be brave

acacia brantford; 16 years young and living the life. you know my name, not my story. "i will never let you fall, i'll stand up with you forever. i'll be there for you through it all, even if saving you sends me to heaven."

[sephtobias-deactivated20160820]

Colette was just about to walk away from the diner, seeing as it was full of guys she has slept with recently, and who were looking at her as if she was nothing but a meal for them. It was 2014 now, and she liked to think that was starting to gain more respect for herself. Back then, she would have been completely full of herself, allowing herself to be immersed in all the attention, but now, she realized this wasn’t the attention she wasn’t, especially not from guys who were starting to talk among themselves, as if she wasn’t even there. On the way out, she bumped into a certain someone, and she felt her mood worsen until it just snapped. “Watch where you’re going!” Colette screeched before seeing the familiar blonde in front of her. “Oh God, Cia. I-I’m sorry. Just in a really bad mood.” She let out a shake of her head before sighing. “How are you? You here alone?” Colette asked softly.

[acaciabrantfords]

She raised a brow in surprise at Colette's snarky response when she bumped into her older friend. Not that she she didn't know that Colette was known for not being, well, very nice. It was just that she had expected Colette to at least act nicer around her. And she did. As soon as she recognized Acacia, the brunette's tone softened considerably. Acacia let her expression relax a little and nodded her head slowly. "Yeah, it's okay, 'Lette. I think I kind of caught that," she said, letting a small amused smile sneak onto her face. "I'm fine. Just kind of not ready to go back to school. Yeah, all alone. Thought that I needed a break from my schoolmates. Why are you here? Got a date?"

[acaciabrantfords]

Acacia pushed open the door of the diner, hoping to get some time of peace for herself. With school just about to start, the whole 'hanging out with friends' thing didn't sit well on her. Not that she didn't enjoy being with them or anything, but it was just overwhelming to have to see them 24/7. In the midst of her irritation, the young girl didn't realize that she had bumped into someone on her way to an empty table. She looked up, instantly recognize the person. "Oh, hey. Didn't think that I'd see you here."

[lucasadamx]

Nah, you’re right. Guess it’s not really a good time for a lot of folks. How’re you holding up?

[acaciabrantfords]

I'm... I'm definitely better now. I mean, it's been two years. Zach wouldn't be very happy if he knew that I'm still grieving.

Merry Christmas, by the way.

[acaciabrantfords]

Last Minute Shopping; OPEN PARA

Acacia: walked along the streets of the shopping district of the town, her hands shoved into her pockets as she tried to find a place to buy some last minute presents for a couple of her friends—and to also find someplace that wasn't as chilly as this Christmas Eve Day morning. The temperature had dropped down considerably, and Acacia prayed that they'd have a White Christmas tomorrow. She looked around, and spotted a little souvenir shop—for those rare tourists who decided to visit Ashtown—selling a couple of cute gift packages. They seemed like decent gifts for her friends. Shrugging her shoulders, she decided to give that shop a try, and walked over to the door, pushing it open.

[lucasadamx]

Too old to make a snow fort, then?

[acaciabrantfords]

I'm sixteen, Mica. What do you think? And besides, it's not fun without Zach.

[sephtobias-deactivated20160820]

Well, hi to you too.

[acaciabrantfords]

Oh, hey Colette. Are you gonna be doing anything fun for Christmas?

[idhyunjin]

Very new. Madeline, it’s a pleasure to meet you. The Soup Gallery? Really? Jesus, this place and it’s names are givin’ me a toothache. 

[acaciabrantfords]

Welcome to Ashtown, then. I'm Acacia. Yeah, really. Gotta say, people around here don't exactly have a knack for creativity.

Do you want me to take you there or something?

[acaciabrantfords]

Is it just me, or is this Christmas break really boring? I need to find something interesting to do before I die of boredom.

[idhyunjin]

I would hope so if it’s known as the soup place. Where is it at? I’m just a little oblivious to all these shops.

[acaciabrantfords]

You new around here? Or just someone who don't go out much? Ah, it's not too far from the park. It's called the Soup Gallery.

