movie star handsome

scott cruz + 25 + greaser

[perriecruz]

"On a scale of one to ten, how pissed do you think our dads will be if we crash the pageant?" Elena turned to her cousin, who truthfully was more like her twin. "How pissed would my father be?" she rephrased, knowing that Perrie Cruz was having a silent heart attack somewhere. "I'm sure there are some dresses in the back we could borrow." / @sodapopscott

[sodapopscott]

"Your dad? A four. Maybe five, tops. My dad? He might take us on a drunk food run after everything is over to celebrate." As much as she loved her Uncle Perrie he definitely wasn't her first choice when it came to dealing with anything involving trouble. "I have to be honest with you, I'm not sure I can walk in heels right now. The margarita hit me harder than I thought it would. But if you're willing to roll with someone who walks through the pageant barefoot you found your girl."

[blairblr]

"No problem." He said, with a shake of his head. "Can't have you out here looking like that chocolate loving lil homie from Hey Arnold!" Booker teased, letting Dario sway his shoulders as they found themselves enjoying the set the DJ was currently dropping on them. "Aren't those usually mutually exclusive when it involves you?" Booker pointed at her, as they'd definitely made some bad/fun decisions together. "It's been a minute, not gonna lie. So... what are we hitting up first? Or we can just vibe out to this for now."

[sodapopscott]

"If the people can't accept me at my worst they don't deserve me at my best." Your mom used to tell me that all the time." Her voice was teasing as her eyebrow shot up. "Do you want me to say sorry for being your fun friend? Because we're not doing that tonight." She raised her hand the small distance to pinch his cheek before she started swaying along with him. "We can vibe out to this for now, but before the night ends I need you to do something outside your comfort zone. It's good for you to get your heart pumping every now and then. You're too pretty to go home alone, B."

[blairblr]

"I'm not trying to interrupt you but you just happen to have a little," Booker reached over to remove some chocolate from the person in front of his cheek. "it happens to the best of us." He said, with a small laugh. "Okay, you've got my undivided attention, I promise. What were you saying?"

[sodapopscott]

"Thanks." Dario smiled up at Booker, raising her hands to his shoulders in her attempt to hype him up. "I was saying we should make bad decisions tonight. Fun decisions. When's the last time you really let loose at something like this?"

[kingchadwell]

"So I was right, I'm the only Chadwell you know." Journey teased lightly, offering her a smile. Not that it truly mattered, she was very special to him, no matter how long ago they had talked last. "No Grapefruit event? Color me surprised." Though he had never really called the town his home, unlike most of his relatives, Journey knew all their traditions. Rosewood was more festive than any other town he had ever called home in the last few years. "Really?" It was a genuine question, even if masked by the casual tone that he used. Journey couldn't remember the last time that either of them had reached out or even waved hello, not that she was to blame for it, really. "I thought we were doing that this whole time."

[sodapopscott]

"I still think you're not giving me enough credit. You're the only one I wanted to know. Your aunt has always given me a Most Dangerous Game kind of vibe." Dario snorted out a laugh. "To be fair I couldn't think of another event title that went with G. But if you give me a few more minutes I'll give it my best shot." Her nose scrunched slightly, but that was only because she knew he was right. She hadn't been actively avoiding him but she definitely hadn't made it clear that they were friends either. "I was... occupied. It's probably not the best excuse, but it's true. Once I put on the rose tinted glasses I sort of stopped looking around the room. And to be honest I didn't think it was a great idea anyways. Staying friends with your ex when you're in a new relationship is tricky, even when the other person isn't the jealous type. I didn't even know if you wanted to be my friend." It was easier to not deal with things. She'd always figured he felt the same way about things given he'd never said much in passing either. "But I'm unoccupied at the moment and the glasses have been off for a while now. So if you're willing to accept me for the shitty friend I am I might offer to buy you a drink. Or three. You could really take advantage of this situation."

