Blue Royalty | Miscellaneous Thread

[astxrism]

{ Halloween | After his convo with Florence }

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You know what was p!ssing off Finley the most, but was also very interesting to him? His ex-girlfriend coming to his school pretending like she had no idea who he was. It was a good little change, some excitement added to his boring days at the school his father finally let him come back to. Let him come back… that’s what we’re gonna go with.

He should be the one who was mad, he should be the one pretending he has no idea who she is since Hartley was the one who left him all alone in a room last time they’ve seen each other. But maybe that event only made him want to mess with her more so he could get his little revenge. Not that he had the right to do something like that because he was the one who messed up in the first place and Hartley was just trying to get back at him. Well… we’re taking one more round and we’re making it fun.
Saying how he was going to look for the rest of their little group, Finley walked away from Florence and a situation he loved to look back at. Ah, what a beautiful time he had that one night with Florence in a hotel room. away from his parents before they sent him to that ridiculous military school. But that’s a story for another time, now he was on his next mission of the night - find miss Hartley.

A slight smirk appeared on Finley’s lips spotting the girl in her yellow costume he, don’t tell her, liked. Shame she wasn’t a little bunny in only a corset though… Hartley was walking away from a guy Finley had never seen before and if we’re being honest, didn’t really care about getting to know him, and took his chance to approach her. "There you are,” stopping right in front of her, his hand found its way to her hip where he gently rested it, before he leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek. Or on the very corner of her lips. "Finley… if you still don’t remember who I am,” adding, he looked down at her lips before his gaze traveled to his hand that was still on her hip, with a playful smile waiting for her push it away.

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@/Madilnel - Hartley

[astxrism]

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{ Friends, parties and two admirers | 2021 }

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There was more than just studying and exams in Elodie’s new London life. More than just hours spent in the library with books in front of her… but that’s what we’re starting with.

”I heard he left her…” Words from across the room made Elodie look up, the silence of the library being disrupted by two girls whose words she couldn’t help but overhear. With her tired eyes and makeup that didn’t help her look fresh, Elodie met the eyes of strangers. Out of all the empty seats, those two girls were sitting glued to one another at the table where they could have a better view of our tired girl. And a girl that supposedly got dumped. ”I hope he did,” with no shame, those girls were staring back at Elodie, their voices not quiet enough. ”But that means he won’t come back. How am I supposed to grab his attention now?” Last words Elodie paid attention to before closing her eyes and tilting her head down, a soft sigh leaving her lips. This… yeah, this is what she had to deal with on the daily basis but she never said a single thing - girls trying to come on to her boyfriend who, for their information, did not leave her. Elodie showing up to her college alone and leaving alone was all they could see and assume she wasn’t with Riker anymore but there was a reason for it. Some boyfriends have dreams and like to travel and some girlfriends are supportive of them and let them do whatever would make them happy. That was the case with Elodie and Riker. For a whole month she was all alone in her spacious apartment that now felt extremely empty because her boyfriend was on a tour. Her little guitars who was often keeping her up at 3 am when she should be resting. There were some cons and pros to it… Pros: have you seen him? Cons: every girl at her college has seen him and thought the same thing. We are not going to talk about all the times they would go up to him and pretend not to see Elodie, only to end their attempt at flirting with “Oh, I didn’t see you there”.

”One green tea creme frappuccino for you and day three of me trying to convince myself it’s drinkable,” she didn’t even have to look up to know who the person putting the drinks on the table in front of her was. So let me introduce you to Mark, one of Elodie’s first college friends. Mark is a good guy, a smart guy with an accent everyone would die for. Curly haired boy with a bright smile that had the biggest crush on Elodie from the very first time he saw her, talked to her but don’t tell her that. She already knows it but what can she really do? He has always been a good friend to her and he knows she is in a happy relationship so there is no harm in keeping him close to her. But the poor guy still had hope. “She already moved on. How desperate do you have to be…” Hearing those girls again, this time Elodie ignored them and smiled sweetly at her friend as she leaned back in her seat. The book in front of her closing while she reached for the cup. ”If it weren’t for you I’d never have a drink in my hands,” bringing the straw to her lips, she continued. ”And if only you got us those muffi-” But before she could continue, Mark was already pulling a little paper bag from his backpack and placed it on top of Elodie’s book, a grin on his face. A grin that soon matched hers as she opened the bag and saw muffins she was about to mention, jokingly of course. She never asked him to bring her drinks and food whenever he felt like it but here he was, being a caring friend. ”You’re officially my favorite person,” pouting in an appreciative way, she looked back at him and was now staring at the guy whose arms were crossed over the table, looking at her in a way she could not describe but had an idea of what it could mean. He really wasn’t giving up.

”There you are!” Another voice Elodie knew very well but this time it echoed through the whole library, everyone’s head turning in the direction of it. With a white “backpack” that could fit only her phone and keys, Ally Warren, a brunette girl with a Scottish accent (who Dorian will hook up with in the near future) walked towards Elodie and Mark looking as fresh as ever. At least someone was getting enough sleep. Ally is your typical daddy’s girl getting everything, almost everything, she wanted but she was not one of those stuck up girls with fake personalities you’d see on every corner in high school. She was fun and down to earth and everything Elodie needed in a friend after her falling out with someone she called a best friend for the longest time. Remember Kara? Yeah, that ended right before Elodie left her hometown and it was possibly the best thing that could’ve happened to her. But how did Ally become her friend? Imagine this: a lonely girl standing in the middle of a hallway in an unfamiliar country while the only two people she knew were God knows where. She was seen with a guy that had a very famous friend so some of the girls walking past her knew who he was. Now imagine that same girl in that same hallway but with a group of British blondies standing in front of her, interrogating her after her very first class. “How do you know him?” “Is he your cousin?” “Can you introduce us to him?” Being in a different country, plus being a little shy and also overwhelmed did not help in that situation. Tightly holding onto her bag, she was just staring back at the group, unable to find even some simple words to say. All until her hero showed up and made those girls go away. I’m sorry, that wasn’t very exciting but that poor girl was Elodie and the hero was Ally. ”I spent the whole morning looking for you and not sleeping in,” Taking a seat right next to Elodie, she picked Elo’s drink, bringing it to her lips but the guy next to her friend caught her attention, making her stop and slightly tilt her head. ”Hi,” now their friendship was not really the best but they didn’t necessarily dislike each other. It was hard to not like Mark but Ally could see right through his acts of kindness toward Elodie and she was not a big fan of it. It was not the best look going after someone who was taken while there were millions of other girls around you. ”Some of us have classes to go to,” taking it as a cue to leave, the poor guy looked between the two and stood up with a sweet smile on his lips and a cup of a drink he was forcing himself to drink in his hand. ”See you after?” With that, he left.

It wasn’t long before the girls had to leave as well, 1) because they had a class, and 2) because Ally’s was supposedly being too loud. Elodie would agree with that but there was not a chance she’d ever interrupt her friend and tell her to be quiet. ”I have to show you something,” approaching the door of the amphitheatre, Elodie was the first one to enter, looking back at her friend pulling out a phone from her tiny backpack. Where are the rest of her things? Oh, yeah, Ally didn’t “need” anything else. She was one of those students learning most things just by listening so things as taking notes were a big distraction. They were both met with muffled voices and conversations of other students that were already in there as they made their way to the seats they always took. Closer to the stage but not too close, on the far left. As soon as Elodie sat down and dropped her bag on the desk, Ally’s phone landed on it, her insta notifications opened. ”Look who followed me.” And who did? I’ll let you take three guesses. No, just one, it’s that easy. Someone from Oxford? No. Elodie’s brother Dorian? Yup. It shouldn’t really be a surprise but Elodie felt a little tug on her hear seeing his name there. Not because Ally was her friend and Dorian followed her, never meeting the girl in real life, but because of the event that took place a month ago, when he started ignoring all of her calls and texts. It was one thing breaking up with someone but another breaking up with a person you were deeply in love with, and Elodie could see how much he really loved Jessica. ”I never realized how hot he is,” Ally’s voice turning into a whisper, taking a seat next to Elodie, she gently nudged her with her elbow. ”Doesn’t he have a girlfriend? I remember you telling me something-” Her words were not cut off by Elodie replying, just her slowly shaking her head, looking at Ally with a weak smile. ”Oh… OOHH…” ”Don’t even think about it!” A soft giggle escaped Elodie’s lips this time, pushing the phone back to Ally. That was… not going to end well. ”I’m noooot,” a devilish smile played on Ally’s lips as she picked up her own phone, finally hitting the follow back button. ”Hey… I’m serious. I don’t know what happened but-”

”Ready for tonight?” Nessa’s sweet voice interrupted Elodie, in a flowy pink dress taking a seat in front of the two girls. Nessa was Ally’s friend for the longest time, the two knowing each other since elementary school and here they were, in college together. Elodie liked Nessa, she was more like her with her sweet voice and warm smiles. Ally introduced them to each other the first day she met Elo, after saving her from that group of girls ready to spend eternity asking her questions. That’s how Elodie became a part of Ally’s little friend group. And tonight, well, it was Nessa’s birthday. The bad part of it? She knew most students and invited all of them since her parents got a beautiful venue that could fit the whole country. Plus Nessa had many friends out of college… it’s going to be one fun night. ”Talking about that…" Looking away from Elodie with a cheeky smile suggesting they’ll be continuing their previous conversation, her attention was now on her old friend. ”Do you know how much I loooove your silky green dress?" ”We have the same dress, Ally.” ”About that… remember our first party this January? Well, I don’t have that dress anymore-"
Forgetting about her brother and the mean girls from the library, Elodie was just sitting there, with a sweet smile on her lips listening to her two friends. This. This is everything she was hoping she’d have once she moves and starts college. A perfect relationship and perfect friends in a beautiful city. If only she had Heidi here.

Heidi, maybe Elodie wouldn’t feel so lonely now when Riker was away if only her dog was with her. Locking the door and placing the keys in a beige bowl that was on a console table in that hallway, no matter if it’s been two weeks, she felt sadness having no one to lovingly welcome her. By now she was supposed to get used to that and in a way she did, but she still missed her boyfriend. Talking about him… he should be free in an hour, the time Elodie would face time him or he’d be faster than her. That gave her plenty of time to make lunch and take a long, relaxing bath first. Walking through the apartment and dropping her bag on the kitchen counter, every curtain was open allowing the light to illuminate the dark browns of the wooden floor. There was one new thing Elodie became obsessed with - record players. Her mother found her a fully furnished apartment that she immediately fell in love with and she had the luck to find an old record player in a corner of the bedroom. Eventually, she moved to the living room from where she could always hear the music playing, and as of recently - Taylor Swift’s Evermore album. Putting that one on now, she let her yellow dress fall down to the floor and picking it up, Elodie made her way to the bathroom. The scent of vanilla spilling out in every direction as soon as he lit the candle and let the bath fill up with water.

An hour later, after making lunch and with Willow playing in the background again, Elodie was lying in bed in nothing but a silky robe, holding the phone up and waiting for Riker to pick up. A strand of her wet hair twisting around her finger as she felt her hopes slowly dying. There was not a single day that they haven’t talked to each other, at least once, but this was the second time she tried to face time and failed. Dropping the phone down next to her, Elodie plopped herself up on her elbows, her gaze moving to the door of a spacious walk-in closet on the other side of the bedroom. That was one of three requests she had for the apartment because having too many clothes would not be fun if she only had one wardrobe. Other requests: big windows and one park nearby. The moment she sat up, Elodie finally heard her phone ringing and seeing her favorite name on the screen a big smile appeared on her lips, not wasting a second to answer. ”Hiii,” letting her back hit the bed again, the silky robe perfectly falling over her curves, she accepted the facetime call with a soft giggle. ”I miss you…” The expression she had slightly changed exposing a frown but it was quickly replaced with yet another smile as she gently bit her thumb. ”Oh! I need your help,” quickly adding, she got up from the bed and walked to her closet, placing her phone on the vanity table. ”You know that party I’m going to tonight? Wellll… I need your help because I can’t pick what I like more,” with a cheeky smile she straightened up, loosening the robe. At the very beginning of their friendship, this is what Riker would do to her - he’d call her to ask for help, knowing or maybe not knowing how much what followed would make her blush. Seeing him walking to another room and saying something about the robe brought out a little mischievous smile but she ignored him and instead grabbed two dresses. But before she could say anything her phone turned black. Battery died. ”Nononono…” Dropping her dresses and picking up the phone, she ran back to her bedroom to find the charger.

