An Early Breakfast in the Sun

[Aqua]

"Oh c'mon guys you know how Gavin is," she replied defensively. "He's just a dork who is oblivious with everything and is just really nice." Even though what Heather said was true, that didn't mean it didn't bother her. She knew that she and Gavin were dating but weren't exactly "boyfriend and girlfriend". Clearly it was what she wanted since she called him her boyfriend during art class. But she really didn't feel like it was true when she said it. Heather was a bit traditional in that sense, and liked being asked out, making her relationship with a guy official. But Gavin never did that, even though he admitted to liking her as she did him.

Ignoring the situation between Jaxon and Ana, Heather focused on putting on her swimming cap and tucking in her hair. Her face did show worry since she was deep in thought. I was kinda bothered when he was bonding so much with Maddy. He had a lot in common her. What if he starts liking her more... or... INSTEAD of me? No he isn't like that... Her mind was buzzing with insecurity now thanks to her friends. She tried to look at the situation from all views but it was hard since she wasn't there when Liv and Gavin were interacting with one another.

Ugh why do Ana and Kris always need to give their opinions? Gavin and I are seeing how it turns out and so far it's good... and I couldn't see him last night since Cyclops saw me... and he didn't pick up his phone when I called before bed... well his phone was off... God he needs to charge his phone he never does... She jumped into the pool, finally ready to do her training. Swimming always helped her think straight and clear her mind off of interfering factors. "Don't worry about it guys. Really. Gavin and I are fine," she yelled back at Kris and Ana. But her voice wasn't so confident and before they could say anything, she started her laps. It gave her the illusion that she couldn't hear them because of the water sloshing up against her ears. But she really didn't want to hear their retort since it wasn't the time or place for them to discuss it.

It was true though, that Ana and Kris didn't need to worry. Because Heather was starting to agree with them. She needed to put down the line for Gavin if he wasn't going to do it himself. The words of Veronika's mother echoed in her head. Heather needed to be confident and take control. Take control....

[FreezeFrame]

Sloshing up to the side of the pool Chase came up again grinning. "HA! Who does she think she's foolin?" His eyes from the low angle in the water caught sight of some hot dark skinned guy and DAAAaaamn, this guy's built like a - MMmmm!! MINE! - - heh who am I foolin? he felt something tighten up his speedo, growing. "None of us so I guess it's just herself. Gavin's a freebird- FREEEBIIIURD!" He held his hand up with one thumb up like it was a lit lighter and he was at a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert.

"Hey, did you meat me yet?" He asked Jaxon. Heh heh I said meat me- yea I'd love to get meated by him, I could definitely be that guy's bitch! But I'm sure I woulda remembered it if he pounded me with his salami, I wasn't that wasted last night.Or was I? the bisexual Paragaon thought as he stuck out a hand to the new guy. No I wasn't that wasted, but Liv was- yea, either that or she just didn't feel like walking back to the mansion cause my back is killin me from carryin her fat ass home.

"Name's Chase. Freeze-Frame's the codename- where ya from mon?" he said putting on his Jamaican accent again. "I had a rough night carrying a fat girl and there was so many newbies that showed up yesterday, you gonna have ta forgive me if I didn't notice ya." How could I have not noticed this guy? Was I blind or some shit? He's gorgeous!

[Tempest]

Tia raised an eyebrow at Chase, her eyes vaguely sparing a look at the New Mutant who'd taken the spotlight and allowed Chase to ignore Tia. Despite her age, and being the youngest in the group- Tia held her place and everyone knew she hated to be ignored, no matter what. "Chase. I asked you a question." Tia repeated firmly, her voice holding some more authority. "Please, don't ignore me." she added in order to emphasise the fact that she was not happy and to get the answer she'd been looking for.

