The town fair was truly one of Reagan's favorite things. The fact that it meant fall was just around the corner was one of them-- but anything that allowed her to see cute farm animals, catch up with people she might've not seen in a while, and eat all kinds of delicious snacks that almost gave her own moms cooking a run for its money? She'd take it in a heartbeat. The rides weren't exactly the selling point for Reagan's appreciation, but after going on some of the bigger rides for the first time earlier that day, she kind of felt unstoppable. And a solo ride on the ferris wheel seemed like a good way to cap everything off. Experience some of the great views Castlewood had to offer. And she could definitely handle it.
Or at least, she thought she could handle it-- the guy operating the ride wasn't too happy to find out she wanted to go by herself. Apparently, it was some sort of rule. Safety, or weight distribution, or something else Reagan didn't really understand. Or feel the best about. Besides, she wasn't going to hold up this line for people who actually had people to ride with. And the look she was getting from the worker made her want to be as far away as possible, anyways. "Okay-- that's fine. I'll just.. come back later?" Reagan said awkwardly, about to duck out of line when she heard footsteps approaching.
After turning in her calculus exam to the teacher, Nell realized she had no other reason to stick around the rest of the school day. Nell was staying almost full school days, though. Paige would somehow coax her into staying. Nell’s kinda gotten use to having Paige around quite a bit.
To their surprise, the two had several classes in common. It just took Nell actually bothering to show up to find out that fun fact. Nell could only tolerate classes because Paige was there and most of the time it felt like they were in their own little world of academia.
That is, until one of Paige’s bitchy ex-friends would interrupt that. It would start off with snide comments directed at Paige and Nell never hesitated in saying a snide comment in return. They weren’t big fans of that, but Chrissy was the relentless one. With Nell’s seamless way of appearing tough and intimidating, she quickly bumped up to #2 on Chrissy’s shit list (Paige was still #1). Did Nell give a single fuck about that list, though? Not at all.
Nell walked out to the school parking lot and towards her old Sedan car she bought. It was junk car, but she and her uncle worked together to restore it back to its original glory. As close to it as possible, at least. But right now? It looked very much similar to the day Nell purchased it.
“What the fuck?” Nell furrowed her eyebrows as she saw her car egged and wrapped in saran wrap. As Nell walked closer, she noticed Paige trying her best to clean up and unwrap the car. Nell was about to speak up before hearing laughs coming from behind her. And sure enough, there was Chrissy with a smug look on her face. Nell scoffed before turning back to Paige. “I got this, don’t worry about it. She was due for a wash anyway.” Nell shrugged. She would not give Chrissy the satisfaction of looking absolutely pissed. She’d think of getting back at Chrissy later. “At least she gave me more reason to ditch the rest of the day. Wanna come?”
Though he would never admit it to anyone, Duke Andalasia had more than a few problems with the upcoming nuptials, so much so that even when, earlier that same day, he’d styled himself in his most fashionable suit looking so gorgeous that he could hardly stand to look at himself, he could barely enjoy it. How could he, knowing that it should’ve been his wedding instead?
If he’d just caved and followed Ellie’s timeline, they’d be the ones throwing the first wedding of their generation. Them, not Prince Sweater Vest and Jungle Boy, the sickeningly cute friends-to-lovers story that was even worse when considering that it was normalizing marrying commoners into royal bloodlines. Cripes, it wasn’t fair that someone else could claim this milestone and that he wasn’t close. He didn’t have a girlfriend; he didn’t even have a date to this thing anymore, for though he’d managed to secure a date to the event but at the last second, the youngest of Snow White’s daughters had called out sick. As if the day wasn’t going to be hard enough already, watching some other undeserving people hog all the attention....
It felt uncouth to be complaining though, even internally, whilst Duke took advantage of their open bar and sipped something fruity and delicious. At least it helped dull the roar of the festivities, which were admittedly slightly less tacky than he’d have expected from the happy couple. Before he’d finished though, he saw someone who was probably the only person he was sure had also been judging today as hard as he was and he reached out to tap Ellie’s shoulder. Usually he’d plan what to say first but the little bit of alcohol he’d consumed appeared to have rushed to his head, making him reach out impulsively and not making him quick enough to avoid saying something potentially embarrassing.
