Blue Royalty: New Blood


Adonis sighed, perhaps he was overreaction but then again when was Adonis never not overreacting? He knew that blaming everything fully on Atlas was not the right thing to do- it was fcked up because Atlas was a child when he made that decision, they all were and teens are not known for their good decision making skills- especially Adonis. But this was not about Adonis, it was about Atlas, so could Atlas just let him be angry for some minutes?

Adonis as psychotic, weird, and strange- and it definitely sounded incredibly strange to anyone who was not Adonis but Adonis had spent his three years thinking about how much he hated Atlas and how if Atlas ever come back to life (appeared from wherever he was) he was going to slam a fist into his face or be the world’s #1 @sshole when they met again, and he was really trying to do the latter to Atlas, but with all the words he spoke, he was really making Adonis feel bad for him. But Adonis would not admit to Atlas that perhaps he was right about the fact that Adonis was judging him too harshly, so instead he said, “Yeah I guess, your life wasn’t going the best. But you were still stupid as hell for thinking that going with whoever your ‘kidnapper’ was, was a smart idea.” He mumbled, “Like I get you were young, But i was young and I still am, and never have i ever met such stupid decisions.”

As soon as those words left Adonis lips, Sebastian turned to him and began to chuckle, shaking his head as if what Adonis had said was a lie. Like ok look- Adonis might have made a few stupid decisions- more than a few stupid decisions in his life but he never made extremely dumb decisions. Like never ever and ever and that one moment you’re probably thinking in your head does not count, so start unthinking it. Like disrespectfully, Adonis Loverhack would never had let anyone take him to a foreign country- probably because he would suspect it is his one of his grandparents people wanting to force him to fulfill his role as a prince and because his mother would find him wherever he was and slap him hard on his face for being a reckless idiot and drag him back home and then lock him up like he was fcking Rapunzel.

So yeah, Adonis knew better than to do that. But he was not going to fight anymore with Atlas, at least for the time being. He raised a brow when Atlas said it was better that he did not know, and decided that fine- he shall drop the topic for now. But he did what later sooner or later, though technically he was not entitled to answers. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, so now what does he say? He was obviously not going to tell Atlas, ‘damn bro i was a little harsh, my fault, let’s be bros’ because this was Adonis Loverhack and Adonis will never apologize to the shortie in front of him. “Anyways, how did you do on the english test?” He asked Evie awkwardly, not knowing what else to say or add, and so Sebastian took over.

Sebastian had asked Atlas how france was, and he saw Atlas paused and he winced. “Bad memories huh? I probably should not have brought it up, I’m sorry,” Sebastian apologized, but then Atlas began to talk about how he enjoyed the city still a little bit, and the people- well the people were nice when he learnt french better according to him and Sebastian laughed at that. “The French can be a little unkind to foreigners, I thought they got better when I left, though I left when I was a child. I’m glad they were still somewhat nice to you.” Sebastian missed France, but he knew that he could not return normally- at least not until it was safe. “You guys want to go ice skating and out for dinner? my treat. Let’s welcome you back Atlas, back to us. Even with all the fighting that just occurred and occurred in the past, you were still and will always be an important aspect in our friendgroup.”


@Caticorn - a little mid post because i need to remember how to write adonis and sebastian but here

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image
Niko asked if Hyun-ae had a menu, and she passed the one next to her. ”Here you go. Everything looks really good.” Just as Niko mentioned it, she realized there’d be a language barrier. Looks like there was that push to finally learn Japanese. ”That’s ok. You’ll just have to translate for now. There’s the incentive to finally start learning.” She smiled, glad she wouldn’t put it off any longer. ”Yeah, just a recommendation. For all I know, you don’t even like coffee. Honestly, it took me a while to start liking it, but I may or may not be a bit of an addict now. I guess you can blame my mother for that. She makes very good coffee.” When Niko thanked her for accepting that they had a child, Hyun-ae smiled back. ”Niko, it’s ok. Things like this happen, and besides. Yua is very sweet and calm from what I’ve seen. You should see my little cousins…so many stickers…” Hyun-ae muttered, pulling out her phone. She scrolled to a picture of her covered in Pokémon stickers, a giant Pikachu right smack dab in the middle of her forehead. ”That definitely wasn’t fun. I’d fallen asleep while they were in the room. Cue sticker attack.”
@Caticorn - Niko

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Tears rolled down Sophie’s cheeks as she walked down the sidewalk, her arms held tight against her body. Each step took her further from her boyfriend’s house… no… he’s not her boyfriend now… and further from another bad memory. How did even she end up here?


The ski trip had gone so well. Matty was her boyfriend. Not just a friend who was a boy, but her actual boyfriend. He made her smile, laugh, and made her feel so, so uncontrollably happy. He liked her the way she liked him, or at least, she thought he did… Turns out, some time after the ski trip, the new girl, Lucy, came into the picture… Sophie trusted him… maybe she shouldn’t have…

The last thing Sophie wanted was to see Matty after what happened with Lucy, but then she realized she had left stuff at his house. She couldn’t ask him to bring it to her, so she had to go there herself. She knew Matty wouldn’t be home, so she didn’t have to worry about seeing him. It would be easier that way, she could handle being there on her own. At least, that’s what she thought…

To Enrique:
Can you please come pick me up? I’m at Matty’s house.

She tried wiping the tears from her face after sending that message, but her mind kept flashing back. Thinking of the marks that would soon bruise, the warmth of his breath on her skin, the sound of his voice in her ear. Another bad memory, this one too fresh to fade. Maybe walking would be better, then nobody would see her tears just yet and she wouldn’t have to tell anyone what happened.

To Enrique:
Never mind. I’m fine. I’m just going to walk.

With the second message sent, Sophie put her phone in her pocket, and started walking away from her former boyfriend’s home. After some time, she didn’t know how long, a car pulled up next to her, not just any car, it was Enrique.

