Starletwrites​:

It was an unfortunate time for Lia, her tire getting a flat on the way to school. Making her free period null and void in her mind. Her only hope to make it worth it, that the drama room was empty and perhaps she could steal a couple pulls from her pen. A new habit she had picked up as things in her house started to turn to disarray. But the distinct sound of a beer cracking however made her all to aware of the other presence in the room. Her heels clicking slightly as she came around the corner, only to be met with the blue eyed male. A small smirk crossing her red lips with a chuckle, “Who am I to rat on you, you keep my secrets Ill keep yours,” 

“Oh shit,” Luke called out as the beer exploded in his hand. It wasn’t unlike Luke to be using his free period to hide out in the drama rehearsal room with a few of his boys before his next class, but in effort to kill his hangover from the night before, he snuck a beer real quick, hoping to get out before first block. That was util the foot steps began approaching him. He’d seen the raven-haired girl around campus, maybe in homeroom? “I’ll give you one if you promise not to rat me out.” @indiestars-rp​

izzyindie​:

“Not really into the reviews. Rather find out for myself and return the favor,” Luke smirked. The idea of reviews raised his eyebrow, but he kept a brave face. In this town, who you are and what you did matter. The town was hierarchy of personalities and the Bakers were at the top. Lia would be a political and religious liability; that only intrigued Luke more––something to sneak around, his eyes only, and still maintain peace all around. Sound like an easy year for Luke. “Appearances are everything,” he affirmed, matching the eye contact. He was swift with hiss movements, cutting the engine, and moving from his door to hers. “Don’t think too much into it. Gotta sister and a mother and a church full of Sisters’ who command respect.” he downplayed to make it seem like he was trying to be impressive.

She raised a perfectly kept brow at him, tilting her head slightly, “what a gentleman, unfortunately I’m not here for the gentle side of things,” a shrug falling off her shoulder, moving to look out the window again. While her family was big in the town, her parents helping more than one family around get off scot free, she was a different story. Falling from her spot as the favorite, she became distant, relishing in any and all alcohol and drugs she could get her hands in. Lia became more well known around the ravine, and around the degenerates of town, and slowly slipped from the hierarchy. Still keeping her place in school, never letting herself fall lower than she deserved there. But she didn’t care what the adults had to say, they weren’t the ones she had to interact with day in and day out. Instead taking a line here or there, maybe pop a pill when she felt like it, but always had a water bottle of vanilla rum and Dr Pepper, and a blunt or dab pen handy in her purse. Those were the secrets no one else around school knew, the ones she held close to herself for reasons unknown to her. “So I’ve been told once her twice,” Lia knew the bakers reputation around town, but she never got close enough to see it for herself. After her fathers diagnosis she wasn’t one for God, or believing in a higher power. She just existed and let the world do as it did, never worrying about the consequences of what she was doing; yet still being semi aware of herself. Watching as he moved around the car, and slipping out of the seat, a soft click as her heels touched pavement. “Don’t all women? Commanding and deserving, however, two different things,”

Molly’s Game (2017)

starletwrites​:

“don’t tempt me, li!” she responds with a cheeky once-over, doing one final spin in front of the mirror and pushing her boobs up to imagine a little extra va va voom. “it’s been forever since i’ve gone out out, if you can believe it” her entire time in italy she went to one nightclub, and her experiences behind the bar at this new upscale lounge she works at do not count, mostly because she’s forced to stand there in the most dreadfully boring black dress and oftentimes spends her evening deciphering whether the clientele is just being friendly, or trying to invite her to a threesome on the yacht (more common than one might think). 

“i was weird for a while about who kept her–” apparently the post partum separation anxiety they tell you about extends both ways. “but now that she has my mom and her dad and welll…i have you, we gotta do something fun and crazy like we used to. enjoy these precious moments before you’re somebody’s wifeyyy” her voice is sugary sweet, with a lilt of amusement as she goes to start the oven. and there’s a smile that sneaks on her lips as she watches the two of them interact. no one ever warned her of what it’d be like to see two people you love most in the world start to love each other too, but she feels like her heart could burst right out of her chest. “bigger everyday, now since she’s babbling jake thinks he can get her to pronounce the names of power tools” she announces with a playful roll of her eyes. it’s way more endearing than she lets on. “well push comes to shove there’ll be plenty of leftovers” she informs fondly, always ends up making more than she needs, blames the italians and their insane portions and being the ones that taught her that dinner was supposed to be an experience. “you gotta catch me up on everything else though, how’s wedding planning? oooh, and when’s the next runway show for your line–i need front row seats!” it shows in her speech, how immensely proud of lia she is for being such a little girl boss, it’d be just as easy to sit around and capitalize off her wealthy fiancé. honestly, she couldn’t blame her if she did, knows from experience that holding onto a man like that can feel like a job of its own. but one thing about their pair, since they were young girls, independent by both nature and design, they know how to get it on their own. and by any means necessary.

