self-proclaimer

t your service. You might've heard of me. I know everything there is to know about the so-called private lives of Preston's finest. Gossip? I prefer to think of it as research. I'll be glad to furnish you with any information you need, for a price. Private Press? What Private Press?

[edwinhuxley]

snow day || riley & edwin

[riley-vega]

"Oh please, now what’s the use in that? When would I ever need such information." Riley shook his head and chuckled. "Football? Oh…yeah. I do enjoy it, actually. Sometimes I really really hate it though."

Riley shrugged. “It’s normal for athletes, no? But in the end I guess I just…really like it. Or else I still wouldn’t be doing it.” He finished, absentmindedly fiddling with the fabric of his jacket.

Riley glanced up when Edwin offered his scarf back, immediately breaking into a soft smile and shaking his head.

"No…keep it for now. I can handle a little cold. I wouldn’t feel much better knowing you were if I could do something about it." He reasoned, glancing up at the cloudy sky.

"Drama? Oh you mean the whole Masquerade fiasco?" Riley laughed softly.

"Yeah that was…that was something alright."

[edwinhuxley]

"Why's that?" Edwin didn't think footballers would ever hate football. They seemed to enjoy all the pep talks and the violence and the athleticism in everything. They probably did team group hugs or whatever. 

"Oh." He released the scarf, leaving it nestled against his neck."Well. Thanks. That's good of you." He toed the ground with his boot, knocking off snow. It was hard to carry on a conversation like this. Most his social interaction involved mutual hatred, or some form of exchange of information. Extracting gossip was a lot easier than thinking of friendly things to say.

He looked up at the mention of the Masquerade.

"That's a way to put it." He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess it, uh. Made me re-evaluate my life choices?" 

It was hard to explain how he felt about having ruined Alex and Nat's relationship like that, and it was just as hard to explain why.

"What did you think of it?"

[alexandereverett-deactivated201]

Poor? Innocent? Who are you trying to kid?

[edwinhuxley]

Then tell me what I did wrong, Everett, because I don't fucking know either! All I did was to tell the truth! 

'

[wesdonovan]

I missed you punks. Did you fuck anything up for me while I was gone?

[edwinhuxley]

Everything.

[edwinhuxley]

snow day || riley & edwin

[riley-vega]

Riley chuckled at the random statistic, a slightly lopsided smile spread lazily on his face.

"No, I didn’t know that actually," Riley shrugged, as if for emphasis. "It’s alright. Football’s not for everyone. I know a lot of people who’d rather sit in the stands and watch football rather than face the danger of getting tackled. Others don’t even want anything to do with it." Riley chuckled softly.

He stood up and shook his legs out a bit, snuggling the lower half of his face a little deeper into the collar of his jacket. With his fists buried deep into his pockets, Riley nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, let’s walk. Preferably to some place where I’m not freezing.” He shuddered when a sudden chill went down his spine.

"And I totally understand." It wasn’t as if Riley exactly wanted to be at home for the holidays either. He loved his family, but it would save him from stress from his father if he stayed on school grounds for the holidays.

"Being around here isn’t too bad, even if most of the people go home for the breaks."

[edwinhuxley]

He nudged the other boy lightly. "You should do your research. But yeah, watching it is enough excitement for me. You must really enjoy it, huh?" Because you had to really enjoy something to do it, knowing how dangerous it was. Ed rarely paid attention to matches; he only ever went for the gossip and socialising, but he did know Riley was good.

"Oh, hey, sorry. Do you want your scarf back?" Not that he wanted to give it back, because he was starting to feel the cold from the damp of the melted snow now, but it seemed the decent thing to do after Riley had offered it.

"Yeah?" Edwin glanced at the other boy thoughtfully. Maybe everyone' had family stuff they didn't want to have to face. "Considering the drama that happened just before," he added. "I'd rather have an empty school."

It was hypocritical, really, since much of that drama had been orchestrated by himself and the Private Press. 

[edwinhuxley]

snow day || riley & edwin

[riley-vega]

Being careful not to let the snow soak through his clothing, Riley rested back on his heels, the crisp sound of snow crunching underneath his feet echoing in the small clearing.

"See I told you an ice pack would be worth it. It saves a lot of trouble too. I’d know from experience with football." Riley grinned, his head tilting to the side a little as he spoke.

"I’ll be honest. The silence is quite nice. It’s a lot more peaceful than I’m used to, but it’s a nice change of pace." He answered thoughtfully, hands rubbing together absentmindedly.

"You’re staying at school for the holidays as well, I’m assuming?

[edwinhuxley]

"Okay, seriously though." Ed clambered to his feet unsteadily in the soft snow. "Did you know that there are about 1.2 million football-related injuries every year? I don't think I have the balls for football."

He was quiet for a minute, enjoying the silence Riley had pointed out. The school grounds just seemed more beautiful when they were empty. "Yeah," he said, finally. "It's... serene." He looked up at the patches of clear sky visible through tree branches, and smiled to himself. "Let's walk."

