inhale the future, exhale the past.

Mallina Balli. Twenty-Seven. zoologist. "But there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears. And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears.Get over your hill and see what you find there, with grace in your heart and flowers in your hair. Adrian Witt. Thirty. owns his bar. "nothing worth having comes easy." Peyton Lians. Twenty-Eight. Fashion Journalist. "Wake up every morning and tell yourself you're a badass bitch from hell and that no one can fuck with you and then don't let anybody fuck with you."

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

crisxezraxval:

“You’re telling me. I’m glad I’m not the only one that thinks it’s a long time also.” Ezra commented rubbing the back of his neck as he searched his brain for if he knew exactly who the owner was. “Actually I didn’t even recognize them it was like they were there and then they were gone. Who brings their pet with them to a reunion in the first place?” Wondering out loud Ezra knew he definitely wouldn’t have brought his with him to the beach house. One reason being he didn’t own any animals, and secondly if he did they wouldn’t be with him due to the fear of it being to much of a stressful occasion for the animal. “Do you want to help me look for the owner? Maybe the dog can help us they know how to track their owners.”

“For someone to hand their dog off to someone for a solid twenty minutes is actually a little bit odd,” she admitted. A slight chuckle fell from her lips, “Well actually if I had one, I probably would too but I think it’s easy to tell why for my reasons but I can agree with you on this one.” She grabbed a tighter hold on the leash so the dog couldn’t run away again. “Yeah, I’d be happy to help. I suppose we can let him lead the way, dogs have a tendency to find their way back to their owners. If all else fails, we can start asking around? ” Mallina looked up at him, awaiting his response before taking off to find the owner.

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

crisxezraxval:

Scrunching her face up in confusion at the wise advice Val never expected to receive from Mallina. Sure she knew that the woman was ridiculously smart the advice had the dark haired female wondering what she could have possibly learned from Malli ten years ago. “Very wise, did you come up with that by yourself?” She wondered letting her features relax back into one of wonder. “Awe shucks thank you! You know what they say flattery will get you everywhere.” She teased with a soft elbow nudge to the woman’s side. “What kind of animals? I can’t complain, I travel to places and blog about them and make little videos. It isn’t super glamorous living all the time, but the experiences sure are in my eyes.”

The dark-haired girl chuckled, “Oh goodness, no,” she shook her head, being honest with her classmate. “It was something my mom always told me growing up.. anytime she noticed it was an off day, she would say those words to me. It obviously took a long time to follow them but I think I might finally be there,” Mallina smiled softly. “Of course! Well as long as it gets me ice cream, I could flatter others all day,” she teased back; ice cream always being her weakness. “I’m actually a Zoologist so I get to work with all kinds, anything from polar bears to lions. That sounds really exciting, actually! I remember you always saying how much you wanted to travel. I’d love to see your videos and such, if you don’t mind of course. Definitely a life well lived if you ask me, getting to experience new things and such.” 

[crisxezraxval]

Pursing his lips and raising his eyebrows in question Cris looked down at Peyton. “You already know the food and drinks are bad huh? Looks like the reunion is already going downhill if the liquors bad.” Following the females lead Cris tossed the name tag into the trash can quite positive that his classmates would know who he was. At the mention of her dress he looked her up and down a low whistle left his lips. “It sure is a pretty one so I don’t blame you.” With an eye roll he ignored the last comment instead heading for the door and holding it open for the woman. “Shall we head on in then? Ladies first.”

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

“Have you seen how greasy the food looks? And the drinks look just as bad. Which is the sole reason I brought my own liquor,” she grinned over at him. Even to this day Peyton was still about the alcohol - maybe not as bad as she was in high school but she still liked to have a good time when the opportunity presented itself. Her eyebrows raised as she watched him follow her lead. A smirk was on her lips as he whistled at her. “You’re not looking so bad yourself you know,” she replied in acknowledgement. Her head nodded curtly. “We shall..” and with that, she lead the two of them into the main room where most of their classmates were mingling with one another.

