DELETED398633

Strings

Interested because...

CANCELLED.

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Thursday night...

This day was rough for Beatrix. Sitting at the dining room table, where she left her laptop open, that stored her incomplete, open apology for the school newspaper, the young latina fixed her gaze on the only other person in the room. Her mother. She was standing with crossed arms, on the other side of the table. Like some western stand off. Her mother would challenge her daughter with choice words. It was only a matter of time. Trixie could feel it.

Her parents had arrived this very morning from Alaska, but she hadn't greeted them until ten minutes ago when they got back from their dinner. She was preoccupied! And not even here. At the time, she was at the Lyons. Now, she was here, waiting for her mother to scold and lecture her. Downstairs, the boys, as in Owen, her father, and Uncle Ty were in Ty's man cave. His den. A place that consisted of video games, pictures of him and his children, and anime art, everywhere. Her aunt, however, was napping. BUT, all of them were avoiding the inevitable. The fury that was Isabel Kingsley.

If her mom was going to play this game, she was ready. All in or nothing. Balls blazin'. Bring the heat. She was a Kingsley, after all. They weren't known for being compliant, ^{well, minus the time Trixie was Hailey's bitch, but you know. Who's counting?}

Never wavering her aggravated stare from her mother's wrath, Trixie matched the woman by crossing her arms. Bring it. There was no way in hell she was going to make this easy for her. They hadn't seen each other since Christmas and the first thing her mother wants to do is fight? HA.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" Oh.

Her mother played a rare card. Isabel expectantly waited for her child to start their conversation. She was allowing Trixie to go first, which wasn't something Mrs. Kingsley did. If anything, she tells you why she's upset and calls it a day, letting the guilt eat you alive until you end up talking to her again for comfort. Lose-lose situation. But this, this was different.

"What do you want me to say?" Trixie snapped back, causing her mother to hold her tongue. The tension was there and neither women were able to ease it. Not yet. Neither was going to back down. That's simply how they were. Like mother, like daughter. Trixie's stare was caught in the web that were her mother's eyes. Those eyes that scrutinized all those that disappointed her. "I fucked up. It's as simple as that. Do you want me to say sorry? Do you want me to regret what I did? It's not like I can rewrite the story! It's already been written." In frustration, Trixie broke her stance to close her laptop. Looking at the words on her screen, that weren't even fully formulated, was making this worse. First, Ophelia told her the truth. Second, Jamie aired out her dirty laundry because she gave him permission to before she realized how bad the truth was. Third, Owen was punishing her. Fourth, because of all this, and the severity of how much damage she's done to herself in high school, her parents, her mother, felt inclined to visit.

Why wasn't she responding?!

"Why the hell are you giving me grief? I'm just living my life and when I'm hurt, I don't forgive, I get even. I obviously get that from someone if I'm like this!"

Still nothing.

"And seriously? Don't act like you haven't royally screwed someone over. Lookin' at me like I'm some good for nothing when all I do is make sure I can get into Ivy League, while not letting people walk all over me. That's just how high school is. Screw or get screwed. Now, can you stop looking at me like that so I can go back to my bedroom and figure out how I'm going to clean my mess? Like jeez. I know I should've known better, but I didn't. I'm not perfect."

Catching her breath, Trixie realized her mother was now sitting with a strained expression on. "The last time we talked was on New Years Eve. You act like I didn't notice. You act like I don't see. I might not be here, but I'm not stupid, Beatrix. Just listening to you..." Izzy shook her head, contemplating her parenting, "Was it a mistake? Sending you here?"

Trixie peered down at the table. "No... I wouldn't have Owen." Or even have much fond memories to look back to. Even if right now things were shitty, there was a time where she was happy with everyone and HOT wasn't all that tyrannical every single moment of the day...

"Then don't blame me. Going to school here was your idea. And because of that, you've fallen in love, you've become confidant and stronger, you've become wiser, and you felt the pains of being heartbroken and losing friendships. You've felt remorse. You've grown."

Why was her mother calm?

Why was this making her sad?

Why weren't they screaming?

