you either fought back or surrendered

[corinnaburke]

LOCATION: Primrose Hotel EVENT: Boxes for Charity Auction @zuripeterson​

Corinna was thrilled she’d gotten Zuri’s box. After speaking with her briefly at some point during one of the parades, she found herself wanting to get to know her some more. Their sass matched, and it was hard to find someone on the same level as she was. Strolling over towards Zuri, she couldn’t resist her cheesy grin as she peered over the collaged box. “What’s your favorite scary movie, Zuri?” She snorted, lip wavering as she inhaled. “That was a terrible impersonation, I’m sorry,” she rubbed her temple.

[corinnaburke]

LOCATION: Outside the Maywood Country Club EVENT: Dance-a-thon @oliverbentleys​

Brushing away barely visible flyaways of strands of hair, Corinna was content that the window reflection of herself looked good enough. They were nearing the end of the week and between work and attending as many events as she could, she was itching for a bath. Or sleep. Or both. She hadn’t found much time to relax in between all the events she’d attended. “You ready?” Corinna spoke as she walked towards him, fingers brushing against his neck to fix his collar. “You have your lil baby crown with you?” The lawyer couldn’t help but smirk at her self-proclaimed name for his runner up tiara. Stepping back, her eyes flickered from his head to his shoulders, hips then feet. Taking his hand, she lifted her arm and grinned. “Spin. How are you this hot without tryin’ too hard?”

[sophie-baek]

When I see Iris looking this good:

[corinnaburke]

edgarfortiers​:

“Believe me, it sounds better than it is.” Not that Edgar had any kind of personal experience with being Mr. Maywood. “Probably. If it doesn’t, the texts from my ma will.” Daiyu had someone found out about all of this. Knowing her, she probably had alerts for whenever her children appeared in the news. “She’s already texted three times to say how proud she is, and how she’s hoping that this will be the thing that helps me find a spouse.”

Corinna tilted her head slightly, a laugh sitting in her throat. She didn’t know Edgar too well, but from the look on his face when it was announced that he was Mr. Maywood, even she could tell he wasn’t too thrilled with it. “It’ll blow over in a week or two,” she reassured. “Finding a wife in the midst of all this?” She sunk her teeth in her bottom lip. “Sounds like one hell of a feat. Could always just hide out at the beach where nobody’s gonna be this week,” she pursed her lips in thought. It wouldn’t be the worst suggestion she’s made.

[corinnaburke]

drnathaniel​:

Nathaniel was glad to spot a pathway near the parade without many people. It was a moment to get out of the huge crowds, even if it did mean a slightly worse view than the one he had before… he didn’t really mind that so much anyway. He was only there to get out of the apartment on his day off… and he knew that he would get grief from coworkers if he didn’t go for a little while.

He didn’t mean for his eyes to land temporarily on the small child, it just seemed like habit at this point. The kids were always the ones he was working with, it was them he had to check on, make sure they were okay… but he pulled himself out of that once he heard the adult speak, and his gaze moved back up to her. “I don’t have much of an opinion, to be honest with you.” He admitted. “I don’t know most of them very well.”

Corinna was losing all feeling in her arms. Volunteering to babysit on the day of the parade had not been Cory’s best idea. However, for Diego and Lindy, she would’ve done just about anything. Even if it meant struggling to keep him entertained as long as she could. Ruben seemed to be dozing off though, a small fist around stray ends of her hair. Rubbing his back through the carrier Lindy lent her, she turned to see the doctor…analyzing her? She smiled in amusement as she nodded. “Well, if I could give you the 411…Ford is insane, but kinda cool when he wants to be. Edgar…don’t know him all that well, a little intimidating, but then you get over it. The girls, I haven’t spoken to that much…” but that was of her own volition. “I think most of everyone thinks that the runner ups are the true winners, but,” she shrugged her shoulders. “It is what it is. You new here?” She tilted her head as she looked at him again, but more closely. “You look new.”

[corinnaburke]

jadexramirez​:

Jade had been dragged out to this event mostly to see Thalia and Elena’s work, but also because apparently when you lived here it was just something you did. Keeping her dark oversized sunglasses on her face, she stood off to the side. “I honestly don’t know any of these people.” Jade remarked with a shrug. She wasn’t sure if the woman was talking to her or not, but she’d answered just to be polite. “Really? What makes you say that about them?” Raising an eyebrow from behind her sunglasses, she turned towards the woman next to her. “Is there something bad about this group of winners?”

