' ' royal flush & hidden blush (Aura Academy.)

She was a strange girl to say the least. May people, even those in her own clique found her to be a complete oxymoron. She was one of those people who you could spend and entire lifetime with, but never understand no matter how hard you tried. She was out going and fun, but keot to herself as much as she could. She was open and honest, but never about herself. She was a girl with layers upon layers on her and she would set someone on fire before she even told anything about herself.

Right now, the walking oxymoron was hanging out inside the library. She never really cared much for rules. Growing up in a house filled with testosterone driven brothers, she learned the small value of rules in her life. They were meant to restrain. To curtail. To dominate. she was a flame, a thing that can never be kept in line unless you put it out. Naturally, since she hated the rules, she had no intentions whatsoever in following them unless it proved her purposes. Right then and there in the library, where she was supposed to be studying for some test during the next period, she was playing with her powers. Flicking fire on and off her fingers. Snapping. Creating noise. Creating fire in hopes of draining what bothersome boredom lingered within her. On. Click. Off. Click.

She scanned the room. The entire place was so drab and lifeless. The only music to resonate from the walls were the irritating sounds of pages being turned and throats being cleared. The librarian was shoving books into empty slots in the shelves. She saw students scribbling notes on phrases found in books. Everywhere around her, there was someone trying to concentrate...as it was study period. There she was, scatterbrained and bored, her brain skittering forward to anything from soccer to how peanut butter sandwiches would taste with chocolate shavings in it. Her brain didn't want to stay on one topic for long. It was fickle, just like her.

As she scanned the room further, they dropped on a certain person, one who liked to read more than he liked to breath. The guy she could say she was deeply in like with, but was deeply annoyed with him as well. He was a challenge and was never one to disappoint. He would do. She put out the fire in her fingers and stood up, making her way towards his table. She pulled a fresh packet of cards from her pocket, the new one that her father had sent her just last week and shuffled it as they walked. The click of her shoes and the shuffling sound of her cards made head turn her way and the librarian to say shhhh so many times that she had to shhh back. When the girl finally got to his table, she pulled up a chair and sat right in front of him. "hello there sunshine. i am bored off my witts." she said with a smile, not too sweet, but more of mischievous. "care for a quick ame of poker? i'll even let you win the first round."

He was never wrong about it. Shakespeare is indeed out of his mind for some reason. There are things that Edward cannot explain, but surely, he found something strange towards one of the books of the great remembered author. He was smiling to himself as he realized that he must be the only one who considered this book funny. Edward can be funny at some many points on his life and this was considered one of it. The library was his solemn safezone. He sat there, his eyes ran all throughout the book and his brows were all crumpled into one line. After laughing about something in the book, his concentration went back instantly and wanted to finish this book eagerly. If he wont be succesful, it would bother him for the rest of his day. So his eyes suddenly narrowed in concentration, reading every word carefully. He was so intent to his book that he barely noticed the scene the a girl had caused. He was so into the book that the moment she sat there in front of him, he gave a jump and looked around.

"hello there sunshine. i am bored off my witts." the girl smiled at him. Sunshine? Edward said to himself, eyes widened in horror. Do I look like a stuffed monkey to her? "care for a quick ame of poker? i'll even let you win the first round." Edward gave a sound in his throat; maybe something between a snigger and a groan. He leaned on his chair, looked at the girl and folded his arms. Slowly, his eyes roved all over the girl's appearance, trying to estimate what sort of person she is. He can remember passing her as he walked around the school, but just like any other people, he preferred to ignore her for she holds nothing important for him to say hi. After the "observation", Edward shook his head and help his book level on his face to block the eyesore from his sight. He cannot believe her, the way she addressed him, it was like she knew him that much. As though they are friends. Edward snorted to himself thinking about them being friends. It would be far from reality.

There was a sigh and it was the sign that Edward doesn't want to waste his time playing non-sense game and that he won't be speaking to her for he doesnt even know her name. If she was one of the people who can see him often, she couldve understood his actions by now. But she's not and so, she seemed to stay there, waiting for response. Edward finally felt discomfort being with her. And people can SEE! What would they think if they found him dating a girl in the library. Worse, she's asking him to play poker. Edward managed to endure her for a minute, and he concentrated more on the words in the page he had also been staring for the passed minute without any progress.

Why wont you leave? he said in his mind, wishing she can read mind and would storm out of the library. But his hopes were wrong and there was no change whatsoever. Edward was nearly near bursting point when he finally put down the book and took very deep breaths. His eyes were looking down at the table, trying to control his irritation. He then, turned sharply towards her and stared for a long time. He mulled the options that he can have on his mind, just to escape this pain in the neck.

