[color=8d9caa][center][sub]A [@BrutalBx], [@LovelyComplex], & [@metanoia] Collaboration || Featuring: [b][color=#52796E]T[/color][color=#5C786D]h[/color][color=#66776C]e[/color] [color=#7A766A]J[/color][color=#847669]a[/color][color=#8E7568]m[/color][color=#987467]e[/color][color=#A27466]s[/color] [color=#B77364]S[/color][color=#C17263]i[/color][color=#CB7162]s[/color][color=#D57161]t[/color][color=#DF7060]e[/color][color=#E9705F]r[/color][color=#F36F5E]s[/color][/b], [b][color=e62020]Jade Taylor[/color][/b], [b][color=D3D3D3]Charlie Decker[/color][/b], & [color=FF1395][b]Allison Davies[/b][/color]    [/sub]
[b][color=#52796E]_[/color][color=#53786D]_[/color][color=#55786D]_[/color][color=#57786D]_[/color][color=#59786D]_[/color][color=#5B786D]_[/color][color=#5D786C]_[/color][color=#5F786C]_[/color][color=#60786C]_[/color][color=#62786C]_[/color][color=#64776C]_[/color][color=#66776C]_[/color][color=#68776B]_[/color][color=#6A776B]_[/color][color=#6C776B]_[/color][color=#6E776B]_[/color][color=#6F776B]_[/color][color=#71776B]_[/color][color=#73776A]_[/color][color=#75766A]_[/color][color=#77766A]_[/color][color=#79766A]_[/color][color=#7B766A]_[/color][color=#7C7669]_[/color][color=#7E7669]_[/color][color=#807669]_[/color][color=#827669]_[/color][color=#847669]_[/color][color=#867569]_[/color][color=#887568]_[/color][color=#8A7568]_[/color][color=#8B7568]_[/color][color=#8D7568]_[/color][color=#8F7568]_[/color][color=#917568]_[/color][color=#937567]_[/color][color=#957567]_[/color][color=#977467]_[/color][color=#997467]_[/color][color=#9A7467]_[/color][color=#9C7467]_[/color][color=#9E7466]_[/color][color=#A07466]_[/color][color=#A27466]_[/color][color=#A47466]_[/color][color=#A67466]_[/color][color=#A87465]_[/color][color=#A97365]_[/color][color=#AB7365]_[/color][color=#AD7365]_[/color][color=#AF7365]_[/color][color=#B17365]_[/color][color=#B37364]_[/color][color=#B57364]_[/color][color=#B67364]_[/color][color=#B87364]_[/color][color=#BA7264]_[/color][color=#BC7264]_[/color][color=#BE7263]_[/color][color=#C07263]_[/color][color=#C27263]_[/color][color=#C47263]_[/color][color=#C57263]_[/color][color=#C77263]_[/color][color=#C97262]_[/color][color=#CB7162]_[/color][color=#CD7162]_[/color][color=#CF7162]_[/color][color=#D17162]_[/color][color=#D37161]_[/color][color=#D47161]_[/color][color=#D67161]_[/color][color=#D87161]_[/color][color=#DA7161]_[/color][color=#DC7061]_[/color][color=#DE7060]_[/color][color=#E07060]_[/color][color=#E17060]_[/color][color=#E37060]_[/color][color=#E57060]_[/color][color=#E77060]_[/color][color=#E9705F]_[/color][color=#EB705F]_[/color][color=#ED6F5F]_[/color][color=#EF6F5F]_[/color][color=#F06F5F]_[/color][color=#F26F5F]_[/color][color=#F46F5E]_[/color][color=#F66F5E]_[/color][color=#F86F5E]_[/color][color=#FA6F5E]_[/color][color=#FC6F5E]_[/color][/b]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/1LUsA3Q.png[/img]

