lucas shepherd

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

@oflos3rs

The locker room was quiet, except for the sound of his music floating out from the tiny speaker on his phone. Sweat had been dripping off of every inch of him, and now tiny droplets of water graced its place. It was late enough that he knew nobody was coming in— at least, he thought. The sight of Brooks always sent his nerves into a frenzy, knotted something up in his chest, and made it hard not to grimace. Maybe it was that whole, ‘Hockey vs Football’ thing that the Titans were always pushing— some kind of natural enemy-ship that had been born from the depths of fate to curse the two men. Maybe Shepherd was just… Pulling at straws.  He coughed, straightened his shoulders, suddenly conscious of the fact that all he had on was the towel he had stepped out of the shower in. “Sup,” Shut up, dude. Just shut up. “I’ll, uh–”

“I’m gonna be out of here in a minute. Didn’t know anyone else was still practicing this late.”

[sm0kesh0ws]

Noemi didn't smile often. It wasn't for lack of knowing how, or because she didn't have the mental capacity to experience joy. She just never felt like most people needed to see it. Still, there was the barest creep of a smile as he said that he viewed her as good company. Was she... being successfully wooed?

When the joint hovered toward her lips, she let it stay there for a beat. Close enough to feel the heat, enough to register the invitation underneath it. Was it an invitation? They leaned forward just enough for their lips to wrap around the paper, taking a slow drag, eyes never leaving his. Sensual? Definitely. She held the smoke in her throat for a moment before using a finger to crack her window, finally breaking eye contact to blow what smoke was left out of her mouth.

"Oh, so I'm special?" Said with a lack of enthusiasm. Their gaze flicked back over to him, and Noemi drew one knee up, certainly getting herself comfortable. "Word to the wise? If you plan on bonding with the rest of us, they won't like that," her eyes flicked to the joint. Most of the glee kids were too keen on keeping their voices smooth, Noemi falling somewhat under that category, but it's not like she was ever performing solos that often to care as much as her peers did.

"One more question and then I'll stop," they posed, as if they were some kind of inconvenience. "What do you prefer to be called?" Over the years, by osmosis, she had heard a multitude of names thrown his way: Lucas, Luke, Shep, Shepherd. They weren't even sure how someone could have that many names. "Don't think I can go on calling you dreamboy forever."

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

Smoke danced away from her lips. It filled the small space with the cloudy haze of weed, and Shepherd could only think-- of course she was special. He didn't know why, or how; hadn't expected to see her tonight, or to even speak for the foreseeable future. But now there was something inescapable, something that would linger on his mind- something that would stick. Even if this is all it would ever be.

"I'll keep that in mind," Shepherd took a hit off of his joint. He hadn't exactly heard a no from any of the glee kids yet- all desperate to let loose, he thought. But he kept it to himself, why shouldn't Noemi feel like she had given him some kind of helping hand? "Wouldn't want to go scaring anyone off."

"Wish you would." The grin on his lips was dripping with a Shepherd-y sort of charm, a little cheesy- a little something else. He was careful to keep the joint pointed away from them, tucked between his pointer finger, and middle-- used the other two fingers to tuck a stray piece of hair back behind their ear. "You could call me whatever you wanted...."

He's close, close enough that he could close the distance between them with nothing more than a push. He doesn't- waits. "Lucas, though." Nobody called him Lucas much.

[kingmakerhq]

caleb smoked a regular cigarette once in high school and ran straight home crying to confess to his parents. they told him they were disappointed, but as long as he never did it again, it was fine. and he never did. stuck to a two beer maximum rule at parties ever since. but lately he wanted to break out of his shell, heart beating fast with the possibilities, this would be the most rebellious thing he could think of. "i, uh, yes!" he shook his head, "i mean, no. i don't have a lighter. but yes, i'd like to smoke that with you. very much, please." his smile widened, giddy with excitement. "does it taste like anything?"

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

Lucas looked at his teammate like he would've looked at a toddler waving his hands around and begging for a try. He was too into it, too excited at the idea of something as simple as a joint at a party... It was almost shocking, one of the guys on the team not having had partaken in a smoking session after one of the games' afterparties... but anything was possible at St Rivera. Some straight edged Titan wouldn't be the weirdest thing he had run into so far. "...You've smoked before, right?" Somehow Shepherd expected that the answer would be a no.

Part of him that wanted to tell Caleb to get lost, live another day in his purity-- "Come on," the part of him that always longed to be someone's first motioned over his shoulder. "Let's go find out how it tastes."

