from the valley to the stars

Catalina Ross || 17 || Trinity House "Given flesh, a smile, swinging her sculpted legs off one side of the bed, this is Helen of Troy.” - Chuck Palahniuk

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Welcome Back || Renee & Catalina

[missreneeadams]

“You should have been more careful,” Renee said lightly. It was not particularly unkind - really more of a statement of fact. From what she knew of Catalina, she seemed rather lovely, and it wasn’t in Renee’s interest to see the dark-haired upperclassman get hurt.

At the question about her shawl, she smiled in an almost shy way. She had never been particularly knowledge about fashion. She knew all of the big names, of course, but she couldn’t actually tell a Coach bag from a Louis Vuiton bag if it wasn’t for their elegant logos.

“Yeah, I think so,” she replied with an obvious shiver, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. “Lillian, my cousin, gave it to me. I like it, but I probably should have worn a jacket over it. The weather’s in the twenties right now.” Goosebumps prickled on her exposed arms, and she frowned slightly.

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Cat waved away the younger girl's concern and laughed it off lightly. "No worries, I'm never careful. The amount of times I walk into doors and trip over curbs would astound you. You'd think dance classes would've given me some grace by now," she said with a shrug, amusement in her tone. 

She noticed Renee's shiver and shook her head slightly, her smile lingering. "Well, your cousin's fashion taste is commendable, but probably not very suited to the New York weather. I always forget how goddamn cold it is here until I come back." Though she was relatively warm in her own winter parka- as warm as any California native could be in a East Coast winter- Cat could tell that Renee was freezing with nothing to cover her arms. She grabbed her own suitcase again and looked over the treeline that obscured the dorms from sight. "Well, we should probably head towards the warmth of indoors." She looked at Renee with a slight frown creasing her brow. "You're a freshman, so you're in Blair, right? I was thinking of heading that way anyway, since the coffee shop is like, right next door."

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Let's Hope No One Saw || Catalina and Olivia

[willowxhawthorne]

"But miss, your father ordered that I drop you off at the exact given location. No where else. He was clear," Marcus, today’s driver, said.

"Well he isn’t here!" Olivia could only roll her eyes. "And It’s Ollie, not miss," she breathed in frustration. This happened every time, every single time. If he would have only allowed her to take a cab like a normal person, she wouldn’t have to pick fights with all these goddamn people so much. But no, her father was deeply unreasonable. He had to have his way; it was vital that his daughter not take the "filth-ridden" taxi cabs that inhibit New York. No, he didn’t want that. He wanted this; for her to ride in a posh car driven by one of the many people he had eating out of his very palms. But it was not about him, wasn’t it? It was about Olivia and what she preferred. And she preferred to walk, or take the subway. She didn’t want this. "It’s only a block from Preston, Marcus. Please. I’m only asking to be dropped off a goddamn block."

"Mi— Ollie, I can’t.. Your father will have my head."

As predicted. “Marcus, I swear if you don’t stop the car right now I’ll jump out.” And he looked at her through the mirror, and only then could she really take a good look at him. Or rather, his eyes. His eyes were dark with dark, heavy circles surrounding them as if this man had not slept in days. And maybe he hasn’t, how the heck could she know? Though those eyes, they pleaded, they silently pleaded for her to just shut up and comply, and how couldn’t she? This was a man working for his family, she realized. This was a man working his ass off, and suddenly she felt sorry that he had to work for her father. Olivia felt defeated, but mostly guilty. “Okay..okay. Fine, whatever.”

And he gave her the biggest smile she’s seen since arriving back in New York, and Olivia couldn’t help but smile herself. “Thank you,” she heard him say. 

She would not be unreasonable, she would not be like her father.