[kingchadwell]

Journey recognized her voice immediately. He assumed that would never change, even after...years of no contact. What he and Dario had once had meant a lot to him, enough to remember it fondly nowadays, even if at the time it had caused him more hurt than he cared to admit. The smile on his face was genuine as his gaze moved to meet her. "I fear I'm the only Chadwell you know, actually." He retorted, clearly teasing her, for he did not know that was a fact. There were a lot of Chadwell's around town, including ones with a different last name. He watched her for a moment, an eyebrow raised. "What is happening right now?"

[sodapopscott]

"Don't sell yourself short. I had classes with a few of your cousins at Ravenwood, and I'm pretty sure one of them said my old bike was a piece of shit in high school. You're the only one I've ever enjoyed." She raised her hand out to him, pinky extended in silent promise. Her expression mirrored his as her eyebrow shot up curiously. "I'm pretty sure it's called the Strawberry Social. The Grape Gala isn't until December and you missed the Blueberry Ball a few months ago." She shrugged one of her shoulders teasingly, figuring he would probably know more about it than she did. Events like the one they were currently at had always felt like more of his thing than her own, but when her brother had pointed out she was passing up free drinks she'd decided to tag along for the night. "And I'm saying hi to you. It's been awhile but I'm not at the point where I pretend I don't see you when you're in the room."

[sodapopscott]

"Well if it isn't my favorite Chadwell." Dario tilted her head to the side as her eyes trailed over Journey. The last time she'd seen him... well, she honestly couldn't remember how long it had been , and it wasn't completely due to the alcohol running through her system. It was strange considering at one point he'd been one of her best friends. He'd been a lot more than that too, but that went without saying. Seeing him in the moment felt like a reminder of something she hadn't realized she'd forgotten in the first place in the best way possible, something that reflected in the way she slowly started to smile. "This must be my lucky day. You think I should play the lottery?" @kingchadwell

[fivendandelions]

ISABELA MERCED as DINA

THE LAST OF US 2.03 I 2.04

For anonymous

[themarielaalves]

"I don't doubt that." Mariela wasn't blind. She very much could tell given the circumference of Scott's arms that yes, he could pick her up. "But there's just a bit more gravitas to it. It's not just you lifting me up in the air, but I'd be more than happy to teach you the nuances." She nodded, squeezing his hand ever so lightly. "We are vibing." Mariela confirmed, wanting him to know that they were on the same page. "So..." She began to say as she picked up a slice to pizza. "what I got from what is that you're trying to find a way to my heart?" Mariela said, teasingly as she began to bat her eyelashes in his direction. "Honestly? Between us, you've already had a small space there. But this definitely helps." She took a small bite. "Summer is always reserved for Midsummer Night's Dream— it was a play by William Shakespear that's now a ballet classic. It's set in old time Greece and it's got a ton of stories surrounding a wedding. It's better enjoyed than explained, actually." Mariela laughed, as she realized that she would sound crazy trying to give him the cliff notes.

[sodapopscott]

"I'm okay without having the gravitas," he teased, beginning to swing his legs as he made himself comfortable on the edge of the stage. "Oh I know I'm there. Pretty sure I have been for years and you were just. little in denial before. But I'm glad we're finally at the point where you can be honest with me." He gave her a cheesy smile but there was no denying the tips of his ears had started to flush. Scott nodded along as he listened, chewing his slice slowly. He didn't know anything about the story so he was more than happy to listen. At least then he wouldn't have to admit that most he knew about Shakespeare was how stupid Romeo and Juliet were, and he only knew that much thanks to the movie with Leo. "It sounds fun. I think I might be more of a Mean Girls the musical type of guy. All the fancy wording just goes up and over my head to the point that I start losing focus if we're being honest."

