[ALISHA!] Live a simple life in a quiet town

[kristay]

Joseph Burkeheart sighed as he drove to Club Break and Shake. He had taken his last exam before the holiday break and he really needed to unwind. However, unlike his two female siblings, he was not a big fan of grabbing strangers and grinding all up on them. However, it was one of those fortuitous occasions when the club was showcasing local musical talent. And that was his way of unwinding; he'd listen to the clean under beat of a bass guitar, and he'd become as cool as a cucumber.

Joseph had borrowed Cameron's car; seeing as the red head was at Taylor Bower's house and would most likely be there for the remainder of the night. After school had ended, he had sped home to relieve himself of his books and of his bag and to change from his sweaty gray long sleeved into a tight-fitting teal colored V-neck which he matched with a black leather biker jacket, straight jeans and his beat up Vans.

Without a backwards glance or a note to any of his family members, Seph drove off, downtown Riverside his destination. He had luckily found a good parking space near the entrance. It was a bit surprising what with all the people who were milling into the large club. He turned off the car, pocketed the keys and got out; his hands in his pockets as he went through the entrance without any concern.

Once he was inside the dimly lit club, he made his way through the crush of people, finding a seat at the bar. There, Seph, ordered a Pepsi; absently paying the bartender as he glanced at first, the crowd, and then at the band that was setting up. As they introduced themselves and began the first song of the set, Seph smiled. Tonight was going to be a good night for him; he could feel it.

[Alisha]

Spencer smiled as she hopped out of Noah's car, leaning in the open window with a small smile. She often got rides from her band mate because she didn't have a vehicle of her own. "Thanks, sweet cheeks." She said with an exaggerated wink. The brunette just shook his head and let out a chuckle. "Don't do that, you sound like a hooker Spence." Noah said, "You'd think you would get your own car with all of the money the band is making." Spencer rolled her eyes. Sure, she could have purchased a car with the money she received when the band signed with the label, but what fun would that be? The girl shrugged her shoulders, her red hair falling around her face with the movement. "What? Then I wouldn't be able to mooch off of you and your fucking sexy car." With another wink and a blown kiss, she left the window. She strode down the small stretch of sidewalk that led to the front door, her heels clicking along the pavement. Before going through the doors, she took a quick glance at her outfit.

Upon entering the club, the smoky scent hit her and a grin formed on her face. She loved bars and clubs, when they weren't full of vapid people, that was. She took a look around the room, her green eyes landing on the band onstage. She didn't think she recognized who they were, but they were good. Making her way through the small crowd of people, Spencer stopped at the bar. She leaned over the metal top and flagged down the bartender. "Can I get a Coke? Extra ice?" She asked, twirling a piece of her fiery red hair around her finger. She would have ordered alcohol, even though it was technically illegal for her to do so, but she had a gig the next day. She may have seemed irresponsible and careless about most things, but she did care about her band. As hard to believe as it really was, she hated letting them down. Spencer muttered a small thanks when the man set the soda in front of her, taking the glass and bringing it to her lips.

[kristay]

Seph's full mouth curved into an amused grin as the first song ended and the band instantly began playing the familiar intro of The Raconteurs' 'Steady as She Goes'. It was one of his favorite songs and was even his ringtone.

He took a sip of his Pepsi, absently glancing at the girl who appeared beside him. She was beautiful, not that he'd ever admit it to anyone; fearful of dying from the humiliation. He surreptitiously took another look at her as she ordered before turning his attention to the music.

[Alisha]

Spencer's eyes drifted to the person beside her quickly when she felt his eyes on her. She quickly looked him over before fixing her gaze onto the stage. She hummed softly to the song as they began to play it, one she actually knew, and it made her smile softly. Taking another sip from her drink, she set the glass down the bar, twirling the straw in her glass around in circles. Spencer turned her body around and leaned against the bar, propping up her elbows. The guy was good looking, that was for sure. But, she wasn't really sure he was her type. Though she didn't have a set type, Spencer never looked for a relationship. He father killed that for her. She had always stuck to casual sex and one night stands. If that made her a whore, she didn't really care. The thing about Spencer Thompson was, you never knew what to expect.

[kristay]

The first thing Seph noticed about Spencer was her red hair; the second thing he noticed was that her eyes were on him. He quirked a curious brow at her and held her gaze briefly before turning back to the band as they finished the song with a flourish. Seph heard the pretty girl behind him hum the song and a ghost of a smile passed his lips as he turned to look at her appreciatively. "You know this song?" It was rare for one of his peers to appreciate 'good music' in this Lady Gaga - Taylor Swift era.

[Alisha]

Spencer saw that quirked brow, but did she acknowledge it? No. She kept her eyes on the band that played onstage, for a moment. It brought her back to when her band was in the cover stage, and it made her realize just far they had come. It was surreal that she, a girl from the theoretical wrong side of the tracks, was about to go on tour. Spencer took a second to scan the crowd, making note of several guys who were watching her. If she weren't so used to it, she would have found it annoyingly voyeuristic. When the blonde guy next to her spoke, she glanced at him again. "Yeah. I know how to appreciate good music." She said, her tone a mask of indifference. This was the persona Spencer portrayed when she was around strangers. Around those who didn't know her, she could be anything but the broken girl who left everything behind, except her memories.

