(no subject)
When Rain Falls
Author: Lady Macbeth
Story: Butterfly Effect
Character: Juliet
Timeframe: September 2003 - Daisy is 19, Juliet is 18
Challenge: Milk Chocolate #7 [(in)tolerance], Green Tea #4 [Afternoon]
Topping: Rainbow Sprinkles
Word Count: 2,265
Summary: Juliet was shy. Did that stop Daisy?
Juliet was one of the first people signed in and into her dorm. The day was already beginning to become hot. Her Residential Advisor, a young Sophomore with blond hair and a cheery smile grinned at Juliet.
“Hey, I’m Meg.” She introduced herself, flicking her hair and smiling, her attitude striking Juliet as quintessentially American. “You’re here early. Do you need any held with carrying things up?”
“No. I came from Germany so that’s all I have.” Meg looked at the two suitcases doubtfully. “I’m planning to go to IKEA sometime this week.” Juliet added quickly, the palm of her hands beginning to sweat and her voice shaking slightly. Was she doing something wrong?
“Don’t worry.” Meg seemed to see the fear in Juliet’s eyes. “Its fine. I can even lend you some bed sheets for the week.” Meg smiled encouragingly.
“Really?” Relief washed through Juliet. At least she didn’t need to sleep in a sleeping bag for a week.
“Yeah, sure.” Meg smiled. She disappeared into her room and came back with some white sheets. “What room are you?” She asked.
“Ten.” Juliet replied, consulting her keys.
“Oh, so you’re Juliet Pollock!” the girl grinned at her. There was a sign on each door with two names on it. Juliet was sharing her room with someone called Daisy Young, according to the sheets of paper. Meg took Juliet’s key and unlocked the door.
“How did you know I wasn’t Daisy?” Juliet asked, surprised as they stepped into a large room.
“You don’t look like a Daisy. Which bed do you want?” Meg grinned.
“Which one’s better?” Juliet asked, her eyes flickering between the identical beds, confused and her voice betraying worry.
“This one.” Meg assured Juliet, taking the bed further away from the door. She dumped the bed sheets on it. “That desk and that closet are yours.” Meg told Juliet. “I would get unpacked as quickly as possible. Do you have any hangers with you?” Juliet shook her head. “I can lend you one or two, but I would go down to the Duane Read on 110th St. to buy some in the afternoon.” Meg advised. Juliet nodded mutely again. “Wonderful. I’ll be watching TV if you have any questions.” Juliet nodded again.
Meg disappeared and Juliet slowly started unpacking her two bags. She hung up her two dresses, putting her blouses on a neatly folded pile to remember to buy hangers for. She would need a desk lamp too, she realised. She’d brought her own alarm clock, so she set it up before she realised she didn’t have an adaptor. Better add that to the list too.
There were voices in the hallway. Juliet looked out of her room, which was at the farthest end of the suite. A father and mother had arrived with their fresh faced daughter. After long introductions the new girl, Lara walked into the room closest to the bathroom. She had eight large moving boxes as well as three suitcases. No wonder Meg had been surprised by Juliet and her two bags filled with clothes.
As the morning gave way to noon more and more people trickled in, who Juliet watched Meg welcome as she curled up in the corner, this American kindness and friendliness lost on her. She was feeling unsure and shaky and nodding at all the girls, watching fearfully for Daisy Young, her roommate.
Meg was lovely. She was cheerful and on the track team. She enjoyed baking and she hadn’t decided on her major yet. She was running a race next Saturday. She didn’t have a boyfriend, yet. She liked partying. She was surprised when Juliet said she didn’t like vodka and cranberry juice; she preferred plain vodka, in shots. Juliet didn’t look like that kind of person to drink. Meg greeted more girls. Juliet was an artist; that didn’t surprise the RA. The girl looked like an artist.
“Who are we missing?” Meg clapped her hands. It had just gone two o’clock. She’d win the race if everyone was here.
“Daisy.” Juliet replied.