“You look so beautiful. Do you think your date will be mad if I ‘buy you a drink’?” He air-quoted that last part, since they obviously wouldn’t pay for anything, but he was curious to know if she’d come with anybody and if she’d sit with him, at least for a while. He hoped she would. Ellie had a way of making events infinitely more bearable.
Andy: It had been two whole weeks since the two had spoken to one another; a time longer than they had ever been apart or not uttered a word since they had met each other at the party that felt like forever ago, partly because it was. From the moment he had met him, finding a way to part from his side was a feat so difficult he couldn't even fathom it as they grew closer and closer. It was like Ryder calmed him when he was near, kept him focused, broadened his gaze from the now to what the future could hold if only he pushed himself. It was something that had been difficult to teach the youngest St. James child, especially since he often defied the words of the very parents that had given him life - but then again, they were assholes, so he figured he did better to ignore rather than to listen. But their words had penetrated his subconscious now, echoing in the most inopportune times that kept him from reaching for his phone or knocking on Ryder's door. Werewolves, people - no... animals like that were not to be reasoned with. They sought only to attack and kill when they succumbed to their animalistic urges, and it had already caught one of the St. James in the crossfire; the last thing he wanted was to be next. But he knew that the very least that Ryder deserved was an explanation. He had kept him in the dark for so long that he knew questions had likely arisen that he was sure the other could only speculate the answers for. It was how he now found himself at his door, fist brought up to knock, but he kept it still, hovering inches from the wooden door that separated the two. For all he knew, he wasn't even home and he was wasting his time. Maybe he should text him. Maybe he didn't have to say anything at all. All these thoughts ran circles around his head until he could hardly think straight, but when someone walked past him in the hallway, he took that as his sign that he either had to act now or never: he knocked. Bringing his arm down to his side, he took a deep breath to calm the nerves that began to crawl up every inch of his skin, seizing the muscles into a fixed state as he took yet another breath, breathing out slowly.
It’d been a couple days since the night they’d gotten drunk and made out, and to say that things had been awkward since was an understatement. They were both trying to act normal around each other since then- but they were both trying too hard, so much so that it was glaringly obvious. But still, Marley didn’t say a word about it, didn’t want to bring up the elephant in the room. That didn’t stop her from staring at her sister’s lips every now and then though, didn’t stop her from brushing their hands together or sitting just a little too close whenever the chance presented itself.
It also didn’t stop her from wearing the skimpiest pajamas she owned when they were together, almost never with a bra on when home because why should she? And it all of course certainly didn’t stop her from wanting to kiss Quinn again. And again. And again. And again.
But as much as she wanted to, she didn’t act on it. She didn’t want to push if she wasn’t absolutely sure the want was reciprocated, so she’d have to bide her time for now.
With Quinn at work late that evening, Marley was on her own for dinner, and was in bed early before Quinn even got home, but late that night she jumped awake with a gasp, startled from a crash of thunder that boomed just outside her window. Marley had always hated storms, and right now was no exception. She let out a little yelp with the next clap of thunder, cringing at the intensity of it, and before even realizing it, she was pushing her sheets back and standing, going to her door and padding her way across the apartment until she reached her sister’s room. Marley knocked gently, biting her lip before opening the door and peering in, more strikes of lightning illuminating the room, “Q..Quinnie?”
