being invited to the cooper household was like being invited into the presidents house. at least, that’s how shannon would describe it. okay, so - maybe zac hadn’t technically been invited. sunny had been, but sunny was still getting her license and had begged zac to drop her off, but the moment he got whiff on where she was going? he knew he had to tag along. shannon didn’t seem to mind, her lashes fluttering and her finger twirling her hair at the sight of him, even. though, it seemed her blonde roommate had more of an issue, practically giving him the cold shoulder. didn’t know if it was because she was trying to hang out with sunny and shannon, have a girls day by the large pool before them - or because zac’s first comment upon arriving was something along the lines of how’s it goin malibu barbie? hows the weather up there? either way, zac’s sat on the sun lounger, smearing sunscreen across his chest while sunny helps shannon make some lemonade he’s really hoping is spiked for his sake
then, all the sudden - a heavy dose of water is sprayed in his direction, drowning him from the back. “what the fu-” he helps, quickly standing up and spinning around, using his large hands to shield his face from becoming a target. after it finally turns down, he shakes his brown hair, that was now wet, out of his face. oops! sprayed you with the hose! just thought you needed cooling off. @madisns roberts declares, hose gripped between her hands. swiping his tongue across his lips, zac lets out a breathy chuckle, advancing himself around the lounge chair. “funny.” he nods, shrugging his shoulder. “you’re gonna regret doing that, though, barbie.” and then? he lunges.
summer heat causes beams of sweat to coat the temples of tanned skin. times like this is madison appreciate of the coopers dramatically large pool, and when winter comes along, their hot tub. also calls for a little beautiful thing known as a girls day, that usually consisted of just the two teenagers that resided at home, but lately they’ve made friends with sunny popwell, a new bright student who shannon seemed to envy for all the gaping stares the blondes been receiving, and even though the invite had another intention, madison’s always welcoming to new comers. at least, when it comes to sunny, rather than her elder brother who seemed to find it thrilling to drive everyone up the wall with sarcastic tongue and childish behavior.
beat of brittany spears booms from the bright pink radio shannon brought out, and blue eyes flicker towards the two girls setting up the rest of the snacks & drinks for their evening, before gaze sets upon male who crashed the day. his snide comment, purposely calling her barbie despite multiple protests, flutter in her head, causes shoulders to lift & drop as she exhales. clad in gold bikini, flip flops tap against the concrete as she makes her way towards the water hose, discreet & mischievous as she flicks the switch & begins her spontaneous prank.
glossy lips tugged into proud smirk at reaction, has head topping sideways, thin & delicate brows raising as hose drops to her feet. “ wasn’t trying to be funny. just trying to help. ” sarcasm slips from tongue, not as witty as he is but she could try. however, as he lunges, all jokes begin to fade and smile drops, has her releasing a squeak as instinct tells her to jump back. “ don’t you even think about it. ”
some mini plots that i’m thinking of :) i’ll add to this when i think of more.
madison paying off someone’s debt to something behind their back / her just getting involved in someone’s issues because admittedly she has a hero complex and just cares about people even if they don’t want her too
more!post junior year things/after her accident. her flunking out of senior year, getting high off painkillers, her avoiding her piano and even destroying it when she tries to play again and she realizes she can’t play as good as she used too. just angsty kinda things, maybe her being kinda >:/ her trauma with lakehurst kids, etc.
she doesn’t date much cause she’s mostly focused on piano / school ( before the incident ) so someone trying to date her and she’s just like 🤨. unrequited love? enemies to lovers? fake dating to get shannon off her back about dating ( @shaycooper lol. )? maybe some exes? awkward first dates? idk.
reuniting later on when she’s clean / composing music. i was thinking maybe she goes live with her family in LA to repeat senior year and get better. reuniting with people she spiraled against and she’s trying to pick up the pieces she left behind? years later and she’s a big girl composer and she runs into another muse? idk!