[sm0kesh0ws]

Noemi didn't hesitate or thank him either as she slid past him into his car. It wasn't for lack of manners, but more so a bit of a game to her. She had a preconceived notion: one that jocks didn't deserve her time of day, and on the flip side, they already didn't pay attention to her. It was often a match made in heaven until tonight. Lucas Shepherd, of all people, had given her an ounce of attention, and he had intrigued her just enough.

They shut the door with more force than necessary, boots finding the floor. Make yourself at home. She may have taken that a little too far, as she was already reaching down to pull the zippers down of each of her Doc Martens, kicking them off. Noemi let her head rest against the seat as she turned to face him once he got in.

"Nobody's ever said that about me," she said, then followed up with, "Being 'good company'." She didn't say it in a way that was self-deprecating, but just another simple fact about herself. That's what he had wanted, right? To get to know his new teammates.

"So... do you do team building... often?" They may have been slightly more confident minutes prior to getting into his car. Now, being truly alone, some of that was slipping.

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

Lucas waited a moment beside the car to take a breath– filled his lungs with late summer air, and looked out over the tops of the houses that surrounded them up, and down the street. Noemi Ibarra. He observed from outside the window; studied the side of their face, the sheet of hair that fell down in front of their features. Tried to ignore the feeling of familiarity, the clutch of warmth that grabbed at his chest when she kicked her boots off into the front seat. 

It didn’t help when she was already looking over at him as he slid into his seat. Something in him wanted to be nearby, close to them. 

Shepherd mirrored Noemi, head rest against the seat, face turned toward them. “I’d say it about you,” He dipped his head, grinning as he freed the joint from behind his ear, finally. “So far, at least. You’ve still got time to prove me wrong.”

It only takes a little digging to find a lighter in his center console, click, click– and the thing is lit. Luke takes a long drag, lets the flavor bloom over his tongue, down into his lungs. “Depends on which team you’re talking about,” He passes the joint out toward her, directly toward her lips– she could hit it without even taking it into her hands if she wanted to. Hot. “Football? Sure.” 

“Glee club?” He motions between the two of them. “This? Not so often." It was mostly true-- he still didn't know whatever the hell this was."

[stupidiots]

there  was  a  perfectly  defensible  reason  for  being  at  a  beta  rho  omega  party,  and  dennis  would  be  happy  to  explain  it  to  anyone  who  looked  confused  enough  to  ask.  enough  of  the  campus  sports  crowd  had  drifted  here  to  make  this  networking.  technically.  if  anyone  wanted  to  call  it  standing  in  a  backyard  with  a  dying  phone  while  people  loudly  rewrote  the  history  of  their  own  wins,  that  was  their  business.  dennis  was  squinting  down  at  the  six  percent  in  the  corner  of  his  screen  like  that  alone  could  raise  it  back  to  seven,  when  a  voice  cut  in  beside  him.  he  looked  over  with  his  eyebrows  already  raised.   “  do  i  look  like  someone  people  trust  with  fire?  ”   he  asked,  glancing  up  at  lucas  with  a  small,  helpless  sort  of  smile.   “  no,  sorry.  i’ve  got  nothing.  ”   his  gaze  flicked  to  the  joint  behind  lucas’s  ear,  then  toward  the  fire  pit,  catching  the  idea  before  it  could  fully  become  one.   “  i  feel  like  that’s  probably  not  plan  a,  ”   he  said,  which  was  about  as  generous  as  he  could  make  it  sound.  then  lucas  mentioned  the  car.   “  do  you  have  a  charger  in  there?  ”   he  asked,  pocketing  it.   “  because  i  might  come  with  you,  but  not  because  i’m  endorsing  the  joint.  ”

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

"Pretty sad if you can't trust yourself with a lighter. Your ancestors are shaking in their graves." Lucas hadn't meant to say it, tried and failed, to bite his tongue. He didn't exactly understand that one, though- maybe that was a personal flaw of his, something that made his Dad's voice echo in his head. Weakness. He squinted toward the other guy, dragged his eyes over: sized him up. "What's that mean, you're not 'endorsing' the joint?"

Lucas didn't like that, didn't like feeling disapproval, being judged- even if it was some guy. "You don't like weed, or?" It was a challenge, something that could spiral.

