Hot, Hotter, Hottest (open)

[jess]

"Kennedy Cavan."
"Oh, definitely a hottie."
"Yeah, but he's always with that Wingrose girl, Angel or something."
"They are totally cute together."
"I guess."
"Hey, how about Eiji?"
A high pitch squeal cuts through the conversation, paring through the words.
"But doesn't he have a girl?"
"Yeah, that one girl, whatshername."
"Yeah, but whatshername isn't hot."
"Totally, they're, like, not meant to be."
"Totally."
"What do you think, Jessica?"

Three pairs of eyes turned to Jessica, who'd only be half-listening. She'd been examining her nails, trying to figure out if this particular shade really suited her. The chatter of her little groupies was only so much static in the back of her mind. Her name finally caught her attention, and she turned.

"Kennedy's hot, Eiji's hotter, but Kenneth Lorne's hottest," she stated.

This sent the girls into a twitter, as they all hastened to agree wholeheartedly with their idol. Jessica simply rolled her eyes and returned her gaze on her nails.

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

_{(I hope you realize you got that all backwards. )}

And who would walk by? Well, the 'hottest' guy, of course. Ken spotted the group of giggling girls (and Jessica) and shot his signature crooked grin at the group of giggling girls (and Jessica). And then the group of giggling girls (and Jessica) would be given a wink. And as he got even closer, Kenneth Lorne waggled his eyebrows up and down at the group of giggling girls (and Jessica).

"Hello ladies," he greeted, a spark in his eye. He had just visited Kellan, and he was in the most amazing good mood. He had time to flirt with a couple of cuties before he left to find Kennedy and see if he was up for a poker night or something equally masculine. He stopped in front of them, almost as though he knew that they had just been talking about him. He flashed his whites at them again.

"No classes today?"

[jess]

Of course the gaggle of gigglers knew full well that Kenneth Lorne was attached to Kellan. Rumors like that simply wouldn't escape a band of gossips like this. They also did little to stop the flutter of giggles and greetings that assaulted Kenneth now. One even squealed as Kenneth's eyebrows bounced at her.

"That's enough, girls," Jessica teased. The words had an odd power to them, and a hush fell on the girls and they subsided into a few nervous twitters. Jessica flashed a brilliant smile up at Kenneth, taking a step closer and looking up at him.

"Nope, no classes today," she drawled. The southern accent added an even more sultry tone to the words, leaving little doubt as to Jessica's inclination toward Kenneth. "We're just, hanging around."

The girls giggled again, but this simply widened Jessica's smile.

"It was gettin' borin', really," Jessica stated again. "Good thing you came along."

A few of the giggle gaggle nodded in agreement, and at least one girl cooed "he's so hot" louder than she'd intended. Jessica actually chuckled at that, turning to look at the cooing girl. "You're gonna get him all worked up, you talk like that."

She turned back to Kenneth, smirking and quirking an eyebrow.

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

Well, it became obvious who the 'leader' of the group was. Might as well make a good impression - Ken still liked his reputation praised, especially by the younger girls. Kellan probably like it too, even if she'd never admit to it.

So, addressing Jessica, he chuckled and replied, "So what do you girls do when you have no classes?"

He quirked a grin and an eyebrow at the appraising girl, and indeed his ego was being stroked by the attention. He turned back to look at Jessica while she playfully chastised her friend for being so loud.

"Nah, I get it all the time," he said, and it was hard to tell if he was lying or not. He was so casual about it...

Thumbing his nose a couple times at an itch, and then going to scratch behind one of his ears, Kenneth was every inch a boy. A manly boy, with his broad shoulders and well-worked body, but still exuding testosterone. Girls didn't scratch like that, it was definitely a guy thing.

[jess]

If Kenneth weren't so ridiculously hot, Jessica might have snapped at him. As it was, she was still considering it. Scratching like that in public, seriously. She'd never understand why some boys acted the way they did, and frankly didn't care to even bother to try.

"We do all kinds of things," said Jessica, grinning.
"Mostly we talk about boys!" chirped one of the gigglers.
Jessica rolled her eyes.
"And how hot they are."
"Sometimes we talk about how hot older guys are too."
"Oh, and we talk about music and movies and--"

"We talk a lot," Jessica finished, eyes narrowing slightly. Clearly she was slightly perturbed by her little flock, and she dared a look over her shoulder at them. "And we shop. You know, all kinds of girly things."

Jessica smirked at Kenneth now, eyes scanning him again. What was his girlfriend's name? Who cares, really? It's not like they were married, and Jessica was bound to be hotter.

"What about you, Kenny, what do you do in your spare time?" Jessica asked, locking eyes with Kenneth. There was no added Gift behind her words, instead she relied simply on her looks and "charm."

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

Ken chuckled. Such girly-girls. It was a little refreshing, because sometimes Kellan just wasn't a girl. Sure, he loved that she was different and quirky, and it was helpful because Ken had never been a romantic. But sometimes a guy just needed to be reminded how much of a guy he was. Kellan was level with him most of the time, except for those rare moments he turned her into a kissing machine.

