life's a bitch. and then you die.

Joey Salvatore 17 Transfer Student to Havensdale fucking High Human. I'm not the kind of fool who's going to sit and sing to you, about stars girl.

[little-orphan-annelise]

“My feet are wet. I abhor having wet toes.” An arm jostled her, thanks to how closely packed in everyone was. “Excuse me? Are you blind or are you just an utter moron?”

[joeysalvatored]

“Yeah, the jury’s still out on that one actually. You should try sticking your elbows out though-,” and he demonstrated just that-, “Cuts through the crowds even better than that attitude does.” What did Joey Salvatore have to lose now, huh? As soon as Isabel showed up at this shindig, he was a goner anyways. RIP.

[joeysalvatored]

‘I need you’... bro. I should have said I need you, bro. That would have been better, right? Can I be less obvious? Can I be swallowed by the ground? Can I just catch a break once in my life? Nah?

[havensdale-memes]

@joeysalvatored

[joeysalvatored]

rachel-gates​.

There was pop music blaring from the living room, something synthetic and vibrant with a bass line that even all the way in their secluded hallway beat a steady rhythm through Rachel’s chest. She was never a partier, never one to get lost in a song and in a crowd, but right now, she wished that she was. She wished she could throw part of the person she was away, and could find herself dancing in slow motion, throwing her head and her hair back, feeling nothing but teenage elation and freedom. Maybe in that fantasy she’d also have Joey’s hand in hers, his laugh in her ears as they pretended to be two normal kids with not a problem or care in the world. Instead, she was stuck being so utterly herself, a girl who pushed away the noise and the carefree wonder in favor of reality, stuck being so painfully fixated on the paranoia creeping into her heart as she stared at her best friend.

The rhythm of the music became more obvious to her as her heartbeat picked up speed while she waited for an answer from Joey, becoming so glaringly off-tempo with the song. She waited for him to tell her it was all a misunderstanding and give her an explanation that would actually make sense. Or better yet, he’d tell her it was only just a joke, and he’d crack that lopsided smile so familiar to her, and Rachel would have to do her best not to melt even more but at least she’d be able to laugh with him like usual and throw her arms around him. She’d be able to feel like some part of this was normal again. But that was not the answer her gave her, and it took her several long moments to process his words. Slowly– almost imperceptibly to anyone else that wasn’t her best friend– her brow creased in confusion, lips pursed in a tight but small frown. “You and Isabel… are dating…” Rachel repeated, and her words and eyes betrayed the slightest bit of emotion she didn’t want to give away: disappointment. Because this statement simply didn’t make sense to her, and she could think harder about it and realize that the uncomfortable feeling in her chest bouncing against the rhythm of the party was jealousy. But Rachel couldn’t do that just yet, and instead, felt a sadder, more somber realization that something incredibly important had happened to her best friend, and she was only just now finding out about it. “Since– …Since when? Why…” It was hard to form a sentence as she shook her head in confusion, eyes blinking for a moment before looking back up at Joey. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Joey knew from the moment her brow creased ever so slightly, he was in trouble. He'd messed up. That was the thing though, as much as he hated it, he was still that self-destructive kid from Queens with the chip on his shoulder. Even now in the face of his best friend, of a girl who'd welcomed him with opened arms and made him feel like he had a home, there was still doubt. It was small- tiny, microscopic- but a part of him still felt like he wasn't worth her time. That'd she'd rather spend it with Keith. It wasn't true and he knew that but sometimes he just... Maybe that's why he couldn't bring himself to make it into a joke or confess it had just been a misunderstanding. Something he and Isabel had done because they were both dateless. It'd gotten out of control, he was embarrassed but everything was cool now, right? Rachel wouldn't at all wonder why, right? It wouldn't open a can of tumultuous, unrequited feelings and awkward confessions, right? Joey swallowed, his throat dry. Damn it.