“I could’ve walked…” she said quietly, barely holding herself together, when she saw him.


@benitz786 - Ricky :pleading_face: and Matty mentioned

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Logan tuned out the world around her as she ran. It seemed as though the latter part of senior year was only growing more eventful than the beginning had been. Prom, with the intensity of an earthquake and complicated encounters. The ski trip, with dare or drink, and being asked questions that really shouldn’t have mattered. Everything in between, and since. More of her classmates have had family die. She could only imagine how they felt. By comparison, she had little going on. All she had to do was make it through just a little longer and high school would be over. Focus on her athletics, her academics, and keep working, then college and life after. She had her plans, the key was as long as nothing unexpected came up that would put everything at risk.

Music playing, she simply focused on the path ahead of her as she made her way back to her place. Technically Ricky’s place, although he hadn’t been staying there for some time now. However, something seemed off when she stepped inside. Door closed behind her, it took just a moment before she discovered the problem, she wasn’t alone. “What the f^^k are you doing here?” she said, stepping towards the couch where Kaspian sat uninvited.


@benitz786 - Kaspian (Ricky mentioned too)

1 Like

justin

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Justin watched Veronica as she reminisced on the memory he had brought up. He didn’t know what had distanced his sister and Veronica so abruptly in the past. They weren’t the kind of siblings that talked about things like that. But as a result of their falling out it seemed Veronica had jumped from a preteen into this almost-adult that sat in from of him, and that was something Justin was trying to adjust to. “Charm? Maybe I’m saving it for special occasions,” He told her with a shrug as he reached back for the bottle. Trust him, he had charm. He thought he had been using it in this conversation, but apparently not. That must have been his subtle charm. “Can’t play all my best tricks at once, come on.”

“If that’s the correlation then I’ll happily go back to Budweiser,” Justin responded as Veronica pinpointed how things have changed. But he still took a sip from the expensive bottle, because his is where they were. Fancier drinks, and countless problems that Justin needed to face. If only it could be as easy as changing drink choices.

Veronica began to recall what good was going on in her life, and Justin amusingly observed. He nodded, unfazed, as she described her world domination plans, his only reaction occurring when she told him about her new baby sisters. “I suppose with the whole ‘your life falling apart’ thing, throwing in a few babies wouldn’t hurt, right?” Justin told her, in a tone that tried to convince the two of them it was true. " But two more of you? That’s a risky proposition for the world," Justin exclaimed in a joking-panic, taking a drink as if he needed it to handle the news. “World domination, though. How are the blueprints coming along?” He asked her, “Any areas you want to occupy first?”

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@CerealKiller Veronica Parker

1 Like

lenora

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‘lord what will become of me once I’ve lost my novelty?’ (Nothing New by Taylor Swift & Phoebe Bridgers)

A lot had changed for Lenora Foley since the start of senior year. She began the year in a seemingly-stable relationship, a record that she had cleaned up since being suspended last year and high ambitions for a place on Blue Royalty. Now at the end of the year she felt more behind than ever. Broken up with Elio, a detention for bringing alcohol into school that she just wanted to hide from her mother, and barely any Blue Blood points to her name. She had found a beacon of hope in her father, whom she found the identity of, to which she quickly lost when finding out he had died. Lenora found herself at a crossroads, her meticulous plans now an unavoidable mess that she hadn’t planned for.

As graduation drew nearer her questionable future became closer. What colleges would accept someone with a record like Lenora’s? Where would Lenora get opportunities without Blue Royalty status? Who in this town would love someone with the kind of reputation Lenora had in this town? The weight of her setbacks began to sink in now. There was one thought it her mind that loomed over all of this. This was a path she recognised. There was an undeniable truth to this that surfaced relentlessly. The fate that she had put her everything into avoiding.

Lenora was turning into her mother.

With every passing day, she could feel the parallels grow stronger each day. It felt increasingly like Lenora was on the outside, witnessing her mother’s life being replayed through her actions. Which was why she couldn’t bring herself to be at home. To be around the melancholic, screwed-up woman that now felt like a future reflection. Instead Lenora placed herself anywhere else. Whether it be the library in desperate grasps at redeeming herself, or a liquor store. Because if she was going to be her mother, she may as well drink like her.

On this occasion, Lenora had chosen the latter. It was daylight when she had started, but now she was walking streets in a much darker setting. Her footsteps were faltered, tracing a path far from a straight line. Her mind was spinning, but occupied by the thoughts she had been drinking to forget about. She didn’t know who she was. Well, actually, she didn’t know where she was. Dwelling on where she had ended up, Lenora took her mind to where she began. Her head had taken her very far back as she thought of one of the first people she became friends with. That memory began to surface some related thoughts she had kept in the back of her mind for a while now, questions that she could never bring herself to ask.

Then suddenly she was calling Ezekiel Griffin to ask them now.

He had answered after two rings, and in the time there could have been a third, Lenora was already talking. “Hello? Hi, Zek, hey, I don’t know if you can- can you hear me?” She didn’t wait for him to confirm. “Thought I would say hi, well more than hi, we haven’t talked- well we have talked but not like talked,” Lenora continued, each word stumbling over the next. “I mean I feel like something happened, like something changed, like, you know, like- or you don’t know and maybe it’s just m— wait there’s a car,” She interrupted herself as a car whizzed past her on the road she was trying to cross. “What was I saying? I can’t remember, wait- can you hear me?”

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@astxrism Ezekiel Griffin
@Madilfill Elio Esposito

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ZekGifBanner (1)


”Who is your idol Mrs. Rosel- Do you know who my idol is? Barack Obama. And DO YOU know what Obama once said? Anything is possible if you really believe in it! I’m nooooot sure he every said that BUT… I believe that…“

Wise word from young Ezekiel Griffin on his last school trip to France when he tried to convince his teacher that it was fine for him to share a room with Kaya. What kind of stupid rule is that - boys and girls can’t share a room? Well, Zek decided it was his responsibility to help everyone and eventually get what he wanted. But why is this story relevant now? Because Zek… Didn’t get what he wanted but he is not a quitter! Now he is craving a burger and this time nothing was going to stop him from achieving his goals.

