[color=gray][indent][indent][indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PiloiDB.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/M2Mz4GH.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/NWN8N5d.png[/img]
[sub]A [@metanoia] // [@HaleyTheRandom] Collaboration
Featuring the Dynamic Duo of [color=e75656]Stargazer[/color] & [color=93E9BE]Picasso[/color][/sub]
[color=#E75656]_[/color][color=#E55958]_[/color][color=#E35C5A]_[/color][color=#E15F5C]_[/color][color=#DF625F]_[/color][color=#DD6561]_[/color][color=#DC6963]_[/color][color=#DA6C65]_[/color][color=#D86F68]_[/color][color=#D6726A]_[/color][color=#D4756C]_[/color][color=#D2796E]_[/color][color=#D17C71]_[/color][color=#CF7F73]_[/color][color=#CD8275]_[/color][color=#CB8577]_[/color][color=#C9897A]_[/color][color=#C78C7C]_[/color][color=#C68F7E]_[/color][color=#C49280]_[/color][color=#C29583]_[/color][color=#C09985]_[/color][color=#BE9C87]_[/color][color=#BC9F8A]_[/color][color=#BBA28C]_[/color][color=#B9A58E]_[/color][color=#B7A990]_[/color][color=#B5AC93]_[/color][color=#B3AF95]_[/color][color=#B2B297]_[/color][color=#B0B599]_[/color][color=#AEB99C]_[/color][color=#ACBC9E]_[/color][color=#AABFA0]_[/color][color=#A8C2A2]_[/color][color=#A7C5A5]_[/color][color=#A5C9A7]_[/color][color=#A3CCA9]_[/color][color=#A1CFAB]_[/color][color=#9FD2AE]_[/color][color=#9DD5B0]_[/color][color=#9CD9B2]_[/color][color=#9ADCB4]_[/color][color=#98DFB7]_[/color][color=#96E2B9]_[/color][color=#94E5BB]_[/color][color=#92E8BE]☆[/color][color=#94E5BB]_[/color][color=#96E2B9]_[/color][color=#98DFB7]_[/color][color=#9ADCB4]_[/color][color=#9CD9B2]_[/color][color=#9DD5B0]_[/color][color=#9FD2AE]_[/color][color=#A1CFAB]_[/color][color=#A3CCA9]_[/color][color=#A5C9A7]_[/color][color=#A7C5A5]_[/color][color=#A8C2A2]_[/color][color=#AABFA0]_[/color][color=#ACBC9E]_[/color][color=#AEB99C]_[/color][color=#B0B599]_[/color][color=#B2B297]_[/color][color=#B3AF95]_[/color][color=#B5AC93]_[/color][color=#B7A990]_[/color][color=#B9A58E]_[/color][color=#BBA28C]_[/color][color=#BC9F8A]_[/color][color=#BE9C87]_[/color][color=#C09985]_[/color][color=#C29583]_[/color][color=#C49280]_[/color][color=#C68F7E]_[/color][color=#C78C7C]_[/color][color=#C9897A]_[/color][color=#CB8577]_[/color][color=#CD8275]_[/color][color=#CF7F73]_[/color][color=#D17C71]_[/color][color=#D2796E]_[/color][color=#D4756C]_[/color][color=#D6726A]_[/color][color=#D86F68]_[/color][color=#DA6C65]_[/color][color=#DC6963]_[/color][color=#DD6561]_[/color][color=#DF625F]_[/color][color=#E15F5C]_[/color][color=#E35C5A]_[/color][color=#E55958]_[/color][color=#E75656]_[/color]
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For as long as the party came into its full swing and those who went in before she had mingled, Cassie stood off in the corner, hiding behind the ferns that were placed in a weird position off to the right. She desperately wanted to go in, but barging in wasn’t in good manners and she had always tried to adhere to some sense of proper etiquette. That and where she stood, she had the perfect vantage point to snap some opportune pictures of those actually enjoying the party and everything it had. She saw TJ and her friends enjoying a game of beer pong and how Nicholas wasted very little time indulging in what seemed like a like-minded, master of opportunity act as he approached them.

