Center of Attention// (The Zodiacs)

Leila rolled her eyes as she watched Beck finally agreed to collect shells. She easily noticed his glances at Rosalita and knew he was only doing it for her benefit. Leila began searching for seashells, ignoring the comments between Beck and Casl. Leila sighed as they bickered. Seriously? I'm going to end up filling their mouths with sand to shut them up. she thought to herself. The red headed girl finally introduced herself as Zylona and Leila looked up to give her an apologetic smile. "Right! Sorry for getting your name wrong but I'm better at remembering faces than names," she apologized with a smile.

Leila listend as Zylona listed off the names of different shells. Although Leila recognized a few of the names, it was only due to her hours of studying. Zylona on the other hand was naturally very bright and Leila wished she could have a memory like hers. A small laugh escaped Leila as she heard Calypso's confused voice, "Um, just any pretty ones. You're really smart by the way." Finally straightening up again, Leila handed the energetic girl a handful of shells for her to inspect. She felt herself slowly relax for the first time since she ran across the group and the small task of collecting shells was in a strange way interesting. "Just because you're a big, scary fiftenn-year old doesn't mean you can't be a sweetheart though," she heard Casl say to Calypso and Leila glanced up with a small smile. She watched as the two interacted and she couldn't help giggle slightly at how odd it was seeing the small girl standing up to the giant Career. Maybe he's not so bad, she thought to herself and Leila knew she already liked Calypso and Zylona.

Suddenly, a splash sent small droplets of water onto Leila and she sighed, giving up completely on staying dry. As she glanced up to see who it was, Leila felt her mouth drop. There was Rosalita in the ocean with her clothes thrown onto the shore. Leila could normally hide her emotions behind an indifferent mask, but she couldn't prevent her nose from wrinkling slightly at the image before her. Ok, that's over the line, she thought as she diverted her eyes away. Of course, unlike her, Beck and Casl were staring openly at the nude girl bobbing in the ocean surf. Beck soon began making his way towards Rosalita and Leila was sure Casl would soon follow. Stupid hormone crazed boys, she grumbled to herself. Leila glanced over at Alaric, unsure of how he would respond. Looking back at Casl who still stood with a shock expression staring after Rosalita, Leila couldn't help blurt out, "If you don't close your mouth a bug might fly in." Realizing how mean her words sounded, Leila covered her mouth and muttered, "Sorry." She was not one to criticize what others did unless it truly involved her, but the way Casl and Beck were staring after Rosalita because she had thrown her clothes off made Leila want to give up on the male population.

Just as she thought, Casl took a step towards the ocean before pausing. "Smart and pretty! How did you know taking your clothes off would make me feel better?” he called to Rosalita and Leila rolled her eyes. I guess he's back to cocky, she noted before sighing slightly. Zoning back into reality, she realized that Casl had snatched up Rosalita's abandoned garments and was asking what he should do with them. Have her put them back on? she thought to herself although she knew none of the guys would go for that suggestion. Leila opened her mouth to respond when another voice chimed in. "Playing dress up Casl? I think that bikini top might be a little small." a teasing voice said and Leila turned to see Saxon Lloard striding up to them. A grin flashed across her face and she shook her head slightly. "But that pink really brings out his eyes don't you think?" she asked Saxon with a playful grin of her own towards him and the other two girls.

Zylona

"Don't call me sweetheart! I'm not a baby, I'm fifteen." I raised my eyebrows at that. I thought she was closer to my age. As in, she was exactly my age. Or younger. She was certainly acting like it, pouting and fussing. Looks like I'm the youngest then. But Casl, thankfully, didn't throw another hissy fit. He found it more amusing than aggravating. He visibly relaxed into a joking mood, speaking to and looking at the blonde in an endearing manner before stooping to pick up a shiny shell at his feet. I was feeling slightly superior about being the younger of us, given that she was now looking at me with a slightly shocked expression on her face. Ok, it was more than slightly shocked. She had no clue in hell what I was saying.

