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@BrutalBx@Venus





Barely registering Christian, Ty, and Cade, when they all asked for a burger, or hot dog, or both, but still being able to address them, Spike Langley gradually gave each of them their orders. His responses, while seemingly natural, were on autopilot and mentally he wasn’t there, not really.

“Order up, host with the most!” He said enthusiastically to Christian.

“It’s going, it’s going. Eat up, pretty lady. No need to drink on an empty stomach,” He appreciatively smiled at Ty.

“An everything burger for you, bro!” He declared to Cade. It seemed Eleazor noticed Spike wasn’t in his usual sorts so he carried on the conversations, which was much appreciated.

More people came and went to grab food from him, right off the grill, and as time passed him by, Spike found his surroundings fading. Getting lost in his head, revisiting feelings he preferred to bury, he couldn’t help but feel empty on the inside. A feeling that resurfaces whenever something like this happens. His mother died, his father died, and now? The girl he thought he’d be with for as long as he thought he’d be alive for, which wasn’t long, but long enough, chose to leave him.

She was gone.

Without a word. Without a single goodbye. Without any care for how he might feel. Ghosting is what his friends would call it. Rejection without finality. She didn’t want to have this conversation. It was too much of a burden for her to give him closure. She liked leaving him hanging, just in case she changed her mind and came running back. Minty could have fun with his friends but when he wanted to explore, he was in the wrong. This had gone on for far too long and he kept letting her treat him like the last option instead of the first.

He wasn’t perfect. Yes, he does have a habit of not keeping his mouth shut and looking at other girls, saying exactly what’s on his mind, but if she wanted to commit, if she wanted him, he would’ve changed. If he could choose between any girl and her, he would’ve always chosen her. He wasn’t a complete piece of shit and when she had nights where she couldn’t sleep, he was the one answering her phone calls. Not Hunter. Not Dee. Not Lucas. Not fucking Mason. HE was the one. And yet, that meant nothing to her and she continued to take advantage of what they have.

His mind drifted further and further into the abyss of his imagination, as he started replaying a time that was a clear red flag.

____________________________________________________________________
“I’m not having this conversation right now, Spike. Please, just go home.”

“Why? Are you afraid to admit you caught feelings?”

“Don’t start this right now.”

“Answer the fucking question! Do you love me?”

“That’s not the point! That’s not why I asked you here.”

“How the hell is this not the point?! What the fuck are we, Aramintah? ”

____________________________________________________________________


She never did answer his questions. Not then, not now, and probably not ever. Shaking his head, Spike looked around and apologized to Eleazor. “Hey dude, just order pizza. I… I’m gonna’ go.” Not giving his grill partner any time to ask him what was wrong, Spike let his feet take him away. The party itself was chaotic and he knew right now, he needed to draw. If he kept this going, he would just keep sinking.

Avoiding interactions and any unfolding drama around him, Spike found himself going into Christian’s bedroom, awkwardly walking into lovers doing… stuff… and retrieving his things. The couple was quick to yell at him and cover up. Instead of giving them his attention, not even glancing at the girl’s boobs, he grabbed his backpack and left, unintentionally leaving the door open on them.

Once again, Spike let his feet lead him in a direction. Walking outside, he heard a familiar voice singing and strumming his guitar. On any other day, Spike wouldn’t welcome Rico’s voice because of his jealousy, but tonight he found himself drawn to the tune he was playing.

Joining the crowd, but keeping himself in the far side, to get a side profile of the big picture, which was a talented singer telling his listeners a story through song, Spike sat on the floor. Watching his musically inclined peer showcase his soul in front of everyone, Spike contemplated in silence and bobbed his head to the rhythm.

When Rico opened his eyes, he looked right through the crowd and straight to… Ellie. Or as Spike called her in his comics: Radiance. He knew they had a thing, and weren't afraid to show it, but he never felt comfortable asking Ellie the details. Plus, he preferred when she smiled and emitted her natural aura of life, love, and light. He didn’t want to risk bringing her down in any way, so he kept their conversation to idle chatter, focusing on art and books. This was the first time Spike took the time to watch them and all he could see was how intensely they looked at each other.

With fervent inspiration, Spike started sketching the scene, but in a more fantastical light. He hadn’t made Rico into a concept, but this song and the way he looked at his friend was enough for Spike to put his childish jealousy aside and enjoy the moment. His pencil flowed with the music and when the sad song stopped, with the two ex-lovers disappearing, Spike sat where he was and kept drawing.





This was all getting rather ridiculous. At first, Trixie didn't want to interfere. She literally just got here but after watching the next five minutes of utter stupidity transpire, her patience was running thin. Having handed her untouched cup of punch to some random kid, while two boys joined the drinking table, she found herself thinking. Thinking of a way to defuse the situation without ruining the fun. Miki was one of her closest friends, and by proximity, Jackson too. However, she wasn't one to pick sides. Especially if neither side could be deduced as the winning side. It doesn't matter if you were her friend or not, if you're wrong, you're wrong.

Right now, both queens were wrong. She wasn't going to assume who started the fight, who poured fuel to the fire, and who was innocent. From what she gathered by watching things play out, they were all guilty. The two factions were both childish, but if this was painted into a narrative, the story would be that the Queen of Thorns and her Knight jumped the Queen of Hearts and her rabbit. Or using less imagery and throwing in buzzwords: Merge Shakes Up at Student Party. Rosefell's Head Cheerleader and Linebacker Get Violent, double teaming two Liberty Students.

Nudging the boy next to her out of her way so she can retrieve something, she briefly turned to him realizing it was Caspian and shouted over the crowd and music, “Sorry, Caspian!” Before she could scurry off, Miki kicked this nerd in the balls and was ready to throw hands, which was something new for her friend.

Time seemed to slow down when a... development happened.

This development went by Theodore Van Cise.

Raising an eyebrow, Trixie followed him with her eyes as he seemingly tamed the beast in front of a crowd of hundreds. She sidestepped her way closer while he was distracted by talking, gaining respect points with the audience and his counterpart. After Theo dispersed the raging beast inside of Dee, the charismatic man turned his attention to Jackson and gave choice words.

Hm.

