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Post by Annie Holmes on Dec 19, 2009 15:19:10 GMT -5
They had made it back to Annie’s house, where a concerned Iman greeted them at the door. One look at the red head and her friends told the woman that the fight had been more than a simple childhood squabble.
“Take her on up to her room. I’ll be up with snacks.” Her words were soft, someone who knew how to deal with children, a woman who was both a mother, and someone who’d grown very fond of the youngest of the Holmes girls. Iman Bowie moved into the kitchen as the two who escorted Annie ushered her up the stairs.
For Annie, she was devastated. She’d wanted so much for Phil to come out, that she’d imagined - NO! She HADN’T imagined the flirting! The quiet smiles, the hands touching as they filled their bag. The way they had paired off immediately with each other… All the signs were there. HAD been there for as long as she’d known both boys. Annie had only hoped, thought that because of everything Phil’s attentions to Mew had been stronger, more obvious.
Up the stairs and into the cupcake bedecked bedroom with Labryinth figurines and posters along the wall was a sanctuary that was both welcome and unwanted. It wouldn’t fix what had been done.
The family portrait on the dresser had a particularly hellish tint to tear-strained eyes. Hell, her whole family was “living in sin” according to some.
Why? the teen signed for what felt like the millionth time. Why had he flown off the handle like that. WHY did he think her father’s were going to hell. Did she dare tell them that her friend had said as much? That there was no real need to finish the pseudo Victorian outfit that was being made for him?
Cera… why?
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Cera Lamprey
Inactive 
Played by Nu
Nu's Scene Queen
Posts: 13
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Post by Cera Lamprey on Dec 19, 2009 16:15:59 GMT -5
It was painful to look at Annie's tear stained cheeks and hear the soft sobs as Cera drove her best friend back home. She wasn't there to listen to the whole fight but what Phil said was so wrong on so many levels. Sure Cera didn't belong to any one religion but she knew no religion openly condemned gays. Some don't even stress upon staying away from gays or stop befriending them. Some religions even promote love in any manner possible. She didn't understand why Phil had to be so indignant about it just because he was still way too deep in his closet.
When they finally arrived at Annie's house, Cera was careful as she walked hand in hand with Annie, avoiding Iman's expression. It just made everything so real. Annie was really crying, Phil was really stupid sometimes and the day was just completely ruined by it all.
They went to Annie's room and Cera sat Annie on the bed while she leaned on the table adjacent to the bed, stealing glances at Graham who had been silent the whole drive over.
Annie's signing made the back of the blond's eyes sting. She knew she was going to cry too. She never could stand it when Annie showed any other emotions than happiness. The usually lively and bouncy Annie looked so defeated and so small on her bed. It just didn't seem fair that Phil had just ragged on the sweet redhead when he wasn't likely to feel as bad.
"I don't know honey..." Cera said while signing. She slid down to the floor and crept to Annie, placing a hand over one knee, squeezing it lightly. She honestly didn't know what else to say to comfort her friend.
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Post by Graham Alderman on Dec 19, 2009 19:24:16 GMT -5
After calling Annie's fathers Graham had essentially clammed up, uncomfortable with the misery hanging over their heads. He was truly appalled that anyone would say such awful things to anyone, but especially to his friends. Annie hadn't done anything wrong as far as he could see, but now she was such a wreck she had even turned down cupcakes.
It'll be okay. He signed, wishing he could miraculously turn back time so that none of this had ever happened. He wasn't sure that it would be okay, but he didn't think that was a very comforting thing to say.
It's not your fault. Please don't cry. He couldn't stand to see anyone cry, but when that someone was Annie and it looked as though Cera were about to follow her that only made it ten million times worse.
He sat down crosslegged with a melancholy sigh to echo his girlfriends. Don't let one person get to you. I know he's your friend, but he'll come around. Honest. He's probably just having a bad day. He wasn't convinced that really excused the other boy's behavior, but he so wanted to see Annie smile again. We'll kill him with kindness, how bout it, Annie? Bake cupcakes and promote love and peace instead of division and yelling.
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Post by Annie Holmes on Dec 20, 2009 15:17:02 GMT -5
The fight kept playing back in the redhead’s mind. Every lip movement damning her fathers and those like him. Damning himself! Didn’t he realize that? Hadn’t he seen how happy she’d been for him? Leaning against Cera, Annie took in a shuddering breath in an attempt to not cry.
Graham was right. She shouldn’t let one person pull her down like this. But that one person was Phil. Her friend. Why was it that friends could always cut to the raw of the people they’re closest to easiest. Knowing that Phil was gay and still felt the way he did about it; that he had condemned her happily married fathers to hell along with anyone else who exhibited homosexual tendencies.