"Um, just the pretty ones," said Calypso. "You're really smart by the way." I looked down slightly embarrassed. I probably should have realised that she wouldn't know the names, let alone the Latin ones. Very few people do, and an interest in them doesn't make you an expert. Still, I could hope. I was more flattered than embarrassed though- most people don't take notice of my above-average-intelligence. Ok, my aunt and teachers do, but the former's grown used to it, and the latter- well they're teachers. And they find it irritating half the time anyway.

"Thanks. I don't get that a lot," I said honestly, taking a bag from her. I glanced up at Casl; he was gaping at me like I'd sprouted tentacles all over my face. I was slightly alarmed at the expression until he asked, "What's an ex-o-skeleton?" The word was elongated, almost delicately spoken. He was even more clueless than Calypso. I suppressed a laugh as he bent down to grab another shell. Isn't the description in the name? As in 'ex' and 'skeleton'? Still, he was a Career- I was being cocky and making assumptions again. "It's when the skeleton is on the outside of the body. From the Lat-" I cut myself off before I went into a full geek rant mostly spoken in dead languages. "It's most common in crustaceans, like crabs and so on."

"Right! Sorry for getting your name wrong but I'm better at remembering faces than names." Leila was smiling apologetically at me. I shrugged, it wasn't a big deal. I fade into the background on a daily basis. "No problem, I'm used to it," I said, rocking back on my heels.

Staring out at the horizon in the sudden peace that had swept over us, I caught sight of a brown figure who was flipping around in the water. Is that... Is she..? Yep, it was. A quick scan of the ground confirmed what I was theorising. Rosalita had jumped into the water in the nude. Well, that wasn't new. Plenty of people love swimming nude, but they were usually a little more subtle. They didn't leave their top and shorts lying in broad daylight and yell back to guys on the beach.

"Uh sorry guys, but there is a beautiful girl completely naked over there, and I'm not gonna stand here playing with a bunch of shells," Beck said, shoving the bag back at Calypso. I rolled my eyes as he set off after her and began talking to the girl. Well, more fool him. It wasn't my business- hell, I barely knew either of them. But Casl seemed to be suffering from post-shock-of-brains and was reacting slowly to everything. It took him a moment to realise that Rosalita was calling him over, no matter what his rival had thought. Even Leila, who had remained fairly quiet, started teasing him- for some reason, she was instantly apologetic. But Casl didn't run into the water. He started to, but paused. Oh you have got to be kidding. Nope. He wasn't. He knelt down to pick up Rosalita's top and tease her before returning to the group. "So what should I do with these?”

I shrugged. I didn't really care what he did with her top to be honest. I knelt down to search for shells. I rubbed sand off some of the shells on the ground. Campeche angel wing. Incongruous ark. Broad ribbed cardita. Paper fig shell. None of them were particularly rare shells, but I chucked them all in the bag anyway. Calypso said herself she just liked pretty shells. "Playing dress up Casl? I think that bikini top might be a little small." I jumped as I heard a voice behind me. I stood and whipped round to see that another Career had joined us. Seriously, are there any non-Careers in this District? Even Alaric, who may or may not have been a Career, was very muscular.

"But that pink really brings out his eyes don't you think?" Leila smiled, and I grinned.

"Well, I think it would look better with some matching eyeshadow," I volunteered, cocking my head at the neon pink top. "Or some lip gloss." I may not have owned any of the supplies I was mentioning, but mocking a big, manly Career was pretty fun.

Alaric's voice made me jump- I'd almost forgotten his presence, he'd been so quiet. "And those shorts would really show off his legs, I think," he said, smiling. "Here you go,” he said, holding out the bag. To my surprise, it was pretty much full of shells. Wow. So manners do exist in guys after all.

The wind was growing stronger, but as I felt my wrist I realised I'd forgotten to bring a hair tie, so all I could do was pull my fiery biomaterial in front of my shoulder and try to get some knots out. I smiled at Alaric, and turned to face the newcomer. I recognised his face, but I couldn't recall ever hearing his name. "Sorry, who are you? It came out a bit more bluntly than I'd meant, but then, I'm a blunt person.