”Another shot! Go, go," placing a bunch of shot glasses on a glass table, Ally was already a little bit tipsy. Or a lot. Here is another fact about Ally: she is the biggest lightweight you could ever meet but she loves to drink. Usually the girls would get together and drink wine as they did just 10 minutes ago before Ally found a nice group of guys and got lost, had some shots with them and now here she was, making her girlfriends take more with her. ”This one guy… he asked for your number but I said no," with a proud smile, trying to be quiet, Ally looked at Elodie who was staring back at her with concern written all over her face. Not because of that guy but because her friend was visibly already drunk. ”Thank you,” but chuckling and shaking her head, Elodie replied ignoring her need to stop her friend from drinking more and just let her have all the fun she wants. That’s what Elodie also needed, after all. ”I don’t need that, I just need you to take this," grinning, Ally pushed one glass toward Elodie before looking over at her other friends. ”Hey, hey, where is Nessa? Doesn’t matter, drink!" Now here is a fact about Elodie: call her classy, but she only likes wine. Being the last one to force herself to take that shot, she tried really hard not to make a fact but very quickly failed, covering her lips as Ally laughed at her. ”You can do better than that!" ”It’s disgusting…”

”Ladies,” feeling a hand on her waist, Elodie looked to her side, her gaze landing on no one else but Mark. As soon she lowering her gaze to the place where his hand was resting, he removed it and once again she met his eyes. There was a guilty smile on his lips as he looked away from her, now saying hi to everyone else that was around Elodie. His friends, since they all knew each other at this point. In similar situations such as parties and some kind of gatherings when Elodie wasn’t in the company of her boyfriend, Mark would do small thing like this thinking he could get away with it. But all it took for him to stop, for a few minutes at least, was the look she would give him. It wasn’t a serious one and she never looked mad, you could just see she did not appreciate it. ”Hello Mark, and helllloo hotties!" Following her gaze, Elodie noticed a group of guys walking towards them. What she could assume was a group Ally was chatting with not so long ago. Four guys, all dressed in black and white with their British accents soon found themselves at their table. There was one fella Elodie noticed was looking in her direction from the second they got near and she could only assume it was a guy Ally mentioned to her earlier. Great… Looking away from all of them, nervously she started playing with a ring in her finger, wishing they never showed up. Okay, listen… Elodie didn’t like to be the one ruining the fun for everyone so she never said anything, she’d just stay quiet and force a smile once someone asks her something, but she was never comfortable in a company of so many guys. Things would just be so much better if she was there only with her friends. Noticing that, Mark gently placed a hand on her shoulder, quietly asking, ”I’m going to grab some drinks. Do you want to come with me?” YES, she thought but instead she simply nodded giving him a sweet smile. That’s how she was once again saved by her friend from an uncomfortable situation… if only it stayed like that. Disappearing into the crowd to find wine so Elodie wouldn’t have to bump into people, Mark left her standing there alone. A perfect opportunity for our other British guy to jump in. ”Your boyfriend left you already?” A great start, isn’t it? Nothing better than that being the first words a guy says to you. Turning around, Elodie was standing face to face with a guy from second ago, a cheeky smile playing on his lips. ”He is not my boy-” Slightly furrowing her brows with her voice so quiet, he cut her off to introduce himself. ”I’m Luke.” She didn’t have to finish what she was trying to say for him to know what will come out of her mouth, so he wasted no time. ”And you must be Elodie? Sorry, I heard it when Ally asked where you went so I just assumed…” Counting with his hand casually placed in his pockets and that same smile still on his lips. This was the part where he thought she would say something, confirm that was her name… anything. But she did not. Elodie just stood there, now crossing her arms in discomfort but trying to keep her expression friendly. ”I thought you left without me getting a chance to talk to you-”
Phone ringing. Thank. God. Looking down at the phone in her hands, Elodie’s never been happier to see Riker’s name on the screen. A huge smile found its way to her lips as she looked up at the Luke guy and finally said her first words to him, ”Sorry, I want to take this. It’s my boyfriend.” With that she turned around and walked away from the guy. ”Thank God! I really wish you were here right now…No, no, everything is fine…Someone was just coming onto me I didn’t know how to get away…Wait, what!? You’re coming back in two days?! Ahhhh…"

[astxrism]

{ Summer before senior year and Dylan’s friend | 2020 }

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Older brother’s best friend. Not knowing anyone is in the house, he’d shower in your bathroom and out of nowhere bump into you, only a towel wrapped around him. An older guy you’ve always fantasized about. Isn’t that what most girls are dreaming of? Well, not Elodie. Or maybe sometimes… but she’s too innocent for that.

If Elodie wasn’t on a summer break you’d be seeing her coming back from a local library, her tote bag filled with books she’d probably finish in less than a week. But it was summer, and it was one hot summer that was about to get hotter. With salt in her damp hair and sand still on her skin, only in her light blue bikini and one towel in hand, Elodie came back home from the beach. At first glance, the house seemed quiet, not a single soul in there beside her. Soon she’ll find out she was wrong about that but all she knows right now is that her parents were still at work, Dorian was playing soccer somwehre and Dylan was supposed to come back home for a few days later that night. Dropping her bag and towel on the kitchen island, humming an old Swift song, Elodie grabbed a cup to pour herself some lemonade. What she wanted to do now is take a shower first and then eat, so chugging it all down she made her way up the stairs. What she didn’t expect is to have green eyes staring at her the moment she turned the corner.

What do you do when there’s a half naked stranger in your house? A really cute stranger, by the way. I have no idea and neither does Elodie. Did I mention how he is half naked? And did we forget Elodie was only in her bikini? Of course, he noticed that and after staring back at the girl who was speechless his gaze slowly lowered. ”Hi," to make it worse, she noticed a hint of a smirk on his lips. There was, as some would call her, a hot blondie in front of him, checking him out… But she wasn’t doing that… Maybe. Okay, maybe, but at the same time she was too busy being confused and embarrassed. There was a cutie with only a towel around his waist standing in front of her. ”Sorry, Dylan said no one is home…" Letting that sink in, she finally felt the heath in her cheeks and all she did was just stand there, frozen in place, not saying a thing. As you can see, this was not a situation in which she felt comfortable. Sure, if Elodie was around more people she would pretend to be fine but now, in her own house where she could be herself, she was not. ”Nice talking to you," but the guy found her reaction entertaining, flashing her a smile before walking past her to Dylan’s room which was on the other side of the hallway.

What was happening: after Elodie’s encounter with a stranger she ran to her room, allowing herself to finally breath and be hard on herself for not saying anything. How stupid did I look? I was just staring at him… he probably thinks I’m weird. But he was cute… Am I red? Yes, I am… Those were some of her thoughts. While on the other side of the house Dylan was talking to one of his college best friends he invited to stay the night since he was supposed to be in LA the next day. His name was Ashton and Dylan met him his first day of college. It wasn’t hard for the two of them to become good friends since they were similar - laidback, funny dudes able to win over anyone. Even if Elodie’s heard about him she never met him. Until today. And if you think Ashton didn’t tell Dylan what happened, you’re wrong.

After her long and painful shower, blame it on her overthinking, she walked back downstairs to grab something to eat, having another expectation: she’s gonna be there alone and eat in peace. No. Sorry, Elo. ”So we meet again," even if she expected to be alone, this time Elodie was prepared for a conversation with a cute guy. Prepared to say one world and then try her best not to blush. So if she was prepared why was she still quiet? Grabbing her dinner she prepared that morning before going out, the only thing she did is glance at the guy and smile sweetly. Seeing that, Ashton simply continued, ”Dylan said I could find something to eat while he’s on the phone with his girlfriend and I really don’t want to listen to that conversation-" ”Girfriend?" Elodie interrupted him, finally speaking up and turning to fully face him. ”Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Shhh…" Well, that will be one interesting conversation with Dylan when he finally shows up and apologize for not warning Elodie his friend is staying the night. ”There…" Breaking her own silence she looked down at her plate with some veggies and chicken. ”There’s nothing in fridge… you two should… probably order something. You can take this if you’re hungry," slightly pushing it toward him, she looked up with a sweet smile, meeting his green eyes. ”I ammm… but It’s fine," returning the smile, he shook his head. ”I’ll just go ask him what he wants and stop bothering you." Was that a way for him to get “You’re not bothering me” out of her? Yes, yes it was. And did Elodie say that? We all know she did not… For a second she wanted to, but the thought of that only made her heart skip a beat so she simply nodded, looking away from him. ”I’m Ashton, by the way."

Sitting there alone for half an hour and eating is all Elodie’s been doing. Besides trying to stop herself from smiling. That was before her brother and his friend came downstairs when their pizza arrived, taking a seat in the living room. A perfect view and… he was looking. Shifting her gaze down at her empty plate, Elodie could feel her cheeks burning, again. She would catch him glancing at her, but so would he… before Elodie ran away.

”Will you show him around the town before he leaves? Why don’t you take your sister with you?" With everyone sitting at the table with a bunch of breakfast food, Davina was looking at Dylan with a warm smile. Now that… will never happen. First of all, that whole night Elodie couldn’t sleep so spending half the day with a guy she almost saw completely naked would not be fun. Second - her brothers would never let that happen… just watch. ”She’s helping Dorian today," spitting out a lie, Dylan looked between his sister and mother with the same smile Davina had. ”With what?" Nothing. There was nothing Elodie had to help Dorian with but that didn’t matter. Their sister will not be hanging out with a guy she met the other day… or any other guy for that matter. This is what she had to deal with often… Elodie loved her brothers but sometimes they were being a little too overprotective. ”You can’t know everything," with his mouth full of eggs, Dorian answered instead of his brother, knowing very well what he was trying to do.
”Ah come on, just one morning," Ashton laughed lightly, staring at his friend with a wtf look on his face but all he got was a look from both Dylan and Dorian… knowing very well what it meant. You know, one of those don’t even try looks. Seeing that, defeated, Elodie looked down at her plate and quietly added, ”I told him I’ll help him… with the thing… "
”Another time then. Anyway, I was thinking about something… I know I said I’ll stay here but I want to go to LA with him tonight…"

[Littlefeets]

Malachi Azure

Summer, 2007

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“Dad. Dad. Dad.” The 6 year old pleaded. “Come build a sandcastle with us pleeeeease.”

“Not now Malachi.” Leonardo Azure dismissed his son before returning to a business call. “Come on sweetheart. Your dad has work to do, and he’s going to watch your sister. Elettra, where’d you go?” Kai’s mother shook her head slightly at having just lost sight of the firstborn Azure child. Kai looked around him to see if he saw his sister, then turned and ran down the hall to see where she was. After just a moment he found her looking at their baby sister sleeping. Since Akielah became the youngest Azure, Elettra hadn’t exactly been happy about not being the only girl. Kai didn’t quite understand why she never seemed to like Akielah. She was a baby, she didn’t do anything wrong. Kai, on the other hand, liked having an older twin sister and a little sister, it seemed right to him. Kai looked at his little sister with a smile before Elettra looked at him with a strange glare before grabbing his hand and pulling him away to go back to their mom.

As soon as the pair returned, their mother, carrying their little brother, guided them outside the door and to a nice spot on the pristine beach just outside. After a few minutes to get them each set with their own pail and shovel, Miranda looked to her older two children with a soft smile as she asked them where they had gone just before coming outside. Kai looked up from the bucket he had been filling with sand to his mom. “We were with sissy, I wanted to say bye to her.” Kai answered with a smile, though he didn’t know why Elettra had gone in there to begin with. “You’re being a good big brother, sweetheart.” Kai’s mother said with a soft smile, though Kai didn’t even see the look of jealousy on his twin’s face.

He finally looked to his sister as she smashed the pile of sand in front of her and stood up. “I don’t wanna do this!” she said, looking at Kai before tapping him and running in the other direction. “Tag, you’re it!” Kai watched as Elettra ran a short distance and looked back at him, then looked up at his mom, in a way asking if it was alright. “Go on, just stay where I can see you.” He didn’t exactly want to go run and play, wanting to stay there and build a sandcastle, but he couldn’t say no to his twin. “Come on!” With Elettra once again telling him to come play with her, Kai got up and ran after her. Him and his twin sister, playing together all day long, Kai completely unaware that the jealousy his sister held, and her dislike of their baby sister was only a sign of what the future would hold.

[benitz786]

August 14th, 1998

Adelaide’s eyes were closed tightly as she held Leo’s hand, her nails digging into his skin as the fear of the flight taking off settled in. Yes… Addie did have a severe fear of flying - despite having been on planes for most of her life as a kid, going from function to function for her parents. There were times when being the oldest was a good thing, but more often than not, it was just… a menace to her life. While Justin, who was the definition of the middle child - being able to even go to a different country to study at a school, albeit a good school - Addie never got that option. Adelaide Belle Paker was expected to uphold the Parker name… even if sometimes she didn’t want to. In any case… back to her fear of flying…

Even when she was on her parent’s private Jet, she couldn’t help the nerves that overcame her body. She knew a flight crashing was rarer than getting bitten by a shark but… god how did this bloody thing even stay in the air. HOW DID THEY KNOW IT WASN’T GOING TO GO DOWN? Answer? THEY DIDN"T. Okay fine they probably knew some of the mechanics to how planes worked but… that didn’t mean Addie wasn’t p!ssing herself with fear. Leo and Addie were currently in first-class going to London because she had convinced him to come with her after her parents were forcing her to come back for a charity gala with Justin - a man who was a row ahead of them with Natalia. “Addie don’t bloody kill the poor guy,” she heard her brother state, looking over the seat to turn back and face her - specifically looking at how tightly she was holding on to Leo. Justin had often been in that position and gotten used to wearing long sleeve shirts on planes just for that reason.

“OH bloody shut up Justin,” Addie sighed, looking back at her brother who knew how anxious she got on flights ever since an incident when she was 5… though she rather not talk about that. A sigh met her brother’s lips as he shot Leo a sorry look before one of the flight attendants told him to get strapped in since they were ‘about to take off’ - which honestly only made Addie hold on to her boyfriend tighter. Her breathing increased - slowly nearing hyperventilation limits. Bloody hell, if she had only not ran out of sleeping pills… this would have been easier. “Hey Addie, look at me,” Her bright eyes met his own as he placed his hand on her cheek, “Remember the other day when we were laying on my terrace looking at the stars?”

Addie, though confused, nodded her head slightly. “Remember how you were telling me about how the positive action bill was shot down in Labor Party… remind me, what did you feel about it?” Addie immediately recalled what he was talking about, and the anger in her rising about the BS the European Union pulled when the Labor Party attempted to get women nominated to the council. “It’s bloody terrible. For fcks sake Leo, we’re almost coming to the year 2000. It’s not bloody 1500 anymore, why are old white men so bloody annoying about women being on a damn council. Anything and I mean ANYTHING a man can do, women can do too. I just don’t understand what is so hard to understand about that. And another thing…”

That went on for approximately an hour, without Addie even realizing they were up in the air - she was too… passionately involved in what she believed in when it involved women in politics. It was only when she heard someone come by asking her if they wanted peanuts that she realized they were… actually in the air. Though as the realization hit her, she felt Leo’s hand tighten around her own as he pulled her head to face him before pulling her in for a kiss. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m right here. Tell me again how you want to rule the world in the future,” he whispered and she found herself relaxing to his touch.