“You deserve a good night out, I think we both do, and I can make sure it’s better than some passes towards you about a yacht,” she teased, having heard one or two stories from Toris days behind the bar. Something she had been thinking about, wanting her cousin to make a little extra cash for Veronica. Lia knew Tori loved her freedom, and what she was experiencing, but Lia wanted to bring her a little closer. Having spent so far apart, it was a way for her to spend more time with Tori if she were to maybe offer a position in her company.

“I hear that a lot from moms, and I hear it’s good to keep them close. They’re used to be bundled and wrapped all the time in the womb,” Lia spoke, smiling softly at her niece. And flashes of a little toddler running in and out of frame popped in her head. She could’ve had that, already had a cousin for V, but she choose a different path. And never had she regretted it more than finally getting to meet her niece. “Trust me, I need a day outside of this whole atmosphere, recharge in a way only we know how,” her signature mischievous smile on her face, “you’ll learn soon enough V, I’m the aunt that’s gonna keep you out of trouble,” she spoke softly, already knowing she’d had her back in any situation. “I’m excited to see all this fancy food you’re cooking up, I can only imagine the skills and flavors you’ve picked up,” making her way into the kitchen, placing V in the high chair she had purchased before Tori got back to the states. “Perfect fit, see I know how to plan ahead, and yet everyone doubted me,” Grabbing the bottle that Tori brought, and moving over to the large glass cabinet above the counter. Filled with all sorts of different cocktail glasses for when her and Declan hosted at their place. “I still need your help in the wedding planning, but we’ve got the venue and the date. I set an appointment for dress shopping this weekend, I was hoping you’d come, with V or not.” Bringing Tori glass to her and placing it on the counter, jumping up onto the island to take a seat. “The show is coming along amazing, we need one more model, but we are booked and ready to go in a months time. I can’t believe it’s my third show already, time is fickle. But I guess marrying rich has its benefits in terms of business,” faking a cheers and taking a sip of her drink. Thankful that she had started her business before getting into her relationship. It seemed near impossible to get into something in this world if you marry into it, expected to be almost a perfect housewife and never step out of line. And yet it was still everything she dreamed of since she was a kid.

izzyindie​:

“So does Amelia,” Luke countered with sly smile. “I’ll let Lucas slide, sounds good coming out your mouth.” He swung his keys between his fingers before fulling standing, picking up the girl’s book bag and hitching it over his shoulders. Almost surprised at the weight of the books. Luke figured she was more of a lip gloss and spare pair of flats kind of girl, but at least he was on his toes. “Say no more.” he spoke, nudging his head to the door. 

She had to admit, it had been a minute since she heard Amelia fall from someone’s lips. But yet there was a certain air when he said it that she was intrigued by, she wasn’t quite sure the power it held quite yet. “I can say the same to you Sir,” standing from the couch her heels making a soft click as she followed his lead. “I hope this trip is worth it,”

izzyindie​:

All Vanessa could do was nod. It wasn’t her place to really question or need to know anymore than was being told to her. Vanessa purposely stayed out Athletics to avoid comparisons to her brothers and her little crush on the Dallas boy who lived down the block. The Hounds were known and the reputation of the kind of girls that appealed to them was legendary to the town coining a nickname for those kind of girls. Her father always warned what happened to those kind of girls.“It’s really not my business. You don’t have to explain,” she explained, nonchalantly. 

“What gave it away?” Vanessa was shy in the most traditional sense, but when it came performing Vanessa shined. She didn’t need words or brains to try and impress people, just being in tune with her body was enough. Her movements said all her words were too shaken to say. “Unfortunately, ballerinas don’t have the luxury of Wrestlers and Hockey players where all you have to do is bulk up and block. I tend to bake more than I actually get to enjoy,” Vanessa replied playfully. 

And soon as the idea of other plans came up, Vanessa felt herself whimpering away a bit. If there was something he felt was more important to go to it felt better to give permission than to bee stood up. Or at least that’s how she thought of it. “We could meet after if you want?” Cheeks flushing immediately red as the words beautiful escaped her lips. “No nickname needed. V or Nessa usually gets my attention.” 

