[center] [sup][color=dimgray]Collab with [@TootsiePop][/color][/sup]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Ung4JWo.gif[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/uokSFrW.gif[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/VvoEjqC.png[/img]    [img]https://i.imgur.com/zrkKoah.png[/img]    [img]https://i.imgur.com/xtk3ZiB.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/SUBWmnr.gif[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qF9xdPm.gif[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qF9xdPm.gif[/img][/center]

[indent][color=lightgray]Why he kept staring at Amanda with the particular crowd that was gathering around her was beyond him, but Brent’s eyes were so fixated on her that if Alex and Dre had said anything to him or even if they said anything at all, he wouldn’t have heard them. He didn’t quite understand why he was overcome with rage whenever he thought about her with his friends. There was just something about her and how the memories came flooding back. Those memories of prom when his two closest friends first started to develop that deep dislike for each other. The fire she started that remained long after the first responders left and gave up.

That, to Brent, has never been something he could ever forget. He thought he would be able to forgive, but even now as he looked their way, there was something unmistakable about his ire. From the way he gritted his teeth and how his eyes narrowed as if he was on the precipice of jumping forward to a mistake he had to know was in the making. Honestly, the only thing that kept him from doing that was the illuminating light that came from Reina Barracano’s lips. 

At the moment he felt his temper boiling and the pot almost tipping, a simple sequence of words calmed his nerves enough to smile her way (albeit one of surprise). As far as he could remember, the last time they spoke, she blew up at him just as he was going to blow up at Amanda, so maybe it was fate telling Brent that now wasn’t the time for him to lose his cool. It was the first day back and more than anything, Brent should be thankful that more than half of his boys were still on great terms with each other. No matter how irate he was about Amanda about to claim the same two as before, he took in a deep breath, practicing the breathing techniques he learned from his yoga classes.

In and out they came and at the moment Reina started to compliment him, a wave of peace passed through him. In some simultaneous moment, Brent gave the woman a once over and he would be inclined to agree that she also looked good. She always was outrageously pretty. Brent wouldn’t ever tell her mainly because of Caden and how so in love he was with Tessa, but she was always one of the more beautiful girls when they were in high school. 

It seemed, in addition to her taking his attention off of Amanda and relaxing his nerves a bit, Brent was able to see more colors than just blinding red, but even then he was thrown for a loop when she extended her hand as she asked him to dance. [color=#808000]“Wait seriously?”[/color] He was more asking to ensure he wasn’t hearing things. He shook his head slightly. [color=#808000]“I mean, yeah sure. I could use the distraction in all honesty.”[/color] He admitted, taking the lead on her offer by taking her hand and by extension, her onto the dancefloor.

[color=#967391]“Yeah, [i]seriously[/i]. The energy of this place is bumming me out, and I just got here.” [/color] Reassuringly smiling, Reina tightened her grasp on his hand, allowing him to take charge, giving him full control of where this moment went, for better or for worse. [color=#967391] “So, why not, you and me, two of the most approachable students of class 2009 break the ice for everyone? Or try to, at least.” [/color] To the salsa music, they started with a playful, kiddish twirl, which was rewarded by a gleam from Reina, who on the dancefloor flowed with vibrant sensuality and dazzling grace. [color=#967391]“What have you been up to, anyway?” [/color] She inquired, her gaze momentarily leaving his face to look back at the table that the King’s Men claimed, resting on Caden’s physique, for a second or two, before retreating back to Brent’s eyes. 

Brent wasn’t much of a dancer. All of the dancing he grew up enduring did not affect him, but he was able to match Reina’s movements well enough to not appear like he had no idea what he was doing. He just moved his hips and let Reina do her thing while acting as a guide when he needed. [color=#808000]“Well, after high school, I did the college thing for a couple of years, but now I own Palm Beach Toyota off of South Congress Avenue,” [/color] he told her, swinging his hips as his eyes fell over to Allison and Tara briefly. [color=#808000]“Actually, Allison over there got her Prius from my lot!”[/color] He proudly proclaim as his eyes returned to the sight of Reina.[color=#808000] “What about you? Has life after high school treated you well?”[/color]

