Knuts and Bolts *Isabella*

[drew]

It's weird enough to be wandering the grounds and stepping foot past the shrieking shack; but it was even odder to see a muggle car sitting out in the middle of the lawn before the black gate, and only from the waist down could you see a body, the rest totally submerged inside the hood. This had to be, and could only be Drew, working on one of his muggle cars. It was actually one of a few, he got most of them from the junk yard, and then would work on them from there. It wasn't so much so that he could drive them, then that it was fun to fix it up and see what you could do with a scrap of metal. It came as no surprise then, that most of Drew's drawings were of different vehicles and makes. Today was a free day he had from class, being a Saturday where he could relax. On the roof of the car, rested an opened book, "All the King's Men", which was already a classic in the muggle world.

His greased up hands worked furiously over random odds and ends, and he picked up and set down several pieces of the car. Drew's sole attention was on this car, and not on anyone who took the time to past by and gawk, trying to figure out what on earth he was doing. Most people didn't understand Drew, and that suited him just fine. Emerging his head out from beneath the hood for the first time, he bent down and picked up the wrench, going back to tightening a bolt. The car was almost finished, and hopefully in a couple of hours or less, it would be ready to run. A person has no idea how distracting it is, when you're trying to think about the task at hand, and the only thing you can think about is a girl. Drew wasn't into that whole 'new crush, must think about them all the time' kind of thing, but apparently, he was now. He tried not to, but in the end, the lazy Drew decided it was better to sucumb to the pressure. Besides, it was a lot better than thinking about a car.

He was wondering if she got in trouble, and if she did skip class after all. Haha, that's great. Drew Marino actually got Isabella Swan to skip a class, that in itself, was priceless. Wiping his forehead off with a dirty rag, he examined the work before him, only half paying attention now. Her silly smile, the way she did her hair, her school-obsessed life, and even the way she managed to insult him were things that he liked. The fact that she was goregous definitely helped in the matter. A Hogwarts couple stopped several feet away from him, and exchanged glances. It was one of those 'What a crazy' looks. He raised his eyebrows at the pair, and when the girl whispered something to the guy, Drew gave a disinterested look, flipped them off, and went back to the car. That caused the girl to huff, and eventually they moved on. As the passed, he muttered "It's called a car. It's this funny little invention, where if you press the pedal, it moves. Who would have thunkit." Wiping his hands off with the rag, which really did him absolutely no help, he sighed. Something didn't look right, he did something wrong.

[bella]

OOC: Back from the game! :] But we lost....*Sighs* Aw well. :-|


“Only for Drew…” Bella muttered, shaking her head as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. It was a wonder how anyone could ever get her to go and look at a mangy car all day; she still couldn’t believe it herself. He’d promised to make it interesting, but that didn’t really ease the mild boredom that had already set in. She tried to perk herself up, but somehow her forestry attire wasn’t helping. She’s decided over comfort rather then style, figuring she might as well be prepared for a day in the woods: Bella had pulled out one of her old hoodie sweaters, pulled on a pair of jeans, and tied the laces upon her tennis shoes. As she pulled up her hair into a long pony tail, she focused more on the positives of today instead: for one, more time with Drew. He’d been the soul focus of her mind lately, regardless of if she wanted him to be or not. It was sort of silly how some dinky little thing could reminder her of him. Making sure her ponytail was snug, suddenly the day seemed brighter.

Bella had been fairly confident that she could find the place he’d described, but once she broke off from the little stream of students filtering towards Hogsmeade, she felt unsure. All of the sudden the trees looked a little more intimidating despite the little dirt trail. It was a few minute of secluded silence before she heard someone coming. Bella looked up, watching a couple pass her on the opposite side. “What on earth is he doing?” she heard the girl say, sounding mystified and repulsed all at once, “It’s a heap of trash – it’s absolutely worthless…whatever it is.” Bella paused for a moment, watching them continue until they turned the corner the way she had come. It gave her a bit of hope that she was going the right way. And then she just had to laugh, thinking how silly purebloods could be sometimes. Did that girl really not know what a car was? At least she hoped it was a car they spoke of, and more so hoped the guy they were talking about was Drew.

Self doubt began to set back in as she walked on, glancing around the trees. She really had no guarantees she was even in the general area, but she’d hadn’t been so willing to get up early and come down when he had – she’d been sleep deprived as it was; no need to push her luck. That and she wanted to be awake around him this time, rolling hers eyes at how sleepily she’d been when they’d last parted. After another little corner, she finally heard something that let relief wash over her: the small clanking of metal, of parts. Instantly her face lit up in a smile, breaking from the little path towards a couple of almost indistinguishable cars. Among the wreckage Drew stood, staring almost furiously at one of the vehicles. She had to bit her lip from laughing, examining the peculiar expression on his face – and noticing that’s how she often looked when she couldn’t be sure she had the correct answer or not.

Bella broke her small staring with a few blinks and walked over to him, looking up expectantly with her hands laced behind her back. “I’m ready to be entertained,” she teased. For whatever time they’d had apart, it didn’t seem to have affected her at all in the way she felt around him. Bella stomach was in a light fit of butterflies and kept remarking silently to herself how amazing he looked up close and desirable to have him stay that close. Even with the small smudges and dirt stuck to his brow, he was stunning. Undoing her tied fingers, she reached up and ran a finger over his cheek, wiping a bit of the dirt away. “Do I get to play in the dirt too?” she laughed, holding her dirty finger right in front of him as evidence. But staring into his eyes really brought out the girly-girl side of her, standing up on her tiptoes to peck him on the lips before saying quieter “I missed you.” She just hadn’t realized she missed him that much…but it definitely would explain why she hadn’t been able to get a decent homework assignment in.