After all, he did deserve one big double cheeseburger with large fries and mozzarella sticks today. Recent news of Sadie Monroe’s passing painted the town blue, leaving Zek with a heavy heart and some kind of understanding for everyone close to Sadie. For Andy and Kaya who he could call family now, for his school friend and mostly for Annie. You see, he couldn’t quite grasp what they feeling and how deeply were they feeling it but he did know loss and grieving. He did know what it was like not being able to see your parent again - his father not might be dead but it surely felt like he was.

Ezekiel did pay his respects, he had tried his best to be a source of comfort for those around him but that’s all that he could do. Just be there and that hurt more than anything. At times he wished he had the power to take away all the hurt from people he cared about but at the end of the day Zek was just a boy. A hungry boy at the moment. His pursuit of this modest goal was propelled by the belief that sometimes, amidst the heaviness of life, a good meal could provide a comforting refuge. So putting on different clothes after coming back to what he now called home - McAllister’s had graciously offered him a room - he prepared to venture out into the cool night, ready to satisfy his hunger. But just as he was about to step out of his room, his phone, a trusty companion in his pocket, began to ring.

{𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒚’𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕?}

It felt like a lifetime as Zek stared at the glowing screen of his phone, the name “Lenora” accompanied by a recent selfie - the same one he took with everyyyyone else in his class because he just felt silly at that moment - since that was the only photo he had with her from high school that was not from freshman year.

The phone continued to ring, each chime echoing the passing seconds, amplifying the anticipation that hung in the air. Zek’s heart, usually light and carefree, now bore the weight of the unexpected call. Zek’s mind raced, replaying the reel of memories that time had partially concealed. Lenora, a girl with whom he had created a tapestry of shared experiences, now beckoned through the digital ether. It saddened him that the surprise of seeing her name on the screen triggered confusion rather than excitement. Zek’s heart skipped a beat, a sensation he hadn’t felt in ages. Lenora… Lenora, a girl he used to spend endless of time with when they were kids, was calling him. It’s been a while since he’s seen her name on the screen and it saddened him that this was his reaction. For a while now he couldn’t help but wonder what happened between them? Why did he stop reaching out? Why did he let it all slip away?

Yet, this was Zek, a perpetually goofy soul who refused to be burdened by the weight of mixed emotions. He wouldn’t allow the confusion that momentarily clouded his heart to overshadow the deep-rooted fondness he harbored for Lenora. As the seconds ticked by, a determined smile tugged at the corners of his lips, replacing his initial feelings with a sense of anticipation and excitement. Why was she calling him? The question reverberated in his mind, echoing the curiosity that danced in his expressive eyes. The timing of the call added an extra layer of mystery. ”Miss-“ Before Zek could utter a single word, the familiar cadence of Lenora’s voice cut through the quiet. It wasn’t a deliberate interruption; rather, it was a wave of unfiltered expression.

Zek’s smile widened. He listened intently, allowing the rush of her words to paint a vivid picture of her state of mind. It was like being caught in a whirlwind of nostalgia and spontaneity, a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time. That was all until he heard the car and paid closer attention to the sounds around her, trying to figure out where she was and what was happening. [color=“#707151”]”I think I can hear you but maybe you should ask me again juuuuuuust in case,“[/color] Zek interjected playfully, his concern masked by a light-hearted tone. The realization that Lenora might be in the midst of something more than a casual call flickered in his mind. Swiftly, he descended the stairs of the McAllister home, the image of a forgotten burger replaced by the urgency to understand Lenora’s situation. [color=”#707151”]”You sound like you’ve been on a wild ride. By the way, you might want to watch out for those cars - wouldn’t want you getting run over while having an existential crisis.“[/color] A light laugh now filled the air as he left the house and stood right in front of it, waiting to find out where she was. ”I think you were saying how much you miss me and how you want to see me soooooo would you be nice enough to tell me where you are?“


novella- Lenora
CerealKiller - McAllister-Drakes mentioned

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lenora

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As Ezekiel was taking in the things Lenora was saying, she was forgetting them. “How did you know there was a car there?” She asked him when he commented about getting run over. Could he see her? She looked around for him. There were a few people around, but no one she recognised. She wished one of them had been him. “You just knew it was there, how did you just know it was there? You’re not even here and you just know, that’s crazy,” Lenora expressed, looking up to the sky. No, he wasn’t there either. “Wait you can’t hear me?” She held her phone to the side so that the charging port was closest to her lips. “What about now???”

Lenora was interrupted as she collided with one of the people that were once a distance away, as a result of her pace she unexpectedly- and, really, uncontrollably- had hurried. “Woah, sorry!!” She exclaimed as she rushed to walk away from them so she could get back on the phone. “Not you, sorry, someone else, don’t know how they got there, sorry, what did you say?” She asked, despite the silence on the other line because he could hear she hadn’t been listening.

Not knowing where she was, Lenora had to have a scan around for any sign to answer him with. Wondering down the road slightly further, she squinted at a building she recognised. “Wait I’ve seen this, I know this place, I’ve–” Her eyes finally adjusted as she realised what she was standing in front of. “It’s school, what? I didn’t want to be at school, school’s not until the morning that’s too early,” She exclaimed in disgust at herself.

