The Start of Something [Jean]

[Ian and Alexis Pope]

Alexis had been in Europe for two years now and was loving her time here.  She'd made new friends, she was loving playing tennis, there were no real downsides, except that her family wasn't here.  But she'd be back to them in about two years with all of these new experiences, so that was going to be worthwhile.  She was on the tennis courts right now, finishing up a game with a friend, just barely beating her as she missed her swing and the ball bounced past.

[Jean, Laney and Ashley]

Jean wasn't having a very good day. He hadn't been able to get any studying done because one of the idiotic others had managed to start a fire in the bathroom. He'd at least gotten some coffee, which hopefully would help stem the tide. Until a tennis ball came flying out of nowhere and knocked the coffee from his hand. Jean swore and bent to pick up the cup, trying to save whatever remained.

[Ian and Alexis Pope]

"Sorry!" both girls called as they ran out of the court and around the fence. Alexis saw the other girl retrieve the ball, "We're really sorry about that," Alexis told him, stopping to be the one to talk and to apologize on both of their behalf. It was primarily because the other girl wasn't good at this and didn't want to have to put up with having spilled his drink.

[Jean, Laney and Ashley]

Jean summoned his will, and looked up at Alexis. She was rather attractive, far more so than her friend. He smiled. "It's nothing, really. Coffee was cheap anyway."

[Ian and Alexis Pope]

"We," she looked, but her friend was gone. She sighed, "I can buy you another one if you want, as an apology," she offered.

[Jean, Laney and Ashley]

"Oh, please, it's not a big deal." Typical. Abandoning a friend. To be expected. No one had even the slightest drop of decency.

[Ian and Alexis Pope]

Alexis nodded once, "If you say so. If you want a replacement, I'd buy you one, but if you're happy, then I'll be on my way."

[Jean, Laney and Ashley]

Jean checked his pockets a moment. He silently cursed; it seemed he'd forgotten his wallet somewhere. Since she was offering, he might as well. "Actually, I will take you up on that offer."
Jean said.

[Ian and Alexis Pope]

She nodded, "Can you give me a moment to change back into actual clothes?" She was in her tennis clothes right now, and changing would make things a lot easier.

[Jean, Laney and Ashley]

Jean nodded. He really didn't care either way; he just wanted his free coffee to replace the one he'd lost.

[Ian and Alexis Pope]

"I'll be right back," she said, running back towards the courts. She went to where she had her clothes bag and saw that her friend had come back around and taken her own things. So she really had bailed. Alexis sighed and went to change. She wished she could shower, but didn't want to keep him waiting.

[Jean, Laney and Ashley]

Jean found a trash can and threw out his old cup. He was tempted to leave, but he needed the coffee and he'd misplaced his wallet.

[Ian and Alexis Pope]

She hurried back out to him about two minutes after she'd left, with her tennis gear in a bag slung on her back, "Sorry," she apologized, "I went as fast as I could."

[Jean, Laney and Ashley]

"I'm in no rush." Jean replied. That was actually partially a lie; he needed to deal with some things back at his apartment, settle something with the landlord. But he kept it secret, because as far as he knew, that was the polite thing to do.

[Ian and Alexis Pope]

She nodded, "Still, I'd rather not keep you waiting," she said. She really didn't want to waste a stranger's time, especially when it was her fault.