[drew]

ooc: awww sorry to hear that...maybe next time. And btw, I'm not going into a lot of detail, because I actually don't know the first thing about cars, except how to drive one lol.



Wizards, was there anyone more ignorant? No really, if you thought about it, they had all sorts of information at their fingertips, yet they did absolutely nothing with it. On the other hand, muggles did the best with what they could, and always wanted to know more. Vain, self-centered, self-righteous wizards...oh that's right, he was one. But he didn't grow up as one, and being placed in Hogwarts was much like at home. He had his own problems with getting along with them, but at least he wasn't a freak like he was at home. So in a way, there were good and bads with coming here. At least he had his cars....oh, wow. Don't even go there. Drew kicked the front tire of the old convertable, frustrated that even that wouldn't work for him. He jumped into the front seat, the hood not on, and tried to start up the engine. A loud pop and more than enough smoke billowing, indicated that yeah, something still wasn't right. Turning up the radio, and surprised to find that it even got reception, he jumped over the door and went back to the front of the car.

The second he saw Bella he smirked, she showed up anyway, despite the fact that she was determined it was going to be boring. She wore casual clothes with hair up in a pony tail. He was glad, first of all, her clothes might get ruined anyway, and second of all, he made her promise she'd never dress up in anything other. His permant fixation and scowl directed towards the yellow ride changed, and he smiled again as Bella headed over. I'm ready to be entertained. He raised a dirty eyebrow and nodded his head. "So do you want me to juggle first or what?" He remembered saying something about that earlier, and stuck his tongue out in response. "This." He smacked his hand on the hood, "Is my baby...or at least it will be, when I can get it to work." Which he would, eventually. He grinned foolishly, seeming to expect some kind of sudden enthusiasm from her.

It was just as well that she had shown up, considering that Drew couldn't think about anyone or anything else anyway. In fact, it might make it easier for him to work now that she was here. Looking her up and down, he whistled with a smirk. He swiftly wrapped his arms around her waist, incircling her when she kissed him, a good feeling compared to grease. He was a mess, but hey, she'd get dirty anyway if she was actually considering helping him. Looking at her finger in inspection he clicked his tongue, before blowing the dirt off the tip of her finger. "I missed you too." He gave her another kiss, not one to take the opportunity for granted. "In fact...." He smirked, looking like he was up to something. "I've actually missed you getting after me on homework....which reminds me, did you fall asleep in class?" He teased. Drew stroked the side of her face with one hand, while removing the other from her waist and grabbing the rag. Bringing it up to face level, he swiped it across her cheek, leaving a trail of grease. "Just letting you get a taste of what I've been through all morning."

[bella]

OOC: *Laughs* OMG, I totally undertand. Besides, if you DID go in-depth, I wouldn’t follow AT ALL. My brother is the car nerd; I just want one that runs. XD


Despite her best efforts, she wasn’t bored anymore. Bella was actually really excited, not realizing the effect her had on her until Drew was standing right there. No wonder classes seemed near unbearable nowadays. Compared to him, they were unbearable. She was near positive that had she not already secured the reputation, she might just go back on all of it and slide by through school instead of live in it. Thoughts like that, they would have alarmed her on any normal day, but standing where she was they seemed perfectly logical. “Only if you used those neat, flaming sticks,” Bella grinned, “Little red bouncy balls do nothing for me.” She examined the car as best she could, at least able to tell they were standing before the front side and not the trunk. “But this will do,” she amended, nodding towards the car. Anything would do, so long as Drew was around. “I’m already riveting with excitement,” Bella laughed.

What she hadn’t really been ready for was his reaction towards her. Clearly he was going to keep his promise that he wasn’t going regard her as the little bookworm anymore. Bella happily returned the hug, deciding trying to stay clean was just going to be a lost cause. “Nice to see you to,” she grinned, her butterflies accelerating. “You look pretty good too, even with the dirt. It’s quite attractive, gives you that ‘rough around the edges’ kind of look,” she teased. Bella watched the dirt fall from her finger, “I missed you too.” It was silly how so little words could make her heart flutter, and sillier how she still had yet to keep her heart normal pace when he kissed her. “In fact, I've actually missed you getting after me on homework...which reminds me, did you fall asleep in class?” Bella internally kicked herself, knowing her faint blush would give her away. “Actually,” she admitted sheepishly, “I didn’t even go to classes in the morning; only to my classes after lunch. Thanks to you an entire night afterwards had to be dedicated to catching up on my schoolwork.” Bella scowled at him, like it really was all his fault.

She lost her argument though, rolling her eyes at him as he smeared grease along her cheek bone. “Trust me, I’m completely braced. I only followed along with this attire because I knew I couldn’t expect to leave clean.” She nodded her head towards herself, and hoodie, jeans and all. Bella looked back up, grinning. “So, what exactly do you plan on doing with me all day? I’m yours.” She glanced at the car for a moment, wondering if she would actually help him with it, or just cause more damage. Bella’s knowledge on cars was scarcely limited; if he started pulling out crazy mechanic terms, she would be useless for sure. “I’m just going to apologize in advance if I break something,” she said after a moment, still looking at the car. “It’s not intentional – it’s just I have no idea what I’m doing. You better be a good teacher.”

