damsel needing lunch, tags Tyler

[Christina Durnham-Chang]

Tina headed towards the cafeteria, a bit nervous as she had forgotten to bring lunch. She hoped to meet up with with Tyler so they could slip out to lunch. Morning had been slow and Tina had discovered she couldn't stand her world lit teacher and that the feeling was mutual. She had never been yelled at by a teacher before. It made her feel inferior which was not a feeling she enjoyed.Her teachers in New York had known full well that her parents were heavy contributors to the school and she had only received positive reinforcement.

[Tyler Durnham]

Though he didn’t know it at the time, Tyler’s thoughts mirrored Tina’s at the beginning of lunch, he headed straight to the cafeteria looking for her. He couldn’t remember seeing her carry anything that could resemble lunch when he drove her to school this morning, so the cafeteria was probably the best place to first look. He quickened his steps however, before she could even consider having to make do with the food there. No one should have to put themselves through that.

His guess had been correct, and he spotted his sister almost as soon as he entered the slowly filling cafeteria. She didn’t seem all too happy with something, and he actually found himself caring, genuinely. This whole being a brother thing was starting to rub off on him, it seemed.

“Perfect timing, it seems.” Tyler grinned cheerfully as he made his way over to her, linking his arm through hers as he started to lead her out. “Why don’t we go out and get lunch? Trust me, you don’t want to risk eating here.” Laughing, he manoeuvred the two of them between the hordes of hungry teenagers trying to push past them.

“Do you feel like anything in particular? You know me, I’ll eat anything.” He let his gaze focus on her as they walked. “I’ve got some good news for you, about your date for tomorrow night’s party. But before I tell you, you need to tell me, what has you down?”

[Christina Durnham-Chang]

Tina grinned and sideways hugged her brother. "You were just who I was hoping to find. I would just like a really good salad and some soup. Is there a place that does that? Maybe a steakhouse?.

Ms Drescher was just such a bitch today in American Lit. She didn't like something I said and bitched me out. I just was real quiet, but she had no right to talk to me that way. I am tempted to tell your dad to get her fired." Tina spoke in a low but agitated voice

[Tyler Durnham]

“Actually, I know just the place. I can’t say I’ve ever had a salad or soup there, but they do a pretty good steak, so surely they call pull off a few lettuce leaves.” Tyler laughed, suddenly in the mood for some steak himself. He had a productive morning so far, he felt he deserved it. Soup did sound good though, now that Tina brought it up. They were outside the school now, and he led her to his car, opening the passenger door for her. He reminded himself to take her for a lesson sometime soon, he was sure she had to be eager to get behind the wheel of her own car. He knew he was.

He considered her problem as he took his own seat, pulling out of the lot and driving towards the steakhouse. “Ms Drescher, yes, I know who you’re talking about.” he mused. Really, the woman should know better, Tina was a Durnham after all, and you didn’t go around treating Durnhams with less respect than they deserved. “Don’t worry about her, I’ll take care of it.” he offered with a grin, his mind already halfway made up on just how to do so.

“So I was speaking to Casper, he’s a good guy, on the team with me. And he would love to take you to Haley’s party tomorrow night, if you’d like. Unless you already have a date, that is.” He hoped she didn’t, because at least this way he got to approve her date first.

[Tyler Durnham]

Tina cheered up and looked more interested now that her date was mentioned. "Casper? Really? What does he look like?" Tina asked, knowing that there were ugly football players that were probably nice guys too. She briefly thought of Thad Cotton and his pretty brown eyes, but he hadn't seemed that interested anyway.

“Well...” Tyler hesitated, wondering where to start. His strength was more in describing women than men, he paid much more attention to the fairer sex after all, and he couldn’t really care less about a guy’s looks. And to add to that, he knew exactly why Tina was asking, it would be the same reason he inquired after a girl’s looks. She did have Durnham blood in her after all.