Upon arrival, Olivia hurried out of the car, dashing to the back as soon as she heard it click and collected her bags even before Marcus could try and help her. At least this she was able to do herself. “I got it,” she smiled and ran off before anyone she knew could see. She didn’t want them to see, she didn’t want anyone to see. A mess of dark hair caught her eye however, and immediately Olivia knew who it belonged. But the sight that followed Cat only made her laugh a little too loudly. Oh Kitty Cat, she thought, before running up to her roommate and snatching her phone up from her fingers. “And that, miss, is why you don’t text and walk. People get killed because of these! But fuck that, give me a hug, woman!”

[catalina-ross]

Before Cat even had the proper chance to collect herself and pick up her suitcase again, the sound of fast-approaching footsteps caught her attention; a second later, her phone was being snatched out of her hand. "Hey, what-" she exclaimed in surprise before she saw the blonde curls and bright smile and realized who the culprit was- her very own roommate, Olivia Hayes. Slumping her shoulders slightly, Cat sighed with a rueful smile as Ollie lectured her about texting and walking. "Okay, Mom, I'll look where I'm going next time. Death by freak cellphone accident sounds like it would be tragic," she teased back, before laughing happily and embracing the blonde girl in a tight hug.

She grabbed the handle of her luggage again and the two girls resumed their walk down the winding pathway towards Trinity. Cat stowed her phone away in her purse this time, out of harm's way. Around them, campus was already beginning to swarm with arrivals; people carting luggage back to their dorms, catching up with friends in Preston's several courtyards, every smile polished, every manicure fresh, every hair in place. Everyone was all rested up from Christmas vacation, and bored after having to actually spend time with families- so the parties and the fun were always the best at the beginning of the second semester. Mulling over these thoughts with a degree of anticipation, Cat looked over at Ollie. "So how were holidays at home?" she asked the girl besides her, the corner of her lips lifting into a one-sided smile. "I don't know about you, but I've never been more thankful for a warm-weather Christmas than when I leave here."

[catalina-ross]

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Visit Original Link

oh who am I to get this gift the giver bounding off in retreat a dog runs up with a heart in its mouth and drops it, bloody, at my feet roses pester at my ankles a heart lies bloody at my feet

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Coffee After Dark || Riley & Lina

[riley-vega]

Riley snorted in amusement as Catalina spoke, breaking into a soft grin. As guilty as he felt being with Catalina and possibly interfering with anything that was going on between Stephen and her, Riley smiled lightheartedly and enjoyed the precious moments like these when he was with her.

The rough pads of Riley’s fingers rubbed gently against the smooth, hot surface of his mug as his eyes ran slowly over Catalina’s face. Her features were slightly blurred under the dimmed lights but remained to be beautiful as always.

"A remedy. It’s really a good idea to prepare one. I guess, since I just don’t drink that much I never do prepare one. Thanks for the tip on the Gatorade and that bacon though.”

Riley realized his thoughts had been drifting away when he was suddenly called back by Catalina’s wondering of how he was. Riley blinked and looked away, almost feeling a little guilty for some unknown reason. However, he put on a smile and looked up to Catalina cheerfully, adjusting in his seat a little.

"Everything’s just fine." Riley almost had to wince at how easily the lies rolled off his tongue nowadays. It was almost getting easy to put on a facade and pretend that everything was alright when it wasn’t. "Thank you for asking though…I really do appreciate it."

Riley paused, letting her words sink into his mind before turning to an earlier topic. “You’re from LA? California, right? Tell me about it.” Riley grinned, leaning forward a little more across the table.

[catalina-ross]

"Everything’s just fine. Thank you for asking though…I really do appreciate it." Cat smiled back, just as sweetly as before, and nodded slightly in reply. "Well, that's good. I'm glad to hear it."

But she knew there must be something under the surface of his brief, easy reply. "Fine" was word not to be trusted; it was a phrase convicted of serial oversimplification, always masking the real words that were hiding behind it. But Cat also knew better than to ask any further questions; sometimes, the word "fine" was a lie that people had to tell themselves to stay on their feet. If Riley was going through something, he no doubt didn't want to talk about it. Or maybe she just wasn't the person he wanted to talk about it with. She could understand both reasonings easily enough.