---

Adelaide Parker did make it through that flight alive… thankfully. And the next few days were spent showing the man all around London; from her favorite places to eat to her favorite sights to visit. It was perfect. Every night ended in his arms in a hotel room they shared - though even Addie knew the impending approach of her parent’s party drew near. See… for most people that wouldn’t be an issue - introducing their boyfriend to their parents was a given. For Addie, however, that wasn’t… exactly the case. The issue being… well… Addie wasn’t supposed to date… anyone. After all… she was… engaged. It was something she found out about only a few years prior, discovering in her parent’s correspondence to the King of Norway that her hand was given to Prince Hakkon since birth. What. UTTER. Bullsh!t. Ever since she realized, she had confronted her parents - tried to get out of it but it didn’t work. Nothing she could do would convince them otherwise. Since then, she had met the prince a handful of times and he was… fine… she just… didn’t love him. And she never would simply for the fact that their parents had set them up with no choice nor option… perhaps… maybe that was why Adelaide Parker took the first chance she had to get out of London even if it meant being on a plane… and maybe it was also the reason she got close and slept with a man who wasn’t her future husband. Simply: At least it was HER choice. It was her choice to lose her virginity… her choice to be with a man because she wanted to … and she just happened to fall for that very man bringing a few… additional complications. She did… or she thought she did… love Leo. So she just… couldn’t let him find out about this. She just needed to deal with it alone.

“So what are you going to do Addie? The party is tomorrow and we both know that mum and dad won’t be ecstatic to meet your boyfriend” Justin asked with a genuine look of curiosity. The four - Justin, Natalia, Leo, and Addie - were out getting coffee at one of Addie’s favorite bakeries and both Natalia and Leo had stepped out for a second: Natalia going to the bathroom, and Leo getting a call rendering Addie and her brother alone. “And I’m the only one? What about you and Nat? We both know mum and dad wouldn’t be too happy about that either,”

“You’re dodging the question. Mum and Dad can think whatever they want about Nat, but we both know they care more about you because of Hakkon… who from what I remember is going to be at the party,”

Before she could respond to that, Addie found Leo taking his seat next to her, his hand immediately intertwining with her own as he drank his coffee. Though a worried expression on her lips, Addie immediately hid it when her boyfriend returned…attempting… well… to figure anything out.

And she did… was it the best idea to tell the man that night that her parents canceled the party because one of the main guests caught a transmittable virus and they couldn’t, in good conscience, hold it? No… it wasn’t… was it even a worse idea that she told him that she needed to drop by her parent’s house to help coordinate clean up while they were gone and it was too troublesome so he could just stay at the hotel and do some work before she returned? No…

Lying to Leo was something she never… wanted to do. But… maybe it was better than… well… him knowing the truth. That’s exactly why she found herself going to her parent’s house… underdressed and changing when she arrived.

The room was extravagant - as it often was with her parents who spared no expense during parties, especially parties where royalty would be in attendance. All around her there was champagne, music from the live orchestra, small talk… and all she could bloody think about was the fact that she had lied to her boyfriend to be there… and how much she wanted to be there with him, dancing in his arms.

That’s what she found herself doing - dancing with guests… older… handsy-er ones… young ones… really… anyone and everyone. It was her… job, in a way: make her parents look good… sadly that included keeping her own mouth and own beliefs about politics to herself even if she wanted to tell everyone what she really fcking thought about what was going on in the world. Honestly, in this country, all she is… was a pretty face.

“Darling, can I have this dance?”

Addie looked up, seeing her father, and nodded - placing her hand in his and then his shoulder before going into the rehearsed movements. “What’s wrong, love? Keep your head up - Prince Hakkon will be here momentarily. We’ve arranged it so that in a few weeks, we’ll be sending you to Norway to study alongside him,”

“Wait… father we didn’t discuss this. I thought we agreed that I could choose what to do until I graduated,” the worry was apparent in her voice - she didn’t… want that. God… she didn’t want to be… bloody married off to a man she barely knew.

“Hakkon’s parent’s only recently brought up the opportunity love. Don’t worry about it - it’s a chance for you two to get to know each other better before the wedding and in any case…”

Before her father could continue, Addie heard someone clearing their throat behind her, though turning to face the sound, she did… not expect Leo to be standing there - a suit on his body as he looked at her with an unreadable expression. “Adelaide, who’s this?”

What was she supposed to say? He wasn’t… supposed to even be there… and now she found herself cornered with not only the news that her parents wanted to send her away, but that her boyfriend was here. “Father… this is… my… friend from America, Leonardo… Leo this is my… father, Jacob Parker,” Did she just… yeah… she just called her boyfriend her friend… to her father… and Leo clearly wasn’t happy with her words. One would think this whole situation couldn’t… wouldn’t get worse right? Wrong, because before her father could even respond to her sentiment of Leo being her friend, her mother came over with… Hakkon. “There’s my beautiful girl,” her mom muttered immediately walking over to Addie with a smile as her father continued talking to Leo “Oh… well it’s very nice to meet a friend of Adelaide’s. Why don’t we talk a little more over there so we can give Adelaide and her fiance some time to dance?” . And that was it - where chaos grew. She could see the instant confusion on Leo’s features before he scoffed and started walking away, and almost just as instantly, Addie ran after him with no hesitation. It wasn’t until they found themselves in a quiet hallway, after Addie literally shouted his name various times that he finally turned towards her.

“You know… I was wondering why your brother texted me if I needed any help with my suit after you… specifically told me that the party was over… so I thought… what the hell… I’ll check it out. No harm if he wasn’t updated and maybe I could surprise you but instead I see this Addie? You lied to me not only about this damn party, but what the fck was that about being engaged? No… maybe I should ask about being introduced as your friend instead? Really? Friend?”

He was hurt… she knew he was hurt and Adelaide Parker had no idea how to… fix this. “Leo… I didn’t… you weren’t… supposed to find out…”

“That’s all you have to say to me? Well, you don’t have to worry about it, Adelaide. You don’t have to worry about introducing me as your friend… or your boyfriend, because we’re done.”

“Leo…LEO”

Tears brimmed her eyes as she saw him giving her one last look before walking away from her and she found herself frozen in that very hallway: unable to move as she watched the man that meant so damn much to her walk away from her… simpl.y because she didn’t know how to express how she felt.

“Addie? Are you okay…”

She heard her brother and soon felt his arms around her, hugging her tightly as she cried. She didn’t want this life… god… she had been unhappy for so long and finally… she had gotten some of that happiness back because of Leo. No… she… couldn’t lose him. It was as if her body was moving without input from her mind as she walked back into the party - not caring that her make up was smudged. She knew her brother had followed behind but she didn’t care, all she cared about was finding her parents.

“Adelaide, what the hell was that. Hakkon traveled a long way to talk to you and you can’t just walk away like…”

“I’m not marrying him,”

“Adelaide, keep your voice down. We’re not having this discussion here,”

Did she? No, instead, she raised her voice. “I, Adelaide Parker, am not marrying Prince Hakkon of fcking Norway, no offense,” With her words, she turned towards her “fiance” who was watching her from the side - though he wasn’t the only one. It seemed that her words had gathered an audience.

“Adelaide, don’t embarrass us. Stay quiet, and we’ll tell everyone that you hadn’t slept well,” as always, her mother tried to diffuse the situation while negating anything Adelaide was saying.

“For fcks sake no. NO I’m tired mother. I’m tired of being the perfect daughter who wants nothing out of life but to be a bride. I don’t want to be a house wife that just makes children all day and plans stupid events like this. I’ve never wanted that but you don’t listen to me. You just push your ideals onto everyone. I am not some virgin to sell away to the highest fcking bidder… hell,” she started, a historical laugh to her voice. “I’m not even a virgin. You know that man… the one I introduced as my friend because I was scared of what you would say if I told you the truth? Well, I lied. He’s my boyfriend… was… my boyfriend. I don’t even know because I hurt him… but what was I supposed to tell him? That even though I love him, my parents married me off without telling me and I had to follow through with their wishes? God… no… I’m not doing it… I’m not marrying Hakkon, I’m not moving to bloody Norway… and I’m not going to be a housewife, mother. I want to be a politician… I want to make an actual change in the world instead of being this person you’ve tried to morph me into being for the last fcking 17 years. And you know what… I think I’m going to start by moving to Beryl for my senior year with Justin because I need a break… from both of you”

Appalled - those were the only words that could describe the look on her parent’s features - her mother more so than her father. Security had started breaking up the gathering around them - trying to give them some privacy but it didn’t matter. She found her mother nearing her ear, whispering “Darling, I suggest you go to your room and stay quiet for the rest of the night or we’ll have to disown you right here and now. I have worked too hard to make sure you had a comfortable life like I did, you will not be throwing it away for some commoner who lives in America. We did not raise some peasant wh0re,”

Addie was p!ssed but it was clear that the conversation was over and she found herself giving her mother a look of resentment before walking towards the hallway that led to her bedroom - tears leaving her eyes the moment she reached the room. Not only had she lost one of the only people who made her feel alive - but now, it was clear her parents would never truly respect her decisions.

---

She didn’t know how long she was in her room crying - though she did find herself drifting in and out of sleep waking up to crying once again. This was exactly why she wasn’t sure if she was dreaming when she heard his voice. “Addie… get up. We’re going back to the hotel,” Whether it was a dream or not, it didn’t matter. The second she heard his voice, Addie jumped out of bed and into his arms, holding him as tightly as she could muster the strength for. “I’m sorry… god I’m so sorry Leo. I love you… I just… I didn’t know how to say it without…”

She saw him smiling, wiping her eyes as he held her close. “Shh… we can talk about this when we get back okay?” After a few seconds she nodded, smiling as he kissed her before hearing the softest mumble of “I love you too”

---

The “Something Old” - 2031 - Continued - PART 3.2

“I didn’t realize until long after I returned to Beryl what had brought Leo back that night… apparently, Justin had gone after him and told him what I said to my parents, and for that, I will forever owe my brother a debt. And… well… mom and dad forgave me. I don’t… actually know why but they wrote me a letter a few days earlier saying it was okay that I stayed with Justin… that I dated Leo. Perhaps Justin talked to them… either way… I couldn’t be happier and now I get to spend my senior year with Leo at Cerulean High.”

Wait… WAIT… her mother had gone to Cerulean High too? Why had the woman never told Jessica about that? She knew her mother was in Beryl… but Cerulean? Did that mean she played… the Blue Royalty Game? What the actual hell…

@Littlefeets

[benitz786]

International Game - 2021

Going to college in a different country than your boyfriend was, well, bloody hard, Jess missed Dorian, despite the lewd comments that Daniel stated telling her how forgettable Dorian was. Despite daily face time calls, and bi-weekly visits - thank you private jet - it still didn’t make up for living in the same place. Perhaps that’s why Jess was excited for today. Her boyfriend and his team had won the National champion, meaning they now had a few international competitions to participate in - one which included her own campus.

Oxford was abuzz - excitement over the impending game in a few days. Maybe Jess was biased, but while her campus was rooting for their team - Jess was 100% rooting for Dorian’s. Either way, biased or not, she needed to stay ‘unbiased’ for her article that she was writing about the game for the daily newspaper - one that she was currently finishing on the steps of the athletics building - a frequent hangout spot for students.

“Oh my god… oh my god Ash, are those the American football players?”
“No… wait it can’t be. They’re not supposed to be here until tomorrow. That’s what coach told us,”
“Well whoever they are, they’re bloody hot,”

Though Jess had her earphones in, no music was playing as she finished her article meaning she heard… well all of that. And it was hilarious because she knew that the “American Football Players” weren’t coming until tomorrow, or at least, that’s what Dorian had texted her. That being said, she was unbothered as the girls behind her talked about the cute boys that she had no intention of giving any attention to.

“You know, the blonde on the right is really hot though.,”
“No seriously, god I’d love to rail him,”
“Brit, Chill. Aren’t you dating Roy?”
“Nah, we’re just casual. But I’d also love to be casual with one of those boys,”

It was funny - the hilarity of the conversation distracting her from her work, and after a few more minutes, Jessica couldn’t help her curiosity. Looking up, however, she didn’t expect to see her boyfriend in a small group of his friends walking across campus.

“I’m going to do it, screw it, I’m going to just shoot my shot,”

Jess watched as the pretty blonde walked towards the group, though it was clear her eyes were on Dorian as targeted the man out, twirling her hair as she touched his chest. Perhaps she should have been jealous or whatever - most girls would be right? Though honestly, Jess wasn’t. She trusted Dorian, so if anything, she found this simply entertaining. Well… and surprising because Dorian definitely wasn’t supposed to be here.

“Ten bucks he’ll shut her down,”
“I don’t know, Ash can hold her own though. I think she can get his number - just has to show the twins a little,”

Putting her notebook away, Jess enjoyed the show - watching as Dorian shook his head after a few seconds - his friends screaming ooohhh and the Ash girl walking back.

“Apparently he has a girlfriend,” the girl sighed with a roll of her eyes before sitting back down with her friends.
“All the hot ones do - either that or you weren’t his type and he was trying to let you down easy,”
“You think you could do better, Brit?”

Without letting the girl answer, Jess stood up a casual smile on her lips as she packed her things up. “Well I don’t know what we’re betting, but I think I could do it?” Jess added casually, taking her AirPods out as she looked at the blond who was just talking. She didn’t let them answer before walking towards the boys, a casual appearance on her features as she walked towards Dorian who was currently turned away from her.

