[color=lightgray][right][sub][color=15603A]Trixie[/color] [@LovelyComplex]
[color=8dcdc1]Monarch[/color] / [color=009e60]Sin[/color] [@Aces Away]
[color=FF8B00]Tally[/color] [@BrutalBx][/sub][/right]
[center][b][color=#FF8B00]_[/color][color=#FA8801]_[/color][color=#F68503]_[/color][color=#F18305]_[/color][color=#ED8007]_[/color][color=#E87E09]_[/color][color=#E47B0B]_[/color][color=#E0790C]_[/color][color=#DB760E]_[/color][color=#D77410]_[/color][color=#D27112]_[/color][color=#CE6F14]_[/color][color=#CA6C16]_[/color][color=#C56A18]_[/color][color=#C16719]_[/color][color=#BC651B]_[/color][color=#B8621D]_[/color][color=#B45F1F]_[/color][color=#AF5D21]_[/color][color=#AB5A23]_[/color][color=#A65825]_[/color][color=#A25526]_[/color][color=#9D5328]_[/color][color=#99502A]_[/color][color=#954E2C]_[/color][color=#904B2E]_[/color][color=#8C4930]_[/color][color=#874632]_[/color][color=#834433]_[/color][color=#7F4135]_[/color][color=#7A3F37]_[/color][color=#763C39]_[/color][color=#713A3B]_[/color][color=#6D373D]_[/color][color=#69343E]_[/color][color=#6D373D]_[/color][color=#713A3B]_[/color][color=#763C39]_[/color][color=#7A3F37]_[/color][color=#7F4135]_[/color][color=#834433]_[/color][color=#874632]_[/color][color=#8C4930]_[/color][color=#904B2E]_[/color][color=#954E2C]_[/color][color=#99502A]_[/color][color=#9D5328]_[/color][color=#A25526]_[/color][color=#A65825]_[/color][color=#AB5A23]_[/color][color=#AF5D21]_[/color][color=#B45F1F]_[/color][color=#B8621D]_[/color][color=#BC651B]_[/color][color=#C16719]_[/color][color=#C56A18]_[/color][color=#CA6C16]_[/color][color=#CE6F14]_[/color][color=#D27112]_[/color][color=#D77410]_[/color][color=#DB760E]_[/color][color=#E0790C]_[/color][color=#E47B0B]_[/color][color=#E87E09]_[/color][color=#ED8007]_[/color][color=#F18305]_[/color][color=#F68503]_[/color][color=#FA8801]_[/color][/b]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/yfN7QYL.png[/img]
[b][color=#FF8B00]_[/color][color=#FA8801]_[/color][color=#F68503]_[/color][color=#F18305]_[/color][color=#ED8007]_[/color][color=#E87E09]_[/color][color=#E47B0B]_[/color][color=#E0790C]_[/color][color=#DB760E]_[/color][color=#D77410]_[/color][color=#D27112]_[/color][color=#CE6F14]_[/color][color=#CA6C16]_[/color][color=#C56A18]_[/color][color=#C16719]_[/color][color=#BC651B]_[/color][color=#B8621D]_[/color][color=#B45F1F]_[/color][color=#AF5D21]_[/color][color=#AB5A23]_[/color][color=#A65825]_[/color][color=#A25526]_[/color][color=#9D5328]_[/color][color=#99502A]_[/color][color=#954E2C]_[/color][color=#904B2E]_[/color][color=#8C4930]_[/color][color=#874632]_[/color][color=#834433]_[/color][color=#7F4135]_[/color][color=#7A3F37]_[/color][color=#763C39]_[/color][color=#713A3B]_[/color][color=#6D373D]_[/color][color=#69343E]_[/color][color=#6D373D]_[/color][color=#713A3B]_[/color][color=#763C39]_[/color][color=#7A3F37]_[/color][color=#7F4135]_[/color][color=#834433]_[/color][color=#874632]_[/color][color=#8C4930]_[/color][color=#904B2E]_[/color][color=#954E2C]_[/color][color=#99502A]_[/color][color=#9D5328]_[/color][color=#A25526]_[/color][color=#A65825]_[/color][color=#AB5A23]_[/color][color=#AF5D21]_[/color][color=#B45F1F]_[/color][color=#B8621D]_[/color][color=#BC651B]_[/color][color=#C16719]_[/color][color=#C56A18]_[/color][color=#CA6C16]_[/color][color=#CE6F14]_[/color][color=#D27112]_[/color][color=#D77410]_[/color][color=#DB760E]_[/color][color=#E0790C]_[/color][color=#E47B0B]_[/color][color=#E87E09]_[/color][color=#ED8007]_[/color][color=#F18305]_[/color][color=#F68503]_[/color][color=#FA8801]_[/color][/b][/center]
[indent][indent]The girls waved in the direction of Decky and little Danny until they walked past the point of sight, knowing the younger boy would be keeping an eye out for them until he couldn’t anymore. Sin still had her arm around Monarch’s shoulder, dragging the smaller girl along with zero complaint from her victim. Monarch understood Sin’s need to deliver her love in a strong manner as an aunt who grew up with her nephews, and as the youngest sibling in her home Monarch was more than used to heavy handed steering and withstanding random weight changes when she was leaned on. Grumbling still about Decky leaving before she could snag a blunt off of him, the blonde pulled out her phone partway through the walk to the back and began to scroll through her contacts until she came across [i]Tally-ho![/i].