[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210530/c43c373c36330ac8887acff1ec16d7a9.png[/img]
[b][color=#E62020]_[/color][color=#E52121]_[/color][color=#E52323]_[/color][color=#E52525]_[/color][color=#E52727]_[/color][color=#E42929]_[/color][color=#E42B2B]_[/color][color=#E42D2D]_[/color][color=#E42F2F]_[/color][color=#E43131]_[/color][color=#E33333]_[/color][color=#E33535]_[/color][color=#E33737]_[/color][color=#E33939]_[/color][color=#E33B3B]_[/color][color=#E23D3D]_[/color][color=#E23F3F]_[/color][color=#E24141]_[/color][color=#E24343]_[/color][color=#E24444]_[/color][color=#E14646]_[/color][color=#E14848]_[/color][color=#E14A4A]_[/color][color=#E14C4C]_[/color][color=#E14E4E]_[/color][color=#E05050]_[/color][color=#E05252]_[/color][color=#E05454]_[/color][color=#E05656]_[/color][color=#E05858]_[/color][color=#DF5A5A]_[/color][color=#DF5C5C]_[/color][color=#DF5E5E]_[/color][color=#DF6060]_[/color][color=#DE6262]_[/color][color=#DE6464]_[/color][color=#DE6666]_[/color][color=#DE6767]_[/color][color=#DE6969]_[/color][color=#DD6B6B]_[/color][color=#DD6D6D]_[/color][color=#DD6F6F]_[/color][color=#DD7171]_[/color][color=#DD7373]_[/color][color=#DC7575]_[/color][color=#DC7777]_[/color][color=#DC7979]_[/color][color=#DC7B7B]_[/color][color=#DC7D7D]_[/color][color=#DB7F7F]_[/color][color=#DB8181]_[/color][color=#DB8383]_[/color][color=#DB8585]_[/color][color=#DB8787]_[/color][color=#DA8989]_[/color][color=#DA8B8B]_[/color][color=#DA8C8C]_[/color][color=#DA8E8E]_[/color][color=#DA9090]_[/color][color=#D99292]_[/color][color=#D99494]_[/color][color=#D99696]_[/color][color=#D99898]_[/color][color=#D89A9A]_[/color][color=#D89C9C]_[/color][color=#D89E9E]_[/color][color=#D8A0A0]_[/color][color=#D8A2A2]_[/color][color=#D7A4A4]_[/color][color=#D7A6A6]_[/color][color=#D7A8A8]_[/color][color=#D7AAAA]_[/color][color=#D7ACAC]_[/color][color=#D6AEAE]_[/color][color=#D6AFAF]_[/color][color=#D6B1B1]_[/color][color=#D6B3B3]_[/color][color=#D6B5B5]_[/color][color=#D5B7B7]_[/color][color=#D5B9B9]_[/color][color=#D5BBBB]_[/color][color=#D5BDBD]_[/color][color=#D5BFBF]_[/color][color=#D4C1C1]_[/color][color=#D4C3C3]_[/color][color=#D4C5C5]_[/color][color=#D4C7C7]_[/color][color=#D4C9C9]_[/color][color=#D3CBCB]_[/color][color=#D3CDCD]_[/color][color=#D3CFCF]_[/color][color=#D3D1D1]_[/color][/b]

[b][color=fff79a]December 4, 2016, Pinehurst, MA[/color][/b][/center]
[indent]In a well kept 2000 [url=https://www.auto-data.net/images/f1/toyota-camry-iv.jpg]Toyota Camry[/url], Maxine James steadily drove on the highway to get from Edenridge to Pinehurst, for a game everyone at their school was looking forward to. Tonight was going to be fantastic because it was a mental breather from her strenuous AP level classes. She knew she aced her Latin exam which was something she was freaking out about for two weeks now. 

Thank goodness she had help with studying. Nolan was a lifesaver and now she would be repaying him for his efforts by meeting him at the game and giving him some delicious goodies she labored all night making. They didn’t look pretty but they tasted delicious and that’s all that matters! Her and her sister weren’t necessarily the cooking type but at least Max can say her food was edible. 