“Hey...,” he said it softly, forcing himself to breathe, to smile at her like he always did. Maybe even more. “It wasn't some big secret, I swear.” Nope, he had enough of a time keeping his feelings for her secret nevermind anyone else, thank you very much. “We, uh, we were just friends, y'know? Then this whole prom thing came up and it all just happened really fast. It's super new but, uh, we're trying it out. Dating. We like each other so, yeah. Yeah, right? Dating,” okay, now please stop talking--- “Besides, this is a good thing, right? Because you're dating Keith-,” he smiled wider (maybe too wide), “And I'm dating Isabel. We could- We could go on a double date! We could go on a triple date even. I mean, you saw how organised Cooper was with the whole limo thing and he and Juliette seem swell...” Kill me now. He dared to really look at her now, in the rare quiet of his ramblings. In his heart of hearts, he wanted to see something- anything- that might indicate that... Hell, he didn't know. That maybe she didn't want to date Keith? Or maybe she'd thought about him that? He looked away, too scared of the truth, too scared his own truth was shining through these ridiculous lies. How could there be anyone else, huh? “I'm sorry though, Rach. I guess I caught up in it for a sec. Clearly I'm not good at this whole, uh, 'normal teen' thing, I don't know. We... We're good though?” His voice had become a little quieter then though and he felt like he was holding his breath. Of all the things he couldn't lose, she was it. “I mean, I--- I need you.”

[dailyskams]

I was always so so right, but so alone… and then I met you. 

[joeysalvatored]

miss-molly-v​.

And this is why I keep telling you that you need to join my mom and me for our Saturday workouts. I know that Kris Jenner’s Kompletely Krazy Body Pump sounds silly, but it does wonders for your triceps. That’s how I manage to juggle both you and Val. Joseph, I would never dream of mocking you. After all, I’m a kind, tenderhearted soul who cares deeply for the downtrodden and the less fashionable. That’s why we’re such good friends. [as soon as she sees The Look, she snaps out of her teasing] Okay. I’ll keep an eye out. But, you do need to explain exactly how you got yourself into this…predicament.

Wait, wait... I thought it was Khloe’s Krazy Body whatever? Nevermind actually, that’s so far from the point. I’ll make a mental note to squeeze in some bodybuilding for the next time you guys wanna drag me around Bloomingdale’s or wherever. [ Laughs ] Alright, now that I believe. Aw, you’re all fluff, Moll. If I ever am fashionable, just slap me across the face soap opera style until I snap out of it. Right... Uh, well, long story. [ He took a breath, hesitating for a moment. It was just weird, you know? Joey had liked Molly so much for so long... Man, he was basically inside out over it some days but now? He was coming to her for advice cause he liked someone else. And it was different with Rachel too. Of course, he wasn’t about to blurt all that out. ] I, uh, asked Isabel to prom. We don’t like each other like that or anything but--- I wanted to go with someone else but she’s very, very unavailable so Is was being a friend. Everything was chill but then people started asking me questions about us dating and Rachel’s with Keith and they were- they looked happy and I just... Opened my big mouth. Now I think at least half of the student body thinks me and Isabel are gonna elope or something.

[joeysalvatored]

val-arslan​.

She laughed again, her usual low and dry reserved just for Joey, tossing her hair back with one hand. She expected him to tell her to leave him alone or that it was none of her business, but when Val looked back towards him, she noticed the way his facial expression had shifted. And then he went on. Her eyes widened as he explained, and instinctively, one delicate hand went to clutch at her chest like she was a Southern belle hearing scandalous gossip. “Wait, you two are just faking it?” Val whispered, her voice full of shock. Then a thought crossed her mine, and she pulled her voice even lower. “Wait, wait, wait, is this about Molly? Are you still hung up on her?”