Grace: thought she understood the extent of her parents' hand, but it seemed they lived to surprise her after that one fateful night. Just like Ryder had asked her, she went in search of his social security card and birth certificate while her parents were away at work. They likely had it hidden in the safe her mother had once showed her they kept in their closet. It would likely hold all important documents that pertained to themselves and their kids - kid, she should say. Ryder insisted he was no longer a part of the family, and while she understood where he was coming from, a part of her was saddened by how irreparably damaged the rip was between them. At the very least she was still by his side, but only in spirt, not physically. He was still an almost hour drive away from where they now lived, meaning if she wanted to see him, she'd have to make it a point to drive to him. She didn't do it very often, but they kept in touch through Facebook, their only means of communicating nowadays, unless Ryder asked to borrow Asher's phone. Today, she was going to do him the favor of grabbing what he needed, so she'd be able to see him the next day and give them to him. While she located the safe, it was an entire other thing to try and look for the key, spending a better part of her time looking through clothes and drawers. She eventually found the key tucked into the pocket of one of her father's blazers, quickly going to the safe to open it up. In her search, she hadn't noticed how long it had taken her to find what she needed, so she didn't even register that the sound of the car pulling up was the sound of her father's car parking in their driveway. A smile graced her face as she found what she needed for Ryder when the blood left her cheeks as she heard the sound of the door turning, someone stepping inside the room. Grace quickly closed the door to the safe and stood up, her arm hiding behind her back as her dad finally noticed that someone was inside his closet. "Grace, what are you doing?" he asked suspiciously, glancing around. "I just... Mom was going to let me borrow one of her dresses for Sunday, and I was trying to figure out which one to wear," she quickly came up with the lie, waving her hand dismissively. "What's behind your back?" he noticed, raising a brow. "Nothing, it's nothing," she uttered too quickly, immediately blowing her cover. He stepped forward and she had no choice but to show him that she had her brothers birth certificate and social security card in hand. "What are you doing with these?" he asked, anger flushing his face. "I just- he asked me for them, and I-" He cut her off, "What are you doing talking to him?!" He snatched the paperwork from her hands. "He's my brother, I should be able to-" He grabbed her wrists tightly, leaving angry red marks around where he wrapped his hands around. "No, you listen to me: he is /not/ your brother. He said so himself - we're not his family. That means you're not his sister. I won't have you lying for him, looking through our stuff!" She tried to wriggle out of his hold, but it only seemed to tighten his grip. "Daddy, please, you're hurting me," she said, officially afraid as tears stung her eyes. "Is that how we raised you? To lie to us? For what, for that piece of scum going to Hell?!" he yelled before he suddenly pulled back his hand and brought it roughly to her face, her head snapping to the side with the force behind the slap. "Dad, please, stop," she said as she managed to pull herself away, but in the process, falling back onto the floor. There was no way for her to crawl around him, not with how he blocked the exit of the walk-in closet. His fists, they bruised where they touched. Her lip split open in the middle, tears stained her cheeks as she pled with someone who seemed to hold the anger of the Devil inside themselves. When he finished, he told her she'd know better than to try and cross them again, leaving her a mess on the floor as she sobbed. True to her word, however, she stuck with her promise to visit Ryder, but this time, she was more nervous than she had ever been before, the nervousness overshadowing the excitement she usually felt. All of the bruises were easy to hide behind baggy hoodies and long sleeves, but the purple bruise on her cheek and her split lip were unfortunately remnants that makeup couldn't hide so well. When she arrived at Asher's home, she knocked softly on the door, almost too soft for anyone to hear, but before she knocked again, she heard the sound of footsteps coming closer and closer. She turned her head to the side as she sighed, her hair falling in front of her face.
Summary→ Struck with pre-show jitters, Mae feels insecure to go out to perform for Battle of the Bands, but Stacey shows up and comforts her.
MAE
Mae was nervous to perform. She’s not sure how she landed herself with another solo, but this time there wouldn’t be a video version of Blair backing her up. Just her singing. And Mae wasn’t sure if she could do it. Especially given her song choice and who she had in mind while selecting it. Mae knew Stacey would be in the audience and that made the nerves in her stomach escalate even more.
There was no doubt Mae had a crush on Stacey. She had for a while now ever since they were both in the same math class together last semester and Stacey tutored her while Mae thought about kissing her stupid, cute face. Stacey was oblivious to Mae’s pathetic crush, and Mae wasn’t all that shocked. Girls never tended to see her more than their “cute” and “funny” and “sweet” friend. Because that’s all Mae was most of the time—which was fine. Stacey was great.
“Get it together, Mae, come on.” Mae mumbled to herself as she paced around the “dressing room” which was actually just the break room, but every Battle of the Bands it was treated like one. “It’s gonna be fine. You know this song like the back of your hand and you can’t fuck it up—actually, yes, yes you can fuck it up.” Mae covered her face and groaned. “I can’t go out there. I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t.” Mae chanted to herself, chewing on her lip and running a hand through her hair.
STACEY
Another day, another Battle of the Bands. Stacey hadn't missed a single one since she started working at ACup, and she wasn't going to start now. She vowed to herself that she would attend every single one until the end of time, even if she wasn't working at the coffee shop anymore. But today she was working, they had been busy as always and she had finally found a gap in the seemingly never ending rush. Deciding that they were looking a little low on coffee beans, Stacey decided that while there was a lull in custom, she'd go and fetch some more from the back to save running out during the next queue of people.
