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[sub][color=hotpink][b]Miriam Archer[/b][/color] and [color=mediumseagreen][b]Topher Jones[/b][/color]
A [@kitty] and [@melissahart] Collab
Location: The Helmsley Yacht
Interacting with: [color=C0C0C0][b]Trent[/b] the Asshat[/color][/sub][/center]
[hr][hr][indent]A hand rested on her hip, an arm across her back, both feelings foreign to [url=https://78.media.tumblr.com/cf3dee22e5460bf6d5d06384fd008e3d/tumblr_mtg78sPAtz1r8y7vqo6_250.gif]Miriam.[/url] Especially with how close the hand was resting to her butt, such intimacy was something she had never experienced before. Yet here she was experiencing it with the last person she’d ever want it from. 

Glancing out of the corner of her eyes she looked to Trent who was too busy chatting with his friends as they waited to sign in and board the boat. Turning her head to look around the pier she noticed people staring. They had been since she got out of the car with Trent. Miriam was well known due to her family and the way she looked tonight went against everything people had come to know about the Archer girl. Whispers of her being a closeted slut or her making a deal with the devil could be heard occasionally, causing Miriam to play with her cross necklace. The one thing she didn’t change of her appearance. 

The tightening of the hand on her hip brought Miriam to glance up at Trent who was looking down at her with a smirk that sent chills through her spine, and not the pleasant kind. Looking away she focused on the sounds of the waves as a way to drown out Trent and his friends talking about their previous hookups. 

When they finally got to sign in Miriam thought she’d be able to get some alone time but Trent had other ideas. He made sure she was with him as the party really got into motion, never once letting her leave his side as he drank and enjoyed his time with his friends. With each passing minute and additional drink, the more Trent got handsy. Well tried to.

His hand would move to her bottom and she would move it back to her hip. When they were sitting he placed his hand uncomfortably on her thigh, his fingers slowly moving towards her inner thigh until she excused herself to the bathroom. The worst part of the night began when he tried to kiss her but she moved her head so his lips hit her cheek. Trent took this as an invitation to start kissing down her cheek and to her neck. This caused Miriam to freeze for a moment before shoving him away.

[color=hotpink][b]“Trent Stop! I’m not comfortable with that.”[/b][/color] Miriam yelled over the music, pulling her jacket closed and hugging herself as she stepped away. Trent’s face immediately twisted in anger as he grabbed her wrist and began to drag her to God knows where on the boat. The whole time Miriam was trying to break free of his grip while also wondering why no one was trying to help her, she just guessed people were too high or drunk to notice or care. 

When they were somewhere secluded Trent trapped her between him and the wall of the area they were in, glaring down at her as she went bag to hugging herself and averted her eyes elsewhere. [color=C0C0C0][b]“Listen here and listen good blondie. You just sit there and do as I say and want or else I will tell the whole school and church your brother’s secret. Got it?”[/b][/color] 

Miriam nodded, fearing she would breakdown if she spoke. All Miriam wanted to do was run or breakdown, but she had to be strong for her brother. Even if it meant dealing with whatever Trent wanted. So that’s what she thought of as Trent once again began to kiss her and then her neck. His hand gripping her waist as he held her in place. Miriam could only hope that somehow they were interrupted so he’d have to stop, just someone or something to distract him.

Topher was already over this party. Sure, it was nice that he had come with his new friends from Burntown, as they liked to call it, but something was just off this evening. Yes, the party had fire music, tons of booze, and definitely an assortment of attractive women, but Toph was not exactly feeling it so far. Maybe within the next hour it’d get better, but if not, he’d be swimming to shore. 

Currently, he stood against the railing of the ship overlooking the sea, smoking a cancer stick. Once again, he was kicking himself for taking one, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Gazing around the party, he watched as the drunk idiots made fools of themselves, his peers arguing with the bartender, Miriam making out with some kid in the corner, a couple of kids- wait what? He looked back over to where Miriam stood, practically pinned up against the wall by some kid he couldn’t see. She looked [i]hot[/i], but clearly not happy with the situation transpiring. Uncomfortable; scared, almost. That wouldn’t do. That wouldn’t do [i]at all[/i]. With no hesitation he threw his cigarette carelessly in the ocean and quickly made his way over to the pair.

