summary: reader and dennis have their first conversation in months. she freaks out to the girls about it, but then comes to a realization about something…
contents: black!fem!reader but anyone can read it of course! reader uses she/her pronouns. cursing. suggestiveness. crack.
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𓂃 𓈒𓏸🪷
a/n: reader and dennis are finally gonna hang out after forever!!!!
HIII I've been following ur acc for quite some time now and I just wanted to say ur my fav tumblr author 🥹 I'm black so it's kinda hard for me to find rep in fanfics that isn't just all smut and toji calling me "ma" and asking for a retwist💔💔 but wb reader is literally me and i feel so seen KEEP DOING WHAT U LOVE DUDE AAAAA
OMG THANK YOU!!!!
Also the whole gangsta Japanese man pisses me off and ngl I HATE FRAT GOJO SUKUNA OR ANY OF THAT SHIT THOSE MEN WOULD NOT BE IM FRATERNITY (also fraternities genuinely suck especially those white ones so it's Hella confusing why there romanticizing them) WHITE FRATERNITY BRO ARE EVIL NIGGAS FROM HELL!!! (I know from first hand experience) but yeah I just cant down with ESPECIALLY PLUG EREN BROOO the author of aot made a modern au with eren AND HES LITERALLY A LOSER WITH NO LIFE the only exceptable eren is punk!eren PLUG WOULD NOT EXIST THAT IS A WHITE BOY please and thank you
“hey guys, so im here today with justin to do a mukbang” eren immediately whipped his head towards you. “what you do mean justin? whose justin?” he asked squinting his eyes at you. “huh? come on let’s do the mukbang” you tired to dismiss him but he shook his head grabbing the camera and setting it down.
“eren, why did you do that?” you asked “confused”. “ ‘cause what are you talking about? who the hell is justin” he furrowed his eyebrows looking at you as he stuck his tongue against his cheek. “i don’t know?” you said grabbing the camera and putting it back up to film you both.
he sat there continuing to look at you with a serious expression. you ignored him as you continued to unwrap the food and show the camera what you got. you finally turned towards him and chuckled a bit seeing his face. “what? show them your food” you gestured towards the food sitting on a plate.
“no, i don’t give a fuck about this food” he snarled. you looked down seeing that he was bouncing his legs as his hands were clenched. “you should or it’ll get cold” you shrugged taking a bit of your food.
“turn the camera off” he demanded. “why?” you chuckled covering your mouth as you continued chewing the food looking at him. his expression showed that he wasn’t playing. “y/n im serious, turn the camera off” he ordered. “i don’t see why i have to” you continued to play dumb as you took another bite out of your food.
eren took it upon himself to grab the camera again and you instantly dropped the food back onto the plate before taking your camera from him. “chill babe it was a prank” you giggled turning the camera towards him as he only stared at you before getting up from the table with a huff.
“alright, yall i don made this nigga mad i’ll see yall later” you blew a kiss at the camera before ending the recording.
𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗘
“hey guyssss meet my boyfriend, kamdyn” you stated wrapping your arms around his waist. connie furrowed his eyebrows. “kamdyn?” he laughed slightly continuing to eat his sandwich that he made. “huh?” you asked looking up at him.
“hm, okay” he simply replied. you were confused by his response but kept going along with the prank. “yeah, so today kamdyn and i will show you guys a house tour” you spoked gesturing towards your house.
“yeah, kendall is gonna show yall while i sit and eat my food” he remarked taking some chips into his hand and eating it. you stopped completely and immediately a scowl made itself known on your face. “what the fuck is wrong with you?” you turned towards him folding your arms.
“what’s wrong with me? i don’t know, you tell me” he shrugged turning his head to look at you. “why would you call me that weird ass ho name” you sneered already getting irritated. “ ‘cause you called me somebody else’s so i did the same” he resorted with a chuckle. you continued staring him as you finally rolled your eyes before turning towards the camera.
“don’t get mad at me for playing into your little game, mami” he voiced taking another bite of his sandwich. you looked back at him with a scoff. “it was just a prank and you just had to do the most” you grumbled, grabbing the camera. “i didn’t do enough” he finalized, walking away with his food in hand. you rolled your eyes once again before ending the video.