"I'm your mother, so I won't tolerate the disrespect, understood?"

"Yes ma'am." Trixie was losing the battle. Her heart was not prepared for this. Not prepared for her mother to get sentimental.

"Realize, I am here for you. That's why I'm here now. If you won't tell me anything on the phone, I'll come here and show you that you aren't alone. You've never been alone. I don't know where I went wrong because... your brothers, they cherish you. Your father, you're his babygirl that can kick someone's ass and make him proud. And me? You're my everything. NOT my mini-me. You are you're own blazing fire. Stronger than you think."

"I guess."

"Enough." Standing up, Isabel made her way to her child, kneeling down and turning Trixie's head, so that they faced each other, "Okay, so you thought being popular would make you happy, but it just made you mean. So what. You did it. It's time to own it and change things up. Make things better. I want you to work on becoming positive. Because this here." The mother lightly tapped Trixie's noggin, "Is the enemy, no one else." Izzy didn't understand why Trixie always needed validation about her self worth, but then again, she was a teenager. Teenagers sucked. "You know how good you are. You won't take shit from people, but also? You care about them. If you didn't, you wouldn't be writing an apology. I want you to look into the mirror every morning and tell yourself something good. You're smart. You're beautiful. You're loved. Because baby, believe it or not, I'm proud of you. You've come a long way and that's thanks to all those in your life."

Her mother's words made Trixie realize something. All those that were close to her taught her something different. They were all flawed, but they weren't bad people. They taught her values that has made her become someone worth admiring and worth looking up to.

Why hadn't she talked to her mom sooner?

"Mom... we should go ice skating. Like maybe this weekend?" Trixie's suggestion made her mother smile. Ice skating, no matter the year or season, was always her mom's passion. Although now she focuses her energy on being an innkeeper.

"Sure thing. Maybe I can rent the rink, like I did for practice." Isabel's eyes were soft, kind, and welcoming, not like they had been when their confrontation started. Was this her mother's intentions along? To make her realize all the people she cared about?

Trixie pulled her mother into an embrace. Tightening it when there was no more space between them. "I needed this."

Isabel held her daughter close and kissed her on the cheek. "I know. Me too."

Secrets

_{Eventually, directly interacting with Mr. Ward @Themerlinhawk
& his siblings, particularly Abi @The Muse}

Intoxicating. Addicting. Choking. Where most people would smell stench, Robin Reese smelt comfort. Such an unsavory smell smoke had that he absolutely couldn't get enough of. Most people hated it, which made it that more enjoyable. His window was open to air out his room, but by now, all his belongings, as well as himself, were past the point of no return. No Febreze could ever cover up years of cancer. He loved it and no one cared enough to stop him, so fuck it. He'll die happy. That's all they could ask for. To die happy.

As overwhelming as the smoke was that he's grown accustomed to, it was nothing like the burn that lingered in his throat. That's what he craved. That's what he needed. That's why he smoked. That burn. His sexual pleasure because he didn't get any. Leaning against his backboard, dressed in his work clothes, with red converse on (yes, on his bed), for his afternoon shift at the family restaurant, the black sheep of the family sucked the Lucky Strike deep into his lungs. He let its purpose seep into every fiber of his being. The craving that was never fully satisfied. Something he could relate to on a spiritual level.

Satisfaction was subjective and only obtained when people were content where they were. He was neither content or in need to gain anything. While the cigarette dangled in his scrawny fingers, Robin acknowledged his state of mind which was pure stagnation. Nothing to be proud about when you don't see a point in doing anything worthwhile, but he was young and the nicotine was good enough for him. If his mother didn't see a point in moving forward, why should he?

Tsk.

Peaceful and in the zone. His zone. Smoke trailed out his lips gradually and effortlessly. What time was it anyways...? Didn't matter. Even if he missed his shift, his older siblings would make sure they found someone to cover for him. Life was good. All he had to do was say he was having a hard time. They couldn't fault him for that. Their family was tragically miserable. It was truly affecting his day-to-day life. How would he ever function?