I could leave, yes. he said, but why should I do it? I came here first in the first place. This thought only made his mood a lot more irritated. He wanted to run out of the place and into peace. But he wanted to finish the book and the outside boundaries of the library are full os distractions.

"Great." he muttered to himself, raising his gaze and his deep, cold eyes settled on her face. Somehow, when he pushed the anger off his bubbling head, she was pretty. Prettier than any other girls in the school. Or maybe she's just the normal pretty for him, for the other "pretty" girls in the school had went OVERLY pretty for his taste. Edward immediately shook his head and said Stop thinking about the enemy. He knew it was foolish to call her enemy, but he considered her that way now. She's an enemy who trespassed on his peace and solitude. A distraction of course, now that his brain had registered the fact that she's pretty, he wont be able to do his normal rude self to her anymore. Stupid mind.

After some more crucial seconds, he gave in and banged his hands on the table, a bit silently, so that only her could notice the pressure of it. "Im sorry." he said, his voice restrained and distant. "I. Dont. Play. Poker." And with that, he propped his book under his nose and wondered whether he even made a small effect on her without the full effort on his retort.

The thing about Noelle was, though she was a girl with a quick temper, like most of the pyrokenetic people were, she was also someone of great patience. This boy could procrastinate all he wanted. She didn't mind. It was not as if she hd anything better to do. If she did leave him alone, left him to win the silent battle going on between them, what would she do them? Run a muck in the school? Join her friends for a bit of trouble? Webchat or call one of her brothers? All seemed to be good options, but somehow there were little glitches in the so called plans. Number one, she couldn't get out of the room. It was class hours. Of course, she hated the formality of rules, but if her dad got one more note saying what a difficult child she's been, he just might as well explode and no amount of fire balls would help in that situation. Number two, if she were to leave him alone, that would leave her, once more in a state of boredom that can not be quelled by sitting down for the rest of the hour, counting sheep in her head. Number three, she ripped out a pack of fresh cards. There was no use doing that if she wasn't going to use them. Number four, she never, ever accepted defeat that easily. Finally, who said she wanted to leave.

Thus, with the decision in her mind set in stone, she continued to wait for a response, clearly seeing how much it annoyed him to no end. He seemed as if he was weighing his options as well. To tell you the truth, Noele never did put much stock on the whole logic thing. She was more of an act and see where it leads you kind of girl. Where ever the wind may drift her so to speak. She had been living like that for eighteen years now and somehow she is still standing. There was no use fixing what wasn't broke and so she continued like that, trusting a higher power for the right path. Right now, the higher power said, sit down. relax. Take a breather. He'll come around eventually. Who was she to disobey such an appealing suggestion?

Meanwhile, while he was still turning and tossing over the decision to be made, she scrutinized him under the pretense that she was shuffling cards. Stealing a glance every now and then, she noticed that her attraction to the irritating boy was justified indeed. He had a nice head of hair, tossled and wavy in a mahogany brown. His features were boyish, filled with youth which was in contrast to how he acted, mainly like an old fart. They way he acted he seemed like more of a fussy old grandpa than an enticing young man. Oh the male mind. Confusing and utterly useless to comprehend. But in comparison, didn't they say the exact same things about the female mind?

The amusement she fiound in her thoughts suddenly disappeared when a thud came from his side of the table. The silly boy had hammered his head on the table, making a sound that made the people scowl and contort their faces into unpleasant shapes. A thunder of shhh-ing sounds errupted from all directions and it only just made her laugh. "By looking at you, I never thought you'd have the potential to disturb the peace. I humbly stand corrected." she said with an amused look in her face. She looked behind at the annoyed people and once again lightly laughed when her eyes came upon his face again.

"Im sorry." he said, his voice restrained and distant. "I. Dont. Play. Poker."

His slightly childish actions made her smile. Alright. He now literally had his nose in a book. It was a funny sight, how metaphor came alive at that moment. "cheerful creature aren't you?" she said sarcastically. "and poker is pretty easy you know. all you really need is the ability to lie and sense a lie. you have that then you'll be champion in no time." that was why she loved this game, it was the only one that justified a good lie.

She wont surrender. Edward already knew what would happen and it didn't make him happy. Worse, it might even give him detention in case his mood would burst into rage of fury. But he never wanted that, though he is a rebel in disguise, he never wanted to put his family name into shame. His parents both boasted into him that they never had detention in their whole life, which brought pressure to the ever stubborn Edward. "and poker is pretty easy you know. all you really need is the ability to lie and sense a lie. you have that then you'll be champion in no time." He did nothing but shook his head behind the book. So she wanted to insist, then she'll have to go through his silent treatment. No one can force Edward to talk, and he can easily concentrate on his book though she could continue blabbing in front of him. Leaning back on his chair, he shifted his position sideways so he's not facing her anymore. He had never met anyone as pursuing as her, maybe she's just totally bored. But the problem is, he is not bored and he has a book that he badly wanted to get done.