“He’s blonde.” he eventually settled on, laughing as he realised that wasn’t much of a description at all. “I’m sure you’ll be more than happy to be seen on his arm. He’s very popular with the girls at the school.” Tyler grinned. “He was more than happy to take you tomorrow night. So I think you’ll enjoy yourself. And be at the envy of others, which was what Bree was aiming for, right? Have you got your costume finalised yet?”

"I think so, maybe not all the details, but the actual garment, yes. You?" she was glad she still had some of the traditional clothing her parents had given her to help her feel at home in the U.S., not that they had helped, but they were useful now. "I am thinking of trying to make Maggie look like a panda. She would be a great addition unless your dad would give me a real one."

“Yes, I think I’ve pretty much got everything sorted. And a crown of ivy on rush order. So I should be set come party time.” Tyler laughed, rather taken with his costume idea. He would have to thank Bree later for coming up with it for him, it was the perfect fit for the footballer really. He had been looking forward to the party before, but now that he didn’t need to worry about this detail, he was looking forward to it a lot more. All he had left to worry about now was the alcohol, and that was easily sorted.

He laughed harder at Tina’s mention of a real panda. “Oh, you better not mention that to him, he just might do. Then you’ll have more than a dog to look after. Oh, and our father.” he kindly corrected, not seeming put out by that at all. He was glad they were getting closer to the steakhouse, he was starting to get more hungry. “That’s a good idea though, a Maggie panda. But are you sure you want to bring her, and have to look after her, when you’re there with Casper? You might want to...” he cleared his throat at this, looking more than a little uncomfortable. “On second thought, bring Maggie.”

Tina looked confused for a moment or two and then gave a laugh. "You mean he won't be too frightened of your reprisals to try to kiss me, Tyler? I'm a little disappointed with your intimidation factor. Maybe a stuffed panda would be better anyway, just in case. Maggie, might try to get in the hot tub with me and that might upset Haley."She wondered how far away this restaurant was as her stomach was beginning to growl.

“Hey, I went lightly on the guy for your benefit. But if you like, I can pull him aside tomorrow before the party and have a proper chat with him.” Tyler chuckled, the grin on his face making it obvious just how much he would enjoy that. He did like intimidating people, he was his father’s son after all, and he was used to control. “A stuffed panda would work fine. And I’m sure a stuffed panda also won’t feel the need to relieve herself on my bed.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as he spoke, a smirk on his face. It wasn’t as though he could get angry at a dog though.

Pulling up into the restaurant’s parking lot, he quickly opened his sister’s door, offering her his arm. “So, shall we eat?”

Taking Tyler's arm, Tina grinned up at him, grateful for this time together, it could have been one of his many women instead and it meant a lot to her that he had brought her. "That would be lovely," she said, her dark eyes twinkling . The restaurant was dim and cool after being out in the sun and she bounced a bit as she slid into the leather booth. "Wow this is great," she commented, imagining the place as a meeting place for spies and such.

“Thought you might like it.” Tyler grinned, pleased by his sister’s enthusiasm. He couldn’t imagine the last time he had been so excited to eat out, it was very much run of the mill to him by now. He made a mental note to take her out more often, if it made her this happy.

When the waitress came, he quickly ordered a coke and steak for himself, and letting Tina order for herself. The waitress was cute, but he spared her no more than a passing glance, content to keep his attention on Tina instead. “So, I figured I could take you for your first driving lesson on the weekend, if you like?” he offered when they were left alone once more.

"That would be great," Tina said, trying not to shudder at the thought of a car being under her control. She knew it was important for her to learn driving if she was to be independant. Cars were not evil and they had no minds of their own even if it seemed like they did. She could do this. Tina ordered her soup and salad, the soup being French onion. She took a long sip of her coke when it arrived. She investigated the condiment packets as they waited. She pounced on her soup as the waitress set it down. "Oh this is so good, Tyler. You should have some," she enthused as scooped long strings of melted cheese into her mouth.

“I’m fine with my steak thanks.” Tyler grinned in amusement as Tina attacked the soup as though it was the first thing she ate all week. It admittedly did look, and smelled, mouth watering, and it left him hoping that his lunch would be out soon. So he had a sip of his own coke in the meantime to distract himself. “You’ll love it, I love driving. And when you’ve got enough experience under your belt, I’ll talk Dad into letting me taking you car shopping.”