Not too long ago, Nolan had texted her that he reserved seats for them and had a little surprise for her. Maxine couldn’t help but blush at the thought of what it could be. Looks like they were on the same page of surprising each other, as per usual. She enjoyed spending time with him and she was glad he liked her company too. Whatever the surprise was, she knew it would make her smile. He was good at doing that… making her smile. 

Maxine’s radio was on one of the early 2000s stations and once He Loves U Not by Dream finished, which made the girl’s younger sister, Penelope, in the backseat nervous, she decided to turn the knob for something more… hip. Nice and old fashioned styled radio. Nothing smart and fancy about her car. Suddenly and almost abruptly, Get Low by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz vibrated through the old car, bass booming. This could work. This could definitely work. 

Knowing that tonight might be a special night for her little sister, Maxine decided to turn the volume up. Grooving in the driver seat, shimmying her shoulders from side to side, she enthusiastically and comically sang to the music letting her inner gangsta out. Max hoped this would ease her sweet pea’s nerves. It was a good song to scream to, which could do all these pretty ladies in this camry some good.

Turns out Charlie had something special for her sissy. Whatever it was, it better be good. There was a part of her that prayed he was going to ask her out. Because if so: FINALLY! Yet, Max knew better than to get her sister’s hopes up because what if Charlie choked and didn’t. He was a procrastinator after all and probably didn’t think he’d lose Poppy’s heart, so the easiest thing to do was to push asking her out, time after time. Waiting, always waiting, for the perfect moment. Life was too short to waste your time on anything but love and she hoped in their case, they would follow their hearts to each other. [color=52796e]“Come on, Pops! Let it all out. Jade, help [i]please[/i].”[/color] 

Peering in her rearview mirror, Maxine winked at the hottest blonde in the Southside, gesturing her head to Penelope beside her, who was fiddling with her fingers and looking out the window. Today the wallflower, Little Miss Poppy, was making a [i]statement[/i] with her outfit and makeup. Props to Jade for taking her away from the grunge aesthetic for once. Charlie would be DUMB to let this opportunity slip him by because my-oh-my was she freakin’ [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/43/14/ab/4314ab467aa84d5415384deaeaa467be.jpg]adorable[/url] and dressed appropriately for the wintery brisk. That was important too. 

All the [url=https://i0.wp.com/www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/FP_7091447_RIJ_KIDS_CHOICE_SET1_51_130.jpg?fit=560%2C433&ssl=1]bombshell[/url] from the southside could do was sigh, alternating her gaze between Maxine and her best friend. For the past several minutes, she bore witness to the intoxicating and equally-cringe “dancing” that the older James girl displayed. Jade was nearly ashamed to admit that she also vibed to Lil Jon. When it came to 2000s hip hop, he was the clear superior right alongside Enimem. Anyone who said different was either stupid or trying to prove a point with their snobbish friends.

[color=e62020]“You heard her, Pops!”[/color] Jade turned to Poppy, still gazing at Max and then back to Poppy. [color=e62020]“Listen, you remember when we binged Naruto?”[/color] Jade could just feel Max’s eyes look at them in the weird way and Jade just continued. [color=e62020]“Well, do you? Remember when that blonde dumbass was falling and falling? He was about to die and he most certainly would have if he didn’t do what he needed to so he could live. And presto!”[/color] Jade made a sound effect to emphasize her point. [color=e62020]“He lived to see another day.”[/color]

Halfway through that, she lost her train of thought and the moments of silence that came after reflected that. [color=e62020]“Anyway, you’re falling down the cliffside and now it’s time to unleash your inner-nine tails, Pops! Summon your Chief Toad!”[/color] It was a kept secret that Jade was a nerd. Maybe it was the underdog story of coming from nothing but being accepted anyway that drew her to the story of Naruto.

Was that supposed to help her? Poppy looked at her best friend, completely dumbfounded. The idea of her [i]falling[/i] off a cliff was not something she wanted to think about. Even if in the end she would unleash a great power. All she could think of was what Charlie had planned for her tonight. He made things seem extra special. She doubted he’d go into his surprise during the game, but after? What was waiting for her? Was he finally going to…? 

