ColdHarem
Jester Prince
Music Geek x Jock RP for ColdHarem and ambrosia.
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Not So Different After All
- Thread starter ColdHarem
- Start date
ambrosia
bittersweet
Josh woke up to the ringing of his alarm. It took him a few moments to register where he was–a new room, a new dorm, a new place. He let out a low sigh. Happy fourth day of college, he told himself grimly. It was 8:00 in the morning and he had class in 20 minutes. Josh ran a hand through his messy hair, only succeeding in ruffling it more. He exhaled and pushed himself out of bed. Oh, how he hated mornings. Josh picked up his iPhone off of his desk, and looked at his schedule for a day. That's today. His face hardened for a moment. He had promised his mother, who did care for him despite everything, that he would continue to talk to someone at least once a week; today was the day he was going to fulfill that promise.
Class took him to 9:40, then he ate breakfast. Josh made his way to the gym after that. He had been recruited for football, but he exercised outside of that. When he didn't, his body felt off. A few hours later, it was almost time to for him to make his way to the therapist's office. Josh went on his way reluctantly, and without particular direction. He did not want the people he was friends with to see him on the way to a shrink. Josh flinched internally at how his social status would be affected if people found out. He arrived at the office after only three wrong turns, and was rather proud of himself for that. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and walked into the waiting room.
Class took him to 9:40, then he ate breakfast. Josh made his way to the gym after that. He had been recruited for football, but he exercised outside of that. When he didn't, his body felt off. A few hours later, it was almost time to for him to make his way to the therapist's office. Josh went on his way reluctantly, and without particular direction. He did not want the people he was friends with to see him on the way to a shrink. Josh flinched internally at how his social status would be affected if people found out. He arrived at the office after only three wrong turns, and was rather proud of himself for that. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and walked into the waiting room.
ColdHarem
Jester Prince
Ah, the joys of insomnia.
Back for his second year in college, Gabriel had honestly tried his best to sleep the night before. He’d stayed up to midnight packing and repacking his bag, checking he had everything he needed, and then he'd crawled into bed. Come three am he still hadn’t slept a jot and so he crawled right back out of bed, clicking the light back on and pulling out his summer work. He’d completed all of it within the first week of the holidays, and had checked it all over at least six times, but pre-class nerves had kicked in. He knew he wasn’t going to sleep.
After making himself a strong cup of coffee, he sat down at his desk and checked over everything, debating between various corrections. Thankfully his roommate for that year was a hard core party animal and a stoner, and had never actually arrived at the room. Perhaps one day he would turn up, but he wasn’t around to be disturbed that night. Gabriel was free to let his paranoia run wild.
By the time morning classes started, he’d ingested four cups of coffee and still had yet to remember how to sleep. The caffeine buzz was enough to keep him going through his first classes, even if his leg wouldn’t stop fidgeting. Summer work was handed in and done with, and he thought he might just be able to relax when he remembered he had to go and see the college psychiatrist. Admittedly, he’d been the one to sign up for it, after it had reached the point last year where he was unable to go to class for fear of people, but still, that didn’t mean he was eager.
Head down, backpack slung over his shoulder, he made his way to the office, careful not to make eye contact with anyone. Would people think he was even weirder for having to go to the therapist? Or perhaps they had always assumed he’d been attending sessions. Both seemed likely.
When he arrived, he was unfortunate to find someone already present, a tall someone with an impressively muscular body. Swallowing, counting to ten in his head, Gabriel went and took a seat as far as possible from him, avoiding eye contact as best as possible. He pulled his bag onto his lap and rummaged around in it, just to give the illusion that he was busy. People were less likely to try and make conversation that way.
Back for his second year in college, Gabriel had honestly tried his best to sleep the night before. He’d stayed up to midnight packing and repacking his bag, checking he had everything he needed, and then he'd crawled into bed. Come three am he still hadn’t slept a jot and so he crawled right back out of bed, clicking the light back on and pulling out his summer work. He’d completed all of it within the first week of the holidays, and had checked it all over at least six times, but pre-class nerves had kicked in. He knew he wasn’t going to sleep.
After making himself a strong cup of coffee, he sat down at his desk and checked over everything, debating between various corrections. Thankfully his roommate for that year was a hard core party animal and a stoner, and had never actually arrived at the room. Perhaps one day he would turn up, but he wasn’t around to be disturbed that night. Gabriel was free to let his paranoia run wild.