Sighing to himself, enjoying his mental sarcasm, Robin continued down the path of contemplation. Life was good. No parent to tell him what to do. No baby sister to make him feel bad about smoking. No responsibilities. Glancing up at the ceiling, his distant, green gaze emptily gawked at the white canvas that was before him. His hand that held the cigarette gingerly went to the soda can on his nightstand. The ash sprinkled across the top of the can, until he smashed the stick, crushing it, and inevitably releasing it into the abyss that was the can's insides.

Tragic how fast these moments pass him by. Reminded him much of his childhood. Years and years of forgotten memories. The bad glared out more than the good. Memories. Why couldn't they make their own? The only good that ever came into his mind was a face of a woman that gave up on him. His mother's face, her tender, meek smile, came and went as it pleased. She fooled everyone. The biggest liar award goes to none other than Ophelia Reese. She made the world believe she was strong, but really... she...

That same welcoming, loving woman, whose smile was like sunlight in his mind shifted where her face turned ugly, as she sobbed profusely, collapsing onto the floor before him. Begging for all the weight in the world to be lifted off her shoulders. "Ma —" The image of her so vivid, like it was only yesterday. She was like glass and if he reached for her, she would surely break.

"— Ah, fuck."

His mind was ripped out of his memories when he heard Meg: “ABIGAIL! YOU LEFT THE DOOR UNLOCKED!”

Rolling off his bed, and bringing himself to a standing position, Robin traced his fingers through his hair, "That's my cue." Without delay, he went to his desk and grabbed the backpack off the chair. Opening it quickly, he made sure he had everything he needed. Oh, one more thing. He grabbed a frame lying on his desk that he recently filled with a new printed picture. After wrapping it with a small hand towel, he placed it in his bag.

He was just about ready, so he made his way to his window. Part of him was tempted to bring a hoodie, but he was already wearing a long blouse for work. Dumb. Whatever. He was wasting time. With his already open window, rarely does he ever close it because of the smell, Robin recklessly tossed the backpack and it plopped onto the grass. Hence, the hand towel. They didn't have vines in the front of their house, but they did have a tree where he could.... Robin leaned out of his window, reaching for the closest branch. If he were any smaller, this could end terribly. Climbing out of his window, he threw himself onto the tree, tightly grasping the wooden arm, letting himself swing for a bit. Robin glanced over to the mechanic. "Sup, dude." before dropping to the ground.

He did parkour, bitch.

At last, it was time to avoid his family entirely, the rebel without a cause grabbed the backpack off the ground and his skateboard that was planted in a bush. Making his way to the street, he dropped the board onto the road, threw his bag over one of his shoulders, and waved at his friendly neighbor. Might as well be friendly back. "Bye, dude." To announce that Robin has left the building, he acted like he was going in his sister's car, by first loudly slapping the hood, appreciating its nice paint job, and then trying to open the door, but only for one reason.

To set the alarm off.

"See you fuckers later!" Putting his foot on the board, he kicked off, "Nice wheels, Abi-Abi! Better take good care of it!" Protecting it from people like him who wouldn't have mind dropping out of his window onto her hood. That's just how Robin rolled. Respect, my dude. What was that?

The blonde nineteen year old sped to his next destination, his mother's grave, disappearing in the distance.

Now that's how you make an exit.

𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐞

-snipped-

CLOSED/MAY REBOOT IN FUTURE

@Neko Sensei Oh hey. I didn't realize you tagged me. Two years later, I'm responding. Next time definitely PM me. I'm entertaining the idea actually. But I think I'd focus on a feud between two houses, rather than allow people to join every house. I'll definitely let the originals know if I bring this back.

𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐞

posting interest, will be making a character today if the harvey family is still open. debating between mother or sister of harvey family. Preferably mother. i pm'ed gm to see if the harvey family is actually filled.

