what? like it's hard?

"Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed." Ella Woodson 21. Harvard. Law Major.

[woodsonella]

[marlo-reyes]

"Thad? That's not a name," he scoffed, as if he hadn't heard weirder just living where they did. He pawned off his empty glass on an unexacting bystander as they moved through the gala, then looked back at the blonde with a shrug. "I don't know, only lived here my whole life. Don't usually go to," he twirled his finger in the air, "this kinda thing though. Any reason I've never met a...?"

[woodsonella]

"Oh, it's definitely a name for some." Ella said with a shake of her head, as she'd had many an encounter with a Thad. Before her ex and herself found themselves in Rosewood, her life had been surrounded by men who's first names ended with -ad. "Have you? I came during my college years and just couldn't leave. The one thing I do miss about home is the weather, I will say that. But the people here are definitely a lot more interesting." Ella raised an eyebrow. "No? Sometimes they're a bit stuffy, I can't deny but every so often... you do have a great time." She pointed at herself. "Ella. That's me."

[penn-choi]

Penn shook his head discreetly and gave Ella a friendly smile, not considering what he was doing something to be thanked for. To be fair it was also somewhat of an ego boost for him too, seeing the way Chad stood there slack jawed as they walked away. "Nothing more scathing than the truth, right? It's crazy how some people even manage to just look annoying..." As for the lucky lady, he waved his hand and chuckled, "Oh, no date. It was for my mom. Pretty sure my dad's got it under control though. How about we do some wandering, make sure you've really lost that loser?"

[woodsonella]

"Okay, so I wasn't the only one so saw that." Ella said, with a gasp. "I was fully thinking to myself that he even appeared annoying." She said, not liking to speak of others disparagingly but she couldn't help it in that moment. More so when Penn entirely understood where she was coming from. "No date?" She asked him, looking around them before turning her attention back to him. The women of Rosewood had to be blind, in front of her stood a total ten. A ten, who was an utter gentleman. "I would actually really appreciate that." She let Penn know with a nod of her head. "But I do have to forewarn you, I happen to enjoy dancing at these things."

[marlo-reyes]

He gave one final wave back at their now mutual acquaintance as the two of them walked off. "Chad, seriously?," he chuckled once they were out of earshot- or maybe they weren't, it didn't matter to him. Finishing off the champagne in his hand, he wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand then held the empty glass up. "Wanna help me find another drink then call it even?"

[woodsonella]

"Yeah, a Chad." Ella said, a small laugh leaving her. "Oh, it gets worst. There's also Brad's and Thad's." Ella let Marlo know as they made their way through the event. "But nothing's worse than the dreaded, Rad." She said, feigning a shudder going up her spine. "I can most definitely do that." Ella let the guy know, before taking a small sip from the flute he'd given her prior. "So... any reason as to why I've never met a Marlo before tonight?" She asked him, with a raise of her eyebrow.

[sophiapresmont]

"Yeah, no worries." Sophia offered the girl a small smile. Unfortunately, she knew a thing or two about the unwanted passes of men. She was always willing to help another girl out of uncomfortable situations. She was going to continue speaking but promptly shut her mouth as the guy came over. Of course, his name was Chad. "Sophia. Pleasures all mine, Chad. We were actually just on our way to the restroom to freshen up so if you don't mind we're just going to," she grabbed her new friend by the arm and pulled her away. "head that way. No need to wait up." Sophia tossed a sickeningly sweet smile his way before ushering Ella away. "He didn't get the hint that you aren't into him?"

[woodsonella]

Ella thanked Sophia quickly, before they had to turn their attention back to her unwanted suitor. "That we were, we literally were just saying that we most definitely have a meeting in the ladies room." Ella nodded, supporting what Sophia was saying in that moment before they made their retreat towards the bathrooms. "When do men ever get the hint? Especially men like that. Dude bros who have never heard no, a day in their lives." Ella feigned sticking a finger in her mouth, so Sophia could see what she thought of those type of guys. "Thank you for saving me. I owe you a drink or two, and I won't be taking no as an answer." She said, teasingly as she referenced the situation she'd just found herself in.

[penn-choi]

Penn had been on his way to deliver a drink to his mom as any diligent son would, but found himself being relieved of the spare drink by someone who seemed to need it more. "Always down for a favour between friends," he nodded to Ella, though his smile faltered a little when she clarified her reasons. As much as he'd been a total horn dog in high school, he didn't think that was comparable to a grown man not being able to take no for an answer. "Penn Choi," he offered his hand to Chad, shaking it a little firmer than necessary. "To say Ella's told me so much about you would be a lie so, uh, yeah, we'll be going now."