[quote=Sin Donaghue]
To: [color=FF8B00]Tally-ho![/color]
[color=009e60]U here? Back entrance sesh, green for green~[/color][/quote]

There, short and simple. Either Tally would show up somewhat quickly with weed for her to buy or Sin would just have to suffer for a day. She dropped her phone into her front pocket and pulled Monarch in close, squishing their cheeks together which caused the other to have to adjust her glasses once more. Rolling her eyes, the busy bee put her hand up between their faces and gently but firmly pushed Sin’s face away so that she didn’t almost knock her glasses off for the third time today.

[color=8dcdc1]“I think you need to get laid,”[/color] Monarch said honestly while Sin looked at her in offense. [color=8dcdc1]“No seriously, I love the physical affection an’ all but you know it ain’t gonna be me so-”[/color]

[color=009e60]“I just got laid like a week ago, are you sayin’ I’m desperate?”[/color] Sin asked with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, challenging her friend as they rounded the corner to the back entrance. [color=009e60]“I mean I could literally get that taken care of in a few minutes if my text pans out so-”[/color]

[color=8dcdc1]“You know that’s not what I meant, Sin. Besides,”[/color] She added playfully, [color=8dcdc1]“You’re desperate for other reasons,”[/color] with that Monarch took off like a shot, laughing as Sin sputtered and chased after her. Unfortunately for the blonde, Monarch was faster on both her feet and her board, so she reached the entrance just a bit before the other and yanked the door open, stumbling in and falling to the ground with Sin landing on top of her as she caught her in a tackle. Her glasses went flying but Monarch started laughing, sprawled out on the school floor as Sin sat up but didn’t get up, keeping her friend pinned to the floor with arms crossed.

[color=009e60]“That was just rude, you butterfly brat,”[/color] Sin said just as Monarch’s giggles cut off abruptly, prompting her to look down at her longtime friend. Monarch was stock still on the ground, head turned to her right where she could see the fuzzy blur of pristine white and black sneakers and baggy red sweatpants sticking out from under the stairwell, and could hear the faintest, breathiest cries from one of the last girls she expected. Sin, in an attempt to see what her friend was seeing, shifted from where she was sitting on Monarch’s butt to keep her down, dropped her knees down on either side of her friend’s waist and let herself fall forward until she was almost level with the girl underneath her, tilting her head until her hair fanned down onto the other’s head.

[color=8dcdc1]“Trixie?”[/color] Monarch asked, squinting her eyes to see the person beyond the blur, still on the floor and unfazed by her friend’s nosy actions atop her. Monarch knew Trixie as well as she knew anyone in the school, but she and Trixie, along with Jamie, had a special relationship only in the sense that Monarch was an amazing info broker and the Salt & Truth co-hosts paid and reciprocated well. They never tied her down as [i]their[/i] source, not that they could if they wanted to, but something she respected about them was that they knew to not even try. She appreciated good intuition. She tilted her head, a bit of a task since she was still trapped beneath Sin, silently asking her friend to get off her so she could do what she needed.

[color=009e60]“Oh,”[/color] Sin put simply, scrambling off and crawling forward a bit to grab Monarch’s glasses and hand them back to the smallest girl. Monarch sat up and scooched closer to the third girl under the stairs, putting her glasses back on while crossing her legs now that she was in front of Trixie. Sin, terrible in situations of comfort, awkwardly pulled out her phone and turned her back on the two in a mock of privacy, sending Tallulah Stratton an additional text. If she was going to have to deal with this before class?

[quote=Sin Donaghue]
To: [color=FF8B00]Tally-ho[/color]
[color=009e60]More than usual.[/color][/quote]

Fuck. 

