Lost Family (apollo247&Frogger)

[apollo247]

Caleb Quinn had just started college; he was eighteen years old and had an incredible mind, he was excited to be accepted into Harvard University a few months ago even though he had to leave his Boston home for a few years to get his degree. Engineering and Sciences was always a big thing for Caleb and he wanted to attend one of the best colleges in the United States. Caleb was however adopted he had found out about this eight years prior and he was slowly starting to accept that he was adopted. Caleb loved his two younger sisters and his mother and father from the Quinn family but he always wanted to know where he had come from.

Caleb had a pretty hard first week at college; he had made some new friends and realized that his roommate was his best friend from Boston who had also attended the Engineering degree like him. The first week was something different than most; college was so different than high school and Caleb had to find out that the hard way, he had to find his place in Harvard. Scott his friend had begged Caleb to come to a party that was being held in town; Scott had known a few people who were running it and Caleb was told that some High School Girls from the local Cambridge School were coming which Caleb decided to accept the offer and attend the party anyway.

The two friends left Harvard late Saturday afternoon and took a taxi to the house that the party was being held at. Caleb had discovered that the guy’s parents were out of town for a couple of weeks and he had decided to throw this huge party to welcome the newcomers of college which was pretty much people like Caleb and Scott. Caleb entered the house and was immediately hit with loud music and screams of enjoyment from all over the place. Caleb had left Scott to mingle with the crowd; he grabbed himself a bottle of beer knowing fully well that he was underage but he didn’t care about that. Caleb sat on the couch as he looked around wondering where he would go next.

 

[Frogger]

Dani Wesley was a senior in high school, seventeen years old, and ready to start her life as a young adult. Her grades were good, but nothing to really flaunt, her social life not much better. Soccer occupied most of her time, as did volleyball and the expectations of family. With two younger brothers, and a younger sister, many responsibilities fell onto her shoulders. The Wesley family was definitely a big family...bigger than most. If she could, though...she would shrug off those irksome responsibilities most often than she did already, and just go out for fun. It was always a pain, either watching the troublesome trio, or being holed up inside her room, doing homework. The sports, she liked and enjoyed to the fullest… everything else, not so much.

The first week of high school wasn’t particularly difficult...or exciting. It was much like the first week of freshman, sophomore, and junior year, but with less expectations, it seemed. Dani already had the first volleyball practice of the year, and wasn’t impressed with the new recruits. Soccer was proving to be rather disappointing too. Luckily, her parents left town for an anniversary cruise in the Caribbean, so she was pretty much left to her own devices… which meant that she was leaving the second oldest child in charge while she goes out to have fun. It was pure chance that she heard about this party. One of her friends, Ashlee, learned about it through a college student...though how, she had no idea. Either way… she knew she had to go.

So here she was, at the hottest party of the month. Normally, Dani wouldn’t go to such things...but really...she was tired of being good. Taking a sip of her beer, she glanced around, her long, wavy brown hair framing her pretty face. Though she had on a pair of glasses...there was no mistaking the pair of blue eyes behind them, or her smile. Her outfit was pretty simple, in comparison to the other girls, who was trying too hard to snag a boyfriend, yet it didn’t do her justice. Dark blue jeans hugged her hips just so...while a dark red baby doll shirt emphasized the size of her breasts, and how small her waist was. After sipping the beer again, the young woman took a seat on the couch...not quite sure what to do with herself.

 

[apollo247]

Caleb looked around the lounge room; the party was in full swing and he hadn’t seen Scott, or anyone else that he knew after leaving him to go mingle with the crowd and possibly make new friends but then again it was a party and Caleb would most likely see them later on. Caleb wasn’t too sure what to do now; he normally wasn’t one to come to these parties but when he was forced to by his friends he generally did have a good time, there had been a few wild Boston parties that he had been to but he never had been in trouble with the law or anything no Caleb usually just stayed home working on some construction project or fixing something.