𝗢𝗡𝗬𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗢𝗣𝗢𝗡
“hey, xavier can you pass me a napkin” you asked him as you two sat on a blanket eating some of the food you guys bought out to the park for a picnic. “what? don’t fucking play with me right now bro” he warned looking at you.
“what you mean? i need a napkin babe to wipe my hands” you told him holding your hands up. “nah, who that nigga is?” he questioned clenching his jaw. “what nigga?” you chuckled at him as he only shook his head. “tell me who is he y/n im not playing” he dusted off some crumbs off of his sweatpants as he waited for your answer.
“bro, what are you on about? i’m not talking to anybody else” you admitted, reaching for a napkin yourself. “i don’t know why you keep asking that shit” you mumbled throwing the napkin into a plastic bag you brought to put your trash in. “you really think i’m dumb?” he scoffed, “i promise you, if you don’t tell me right now imma find whoever that nigga is and clap em” he spoked seriously making you laugh.
“baby, calm down he’s only a friend of mine that i fuck from time to time” you challenged him to get a reaction of out him. “MAN WHAT!?” he exclaimed getting up and walking away from you. you hurried and ran after him as he took long strides to the car.
“onyyyyy i’m sorry, it was just a prank” you giggled following him as he unlocked the car and got in as you followed suite. “babyyyy im serious i was just playing with you” you told him pouting slightly. he sighed turning the car off and getting out. you followed after him as he began walking back over to the picnic.
“man, i swear i was gonna go kill somebody” he huffed chuckling a bit. “ i know baby, i know” you cheesed grabbing his face with both hands as you pecked him on the lips repeatedly.
𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗡
“ANDRE” you semi yelled as you walked upstairs to your shared bedroom. armin turned around in swivel chair after putting his pencil down. “whose andre?” he says as he looked at you. his glasses sat on his nose bridge as his piercing blue eyes stared at you.
“huh? i didn’t say andre” you replied taking a seat on the bed, “but i wanted to ask you for some of your thoughts on this dress i’ve been wanting to get” you took your phone out and showed him.
armin didn’t look at the cellular device not once, he continued watching you as you were “oblivious” to the whole ordeal. “what andre- i mean armin, look at the dress” you corrected yourself. “babe…” he mumbled, taking his glasses off. “if you’re cheating on me just tell me now” he simply said, shoulders slumped and all.
“what? no! babe i’m not cheating i promise” you hurried and hugged him as he wrapped his arms around your waist. “then why are you calling me another man’s name?” his glossy eyes made you feel bad for even thinking about doing this kind of prank on him knowing how emotional he can get.
“it was just a prank baby, i swear i’m not doing anything behind your back” you pulled back from the hug and grasped his face into your hands. “im so sorry min~” you cooed using your thumbs to caress his blonde side burns. “you know i love you right?” you questioned bending down to kiss him on the lips softly. his pink flushed cheeks and redden ears made themselves known.
“i know baby but, please don’t do that again please” he pleaded looking up at you as you smiled telling him that you won’t.
𝗝𝗘𝗔𝗡
“damn tyler, you’ve gotten buff baby” you said feeling in jean’s biceps as he was out in the backyard creating a patio for your house. “who?” his southern accent thick as he turned towards you with a toothpick in his mouth. “i said you’re getting bigger” you smiled sheepishly touching his chest.
“i know what you said but, who is tyler?” he stated grabbing a cloth to wipe his face off from the summer sweat. “tyler? i didn’t say that” “yes you did” he objected. “come on tyler it’s hot out here to be arguing” you fanned yourself as your white dress flowed with the wind that did little to no help. “who the hell is tyler? are you playing some prank on my from ticktack or are you cheating?” he wondered as you couldn’t help but laugh.
“babe it’s tiktok” you corrected him as he shook his head. “same difference, now answer my question” he demanded placing the cloth around his neck. his exposed arms glistened in the sun with sweat as his hair was wet also along with his forehead forming beads of sweat that trickled down his face.
