Hot, Hotter, Hottest (open)

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

"Exactly," Kenneth agreed. No one needed an excuse to party. Especially not Kenneth. As the gaggle followed them, twittering excitedly, he just shook his head. Amused, he began walking at Jessica's prompting.

Ken knew nothing of Jessica's power. He might show her one day that he could bench-press the bench press. He was sure that would impress her. Even Kellan got a kick out of it when Ken lifted her from point A to point B without breaking a sweat. Super strength kicked ass. Back to the point. Kenneth didn't know what Jessica's gift was, and because she hadn't used it yet, he had no suspicions as to what it could be. He didn't really think of these things though when meeting new people. He looked at their exterior, their personalities, and if he liked what he saw, then he proceeded to befriend them.

And Jessica certainly intrigued him.

He began thinking out loud.

"I don't know if you girls remember him... not very memorable, this one," chyeah, right. As though this snob's assholery weren't infamous, "but Dorian's in town. I'll tell him about the party... you should talk to Jon. He'll come. Just be nice, he gets nervous around cute girls," he joked, just because Jon wasn't here. Hell, if Jon were here, he'd still say it. So there were no bad intentions, he reasoned.

"Cavan will probably be busy, but I'll talk to him about it. Maybe if I convince him that you guys need 'supervisors' he'll put on the hero charade and come to your rescue, because he can't help it." Ken grinned, "You should make it a costume party."

He still had that epic shower-costume. His mom had finally replaced the shower curtains, so now he had this random shower thing in the corner of his room back home.

[jess]

The names didn't quite fly by Jessica unnoticed. Like Kenneth, she specialized in gossip and rumor-mongering. Jon and Dorian were the other two parts of Kenneth's trio. If memory served, Jon was naive and cute, while Dorian was the suave one. Either Dorian or Kenneth would be Jessica's choices, if she had one.

Cavan was inevitably the hunky Tutor and head of the house by that name. Truthfully, Jessica didn't want to bother with him. He was far too enamored with Angela. Besides, Kennedy dripped goodness, and that image simply didn't mesh well with Jessica.

"Well, that's enough male hotties," she admitted, tapping her lips with her finger, "and I'd be there, along with my friends."

She waved a hand behind her, where the gaggle remained. "You all have girlfriends though, and that would just suck. Why would I want a party where all the hot guys are with someone else? That's just not fun."

She pouted, which of course, managed to look sexy and practiced. Again the finger went to her lips, and she smiled around it now. "Maybe we should clone you or something, give me someone worth playing around with."

And a wink. Jessica was in top form today.

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

"Oh baby, don't I wish I could be cloned," Ken said in his deepest bass tone. He flashed Jessica his signature lop-sided grin and then looked ahead, "but yeah, I can see your dilemma. Well, I'll talk to Eiji. He's available, last I heard. Dorian's definitely single. I'm sure any of Jon's Edengrowth friends don't have girls attached..." although Ken made a mocking face at this. Nerds didn't typically have girlfriends. It was an unwritten fact of life.

Returning Jessica's bawdy wink, Ken looked over his shoulder at their female followers/admirers. He wouldn't lie, if he were seeing a girl like Jessica he wouldn't be ashamed to have a piece of arm candy like her. He let his mind chew over this alternate universe for a while as they walked, but eventually he found himself thinking about the upcoming mystery date Kellan was planning. And then he was only thinking of Kellan, so much that when he looked down and saw Jessica next to him, it was a startling awakening.

Nyungggg.

"So why don't you have a boyfriend Jess?" Ken asked, already giving her a nickname.

[jess]

Fortunately they were moving further and further away from Jessica's personal cheer squad. Which meant less support, true, but a good deal more privacy. And certainly less interruptions.

"Dorian's single now?" Jessica repeated, slowly, clearly interested. Kenneth may be one of the hottest boys around, but Dorian definitely scored in the top ten. He also had that suave attitude. However, Jessica doubted she'd be able to do much with him without utilizing her Gift. Gift-wrapped boyfriends weren't nearly as fun as the real thing.

Speaking of boyfriends, "I'm currently between boys," Jessica looked up at Kenneth, winking again, "which means I'm very available. In case you want a little variety in your life. Or if you get tired of blondes. Though I'm sure Kelly's great."

Jessica looked straight ahead, grinning slyly now. A plan of sorts was beginning to formulate in her head.