[/blockquote][/justify]

Most people, probably all people, who don't actually know me would assume I ran into the water just to get Beck and Casl's attention, but that's really not it at all. Sometimes I just get bored and like to spice things up. I actually thought some of them might be brave enough to come out with us. As I bob in the water I chuckle as they try to figure it out. There's nothing wrong with swimming naked, and truthfully I swear I didn't do it 100% for the attention, I really did prefer it this way.

However it seems that only Beck is going to join in the fun. Well its obvious he's not going to give up til he gets the goods with me, and hunny that isn't going to happen on a public beach. Nudity is one thing, sex a whole nother. I might be a flirt but there's a line that even I won't cross with the world watching. As he splashes towards me I teasingly swim a bit the other way...Come and get me big boy. Glancing back to Casl seeing if he decided to come reenact this morning I notice something else. That clever boy has snatched up my clothes and is waving them at me like treat.


So that's the game he wants to play! As if I'm afraid of walking around naked. I toy with the the though when suddenly I see Saxon walking up. He's by far the best looking of the boys in my opinion but he'd never be able to handle me. So I turn my attention back to Casl. I couldn't make out the words they were saying, but it seemed to be in reference to my clothes. If he runs off with them so help me God I'll... the thought is interrupted by the fact that Calypso just pulled my tiny top on to his large body. It hardly fits around his neck and I can't help but laugh.


"Trying to show me how its done Casl? I think you fill it out even better than I do!" my voice calls out as I start swimming to the shore. When the water gets too shallow I stand up and march over to Casl, hands on my hips I say "But since no one felt like joining besides Beck, who by the way still hasn't lost his pants"I call over my shoulder,"I guess I'll just get dressed. You guys really should try it though, its so nice just to be free..."I pout. I'm sure they don't understand that I just wanted to do something fun. Reaching up I snag the shorts out of his hand and shimmy into them. "When you're done using the top, I wouldn't mind having it back either." I grin crossing my arms over my chest.

[/size]

Calypso snatched the shell from his fingers and looked at Casl for a moment, probably studying to see if he meant what he said. "Hmm, ok, but only because you're nice too," Casl smiled at her comment, an realized it was the only nice thing anyone had said to him all day. With that thought in his head, Casl reevaluated what he had done so far that day. Okay Casl let's look at the negatives: Lost the game and then my shorts, public nudity ensued; met a couple nice girls, upset both of them and got slapped; nearly started a fight, upset a couple more girls and now I'm picking up seashells instead of working out or eating. And the positives? Rosalita is naked, and I'm pretty sure I've stopped making an ass of myself. Hopefully. Just as he tried to confirm that he wasn't making himself look stupid, he noticed Zylona make a bit of a face at him when he asked her his question, like she was caught off guard at the simplicity of his question.  "It's when the skeleton is on the outside of the body. From the Lat-" she paused, probably biting her tongue before she listed of more syllables than Casl could keep up with,  "It's most common in crustaceans, like crabs and so on." Casl stopped and processed what she said for a moment before looking back to her. This was when he first realized how absolutely small she was, for some reason Casl ha not entirely focused on Zylona yet but now it seemed to him that she could easily be the youngest of the group. And she is still smarter than me. Well that's just beautiful. Once Casl understood what she had explained he answered, "Oh ok. So it's kinda like a shell?" Normally he was more talkative, but he didn't feel comfortable enough to have much of a conversation with her. She uses too many big words, who's she trying to impress anyway? Truth is, Casl was worried he wasn't smart enough, but he wouldn't let the others know. 

Then, Rosalita managed to throw he clothes off without him noticing a thing, and he couldn't help but stand in shock with the others, except Casl took much longer to recover from the surprise. "If you don't close your mouth a bug might fly in." Leila reprimanded him, clearly annoyed with how Rosalita had once again become the center of his attention. "Don't you dare drop that seashell. If it breaks then I will beat you up," Obviously, Calypso felt the same way. Embarrassed that he had been caught staring, Casl's mouth snapped shut and he was able to respond, "Oh -uh, I'm sorry. And I won't." Casl held the shell in his huge palm, with his fingers wrapped delicately around it. Normally, he hated being told if he was soon something wrong or if someone else didn't like his actions, but he hated the idea of disappointing these two girls who had given him a second chance. "Playing dress up Casl? I think that bikini top might be a little small." 