“Are you English?” Juliet looked up at the girl who’d asked that, her voice bright. Next to her stood an equally curious guy. The guy was called Steven. He and his roommate, Greg, were in the room next to Juliet’s. She hadn’t realised that the suites were mixed.
“I’m not English. I hate them.” Juliet whispered, unfolding herself from her chair and leaving the room.
“Was it something I said?” the girl asked, surprised, taking Juliet’s seat. The two guys shrugged. They hadn’t heard anything wired.
Juliet sat in her room, having closed the door. When the door opened, she half expected it to be Meg, telling her something or other about the situation in the suite, like she had been during the morning. Instead a young woman walked in, followed by two large burly men and one shorted man. They were all carrying boxes.
“Right, Frank, can you put the fridge under the desk. Put the shoes in the closet Howard and Teddy, just dump those clothes on the ground there. You must be Juliet?” She was tall, with tanned skin and dirty blond hair. She spoke with a southern accent. She was well built and well toned and Juliet couldn’t but help but appraise her. She was definitely beautiful, though in as rough way. Her hair was bobbed and she smiled at Juliet happily. Her brothers (they all had the same blue eyes), muttered something like “Yes Ma’m” under their breaths and put down the boxes arduously.
Juliet knew exactly what the prejudice of southern people was; they were religious, racist and homophobic. Please, dear Lord, don’t let her be like that. Juliet prayed. She wouldn’t be able to deal with that. Not now anyway.
“Nice to meet you.” Juliet replied, unfurling from her position leaning against the wall and jumping down to shake this woman’s hand. “Do you need any help?” Juliet offered when the boys returned with more boxes.
“Oh no.” Daisy smiled, waving the offer off. “We have one more load of boxes in the car and then I’m done. That’s what I have athletic brothers for, ey?” She grinned at her brothers.
“You are so lucky, having Daisy as your room mate, Juliet.” The largest of the three told Juliet with a grin. “I’m Frank, by the way.” He introduced himself, extending a hand.
“Howard.” The equally athletic, though slightly younger one shook Juliet’s hand too. The third, short and skinny with no muscles at all, grinned happily.
“Theodore, but call me Teddy. And Frank’s not kidding when he say’s you’re the luckiest person alive. Daisy’s a nutcase.”
“I’m right here.” Daisy told her brother. “And you may be older, Teddy, but I think I can still pummel the shit out of you.” He laughed nervously at her threat.
“I’m just joking.” He quick assured Juliet. “How about we got those last things, D? You can stay here and get to know your new roommate.” He offered.
“’Kay.” Daisy had a slight lilt to her talking; a slight drawl. She smiled at Juliet. “Shall I introduce myself?” She offered, grinning. “My name’s Daisy, I am the youngest of four siblings and I have four brothers. Me and Teddy are the first going to university. Teddy’s gone to Michigan State. He’s majoring in Business. Anyway, Howard’s a mechanic for BMW and Frank’s working at my dad’s construction company. I was in the army for nine months last year, which explains why I’m a year older than everyone else. I didn’t like it though, so I dropped out.” Daisy shrugged. “That’s it, I suppose.”
Juliet nodded slowly, taking things in. “Why’d you join the army?” she asked.
“I wanted to give my mother a heart attack.” Juliet smiled as Daisy grinned at her.
“Did it work?” Juliet asked.
“Nope. She’s still alive and kicking.” Juliet laughed at that.
“My condolences.” She told Daisy with a smirk.
“I don’t need those as much as an assassin.” Daisy joked.
“I assume you and your mother don’t get on well then?”
“You can say that again. She left us,” Daisy waved towards her door where her brothers had disappeared to, “with our father when I was four. He’s really been the one not only making the money for food, but also then cooking food. He went out on a date for the first time when I was fourteen. My dad’s the best. My mother, on the other hand, didn’t communicate with us for five years after she left my Dad (for no apparent reason) and then came back into our lives and expected us to let her in. My Dad made her leave though. She’s always trying to make me a debutant though.” Daisy scowled. “I hate dresses. She can’t seem to accept that though. Hence the whole me joining the military.”
Juliet smiled at that, though she sobered up quickly. “I’m sorry to hear that. Tell me about you. Do you have any family issues?”