after strictly turning to discord roleplay for my own comfort, i see the degrassi rpc thriving with the same people i always adored on my dash, so i’m going to clear my inbox, try to re-learn madison’s character a bit, and hopefully get back into the swing of things here. would love some developed stuff tho, so if you have my discord feel free to bother me on there tonight :)
didn’t matter if madison was awake or not, she was going to wake up either way by the dramatic moves shannon makes slipping into the bed. but in her opinion, sleep was the least important thing right now. shannon cooper just got dumped for the first time, for another girl! eyes are still swollen with hot tears, bottom lip jutted out as she blinks heavily at madison. “ obviously not, do i look okay? “ sarcasm drips out because the anger is still there. rolling away and flat on her back, shannon sniffles, pulls on the blanket. “ god, what an ass! he came over this morning and totally ambushed me with it. like, out of the blue. just a few days ago we were having hot sex and now this? like, seriously? “ hands fly up then back down, a roll of her eyes. it hurts, so bad, and shannon’s trying to stop her weeping to explain. “ and get this, “ shannon begins, wiping beneath her eyes as she sniffles again. “ he told me there’s someone else. what does he mean there’s someone else? everyone in the world knows that he’s mine, so what kind of low life skank got to his head? “
“ right. “ tongue is stuck to the roof of dry mouth as her features try and remain soft. madison remains rolled on her side, and with shannon facing the ceiling, it allows mucky eyes to be drowned in guilt as they settle on dry tears spilling from her best friends face. she did not expect the brunette to be this upset by it. always bounced back after relationships, most times found herself in a new one before the last one fully ended. but madison has always known craig was different... but perhaps she was holding on to the hope he wasn’t, because maybe then madison wouldn’t feel so terrible that she was the reason for the doom.
low life skank. causes shoulder to rise and press against her cheek and face to pull tight as if she had been stung by a jellyfish. the blond had never been the best liar, finds avoidance easier than excuses. so, she finally rolls onto her back, pulls her blankets over her shoulders and purses her lips. “ maybe.. ” a beat, a pause as mind scrambles for something to say. “ i don’t know. but.. it’s good that he told you before he did anything with the other girl, right? you were too good for him anyway. ” too good for either of them.
“ i did invite one, “ diana states, perfectly pedicured fingers tapping against exposed skin as one hand curves around her hips and the other holds her red cup. “ they’re the ones who invited people. “ and the smirk that’s growing on her lips only shows that yeah, that was the plan after all. eyes roll and diana clicks her tongue. “ oh, come on. shannon has parties all the time, and i’m only here for the summer. consider it my welcome home party. “
sharp, slow inhale as madison runs long fingers through her hair, gaze bouncing between each induvial taking up space in the coopers backyard; the usual area for each party thrown. “ parties are planned, diana. jesus, i’m supposed to be working on my julliard audition that’s coming up in a couple of weeks. i can’t do that with all this noise. “ madison lowly mumbles, switching her attention back towards her little sister. green eyes drop towards the cup, and the seemingly protective one is quick to snatch it out of diana’s hands. “ fine, you can hang out with some people but there’s no way you’re drinking. if i catch you with another cup i’m shutting this down. “
“cheesy?” he mimes offense, brows up. a smile lives in the corners of his mouth. “i’m cheesy?” fingers prod her ribs with a tickle, smug and determined to draw a giggle from her. it feels so easy now, so unrestrained. part of craig is a little pleased that they’re pretty much isolated to joey’s house as part of their plan to ease into things. there’s no demand to go out, to flaunt. no dot distractions or awareness of how they look to other people. here, it’s just them. “mm-mm,” craig refuses, pulls playfully at her arm to try and pry the shield from her smile. “no stopping. ‘cause when i say cheesy stuff, you get all flustered and that’s way too good.” grin widens, his bites into it. “you want me to keep going? i got plenty of sappy love song fodder.”