[whimsyhcrts]

"what can i say? life is too short not to have cute shit, lighters included," she shrugged her shoulders as she puts the lighter back into her pocket. when lucas agrees to go back to her own car to finish off the rest of the blunt, there is a small sense of pride within savannah. she loved being able to be in the comfort of her own vehicle, feeling as though she was in her own little world she crafted up. "fair warning though, my mom van? it might be the coolest smoke spot on campus ... don't be too jealous," the girl pointed out as she ushered for the taller boy to fall her in stride to where she was parked.

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

Lucas wasn’t sure that he agreed– besides the girls he had dated, cute shit had never exactly been on his radar. Whatever floated her boat, though. Maybe having something personalized might keep him from fucking losing a lighter a week. “If you say so,” He shrugged over the words. “Maybe I’ll try it out.” 

‘Don’t be too jealous.’ Luke screwed up his expression at her claim. He liked his own car, preferred it over standing on the sidewalk, or under some bridge… He couldn’t imagine her ‘Mom Van,’ though, living up to ‘coolest smoke spot on campus.’ Not when he still knew the way up onto the roof of the Science Arts building. “Don’t think I’ll be too jealous,” Lucas followed along after her. “Social chair of Beta Rho, it’s pretty much my job to know where all the good spots are.” He didn't think some van was going to make the top ten.

He thought for a moment. “What makes it a mom van?”

[socvereign]

she   couldn't   help   but   roll   her   eyes.   and   then   they   said   women   were   dramatic   ...   those   people   had   probably   never   seen   an   exhausted   (   surely   from   actual   hard   work   )   college   boy.   "   exhaustion   is   for   the   weak   shepherd.   and   no   offence   but   i   would   also   rather   have   someone   else   in   front   of   me   but   alas   we   can't   always   get   what   we   want.   " when   he   started   walking   away   she   swallowed   her   pride   and   did   exactly   so.   if   she   wanted   to   get   things   done   a   quick   hallway   meeting   probably   wasn't   enough.   she   almost   asked   the   question   to   where   the   hell   he   was   heading   to   before   he   answered   it   himself.   "   then   again   it's   a   partnership   so   we   compromise.   besides   as   long   as   the   songs   go   together   it's   all   good   to   me.   "   she   herself   had   some   ideas   but   it   all   depended   on   what   vobe   they   wanted   to   give   off.   "   like   do   we   want   sad   and   dramatic   like   some   coldplay   and   olivia   rodrigo   or   we   can   go   full   on   big   for   like   some   katy   perry   and   kelly   clarkson.   like   what   are   the   things   you're   good   at   to   sing   ?   " when   they   arrived   at   the   coffee   cart   she   gave   him   a   smile   "   actually   i   haven't   gotten   any   coffee   today   it   messes   with   my   swimming   for   some   reason.   so   yes   thank   you   for   offering   i   would   love   a   coffee   anything   involving   vanilla   will   do   honestly   "

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

Coldplay, Olivia Rodrigo– Katy Perry? Lucas couldn’t hide the look of disgust lingering over his features– fix your face, Shepherd. Being in Glee club had been bad enough, but having to sing Top 40s pop? He’d never been much of a music snob, but having to mash up ‘Roar’ and ‘Yellow’... Mourning his own reputation seemed imminent, he didn’t care how cool the other guys tried to make it seem. “How about none of that?” 

Lucas shrugged his shoulders. Not like he had much of his own suggestions to offer her. 

He ordered his own coffee, hers, and shepherded her (lol) to the nearest place to sit– a fucking bench, definitely not enough space between him and her, but it would have to do. He takes a long sip, ignores the heat on his tongue; caffeine needed to get pumping through his veins stat, or– 

“I like Charli XCX,” He finally chimed in. “The Dare? Cage the Elephant…” A sip of his coffee. “I guess that Chappel Roan chick is cool.”

[sm0kesh0ws]

Noemi watched the way his grin settled on his face, his confidence blooming in real time. Like, he was realizing he was winning something. She wasn't a romantic in any way, and it wasn't often that they felt chosen, so to speak. She wasn't a prude, but she certainly wasn't spending her weekends doing whatever it was he did; smoking, hooking up, the same exact measured steps he was taking now to try and bag his win for the week.

A part of it made them want to recoil and retreat. What would come of this Monday morning? Was she going to have to melt into her chair in the choir room every time she saw him after tonight? Was he going to brag to his buds about how he got that quiet girl in Glee to hook up with him?