“no, i’m not cheating,” you giggled a bit more before taking a deep breath. “it was just a ticktack prank” you laughed out loud as he smacked his lips and took the tooth pick out of his mouth and went back to working on the patio.
“i swear you play too damn much” he said as you continued to laugh holding your stomach.
Casa Amor is finally over. Before you and your couple split, you guys had an amazing chat. You stay single. Will he return single also?
We could waste the night with an old film, smoke a little weed in the back room. Hideaway... Say you'll never let me go.
The villa felt hostile.
After seeing what KC did to aniya i couldnt help but lose hope. If they had a strong connection and he was willing to throw it away for 3 days makes me worried about me and Corbin.
The girls and I sat close to each other, all holding hands. I fidgeted with my ring, as I couldn't help the feeling in my gut telling me something was wrong as I replayed the converstation corbin and I had before Casa.
----------------------
"So, how are you feeling about casa?" I ask Corbin as we lie in soul ties, my feet resting on his lap.
"I'm solid in our connection, like I think we have a great connection, and I don't want to lose what I have with you for someone temporary," Corbin says as he rubs his hand up and down my calf.
"Good, I was thinking the same thing," I say, smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. "So we're good?" I say, bringing my face closer to his.
"We're good, baby." He says lowly, leaning in.
-----------------------
As Ariana finally called my name, I took a deep breath before standing up.
"How are you feeling, y/n?" Ariana ask.
"I'm feeling a little nervous." I chuckle. "We had a great conversation before Casa, and I felt as were on the same page. I just hope we're actually on the same page." I say as I feel Kayda grab my hand and hold it.
"Well, let's find out if Corbin decided to stay loyal to his couple." Ariana pauses as everyone looks at the entrance of the villa.
I swear I could feel my heart stop as I saw Corbin. I take a deep breath as I watch him finally make it into my view, but he isn't alone.
"Holy fuck." I hear it from behind me as I close my eyes, trying to regulate my breathing. I open my eyes as Corbin and his new couple make it in front of the fireplace.
"So, y/n, it looks like Corbin has decided to bring his couple from Casa back to the villa, now leaving you single. How are you feeling, y/n?" Ariana asked with a sympathetic look.
I close my eyes for a second as I feel them burn. I clear my throat. "I feel humiliated," I say, opening them and staring at Corbin, who finds his shoes very interesting at the moment. "I thought we had a good talk before Casa. I thought we were on the same page about how we felt about each other, but I guess I was wrong." I say as Ariana nods her head, understanding.
"Corbin, how are you feeling right now" Ariana ask him.
"I feel like this was-" I cut him off. "Look at me when you're speaking," I say firmly, rolling my eyes as I hold back tears.
He finally picks his head up, staring at me. He drops her hand and places his hands behind his back.
"I felt like this was a really hard decision to make, but I feel as if my connection with Parmida is stronger than the connection I had with y/n."
"How do you feel about that, y/n?" Ariana asked me.
"I feel like everyone has the right to pick what they think is better," I say before closing my eyes as I take a deep breath, trying not to cry. "I just feel like the talk we had was pointless. He gave me false hope, thinking that we were going to be okay and come back to each other, when in reality, as soon as he was able to get his dick wet, he stopped thinking about me." I say watching corbin shake his head.
"Dont shake your head because you know it's true," I say, bringing a hand up to wipe my tears before they fall. "It's just so fucking disrespectful, bro," I say as my voice cracks and a few tears fall.
"How was it disrespectful?" Corbin asked with a confused face.
"How is it not Corbin? You literally told me that we were good. You said you felt solid in our connection, and then you turn around and do some fuck shit like that, bro. It's not like you couldn't explore because I wouldn't mind, but you did it so fucking disrespectfully. Then in the video you literally said that I was out the window when all the Casa girls walked in." I say sniffing, now letting my tears fall freely.
"Wait, what video?" Corbin says confused.
Ariana winces. "Oh yeah... the challenge was live-streamed. So the girls could see everything you guys were doing live."
The boys are shocked and nervous now that Ariana has let them know we could see everything they were doing.
