Beneath My Princess Façade Lays A Rebellious Heart
@dancergirlnicolette
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” -Lao Tzu 29 II Music Lover II Dancer II Flirt ll Loyal II Open Hearted II Sarcastic ll Nurturing II Tea Addict II
“After this we can go eat whatever you want,” he chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I’ve never been in a haunted house, so I’m kind of excited,” The Romanian admitted, giving her a grin. He didn’t ever celebrate halloween until he became an adult and even then it wasn’t anything truly festive like this year had been.
“If I can eat.” She grumbled lightly but smiled at the thought of all the Halloween themed snacks and food that the different stand held. “Be prepared. I’ve heard people saying how terrifying it is and I’ve been in one or two in my time and they can be pretty out there.” She shook her head lightly as she remembered some of the haunted houses she’d been in before.
Luca could tell something was off the moment he saw his girlfriend. He knew that she and her friends had been having issues. As they slowly walked, he wrapped an arm around her waist. “You feeling okay?” Luca asked worriedly, rubbing her back. “You seem….off,” he said quietly, biting at his lip.
She leaned against him when he wrapped an arm around her and slid her own arm around his waist in return. “I’m okay. Other than feeling all bleh on occasion from not being able to figure out what i want to eat.” She gave him a reassuring smile. Whatever issues she was having with her friends, she didn’t want him to worry about them. She’d figure them out on her own.
“The winner of the Halloween costume competition will be announced in a couple of hours. The food and drinks are over there,” he pointed it out as if it wasn’t blatantly obvious already, “thank you all for coming, and enjoy the party!” Ashwin finished his quick welcome speech, glad he hadn’t messed anything up; public speaking really wasn’t his thing. As much as he wanted to enjoy the night himself, he couldn’t help feeling a bit apprehensive; he wasn’t sure how his old friends at Harpoole would react to finding out he actually came from a family rich enough to buy the hotel.
Getting off the makeshift platform Ash tried not to roll his eyes as one of his staff gestured to him that his wig was askew. Turning to find a mirror, he tried to think of all the different ways he could get back at his brother for choosing this costume. Though Ash had kind of brought this on himself, so far he’d lost five times in a row when it came to betting against Hari, and Ash didn’t know why he thought this time would be any different. Still, there were worse costumes than Elvis. Sidestepping to avoid a waitress carrying a tray of canapes he lightly bumped into someone else, “I’m sorry,” he apologised, turning to see if the person was okay, “are you alright?”
Colette huffed in annoyance when her stomach rumbled in a threatening way at the smell of canapes that someone carried past her. She was getting tired of feeling sick all the time, and feeling tired frequently and she was not looking forward to not being able to dance and she knew that was going to be happening soon enough. She hissed lightly when someone bumped into her and almost grew defensive until she saw who it was. “Ashwin?! Ohmigod! When did you get back in town?!”
Tallulah was in a rush to get ready for the Halloween party, wanting to socialize with all the people, and maybe scope out some she hadn’t met yet. She moved around the home she shared with Max and Carissa in a towel, hoping time would somehow stop cause she knew she was running late. She heard a knock at the slightly opened front door. She figured it was Max, and was already rolling her eyes, figuring he was becoming impatient. “Hey, just have a seat and wait a minute! I know I’m late, I know I’m a girl and taking too long, but you can hold on!”
Moving out of the way and back towards her room, she quickly got dressed and didn’t bother to dry her hair. She’d already finished her make up, and her hair would dry just as she wanted it. “Okay, okay, I’m ready, eesh, why does time always feel shorter on Halloween?” She asked, still having not realized who’d entered her home as she adjusted the front of her costume. Glancing up, her face flushed, “Oh, well, shit, you aren’t Max… Well, how do I look?”
Nicolette didn’t know what had caused her to enter the house but she had and now she was staring at the brunette’s costume in appreciation. “You look gorgeous! Did you make that yourself?” She glanced from the other girl’s costume to her own and almost felt like a raggedy kid in comparison until she remembered how much she loved Alice in Wonderland.
