The Best You Had

"If your heart is a volcano, how shall you expect flowers to bloom?"

[jupiter-ahadi]

[beep-beep-robin]

Ayesha Madon as Amerie Wadia in Heartbreak High (2022)

[jupiter-ahadi]

think-pink-floyd​:

*

Pink couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped from his lips at Jupiter’s remark about his website if he had tried. There was something comforting in knowing that at her core she was the same type of woman, the one who was going to tell you what she thought about you and your work without fear of how it came off because she knew the place it was coming from. “I…honestly don’t put a whole lot of thought in any aspect of how I advertise myself but I promise I will pass that note along to my manager. Pink’s side of their drifting wasn’t just some consequence of busy lives, but rather he took the backseat in terms of relationship mending to give Bunny and Jupiter’s a chance to once again flourish with the least amount of static by his presence as possible. Pink knew firsthand from both perspectives how much they meant to the other and he was well and truly happy that they not only salvaged their bond but were making it flourish as well. It seemed though, that Jupiter and Bunny were on solid foundation so it felt safe to salvage what he and Jupiter had as well - until proven otherwise, he was confident the three of them could be in the other’s lives. "Thank you. Finally a look that everyone can be happy. Wait, you do yoga now? Like do it and not whine for the majority of it because ‘the quiet is too loud’? Wow. I’m working on a few contributions to literary magazines right now, working on a third book, there’s also something big I’m working on that I can’t say too much about yet, but soon. How about you? I mean I know you’re making all of this happen with Tate but I don’t put it past you to be working on more, and I hear there’s a guy you’re pretty crazy about at the moment, Knox, right?” Pink knew he was right, but played it cool anyway as he defiantly took a big sip of espresso then lit up the pre-roll in his hand and took a few pulls, exhaling the smoke after holding it in for a bit, “Burns beautifully could be the name of your autobiography some day.”

***

“Well I mean you should, you know if people hear your name the first thing they’re going to do is google. And either they’ll have great respect that you seem to not give a shit or they’ll think you’re some random person who self published by uploading one big ass PDF.” For as many times as Jupiter had cursed his name or felt hurt by him, she had never really wished him ill. She wanted the best for him. Both because of the life she wanted Bunny to experience with him but because growing older had made her realize that she really did care about him. She had sort of gotten herself into a place of only thinking of him in relation to Bunny again, especially as she worked on healing their friendship. She was only now getting to a place where she wasn’t waiting for the other shoe to drop, for Bunny to realize she made a mistake in forgiving her. Her life had an ease to it at the moment that it hadn’t in quite some time and it scared the shit out of her on most days. But not all the time. 

“Mm, no, i definitely still complain but less and less each day. I let Blue talk me into taking one with their parents and now I’ve been going ever since. It’s honestly incredible and I’m embarrassed by how incredible it is,” she admitted with a grin. “Well look at you. Writing your days away. Are you enjoying it?” Jupiter had to admit she wasn’t writing as much as she could be but she wasn’t very worried about it. She was floating a bit right now and for the first time in a long time it felt really nice. “I have definitely spent a lot of time with Tate helping him get this off the ground but he really does have amazing work ethic. I mean I’ve been doing more editing than writing at the moment if I’m being honest. One of my mentors asked me to help her edit an anthology she’s working on and it’s pretty interesting. Predominately women writers. Some brilliant stuff. It’s inspired my own writing but it’s also made me think a lot about traveling and writing. But we’ll see,” she said and left it there, having a lot of dreams about traveling lately but she hadn’t quite made any plans yet. The mention of Knox had her both smiling and looking at Pink curiously. Both because she tried to imagine Bunny telling him about Knox and because he had mentioned it before she could even tell him herself. “Yes, unless you know anyone else around here with a boyfriend named Knox because I’ve come to find the chances are low,” she joked, but the idea of Knox made her soften a bit. “He’s wonderful. We laugh a lot together and it..brings me a lot of joy.” She reached for her coffee cup and laughed as he drank from his. “Always defiant. And you’re not wrong about that. I’ll add it to my list. I think I have to go do a bit more living before I ever think about an autobiography. I hear Sabrina is back in town, we’re supposed to see each other tomorrow. How are your moms?”

