cherry lips
𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
STRANDED
chapter one
coded by cherry !! 
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ghostlynarcissus
witch
JustSomeDood
New Member
Kenny stared out of the cable car window, his breath visible in the cold mountain air. The rhythmic grind of the cable car and the idling of cars were the only sounds that filled his mind, a stark contrast to the last time he was here, with the sounds of youth and excitement that once echoed through these slopes. Nostalgia hung heavy in the air, overshadowed by the weight of guilt and dread. Questions swirled in his mind – what would people think? How would they react when they reunited? As the cable car ascended, a surreal calm settled over the snowy wilderness. The only disturbances were the gentle fall of snowflakes and the occasional stir of wildlife. The summit revealed the Wintercourt Ski Resort, seemingly frozen in time. Freshly groomed ski runs, parked snowmobiles, and the array of winter gear ready for use – it was a disturbing show of a past that should have faded. It just made Kenny feel all sorts of uneasiness. But he tried his best to put it down. After all, he wasn't just going to run away with his ass tucked between his legs. Besides! Who knows this might be somewhat... tolerable.
The main lodge loomed in the background, lights casting a warm glow. It was all too familiar, too reminiscent of Kenny's youth. The purple birthday banner, a ghost from the past, hung proudly across the entrance, spelling out the names "Happy Birthday Lauren & Kirk!" in gold letters. A chill ran down his spine, as it was a stark reminder of the celebration that was never meant to be. It just gave him the fucking creeps, to say the least. Who celebrates the death of their kids by throwing a birthday party that is exactly the same as when they died? I mean he gets that they're coping and everything but he'd say it's just a tiny bit, what's the word? Much? Don't get him wrong he's not trying to be mean or anything, but it's just God damn it, it's just weird!
Kenny then surveyed the lodge, his eyes taking in the eerily familiar setting that seemed frozen in time. The decorations, the gift bags, the snacks – it was like stepping into a past that haunted his memories. The Winters's parents had meticulously recreated the atmosphere from ten years ago, an unsettling homage to a time none of them could unfortunately forget. Trying to take his mind off the uneasiness of everything, Kenny made his way over to the living room with the games and movies laid out seemed more like relics of a bygone era more than anything. The weight of the past pressed down on Kenny's shoulders as he grappled with the unsettling nostalgia of it all. But he ignored those thoughts for now, instead eyeing the array of games and movies laid out for the group's supposed enjoyment. Determination etched on his face, he grabbed a board game – something with dice and cards that promised distraction. He grabbed the game before he walked over back to where most of the group was at. He then shaked the box for a bit, before speaking in a rather normal tone. "Does anyone want to play a game?"
The main lodge loomed in the background, lights casting a warm glow. It was all too familiar, too reminiscent of Kenny's youth. The purple birthday banner, a ghost from the past, hung proudly across the entrance, spelling out the names "Happy Birthday Lauren & Kirk!" in gold letters. A chill ran down his spine, as it was a stark reminder of the celebration that was never meant to be. It just gave him the fucking creeps, to say the least. Who celebrates the death of their kids by throwing a birthday party that is exactly the same as when they died? I mean he gets that they're coping and everything but he'd say it's just a tiny bit, what's the word? Much? Don't get him wrong he's not trying to be mean or anything, but it's just God damn it, it's just weird!
Kenny then surveyed the lodge, his eyes taking in the eerily familiar setting that seemed frozen in time. The decorations, the gift bags, the snacks – it was like stepping into a past that haunted his memories. The Winters's parents had meticulously recreated the atmosphere from ten years ago, an unsettling homage to a time none of them could unfortunately forget. Trying to take his mind off the uneasiness of everything, Kenny made his way over to the living room with the games and movies laid out seemed more like relics of a bygone era more than anything. The weight of the past pressed down on Kenny's shoulders as he grappled with the unsettling nostalgia of it all. But he ignored those thoughts for now, instead eyeing the array of games and movies laid out for the group's supposed enjoyment. Determination etched on his face, he grabbed a board game – something with dice and cards that promised distraction. He grabbed the game before he walked over back to where most of the group was at. He then shaked the box for a bit, before speaking in a rather normal tone. "Does anyone want to play a game?"
withinasapphire
Junior Member
None of this felt real. Selena’s eyes darted around the lodge in both disbelief and horror. The banner, the decorations, all of it. Everything was exactly as it should have been. It was like they had all been transported back in time, like nothing had happened at all. The more Selena looked around, the more…disturbed she felt. She shivered a little, deciding to direct her attention to the floor, shoving her hands into her jacket’s pockets. She wished she could leave already.
