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[color=slategray][sub]A [@Melissa] & [@Silent Observer] Collab
Featuring: [color=DC143C][b]Savannah “Texas” Matthews[/b][/color] & [color=c66600][b]Trevor “Dopey Jock” Wells[/b][/color]
Location: Bow → The Game Room
Special Guest: [color=8a2be2][b]Josie “Emergency Situation!” Erickson[/b][/color] [@Kitty][/sub][/color]
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[indent][indent]Tucked into a corner towards the bow of the boat, Savannah and Trevor had found the perfect spot to continue chatting. The seabreeze seemed to lull the sounds of the party, and allowed for them to enjoy each other's company without the blaring music ruining the moment. And what a moment it was! The stars were bright and visible over the water, the air was cool (but not too chilly), and Savvy was having a great time with her redheaded suitor. What more could she ask for?

Brushing a lock of red hair out of her eyes, Savannah segued the conversation to a new topic. [color=DC143C][b]“So what was the beginning of high school like for you? Have you always hung out with the same people, or…?”[/b][/color] She truly wanted to learn more about Trevor, and she knew she couldn’t pass up this golden opportunity to do so, but at the same time she was attempting not to sound too interview-y. The inner journalist in her was itching to ask so many questions, but she didn’t want to dig too deep. After all, she only had so many chances to make an impression, and the last thing she wanted to come off as was nosy.

Contented. That was the best way to describe how Trevor felt in that moment. In fact, he had never felt more content in his young life. A nice chilled brew in hand, the sounds of his classmates enjoying themselves in the distance, the beautiful sight of the ocean and night sky before him, and an even more beautiful girl beside him. Trev had his muscular left arm resting comfortably around her shoulders. Absentmindedly, his thumb brushed the skin of her shoulder, savoring the softness. He wondered if all girls felt this soft, or if it was a Savannah exclusive. Either way, he considered himself quite lucky for it. 

[color=c66600][b]“Beginning high school wasn’t much different from middle school… except for being able to join varsity. But yeah, my core friend group has pretty much been the same since moving here — Damian, Owen, and Brian, we all kind of grew up together. Not just school either, our families are really close. I try to make friends with everyone, though, I don’t think there is a single person in BHHS that I can’t get along well with. How about you, what was freshman Texas Savvy like?”[/b][/color] Trevor responded before looking over at her with a curious grin.

Sav tried not to erupt into laughter, but she couldn’t help it. Instead of opting to make herself seem cooler than she actually was, a common theme among the people whom she’d met here in Beverly Hills, she let the truth spill out like it was nothing. [color=DC143C][b]“Freshman Savvy was lame. Yeah, she was pretty lame,”[/b][/color] The laughter she was trying to hold in escaped as she remembered how awkward and quiet she was. Since then, she’d come out of her shell, but even remembering how dorky she was made her cringe. [color=DC143C][b]“But I’d like to think I’ve moved on from my awkward stage…. that is unless I’m still in it and I just haven’t realized.”[/b][/color] Another small laugh escaped her mouth, so she bit down on her bottom lip to cease her giggles. 

Trevor chuckled alongside her. Savannah had a contagious kind of laughter. Soft and sweet, like windchimes in the summer. [color=c66600][b]“You? Lame? …I don’t believe it.”[/b][/color] Trev said with a teasing grin. He watched adoringly as she tried to bite back her giggles. She was cute. So cute. [color=c66600][b]“Convince me otherwise. What was lame? Did you have braces with headgear or something? Highwater pants that couldn’t catch up with your height?”[/b][/color]

[color=DC143C][b]“Braces, yes. Headgear, no, but I did get glasses freshman year and the three months where I had both were absolutely heinous.”[/b][/color] Sav recalled with bashful smile, not believing that she was revealing this all to him. There was something about him that just made her so comfortable — she didn’t just tell these things to anyone. [color=DC143C][b]“I had to give this presentation in English class on Edgar Allan Poe, and one of my elastics snapped off while I was talking — there’s no convincing you that I wasn’t a dork, I’m sorry.”[/b][/color] She smirked with a slight shake of her head, as she [i]knew[/i] there was nothing he could say that would prove her wrong. [color=DC143C][b]“It sounds like you were the opposite of that — you were on varsity freshman year, how many people can say that? Pretty impressive if you ask me.”[/b][/color] Savvy nudged him playfully as she commented on his not-lame achievements. 

