Midnight Worries. (Open)

[Sync]

Sleep evaded him. He had too much on his mind. He was on pins every waking moment of each day. Why? Well, Simon and Hayden were but to name a few. Hayden was getting worse as the days grew longer, his form becoming almost painfully unhealthy. Jay had also promised his brother that he'd keep an eye on Simon while he recovered, it was turning out to be a full time job. The male had had little time to be with Spencer, but he knew the male would understand. Just, for how much longer? Jay gave a sigh, pulling his coat on and buttoning it up. Both dogs were watching him, but too lazy to get up. Both were tired, he'd managed to ware them out when he took the pair, as well as Hayden's rambunctious foursome for a walk at Willow Lake earlier today. Unfortunately, it hadn't worn him out. He decided that a visit to Question was in order. The Welsh Pony had a good influence over him, a soothing one if you will. He always knew how to cheer up Jay, no matter how bad the mood. As he turned to open the door, he caught the time. 12:30am. Perfect. Nobody would be around, so he hoped. He just hoped that Question would be okay with being woken up. He usually was. Leaving the room silently, pausing to see if the dogs would get up. They didn't, and Jay gave a quiet sigh of relief. He didn't need the agro of people complaining about them whining at the door until he returned. Not right now. His feet carried him almost silently through the hallways, only to be met by a couple of drunk males coming in from a night in town. Jay rolled his eyes at them, and then snapped when they made a comment about his sexuality. Of course, everybody knew Jay. He expected it, so his comeback was quick and effective. "Honey, I could pretend I was straight and have girls leaping at the chance to be on my arm. Heck, I could announce to the whole world that I am the biggest gay that there is and still get a girl before you." he quipped, smirking at their open mouthed expressions. Oh, he still had it, even if he was nearly dead on his feet. With that, he nodded his head briefly, continuing on his way out of the hall. He could feel their eyes burning into his back, but of course, no suitable comeback could be formed. He chuckled darkly as he went on his way.

He was at the barn in no time, he brisk walk meant the often got there quicker than other students did. He heard the quiet shuffling of restless equines, and he guessed most of them would be the new ones. More and more students were flooding into Park by the day, and thankfully he still had time to keep on top of the arrivals. Though, if his personal business were to get more in the way, he'd have to appoint a right hand man or woman. Still, for now, he still had a tight grip over the student body, even if many were trying to weasel their way into his inner circle. Years of practice meant that he was getting pretty good at preventing that from happening. With a sigh, he kept his eyes on the ground. His feet carried him directly to his little gray's stall, to be greeted by a gentle snort. It seemed that Jay wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep. The pony snuffled Jay's face in greeting, forcing himself to keep quiet. Jay gave a soft chuckle, allowing himself into the stall. As he did so, he grabbed the grooming kit off upturned bucket outside. Question would enjoy a groom, he would enjoy any attention Jay gave him though. "What's bothering you then handsome?" he questioned the gelding softly, running the curry comb through Question's already immaculate mane. The action was soothing to both of them, and he soon felt Question relax fully, his lip dropping in a sign of pure bliss. Jay could hear the sounds of the sleeping Sandy in the next stall, shallow breaths that had once worried him. She was perfectly fine though, he looked through the bars to make sure.

He'd been with the gelding for well over an hour now, Question had finally been seized by sleep, and was now lain in the middle of his stall, breathing steadily as he slept. Jay was sat in the corner of the stall, not something that he made a habit off. His eyes were watching ahead of him, looking at nothing in particular. He wasn't really thinking either, just random images coming to mind every now and then. Images of Hayden, Simon, Spencer, Melissa and even Connor. His features soured when the face of Connor appeared. He was the one boy who Jay really saw as his enemy. Anyone who's presence was all it took to make Hayden become so ill looking didn't go down well in Jay's books. The fact that Connor was an arrogant son of a b**ch didn't help either. If they didn't look identical, Jay would never have guessed Connor and Simon were brothers. They were both so different. "Much like you and Hayden." His vocals were so quiet, that he couldn't be sure that he'd even said them. With a deep sigh, he leaned his head against the wall. Looking up, he wished that sleep would invade his form like it had to Question. No such luck. He continued to stare at the ceiling, all track of time completely forgotten.

