/

@cashhunt       [     manicured fingers fumble slightly at the edge of her skirt,       pulling at the thin fabric as if seeking some kind of grounding. the chill bites deeper now,     but she barely registers it,     lost in the haze of alcohol coursing through her veins.       brown hues,     glossy and heavy, flick up to him,      but they don’t quite meet his gaze,       drifting instead to the puddles reflecting neon on the wet pavement.   she sways gently against the brick wall,       the glitter on her arms catching the faint alley light with every subtle movement.       her  lips part as if to speak, but the words falter,    carried away in the shallow cloud of her breath.     ]     i thought..    [      she starts,        voice wavering with a mix of sadness and the warm fog of intoxication.       her head tilts back slightly,      letting the pink neon bleed across her cheek,      highlighting the trace of tears that threaten to form.      ]      it’d feel different.     that maybe,   i’d feel… something else.     [       takes a shallow, unsteady breath,  the cold air stinging her lungs.      one hand drifts to the side of her face,     brushing a strand of damp, dark hair behind her ear,      but it trembles slightly.        her posture sags just enough to betray the weight she’s carrying.       she closes her eyes, letting the alley’s shadows and the faint echo of the club behind them swallow her,      leaving only the quiet,     and the ache in her chest.      ]     but it’s just this.    

[he strikes the lighter, the small flame flickering briefly before igniting the cigarette, the glow illuminating his sharp features in the alley. smoke curls lazily from the tip, blending with the faint haze from the dumpster.    his eyes, greenish-blue and sharp, drift toward her with an uncharacteristic pause,  noticing the distant look in her gaze, the way she leans against the cold brick as if the world beyond the alley holds her attention more than the present. and for a moment, she seems almost fragile, detached from the mission, from him.    he exhales slowly, the smoke tracing lines into the cold night air, and his jaw tightens slightly. worry —quick, silent, unspoken—tightens his chest, though he keeps his posture loose, casual, masking it in nonchalance.]       you okay?    [ his eyes linger on her,    reading her like map.     searching for the sign that she’s fully present,    fully with him.] 

@cashhunt      [     the chill of the night bites at exposed skin,    skirt and cropped top doing little to shield her from the cold.      goosebumps ripple along her arms,     glitter catching faintly into the dim alley light like scattered stars.       her breath escapes in small clouds,     curling into the air and mixing with the thin smoke drift in the distance.     one heel scrapes against the pavement,     as she adjust her stance.    one hip jutting slightly,     posture relaxed on the surface but there is something distance in her eyes.      brown hues don’t focus on him or the alley.       they  hover somewhere past it all,       like she’s looking through the scene instead of at it.          a flicker of neon from the club sign bleeds into the alley behind her,      painting faint pinks across her cheekbones.      ]           careful,     right.      [  she leans back lightly against the cold brick wall,  the chill seeping through the thin fabric against her back.       her gaze drifts again for a second toward the mouth of the alley,      toward nothing in particular.      a flicker of memory of something heavier.       ]        i just..    [     shaking her head as if pushing the thought away.      her attention settles back on him,     though a faint distraction still lingers in the edges of her expression,    like she’s a step removed from the present.    ]     i thought it’d feel different.         [    another breath curls into cold air.      ]      ..not like this.   

@rottnology         please,    you flatter me.   [    rosy cheeks,     she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.      a soft laugh escaped past glossed lips.       ]      yeah.    i can tell you all the details,       and who to stay away from.      really?    tell me about your,     school.     you got friends there?      

   ahhh,  the  mayor's  daughter.  i  guess  you  were  the  perfect  one  to  run  into.  just  the  girl  i  need.  im  not  a  big  fan  of  the  whole  transferring  thing  but  it'll  be  good  to  hear  from  someone  so  —  involved  in  this  place.  ⁽  his  boots  clicked  against  the  ground  as  he  moved  to  her  right,  bumping  into  her.  ⁾  sounds  like  my  school.  
            
            @finalsgirl 

@rottnology      it’s nice to meet you.     no way,     for real?      [      a bit too excited,    her smile almost beaming.      she leaned against the wall of the school hallway.       ]        i can show you around.     my dad is the mayor.       just like fair warning,     this school is a total mess.      begin of the year,      some girl like overdosed..   and,        like,     the jocks here are like complete assholes.   

