[IC] CANCELLED.

[Hey Im Jordan]

_{BEFORE TIMESKIP.
The Monday after Friday date night specifically.
January 12th.
Collab with @TootsiePop}

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To: Cyn
meet at cuddles
bring weed i dont have any in this jacket
will buy u pizza

Henry

The text was simple. It was straight forward, it was easy. Or, at least that’s what Henry had thought. Did Cyndi… did she even know what weed was? That was a possibility he hadn’t thought about… what if she didn’t? Surely, she’d text back then, right? She sure as shit hadn’t yet. How long had he been sitting here? How many orders of (extra well done) fries had he eaten so far?

He couldn’t count. He didn’t even care. This was just for his mother, again. Henry did everything for that woman, and all she did was cry and think he hated her. He didn’t get it, but he’d do what he could to help her get over that. Keeping her happy was kind of a priority, especially after talking to his father.

Henry threw the last fry in the basket in his mouth and sighed, checking his phone again. Still nothing from Cyndi. Did she have something MORE IMPORTANT than randomly supplying her brother with weed at Captain Cuddles to do? Christ. Henry held up the basket. “Yo, waiter. Another round please.”

“Fuck off, Henry.” The waiter said, rolling his eyes as he stepped down the bar to grab the basket from Henry, before returning with another one and setting it in front of Henry, who immediately started munching. All this so he could involve his sister in stuff…

This last minute sibling date was annoying, especially since it was right after Cyndi’s first day of classes at Beverly Hills High. She had so much to catch up on to get up to speed with the rest of her peers. Her new curriculum was incredibly different than what she had in Seoul. While her butler drove, she clenched her teeth at her phone, “Why the hell does he think I know how and where to get weed? What the heck!” She wanted to toss her phone, but instead she tightly held it in her grasp.

“I know where we can get some, if that’s what you’d like me to do, Cyndi.” Xander offered, while driving side roads toward their destination. His duties had picked up ever since Cyndi came back home. Family troubles, boy troubles, personal troubles. He seemed to have the most emotional Green in the book, but then again, after that dinner… he didn’t know anymore. Everyone’s emotions were heightened that night. “Don’t worry about your homework, I’ll help you when I come back to pick you up, alright? You’ll be fine. Relax.”

“Brother can live without weed for ONE night.” Cyndi scoffed, glancing over to her backpack filled with books that weighed a ton. “Being a fulltime student is bullshit.” She would rather focus on her career than study!

Tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, the butler cleared his throat, “Try to not give your brother attitude, I’m sure he has a reason for calling you. Also, just order the five dollar pineapple special if he really wants his fix. I’m surprised Henry doesn’t know about that one.” Pulling up to the curb, he parked the car, got out, and opened the door for his Green. “I’ll be around.”

“Yeah, I know. See you later.” After waving Xander goodbye, she used the walk to Captain Cuddles to find her zen. Her peace. Pushing the door open, she went to the hostess and politely asked, “Henry Green?”

Luckily, it wasn’t very hard to find Henry — not that it ever was. Henry was currently arguing with the waiter that had brought him the fries, “what do you mean you’re cutting me off, dude!? They’re fries, not fuckin’ rum! And besides, my dad IS Captain Cuddles! How the fuck you gonna cut me off of fries? You get your ass back there and you get me another basket! Don’t you make me hop that bar I’m waiting for a guest —” Henry paused and looked back toward the door, where he noticed Cyndi. Henry looked away from the waiter, though he held up his hand and extended his middle finger the whole time while doing so.

“And there she is. You better get back there and get my shit, Jayce.” Henry warned, and the waiter shook his head and finally walked off, returning the middle finger that Henry had so graciously extended. He had to admit one thing, it was nice to see Henry Green doing something other than bringing new girl after new girl here so he could pump and dump them. That Korean girl, it seemed, really was hitting different. “Cyndi, come here. We gotta talk.”

“That wasn’t very kind of you, Henry.” Cyndi thanked the hostess, even if they didn’t help her at all, and made her way to the booth that her brother was sitting at. Taking a seat, she stared at him in judgement, “Do you always talk to the wait staff like that?” She placed her purse beside her, closer to the window.

“Only when they try to stop giving me endless fries after four baskets. The word ‘endless’ used to mean something in this town, Cyndi. Used to.” Henry grumbled, pouring some dark, amber liquid out of the pitcher and into the two glasses, complete with ice, that were sitting at the table. “It’s just vanilla root beer.” Henry wasn’t drinking during the week anymore. His life was kind of boring, but he kept going home and getting love and attention from Min and it was nice and it made him feel nice so he was… sort of happy? It was almost disappointing.

“We need to talk. Did you bring weed?”

“No.” Was all she said in response, before grabbing the glass filled with supposed soda. She stared down at it and then pushed it aside, deciding against it, “I want water.” Soda was bad for her, especially since she danced as a hobby. Absentmindedly, she looked down to her phone and scrolled through Instagram, hearting pictures and commenting on some that she really liked while she half paid attention to her brother.

If she wanted to be a cunt, then she could be a cunt. Henry didn’t give a fuck, he had no time for this shit — he had half a mind to tell Cyndi to go fuck herself and then tell his mom to get bent, and that she could figure out how to help the friendless bitch herself. Henry had never been so disrespected in his entire life. Did she think she was cute, checking her phone while they were supposed to talking? Did she think she was cute, not doing the one thing he asked her to do when he did everything for her? He was supposed to supply friends for her?

Cyndi was ungrateful and spoiled, and Henry hated his mother ever more for making his sister even worse than he remembered her being. As the waiter returned with a fresh basket of fries, Henry picked up the glass of root beer he had poured for Cyndi, and drank it until it was nothing but ice, before he did the same with the other one. “What you’re gonna want to do —” Henry said with a mouthful of french fry, wondering why he even bothered trying to do this. He shouldn’t even had helped her with the Dragon Ball song. He should have kept that a secret. “ — is stop being such an insufferable cunt, and put that goddamn phone down so we can talk about the birthday party I secured for us, before if I didn’t make sure you had guests for your birthday party you’d be celebrating with Xander and Mother. But, no, go ahead, be disrespectful.”

Henry threw another handful of fries in his mouth, munching and washing it down with root beer — this time straight from the pitcher. If she didn’t want any, then fuck her dude. “I really appreciate it.” Ol bitch ass.

Rolling her eyes, she placed her phone face down on the table, before crossing her arms, “I’m the cunt? Did you forget this was my first day back to school? Unlike some people, I actually care about my grades, Henry. Things always have to be under YOUR time and that’s kind of selfish of you! Also, you have too much faith in me to know how to get the ‘thing’ for you. I don’t do THAT. Why don’t you just get THAT from the kitchen here? Out of all people you should know they have it!” Calling her an insufferable cunt, what? It wasn’t fun and games for her today. Today she was trying to get back into the swing of things. But nah man. That didn’t matter to her brother.

“Because I don’t like going back there! Remy makes me do shit.” Henry barked, slurping down more of the root beer, before nodding his head. “Yeah, you are, because it’s pretty simple to be like ‘hey, maybe not tonight, why don’t we get together another time,’ but… oh wait.” Henry had a lot more to say, but he had to steady himself for his Moms’s sake. The last thing he wanted was for Pops to come by and be like ‘yo, she drank herself to death and it’s all your fault for not handling your younger sister very well.’ Henry had to remind himself that Cyndi was a girl. She was unnecessarily emotional by default. Factor in an explosive confrontation with her (and Henry would mostly agree here) kind of scary older sister, and it lead to a volatile person, but Henry didn’t get why he had to tank it. Wasn’t this what the girls had butlers for? To complain to them?

“Do you want to help or not? Because with or without you, I’m gonna throw a party, and I thought I would be nice and let you help.” But no, you’re an asshole. Henry stared at her as he lifted the pitcher up and poured more of the root beer into his mouth, and then sat it down. “I don’t care either way.”

“Since when did I have any say for parties? Mom assumes what I want and you? You really don’t want my help, do you? Isn’t that your thing? Throwing bangers? Wouldn’t I, your loser sister, just ruin that for you?” Cyndi didn’t understand why her brother was trying so hard to help her with… whatever he was trying to help her with. The fact that he wanted her involved in his life, even in the slightest, was weird. The whole dragon ball thing and giving her advice on how to approach Hailey was weird! Henry was never this nice to her and if she knew better, he wasn’t doing this because he actually cared.

“No, idiot! Moms throws those stupid ass duo parties for the two of us and I fucking hate it so much that I told her to just NOT this year, and she was like ‘but you have to, because if you don’t then your sister won’t have a party,’ so I said fine, but I want Stentoria for a weekend so I can throw the party my gotdamn self.” Henry paused to eat another handful of fries. After he swallowed them down he start rambling again, “so then once I got her to agree to that shit, I thought I’d see if you wanted to help plan it, since I know you’ve never had any control in your entire life and I’m so sick of you being a baby, but fine. If you wanna keep being babied, then I’ll do it myself, dude.”

“Wait… so are you seriously going to let me do what I want for this party? Like I can say I want this and it’ll happen?” Cyndi’s face shifted from annoyance to shock. “So say, I don’t know, I want Starlight to fly here that weekend and perform, you can make that happen?” She raised an eyebrow, not knowing how to react to this kind of freedom.

“Now hold on, player, don’t get ahead of yourself. We can do it together, but I ain’t lettin’ you pick the music without me vetting it.” Henry leaned in close, with a raised eyebrow. “I don’t know the fuck ‘Starlight’ is, but that sounds hella gay. So why don’t we start somewhere easier, huh? How ‘bout food? What kinda food do you want?” Henry would start her somewhere easy before she got too far.

“Toxic Waste sour candy! A fountain filled with all the sour candy in the world.” That wasn’t necessarily food, but hey. It was her birthday party and that would be the one time she let herself eat all the bad things for her little body, like sour candy. She loved sour things.

“That sounds doable. We can do that.” There, now she was off the music, thank god. Henry would handle that, that was more his department, and he’d have to do his best to keep her as far away from it as he could. Starlight? The fuck does that even mean? Henry wasn’t about to fuck around and get some dumbass shit at his party. It was still his party, after all. “Oh, and don’t tell Mother.”

This was awesome, she’d have a fountain full of candy to swim in. Ah-ha. She childishly clapped her hands, before halting herself, “Wait why? Didn’t you get permission? Did you not get permission?! We can’t have this party Henry! It’s okay. I don’t need a party.” Her anxiety peaked with the possibility of them lying to Alyssa.

“Shut up, dumbass. We’re gonna have the party, and it’s gonna be the sickest party of the summer. It’s gonna start Friday and end when we get the last, drunken, barely able to stand degenerate out of our fuckin’ house. This? This is what being a kid is like, Cyndi. Shut up and dig it, because it’s the best damn thing we got. It’s the best part of being rich, dude.”

“But… why do we have to lie?”

“I dunno, it’s part of the fun. Why are you still playing with Justin? These are the questions, dude. Don’t worry about it, if she even finds out, there’s like a 99% chance I’m takin’ the fall. I always do.” Henry shrugged nonchalantly. Not like it mattered to him.

The shift in subjects baffled her. She was legitimately shocked with his choice of words. “What do you mean playing with Justin? I’m not playing anyone.” That sounded so unlady-like and she was nothing but a lady!

“Whatever. We’ll have the first official party planning get together soon. Min-seo will probably be there. You’re gonna have to deal. We have a lot to decide. Music, food, games, amusement. Party favors. I’m gonna have to hit Hana up, which is… spooky.” Henry tapped his chin, and wondered if he had a better in with drugs… not exactly, Hana was essentially his best bet. He knew that Cyndi didn’t have anything, so he didn’t even bother asking. “Don’t worry too much, I can get us whatever we want.”

The mention of Min reminded Cyndi of her request she had asked about earlier on in this discussion. Partially to herself, partially to Henry, she spoke, “I wonder if she knows about Starlight. She probably does. Henry! You should find out if Min likes Starlight. I’d love a friend to talk to about them.”

“I mean, it’s hard to talk when her tongue is in my mouth, but I’ll do what I can.”

[Venus]

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A black Mercedes G-Wagon sped down the opulent streets of Beverly Hills, with Post Malone’s ‘Wow’ blasting from the speakers and making the whole vehicle vibrate whenever the bass dropped. A short, dark-haired girlsat behind the wheel, her oversized red sunglasses shielding her eyes from view while she tore down the road. An even shorter girl took up the passenger seat, holding up her chubby-cheeked face against the window with a hand under her chin. While the driver enthusiastically bobbed her hand and sang along to the lyrics of the booming song, the passenger kept her eyes on the city speeding by, her morose expression a reflection of how this whole thing was making her feel.

A mere week previously, Valeria Cross’ life had been nothing but peaches and cream. She’d aced Sister Sylvia’s first brutal World History test of the semester, broken her own personal bench record at the gym and was seemingly making progress with the guy she’d been talking to when the news of her sister’s indiscretion broke out. What had started out as a rumor being whispered in the hallways became fact when both Benjamin Cross and Ariana Pistelli suddenly stormed into the halls of Marymount High School, wearing matching disapproving expressions and looking like a united front for what was possibly the first time in their daughters’ lives. A quick visit to the principal’s office confirmed the news of Stephanie Cross’ immediate expulsion from the catholic all-girls school, a family meeting confirmed Beverly Hills High as her new school... And the consequent transfer of Valeria to make sure Steph was kept in check.

While the older sister’s pristine life seemingly went up in flames at the news, the expulsion from Marymount hadn’t made a dent in the younger sister’s confidence. In fact, it had the opposite effect: raise the ego of the daughter of one of the most egotistical men in LA. She’d be making her arrival at BHHS with her head held high, and the confidence of knowing she could get away with anything. This was just another challenge life was throwing at her, and damned if she didn’t grab that bull by the horns and that dominate the son of a bitch.

“I can’t believe you’ve fucking dragged me into this mess...” Valeria muttered from the passenger seat after the prolonged silence between the sisters, letting out a resigned sigh and sitting upright in the plush leather of the spotless G-Wagon.

“Oh, cheer up, Sugar!” Stephanie replied cheerfully, grabbing her sister’s shoulder and playfully shaking it while keeping one hand on the wheel. “You should be thanking me instead of moping around as if somebody died! You get to breathe the same air as your beloved AJ for a few months. Isn’t that a good thing?”

Sugar’s chubby cheeks flushed scarlet at the mention of AJ Tyler. “Don’t fucking say that out loud! The last thing I need is to scare off the only person I know at that stupid school!” she pleaded with her younger sister, her doe eyes wide with panic.

Alfie James had been Valeria's very first friend in life, having met as toddlers during a play-date set up by their neighboring mothers. They’d been extremely close and practically inseparable ever since, spending as much time together as they could... Until Val's mother had married Danilo Pistelli, and the newly-formed family moved away. The two friends kept in touch on and off throughout the years, and made a point to visit each other at least once a year. The short girl had kept the news of her transfer to his school a secret, hoping to surprise him on her first day. It was the only plus side to this whole unfortunate situation.

Spice let out an amused cackle, driving past the gates of their new school and taking a left in the direction of the student parking lot. “Relax, Val! I’m not saying shit. My lips will be sealed as tight as your legs are," the girl teased, shooting her passenger a cheeky wink.

“Yeah, because it was your open ones that got us into this mess in the first place,” Sugar snapped back without missing a beat. The banter between the sisters was so frequent that the quick comebacks came to them like second nature.

Stephanie’s cackle was even louder this time around. “We didn’t get that far. Ajani had her hand down the front of my skirt when fucking Turpin found us,” she mused, brows furrowing together in an annoyed scowl at reminiscing the incident that messed up her hookup. “And you know what?I bet you anything Turpin’s secretly a lesbian. That’s why she interrupted us that day: because she was fucking jealous of what Ajani and I were doing.” the raven-haired girl added as an angry afterthought. Out of nowhere, Spice made an abrupt right turn, slammed the brakes and brought the vehicle to a screeching halt inside a once-empty parking spot.

Smirking triumphantly, she turned to look at her big sister. “But that means jackshit now, doesn’t it? We’re in the Hills, baby, and we’re going to make this new school our bitch. So let’s go out there and show these people exactly who the Cross sisters are. Got it? There’s no turning back now.”

Sugar, of course, wasn’t the least bit motivated by Spice’s pep talk. She most certainly wasn't the family socialite, and although she could always do enough to get by, the unpredictability of these whole series of events had really messed up with her . “Let’s just get this shit over it. I can’t fucking wait for graduation.”

