[right][sub][color=lightblue]Collab with [@TootsiePop] and small FT from [@Hey Im Jordan][/color][/sub][/right] [table][row][cell][/cell][cell][/cell][cell][/cell][/row][/table][center][table][row][cell][center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190708/1f18cad46e20b4ac31e79a0d44b99231.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Jk26bPR.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190708/cd2a877b11203452d38563629951c19b.png[/img] [color=#2e2c2c]x x x x[/color][/center][/cell][cell][center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190708/0dc69369b2ae431904e36b3c9b23cdd8.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/dKiDBFz.gif[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190708/f0945d49d7961936fc211427710337e5.png[/img][/center] [color=#2e2c2c]x[/color][/cell][cell][center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190708/50e47349b8a48289c3186b2d798a1440.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/m4KvZhY.png[/img] [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/190708/5996de487d4af8d7d35239d1771af7f3.png[/img] [color=#2e2c2c]x x x x[/color][/center][/cell][/row][/table][/center][indent]In [i]The Secret Tea Garden[/i], which was right behind [i]Heartfelt Bites Bakery[/i], both owned by his mother, Miles Michaelson laid his head on the table in absolute depression. He couldn’t believe he lost a whole volume. He hadn’t even scanned it to his computer yet. Why live honestly? At least he helped Nero out with his whole new band expedition. That gave him a little bliss, but, man, that doesn’t change the daunting fact that he had to draw 150 pages all over again, assuming he could even remember everything! This was the worst. The absolute worst. How did he lose it anyways?! Across from him, with his laptop open and the school newspaper beside it, Riley went to grab a hand sandwich on the top tier platter between him and his friend. They both were here to study together, while Miles’ mother, Chrissa, who was a good friend to Riley’s father, Remy, hosted Afternoon Tea, which was a British tradition. It’s a mini-meal composed of sandwiches, delicately cut into fingers, scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries and cake. It was midday on a Friday and Riley had [i]a lot[/i] to consider. Brian Helmsley had given him homework so that they could make The Morning Show polished, focused, and worth the legacy. Something that will live on forever even after Riley graduates. The Morning Show has always been a place for announcements and news, first the short-version going live in the morning, and then the full-length show being put on the school’s youtube channel later. Brian said he’d take care of the weekly special guests, since now the dude was the unofficial-official producer, but Riley had to give him a list of segments and ideas that he thought would benefit the school, while still keeping it thematic per week. So far, his biggest focus was being inclusive and getting another partner to stand beside him and Brynn. Plus, if one of them were sick, the other could pick up where they left off. This was Brian’s way of saying: you need help, don’t put all the pressure on yourself. On the doc, he quietly typed ‘Gwen?’ with his free hand, before his dark gaze went to the Newspaper that showcased Jamie’s article. They had a lot to clean up — especially if they didn’t want their school to get even worse. That, of course, wasn’t all that was on Riley’s mind. He couldn’t stop thinking about the interaction with Hailey and her girlfriend, Hana. After the conversation they shared, he’d have to admit he actually liked her. It doesn’t excuse her for the fucked up shit she did because she disliked people telling her what to do and how to do it, which was not Jamie’s place to air out, but… he could see why Trixie and Ophelia like her, or well liked her. Like she wasn’t completely hellbent in making the school her’s. Like she was more down to Earth than people gave her credit for. Like she didn’t choose being ‘Queen’ it chose her. Now that he thought about it, the only reason why she took the crown was simply because people gave it to her. She was a Green. Only a fool would not take the opportunity to build their own legacy in this school full of legends. He knew for a fact, people will be talking about Hailey even after she graduates. She made her mark. For better or for worse. She did. So, does that really make her a bad person if everyone’s perception of her from the get-go was royalty? She was. And she knew it. Taking a bite of his sandwich, Riley glanced up from his laptop and set his sights on his ridiculously talented artist friend, [color=426f6f][b]“You haven’t touched anything. Not even the cake. And you [i]love[/i] cake.”