When he asked her about California, Lina took another sip of coffee and then grinned brightly, setting her mug down. "You know wanna if it's really like all that Hollywood glamour, right?" Propping her elbow on the table, she rested her chin in her hand and drummed her fingers lightly on her cheek. "I mean, it's pretty much what you expect. Sunny and warm, with pristine beaches filled with surfers, designer boutiques on every corner, and you're bound to see at least one celebrity in a Starbucks at one point or another. But," she shrugged, meeting his eyes across the table. "I guess I'm used to all that other stuff, and I just love it because it's my hometown. You're always going to have a soft spot for the place where you grew up. My parents only settled down after I came along and they bought a condo right over the beach, so that was my childhood. Sun and surf, seashells and sandcastles. And the occasional movie star spotting." Her gaze still fixated on his and her chin still propped up on her hand, Cat tilted her head slightly to the side with a look of curiosity. "How about you- where're you from, Riley? "

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(mass text)

Stephen: hapfhgy nu yeagts

Stephen: h happy neqw

Stephen: 2014

Catalina: i'm glad to see you've got the right idea already

Catalina: cheers, to a happy new year :)

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(mass text)

Carson: You could help me make sure I get wasted instead of just trusting I will.

Carson: happy new years

Catalina: I have faith that you'll find a way, Hastings. if not, at least i'll drink this next tequila shot with you in mind.

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(mass text)

Catalina: Happy New Years!! Make sure to get absolutely wasted tonight.

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Complexity || Stephen & Lina

[stephenprice-x]

The girl’s hint of surprise did not go unnoticed. Stephen returned his view on the road and swallowed his grin. “Who doesn’t like a bit of deviation? I could see people nowadays just go with the flow. That’s not my thing at all.” A small smile tugged the end of Stephen’s lips when Cat mentioned the Bad Cardigan gig might not be in his liking.“But I think the only thing that’s sophisticated in me is my taste in music. You know, music is music. As long as they’ll keep me entertained, I’m not disliking them one bit.” He knew if Cat only stared at him for so long, he was clear as water and all those emotions he tried so hard to hide would be discovered in one gaze. He was thankful the girl was not the type to stare for no reason. “…And not just a repetitious, sappy refrain about love and all that bullshit. Something concrete.” Stephen caught up to her trail of words as he drove. He shrugged. Everyone has the right to like or dislike something. “I like country though. It feels raw and real.”

Cat’s words played at the back of his head like background music as he tried to concentrate on the directions he gave her. Showing up late because he couldn’t figure where the concert was held even with sufficient directions would ruin everything. “Really? That’s really cool- I’ve always thought the violin was the prettiest instrument…” Her bright smile forced Stephen to flick his gaze in her direction. Catalina Ross’s smile was never to be missed—even though the risk of missing the next turn shot up high. To his utter luck, he managed to find Stoker before he lost the road. His eyes roamed the streets, looking past through the cafes and shops that lined along the streets. “Pretty and really hard to play. It took me some days to get the hang of the instrument. …Piano? It’s one of the easiest ones to play.” Stephen said as-a-matter-of-fact. His words hit him back as fast and he cleared his throat. “I mean you could continue learning without finding someone who’ll teach you. Youtube videos can help a lot.” He didn’t peg the girl as an instrument enthusiast because if she was, her fingers would have danced along the black and white keys a long time ago. “Or that means you’re better off as someone you’d want to be.”

Stephen saw the small music hall and the crowd waiting outside. He parked his Audi a few boutiques from the hall. Rushing out of the driver seat to open the door for the girl, he felt the cold bit his skin past his winter jacket.

The familiar scent of smoke wafted around the area and the case of cigarettes felt warm in his pocket. Stephen silently wondered if they were gonna be of immediate use. He hoped not. He hoped he’d have a great night.

