Skateboardin' out

[Nick Dean]

"Mom.. I cleaned the gutters two weeks ago.. and I did SUCH an amazing job last time, that I think they can go for like.. years without being done again." Nick nodded and grinned at his mother, who was ranting and raving about cleaning the near-spotless house. Ending her feeble attempt to make Nick clean the gutters (his least favorite thing in the world) she kissed his cheek, hitting his shoulder. "Fine then, Nick.. off with you, clearly you have plans. Although, I suppose you're right, school just started you need to just go.. hang.. and do your thing." Laughing, Nick pulled his helmet on, smiled at her before heading outside, leaving his mom to clean invisible dirt around the house.

Picking up his skateboard, looking at the dirty, beaten up thing for a moment, wondering if he should get a new one soon. Eh, I'll probably break it soon anyway. He then turned his thoughts to more.. pressing matters. Like Betty. Nick had a girlfriend, but not just any girlfriend, the older woman he had crushed on for years. Stunning, sweet, popular, Betty was the most perfect woman, and Nick felt lucky to have her. He hopped onto his skateboard, and skated down the street, the wind ruffling his clothes as he thought about the night before. The whole dance was kind of a blur, looking like the houses flashing by.

In the middle of the sidewalk was the useless fire hydrant, but Nick lept over it easily, his skateboard hitting the ground, just as fast as it had taken off. Chuckling inwardly at how many times he'd crashed into that thing, not made the jump, and as a result injured himself. But hey, he was a much better skater now. I wonder if Betty's home.. then maybe we can hang out.. Thinking about it a second longer, Betty wasn't the type of girl to stay home on a Saturday. He'd just have to find her around town.

He passed by Jimmy's house, wondering if the King Dork was busy inventing some invention to near-destroy the town? ...Probably. If anyone asked Nick why he disliked Jimmy so much, he most likely couldn't have answered it. Many reasons, or maybe just inane distaste for another human being. Or perhaps because he had won. Cindy that is, but he truly didn't care anymore, because Betty was the only girl he really ever wanted. She had just seemed like an unreachable goal for many years. Nick wondered if he should go apply for a job at a couple places, see if they would go anywhere.

*Open Tag, but I may move this to a different section, depending on where he goes..I haven't decided yet..*

[Jimmy Neutron]

Jimmy walked out of the hardware store feeling very disgruntled. He had been spending the morning attempting to recreate his Neutron Camp-In-A-Box when his father dropped the foreboding idea of going on another camping trip at breakfast. Jimmy had frantically begun his rebuilding -- only to have it brought to a stuttering halt when he was unable to find the correct implements to remodel his holographic butler anywhere in his lab. And, to his recent and disgusted discovery, the hardware store was abysmally low in stock and did not have any of the items he needed!

He kicked a loose rock into the street, muttering sullenly under his breath at the lack of effort the employees were putting in to have let their store run into such a atrocious state when he saw something even more disquieting: Nick Dean, smoothly skating down the sidewalk, looking as "cool" as ever.

Had the threat of another camping fiasco been lingering about, had his work interrupted by lack of materials, and had his faith in the marketing society not been lowered substantially by the horrendous supply of commodities, he might have taken it better. But, as it were, Jimmy was seething as the fellow sophomore approached. By the time Nick had reached him, Jimmy was boiling and likely to explode at any moment.

He had normally viewed Nick with an indifferent air, (a pretty boy, living in a delusional world that never existed and most likely wouldn't, ego swollen by the attention society gave him because of his "desirable" personality and looks,) but Cindy's recent dance studio confessions had created an extreme loathing to wards the boy she would have "looked good on". Jimmy dearly wished a fire-hydrant would pop out of the ground, right in Mr. Popularity's path... no such luck.

Jimmy glared stonily at Nick as he came withing hearing range, (superiorly vindicated that he had gained at least an inch on him over the years,) and growled, "What do you want, Dean?"