[woodsonella]

"You are a heaven sent. Thank you." Ella let Penn know, with a rub to his shoulder before it was time to turn on those acting skills to sell that Penn was exactly who she needed to be with in that moment. She nodded as Penn introduced himself, before nearly breaking out into laughter at what Penn told Chad. "Penn, now that was hilarious." She told him, allowing herself to laugh as they began to make their way away from the guy. "No, seriously, I can't thank you enough. Please allow me to replace this," She pointed at the champagne flute he'd handed her earlier. "I'm sure there's some lucky lady wondering where her date and champagne are."

[marlo-reyes]

"Hi." Marlo let her have his extra glass of champagne without issue, curiosity piqued as to why she clearly needed it. Galas weren't much his speed but he could charm his way in or out of almost anything, and so without missing a beat he followed her lead. "Marlo, and I was really hoping I could steal her for a sec, if you don't mind? Fashion emergency," he lowered his voice, as if that were something scandalous, then shot the guy a grin as he ushered them away. "Thanks."

[woodsonella]

"Yes, Marlo. My very good friend, Marlo." Ella repeated after the guy with a nod of her head, patting his shoulder as she leaned in closer to him. In hopes that her pesky little would be suitor would catch the hint. "And you know, there's no one that comes more handy than me during a fashion emergency." She said with a playful pout, before being whisked away by the guy. "Thank you, so much. I truly can't repay you." The blonde let Marlo know as they continued to make their way through the gala.

[woodsonella]

"Hi," Ella said, out of breath as she took a hold of the spare champagne flute the person in front of her was holding. "do you mind doing me a favor? See that guy coming this way?" She nodded towards a guy coming close. "The obvious finance bro, yeah. Well let's just say, he's got a bit of a crush and I simply don't, so can I hang out here with you for a second or more?" She asked, before turning back to find the guy besides them. "Oh hi, Chad. this is just my friend..."

[katherine-mcnamara]

[jasper-hutchinson]

"I mean you are the queen of knowing well..everything. But you're right, hanging out with Tierney does bring a bit of royalty treatment. I need more Rosewood royalty friends," he teased, generally happy to be in Ella's presence. He couldn't remember the last time they had actually gotten to hang out, especially just the two of them without Warren. "Okay fair, I like to think they had a decent opinion on me. But I guess I'm going to have the write the Rosewood birthday guide then, huh? Let's start with the pastries, ice cream can come next. Non dairy of course. You gearing up for the holidays? Actually, what are your plans for Thanksgiving?"

[woodsonella]

"Am I really?" Ella asked, cupping her face as she fluttered her eyelashes. "I'm so flattered." She giggled, as she did happen to know quite a bit. It came with being a social butterfly. "Oh, please. Like you aren't Rosewood royalty, yourself. You are our former college president, you changed so much during your time over at Ravenwood. Please, I'm sure the velvet rope raises the second you come around." Ella said, waving off his modesty. "See, still contributing to Rosewood even today." She said with a bright smile, as Jasper shared that trait with his cousin. The two always had others best interest at heart. "I am, I am. I finally finalized the gift list." Ella told him. "Warren and I are staying in town, we're throwing a little intimate dinner with all of our favorite people. Did your cousin not tell you? You know, sometimes I worry for him. He's been stretching himself a bit too thin."

[tessgifs]

grace van patten tell me lies (1.02)

[jasper-hutchinson]

"Do you think anyone has a list of all the free Rosewood things you can do on you birthday? Do you thin Coyote Ugly is on that list? Eh I may stop there anyway." Now that Jasper was back for an extended holiday break, he was trying to actually put some thought into what to do his birthday the following week. "Like if it's my birthday, do you think Magnolia's will give me a little treat?"

[woodsonella]

"Oh, you're asking me that?" Ella asked Jasper, having looked around behind her to see if he was referring to someone else. "I'm sure someone does have said list, I personally don't. Tierney was always my Rosewood guide and given she's royalty around here, I was always showered in stuff. But I don't know if that's the norm, unfortunately." She said, with a small pout of her lips. "But now that you mention it, we should definitely get to the bottom of this." Ella said with a nod. "Well, I'm sure you can get a shot there. Even if it's not a known rule, there's too many people behind that bar we know to not get at least a shot." She told him. "Well, let's test it out then."

[coyote-rhi]

"I mean, Valentine's day is cute if you got someone to love on, I guess. I never really cared either way but Cal's mad into it so by default I too am a believer." Ella was such a sunshiney person that Rhi didn't often choose to find herself alone with her but it was nice just doing some mindless shopping with someone, mostly in an attempt to force time to pass since it seemed to have slowed to a crawl the closer they got to Cal's return date. "Could be a fun girls night..." she thought aloud, picking up a box with a sunflower on it. "These seem easier... like, how badly could you fuck this up when you're a few margaritas down?"