“Hey do you need directions? You boys looked a little lost?” Jess asked. As Dorian turned, she couldn’t help but smile - him soon saying something to continue the banter but she honestly didn’t care as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed the man immediately. “You’re a bloody liar, you said you were going to be here tomorrow,” Jess sighed though it soon turned into a smile again as he mentioned wanting to surprise her. Hugging him tightly, she could see out of the corner of her eye, the girls looking surprised though honestly, the only thing that mattered to her at the moment was that he was in her arms.

@astxrism - idk I had a thought and wanted to write it

[benitz786]

---

Flashback - Post Proposal:

Play I guess I’m in Love - Clinton Kane

She said yes… how the hell did he get her to say yes? Jordan Williams had absolutely no idea… no clue on how he convinced Sadie Monroe to say yes to his proposal… but god he loved her. He loved the way she had the ability to make anyone smile, no matter how they were feeling. Rather, she thrived in bringing up everyone’s spirits… it was a talent that she didn’t even know she had. He loved how she could capture his attention from across the room, no matter how many people were surrounding them. In any room, she had his full attention - because Jordan was truly in love. She was a light in the darkness. She was his everything… and she would forever be his everything. He loved Sadie Monroe with his entire heart and she had said yes… till death due them part. He had found his person… something he falsely believed years earlier… but she was worth the wait… she was worth everything… every heartbreak he had dealt with, every single moment of pain.

Looking at her even now, as she laid her head against his chest - the night after his proposal - he felt the tingle of butterflies in his chest. It didn’t matter how long they had known each other, even to this day he found himself getting nervous as he looked into her eyes. She had that ability… to make him lose his train of thought mid-sentence but that’s simply another reason he loved her. He couldn’t help but smile as he found her shifting in her sleep - soon placing a soft kiss on her forehead. That’s what he had been doing for the past few hours - admiring his fiancé, a girl he had fallen helplessly for. Light had begun streaming into their bedroom window and he found her mumbling in her sleep, her eyes gently opening after a few moments allowing Jordan to kiss her lips with a soft moan. “I love you, future Mrs. Williams,” he whispered, letting his hand intertwine with her own - caressing the ring on her finger that would stay there for the rest of their lives if he had anything to say about it. God he loved her.

---

Flash Forward - Divorce:

Play Out of Love - Alyssa Cara

Tears brimmed his eyes as he sat in the darkness of his hotel room… could he even call it a hotel room anymore? Over the past year, he was there more than he was in… Sadie’s home. Yes… he had to get used to calling it that. No longer was it theirs. In his hands, Jordan Williams held a stack of papers that were recently delivered at his doorstep… letters indicating that Sadie wanted a divorce. Maybe he should have known this was coming. Jordan Williams never deserved Sadie… rather, she deserved so much better than him. Sadie Williams… actually… Sadie Monroe deserved the world, and Jordan broke his promise of giving it to her. He never wanted to be this man… the person who broke promises… the one who broke this promise. He never wanted to be his father, and look where he was - in the exact same position that his father was. Next to the papers scattered on the floor, he found a note - Sadie’s handwriting on the paper with the simple words:

“I can’t keep you waiting. I’m sorry.”

Inside the envelope, there was one other item… her wedding ring. The one he cherished seeing on her finger… knowing that it represented that he would forever be hers… and she was his… that very item, however, would no longer be there. God he fcked up. Standing up from his corner, one that he had been stuck in for hours - his mind reminiscing over all the good memories - he found himself walking to the hotel bar in his suite. And for the first time in 15 years, Jordan Williams grabbed a bottle of scotch, and with no hesitation, closed his eyes and drank - allowing the burn to torment him as tears fell down his eyes. If he was his father, he may as well do what his father would. What was the point in anything else?

Jordan Williams had lost the best thing that had ever happened to him… and he would forever live with those consequences… with the regret that he had done this to himself. And right now… the only thing that was making him feel alive was the haze he found himself in as the alcohol coursed his veins - his mind going back to the feeling of Sadie’s body laying on his. Her smile… her touch… and how he had lost it… forever.

---

Present

There was a soft smile on Jordan’s lips - a smile that took years to return. It wasn’t easy being… normal around Sadie. It took time… practice… work… but what could one expect? He loved her… he would forever love Sadie Monroe. She was, at one point, his wife… his entire world… the mother of his children, and no matter what had happened between them, they were friends and would forever be. As he approached the woman, his mind set on telling her about… Jezebel:. A girl… well… that he had recently fallen back in love with - a hope that she would be happy for him since… well… Jordan Williams never get that chance with Sadie again and he had come to terms with that.

Though his smile faltered as she told him she needed to say something - a worry filling him that it had something to do with their children. “No…of course. Go ahead…” he responded, leaning against the door as he looked towards her. There was something going on in her mind… even over the years they had been apart, he knew how to read her… though Jordan couldn’t place his finger on it just yet. What she begin saying next, however, was something he would have never expected. Hell… Jordan didn’t even think there was a chance she even felt anything anymore and it was with her words that his heart… stopped.

“And I really can’t for another day - another second - pretend that I’m not completely in love with you"”

The casual smile that he had practiced over the years faltered at her words, and for a few moments of bliss, he felt his heart racing over words that he dreamed about hearing for years. Perhaps it was because he still loved her… because Jordan Williams could never forget everything that happened between the two of them. There was, and forever would be, history… and love between them. As she closed the distance between the two - her touch bringing back cherished memories - he found himself lost in the words that he dreamed about hearing over the years.

“I love you, and I never want to lose you again, I can’t, I love you"”

Jordan was no longer thinking - similar to how he reacted years prior when he kissed Jezebel - he found himself repeating history. Only this time, as she uttered something about him having something to say, he repeated history in the opposite order. He found his lips falling to hers, his arm grabbing her, pulling her towards him. The memories of the two of them, their wedding, his vows to her, the birth of their children… every single moment with her flashed in his mind and he needed her. It was a moment of bliss, one that intoxicated his entire being because part of him loved Sadie so much that it hurt. However, in a moment, realization hit as he found his phone rang which subsequently pulled him away from her as he realized what he had done. “I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have…” Jordan started, his mind racing - the love he felt for Jezebel weighing down on his mind. Looking down, he found a call from the studio - likely updates on what had happened while he was gone picking up Annie from the station. “It’s… sorry it’s the studio… they can… wait…” he whispered, looking back at the girl in front of him. That’s all it took really, one look at her and he couldn’t help the love he felt for her… or the words that left his lips next. “I’ve… never stopped loving you Sadie… I just… I need… a chance… to think about…everything” he whispered, not truly knowing what he was saying as his mind was far too frazzled to make sense of anything right now.

@novella

[astxrism]

she smells like lemongrass and sleep, she tastes like apple juice and peach

{ High schooler at a frat party meeting her future love | 1998 }

---

Alec Benjamin - The way you felt

”Slow down!” There was not a thing Davina hated more than driving with her boyfriend, Nathan. Or friend. Ex-boyfriend. No, ex-fling. There we go. That was one long story but it might be important for us to quickly look back at it.

{ First year of high school, 1994 }

With her backpack in her hand and not on her back, Davina ran across the parking lot to her high school, arriving late. It was only her second Tuesday and she was already behind on everything and already running late. Her backpack being light was the only thing she was happy about at that very moment since she only had one little notebook while the rest of the space was filled with ballet shoes, thighs and a leotard. One would think she was late because she was coming straight to school from her ballet class but that was not the case. She had that later but today Davina simply slept in, and as much as she didn’t care about school, she wanted to have perfect attendance. Yes, Davina didn’t care about school. The only thing she cared about was ballet and she was hoping to make it big one day. She was going to. She knew it.

”You alright?” One moment she was turning the corner but then she found herself laying on a cold floor in the hallway, the light coming through the window blinding her. She felt those stranger’s arms helping her up, a look of concern on his… pretty face. Woah, he’s pretty. ”Can you hear me?” ”Y-yeah,” picking up her backpack and this time swinging it over he shoulder, she gently touched the back of her head that was throbbing. ”Do I… have to take you to the nurse or? Something?” Giving him a puzzled look, still processing how she bumped into a guy and ended up on the floor, she almost nodded, infatuated with him. Wait, that’s a little exaggeration. She was just enjoying his beauty… Stopping herself from nodding, Davina quickly shook her head. ”No, no! I’m fine, I’m in a bit of a rush if you haven’t noticed,” flashing a sweet smile, she walked by him but her desire to keep talking to him stopped her. He wasn’t a freshman like she was, he looked much older… maybe a junior, even a senior? Later she’ll find out he was a junior and not the best one. ”22. Classroom 22, where is it?” Turning to face him, she thought he would answer her in a normal way, using words, but she found him simply pointing at the room that was right next to her. ”Oh,” the last thing Davina mumbled before disappearing, embarrassed.

* * *

”I’d have to ask my mother,” sighing, Davina was walking down the hallway with her childhood friend, talking about their plans for the weekend. But a familiar voice caught her attention. Maybe it wasn’t directed at her but she turned her head, meeting the eyes of a guy she bumped into a month ago. ”You’re still alive,” he was standing with a group of, what she could assume, his friends, smiling at her. Assume… no, that girl now knew way too much about someone who didn’t even know her name. Nathan, junior, was one of those popular guys with his group of fckboy friends, had two older sister and no idea what he wanted to do with his life. After high school he didn’t want to do anything but his parents would never let that happen. ”It seems like I am,” shrugging, she tried to play it cool, act like she wasn’t freaking out that he remembered who she was. Don’t look at her like that… He might not be the best guy and he might not have the best friends but who cares? ”What’s your name?” ”Davina.” ”That’s a pretty name.” ”Thank you,” with that she smiled at him and turned before he could add anything else, almost dragging her friend as she continued walking. Chase. Davina liked the chase.

* * *

Other than subtle glances, there was nothing indicating Nathan was interested in Davina. He never spoke to her again and she didn’t want to be the first one to do something. That lasted for two months before she got bored of it and found him in the parking lot, locking his car. ”You never told me your name,” with her hands in the back pockets of her jeans, she was standing behind the guy, her gaze traveling across the car before stopping at him, meeting his eyes. ”No? I think you know it though,” with a playful smile he wasn’t trying to hide, he walked past her expecting her to follow him. Which she did do. ”How could I know it if you never told me?” Before catching up to him, Davina noticed a big tattoo on the back of his arm she somehow missed before. ”Take a guess then.” ”Take a guess?” ”Yeah,” glancing at her, the smile he had was still there. ”You look like Jaden… or Misha. Yes, Misha.” ”See, I told you you know it.” ”Wha- That’s not your name.” ”Yes it is.” ”Stop messing with me, Nathan.” That’s when she stopped, realizing what she said but so did he, gently placing his hand on her arm before saying, ”See you around.”

{ Fast forward to 1996, Nathan’s last two months }

”Stop, stoop,” with Nathan’s lips travelling down her neck, Davina looked around the empty hallway in case someone showed up, trying to push him off. Very gently because she actually didn’t want him to stop. This, whatever they had, ha’s been going on for over a year now and most people knew about it but they were never official. Nor will they be. They were just… having fun together which Davina accepted as a “title” as long as it meant he’d be close to her. She liked him, she really did… no, she loved him. And he knew that but she never got those words from him and hearing that from her didn’t make him want to take their relationship seriously. ”You know my parents are not home tonight?” Now whispering in between the kisses, he reminded her. ”Mhm… You told me that this morning. And yesterday…”

But then he left for college after telling her he won’t go, but that was not what his parents wanted. That night when he called her, before leaving he finally told her he loved her too. But maybe he didn’t. Or he did. Or maybe he had no idea what that mean, to love someone. All Davina knew was that it broke her. After that she hasn’t heard from him for months before he came back for Christmas and only met up with her to say hi. Only that.

{ Back to 1998 }

”Slow down!” Her hair tangling in the wind, she was yelling over the music in Nathan’s convertible on their way to pick up his friends. How did she get here? That wasn’t a long story. Now she was the one only having two months left of high school and he randomly reached out to her. To apologize. What an apology she got… it was better if she didn’t but hearing him brought back old memories and the feeling she had when she was with him. It truly did sound like he wanted to make it up to her and she… couldn’t miss that chance. He invited her to some kind of a frat party, not worrying about her getting in and offered a place to stay the night. She naively took that offer. ”It’s fine, it’s fiiine,” he chuckled, his free hand finding a spot on her bare thigh.

”You don’t go here.” There really was no problem getting in and Davina soon found herself surrounded by drunk college kids, making out on every corner. She’s been to parties, many parties but this was something else. The only problem was, as soon as she walked in with Nathan and his new friends, they all disappeared leaving her there alone. To make it even worse, now there was a stranger who seemed older than Nathan, noticing she didn’t belong there. ”But I am here,” she shrugged, trying to somehow distract him from his thoughts and change the topic. ”That I see,” either it worked or he gave no sht about a high schooler being there as he smiled at her. ”And now you don’t see me anymore,” returning the smile, Davina quickly turned around trying to make her way through the crown and leave the blond dude behind. Leave yet another guy she found attractive to look for someone she hoped wanted to have something with her again. ”There you are,” two cups in his hand, Nathan appeared behind her, handing her the drink. ”There you are! You left me there,” taking the cup, she tried to stay calm and not show how annoyed she was because of it. ”I… was just grabbing drinks,” no matter how hard she tried to hide it with his cheeky smile, she cold hear him carefully picking his words, almost stuttering. ”And I promise I’ll be right back.” ”Wait-” but before she could protest, she already lost him, her back hitting the wall behind her.

