x. | nobody's perfect.

AVA J. KINGSTON ; 33. event planner. mother. twin. baker. business owner. >♦ ♢ ♦>i'd RATHER struggle everyday,then give someone the power to say, you wouldn't be here, hadn't it been [ -- f o r me. ]

[tvactorsdaily]

[avakingston]

---- HARPER PRESCOTT;

Maybe it wasn’t nice to interrupt whatever the taller blonde was going through, but Harper was innately curious — probably the main reason why she was good at her job — but she also cared a lot, and rather than pretending she didn’t see a woman lost in deep thought, possibly worried about something, she leaned into it and hoped to be able to help, or distract her at least. “Thank you. You wanna talk about it?” She asked candidly, but with the sincerity it needed to come across as earnest.

Ava wasn’t exactly used to people genuinely wondering how she was. Of course, the blonde was quite the open book, while in other ways, not so much. But she never tried to stay on the subject of herself for much longer then she had to. She shook her head softly, and offered up a kind smile, “It’s nothing drastic.” She promised, before lifting up a loose leaf piece of sketch paper with a beautifully designed wedding cake. “Just doing some work.” Then lowering the sheet down, “Butter cream, or whipped?”

[avakingston]

---- AJ HAYES;

“I’ll take that as a compliment— your child must have great taste in cinema,” he replied with a proud, almost uppity inflection to his voice. “Oh, the whole thing’s great. That scene was just icing on the cake.”

“Well, I’ve been told to pick my battles. And this right here? This is worth the battle. Unless someone raises Donkey and Puss in Boots’s ‘Livin La Vida Loca’ performance, because that’s actually a pretty close call now that I think about it.”

“I’m kinda hating you right now, Hayes. Just so you know, because now I want to binge watch this whole series, for what I’m pretty sure is the two hundred and fiftieth time. I don’t know if my poor little head can take all the genius again.” The blonde wailed, way her hands in the air in a dramatic fashion, before dropping them and cracking a bright beautiful smile at him. “You picked a battle much worth fighting, my friend. And it shows true colors, if I say so. Anyone who disagrees with you here is not worthy of a place in your life. Because they have absolutely no taste, and there isn’t anymore more important then taste.”

[avakingston]

Ava was grateful to finally be out of the city, and back in her own little nest that was Lanford. The day had been long, and filled with fake smiles, and a whole two bottles of the finest stuff. Enough to simply remind her how little she fit in on the upper east side, especially now. Resting in the nearest chair, she reached for the pair of outrageous heels she had been forced to wear all day long. Pulling them off, she held them up, “Worth more then the house I live in.” Ava stated, before sitting them beside her, and leaning back against the back of the chair. “And the dress? My car. Ridiculous, if you ask me. People are starving, or on the streets, and I’m wearing what to most people is a whole year’s salary.” Her voice was flat, no where near bragging rights or righteousness. Quite the opposite, actually. “Sorry --- how was your day?”

[avakingston]

---- LILY GRACE BELROSE;

“Okay. No. No, no, no. That is definitely not my order. What is that?” Lily’s eyes widened and she looked to the person beside her at the counter, slightly embarrassed by her display, seeing as she’d spat the drink back out into the mug. “Sorry if that was yours…” she added, then looked to the barista, raising up the drink in question. “We’re going to need another of those! I’ll pay.”

“That’s about my reaction, too.” The blonde recalled, as she watched the woman complete discontent into the cup of fizzy water. “It’s some refresher, with coconut milk, and a hint of lime.” Ava explained, as she made her way towards the counter. "It’s not a combination I’d personally want to sit and sip, but my daughter seems to love it.” Then shaking her head at the offer, “There’s no need for that, it’s all good.”

[avakingston]

---- ATHENA HARRISON;

Even though she had moved to Lanford two weeks ago Athena found that she spent her time in Manhattan. She was adjusting to being back on the east coast and her new job she would be starting in September. Being hired as a Professor at NYU was almost felt like full circle. She was going to help with some of the summer classes as a mentor to help ease in. Perhaps she was avoiding fully accepting Lanford because it was going to come with a cost. Carter was spending the next couple weeks in the city with her parents until she had a certain conversation. Feel the situation out. 