It had been so easy before. To leave, to run away from here. Once she started, she couldn’t stop. She had felt such a desire to escape from this place the last time she was here. When everything fell apart. She had wanted to cover her eyes and believe that her worst nightmare wasn’t unfolding in front of her. To believe that it wasn’t her fault. That she hadn’t crossed a line a long time ago.
Being here now was bringing all those unwanted memories to the surface. Not that they were easy for her to escape from normally, but she had never encountered an unsettling recreation like this before. Something that made trying to forget it all impossible. It felt like the twins themselves could pop out at any second. Selena felt sick just imagining it.
She avoided eye contact with the others. She wanted to make herself small and nonexistent. It wasn’t an unfamiliar routine, Selena had often awkwardly sat off to the side in high school. Not saying anything if she didn't have to, just squeezing her hands together. It seemed like a safe survival strategy at the time. If she was quiet, if she lived as if she wasn’t here, then maybe they would leave her alone. Maybe she wouldn’t be hurt.
The twins weren’t stupid though. Unfortunately for her.
Selena took her hands out of her pockets and used one of them to lightly dig her nails into her skin. It felt like there was a weight pressing on her chest. Why did she agree to come here? She should have just said no. Now she was trapped here all over again. She wants to run, she should get out of here–
Her spiraling thoughts were broken by a sudden voice. Selena jumped a little, her eyes quickly searching the room before landing on Kenny. He was holding some kind of board game.
“What? Um, I don’t know…” Her voice wasn’t the steadiest, coming out more shaky and uncertain. Her hands were stuffed back into her pockets once again as she looked at the game for a moment longer.
What he was suggesting seemed sudden. Selena wasn’t sure about the idea yet. It would depend on who else would play.
Some people here were harder to be around than others after all.
It had been so easy before. To leave, to run away from here. Once she started, she couldn’t stop. She had felt such a desire to escape from this place the last time she was here. When everything fell apart. She had wanted to cover her eyes and believe that her worst nightmare wasn’t unfolding in front of her. To believe that it wasn’t her fault. That she hadn’t crossed a line a long time ago.
Being here now was bringing all those unwanted memories to the surface. Not that they were easy for her to escape from normally, but she had never encountered an unsettling recreation like this before. Something that made trying to forget it all impossible. It felt like the twins themselves could pop out at any second. Selena felt sick just imagining it.
She avoided eye contact with the others. She wanted to make herself small and nonexistent. It wasn’t an unfamiliar routine, Selena had often awkwardly sat off to the side in high school. Not saying anything if she didn't have to, just squeezing her hands together. It seemed like a safe survival strategy at the time. If she was quiet, if she lived as if she wasn’t here, then maybe they would leave her alone. Maybe she wouldn’t be hurt.
The twins weren’t stupid though. Unfortunately for her.
Selena took her hands out of her pockets and used one of them to lightly dig her nails into her skin. It felt like there was a weight pressing on her chest. Why did she agree to come here? She should have just said no. Now she was trapped here all over again. She wants to run, she should get out of here–
Her spiraling thoughts were broken by a sudden voice. Selena jumped a little, her eyes quickly searching the room before landing on Kenny. He was holding some kind of board game.
“What? Um, I don’t know…” Her voice wasn’t the steadiest, coming out more shaky and uncertain. Her hands were stuffed back into her pockets once again as she looked at the game for a moment longer.
What he was suggesting seemed sudden. Selena wasn’t sure about the idea yet. It would depend on who else would play.
Some people here were harder to be around than others after all.
cherry lips
𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Nolan Parker
coded by cherry !!
Snow crunched beneath his boots as he walked towards the lodge, a pit slowly twisting and growing inside of his stomach. A repeat of the worst night of his life wasn’t exactly how he planned on spending this trip. But he had promised to do it so he just had to suck it up. Inhaling sharply, the cool air hit his lungs for the last time before he pushed open the door. The warm scent of a roaring fire filled the air, along with cinnamon and apple, a familiar smell that he had almost tried to forget. Rather, he tried to force himself to forget. It was difficult to deal with the feelings and memories of the twins. He had spent the majority of his life (up until their death) with them and then they were just gone. Their bodies were burned into his memory and he could barely stomach that when they flashed in his mind.