She didn't break eye contact when his gaze dipped, and didn't respond to it either, something Noemi was exceptional at. She had a professional poker face. She did continue stepping backward at the same pace, her boots scuffing lightly against the concrete. "You're doing a lot of marketing for yourself, dreamboy," she said, the nickname dripping from her mouth like honey. Maybe they did know what they were doing. Even lonely girls... got lonely?

"I'm efficient," they answered, which was Noemi's way of saying that she wasn't going to freak out on him. She finally let the lighter slide out of her pocket, tossing it in his direction, forgoing her previous statement of not having one. "That good enough for you?"

They definitely were not talking about smoking.

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

Shepherd had always been good at talking himself up… delivering on a promise was another story. Dreamboy sounded sweet, though– as sweet as someone like Noemi could make it sound– and something clicked. Were they just talking about smoking, or was there something lingering there? Underneath the words, where they had to lift it up, and peek through to find the real meaning behind it all? 

Good enough for him. The nod was immediate, but still, Shepherd thought over the question for a moment. Efficient was fine, he liked getting in and getting out– he was looking for something else tonight, though. “I’d have preferred, ‘Good Company,’ to be at the top of your list, but–” He grinned a little; something mischievous played its way along his lips. “I’ll take what I can get. 

The walk to the car wasn’t long– it beeped open at the press of his key FOB, and he clipped a door open like second nature. “After you,” He nodded toward the open space. “Make yourself at home.”

[whimsyhcrts]

"i was listening just fine, some people just aren't always in the sharing mood," savannah pointed out, fishing out one of her beloved lighters from her back pocket. "i just bought and bedazzled her the other day. isn't she cute?" she asked him, the black lighter that had hot pink rhinestones glued carefully around it. she light the joint with ease, taking a quick hit from it. "you know, we can always enjoy this in my car too? i kind of have it decorated for the perfect vibes, but no pressure."

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

"Wouldn't have offered to share if I wasn't in the sharing mood... right?" Lucas raises an eyebrow up at her- probably better to just let it go, but it had never quite been his style. He liked pushing buttons. The bedazzled lighter sparked, and Lucas didn't give it much more than a little half smile, a shrug; it was cute, but he wasn't gonna say it. Just patiently waited for his turn with the joint between his fingers- took a long inhale. "Real decorator, huh?" He quirked his eyebrows at her, laughing a little through the exhale. "Yeah- I guess I could see it." What's the worst that could happen?

"Lead the way." 7

[sm0kesh0ws]

It takes Noemi a moment to process this. He's talking to her. Like, actually trying to have a conversation. She already had preconceived notions about tall serial killers, but up there were the jocks of Saint Rivera. Maybe they were just secretly prejudiced against people who were over six feet. "Congratulations on missing the cutoff," she said. Noemi figured she could entertain this for a few minutes. Honestly, they didn't feel like they were having to keep up with the conversation.

At his mention that they weren't really strangers, she shrugged her shoulders, bashful. "We share sheet music, that's not the same thing." But he had said he wanted to get acquainted. "Good thing you're attractive." Not a pickup line, and it was not a fruitful attempt at flirting. If anything, Noemi felt like they were stating the obvious and was egregiously aware that he'd know that fact about himself.

"And I'm already on my way out, so if you're wanting to team build," she started stepping backward slowly, waiting to see if he'd take her bait. They didn't need the ID or a dark secret, for now. "Depends," she deadpanned. "Are you a lousy smoking partner? Because I don't like mollycoddling."

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

Something bloomed in his chest at the compliment- was it a compliment coming from them? It felt more like they were stating a fact— something mundane.  Nevertheless, it felt like he had accomplished something, broken down a barrier. He grinned at her, his expression curling into something almost sweet. He wasn’t sure he could afford it with her, sweetness,  or if she’d cringe at him, and call it off. So, he straightened his shoulders out, kept her gaze for a long moment— long enough to build something heated. He glanced down at her lips, but down on his own. “I’m in good company.” Cool, casual. Better than telling her she was hot, and getting on with it. It might work on a Cheerio, but somehow he didn’t see Noemi responding well. 

An invitation: the bloom in his chest grew into a garden, sprouting up in his nerves, stoking excitement. He took the bait, in step with her down the drive like they were tied to one another. 

“Who, me?” Shepherd shook his head, laughed along with the motion. “I’m a dream.” He’d never been called very lousy when it came to company— especially not with a joint in his hand. “What about you, Noemi Ibarra? You a very good smoking partner, or am I signing up for something I’m gonna regret later?” 