By the time morning classes started, he’d ingested four cups of coffee and still had yet to remember how to sleep. The caffeine buzz was enough to keep him going through his first classes, even if his leg wouldn’t stop fidgeting. Summer work was handed in and done with, and he thought he might just be able to relax when he remembered he had to go and see the college psychiatrist. Admittedly, he’d been the one to sign up for it, after it had reached the point last year where he was unable to go to class for fear of people, but still, that didn’t mean he was eager.
Head down, backpack slung over his shoulder, he made his way to the office, careful not to make eye contact with anyone. Would people think he was even weirder for having to go to the therapist? Or perhaps they had always assumed he’d been attending sessions. Both seemed likely.
When he arrived, he was unfortunate to find someone already present, a tall someone with an impressively muscular body. Swallowing, counting to ten in his head, Gabriel went and took a seat as far as possible from him, avoiding eye contact as best as possible. He pulled his bag onto his lap and rummaged around in it, just to give the illusion that he was busy. People were less likely to try and make conversation that way.
ambrosia
bittersweet
Josh sat in the waiting room fidgeting. He was too nervous to sit comfortably and kept glancing towards the door hoping that no one was about to come in. His mind was skipping around, first from wondering what the therapist would be like, to imagining scenarios where people found out and bullied him, to his family. Just thinking of his father still made his face contort into a frown. He wished he could erase those memories or rewind the days so that had never happened.
When the door open, Josh cursed internally and turned away. He didn't want to be seen here. He hadn't made friends who wouldn't care, not that he would have told them anyway. He sat with his shoulders hunched, as if he wanted to disappear; though, as he was 6'2", it wasn't easy. As an after thought, he pulled his phone from his pocket and started playing TempleRun. At least it would look like he was busy. His mind still didn't want to focus, and he kept dying within the first 10 seconds of the game. After a couple of minutes, he put his phone away again and sat in silence.
Before long, a young woman poked her head through the door. "Joshua Gallen?" He jumped at the sound of his name, and got to his feet quickly. As he made his way to the door, he glanced at the other person who had walked in. He wondered for a moment why the other was there, then shook his head to clear it and followed the woman through the door.
When the door open, Josh cursed internally and turned away. He didn't want to be seen here. He hadn't made friends who wouldn't care, not that he would have told them anyway. He sat with his shoulders hunched, as if he wanted to disappear; though, as he was 6'2", it wasn't easy. As an after thought, he pulled his phone from his pocket and started playing TempleRun. At least it would look like he was busy. His mind still didn't want to focus, and he kept dying within the first 10 seconds of the game. After a couple of minutes, he put his phone away again and sat in silence.
Before long, a young woman poked her head through the door. "Joshua Gallen?" He jumped at the sound of his name, and got to his feet quickly. As he made his way to the door, he glanced at the other person who had walked in. He wondered for a moment why the other was there, then shook his head to clear it and followed the woman through the door.
ColdHarem
Jester Prince
Joshua Gallen? The name felt familiar to Gabriel, though he couldn’t place for the life of him why. He thought he’d seen it printed somewhere, somewhere important. Wasn’t he one of the new team members of a sports team? It seemed odd to Gabriel that someone so physically powerful was in somewhere like here, and if they played sports, he thought they were supposed to conform to the blissfully ignorant stereotype of happy and popular?
Looking down at the contents of his open bag, Gabriel smiled as Joshua was called into the room. He didn’t mean to be cruel, but there was something comforting about knowing that even the elite could be affected similarly. It just made him feel a bit less like a freak.
Pulling out his phone, he google searched Joshua’s name, along with their college. Phone stalking was a nervous habit he’d picked up a couple of months ago, and one he was still trying to break. Since talking to people never seemed to get him very far, the internet had become one of his few available platforms for learning about those around him.
From what was available online, Joshua’s life seemed happy and normal. Admittedly, Gabriel’s curiosity was peeked. Why did someone like this have to see the therapist? Gabriel normally only ever felt a desire to avoid people as much as possible, but as a rare exception, he wanted to know more about the jock who’d vanished into the office.
Looking down at the contents of his open bag, Gabriel smiled as Joshua was called into the room. He didn’t mean to be cruel, but there was something comforting about knowing that even the elite could be affected similarly. It just made him feel a bit less like a freak.