[jupiter-ahadi]

think-pink-floyd​:

*

“Too late, went to my head when I got the text. The quote is already on my website so you’ve got to be quicker than that.” Pink nodded, happy to be picked at for his paranoia if he got a solid understanding out of the deal, “No I do not know running a business takes brain cells but I can imagine consider I avoid it at all costs.” He smiled softly across from Jupiter, in the back of his mind in reverence that they were here in this capacity consider their long, storied history, marveling at the fact that this was somehow okay.“ He nodded, "I know, I know but I have several excuses for that, some awful and some pretty good or at the very least understandable.” Pink said, his natural charm seeping through now that his mind had been put at ease. “Regardless though, I have missed you. I’ve heard and seen things here and there from Bunny mostly but it wasn’t just an out of sight out of mind thing. Now what should I pair first do you think?”

***

“Speaking of your website, have you ever reconsidered the coloring? It looks a bit jarring at the moment. Your font is okay but,” she shrugged, still smiling because of course she had still kept up with what he was doing. She of course asked Bunny how he was but most of her time spent with Bunny was focused on each other and trying to have some fun outside of work. Honestly, she felt like she and Pink had just drifted apart and it was probably for the better that they had grown into their own lives apart from each other. Sitting in front of him now felt strange. Like they knew so much about each other and yet were still strangers all the same. “I’ve missed you too. I’m feeling this short hair and beard look by the way. It suits you. But for the record I’ve been really good. Like mentally and physically. I even started doing yoga and shit. And you? What are you working on?” She smiled at the question and glanced at the pre-rolls in front of them. “Well you can only consume so much coffee so I’d start with something light, though the espresso blend that Tate found is pretty delicious. It pairs very nicely with the cosmic dreams you have there. Sativa dominant. Very light flavor. Burns beautifully.” 

[think-pink-floyd]

“I’m going to be fully candid with you, I did not expect to get message from Tate of all people but I’m honored all the same. I didn’t realize that I was ‘one of the most sophisticated stoners he knows’.” Pink said as he sat across from Jupiter at what was apparently his dispensary/coffeeshop that was to be opening soon enough that Pink was somehow selected to be a tester. “This is my paranoia talking I’m sure but I just have to ask, is this… weird for you at all?” He motioned between the two of them. @jupiter-ahadi​

[jupiter-ahadi]

“I mean I wouldn’t let it go to your head, he only knows so many stoners.” Jupiter smirked as she sat across from him, having spent her morning running numbers with Tate and trying to break them down for both of their brains. “Weird? Yeah that’s definitely paranoia talking because honestly this has been the last thing on my mind today. You know running a business? Takes a lot of brain cells,” she joked but her expression softened a bit. “I’ve never been mad about you and my brother getting along. I think it’s weirder that I have to wait for you to be selected as a taste tester for me to see you though. You know my number hasn’t changed.”

[havencurriere]

“Bullshit. Sorry, let me rephrase: I’m pretending I don’t know what you mean by that before I turn around and drive myself home.” For someone who claimed in thrive in chaos, she really could be so predictable, rolling her eyes as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Earlier yeah, but probably should again, just to be safe. I heard it’s a full moon.”

[jupiter-ahadi]

"Not bullshit. I meant it as a compliment, truly. Why would you ever want to have the same flavor every month?” He had to laugh at her words and he nodded as he turned them in the direction of the place he had in mind. “We definitely have to watch out for that moon. I’d hate to wake up in the middle of the woods. I am not made for surviving out there at all. Way too pretty.” After a moment he let the silence hold them as they walked and he glanced over at her a few times, clearly just happy to be in her company. He waited until they had made it to the restaurant and were standing in line to order to talk again. “So..what you been up to these past couple of months?”

[havencurriere]

“You must think I’m a real bitch huh.” Chace shot Apollo an eat shit grin. By some strange turn of events he’d become one of the few people she occasionally bothered to keep up with, outside of the usual suspects. “What the fuck’s a flavor of the month, no it’s hot out. This is just how I dress. Hello to you too by the way.”

