almost there.

tianna powell; culinary arts and business major at walt disney college. stick in the mud, killjoy -- or so i've heard.

[everentreating-blog]

It’s not the only thing. I—most things I feel strongly about. It makes things harder. I’m glad you find it more endearing than frustrating.

[andwetalktoo]

I think I know what you mean. I mean -- look at me. I'm the worst at expressin' anythin'. 

[loganaconda-blog]

[He smiles weakly at her and sighs, shifting so that he’s no longer in the middle of the bed] Thank you, for the cake. Will you forgive me if I don’t eat it just yet, though?

[andwetalktoo]

[laughs, then says, in a crazy-deep voice:] No, absolutely not. I'm not leavin' till you eat every last morsel'a that cake. [she smirks turning to look at him] 'Course not. Take your time. I'll prob'ly stick it in the fridge when I leave. S'not goin' anywhere.

[loganaconda-blog]

Not in.

[andwetalktoo]

Not funny. [in a sing song voice] Hope you're decent! [she steps in, carrying the cake she promised Logan and a smallish array of sweets] I finally finished your cake. Chocolate ganache? [sets them down and walks to the side of the bed] Budge up.

[everentreating-blog]

I wouldn’t ask you for that. I’m selfish, but not that selfish. Still, you really are quite extraordinary. I wish I could express it well.

[andwetalktoo]

[she grins, sheepishly, and looks down] Awh, shucks. [laughs and looks up at him] I find it kinda funny that that's the only thing you seem to be unable to articulate. Well -- funny, but cute.

[loganaconda-blog]

[Lying in bed under a stack of duvets, even though it’s Florida, with a few empty alcohol bottles littered around him. He groans when he hears someone enter, covering his head.] Not today. 

[andwetalktoo]

[pokes her head through the door and waves] Knock knock?

[andwetalktoo]

challenge nineteen: "oops." your character's most embarrassing moment in their lives so far.

who: tia powell, lottie king, and nate andrews [yoooO :O]

when: sophomore year of high school. [on the timeline this takes place after tia asks lottie if she can join the cheerleading squad]

where: a party at the king estate~

It was strange seeing Lottie's living room teeming with so many people, so many girls and guys from school packed into that one large room, dancing as if they were in a club and not Lottie's sprawling estate. The kitchen, a place Tia usually found solace in, was full, too. Full of food and alcohol, and people too, of course.

Tia didn't know where to go. Or how to stand, or what to do with her hands. She was considerably "popular" again; all of the so-called friends who'd kicked her to the curb in the past for being too boring were at the party. When they saw her after the football game, they grinned and clapped her on the back and gave her hugs and marveled at how well her cheerleading uniform looked on her. How the red brought out the green in her eyes. 

It was amazing how quickly they'd come back to her, once they realized she was "fun" now. But she didn't feel fun. None of this felt fun. She couldn't stop wringing her hands, couldn't stop going over her to-do list for the next day. It was Saturday, and she was working an extra-long shift at Duke's in the morning. She glanced at the clock. Going on 11. She couldn't stay for much longer if she didn't want to be dead on her feet the next day.

Where was Lottie, anyway? She said she wouldn't leave Tia's side during the party, but of course she'd forgotten about it after a cute boy from their Math class walked by and she ran off to hunt him down.

Tia poked her head into the kitchen again. Maybe Lottie was there. Sure enough, she found her friend standing at the counter, pouring some wine out into a rather large goblet. She glanced up for a moment and locked eyes with Tia.

"Oh, Tia!" she cried, abandoning the bottle and grabbing Tia fiercely by the wrist. Oh, dear. She could smell the alcohol on Lottie's breath, and it was all she could do not to pull away immediately. "Tia, Tia, Tia, where have you been this whole time? You know that new boy, the one from Europe, the one in our Trig class? Nathaniel? Well, he goes by Nate, actually, and a bunch 'f us are just in my room, talkin', and he looks at me and he says, 'y'know what'd be fun?' And of course I can't read his mind so I ask him, 'what?' And long story short we all decide to start playin' Spin the Bottle or 7 Minutes in Heave or somethin' silly like that, but we need a bottle for it so I volunteered to go off an' get it and oh, Tia, you've gotta come play with us, it's gonna be so much fun!"

