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Post by J on Apr 30, 2013 23:08:49 GMT -5
A small flashback for Ryan
Ryan set down her pencil and look up at Adam, he was lounging in her desk chair with his feet propped up. He was struggling with his Government textbook and sighing after each page flip. He hated to sit still for long periods of time. She studied him for a moment, she was terribly nervous but she had no doubts in her mind. This was right. He was right. “Hey Adam?”
“Yes my love?” He turned away from his book, glad for a distraction. His broad smile gave her tingles from the roots of her hair down to the soles of her feet.
“I was wondering if you wanted to have an adult sleepover Friday night?” She had chosen these words carefully. She had even gone so far as to practice them aloud in case they sounded cheesy or as if she were overreaching.
He raised an eyebrow gazing at her curiously, “Adult sleepover?” He thought for a moment and turned in his chair, his feet falling to the floor. “Who would be invited to this adult sleepover?”
Her heart jumped, this was it. He would know what she meant and there was no turning back. “You and me. Only you and me.” Her eyes were burning and her throat felt like it was going to close up if he didn’t answer soon.
He blinked, “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” She paused debating whether or not to show him her checklist. He would understand, he knew her well enough. If he didn’t then this conversation wouldn’t be happening. “It’s time.” She stated feeling that was better way to convey how she felt about having him spend the night with her alone for the first time.
His golden eyes softened, “Freckles.” He rose from his chair and crossed the room to sit beside her on the bed. She tried not to think about him sitting on her bed so close. In just two days this would mean something different. A new chapter in their relationship. An entire new world for the two of them to share together. He tugged on her ponytail and kissed her. Her skin came alive under the smallest touch from him.
He pulled away after a few minutes and she sighed regretfully. “Is it Friday yet?” He laughed and pulled her tighter to him tucking her head under his chin. “Almost.”
She was glad he didn’t push her into making things happen in that moment. He was always impulsive but on this one thing he had allowed her to take the reigns. It was how she knew he was the one she wanted to be with. He was the one to have that special moment. “Okay.” She pulled back and pressed her palms to his chest. “Now go back over there so I can study.” She said firmly.
He exhaled loudly. “No! I’ve had enough, that textbook tried to kill me ten minutes ago! I swear!” He jumped up and went to the window sliding it open. “I need to be outside! It’s a marvelous day and I won’t spend one more second in this tiny air conditioned room!”
She rolled her eyes, “Oh please. You’re fine.” She settled back against her pillow and picked up her pencil again. Her checklist was still on top of her notebook but she no longer felt the need to hide it from him. After Friday night they would know each other inside and out. She was so excited she could almost pretend she wasn’t so nervous that she had barely touched her lunch in anticipation of the conversation. How was she going to survive all day Friday before the sleepover?
“Hey.”Adam’s strong hand loosely wrapped around the nape of her neck. His warm hand relaxed the tensed muscles in her neck. Rock to river in one touch. “What’s wrong?” She hadn’t realized until he touched her that her fist was gripped around the pencil. I don’t want to be nervous. It was out of character for her to feel anxiety over performance. She excelled at sports and academics and was extremely competitive in both. Nerves weren’t usually a part of either of those. She was confident in her intelligence and the power of her athletic body. She worked hard to be strong both physically and mentally. She was dumbfounded to find something as simple and mundane as sex had crippled her.
Her cheeks burned, “Well, I mean I asked you and you said yes so the nest step is... Friday. That’s it.” It had seemed to flow perfectly. Everything was checked off and accounted for; the last step was the carrying out the activity. She was completely prepared for every possible outcome except for knowing how to handle herself once the time came.
He sat back down and pulled the notebook from hands, “Hey look at me.” She forced herself to look him in the eyes, she was embarrassed about being nervous. He wouldn’t be nervous. This wasn’t his first time. “There’s no pressure for Friday night okay? As far as I’m concerned it’s just the two of us hanging out in your room, watching movies and eating junk food. Then at the end of the night we stay together rather than parting ways. I’m not expecting anything.”
She swallowed, “You’re not just saying that?” She expected it, why shouldn’t he? Wasn’t that the entire point of planning out the evening? Why plan if nothing happened?
He shook his head and pressed his forehead to hers, their eyes centimeters apart. “All I want is for you to fall asleep on my shoulder and wake up to your hair in my face.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and gripped him tight. “Thank you.” Relief washing over, her nerves dissolving into vapor. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Freckles.”
