AlteredTundra

Edenridge

_{Collab with @Venus || featuring The Brady Bunch || Time of Day — Early Morning (after the events of the Carlisle House)}
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As the morning rays had been poking through his window for nearly an hour and his room was illuminated by the summer sun, Marco just laid in his bed, looking at the wide poster of Boston’s hottest weather girl, Leticia Flores, Marco just laid there. His arms were folded loosely across his stomach, legs crossed in a way that didn’t cause his barely-recovered leg any discomfort. He laid there staring blankly into the image of the Mexican beauty, her dark hair enhanced by the light.

But he may as well be staring at a blank wall.

Marco wasn’t even feeling like himself right now nor had he since he and Jill departed-- and especially not since Danny dropped him off last night.

Since he got home, maybe save for a few hours spread across nine, Marco hadn’t been able to sleep. All he could do was think about how quiet he was during that drive home. All he could do was lament on what Jill said about Danny. He didn’t know if she was right and that Danny didn’t deserve him or if that was even a factor. He had buried all of those dark thoughts about Danny for so long that Marco thought he forgot about it.

But then when Jill opened up about Mei and poured her soul out to him, he just felt like he needed to tell someone. But after, he didn’t know if it helped. Even now, he still didn’t feel like he was any closer to feeling better about it. The pain was still there, but unlike before, he didn’t have anything else to push it down. Nothing to distract him. Unlike before, when Marco could use the excuse of the shooting and being shot and trying to recover from that, there was nothing that felt like a good excuse not to think of the hurt that came with his breakup with Danny. Even if nobody knew, he did and…

“I just don’t know!!--”

“Marcoooo!”

As a few tears fell down his face, Marco shook it as he heard Emil call for him. He immediately wiped away his brief visit with his feelings, burying them down behind a fortified smile that was depending on Marco’s ability to hide his sadness from his younger brother.

And as soon as a dressed Emil burst his way into Marco’s room, he didn’t make any fuss about it since his door was open. “I’m up! What’s up?” Marco said, greeting his brother as he stood up in a grunt.

“Mami needs us downstairs. Pop just got home and they want to go out for breakfast.”

“Really? I thought Pops wasn’t due home for another few hours?”

Emil shrugged. “You’re asking the wrong person. Now hurry up. I don’t think they want to wait in a line at Dolly’s.”

As his brother left, Marco decided that he wouldn’t think about Danny or what Jill said about Danny for the next couple of hours. Honestly, at the end of the day, maybe what he needed was this— a distraction with his family. Something that might make him forget about everything. Breakfast with his family always did that.

Marco spent a few minutes going through his dresser for a pair of shorts and a shirt. He knew that his Ma would probably expect him to wear something decent, so Marco made a habit of not going for a random pair of sweats. Even if they were just going out to the diner, there was a level of expectations to be had. Once he found something, though, he quickly slipped it on and headed downstairs.

But he did so at his own pace. His leg still felt like crap. Running around and standing for long periods of time did nothing to help his aching.

As he made it to the bottom of the stairs, waiting for him was everyone: his father, who was dressed in his usual work gear of the brown leather jacket he always wore, dark blue jeans, and a dark-colored shirt. Marco noticed the bags under his father’s eyes, which was to be expected. He was working all night and the fact he came home early and didn’t go straight to bed just showed how much he loved Ma.

“Hey there, Champ!” Colin greeted his oldest son with a dap hug, though it wasn’t as tight as he usually did. “Sleep well?”

Marco had to lie. “Yeah, it was okay!” He gave a smile, hoping they’d buy it. “Where’s Ma?” As he asked, he looked around for both Ma and Marcy.

“Marcy’s missing too,” Emil muttered. “Figures. The ones who wanted to go are the same ones making us wait.”

“Now now, don’t be like that, Emil. Just have a little patience, yeah?” Colin urged his son, teasing him with a slight tap against his son’s cheek.

And so they’d wait for a few minutes. They chatted during that time -- well, Emiliano and Colin did. Marco zoned out a few times and lost track of time. Honestly, he lost track of anything as he found himself sitting on the bottom stair, looking around and looking nowhere. Thoughts about what he had hoped to be distracted came back.

It was only when he saw his father and brother come at attention and hear the footsteps from behind him come in pairs of two. He stood up as quickly as his body would allow him to and took a few steps back.

His mother Marlena and his younger sister Marcy were making their way down the stairs, stylishly dressed to the nines and with impeccable hair and makeup. The females of the Brady family prided themselves in keeping up a flawless appearance no matter the occasion or time of day-- a diner breakfast would not be the exception. With her usual cheerful demeanor and blinding smile, Marlie waltzed around the room, planting kisses and hugs on her sons before wrapping her arms around her husband and pulling him into a kiss.

Emil looked at his mami and sister and shook his head, specifically at Marcy. “Don’t you think you’re a little overdressed? We’re just going to a diner.”

The brunette teen rolled her eyes. "How about you save your opinions for someone who actually cares?" she sassed back in perfect Spanish, flipping her hair over her shoulder and sauntering to the door. "Can we go now? I'm starving."

When Marcy's back was turned, he stuck his tongue out at her and felt the swift wrath of his mother's hand smacking the back of his head, sending the boy following his sister with the firm reminder that even a non-verbal habit doesn't go unnoticed by Big Momma.

"When will that boy ever learn?" Colin shook his head.

His wife merely rolled her eyes, making it evident from which parent Marcela had inherited the action from. "Apparently, never."

The air was filled with an immeasurable light, albeit at the expense of Emiliano, though everyone knew it was all in good fun. Even as Marco followed behind his parents, who were lovingly embracing with her arm behind his back and his gently slung over her neck. He smiled at that sight. He also smiled at the echoes of laughter as the door closed behind them, Marco locking it as his parents were halfway to the driveway, looking back at him, waiting.

The barely-mobile Marco had to take his time, but between the atmosphere among his family and the subtle breeze he felt from the morning, Marco took comfort in this being a better day than it was yesterday.

And when they got into the family SUV, a black one with spacious front and back seats, Marco and Marcy locked Emiliano in between them while their father drove. It wasn’t some guy thing where the dad drove the car, but Colin just liked to drive. And, normally, his ma was more than happy to let him do so.

