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[sub][color=darkgray]Collab with [color=fff700]Ryland[/color] [@TootsiePop] & [color=brown]Marisol[/color] [@Rosalia][/color][/sub][/center]
[color=darkgray][indent][indent]Finishing the last bit of his burger, having scoffed it down in a matter of seconds, Ryland crumpled the wrapper, reached in the back seat, and tossed it in the brown bag the food came in. When the light turned green, he gently pushed on the paddle, taking his sweet ass time, choosing to cruise to the dance rather than rush. They’d get there when they get there. 

After opening the console, he grabbed a napkin to clean his fingertips, before putting that too in the garbage bag in the back. While his room wasn’t the cleanest, since he hated folding his clothes, and eventually it all just exploded, Rye was all about personal hygiene, [i]especially[/i] in a car that didn’t belong to him. Rich people got possessive over their cars. He knew his aunt wouldn’t scold him if something were to happen, but for him, this was a common courtesy and a show of respect. He was fortunate enough to have a car to drive his date in, who by the way, was dressed incredibly. Nobody could pull off a red dress like Marisol — that’s for sure. 

Taking the obvious scenic route, intentionally turning on roads he knew would bring them off track, and that would only make them late to the dance, Rye cleared his throat, [color=fff700]“You really do look amazing, Sol. I mean it.”[/color] He tapped his thumbs on the wheel, turning his gaze to her briefly, to have another look. As a result, he smiled, that kind of smile that showed a genuine softness that only those he would die for saw. That ‘I love you’ kind of smile. [color=fff700]“This is not the same from seeing pictures posted online in the Hills. This is so much better.”[/color] Grinning, that goofy Aspen grin, as if Marisol was a gift from heaven that he didn’t deserve, Rye chuckled,  [color=fff700]“Sonny best be glad you're his.”[/color] 

Marisol wasn’t one to blush often. But when she heard Ryland’s words, and the way he was smiling at her, she couldn’t fight back the bright pink heat rising to her cheeks. Leave it to Ry to find a way to make her feel so great about herself. [color=brown]“Thanks, Bread,”[/color] she said in a surprisingly soft voice, shooting him an even more surprisingly sweet smile. And when he commented on Sonny being glad she was his, the girl chuckled along with him. [color=brown]“You bet your pale ass he is! Or at least, I hope he is. Wouldn’t wanna be wasting my time if he’s not.”[/color]

[color=fff700]“Yeah, well, he’d be dumb to let you go.”[/color] Rye calmly responded, bringing his eyes back to the road. The fact that they couldn’t go to a Valentine’s dance together was still kind of weird for him to understand. Beverly Hills High threw grand parties where people did whatever the fuck they wanted, because money did all the talking. Authority, not so much. The three Queens had more power than the actual principal. That was his normal. 

King’s was different, though. It was… interesting, to say the least. He wasn’t complaining! Ryland had a hottie to entertain in the form of his best friend, so he expected this night to go well. The pessimism was overshadowed with hope because in this instant he was happy and [i]that[/i] was a fantastic start for their night. [color=fff700]“My ass is pretty pale. I don’t tan like you. I burn.”[/color] 

Mari could only scoff and raise her eyebrows at him. [color=brown]“Tan? You think [i]this[/i] shit is tanning?”[/color] she debated, pulling down the strap of her dress so Ry could see the visible solar power redness on her shoulder-- a clear contrast from the very pale skin where her bikini had been resting that afternoon. [color=brown]“I look like a shrimp!”[/color]

[color=fff700]“... better than me.”[/color] He cheesed, not really noticing the redness on her shoulder, because his gaze kept going to her dress (while still paying attention to the road). Clearing his throat, realizing he was looking at her boobs for a second too long, since they were kind-of-sort-of-hanging-out, he looked ahead. For once, a rare sight could be seen. His cheeks were kissed pink. [color=fff700]“SO! You looking forward to this?”[/color] Yes, enough about skin. Focus on the party. 