"Oh, uh." Ed realised vaguely that his holiday plans might sound strange, but he instinctively guessed that Riley wouldn't be judgmental about them. Riley had seen him injured, after all. "Nat invited me to spend the holidays with her. I'd rather go than have to spend more time at home, you know?"

[edwinhuxley]

63, 70, 71, 74

63. What is your definition of “having sex”? 

Do I need to give you a biology lesson? The birds and the bees? Maybe you could look it up on Wikipedia.

70. What turns you on? 

Not much, really.

71. What was your kinkiest wet dream? 

That's just... creepily invasive. I've never had one. Honest. Cross my heart.

74. What’s the most superficial characteristic you look for? 

Cleanliness is a requirement, obviously. Apart from that, I don't really look out for anything in particular?

[edwinhuxley]

8, 9, 56

8. Describe your crush

Do I look like the kind of twitterpated asswad that has 'crushes'? I hope not.

9. Describe your perfect mate

They'd have to be understanding, I guess. Preferably really patient. I also really admire people who go all out to get what they want; don't do anything half-assed. 

56. State 8 facts about your body

Seriously? Okay, I'll try to be interesting.

My skin, especially on my fingertips, tends to get pretty dry.

I'm not incredibly fit. I know, okay? But I figure I'm above average.

But I am taller than most, so I make up for it in some ways. I guess.

The hair colour is natural, so shut up.

I'm pale, but I think a tan would be gross with red hair, so I'm glad of that. 

I have one of those nasty lumpy things on my middle finger because I press down hard when I write.

I... keep my nails neatly trimmed at all times? Can you tell I'm running out of shit to talk about?

People tell me I have a good profile, whatever that means. 

[edwinhuxley]

snow day || riley & edwin

[riley-vega]

One just knew that it was cold when they couldn’t just feelthe cold, but smell it too. Riley breathed in, immediately wrinkling his nose as the bitter cold air was inhaled into his system. Though uncomfortable, Riley broke into a smile. Weather like this signaled the coming of Christmas and the festive cheer that was right around the corner.

Riley snuggled just a bit deeper into his thick, red wool scarf as he walked through the forest, boots crunching in the crisp snow beneath his feet. His ears perked when the crunching of snow seemed strangely loud, causing Riley to stop in his tracks.

What got his attention was when the sound kept going even when he stopped walking. Someone was bound to be close by, and out of curiosity, Riley decided to follow the trail of sound.

The sight that the trail led him to made Riley chuckle, his breath forming visible clouds in the air.

"Well if it isn’t you." Riley grinned, stepping forward a little more before kneeling down to Edwin’s level.

"I see that the bruise is healing nicely after all." He reached to his scarf and unwrapped it from his neck, holding it out to Edwin. "Are you cold? You don’t seem to be wearing much of anything."

[edwinhuxley]

Ed could feel the damp of slow-melting snow seeping through his trousers as he sat up, blinking at the unexpected company. "Vega," he greeted, much more cheerily than he would have on any other day. Snow, and making snow angels, always helped his mood tremendously.

"Thanks to you," he allowed, grinning. "Usually they take a few weeks when I leave them alone, but this one's improved really quickly." His fingers reached up to trace the edges of the the bruise, around his left temple. It was less tender, and the bruise had faded noticeably - few people had even noticed the discolouration after a few days.

He took the proffered scarf, nodding his thanks sheepishly before winding it around his neck. Residual warmth from Riley's body heat still clung to it. "A little, yeah, but I don't mind too much. S'nice." He stretched his arms upwards and gave a little yawn. "What are you up to, Vega? Enjoying the emptied school grounds?"

[edwinhuxley]

3, 38, 44, 70

3. Are you a virgin?

Fuck off.

38. Have you ever liked someone you didn’t expect to?

I don’t generally expect to like anyone. I don’t have a ‘type’.

44. How many boyfriends/girlfriends have you had?

Answered. But yeah, there was a girl in freshman year.

70. What turns you on?

People with nice voices. Seriously. 

[edwinhuxley]

10, 24, 44, 48, 61, 68

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?

No. Laughable. I wonder if there's anyone stupid enough to believe in that kind of thing.

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

I haven’t given it much thought. I mean, does anyone? Don't we all have more important things to think about?

44. How many boyfriends/girlfriends have you had?

I went out with a girl for a few months in my freshman year. She promised she'd be forthcoming with some sleepover-revealed secrets about some new girl. That’s it.

61. What is the first thing you notice in someone?

Their voice, maybe. I like nice voices. 

68. What is your sexual orientation?

Straight. 

[alexandereverett-deactivated201]

[edwinhuxley]

In fact, I don't think she'd be pleased to hear you've been attacking a poor, innocent boy in your spare time. But by all means - continue.