Pulling out his phone, he google searched Joshua’s name, along with their college. Phone stalking was a nervous habit he’d picked up a couple of months ago, and one he was still trying to break. Since talking to people never seemed to get him very far, the internet had become one of his few available platforms for learning about those around him.
From what was available online, Joshua’s life seemed happy and normal. Admittedly, Gabriel’s curiosity was peeked. Why did someone like this have to see the therapist? Gabriel normally only ever felt a desire to avoid people as much as possible, but as a rare exception, he wanted to know more about the jock who’d vanished into the office.
ambrosia
bittersweet
As Josh walked away from the waiting room, he couldn't help but remember the other still sitting out there. He had been somewhat attractive. No, he told himself. Get a girlfriend, would you? His jaw clenched a little. That would make his parents happy, wouldn't it? They'd love it if he brought home some pretty cheerleader blonde. He didn't mind cheerleaders–he was a jock, after all–but he wanted something else.
They stopped at the door to a small room, and Joshua swallowed. Here it was. There was a couch on one side of the room, and a woman sitting in a chair on the other. She smiled at him. Her glasses were a little big on her face, and sat low on her nose, but she didn't look unpleasant. Joshua stepped into the room slowly and took a seat on the couch. He put his hands together, and tried to act casual. Oh, who was he kidding? He was nervous as get-out.
"Joshua?" Her voice had a soothing tone to it, and Josh's shoulder's relaxed a little. "Just 'Josh,' is fine," he told her, almost embarrassed. As he sat waiting for her to ask another question, his mind flickered back to the other boy in the waiting room. Who was he? What was his story? This questions plagued his mind. It didn't matter that he didn't want to consider it–having something in common with someone like that. He was Josh Gallen, wasn't he? He was the high school football superstar, the one who got all the girls–all that.
"Josh, then. I'm Nancy." She gave him a smile. "Let's get to know each other a little."
When his half an hour was up, Josh was feeling both worse and better. Worse, because he'd actually been thinking about a few of the things he usually hid deep, deep down in his heart, but better, because it did feel good to talk about it. Josh was still determined that no one else, ever, would know about these sessions. He was Josh G., the happy jock–not some depressed kid who had to go to the shrink once a week to stay sane.
Josh halted when he reached the waiting room again. He'd nearly forgotten the other person who was there. His eyes fell on the other male for a moment, and he almost stopped to say something–what? He did not know.
They stopped at the door to a small room, and Joshua swallowed. Here it was. There was a couch on one side of the room, and a woman sitting in a chair on the other. She smiled at him. Her glasses were a little big on her face, and sat low on her nose, but she didn't look unpleasant. Joshua stepped into the room slowly and took a seat on the couch. He put his hands together, and tried to act casual. Oh, who was he kidding? He was nervous as get-out.
"Joshua?" Her voice had a soothing tone to it, and Josh's shoulder's relaxed a little. "Just 'Josh,' is fine," he told her, almost embarrassed. As he sat waiting for her to ask another question, his mind flickered back to the other boy in the waiting room. Who was he? What was his story? This questions plagued his mind. It didn't matter that he didn't want to consider it–having something in common with someone like that. He was Josh Gallen, wasn't he? He was the high school football superstar, the one who got all the girls–all that.
"Josh, then. I'm Nancy." She gave him a smile. "Let's get to know each other a little."
When his half an hour was up, Josh was feeling both worse and better. Worse, because he'd actually been thinking about a few of the things he usually hid deep, deep down in his heart, but better, because it did feel good to talk about it. Josh was still determined that no one else, ever, would know about these sessions. He was Josh G., the happy jock–not some depressed kid who had to go to the shrink once a week to stay sane.
Josh halted when he reached the waiting room again. He'd nearly forgotten the other person who was there. His eyes fell on the other male for a moment, and he almost stopped to say something–what? He did not know.
ColdHarem
Jester Prince
Gabriel realised upon scanning through his organiser that he must have shown up too early to his session. His mind tended to alter deadlines to make them earlier whenever he was nervous, to the point where he'd once shown up for school four days before term had started. That had been fun. Still, no point complaining. He wasted away the waiting time checking over what work he had already been assigned, and went through trying to do the easier pieces. Thankfully, no one else entered the waiting room, and he was allowed a moment of peaceful solitude.