Beatrix didn’t pay attention to the time. Hell, she could barely see where she was and where she found herself hiding. All she could feel in this moment was the aftershock processing through her body. It wasn't a great feeling. Gingerly, she pulled her head off her knees, her makeup running down her face, to meet the concerned eyes of her classmate. Someone she adored but she would never outright tell her that to her face. It wasn’t until she could clock that her hands were shaking from being in the state of fear that she knew she was in trouble. Trixie wasn’t as strong as she presented herself. They’d believe it was all false pretense. Trixie knew she really had fallen, just like Theo said, and now it was time to do her best and clean up her mess; the little they asked, the better off she’ll be. She didn’t need anyone airing out her dirty laundry, especially a girl who was a human computer full of confidential files. 

Wiping under her eyes, trying her best to clean the eyeliner smudges, she softly apologized, [color=15603A]“Sorry…”[/color] Her voice didn’t have as much passion, sass and firmness as it usually has. Her voice was uncertain. Scared. Unlike her. [color=15603A]“I’ll give you your spot back. Just a moment please.”[/color] She didn’t intend to be here. Rarely did Trixie find herself in one of the smokers' spots. She had no need to, she didn’t smoke. But with her flight response activated her legs just naturally took her here because it was the last place anyone that was in her circle would find her. The last place Theo would expect her to be. The last place she even saw herself in. Anxious but trying her best to hide it, Trixie patted her pants pocket and sighed in relief. At least she had her phone. 

[color=8dcdc1]“That wasn’t my goal,”[/color] Monarch answered honestly, looking the girl up and down as she tried to fix her makeup. Shaking, tears, soft voice, lack of eye contact. Confusion, embarrassment, fear. Fear did not fit Beatrix Kingsley. Monarch didn’t like it. [color=8dcdc1]“I just wanted to see if you were okay, and I don’t think you are right now,”[/color] She grabbed her [url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/53ee5e9a-18f5-4ccb-8e74-4b96837f6a61.jpg]hair scarf[/url] from her backpack and handed it over to the other girl so she could properly wipe her eyes. Sin glanced over her shoulder at the two girls. [color=8dcdc1]“You can get that messy, I have my ponytail wrap for the ride home so I wasn’t usin’ that today. Sin can fix your makeup if you want help, but I don’t really use it too much.”[/color]

[color=009e60]“Volunteer me again today, why don'tcha.”[/color]

[color=8dcdc1]“I will, thanks,”[/color] Monarch replied, mimicking Decky from earlier.

Hesitantly, Trixie grabbed the scarf and dabbed her cheeks. [color=15603A]“No, no it’s fine. I just need to get my bags and I can clean myself up. It’s really not a big deal.”[/color] Retreating emotionally, Trixie forced the fear to the back burner, down her throat and to the pit of her stomach, so she could find a prompt exit plan from this situation and act like this morning never happened. To be honest, she was strongly considering taking another sick day. Adjusting herself, she pushed herself up and stood tall. While not smiling, her tears had stopped. This was unbecoming of her and if anything unexpected like this were to happen again, hopefully, she would be more prepared, ready to fight and not shirtless. Trixie offered her hand for Monarch to grab, letting a tired smile grow on her face. [color=15603A]“Thank you though, I appreciate the check up,”[/color] she assured. 

Monarch accepted the hand up but didn’t release it once she’d gotten there, going the extra step to cover Trixie’s hand with her other. She wasn’t keeping her there, the other girl could easily remove herself from her grasp if she so wished, but Monarch was giving her a grounding point. She’d done it plenty of times, even more so since Decky and Sin moved out to California too and suddenly there were two flighty, emotional isolationists to deal with and no Poppy James or Charlie Decker to level them out. At least she had little Danny to help her with them, and she’ll occasionally message the two friends of Decky and Sin’s quartet that are still back in Oregon when she doesn’t know how to deal with them.

[color=009e60]“You look like you need’a smoke a blunt more than just walk away. I’m sure your shit’ll be there, or at the lost ‘n’ found,”[/color] Sin gave her two cents, raising her eyebrow at Monarch as if asking, [i]’What?[/i]’ when the more socially aware of the two gave her a look over her shoulder.

[color=8dcdc1]“I know you don’t smoke, Trixie,”[/color] Monarch clarified, more for Sin’s sake than anything. [color=8dcdc1]“But [i]if[/i] Sin’s plug stops by, since [i]we ain’t got nothin’ right now[/i], you’re more than welcome to try. She didn’t say it well but she’s right, you gotta relax a bit before headin’ out, not just bottle up an’ go. Do that and you never know when those emotions from whatever happened will rear their ugly heads again. You also don’t have to smoke just to stay, I’m sayin’ it would be appreciated if you stuck around so I really knew you were actually okay.”[/color]

