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Post by Teddy<3 on Dec 18, 2010 16:22:37 GMT -5
Teddy sighed, having been dreading this conversation for awhile. He stood up and began walking around the room, absently picking up stray papers and throwing them away. Finally he stopped and faced Jaz, his eyes resting on her, but focusing on anything but her. He folded his arms across his chest, then lifted one hand and ran it through his hair.
"It's nothing... I just --" Teddy stopped. He couldn't explain it. He just didn't like people knowing about his life. Alone. With only his alcoholic father. He hated people seeing his home and neighborhood. "I just worry about what you'll -- you know. Think of me I guess... I don't live in a very good neighborhood, as you can see. I don't have a mother anymore, she left me and my brother a long time ago. She wanted to get out of this horrible town. And my father, well he's alcoholic, lazy, stupid, and many other things I'd rather not go into detail about. So basically, I'm embarrassed about how I live." Teddy rushed to answer, squeezing everything into a single breath.
He dropped his gaze from Jaz's face, staring instead at a coffee stain in the carpet. He could feel himself growing distant. He always drew away from people, became emotionless and cruel, when this subject was brought up. He clenched his jaw and ran his hand through his hair again, a habit he'd developed whenever he was upset.
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Post by Jazmin on Dec 19, 2010 1:38:13 GMT -5
Jaz listened silently with her legs crossed, her eyes focused on Teddy's nervous figure.
She giggled.
The giggle developed into a small laugh that she quickly killed.
"Teddy, why would you be ashamed of where you lived?" she asked gently. "I understand that you feel some hurt 'cause your mama left, and you ain't too proud of your daddy, but you should never be ashamed of your home." She stood up and walked over to Teddy, pushing his chin up with a finger, smiling. "Like my mama told me once, we've all got our monsters, but home is where the heart is, and in the end we are all demons in our dwelling."
Sudden impulse took over of being out on the streets for too many years, and Jasmin quickly leaned forward and pecked Teddy's tight cheek. She pulled back with a cherry color blending into her rich cocoa skin.
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Post by Teddy<3 on Dec 19, 2010 14:57:22 GMT -5
Teddy's eyes widened as he felt Jaz's lips against his cheek. He felt the corners of his lips twitch, a small smile settling into place. He bit down on his bottom lip to keep the smile from growing any larger.
"Thanks Jaz." he said softly. And he really meant it. He hated to admit it, but he really didn't have any friends. He used to hang out with Tanner's buddies, but when he died the guys stopped coming over.
"I know my home shouldn't embarrass me. But look at it. It's always filthy and I can barely pay the bills enough to keep it heated. There's nothing to like about it." he said, eyes sweeping over the messy room. This wasn't a place he could like. He couldn't wait until he could afford to leave.
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Post by Jazmin on Dec 23, 2010 19:00:35 GMT -5
Jazmin grinned at him. "You're welcome," she said softly. "Well, if you don't like being around here, my mama won't mind if I have a guest over. She likes all my friends." Like she'll even notice, her mind added grimly. Her mother had been very distracted since Jaz's daddy, well...
Jazmin blinked herself out of her trance and smiled warmly to press on her offer.
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Post by Teddy<3 on Dec 23, 2010 19:16:32 GMT -5
Teddy's head was a mess of thoughts as he thought of all of the things he could escape by going with Jaz. He wanted so badly to accept her offer, but finally the reality of his situation broke through and he remembered that he couldn't leave.
He smiled at Jaz, but shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, but I can't leave the house. For anything but errands around town. And I have so much to do here, I can't expect my dad to do it. And he depends on me. He's a dependent as a babe in the crib." Teddy said. He would love to one day leave his father and his house, but he didn't know if he'd be able to. How could he leave a man, knowing his absence would probably result in the man's death? He couldn't.
"I hate my father, but he needs me for everything. he can't cook, can't even hold a job. I have to stay here to do everything for him."
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Post by Jazmin on Dec 23, 2010 19:44:45 GMT -5
Jazmin smiled in understanding. "I get it. Well, I don't have anything to do, so if you want me to stay, I will. If you want me to go, give the word." Her smile widened, showing her white teeth. "It's in my blood to obey a white man." She broke off into laughter. She was one of the few who could actually joke about the brutal past of blacks and whites. She didn't believe in long-term grudges.
Jazmin's laughter suddenly deepened as she realized how dirty that had sounded. "That's what she said."
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Post by Teddy<3 on Dec 24, 2010 12:29:21 GMT -5
Teddy's face broke into a wide grin as Jaz joked about her race. He liked people who didn't care about their race's history. As she added "that's what she said" Teddy let out a loud laugh.