"That will be fun." Tina admitted, she loved shopping in any form and choosing a car would be great. She finished up her soup and started on the caesar salad she got. It was just as delicious as the soup and she was triply grateful she hadn't had to eat in the cafeteria for lunch. "Why can't they hire decent cooks for the school? This is L.A. not harlem.

His steak came out just as Tina started on her salad, and Tyler gratefully wasted no time in getting stuck into eating as she talked. He managed to hold back his sigh of pleasure at his first bite, it was always a treat to get a medium rare steak when he ordered a medium rare steak. So many places were in the habit of grossly overcooking their meat these days.

“I think...” he started, considering her question, “I think it’s more out of habit than any lack of funds. After all, bad food is the one universal link between all schools.” Tyler laughed. At least in their fair state, anyway, from what he heard. He signalled for another coke for both of them as he continued to eat. “So besides American Lit, how are you finding school?”

“It's a little hard to make friends, the kids are a bit stand offish. I had more fun afterschool with the kids who all went to the beach. They were great. Did you know that Maddog Madsen's son goes to our school. I saw Toxic Religion back in New York. They were awesome. He seems really nice, kinda shy. It's too bad he is gay, he's real cute," she said with a grin.

“Yes, Dare, his name is.” Tyler faintly remembered. “He was at Bree’s brunch a while back, he and his father had made a very generous contribution, if I remember right. Bree was thrilled.” He couldn’t say he was a massive fan of the guy himself, nor his father’s music. But it wasn’t as though he had ever spent much time with him so he couldn’t really judge. It was a good thing he was gay though, Dare wasn’t exactly the kind of guy he would want her dating.

“I’m sure you’ll start making plenty of friends at the party tomorrow night. Especially with Bree there, I’m sure she’ll be eager to introduce you around to all the cheerleaders.” At least he certainly hoped she hit it off with them. They were the kind of friends he wanted her to have. “So who went to the beach?”

"Well it was a bunch of Takumi's friends. I am not sure they had much in common except for him. Bree knows Dare through her Rainbow Bridge Foundation, which is how we ended up with them," Tina explained.

Tyler had no real idea who Takumi was, so could only presume he was the type of guy that the footballer wouldn’t be thrilled with hanging around his sister. And the same went to whoever his friends were. Otherwise Tyler would have known them. Still, he knew it wasn’t his right to tell Tina who to associate with, even if it was in her best interests. He could only encourage and hope for the best.

“Well, Bree is certainly the social butterfly.” he commented with a grin, tearing himself away from his steak to sample everything else on his plate. "By the way, what's your favourite colour?"

[Christina Durnham-Chang]

"Bree seems to like anyone who will support her interests, " Tina commented dryly though she really liked the cheerleader. "Why don't you date her? She is beautiful and seems to like you well enough. Doesn't seem like you to pass on such an opportunity." Tina thought Bree was probably too good for her brother, though she would never say so. "My favorite color is bright blue," she answered, indicating the streaks in her hair. She summoned the waiter with a lift of her hand and ordered some steak fries and onion rings after finishing her salad and still feeling hungry. She picked a piece off Tyler's plate and grinned.

[Tyler Durnham]

He couldn’t help but grin at Tina’s comment on Bree and who she liked. It wasn’t an inaccurate point, though there were much nicer ways to put it, he was sure. “Date Bree? Well, I admit, it’s something I have considered.” he smiled, pausing to munch on a fry as he thought it over. “She is beautiful, and we get on better than I get on with most women, granted. But Bree is, well...she’s more of a relationship kind of girl. And I’m, well, you know me Tina.” he laughed. “I’m more than happy to date, as long as it’s more than one woman at a time. And I know that Bree wouldn’t be happy being one of a few. So, for now at least, Bree and I will remain friends. I think it works well for both of us.” He did think it somewhat of a shame though, that Bree wasn’t as open with relationships as he was.