“No, not at all,” Corinna shook her head, twisting off the cap of her water bottle. “I just think some are unexpected, like uh,” eyebrows dipped as she tried to remember them all, sipping from her water bottle before twisting the cap back on. “Well, I thought Oliver would win—or I was hoping for it, anyway. Zuri too. And then I didn’t see Edgar winning and he doesn’t seem thrilled that he did,” she smiled. “But not bad at all. Just a diverse group, I think is what I meant to say. Been here eight years and I still don’t understand the purpose, but whatever, right?” “I don’t think I’ve seen you around, or well, not for long.” She extended her hand. “I’m Corinna.”

[corinnaburke]

emerywilliams​:

Emery had grown up with this yearly tradition. Honestly it was something that was way more fun when she was younger. Still, she made sure to attend and show her face every year. But at the end of the day, it was a tradition and she always enjoyed seeing the whole town come together. 

“Is it mean to say I’d rather it have been the runners up to win?” she asked, grinned softly. Emery was never really a big fan of the whole king and queen titles and to this day never really understood the need for them. “I mean I don’t think all the winning choices were bad, I just thought some of them maybe weren’t as expected.” she shrugged. Emery gave the little one a smile. “So how’s babysitting duty treating you?”

“Nah, I was thinking the same thing,” Corinna smiled at the young lady. “Well, sort of. I think some of the winners are funny, it’ll be fun to watch them during the week,” she shrugged her shoulders, her head tilting towards Ruben who seemed to be nodding off. Watching him yawn, she let out a sigh of relief. “Better now that he seems to be worn out,” she grinned. “I think he’s missing momma and daddy, though, he was a bit fussy earlier and I haven’t seen them in a couple hours. How are you, though? You get any good food today?” Admittedly, her stomach was rumbling and she was desperate.

[corinnaburke]

zuripeterson​:

     It was like the second the Mrs and the Mr was announced, Zuri was out of her gown and back in jeans. Though she did make sure to return to the parade, if for nothing more than to capture Ford smiling and waving to poke fun at him for it later. Though she had to admit, even with the itchy dress she had to adorn while they announced the winners she was having quite a bit of fun. Might even say she had missed it while she was away.

     “I think…” she trailed off glancing up at the winners before returning her attention to Corinna. “I’ve never been more happy to hear the words runner up in my life. Did not expect Ford to be up there though.” The thought alone made her laugh. “He always had girls crushing on him in high school for his bad boy mystique, but something about that transferring past graduation just don’t sit right.” Her tone was playful as she kept pace with the other. “Out of everyone who caught you by surprise the most.”

“Oh yeah?” Corinna turned to Zuri, bouncing slightly as she rubbed Ruben to sleep. “I imagine that takes a load off ya.” She grinned and shook her head. “Yeah, Ford was definitely not one I was expecting,” she admitted. “He didn’t look too happy when he got the crown,” a giggle escaped her lips. Corinna wasn’t one to make fun, but there was just something about watching a man with a scowl having a crown placed atop his head. “Were you one of those girls?” Corinna couldn’t help but smirk, pressing her lips together into a line. “Definitely Ford, though. And Edgar. He’d been talking all week about how he absolutely did not want to be voted in. Obviously that backfired.”

[corinnaburke]

zahraammun​:

“I mean… what is there really to say about something that you win by being good looking when it comes down to the wire?” She asked rhetorically, head tilting for a second as she took a sip from the iced coffee she had in her hands. Something she felt like she needed when dealing with anything this town had to offer. You’d think she’d be used to it since she’d lived here her whole life yet that wasn’t the case. “I would have preferred people that would take the whole thing and make it enjoyable instead of standing there looking stiff. Like… honey, we know you don’t wanna be here, you don’t have to fake it.” 

Corinna had to conceal her laugh. If anything, Zahra was just saying what everyone was thinking. “I mean, I would think maybe it had something to do with if residents knew them, if the contestants contributed to Maywood, right? Maybe?” Her tone hitched just a bit, optimistic that there was absolutely a reason for each person that was voted. “It’s not really their fault, if you think about it. And what are they gonna say? No?” Corinna rose an eyebrow, pursing her lips as that thought appeared. Well, that wasn’t illegal. “Maybe nobody thought to do that.”