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Post by J on Jun 19, 2013 11:15:00 GMT -5
Ryan Meets Adam
Ryan shifted her weight from one foot to the other and adjusted her embrace on the four textbooks. The promised hour long wait to rent them was now turning into two. The semester was only just beginning and the school bookstore was overcrowded and understaffed. She was currently four people from the register and trying to avoid eye contact with a bag of salt and vinegar chips. I’m not hungry, I’m bored. I’m not hungry, I’m bored. Alright, fine. She grabbed the chips and set them on top of her book pile.
We’re so happy, so happy to meet you, ‘cause you sparkle.
Her patience and the playlist on her iPod were wearing thin. She sighed and resisted the immature urge to stamp her feet. Her bangs fell into her line of vision and with her hands full she resorted to blowing them out of her face.
A voice louder than her music called her attention to the store entrance. A tall guy with honey-brown hair greeted the cashiers and a handful of students in line. He looked a bit older than the average student but his boyish expression made him appear younger. She watched as one of the only two cashiers left the counter to help him navigate the shelves. The room seemed to have brightened by his presence. The remaining cashier whom a moment ago was frowning and moving slowly was now grinning and chattering with each customer.
Despite the one worker the line had sped up considerably. The guy she overheard was named Adam. Who was this guy? She was new to the university and wondered if maybe he was a star of one of the sports teams. If so she was bound to run into him again in the athletics department. She was here on an athletic scholarship for cross country.
The line dissipated and as Ryan stepped up to the register, Adam sidled up to the counter. Her denim eyes widened as the cashier allowed him to cut in front of her, excitedly ringing up his books. Adam looked around the room with a broad smile. “Sorry y’all I’ll be outta your hair in two shakes!” Y’all? Where was this guy from? He didn’t have an accent but she guessed somewhere from the South. Adam waved like a royal on a parade float. No one seemed to mind him slipping into line in front of all the people that had patiently waited.
She gaped at him, he didn’t seem to notice he could be inconveniencing others either. Is this guy for real? Why isn’t anyone stopping him?
Adam noticed her watching him and smiled. “Sorry, I’m late for work.” Ryan was about to ask why this was her problem when he gently took the books from her hands. “I’ll get those since you were so kind to let me cut in front of you.” He glanced at her chest and his smile grew. He turned to the guy behind her, “Grab me two cokes will yah friend?”
Her cheeks blazed, Oh I see, you’re buying my books and giving me a soda because you’re a douche who likes my boobs. Before she could object he handed her th bag filled with her newly purchased textbooks and one of the cokes. “Cheers.” He said knocking his bottle against hers and winking.
~
“I’m two parts stark raving mad and one part grateful.” Ryan was pacing the floor of her suite mates bedroom while relaying her bookstore tale and trying her best not to enjoy her chips and Coke.
Charlie, her suite mate, giggled. “Ryan, you’re wearing your Coca-cola shirt.”
Ryan paused and gazed down at one of her favorite t-shirts. It was black and red with giant heart and a silhouette of two Coke bottles “kissing.” Within the heart in white lettering were the words, “Buy someone you love a Coke.”
“You think he did it because of my shirt?” Ryan asked skeptically.
Charlie smiled sweetly, “Rye, it is possible for a guy to like you because you’re cute and not because of your chest size.” Charlie’s voice was kind and reassuring but Ryan wasn’t a believer just yet. She had always struggled with her chest size being bigger than she liked. She also wasn’t used to this type of male attention. She had mainly guy friends but she had always been quickly placed in the “buddy” category. She had never experienced a guy wanting her for a girlfriend. Somehow she always ended up being their teammate or running partner.
“Yeah, maybe.” She took another sip from her Coke. “It doesn’t really matter anyways, I know his name but he doesn’t know mine. I didn’t even thank you. He probably thinks I’m rude and ungrateful.”
Charlie’s blue-green eyes sparkled, “YOu never know what Fate has in mind. Maybe she’ll give you a chance to thank him later.”
Ryan smiled a little, “Well she better because it’s about time!” She laughed.
Sunday Football
“C’mon!” Ryan shouted along with a few other guys gathered around the TV for Sunday football. The game had started half an hour ago and it wasn’t looking good for her team. Her best friend, Alex, was sitting on an overstuffed couch beside her.
