What Is Your Dream Profession?

izzyindie​:

“Nervous.” Vanessa repeated, allowing herself to try and gauge where Dallas was at. She paused, taking a moment to be a little more thoughtful in her comments, one of the notable things people differed from Vanessa and her more impulsive classmates. “I can’t imagine you’d be nervous, the entire town practically has your back and support, but I’m sure that kind of pressure can be intense…”  

And it was that small chuckle that sent Vanessa’s eyes fluttering. Everything about exuded confidence from his laughter, the base in his voice, the relaxation in his walk––not that she spent time watching him or anything. Maybe day dreaming about what’d she say if he bumped into her, asked her the time of day, or something caused their hands to brush against each other. Of course nothing that she’d say out loud, she had enough friends with eyes on Dallas that she knew she’d never win, so instead, Vanessa would milk this for all she had or (as she assumes will happen) until he got bored of her.

Vanessa’s attention perked, finally matching Dallas’ hues. Her bright hazel eyes looking up to try and force herself not to read too much into such a simple question. “Um, I hadn’t planned on it?” He was probably just curious. Most people go to the games anyway; the team was the town’s glory after all. Plus her friends usually ditched her after the games for personal time with players, and nothing looked worse than being alone on a Friday night around Guelph. Dallas probably didn’t care if she would one way or another, just making conversation. “Probably not. I heard it was sold out already,” she added, trying to sound indifferent about it. 

Dallas watched the gears turn in her head, an amused smile lingering on his face. “Yes nervous. Everyone’s watching my every move when I’m on the ice, expecting great things from me. Even on my off days, it gets draining sometimes,” he finished with a soft sigh, not sure why he was spilling his heart to her. Maybe it was the alcohol in his bloodstream, or simply because she brought something out in him that just made him comfortable. Either way he was grateful for it.

Dallas had noticed her more than once, the way her eyes twinkled when she’d laugh at something her friends say. Or the little taps of her fingers and far off look in her coffee colored eyes. She wasn’t one to be the center of attention, leaving her friends to go with who they may and Vanessa left behind. There was something enthralling about the girl willing to let everyone else shine around her, and he wanted more chances to get to know more about her.

There was a noticeable dimming in Dallas’ eyes as she spoke. A soft nod as she spoke, he had noticed her at few and far in between games. But he always played a little bit better knowing she was watching him, maybe trying to show off a little bit or maybe that comfortability he felt tonight, traveled to the ice. “I think I may know someone who could squeeze you a ticket,” he joked laughing lightly, “for real, I want you to come, see us kick ass in the semi-finals,”

starletwrites​:

“your inability to adhere to the three drink limit i imposed says otherwise” he mutters snarkily, diverting his gaze to the picturesque view below. he can dish it but very much cannot take the way she looks at him after. growing up he’d always been the golden child, leaving it to his twin to pull some heinous stunt to evoke his parent’s ire and make anything he did seem like mere child’s play in comparison. it’s made him increasingly resistant to criticism over the years. however, his ability to pass judgement holds strong. while fiona has seemingly opened herself up to the world beyond michelin stars and valets he only sinks further into it. becoming more and more like his parents by the day. lia was supposed to be his redemption. a girl, completely unlike the one’s he’d spent his life around. she didn’t grow up in seersucker skirts, with nannies, and a trust fund she’ll blow through by the time she’s 30. and he thought that’s part of what he loved about her. 

“i’m not asking you to be perfect, just mindful. regardless of how far you’ve come or how well you carry yourself people take one small thing and run with it. i’m just looking out for you, sweetheart” the term of endearment he uses whenever he’s trying to reason with her. and perhaps the rationale behind his request isn’t completely unselfish, but he does know how vicious the big shots can be, doesn’t want to see her fall victim to the ruthless rumor mill. 

 it’s growing more apparent to him that this is an issue that won’t be solved in just one night (if ever). and the secondhand smoke, usually something that doesn’t bother him in the slightest, keeps wafting past his nostrils, aggravating him further. so he gets to his feet, signaling a retreat. “a friend of mine that was at the table tonight mentioned to me that she’d want to have you dress her for an event she has coming up…i’ll put you in contact with her tomorrow.” his tone is semi-detached as he leans against the railing, eyes cast on the toronto skyline. and maybe it’s the scotch on the brain that triggers the absentminded revelation that he was in the company of more than just his colleagues tonight, but he breezes past that minor detail, feeling the makings of a migraine beginning to thrum against his skull. “i’m going to bed, are you coming?”