When he walked away, Theo went close to her by the drinking table. As he approached, she chose to keep eye contact. With her feet rooted to the ground, she took a moment to check her nails when he poured a couple of drinks. The moment she looked back, he gave her a smug smile and a wink. Awe, intrigue, and suspicion transformed on her face.

Once Theo finally left and DeShawn looked absolutely defeated, an idea sparked in her mind. Theo influenced the results by making a move internally. Looking up, she surveyed the growing crowd around them and grinned. A light bulb blinked over her head. Not wasting anymore time, she walked a few distance away from the drinking area and called her brother, the one at the party DJ'ing.

"What?"

"I need an air horn or a megaphone."

"... where are you?"

"By the drinks."

Click. Without any questions, Noah hung up.

Seconds later, Noah was walking in the crowd, letting the DJ table just shuffle through a playlist, it wasn't like these drunk kids cared what he played, and blew an air horn. After breaking the crowd like Moses did with the Red Sea, he caught sight of his sister and gave her a megaphone. "Why not both?" After blasting the air horn once more but in consecutive beeps, he grabbed a fold up chair and kicked it towards Trixie. Once he felt accomplished, he went to a stoner circle and let his sister do her thing. He was on a 15.

Smiling at Noah's surprising efficiency, she walked in between the two factions and jumped on the chair so the audience could, well, see her. "How's everyone doing tonight?!" As expected, the drunks were quick to roar. "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" The screams got louder. "That's more like it!"

Knowing how short their attention spans were, she went straight to it. Her proposition. Using her nights of watching American Wrestling Entertainment to impact her speech, she was ready to bring the heat, "There is clearly fire in these ladies' eyes!" Trixie gestured toward the two queens, hyping up the people. "There is clear blood on these men's faces!" She pointed to Dee, Jackson, and kid-she-didn't-know (Jax). "We know exactly who they are and they're extremely entertaining! I'm surprised you all don't have your phones out. Kudos to you three in the front, I'm sure those videos will go viral."

Intentionally, Trixie mentioned the lens that always watched everyone and anyone. Gossip was a bitch and she lived for it. If any of these individuals fighting cared about their reputation, they would think wisely their next moves because the pressure was on and more phones were getting pulled out to record. "Why don't we see them do more than just fighting? Why don't we see them get their drank ON! This is a party isn't it?"

At this point, Trixie had completely grabbed everyone's attention and they seemed to like the idea of changing this competition into something more civil, yet hilarious to watch. People getting stupid-faced was always fun when you were the bystander. "Or are the most high all talk and no game? Have they left their balls at home or are they ready to play?"

To finish off her speech, she mischievously twinkled, "To even the teams, I'll join Liberty. If you're going to make bets, bet on this. Three games. Funnel race. Flip cup. Beer pong. Three players per team, which means more chances to win. The ones with the most victories will be tonight's champions. And the losers?" Intentionally, she paused, for dramatic effect, "WHO WANTS TO SEE US GO SKINNY DIPPING IN THE POOL?!! Oh? You all do? Excellent."

Dropping off the chair, she placed the megaphone on it and looked at the fight club, "Boys walk off the pain because we have games to play. Or... are you going to disappoint your people?" Her eyes went from Miki than to Melissa.

Slipping back into the crowd, Noah decided to support his sister by starting a chant, and together the crowd of people high on life and him cried out, "Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink!"

"What do you say? Bury this beef for the night and take a shot?" She finished her move by addressing the culprits that seemed to forget this wasn't their party to ruin.



At home, Marcos Kingsley found himself watching an Instagram live video. Whoever was holding the camera couldn't keep still but he was getting a decent read of the party. Looked fun. Not too much drama. At a distance, he saw a familiar redhead with his best friend and they looked... different. This grabbed the jock's curiosity. He didn't want to assume. Aiden wouldn't lie to him like that, right? Instead of letting his mind wonder, he continued to watch the video and suddenly, the party had his full attention. The camera girl squirmed her way to the front of a large group to show a fight between the ones who floated above it all, like him. The popular kids. And some kid he didn't know, but hey, good for him for trying.

He subconsciously stood up, rather forcibly, when he saw Trixie. "You fuckin' shitting me?” God, she got him cursing again and she knew he hated cursing. Once he saw Noah get involved, he knew he needed to get off his ass and get to this goddamn party.

All he wanted was a night of relaxation but now he had to get his sister out of this stupid predicament. What did he tell her about throwing herself in the middle of things? She will never learn. It was that nosy spirit of hers that got her into trouble. Inserting herself in places where her short ass didn't belong.

Only catching a little of Trixie's speech, Marcos went off this person's story and left the living room.

Time to get the bike out.



"Hey! Get some alcohol in these water guns and
lets get this party started!"
FT. Charlie Decker @BrutalBx




The hues of the early morning unraveled as a promise kept. Sun rays of brilliant colors eased their way through one of the windows of the James household bringing the freshness of a new day to a restless girl. Her hair was rich and deep, full of pure waves of the Earth. Her skin was that of enchanting snow, which only made the rose in her cheeks stand out strikingly so. Her hands, though dainty, had smeared lead and small calluses. Clearly, she was a girl who spent her days with a practical love and didn’t mind getting her hands dirty.

Her name was Penelope James and this was how she liked to spend her mornings.

Taking in the fall air, as she leaned against the window ledge, the understated gem, who wore nothing but a thin tank and plaid shorts, found herself turning to the next page of a book of someone that was dead, but not really. Someone that understood the situation of living through such terrible times, yet is an inspiring testament to the human spirit and how we all, regardless of where we come from, have a right to freedom. Books, where pen meets paper, wait to speak their truths and welcome you to a conversation of preserving ideas. Ideas that could be fleeting and elusive as dreams, but if you let it, they could be a philosophy that shines a new way of thinking, ultimately living on forever, in the heart and mind of the reader.

Serene and in the peace of her solitude, surrounded by perfect temperature, ambience, and a treasure chest of nature’s colors, Penelope whispered to herself a quote out loud, “As long as this exists, this sunshine and this cloudless sky, and as long as I can enjoy it, how can I be sad?” Call her a nerd or whatever, but without knowledge and a bold heart, how would positive change happen in history? The catalyst of change was caused by those whose minds were racing between education and catastrophe. Maybe this is why she preferred non-fiction genres, especially biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. These stories show that while you have little control over who lives, who dies, and who tells your story, there can be at least one person that keeps your memory alive. The flame that could go out continues to burn because someone is thinking of you.