[color=brown]“I guess,”[/color] the brunette said with a shrug, taking a loud sip of the large cherry coke her best friend had so graciously gotten her along with the food. [color=brown]“I would’ve loved to go with Sonny, since it would’ve been our first school dance as a couple and last valentine’s day dance and all-- no offense,”[/color] she added, hoping Ryland wouldn’t be upset about what she had just said. [color=brown]“But I’m not mad about it. I get to spend the night with you, which is still a win in my book. No complaints on my end over that.”[/color]

[color=fff700]“None taken. I get it. If I had a girl, I’d want to take her too. I could only imagine Sonny’s feeling the same way.”[/color] Who wouldn’t be a little bitter if they couldn’t take their lover to a dance that celebrates love? A dance for friendship was the school’s way of trollin’ the newly lovebirds. It sucked for his friends, but hopefully, this only made them stronger. 

A hesitant expression suddenly fell over Marisol’s features. There was something that had been eating at her for some time now, but she hadn’t dared to tell anyone about it. Yet, before she could stop herself, she was spilling every single one of the details to Ryland. [color=brown]“I mean, I don’t know… He seems pretty damn happy about taking Julie to this dance...”[/color] she confessed, voicing aloud some of the thoughts the evil little voice in her head had been plaguing her with for the past week. [color=brown]“I mean, I don’t blame him: I would be too. Jules is probably one of the most stunning women I have ever seen. But, I don’t know. I just feel he’s been a hell of a lot happier since he started to spend more time with her and less with me. Makes you think some shit and put some things in perspective…”[/color] she trailed off, biting her lower lip and shifting her eyes in the direction of the rolling scenery in the passenger window.

[color=fff700]“Stop.”[/color] As positive as Rye wanted to be, which he was doing a pretty good job at, he did recall the long phone calls from last semester. It was a lot of information to take in and he was sure Marisol filtered some, but the sudden realization that his two friends were dating kind of helped thread the pieces together a little better. He knew how insecure Marisol was, he knew she battled her own disorder on a daily basis, he knew that Sonny wasn’t always the greatest person to be around with. They may both be his best friend, but his loyalty leaned more toward Sol because her being hurt wasn’t something he wanted her to be used to. He couldn’t handle seeing her cry. 

[color=fff700]“You’re beautiful. Remember that. Always.”[/color] 

Living miles away prevented him from being here for her when she really needed him the most. He was here now and for the next few months, he wasn’t going anywhere. A solemn expression washed over him, as he made a promise to his date,  [color=fff700]“... AND, if he [i]ever[/i] does something to make you cry. Don’t bother lifting a finger. I will gladly go in your stead.”[/color] 

The girl couldn’t help but let out a shaky laugh. [color=brown]“Thanks, Ry, and I appreciate the effort,”[/color] she told him, resting her head on his shoulder and her hand on the knee nearest to her. [color=brown]“But we both know I don’t hold a candle next to that girl. And I’m okay with that! But… I’m not okay with how I’m feeling because of it. It makes me feel stupid, and I [i]hate[/i] feeling stupid.”[/color]

There were so many responses coursing through Rye’s mind. How should he respond without making her mood sink even more? He could keep quiet. However, that would be unnerving, even for him, especially after what she said. She knew Rye was into Julie, who to him was [i]completely[/i] out of his league, so him disagreeing in any way would be seen as blowing smoke up her ass. They had a whole conversation about both being sexually attracted to the redhead like a week ago! 

Placing his right hand on her left, he grabbed it and gave it a gentle squeeze, letting instinct take over, instead of overthinking, [color=fff700]“You’re mine tonight, right?”[/color] He let those words linger in the air.

[color=brown]“Yeeeeaaaaah…”[/color] she answered slowly, looking away to hide the new blush in her face for a completely different reason now. There was no confusing or even denying the sudden change of atmosphere inside the luxurious vehicle, and she hated how… [i]creative[/i]... her mind could get in instances like this. Especially with all of these [i]suggestive[/i] scenes unfolding inside her of her brain, playing continuously as if a movie on a loop, getting heated and heated with each passing second- 

Pulling up in the lot, he smirked, [color=fff700]“Allow me the chance to show you a good time. And I have no doubt, we’ll make them jealous.”[/color] Like a dork, he mischievously winked, hoping this would cheer her up.  