Words// 948. Outfit//coming soon. Tagged// Anyone. Status// complete. Notes// Quite like this ^^. Credit// REAL SLIM SHADY !? @ caution 2.0

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[Cara]

Cara paced her dorm room, she knew it was well after midnight. She bounced a pill bottle up and down in her hand, knowing that the contents of the bottle would not only relieve her pounding head, but would also ease the insomnia that had claimed her since forever. Growling, she pitched the bottle across the room and the plastic container bounced against her headboard before it fell onto the neatly made bed covers. What was in the bottle that would offer her almost instant satisfaction? Sleeping pills of course! She had been prescribed them when she had been released from the hospital shortly before arriving her. Rather, when she had left against her doctors wishes.

Crossing the room, she snatched up the bottle. She didn't want to accidentally leave them there for just anyone to find. After all she'd found herself in the gossip banner more than once in the past, and this was something that Gossip would love to get their hands on. She liked to keep some of her past a secret, and the fact that she had been prescribed pills that she refused to use was one of those things. Along with the real reason of why she had been in hospital.

To escape her own terror filled memories, she hurried out of her room and into the frozen darkness outside the dorms. Her lithe form trembled at the sudden temperature change, as she hadn't grabbed a jacket to put over the long sleeved shirt that she was wearing, she was just glad that she was still wearing jodhpurs, rather than the cotton pajama bottoms that she retired in at night. Pressing her lips together, she headed across the campus until she arrived at the stables.

She pushed the door open and cringed as it made a sweeping noise as the bottom passed over the concrete. Biting her lip, she only opened it enough for her to slip through and held it as it closed softly behind her. She then silently walked down the stable, passing the sleeping horses, and giving silent greetings to the horses that were still restless at night.

She didn't stop until she reached the box that housed her beautiful chestnut mare. She had kept Mistress outside until the weather had become too cold at night and her conscience wouldn't allow her to leave the Thoroughbred cross in her field, even wearing the warmest of rugs and an under rug.

She tipped her head to the side as she watched the small mare, curled up in the middle of her stall, sound asleep with her nose gently resting on the ground. She shook her head as she looked at the contentedly sleeping animal, as much as she wanted to enter the stall, she couldn't disturb the pony's slumber.

Turning around, she leaned up against the door and slid to the ground. The bottle of pills was still clasped in her hand, but she refused to look at the unwanted bottle. She would scatter them on the ground outside, but then some animal might eat them and she'd never forgive herself if an animal got sick because of her. The though of tipping them down the drain had also come to mind, but again she couldn't chance the idea of harming some animal with contaminated water supplies. A small sigh escaped her lips as she battled to keep the memories that she was running away from at bay.

[Sync]

He'd been sat there for God knows how long. His form had gone a little numb, but it was a welcomed feeling. Another sigh left his frame, but then he tensed. Footfalls caught his attention. They were light, so he guessed female. Even as they grew closer they stayed quiet. Definitely female. He listened as they came to a stop, and then as the person leaned against a stall door. The noise was easily distinguishable in the silent of the night. He listened as it all of a sudden went quiet once more. Interest marred his tired expression, he began to quietly rise from his spot. Question didn't stir at all, not even when Jay picked up the grooming kit. He vacated the stall almost silently, placing the kit down and looking up and down the yard. A small form caught his attention. He recognized her instantly. He wasn't in the mood to torment her though, not even that sadistic smile appeared on his lips. He picked up into a walk though, deciding that he could at least have some company, whether she spoke to him or not. Cara and he weren't the greatest of friends. Sure, they spoke, usually Jay tormenting her. But he had respect for the female, whether she knew it or not.

