> and the flashback starts - )(calder.

[taylor anne crane]

It was early evening, with the sun half over the horizen and showering the sky with blazing colors of orange, purple, and pink. It's reflection beamed from the ocean's surface down below the board walk. People were still hanging out on the beach; building sand castles and splashing in the warm waters. On the wooden board walk, there was even more people walking around. Some were getting greased food, some were enjoying the sunset, and others were just walking or going into the little shops. It was a humid night that called for shorts and a tank top. Taylor was walking and looking at the sunset as she strolled on. She still had her bathing suit on and her hair was wavy from being wet. A few hours ago she was surfing and she never went back to her dorm room to change.

Spotting a small ice cream parlor, Taylor walked up to it quickley. Smiled to the cashier, she chose her ice cream and paid before wishing the worker a good day. Taylor licked her strawberry cone as she walked over to the railing and leaned against it.

[calder joseph hennessey]

Dress rehearsal had just ended and some of the cast were headed for the boardwalk in a traditional good luck ceremony for opening night. It was a tradition at the university for more years than Calder was alive and no one ever dared mess with tradition. The last phase was a wet walnut sundae from the ice cream shoppe. A girl behind the counter looked perplexed as ten people all ordered the same sundae, but set to work anyway. Ten minutes later, Cale headed outside with the cast, laughing and joking about the rehearsal. By this time there should be no mishaps, but after one perfect run through, people messed up on purpose just to liven things up a little. The director was never happy, afraid the mess up would stick and reoccur during the real thing, but they seldom did. It was part of the ritual. Either way, ice cream was a good way to unwind. Hanging in front of the parlor, Calder's eye caught a familiar figure standing at the rail of the boardwalk. The sun-bleached hair was unmistakeable of Taylor, his best childhood friend whom he was finally reunited with at the beginning of the year when she arrived in Arietta to begin college. He had been overjoyed to see her again, but hadn't run into her in a couple weeks. A couple weeks too long.

As soon as an ice cream fight started, Cale figured he'd better split from the group, really not in the mood for sticky hair, and giving him a good reason to go say hi to Taylor. However, he didn't get away completely unscathed as he was "booed" for ditching early and received a spoonful of vanilla ice cream in the face. "Thanks guys." He laughed, locating a napkin and wiping the ice cream from his chin as he made his way over to the rail where Taylor was looking out at the ocean, eating her own ice cream. "Hey there stranger. How are classes going?" He leaned on the rail next to her, scooping out a bit of his sundae.

[taylor anne crane]

Saying that she didn't hear the group of people chattering and laughing would of been a fib. Taylor turned her head to look at the group of people who seemed pleased with themselves walking into the ice cream parlor. She didn't recgonize anyone in the bunch, not that she thought she would, so Taylor turned herself back to the sun and continued to eat her quickley melting ice cream. She had just swallowed a spoonful of fudge when she heard a voice behind her. Licking her lips for the remains of any chocolate, Taylor looked over at the person. She instantly grinned at seeing her best-friend-that-she-lost-touch-with-but-then-they-were-reunited-at-college.

"Hey! They're going good. What about you?" The first time that they met after all of these years was a total shock. Who would imagen that two people who hadn't seen eachother for over 5 years would end up at the same college as eachother? It has been a couple weeks since the last time they talked, and it felt good to see someone she's known for so long.

[calder joseph hennessey]

The last time Calder saw his best friend, before she arrived here in Arietta, was back in Boston some years ago. They lived in the same area, went to the same school, traveled in the same circles. Some thought they were brother and sister more often than Cale could count; they might as well be, but they weren't. He had never been more surprised and elated in his life than when he ran into Taylor on campus the first week of classes back in September. She had been living in Hawaii until then and Cale hadn't heard from her since. Occasionally they found each other online over Facebook or AIM, but their lives had become too busy for the most part to hang around on the internet. Even now Cale rarely spent his down time surfing the web, because there was always something for him to do. Still, this evening was one rare occasion where he had some free time and he was using it up now.