Caleb knew that he was lost in his own thought but he didn’t care about that at all; he looked around once more looking at the different groups of people that already knew each other. Caleb did feel out of place here; he was new, the outsider he had only been here a week and hadn’t really met anyone to talk to, that was Scott really not him. Caleb would rather hide in his basement for week and then come out with some new invention or something that he had built that was him. Caleb’s thoughts were getting the better of him though; he was pushed into reality when he saw someone sit down on the couch next to him.

Caleb took another sip from his bottle of beer as he looked down at the person that sat down next to him; he noticed that the person was in fact female and he smiled as he looked at her. The girl was very pretty; he smiled again probably looking like an idiot. Caleb wasn’t much of a looker; well he thought so, he had short black hair medium build with a little bit of muscle and blue eyes, the same looking blue eyes that the girl had. Caleb thought that it was probably polite that he would speak to her at least; heck he could even try and make another friend here but he wasn’t liking his chances she probably had a boyfriend somewhere and she was waiting for him, yup that was his luck no doubt. “Hey.” Caleb said as he leaned forward to make his presence known to her. “Enjoying the party so far?”” Caleb asked.

 

[Frogger]

Dani lifted her head when she heard a greeting being directed at her. A few strands of dark, wavy brown hair came to frame that lovely face of hers, bringing out the magnificent color of her eyes. One moment, the pair looked to be oceanic blue...the next...cerulean. Her lips curved into a faint smile. “Hey, um...sure. I’m guess I am… I don’t know who enjoys watching other people getting drunk, throwing up in the house plants, and taking girls upstairs to do unmentionable things.” Some people didn’t care for the sense of humor she was so accustomed to, but oh well. One thing about Dani is the fact that she doesn’t try to be something she’s not...and that includes a groupie, or being stupid. Parties may not exactly be...her thing, per se...but she does like loosening up, and having fun.

After taking a sip of her beer, Dani glanced in the boy’s direction, unable to keep herself from doing so. It was pretty obvious that he felt out of place, much like she did. Though he may not be as good-looking as some, he definitely was nice to look at. His hair was cut short and black, his build had a little bit of muscle to fill it out...and as for his eyes, the pair remarkably reminded her of her own. Hoping against hope he didn’t notice her checking him out, she sipped the beer again. I must seem like a complete idiot...she thought, almost sighing at the thought. I obviously don’t belong here… I mean, come on...a high schooler at a college party? That spells trouble right there, not to mention I was dragged here by a friend, whose boyfriend goes to college...

“Sorry…if I seem a bit blunt,” Dani blurted out. “I don’t like...pretending, or telling half-truths… so please don’t mind me if I sound a bit...well, strange.” Her eyes lifted to focus on his, an apologetic smile curving her lips. Though she had on glasses, she really was pretty, in a natural way. There was no hint of cosmetics along her cheeks, or around her eyes, or anything like that. Once she said her piece, the girl blushed a light shade of pink, quickly averting her gaze from his. He must really think I’m nuts...she thought.

 

[apollo247]

Caleb smiled he was enjoying her compony a lot; she looked young though perhaps one of the high schoolers that Scott talked about but he couldn’t be sure these days. Caleb sat back a little as he looked at her; she probably knew that he was starring but he wasn’t worried about that normally he wouldn’t be talking to girls like this and he bet that Scott was somewhere laughing and enjoying the show. Caleb took another sip of his beer and placed it down; he could already feel the effects that it was having, perhaps it was the alcohol that was making him loose like this.

He smiled again as he heard her speak to him. “I’m the same; however a friend of mind kind of begged me to come here. This is only my first week here at the city.” Caleb explained; he wasn’t sure why but he felt like he could speak to this girl for eternity and it wouldn’t get old he felt something that’s for sure but he didn’t know what that something was yet. Caleb felt a connection to her it seemed that they had things in common which was good he guessed something to talk about at least. Caleb nodded at her when she said the last words.