The quick drive that took no more than ten minutes to Dolly’s Diner had been spent just chatting and enjoying each other’s company. Marco intentionally tried to bury himself into it, which most of it was spent talking about the weather. As mundane as it was, there was something refreshing about that particular topic. Maybe in all the darkness that yesterday brought, Marco welcomed it with an open mind. It served as the distraction he knew he needed.

buzzbuzzbuzz

Inside his shorts pocket, Marco felt his phone go off. Taking a moment to break away from the engaging conversation his family had, Marco saw he got a text from Roddy. He wanted to hang out later at Lyon Park. Something about wanting to take Rylie out.

Yeah sure man!
Just lemme know when.
Out with my family right now so maybe in a couple hours?

To Roddy

And when he sent that text, Marco looked up with a smile and saw that they had arrived.

And then they got out of the car and walked inside the diner. As they were met rather quickly, the Brady family were seated at a booth with a view, the sight of Lyon Park just down the way was what Marco immediately saw. He took the outer seat due to his limited mobility.

As they were handed menus, the waitress gave them a quick smile before saying, “I’ll give you a few minutes to decide. Can I start you off with some coffee in the meantime?”

“Yes. Please!” Colin said almost as if he was pleading with her for something a little stronger. “And make it as strong as possible.”

“I’ll take mine with four sugars.”

Emil shook his head at his older brother. “Well, I’ll take some OJ if you have it!” Emil chimed in, not quite ready to take the coffee route.

"I'll have a French vanilla latte with skim milk," Marcela piped up, while immediately shooting a defiant glare at Emiliano as if daring him to make one of his little comments about it.

"And I'll take a sunset mimosa," Marlie replied brightly, shooting their waitress a kind smile while lightly squeezing Marcy's thigh under the table-- a silent warning to her daughter and a request to behave.

Colin sighed as the waitress just replied with a “I’ll get your drinks for you now” before departing from the undoubtable awkward and tense air that had become the Brady Bunch’s booth. Not even five minutes in and the sibling bickering became so obvious that Colin could tell this wasn’t going to be easy.

“So, do we know what we want?” Colin asked his family, looking at each of them, though he’d center his gaze on his youngest two. The glares they exchanged was a telltale sign of what was to come and maybe — just maybe — if the patriarch of the family could restore some order while Marlie manned the close combat, he might be able to stop the storm before it became too large. “And don’t worry about skimping on anything you’re craving. We don’t do this as often as we should, so go ham!”

After a few long moments, Marco looked up from the menu. He took an additional one to look at Emil and Marcy. Whatever pops had said worked for now, but he could tell there was something brewing. “Think I might go for the Doll Express Plate.” Marco was looking at the photo of the three-pancake stack of buttermilk pancakes with three slabs of honey ham and three sausage links. There was a choice of hashbrowns or country potatoes, but Marco wasn’t sure which he wanted. He definitely wanted some fried eggs, though.

“Someone’s hungry!” Emil chimed in. “Maybe you want to make it a double, Marce? We all know how you like to eat!”

If they were out of sight from their parents, this would be the moment in which Marcela would flip off her brother and toss in a saucy remark or two. But because she was the bigger person (and because her mother would be quick to act if she didn't), the youngest Brady chose to purposely ignore Emiliano.

"I'll go for the salmon eggs benedict and a cinnamon roll," she told her family, closing the menu and pointedly looking away from her brother.

“Right…” Colin looked up at his two youngest. There was a partial groan that left his lips. PArt of him wanted to say something to them, but figured if they weren’t going to cause anymore problems, then it wasn’t worth it. So instead he’d try to detour the tense energy into a positive light. “Think I’ll have the midwestern omelet and some sourdough toast. Might even splurge in some turkey bacon.” He hummed as he looked over the menu. Breakfast was always hard to decide, but Colin knew he was hungry, though maybe not as hungry as Marco was. The thought of the spread that his eldest son was gonna feat upon made him crack a smile. It was at that same moment he turned to Marlena. “What about you, honey? Any idea what you might get?” He asked, looking at her lovingly (albeit with an obvious exhausted expression on his face).

"The mixed berry Belgian waffles with scrambled eggs and bacon," his wife replied, giving Colin a brief kiss before resting her head on his shoulder.

Not long after the whole family had stated what they wanted, their waitress came back with their drinks. And after some low murmurs from Emil and Marcy, who had once again bickered amongst themselves, the waitress left to take their orders to the kitchen. Everyone was mostly normal, or at least whatever normal passed for the Brady Bunch.

Everyone except Marco, who was, for the most part, lost in his own world.

Despite everything Marco told himself about wanting to have a distraction and wanting to just relax with his family. Despite him wanting to not think about what happened yesterday, he just couldn’t do it. And he wasn’t a master poker player like his father and couldn’t lie brilliantly like his siblings could, so he knew they’d see right through it. Brave faces only lasted so long.

How long did it last? Oh, right up until the waitress who had been checking up on them frequently dropped the check off, which of course his father picked up as he always did. It wasn’t even a man thing, but he always paid and nobody, not even his mother questioned it. Marco found a reason to smile because of this. He noticed that his father smiled when he opened the bill.

Knowing him he might just leave a tip larger than is ethnically required.

That’s just the kind of person Colin Brady was. Protects and serves in more ways than one might see on the side of the Edenridge PD cruisers.

As they got up, Marco remained quiet until his brother nudged him. It was their thing. When Marco shut down, which given recent events (not last night but generally speaking), Emil felt like he had to do it more often than he used to. They were at the door and as Marco walked through, his throat was dry, so he coughed. “So, Roddy texted me earlier.” He managed to get that out before he coughed again. His parents were halfway to the car and his siblings were the closest to him. “And he said he wanted to talk. I think, well I’m sure he’ll give me a ride back home if I asked him. So I think I’m gonna stick around. He’s told me to meet him at Lyon Park.” His gaze fell on the park just across the street.