Smiling to herself, her mind and heart completely invested in the story of Anne Frank, she sat down on the window ledge, savouring every bittersweet, joyous, and heartbreaking part of this autobiography, in no rush to go to the ending, simply living in the ‘in-between’ — the good, the bad, and the ugly. She had time to spare, knowing well enough that her mother was in the kitchen drinking coffee and reviewing her monthly expenses, her father was already gone for the day, catching up on paperwork at the station, and her sister was still sleeping like a dead man.

Penelope loved the morning.

“You know, if any other pervert saw you in the window looking like that, they’d probably put you in the back of a van, you know that right?”

The deep voice came from behind, followed by a tall, lanky frame pushing his way through the small window and not so gently pushing Penelope off of her ledge. Crumpling to the floor face first, ass up in air, the “intruder” did a not so graceful forward roll that would make the Edenridge Cheerleaders hate him even more than they already did.

“Uh-huh.”

“Lucky for you, I’m your own personal private pervert so you’re fine.”

“Is that lucky though?” She teased, staring at her next door neighbor through her peripheral vision. “If anyone is going to kidnap me, it’ll probably be you.” Poppy dramatically rolled her eyes, bringing in more sass than she intended, before reaching for her bookmark. Once her book was closed, she left it on her dresser and made her way to her best friend. Gazing at him, Poppy amusingly eyed his movements as he struggled to get back on his feet. “One day you’ll stick the landing. When that day comes, I'll let you in on a secret, but until then…” The half dressed freshman mouthed, “...My lips are sealed.”

Standing at his full recent six foot frame, the raven haired boy bowed like a failed magician at the beautiful brunette. The mention of a secret was not lost on him but he decided not to acknowledge it. With Penelope it could’ve been anything. It could be what she had for lunch yesterday or perhaps it was the last great mystery of the universe solved by a freshman high school girl from Massachusetts? Or maybe, just maybe, it was three little words, three syllables that he had been waiting to hear for ten years. Words he longed for but feared oh so terribly.

Charlie had been climbing through Poppy’s window for the better part of those long ten years but not once has he ever stuck the landing. The last time he used her front door was in second grade at her birthday party and even then, that was only because Logan had pushed him off of the bouncy house and he had cut open his cheek. Nurse Poppy made it all better though. A little kiss to take the pain away and a sick Power Rangers band aid to make him feel like a badass ignited feelings that he has held close ever since.

Breaking away from time long past, he began, “I brought breakfast,” Charlie slung his bag off of his shoulder and unzipped the large back section to take out an obviously piping hot brown paper bag. “Fresh from the Pancake Diner, four Grammy nominated bagels with an assortment of toppings for m’lady, just leave me the one with cream cheese. You know I do love the shmear.”

“Aw shucks!” Penelope went to the bag he was holding up and took a peek, getting a nice waft of toasted bagels, “A man after my own heart,” she beamed.

Fixedly looking up him with her big, fun-loving eyes, purposely for a moment too long, she decided to pull away and walk backwards. Stretching her arms up high, revealing more of her stomach, she casually ordered, “You know the drill, if you want to eat on my bed put a towel on it. If not, there’s always the floor. I’m going to throw some clothes on real quick.”

Charlie tried and failed not to look at his friend as she stretched. They were hidden together in her room like they always had been, just the two of them. In their own private world how could he not notice her? It was a fated kind of thing; Charlie and Poppy were meant to be together, everybody knew that except for them, apparently. He lay a towel down on the bed as requested and took a bite out of some toasted goodness.

”Don’t be long, I got English with Beau first class today and he will kick my ass if I’m late again.”

With that, she nodded and scurried to her bathroom, which was connected to her sister’s room too.

In the bathroom, she had some clothes waiting for her on hanging hooks. If her mom walked in on them with her wearing something this skimpy that would be the end of her. Her nipples were showing through the tank too. Ugh. She had to do better.

”Fuck, get it together Decker...”

Charlie sat down onto her bed with their breakfast and reached into his bag again, pulling out his latest read. Many might consider it a great juxtaposition that someone who looked like him, dirty flannels, black jeans, and a leather jacket that he didn’t know who Mark Twain or F Scott Fitzgerald were. Yet if one were to venture to the other side of Penelope’s window and into Charlie’s own bedroom you’d see a collection of books, grabbed from yard sales, thrift stores, and e-bay. First editions of forgotten classics and poetry. There were times where Poppy would look for some attention, knocking on his window trying to get him to go on some adventure but Charlie would be too engrossed in his literature to notice. She hated that and he knew she hated that.

He turned the page of his book, taking another bite from his bagel. ”If you don’t get a move on, Pops, I’m eating your breakfast. I don’t even give a fuck.”

“Don’t you dare!” Jesus. No chill at all. He never gave her enough time to get ready! Then again, she had a whole hour to get ready but instead she chose to read her book. Before changing into anything, she knocked on the door that connected to her sister’s room, “Max! You better be up.” Ever since her sister got her driver’s license, she’s been sleeping in later and later. Well, it doesn’t help that she stays up all night being an overachiever.

Groggily on the other side, her sister muttered, “I’m up, I’m up. I hear Charlie. Tell him I said hi.”

“Max says hi!” Poppy called out to the boy waiting on her bed. Fortunately for the impatient boy, she only needed to throw on a big t-shirt dress, black knee-highs, a jean jacket, and her overly used boots. Poppy was usually a jean kind of girl. Ripped or not ripped, she just liked pants. However, this year, she felt like taking a page or two out of Jade’s book and exploring the grunge style to look cute (maybe even sexy one day). Quickly, she applied makeup to give her eyes more of a pop, put a mid-tone warm nude matte lipstick on her lips, and finished her ensemble by adding a choker on.

Eh.