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@astxrism Ezekiel Griffin

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ZekGifBanner (1)

{𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕}


Zek’s concern for Lenora’s well-being lingered in the background, a subtle undercurrent beneath the playful banter. He masked his worry with the same lightheartedness that defined his character, determined not to add any stress to Lenora’s already peculiar situation. [color="#707151”]”Well, you know me. I’ve got this sixth sense for impending existential crises and runaway cars.“[/color] He chuckled on the other end of the line, his voice carrying a lighthearted tone. ”It’s not that I see you, but, you know, it’s like a Zek thing. Have you ever heard of it? It’s reaaaaallly fun.“ A moment of confusion seeped into the conversation as Lenora held her phone to the side, attempting to amplify her voice. She asked if she could hear him once again, and Zek grinned, realizing the inherent charm of their peculiar communication.

He listened attentively, half-expecting her to shout into the phone. Yet, her words were momentarily lost as a collision with a stranger interrupted her. And he just let her talk hoping they would get to a point of this strange conversation when he gets more information about what was happening. As she continued to talk, Zek seized the opportunity to slip back inside and right next to the front door his eyes fell on the keys to Andy’s car, a tempting solution to the puzzle that was Lenora’s unexpected call.

Zek contemplated the idea of borrowing the car for a few minutes, he doesn’t usually like to take things without asking first but this was different. It was Lenora who possibly needed his help. ”Wait… Say that again. You’re in school? That’s an unexpected plot twist, what’s got you there in the middle of the night? Are you planning a midnight study session or something? I didn’t know Lenora Foley was secretly a geek, damn.“ And that was all he needed to hear to get in that car and make his way to… school. That’s something Zek thought would never happen at this time of the day unless it was a party. Oh wait that would be a good idea… What if she was throwing him a really late surprise birthday party? Oh no, he just ruined the surprise for himself, damn his wild, imaginative mind. Of course that was not the case.

Driving through the quiet streets, Zek pondered the best way to keep Lenora distracted and ensure she stayed put until he arrived, luckily it wasn’t far away. [color="#707151”]”Can you stay there? Tell me… “[/color] The sound of the engine hummed beneath his words as he navigated the streets, weaving through the quiet town toward the beacon of the school. ”Tell me more about this unexpected study session. Are you conquering the mysteries of the universe in the dead of night and you obviously need me because I know everything ooooor is there a secret- Are you still there? Can I join you? No need to answer because the answer is yes, right? I will glaaaadly help you solve all the mysteries of the world,“ he joked, his words delivered with a playful enthusiasm that echoed through the car.

The approaching destination added a sense of immediacy to Zek’s quest, and he couldn’t help but imagine Lenora’s reaction when he pulled up. With a final turn, Zek parked the car near the entrance of the school, the engine purring softly as he brought it to a halt. As he stepped out of the car, the night air clung to him, infused with a quiet sense of anticipation. But, to his confusion, he couldn’t see her anywhere. [color="#707151”]”Are you… Wha- Why did you call me, Lenora?“[/color] He questioned, his voice echoing in the quiet surroundings. ”And where are you?“ His eyes darted around, searching for any sign of movement or a familiar figure.


novella - Lenora

1 Like

lenora

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nobody said changing would be this exhausting (chaotic by Tate McRae)

Somehow all the existential thoughts that were seemingly unavoidable and consuming Lenora had felt calmed by the phone call. That hadn’t been why she called. She hadn’t expected it would resolve her situation in the moment, but suddenly her focus was on Ezekiel and his apparent sixth sense, which was significantly better than what had been there before. “You’re so wise, Zek,” She told him, the only reasonable explanation for him knowing the car was there. “Like teleporty, no, no, tele-” Lenora looked up to the sky as she tried to focus on finding that word. “Tele… pathic! Telepathic, yeah, you’re- wait, what was I saying?” She exclaimed, her achievement quickly met with disappointment when she had forgotten the context.

Trying to mentally retrace her steps, Lenora was stuck on how she had ended up outside school. She had been sure her ventures had started on the other side of town. Had her drinking spree been that bad? Lenora faced the building she had somehow stumbled upon, and it began to resurface why she had put herself in this position. This is where a lot had gone wrong. She looked at the entrance to the school, doors that she had walked through as a hopeful freshman filled with potential. Potential that she was even able to put to use, being the top of all her classes until one day she wasn’t. “Midnight… midnight study session?” Lenora repeated, in a volume just above a whisper. “Maybe that would solve some of my problems,” She contemplated, mainly as a thought for herself, rather than something to be shared.

Perhaps it was almost getting hit by that car, bumping into a stranger, or it was Ezekiel’s voice. Somewhere amongst those things had caused the humbling feeling of sobriety. Now standing outside of the school she began to feel everything that had been masked by alcohol prior. For one— was it always this cold outside? All of them?” Lenora asked him when he suggesting solving mysteries together, as she gave into the urge to find a way inside. “That sounds like it would take a while.” Walking around the perimeter of the building, Lenora found an open window that a teacher, presumably falling victim to the Cerulean summer midday heat, had left open. Had left open so perfectly for Lenora to jump up and climb into.

Her feet hitting the ground was when the dreaded sobriety truly started to kick in. Enough to begin to wonder how it was a good idea to sneak into a classroom at whatever time it was. Enough for shame to sink in when Ezekiel was wondering why she had called. Enough that she was angry at the earlier drunken Lenora, who had now potentially left the (slightly more) sober version to face the potentially hard conversations. She sat on one of the desks, her legs crossed, as Lenora tried to find an answer. Zek was her first friend, and her closest at one point. Then they went through… unexpected changes for a few months, to which Lenora couldn’t deny they hadn’t been the same since. When she was drunk she finally wanted to ask what had been going on. Now, Lenora was hoping maybe she could put it off for a bit longer.

“I’m… uh… inside,” Lenora responded softly as she grew guilty that she had made Zek feel like he needed to come. “I mean I’m in… a classroom. There was a window open but… I’m okay, you don’t need to come. Really, I’m sorry,” She explained, wondering why she hadn’t bought more alcohol to-go to make this feeling go away.