“This is pathetic.” Alex muttered gesturing to the TV screen. He raised his voice to yell at Mendoza to “get your ass movin’!” Ryan held back a laugh. She enjoyed Alex’s overzealous spirit when it came to sports. It was one of the big reasons she had become interested in sports at a young age.
She and Alex had grown up with their houses back to back since she was nine. He was a year older but they were in the same class on account of his mother holding him back. Every Sunday afternoon she had spent at his house watching football with his family. At first she hadn’t understood why everyone cared so much. That is until Alex explained the game to her and how the guys on the team were not just a team, but a band of brothers fighting a battle. His passion for the game was contagious and she soon found herself cheering and jeering right along with him.
“Hey guys!” A booming voice made Ryan turn towards the front door. The room was full of students watching the game but there were lost of people coming and going. Nick Holloway, a freshman who rented a house with four other guys, had opened his living room to those without cable.
A guy’s voice from the kitchen area called out, “Hey whaddya know, whaddya say?”
The first voice answered back, “Hey whaddya say, whaddya know?” it was him! The guy from the bookstore.
Adam sauntered in greeted by a group of guys gathered by a card table covered in snacks. Ryan gripped Alex’s arm and smacked him with her free hand. “Ohmygod! It’s him!” She hissed not wanting to call too much attention to herself.
“Ow! Hey!” Alex snapped at her, she loosened her grip a little, “What are you freaking out about?” His eyes were still on the screen; he was only vaguely interested in her.
“I’m not freaking out!” She averted her eyes from Adam. “That’s the guy that bought my books!” She whispered loudly. She had told Alex about Adam, at least she had told him most of the story. She had carefully left out the part about the Cokes and her t-shirt. Alex would probably not agree with Charlie’s assumption. However, Alex had agreed with Charlie that Adam was into her.
“So?” Alex was not understanding her panic.
“So he’s here and... and... and so am I.” She wasn’t making any sense. Why did she care if Adam was here or not? What were the odds he even remembered her. It had been four days since the bookstore. If anything he would just be extremely put out with a huge credit card bill at the end of the month. She faced the TV and tried to focus on the game. She didn’t know him although she did owe him a thank you. She still couldn’t believe he had paid for all of them for her.
Another commercial break brought Alex back into the room and he glanced around. “Hold it, are you talking about Adam Young?”
Ryan let go of Alex’s arm, “From Ow City?”
“What?”
“Fireflies.” Ryan clarified.
Alex followed her wavelength and shook his head. “Different guy, everybody knows Adam. He’s a great guy. Go talk to him.”
“You know him?” She was surprised Alex already knew Adam. He was a little better at making friends than her but he had introduced her to pretty much everyone he had met thus far. The two of them had come to the university together without knowing anyone else. They had promised to have a united front so they could survive Freshman year in one piece.
“Not really, he’s just the type of guy who’s friends with everyone he meets. Just go talk to him.”
Ryan froze and stared down at her cup, all of the ice cubes had melted. “Um, no, I’m good.”
Alex nodded, “Alright, you asked for it.” Alex took a deep breath and shouted, “HEY ADAM!”
Ryan had taken a sip of her drink and was now choking on her watered down Coke. She coughed and tried to swallow to keep from spitting up all over her lap and the couch. “What the hell?” She hacked out trying to keep herself quiet so others wouldn’t notice her predicament. Luckily she was surrounded by males watching a football game.
“Sup?” Adam’s voice was just behind her right shoulder. Ryan’s neck burned with embarrassment. Oh yes, coughing and choking are two of the biggest alluring qualities a man wants in a woman.
“Hey, “Alex turned to shake Adam’s hand, “I’m Alex and this is my pal Ryan.”
Ryan set down her cup without spilling it and forced herself to look up at Adam. Alex nudged her ribs with a sharp elbow. She shot him a look. Go away!
Alex beamed, “Here man, take my seat.”He got up as Adam stepped over the back of the couch to sit beside her. Their legs were close enough that she prayed he couldn’t feel the heat emanating off of her body. She had thought the room was warm before but now she felt blazing hot.
“Ryan, you’re the girl from the bookstore right?” Adam asked, his eyes matched the honey-brown of his hair. The two of them were wearing the same Red Warriors jersey.
“Yeah, I can’t believe you bought my books. That’s a lot of money.” Stop talking. Don’t ramble just say thank you and move on. “ Thank you, you really didn’t-”
He waved it off, “It was nothing. I shouldn’t have cut in line. I have been wondering though, did you like the Coke?”