She wasn’t sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing that she was paired up with a stranger, she also wasn’t sure it was a good thing that she was going in as one of the first pairs. They’d all be on their best form to start with. She wandered through the halls of the rooms, picking and choosing carefully where to place her feet and how far to walk.
She jumped backwards when the first vampire jumped out at her, it was entirely unexpected. She hadn’t meant to jump so hard and suddenly she was laughing, until the vampire came back, appearing over their shoulders spurring them further on.
Breaking through curtains into another room she felt herself go cold, she screamed harder than she meant to when a chucky came running at her and chased her out of the house.
She ran hard, not even realizing what she was scared of, she ran out of the haunted house, laughing and half shaking, grabbing hold of the first person she came in contact with. “Oh god! I’m sorry! I swear that haunted house is slightly terrifying.”
“This is exactly why I wasn’t sure about going in with Luca let alone again.” Colette let out a groan and tried to calm herself down, taking slow deep breaths a hand resting on her stomach. She felt like she was going to throw up and really didn’t want to. “Why did I do that again? Why did you do that? What is wrong with us?!”
Luca was excited to say the least. He had thought originally he wasn’t going to be able to make it to any of the Halloween festivities due to work but it seemed like God was having mercy on him and his boss let him go four hours early. He ended up texting Colette and soon enough they were both standing in front of the haunted house that was up in Harpoole every year. This year it seemed a lot scarier than Luca remembered it being, but maybe it was because he now had to think of protecting Colette and their baby.
He took the brunette’s hand, squeezing it gently. “Ready Dragoste?” Luca asked with a smile, pressing a kiss to her cheek. He let his other hand fall against her all but flat tummy, his mouth quirking upwards. “I promise to keep you and the little one safe.”
Nicolette had felt sick off and on all day and wasn’t sure she was really up to doing anything today but she knew that if she didn’t go to see all the Halloween things she’d regret it. She felt an ache in her heart when she caught a glimpse of a picture of her and Kayt on her dresser, she and the blonde hadn’t spoken since their talk at the blonde’s shop. Colette’s phone call with Nate hadn’t gone much better, and it broke her heart that the two of them were angry with her. She wasn’t that different, was she? With a small sigh and shake of her head she forced those thoughts out of her mind and focused on getting into her costume. She’d been excited Luca had told her he’d be able to go with her and met up with him quickly. She wasn’t so sure about the haunted house, though she remembered a time when that sort of thing hadn’t worried her at all.
“I’m going to regret this I just know it.” She joked lightly, giving him a smile and a kiss on the cheek. “Let’s do this.”
Hazel took a deep breath, grabbing a pair of straighteners ready to use them as a defence. “We’re closed” she announced from back of store “so I’m going to have to ask you to leave and if you don’t I’ll call the police.”
Colette’s head popped up and she flushed a it before giving a reassuring smile. “I’m sorry! I hope I didn’t spook you. I just sort of wandered off from my usual path home and I saw someone moving around in here and thought someone broke in. I’ll leave now though.”
Violet laughed, nodding her head and stretching again. “That’s definitely what I am, I dunno about you so much.” Violet laughed and nodded, taking off at a run down the park and took a deep breath as she took a run up, doing the exact routine. She turned around afterward and grinned, feeling slightly accomplished. “Like that right?”
Colette laughed and reached up to brush her hair out of her face. “Trust me I’m an ancient old lady. Like the ones that heroes meet on a quest when they need that final piece of sage advise to help them complete their mission when they have no hope..... That’s me, little old sage lady.” She chuckled lightly before laughing as she watched Violet do the routine. “Yes, like that! That was awesome!”
Kayt stood as she listened to Nicolette speak, unamused by her speech. She’d spoken to Nate and he’d told her if he’d been there he would’ve taken her to the nearest body of water and dumped her in- head first. Barring it deep enough for her current ego, he’d made sure to add in. Kayt stood with arms crossed, eyebrows raised she listened. “Are you quite done yet?” She asked, tone level, and frustratingly proper as the Irish accent peaked. She’d told herself to handle this with the profession of her heritage.