@eadimidium     /     np! <3    oehhhh >:0     bet it’s gonna loook super prettyy 

/   ofc!!  <333   ahhh that’s so funny you say that bc i’m working on a new theme for her LMAO but i’m sooo indecisive it’s bad 

@eadimidium    /    tysmmmm <33     right back at uuu tho *heart eyes* 

getting wasted?     [brows frowned,  he seemed surprised by her sudden boldness.  an amused chuckle surpassed his lips.]    yeah,   why not.   though,    i might have something stronger.   [gesturing to the pocket inside of his jacket,    the one that always carried a little something.]    if you’re up for it?      [greenish, blue hues examined her face,    gaze dipping to her lips, then back to her eyes.   steady.  unflinching.   the complicated familiarity threading between their friendship, their hook ups,  an unspoken relationship it felt complicated but easy.  though he liked that,  he didn’t care for something serious, he also wasn’t planning to.  the memories of their last encounters lingers behind a smile.  hidden.   always on the edge of something new.]   

@cashhunt              you definitely committed to it.  you look cool.    [     swirling the ice in her solo cup as if the movement mirrored her amusement,   the strobe lights caught her face,   casting fleeting shadows across cheekbones.   glitter clinging to her skin like a second layer.     she leaned enough toward him that proximity was deliberate,      playful.     ]      had to make an entrance,    somehow.      [      she stated,   taking another sip. the strong liquid leaving a stain of red lip stick on the rim.      ]          no,  i basically got dragged.     but,    i feel like i need this.     [    she admitted,   her smile faltering for a moment.      ]    so,  you planning to keep me entertained?     or,    are we going to be hiding in a corner all night?   cause,    i wanna get wasted.   

[he leaned against the edge of the crowded living room,    a halloween party, not complete without the loud music throbbing through the walls like a heartbeat,    the scent of punch mixed with perfume and something faintly metallic,   the remnants of spilled beer on the hardwood. bodies slick with glitter and sweat, fake blood smeared across faces,    their plastic fangs flashing under neon purples lights, people passing by as their shadows dancing against the walls.    an amused look adorned his eyes,  a laugh followed.]     i’m fucking with you,    i knew that.      [he said,    his head tilting, bruise colored, red leather jacket,   a cigarette tucked behind his ear.]         tyler durden.    not exactly subtle.    but neither are you,    huh?    [his voice low, drowned by the pulse of the music but intentionally close to hear.    eyes scanning the room,    all the while he stayed anchored to her.  his signature smile lingering.]      i thought you weren’t gonna show up.  

@glittersecx      don’t ever say it like that again.     [    she chuckled,   swatting her hand away.   playfully.     ]     not happening.           but fine,  i’ll go.      [    she said,  rolling onto her side to watch her face.   her brows knitted,  slight annoyed.    she deeply exhaled.       ]         don’t start with nate.   he’ll just ruin everything,    somehow.    i swear,    every time he’s around,     it’s like a disaster waiting to happen.         

your future is not gonna collapse because you went to one party.    [a dramatic groan and she flopped back onto the bed,  laying down next to her.]     let’s be real, half the people there have worse reputations.  [she sat up, smoothing her hair. glossy lips, sharp liner, already in party mode.   she laughed.]     and nobody is asking you to do a keg stand,  okay?       if it gets messy,  i’m there.    i will physically drag you out, before you make any bad decision.      that’s best friend policy.     [rather excited,   she propped herself onto her arms.]      and you know,   maybe..  you will have fun.   pop that cherry.   [a tease,  she poked her side.]      plus,   nates gonna be there and i refuse to let him think we’re boring.   

@glittersecx         [     a playful roll with her eyes,    a soft chuckle slipped past her lips.    sitting cross legged onto her bed.    the warm glow from the fairy lights against the white walls of her too perfect bedroom.    the kind of room that looked staged,     not lived in.     framed photos of her, her parents, friends,  pageants.    and trophies for debate instead of cheer.       ]        you say celebrate like it’s not just gonna be a bunch of sweaty boys yelling.     and,   brings trouble.      [    a small smile of her own tugged at her mouth,   anyway.     ]    i mean,     i want to go.    obviously..   i just.    [  she threw a look at the closed door,     like her dad might be standing there with a curfew and some campaign speech.     ]        if my parents find out i will attend such an after party.     i’m gonna end up doing community service for a photo op.   [   studying maddy her expression,  the confidence, the certainty that the world would bend if she walked into a room.   ]     but alsooo,    our school won and i’m tired of being the girl who ‘has potential’ instead of actual memories.      so tell me why this party is worth ruining my political future?    

@cultofsaltz        [     she stepped inside,    brown hues looking around the surroundings as she entered the living room.  cozy,   but there was a presence she couldn’t place, rather lonesome.       a softened expression was written across her features as she turned around to look at her.     she’d been gone for too long,   lost from reality and,   the mess the suburbs of east highland brought.       shaped brows knitted,     astonished once gigi mentioned she had gotten married.  curiosity spiked.     her eyes shifted to gigi her hand,  out of instinct.      a soft smile laced on her face.      ]             no shit,         gigi.      you got married?    who’s the lucky person.           [     she buried her hands into the pockets of her coat,     a nonetheless shrug of her shoulders.       ]          i’m alive and well.   got a job,     pays good.      what more can a girl wish for right?    