He approached her, making sure to make noise to announce his presence. He reached her, and placed himself down a little ways away from her before he spoke. "Can't sleep either?" he asked, eying her tiredly. There was no malice in his vocals, this Jay wasn't the Jay many people got to see. In fact, this was the subdue, almost kind Jay that only Spencer and Hayden got to see. It was welcoming to him though, it was nice to be himself around another for once. Plus, Cara wasn't one to tell others that he'd gone soft. He eyed the pills in her hand, his brow raising in surprise. "Sleeping pills? And you're not taking them?" he questioned, stating the obvious. He wondered her reasoning why she hadn't taken them, but wasn't interested enough to question her on it. Deciding to lighten the mood a little, a smile pulled at his lips. "I hear you finally gave in to Seamus's advances." he chuckled softly. He hadn't thought that Cara would ever really get a boyfriend, he wasn't even sure if you would call the Cara/Seamus relationship that yet. "You pair are a regular Romeo and Juliet." he teased, humor hinting at his hazel oracles. He sat back, leaning against the wall. He was looking at her out of the corner of his eye now, gaging her reaction to his good mood. Thinking back, he didn't think she'd experienced any kindness from him. Good. The element of surprise was something he liked to keep, it held many advantages for him.

Words// 476. Outfit//coming soon. Tagged// Anyone. Status// complete. Notes// Jay is finally being nice to Cara (:. Credit// REAL SLIM SHADY !? @ caution 2.0

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[Cara]

Cara looked up as she heard movement, her hand closing around the bottle of pills. Shaking her head, hoping that it was just one of the many animals that inhabited the stable, she went back to her study of the wall opposite her. This was her way of keeping her focus on something, she would study some inanimate object and count any lines, cracks or spots that she could see. It hurt like hell after a while of concentrating, but it did its purpose and kept the memories at bay... Most of the time.

She turned her head as she heard approaching footsteps, her eyes picked out the form of Jay instantly and a sigh escaped her. The teen's eyebrows shot up at his words. "I don't sleep." She returned, her tone cautious as she regarded the man with mistrusting eyes. The hand holding the pill bottle moved behind her back as he spied the bottle and came to his own conclusion. She chewed on her lip, unsure whether to give him the pleasure of knowing he was right or not.

She shifted away slightly as he sat down, uncomfortable with the presence of the male. She frowned at his next words. "I didn't give in, to anyone's advances, as you so tactfully put it." She shot back. "And I would hardly compare us to Romeo and Juliet. For that to happen our families would have to be at war, and I would need to have a family." She sat with her back straight, her eyes once again looking at the opposite wall, a small frown appearing as a band of pain tightened around her forehead. "I am guessing you can not sleep either, as I have never known you to be a night owl."

[Sync]

He didn't offer a reaction when he told her that she didn't sleep. He noted the expression she wore when she looked at him, and couldn't blame her for doing so. But still, this didn't effect him. But when she chewed her lip, he smirked. He knew he'd been right, she was supposed to be taking them and obviously wasn't. And once again, he got the reaction he'd been searching for. He chuckled at the words she shot back with, none of it penetrating his thick skinned exterior. Any other would feel sorry for her at what she added to the second sentence, but Jay just shrugged. Sure, he was being nice but he wasn't that nice. He knew sympathy didn't work anyway, he'd lost a parent, and even had to suffer the consequence his father made almost beyond the grave. He did love Hayden though. But it hadn't been that way in the beginning. Looking ahead of him once again, he spoke. "You react to quickly Cara, but it only seems to be around me. Don't get me wrong, it amuses me, but you should try it around others." he pondered aloud to her. It was true, whenever he was around her, she always had something clever to say back to his insults. Around others, he'd noticed that she tended to go very quiet and not say a word, or next to nothing anyway. It sort of fascinated him.

"Nope, haven't been able to for the past week. Hayden isn't doing so well." His vocals were quiet now, almost strained. He hated seeing his brother in such a state, and knew he'd be there all day tomorrow as Hayden didn't have work. He probably be able to smuggle Simon out with him too, it would please Hayden and Jay could taunt Connor about it later. He gave a sigh, crossing his arms over his chest as he did so. "So, enlighten me. Why exactly can't you sleep? And more importantly, why have you got pills and are not taking them? Sleep must be a better option to suffering what ever it is awake. Unless, of course, it brings on nightmares." His tone wasn't condescending as it may have been any other day. He was truly interested now, and at least if she stared talking, he wouldn't have to think so much. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone as he awaited an answer. 2:45am. He gave a quiet groan, more about the fact that he still wasn't the slightest bit tired. He hoped he would drop off at 4am, but right now it didn't seem likely. Oh well, at least he had company. Interesting one at that. He was extremely glad that no wannabe or bimbo was in the yard with him now, he didn't think he'd be able to handle it. At all.