"Pretty good. Not as well as my parents would like, but they don't need to know that until grades officially come out." He couldn't get As in everything, no matter how hard he tried; he wasn't a super-genius, especially when he had no interest in some of his classes and was just taking them because his parents wanted him to. High school was a bit different than college. Even though he went to a private school, he kept a 4.0. "Are you coming to the show this weekend? I saved you a ticket." He always saved Taylor a ticket to his shows back in Boston, whether she was able to come or not. He'd save one for her before he would his parents, since they very rarely came anyway. He was never the type to be disappointed that his parents never came, there were plenty more people in the audience to show their appreciation for theatre. It wasn't just him, there was an entire cast that worked hard to get ready so approval from the crowd was enough for him.

[taylor anne crane]

It was a very depressing day when Taylor left Boston. She was young at the time, she only had one best friend and that was Cale. Leaving was like leaving her other half across the oceans back in Boston. They did swear to right of course, like every pair of best friends do when they move. Although, thinking about it now, they rarely did ever write letters. Then, in Highschool, Taylor remembered finding Cale on facebook -who doesn't have a facebook?!- and being very estatic that day. After all, being able to contact your long lost best friend would rejoice anyones' day. Now thinking about past events, Taylor didn't know why she came to Arietta for college. The waves weren't fantabulous, but they were perfect, and the college wasn't the best, but it was great. She just knew she needed to go there...

Taylor nodded understandingly. "Right, so 'pretty good' is 'just passing' in Cale language?" She asked him sarcastically. Smiling up at him with humor echoing in her eyes. Taylor knew Cale was always a good student. She also knew how his parents were; Wanting him to go into business and pressuring him. Not really remembering anything about a play at their college, Taylor cleared all of her plans for the weekend just to go to Cale's theatre performance. "I would love to come!" She beamed and took another bite of her melting sugary treat. "What's the show about? Or is it a surprise?" She asked, grinning.


outfit ; here!

[calder joseph hennessey]

When Taylor deciphered his code without so much as batting an eye, Cale grinned. It was the little things like that that made him realize how much he truly missed his best friend; his other half, if you will. She could read through him like the pages of a book. He never knew anyone else who could; not even his parents. "Exactly. But only for a couple courses. I'm sailing through the ones for my major." If he was only doing "pretty good" in those classes he was certainly headed down the wrong track. Then again, he was so determined that he was on the right track he worked harder in his performing arts classes than any others. Still, he made sure to keep his grades above failing, even though a couple required some extra tutoring sessions and kick-ass project partners. His mediocre grades weren't for lack of trying, for the most part. The bottom line was, he was getting through them by any means possible.

If it was at all possible, Cale's grin widened when Taylor jumped at his invite to the show. God he missed her; she always managed to brighten his day, even though today had gone rather well so far. Even on the gloomier of days she was his sunshine, as corny as that sounded. "I knew you couldn't turn down a show starring yours truly." He teased. "No surprises. There are posters around the school anyway. It's Les Miserable and I am the infamous Javert." He twisted his words into a French accent, one he had been working on since before auditions even began. He was no Meryl Streep, but he thought it was rather convincing. "Unfortunately I die, but it's a captivating performance if I do say so myself. I get to play the bad boy, in a manner of speaking." Javert was a cop, but the antagonist to criminal Jean Valjean who is the "hero," so to speak. Cale steadied his gaze on the waves in the setting sun, seeing a few people still at the water's edge. "So have you been out today?" He asked, referring to surfing. He still couldn't believe that was the sport Taylor had taken up since the move, but he also had to remember that it was Hawaii to which she moved; the surfing capital of the world. Or at least the United States.

[taylor anne crane]

For Taylor's classes, she was doing good. She was passing them with grades no lower than B's. She really loved learning about becoming a vet. Although she didn't decide what kind of vet she wanted to be. A small animal vet for dogs and cats, a big animal vet for horses and cows, or possible a marine animal vet. The last one sounded very interesting to her-especially because of her addict of surfing. Taylor would have to sit down and seriousley think about it, but not right now. She was with her best friend! "That's still good." She nodded and looked at him. "You must have some pretty smart tudors then." Taylor winked at him before getting another bite of ice cream.

Taylor wasn't the play-type of person, but whenever it starred or had Cale it in, she went to everyone single show. Even when they were younger and his parent's couldn't make it she was still there. "I'm so excited to see you perform. I haven't seen you act in years!" She grinned and said excitedly. Taylor always loved watching Cale perform. He always executed the roll flawlessly in Taylor's eyes. "I bet you worked so hard on that accent." She chuckled and looked at the sun set. "It sounds really interesting. I can't wait." Taylor was being sincerley honest whenever she said she couldn't wait and she was excited. She's heard of Les Miserable, but never really got deep into it's plot.

