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Sabine had wanted to allow Chase and Percy to have a moment amongst themselves to sort out what was going on. She knew from experience that it would take more than a conversation, but she at least wanted to give them the space and time to do so.

What she hadn’t thought of was everyone else around them. People loved a show and, unfortunately, they still lived in a time when high emotional occurrences were social media gold. Karen freaking out in a grocery store, some racist dirtbag spewing hate and being chewed out, anything that got likes and clicks and views.

So when Danni combusted, Chase caught on fire, and Percy started freaking out, it was prime time viewership.

April was correct to bring it to her attention. If she didn’t step up, people were about to post Percy at his most vulnerable. And she knew what that kind of attention could do to a person. So she needed to act fast. She could memory wipe the lot of them, but that voice in her head (that sounded a lot like Max) told her that was not how to handle things. Thankfully, April had worked her powers to put up walls (literally) around them. It would stop it for now, but she needed to get out in front of it.

And then she had an idea. She knew one of the rumors going around was about her, Leah, and Andy and whatever relationship dynamics were going on. Sabine knew the only way to combat drama was more drama. And it had to be drama people were already willing to lap up.

Sabine made her way over to Leah. [color=A2797E]”Hey, I’ll explain later, but right now I need your help. We need to get into a fight. I’m talking full-on screaming and swearing and whatever. Feel free to slap me or whatever, but we need to do it now. This isn’t real, but we need to make everyone watching us believe it is. Trust me?”[/color]

Leah gave her the biggest [i]What the fuck[/i] face. [color=ffcb00]”Is it that bad in there?”[/color]

Sabine nodded, but not fully agreeing. [color=A2797E]”It’s bad, but that can be fixed. What can’t  is people recording them at their lowest moment and post it for the world to see. Danni is used to it, but I don’t think he’s up for doing damage control. Chase and Percy definitely aren’t. So, we need them to focus on something more dramatic. Something they are speculating about. And that’s us.”[/color]

Well. Shit. [color=ffcb00]”…Okay, but I’m not hitting you, you’ll rupture an organ or something.”[/color]

Leah thought about it for a second. Fuck it. She inhaled, and then put on her best resting bitch face. And then she shouted loud enough that the ground under her feet twitched.

[color=ffcb00]”What in the [i]FUCK[/i] do you mean they think I’m dating Andy?!”[/color]

Sabine fought a smile seeing Leah take to the role immediately. [color=A2797E]”Oh, I don’t know, how about you spending so much time with her without me around! How about going off on your own during our shopping trip. I assumed you were buying gifts, but people [i]saw[/i] you, Leah. With her. Did it ever occur to you I may not be ready to add someone else into our relationship?!?”[/color] Sabine made sure she was loud enough for people to hear. They needed to grab attention.

[color=ffcb00]”First of all, no they damn well didn’t see me with her! Second, what makes you think I’m about to either! Fuck, I was buying shit for [i]EVERYONE,[/i] Sabine! You think I’m fucking keeping secrets?! From [i]you?!”[/i][/color]

[color=A2797E]”I don’t know what to think anymore Leah! You changed! Ever since we won the contest you act different, you spend time with other people, what am I supposed to think? The money went to your thick fucking head!”[/color]

[color=ffcb00]”Oh, sure, trust the fucking rich girl to be the judge of that! Hey, how’re the fucking [i]Hex Girls,[/i] huh?!”[/color] Her voice was getting louder and louder. [color=ffcb00]”Because I know you were getting friendly with them, after the shit they pulled!”[/color]

[color=A2797E]”Yeah, I am a rich girl, I don’t pretend to be something I’m not! And at least the Hex Girls listened to my concerns instead of dismissing them! If you want to hook up with someone else, fine, but maybe not the person who broke America Chavez’s fucking leg! That’s fucked up!”[/color]

[i]color=ffcb00]”I FUCKING DON’T!”[/color][/i] Fuck, that came out a bit sharper than she intended. [color=ffcb00]”You can read my mind any time you want, you [i]know[/i] you don’t even have to ask! But no, you make shit up anyway! It’s just not enough for, nothing fucking is!”[/color]

[color=A2797E]”Does it ever get through that rock-hard head of yours that I am [i]trying[/i] to be better? That I don’t want to have to read your thoughts to know what you are thinking when it should be obvious! I’m done with it!”[/color]

[color=ffcb00]”So you just don’t trust me, is that it?”[/color] She asked. [color=ffcb00]”Because I’ve [i]never[/i] doubted you’re better than you were, did you know that?! But I’m the fucking problem here, blame it all on the damn [i]rock head![/i] Sure! Why not! Everyone else does!”[/color]

[color=A2797E]”Maybe, maybe not, but it’s not like you do anything to assuage people’s assumptions. Instead you get upset and run off. Newsflash Leah, the problems are still there even if you are miles away from them!”[/color] Sabine played up taking a beat. [color=A2797E]”So, there’s the road Leah. Fuck off. It’s what you do best!”[/color]

There was a pause where Leah just stared down at her. And she was trying her best not to let a silly grin pop up on her face. Thankfully, the cameras were unlikely to even see it.
[color=ffcb00]”...Why the fuck do I want to kiss you after that?”[/color] She finally said, quietly.

Sabine also fought hard to not grin. Damn, they were good. [color=A2797E]”Because we have fucked up family relationships and don’t know how to process them other than engaging in terrible cohabitation. Screw it.”[/color] Sabine launched herself at Leah, essentially pulling her to the ground and kissing her hard. At least the cameras got their show.

Leah’s sword fell down, and Leah nearly fell on top of Sabine. The kiss lasted several moments, the giant wrapping arms around the sexy blonde girl she loved to be bitchy with.

[color=ffcb00]”You know…”[/color] Leah finally came up for air. [color=ffcb00]”That’s pretty accurate, actually. When those two aren’t about to kill each other in there, we’ll pick this up. Right now, get your head out of the gutter, rich girl.”[/color]

Sabine playfully pushed Leah as she stood up. [color=A2797E]”Think that was enough of a show? Hopefully, that’ll get the rumor mill churning. I can fix it all up later with a post or a video. For now, I think it was enough of a distraction.”[/color]

[color=ffcb00]”Yeah, sure. Sure… Fuck, you’re hot when you’re mad. I got no idea how social media shit works. Anyway, you think they’re still alive in there?”[/color]

[color=A2797E]”You sure know how to make a girl feel wanted. I think that was enough space for them. I…know where Chase is coming from. Kind of. I think the two of them really need their own space to work through it and process it all. And it won’t just be fixed today. But, I think we should go enjoy the carnival.”[/color]

[color=ffcb00]”Yeah, maybe.”[/color] Getting away from April would help with the unwise behavior Leah was tempted to engage in. [color=ffcb00]”Wanna go see if there’s a water tank to drop Coulson into like last time?”[/color]

Sabine grabbed Leah’s hand. [color=A2797E]”Sounds good. Hopefully it’s nice and cold.”[/color]