[color=lightgray][right][sup]Timestamp: Tuesday, Late Morning
Introducing: [color=c15e34][b]Zion "Shy Boy" Yakovich[/b][/color] & [color=#f4910b][b]Lacey "Sharpie" Cernis[/b][/color]
Collab also features: [color=#f5d42e][b]Sunshine Cernis[/b][/color] & [b][color=#9DC18A]T[/color][color=#A1BB86]h[/color][color=#A5B582]e[/color] [color=#ADA97A]S[/color][color=#B1A377]i[/color][color=#B59D73]n[/color][color=#BA976F]c[/color][color=#BE916B]l[/color][color=#C28B68]a[/color][color=#C68564]i[/color][color=#CA7F60]r[/color] [color=#D37358]T[/color][color=#D76D55]w[/color][color=#DB6751]i[/color][color=#DF614D]n[/color][color=#E35B49]s[/color][/b] 
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[center][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/aces-away][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220626/fe2d9304a6eaff80a4d45d6ff074a27f.png[/img][/url]  [img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220626/20e4a27e1adc68a5da4e5e803a955a8e.png[/img]  [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/lovelycomplex][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220626/22d3f6d4b12b79b1c1bf810756ff3845.png[/img][/url]
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[indent][indent][color=f5d42e]“Lacey there ain’t enough makeup in the fuckin’ world ta make ya look pretty, so stop hoggin’ the fuckin’ bathroom!”[/color] Sonny Cernis yelled to his older sister as he banged on the bathroom door. They only had one fucking bathroom in this apartment and this bitch decides she needs the mirror in there to put her face on for an hour. [color=f5d42e]“Just put a fuckin’ bag over your head an’ get the fuck out!”[/color]

[color=f4910b]“Oh shuddup, bitch!”[/color] There was a snarly, unapologetic, and authoritative woman’s voice on the other side of the door.  

[color=f5d42e]“I’ll shut up when ya get your flabby ass out of the can!”[/color]

[color=c15e34]“Oyyy…”[/color] Came the tired groan from Zion’s side of the pullout couch in the living room. The three of them were packed into this tiny one bedroom apartment at Lost Souls like the Curtis boys from [i]The Outsiders[/i], Lacey having called the bedroom and Zion and Sonny sharing the queen sized pullout. None of them wanted to live alone, but Zion knew Sonny would never admit that it was mostly his fearfully tight grasp that kept them all from getting their own units. While Zion certainly didn’t get warm feelings at the thought of their inevitable separate living arrangements, not leaving Sonny alone with his own thoughts had the biggest gravitational pull on the trio. Thinking in silence just revved the younger Cernis up more and had him either climbing the walls or just plain yelling at them, and it only pissed him off more when the cracked paint didn’t respond. At least when they were all together Lacey yelled back and Sonny would shut up for a while once she’d cowed him. It seemed a bit less crazy that way… right? [color=c15e34]“What’s up? Why’re we screamin’ now?”[/color]

[color=f5d42e]“Oh good mornin’ sleepin’ beauty! Took too many Xanny’s last night durin’ the storm, huh? Feelin’ groggy?”[/color] Sonny greeted with a quirk of his eyebrow, temporarily ceasing his knocking.

[color=c15e34]“Fuck off Sonny, y’know I hate storms,”[/color] Zion replied through a yawn before wiping at his eyes. Just to be petty, he took the foam bed divider that laid between their halves of the bed and tossed it onto Sonny’s neatly made side. His older brother flipped him off while he himself sent the other a shit-eating grin as he got out of bed and left his own side undone. He scratched at the back of his head and yawned again before heading to the fridge. Before he even bothered opening it he asked. [color=c15e34]“Anythin’ ta eat?”[/color]

[color=f5d42e]“Yeah, totally!”[/color] Sonny called back to him with a sarcastic smile. [color=f5d42e]“We found time between the storm and wakin' up this mornin’ ta head out for all the essentials!”[/color]

[color=c15e34]“Could’a just said no, jackass.”[/color]

[color=f5d42e]“No, jackass,”[/color] Sonny deadpanned before he went back to banging on the bathroom door. [color=f5d42e]“I’ve needed ta piss for half an hour ya bitch, come the fuck on!!”[/color]

[color=f4910b]“Who’s fault is that?!”[/color] Lacey growled, annoyed at her ill tempered brother. [color=f4910b]“You know when I get ready for work you twat. Next time get up when the sun fuckin’ rises or ev’n better since you got a dick: PEE OUTSIDE!”[/color] She let the damn idiot wait another two minutes, giving no fucks about his bladder. Once she was satisfied with his agony, [url=https://celebmafia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/alicia-vikander-photoshoots-2018-14.jpg]she[/url] threw the door open glowering at him, [color=f4910b]“I ain't tryna’ look pretty, dumbass, that’s your job. Prissy ass jailbait motherfuckin’ lookin’ ass. Now fuck outta’ my way.”[/color] She shoulder-checked her brother and marched to the small dining room table to grab her purse. With a few heated curses, Sonny righted himself and slammed the bathroom door closed behind him.

