Be Not So Fearful

[Erika Bellefonte]

Putting down her notebook on top of the table, the young brunette looked around. She was here for a reason. Or rather, she was here to find someone for a reason. She had never met the person before, but she was fairly certain she was able to pick him out from the crowd. She'd glanced at a photo before coming here, though, the photo had been old and not all that flattering.

Glancing around once more, it seemed as if no one fit the description, so maybe he wasn't here yet? She had it on good authority that he would be. Or rather, should be.

After a moment of waiting, Erika found herself growing restless. And with that, annoyed. The minutes flew by and the guy she was looking for hadn't shown up. Naturally, she hadn't exactly set up a meeting, so it wasn't like he'd know she'd be here, but that didn't make her any less annoyed for wasting her time.

Standing, Erika started gathering her things, willingly admitting defeat as she strode towards the door. Just as she reached it, it opened and her quick reflexes managed to avoid having the door slam her in the face. Instead, it hit her square in the shoulder, causing everything she was holding in her hands to scatter through the air and the young brunette had to wave her arms to regain her balance. 

Tag: Felix Nicholas

[Felix Nicholas]

It had been a fairly productive morning. Felix had spent it, alone save the near enough pint of coffee, up fixing and tweaking a brand new professional grade mixing board for the Academy's radio station. Just because it was fresh out of the box didn't mean it didn't need a few upgrades, and Felix had been a little too eager to fix it up before lunch. A long morning of wires and bits of metal later, and the student had managed to heighten it's output significantly; Weather this would cause the piece to blow up eventually would be something he'd need to test, but for now, it was at least an improvement.
The problem however with getting so involved with extra school activities is that you often became distracted from actual schooling, so Felix opted to battle the inner desire to carry on with his precious equipment and instead head to the study rooms. He often found himself there fairly predictably each day, but his recent technical exploits meant he was a touch late then his usual time.

With his shoulder bag slung over one shoulder, Felix headed to his usual room of choice, opening it with a flourish. He however flinched violently in a mixture of shock and surprise as the door hit something solid, the clattering of various items hitting the floor making him flinch again. He hurriedly looked round the door, taking in a sharp intake of breath, his hazel eyes wide with apology.
"Miss, oh damn- I'm so sorry!" Felix spoke quickly, holding his hands out defensively at the young woman. He didn't recognise her outright, as his gaze dropped downward to the mess he'd unintentionally caused over the study room floor, running a hand through his fluffy hair before he dropped down to a crouch, gathering the items into a tidy pile. "... I'll get this... I'm such a clumsy idiot, I didn't hurt you did I?" He looked up at her from his lowly position, and for a moment, he blinked at her; The brunette was VERY familiar... And certainly not just in the "Seen a few times in class" kind of recognition... Long, deep brown hair, looks that could surely stop a runaway train... Trust him to have knocked into Erika BELLEFONTE.

The radio host's apologetic smile stretched into a wider, goofier apologetic grin. "Well, Miss.Bellefonte... I really hope this doesn't mean I automatically get expelled?" He joked playfully, finally gathering the fallen objects enough to stand back up with them in his arms, holding them out to the young woman.

[Erika Bellefonte]

Had Erika taken a page from a certain someone's book, she'd likely have gotten mad. After all, in theory, it wasn't she who had opened the door without looking, but then again, she also realized that it was next to impossible to open a door and somehow knowing that there was someone else standing on the other side.

Almost in shock, the brunette simply stood there, watching the poor guy stutter about as he tried collecting her items. She studied him without really knowing that she was. He was very handsome, which immediately made her wonder why they two of them hadn't met before. Surely either she or one of her friends would have gotten their hands on him and yet, he was more or less unfamiliar to her. Opening her mouth to respond, their eyes met, forcing the young brunette to fall silent. A flicker of recognition lit up in his eyes and Erika could already tell the words coming out of his mouth before they did.

A whimsical, sheepish and embarrassed smile formed on the brunette's lips as she accepted the things he held out for her. A faint flush spread over her cheeks as she shrugged lightly. "That depends," she said. "If you were to tell my mother, she might feel inclined to sue you, but don't worry, if going through high school taught me anything, it's how to keep a secret." Her shoulder might have been sore, but right now, she couldn't quite do anything but offer the incredibly handsome boy an attempt at smiling without looking like a lovestruck teenager.