He bit his lip, a nervous habit he picked up when he was younger. Not often did he get nervous with girls, but then again none of the girls that he was around were like vanessa. Not immediately trying anything she could to bed him, instead actually holding a conversation. She was quiet, but not in a weird way, it was endearing, it made him want to learn more. Dallas wanted to learn about her, get to know the girl hiding in the shadows. “But I want you to know the truth, theres a million rumors surrounding the team and yet no one really knows the truth but us,” 

“Not saying anything,but youre tinier than most humans in the height department. And they tend to be able to be lifted in the air easier, and move lighter on their feet,” He spoke, the few amounts of dance knowledge he got from his siblings and cousins, “And theres not a lot of gymnasts around here, which is ironically made for smaller people based on the movements, but youd need a little but more muscle mass and calloused hands for that one,” he joked, before laughing lightly, “ill give you, it does have its perks but we still have to be cautious of what we eat, not everything is made for healthy bulking. However, I was taught to never turn down baked goods from a known female,” sending a wink at her before smiling softly.

Dallas shook his head, “ive been to more than enough team after parties, its always the same thing. Id rather spend time with my new best friend, get to know you better, and maybe introduce you to some fun spots around town,” Nodding at the nicknames, “Theyre nice, but I want something unique, something like,” pausing as he mused over the thoughts in his brain, “Vanni,”

starletwrites​:

“yeah, you next….she needs a cousin–” tori declares as she trails lia to the elevator. thinks back to when they were little girls and had it all planned out, they’d time their pregnancies perfectly and birth two little miniature versions of themselves to do life side by side, like they have. funny when you’re a kid and think the universe works however you want it to. then you get older and come to realize almost nothing goes to plan.  

“liaaaa–” she chimes the minute she arrives at the top floor and realizes she wasn’t kidding about the dozen or so bags full of goodies for them both, “you didn’t have to! …but i’m so glad you did” carefully, she places the bassinet down beside her to sift through the selections, never one to turn down a new addition to her wardrobe, especially from the most stylish person she knows. she finds one that she absolutely must try on now, strips out of her current ensemble on the fly to slide the sleek new dress onto her frame. “what do we think?” she does a full spin for the other to see before padding over to the mirror to get a look for herself. pulling her abundance of curls to the top of her head, she admires the neckline, and loves it so much she just might keep it on for the rest of the day. their girlish giggles must’ve been too much commotion, because she sees her baby start to open her eyes. “there she is” tori grins, taking veronica out of her carrier. “ “did you say hi to auntie lia? she bought you so many cute little outfits” she coos, bouncing her on her hip as she grows more awake. she’s already bigger since their final facetime call before she boarded the plane, close to 7 months and doing more by the day.  “you wanna hold her?” tori offers, holding her out for lia to take. “i’m gonna make all of us dinner, couldn’t decide between lemon chicken and quesadillas so i said why not both!” she beams, excited for the collective family time. “there’s enough for your fancy fiancé if he’ll be joining us anytime soon”

“As exciting as that would be, you’ll have to talk to the fiancé about that one. All work and a small amount of play,” thinking about their conversations, always playing home with their baby dolls and having cousins who were practically sisters. Growing up she was lucky to have Tori, and she always wanted to have a little girl to experience the same bond she was able to have her life. Unfortunately the universe was a fickle thing, and rarely let plans stay the way they started.

“What kind of cousin would I be if I didn’t?” She teased, watching the way Toris face lit up as she approached the bags. A soft smile appearing on Lias face, some of the items being from her own collection or friends that she had gathered over the years. But most of them being random finds she found at various stores, and couldn’t help but grab for her. “I think you look amazing and we should get a babysitter ASAP if you know what I mean,” winking with a small laugh, “I may even have a nice necklace you could pair with it, make a whole ensemble tonight,” Her gaze finally pulling from Tori as she heard a few little noises from the floor, watching Tori maneuver her out of the bassinet and balancing her perfectly on her hip. “You’re gonna be the prettiest little girl in the world, maybe even have a great affinity for wood shop like moze from neds declassified,” she teased for a moment, making grabby hands towards her and taking her from Toris arms. “I still can’t believe how big she is, it seems like yesterday I was getting a call from the hospital and a new baby was on the other end,” bouncing Veronica on her hip, spinning around every so often with a large smile, “That honestly sounds amazing and I’m thrilled for a home cooked meal, he’s currently at a meeting I believe. And I never know how long those are gonna last, but perhaps he will slip in and visit,”

Euphoria (2019) Malcolm and Marie (2021)

reading alone in your room at sunset with your windows open while the wind caresses your skin is probably the closest thing we have to a cure for the human condition