"I just visit friends," he shrugged, wondering if he had deliberately not mentioned 'girlfriend'. It just felt like a mouthful to spit out, "work out a bit," he flexed dramatically, "go to the bars." That was life for Kenneth now. Just chill, because he had no job. Maybe he'd look into construction - they paid well, right? Someone with the strength he had would be useful in that trade.

"So, there aren't any parties Kellan's not telling me about right?" Ken raised an eyebrow quizically. Kellan probably would tell him if there were any school parties. She wasn't a bookworm, contrary to his pretend-beliefs, and sometimes she'd go out of her way to prove it. Plus she could deny it all she wanted, he knew that she liked having him around, even as obnoxious and boisterous as he was.

[jess]

"Oo, work out?" Jessica cooed. She stepped forward, bringing her hands up to Kenneth's arm. "May I?"

Of course, Jessica didn't wait for permission, but instead gently squeezed Kenneth's arms. Her smile grew in conjuncture with the pressure, and she looked up at Kenneth, eyes teasing and flirting.

"Impressive," she drawled. She giggle a little, stepping back.
Hearing their leader giggle sent the rest of the crew into twitters, and at least one girl stepped forward to imitate Jessica. Though she had significantly less charisma than her leader, and the sultry element was nonexistent.

"There ain't any parties lately," said Jessica. She sighed, rolling her eyes, "And that's a shame, really. We're do for a good one soon. Of course."

She looked up at Kenneth, smiling, "Wouldn't be good if you weren't there. Oh, and bring your girlfriend to. Kelly, right?"

Of course Jessica knew full well Kellan's name, Kenneth had just said it, after all.

The girls twittered again. "Kelly."
"His girlfriend."
"Soooo lucky."

Now Jessica had to wink at Kenneth. "Definitely lucky."

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

Ken grinned as Jessica stepped up to feel his muscles. He flexed again right before she squeezed and he chuckled as her friend mirrored her. He liked them. Jessica especially. She reminded him of... him. Just younger and hotter and female.

"Damn right it's not a party without me," He agreed. When Jessica mentioned Kellan, or rather, 'Kelly', he laughed. That was a great nickname for her; she'd probably hate him.

"Yeah, I'll make sure to bring 'Kelly'," he promised, putting emphasis on the name because he was testing it out. It made him shake his head. Yes, Kel was definitely going to hate it.

Then the girls were commenting on how lucky Kellan was, and that grin of his just kept growing. So did his ego. He could spend the rest of the day, sucking back compliments from these girls. But it was best to leave them wanting more. Yeah, that's right...

"Well, make sure you invite me, whenever this epic get-together is. You have a pen?"

He was giving them his number? Chyeah, because who didn't like getting spontaneous phone calls from girls? He could imagine the look on Kellan's face when he answered his phone and a bunch of really loud giggling came from the other end. Oh Kellan...

[jess]

This certainly was turning out better than Jessica had hoped. It appeared as though her flirting was working quite well on Kenneth, and she hadn't even applied her Gift yet! One well placed word and she could probably have Kenneth making out with her in the hallway, girlfriend forgotten. The idea tempted her, and she mulled it over as she acted.

Jessica shifted one hand over, palm up. The giggle squad all dove for pens at once, and finally one managed to show a sparkling pink gel monstrosity into Jessica's waiting hand. Jessica turned and favored the girl with a smile, which made the recipient glow, and the rest of the crowd wane.

"First, I need to give you my name and number," insisted Jessica. She stepped forward, taking hold of Kenneth's arm. Were there a shirt in the way, it would soon be rolled up, baring the arm. Jessica wrote quickly, leaving Kenneth no time to jerk his hand out:

Jessica Rey
555-6984
♥♥♥

"There we," Jessica rounded out one more heart, "go."

Now she smiled up at Kenneth, holding the pen out for him to take. "Did you need something to write on?"

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

Well, she certainly was forward, wasn't she? She was so charismatic, he felt drawn to her simply because of that. Is this why Kenneth knew so many people? Did he draw such strong attention to himself like Jessica? He liked to think so.

Then she was writing on his arm, and he suppressed his laughter. Yeah, there was no stopping this girl when she set her mind to it. Looking down at the ridiculously feminine pink ink on his arm, his mouth curled up on one side as he still stifled the chuckles. Alright, two could play at that game.

"Jessica, huh? Cute name."

Ken took the proferred pen and wrote on the back of her hand in typical messy boy-writing.

Kenneth Lorne
519-8332
♥ ♥ ♥[/font][/size]

Of course his hearts weren't nearly as neat and pretty as Jessica's, but they were meant to be a hilarious immitation. It was fact; boys couldn't draw hearts. Ken handed the pen back to its giggling owner, and stepped back, giving the girl a salute.

"Can you read that? I know my writing's shit."[/color]

[jess]

"I happen to like it," Jessica drawled, grinning. The compliment felt good, as such things always did when directed at her. Then she felt Kenneth take her hand, which only made her smirk that much more confident.