[drew]

ooc: haha GOOD. Now let's just hope that some car-driven genius doesn't show up to read this and chew me out


"Now you want sticks and fire?" Drew shook his head like he had about had it with her, beginning to turn away. "You know, you're about the hardest person to please I've ever met." He teased, and turned back to meet her once again, only this time he held her tighter. "And I'm sure you are riveting with excitement as you say. Who couldn't be thrilled to watch or help transform a peice of junk into a masterpiece?" Everything had to do with art, at least for him. Drawing was even a better use of time than fixing cars, but like with a lot of things, he let this go unnoticed to most people. Of course he noticed this slender hufflepuff's sarcasm, but he passed it off with a gleaming smile. "Ok, I'll make it at least work." Masterpiece was pushing it just a little bit, he would admit that part. "So you don't quite like me as a pretty boy then." He replied, when she stated he looked good with a little bit of dirt. "That's good, because I don't do pretty." I mean, let's face it. A guy who was always clean, and dressed sharp, had more than a few things to worry about.

"I can't wait to see what you look like with a little bit of dirt on ya." He smirked, holding up the rag close to her face, as if threatening to dose her with it. Actually, I didn't even go to classes in the morning... He put a display of mock surprise and leaned his face in. "You didn't? well....let me pretend to be surprised for a moment..." He made his face even more extreme before going back to normal. "Glad that's over with. You're not getting behind on your classes now too are you? Because then, I'm really making an effect on you. Next thing you know, you'll be mocking all the professors and correcting them in class.....just like me." He laughed. "Ah, you really did bother to catch up on your school work. Well then Bella, I don't think you've been around me quite long enough. I think we'll both have to spend some more quality time together." Drew smirked the smirk he always did, before kissing her on the ear and moving towards the car. He chuckled and gave Bella a look. "You're mine are you? Interesting terms" He poked. "And don't worry, I'm not going to be giving you any job you can ruin the car with. I've learned you're really the....graceful type." He fained putting his hands up, like he was gonna get hit, before resting his elbow against the hood.

"Ever heard the term, those who can't do, teach?" Drew took a double glance at the book still on top of the car and knocked it off into the vehicle with the swipe of his hand, before continuing. "Well, it's sort of the same thing. I suck, at being a student....apparently." He grinned. "But I like to think I'm a pretty good teacher. Now, come over here." He beckoned her with his hand. He put his hand on one half of the battery, and pointed to the other part. "I have to let you know one thing, before you go sticking your hands in here. This, is a car. It's also...dangerous. If you touch this" He patted the battery. "And this" he pointed to the other, "at the same time, let's just say....you're hair will look like Marge Simpsons." He winked and ran a dirty finger through a strand of her hair. "In other words, you'll get the biggest shock of your life. So don't do it....unless you really want to humor me. Because, it's pretty damn funny to the other person."

[bella]

OOC: Hmm, several things: 1) Yes; that'd be just our luck to be happily RPing along and then BAM! Thsi car whiz will come busting in and yell at us for not knowing what we're doing. XD 2) For saying that you lost muse half way through, you're good at covering it up. ^^ 3) I would like to give out a special shout out to de friend I mentioned: Singurheartout! :-]


“What can I say? I have high standards,” she mused, seemingly seeing nothing wrong with that fact. “I mean, come on: what sort of girl would I be if I didn’t put the slightest pressure on your guys out there? It’d hardly be any fun. You’re doing good though, really.” She tried to sound convincing in her sarcastic tone, nodding to further her point. “Fire isn’t really a requirement, just sort of a…request. So once you figure out how to juggle fire you let me know, okay?” Bella smiled happily, like a little child at Christmas. Today was looking like it was going to actually be one to remember, even if the memory was inflicted with little bits of dirt and car parts. “You know I like casual,” she teased, “Besides, the minute you try and be pretty…” She stared at him with a disgusted expression, “Well, you do a fine job at being handsome; let’s not try sand switch that around anytime soon, alright?”

“I already have ‘a little bit of dirt on me,” Bella pointed out, glancing at his rag. “But I can’t really do anything about just how much more you decide to add, now can I?” His little act did a lot by way of distracting her, “Ugh, stop! You’re such a dork!” She shoved him playfully, adding “What difference does it make anyways? My grades are so good I could flunk an entire months worth of assignments and still have a better grade then you.” She stuck her tongue out at him, doing her best to intimidate a pouty child. When she finished up with the little charade, Bella put back her innocent act. “You know, I wouldn’t object to being around you more; although, it will take a long time to ever get me to be so loose about schoolwork – you really sure you’re up for that kind of challenge? If something’s not working it’s not like you can’t just switch a part or anything, like this thing…” Bella nudged the bumper of the car with her shoe, a little rust filtering to the ground. Casually she placed her hands on her hips to examine the thing, trying to figure out how exactly it fit the description of a car. “You’re mine are you? Interesting terms.” Bella looked up from her brief analysis and stuck her tongue back out again in reply. Then she answered “Well, I’m pretty sure by the end of the day I’ll have done something I ought not have,” she promised, suddenly the car looking much more intimidating. “Just fair warning; but I’ll try. Off you go.” She waved one hand towards the car, waiting for instructions.