"I just feel stupid," I say lowly, picking at my nails. I take a deep breath before speaking. "But...I hope you two continue to have an amazing connection and bloom into something beautiful," I say, smoothing out my dress, trying to conceal my tears as I sit down, pushing my hair off my neck.
I keep my gaze forward, staring into the fire as Corbin and Parmida walk past me and sit down holding hands. I could feel him staring into the side of my face.
I continue to silently cry, wiping my face with the sleeve of my dress so much it's now blotchy as I watch and envy other couples come back together.
The recoupling finally ends, and I'm the first to stand, walking away heading to the makeup room, finally letting out my first sob of the night as I feel people staring at me. The villa girls stand up and follow me upstairs into the room. Inside the room, I break down crying, sliding down the wall. They rush to my side, comforting me.
Author's note: once again I would like to thank everyone who is reading.
~1981 February 4th, Hayvenhurst Encino, California~
Celèstine stepped out of the back seat of the car with the help of her personal security guard James. She smiled and waved at Tito, Marlon, Randy and Jermaine who was playing a game of 2v2 basketball.
"Hey guys!" She greets smiling brightly at them as she fixed her outfit, a simple Marvel graphic tee, light blue jeans.
The ball continued to bounce across the concrete as they played on without a hit, "Sup!" "Hey!" "What's goin' on" was all harmonized in greeting her back, clearly use to seeing her over at their residence.
"My momma made a huge pot of chicken and sausage gumbo and sent Tupperware bowls full of it for yall!"
The ball hit the rim of the basket before bouncing away from the four who was no longer interested in the game. 4 pairs of feet rushed over, one or two almost tripping over themselves to get their hands on Ms.Magnolias chicken and sausage gumbo. The same gumbo she served when she hosted a small get together to celebrate Celèstine's album success in the states.
Since then everytime they seen Celèstine the would harass her about it.
"Wow! Okay...She sent 3 huge bowl fulls! Exactly a whole stew pot full. She says giving them a look as James unlocks the trunk where the gumbo was securely stored.
"She also made yall honey butter cornbread to eat with it-"
Before she could finish Tito had grabbed the pan of cornbread as Marlon, Randy and Jermaine grabbed the large Tupperware bowls, before rushing into the house.
James laughed, muttering "Fat ass kids" in a joking manner as he leaned against the car.
Celèstine laughs shaking her head as she heads in after them to attempt to stop them before they devour majority of it.
As she walks into the house she was met with a slightly startled Katherine and Janet who had witnessed 4 men rush towards the kitchen.
"Hi Ms.Katherine, Hi Janet" Celèst greets offering the two a smile "My Momma sent over gumbo and cornbread. They guys brought it in."
Ms. Katherine shook her head after Celèstine's short explanation.
"Hi sweetheart, thank you for bringing it over. Your mother and I was on the phone while she was making it" Ms.Katherine says pulling Celèstine into a hug. "Let me go stop those boys before they don't leave any for anyone else."
Celèstine watches as and. Katherine quickly walked to o the kitchen. Her eyes turns towards Janet who was already looking at her.
A 14 year old Janet crosses her arms with a slight attitude knowing that Celèstine was there to hang out with her brother instead of her. Granted she knew they were friends first but Celèstine was closer to her age and related to her more than her older sisters.
"Do you always have to hang out with that big headed boy?" Janet huffs with an eye roll.
"Oh you want me to hang out with your big headed self instead?" Celèstine jabbed with a smirk. She mockingly cross her arms like Janet before jokingly looking her up and down with a faux attitude. In the middle of the foyer with no one else around the two had a stare down, not letting up until Celèstine couldn't help up crack a smile, then the two burst into laughter.
Janet closed the short distance between them, embracing Celestine into a hug.
"I'm free tomorrow if you are... I can come over or you can come over to mine." Suggested Celèstine as they walked into the kitchen together to see Ms.Katherine distributing the gumbo with a scowl on her face clearly slightly irritated with her 4 sons.
"Did you two want any?" Ms.Katherine asks once she looks over at the two walking in.
"No ma'am. I had some before I left home"
"Yes please, Mother." Janet says walking over to get a bowl.