As much as he wanted to roll his eyes at the particular brand of dramatics that Valerie liked to engage in, he did appreciate her discretion. After all, the last thing he needed was for the rest of the party to overhear. Man, he’d really made a mess of this. He was about to reply to Valerie when she said that. They never really talked about ‘cause let’s be honest, Joey would tell her it was none of her damn business in whatever way- the ruder the better. But he’d always known that Valerie had known. The fact he wasn’t hung up on Molly anymore was a miracle in itself. The fact that Rachel had taken up so much of his embarrassing, pining heart spoke volumes. The worst part was that he still blushed when Valerie said it. He scowled, waving a dismissive hand, voice low- “No, this isn’t about Molly. And- I- Shut up, y’know?” Real smooth. “... Sorry. I mean, no it isn’t about Molly. It hasn’t... I mean, for a while now, there’s been--- There’s just someone else.” Painful as it was, he knew that adding the next little detail would at least distract her for one ‘OMG’ moment. “She’s kinda dating my brother.” 

[joeysalvatored]

rachel-gates​.

Rachel was a very determined girl when it came to the things she cared about– her schoolwork, her future, her family, her magic. And her Joey. Her Joey? So her eyes burned bright and expectant as she searched his for an answer while he stumbled through his words, dying to know just what the hell was going on. She was so focused on what he was about to say that she noticed belatedly that she was still kind of yanking on his arm, and then she was all too aware of her hand on his body, of the feel of his warmth under her touch. Rachel pulled back her hand quick, retracting into her own body.

There were already a handful of questions on the tip of her tongue, and at least the fact that it was last minute kind of made some sort of sense, like two friends who had decided they could help each other out. But Greg’s words still rang in her head. Her mouth opened, but then he said PDA, and she froze, truly unsure what she was supposed to feel. Rachel only blinked a couple times, her brow furrowed tight, almost like the expression she wore when a problem on a test was hiding itself under layers of trick questions and she needed desperately to figure it out. “You–… You wanted to carpool? I-I’m sorry, are you… Are you two dating?” Way to lean hard on that last word, Rachel.

If Joey didn’t know any better, he might have thought that she was acting weird. He knew for a fact he didn’t smell or anything (he’d even worn cologne - very sparingly of course, just a spritz) so there was really no obvious reason for her pulling away from him like she’d been burned. Of course Joey didn’t have time to dwell on that. Oh no, he was way too busy throwing gasoline onto the fire. Judging from her reaction, it had been a hell of alotta gasoline. Crap. Joey opened and closed his mouth again. He definitely, under no circumstances, should say out loud to his Rach- to his best friend, that he was dating Isabel. It was too far, too much. He couldn’t take a lie like that back. Could he? But... And there it was. That selfishness. The selfish part of him that had reared its ugly, hopeful head at the way she’d pulled back, at the way she said ‘dating’ about a hundred octaves too high. It was impossible. There was no way that Rachel Gates was jealous. That- That was too much for him to even think about right now. He should laugh, say it was all some big, ridiculous joke that got outta hand. Everything would be okay if he just managed to keep his big mouth shut. But. The way she was looking at him- intense, expectant, questioning- he couldn’t help liking it, just a little. The idea that he might actually be the one she was thinking about like- like--- Rachel is with Keith. “We’re dating.” Shit. “Isabel and me are dating. We- Yup.”

[angel-reyes]

[joeysalvatored]

miss-molly-v​.

I’ll take the IOU, but if, and only if, you agree to be my bag holder on my next shopping trip. All the winter boots should be going on sale soon, and those can get heavy real quick. You’re blessed that I’m feeling generous tonight. Thank you for the compliment, but I already knew that. Let’s find us a drink that isn’t just based on vodka and something carbonated. [listens to him, trying to hold back a laugh] So, you’re not wildly in love with Isabel? Good. I was worrying that you were going to break my heart and propose to her and then I’d be left all alone.