Tia was sober, but her mind was reeling from trying to follow Lottie's story as quickly as she was telling it. 

"Um..." she began, glancing over her shoulder. The way she saw it, there were three options: (1) stay downstairs and kill time by herself, faking smiles with her former friends, (2) go up to play Spin the Bottle or 7 Minutes in Heaven and possibly humiliate herself, or (3) leave the party and get a fresh night's sleep for her shift tomorrow. She knew which made the most sense, but looking into Lottie's huge, pleading eyes made her second guess herself, as always. Lottie had pulled so many strings to get her to where she was now, and she didn't want to seem ungrateful by leaving.

Finally, Tia nodded. "Sure," she said weakly.

"Oh, good!" Lotties cried, practically thrusting the glass of wine into Tia's hands. "And here -- you look so pale. And bored. Drink some'a that." Lottie was strutting out of the kitchen before Tia could even formulate a response. She sighed and steeled herself, taking a guilty sip from the goblet, and followed Lottie upstairs.

-

If there was one thing Tia had learned about herself that night, it was that she was a riot at parties.

If there were two things Tia had learned, the second would be that she was only a riot when she was drunk off her ass.

The first twenty minutes of spending time with the inner circle passed by in an intoxicated blur; Lottie had loaded Tia up on so much wine that the only person's face she could clearly see was Nate's. Mostly because, she was shamelessly staring, and -- as Lottie explained to her the next morning over very strong coffee and alka seltzer plus -- flirting with the new boy. Lottie insisted he found her attractive, and so after a game of Truth or Dare -- everyone was starting to lose interest in Tia, as she continued to ask for truths despite her intoxication -- Lottie subtly recommended that they start that game of Spin the Bottle.

Tia's buzz was starting to wear off and she was beginning to feel a little light-headed -- and not in the fun, tipsy way. She was the first to spin. It landed -- miraculously -- in front of Nate. Everyone gasped. Nate smirked. Tia suddenly felt sick -- and not in the "ball of nerves" way. She swallowed hard and ruffled her hair as Nate walked on his knees towards her. She heard Lottie, very faintly, squealing next to her.

The next few seconds happened very fast. And although Tia couldn't remember much about that night the day after, she would always remember this moment, for the rest of her days, probably.

Nate leaned in and closed his eyes, lips puckered. Tia did the same, fighting the wave of nausea that was rolling over her. She chalked it up to nerves -- this was her first kiss, after all. But suddenly, it overcame her, sort of like the time she went to Myrtle Beach with Lottie and her family and almost drowned after being submerged by a massive wave. She pushed Nate away, but he didn't have any time to get away before Tia threw up on his expensive-looking shoes.

The room fell completely silent. Nate was horrified. And frankly, so was Tia.

Lottie was the first to act. She shot up from her seat and rushed over to Tia, trying to make light of the situation the way she always did -- something Tia had never truly appreciated until this very moment. Lottie herded her into the bathroom, shouting commands at everybody else -- either telling them to clear out, get some water, or put some club soda on the carpet.

The only one that refused to move was Nate. He sat, stricken with shock, eyes darting between his shoes and Tia. He was the last thing Tia saw before Lottie sat her down in front of the toilet and held her hair back. The rest of the night is a pitch black splotch in her memory.

Lottie still tries to tell Tia that no one really remembered that night. Everyone went back downstairs and got as drunk as they possibly could. But people talk, especially when drunk. She was teased mercilessly for the next two weeks, and rumors flew, though Nate never caught on. He was never the brightest.

But Tia promised herself she was never going to speak to Nate ever again. She first kiss had been ruined in one way or the other; she tries her best not to think about it anymore. It's especially easy now that she doesn't see Nate's face anymore.

[kylemitchells]

[he shrugs] I’m saying it ‘cause it’s true. There is always something good to say about you, and someone’s got to say it. I know what it’s like to not feel like you’re quite good enough, but at the end of the day the only thing stopping you is yourself and your own self-doubt. So whenever you need a pick-me-up, I’m here to remind you that you’re awesome.