Words// 479. Outfit//coming soon. Tagged// Anyone. Status// complete. Notes// Short, my muse is shot o.O. Credit// REAL SLIM SHADY !? @ caution 2.0

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[Cara]

Cara shrugged as she pulled her knees up so that her heels were flat against the floor close to her bottom. "Some might say that your aloof arrogance tends to push my buttons." She replied simply. "It could also be the fact that you get some cold pleasure out of watching others suffer." She lifted her eyebrows. "The emotions you display are interesting to say the least. You pretend to be someone you are not, and that is amusing by itself."

She rested her chin on her knees as she listened to him talk, the cold concrete floor was beginning to seep through her jodhpurs and she knew that by the time she left here she would be chilled to the bone. "Enlighten you?" She repeated with an undignified snort. "I don't sleep because sleep gets in the way of everything else. I don't take the pills because I don't want to lose control. At least if I fall asleep on my own pretenses I can wake myself up." She released a small sigh. "Nightmares? My life is a walking nightmare... or at least it was until my last birthday. I just close my eyes and I can still see his face. My memory catalogs everything and files it away for future references." She shook her head, her words lacking any emotion. "I just don't have any control of when it chooses to release the images it has stored away. A scent, a room, even a sound can trigger them." She glanced at him again. "Enlightening enough for you, Mr Robinson?"

[Onzy]

Simon awoke with a yell. As always the sleep was haunted with images of his step-father, and he had woken up in a cold sweat. He would give anything to have every night mare taken away, and just have some form of normal sleep envelop him. As he lay in the bed, he knew that it wasn't going to come any time soon, so he pulled on a pair of field boots over his pajama pants, grabbed his winter jacket and left. The dull throbbing in his side had taken over, and he gritted his teeth. He still somewhat resembled a raccoon with his bruised face, but he laughed at his reflection in the window. At least he still had a sense of humor. The darkness of night had made him see the beauty of the college in a different way. Even though it was darker beauty than in the day light it was still the same.

He walked the usual path towards the stables. He knew that he wasn't going to go to the barn to visit Vic, but rather he was going to the stable block with the student horses. Connor had informed him that their horses were in quarantine, their being Connor and Missy. His brother wanted Simon to abandon riding Vic, but he wasn't going to do that easily. Simon was already fighting against being confined to the Academic part of the College and he wanted to leave, escape. He had managed it once, he had gone to the park, and met someone in a similar situation to his. Well, at least his past one that was.

The walk was quiet, but every shadow threatened him, taunted him and mocked him. Every now and then a owl hooted, and Simon nearly jumped out of skin. By the time he was at the stable block, he had scared himself silly with crazy thoughts and simple shadows. Horses rustled in their stalls as they moved. Simon moved quietly, not wanting to disturb them. He walked past the stalls, and then looked across the yards. He saw two figures, and one seemed very familiar.

Walking closer he saw Jay against one wall, and Cara against another. Morning all, he said with a forced smile. He knew Jay would instantly know that he was in pain, but maybe he would still be able to hide from the girl. Seems like I'm not the only one who isn't able to sleep, he added. Sitting down he looked at the pair.

\\TAGGED//
\\WORDS//419
\\NOTES//I like it.
\\MUSE//Good good
\\LISTENING TO//A movie
\\OUTFIT//Coming
\\LYRICS//The Climb by Miley Cyrus
\\CREDIT//to Onzy.

[Sync]

He gave a chuckle at her words, nodding his head slightly. "I guessed as much." He rose a brow at the second sentence, but said nothing. The third made him laugh again. "I'm not pretending Cara, I'm just very good at separating my personality and hiding the good from those who do not need to see it." he told her, his expression hinted with amusement. Maybe too good. he added silently, his expression falling flat once again. He looked at her when she repeated what he had said, a brow raising impatiently. And then she began her little monologue. His brow furrowed a little as he listened, surely going to sleep would be better than lingering in the barn like they were now. He wished he was sleeping right now. He noted the sigh, but didn't interrupt. It took him a second to realized who she was talking about, her social worker. His expression soured that little bit. Whenever he'd seen the man lurking around the academy, Jay had known something was up. He offered no reaction to the emotionless voice though, but noted her last sentence with interest. Now that, he would hate. "Sure was." was all he offered to her question.