“Ugh, such a little Grinch!” Stephanie cooed, playfully pinching her sister’s cheeks until her hands were swatted away. With one last laugh, she opened the car door and jumped out. “See ya around, Sugar! I really hope you have an amazing first day,” Stephanie called out to Val, blowing the girl a kiss before slamming the door shut and strutting down to the school’s entrance.

Now alone inside the car, Valeria took the moment of peace, quiet and solitude to compose herself. From the second she'd woken up that morning, Sugar had felt a painful pit inside of her stomach: the tell-tale sign that her anxiety levels were at an all-time high. The last time she'd felt this nervous was when she lied to her mom about sleeping over at a friend's house, went night surfing instead and almost fucking drowned. The prospect of starting all over again at a new school at such short notice frightened Val immensely. All her life, she'd attended schools in which she knew a handful of people- individuals that made these big transitions a whole lot easier on her clinically-diagnosed anxious self. To be thrown into such a different setting- at such a crucial part of her school life, in such a random way- secretly had the young woman in hysterics.

But at the end of the day, Valeria Cross wasn't known for being a pussy. Much like her sister, the girl took on any challenge presented and made it her bitch. Hiking Mount Elbert in Colorado? Check. Benching her own weigh at the gym? Check. Following that cute boy from Brentwood School that she met at Zyla's party on Halloween on Insta? Check. Transferring to Beverly Hills High would be no different. She just needed a quick breather.

After a few minutes of breathing exercises, Val was finally ready to follow her sister's advice and face her new reality head-on. The long haired girl gave herself one last once-over in the rear view mirror, let out a deep sigh, exited the car and set out in the direction of the flashiest cars around the parking lot.

It was easy to pick AJ out from the group of teens huddled in front of their luxury vehicles. Sugar could spot that charming smile from a mile away, and his adorable laugh effectively gave her body temporary relief from her anxiety. The prospect of approaching him while he was surrounded by his friends was slightly nerve-wracking, but it was her best shot at pulling her surprise appearance. She could hear the pounding of her heart clearly in her ears, growing louder and louder with every step she took towards her crush. And when his friends finally became distracted, she hurriedly crept up behind him and gently covered his eyes with her dainty hands.

“Guess who?” Val whispered softly in the boy’s ear, her smile masking the slight nervous tremble in her voice.

[AlteredTundra]

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_{Location — Beverly Hills High School - Morning Room Studio
Interactions — Trixie @TootsiePop}

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“H.O.T. is dead.”

Reading those words through Samara for a loop. Not because she didn’t believe it. The tweets she saw this morning made her a believer but it was the fact that they were, in fact, no more than had brought a surprising smile to her face, almost as though she was happy about it. Maybe happy wasn’t the right word for it. If she had to put her finger on it, she was feeling relieved.

There was always something about the HOT girls that Samara never liked. Or at least the idea that those three were the top gals. Why were they so special? One of them had the name Green, which held a lot of power in this town. Legacy of the three former queens from a previous generation or something, wasn’t it? But then where did Trixie and Ophelia come from? Hailey made sense but the other two always confused Sam. Were they simply the backup show to the self-proclaimed Hailstorm? Or maybe she was their backup and now was the part of the movie where the queen realizes what her worth really is?

All of these theories she kept entertaining got her through most of the ride to school. She didn’t feel like driving, so Sam took a luxury Uber. It was like regular Uber but more high class. As her driver neared school grounds, she was still quite busy as she dove headfirst into the various tweets, posts, and reactions to HOT. It was mostly positive but Sam found that boring. She was curious to know the real reason. She couldn’t help but want to know the full story but it was going to be difficult. Going to Hailey wasn’t a good idea. Going after that one was high school suicide and Samara didn’t know much about the O to know where to find her.

“So that leaves Trixie Kingsley.”

“Did you say something, Miss Hart?”

Sam looked up from her phone as her Driver spoke. “No, it’s nothing. Just some high school drama.” As she spoke, she saw they were nearing the entrance to the parking lot. “You can stop here.”

“Are you sure?”

Samara nodded, knowing he saw her through the mirror.

Soon the petite blonde was out of the car and soon found herself walking through the front door. Being the daughter of not one but two fashionable-as-fuck women who represent what it means to be fabulous, Samara’s style was a mirror of that. She modeled herself after her mother, Adielle, whose bold color choices often were the talk of the boardroom and she sported that as she walked through the halls. A pink top with a yellow skirt that paired nicely with white flats was bound to get anyone talking. And the way she strutted was as though Samara was the new queen, but this was generally how she presented herself. She was the embodiment of a diva and her acting like she was hot stuff was proof of that.

As she walked, Samara’s eavesdropping ears heard murmurs of the elections. She had heard throughout the weeks that they were nearing. Maybe she was so focused on her own stuff at home and preparing for a recording studio session later in the week that she couldn’t concern herself with what high school-level elections were on the horizon. That being said, there was a reason she had made her way into the Morning Room studio.

And that reason was sitting away from where Riley was doing his thing with the election hopefuls. She didn’t want to distract them so she just watched, waiting for her moment to have a moment with Trixie. And after Brian and she had a short conversation about his band performing, now was her chance and she approached the latina girl.

“There must be a lot of buzz going around, huh?” Samara just started speaking, hand on her hip and a smile given to Trixie. “I mean, Riley taking a backseat to anyone is noteworthy on its own, but now there’s the elections, which I’ll admit I don’t care about them but they seem to matter to those running. And now you, of all people, playing messenger for Henry. Talk about strange times.”

---

With

_{Location — Beverly Hills High School - Lab, Room 2-13
Interactions — Henry Green @Hey Im Jordan
(Outfit of the day in gif)}

One of Nathaniel Blake’s favorite things in this entire world was Mondays. It might sound strange to those who live for the weekend but the thing everybody has to understand about Nate is that he thrives when he’s around people. The social energy coming off of those who either tell him to fuck off or those who indulge in wild antics is what fuels his wacky flame to be the beacon of positive vibes he knows himself to be. And if he’s the only one to breathe in those fumes, then that’s fine. It just means there’s more good energy for him, but he isn’t a vibe hog. He likes to share.

But more on that a little later. Mondays are great because he can share his love of positivity. And specifically, he gets to see his bros. Not that he doesn’t ever get to see them. Weekends are fine but at least when the week rolls around, he can see them whenever he wants. Another good thing is that he knows where his bros like to hang around. Or at least where there’ll be at around this particular time. With everything going on with the elections and that trio of girls ending (Nate doesn’t pay much attention to that sort of thing), he knew exactly where he would be.

“Room 2-13!”

Nate stood outside of the lab. He knocked a few times, but someone as impatient as he, there was no way in hell he could wait for Henry to give the green light or wait for him to open the door; Nate just did that himself. And boy oh boy, was it ever chaotic. He didn’t know exactly what was happening but he knew big things were boppin. “Well damn, shit’s hot in here. What’s the word, Henry?"

[Hey Im Jordan]

_{After Kiss My Ass collab
Saturday 01/10, two weeks ago flashback.
Collab with @TootsiePop}

While most people would spend the evening ‘getting ready’ for a date such as his, where he and his (virgin, btw) girlfriend were going to be alone in a hotel room… finally, with no one to helicopter them and break their zone. Other people would be stressing out, showering, and drowning themselves in too much cologne. Damian O’Connor, though, was not ‘most’ people, nor was he ‘other’ people. Damian O’Connor was one of a fucking kind, that much was for sure.

What was he doing? Damian was sitting in his comfy chair, in his boxers, watching TV. What was on right now? Some kind of cartoon — it was on Boomerang, and he thought it was like… the Flinstones, but he didn’t know. He wasn’t sure. He wasn’t focused, he didn’t care. He was just sort of waiting for Joy to text him to come get her, so they could get to the hotel and eat dinner and then hopefully get down to business.

Damian had a bowl of mixed nuts on his chest and he was casually fishing out the cashews and throwing them into his mouth, when his phone rang and he put it to his ear. After hanging up, Damian slowly pulled the leg rest down. Duty called.

After Damian got dressed, he hopped in his car and it wasn’t long before he was at the mall, and leaning over the console to open the passenger door and let Joy in. “Hey, what’s wrong? You look angry. I brought you snacks.” Damian said, gesturing at the bag of Doritos — spicy Nacho, of course — awaiting his girlfriend. “Ease the pain.” Damian was prepared.

Tossing all the shopping bags, a lot of shopping bags in the backseat, Joy scoffed, “Don’t even get me started.” Her tone wasn’t loud but there was heat radiating from her body and she was still red in the face with anger. She would at least keep a calm tone. She wasn’t Katie who screamed when she wanted to be heard, as if Joy couldn’t hear any of the ridiculous words that spewed out of her mouth anyways. Once she closed the backseat door, she made her way to the passenger seat, which Damian had kindly opened for her from the inside. Slumping in, crossing her arms, wearing the first outfit she tried on which Katie told her she needed to get — it better not be a bust, Joy looked at the chips then at Damian’s face then back at the chips. She pushed the bag away. “I lost my appetite.”

Damian, for some reason, didn’t believe that. Joy wasn’t really the type to ‘lose her appetite,’ but he wouldn’t say anything about it. At least, not yet. Damian, did however, look Joy up and down and smile, nodding his head. “Hey, that looks great on you. Let’s just go to the hotel, if you’re not hungry, we can just hang out in the room?” Damian offered, shifting the car into gear and pulling out onto the road. He’d have to charm her and cheer her up… But that was easy, he could definitely do that!

“Fine.” Her response was curt. Turning to the radio, she turned it on to whatever Damian was listening to last and then stared out the window. If she kept to herself and let her anger simmer, maybe she’d be able to focus on the moment with her boyfriend. Even so, her mind was stewing on how foolish Katie’s points were and how she knew Katie would never apologize. Her ‘friend’ was unyielding, and yet she failed to realize Joy could be stubborn too. Two could play it like that. Just because Katie was used to the kind nerd didn’t mean Joy didn’t have a bite. She had her uncle in her.

Stupid.

Honestly, Joy wanted to lay down and sink into the hotel bed, forgetting all her troubles. Did Damian ever get in a fight with his friends? The sudden question that popped in her mind caused her to turn away from the window and glance over to him. He was too much of a diplomat. It’s hard to see him fight with anyone that isn’t his mother. Yeah, it’s a silly thought to have. Then again, he wasn’t necessarily on her father’s good side either. Relationships with parents were different than relationships with friends, though. They didn’t count. Not in relation to her and Katie, at least.

As soon as Joy hit the stereo on button, Damian's music blasted from the speakers, filling the car. Damian was quick to turn it down slightly, though — before it hit the drop. He liked to cruise with the music blaring, but that didn’t mean he wanted it blasting when he was with his girlfriend! She probably didn’t like music quite as loud as he did, and she was kind of angry already… he didn’t wanna add his… well, aggressive music to that feeling. It would only make things worse!

Damian glanced over at her as he cruised through the LA streets, rolling down his window to let in some of the brisk, chilly air into the car as Damian threw his arm out the window. “You should eat some of the food. I bought the chips just for you! And I can’t exactly eat them, they’ll throw my diet out.” Damian said, before he pulled the arm back in the car, and put it on the wheel. Instead, his other hand went over to Joy, resting on her bare thigh and giving her what he hoped was a comforting squeeze. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Am I wrong? For standing up for Owen? He’s basically a brother to me.” She sighed, trying her best to let her anger dissipate as she noticed the little things Damian was doing to make her feel better. He was trying and it was wrong of her to let her foul mood ruin their time together. Unfortunately, she could not be like her uncle in this moment. He had tremendous control over her emotions. By default, she was born with estrogen, her father spent years managing his anger, and her mothers, from her surrogate, Owen’s mother, and the one that she aims to never disappoint, Jude, Joy came to terms that she had a higher probability of thinking with her heart than not. Even if before she fell hard for the Elite king she was more mind over matter, more in control, that doesn’t change it was only a matter of time for her to lose that control because of these sinking feelings. “We fought. About Jamie. About Owen.”

Katie basically admitted if she were in Jamie’s position, she would’ve done the same thing to get ahead and destroy the ladder, all at the same time. Everyone painted Owen to be a psycho but they didn’t see him, for him. They always used him for their narrative, including Trixie, and he never had a say for his own image. Of course that would piss him off! And Katie was just okay with her brother adding fuel to the fire?

Joy didn’t understand. She couldn’t! It didn’t make logical sense to support someone that gets involved in other people’s businesses and— her mind came to a halt. Why did she care so much about their business? This was an issue between her brother and his enemy. Not her’s. Why did she care? “It’s stupid. I know. I feel stupid.”

That made sense.

Damian knew how close Joy and Owen were, and he also knew how frustrated Owen was — in a shocking turn of events, Owen was being active in the Group Chat. That never really happened, but apparently he was just frustrated enough to explode in chat, rather than just ignore them and occasionally scream about how much spam they tended to post.

To be fair… it was a lot of spam.

Damian didn’t really agree with Jamie’s choices, but, like Joy, he was somewhat biased. He was Owen’s friend, and he’d have to take Owen’s side on most situations, including this one. Besides, the one thing that everyone should have known about Owen was quite simple: he was a private person. He liked to keep it that way, and people prying into his private life… well, it was like shaking a pinball machine: shit broke. Went on full tilt. This was the same!

“It’s not stupid.” Damian decided to start there, with a bit of reassurance. Simple and to the point. It wasn’t stupid, and being reminded of that was important! “But I think you should talk to her. You don’t wanna burn your whole friendship over this, right? Calm down, take a breathe, then call her — or text her, I guess.”

“HA!” Joy CALL her?! Yeah, okay. Reaching for the food he got for her, she started angrily eating. Okay, she was hungry. She always was. When the food gave her some fuel to spit out words, she continued, “Katie can call me. I’m not going to be the first to apologize. She needs to learn that she isn’t always right and that sometimes SHE needs to be the bigger person. I’m giving her a taste of her own medicine. If she wants to keep me as a friend, she can come to me. Not the other way around.” She used a dorito to wave around in frustration, “The only person I care to make happy is you. She’s use to me keeping quiet and letting her go full femi-nazi on people. No more, I tell you!”

“You should be careful with that line of thinking. There’s more to life than just like, me.” Damian glanced down at his body briefly, before adding. “There is a lot of me though.” With that, the classic, customary grin back on his lips, rubbing Joy’s thigh as they drove down the street. He had to be careful with his reply, because Joy was getting worked up and… honestly, Damian still wanted to get laid, even if he didn’t want to be obvious about it… that was the whole point of this plan, after all. “Alright, alright, but just remember that… holding onto anger, and hatred, is cancerous. And understanding and forgiveness is the only cure.” Damian paused, and decided to go back on a thought he’d had just a few seconds ago.

“What color panties are you wearing?” It couldn’t just be all sage boyfriendly advice.

Joy raised her eyebrows at the sudden change in topic. It caused her to disregard anything he said prior and focus on that single question. Prior to him picking her up, she called her Mitty, but Ruby picked up instead and gave her a suggestion since the lingerie she picked needed to be changed into. It didn’t necessarily feel nice under the top she was wearing. Joy didn’t anticipate him asking her, out of the blue, what she was wearing underneath. Looking away from him, staring straight ahead, she tore a piece of her dorito into her mouth, nervously cleared her throat, and answered with a question, “What… panties?”

Well, he hadn’t been expecting an answer like that, but he had to say he was pleased. “Now that… is the right answer.” Damian said, nodding to himself, as he pulled into the parking lot of the hotel they were staying at. Did they have to go to dinner first? He definitely didn’t want to now. “Okay….” He had to make good choices, though. “Dinner?”

[Venus]

<sub>Party girls don't get hurt
Can't feel anything, when will I learn?
I push it down, push it down
I'm the one "for a good time call"
Phone's blowin' up, ringin' my doorbell
I feel the love, feel the love

I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night
Feel my tears as they dry</sub>

In the early hours of the morning, Aleyda Westwood quietly sat in the landing of the stairs that led to the school’s rooftop, unable to stop wondering when exactly things in her life had started to go to shit.

For the last two and a half years, there had been no shortage of men to occupy her time with. It had all started with Damian O’Connor back in freshman year, when they made a promise to always be each other’s back-ups when things went south with whoever they were trying to get with. Then it had been Lucky Cross, with a chance encounter at the Combat Club that had led into a successful friends with benefits arrangement. Her occasional fondness for molly had led her to Hyde, who did with her body as he pleased whenever she was unable to come up with the right kind of payment to cover the cost of her expenses. This form of payment was also accepted by Mitch-- a begrudging but necessary sacrifice done for the sake of her GPA. And of course, there had been the occasional one night stands: Nero Frost and Shawna Flynn among those privileged enough to roll between the sheets with her.