Juliet shrugged. “I have an international family; my Mom’s German American, my Dad’s American but we’ve lived in New York, France, Germany and the UK. I hate England and the English, but I’ve lived there long enough to pick up the accent. I’m working on loosing it though.” Juliet smiled weakly.
Daisy’s brother came in, saving Juliet from filling out the massive gaps in her biography. They brought the last of the boxes and hugged their sister goodbye. “We’re coming down from Thanksgiving.” Frank assured her, hugging her fiercely.
“You can call us anytime and we’ll pick you up.” Howard added, hugging her.
“University’s not that scary after the first week.” Teddy assured her, hugging her last.
“I’ll miss you guys.” Daisy assured her three brothers, wiping something from the corner of her eye. “I’ll email you!”
“Nice meeting you.” Frank waved to Juliet. The others murmured in agreement and wished Juliet luck before leaving. “Right.” Daisy turned to her boxes, wiping something from her face as she turned away from Juliet. “Now for the unpacking.”
“Do you want help?” Juliet offered. Daisy smiled in gratitude.
“Yes, please. Do you mind unpacking that box of books?”
“No, of course not.” Juliet dragged the heavy box from the door to the desk where she sat down and carefully started unpacking the books. Familiar titles jumped out to her. Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jorge Luis Borges, Isabel Allende, Albert Camus, Joseph Conrad… “You like Camus?”
Daisy looked up from the question. “The Outsider is one of my favourite books in the world.” She admitted. “My brothers think its morbid I love a book about a murderer, but to be honest, it’s just so… I don’t know how to describe it. Camus describes the heat so well!” Daisy smiled; she’d managed to say what she’d been thinking.
“Oh, I know. I actually prefer it in French.” Juliet admitted, putting the battered copy on the desk and stroking it carefully before she bent down to pick up another jumbled century in literature. William Golding, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Alice Munro… “Do you like her?” Juliet held up Munro’s newest book.
“Oh, yes. I love her.” Daisy smiled at the cover. “She’s just so amazing. I don’t know how people can’t recognise the wonderfully intricate stories she’s written.” Juliet nodded in agreement.
“Can I borrow some of these?” She asked as she finished with Hemmingway, Heller and Edgar Allen Poe.
“Sure, sure.” Daisy smiled. “I meant to say earlier we can share my fridge and food too. We can do a joint budget or something because according to Meg John Jay food is awful. I’m only on a partial meal plan, which means I need to make my own food anyway…”
Juliet grinned. “That sounds fantastic. I have some oatmeal here, if you want some of that.”
“Oatmeal?” Daisy furrowed her brows.
“It’s the cheapest breakfast in the world. Deja taught me that. You add water and put it in the microwave and ‘tada!’ you have a disgusting but highly nutritious and filling breakfast!” Daisy laughed as Juliet showed her the box of Quackers flavoured oatmeal that stood among her water bottle next to her bed.
“Wow. I never knew oatmeal was that awesome.” Daisy joked.
“You’re missing out, sister.” Juliet assured Daisy, putting the oatmeal on her bedside table carefully. “Anyway, shall we see what the Suite’s up too? Meg was telling me some tips of survival here and I want to hear them.”
“Survival here is gonna be easy, Juliet.” Daisy assured Juliet with a lazy grin. “We go to the correct classes at the correct time, with enough coffee and voila! The world is ours.”
“I didn’t mean survival at the school.” Juliet replied, opening the door and grinning at Daisy. “I meant survival here in New York, and by survival I meant the best places to get in until I get a fake ID.”
“That type of survival.” Daisy jumped down from her bed and quickly followed Juliet into the common room. “Why didn’t you say so?”
Juliet just laughed. Why had she been worried? Daisy seemed wonderful. There was nothing to worry about. Yet.
She slipped on her jeans jacket. She felt like going out after this. She could feel the pen in her outside pocket pushing against her. She didn’t touch it. This was a new start, and even though she wasn’t quite ready to throw out the pen, she was ready to ignore it.
For a little bit anyway.