{I'm afraid I can't quite recall the exact items Jimmy he used to give his old butler the ability to maintain a grip on solid things, but I do know he said they could be picked up at any local hardware store. So... what do you think?}

[Nick Dean]

The wind whipped through well-styled dark hair, not really ruining the 'do, but perfecting it. He loved skateboarding way to much to give it up for the sake of his hair. There was something so primitively calming about it. Expertly weaving himself in and out between the passing people, he approached the humble row of stores in downtown Retroville. Then, as if planned, none other than Jimmy Neutron stepped out of the hardware store or something. Nick gracefully slowed himself to a stop, swiftly popping the skateboard up into his grasp, letting it fall against his hip in one smooth motion. Unclasping his helmet, letting it dangle precariously off of his pinky, as he stepped towards Jimmy.

Nick smirked, bemused at Jimmy's less-than-thrilled comment towards him. And to think, the popular sophomore hadn't had any intentions of messing with the genius today. Although now possible insults were running through his mind like a slide show. Cocking his head coolly to the side, his eyebrows peaking with a growing interest. "Neutron.. Now, why would you think I would want anything from you? I mean.. you're not even a *blip* on my social radar. So really, I'm wasting my time. But Hey, since you brought it up, I haven't had a good conversation with you in awhile, so I'll grant your wish this time.."

The young genius probably couldn't care less that he was dating Betty Quinlan, since he now had Cindy. At least he and Betty hadn't spend years hating each other before admitting their feelings. Now, there was a touchy subject, one that would strike a cord with his peer. Nick's dark eyes held a glimmer of mischief as he carefully began to bother Jimmy about his new-found girlfriend. "So Neutron, I saw you dancing awfully close with Cindy at the dance. Good to see you two finally together. So, this technique of yours, how *exactly* does it work? You hate the girl for years, and insult her, make her feel like crap, Then randomly make out with her? Although, I must say, it drove Cindy into your arms pretty well. I guess I'm old fashioned for using the just-ask-a-girl out technique.. eh Neutron?"

Popularity had such perks, you could say nearly anything to anyone and there was something strangely gratifying about insulting Jimmy. Why did he have such a hatred for Jimmy? It wasn't as if Jimmy had done much more than steal Cindy from him, although.. that was a void topic.. Perhaps there wasn't more of a reason than Nick was Popular, and Jimmy was Not Popular. Nick watched Jimmy's face, noting that there was some frustration brewing inside that head of his, which brought a grin to his face. Nothing was more fun than pissing off a nerd.

*Tag Jimmy*
(Sorry for being such a jerk, I just figured since Nick is such an instigator.. this is the kinda thing he would do..This could get interesting though..)

[Jimmy Neutron]

Jimmy watched Nick kick up and grab his skateboard with a less-than-disgusted sneer. How one person could harbor so many mis-placed and mis-calculated feelings of superiority, his genius IQ could not fathom. From where he stood three-and-a-half feet away, the smell of his hair gel was over-powering enough to make him gag.

That wasn't the only thing setting of his stomach, though. Ever since the eventful day at the dance studio, he had created a tendency to envision Cindy latched onto his arm, elbows linked, all for the sake of the popularity that Jimmy had recently been questioning. It infuriated him to no end -- as should be expected, since he was the one now in any form of a relationship with her. Jimmy felt very much like punching the smirk that had appeared on his peer's face right off. He was promptly distracted as Nick finished of his rampage of insults, however.

Gas planets! he thought, smacking himself in the forehead and dragging the hand down his face. How in the name of Albert Einstein could he have forgotten to call her?! The possibility of being shoved into rugged wilderness without necessary provisions and supplies with his highly incompetent -- even if well-meaning -- father couldn't have been that absorbing, could it?

Jimmy glanced at his watch. 11:42. Alright, so perhaps it would have. With as much contempt as he could muster into a rushed goodbye, he said to Nick, "Look, as much as I would love to slaughter you in a match of insulting wit right now, I've got to go."

And "go" he did, shooting off in the direction Nick had come from, activating the cellular phone in his watch as he went.

Let her have her phone, oh please let her have her phone...and a good mood! Gas planets, what's the matter with me! Where would she be... He hoped his instinct was right when he headed in the direction of the park.