The atmosphere inside the building was… grim. Everyone was pretty quiet and keeping to themselves, eyes trained anywhere but the decorations or people. Sighing softly, Nolan forced himself to push forward, waving at everyone who had gathered, quietly taking off his winter coat. “I forgot how cold it gets up here. I almost froze my ass off just walking here.” His tone was light and easy, trying to ease the tensions that filled the room. The man picked up one of the gift bags and peeked inside, seeing a small bracelet and a stone. Maybe a worry stone? He couldn’t remember if that was the same as the ones before.
He set the bag back down and shrugged his duffle bag off his shoulder and onto the floor. “Alright, this mood is super weird to say the least. Let’s try and just not feel freaked out the entire time we’re here.” Without much of a second thought, Nolan began to move the little party favors into a spare trash bag and then grabbed a stool. “Be right back” he walked out the door and set the stool down in order to climb up and start untying the banner that hung. He felt a chill run down his spine as he took it down, but he assumed that it was simply due to the cold.
Once it was down, he folded it up to bring back inside, carefully putting it in the trash bag along with the party favors. “Party decorations are gone so let’s just… I dunno, talk? It’s been ten years since we’ve really all met up so aren’t you guys curious what we’ve all been up to?” The blonde crossed his arms as looked at everyone who was present, hoping that they would at least show a little interest in their old friends. After all, why else would they be here if they didn’t want closure? He wasn't sure but he hoped that it wouldn't be like pulling teeth to get through the week. He knew that some people had majorly fallen out during the party because of certain choices, the scar on his forehead easily showing off the mistakes that occurred ten years ago. He just wanted to move on and maybe reconnect with old friends, if that was even possible.
The atmosphere inside the building was… grim. Everyone was pretty quiet and keeping to themselves, eyes trained anywhere but the decorations or people. Sighing softly, Nolan forced himself to push forward, waving at everyone who had gathered, quietly taking off his winter coat. “I forgot how cold it gets up here. I almost froze my ass off just walking here.” His tone was light and easy, trying to ease the tensions that filled the room. The man picked up one of the gift bags and peeked inside, seeing a small bracelet and a stone. Maybe a worry stone? He couldn’t remember if that was the same as the ones before.
He set the bag back down and shrugged his duffle bag off his shoulder and onto the floor. “Alright, this mood is super weird to say the least. Let’s try and just not feel freaked out the entire time we’re here.” Without much of a second thought, Nolan began to move the little party favors into a spare trash bag and then grabbed a stool. “Be right back” he walked out the door and set the stool down in order to climb up and start untying the banner that hung. He felt a chill run down his spine as he took it down, but he assumed that it was simply due to the cold.
Once it was down, he folded it up to bring back inside, carefully putting it in the trash bag along with the party favors. “Party decorations are gone so let’s just… I dunno, talk? It’s been ten years since we’ve really all met up so aren’t you guys curious what we’ve all been up to?” The blonde crossed his arms as looked at everyone who was present, hoping that they would at least show a little interest in their old friends. After all, why else would they be here if they didn’t want closure? He wasn't sure but he hoped that it wouldn't be like pulling teeth to get through the week. He knew that some people had majorly fallen out during the party because of certain choices, the scar on his forehead easily showing off the mistakes that occurred ten years ago. He just wanted to move on and maybe reconnect with old friends, if that was even possible.
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robbie
shaking/crying/throwing up
the rat
hadassah.
♡coded by uxie♡
Last edited:
ghostlynarcissus
witch
Last edited:
cherry lips
𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Lenora Wu
coded by cherry !!
The cable car creaked as it went up the side of the mountain, the swirling snow and trees blocked out the majority of the land below, which made the woman’s stomach twist painfully. Her legs bounced nervously as she kept an eye on her phone’s service, almost as if waiting for it to disappear any second. Since that eventful night, she had been terrified of being somewhere without cell service, the thought of being stranded alone, just like that day… made her want to throw up. She had before she got to the mountain. She got sick at her hotel and almost didn’t show up. But she didn’t want to be the only one to skip. So she told herself that if there weren’t any cars at the base of the mountain, she could go home. But there were. The tire tracks and many parked vehicles meant that Lenora had to go up that God-forsaken mountain.