[acaciabrantfords]

Of Understanding and Old Friends; Acacia Brantford & Colette Griffin

[sephtobias-deactivated20160820]

Well, look at that. Her little sister was now so grown up that Colette felt ridiculous. She actually wanted to cry, which made her feel like she was twenty years older than she actually was. Colette listened intently to Acacia answer her questions and she couldn’t help the bittersweet smile on her face. On one hand, she was really glad that Acacia was finally getting some experience and that she was living life the way it should be lived. On the other hand, hearing her talk about it makes her feel even more distant than before. Hugging herself, Colette made sure the smile was intact on herself as she absorbed everything. “Brian sounds like a jock name.” Colette made a face before giggling. “No, it wasn’t a long explanation at all. If you needed to elaborate on a few more thing, feel free to do so, but damn. That was a bit.. . fast, wasn’t it? Maybe he’s just scared of being in a relationship or he’s just not ready? Maybe he’s a playboy who wants to try out every girl like they’re just another flavor in an ice cream store?”

Colette rolled her eyes playfully before laughing loudly. She smiled at her younger friend, knowing how it felt to be in a relationship but sooner than expected, the smile and the laughing matter evaporated as soon as Colette heard the pity in her friend’s voice. There was no mistaking that Colette immediately turned defensive, almost like she was readying herself to shut everybody who wanted to know anything about her situation out. “Don’t apologize.” It came out much harsher than she meant it to but Colette was just tired of it all. Of all people, she thought Acacia would understand, especially since she’s been in a similar situation, but the way she was acting was the same as everybody else’s and Colette hated it. Crossing her arms over her chest, she pointed to the cafe right in front of them. “It’s not Joe’s but it’s quieter so I figured this was the place.” Colette murmured before marching up to the cafe, still a bit unsettled.

[acaciabrantfords]

It had been surprisingly easy for Acacia to get over Brian, and the two of them were like best friends now. Nothing went wrong in their relationship, they just didn't have that spark that lasted. People just didn't seem to get it, though. She shrugged her shoulders when Colette suggested a few theories, "Nah, it's not either of them. We just didn't work out. But really, we're cool. He's always been a friend, so." She was used to people not getting it, —only Brian and herself did get it—so she didn't bother elaborating about it too much. "Really, no heartbreaks and tears and all that. Maybe he just wasn't the one, you know?"

She looked at Colette expectantly, thinking that maybe she had dated one or two guys before Henry and felt the same way she felt about Brian. She vaguely remembered a couple of guys that she used to talk about all the time, but then decided weren't right for her. Maybe Zach was even one of those guys. Acacia was about to comment on that when Colette's expression noticeably hardened. She sighed inwardly, grimacing. It looked like she had said the wrong thing. That wasn't what she meant, though. She wasn't apologizing because of what happened to Colette. She was apologizing because they hadn't been through it together. Taking a deep breath, she said, "No, it's not like that. I—I'm not pitying you because of, you know. It's just that... I'm sorry that I wasn't there. That I—Um, that I didn't try harder to reach out and contact you and... Yeah." 

What she meant to say was that she was sorry that Colette had to get over the pain the hard way. That she had to drink her sorrows away and use guys as distractions. She was sorry that she wasn't there to stop that from happening, to let Colette destroy herself. That was what Acacia was sorry about. But she didn't say it. She didn't want to offend her friend even further. "Oh, okay," she responded when Colette pointed to the cafe in front of them, trailing behind silently.

[idhyunjin]

I look like Rudolph. Just my luck, yeah? Someone should bring me soup.

[acaciabrantfords]

That's so sad, being sick just before Christmas. Why don't you head over to that soup place? It has good soup.

[acaciabrantfords]

You Know I Don't Do Apologies; Acacia Brantford & Leila Waters

[a-warren]

As Acacia began to walk towards the tree with no response, Leila took a deep breath in, preparing herself. Not because she was afraid of what Acacia was going to say, but because if Leila’s gut feeling was right and Acacia was about to apologize, then it was going to be a bumpy road. The pair had a history of Leila apologizing over small things, that was how she was, but not Acacia. As Leila followed her friend towards the tree, the loud music and the chattering people soon becoming a low muffle behind them. 

Watching her friend, Leila waited for her to say something, that was, after all, why they stepped away. A few seconds passed and finally Acacia spoke, to which Leila blinked at her and slowly smiled smugly. “Yes?” She said. She knew she was adding more pressure for the blonde, but after years of doing all the apologies, Leila decided to have a little fun with Acacia’s.