Fine, fine. You’ve got yourself a deal but just know that I’m gonna be complaining the whole, entire time. I still haven’t forgotten about that one shopping spree you took me on “just to pick up something for Val’s birthday”. Just, psh. My arms are still aching. Yes, I--- Hey. Are you mocking me right now? Do I not deserve a shred of sympathy for being the world’s biggest fool? Besides, we both know that after the wedding, the three of us would get a house somewhere on the Upper West Side, or whatever. [ All jokes aside, he was giving her the look-- the ‘please please help me even though I’m beyond help’ look ] Moll, I really stuck myself in it. Can you just, like, let me know if you see Isabel coming? I’m gonna need some warning so I can go running in the opposite direction.

[joeysalvatored]

val-arslan​;

Val only smiled sweetly in return at his remark, feeling like she was in fact the cherry on the cake of his dreary life. But lately she hadn’t been keeping the closest eye on him, as was obvious by how much this news had taken her by surprise. Was he floundering at simply being in a relationship? “You’re a regular something, Joey, but I wouldn’t say Casanova,” she scoffed, though he must know that too. She raised a perfect brow in his direction, now confused more than anything. “Do go on, I’m intrigued.”

“Better alert the media then.” Was Joey really going to confide in Valerie Arslan? If this wasn’t a sign of how he’d changed this past year, he didn’t know what was. Joey had never liked her - it wasn’t a secret. Their mutual dislike rivaled only their mutual love for Molly and that was just the way of things. The thing was though, even if he didn’t like it, Val might actually have some insight here. After all, she did love drama.

“Me and Isabel went to prom together. Each other’s date, y’know? And... Let’s just say, hypothetically, I’m not really the guy she wanted to go with and, again, hypothetically, she wasn’t really who I wanted to go with. And then maybe seeing the person that I- that this hypothetical person- wanted to go with, made him- me- start sayin’ some stupid stuff. About my romantic, uh, whatever with Isabel.” He wasn’t sure any of that made sense but he looked at her for answers anyway. “You know?”

[joeysalvatored]

i am once again in love with joey x molly x valerie

[rachel-gates]

@joeysalvatored​

There were too many things to think about– or not think about– right now when it came to Joey. Rachel had been trying to shove that moment they’d shared while slow-dancing to the back of her mind all night. But then Greg Porter had poked a hole in her plan to ignore it completely and every spare moment tonight had been spent thinking about what was going on with Joey. It wasn’t that she wanted to avoid him after that dance, but there was definitely a knot in her stomach as she searched for him at the party, knowing now that she had to talk to him.

She finally spotted him, and thank god he was alone, so all Rachel had to do was keep herself in check as she grabbed Joey by the arm and pulled him even farther down a hallway where hopefully no one could hear them. “Why didn’t I know Isabel was your date tonight?” she asked, willing her voice not to show any hint of envious something. She was his best friend, after all, it was a perfectly fair question, right?

[joeysalvatored]

Joey wanted to go home and by that, shockingly, he did actually mean his dad’s place. He’d put his foot in his mouth one too many times tonight. He wasn’t proud of using Isabel’s unrequited feelings for Cooper against her, he wasn’t but they’d both gotten what they’d wanted. Right? United by their embarrassing feelings for people they could never have, in a way they’d been perfect for each other. Prom had even been fun. And he liked Isabel, he did. Then...he danced with her. Rachel Gates. His unavailable, indescribable, very strong best friend ‘cause damn, she was really gripping onto his arm.  “Wh- Who? I mean- What?” More like ‘crap’. He opened then closed his mouth, trying not to stare too long. Wait a minute... Was she...? No, no way. Impossible. All they’d done was dance together and then, well, Rachel went back to Keith. She was with Keith. She was his best friend - that’s why she was asking, he realised. Crap. It must seem like he’d kept her out the loop of his imaginary, torrid romance. “Uh, it was pretty last minute-,” okay, sticking with the truth. Kinda. “I mean, prom isn’t really either of our things so... And, um, neither of us is big on PDA--- I mean, announcing stuff. Like that. My bad, I should have said. We could have-,” and he was already rolling his eyes at himself-, “Shared a ride. All of us.”