What did most of these individuals have in common, you might ask? They were in relationships or in flirtationships… Just not with her.

To her horror and dismay, Damien and Lucky had become taken men at the beginning of the year, and had consequently ended their respective liaisons with Aleyda. The dreams of retaliation were always present in the back of Ley’s head. They ate at the Latina whenever she saw Joy Darling, Fawn Woods, or even Jasmine Fulton (the girl Ley suspected was behind Hyde’s recent mood improvement lately) strutting around the school with the rosy cheeks and telling smiles of blooming romances. But what would be the point of that? What would it prove, exactly? It’s not like Ley was in love with any of the boys she’d slept with-- God forbid she ever did, for that matter. They’d certainly been fulfilling distractions and fun to be around in her times of need, but that was it.

The stab at her ego, however, was immeasurable.

What did any of those girls had that Aleyda didn’t? It couldn’t be money, because the Westwoods weren’t short on wealth. It wasn’t looks, because she sure as hell had that in the bag. Brains, maybe? She wasn’t a genius by any means, but she definitely was above average in the subjects that mattered. Was she just too bold, too loud, too outspoken? Too ambitious, too confrontational, too arrogant? Or maybe she wasn’t soft enough, sweet enough, complacent enough? Whatever she was or wasn’t had been the only though swirling in her mind for the better part of the last few weeks.

“Fuck this shit!” Ley cursed under her breath, throwing a pebble that she'd grabbed from nearby in frustration and watching it bounce off the wall in front of her. She was tired of overthinking; tired of feeling like she wasn’t enough or worthy of romantic attention. Before she realized it, tears pooled in her brown eyes and ran down her cheeks, which she hurriedly wiped away. She’d be damned before she let any of these people see her cry.

[Fabricant451]

_{Flashback: Two weeks ago, Monday 01/12
Collab with @TootsiePop}

---

---

Min-seo would be late to school. There was a royal decree that she would eat breakfast with Henry’s mother, the raven haired one, under the garden gazebo. A location that required a hike before reaching it. Evelyn Green needed peace of mind, solitude, and privacy. Her sunroom only provided so much, since it was by the entrance of the Green Castle and was her space for songwriting and not a sanctuary for the soul. She preferred separating the areas in her home like she separated her clothes and personal belongings. If she was seeking complete isolation, the sitting area within the land’s gardens was the place to visit and stay, where the senses broke free and the presence of mother nature could be felt and heard all around her.

Poetic, don’t you think?

Soundlessly, the self-sacrificing, spellbinding, black angel with a sophisticated dress on — Chanel Haute couture specifically — lifted a clear glass tea cup to her full lips. While her glass was filled to the brim with ginger tea, the perfect drink to fight nausea from someone who had a terrible alcohol habit, she closed her eyes and took a generous sip. Today was another warm one in sunny California. Even so, the subtle winds, steady and soothing, like the lyrics of nature whistling within the surrounding trees, tickled her neck and kissed her cheek. Tranquility, with no worry set in her mind yet.

Her only objective was to prepare her son’s sweetheart for a talk with the ‘other mother’ as he would call Eve’s wife. The more intimidating one, less diplomatic, with gold on her mind and in her hair. All things he assumed about the matriarch without delving deeper. She was controlling and lost her patience quickly with him because he was a forever disappointment to her. Despite that, she wasn’t and never will be irrational. It was unfortunate Henry didn’t try to talk with Alyssa and understand her a little more. She wasn’t tyrannical and evil. She simply had ideals and like his father, he failed to obliged in any manner. He did what he wanted, never considering how it would affect the family. If Alyssa was truly a heartless, conniving bitch, she would’ve shot Evelyn down everytime her beloved requested a favor for their son’s benefit. She didn’t always.

Recently, with his relationship with this precious, foreign exchange student, Henry’s poor life choices and habits were improving for the better and everyone could see the positive change. There was no doubt that Min-seo was the medicine Henry needed to be a better boy and ultimately, a better man. Smiling to herself at the prospects of their future, Evelyn scanned the round table covered with a more down to Earth breakfast in comparison to their Sunday dinner. Waffles, with a variety of toppings for Min-Seo to pick and choose from. There were a multitude of server pots with coffee, tea, water, orange juice, and cranberry juice, since Evelyn didn’t necessarily know enough about this girl to assume her preference. These options seemed like a hefty, sweet meal, perfect for before school. Though, the toppings could potentially turn waffles into dessert and give anyone who dared a sugar coma.

As she waited for the girl she hoped she could build a bridge with, seeing how her only son was completely focused on just Min, Evelyn thought about each of her children and how they gave her a headache, especially him. In spite of that, there was hope. Hope that the love in her family would grow and that everyone, even to a small degree, would learn to accept and be happy for one another. All a mother could do was hope.

“Today will be a good day.”She whispered to herself.

When Min-seo was informed that she wouldn’t be joining Henry and Parker for the usual morning routine her first reaction was, naturally, one of fear. Had she said or done something wrong at the dinner? By her recollection she hadn’t said much at all; the adults had a way of being intimidating even with something as miniscule as how they held their silverware. No one really liked meeting parents and it was made even more awkward thanks to the wrench in the works that was the attendance of every sibling’s significant other. Given everything she wasn’t surprised her grand contribution to the meal was effectively nibbling at the first course and having a third glass of water before the second course.

Still, it wasn’t as if she could refuse the invitation even if it meant having to potentially miss first period. Somehow she figured a family like the Green’s would find a way to make it so her tardiness was excused which was certainly a point in their favor, but that didn’t stop the worry and the fear and the fact that the long trek to the appointed meeting place made her feel like she was walking the final march to her own execution.

Was she under dressed? Who could say. She only got the message after she had already dressed for school, casual clothing, jeans, a red blouse, her hair brushed and washed to an immaculate sheen; at a glance she might look no different than any other young person on the street, which had been her procedure since arriving in the states. Blend in, don’t stand out. Had it not been for Parker she would probably still be wearing ugly sweaters to class and going by unnoticed. But now...now she was dating Henry Green and more than ever eyes were on her. Including, it turned out, the eyes of his mother. One of them. Min-seo was still confused by the exact arrangement.

Min-seo, with slow, nervous, uncertain steps, finally showed herself en route to the gazebo; even before she arrived fully she could see a comparatively modest spread with a variety of what she assumed to be beverages. If one of them had coffee she would politely decline but given the sweet nature of a waffle she would happily accept a cold glass of milk and a second just for taste. Waffles were a fairly new taste for her and already she knew she preferred them a bit softer than most; if they were too crunchy they hurt her teeth and she needed to drown them in syrup just to soggy them up. But the Green family probably had chefs who could make waffles ten different ways so on that front she wasn’t worried.

Her worry was that this was a last meal kind of scenario.

“Mrs...Green?” Min-seo announced her presence with all the awkward mannerisms she had been known for. Soft speech, rapid blinking, not making direct eye contact, the only thing she wasn’t doing was fiddling with her fingers. “I...you...wanted...see me?”

“Yes, please.” Evelyn gestured toward the open chair across from her. “Take a seat.” No longer holding her glass, she grabbed a fork and knife. Slowly and with dignified ease, she cut her waffles with strawberries and blueberries on it. Nothing more, nothing less. “I hope this breakfast is to your liking, Min-Seo. I’ve come to realize I know very little about you.” Unfortunately so.

Once she was satisfied with her small pieces, she poked one of them in contemplation, “All the drinks are labeled, by the way. OJ, milk, tea, have whatever you like.” Her eyes examined her food in mild regret, as she absentmindedly continued the conversation, “Henry wants me to eat better. I asked if waffles would be a good change from last night and he assured me it would.” Sighing to herself, she stabbed the piece she was playing with, “I don’t eat waffles often,” and placed it in her mouth. Covering her lips as she chewed, Eve watched the young girl with her motherly, yet serpent stare.

It was still too early to tell if the meeting was for something good or bad and that only made Min-seo all the more nervous. Sure, Mrs. Green was being cordial but Min-seo had seen some movies where the villain and the hero had a discussion over a meal; in that particular movie the villain wound up smashing his hand on a glass cup while talking about white cake. Of course, Min barely understood the movie - it had so much talking - but that scene was being called to mind at the moment and she could see why.

Still, it would’ve been incredibly rude of her to just stand there gawping so Min-seo slid into a seat and promptly poured herself a glass of milk. At lunch, Min-seo sometimes did a bad thing and took two milks instead of one; for this breakfast she wasn’t going to feel bad for having a second glass after the first. She would need it in case the conversation got awkward and she needed something to hide her mouth behind. “Waffles...are...new. In...Korea...no...no waffles...my family...is...trad...tradition...with...meals.” It was hard for Min to tell if it was fear, nerves, or her lack of fluency that was influencing her responses. She was intimidated, though, that much was obvious.

“But I had...first...waffle...Dennis…” She meant, of course, Denny’s but Min-seo never claimed to be articulate. “It..was...sticky.”

“Denny’s.” Eve kindly corrected, having had more than enough time to understand Min’s broken English. Mentally, she could hear her son scolding her for acting modest because Eve’s modest was simply her being a cold bitch. Taking a deep breath in and out, she put her utensils down and tried to drop her guard, tried to take a more compassionate approach, “I want to thank you. For how you behaved last night but also for your kindness towards my son.” Her gaze went from Min’s soft face to her wedding band, “He and my wife rarely see eye to eye. That is until you came along.”

Her attention back on Min, Eve gave a genuine, yet exasperated smile. “I wanted to let you know that you can stay here for as long as you want. Alyssa is already making arrangements since Cyndi decided to come back home. We don’t want you to leave.” Whenever Eve had heart to hearts, she started to realize how soft she really was. There was no pretending to be a cold bitch. In highschool it was easier to play up the act. Nowadays, she was just a mother that wanted her kids to be happy. “You’ve impressed all of us, dear. And for the first time, I think Henry’s impressed his other mother. So much so that she wants to speak to you personally. I felt the need to invite you here to prepare you. I don’t know when it’ll happen, and I don’t necessarily know everything she wants to cover with you, but I don’t want you to think it’s going to be bad. She adores you, Min. I adore you.”

Min might not have been a native speaker but she knew enough to know that words like ‘thank’ and ‘impressed’ and ‘adore’ were good things, and even if she didn’t, the fact that Eve wasn’t raising her voice or speaking with Min as if she broke a lamp or something precious had to mean that this meeting wasn’t one whose purpose was to scold or criticize. Min could breathe a sigh of relief but settled on relaxing considerably. If she was thanked and adored...then she was in the good graces of Henry’s parents. Whether or not that was a rare thing was irrelevant simply because she had done something right without even knowing. Min took a sip from her glass of milk not to hide but to cool her throat and chill her nerves with the refreshingly sweet beverage.

“Thank...you..?” It wasn’t a question of uncertainty but of Min not knowing the proper response to a sudden and unexpected heap of praise. Her expectations were, understandably, out of whack so what else could she say other than a word of thanks? It was like expecting to be fired only to be told you were getting a promotion and an employee of the month trophy, Min was a little out of her element in any case. “If...I...impress...why does...Henry’s mother...other...mother...want to...talk? I mean...why...prepare? Why...if...she...like me?” Min’s English wasn’t any better but her broken manner of speaking wasn’t because of her nerves anymore and instead just a side effect of not yet fully speaking the language. Considering a mere few months ago she didn’t know any at all, that she was having a conversation was nothing short of spectacular.

“My wife.” Evelyn paused, as her eyes fell on her black manicured nails. Examining them, she stood silent for a moment too long. “Likes things her way. That trait of hers can make her a bit... intimidating. Simply put.” The raven haired mother’s devoted stare went from her cuticles to the teenager’s beautiful yet pale face. “Henry’s worried she will scare you away and you’ll leave him because of that.”

Sure, Eve was embellishing her son’s reasonings, but she could believe that he loved this girl to the point that he didn’t want to lose her so it wasn’t too far from the truth. At least, from what she’s observed. “If Alyssa doesn’t like you, she will send you back to Seoul. If that happens, I worry for my son. So, I’m here to tell you, you caught her eye and she wants to personally tell you why. She doesn’t normally do that.” Especially with Henry, who has brought a lot of girls to his bedroom. “You need to be prepared for her eyes. She will size you up and try to find your flaws. She may like you, but it still… confuses her.” Eve needed to remember to use simpler words for Min. She was talking slow enough for the young girl to catch onto key words. Hopefully her message was getting through to her. “That you are with Henry. She believes you’re too good for him, you understand?”

There were words in the explanation that Min didn’t understand, not because she didn’t know the meaning or intent behind them but because they just didn’t make sense; it was specifically the part where the other mother - which was a concept Min was still trying to wrap her head around - believed that Min was ‘too good’ for Henry. What did that mean? How could someone be too good for someone else and who got to make that determination? Wasn’t it Min’s decision? But it wasn’t Eve that Min was annoyed with, not really. If what she was saying is true then this whole waffle breakfast meeting was Henry’s idea.

“Henry...did...this? Henry...worry?” Min had to ask, the uncertainty and disbelief written on her face as clear as day. Did he think she wasn’t able to speak with his parents? Did he think her opinions and affections were contingent on the approval or lack thereof from his mothers? It was the first thing that made her feel upset, if indeed it was true. “I might...not...be...best at...words...and I...quiet...but...I am...not...afraid. Your...wife...if she...no like...then...who care? It is...not...her choice...it is...mine...it is...Henry’s.” Even when Min was defending herself, she was still rather soft spoken; but her softness had a certain edge about it. She would find herself, and her voice, yet.

“Correct.” Evelyn calmly responded. “Your choice.” If Min spoke with that conviction, then she would surely win Alyssa over. Henry did what Henry wanted. He always did. Most of the time, it was against Alyssa’s will. This, this would be the first time Eve believed her wife would wholeheartedly approve. Min spoke with confidence and she knew what she wanted. Nothing would stop her from keeping Henry and that’s what made a Green. Nothing stopped them from getting what they wanted and Alyssa had her unbreakable record of getting what she wanted, time and time again.

“Let’s finish our breakfast, sweetheart. Then, I’ll take you to school.”

[LovelyComplex]

_{Present time: Benji to Ley
@Dirty Pretty Lies}

Walking past a janitor's room, with one earplug in and a hoodie hiding his handsome face, his shoulders hunched over, Benjamin shuffled to his destination. His ear caught sound of the door behind him opening. Looking back, he noticed a familiar face from his time with Meg and the unsanctioned fight club. Lucky Cross. The rebel without a cause, who retrieved things for people, by any means. A man that was more hound than man. Fortunately, for the loner, Lucky didn't acknowledge him. Instead he grabbed his phone to text someone and walked away in the other direction.

Phew.

Sighing in relief, he shoved his hands in his hoodie's pocket, only for his gaze to fall on another face exiting the closet. This closet had one too many people in it. This someone was considered 'plague' at this school because of his attitude and his smarts. Mitch may come from a wealthy family, but on top of him being a computer whiz, he just looked like someone you wanted to punch in the face. Not saying Benji wanted to punch him in the face, he was just kind of an asshole for someone that was only popular for his ability to change people's grades on the system and other fucked computer shit that was most likely illegal.

The special boy who hid his chiseled chest, his abdominal sculptured to perfection, his ungodly biceps, and his triceps that looked like diamonds, tried to be a good person and ask about Mitch's busted face. Opening his mouth, to see if he was alright, Benjamin could only feel hot air escape.

"What the fuck you lookin' at?" When the prez of the Technology & Robotics club gave him a dead glare, the socially awkward teenager swiftly turned around and walked away without responding. Yeah, no. He wasn't going to deal with that. Not now, not later, not ever. Nope, nope. His brain wasn't brave enough to deal with someone that confrontational. He had too much anxiety and fear to properly simmer someone else's rage. It grabbed him by the tongue and caused him to panic!

Yeah, no.

With downcast eyes, he focused on the song playing in his ear. On My Own. The people around him faded in the background, all of them chatting and getting lost in their morning routine, and he, as large as he was, walked through them, unnoticed. There were no glances toward him, at all. No curiosity. Just some weird kid that hung over them, as they invested themselves with elections and rushed to homeroom.

He was skipping out on homeroom. Something he didn't want to do was participate in a discussion about the candidates and he knew his teacher, who was 'specialized' for kids like him, would make him talk. So, he let his feet lead him to one of his many hiding places.