[acaciabrantfords]

Acacia felt uncomfortable—having to do this. But if she didn't, she knew that she'd be whiny the whole night, and she wanted to have a good time at the bonfire as opposed to moping around. But Leila's smug smile wasn't helping, but she internally groaned at how difficult this was. She hadn't apologized to anyone ever since Zach died, because her brother was the only person who she cared enough about to apologize whenever they fought. With Leila or her other friends, she'd simply wait for them to apologize to her first—which then she'd reply with, "Yeah, I'm sorry too. So we're good?" Not for the first—or last—time, Acacia cursed Zach for no longer being around. He would've been great help if he were here. Heck, she probably wouldn't be here bothering to apologize if she had Zach to hang out with. The cool thing about her brother was that he had always welcomed her to hang out with his friends, people who were three to four years older than her.

Okay, focus on the situation on hand, she chided herself. She had to just get a grip and blurt it out. It was so much easier said than done, though. "Okay, here goes," Acacia finally started to say. "About last night... It wasn't... I guess I didn't—Ugh, okay. I'm sorry. I went too far last night. There." It felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her chest. She was well aware that her apology sucked, but it was good to get it out. At least now she knew that she had said it. For Leila to forgive her or not wasn't her problem. Just apologizing itself made her feel a lot better already.

[acaciabrantfords]

Frustrations; Acacia & Gemma.

Gemma: looked back up at her when she started talking again, giving the petite blonde her full attention because she knew that even if it was just a passing thing, this was really important to her at the moment. People tended to learn how to wait for their turn to speak but never really to listen. "D--Disappointed by a friend." Gemma said the words as if they were some pharmacy prescription. "Well what did sh--she...your friend do?" Gemma asked, arching a brow in question. She could sort of collect that it had been Colette because her tone seemed so bitter about it and because she had been surprised in the first place that Colette wasn't with Acacia for as much of the night as she'd seen. "Ah, w--who did she run off with?" she asked though Gemma already knew the answer, anyone could have known the answer if they knew Colette enough.

Acacia: realized just exactly how mad she was at Colette. It was only recently that they had started patching up her friendship again, and she desperately wanted them to be close again. But now look at her going off on her own without even saying one word to Acacia that night. They hadn't spoken at all today, and that irked her. What if Colette left her again? What would she do then? Acacia gritted her teeth and mentally told herself to calm down a little. Once she felt like she was better, the blonde girl leaned back on the bench and tilted her head to look at Gemma. "This friend of mine... Well, I expected to at least talk to her once tonight. But she's nowhere to be found," Acacia answered. Gemma probably had guessed that the person she was disappointed in was Colette, so she didn't bother explaining further. "She ran off on her own. Probably some guy would find her later."

[acaciabrantfords]

You Know I Don't Do Apologies; Acacia Brantford & Leila Waters

[a-warren]

After the little ‘fight’ Leila had with Acacia the night before, Leila just wanted to go out and forget it happened. She had to admit that it was annoying that she cancelled so last minute, but she was also frustrated that Acacia made such a big deal of it. It wasn’t like Leila did it often. Sure she had come late to a few things, but in her defense, this time it wasn’t her fault. For Acacia to blame Leila and be a bitch about it was nothing new, it was just the fact that it was the night before the bonfire that bugged her most. They had planned to hang out altogether with the rest of their friends, but as they hadn’t spoken since the incident, Leila didn’t even know if Acacia was coming. 

Of course, for Acacia to miss a bonfire event was unlikely, and Leila kept her eye out for her friend. She’d been there for a good hour or so, sipping a coke and laughing with her friends before she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned, and as soon as she saw Acacia, her smile faltered. Leila knew what was coming, Acacia was probably going to comment on the fact that Leila came to the bonfire and missed their mall date the day before, making Leila look like a bad friend. This thought got cut short when the blonde didn’t do that, but instead asked to talk. Leila’s face fell into confusion, but she nodded and said, “..Okay.” before turning to her friends and excusing herself. Turning back to Acacia, she pointed over to a tree a about 10 metres away where it’d be significantly less claustrophobic to talk. “Let’s go over there.” She said, watching Acacia. 

[acaciabrantfords]

It was kind of funny to see Leila so baffled when she had came over to talk. Acacia knew that her friend had probably expected her to dis her and make some snide comments. And that had honestly crossed her mind. But she was already unhappy enough tonight that she hadn't had any energy to do that. She just wanted to get this thing over with. Acacia hated the turmoil building up in her. She hated the way she was just so gloomy that if one more thing upsets her, then she would probably scream.