[whimsyhcrts]

"you just happen to be asking the right person," a devlish smirk formed on her painted lips as the boy spoke with her. she'd been at the beta rho omega party for a little bit now, mostly doing some mingling and trying to find people who seemed enough of a vibe to chill with. blue orbs glance up to the joint that was tucked behind his ear, knowing that was why he needed a light. "i'll provide a light if you'll let me share that with you? i've never been above hot boxing a car, regardless of if it's mine or not."

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

Shepherd had a feeling she was going to have something, somewhere deep down- she was a cheerio, sure. They usually steered clear unless there were gummies to go around, or something... But he'd seen her at enough of the Beta Rho parties to know she was up to something. "I just asked if you felt like smoking this thing," He snorted a little, waggled his eyebrows at her. "You gotta put those listening ears on, girl."

He took the joint from behind his ear, held it out toward her. "Light it up, flamethrower."

[lyricaels]

there  is  a  warmth  settled  comfortably  in  the  pit  of  cecelia's  stomach,  the  kind  that  comes  from  good  company,  loud  music,  and  three  tequila  shots  consumed  over  the  course  of  forty  minutes.    she'd  let  herself  be  talked  into  a  night  out  without  much  convincing,  eager  to  trade  captaincies,  rehearsals,  and  everyone  else's  expectations  for  sticky  bar  tops,  a  dance  floor  she'd  inevitably  end  up  on,  and  the  familiar  comfort  of  lucas'  company.    by  now,  the  bass  reverberates  pleasantly  beneath  her  heels,  the  apples  of  her  cheeks  flushed  a  soft  pink  from  the  alcohol,  her  laughter  arriving  easier  than  the  carefully  measured  smiles  she  wears  the  rest  of  the  week.    nights  like  these  have  always  been  effortless  with  lucas,  which  is  probably  why  she  never  thinks  twice  before  saying  yes  ( even  if  she  does  make  a  habit  of  dragging  it  out  before  outright  accepting  it ).

cecelia  is  already  smiling  by  the  time  shepherd  finishes  his  question,  lifting  her  tequila  in  a  silent  toast  before  taking  a  sip.    “   shep,  i  laugh  at  you  recreationally.   ”    she  deadpans,  the  corners  of  her  lips  betraying  her  amusement.    “   you  really  didn't  need  to  ask.   ”    she  shifts  against  the  bar,  giving  him  her  full  attention,  expecting  whatever  story  he's  about  to  tell  to  be  embarrassing.    by  the  time  he  reaches  got  fucking  cast,  she's  already  covering  her  mouth  with  the  back  of  her  hand,  laughter  escaping  despite  her  best  efforts.    “   oh,  my  god.   ”    she  manages  between  laughs,  shaking  her  head.    “   you  got  cast?   ”    the  word  is  repeated  with  far  too  much  delight,  as  though  it  somehow  makes  the  situation  infinitely  funnier.

she  finally  catches  her  breath  just  in  time  for  him  to  place  the  blame  squarely  on  her.    the  blonde  blinks  once,  twice,  then  points  to  herself  in  exaggerated  disbelief.    “   excuse  me?   ”    a  laugh  escapes  her  all  over  again.   “   i  seem  to  remember  you  being  the  one  who  insisted  on  making  that  stupid  bet.   ”    one  perfectly  manicured  finger  comes  up  to  point  at  him  now.    “   unless  i  somehow  held  you  at  gunpoint  and  forced  you  to  audition,  i'm  pretty  sure  this  one's  on  you.   ”   another  grin  spreads  across  her  face,  entirely  too  pleased  with  herself.   “   honestly?    i  think  that's  karma.   ”

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

He got cast. Shepherd hadn’t been expecting the news–pretty much the opposite, actually; to be told to get lost, like it was some kind of joke… it sort of was. Instead he was handed the lead role, and a secret that he’d have to fucking fight to keep away from his Dad. A musical was one thing- a musical in a corset? Fuuuuck him.  Still, he laughed along with her– influenced by the tequila, by the urge to laugh along with his own misfortune. Made it feel better, at least.  

“You’re excused, Cecelia! If you had just taken your licks– followed through on the bet without making me join with you– then me singing wouldn’t have even been on the guys radar.” It was true. Ever since he’d joined Glee club most of the other brothers had been looking for ways to punish him— all in good fun, of course. Mostly. “Ipso facto, all roads lead back to Cece Sinclair. Maybe if you had just won the stupid bet, neither of us would be here.” 