She turned her head to look at Kris and Ana, who were having a go at Heather about Gavin. She shrugged at Kris, and looked over at Heather instead. "I think it's upto Heather to decide what's pushing the limit, and what's not Kris." Tia murmured, giving the blond a weak smile. "But what they both said isn't untrue either." She shrugged again. It wasn't her place to interfere. Tia was just happy that Heather and Gavin were finally together; now what they did with their relationship was upto them. It wasn't any of her buisness and she didn't really plan to make it any of her buisness either.

At the moment, Tia was slightly more concerned about the New Mutant; Jax, who Tia was liking less and less by the second. Part of her annoyance was due to Chase ignoring her question, but the main reason was that Tia didn't like his arrogance, over-confidence or the tone in which he spoke to Ana. Tia made it a point to look away from him to stop herself thinking about him. People like him weren't worth the worry, she kept reminding herself. So far he was just an annoying guy- if ignored, he'd soon fade out into the background and learn to keep his distance.

[Clutch]

Ana looked at them all with raised eyebrows, sickened how everyone was tripping over themselves to introduce themselves to him, including Kris. Heather, bless her soul, was a bit too self-absorbed to notice him and nothing ever impressed Tia. As for Ana, she dealt with boys like him before and she had no fear in doing so again. "I call them as I see them. You dress like you from a backwood farm, then you be treated as such," she scoffed and flipped her hair over again.

She was not easily impressed either, and if this arrogant meathead thought he could impress her with his arrogant bravado and trying to play his little games with her, than he had another thing coming. Ana eyed him for a critical moment, looking at the designer clothes and back at him. "Now a farmhand that robbed boy with money. If you steal someones expensive clothes, you should at least look the part. No, acting like you know what manners would be the least you could do." Using her telekinesis, she used the napkin she brought with her to dab the corners of her lips lightly to not mess up her pink lip gloss.

Her eyes drifted to Heather for a moment, trying to ignore Jax in earnest and focused on her friend. The truth was, what Chase said was probably true. Gavin did not seem the relationship type, and handsome as he was, Heather could do better than him. She had class and good breeding, she could land herself a boy from a well to do families that would treat her like the sweet princess she was. She would probably never get any of that from Gavin, but Ana didn't stick her nose in this particular affair. Sometimes people needed to learn on their own. "I am sure you will get it solved Heather," Ana said not looking at Jax and turning herself away from that arrogant ass.

[FreezeFrame]

"Can't you see grown people are talkin runt?" He liked Tia and her little hard as nails attitude, but she was just a kid and didn't take to being put off for bigger fish. Chase hated it too, but hey it happened sometimes, and at least he could deal with being ignored when it happened. "What are ya bugin about I barely heard ya. I was underwater! And you and your happy little self need work on sounding through denser stuff -ASS." Chase said barely looking at Tia as he shook the guy's hand.

Firm grip. Rough hand. He wasn't going to get in the middle of a pissing contest between this guy and Ana, fine as the guy was he wasn't worth sticking his neck out for. He let go of the guy's hand and treaded water right there at the edge of the pool. He needed to get back to his workout, but the conversation was interesting at least a little. He wanted to see how the roughneck handled himself with the Fin-princess.

"Plus I'm feelin not quite 100%. Yea maaan, Everclear- it ain't just a band." He grinned a half grin at the group and winked at the new guy not letting them know for sure if he was playing or not. The bottle of grain alcohol he had stashed under the dock was nice and cold when he had stripped down and jumped in to get it, but he still had a score to settle with Lian for tossing his clothes in the lake. Carrying a drunk Liv back with one shoe missing was probably what messed up his back. He tossed the rest of his clothes once he got back to his room. He was not keepin them after she threw up all down him.

"Let's see, her power?" He said finally to Tia. "Uh she weighs a ton, can't hold her liquor and her puke smells like bubblegum and gutjuice." He made a face remembering the smell of himself when he staggered back into the room where Kyle had been resting peacefully for a few hours by then. "OK, no for real? Her power is all Disney. Talks to animals. What we need that on the team for I have no clue, but she's cool, I will give her that. At least she's no Acolyte in green."