“I didn’t throw a tantrum, for your information, I was pissed not that ya ‘adn’t told me,but that I’d found out on feckin’ instagram, Nikki-” She paused, leaning back, cool tone slipping over her tongue, eyebrow raised in question with her next statement, “Or should I call ya Colette?” The name sounded strange on her tongue, wrong, “Since not only didja decide to come up with a new name, but a new character when comin’ ‘ere, eh?” She adjusted to talk with her hand, waving it in a circle, other hand holding her elbow, “I ofTen wonder what ‘appened after we left that changed ya, ya know? I see ‘ow you act wit others, it’s not te same. And I’m doubtful it’s jus’ cause of what ya almost did in France.” She sighed, swallowing and waiting a few moments for the accent to subside. It took longer than she’d expected, “What’s wrong with you, Niks? I remember a time when you’d’ve broken a glass and tried to cut Kaiden’s throat upon seeing him, or would have texted me telling me you were pregnant from the feckin’ toilet.”
Colette tilted her head lightly before reaching up to brush her hair out of her face. This didn’t feel right, she could tell already things were going to turn sour and she wished she knew how to talk to Kayt about things like this without it turning into a fight. They used to be able to talk all the time about anything. “Yes. I’m quite finished.” She replied, one eyebrow raising.
“I didn’t want you to find out like that!” Colette protested, that was the last way she wanted anyone to find out about it and she just hoped that none of her family or her other friends had seen it yet. “What are you talking about?” Her nose scrunched up in confusion at Kayt’s words. She wasn’t that different from when they were kids in Los Angeles. At the mention of Paris she felt her face flush and her eyes narrowed before she blew out a breath to calm herself, Kayt wasn’t using that against her or throwing it in her face, Kayt wouldn’t do that. “It’s called growing up, Kayt. I can’t act like a stupid teenager forever. What’s my reaction to Kaiden have to do with anything anyway? I apologized for that! And for the millionth time I wanted you to find out in person!! What’s so bad about waiting until I could tell you in person?! I won’t be able to do that with anyone else I love, they’ll all have to hear it over the phone so what’s so wrong with wanting to tell you, the sister of my heart and soul, in person?!” She didn’t understand, everything was all wrong and Kayt wasn’t making it easy for her.
“Oi, not okay. I didn’t approve of this!” Kayt huffed drunkenly, glaring at her best friend as she downed a shot. They’d always been particularly protective of Kayt, though she was more than capable of protecting herself- in most cases. “Kill one another?! Never! Just fuel for between the sheets,” she winked, before bursting out laughing, “I’m kidding, I promise, I never fucked Scott. God forbid. I’d’ve killed him.” She snorted at the sudden physical affection, finding it easier to take from Nikki than from anyone else, “One day, mo shiorghra, one day.” She grinned, whiskey-fueled fire in her eyes. “Oi, no way, I’m paying for it.”
“You were seven you didn’t get a say in the matter and by now it’s way too late.” Colette laughed brightly. She could remember how protective she and Nate could be over Kayt, despite the blonde’s ability to take care of herself. Some times Kayt had needed the reminded that she didn’t have to handle things alone. “Ew!! Kayt!!” She whined, swatting at the blonde. “I think my soul just died a little, kidding or not.” She grumbled lightly, almost wanting to order a drink for herself just to forget that, only to remember that she couldn’t. She blinked at the nickname and gave a sad little smile. Nate had called her that all the time, she’d forgotten that she missed it. “It’s been a long time since I heard that.” She said softly before scoffing and shaking her head. “No, it’s your birthday. I’m paying.”
Sean shook his head, attempting to cover it with a smile. “I promise I’m okay, just things are a little crazy lately with everything going on. Quitting drugs actually. Been clean for a bit so I’m just staying away from every mention or ounce.” It wasn’t quite the truth but it was enough. “Well not I’m shaking, and not just from the withdrawal.”
Colette blinked at his words. She hadn’t been expecting that response that was for sure. For a moment she blanked, remembering Kayt’s struggles and how she’d wanted to be there for her friend. Then a big, brilliant smile came to her lips and she reached over to gently squeeze his arm. “Sean! That’s brilliant! I’m happy for you.” She rocked back on her heels and scoffed lightly, playfully shoving his arm. “Oh hush.”
