The Audition! (Eddie tag Any)

[Julia Warner]

"You went to Taft? What're you coming back here for?!" Julia was shocked that anyone would be willing to attend public school after being enrolled someplace like Taft. The only good reason she could think of involved the current distressing economic situation, but perhaps Kaelyn merely wanted to return home.

She jumped guiltily when asked why she was so keen on the musical; she didn't think it would be appropriate to tell someone she had just met that she had auditioned solely so she could come up with ways to break up her newly outed brother and his boyfriend, who had a habit of kissing his exes. "Errrr, just felt like it."

She shrugged, "If they have an orchestra I'll go for that, definitely more comfortable with the violin than singing." She flashed a smile Connor's way, thrilled that he had such confidence in her abilities. She couldn't be too believably humble about her violin skills; that was one area she knew she was talented in, but it was still nice to be complimented, particularly after her disastrous audition.

She couldn't help but laugh when Eddie commented on playing a girl, "I thought there was a long history of men playing women in the theater?" It wasn't very likely that Silver would revert back to the practice of only casting men, of course, although there seemed to be more men in the drama program than women. "Right. Iowa has corn. It's Idaho with the potatos. It must be really different, coming here from Iowa." She envisioned field upon field of corn stalks, houses few and far between, but even as she did it occured to her this was probably inaccurate.

"Aww, c'mon, Connor, you'd do great. I thought you liked musicals!" Julia put her hands on her hips, trying to look stern. "You're not a very good stereotype." She sniffed, as though it were offensive that he refused to audition for Gould's musical. "Hey, do you know what they're performing at Gould? You'll be covering it, right?" She knew how much he disliked writing, but he was knowledgeable about musicals (or at least, he knew more than she did) and she was sure the newspaper would want something on the school play. He could take cast pictures, at the least.

"I think they'll probably post them tomorrow." She answered Kaelyn's question, trying to recall how this worked when Jeremy had auditioned in the past. "So what about Fuddruckers then?" That was the first place she could think of that had milkshakes, although there were surely plenty of other places. She couldn't wait to tell Jeremy she had gone out with a group, for the second time in a week. He would be so proud. Well, until he found out why she had been in the vicinity in the first place. "There's one on Santa Monica Boulevard."

[Eddie O'Flaherty]

“So you're not really into the theatre, huh?” Eddie prodded Connor. “What are you into, then? Sports? I played a lot back at my old school, but it was a pretty small school. Everyone did just about everything. But we made State once for baseball. Hell, I was even on the football team, but that's just cause we were pretty terrible. Only way a dude like me could make it on the team!” Eddie usually like to joke about his height before other people did. He found self-deprecation an easy way for people to get comfortable around him. He wasn't sure how Silver worked, but it definitely seemed big enough that it might be hard for him to be involved in all the things he wanted to. This whole new life was just... well, big to him.

“Yeah, we did Midsummer Night's Dream, and I was Francis Flute, so in the play within a play I was a girl. Again, benefits of being the small guy.” Eddie was glad Julia laughed at his joke, but then felt a little guilty. He forced himself not to think of it, he didn't want to lose himself from the conversation. “Yeah, well. It's a lot different than Iowa. Even Des Moines is small compared to this. Their downtown has like one skyscraper and a giant umbrella. It's kinda sad, actually. But I lived on the east side of Iowa, so we usually went to Chicago if we were looking for a weekend away.”

Eddie didn't relish the thought of having to wait until tomorrow to find out the cast list, but he was at least glad for the company. Hopefully they'd stay out late enough so that he just fell asleep once he got home. “Fuddruckers? Finally, something I recognize. Sounds awesome to me. But how far is Santa Monica? I mean, uh, Connor was nice enough to offer a ride, but I live in Riverside and if it's too far I don't want to make you have to drive... actually, wait.” Connor seemed like a really nice guy, and Eddie didn't want to have to make him drive that far. But if he remembered correctly, USC would be close by. Eddie glanced down at his phone again. Still no call from his dad, that was a good sign, too. “Let me just, uh...” He held up his finger to indicate he needed a second, and dialed his dad. “I'll be right back.” Eddie turned to walk away, a huge grin spreading across his face. He just hoped his dad wasn't almost here.

[pinky]

"I live in Santa Monica on the beach," Kaelyn said trying to think if she had ever seen Fuddruckers before. "Connor, Do you think we could all fit in your car? I could call my driver after we are finished to drive Eddie home before taking me home." She smiled, thrilled that she had found a group of kids already that shared her interests.