[jupiter-ahadi]

“I would never say that about you. I just think you like what you like. And come on, didn’t you go to Brown? You don’t know what a flavor of the month is? Well you look good,” he told her and leaned down to kiss her cheek just to see her roll her eyes at him. “You eaten yet today or should I feed you before the sun sets?”

[jupiter-ahadi]

“I would’ve rolled out the red carpet for you but then you probably would’ve told me it wasn’t red enough.” After enough time, it became an unspoken routine that they would see each other whenever they were both actually in town. Apollo looked forward to every single time more than he would ever admit. Ever. “You wear this outfit just for me or are your line of flavors of the months getting ready to camp out at your home?” @havencurriere​

[futw]

Golshifteh Farahani as Nik Khan in Extraction 1 & 2

[jupiter-ahadi]

jorgebenitez​:

**

“Stay away from you in a dance off, got it. That’s cool though sounds like you’ve been at it for a while. If I’m being honest, rapping is the first time I’ve ever really had a thing that I’ve committed to that could turn out to be something and even that is still dicey so I respect the dedication.” Raph nodded, Isaac was a genius behind a keyboard, his dad had found passion in his work long before Raph was born and that left him, charming as hell but more or less directionless. Luckily, he had the space to explore and for now had hit on something to channel his energy too and it was proving to be a good outlet for him. Raph followed his new friend, vibing, purposely not thinking about how he’d be on stage performing soon, “Just kind of developed. I found my way at this freestyle battle thing one night, just wanted to get out of the house. I thought it was cool, so I kept coming back, one night one of the rappers put out an open invitation thing for someone to jump on the mic, I was just delusional enough to step up and good enough to body him.” He chuckled, “You good at mixing drinks too?”

***

“You know there aren’t as many dance offs in life as one might think. Kind of disappointing,” he admitted with a laugh. “But I hear you. I didn’t always think that dance was gonna be like..my thing. But I fucking love it. And I’m good at it so why deny it, you know?” He was sure he could have done many things. He could’ve joined the Ahaid family business or written like his mother and sister but he loved to move. Loved to use his body to tell a story, in more ways than one, and he felt at home whenever he was out on the dance floor or in a dance studio. “Delusions can often lead to some great shit. Vastly underrated. That’s amazing though. Just going for it and making it work for you. Gotta admire it. I’m pretty decent at it. It won’t fuck you up but it’ll hit. You want to mix ‘em? Now’s the time to name another hidden talent if you have it.”

[jupiter-ahadi]

think-pink-floyd​:

**

“I don’t think everyone who knows me would know. I have you know that tons of people think I’m really cool and just don’t know any better. Hey stylish moms beneficiaries unite…” Teddy paused for a moment, “Wait, do you think they picked these out at the same time for us? Like they went shopping specifically to get us swimsuits? Probably not, right?” Teddy looked over to the guy in question, “Hell yeah, goofy goober vibes all day, I’m a fan.” 

“Hey I happen to think you’re very cool. Just not in public,” she teased before she started looking at both their suits. “Wait....shit, do they kind of match? I think you might be right,” she said with a gasp, though she shouldn’t have been surprised. It wouldn’t have been the first time their mothers had bought them clothes that just suspiciously happened to match. “Well now we’re both the two coolest people here, whatever. I’m feeling this suit. You gonna go crazy in the water? I was thinking of trying a jet ski. Who would trust me with one? No one sane but we’re in Rosewood after all. You wanna come with me?”

[jupiter-ahadi]

think-pink-floyd​:

“It’s not a competition, it really isn’t I swear, but I think I have the best swim trunks I’ve seen here. I love these shorts.” Teddy mumbled the last part lower as he brought his solo cup to his lips, “No one can ever know my mom picked them out for me.” 

***

“I think anyone who knows you would know your mom picked them out but your secret is safe with me. My mom definitely picked out this swimsuit. She bought it for me actually so you know, solidarity there.” Athena smiled over at him and looked at his shorts for a moment. “I have to say that guys spongebob shorts over there did make me laugh. But you definitely take the competition.”

[jupiter-ahadi]

jorgebenitez​:

**

“Sick, you’re a dancer? What’s your specialty?” He laughed, “Yeah man I can’t turn 2 blocks without running into a pop star. Seriously, it stopped being cool for me at like 13.” They did put him on the roster and truth be told, Raph only ever applied just so he could say that he had, not because he thought he’d actually secure a slot, “A drink would only help the vibes. I’ve got a little bit of time before set up, let’s do it.”