It seemed that someone else couldn't sleep, foot falls were coming closer to them. Jay stayed relaxed, unfazed by the noise. He had no doubt that Cara would be stressing out in no time. He looked in the direction of the noise, and his brow rose in surprise. "Good morning Simon." he offered, his oracles scanning his face. He narrowed his eyes when he noted the smile. He was in pain. He was about to protest to Simon being here, but stopped himself. Who was he to tell him what to do? "Well Cara here has informed me that she cannot sleep." he gave a slight smirk, shooting Cara a look, and then returned his gaze to Simon. "Various things a preventing me sleeping, but Hayden is my main concern." he told Simon, his vocals softer but not as strained as they had been when he'd told Cara. He found Simon very easy to talk too. It was his brother that really got on Jay's nerves. Even thinking about Connor had made his fists clench. "How are you feeling this morning? And no lying, I'm not as gullible as my brother." he looked seriously at Simon, his expression one of genuine concern. There he was again, showing the side of Jay that hardly anyone saw. He was starting to think that he could be bi-polar, being so nice had unnerved himself as much as it had Cara.

Words// 440. Outfit//coming soon. Tagged// Anyone. Status// complete. Notes// Really don't like this one.. Credit// REAL SLIM SHADY !? @ caution 2.0

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[Cara]

Cara rolled her eyes at the two words Jay offered, wondering if he'd actually heard anything she'd said or if a dial tone sounded in his head when she spoke.

Her forehead creased as her control over keeping her memories at bay seemed to waver. Her concentration had slipped while she was talking and that had been enough to bring things to the forefront of her mind, things that she had come out here to escape from. Her mind strayed to the bottle of pills that was behind her back but she shook the thought away as she trained her eyes on the opposite wall again, trying to get back the focus she'd had earlier.

Her focus was disrupted though with the sound of approaching footsteps. She turned her head and gave an inward sigh as another male approached. She bowed her head in greeting, not uttering a word.

The cold was seeping up her tailbone and had started a dull ache in her collarbone. She shook the pain away, not wanting to think about why it still ached. Just closing her eyes, she could picture the events of the day as though she were a spectator at the event that potentially ended her career - should she have wanted to make a life out of being a gymnast. There again though, if she wasn't such a robot, it would never have happened. When her coach had suggested that they was she was going to win the competition for him was by throwing in a move no one had seen before - mixing together the Tkatchev and the Geinger - she should have known that it would end in tears. But after practicing the move for months in the gym, she had it down pat. On the day of the competition though something went wrong, she had miss-timed her catch and her hands had grasped at mid air before her body hurtled toward the ground. It's not that far between the high bar and the ground, but with the speed she had landed, the girl had fractured her collarbone. And the coach? Yeah he was furious that she wasn't going to finish the competiton.

[Onzy]

Sighing slightly, he knew that the strapping should have been preventing the pain in his side, but the dull throbbing had turned to an ache that hurt like hell. Was a broken rib supposed to feel like this? Only when one has worries preventing them from healing. Looking at Jay and Cara, he seized the moment to discern some things. Noticing Jay's fists clench, he knew that would only be Connor that would make that happen. Rather than saying anything, he commented on Jay's response. I know. I'm worried about him as well. I don't what I can do to make him realise that I'm going to live, Simon told Jay, concern etched on his face and marring his Irish vocals. He wanted Hayden to know that he was okay, but he didn't know how. Simon was out of the hospital, and back at the Academy, but he considered the idea that he would just go stay at Hayden's for a while.

He blocked a grimace from crossing his face. He wished the pain medication would actually kick in for longer than a few hours. Simon gave Jay a wry smile when he asked Simon how he felt. Like crap. I can't sleep without having nightmares. I can't be awake without memories consuming me, and the fact that I have a busted rib is not helping, he told Jay bluntly. I want Hayden, he thought. He just wanted to spend alone time with his boyfriend, but at the moment it was near impossible. Everyone was on high alert because the man that he feared so much was out to get him.

\\TAGGED//
\\WORDS//271
\\NOTES//I like it.
\\MUSE//Good good
\\LISTENING TO//A movie
\\OUTFIT//Coming
\\LYRICS//The Climb by Miley Cyrus
\\CREDIT//to Onzy.