sideyard.

race down the street, pair of new rollerblades on my feet. and i wasn't watching the time, time wasn't catching up to me. the audacity, the sun would go down on days like these. but I didn't see it like that, i just saw blue turning into pink.

[cursedshores]

" i was a business student back in school, so, marx'd probably want me hung. or sent to the gulag, or whatever. you don't exactly look like a guy who hangs with free-thinking political fringers. even with the whole environmental activist thing. i'd think you were the police mole sent to doom us, if i was like, throwing molotovs at banks and stuff. very straight-laced. "

[sideyard]

"Were you? That's great! College wasn't in the cards for me but I'd love to get a degree eventually. And business makes sense considering what I do." He enthuses, though he does feel a bit old to be a student whenever college-aged kids come to grab their strawberry oat matchas and flat whites. "Oh, well I'm not. I do my best, but I wouldn't say I'm doing anything radical. Well, if I were a secret police mole, I'd surely give you a free pass!"

[cotiere]

there's a retort at the tip of her tongue: sardonic in nature, a little bit mean, but then he gives her an opening. and she's been waiting for that opening. not in any way anticipatory, rather dreading it. odette tangled up in promises made behind closed doors, of a future beyond them, ones she's deferred for months and could still postpone, in theory. or she could rip off the bandaid.

 〝 well, kai. 〞

[sideyard]

He blinks at her. Opens his mouth then clamps it shut again. "Right..." Jack processes, narrowing his eyes at her. "You know your daughter taught me a term the other day. Situationship? It seems quite applicable to whatever you two have going on."

[cotiere]

it's not something florence's unfamiliar with, utilising other people's jealousy to achieve goals of her own. but it's juvenile—not beneath her, simply something she outgrew. not necessary beyond the sandbox and pre-k. still she wonders what amara's jealousy could give her.  〝 what would you do? 〞eyes fixed, unwavering in their staring contest, a sickening sincerity entwines with florence's curiosity. 〝 kill her? 〞

[sideyard]

Amara's mostly bark, but it serves her here, able to talk up a big game when Florence is staring her down, anticipating something spectacular. She considers the hypothetical deeply, teeth flush against her lower lip with concentration. "That seems a little basic. I'd obviously become best friends with her, and you'd, like, be the third wheel. Just to make you, like, suffer a little bit. I would eventually have to get rid of her, though because obviously I'm doing all of this to be your best friend. So then I guess I'd have to kill her. It's hard to even think about because I can't imagine you having a better friend than me."

[cotiere]

sawyer's not one of those girls whose whole life stops spinning because of some guy. but lou's so much more and for that her world instead orbits his. a fact once rousing guilt now bringing comfort, like being wrapped in a blanket smelling of home. it's a part of growing up, she thinks, choosing your person—and making them the sun.

she beams, eyes still wet but brighter now.

 〝 you're mine, too. 〞a pause, and a disclaimer. only so sincere.〝 but you can't tell anyone. 'specially not teddy. i think he's getting just a little bit jealous. 〞

some rule is being broken here. unfortunately sawyer is too tipsy to give it another thought. instead a hand move to his cheeks, skin caught between thumb and knuckle.

 〝 and who can blame him? look at that face. 〞

[sideyard]

A small laugh ekes out of him. "No, I'm definitely gonna tell Teddy." He says, eyes glinting with something cheeky. Sawyer's changed him for the better in immeasurable ways, but there's still an instinctive tendency to be an ass to anyone other than her. It's why he doesn't really have any friends. He'd only get some if Sawyer wanted him to — content to sit in his room and play video games and if inspiration strikes, make music. It works just about, this balance, and he's never once felt claustrophobic from them living together.

He smiles against her touch. "My face? What about your face? You could have anyone you wanted." He taps her temple. "Must be a screw loose up here. Choosing me. But hey, I'm not complaining."

[cotiere]

it should be a turn off. marriage, and everything that comes with it. her feeble attempts at parting ways would imply as much. but there's something about those vows, about being someone's… about death doing them part.

marty pushes up against her and she writhes in response, chin lifted a little higher and a grip dips down to his wrist. not to remove but to keep. the weight on her throat tolerable, and there's another thing that oughtn't get her all worked up.

she nods.

 〝 mhm, 'd like it even more with you inside a' me. 〞 her lips brushed against his, that piteous tone colluding with a pout.〝 warming me up. 〞

[sideyard]

She looks so pretty like this, beneath him, looking up at him — him, the only thing in her field of vision, in her periphery. He hopes she never goes away again. Maybe if she did, he'd follow her. Her cloying tone is sweet, even if it's put on just for his sake, and brushed lips turn into a kiss, sinking into it.

"Wouldn't it be the other way around? You'd be warming my cock up. You want that?" He coos back, reaching down to jerk himself off a little.