{No biggie, since that's exactly what Nick would act like. I hope you can come to the same agreement about me. I do feel like I'm venting through Jimmy, though.}

[Nick Dean]

Nick's eyebrows peaked curiously when Jimmy silently smacked himself, muttering under his breath to himself. Geez.. Freak-tron doesn't even NEED someone to beat him up.. he beats himself up. Smirking once again as the only-slightly taller boy quickly told him off and went running off to who-knows-where. The popular sophomore was chuckling to himself as watched him running full speed towards the park.

"Whatever Neutron.. I'll slaughter you in an unmatched battle of fists one of these days..." Genius thinks he's so tough.. he'll get his some day. Nick decided right there. Shrugging, he threw his skateboard back on the ground, tugged his helmet back onto his only-slightly messed up hairstyle. With a few steps he was speeding once against through the crowded sidewalk, barely noticing as people watched his expert weaving through the people.

Nick sunk deeper and deeper into his thoughts, thinking about Betty of course, wondering where in Retroville she was. Should he call her? Or would that seem too desperate and clingy? Or.. will she be mad if I don't call her because it will seem like I'm ignoring her.. With a heavy, labored sigh he figured he would turn in his completed job applications to the respective stores, then call her. Still not paying attention, Nick failed to notice the crack in the sidewalk, and well.. he hit it pretty fast, which threw him off his skateboard in about a second and half.

He hit the ground with a dull, painful thud, suddenly very alert, and shocked that he was on the ground. "Whoa.. that was strange.. and .. uh .. a little uncool." Fortunately no one was around to notice. Leaping to his feet, dusting his clothes up, and carrying his skateboard into the local teenage clothing store, "Style". Dropping the application into the proper box he walked out of the store, still mentally smacking himself for falling.

Continuing along the strip of stores, returning an application to the sporting good store, "Extreme Sports", which sold really cool skateboards. His last stop was the little deli/coffee shop,"Coffee Delights" where he applied to make sandwiches in the back, nobody would notice that, and he could make some money to help his mom out. He came out of the shop and leaned against the outside of the building, and pulled out his cell phone, and dialed Betty's number, a nervous lump forming in his throat as the phone rang. Ring, Ring, Ring After a few rings, he was met with her pretty voice, recorded onto the voice mail. With a sigh, he left her a message.

"Hey Betty, its Nick, and I was just roaming around town today, and I was hoping to get you on the phone so maybe we could hang out or something. Give me a call back when you get this and I'll come meet up with you, so talk to you later. Bye Gorgeous." Nick grinned to himself, satisfied with his message, and dropping the phone back into his pocket.

*Tag Betty via Cell Phone*

((I hope no one minds that I'm making up store names.. I figured Nick lives with just his Mom, that he would feel pressured to get a job earlier than everyone else. So.. I figured he could get a job, and try to keep it a secret, but knowing Retroville, that won't last too long. He's a true softie when it comes to his mom, but he can't just go around admitting that.. he's Nick Dean!))

[Betty Quinlan]

"How's this?" The saleswoman said, holding up a pink halter top. She scurried over to Betty, holding the shirt to her chest, turning her around to face the mirror. The two of them stared at Betty's reflection, grins on their faces. This was Betty's favorite store - "Jinx '06" - a small, virtually unknown, yet incredibly stylish boutique. The prices were pretty steep - perhaps that was the reason it hadn't become popular - but Betty could afford the prices; and if she couldn't, she had a dozen or so credit cards to fall back on.

Not to mention the owner was friends with her mother, so she got some pretty convenient discounts. Angie - as she liked to be called - was the sole employee of the store and absolutely loved Betty. The two of them stood here in the store, tossing different things around, trying to find the perfect outfit for Betty's next date with Nick - yes, Betty had told Angie about Nick, and Angie was beaming with joy and therefore very excited about helping Betty prepare her next ensemble.

"I love it!" Betty announced, "but I think I'm gonna try it on first." Angie nodded in agreement, adding, "Oh yes, halter's can be tricky sometimes, dear. You go try it on - dressing room's in the back." Betty hugged in her thanks and practically skipped to the rear of the store. She had been blissfully happy the entire day - she and Nick were officially an item!! - and not even an encounter with Cynical Cindy brought her down! She stepped into the small cubicle, placing her purse on the little bench provided and proceeding in undressing, taking a moment to sing along to the catchy song blaring through out the store - another perk she loved here.