Bella literally had to bite her tongue as she watched the misused book drop to the dirt, but held patient and waited. Obediently she walked over and looked at the mess under the hood – she understood absolutely none of it. “Battery,” Bella repeated like the well trained student she was, but then her face fell into a scowl. “Aha, ha, ha,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “Fair enough. Don’t touch car thing number one and car thing number two at the same time. Got it.” Bella looked at all the metal inside, then corrected “Excuse me: don’t touch the battery and car thing number two at the same time.” Bella grinned and glanced at Drew, “See, I’m learning,” she teased.

[drew]

ooc: I can totally see that happening too. Lol and thanks...I was just going along as you were say and...wham! I couldn't think of one more thing to say, so it took me awhile to type anything *waves to the dedicated friend of Bella's*



"I can't really get at you there....high standards isn't bad. But juggling fire? I mean Bella, that's the most random thing I've gotten out of you yet...no, he doesn't have to care about grades, or want to become a doctor, or have a lot of money pshh" He waved his hand. "As long as he can juggle fire, you're set for life." Drew gave her a sarcastic thumbs up before looking back at the engine specifically of the car. "I'll practice in my free time then....because, it's not like I have anything else to do" He added with even more sarcastic tone than before, and though she couldn't see it, he grinned from underneath the hood. "The minute I start trying to be pretty..." Letting it trail off in the exact same way that she had. "I'll get some serious help." Drew unscrewed the cap that held in the windshield wiper fluid and sat up straight again, holding up a big blue bucket. "I've thought of all the possiblities..." He smirked.

"But I've decided, that this isn't something that you can really mess up on. So take this bucket" He held it out to her, along with a funnel. "And stick it over this pipe. Then just pour the liquid in until it's full. Piece of cake..." But of course, he'd still be watching and hovering over her every second while she was doing it. You never knew with her, which of part of the reason he was so addicted to her. Everything was unpredictable. Except study hour... "I'm a dork? Aren't dorks supposed to be the geniuses who do everyone's homework?" He fainted confusion, and then had an "aha" moment spread across his face. "Oh wait, isn't that sort of like you?" He grinned and took a couple steps away from her, safe distance. "That's ok, nerds are hot" Drew assured her.

"Bragging about grades too, that's not helping your defense much." He raised his eyebrows questionably. "Hey, I've passed all my classes. Shows how much homework you actually have to do to get by....as long as you know the stuff, you're pretty much set." He squeezed by in most of them, because he aced all the tests, just didn't do the work. Drew knew a lot, and part of that made him bored of the professors, and gave him a little too much cockiness, sure that he already knew all the material. For the most part, he did...but you could see that he was lacking in some areas. "I'm not letting you get into anything you can mess up Bella." He leaned up against the frame of the car, waiting for her to fill the wiper tank. "After this, maybe I'll have to wash the car. wax on, wax off." He made hand movements much like on the Karate Kid and grinned.

Her expression at the book didn't go unnoticed as he knocked it into the car, but he shrugged. Drew was usually pretty good to his own books, but this, hehe, was a book from the muggle public library. He'd read it twice before, but she probably figured he hadn't. And far as he was concerned, it would stay that way. No sense in ruining her perfect image of him as acadmecallly impaired. Or stupid, either way, it was almost the same thing. "Yeah, you're uh..learning. Car thingy number one and two." He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "By the time we're finished, you'll be at car thingy number fifty." He chuckled, though he definitely wasn't going to go into detail with her on that. Keep it simple. "If there's anything you're going to remember, that's the one to remember. And, never fill up the gas while the car is on. Just....don't" He shook his head.

[bella]

OOC: Hey, we're doing good though! Car thingy number one and car thingy number two! Can't get much more specific then that. XD


“Well any guy could have good grades or lots of money,” she said a matter-of-factly, like juggling fire was highly important to her, “It takes real skill to toss things over your head that are blazing with heat and not burn yourself; no that’s talent. It’s a good thing I’m simply overlooking it for you; but hey, if you’ll at least practice, that’s something.” Bella just waited as he began monkeying with things, beginning to drum her fingers at her hip in mock impatience. Besides, as he gave up his attention to the car, she had time to stare at him without being asked why. She was quick to advert her eyes when he looked back up, “I’ve thought of all the possibilities.” Bella rolled her eyes, “Of course you have. Just keep those things to yourself though; I don’t really care to hear about whatever crazy things you’ve dreamed up in that department. If you want to continue on about your life’s plan, by all means go right ahead, but…” Bella just shrugged, finding no words to explain it properly.

Obediently Bella took the bucket and peered into it, finding the dark liquid not very interesting. She glanced at the little funnel in her opposite hand – not very exciting either. She wasn’t exactly sure what Drew found so fascinating about this little hobby of his, I guess whatever makes you happy. Some people wondered why she found drawing such an addictive thing, just like she found his car obsession peculiar. “Hmm, liquid in funnel, funnel in pipe. Simple enough.” Bella took the funnel and delicately placed it in the desired spot, tipping the bucket with her other hand and letting it drain down. Simple enough. “So what exactly got you into cars then?” she asked after a moment, pulling the bucket back before it had a chance to overflow. She grinned superiorly, a sense of accomplishment lining her expression. “Wa la,” she added.