[-RAM-]

Jax nodded at Chase. "Indian by origin, lived in Alaska all my life though." Jax couldn't make up his mind about this one; he seemed too eager to be straight but the way he spoke and stuff didn't really exactly lean towards the gay side. Jax was just sure as hell hoping this guy had is hormones in order- he couldn't stand the idea of being the only other straight guy with the exception of Riker around. That was just wrong. Jax's eyes flicked vaguely at the Tia girl, she had some sharp tongue and some attitude on her for her age. Amusing. He didn't ponder on that one too long though- there was another girl who amused him even more.

Although, by calling him a theif she'd taken the slightest of stabs at his ego. Not that he was going to react to it. No. "Robbed?" Jax's voice sounded amused- and to be honest he was. In a way he was a theif; he had stolen the money from his dad, but technically, it was his money anyway. It was their family tradition that the money went to the eldest son in the family once he came of age (or a share of it anyway- until the pop went six feet under.) Jax was of age in Alaska. So the money he'd supposedly robbed wasn't acutally robbed it was just his share.

"So, I'm a farmhand and a theif huh?" Jax smirked, "Your ability to get the wrong impression is more impressive than i thought." Jax rolled his eyes. "If you must know, none of this is robbed. I paid for it all, with my money-" ...share of it anyway "Yeah, the money wasn't nicked either. It's family money, passed down." Jax had nooo problem boasting about the wealth power his family had- despite the fact that he hated his family. Jaxon was constantly being bugged to be a part of the family- well he'd chosen his own way to be a part of the family. He was a part of the family for the money; he was more than happy to use the name Chande to get what the hell he wanted. He had the name- may as well put it to good use.

[Tempest]

Chase calling her a runt didn't exactly leave Tia thrilled and over the moon, but she'd got the answer that she wanted and there was no point in picking an argument for no reason. "She seemed OK to me." Tia shrugged, "Doesn't hurt to have the nature on our side." Tia mused, thinking of how the new Paragon's power could be used. She decided to ignore his comment about Frostbite; she didn't matter to Tia. As far as Tia was concerned, Frostbite wasn't a friend of hers or anyone she wanted to think about or be associated with.

Tia wouldn't deny that they were friends- but things were different then. Frostbite was different then. Tia knew Veronika would know all there was to know about Liv soon- I must talk to her about it. Tia noted mentally, before looking over at Ana and her fellow team mate, rolling her eyes.

"Kris, stop staring!" Tia whispered, her words only for Kris' ear-- the wind making sure that no one else could hear her. Seriously.

[FreezeFrame]

Chase nodded as the guy turned to talk to Ana. His thoughts about the depths to which he might go to please the guy on a sexual level drifting off as Tia took up the conversation about Liv. It was strange how she ignored his comment about her friend though, he was hoping it would illicit some kind of response. Then it hit him. Tia isn't all that friendly with the ice brat anymore? Well then.. this is news to me. I thought she'd give me an ear full for calling a spade a spade when it came to the team loser. Kyle might be the team joke, but he was far from the team loser as far as any of us true Paragons are concerned. A sly grin crossed his face at the idea he was forming in his noggin. "Yo! Leave her alone there miracle-grow, you're lucky she ain't in a bad mood or you'd be one hurricane blast north of here by now" he called over to Kris.

"Hey Tia," he said to the airbender as he kicked his way over to the side of the pool away from the rest of them "c'meere ya lil'tough guy you." He liked to be ambiguous with her, playful but firm and let her pick her own place in the world, not tell her who she was or hem her in with being a team mascot or something lame like that. She was a cute kid, but she was as tough as they came and was great to have on your side when it came to a fight. For all of 13 years old the girl could hold her own and she had a good head on her shoulders. Chase knew that flattery wouldn't get what he wanted out of her, but appealing to her sense of what a true Paragon was just might be the ticket.

