Dates and Crutches (Nolan tag Sloane)

[Sloane Taylor]

Sloane was amused by the jealous look the waitress was giving her but then again, Sloane was checking the girl out. So she didn't really care if the waitress was giving her the stink eye because she was there with such an attractive guy like Nolan. She had every right to give Sloane the stink eye.

"I'm good with the ice lemon tea. You don't have to order the same thing though." Sloane looked at Nolan with a small smile, a return gesture for his own little smile. But the waitress had left and it was just the two of them. "The dinner wasn't too bad. I got the lobster and it was delightful." She said, closing the menu as she already knew what to get. "I can't do recommendations for restaurants. I always make my dates feel rather uncomfortable when I order for them. I suppose it's because I'm the girl and the guys are usually the ones ordering for me." She shrugged before cupping her chin with one hand, looking at Nolan with a small smile.

"I'm assuming this isn't your first time going out on a date? Of course...assuming this is a date." Sloane gestured the two of them and the table. She was low on the conversation cue cards since she's mostly doing the listening while her dates talked about themselves. It was kind of awkward that her date now was close to being a mute. She really didn't mind but she was much more used to the fact that she never had to say so much.

It then occurred to her that they hadn't really properly introduced each other. She said as much to Nolan before extending one hand over the table. "My name's Sloane Taylor. I'm a junior at Gould and until this morning, I've never been out for breakfast with anyone other than my family members. Nice to meet you."

[Nolan Ahlstrom]

Nolan felt a little silly, trying to impress Sloane. Of course she didn’t care what he drank! She wasn’t like a lot of other girls, Nolan realized. She didn’t sit there and try to play games. She was straight forward and he like that about her. She also seemed very nice, which also helped put Nolan at ease.

“I’d like to try the tea, if you say it’s good.” Nolan smiled again, then noticed he had been smiling a lot since picking up Sloane. He must look like a ginning idiot. He couldn’t help himself, though. This girl made him feel good, which made him smile. “That’s okay. I’ll be kind and let you order your meal,” he teased.

It was a date, wasn’t it? Nolan had thought so, but Sloane didn’t seem so certain. What if she thought is wasn’t a date? Well, after the limo there wasn’t really any way to try to make it seem not like a date, so Nolan went for it. “Yes, it’s a date. Right?” Uncertainty crept up within him. “I’ve been on dates before, and I guess I thought I was asking you out on one. Is this not what dates are like for you, besides breakfast?”

When Sloane introduced herself, Nolan was confused a little. He knew her name, why was she telling him again? Maybe she was just as nervous inside as him? She seemed so cool and collected, but everyone hides stuff. He grasped her hand gently. “Nice to meet you too, Sloane, I’m Nolan Ahlstrom. I’m a sophomore at Silver. I’m on the football team, the basketball team, and the baseball team. My family is very sports-oriented, I guess.” He didn’t know how much or even if Sloane cared about sports. He hoped so, as I was such a big part of his life.

The waitress returned with their drinks as the two were shaking hands. Nolan chuckled to himself a little bit, thinking how weird it must look to the waitress for two teens to be shaking hands over the table. She set the teapot down with two cups. “Are you ready to order?”

“Yes,” started Nolan. He glanced back down at the menu, finding the dish he wanted. “I’d like the Franciscan Omelette, hash browns, wheat toast, and could I get a side of bacon with that?” He gave the waitress a courteous smile. She returned the gesture.

“That’s quite the order! But I’m sure a big guy like you has to keep his energy up,” she giggled. Nolan forced a laugh to be polite, but was sort of thrown off. Was she flirting with him? He didn’t have a ton of experience in the field, so he wasn’t sure. It definitely wasn’t the drugs, though. Maybe the waitress didn’t realize this was a date, or worse, maybe it didn’t seem like a date because it wasn’t. Nolan suddenly felt uncomfortable.

The waitress turned to Sloane. “And for you, ma’am?”

[Sloane Taylor]

The way he teased her like that made Sloane smile. He was at ease, at least what she could see of him and she was glad for it. What was the use of having a date with someone who was so awkward with himself and also with her?

The question he posed was filled with uncertainty especially on her part. What were dates like for her? Dinner, hotel slash motel slash anywhere that has a bed then ditch. She was so far used to the routine that this breakfast thing was a huge change in her lifestyle. She knew it sounded wrong to say that she was already comfortable with the pace she was in but she was. She didn't really care much about dating. She wasn't like those sappy girls who had to fall in love to go on dates and consummate their relationships. She hardly thought falling in love with a practical thing anyway. What's the use of giving someone your all and being vulnerable and faithful to just one person for a long time? It just wasn't practical.

She decided to shrug and took back her hand, grinning at his confusion. The guy must feel like he was on a rollercoaster with her. She didn't blame him. She was a random person and she was okay with that even though other people might not be.