Grumbling to herself, it was too early for Sonny to be a little bitch, but sadly, he was always a little bitch, she took out some cash for Zion. In between her fingers was a stack of tens. One hand waited for him to take the cash, the other hand dug in her bag to look for her phone. [color=f4910b]“Get yourself a sandwich and some ice cream, on me, and I needs you to get the essentials,”[/color] she instructed and soon after added, purposely yelling so the man in the bathroom could hear her, [color=f4910b]“Since Sunny D a LAZY MOFUCKA!”[/color] 

[color=f5d42e]“FUCK OFF! I’ve had a job since I was [i]ten[/i], the fuck is that lazy?!”[/color] Sonny's irritated response filtered through the bathroom walls.

[color=c15e34]“A’ight mama, thanks,”[/color] Zion cut in before another screaming match could start between the Cernis siblings, grabbing the cash from her and stuffing it in his pocket as he moved over to the kitchen counter. He grabbed her phone, which he’d put on the charger last night after she’d passed out, knowing it would have died before she woke otherwise. Tate always had a lot of jobs for her, and sometimes she was too tired when she got home to do more than drop her purse on the folding table in the kitchen and drop onto her bed. Sonny too, as the Carlisle crew captain, always forgot to charge his cell when he schlepped through the door, typically in the dark hours of the morning. Zion always made a point to check both Cernis siblings’ phones and put them on their chargers before he went to sleep himself. He could never sleep until he knew they were both home safe anyways. He handed the fully charged device over to Lacey and asked, [color=c15e34]“Need any more smokes?”[/color]

[color=f4910b]“Aw baby, what would I do without you?”[/color] Lacey’s demeanor changed when Zion was beside her with her charged phone in hand. Peeling it from his gentle grasp, she gave him a kiss on the forehead before going back to her purse to check how many cigarettes she had left. Half a pack. Quickly calculating the one hundred and thirty she gave him and what they needed, she shook her head, [color=f4910b]“Nah, I’m good. This should last me for two more days. Focus on toiletries and meats.” [/color]

While she did get paid fairly decent for a serpent, she chose to stash most of her money in the floorboard of her bedroom for emergencies and for Zion’s college savings, if he wanted to get a higher education. She probably should open a bank account for him but she hated walking into that ritzy place. At least here she knew where her money was, though there was still the risk of the apartment catching on fire or them being forcibly evicted. She could only hope nothing happened to them and their small home. She’d be so pissed if all her hard earned money went to waste. That was for her beloved Shy Boy. [color=f4910b]“Oh, and when you go, try to make a friend, you hear? You need more than just that Pang Pang big boobah girl.”[/color]

[color=c15e34]“Hey, there’s nothin’ wrong with Pangerz,”[/color] Zion defended his best friend lightly before laughing a little, knowing that Lacey meant nothing bad by it and taking no real offense. Likewise, she knew he wouldn’t be upset by her saying he needs more friends. He didn’t call her mama for nothing, and Lacey Cernis has made it very clear how she views Zion. And sometimes, like just then when she kissed his forehead, he could close his eyes and remember how it felt for his ma to do the same thing for him before she disappeared. Sometimes he wonders if his ma is still out there, or if she’s passed on to be with his late friends Conan and Danny. And [i]yeah[/i], one way he’d never respond to Lacey’s needling for him to get more friends is to mention that well [i]he used to have more[/i]. [color=c15e34]“But I’ll do my best, just for you mama.”[/color]

[color=f5d42e]“Gag me with a fuckin’ spoon!”[/color] Sonny’s voice called out through the thin walls before they heard him turn on the faucet. 

Zion rolled his eyes and smiled at Lacey before hesitating for only a second. He caught her by surprise with a tight hug and a kiss to her cheek before he detached himself and disappeared out the apartment door with a quick, [color=c15e34]“Be back later!”[/color] thrown over his shoulder.