“Oh wait, isn’t that sort of you?” Bella pursed her lips, having expected as much from her taunts. “That’s okay, nerds are hot.” She couldn’t stay mad at him when he smiled like that, “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind then. Who knew it could turn guys on.” She rolled her eyes and pulled out the funnel, some of the dark solution dripping to the ground. “I hope that isn’t toxic,” she joked, but could feel foolish worry as it seeped into the ground. Bella held it over the bucket, letting the quiet dripping land there instead. “Well, I haven’t broken anything yet – so far so good. But waxing sounds pretty boring, which you promised me I wouldn’t be,” she pointed out lightly, “If I find a reason to be bored you realize I win, right? You should have practiced the fire tossing last night…” Bella smirked, holding out the bucket. “What’s next?” She had no idea how refilling whatever she’d just refilled would help the car, but seeing as Drew was only her source of knowledge on the topic she’d just have to go with what he instructed.

“Yeah, you're uh…learning. Car thingy number one and two. By the time we're finished, you'll be at car thingy number fifty.” Bella smiled like getting up that high would be a great self accomplishment, “Hey, I have a remarkably good memory. I won’t forget what each number stands for.” She pointed to the battery, “Battery,” and then towards the other object he’d pointed out earlier, “Car thingy number two.” But then curiosity pricked at her, “You haven’t by chance ever done that yourself, have you Drew?” she teased, though wondering if perhaps he really had. “I thought you said you knew things; or does that count as learning from experience?”

[drew]

ooc: haha nope, I think we've played it pretty safe


"Right. Next time I'm alone in my dorm room with nothing to do, I'll light a couple of lamps on fire and learn how to juggle them that way. Next time you see me, I'll be a pro. I may no longer have actual use of my hands, but, no big deal, impressing you, is worth it." Drew had no actual intention of doing any of that, especially not something that deals with fire. Something about Drew and fire had always been a bad combination. It was like people and the number 666, there was something about it. He lit his arm on fire when he was ten and he was trying to light one candle on his birthday cake. When he was eleven, and never taught mind you what was dangerous, he set the living room ablaze when he mixed nail polish remover and a match. Then again, Drew could pretty much cause problems with any element of nature that you gave him. It wasn't anything knew. Though, in all honesty, he'd like to keep his hands for a couple more years.

"But....in other words you'll kill me if I go on about all the accidents you could cause right?" His smirk said it all, but he wasn't going to bring that up. There were some things you just didn't insult a girl on. One, was how they were prone to....mistakes. Simple enough. He laughed and nodded his head. "I hope so. Just don't fill it up too high." Not like anything would really happen, except that it would drizzle over the edge. So what exactly got you into cars then? "I think it was the day I went into second grade, and all the kids looked at me funny because I was the only boy who knew the difference between a skirt, and a skort....yeah, that was it." He nodded his head painfully, pitying all the guys out there who knew the same thing. "I suddenly realized, that only having a mother was sort of a down fall for a boy." Drew grinned. "So, I thought I'd get a guy hobby. I naturally turned to cars because, they sounded cool, and they looked cool. And that was the beginning."

Drew was still an artist, and he really didn't care what they said about that. He was a guy, truely a guy, but he didn't need to have the handwriting of a five year old and draw stick figures to prove it. Watching her turn the bucket up right once again, he put his arm around her waist and smiled. "Nice job. Next step: automotive engineer." Drew laughed about the nerd thing and shrugged his shoulders. "A smart girl's a whole lot better than a dumb one. I just get sick of having to explain to them every time, that there's a difference between a duck and a goose." You would think, living in this world for sixteen or seventeen years, would have to at least give you something. But no, he really had to have a debate with one girl about it. "I won't make you wax, only if you mess something up." He nudged her once again. He took the bucket from her and set it down on the ground next to the other odds and ends. "Bella, it's windshield wiper fluid. It washes off the big mirror that you see out of. I'm pretty sure it's not going to make you sprout anything unusual." Hahaha, man, it was hard not to laugh.


"I may have..." He coughed and changed the subject, picking up a new bucket with dark red paint inside of it. He'd only done it because his friends dared him to, he knew what would happen. Drew did, and it wasn't as bad as they said it was. It just sort of felt like being shocked after you stepped on the carpet and touched someone......times 100. But anyway. "This isn't gonna be boring. Have you ever painted something before?" He held it up higher for her to see, and held out a brush for her. "I don't care if it looks that great, I can always touch it up later. But this paint..." He scratched the side of the car, which peeled of a few pieces, "is at the end of the road." Taking out his own brush, he dabbed it in the paint and in even strokes, moved it across the side.

[bella]

“And here I thought you actually had some common sense,” Bella muttered under breath, thinking how foolish it would be if he actually ever tried it. Clearly his tone said he wouldn’t, but all the same – something told her giving Drew a simple match would be a mistake. He’d find someway to take the feeble flame and blow something up or burn something down. Either way, if he ever decided to play around with fire Bella was going to make sure she was at least an entire continent away. That should be safe enough.

“Exactly,” Bella commended him, nodding her head. “Because despite what you said, somehow I don’t think you want me nagging you all day about homework, right?” She glanced at him questioningly, and then turned back to the bucket. As she held the little funnel over it, she couldn’t help but smirk. “I got it covered,” she told him, minus the little drop that had soaked into the ground. Well, at least it wasn’t toxic. That was good. “I think it was the day I went into second grade, and all the kids looked at me funny because I was the only boy who knew the difference between a skirt, and a skort....yeah, that was it.” Bella actually had to process if he really meant that or not. She didn’t really believe him until he mentioned his mother, understanding that an absence of a father could have that effect on you if you were expected to be the man of the house. “Hmm,” was all she replied, fighting off the little twinge that pricked at her – stupid mother. Bella had yet to confess anything that had happened since that silly letter; and she had no plans on telling Drew today either. Why ruin a good thing with her little sob story?