Not anything the cheerleaders would notice, but she liked it. It was simple, yet still made her look attractive, in a comfy kind of way. Finally, she opened the door and rushed to the bed, hopping on it to get her bagel with strawberry cream cheese. Not starting up a conversation just yet, Poppy focused on devouring some of her bagel. After she chewed what she swallowed, she asked, “How’s your mom? She doing okay?”

“Some days are better than others,” Charlie sighed as he closed his book and put it to one side. “Yesterday she had full vision, today she can only see out of her left eye. She’s trying to play it down but…” He began to fiddle with the ring on his left index finger, as he often did when he was uncomfortable or stressed out. Normally he wouldn’t divulge this kind of stuff but Penelope had always been different to most people. “The bills are stacking and working in the chop shop with Rey Rey isn’t cutting it. Decky mentioned he might have a spot on the corner for me.”

For as long as he could remember it has always just been Charlie and his mom. She worked day shifts at the Pancake Diner, nights at the Hole in the Wall or Edge of Sin and everything else she could in between to pay the bills. Charlie’s father was long dead and it was his actions that brought shame to the family. He was the reason the Deckers struggled. Charlie did what he could but it was never enough.

“But that’s a last resort obviously,” He backtracked as much as he could, despite seriously considering the offer from Triple S. “Anyway, you want this book after I’m done? It’s Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace.”

Frowning as she listened to him, hating the sight of Charlie feeling like this and struggling so much, but also glad that getting involved with Triple S was a last resort for him, Poppy muttered to his question, “Yeah that’s fine.” She knew very well he didn’t want to continue to talk about this topic, but she cared too much to stay silent. Wiping her hands on her towel, Poppy got off her bed and went to retrieve something.

Gradually going on her knees to the floor, she pulled out a box from under her bed. When the lid was off, there rested a medium sized, old piggy bank and a few jars filled with coins and cash. Charlie would know this to be Poppy’s savings, from when she was small, all her allowances that she never spent, in order to help her family with emergencies and prepare for college. Placing it on the bed in front of him, she apologetically offered, “I know it probably isn’t enough but every penny counts, Charlie. And—”

”Put it away Poppy!” Charlie snapped back. He was never short with Penelope, never unless something was wrong. He didn’t want her charity and he could never ask her to give up something for him. It’s not like she was a millionaire herself. ”That's yours. I’ll figure something out.”

Frustrated but unwilling to show her, the Native American boy followed her off the bed and moved towards the window where he first entered the room.

”The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention; Oscar Wilde. I appreciate the thought, Pops, but you already do enough for me. You give me a reason to get out of bed.” He smiled at her before opening up the window, preparing to climb out.

”Last person downstairs has to eat the mystery meat for lunch!”



When Charlie started to climb out, his voice faded away and his image disappeared in thin air. Charlie was no longer here. He was gone. It was as if he never visited and she was standing by her bathroom door looking at a room, unlike the one she remembered. The vibrant colors of years before didn’t seem to hold true anymore. Even if it was summer everything looked and felt bleak. The sunlight was only a mirage because if the sun was actually out, if there was warmth and light coming through her window, she wouldn’t feel so tired and empty. She would want to go out and play. At least that’s what the Poppy of yesteryear would do.

A throbbing migraine, both bitter and sweet, ran from her head through her veins and to her heart, causing her chest to swell. Most days no therapy, no pill, and no person could make this overwhelming sensation go away. She surveyed her room. A colossal amount of clothes, puzzle pieces, and memories blocked her sight from seeing the floor. Her bed, the only discernible thing in this room, was left untouched. It felt like someone hadn’t slept on it for days, months, maybe a year even.

Time evaded her, but that was okay. It was her day off. Stumbling her way to her closet, she forcibly pushed it open, the door seemingly stuck because of the surrounding mess. There she knelt down looking at a couple of boxes with Charlie’s name on it. Opening one, she shuffled through it, trying to look for another hoodie, since his other ones needed to get washed, and pulled out his leather jacket instead.

How long has this been in here?

Curiosity crossed her mind and she tried it on. Heh. Charlie is so big in comparison to her. Lethargically pushing herself up, she walked to her wall, by her entrance door, where a mirror used to be and stopped in her tracks, “Oh.” That’s right. She no longer had access to mirrors anymore. Lifting her right hand up, she examined the healing wounds of cuts from shards when she tried to hurt herself.

Sighing, not thinking too deeply into it, Penelope found her feet moving on its own accord and there she was, looking at a letter she placed on her desk. An unread letter addressed to her. How much did time pass since she went downstairs to check the mail and see any notes on the fridge left by her parents? Thirty minutes? An hour? Two? Who knows. It wasn’t like time mattered.

This was all just a bad dream and Charlie? Charlie was out with Decky probably getting into trouble. Those two were double trouble, but that’s part of why she loved them so much. Opening her side drawer, meant for files, revealing a novel written by Charlie himself and a pile of letters on top of it, Poppy swept the other letter into the void and closed it, ignoring its existence completely, like she always has.

Grabbing her almost dead phone off the hard surface of her desk, Poppy went down to her knees once more but this time, she dropped to her side to look at her messages. Her fall was softened by her clothes. She was wearing an outfit she picked out for yesterday, which included sweatpants, a big t-shirt of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, and the teardrop necklace of her sister’s ashes. A new addition for the moment, Charlie’s leather jacket, but she would likely change into a hoodie before she left the house. He would tease her if he caught her wearing his jacket and she would be damned if she gave him the satisfaction.

Instead of looking at new messages, she found herself opening a text from Charlie asking her to meet up at the gym. Her eyes glazed over at the texts after that, where she had frantically messaged him throughout the year, his phone still being in service but paid by her parents. Exasperatedly sighing, she sent a message: Let’s meet tonight.

Hesitantly, she started adding ‘I miss you’ but was quick to delete it and instead sent: Do you remember the secret I never told you?



Caspian & Cael
@LovelyComplex & @GhostMami


The colors around him were intensely vibrant and strikingly bright. Caspian stood hidden in plain sight with his muted suit on, as his peers got increasingly more intoxicated and let the rhythm of the night take over their bodies. There was something about the shadows and the dark corners of the party that soothed him. He would go unnoticed and avoid the chaos that comes with being a teenager. This was something he always found comfort in. In darkness, his heart could speak up and nobody would care to notice. Nobody would listen.

