/

but shes safe, i swear.  

@til3012          [brows knitted as she turned around to face him.    brown long, straight hair sleeked up in a tight ponytail, her expression almost unbothered,   streaks of glitter clung to visible collarbones, catching beneath the low violet lights like fractured stars.]      depends.    [a simple answer,   her gaze examined the other.  a small smile etched on her face.]        if you’re asking whether i’m clocked in then yeah, pyramid got me till two.

[the cigarette lingers between his fingers, forgotten for a second as his gaze drops. taking in the bare stretch of her arms, the thin fabric doing nothing against the night air, the faint tremor she doesn’t even seem to notice. his jaw shifts. without saying anything at first, he pushes himself off the wall, closing the distance just enough. the movement is unhurried, casual on the surface but intentional.  he slips his jacket off his shoulders, the fabric still carrying a trace of warmth and something distinctly him. it hangs loosely in his hand for a second before he holds it out toward her.]     here..   you’re freezing.    [a pause,   the alley stretching around them, distant sirens humming somewhere far off.]     it doesn’t stop.   /not/  really.    you just get better at carrying it.   [he then gives a small nod toward the jacket still in his hand, a subtle push.]   take it.  [his attention stays on her, almost anchored. like he’s making sure she doesn’t drift too far this time.]  

@cashhunt       [      her head tilts slightly at his words,     like they take a second too long to land. the alley feels quieter now,  heavier.    his voice lingering in the space between them.     her fingers stop fidgeting for a moment,    then resume, slower,    tracing the hem of her skirt without purpose.       the cold finally seems to reach her,       raising goosebumps along her thighs, but she barely reacts.   ]     enough.   [    she murmurs, unfocused like it’s slipping through her own grasp.       her gaze lifts again, trying to find his but it falters,     drifting to the cigarette between his fingers instead.      the small glow of it seems to hold her attention longer than it should.    another breath leaves her, uneven, visible in the cold air.     ]    i wasn’t counting.  [ she adds quietly, an humorless edge of a laugh that doesn’t quite form.      her shoulder presses more firmly into the brick behind her,     as if she needs it to stay upright.      her head tips back again, eyes half-lidded,     staring up at nothing but the faint outline of fire escapes and the bleeding neon above.      ]         needed to feel something.  not think about this.      i just..  wanted it to stop.  for like..   a moment.    

[he cups the cigarette with his hand, shielding the flame from the restless night air before drawing in slowly. the tip burns orange, bright in the dimness.   he exhales through his nose, smoke drifting upward and dissolving into the damp air above them,  curling along the brick wall.   his eyes move back to her,    the way her balance leans too heavy against the wall. the slow blink in her glossy eyes.      the distracted pull at her skirt like she’s trying to remember where she is.  the glitter on her arms catching the neon like broken glass.]      yeah..     that’s the problem with revenge.   people think it’s supposed to fix something.      [he shifts his weight,   shoulder settling against the opposite wall.]        truth is..    it usually just feel like another night.   [the cigarette burns quietly between his fingers. ash lengthening.  he studies her again,  the distant look.]      you’re drunk.  [a pause.]    how much did you drink in there?   

@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.