“I think you forgot I’m not a little thing who drinks wine coolers for fun at the parties. I never have been, but I’m also aware of myself and what I’m doing Declan,” their lives were similar in many ways, Lia having relished in the finer things in life for most of her life. But she fell back down the ladder even faster than her parents climbed it. She discovered the darker side of life, sneaking out at 1am to go hang out with the drug dealers and teen alcoholics. Signing up for websites to make money for herself in less then safe ways, all while spiraling inside her own head. But Declan was different, raised entirely surrounded by the upper class and never straying from their values and morals. Lia had always wanted to be a part of it, to never have to worry about things, but as time went on she was questioning more and more.

“Are you looking out for me or yourself? I can handle what’s been thrown my ways, lord knows more than one rumor has flown around about me. No matter what tier of life you are on people are gonna do whatever they can to bring you down and make you look worse than them, and it’s how you handle yourself and the people closest to you having your back when push comes to shove,” she knows he has her best interest at heart, but she also doesn’t like to be protected and coddled. Lia would always rather handle her own problems, no matter how big or small, and deal with the consequences afterwards. But she appreciated his attempts none the less, but she was finally getting fed up with everything.

Heaving a sigh before she took an inhale of her blunt, her gaze taking in the skyline around her. And trying to focus on something besides her annoyance towards the male in front of her. Everything about the night finally coming to a head, and her mouth working faster than her brain as he spoke. “I thought it was just you and your colleagues? You know a couple of the guys?” Rolling her eyes, tapping the ash off the top and watching it fall apart in the glass ashtray on the table. “Send it to my assistant I have to be in the office at 5, which means I probably should take you up on that offer,” Taking a final drag of her blunt and putting it out, “this isn’t over however,”

izzyindie​:

“It’ll all be worth it, you know. The rest of us will be here and you’ll be living your dreams and traveling the world. Just don’t forget us small people on the way up,” Vanessa teased. “But seriously, From what I’ve seen, off day, good day, or bad day you’re still one of the best players that team is ever gonna have.” Her voice was encouraging, the natural caregiver in herself coming out the more she spoke. It was a softness, a gentleness, a subtly that most people couldn’t put their tongues on. “

And she could feel her skin getting warmer, as Vanessa closed the carpet space between them, almost wanting to hold the moment between them and allow his words to sink in. The height difference more than obvious even with them sitting down. “You may know someone?” Vanessa grinned, a small giggle escaping. She hid her excitement, but Vanessa could feel her heart pounding through her chest wanting to scream yes. “I wouldn’t pay much attention to the other players,” Vanessa spoke., words coming out before she heard herself.

Eyes wide and cheeks growing red, “Wait no, not like, cause I wanna watch you per say, more so because you’re the only one I now. Not, wait, not like I don’t wanna watch you either because I’m sure you’re great and fun to watch and….” she rambled. “I’m… gonna stop talking now.”

“I could never forget about the small town folk, especially since I see someone being there with me,” he wasn’t sure the undertones in his words. Not realizing he was thinking about her still being in his life, even if he meant one of his friends when he began his sentence he realized it didn’t stick to them. “Thank you Vanessa, that means a lot coming from someone who isn’t a puck bunny or trying to get an in,”

He watched her move closer, his instinct telling him to reach out and pull her in but he instead stood where he was his gaze drawing to her shorter form as she got closer. “There’s a possibility, I happen to know how to pull strings,” ignoring the small swell of his heart as he heard that sweet giggle coming from her mouth. And it was because of him, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

Listening in amusement as she spoke, watching and listening with his arms crossed. A soft chuckle falling from his lips before he stepped closer, “I prefer knowing your eyes are all on me, truth be told I play a little better knowing you’re there,” he spoke grabbing her around the waist, pulling her in and softly pressing his lips to hers.

izzyindie​:

“Sir? Took you for more a Daddy type,” Luke smirked. He didn’t know just yet how far he could push his luck with the girl, but Luke was interested enough that he’d be entertain the entire time. “And if not, I’m sure I’ve got some poisons to alleviate the stress.” It wasn’t a secret that the Hounds party, Luke however was an exception. He was always seen as the Mama’s Boy or the Designated Driver, no one truly knew what poison Luke used, and he kept it that way, but with Lia’s reputation he knew he’d be in for a treat. It was a brief walk, moving to open any doors for the girl just like his mama taught him. “Don’t play any of that Taylor Swift or Lady A crap. I get enough of that with Becky driving to school.”