**

“Yeah man, I do a bit of choreo here and there. Mostly contemporary, hip hop and salsa are actually two of my favorite styles to focus on,” he admitted with a grin, having had such different but similar experiences with both. For a good portion of college he had competed in many salsa competitions but he spent most of his time now working on more contemporary pieces for local artists. “Exactly. Which makes it even more worthwhile to stick it out, you know? Show ‘em you mean business. Beautiful. A drink it is!”  There were a few different options but Athena and Navid had set a pretty nice spot for them, both to smoke and to drink and Apollo led them there and plucked out two solo cups to pour them both something. “You always wanted to rap or that just kind of developed?”

[johnparri]

[jupiter-ahadi]

jorgebenitez​:

**

“Four is way better than one, I’m not afraid of working my way up to whatever I get out of this career for as long as I have it. ” Raph took his hand and pulled Apollo in and tapped his other fist on the older man’s back before he pulled away again in greeting, “That’s the kind of confidence I’m gonna need before going up there. I might borrow it.” He joked, “Raph didn’t really have a confidence issue ever, but he had to admit he was a little nervous. This gig was pretty…public and the thing about making a name in the underground scene was that…well, it was underground. "Yo I appreciate that, really I just like roasting people.” He grinned, though the comment was at least half true, he really did like what he was doing, not really considering himself that much of a creative person before he began rapping.

**

“Hey that’s the attitude to have. I mean I’m not music producer, dancing is more my area but I think most of the reason people are successful is because they believe in their talent. That and this town has enough pop stars, we need something to mix it up,” he admitted with a shrug. “It’s all yours man, I’ll be out there bopping my head along for sure. I mean they put you on the roster, right? Just have fun. Liquors flowing though so you should have good vibes.” Speaking of drinks, Apollo figured he needed another one. “What about a drink? Or would that mess up your vibe?”

[jupiter-ahadi]

jorgebenitez​:

**

Raph whipped his whole body around, honestly a little unbelieving that this guy knew who he was. Raph wasn’t untalented, in fact he’d come to realize with every bottle one and the small amount of clout he’d garnered so far that he was at the very least pretty good but he didn’t know he was at someone would recognize him by name or otherwise levels. “You think I’ve got…hey I appreciate that. It’s only like a 4 song set, really I’m more of a filler but no gig is too small, right? What’s your name and why are you my favorite part of the day right now.”

***

Apollo laughed at the guys reaction, glad that he could give him some recognition. He knew that in a town full of so much talent, it was often hard for people to find a way to get their voices heard. He was someone who spent a lot of time online finding new things to listen to and trying to fin the people who you didn’t hear as much about. Purely as a fan and also as someone who was constantly trying to find new things to dance to. “Hey four is better than none, right? And you’ll be up there, people will hear you one way or another.” He laughed and held out his hand for a shake. “Apollo and probably because I’m a favorite part of most people’s days but that’s just my own talent. I’ve seen your rap battles before. Good stuff. I spend way too much time on YouTube looking for new shit. Especially shit that people aren’t always talking about. I’m the annoying guy who always has an opinion” 

[jorgebenitez]

“Hey are you gonna be around the main stage at 2? I hear LBL Raph is performing and it’s gonna be sick. I also heard it’s technically his first real life performance you know outside of battle rap circles or whatever it’s gonna be iconic one day…” Could it be seen as a desperate move to promote his own show as if he himself weren’t the aforementioned LBL Raph? Technically, but Raph saw it more as just another way to grind and and put in hard work for his new dream/career path to become the best rapper to come out of Rosewood since the G.O.A.T himself, Kid Grantwood.

[jupiter-ahadi]

"Dude," Apollo paused as he looked at the guy and squinted before laughing. "You mean to tell me all that talent and you gotta promote yourself?" Apollo had seen the guy in some videos which was why he recognized the name. He was all about listening to the music but the party going on in the water was hard to pass up. "How many songs you performing? I can pretend there's a shark in the water when you go up on stage so people flock there. Then again it's a lake..then again..people are only so smart.."