Secrets

_{Friday. June 1st.
Nearing the kids' lunchtime at the Dawson estate.}

A rare sight in the morning: Ms. Dawson still in her nightgown and at home. In thirty minutes, the nanny would ring a bell calling her children to the patio for lunch. They were in the backyard playing cops and robbers with each other, where Phoebe was undoubtedly the bad guy, while Charles tried to protect the prized item, which was a stuffed animal that Maya had forgotten here, two weeks ago. The matriarch of the household would have to visit the Reese kids and return it, but for now, Charles was missing his buddy cop. They were a team in catching the unstoppable villain, his sister, so... he didn't necessarily want to give the plushie back to anyone. Not even to his mother.

Has she explained to her children that they may never see their friend again? Absolutely not. In their little minds, at least she hoped they believed her, Mr. Reese and Maya went on vacation. A white lie. Yes. But, she wasn't ready to break their hearts. It's only been a week since they've gone missing, but having been exposed to the worst crimes because of her field, Annabel looked at the incident with skepticism. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, Roderick and Maya weren't dead. Maybe, just maybe, they would return today out of the blue. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be something added to the paper. Another note-worthy, unfortunate story, about the loss of good people, in this small, cursed town.

Sitting in her lounge area within her office, a porcelain cup filled to the brim with hot, hibiscus tea in hand, Ana took another deep sip, as she glanced down looking at an open manila folder with documents from her most recent closed case. Reviewing one of many tough cases she's fought. She, always up for a challenge, defended a minor who fatally shot his police officer father. He couldn't stand the abuse and continuously told her 'he's better off dead'. So, she had to prove to the court this boy wasn't a sociopath. After some strategy and some help from her colleague in California, at first the case not looking promising at all for her and her team, she was able to convince the D.A. that the jury had been tampered with, which led to the judge declaring a mistrial. Her client was no longer seen as a sociopath and his case was kicked to juvenille court. An honest win for the severity of this case.

Her team, depending on availability, would be considered small compared to Wall Street's notorious law firms. Really, they were her friends from law school that assist her with her workload. Her and two other attorneys, one located on the outskirts of the town, as Millington's district attorney, and the other located in Los Angeles, each with their own reputation of being ruthlessly good at what they do. Griffon Cohen ^{(see male picture above)} and Elizabeth Savage. They both have two paralegals, one legal secretary, one record clerk, and one book keeper in their designated locations. Griffon, as DA, also has a couple of assistants to represent him.

His ADAs work around the clock and do behind-the-scenes casework for both him (for the state) and Annabel (for wherever her clients are located). Griffon appoints his other staff members to her as well, since those who want to pursue law in Millington aren't many and as much as Ana would love to be a superhero and close cases with super intelligence, she needs the help. Every attorney needs help. Their workplace, however, is with him, since Ana prefers her home office over anywhere else. She does have a room available for her with him if she ever wants to... 'get away'. One can say they have history, making their relationship fairly unique both professionally and personally.

Ana had gotten back from California two days after Roderick and the youngest Reese child went missing and since then she's been out of sorts. A profession like her's took strength, especially mentally and emotionally. Yet, that wasn't why her A-game was downgraded to 'hot mess'. Ophelia Reese's death had already taken a toll on her, but as cold as this may have come across, she kept trudging onward, acting like she wasn't affected by one of her best friend's suicides. That happened only this past February. Something she could've prevented if she was around, but work, as always, came first. On top of that grief, she couldn't help but pity Ophelia's children. Those poor children learning to live with such loss have to now accept that their father and baby sister may have joined their mother.

After letting a heavy sigh escape her lips, she placed her glass down onto the table and pressed the button on her landline that would play her voicemails. She had three missed calls. The first one was from none other than her old flame, before she married NO-NAME. Dear Griffon. Honestly, she didn't know what she'd do without him. He and Eliza were the main reason she had such a strong clientele, since they referred people to her all the time. Her melting chocolate eyes deeply stared into the red liquid listening to the man's modulated and serious voice: "I'm not going to take up much of your time, but I do need you to listen to me. For once, don't be stubborn. Please know, I only say this because I care — Ana, due to recent events, you should temporarily close your firm to focus on your health. You've recently decided to do seminars at MU. Add that, with your usual workload, the fact that you are a mother, and what you must be going through, I demand that you take care of YOU. I will not allow any of my staff to help with your next case if you deliberately disobey my orders. Send me your clientele list and a formal letter addressing your sabbatical. Eliza and I will make sure your clients are well taken care of. Do remember, I am here for you if you need to talk. Never hesitate in calling, give the Reese's my condolences, and some time today you will be receiving flowers to ease your worry. Take care and don't take my kindness for granted." Click.

