Choco_cherries Challenge: Tangled Up in Blue

[lirazel]

Title: Tangled Up in Blue (Cassidy/Julie) PG
Rating: PG
Word Count: 298
Summary: She doesn't fit in in Neptune any more than she did in Texas, but then, neither does he.   (Veronica Mars/ Friday Night Lights)
Characters: Cassidy Casablancas, Julie Taylor
Spoilers/Warnings: None

They don’t take their football very seriously in California, and that’s her favorite thing about it.  No one cares that she’s “Coach’s daughter,” no one stops her in the supermarket to ask her who Dad’ll start this week, and she never turns on the radio to hear some know-it-all running Dad down for losing last week.  She loves it.

-- 

It’s all about money in California, and that’s her least favorite thing about it.  This place doesn’t have a middle class, and Julie’s never been anything but.  They label her the first day because she doesn’t have a car—she’s one of the “poor kids,” though back in Texas they were pretty well off.  She’s never really cared about labels or name brands or what Paris Hilton thinks is hot, and that’s all anyone seems to care about here.  She hates it.

--

 He doesn’t really seem to care, either, though technically he’s a member of the Neptune royalty.  He wears his expensive clothes with a sort of endearing awkwardness and his car is only to get around in.  He’s smart and doesn’t seem ashamed of it, and she’s seen him reading Dylan Thomas during lunch.  He hasn’t got many friends, but the ones he does have seem scattered between the various cliques, and she likes that about him from the very beginning.

--

 The bell rings, and the students spill out into the hall.  He shrugs his brother’s arm off his shoulder with a sullen look, and he meets her eyes.  She almost wants to cry at the pain tangled up in the blue—he looks like a lost little boy and an old man who’s seen too much, all at the same time.

 He looks away quickly, but he doesn’t move when she sits down beside him at lunch.

Comments

[ineffort.livejournal.com]

I have no earthly clue how you did that and managed to make it so believable and sad and poignant, but I'm really really glad you did.

That was fantastic and kind of made teary because I haven't read Cassidy in a while.

I may love you. Just a little.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

I have no idea where this pairing came from (usually, I can trace these things, but not this time), so I'm so glad you think it works.

And I don't think I'll ever really get sick of Cassidy (I'm working on a story with him and Kendall right now).

And I may love you back.

As always, thanks for the kind words!

[ava-leigh-fitz.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if I ever mentioned my huge amounts of love for Cassidy to you, but you should know, he rivals Dean and Jess for my affections. Here? He totally beats those two. I'll admit, I still haven't seen Friday Night Lights, though I mean to; regardless this kinda broke my heart a little. In the best way, because it's a new start and she gets him almost and it's tangible the potential they have together. You're getting a whole lot of love from me over this, because my friend, you clearly win at all life has.

You (and Cassidy) totally pwned me.

And I love how appropriate your icon is. Just had to say.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

I had no idea about your Cassidy love, but I definitely understand it. He breaks my heart, and I just lovelovelove him.

Here? He totally beats those two. High praise indeed. I'm thrilled you would say that.

You should definitely watch Friday Night Lights if you get the chance; it's got fantastic characters.

In the best way, because it's a new start and she gets him almost and it's tangible the potential they have together. That's exactly what I was going for.

You're getting a whole lot of love from me over this, because my friend, you clearly win at all life has. Seriously. You have to quit making me blush.

And I adore that icon, too. It makes me so happy.