How long has she been standing there? Around 5 minutes but it felt like an hour. Her gaze wandering across the room, stopping at every stranger she knew she’d never see again before spotting him again. The very observer guy. Quickly looking away before he noticed she was staring, she brought the cup to her lips, taking sips. ”He left you to go fck someone,” almost spitting out her drink, she looked up only to find mister blond hair in front of her, drinking his own drink. His eyes glued to hers. ”Excuse me?” Okay, she doesn’t look at this guy as an “attractive blond” anymore. Who does he think he is? ”Look,” but he sweetly continued, ignoring the annoyed expression on her face. ”You seem like a nice girl. I also don’t think you’re from round here or that you even go to college and I have no idea how you got here with him, but everyone here knows him. Not for anything good… I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to upset you, just… a little heads up.” Shrugging his shoulders, he downed his drink and now he was the one to turn away from her. ”Wait,” but Davina stopped him. A guy she’ll soon learn was named Elijah.

---

To be continued

[astxrism]

{ Where was Elodie? | 2039 }

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{ medicine }

Going back home to cry to their mother, on the darkest days of their lives, was the twin thing. Like Dorian who somehow found himself back in his old house after his breakup, Elodie will soon find herself in her old room with worried Davina. But first let’s look back at the day Elodie walked out of her home.

It would be quite dramatic if it was raining and she was on the side of the road, crying as raindrops slid down the windshield but it was a summer day, really hot one and with the ac on Elodie was, in fact, crying on the side of the road. Getting in her car with one suitcase she had no idea where she was going or what in the hell was she doing right now. Just leaving? Yeah, that was not really in her plans and it has never been. But one bad thought after another had her quickly packing her things and just walking out of that door with no plan. Why was she even doing that? (Check my other post heh) There were just too many thing going through her mind and she didn’t know how to deal with that without dragging her family down… But that would’ve been better than what she actually did. And she knew that. She knew that the moment she unlocked her car and thought about everything she said to her husband. So the same thing that surely destroyed him also destroyed her. How was she supposed go back when she was so cruel and careless?

She couldn’t and she didn’t. Not until she figures out why she was feeling the way she felt… no matter how wrong of her was to do that and how she knew she would regret every day of it. Back to the side of an empty road - Elodie’s been there for God knows how long, just crying and what we already know, ignoring every phone call or text. She was an awful person, that’s what she kept telling herself, her grip on the steering wheel tight even if she wasn’t driving. She could go to her parents… no. She couldn’t face anyone right now, she wouldn’t be able to take all the questions they would have. Not now. So she did the only thing one could do in this situation and found the furthest hotel in town. A forced smile and positive attitude as she paid for two night that disappeared as soon as she found herself behind the closed door.

And for those three days that’s where she’d been, leaving that room only to eat. Her parents tried calling her but she ignored them. They must’ve found out what happened and were worried about her whereabouts. Who wouldn’t be? She could be dead somewhere right now, not to be so dark or anything… She just left and told no one where she was going. Everyone should be a little worried about that, right? And Elodie thought that being alone would maybe help her figure out her thoughts but it did the opposite. The longer she was there alone the worse she felt and this wasn’t the first time she felt this way… only her mom could help her. So going back to the house she grew up in was what she finally did.

When Davina saw her daughter in front of the door she hugged her immediately, relieved her Elodie was… fine? Alive. But then she quickly dragged her in and closed the door behind her, a look on her face Elodie’s never seen before. Judgment, disappointment, worry… It was hard to figure it out and it only made Elodie feel worse. ”Where have you been? What happened?“ Even if Davina looked like she was about to murder her (for not reaching out to her and telling her she was “fine”), Elodie could hear the concern and worry in her voice. Enough to finally make her completely break down again. ”I…“ The only think she managed to mumble as tears started rolling down her cheeks.
Soon she was back in her room, but after a long crying session with her mother by her side Elodie couldn’t tell her what happened. She didn’t know how, didn’t know how to put everything she felt into words. Just like she couldn’t do that for her husband. Davina told her about the call she received from Riker, out of many things he said he also asked if Elodie was there but she wasn’t. One thing Elodie asked of her mother was to not tell anyone she was there. No one. And as a good mother Davina told her she wouldn’t but she had to know what happened, from Elodie’s point of view. It took her a whole week to finally able to talk to her mother and tell her everything. What she did and said. But most importantly how she felt.

[astxrism]

she smells like lemongrass and sleep, she tastes like apple juice and peach
{ High schooler at a frat party meeting her future love | 1998 } pt.2

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lovelytheband - Broken

”Wait,” confused with what he said to her, Davina ran after him through the crowd of drunk strangers, stopping when her voice got to him and he turned to face her again. Did she believe in what she heard? Maybe, or maybe she didn’t want to believe in it and tried to convince herself he was just this college dude messing with her because her place was not at that party. And maybe she was still blinded by the good old times, hoping something would finally happen with her old friend, Nathan. But why did she run after that stranger then? ”That was a bit rude,” meeting his gaze, her brows lightly furrowed. ”You could’ve been nicer about it… You know, it’s not nice to use “fck” in front of a girl.” Did she really care about that? No. She just didn’t appreciate his fake concern and obvious lies he was selling her. But her words only made him chuckle, his hands finding his pockets. ”It got your attention and I don’t think you’d listen to me if it was any other way… But you don’t believe me?" Raising a questioning brow, that was not something she needed to answer for him to know what she was thinking. Just standing there, I front of him, Davina didn’t say anything for a while. She was just staring up at a guy that now had a confused look on his face. ”Why would I?” When she finally asked, her arms crossed over her chest and her serious look returned, causing her friend to raise his hands. ”Sorry, you don’t have to. I was… just trying to help,” with that he shrugged his shoulders with no intention to continue this conversation as he finally turned to walk away from her. ”I don’t need your help!” Being the last thing he heard.

Now, why would Elijah be so nice to some stranger? He was simply a nice guy or maybe he knew Nathan well enough to see what he was doing. Both. Now here is a little fact about young Elijah - he used to play baseball. It was just something fun to pass the time, nothing serious. He knew what he wanted to do in life and sports was not it. But that’s how he met Nathan. Getting to college he wanted to be something and what better way than to start playing sports? Nathan befriended many older students that way and word about him spread. With that came girls and Elijah’s girlfriend. Ex-girlfriend. I think you can guess what happened. We’re not going to get into detail but there was some girlfriend stealing business going on. So was this, being nice to Davina, a way for Elijah to get back at Nathan? It would be both messed up and fun… but no. He wasn’t like that. And if Davina listened to him, she wouldn’t have to see what came next.

All alone, Davina was looking around for her friend who told her he’d be right back but there was no sign of him, nor his friends they picked up. She had a few guys approaching her with little smirks, asking she was lost or needed help, offered her a drink but she ignored them all, feeling herself getting nervous. Maybe that stranger wasn’t lying, Davina kept thinking but then she’d immediately shake those thoughts away. He is just looking for me now like I’m looking for him… Maybe I should just… stand here. Was that the smart thing to do? You tell me - that’s when she finally saw him, a girl right behind him with smudged lipstick as he was fixing his belt.

* * *

”I suppose this is not a good time to say I told you so,” hearing footsteps behind her and a familiar voice made Davina start walking faster down an empty, dark street. ”Running away?” Was she? Yes, what else could she do? The moment she saw what was happening she walked out the door and decided to go back home. Trying so hard to remain calm and not show how disappointed she was. In herself. ”You live close by?” But this dud just wouldn’t stop talking and stop following her. ”I’m not from here,” mumbling she once again tried to be faster but it still seemed like he was right behind her. But she didn’t care about that now. For all she knew he could be a dangerous dude and she didn’t care what would happen to her. The night was already awful. ”I don’t think there are buses at this time,” he kept talking, a hint of concern in his voice. But that’s when Davina noticed he stopped following her. ”You’re going to walk back home?” A question that made her stop walking. Was she going to do that? Well… there was no other option but up until now she didn’t really think about that… She was just trying to get as far away as possible. ”Yes… that’s like…” unsure, she spoke up, glancing back at him. ”Two hours of walking. I can do that. ” ”No you can’t.” No you can’t? Excuse me sir. ”I sure won’t hitchhike. Do you watch the news?” Once again crossing her arms with furrowed brows, she turned to look at a guy whose name she didn’t know. No matter how serious she was that made him laugh lightly. ”Don’t you have someone to pick you up?” ”Mhm… Let me just call my parents and tell them I’m leaving a frat party and there’s a stranger following me in an unfamiliar city,” saying it with a sarcastic smile, for a short moment she stayed quiet as if she was considering that option. ”When I think about it… that might help… But no, thank you.” Her smile faltering, Davina started walking in the direction of her home town. ”You’re really going to walk-” ”Why are you following me?” Her voice was harsher this time, by now annoyed with his presence. Why? Well this was the most fun Elijah has had in a while. And it was late and dark outside, he didn’t want to worry about this strange girl not returning home. ”… Do you watch the news?” Using her words, when Davina looked back at him again all she could see was a goofy smile on his face. It was hard not to laugh at that… but she didn’t. She kept her straight face and shook her head, narrowing her eyes at him. ”You can’t use my excuses.”

As they both continued walking, Davina still in front of the guy, he spoke up again.”Maybe there are some buses at this time, why don’t you check that?” ”Because I don’t have any money,” she was quick to answer, her shoulders lightly shrugging. ”I was promised some burgers and a ride back home after the party… But here I am.” The night was just getting worse and worse, wasn’t it? Just wait… ”Right…” One wrong glance back at the guy, unfortunately, had Davina tripping and falling down in the ditch next to an open road. Told you.
”Sht… You okay?” Running to Davina to help her get up, she pushed him away, mumbling to herself. ”I’m fine,” but she wasn’t. As she tried to get up, a harsh pain in her leg made her wince and fall back down. ”No you’re not. Come here-” ”I’m fine!” She quickly cut him off again, another failed attempt to get up on her own. ”I’m going to call an amb-” taking out his phone and looking up at Davina, this time she didn’t have to say anything to make him shut up because he was looking at a girl with tears rolling down her cheeks.
For a lot of reasons.

---

To be continued

[astxrism]

{ Twin mix up | 2039 }

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Trying to be a good husband and help around the house seemed like a great idea. Until it wasn’t. Letting Jessica go pick Shay up from school, Dorian was alone with their kids back home, doing some cleaning. Yes, cleaning! Aidan was watching a cartoon while Zoe was playing with little twins. She was old enough so Dorian trusted her and didn’t have a problem leaving her alone with them while he did the dishes and moved things around the kitchen, while talking to his mother on the phone. Davina promised she wouldn’t tell anyone anything about Elodie’s whereabouts but that was a lie… Or she knew her husband might try to look for her at Dorian’s so Davina was only giving him a little heads-up. ”What do you mean she left?” Quietly asking, he glanced toward to living room just to check no one was there, listening. ”But… what’s going on? Is… everything alright? No, no… I won’t say anything, I promise, just…” Walking to the other side of the kitchen, he leaned against the counter, looking out a wide window. ”Just tell me what happened- What do you mean you can’t tell me? Oh, please, mother. She left her home and you’re not telling me anything else?” A loud sigh escaped his lips, rolling his eyes.”I’d come but I can’t leave Jessica here alone… Just please tell me why- Okay, okay… Is she alright at least? Fine. I’ll talk to you later,” confused with what he just heard, he kept his gaze on the phone in his hands.

”Zoe?” Only hearing Aidan’s cartoon from the living room and not his kids, Dorian placed the phone down on the counter before leaving the kitchen. There was a little moment of panic, thinking something happened but that vanished when he saw that Aidan was still watching the tv and Zoe was still there with her brothers. But Ethan and Grayson were now on the floor, on their mat and Zoe’s back was turned to Dorian. ”Hey there… what-” Approaching her with a curious smile, he looked down at the twins who now had different clothes on and Dorian almost froze. ”You’re playing dress up with your brothers?” It really wasn’t a question, just a statement as he realized he was fcked. Trying to keep a grin on his face as he placed his hands on his hips and support his daughter playing with her little brothers, he could feel himself starting to panic. ”Fuuuun…” Here is the thing… Dorian could still not tell them apart and before this he knew that Ethan had little blue socks on while Grayson had white… But now they did not have socks on at all, just some new shoes Jessica got them not long ago. That smile which was only covering his panic was still on as Zoe proudly looked up at her dad. ”Look, they are sooo cute, she happily said, watching as her dad sat down on the floor next to her. ”Mom got them new clothes and I wanted to see them in it… Do you like it? Oh, ooooh… can I pleaseeeee go with you and buy more? Please, please?” ”Mhm-” Staring down at his babies trying to figure out which one was which (not going to happen), Dorian mumbled, almost ignoring little Zoe… but he can’t be freaking out in front of her so looked back at his daughter with a soft smile. ”When do you want to go?” ”Now?" ”Now? We have to wait for mom and Shay to come back…” Do you know how hard it is to fake a smile and act normal in front of your kid? No. No you don’t, but Dorian did.