Marlena stopped in her tracks and turned around to face her son. "Is everything okay?" she inquired, her voice worried as a concerned frown settled on her features. She could tell something had been weighing on her oldest from the moment she gave him his good morning kiss earlier that day. However, she had long since learned that the best approach to take with her blue-eyed boy was to inquire about things privately, and allow him the opportunity to return later if he didn't feel ready to disclose yet. Marlie knew asking in front of the others would earn her his usual "I'm fine" response, but she wanted to make sure her son knew his feelings were seen and validated.

Giving his mother a quick nod, Marco said, “Yeah…yeah! I’m alright! Everything’s okay!” His reply came out a bit more forced and rushed like he had to say it to save face with her or something. He knew that his ma was asking because she was concerned (obviously), and, of course, it wasn’t that he wanted to dismiss her effort to try and understand what he was feeling. Truth was he just didn’t feel like talking about it -- not here, at least. Something about others hearing what might be going through his head, especially about these new thoughts revolving around Danny. Marco just…didn’t want to deal with it right now. He just hoped that was enough for her, at least for now.

Marlie knew her son was lying, but she decided to not press on. Instead, she’d give Marco a soft smile and table the conversation for a later time. “Okay! And you’re sure you don’t want us to at least drop you off at the park, then? I know the doctors said walking is good for your recovery process, but Lyon Park is still some distance away. I wouldn’t want you to overexert yourself,” she confessed, worriedly eyeing his leg. Mother’s instinct, after all: to always protect, care and look after her children.

Marco shook his head, maintaining his ‘everything is fine’ expression on his face. In this case, about whether or not he could handle the walk from the diner to the park, Marco wasn’t covering up with that Brady stubbornness or anything. He really did believe he could handle it. “Thanks, Ma, but don’t worry! I can handle it. Doc said I’m at the point where I can push myself a little more each day.” Marco never lost his competitiveness. Even though he wasn’t the athlete he was a couple of years ago, there was no mistake he still had the spirit.

As Colin looked around and just smiled at Marlie and Marco, and came up from behind. “I’m sure he’ll be fine, honey.” Colin placed a supportive hand on Marlena’s slender shoulder. “And if all else fails, Marco can always call one of us to pick him up if he needs to. Right, Marco?”

“That’s right!” Marco said, flashing a more convincing grin.

Marlie assessed her son one last time. Although she knew he was fibbing about being alright, she could tell that he was being truthful about his confidence in being able to make it. If he felt comfortable enough in himself to make the trek, then who was she to stop him?

"Okay, honey," she finally gave in, taking a few steps towards Marco to give him a parting kiss and hug. "You call me if you need anything, okay? Say hi to Rod for me and give Princess Rylie extra cuddles on my behalf!"

Marco gave his usual thumbs up and watched as his family drove off. Somewhere in his gut he knew he was going regret not taking her offer, but he definitely just needed some time for himself to think. And maybe, jsut maybe, he wanted to prove to himself that he could make the journey to the park.

Edenridge

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“Thanks for picking me up.”

“Sure thing, kiddo. But I was surprised when you called. You don’t typically call me unless you want someone’s face caved in,” Reginold A.K.A. Chains said, smiling at Jade as his truck started up.

In usual circumstances, Jade only called her cousin because she knew he was always down for a fight and wasn’t as ill-tempered like that hotheaded Leone was, but she didn’t feel like worrying most of the members of the club, especially since the way she was when she called Reg wasn’t like her usual self.

“Yeah, I guess I do that a lot, don’t I?” Jade laughed but her mind was clearly elsewhere because she didn’t even put much effort into it. “And thanks for not bringing your hog this time, Reg. Even if all you have is this crappy pickup.”

“And there is my little cousin who likes to rip into my baby.” Reg laughed harder than was necessary, but a smile spread across his face. “You know I’m still trying to save up for a newer model than this here Toyota Pickup, right?”

As Jade leaned against the passenger door, she looked over at her cousin. “Is that so?” She raised an eyebrow. “And what will I tell Rey-Rey about how you still haven’t paid off your tab at Edge?”

Yeah, Reg was a frequent customer at Edge. Not when it came to the dancers. He had too much respect for Jade to indulge in that where she worked. She didn’t care about it one way or the other, but part of her appreciated that he didn’t give in to temptations. How he did that was beyond her because, as she was a frequent practitioner of “look but don’t touch”, something nobody ever at Eden ever abided by, a lot of her co-workers were insanely hot. Like so hot that, if they weren’t her literal family, Jade might’ve even gone for a few of them.

How the horndog of the Taylors resisted them was beyond her comprehension, but she figured his sudden silence was evidence that he wasn’t planning on paying the tab.

“But don’t worry, I won’t tell our King Serpent about it. Not like he’d dare enforce it like I suspect others would. Besides--” Jade’s humorous expression simmered down into a frown. Thinking about R2 reminded her of what transpired last night. What happened between everybody about Charlie. How memories from five years ago came back up and crashed and crushed Jade’s entire confidence. Thinking back to how R2 scared a then-fourteen-year-old Jade almost as much as he did last night.

That gun…

She still shivered at the thought of it.

And now she had left without saying much to Decky and Poppy. She just left a note, told Mr. Beau that she had to leave. She said she had to work, but really, even if she had to, she couldn’t walk back into Edge -- not until she sorted out how she felt about everything.

“Besides?” Reg asked.

“What?” Jade shook her head, looking a little dazed and confused as she turned her head towards Reg.

As Reg came to a stop at a red light and in front of the train tracks that separated the Northside and Southside, it felt like an eternity because neither Reg nor Jade was saying anything. Reg didn’t want to push anything and Jade didn’t realize just how lost in thought she was and everything was so cloudy.

“What’s going on, Jade? You seem lost in whatever part of your head that causes you be quiet. I know you never do that unless something pretty bad is filling that mind of yours.”

It’s true, Reg, along with the other members of the Howling Commando Crew, knew Jade the best out of the entire club. They were all like the brothers she never had growing up. Reg was literally the closest thing to a blood brother she had. And he always looked out for her. There was a reason why she called him whenever someone got too handsy at Edge. Or when she was being stalked by some tweaker whenever she went too close out of serpent territory. Or, really, for any reason that nobody else but Reg would drop anything to help her.

But to tell him about what went through her head would be to tell what happened five years ago and tell him what she had a hand in. Even after everything was said and done, Jade still felt a pang of intense guilt over her part in the events that transpired five years ago and how the ripples were still being felt today. The sadness she still clung to and it was a sadness that couldn’t be healed from being with her sister and Decky.