[/b][/color] With a baby whine, Miles pouted, [color=e6e6fa][b]“I KNOWWWW. I DOOOO.”[/b][/color] But he didn’t have an appetite, which was odd for him. [color=e6e6fa][b]“I just feel like this is the end. I put so much effort into my stories and then like the idiot I am, I lose my work!”[/b][/color] [color=426f6f][b]“I’m sure it’ll come around. You put your name on the binder right?”[/b][/color] [color=e6e6fa][b]“No… just my initials.”[/b][/color] Miles banged his head on the table. He was defeated. Absolutely ruined. Riley shaking his head at his friend, simply shrugged, and offered, [color=426f6f][b]“I can make an announcement all next week, if that’ll make you feel better.”[/b][/color] Suddenly, like a puppy, Miles perked up and his eyes widened, [color=e6e6fa][b]“You’d do that for me?!”[/b][/color] Maybe his life wasn’t all over! Riley did have an amazing platform, after all. This could be the solution to all his problems! Even though he only had one! [color=426f6f][b]“Yeah, of course. Now eat some of this food. I can’t do it by myself.”[/b][/color] As if Riley had just given Miles the medicine he needed to feel temporarily better, the blonde dug in, immediately going for the last tier which had the sweeter things on it. Elliott had decided on the drive over to [i]The Secret Tea Garden[/i] that he desperately needed his own friends. Ivy had been talking for a solid fifteen minutes about Becca Helmsley and her date with Lawrence Townsend, which he had absolutely zero interest in. Of course, when he’d tried to mention that to Ivy, she’d hushed him, and continued on. It wasn’t like he needed a whole squad, just, people who were not his sister. Tea had been Ivy’s idea, and while he’d done his best to refuse, preferring the comfort of his bed, she’d dragged him along anyway. Something about him being a homebody, and how tea was good for the imagination. He’d admit, he’d hit a wall on his novel, and he could use something to clear his head. Thus, he was standing at the counter with Ivy, waiting for a cup of green tea. [color=00d278][b]“So, don’t look now, but I think I see one Miles Michaelson out there,”[/b][/color] she said, a playful smirk spreading across her face. Elliot flushed a deep shade of crimson, peeking out the glass door into the garden seating area, confirming his sister’s observation. He stared at his sister, scowling. [color=d2005a][b]“You meddle. You’re a meddler, you know that?”[/b][/color] he said as the woman behind the counter slid his and Ivy’s cups out. [color=00d278][b]“Oh my god, what, you think I planned this? You think I overheard Riley and Miles talking about meeting here after school and so I pretended to want tea to force you into interacting with Miles? Really?”[/b][/color] [color=d2005a][b]“That’s exactly what I think,”[/b][/color] [color=00d278][b]“Well, you’re wrong about one thing. I really did want tea,”[/b][/color] she said, laughing her mirthful cackle, and dragging Elliott outside. She skipped up to Riley and Miles’ table and pulled up two seats, grinning the entire time, while a mortified Elliott begrudgingly followed along. This was happening one way or the other. [color=00d278][b]“Hey Miles, Riley! Fancy seeing you guys here,”[/b][/color] she said, taking a sip from her cup. Elliott gave a silent wave and a nod to the both of them, his face still flushed red. How could this get worse? [color=00d278][b]“Whatcha doing?”[/b][/color] Oh great. Riley closed his laptop, not one to share his plans openly with others, and blankly stared at the Nichols. Both in his year. Both with vastly different reputations. The youngest one at this table now was the artist that only moments ago had a breakdown but found himself happily chomping at pastries. Or sad eating. Riley had yet to determine which one yet. The Wells boy took it upon himself to know as many faces as he could at their school and network with some of the more talented people, like Miles, because their talents might come in use in the future. He didn’t find use in a party girl, who was in the shadows of Shauna and Not-Shauna in the theater club, and Cassie in