”We can do that later, okay? Will you help me carry them to their room? Nap time…” That’s how Dorian soon ended up alone in a room with only the twins. Staring down at their sleepy faces as if that would help him with anything. Well… It was supposed to help. He should know his own twins… It didn’t help. ”Sht, sht.…” But Jess will be back home soon and she’ll know what to do…She has to know. No… She can’t know he mixed them up. That’s bad… that’s really bad. He has to figure it out before she comes- and she’s back. Hearing the front door opening and Shay’s voice, Dorian walked out of the room and down the stair, trying hard to hide the fact that he was nervous. ”Come here,” but seeing his daughter brought a genuine smile to his face, opening his arms for her to run to him. ”Did you have fun today?” That conversation would’ve been longer if he never looked up and met Jess’ gaze because the moment he did his smile faltered. Signalling for her to follow him, Dorian was once again walking up the stairs and the moment he knew the kids won’t hear him he started apologizing. ”I’m sorry, I’m sorryyyy…” Not looking back at her and ignoring her questions, he carefully opened the door to where babies were sleeping. A frown on his face as he finally looked at his wife, waiting for her to get in. ”Zoe was…” not to drag his daughter into this but… With his arms crossed, he walked over to their sons and quietly continued. ”Zoe was playing with them and… I don’t know which one is which now…”

[novella]

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February 2036: 6 months after divorce

relevant instagram

What happens when celebrity couples break up? Rumours, accusations, jumping to conclusions. People chose a side, and turn against the other. After their divorce, Jordan and Sadie had easily agreed to keep the details on it private, including why it happened. Which, therefore, left a wide space to be filled with assumptions… by pretty much everyone who thought they knew more than they actually did.

SADIE MONROE DIVORCES JORDAN WILLIAMS

The many headlines from gossip articles and YouTube news that jumped on the drama had strategically assigned roles of the victim and the villain in the act. And as long as no one knew about the reasonings, Sadie remained being the latter. Because what could she say? Her husband kissed and then confessed the love he still had for his ex-girlfriend and it completely shattered her self-esteem? Sadie would never want to risk ruining his reputation, even if it meant sacrificing her own for a while.

“Okay everyone take five!” The director said, taking Sadie out of character and temporarily off the set for the movie, Emergency, a movie that she had ‘controversially’ been cast in considering the times. As the director made that call, Sadie stepped outside towards her trailer before she was interrupted by- “Sadie!” To which she let out a small sigh before forcing out a smile as she had learnt being approached by co-star and high school ‘acquaintance’ Emily Dalton never came with the best intentions. “Emily, hey, that was a really good scene from you,” She told her with a smile as she walked into her trailer only for Emily to follow behind.

“Thanks, I know, and you, you’ve been okay!” Emily replied in a tone that made the compliment sound even less geniune than the words itself did. “I mean this is a really big movie to be on, isn’t it? I guess you’re plan really worked after all,” She said to her with a smile. Sadie walked across the trailer to be on the opposite side of the counter to her… just in case. “Plan? What pl-” She started though, clearly hoping she would ask that question, Emily interrupted. “To use Jordan for fame. And it obviously worked, here you are!”

Sadie looked down at countertop, her hands continuously flicking the lid of her water bottle open and close, not knowing how to respond to this kind of accusation. Of course she had heard this before, this was one of the more popular theories by their fanbases. “That’s- that’s not what–” "So it was just convenient timing that you divorced him after you started booking movie roles and releasing albums? Emily continued to talk over Sadie’s attempted arguments that came across as weak when she couldn’t back them up. “What are you talking abo- none of that is impor–” “What, you expect us all to believe you got all that because you were just ‘talented enough’?” Emily proceeded to interrupt as the sound of the water bottle lid grew louder. “Emily, I love Jor–” “Or did you just love his fame? Pretty convenient if you ask me,” Emily speculated once again, not letting Sadie get a word of argument in. “In fact I must say you made your love for him almost convinc–” “He f^cking cheated on me, okay?!”

There was a deafening silence that followed Sadie’s outburst and revelation. Emily- hell, the whole world- had pushed for what seemed like forever and now in this moment she had been tipped over the edge. “He cheated,” Sadie repeated, though this time she was telling herself that, after years of avoiding the word, making excuses for him and blaming herself. “And- and…” Sadie started, struggling to say the next phrase. “And that’s not my fault, it’s not,” She finally realised. Yes it was her who overthought and worried and fabricated the situation to the extent that it took over, but it was him that did the one thing he knew would make her that way again. Sue her for letting that come between their relationship.

She looked back up at Emily, whom she forgot was still stood there and listening. “… Does this mean you’re going to make another pathetic attempt to be with Dorian?” Emily asked her, showing her clear priorities, and that Sadie and Jordan’s relationship was not one of them. Sadie put her head in her hands at the completely ridiculous question Emily had just asked. “Please get out,” Sadie requested before she was finally left alone to clean up the spilled water from the bottle she had knocked over at some point in that conversation.

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March 2039: 6 months before present

relevant instagrams 1 2

As she had hoped would happen, the rumours and random accusations against Sadie began to die out as years of no updates passed by. Sadie continued to progress her acting and singing career, because, despite Emily’s theories, she was talented enough to get as far as she had, and while during the divorce fans tried to push her out of new TV and movie roles, now they all asked for her to be in them. The new Netflix movie, Almost Love, had been highly anticipated after she had been confirmed as the lead role alongside Griffin Gluck.

“You know I’ve always felt like we had a connection, and… I don’t want to just be your friend,” Griffin declared, his eyes down at the script that was in his hands as him and Sadie sat in the lobby of the hotel the cast and crew had been staying in, running lines before shooting began the next morning. “Of course I feel the same way, Jason, I’m just sorry it took so long,” Sadie read, before her eyes broke away from the paper as she read the stage directions. “And then kiss,” She concluded through a out-of-character smile.

“Wow, you really are a very talented actor,” Sadie told him as she made small folds in the corners of her script, her eyes flicking up towards him. “I guess it’s easy when some of it doesn’t require acting,” Griffin responded suggestively. This wasn’t the first movie they had starred in together, only a year before they had been in Tall Girl together. “I think the bar is still open, Sads, what do you say we head over?” Though Griffin had always been flirtatious towards Sadie, she had usually dismissed the advances in fear of leading him on. However tonight seemed different. Call it… getting into character? After months of being confused of her feelings towards him, it felt like tonight was a good opportunity to… clarify. “Well… the night is young.”

Lips breaking their distance, their breaths intertwined, her body under his. Several drinks and hours later Sadie and Griffin made their way into the same hotel room and finally acted on the tension they had since the first movie. The moments passed in an intoxicating blur. That was, until Griffin’s hands fell to the zip on his pants, and in that instant, something clicked in her mind. Suddenly, after putting them to the test, the ambiguity of her feelings towards Griffin didn’t seem so confusing.

No no no no no. Nope. Not right. This wasn’t right. He wasn’t right, it wasn’t right, it wasn’t the same. Her heavy breathing became rapid and her head started spinning. “No, please, stop, stop,” Sadie quietly said in between the short breaths, only just audible enough for Griffin to sit back and regain the space between them, unsure of how to act around the trembling body in front of him.

“I’m sorry, I don’t kn- I’m sorry,” Sadie told him once she had completely settled again and was sat on the end of the bed with him stood opposite. “You- You didn’t do anything wrong I just… couldn’t,” She struggled to say, not being able to meet his eyes. “It’s- is this to do with Jordan? Are you still–?” The mention of Jordan finally brought her eyes to meet his. “Griffin that… that was a while ago, now,” She replied shaking her head before hiding her face with her hands. “Okay that… wasn’t an answer, though, and it wasn’t that long ago. Clearly not long enough ago,” Griffin replied with a smile as he knew what maybe she didn’t even yet, though sighed as he noticed her shutting down. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Sadie,” He said light-heartedly, before leaving her alone.

“So before we go Sadie, you’ve started filming your new movie Almost Love with Griffin, right?” The sound of the interviewer’s voice played back to Sadie on her laptop in the virtual interview. "Yeah, we’re a few months into shooting, hopefully it’ll be arriving in theatres sometime at the beginning of next year! Sadie replied with her ‘interview smile’, and, because was so sure about it happening, she was practically waiting for the question on her costar. But Sadie didn’t need to have a prechecked, rehearsed answer to this question as she only needed and wanted to tell the truth. “We’ve seen some images circulating of you and Griffin Gluck? Is the on-screen romance becoming an offscreen one?” Sadie was- strategically- asked. It was easy to answer. Sadie had gone down that route, taken an opportunity and explored the possibility. Though Griffin was nothing but a spark of sexual tension that died the moment it was acted on, and Sadie knew why. But she wasn’t going to share that much. “We became close friends from being on set all the time, but that’s all we’ve really ever been.”

Once the interview concluded with a short promotion of the new film, and Sadie’s social media in general, she closed her laptop. Closing the door and shutting down the rumours with Griffin felt a lot more meaningful than she thought it would. Maybe because that door closing gave the chance for another one to open.

“Hey, Sadie, I’m a Netflix representative, and we’re calling to ask if you wanted to be a part of our Dance Movie Marathon with an interview after livestreaming Work It? We’d love if you would be able to!”

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September 2039: Present

This was right. Standing in front of Jordan, being completely open and honest with the feelings she had let build up. Sadie loved Jordan, without question or doubt, just like she had when they first met, when they got married, when they started and raised a family together. And she knew that she was right because she had been wrong before. She knew the divorce wasn’t her fault, and maybe Jordan did break her heart but after a while that became relentlessly overshadowed by everything else. Sadie was now confident in herself enough to believe that if Jordan said he loved her, he actually did.

She watched him try to process her words, and waited for him to tell her what he initially wanted to say. Though instead, Sadie had the familiar and nostalgic feeling of Jordan’s arm around her. Her arms fell around his shoulders as the instinctively did and when they kissed, everything fell into place. She had never been so sure of anything in her life and she wanted to be in that moment forever - but at the same time Sadie wanted to live the future she was already thinking of with him.

That was, until the moment ended at the sound of Jordan’s phone ringing. “You can- it’s fine you can ta-” Sadie started before Jordan started apologising, his rushed words of ‘I shouldn’t have’ repeating continuously in her mind. What did that mean? “It’s okay, it’s okay, we can just- just forget it for–” She began, giving the exit he may be looking for from the regret, until Jordan’s voice downed hers out, telling her he never stopped loving her to which her eyes met his as she tried to find what was stopping him in his face. That was the answer she had hoped for, but he almost said it… shamefully?

“Yeah, I’m sorry, I’m- I’ll just… I should go,” Sadie stuttered, her hands fumbling on the handle to open the door, taking long breaths to push down her feelings until she left.

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@benitz786 Jordan Williams

[novella]

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12th November 2039

It had been almost two weeks since Halloween, and since finding out about Jordan and Jezebel’s pregnancy… from Paige Pierce. Since then, Annie had completely ghosted her dad, and ignoring every call and text; all consisting of the same ‘just please call’ and ‘what’s going on?’. As if he didn’t fvcking know what was going on. In this time she had been staying at her mother’s house, though Annie would even avoid that too because she knew Jordan had to be the one to tell Sadie about the pregnancy. She wasn’t sure how long she was planning on keeping this ignoring thing up, though it seemed to find an expiry date when she received a letter from Jordan asking for her to come home so he could tell her something. Who even writes letters anymore?

Annie knew his news was old to her, but she attended, nevertheless, with the sole motivation that when he told her she could finally confront him about finding out from someone else. “Who invited the Addams family?” Annie asked as she walked into the dining room of a place that suddenly felt less of home for her, asking despite it confirming her idea of what this was going to be about. As she walked in and sat next to her siblings and opposite her father, it was clear to see she had immediately disrupting the light-hearted mood that everyone else, who had arrived a while before, had created.

After Jordan had purposely built up the big announcement for the group, he finally began the subject as to why they were here. Annie folded her arms as she waited to hear what she should have weeks ago from him. But her arms soon dropped when Jordan made a new revelation. “What the fvck? No, seriously, what the actual fvck?” She started to her father in pure disbelief of what was coming out of his mouth. “You’re marrying her, you’re actually- no, what the fvck how are you- how could you do that? Like, are you actually being serious?” Annie let out, forgetting that anyone else was in the room because, really, they shouldn’t have been there in the first place. “Is this because she’s pregnant? Yeah, I know about that, no thanks to you, I’m so glad you let me find out through a literal stranger,” Annie revealed as she had initially intended to, though at the time of planning this out she hadn’t exactly compensated for the further reveal - meaning the majority of what she was saying was coming unplanned, and therefore unfiltered. “What else is there? Are you, I don’t know, planning another adoption? You know, just to perfectly complete this new replacement family because obviously it worked out so well the first time.”

“What- and you guys are just okay with this?” Annie asked turning to Justin and Kyra who sat in mutual approval of Jordan’s announcement, Annie still refusing to acknowledge the second family that sat on the other side of the table. “Yeah, of course you are, because it’s fvcking different for you two,” She continued in defeat. Though everyone tried to hide the fact, they had the insurance of blood between them to be enough and to know it would be okay for them. What did Annie have? The stability of an increasingly broken promise.

---

@.benitz786 Jordan Williams, Daniel Parker
@.Littlefeets Jezebel Parker, Laurel Parker

[Kbail]

Song: Frank Ocean - Pink + White

Featuring

Brandon Marshall
Cierra: https://images.app.goo.gl/XBWGfavFoAw4usAb8
Jaden: 6 years old: https://images.app.goo.gl/BSfvkaw7RiWYrCno6
College age: https://images.app.goo.gl/NVwmnS4s3vNjjx4x6

Brandon sat at the restaurant table, fidgeting with his hands and looking out of the window. He couldn’t help how nervous he felt. When he would finally see Cierra and Jaden round the corner, he didn’t know if he could withstand the pressure. It took so long to even get in contact with her because she had changed her phone number and blocked him on social media. He knew that he wanted her and Jaden in his life again and that without them contributed to the emptiness and guilt he felt when he was happy and should be focused on his career. He would try to place the situation in the back of his brain, but every time he would, something would remind him of them and he would go back to ruminating over what their life would be like, mainly with Cierra at first. If he was out walking his dog, he would see a family of three, at a bar with his friends, he would hear them say something that would remind him of Cierra. It was time to face it and that’s exactly what he did.

