular point in time. “You look lovely today, by the way. As you do everyday, I’m sure. Isn’t your party soon?”


(LOL SHORT IN COMPARISON!)[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cecelia emerson reese .]

use s o m e b o d y
somebody like y o u

Cecelia could get used to this. Being in the arms of Matthew. She allowed herself rest against the boy for a moment. Breathing in the mixed aroma of his natural must, and any hygiene products the young man used. It was, well to say the least, a little intoxication for the young Reese woman. She loved it when men smelt good. She’d lever admit it to anyone, lest they use it against her, but the strong masculine scent of a good cologne sent shivers up her spine. Oh but she was getting carried away with herself. She’d only just met the boy really, it was far too early to be thinking about that sort of thing.

Cecelia pulled away from him a little, but not far enough for the boy to leg go of her. No. It wasn’t to early for some hugging now was it? “What am I doing here?” She smiled up at him. “Why my dear, I’m here to steal you away from whatever dreary day you had planned,” at this, she gave the cd store a slight look of displeasure, before returning her eyes to him and re-setting her smile. “I’m in some desperate need of new seasonal outfits and a simply can’t trust these shop assistants. They wouldn’t know what looked good on a fruit fly, let alone someone like me.”

She stepped out of the embrace and slipped her hand into his. “Please say you have nothing better to do then to spend the morning with me? I really need a second opinion and Adelle had other plans.” A slight smirk crossed her features. “I may even figure out a way to make it all worth while.” Yes, even with her friends and potential lovers, everything came back down to the fact Cecelia usually got what she wanted, even if she had to bribe and manipulate it from people.

“Please?” She turned her lips into a slight pout, a face that worked on most of the male race.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[matt]

And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her.
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart.

[/color]

- - - - - - - - - -[/center]


Glancing around the music store once more, Matthew let out a sigh. He'd really been hoping to get this over with today so he could go back home and mope about it some more. But he couldn't exacly tell Cecelia no either. He needed to keep her pleased and if shopping was what she wanted then he supposed that was what he would do for her. Cecelia sticking by his side would show his parents that someone, especially the daughter of another wealthy family, trusted him. That could only help in his situation, even if things ended sourly between them. His parents would at least realize that he was trying and reinstate him. Hopefully they would believe that by getting into a serious relationship Matt had slowed down his reckless lifestyle and stopped his gambling. He was trying hard, of course, but that didn't explain the scratchcards buried deep into his back pocket. Hey, he couldn't just stop his most favorite thing cold turkey. No, he needed something to ween himself off the bigger stuff.

"I suppose I could go shopping with you, even if you're just using me for an outfit tester. You know the stereotypical gay guy who stands outside the dressing room and disses bad outfits? Unfortunately for you, I'm not gay. So I probably won't be very much help. I assume I could keep you company though." Smiling, Matt took a chance and bent down to press his lips to Cecelia's temple. He hoped it would have a positive reaction, like a girly squeal or a big smile. Those were the good kinds of reactions. Her ignoring it completely was a bad sign.

"Alright, alright. Let's go." He turned to guide her out of the music store. He'd come back when Cecelia had her fill and deal with his business then. He didn't need to degrade himself in front of the female. That would certainly only make things worse.


(Sorry, this one sucks. I lost the first one, as you know.)[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cecelia emerson reese .]

use s o m e b o d y
somebody like y o u

At the kiss to her temple, Cecelia felt her smile grow even more. Perhaps she even felt her cheeks blush. However the second one was not something she’d readily admit. Imagine, perfectly composed Cecelia blushing at a mere kiss on the temple? Never. Alright, so perhaps this one occasion as an acceptation. She couldn’t help herself though. The kiss to her temple had been so simply sweet, yet intimate. Without being too intimate. Perfect for the current state of their relationship. Perhaps others would have wondered ‘why did he not just kiss her properly?’ but Cecelia was content. Who wanted their first kiss with a particular boy in a dinky CD store?

Lacing her fingers with his, Cecelia started to move out of the record store. “Yes but see, what many girls don’t realise, is straight men are probably some of the better judges of clothes. They may not exactly know what’s fashionable. Which isn’t a problem, because I know what is. What they do know is what they like, and what looks good on a woman. They don’t have to say anything either. You can tell if a male likes it just from his initial reaction.” She offered him a smile. “Even if all that wasn’t so though, I’d still want you there..”

She threw that out there so casually, but something about the way she dared a glance at him to sense a reaction that Cecelia actually meant it. For a girl who didn’t often wear her true emotion on her sleeve, she was putting a lot on the line already for Matthew. Truth be told, Cecelia was falling for him. Of course, unknown to the female, that was all apart of the Mason boys grand plan. She may seem like a hardened cow, but not even Cecelia Reese can resist a boy pulling out every stop. Considering how compatible their personalities were, and in the places they weren’t, Matthew was doing his best to make the youth believe they were.