[corinnaburke]

mrgriffinreynolds​:

Griffin needed a break from all the crowds. It was amusing to watch his friends up on the float, Edgar the grumpiest of them all though Ford was probably a close second. He did enjoy the bowtie though. It was a nice touch. However he did miss having ball there with him, that way he wasn’t eating a whole funnel cake on his own. 

Staring down a plate of fried dough and powdered sugar he made his way down the street. He couldn’t help but chuckle seeing Corinna and Ruben up ahead musing about the Maywood Royalty. Stepping up next to her he lifted the plate in an subtle offer to share.  “You’ve got that right. Its actually pretty amusing to see them up there, honestly I think the runner ups were more prepared for all the festivities than some of the actual winners. I see they put you on babysitting duty, how’s little Ruben doing? 

Corinna hadn’t realized her question was spoken out loud until Griffin’s sneak up. Lifting her head to look at him, she pursed her lips. Ensuring Ruben was secured, she reached for his plate, her hands making grabby hand motions as she tore off some of his funnel cake. “How did you think you could eat all that by yourself?” She grinned before taking a bite, keeping the dessert at arms’ length from Ruben. “Thanks.” “Yeah, really, though. I can’t imagine what the runner ups think,” she mused. Licking her lips free of sugar remnants, she tilted her head. Her now clean fingers, thanks to white jeans, ran across Ruben’s hair, thicker than she expected. “I mean, he’s alive, right?” She joked. “He’s been super good today, which thank God, I don’t think I was prepared to do this solo, but he hasn’t been too fussy.” “Were you one of the contestants for the thing? Some of the boys look super unhappy,” she couldn’t help but snort. “I don’t know if I should feel bad or not.”

[corinnaburke]

camxdemir​:

Cam looked at the card in the woman’s hand next to her. She smiled for a moment but then raised her eyebrow at the words ‘interesting bunch’. “I have to like the winners or at least one of them. My twin sister is part of the interesting bunch, as you were pointing out,” she said to Corinna, pointing at the name of Alex near the top of the twenties category of Miss Maywood. “But I do have to admit that some of the other choices are quite unexpected, don’t you think?”

Corinna poked her tongue against her cheek as she peered at where Cam pointed at the name on the brochure. Mindlessly bouncing side to side from each foot, she tilted her head. “I didn’t mean to say that like it was bad…it’s just…interesting,” she emphasized. “Congratulations to Alex, though. But yeah, for sure,” she let out a giggle. “Who do you think was the most unexpected?”

[edgarfortiers-a]

The announcement of Mr. Maywood had taken him by surprise. In fact, he’d actively campaigned and requested that people not vote for him. So, hearing his name announced had felt like a sock to the gut. “You have got to be fucking kidding me,” Edgar groaned. “I’m a good person. I swear, I don’t deserve this.”

[corinnaburke]

“You sure ‘bout that?” Corinna snorted as she tilted her head. “What’s wrong with being voted in, anyway? Just gotta wave a few times here and there, wear some stupid crown and be pampered to,” at least that was what she imagined. “I mean…correct me if I’m wrong. I’ve never been a part of this thing,” lips pursed in curiosity. “Is it gonna kill ya?”

[corinnaburke]

WHAT: Maywood Parade WHERE: Downtown Maywood

After eight years of residing in Maywood, Corinna still did not make up her mind on how she felt about Founder’s Week. One part of her appreciated it, she learned something new every year and on the other hand… she did not see what the point was, if you looked beyond the superficial stuff of the awards and the King and Queen… what else was there? What was the goal? “I suppose we’ll never know,” Corinna cooed at her tiny friend, walking through an oddly quiet part of the parade path. Stepping up onto the sidewalk, the woman shifted Ruben’s weight on her quickly as she enveloped him with her arms. “What do you think of this year’s winners?” She inquired out loud, finally reading some brochure or card, whatever that lady said, that had all the names documented. What was amusing ( and lowkey sad ), though, was that her boyfriend and the resident hot daddy, the said daddy of the baby she’d been caring for all day, both lost and fell to runner up. “Kind of an…interesting bunch, if I say so myself.”

[corinnaburke]

oliverbentleys‌:

Oliver blushed as soon as the words left his mouth. He’d always been a strange child, obsessed with history and mythology. Add to the fact that he’d spent countless hours watching The Golden Girls with one of his babysitters and could quote almost every line of any random episode, made him the sort of child that other child didn’t know how to relate to – the odd man out. So, he was still trying to understand why Cory find his strangeness amusing. 