The red-haired boy beamed a grin and laughed beside her as she recounted her dorkier years. He tried to imagine her all awkward in glasses and braces, and only found himself growing more enamored. When she mentioned him being on varsity in freshman year, he shrugged it off humbly. It wasn’t that big of a thing in his eyes. [color=c66600][b]“Both Dames and I went straight to varsity, football’s kind of our thing. Not really special or anything, just a couple of dopey jocks. And hey, you wanna know a secret?”[/b][/color] Trev asked rhetorically and leaned in closer to speak softer to her. [sup][color=c66600][b]“I totally had braces in freshman year too.”[/b][/color][/sup]

The hairs on Sav’s neck stood up as he leaned in closer. There wasn’t much distance in between their lips, and getting all flustered, she turned to the side and laughed. [color=DC143C][b]“I’m sure they looked great on you.”[/b][/color] She replied, gaining the courage to turn her head back to look at him once more.  [color=DC143C][b]“But still, even though it may be your thing, never downplay the fact you made varsity as a freshman. In Texas, that’s like one in a million!”[/b][/color] Texans took football [i]very[/i] seriously. Lawn signs and everything. Savannah blushed, realizing she would have never had the courage to talk to Trevor as a freshman in her awkward stage. But look at her now! 

[color=c66600][b]“I think you’re one in a million too, Texas.”[/b][/color] Trevor responded smoothly. The words just, kind of tumbled out, all on their own. Even he was shocked that he said them, but, he didn’t regret it. In fact, he smiled confidently, feeling quite proud of himself. Clearing his throat, he spoke up again. [color=c66600][b]“How about you, you play any sports?”[/b][/color]

[i]Swoon[/i].

Sav cheeks grew rosier as her eyes bashfully darted towards the ground. It was like Trevor knew exactly what to say to give her butterflies! Trying to formulate words to his question, she cleared her throat and spoke, [color=DC143C][b]“Nope, I’m an athletic supporter, not an athlete. I tried playing sports, but Kindergarten soccer was an absolute trainwreck so I hung up my cleats for eternity. Not the sporty type.”[/b][/color] Savvy explained. She’d rather write about sports than participate in them! 

[color=c66600][b]“Hmm…”[/b][/color] The ginger boy mused at that. He looked over to her with a smirk, his thumb still absently tracing circles into her shoulder as he did. [color=c66600][b]“Maybe soccer just wasn’t the right sport for you. How about we go see what games they have in the game room? You might have an undiscovered talent.”[/b][/color] Or, this was simply an excuse for them to have some fun and spend more time together.

[color=DC143C][b]“I highly doubt it, but let’s go find out!”[/b][/color] Savannah replied enthusiastically. As much as she enjoyed sitting here cozily with him (spoiler alert: she really enjoyed it), this was a party! They needed to go and do something fun and active and the game room was a great way to do so. Taking the last sip of her Angry Orchard, she stood up and placed the empty bottle on one of the tables and extended her now free hand towards Trevor. [color=DC143C][b]“I would lead the way, but I don’t know where it is.”[/b][/color]

[color=c66600][b]“I do.”[/b][/color] Trevor said with a smile and happily took her extended hand in his. Of course he knew where it was, this wasn’t his first time hanging out on the Helmsley yacht, and it certainly wouldn’t be his last. Especially now that Bri was back. Thankfully, by the time the innocent ginger pair had made it down to the game room, the naked card game had already concluded, so there was no need for any more blushing than was usual for the two of them together. Trev’s eyes scanned the room for options, [color=c66600][b]“Looks like there is pool, pong, foosball, darts, air hockey… whatcha feeling?”[/b][/color]

Savannah pondered their options carefully, gazing around the room at the different games surrounding them. She already knew she wasn’t a pool shark — they have a pool table in the basement of her father’s house and she loses every time they play — so that was a no-go. The pong table looked crowded, and darts sounded dangerous and she didn’t feel like stabbing Trevor in the eye. She also didn’t feel like hitting any of her limbs against the foosball table pegs. Air hockey it was! [color=DC143C][b]“I’m thinking air hockey, that good with you?”[/b][/color] Savvy stated, motioning to the table in the corner of the room. 