“ stop. “ madison repeats with a laugh, squirming against his touch as she tries to shield her sides with her elbows. she feels warm, fuzzy, even. similar to what she feels when her fingers press against her piano keys, only this time; she’s sharing these feeling with someone else for once. it makes her head all dizzy with conflicted happiness, and madison’s thankful for the private moments she has with craig. “ you’re cruel. “ she teases, tongue faintly sticking out the corner of her mouth as she uncovers her face. madison drops her hand from her face, instead reaches and interlocks his fingers with her own. her thin brows raise solemnly, and she begins shaking her head, adjusting herself on the couch so her leg is curled beneath her. “ okay, you have to promise me you won’t ever write me a love song, “ authoritative, slender finger points as she laughs again. “ seriously, i draw the line at that. “
“ho-ly shit,” jay barks a laugh, dragging his stunned gaze from madison to the guy ambling away clutching his face. “uh, yeah. you’re paying his share.” just to be clear. but with business out of the way, jay nods approvingly, definitely amused. he guides a hand to her back, jerking his head toward the kitchen. “man, you’re really like, fuck it to those things now, huh?” he cringes a little looking over her crumpled fingers, sucking in a breath that says ouch. “you should try using your head one of these days. and i don’t mean slamming it into their face.” which is to say, she coulda just told him what happened first. he rolls his eyes. “get out a little of that aggression at least?”
jaw is clenched and teeth are grinding down on her lip, trying to cause new pain to distract the old. madison’s thinking it really was a bad idea to use her already fucked up fist, but she didn’t think rationally, just instinctively. she holds her wrist, eyes rolling up at jay as she’s lead into the kitchen. “ he grabbed my ass before, awhile ago. and i told him if he did it again i’d punch him. and, well, “ shoulders lift with her hand. she doesn’t remember the last time she’s fought someone, maybe back in seventh grade when someone pulled shannon’s hair. madison doesn’t have that much of a temper, but sometimes it just snaps.
as soon as they reach the kitchen madison’s propping herself up on one of the counters, squinting down at her twitching fingers, aching and wet with her victims blood. “ jesus, “ raspy voice huffs, head tilting as lids squeeze hazel colored eyes closed. she’s really praying she didn’t re-break her bones. not that it mattered -- she was permanently broken on the inside either way. “ i sold tonight, “ madison finally exhales, tongue swiping across her cracked lips as she opens her gaze towards jay. “ and my fist hurts. could really use something right now to take my mind off it, you know? “
this is how it was always supposed to be. sitting beside each - other with that invisible wall between them gone, allowing their sides to touch. the guilt is still there, lingering, and madison imagines it’ll be a long time until she could let that go. but right now, she’s trying to enjoy the moment, finally spend time with craig without that weird tightness in the air suffocating them. madison can’t remember exactly what it was on the tv that made her laugh, probably some phony acting that she couldn’t help but mock inside her head, but when craig speaks, her attention shifts towards him. madison’s smile only tightens, her hand raising to press her fingers against her lips, rolling her eyes sportively as she rests her head back against the sofa. “ stop. “ a light, flustered laugh, follows, and her other hand comes to meet the other side of her face, desperate to cool off her cheeks before she swings her head to find craig again. “ i hate when you say cheesy stuff like that. “ or, in reality, she hates how warm and girlish it makes her feel.
“ madison, are you awake? “ hoarsely voice comes from a brief pause of sniffles as shannon opens the door to the pool house. her entire body felt weightless, like she had cried her entire organs out and there’s now.. nothing. she doesn’t remember a time she’s ever felt this, and all she could say about it was that it sucked. that, and fuck craig manning. feet are slow to step into the small building, until she reaches the bed and see’s madison beneath the covers. shannon doesn’t say anything else before she’s crawling in beside her, tugging the covers off until she can slip between them and cover herself. she turns to face madison, whose eyes were closed; and shannon presses her forehead against her. “ craig broke up with me. “
yes, i am awake. answers in her head, but her lips remain in a tight, straight line, blankets folded over her head and trying best to make her breathing sound like faint snores. madison’s stuck on wishing for shannon to turn around and go back to her room, and wanting shannon to come close so madison could comfort her crying friend. it’s a sticky, messy situation, and madison’s stomach is aching from guilt. she’s been avoiding shannon all morning, and when she saw craig approach the house, the blond knew exactly what was happening. he was breaking up with her.