Knowing what Cale was talking about, she nodded and smiled. "Yea, I was out there all day today." In other words, she will be majorly tan soon to come. And perhaps a harsh sunburn would surface. When surfing, Taylor didn't usually think about how surfing was dangerous like with sharks or the board smacking her. She just had fun when doing it. Although the though of sharks did terrify her.

[calder joseph hennessey]

Making a face Cale tried not to think about his tutors. Only one of them was a student, the other was a middle-aged man with a no-nonsense attitude. Cale was actually scared of him at first, to be honest, but now that he learned his tricks and triggers, he got along better. However, that suggestive wink Taylor gave him would not receive much feedback. "Oh sure, but they aren't very easy on the eyes." He'd much rather look at his assigned partners for the last couple projects of the year. Thankfully, he was able to interact with them a bit more than his tutors. However, he was thinking he might be able to drop his business tutor as his partner in that particular class offered to help him study, which was a much better deal. Cale scooped out some more ice cream, realizing it was starting to melt a bit faster while Taylor commented on the show. "I can't believe it's been that long! We need to restart our traditional after-show celebration." Which usually consisted of nothing more than pizza and quality best friend bonding time over video games or watching ridiculous shows on TV just for the laughs. He was getting tired of thinking about all of the things he missed with Taylor; it was too depressing to remember the years they spent apart, but he was trying to just think of the times they had ahead.

It didn't at all surprise him to hear Taylor had been out surfing all day. He would have probably gone out with her if he hadn't had rehearsals. Not surfing, but just offering his amateur critiques for the hell of it. He knew next to nothing about surfing, only what he saw on television or read about. He learned some from Taylor, but not enough to really get on the board himself. "And why am I not surprised." He chuckled. "Pretty soon I'll have to start surfing just to hang out with you." Which he wasn't opposed to, just a little hesitant of. He had no problems with the water, it was just the strength of the tides and impact zone he worried about - being thrown around and around in the water until he didn't know which direction was up. Sharks were a bothersome thought as well, but he feared drowning a bit more.

[taylor anne crane]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-image:url(http://i54.tinypic.com/2vafwqd.jpg), border: solid #ffffff 5px; width: 400px; height: 500px;] Taylor couldn't help but grin as Cale's face seemed to show that his past tutors weren't that easy on the eyes. Her now soupy ice cream melted to a thick liquid in her bowl. Raising her eyebrows she thought for a second before lifting the ice cream bowl to her lips and sipping the ice cream like a bowl of ceral. Licking her lips just in case some ice cream was still there, she looked over at Cale. "Awh, come on, there must of been a tutor or partner that was 'easy on the eyes'." Best friends before; They knew everything about eachother. But since being seperated; Some things have been put in the dark. It didn't feel akward to Taylor talking to Cale about if he liked anyone. They were still best friends.. Weren't they? Having a mini flash-back of the two having their after show celebrations, brough an instant grin to her face. She set her ice cream down on the thick railing and began to hop from excitement. "Yes we should! That would be so much fun!" Taylor grinned some more and stopped to look over at Cale. "After your show this weekend we should have one! We could go to my apartment after the show, or your house if you prefer." She picked up her ice cream and drank it again. Taylor tried to refrain her mind from going back to all of the years that they missed together, they still had the rest of their lives to gain what they lost. She chuckled, shrugging her shoulders. "Aww, you'd do that for me?" She asked him with a hint of sarcasim as she placed a hand over her heart. "Surfing could help you with you're theatre..." She paused. "If you ever need to surf in a play."

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[calder joseph hennessey]

Never having really thought about it before, he realized Taylor was right - there was someone his eyes were on, but he never actually sought too much into it. For what reason, he didn't know exactly because there was more than one. First, they were only partners on a project. Second, who knew if their friendship would last after the fact. Third, she might be dating someone and Cale was not the sort of guy to interfere in other people's relationships. At least not while in his right mind. He could feel the expression on his face change and no doubt Taylor would notice so he didn't bother not responding. "Now that you mention it, there is someone who kind of caught my eye. But she's only my partner for some history project." He made sure to brush any indication of a relationship out of the conversation, even though he knew Taylor would press for details - if he knew her at all. He stuffed his mouth with ice cream for an excuse not to say anymore, crunching down on walnuts and sprinkles.