Author: Lady Macbeth
Story: Butterfly Effect
Character: Juliet
Timeframe: September 2003 - Daisy is 19, Juliet is 18
Challenge: Milk Chocolate #7 [(in)tolerance], Green Tea #4 [Afternoon]
Topping: Rainbow Sprinkles
Word Count: 2,265
Summary: Juliet was shy. Did that stop Daisy?
Juliet was one of the first people signed in and into her dorm. The day was already beginning to become hot. Her Residential Advisor, a young Sophomore with blond hair and a cheery smile grinned at Juliet.
“Hey, I’m Meg.” She introduced herself, flicking her hair and smiling, her attitude striking Juliet as quintessentially American. “You’re here early. Do you need any held with carrying things up?”
“No. I came from Germany so that’s all I have.” Meg looked at the two suitcases doubtfully. “I’m planning to go to IKEA sometime this week.” Juliet added quickly, the palm of her hands beginning to sweat and her voice shaking slightly. Was she doing something wrong?
“Don’t worry.” Meg seemed to see the fear in Juliet’s eyes. “Its fine. I can even lend you some bed sheets for the week.” Meg smiled encouragingly.
“Really?” Relief washed through Juliet. At least she didn’t need to sleep in a sleeping bag for a week.
“Yeah, sure.” Meg smiled. She disappeared into her room and came back with some white sheets. “What room are you?” She asked.
“Ten.” Juliet replied, consulting her keys.
“Oh, so you’re Juliet Pollock!” the girl grinned at her. There was a sign on each door with two names on it. Juliet was sharing her room with someone called Daisy Young, according to the sheets of paper. Meg took Juliet’s key and unlocked the door.
“How did you know I wasn’t Daisy?” Juliet asked, surprised as they stepped into a large room.
“You don’t look like a Daisy. Which bed do you want?” Meg grinned.
“Which one’s better?” Juliet asked, her eyes flickering between the identical beds, confused and her voice betraying worry.
“This one.” Meg assured Juliet, taking the bed further away from the door. She dumped the bed sheets on it. “That desk and that closet are yours.” Meg told Juliet. “I would get unpacked as quickly as possible. Do you have any hangers with you?” Juliet shook her head. “I can lend you one or two, but I would go down to the Duane Read on 110th St. to buy some in the afternoon.” Meg advised. Juliet nodded mutely again. “Wonderful. I’ll be watching TV if you have any questions.” Juliet nodded again.
Meg disappeared and Juliet slowly started unpacking her two bags. She hung up her two dresses, putting her blouses on a neatly folded pile to remember to buy hangers for. She would need a desk lamp too, she realised. She’d brought her own alarm clock, so she set it up before she realised she didn’t have an adaptor. Better add that to the list too.
There were voices in the hallway. Juliet looked out of her room, which was at the farthest end of the suite. A father and mother had arrived with their fresh faced daughter. After long introductions the new girl, Lara walked into the room closest to the bathroom. She had eight large moving boxes as well as three suitcases. No wonder Meg had been surprised by Juliet and her two bags filled with clothes.
As the morning gave way to noon more and more people trickled in, who Juliet watched Meg welcome as she curled up in the corner, this American kindness and friendliness lost on her. She was feeling unsure and shaky and nodding at all the girls, watching fearfully for Daisy Young, her roommate.
Meg was lovely. She was cheerful and on the track team. She enjoyed baking and she hadn’t decided on her major yet. She was running a race next Saturday. She didn’t have a boyfriend, yet. She liked partying. She was surprised when Juliet said she didn’t like vodka and cranberry juice; she preferred plain vodka, in shots. Juliet didn’t look like that kind of person to drink. Meg greeted more girls. Juliet was an artist; that didn’t surprise the RA. The girl looked like an artist.
“Who are we missing?” Meg clapped her hands. It had just gone two o’clock. She’d win the race if everyone was here.
“Daisy.” Juliet replied.
“Are you English?” Juliet looked up at the girl who’d asked that, her voice bright. Next to her stood an equally curious guy. The guy was called Steven. He and his roommate, Greg, were in the room next to Juliet’s. She hadn’t realised that the suites were mixed.
