Brain v. Brawn

Isabelle 'Izzy' Emerson


Everett Jones

Everett was walking out of the gym after practice. He chuckled as Dennis whistled at the cheerleaders. "Hey Everett," Dennis whispered. "Bet you can't get one of the freshman's numbers."
Everett eyed the new faces on the cheerleading squad, smirking. "Please," he sneered. "You underestimate me."

After messing around with the freshman girls for a while, Everett and Dennis walked to the front of the building. All the clubs were letting out, and Dennis made a game of trying to guess which club it was. "That's definitely art club," Dennis muttered, watching a group of darkly clothed students pass with sketchbooks under arm. "Weirdos," he said, rolling his eyes at the one with a blue mohawk. Everett chuckled and scanned the groups, but before he could say something, Dennis spoke again. "Nerd club," he said, pointing out a group of guys, calculators in hand, socks and sandals on their feet. Everett laughed and watched them pass.

He still had a foolish grin on his face when he saw a little blonde girl tagging along with the nerds. He almost didn't hear Dennis ask if he wanted a ride home. But he quickly snapped out of it and politely denied Dennis' offer, because he had driven his car to the school that morning. When Dennis left, Everett walked over to the blonde girl, who had split off from her geeky friends.

"Hey," Everett said softly. "I haven't seen you around before,"

@ diamond sword
Izzy had been in science club basically teaching more than learning things to better equip them for the annual science quiz bowl that happened at the end of every year. Izzy had been in the club since her freshmen year and now, it being her last year, Mr. Edwards had become used to her.

"Did you know that female black widow spiders eat their males after mating. Oh or that more germs are transferred shaking hands than kissing. Or even that-"

"Izzy that's enough for today." Mr. Edwards interrupted with a small smile. "Dismissed. Everyone, we have a meeting tomorrow at 3:30." And everyone scattered.

Grabbing her many books and things she fell into the crowd that was leaving the classroom but soon broke away as she had to head to her locker. However, she was soon stopped as a person began speaking to her.

"I have been around. Since 2nd grade to be specific. As to why are you speaking to me?" She asked. It sounded as if she was being rude but it was nothing of that nature. She just really wondered as to why she was being spoke to.

Everett raised an eyebrow, analyzing her response. Her words said 'get the hell away' but her facial expression was friendly and welcoming. He slid his hands into his pockets and leaned forward, lowering his voice as he spoke.

"My apologies," he teased, "I suppose you've flown under my radar since second grade,"

He stood up fully again and ran a strong hand through his wavy blonde hair, toying with the different ways to answer her question.

"Lets say I was speaking to you because you...caught my attention. I'm only trying to be friendly, cutie," Everett said, smirking.

@ diamond sword
Izzy raised a brow, analyzing him just as much as he did her. After a moment she came to the conclusion she wasn't too find of his attitude.

"That is because you have always been quite obsessed with yourself, never paying attention to others,rather than your friends and very few others. " she replied to him.

Studying him further she shrugged. "I catch many beings attention because I have much more to offer to the world than the average human." She replied.

Hearing her she sounded arrogant but in her mind she was only stating the facts. She rarely joked.

Everett nodded and rolled his eyes when she said he was obsessed with himself. She was a girl who wasn't immediately head over heels for him on account of his face - and he appreciated that more than you would think.

When she said she had more to offer to the world, Everett chuckled dismissively. "Maybe I'm obsessed with myself because I have much more to offer to the world than the average human," he paused for effect, "I don't have to pay close attention to you to see that you're a hypocrite."

He was enjoying this soft argument with this strange girl. Everett always enjoyed winning arguments. In fact his mother often told him that his least desirable trait was the compulsion to always have the last word.

Deciding to move back into a more friendly tone of conversation, Everett shifted on his feet and looked down into her eyes politely. "What's your name? I'm Everett."

@ diamond sword
Izzy looked at him, un phased by what he had said but that didn't mean she wouldn't have the last word on the topic. She didn't exactly like arguing but she didn't like to be wrong.

"You admit you are obsessed with yourself. I knew I was right but thank you for proving it more so." She spoke with a grin. "Oh I'm not hypocrite, I was just merely stating the fact that I am more intelligent than most so therefore I have more to give to the world." She explained, her tone not wavering a bit.

"My name is Isabelle but do not call me that. Call me Izzy." She replied as she looked up at him. In her mind he was very strange but many people were to her.

Everett thought maybe she didn't realize how she was being a hypocrite, and so he explained his reasoning. "Saying I'm self obsessed and then saying you're more intelligent and better than most people is quite hypocritical indeed, cutie," Everett said with a sly grin. "I forgive you, though."

He realized his parents were probably wondering why he wasn't home yet, but he had done much worse things than stay late at school talking to a girl. Everett smiled softly. "Izzy," he said slowly. "I like that," he said out of habit. She was definitely different, but he wasn't sure yet if he liked that or not.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he checked the text casually. It was one of the freshman from earlier. "Would you ever want to text me, Izzy?" He asked out of curiosity.