[cursedshores]

" jack, of course he likes you. he was your friend first. and it's not exactly like he's mr. extrovert, so it's really special you guys are close. " she tries her best to sound supportive. she loves jack too much to reach the point of exasperation, but part of her does wonder why this seems to be weighing on jack so heavily. it worries her, at the very least, and makes her feel a little guilty that what's causing her so much happiness is throwing such a wrench in his life, and then a little annoyed that she feels guilty in the first place. " and yes, really, really. like, i don't know. you know i haven't exactly had the best luck in love. but this is different. it's like i'm finally more happy where i am than i am worried it's all gonna fall apart. i can't even describe it more to you right now without sounding like an embarrassing, hair-twirly dummy. and that makes me even happier. i really love him. " a softness, for all the love in her life, romantic and otherwise, has crept onto her expression. " and he knows you like him. we should all do something together soon. you, me, him, odette... "

[sideyard]

A part of him knows that he's asking her to be coddled — and another part received it without question, because she's so good at it, probably because she has so much experience with little kids. "And I like him too! And you know what, it has opened me up to new experiences. It was fun watching the Superbowl." His favourite part was the half-time show and seven-layer dip. Besides, anyone's better than Mickey. So, in the grand scheme of things, this is a good thing. His expression softens into something sincere, not that he's ever intentionally trying not to be, but sometimes he gets lost in the frills and melodrama of life itself. "You deserve that kind of security. And it's nice to see you all ooey-gooey in love." It nearly makes him misty-eyed again, this time not with the distress of her moving out but just about how happy she looks. "Kai. Did you know that was a thing? Well, you probably did. I'm always the last to find out about everything."

[cotiere]

  〝 oh, jack. 〞 it's almost sounds genuine.  〝 shouldn't you try to find someone a bit more … you? 〞

[sideyard]

"Well, you know what they say, opposites attract!" He's open to everyone, doesn't want to limit the pool. And Sienna's exciting - something different is always good. "What about you? What are you up to these days in the romance department?"

[taccnda]

jump never had the space for names or titles, he shrugs his shoulders, "i don't really remember people's names or song titles."

[sideyard]

Lou doesn't really know how that's possible. "Oh. But you know, like, the beat of your favourite songs?"

[cotiere]

it's not a marriage but she made a commitment, to choose him as he chose her and to be that girl he'd chosen. preston's forgiven her transgressions over the summer but, much as he loves her, claire knows his grace is finite. there's no space for backsliding. not after all that they've gone through and continue to go through. alessia's death, while independent of their relationship, feeling as if the catalyst to something greater. foreboding in the way that twists her stomach into knots, like the heavy quiet between rumbling thunder and a lightning strike.   〝 you worry about me, i worry about you. that's the deal. 〞  firm, her tone leaves no room for argument. 〝 yeah, we should. maybe make a weekend out of it.  〞

[sideyard]

Again, the shift, though he realizes it's been like this for a bit. Good. Well, good. Because that's what they both deserve — it gets him fired up a little bit, because they hadn't deserved all this shit. He comes from a good family, works hard in school, has a beautiful girl on his arm. To be embroiled in this shit, and all that came from it, is neither of their fault. Any sentimentality is replaced by sheer entitlement.

"Yeah, we look out for each other. Just you and me. You know I'm there for the frat, but we're graduating soon." He says, excitement evident in his voice. "And then it'll just be us, and we'll be able to do whatever we want." Just them, the rest of their lives, it feels like he can breathe again thinking about it. He nods, inspired by her suggestion. "Let's just get away. This campus can be...You know how it is."

[cotiere]

a social disposition yet florence hasn't much patience for the quintessential hangout. the sorority culture working in her favour then—young women moving as one, never straying too far from the pack. the animalistic comparison not an accident but a metaphor for the house's interrelations and politics. one for all and all for none. gigi's latest announcement proved as much.   〝 that's 'cos this house's full of cunts, 〞 she dismisses, laying down atop the thick duvet, reaching out to poke at amara's cheek. 〝 you're so obsessed. 〞

[sideyard]

Amara laughs in her face, "And you're an angel." She coos back, wriggling closer. Her cheeks bubble at the touch, pleased by it. This is how she likes it though, when they find themselves nearly pressed close, side by side, looking at each other straight in the eyes. A staring game equally a game of chicken, but neither of them ever back down. "Yeah, I am. So you best not go get another best friend." She threatens, making her eyes all crazy for the bit, "Or you'll see how obsessed I can really be."

[taccnda]

"whatever gets you in the groove, eh ? i'd rather a concentrated surgeon than my favourite song." jump pauses for a moment, "i don't even know if i have a favourite song."

[sideyard]

"That's fair." He would still kill himself if he heard TayIor Swift when going under. "Do you have a favourite artist?"

[cursedshores]

" right. you did say you're very into the environment. i mean, i'm more of a cheeseburgers and blaming it all on capitalism type of girl, but… i do actually admire the moral backbone of it all. would you ever shut down a highway or something? tie yourself to a tree? "

[sideyard]

"That's great, I'm getting really into capitalism too. Oops! Anti-capitalism. My roommate's boyfriend had to keep correcting me on that one. Do you know Marx? Really fascinating stuff. Good question. I think I would! As long as I wasn't working that day."