His 'resume' of sports was impressive and he was just a sophomore. She wondered how good he was at all three. She'd tried basketball before but it just wasn't her sport. She liked softball much better. And of course Track.

The waitress was clearly flirting with Nolan even with her at the table and Sloane shook her head in amusement. "I'd like the chicken omelette wrap with bacon strips, hash brown and the waffle set. Heavy on the butter and no syrup. Oh could you please whip up a chocolate milkshake for me, extra foam and whipped cream? Thanks," She smiled at the waitress a bit long than was needed before giving her the menu.

She turned back to Nolan and grinned. "So...basketball, football and baseball huh. But I bet I can run circles around you." She grinned. "I'm on the track team in Gould and...I'm not trying to beat my own drum but I clock in ten seconds every time." She shrugged. She really wasn't trying to impress Nolan nor was she trying to act cool and smug. She was stating a fact. And as was her behaviour, she was proud of her accomplishments and she wasn't afraid to flaunt them.

[Sloane Taylor]

The way he teased her like that made Sloane smile. He was at ease, at least what she could see of him and she was glad for it. What was the use of having a date with someone who was so awkward with himself and also with her?

The question he posed was filled with uncertainty especially on her part. What were dates like for her? Dinner, hotel slash motel slash anywhere that has a bed then ditch. She was so far used to the routine that this breakfast thing was a huge change in her lifestyle. She knew it sounded wrong to say that she was already comfortable with the pace she was in but she was. She didn't really care much about dating. She wasn't like those sappy girls who had to fall in love to go on dates and consummate their relationships. She hardly thought falling in love with a practical thing anyway. What's the use of giving someone your all and being vulnerable and faithful to just one person for a long time? It just wasn't practical.

She decided to shrug and took back her hand, grinning at his confusion. The guy must feel like he was on a rollercoaster with her. She didn't blame him. She was a random person and she was okay with that even though other people might not be.

His 'resume' of sports was impressive and he was just a sophomore. She wondered how good he was at all three. She'd tried basketball before but it just wasn't her sport. She liked softball much better. And of course Track.

The waitress was clearly flirting with Nolan even with her at the table and Sloane shook her head in amusement. "I'd like the chicken omelette wrap with bacon strips, hash brown and the waffle set. Heavy on the butter and no syrup. Oh could you please whip up a chocolate milkshake for me, extra foam and whipped cream? Thanks," She smiled at the waitress a bit long than was needed before giving her the menu.

She turned back to Nolan and grinned. "So...basketball, football and baseball huh. But I bet I can run circles around you." She grinned. "I'm on the track team in Gould and...I'm not trying to beat my own drum but I clock in ten seconds every time." She shrugged. She really wasn't trying to impress Nolan nor was she trying to act cool and smug. She was stating a fact. And as was her behaviour, she was proud of her accomplishments and she wasn't afraid to flaunt them.

[Nolan Ahlstrom]

The growling from Nolan’s stomach wasn’t the only indication he was getting hungry. He downed his cup of tea quickly, then also polished off a glass of water. As he looked around the room, he began eyeing other people’s food. He usually didn’t wait so long to eat, and having such an active life meant he needed to eat often. Not to mention his food last night had been pretty mediocre hospital grub.

“Yes,” smiled Nolan. The one thing he really enjoyed talking about was sports. “All three. I like to stay busy and in also helps me to stay active. Football is my main focus. My oldest brother, I have two, plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. I don’t know if you watch pro football, or ESPN, but you might have seen him. Adam Ahlstrom.” Nolan was proud of his brother, proud of his achievements. It gave him someone to look up to who was more than just an athlete or celebrity. This was his brother. “My other brother, and a sister, I have an older sister, they’re both in college. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

Nolan realize why Sloane had introduced herself again. He didn’t know this girl. He didn’t know if she had family, how old she was (older than him), what she liked, what she didn’t like, her dating history….

Her dating history. That could be an awkward conversation. He’d have to talk about the girls he’s dated, all two of them, and only one was really anything serious. And he’ll eventually have to tell her he’s a virgin, that there’s a lot he hasn’t done. Hopefully that all could wait for another time.

[Sloane Taylor]

The mention of Adam Ahlstrom didn't ring a bell in Sloane. Granted, she had always been bad with names. She shrugged. "I don't really follow sports that much except for maybe gymnastics, track and uhm...equestrian. I can't really be bothered with anything else."

When the food came, it was a different person, a waiter instead of the waitress that had served them earlier. "We apologise but Renna had to step out a bit. She will be serving you again a while later. But for now, please enjoy your meal." He smiled, mostly at Sloane but he gave Nolan a curt nod before walking away.