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@astxrism Ezekiel Griffin

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ZekGifBanner (1)

{ The Alcott }


Zek couldn’t help but laugh to himself at the logic of studying solving some of your problems. If academic prowess held the key to solving personal struggles, he might as well aim for the title of the class genius.From afar maybe he seemed like a normal, cheerful person without a care in the world. Yet, beneath the surface, his life was a delicate balance of challenges and hidden hardships. It was not hard but it took a long time for Zek to perfect his facade of the loveable, goofy boy that was always happy. The beginning of their senior year marked a chapter in his life where the contrast between appearance and reality became stark. Few would fathom that the goofy boy who always wore a smile was, in fact, grappling with homelessness. Nights were spent in budget hotels, sometimes resorting to unconventional measures like breaking into various places, including the school, when financial constraints became particularly tight.

[color="#707151”]”I hope you didn’t pick the classroom with the creaky chairs, they are so annoying,“[/color] ended up being the only thing he said, ignoring her apologies. He was already at school and her words would not stop him from proceeding, would not make him go back and continue whatever he was doing before this. Nothing could stop him from helping her. As he approached the open window, the familiar scent of the school mingled with the cool night air. His lanky frame maneuvered through the window with an ease that spoke of past escapades, a skill mastered during nights when he sought refuge in the familiar embrace of the school’s empty corridors. As he landed inside the classroom, Zek scanned the dimly lit space, his eyes adjusting to the shadows cast by moonlight filtering through the open window. His gaze fell upon Lenora, seated on a desk with her legs crossed, an expression caught between guilt and self-reflection. ”Hey there,“ he spoke up still holding the phone in his hand, not hanging up. The soft glow from his phone illuminated his face, casting a warm hue.

Choosing a desk Zek set himself in front of her, goofy grin softening into a warm smile. [color=“#707151”]”So,“[/color] and it wouldn’t be Zek if he didn’t do something stupid. He kept talking into the phone while being face to face with her. Maybe it was just his silly self or maybe that in a twisted way felt like a comfort barrier. [color=”#707151”]”I would like to finish high school so if someone catches us here I’m putting aaaalll the blame on you, sorry.“[/color] The humor in his voice was a subtle acknowledgment of the shared history that bound them. But as his eyes adjusted to the dark and the figure in front of his smile faltered, noticing her expression. Noticing the state she was in. ”You called me… So talk to me, are you alright?“


@novella- Lenora

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lenora

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‘push away all the people who know me the best’ (making the bed by Olivia Rodrigo)

As Zek made a comment about the chairs, Lenora instinctively took ahold of the one that was tucked into her desk, pushing on it to check for an alleged creak. “There doesn’t seem to be any sign of—” Then she realised what this meant- Zek, I said it was fine,” She told him lightly, but she knew it wouldn’t be any use. If Ezekiel set his mind to something, he was going to do it. Especially if it was about potentially helping other people. He was too good for this world. No, he was too good for her world. Part of her wanted to close the window, to stop him completely from being able to come in because when he did Lenora didn’t think she would be able to lie to him in person. Trying to tell him on the phone she was fine and that he didn’t need to come in was hard enough.

It was too late to stop him though, because Zek was at the window. That was still open. “What brings you here?” Lenora softly asked into her phone, attempting to add her share of humour into the conversation, after realising he was still on the line. She stayed looking down at her phone, tracing the edge with her fingers, so that she didn’t have to look up and accept that this was happening. They hadn’t been alone since… well, it had been a long time, and the jump from closest friend to someone she only saw on occasion had been hard to deny. Somehow the distance between them felt more vivid when he was sat next to her. But alongside that distance there lingered the juxtaposition of comfort Lenora felt, being around someone familiar. “By all means, at this point breaking and entering would be expected from me,” Lenora half-joked, in acknowledgement to her questionable student record.

That’s when it came. The questioning, rightfully so. The concern Lenora had caused by drunkenly wandering the streets of Cerulean and calling him out of nowhere. This was happening. [color= darkmagenta]“Wait,” [/color] She started, holding her phone back up to her ear. She can delay it for a moment. “Can you hear me?” Lenora asked, a joke that came with a small smile. It faded as she knew she was stalling. If she was going to drag him out to school in the middle of the night, the least Lenora could do was answer truthfully. “I think I’ve messed up a lot. Too much. I think I am messed up,” Lenora started, the undeniable need to be honest with him dictating her words. Being around from such an early age, Ezekiel knew about her family, more specifically her mother, and so she knew he would understand when she said - “I did everything to not turn into my mother. But I can’t avoid the inevitable,” She explained, her eyes meeting his on the word ‘everything’.

Then Lenora looked down her hand that had drifted down to her lap, holding her phone. She raised it back up to her ear, “Sorry, did you get all that?” Lenora asked.

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@astxrism Ezekiel Griffin

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ZekGifBanner (1)

{ remember telling me that you thought you were cursed? }


”What brings me here? Well, I heard there was a midnight study session going on, and I thought I’d drop in. I hope I’m not too late for the pop quiz. I’m pretty sure the answers are a, a, c… wait no, b on the last one.“ The light banter served as a thin veil masking whatever was and whatever had happened between them, masking what was about to happen tonight. Zek studied Lenora, noting the traces of humor she injected into their conversation. His eyes, however, reflected a deeper understanding, a readiness to delve into the heart of whatever brought her here.