"Betty," Angie's voice called from over the cubicle door, "Betty, honey, I was wondering..." Betty was unbuttoning her current top and shouted back, "Uh-huh?" "Well, I was thinking," Angie continued, "You're such a wonderful girl - a perfect customer - and you're so popular; your shopping here has brought us a quite a few customers, and I was thinking... Would you like a job here?" Angie burst out the question, and Betty thought she sounded quite sincere. She was rather flattered, but honestly - didn't this woman know that Betty Quinlan did NOT...work? Ugh, she had better things to do with her free time, like buying halter tops instead of selling them. But still...the idea intrigued her...she did volunteer work all the time; why not do it for cash? Hmmm...but then she'd have to take on a lot more responsibility...but she could use the cash for Europe... "I'll think about it, Angie!" She finally replied, struggling to remove her top. "It sounds wonderful - I just got to see if my schedule will allow it!"

Angie squealed her approval and left Betty to her undressing. Betty could hear her singing along to the music as she finally managed to slip her top over her head and slide into the new halter.

Ack! Too small! She could barely breathe! Frustrated, she tried to struggle out, but as she wiggled the shirt back over her head, it remained stuck. She let out a little cry, but Angie could not hear her over the music. riiiiing! riiiiiing! And to make matters worse - now her cell phone was going off. Well, whoever it was, they would have to wait - Betty had more pressing things on her mind right now, or, to be more specific, on her head. She had her voice mail on speaker anyway, never figuring she would not be able to get to it...

"Hi, it's Betty. I can't come to the phone right now, but you know - leave a message and I'll call you back. Hugs and kisses!!" The recorded message resounded in the dressing room, followed by a beep, followed by...Nick's voice?! Ugh - of all the times to call! "No -don't hang up! I'll be right there!!!" She hopped over to the cell phone, trying to grab it in her hands, but the halter top wasn't allowing much movement. "Bye Gorgeous.", Nick's voice said, ending the message. Betty whined pitifully to herself, resolving to wiggle her way out of the shirt immediately. And wiggle she did.

She tossed it over the door to Angie, shouting, "Too small! Give me a medium or something!" She saw Angie's shadow scoop the shirt off and hurry off to fetch her a new one. She took this opportunity to snatch her cell phone and call Nick.

"Hey, it's me. What're you up to?"


(( Ohemgee, that was so long. xD;; I've been RP-deprived since Halfa's departure... ))

[Nick Dean]

After his unsuccessful attempt to contact his lovely new girlfriend, Betty, he wandered back into the coffee shop. Approaching the counter he ordered himself a double latte, his caffeinated drink of choice. True, it wasn't the greatest thing to be addicted to caffeine at 16, but everyone needs a pick-me up every once in awhile. His 'once-in-a-whiles' just came daily. Smiling politely at the girl behind the counter as he paid, he made his way to an empty table facing the window. Slumping his tall, strong frame into the chair, he stared at the window, his helmet and skateboard clattering to the ground beside him.

Sipping slowly at the scalding hot beverage, he stared out the window, wondering where Betty was. 'Man, these coffee people make this stuff *way* too hot..' At least it tasted good. Suddenly his phone went off, startling Nick to the point of nearly drenching himself in a hot latte. Putting the drink down quickly, he thrust his hand into his pocket, fishing for the cell phone.

Met with success he opened it, pressing the slender phone against his ear, hearing Betty's soft voice on the other end, sounding slightly winded. Grinning as though she could see him, he spoke, blatantly excited to hear from her. "Oh, nothing but thinking about you and drinking coffee.. What are you doing Cutie? I was wondering if you wanted to get together this afternoon..." After he spoke the request his mind instantly began pleading with her, Please say yes.. say yes.. Man.. he had it bad.

*Tag Betty*

(Aw.. rpg deprived, yeah I know the feeling.. it happens to me all the time in my other forums.. people block up your charrie for like.. a month.. x.X;

[Betty Quinlan]

A new, hopefully correctly sized halter top came flying from over the dressing room door, and Betty caught it with her free hand. "Thanks Angie," She shouted, holding the cell away from her face for a second. Angie murmured back an inaudible reply and went on her way, leaving Betty alone with Nick (so to speak) again. She cradled the cell between her neck and her shoulder, holding the shirt up to her chest, debating whether or not it was the right size.