“I appreciate you trying to help, Reg, I really do - but right now, I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about it.” Jade looked over at her cousin’s concerned face. “I just want to go to the clubhouse. I want to be with my family. Maybe help someone with their bike. I just need to find my routine again.”

Find it like it was before Charlie died.

As she smiled at him, Reg shrugged. He was the type to normally push her to talk because she was a hopeless case whenever she was lost in her head (which she most certainly was), but he could tell in the way she looked at him that she truly wasn’t ready.

“You don’t wanna talk about it now? I get that. I respect it. Whenever you’re ready, you know my line is always open for ya.”

She smiled, giving a rare show of affection as she leaned against his shoulder for a long moment.

And after about ten seconds, she shook it off and looked forward. “Light’s green. Let’s go home.”

Without uttering a word, Reg drove straight down the road for about fifteen miles, going deeper into the greater Boston area where the Fallen Angels clubhouse was located. It was there Jade could hit the reset button. At her real home, it was where she first knew stability. It was ironic considering the whole club, in their own way, were all unproven criminals, but in a town where nobody was a saint, Jade knew she always had angels looking out for her.

Palm Beach Royals: Class Reunion (Shelved)

_{Collaboration with @LovelyComplex || featuring best female friend, Miranda "Mandy" Warner}
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Nathan Blake had always cherished the time he spent with Mandy. It didn’t matter if it was taking their almost weekly road trips that they started in college with them often just playing a classic game of rock, paper, or scissors to decide who gets to drive to recent traditions of him getting most of his non-meat groceries straight from her farm. Every moment spent with her has made not living in his hometown of Palm Beach seem not so bad, especially in early years of college when he had to live with the fact that his ex-girlfriend, Jasper Delamar, was at the same college he was.

Mandy was his rock, his anchor, and during some pretty bad nights where he drank too much vodka or smoked a little too much weed, the angel on his shoulder.

And today, she was in the driver’s seat, taking him to the airport.

For the first half of the trip, Nate was feeling great. He was riding a high because he thought about how long it’s been since he’s seen any of his old, casual friends from high school. Of course, he maintained contact with most of everyone, but not everyone. Years go by and things happen, life shifts everyone in different directions, but there were always a few people Nate never lost contact with: Spike and Max. Anytime that he went to LA or NY, which was almost every year since graduating high school, Nate has visited two of them whenever he could. When Spike started making ripples in the comic world, Nate went to every comic con he was going to appear at. Best buds support each other and Nate owns a physical copy of every issue, book, omnibus that Spike has ever released.

Yeah, for the first half of the trip, Nate was really excited. No doubt Mandy felt that energy. They sang and cheered as much they could that didn’t take much of Mandy’s focus away from, you know, driving, but at some point after that high, Nate let the excitement die down. Whether it organically simmered down or he willingly turned down the flame under his ass, one thing was for certain. During the intermission between high and his current lost-in-his-head low, Nate’s mind went from trying not to fuck up the lyrics of whatever song they were jamming along with to thinking about the reunion and the realization that it was envitable he’d run into Jasper.

Jasper…

There wasn’t a moment that Nate hadn’t thought about his ex-girlfriend from high school nor how real his feelings were — are — for her. Despite everything and all the time that’s passed, Nate still held a great deal of affection for Jasper. His prom-posal, which was very different than what anyone else thinks of when they hear that word, was so long ago yet the memory of the anguish caused by her rejection still rung his bell every time he thought about it. It wasn’t because she flat out said no. Nate had always been the kind of guy who never let it ever stand in his way of moving forward, but it was her reaction to it after the fact and the strain it put on their relationship post-graduation.

Not to mention the very awkward and tense reunion at college.

Yeah, he couldn’t forget the way she just scowled at him.

And that thought just brought Nate into an even worse mood. He never saw her look so cold at him in his life. And that was roughly nine years ago. He wondered if time changed her opinion of him? He didn’t know if it did or not.

As he lamented on that for a few minutes, Nate looked down at his phone. He must’ve pulled it out at some point because he didn’t exactly remember when, but he looked at the time. “Just under two hours until my flight leaves…” He muttered, though it was obvious that every bit of joy he had when they left was now locked away somewhere behind an apparent misery in his voice. “I think our exit is coming up soon,” Nate said to Mandy, though he didn’t necessarily look up at her when he said it.

Instinctively and abruptly, Miranda Warner pulled to the shoulder and put her car in park. Putting her hazard lights on, she turned her attention to the man next to her and gently reminded him of why it was important for him to go to this event. “You know what we’re not going to do? We’re not going to get stuck in our heads and think of the worst-case scenarios.”

She reached out and offered her hand for him to grab, “The one that we shall not name has already broken your heart, Nate. What more could she do that she hasn’t already done? Good people are going to be there and they will be there for you. I promise.” When he grabbed her hand, she tightly squeezed it, “Do you really think she’s going to go out of her way to torment you?” If anything, she was probably just as nervous to see him, but like the average tsundere, she would push him away before she admits her feelings. Mandy would know, she used to be one.

“Plus—” She leaned her head on his shoulder, taking in the stillness of her car. “—I know you and I know you want to talk to her. You want closure. And you’ll get just that, you just have to keep pushing, like I know you can. It’ll be okay. You will do GREAT because it’s you, Nate. You always do great.”

For a moment, Nate was going to ask how she knew, but this was Mandy. Even when he didn’t think she knew he was getting lost in his head, or letting bad thoughts consume the good, she knew. This was because whenever he was at his lowest, Mandy always knew exactly what to say and exactly whose name not to mention. And she was right, of course. He did want closure. And she was also right about how there would be people at the reunion like Spike and Max and even Marg (if she was going). So many people that he could fill up the weekend with positive vibes.

But if he were to make the most out of this weekend and if Nate was being honest, he needed to talk to Jasper, too. Because so many things were left unsaid and no amount of Mandy’s pep talk could shake that out of him.

Looking at his female best friend, Nate mouthed a silent ”thank you”. When it really counted, she was there for him and always — always — knew what to say to get him smiling again like his usual self.