Bella had long since decided he was a nice distraction from her problems, finding the small gesture of a hug comforting. “Nice job. Next step: automotive engineer.” Bella grinned, “Yeah, hate to disappoint but you might not want to get your hopes up just yet. I still only know two parts.” She glanced at the battery involuntarily, and the other things dubbed Car Thingy Number One. Oh yeah, she was making serious progress. Ha. “Of course there’s a difference between a duck and goose!” Bella scoffed, wondering who the idiotic soul had been that needed proof on that. “Yeesh, someone needs a life. One full of books and educational programs.” Honestly, how dense could someone get? “Bella, it's windshield wiper fluid.” That was it? And here she’d thought she’d done something important. “I'm pretty sure it's not going to make you sprout anything unusual.” Suddenly the liquid didn’t seem as intimidating – it made her want to laugh as she felt a sense of disappointment. “That’s comforting,” she joked, shaking her head.

“I may have…” Bella looked up and concentrated on not laughing out loud. “Drew! Are you serious?” Well, somehow that wasn’t so hard to believe. Bella just let out a laughing sigh. “This isn't gonna be boring. Have you ever painted something before?” She took the paintbrush and twirled in her hands, looking up at him from underneath her eyelashes, “I was born an artist,” Bella informed him, putting on a fake but believable French accent. And clearly, the car needed a good hand in paint. It was in a poor, poor state. Bella quickly lathered in brush in a thin coat of paint and began the process of covering up the old, worn color; it desperately needed it. Somehow the familiar task calmed her, even if she didn’t exactly have the canvas she was used to. The thought made her smile as she ran over the chipping paint.

[drew]

ooc: ok, wow sorry my post is short in comparision.

"Why would you think that? I thought you knew me." Drew smiled while he shut the hood of the car, to avoid any paint splatters on the inside. Appearance on a car, was half of the point. And as they could both see, because they had eyes, the car needed a lot of work. "I love fire. Fire and I are best friends. Can't you tell?" He shifted his arm to reveal the scar that climbed half way up the back of his arm. Yeah, long time friends. He still liked it....when he had ten other people supervising and fire proof clothing. Which was never, so scratch that. He hated it. "Uhg, yeah Bella, never nag me about homework. I can handle it." Which of course meant, I'm not doing it. Simple as that really.

Hmm was her reply, and Drew smirked. She couldn't tell if he was lying about that one or not. No, he really wasn't. It was true. But, he was proud to say, that he'd conviently forgot the difference and now could not tell. He also didn't know the difference between moose and gel. These girls had too many...things they put in their hair. Drew just woke up, combed through it, maybe, and was ready to go. What was so hard about that? I still only know two parts. "You've gotta have patience. You've only been doing this for what, five minutes?" He wasn't realy sure, but every hour he spent with Bella felt like just a moment. "Then again, it was a muggle. The only education they get, is seseame street and Gone with the Wind." He would know, he used to be stuck in that world. "But hey, considering all things, I turned out pretty smart." He was more than smart, the only thing he wasn't smart about, was homework.

"Dead serious, on my honor." He crossed his heart, and made that oh so serious face that always looked like he was concentrating too hard on something. "To be fair, I knew what was going to happen. I got twenty dollars out of it." He wasn't raised in England, so the currency made perfect sense to him, but probably not someone else. "Buttttt, take it from someone with experience. You don't want to be touching those things." He shook his head slowly, emphasizing his point. Drew pulled out his own brush and began to paint a little ways down, so they wouldn't run into each other. I was born an artist. He looked over at her from out of the corner of his eye, before flicking his paint brush, a splatter of paint coming right at her. He kept his eyes soely on his work, but a smug little smile was now across his mouth. "I was checking, I've only seen you draw. It's a big difference from painting." Drew, he was alright at drawing, nothing that spectacular, but he loved to paint.

[bella]

OOC: No worries. XD


Bella simply rolled her eyes at him, “Of course I do – you’re Drew. What else is there to know?” She focused solely on her work, brushing the same way and running over it again and again in attempts to hide the smirk tainting her lips. She was certain it was in vain hope, but it didn’t matter much. “I love fire. Fire and I are best friends. Can't you tell?” Bella looked up and then her nose wrinkle in disgusted. “Ew, okay, I’m taking fire juggling off the list – you win.” She didn’t’ care how old the scar was, it still looked discolored and she could clearly imagine the rest – that in itself made her squeamish. What on earth he had been trying to do when he’d received it she had no idea, but already she had several ideas, none of them pretty. Bella was aware he’d only been joking about actually practicing, but any incentive to try and swoon her with fire juggling and have that happen again was enough to stop her. Of course, now doubt it didn’t hurt any more and he probably ever thought about it, but Bella was known for blowing things wildly out of proportion.