[color=mediumseagreen][b]“Hey, kid, I think you’ve had a little too much to drink already. Should probably get out of here before the boat leaves.”[/b][/color] Toph yelled over the loud music, his comment directed towards the guy essentially groping Miriam, but keeping his eyes locked on the blonde. 

Miriam had closed her eyes to try and disconnect from the current situation but it was a voice that Miriam recognized but couldn’t place at first, that brought her to open them again. Her eyes locked with none other than Topher’s and a wave of relief washed over the blonde. Well, until she noticed how angry Trent looked.

Trent had only tensed up at the voice, anger beginning to build up as he stopped what he was doing and turned away from Miriam to look at whoever was interrupting them. Glaring at Toph he got up in his face. [color=C0C0C0][b]“I think you need to go back to whatever shit hole you crawled out of and leave us alone. The girl and I were enjoying ourselves until you butt in, so get out of here or I’ll make you.”[/b][/color] 

Toph couldn’t help but chuckle at Trent’s attempt to scare him away. Who did this guy think he was anyway? Topher, on the other hand, looked [i]quite[/i] intimidating. A leather jacket, tough boots and his staggering height said it all- [i]don’t[/i] mess with him. He let another laugh slip out of his mouth before pressing his hand against Trent’s chest to move him away. [color=mediumseagreen][b]“If this is what you call enjoying yourself, I’d love to see what having a great time is like for you. Does it involve you forcing yourself onto more girls unwantedly or do you just drug them so they don’t squirm?”[/b][/color] Toph’s face went grim. [color=mediumseagreen][b]“She doesn’t want you to do that, so get the fuck out of here before [i]I[/i] make you.”[/b][/color] 

Trent began to fume at Topher’s allegations and threat. More than anything, he just wanted to beat this cocky bad boy wannabees face in, but he knew better than to take this guy on alone. He’d get what was coming for him, just another time when Trent has his buddies there to help. Glancing at Miriam with a cold glare he thought about if he should out her brother tonight or not, but he decided that if he wanted to have another chance at having fun with her then he’d keep the secret so he could continue blackmailing them. Turning back on Topher he stared him down silently for a minute before walking past him, knocking his shoulder against his with a good amount of force behind it. [color=C0C0C0][b]“You better watch yourself, I’d hate to see that pretty little face of yours get fucked up.”[/b][/color] Trent then disappeared back to the main party, looking to find some other chick to hook up with. 

Still where Trent had left her, Miriam watched on as the two faced-off. A flutter in her stomach and a warmth in her chest developing when Topher stood up to Trent for her. The feelings quickly faded when Trent turned his glare on her, she pulled her jacket closed once more as she hugged her stomach and looked away. It was only when she heard Trent’s retreating steps that she looked back over to Toph. As the silence filled the air all she could do for a moment was look at him as the reality of what happened sank in.

Before Trent could walk away after shoving him, Toph grabbed his shoulder and whispered eerily in his ear. [color=mediumseagreen][b]“Don’t try me. I’d sleep with one eye open if I were you.”[/b][/color] Shaking his head once the offender vanished, Toph got a good look at Miriam, noticing how shaken up she was from the ordeal. He stuffed his hands back into the pockets of his jacket and moved a single step closer to her. [color=mediumseagreen][b]“Are you alright?”[/b][/color] He asked plainly, not wanting to pry as to who that grade A asshole was.

Taking a deep breath Miriam nodded as she shakily pushed herself away from the wall. Another deep breath, then another and it finally seemed her mind was clearing up. [color=hotpink][b]“I’m alright. Thank you for…”[/b][/color] She trailed off, closing her eyes for a moment and taking another deep breath. [color=hotpink][b]“Thank you.”[/b][/color] She gave him a small smile of thanks as she pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. 