[color=FF8B00]“Well well.”[/color] A siren called from behind the glimmering sunlight. The voice was raspy and oozing sensuality. From the parking lot, Tallulah Stratton arrived looking every bit like the succubus she proudly claimed herself to be. Dressed in a [url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7BqL7IWQAIVWnw.jpg:large]figure hugging red dress and spiked leather jacket[/url], Tally looked like she’d just stepped off the set of a goth rock music video rather than dressed for school. Her bright orange hair was illuminated like a naked flame by the high California sun and her skin shone enticingly with a smooth and soft glow. Tally Stratton was dynamite and she knew it. [color=FF8B00]“Having an orgy and not inviting me? Tsk tsk.”[/color]

She tipped her sunglasses down the bridge of her pierced nose and with pale blue eyes she surveyed the congregation at the church of her feet. Sin and Monarch were no strangers to her; if anything they were two of Tally’s best customers. The third vixen though; also not a stranger but not someone she expected to see in this location; Trixie Kingsley. She has been close to her cousin Theo once, hell in another life they could’ve been friends or even sisters. Lucky for Trixie though, hells favourite harlot could give town flying fucked about her cousin’s personal life. She and Lex were toxic sure but Theo was fucking crazy.

Tallulah took a step into the shade, slapping Sin on her perky rear end and resting her hand there as she did before booping Monarch’s nose with her free hand. [color=FF8B00]“Hey button.”[/color] She purred before turning her attention to the girl at the center of it all. [color=FF8B00]“I come bearing gifts. How much do you want?”[/color]

Sin had been smirking since she saw Tally's fiery orange hair in the sun outside the foyer door, feeling a bit of excitement not just from the prospect of actually being able to get this smoke session going but from having Tally around as well. Tally was one of the few people that could handle the way Sin plays, and she was of the even fewer that played [i]back[/i]. Add on that she and her twin were a wonderful source of more than just some weed, and Sin had truly found her match. She enjoyed releasing control to the other in a way she hadn't with any of her previous relationships or hook up, in fact Tally was the first one to flip that switch in her, and had anyone else approached her with such confidence and dominance she would have had them on their ass on the ground immediately. Not many would say that they went to the abrasive girl to feel relaxed or free and not be talking about the product she provided, but Sin could easily admit that Tally is the most fun she's had since coming to BH.

Because she could, and because the actual question was being deferred to Trixie- funny considering she didn't smoke according to Monarch- Sin took Tally's resting hand and slid it up and into her back pocket before leaning on the taller girl. Monarch’s tease about her needing to get laid may have been right, she may have been interested in seeing Tally more often than usual, but she was here now with her physical attention on her and that's what matters. It was a casual relationship, just like all the ones that were meant to last; it was when Sin let people put labels on what they were doing that suddenly the way she played around became a problem.

No way she was becoming a problem for the best lay she'd ever had.

This was turning out to be more lively than Trixie had expected. Not only did Monarch suggest she smoke a blunt, knowing well enough she never tried, but her brother, Noah, smoked so much that she felt like someone had to just not. She couldn’t tell if he did it because he was depressed or because he just liked to smoke. She couldn’t judge him though since he did make bread, via streaming and seemed happy. How he chooses to use his freetime is his own business. Her mother made it seem that [i]weed[/i] warps your mind, just as much as any drug, so maybe there was a mild fear of trying it because of that. Trixie didn’t know any of these girls ‘side for Monarch, and didn’t know if she could trust them. What if one blunt turned into two or three blunts and she became an addict? What if it took her away from her productivity? What if she never left her room because all she did was smoke and play games? Sorry, Noah.

Even with all these questions, Trixie did find herself [i]curious[/i] and looking at Theo’s cousin, which only reminded her [i]why[/i] she needed to chill. It wasn’t like it was booze and she’d start opening up about things she didn’t want anyone to know. It was weed. How bad could it be? Worst case, she might get a little sleepy but she totally could still conquer her school day, tired. She has before. She doubted weed could be worse than a back-to-back all nighter. Keeping Monarch’s hand in her’s, Trixie observed the two baddies before cautiously asking the professional, [color=15603A]“I… just want to relax and not worry. I don’t know what to ask for. I really have never done this before. My… morning sucked and I’d like to forget it, please.”[/color] In front of strangers, Trixie spoke with absolute honesty, without giving the details, of course. She hoped she made the right choice to put her guard down in front of these girls. She hoped this wouldn’t bite her in the ass next week. [color=15603A]“Just show me and I’ll follow.”[/color] 

Tallulah’s blood red lips curled into the smile not too dissimilar to that of a rattlesnake. It was a family smile; she had it, her sister had it, Theo had it. For all intents and purposes it seemed like the only one that didn’t was Bronwyn; then again maybe she just hadn’t grown into it yet. 