[color=f4910b]“Call me if you need me!”[/color] And as he walked out, Lacey was back to cheekily teasing and yelling at her dimwitted brother, [color=f4910b]“Sunny, haven’t you heard? Choking is my speciality! Don’t get my hopes up, prick!”[/color][/indent][/indent]
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[indent][indent]Sitting on a chair by one of the pastel garden tables outside of the ice cream parlor, in a cutesy get up (hating it mind you), Autumn watched her ex’s Instagram story gritting her teeth. She still hadn’t told her dad she needed a new phone so she was using Carrie’s to stalk. Carrie advised against it, but of course, she was a sweetheart and knew if she didn’t give her phone up, Autumn was going to walk from the parlor to his pinned location on snapchat to key his car and choose violence instead of kindness. She chewed on some almonds, barely paying attention to her surroundings. Her daily stalking routine was interrupted by a phone call from her brother. Sighing to herself, she picked up the phone and answered, [color=#9DC18A]“What? You better make this quick. I only got five minutes left of my fifteen.”[/color] Leaning back in her chair, she watched a familiar face pass by her. [color=#9DC18A]“Might make it ten. Not like we’re busy right now. When are you coming home anyways? Dad’s worried.”[/color]  

Zion walked up to the ice cream shop with grocery bags in his hand and shoved into his tattered backpack, having made sure this was his last stop so that the ice cream didn’t melt while he tried to shop. If he’d just been getting some for himself it wouldn’t matter, but he wanted to make sure to get Lacey and Sonny a pint each of their favorite while he was here. As he headed to the door, he took a moment to glance back at the scowling brunette at one of the picnic tables, running his eyes up and down her outfit and submitting the beautiful picture to his memory before he shouldered his way through the entrance only to land eyes on yet another beautiful face that he always loves another glimpse of.

Rocking her cute pink outfit, Caroline twirled on her heel when she heard the bell ring and pranced to the ice cream display. With bubbly enthusiasm, she beamed at their new guest and gave their token greeting in the most warm and welcoming of ways, [color=E85546]“Welcome to Delicate Delicacies! Home of the sweetest little things, like me! How may I serve you?”[/color] Honestly, some of her favorite moments at work were when she was alone behind the counter because she could be her best winsome self without her boss, Vivian, outshining her and without grumpy Autumn being such a vibe killer. Thankfully, Autie was on break and Viv was in the back making fresh cookies and cream ice cream. 

When she registered who had entered the parlor, her smile grew wider as she said her classmate’s name in her adorable sing-song voice, [color=E85546]“Ziiiiiiionnnnnnnnn!”[/color] she let out a little giggle and chirped, [color=E85546]“Long time no see. How’s your summer been? Oh you must try our peanut and butter jelly flavor. I insist! Guess what it tastes like?!”[/color] Carrie was already preparing a small sample for her peer to taste.

[color=c15e34]“‘S been fine, just been workin’. An’ I dunno, like a PB ‘n’ J?”[/color] Zion asked with a playful smile for the bubbly blonde, accepting the sample spoon from her. Her bright smile always seemed to pull one out of him as well, and he liked how such a simple action always seemed to light up the space around her. [color=c15e34]“Or were ya gonna say that it’s one’a the things here as sweet as you?”[/color] He quickly sampled the flavor and threw the small spoon into its designated trash bin before setting his groceries down at his feet.

[color=E85546]“Oh shucks,”[/color] Carrie giggled and simpered at the compliment, [color=E85546]“Flattery will get you free ice cream.”[/color] Her voice went from high to low real quick, as she cupped her hand around her lips like she was telling the boy a secret, [color=E85546]“But I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.”[/color] There was an instant she glanced to the back room to make sure her boss was in her own world and jams. When the coast was clear, she was back smiling at her classmate, [color=E85546]“I mean it. Pick a flavor and I’ll give you a pint for free.”[/color]

[color=c15e34]“Never say no ta free shit,”[/color] Zion replied, ever the southsider and former street kid, eyes going back to hers from where they had been watching her soft pink lips flirt while being half shielded by her dainty hand. Her bright blue eyes stuck out against the yellow eyeshadow, meticulously chosen to compliment her uniform. He leaned on the counter, getting a little closer to her face as he smirked. [color=c15e34]“Ya wouldn’t happen ta be one’a the flavors I can take home, would ya?”[/color]

There was a delicate sweetness that washed over the blonde Sinclair. Her smile never faded as her blushing flowered, her cheeks now the color of pink champagne. She didn’t want to lose any cool points even though this was unusual territory for her. All the boys flirted with Autumn, not her. Coyly brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, hiding her racing heart and inability to focus on anything other than the boy in front of her, Zion Yakovich, Carrie leaned forward, getting herself closer to his face. Resting herself on the counter, she batted her eyelashes flirtatiously and asked, [color=E85546]“[i]Depends.[/i] You free this Saturday?”[/color] Biting the bottom of her lip, getting lost in his green-light-in-a-dark-night eyes, Carrie saw him and only him. 