What Zek did not expect was for the situation to unfold so quickly. His expression softened, a silent acknowledgment of the pain woven into those words. Agreeing and trying to show someone they were in the wrong never came hard to Zek, not when it came to people close to him. At times his words might seem harsh but his intentions would never be ill. In a way he was just trying to help them, to help them change things they were to stubborn to admit they were doing wrong. He only wanted people to be the best versions of themselves and sometimes they just need a little push, no matter how harsh that might be. However, this, he was not prepared for. There were moments in the past few months when he tried to convey to Lenora how she might be wasting her time with someone like Elio, how she deserved more than the constant anxiety and whatever warped definition of love the two of them shared. ”I think we are all a little bit messed up. But we are just kids, and if you’re expecting judgment or disappointment, you’re not going to find it here.“ Zek responded, his words carrying a gentle reassurance. There was no hint of condemnation in his voice, only a sincere acceptance of the complexities that came with being human.

[color=“#707151”]”Wait, I don’t think I can he- you, ther- a lo- of…“[/color] Not to dive into the deep stuff so suddenly and recognizing her discomfort, Zek tried to maintain the goofy energy for a bit longer, playfully cutting off every other word. [color=”#707151”]”I’m in the tunnel.“[/color] And that’s when he actually hung up the phone, now leaving it down on the desk. [color=“#707151”]”You are not like your mom, Lenora and there is no inevitable. Look, do you want me to be honest?“[/color] His gaze softened, offering her a weak smile. [color=”#707151”]”You did mess up… A lot, but guess what? So did I. So did the person who was sitting at that desk over there yesterday did… And the one over there, and there.“[/color] He took a moment to point at random desks in that classrom. ”And- you get it.“

[color="#707151”]”We all stumble and fall, but that doesn’t define who we are or who we’re going to become. What matters is how we pick ourselves up, learn, and move forward. Your mom’s path doesn’t have to be yours. Lenora, and you’ve got people who care about you. Some jerk hurt you making you believe you don’t deserve anything good? Well I’ll tell you that’s f*cking bullsht. You know me, I… I hope you still do. I’m not going to sugarcoat it.“[/color] A sigh left his lips as he got up from his desk to sit right next to her. ”What makes you say all that?“


@novella - Lenora

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The night air hung around Veronica and Justin as they lounged on the rooftop, the soft glow of city lights casting a subtle ambiance. The rhythmic sounds of the city below created a backdrop for their conversation. Veronica took a moment to study Justin’s profile, appreciating the way the shadows played across his features.

Veronica observed Justin with a raised eyebrow, his attempt at subtlety not escaping her notice. She leaned back, amused, and countered his remark about charm with a confident smirk. “Special occasions, huh? I’ll be waiting for the grand reveal, then.”

As Justin mused about going back to Budweiser, Veronica couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, we could always reminisce about the good old days with some classic beer. Maybe it’s the secret ingredient to solving all our problems,” she teased, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.

When he commented on the addition of two more Veronicas to the world, she rolled her eyes playfully. His reaction brought a genuine laugh to her lips. “Risky indeed, but the world could use a bit more spice, don’t you think?” she replied, a playful smile on her lips. “I mean, two more? let’s just say it’s not gonna be boring”

“The blueprints are coming along just fine,” Veronica said, adopting a mysterious tone, the playful glint in her eyes never fading. “But you know me, Justin, can’t spill all the secrets. World domination plans are strictly classified. Wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise, now would we?”

She leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “But let’s just say I’ve got my eyes on a few key areas. The world won’t know what hit it.” she added with a mischievous grin, fully embracing the playful banter. Despite the lighthearted tone, Veronica knew that life, even in its more glamorous moments, held its share of challenges and complexities. The problems might have changed, but they were still there, lurking beneath the surface.

“So, spill it, Williams,” Veronica said with an impish grin, the glow of the city reflecting in her eyes. “What’s the grand finale trick in your charm arsenal? Don’t hold out on me.” She playfully nudged him


@novella Justin bieber

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lenora

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‘we don’t talk enough, we should open up’ (Sign of the Times by Harry Styles)

Lenora wasn’t sure what she was expecting when she blurted out arguably too much. They had stayed out of each other’s lives for the last few months, and so what business was this of his? Or more so, why would he still care after this time? Yet, she still watched as he began to articulate a response. Somehow he knew what to say, even with the vague outline that Lenora had given him. Which only made her feel more guilt, in that he didn’t deserve to have been dragged down into whatever mess she had made. So how is it he could claim he wasn’t judging or disappointed? She was judging and disappointed to herself. “Why?” She had to ask him.

A small smile uncontrollably crossed her face when Zek continued to talk on the phone, eventually hanging it up, ending the call that had been going on for the last hour. Lenora then became slightly apprehensive at the thought he was going to be honest, though his wording managed to make everything seem easy to take. There wasn’t a lot that Lenora could trust about herself, about who she was and who she was going to be. But what she did trust was Zek. She had trust in Zek, and therefore what he was saying. As he continued he began to demonstrate his point by gesturing to the rest of the classroom, and she tried to visualise the people that would have been sat on those seats, what kind of mistakes they could be making. Though when attempting to do so it seemed to trigger something else. There was something about it that she recognised, and Lenora tried to pull out the memory that was tied to the room.

Then the first indirect mention of why Lenora could be feeling this way came. It wasn’t as simple as Ezekiel had put it. Deep down she knew things would never work with Elio. Honestly, she had expected too much from him. Lenora wanted him to be the stable, life-long figure that her mother never had, and she thought that would be the solution for everything. But it wasn’t fair to put all that on one person. Though it didn’t diminish Elio’s blame in the relationship. It didn’t take away how he sometimes made her feel, the taint to her name that Elio couldn’t get past, and continuously aimed to re-establish.

Ezekiel then directed the conversation back to her, more so on the root of the conversation, what it was that caused this. Where did Lenora start? She had to start somewhere. “I think that…”

That’s when it came to her, the faded memory she was trying to hold onto. A memory that brought a buzz of excitement for a moment. “Do you know what classroom this is?” Lenora asked him, doubting he did considering the time it took her to remember. “Our class. This was our English class in freshman year, when we were next to each other,” She recalled, jumping up to walk over to the desks she could see a 14-year-old Lenora and Ezekiel sat at. “And then Mrs Raelyn moved you to the other side because we kept passing notes,” Lenora continued, essentially describing to him the scene that was playing in her head. “So you threw paper airplanes instead,” She narrated, “They definitely weren’t paying Mrs Raelyn enough.”