Yet, standing here watching them laugh and have a good time, made him desire something he wouldn’t have, if Callie was here. Holding this light saber a strange and unique personality gave to him, Caspian found himself imagining how his sister would light up this party, every fibre of her thin frame craving maximum attention. She enjoyed herself so naturally, without a care in the world. No reputation, no fame, and no money would stop her from having fun and being young.

Her absence only made him realize how much he took for granted and how much he used her as a crutch. People would be distracted by Calypso that they wouldn’t see the boy standing a little behind, silently making moves in the dark. He wished these chains that held him back loosened. He wished he could freely fly, without thinking it would backfire. What was he so afraid of?

His dark gaze scanned the crowd to see a furious Billie Grey making her way to him or trying to at least. Raising an eyebrow, relieved he wasn’t completely invisible but still not in the mood to get interrogated, he handed the sword to some random drunk person and did what he does best. Disappear. Disguised by the flashing lights and the jubilant crowd, losing his sister’s best friend was easy. He found himself inches away from her and yet, she was focused on people at a distance. His heart sank when she got down from the chair and defeatingly muttered, “Cas… you absolute fool, you complete and utter ass…”

When someone walked into her, Billie walked away in fierce rage and there Cas was again, alone in a crowd. Shortly after, he was back to people watching. His attention was grabbed for a second by someone that gave him introverted vibes (Jaxton), similar to him, but found it in himself to dance among the high and drunk. The kid’s dance wasn’t elegant and fluid, but he was enjoying himself. Just letting go of the pressure to live in the moment. Cas considered himself in that position. Would he look like that if he indulged a little and let go of his worries?

Caspian’s mind was immediately pulled from one boy to the next. Although his expression was nothing but apathetic, he was bewildered and surprised that this boy, his barista, appeared out of nowhere and caught him off guard. Not only did… Cael… see him in a crowd of disgustingly close, sweaty teens, he approached him with no hesitation. “The Vampire King” locked his focus with the mythical, magical, and multicolored boy’s mischievous gaze and whether he knew it or not, Caspian Grey was entranced. The way those heterochromia eyes captured him, staring right through his soul — Cas couldn’t help but feel like Cael was reading him like an open book.

“Hey kitten, how goes it? You look bored.”

Did he… did he just call me kitten? Clearing his throat, doing his due diligence to not lose face, uneasy at the thought that this empathetic stranger could see beyond his walls, Caspian was immediately betrayed by his voice. A chuckle slipped out of lips after hearing the mention of his coffee order and internally he could only reprimand his weak will. Clearly, Cael wasn’t going to take a no for an answer. “It might be best if you surprise me. I’m old fashioned with my… poison.” Subtly, Cas hinted at his old-school drinking taste with no muddled fruit.

Being lured to follow, Caspian nervously gulped and let his legs take him deeper into this new encounter. To hide his anxiety, he decided to let the boy’s voice fill the atmosphere and hopefully take lead in this aimless conversation, “Enjoying the party?” He glanced over, watching for any signs of negative emotion, just as a precaution, “I don’t come to these things, usually.” Without my sister.

“Of course I am, I helped plan it!” Cael beamed excitedly. “Well… I helped decorate it, it was Christian’s planning, really. Our first of hopefully many successful Liberose collaboration events!” As the pair made their way to the drink station, it became increasingly obvious that not all Liberose interactions were going as swimmingly as Cael had just mentioned.

Disgruntled but not dissuaded from his course of action to test the romantic waters with this dark, mysterious acquaintance, Cael pushed his way through the altercation. Jesus, Melissa was back on her ‘queen’ bullshit again and the simps were peacocking in full HD technicolor for her. “ExCUSE me. Some of us are trying to ENJOY this party, and you all are blocking the drinks!” He said sassily, annunciating his words very intentionally.

Finally making his way to the drink table, Cael tapped his chin in thought. “So like, how old fashioned are we talking?” He asked, turning to face Caspian again. “Like, dry gin and tonic with a side of Bengay to rub on your arthritic joints or… are you trusting me to have a little fun with the surprise?” The freshly green-haired boy teased with a half smirk.

Cas once thought the dance floor was chaotic, but when he saw what was happening around the drinks, he was proven wrong. The problem this merge gave birth to was glaring at him. An obstacle he would have to deal with when he inevitably joins the student council. While Cael was unbothered, Caspian flinched at the sight of DeShawn bulldozing into Jackson. Right when his eyes were going to glaze over, he was gently nudged out of the way, as a tiny girl shimmied past him. “Sorry, Caspian!” Trixie was here?

Briefly, Caspian watched her run away, giving her drink to some rando. Well, at least she wasn’t going to get mixed in this. Marcos wouldn’t like that at all. Okay, what was he doing again? Ah yes. Barista boy. “Aren’t you here to show me a good time?” Caspian stepped forward, beside Cael, to examine the alcohol selection, and nonchalantly shrugged, “Be my guest and hit me with something strong.

Bingo. Caspian’s comment about a ‘good time’ set off confirmation alarms on Cael’s internal gaydar. Confident in the reciprocated flirting, Cael went about his task of making Caspian a drink. “As you wish,” he said before testing the cocktail cherries by taking a sensual bite of one, plucking the stem off while the juicy red fruit was held between his teeth. Cael settled on making Cas a manhattan. A classy beverage with a touch of fruit — a perfect combination to represent the pair. And, as requested, he was a bit heavy handed with the whiskey. “Order up.” He joked and passed the beverage to Caspian, turning his attention briefly to the royal rumble taking place before them.

Good mannered and poised on the surface, Caspian deliberately examined each gesture, every quirk, and all the oddly intoxicating thoughts racing through his mind. His breathing was shallow, yet rhythmic as he traded class for thirst. One thing he took pride in was his self control but being in the presence of this boy he barely knew, well, he felt an insatiable hunger. A lustful greed he had never felt before. After feasting his eyes on Cael biting a cherry off it’s stem, the distance closing in between them, the introverted, pale student of Liberty High, the dark enigma, studied the talented, mixology abilities of this exuberant, energetic peer of his. Almost fervently, he peeled the manhattan out of Cael’s grasp once it was ready to be tasted.

