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[sub][@Amore] & [@spooner] collab[/sub]

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MacKenna fell back into a squatting position steadying herself for a moment before looking up at what she had collided with rubbing her forehead. [color=7ab085]“Oh… it’s you”[/color] she grumbled. Looking down at her with a smug look on his face was Cassian Lee. An ever-growing thorn in the girl’s side. It had started with them having to do a project together for their communications class. At first, Mac was glad she had been paired with one of the other person of color in a sea of white that was that class. 

But as they spent more and more time together Mac started to feel that something was not right. She wasn’t sure but something about Cassian just wasn’t genuine.

 [color=7ab085]“You keep those gorilla arms to yourself,”[/color] she said straightening up.  [color=7ab085]“Why are you skulking around alone like this anyway?”[/color] She asked looking him up and down. As much as he made her uncomfortable, she had to admit the young man was unbelievably beautiful.

[color=00000D]“Easier to do if you’d stop walking straight into them, Kiyo. I think your friend is on to something about you chasing after balls. All you need to do is ask nicely.”[/color] Cassian’s smirk was as strong as his ego as he stepped back from the spunky girl, who he refused to admit had become the subject of his sole interest, letting his nimble fingers trace along her back as he withdrew his stabilizing hold on her, [color=00000D]”Should I be here with someone in particular? My go-to date was already taken, and the little troublemaker I came with has a man to conquer tonight.”[/color] He let out a soft chuckle and looked over the congregating group a moment before returning his gaze to Mac.

[color=00000D]“Looks like you traded in your roommates for interesting company.”[/color] There was an inflection in his tone as his eyes were drawn away from her again by the actual gorilla throwing a fit across the table.

 [color=7ab085]“Whatever dude... have you been stalking me around this party or what?”[/color] she asked with a huff. 

[color=00000D]“Much to your displeasure I haven’t, I’ve been looking for someone. But then your pretty face caught my attention and so I came over and to such a cold welcoming. But that’s what I like about you.”[/color] His response was smooth, his lips ever so slightly slipping into a genuine smile.

[b][color=royalblue]“Only four people per table. Go find your own.”[/color][/b]

Cassian replied with a dismissive wave of his hand, the grin was gone and his tone much cooler than a moment ago, [color=00000D]“What are you going to do? Beat on your chest next, Bonfamille? The adults are talking now, wait your turn.”[/color]

Mac was getting annoyed and it showed on her face, her eyes were rolled all the way back and a frustrated sigh escaped the girl.  [color=7ab085]“Please tuck away your fragile masculinities!”[/color] she exclaimed bending down picking up the ball.  [color=7ab085]“I’ll guess you’ll have to watch… I know you like that Lee”[/color] she said smirking at the tall man with her perfectly manicured eyebrow raised. 

Unlike his usual self, he opted to show a little of his annoyance, offering Mac a soft sigh and made sure she saw his eyes roll in response, [color=00000D]“Just as much as you like looking at me, Kiyo. Make sure to lean over the table a little extra for me, okay?”[/color] The wink he gave her was playful, as were his words as he found a spot to lean against the table next to the one she was playing at.

 [color=7ab085]“Shut the fuck up…”[/color] she lamented as she turned back towards the group.

 [color=7ab085]“Ok ladies! Let’s get this match started!”[/color] Mac shouted as she sauntered back over to the table.  [color=7ab085]“You alright?”[/color] she whispered to the obviously riled up redhead placing a hand on his tense shoulder. 

Cassian found hiding his emotions came as easy to him as breathing, a survival skill he learned from navigating high society in a cutthroat place like South Korea. Not that he necessarily feared anyone in attendance at the party, but found it a waste of time to give the dumbass across the table anything to gloat about, and surely having Mac tending to his fragile ego was already enough gloating material.

[right][color=00000D][i] great job Mackenna [/i][/color][/right]

The thought was bitter and he could feel the muscles in his jaw tighten in response. A slow exhale of his next breath relaxed him, at least visibly, into an approachable state of neutrality as he settled in to watch the four of them battle out over cheap beer and inevitable hangovers.

 [color=7ab085]“Set it up, Connor!”[/color] Mac smirked at the blond boy getting the cups together.  [color=7ab085]“Let’s crush them, Al!”[/color] she whispered to her partner before raising the small white ball in front of her face and blowing on it for some good luck. The girl took some time to steady herself and calibrate the distance before tossing the ball in an arch towards the cups. With a small splash, it landed in one of them. 

With a squeal, MacKenna jumped up and down wrapping her arms around Aleric.  [color=7ab085]“Alright Al, show them what you got!”[/color] she said turning her head toward Cassian raising her eyebrows.  
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