[kristay]

He took a long sip of his drink as he watched her ignore him. Joseph would have laughed at the situation but was content to drink his Pepsi instead. He raised both eyebrows curiously when he heard her speak. It was monotone, apathetic, robot-like. Who talked like that? He shook his head and took another long sip before muttering under his breath, "Then that makes two of us." Seph turned his attention back to the band, giving up on their interaction as they began playing an unfamiliar song.

[Alisha]

Spencer heard his muttered words and her eyes drifted towards him once again. For a second, a glare flickered in her eyes, before a smile formed on her lips, albeit a small one. She shook her head slowly, that smile turning into a full fledged smirk. She knew she shouldn't have bothered, just enjoyed her night out... alone. But, then again, what fun would that be? Spencer hated leaving things unspoken. This got her into arguments quite often with just about everyone. "Oh, really?" She quipped, her green eyes watching him skeptically. Sure, everyone had their own taste in music, and no music could be considered crap. Music was expression, something that was left for whoever listened to it to interpret in every which way they pleased.

[kristay]

Joseph languidly turned to the seemingly snobbish girl, both eyebrows raised in mocking. "Oh? So robot-girl finally deems me worthy to talk to? Oh happy day." He paused as he took a sip of his drink, mimicking her smirk. "And yes. Yes really. Why? Do you have something you want to say? Because, by all means it is a free country. Go ahead and spit it out; why you don't agree with me." Seph watched and waited, wondering if a conversation with her would be a good idea. He didn't want a fight.

[Alisha]

His cocky attitude did nothing but dampen her mood. If there was one thing Spencer hated in this world, besides her abusive father, was arrogant men. This was just what she needed tonight, an asshole to keep her company. The smirk on her face turned into a frown, and she tried her best to keep the glare out of her eyes, but failed, horribly. "With that mouth of yours, no I guess you aren't worthy of having a conversation with." She said, her eyes on fire. Once again, the anger she felt was consuming her. "You know, I was just going to say that it's not up to us to judge the music we don't care for. Because as crappy as we may think it is, it isn't ours." She shook her head, blowing out a sigh. She reached into her pocket, pulling out a couple bills and setting them on the bar. "As lovely as this conversation was, I'm going to go." She spoke, her eyes focused on him. She didn't really want a fight, so she turned and walked away from the attractive blonde. She didn't know where she was going, but she knew it was to simmer without causing any more trouble.

[kristay]

Joseph blinked; confused. What the fuck was that about? She was the one with the attitude; answering my question like a robot and then glaring at me! He shook his head and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. He wanted to leave her be, let her rage or whatever and blame him. That wouldn't be anything new to him after all. But he could see the disapproving look of his father in his mind's eye for being so rude to a woman. "Damn." He stood up and chased her; grabbing her wrist gently. "Wait..."

[Alisha]

When she felt his hand on her wrist, Spencer froze. She had to keep herself from flinching. This wasn't the strong grip of her father, but it sent flashbacks coursing through her anyway. This was something she would always have to live with, it couldn't be changed. Sure, her skin had become thick, but her heart beat rapidly against her chest every time something reminded her of the constant beatings she had suffered through growing up. All of the anger she felt dissipated when that fear overtook her, and she tensed. Turning slightly, she stared at his hand. His grip wasn't suffocating, it was... gentle. Spencer looked at his face then, hoping that he couldn't see the vulnerability etched into her eyes. "What?" She asked softly, "It's cool, really." She didn't really know what to say to him, she really didn't want a fight. "Sorry I'm such a bitch." Spencer shrugged her shoulders, a small smile forming on her lips. 

[kristay]

Seph frowned when she flinched. Had he gripped her wrist too hard? He released her hand and shoved his hands into his pockets as he looked at her; really looked at her. She wasn't just pretty, she was beautiful. But the fear that was clear in her bright eyes concerned him. "Are you sure you're okay?" He quirked a disbelieving brow at her. "Yeah I noticed the attitude, spitfire." He wasn't sure how to clear the air of tension and so he shrugged. "Besides, you picked the fight." He smiled teasingly at her.

[Alisha]

Spencer's eyes darted away from his for a second before looking at him again. She had been asked that question many times before, by doctors and teachers and friends. The answer was always the same. A small frown formed on her face before she replaced with with a sad smile. "Aren't we all pretty fucked up?" She tossed out, pushing away the usual I'm fine. A chuckle escaped her lips with the name he used for her. "That's clever, I kind of like that." Spencer said, grinning. It was certainly fitting. "I did not pick the fight, you just read my words wrong, genius." She teased. "I walked away to avoid the fight, which was a miracle, trust me on that one."

[kristay]

He chuckled softly and nodded, agreeing with her that indeed the world was a pretty fucked up place. "Good thing you didn't say you were fine. You know that means Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional right?" He shook his head; a bit pleased with himself that she actually liked the nickname he gave her. "Well then, spitfire it is. You have a real name? I'm Joseph-- Seph if you want the short version. And besides, I wasn't the one who was tight-lipped."