The giggle-gaggle did what they did best, several of them pointing and cooing. It looked for all the world like their leader was succeeding in getting the attention of the very boy who'd just been determined to be the hottest male in the entire school. Clearly this was a win: there was no other way to view the situation.

Jessica did giggle as she felt the pen scratch against her skin, and the motion couldn't have helped Kenneth's already messy handwriting. When he finished, she had to peer intently at it, deciphering it.

"I think I can figure it out," she said. Her eyes again went to Kenneth, her smile turning mischievous. "But it's the boy's job to call, after all."

Again, she was hoping to get by purely on gall and charisma, as tempting as it was to simple add a little pressure to her voice.

"Yeah, you should totally call her."
"You two would be so hot together."
"Totally hot."
"Totally."

The giggle-gaggle was performing quite nicely.

"So, are you going to work out or something?" Jessica asked. She raised an eyebrow. "Or are you visiting little Kelly?"

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

Ken laughed. She had balls, figuratively speaking. If Jessica knew Kellan, at all, she'd probably be bracing herself for a fireball to the face right now. But Ken just rolled with it.

"Maybe I will," he replied, winking at the girl who'd suggested he call Jessica. The next one commenting on how good they'd look together made him laugh again. They were a work of art, really. Then Jessica was talking again, and he dragged his attention away from the babbling brook behind her.

"I save work-outs for the weekends," Ken shrugged, still grinning, "and I just visited Kel. I was on my way to see Kennedy, actually. Or... Mr Cavan... or whatever the hell it is you call him nowadays. You wouldn't know if he's in his office or dorm or anything?" He addressed his question to everyone, figuring Jessica wasn't a stalker or anything. Her girlfriends however, had plenty potential to be star paparazzi...

[jess]

For once, Jessica actually bothered to follow along with something that someone else happened to be saying. She'd already made a mental note to have someone near the training center on the weekends. Any opportunity to see a shirtless boy was an opportunity not to be missed. Particularly Kenneth, though Jessica would settle for Kennedy Cavan or one of the other hotties roaming the area.

"Wow, you know Tutor Cavan?" Jessica gushed. This was hardly new information, as her squad gossiped almost as much as Kenneth. "I guess what they about birds of a feather is right."

She winked at him, then turned to her personal cheer squad. "Beth! Kennedy's your major crush, right? Where would he be now?"

The girl in question shifted, looking quite embarrassed to be called out on her crush. It certainly didn't help that the other girls were taunting and encouraging, with some poking thrown in for good measure.

"He's probably at the training center about now, unless Angela's around," the girl frowned as she said that name, clearly the affection did not extend to her "rival," "if she's around, he could be anywhere. You could always find his sister--"

"That's enough," Jessica said. She turned to Kenneth, smiling again. "Sounds like you need to head for the Training Center. Want an escort?"

Several girls twittered, and there were a few "pick me"s and at least one "omigod."

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

Kenneth smirked when Beth was singled out. But he listened patiently, nodding. Kennedy was either working out or working his girlfriend out. Kenneth wasn't opposed to interrupting either. When Jessica piped up that she'd go with him, he grinned. Clearly she wasn't opposed to getting an eyeful either.

"Alright. We're off to see the Sponge," Kenneth sang in his much-too-loud voice, to the tune of 'We're Off To See The Wizard'. Of course he'd pick on Kennedy when he wasn't around to defend himself. It was all in good fun though, he wasn't knocking him seriously.

Unaware that he was supposed to choose someone to escort, he automatically raised his elbow for Jessica to take. After all, she'd been the one he was chatting up the majority of the time. Ken's sculpted arm flexed again, just because Jessica seemed to like it.

"So, are you going to be hosting this upcoming party?" He knew they hadn't made any plans yet, they'd just mentioned that one was due. But hey, he might as well suggest Jessica host it. She'd probably get her girls to do most of the work anyway. She could lord up all the credit for the idea.

[jess]

The giggle squad was clearly torn. On the one hand, none of them had been selected to go with Kenneth, which was clearly something to be unhappy about. On the other hand, their fearless leader had been selected, and had practically earned the honor. Besides, not a single one of them could stand up to Jessica.

Jessica slid her arm into the crook of Kenneth's, pulling herself close to him as she did so. Since he went through the trouble of flexing, she went through the trouble of feeling his arm again. Of course, she also made the appropriate noises.

"I might think about throwing a party," Jessica speculated. "After all, I'm sure we could come up with some excuse. Then again, who really needs an excuse to party?"

She smiled up at Kenneth again.

"No kidding!"
"Totally!"
"We should, like, have a party!'
"We can invite all the hot guys."
"The antechamber! We can have it in there!"

The giggle squad soon took up this new mission, and began discussing it with the same earnest as they'd done with the hottie discussion.

Jessica rolled her eyes, and tugged at Kenneth's arm.

"C'mon, we ain't going to get to the Training Center by standin' here all day."