She swallowed, what did he mean by that? Was Charlie right?
“I’m a Dr. Pepper guy myself but I noticed your shirt and I though hey, what the hell?”
Ryan lifted a corner of her mouth, “Oh I thought you were staring at something else.”
Adam smiled, “I have seven sisters. I try to refrain from staring. I know if a guy was doing that to one of them I would be royally ticked off.”
“You have seven sisters?” Ryan raised her eyebrows, being an only child she couldn’t imagine growing up in such a large family.
Adam nodded, “Yeah, but you still haven’t answered my question. Did you enjoy the Coke?”
Ryan smiled, “Yeah, I did.”
“Good.” He settled back into the couch and smiled at her. “You’re not here with Alex are you?”
Ryan shook her head a little too emphatically. “No no, he’s just my friend, we grew up together.”
“Hmmm... You’re sure?”
Ryan sighed, “Believe me. Nothing could ever happen between us, he didn’t see me like that.”
“Good, because I do, see you like that.” His gaze remained unwaveringly locked on hers. For a moment she thought she might pass out.
“You do?”
He smiled wider, “Yeah, is that alright with you?”
YES! “Yeah, of course.” She had to look away in fear of what her face must look like at that moment. Keep breathing. He’s still sitting there. She had the strange urge to jump up and race about the room and yet she never wanted to leave this spot again.
“Cool.” He settled into the couch, his shoulder kissing hers. Nothing had ever felt so good. Her team was losing on the screen but she had felt like a winner.
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Post by J on Jun 24, 2013 18:06:34 GMT -5
Ryan poured more Coke into her glass. Logan had been far too generous with the rum. She didn’t want to get even slightly tipsy with this group. She felt almost comfortable with them but not enough to get drunk. This open-ended “truth” questionnaire game left her feeling uneasy as well. Already she had answered too truthfully about herself and her relationship with Adam. Logan’s question’s always went for the jugular. He had gone straight for the prying question of her virtue. Which she truthfully answered she had only been intimate with one guy: Adam. He didn’t believe her at least he called a B.S. and then was forced to perform a dare. Westley had asked why she really left Washington(?) and was back here with all of them. She had told the truth once more saying her breakup with Adam proved to be too difficult socially and she had felt the need to leave. It really had been hard for her. She saw and heard about him everywhere she went. Everyone knew and loved Adam and no one looked kindly upon the girl who had ripped his heart open.
She was hoping the questions relating to Adam would soon come to an end. It was hard enough not to think about him without everyone asking questions that led straight to him. It wasn’t their fault though. Adam had been a huge part of her life for almost two years. He was her first everything. He had been her everything for so long she had lost a bit of herself in the process.
She tasted her Coke and winced. Ugh, she really needed to pour this out. It wasn’t getting weaker. She grabbed a handful of chips and stuffed them in her mouth. Brooklyn would not approve of her chowing down like a hungry dog but she was busy making out with Logan right now. Ryan snuck a glance at Desiree. She looked extremely unhappy and wasn’t hiding it well either. Is she into Logan? Ryan has only been a recent addition to this group and she was still trying to discover the dynamics. The Triplets: Brooklyn, James and Westley were very tight knit. Logan and Desiree stuck together as if they needed each other to breathe. All five of them were connected in a strange intimate way she had only read about in books and witnessed on TV. It was surreal to see it play out in real life.
From the nights she had spent with them she had seen Logan and Desiree share a room each time without anyone questioning it. However, she didn’t think they were dating. At least when she had asked Brooklyn about it a few months ago Brooklyn had giggled and waved it off. “No, they’re just extremely close.”
She pulled out her phone and checked for a signal. Still nothing. How long were they going to be trapped down here? “Ryan.” Logan calling her name surprised her. He had already picked on her twice during the game. There were plenty of other punching bags to play with, why her?
She sighed and powered down her phone again. It was useless anyways. “Yes?” What else is there to ask me? Logan’s smug grin was starting to piss her off. “Don’t you have anyone else to pick on?” She asked tiredly. She was wanting more soda but her glass was contaminated so she reached across the table and grabbed the 3 liter of Coke. It was nearing it’s end and rather than getting up for a new glass she could drink straight from the bottle. She took a swig and Brooklyn stood up. “Oh, Ryan, I’ll get you a cup.”