Well, he wasn’t out of the woods but he wasn’t as down. “Oh, by the way, I don’t think she wants to torment me. Lord knows she did that plenty ten years ago and some during college.” Nate had to laugh at the awkwardness of seeing her around Meadow U for nearly four years. He had thought about transferring to make it easier for them, but obviously, he didn’t. “And you know, I know people who haven’t scarred me for life will be there to relive some old, fun memories. I can’t wait to see Spike again…even though it’s been only a year since I last saw him at last year’s Comic-Con.” Another laugh as his smile became more genuine and wider. “But there is a part of me that wishes you could come along. I’m sure you-know-who would get a real kick out of it.” Ah yes, that would’ve made any potential torment null and void…maybe.

“Ha.” Mandy chortled at the scenario. “Uh-huh, you know she can’t stand me. She never did.” Taking a quick glance at the time, the woman behind the driver's seat sat up and adjusted herself. Smiling to herself, she took the car off park and eased her way back on the highway, turning off her hazard lights. In a shy manner, Mandy muttered, near inaudible, “If I went with you… I’d miss my date.” She had yet to tell Nate about a… guy… a teacher that she’d taken a strong liking to. Nate had been incredibly distracted - so bringing up her crush, or love interest, while all he could think about was Jasper felt selfish. “He’s nice.” Mandy wasn’t the best at talking about her feelings. It took her a couple of years to get to this point with her best friend. “He’s a teacher and he cooks really good.”

“Whoa! Date?” Nate exclaimed, completely ignoring everything else she said before it. This was the first time she’s even mentioned such a thing and they were the types who told each other just about any appropriate thought that came to them. “Well, that’s good he’s nice. Teachers are always nice…well, except my tenth-grade geometry teacher, but he was a grandpa.” Nate glanced at Mandy, a thought coming to him. “And it’s good he knows how to cook because the best way to anyone’s heart and especially yours is food. Or one of them.” Shaking his head slightly, Nate steered his train of thought back on course. “I’m super duper happy for you, Mandy! You have to tell me all about him whenever I get back. And whenever you think he’d be okay with it, I’d love to have you guys over at my place one of these days!” Was Nate getting ahead of himself? Maybe. But his excitement couldn’t be contained - not when it came to Mandy’s happiness. That was the most important thing!

“Woah, woah, woah. Slow down buddy. This is our first date. So far we’ve had conversations at the market and he’s surprised me with some food, but yeah don’t get ahead of yourself.” She sighed, realizing her doubt in herself only meant she was jinxing the possibility of a relationship even before it started. “Either way, it might all be for show. You’re like the only other nice guy I know.” Mandy anxiously laughed, realizing her luck in the dating field was complete shit. Hey, at least her and Nate had that in common.

He couldn’t contain a chuckle. “Conversations, huh? Meaning more than one?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. If that wasn’t a hint at something there, then Nate was probably looking too much into that specific detail. On the other hand, it could also mean this guy was for real. “Not for nothing, but I don’t think it’s just for show. I think if he caught your attention enough for you to say yes to a date, then he’s the real deal and you’re going to have an amazing time on this date.” He smiled and gave her hand a squeeze. “And I can’t wait to hear all about it when I get back from Florida!”

“Let’s hope we both don't self-sabotage ourselves.” Mandy was already questioning what her interest even saw in her and all the things that could go wrong, instead of the things that could go right and have already gone right. Like the fact that she trusts him enough to go on a date. Still, Mandy prefers facts, figures, animals, having a full understanding of things, and a good handle over her life. Romance? Love? Sex? Those were tricky. Like feeling before she could even process what she was feeling. That, honestly and deeply, scared her. It wasn’t that she had commitment issues either. She was the most loyal person out there, but that doesn’t change she was cautious and didn’t like reckless dating. Mandy hated wasting her time. And yet, in the game of love you had to, to find your counterpart. Your soulmate.

Having already gotten off the exit, she found herself getting closer and closer to departures, coming to terms that her friend would leave her, as he revisited the past. Pulling to the side, she looked over to him and twinkled a bright smile, throwing her anxiety for her date away to focus on the man on a mission, “You’re going to call me if you need me, right?”

“Hell yeah I will! I’ll call you tonight and tell you all about the first day! Trust me, I don’t want to leave you out of the loop of anything.”

Nate and Mandy exchanged a few more words, mostly about her wishing him a safe flight and making sure he had everything for his carry-on bag. Truth be told, she always knew how to remind him to have everything he needed. Whether it was the flight or just in general, without him he’d truly be lost. There was a part of him that was actually serious about wanting her to come with him. There was a part of him that wished she was coming because, as much as he was so grateful that she always managed to shift his mind away from the dark side and the previously goth goddess that ruled over it (A.K.A. Jasper Delamar), seeing her again made him nervous even now.

Even now as he gave Mandy a big hug that lasted several moments and he made his way through the airport. Even as he boarded the plane and it was taking off, Nate wished she was coming with him because she was the pillar that always held him up…or maybe it was that she was the veil that covered him and protected him from his own thoughts.

But he also knew she was right. He needed closure.

“Closure…” Nate said in a low tone, smiling as he mumbled along with the song he was listening to. He had his headphones on so the person sitting next to him on the plane didn’t hear, but he was listening to familiar sounds.

_{”I say oh girl,
Shocked me like an electric eel.
Babygirl,
You turn me on like an electric feel…”}

It wasn’t the original artist, but there was something about Henry Green’s melancholic voice that hit all the right notes, especially the more Nate just sat there, listening to the song over and over again, thinking about Jasper. It wasn’t in a bad way either. It was bittersweet because of the last time they saw each other. The last they met eyes was at the graduation party that was held at the Bonfamile Manor in Meadow. They were both there, of course. Mandy was there. His other boys and her girls. Everyone was having fun and Nate wanted to just…talk to her, but he never did. He never said what he should have said so many years ago.

This was the closure he needed to achieve. He needed to make so many things right and he’d start with Jasper. When he was young, he didn’t understand why she was so angry and in the years that followed, Nate never got the chance to ask her about it. This weekend would that time. He was older and wiser. He liked to think he was more mature than he was ten years ago. He’d do it on this weekend and damn it if he was going to let uncomfortable memories get in the way of that.