Raising her camera, she noticed Savannah being especially stationary. In the past, when she would be lurking behind a tree or a wall, Savannah was always so graceful but she was also kind of active. Or maybe it was Cassie always moving that made it seem like that. [color=#e75656]“No, that’s not--"[/color]

[color=#93e9be]"Boo!"[/color]

The tiny blonde found herself jumping at least a foot into the air, knocking over one of the fern plants, the clay pot it held the fern in falling over and smashing. The sound it sent off was thankfully muffled by the music playing from inside the party, but what couldn’t be muffled was the feeling that Cassie had when she jumped for joy a moment later as she saw Billie. She immediately hugged her bestie for dear life. Literally.

[color=#93e9be]"What are we waiting for? Go in!"[/color]

[color=#e75656]“I was waiting for you!”[/color] Cassie nudged her friend, holding onto her arm with a wide smile that would light up any dark room. And then her eyes fell onto Billie’s outfit. It was no secret that Cassie had a wandering eye and she had no problem admitting when her best friend that lit up her world was looking so good tonight. [color=#e75656]“Love the outfit, Beej!”[/color]

[color=93e9be]”But are you sure it’s okay for tonight though? I mean, back home I would have done the full face of makeup and a tight little dress and ---”[/color] With a sigh, Billie waved her free hand dismissively. [color=93e9be]”You’re right. I look amazing. And so do you!”[/color] she said, playfully tapping her friend on the nose with her index finger. [color=93e9be]”Now tell me love. What all have you noticed going on so far?”[/color] 

She giggled when her nose was booped and hummed thoughtfully, trying to recall everything. [color=#e75656]“Wellll, the party got into full swing. People have danced, Leo roared proudly and just roared like he always did. But the most notable thing I noticed, well outside that Tane and Sol arrived, looking a little more extra than usual--”[/color] She was referring to Tane, of course, [color=#e75656]“--your brother went straight for TJ and her friend, Sav.”[/color] Cassie was more than aware about how Billie felt about Nicholas’ whole obsession with Tyler Jane. Well, she was certain Nicholas wouldn’t call it that, but both of them knew it was a light obsession at least. [color=#e75656]“And that’s basically everything I’ve been able to spot so far.”[/color]

Raising her eyebrows in a form of surprised approval, Billie was glad to hear that Sol had arrived. What she wasn’t glad to hear was that Nick had beelined for little miss ballerina. [color=93e9be]”I don’t see why he’s so [i]obsessed[/i] with her,”[/color] she scoffed. [color=93e9be]”Like seriously. It’s fucking disgusting. He knows he could have literally almost anyone that he wants and he wants to be with that…. That… [i]thing[/i]. I can’t. I [i]literally[/i] fucking cannot.”[/color] Arms crossed, brows nit, Billie glared at TJ through the window. [color=93e9be]”On the bright side, they don’t know I’m coming to their little party.”[/color] Her expression lighting up, Billie turned back to her friend as a wicked smile spread across her face. [color=93e9be] Now let’s go make some people regret everything.”[/color] 

With a smile and one action of hooking her arm with Billie’s, the two girls waltzed into the party — albeit uncharacteristically silent. 

Snooping from afar had been one thing for Cassie. It was the sort of delightful thrill she often experienced whenever she had caught some of her friends with people she didn’t think they liked to be seen with. And perhaps the moments photographed were meant to be private. It’s not like Cassie would ever divulge them intentionally. She cherished those moments because it allowed her to see them for how they truly were: vulnerable, exposed, real. 

A lot like how Cassie felt right now after being pulled from her comfort zone from behind the ferns.

But she wasn’t going to say that. At least, she would embrace her new surroundings as openly as Billie was.

[color=#e75656]“So what do you think? I feel it has a nice energy about it,”[/color] Cassie noted, looking around. [color=#e75656]“I mean, as far as private-not-so-private parties are concerned.”[/color]

Nose upturned ever so slightly in disgust, Billie tried to keep the ever-growing need to grimace from appearing on her face. [Color=93e9be]"It's okay, I guess. At least they managed to score booze."[/color] 

Another thoughtful glance around the room, Billie shrugged her shoulders. [Color=93e9be]"So what do you wanna do first?"[/color]

[color=#e75656]“Hmm...”[/color] Cassie hummed thoughtfully. It wasn’t until she spotted the unoccupied drinks table did a lightbulb appear above the tiny blonde’s head, which was followed by a single clap. [color=#e75656]“We should get some drinks!”[/color] Without warning, she tugged on Billie’s hand, jerking her in the direction of the table. In the span of about five seconds, not only were they standing in front of it, Cassie poured them two solo cups full of whatever alcohol was on the table. [color=#e75656]“There! Now, uh, what should we toast to?”[/color] Again, she hummed.