Her strides falter for only a moment as she took in his words, a simple nod with a smirk on her lips, “Perhaps I like both, whatever you prefer Daddy,” Lia listened to his words, having been to one or two of the hounds parties. Luke either never showing up or disappearing halfway through the night she eventually just stopped looking for him. But that didn’t mean her intrigue on him diminished any, if anything only strengthened. “And what kind of poisons might that be?” A perfectly kept brow raising at him, her eyes glinting with mischief and curiosity. “I wouldn’t dare, I’m a little insulted you think I would,”

starletwrites​:

“amelia” leaves his lips in a haughty sigh as she click clacks toward their outdoor area and declan runs two fingers over his eyelids in pure exhaustion. he wrestles with himself for a moment, whether it’s worth the fight so close to bedtime, before following her out. plunks down at her adjacent on one of the outdoor wicker chairs that came with the place. “you know how I feel about your drinking habits, especially in my establishments—“ the scotch in his glass prevents him from mincing words. she could drain back to back blue amalfis at their local olive garden if she so chose, but in front of his peers and colleagues the expectation was that she remained prim and proper as they come. like she too had been force fed twenty six years worth of lessons in table manners and general etiquette. “how does it look if my fiancé, the woman I’m supposed to be starting a life with, is downing cocktails at the bar like it’s going out of style!”

he knows he’s partially to blame, more than aware that she was equally troubled as she was beautiful before he ever picked out a clear cut diamond to glimmer prettily from her left hand. but he can assume that she didn’t walk into this relationship blind to the kind of man he was either—one from a rigid upbringing, inebriated on power and control, with ultimate awareness of how important keeping up appearances is to maintaining the veneer of perfection that’s been passed down from generation to generation like an antique necklace or a house in the hamptons.

“i know you don’t care what people think but that attitude doesn’t get you very far in this world. it just doesn’t. how many people do you think are gonna want to work with a designer with an alcohol pr—“ his tone softens as he settles on dark irises, had always found brown eyes boring until he discovered so much hidden depth behind hers. a sigh leaves his lips, so exasperated it sounds like it’s been building up for a lifetime, a clear surrender of sorts. because he’s not out to hurt her, only to make her understand. “I’m not asking you to be this perfect lady, and host society brunches and wear skirts down to your ankles. …I just want you to be aware of your actions when you’re in public, of how they’ll reflect on both of us…it’s time to grow up amelia, and start considering our future together”

Lia set herself up, grinding her weed and getting her wrap ready to roll. Wanting nothing more than to face a blunt and go to bed, ready for a new adventure the day held. Everything was stressing her out now, a much different feeling than she had started her night with. Turning to face Declan as he came on the balcony, listening to his words as she rolled her blunt. “It looks like I’m a 25 year old girl spending her time at a bar, waiting by myself for my fiancé who happens to own the bar. I understand you’re busy, and youre working, but I can’t be expected to act a specific way when you yourself are out doing the same thing but your with colleagues so it’s different right?”

Amelia knew what being in a relationship with Declan meant, that she had to be the most upstanding citizen she could possibly be. Keeping her words proper, no cuss words, no slang, full sentences that make sense to everyone. She took more business classes, to learn the language Declan and his colleagues used, having wanted to try and be more involved in the conversations and not sound out of place. Lia had put more time and effort in becoming a different version of herself for the people Declan surrounded himself with, and yet he continued pointing out more things she needed to work on. Time and time again, she had to continue to change.

She pauses her movements, and glances up at him as he continues his words, “First of all Declan, I don’t have a drinking problem. I wake up and go about my life, 9/10 times I don’t drink during the day. I enjoy alcohol, but it takes a lot more than a couple drinks or shots to get me intoxicated. I’m well aware of my own tolerance and how to pace myself after my history. I’ve done more than enough damage in my past life to drink myself into a coma anymore,” having spent a six month stint in and out of the hospital more times than she cared to count before she was of legal drinking age probably wasn’t the best history for the new Coyne heiress. But then again, they neednt know all her business, but Declan did. Amelia understood he was worried, and just wanted to protect her of sorts. But she had been independent far to long to have a father looking over her shoulder and monitoring her intake. “I’ll never be this perfect little princess they hope for me to be, I’ve never been that kind of girl even when I had to hold up my own standards in my family. I’m not gonna pretend to be someone just because people will get upset from something, I’ve done a lot of changing and a lot of pretending with people you’ve brought me around. But if I’m stuck in a bar, you told me to meet you at, and you don’t show up for hours and hours on end, then I’m not gonna sit there sipping water for five hours when I can have a couple drinks. Then drink a couple glasses of water, and then some more alcohol. I’m not an idiot, nor sloppy, never have been. Just an idiot at times,”