And shortly, as the plane landed and Nate got off the plane, about an hour would pass before he collected his baggage. Something to do with delays and misplacing his luggage. He wasn’t stressing too much. He got enough sleep on the five-hour flight, but there was something of a worry in the back of his mind. He was a lot behind schedule. He had only an hour until he had to be at the cocktail party. Between how long it took him to shower, get dressed, and look as presentable as he could, Nate pressed for time.

“Sorry for the delay, sir!”

Nate shook his head. “No worries~” He flashed a smile at the lady at the baggage claim counter who looked overworked, so of course, Nate wanted to try and make her feel better (if he could). Not long after, she would inform him they found his stuff and he collected it.

And then he found the closest taxi he could and in fifteen minutes, he was at the resort. As nice as it was and as much as Nate wanted to bask in its glory, he had no time to spare. “Take in the sights tomorrow! You’ll have plenty of time to do that!”

With that firm reminder, Nate was off to the races. Forty-five minutes to get checked in, pick out an outfit, and make it in time to arrive on time at the shindig.

“Easy peasy!”

The Star Atlantic

Oh sick! I'mma probably have the sheet up this weekend...or today depending on how I'm feeling and whether or not i change my idea

Shuffle your playlist 10 times 2: Every Day I'm Shufflin'

The Ghost of Me — Daughtry
DARE — Gorillaz
Fake It — Seether
I Don't Care — Apocalyptica (feat. Adam Gontier)
Ex's And Oh's — Atreyu
Welcome Home — Coheed and Cambria
Oops!...I Did it Again — Britney Spears
Telephone — Lady Gaga and Beyonce
Jersey — Mayday Parade
Gold Digger — Kanye West and Jaime Foxx

Imperials or Stormcloaks?

Idk I've always preferred the thieves guild

The Star Atlantic || Slice of Life RP on a Train

I've finally decided on my character: I'll be playing Sylvester Jonathan Cross, a 24-year-old and recent graduate of the University of Oxford and the shining pride of his family. He has spent so many years doing what his father thought he wanted and being the best brother to his three younger siblings that he could, but all of those good deeds and doing what was expected of him put a huge weight on his shoulders. Riding the Star Atlantic is his gift to himself that tells him it's okay to do something for yourself.

FC will be either be Jack Falahee or Matthew Daddario.

<Snipped quote by Venus>

If people want a discord I'll totally make one! I just figure it's fine without.

@Hey Im Jordan

I'm honestly okay with no Discord. Could be nice getting back to basics in a way.

Post a random fact about yourself.

The second dose of moderna really kicks your ass. Source? Me.

The Star Atlantic || Slice of Life RP on a Train

Ya know I'm in it!

ALso my guy! The song linked. I didn't think anyone cool listened to Lovage.

Anyway, definitely gotta think about a character and whether or not I wanna go male or female.

Palm Beach Royals: Class Reunion (Shelved)

_{Collab w/@Venus || featuring His babygirl
Mentions & Interactions — Bruna @SpicyMeatball || Vann @KZOMBI3}
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

”What a pain.”

For reasons he never quite understood, Benjamin Cross hated traveling to places he swore he’d never go. There weren't many places that made that list. Ohio was one of them. Like so many people and himself included, he loathes Ohio. It sucks and the only people who actually take pride in being there are Mormons and Machine Gun Kelly, and Benji has a very love-hate relationship with the singer-rapper. Long story short, he robbed Benji out of getting signed.

Anyway.

Florida was another state that Benji swore he’d never return to ever again. Bad memories. Even worse because he was fairly certain his family still lived in Palm Beach. Or at least his parents did. He knew his brother and now-wife, Florence, live in England. Yeah, Benji was so happy for them when he heard through his twin. Not from Wesley himself because, of course, the good son couldn’t be caught dead keeping contact with the black sheep. No, Cassie was the one who told him the wonderful news.

Yeah, the wonderful news that literally nobody else bothered to tell him.

But no, Benji wasn’t salty at all. Never!

It was all fine, though. His family disowned him years ago and he hasn’t looked back since. Life in LA was pretty great. He was the best underground DJ that anyone had the pleasure of seeing live and the DiFrancesco assorted product being sold in various nightclubs was a hit. He was making Bruna money and in turn, he was making himself some extra cash that obviously wasn’t being used to buy drugs for recreational use. Benji totally doesn’t use the product he sells to lucky fans of his.

Life was amazing! Phenomenal, even!

Well, all except for one little thing...

“Is she calling again?” Benji looked at his phone and sure enough, that little nympho that he was seeing on the side had called for the tenth time in the last hour.

It wasn’t that Ariana was necessarily a bad person or that he found her unpleasant. Compared to most college girls he had hooked up with over the past few years, she was one of the few that kept his attention after the first night of making all of her wet dreams come true and then some. So he kept seeing her despite the annoyances that she caused within him. She had a great body and the drive to keep him going when it really mattered, but there was one quality of hers that he wished wasn’t so…present.

As Benji got his rental, which was some Ford brand of car. It was dark blue and it did the job. He wasn’t a guy that cared about cars all that much. He just needed to get to the hotel.

“Babygirl is calling.”

Benji rolled his eyes and sent Ariana to voicemail yet again. Could he have taken her call? Probably. Did he want to while he was driving? Absolutely not.

That was the quality he wished she’d drop. She was consistently in need of his constant attention. If he wasn’t around her, then she was blowing up his phone. Whether it was text after text or requests for FaceTime, any time that Benji thought he might have to himself, Ariana Mossos was proving him wrong.

It’s not like Benji didn’t understand why she was obsessed with him. She was right to be addicted to him, but there was a time and a place and it most certainly wasn’t when he was about to pull up into the parking lot at the fancy resort that his high school reunion was at.

“Finally here.” Benji got out of the car and grabbed his bags, making his way through the entrance of the resort.

He was a lot earlier than he thought he was. Like an hour early. As soon as he checked in, he made the walk to his room. As he was in the elevator, again she was buzzing him. "A request for FaceTime?"

Fine!