Not responding right away, Cas took a sip of the drink, taking in both bitter and herbal undertones. A light sweetness, but for the most part dry. Just how he liked it. After turning his angle to face the fight, Cas whispered to his companion, “Thank you for this.”


TW: Dark topics mentioned in backstory and family sections.
@BrutalBx@Venus I'm crashing now lol.




"Everyone that's ANYONE is going to be at this party!" In a New York Rangers hoodie, booty shorts, and her hair wet from just getting out the shower, Beatrix screeched in protest at all who were in the Kingsley Estate and their whole goddamn neighborhood. She stood at the arch of the living room near her brother, Enemy Number One, who was watching a soccer game. Not too far from him, their parents were making their way to the front door to leave for a grand soiree, a dinner party, which likely involved tipping the scales to better her father's political position in Ohio.

"This isn't fair. All because he—" Trixie grumpily gestured toward the party pooper lounging on the couch. "—doesn't want to go, I can't?! Noah is there!"

With his phone resting on his chest, Marcos' deadpan gaze was glued to the moving picture on the screen, ignoring the background noise around him. Including the whiny brat he called his sister. For more reasons than one, he refused to go to this party. Richie wasn't around anymore and Aiden was distracted, which made the trio feel non-existent. Dead in the water. The Golden Boys were now shining on their own. For better or for worse, they were on different wavelengths. And Marcos? He was alone.

Loved for his looks but judged for his adolescence years, Marcos wanted to turn off his mind for one night. To not see a reminder of everything that was wrong with him and the reasons why he clearly wasn't perfect. This year his friends and him were supposed to make it their year, their bitch as Trixie had said. Yet, all he was presented with was grief, frustration, and hate. This week felt like some cruel punishment to remind him of the past he was trying to make amends for. But... without Richie, what was the point?

Rushing behind her parents, Trixie tried to block the door so they could give her a better explanation. The rule — if he doesn't go, you don't — was complete bullshit!

"Trixie, we said what we said." Isabel Kingsley turned to her husband, flattening the creases in his suit jacket. "You have an early morning anyways. I expect you to be ready by 7." Once she brought her attention to her daughter, her dark gaze scrutinizing her child's behavior, Isabel added, "There will be more parties, I'm sure." No longer giving her youngest the time of day, the matriarch of the Kingsley household opened the door, pulled her husband's coat sleeve, and with finality, she asserted, "We're going to be late."

"But..." Why did Marcos' word hold more value than her's in this family? She could take care of herself and still be ready when her mom expected her to be. It wasn't her fault he met ghosts of his past and wasn't having a good time. It wasn't her fault he was a terrible kid growing up. It wasn't her fault he was choosing to be a coward to avoid his problems. Why did she have to suffer because he sucked? "... I'm tired of being treated like a child. I can take care of myself."

"Enough." When her father finally spoke up, Trixie quickly silenced herself. Her eyes met with the floor when he finally acknowledged the situation. "We love you, princess, but this. We don't have time for this. Now," Pulling her daughter into an embrace, Richard kissed her forehead and gleamed at his baby girl, "Be good and Sunday you can choose where we go eat as a family, okay?"

Grumbling in her father's arms, Trixie muffled in his chest, "Okay."

"Aw come on, we can go shopping too! Weren't you raving about this new make up line?" It was clear the man of the house would've slipped a fifty in his daughter's hand and encouraged her to go to the party, if there wasn't a hawk watching them both. There were times he couldn't resist those puppy eyes. Even if he was protective of her, she was young. Lord knows he did some stupid things when he was her age.

Shortly after that, Isabel demanded to leave by simply saying her husband's name, "Richard." With that, Mr. and Mrs. Kinglsey bid goodbye to their children and they were gone.

Swiftly shifting her body to her brother, Trixie growled, still unhappy, but slightly validated by her father smiling at her before he left the building, "I hope you're happy."

Absentmindedly, Marcos checked his Instagram stories and snapchat to see if there were any updates, "I am. Thanks for asking." While he didn't care about going, he was still curious at the success and who would be in attendance. Glancing up from his phone when his sister growled in annoyance, Marcos watched the fiery tornado, full of adrenaline and yearning, rush up the stairs. Sluggishly, he yawned and went back to staring at his phone, having replayed a friend's snapchat story a couple times, having caught sight of his ex in the background.


Beatrix was a smart girl so that tantrum was all an act and the moment she reached her room, closing the door behind her, she put on her Latin music playlist and started getting ready for the party. Swaying her hips from side to side, having already picked a casual denim ensemble and taken a shower, Trixie knew the main thing she needed to focus on was her hair and her make up. It didn't take much time until she was pleased with her look. Sending a snapchat to her best friend first, revealing that she was coming, she then opened up a message thread with an unnamed number.

Sorry for the wait.
Coming now!

Leaving her room, music still playing and lights on, Trixie tiptoed her way to the master bedroom and went to the main balcony. From a distance, she could see her savior. Without hesitation, she leapt off the ledge and grabbed ahold of a tree branch. Easing her way to the tree trunk, Trixie gradually made her way down the pear tree, dropping in front of the kitchen window.

Freezing in place, she saw her brother walk from the living room to the fridge, his back facing her. Stepping back, her foot cracked a branch in half, which caused her brother to turn and look outside. She was quick to shield herself with the tree. After counting the seconds in her head, she peaked to see her brother, who was now making himself cereal. Since he was distracted, she used this opportunity to silently scurry to the side gate. Instead of putting the code in to open it, she slipped her small frame between the bars and before she knew it she was running to a black SUV.

Finding herself in the passenger seat, buckling up, Trixie glanced over at the oh-so-handsome Winston that Miki called her Butler and had a moment where her heart indeed did skip a beat. It was unfair how hot this man was... "I can't thank you enough, Winston."

"It's no trouble at all, Ms. Kingsley," Winston said with a smile, starting the SUV up. As he drove off, Trixie had to take a moment to look away from him and fan herself. Well mannered, good looking, if only he was younger, then she would eagerly go after him.




After waving Winston goodbye, thanking him once more for being amazing at his job and how she was so jealous of Miki for having him, Trixie turned to the party and became a girl on a mission. She was fashionably late and needed to catch up with everyone, but first... she decided to scout the party, see what it had to offer, and maybe, just maybe, see if she could find anyone she knew, especially Olivia. She could do without seeing Noah.