@ diamond sword
"Well, I do not think that is how it is at all. I am not obsessed with myself like you. I only state facts that any person of intelligence would know." She replied matter a factly. "I do not need your forgiveness. I did nothing wrong for you to say anything about forgiving me." She stated.

"Thank you. Most like my name but I do not see why. It means to be devoted to God though I don't really see that there is any proof to prove there is a god. Therefore, I my name is actually devoted to nothing which is quite strange." She spoke carefully.

"I rather have my human contact in physical form, not technical. So even though I wouldn't want to, I could." She finally said before continuing."You are quite strange Everett, but not completely in a bad way." She finally said with a nod.

"I'm not even going to waste my time with that petty counterargument," Everett said as his sharp blue eyes locked onto hers.

"I've never cared to know what my name meant," he admitted. "But if I had to guess, it means irresistible and charming," he said smoothly. Everett grinned. "Of course to you, that translates to self-obsessed,"

Everett was surprised at how differently he talked to Izzy, opposed to how he talked to Dennis, or the freshman girl that wouldn't stop texting him. Normally he wasn't half as arrogant and ignored the temptation to argue.

"Well if you don't mind having some technical human contact," he joked, "Would you give me your phone number?"

@ diamond sword
"Not petty because it was quite factual," she started," but I will let this argument go. For now."

"The adjectives irresistible and charming does not translate to self obsessed. Self obsessed means obsessed with ones self." She stated with confidence as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Talking to Everett was different for Izzy. Mostly due to the fact that not many attempted to hold a conversation with her. Not that she minded. She was content with her facts and books.

Thinking a moment Izzy sighed. "I suppose so." She finally said as she opened her note book and scribbled her number down before tearing it out and handing it to him. "I do not enjoy texting much, so I apologize in advanced if I cut conversations via text short."

Everett sneakily got the last word non-verbally by rolling his crystal eyes.

He took the paper and folded it quickly and neatly, tucking it into his pocket. "I'll text you then," he said gently. "See you," he added, waving slightly as he turned around and walked out of the front doors.

The girls from earlier would not leave him alone, so he finally decided to indulge, and text them back. He made his way to his car and got inside, wondering why he didn't know who Izzy was.

He tended to be pretty knowledgeable about his peers, but maybe she had literally just slipped his scope of attention previously. He drove home and went inside, pulling out his homework and starting on it immediately. His grade point average was impeccable and he intended to keep it that way.

Of course, he was distracted here and there by his phone. Eventually he got around to texting Izzy.

Hey, it's Everett

@ diamond sword
Izzy noticed his eye roll but decided to ignore it for the time being. "Goodbye." She said with a nod as she finally made it towards her locker, grabbing a few books and putting a few away before walking out the front doors.

Glancing down at her watch she noticed that she had let time slip away and she would not be home until around 5:30, considering she had not even got out of science clubs until around 5 or so and Everett had took a bit of her time. The walk home was also 15 minutes but she never minded it. She actually enjoyed the quiet walk, unless it was raining. Then it wasn't so fun.

As she made through her front doors she was met with a quiet household. "Strange." She thought but then came a loud crash and even louder voices that she could distinguish as her parents. Sighing she headed up the stairs quickly and towards her room, locking it behind her and pulling out homework. Once she finished and was putting her things away, she grabbed a book that she was reading for an English report but was interrupted by her phone buzzing. She ignored it for a while, long enough to read 6 chapters, but she was a fast reader. Finally she grabbed her phone and replied.

Hello. I would reply with who I am but you already know that since you text me exactly 1 hour and 15 minutes ago.

Even through technical communication you could tell it was none other than Izzy you were talking to.

Everett's house was empty and silent. His brother had always filled the silence quite nicely, but now he was away at college. It felt like his parents had never really been around because they worked so much lately, but he knew at one point in his life they would've been home by now. He didn't really mind an empty house, actually he enjoyed it. It was easier to get away with things.

One of the freshman girls was keen to hang out with him, but he wasn't really in the mood. Instead, he snuggled into the couch and flipped on the tv. It was a wonderful surprise to find that there was a Western movie marathon just beginning. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly was just starting. He wrapped a thick blanket around himself and from that point on, he was not to be bothered. Everett was truly at peace for the few hours that the movie played.

But it had to end eventually, and when it did he wandered back into the kitchen where he had left his phone. He intended to just check his texts and then return to the couch for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but he saw that Izzy texted him so he took his phone to the couch with him.

As the movie began rolling, his heart was filled with fond memories of how he had demanded to be called Sundance when he was younger. He read Izzy's text and chuckled at how strongly her personality came through. Suddenly he felt lonely on his couch and decided to ask Izzy if she wanted to come over. If she didn't, he supposed he would ask the freshman girl, but he wasn't sure she would appreciate what he thought was quality film.