The roof.

The world went silent, everything completely out of sight, out of mind, this was how Benjamin went through the motions. His day-to-day operations when he wasn't with his brother. The only thing he focused on was the music and it helped him control his breathing and avoid turning beet red from the chaos around him. He hated crowds. The only time he could deal with them was when he was in his element.

He wasn't in his element.

Before he knew it, he was standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring wide-eyed at a girl blocking his path. He was snapped back to his reality. He was forcibly pulled into the real world where he was nothing but a teenage boy that couldn't cope with being social. Couldn't cope with school. Couldn't cope with...

A girl!

Not just any girl... this was... this was Aleyda! Yes. That's her name. She came into one of his classes once, to help him with stuff, because his teacher thought he could use a tutor and people like Joy Darling were completely booked. It was the science. He didn't like biology.

Alert and with an open mouth, the lovable giant tried to gather words to say.

Was... was she crying?

Pulling his hoodie down, to be respectable, because his mama told him he needed to break the habit of lurking and actually look people directly in the eyes, he hesitantly asked: "...Shit's bad?"

[smarty0114]

_{A @smarty0114 & @TootsiePop collab
Featuring: Wyatt Duran & Truly Bliss O’Connor
Location: Outside Kit’s House (Pre-Timeskip)}

---

---

Evenings in Beverly Hills were about as opulent as you’d expect them to be. The sun’s descent cast a hazy orange light across the town, and as Wyatt rode his skateboard down a hill, Dreamland to his back, he could see the city below lighting up. He could see the beach too, not too far off. True was down there, somewhere, waiting for him. He had to get to her. He was on a mission.

Muscle memory got him to the beach, and the joint he’d smoked at Dreamland had made it feel like an hours long ride. When he rode up to the blue house on Third Street, his dark hair was windblown, and had to run a hand through the tangled locks to make it somewhat presentable. He patted his pockets, suddenly aware of the fact that his breath probably reeked of smoke and THC, but there wasn’t a mint to be found. Hopefully, True didn’t mind. He took a deep breath, and sent her a text.

To: True
uhhh im outside. i think

Kit had kicked True out five minutes ago and here she was hiding behind a bush, like she usually did, waiting for her undoubtable doom. Her phone vibrated. Taking a quick glance at it, she eeped and urgently threw it back in her backpack. Truly Bliss was starting to come to terms that her heartbeat was not steady at all. She could feel every single pound and the pressure of her nerves was trying to push her forward to reveal herself, but she was SCARED.

Closing her eyes, she tried to imagine how her mother would approach her father or how any of the HOT girls got anyone to look at them. They held the confidence of heartbreakers, even though their mind was made up on what they wanted. Women that knew how to draw people in, push ‘em away, and get everyone wanting more. Too bad they weren’t friends anymore.

For her parents, the hook wasn’t only because her mother would kiss the floor her father walked on! No, she got him addicted. How though? Confidence! Intimacy and confidence! That was the key. Not being skittish and afraid to even show her face. Why did he still make her nervous? She needed to have fun and act like she knew what she was doing. Painfully pinching herself, she snapped back to the present, poking her head to get a better view of her future husband waiting for her.

Inside the house, Molly peered out the window and took a bite of the apple she held with her left hand. Her lips curled into a smile as she watched True be, well, True. “Is she… always like this, Kitkat?” It was a nice change of pace seeing the simple and genuine actions of the little teen. Oliver and her… their beginning was interesting to say the least and it took a good video chat for both of them to realize they were heavily into each other. Still, those memories were some of her fondest and she couldn’t help but watch True create her own. It seemed the sweet, small redhead was still fighting the fact that her crush finally saw her. Reminded her of herself, to be honest. Though instead of hiding, Molly used insults instead.

Kit wasn’t even really focused when the Professor spoke to her — Kit was messing around on her phone. She tapped away from the very important thing she was looking at, and looked up at the Professor. “I mean… pretty much, yeah. I think she gets it from her mom. Why do you ask? Do you want me to rein her in? I can do that.” Kit offered, looking over at her mom and shrugging her shoulders. Kit didn’t really think about this kind of thing, very much. Kit didn’t even think that True was being that weird — for her, this was pretty low tier, all things considered.

“Does she need an extra push? I’m assuming that’s the kid over there.” Wyatt. Just waiting on the side of the street for something to happen. They could be like that all day, but was it their place to intervene?

“What? No, nah. She’s got this. She’s just hyping herself up.” Kit promised her mother, before looking back down at her phone. “If I shove True to do everything then she’ll never become much of a person on her own, you know?”

“I suppose that makes sense. I’m just nervous for her.” Molly admitted before taking another bite of her apple, “What are you reading, anyways?”

“It’s a web comic. You wouldn’t like it.” Kit said, casually — though she knew it was true. Kit slipped her phone into the pocket, and decided it was best to intervene. After all, the alternative was the Professor finding out what kind of weird shit her daughter was into… Kit threw open the window and stuck her head out, “True! Game face! Let’s go!”

“-AH. O-OKAY!” The sudden voice of her bestie surprised the hell of her but it did its job. True had stood up from her hiding place and rushing to the boy on the skateboard.. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. Since she was still kind of blind and hadn’t told her mom about her lost glasses, she underestimated the distance and ran straight into him, falling back on her bottom. Owwwwww. Wyatt was going to remember her as the girl that fell a lot! The fool! She sprawled backwards dramatically, realizing how much of a lost cause she was.

Shaking her head, she mentally yelled at herself to stop and sat up. With wide eyes, she stared at him.

Wyatt looked over at True, wide eyed and flustered, from his newfound seat on the concrete sidewalk. In a slight state of shock, Wyatt’s eyes locked with hers and for a moment, it seemed like they just might stay there, frozen on the sidewalk in front of the beach, listening to the not so distant crash of waves along the shore. Maybe they would’ve, if he hadn’t heard his skateboard rolling down the street, having been propelled forward by his fall.

Scrambling to his feet, Wyatt sprinted after the runaway board. A couple of long strides brought him close enough to snatch the skateboard of the ground, and in one fluid motion he leaped up and spun around, waving over to True. He pushed a hand through his dark curls and walked back over to the red headed girl on the ground. After a moment of walking with what his father always called complacency, Wyatt realized he’d left his almost-but-not-quite girlfriend sitting on the concrete while he chased after his board. If his sister ever found out she’d never let him live it down. Spurred by a new sense of urgency, he jogged up to her and reached out a hand to pull her up. “Hey,” he said, a nervous chuckle breaking through his lips once they came face to face.

Don’t freak out!

How did she imagine kissing him would be like? She imagined it like fairytale. She would be in an everlasting sleep and only true love’s kiss could wake her up! Only Wyatt could wake her up. You see it right? But here she was, her heart beating out of her chest, her mouth agape, and her eyes wide. She had imagined kissing him since she came into Beverly Hills High last semester! Ever since she met him and learned everything about him to the point that he became the Romeo to her Juliet, she wanted to kiss him. She loved him. They’d be under a gazebo saying their ‘I DOs’ and he’d give her a kiss that would bind them together forever.

Unfortunately, her other hand instinctively reacted from the shock of her reality and it flew to his cheek to make sure this was real. When she heard the ‘clap’ of her hand across his face, she reddenned in embarrassment, “S-SORRY! I DIDN’T THINK YOU’D COME.” He was completely real. Not even crashing into him made him feel real, but this. This did.

Her hand that had slapped him then rested on his cheek, and she shyly and apologetically rubbed his face,
“...”

Wyatt’s hand came up to rest gently on True’s while she nursed the red mark that was quickly spreading across his cheek. Despite the stinging in his face, he laughed at her exasperated apology. He was starting to think that this girl might be completely unhinged, and the strangest thing about it was that it only made him like her more. He wasn’t sure what love was, or how it happened but he could see it when his dads looked at eachother, and he saw it now in True’s eyes as she stared. “If I’m being completely honest, my friend texted you from my phone,” he said, his words punctuated by a nervous chuckle. “Not that, I didn’t mean what she said. Because I do. Want to kiss you I mean,” he added with a rush, desperately trying not to ruin this night. His face burned so hot he was certain her hand would catch fire. How could this girl in front of him be so devoted to him?

“Oh thank GOD.” She wasn’t alone with being lost with words! Her skin tingles when he touched her hand and her fear turned into a bright gleam. “Kit responded for me too! Because, well…” Her words went down to a low, low whisper, _{“I didn’t know what to say..”} She would’ve pretended he never even asked! Because that’s what she’s always done. Played pretend.

“I, uh, want?” What? She wants? COME ON TRUE. What do they do? Does she tell him let’s go somewhere else to kiss? Do they kiss here? What does she even say! Kiss me! Is it weird that her hand was still caressing his face? Maybe she should just go for it.

Oh!

Better idea.

Pulling her hand back to her skirt, she held the end of it with both of her hands, closed her eyes and gave him permission to kiss her, “Okay! I’m ready!” She puckered her lips and waited. Foolish. True was foolish.

Wyatt blinked, frozen in place by a voice that was in some ways his father’s, but even more so his own. A voice that had, for so long, plagued him at seemingly every turn. A voice that only ever seemed to cease when his highs were peaking, only to get even louder than before when they began to fade.

For a moment, he thought the voice might win, that he would run from her, run so far she’d never be able to find him. And then, for what seemed to him to be the first time in his life, he placed one hand on her hip, brought the other to her face in a gentle caress, placed his lips on hers, and ignored the voice.

Truly Bliss didn’t know what to expect for her first kiss. Would it be like the movies where they’re standing in the rain? There wasn’t any rain. Would it be like a monster devouring her whole because of how much he wanted to eat her? No. Wyatt wasn’t THAT aggressive. Actually, he felt… anxious. Scared. This kiss was… real. Like a promise that they’d go the distance together. Hesitant, yet full of hope. There was fear to hold tight and that same fear refused to let go.

Soundlessly, she opened her eyes to look at him with tenderness. A gaze that assured him she would stick around for as long as he’d let her. A stare that begged him to not let go. Begged him to stay. Begged him to communicate with her when she did anything wrong that could risk him wanting to leave her. She wanted to make him happy. To her, their lips were like two puzzle pieces, connecting and fitting just right. The kiss wasn’t perfect, actually it was a little wet and sloppy, but that’s part of why she wanted more. Pushing herself up with her tiptoes, she fervently pressed her lips deeper into his and held his head with delicate care.

She loved him.

[AlteredTundra]

_{Location — Sunshine Diner
Time & Day — Friday Prevning (Pre-timeskip)
Collaboration with @TootsiePop}

The three Blake Siblings: Nathaniel, Hannah, and Patricia have always been ones to take prolonged journeys through Los Angeles. Some days when they have the time to spare, they will take strolls down Santa Monica Pier, or take a tour down Sunset Boulevard and see all of the stars down Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. they have even been known to go all the way up to Mountain Hollywood and camp overnight (even though it’s technically illegal). Honestly, the three of them just love the city and when both of their parents are out of town on business and their maids can’t be bothered to keep track of them, the three of them go everywhere together.

And on a sunny Friday afternoon, they were out of school and wanting to do something exciting, but there was one problem: they were hungry. So in typical Nate, the Great, fashion, he suggested they go to his favorite diner.

“The Sunshine Diner again?” Hannah whined because she knew why he wanted to go there. It wasn’t because of the food or the history. He wanted to see his girlfriend-not-girlfriend, the pretty brunette waitress.

Hannah was always one to call Nathaniel out on his logic. She was the only one who had the stones to do it. Patricia, bless her heart, was too timid and lacked the assertive gene to do it herself, though she did share the same annoyances as her older sister. Nate, on the other hand, always used the same card any time Hannah protested.

“If you don’t wanna go, you can take the bus. In fact, there’s a bus stop down the street. I can just dine with my favorite sister!” He stuck his tongue out at her immaturely.

The middle sibling threw up her hands into the air and silently followed Nate and Trish as they walked down the street and entered Sunshine Diner. The aroma of the classic home cooked meals immediately assaulted their senses roughly and Nate welcomed it with an empty stomach and a credit card given to him by his mother that was to be used for emergencies only.

And, like the irresponsible person he was, he took it out.

“Mom’s gonna kill you.”

“Shush! I’m getting us a booth!”

And as they were seated, Hannah sitting opposite of Nate and Patricia, Nate spotted her. Perfect skin, beautiful brown hair, and the cutest round cheeks. It’s been weeks since he has been coming here and it was always with his siblings. He has been lucky enough that Mandy was his/their waitress every time. Almost as though a higher power was helping a bro out.

“Oh god, here she comes!” Nate started to panic. “Both of you, act natural!”

“You mean like a customer? On it, big brother!”

As Miranda approached her next customers, she was having a hard time keeping her ‘happy’ face on as she thought about all her stresses and worries. From her anxiety toward her roller derby match that would happen later on this day to her sister bringing up news that she didn’t really know how to take, Mandy was having a hard time being her usual self. Welcoming and full of pleasantries.

Her team was called the Jawbreakers and so far, they were in second place. Her personal nickname on the ring was ‘One Hit Wonder’ because it only takes one hit to knock her opponent out of the match, for good. Most of her opponents fly away like a bat from hell, fearing her reputation. Yet, most don’t even witness her knock someone out. Did she live up to her reputation? Attend one of her matches. You’ll see.

As for her personal drama, her sister had made a proposition of them transferring to an elitist school because she found someone that would pay for their education to go there. Why the fuck would she accept that? Their mom may not be working at the moment, bed ridden with grief and sadness, but that didn’t mean they should or would whore themselves off to some rich boy, all for what? Because now her SISTER had ‘a rich boyfriend’? Yeah, right. That wasn’t going to last long. Not by a long shot. And Mandy had PRIDE. They’d have to do way more to convince her because just asking her to accept it was fucking dumb. No one accepted money like that from a stranger! Especially NOT her.

Before she approached the familiar faces she knew by name, she took a deep breath in and then out. Once she gained her composure, she glided to them with her skates. Smoothly and without any struggle. She spun and twirled around the other staff members of the diner, as if she was dancing in the sky around clouds. Effortlessly and in her element.

She was the only waitress that wore her skates every shift, since she had confidence in her skills and NEVER fell. Without a notepad, as usual, she came to an abrupt halt in front of Nate and his siblings, “Are we going to get the usual or try something new?” She let the question linger, before continuing, “BTDUBS, good morning. Patricia, Hannah... Nate. It’s nice to see you!” Her customer voice was off. There was a hint of exhaustion and annoyance, but she tried her best to hide it with a bright smile plastered on her pale face.

He was frozen where he sat. And speechless, at that. That was how you knew Nathaniel Blake had it bad (whatever “it” was, at least). He smiled, of course and gave Mandy a wide one. A laugh followed only so that he could transition his way into something that resembled coherent words but whenever he opened his mouth, the only thing that came out was gibberish, to which furthered the-already-at-peak annoyance Hannah had.

And at the moment she kicked him from under the table top, he grunted, shot her a glare, but it also did what it needed. “It’s great to see you too, Mandy! You’re looking beautiful as ever!” As those words left his mouth, he had hoped the cheek-to-cheek grin was enough of a mask to cover up how utterly stupid he was feeling at the moment.

“Excuse him. It’s been a very long day. He fell asleep on a rock last night.” Hannah commented. She didn’t know why she had to be the one to always excuse him. It was only when he was near Mandy here that he lost all sense of acting like a normal human being. “Anyways, I think we’ll just take the usual: pancakes with the works for me, pastrami on rye for Trish, and,the triple bacon cheeseburger with sweet potato curly fries for my brother here. And, I guess three milkshakes since, well, it’s a diner and everything. Might as well go the whole nine yards.”

“Right.” Mandy disregarded the compliment that the boy gave her, thinking he was just saying it out of politeness and not because she was actually attractive. Before she could dismiss herself, dainty hands touched her shoulders. Poking her head from behind, a friend and a fellow waitress at the diner decided to invite herself into the conversation.

“Consider getting today’s pie! I’ve been teaching her how to bake and I’d say today’s special is extra delicious.” The cute girl, with half of her hair in a fountain ponytail and the rest down, pink lipstick on, and light green eyes that could brighten anyone’s day, read the situation and decided it was in her job description to intervene. “She’s too embarrassed to advertise that she made the pies! It’s blueberry.” The small girl, especially in comparison to Mandy, winked at the boy, giving him an opportunity to make her friend feel special.

