On the search for canonmates especially a certain blonde cheerleader

[notaherozach]

Look, yeah I know you're determined to find some canon mates for me to play off of and I'm not going to lie, that would be pretty awesome. My life has been far too...normal lately. And as much as I hate to admit it since she left Odessa without even saying goodbye to me but I miss Little Miss Miracle Grow.

[He just sighs and shakes his head]

But I wouldn't get your hopes up. I mean I doubt she even remembers who I am. Just let me get on with my film making, okay? I'd rather think about that than...well, this.

Comments

[breakablegirl]

I told you not to call me that again.

[The smile fades, however, into something cautious.]

Hey, Zach. [Then something a little more sad.] Of course I remember you.

[notaherozach]

[Zach is just going to...stare at Claire for a moment, his mouth open. Extremely unattractive, yes but the guy's in shock! Here in front of him is the girl he never thought he was going to see again. After a while he snaps out of it and gives her a small smile, almost a little sheepish.]

Sorry, but I never thought I'd see you again so, forgive me?

Wow, it's...good to see you, Claire.

[breakablegirl]

[Hi Zach. Claire's just going to watch and try and make her smile look less sad and less awkward. She isn't doing that great of a job.]

You too, Zach, you have no idea. Honestly, I- [She pauses, troubled, concerned.] How much do you remember?

[notaherozach]

[He can tell she's awkward and it's funny because...well, he had always been the one feeling awkward around her, it had never been the other way around before. He can't take his eyes off her, convinced she'll disappear if he looks away.]

I remember...well, most things from before you disappeared. It was all a little...hazy for a while but everything came back. Eventually. I guess for a while I chose to forget. It was easier.

[He's not trying to make her feel bad. Honest.]

[breakablegirl]

[It is strange, the new dynamics here. A lot has changed in her life, and she's changed as well. Claire wonders how much of Zach is still the same.

There's a frown on her lips but she doesn't linger on it. She already knew that just by being in his life that his was made more complicated, more dangerous. Her dad had done something unforgivable to her only friend, and she'd tried to repair it, selfishly, but in the end she wondered if he would have been better off.]

No- I get it. [Claire smiles that familiar sad little smile. Some things never change.] I'm.. Really glad you remember, though. Sorry everything got so.. Messed up, you know?

[notaherozach]

[A lot has changed in Zach's life too but compared to Claire's...well, he's pretty sure that his life as a film student in New York has been pretty dull in comparison.

The frown that appears on Claire's lips does make him feel bad. It wasn't his intention in any way. Zach gives her an encouraging smile or at least as a good a one as he can manage and he shakes his head at her words.]

The reason I wanted to see you around here wasn't to hear an apology, Claire. I know...you haven't exactly been in total control of what goes on in your life and I get it. You've got nothing to be sorry for.

[breakablegirl]

[Yeah. Witness how much her eyes well up with emotion here. Oh, Zach. Can she just keep you forever please. She nods a little too much and sighs with relief.]

Okay. [It's quiet, to keep the surge of emotion out of her voice. Claire takes a breath and smiles, picking up a new topic.]

Gosh it's been years, what are you up to? Still doing film stuff?

[notaherozach]

[Oh no, he didn't want to make her well up...but yes, please keep him forever. He wouldn't object to having his friend back. He smiles a little more, his usual crooked smile as she asks him what he's been doing with his life. Now they've got that over with they can get to catching up with what's been going on with them both.]

I'm actually studying in New York at the minute and unsurprisingly I'm studying Film. I've loved every second of it so far though I've really only just started. What about you Claire? Have you figured out what you want to do with the rest of your life yet?

[smile4thepeople]

You should be careful where you post your wistful nostalgia. It could get some people into trouble and neither of us want that.

threadjack

[breakablegirl]

Nathan, relax. It's not like he mentioned me by name.

[Not that she would have cared if he did. She's just glad he tried to find her at all.]

Re: threadjack

[smile4thepeople]

I know you mean well, but stay out of this, Claire. Sooner or later, he'll need to learn.

[breakablegirl]

[oooh whatchu sayyy ooh that you only meant well] Uh- No.

He's my friend- Was my friend, so maybe you're the one who needs to stay out of it.

[smile4thepeople]

I'm trying to help you. You make that difficult.

[breakablegirl]

[SIGHHHH.] I know.

I guess I got that from you.

[smile4thepeople]

Very funny.

You and Peter both.. You want to save a world that's not interested in being saved.

[breakablegirl]

Right now I just don't want to scare off maybe the only real friend I ever had.

[smile4thepeople]

What's her- that Jackie girl wasn't your friend? West? Gretchen? As I recall, you've had more than a few friends that you seem to be forgetting.

[breakablegirl]

[Oh Nathan. You just don't get it do you.]

Fine, the first real friend I ever had. The rest- There's a lot you don't know.

Just- He's been through enough already, okay? He doesn't need a shakedown.

[smile4thepeople]

I'm not a bully. I was giving him a warning. The same one I gave you.

Be careful.

[notaherozach]

[Zach hesitates for...quite some time before answering that. He has no idea who this guy is but it's what he says that catches his attention. It's as if he...knows about Claire, about what she can do. At least that's what he gathers from the whole getting people in trouble thing.]

I'll be sure to reign my mun in a little more but I don't think there's any hard in a little reminiscing. Especially not when it works and the person you were talking about suddenly appears out of nowhere.