Casl heard the voice over his shoulder and saw Saxon walking up the beach approaching them. It would be an overstatement to say Casl and Saxon didn't like each other, but they weren't best friends either. Casl just didn't understand Saxon, he had never put in the effort to get to know the other boy well because he confused Casl. Saxon was a fine Career, but sometimes it seemed like he was just going through the motions. Casl had never really been called a tactful or observant person, but he had a keen sense of when someone wasn't putting their full effort into training; he had been around it and putting his heart into it as long as he could remember. In the gym or on the field or beach half the time it seemed as if Saxon would rather be somewhere else. Maybe Casl just wasn't open minded enough to understand that there were other things that could be fulfilling, but either way he couldn't figure out Saxon. He was enough competition to catch Casl's attention, but Casl couldn't figure out if Saxon didn't like to train, or if he just knew something Casl didn't. Regardless Casl generally like the boy, he loved mist of his fellow Careers, there was just too much under the surface for Casl to figure out about him. He met Saxon with a smile and extended his arm to shake hands and let out a small laugh at his comment. "How's it going, bud?"

Before Casl could try and explain why he had Rosalita's clothes and catch up Saxon on recent events, Calypso's voice rang in his ear. Hey I was about to tell him to put it on!" Casl was surprised at her comment, he thought that Saxon was just making a harmless joke but Calypso didn't seem like she was joking.  "But that pink really brings out his eyes don't you think?" Leila chimed in. Casl laughed, she's just joking, right? "And those shorts would really show off his legs, I think," Alaric added, Casl still wasn't very used to his voice and was caught off guard at him playing along. Casl also saw the full bag of shells he handed Calypso and noted that Alaric had been flying under his  radar all along.How did he fill that so fast? Before he could answer any of them, even Zylona donated her own funny quip: "Well, I think it would look better with some matching eyeshadow, or some lip gloss." Casl quickly found out that the idea of him cross-dressing in clothes meant for a female half his size was quite popular. They can't be serious... As if on cue, Calypso's pretty voice piped up again "Stay still," his muscles obediently stiffened and Casl stood rigid before he even thought about listening to the command, and felt the pink bikini top slip out of his fingers. Then again, I've been wrong before.

Calypso clambered up his back, and Casl put his palms facing up behind him at the small of his back to help her out but once she was securely balanced her slight frame felt weightless. The top was squeezed over his head and neck before Casl had time to protest. Calypso admired her handiwork: a Goliath of a boy wearing a pink bikini top that looked more like a bib with how high it rested on his broad neck and chest. "Lovely!" Clearly, she was quite satisfied. Casl glanced down and was immediately grateful that there weren't any cameras or mirrors nearby. 'No turning back now,' Casl told himself as he thought about how to play along with everyone. He knew Beck would never be caught dead wearing the top, so this was his chance to separate himself from Beck and have a sense of humor that was at his own expense. "Well I always knew I had the potential," Casl began addressing his audience, he loved the attention, "but this confirms it, " he said with authority. "I might be the prettiest girl on the beach. What do you guys think?" he smiled and gave a 360 degree turn for everyone to appreciate his new look.  "Trying to show me how its done Casl? I think you fill it out even better than I do!" Rosalita laughed and validated his effort to entertain his audience. He had no idea she was watching, but Casl hoped everyone else appreciated his humor. Beck made a comment about 'coming out' and as much as Casl wanted to tell him to shove it, he figured another confrontation would kill any momentum he had built up makin new friends. Plus, Beck was in the water so why bother? Then, Rosalita managed to shock him again.