the Fashion club. She was the token raver, but at a school like this… being someone that ‘partied hard’ didn’t really make you special. As for her brother, he was incredibly smart, matched Joy Darling in GPA, and if Riley wasn’t mistaken, he was in the Photography club with Rose Powers. Throughout the year, he did recall catching sight of Elliot writing in random places, privately. A loner that wanted to stay that way. Still, he seemed like an okay dude with skills that could come in handy for Riley, eventually. And, well, the moment Miles saw the boy with the beanie, he lit up even more. Miles was a good judge of character. [color=e6e6fa][b]“Elliot! Ivy! Please help yourselves.”[/b][/color] The sophomore offered the food at the center of the table to his juniors. [color=e6e6fa][b]“If we finish it all, we can get more! My mum works here.”[/b][/color] [color=426f6f][b]“I was going to help him with his term paper on how pop culture trends influence youth but he’s been kind of too busy thinking about—”[/b][/color] [color=e6e6fa][b]“This paper is boring. I just want to draw, which reminds me why I’m sad.”[/b][/color] He stuffed his face with a macaron. Okay, he was sad eating. Ivy grinned. [color=00d278][b]“Elliott, didn’t you do your term paper on that last year? Or was that mine? Either way, Elliott wrote it. He’s a [i]great[/i] writer!”[/b][/color] she said, playfully nudging her brother. Elliott sighed, and leaned forward to grab a sandwich finger. [color=d2005a][b]“That was Victoria’s paper, which I also wrote. Honestly, Mrs. Hatchet needs to start offering new prompts, they’re always way too easy. But yeah, I got an A. I focused a lot on social media, and how distorted it makes our lives seem, and then tied that into some research I did on mental health in teens. Wasn’t too hard,”[/b][/color] Elliott said, shrugging. School came easy to him, so much so that he often forgot that others didn’t feel the same. [color=00d278][b]“What’s got you down Miles?”[/b][/color] she asked. Half of her wanted to mention how good Elliott was at making boys happy, but even she knew that was pushing it. With that confidence, maybe Elliot should help Miles instead of Riley. Riley had enough going on and here he was worrying about the school image thanks to HOT, the Elite, Candyland, and fuck, just everyone at this stupid ass school. Finishing his sandwich, Riley wiped his fingers on his napkin and grabbed the school newspaper while all attention was on Miles. He scanned the article and thought back at the New Years party, the moment he shared with Marshall in the closet and then Jamie awkwardly witnessing it. [i]It’s not what it looks like[/i] [color=e6e6fa][b]“I misplaced my binder. With my most recent volume, for my pride and joy. Dread. I don’t know what happened to it. But it’s really the only thing I care about that isn’t my friends. School is boring so I have C’s in every class. Ma says if I don’t bring up my grades she’s going to take away my tablet. What’s the point if she takes away another thing from me!? First my binder goes missing. Next my mom gets all strict. What’s next?! My hands breaking????!”[/b][/color] Not looking away from the newspaper, Riley reached for his hibiscus tea and sighed, [color=426f6f][b]“Stop being dramatic. Your mother is too sweet. She probably just cried while looking at your grades and you felt bad.”[/b][/color] [color=e6e6fa][b]“Well yeah! Okay. She didn’t actually tell me to study harder… but I want to. I don’t like making her sad.”[/b][/color] Miles frowned, as he looked to the Nichols with earnest desperation. [color=00d278][b]“Elliott could tutor you? Right El?”[/b][/color] she said, looking over at her brother, a self-impressed look in her eye. God, she was smug. [color=d2005a][b]“Uh, yeah, I could, if you wanted,”[/b][/color] he said. His gaze drifted over to Riley and the paper, and he moved to bring up something that Ivy had made him all too familiar with, despite his disinterest. [color=d2005a][b]“That’s Jamie’s article? Talk about a shakeup, right?”[/b][/color] he said, chuckling. He could talk schoolyard gossip with the best of them thanks to Ivy and Vic, and if they could go on for hours about it, it must be interesting to some people. He had been saying how he needed new friends. Unfortunately for Elliot, Riley was far from the gossiper and he placed the newspaper down on his closed laptop, [color=426f6f][b]“Yeah, a shake up in poor taste.”