The drug dealer could feel Sinead pressing herself against her body and it elicited a strong chemical reaction in her brain. Tally knew that her looks and behavior were proximity to power and control. Sin was a plaything that also made her money, how could she not want to invest? Greed was good, greed worked and Tally was greedy all the damn time. She gave the biker girl a playful squeeze before removing her hand and placing it into her own jacket pocket.

[color=FF8B00]“The first one is free.”[/color] She reached deep to pull out an old cigarette tin that looked straight out of the early twentieth century and popped open the lid. [color=FF8B00]“Since I’m a generous gal and all.”[/color] Tallulah took out a single pre-rolled blunt and stared deep into the gossip queen's eyes. [color=FF8B00]“Open your mouth, let’s get you what you need.”[/color]

Taken aback, Trixie, with her warm, brown eyes gazed into Tally’s sharp, steely, and sensual stare. Never had she imagined she’d be in a situation like this, accepting a blunt and letting someone put it in her mouth. Putting anything in her mouth for that matter. She was a good girl, at least that’s what she told herself, but even the best girl’s have fangs and claws. Releasing Monarch’s hand, no longer needing the stability, Trixie relaxed her shoulders and said, [color=15603A]“Fuck it.”[/color] Taking a step closer to the dealer, she offered her lips and opened her mouth, slightly, just enough to slip the cigarette in. 

Tallulah unpursed her own lips and placed the joint between them. Her eyes never leaving Trixie, she lit the white stick of pure joy with her custom VCP zippo before taking a long drag, making sure to stain the roll up with her lipstick. With the signature devious twinkle in her gaze, Tally took a hold of the blunt and moved it to a short distance between her mouth and Trix’s waiting one. She turned and blew her smoke into Sin’s face before swinging her head round in a fashion reminiscent of a horror doll. [color=FF8B00]“Take a good puff baby girl. Let it fill you up and then when you’re ready, breathe all those troubles away.”[/color]

With the blunt now in her lips, Trixie grabbed ahold of it, putting it between her index and middle finger. With the filtered end in her mouth, and the other end already ignited, all she needed to do was lightly suck and pause. She went slow, taking a ginger drag, followed by another one. She didn’t want to break in a coughing fit like she had seen her brother’s friends do countless times. She watched the head of the cigarette light up as the mellow heat passed through her mouth. The smell wasn’t the most pleasant and the sensation was tickling her throat. Still, Trixie was committing and refused to back down. She already got this far. She blew her smoke away from Tal, and the other girls, and then passed the blunt to Sin.

Puff, puff, pass, as the stoners do.  

Sin easily received the joint from Trixie while Monarch watched the girl with analytical eyes, watching the way the first timer’s shoulders shook as she tried to hide her small coughs. Sin didn’t see how that was her problem, pretty much everyone coughed through their first time smoking, it’s just that the people they grew up- and surrounded themselves-  with all got an early start compared to most. This whole being supportive to others thing really wasn’t her shtick, and neither was teaching or coddling new smokers. Trixie was tough, she’d survive. But no, Sin could already see the little gears turning in Monarch’s crazy computer brain, probably processing Trixie’s stress or discomfort levels or some other crazy shit that the bombshell blonde didn’t understand. Sighing out her hit, she passed the joint to Monarch and slid up to Tally, taking a moment to return the other girl’s earlier favor, with interest. She slid fifty bucks into the orange haired dealer’s back pocket, giving her a squeeze back, and made sure she saw the extra ten in her other hand before tucking it in the small pocket on the front of the girl’s jacket. Her fingers danced along the spikes for a moment before she dropped her hand from the leather entirely. The extra ten was for the last minute inconvenience, but the extra touches were for her. She grinned, looking up just slightly to meet Tally’s ever-challenging eyes.

[color=009e60]“I’ll just get my usual then, thanks for showin’,”[/color] She said, pulling away now that she’d paid and played with the other girl.

Tallulah would never deny the electricity she felt through her body when it was touched. What she’d learned over the years however was that everyone had their own spark, their own voltage that was noticeably different from another. Some were middling, boring even, some were surging but short and then there were the rarer ones, like Sinead, that left a hunger, a want for something more. This girl from Oregon had a charge inside of her that Tally had never experienced before but was craving to experience more of.