As she walked out the back and headed for the stock room, Stacey could hear a voice. As far as she knew, most of the Warblettes and Pamela Lansbury were out the front either warming up or just hanging out, so who was out here? Walking slowly towards the break room as to not startle the potential, well, thief? stalker?, she wasn't sure exactly who it could be, she pushed the door open to see... "Mae." Stacey said out loud, confused to see the other girl inside the room. "What are you doing back here? Show's gonna start soon, you need to be out with your team." She smiled softly at the older girl.
MAE
Mae jumped when she heard a voice speak up and her heart started to race when she noticed it was Stacey. “Oh—he-hey, Stace.” Mae stammered as she waved at Stacey awkwardly before rubbing her hands nervously. “I know they’re out there.” Mae chuckled, looking down at the floor. “I can’t go out there.” Mae mumbled, shaking her head. “I was able to perform last time because Blair was backing me up but tonight is all me and...I can’t. What if I choke?” She asked, gulping. “I don’t think I can do it—you know what?” Mae looked up. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be telling you all this I’m just being really dumb about it.” Mae sighed. “Forget I said anything.”
STACEY
"Whoa whoa whoa." Stacey said urgently as she stepped into the room. She was surprised to see Mae like this, she was always so upbeat and happy and so beautifully full of life that it made Stacey's day when she spoke to her, but now she just looked scared. Gently placing both her hands on Mae's arms she looked at her. "Hey listen to me. You're going to be amazing." She smiled. "When I heard you last time, I was completely blown away by how good you were. And most the time I forgot that Blair was even backing you up because all I could focus on was you." She grinned now as she looked into Mae's eyes. "You've got this."
MAE
The moment she felt Stacey’s hands holding her, Mae felt her heart beat faster, looking up to meet Stacey’s eyes and biting her lip. “Yeah? You think so?” Mae asked. “I just..I don’t want to mess up. And I’m so nervous.” Mae shook her head. “I’m not as good as everyone else there.” Mae mumbled. “I’m good at swaying in the background, but I don’t know if I’m good at being center stage.” Mae looked back at Stacey and blushed at Stacey’s compliments. “Really?” Mae smiled. “You think I’m good?” Mae looked down and pursued her lips before looking back up at Stacey. “Yeah...yeah I can do this. Maybe.” Mae mumbled.
STACEY
"I don't think so, I know so." Stacey replied with a grin. "Trust me." Shaking her head slowly she couldn't believe what she was hearing from the other girl. "You're much better than swaying in the background. Like a thousand times better than that." Smiling even more as Mae did, Stacey nodded. "Yeah I think you're better than good. You're amazing. You're spectacular." She laughed. "You can do this. I believe in you. And I'm supporting you every step of the way."
MAE
Mae chewed on her lip at Stacey’s kind words and affirmations. Stacey had a lot of things going on, much like the only song Mae used as a method to flirt, and being the sweetest person alive was one of them. “Do you....do you mind if I look at you when I do my solo? Wouldn’t mind looking at your eyes. They’re pretty and it’ll make me less nervous.” How smooth, Mae, how very smooth. Mae thought to herself. It was a good enough excuse. “You’re the best, Stace.” Mae smiled, taking a deep breath as she tried to calm down her nerves
STACEY
Sweet, oblivious Stacey just nodded and smiled even more. "If that's going to make you less nervous, then yeah, do whatever you want." Letting go of Mae's arms, she checked the time on her watch. "You better get out there. Your team needs you." She grinned brightly. "Want a hug before you go? For good luck?" She held out her arms for Mae to hug her.
MAE
Mae only smiled fondly as the compliment went over Stacey’s head, as always. It was endearing, but sometimes Mae wished Stacey would get the oh moment where she realizes nothing Mae has said ever had a hint of it being platonic. Mae smiled at the offer and nodded enthusiastically. It was better than nothing. “I would love that.” Mae said softly before hugging Stacey and feeling herself getting a little dizzy because how could Stacey smell that good? Mae pulled away and blushed, looking away. “Um, I’ll see you out there, then?” Mae asked with a shy smile.