He’s wrong… she signed feebly. They’re good people. He is too! He just… just… her hands fell away as the door to her bedroom opened and Iman Bowie stepped in, tray of cupcakes, cookies, and milk balanced carefully.
“The Holmes have headed out to pick up what was left at the park,” she spoke quietly, concern etching both her face and her tone. “What’s made Annie so upset?”
As she was filled in the tall black woman sat on the floor, leaning against a cupcake wrapper shaped side table and did her best not to frown. Not that it would mar her face and create wrinkles, but because showing displeasure wouldn’t help the situation.
“I see.” Two words with only concern behind them, though if one were to look at the woman’s eyes they’d see another story. “And this was the fellow in the top hat that came over the other day?” An affirmative.
Tapping Annie on the knee she got the teen’s attention and signed, falteringly because she wasn’t as familiar with the words as the girl’s two friends. Listen to your friends here she pointed to Cera and Graham, [/I]they care about you and certainly one boy’s opinion isn’t the end of the world.[/I]
Annie knew all of this, but it didn’t make it hurt any less.
Please, the teen signed, at her three friends, [/I]Please don’t tell my dad’s what he said. It would hurt them.[/I]
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Cera Lamprey
Inactive
Played by Nu
Nu's Scene Queen
Posts: 13
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Post by Cera Lamprey on Dec 20, 2009 16:22:00 GMT -5
Once again, Annie's signing broke Cera's heart. She had to look away from her best friend to sign back. We wouldn't dream of doing that, sweetheart. She let her hands fall down to her lap.
Cera tried to remedy the situation by performing the act she usually did when Annie was upset. She wasn't sure if the heaviness of this debacle could be smoothed out by the act but she had to try. It had taken her almost a year to perfect the signing, but when Cera finally managed to do it the first time without any hitches to it, Annie's reaction to it made the whole year learning it so worthwhile. With a brave smile, Cera started to sign Charlie Chaplin's Smile slowly. She managed to do it without faltering even with Annie looking so small and vulnerable.
Cera's thoughts went to Phil. What right did he have to impose his own views on homosexuality to the girl who had been nothing but nice and supportive towards him from the day they met? The girl who had done nothing to deserve the earful she had received from him? Most importantly, since when did any kind of religion make their believers to force anything down anyone's throats? Didn't most religions promote peace and harmony?
Even if Phil had something against gays, why did he have to let it out on Annie? None of it made sense!
Looking back up at Annie, Cera took her friend's hands in hers and moved them to sign, Smile.
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Post by Annie Holmes on Dec 21, 2009 14:54:33 GMT -5
Leave it to Cera to make her smile. Annie fell into her friends arms, wrapping her own around her fellow baker's neck and squeezed her appreciation.
The ceiling was still there, the floor was still solid. Her friends were still her friends. Just because one turned out to be a bigot (something she hadn't actually known or even suspected!) didn't mean that life was at an end.
Thank you she signed to both Graham and Cera. For Iman she smiled again, weakly, but it was there. The hint of the old Annie peeking through the tears. She was still hurt, no doubts about that, but with such wonderful friends how could she not feel a little better. Particularly after Cera's act!
"That was lovely..." Iman paused, not knowing the other girl's name, but having seen her around since her and David's arrival at the Holmes' residence. She still wasn't sign-literate, but she was getting there.
Somewhere beneath a pile of bags, coats, and the day's environmental club hats a phone vibrated, unnoticed. The message, which would be found later read I hope things get better for you soon. I would have liked to have been your friend.[/b] with Dare's name flashing above.
"Think you can get her to eat something?" the older black woman asked leaning forward.
Annie shook her head. She still wasn't ready to eat cupcakes yet. She needed to do something. To pull her mind completely away from the fight, or she knew she was going to start crying again. But what? Dance? Trampoline? Beach run? There had to be SOMETHING that called to her. That begged her to participate so she wouldn't feel so desolate and down.
Can we do something? she asked, something fun?
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Post by Graham Alderman on Dec 21, 2009 22:35:57 GMT -5
Graham began tugging at his shoelaces fitfully as he tried to come up with something that would fit Annie's definition of Fun. She'd already rejected cupcakes, so of course that was out. He didn't much want to go back out into traffic, however, particularly as it was now nearing rush hour, so he immediately rejected all activities that required driving -- no bowling, no skating rink, no beach. If the girls insisted, he would agree without argument, but he wasn't about to bring up anything that involved leaving the house.
