Carpe Diem

Gerald Pitts. 18. Rosewood senior, Welton boy, and Dead Poet Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying: And this same flower that smiles to-day, To-morrow will be dying. –To the Virgins, by Robert Herrick

[gwyn-woods]

Hey, it’s cool, gotta get it off your chest some time. That’s kinda how it is with my mom. She’s all about image. She says she’s being a proper lady, but she’s just a kiss ass. Though I guess that covers most people around here. Everyone’s so hung up on looking perfect to everyone else.

[pittscommagerald]

He cares so much about how I influence his image, even though I'll be out of his hair within a year. I can't even begin to tell you the things that have come out of his mouth. He spits acid.

[poppy-montenegro]

Yeah but maybe that’s not the worst thing. Sometimes it’s the only way they know how to parent.

[pittscommagerald]

Well, most children don't like to grow up feeling neglect.

[gwyn-woods]

I guess I can relate. I’m not entirely thankful for my mother, but I’ll be at my dad’s for a few days so I’m actually excited about it. He can’t cook to save himself, but I’m thankful that he doesn’t even try anymore. There’s only so much burned turkey a girl can handle. What about you? Which category do you fall into?

[pittscommagerald]

I guess I'd be the opposite. I'm thankful for my mother and sister, but I can't stand my dad anymore. And we're probably spending it with his side of the family, which means he'll act as if I have to perform in whatever role he'd like me to in order to please his image- shit, sorry, I need to stop ranting about him. Sorry.

[poppy-montenegro]

Guess Rosewood’s not the most family friendly place.

[pittscommagerald]

Well, sometimes I feel as if we're dumped here, to be parented by people other than our parents.

[gwyn-woods]

I feel like that kind of defeats the purpose of Thanksgiving if no one actually wants to spend one day with the families.

[pittscommagerald]

Not really. It's supposed to be a day of being thankful for things, and some people just happen to not be thankful for their family. I can't exactly blame them.

[pittscommagerald]

I don't think I've met one person who's looking forward to having to spend all of Thursday with their family.

[pittscommagerald]

Night Shift || Ralph Lauren

[sagaciously]

[She watched as her friend ran a hand through his shaggy hair, and the soft grumble from his throat took way too much effort to exhale. Her face pained nervously, and the little box she held at her stomach was pushed out in his direction.] Doughnut? [She asked, shrugging a little, and giving him a smile.] Alright big guy, take the poetry and give me a little more. Less metaphors, more descriptive language. [Sage tapped his back, trying to keep a lighthearted air that was often shared between them, and she felt like she had to make him feel better.] Come on, let’s talk. 

[pittscommagerald]

[He smiled ever so slightly when she offered him the box, but shook his head.] I'll wait. [He wasn't upset to the point where he couldn't eat- no, that just wasn't a thing that happened to him, but his emotions did affect him in other aspects of his life- but he'd rather explain to her the situation before getting sugar and crumbs everywhere in the midst of his explanation. Despite how hard she tried to keep the mood light, he couldn't reciprocate, his shoulders hunched in obvious sign.] I'll tell you in the car. Do you want to come back to my dorm with me?

[pittscommagerald]

Night Shift || Ralph Lauren

[sagaciously]

[Sage, who was putting away her apron and cute cloth hat, waited in the cozy shop on the corner of Main for her ride. Her best friend, actually, who just happened to have a car and enough time on his hands to be around her. She’d finished wiping down the tables, with crusted cream on them and drops of coffee, before she got the text message.] Checking out, Eric! [She called from over the counter top, grabbing her bag and pushing the door open, scurrying out. She was excited to see Ger, but upon lying her eyes on him her smile faded a bit. She could tell something was off.] You look like shit, man. [She narrowed her eyebrows as she got closer.] …Okay? 

