Realistic or Modern Haven Falls

xx - Outfit

Fujiko’s eyes widened slightly as Carmen suddenly latched onto her, the weight of the other girl’s body hanging off her shoulders in a half-hug, half-collapse. Fujiko took a small step back, steadying herself so she wouldn’t be dragged down in Carmen’s boisterous show of affection. Once her footing was secure, she wrapped her arms around Carmen’s shoulders, her smile more reflexive than genuine—the kind you give when you’re not quite sure what else to do.

Carmen’s perfume mingled with the subtle floral notes of her own, creating a heady mix that lingered longer than the hug should have. Just as Fujiko began to feel the stretch of discomfort creep in, Carmen finally released her.

“Thanks, Koko, really!” Carmen chirped.

Fujiko forced another smile, this one tight and polite. “Don’t worry.” Her voice was soft, but her mind was already shifting gears.

As Fujiko launched into her questions, Carmen’s demeanour shrank. She looked like a child being gently scolded—big doe eyes downcast, weight shifting between her feet, fingers fidgeting at her sides. Fujiko fired off her questions rapidly, mentally cataloguing each answer and rolling them over in her head like puzzle pieces that didn’t quite fit. As Carmen rambled about the sleepover, Fujiko’s eyes darted around, scanning for any familiar faces that might catch wind of this mess. The last thing she needed was gossip spreading before she had all the facts.

“Sleepover… huh. Right. I’ll get to that…” Fujiko muttered, letting the thought hang in the air for a beat.

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Okay, let me get this straight…” Her tone was dry, almost clinical now. “Oxycodone… Specifically Codone not contin.” She kept her voice hushed as she spoke Fujiko’s eyes narrowed, and she waited just long enough to let the question hang. She could feel Carmen’s discomfort rising. "Since you specified, do you even know the difference?" The words lingered in the space between them like smoke. “I’m guessing no.” She didn’t wait for an answer. The blank look on Carmen’s face was all the confirmation she needed. With a dismissive flick of her hand, Fujiko waved it off. “Doesn’t matter. For now.”

Her gaze sharpened. “And you want my brother to drive?” She exhaled heavily, already knowing the answer. “He probably will. If you’re set on leaving now, I’ll tell him you’re feeling sick.” Her voice was flat, pragmatic, as if this were just another problem to solve.

But when Fujiko looked at Carmen’s face—really looked—something softened in her. God, she looks like… Fujiko shoved the thought down before it could finish forming. This wasn’t about her. Carmen wasn’t her. But that sheepish look in Carmen’s eyes as she braced for harsh judgement from Fujiko—it was familiar.

Fujiko let the wave of sympathy linger just long enough to wrap her words in a softer tone. “Look, the sleepover still sounds fun,” she said, her smile gaining a faint, genuine warmth. “I’ve saved a bunch of performances for you.” She rolled her eyes but kept the smile. “Hopefully, it’ll get that hard-done-by look off your face?”

She giggled—not maliciously—then slipping briefly into Japanese, added, “Ne? Kame-chan, issho ni ikou!” Her sentence was light-hearted and affectionate, the playful nickname slipping easily from her lips. ‘Kame-chan’—little turtle—just seemed right for her slightly slow but well-meaning friend. Fujiko clarified the meaning with a soft gesture toward homecoming.

“Well, Carmen, let’s go!”

‘Wanna try something?' Jacinta asked with a cheshire grin, gesturing to a twirling couple next to them. Harvey tried to protest, insecure in his ability to pull off such a move but she moved his hand upward anyway.

She twirled and with the lights dancing over her and her skirt floating around her, his friend looked a bit like a scene from a movie that for once, he couldn't quite place. Too in the moment to comb through the memory banks housing his obsession.

‘Thank God that worked.’

Jacinta giggled and he smiled along.

He teased, settling back into position now that they were done with tricks. Hands gingerly placed on Jace’s lower back.

