A bit of Light Reading (For Pepper)

Sitting in the lounge was fairly nice. There tended to be people there, but if Greg put himself into a corner without people than he could get away with being in peace and quiet. He had already finished an entire book in the last week from free time in the lounge. He was in the process of reading another one.

Pepper walked into the lounge, a soda in one hand, popcorn in the other. Walking in, she saw another student she thought she met before, but couldn't put a name to his face.

There was some noise and Greg half looked up, not moving his face from the book but moving his eyes slightly. It was that one girl from the front entrance when he had arrived. Her popcorn had a strong smell and Greg tried to ignore it. Glaring and then slipping his eyes back into his book he looked away when she looked toward him.

Pepper was going to say something to him, but suddenly felt shy, or was it sadness? Either way she didn't know. The petite girl sat down on the couch, and set down her popcorn. After a few awkward moments of silence she finally spoke up. "Hey, uh...mind if I turn on the T.V.?" she asked, not turning around.

Ignoring the girl in the room, Greg kept reading through his book. She wasn't important and she hadn't said anything, But after a while she did, and Greg looked up to look at her. He knew her request was reasonable. He knew he should have gotten up and just said yes, but he was comfortable and in the middle of something interesting. "What is the importance of your watching the TV?" He asked, wondering what she needed it for. An educational documentary made sense, but just TV was pointless and he would likely leave it up to her. "If you must, I can tune it out." He added.

Pepper suddenly felt utterly uncomfortable around this boy. "I don't know why it matters to you. Apparently I want to watch something." She said, somewhat annoyed and grabbed the remote of the coffee table. Then guilt took over. "A, uh, new episode of my favorite show is on tonight." she said softer, looking down at her lap.

It seemed this girl had attitude. Greg didn't appreciate that and scoffed at her rather rude response. "You were the one who asked if you could watch the TV." He said before glancing at his book briefly. He humphed at her next comment and shrugged. "Whatever you wish to do." He muttered, beginning to find his place in the book and continuing from where he left off.

Pepper turned on the T.V. She wished she hadn't come, but wanted to get out of the crowed dorm area. She sat there awkwardly and opened her soda. A couple commercials came on and then the show started. Sudden excitement bubbled within her, anticipation of what would happen next. The last episode had a very dramatic ending, the protagonist being shot at. She looked behind her, the boy reading her book. "Hey, you might like this show. Want to watch it with me?" she asked kindly, hoping he would say yes so she wouldn't feel looming eyes while watching the T.V.

The sounds of the TV began playing in the background and Greg drowned them out with the words from his book swimming before his eyes. It was about ancient Greece and the empire they built. Purely factual, as always. No need for fiction. He suddenly heard something that didn't sound like the TV and realized that she was talking again. "Why do you think that?" He asked, being more curious than rude. What was the show about that she thought he would like it? He was really interested to know.

A commercial came on and Pepper turned the volume on the T.V. down. "Well, it's an informational show. Based on a true story, just the real people are dead so they got actors. It's about the Titanic's sinking and all of the mysteries that came after the tragic event." She said nervously, hopping he would join her.

The TV hadn't been too loud but it was nice to have less noise while this girl was talking to him. Hmm, that offer was enticing. Greg had learned a bit about the Titanic but it was not something he truly knew much about. Glancing down at the page he was on in his book he had a major debate with himself inside his head in the split second it took him to decide. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to know more." He said flipping his book shut and memorizing his page number before getting up to sit on the opposite end of the couch from her to see the TV better.

Pepper gave him a shy smile and sat back, starting to relax again. She turned the volume up a bit and grabbed her soda. Before she opened it, she stared at for a moment. Pepper tossed Greg the soda. "I already have popcorn, I don't really like soda anyway." She smiled and looked back to the T.V.

Sitting where he was Greg crossed his legs and his arms and tried his best to be distant from the girl on the other end. He was a little shocked when Pepper tossed him the soda. It landed on the couch and rolled down to his leg. Picking it up he looked at the label. "I don't drink soda." He said before placing the soda on the floor by his feet. Then he proceeded to continue watching.

Pepper gave a shrug. She wasn't a soda person either. Well, this is nice. Except the fact that he looks like he wants to get far away from me, like I have some disease. She sat back and relaxed, excited to watch the show but couldn't help wonder What now?

Sugar was a pointless thing. As was a drink that literally drained one of their hydration. Greg had no time for such things and preferred to eat and drink only healthy things that helped his body. Mostly because his power often left him hungry or with a massive headache. As he sat, cross legged, the toe of his shoe played with the top of the soda on the floor next to him. At one point it fell over and Greg leaned over to pick it up. As he straightened himself a loud pop sounded. A common feature of Greg's bony frame and sometimes associated with his power. He was used to it, but was unaware it might have been odd to Pepper.