With furrowed eyebrows, Ana went from looking at her tea to glaring at her phone. Who was he to tell her to not work?! Well, she did have plenty of money saved up, but still! Work kept her busy. Without work, she would be left to her own thoughts. Her mind wasn't the safest place for her. Why would she want an open schedule to have more time to THINK? He acted like he knew her! Like he knew she wasn't doing alright!

Before she could grab the phone to dial his number and start giving him a hissy fit, the next voicemail played. It was her sister, Lyla, five years younger than her, and a decently successful fashion journalist in NYC.

"Hey Ana-banana, so.... Griffon called me." That bastard. "Y'know it's the summer and you and the little rascals could always come to the east coast. A lot's happening in Millington so the offer is on the table. I wish I could come, but you already know how sick mom is. If not for the whole summer, consider a week. Take a break!" There was a pause from the chipper woman's voice, before she continued, letting out a hopeless laugh, "I already know how you would respond. You're so predictable. 'Phoebe and Charles are experiencing enough change right now, I can't possibly overwhelm them anymore than they already are!'
Am I right, or amiright?"

Ana rolled her eyes at her sister's assumption, which was... true, but whatever. "Okay, okay. I'm done teasing. Still, you need to not work so much. Those kids already don't see their father often, if at all, because of the divorce terms. You don't want them to grow up feeling empty. Stop working and spend time with them. They need you." Unfortunately so. Ana didn't think she was a very good mother. "Now, enough about you, here's a quick update—" The voicemail cut her sister's voice and started playing the next one.

"Ooops! I hung up. My bad. Like I was saying. Enough about you, guess what? Me and Lou broke up, again. This time I'm totally done with him. He's a fucking ass and I can't believe why I gave him another chance. It's so dumb, really. It's like why the hell do I let some pretentious turd define me as a woman. I should be like you and just not give men the time of day. Unless they're like Griff, who you totally don't give! He's still so in love with you." False. Ana wasn't opposed to dating, she just hasn't found someone who understood her. Truly and deeply. She also wasn't opposed to casually browsing. As for Griff, he was an old flame and she preferred his friendship over the prospect of them as a romantic couple. He was kind of a whore. "Well, whatever. Ugh, Lou makes me so angry. Should I call him and bitch him out? I probably should call him and bitch him out. Imma' do it." Of course she will. "Say hi to my babies. Tell them Auntie loves them very much and that we will chat soon!" By now, Ana had mentally checked out. Her sister was insufferable. "Keep me updated, okay? I'm not going to tell mom what's happening... I still haven't even told her about Ophelia. OH! And you should just marry Griffon. You're not getting any younger. Okay, love you! Byeeeeeeee." Click.

As if on cue, Ana's doorbell rang. She was still in her pajamas... "That must be the flowers."

I think I'll give it to them... Standing up, Ana gracefully glided to her window, peering through the curtain and looking at the house ahead. She seriously needed to get dress. Why wasn't she dressed, anyways?

CANCELLED.

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Wednesday night...

There was too much she needed to update her parents on! Especially her mother, who returned from Japan! Today! Instead, though? Ilyana laid on a patch of grass within her large greenhouse, watching Baby Blue fly above her so energetically. It was 10 PM. Why was her pet even up? The world may never know.

Smoke escaped her lips, her eyes, body, and soul stuck in a daze as her favorite bird in the world soared like it was daytime. She had spent the past hours, many hours, whenever school ended hours, in her white room, drawing concepts for the end of the year Fashion show. That is until she lost inspiration and needed to come here to spend time with the birds and the bees. No, not the metaphor. She was literally with birds and bees. Though, the bee farm was quiet. Very quiet. It was their sleepy time right now. They slept peacefully in her zone. The best recreational place in LA. Her home inside her home.