Turning a brilliant smile on Julia, Kaelyn took her arm. "You play violin, that's great. I play the cello. I have been hoping to find some people to form a quartet with... just for fun I mean. I have way too many lessons to commit to a real quartet. With acting, voice and dance I barely have a free moment outside of school. As for Taft, I loved it there, but there is a family situation that makes it so that I want to remain close to home for now. Perhaps I will return if all goes well, but I am beginning to think that staying here would have advantages as well."

Kaelyn wondered if Julia and Connor were a couple, but she doubted it. They seemed more like good friends or maybe siblings. Besides Connor spent more time looking at Eddie than either her or Julia, so it was possible his interests lie more in men.

[Connor Pearce]

“I’m not a good stereotype?” Connor quizzed, a smile crossing his face as he looked at Julia. “I’m gay and best friends with a single girl. I’m half expecting us to move in together, or go shopping sometime soon. And don’t even suggest that we should get married if we’re both still available when we’re thirty.” he teased her. “I’m just not prepared to sing in front of all those people...everyone staring...judging...ready to la...huh, where were we?” he asked, coming back from drifting off.

“I’m into theatre, a little too much at times, Julia will back me up on that, just not into being in theatre.” he smiled, answering Eddie and Julie, killing the proverbial two birds with one stone. Which was a really slack saying now he thought about it. Wasn’t right to talk about killing birds. “My superior school, no offence, is doing is Grease. Which, as good as it is, it’s not quite good enough to recover from me butchering it. Only going to take the photos, as far as I know. Unless my awesome friend wants to help me write.” he teased, nudging Julia. “There’ll be some solitaire in it for you. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get to that.”

“More into photography than anything.” He smiled, the usual camera around his neck not there for once to give it away. He had been in a rush after all, when Julia dragged him out the wall. “And not real massively into sports, though my athletic figure may have made you think otherwise.” Connor laughed, running a hand through his usually messy hair. “But, I do some track and field, running primarily. You learn to run when you’re friends with Julia. She can be scary. Just kidding, just kidding. Please don’t hurt me!”

He was about to tell Eddie it was no problem, he loved driving, but the other guy got on the phone before he had a chance. So instead, he draped an arm around Julia’s shoulders, smiling at Kaelyn. “Sure, we can all fit. If you want, can even give you a lift home too, after Fuddruckers. Does it make me immature that I love saying that name? Fuddruckers. Let’s go to Fuddruckers.” he laughed.

[Eddie O'Flaherty]

Connor was gay? Eddie was taken aback a little bit. Not that he was actively paying attention for anything that would give it away, but he didn't notice it at all, and he assumed he would have. “I didn't realize you were gay,” Eddie laughed, and then realized it sounded pretty awkward. “Jeez, sorry, I didn't mean to sound all weird. I've just never known a gay guy before. At least, not openly...” Eddie was on his way to quickly ruining his chances at friendship here. “It's cool... I mean, it doesn't bother me or... well, I didn't mean it like that.” Flustered, he took a deep breath. “I'm okay, sorry. A lot of stuff here is just new to me and I'm trying to adjust.” He hoped Connor wasn't offended at all. Eddie liked Connor, he seemed like a nice guy. And that's what mattered to Eddie.

“Awesome, thanks dude. Yeah, I'll see you later.” A smile across his face, Eddie returned to the group to hear Connor repeating “Fuddruckers.” Eddie laughed. “Like that word, huh? Okay, so. I'm good to go. I'll crash at my brother's place. He goes to USC, so it won't be that far of a drive.” He looked around the group, Connor with his arm around Julia, Kaelyn next to her. Hopefully he'd be spending a lot of time with them over the next few weeks. At least, with Julia and Kaelyn, but it sounded like Connor would be around even though he wasn't in the show. They looked nothing like his old friends, and Eddie realized he like that. “Well, let's go! Where are you parked, Connor?”

[Julia Warner]

"You play cello?" Julia repeated, "Oh, yeah, I'd love to join a quartet! Just for fun works for me." Wow, voice and dance and acting AND cello?! Julia couldn't fathom how the other girl could possibly have time for all of that; she felt overwhelmed sometimes just with violin and school. "Any particularl time you were thinking of?" Since Kaelyn had a much more full schedule, it was only fair she got to dictate when they met. "My brother plays the piano. So does my mom, but, well, I doubt she'd want to join a quartet with us, she's pretty busy." Actually, she doubted Jeremy would want to join a quartet with them, either, but perhaps he could be inveigled to join if she pouted at him enough.