“You've gotta have patience. You've only been doing this for what, five minutes?” Bella grinned, laughing “Yeah, I guess. I can be patient if I really want to.” Foolishly she mulled over whether it had actually been five minutes – a brief, brief amount of time, but she felt like they’d only been together for a few measly seconds. Five minutes or not, time always went by too fast when he was around: a rather annoying tendency. “But hey, considering all things, I turned out pretty smart.” Bella glanced him, pausing her painting for a moment, and spoke in a motherly tone “That’s right, wittle Drew is all grown up now.” With a swift wink she returned back to the brush, smoothing out a little clump of red paint.

Out of due habit, Bella snorted a laugh at his expression. “Dead serious, on my honor.” It was probably just a little bit too easy for him to get her to laugh. “To be fair, I knew what was going to happen. I got twenty dollars out of it.” Bella had to remind herself Drew had grown up with Muggles too – of course he would understand their money system. Bella had never actually seen their money, but she’d always heard her caretaker talking about it. Twenty sounded like a decent amount to her, so she just went with it, “Whatever works I suppose. I would never purposefully hurt myself for money, but…” She shrugged it off, like it was a very reasonable thing for Drew to do. “But I promise, I won’t touch them. I will not have you seeing my hair frizzy.” Frizzy was a serious understatement from what she’d gathered, but it was the best she could come up with. Content, Bella turned back to her work in just enough time that paint splattered against the side of her hair, instead of in her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise and then she glared at him playfully. Bella wiped her face and flicked her fingers out sending some of the paint back at him. Of course, now she probably looked like she was in dire need of medical help, but she wasn’t too concerned. “I’ll get you later,” she promised, already coming up several ideas that would make a nice payback.

[drew]

ooc: sorry, again, as always. lol took me a little while to post


"Because I'm a very shallow person with little to no depth, and I compensate with my terribly unfunny nature and lethargic attitude." Drew finished, dipping his brush into the paint once more. Again, he hid his face from any smile or frown, leaving her once again to decide what he was thinking. "Fair enough." The car was going to need a serious waxing once they were through with it, and gloss to make it shine. He smirked smugly to himself when she said he had won, of course. You see, Drew always won with either his lack of concern in something, his obnoxious punts, or a combination of both. "Glad you see it my way. I guess I'll have to find some other way to charm you." One that didn't involve fire. Drew thought they looked like chimanzees anyway, the way they threw their arms about wildly and their eyes went cross-eyed trying to focus on what they were juggling. Not really that pretty of a picture.

He snorted and tried to cover it up by coughing, swiping his paint brush faster and more vigorously across the car door. It's just that, when Bella said she could have patience.....it was all that the poor guy could do to keep from laughing. Drew raised an eyebrow. That's right, wittle Drew is all grown up now. Ha.....ha. Trying to think quick on his feet, he looked down at Bella's hand and then up at her with a smirk. "Yeh, and wittle Bella's learning how to finger paint." A spot of red paint had somehow gotten on her finger, probably from him flicking it at her. "So tell me what classes you hate Bella. I know there has got to be at least one. Otherwise, you'd be a Raven. So what is it? Dinvination? HOM? Potions?" Every time he saw her she seemed all too thrilled to be doing homework and/or heading off to class. Drew hated them all, clearly. It wasn't even the subjects that he hated, it was the professors that got too uptight when he corrected them. Hey, it wasn't his fault if they didn't bother to get their facts straight. Honestly, he was really doing them a favor.

"Fair point, I'll give you that. But to each his own. Everyone has a different value on money don't they?" Drew had been broke his whole life, so twenty bucks to him was a lot more than to someone like Bill Gates. "Besides, I mean....it was good entertainment. Better than fire juggling" He winked, still thinking it an absurd hobby. The car only had a little bit of paint on it, not nearly close enough to being done, but he still dunked his brush in a bucket of water and laid it on the ground to dry. "Enough of that, I'll finish it later." He walked over to the other car in the grassy area and stood by it. This one was practically completed, you could tell just by looking at it. Now all it needed was a bath, it looked brown, when it really was green underneath. Clicky:
www.mustangsonly.com/cars/greenco.jpg

"Oh, right. It totally doesn't matter that you'd be electrocuiting yourself, your hair, is what really matters." He had to poke fun, the way girls sometimes put their priorities was too hard not to. He didn't even bother to wipe the paint off his face as it sprinkled across his neck, he was a mess as it was, it wasn't going to make a difference. "Ready to get cleaned off?" He smirked, picking up the hose that was well away from the wet paint car, and right next to the other. "And before you say it, no I didn't steal them. I.....saved them. Just wasting away in the junkyard, amazing antiques that were rotting beneath garbage. Why pay for something that no one even cares about. I was doing a service by taking them off their hands." They were a wreck, when he found them. Now....well at least one was driveable. The other one Drew still wasn't sure about.

[bella]

OOC: Tis perfectly fine; Vas has been keeping me busy. XD


“Glad to know that you’re so comfortable in your ways and everything,” Bella laughed under her breath; regardless of what he said tried to say otherwise, she found his definition to be quite accurate. Perhaps not to those exact extremes, but close enough. “Do I even want to know how’d you categorize me?” she wondered allow, stealing a glance in his direction before swiping another long stripe of paint onto the body of the car. She really couldn’t see what Drew saw in it – as far as she was concerned, the only thing that could save this piece of metal was magic: she didn’t count a wrench and some red paint as magic, but rather silly Muggle wishing that wouldn’t get them too far. Even if she’d grown up believing the world held no ounce of magic in it, now that she’d found out what the world had to offer she wasn’t about to turn in her wand anytime soon. Perhaps a selfish move, but one of great necessity in her opinion.