He grinned, waved the bartender down for another drink. One for her too. “Wonder what your karma looks like… Maybe Scary Sheri will try to run you down again.”

[sm0kesh0ws]

Noemi kind of just... stared at him for longer than what was socially acceptable. She had no real opinion on Lucas Shepherd other than jock and obscenely tall. This had led to her next question, forgoing anything that he had said to her. "How tall are you?" A quick inquiry before following up with, "Edmund Kemper was 6'9."

As much as they could have just turned on their heel, Noemi couldn't find herself moving away. Partly because it would be an uninteresting thread if I did so. "Don't you have friends?" Another curious inquiry that she dropped almost as soon as she said it. She looked tired in a way that didn't match a house party setting. Just a vague, detached look. Bored, almost. "Nothing screams stranger danger more than inviting a stranger to your car." They may have been in Glee club together, but Noemi couldn't recount a time when they had actually spoken to each other.

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

Edmund Kemper- some kind of serial killer, if he remembered correctly. Lucas didn't know what to make of it, but he thought, maybe, that's why they had tossed it his way. To throw him off, to catch him off guard- to knock him down a peg. It was one of the reasons that he liked people like Noemi; they knew how challenge him, kept him on his toes. He didn't miss a beat, didn't want to.

"6'5," Shepherd scrunched his nose at her- it was almost taunting. "Looks like you're safe with me: it's the guys pushing 6'7 that you really have to worry about." 'Don't you have friends?' Technically he was surrounded by them- brothers, at least. Beta Rho Bros' were crawling all over the place, and the more... popular kids from St. Rivera were wandering. It didn't really matter, though. There was a task at hand; and an expression on Noemi's face that made him want to-

"You're not really a stranger." And she wasn't, in his eyes. Maybe they hadn't exactly spoken to each other before, but they were part of the same team. Two people who would be expected to rely on each other at some point, even if indirectly.

He let a moment pass by. "So, what's up? You don't smoke, or you don't wanna smoke with me? Makes you feel any better, I could toss you my ID, tell you one of my deep dark secrets," He probably wouldn't. But he'd never been too bad at making things up. "Get acquainted. Call it team building."

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

“ –Hey, you wanna,” Shepherd shot back the tequila in his glass, seething around the burn, then reveling in it. He could feel it in his veins, warming his skin on the wash down through his nerves; probably loved it too much. Wasn’t the time to think about it, though. The bass of the music was vibrating the floor beneath him, the lights at Adrenaline kept him and Cece bathed in an ever-changing kaleidoscope of color. The night was about them, not about his shit. “You wanna laugh at me?”  It’s not like it ever took very much to get Cecelia Sinclair laughing at him– she had been for years now, taking every opportunity to catch some joy at his cost. Shepherd never really minded it. He liked the sound of her laugh, the way that she’d throw anything he gave her right back at him. Push and pull, give and take. He’d slip, and fall if it’d keep her entertained.  “You know that show at the Bijou? Rocky Horror?” He had to take a breath through it, like the shit wasn’t terrifying– like Dave wouldn’t kill him if he found out. “Lost a contest at Beta Rho; they made me audition for the thing– Rhys too.” Now the laugh. “Got fucking cast. No getting out of it– and guess what? I blame you.”  

@lyricaels ; cece and shepherd going out to party!!

[burn0uts]

　　☠︎︎　　the request itself was inoffensive ,  but there was something about the pat of obviously empty pockets that made indy's eyes roll. they reach down, mimicking his movements for just a moment before they produced the white bic. disposable, in the sense that parties were often the last seen location of lighters. it had to be something she would willing it part with to even consider offering it up. a sentiment that seemed disproven by the sharpie designs that adorned the supposedly irrelevant plastic.

“ oh, he shares. ” the observation came out with a teasing lilt to it, but they knew better than to look a gift horse in the mouth. it would either be some good quality shit or a revelation that someone was pulling one over the customers they assumed to be oblivious jocks. which, admittedly, would be hilarious. “ where'd ya park ? ”

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

Shepherd couldn’t help but clock the roll of her eyes– couldn’t help the smirk that stretched across his own expression. He was expecting her to make fun of him, pat her pockets, and say ‘sorry–’ he would’ve laughed along. A moment later, though, there’s a prized, little white bic being presented. His smirk turns to a wide grin. “And she saves the day. Look at you, Indy girl– who knew you could be so giving.”