In her white room, she wasn't able to focus. Too much had been going on and she honestly didn't know what was right or what was wrong. She was confused. Rose was biting more projects than she probably could chew — the potential documentary with Mina, the Fashion Show, the school play, her etsy shop, her homework! But she couldn't help it. She liked keeping busy. If there was one thing Rose gained from genetics, it was being massively talented. Even so, she was never one to toot her own horn. Her simply doing things was enough to display her one, restless self, two, her unique skill sets, and three, her constant boredom.

The thing was... her boredom was leading her to do weird things, as well as experience things that were far more advance than she could handle! Henry, Huggy Bear, kissed her on New Years. They were childhood friends and he kissed her! On top of that, her brother figure, ADubs, her Kamikaze, got in a relationship with one of the closest girls to her, Quincy, her Curly-Q. She felt a little invisible to them now that they were in love. Yeah, they all hang but things were different. She wasn't use to different. Rose wasn't even sure if she liked different. The cherry on top, though? She tasted Pink Starburst and actually liked it. It's been a day since that kiss and truth be told... she's been avoiding Shiloh, like the plague, too embarrassed to admit the feelings that came over her.

The tranquility of her happy place, the sound of the artificial rock waterfall, the smell of all the magnificent flowers that she and the Gardner kept well, the touch of maintained grass... none of this was stopping her mind. Not even the weed. Why did she feel so incredibly lost? Taking a deep breath in, she closed her eyes, while silently doing her breathing exercises.

Inhale, exhale.

Inhale, exhale.

There was a creek behind her, coming from the main entrance, causing her eyes to fly open. Sitting up, her hair unruly and all over the place, Rose called out: "Who is it?" This was her sanctuary! People knew better than to barge it, unless it was...

"Your mother." Yeah, mommy had special privileges because she was the mommy. With her fingers, Rose brushed her hair, as she anxiously waited for her mother to find her and then take a seat next to her. As expected, that is exactly what Elysia Powers did. "We haven't talked much since I got back. You doing alright? School treating you well?" Rose couldn't help but avoid eye contact which was enough for Ely to suspect something. "What happened? Tell me all about it."

Pause.

"Please?"

Well, she did say please...

Taking another deep breath in, Rose locked her gaze with her mother's before giving her information overload, "Why is being a teenager so hard? Do you know what you missed? You missed so much! Damian had this big party on New Years, that got him kicked off the football team, but was really fun because me and Raffle made a food tower, but also... Henry kissed me. Spur of the moment thing! And it made me feel things. I don't think for him. The kiss was good but like all it accomplished was make me think about... kissing. So, I'm freaking out. I ask a bunch of people for advice because I'm too scared to go to you. But here I am! Going to you. So yeah, and, and Adubs and Q started dating and that hasn't been really making me feel good. I had a very special moment with Curly, like that made me have the feels too. She's a pretty girl and Adouble is super lucky, but I don't know why I'm not 100 percent happy for them. To add to all these things, I decided to kiss Shiloh yesterday on the Helmsley boat! Because there was another party! And I thought because Henry kissed me, I should try kissing someone else. I chose Shiloh because I trust her, and she's pretty too, and she tastes like candy! Now my life feels like a mess and I'm having a hard time making things, with my hands, because I can't stop thinking about my life and kissing. I also can't, absolutely CANNOT, face Shi!

Mommy.

I'M DROWNING."

Blinking at her daughter, not reacting immediately, Ely sat there, staring. Stunned for a round. She was not expecting any of this at all. How does a mother even respond to this? If only her daughter knew... Ely was kind of a slut before she met her father, so this naivety wasn't something that she was accustomed to. If anything, David was the naive one in high school and she kind of changed that for him, quick. Noticing her daughter starting to rub her sweaty hands, with anxiety, Ely gave her delayed reaction, "What?!"

