[center] [h1][color=df017b][i]Laney Chandler[/i][/color][/h1] [img]http://49.media.tumblr.com/d89eaeca79108271f527b30a1f936dfe/tumblr_nx56wu5jDu1shdbazo5_250.gif[/img] “‘And I like large parties, they’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.’ I think Fitzgerald had it backwards, personally.” [hr] [hr] [i]’The coffee barely kept Laney awake through the ceremony; her hair thrown up in a loose messy bun, dark chocolate boots covered up to her thighs where a light cashmere sweater dress ended, a coffee colored crop jacket covered her top torso as a bright blue and silver scarf covered the rest. It was a simple ensemble the half-awake girl had thrown on in a hurry but still managed to look effortlessly graceful. She laughed appropriately at the Headmaster’s jokes, and enjoyed the Deputy’s sharp use of sarcasm through her own short speech. The small reprieve between the ceremony and the start of classes was all the blonde needed to grab a refill of her favorite drink, the aroma of her dark chocolate mocha with cinnamon and espresso filled the air around her bring a genuine blissful smile to her lips as she made her way towards Prof. Hasting’s class, looking forward to what the new year would bring out of her teachers. Laney didn’t carry any books, most of the teachers rarely used the assigned textbooks for little more than assigned reading or if was relative the lecture at hand. Laney relished the sweet pastry, little mess sticking to her lap her hands and face spotless, it mixed perfectly with the remnants of her coffee providing a rather pleasant breakfast for the debutant, the rest of the classes were disappointingly standard though listening to Prof. Abbot scare the new students was rather amusing but even she groaned at the idea of actually reading the Terms & Agreements for Facebook out of all things. Honestly it seemed like a waste of time but on a wild guess she would assume she had later plans for talking your way out of the agreement. The pretest left a bad taste in her mouth ruining the sweetness the remained from early, as the usually prominent student had been distracted and distraught during the past two weeks to do the optional summer reading. ’[/I] The shower cut off as the blonde stepped out onto the bathroom rug, wrapping a soft cream towel around her torso the beginning of the day replay in her head, it wasn’t so bad and she was happy to see her old friends, and hear about their summer breaks. A soft chime from her phone drew her attention as she absentmindedly wiped the fogged mirror leaving a streak of a reflection as her pale complexion shown back at her. Her soft lips pursed into a tight line before breaking into a smile reading the happy little tweet taking up her notification bar. [quote=@ LittleMissAcacia] Party at the Hancock Hideaway! Tonight at 7, be there and the last one there is going to be pelted with water balloons. No comment on whether I'm serious or not. Bring food![/quote] A soft laugh and a shake of her head, Laney grinned texting Acacia confirming she was definitely going to be there before grabbing her phone calling Tyler, a girl she had become fast friend her first year here. Tyler was a senior who was more than happy to show a new slightly naïve girl the ropes and how to handle the teachers, a petite girl with soft brown curls, green eyes, and a full mouth she was often surrounded by the older boys wanting to take her out on the town or to the cafeteria for lunch. The phone rang twice before she got an answer. [b]”Laney love! So I’m assuming you got the tweet?”[/b] [b][i]”Yeah, leaving it to Acacia to thrown a party the first day. Poor Aspen must be so tired from running around and doing everything for that girl.”[/i][/b] [b]”Oh I’m sure, but it’s going to be a killer. Is your roomie going? Mine’s being a sour puss and is complaining about the Iron Queen’s homework taking up way too much of her time.[/b] [b][i]”Ugh, don’t remind me I haven’t even started but I’ll probably do it tonight after the party. I don’t think I’ll stay out too late. I think Emilie might have already left? I haven’t seen her today. Do you want to ride with me?”[/i][/b] [b]”Sure thang! What are you wearing??? Oh, can I borrow your silver heels? Please??[/b] [b][i]”I have no idea, maybe that new red dress I bought the other week, and sure you can borrow them if you pick up a giant tray of cookies for me to bring with me.”