“Enjoying ourselves” his ass. It was clear that Miriam was not enjoying herself. Toph wasn’t exactly a softy, but it hurt him to see Miriam so shaken up. Toph should have punched that guy when he had the chance. [color=mediumseagreen][b]“Here, let’s get you some water.”[/b][/color] Gently, he placed his hand on the small of her back, not wanting to scare her, and guided her towards the bar, where he locked eyes with the bartender. [color=mediumseagreen][b]“Two waters.”[/b][/color] He spoke, and the bartender quickly rushed to grab them their drinks. Toph gratefully took the two cups and handed one to Miriam, [color=mediumseagreen][b]“Here, drink this.”[/b][/color]

Not only was she thankful for his suggestion of water, but she was also thankful for him placing his hand on her back. There was a part of her that still felt a little shaky and it was reassuring to feel a supportive hand on her back. Not only that but it helped to bring back a bit of her old self as a small blush painted her cheeks as the fluttering in her stomach returned from earlier. As they arrived at the bar Miriam turned to face him just as the waters arrived. Taking hers and bringing the cold drink to her lips she realized just how thirsty she was and began to drink a good amount of it before realizing what she was doing and bringing it away from her lips as her face burned red. [color=hotpink][b]“Sorry… um. Thank you again Toph. I-I think you basically saved me back there. Thank you.”[/b][/color] Her brown eyes held nothing but thanks as she looked into his brown eyes, feeling nothing but safe in his presence.

Toph’s curiosity got the better of him as he stood there with Miriam. He was happy to play knight in shining armor any day, but something about the situation definitely seemed off to him. From what he knew of her Miriam would never hang out with a guy like that- It was a surprise that she even associated with Topher. [color=mediumseagreen][b]“Of course, Miriam, I wasn’t about to let that asshole do anything to you- who even is he anyway?”[/b][/color]

[color=hotpink][b]“Trent. He’s on the football team and unfortunately goes to the same church I go to.”[/b][/color] Miriam bit her lip and began to fiddle with her necklace, oh how much she just wanted to tell someone else what was going on. Let anyone else know that she was being blackmailed, but if Trent found out then her brother would be outed and it would be her fault.

Toph nodded, sipping his water. [color=mediumseagreen][b]“Unfortunately indeed; I’m not a big fan of him.”[/b][/color] He remarked, looking down at the blonde. Hopefully this ‘Trent’ kid wouldn’t mess with her again, and if he did, he’d have Toph to answer to. The tall boy took in her new look- he definitely liked the new changes he saw, but it wasn’t too different from the Miriam he met yesterday, which he liked even more. Gazing around at the party he noticed his stupid peers taking pills from gumball machines, something he wouldn’t even dare doing. It was questionable, this party was questionable. [color=mediumseagreen][b]“I didn’t know you came to parties like this.”[/b][/color] He stated, turning back to her. 

Miriam nodded in agreement to Topher’s statement about Trent. [color=hotpink][b]“Nor am I.”[/b][/color] She took another sip of the water and looked around at the partygoers, popping pills and getting drunk. If only her mother saw her now. Toph’s comment brought her to face him again, [color=hotpink][b]“I didn’t use to. I just wanted to try something new, spice up my life a bit. Well spice it up by my own decision I guess.”[/b][/color] A small smile played on her lips as she looked down at her cup, a small laugh escaping her lips. [color=hotpink][b]“If my parents saw me now I think they’d probably officially go mental.”[/b][/color]

[color=mediumseagreen][b]“Well, you need to spice things up every once in a while, and this party is definitely the place to do so.”[/b][/color] Topher replied, looking down at Miriam. He then motioned around to the party [color=mediumseagreen][b]“It’s a cool vibe though- haven’t been to a party on a yacht before, but I guess that's Beverly Hills for you.”[/b][/color] Toph ran a hand through his hair, and laughed. [color=mediumseagreen][b]“This isn’t usually my scene either. Thought I’d come check it out too.”[/b][/color]

[color=hotpink][b]“Well I’m glad you came. Not just because of…”[/b][/color] Miriam trailed off before licking her lips, [color=hotpink][b]“It’s just good to not be the only one that’s kind of out of their comfort zone.”[/b][/color] She finished what she was saying and turned to once again just look at the party. She didn’t quite know what to do at one of these events, well other than smoking, drinking, dancing, and hooking up. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to do all those things, maybe try a drink and maybe dance. The other two were definitely further away. [color=hotpink][b]“We can always experience this party together.”[/b][/color] Miriam said absentmindedly, when she finally realized what she said her face warmed, [color=hotpink][b]“I-I m-mean if you want.”[/b][/color] She stuttered glancing at him.

[color=mediumseagreen][b]“Yeah, definitely. Together.”[/b][/color][/indent]