As the song ended their eyes were locked in a way they hadn't been before- or had he just not noticed? Either way Harvey was definitely noticing now.

Her dark eyes were softer than they had been before and then before he could register what was happening she was pressing her lips to his cheek.

When she pulled away Jace started mumbling, embarrassed? Her cheeks did look pretty red.

But why?

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a sort of half hug but let it linger as he spoke.

Harvey grinned though it faded from a beaming smile when his stomach growled, if there hadn't been music playing someone close enough might’ve heard it. He used his free hand to pat his starving belly.

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Luci knew he was lying, but decided not to say anything more. After all, she wasn’t the type to be an instigator unless she wanted to obtain something in exchange and, well, what was she supposed to say, that it was their fault and loss, that he shouldn’t worry, definitely no, there was a reason why Luci didn’t meddle with feelings, they were too troublesome for her and if Damien expected that she would reassure him and tell him that everything was going to be okay. It was a lost cause because she would never do that.

But then he spoke again, telling her he would ask her to the dance as he reminded her how she pushed him to a bush when they went to the movies on their not date because it hadn’t been one. She replied, still trying to figure out what was going on between the two.

So, when he asked her to dance, it took the girl by surprise. She wasn’t expecting Damien would be the guy who would willingly go for a dance and yet here he was, inviting her. The question was if she wanted to dance with him.

In other circumstances, she would have laughed and rejected him. She would have started overthinking what her roommates would say about seeing her with someone like Damien, and yet she couldn’t control the words that came out of her mouth.

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School dances were not exactly Phia’s cup of tea, she felt awkward and out of place because she knew perfectly she didn’t belong in that world, one full of glitters, laughter, and good memories, and just the thought of that made her feel suffocated or maybe it was the stupid dress she was wearing, one that belonged to Ash the girlfriend or no girlfriend of Dallas.

While Phia knew the intentions were on the good side, she felt embarrassed at having to wear someone else’s clothes, because it was a reminder that they didn’t have money, that they couldn’t afford anything because their parents were dead, and yet, their siblings wanted to do this kind of stupidities just for the high school experience, but was it even worth making those memories when it was obvious they were on a dead end? Where they would be stuck without any future ahead of them and they would fall obe by one as if they were pieces of a domino.

And yet here she was, dreading every minute that passed, pretending to be something that she wasn’t and someone she wasn’t supposed to be. Because Phia knew perfectly that those kinds were not meant to be for her and she had already made peace with it, probably that was the reason she had stayed in the bathroom hoping that time would move faster and the dance would be over so she could go back to her normalcy and for her siblings to stop playing Cinderella.

But when the bathroom started getting crowded, that was Phia’s cue to find another place to spend the rest of her evening, so while she roamed around the hallways of her schools, that’s when she saw him, a broken soul just like her, someone that was almost like a reflection of how tumultuous Phia’s life was and yet it was a constant of her life, his companionship while they smoke a cigarette together and their trivial messages became a part of Phia’s life and in a way that it almost felt like an escape of her sad reality.

She said as she started walking towards him, but wobbled midway thanks to the heels she was wearing. She said with a sigh.

xx - Outfit

Mei started out pretty stiff and awkward despite the brave face she tried her best to put on. She hadn’t said a lot, trying to focus on her face, keeping it pleasant, comfortable. But she was anything but comfortable. Constantly on the look out for Byron or Connor so she could dodge them if they saw her. She was fairly sure she had escaped Byron but Connor had a sharper eye. There had definitely been a few moments when she was half sure she felt eyes on the back of her head.

Mei didn’t think it was all bad though. Surprisingly she had found the actual dance floor better than the tables as she could zero in on the music rather than the sound being mixed in with the shrill sounds of laughter and chatter. And she liked dancing. Anything where she could move her hands and legs in a way that didn’t call negative attention to her was readily welcomed.

Back at the tables though, more often than not Mei had ended up with a drink in her hand. It was something to do, a way to excuse herself from the Herculean task of making mindless small talk with the few people she knew and those who her date knew. As she drunk the punch, she noticed herself relaxing a little. She became just a little bit more confident in herself. The noise wasn’t so much at the forefront of her mind.