[color=FF8B00]“I love to please.”[/color] The redhead said suggestively before reaching into her handbag and pulling out another cigarette case different from the first. She slipped it into Sin’s pocket before turning to Monarch. She recognised the girl from the skate park, she also knew that she was close to the PLC. On the battlefield of the Parking Lot; she was an enemy. Here underneath the stairs, with a sister in need, she was a strange bedfellow and ally. [color=FF8B00]“You.”[/color] Tally lifted her finger and placed it beneath Monarch’s chin. [color=FF8B00]“Play nice.”[/color] Her sultry voice sang as her eyes drifted to Trixie and the back again. [color=FF8B00]“It’s her first time; be gentle.”[/color]

Tally straightened her jacket and then ran both of her hands through her beautifully colored hair, arching her body as she did to allow her curves room to breathe. [color=FF8B00]“You girls have got this covered, I’ve got more business to do.”[/color] She looked with starved eyes at Sin and smiled. [color=FF8B00]“Find me later, if I’m not too busy maybe I can get you the rest of your product.”[/color] She blew all three of the girls kisses and the hidden fourth one that had been watching them the entire time. [color=FF8B00]“Ciao ladies. It was your pleasure.”[/color] With the final word, Tallulah turned and began to walk back towards the hellmouth from which she came; swaying her hips to tease and hypnotize those she left behind. 

[color=8dcdc1]“I know how to be gentle,”[/color] Was all Monarch had mumbled, obstinate at the warning but unwilling to truly combat the taller girl. The Strattons and she were aware of each other, and that was all they really needed to be. Monarch liked to skate so she spent a lot of time out back around the PLC, and she was a freelance infobroker that they made use of, [i]and[/i] Monarch liked Addie and their friendship. Addie was a fun person to be around and her energy was intoxicating, as many that cared for the girl knew. The Pixie girl and social Butterfly had an understanding when they hooked up that Monarch was in no way looking to go deeper into any romantic aspect of the matter. The busy bee simply needed to destress and Addie knew multiple ways to help the overscheduled and deceptively tightly coiled girl relax. So, by default of association, the Strattons did little more than call her diminutive nicknames when they did cross paths and boop her on the nose like she was some silly kitten. There was no animosity until they hit the concrete out back.

That suited her just fine.

With Tally now gone and the girls in silence once more, Monarch turned to Trixie, taking a quick hit of the joint and releasing the smoke slowly while staring at one of the few girls in school smaller than her, no expectation in her eyes as she let the smoke rise from her barely parted lips. To the side, Sin raised an eyebrow, now aware of why Tally had thrown a warning at her normally responsible friend. Monarch liked to help, especially if she knew how to make something easier, but Monarch is also from generations of gang members and experiences that most people don’t see outside of a crime novel. Monarch liked to [i]help[/i], but sometimes her understandings of a normal person’s emotional processes or limits were…skewed. 

[color=009e60]“Hey, I’mma just keep watch if you wanna do you, it looks like you’ve got it handled,”[/color] Sin said as she clocked the face of a freshie peeking through the window of the hallway doors. She pushed her way through the doors, making the kid stumble back and almost drop the items he was carrying. Like she said, Monarch had things handled. Sure, Sin didn’t get to smoke nearly as much as she wanted to before class, but it wasn’t often that the Monarch [i]she[/i] knew got to come out and play in Beverly Hills, so she was willing to give up the weed just this once so that her overbooked social butterfly could partake in some mischief. She was just a good friend like that. And as she’d mentioned in her earlier thought process, Trixie was tough, she could handle it. Monarch was just a hell of a way to get introduced to something. As the doors swung shut behind her, Sin looked down at him, leveled her best unimpressed stare and asked, [color=009e60]“Can I help you, kiddo? You’re kinda intrudin’ here.”[/color]

“I uh, I have to get these to Trixie Kingsley-”

[color=009e60]“Oh okay thanks, I got that from here,”[/color] She cut him off with a harsh and condescending pat to the cheek, shocking him into silence as she used her other hand to swipe the belongings from him. In a practiced move she used to use on her nephews, Sin spun the boy around by the shoulder and lightly booted him on the ass, sending him tumbling back down the hallway he came from. She waved merrily at his back and called after him, [color=009e60]“You’re a real peach an’ all, but fuck off okay!”[/color]

Back inside, Monarch had received the joint back from Trixie after another pass, and once again watched as the girl attempted to power through her cough instead of just let it out. [color=8dcdc1]“Y’know it ain’t healthy to hold in a cough,”[/color] She said simply and without judgment, ashing carelessly onto the floor as every smoker that uses the stairwell does. It rubs into the school rug just fine, and that gets cleaned every night, no harm no foul until you drop something that’s lit. [color=8dcdc1]“So there’s a way to do this where you don’t have to hit it directly and it won’t risk burnin’ your throat, if you wanna try it, but it involves me helpin’. As a delivery system’a sorts.”[/color]