“Glad you see it my way. I guess I'll have to find some other way to charm you.” Bella smirked, probably too curious. “I’ll be interested to see how you go about doing that,” she replied, only half teasing. “And for the record,” Bella added, a small smile playing on her lips, “Laughing at a girl is no way to try and win her over.” He hadn’t done a very nice job, something of a grunt and chuckle coming out of him – she wanted to laugh at him in return, but felt that wouldn’t strengthen her point in any way. “Yeah, and wittle Bella’s learning to finger paint.” Bella’s lips fell into a hard line and she flung a little bit more paint his way. “That’s right,” she agreed, returning to her work.

“So tell me what classes you hate Bella. I know there has got to be at least one. Otherwise, you'd be a Raven. So what is it? Divination? HOM? Potions?” Internally she cringed, just the thought of History of Magic sending an undeniable wave of anguish over her. Drew was correct in saying she had at least one class to loathe, and History of Magic was it. “It was suggested I be put into Ravenclaw,” Bella answered, crushing her annoyance with the subject with other matters, “Although you are right – there is one subject in particular that drives me up a wall.” I practically live on that wall, she thought smugly, always so aggravated in that class. “History of Magic does absolutely nothing for me. I honestly don’t see why it’s so important – who wants to know about what happened ages ago? Isn’t the Ministry the ones always going on about change and the future? If they really believed in that they’d send out a notice banning the subject form all educational buildings.” Perhaps Drew hadn’t been looking for a rant, but he’d definitely got one.

“Enough of that, I'll finish it later.” Curiously she watched him, pausing her own work as her eyes followed him. He stopped by a noticeably better car – at least she was able to define it as one, instead of the thing she was standing by. She simply ignored his teasing, more focused on what he said after that: “Ready to get cleaned off?” Bella set her brush down after cleansing the thing and walked over, keeping an eye on the hose. “You know, the last time I let you get me close to water, you pulled me in it,” she reminded him, smiling slightly. It’d worked out alright that time – what’s to say today wouldn’t be any different? Slowly her features fell into caution as she listened, only when he mentioned it did Bella give pause to where he had gotten them. His story was believable enough, and well, seeing how she wasn’t exactly a car lover she wasn’t all too concerned on just how he’d gotten these few. “Borrowing with no intention of returning,” she muttered as she glanced at the green automobile. It was his now – why bother attempting to make him see the truthful light? “So does this one actually work then?” she asked; it looked alright from the outside – but she had learned the hard way looks could be deceiving.

[drew]

ooc: Today's excuse: internet wasn't working


Glad to know you're so comfortable in your ways and everything. Ah, even Bella thought that about him. Though technically, he couldn't blame her, he had never once said anything different to her, or to anyone. It didn't matter if there was a lot to you, and you just worked yourself up because no one else did. The only thing that mattered was what you showed to other people, despite what adults may say. What did adults know anyway? Not a whole lot. At least he had never known one who did. "I wouldn't categorize you." Drew smirked as if that should be obvious. Had he not agreed when Bella said he probably categorized people the other day? Yeah, but he was lying. He was fooling around, as always. Judgemental people were the most annoying humans on the planet, he'd been around too many of them. Drew knew she probably wouldn't see any use in the car without cheating and using magic, that's the way most witches and wizards worked. Getting by without magic for so long, Drew was used to it the old fashioned way.

And for the record, laughing at a girl is no way to try and win her over. He looked surprised, like this had never occured to him, before his normal smug look encompassed his face once again. "I know, I haven't been trying. But Bells, I'd be laughing with you, not at you, if only you'd laugh." That's true though isn't it? If you made fun of yourself, you wouldn't feel that bad. Not that Drew was ever really making fun of her, he just didn't know how else to react to some of the things she did and said. Bella was funny, she just didn't know it. Paint landed on his nose and he scrunched it, wiping that off. Normally it would be fine, but he wasn't down with looking like Rudolph. Rudolph, hehe. That's what he called Rodolphus Lestrange. He chuckled, and it would seem like for no apparent reason.

"Ravenclaw...." He stared blankly at her. "It's good you weren't. Or you and I, just couldn't get along." There it was again, was he kidding or being serious? You'll never know. "HOM, it's not that bad. The professor actually knows a thing or two." It was weird, but Drew actually liked the subject. Without it, he'd be lost as to what was going on in the wizarding world, and why. It was at least more interesting than muggle history. They repeated the same things over and over again. How original. Drew laughed out loud and shook his head at Bella, she certainly spoke her mind. "Banning it sounds a little drastic. Maybe just give it out in small measures. Like make it an elective, or something." He picked up the hose, doing everything the muggle way, he turned on the facet. "Geez Bells, why don't you tell me how you really think about it?" He held back the laugh as he sprayed the side of the car, mounds of dirt already sliding off.

"I did pull you in, but you have to remember, that was only so I could stay up with you half of the night." It never looked like it, but he had a reason for everything, even if it didn't always work out the way he planned it. He turned the water up and sprayed the hood, the car was finished except for the dust cloud that enfogged it. Borrowing with no intention of returning. "Exactly. And yeah, it...should work." They didn't want it anyway. Besides, muggles owed him at least that much, the way they had treated him. Staring straight ahead at the car, he turned the hose in his hands towards Bella's direction and sprayed her, only glancing at her then. "Oops." That was for asking if it actually worked, and among other things.