Bright blue, well, he wasn’t sure if he could think of any bright blue flowers at the top of his head, he usually left that sort of work to his florist, and this time, Casper. He laughed, playing trying to slap Tina’s hand away as she grabbed for his fries, just after having ordered her own. “Hey, stop trying to steal my food.” he teased with a grin. “Speaking of dating...” he coughed, trying not to seem uncomfortable, “Are you looking forward to tomorrow night? It should be a really good night, a good opportunity for you to start making some more friends.”

[Christina Durnham-Chang]

Tina laughed and slapped Tyler’s hands as they slapped at hers. “Oh put cheese on my fries too please,” she told the waiter who was watching them with his mouth dropped open. She had a feeling the boy was bi and fantasizing about the siblings, something she knew would never happen even if Tyler could get past being with another guy. She shooed the waiter away with her hands and grinned at her brother. “I really am, it should be a fun evening. I have never been to this kind of party before, just keggers and such. I suppose it would be easier for you if I was 12, you’re just getting thrown into my dating years,” she teased, finding it amusing that it bothered him.

Tina suddenly looked at Tyler seriously. “Do you think you could stand the thought of Bree with someone else if you were dating? Imagine them touching and kissing and making love? I think it wouldn’t be as easy if it was both ways,” she asked, knowing that he had never really had to think about it before.

[Tyler Durnham]

Tyler didn’t notice the waiter staring, he was the wrong sex after all, the footballer barely giving him a second’s glance the whole time they had been there. “Cheese fries sound good, I’ll share yours with you.” he teased her lightly, laughing more at her expression, then at the way she sent the guy away. If there was even the slightest doubt that they weren’t related, it would be gone now. Even though they hadn’t grown up together, he could see that they were a lot alike to each other, and the Durnham side of the family. “What? You helped yourself very easily to mine, I thought sharing was what siblings did?”

He knew Haley’s party was going to be a bit on the wild side, he was helping to make sure of that with what he thought was a very generous contribution of alcohol. But he also knew the kind of people that would be there, his kind of people, and he would be around to help ‘supervise’, so he felt perfectly fine with Tina attending. The thought that she had gone to keggers beforehand really wasn’t doing much in the way of making him more comfortable. Wasn’t she far too young to have already gone to them, he wondered. “Yes, as a matter of fact, it would be much more preferable if you were still at the boys have cooties stage.” he teased back. He just hoped that in some aspects, she wasn’t too much like him.

He’d never really thought about open relationships the way Tina had put it to him now, but that was because he avoided the usual sorts of relationships, and so had no need to. “Well, I guess, if our relationship was serious, I wouldn’t exactly be comfortable with it. But if we made it clear beforehand that our relationship was open, then I suppose I would have no problem with it.” He thought he might find it a little uncomfortable at first, but it wouldn’t stop him in the slightest from pursuing other women, so he wouldn’t complain. But thinking about Maggy with someone else (though who else would she even consider? Surely she couldn’t do better than him), even though they both decided that their relationship would be comfortable, was unsettling, to say the least. He hoped if that ever was the case, he wouldn’t find out about it.

“But like I said, we’re both happy with how things are between us now. And I’m happy with Maggy, and Aly, and Melodee.” he chuckled lightly, reaching out to take Tina’s hand to squeeze gently. “Don’t you worry about it sis.” He pulled his hand away when the fries were placed down so he could make a quick grab for a few. “Mmm, good.” he smirked.

[Christina Durnham-Chang]

Tina pouted and slapped Tyler's hand away. "They aren't good enough for you. Maggy doesn't appreciate you, Aly is a bitch who was probably in the middle of that whole thing with the principal's car which probably has ruined Patch Kimball's chance at a soccer scholarship and Melodee Riker is stuck up!"With Bree coaching her it hadn't taken her long to get the number on the school's golden girls.

Eating her fries in sullen silence, Tina peeked to see if her diatribe had any effect. She honestly didn't expect any, but it was worth a try. She was at the age where she was testing her powers on men and Tyler was the safest to experiment with. Plus she really did care.