So she was there, at the summit, the lodge glowing eerily in the light winter snow. The woman pulled her jacket tighter around her body as she buried her face into her scarf. She could feel the anxiety creeping back into her body as she stood, rooted in her place. Her stomach twisted and turned cold as she stared at the ski lodge, the memories of the last time she stepped foot there played painfully in her head. The scars hidden beneath her clothes served as a personal reminder of the horrors that had occurred, the things she had seen, felt, and heard.
A couple of stray tears seemed to fall which she hurried to wipe away before grabbing her bags and began the walk to the main entrance. The path had been shoveled already, meaning that the usual team of workers had turned the place into the perfect winter getaway, just like they had done for many, many years. As she approached the front door, she could hear muffled voices, mostly ones that did not sound pleased. “Great… people are already fighting. This will be fun.” Muttering to herself, she twisted the door knob and opened the door, walking inside with an unreadable expression on her face.
Lenora closed the door behind her and looked at everyone that had gathered so far. Her brown gaze seemed to narrow immediately as she found the figure of Selena, tucked in a corner, as if she was trying to disappear. Of course, she was. A small noise of disappointment seemed to leave her as she shrugged off her bags, turning her attention to Isobel. Surprisingly, a smile seemed to form on her face as she looked at the blonde. They had been genuine friends in high school, despite the fact that Kirk and Isobel really didn’t get along that great.
“Feels like we’re back in high school. Weird.” Taking off her snow-covered shoes and jacket, Lenora lightly patted Nolan’s shoulder as she passed him, a small glimmer of friendship showing as the two interacted. “Kenny, Ada, already getting back to old habits?” It was a light-hearted tone as she looked at the excited glint that seemed to sparkle in the woman’s eye and the game that Kenny was holding, clearly ready to play. Making her way over to where Isobel was located, she shrugged off her bags and grabbed a stool to sit on. “Nice to see you, Isobel. Looks like you’re still hitting the hard stuff,” Lenora jokingly gestured to the soda that she assumed the woman had just finished downing without hesitation.
It was weird, it was as if high school hadn’t been ten years ago, but only a couple of months. Everyone’s dynamics more or less fell back into place. The things that had most blatantly changed for Lenora was how she acted towards everyone and how she felt. Her usual cheery, friendly, perky, and gentle high school self had died the day her world fell apart. As an adult, she was successful and was living the life she wanted but she was colder and guarded. She certainly showed her negative feelings without caring how they made others feel. “Did I miss Nolan’s usual mothering speech?” The tall male groaned and laughed as he moved to sit on the living room couch, obviously happy to dispel the awkward atmosphere.
“It’s not motherly to keep you guys from going wild. I lightly suggested that we play catch-up since it’s been a decade.” Lenora hummed and nodded her head as she ran a hand through her hair, carefully thinking over her options.
“Well, I moved, obviously, and became a teacher. So I’m using some of my precious winter break to come up here. I almost didn’t come if I’m being honest. I planned on turning around if nobody had showed up.”
So she was there, at the summit, the lodge glowing eerily in the light winter snow. The woman pulled her jacket tighter around her body as she buried her face into her scarf. She could feel the anxiety creeping back into her body as she stood, rooted in her place. Her stomach twisted and turned cold as she stared at the ski lodge, the memories of the last time she stepped foot there played painfully in her head. The scars hidden beneath her clothes served as a personal reminder of the horrors that had occurred, the things she had seen, felt, and heard.
A couple of stray tears seemed to fall which she hurried to wipe away before grabbing her bags and began the walk to the main entrance. The path had been shoveled already, meaning that the usual team of workers had turned the place into the perfect winter getaway, just like they had done for many, many years. As she approached the front door, she could hear muffled voices, mostly ones that did not sound pleased. “Great… people are already fighting. This will be fun.” Muttering to herself, she twisted the door knob and opened the door, walking inside with an unreadable expression on her face.
Lenora closed the door behind her and looked at everyone that had gathered so far. Her brown gaze seemed to narrow immediately as she found the figure of Selena, tucked in a corner, as if she was trying to disappear. Of course, she was. A small noise of disappointment seemed to leave her as she shrugged off her bags, turning her attention to Isobel. Surprisingly, a smile seemed to form on her face as she looked at the blonde. They had been genuine friends in high school, despite the fact that Kirk and Isobel really didn’t get along that great.