Please, if anyone who can read minds, get this girl away from me. He said in his thoughts again. He knew he was being silly, and there could be really someone who could read minds inside the library. And soon enough, a girl passed by, shaking her head, looking at him. He felt more embarrassed, specially that more stares had been dumped on the two of them. Just to make the girl feel she's being ignored, Edward put the book down for awhile and took his phone. He typed a message and pressed the keypad slower than normal so it would take a lot of time. He wanted to do something so he wont be forced to play with her. And honestly, the real reason was that he dont know how to play such game. Yes, he already knew what poker is. He had been hearing it from other, but never actually saw a real game. Being beaten by a girl in a game he's not familiar with is suicide. He cannot be defeated by a girl, a highly irritating girl. He has his pride, a LOT of pride, and even if this girl know that he dont know how to play poker, it might kill him.

At once, the brows on his beautiful face joined in one crumpled line again, showing that he's nearly as annoyed as he can get. This is what he feared, though hesitant, he knew himself what he is capable, and what others thinks about him. It's all about his mood and his personality. He knew me might just let go after awhile. And he dreaded that fact; one thing is that she's a girl. Two, this is a library, he would die more if this would be taken away from him. Three, no detention please.

Why dont you just give it a try? a voice said inside his head. One of his hands turned into fist. A mind-reader is talking to him and he cannot even see him or her. Of all things, he dont like his privacy trespassed. And who is he/she to tell him what to do? It got more irritating than ever. Edward gave some few intake of breaths so that he can be relaxed. Is this torture being given to him? If this is torture, why with a girl? "And a pretty girl." Nudged his own mind. If only he's a guy, he could easily be scared away by his glare. But Edward's afraid to glare at her. Cause everytime he glares at a girl, they're more likely to follow you than avoid. What have I done to receive this bullshit?

A sigh, a glare, and then his eyes laid on her mischievous face again. By the look of her eyes, she wont really give up until what she wanted happen. But Edward thought that giving her what she wants is already called defeat. The book at the table was already screaming for him to be read, and it brought more beats on his heart. He knew, though it was too early, that it's coming ever so near. The one that he feared the most. His other, dangerous self. At once, he closed his eyes and centered on the darkness given by his closed eyelids. Control, Edward. You're better than this. Another deep breaths and he opened his golden-orbs again. He felt weakened. So defeat felt this way. He slumped back at his seat again and one of his hand grasped his hair. He was not looking at her but he said "Okay, let's play. But not poker." He grimaced. "I just dont like it."

[OOC: Rita, love, he might be rude now with my next post after your reply. Okais?]

Noelle was a kitchen brat. That was code name for chef's children. They were those kids who had no school activities and would rather spend time knowing about wines, fishes and mushrooms rather than being in cheer practice, chess meets and dates. In Nova, Noelle was the only kitchen brat that stuck. All the others seemed to go home before closing. She was there until the after hour chill outs. There were two things she loved about it, the heat and the sous chefs. Now the thing about the heat is probably obvious. She loved it. It made her comfortable. Slipping up with her powers was easier in a place enveloped by fire and flambe's. The sous chefs were amazing. Their flagrant disregard for swearing in front of a child, their uncensored humor, the fact that they reminded her of being in a house filled with brothers again. She loved just hanging around there and laughing. They were such a bad influence on her. When the restaurant closed late at night, they would hold their nightly poker game, gambling menu items and imaginary wealth that they were most likely not to have. While her dad did the administration shit, she took his regular spot in the poker table. At first, she lost big time, losing full ownership of Barney and even at one point losing her rights to put chocolate mousse on the menu. But after a while, she got good...really good. She started winning imaginary cars, mansions, veto power on artichoke. She grew to love the game as well as the people she played with. When she was old enough, she started playing with real money. Nickles of course, but she won the pot everyday.

When she moved to Aura, banished to Mutant High, she continued her ill habbit of gambling with the friendly locals. But it wasn't the winnings that mattered to her. It was more of the pleasure of winning. It was absolutely thrilling to win. She was almost addicted to the feeling. She thrived on it . And thus, poker, card games, arguing seemed to fall perfectly into place with her life. It gave her the control that she had lost in her life. With poker, she always knew what she was doing and she always knew that she could play the cards in her favor.