Focusing, however, proved difficult. He couldn't hear what those next door were saying, only a faint, muffled mumble that was indistinguishable. It reminded him about the boy, however, Joshua. Whenever their voices rose, Gabriel's mind drifted back to him, wondering again why he was here. The words on his page became incomprehensible, and in the end he gave up, leaving his work in his lap to at least appear busy.
When Josh reappeared at the door, Gabriel could feel his eyes on him. His natural instinct was to look away, but the curiosity played up again and briefly, so as not to be caught, he glanced back up at the jock. Jeez, how the hell did people ever manage to be that well built? "Hi," Gabriel said, the words out of his mouth before he even knew he was going to say them. It shocked him more than it could have Josh, because he hadn't been able to just casually say hi to anyone for a good month or so.
Before he could be too mortified, however, the therapist appeared in the doorway. "Gabriel Gallows," she said, looking over at him. Grateful for the escape, Gabriel grabbed his things and rushed off into the office, careful to keep his distance and his eye contact away from the jock.
Focusing, however, proved difficult. He couldn't hear what those next door were saying, only a faint, muffled mumble that was indistinguishable. It reminded him about the boy, however, Joshua. Whenever their voices rose, Gabriel's mind drifted back to him, wondering again why he was here. The words on his page became incomprehensible, and in the end he gave up, leaving his work in his lap to at least appear busy.
When Josh reappeared at the door, Gabriel could feel his eyes on him. His natural instinct was to look away, but the curiosity played up again and briefly, so as not to be caught, he glanced back up at the jock. Jeez, how the hell did people ever manage to be that well built? "Hi," Gabriel said, the words out of his mouth before he even knew he was going to say them. It shocked him more than it could have Josh, because he hadn't been able to just casually say hi to anyone for a good month or so.
Before he could be too mortified, however, the therapist appeared in the doorway. "Gabriel Gallows," she said, looking over at him. Grateful for the escape, Gabriel grabbed his things and rushed off into the office, careful to keep his distance and his eye contact away from the jock.
ambrosia
bittersweet
Josh was about to turn away and run when Gabriel greeted him. Gray eyes flickered to the door and back. He was thinking about leaving, it was true, but he wasn't completely rude. Plus, there was no one here to tease him for hanging out out with "that kind" of person. Josh swallowed and fixed Gabriel with a look that he hoped wasn't too intimidating. "Hey," he returned quickly, before turning and walking out of the door rather quickly, but not before he heard the other's name.
Gabriel, huh. He repeated as he walked away, even though he reprimanded himself for even taking notice. He was Joshua–JK–Gallen, and he was a popular guy. He told himself that a million times a day, and sometimes, just sometimes, he actually believed it, but now was not one of those times. He made his way back to a dining hall, having little else to do. He had class in another couple hours, and football practice after that.
Later, he was dressed in his practice uniform and heading out to the field. He was lost in thought even as some of his "buddies" approached; he was sure they would hate him if he told them what he really was. But, hey, he was JK, the jock, not some weirdo, so he faked his smile and went on his way.
Gabriel, huh. He repeated as he walked away, even though he reprimanded himself for even taking notice. He was Joshua–JK–Gallen, and he was a popular guy. He told himself that a million times a day, and sometimes, just sometimes, he actually believed it, but now was not one of those times. He made his way back to a dining hall, having little else to do. He had class in another couple hours, and football practice after that.
Later, he was dressed in his practice uniform and heading out to the field. He was lost in thought even as some of his "buddies" approached; he was sure they would hate him if he told them what he really was. But, hey, he was JK, the jock, not some weirdo, so he faked his smile and went on his way.
ColdHarem
Jester Prince
Confined to the cliche depths of the 'nerd' stereotype, Gabriel knew fully well that he and a guy like Joshua weren't supposed to exchange friendly greetings, period. It would probably do Josh more damage than it ever would him, but it still made him feel nervous, his heart rate accelerating and his cheeks darkening. He watched Josh leave over his shoulder, careful to avoid eye contact as always, but that weird and awkward exchange had done nothing to dissuade his curiosity. What kind of a jock willingly said hi to someone like him, and looked so darn friendly on top of that?
"Gabriel, have a seat," the therapist said, distracting him from trying to solve the mystery. For the next hour they talked, and honestly, Gabriel hadn't spoken so much or so openly to someone for a good few months. He'd expected the hour to make everything a whole lot worse, bringing his issues to the forefront and all that, but instead he felt like a heavy weight had just slipped off of his shoulders. "I'll see you next week," Nancy, the therapist said as she opened the door and showed him out.
