“If i had known you would be this accepting of my horrible sleep schedule, i would have told you to come back after 2 pm.” she teased. the laughter that comes from him, gives Rosette butterflies in her stomach. she had heard it before on numerous occasions and each time, her tiny crush on her elder brother’s friend would grow just a little. “it’s true! you are bafflingly perfect. it’s like you straight up walked out of a fairytale.” she joked, with a hint of veracity as well as infatuation to it. “who cares about what they think? there’s always going to be something someone won’t like about you, you can’t make EVERYONE happy. so why even try? i say fuck them, and live your life the way you want to.” she stated. “and since we’re on the topic of judgement; i want you to know that whatever they’re saying about you, true or not, i don’t care. i know you, at least i think i do. whatever happened, it doesn’t reflect on who you are at your core, not for me at least.” she assured him.
she laughed at the joke, glad there was a level of comfort between them. she cocked her head to a side as she saw how he viewed her brother’s situation “exactly, he had no idea. thank you, for being understanding. you didn’t have to be, you could have easily taken your sister’s side and chosen to be angry with him.” she observed. “relieved?” she asked incredulously. she laughed lightly to hide the giddy smile that was appearing on her face. “Korey, you don’t need to lie. you have known me for a really long time, so i find it very hard to believe that statement.” she chuckled with a shake of her head. “and you are not a ‘short straw’, please. did you completely miss the part where i called you the literal embodiment of every girl’s dream guy? why on earth would you think that you’re anything but a catch?” she curiously asked.
“i mean it’s not too late, you can still tell me to piss off if you’d like to. i won’t take it to heart. i’m incredibly moody when i haven’t had enough sleep. just forewarning you now.” his smile is brighter now. the way she was responding to him was enough to convince him that she didn’t loathe his guts. something he was genuinely afraid of discovering. shoulders drop visibly as anxiety starts to escape him. he’d thank her for it, but he suspects he’d be thanking her a lot during this conversation, anyway. it seems as though the smile is sure to become a permanent fixture on his expression as he listens to her talk. he’s not known for reddened cheeks, but it seems as though that’s a fact he’s willing to change is a warmth coats his expression. “well then...” he’s not entirely sure what to say in response, but it’s written all over his features just how much it means to him. he doesn’t believe it, it’s possible he never really will but he appreciates the sentiment. he’s thankful that even in jest she’s willing to suggest he’s anything but what the gossip blogs had portrayed him to be in recent weeks. “you have no idea how glad i am to hear you say that.” he’ll admit, more bashful now than ever. eyes are sparkling as his gaze travels across every corner of her room. “i think the same. whatever anybody says about you, they don’t define you.” he adds on for further clarification.
“i’ve been a hypocrite for a large portion of my life. i think it’s time i stopped doing that. your brother has acquired enough judgement from others. he doesn’t need it from me, too.” truth be told, he didn’t quite know what her brother thought of him. however, he was someone who preferred to keep the peace. now so much had been twisted and turned about him, he’d make sure he took every piece of information he learnt about a person with a pinch of salt.it was alarming how easily rumours could be spread, stories could be twisted into something else that they were not, whilst still under the guise of being -- somewhat true. “i can’t lie. i mean i can, i’m impossibly good at it, actually -- but i can’t lie to you.” his beam is blinding at this point as he takes a step closer to her. “if i’m a prince charming, than you’re a disney princess. granted, you’re a lot more fun than the majority of them, but.” he cocks his head to the side. “it helps that i’ve known you for so long, at least i know...what i’m getting into.” he chooses to tease, teeth gnawing at his bottom lip; dimming his smile just enough for it not to be overwhelming. “i think right now...i’m not -- the ideal man, i’m not who i want to be. or, at least not in the world’s eye. i’m working on it though, i can promise you that.”