His breath formed mists and he suddenly thought of Cat’s dislike of the cold. He offered his hand when she got out. “It’s pretty cold out here.” Stay close to me. But he didn’t say that aloud. They were way past the first impressions stage but he was aware that his cute guy label could change to a perverted junior with the wrong words.

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"Piano? That's one of the easiest ones to play," he stated, and Cat had to laugh slightly, amused, even when he backtracked over his words a moment later. "Or that means you’re better off as someone you’d want to be." As Stephen pulled the car into a parking spot, Cat nodded and let those words hang in the air for the moment as she thought about them, a contemplative look in her eyes as her smile lingered. She grabbed her purse and her hand was already on the door handle when it opened from the outside- Stephen was already there, holding the door open and offering her a hand, and a soft "oh" of surprise and a laugh escaped her lips as she took his hand, stepping out. Whoever had said that chivalry was dead had obviously never met Stephen Price.

Shivering already in the brisk, cold air, Cat pulled her fur-trimmed winter parka a bit tigher around herself, her hand still in Stephen's as they walked up to the entrance of the music hall and she pulled the tickets out of her coat pocket. She thought back to what he had said when they left the car. "Y'know, I like the sound of that. Someone I want to be- whoever that is. Because I don't usually think that far in advance," she said with a note of laughter in her tone. "I like to think of my future as a surprise."

She handed over the tickets to the guy standing by the door, her shoulder bumping lightly against Stephen's- though it was more like his upper arm, since he was probably a full head taller than her. Still, Cat liked this feeling of closeness to him- she could've told herself it was just because of the cold, but even once they stepped inside the dimly lit entryway, it was with a small degree of reluctance that she seperated herself to shrug off her coat and hand it over to the coat check. As Stephen checked his coat next, she gathered up her hair at the nape of her neck and let it cascade down her back again, grimacing slightly at the static left behind by her coat. The room down the hall, it's two double doors propped open, had a steady stream of people entering it.

[aseaofquotes]

George R.R. Martin, A Storm of Swords

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2, 21, 26, 41

2. Are relationships ever worth it?

Psh. In my humble opinion- not in the slightest.

21. Do you think someone has feelings for you?

I- might guess, yeah.

26. Has anyone told you they don’t want to ever lose you?

Nope.

41. Have you had sex so far this year?

Yup.

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19, 24, 55, 59

Oops, there is no 19 on the list.

24. Do you think you’ll be married in 5 years?

God, no.

55. Share a relationship story.

I don’t have much of a repertoire of those to share, sorry. The three days I “dated” Calvin Keegan in the fifth grade doesn’t really count.

59. What do you look like? (Post a picture!)

(One of these Cats is not like the others.)

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3, 56, 68, 77, 78, 81

3. Are you a virgin?

Not at all.

56. State 8 facts about your body

I don't think I can even think of 8 facts.

I work out quite a bit because of dance classes, cheer practice, and Krav Maga training, so I'm in pretty good shape because of that.

My freckles get really visible when I get a tan.

I'm 5'7" and wish I could be taller.

My eyes look green sometimes, depending on the light.

I have a birthmark splotch on the inside of my elbow.

I don't wear mascara often because my eyelashes are already pretty thick and dark.

My hair is naturally really dark brown, so even when I tried to dye it red over the summer, you could barely tell. Does that count as a fact?

I have two arms and two legs. That's a fact.

68. What is your sexual orientation?

Straight.

77. What’s your opinion on age differences in relationships?

As long as it doesn't cross into the realm of creepy- and it's usually quite clear where that line is- if people are happy together, they're happy.

78. What’s your dirtiest secret?

If it's a secret, then I'm obviously not going to spill it that easily.

81. Who are five people you find attractive?

Just in general? Stephen, Xavier, Riley, Wes- and Ryan Gosling, but that's practically a given.

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72, 76, 79, 84

72. What words do you like to hear during sex?

Personally, I think actions speak louder than words, so the chatter can be left to the foreplay.

