✧ bright / EYES;

laurel martin | twenty-three | fallen angel

[laurelofc-blog]

/ declan \

“There are more than two ways of performing a successful backflip. I should know, I was a cheerleader.” Another slight shake of his head, water droplets succesfully making the long way down from his hair into the sand… and he was missing his cat again. “So, what else were you thinking about?” he prompted.

“i don’t do backflips in my line of work, but even i know what i saw, and it definitely was not executed that way on purpose.” lips lifted into a smirk as the redhead’s eyebrow cocked, a silent dare for declan to try and talk his way out of his somwhat failure of the wave. she briefly gazed out to the curling water before his voice brought her back, eyes looking beside her out the corner of her eye, “basically just how bad i need a tan, and how unfortunate i am to lack tanning ability unless it comes from a bottle.”

[laurelofc-blog]

/ max \

‘‘ it’s — ‘‘ she paused , eyes squinting for a moment as the redhead’s words marinated in her head. ‘‘ i wasn’t trying to make an order , love. sorry if it sounded like that ; that’s just my voice. ‘‘ pulling up her phone , the blonde swiped through a few photos before settling down on one. ‘‘ this is my kid , ‘‘ she said , showing the other the photo of a baby on the lit-up phone. ‘‘ her birthday is coming up and she loves teddy bears. i was thinkin’ about buying her one and then giving her adoptive parents’ a painting that they could hang up in her room. i’ll pay ya if that’s the proper thing to do. ‘‘ max shrugged , a look of confusion settling in her hues. ‘‘ feel free to say no , though. won’t hurt me none. ‘‘

the moment laurel laid eyes on the photo, she felt a pang of guilt settle in her chest. it wasn’t necessarily intended for her to portray a bad attitude - after the screw up of her past she couldn’t help but be a little bit annoyed with the world, and unfortunately for her, it sometimes fed very mildly into everyday conversation. the redhead’s lips lifted into a soft smile as she continued looking at the small girl on the screen, listening intentively to what the criteria needed to be. “how old is she?” laurel asked, eyes flicking adjacent to her at the other girl, “if you don’t mind me asking.”

[laurelofc-blog]

/ callie \

“I wasn’t sure whether anybody else would care for watching movies cast against one of the exterior walls,” was her most valiant effort at a quip, the corners of her lips almost effortlessly. “Good cohabitation is vital, isn’t it? There’s potential for anything! Even grocery lists if anybody were so inclined. I… I like the thought of everybody having the freedom to pitch in a little. Don’t you?” And she really hoped she wasn’t alone in thinking that way – not with all the endless possibilities their current quarters seemed to offer.

she preferred to keep to herself; the idea of something bringing the complex together in a somewhat collaborative way wasn’t a thing that laurel would usually consider. if anything, she wished that her neighbours would be a little less imposing on her life - but how could she say no to callie, with her kind demeanor and gentle features provoking laurel to cave into the suggestion. she slightly furrowed her brows before releasing a defeated sigh, managing a gentle smile upon her lips when looking back to the blonde. “i suppose it’d be a project worthwhile in the long run, right? and seeming that you’re so certain that it would work. i must say though, if you turn out being wrong, i’m not the type to back away from a good ol’ i told you so.”

[laurelofc-blog]

/ callie \

Callie paused, the slightest wrinkle between her eyes as she studied the smaller redheaded girl. “I wasn’t intending for it to sound like an order - or an imposition.” Her tone was cautious - perhaps there was some American courtesy she’d failed to check off the list? - but she made her most conscious effort to adopt her stance into something more open. “An opportunity, perhaps? For the lot of us in the complex to feel more integrated? A classier version of a chalkboard where everybody could contribute?”

“a community board?” laurel replied, eyebrow raising in query at the suggestion made in front of her. she wasn’t too sure whether the people surrounding them in the complex would even care about such thing - everybody mostly kept to themselves, from what she observed. it was also possible that the blonde standing before her was right; an opportunity to bring everyone closer together could be a good thing, despite the fact that she didn’t want to get too friendly with new people considering her now lack of trust. laurel grunted softly at the confliction in her head, but didn’t want to keep callie waiting either, “i’m not sure whether it’ll be... appreciated... as much as you think it would.” she began, arms folding across her chest, “what kind of things would be contributed?”

[laurelofc-blog]

/ milo \

his eyes pierced the room for nothing in particular. a habit of his when working, making sure his services aren’t needed and offering them when he thinks they may be. this time, though, the familiar redhead caught his attention and kept quite a hold of it. he’s seen this girl before, milo was sure of it, her features way to prominent for him to forget. a soft sigh swept past his parted lips before he stepped out from behind the front counter, his steps leading him in her direction. the boy cleared his throat before speaking, trying not to startle her since this was practically a sneak attack. “is there anything i can help you with?” he questioned with high brows, his eyes locking on the items she searched through near the large storefront window. “if you’re looking for anything recent, it’d be more in that section.” his arm reached and his hand gestured in the opposite direction of where hey stood, eyes eventually landing back on the girl. a small smile was offered as he did his best to keep his question from slipping past his, now, locked lips. if it were to do so, the question of ‘have i seen you before’ would sound more like a bad pick up line than the genuine question he meant to be asking. with a small amount of hesitation, he asked, quick to defend the intent. “i’ve seen you before right? i swear to you, i’m not trying to use this as so sort of really bad and cheesy pick up line or hit on you. i… feel like i’ve seen you before. you’re familiar.” the boy explained with narrowed eyes, arms crossing loosely over his chest. @laurelofc