“Leyla, don’t you have tables to wait?” Mandy brushed the bubbly girl off of her, who in return crossed her arms and ‘hmpfed’.

“I’m on my 15! Thank you very much.” With exasperated eyes, and a heavy sigh escaping her lips, Mandy dully blinked at the girl, who was wasting her break to cling to her and do… whatever she was doing.

“I don’t think we’ve had the blueberry yet.” Nate thought on that for a moment. They have been coming to the Sunshine Diner for so long and frequently at that, he could recall just about every desert item they’ve tried, but the blueberry pie wasn’t one of them. Then it was at that moment, when Nate’s smile made its way across the table that his mind was made up. “We’ll take three slices of the blueberry pie as well!” He would inform Mandy without talking to his siblings, an act that earned him a sigh from Hannah and a small laugh from Trisha.

“Wonderful!” Leyla punched Mandy’s arm, which was rewarded with a death glare.

“Okay. Pancakes, the works. Pastrami on rye. Triple bacon cheeseburger, with a side of sweet potato curly fries, three milkshakes—” When she said the flavors, she looked at the person it belonged to, first Hannah, “Chocolate and vanilla swirl,” then Trisha, “Strawvberry,” and lastly, Nate, “Good ol’ vanilla—”

“And three blueberry pies!”

“Yes… I’ll get that to you guys right away.” Turning around, faster than usual, she quickly dodged Leyla from grabbing onto her arm and skated away.

“Wait for me!” The dork chased the skater girl, who was ten times faster than her, and when she caught up with her she was huffing and puffing. Mandy slapped the counter and repeated the order, before angrily turning to the meddlesome brunette.

Leaning in, Mandy growled, “Why the hell would you make up shit like that? I don’t bake.” Rolling her eyes and giggling, Leyla shrugged, “They bought it. And let’s be real, that boy, he’s sooooooooooooooooooooooooo into you.”

“Your full of shit.”

“Good shit!”

“Stop.”

When Mandy and Leyla walked away, Nate knew this was the perfect time to just watch her from afar. He saw how the two were giggling -- well one was, at least -- and Mandy was doing something that drew him further and further into a daze. He hated how much of a coward he was. All he would have to do was to get up from his seat, walk towards her, and say that he liked her, but when he was within ten yards of her, hell when the thought of seeing her again crossed his mind, Nate was no longer the beacon of confidence he normally was nor did he have his I-don’t-care-what-they-think-about-me attitude. When it was everybody else, he didn’t care because at the end of the day, what the preps at Bev High thought about him didn’t affect how he saw himself.

But with Mandy, it was different. Even if she didn’t know it, what she thought about him and whether she smiled at him or didn’t meant more to him than the thousand opinions of people he barely knew. As to why he felt so strongly for Mandy was a mystery to him. It was one of those unexplainable wonders of life that you just know is right.

“You’re staring again.” Hannah had decided to finally say something after more than a minute passed of seeing her brother watch Mandy like a hawk.

“What?” His delayed response came with absolute confusion.

She shook her head with great annoyance. “I don’t understand you, Nate. Why don’t you just go talk to her? We’ve been coming here for weeks. It’s not like there isn’t a diner near our house. You only come here to see her.”

“Hannah, I don’t think--”

“You’re infatuated with her. Not that I don’t mind it. I’m sure you saying she’s beautiful is very complimenting for her even if she brushes it off, but if you don’t say anything, is it really just fine for you to come here day in and day out just to see her? Are you happy with that one-sided arrangement?” Hannah wasn’t trying to be too blunt. She loved her brother and could see how strong his crush on the waitress was, so maybe she wanted to give him the boost of confidence she had seen him display excessively. “What is it about her that makes you like this? That’s really what I’m asking.”

Nate didn’t have an answer for her right now because he didn’t have it for himself. So he shrugged. “I can’t explain it, Hannah. There’s just something about her. I’m sure you’ve had those kind of crushes. Or if not, you will and you’ll know it’s not as simple as walking up to the person and confessing.” Maybe part of the reason was the potential of rejection, but Nate wasn’t trying to appear sad in front of Mandy. Happy thoughts result in happy smiles!

Placing their milkshakes on a platter, Miranda distressingly took a moment to breathe. Tonight would help her kick her problems out the door, even if it was momentarily. Roller derby usually made her feel good. Everything else, though? Not so much. Work was work and that’s about it. That being said, she needed to keep her personal life out of the diner.

It didn’t help that Leyla was still… there. Talking and talking and talking. “Mandy, come onnnnn. Live a little. Do you do anything besides school and work? And yeah, your derby thing, but you get what I mean! Even if you don’t like him, play a little! If there’s something you should learn from your sister, it’s OKAY to let loose and act, well, your age.”

“Don’t bring up Meg. You know I’m pissed at her. And I’d love to have a life but—”

“He wants a slice of baked heaven. I bet your pie is especially sweet.” Playfully, Leyla did a little shimmy and gave her friend’s bottom a tap.

With that, Mandy laughed out loud. Okay, if her goal was to cheer her up, she was doing a bang up job, especially with that metaphor. Shaking her head, Mandy gave a shy smile, “No way. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have customers to serve and your break is just about over.”

Pouting, Leyla grabbed her notepad off the counter and whined, “No fun! One day, Miranda, I’m going to get you a date.”

Waving goodbye to her friend, Mandy chuckled, “Fat chance,” before skating back toward the group of siblings, and looking less gloomy than she was earlier. Whether she was aware of it or not, her friend was medicine to her mood. “Your shakes.” Placing them down one by one, her short hair falling with each motion, the waitress with the glasses gave drinks to their rightful guests. Bringing herself back up, she held the platter close, as she scanned the faces with benevolent warmth, “I’ll bring out your food soon… are you okay?” Mandy asked Nate, noticing something didn’t feel quite right with his demeanor and how he was looking at her.

Nate had his head in the clouds for a good couple of moments. “Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m great!” He perked up, giving Mandy a smile as well as a slight nod, but then he felt a kick in the shin from Hannah, which prompted him to glare at her. She subtlety jerked her head to him and then to Mandy. At that moment, he knew what she wanted him to do. And he hated how pushy she was being.

“Actually..” Nate spoke up, feeling the pit of his stomach growing deeper and the sinking feeling increasing with it. God, how he hated this.

“Sorry, I gotta use the restroom,” Hannah interrupted Nate, signalling Trisha to follow and she would get out when Nate allowed her to.

Nate scratched the back of his head. “So, uh, how do you like working here?”

Tilting her head, surprised by the question, no one really asked her about her day here, customers that is, Mandy considered how she should reply. “It could be worse.” She shrugged, while looking around at the diner. “A diner that caters to families. With an okay pay. And it hires just about anyone. I don’t hate it, I guess.” It wasn’t like she could be picky. She needed to take care of her family, and this diner was hiring and luckily for her, she could wear her skates. “Why? Do I look like I hate it here?”

Nate shook his head. “What? Oh no, I didn’t mean it like that. Quite the opposite! You’re always so friendly. And you’re pretty patient with me on those days that I struggle with what I want. It’s kind of one of the main reasons why I come out here so often. We don’t get that kind of service at the places where I live at” He rubbed the back of his head, smiling at Mandy.

“Thank you?”Puzzled, she responded. “There really isn’t much to it. I’m just doing my job and treating you how you should be treated. Like a decent human being.” The waitress didn’t know where this was going or if he just wanted to check how the working conditions were at Sunshine diner, but hopefully she was providing the information he was seeking. “I guess... sorry you have shitty customer service everywhere else?”

He shrugged. “It’s to be expected. People in Beverly Hills tend to not care about manners.” He sighed. How he wished more places were like Sunshine Diner. “I really wish the waitresses were more like you: just as pretty as they are gracious to their customers. That’s what the food industry needs!”

“Funny…” There he went again, calling her pretty. He did it twice in one sitting. He must pity her. Her apron was dirty, her hair was a mess and barely brushed, and she probably looked like the walking dead from working till midnight last night, right after school. “Beverly Hills, huh? If there’s so many jerks from there, why do you exist?” Maybe her sister’s proposition wasn’t so bad. He didn’t talk highly of the rich from there, but to her, if there were a handful of people like him, it probably could be tolerable. Plus, it seemed like she was the make or break of whatever deal her sister had going on with this rich boy that she, herself, hadn’t met yet. Unknowingly, she came off kind of flirtatious. Although, for her, she was simply speaking her thoughts out loud.

Her comment caught him completely off guard almost to the point where he couldn’t think of anything clever to say back. “I don’t know to tell you the truth, but maybe we can find the answer over dinner sometime?” He smiled and instantly he froze when he realized what he just said. It was too late for him to go back now, so he kept on smiling despite having a lowkey meltdown on the inside.

“M, ORDER UP! TABLE 4.” Unfortunately for Nate, Miranda didn’t fully catch everything he said because at the same time she was called back to work.

“Uh, sorry! I’ll bring out your food shortly.” Cutting their conversation, the girl who thought she was an ugly duckling sped off to take care of the other customers. Creeping out of the blue, leaning behind him on his chair, in another booth, Leyla dramatically sighed, “GODDDD, SHE SUCKS.”

Nate took the chance without realizing that he did. He put himself out there and God herself cockblocked him. Maybe it was a sign? Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Or maybe the chef just really didn’t want to be kept waiting? He could spend the whole day going over all of the ‘what ifs’ and drive himself bonkers in the process. So instead, he’ll let his sisters who conveniently returned from their long trip to the bathroom.

“Hope you two enjoyed that trip.” Nate laughed, rolling his eyes.

“What? We really did have to use the restroom.” Hannah shrugged, feigning complete innocence that Nate wasn’t buying for a second. “But, how were things? Did anything happen?”

He shrugged. “Well, I guess you can say that. I sort of asked her out.”

Immediately, Hannah hit his arm victoriously. “See, I knew you could do it. All you needed was a push in the right direction.”

“Calm down. We were interrupted by the chef -- cook. So she didn’t actually get to give me an answer. So, I don’t know. Probably not meant to be.” Now Nate, who was usually all smiles, looked positively bleak.

Frustrated, as she hid from her work duties, Leyla scribbled something on her notepad, ripped the paper in frustration, stood up, and then walked past their table, placing it with an audible ‘slap’. She then walked away. Damn Mandy! Damn Mandy for being naive! And too much into her head! Now she had to play fairy godmother. On the paper, she wrote: stupid. don’t give up. the dollosseum, every other friday. 7PM. Starting today.

As he read the piece of paper, at first Nate was confused. “Dollosseum? What’s that? Is that some store you buy dolls at?”

“No, it’s a place where you can skate,” Trisha clarified for her brother. “It’s pretty popular. I’ve been there a few times.” When she revealed that, it was quite surprising for her two siblings.

“Skating rink huh..” A familiar sense of dread passed over his body, making its home on his face. “And I’m guessing you have to rollerskate?” He asked, fear laced in with forced positivity.

“Nate, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know how to skate. And now, the only chance to see Mandy, I have to learn.” He swallowed whatever dryness was in his throat. “I can do it! I! Must! Do! It!”

His confidence was back, even if it was mixed in with fear. Nate had no problem doing things he either didn’t know how to or was afraid to. If this was to be his only chance to see her where it wasn’t her place of work and the risk of being interrupted was less than what it was at the diner, then Nathaniel Blake was going to learn how to roller skate.

Wiping down a table, Leyla looked from Mandy serving a table to Nate talking to his siblings. Hopefully, her magic worked! She was rooting for them, even if she didn’t know the guy at all! A guy was a guy and he liked her Mandy, so he must be a good guy.

[Hey Im Jordan]

_{Mentions: @Altered Tundra Nate, Trixie in spirit @TootsiePop
Location: A computer lab, but it’s mostly introspection. Nobody cares about that, just read the dialogue LMAO
Time: Monday morning, after Brian betrayed his location; that fucker}

---

Why did Henry get dragged down with Damian? That was the question of the hour. He didn’t know how or why he got brought into this, but it seemed that he was always taking the fall for Damian’s bullshit. ‘Oh Henry, we so desperately need your help. Please, help us!’ Stupid Elite boyband lookin’, talkin’ motherfuckers. Of course, Henry was a good friend, so of course he helped out. He took the fall with Damian when the time came, but even now, it was still just… such bullshit. Come on, they had a party — that wasn’t on school grounds, nor even during the school year, it had been on vacation — and someone provoked a volatile Owen into doing and saying some dumb shit, so now, Henry had to hard carry the fucking yearbook and the goddamn dance committee?

Stupid. Stupid stupid.

Not to mention, the school could have pretty fucking easily put Brian or Trixie in his spot, but noooo. They had to punish him. Like Henry even gave as hit about stuff like this! He didn’t even know what went in a yearbook, and a dumbass party with arbitrary rules that didn’t make sense in this goddamn decade. Only girls can send invites!? What about the fuckin’ gays?! Where was the justice?! Henry knew a thing or two about gays, and he was blown away that Marshall hadn’t exploded and demanded that it be changed.

Who the hell even picked a Sadie Hawkins dance? Was it his sister? No, no, that seemed too retarded for Hailey. This must have been… well, reality and reason said it was probably the school as an entity that made the choice, but… Henry wasn’t too interested in something so cut and dry. No, no, Henry wanted someone more concrete to blame. “This was probably Ophelia.” That seemed as valid as anyone else he could blame. After all, the stupid ass Candies were all about love, or whatever.

Dammit, he couldn’t even be mad.

The end result was Henry had made the choices that led to him getting the shaft. Who else could he really blame? Damian had called him and asked him for his help, and Henry had agreed. Henry hadn’t even wanted to be a part of Damian’s stupid boyband. Henry didn’t like the very idea of ‘The Elite,’ their fathers had that title when they were younger and now… what, they were just going to snatch it out of the ground and make it their own? Please, at least Hailey was original; there wasn’t the Unholy Trinity v2.O (the ‘O’ was for Outrageous). Still Henry had agreed to help, and look where it brought him?

The simple fact of the matter was Henry was too good! TOO GOOD!

He didn’t need to take the fall, and he could have pushed back harder, but he would have been damned if he didn’t stand by his friend in perilous times such as those. Besides, Damian would never have been able to handle the principal without Henry there; the poor guy had locked up and shut down at the very idea of not being allowed on the football team… At least Henry had quipped and fought back. Damian was like a soft… squishy ball of depression right away. Luckily, the cure to that seemed to be redheaded tongue, which Damian now had plenty of.

Where did that leave Henry?

Busy. It made Henry busy. He felt like Brian, only ol B-Rye was much more naturally acclimated to a busy schedule and people depending on him. On a Monday morning, Henry had to come to school early, leave Min-seo behind — in the hands of Moms, who would never ruin this for him, right? — get Parker ready and leave her in the capable hands of Hailey’s Butler… and then show up and do what? Whatever Trixie wanted? Henry had been in the planning process for all of forty five seconds before he threw up both middle fingers and back walked out of the room. His plan then? Simple, straightforward: ignore everyone and hide in the lab.

That’s why, when there was a knock at the door, Henry was pissed when he spun around from the science experiment he was fucking around with, and ready to get real gotdamn snappy with Trixie, who was probably here to try and get him to do shit, but then he paused when he saw who it was — of course, Nate hadn’t waited for him to open the door, so Henry was annoyed all the same!

“Dammit, Nate, I’m tryin’ to hide from Trixie before she tries to make me participate!” It was too late, though, and Henry stepped out of the lab. Any other time, and he would have been with Min then and there, but not this morning. The unfortunate reality was she was coming in whenever his moms brought her in… and he was stuck at school. Alone. “Sorry, dude, I’m in a mood. I don’t wanna do this dumb ass dance plannin’ shit, but my dumbass friends got me in some shit so here I am.” He waved his hand and shook his head.

“What’s on your mind, brother?”

[Venus]

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____________________________________________________________________





_{A @Dirty Pretty Lies & @TootsiePop Collab
Featuring: Aleyda Westwood & Benjamin Webb
Location: The ledge of the stairs that lead to the school’s rooftop}

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

"...Shit's bad?"

The sound of a masculine voice echoing across the landing and the narrow stairway underneath was the last thing Aleyda expected to hear while feeling sorry for herself. It caused the panicked young woman to jump up from her seating position on the floor, her heart thumping wildly against her chest. Dread at who had caught her in such a vulnerable state opened up an endless pit in her stomach, but when she turned in the direction of the voice and realized who it was, the brunette let out an audible sigh of relief.