[themarielaalves]

"But..." She repeated after him, knowing that something ridiculous was about to leave his lips. The brunette opened her eyes, resting her chin against his chest as she looked up at him. "Oh, I know nothing would make you happier than to hear that." Mariela began, laughing soon after. "But... unfortunately, I can't give you that title. I have dance partners that literally lift me in the air. And that's not to say I can't see you doing that, but they are definitely top of the list." She pat his chest, pulling away from him just a tad but her hand not leaving his yet as she began to lead them back to the edge of the stage. "You do get extra points for being the dance partner who's brought me pizza. You don't know how badly I've been craving a slice or two."

[sodapopscott]

Scott trailed his fingers slowly along her spine as he pressed his lips together. If all else failed at least they could say they had fun together. "First off, that's bullshit. I can lift you if you want to be lifted. Besides it's not about skill, it's about vibes. And we're vibing. I can feel it in my bones." He trailed after her and took his seat at the edge of the stage, swinging his legs to try and burn off some of the energy he'd felt building up in his chest. "I'm a big believer that the way to someone's heart is through their stomach so this was just me covering all my bases here. Besides, I figured you might be a little hungry considering you were practicing all day. I don't think you ever told me what the next show is." He opened the box between them, grabbing a slice for himself.

[themarielaalves]

"You are." Mariela agreed with him. Despite how annoying he might have came off in their younger years, she couldn't deny that Scott had always been nice to her. He'd always provided an ear for her whenever she'd needed to vent or helped her get out of her head entirely, he'd always been a great friend to her. It sucked that life had taken down different paths for the last couple of years, but perhaps everything was working out exactly as it had to? "You know, I always gathered that from you." She teased, as it certainly explained why they'd always gotten along as well as they had.

Mariela couldn't help but feel her cheeks warm up at the sight of him. The look on his features in that moment, she couldn't quite describe him within the usual words people used to speak of him. We all knew Scott was hot, but there was something cute and charming about how he was looking at her. Just a couple of months ago, the idea of this would have terrified her. It would have sent her into a spiral, not wanting to throw anything into her life that would throw it into something unknown. But she needed to stop living like that. She needed to stop anticipation the next move and just live in it. "Oh, he's definitely going to have some big shoes to fill." She joked, enjoying how they were just swaying to the song behind them. Mariela closed her eyes, enjoying the scent he was wearing. It was perfectly him. "You passed. With flying colors."

[sodapopscott]

He'd expected her to roll her eyes or something similar, so hearing her agree with him caught him off guard. What she thought of him, what everyone thought of him, had always mattered to Scott despite how hard he pretended not to care. Knowing she actually thought highly of him was enough to cause his cheeks to flush. "I'm an open book, and I'm definitely not very hard to read." There were a few areas where his guard was higher than ever, but with Mariela things were easy for the most part. He'd never tried to hide who he was out of fear she'd reject him for it. With her, he'd always been 100% himself without hesitation. "I'm not gonna say I told you so but..." he let the word drag out, knocking his knee against hers. Physicality had never been something he shied away from but he knew better than to push his luck with her. He was following her lead in every sense for the time being, and something about that had his shoulders sagging as if she'd pulled some weight off him. "If you wannna tell me I'm the best dance partner you've ever had I wouldn't complain though. Just give me a heads up so I can pull out my phone to record it."

[themarielaalves]

"Type A is putting it nicely." She said, as Mariela knew she'd had the blinders on. This had been what mattered to her, everything else had always taken a back seat. Why? Because she knew that if she didn't make it here, she'd have to resort to the life that her father had. And she refused to not have her family name stand for more than just... that. But she was at a place now where she could breathe. Mariela had put in the work, and through all the odds... she'd made it here. "I'm gonna have to agree with you there." Mariela laughed as he spoke. "I had no clue that's what did it for you." She teased, squeezing his hands ever so playfully. Her eyes met his, a small laugh leaving her lips as she looked away from him for a moment. Let's put those words to the test. Mariela undid herself from his embrace, spinning out from him as far as their width of their arms before making her way back into him. She found herself face to face with him once more for a beat, before dropping her face into his chest.