It was the car coming to a full stop at the country club’s parking lot what brought Marisol back to her senses. She had quickly turned her eyes towards Ryland, a panicked expression settling in at the thought of him even realizing where her mind had been venturing towards. She had hoped to be looking at a serious expression, but found herself facing a wink and another line that could be entirely misconstrued if heard by the wrong ears.

Her throat suddenly dry, Marisol grabbed her drink again and took a long, deep sip, not stopping until there wasn’t a drop of liquid left inside the cup. Only then was she able to give her unsuspecting friend an answer. [color=brown]“S-sure,”[/color] she stammered, visibly flustered.

Unsuspecting indeed, Ryland took the next moment to take the keys out, get out his car, and go on the other side to open the door for her. Offering his hand, his stare trailed down to her bare leg before going back to her blushing face. He would [i]behave[/i] tonight. While her skin did look nice to touch, that wasn’t his skin to touch.

Although she was at the peek of champagne pink, he assumed her mind was still fighting thoughts of rage. His lips seemed to have a permanent lift, and to his surprise, his glowing excitement didn’t seem to fade. This would be their night and he’d have fun. She’d have fun. They both would have fun.  [color=fff700]“That’s right, dollface.”[/color] Rye broke into one of his voices, choosing a film noir accent from movies like Sin City, [color=fff700]“You’re a dame to kill for-- and I’m ready for your worst.”[/color]   

The short girl chuckled and playfully shook her head. [i]There[/i] was the Ryland Aspen that Marisol knew: the one with the corny voice-acting and not the one who was making her mentally cheat on her boyfriend like Ariana Mossos probably did on an hourly basis. It was the push she needed to get herself out of the mentally compromising road she’d been going down.

Grinning, she took his hand and exited the car as gracefully as she could. [color=brown]“You don’t want to know what I’m capable of at my worst, sugar,”[/color] she teased with a wink of her own, following his lead but with a surprisingly convincing Southern accent. [color=brown]“Now let’s go in there and show all these children who are the real bosses of this place.”[/color]

[color=fff700]“Money!”[/color] [/indent][/indent]
[hr]
[indent][indent]Fast forwarding to them entering the dance, which was already poppin’, Ryland wrapped his arm around Marisol’s waist, while scanning the field. Between the drink table and the dancefloor, this place was lively and they had arrived at a perfect time. Or so he thought. 

Turning his attention back to his date, he could see the deadliest glare, the hellfire of jealousy emitting from her aura, and as such, he turned to follow where she was looking and there they were. Julie and Sonny showing off on the dance floor, and looking as happy as they could possibly be. Continuing to let instincts lead, he leaned down to whisper in Marisol’s ear,  [color=fff700]“I’m thinking we need a song change…”[/color]

[i]Ugh…[/i] There was that damn voice again, and there was Ryland doing something that absolutely drove her crazy. It wasn’t his fault, though, and she wasn’t blaming him for whatever he was unsuspectingly doing to her. How was he supposed to know the consequences of these types of actions? It wasn’t as if they talked about these types of things anyway.

Fueled by both jealousy and curiosity, the brunette tilted her head back in his direction so she could reach his ear. [color=brown]“What are you thinking?”[/color] she asked him in a low voice, keeping his narrowed eyes locked on her very pleased-looking boyfriend and Julie as they joyfully danced together in a way he and Marisol never had.

Rather than respond, he led her to the DJ, first gesturing with his head. When they reached the man in charge of the tunes, Rye tapped the table to grab his attention, [color=fff700]“Hey, we’re over this crap. Play PillowTalk, by Zayn, my dude.”[/color] They were the first to make a request, which was surprising. Even so, Rye wasn’t complaining. No more talking. He used all the dancing skills his aunt Summer had blessed him with to make himself and Marisol look and feel like a MEAL. Better than a snack. This may have been a reckless move on his part, but he wanted his date to feel good. If that meant making his bro jealous with the sensual way their bodies were pressed up and moving along together, then yeah-- he would do just that.
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