Benjamin Webb was not known for his friendliness. His teachers had briefed Ley on his learning disabilities and limited social skills, and warned her to not take any detached or guarded behavior towards her personally. After that, she'd come into the tutoring session expecting to be put off by some big brute that she would undoubtedly end up having to put in his place. What she was not expecting was to meet the sweetest, most gentlest teddy bear of a man in all of Beverly Hills High. Their time together was a breeze, and the young woman would be lying if she said she didn't look forward to seeing him around.

“Hey, B,” Ley greeted somewhat awkwardly after her overreaction, praying her makeup hadn’t suffered any damage after her moment of weakness. “Eh, it’s nothing to worry about-- really. Something really fucking stupid happened and I was overreacting to it. To quote a famous little lady from Vine: I’m a bad bitch: you can’t kill me. And it’ll take a whole lot more than what’s happened to bring me down,” she replied confidently, allowing herself a laugh before shifting the conversation away from herself. “What about you, big guy? Anything new going on? How’d that test I helped you with go?”

“I got a C.” Benji genuinely smiled at her, proud of his grade which was a vast improvement from an F.

Aleyda grinned widely and clapped her hands together in delight. “See? I knew you could do it! A little faith in yourself can do wonders.”

He showed a kindness that only he was capable of displaying. A foolhardy, lovable display of affection. Reckless and full of optimism, like he’d follow someone blindly just because he had faith in them and saw more to the person than they did for themselves. There had been times he did see Aleyda snap in the halls but that never changed his perception of her. Her flaws were entirely invisible to his gaze. He was like a harbor in a storm. Most people appreciated that.

Behind his largeness was fluff and it was undeniable that Benjamin was an absolute teddy bear. Once you saw his eyes, you knew he wouldn’t intentionally hurt a fly. They looked too tender for that and fortunately for him, the Viper didn’t view him as a threat or as someone she should pierce her poisonous teeth in. He seemed too kind for that. Still, his size made him big enough to intimidate anyone at this school, if he wanted to. He could put anyone in their place no matter where they stood on the ladder, if he wanted to. But that was the thing, he didn’t want to. He didn’t want to be noticed, seen, or even heard. He liked that he went unnoticed. It was safer that way for him and for everyone else.

“Aside from that, my brother’s been coming to the gym more! He’s really challenging himself and it’s great. I like having his company.” He scratched his head, not knowing if there was anything new that he would remember to mention. He wasn’t the brightest and at the moment he could only think about his brother, so that was the best reply he could give. His blue-gray eyes focused in on Ley’s soft-looking face and his train of thought turned back to the tears he had seen earlier.

Changing the subject, abruptly, he took a step closer to her and opened his arms, “Want a hug?” Hugs felt good and it usually made him feel better when his mom did it. She understood his need to express his emotions, his father, on the other hand, not so much. Usually, if Benji showed any signs of distressed his father would toss a comic book at him to make him feel better rather than ask him what’s wrong. The big guy hoped he could make her feel better. What better way than to give a hug? If it doesn’t work, at least he tried.

When he offered her a hug, Aleyda froze on the spot. It wasn't out of disgust or repulsion like you would expect from the snobby, bitchy cheerleader- but more so out of a place of sheer surprise. The fact that the young man trusted her enough to allow any physical contact between them filled Ley with a sense of happiness and excitement she couldn't even begin to put into words.

"A hug? From you? I would be honored," she replied softly, offering Benji a kind smile before jumping straight into his open arms with a loud giggle, wrapping her own around his broad, towering figure. The large size that would usually be cause for intimidation brought upon Aleyda a sense of comfort and security. Whatever sadness she felt evaporated on the spot, replaced by a warmth and softness she hadn't experienced before. Her past contact with men was limited to whatever would lead up to sex- never just for plain comfort. It was definitely a nice change of scenario.

The brunette let their embrace last for the longest time, relishing in the sweet feelings he was gifting her with. To her favor, he didn’t pull away. Taking in her delicate body, so close to his, he found himself being comforted as well - of all anxiety he had moments before, when he felt the urge to run away. His mind focused on her, as he kept his gaze downcast on her dark, well kept hair and her squishy and coconut-scented face, to see any signs of discomfort. Hugs were such a simple gesture and yet it gave the gentle giant appreciative warmth and a moment away from it all. Away from the chaos that was their school.

Eventually, she pulled away just enough to peer at his handsome face. "You're an absolute angel, did you know that?" Ley cooed, pressing her nose to his for a quick eskimo kiss.

He kept silent, continuing to deeply stare at her as they rubbed their noses together. Eyes that seemed completely and utterly focused on her. While she might be the embodiment of fire, he was cold ice on a summer's day, refreshing and cooling. He had a nice calm about him, even if internally he was going through phrases, words, adjectives to say back to her. He didn’t know how to reply to her compliment. It wasn’t something he was used to and made his stomach feel funny. He wanted to sound eloquent and not dumb. Suave and charming. A wordsmith that had a gift of making her smile. What even was the right way to respond?

The right words.

What were the right words?

Absentmindedly, his right hand gently rubbed her arm. He gave a cheesy grin, “I guess we’re both in heaven then because if I’m an angel, you’re a goddess.” Winking at his friend, the brute’s smile went wider. He was being hella’ dorky and now that he was playing back his words, he sounded dumb. Real dumb. (Well, he might as well commit. There was no turning back now).

Aleyda's laugh filled the room, echoing across the concrete walls. "A goddess?" she repeated with fake yet playful surprise. "Well, shit. If we're playing deities, I want us to be Greek. I'll be your Aphrodite if you'll be my Ares," Ley teased, matching Benji's dorkiness with her own and winking right back at him. She wasn't sure that gentle, pacifist Benji and the God of War had anything in common, but the young woman could only assume they were probably the same size. Whatever.

The sound of their shared laughter filled the room again, eventually fading away and leaving the pair in content silence. It was then when Aleyda looked into Benji’s eyes for the first time that day- and suddenly felt her breath get caught up in her throat. There was something about that pair of blue-gray eyes staring straight into the depths of her bare soul that captivated the young woman, taking her heart and thoughts hostage. A strange electricity rippled through the air, while an undeniable magnetism pulled their faces slowly closer together. Before she knew it, Ley could feel her friend’s breath on her lips now: warm and minty and tempting and kissable and inviting as hell-

“That’s some of the gayest shit I’ve heard all morning.”

Aleyda jumped in surprise, her head whipping in the direction of the intruder. Meanwhile Benjamin turned his head to look over his right shoulder, to see what was behind him, locking eyes with one of the ‘witches’: the green-haired one. Their group recently disbanded (sorta) because their fearless leader, Dahlia Rothstein, was forced to move to NYC with her father, while her mother traveled for choreography gigs. A sad turn of events for a strong trio that didn’t care about how the school thought about them.

Now the group was one goth girl (Iris) and a tiny, walking pastel doll (Ana), which wasn’t the same as ‘the power of three’ they had going for them. With the Wiccan witch out of the picture, they were just dark magic and flower power - polar opposites. Hardly balanced. One liked curses and the other spread kindness. At least, the love was still there.

Both girls didn’t like being in the public eye, like the school halls, without Gia. Honestly, without their strong, confidant friend to look up to, they were lost. Ana because she was socially inept, like dear Benji here, and Iris because she had a resting bitch face and seemed to hate the majority of her peers. Unfortunately for Iris, she promised Gia she’d protect the littlest one, and even if things weren’t the same since she left, the black witch would try her best to swerve Anastasia away from the bad influences on campus.

Iris Snyder dully blinked at the awkward couple, blocking the pathway to the roof, as she held onto her cup of soulless coffee. Bitter and dark, like her. She had walked in at a most unfortunate time, hearing that Greek mythology was being used as a flirting tactic, which made her cringe. She had personal feelings for that particular mythos seeing how she and her siblings were named after some of the more memorable beings: Aries, Athena, Iris, and Hercules. Lifting up her blood red travel mug to her lips, she took a deep sip, before adding, “Are you two going to kiss or can I get through?”

After turning beet red, the muscley recluse pulled away from his friend, clearing his throat, “K-kiss? What?” Malfunctioning on the inside, Benji quickly dismissed himself, “I, uh, will see you later, Aleyda…” With that, Benjamin retreated, throwing his hoodie on and letting his feet lead him to homeroom.

Meanwhile, Aleyda was left with the rest of the girls, positively seething. Her hands immediately jumped to the sides of her head, roughly massaging her temples to bite her sharp tongue and keep the reins on that quick temper of hers that was so close to bubbling over. But, as expected, the feeble attempt was cut short before any real effect could take place when Iris spoke again.

“You two looked like you wanted to devour each other. like death devours those cooked by old age. And well, those half-cooked and raw. Death eats everyone.” For a moment, Iris started trailing into her own thoughts, before getting back on track, “As fan-fucking-tastic as that would’ve been to watch, I got fancy toast waiting for me.”

As harmless as the green-haired girl’s words had been, they had the same effect as lighting a match and dropping it on a puddle of gasoline. Her usual impulsive behavior took over, and Aleyda was suddenly reaching for Iris. She forcefully grabbed the girl’s arm, digging her nails into her skin a little while consequently letting the travel mug to fall to the floor with a loud clatter. “Escúchame bien, pinche morra estúpida: the next time you embarrass that boy like that again, you better make sure you buy some good foundation and concealer afterwards. You’ll need it to cover up the gashes I’ll put across your fucking face,” she growled, raising her free hand up to the other girl’s face to give her a quick glance of her razor-sharp acrylic stiletto nails before ultimately letting her go. “We good?”

Whether Iris was indeed good with this or not, Ley would never know, because by the time the shorter girl could speak the Mexican girl had stormed off, and the door to the ceiling’s staircase was being slammed shut.

[Hey Im Jordan]

_{Collab with @TootsiePop@Bee@smarty0114
AJ interacts with Val at the end @Dirty Pretty Lies}

For the sake of Yung Steve’s campaign, which will be revealed when his video cues on the Morning show, AJ brought his baby to school. His first car he built with his father. It had a distinct look to it, one of his more uniquely styled vehicles, so of course when the rapper boy went to his garage he was drawn to it. And AJ didn’t decline. He was pretty down for Steve’s idea, plus any opportunity to peacock his goods was an opportunity just for him.

He wasn’t fond of taking her out nowadays but within the past two weeks, he found himself needing her. She provided him with some kind of comfort. Comfort he needed so he wasn’t a complete asshole to his friends. Comfort that would help him look away from the tug-o-war battle happening inside of him from doing what’s right to taking what belongs to him. She gave him the peace he desperately wanted, to stop thinking about the fact that Jamie had a boyfriend, the fact that he was using Bailee to make his ex jealous, and the fact that he had no control over himself because he was filled with regret and rage. He hated that he was turning into someone that couldn’t handle a little heartbreak.

This was fucking stupid.

On his back windshield, he sported the man that had his vote “YUNG STEVE FOR PREZ’ with a car safe vinyl decal. School politics was dumb and Yung Steve seemed to be the less serious about it. Or well, he was completely serious but he was fun about it. Ya feel me? “Katie, what’s good?” He grinned at his ex’s sister, bringing his sunglasses down to eye her up and down. “You know, Scott, maybe you should bring her along to my family’s movie night, Wednesday? I’m sure my moms would love to meet the girl that got you—” AJ made a whip noise, before adding, “Whipped.”

Turning his head toward the other girl, and his other close friend, Elise, who unfortunately wasn’t allowed to family movie nights because she wasn’t his boy lover, Scott, or fucking his boy lover, Scott, AJ rested his sunglasses on his fluffy brown hair and brought her into the conversation, “Do you approve, Ellie? Of Scott’s new, shiny toy.” He gestured toward the outspoken feminist standing close to his best friend.

Arm locked with Scott’s, Katie rolled her eyes, an action that came too often and easily when she was around AJ. Before Ellie could even respond, Katie’s mouth was open, flinging a retort AJ’s way. “AJ, nice to see that despite being a member of an oppressed class, you still manage to come off as a misogynistic prick all the time.” Katie grinned at AJ, the same smarmy look her brother got every time he knew he was right but you weren’t backing down, the same one they’d inherited from their father.

“I’m Katie, by the way,” she said, turning to Ellie and extending her free hand for a shake, all semblance of hostility suddenly dissipated from her tone.

Ellie was perched on her car, ass on the hood as she eyed Scott’s new toy. The whole situation was a bit weird but it wasn’t anything that Ellie was a stranger to. However, she wasn’t sure if she was a fan of this person just yet. Something was off about her, but she couldn’t quite place her finger on what was wrong. However, this was AJ. She sort of had to go along with what he wanted to do, at least right now, when this chick was around.

“Ellie. Good to meet ya.” The girl put her hand out and shook Katie’s hand. “This your first time around here?”

“It’s the first time I was invited at least,” Katie said, smiling at the fond memories of after-school moments spent hurling insults at Scott and AJ. She’d taken to showing up at the G Spot for unplanned sparring matches, though it seemed those days were behind her now. “Scott wanted me to meet you guys but seeing as how I’ve heard AJ having sex in my house more times than I care to remember, you’re the one I needed to meet. Props to you for hanging out with these two all the time, that’s more than I could ever do,” Katie said, giving Scott a playful nudge with her elbow.

It wasn’t until then that Scott had felt like he needed to step in. He was enjoying watching Katie do what she did best: verbally spar with people; only this time, it wasn’t with him. It was weird in a way, but… he had to admit, he kind of liked it. “We’re not that bad!” Scott protested, though he was smiling at Katie all the while. It was good to be comfortable, and casual with her, compared to how he’d been even just a couple of weeks again. It was different and nice — even if she was a little… scrappy with Joy at the moment. That too would pass, or at least Scott hoped so. Katie and Joy beefing was a little weird — Joy had always been there to reel Katie in before, and Scott had to hope he and his girlfriend didn’t get in a verbal fight while Joy was down for the count.

“Don’t call her a toy, bro. Shit’s rude. And so what if I am whipped? At least —” Scott paused, thinking about a way to make fun of Jamie and AJ’s relationship, but not start something with Katie. That was going to be… harder than he thought, so he instead chose the wiser path of just dropping that thought like a hot potato, and changing gears. “Play nice, I wanna keep it this way as long as I can.”

Everything Katie and Ellie had said went in one ear and out the other, because now AJ Tyler was focused on two words Scott said. Two words that showed Scott had something to say but chose to hold his tongue. Taking his sunglasses off his head, he hooked it on his tee and hissed, “At least, what?” Anyone that knew AJ knew he didn’t let shit go and he wasn’t going to let this go. His anger, that’s been there for awhile, was hard to swallow and keep in, especially right now. He preferred suppressing the rage, but right now? He looked at his friend and his ex’s sister and wanted to act out. This was a disaster waiting to happen because looking at them made him feel undeniable and burning animosity. “I’ll play nice once you tell me what the fuck you were going to say, Scott?”

Geeze, sometimes AJ was such a baby. Scott had to remind himself that his best friend, despite his good parts, was kind of a bipolar dude. It made things a little obnoxious sometimes, but he’d dealt with it for a good fourteen years now, he could handle it pretty damn well. Even so, it was nonetheless irksome for the young man; no one wanted their friend to get snappy over nothing. Scott shook his head, glancing over at AJ, “does it really matter? Do you really wanna do this so early in the day, dude?” Scott asked, but he already knew the answer. Of course he did, because when didn’t AJ want to do this? “I was just gonna say something about yours and Jamie’s relationship, but I didn’t because I know Jamie is kind of a sore subject for Katie, that’s all. Geeze man, you gotta get a handle on yourself.”

“Why you scared ‘round your girl? If you two are actually ‘in love’ she’d handle your true feelings on her brother just fine. It ain’t news that my relationship with Jamie was a dumpster fire, dude.” Sometimes, AJ got so lost in the moment, in his anger, letting the torment in his brain fester, that his surroundings were clouded. His friend was being a goddamn pussy for a girl, whose liberal opinions meant nothing to him because she was probably part of the reason Jamie broke up with him. When Jamie had his doubts and insecurities, Katie would surely chime in and say, fuck that guy, instead of give actual good advice. He was an emotional volcano convinced it was everyone else’s fault but his own. The truth was hard to accept. The truth that Jamie wanted to give up on him and fall in love with the biggest diva at their school. Marshall-fucking-Radley. His build up steam, scorching his insides, as he avoided owning the shame that was all his, was interrupted by someone covering his eyes.

“Guess who?”