When they had met up away from the rest of them all he spoke in a whisper to her as he grabbed the side of the pool. "Hey listen, I got this great gag. You know how I feel about miss stink eye 'can I ice your drink for ya', right? Well, I saw your face just then when I mentioned her and I think you're on the same wavelength as me. I know you and her used ta be friends," he gamble his hunch, as ever the gambler he was "but lets face it she ain't what we need on our team and I think we could give her a little nudge in getting on with the whole nervous breakdown thing that you me and everybody else are just waiting to see happen."

"Well when I was down tossing out my puke coated clothes I noticed something in the dumpster and I snagged it- uh, them really. I need your help to get into Frostbite's room and swap out the sheets. Now I'm trustin ya killah- you know as well as I do that she ain't no Paragon and we need to police our own. I think you of all of us know how hard we go when it comes to training and how tight we are as a team. You are the youngest and might even be the one person to see exactly what all it takes to be a Paragon. Let me get out of this pool and you and me can go and put those nasty Rumble sheets up on her bed."

He grinned at her, a very Grinchy-grinch grin, and waggled his eyebrows up and down. He pulled himself up out of the water, his stiffness having subsided enough to not be obnoxious yet still fluffed enough to not show what cold water did to a wee-wee, and walked over to get his towel and robe. Leaving Tia for just a moment to consider what he was proposing. He knew she would want to consult Veronika, but this was a now or never thing since he had heard Liv say just last night that she would be making their unwanted team member come down for breakfast, and it was also a test of just how badass Tia might promise to be.

Toweling off he returned to Tia's side and threw a damp arm around her pulling her along with him to the mansion. "This is real trust time here- it's The Big Time for the future with your team. Hey it starts here! And you gotta know if you rat or if you say 'no' the rest of the teams gonna know about it, so let's go. We'll head in through your bathroom and if it's locked and that fails then I'll toss this towel out from your window to her window and freeze it in mid air to walk across it. The window is the easiest point of entry, bet she never even locks it either. Can't wait to see her face, too bad we wont be there when it all goes down. If those walls could only talk." He mused as he pulled Tia along to the girls dorm, not letting her balk at his request.

[Clutch]

If Ana had not been so busy being infuriated by this delusional farmhand, she would have been extremely curious as to why Tia and Chase walked off all of a sudden. She liked knowing things that were going on and gossiping about them with Kris and Veronika, but at the moment she was too busy glaring at this new boy with a swagger that irritated her to the max. She scoffed again and took off her sunglasses to glare at him, light electric eyes blazing. "Yes wrong am I? You have manners of a farmhand and hold yourself with arrogance of perverted old man!" Ana spat out, her accent getting thicker now that she was angrier and had less control of her speech.

"Family money, oh I really believe that. You see this face I have is me believing you, because I am just so in need to believe some pig with manners of a monkey." She pointed to her unamused and annoyed face, standing up from her seat to face him, in her three inch heels she was basically his height, if not an inch shorter. "My impression of you being ill mannered and look like farmhand stands, and you do nothing to make me change my mind."

Had he not been so infuriating and annoying and arrogant, Ana might have paid attention to his impressive physique and handsome features. Unlike her dear best friend Veronika, she was attracted to boys of all ethnicities, but the arrogant smirk on his face threw off any physical appeal that he had to the Finnish Heiress. "Now if you excuse me Mr. 'Family Money'," Ana spat in such a mocking tone that it was obvious she thought he was just ridiculous. "I would like to finish my breakfast in PEACE." Her face was set in a look that just dared him to push her further, her light blue eyes blazing in annoyance.

[Aqua]

One... two... three... breathe in... one... two... three... one... two... three... now backstroke... Heather was doing a pretty good job focusing on her workout. She was glad that Ana had faith in her to be able to work everything out and that the subject of her and Gavin was finally out of the way... from the group that is. Heather hadn't been able to get the ideas out of her mind, but as soon as she started her swimming, her mind became clear as to what she needed to do. Stroke... stroke... breathe out... breathe in... stroke... stroke... I need to tell him... I need to put down the line... I mean why can't we be official? It's practically the same as how we are now but just completely committed to each other... but what if he doesn't want that? Some guys just like to have that leniency, that freedom with no strings attached..