“That’s quiet alright. It seems like you were dragged out here the same as I was.” Caleb replied back as he was trying to keep the conversation going. “I’ve been told that I can be strange at times as well; though mostly my friend and sisters tell me anyways.” Caleb laughed at that as he took another sip from his beer wondering if he had lost her completely now. “Do you go to the college here?” Caleb asked with a smile as he fell silent as he wanted to hear what the young girl said in response. Caleb looked around as he gulped down the last of his beer and placed the empty bottle on the floor.

 

[Frogger]

“Oh, so a friend brought you here, too…” Dani gave a soft laugh, one that didn’t so much get lost with the pounding music, but rather mingled with it. Her bright blue eyes lifted to his, the pair shining underneath the faint light. Why is it...I feel like I can...well, talk to him, without being judged? Or nonstop? It doesn’t make any sense… Pushing aside her thoughts on the feeling, she went to take another sip of her beer, only to find that the bottle was empty. That could explain why my head is so fuzzy...she thought, wishing she had another bottle anyway. “I came willingly...but she dragged me here because of her college boyfriend, and how I wanted to get out of the house…”

Long, wavy brown hair fell back over her shoulders, bringing out the delicate angles of her face...and the color of her eyes. “I’m glad that you are okay with it… I just… From what people tell me, I don’t have a filter when it comes to my words. My siblings say that I’m a nutcase, or a fruit basket...but I normally ignore them. “As for college… I haven’t started college yet. I’m still...attending high school, at a Cambridge high school… I’m in my last year, so hopefully by the end of the year, I can start coming here… I’ve heard it’s a great college to start out…”

Here I go, rambling… Dani tucked a few strands of hair that were falling into her eyes behind an ear, before directing her attention onto him. “Oh, I just realized… I never caught your name… My name is Dani, nice to meet you.” Leaning forward, she offered the young man a petite hand, unknowingly giving him an impressive view of her chest. Of course it wasn’t as though her breasts were completely exposed, no...but he definitely could see the white, lacy bra that she was wearing underneath the shirt. A smile curved her lips -not because she realized- but because she was happy to meet this nice person, and to be having a nice conversation.

 

[apollo247]

Caleb looked back at Dani with a smile; he could already feel the effects of the liquid flowing through his body and perhaps that was giving him the courage to talk to Dani in the first place, who knows what it could be but he was speaking to her and that’s all that mattered to him right about now. Caleb thought that perhaps he could go and grab them both some drinks since they were already in a conversation and he didn’t want this to end at all; his blue eyes looked back at her and he felt at ease. Caleb couldn’t deny that there was something that felt so right about her.

Caleb understood how she felt; it was the same feeling that he felt as well. “Oh? I thought you might have gone to college. You looked older.” Caleb said with an embarrassed look on his face; he didn’t know that she was in fact a High School girl, yet he wasn’t worried about that at all he just felt happy talking to her and could do so all night in fact. “I understand completely. I’m normally locked away in the basement fixing things or making something new.” Caleb replied with another smile; he was starting to enjoy this night and was glad that Scott forced him to come out.

Caleb looked back up at Dani when she said that she never asked him his name; he smiled at her, most girls never did but Dani was the one girl that actually stopped and had a conversation with him without running away. “I’m Caleb. It’s nice to meet you Dani.” Caleb explained as he introduced himself to her. It was pretty clear that they both were uncomfortable being here with the loud music and people getting drunk all other the place and so Caleb got a little brave in the end. “Would you like to go somewhere else away from the noise? Somewhere a little less noisy. I would like to continue our conversation without yelling over the music.” Caleb asked wondering what she would say back.

 

[Frogger]

Dani could already feel the effects of the alcohol herself, and was still contemplating getting herself another drink when he spoke. “Do I? Usually people say I look younger, because of my glasses…” she said, her words trailing away as she thought it over. Does that mean he goes to college…? He really...doesn’t look much older than I am… Maybe he’s older by just a year or two...the girl thought, taking in his features, and his black hair. If I didn’t know any better...I’d say he’s twenty...maybe twenty-one… Blue eyes focusing on his next words, she couldn’t help but smile as he told how he’s normally locked away in the basement, fixing things or making something new.