As she was about to dig in, Nolan's question stopped her for awhile. "I have three elder brothers. None are celebrities although one fancies himself to be." Kiev had always been an aspiring actor but so far he had done nothing to work up to that goal. All he had ever done was pretend he's a big rock star. But she loved him all the same. In fact, her brothers and herself had an excellent relationship. Their little squabbles were hardly destructive. They've always roughhoused with each other, pulling her in as well but nothing ever damages what they've established. Their age gaps didn't even matter.

"Well...I suppose we should dig in." Sloane smiled, gesturing towards the food. She was hungry already but thank goodness her stomach didn't grumble or anything embarrassing like that.

[Nolan Ahlstrom]

“That’s weird,” Nolan commented after the new waiter had left. He had never had his wait staff change in the middle of a meal before. Perhaps the waitress had just gotten busy or something. “I hope she’s okay.” He smiled at Sloane and shrugged. Whatever happened to the waitress really didn’t matter because he was with the prettiest girl in the place.

It relieved Nolan a bit to hear that Sloane had a number of brothers, all older. “We both have three siblings, and we’re both the youngest. That’s interesting.” He didn’t really know why it was interesting, it was simply a coincidence. But that’s what people said about coincidences such as this. Maybe this would be something that they can talk about.

Talking could wait until after the food, however. He was glad Sloane said to dig in, because he wanted to be polite but he was getting very hungry. The meal was very good, and Nolan was glad to see the proportions were fairly sized. He always hated fancy restaurants that tried to stay hip by offering tiny portions. He resisted the urge to annihilate his food quickly. There was something about Sloane that make him really want to impress her, so he took his time and ate very politely and properly. It made him think of his mother, how she’d always make him eat properly as a kid. Her cooking was never great, but food in the Midwest seemed much better. Not so fancy, just plain, simple, and delicious.

[Sloane Taylor]

Nolan's concern for the waitress was quite charming but Sloane was getting a bit tired of the whole thing. It might be because Nolan really waswas really just concerned for the waitress but she had been flirting with him while Sloane was sitting right across him. Surely he must have noticed that.

Sloane smiled politely with the mention of the little coincidence. She found it sweet that Nolan felt it was something they might have in common. And as he started to eat, Sloane bit back her comment about Midwestern people and being polite. Shrugging, she scarfed half her food down in a few bites. Yesterday was filled with drinking and not much of eating on Sloane's part and now she was probably overcompensating by eating too much but she loved food, plain and simple.

"So," Sloane said after swallowing her second piece of bacon and washing it down with her tea. "Apart from the shooting...how have you been coping with the whole change of schools. I mean Silvers being in Gould has to be a bit awkward for you, I imagine."

She personally couldn't care less about the whole joining schools. She found it tolerable since none of them really knew her the way gould students knew her which was fine by her. More fresh meat to poach. One was already sitting on a silver platter, so to speak, right in front of her.

[Nolan Ahlstrom]

“It’s different,” Nolan replied, his deep voice resonating with the satisfaction of the meal now residing in his tummy. He wiped his mouth with his napkin and placed it on the table. “I’m kinda glad I’m not a starter yet, so not many people recognize me. I know a bunch of guys on the team got hassled the last time the schools merged.” Nolan shrugged and took a drink from his tea. “I get the whole rivalry thing and all, but that’s for the field or the court, or wherever. Doesn’t mean people should be dicks to one another.”

Nolan was generally against being an ass in any situation. He didn’t like it when his friends would hassle the geeky kids, but he also recognized that was the social norm, and if he tried to help stop his friends he’d be the one getting crapped on. Better to stay clean, or so Nolan thought. There were time, though, when he did feel guilty.

Sloane sat across the table, and to Nolan she looked heavenly. He wondered how she treated people, if she made fun of the dorky kids at Gould. He couldn’t imagine, she seemed so nice. He smiled at her, knowing she didn’t know why. He was feeling more and more comfortable around her, more confident that his feelings for her were reciprocated. He was looking forward to having a fun day.

[Sloane Taylor]

"Jerks will be jerks after all." Sloane shrugged before finishing the rest of her food. She didn't think Nolan was that kind of guy; the type to bully the less...fortunate. Of course, she wouldn't put it past him to keep quiet when someone was in danger of being harrassed. It just wasn't in their nature to stop their peers. She was the same in that aspect. Although she had never been party to a harassment, she always joined in the laughter when her acquaintances recounted their little pranks and jokes on people from the lower rung of the high school hierarchy.

"But I do have to agree." Sloane nodded at Nolan's sentiment. "The rivalry should stay in sports. I mean it's nothing personal. Truth be told, I don't even have an inkling of an idea why Gould and Silver are rivals in the first place." She shrugged, popping in the last piece of waffle into her mouth. She moaned appreciatively. "This is some good waffle." She shivered delightfully.

The waitress came back. "Wow...both of you sure have an...appetite." She grinned at Nolan before turning to Sloane with a smirk. "You have butter dripping down your chin." She pointed to her own cheek as she picked up the empty dishes. "Refill for your tea?"