[/b][/color] With a distant expression, Riley scrutinized the bookworm with his dark, void-filled gaze, [color=426f6f][b]“I thought Jamie was better than this, but I guess we all get caught up with other people’s business.”[/b][/color] Instead of making things right, the Newsie threw gasoline on the fire. A fire that Riley wanted to simmer down with his show. While Riley wasn’t playing along with whatever Elliot’s goal was, Miles was oblivious and in his own world, [color=e6e6fa][b]“We should all study together! I know Riley could boost up his grades in math!”[/b][/color] [color=426f6f][b]“...you didn’t have to disclose that. Don’t worry. I can ask my brother.”[/b][/color] [color=e6e6fa][b]“But come onnnnn Riley, I just want a reason to go to your house and eat your dad’s food! Elliot would love your house! Please, pleaseeeeee, pleaseeeeeeeee.”[/b][/color] Was Miles being serious right now? Openly inviting the Nichols to his house? Sure, his Dad would love it and cook for an army, but it wasn’t HIS place to do so. [color=426f6f][b]“I don’t care.”[/b][/color] [color=00d278][b]“I’ve had less enthusiastic invites,”[/b][/color] Ivy said. The party girl smirked, and reached for a napkin. [color=00d278][b]“Pen please,”[/b][/color] she said, holding her hand out. She knew her brother carried a pen on him pretty much all the time, one of the quirks that made him so [i]him[/i]. Elliott gawked at her, but Ivy pressed on, [color=00d278][b]“Pen!”[/b][/color] Elliott fished a pen out of his pocket, and placed it in Ivy’s hand, and she scribbled two numbers on the napkin. Ripping it in half she handed one side to Miles. [color=00d278][b]“That’s El’s number,”[/b][/color] she said, and passed the other piece to Riley, [color=00d278][b]“and that’s mine.”[/b][/color] She winked at Riley, as Elliott’s blush made a return. He’d thank her later. [color=00d278][b]“Let us know when you guys want to get this little study group together again. Like I said, Elliott’s a [i]genius[/i].”[/b][/color] Taking the napkin from her, Riley gave her a half-hearted smile, not really knowing why she felt it was necessary to give him her number when it was Miles who needed the study help. Apathetically, he responded, [color=426f6f][b]“... thanks.”[/b][/color] [color=e6e6fa][b]“This is so exciting!”[/b][/color] Miles gleamed, as he looked from Riley then to Ivy then to Elliot, [color=e6e6fa][b]“Maybe I can share with you my comics too! And Riley has a lot of Gundam and action figures!”[/b][/color] [sub][color=426f6f][b]“Thank you, Miles…”[/b][/color][/sub] [color=e6e6fa][b]“Oh and if you’re dope at puzzles, so is my boyyyyyyy. I can never finish a puzzle. It’s sad really.”[/b][/color] [color=426f6f][b]“Can you stop?!”[/b][/color] Riley hated having friends. What was the point when they shared too much?! Miles’ eyes widened and he gave a cutesy whimper, [color=e6e6fa][b]“I just thought it would be nice for you to have more friends.”[/b][/color] [color=d2005a][b]“I’d, uh, really like to see those comics. And, I’m not bad at puzzles. Actually, I’m like, really good,”[/b][/color] Elliott said, looking between Miles and Riley. Ivy, soon to be known as the worst wingwoman ever, of course had to butt in. [color=00d278][b]“And I’m, really, [i]really[/i] friendly,”[/b][/color] she said. She wasn’t entirely sure what Gundam was and she didn’t play with action figures, but she liked boys, and Riley was a boy. She could pretend that she had a thing for edgy guys who wore leather, but the fact of the matter was, she’d swing for just about anyone once they’d piqued her interest. Riley’s general disinterest in her, and his apathy towards the entirety of the conversation was like it’s own sort of puzzle. There was nothing like taking a guy who seemed so aloof, and bringing him down to earth with her “skills”. This was… exhausting. Riley felt so uncomfortable sitting at this table right now, and he was just about ready to leave, [color=426f6f][b]“Great, awesome. Yeah. I’m sure Miles will pick a date. Now.”[/b][/color] He started packing up his things and putting it in his backpack, [color=426f6f][b]“I’m actually going to get going. Don’t want to miss dinner.”[/b][/color] Even if his father was helping with the Captain Cuddles event. [color=e6e6fa][b]“But.. we just ate?”[/b][/color] [color=426f6f][b]“And it was delicious. Here’s my portion of the bill.”