Jacklyn Baker (called_jack) wrote in the_colony, @ 2010-05-10 20:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | ^ week 07, holland sharpe, jacklyn baker, john james searle, | holly and jack, |* holly/jack/searle |
Week Seven - Saturday
Characters: Jack, Holly and Searle.
Location: Siena Suites; poolside.
Summary: Holly proves Jared isn’t the only one who can get people to behave in a certain way and he gets Jack not to tell about her and Jared’s fight.
Rating: W for well played
Holly was in a good mood from his time with Jared earlier in the day, but once Jared left he was left feeling restless. To cure that, he stepped outside and rested his arms upon the railing of the balcony walkway in front of his door, eyes automatically attracted to the pool when he heard splashing and laughter on the ground floor. Jack and Searle were easy to spot, and if Holly’s eyes weren’t playing tricks on him the two kids were still clothed. Talk about spontaneous.
Instead of leave the two to play, Holly went back inside to grab a towel for Jack before he headed downstairs and approached the pool carefully, not wanting to get wet. “Hey, you two! Jack, can I borrow you for a second?” He opened the towel wide, inviting Jack over.
Jack turned away from Searle, looking towards Holly. “Hi!” She wasn’t sure why Holly wanted to talk to her and the timing was kind of bad since she and Searle were having fun. “Um, yeah, I guess. Searle, I’ll see you later?”
“Sure.” Searle didn’t seem too happy about the interruption, but he didn’t say anything more as he swam toward the side of the pool and pulled himself out. Holly didn’t seem to mind being a bother and continued to smile.
“It won’t take too long. You don’t have to leave entirely, Searle. I just need to talk to Jack in private real quick,” Holly said. Searle nodded, taking a seat in a lounge chair.
Jack climbed awkwardly out of the pool, her shirt sticking to her and her movements hampered by her wet jeans. She took the towel from Holly, pulling it closed over her chest. “What’s up?”
“C’mere.” Holly pulled Jack further toward the building so Searle wouldn’t be able to overhear, and began speaking in a loud whisper. “I just talked to Jared and he told me you punched him. Are you crazy?”
Jack frowned. Whatever good feeling she had from having fun with Searle started to fade. “No?”
“Yeah, you are. When Alice finds out? Man - you know how she overreacts.” Holly frowned. “Didn’t you just get in trouble with her? Are you trying to tempt her to ruin your life or something?”
Jack had been trying not to think about that. She knew if Alice found out it would be bad. Jared probably couldn’t wait to tell on her. “I didn’t mean to. He was just being really mean.” She looked concerned. “What if Alice tries to kick me out for real this time?”
“Jared was pissed off, and he was going to tell on you but I think I talked him out of it.” Holly placed a hand on Jack’s shoulder, pulling a successful serious face. “If she doesn’t find out she won’t kick you out, but if she does ... I don’t know. I don’t like her, and she’s never been fair to me. She’s never been fair to you, either, has she?
“I’ll keep an eye on Jared. I just wanted to warn you. Don’t do stuff like that anymore, even if he tries to instigate, and definitely don’t talk to anyone about it. You don’t want a rumor getting to Alice.”
“She said she’d drive me back to my old house and leave me there.” Jack could feel the familiar panic rising up. She’d be there, trapped, with her father. “I won’t tell,” she said seriously. “Well, except for Searle. I told him already but he won’t say anything if I tell him not to.”
“Make sure he doesn’t.” Holly glanced over his shoulder at Searle, who had been looking over at them curiously, and then quickly looked away upon being caught. “I’m sure he won’t.” With a pat to Jack’s shoulder, Holly pulled his hand back and put space between he and Jack.
“Don’t worry, Jack, I’m on your side. I hate seeing Alice take advantage of people.” He offered the young girl a small smile. “You and me should hang out sometime soon, but for now I’ll let you get back to Romeo over there.”
Jack nodded but couldn’t stop the way her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink at Holly calling Searle Romeo. “Okay. And thanks Holly, you know, for talking him out of it.”
“I’m glad I could, but I have my ways.” He winked, then walked toward the stairs with a wave. “Check you later.”
Searle stood as soon as he saw the conversation was over, trying to ignore how gross his clothing felt now that he was out of the water.
Jack walked awkwardly back. She kept the towel around her. “Jared told Holly about what happened. He was going to tell but she talked him out of it. So you have to promise not to say anything, okay Searle?” She grabbed his hand. “Promise?”
“Promise.” Searle squeezed Jack’s hand for emphasis. “I hadn’t thought about Jared telling,” he admitted, but guessed it wasn’t surprising. “I won’t say anything. It’s good she’s looking out for you.” He smiled, feeling warmer toward Holly than he had before.
Jack smiled back, letting go of his hand. “Thanks.” She wiped her dripping hair out of her face. “I’m gonna go change my clothes but you want to watch a movie?”
“Yeah, I’ll meet you at your place after I change.” Searle headed for the stairs to he could get his shoes and notebook. “Action movie sound good?”
Jack looked at him like that was a silly question. “Yeah. Maybe Transformers?”
“Awesome. I haven’t seen that in forever,” Searle said.