Mei had never really had much in the way of alcohol. A drink here and there on the odd social event- few and far between as they were for her. So, by the time she recognised her distinctive buzz and promptly stopped drinking the spiked punch it was a little too late. She vaguely remembered trying to steer Elliot towards the exit at some point and subsequently enduring a bit of standing around while he smoked. Finally the ever present danger of falling and breaking her ankle was finally averted as she was off her heels and in the passenger seat of Elliot’s car.

Mei felt a little dizzy, her thoughts coming slower than usual. She stared at Elliot as he spoke, trying to concentrate, though her mind occasionally flickered between his voice and the music playing low in the background.

“So did you like it? Homecoming I mean.”

Mei looked at him, but his eyes were elsewhere, so she relaxed her head back against the seat and stared out the windshield as she answered.

“I enjoyed it—especially dancing. And I didn’t fall over. So… that was good. I… uh… um.” She trailed off, realizing she was talking more than usual. Was she slurring? Did she sound as intoxicated as she felt? The thought only lingered for a second before fading, replaced by a surprising warmth as she glanced back at Elliot. “I’m glad I went anyway,” she added, letting her lips curve into a smile.

Elliot took a sip from a water bottle, then held it out to her. Mei reached for it instinctively but hesitated, glancing at the unusual colour of the liquid inside. Sensing her uncertainty, he filled her in.

It was called Lean
Rappers drink it?
It makes you feel woozy?

A look of confusion crept into her face. She saw his eyes flick to her as she stared at the bottle with bewilderment and quickly added

“Not me though!”

Mei watched him crack a smile, a chuckle slipping out like it was all just a joke. She frowned slightly, glancing back down at the bottle. Something about the casual way he said it unsettled her.

“Hm… Elliot, I don’t know. I am already a little.” She paused and then decided to use his word “woozy…” she admitted as she set down the drink in the cup holder “And you didn’t really explain what it is.” Her eyebrows knitted together as she studied him. She wanted to say more—wanted to ask if he should even be driving—but Elliot intercepted the thought before it could leave her lips, smoothly steering the conversation elsewhere.

“Did I tell you you look great yet?”

She blinked, thrown off, and shook her head. “Oh, thank… thank you” Gosh was she stuttering because of the vodka-laced punch or the compliment? She wasn’t quite sure. Tavon had also acknowledged his approval of her appearance when she’d last made the effort and dressed up. Mei hadn’t thought much of it then- moving past the compliment like it was a polite gesture. But something about the fact that Elliot had chosen her—had asked her to homecoming—made the words feel different than that.

He kept talking, revisiting the topic of the night and how it hadn’t gone the way he’d expected. And then, somehow, her own reaction to his next words caught her by surprise.

“Not that I didn’t like it- I liked it”

She met his gaze. This time, he wasn’t looking away. Their eye contact lingered, but it didn’t make her uncomfortable. If anything, she felt a strange warmth creeping from her neck to her cheeks. She suddenly became hyper-aware of how close he was. His hand rested just barely grazing her leg, his steady eyes locked onto hers, and somehow, it felt intimate.

For something that was not a date, this sure didn’t feel entirely friendly.

If she was picking up on that, then surely something must have shifted between them at some point.

“You… I mean I didn’t embarrass you at all?” She didn’t know why but she suddenly felt self conscious. She found herself looking for conformation that he meant what he was saying. “I… I know I didn’t speak much, and I’m not that good at these things… and I.. well I think there was alcohol in that punch I kept drinking so…” she trailed off “But you liked it?” Wide eyes locked onto his, she barely noticed how much she’d leaned toward him. The radio felt distant now, muffled beneath the pulse she could hear in her own ears. Her fingers, which had been resting in her lap, now brushed against his—just slightly, but she left them there. Her body had turned toward him without her even thinking about it.