Let's play a game, he suggested. maybe Clue. Or...or...I know, what about Charades? He was never very good at guessing, but that didn't make the game any less fun. If anything, it only added to the hilarity.
He was glad that the focus was now less on why one seemingly nice person could end up being a complete douche, and instead on how to overcome the misery that accompanied losing a friend. He didn't like seeing Annie unhappy, he wanted her to smile! So the fact that she was offering even shaky, half-smiles was something of a success -- though his girlfriend had more to do with that than he had; he felt a bit guilty for that, as if somehow he'd failed Annie by not being the one to cheer her up.
If we're going to do Charades, though, I demand pixie sticks, or at least a pepsi. He needed sugar or caffeine -- or both -- to keep up his energy.
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Cera Lamprey
Inactive
Played by Nu
Nu's Scene Queen
Posts: 13
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Post by Cera Lamprey on Dec 22, 2009 6:44:47 GMT -5
Annie's hugging made Cera burst from the inside, feeling a bit of pride that she managed to make Annie smile once more. The thank you was met with a flurry of kisses on the cheeks and forehead from Cera. You're very welcome, cupcake. The blonde signed before turning to Iman with a smile and nod. "Thank you." She turned back to her best friend just in time to see her sign and Cera nodded.
Graham's suggestions made Cera giggle and look at Annie once more. How about it, honey? Board games are pretty fun and you have a stack right here. Cera pointed to the board games at the corner of Annie's room. She stood up and went to the door at the suggestion of pixie sticks. I'll go and get snacks, yeah? Be right back. She signed to Annie and to Graham she smiled. "Keep her company alright?"
She passed Iman before whirling around and informing her that she planned on raiding the fridge and pantry if she didn't mind. She had been over to Annie's place so much it just didn't seem much of a problem for her to make herself at home. Once she found the snacks, she went back up to see that Graham and Annie had set everything up. She set the food down and helped setting the rest up.
She thought to herself, she was bringing her happy best friend if that was the last thing she did.
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Post by Annie Holmes on Dec 27, 2009 13:10:39 GMT -5
Iman got to her feet and with a wave and uncertain signed message of she'd be downstairs reading if anyone needed her.
As Cera scanned through the boardgames, now that pixiesticks and sodas were available, along with the cookies and cupcakes with a carafe of milk on ice that Iman had brought up previously, the serious fun-therapy could begin.
Annie remained on her bed, reflecting not on the events that lead up to the present moment, but rather how grateful she was to have friends like Cera and Graham. Cera had been her friend since the day the two had met. Graham had come after, but they had become just as fast.
The few times she'd become so down that she hadn't wanted cupcakes her two pals were there to help her through. Thankfully such a task wasn't needed often, but they had been there for her. She'd have to do something for them. Just for them. But what? Annie had a few idea's but wasn't sure where to go with them. Maybe she'd ask her dad's and the Bowie's for advice. They'd all had times like this, she was certain of it. After all, they were all human. Though the jury was still out on David Bowie. Annie was positive the man had some hero blood, or was part god or something. Iman too, she was just too pretty to be mortal.
Guesstures was set up in short order, a nice combination of charades and a boardgame that way both Graham and Cera had their say in the game. Though it might hardly seem fair, Annie having a natural nack for gestures and all, she knew her two friends were well enough versed in sign language that they wouldn't have any trouble at all.
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Post by Graham Alderman on Dec 29, 2009 20:46:23 GMT -5
Graham flashed Cera a grin as he grabbed a Pixie Stick, "Thanks, babe, you're the best." He leaned back against Annie's bed, fueling himself with sugar while the girls set things up.
Several Pixie Stack wrappers later and the group had abandoned the game in favor of gut-busting laughter. The sugar made everything seem sillier, somehow; even the cloud of shattered friendship had largely receded for the moment, leaving three friends enjoying one another's company.
Wait, whose turn was it again? Graham wondered, straightening from the latest burst of laughter. It's not mine, is it? It is, isn't it. I keep getting distracted, sorry! Of course, Guesstures was really meant to be played with teams -- the rules stated four people or more -- so with only three people it was a little more difficult to pull off, at least the way the rules were written. So instead the teens had one team comprised of all three of them; that meant there were no winners or losers, but trying to act out the cards and see if the others could understand was hilariously entertaining on its own.
Graham stared at the cards in his hands. Breeze or water? High heels or slap? Slap would be easier to portray than high heels, but they would get more points as a team if he could get them to understand high heels. And water. He inserted his words and began attempting to prance around as though he were in heels, and making what were supposed to be wave motions. He was fairly certain he looked stupid, but that was all part of the fun.
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