There was some kind of commotion happening around her and Heather stopped swimming after she finished her fifteenth lap. She saw that Tia and Chase were gone and Kris was still doing his own thing. Ana and Jaxon were in each others faces as if they were having a pretty heated disagreement and Heather was actually glad she was able to miss everything. She wasn't out of breath, but she did want to just get her damn thoughts out of her head once and for all. "Hey Ana?" she said softly while resting her slender figure against the ledge of the pool. Her breathe was even and controlled, her fitness was improving every day and she was very proud of herself.

"Stop flirting with the new guy. He already needs to deal with Riker trusting him." I big smile spread across her face, which then led to a smirk. She didn't know what was going on between them but she always loved seeing Ana upset. It was a rare event and always funny... it's how she was able to understand why Gavin always liked pissing her off. Giggling at her best friend, Heather then kicked off the wall of the pool and continued her backstrokes. All I need to do is talk to him, she concluded. Yeah that's all... it will be fine... two... three... breathe in... one... two...

[-RAM-]

Jax cocked his head, and took a step closer to Ana. "Breakfast?" he questioned, the smirk on his face deepening. The fact that she didn't believe him didn't actually bother him one damn bit, 'cause watching her get all wound up was just making up for it. That look on her face... oh boy he was holding in the laughter. "What Breakfast?" he said casually, his eyes purposely - although played out casually - moved over to look at the youghurt pot sitting on the table.

jax hadn't ever been much of an actor, but he'd picked up a thing or two from the drama lessons. His eyes sparked and his lips switched from a smirk to an 'O' shape. "Oh... dyou mean that super mini youghurt?" he continued, his voice stupidly patronizing. "Ah! That explains the low IQ and constantly getting thigns wrong!" he said, speaking loud enough for everyone to here, but manipulating his tone to make it sound like the words were intented only for him.

"Didn't momma tell ya princess? It's important to eat to get your brain workin' and ahh..." He shook his head as if tutting her for making such a silly mistake. "Daddy forgot to point out that breakfast is the most important meal of the day too huh? Is that why you're so grumpy? Here I was thinking it's just your..." Jax shrugged, trying to make it seem ackward. He didn't say the words, but his tone and expressionmade it pretty damn clear he was about to say time of the month. Not that he really thought that or anything. He was just trying to wind the girl up further. Looking past the screwface; she was actually quite cute.

[Clutch]

Ana was furious at this point, beyond annoyed and just infuriated at this point. "You- you... AAAAGGGHHHHH!" She did not like him at all, and especially cause he seemed to be purposely pushing her to the edge and looked like he was actually enjoying it. She poked him hard in the chest and glared right at him, electric blue eyes flashing. "Both of your parents failed to teach manners to you! If you're parents are gorillas like I suspect, than I sure they very proud of their sweet idiot boy who needs the fleas picked from his head!"

The smirk on his face and the amusement radiating off him just made her angry to the point where she just wanted to wipe it off his face. "My parents taught me one thing." Jaz was then lifted right from the ground and dangled in the air, Ana's furious eyes locked on his. "That if someone talk and look dirty, they need to be cleaned!" With her telekinesis, she pushed him hard over the pool in and in her anger and annoyance used her telekinesis to dunk him rapidly all the way into the pool and all the way out several times before just letting him drop in the pool.

Her heels clicked against the tile as she came by the edge of the pool, a model look of inspection on her face as she watched him come up for air. "Shame, it seem water not strong enough to help you." She shook her head as if she was very disappointed and flipped her hand behind her as she stood up and walked over to take her tray of food. "Because mother taught me how important cleanliness is, I must go. I fear I been near dirty animals too long. Ta," She said still annoyed and angry and walked back into the mansion. She was going to drop her tray off in the kitchen and go right over to Riker. She was not happy, and when Ana was not happy she would not keep quiet about it.

