A Surprise Meeting [jack]

[#kyliejenner]

Drew Wells
16
District 2, Career

I picked my way carefully along the ground, wishing I could meet a friend. My strict father was ill so couldn't help training and I would rather chop off my fingers than take another plant lesson from Mother. Rosy was just out off school so I walked along quickly, hoping to meet her half way.

A sound to my left startled me and I spun around, jaw tensing. I spat on the ground, daring the person to come out ... if there was a person.

"Hello?"

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM

The whole day I've been in our companies factory welding together tiny little wires and pieces to circuit boards. It was noisy, stinky and made my back ache.
So when I finally get off work my first way is to the pub. I know my dad doesn't like me going there, especially because I'm still not legal to drink, which has never kept me from it.

On my way I take a short cut through the park and a few bushes, my hood drawn deep into my face due to the cold weather. I can even see my own breath this afternoon.

A guy comes walking down the street and I can already tell he's not paying much attention.
Suddenly he stops and asks. "Hello?"

"Hello." I reply briefly and slow down so i don't run him over when I come out of the bushes.
I recognise him from school. he was two years under me so he must be ready to graduate soon.
I give him a nod to let him know I've recognised him. "You went to my school." I state the obvious and start fishing for his name. "Wales?"

[#kyliejenner]

"Nope, Drew Wells. You are? I don't really remember you, man." I frowned. The guy was big and fast. A former Career? I turned to look around me - guess i wouldn't be catching Rosy now ...
"Sorry, I was just going to get my sister ... it's alright now. She'll be home now, I guess." I had to fight to hold in a resigned sigh. I stopped walking as he stopped sprinting. When I looked at him closely, I think I regonised his face ... "Matthew?"

[Jack Lexington]

MATTHEW DUNHAM

'Drew Wells. That's right." I pretend to remember his name although i have no idea. He was never really popular in school, nor was he a quarterback or career, not that I can remember anyway.

"I don't want to hold you up." I motion for him to get a move on.
"Just heading over to the pub. Had a fucking long day at work." I need to stress that I'm actually working while all the other guys my age are still in school sitting for their exams like I did last year.
I push back the hood of my jacket and brush back a few strands of my fairly long hair.
I'm not even sure why I'm not cutting it. I guess just because I can.

He catually figured out my name, which is a bit of a surprise because we've never spoken before.
"yeah, Matt." I extend my hand to shake his. I guess I'm having a polite day rather than an i'll-run-you-over day.
"Wanna join me for a beer?" Holy hell am I ever nice today.

[#kyliejenner]

"Why not?" I smile and shake his hand heartily. The only reason I know his name is because Rosy talked about him often.
"So, your working? That's good - I'm a career." I add as an after thought. I like people to know I am a career - it gives me some rule over the younger ones.
We walk to the pub and it's when I'm walking in the door that the smell of beer and the sound of drunken brawls overcomes my ears. I smile and walk beside Matt, happy to be there.

[Jack Lexington]

He doesn't hesitate to join me so it looks like he's as much a fan of the pub as I am. While we walk down the street I nod. "Yeah, I work, doing an internship with my old man's engineering company." I'm just trying to make sure he doesn't think I'm some school drop out working at the paper mill or something.
When he says he's a career my eyes find him for a moment. "Really? How come I've never seen you at the training center?"
I push open the door using my shoulder just to enter into a fog of booze and smoke. "Home sweet home." I smirk and clap him on the shoulder.

Then I go straight for the bar and order a beer.
The guy there knows me and has seen my fake ID a couple of times so he doesn't hesitate.
Almost instantly a nice brown ale with white foam spilling over the rim of the glass is set in front of me. It looks delicious so I take a nice long swig before I rub my neck and turn around to take in the crowd. It's mostly men, some women. Nobody I know.

[#kyliejenner]

"I don't train at the centre. My father was a career when he was my age. He trains me, just like his father trained him. My mother teaches me about herbs and plants and animals and stuff ... boring. I'm home-schooled, you could say." I smile and join Matt at the bar. I show the barman a fake ID and order a beer, sighing after it goes down.
"Haven't had a drink in months. My parents like to keep me sober - can't train if I can't even walk straight!" I laugh, taking another deep gulp of the refreshing beer.

[Jack Lexington]

"I don't train at the centre. My father was a career when he was my age. He trains me, just like his father trained him. My mother teaches me about herbs and plants and animals and stuff ... boring. I'm home-schooled, you could say." With half an ear I hear his explanation about being home trained and home schooled. "That actually sounds very isolated. Maybe you need to get out and train with somebody your own age, who will give you a challenge. Get to know who you will be up against."
I take a swig from my beer. The way the bitter liquid makes its way down my throat is delicious. I love beer.
Like most of us this new guy has a fake ID in place as well and orders a beer.
"You don't have to get piss trunk, just have one or two, stay sober." I lift my glass to clink with his.
"Or do whatever feels good." I smirk back at him and take another long drag. "I love beer."