"I think Michael is out back, Sweetheart." Ms. Katherine tells Celèstine while filling a bowl for Janet.
"Thank you Ms.Katherine!" Celèstine says making her way towards the door that lead back there.
Ms.Katherine watches as Celèstine disappears into the backyard, grabbing the landline to call Magnolia to thank her for the food and to let her know that Celèstine made it over safely.
"Sunshine!"
A bright smile stretched across Michael's face within a nanosecond of hearing the nickname Celèstine preserved just for him due to his genuine soft and warm personality.
The two had been up all night talking about random things till they eventually fell asleep on each other but before they did Michael invited her over, he head no set plan for the two, he knew Celéstine wouldn't mind figuring that part out together. They could pick up a knew book they could read together, do a show or a movie marathon, play a card or a board game, or just spend the day outside playing with his animal friends till the sun went down. One of the many things he appreciated about their friendship.
"Cece! How ya doin" he greets pulling her into a hug "I like your shirt" he says once they pulled apart. He had studied the 'X-Men' shirt trying to memorize it so he could find something similar when he had the opportunity to find it or have someone find it for him. "You want it don't you?" Celéstine asked knowingly. A smirk played on her lips as she watched him finally tear his gaze from her shirt. "If you have a shirt as interesting I'll trade ya."
His eyes lit up before he thought it over. Scanning his brain for the interesting shirts he bought over the years that would suit Celéstine's fancy. "Come on." He grabbed her hand pulling her towards the house.
They had rushed past Latoya and one of the housemaids before they rushed up stairs. "I think I have a shirt you'd want!" He opened his room door and lead her in, leaving the door open.
He walks over to his dresser digging through it as she picked up some random knickknack he bought.
"I have a Wonder Woman t-shirt... oh a Storm-"
Celèstine peeked up from his knickknack collection once she heard 'Storm'
"I want the storm one!" She says setting the knickknack that was in her hand down and walked over to him.
He lifts up the tee was was willing to trade making it unfold itself so she could get a good look at it.
She nods agreeing as she looks the shirt over. It was a simple black shirt with storm in the center of it with her beautiful white hair and glowing eyes that just emoted power.
"You want to trade right now?" She asks him directly, looking him dead in the eyes. He stares back comfortably, a connection he can't easily form with most people. He doesn't like people staring into his eyes, peering into his soul. However, over the time they've been friends, she's still able to see into him like he's made of glass. At the same time, she allows him to see into her soul, where he finds no judgment and a childlike wonder that mirrors his own.
"Mikey when did we say we were doing a staring contest? You gave me no time to prepare- and you still lost."
She laughs as he snaps out of it. "Get out so I can change real quick." She says not caring that she was kicking him out of his own room. Michael laughed at her demand as his feet scurried across the door.
"Come on!" She smiles pushing him towards the door. "Just for a minute." She says taking the tee out of his hands before shutting the door in his face. "You did not just-" before he could finish his sentence the smell of vanilla and amber engulfed him as the soft cotton material of the 'X-men' tee landed on his face. Celèstine giggles waiting for him to remove the shirt that now belonged to him off his face.
"Why I oughta!" He dramatically says ripping the shirt from off his face.
Quickly Celèstine dunk away from his reaching hand before he could grab her. She played this game plenty times before and knew exactly what he was trying to do. Tickle her. Cause he knew she was just as ticklish as he was especially around the neck.
"You're getting faster-"
"Or maybe you're getting slower!" She giggles louder dodging him before making a run for it down the stairs.
Michael broke out into a grin. He tossed the shirt into his room before taking off after her.
With quick thinking Celèstine went out the front door. She looked around for a place to hide in the middle of the driveway.
"Hi James! Hi Bill!" She greets running past them just to dive behind the car Bill drove Michael around in.
Use to her and Michael's antics Bill and James continued their conversation over the NBA season.
She heard Michael finally making it outside.
"Alright fellas where is she?"
Bill shrugged as James tipped him off and within seconds A startled squeal could be heard after he successfully snuck up on her.
"No! No! No!" She begs as laughter was forced out of her.