Swallowing, Cale nodded when Taylor agreed they needed to continue their tradition. "Whatever, I'm not picky. Wait for me after the show and we can decide from there." He had to wash off his stage make-up and change into regular clothes before he would go out in public. He could technically leave as is, but the school might want their costume back. He was just glad all of the productions were on Friday nights so there was no worry about having to get up for classes the next day. Although, there was also a Saturday night show so all the cast had to be back at the theatre by mid-afternoon for their critiques and to tweak or fix anything that didn't work or went wrong the night before. Cale looked over at Taylor when she placed her hand over her chest in a dramatic way. It made him smile, even chuckle a little. "Of course I would." He leaned over and draped and arm across her shoulders, squeezing her in a one-armed hug. "What kind of friend would I be otherwise." Dipping a finger in his melting ice cream, he wiped it off on the end of her nose. "I'm sure it can be a valuable skill."

[taylor anne crane]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-image:url(http://i54.tinypic.com/2vafwqd.jpg), border: solid #ffffff 5px; width: 400px; height: 500px;] In Taylor's eyes, Cale looked like he was debating something in his head. Maybe he did have a crush on someone? She smiled and decided to not bug him about it, although she totally could tell that he was thinking about that girl as they were talking. "Only your project partner?" She looked at him with raised eyebrows. She wanted to ask him a million questions about her, if she was nice, what her name was, stuff like that. Taylor could tell that Cale didn't want to talk about it by him stuffing some melted ice cream in his mouth. Chuckeling softly, she rolled her eyes at him and decided to change the topic. "Okay, sounds good." She took her last sip of ice cream soup before tossing it into a trash can that was a few steps away from them. Thinking about seeing Cale perform again made her think of something. He always did good in performances whenever Taylor watched, and they haven't seen eachother in a million years, so why not get him a good performance gift? Thinking about it, she smiled to herself and tried to hide her expression so Cale wouldn't notice she was up to something, but he probably already saw her smile. Taylor wrapped her arms around Cale giving him a hug. "You are the most best friend in the whole entire world." She said while smiling. She turned to face the setting sun with one arm still wrapped around him. From the corner of her eye she looked up at Cale after he wiped ice cream on her nose. With her free hand she reached up and rubbed his hair, hopefully messing it up. "Oh yea, very valuable." She smirked, chuckeling.

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[calder joseph hennessey]

Cale looked down when Taylor hinted that she wanted more info on this girl he had his sights on; even though she didn't press any further after that he could tell this conversation wasn't completely over. Eventually he was going to have to spill to her. He really had no objection to that; he and Taylor talked about everything under the sun. However, since he didn't know much about Kahlan at the present time, there really wasn't a great deal to tell, except she was very attractive and they seemed to have hit it off. Which was a good thing considering a great deal of their grade depended on a well thought out and put-together project. "You know, you asking me about girls opens the door for me to ask you about guys. So, have you set your sights on anyone?" It was only fair that he ask; even though he would accept the brush off as he had done. It was still a hard thing for him to grasp though, Taylor with a boyfriend. He wouldn't blame any guy for being attracted to her, she was a beautiful girl. He just didn't like sharing her with anyone else. Even when Cale was "dating" one of his parent's friend's daughters, he spent more time with Taylor than her; which often led to the impending breakup out of jealousy. That all changed when she moved away, which his parents liked, leaving Cale to do the breaking up.

When Tay wrapped her arms around him in a hug, he did the same, but still held his arm over her shoulders when they pulled away. "So are you. I can't believe we went five years without each other. That can never happen again, I've missed you something terrible." And that was God's honest truth. There were a lot of times when his life just got too busy for him to take the time to miss her, but when the times turned rough that's when he really felt it. But, he didn't dwell on the fact, just found new ways to deal. He knew eventually they would go their separate ways but for now he was just glad she was back. "You wanna take a walk on the beach?" They could see the sun setting from where they stood, but Cale thought it would be more thrilling walking along the water's edge.