As her body was pulled forward, Billie's feet did their best to catch up. She had no idea what Stargazer had just poured into their cups, but it was alcohol so it didn't really matter anyway. [Color=93e9be]"I say that we toast to us. Our friendship. Our good looks. Our charm. And last but not least, our ability to turn heads no matter where we are."[/color] A shining smile on her face, Billie raised her cup up high. [Color=93e9be]"To us,"[/color] she shouted a little too loudly. [Color=93e9be]"And to all tonight has to offer!"[/color] 

She found herself giggling past the point of control when Billie’s voice did little to hinder their position away from those dancing. She was confident that, by now, those who were supposed to be here, had to have noticed the girls helping themselves to the drinks. [color=#e75656]“Well, so much for blending in.”[/color] In a rather ‘fuck it’ moment, Cassie raised her glass high up too, clinking the plastic cup against her bestie’s. 

[color=FFA54D]“Spin the bottle and 7 minutes in heaven starts now! If you want to get lucky tonight, come join either one of the games next to the pong tables…”[/color]

[color=#e75656]“Oh! That sounds like a blast”[/color] Cassie’s delightfully curious voice, and by extension, eyes, found their way over where she saw the party host and her bestie’s twin. [color=#e75656]“What’cha thinking?”[/color] Curious Cassie asked, sipping the rest of her drink as her eyes kept a fixated gaze on Billie.

[color=93e9be]”Mmmm…. We could do spin the bottle… but seven minutes in heaven would mean we could make out with people. But if we do good enough at spin the bottle then there could be more making out later… let’s do that, fuck it.”[/color] 

Ask anyone who knew her, multiple-choice was not Cassie Lucasta’s strongest subject. Every time there was a test or anything that had her choosing more than one thing at the same time, she froze right then and there; and even now she is sweating on the inside. But she didn’t want to alert Billie to this sudden development, so she gave her one and only Picasso a bright, I’m-actually-sweating-balls smile. With her hand tightly clasped her ride or die’s hand and took a seat at the area by the closet, where she the forming circle for spin the bottle was at.

[color=#e75656]“I have a good feeling about this!”[/color] She was lying but Cassie was, if nothing else, an optimistic person.

With a wide grin, Billie took her seat beside Cassie. [color=93e9be]”Oh this is going to be [i]great[/i]! Especially since I have zero idea how to play this.”[/color]

Cassie giggled, nudging Billie’s shoulder. [color=e75656]“It’s like you said!”[/color] She looked at her, brandishing a slightly more confident smile. [color=e75656]“You get to kiss someone  And I bet there’s gotta be [i]one[/i] here that you want the bottle to land on.”[/color] As she spoke, the blonde couldn’t stop her wandering mind, which also was often paired with her curious eyes, from fixating on that one person she hasn’t been able to stop thinking about. Every butterfly that has been released from the cocoon since she spotted them were flapping their wings away, hoping that mating season was nearing.

[color=93e9be]”Maybe,”[/color] she said, shrugging her shoulders. [color=93e9be]”Maybe not. Guess we’ll just have to find out.”[/color]

And that was the last thing either of them said as they took their spot at the top of the circle, seeing all of their friends and some not so friendly gather around. Nicholas made a crack at Tane, which he probably didn't appreciate. Cassie didn't know and she saw that Billie was too in her zone to notice, either. All Cassie could do is wonder what could happen if she took a slight chance. [color=e75656]"Oh my! I'll go!"[/color] 

Cassie was rarely ever one to take initiative like this. Being one who was always on the sidelines, always snapping photos of people in situations like this. Whether it was Tyler Jane dancing until her artistic heart was content in the art studio, Dwayne enjoying a relaxing night in the common area, or that one time she saw Nicholas weak at his feet for Frankie, she never put herself in such a position where eyes were on her.

But as Cassie Lucasta bent over since her small frame didn't allow her to secure the bottle in her tiny hand, she gave it a spin and watched as the pendulum had swung back and forth. Every moment passing brought her closer and closer to cycles of heavy breathing. It really wasn't until it stopped and her eyes had slowly trailed up, she was breathing abnormally and her heart rate increased when she came into Leo's gaze. Every part of her that could tremble did, rendering the usually quick-to-speak Cassie into a frozen statue that wanted to move but nothing but nerves of glass existed.

[color=e75656][I]Oh god! It actually landed on him. It really did![/i][/color]
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