No, she shouldn’t get her hopes up nor let the [i]sadness and sorrow[/i] of her and him never crossing the what if bridge get her down. They were still young and had their whole lives ahead of them. If tonight was just as simple as him showing her a spot he found in town that he found beautiful for one reason or another, she would be happy. They didn’t need to risk what they had because they wanted to rush their lives together. 

Even so, part of her hopes and wishes… they could take a leap of faith, together. [color=fe6f5e]“You’re such a weeb, Jade.”[/color] Poppy teasingly rolled her eyes at her friend. Not really in the mood to talk about what was going on in her headspace, Poppy decided to sing along to Get Low. Maybe, just maybe, that would help with her nerves.  [color=fe6f5e]“... now bring yo ass over here, hoe and let me see you get low if you want this thug. Now take it to the floor and if yo ass wanta act, then you can keep yo ass where you at.”[/color] 

[color=52796e]“3, 6, 9, stand real fine. Move it to you suck it on me one mo time. Get low, get, get low, get low!”[/color] 

By the chorus, all three of the girls were singing off the top of their lungs: 

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After a couple more 2000s hip hop classics, they reached the parking lot of Pinehurst High, where the cheer competition and basketball game was going to be held. Once the car engine was off, the girls exited it and Maxine did a big stretch. [color=52796e]“That was fun. Thank god we’re finally here. I [i]hate[/i] that drive.”[/color] Amongst the cars and people, Max’s smile turned into a grin, [color=52796e]“So packed already! The rivalry between our towns is so wild but it’s great to see all the team spirit.”[/color] Turning on her heel to face her little sister, Maxine pulled out her pink rosy lip stain and applied it to Poppy’s lips, [color=52796e]“What a cutie.”[/color] 

And then as Max kept making those finishing touches, Jade’s blue-green eyes found themselves just scanning the parking lot. It scanned and scanned, surveying everywhere. She felt like she was in the enemy’s territory and, technically, that wasn’t not true. They were in Pinehurst, Edenridge’s rival. Jade had always felt immense pride for her school. She may not have been a cheerleader or even in any sort of sport where her loyalty was tested in the most obvious way, but hell be damned if she didn’t have school spirit (do you?). 

So there [i]was[/i] a tinge of gut-twisting nausea that came over her face when it set in. They were on enemy turf. But something that made the bitter pill to swallow a little sweeter was seeing her old friend. Well, their old friend, but Charlie was always someone she loved wholly. Definitely not that same way that she suspected a certain someone did, but she adored him in every sense of the word.

[color=e62020]“So how’s our girl looking Max?”[/color] Jade asked, looking back at the James sisters, smiling with an impressed grin when she saw the glowing shade on Poppy’s lips.

[color=52796e]“I think she’s going to stop hearts.”[/color] Hopefully, one specific heart. 

Poppy rubbed her hands together, warming them from the chill, looking back and forth between her best friend and sister. [color=fe6f5e]“Okay, okay! Let’s go.”[/color] All this playing dress up was exhausting when Charlie didn’t care about what she wore. At least, she didn’t think he did. 

[color=52796e]“You two go ahead! I’m going to call Nolan.”[/color] 

Her sister didn’t need to say it twice. Grabbing Jade’s hand, Penelope took the lead as they started heading to Pinehurst High’s gym. When she saw Charlie, she beamed and waved at him from a distance. In the moment, she focused on how handsome his smile was. Not what had to come and not what may never be. Just them, presently. 

Charlie didn’t like being in Pinehurst; something about the air just smelled too clean. He knew it wasn’t really a bad thing, just something he wasn’t used to. Sitting on the bottom bleacher, he stood out in a sea of green and white Edenridge Pride. He sat tall, rocking his leather jacket with a moss coloured flannel shirt and his dirty blue jeans. Charlie’s long legs trembled with nerves and excitement; not for the coming game but for the arrival of Poppy and for his shift on the corner.