[Felix Nicholas]

She didn't recognise him, or if she did she didn't make a point of it; Mind you, in an Academy of such prestige with such a well known family such as the Bellefontes gracing it's halls, it made sense that the son of a business tycoon fell by the wayside of notoriety... Not that Felix made any attempt to point that out. He wouldn't lie or deny it if brought up, but if he could avoid it, he would. Thankfully, weather Erika knew who he was or not, she reacted graciously to his clumsiness. He hadn't seen her this close before... Only from a distance in class, in the auditorium... Seeing her now, she really could halt that train with a single smile...Trust him to knock into her, of all people.

As their eyes met, Felix's grin turned a touch lopsided, almost goofily sheepish, and he quickly dropped his gaze with a small chuckle of embarrassment, running a hand again through his fluffy fringe; It was a nervous trait of his, and in her presence, he couldn't help it, leaving his fluffy hair a touch messier. He then risked meeting her eyeline again when she spoke, making it clear she held no resentment, her small smile drawing a faint tint of embarrassment in the radio host's cheeks. He put a hand to his chest, and gave a slight bow of his head. "I am in your debt, Miss.Bellefonte, the last thing I want is a mothers' wrath," He grinned brightly, before quirking an eyebrow. "I'm at your service. Anything I can do to make up for it? Coffee? Carry your items to their destination? Or I could carry you to the nurses' office, get them to check your shoulder to make sure?" He chuckled again jokingly. 

[Erika Bellefonte]

Issuing a laugh, the brunette shook her head. "Trust me, no one wants my mother's wrath." Another shrug was offered in his direction. She didn't know how much he knew, but anyone who had ever met Momma Bellefonte knew she was quite the force to be reckoned with. Erika didn't wish that upon anyone, least of all a cute stranger who had to be one of the few polite people left in the world. "Well..." she began sheepishly. After all, she had come here looking for him, though, she didn't want it to seem as if he owed her any favors.

And right now, she was a little too charmed by the concept of him carrying him to the nurses' station to really ask for what she'd actually come here for. "Coffee sounds good," she said then, offering him a wide smile. "But not the campus one, because let me just tell you - the world have much better things to offer than campus coffee."

She found it strange then; she had never considered herself particularly bold. Especially not on campus for all eyes to see. She usually left that role to her friends and tried her best to make herself as invisible as she could. And here she was, being bold.

[Felix Nicholas]

Felix had never had the pleasure yet to cross paths with Mother Bellefonte, but he knew enough to not want to get on the wrong side of her. By the sounds of it, her and his own Father would get along famously... Andrew Nicholas, CEO of Nicholas Hotels and Leisure, was a force to be reckoned with in the business world.

Felix waited patiently for Erika's reply, hoping she'd agree to his offer for coffee; It was the least he could do after highly likely bruising her if nothing else. It meant of course giving up an afternoon in the stuffy study room for an afternoon spent with the pretty Bellefonte,
but Felix knew which option he'd prefer, even if it meant suffering his teacher's wrath; If she opted to join him, of course. The radio host's warm smile positively beamed when she did, followed by a mock grimace at her mention of the campus's insult to the coffee bean. Felix had scoped out the Academy's poor excuse for coffee on his first afternoon walking the halls, and had quickly found a far better establishment out in Kalispell.

"Have no fear, Miss.Bellefonte," Felix grinned, lightly tapping the side of his nose with a playful wink. "For those of us in the know, there's a pretty decent coffee house in town, if you're willing to risk me driving." He laughed then, a sheepish chuckle, his nervous trait once again drawing him to run his hand through his already messy fringe. "I'm also willing to throw in a cake, you know, in case you have any incline at all to sue me for injury." He then blinked at her. "Oh damn, I haven't even introduced myself... Felix, Felix Nicholas." He offered her his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss.Bellefonte."

[Erika Bellefonte]

Erika couldn't quite get over the fact that this guy was so polite. Most guys their age didn't seem to share his traits. In fact, Erika couldn't remember a single guy she'd ever interacted this much who'd been this kind to her for such a long amount of time. She had to remind herself to tell him that at some point. Well, once she'd be able to gather the courage to do so, anyways.

She found herself mimicking Felix's grin with one of her own, even letting out something of a chuckle at his playful wink. "Well, don't ever say I'm not one for taking risks," she countered, "And cake sounds perfect," she quickly added. Taking his outreached hand, Erika gave it a shake. "Erika, though," she paused, offering a sheepish smile. "That was seemingly obvious."