Sat in one of the local cafes by her apartment, she let  her attention flicker from the book she was reading to those walking pass the window. Athena found she spent most of her time at tables by the window to people watch. She noticed from the corner of her eyes something fall to the ground. Her body twisted and she reached down to grab a piece of paper calling out to the person who walked by her. “Excuse me,  you dropped this?” She held it out.

Ava was running late, phone pasted to her ear as she followed exactly what the client on the other end wanted. Said client being exactly the reason why she was running late, in the first place, and more then aware that that wouldn’t matter to her later. This wasn’t the first high strung client Ava had had the pleasure of working for, and therefore, it had given her much practice as to handle such a situation. Keeping her tone professional, yet, her features did very little to hide the discontent she was feeling over the nagging voice yelling in her ear. She was hardly aware of her surroundings until someone called out for her, having completely missed the first call, and almost the second. Stopping, she turned to see a brunette hold up paperwork she had dropped from the portfolio in her arms. Not breaking from the professional tone, and underlining of the phone call, Ava swiftly brought the call to an end, before responded to her savior. Once she hung up the phone, she smiled in gratitude at the brunette, “Thank you. You probably just saved my life, because she would’ve killed me had I not brought everything with me.”

[avakingston]

---- MAXWELL RILEY;

“So here’s a question..  If an old lady fondles my butt  when  I’m in the queue at the grocery store and I fart in her hand.. am I in the wrong or is she?”

Ava was quite taken aback by such a question, one they were almost positive, or maybe more so hoping, he was just pulling her chain. “I’m sorry--- what?” She asked, a laugh escaping rosy lips.

[kevinskeller]

[avakingston]

---- RHYS TAYLOR;

Rhys was only kidding around, of course, always did when it came to Nova —- the teen had one of those infectious personalities and he always liked to come across that he was at least marginally on her side. He wasn’t, of course, he’d been friends with Ava for years now and he’d have her back no matter what now, especially when it came to parenting issues with her daughter. It was how their friendship worked deep down. “Sorry kid…” a gentle chuckle escaped him as he said it, and then he glanced to Ava a moment and flashed a smile.

As Nova continued on her rant, her plans for the evening clearly ruined now they’d walked home, he moved to lean against the kitchen island, folding his arms for a moment. “And hopefully that’s something I’ll never have to endure, can’t see Elena ever being into those…” And seeing as he was eternally single, by his own choice, there wouldn’t be anyone else watched them on his TV. “Right now? Your mom suddenly incapable of picking out movies? Because I don’t believe that’s true… for a second,” he said simply, shrugging his shoulders. 

Ava and Nova didn’t have exactly the most normal mother and daughter relationship. They both knew it, and so did everyone else. That, however, never meant that they didn’t know who the mother was in the situation. But Ava was also trying to raise an independent, intelligent, took no shit young woman, trying to make sure her daughter never made the same mistakes she had. Which meant, she was creating a opinionated, strong teenager, which meant a hell lion for any parent. “You can only hope.” Ava teased, a she smiled softly at him. “Nova, go walk Millie.” She said, now turning to face her daughter. The call of her name brought a Golden Retriever running out of the teenager’s room, tail wagging.

The young blonde kneeled down, rubbing behind the puppy’s ears, as she fed the rest of the cheese stick to her. “Fine.” Nova agreed, with a smile upon her features, more then glad to do so. “But I still want some piziense.” Ava nodded, as she waved her hand in the air to express an acceptance. As Nova got the dog ready, she was about to head out the door, before Ava stopped her, holding up the cell phone she had left on the dinning table. “Keep it on high.” Ava demanded, as Nova took it from her, and rolled her eyes, “Yes, mom.”

Once the pup and Nova were out of sight, Ava turned to Rhys, now more then ready to switch out the dress she wore for sweats and a t-shirt. “Should probably warn you. The movie I’d pick out right now, is most likely horror, violence. So, if you’re opposed to such, you might want to search for one.”

[avakingston]

---- HARMONY ANDREWS;

“Yeah, I agree. I’ve been on my own before, and it’s not that bad. Sure being in love and being happy is better, but faking love is worse.” Harmony replied, not that she had much experience with the latter. She nodded at the woman’s statement. “Sometimes it is hard to love yourself, but you’ve always got to try. It’s the only way to be truly happy in life.” Harmony replied, smiling at the woman once more. “It’s sad.”