and shannon confirms it after slipping her small frame into the bed, and every sniffle she hears, madison wants to throw up. lids are slow to open and reveal guilt ridden greens, and she examines the sad, newly-single girl before her. “ i’m sorry. “ it’s a whisper so faint, madison has to double take to make sure she said it. underlying apology beneath this one, but either way; madison reaches to brush chocolate colored hair out of shannon’s face. “ are you okay? “
“ what the hell did you do? ” /from jay @snakesimp
her knuckles burn, a sharp reminder of the jaw it was previously connected too. the barely healed bones in her fingers crumble beneath skin, causes madison to inhale a sharp cry, holds it and never lets it go. instead she cradles her wrist in her other palm, biting down on chapped lips as her body slowly turns to jay, scolding, which is to be expected. madison just punched one of their buyers. “ he grabbed my ass. “ she responds in a breath, lazy eyes trailing down to her shaking wrist. head shakes, blonde hair cascaded over her features. “ i’ll pay his share, whatever. fuck, i need ice. or a cold beer. “
* MISCHA BARTON AS MARISSA COOPER: in the source link you’ll be redirected to a ( unfished, currently still in progress. ) gif hunt of mischa barton as marissa cooper in season 2 of the oc. all of these were made by me from scratch, so please don’t claim as your own or redistribute. like / reblog if you are using. do not use in any taboo roleplays. ps, this is my first ever gif pack so go easy on me !
really, it’s enough to make craig blissfully forget all the things standing in their way. he can see the path to madison so clearly. just a few steps, his steady, confident hands can frame her face, and everything else can cease to exist. except her conscience is a lot more wary than his, her moral compass prepared to guide him, stop him even, with the mention of shannon. neither of them say her name, like doing so will cue a rap at the door, belonging to the girl herself.
craig freezes just before the couch, blinking down at her, his head shaking. “no, she’ll hate me. you didn’t do anything.” whereas his culpability is a little more obvious, he’d been trying since the beginning to edge the line madison had been hastily drawing between them. he’s been waiting to hear her say this. “so… we break up and then you and me won’t even–.” brow furrows, clear disdain for the concept. “it’s been months. i know what i want to do.”
his hands cover her’s, pulls them away from her knees. brows lift with realization, lilt maybe a little guilty. “she doesn’t have to know.” it’s maybe even a predictable suggestion coming from craig and he rolls his eyes a little at the stereotype. “i just mean… i want us to hang without feeling like there’s a wall between us. we don’t have to tell her at first, we can give her time to get over it.” get over him. and he can bounce right from shannon to her best friend. craig releases her hands to run his fingers down his face. parrots her sentiment, “this is horrible.”
“ you can’t break up with her for me, craig. “ she’s quick to respond, the slits of her eyes narrowing sharp. madison rolls her head, stares at the ceiling for a moment as she explains. “ i mean, it’s too much pressure. what if things don’t work out with us? “ her hand motions between them. “ what if knowing this is wrong is the only thing that draws us together? and once that we’re able to... be, we realize there’s nothing else here? “ it is not that way for her, wouldn’t even be considering this whole conversation, the conversation that would cost her a lifelong friendship, for a fling. but madison finds it reasonable to ask because.. this is craig. he has more of a track record for this thing, and she’d be damned to just be a shiny, unattainable thing for him to grasp at. “ you have to break up with her because you don’t want to be with her. “ she sniffles, tips her head sideways. “ i mean - do you love her? “
madison’s head only barely lifts as his hands touch hers, her fingers treading lightly against the smoothness of his palms, thumbs wrapping against his own. he’s trying to make it work, and she’s slowly relenting, letting down the barriers she was so strict to put between them because madison’s tired. tired of that wrenching feeling in her chest, tired of hearing shannon babble on about things her and craig do, tired of being set up on blind dates. but it’s always been this way for the duo. shannon’s feelings come first, always, and madison keeps her head low. and maybe all those years giving shannon what she wants is finally eating her inside out.
she finally looks up, finally flickers his face and reaps all his emotions. “ i’d hate to lie to her. “ madison admits lowly, gazing back towards the ground. lying about her feelings with craig was one thing, but sneaking around with him was a whole other kind of trouble. madison can’t help but wonder when she turned into this kind of girl. another pause between them before her hands reach to grasp the fabric of his shirt, leaning her forehead to press against his torso. she doesn’t know which is worse, this conversation, or the fact being this close to him for the first time is causing her heart to race in the best ways possible. “ okay. “ madison swallows, leaning her head up, replacing her forehead against him with her chin, a halfway nod. “ but you have to break up with her first, craig. before anything between us really happens. “