"But since no one felt like joining besides Beck, who by the way still hasn't lost his pants, I guess I'll just get dressed. You guys really should try it though, its so nice just to be free..." she exited the water, unashamed of her austerity. If Casl looked like a buffoon staring at her earlier, he didn't want to know what he looked like now that he actually was seeing her naked, not to mention his outfit. "Well, Rosie, normally the girl loses them for me, but I guess that comes after dinner, right?" Beck made another loaded remark, but it only made Casl smirk. Last I checked, she had taken them off to catch my attention. Rosalita approached him and it took all of Casl's willpower to focus: It's just a naked girl. It's just a naked girl... She walked right up to him and snatched the shorts out of his fingers.C'mon Casl, you can do this. Just... Maintain... Eye contact. His mental coaching did not help at all: his eyes deviated between the ground, her eyes, and her body;  he couldn't stay focused. "When you're done using the top, I wouldn't mind having it back either." She smiled triumphantly at Casl while he struggled and crossed her arms. With Rosalita mostly unexposed Casl regained some composure and decided he had two options: be cocky or be silent. He opted for the first choice and with a confident grin answered Rosalita, "Tell you what: even though I think the top fits me little better, I'll give it back if you kiss me." Casl leaned down enough for her to reach and pointed to his cheek with his index finger, waiting to see if she would take him up on his bargain.

The smile on Leila's face only grew as everyone put in their own bit about what would make Casl look 'pretty.' As Calypso threw her arms around Alaric in a hug, Leila laughed and watched Alaric's surprised expression. I'm really starting to like her, she thought as she watched Calypso scurry onto Casl's back and somehow got the pink bikini top over his head. The was Casl made sure the small girl didn't fall caused Leila's anger towards him to ebb away.

"I might be the prettiest girl on the beach. What do you guys think?" Casl asked with an unsure grin. Leila couldn't help but laugh, "Of course. I'm so jealous right now, Casl. You pull that pink top off way better than I ever could," she joked. Glancing up at Calypso who was still perched high on his back, Leila gave her a friendly grin and high five. "You did a good job. I think you'll need to give me a makeover sometime."

"..since no one felt like joining besides Beck, who by the way still hasn't lost his pants, I guess I'll just get dressed. You guys really should try it though, its so nice just to be free..." came Rosalita's voice and Leila watched as the girl sauntered back onto the sand with her head held high. Shaking her head, Leila looked at the cool ocean water and wished she had gone for a swim. But without a swimsuit, it's not happening. I'm not going skinny dipping in front of people, she thought and her cheeks burned slightly at just the idea.

Leila watched as Rosalita waited for Casl to return her top and she couldn't help roll her eyes at the way Beck and Casl stared at her. Glancing at Alaric, she noticed he quickly diverted his eyes from the semi nude girl and this gave her a bit of hope for the male population. Leila couldn't see Saxon's reaction since he was behind her, but she momentarily wondered whether he was staring or looking away. Huh, I know he isn't like most Careers but I wonder what he thinks of this, she mused to herself. The unsure look on Casl's face vanished and a cocky expression quickly took its place. "Tell you what: even though I think the top fits me little better, I'll give it back if you kiss me." he offered and Leila's gaze flickered to Rosalita as she wondered if the girl would take that offer or continue standing without a top.

"Hey Saxon," Alaric called, "Here to join the party?" he asked before indicating to the group as a whole. Leila glanced at the Career boy behind her and gave him a narrowed stare. "You brought the chips didn't you? Because otherwise you will have totally ruined the party," she said although she knew he would see the smile behind her words.

Saxon grinned at Casl and returned the hand shake as Casl asked, How's it going,bud?" Saxon shrugged, "Fine. Just came over to see what all the noise was about. I could hear all of you from my house!" Glancing over the rest of the group, he confirmed his suspicions about who else was here. "But that pink really brings out his eyes don't you think?"Leila spoke up with a playful smile and Saxon laughed as the others soon joined in with teasing jabs at the large boy holding the pink top. Maybe I'll hang around here for a bit, he decided, grinning wildly as each person took their turns with suggestions such as makeup and how 'good Casl's legs would look'.