[color=15603A]“You make that sound like a bad thing,”[/color] Trixie coughed in response, trying to process the itch in her throat and the tingly feeling coursing through her lithe, small body. [color=15603A]“What? Like you’re going to kiss me or something?”[/color] Trixie jokingly replied. Already feeling the effects of the weed hitting, her shoulders were more relaxed than usual, her senses were heightened, seeing more detail in Monarch’s face than she usually had, and it seemed she lost track of time, or it felt like time was lapsing right before her eyes. Monarch had a pearly white smile, tight cheeks, and a refined nose. Honestly the closer she got to it, the more she realized how perfectly symmetrical it was. [color=15603A]“I hope your friends tell you everyday how pretty you are, Butterfly.”[/color]    

Monarch flashed her pearly white teeth right at Trixie, braids cascading off her shoulder as she tilted her head and her whole face scrunching up with the smile as she laughed. Trixie was certainly already feeling the effects of the joint, but she didn’t really seem to be enjoying the process of getting there and that was the part Monarch was here to help with. Trixie was cute like this, a bit faded and more open with her words and praise, and she was finally relaxing which was the main goal of this whole thing. 

On top of that, the dual meaning of Monarch’s name matching her so well that she gained nicknames from both interpretations never ceased to amuse her. She and her siblings were all named after types of royalty, but Monarch’s birth name as well as the name she used while running in the Trip-S were both as chameleon-like as she was. Monarchs were queens and kings but also the most well known butterflies in the world, and an Atlas moth developed wings that mimicked the appearance of snake heads as an evolutionary technique. In the Trip-S, it was her job to always be one of the most dedicated Serpents while also never appearing to truly be one, and she had been [i]great[/i] at her job. Part of the Trip-S or not now, that kind of role doesn’t just leave you.

[color=8dcdc1]“Yes, they do actually,”[/color] Monarch responded easily before slowly sliding into Trixie’s space as she hit the joint. Her close friends were almost always extremely supportive, and where they weren’t complimenting her or her looks there was always an acquaintance or bedfellow to keep stoked the small fire of ego she contained. Looks like today was Trixie’s turn up to bat. [color=8dcdc1]“And yes, I am,”[/color] She continued in regards to the girl’s first question, pulling in another hit but this time not inhaling the smoke. She gently grabbed Trixie’s chin with two fingers and a thumb and guided the other girl’s face until it was tilted to the perfect degree for their minor height difference. [color=8dcdc1]“If you’ll let me, of course,”[/color] Her voice was thickened by the smoke, lowered to a register that would likely be called sultry were it falling from someone else’s lip. Looking Trixie in the eyes one more time for any sign of rejection before guiding their faces together with deliberate intention.

When Trixie jested about this being a kiss, she didn’t exactly expect it to be a kiss. For someone who made sure to know the ins and outs of school, and collect information on her classmates, she was completely and utterly out of her element. While her big eyes widened a little, staring intently in the other girl’s tender, crystal-thimble gaze, she wasn’t scared. Not like how she was in the bathroom with Theo. She felt safe, intrigued and maybe a little turned on, but Monarch didn’t need to do that. When Monarch edged closer, in a way that allowed Trixie to process exactly what would happen and to pull away if needed, making her actions clear as day, the latina didn’t fight or pull back. Letting the crashing wave hit her, riding the high, she leaned forward, to meet the other girl half way, giving her consent. 

Closing her eyes, Trixie thought to herself: fuck it. What happens under the stairs, stays under the stairs. If Monarch was speaking honestly, this would take the edge off of her and she so desperately wanted to forget what just happened to her. Theo would no longer be on her mind. Theo would be buried, six feet under. Theo would disappear. She would be numb to it all and be able to carry on with her school day as normal. Just a little high. 

She let the girl kiss her.  

Monarch fought the proud smirk that threatened her features when Trixie reciprocated. She’d given the other girl ample time to pull back, to deny her, to make her choice. Monarch was no fool, she was very well aware that the state she’d found the normally controlled latina in could be product of very few things, and she wasn’t about to be an added stressor due to any similar actions. She may have been giving the options, but she was letting Trixie be the one to [i]take[/i] it. Take back control.

Something told Monarch that the other girl really needed it, and she was happy to provide.

When their lips finally met it was gentle, Monarch making sure to keep the pressure light for the shortest moment as she allowed Trixie to continue processing at a relaxed pace. She’d taken her fingers away from the brunette’s chin when she’d leaned in on her own, and they ghosted along Trixie’s jaw as her hand traveled all the way to gently cup the back of Trixie’s. All this was in the matter of a single moment, and before it- like the smoke circulating behind her full lips- had a chance to stagnate, Monarch used her grip on the other girl to press their mouths together more firmly while tightening her grip on the back of her head and brushing Trixie’s bottom lip with her teeth, waiting for that surprised breath that would transfer the smoke from her parted lips into Trixie’s eager lungs.