“That is pretty cool… I usually stay locked in my room, doing homework… either that, or outside doing sports… Don’t get me wrong, soccer and volleyball are amazing...but once in a while, just...I like something different…” Was it just her, or was the music getting louder? Dani tucked a rogue lock of brown behind her ear, looking around to see if anyone was messing with the speakers. From what she could tell, though, nobody was. Introductions exchanged, she smiled as she found out the name of her new friend. “Caleb, huh? It’s nice to meet you…” It was starting to get pretty uncomfortable here, what with the loud music and people getting more drunk...and even getting sick nearby.

“Would you like to go somewhere else away from the noise? Somewhere a little less noisy? I would like to continue our conversation without yelling over the music,” Caleb asked. Dani jumped at the opportunity, her ears hurting a little from the extended exposure to such loud noise. “I would love to! How about we head upstairs?” she asked, pointing towards the second floor with her index finger. “I’m sure we can find a room where we can talk without being interrupted...or having to yell at each other.”

 

[apollo247]

Caleb was getting used to speaking to Dani; everything about her just became so clear to him so easy and he was starting to enjoy it. Caleb smiled at her when she replied back to him about her age. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to offend you. I usually spurt things out without realizing what I’ve said and before I know it I’ve offended someone.” Caleb replied back quickly hoping that this wasn’t the case tonight. Caleb now was trying to guess Dani’s age to him he really did look older; possibly the same age as him but now he wasn’t too sure on that.

Caleb smiled at Dani; she seemed pretty much like him in some ways and that wasn’t common for him to find. “We have much in common; that’s fantastic. Usually girls run away thinking I’m some weirdo.” Caleb explained with a smile as he realized that Dani was still talking to him. Caleb looked around and wondered where Scott had gotten to though knowing him he was most likely laughing at his attempt to pick up a girl. Was Caleb trying to pick up Dani? Caleb wasn’t too sure but a part of him would like to try at least.

Caleb eyes widened as he heard Dani accept his offer; he was surprised that she had done so. Caleb looked upstairs where Dani had pointed to and nodded in reply; the rooms would at least be quiet enough for them to continue their conversation without them having to yell at each other. “That sounds perfect to me.” Caleb replied back to Dani as he stood up from the couch; he actually wondered who owned this house it seemed rather large to have a lot of rooms for people to sneak away to. “Would you like another drink to take upstairs?” Caleb asked as he pointed towards the drinks table; he wondered if Dani was still thirsty or not.

 

[Frogger]

“It does seem that way…” Dani couldn’t believe how much in common they did have, being almost complete strangers and all. What were the chances of them meeting at the same party…? Before she could think into it any further, that train of thought derailed, its cars falling into an abyss. “Really? I don’t see the reason why, since you seem pretty cool to me… Oh, and don’t worry...you didn’t offend me. People usually tell me that I look younger than I really am, that’s all...so you kinda took me by surprise.” With another pretty laugh, the girl scratched at the back of her neck awkwardly. I should stop making a fool of myself, before Caleb runs off...

Dani smiled back at him, hoping that he doesn’t run away, in fear of his sanity or anything like that. “You’re not some weirdo… You seem pretty normal to me,” she told him, the smile only growing wider. “After all...there are other kids out there who are weirder than you… There has to be.” With a laugh, she rose onto her feet, hands smoothing out whatever wrinkles there was in her shirt. It was still pretty obvious that she was awkward in this setting, but that will soon change. Once she was away from all the noise and people, she’ll loosen up.

“Oh, uh, another drink? Sounds good… I’m still pretty thirsty…” Dani admitted, tucking one hand into her pocket. Her eyes followed his pointing finger, and so she headed on over there, a boy smiling at her while she pulled out two more bottles of beer. He tried to speak, yet she walked away before he got the chance to. “Would just two be alright, or should I grab a few more?” she asked Caleb.