For a moment, he imagined his ex covering his eyes, as he led him to a midnight picnic in one of their favorite outdoor spots, since aside from cars, AJ loved camping and the great outdoors, which only made things worse. Snapping at the unsuspected guest, AJ growled, while taking their hands off him, “Not now, Bailee.” He turned around to see his childhood friend, only to realize it was a different childhood friend entirely. Someone he didn’t think would be here, at his school, right now. “Wait, Val, what the fuck?”

[LovelyComplex]

_{Present day, The Morning Show
Collab with @Kitty@Melissa
Starring Emmy-Lou Waters and Savannah Matthews
Featuring Jax Dalton, Riley Wells, and Jasmine Fulton}

This was it, the big moment. They were going live. Unlike Becca, they had people from the school helping them voluntarily for their campaign video. Emmy-Lou and Savannah had been preparing for this moment, Mina helping with a lot of it. The video would start with Savannah before Emmy-Lou took over and then the two of them together as they arrived to their final destination in the school. Filming them they had Jax, he was well known and quite talented with the camera.

Looking around the hallway they stood in, the one that had the perfect look and lighting, Emmy-Lou fixed her hair and adjusted her dress. She looked to Savannah who looked perfect as always and then to Jax who was preparing the camera. Everything was ready and she knew they could do this. She made her way to Savannah and smiled warmly, ”How are you feeling darlin’? You ready to show them what we southern girls are made of?”

Savvy stood pressed up against the row of lockers in the hallway, checking her reflection in a compact mirror. Although she may have looked cool, calm, and collected on the outside, doubt and worry flew through the redhead’s mind. Savannah’s cheeks were rosy and naturally flushed due to her anxiousness surrounding the campaign video, and she wondered if this was the right decision and plan for her. Was it a bad idea to run for VP? Was this a bad call? But, as Emmy-Lou approached her, she remembered exactly why she volunteered for this role. “I’m feeling alright, definitely a little bit nervous, but otherwise, I’m ready.”

Gently, Emmy-Lou took Savannah’s hands in hers and gave them a reassuring squeeze. ”You are gonna do amazing sweetheart! You are perfect for this and I’m so glad I chose you as my VP. There is no other person I’d want by my side. One southern belle would have been all good and swell but two, I think us southern girls can really help make a difference in this school.” Not to mention, Savannah really helped sell the campaign look making the chances of Mina’s plan succeedingly higher.

“Are you guys almost ready?” Riley’s voice seeped into Jax’s left ear through his earpiece.

“Yeah, dude. Just about.” The devilish and handsome camera guy licked his bottom lip, gliding over his lip ring as he watched the production assistant place an X mark with electrical tape on the ground where Savannah would start. The girls had lavalier mics situated and attached to their tops, hidden from sight. He had an audio girl make sure the ‘tea party’ candidates wore appropriate blouses that wouldn’t give any unnecessary noise. Placement was key. Sound was crucial during any recording, and now that the Morning Show spent most, if not all, of their budget, the people behind the scenes were living their best lives. Granted, lavs were tricky, especially for live shows, so if they didn’t have a good audio person on set this could fail horribly. Thankfully, this school had a lot of talent and Brian, who was the producer of Riley’s show now (by choice?), was no fool. It was just a matter of looking in the right places.

“Brynn and Gwen will be cueing them in ten, nine—”

“Hey, you two. Get to your spot! Eight seconds left.” While Savannah would start in this hall, they were in the middle of it, which was nice and symmetrical in terms of lockers and doors (they were in the art hall, so there were kids’ works put out on display throughout the hall), Emmy-Lou would be waiting in the hall to the left, which led to the cafeteria. That hall had a huge wall mural that Rose and a couple of other students painted, which over all would provide a nice backdrop for the girls. Home ec club’s bake sale was also set up there and of course, having sweet delights would only add to the southern charm. “Okay, I’m rolling.”

“—Three, two, one.”

As soon as Riley counted down, Savannah tried her best to relax and loosen up, letting her shoulders roll back and her arms fall naturally at her sides. The redhead pretended that the camera was an old friend- after all, that’s what she was trying to make the students at BHHS view her as: a friend.

“Growing up in a small town, Hico, Texas, southern hospitality was thriving all around me. It was my mom giving a neighbor a cup of sugar after they realized they didn’t have enough. It was my childhood friends helping me pack up all of my belongings to move without me even asking for assistance. It was our mayor inviting those who had fallen on hard times for Thanksgiving Dinner when they had no where else to go. Southern hospitality is a mindset that made our town a community, and that’s the kind of environment that the team of Waters and Matthews wants to create at BHHS.”

“Even though we’re not in the south, it doesn’t mean we can’t bring a little bit of southern charm to these halls. If elected, we will strive to make this school a more warm and welcoming place that fosters community, inclusivity, and respect.”

Emmy-Lou went to her place when it was time, once again fixing herself up and taking a deep breath and releasing it. She could faintly hear Savannah speaking as she made her approach. When the redhead finished, it was finally the blondes turn. Putting on her award winning smile, Emmy-Lou began to speak.

”For so long we’ve watched as fellow students fight amongst each other. As people have torn one another apart instead of building one another up. The school has been split apart into separate groups instead of a community. We wish to tear down the walls built and bring together all as one. We don’t plan on running the school as if we are high and mighty but as fellow students. We will be one with all y’all, listening fully to all y’all to make this school the best it can be.” The blonde began to move while continuing to speak, making her way towards the bake sale while maintaining full eye contact with the camera. She had practiced walking backwards to make sure she didn’t stray from her path or embarrass herself.

”We may just be two southern belles, two outsiders who aren’t from the area but we have made this school our home and only want what is best for it. We embrace the fact we are unique, that we are different and want all y’all to embrace your differences and let them bring y’all together. Without differences we couldn’t have done this today, nor shown off the beauty that the unique and talented people of our school have created on our walls. We especially couldn’t be at this charming little bake sale with delicious foods by our school’s one and only Home Ec club with amazing bakers like Jasmine Fulton. Y’all can stop by this shindig and ask us any questions y’all may have while getting yourself a little treat.” Emmy-Lou now went over and stood by Savannah.

”The two of us only want to bring the southern charm to BHHS. If you allow us to by voting for us and making our dream a reality, we can make the school a better, warmer place for all.”

Savannah smiled her signature grin at the camera once more before closing out the video. “Vote Waters and Matthews on January 27th- BHHS’s sweetest option for student government.”

When Brynn and Ace’s voice came out of Jax’s earpiece, he knew they were in the clear and cut the camera. “You two were cute.” The punk flirtatiously complimented the two belles, before checking the time, “I’d love to stay and chat, but I gotta’ bounce.” He paused to look at the girl with the leather jacket on, who was giving the long table a once over to make sure it was completely ready for the hungry teens, and gave a charming grin, “Before I leave… Jaz, can I get a cookie?” Pause. “On the house?”

Rolling her eyes, Jasmine grabbed the plate of chocolate chip and lifted it to the DJ and part time videographer, “Just one or others will expect the same treatment.”

Word! Leaning in, he grabbed one and placed it in his mouth. Not saying another word, simply giving her a wink, Jax walked off with the small film crew of the Morning Show, leaving the girls to do whatever girls do this early in the morning.

[BrutalBx]

---

Mentions: Jasmine, Lee, Stella

---

”Kicked out of two schools for violent conduct, arrested multiple times for umpteen misdemeanours, charged with assault and robbery. I must say Mr Hyde, I have no idea why your transfer to this school was accepted. You must have some powerful friends”

The blue eyed demon grinned, quietly musing over the guidance counsellors sheer confusion at his late transfer to Beverly Hills High School. Hyde sat there, bruised eyes, split lip and scratched up hands folded across his chest, a far cry from the faces in the hall behind him. It was bemusing to think that this man had so little idea what his wealthy charges in this school actually did in their spare time; some of the actions of the elite were far worse than the stuff Cameron did. At least when he did his shit, he was honest about it. The move to the 90210 was not initially a choice of Hyde’s; it was a dare gone wild.

During their time at the Chapter Six, Cam and Jasmine were starting to find their rhythm together on the dance floor, drenched in neon lights and seduced by a sensual saxophone, the feeling that whirled around them was utterly terrifying but also so desperately exhilarating that they couldn’t get enough, like the drugs he so readily supplies to the rich bitches he was surrounded by. Then came the moment his North Star ran out on him, of course he gave chase but she was gone, the girl hopped her bike and rode off into the night, leaving him alone. Leaving Cameron Hyde alone was dangerous; without a guiding light, the dark can become way to appealing and on a day like Dare Night, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do. That’s how he wound up in a bathroom stall with a rather influential board member, a line of coke and a hidden camera. Someone had orchestrated this, of course they had. They wanted blackmail material and the monster from maple was the perfect guy to get it. Getting himself enrolled into BHHS was a bonus.

”What is it you actually want to do with your life, Cameron? What’s the goal?”

”I’m not sure” Hyde feigned interest of course. ”I don’t really think too far ahead”

”Why is that?”

Cameron scoffed as if it was insulting that this over paid and under educated nanny didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. It was extremely clear in these few quiet moments that regardless of how they pretend, the people here were from a whole other world. ”Where I come from, it’s not about what you want, it’s about what you got to do to survive. A man must have a code”

”And what’s your code?”

The demon with the face of an angel lifted his baby blues to match the counsellors inquisitive gaze, a very real, palpable hint of menace in them. ”Fuck everyone”

”I was just like you, I grew up hard and I grew up with a chip on my shoulder but then someone took a chance on me. Showed me that I was more than where I came from. I’m gonna give you that chance, Cameron but I need you to work for it. You think you can do that? You think you can be perfect? Go show me”

Leaving the guidance counsellors office, Hyde room a deep breath. This was a different world, it wasn’t dogtown, his old tactics wouldn’t work here. Before he could threaten and beat his way to the top, down by the water he was number one, he wasn’t that here, not yet. He had to be smart, Lee wasn’t going to help him here, he had his hands full with that prissy bitch, Stella. No, the dark passenger had to find new friends, people who could and would get him to where he needed to be; the fucking top. He had to be number one.

This election everyone and their mothers seemed to be talking about, this was the perfect opportunity for the antagonist to make his mark in this brand new world. He couldn’t run for President, that was just idiotic but he could “offer” his services to the right candidate. Someone would know how to use his animalistic nature to their advantage. Evil walked the halls of this school, evil of a different malevolence to his own and he just had to find it.

He stood for second, gazing upon the student body running around the halls and with every passing student, further dangerous ideas of what he could do to them plagued Hyde’s troubled mind. These ideas were so very far from anything that they had experienced before; they were blood soaked and glowing in violence. The night was dark and full of terrors and now so was this place. It had thought it had seen everything, wait until they got a load of him.

”Take a picture, handsome. It’ll last longer” The girl said as she slammed closed her locker, startling Cameron from the awful day dream he dare not share with anyone else. She fearlessly sauntered up to the towering youth and shoved a piece of paper into his hand. ”Come to this, you can stare and take all the pictures you want” she spun on her conversed heel and headed off into the crowded halls.

Hyde opened up the folded sheet and scanned it: it was a poster for a gig ”The Last Saints in Hollywood”

There were no saints in this world of sinners.

[Hey Im Jordan]

_{Mentions: @Dirty Pretty Lies (Stephanie)
Time: Monday
Location: The Hallways}

---

Kit was really digging this short hair. It looked good on her, or at least she felt like it did.

If someone asked her — no one ever did, and it was for the best, Kit tended to ramble — she thought it made her look less like a fucking four year old. Which was becoming an increasingly important thing, as Kit was trying to find her way in high school. If she looked like a kid! Then dammit, everyone was going to treat her like one, and that was no good. She wasn’t a kid!

She was a semi-professional video game player, for fuck’s sake. Eat your heart out, gramps, Kit was to able to turn all that time playing Xbox when she was younger into a profitable skill. She just had to… win some tournaments or whatever! That would be easy enough. It was just, finding the tournaments that was hard…

She couldn’t think about that now. She had to think about class, which was hard enough sober, but Kit… Kit was very rarely sober, especially nowadays with all the stress she was going through. Stress about how she was possibly becoming a cult leader, stress about whether or not Dragon Ball FighterZ was going to be as much fun when it released as it was when she played it with Hana — shit didn’t that come out today?

Focus, Kit. What else are we stressed about? Oh, right. That. Was Hailey Green going to take her out back and ol yeller her for kissing Hana? Had Hana told her? How could Kit steal Hana away from Hailey? It was an impossible task, but Kit was always up to one of those. Maybe that had something to do with the whole ‘rarely sober’ thing…

Was Kit stoned? No, being ‘stoned’’ was for posers — Kit was ripped out of her mind and higher than the clouds. She was stressed! Of course she was smoking in the morning. Stress did that! Weed was like, anti stress! So, naturally, Kit was high as a kite and her eyes had been eye-dropped to clarity.

The Professor probably would have complained if she knew about Kit’s state of mind, but the Professor was binge sleeping, drinking, and watching Netflix. The Doc said it was a ‘work in progress’ but Kit didn’t get that. She didn’t even know what was going on, truth be told; the Professor was apparently stressed by Kit’s, ahem, behavior lately.

Well, that wasn’t Kit’s fault! So she liked to kiss girls. Who was to blame for that?! God!? It wasn’t Kit’s fault that girls were so goddamn cute. She’d kiss boys too, if they weren’t so… smelly. Okay, okay. They weren’t smelly, she just… didn’t like them as much! Why did it matter to her mom who and how often she kissed, anyway? Did her mother hate lesbians!? That would explain… well, nothing, really.

Kit shook her head. Somehow, someway, she would figure this out. She always did! It was arguably one of her better traits. depending entirely on who you asked. Kit was good at getting things she wanted done! That was how she got to the tippy top of the ranks in TEKKEN, after all: not doing anything but playing for thirty seven hours straight.

Kit finally looked up from her shoes, and it was too little too late… She’d already bumped into someone. “Oh, dude, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there, I was just focused on like… oh, man. Wait a second, I haven’t seen you before… Well, it’s a pretty big school, and I haven’t seen like… too many people here. Yo! I’m Kit.” There. Good recovery. Good save. Find a way to kiss the pretty girl Kit.

[AlteredTundra]

_{Beatrix Kingsley & Samara Hart
Present time, in the Morning Room studio
Collab with @TootsiePop}

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Some students would think the T in HOT was at her lowest of lows, even more so now than when she was dealing with her break up with Owen. She was no longer Vice Prez of the student council and she gave her baby, the Newspaper club, to someone she loved to hate, but ultimately respected. Jamie Callaghan. Following through with their deal was her way of being the little hope left he had, since people started frowning upon him for his gossip article about the HOTtest scandal. They both were starting with a clean slate and had an entirely new hand dealt to them, but… she couldn’t help but miss calling the shots.

The adrenaline rush she got when she worked under pressure just to maintain the newspaper… that’s what she loved. She felt like people listened to her and cared to hear what she has to say, but perhaps the only reason she was made editor-in-chief was because she had Hailey and not because of her skill. That would be the only disheartening thing about it all. People would remember her for years to come as that crazy girl who wrote an article to destroy her ex because she was told he cheated on her, and then when all truth came out she went running back to him because she ‘needs’ someone to coddle her. This was high school and she wouldn’t expect anything less.

In all honesty, she will never stop loving journalism and when she goes to college, she’ll still pursue it. She just needs to take a step back and focus on healing on the inside and becoming the person she’d be okay with seeing in the mirror. In addition to that, she does still care about the school. That will never change. That’s why she is still involved with some clubs, like the Morning Show, although it’s simply as a guiding hand.

For those who actually did care to watch her rise and fall under a magnifying glass, her integrity had a slow fall, where her freshman year was her golden age, where she focused on improving the school rather than tearing it apart. Her sophomore year still showed she cared, but it was more focused on people’s reputations and cliques than actual respectable content. Junior year… she fell from grace and permitted gossip in the paper, and did everything that Hailey said as her right-hand lady, to save the paper, to feel beautiful while standing beside her best friends (Hailey and Ophelia), and to keep her mind off of Owen.

Oh, how things have taken a weird turn. She was back with Owen, she and Ophelia forgave each other but they’re still working on picking up the broken pieces, and she felt purposeless without the paper and without Hailey. Dully, her dark gaze scanned her laptop screen at her empty doc as she decided what to write about, fiction-wise. Fiction wasn’t her strong suit but she was told maybe trying a new writing form could help her. Perhaps taking things she knew, and making it into a story. Rules & Roses? She typed as a tentative title name. Maybe she’ll write something based on the harsh reality of her high school experience… hm.

