a/n: 1) brooke was max's 1st ever girlfriend ! it did not end well (cleo doesn't know the specifics) 2) I'm trying out a new image size so sorry if my photos look strange lol
refs: the rose of it all / the job
[end of episode]
(transcript below)
Quiet suburban street, tv blares in the background.
(Mark): But their number though? What happened to insta?
(Cleo): Max barely uses it these days! Brooke’s alright, and the break up was years ago. I doubt she has any ill intent towards Max after all they’ve been through lately.
(Mark): Okay. He shrugs. I still think you should’ve waited for Max’s response first but what’s done is done. Have you tried calling again?
(Cleo): No, they never answer anymore. Sighing. I don’t know what to do babe. I want to help them so badly but they won’t let me! Even to look at flats together I had to near beg them and we’ve still not discussed the Rose of it all. Neither of them will say what actually happened and I just feel so icky about it, I–
(Mark): Bae, breathe. You’re an amazing friend with a huge heart, which I love but that also means that sometimes you…over-invest. All you can do is keep letting Max know you’re there for them and give them time...Grief shows up differently for everyone. Maybe what Max needs right now is to be left alone…
(estate agent): There’s not. But there’s timed free parking on the roads nearby and the flat itself does have top of the range white goods and a brand new dishwasher. so it’s not a bad trade off.
(max): …I see.
(estate agent): Why don’t I give you a moment to think? I'll head downstairs and we can reconvene in ten.
(cleo): That'd be great. Thank you.
[The estate agent leaves]
(cleo): What’s the problem?
(max): I'm just not sure. it’s too…white. and the no parking thing’s shit too.
(cleo): Babe, it's modern! your last place barely had central heating! plus, you don’t even drive!
(max): Okay one: it had character, and two: I know I don’t right now but…I want to learn!
(cleo): Max be serious. this place has great transport links, it’s almost double the size of your old place and on a selfish note, it’d put us back in the same city again. …is it a money thing? ‘cause i'm happy to help you out until you’re back on your feet.
(max): No! i’ve still got the money rita gave me…and I have a job now anyways.
(cleo): Sorry? where?
(max): [Sighing, quiet] I got my old job back at the dollhouse.
(cleo): Seriously?
(max): Cleo-
(cleo): Max you know I love you but sometimes I just do not get you. you were only meant to be a bartender for a few months and then suddenly you’re a manager, which like fine, okay- at least you’re being a boss bitch but now it’s gone, which must be awful I know but instead of trying to move forward you’ve gone bloody backwards! What was the point of working your arse off in uni if you’re just not even gonna try?
(max): Oh for fuck- look, cleo i’ve got enough shit to deal with without you judging me on top of it. just because my life doesn’t look like you think it should, it doesn’t mean i'm not trying to do what’s fucking best for me.
(cleo): Max I-
(max): -Maybe if i didn’t have to keep burying people I care about then I could stop for a while and properly get my shit together but for now-
(cleo): -Oh babe. i’m not trying to fight with you. i’m sorry. it’s just- I think you deserve the world and that you shouldn’t have to settle for shitty jobs or…too white flats with no parking for your future car.
as wifey is quite a serious + dramatic story I never get to show u guys the lighter stuff like social media and cute memories! gonna start showing my oc's camera rolls and socials every so often cos it's fun !!!!!!
Lily Feng was on a knife’s edge. Hosting the Diamond Gala wasn’t just a high honour, it was the final step in securing her husband’s political future. Whoever held the gala, tended to be a shoe-in to win the upcoming mayoral election. For years, Victor had come close, only to be pipped to the post by white mediocrity. This year was different. They had greased the right palms, said the right buzzwords and struck precisely enough fear into the hearts of their enemies. It had been a twisting, bloody road to get here and it would all be worth it. It just needed some final tweaks.
(transcript below)
(LILY): Good evening Royston. Tell me what you know.
(ROY): Things remain quiet with the boy. His sister’s still looking, but from what I can tell it’s yielded little to no result.
(LILY): Hm. And the other one? What do you know about Maxine Kyle?
(ROY): Ah, well I might have something for you on that…
***
(CLEO, VIA PHONE): I really think you should tell Max about your family Rosie. Especially if you’re considering staying in the city for them.
(ROSE): I will! I just. Sometimes it seems like we’re on the same page and we’re both really enjoying each other but other times it feels like I’m just… passing time for them. I don’t want to add potential family drama to the mix if we’re not getting serious.
(CLEO): Babe…Max is just like that. And you know they’re coming out of a hard time…When I introduced the two of you, I thought it’d be cute, but maybe it was too soon? I don’t know.
[Rose hums thoughtfully]
(CLEO): I do know that you shouldn’t be ashamed of your relatives though. You didn’t choose them and you’re your own person.
(ROSE): [Sighing] You’re right. I’ll talk to them after the charity thing. Get it all out in the open.
I do feel that max rarely uses their socials (insta and twitter) since their mum passed. they defo lurk from time to time but these days they're often too wrapped up in the chaos of real life to worry about what's happening on the internet...