"Well," She said, a smile forming on her face, "I did have some plans, but I think I can move some things around - just for you." It was a blatant lie - yet another one of Betty's weekends filled with mindless shopping and strolls through the park. But has she recently read in one of her teen magazines, it was certainly acceptable to lie as to not seem so desperate or clingy. And inside Betty was most definitely feeling desperate and clingy, as she was inwardly squealing and ready to scream, Oh yes - let's go! Anywhere! Please!.

Returning her gaze to the pink top, she wondered if she was talented enough to squeeze into it while she was on the phone, and quickly came to the conclusion that she was Betty Quinlan and she could do anything. So, still cradling the phone carefully on her shoulder, she slipped the shirt over her head and prepared to do a bit of wiggling, praying to not drop the phone. "Um...did you have anything in mind?" She asked Nick, trying to control her voice in hopes it would not sound strained and give away her most uncompromising situation, though she wasn't quite sure she had succeeded.


(( That was really short compared to the last post! I'm losing my touch! Anyway, the deprivement wasn't so bad, but I figured if I missed RPing even though school was pouring down on me, then I was SERIOUSLY deprived. XP ))

[Nick Dean]

"Well, the only thing I had in mind was spending time with you, but perhaps you would like to go see a movie, or take a walk...?" Nick grinned inwardly, taking a quick sip of his coffee drink, and only flinched a little when she yelled at someone around her. Listening as she went on, suddenly sounding like she was struggling with something. Raising his eyebrows, mentally attempting to decipher what she could possibly be doing while she was on the phone. Although, girls tended to multi-task.. so who knew.

Bemused, Nick spoke up again, "So my dear.. what exactly are you up to? You sound like you're fighting with something.. " Switching his phone to the other ear, tapping his fingers absent mindedly against the table top, Nick cast his gaze out the window. People milling everywhere, a few people from school ducking in and out of random stores. The popular sophomore never minded taking a quick moment to people watch, it was halfway amusing what people were like when they didn't know they were being watched. Enough of that.

Turning his attention back to the silver cell phone (and the pretty girl on the other end of it), "Anyway Betty, you tell me what you would like to do, and I'll make it happen, how does that sound?" Finishing, Nick smiled again, as if she could see the smile. Quite frankly, he didn't care if they sat on a bench all afternoon, he just wanted to be near her. Look in her beautiful eyes, smell her sweet perfume, hold her tiny hands... Eh.. He was getting ahead of himself again.

((Sorry for my sudden disappearence, I bet you couldn't guess... but college started.. Whoa. Alotta work. I just changed my major, from Criminal Justice to Interior Design, a little different I know.. But, I have 5 classes, and its just a ton of work. I'll keep posting, it just won't be as often as it was over the summer.. K?))

[Betty Quinlan]

With one swift movement, Betty pulled the halter down. Perfect fit! Oooh...and it looked good! She was definitely going to be wearing this out of the store. She had, after all, planned on wearing it on her next date which seemed to be happening a bit earlier than she had planned. She admired herself in the mirror for a while, before answering Nick. "No...not fighting - just doing a little shopping." Over the dressing room door, she called, "It fits perfectly, Angie! Thanks!"

Letting Nick fill in the blanks, she sat down on the bench, shoving her purse aside. She lay back, knees bent, her hair falling gently over the bench. Swinging one leg up into the air, she stared at her pedicured toenails that stuck out from her little sandals. "A movie sounds nice," She said. With all the cuddling that could be going on in the cinema, it seemed like the perfect place to be. Plus there was a brand new chick flick with her favorite actress playing today.

Angie knocked softly at the door, startling Betty. She gracefully rose from her seat and unlocked the door, handing Angie a credit card and mouthing, It's Nick! to her. The saleswoman winked at her, turning back to the register to ring up her purchase. Smiling broadly, Betty returned her attention back to her boyfriend. "Let me finish up here, and I'll meet you at the theater, 'kay? A movie's showing that I've just been DYING to see. I'd love to see it with you."



(( No problem. Just regular old high school's taking its toll on me!! College must be killer! ))