[color=#967391]“Oh fuck yes it has.” [/color] Reina was quick to respond. To say how little she thought about Florida was a severe understatement. If it wasn’t for her brother, she would’ve forgotten this place the moment she drove across the USA to live on the west coast. [color=#967391]“Who would’ve thought my dad going to prison and me cutting ties with my mother would’ve been so relieving?” [/color] She paused and gave a little chuckle, [color=#967391]“Too real?”  [/color]

Brent was uncharacteristically silent for a moment or two as he was uncertain what would be an appropriate response. She had a lot happen to her since high school ended -- at least, a lot more than Brent’s post-high school life was like -- so it stood to reason that he had no earthly idea what to say back. Pondering on it for a moment, he only smiled. [color=#808000]“Despite all of that, you seem to be in high spirits. Says a lot about your inner-strength to endure even through the worst of times.”[/color]

Her soft lips stretched into a smile but didn’t reach her eyes. A force expression, simply thinking about those days. With humor, she shrugged it off and ‘joked’, [color=#967391]“Those bastards deserve to go to hell.” [/color] The spite and malice oozed out of her. If only, if only, they did disappear. Died horrible terrible deaths...

Deciding to change the route of the conversation, and her thoughts, she excitedly announced, [color=#967391]“— Anyways, near the end of the year, I’ll be working on my first Studio Picture. So that’s a plus!” [/color] Briefly, her gaze fell on Jace leaving the King’s Men and heading towards Amanda. Predictable. Before long, Rei was wondering if she was being too upfront and honest with Brent, especially after what went down between them. Truthfully, though, she didn’t feel like she had any reason to hide who she was and all the shit that made her ‘stronger’.   

[color=#808000]“What an amazing opportunity for you! You have to ecstatic for it!”[/color] Brent was honestly happy that she was happy. He always pulled for people to get what they deserve out of life and Reina had a bad one from the sounds of it, so when he smiled her way, it was a genuine reaction to the good news in her life.

The dancing skill level was vastly different between the two, since Reina constantly goes to events where it would benefit her to know how to do a little jig, but she was appreciative he was keeping up with her. Hell, he danced better than her husband, who no matter what she did, couldn’t get any of the steps down. Some people just didn’t have any rhythm. [color=#967391]“Oh yeah absolutely. I’m thriving in Cali. And a lot of it is thanks to my brother and my soon-to-be ex-husband. No, don’t be sad about that either. It’s mutual. Our lives are pulling us in different directions, so when I get back I’ll have papers to sign.” [/color] Her eyes softened, definitely showing her maturity and assurance in her decisions in life. She’d be okay with or without lovers. Self-love is the best kind of love, after all. 

[color=#967391]“Jeez, I must be talking your ears off. Sorry… you should tell me more about yourself! We’ve never talked like this before.” [/color] The dark-haired beauty amusingly cheesed, as he gave her another twirl. 

After the twirl, he brought her close to his chest with one arm around her waist, the heat of this particular moment overwhelmingly pleasant. [color=#808000] “Don’t worry about it.[“[/color] He quickly waved away her worry as the pace of their dancing chilled back to a casual hip-shaking. [color=#808000]“As for me, I don’t know what else there is to say. I’ve lived a rather peaceful, boring life,” [/color] Brent admitted to Reina. He didn’t know if there was anything specific she wanted to know or what. Honestly, he didn’t have any tragic things happen to him or bad relationships. Just a quiet Palm Beach man who sells cars.

With their salsa dancing turning into a simple side-to-side sway, she wrapped her left arm around his upper torso, close to his neck, and rested her other hand on his chest. She kept her focus away from him, first starting at the bar, where the two ladies were getting wasted. Or they already were. The song shifted to something slower, and she thought about what she should inquire about. What was she curious about? [color=#967391]“Do you still think about [i]her[/i]?” [/color] There was only one her that Rei would ever bring up. The most cherished person to her, who this fellow dated years ago. Sure, it was out of the blue, but he left it open and Rei wasn’t one to dilly-dally. With ease and nonchalance, she slithered her way straight to the question that mattered the most. [color=#967391]“Or do you have someone else that is special to you?” [/color]

Brent wasn’t so clueless that he wouldn’t know who Reina was asking about. Anyone who knew Brent, even in the slightest, knew exactly who he had loved for years. Whether they talked to him on the regular or went years in-between, get him going about her or, in the case for Reina, ask about her and Brent’s facial expressions said all they needed to, which was to say whatever words were about to exit from his mouth stopped. A literal example of him choking on his words. 