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

"Yes," Ken's voice became exasperated, "Dorian is very, very single. Please change that stat, the boy is a pain to hang around. Actually, I've given up. If you ever see him, have one of your girls glomp him, or if you're in the mood for it you can do it yourself. That guy needs a girl," Ken decided, nodding firmly.

As Jessica broadcast her availability, Ken grinned and shook his head.

"I don't think I'll be getting bored any time soon, although you are quite the little temptress," he added so she wouldn't be offended. Plus it was true. He had just been imagining himself in her pants a little while ago, but that hadn't been him seriously considering it. That was just Ken being a dickboy.

He knew they were nearing the training center. Was Kennedy going to be there? Heh, if not he could show off a little for his new bffl Jess. He was sure she'd be up for a show if he was willing to give her one. Maybe he could even give her half a strip-tease. It wasn't uncommon for guys to take their shirts off in the Training Center. His devious grin was almost as sly as Jessica's. Of course, his plan probably wasn't nearly as scandalous.

[jess]

It sounded as if Kenneth was willing to almost toss Dorian at Jessica. This was certainly worth considering. Dorian was very attractive, after all. And he had status. And a certain charm. And he'd be worth conquering, as he was classically difficult to deal with. all this added up to a nearly irresistible offer for the young Rey heiress.

"Sounds like I should cheer Dorian up," offered Jessica. She beamed slyly at Kenneth, running a hand along his well muscled chest. To taunt him, and indicate just how she planned on lightening Dorian's mood. "I'm sure we can find something to do together."

She punctuated this last remark by letting her tongue dart slightly out, just wetting her pink lips. Of course, it was a completely coincidental gesture, and you couldn't prove anything.

They certainly were getting closer to the Training Center. Jessica wondered what they'd do if Kennedy wasn't there. Maybe she could convince Kenneth to hang out with her instead. He was simply too much fun to let go of just yet. Besides, Jessica still believed that she could work him. A little game, see how far she can go.

"You know, you and I could practice a bit. That way I'll be ready for Dorian, and you can brag about getting with the hottest girl in the Academy," yes, she was that conceited, "you know, just for fun. Nothing serious, of course."

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

Ken grinned. Yeah, she could read his mind. Proud that he'd just set his best friend up with a girl (at last) without even letting the guy know it, Kenneth became sort of oblivious to the sexy things Jessica was doing. Of course, he wasn't dumb enough to miss the hand across the chest, but he put that in the 'harmless flirting' category. It wasn't like they were hardcore making out in the halls or anything.

Her next words made him laugh. That booming, echoing laugh he was famous for. Several heads in the hallway turned to look at the source of the noise, and no one was surprised to see Ken responsible. Some were a little taken aback that he was with Jessica, who was clearly sinking her nails into him. Maybe someone would be smart and warn Kellan - if they weren't afraid of Jessica and her crew.

"Babe, you and me practice? I'm sorry, but I'm the real thing. You'd have to practice on Dorian for months before you were ready for me, doll," he chuckled again. She was too fun! His rejection had been in good humour and it wasn't like he was running away. Instead, it looked like he wanted to hang out with her a little more. Maybe he was curious to see how far she was going to try and go.

Kenneth would never resist a chance to boost his own ego.

[jess]

Yes, Kenneth was certainly worth her time and energy. That confidence was just so d**m sexy! It made Jessica want to just demand he start kissing her here. But that wasn't nearly as much fun as flirting with him. Besides, Kenneth couldn't make excuses if he started on Jessica of his free will.

"You mean I can't experience the real thing?" whined Jessica. Her lip pouted out, a finger going to that pink pillow. "That's almost torture. Do you want to torture me, Kenneth?"

She tilted her head now, looking up at Kenneth. Her eyes quickly darted around the halls, and she had to fight back a smile. Several people were looking now. Which meant word of this would circulate around the school. Jessica Rey and Kenneth Lorne. All over each other. Of course, this meant that Jessica would have to deal with Kellan at some point, but that was hardly worth worrying about. Kenneth's little wannabe girlfriend was nothing next to the great Jessica Rey.

So much fun.

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

"I'm not a fan of torture," Ken said, ignoring the way that the very thought made him uncomfortable. He joked his way through it, "and trust me doll, you aren't ready for the real thing."