He wrapped his arms around her tight as he tickled her sides. He didn't quit not even when she forced them down on the ground by putting all of her weight on him.
"Okay! Okay....Uncle! Uncle!" She called out, her sides aching from laughter. Finally, she let up, and he sobered up from laughing as well.
The two sat back on the couch, a bowl of popcorn between them, stuffing their faces and staring at the TV in silence. Then glittery sparkles lit up the screen as Tinkerbell flew into scene.
"I wish I was a fairy..."sighed Celèstine as her head lolled to the side.
Michael smiled shaking his head at the random words she just spewed.
"What are you going to do as a fairy?" He asks.
Celeste shrugs, grabbing another handful of popcorn. "The possibilities are endless! You could sleep on a flower, walk a tightrope made of spider silk, fly with a swarm of lightning bugs, or even drink nectar with a hummingbird," she lists.
A warm smile spread across his face as she concocted a list of various activities, each one sounding both enjoyable and captivating.
"I wanna be a fairy too if I get to do all those things."
Celeste mirrored his smile, turning from the TV to gaze at him. "It's a whimsical little world of wonder, where I'd live in a giant mushroom or a hallowed-out tree trunk right in the middle of a glow-in-the-dark botanical garden. My clothes would be made of flower petals and vines, and I'd have berries for breakfast." She continued to paint a vivid picture.
"This is precisely why we are friends!" Michael exclaimed, delighted by her ingenious idea. He adored just how whimsical she could get allowing him to be comfortable in his whimsy as well.
"You'd make an amazing fairy!" He adds.
"You d be an amazing Peter Pan." She shot right back booping him on his nose. "There's real world sucks sometimes...it's more magical with you though...l hope you never let anyone kill your light, Sunshine."
~February 14,1981~
Celèstine watches as Steven scrambles around in a slight panic. He had her up all night and morning helping him get everything ready. She was running on a few hours of sleep, coffee, Valentine's Day candy, prayers and patience. "Old man the ring is in your pocket!" She tells him taking a seat on the couch. She was dressed up and ready to go to the devoted private event room he bought out just for this moment, flying out her family and inviting a few friends to witness the moment where a new chapter for the couple could begin, if she said yes that is.
"You running round here like a chicken with its head cut off got me going dizzy. Please take a seat before you burn a hole in the floor!"
She gestured to the couch. Once Steven was seated, she sighed, crossing her arms. "She's cool as a cucumber on the clock, but a crazy man off of it... she's gonna say yes, man! Geez, you acting like you haven't turned into conjoined twins." Celèstine continued just as there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it-"
"No! Last time you got the door we had to call 911 on the pizza guy!" Steve says shooting up from his seat. He pushes Celèstine away from the door like a father trying to protect his daughter.
Steven exclaimed with relief, "Oh, good! The gardenias are here!" as soon as the door swung open.
"See everything is running smoothly! Chill for a bit please?" Celèstine requested as she watched him sit the bouquet in the coffee table.
It had been two years since Steven and Magnolia began dating. They faced a lot of tension and issues, bumping heads as a mother and a manager, having to deal with court battles over divorce and child custody but those things settled, beautiful things blossomed. Steven wanted to be the Husband Magnolia never had in her last one.
"You two are cute... turn left though and I'd surly make a right! She's still my Momma..." Celèstine says hinting how protective she would get over the woman that sacrificed to give her everything.
"Noted"
A few hours later Magnolia walked into the Baldwin hills mansion with a bright smile as she adoringly stared at the engagement ring on her finger.
"She said didn't she Steven!" Celèstine calls out being the first to hear them come in.
A series of "she said yes?!" Followed as the rumble of guest makes their way to the foyer to see the couple.
Magnolia looked shocked seeing her parents, brother, aunts and cousins all gather around her demanding to see the ring. Katherine, Michael, Janet and Latoya handing back to give the family a moment.
"Oh it's beautiful! You know how to pick em Stevie!" Grecian says wrapping a tight arm around his soon to be brother in law.