Though the memory carried a melancholic tone to it, which Lenora eventually reached after a faint laugh at her words. The unavoidable truth, the elephant in the room. “We’re not that close anymore,” She admitted out loud. Unintentionally, a late response to his questioning of why she called him.

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@astxrism Ezekiel Griffin
@Madilfill Elio Esposito (mentioned)

image

•◌•◌• a lot can happen in the dark •◌•◌•

Veronica seemed to take his suggestion for Budweiser to the next level, suggesting they share one in hopes it would solve the problems. If only it were that simple, and maybe doing so could even have the opposite effect - the taste reminding him of a time they had lost. But Justin put a positive spin onto it, taking it in an alternative way. [color= Steelblue]“You might be onto something there,” [/color] He remarked, and just as he was about to put the bottle to his lips, he added; [color= Steelblue]“Is that generally how you ask people out, then?” [/color]

[color= Steelblue]“I think the world could handle spice. Though I think spice is quite the understatement,” [/color] He replied, clearly only agreeing with part of what she was saying. [color= Steelblue]“I’d say it’s better described as a straight-up fire,”[/color] Justin quipped. [color= Steelblue]“I think we’ll all be interested to see what that does to the word,”[/color] He told her ambiguously, leaving only the faintest hint that he meant it as a good thing.

The way Veronica asked him to reveal his ‘grand finale trick’ almost convinced Justin to break out all his best tricks and quips in order to charm her as she was challenging him to. But after making himself hesitate for a moment, Justin came back with an alternative attitude on the matter. [color= Steelblue]“Woah, you think it’s that easy?” [/color] He asked, in a mock-surprised tone. [color= Steelblue]“I think you underestimate me, Ronnie. I don’t bring out the big guns for just anyone,” [/color] Justin clarified, handing her back the bottle in his hand.

•◌•◌•★•◌•◌•

@.CerealKiller Veronica Parker

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Atlas heard what Adonis said. He looked down, knowing that he was right. It was stupid of him to leave with Kaori all those years ago. He just hadn’t realized it until it was too late. However, it angered him that Adonis failed to see his side of the story. “You weren’t there. You aren’t me. You have no right to judge me when you have no idea what I’ve experienced and I shouldn’t have to tell you just to get some sympathy.” He returned, his voice bordering on yelling. “I lost years with my family and the boy I loved. Isn’t that enough?” His voice broke at the end of his sentence, giving away that not much was holding him together now.

It was hard enough for Atlas to come to terms with what he had experienced on his own. Hard enough for him to trust that he was home for good now. That when he went to sleep in his parents’ house, he would wake up in the same place and that his mother’s embrace the night before hadn’t been a dream. The last thing he needed right now was Adonis invalidating everything and belittling him by telling him he was just young and stupid. He didn’t know how much more he could take. Clearly, Adonis was getting bored because, after a moment of silence, he asked Evie about an English test. She didn’t have a chance to answer before Sebastian chimed in again.

Atlas gave a small nod, confirming that France held some bad memories for him. “Don’t worry about it.” He responded after he apologized. “They get better if you can speak French but even at the resort I worked at, the other staff would always come get me if there was an English-speaking guest because they would rather not go through the trouble of dealing with the language barrier.” He added. As Sebastian was suggesting they go out for dinner and skating, Evie’s phone began to ring.

“Hold that thought, Sebastian.” She said as she answered her phone. Her expression shifted to worry as she watched her phone. “Danny. Danny, slow down. You’re moving too fast, I can’t see your hands.” She instructed her brother, signing with one hand as she spoke before looking up at the guys again. “I’ll be right back, I need to take this.” She said to them, not giving them a chance to respond before she walked off. Atlas looked back to Adonis and Sebastian.

“We should probably wait for Evelyn to come back but I would be down for that.” He said, responding to Sebastian’s proposition. “Should we invite Figure, uh, Leon?” He asked, catching himself before using Leon’s nickname, just in case that would set Adonis off again.


@Kristi - Adonis + Sebastian

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ZekGifBanner (1)

{ lonely eyes - lauv }


Zek listened as Lenora walked down memory lane, the image of their younger selves vividly playing in his mind. The laughter and camaraderie of those days were starkly contrasted with the current situation, the distance that had crept in between them. This was unusual for Zek, a clear indication that it meant too much for him to just try and push it aside, put on an act that will have them out of this classroom in minutes and back to their messy lives as if nothing happened today. [color=“#707151”]”That feels like a lifetime ago,“[/color] Zek responded, his tone carrying a hint of nostalgia. [color=”#707151”]”I do remember being banished to the other side. Paper airplanes seemed like a logical progression. If she only saved them she could make millions off them now.“[/color] He joked, letting a grin form on his lips. [color="#707151”]”But hey,“[/color] Zek continued, shifting his gaze to the desks that held the echoes of their shared history, ”those days weren’t the only highlights. Remember that time we tried to set up a mini snack shop at the back of the classroom? Remember that time we tried to set up a mini snack shop at the back of the classroom during a particularly boring history lecture?“ His eyes held a warmth that only shared memories could evoke.

However, as she acknowledged the current state of their friendship, there was a palpable shift in the atmosphere.

There it was.

He waited too long for this.