Beauty and grace are the first words that come to mind when one describes Nicolette Usmey; rough and uncouth are the words one would use to describe Nathaniel Uostein. One word that they had in common, however, would be devoted, particularly to one another. Both fragile and fierce in their own ways they fit together like the jagged edges of a jigsaw; their love a pure beauty in a world filled with ugly horror.
“How is Kayt?” Nikki whispered softly, tracing patterns against the bare arm around her waist. It was going to be their last night together, after the horror of nearly losing Kayt, the Uosteins were moving from Los Angeles and this was how Nate and Nikki wanted to say goodbye: just being together in all ways that they could. He had snuck into her room like he’d done so many times before and she had made sure to play her music just loud enough so that Scott wouldn’t hear anything from his connecting room, though she was sure he knew what was going on since he was playing music of his own.
“She’s .... She’s Kaytie, she’s tough and she says she gets why we’re leaving though I don’t think she’s entirely thrilled about it.” Nate murmured softly, nuzzling the top of her head.
“How’re you? And don’t try to lie to me, Nathaniel, I’ll know if you do.” She warned softly, causing him to chuckle and squeeze her lightly.
“I don’t want to go. My life here, my friends …. You … I don’t want to leave any of it but Kaytie, she needs to get away from the toxicity of LA and that gang. I swear I could fuckin kill Kaiden.” The dark tone in his voice alarmed her and she squeezed his arm in warning causing him to huff in acknowledgement. “Guess you can tell how I am.”
“I have a hint.” She said, her dry tone matching his and he chuckled again. “Get some sleep, love.” She murmured something in response and he felt her beginning to relax into sleep though he couldn’t relax himself just yet. He meant what he told her: he wanted his sister safe but he didn’t want to leave everything they knew. He’d miss his life, his friends and he would definitely miss her. He didn’t realize he’d begun to shift and squirm along with his restless thoughts.
“You’re thinking too hard, cher.” Nikki’s voice was soft, breaking the through the silent darkness of her bedroom and Nate hummed lowly as he pulled her closer, burying his nose in her hair.
“Thought the running joke was that I don’t think.” He mumbled and she squirmed until she was facing him.
“You and I both know that’s not true at all.” She trailed her fingers along his arm and up to his face, cupping his jaw. “What’s wrong? Is it about moving? You know it’s best and who knows, perhaps one day you and I will find each other once more.” Nate didn’t reply at first, just leaned into her hand and let his eyes drift shut before he sighed and pressed his lips against her forehead. She was patient, waiting him out knowing that he would tell her eventually once he’d thought it through and knew how to word whatever was on his mind. People always joked that Nate didn’t think all that much (due to his reckless, impatient behavior) and while it was true that he wasn’t necessarily a genius when it came to book smarts or school he definitely thought more than people gave him credit for. He just had a hard time putting his thoughts into coherent words which didn’t help people’s assumptions about him but Nikki had learned to be patient with him and let his thoughts run their course.
“I love you.” The words weren’t unusual to hear between the two of them, though Nikki would admit that the intensity in which Nate said them now surprised her. She stared at him for a few minutes, knowing he wouldn’t tell her what had him up in the middle of the night thinking so much no matter how much she wanted him to. She gave him a serene little smile, one she was known for in her group of friends and gently nudged his chin with her forehead.
“I love you too. Even when you keep me up at night by losing yourself in your thoughts.” He chuckled at her words and pressed another kiss to her forehead.
“‘M not lost. ‘M right here with you, love.” She sighed into his neck and clung to him with a sudden ferocity that surprised her, but he took it in stride and held her close murmured a quiet song against her skin as she fell asleep in his arms.
“‘M never lost when I have you, love. I dread the day you wake up and realize you deserve much better than me. I hope it never comes and maybe it won’t, maybe I’m wrong and the world is wrong and I’m exactly what you need. What is you always say ‘we’re two pieces of a jigsaw, we were always waiting for our match and never realized it until we found one another’? Guess I shouldn’t doubt you, you’re the genius after all. I just … My heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest because it feels like it’s gotten too small to hold it and it’s all because of you. Your smile, your laugh, even when you’re pissed off at me and yelling in French about what an asshole I am, I can’t stop that overwhelmed feeling I get from loving you. I’ll never stop loving you, not even when I die will I stop loving you so this move will be nothing. You’re right, perhaps one day we will find one another once more..” Nate’s voice was soft as he spoke, pulling away from her just enough to see her peacefully sleeping face. A gentle smile came to his face and he pressed one last kiss to her forehead and whispered one final thing before he, too, drifted off to sleep. “I’m such an idiot in love.”