[sodapopscott]

"I'm a nice guy, remember?" That wasn't usually the adjective people used to describe him but he planned on milking it for all it was worth. Besides, he wouldn't hate it if it was one of the words she associated with him. There were a few others he would've liked a bit more, but he could be happy with her thinking he was nice. "What can I say? Confidence does it for me. I love someone who knows what they want. And being bossed around here and there? You're speaking my language. I love an attitude." Scott made a show of waiting until the last possible second before he caught her. For a second he thought she was on the verge of kissing him. The look on her face definitely made him falter for words as embarrassing as it was. After all his teasing and jeers at her over the years the thought of something happening actually made him nervous. She made him nervous even if he wouldn't admit it. But then she shifted and he felt the air pouring back into the room, something that caused him to laugh nervously. "Your next dance partner is so screwed." He tilted his head to the side, resting his cheek against the side of her head as he slowed down their movement and shifted one of his hands to rest on the small of her back instead. "Did I pass?"

[themarielaalves]

"Me?" Mariela asked, biting down on her lower lip as she thought back to her earliest memories of dancing. "Easy. My grandmother, she adored all those old time-y musicals. Singin' in the Rain, The Sound of Music, West Side Story and I just loved what I saw. That our bodies could express itself in such a way, and it just looked so cool... I knew instantly that's what I wanted to do with my life. So I would replay those musical numbers... god only knows how many times until I was literally like 9 years old, knowing every step to America but then ballet came into my life and it changed everything. I loved the precision and much like that girl you saw at that party, how fluid everything just came together. Sure, it could be a bit stuffy and the rules drove me nuts but I wanted to be one of the best at this." She looked around them, at their surroundings before their eyes met again. ''And I might not be the best, but I'm damn near close." Mariela shook her head as they continued to dance. "I'm having a perfectly great time." She said, the smile on her face only growing brighter as he spoke. "Am I? Well, how's it feel on the other side?" She asked, as they swayed together until they were on opposite sides of where they'd began. "Just so you know, we can't end until you give me a good spin. C'mon now. You think you'll be able catch me when I come back in?"

[sodapopscott]

"I like that." It sounded like they were on the same page with things. At least initially they'd been pulled into dancing because it was a way to connect them with other people. "And I can totally see little you obsessing over hitting every step right. You've always been a little type A. Especially when it comes to this." He snorted at her words. For as mnuch as she liked to poke fun at him for being overly confident she surely didn't seem to be lacking in that department. "If you weren't one of the best I don't think you would be here." She'd managed to climb her way to the top of a system that didn't exactly want her there considering where she'd come from. He'd accepted what he was and what people thought of him a long time ago, but she'd taken the opposite route and it was something he'd always admired. "It's pretty hot, actually." Scott rolled his eyes though his smile never faltered. "I can handle you, Alves. That's never been the problem." He squeezed her hand in warning before making the move to spin her.

[themarielaalves]

"You know at some age, I believe you'll resist going for it." Mariela said, with a pat to his chest as she shook her head. "It's clearly not today, but one day, I think you're just going to let it fly over our heads." She found herself rolling her eyes with a laugh, as he wiggled his eyebrows at his "cleverness". "That does tend to be the way, huh?" Often times, it was truly pulling teeth to get a guy to come onto the dance floor. But never with Scott, he'd always found himself on a dance floor by his own accord. And hearing the reason as to why, only made her more fond of the man in front of her. "He definitely taught you well." Mariela said to him, as he'd easily fallen into the rhythm of the song playing from the phone's speaker. "And I can't say I want to be responsible for that happening, so let's make sure that doesn't happen." She said, cheering him on as he'd spun before himself back in her space. Not minding the lack of distance between them. "No, I don't intend on going full zumba class on you. Believe it or not, doing a whole show today has sort of worn me out. But when in your company... and when Bad Bunny is on, I can't resist." She said, before she began to lead the way again. This time she took a hold of his hands, one of her feet taking a step back before coming forward with the other to the beat of the music in a way they both knew well given they'd grown up at the parties and quinces.

