X Marks the Spot: Eden Attn: Cole, Jett, Any

[Eden Patridge]

When the bell sounded ending her last period PE class, Eden was nervous. She actually had a date set up for after school...well at least she was pretty sure it was a date. After all, being someones muse...that was a date like thing to do...right? Eden had never been on a date before. She was usually far too awkward a girl for guys to ask out but somehow she'd been pulling off some coolness and now Cole wanted to write a song about her.

Eden headed off to the locker room to change. They'd played dodge ball today and since Eden had been distracted she'd gotten out right away and spent the majority of the period sitting on the bleachers so she wasn't sweaty at all. In fact she probably could have worn her normal clothes and been fine. Normally, it wouldn't matter anyway. Eden normally didn't wear makeup or anything like that so it wasn't as if it took a long time to get ready once the period was over, but today it would have so she was glad she hadn't really participated.

Eden changed back into her normal clothes and then headed out of the locker room and into the crowded halls. She headed straight to her locker, smiling when she saw the marker X still on the floor. She opened up her locker and looked in her small locker mirror and decided to reapply her lip gloss while she waited for Cole. As she spread the pink gloss on her lips someone approached her locker, assuming it was either Cole or her locker partner, Jay, she hoped it wasn't the latter, as she pressed her lips together, closed her gloss and tossed it into her tote bag as she spun around to see who she was dealing with.

[Cole Hobbes]

The day passed quickly for Cole. He floated from class to class, his head in the clouds, daydreaming about the pretty blonde girl he would be meeting after school. Sadly, most of the scenarios he thought of including a bright sunny day at the beach, and today was not one of those days. Every classroom he entered that had a window brought more and more disappointment as the clouds seemed to become thicker and darker.

Finally the last class bell rang and Cole tossed the lump of clay he had been casually poking at into the garbage. He still had no plan formulated to entertain his current crush, but that was a minor detail that didn’t bother him. After all, it’s not where but who you’re with that really matters. He stopped off at his own locker to get rid of his schoolbooks, and with his guitar strapped to his back he set off to meet Eden.

He spied her at her locker, and he paused for a moment. She seemed to look even prettier than she had in the morning. Cole smiled and started his approach, the sounds of his flip flops heralding his arrival. He stopped just behind her as she spun around.

“Hey beautiful,” he purred, grinning. He adjusted the guitar on his back so that it sat a little lower. “You ready to get out of here?” Though Cole asked the question, he was not looking for any answer other than yes. It was simply a lead in to his next move. He bent down and put his arm around Eden, hoisting her up over his shoulder. As he stood, his other hand slammed her locker shut and he began to walk down the hall.

A grin on his lips, Cole acted as if were completely normal to be carrying a girl over his shoulder down the hall. “So, how was your day?”

[Eden Patridge]

"Hi," Eden said simply, glad that it was Cole at her locker, and no one else. It felt weird hearing him call her beautiful...it was a comment she wasn't used to hearing outside of her family who she was sure were biased anyway. Eden knew that she was pretty, she'd gotten enough attention based on her looks to know that much, but beautiful...that was just a league that she hadn't really thought she was in. But if Cole thought so, she'd just go with it. She wasn't going to let herself freak out about every little thing like she usually did.

And she was getting better at that. She was. She had been much more calm and chill lately. Sure she'd still mentally freak out about things sometimes, but all and all, she was definitely improving from the girl she once was, the girl who freaked out about each and every thing and always had some sort of complaint. She was really trying...

However, before she could give her 'Yes' to the ready to go question, Cole hoisted her up over his shoulder. Okay, freak out time. Eden let out a little yell, mostly out of surprise. "Ah!" But she quickly followed it by a laugh, although somewhat forced, determined to not let herself freak out over what he was doing. After all, Cole was a very impulsive guy, or at least she was pretty sure. He had spontaneously sung her a song after all, so she'd put that in the impulsive category. And while that wasn't really a bad quality to have, it did somewhat clash with Eden's tendency to embarrass rather easily.

But once again, in her determination to go with the flow, she forced herself to just go with it even though she couldn't help but think about all the people in the halls staring at them. "My day...kinda boring really," she said, answering his question, "How was yours?" she asked, however before she gave him the chance to answer, she added with a laugh, "So do you carry all your muses around or am I just special? Is this like part of the muse process?" she giggled, actually starting to forget about her embarrassment a bit.

[Jett Chen]

Jett had a very good day so far. He heard rumors from people about Eden's new look. Mainly Izzy had cornered Jett about it and Jett actually had no idea what was going on. Why was she acting and dressing like a girl now. Did it have to do with the secret fling they had going on. The one behind closed doors that no one knew about. Or was this just something she wanted. He could not imagine Eden of all people would like acting, dressing and being treated like a girl. She was the biggest tom boy he knew and thats actually something he liked about her.

Jett planned to see for himself but as he got to her locker, he saw her flirting with some guy who then lifted her over his shoulder like she was some piece of garbage or something. Not cool. Then when Eden laughed about it, it just made his blood boil more. He had no idea why he was so upset. He shouldn't be, but still. Jett did not like this new Eden and he had yet to talk to her, but he had a feeling he would not like her.