[/i][/b] [b]”Sure thang! I’ll catch you later then! [/b] With a click the other line went dead, leaving Laney there holding her phone to her ear still wrapped in a towel her hair dripping water an amused look on her face before she made her way back into the small room she shared with Emilie, it almost looked like It was decorated by the same person though one half had the New York Skyline on it and the other had a more Parisian touch to it. Flopping on the bed she laid there humming softly not caring that her wet hair was soaking into her comforter as she stared up at the ceiling, the heating kicking on as she yawned softly stretching out enjoying the feeling of being clean and done with school for the day at least. [i]’She was sitting at the restaurant waiting, a long black dress cascading down into the floor around her as she sipped on a glass of water playing nervously with a loose curl trying not to anxiously watch the clock. A soft touch on her shoulder startled the young woman as she looked up at his smiling face, she could hear what he was saying but she just smiled happily and played along. Happy that he showed up, she was beginning to wonder if he was going to bail on her. The rest of the night passed in a blur of smiles and laughter, stolen kisses, and warm embraces. Laney looked away for a minute and when she looked back Jeremy was gone and she was in a different place, the back of an old train car Alice grinning over at her lopsided as the sweet rush from the needle in her arm sent her on a different trip, a different time. But this time the trip wasn’t the soul calming low like usual, it was rough and hard like a raging storm coursing through her veins burning her from the inside out---‘[/i] Laney woke with a gasp cradling her arms around her stomach whimpering slightly at the rush of memories she had long tried to bury and forget, the long forgotten craving echoing back in full force as she stumbled out of the bed back into the bathroom desperately splashing water on her face trying to banish the dream, staring at her reflection seeing the ragged form she once had been before closing her eyes stumbling back sliding down the wall breathing erratically. [b][i]”I’m fine, that’s not me anymore.”[/i][/b] The words tumbled out of her mouth again and again until she slowly calmed down, regain slight composure thankful that her roommate had yet to return. All the hard work she had put into her persona would be ruined by a panic attack like that, they were rare but they could be triggered. A steady hand reached out and gripped the sink pulling herself back up as she confirmed her reflection was bright, happier form of who she was. Going through the motions of cleaning her face and applying the base of her make-up had become a cathartic exercise for the girl, even now it’s calming effects washed over her as she selected a slightly dark nude palette for her make-up applying it effortlessly, pairing it well with a deep red lipstick before sauntering back to the room forcing herself to fall back into her persona, her safe spot, moments later the same shade of red found its way on her in the form of a halter top and a long flowing skirt, a dress of sorts, a quick selection of jewelry and shoes gave a flawless effect to the outfit. The only issue now was her hair, to wear it up, curl it, or style it into waves; she toyed with each idea while texting Tyler she was ready and had the shoes for her, she also threw in the question about what to do with her hair. Not even a minute passed before her friend texted back saying she was on her way over to the room, posing the idea that maybe she should try straightening her hair for a change. It was an interesting idea, as Laney mused over it before shrugging humming softly as she headed back towards the bathroom cutting on her straightener. A rather obnoxious knock rang out on her door followed by an array of giggling as the brunette happily bursted her way into find the blonde sprawled out on her bed, a blank look stamped on her face. Tyler frowned slightly before jumping on the bed next to her poking the young woman in the side smirking as she gained an unwanted pearl of laughter from her stoic friend. [b]"C'mon! We're going to a party cheer up!"[/b] It wasn't long before Tyler's infectious energy and happiness had Laney back on her level feeding off the positive energy as she snuck a cookie from the tray gleefully eating it as the other girl slipped on the heels before they both darted out the door, laughing and talking about if different boys would be there and what games they twins might have in store. Laney enjoyed the small times she could steal Tyler away from her group of boys, she knew deep down that once they got there Tyler would flitter off leaving the blonde on her own to find her niche at the party. Thankfully the drive wasn't long as Laney's sleek black convertible pulled in circling around the find a parking spot in the overflow parking knowing full well that this late the main parking lot would be overfilled. Sliding the car into a less than ideal spot the girls left the car, Laney jokingly balancing the tray of cookies on her head as they made their way up the sidewalk nudging and bumping into each other, feeling the bass from the music with each step they took, the two of the seemed to grow in energy and enthusiasm the closer they got. Walking in Laney made her way to the food table setting down the tray on the table before lingering by it observing the crowd, she had greeted a few people when she walked in but for the most part she figured she just watch for a little bit. [/center]