[crisxezraxval]

Grateful that the woman she had bumped into wasn’t hurt, Val sighed in relief. “Thank god, I don’t know what kind of rep I’d get if I were to injure someone this early into the reunion.” Jesting Val ran a hand through her dark hair tugging slightly at the roots. Focusing her sights back onto the woman, her smile widening when she realized who it was. Mallina had certainly matured since high school, and Val was quite positive many of the people who were jerks to the young woman were kicking themselves upon seeing her. “Oh me? Yeah, that was nothing compared to what I’ve been through.” Swiping her hand in the air she shook the question off like it was nothing. “How have you been Miss Mallina? Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look stunning!” Val exclaimed giving the woman a thumbs up. “Whatever you’re doing keep it up, and send some tips my way.”

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

Mallina remembered how malicious her classmates could be to herself and the girl in front of her and a sad smile crossed her features. "It’s not your fault.. ‘sides, people would do anything to be rude but you shouldn’t let them bother you,” she offered up to the other, though she really needed to work on taking her own advice. “Well I’m glad you’re alright too,” she smiled kindly. “Oh well.. thank you,” she grinned even wider at the compliment, something she wasn’t used to hearing. “You’re looking beautiful yourself, Val!” she exclaimed. “I’ve been pretty great. I’m working with animals now so there’s not much I can really complain about. What about you?” 

[crisxezraxval]

Furrowing his brows Cris looked down at his new companion. “This is tacky? I figured the paper would be tacky… This just seems completely unnecessary.” He muttered under his breath. “Sides it’s not like I want to put holes in this suit. It’s custom made and not to sound vain, but I’m killin’ it in this combination.” Cris joked knowing exactly well that out of everyone to understand it would be Peyton. Through the grapevine he had heard she had finally broken into the journalism world, and was quite successful with it, not that he cared about ones success other than his own it was nice someone could relate. “You’re right about that, our high school was beyond normal.”

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

She gave the male a look as if he should know her reasoning. “Yes, this is tacky. Like the school’s trying to be something they’re not. Paper would have sufficed - and it would’ve saved money for better food and drinks,” the female commented, not bothering to put on her own name tag. “Which is exactly why I’m not putting mine on; This dress cost more than this house was to rent I imagine.” Peyton pouted a bit as she threw the name tag in the small trash can that was next to the table. “Who are you kidding, I’m always right,” she flashed him a pearly grin, though was only partly teasing on her comment.

[crisxezraxval]

A small bout of laughter left his chest at the demeaning joke. “Just a professional from what I hear.” He commented back reaching for the drink that was placed in front of him and sipping at it. “Were you one of the few that RSVP’D just to judge the staff at this fine establishment?” The dark haired male asked his cousin an eyebrow raised in question. 

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

Laughter came from Adrian so as to match Ezra’s. “And what is it you hear, little cousin?” Not many people knew what Adrian was up to these days unless he wanted them to know and he was now curious as to how his cousin found it and who else may have known - not that he was doing anything bad, he just preferred to keep his business to himself. “You caught me. While we’re on the subject, they definitely need better music as well. But the food, I can live with the food.” He went along with his cousin’s comment though that was nowhere near the reason he came to the reunion. 

[crisxezraxval]

Ezra was handed a rather large dog leash the second he had sat down the owner telling him that they’d be right back. Twenty minutes later and he was beginning to think he had a new companion for the rest of the trip, one that he wasn’t really hoping for. Gazing out for the owner he wasn’t paying much attention to the dog until he felt the leash move and the dog was gone. Jumping from his seat the tall male took off for the dog yelling at anyone to catch it before it made it’s way outside. Breaching the fresh air Ezra took a gulp of it before he focused in on the dog sighing in relief when he saw someone had managed to distract it before it ran away. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention and then he was out of my hands.” His words were rushed due to the air still trying to navigate to his lungs. Sure he was a doctor, and he kept in shape that didn’t mean he doesn’t get breathless. “Same actually, I was just asked to watch him really quick and well it’s been over twenty minutes by now.” Kneeling down he petted the dog behind the ears. “Thank you though for getting him before he took off down the road.”