"Please! As if I'd marry you! I'm not that desperate!" She stuck her tongue out at Connor. "And I already live with one gay guy, another one is the last thing I need. I don't want to wake up to a make over, or arguments over whether Andrew Lloyd Weber was better than Stephen Sondheim."

She smirked at her best friend when he volunteered that she was scary. "That's right, cower before me, maggot!" She attempted to loom over him, which was difficult as he was taller. "And stop being so tall! It's not fair!!!"

"Yes! Onward! To Fuddruckers and glory!" She pointed dramatically, though she wasn't really sure she was pointing in the correct direction. "Oh, wait, we parked over this way..." She realized, turning around and marching to Connor's car, pleased to have met two new people. And, amazingly, one of them was a girl. After all, Eden and Izzy went to Gould, and she hadn't seen much of Lily. Even better, Kaelyn played cello, so they had something in common already, which was always nice. "I want cookies and cream. Definitely going for the healthiest option here."

[pinky]

Kaelyn giggled at Julia's dramatic posings and followed them out to Connor's car and climbed in after it was opened. "Fuddruckers seems like secret code for something sinful, the name is brilliant, it makes food seem dirty which of course makes everyone want it," she said once settled in the back seat.

The ride seemed short because the conversation was amusing. Julia seemed to have something to say about everything and Connor was a good foil for her. They were a team guaranteed to keep boredom at bay. She really liked Eddie too. By the time they reached Fuddruckers, they were all ready for sustenance.

The place was hopping, but they were lucky enough to get a table fairly quickly. Kaelyn ordered a pepsi and a strawberry shake and looked at the menu to decide what to eat.

(ooc: hope its okay I got them to the restaurant)

[Connor Pearce]

It was a good drive, namely cause their two new companions seemed pretty cool, Julia was in a really good mood compared to how she was earlier, which pleased him, and also, if not most importantly, it gave him the chance to say Fuddruckers as often as possible in the short way over. And that was the kind of fun that shouldn’t be overlooked. He also took the opportunity to check out Eddie discretely when he could. For research purposes, of course. Wouldn’t do to set Julia up with just anyone now, especially the kind of guy her brother was currently dating. And if he did set her up, and the guy was a jerk, though he might have had the best intentions, Connor couldn’t fight the guy and defend his friend’s honour and such, stuff you were supposed to do. He wasn’t fooling anyone, he couldn’t throw a punch. He was just happing sticking to throwing a ball. Not that he was weak or anything, just the thought of hitting someone didn’t sit all that right with him. And maybe he was a little weak.

Taking his seat, he playfully nudged Julia, ordered a cookies & cream milkshake when Kaelyn ordered her drinks. He picked up a menu, scanning through it. For a skinny Irish boy, he sure could eat, even when he wasn’t all that hungry. And he was hungry now. “Think I’m going to have to go for the Triple Cheese burger. My arteries aren’t nearly clogged enough. Oh, and some chilli cheese fries. Anyone wants to go split on some onion rings too?”

(OOC: No prob doll! Would have taken us forever otherwise.)

[Eddie O'Flaherty]

Eddie sat drinking his cherry coke, taking in his surroundings. Fuddruckers felt as much like home as anything since he'd been out in California. Having friends, good conversation, it was something Eddie had expected to take a while, but here it was barely more than a day since he and his dad had pulled up to their new house. They talked about music, movies, even theatre a little bit. They told Eddie about Silver, and what to expect. He wasn't even aware that he'd need to head to Gould on Monday... that must have slipped his parents' minds.

He also noticed Connor glancing at him every now and then. At first Eddie didn't know what to think. Was he being checked out? He wasn't sure. But he decided that it didn't matter. Connor was nice, and Eddie wanted to be his friend. Not in THAT way, but if Connor thought Eddie was attractive, well, that was a compliment, right? Eddie tried his best to not notice, and hoped it would just be ignored. He didn't want to give Connor the wrong idea, so he tried to focus his attention on Julia and Kaelyn. He decided against splitting any onion rings with the Irishman. “Umm, that's cool. I'm not a big fan of onion rings.”

The waitress came by to take their order, and Eddie got a double bacon cheeseburger and fries. “Maybe it's just cause I'm from the Midwest, but I think bacon is essential on a cheeseburger. There used to be this place my dad would always take me and my brother, they made all kinds of different crazy burgers. Like you could get one with a fried egg, or with bananas and stuff. They were REALLY good.” Thinking about that made Eddie miss home a little bit, but he pushed away those thoughts. There were likely a million places like that in L.A., and anything else he'd want to replace what he missed from home. Some things, though, are a lot harder to replace than a burger shack. People. Girls. A girl. And Eddie missed her.