With a sigh, Benji finally accepted her call. He put on a smile for Ariana and when the request went through, he greeted her with his best attempt at a smile. “Sup baby girl? Sorry 'bout not getting to you sooner; it was hard to find a moment. Traffic at the airport and on the road was a motherfucker.”

"Hi Daddy!" came the girl's excited response, very obviously thrilled at finally getting a chance to speak to her boyfriend. "It's okay, I understand! I'm just happy to hear you made it okay," she told him sweetly, blowing him a kiss as she settled into bed and making sure her tank top-covered chest was visible in the frame-- she knew it would help hold his attention for longer. "How was your flight?"

Benji resisted the urge to roll his eyes when she said that horrendous nickname she had for him. Sure, it was great to hear when he had her in his bed or he was taking her in hers. Anywhere else, however, especially in a semi-private location like the elevator of the resort-hotel-whatever he was going to be staying at was something else. “It was alright. Long as fuck, though. Shitty in-flight movie and the peanuts were staler than my family’s morals.” He heard himself laugh and looked at Ariana, but more specifically looking down at her chest. Dumb as a rock but body was banging. “I just checked in and actually on my way to my room now.”

"At least! Though I still wish I was down there with you!" Ariana whined, glossy pink lips puckering up in a pretty, sparkly pout. "We would've had so much fun."

“Yeah, no doubt.” Benji gave a fake laugh so his dead tone didn’t give off just how fortunate he felt that she wasn’t here with him. Then he saw her pouting. “There’s always next time. The cats I grew up with love throwing over-the-top parties. I mean hell, you should know. You’re probably as rich as they are, what with all that fancy money and that big ass house of yours.”

The corners of Ariana's lips curled upwards as she raised a curious eyebrow. "'The cats you grew up with'?" she repeated, a little giggle in her voice. "Nobody talks like that anymore, Daddy. And you make it seem as if you don't come from the same world I do. I thought you told me once that you and your family were pretty well off, too. The only difference between you and I is that you grew up in Palm Beach and I grew up in the Hills."

“Well, you’re half right,” he stated with a chuckle, “but there’s one difference you forgot to include there, babygirl. You still have that family money you grew up with. Mine ripped it away from me because I wouldn’t conform to their impossible standards.” Benji may or may not be leaving out a few important details, but Ariana didn’t need to know that. In fact, she didn’t even need to know that maybe his family had at least some merit to what they did…yeah, like he’d even say that out loud.

"I might be on the same boat soon with how strongly against it Dad is about us dating. He's threatened to take my money away so many times I wouldn't be surprised if I wake up one day, try to swipe my card and it gets denied," she complained, rolling her eyes at the fictitious-yet-potentially-realistic situation. "I just wished he'd understand how I feel about you! You can't control who your heart wants! He of all people should know that."

This would be the second time that Benji was overcome with the urge to roll his eyes. He wanted to do it, too. Then he heard a sound echo in the lone elevator he was riding up the floors. It was like a saved-by-the-bell moment for him. "Yeah, I guess that must really suck to have a hypocrite for a father," Benji said almost as an afterthought. Half because he just wanted to steer away from the subject of her potential feelings for him (God forbid she actually used the L word). The other half for--and this was the God-given truth--he didn't really care.

He pulled his luggage by the handle of the bag. It was one of those that had wheels, so there was somewhat of an echo as he made it to his room. His room was close to the elevator, which he was grateful for. "Holy shit!" Benji said unprompted and as-a-matter-factly as his gaze left his phone, looking around the room as he took it all in from the view to the apparent-spotless nature every inch of it did. As a result, his arm that had his phone in his hand came to his side, shielding anything other than a close up to his dark-colored jeans.

"What's wrong? Is everything okay?" came Ariana's worried inquiry from the phone's speaker, her eyes narrowed at the inability to see what was happening..

Benji walked further into his room, examining everything he could see within his current position in the suite. The walls and furnishings were whiter than his entire bloodline (which consisted of English white and Portuguese white). So suffice to say, he wasn’t expecting that, especially not for it to look so nice. And considering that he lived in luxury for most of his adolescent life up until he moved away in protest of reasons already mentioned, for it to stand out as fancy in his eyes was saying something.

Benji spent about twenty seconds of slow walking passed and he was near the balcony, and he saw the pool. “A private pool?” He muttered, shaking his head and grinning. He brought his phone up and saw a concerned Ariana look at him. “Don’t worry, babygirl. Everything’s fine. Just wasn’t expecting this room to be so over-the-top, is all.” But that wasn’t just it. In his mind, instead of doing what he could to ease his west coast bunny’s mind, he was thinking about all of the fun he was going to have here. The pool in particular was a place of interest that he was going to explore thoroughly. “My old class prez certainly didn’t spare any expense. Or whoever the fuck is in charge of financing this whole affair.” Benji laughed, smiling at Ariana.

The young woman's worried expression morphed into a displeased pout once again. "Ugh, I'm so jealous!" she complained, letting her bottom lip stick out and her hazel eyes roll. "This is so not fair! I should be down there with you, Daddy! What are you supposed to do there by yourself?"

Benji half-shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably catch up with some of the fuckers I haven’t seen in almost a decade.” Of course, Benji knew what he was going to do. First he’d find Bruna and get his stuff and then make his way to the cocktail party. Maybe he might run into Marg or Van there. Or he might find someone else who likes to have fun. All he knew was he had to end this call soon or he was going to lose what little remained of his sanity. “But don’t feel bad. I’m sure you’ll have similar fun at your own reunion… whenever it comes around. Or you can persuade your dear old dad to send you to one of these for your next birthday.” Benji had no idea if that’s what she wanted to hear, but as he spoke he followed it up with a wink and he shot her a grin for good measure.

But not even Benji's irresistible charm could cheer up his lonely, morose California babe. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't just say 'fuck it' and get on a plane and fly down there to be with you, B," she said, turning her doe eyes to Benji in a silent plead for him to agree with her splendid idea and ask her to come to Key West with him.

Fuck. Out of all things she could do--

Did Benji enjoy Ariana whenever he needed a break from his hectic life of slinging cocaine and pills to people she probably knew from her college? Of course he did. She was hot and the times they spent between the sheets were always a grand time.But did he want her around the people he went to high school with and her being a brat any time he decided to hang with Vann or Marg or whoever the fuck he wanted without her hovering over his neck every fucking second of every fucking minute that went by that he wasn’t paying attention to her? Again, no-the-fuck he didn’t.