Parting her lips, following Monarch’s lead, Trixie found her hands now resting on the other girl’s shoulders. The kiss was soft, smooth and secure. At this point, she understood what was happening. She opened her mouth just enough, for the smoke to seep in, when she inhaled, but not wide enough where it felt like she was going to eat Monarch’s face. She hadn’t been kissed in awhile. Not because she didn’t want to be kissed or anything. Kissing was meant for her lover and she didn’t have one since her break up with Theo. She wasn’t looking to date right now. Her priority was her studies, her newspaper and her portfolio. 

However, to say this didn’t feel good would be an absolute lie. She just hoped she wouldn’t regret it later. In this instant, after the smoke flowed into her mouth, Trixie found herself [i]leaning[/i] into the kiss more. The high shifting to something beyond the weightless feeling. Her body heat grew, her heart rate began to race, and her concentration was barely focused. She wrapped her arms around Monarch, subconsciously. She needed to. She didn’t understand what was happening to her but she needed to be grounded, rooted to the ground, and the closest person to her was her friend. When their lips separated, she giggled, [color=15603A]“Wow.”[/color] This was intense. 

Monarch had released Trixie’s head when her sudden eagerness shone through, dropping her hand to rest on her hip as the other girl put her own arms around her neck. It was increasingly obvious that Trixie really needed this, and that the weed was circulating nicely through her system before their lips ever met, meaning the relaxation was coming from more than the smoke she inhaled from the darker girl’s lips. Despite Trixie pulling back enough to speak, their bodies were flush against each other as Trixie leaned into her, and she’d be lying if she said she didn’t also feel a reduction of her own stress at the physical contact. It was why she had friends like Addie, and people like Levi Green-Locke. Addie understood, and Monarch found multiple forms of release from the way she toyed with the king of Drama and his control issues. It was another reason why she offered this avenue to Trixie in the first place, because Monarch understood the power of physical intimacy in all its forms.

[color=8dcdc1]“That’s technically called shotgunnin’,”[/color] She said with a quirk of her lips. The joint had burned out between her fingers as they kissed, and she tossed the dead filter towards the open trash can in the corner. [color=8dcdc1]“Whaddya think of it? Feelin’ good?”[/color]

[color=15603A]“...I dunt know how to feel,”[/color] Trixie admitted, allowing Monarch and Sin to manhandle her and bring her to the comfort of her car. [color=15603A]“It’s like… I feel like I’m in a forever state of dejavu or maybe I’m just confused. Or maybe I’m like in the sky. Am I in the sky?”[/color] What was she even saying… [color=15603A]“It’s just a lot happening right now.”[/color]

[color=009e60]“Jesus, Einstein I thought Tals told you to be [i]gentle[/i].”[/color] Sin admonished from where she stood outside the smallest girl’s car, having helped Monarch set Trixie down in her backseat. She’d come back out to the back entrance foyer from the hall just in time to see the first timer leaning all her weight onto her diminutive friend. It had taken the entire following walk to Trixie’s car for the girl to answer Monarch’s last question, and the girl seemed like she was functioning in slow motion. [color=009e60]“Have we [i]ever[/i] gotten this fucked up on just weed?”[/color]

[color=8dcdc1]“Maybe when we were like nine and first started, our bodies were pretty small back then, easy to smoke too much,”[/color] Monarch responded, ignoring the blonde’s jab at her seemingly reckless actions with the newspaper Co-Editor. 

[color=009e60]“Your body’s still small now.”[/color]

[color=8dcdc1]“Even smaller back then, and tryin'a keep up with all the older kids.”[/color]

[color=009e60]“Yeah, I guess we did use to green the fuck out back then,”[/color] Sin conceded, putting a steadying hand on Trixie’s shoulder as the girl began to list to the right in her seat. [color=009e60]“Girl you gotta get some sleep. Here, I got your shit from the bathroom,”[/color] Which was true in a sense, despite her not going all the way to the bathroom herself to get it. Monarch was back to watching the parking lot for any witnesses while Sin guided Trixie back into her car until the barely coherent girl was lying comfortably with her head resting on Monarch’s folded up hair scarf, the fabric she’d previously used to wipe her eyes. [color=009e60]“You gonna be good out here, Trixie?”[/color] She asked the other girl, not really expecting a response with the state she was in.

[color=8dcdc1]“I’ll check up on her between periods,”[/color] Monarch assured, unbothered by the situation. [color=8dcdc1]“Bring her her favorite snacks and all. It’ll be the best first high she’ll barely even remember.”[/color] Sin stared at her best friend with a lack of concern that most certainly should have been present over her actions.

[color=009e60]“You’re gonna break someone one’a these days.”[/color]

Monarch’s responding grin was sharp and dangerous.


[/indent][/indent][/color]