[andwetalktoo]

[Tia bites her lip, hesitating a bit before reaching forward to envelop Kyle in a tight hug] I love you, Kyle.

[everentreating-blog]

That sounds just amazing. I’m afraid you’re going  to spoil me for eating anyone else’s food.

[andwetalktoo]

Oh, gosh, I hope not. Then I'd havta cook for you every day, three times a day. Not that I'd mind. It'd be an excuse t' see you more, after all.

[loganaconda-blog]

Well, you saw my hypermobility scooter – I finished that. Uhhhmmm, I managed to get out all of the skittles that got stuck in my cast. Then I taught Casper to howl on command like a little wolf, I streaked around campus, aaaaand I’ve perfected the art of pouring the perfect pint with one hand.

[andwetalktoo]

Yes, I did see that. Rather impressive. How did those skittles get stuck to your cast in the first place, I wonder. And you -- wait. You streaked?! When was this?

[everentreating-blog]

Yeah, okay. Let me know if you need help? Not that I’m all that helpful, but…

[andwetalktoo]

I think I'll be okay. I was thinkin' about somethin' simple that wouldn't take too long. Lamb, with rice and spinach, if that's okay with you? I've already got it marinatin' in the fridge.

[dailyjackfalahee]

Twin day on set??? @RestingPlatypus …#HTGAWM (x)

[everentreating-blog]

It’s not bad. I can go find it.

[andwetalktoo]

Oh, yeah? Okay -- good. Should I start dinner?

[loganaconda-blog]

Excuse you, I’ve had a very productive week for a one-armed man.

[andwetalktoo]

Oh, really? What else did you do, then?

[loganaconda-blog]

Did you know that there’s a website called shipyourenemiesglitter.com and they will literally send an envelope full of glitter to whatever address you give them? Watch out, bitches.

[andwetalktoo]

I worry sometimes. About how you spend your time.

[everentreating-blog]

Something easy. A comedy, perhaps. Do you have a preference?

[andwetalktoo]

I've been meanin' to watch Friends With Benefits. I hear it's hilarious.

[andwetalktoo]

tia/cooper

WHO:

leaves their dirty clothes on the floor cooper, sometimes. it’s especially dreadful once he’s just come back from a mini hunting trip, but if tia sees the mess he’ll apologize and tidy up immediately.

forgets to run the dish washer tia. it will always be tia.

pumps gas for the car cooper. he usually doesn’t let tia lift a finger when they’re out together.

drives when they’re going somewhere cooper.

rearranges the furniture tia, if she’s in the mood for a change.

falls asleep with the TV on tia. cooper will come in later and carry her to bed.

gets to use the bathroom first tia, usually.

decides the temperature for the ac/heater tia.

sets up holiday decorations both. cooper hangs the tall things and tia does the baking.

leaves the lights on cooper sometimes, if he comes in late from work.

uses the bathroom with the door open cooper, sometimes. if he’s in a rush.

fixes the plumbing (or calls the plumber) cooper is actually very handy with the plumbing. despite the protests, tia lets him fix the problem if it’s not incredibly complicated.

[andwetalktoo]

tia/lottie!!!

WHO:

leaves their dirty clothes on the floor: lottie, when she thinks tia doesn’t see. sometimes tia does see, however, and either reprimands or wordlessly tidies up after her.

forgets to run the dish washer: tia. she’s not used to using them, as she didn’t have one growing up.

pumps gas for the car: tia. lottie can’t be bothered with it.

drives when they’re going somewhere: tia, despite her ridiculous sense of direction.

rearranges the furniture: lottie, constantly. she loved changing things up, especially at the frequency in which she buys new things for the apartment. 

falls asleep with the TV on: both. they like to stay up and droll over the food network after dinner.

gets to use the bathroom first: lottie, as her routine is much longer.

decides the temperature for the ac/heater: lottie. neither are very picky.

sets up holiday decorations: lottie. tia usually does the baking.

leaves the lights on: neither. tia hates it, and so lottie tries to stay mindful of that.

uses the bathroom with the door open: neither!

fixes the plumbing (or calls the plumber): tia calls.