[/b][/color] Riley slapped a twenty on the table, stood up, threw his backpack over his shoulder, and then gave them a dismissive nod, [color=426f6f][b]“If you’ll excuse me.”[/b][/color] And the Morning Show host was out of this place like a bat out of hell. Miles would’ve waved but he received a text from Nero, [color=e6e6fa][b]“Oh snap! Neo got a band! I’m so proud of him!”[/b][/color] And for a moment, Miles had the most earnest, and sweetest smile on, as he spoke about his best friend, Nero Frost. The kind that showed possible signs of admiration. A crush. Ivy perked up at that. [color=00d278][b]“Nero? As in, the drummer?”[/b][/color] Nero was hot, and just because she had just been coming on to Riley like a dog in heat, didn’t mean she couldn’t double dip. [color=00d278][b]“I play keyboard, if he needs some more members. I sing too. I’m great with my mouth, honestly,”[/b][/color] she said. At that comment, Elliott nearly jumped out of his seat, his knees banging against the table, nearly spilling everything onto the floor. Jesus Christ she was vulgar. [color=d2005a][b]“Wow, so yeah. Ivy has an urgent therapy appointment to attend, like now, so we better go,”[/b][/color] he said, quickly standing up, and practically dragging Ivy to her feet. [color=d2005a][b]“This was fun, and I’m still, like, down to tutor you. Y’know, if you’d want that.”[/b][/color] Based on the smile that had broken out on Miles’ face at the mention of Nero, and the sinking sense of disappointment that had taken root in the pit of his stomach, he was thinking that maybe he’d rather be tutored by the drummer. Somehow, Elliott was not surprised. After this trainwreck that Ivy had caused, why wouldn’t he? Sitting not too far from the table that now had a loney artist, who was still staring at his phone, and had absentmindedly waved goodbye to his new friends, Mina Bellerose held a plate of cake in her hand, as she sat on the lap of her forever man. She cut a piece of it and brought it to his mouth, her eyes still heavily fixated on the scene. [color=f5deb3][b]“Yooooohooooooo.”[/b][/color] The Fashion princess called out to the sophomore. Snapping back to the present, looking away from his phone, Miles turned his head to see two familiar faces, and loyal customers at his mom’s tea house, [color=e6e6fa][b]“Hey Mina, Christopher, what’s up?”[/b][/color] Christopher knew what Mina wanted, because why wouldn’t he? It was almost in his job description to know what she wanted, when she wanted it. He gave Miles a smile when he spoke to the pair of them, and gestured toward the newspaper left abandoned. [color=4fd14f][b]“Miles, be a doll and grab that newspaper for us, please.”[/b][/color] He suggested; though he knew that Miles was going to do what he said. Miles was a good boy, and incredibly docile — it helped. [color=4fd14f][b]“The cake is delicious, by the way.”[/b][/color] [color=e6e6fa][b]“Ah, that's right. You two haven’t been at school for a bit because of that… movie, right? What’s it called?”[/b][/color] Miles got up, swiped the newspaper, and made his way to the super couple. Mina swiftly answered, as she swiped the paper from the naive boy, [color=f5deb3][b]“Years of Fire.”[/b][/color] Woah. That sounded dope. Maybe he and his parents can watch it some time. Maybe he’ll invite Nero over. Mina placed the plate down and focused in on the headliner article. Sheepishly, Miles scratched his head, [color=e6e6fa][b]“Yeah… things are kind of [i]wild[/i] at school. It all started falling apart after New Years.”[/b][/color] [color=f5deb3][b]“Is that right.”[/b][/color] [color=4fd14f][b]“Thank you. I’m sure we’ll catch up some other time, run along now.”[/b][/color] Christopher said, gesturing with his hand to wave Miles away. He and his better half had business to discuss, and it was very possible that they’d have to go… it didn’t seem like [i]tea party[/i] business. Not a squabble between stuffed animals, but… something at the school. He was almost certain it was going to set Mina off. Better for the soft boy to not be caught in the crossfire. [color=e6e6fa][b]“Sure thing! Catch ya guys later.”[/b][/color] Miles gleefully gave his regards before prancing back to the table, grabbing his things, the twenty Riley left behind, and paying at the counter. It was time for him to see what Nero was up to anyways. As the artist walked out the door, Mina started aggressively and angrily shredding the paper. [color=f5deb3][b]“It might be time for me to give Emmy-Lou a call.”[/b][/color] [/indent]