[suburbia’s skyline paints the distance, and they remain morose. kelsey’s mood seems to sink with the sun, as the last rays douse her silhouette with watercolor of rose and violet. had gigi squinted, she wouldn’t have been able to make her out from the trimmed flower bushes in idyllic backdrop. she’ll lean over to rest on door’s frame, leaving room for the other to enter.]       fine.      [it’s what’s left unsaid which weighs heavy, comes off of her in waives of despairing frequency.]       just—     [although everybody in east highland knew gigi never really spoke of anything since her sister’s passing oh—so long ago. not in a way that people seemed to understand anyway.]      y’know.       [jerky movements embrace one arm over the other, clutched tight to her chest in riposte.]      i got married.     [to a pastor, that is. ring’s hidden from sight in between lanky limbs. there’s not much else to follow up with.]      how have   /you/   been?

@cultofsaltz      [      the night folds her in like a soft bruise,   cool and unrelenting.    she let the air settle against her skin,     lips parting in slow recognition.     her hair fans out like spilled ink, catching stray points of light and she exhales a laugh that tasted like rusted candy.     her mind a bit, clustered from the substance,  she used to calm her nerves.      ]       it was.   but,  i’m back now.     [     eyes tracing the silhouette of gigi’s smile like a map she almost remembers.     how could she forget a familiar face of a good friend?      wrapping her arms around herself,  her fur coat keeping her warm in the cold.         a bit cautious before she nodded, walking towards her.      ]         if it’s no trouble,    thank you.        how have you been?     

@cashhunt       [      her chest heaved,    each breath sharp and uneven, but her eyes didn’t waver from his.       the neon light flickered over her blood-streaked sequins,      catching in the small cuts along her collarbone,     painting her in pink and crimson.     ]      i know.     [     she said quietly at first, voice low, steadying herself against the storm inside.     ]       i know exactly what it means.         i’ve grown up in a world of rules and sermons and—  ..     [     she shook her head, a bitter smile flickering across her lips.     ]    and i thought following them would keep me safe.   but it didn’t.   not my father,  not me.   not  any of it.          you’re  right.       i didn’t sign up for your world.      and i didn’t sign up for theirs either.        yet…      here we are.         i won’t act like everything’s normal.    but… i can pretend.  if that means walking back inside like nothing happened..     /fine/       i will go back inside.  

[he didn’t interrupt her,    didn’t try to soften it.  he just stood there,   broad shoulders squared, alley light humming above them,  the pink glow washing over the black fabric of his mask. when she finished,   when the words stopped shaking in the air between them,   he spoke.]    you think i don’t know what it means?        or what they do to people who get in their way?      [eyes locked onto hers,    he exhales.]      i grew up around guys like that.    ive seen what they leave behind.   this.  [gesturing around them,    the crime scene he’d left behind.]     is already past the point of normal that ship sailed the night they put your father in the ground.        you didn’t sign up for my world.  you’re right.      but they dragged you into it,   since they decided your dad was worth more dead than alive.     [a pause,    clenched jaw underneath the black fabric.]      i’m not telling you to pretend this is fine.   i’m telling you to keep it together long enough to survive it.    

@cashhunt       calm?        how can i be calm.    [   hands clenching by her sides,     fingertips white,   as they curled up into fists.     she couldn’t stay calm any longer,      she felt furious.     ]       you just put down a body back here.     do you even realize..    what this means?      [    a halt,      she shook her head.. almost in disbelief.    ]       now we’re in it.      we’re definitely screwed.    up to our necks.     and,      you expect me to just brush it off?       [    she ran a hand through her disheveled hair,     biting her lower lip.    ]      those people my dad was mixed up with..  they aren’t just names on a list.     they’re killers.      and we just made it probably worse.         [     she tried to corral the storm inside of her,    the frustration and angst building up.      ]      i didn’t sign up for this.       blood-   and guns.    [   a pause of hesitation,    her chest felt heavy as brown eyes locked onto his.    shaped brows knitted slightly.     ]            to be part of your world.   and yet,      i have no choice.   if you think I’m just going to do what you say and pretend it’s normal—you’re wrong.  