Suddenly, Zylona spoke up and Saxon felt his eyebrows raise at how blunt she was being for such a quite girl. "Sorry, who are you?" she asked and he quickly held out his hand. Oh, sorry. I'm Saxon," he introduced with a small bow. As he waited for the fiery haired girl to return his gesture, Saxon noticed the usual energy that lit up Calypso had suddenly dimmed. "Sorry if that answer seemed stupid," she said with a fake smile and he immediately made it his duty to bring a real smile onto her face. "Hey Calypso, from what I saw walking over here, you were pushing these Career guys around easily. Give them a break before you make them cry! You're so intimidating that I think they peed their pants," he said, before affectionately ruffling the small blonde girl's hair.

As Alaric rejoined the group and handed Calypso a bag that appeared to be filled with shells, the girl quickly wrapped herself around him in a constricting hug. Saxon chuckled at Alaric's surprised expression as he awkwardly patted her back. "That's the best hug you can give, Alaric? Calypso completely showed you up!" he declared, still focused on cheering up the usually bubbly girl. After Calypso scaled Casl's back and dressed him in the tiny top, the large Career boy began posing and exclaiming how he was the 'prettiest girl'. Giving a wolf whistle, Saxon heard Leila tease,"Of course. I'm so jealous right now, Casl. You pull that pink top off way better than I ever could." With a scoff, Saxon disagreed, "Nahh, you girls don't need to worry about Casl stealing your beauty. I personally don't need to ever see him dressed in only a bikini." He quickly shook his head as if to rid himself of such horrifying mental images.

Without warning, Rosalita began wadding through the ocean water, ignoring Beck, and approached the group on the sand. Saxon felt his jaw go slack, but managed to divert his eyes and lock his mouth shut. Seashells, seashells, seashells, he mentally chanted over and over so that he wouldn't end up staring at the nude girl only feet away from him. With a final shake of his head, Saxon regained composure and looked up to see Casl giving Rosalita a smirk before offering a trade: a kiss for her top. Saxon shook his head as Zylona piped up, "So, we've gone from Career fights to..." As she trailed off, he could put the words she had left out in by himself. Well this is certainly...interesting he thought.

"Hey Saxon, here to join the party?" Alaric called out and Saxon gave him a grin. "Party? More like a mad house," he said as he surveyed the odd gathering. Each person had a different personality and yet they were all pulled together. Suddenly, Leila swiveled around with a serious expression, "You brought the chips didn't you? Because otherwise you will have totally ruined the party." Saxon could see the teasing glint in her brown eyes and the suppressed smile in her voice. Pulling on a frantic look, he quickly began patting himself all over and searching around. "Oh no! I knew I forgot something!" he cried with an overdramatic flip of his hair.

So that's how you want to play big boy? You really want to put me up to this? With a smirk I turn around and plant one on each of the guys, nothing sloppy just a smooch, and make my way back to Casl before standing in front of him with my hands on my hips. "Kisses aren't bargaining chips with me doll-face." I grin as I move up to kiss his cheek and sticking out my tongue as I pulled back hand for my top.

Its not like these boys were stupid, they knew the game I was playing, and hopefully they understood it was all in good fun. Don't get me wrong they were all great guys but I just wanted a bit of fun today. Tapping my foot I looked up at Casl, "Soooo are we square or do I need to do this all over again?" Without an answer I reach up and untie my top and pull it over me and with a wink turn back to Alaric, "so can you tie this for me? I'm not sure Casl would be so kind"

I sweep my hair up with one hand, showing my exposed back to Alaric while keeping my eyes glued to Casl. Beck is the farthest thing from my mind after the gay comment, he just killed any shot he had. I was open minded and anyone who could say something so awful wasn't worth my time. Looking over to him I rolled my eyes and shot a get lost creep look his way. Arching my back I waited to see if I'd feel Alaric's slender fingers tying my goodies back into their rightful places.




[OOC-I'm sorry its so short and took so long, but the games are way more writing intense than I thought!]

[/size]