"I'm gonna be the maid of honor right?" Celèstine heard one of her older cousins say and couldn't help but to roll her eyes and twist her lip up at the audacity! If anyone was gonna be the maid of honor it would be her! She was the one that played Cupid! She was the one that set this whole little engagement plan up. She rather be damned to see someone else in her spot as maid of honor.
"Slow your roll now before you swerve into traffic
Clementine! Maid of Honor is mine-"
"Now little girl-" her cousin Clementine began ready to check Celèstine. "You can’t check me in the house I paid for!”
"That's my cousin!
"Which is why I out rank you!"
"You are too young-"
Too young but well funded"
"Stop! Stop!" Magnolia interjected.
"Maid of honor is gonna be my Honeybee-"
"Exactly-"
"Honeybee!" Magnolia scowls
Clementine frowned, smacking her lips together. "You don't want no fun bachelorette party? Liquor and getting a little rowdy like the men be doin!"
Magnolia matches Clementine's frown at the thought.
She was never into any of that stuff and the last thing she wanted was a wild party in Los Angeles where people snorted cocaine like fresh flowers.
"Girl I'm in my 40s! I've done enough wild and stupid things I could write a book! We could do a tea or dinner like we had during our debutante days-"
Clementine rolled her eyes unamused. "Guess we'll have to wait till Celèste gets engaged to have a fun party"
"Keep dreaming! Theses boys are faker than what they sell in Santee Alley-"
"You're just picky Celèst..you'll never find a man being like that." Her other cousin Camille chuckles.
"She's young! She has ample time ahead of her. It's perfectly fine if she chooses not to marry at all. She's accomplished far more significant things than simply becoming a bride!" Magnolia says, pulling her daughter into a warm embrace.
Camille let out a "Mmhmm" looking over at their other family members with a knowing smirk. "That's good and all and Celèstine can say whatever but I know where she's been lookin...its a good view I must admit... but I'll keep quiet about it don't worry about it" she says looking at her little cousin while silently motioning to Michael.
Celèstine scoffs turning away from Camille.
"Yeah you do that..."
"Oh I will."
Magnolia looked between the two catching what Camille was throwing. She had a feeling that her daughter was catching feelings. Celèstine never spoke highly about too many people unless she had a clear appreciation of their work and who they were as a person and she just spoke too frequently about Michael for him just to be a friend.
"We'll speak about who later...alone." Magnolia whispered giving her daughter a stern look. Celèstine huffs but nodded.
"You're 16 and he's 22! You realize that right?" Magnolia asks as she takes off her earrings.
The party had ended 30 minutes ago! It was sweet and wholesome! Their family embracing Steven and the few of the Jackson family members, especially Michael. They adored him just like Celèstine did, which Magnolia pulled Celèstine into her room to discuss just to make sure she understood how she wasn't okay with her daughter's feelings for someone who was 22.
"I know that momma! But I respect our friendship and would never admit my feelings! Besides I know he's got it bad for Diana!"
"He doesn't know at all? Hasn't caught on to it?" Magnolia asked unconvinced. Celèstine shrugged honestly not knowing if Michael noticed or not. If he did he was great at ignoring and looking past it.
"I get it... he's charming and sweet, and if you were 18, I would be okay with it- really I wouldn't be able to tell you anything by the time you're that age but you're 16 and I want you to not cross that boundary-"
"So you're saying once I turn 18-"
"Would be completely fine by me! 18 and 24! Your father was 14 years older than me...just don't go past 6 years older than you okay? Older men are creeps that want you only for your youth and beauty... nothing else! Believe me."
Celèstine nods at her mother's wisdom, watching her through a vanity mirror silently for a moment before she broke into a gush about Michael happy she didn't have to keep her thoughts to herself.
Magnolia's eyes widened as her daughter enthusiastically spoke about how beautiful she thought Michael's eyes were, how delightful his smile was, and how frustrating it was that he detested his smile. She delved into her admiration for his intelligence and expressed how heartwarming it was to witness his kindness and affection towards animals. Although the conversation was a bit overwhelming, Magnolia allowed her daughter to continue, enjoying the fact that this was the first time she ever heard her daughter gush over a boy.
"He's just such a sweetheart, momma it's hard not to adore him!"
