Stumbling (Connor/Open)

[seishounohana]

A student almost flew away as Emily pushed him at the chest, sending him skidding against the ground and hitting the cement wall. Usually, Emily wouldn't fight like this. But seriously, the guy basically groped at her butt, and Emily did not like that a bit.

She's no pushover girl, and she knew just what things deserved a good whacking. Emily groaned, taking the unconscious boy onto her back and headed towards the clinic to leave him there to be treated.

It wasn't long after that, when Emily found herself in the need to calm herself down. She walked around the school campus, a little tired from the day and wished she could be done with her last class. She didn't really notice that she was about to bump into someone, too deep in thought.

She fell back, her butt hitting the ground as she winced. "Oh, sorry... I wasn't looking." She said, quickly standing up and offering him a hand. Emily didn't know he was blind, nor did the walking stick gave her any hint for now. "Here, let me help you up."

[Connor Dwyre]

Connor thought peace was here, but it seemed it was not. Students here, a few of them at least, seemed different. However, there were most that caused problems. Fighting still broke out despite efforts to stop it. It was all too much at times. Connor had been having a decent time as far as general life went, but aside form that, school life was still trying.

As the day progressed, he managed to make it through mostly unscathed. An argument here, a shove there, avoiding a fight as best he could. In the noisy school, defending himself became almost impossible. It threw off his "vision," making things difficult just to walk from one class to another.

He had already walked into one student already not too long ago, and it seemed that the events would be repeating themselves. However, it was both who walked into each other, both landing with a thud, and both receiving the laughter from the students.

It never ends...

The girl quickly offered her apologies and help, and Connor smiled. "No worries. I wasn't looking either." His cane remained in hand this time, and he stuck his hand out so she could take it. Gloves and shades covered his "abnormalities," and so allowed for others to not feel so uneasy around him.

"Then again, not like I've seen much at all." He grinned, showing he wasn't embarrassed, at least about his condition. It was the way his eyes looked, not the lack of sight that he felt shy about. "I'm Connor."

[seishounohana]

Emily smiled and grabbed the boy's hand, still quite oblivious of his condition. She shot a glare towards the laughing group's direction and they shut up, thankfully. It was nice to have some sort of influence and reputation around the school, as they knew that they shouldn't mess with you.

Her fight with the Ex-varsity captain-now-Student captain was something people had watched and seen, and she had gotten a certain degree of attention. The group left, hoping not to bring Emily over her temper.

"No worries. I wasn't looking either. Then again, not like I've seen much at all." He grinned and Emily grinned back. Not like he could see, but it wasn't like she knew about his condition just yet. "I'm Connor."

"Name's Emily." She said, "I'm really sorry for bumping into you, I was thinking of several things. Didn't really pay attention to where I was walking."

[Connor Dwyre]

Well, it seemed he had the luck of meeting another student who wasn't going to pummel you for walking into them. She even admitted it was her fault. He even heard the group silence their laughter very quickly. Though he didn't know what happened to cause that, he assumed it was something Emily did.

Connor smiled at her friendly tone. "Well, I appreciate your kindness. Around here, bumping into someone can lead to a nasty end, and I am glad that's not the case." His own tone was lighthearted. "I know exactly how a clouded mind can keep you from paying attention." He remembered walking into a wall when he had gotten upset at his sensei, his thoughts clouding his ability to navigate his own home. "Have a bit on my own mind as well."

It seemed it was a mutual endeavor, this meeting. "I'm pleased to meet you." He smiled again. Though he was known for being quiet, it didn't mean he was shy or a loner. As class was basically over for the day, Connor had little else to do. "Well, I don't know if you had plans after school, but if you're not busy we can grab something to eat. I usually stop on the way home."

Yes, it was an invite. Not for a date, but merely for him to get to know someone else at the school. "My treat." Few knew Connor's financial condition. No one at the school knew, anyway. He was more than well off, but lived so simply and never flashed it to anyone. The inheritance was nothing but a constant reminder of his loss, and he was more than happy to spend it on others and rid himself of it. Going out to eat was a small way to do so.

[seishounohana]

"I don't really have much of any plans after school, actually." Emily said after a pause to think. She didn't have work today and she was lucky enough that her professors did not give her any homework for the day. It just sucked that she had to run into that pervert earlier that afternoon while she was thinking of some matters of the heart. "I wouldn't impose, are you sure?"

Well, just her luck to be treated out for a meal. Well, Emily knew little about "dating", and she dismissed this as a similar invitation to the one "Unfettered" had taken her to a good two years back. She smiled at the thought, as that was a rather wonderful memory to look back to. Though, it only disturbed her thoughts a bit more. "I guess it's alright. I do have one more class to get over with though. Don't you have class at this time too?"

[Connor Dwyre]

Connor was pleased she accepted. "No, you wouldn't impose. I enjoy the company when the company isn't trying to beat me up." He smiled. She had one other class to attend to. When she brought it to his attention, Connor shook his head. "No, only study hall. It's basically a free period for me. I usually just bide my time. I can meet with you after school. I guess, right at the main exit?"

It wasn't a date, as Connor really had no experience with dating he didn't know how to ask. Aside from that, he had only just met Emily. It was more just to share a meal with someone, and get to know them. Maybe he'd make a friend. Not that he sought to make the whole school his friend. But, Emily seemed like a kind person. At least, kinder than some of the others he had come across.

"I'll meet with you then. Um, just make sure to get my attention. Hard to spot someone when you're blind." He smiled, and gave a quick point to his shades. "I'll recognize your voice, though." He smiled again, gave a small bow, and began heading in the direction of study hall. Not long after, he made a detour, and found a familiar door, which held the stairs to the roof. There he spent his study hall, just thinking of all that was stressing him out. This way, he wouldn't burden Emily with his problems, nor would he blurt out and look like an idiot. Unless she asked, then that would be a different story.

Once the final bell rang, Connor carefully made his way outside, and stood at the main exit of the building. He wasn't sure if Emily would really take him up on his offer, or if she had just been nice. Well, he would find out.

[seishounohana]

"I see." Emily said, "I hope it's not much of a bother. Alright, I'll meet you at the exit after school."

She blinked. "You were blind?" She blinked again, "Wow. I didn't exactly notice. You seem to be moving around quite well. I'm impressed, Connor!" Emily gave an honest smile, giving the boy a pat on the shoulder. He wouldn't be able to see her expressions, so might as well let her honesty be demonstrated on some other manner. "I'll see you later, alright?"

The white-haired girl then bid her goodbyes for the while as she headed off to her class. The class didn't take too long, and it was nice that the professor didn't give her too much homework for the day, just some readings for the next chapter they were studying..

Now, she had stuffed most of her unnecessary books on her locker and basically forgot her pencil case on the last classroom she was in, so she had to run back and find it. It took her a good 20 minutes before she finally arrived by the Main exit. She was there, right beside Connor. "Ah... ha... Sorry about that." She said, panting. "I had to get my stuff... sorry!"

Man, Emily wasn't really used to being late.