[woodsonella]

"But that's the thing, it doesn't have to be like that. I hold my platonic relationships at the same level as the one I have with my fiancé. In fact, to me, Valentine's Day is my day to like really lay it on thick to my girlfriends. Just ask Tierney, she's sick of me already." Ella let her know, before spotting some ornaments she just had to snatch up for the house. "See, that's the spirit." She said, excitedly as she always had the best time when she hung out with Celeste and her girls. "Oh come on, we should go for the tree." Ella let Rhiannon know with a shake of her head. "And it lights up, I'm sorry, I'm team Tree."

[coyote-rhi]

"Ok, this is kind of cute, right?" Rhiannon, who loved Christmas so much she was already trying to start decorating her apartment, held up a lego Christmas tree box and gave it a little rattle. "It's basically a 3D puzzle," she attempted to rationalise to herself, trying not to toe the line of doing geeky shit too much though she knew a few people who would be endlessly entertained by it.

[woodsonella]

"Uhm, yes." Ella said, lighting up at what it was that Rhiannon had been referring to. "You honestly have me at anything Christmas. Gift wrapping, the lights, hanging up the mistletoe. That and Valentine's Day. I know, I know. It's a controversial one, but I just love it." She rambled on, until Rhiannon spoke again. "I assumed so, I know how legos work, silly." She told her with a nod of her head. "Well, should we call on all the girls? This seems like it's going to be an all hands on deck sort of project."

[woodsonella]

tierney.

**

“Yeah, I told myself that for so long and ready or not she’s here so I’m gonna move the earth to make sure she’s safe and happy but damn…I’m her mother. I think those words and my heart fucking squeezes or something.” On the one hand, Tier had yet to encounter something she couldn’t handle, even the hardest obstacles she got through, but on the other, she didn’t just want to make it through raising her kid, she wanted to be the best mother for Gabby she could be and the thought of falling short killed her. “Oh thanks, you can’t even lie to me huh? Fuck it, bring it on.” She decided, looking at the baby who was no longer sleeping, but was rather squirming in her hospital issued crib, “She’s already curious. That’s my kid alright.” Gently, Tierney knocked Ella’s shoulder while grinning, “Thanks, and you know good answer since we consider you her aunt. I don’t know if you realize this or not, but you’re the sister I never had or wanted, but so happy I got in a shocking turn of events.”

“I like to think this friendship of ours was formed on the basis that we, you and I, Tierney and Ella never lie to one another.” Ella let her best friend know with a bright smile. “So yeah, count your sleeping days to be like, over.” She told the blonde standing next to her. “And don’t you worry, I’ll make sure to bring you all the best face masks and eye serums. Like yeah, Gabby is clearly the star here, but Celeste and you made that star happen so you guys deserve your presents as well.” Ella let her know, her eyes following Tierney’s to find that little Gabby wasn’t so asleep anymore. “Oh yes, yes she is.” She let her know, laughing lightly. “Not good answer, it’s the only answer. I can get vintage clothes, whenever. Well, maybe not whenever but like, none of that matters when it comes to y’all.” Ella said with a bright smile. “And I consider myself her aunt, isn’t that crazy?” She teased, before she heard what her best friend had to say. Now that, if everything that’d happened today hadn’t been enough, made her eyes water some. “See, I said I wasn’t going to cry today because it wasn’t my day and look what you made me do–” Ella said, through laughter. “Well, I couldn’t be more honored to be the sister you never had nor wanted, because I think, actually no, I know my life would have been a hell of a lot more boring without you.”

[draumas]

GRACE VAN PATTEN 2021, ph. Rémi Lamandé

[woodsonella]

tierney.​

**

“You really think so? Promise me if you see me not crushing you put some sense back into me, but I can’t see that happening. I want…everything good for her.” She lifted her head to grin at Ella, “Everyone keeps saying our days of sleep are numbered so don’t be surprised if I take you up on that sometime soon. She’s gonna love her aunt Ella so much.” Tier raised a challenging eyebrow in Ella’s direction, “Nowhere huh? What about at a vintage clothing auction in Italy? You’d rather be here with my baby girl and that?” 

“I really think so.” Ella assured her. “You know, I’d be the first to tell you but like you literally just said, I can’t see a universe where that happens. You’re ready for this. You know this, I know this.” She told her best friend with a bright smile, as she understood that Tierney might have been nervous about what was to come. This was going to be a major change to her life, but Tierney had always taken life by the proverbial balls. She was the strongest person she knew. “Yeah, I don’t think you’re going to be seeing much sleep for a while.” Ella teased her best friend, patting her back. “Please do.” She said, already excited at the thought. “Oh, I’m going to make sure of that.” Ella raised her eyebrow to match that of Tierney’s. “Nowhere.” She repeated. “Why would I want to be around a bunch of stuffy old Italian clothes right now? I’m here with my best friend and my best friend’s wife and their brand new baby.”