*𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑 !

⎯⎯⎯⎯ 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬   𝐭𝐡𝐞   𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 ?   𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐫𝐞   𝐚𝐥𝐥   𝐭𝐡𝐞   𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞.   𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞   𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐝   𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫   𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠   𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞   𝐛𝐢𝐠-𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝   𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥   𝐰𝐡𝐨   𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭   𝐚𝐜𝐭,   𝐰𝐡𝐨   𝐢𝐬   𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬   𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠   𝐮𝐩   𝐭𝐡𝐞   𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬   𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧   𝐬𝐡𝐞   𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝   𝐛𝐞   𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠   𝐨𝐮𝐭   𝐭𝐡𝐞   𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭   𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫.   𝐢𝐭'𝐬   𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.

[brysonlahey]

There it was. No one had ever really managed to read him the way Sophia had, and his surprise that it had happened so early in the conversation showed in the way his lips twitched upward in amusement. "It'll probably be the last, too." He tilted his head to the side as his eyes finally landed back on hers. It was nice to see the spark there. Even if it was a result of annoyance or anger that was currently directed at him. It had always been one of the things he'd enjoyed the most about her. She might've come off as just another rich girl but there was a fire there that had pulled him in more than once. "Weird. I thought they would've saved the best for last." With the amount of times they'd broken up and gotten back together she probably should've counted as more than one, but that went without saying. She'd definitely been his longest relationship prior to the one he was currently in, and oddly enough that meant something to him. "No. I think I've heard enough of you nagging to last me a lifetime. Thanks for offering." He offered up an innocent smile before his eyes trailed over her again, slower as he tried to spot any differences he might've missed the first time around. "You look good."

[sophiapresmont]

As much as Sophia tried to deny it, Bryson Lahey would always know her in a way no one else did. He had seen the grittiest parts of her soul. He was by her side when her world was flipped upside down after her mother's passing. Their history was far too entangled to ever truly be separated. Denial could only cushion that truth for so long. "I'm sure you said that last time," She reminded him, the bite lessening in her tone. "Best, hm? You know, flattery doesn't get you far with me." This time her tone teetered on teasing. Though there was truth behind it. A compliment didn't get far with her. "And here I was preparing all new nags. I haven't been a pain in the ass to someone in so long." Her head tilted to the right slightly as she took in the sight of him. She noticed his gaze on her. "Oh, uh, thanks." Her heart betrayed her with the tiniest of flutters only because she couldn't remember the last time Bryson had said something even remotely decent. Her memories were colored with pain. Their screaming matches, the frustrations. It all outweighed the good memories they shared. For so long she had met his attempts with venom. There was no biting remark lingering in her throat. No daggers to be thrown to ward him off. Sophia merely nodded, letting the compliment settle before returning the smallest of smiles. It was half-hearted at best. "You look great as well for a ghost."

[brysonlahey]

"Sorry." It took Bryson a moment longer than it should have to realize that of all the people he could've seen at Katz, somehow he'd managed to barrel straight into Sophia hard enough that he instinctively reached out to catch her shoulders. "Jesus. I feel like I'm looking at a ghost." His words were muffled by the music but it was clear from the way his eyes traveled from her face down then back up again that he was taking her in to make sure the few drinks he'd had hadn't really thrown him off his game. "Are you here to tell me about all the bad things I've done over the past few years?" @sophiapresmont

[sophiapresmont]

It's not like Sophia was actively trying to avoid her ex-boyfriend. Their paths had stopped crossing long ago after she finally said enough was enough. Bryson had become nothing but a distant memory after a while. She had wished him well wherever he was but had no intention of seeking him out. Until tonight, when she came face to face with those familiar, searing eyes. The same eyes that had always seen right through her. She cursed her heart for the way it flipped in her chest out of recognition. "That's the first time I think you've ever said that," She attempted with a bite. Her walls were building back up as protection for whatever the night might bring. "Consider me the ghost of girlfriends past. You're going to be visited by two more tonight." Her eyes followed his, taking in the sight of someone she once knew like the back of her hand. "We've done that song and dance too many times before." It didn't change anything then; why would it change anything now? "I don't think you came here tonight to listen to me nag for old times' sake."