Jett did not hear what they were saying, but he saw lips moving. Jett took a few faster steps to catch up. He smiled as he looked at them. "Man how did you get her to agree to be carried? I have tried fro years man." Jett said giving a laugh. He would go along with it for now although he did not need to like it. "So Eden I had to hear if the rumors were true and I see they are? Are you wearing lip gloss?" He asked.

Jett looked her over, "Man I bet Ben had something to say about this." Jett ran a hand over his head as he looked at Cole. They both went to the same school, so they did know each other, but Jett had to admit he did not know the guy very well and not this guy was touching his woman. Yes, she was his. Jett was not possessive, but seeing him holding her like that made him feel protective almost. "So where you both headed off too?" Jett asked acting as if nothing was wrong. His mother was an actor so acting was natural. Thats just what he was doing and damn was he a good actor.

[Cole Hobbes]

Cole strode down the hallway, a pretty girl over his shoulder and guitar across his back. He didn’t think life could get much better. He was disappointed to hear Eden’s day had been boring, so he made a mental note to try to find something exciting for them to do. Though hearing her laugh did make him feel like he was already brightening her day.

“You are most definitely special,” Cole replied in earnest. His friends gave him crap for the attention he gave girls, saying he fell in love about as often as he rode a wave. While that wasn’t completely true, Cole did tend to put a lot of focus on any girl he was into, and he was very into Eden at the moment. “But I like to keep my muse close by, in case of emergency inspiration.” Cole grinned, and though he knew Eden couldn’t see it he was sure she could feel the good vibes. He was having a lot of fun.

When another student came up beside him, Cole glanced over and grinned. “Hey Jett,” he greeted. He didn’t know Jett well, but he had no reason to not be cool with him. “I guess I just didn’t ask.” He turned his head so that Eden’s hip was nearly touching his nose. “You cool back there?”

Cole still wasn’t sure where he was heading with Eden, and Jett’s question brought that to the front of his mind. He stopped a few feet before the main doors of the school and thought for a moment. He glanced outside and the clouds were still hanging low, holding the typically beautiful sky hostage from the world. He looked back at Jett. “I dunno yet. Wherever life takes us. Do me a favor, bro, and get the door?”

[Eden Patridge]

Eden smiled when Cole said that she was special. He seemed like he was really into her, it was something she was still warming up to. It wasn't that she didn't return the feelings at all, it was just that perhaps it took Eden a little longer to be so completely enamored with someone. But she wanted to return the feelings, and he was making it easy for her to at least have a good time.

However, whatever fun she was having, it was soon to be spoiled. From the way she was being carried, Eden didn't see Jett coming, but the moment he spoke, she was very certain it was him. It wasn't just the sound of his voice but it was that combined with his words. There was no mistaking it...it was 100% without a doubt Jett.

She looked over at him and glared. "What are you doing?" she mouthed to Jett so Cole couldn't see, still glaring at him. She didn't want to seem too annoyed, mostly because Cole didn't seem to be bothered by it, nor did Jett annoyingly enough. "I wasn't aware that you had issues with lip gloss," she told him, referring to the masked ball when he'd gone on about the strawberry lip gloss she'd been wearing. But of course he hadn't know it was her that night...he hadn't found that out until much later.

"Yes, I'm fine," Eden told Cole. She felt a little more uncomfortable now that Jett seemed to be following them, but she was determined not to let either of the boys know that. Acting was in her blood too and she was good at it, she'd proved that more than once when it came to pulling pranks on Jett.

Shooting Jett another glare, she asked him, "What does my brother have to do with anything?" She let out a small sigh, but at least none of this seemed to be getting to Cole. In fact, she couldn't help but smile when Cole so casually asked Jett to get the door for them. Giving Jett a victorious look, she smiled again, "Yeah, could ya please?" she asked, sweetly, feeling as if she'd won this round.

She actually hadn't planned to fight with Jett. She'd been doing this all for herself, because she didn't want Jett to think that she was waiting around for him while he went out with a ton of other girls. She honestly didn't think Jett would care, but now he seemed to, or maybe he didn't, she wasn't sure, all she knew was that he was getting in her way and she didn't like it.

[Jett Chen]

Jett saw the look. The glare, which meant he was getting to her. How could he not. Why else would she glare and ask him what he was doing there? Granted she had mouthed the words, but still. it had the same effect. Eden was annoyed. At least in jett's mind she was and she could try and play it cool if she wanted. Two could play that game.

"Next time I will have to try that move Cole. Not ask and just pick the girl up. Looks like it works. I know I would love to have a cheerleader over my shoulder." Jett said laughing. "Right man sorry." Jett opened the door for them. He walked out with Cole and Eden. "Well if you don't mind a third wheel I was actually going to go to the pier, check out the waves. maybe surf a little, or at least walk around the pier. I mean you guys are more then welcome to join. I enjoy the company. I am suppose to meet a friends of mine."