          .

the girl who once had it all,    is now a stranger in her own town.   carrying the weight of loss and guilt.   but she was back with a reason,  the truth about her father gnaws at her.   she needed to know what had happened.   tangled in the web of the world her father left behind, a web of power and greed.   
            
            her old friend, maddy had reached out to her, hearing about the difficulties and she offers her a lifeline,  an invitation to work under her protection.    owning a business, kelsey never imagined to return to.   the club was a place of refuge,   though she agreed.   dance,  was a passion after all.    it’s the only way to protect herself from the storm that’s still hunting her.    
            
            as a show girl becomes both a prison and a platform.    working there,  she earns her freedom, but she also sees the cost of that freedom.   the people who are after her family are still searching for her,  and every step she takes in this dangerous world is a step closer to the truth.  

season two:   though things seem to take a twist, as she overhears an argument between her parents.    the one that shatters,   the perfect image of her life.       her father,    the mayor has been living a lie.    his empire built on years of manipulation,    is crumbling beneath the weight of those choices.    the mayor who had been untouchable,    was in debt owed to a gang that seemed to control everything.      after hearing this,     her world tilts,   after hearing this secret.  a shift occurs within her.      her family’s reputation was on the line,     she felt herself getting powerless.     she’s terrified of the future,     of what happens when glitter fades and everything her father had build.  
            
            taking matters into own hands,   she seeks a way to make money,    as a woman on the edge of desperation.       what starts, as a calculated move,    quick spiraled into something darker. she finds herself in the underworld of a club,  a strip club.     she starts working as a waitress,    distant and aloof.    the money,    feels  from controlling her own destiny slowly drawn her in.    
            
            season three:    coming soon.      five years pass, her glamour life is over.   her fathers death,  brutal.  as he was murdered.     left a void where once was power.     consequence of his dealings, and with his death, the empire crumbles.  kelsey and her mother flee town, their lives shattered in the aftermath.     the wealth, the power, the safety—all gone.     
            
            at their new place.  her mother, unable to cope with the loss of her husband and the life they once knew, falls into the depths of alcoholism. kelss, forever the protector, feels an overwhelming sense of responsibility for her downward spiral.     with nothing left to tie her to the past,   without a word to her on returns to the town she once left behind.  

looks like you do,   though.    [he retorted, a stern tone.   yet,    teasing.    as he found it clearly amusing.]        let me show you then.    [without a warning,     he took the weapon from her hands. a satisfied smile.    he reloaded the gun,  effortlessly.]       your stance is wrong.    you’re only going to hurt yourself.       just,    watch.  

@cashhunt       [      taking a step back,    she slightly glared at him.     ]      really.    i don’t need your help.   

you’re holding it wrong.    [an amused chuckle as he let her take the gun,   he took a step forward. standing behind her to get her in the right position of the shooting range.]     here, let me help.    

[she’s a small flare, bundled into little more than hand—me—down top of millie’s parceled directly from bar-hopping college town and miss sixty denim skirt she’d saved up all of the summer’s allowances to breathe second life into.]       god, i mean, how do they find the time?   doesn’t your dad have, like, a town to run?       [the bathroom’s glaring blue tint sticks to bare skin like candy stain, washing out georgina. muting the girls’ silhouettes’ hues, their discordant constitutions.]       feels like you’re under a microscope.. like a pretty bug everyone likes to look at but no one wants to touch.        [the botticelli countenance of gigi saltzman softens, peaking through the mirror whilst running through the motions of feminine routine. discarded gloss, lips bitten into to flesh out make-believe sensuality.]       thanks. i swear, i changed the skirt like, thrice this morning.      (…)      i’m pretty sure the bus driver started pulling up to my place fifteen minutes late because he just knows, y’know?

@cultofsaltz      [     she tilts her head, lips twitching into a small smirk at her  jab about switching parents.  ]       your mom sounds intense. [ a disbelief chuckle left glossed lips,   she leaned against the sink.     ]     i mean… i think dad’s got me beat in the “constantly watching over me” department.     but hey—     swap for a day?      maybe we’d both need therapy after.
            [ at that thought,    she shook her head lightly.   fixing her hair into the mirror,   as she watched her reflection.      ]      i saw everyone else getting wild,      sounds like i missed that..  well, a good start of the year.       [a beat,    she looked over at her.]      love your outfit,    it’s very bold.     

gigi.      [the space of the bathroom is cluttered, a myriad of feminine gadgets and interests left where they last held flighty attentions. the calamity of solitary confinement feels less burdensome with kelsey’s presence.]       i can imagine..   i think. it’s my mom who’s totally crazy.   maybe we could switch them for the day once, see who has it worse.      [she’s kittenish, shipped to fit to the space reserved between rows of sinks with the pink of her legs peering through from childish hymnic rhythm.]        i mean, it totally was—   i saw you leave like that with all those other people..   you missed out big time.