It took him a few moments to calm down. When he did he smiled at Jaz. "Nice one," he said.
Then he glanced at his watch. His father would be home soon. Without saying anything to Jaz, Teddy ran into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and pulled out a plate of leftovers. He stuck it in the microwave, punched in the time, and returned to the living room.
"My dad's going to get home soon." Teddy said breathlessly, looking out the window. He could judge the temperature outside well enough to guess he should wear a sweatshirt. He grabbed Jaz's hand without bothering to put anything on over his short sleeve shirt. Before slipping outside he pulled his leather jacket off of the couch.
He led Jaz down the street a ways and stopped finally. He didn't Look at her as he handed her his jacket, staring down at the street at the black pickup that pulled into his driveway. Shaking his head, Teddy turned to Jaz.
"Let's go somewhere." he said, already walking slowly down the street. "I can take you home if you like," he suggested.
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Post by Jazmin on Dec 24, 2010 14:47:47 GMT -5
Jaz watched Teddy reel about his home, and let out a squeak as she was dragged out of the house.
She took Teddy's jacket slowly when he offered it. "Uh, didn't you just say you had to stay home, though?" she asked in confusion. "But I guess you can walk me home or something."
OOC:: sorry it's short. I have to start making supper.
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Post by Teddy<3 on Dec 24, 2010 19:19:20 GMT -5
"I forgot that my dad comes home early now that he's got a girlfriend. I couldn't let him see you. He - well he's racist...and sexist." Teddy explained, putting his hands in his jean pockets. He couldn't even imagine what his father would have said if he saw Jaz. It just wouldn't have been good. At all.
Teddy sighed, pulling a hand out of his pocket and running it back through his hair. He continued doing this for a few moments, a habit of his when he was thinking. Then he turned to Jaz, realizing he didn't know how to get to her house.
"Where do you live anyway?" Teddy asked, slowing his steps, not sure where he was going. His ears caught every sound around them, and his eyes were in constant movement, scanning the area. He didn't want to deal with another gang member.
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Post by Jazmin on Dec 24, 2010 23:46:53 GMT -5
Jaz felt a small prick of anger inside of her as Teddy mentioned that his father was both racist and sexist, but it quickly left her. She couldn't stand people like that. It was a good idea that Teddy had gotten her out of there.
She let out a soft giggle and took Teddy's hand. "It's this way," she told him, tugging his wrist and leading him in the direction of her home.
"My mama might act a little weird when she sees you - if you come inside, I mean," she quickly added. "She's not used to me bringing home boys. It's been... quite a while." She ended her sentence bitterly. The last boy she had brought to the house was a young man named Joesph. He was a hottie, yes, but he was complete trouble. Jazmin had had an excessive need to feel love at the time, and Joesph had been a hungry sex-demon.
Had they done the dirty? No. Jaz was smarter than that. But he had gotten far enough to worm his hand under her shirt and work of her pants. She shuddered at the memory because after he had begun to open her shirt, Jazmin's mom walked right in without knocking. Having your mom see you in your panties with a guy on top of you wasn't pleasant. At all.
Joesph left the house red with embarrassment, and with a dark red hand print on his cheek. He and Jazmin broke up a week later when Jaz caught him with his tongue down another girl's throat.
Jazmin shook herself from her memories and smiled at Teddy. "My mama's kind of weird, so don't be surprised if she asks you some personal questions. And when I say personal, I mean personal."
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Post by Teddy<3 on Dec 25, 2010 6:07:27 GMT -5
ITeddy allowed himself to be pulled along by Jaz. It felt nice to have someone else leading the way for once. He smiled at the mention of her mother. If his mom would have had a girl, she would have been the same.
And maybe she wouldn't have left you, pointed out a small voice in the back of Teddy's head. He felt a rush of emotions and memories and quickly shoved them away, burying them in his mind. He didn't need to think about that.
"That's fine." Teddy told Jaz with a smile. "I've dealt with parents before." he reassured her, not mentioning the only girl's house he'd ever been to was one of Tanner's friends. He had never actually dated. He just didn't have the time or social skills needed for it.
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Post by Jazmin on Dec 25, 2010 23:01:27 GMT -5
Jaz laughed, rolling her head back against her shoulder. "You're a brave kid, Teddy," she managed around her giggles. "I like that. It's hard to find a guy that can just take everything that thrown at him." You aren't hitting on him, Jazmin, her mind chastised her. She couldn't be ready for another boy. Joesph had been so special, and he had betrayed her.