He was being immature again. As much as Noelle herself was a fan of immaturity, even indulging upon it at times, she knew where the line was drawn and sitting sideways just to ignore her was silly. There was no other word for it. It was just plain silly. Idiocy. Plain stupidity. She swallowed the temptation to laugh and just continued on accepting the four year old tactic of silence. Come on. She was a teenage girl too. She knew the full arsenal of psychological warfare. Apparently, it wasn't exclusive to the female species. Guys could do it effectively too. Edward proved that.

She started snapping her fingers again. Putting a fire on and out in impatience. There was only so much patientce a girl could have. Click. On. Click. Off. Click. On. Click. Off. Fire. No fire. Fire. No fire. Fire. She spun the little ball of fire in her fingers and waited. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Spinning. Spinning. The ball was slowly rising and rising. Gaining altitude and just floating like a miniture sun in the air. Beautiful. But the moment he faced her once more. She blew on the fire like a flame on the birthday cake candle and put it out.

"Okay, let's play. But not poker." He grimaced. "I just dont like it."

Hmmm. Not poker. Not her usual game. She was alright with that. Trying new things was perfectly fine with her. She was still excellent with cards and since gambling was a game of chance, she was all but to willing to take it. "not poker. alright. i am perfectly amendable to that." She shuffled her cards and started thinking. A game that didn't need skill. A game that anyone could play and any one could win. With the last dirftng sound an idea popped into her head. It was a game she used to play with Phillip when she couldn't sleep. The odds were fair and there was no skill whatsoever needed for the game. "high card. split the deck into two. release cards at the same time. higher card wins."

"High card?"

"How old are you? Two?"

But she might cry.

"So,"

"Can your little mind think of something else?"

"Or maybe your mind is not capable of anything big. Mature. Or...something full of sense?"

"Next time Miss, make it sure that you're sane enough to talk to me."

"Your look is obviously wasted. Tsk. Pretty though raised like a boarhound. Go home and play with Daddy."

"Too bad."

"Let's have fun next time, pretty little bird-brain."

She listened to his entire speech, the whole length of it...the entire shakespearean monologue of it. Well there wasn't something she didn't hear everyday, someone trying to be rude to her articulately. Alright. In all of her years, growing up with all men in her life. meeting her brother's friends, hanging out with the sous chefs, even occassionally dropping off at pop-pop's for a quick game of parcheezy, she had never been insulted with such finesse and utter care for chosing words as this boy had bombarded her with insults and word play. It was a challenge that he had once again presented to her. "you think two year olds can play highcard well? hmm...that maybe true, but only intellectual beings can play it with finesse. it is more a game of statistics and probabilites for those who really get into the game" She said, still shuffling the cards. "you have to watch what cards come out and what cards probably remain. it gives you an idea of what card is with who. but if you ask me, cards were ment for recreation and not for intellect. you've got to hand it to those two year olds, they can have fun even with an immature game." she said, as nonchalantly as she could. For Noelle, arguing was a form of recreation as well. It was meant to be enjoyed, to get a high. But you also had to show strength. Never have the enemy...or in this case, the boy across you...know what secrets you have up your sleaves. She was excellent at keeping secrets. She had been doing it all her life.

"Next time Miss, make it sure that you're sane enough to talk to me. Your look is obviously wasted. Tsk. Pretty though raised like a boarhound. Go home and play with Daddy."

Sanity? He wanted to talk about sanity?! She put down the cards, put her hands behind her back and made a little ball of fire to release some pressure. Dad wouldn't like it if he got another delinquent call from Aura. As much as she didn't care for the rules, she did however care for her family. When she got a little calmer, got rid of the excess anger, she spoke once more. " 'too much sanity may be madness and the maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be.' that was by miguel de cervantes saavedra. 'a civilized society is one which tolerates eccentricity to the point of doubtful sanity.' that was robert frost." She may have been a trouble maker, but she did have brains. One of her brothers was in medical school, one in law school and and one was a poet/musician. She was bound to pick some of it up. "but you know what my favorite is? 'sanity is a cozy lie'. susan sontag."

She looked at him with her poker face and put a smirk to it. She had probably just exceeded his expectations. But of course, that wouldn't happen if he didn't judge a book by it's cover...which he seemed to do. Come on. Bird brain? That was the best he could come up with? "I must say sunshine, you have disappointed." She tsked him.

This was fun. No one had ever put up a good fight. Looked like he was more of a pyro-temper than she was.

I must say sunshine, you have disappointed."

Disappointed? Should I impress her?

Yes, rumors. They would be spreading through the school like wildfire.

"You know bird-brain, if you're taunting me...I need to warn you that you have no effect on me what so ever."

"this is so amusing."

"Leave me alone, you eyesore."

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