He diverted his glance only for a moment as he looked towards Tessa’s way and sighed. [color=#808000]“No, there hasn’t been anyone else.” [/color]He spoke with an unusually-low energy. [color=#808000]“But yes, I still think about her. I’m thinking about her right now.”[/color]

There was no doubt Reina wanted to know more. Curiosity and intrigue sparked in her eyes, in an impish kind of way. Could she play matchmaker for her best friend? Could she bring happiness into Brent’s life? Could she—

CLAP! 

A loud slap could be heard a mile away, over the music and the chatter, ripping both of the dancers away from whatever they were looking at and to the edge of the dancefloor, past the bar, and at the steps that led to the beach. One of the guys she still couldn’t put a name to was walking away, while Amanda and Jace spoke in hushed tones.

Suddenly, Jace started yelling, [color=#bbeefb]“...But then you started attacking me. I hadn’t even said anything yet!”[/color]

Which only set Amanda off: [color=#9d3dd0]“Why the fuck are you blaming me for your shitty actions?!” [/color]Her voice only increased at that point, [color=#9d3dd0]“That little jab I took at you didn't warrant you starting this whole thing by calling me a bitch, much less to go after Grayson like that!” [/color] Swiftly Reina brought her attention to Brent, who she knew was close to both of these men. After a million and one thoughts crossed her mind, she decided the best course of action to drone out the yelling was to —

[color=#967391]“Sorry about this.” [/color]

With no hesitation, she forcefully pushed her weight onto Brent, tackling him into the pool.

[i]SPLASH![/i]

What the actual hell? Brent couldn’t understand this woman. One moment she blew up at him for almost no reason at all, then ten years later she asked him to dance. And after it seemed like they were finally at a place where he could get past that and be friendly with Reina once again, [i]something[/i] happened and now he was a completely wet mess. He was just thankful that he left his phone back at the table where he left Alexander and Andre. But STILL, that did nothing to quell the overwhelming confusion the man felt.

He shook his head and, by extension, shook free of her grasp, Brent stood up and looked towards Reina with a mixed expression that consisted of mass confusion and just enough anger to motivate his next words. [color=#808000]“What the actual hell, Reina? I thought we were finally getting along? Was any of that [i]really[/i] necessary?” [/color]As he spoke, though, when he got past the initial annoyance, he started to laugh. [color=#808000]“Jesus, you’re lucky that I planned on jumping into the water anyways.”[/color] Calmed down now, he sighed, though he still was puzzled by her actions.

[color=#967391]“Lighten up, man.” [/color]She gently splashed water to his face. [color=#967391]“I don’t want you to make this night about your friends. Take a load off and [i]have fun.[/i]” [/color]As eccentric as Rei was, she was attentive to her present and her past. The Brent she knew in high school made everything about everyone else but himself. She could see why he was attracted to Tessa. They were extremely different, which wasn’t a bad thing. Tessa simply sought to have the most pleasurable existence, Brent, however, found happiness through the happiness of others. Maybe, she could help him make this weekend about himself, even if it’s only a little push in the right direction. He deserved some sort of happiness, just like everyone else. Plus, his ‘King’s Men’ were grown-ass men, they could take care of their own shit. 

[color=#808000]“You’re a difficult woman to figure out, you know that right?”[/color] Brent laughed, shaking his head. He glanced towards Reina as he submerged the arm furthest from her and quickly brought it up, splashing her with a mini-wave of water right in her face. [color=#808000]“That’s for splashing me in the face!”[/color] He smiled, then started to laugh uncontrollably.[/color][/indent]