xp_logs | Julian and Yvette - Apple Ninja

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Julian catches the Apple Ninja in the act.

It had become something of a ritual, especially after Kevin's departure. Yvette was an early riser any way, so it was a simple matter to collect an apple from the kitchen, go to the classroom where Julian's first class would be, and leave the apple on his desk before slipping out again. If pressed, she would have said it was simply to welcome the new student, but in truth Yvette couldn't explain why she was leaving him apples. Perhaps it was the only thing she could do, in the face of her classmates getting his attention simply by being taller and prettier and less shy.

She had just made her latest offering and was on her way out of the classroom again, when the door opened unexpectedly.

Though it wasn't necessarily his nature to get to class early, Julian had been late for this one twice in the last week. Some teachers just didn't appreciate the amount of work it took to look good in the morning and they'd seen fit to giving him stern, albeit brief lectures about respect and attendance. Today, he'd got up several hours before class and was more than a little tired as a result, which would explain his recklessness when he came in, only half attentive. He almost didn't notice Yvette until it was too late, letting out a sound halfway between a yelp and an 'ah' when he almost walked into her. "Yvette, oh, I'm sorry, I didn't…I wasn't expecting anyone else in here this morning," he said, giving her a smile. They'd met a couple times before, but only with a group of people around and she hadn't said much at either occasion. "What are you doing in this early?"
She'd let out her own yelp as he'd appeared, practically leaping backwards to avoid running into him. "Oh, I am sorry, I did not expect you to be... I was..." Almost guiltily, she glanced back at the apple sitting very obviously on the desk. "Um?" Something about the way he smiled removed any ability for her to talk, it seemed.

Julian followed her glance back to the apple sitting on the desk and a thought entered his head, Is Yvette the apple ninja?. She seemed extremely nervous about something and if it wasn't her then she probably knew who it was. Julian also had some experience with shy people, Cas' younger sister had been extremely shy why they first met, so he decided to give her an out since others would be showing up soon.

With a smirk on his face, Julian approached the desk, "Would you look at that? The Apple Ninja got me again, Yvette." He picked up the apple and turned toward her. "Did you see who it was?"

For a moment she thought about denying all knowledge, but she remembered that she was a horrible liar. Instead, she went for misdirection. "Are you liking the apples?" she asked instead, still unable to meet his eyes and looking at the floor as she scuffed one socked foot.

Julian was certain she knew something, but he didn't want to press her, instead he simply took a bite of the apple and slowly chewed it. They were choice apples really, very flavorful. He swallowed, "You have no idea how many times these apples have saved my butt, Yvette. I've been so busy getting caught up to the rest of you that I miss meals sometimes- usually breakfast- and these apples give me the energy to get through the day." He took another bite, a small bit of juice dribbled down the side of his mouth. Julian wiped it away, "And they're really tasty."

Yvette looked up, her eyes literally glowing and a smile appearing. "I am glad you are liking them," she said. "I am always making sure I find the nice ones." Then she realised she'd let the cat out of the bag and clapped a gloved hand over her mouth. "Oops."

Julian chuckled inwardly as he approached her, slowly, taking another bite of apple. He thought about what to say carefully, then began, "So you're the Apple Ninja, Yvette, well, I guess there's only one thing for me to say to you." Julian laid a hand on her shoulder and gave Yvette the biggest Keller smile he could muster, "Thanks." He thought about it a moment and then asked, "Why have you been leaving them though? It's not that I don't appreciate it, I'm just curious." Again, he had his suspicions, but wanted to be sure.

Because he was moving slowly, she was able to control the worst of the flinch as he touched her shoulder, reminding herself that he had the double protection of her body suit and her shirt against her skin. "Y-yes," she stuttered, drinking in his smile regardless. "I just... I was wanting to say hello, but..." She stopped, tongue tied. If she'd been able to, she would have been blushing bright red.

He held up the apple and looked at it, two large bites missing from it, "Like I said, I really appreciate it. You don't have to keep doing it if you don't want to." Julian had the feeling that she wasn't being fully honest, but she had to come to terms with it on her own time. "Thanks again, Yvette." He took another bite, chewing it as he walked to the spot in the back row that had been designated 'his.' He swallowed the chunk of apple as he sat down, "I won't keep you if you've got somewhere to go, I'll see you in a little bit, okay?"

"Okay," she said, almost relieved. "I am glad you are liking the apples, Julian." And with that she gave him a little wave and left, a broad smile crossing her face as soon as she passed the threshold. He liked her!

She would definitely leave him an apple in his suite tomorrow.