[pittscommagerald]

[Gerald tried to smile for Sage as she approached, but he couldn't hide the sadness his eyes broadcast like a neon sign. His smile disappeared as hers faded, though an airy chuckle escaped his lips.] Gee, thanks. [The sarcasm was meant to be lighthearted, but the demeanor wasn't there to deliver the humorous element the boy was known for. He sighed, shaking his head and running a hand though his hair. He wasn't okay, and it was one of the rare times he would admit it.] If my life story could be told with the weather, a tsunami would be upon us right now.

[pittscommagerald]

Night Shift || Ralph Lauren

[Gerald tried to keep a pleasant disposition when he texted Sage about picking her up from work, but if she were to have seen him, she would have known he wasn't feeling much of anything close to how he emoted his texts. After a "much-needed family meeting" and an argument with his father (he was proud of himself for standing up for himself, but it ultimately backfired), Gerald was threatened with another all-boys private boarding school over his sexuality. His father's logic was that it was too strict to allow the boys to have relations with each other, but Gerald knew that wasn't the case. But, he realized being sent away not only meant leaving Teddy, but all of his friends he'd made at Rosewood. And with Teddy's grades slipping and military school on the line, Gerald knew the couple had to break up- for the sake of his staying in Rosewood and Teddy's grades staying satisfactory. So, needless to say, he was a wreck over the entire situation. It was the first time he'd worn sweatpants and a t-shirt when he wasn't sick, and his hair was a little straggled and unkempt. When he pulled up to the Dunkin' Donuts Sage worked at, he pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed her number.] Hey, I'm in the parking lot whenever you're ready.

[pittscommagerald]

I'm so glad there's no school tomorrow.

[themostordinaryday-blog-deactiv]

Pfft, he just lies to seem like a manly man. We’re definitely his favourite people ever.

[pittscommagerald]

He's not manly when it comes to us. I've learned tears usually break him down. Duh. 

[pittscommagerald]

I'm so glad there's no school tomorrow.

[memphisarden-deactivated2017102]

I’m thinking of sleeping or heading into the city. What are you going to do?

[pittscommagerald]

I'm definitely sleeping, but I don't know what to do when I wake up.

[pittscommagerald]

I'm so glad there's no school tomorrow.

[memphisarden-deactivated2017102]

It was. Well, all of the veterans are dead now, but we can thank them in spirit. 

[pittscommagerald]

Well, of course. How do you think you're going to spend tomorrow?

[pittscommagerald]

I'm so glad there's no school tomorrow.

[memphisarden-deactivated2017102]

Of course it is; it was the end of World War One. I just forgot we had it off. This is great news.

[pittscommagerald]

Was it? I didn't know that. Huh, you learn something new every day. We'll have to thank the veterans for giving us some extra sleep.

[pittscommagerald]

I'm so glad there's no school tomorrow.

[memphisarden-deactivated2017102]

There’s no school? Why wasn’t I aware of this?

[pittscommagerald]

It's Veteran's Day... it's on the calendar and everything.

[pittscommagerald]

I'm so glad there's no school tomorrow.

[themostordinaryday-blog-deactiv]

Exactly! Gosh, we understand him so much better than he understands himself.

[pittscommagerald]

And that's exactly why he needs us around- even when he says he doesn't want us around.

[pittscommagerald]

I'm so glad there's no school tomorrow.

[themostordinaryday-blog-deactiv]

I say we just bother Toby more than we usually do. I’m sure he’d looove that.

[pittscommagerald]

Well, it's not like he has anything better to do than to be bothered by us. He secretly always loves it, no matter how much he says he doesn't.

[pittscommagerald]

I'm so glad there's no school tomorrow.

[themostordinaryday-blog-deactiv]

Oh, I bother Toby even when it isn’t a day off. I need to change things up a a bit.

[pittscommagerald]

Soon enough, his ginger hair will turn grey because of all the bothering we do. I'd say you could come over and bother Ollie, but he's working on a painting and I think he'd kill me if anyone bothered him anymore than I unintentionally do.