Jett said looking at Eden as she continued to glare. "A female friend, so if you guys want to come, the more the merrier in this case, since my friend is bringing her little sister along." It was a half lie and half truth. Jett was meeting a friend, but the friend was the daughter of one of his mother's friends and Jett had been volunteered to show her and her little sister around the Santa Monica pier.

"I have no issues with lip gloss at all. In fact the lovely taste of strawberry on some lovely female's lips is lovely. Its just I have known you since you were in diapers and I don't remember you enjoying lip gloss. As for your brother, well he is my best friend you know and I just want to be prepared if I have to hear about him griping about his sisters new look. Thats all." Jett said acting as if all of this did not affect him at all.

"I mean come on Cole you have to agree. Sometimes its annoying when guys gripe about women, especially siblings. I mean if was Ben's ex I could get it, but I do not care to hear Ben complain about his sister." Jett said in a friendly tone with a small laugh. "If you want to carry her the whole way my car has a big backseat." Jett said joking, "Just kidding."

[Cole Hobbes]

Cole liked to think he was a smart guy, and Cole also liked to think he picked up on people’s vibes pretty well. Empathic, as his mom would say. But he knew he didn’t even need to be either smart or empathic to figure out that something was going on. Jett and Eden seemed to be bickering like they were brother and sister, and while Cole knew they were friends with each others’ siblings, they were tiptoeing the border of awkardness. He stepped outside, nodding to Jett as he passed, but the grin was no longer on his face.

“Thank for the invite, bro, but I think E and I were gonna hang out elsewhere,” Cole said, hoping Jett wouldn’t want to press the issue. “It’s a little too overcast to catch a dece wave anyway.” Cole shrugged as best he could with one shoulder occupied. Cole didn’t really want to deal with someone else around when he hung out with Eden, let alone someone who was fairly persistently badgering his date. And worse, he kept trying to draw Cole into the seemingly petty arguments.

“Look, dude, I’m sorry but I don’t’ have to agree to anything.” His frustration was building, but Cole did his best to keep his cool. There was no way, however, he was going to get involved in the little spat. He wanted it to end. Cole stopped and lowered Eden to the ground, making sure she got her feet underneath her. “Okay, bro, Eden and I were having some fun but you’re kinda harshing the vibe. Is there something I can help you with, or can we go peacefully on our way?”

[Eden Patridge]

Eden turned her head so she wasn't looking at Jett anymore. He was annoying and she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. She knew what he was doing. He was trying to get her to freak out and she wasn't going to do it. The tension was thick and it became evident that it was even beginning to get to Cole. If Jett ruined things for her before going off to meet up with his female friend, she was going to kill him. He had tons of female "friends" and she knew it. It wasn't fair that now that she was trying to do the same thing that he was trying to ruin it for her.

And Jett kept going on. He brought up the strawberry lip gloss and even called her out on dressing a little nicer and wearing a bit of makeup. Yeah she was more put together but she still looked like her, just her with a bit more effort. And then he had to go on about Ben and seriously, she just wanted to hit him, right then and right there.

When Cole pretty much laid it out there, pretty much told Jett he wasn't welcome to hang out with them, Eden smiled. The only thing that could have been better was if she'd had the guts to do it. "We can't help him with anything, trust me," Eden said, "his favorite leisure activity just involves trying to make my life miserable, that's all." She felt more comfortable being more candid about how annoying he was being now that Cole was on board with the whole anti-Jett movement. "So yeah, let's just get out of here," she said to Cole, before turning to Jett. "See ya, Jett," she said, tossing her hair behind her shoulder before she started to walk off.

"I'm really sorry about him," she said to Cole. "So, what do you wanna do anyway? I'm not really sure what the whole muse process entails after all," she smiled, trying to forget about Jett and how he'd try to ruin her fun. She was hoping that he'd just get it, but apparently not. She was going to have to talk to him about it, which was something she didn't exactly want to do, but then again maybe whenever they did talk about it they'd hook up again, which surprisingly wasn't a notion that really bothered her.

[Jett Chen]

Jett just smiled when Cole mentioned he was harshing the mood. He was suppose to be harshing it. He was not actually inviting the guy to hang out. He was just messing with Eden. He wanted to make sure that even if eden went out with the guy she would be thinking of how Jett screwed it up at the beginning, or how Jett made the mood change. Right now Cole was on his hit list. And it had nothing to do with the guy himself, he just messed with the wrong girl. No one got between Jett and eden and their game or what ever it was.

"Look sorry for messing with the vibe. You guys have a good time. See you both around." Jett said with a smile. He could get all confrontational and crap, but not at this time. Right now he needed Eden to think he was okay with all this and that he was genuinely sorry. Thanks to his acting skills, thats just what Jett made it look like. Jett made it seem as if he was actually sorry about what was going on.

Soon Jett turned on his heel and walked back into the school cause he needed to stop by his locker. He smiled as he left the duo, because if he knew eden. he knew this got under her skina nd now all he had to do was wait and sure enough Eden would come to him, screaming and yelling, which was perfect.