With a hug that lingered only for a second, their moment was over, and Harvey was pulling away. Jace blinked, disoriented, trying to come back to reality as if she had been dreaming just seconds ago. As Harvey started talking about food again, she found herself distracted, stuck in her head, replaying the dance as if trying to decide whether that had really just happened or not.

It was only Damien’s name that pulled her firmly back into the real world.

“Oh, Damien, yeah… Harvey, I don’t know about that. He did say he’d see us after the dance, right…?” Jace said quickly, thinking that Damien—being that he was probably already in a foul mood—probably didn’t need Harvey doing Harvey things and getting in the way of his date with Luci.

“But, yeah, let’s go see what they have. Maybe he’d change his mind for snacks,” she agreed half-heartedly.

With a sad smile, she started walking with Harvey toward the punch table. The air smelled of fruit juice and something vaguely artificial, and the music pulsed in the background, making the floor vibrate beneath her feet. She swept her gaze over a nearby table lined with bowls of chips, pretzels, and something that looked suspiciously like stale popcorn. As she contemplated her choices, she started second-guessing herself. Perhaps it was worth a try with Damien? She could keep her tactless date from saying anything else unintentionally hurtful, right?

As she pondered, movement caught her eye—someone she recognized slipping past her, making a distinct beeline for the dark edges of the gym, away from the crowd.

“Oh, Harv! I forgot—I made my skater friend come tonight. Do you wanna meet him?” She perked up, genuinely surprised that Leo had actually shown up. She’d been convinced he was just bullshitting her, given how much he had complained about dances.

“His name’s Leo. He’s cool! I wanted to introduce him to… well… both of you, but…” She trailed off, glancing around. No Damien. A little disheartened, she shrugged.

“I’m not that hungry, so I’m gonna go ahead and say hi. You’re welcome to come join me when you’re ready,” she said, gesturing to the snacks. “Unless you think you can wrangle Luci and Damien over too with food.” She laughed at the joke she truly thought that was.

She’d given him the choice, and with that, she turned to follow Leo. Weaving through the crowd, she dodged dancers and loiterers, her shoes sticking slightly to the gym floor in places where spilled soda had dried. The air was thick with perfume, sweat, and the occasional waft of cafeteria-grade punch.

“Oi,” she called out as she reached him, her usual goofy grin plastered across her face again.

“Slowpoke. Where was my text, huh?” she asked, giving him a solid but friendly biff on the shoulder.

“Still, you made it,” she said warmly. Then, with a smirk, she added, “You look thrilled about it too.”

‘Don’t tell me you plan on drinking it?’

Jonah looked at the plastic cup in his hands and thumbed the rim, tempted by the alcohol infused liquid inside, but after registering the annoyance in Lacey's voice decided against it. Joey didn't need it to have fun anyway, especially not when he was hanging with her.

he answered plainly, looking up from the punch as he did. the blue suited boy lamented. Jonah offered.

So, Operation: Give lonely Lacey a nice homecoming wasn't off to the best start. But how was he supposed to know some teens would've already spiked the punch? Kinda pissed him off. Why'd they have to ruin it for everyone else? He closed his eyes and shrugged his shoulders trying to loosen the tension building up.

When he opened them again Jonah let out a breath.

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Nix watches his siblings disappear into the school gym, swallowed up by bright lights and laughter. He lingers in the parking lot for a second, gripping the steering wheel, the distant thump of bass rattling through the air. Homecoming. A night meant for something good. Something easy.

His gaze drifts to the empty passenger seat.

Frannie.

He could picture her still in her prom dress, sitting in his passenger seat, her eyes as bright as her sequined dress. So full of life. He could remember how he felt too. Nervous, inadequate, but excited- full of hope for a bright and colourful future together. The thump of the bass didn’t fill him with regret and longing back then, it had been invigorating. Lonely Nix with a date to prom. Loser Nix with a best friend to cheer him on. Older brother Nix, his siblings all happy for him. Waiting for their own day.