"What-what?!" Oh no. She was going to get the first scolding of her life. Ilyana was no longer a good girl. Rest in Reeses Pieces.

Trying her best to keep things concise, straight to the point, Ely quickly went through all the filler and addressed the points that seemed most vital, "Henry kissed you, why? Have you talked to him about it?"

"No... we haven't. But, he seems taken by a foreign exchange student named Min-seo. She's wonderful and I'm happy for him. I think he was just sad. We actually proposed to each other by the apple tree, when we were really little, but things change. People change. I didn't like new Henry. New Henry made me sad, but ever since he and Min got really close, I've been seeing the boy I adored when I was six. My bestie when I was small."

"Okay..." So, her daughter wasn't heartbroken over Henry. If anything, that kiss rekindled their friendship. Blowing her hair out of her face, Ely thought of her next question. Only important points. "And your brother... you're not happy for him? Do you think you have feelings for Quincy?"

"WHAT?!" Rose yelled, off the top of her lungs. She and Jennifer? The birds, even Baby Blue, went into hiding.

"The question still stands."

"I, uh, I don't think so? I... I don't know. I mean, I love him. I love her. I love them both. I should be happy for them. I really should..." Her eyes widened. "MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT. MAYBE I AM JEALOUS!"

"You want to be with her?"

"Even if I did, I wouldn't pursue her. I love Adouble more than anything in this world. Plus, that would be kind of mean to Shiloh, wouldn't it? I kind of kissed her. And I really liked kissing her. I mean, I've thought about kissing Curly too, but I actually did it with Starburst."

This was definitely news to Ely. Her daughter was female leaning. She'd have to talk to her husband later about all this newfound news. Their daughter, their innocent, sweet Ana, was growing up. "What do you plan to do about that? About Shiloh, I mean. You have a good head on your shoulders. You probably should talk to your brother about your feelings. I'm sure really, all you need is time with him. He usually helps you figure out what you want."

"He's too in love to spend time with me." Rose pouted, the dreadful feeling of missing her brother creeping up within her. "And I guess I'm just going to... run away. How do you expect me to face Shiloh?! I can't mommy! She probably hates me! For kissing her out of the blue and then leaving her with no explanation. It's too embarrassing.... I'm sure she'll get over it by Friday."

With furrowed brows, Ely grabbed her daughter's head, that was moving frantically because of all the thoughts inside of it. Looking into her daughter's eyes, Ely softly and warmly whispered, "Deep breaths, Ana."

Inhale, exhale.

Leaning in, Ely kissed Ilyana's nose before releasing her child's adorable face. "You like gum, right sweet pea?" To get Rose to understand, Elysia had to use a metaphor. Gum was her favorite candy growing up. In high school, she was known for it and blew the biggest bubble compared to her peers. Who knew years later she would use it to help her daughter.

"Duh! I like candy."

"Okay, what do you do when the gum loses flavor?"

"Spit it out, because blek! Nasty."

"Okay. Imagine you kissing Shiloh like putting gum in your mouth. You love the flavor and you want to keep chewing. You know what ignoring her is like?"

"...no."

"Spitting her out, making her feel like she's lost flavor. If she is your friend, first and foremost, you will explain things to her. Out of respect. Out of love. If you like her taste, I'd say give her a chance. Maybe, just maybe, you'll never grow tired of her like flavorless gum."

Oh. Rose seemed to understand where her mother was coming from. Still, approaching Shiloh was daunting. She needed courage before she chose to eat her like gum or not! After sighing to herself, Rose nestled her head on her mother's lap and stared ahead, as her mother began to pet her. Biting her bottom lip, Rose caught sight of Baby Blue walking on the grass in front of her.

"She isn't flavorless..." The baby Powers whispered to herself. Shiloh was a good person and deserved to be treated as such. And yet, how she would show that was an entire battle on its own.

She didn't know if she could.

Secrets

@The Muse i feel you, coffee is wonderful.

@Lasrever heyyy you. Long time no write! Im pretty sure weve written together lol. DWS if i'm not mistaken.

Secrets

Bruh, i'm a hot mess. You know this.