So without pretending to deny it and giving her some bullsht explanation, he almost immediately replied, trying to meet her gaze while a soft, but sad smile played on his lips. [color=“#707151”]”We are not, I can’t deny it. We may not be sitting side by side passing notes anymore, but that doesn’t erase everything we’ve been through.“[/color] Zek’s eyes held a sincere plea for understanding. He wasn’t one to mask his feelings, and the hurt of realizing the distance between them was etched on his face. The casual banter couldn’t disguise the longing for the connection they once had, the unspoken understanding that made their friendship special. [color=”#707151”]”I may not understand everything you’re going through right now, but I want to. I want to be here for you, even if it’s not the same as before… I’ve missed you.“[/color] There was a vulnerability in Zek’s voice as he admitted that… And in his next words. ”It seemed like you don’t need me anymore. It felt like I couldn’t reach out to you.“


@novella - Lenora

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{ i’m so scared of all them seeing the truth 'cause right now I’ve got nothing }


In the dimly lit room, a haze of muted grief hung heavy as the mourners exchanged whispered condolences. However, the air was abruptly pierced by the unexpected clash of Phoebe’s laughter and her intoxicated ramblings. Her words, a bit slurred, drifted across the room like mischievous spirits seeking an audience. [color=“#d39d7a"]”Imagine having Amanda as a sister, that must suck. No, imagine having you as a siste- Wait, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”[/color] Quickly putting her hand over her mouth Phoebe almost spilled the drink she had in her glass as she took a seat opposite Clara Weston-Lucier.

Phoebe’s eyes flickered with a mix of amusement and a hint of mischief as she locked eyes with Clara, the girl she had a knack for disliking. The atmosphere at Sadie Monroe’s wake was somber, filled with grief and memories of times gone by. Yet, here they were, amidst the mourning, engaging in a conversation that teetered on the edge of inappropriate given the occasion. Avoiding her family so she wouldn’t be lectured on her behavior, Phoebe found a victim she could let all her frustrations out on, and recently Phoebe has been rather… Disappointed. In herself mostly.

{ Ski trip tb }

A smile on her face matched his as he took the lime from her and straightened back up. Only to give the next dare to her. And ooooh how fun it was. “Since my lips have been all over your body, how about you do the same and I dare you to give me a kiss on your favorite body part of mine.
Everything already felt very intimate so she didn’t think twice before she sat up and pushed him down so that now he was the one lying. She hovered over him, placing her hands on both sides of him as she tried to decide what to do. Sometimes too much is too much, even for Phoebe. [color=“#d39d7a"]”Not my favorite but… Close.”[/color] She stated with a smug look on her face before slowly lowering her lips to his, not to kiss him but to move back and gently place a kiss on his lower stomach. [color=“#d39d7a"]”We have to keep it… Innocent. Kids are here,”[/color] with that comment she once again looked around the room stopping for a short second on Lenora, Jp, Clara even Paige before getting back up and turning to Mateo.

A moment she shared and in all honestly enjoyed just a few hours after she tried to fix things with Diego. After she pushed aside everything she believed in and tried to give herself an opportunity to maybe… Be happy. A selfish act that only got her where she is right now. That smug look she had on her face after her dare ended and attention was on other people was soon replaced with a rather dark expression, hearing what someone dared her to do. Or rather dared to confess: Which Montoya did you actually sleep with? Is it really just one?

Her eyes darted immediately to Diego, who wore an expression that betrayed his discomfort and displeasure with the unfolding events. Phoebe, caught off guard, felt her mouth open several times, yet not a single word emerged. The weight of the question hung in the air, revealing a truth she hadn’t anticipated sharing in such a public forum. What could he tell from her behavior was only that he was right all along - yes, Phoebe did start talking to Diego a long time ago just for the attention and laughs. Just to mess with a boy who truly liked her because… because what? Because she was bored?

Attempts to speak faltered on her lips, the silence amplifying the gravity of the situation. Phoebe desperately wished she could convey the recent change in her feelings, the genuine attempt during this ski trip to mend whatever complicated relationship they shared. The motives behind her actions were now a tangle of genuine emotion and past mistakes, and the nuances seemed lost on those awaiting her response.

Maybe she did start liking him. And maybe she just lost her chance at… Happiness. [color=“#d39d7a"]”Raphael. He is the only Montoya I slept with,”[/color] She finally admitted, not daring to look at Diego and not daring to look at Raph, knowing her words only started a new avalanche in the Montoya relationship.

The only dare she avoided was confessing why she hated JP.

{ Back to Sadie's house }

[color=“#d39d7a"]”Where is your sister by the way? I thought you were her bodyguard? Wait, can I ask you something? Why do you hate me? What have I ever done to you? I never quite understood that?”[/color] Phoebe asked nonchalantly, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers. Phoebe, in her inebriated state, seemed almost detached from the gravity of the situation.


@Caticorn - Clara bestie
@Littlefeets - Amanda, Diego mentioned
@CerealKiller - JP, Ralp mentioned
go brotherssss fight

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Niko nodded a thank you as Hyun-Ae passed them a menu. They showed the menu to their daughter pointing to the items they thought she would like and making sure she knew what they were. “Yua chan, hotto choccoreto ga hoshi?” They asked the girl sitting on their lap. She nodded with a big smile on her face.

“You don’t have to learn for us. I’ve been translating for my parents and brother since I was a kid. I don’t mind it.” They insisted when Hyun-Ae mentioned having an incentive to finally start learning Japanese. They didn’t want her to feel pressured to learn an entire language just because they were together. They listened to her explain why she likes coffee. “My family tends to drink more tea and I definitely picked that up. I could make matcha by the time I was 5 and perfectly brew tea when I was 13 but can’t drink coffee. I don’t like the taste.” They explained to her.

Niko smiled when Hyun-Ae described Yua as sweet and calm. “I know every parent says this about their child but she is truly perfect. I wouldn’t trade her for the world.” They responded, gently petting her hair before placing a kiss on top of her head. They laughed when she mentioned her cousins and the stickers, showing Niko a picture of her covered in Pokémon stickers. “That’s adorable.” They commented, still looking at the photograph.


@Ouijaloveletters - Hyun-Ae

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