CRUEL INTENTIONS 1999 | dir. Roger Kumble

starletwrites​:

he sighs at mention of mrs. coyne’s ever-growing guest list. “she just wants to make sure the right people are in attendance, and i don’t wholly disagree–” given his parent’s long spanning diplomatic careers, their colleagues included everyone from fortune 500 ceos to an ethiopian prince. and even his wedding day could be seen as an opportunity to rub shoulders with the upper crusts of society, expand his real-estate investments beyond toronto. still, he doesn’t expect her to roll over and submit to lara’s micromanaging, at least not with out a fight. “just let her take control of the seating chart amelia, there’ll still be plenty of room for all of your college chums and the girls from the salon” he glances over at her, sensing her immediate displeasure with the whole ordeal. “besides” he pouts a little, imitating her sour expression, “the more guests we have, the more gifts there are for you..” fiona’s wedding last summer resulted in enough blue tiffany’s boxes to fill the entire living room of their vacation home in tahoe. he expects to top it.

 rubbing the pad of his thumb over the space between her ring and her knuckle, he pretends to think, “perhaps something with longer sleeves, mother was hoping you’ll keep it modest for mimsy’s sake…” a smile breaks on his features before she can tell him where his mother can go, “i’m kidding. get the best thing in the store. whatever you like, i’ll love.”  he imagines that most girls dream about this moment, when they see the dress, and the music swells, and the heaven’s open up when they can practically see themselves wearing it down the aisle. most of them then go on to settle for whatever dress appeals to their budget. he likes the fact that he can get her whatever she wants, can’t decipher whether it’s pride or power he feels when he’s able to fulfill her every materialistic desire.

they arrive at the biltmore, valets opening both doors and welcoming them back with hospitable smiles. he grins tight-lipped at their doorman and waits just until he gets in the elevator to loosen his tie just slightly. “have you eaten?” declan inquires, glancing at himself in the gold reflective paneling until he hears the ding. he steps into their luxurious suite, makes a beeline for the bar where he pours himself a short glass of something brown. “you should order something from the kitchen, perhaps to soak up some of those cocktails you sampled” she can usually hold her liquor, but he still keeps close contact with the bar managers to make sure they don’t serve her more than three in one sitting. kind of contradictory, considering this is his fourth of the night but he calls it a reward for a job well done.

“The right people should be who I want there,” Rolling her eyes and a harsh sigh from her lips, she understood his parents role in the world. Diplomats knew everyone of power and wanted to be as friendly as they could to all sides of things. But Lia wasn’t raised that way, her parents helping people even if they knew they weren’t good people. She learned to invite once, or help out once, and then it was over. Nothing more nothing less, but every-time there was a new Coyne family event they had to pull all the stops. No matter how big or monumental the occasion, and just after a few years Lia was done with it all. Wanting her wedding day to be perfect for her, and not the matriarch of the Coyne family. “I would hope there’d be enough room considering it’s **my** wedding, she had one of her own. She took over Fionas, this is mine. No matter the amount of gifts I can get, I don’t like it Dec,” a small pout now centered on her face, and ultimately knowing she had no choice in the matter even if she put up a fuss.

“Maybe she can keep it modest and not show up,” she spoke under her breath, the annoyance evident in whatever way she conducted herself. Every part of her felt hot, like a heat wave only she could feel. Every bit of her wanting to yell about everything she had been feeling with Declan never making time anymore, and his mother trying to take over a wedding he wasn’t even there to learn about. “I’ll wear lingerie and call it a day,” knowing he could afford whatever and whoever she wanted, it was a blessing but also a curse. She didn’t want to be perceived as the gold digging fiancé, even if he always allowed her what her heart desires. It still felt like she had to be cautious when looking at price tags, like it would bounce her account at any second. Even if she knew it wouldn’t.

Following him absentmindedly through the doors, sending small waves and smiles at the workers. She enjoyed talking to them, making sure they had what they needed to make their lives easier. If someone needed a day off and wasn’t given it, Lia made damn sure they got that day off. Even if no one else knew or figured out what she was doing, it was contentment for her to help them. “I had some salmon and vegetables after I realized we were no longer going out to eat,” she spoke, making her way to her little study quickly and finding her box of smoking supplies. “It was quite delicious but the drinks were much more delectable. Just a pity I had to self serve because I couldn’t get them to look at me after a couple,” the clicking of her heels signifying she was heading to the balcony.

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