Ava nodded as Harmony spoke, appreciating the understanding in her own statement. “Exactly.” She responded, her voice soft, low. Almost depressing, in tone. Once Ava came to realize such, she shook her head, and allowed a bright, wide smile to spread across her ivory features. “Sorry, enough about that. How’s things going with you? Hopefully a lot lighter than this crap.”

[avakingston]

---- KEVIN ROSCOE;

“Quite selfish and sickening, as you put it, yes,” Kevin said, still more gone than present in the moment. “It’s easy to forget we’re all humans,” he chuckled, wanting to find a little light in their conversation. “Water under the bridge, yes…” Kevin mused, trailing off his thoughts for a few seconds. “Sorry! I… got lost in there.”

“Quite the world we live in, huh?” She stated, pressing her lips together, and nodding. “I guess we learn, and we move on. Older and wiser...” She trailed off, only now trying to suppress the laughter that laid behind tightly pressed lips. Forcefully nodding, as she held up a hand, expressing that there was no need to apologize.

[avakingston]

---- ALEX MATTHEWS;

  “Thanks so much,” he said as he smiled as she handed the book over to him. “I don’t know what I would do if I did not find it but am glad. You’re really great with kids.”

“I’m glad to have helped.” The blonde responded, as she glanced in his direction, with a soft smile. As she looked away, the smile lingered, as she shrugged, “Thanks. I’ve always loved being around kids, so, I picked up a trick or two. Comes in handy.”

[avakingston]

---- HARPER PRESCOTT;

“You don’t mind if I sit here, do you?” Harper asked, already seating herself before the person next to her could offer any reasons for her not to. It likely wouldn’t have worked anyway — once she set her mind to something, even if it was something as small and insignificant as a seat, she wasn’t likely to give up. But she wasn’t a complete savage either, and a little politeness and friendliness went a long way. “You look like you could use the company anyway, no offence.” 

Ava had been lost in the laptop before her. The email she would find herself reading over, and over again, kept the frown deepening upon ivory features. She almost missed the blonde who would take the seat across from her, completely missing her question. Glancing up at her, she shook her head, “I’m sorry, what?” She asked, before furrowing her brows, and forcing a smile at the other. “Right, sorry, uh, no -- it’s all yours. Long day, that’s all.”

[avakingston]

---- AJ HAYES;

“Okay… okay. I gotta give props where props is due, y’know. Michael Jackson, Prince, Beyoncé, Madonna, The Eagles… amazing performers. Like, fuckin’ incredible. But the most iconic performance of all time has to be the Fairy Godmother’s version of ‘I Need a Hero’ in Shrek 2. You cannot fight me on this one.”

“Oh my god, you sound like my child.” The brunette commented, “But I guess I’ve gotta give you both that, at least. That girl slayed that song, personally, I enjoyed the whole movie, but that scene killed it.” Running her hand through long blonde locks, Ava tilted her head to the side slightly. “What’s with the fighting words, though? Not everyone will be as agreeing to this.”

[avakingston]

---- DANNY R-H;

Danny walked up to the lake, the closest thing he had to a beach without having to drive that long, took off his shirt and set up camp. “Do you think this summer will be the summer where I get the suntan of my dreams?”

Ava had decided to take some time off, much needed time off. And this much needed time led her to the lake, not exactly the beach by any means, but it definitely came close. Glancing up at Danny, she let out a chuckle as the male thought out loud, “Well, I wouldn’t say it’s out of the question. We both know you tan better then some, myself included. So, it wouldn’t take much. Better get cracking, buddy. Only so much daylight left in the day.”

[avakingston]

---- SEPHORA;

“  ——   So I just saw some girl call her boyfriend her “cinnamon apple.” Just saying if my man ever called me some dumb ass pet name like that.. He’s getting punched in the throat. I’m serious. What the fuck do I look like being called like a golden retriever?! I guess one could say I’m easily annoyed today… Considering that I’ve not been at home for three days. ” 

Ava listened to the rant the other would proceed to give, her features crinkling a bit as she took in the ridiculous pet name. Something even she couldn’t imagine calling a significant other, must less being called such in return. “I don’t know, I kinda think of oatmeal. And while someone could play off the whole sneak theory, I still wouldn’t consider oatmeal much of a sneak.” She thought out loud, “But also each their own, I guess. Why’ that?”

[blakelivelyonline]

Play. It. Cool