Pushing the door open of the CD shop, Cecelia stepped out into the fresh air. Dropping her hand from Matthew’s carefully. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to hold the young man’s hand, it was more that she wasn’t sure where he stood on hand holding in public and what not. Glancing across at him, she gave a soft smile. “There is a little boutique I want to try out, just along here.” Not that he really needed to know that, but she felt like perhaps she should at least let him know where they were going so he didn’t feel completely like an accessory.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[matt]

And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her.
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart.

[/color]

- - - - - - - - - -[/center]


Matthew was too busy dealing with his own thoughts to actually see Cecelia blush. He'd decided that he didn' want to see her reaction and would just deal with the outcome later. It was too early to give up anyway. Even if she didn't take to it now she would evnetually and that was really all that Matthew cared about. She was a girl, though, and she showed an interest in him, so he assumed she was going to react the way he wanted her to. That was simply how things worked. Matt would save their so-called first kiss for a time that he figured she would consider more proper. Hell, he might even let her initate that and make it seem like she had some sort of control in their little relationship. Girls liked that, right?

"I guess you're right. I've seen some girls in some rather distasteful outfits. You'd be rather surprised. Most men prefer well dressed women to scantily clad ones." Matt offered a smile and squeezed her hand lightly as they walked out of the store. "You're a sweet girl, Cec. I'm glad you enjoy my company. I rather like spending time with you as well." It was at least a little true. Ceclia was too much like Matthew for him to not at least like being around her. She was her own kind of munipulative and had cash to her name. Mattie's favorite kind of person.

Cecelia Reese was a hard shell to crack, Matt had come to find out. She only let out so much about herself to let Matt get away with his lies but kept a lot of stuff in. She also had a slew of friends willing to back her up, something Matt hadn't factored into his game. So many people would be willing to rat him out, he had to be careful. He had to make everyone believe he was in this for the long haul, that he really had feelings for the girl other than a cheap interest in her money. "Hey, where are you going?" He asked when she let go of his hand, soon slipping an arm around her middle, another warm smile tugging at his features.

"Afraid to let strangers know a boy likes you?"[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cecelia emerson reese .]

use s o m e b o d y
somebody like y o u

Matthew was right. Cecelia was a hard shell to crack. However, the boy was doing a fairy good job at cracking her. In fact, he was worming his way into her heart much faster then anyone had before. Cecelia had never been the sort of girl to fall in love quickly. She was more the sort to slowly warm to a person, while assessing their suitability from every angle. Passion never really came into it. In fact, she only really ever felt passionate when it was out of hatred for a person. She supposed that really did make her a bitch, but she found herself not caring.

At his words, she gave a coy shrug. Where was she going? Hm. “No where..” She said, with a slight giggle in her tone. So he actually wanted to show their new romance off to the world? Well she didn’t mind one bit. In fact, she was rather pleased at that fact. It meant he was sure about her. Sure he wanted to pursue his feelings. She allowed the boy to move his arm around her. Snuggling in slightly. Coy smile still on her features. She had already let out too much before with the blushing. Now she needed to play it cool.

“No. Of course not.” She answered calmly. Not bothering at all to explain her actions. He didn’t need to know that unsureness had caused her to pull away. That could ruin things, and Cecelia did not want to ruin things. Instead she merely steered them in the direction of the shop she had been intending to go to in the first place. “Oh! We should maybe organize our costumes for the party today, since we are both together. I’ve seen a dress I like. I just want to go try it on.” She glanced up at him, smiling. “I’m so looking forward to it.”

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[matt]

And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her.
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart.

[/color]

- - - - - - - - - -[/center]


Matt was really good at what he did. He needed to put himself firmly in Cecelia's life, to dig a little hole and sit comfortably inside until things happened the way they were meant to, until his plans took root and his own life was in the place where he wanted it to be. He was finding it slightly more easy than he had imagined it would be with Cecelia. She was opening up and he had assumed she would shy away until she had sized him up completely. She seemed to be caving though. Maybe she was desperate for male attention? Maybe, just maybe, because her family and his family were acquainted, she didn't think very hard into sizing him up. Maybe she really thought he was being genuine.

That poor girl. Still, Matt smiled and played along, pulling her close to his side so they could walk close, like a fresh, new couple, to the boutique she was going on and on about. He'd play her game, be her shopping assitant for the day. It was no big sacrifice in comparison to what Matt was doing. "Good then, I might have been upset if you went off and left me all lonely and whatnot."

"Oh, Cec. I might need some help with that. You see, I'm completely horrible at being organized. I'm not even really sure what I'm supposed to do. Lucky for you, though, I do have a tux and a rather nice suit, whichever fits the occasion more." Matt was probably the only person his age who honestly owned a tuxedo. He could argue easily that it was for his sisters wedding and he'd just kept hold of it in case he needed again. The last time he wore it, if he could remember correctly, he was drunk. Probably not something he wanted to tell Cecelia.