[-RAM-]

Jax was in hysterics.

He'd been caught off guard when he'd been thrown into the water, but now that he was sitting soaking wet in his desginer clothes on the edge of the pool-side, with his legs still in water, Jaxon Chande couldn't help but laugh. Laugh like there was no tomorrow.

"She's got some temper on her, huh?" he smirked, coughing as he controlled his laughter, his eyes falling over to Heather, who he'd luckily missed when he'd dropped into the water. He could only imagine falling on top of the slim blonde, hell he would've crushed her. No, that would've killed the amusement factor. Jax shook his head, his hair sprinkling water all around him; although it didn't make much of a difference to the surrounding 'cuz the place was all soakin' anyway.

If Ana'd thought she'd said anything that would've actually hurt him, hell she needed to work on her insults, although he didn't really blame her. Cussin' someones parents ought to be enough to get someone's head spinning and have them in a fit, ready to punch someone's head off; but for one, Jaxon didn't give two sh*ts about what the hell people said about his so-called parents, 'cause frankly- he didn't have much respect for them either. Sure they gave him money, but that was just about it. Jax had no... no feelings or any sentiments towards his family. And secondly; Jax would never raise a finger on a girl.

Whatever said and done about his family, his ma'd daught him one thing since he was a tod, and that was never to lay a finger on a girl. It was a downright cowardly thing to do and Jaxon was anything but a coward. "Is she always that... feisty? Or am I just that special?" Jaxon asked Heather, replaying what'd just happened in his head. Damn, I remember her face. Gotta transfer that one onto my phone and send miss ana-rexic that pic. Huh, ana-rexic... gotta start callin' her that. Or maybe just rex for short.

[Aqua]

Well, so much for a relaxing exercise, she thought bug eyed. Heather was able to ignore the quarrell between Ana and Jaxon until he was dropped into the pool. She was in the middle of her 25th lap and was a bit annoyed that she couldn't finish her work out in peace. But then that would be weird considering the school she was attending. She didn't mind the interruption completely, it just meant she would have to enjoy a night swim like she did sometimes before curfew.

She was able to do about 40 laps before starting to get tired. The most she had ever worked herself in the Olympic sized pool was 87, and that was because she was really upset that day. Her mom worked her way into upsetting her once again when she called the house to speak to her dad. Gabriel McCarthy was in the middle of helping his soon to be ex- wife load all of her things into her car. The separation we definitely happening and the divorce wouldn't be finalized for several months. But Gabriel was in no rush to get things started and focus on his daughter's well being.

Heather shook her head at Jaxon and sighed. She couldn't help but have a slight smile too since it took real talent to get Ana irritated. Then again, there were certain things that always got her upset... like calling her 'too skinny'. Heather understood that Ana had that type of body. She wasn't anorexic and simply had that tall slim figure that all models in the industry needed. She was perfect and Heather used Ana as a mannequin for many of her pieces, until Veronika bought her a new mannequin (as her old one was tattered). Nonetheless, Ana was a great friend and always stood by her side when it came to her designs and artwork.

"Don't kid yourself," she finally said as she used her ability to lift herself out of the pool. Ever since she re-watched The Little Mermaid with Veronika on their many Disney movie nights, Heather mastered the way King Triton brought himself up towards Ariel in the last scene on the ship. "Ana never gives special treatment, especially to the newbies." The Brooklynite removed her swim cap and allowed her strawberry blond hair to cascade down her back. "I tried to keep you on Riker's good side but now you're on your own," she continued. Heather then drew all the water away from Jaxon and made sure to get every last drop before letting it splash on the floor around him. "Might as well look your best before facing him I guess. Have fun." She let a giant smirk appear before her face as she linked her arm with Kris' and headed back into the mansion. "OK OK that's enough pictures for today Gilles Bensimon," she said with a giggle. "You can take more when Riker is about to punch him."