[color=c66600][b]“Sounds great!”[/b][/color] Trev agreed and led her over to the air hockey table. He still held her hand as they made their way through the chatting and gaming groups of their classmates. He had no desire to let go of her hand, but he’d probably have to if they were going to play games. They arrived at their destination and Trevor turned to face her with a cheeky grin. [color=c66600][b]“Now don’t be intimidated, but you’re about to play against a bonafide hockey player. Did you bring your competitive spirit?”[/b][/color]

[color=DC143C][b]“You’re [i]kidding[/i] me… is there a sport you don’t play?”[/b][/color] Sav replied in disbelief. Not only did he play football, but he was agile and athletic enough to translate that all to the ice! Trevor seemed to do it all. Grabbing one of the paddles and the puck, she continued speaking. [color=DC143C][b]“But yes, competitive spirit is ready and raring to go and — oh look, what’s over there?”[/b][/color] Attempting to trick him into looking away, Sav began the game whether he was ready or not… it was going to be her funeral, so she may as well score some points while she could! The puck soared from her side of the table to his, clinking into the goal. 

[color=c66600][i]Huh?[/i][/color] As gullible as a school boy, Trevor’s gaze followed where she pointed, curious to see what had caught her attention so suddenly. Upon seeing nothing of note, the realization clicked. [i]She wouldn’t.[/i] The clack of the plastic puck bouncing off the back side of his air hockey goal and the dinging sound of the table recording the scored point confirmed that, yes, she would. [color=c66600][b]“Ohhh, I see how it is. Dirty plays, Texas, dirty plays.”[/b][/color] Trevor replied with a chuckle and stepped up to guard his goal properly. 

The red-haired boy retrieved the puck and repositioned it to start a new round. He went back to her initial, most likely rhetorical, question and answered it. [color=c66600][b]“I’m pretty terrible at basketball.”[/b][/color] He admitted. Damian beat him nearly every time they shot hoops together, but that didn’t keep him from playing on occasion. He wasn’t much good at golf either, but who was besides old rich white dudes? [color=c66600][b]“But yeah, I love hockey. It’s more of a hobby, since ya know, Cali schools don’t really have ice rinks. I miss the cold from back home, so I like to skate at the public rink downtown when I can.”[/b][/color] Trev knocked his striker into the puck and sent it gliding towards Savannah’s side.

Savannah couldn’t help but laugh at Trevor and how easily deceived he was. His clueless reaction was absolutely adorable, which made her laugh even harder. With a shrug, she tossed her hair over her shoulder dramatically and dissolved into a smile. [color=DC143C][b]“Can’t let you win [i]that[/i] easily.”[/b][/color] Knocking the puck against the left side of the table, it soared near the goal, but not close enough to score. [color=DC143C][b]“Hockey seems cool, lots of moving parts, but I can definitely see why you love it.”[/b][/color] Sav commented, blocking her goal with the paddle so that he would have a harder time scoring. [color=DC143C][b]“Skating seems hard though, admittedly I’ve never been, but I’m sure when you get that down it’s a lot easier to focus on the game.”[/b][/color] 

The puck passed back and forth between them a few times until Trevor sent it sailing toward Savannah’s unguarded goal. Sure, he could take it easy and try to let her win, but he was far too competitive of a person for that. Nice guy or not, sport was sport, and that was the fun of competition. No one wanted easy wins, it’s only fun when you have to work for your gains. [color=c66600][b]“Wait… you’ve never been skating? Really?”[/b][/color] Trev looked up as the table dinged another scored point. It was a 1 — 1 tie so far.

Sav watched as the puck sailed towards her, and before she had the chance to block it, it slipped into the goal. [color=DC143C][b]“Nice shot.”[/b][/color] She congratulated him, placing the piece back on the table to continue the game. [color=DC143C][b]“Nope, never. I’ve never seen snow, so the thought to go skating has never really crossed my mind. And even if it has, I guess I’ve just never gotten around to it.”[/b][/color] The female redhead admitted, hitting the puck back towards Trevor. Skating wasn’t big in Texas, like, at all.