[cotiere]

sentimental to a fault, alcohol only exacerbates the traits already there. the music doesn't help nor does the physical affections of her favorite person. sawyer never imagined she'd be this content—needing nothing, wanting even less. if they could hit pause on the weekend, she'd stay this way indefinitely. okay, maybe the liquor's doing the talking.   〝 am not. i'm speaking my truth, 〞  she sniffles, her defence accompanied by that contagious laugh caught. distance made, doe eyes—wet and sparkling—set on lou, taking him in fully. 〝 you're so pretty. like so, so pretty. 〞

[sideyard]

Lou can't imagine a life any different than the one he has right now, standing so close to her, enveloped in her touch. He supposes this is what it means to be older, and maybe he resents a little, how Dad was right, when he waxed the importance of letting people in. Dad says how he has so much to give, and he never really believed it. Even now, the weight of his own insecurities don't drown him because Sawyer's here to keep him afloat. He wouldn't know how to be without her.

"What are you getting weepy for? You're gonna make me emotional." Because seeing her cry, even if she's happy, or tearing up at a scene in The Notebook, makes his eyes go a little watery. He thinks he's always going to blush when Sawyer compliments him. "Hey, that's my line." A moment passes, and it dawns on him, like really properly dawns on him that she's the rest of his life. Marriage, babies, everything. "You're my best friend, you know?"

[cotiere]

dead three times before, and maybe that's why there's a misfire of neurones. his cadence nonthreatening, as is marty as a whole, but when she considers the possibility, its still not fear adorning tepid skin with goosebumps. her hand following the same trajectory, fingers slot in between his. and with a chin lifted, she welcomes this oppression of her windpipe. no force, just a little bit of pressure. a steady drumming against her fingertips, spread through her chest and farther down. that thigh wedged between marty's then lifted, cushioned skin pushing up against his groin. and to match, a wide smile on full lips.   〝 you promise? 〞

[sideyard]

She's malleable in the ways that matter. Marty doesn't want a girl who doesn't have a mouth on her, 'cos what fun would that be, but there's still something to the way her neck bows back, almost on instinct, that makes his heart throb with a swell of fondness, that makes the blood rush to his dick. The angle's not anything he can really work with, but that's never been much of a concern — he'll rut against anything to get his fix, the thought of another round not completely destroyed by age. His grinds down on the meat of her thigh, wondering if he could get hard like this. Probably. Maybe if her eyes got all welled up, cheeks flushed, a little more pressure.

He nods, still grinning. So, as it goes, a little more pressure. "'Course. I respect the sanctity of marriage. Til death do us part." It's not til divorce do us part. "You like it, huh?"

[cotiere]

claire nods, a smile soft but the implication not missed. no one's been feeling well lately, she'd imagine. not since that night. only he's her boyfriend, not one of her sorority sisters, and she ought to be more tuned in. to him, to their relationship. she's done better. she could do better still.   〝 yeah, 〞 arm hooking preston's again, she resumes their walk. moisturised lips pursed, a silent contemplation as hazel eyes are kept straight ahead. so much time spent on claire and her mountain of issues, little time has been left to preston and his needs. beyond those he makes clear.   〝 is there anything i can do? to make you feel better? 〞

[sideyard]

preston enjoys these walks, commonplace to them when they're not wanting the white noise of their brothers and sisters' footsteps and chatter. the circumstances are less than ideal, but he finds it difficult to tie this place to all the god-awful shit that's gone down. it's also, in a cliche way, been the best four years of his life. maybe he's crazy for that.

"no, claire. don't worry about me." he assures, with as much confidence he can muster, which is near perfect because he's good at faking it. if anything. they both haven't been putting in much effort as they should, with good reason, but still. "i wanna take you on a date though. after the calc exam, we should go somewhere nice."

[cursedshores]

" so you're anti-vegan, then? "

[sideyard]

"You're pulling me leg! Certainly not, I'm a big fan of meatless Mondays myself, and I really could see myself going vegan in the future one day."

[cotiere]

a social disposition yet florence hasn't much patience for the quintessential hangout. the sorority culture working in her favour then—young women moving as one, never straying too far from the pack. the animalistic comparison not an accident but a metaphor for the house's interrelations and politics. one for all and all for none. gigi's latest announcement proved as much.   〝 that's 'cos this house's full of cunts, 〞 she dismisses, laying down atop the thick duvet, reaching out to poke at amara's cheek. 〝 you're so obsessed. 〞

[sideyard]

her face scrunches, nose crinkling with the prod like she doesn't like it (she does). "and you're a total angel." she quips back dryly. amara shrugs. "they're not so bad. gigi's neurotic as hell, but she knows what she wants." it's a good quality to have. compared to august, who, while nicer, will probably float through life aimless and untethered. settled on her back, her head turns toward florence. "obsessed?" she pushes florence's face with her palm. "get outta here."