She gestured towards the door then. "I'll have to put my books away in my locker on the way, but then I'll be ready to head out." Still, she wondered - how would this affect the rumor mill? She'd rather not pay someone's kindness back by giving him a bad reputation. Was it too late to back out now?

[Felix Nicholas]

Had Felix's grin been able to stretch further it would have done, since Erika's was so adorably catching. She replied playfully, seemingly finding the interaction as much a joy as he was. Why had't he taken the time to speak to her before? Perhaps because their paths had simply not crossed directly before, and he did spend a significant amount of time at the station... Most of those that attended the Academy he was sure would recognise his voice before anything else.
"Just a little, but it's no less of an honour," He replied brightly, before giving a nod, opening the door for her and holding it open with a flourish, gesturing beyond it with his free hand. A quick stop off at the lockers wouldn't take long, and the radio host was glad to be able to make up for his clumsiness; That, and he couldn't deny the company was very pleasant. Erika had a smile that was catching and seemed to take delight in a little light hearted back and forth... Far from the stuffiness or cruel attitude Felix had previously experienced with a few of the supposed "upper class" that attended the Academy.

Felix hadn't even considered what rumours could be twisted out of an afternoon spent at a coffee shop with the young woman, and had that issue crossed his mind, he wouldn't have cared less. His Father had long tried to drill it into his son about the power of rumour and social media, and although Felix understood it's implications quite clearly, he rarely ever considered it in what he did, or who he spent time with. He was simply going on with his life, weather that interested the media, or even just the student body, or not. He'd even been onto actively seek out the spotlight.

[Erika Bellefonte]

For all his politeness and friendliness, it didn't seem as if Felix minded hanging out with her. Of course, she could have been wrong about him and this was all a ploy for him to get some kind of reputation, but honestly, Erika wouldn't have pegged him for that kind of person. And really, she wasn't sure if she even cared. As sad as it sounded, Erika would take whatever she could get.

Once her books had been placed in the locker, the two of them headed outside. The weather had become chilly, but the sun was still up. The brunette was determined to enjoy the last bits of it before winter came around for good. "So," she started as the two of them walked towards the parking lot. "You're the radio host?" At least she knew that much. "How'd you come to that?" She was curious, after all.

And what better way was there for getting to know someone than asking?

[Felix Nicholas]

Felix had always been someone who was naturally friendly, something he likely picked up from his Nanny who had become more of a parent then his own biological ones; Although he held little resentment in that regard. They had made their choice... It was more the idea that they thought they could palm him off on child carer while they swapped off building their hotel empire, and then lay claim to his future career. They, in Felix's mind, held no right. Although this was far from what he was thinking about now; He was focused on the young woman he'd bumped into, who had so effortlessly captured his attention.
After they'd unloaded her books in her locker, it was a short journey to leave the walls of the academy to head to the concentrate slab of the carpark.

Felix glanced to his new companion when she piped up a question, his brows raised slightly with curiosity; he hadn't mentioned being the Academy's radio host, so perhaps his name had brought up some recognition for her. "I am," He spoke proudly, casting her a warm smile before turning his attention back to the mass of vechiules,scanning for where he'd left his. "Funny thing, really. I always liked music, but it wasn't exactly my life. When I manifested... I needed something to focus on... The radio became it." He didn't exactly want to unload all of his emotional baggage of first arrival Felix, so he opted to grace past that quickly. "My ability is sound based, so it allows me to practise with it often." He added with a light shrug of his shoulders. He tilted his head at her then. "Do you listen to it? My show, I mean?"
Felix felt a small blush filter into his cheeks a the idea of someone as prominent as Erika Bellefonte taking an interest in the radio... It made him feel just a touch giddy.

[Erika Bellefonte]

As he spoke, Erika nodded in tune with his words; she actually felt impressed whenever someone had the guts to go for exactly what they wanted in life. Now, she didn't know a whole lot about the boy walking next to her, but at least she could tell he was quite the admirable character. Smiling, Erika pursed her lips.

"I don't," she admitted, chuckling. "At least," she quickly added, "I don't think I do." She offered him a sheepish smile. She saw no reason to lie, and in truth, she couldn't really explain it either, other than telling him she had other priorities in life, but that hardly seemed fair.

Instead, she figured she could explain it in a better way. "Most of the music I listen to come from my own fingers," she said, wiggling them in the air. "I guess music has become something I only do when I need to be alone."