[theduchampboy]

"What if I already signed you up," Trevor came up behind her, a drink in each hand. For a moment he considered keeping them both for himself, since Sophia already had a drink of her own, but then he figured she needed it more than he did. He tapped at the bottom of her glass, signaling her to chug so he could replace her cocktail with a fresh one. "Oh c'mon, I picked a good song. Let me see-" He set both drinks down so he could pull out his wallet, since he definitely wasn't getting up there, and flashed a bill between his two fingers. "I got ten."

[sophiapresmont]

"Then I'd say you're the worst and force you up there with me." There was a bite in her words as she turned to look over her shoulder. It melted into something softer once she saw Trevor come into view. There was still an annoyed tinge to her tone, but it was drowned out by the interesting vocal choices being made. She sighed before chugging the drink in her hand, handing the empty glass to Trevor and taking the fresh cocktail with a gracious smile. "Oh yeah? Are you going to tell me or am I going to have to find out once I'm up there?" She asked. Her eyes narrowed at the ten, really considering her options. Sophia took the ten after a beat and waved it in front of Trevor. "Normally, a twenty would be the fee, but consider the drink part of the payment."

[serena-stein]

"Everyone's eardrums are literally bleeding!" Serena gestured wildly to the performance happening before them. Not that she cared, it was the whole point of karaoke anyway, but the girl on stage was definitely not going to be scouted any time soon. "She's only like, halfway through the song, we've got time to smash some shots and loosen you up. Besides, you're so hot no one's going to care what you sound like. Come on... we're all dying and this is on my bucket list. I mean, it's not actually, but I feel like it's well within my right to inflict some agony in return, you know? Call it karmic retribution for what we're experiencing right now."

[sophiapresmont]

"Yeah, and I don't want to add to the massacre." Sophia knew that karaoke was not meant to be taken seriously. Unless a bunch of theatre kids showed up and decided to show off their skills in front of amateurs. Thankfully, she hadn't been subjected to that sort of spontaneity since college. "Only halfway?" Sophia grimaced. She could only take a few more seconds of this before she attempted to find some earplugs. "I'm so glad my hotness distracts from my lack of musical talent." She deadpanned, her tone teasing at the end of her sentence. As much as Sophia wanted to stay put, she could never say no to Serena. It's how they ended up in various situations over the years. Not that she regrets a single one. "Fine. I'll do it, but just this once." She pointed a finger at Serena. "I would only ever make a fool of myself for you. Yeah, you're right. Some karmic retribution is owed for being subjected to this. There's nothing I love more than giving someone a taste of their own medicine."

[sophiapresmont]

"No, absolutely not." Her voice was hard to make out over the blaring music. A terribly sung rendition of Midnight Sun was being butchered by a very intoxicated girl. She was having fun, which was all fine and dandy, although she was bursting everyone's eardrums in the bar. Sophia had forgotten that tonight was karaoke night. She would have left sooner had she not taken the time to actually get ready for the evening. "There's no way I'm going up there and singing," she told the person in front of her who was insistent she head up next. The entire thing felt like a humiliation ritual. Sophia was more than content nursing her drink until she could dip. Performance was not in the cards tonight. "Unless you go up with me or pay me, I'm staying right here."

[theduchampboy]

They didn't talk about their families much, or ever, which is how Trevor preferred it, if only so he didn't have to get into everything with his dad. Or mention that his mom was dead- that was just a bummer. Sophia's dad seemed to know a lot about him though, which was fine, but it did make him feel.. strange. There was a whole part of his life, of himself really, he'd totally closed off to her and yet here she was, bragging to her dad about him. Maybe what he felt was guilt, pitted towards the bottom of his stomach, for how he'd taken their relationship for granted. And that he'd just assumed this was as casual for her as it was for him. "You told him all that?" He was surprised clearly but there was a teasing quality to his tone too, until he got serious a second, "That's really nice of you. I would've done dinner regardless, but hearing that I'm clever and you like me... doesn't hurt either."