laurel delicately ran her finger over the line of records, the corner of her lips tugging up into a small smile of nostalgia. it reminded her of home; the collection that her parents held had their pride of place in an old cupboard within the living room, each vinyl disk nearly worn from the amount of times laurel and her familiy had played them over the years. it made her feel good to know that places like THE GROOVE still existed in all their glory. laurel kept to herself as she neared another stand, scanning over the available titles before a voice broke her concentration. she jumped very slightly, but not enough to be seen by the other person. laurel looked over her shoulder to a much taller male - his gorgeous face sparking familiarity to the redhead. her eyes managed to slowly follow his pointed arm across the store, resulting in a small nod of her head and pursed lips, “i really was just browsing, but thanks for the tip.” she said gently, returning his smile with a gratious one of her own. she was about to turn back around when he voiced once more, solififying her previous suspicions. “you know, i think we have met before. i’d recognise that jawline anywhere.” she added, unable to stop herself from tracing the sharp bone of his jaw. it was a very brief, very light action of which caused her to pull back very quickly. laurel let out a soft chuckle at her very sudden lightbulb moment, her eyes wide with mild enthusiasm, “you live at DOLPHINS right?”

[laurelofc-blog]

/ declan \

“I mean, it’s a -3 for the burning pun. The only thing hot enough to burn right now would have to be the ground.” Declan shook his head, a small smile still tilting up the corners of his lips, then lowered himself gently onto his own towel, mindful that every last bit wet inch of him would become pretty sandy within seconds. “Are you not satisfied with my backflip off the board, is that it?”

using the weight collecting down her arms, laurel pushed herself upward until she was in a seated position, torso slightly twisting so that she could face declan properly. her head fell softly to the side with a once again quirked eyebrow, “that was a backflip?” she questioned, words carried by a soft chuckle, “i thought you tripped and the wave threw you in the opposite direction. but to each their own, i suppose.”

[laurelofc-blog]

/ minji \

“it’s for the shop.” minji retorted with, tone sweet as more of an attempt to convince laurel than actual sweetness. “we’re remodeling and you’re the only person i know that has the certain style i’d like on the decorated wall. i’ve looked everywhere for something and nothing fits, i’ve spent hundreds of dollars on art pieces that are now sitting in my storage room in the basement because i have no idea what to do with them.” she pleaded with an explanation laurel probably didn’t care about. the brunette took a step closer as a sweet smile pulled across her lips, shoulder nudging laurel gently before she continued. “i’ll give you free flowers for life. i’ll buy you coffee. i’ll… literally do anything you need me to, come on, laur.” minji’s hands now folded in front of her as her lip pushed out slightly in  pout. 

laurel could see, what she perceived as, slight desperation in minji’s eyes; it was something alongside her iconic pout that the redhead was unable to say no to. both girls could be considered quite headstrong - knowing what they want, and often how to get it - but when in each other’s presence they brought out a much softer side, a fresh change of which made laurel cherish each moment. she hummed lightly, “i’m flattered that you’d consider me more suitable than actual purchasable pieces of art.” she coldn’t help but push through a small grin when he shoulder was nudged, her eyes following minji’s movements with amusement. even if she wanted to decline, she couldn’t, not when the compliments were already thrown and the begging had basically begun, “okay, okay.” laurel started, head tilting and hands held casually beside her head, “i’ll do it, but you don’t owe me anything, minji. did you want a canvas or a mural? framed or not?”

[violentwavesofemotion-deactivat]

I’m not too gone to be healed, am I? I’m not too gone  am I?

Alice Notley, from In The Pines: Poems; “In The Pines,” (via violentwavesofemotion)

[crucefix]

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ~ JK Rowling

[harryshumjjr]

[oscar-piastri]

[vanderrwaals]

#me when men compliment me

[natexserena]

[laurelofc-blog]

{ @dexgenerate }

[evaduartes]

“I was so alone that every day was like eating my own heart”

— Junot Díaz, from ‘Otravida, Otravez’, This Is How You Lose Her

[ruinedchildhood]

[laurelofc-blog]

it wasn’t necessarily an odd position for laurel to find herself in, but rather one that didin’t often come around. she made it pretty obvious that she liked to paint; her arms always filled with different materials and instruments as she carried them around the complex, either finding the perfect spot to set her creativity free or just simply bringing her newly purchased belongings home. the tiniest bit of guilt always bubbled when she thought of how bombarded her roommate must feel surrounded by such a colourful mess. the girl clicked her tongue, eyebrows furrowed at the request to paint for soemebody else, “i mean, i don’t usually take orders.” laurel stated, head falling to her side as she peered across from her. she ddn’t want to outright say NO, which is what led to her mild cringing as she bit the bullet and asked, “ - is it for, like, an occasion, or something?” 

[laurelofc-blog]

/ declan \

Whatever you think you just saw – that wasn’t me wiping out. That was me, acknowledging the superiority of that wave.

“uh huh”  the redhead sounded, eyebrows raising in amusement. her arms propped herself upright on her towel as she continued to look across at the other, finding his excuse for completely failing at the said wave quite mildly endearing, “to me it looked like you crashed, and burned.”