[catalina-ross]

Upon Arrival || [Open]

The first to appear out of the black Mercedes was a pair of suede ankle boots, which touched down onto the sidewalk with a small clack of conviction. The rest of the girl followed the shoes as she pushed herself gracefully out of the car’s interior and stood up, bracing against the familiar New York chill by wrapping her fur-hooded parka tighter around her slim frame. Or rather, unfamiliar, since she had just spent the last week back in her home state of California. Even though the weather in LA hadn’t been by any means a summer paradise, it had still been a hell of a lot better than this. Despite this, Cat’s lips turned upwards with a smile as her eyes roved around the campus of Preston, with its snow-covered rooftops and sprawling architecture. Winter break had been a ton of fun, catching up with all her friends in LA and spending almost every day shopping or at the beach- but still, it was nice to be back. And just in time for New Year’s. 

With that casual, happy smile still lingering on her lips, Cat crossed around to the back of the car, her heels clacking against the ice-slicked ground as the cabby opened the trunk and unloaded all of her luggage. Already, her iPhone was buzzing with messages just as it had been the whole ride back from the airport. The first wave of people, the ones who weren’t spending New Year’s on an extended stay at home, were just now getting back to school. Cat pulled her wallet out of her purse to tip the cab driver, after he had set her bags down on the sidewalk, and then pulled out her phone to rapidly type back a few messages. 

But she probably shouldn’t have tried to type and walk. Eyes fixated on her screen as she pulled her suitcase behind her, she didn’t notice the ice patch before one of her heels caught it and she lost footing. She pitched forward, nearly toppling over and nearly dropping her phone in the process as well. Regaining her balance before she hit the ground, Cat straightened up in one swift movement and then bent down quickly to grab her suitcase, praying no one had witnessed the embarrassing moment.

[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."

[edwinhuxley]

snow day || open

[missreneeadams]

Renee had been longing to get away from her empty dorm for the entire day. Nearly everyone had already jetted off to exotic locales, and it was lonely in there, with only a few sad freshman roaming the deserted halls. It wasn’t dark out yet, and it was the perfect time to venture outdoors.

Tugging on her heavy, black coat and delicate blue mittens, she headed out into the cold, shivering as the cold air stung her exposed face. She had always loved the snow, but it was both beautiful and terrifying. Trudging further into the snow, she spotted a slender figure laying on the forest floor. Her eyebrows furrowed. Were they okay?

Running forwards, she almost laughed as she realized that it was Edwin Huxley, who was perfectly fine. Not only perfectly fine, but also making a snow angel. A smile growing on her face, she dropped down cautiously in the snow beside him and greeted, “Hey, Edwin.”

[edwinhuxley]

He turned his head towards the approaching footsteps, burying his ear under the snow. Ow. Cold. He sat up to brush it off with a gloved hand. Some company was appreciated, but he wasn't sure how he felt about it being Renee Adams. 

"Renee," he replied tentatively, nodding in greeting. He shifted slightly to make room for her. "I never pegged you as the type to make snow angels." Ed wasn't sure how to go on from there; the only person he really wanted to speak to that day was Nat. His parents were slowly caving on the whole idea of spending his break away from home, and what had begun as a faint glimmer of hope was becoming something vaguely plausible.

"Not going home for the holidays, then?" he asked, laying down in the snow once more and resuming the slow swishing movement of his arms, making the Edwin-shaped snow angel's wings even wider.

[alexandereverett-deactivated201]

Fuck you.

[edwinhuxley]

Try harder, if it makes you feel any better. It sure isn't going to get Nat back. 

[natalia-edwards]

Ed, don’t say that kind of thing.

But that’s so unreasonable! And very, very unnecessary too.

You did me a favor once; it was a favor I can’t ever forget. I’d like to do you a favor in return. I’m not a fan of lying, but maybe you can tell them you’re caught up in schoolwork you have to do to get ahead or something. Talk to them. It must count for something if they think you’re working hard, right?

[edwinhuxley]

If you can consider that a favour. I mean, Alex is a dick, but - I could have been a little more sensitive about it, I guess. Whatever would have made the unpleasant news easier to deal with.

I'll try my best and let you know. No promises. But... thanks, Nat. 

[natalia-edwards]

That’s too long, Ed!

You should have just told me! God, I could’ve completely avoided that by simply tutoring you! And no. No, you aren’t getting that “wake up call” as you choose to name it. You’re flying to Idaho tomorrow.

[edwinhuxley]

I'll live longer. Much longer, if everything goes well.

It's not the grades themselves. I mean, I've been getting straight As this year, but it's not good enough. They just want me to do better than everyone else.

Idaho? No way, Nat. Thanks for the offer, but... they'd be furious. That's already on my head, I can't have it on yours too.

[missreneeadams]

Don’t be an ass.

Well, do you need help getting it out of the shirt?

[edwinhuxley]

I got it. Like I said, it's really none of your business.

And I highly doubt you're all that good at doing laundry, Adams.