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

Mallina was still cooing to the dog when someone had approached her, her fingers scratching the dog’s ears as it smiled up at her and pushed its head toward her hand anytime she stopped. She let out a giggle at the dogs antics before standing back up to her previous posture. “Oh it’s no problem.. I love dogs so it was no bother,” she shrugged her shoulders. “That seems like a long time for someone to be gone and leave their dog though. Do you know who it was that brought him to you?” Mallina was curious and also wanted to find who the dog belonged to so he could be returned to his rightful owner. “No need to thank me.. I suppose it’d be better than him jumping into the water,” Lina chuckled.

[crisxezraxval]

Stealing a few much needed breaths before he went back inside the full house Cris ventured out onto the beach. If someone would had told him ten years ago that everyone at the school would be eventually asking him for autographs he’d probably would have laughed in their faces, but there he was signing napkins and red solo cups definitely not what he had imagined for his future. Noticing a figure against a pole Cris walked closer to figure it out who it was. A rather small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth once he realized. “You know one of these day that’s going to kill you.” He hummed out nodding his head towards the cigarette in his ex classmates mouth.

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

Adrian wasn’t expecting anyone to accompany him in his own sort of bubble but alas, his eyes landed on an ex-classmate in front of him. “Someone said that to me when I was seventeen and yet I’m still here,” he commented, though there was a bit of laugh mixed into it to show he wasn’t being all that serious. “But hey, you seem to be doing pretty good for yourself mate. Classmates asking for your autograph and pictures with you - you must feel great,” Adrian pointed, trying to get the subject on anything but himself. 

[crisxezraxval]

Freezing visibly up at the sudden voice filtering through her senses, Val managed to get her nerves in check before actually facing the voice. “Peyton!” Valerie shouted with faux enthusiasm reaching forward and hugging the female. “It’s really been ten years huh? Crazy how time flies, you look like life is treating you well.” She spoke a smile never straying from her face as she faced her high school nemesis. It was like they had taken a page right out of a movie as they stood there pretending to be interested in the other or maybe that was only on Valerie’s part though she doubted it. 

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

The woman did not let the other’s freezing in place go unnoticed and a smile formed at the crease of her lips. Her eyes were struck with amusement at the girls faux enthusiasm of seeing her and Peyton played along with it. “Val!” she spoke back, returning the hug though rolling her eyes when the other couldn’t see. “It’s like just yesterday we were walking the halls with one another. Life is treating me very well. And it seems to have been better to you as well,” her brow furrowed as she observed her. 

[crisxezraxval]

Valerie had arrived to the ten year reunion quite early, considering her brain was still on a different timezone than the residing one, but it didn’t stop her from making her rounds from one familiar face to one not so familiar face. By the time the reunion was in full swing the dark haired woman was becoming fatigued, yet didn’t want to be one of the first to leave like she was to show up. Leaning against a wall to support her weary body, she sipped at the warm straight black coffee in her hands hoping it’d give her the energy to continue. Sooner than she expected the cup was drained and Val was making her way across the room to dispense of it. Of course she wasn’t watching exactly where she was going, still the klutz she was ten years ago, Valerie collided shoulder first into someone. Stepping back, the cup in her hand the least of her worries. “Oh no, Are you okay? I’m sorry, I should still be wearing a safety vest to warn people about my clumsiness.” Remarking on a time when that’s all the teachers would tell her in their school. 