The rest of the day consisted of one composition class, following by four straight hours of instrument practice, but that was the kind of thing Gabriel liked. It allowed him a time to forget everyone else, for the world to shut up, and for him to just play.
Unfortunately for Gabriel, the music block was situation directly opposite the football field. About an hour into practice, he noticed the school team coming up to practice. He thought nothing of it initially, instead returning back to try and master a particularly difficult series of chord progressions, but all of a sudden he then remembered Josh. Before he could stop himself, he glanced out of the window positioned beside the piano and sure enough, he could just about make out a figure belonging to Josh. Gabriel's fingers slowed on the keys, missing several of the notes, and then fell still. He'd thus far set aside the mystery of the sociable jock, but now it was coming back all over again. This was clear evidence that he hadn't been mistaken; Josh really was a jock. So why hadn't he seemed like one?
"Gabriel, have a seat," the therapist said, distracting him from trying to solve the mystery. For the next hour they talked, and honestly, Gabriel hadn't spoken so much or so openly to someone for a good few months. He'd expected the hour to make everything a whole lot worse, bringing his issues to the forefront and all that, but instead he felt like a heavy weight had just slipped off of his shoulders. "I'll see you next week," Nancy, the therapist said as she opened the door and showed him out.
The rest of the day consisted of one composition class, following by four straight hours of instrument practice, but that was the kind of thing Gabriel liked. It allowed him a time to forget everyone else, for the world to shut up, and for him to just play.
Unfortunately for Gabriel, the music block was situation directly opposite the football field. About an hour into practice, he noticed the school team coming up to practice. He thought nothing of it initially, instead returning back to try and master a particularly difficult series of chord progressions, but all of a sudden he then remembered Josh. Before he could stop himself, he glanced out of the window positioned beside the piano and sure enough, he could just about make out a figure belonging to Josh. Gabriel's fingers slowed on the keys, missing several of the notes, and then fell still. He'd thus far set aside the mystery of the sociable jock, but now it was coming back all over again. This was clear evidence that he hadn't been mistaken; Josh really was a jock. So why hadn't he seemed like one?
ambrosia
bittersweet
Josh did his best at practice, like he'd been doing for the past however-many years of his life. But he was finding it more difficult to fake his smile than usual. The ease in which he threw was the same, but when he turned to look at his teammates, he couldn't help but think of how strange this was. He looked the part of a jock. He knew he did, but that didn't mean he was one at heart. And it didn't matter how hard he tried. The first pass he fumbled happened about 20 minutes into practice. He did his best to shrug it off, but there was an uncertainty rooted in his stomach. The uncertainty grew as the practice continued, and it distracted him.
He missed a second pass only a few minutes later. And by the time they took their break half-way through, the coach was furious with him. He was supposed to be the new star, but here he was a mess. Josh hated failing, hated the looks he was getting from the team now. They didn't know him or what he'd been through. All they saw was the fallen star. But he knew that he had been falling for years, and had always known that a façade would break eventually. Josh wasn't ready to give up, though, because abandoning his act would mean abandoning the person who he'd been for most of his life.
When the break was done, he rose with the rest of the team, more determined and focused than before. The coach had no more reason to complain. By the time practice was over, Josh was exhausted both physically and mentally. Maintaining focus had taken more effort than usual, and his performance still hadn't been up to his usual standard.
He missed a second pass only a few minutes later. And by the time they took their break half-way through, the coach was furious with him. He was supposed to be the new star, but here he was a mess. Josh hated failing, hated the looks he was getting from the team now. They didn't know him or what he'd been through. All they saw was the fallen star. But he knew that he had been falling for years, and had always known that a façade would break eventually. Josh wasn't ready to give up, though, because abandoning his act would mean abandoning the person who he'd been for most of his life.
When the break was done, he rose with the rest of the team, more determined and focused than before. The coach had no more reason to complain. By the time practice was over, Josh was exhausted both physically and mentally. Maintaining focus had taken more effort than usual, and his performance still hadn't been up to his usual standard.
ColdHarem
Jester Prince
Apologies for late reply, I will get to it tomorrow, I've been busy recently, sorry. Hope all is well with youambrosia said:
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