He quirked a look at her– grin, raised brow, questioning. No need to go back to his car if she had the lighter, but he wasn’t going to argue if she wanted to get away. He could use a break from the party anyway.

“Down the block.” He dug for the keys in his pocket, motioning for her to follow along. A few steps in, “I’ll get you back up here too. Might head out after.”

[socvereign]

she   blinked   and   frowned   at   the   hand   being   currently   waved   in   her   face   before   registering   the   words   coming   out   of   his   mouth.   did   she   expect   anything   else   from   him   ?   no,   but   was   it   something   she   liked?   also,   no.   She   wasn't   a   fan   of   the   assignment   either,   especially   so   early   in   the   year   with   all   her   other   clubs   also   starting   out.   but   she   was   still   herself,   and   being   silent   was   never   one   of   her   biggest   strengths. “   slow   down   ?   look   i'm   not   sure   if   you   checked   the   deadline   but   in   case   you   haven't   we   do   have   one.   and   i   don't   like   to   lose   so   there's   no   way   we're   going   to   be   worst   ones   okay.   also   ”   at   the   other   comment   she   huffed   and   had   to   restrain   herself   to   not   cross   her   arms.   "   this   is   a   partnership   nor   a   solo   effort   like   it's   the   21st   century   lucas   here   boys   have   to   work   for   the   things   they   want   even   if   it's   extra   credit   in   an   after   school   activity   and   if   they're   boys   like   you.   "

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

“Yeah,” He reiterated– exhausted was what he was only a few moments ago. Shepherd wasn’t sure what to call this feeling now. “Slow down. I was half asleep ten minutes ago, now I’ve got– and no offense to you– a girl in my face, and no coffee in my veins yet. Not exactly how I felt like spending the start to my day.” Sure it was 4pm, but– well. He didn’t exactly have an excuse. Already missed two classes, planning on skipping practice. It was one of those days his Dad would have his ass over if he got wind of it. 

“I know the deadline,” Shep had already started walking, and talking– he looked over his shoulder at her, motioned for her to follow. She’d have to if she wanted to keep him upright; he needed to hit the coffee cart. “Like I said, most of the other girls just like to hand me sheet music. You want me to help pick a song, then I’ll help pick a song– just can’t promise you that you’re going to like what I wanna do.”

A grin spread over his face at the sight of the coffee cart– oh, sweet, holy land. “You want something?” He quirked an eyebrow. “Eh. On second thought, you might not need more caffeine than you’ve already got in you. I'm assuming it's... a lot.” It was a joke that he didn’t know would land– Shep tried it anyway. 

[sm0kesh0ws]

Noemi had already decided to leave. She had done the math in her head; ten minutes inside, a polite appearance logged, get a shot in her system, and bounce. Her keys were already warming in her hand when she heard Lucas' voice as she crossed the driveway. "Hm?" Her brain hadn't quite caught up with her mouth until she registered what he had asked.

"No," she said, echoing a bald-faced lie. She did keep a lighter on her person at all times, and if Lucas was smart enough, he'd see its outline in her jeans pocket. The invitation, too, of going back to his car was enough to decide that she did not want to give it to him, smoke with him, or be alone with him. Surely he was an okay guy; he had invited the sad band of losers here after all, but they weren't exactly looking forward to being a Dateline episode.

"Do you invite people to your car often?" Good looking out, Noems! That's the perfect way to catch a serial killer!

[qbshepherdplaceholder]

He didn’t believe her, that much was probably written all over the expression he was tossing her way. Half smile, half… something else. Something that wanted to, like, figure her out. They were always sitting in the back, always moving in silence. One of the weird girls that Shepherd couldn’t help himself around– he wanted to poke at the bear, see what made them tick. Shepherd dipped his tongue out across his lower lip, swiped a smile across his face. Noemi was testing him. He could handle that– sounded like fun. 

“Oh, only when I wanna get them alone,” He raised his eyebrows at her, amused. “Or when I don’t feel like hanging by myself.” That was the ticket– party full of people, and somehow, Shepherd had ended up in a corner with another Glee kid. Something about it screamed, ‘lonelyboy15.’ “Must not get a lot of invitations, huh? Giving off a real… Stranger Danger vibe there, Noemi Ibarra,” Shepherd said it like it was nefarious– he’d read it on the New Directions call sheet enough times to know.