In a matter of minutes, Trixie found herself walking past the pool and looking around with impish excitement. There was so much going on already which made it hard for her to focus on one thing. There was a couple making out in the pool, people devouring burgers, a boy outjumping others in the bouncy house, and glowing lights everywhere.

This week was a wild ride, with a variety of interesting personalities, but it wasn't as bad as she thought it was going to be. After the initial shock on the first day, Trixie started observing the community that Rosefell was. They felt like a family and she loved that. To be honest, this was a perfect way to end the week. A party that could connect the two worlds. Perhaps that was the optimist in her, but she wanted to believe this merge was going to be a good thing.

Having just missed her friends, Miki and Jackson, probably for the best because of the bitchfest that had just transpired, the short, very short (4'9"), Liberty High Junior shuffled her way through the crowd to the drink table where there was Mr. Goliath and what Trixie assumed was his lady. The self-proclaimed Queen. Both faces she recognized from this week. They were the popular kids of Rosefell and as someone who liked knowing things, especially a thing or two about the school she was getting transferred to, Trixie prioritized knowing the power players. Research was crucial in her desired field, but also needed to survive the thunderdome that was high school.

Clearly, there was tension radiating from these two. Hopefully, she wasn't interrupting something private, "Excuse me! Hi." The punch bowl was being blocked by the big guy and she didn't want to rudely reach over him or the woman that looked like she could claw just about anyone right now, "Is the punch good? I just got here so... I'm a bit behind." Completely and utterly sober kind of behind. "The name's Trixie. Well, Beatrix, really. I think you're Melissa, right? and you, DeShawn? Please correct me if I'm wrong! I think you both have some classes with my brother."


Cole & Delaney Helmsley
@LovelyComplex & @Melissa Collaboration

____________________________________________________________

The San Francisco skyline seemed to glisten in the mid-morning sun as the Helmsley siblings made their way up the coast for yet another year at Marble Heights Academy. Although their mother had insisted they take the jet to campus from their Beverly Hills abode, the two refused and opted to drive. They had sent the majority of their belongings ahead of them, which would be present upon their arrival at school, so all they needed to do was cruise from origin to destination.

Delaney sat in the passenger’s seat of Cole’s Black Dodge Challenger SRT Demon scrolling mindlessly on her phone as the engine hummed and music filled the rest of the silence that hung between them. Most of her feed was fellow classmates who had already gotten settled or were in the process of setting up in the brand new and shiny Oaklands high rise, which was making her more anxious about getting there and finding out who her suitemates would be. She wasn’t a fan of this random living situation bullshit, since she would have loved nothing more than to live with Addie, Annabelle, or Avery, but unfortunately for how much money they paid in tuition their requests weren’t taken into consideration. “Forging new friendships” her ass.

The brunette turned to her brother, who’s eyes were focused on the road. “Let’s place bets. How long will it take for my new roommates to get on my nerves? I’m gonna give it a week, but even that’s generous.” Delaney mused as she continued to watch her feed as they got off the highway.

“For you? I don’t think you’ll last a day,” Cole Helmsley took in the background noise of Go Flex by Post Malone, as his car breathed and ran on meditative bliss. The blacktop flow leading them to his final year at MHA and this, this drive? From Los Angeles to San Francisco was the beginning of the end for him. With purpose, the Helmsley heir smiled in the warmth of the sun ready to begin a new adventure at his home away from home.

Cole was aware after this year he would extensively work at his mother’s side to prepare for his birthright. He knew the responsibilities waiting for him after he grabbed his diploma and honestly? He was excited for that chapter. His mother would likely give him more time to ‘be young’ but to him, he lived free and happily for almost eighteen years. He didn’t want to waste anymore time and while he was young, he needed to make moves for him, for his family, and for their legacy. No time worth wasting. That’s why he did whatever he could to seek thrills and go wild before graduation.

He had the money and he made sure to use it. On the way, he found a sweet sense of freedom, he found lifelong friends, and he found honest love, even though that last one… he decided to let go. He knew he needed to let go. Now Cole was approaching the year he would transition from child to man. His boyfriend, while he adored him, and who was someone that matched him intellectually, could never be happy with him. Not truly.

Jamie would compare himself to the standards of the Helmsleys, which was not an easy obstacle. It could either make you or break you. Jamie would realize he could never be with someone who lives for a business. Someone forced to social climb, someone who has to topple the competition not as a choice but as an obligation, and someone who can’t give him constant time, energy, and attention. There needed to be a line of trust that Cole knew Jamie could not give, at least not right now.

Cole knew Jamie had his own ambitions and their ambitions wouldn’t align up. He had enough time to size Jamie up and saw something in him that he had in himself. A ruthless drive and a self-serving nature that would never accept being in the shadow of someone else. This didn’t mean Cole didn’t want a partner, but he knew that Jamie was not the one. It would be too messy and more effort than not to make it a possibility with higher probability. He needed someone that was helplessly in love with him and would compromise their future so they could work.

In Helmsley fashion, Cole made the decision for them both. To end things. To let Jamie Callaghan go because Cole refused to be the person to change Jamie’s future. Jamie had too much talent and potential, and perhaps this was his way of showing he cared, because he knew Jamie deserved better. He deserved the future he wanted and that just didn’t add up with Cole’s.

Breaking out of his train of thought, Cole glanced over to his sister and mischievously teased, “This is why I’m better than you. I’ve pulled some strings,” nodding his head to the music, he turned his gaze back to the road and disclosed, “It’s just me and Anna-banana this year. Perfect case scenario. No bullshit, no drama, just me and the best of us all.”

The girl tore her eyes away from her phone as her brother revealed his adjusted accommodations for the upcoming year. Here she was thinking that he’d be suffering the same fate as her, but of course, he had other plans- as always. “You’re kidding me.” Delaney’s face contorted into one of pure disbelief. “So you and Annabelle are going to be living like kings in a dorm made for four and you're throwing me to the dogs? Unbelievable…”

“You’ll be okay.”