[color=c15e34]"I can be persuaded,"[/color] Zion encouraged, the smirk shifting into a flirtatious grin as he leaned against the counter to mirror her. He hid his surprise at Carrie's suddenly eager participation, considering he'd been flirting with her for a couple years now and she never seemed to reciprocate. He was honestly starting to think about shelving the flirting with her so she didn't feel harassed, and then here she goes asking him if he's free! He found himself straying from her eyes, blue as a clear sunny day on the north side, back down to her softly bitten lip and staying there for a moment before asking, [color=c15e34]"Why, got somethin' in mind for me?"[/color]

[color=#9DC18A]“Pool party,”[/color] an agitated voice appeared into the ice cream parlor, along with the resounding bell to make her presence known. With Autumn back inside, Carrie was quick to lean up, as if she didn’t just flirt hardcore with her classmate. [color=#9DC18A]“You should come. We don’t want to be pretentious asswipes and exclude Southies.”[/color] Returning behind the counter, the ornery soon-to-be Queen Clover put Carrie’s phone under the register. With a resting bitch face, she unintentionally glared at the boy as she headed to the bathroom to wash her hands before having to deal with ice cream. 

Carrie pouted while she watched her twin come and go with a dark cloud over her head. [color=E85546]“Sorry about Autumn. She just went through a bad break up. Derrick cheated on her which led to them fighting in his car, he left her stranded at the gas station and she almost got hurt by this sicko but three boys with unique nicknames helped her out! It’s all very raw especially since he’s acting like she meant nothing to him on social media. But she’ll be okay. That’s part of the reason I gave her the idea of the pool party. It’ll be a nice summer thing before school starts! Also Derrick can suck it and see how much fun she’s having.”[/color] Caroline nodded, hoping a little booze and some fun games could set her sister’s mind right. 

[color=c15e34]"Yeah fuck Derrick! Also, that was nice'a ya, y’all must be close,"[/color] the serpent replied, eyes on the bathroom door that covered the retreat of the hot-tempered Autumn. He knew she had been dating that jackass jockstrap Derrick Miller on and off since the end of sophomore year, but it had never stopped Zion from flirting with her every free chance he got. Both of these girls had a very special place in his heart already, but somewhere along the line his heart started to beat for them too. He was still staring at the door when the other part of Carrie's explanation filtered through, but when it did his head snapped back to her so fast he felt his neck crack. The Carlisle crew group chat flashed across his mind, having been very active last night as Ran and Tov explained their shenanigans early yesterday morning. 

[color=c15e34]"Wait, Autumn's the one that TNT wrenched a fucker's face for?"[/color] This is where names would be nice in the boys' stories, but unfortunately they'd simply referred to the girl as 'the Doctor's daughter'- and later [i]daughters[/i] when they got to the Doc's house- and Zion is content enough living his life without knowing every little thing about his classmates, so he hadn't even known that she was the Doc's daughter, or even that she had a sister. [color=c15e34]"Ran said she drives like a fuckin' demon!"[/color]

[color=E85546]“Oh yes, that’s kind of her thing. Niles taught her everything she knows. People don’t believe it when we say Niles knows his cars and races for our uncle but one day, one day they’ll see,”[/color] Carrie talked as if everyone knew her brother, though truth be told if it wasn’t for his class, up until recently he would’ve been invisible. It was his whole courting period with Cece that inspired him to be active on social media suddenly and now locals realized that Hector’s son was hot. Carrie rolled her eyes at the thought before disclosing, [color=E85546]“You know, and this is between you and me. He’d be so upset if I told you, but eh, I don’t care. Have you heard of Pink Slip? I don’t know how much you keep tabs on the racing scene.”[/color]

[color=c15e34]"Cars were always more'a Decky an’ Danny's thing,"[/color] he answered honestly with a small shrug. His mother knew her way around a car, and she always raved that his father had been a genius with them. But aside from that and the toy Volvo V70 R his mom had given him as a child, saying his father drove one like it, he was not so sad to say he didn't have much clue. [color=c15e34]"Most time I spend in a car is on shifts at work. But if he's got a hard enough name ta be recognized by those in the know then I don't doubt his skills. But anyways, we're off track an’ I got groceries. There was talk of a party an’ a free pint of ice cream, both from a beautiful chick."[/color]