The next best option was to try getting in touch with her dad, which worked after a few weeks. That led to Cierra calling him one Saturday evening. He remembered how annoyed she sounded while first talking to him and how he didn’t care. He lowkey missed hearing her voice. He always tried not to think about her but now he was facing everything. He told her that he wanted to start visiting Jaden again and how he isn’t going to flake out this time. It took a lot of convincing but he ended up getting through to her. Now here he was. At the restaurant. Waiting to see Jaden again after years.

From the corner of his eye, he saw two figures walking past the window. When he looked he saw that it was them. As soon as he saw them come into the restaurant, he stood up quickly and turned around facing the door. Cierra looked through the window at Brandon, still feeling a little apprehensive.
“Hi.” Cierra said while stretching her arm for a side hug.
“Hi. it’s nice to see you.” His nerves were jumbled so his smile formed awkwardly on his face. She nodded her head and looked down at Jaden and nudged his arm
“Jaden, this is your dad, Brandon.”
“Hi.” Jaden said with a blank face. There he was, his son that he hadn’t seen in years. He was so small the last time he saw him and now he was six years old.
“Well let’s sit down and order our food.” Cierra stated while walking to the other side of the table. Brandon noticed Jaden picking up the menu and looking through it.
“What are you going to order?” He asked.
“Umm, probably chicken strips.” he said while looking down.
Some time later, while eating and talking, Brandon noticed how Jaden started opening up more and showing more of his personality, which was a little sarcastic. He was definitely more like his mom, but he also noticed how he also had mannerisms that were similar to his, which was cool to see.

Their plates were now empty and the conversations dwindled.“Well, I think it’s time for us to get going.” Cierra said.
“Oh, right.” He looked down as a way to hide his emotions. As they began getting up from the table, Brandon pulled her aside.
“I enjoyed this. It was really nice.”
Cierra nodded her head with a small smile on her face. Brandon turned back to Jaden, who was standing by the table waiting for his mom.
“See you later, little guy.” Brandon said while holding out his fist to him.
He looked at it for sometime until he finally decided to fist bump him.

Brandon would think about this moment throughout his life, but it was even more bittersweet when years later, Jaden told them that he was going off to music school and pursuing the dream he always talked about and practiced. He was all grown up and it was crazy to think that there was once a chance when he wasn’t going to be there to see this moment - or a time when he didn’t want to be in his life. “I’m glad you’re following your dreams.” That was what he told him when he was getting ready to leave at the airport. He patted him on the shoulder and hugged him. He was trying not to let the tears in his eyes overwhelm him. “Guys, I’m not trying to cry right now.” Jaden said. As they watched him board the airplane, for a split second he saw how the past truly was different from the future.

[Kristi]

---

Today was really not Ari’s day. Her elder brother had recently returned from overseas study, and he has been acting cold towards her the whole time in favor of her demon sister. Ari didn’t even get to give him the gift she had made for him. Having taken up embroidery as a hobby, she wanted to make something for her older brother whom she hadn’t seen for quite some time. Sure she wasn’t that good yet, but she still wanted to try and gift him a hand-made gift. And so Ari spent days working on the gift for him, she really missed her elder brother.

After finishing the gift, Ari looked it. She grinned as she sat down. Sure, it wasn’t that great or impressive but she hoped he liked it, It was her first embroidery design for another person. She kissed the design, she knew he would like it. Her elder brother was one of the kindest people she knew, she remembered how they would play with each other before Bong-cha was born and how he appreciated every little gift she gave him. She was really excited to see him and give him the gift.

Things didn’t go as expected when her elder brother returned. Hearing some voices, Ari stirred from her nap and gradually got up. She walked downstairs and saw a tall lean figure carrying bags, ‘huh?’ Ari thought, was it an intruder? She was about to slowly walk out to call the guards before the intruder noticed her when a voice said, “Ari?” Ari’s eyes widened now wide awake- she recognized that voice anywhere. “LEO!” She screamed excited as she ran towards him. Leo chuckled and wrapped his younger sister in a hug, “Missed me?” Ari nuzzled in the hug “More than you can imagine.” She had wanted to tell him all about their annoying brat of a sister and how unfair mom and dad have been towards her ever since the birth of the baby, when he asked, “Where’s Bong-Cha?” Ari told him that bong-cha where in their parents room sleeping and how she had a gift for him. “I’m really tired, so can you give me the gift tomorrow?” Ari nodded excitedly, “I hope you like it.” She said shyly, “I like everything my sister makes for me.” He ruffled her hair.

The next day, Ari had woken up and the first thing she grabbed was the gift she had made for Leo. She went to the sitting room and saw Leo tossing Bong-cha in the air, Ari hopped he dropped accidentally dropped her. “LEO!” Ari screamed, startling Leo, he managed to catch Bong-cha just in time though, unfortunately. “What is it?” He asked coldly, ‘huh?’ Ari shook her head and maintained her smile, “I have your gift” she hid his gift behind her back. “Can’t you give it to me another time? You made me almost drop Bong-Cha, geez be careful you’re no longer a child.” Leo held Bong-Cha closer, “B-but b-but” Ari stammered, “No buts, you’re really careless, what if Bong-cha got hurt?” Well that would have been a blessing. “I just wanted to give you the gift.” Ari said sadly, Leo rolled his eyes, “Can’t you give it to me when i’m not with Bong-cha?” Ari sighed “Fine.”

After that… Ari had tried to find a perfect time to give Leo her gift, but never seemed to be a perfect time. He was always glued to Bong-cha and rarely spoke to her, except if it is to gush about how amazing and smart bong-cha was. She wanted to scream, what was up with him? He didn’t even look at her with the same warming familiar brown eyes like when she was younger.

Ari stopped trying to find a perfect time to give him her gift, she threw the handkerchief in the mini-trashcan inside her room. She never wanted to do embroidery again, it was too tiring.

---

Back to present

---

Like she said, today was really not her day. It was the day of the tiring annual gift-exchanged party at school. Filled with all the cheesy games, music that made her ears bleed and a bunch of kids who wished they were somewhere else. “F*ck this” Ari said out loud. Last week, she drew the name of a kid named ‘Andrew’ he was one of the ‘uglies’ as Ari liked to call them and was really annoying. He also had the personality of a wall. She wasn’t going to put that much thought in his gift, after all the last time she put effort into someone’s gift, it ended up badly. She had cut a strand of her hair and placed it in a ziplocked bag, he seemed like the type of weirdo to collect hair strands from girls- of course she was just exaggerating but whatever. The loser better enjoy the gift, it was a strand from the hair of a goddess, her.

It was Ari’s turn to open her gift and she grimaced, what had the loser given her? She wondered. If it was something like a finger clip, Ari swore- Anyways, she opened the gift and her eyes widened at what she saw. It was a beaded bracelet with her name in it, it looked so similar to the one Ari and her brother made together as a child but lost while playing in the park. It was the first thing her brother and her made together and Ari had felt bad, Leo had comforted her that it didn’t matter but she couldn’t help the guilt eating her up. Ari licked her cheeks, they were surprisingly salty… weird. She rubbed her eyes and they felt watery, huh? Was she crying, nah that can’t be the case. “Is everything ok Miss. Lee?” The teacher asked, Ari coughed “Uh, yeah.” Ari looked at the gift again and saw a note, weird, how had the note escaped her eyes?

“I hope you like the gift, I didn’t know what you liked so uh I tried. Sorry if you don’t like it. PS: turn the bracelet, there’s a moon design… The moon reminded me of you, kinda. It has two sides and it feels like you, I hope I can know you better and see you other side. Anyways ha ha hope you like.” And Ari did. Hmm, she guess losers weren’t all that bad. She looks around the room to see Andrew holding the gift she had given him, she grimaced- well he still hasn’t opened it, Ari felt bad imagining his reaction. Andrew turned to her with a smile and mouthed ‘did you like it?’ she turned away with a blush, ‘idiot’ she thought, how dare him ask her that question? Was he that stupid, didn’t he see the look on her face when she opened the gift. Of course she liked it, why was he asking the obvious. Stupid She thought.

“Oh Well, it’s Mr. Yendo’s turn to open the gift.” Ari winced, “D-does he really have to?” She asked the teacher. The teacher blinked, “Well of course.” The teacher put a hand on Ari’s shoulder’s, “You don’t have to worry if your gift is good or not. I’m sure he would like it and you put effort into it.” The thing was she didn’t. And she surprisingly felt bad, what the f!ck was going on with her?

Andrew opened the gift and he grimaced at what he saw, Ari winced at his reaction. He grabbed the letter she had written and frowned. She turned away, she knew what was in the letter and at that time when she wrote it she didn’t feel bad… but now?

"Look loser, you seem like a weirdo who likes collecting girl’s hair as a hobby so whatever hopes this feels your trashy taste. Honestly why did I have to get stuck with someone like you? Why the f!ck has my life gone downhill? My brother doesn’t even feel like the guy I used to know, my parents and his attention is on the demon child and I got stuck with you? God might have well wrote something on my arm that says ‘you’re being punished lol’ cuz being stuck with someone like you is a f!cking punishment. And even if you don’t enjoy collecting hair as a hobby you better be happy with my gift, i’m a f!cking goddess and I have graced you with my hair as a gift. "

“So what do you think of the gift Mr. Yendo?” The teacher asked him and Andrew forced a smile, “It’s unique” He said, Ari bit her lips… he knew what he meant was awful. He turned his gaze from the teacher and towards her and Ari looked down at her shoes.

---

Ari spent all night embroidering a gift for Andrew, yes she swore to never embroidery again but she had to make up for that gift and this would be her last time embroidering. Anyways, she hoped he liked it. It was a rose design, she had read somewhere that it symbolized courage and he seemed well… quite courageous.

“Hey, Loser.” She called out seeing Andrew walking down the halls. He turned to her, “Yes?” Ari coughed, “I have a gift for you.” She blushed. Andrew blinked, “No, it’s ok.” He said grimacing, what was she planning to give him now? A toenail, Andrew thought. Ari frowned, “I spent all night making this, so take it.” She told him. She handed him the design and Andrew’s eyes widened. “Wow” He said, the gift wasn’t an awful one. He smiled at her, he was right about her, she did have a good side. Well now his friends owned him 50 bucks. “Yeah it’s whatever, it’s not much. After all you don’t deserve much.” She crossed her arms, she looked down at her shoes. “Anyways there thing about wanting to see the other side of me… I guess I will grant you that wish, tomorrow , 5 o’clock at Joe’s restaurant.” Andrew smiled, “So a date?” Ari was taken aback by that, “Eww noo, why would I go out with someone like you?” She said her face red, “I’m just giving you the opportunity to see the other moon side of me or whatever corny sh!t you wrote.” Andrew smiled again, “Sure. See you tomorrow.” He waved at her, clutching the gift she had given him tightly.

Ari concluded something after spending some time with Andrew, he wasn’t all that bad for a ‘loser’ and he actually had personality. She smiled, he was fun. When she would rant about what’s going on in her life, he would listen and comfort her. The loser was a great friend.

Andrew wrapped his arms around Ari, “I’m sorry I’m leaving you, but we’ll keep in touch no?” Ari felt tears threatening to fall, “Of course Andrew.” She brought him even closer. He was leaving to study abroad, he was leaving her- no, Ari shook her head, he wasn’t leaving her. They would still talk together on the phone, she would still rant to him about her problems. Andrew released himself from the hug and stared at Ari, “Can I kiss you?” He asked. Ari blinked, ‘what? the hell no’ she thought, why would she kiss a loser. “Yes.” The words escaped her lips. Andrew leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss, the kiss was shockingly good.
Another thing Ari concluded, Andrew wasn’t a loser and if he was… he was the best loser she had ever seen.

“That was amazing.” Andrew said, “Amazing.” Ari repeated. She pinched her cheeks and shook her head. “Again?” She asked with a smirk.

Ari concluded another thing yet again:

She loved kissing Andrew.

---

After some time, they still kept in touch. And Ari did quit embroidery but she did realized another thing: Andrew was still a loser, an amazing loser.

[benitz786]

How does one find Daniel Parker? It’s a question that many people have likely asked over the years - after all, he’s the one who can grant anyone’s darkest desire. Well… with limits of course. But to make a deal with the devil, you have to find the devil first and those who know Daniel, know that one sure way to find him is to follow the drama. He thrived off it - and after hearing that his dear sister was going to brunch with Jordan and his kids… well, that screamed bring the popcorn. It took a little finessing… a lot of Jez saying no, but sooner or later (mostly because he showed up anyways and Jordan let him in because, well, he’s Daniel) he arrived at the family party of the decade - not century because let’s be honest, the 2020-2030 decade had that dinner with Jezebel… sorry sis.

In any case, as Daniel settled into his seat - across from Laurel who was sitting next to Jezebel who was GLARING at him for coming. Or maybe she was glaring at the actual popcorn he brought? WHAT JEZ? YOU KNOW YOU WANT SOME TOO. Anyways, it was clear to see that the tension in the room was high - something Daniel immediately loved. Jordan was whispering something to Jezebel - which was RUDE because come on, share with the group - Laurel was on her phone, while Jordan’s 2 kids looked at each other. Apparently, they were all waiting for the other Williams daughter K-… no this one was Annie right?