Had Kenneth the ability to read minds, he would have withdrawn his arm and stalked off. However, he possessed no such talent, ergo he made no movement to distance himself from the teenage girl who thought so highly of herself.

When they arrived at the Training Centre doors, Ken pushed them open with one hand, guiding her through. He was just about to propose a strip-tease perhaps, or commence a brilliant show of muscle, when his phone went off.

"Uh... one sec," he recognized the personal ringtone and fished the device from his back pocket.

"Yeah-lo," He picked it up, thumbing his nose at an itch. "Hey. What's up? ... ... .. Kid, you're hopeless. Well, you know she's too good for you right? No, I'm saying that as a friend, not a jackass. Do something disgustingly sweet that only Jonathan Empris would do. Uh... yeah, sure. I didn't mean that literally, but I sure have a weakness for your cooking. She'll swoon, or whatever it is Cavan Jr. does when she's impressed. Look, I'll talk to you later, I'm sort of busy right now. No, not that kind of busy, unfortunately. Seriously. I'll swing around later. Like two-ish. Yeah. Kay. Bye."

Ken turned back to Jessica.

"Sorry. Jon's having some girl troubles," He explained, loving how Jon hadn't said the usual 'don't tell anybody'. Hey, if Cavan Jr. dumped him, he could recommend Jessica. He chuckled at the private joke. Morgan bossed Jon around alot, imagine Jessica having 'fun' with Jon. That boy would be kissing her Gucci shoes and spreading rose petals on the ground she walked upon. The mental image should have pushed him over the brink of hilarity, but somehow he kept his cool.

"Half an hour should be enough time to show off a little, don't you think?" He flexed for her, looking around the room for the greatest test of his strength.

[jess]

It took everything Jessica had not to snatch the cell phone from Kenneth's hands and toss it to the side. How dare someone interrupt this? But it was probably one of Kenneth's little boyfriends, and Jessica would just have to deal with it, however much she didn't want to.

It sounded like Jon needed advice. Who was he dating again? Some little brunette with absolutely no taste in clothes, if memory served. Too dull to even bother noticing, really.

Jessica studied her nails thoroughly bored with the conversation. It wasn't even fun to eavesdrop on. Do something sweet, you don't deserve her. Pathetic. The stuff of romance novels.

"Well, all your friends can't be a smooth as you," cooed Jessica, grinning. She took a step forward and her eyes bore into Kenneth's. She had his attention again, if only for a little while.

"Only half an hour?" she stuck her lip out in a pout, her eyes wetting slightly. "You couldn't spare just a little bit more? I was so lookin' forward to watching you workout."

Her eyes slid over his body, and then returned to his eyes, pleading.

[҉ Kenneth Lorne]

Well hell, if she was going to cry about it, he had no choice right? That's what he told himself, anyway.

"I'll see if I can't steal some more time. Meanwhile..." He found the bench press and sat down on it. Normally he didn't wear jeans working out, but today wasn't 'normal'. He peeled off his shirt like it was no big deal, like he wasn't stacked and as though he was unaware of the bulge of muscles rippling over his stomach. Kenneth was a lot of things, but modest wasn't one of them. He deliberately failed to comment because he knew Jessica would.

Leaning back on the press, he looked to either side of him, measuring how much weight was on each end. Some pipsqueak must have been working out before, there was only 200lbs max. He grabbed the bar with one hand in the centre and flashed Jessica a wink before he lifted it off the safety hooks. He honestly looked like a child lifting up an empty cardboard tube; there was zero effort involved.

"If you ever have some heavy lifting, just give me a call alright?" He told her, further showing off how this was no strain for him. He lowered the bar back into its cradle before he stood up, seeking for heavier weights.

[jess]

Just when Jessica thought he couldn't get any hotter. Now he had to do this. How could she not look at the bare torso before her and smile? In fact, she ran her tongue over her lips, relishing the sight before her. Yes, Kenneth was certainly the hottest. Jessica had been right, as usual.

"I'll make sure you're the first I call," drawled the heiress. She didn't bother to hide her hungry eyes. In fact, she took a few steps forward, grinning in anticipation.

He moved before she could get too close, and she frowned as she watched him. Another set of weights? She supposed. Apparently the others had been too light for him.

She frowned at the other set, as clearly it was the weights' fault that she wasn't enjoying straining muscles and a distracted Kenneth. Yes, she fully intended to enjoy a distracted Kenneth. Someone like that wouldn't even see her coming...