"I'm sure whatever you wear, you'll look gorgeous. So, who will be there? Your friend, what's her name? Anyone else make the very important person status?"[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cecelia emerson reese .]

use s o m e b o d y
somebody like y o u

Cecelia considered it for a moment. “Well. I think the tuxedo might work better. Since the mad hatter is already a fairly well dressed character, he’d be completely dressed up on formal wear.” That, and Cecelia liked the idea of seeing the boy in a tux. She was certain he’d look more then adorable. There was just something about a male in a tux that excited Cecelia a little. “Yes, a tuxedo with a top hat. After all, the mad hatter would have a hat. With a bow-tie that matches my dress. Just in case it isn’t obvious we are there together.”

While her comment was light and teasing, there was indeed a truth to it. It wasn’t that Cecelia was completely possessive, she was just well aware what sort of a man she had herself, and knew that he would be in high demand. She was eager to lay her claim on him so to speak, even if they were just getting to know one another. She didn’t want someone to steal him away before she had a chance to decide exactly what she wanted with Matthew. It wouldn’t be very nice at all. Considering she had an inkling it was more then just a friendship blossoming between them.

“Adelle. And of course she will be there.” Cecelia offered him a small smile as they stepped into the shop and she pulled away from him. Gravitating towards a rack of vintage styled clothing. “Oh, well the Clowes girls. Do you know them? They come from a good family, so it’s natural I’d invite them. As well as the Natethaniel Moore and Callie Vanderbilt sorts. They seem to be, well, the elite sorts at this school, so that made sense too.” Cecelia gave a small shrug as she pulled an off white lace blouse from the rack, holding it up. “Do you like this?”

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[matt]

And I'm a bad boy, 'cause I don't even miss her.
I'm a bad boy for breakin' her heart.

[/color]

- - - - - - - - - -[/center]

Rather amused with Cecelia's preoccupation with his attire, Matthew let the girl talk on. He would wear whatever she wanted him to wear and would not complain even once. He would simply agree and let her have her way. After all, that was what she wanted and if she wanted it Matt was keen on giving it to her. It would smooth her over for awhile, let her know he was willing to do anything for her even if this one time it was something mediocre and simple. It helped his case. If she was happy she wouldn't look twice at his motives and Matt needed to keep her attention as far away from that as possible. He wasn't doing a very good job at hiding why exactly he wanted to be with Cecelia. She wasn't his usual type. Yeah, she was pretty and she had money but usually Matt went after girls who just didn't care. Cecelia cared a bit too much. If he slipped up even a bit... well, he didn't want to think about it.

"That sounds perfect, Cec." To seal the deal he once again kissed her temple. She wouldn't react, he didn't expect her to, but she would think about it and get her mind off of anything else. Matt didn't care what kind of hell she put him through, the nearly empty bank account tied to his name was more painful than any trip to the mall would ever be. He didn't recognize the shop. he was used to only shopping for himself, in men's stores. His clothing was basic, not puzzling. He didn't have to spend hours debating on if he should buy a shirt or not. He also didn't have to worry about carrying any of his friends in to get their opinion. He usually didn't have to try anything on and certain wasn't modeling a damn thing. Girls were so confusing when they shopped.

Instead of arguing, Matt nodded his head and listened to her. He knew none of these people, at least not by name, but he would nod along and pretend that he did for her sake. There was very little chance that she would ask him how he knew these people and if she did he would simply reply that he'd seen them around campus. She surely wouldn't be inviting anyone who didn't actually go to school with them.

Examining the blouse briefly, Matt tried to keep impure thoughts about how good Cecelia might look if she were taking that article of clothing off out of his mind. That wasn't his goal here. "You'd look gorgeous in that, Cec."[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cecelia emerson reese .]

use s o m e b o d y
somebody like y o u

Cecelia smiled. That comment was enough to convince her that she should at least try on the top. Cecelia never bought anything without first trying it on. While every size four should be the same, it wasn’t. A fact Cec knew very well. She knew all designers were supposed to make to a particular measurement but she also knew if that impaired your design, you’d ignore it. There was also the fact that something that looked good on the hanger might actually look rather hideous on. No, it was just a rule to live by that you didn’t buy things without trying them on.

“I wont be long.” She leant in and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. “I’ll just go try this on, and see what it looks like.” She offered him one more smile, before moving away towards the change rooms. However on her way, a rather nice brown skirt took her eye so she plucked out her size quickly and continued on. She seemed to have a thing for brown lately. Which was odd, considering her tendencies to like pastels. She nodded at the sales girl, before letting herself into one of the change-rooms and closing the curtain.

Once inside, Cecelia hung up the two garments she wanted to try on and set about ridding herself of everything she was currently wearing. Hanging each thing over the curtain as she did. Once she was merely left in her underwear, Cecelia eased the skirt off the hanger and slid it on. It was a little shorter then what she’d normally go for, but she really loved the lace detail. After careful inspection of the skirt, she then put the fitted blouse and tucked it into the skirt. Oh. They actually looked rather nice together. What a wonderful coincidence.

Careful not to disrupt the clothes she had hung over the curtain rail, Cecelia slipped out from her change room. Seeking Matthew’s opinion.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]