She shook her head in disapproval, returning her gaze to her Instagram feed before voicing her next thought completely unfiltered. “‘Does Jamie know about this little plan of yours? I’m sure he’s thrilled- he’ll be able to stay over as many nights as he wants to and not need to worry about bothering your roommates.”

“I’m sure after today Jamie won’t care,” sighing to himself, Cole knew his sister would press on for details. She was nosy like that. Rather than waste either of their time and drawing out his response, he added, “I’m breaking up with him, Lainey.” Knowing Delaney, she would assume the worst of her brother, like he already found another piece of meat and was discarding Jamie like trash. This wasn’t the case and quite frankly, he didn’t need to explain himself to her, only for her to give him grief when she hasn’t held a long term relationship; her longest being three months. “No bullshit. No drama. No dating.”

The brunette raised an eyebrow, putting down her phone in order to give full attention to her brother and the situation. She was a little shocked, seeing as how Cole and Jamie had been going pretty hot and heavy since the spring, but if she were being truly honest with herself, the girl knew that her brother was focusing on the long haul as opposed to the short term. “And you waited until the first day of school to do this because?...” Delaney begged the question, wondering why if her brother knew where his intentions lay that he didn’t end things before the beginning of the semester.

There was never a right time to break up with someone. If Cole did it before the summer, Jamie had his family sure, but what other distractions? This was a new year full of new adventures and a new chapter to be written. More importantly though? Jamie had his newspaper club to keep him occupied and he had his friends. Sometimes friends were better than family, but if Jamie did need support from family, Katie wouldn’t be too far away. Just in the auditorium, being a goddamn diva.

Shrugging, Cole shifted to the right lane and unhesitantly answered, “Because I wasn’t ready to let him go. How about you? You haven’t told me anything interesting in a minute. The life of Delaney Helmsley isn’t this boring. You got fuck buddies? An eye sore? Someone you want to stab with a pencil?”

“Don’t you dare try and flip this on me, Coco.” Del accused boldly, her lips settling into a thin line as her brother attempted to deflect. He had a knack for avoiding problems and things weighing on his heart like the back of his hand, which made it difficult to get to the bottom of how he was truly feeling sometimes. But the brunette knew that if this was truly hurting him, he’d tell her, so she went along with his ploy and appeased him. “But since you asked…” Delaney took the free moment as they reached the topic to check her phone and see if she had any new messages, and when her notifications returned blank, she continued. “There is this one guy- the one I hooked up with at the end of last semester- but he is no eye sore or shockingly not someone I’d like to stab with a pencil.”

“So what you’re saying is you’re going to hook up with him again,” Clearly if this ‘one guy’ was worth bringing up in conversation, she was likely thinking about going for seconds, or thirds, or whatever number she was on. With Del, one could never truly know. She was a Helmsley and a teenager, so he had a hunch there was more to her life than she was willing to disclose. “And don’t call me that. You know I hate that.”

“I’m not saying anything!” Delaney blurted.

“Yeah, definitely going to fuck him again.”

“COLE!” The brunette reprimanded, dissolving into a somewhat anxious laugh. As much as she wanted to disclose to her brother about how she was feeling, this situation was a little bit… different. The guy in question wasn’t necessarily someone who her brother would approve of, nor someone who anyone would really give the thumbs up to. Lincoln Darby had a reputation, one that preceded him and definitely left a lasting impression. Even though he and Del weren’t anything serious as of the current moment, if her brother caught wind of the fact that she was getting involved with Marble Heights’ notorious bad boy, there would be no getting serious at all.

“What I’m trying to say is that I have no expectations and I am just going to see where it goes.”

“Huh.” This was a first for his sister. Raising an eyebrow, Cole pensively stared ahead, intentionally going silent. Whoever caught his sister’s eyes knew what they were doing. It was hard to catch a girl on fire, but maybe… she met her match. The thought of Del dating someone for a year or more did feel weird but if the lover was worth it, worth the fight, he wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of a Delaney tamer. Then again, her long list of past lovers were horrible and his faith was low.

Still, he wouldn’t press. He’d wait it out, maybe look into it himself. However, right now he didn’t care enough to do so. It didn’t seem too serious, yet. Plus, he had a lot on his plate, like to break up with the editor-in-chief of the GGG. Changing the subject, he gestured ahead of them, “Look.” They were on the side roads, heading near their school. From where they were, they could see the new high rise dorm buildings.

Thankful for the switch in topic, the corners of Delaney’s mouth turned up into a grin at the sight of campus looming in the distance. The drive from Los Angeles had been long and the girl was looking forward to finally being back at school and seeing her friends. Pulling out her phone and opening Snapchat, she clicked a picture and sent it to both Addie and Avery, indicating that the Helmsley siblings were nearly there. “Thank god.” She breathed, not referencing anything in particular, but just happy to have arrived.

The rest of the car ride music filled the silence between the siblings. Cole had turned up the music, returning to meditating before the inevitable task he needed to do. His sister went back to her phone and he enjoyed the ending of his joy ride. Going straight in front of the entrance, he pulled up to let his sister out without having to walk much to her destination. Before he let her walkaway, he studied her face and insisted, “Lainey,” he intensely locked his green-blue eyes with her brown, in an unnerving kind of way, “No bullshit. No drama. Whatever you don’t tell me, I will find out. I always do.”

Delaney smirked devilishly. Cole’s warning didn’t really phase her, as much as he tried to, so she simply batted her eyelashes in return. “Scout’s honor.” She playfully brought her index and middle finger to her temple, saluting like a child would with a sash of badges. “Have fun breaking Jamie’s heart, Coco.”

“You’re full of shit,” As he eased on the gas, he chuckled and teasingly retorted back, “Have fun with your roommates.” Right before he went out of sight, he winked at his adorable sister that he loved to hate and then went off to take care of business. Driving to the parking lot, behind the building, he dialed Jamie’s number. Putting his car in park, he listened to the callback ringtone, patiently humming to it, as he waited. Seemingly, Cole was relaxed.

The girl groaned as her brother’s car disappeared down the road, remembering again that she was about to meet her random roommates for the year who she may or may not kill on first glance. She exhaled audibly, “This is bullshit.” Delaney murmured, walking into the Oaklands building.


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