It was a simple fact of life that Charlie Decker had always been in love with Penelope James. Everyone knew from when they were kids that those two were meant for each other. Problem was that neither would admit to it. At least not until tonight. Reading through some of his fathers old journals had inspired Charlie, he realised just how short and lonely life could be and he wasn’t going to be another statistic like his dad. He wasn’t just going to leave this world without a fight. The start of that fight was letting Poppy know how he felt. 

He raised his head from his phone just in time to see Penelope and Jade enter the Pinehurst gym and he felt his heart stop. There was no one else in the room anymore. He watched the girls walk towards him and his grip on his phone tightened to the point that he nearly cracked the screen.

The blonde stood there silently, quietly observing her two friends looking at each other. Charlie always knew how to make that whole broody thing work for him. There weren’t many who could make the jeans and the leather work. Jade had seen many from her uncle’s club and her cousin, too, just look like they were spit out of a cringey OC generator. But Charlie Decker? Yeah, he had the perfect balance.

And she wondered if Poppy noticed this too? What was Jade saying? Of course, she did. The way she stared in silence at him, yeah Jade saw it, yet no words came from either of them.

With a frustrated huff, Jade would break the ice for them. [color=e62020]“So, Charlie!”[/color] She put on her best half-smile. [color=e62020]“Poppy looks good, yeah? I mean, what do you think?”[/color]

[color=D3D3D3]"She looks gorgeous.”[/color] The south side serpent sat in awe for a moment. He wondered why she’d made such an effort and for the briefest of moments he thought that maybe that effort was for him but within milliseconds he had convinced himself it was for one of the basketball players; probably Callahan or Lord, God he hoped it wasn’t O’Hara, that guy was such a dick. 

[color=D3D3D3]"Sorry that we’re stuck at the front. All the cool kids are sitting at the back”[/color]

The genuine sweetness in Poppy’s cheeks from being called gorgeous went away as quick as the color came. Charlie’s attention and eyes didn’t last long on her. She bit her tongue, preventing herself from displaying a frown or showing she was disappointed. [color=fe6f5e]“That’s okay, we got a better view.”[/color]

Fidgeting with her fingers, as they proceeded inside, she glanced at the court seeing the basketball players warm up. Her eyes fell on Danilo Belmonte, the first freshman to get on the varsity team. A growing star. He was definitely going to do great things in his future and for that, she was a little envious of him. He had it all figured out and money to back his dreams. 

Sighing to herself, she shook her head and stopped herself in her tracks. She needed to use the bathroom, or well, no. She just wanted to be in the bathroom to collect herself. Backtracking, leaving Charlie and Jade, she quickly dismissed herself, [color=fe6f5e]“I’ll be back! Do you guys want any snacks?”[/color]

[color=D3D3D3]"I’m good Pops.”[/color][/indent]

[hr]

[indent]Allison emerged from her bathroom stall, sniffling lightly after a hit of the good stuff. She told herself it was just to take the edge off. It was something everyone did. It’s not like she had a problem. She walked over to the mirror and began to touch up her makeup. Ally had to kill it tonight. Not only was she working with inexperienced cheerleaders but this was her last shot at making a memory. She was the Queen of Eden and there was no way in hell she was going to allow herself to become a never-was. This was her tournament. This was her night.

Entering the bathroom, a detour before she gets some snacks for herself and Jade, Penelope James made her way to the sink next to Allison. When the cheerleader peered at her through the mirror, Penelope simply nodded at her senior and turned to the mirror. Looking at herself, she couldn’t help but feel sad that all her work went to waste. Charlie didn’t see her. He wasn’t ever going to see her. She was completely invisible and it was her fault for thinking tonight would be any different. 

She hated mirrors. 