~~~
Jazmin led Teddy up the stoop of her home and pushed open the door. "Mama!" she called. "I'm home! I brought a guest. "
There came a soft commotion from the living room and a woman appeared. Her black hair was tied up into a bun and she was wearing a sleep gown. "Oh, Lou-Lou," she whined, "I really wish you would tell me when you gonna be a havin' someone over! Especially a boy!"
"Oh, Mama, you wouldn't have changed or dolled up either way," Jaz whined back. "And would you please call me by my real name around new people?"
Jaz's mother ignored Jaz and moved closer, walking right up to Teddy. She lifted her bony hands and took Teddy's face into them, turning his head and examining him. Jazmin watched, jaw gaping in shock.
"You ain't a whore like that last one, is ya?" she asked him quietly. Jazmin let out a loud groan of embarrassment. "No STDs? No hormone roller-coasters? The Fair's closed here, boy."
"Mama!" Jaz gasped. "I just met him today! I ain't gonna to the dirty with him! I'm so sorry, Teddy," she added to the boy, whose face was still clasped in her mother's hands.
her mother grumbled something under her breath, dropping her hands. "Let him speak, Jazmin," she snapped.
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Post by Teddy<3 on Dec 26, 2010 5:52:26 GMT -5
As Jaz's mother took his face into her hands, he grinned, almost wanting to laugh. Je managed to keep it a very small smile as she examined him. He just grinned at Jaz, not really minding the inspection.
As Jaz reassured her mother that they weren't having sex, Teddy blushed. He dropped his gaze, a small, sheepish smile playing on his mouth. He was a virgin, hadn't even been kissed. The last thing he would be doing is sex.
"No ma'am." Teddy told her. "I'm still a virgin and I ain't going to disrespect a lady like that."
Teddy was a little curious. Why was Jaz's mom asking questions like that? He just mentally shrugged, he'd probably find out soon enough.
Teddy's big eyes found Jaz's mothers and he gave her a quick flash of a smile, trying to reassure her without overdoing it.
"I'm Teddy," he said. "Teddy Hanson."
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Post by Jazmin on Dec 26, 2010 15:54:38 GMT -5
Jazmin's mother smiled and patted Teddy on the head. "You seem like a good boy, Teddy," she said warmly. "Just call me Mama, everyone does." She turned and looked at her daughter. "Leave the door open," she said. Without another word, she turned and went back into the room she had come from.
Jazmin's face was blazing with a fiery blush. "Try to ignore her," she murmured quietly to Teddy. She reached out and took his hand, leading him up a narrow staircase. The first room they came to was Jazmin's. She pushed open the wooden door and walked in, leaving the door wide open as her mother would want.
"This is my room," she told Teddy. "You can sit on the bed. Sorry, no chairs." She walked over to a vanity that squatted in the corner of the room, battered and old. She had had it ever since she could remember. She took off her high heels next to it, sighing with relief as her feet settled flatly on the carpet. She pushed the shoes neatly next to the vanity, plucking back a pair of flats. She would wear those when she needed. No more heels for awhile.
Turning back around, Jaz flexed her toes with each step she took. She plopped down on the bed, laying back with her hands tucked behind her head. She had missed being in the presence of a man, in her room. Oh, ew, whore moment, she scolded herself. She wasn't in her room to have sex with Teddy. She was here to hang out with Teddy.
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Post by Teddy<3 on Dec 26, 2010 16:30:18 GMT -5
Teddy smiled at Jaz and sat on the carpet next to the bed, leaning his back against it. He was surprisingly at ease, considering he'd never been alone with a girl before. Well, once. But Teddy didn't count that. It was right after Tanner's death, when he had first gotten the motorcyclist boots and leather jacket. His lack of emotion and apthetic, sarcastic nature hadn't been very good to build a relationship off of. She left and never spoke to him again. That was the reason Teddy was always so happy and excited. He had hated that period. He was cold and cruel, many people thought he was in a gang. He'd lost so many friends and scared so many people that he tried his hardest not to go back to that person. But many times, especially if in deep thought, he appeared to others as the distant, cold young man, not the broken kid who lost his older brother. The truth was, he wasn't actually this happy, handsome kid. He was the cold, distant, ugly man he hated to appear.
Teddy inwardly shook his head, realizing how deep into his own thoughts he'd been. He grinned as he leaned back against the bed. "I really like your mama," he told Jaz. She reminded him of his own mama, before she had left. Before he and Tanner began to grow up. Back when the boys were still boys and everyone was happy and everything was perfect.
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