[color=c66600][b]“Oh yeah, I guess that makes sense.”[/b][/color] Trevor remarked, feeling a little bit foolish that he hadn’t considered where she came from. Texas was a lot like California, except, even hotter… and way more conservative. So of course she’d never skated! [color=c66600][b]“Winter sports were really big in Colorado. Man, when I was little I wanted to snowboard so bad but my mom wouldn’t let me. Too dangerous, she said. I had these big dreams of growing up to be the next CR — and now we go to school with his kid! Times change.”[/b][/color] He laughed lightly knocked the puck so that it bounced against the wall and angled towards Savvy. [color=c66600][b]“I could take you, if you’d like to learn how to skate. I could teach you, it’s a lot of fun.”[/b][/color] That, and she’d probably look gorgeous gliding across the ice, all bundled up with a hat and gloves like a proper snow bunny.

Savvy’s lips curled up into an excited smile. Ice skating with Trevor sounded like something out of a romance novel — it was fun, intimate, and she’d get to hold onto him for support. Instead of agreeing right away, however, she decided be a little more flirtatious. [color=DC143C][b]“On one condition.”[/b][/color] She stated, leaving a large pause in between her words. During her pause, she looked down at her striker and knocked the puck straight into his open goal. [color=DC143C][b]“Promise you won’t let me fall?”[/b][/color] She asked, looking back up at him with her bright green eyes.

[color=c66600][b]“I would nev—”[/b][/color] Trevor began to assure her that he wouldn’t let her fall, but he was cut off by the sound of her scoring yet another goal via distraction. Trev looked down at his own hand, as if it was the one that betrayed him, and his mouth dropped open in shock. He looked back up to his adorable, sneaky little fox of an opponent. [color=c66600][b]“Well, for that, I just might let you fall at least once.”[/b][/color] He winked and shook his head with a grin, reaching down for the puck again.

After running around half the boat, getting weird looks from everyone she passed, Josie finally spotted her favorite redheads. For a moment she stopped and looked at the two of them because damn they looked cute right now, but she was going to have to ruin that. Josie was their biggest supporter but Josie needed her best friend right now, it was an emergency level situation. She’d apologize to them both later, but until then she’d be taking her favorite of the two redheads with her.

Speed walking to where the two stood, Josie only looked to Savannah and reached over grabbing her hand, [color=8a2be2][b]“Emergency situation. I need to borrow you, like right now.”[/b][/color] Her internal freaking out was slowly leaking out and she knew Savannah would be able to see it clear as day. As Josie pulled her friend away from the other redhead she simply looked to him and gave him a curt nod, [color=8a2be2][b]“Hi Trevor. Bye Trevor. I’ll return your date in a bit.”[/b][/color] With that Josie lead them to a quiet place that was lacking in people, one where Josie could fully freak out to her friend.

Sav knew right off the bat that something was wrong, but before she could say ‘hello’ or even ‘how’s your night been’ to Josie she was being pulled away from her redheaded boy faster than a tractor pulled hay. [color=DC143C][b]“Oh, um okay, I—”[/b][/color] She started to babble in a state of confusion and turned to Trev, guilt written all over her face.  [color=DC143C][b]“Sorry, duty calls. I’ll be back, I promise.”[/b][/color] The ginger apologized to him as she attempted to keep up with her friend’s urgent pace. [color=DC143C][b]“I’ll find you!”[/b][/color] Was the last thing she could manage to say before disappearing with Josie entirely into one of the side rooms that lacked people and music. 

[color=c66600][b]“Take your time!”[/b][/color] Trevor called out from behind them as the two girls scampered off. He chuckled and shook his head in amusement. Pondering what to do now that it was just him, he pulled out his phone to text Savannah: [color=c66600][b]I’m going to go see what Rye’s up to, text me if you can’t find me later.[/b][/color]. He tucked his phone back in his pocket and wandered out of the game room in search of his brother, who he hadn’t seen all night.[/indent][/indent]