Deeply sighing, she undid her cute bun and ruffled her hair. This felt better. This felt more like her. Why did she think pretending to be something she wasn’t would help? Part of her debated taking off all this makeup, right here and right now, but Jade put a lot of time and effort to help her soul sister look like a Northie tonight. In addition to that, Maxine put this cute lip tint on her. Bleh. 

Instead, she took off her winter fingerless gloves and turned the sink on. Before washing her hands, she looked over to the girl beside her and smiled, [color=fe6f5e]“Good luck tonight. You’ll do great.”[/color] Penelope didn’t want to seem rude by just focusing on herself, but Allison and her, they weren’t from the same world. 

If anything, Maxine felt like she was meant to be from the Northside. Not Poppy. Then again, Pops didn’t feel like she belonged on the southside either because everyone shielded her from everything and kept her out of trouble. No one wanted her. On top of that, it didn’t help that at this moment she was staring at Miss. Queen-of-Eden who was meant for the spotlight and in comparison to her? Penelope was an absolute wallflower. Just staring at her brought out Poppy’s worst insecurities. Allison was very pretty, especially up close. Maybe Charlie would prefer a girl like her. 

[color=FF1395]"He’s an idiot you know?”[/color] The head cheerleader of the Celtics began as she applied a little more lipstick to her face. [color=FF1395]"Whoever you got yourself gussied up for? Yeah he’s a fool. You look absolutely amazing, even more so now your hair is down.”[/color]

Ally couldn’t place the girl that now stood before her. Judging on the finer details of the younger woman’s face she would hazard a guess to say she was probably a southie; they had a paleness to their skin since the sun never shone on that side of town or at least that’s what Nanna Davies liked to say. She popped her lipstick tube back into her clutch before turning to face the small pixie she shared a bathroom elegy with.

[color=FF1395]"You want some free advice babe? Men, in all their forms, are inherent fools. You are and always will be, in control. You like this kid? Make him earn it.”[/color]

After turning off the sink, Penelope mumbled, [color=fe6f5e]“Easier said than done.”[/color] She felt defeated, even though the night was so young. Equally turning herself to face the taller woman, the James girl surveyed her form and crossed her arms, finding it odd that this stranger was making her feel comforted at a random night like this.

[color=fe6f5e]“We’ve known each other since we were babies. And we don’t necessarily have this thing called boundaries, now that I think about it. And, like, how can I be like this?”[/color] She gestured at everything that was Allison Davies. [color=fe6f5e]“You’re beautiful. Popular. [i]Sexy[/i]. Smart! I’m just… me.”[/color] Awkward bookworm, with some anger issues. 

Allison brushed her hair back, partly as the girl's compliments made her feel warm but mostly just to add a bit of volume. [color=FF1395]"Sweet pea, you shouldn’t try to be this.”[/color] The cheerleader brushed the hem of her short skirt to iron out a crease before taking a step closer towards Poppy. 

[color=FF1395]"There’s millions of me’s all over the country. One at the very least in every high school. Hell, here in Pinehurst there’s Bianca Washington. When I graduate, I’ve no doubt that one of my little girls will take my place and Allison Davies will just be a name in the halls. Trust me, no one will remember me in four years. People will only remember me because my little brother Vinny is a freshman.”[/color]

Leaning down slightly, Allison brushed a stray strand of dark hair from Penelope’s face and pushed it behind her ear. [color=FF1395]"The long and short of it honey, there’s only one of you. You’re a fox and you scream individuality. So here’s what you do, you go back to that boy, fierce and fiery and you show him that you’re his number one and his only one. It may take a while, like I said, men are idiots but if you really think he’s worth it, put in the work.”[/color]

Storing Allison’s advice for use later, Penelope kept her thoughts on the head cheerleader’s first spiel. Call it intuition or the ability to read between the lines, but it felt like Poppy got a glimpse of the real Allison Davies. The one that sees herself as forgettable and who has nothing waiting for her after graduation. Through all the confidence, she saw a girl who knew what was waiting for her and [i]hated[/i] it. 