STACEY
Stacey wrapped Mae up into one of her special comforting hugs, hoping it would help to sooth her nerves. Pulling back she grinned down at Mae. "Yeah, I better get back to work. I was on the hunt for coffee beans, but this was way more important." She went to leave the break room but then paused and looked back at Mae. "Break a leg."
MAE
Mae felt herself relax as soon as Stacey wrapped her up in a hug. Was she hugging a teddy bear or a human, Mae honestly couldn’t tell the difference anymore, but she wasn’t complaining. Mae blushed even more when Stacey said she was more important than coffee. Mae could die happy right there at the words. “Thanks, Stace.” Mae managed to say, watching as the girl walked away before biting her lip to hold back her smile. She was definitely ready to perform now. Especially the song she was doing for her solo. Mae hummed “Ocean Eyes” by Billie Eilish as she walked over to the Warblettes, glancing over to look at Stacey and smiling to herself. Yup, Stacey definitely knew how to make Mae melt when she saw those ocean eyes of hers.
Julian: would have been lying had he said his mind wasn't wrapped entirely around Ryder from the moment he left his side to the minutes ticking by until he was summoned to his room for a midnight snack later on. He wasn't someone to think about a certain guy all day since they tended to only last the night before he was on to the next. However, this was the fucking prince - and he was going to be fucking said prince. This put him above many, many others he had had. Although, he wasn't too big of a fan of how he couldn't tell anyone because, while he wasn't much of a bragger, this felt like the perfect time to boast about his soon-to-be conquest. Either way, he spent most of his day in a daze as he went through the motions of helping prepare the food for the chefs, seeing as they had to make a grand meal for the princess that would soon be Ryder's wife. Knowing he was going to bed an engaged man should've weighed on his conscience, but it wasn't as if Ryder was into her. He barely even knew her, and it wasn't like he knew Julian any better, but at the very least he was at least in the category of his preferred gender. If anything, Julian was doing a good deed by sleeping with him, giving him one of his last hurrahs before he was shackled with a woman his entire life. It wasn't all bad, though, was it? He was going to be a king. He'd be financially set, taken care of, and highly praised his entire life. That had to be a silver living. Once dinner was done, so came the daunting task of washing all of the dishes. Leftovers were dispersed among the kitchen staff, seeing as they wouldn't dare serve microwaved food to the royal family, so there was no point in keeping Tupperware filled of food in the fridge. Most of the staff had called it a day, but Julian stayed behind, wondering if there was even a point to, or if Ryder had suddenly lost the nerve and wouldn't call upon him at all. To busy himself, he prepped food for the morning staff the next morning, washing the fruit that would be cut and/or peeled as a side dish to the omelette breakfast planned for the entire family. He was at least glad he could sleep in, seeing as he didn't have to wake so early. Caught in his thoughts, he only looked up when someone had cleared their throat and said that the prince had requested a snack. Julian looked taken aback for a moment before he stuttered out a, "I'll bring it up to him," to which the guard nodded and went back to walking the halls of the palace. His excitement grew, trying to bite back the smile on his face when he realized Ryder hadn't lost his nerve after all. However, he did have to keep up with appearances, so he grabbed a metal tray and a lid, putting it on top and began to walk towards the room before he stopped at the foot of the kitchen, backtracking. He put a condom in the center of the tray, closing it once more as he walked up the palace stairs, his eyes on every elegant painting he passed by. Julian didn't even know which way the prince's room was with how enormous it was. He had never been in this area of the house before. Thankfully, a guard that happened to be going downstairs directed him to Ryder's room before he thanked him and walked up to the door. He raised his fist to knock, hesitating, before he suddenly gave two quick raps on the door, announcing his presence. "Your Royal Highness," he addressed him as he walked into his room, eyes landing on him before they skirted to how big his room was. The entire living area for his family could've easily fit in there. He closed the door behind him as he walked closer, saying, "You requested a snack." Lifting the lid off the tray, he smiled grandly as he showed him the single condom in the center of it, saying, "Ta-da." Of course, he had more in his back pocket, just in case, but one would do. He set the tray aside, taking the condom in hand as he sat down on the bed. "Was today as bad as you thought it'd be?" he asked him, genuinely curious as to how his day had gone. He heard murmurings throughout the day of how beautiful the princess was, but it wasn't as if he had been the one serving the family and their guests that night.