Acacia shrugged her shoulders when Leila pointed to the tree, and began walking over that. She didn't bother waiting for Leila, but instead she beckoned her friend to follow. Admittedly, Acacia hadn't even planned what she wanted to say, and she had no idea what to do now. Her mind was trying its absolute best to come up with something, but it just wasn't working. Finally, she decided to just come with something on the spot and blurt it out. It wasn't like she was going to embarrass herself or anything.

When they got there, Acacia turned around so that she was facing Leila's direction. Taking a deep breath, she counted to three in her head and then opened up her mouth. "Look, can we just talk about what happened yesterday?" she asked bluntly.

[acaciabrantfords]

Frustrations; Acacia & Gemma.

Gemma: picked up a stick that was underneath the bench and started drawing random things on the ground with it. None of them made sense, they were things you'd see a first grader do, just scribbles. But she was listening to the girl as she spoke and even though they weren't close Gemma had to admit she hated seeing anyone being upset, even the people she couldn't stand, though there were few of those. "Y--Yeah, I understand.." she said carefully, "B--But is it anything specific? Have you...have you seen Colette?" she asked Acacia, thinking that maybe she was upset because all her friends weren't around or that maybe it'd be better if all her friends /were/ around.

Acacia: watched Gemma do whatever it was that she as doing—drawing on the ground with a stick. For a couple of seconds, the young girl was quiet as she watched. She thought about Gemma's question careful. On one hand, the two of them weren't extremely close or anything. But on the other hand, she didn't look like the type of person who'd make fun of someone who was in a bad mood. Finally, she decided to respond with, "I guess. I had a fight with a friend yesterday. And I'm a bit disappointed at some people." Acacia wasn't going to be dropping names just yet, but that was at least the truth. "And to answer your question, I saw Colette sneaking off earlier. I don't know where she went." She could only hope that her answer wasn't too curt and bitter, as she did not what Gemma to see that it was Colette who she was disappointed in.

[acaciabrantfords]

You Know I Don't Do Apologies; Acacia Brantford & Leila Waters

She didn't know what to do with Leila. On one hand, she was still mad because Leila had stood her up last night. But on the other hand, it just wasn't nice to have someone mad at her on a night such as the bonfire. She was supposed to be having fun, not mope around because of the little fight she had with her friend. Damn, why did it have to be yesterday out of all the days in a year? Acacia gritted her teeth in frustration as she tried to dismiss the thought. Just because she wasn't on good terms with Leila right now, it didn't mean that she had to think about it all night. Besides, she had never thought of Leila too highly before. She was just one of those people that Acacia knew that she could count on whenever she needed her.

But spotting Leila chatting with some girls who were also her friends made her long to be there. And if she didn't apologize or something to Leila, Acacia knew that it was going to be awkward as fuck. Should she do it? Should just she just apologize? She didn't like the feeling of guilty nagging her in the back of her mind as well. Sighing, she finally decided to just go ahead and talk to Leila. Let herself regret her stupidity later on. She'd do what she was thought was best for now. Marching over to where they were, Acacia tapped the brunette's shoulder. "Hey, can we talk?"

[acaciabrantfords]

Frustrations; Acacia & Gemma.

Gemma: nodded in response to her question. Which wasn't a lie, Gemma didn't lie and if she did it was very obvious and she would confess to doing so right away. "Y--You don't seem too...too perky, though." she said, noticing the way her shoulders were drooping as she sat and Acacia was usually the type to at least attempt to chat you up a storm whether it was about clothes or her friends. She worried that something might have happened prior to her arriving here to cause her to be in such a mood and even if she couldn't fix things she considered herself a pretty descent listener.

Acacia: was glad that at least one of them were enjoying the party. She wondered if Gemma knew that Colette had snuck off. She sighed softly, trying to get that out of her head. She had hoped to spend some time with Colette at the bonfire, but she figured that that was out of the question. And she couldn't go back to one of her friends right now, she was too tired to have to smile and laugh right now. "Me?" Acacia asked when Gemma mentioned that she didn't seem so perky. Well, she guessed that her damp mood was probably as obvious as the fire coming from the pit. "I guess I'm just not really feeling it, you know? You know those days when everything just makes you want to scream? Yeah, I think I'm having one of those days." That wasn't exactly a lie, though it wasn't the full truth yet.