Uostein Automotive Repair - Main Street || Oct. 22 || @dancergirlnicolette
Kayt was irritated, it was obvious. She paced back and forth in her shop, wrench in hand just so she had something to grip onto. She thrust the fingers of her empty hand through her hair. She couldn’t believe Nicolette hadn’t told her she could be pregnant, of all things. First Farren, now Niks? Kaytlinn groaned, throwing the wrench into the fridge and leaving a nasty dent and scuff.
“What?!” She snapped, twirling around on her heel as she heard someone enter the shop. Her eyes rested on her best friend’s form, irritation obvious about her form. She stood, hands on her hips, with her right hip popped out, “Oh, hey, I guess this was payback?”
Colette sighed deeply, as soon as she had seen Kayt’s text she knew she and the blonde were probably going to argue again. Then she’d see the comments between Kayt and Luca on instagram and annoyance had filled her. She didn’t know who she was annoyed at: Luca, Kayt or herself. She knew she should’ve told Kayt sooner but she hadn’t wanted to do it through text message because she was going to have to tell enough people over the phone and the last time she’d seen the blonde was for her birthday and Colette hadn’t wanted to take away from Kayt’s celebration since the blonde so rarely celebrated her birthday.
She raised an eyebrow as she watched Kayt pace in her shop and raised the other one at the blonde’s snappy tone. She’d promised herself she would keep her cool and wouldn’t lose her temper this time but she could tell already that it was going to be hard. “No. it was not ‘payback’, Kaytlinn. I was just picky about how I told my best friend something this big. Especially since I only just found out myself. And, I am not even one hundred percent sure myself.” She took a deep breath to regain her composure, her French accent was getting out of control with her annoyance. “I still have to make a doctor’s appointment to make sure. Could you please refrain from throwing a tantrum on social media in the future when I do not inform you of something right away?”
“Oi, I’m not a brat!” She huffed, rolling her eyes dramatically. Kayt loved being around Nikki- it reminded her of old times. The good old times, the ones where she was truly having fun with her friends. “Hey, hey, I liked him! I mean, I hated him, too. He was an irritating sumbitch,” Kayt shook her head, remembering the time’s she’d spent when Nikki wasn’t home yet, or generally busy, having staring contests in a tense room with Scott. They didn’t not get along, but they also didn’t get a long one bit. “Aww! Don’t ever give that up!” She grinned, but shook her head, “I always need more alcohol! Don’t doubt me! Bartender, four shots of Crown, please!”
“Yes you are. You’re mine and Nate’s brat. We negotiated joint custody when you were seven.” She smirked lightly, she wasn’t even sure if she was making that up but it sounded like something she and Nate would do so she went with it. She laughed and shook her head. “Those are all understatements. I swear I thought sometimes you two were really trying to kill one another!” She couldn’t help herself and suddenly leaned over to hug Kayt and press a kiss to her cheek. “Don’t worry, cherie, I still have secret hopes of one day talking you into my bed.” She laughed before raising an eyebrow at Kayt. “You’re going to try and bankrupt me tonight aren’t you?”
Violet stretched one way and then the other, her bones cracking about five times each way she stretched. “If that’s you being an old lady I’d hate to think what I am.” Violet scrunched up her nose. “Of course! The Bring It On movies are like a rite of passage to womanhood, along with Mean Girls.”
Colette laughed and shook her head. “Maybe we’re both little old ancient ladies and we just don’t know it.” She rocked back on her heels then up on her toes, her smirk growing. “You remember that tryout scene where they asked Missy to do a crap ton of cartwheels and flips and step outs before ending with a full twisting layout or whatever..... Yeah, I used to be able to do that completely on point and in rhythm with her. Bet if I tried to do it know I’d break my neck.”