As he contemplated what he was going to say, rambling through his words as if trying to think of what would be a good enough version of “no the fuck you can’t come here”, Benji saw a text from Vann pop up. He couldn’t hide the smirk. Knowing that Ariana would catch onto it sooner than he probably realized she would, he just took in a deep breath, which made him fall silent for a few seconds. “I’ll have to say no to that, baby girl. I’m not here for just pleasure. I’m meeting a friend of mine and they’re going to give me some stuff to sell to my old friends here, so I won't have time for you this weekend.” Maybe that was harsh, but Benji could have just said fuck no to her face and leave it at that. As far as he’s concerned, this was him being nice.

Just as Benji had expected, the sharp-eyed Ariana didn't miss the way his mouth curled upwards in that smirk she’d gotten to know so well. It was the same look that came over his face whenever she said something suggestive, or whenever he was about to indulge her in all the intimate fun they had together. And it seemed Benji had realized his slip-up as soon as it happened, because before she could do more than glare suspiciously and open her mouth to further inquire about what had just happened, her boyfriend took in a deep breath and fell silent for a few seconds-- an admission of guilt in Ariana’s eyes. As if this wasn’t enough of a red flag, the words that came next certainly were.

...I’m meeting a friend of mine… So I won't have time for you this weekend…

Ariana knew that look… Benji not only didn’t want her there, but he was getting ready to cheat on her again. She might be in denial about plenty of things, but the situation currently bubbling up between them wasn’t one of them.

Now it was Ariana’s turn to be silent. She pursed her lips for a few seconds, pondering her next words carefully. Anything she said was bound to end in one of their usual fights, with him turning the tables on her and blaming her for the argument even if it wasn’t her fault while she sobbed her heart out and begged for forgiveness. And, quite frankly, she was tired of that. She was tired of being the one to compromise, to endure betrayal after betrayal, to spend countless hours crying and wailing and whining-- all because the man she was stupidly in love with had decided to hurt her yet again…

Was she going to keep putting up with it in order to keep him? Or was she ready to finally live up to being the daughter of Audrey Mossos-Huntsberg?

“Daddy?”

His patience was continuously tested every time she called him that, but to save face and not wanting the hassle of having to deal with her any longer than he wanted to, especially since he knew he had to hang up soon, Benji decided not to make a big deal about it. “Yeah?”

“You know I love you so much…” she began innocently, batting her eyelashes and purposely using the ‘L’ word that she knew would make him bristle in annoyance before continuing.

Oh, good fucking lord where is this going--

“But if you cheat on me again like I know you’re going to do, you’re going to be very sorry about it.”

“Is that right?”

Two could play that game.

On the other side of the country, Ariana Mossos squared her shoulders and let out a long, determined sigh. If Benji was going to cheat on her this weekend, then she would do the same to him.

Benji could deal with a lot when it came to Ariana. The cringe usage of daddy for a nickname, her constant need for attention (most of which he does give her because there’s always something in it for him), but something that boiled under his skin was that not-so-subtle threat hidden under a trademark smile of hers, though what wasn’t trademark was the change in her demeanor. He was observant enough to know she meant it, but who in the hell did she think she was, anyway? Who did she think she was assuming that they were in a relationship? She wasn’t his girlfriend and he wasn’t her boyfriend. They had sex and that was it.

And it was like this every goddamn fucking time. Any time he did something she didn’t like, he had to deal with her whiny, bitchy, almost numbered-list of things she didn’t like. Of course, every time they had a spat, Benji always came up on top (in every way implied). Benji knew how to manipulate her to get what he wanted, and Benjamin Clyde Cross always got what he wanted.

He eyed her, seeing her face and seeing how she was just waiting for him to say something — anything — Benji smiled. He actually did this for a few long moments. He held the phone close to his face so she got a clear shot of his eyes and how his lips curved into a smirk. “Ariana..” He spoke in a low tone, taking a moment to get her reaction, letting the tension build just for a few seconds before he simply said, “We’ll see about that.”

click

In a matter of moments, Benji had hung up on Ariana. No goodbye. No “see you later”. He just ended the call, but he wasn’t done there. In an act that was done out of pure spite, Benji went into his contacts, went to Ariana, and blocked her number, erasing her out of his contacts, and effectively would render what he just knew wouldn’t be the end of her insistent nagging because he knew her that well. It was, in his mind, the only response to her demand.

And you know what? Benji had no regrets. He could finally relax for a while before he had to get ready for that party.

Over the course of the next hour, Benji managed to do just that. He took a quick shower because he wasn’t the kind of guy who ever liked to take long in it unless he had a reason to prolong his time in there. As he exited the impressive bathroom, a towel wrapped around his unclothed body, Benji held his phone in his hand and he remembered that Vann texted him a while ago. He was in the middle of his thing with Ariana that it had nearly slipped his mind.

Yeah, better text her back, Benji.

cuban delight: - ayy vato lo que pasa - im looking for molly you seen her Me : - she's around - just have to pick her up - she can't wait to see you bby - and she ain't the only one ;)

"And that oughta do it."

There was a satisfied look on Benji's face. That text from Vann had reminded him that he had to speak to a special someone he knew was around here somewhere. Before he'd join the festivities, he'd have to meet with a fellow classmate of his who was his supplier and more importantly, catch up with Bruna. It's been way too long since he's spoken to her about more than his next shipment of pills and powder.

But first, he had to figure out what he was going to wear. It was a cocktail party, so obviously something formal, but did Benji really feel like busting out the suit? It would be a thing called fitting in and, o course, if he was going to make certain people at this reunion jealous (assuming they were coming), dressing like the dashing motherfucker he knew he was wouldn't be the worst idea.

"I'll make some fuckers jealous." Benji grinned and ten minutes later, as The Doctor walked out of his room looking like a motherfucking boss. He abided by the semi-formal guidelines, but he wouldn't be Benji Cross if he didn't pair it with his trademark cap. And if anyone expected any different then they didn't know him at all.

BC was in the house and he had very little time to accomplish a lot.