[joeysalvatored]

val-arslan​;

With crossed arms, Val watched from a distance as Joey seemed to stumble through whatever mess he was trying to pass by their classmates. But she’d known him for too long– though she’d never say cared– enough to tell when he was either lying, or feeling totally out of place. When the party-goers he was talking to walked away, she saw her opportunity and sauntered up to him. “Isabel Valentine, huh? I never pictured you as a romantic, Salvatore.”

“Oh, here she is. The cherry on top of the cake that is my life.” Joey could have sworn he used to say stuff like that to her with a much more scathing tone. Now it felt more like a ‘hello’ - not  that he was gonna get into his complicated, non-friendly, friendship (or whatever) with Valerie Arslan. No therapist had the hours for that. “What are you talking about? I’m a regular Casanova over here,” he shot back. But Valerie had known him for how long? He was definitely going to regret this. “Well, I mean, news of my romantic nature with Isabel Valentine might have been slightly-,” greatly, “-exaggerated.” By me.

[joeysalvatored]

miss-molly-v​;

No, I somehow missed the fistfight in the girl’s bathroom. Wait, the bloody nose was over a pair of earrings? I don’t know if it’s worth…[sees Joey] Ladies, I’m going to have to leave you for a quick minute. Duty calls.

Joseph. I’m insulted that you think my asking price is only seven dollars. My parents raised me better than that. It’ll cost you at least seven thousand for me to break a major bone. Or you could just talk to me while we get decently drunk. I like the second idea better.

Ah, sorry. I shoulda known better but I left my other, more lucrative, wallet at home in the safe. My bad. Y-Yeah, you’re probably right about that one. Unless you can take an IOU? Just kiddin’. Mostly. You look really great, by the way. Definitely showing up the Havensdale townies. [ He might have been stalling, just a little. ] Alright, so I might have made a mess. With a girl. With...Isabel Valentine. My prom date. My--- I might have accidentally implied she was more than that, actually. To, uh, a few people. [ Few hundred people. ]

[joeysalvatored]

How did I prompose? To- To Isabel? You heard about that too, huh? Well--- Oh!

[ With a sigh of relief, Joey waved over in Molly’s direction, leaving whoever-that-was in his dust as he quickly exited. What a mess. ] Molly, hey! Hi. If I give you, like, seven bucks, would you please kill me? Or at least give me a really good injury so I don’t have to talk to anyone else tonight. Or, alternatively, take the shovel out my hand before I dig my own grave any deeper.

@miss-molly-v​

[saint-nancy]

Nancy. Was. Bored. She had dropped into one or seven proms before, but this one had to be the single most boring one she had been to. There had been a really great after party in, like, 1985 or something, but this one really did not compare. Maybe it was because there was less carnage this time around. Yes, that was definitely it. Nancy was quite desperate to sink her teeth into something fun.

There the miniature terror sat on the back of one of the sofas, chin in her hands and a well practised pout on her lips. Maybe the urge to absolutely tear someone apart would go away if someone gave her the right kind of attention. As someone sat on the sofa at her feet, the positively nuclear looking punch (undrunk) in her hand happened to tip over, squarely onto their lap. “Oops,” Nancy chirped, still pouting away like it was the worst thing to ever happen to her.

[joeysalvatored]

Joey had to stop talking to people. Every corner he turned, he wound up bumping into someone who wanted to chat. Small talk, prom talk, ‘oh hey, did I see you with Isabel Valentine’ talk- he couldn’t take it anymore. He just kept adding onto this fictitious love story. He couldn’t be stopped. Forget about digging a hole, he’d created a crater and Isabel was still nowhere to be found. The point was, he was trying to escape.

That’s when he saw her tip the drink, eyebrows raising at the ‘oops’. Maybe he’d been safer outside, stuffing his foot in his mouth. “Look out for you, huh?”