[sophiapresmont]

After her relationship with Bryson, she hadn't been looking for anything else. Trevor sort of fell into her life and has stuck around ever since then. There was no label. They were strictly casual, and Sophia was fine with that arrangement. She wasn't exactly an open book. The only person who could truly pry anything out of her was Serena. Over time, she'd let her guard down with Trevor. Shared tidbits here and there. Nothing too serious, but enough that she had trust in him. To her surprise, her father had noticed that Trevor was a name that popped up in conversations often. Whether it was to say she was going to see him or had been with him. "I did," she nodded, wondering if she should have mentioned anything at all now. She relaxed once the usual teasing nature in his voice came through. "Don't let that go to your head. I need you to fit through doorways still," she teased back. "I thought that part was obvious." Her tone was quieter. It's something she had admitted before, but still saying it felt like a hushed secret between them. "I promise to make sure the food doesn't suck that much."

[laurens-german]

MIKA ABDALLA as Allie Hayes OFF CAMPUS 01.08 'The Line Change'

[theduchampboy]

Cracking a cold one was obviously one of Trevor's favorite past times, a close second to throwing stuff and breaking shit. The difference in sharing that past time with Sophia versus his friends was he honestly felt more relaxed — or maybe relaxed wasn't it, he chilled with his friends too, but he had some decorum. It got quiet between them, which was nice too, unusual for him of course, who could never seem to keep his mouth shut. Then she asked if he'd go to her dad's for dinner.

"Really?," was his initial, knee jerk reaction, brows furrowed just slightly. Meeting her dad was fine, it was more the fact that he wanted to meet him, or even knew who he was, that was really puzzling him. "No, no, I mean- Not no, I'm not saying no. What does he know about me?" He needed some baseline of what he was walking into, but also, more importantly, he was morbidly curious as to what she'd said to her dad about him. "Like how much of myself should I be, y'know."

[sophiapresmont]

"Yes, really." The topic of her father was one she hardly brought up to anyone. The man was a ghost that haunted their home, which was saying something, given that her mother's presence was felt in every corner of her life. Having a dead mom and a barely present dad was quite the double whammy, but Sophia dealt with it in stride. She separated herself after he attempted to become mayor and rubbed elbows with the elite of Rosewood. She was never interested in the role he wanted her to play, but now her father seemed interested in her life. A plot twist she never saw coming.

"He knows you're from the south side, about you and your friends, of course, he knows about Miguel. He knows about your spontaneity, how clever you are, and that you're a menace to society." She teased as he bumped her shoe with his. "He also knows we spend a lot of time together and that I like you." Her voice was quieter, laced with something sincere she only shared with a select few. Their relationship wasn't labeled; Sophia didn't need it. She was content being with Trevor in any capacity. "I think you should always be your most authentic self."

[sophiapresmont]

The soft breeze danced across Sophia's skin as she sat beside Trevor. Her knees were brought up to her chest, one arm hugging them and the other holding a beer. If you were to ask her four years ago if she'd ever willingly drink beer, she would've told you no, but over time, her mind had been swayed. The taste was still bitter each time it touched her tongue, but the company made it bearable.

She watched as the clouds rolled above them. They formed into various shapes, which she spent the last hour trying to decipher. From bunnies to blobs, the possibilities were endless. It was after a brief silence fell over them that Sophia changed the topic. "My dad wants to have you over for dinner." It was quiet. The topic of fathers was something they danced around. It took a few years too late, but her dad finally had an interest in her social life. "You can say no. I won't be upset." / @theduchampboy

[gcladriel]

LIZZY ELMSWORTH The Buccaneers, 2.03

[theduchampboy]

"Who just carries sunscreen," he scoffed in response. "It's cool, I gotta even this out anyway." He lifted one of his sleeves to show off the farmer's tan he'd acquired just in the last few weeks. "You know anyone with a pool, or, actually- do you have a pool?"