[sodapopscott]

"That'll be the day I die." He shook his head, shrugging innocently. Scott never wanted to hit a point in his life where he stopped having fun again. Life was too short and he intended on making the most of it. Besides, she knew what she was getting into when it came down to dealing with him. "Thank you. You wanna tell me how you got into this?" He motioned around the stage. "Well let me know when you want to stop. I didn't come here just to get a few free lessons out of you so I won't disappear if you decide you want to sit." He interlaced their fingers once she took his hands, easily falling into step with her once more. "I think you're the first person who's ever tried to lead me."

[themarielaalves]

"Then maybe I'll have to leave a ticket with your name on it over at the box office." She said with a nonchalant shrug of her shoulder, the smile on Mariela's face only growing. "You're welcome." Mariela nodded, feeling a sense of pride as he referred to this space as hers. It certainly was, she'd poured her all to assure that it'd been. "And while I don't fault you for that, dancing a whole lot more fun as a two person activity." She told him, laughter spilling from her as she pulled him closer to her. "Good to know as they will definitely come in handy. Are your arms just as solid?" Mariela asked, her hands sliding up to his forearms to squeeze playfully. "Oh, I remember. You were quite the sensation." To get Scott's attention at a party was often the goal for many a folk in Rosewood back in their younger years... actually, she was pretty sure the same remained true to this day. Age in no way had messed with those features. Mariela looked down at the app, then back up at the man in front of her knowing that she could put him up to a challenge. So she threw on a little Bad Bunny. "Let's loosen those hips up, left and right." She told him as they began to move, allowing them to get into sync. "Now, we can throw a bit of flourish in there." Mariela grinned, one of her hands at her hip and the other up moving much like their elders did at the functions to make him laugh.

[sodapopscott]

Seeing the look on her face instantly cause the corners of his mouth to curve up. "I feel like I'd be missing out on an opportunity if I didn't say a lot of more things are more fun with a partner." He wiggled his eyebrows playfully. "There were so many parties and quinces in our neighborhood when I was younger, and so many of my friends older brother's would sit off to the side while the girls danced together. One night I saw this girl who moved like she was made of water or something. Completely blew ten year old me away. The first thing I did when I went home that night was ask my dad to teach me how to dance so the next time I saw something like that or someone like that I wouldn't have a reason to hesitate." He laughed softly, eyeing her feet for a few seconds before he fell into step with her. "I don't think I can get much looser unless I pop one out of place," he teased, doing a little spin of his own if only to match her energy before he settled in closer to her again the way he would have if they actually were at Katz, his hand not quite resting on her hip. "You don't- I don't expect you to put on a show for me or go full zumba class."

[themarielaalves]

"Understandly so," Mariela let Scott know as she made her way towards him. The Lyric Opera house was done with operations for the day, which often times meant that all bodies had to be off of the premises but Mariela had asked if she could have the stage when Scott had texted her if it'd be okay for him to visit. "It's not meant to be this empty." She told him with a pat to the back, smiling up at him before making her way to the edge of the stage to take a seat. "Oh, is it?" She asked, a bright smile on her face. "Well, you definitely cashed in on one of my favorite places near home." Mariela said, patting the spot next to her for Scott to take a seat. "No offense to Katz or Coyote Ugly, of course but there's nothing quite like this view." She said, her gaze going from the handsome man by her side out to the row of seats out in front of her. In those quiet moments, she was allowed to take in just how many people came out to see the company and herself on a nightly basis. "But I am really happy you're here." Mariela turned her attention back to Scott. "And it's not just you, but you also brought food. Thank you." She let him know with a bright smile, as she opened the pizza box between them. "Do you want me to teach you something?" She asked, stopping just short of grabbing a slice. "Because it's not every day you're on this stage unless you're like... me," Mariela said playfully, standing up from the edge of the stage. "And you did come with pizza and drinks, so like showing you a two step is the least I can do." She held her hand out to him, wiggling her fingers as she did so. "C'mon."