Ryan watched as Brooklyn ducked into the kitchen and Logan moved back to his spot with Desiree on the couch. The boys rose from the floor and both climbed onto the daybed, leaving room between them for Brooklyn upon her return. They both looked a little upset. Westley kept glancing towards the kitchen and James was keeping a close on Logan. Ryan took this in and wondered how long it would take to understand the strange ways of their tribe. She didn’t feel like an outsider completely but she definitely didn’t feel a part of the group as a whole.
Brooklyn handed her a crystal glass with a few ice cubes. Ryan smiled and thanked her. It was really sweet of Brooklyn to try and make her more ladylike. Brooklyn was pretty surprised to learn that Ryan had only worn makeup a select few times in her life. She was also shocked to discover Ryan didn’t wear cute pjs or lingerie. This had never bothered Ryan and Adam hadn’t seemed to mind either. However Brooklyn insisted that she begin to incorporate more feminine things into her life. Ryan now wore mascara almost everyday and was trying to become more of a girly girl but honestly, it seemed like a lot of work. At least to her. Brooklyn and Desiree made it seem effortless and natural. She envied them, they had grown up with mothers to guide them. Well at least she knew Brooklyn had a mother, Desiree never spoke about her parents.
Logan shrugged, “Hey, you’re the new girl here. I’m just trying to learn more about you.”
Ryan shook her head, “You’re right I am the new girl, which means I know the least about all of you. I don’t even know how to begin to tell if one of you is lying. Except for you of course; because I agree with Westley that I think you’re going to lie your way through this game.”
“See, you do know something.” Logan smiled and sighed, “Fine I’ll give you this one free pass. I’m feeling generous today.” He turned to Desiree but she wasn’t looking at him. He took a look around the room and smiled. “Wes-”
“No, I just asked you a question. You have to pick someone else.”
“That’s not one of the rules.”
“It’s one of those assumed rules, like in tag you can’t keep turning around to tag the same person because then it becomes two people just slapping each other.”
Logan laughed, “Alright fair enough.” He smiled at Brooklyn, “I already learned something new about you so... James. How far have you gone with someone in this room?”
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Post by Free on Sept 9, 2020 21:04:20 GMT -5
James smirked. How arrogant was Logan to ask the exact questions he refused to answer? Brooklyn was hot, no question, but guys weren’t his thing. To answer honestly or have a little fun? Westley’s lie had almost been believable if for no other reason than he was so fluttered getting it out. This was going to be more fun.
He glanced at Brooklyn, like he needed her permission to say something.
“Oh, just tell him already!” She sighed, splaying out on the couch like she couldn’t keep whatever secret he was holding in a second longer.
James searched his recent memory for an embarrassing moment to draw from. Finding it, he felt he was able to affect the proper color to his neck before starting.
“I don’t kiss and tell.” He leaned back against the couch and put his arm around Brooklyn. She snuggled into him. He reached a little further for Westley’s hand and grabbed it too, gave it little squeeze and then let go.
“Technically, that’s not an answer,” Logan said, leaning forward.
James even had Desiree’s attention. She lying across Logan’s lap, eyes riveted to him. Oh yes, refusing to answer was had been the perfect trap. Step into my web…
He let silence settle over the group, holding Logan’s gaze with an even expression.
“Logan, what are the consequences for cheaters?” Desiree asked, looking up at him. There was something extra soft in her voice every time she spoke directly to him. It was subtle, but it was there. He’d be willing to put money on there being more to their relationship than they let on.
One glance at Westley and James knew Westley had an appropriate tint to his face to imply something.
Honestly, they’d all be pretty disappointed if he told the truth because while he’d be lying if he said he’d never thought about doing something with Brooklyn, the opportunity hadn’t actually ever presented itself and he was okay with that. Odds are, your relationship was gonna fail, and when it did, he didn’t want to lose his best friends. There was no way Westley would forgive him for that. Plus, he had something going on with Abigail and he wanted to see where that went.
How far should I take things?
“Pass,” he said finally.
“James, there is no passing,” Brooklyn said. Brooklyn was a lot of things, but she played fair, at least in games. Her love life was another story. “Plus, can we should¬–”
James sighed heavily. “Fine.” He waited another moment, really drawing it out.
“Oh my god, just answer!” Logan burst out.
“All the way.” James kept his eyes on Logan, hoping Westley didn’t do anything to give them anyway, though, honestly, he’d probably be just nervous enough to be convincing.