76. What’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever done for someone?

Uh… does it make me an awful person if nothing really comes to mind? It might’ve been back in middle school when I had this certificate framed for my dad, it was from the day we went fishing together and he caught a huge tuna.

79. When was the last time you felt jealous? Why?

I don’t bother with that kind of stuff. It’s pointless and petty.

84. Why did your last relationship fail?

Much like the previous answer, I don’t bother with stuff like relationships. Putting a label on something and giving it guidelines just sucks all the fun out.

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Visit Original Link

I put my soul in what I do Last night I drew a funny man With dog eyes and a hanging tongue It goes way back I never liked that sad look From someone who wants to be loved by you

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Upon Arrival || Edwin & Catalina

[edwinhuxley]

He leaned against one of the school’s red-bricked pillars in the foyer, feeling more at ease in Preston than he had for the past few years. Being at Nat’s, and away from his parents, had made his break bearable. Not the best, according to his schoolmates’ various Facebook posts and Instagram updates, but Ed had spent it without having to listen for the slamming of the car door in the garage, for the heavy footsteps coming up the staircase, for retreating, light feet as his mother slipped into the bathroom and shut the door with a gentle click to escape what was going to come - or pretend it never happened. It had been frighteningly easy. 

Tugging his beanie lower over his forehead, Ed glanced at the gleaming, snow-and-rain-slick car that had pulled up on the road just outside the campus’ main entrance. Nothing out of the ordinary here, but he wasn’t leaving until he’d had a smoke. Smoking anywhere on campus other than the empty foyer was likely to trigger some alarms, or get the unwanted attention of whatever staff was at Preston for the holidays. He rummaged in his pockets, which turned up a beat-up iPhone, Dad’s old Zippo lighter, and a half-empty packet of cigarettes. Or three-quarters empty, really. Ed didn’t smoke enough to make buying full packets worth it, so he filched one or two off some generous acquaintances whenever he could. Tucking one between his lips, he flicked the lighter open, moved it close to the tip of his cigarette and puffed, all the while watching a girl clamber out of the car and stomp her way around it, picking up her bags. 

When it was lit, Ed stowed the lighter away and pushed off the pillar, blinking at the girl who was approaching. Catalina Ross - he should’ve guessed that. She certainly didn’t look up to notice him standing there. A pity that she didn’t, because she promptly slipped and fell - or almost fell, since she didn’t exactly hit the ground.

"Nice recovery, Ross," he called, strolling towards her with the cigarette dangling between his fingers. "Need some help? Better watch where you’re going before you get hurt. Maybe next time you can dictate your tweets to a secretary."

[catalina-ross]

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Cat quickly swept her dark hair out of her face and looked up to see who they belonged to. Edwin Huxley was walking towards her, his pace leisurely and a cigarette trailing tendrils of smoke poised between his fingers. "Nice recovery, Ross." Cocking her head slightly to the side, she rested one hand on her hip and smirked slightly. "I don't know what you're talking about. You saw nothing, Huxley."

She didn't know Edwin Huxley all that well. They didn't really run in the same social circles, though Edwin lived in Bradford and she was sure they'd probably ended up at plenty of the same parties over the years. Cat stowed her phone away in her purse, knowing better than to tempt fate again and actually end up face-planting. The smell of cigarette smoke reached her, an ashy, nostalgic smell, and she involuntarily wrinkled her nose slightly; not because she didn't like the smell- on the contrary, she'd always liked it. But it also made her want a cigratte, though she found that her cravings for them were getting less and less. 

"Yeah, a secretary. If I had one of those, I'd utilize her for more important purposes. Like doing my homework," she scoffed lightly, shaking her head as she adjusted her hold on her suitcase and resumed her walk down the icy pathway- more cautiously, this time. She looked over at the red-haired senior, raising her eyebrows along with her friendly smile. "So how was your winter break?"

[momongamon]