I know we just met today, but are you busy tonight?

@ diamond sword
Izzy laid her phone back down on her bedside table before sticking her nose back in her book. She stayed that way for a while before dozing off a bit.

She was woke up a few minutes later from the slam of a door that was followed by a car driving off. She could also hear the crying of her mother but she ignored it. This was usual and she chose not to pay attention to it anymore.

Sighing softly she cuddled into her blanket before checking her phone again. Reading the text she wasn't sure it was a good idea but a part of her was excited, she didn't know why though.

No I am not busy. As to why are you asking?

Everett's mom walked in the door and went straight to the kitchen. "Hey Evvie!" She called cheerfully, as she stuck a plastic container into the microwave. He decided not to warn her about the chemicals in the plastic and just let her cook her dinner. She came into the room to talk to him and he managed to pull his eyes from the movie. "I have a meeting tonight and I have to hustle to be on time," she explained hurriedly as she crammed food between her bright red lips. "I don't know where your dad is but he should be home soon."

Everett simply offered a thin smile. She bounced over in her heels and planted a kiss on his forehead. "Love you hon," She said, and then she was gone as quickly as she had arrived. He wished his mom was around more, but he wasn't looking forward to his dad coming home. He would just get crap for watching his beloved Westerns instead of football playoffs. He unlocked his phone and read her text before getting back into the movie.

There's a Western movie marathon on and I want to share the wealth

After a minute, he sent another text.

If you want I can pick you up

He doubted even she would understand his choice of movie genre, but that was okay. They didn't have to watch the marathon, he truly just wanted some company. His brother was only two years older than him and last year he hadn't gone to college, so they had been attached at the hip until this fall. Nobody understood him like his brother, who genuinely accepted that he could be smart as well as a damn good wide receiver.

@ diamond sword
Izzy heard a knock at her door and bounced from her bed to open it before she got fussed at for locking the door.

"Yes?" She asked her mother, seeing a crying figure. She didn't let this affect her mood though.

"You're dads gone and he isn't coming back. Money will get right soon and you're getting a job." Her mom explained with a glare.

"I don't see why I must do that but whatever you say mother." She said with a shrug. Before her mother said much else izzy had a slap on red mark on her face.

"You've always had such an attitude." Her mom said with a roll of her eyes.

Izzy shut the door and held her face. This wasn't the first time so she didn't care.

Checking her phone she replied.

Yes that would be quite nice. Westerns are very interesting

Everett asked for her address, and when she gave it to him he unraveled himself from the blanket. He rubbed his mom's lipstick off of his face and slipped into some shoes and his varsity jacket. His eyes were sore, so before he left he popped his contacts out and replaced them with glasses.

He double checked that the movie was still paused, and after this reassurance he headed outside to his car. Everett had technically inherited his dad's old Mercedes when his dad bought himself and his brother a brand new one. He turned the key and backed out, turning to leave his neighborhood. Realizing he had no idea where he was going, he checked the address she had sent him again, but it turned out she lived on the same street as Dennis. He had driven to Dennis' house many times since he had gotten his license. Soon he was rolling down the street reading house numbers.

Everett pulled into Izzy's driveway and debated over whether to text her that he was here or going up to the door. Deciding to be more efficient, he stepped out of his car and strolled up the front walk. He reached for the doorbell but then realized it was pretty late and she may or may not have sleeping younger siblings. Wouldn't want to piss off her parents.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door firmly.

@ diamond sword
Izzy had been standing near the entrance, not wanting her mother to answer the door. She wasn't in the best of moods. When she heard a knock she quickly opened the door and shut it behind her quietly.

"My mom isn't very approachable right not. It would be best we leave quickly." She said with a shrug before walking towards his car with him behind her.

At the moment she was in old sweats and a oversized shirt. She didn't mind though. This was what she wore often, especially once she got home from school.

"I like your car. It's quite nice. " she said with a grin as she opened the door and slid in. Once he finally got in and drove off she waited a moment.

"Why did you want me to watch this marathon thing? You must have many other options to choose from"

Everett was almost startled by how quickly Izzy opened the door and walked past him to his car. He wondered why she was in such a rush, even after she said it was because of her mom. She didn't seem like the type to rebel against her parents. But he snapped out of it and followed her, almost jealous of how comfortable she looked in her sweats.

"Thanks," he said with a grin as he backed out of the driveway. "I was lucky my dad didn't decide to sell it." His dad had wanted to sell the car to make buying two new ones easier. It was Everett's mom that reminded his father that Everett didn't have one.

Everett smiled softly. "I didn't feel like having some dumb girl ruin Butch Cassidy," he said simply as he pulled into his driveway. His dad wasn't home yet, which was a huge relief. He got out of the car and locked it after she stepped out. "What's your favorite kind of movie?" He asked as he opened the front door and let her inside.