“See? Don’t you feel better now?” Brooklyn asked, “I know I do.” She was positively beaming. “Come on, we know you guys have been wondering for a while. I personally didn’t care, but Westley and James are a little shy about it. Please be nice.”
Man, he could just about kiss her. Except that Logan just had. Gross.
The way she could lie was almost pathological. You didn’t expect it of her because she was so open about her life, at least she was with him and Westley. It was scary though. He wondered briefly if maybe he knew her as well as he thought. One look from her though and he didn’t care. Brooklyn was awesome.
Violet placed a hand over her mouth to keep from saying something. Listening to this game was like watching a soap, or at least how soaps came off in sitcoms. Everyone is sleeping with everyone. There was some tension in the group dynamic. So much drama! She loved it!
Energy so intensely shot through her, it took all of her willpower to remain still. These people were amazing. Better than tv. And she needed to be a part of it.
They were going to find her sooner or later, weren’t they? She thought about waiting until they went to sleep and then coming from the door like, “Hello? Is anyone here?” Would they buy that? She totally could have taken refuge from the storm in the house and then was looking for people or shelter and…where does this door lead? Yes, that could totally work.
Except. Except it was probably still early and she had no idea how long it would be before they went to bed. She’d already spent the morning in a cage and now what felt like an eternity under this chair. There was a point at which it all seemed ridiculous.
Could she pretend she’d taken refuge from the storm and then hidden in this room when they got here because she was so embarrassed about having had to break into someone’s home? And she was so scared she’d get caught that she couldn’t fess up until now? But why now? Maybe she had to pee really badly? That could work. She was definitely hungry. Now, to be herself or someone else entirely?
She suddenly wished Aiden was here. Everyone else had someone and he was her favorite. It suddenly occurred to her that maybe inviting him would have been fun, but there’s no way he’d have made it into the clothing warehouse with her. She sighed silently to herself. There was also no way he’d ever find her now, locked away under the couch of some spoiled rich kids’ panic room.
Why hadn’t she told him where she was going? She’d wanted some time to herself, but now she was thinking she’d had enough time to herself and wanted company. Because he didn’t break into houses? She was thrilled by the idea that he might break into one for her though. Like something from a movie.
All she had to do was figure out a way to contact him. But that was gonna be a while…
OMG. We have Find my Friends! He could totally find me...if he knew to look.
Even with cell service down, it should still show her last known location, if he had internet access. That was the problem with disappearing suddenly with a certain level of frequency, wasn't it? He didn't know she needed rescuing and she'd been too embarrassed to tell him. Plus, the closest Find my Friends would probably get him is the house, maybe which side of the house, but not the level and certainly not which room.
She closed her eyes, her thoughts fighting between anger at these people for ruining her weekend and how entertaining they were. The problem with all of this, of course, was it was watching. She wanted to be doing, to be a part of things.
Desiree couldn’t watch Logan make out Brooklyn, partly because he looked like he was enjoying it. He was an incredible flirt, but then she was too. That’s not what bothered her. It was more that she was 100% sure with all the other girls, he didn’t care. His loyalty to her was obvious, but she had lingering doubts about where he stood and she knew he did care about Brooklyn.
She tried to brush off the doubts. Oh, but she tried. Had been trying, actually, for a few months now. It was getting harder to pretend she was happy with the way things were. She didn’t think she care whether he slept with half of New York City, so long as he came home to her, but she wasn’t sure. They never really talked about their relationship. She wasn’t sure she wanted to talk exactly. She wasn’t that much of a girl, but she couldn’t help wonder…
She found herself looking at Logan and Brooklyn as he walked back to her for some clue as to whether or not their kiss had changed anything.
No. Stop it. Stop it.
Her body moved of its own accord when Logan dropped back onto the couch next to her. She crawled halfway into his lap and he rested a hand on her hip. And everything was normal again. At least, as normal as it could be when you’re trapped 50 feet underground in a steel cage with who knows what going on outside.
I am Desiree F**ing Myst. There is nothing I want that I can’t have.
“All the way,” James said.
Desiree focused on his face and then looked to Brooklyn and Westley. Westley looked supremely uncomfortable. That fit. The whole arm around Brooklyn and squeezing Westley’s hand struck her as suspicious. They’d never done that before. I mean Brooklyn was a very touchy person, so of course she’d hung over James and Westley all the time. But Desiree couldn’t remember James and Westley ever being that affectionate with each other. She thought maybe they wouldn’t have, if they were trying to hide something, but now it was out in the open. It was just as likely he was lying.