“I’m not English. I hate them.” Juliet whispered, unfolding herself from her chair and leaving the room.
“Was it something I said?” the girl asked, surprised, taking Juliet’s seat. The two guys shrugged. They hadn’t heard anything wired.
Juliet sat in her room, having closed the door. When the door opened, she half expected it to be Meg, telling her something or other about the situation in the suite, like she had been during the morning. Instead a young woman walked in, followed by two large burly men and one shorted man. They were all carrying boxes.
“Right, Frank, can you put the fridge under the desk. Put the shoes in the closet Howard and Teddy, just dump those clothes on the ground there. You must be Juliet?” She was tall, with tanned skin and dirty blond hair. She spoke with a southern accent. She was well built and well toned and Juliet couldn’t but help but appraise her. She was definitely beautiful, though in as rough way. Her hair was bobbed and she smiled at Juliet happily. Her brothers (they all had the same blue eyes), muttered something like “Yes Ma’m” under their breaths and put down the boxes arduously.
Juliet knew exactly what the prejudice of southern people was; they were religious, racist and homophobic. Please, dear Lord, don’t let her be like that. Juliet prayed. She wouldn’t be able to deal with that. Not now anyway.
“Nice to meet you.” Juliet replied, unfurling from her position leaning against the wall and jumping down to shake this woman’s hand. “Do you need any help?” Juliet offered when the boys returned with more boxes.
“Oh no.” Daisy smiled, waving the offer off. “We have one more load of boxes in the car and then I’m done. That’s what I have athletic brothers for, ey?” She grinned at her brothers.
“You are so lucky, having Daisy as your room mate, Juliet.” The largest of the three told Juliet with a grin. “I’m Frank, by the way.” He introduced himself, extending a hand.
“Howard.” The equally athletic, though slightly younger one shook Juliet’s hand too. The third, short and skinny with no muscles at all, grinned happily.
“Theodore, but call me Teddy. And Frank’s not kidding when he say’s you’re the luckiest person alive. Daisy’s a nutcase.”
“I’m right here.” Daisy told her brother. “And you may be older, Teddy, but I think I can still pummel the shit out of you.” He laughed nervously at her threat.
“I’m just joking.” He quick assured Juliet. “How about we got those last things, D? You can stay here and get to know your new roommate.” He offered.
“’Kay.” Daisy had a slight lilt to her talking; a slight drawl. She smiled at Juliet. “Shall I introduce myself?” She offered, grinning. “My name’s Daisy, I am the youngest of four siblings and I have four brothers. Me and Teddy are the first going to university. Teddy’s gone to Michigan State. He’s majoring in Business. Anyway, Howard’s a mechanic for BMW and Frank’s working at my dad’s construction company. I was in the army for nine months last year, which explains why I’m a year older than everyone else. I didn’t like it though, so I dropped out.” Daisy shrugged. “That’s it, I suppose.”
Juliet nodded slowly, taking things in. “Why’d you join the army?” she asked.
“I wanted to give my mother a heart attack.” Juliet smiled as Daisy grinned at her.
“Did it work?” Juliet asked.
“Nope. She’s still alive and kicking.” Juliet laughed at that.
“My condolences.” She told Daisy with a smirk.
“I don’t need those as much as an assassin.” Daisy joked.
“I assume you and your mother don’t get on well then?”
“You can say that again. She left us,” Daisy waved towards her door where her brothers had disappeared to, “with our father when I was four. He’s really been the one not only making the money for food, but also then cooking food. He went out on a date for the first time when I was fourteen. My dad’s the best. My mother, on the other hand, didn’t communicate with us for five years after she left my Dad (for no apparent reason) and then came back into our lives and expected us to let her in. My Dad made her leave though. She’s always trying to make me a debutant though.” Daisy scowled. “I hate dresses. She can’t seem to accept that though. Hence the whole me joining the military.”
Juliet smiled at that, though she sobered up quickly. “I’m sorry to hear that. Tell me about you. Do you have any family issues?”