Though he didn’t have to ask as the girl walked in asking something about the “Addams family” which brought a slight smile on his face as he plopped another popcorn in his mouth. After some… small talk, Jordan finally got on with it - telling the group the big news about Jezebel’s engagement. It was something Daniel actually was happy about because his sister deserved to be happy and the ring on her finger, and kid inside of her, clearly were doing it. Either way, it was this very revelation that started the sh!t show that Daniel had been waiting for. Immediately that Annie kid started cursing Jordan out, bringing up the fact that Jez was pregnant which made Dan add a “OH SNAP” in between shoving more popcorn in his mouth. Yeah… likely no one appreciated that he was there but he was having fun. Don’t worry Val, Dan was recording all of it for movie night later. It was when the kid brought up possible adoption that caused Dan to laugh - mostly because he knew Jordan had begin looking into that. Clearly, the kid felt left out and while Dan probably should have been more respectful of the situation, it was clear that the kid had to learn that not everything turned out marry go lucky in the world. It wasn’t a fairytale, after all. “Kid, chill. It’s not like your world is falling apart with your two parents having incomes of over a million dollars a year. But hey, if you need anything, you can always come to your step-uncle, Daniel Parker, at your service,” he stated with a mixture of comedic and serious undertones.

@Littlefeets - Soon to be Momma Williams
@novella - Annnnieeee

[benitz786]

The “Something Old” - 2031 - Part 5

Jess laid against Dorian in a post-sex haze - a smile on her lips as she wrapped her arms around his torso. “Do me a little favor and next time just… don’t go to a stupid Olympics promo shoot? I bloody missed you too much,” Jess whispered, kissing his shoulder. The man had arrived in London early that morning - a day after cake testing and Jess had executively decided they were just going to have one of each cake because why the hell not. Was her fiance surprised by her choice? Not in the least - rather, there was only a laugh on the other line of the phone as she told him the news. Since the moment he had arrived, the two had been stuck in bed doing… well this. Catching up for lost time was truly the best way to put it. And…while they were currently in her childhood bedroom, the room had changed since the time she spent here - her parents renovating so it was fit for adults soon after she had come to Beryl. In any case, there were no “childhood bedroom” jokes to make with the man who was tightly holding her against him. Instead, they ended up talking about just… what had been going on with the other while they were apart. While they spoke most nights on the phone, being together was just different…

“Oh did I tell you about the latest pages I read from my mother’s journal? Apparently, she was engaged and practically broke the engagement off for that Leo fellow. I honestly can’t believe she never told me or Anna any of this - I’m just so bloody curious now. But that’s not the craziest part. Are you ready for this?” Jess questioned, looking at the man in his eyes. “She apparently went to Cerulean High and participated in the blue royalty game… I mean… I can’t believe she never told me that part… I’m… god I don’t even know how to read to that news”

Dorian started to say something - confusion clearly on his features at her news - though both of them were distracted by the sound on the baby monitor as the coo’s of their daughter filling the room. Shay was awake, and although Jess moved to go get the call, Dorian instantly held her back. “Let me - I haven’t seen her in days,” . A soft smile met her lips for the second time as Dorian kissed her once again before getting up, putting his joggers back on, and walking out the door.

Maybe Jess should have tried to at least sleep at that point - she had been up for most of the night, after all. But instead, she found herself grabbing her mother’s journal and flipping further inside, once again immersed in her mother’s story.

𝒟𝑒𝒸𝑒𝓂𝒷𝑒𝓇 𝟤𝟦𝓉𝒽, 𝟣𝟫𝟫7

𝒟𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝒟𝒾𝒶𝓇𝓎,
𝑀𝓎 𝒷𝒾𝓇𝓉𝒽𝒹𝒶𝓎, 𝒞𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓂𝒶𝓈 𝑒𝓋𝑒, 𝒷𝓁𝓊𝑒 𝓇𝑜𝓎𝒶𝓁𝓉𝓎, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓁𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝒹𝓎𝒾𝓃𝑔… 𝓁𝑒𝓉’𝓈 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓈𝒶𝓎, 𝒾𝓉’𝓈 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒶 𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝒹𝒶𝓎.

@Littlefeets - ish mentioned? I guess?
@astxrism - Dori Mentioned

[benitz786]

Where’s my daddy?

Play - Green Grass

---

“My mommy packed…coo…cookies for meee,” Aria whispered excitedly as she bounced on the table with her best friend Bonnie who had taken a seat across from her. “OO my daddy packed fruit snacks, w…want to share?” The two were waiting for their parents to pick them up and always brought snacks while they waited. Her mom always told her snacks made her big and strong and because of that, she could get whatever she wanted. Though as great as that was, there was something else in her mind over the past few days. Recently, Aria had started noticing that alllllllll of her friends had… well… to point out the elephant in the room… they had dads and she just didn’t. How come she didn’t? What happened to her dad? Did he not want her? She liked Andy and that was Kaya’s dad… but Kaya didn’t have a mom… and Aria loved her mom. And then… then there was Ronnie who’s dad was Cousin Danny and she had a mom too. But what about her? Over the past few days, all those thoughts had been in her mind, making her honestly really sad. She didn’t have the same energy to play or have fun because every time she tried, someone brought up their father. Did you know it was career day at school yesterday and most people brought their fathers? And now again - as she and Bonnie were waiting she saw Bonnie’s dad picking her friend up and spinning Bon around and right before Bonnie left, the last thing she asked Aria was how come she had never met Aria’s dad. And…and…and how was she supposed to respond to that?

---

That night… Aria finally… worked up the courage to finally ask her mama the question that she hadn’t been able to get out of her mind. Her mom’s arms were wrapped around her as the two read a book together about a bunny who got lost and the bunny’s dad found him. “Mommy… who’s my daddy?” All the sadness she had been feeling over the last few days finally came out as tears begin streaming down her eyes as her mom asked her what brought this up. And so… Ari told her mommy how… her friend had her dad… and how the bunny had his dad… but she didn’t… have… a dad. “Do I… do I have a daddy mommy?” Aria whispered softly in between her sobs and she found a little comfort in her mom wrapping her arms around her and kissing her before nodding and telling her that she… did have a dad. She… had a dad…and… her mommy asked if she wanted to meet him. She waited a few seconds, but soon Aria begin nodding a hope filling her as she imagined what her dad was like.

---

Over the next few weeks - Aria Pierce’s energy had picked up again and she begin telling everyone that she was going to go see her father. After her mom had told her that daddy was a prince, she grew more excited, telling everyone she knew - including her teacher. Did anyone believe her? Well that was another topic altogether, but whether they did or not, she was soooooo excited. Her mom had taken her dress shopping and she found a dress that made her look like a princess so her dad would want her. And AND on the plane, her mommy even did her makeup because Aria wanted to look like her mom did.

“You ready, my love?”

Nothing could hide the pure excitement she felt when her mom asked that question, soon followed by her grabbing Aria’s hand as they walked inside the bigggggeeeesssttt room she had ever been to. It was sooo pretty. There were millions of girls in so many beautiful dresses… and… she… almost felt like her dress wasn’t enough seeing how the other women looked. What if her dad didn’t like her? Excited or not - Aria Pierce soon felt nervous as her mom walked in between a lot of people and started talking to someone she couldn’t see. But but… but then they started walking away. Aria tried to look behind her at the man her mom was talking to but she couldn’t… see him… maybe… did her dad… not… want her? Why… were they walking away?

Aria found her mom leading her to the upstairs balcony and before Aria could ask what happened, someone else followed them outside. Part of Aria wanted to go up to the man, but a bigger part of her was so scared that she found herself moving behind her mom’s legs. Tightly hugging her mom, she met the man’s blue eyes with curiosity. Was that her dad? She stayed there as her mommy spoke for her, but her mom was speaking sooo fast she didn’t even know what she was saying… until her mom said her name that is. The moment she did, she saw the shock on the man’s face but it was gone in an instant as the man bent down close to her. She could see him clearly now. The man had blonde hair and bright blue eyes - similar to her own but her’s were darker than his.

“HI… Aria is it?”

Staying behind her momma, Aria slowly nodded - unsure of what to do but but then he told her that her dress was pretty and asked her to twirl. Though she stayed behind her mom, she turned around and laughed slightly - happy that he liked her dress: maybe she did look like a princess.

"My mommy says I look like a princess… are…are you a prince?”

Before the man could answer, Aria found her mommy bending down, kissing her on her forehead before telling her that she would be right outside. Then… she was… all alone with the man.

“I am a prince… and I agree with your mommy, you do look like a princess,” her father added, taking a seat on the floor beside her. “How old are you?”

With that, Aria put three of her fingers up, smiling as she sat on her dad’s lap. “All…all my friends have daddy’s… and now… I… have one too,” she whispered, hugging the man after a few seconds and she felt his arms wrap around her after a few seconds.

WIth that, she found her father asking her everything from what she liked to do - hint, playing and eating were a big part of her loooonnngg answer - and her favorite color anddddd her favorite animalll anddd Aria asked him what he liked to do, if they could make a little handshake like her mom and her had, and sooooo mannyyy other things. She didn’t know how long she was talking to him, but after a while, she found herself closing her eyes against his chest - her thumb in her mouth as she slept happily. She… finally… had a dad. AND and… he wanted her.

---

Waking up, Aria rubbed her eyes expecting her dad to be there and… well… was really upset when she found herself on the plane. Tears ran down her face as Aria started crying loudly, wanting her dad back but her mom just kept telling her that she was sorry and that he couldn’t be there. It wasn’t fair… it… how come everyone else got to be with their father and she couldn’t? For most of the flight, Aria hadn’t stopped crying - rather, she found herself crying herself to sleep once again. The second time she woke up however, it was different. Instead of her being alone - she found that she was sleeping on her dad’s lap as he read the news paper like her mommy did in the morning.

Was it a dream? “D…daddy?” Aria whispered and found the man looking down at her with a smile. “Good morning princess,” and with that, Aria immediately jumped up - wrapping her arms around the man and tightly holding him. “P…please don’t leave daddy… I’m sorry I’m… not a prin…princess I’ll… I’ll be…better,” she whispered, and after a second of him holding her tightly, she heard him shaking his head with a laugh. “I’m not going anywhere my love,”

@Littlefeets

[benitz786]

“HEY HEY HEY, have some respect. These guys in the 1900s were probably not too kind to anyone who didn’t look like a ghost… no offense,” he added to her teasing. Natural… yep… that’s exactly what this conversation was and Mason hated to admit it but he was… really enjoying it. What was it about this girl… fcking hell. As she continued her joking demeanor he shrugged, “Maybe a few axe wielding zombies. I always dreamed about being in a horror flick and being the one who lived until the very end only to get killed in the last 2 minutes of the movie with a to be continued because the zombie strain wasn’t actually eradicated, and then I come back as a zombie and am the star of the next movie,”

Okay maybe that was a little specific - let’s just say… he had thought about it a few times. Though when she mentioned that “Rebekah Azure” was related to VC - Mason’s eyes widened. That’s why the name was familiar… In any case, placing the book in his back pocket, he didn’t say anything more about it. But he was planning on figuring out more about the book at a later time - for now, getting out of this creepy abandoned ballroom. He didn’t, however, expect her to offer… well… .a dance and while a part of him wanted to push himself away from her, another part wanted to follow through. Let’s just say… the latter one. With a soft grin, he put his hand out for her and pulled her in close, starting a practiced slow dance. As he swayed his hips, her head laying against his shoulder - he couldn’t help the feelings bubbling up in his body and as she moved her head up at the end of the dance, he moved his head down and his lips found its way to hers. With his left hand, he navigated it to her head, tangling it up in her hair as he deepened the kiss.

@CerealKiller - Halloween continued

[benitz786]

“Mommmyyy?” Shay mumbled, knocking on the bathroom softly. Her mom was making lunch for her and then for some odd reason, ran to the bathroom and started throwing up the food she had made for all of them. Daddy, Zoe, and Aidan had gone to pick some dessert up but Shay had stayed meaning she was the only one there when this all started. Honestly, she didn’t think the food was bad at all. If anything it was reallllyyyyy good. Mommy always said her friend Hordan Mamsy taught her to cook but Shay didn’t know who that was. All she knew was her mom was the bessttt cook.

After a few minutes, her mom emerged from the bathroom, picking Shay up the moment she came out. “Are you okay momma?” Shay asked, wrapping her arms around her mom tightly. She felt her momma kissing her forehead before going to the kitchen and grabbing the keys. “I’m okay baby, but do you want to come to the store really quickly with me? Mommy needs to grab something,”

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It was a quick trip - the two drove a few minutes away and mommy bought a weird little stick before going to the bathroom in the store. Shay waited outside the stall, knocking on her mom’s stall door periodically to ask if she was done yet. After a loooonnnnng time, her momma finally came out - stick in hand as she looked at it with a confused expression. For a few minutes, her mom didn’t say anything but then finalllyyy she looked down at Shay “Hey baby… you know how Zoe and Aidan are your siblings? How would you feel about being a big sister again?”

There was a smile on Shay’s face as she bounced up and down, excited by the question her mom had just asked her. She loved being a big sister and her mom just told her that she was going to have more siblings so of course she was excited. AND she was the first to knowww. Usually, her mom told dad first and then her. “Can I… can I tell daddy?” Shay whispered quietly, though quickly smiling as her mom nodded. And THEEENNN mom and her went shopping and bought Shay and her siblings’ cute little shirts that said “big sister” and “big brother” and a little cake with words that said Daddy X 4.

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After getting home, Shay ran to her dad’s arms who was confused by why Jess had left. “Daddy daddy… momma and I went shopping can I show you what we bought?” With an innocent smile, Shay waited until her father nodded before going to the bags of clothes they bought and first pulling out a big sister shirt for herself. After that, she pulled out a big sister shirt for zoe who was excited about having a new shirt. She waited for her dad to compliment their clothes before pulling the last one out and handing it to her father - one that was for Aidan saying “Big Brother” instead of “Little Brother”. “Baby I think you bought the wrong shirt. Aidan’s not a Big Brother, he’s your little brother” She smiled at her dad’s words before shaking her head. “No daddy…” and that’s when her mom brought the cake out. “He’s going to be a big brother,”

@astxrism