An idea began forming inside him as he reminisced. Flashes from the night. Nix, just seventeen, mottled skin and nervous sweat, leading Francesca Sinclair onto the floor. Their first slow dance of the night. Her skirt flying in a graceful arch as he somehow pulled off a twirl with his clammy hands. The sound of her laughter as she peered upon his face- anxious- sure- but not the kind of anxious that was his baseline today.

He couldn’t go back in time. But he still had his Frannie within his grasp. And they could still dance.

They could dance.

Nix fired off a message to her, telling her to expect him. She was hesitant, but she didn’t say no. That was more than enough for Nix who definitely would have gone regardless of what she said. He started the car and headed towards the community centre where he worked during business hours. Stage one to his plan, unfortunately, was petty theft. He got out of his car, his heart already hammering in his chest rhythmically. Crossing quickly to the back of the center he arrived at a little community garden. Nix plucked a handful of flowers—red, yellow, purple—fingers brushing over petals with an unpracticed gentleness. Bunching the stalks together he carried the makeshift bouquet back to the car.

Next, he went back to his room. He traded his baggy jeans for his nicest pair of dress pants. He looked at his shirts and frowned seeing nothing good. Desperately, Nix opened his brother’s side of their shared wardrobe and eventually landed on one of his black button up shirts. While he was there, he also noticed a bottle of Dallas's cologne. Nix cracked a smile, nabbing it and spraying himself generously. He moved to his final stop- the bathroom. Using a comb, he attempted to make his hair look put together. After all steps were completed, Nix stood back a step to look at himself.

I look okay… I think

He turned left and right and even did a little spin. Nothing seemed glaringly amiss, so he grabbed his bouquet, and carried it gingerly to his car. The drive to Frannie was short, but the time seemed to stretch even longer. Just like prom night his hands were slick against the steering wheel, his heart was rapid, and his chest felt tight. Like he was a seventeen year old boy again, driving to pick up a beautiful girl way out of his league.

Nix pulled up outside her room and killed the engine. For a moment he sat there in the car listening to the shallow sound of his own breathing. Would this be enough? Would this fix them? Probably not but they both deserved it. They both deserved a night to feel ok. They'd cried, screamed, and hurt each other enough to earn this moment

His knuckles hovered for just a second too long before they met the door. A shaky breath. A silent prayer. And then he knocked.

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nervous

homecoming

Lily Price

atlas park

There was an obvious tension filling the air but Atlas loved every second of it. She playfully shrugged off the fact she didn't have a date, he wanted to ask her out but sort of forgot about it— Fine, he chickened out.

She raised an eyebrow at him wanting to talk which in turn made him grin nervously, yeah, what was so wrong with talking?
'This Atlas would never even consider ignoring you,' he replied fast, as if he didn't even have to think about it. 'Maybe there was a reason I was ignoring you,' Atlas added carefully but tried to soften the blow by keeping his grin plastered on his face.

It wasn't hard to focus on her at all, they maybe spend the night together one time but it felt like they actually had a connection.
Though his intentions were good it sort of offended him how skeptical she was of him, she leaned against the wall while looking at him, her eyebrows furrowed. 'Some plan? No,' Atlas paused for a second while he glanced over his shoulder before looking back at her— 'Why would I have a plan? The only plan I have is to have a good time.' Damn, good safe.

He shook his head when she asked him about a special someone— was she serious? He leaned against the wall next to her, 'I got plenty of special someone's.' God, why did he say that? It felt like he was proving it to himself more than it did to her. 'Yeah, no, I just kind of hoped you'd be here,' he brought out, softer than how he usually spoke. 'And besides I just wanted to get drunk since Peak and Felix were going to spike the punch.' He wasn't sure how to be soft and was convinced by Peak that's not what girls like. He always felt like he needed to boast and be loud to impress the girl but sometimes it just felt like he wasn't doing any of those. He was hoping Olivia would prove him wrong. 'How about you?'