James held his cards tightly, so it was always hard to tell certain things about him, but Brooklyn cared about people in a way Desiree admired. She may not understand it, but she appreciated it. A lot of people faked their way through relationships, and honestly she’d originally pegged Brooklyn as one of those people, but Brooklyn genuinely cared, seemingly, about everyone.
“Bullsh*t,” she said.
Movement caught her eye. At first she thought maybe she imagined it, what could possibly be down here with them? But then she saw the skirt of the daybed flutter. This time she was sure.
“Are you serious?” James asked, irritation in his voice. “I finally open up…”
She pushed herself up from Logan’s lap and grabbed the skirt and pulled it out of the way, revealing a girl about her age covering her face like some kind of demented ostrich.
“What the HELL are you doing in my house?” Desiree demanded.
Violet let her hands fall away from her face. She had about three seconds get her story together. This girl was serious and difficult to read. But this where actors thrive, right? In the moment. This is what you’ve been practicing for. Improv. Go.
She burst into tears and crawled slowly out from under the couch or whatever it was.
“I’m SO sorrrrryyyyy,” she said between sobs.
“I’m only going to ask you one more time,” Desiree said, a very clear threat in her voice, “What the hell are you doing in my house?”
“I was going for a walk.” She hiccupped, then continued, “And the storm just got so bad. All these houses are really far apart. I didn’t think I make it the next one and when nobody answered…” She sobbed more hysterically.
Brooklyn was suddenly there, putting an arm around this intruder like they were friends. Desiree could have killed her.
“You what? Thought you’d help yourself to all my stuff?”
“N-no!” Violet was sure to sound desperate in that moment. She’d been reading all you had to do was feel the emotion. To do that, you could just think of something that made you feel that way. Like when her first boyfriend had broken up with her. She wasn’t proud of it, but it’d taken her by such surprise that she’d responded a little bit like this. Aiden was the one who kept her from sounds like this in front of said ex-boyfriend and he’d ultimately helped her calm down.
But none of that mattered right now. What mattered was focusing on the hysteria of losing her first love, or at least that’s how she’d thought of it at the time. Now, she thought she’d been more in love with the idea of Steven than his actual personality. Okay, truth? Aiden had actually pointed that out. He was right, of course. He was always right.
“I j-just wanted to g-get out of the st-torm. They scare me…like a n-normal amount…I mean it’s only a million volts of electricity¬¬." She had the attention of everyone in the room and it was glorious, like her own personal debut. She tried not to think about the fact that it was merely her intrusive presence and not her incredible acting ability that was drawing them.
“Billion,” one of the guys said. “It’s a billion volts of electricity.”
“See? I mean there are so many trees around here… I j-just thought…Y’know if I could get somewhere safe. I knocked, I really did, but no one answered and there was t-this h-huge bolt of lightning and I mean what if one of them hit me? My mom would never f-forgive me for walking out like that. I w-was j-just so mad!”
Cry, whether intentionally or not is exhausting. She had to find a way to transition to something slightly less hysterical. The girl was rubbing her back now, maybe she could pretend it was helping?
The girl questioning her appeared unmoved. Violet wondered if maybe her acting wasn’t nearly convincing enough, when the girl rubbing her back spoke.
“Desiree, she’s obviously upset, maybe tone it down a bit?”
C4 exploded beneath the surface. Me, calm down? This person was TREASPASSING in her home and Brooklyn had the nerve to say she was being too aggressive?! Was there such a thing?
Desiree continued to stare at the girl with an intensity she hoped was frightening. The only thing that would make better is if she could have cocked a gun right at that moment, but it was upstairs.
“If this was all some misunderstanding, why did you hide?”
Violet looked at floor, hoping it came off as shame, rather than dishonesty.
“I was afraid you’d c-call the p-p-police,” she said finally.
“What makes you think I’m not going to?”
Violet looked up at the girl again. This girl was quite a bit taller than she was. This scenario had not occurred to her. What if she does call the police?
Violet started sobbing more hysterically. “I-I’m SO sorry. I r-reeally am!” She paused. “I j-just can’t have anything o-on my r-record. I-I’m on sc-cholarship-p.” She threw some heavy sobs in there for good measure and hoped they believed her.
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