“I uh… I suck at normal compliments, okay?” As he spoke, he adjusted the watch on his wrist. It had been a gift for his father when he’d graduated from his MSW program. It had appeared in the mail one day and Oliver had kept it on every since as a reminder that his father knew exactly what was happening in his life and thought about him every now and then, even if they didn’t talk often. 

“A fan of chocolate chips? Do you know me?” He quirked an eyebrow, a half smile on his face. “My go to order at the cafe is a double chocolate muffin. Anything chocolate works for me.” He realized that his enthusiasm had been a  bit over the top and bit his lip. “Unless you wanted to go out. In which case, my treat.”

“Oh, Oliver Bentley, you absolutely do not,” Corinna grinned, head shaking. Keys jangled as she fiddled with the remote lock. Clicking on the green button, she shrugged the tote off her shoulder while pulling the back door open, tossing it on the seat. Glancing at him, her head tilted quickly. “Get in, chocolate lover,” she opened her door and slid in, pressing the key into the ignition. “You have to help me, though,” she finally spoke once she pulled out of the oddly crowded parking space, index finger wiggling in self-defense. “Been a minute since I’ve made them,” she admitted.

[corinnaburke]

diegoxalvarez‌:

“When you say Beyonce, are you thinking Drunk in Love or Love on Top,” Diego questioned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He couldn’t say that he knew all of Beyonce’s considerable collection of songs, but he knew enough… and karaoke? Karaoke was his thing. It was something that he usually did with his wife, but tonight, she was home with their son. His meeting had ended a little under twenty minutes ago and he’d been debating heading home or indulging. With the offer, it seemed as if the decision had been made for him.

“If it’s a partner you want, it’s a partner you’ve got.” 

Corinna pursed her lips, rather impressed with his range of knowledge. However, Corinna couldn’t be surprised, she’d admired when he and his wife embraced the stage with their vocals. “Hmm,” she paused as she tilted her head. God, they were both great choices and she couldn’t go wrong with either one. “Drunk in Love?” She murmured, almost unsure. “Or flip a coin,” she let out a quick laugh. “But yes, please,” she let out a laugh. “Oh wait! What’s Lindy’s top song for Bey since she's not here with us?”

[corinnaburke]

lincolnreed‌:

Lincoln smirked as he looked up from the woman who had grabbed his attention, seconds before. The suggestion of singing a duet was a little too funny, mainly because he definitely didn’t have nearly enough liquor in him to make this a good show. But instead of shutting the idea down completely, as he so desired to do, he decided he was going to play along. “You’re gonna need shots to forget the awful back-up.” He responded, more a promise then anything else. “Lets say that I was willing to do that, what Beyonce song are we talking?” He questioned, arching a brow in pure curiosity at the choices that could be given. 

“You don’t know that,” Corinna challenged the man. Tilting her head, she exhaled deeply, falling into thought. “What Beyoncé songs do you know?” She rose an eyebrow. “It ain’t worth it if you can’t really get into it, ya feel? And not just by a few verses, I’m talkin’ the whole song,” her hand flailed. “Beginning to end, the whole shebang, buddy.”

[corinnaburke]

zahraammun‌:

One of Zahra’s little hobbies that she kept hidden deep, deep down was the fact that she really enjoyed karaoke. She enjoyed singing in general. It had been one of the few things that had managed to push her past the grief of losing her mother and remained to this day something that made her happy on days where she wasn’t feeling so great. With some alcohol already in her system, she watched the woman on stage essentially asking for a partner which made her laugh. Soon enough, she was raising her hand and rising to her feet, “I’ll do it!” She proclaimed, walking over to the stage, “I could never say no at the chance to sing some classic Queen Bey. But it really depends on if you want to do more recent Bey songs or if you wanna throw it back a few years. I can do both but I gotta get in the mindset first.”

Corinna’s nose twitched as she challenged the crowd. There were a few laughs, but no takers…until a volunteer popped up from where she’d been sitting. The benefits of a smaller town was that Corinna could recognize just about anyone. Grinning, she helped the woman up onto the stage. “Oh,” she spit in surprise. “Enthusiastic, I like it, unlike the rest of the crowd,” she whispered into her microphone, prompting a couple of laughs. “Let’s see… Formation? Ooooh, Run the World?” As if on cue, Corinna remembered just how exhausting that song was, but that was the whole point of the song was to trade off, wasn’t it? “Can’t go wrong with any Beyonce song, let’s be real.”