Penelope was a weird one. Any other girl probably would squeal at the compliments from such a bright woman. Any other girl probably would run out the door to make that boy see what was right in front of her. Any other girl would look at Allison like an idol. Poppy wasn’t like other girls. Tilting her head, with the cheerleader’s smiling face inches away, Poppy bluntly inquired, [color=fe6f5e]“Are you scared? To graduate.”[/color] 

[color=FF1395]"Terrified.”[/color]

Allison stood back up to her full height and reached back into her bag, pulling out her lipstick tube once again and turning it thrice in hand. [color=FF1395]"I’m not sure what’s waiting for me on the other side of senior year but I guess that’s just something I’m going to have to find out for myself.”[/color] 

Glancing down at her phone which was resting on the sink, Ally noted a message from [i]R2[/i] and the time. She tossed the lipstick tube over to Penelope and offered the girl a genuine and warm smile. [color=FF1395]"Something to remember me by.”[/color] At this point, she could recall, vaguely, who this girl was which was Maxine James' little sister. Picking up her phone and stuffing it back into her bag, Ally span on her heel and headed towards the exit, stopping and turning she looked at Pops with her chocolate eyes and winked [color=FF1395]"It’s all yours, Miss James. It’s up to you to choose what you do with it”[/color] She hurried out of the open door as the Go Celtic chants began to rumble throughout the Pinehurst gym.

Watching Allison leave the bathroom, Penelope was left alone to think about the moment that just transpired. Her eyes fell on her hand that held the girl’s lipstick. After letting her gaze rest on it, she looked at herself in the mirror. She could use more color. Her makeup was kind of understated. Was this weird? To be gifted [i]used[/i] lipstick? Probably. But, Poppy couldn’t help but like the gesture. 

Well, here goes nothing.[/indent]

[hr]

[indent]Returning to her seat, with a cherry cola and an assortment of candy you can easily get at a convenience store, Penelope shuffled her way to the seat in between Jade and Charlie. She had an awful sweet tooth, which was apparent now if you hadn’t known before, because she bought every candy the concession stand offered. Once the drink was placed in between her and Jade, she pulled out an airhead, tore the wrapper open and placed it in her mouth. With the green airhead hanging from her lips, it brought notice to her newly painted hot red lips.  [color=fe6f5e]“Did I miss anything?”[/color] 

Poppy’s stature felt taller, more confident, no longer disheartened by the possibility of Charlie not liking her. Her hair was down, her face was vibrant, the color red popping off her pale skin, and she looked at the court in excitement. She was glad she had that talk with Allison. It truly felt like she was in control and if she wanted Charlie to notice her, she would have to make him [i]work[/i] for it.   

Charlie’s head was buried in his phone. ReyRey was hounding him to get on the corner and get to work. He was biting at his ringed fingers and worried that he’d probably have to cut out early to get there. It was a twenty minute drive to Pinehurst and Charlie didn’t have a car. When he felt Poppy sit next to him he raised his head up and his jaw nearly hit the floor. She was a vision and immediately, he felt like his heart was trying to beat hard out of his chest like a hammer hitting a wall.

[color=D3D3D3]"When virtue and modesty enlighten her charms, the lustre of a beautiful woman is brighter than the stars in heaven.”[/color] Charlie went into autopilot, quoting as he often did without even thinking about it. Penelope was showing why she was the reason he got out of bed in the morning. [color=D3D3D3]"Erm…I don’t think you’ve missed anything, the cheerleading thing is just about to start.”[/color]

In a masterful way, when Charlie’s lackluster acknowledgement of what she saw when Poppy rejoined them, Jade smiled at her sister while simultaneously stepping on Charlie’s foot. It was a small act but one she hoped the message could be read clear as Poppy’s beauty was tonight. [color=e62020]“Not the only thing that’s about to start.”[/color] Jade said in a somewhat low tone. She noticed Poppy made some changes. She noticed that there was a different energy that surrounded her sister. She noticed all of this and wondered if Charlie would too.
[/indent]
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