[sophiapresmont]

Sophia held up the small bottle of sunscreen she had in her purse to make a point. It was the only 'just in case' item she had in her bag during the summer months. "That's true. Nothing's worse than an uneven tan. So they say." she replied with a smile. "Oh, yeah I do." In all the time they had spent together, Sophia had always prefered to come to Trevor's side of the tracks. "You can swim in it any time you want to. My dad invested in stupid little floaties varying from chairs to .. a poptart"

[theduchampboy]

"Aw, fuck." Trevor probably didn't need to see the tender part of his back to know he was burnt, but he contorted himself to try and get a better look anyway. God forbid he wore a crop top for summer. "I'm crisp, aren't I."

[sophiapresmont]

Now wasn't the moment to say 'I told you so' but Sophia couldn't help the knowing look on her face as she glanced at Trevor's back. "extremely crispy." she grimaced at the forming burn. "I told you to wear sunscreen or at least carry it. The sun's been unforgivable these last few days."

[sweetfridays]

♡ HAILEE STEINFELD the kelly clarkson show

[snowbairdd]

HAILEE STEINFELD attending the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party (March 02, 2025)

[theduchampboy]

"You don't fuck with the grinch?" Rufus gave a nod to the guy in the suit as they walked past him. "Nah, Elf's overrated, the green guy's classic. And a gay icon..? I think. I don't know, I'm just saying what I've heard."

[sophiapresmont]

"Not really, no. He's kinda creepy. Not a good creepy either." The live action Jim Carrey movie that came out eons ago had freaked Salem out as a child. It was a scar she carried to this day. "Okay, yeah, but we can agree Rudolph is a classic. Oh? I didn't know the streets were saying he's a gay icon. I should probably take back all the negative shit i've said about him lately."

[radley-walsh]

"I honestly think it has a lot to do with how few fucks everyone has to give by the end of the year." Samara pursed her lips, still pondering on her thought. "Like if the year's gone pretty well for the majority we get the cliche Hallmark Peanuts Christmas. And if not then everyone's probably just one fine line away from being put on the naughty list."

[sophiapresmont]

"That's fair and soooo felt." Salem nodded along. Her year had been pretty decent. No reason for Grinch antics. "A cliche Peanuts christmas is always the goal. Yeah, emphasis on cliche but it's also wholesome. Sometimes we need that! Okay, I think majority of us are on the naughty list if they count the small things like jaywalking and littering. Maybe there's tiers to it. who's to say."

[serena-stein]

Rocky thought it was cute the way Beverly got shy around him, though he supposed it went both ways considering no one else got to see them so off their usual game. He couldn't imagine anyone describing him as soft as he was with her. "Thanks," he murmured, his own turn to get a little flustered because he never really knew how to accept compliments from her. Child Rocky was punching the air in victory like a madman somewhere in his spirit though, for sure. "Okay, well," he slipped into the water, pressing a kiss to her knee as he bobbed in front of her, "if I'm gonna keep my promise to look after you tonight, you're gonna have to get your hair wet..."

[sophiapresmont]

It was a freeing feeling to be seen so completely. Beverly often felt confined in her little world. The binding was her own doing trying to live up to expcations she placed on herself. Beverly had kept a wall up the majority of her life. she hid behind her high-strung, type A persona, which wasn't completely fabricated, but most never got close enough to peel back the layers of her character. It was only Rocky who ever had the privilege of seeing her so incomplete when Beverly strived for perfection. She was given that same privilege back. Knowing the most intimate sides of her boyfriend no one else would ever see was something she did not take for granted.

"you're welcome." she nudged his shoulder playfully. The blush painting his cheeks causing her stomach to flutter with affection. The affection bloomed further as he kissed her knee. It traveled to her chest and exploded into a warmth she could only describe as home. Rocky was her anchor, a grounding force which was ironic given her boyfriend was known for never being able standing still. "I do intend on making sure you keep your promise." with a quick inhale, Bev slide off the side of the pool and plunged into the cold water below. As she surfaced she squealed to herself as her body regulated to the new temperature. Her arms reached out to wrap themselves around Rocky's neck as she smiled at him. "There. My hair is wet now. Were you waiting for me to jump in all night?"