[sodapopscott]

"Then maybe I'll have to swing by again when it's full to get the full experience." Scott took a seat next to her, knocking his foot against hers lazily. "I get it. Katz and Coyote Ugly are fun but this is your space. Thanks for letting me into it." He tilted his head back to look up at her, narrowing his eyes playfully once she stood before he eventually accepted her hand. "I wanna see you dance. Whether that's with me or teaching me something doesn't matter so much to me. But I came ready to work and my toes are as solid as ever." He motioned towards his shorts again with his free hand. "I can dance. Not like you but I've never had any complaints before." He reached into his pocket and unlocked his phone, handing it over to her with his music app already open in case she wanted it.

[sodapopscott]

"This place is kinda creepy when it's empty." Scott was practically whispering as he glanced around the recital hall curiously from where he stood on the stage. Though he didn't have much to compare it to considering the last time he'd been anywhere close to a a theatre with professional dancers had been in elementary school when his class had went to Peter Pan. Once he'd checked in with her to make sure it was okay to stop by as she finished up with practice, he''d grabbed a pizza, a few drinks to give her a variety to choose from, and box of cookies to go along with it and made his way to her. "And this is me cashing in. I know I was supposed to let you buy me something but I thought this might be more fun." He motioned towards himself before clearing his throat self consciously. He hadn't exactly dressed up for the occasion but that had everything to do with what he'd thought up. "I know how much dancing means to you so I thought maybe we could do that here so we can actually hear each other without screaming over the music. Or you can teach me something. Ballet, ballroom, TikTok trends. I'm your guy and I promise I won't step on your feet." @themarielaalves

[themarielaalves]

"You are." She teased right back, finding it so easy to fall back into their rhythm once more. They might have grown up quite a bit since the last time they'd ran into each other, but she could still see that charming pain in the ass in there. "As do I. I don't believe I've ever had the patience for bullshit but I definitely don't have it now." Mariela nodded, much preferring forwardness now a days. "Right now, this really major show in New York is sending out representatives to check out the territories to scout talent and it's bringing out the best out of us. No backstabbing, no conniving, it's very let the best dancer win. Which is going to be me, of course." Mariela's eyes grew a bit wide as Scott spoke of what he'd been up to. "Are you really?" She asked him turning to take a good look at his features. "And you'd tell me if it wasn't, right?" Mariela pointed at him, meaning that. Now, she wasn't going to mother him but she wanted him to know that she was down to hear him out whenever he needed an ear. "It doesn't sound all that weird to me. I dance on my tip toes for a living, I know a thing or two about what you're referring to." She said. "Good, you deserve that." Mariela stopped in her tracks as he spoke of getting his GED. "Wait, why didn't you lead with that? C'mon. " She laughed, as she began to clap for him. "Congrats, Scott. Seriously, that's huge."

[sodapopscott]

"Of course it is," he agreed with a nod. He didn't know much about ballet but he did know if Mariela wanted something she wouldn't stop until she got it. "Believe it or not, I don't actually like being punched in the face. If I wasn't good I would've stopped a long time ago." Scott paused thoughtfully, taking his time before he slowly nodded. "Sure. I don't have a reason to lie, and even if I did I wouldn't lie to you. You've already seen me as a full on train wreck, so there''s no point in trying to hide shit now." He took an extra step before he stopped as well, turning to face her with his eyebrows raised dramatically as he raised his free hand to cover hers. "Shh! If people around here realize I can actually read I might never have a quiet moment again. Not everyone needs to know I'm the total package now."