Carrie had almost forgotten to serve him. At her job! What poor customer service. [color=E85546]“Oh whoospie, what flavor do you want? And as for the party—”[/color]

[color=#9DC18A]“We’ll drop you the deetz.”[/color] Once again, Autumn had abruptly made her appearance back in the main room and this time situated herself behind the register, officially back from her break. Crossing her arms, she scanned Zion up and down and firmly suggested, [color=#9DC18A]“You should come, it's going to be our first party—”[/color]

[color=E85546]“Like ever! Since we’re finally seniors and can make our mark.”[/color]

[color=#9DC18A]“Yeah, and we want things to be… [i]interesting[/i],”[/color] Autumn challenged the southie boy, by not so subtly checking him out with her sharp eyes and smirking. Flipping her hair back, the cheer captain teased, putting her anger toward her ex on the back burner to focus on this boy in her class that she’s talked to but not really talked to, [color=#9DC18A]“You look [i]fun[/i]. Are you?”[/color]

[color=E85546]“Oh and ice cream????”[/color] Carrie excitedly asked, still needing to make his pint, unsure of what flavor. 

[color=#9DC18A]“Ice cream. That too.”[/color] 

[color=c15e34]"Oh I'm fuckin' barrels’a fun, just wait 'n' see,"[/color] Zion challenged back, smirk firmly back in place and showing just a flash of teeth. The fucking luck he had to have both of these girls in front of him, finally interacting back and even inviting him to a party! He could probably die happy now. He shook his head slightly to get himself back on track, trying to be mindful of the perishables he had to get home. He also had to get to work soon, but if he could choose to, he would stay in this moment all day. [color=c15e34]"An’ I'm gettin' three, actually. Butter Pecan for my mama, Neapolitan for my brother and some Raspberry Chocolate Chip for me. How much?"[/color]

[color=E85546]“Don’t worry about it, Zion!”[/color] Carrie exclaimed, starting to make his pints with the grace and speed of a girl who's been doing this for a couple years now. Too long for a girl who didn’t really need the job. 

Autumn agreed, [color=#9DC18A]“Seriously, don’t.”[/color] 

In unison, the twins said together, Carrie’s voice higher pitched than Autie’s but both complementing one another like a symphony: [b][color=#9DC18A]"[/color][color=#A2B884]I[/color][color=#A8B07F]t[/color][color=#AEA87A]'[/color][color=#B49F75]s[/color] [color=#BF8F6A]o[/color][color=#C58665]n[/color] [color=#D0765A]u[/color][color=#D66D55]s[/color][color=#DC6550].[/color][color=#E25D4B]"[/color][/b]

When he leaves they’d make sure to pay for his pints so Vivian doesn’t have a conniption. It wasn't like this was a lot of money for them anyways. He was a friend after all. Helping Carrie bag the pints, the girls simultaneously reached over the counter to give Zion his bags with all the goodies.  

[color=E85546]“Sweet things for a sweet [i]thang[/i]!”[/color] 

[color=#9DC18A]“Really, Carrie?”[/color] 

[color=E85546]“[i]Whattt?[/i] I thought it was cute because of our store greeting.”[/color] Carrie defended her honor and her dorky comment. There was no way Zion didn’t like it, especially not after their shared moment from earlier. [color=E85546]“Anyways see you Saturday, maybe?”[/color] 

[color=#9DC18A]“In a bathing suit, I hope,”[/color] Autumn candidly added.

Zion did his best to keep functioning at full capacity after the full blown fantasy that was created by the two of them talking in unison. While they always seemed to come as a pair, he hadn’t really thought of the possibility that his flirting with both of them might end in both of them [i]returning[/i] the favor. He certainly hadn’t expected it to happen on the same day at the same time. Now his brain was giving him scenarios that he honestly didn’t have the time to start entertaining.

[color=c15e34]“Y’all are the best!”[/color] He finally said as he came back down to earth, accepting the bags from their hands and bending down to pick up his other groceries, as well as give himself a chance to take a deep breath and compose himself. When he had everything, he straightened back up and threw them both a thousand-watt grin. [color=c15e34]“I’ll be there Saturday, with some swim trunks. Until then, I have the memory of your beautiful faces,”[/color] he couldn’t resist one last flirtatious comment before he headed out the door to return home, calling out. [color=c15e34]“See ya later!”[/color]

And all Lacey had wanted was for him to try and make a friend. Wait until he tells her this!





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