Juliet shrugged. “I have an international family; my Mom’s German American, my Dad’s American but we’ve lived in New York, France, Germany and the UK. I hate England and the English, but I’ve lived there long enough to pick up the accent. I’m working on loosing it though.” Juliet smiled weakly.
Daisy’s brother came in, saving Juliet from filling out the massive gaps in her biography. They brought the last of the boxes and hugged their sister goodbye. “We’re coming down from Thanksgiving.” Frank assured her, hugging her fiercely.
“You can call us anytime and we’ll pick you up.” Howard added, hugging her.
“University’s not that scary after the first week.” Teddy assured her, hugging her last.
“I’ll miss you guys.” Daisy assured her three brothers, wiping something from the corner of her eye. “I’ll email you!”
“Nice meeting you.” Frank waved to Juliet. The others murmured in agreement and wished Juliet luck before leaving. “Right.” Daisy turned to her boxes, wiping something from her face as she turned away from Juliet. “Now for the unpacking.”
“Do you want help?” Juliet offered. Daisy smiled in gratitude.
“Yes, please. Do you mind unpacking that box of books?”
“No, of course not.” Juliet dragged the heavy box from the door to the desk where she sat down and carefully started unpacking the books. Familiar titles jumped out to her. Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jorge Luis Borges, Isabel Allende, Albert Camus, Joseph Conrad… “You like Camus?”
Daisy looked up from the question. “The Outsider is one of my favourite books in the world.” She admitted. “My brothers think its morbid I love a book about a murderer, but to be honest, it’s just so… I don’t know how to describe it. Camus describes the heat so well!” Daisy smiled; she’d managed to say what she’d been thinking.
“Oh, I know. I actually prefer it in French.” Juliet admitted, putting the battered copy on the desk and stroking it carefully before she bent down to pick up another jumbled century in literature. William Golding, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, George Orwell, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Alice Munro… “Do you like her?” Juliet held up Munro’s newest book.
“Oh, yes. I love her.” Daisy smiled at the cover. “She’s just so amazing. I don’t know how people can’t recognise the wonderfully intricate stories she’s written.” Juliet nodded in agreement.
“Can I borrow some of these?” She asked as she finished with Hemmingway, Heller and Edgar Allen Poe.
“Sure, sure.” Daisy smiled. “I meant to say earlier we can share my fridge and food too. We can do a joint budget or something because according to Meg John Jay food is awful. I’m only on a partial meal plan, which means I need to make my own food anyway…”
Juliet grinned. “That sounds fantastic. I have some oatmeal here, if you want some of that.”
“Oatmeal?” Daisy furrowed her brows.
“It’s the cheapest breakfast in the world. Deja taught me that. You add water and put it in the microwave and ‘tada!’ you have a disgusting but highly nutritious and filling breakfast!” Daisy laughed as Juliet showed her the box of Quackers flavoured oatmeal that stood among her water bottle next to her bed.
“Wow. I never knew oatmeal was that awesome.” Daisy joked.
“You’re missing out, sister.” Juliet assured Daisy, putting the oatmeal on her bedside table carefully. “Anyway, shall we see what the Suite’s up too? Meg was telling me some tips of survival here and I want to hear them.”
“Survival here is gonna be easy, Juliet.” Daisy assured Juliet with a lazy grin. “We go to the correct classes at the correct time, with enough coffee and voila! The world is ours.”
“I didn’t mean survival at the school.” Juliet replied, opening the door and grinning at Daisy. “I meant survival here in New York, and by survival I meant the best places to get in until I get a fake ID.”
“That type of survival.” Daisy jumped down from her bed and quickly followed Juliet into the common room. “Why didn’t you say so?”
Juliet just laughed. Why had she been worried? Daisy seemed wonderful. There was nothing to worry about. Yet.
She slipped on her jeans jacket. She felt like going out after this. She could feel the pen in her outside pocket pushing against her. She didn’t touch it. This was a new start, and even though she wasn’t quite ready to throw out the pen, she was ready to ignore it.
For a little bit anyway.