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

Mallina had been nervously tugging on her dress as she slowly made her rounds in the house. Most of the attendees Lina couldn’t say she had a chance to get to know in high school, mainly because several of them were the ones that made fun of her dorkiness. But she was thankful for the ones that she had gotten to know in her earlier years. Excusing herself from a group of a couple of both men and women, she awkwardly made her way to the corner of where she had begun. She looked down for a moment and a second later there was a thump on her shoulder, followed by a slight squeak from her mouth. She quickly looked up, expecting it to be one of the ex-jocks but was instead surprised to see it was someone else - though happy. The woman offered the other a kind smile, “Yeah no worries, I’m okay. There’s no need to apologize, it happens.” She remembered the dark-haired girl to be Valerie, someone who had also went through one heck of a time in high school as herself. “Really.. it’s no bother. But what about you, are you okay?” she questioned, the bump in to be rather rough. 

[crisxezraxval]

Ezra didn’t want to be at the reunion and he probably wouldn’t be if he hadn’t told his receptionist to just accept it in the midst of his work haze. Ordering another drink from the open bar the older male set his sights on a familiar face a wide grin breaking across the skin. “Well all be damned, I didn’t expect to see you attending this thing.” He spoke with a hint of amusement in his tone. “Unless it’s for the open bar because that’s the reason I’m here.”

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

Adrian had been wondering around aimlessly trying to figure out what to do - the male felt awkward being at the reunion, always the troubled kid in high school and it seemed some of his old classmates were still intimidated by him, of course he couldn’t blame them. In an instance, Adrian spotted a familiar face and made his way to the other male. He laughed, “You and me both, man,” His head shook. “Well they could definitely have better staff tending the bar but who am I to judge?” Adrian joked. 

[crisxezraxval]

Getting out of the private car, sunglasses sitting perfectly on the bridge of his nose Cris yawned and stretched his arms out well over his head. Taking the sunglasses off and folding them into the pocket on his shirt, the dark skinned male surveyed the area. For the first reunion, the committee sure went all out or what he considered would be all out for his old school. For him? It seemed like an event that would ruin his rep if it was a party, but a vacation maybe. Sending his driver away the male walked towards the doors signing in and even picking up a name tag. “Goddamnit, why couldn’t we just stick with paper.” He groaned after pricking his finger with the tag’s pin. “That’s what normal reunions use..”

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

Peyton could tell the moment she arrived to the beach house that there others who were either very successful or not. One in particular who seemed to be was Cris - someone she remembered who was very in to sports. She had heard he went on to be some big athlete which was impressive in and of itself. The dark-haired woman decided to stick to those around her who fit in more with her lifestyle and Cris seemed to be the type. Over hearing him curse about the name tags, she couldn’t help but chuckle a bit. “It’s pretty tacky if you ask me but then again, we never were the normal type of high school,” she rolled her eyes.

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

Peyton would be damned if she didn’t show up to the reunion, especially as the best dressed. So when she found out about it, she was one of the first to RSVP, making sure everyone knew she was as successful as she always boasted about. Not bothering to take off her heels as she made her way through the sand and into the house, it wasn’t long until she spotted a familiar face. “Well say it isn’t so.. ”

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

Though Adrian couldn’t say he was excited about the whole ordeal of a reunion, deep down he thought the idea of it all was pretty interesting. He just wasn’t looking forward to the unsolved drama that would probably ensue or the classmates who always thought they were better than him and others he was close to during his high school days. Pulling out a cigarette, he leaned back on a pole that was plenty feet away from the house as he observed his old classmates giving each other pleasantries and walking into the house.

[mallinaxadrianxpeyton]

Mallina had been second guessing the reunion, thinking that things that took place ten years ago were still something that would be going on to this day but her best friend she met while in her job profession convinced her otherwise. So she found herself turning off the engine to her jeep wrangler and taking a deep breath before getting out of the black vehicle. It was ten years ago and the brunette had changed quite a bit, the only exception being her intelligent ways - which was something her peers dragged on her about all the time. Coming to her senses, she hesitantly made her way to the over-sized beach house before getting distracted by someone’s dog that made its way over to her. “Hey there big guy,” she started, bending over slightly to pet it. “I wonder who you belong to.”

[elserina]

[jonhconstantine]