Her mind was brought back to her surroundings when an unsuspected voice demanded her attention. After closing her laptop and grabbing her cup filled with ice, Trixie stood up so that she was standing at eye level with the primadonna. Gently, she moved the ice in her cup, while looking at Samara Hart contemplatively. “Brian is giving the Morning Show an upgrade by giving Rye help, since every teen star needs a break. And well, y’know, we’re bringing up the production value because we believe in Rye’s show. He just doesn’t think like a producer.”

Trixie shifted her body to face the screen that displayed Becca’s video for the elections, “Henry will run away from his duties, if no one makes sure he’s doing them. Plus, if he actually works maybe the principal will let him off the hook early.” The New Years party changed things for him and Dames, which was the beginning of the dominos falling. Things started happening, one after the other. There was inevitable change and it was all thanks to that shitshow party. HOT would have never fallen, if Trixie never went to that party. But it was written in the stars that things needed to change, for the betterment of the school.

And so she could be happy with herself.

There was no malice coming from the once-so-popular girl’s voice. If anything, she was speaking matter-of-factly. Trixie had gotten soft. There was no doubt about that, or she simply just stopped caring about trying to stay at the top.

Glancing back at the gorgeous blonde, Trixie chuckled at the notion that these were strange times. High school was ever-changing and it was for the best that things were changing. Maybe people would be less about each other and more about themselves, enjoying the days that should be simple. Their high school days. “If you didn’t care about something you wouldn’t be talking to me right now, now would you? So, Samara. What’s up?” Cutting to the chase, Trixie turned back to face the other girl, intriguingly observing her like the clever fox that she was, “What brings you here really?” Not every day where the school’s biggest diva actually wanted to casually talk to her. Strange times, indeed. Then and only then Trixie put the cup to her plumped lips and dipped ice in her mouth. She slowly chewed, with eyes that seemed judgemental but were simply how she looked at people sometimes. A bitchface. You can thank her mama for that.

“Straight to the point? You really are in a mood, then.”

Samara laughed, eyeing Trixie’s no-nonsense gaze. She had seen it many times whenever Mara herself had stared into the mirror every morning she finished doing her hair. She saw it this morning and it amused her. If it weren’t for the rumors of Trix being too loose emotionally (or so they say) and the obvious skin tonal differences, she’d say the two were just about the same, which just the thought of that made Sam more interested in Trixie Kingsley.

“What? I can’t come see my favorite member of HOT -- sorry,” she paused, lowly chuckling, “--my favorite member of the trio formerly known as HOT.” She smiled at Trixie. Just as it seemed Trixie was sizing her up and what Mara’s intentions were, the petite blonde was doing the same. In her case, it was more so Samara getting a feel for Trix. “I admit, we don’t know each other, like at all. Reputations aside, of course, but I’m a fan. You give those who deserve a reminder to not fuck with you and you do it with style! I can respect that.”

“That was the old me.” Trixie shrugged, hopping mind over matter could change the error of her ways. She didn’t want to believe she was vindictive, heartless, and full of malice. She didn’t want to think she was out for herself, like everyone else at this school usually was. Except for the burners. They were the only wholesome group this school had to offer. “Or… I’m just focusing on my college portfolio and spending my last year enjoying it with my boyfriend and friends. Out of this mess.” She gestured around them, to emphasize her point that their school was definitely one of a kind.

Genuine honesty on the table, Trixie gave an exasperated sigh, not knowing if she was fully convinced in her own words that she’d stay out of the heat of school drama and politics. Somehow, it felt like she was usually caught in the middle of it. Anyways, she’d surely try, like she was trying to break her desire to drink liquor to deal with her stress and insecurities. “I wouldn’t say I’m in a mood.” She rolled her eyes at that remark before confessing that she was simply emotionally drained, “These past couple of weeks have just been… a lot. But. I’m not going to bitch and complain about it.” At least, not to someone she didn’t really know.

Her fierce glare went from Sam’s face to the co-stars of the show, Ace and Brynn threading the candidates’ backgrounds together with casual conversation while Riley stood crossed arms by the cameraman, watching them carefully and taking mental notes of where they needed to improve. While she went back down, taking her seat, she observed him que the next candidate (with his earpiece) that her part was coming up and then Emmy-Lou’s segment began. “This school will go to the dogs because let’s be real, this election is an open invitation to the student body. Some of those that have taken interest in this game have shown their faces, but the reality is, it doesn’t take a student council member to control the chaos or embrace it.”

The facility and staff doesn’t even care about the council and if the council doesn’t have a Prez and VP team that’s willing to argue with authority on a daily basis, throw money in their faces to get away with murder, and instill fear in them to be given privileges beyond those that the average student gets, being the so-called ‘leaders’ of this school would be a pointless endeavor. Plus, that trope was already done. She doubted the next key player would be running in this election.

Take, the Weekend Warrior for example. An anonymous writer who talks dirt on their blog, that took precautions like masking their IP address. A blog not limited by journalism integrity. Kids itch for the next article because whenever they do write, it’s always worth the read and always highlights exactly what people want to know. The tea. The Weekend Warrior probably thinks they’re this vigilante making a difference, shit-talking those that are higher up the ladder, but it’s obvious they’re just as invested in this drama than anyone else is, feeding off of people’s reactions. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t intrigued at what would happen next.

Sam watched what Trix was watching. Only after a long moment of doing this did she roll her eyes. There was nothing more boring than who was going to fill in the rotation of the next cycle of the student council. Samara never had any interest in it. To those who vied for that small window of fame during high school years were more welcomed to soak up the shallow rays the positioned shone on them. She gave that particular subject an interest-ending shrug as she returned to Trixie.

“I would love to know something though.” Sam pulled up a chair next to where Trixie was sitting. “When you wrote that article and let the dominoes fall where they may, did it send a rush through your veins? I’m talking about the moments that came after you published that raw display of your scorned heart. It had to have been an empowering high.” Sam thrived off of gossip. One of her most addictive drugs was, in fact, hearing it from the source.

Sam hit a cord inside of Trixie and her grip tightened on her styrofoam cup. “The Cowardly Lyon was far from empowering.” When she wrote that article, she twisted facts with lies and it may have felt good to give him just deserts, when she thought he was guilty but it didn’t make it right. An eye for an eye was not a philosophy she wanted to live by. She used Owen’s vulnerabilities to her advantage, making her a bitch you don’t want to fuck with, but also… ripping the heart right out of someone she loved. Someone she should’ve given the time of day to speak his case. “I didn’t do what I thought was right. I didn’t write that because I was strong. I wrote that to get even. I want to become a journalist because I want to understand the heart of the world, not show the world that this bitch is crazy and not a reliable source. I will say that ‘raw display’ did teach me something. It showed me how much I have yet to learn. But, that article isn’t something I’m proud about. It’s just a reminder of how shitty I can be.” Why the hell was she pleading her case to this girl anyways? She was getting punished enough for that emotional outburst.

Standing up, leaving the cup behind, Trixie shook her head, “If you think hurting someone is a form of self-empowerment, you’ve got a lot to learn too. Now, don’t you have homeroom to get to, or something?” Why don't people ever want a normal conversation with her? Why did they always want something to gain? How’s your day, Trixie? Oh, nice manicure, Trixie! I love the color. Do you want to see a movie together, Trixie? Nah. That’s not the life she has at this damn school. Why the hell did Samara even have to bring up her biggest mistake? As if Trixie liked to talk about it freely. Fucking annoying.

The way Trixie had exploded had proved those rumors to be true, but it wasn’t enough for Samara. She didn’t know exactly what it was but she knew she needed something more. As she thought about it a little more, she had leaned back into the chair she was sitting in. “I know who I am. Some people spend their entire lives deciding what they need to do for the sake of others. If you’re too bitchy, then people complain; if you’re too nice, they’ll call you a pushover. But do you know what I say to them?” It was a rhetorical question, of course. “I show them my bank account and how the words of the sheep mean very little to people like you and me: the types who will eventually rule this world in every way that matters.” As she spoke, she crossed one leg over the other and smiled.

“So you’re money and power.” Beatrix frowned at that sentiment. Such a skewed perception on life. That being said, Sam wasn’t to blame for that. Her parents were and those she’s surrounded by that never taught her that she was ever wrong. A mentality that a lot of people that are fortunate to have a trust fund, such as herself, have. She was fortunate enough to have parents that chose the wilderness over riches, living in their own little paradise in Alaska. They still made bank, obviously not Green level, but they made a comfortable amount. It was all material to her family, though. They didn’t need money. Or power. They were simply happy helping people. There was a sudden revelation Trixie gained about herself, in this moment. The root of who she was, as a person, when most of her high school career she tried so hard to be like Hailey and Ophelia. The filthy rich world wasn’t for her.

“I feel sorry for you. Yes, I believe we have a right to our opinions, especially as women, but the way you want to go about things sounds kind of… lonely. You choose elements in life that you could lose in a heartbeat. If you didn’t have money, if you didn’t have your family’s influence, where would that leave you?” That was rhetorical too. “Just bitter.” She did agree, that most people were like sheep, harmless creatures going about their everyday life, wanting to be left alone with those they loved. Then there were the wolves. Those who want nothing more than to eat those sheep, like Samara. Trixie didn’t think she was either. She wasn’t as ruthless as a wolf and she wasn’t as vulnerable as a sheep. If she had to choose a life she wanted to live, from this point on, it would be that of a sheepdog. She’d choose protection over predation, because she believed in order to ‘rule the world’ you have to be a positive influence, and care for sheep, wolves, and dogs alike. You had to root for humanity, not just yourself. Man, this was the clearest her mind has ever been and it was all thanks to this random conversation.

“Trixie, dear, I’m not old enough to be bitter, but it’s so wonderful that you recognize my family name has influence.” Samara opted to ignore all of the insults.

What she saw as a negative thing was what drove Samara to become the queen she knew she was destined to become. She grew up knowing she was going to accomplish great things. One thing Trixie was right about was how her family’s money could disappear. All it’d take is a bad business deal gone horribly or a scandal that HartCorp couldn’t come back from, but Sam had more than just that driving her. The girl had her sky’s-the-limit ambition and the confidence to back her up. If she was to be poor one day, then so be it. Money only made her destiny a little brighter but she will become pop royalty eventually.

She stood up and straightened her outfit. She looked at the girl and could only sigh at the disappointment that Beatrice Kingsley turned out to be. “Do me a favor: if you ever find your edge again, come find me. I’d love to talk to that Trixie Kingsley, not this shell she has become.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Trixie smiled, oddly not angry at this confrontation at all. Actually, she was at peace with herself and it felt great. She’d have to tell Owen all about it later. “Sam. If you need someone to talk to, you already know how to find me.” Part of her did think of something clever and edgy to say back, ‘if you ever find your heart, I’ll be waiting to talk to you again’, but she decided to offer a small piece of friendship, if she ever did find herself between a rock and a hard place. Something about this conversation made her understand her cousin, Hailey Green, a bit more too, and honestly? She couldn’t stop smiling. “I’m here, if you need me.”

[Venus]

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_{A @Dirty Pretty Lies & @BrutalBx Collab
Featuring Aleyda Westwood & Cameron Hyde}

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The short encounter with the self-deemed witches of the school had put Aleyda in an even worse mood than she was before. Sure, the sweet moment with Benjamin had definitely done wonders for her, but the unwelcome guests had sent all the progress down the drain with their ignorant, unwarranted-for comments. Poor Benji, forever awkward, had ran off like a headless chicken, and Ley had been left to deal with the fallout. She’d left the staircase as quickly as she could, all the while hoping and praying that those two girls could keep to themselves what they had seen. The last thing Benji needed was more reasons to be bullied, and the last thing Aleyda needed were more reasons to get into conflicts with people.

Ley had been scanning her surroundings when her scowl soon turned into a smirk as her brown eyes fell onto someone who looked like he was having a worse day than her. Cameron Hyde stood in the middle of the crowded hallway, his face nothing but a mask of burning rage. What had happened to piss him off, Aleyda had no idea. But with Hyde, even looking at him for too long could set him off. The boy was a ticking time bomb, but the young woman knew of a few tricks to cool him down to a reasonable degree.

"Everything okay there, Guapo?" Ley asked Cameron in the pet name she'd assigned to him for the longest time now, cautiously approaching the very angry beast standing a few steps away from her. "You look like they've just spat on your face."

Hyde looked with disdain as Ley emerged from a nearby doorway. He clenched his fists tighter, crumpling the poster in his left hand before shoving both into his pockets. ”What do you want, Ley? I haven’t got any Molly today, you fucking fiend.”

It was true that Cameron could get his bloodied hands on anything. Whatever the rich kids vice of choice, he could generally get it. For most it was a little weed to piss off their parents. Others liked a little coke to go all night long. Some even preferred a little H: those were the dirty kids and his best customers. Ley, a regular customer, liked some molly for her parties (amongst other things), and she liked it a lot.

The Mexican-American girl couldn't help but let out a scoff. "You know better than to talk to me like that, Cammy-bear," she cooed, choosing to stand directly in front of him and flirtatiously fumble with the collar of his shirt. "And FYI: I don't want any molly today. All I wanted was to make sure you don't go ballistic and fucking murder everybody in this school. I know that look in your eyes, Hyde. It's not good news."

Grabbing her by the wrists as she played with his shirt, Hyde dragged her into an adjacent empty classroom. ”You watch that pretty little mouth of yours, Aleyda. You know I have no problem smashing your teeth down your fucking throat.” And it was true. The girl was no stranger to Cameron’s violent moods and brutal physicality. Often if she could not pay for her choice of drugs, she would offer her body in more ways than one to the monstrous teen to satiate his dark hunger. ”I don’t need you holding my leash, Ley. These kids deserve what they get.”

"You think I'm scared of you, gringo? I'll maul that pretty face of yours before you ever lay a hand on me," Aleyda sneered in warning, a defiant eyebrow raised at the young man threatening her. Frankly, she should know better than to play games with Hyde when he was in this state. But then again, he should know better than to think he intimidated her. Just because they fucked occasionally didn't mean she was his bitch. "While I definitely agree that some kids here could use some of your tough love, I'd like to think you're not stupid enough to do it in plain view and risk getting caught. We both know you're smarter than that."

Hyde pushed his head against hers and growled deeply, inhaling her exotic scent. "You got some balls today. You think cos you’re wet for Benji Webb that he can protect you. I’ll eat him alive, Ley. There ain’t no one here who can stop me, and you and me- we aren’t in plain view now...” With his large left hand he grabbed the Latina by the throat and began to squeeze. Watching her pretty tanned skin turn purple, the demon's blue eyes began to widen. He scanned her body, she looked good today. He could change that if he wanted to, that kind of power was addictive.“If not them, it’ll be you”

Aleyda’s smug expression was wiped clean the second Cameron’s hand grabbed and tightened around her throat. She was suddenly frozen on the spot, eyes wide with shock watching Hyde let out his dangerous anger on her in the wrong way. It was true that things occasionally got pretty rough between them when intimate-- to the point that it could look like she'd fist-fought with someone. But in those times, consent from both parties was always clearly expressed.

But this? This was Hyde consciously putting hands on her to assault, hurt and intimidate her.

Yet even when she was internally frightened out of her mind of what was happening, the influence of the unyielding Mexican blood in her was stronger than her fear. While other girls would be squirming and pathetically squealing in fright, Aleyda remained calm, fixing her brown eyes on the blue gaze of her attacker while one of her hands discreetly searched for something to defend herself with. Finally, her fingers closed around the metal handle of the world globe sitting on top of the teacher’s desk right next to where she stood.

Without any further hesitation, Aleyda mustered up all the strength she could and swung the globe straight at Cameron’s head. The hollow ball made a loud sound as it came in contact with the side of Hyde’s skull and later the floor, and she felt the young man releasing his grip on her throat. Instinctively, Ley pushed the male's body away, swung her dominant arm again and smacked her open palm against the side of his face, leaving the bright red imprint of her hand against his pale skin.

Breaking into a fit of laughter, Hyde stumbled back, clutching the side of his blond head. There was no blood; but damn, that hurt. "There’s that Latina fire. It’s about time!” The devil of Dogtown straightened himself up and corrected himself to his full height. "Never let these fuckers see weakness, Ley. Crying in the stairwell? Get a fucking grip! Suck it up, and show them who you are.” he leaned in again and kissed the tip of her nose before lowering his voice to a whisper. "You're lucky I’ve got more important things to deal with today… I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”

Chuckling again, Hyde moved away from Aleyda and exited the classroom, leaving a shaken and confused girl behind.