“Feels like we’re back in high school. Weird.” Taking off her snow-covered shoes and jacket, Lenora lightly patted Nolan’s shoulder as she passed him, a small glimmer of friendship showing as the two interacted. “Kenny, Ada, already getting back to old habits?” It was a light-hearted tone as she looked at the excited glint that seemed to sparkle in the woman’s eye and the game that Kenny was holding, clearly ready to play. Making her way over to where Isobel was located, she shrugged off her bags and grabbed a stool to sit on. “Nice to see you, Isobel. Looks like you’re still hitting the hard stuff,” Lenora jokingly gestured to the soda that she assumed the woman had just finished downing without hesitation.
It was weird, it was as if high school hadn’t been ten years ago, but only a couple of months. Everyone’s dynamics more or less fell back into place. The things that had most blatantly changed for Lenora was how she acted towards everyone and how she felt. Her usual cheery, friendly, perky, and gentle high school self had died the day her world fell apart. As an adult, she was successful and was living the life she wanted but she was colder and guarded. She certainly showed her negative feelings without caring how they made others feel. “Did I miss Nolan’s usual mothering speech?” The tall male groaned and laughed as he moved to sit on the living room couch, obviously happy to dispel the awkward atmosphere.
“It’s not motherly to keep you guys from going wild. I lightly suggested that we play catch-up since it’s been a decade.” Lenora hummed and nodded her head as she ran a hand through her hair, carefully thinking over her options.
“Well, I moved, obviously, and became a teacher. So I’m using some of my precious winter break to come up here. I almost didn’t come if I’m being honest. I planned on turning around if nobody had showed up.”
withinasapphire
Junior Member
Selena didn’t feel any more comfortable the longer she was here. She was hoping that maybe she could get used to being back here again, that the weight settled upon her chest would ease as minutes go by. But the more faces from the past there were, the more she wished she could be anywhere but here. Away from it all.
This feeling intensified by quite a lot the moment her eyes caught sight of Lenora. His old girlfriend. Selena never could quite forget her or the look on her face that day. She hadn’t thought a day like that could truly come, even though Selena had thought about it sometimes. She could picture it. She could make guesses. There were times the inevitable scene circled her mind as she gazed upon him in secret, her hand absentmindedly resting on his cheek.
It didn’t go the way she thought it would though. The ending was all wrong. He wasn’t supposed to be dead, but he was, and now he only existed within her memories and some of her paintings.
She had quite a few of them now. Her paintings. It was embarrassing and deplorable, she thought. Not something she wanted to talk about to anyone else. Painting was only meant to be a fun hobby, but over time it became a way to process what she’d done and what had happened on the mountain. Meaning that, well, sometimes he was there. He was her subject. And it was hard enough to look at him now that he’d have to disappear under a white sheet for a while.
Selena hated him, but she hated being in the same room as Lenora again more. It felt unbearable. She was at more of a loss on what to do with herself. Running seemed like an even better idea now, but she knew she made a commitment by coming here. She would just have to deal with it. That’s something she was good at.
She hesitantly glanced around the room again, meeting Isobel’s eyes for a moment before looking away. Selena was quiet for a while longer, silently listening to Lenora talk before saying something herself. She wasn’t fond of the idea of catching up, but she wasn’t planning on giving them the whole story of what she’s been up to since then. Just tiny pieces. Her corner wasn’t going to take her away from this after all.
“...I haven’t moved or anything, but…” Selena removed her hands from her pockets so she could lightly squeeze them together. A familiar habit. “I, um…started seeing a therapist, about a year or so ago. It’s the one major change for me…other than that, it hasn't been too hectic.”
Somehow that seemed easier to bring up. After everything that happened, perhaps going to therapy wouldn’t be too crazy of an idea.
This feeling intensified by quite a lot the moment her eyes caught sight of Lenora. His old girlfriend. Selena never could quite forget her or the look on her face that day. She hadn’t thought a day like that could truly come, even though Selena had thought about it sometimes. She could picture it. She could make guesses. There were times the inevitable scene circled her mind as she gazed upon him in secret, her hand absentmindedly resting on his cheek.
It didn’t go the way she thought it would though. The ending was all wrong. He wasn’t supposed to be dead, but he was, and now he only existed within her memories and some of her paintings.
She had quite a few of them now. Her paintings. It was embarrassing and deplorable, she thought. Not something she wanted to talk about to anyone else. Painting was only meant to be a fun hobby, but over time it became a way to process what she’d done and what had happened on the mountain. Meaning that, well, sometimes he was there. He was her subject. And it was hard enough to look at him now that he’d have to disappear under a white sheet for a while.
Selena hated him, but she hated being in the same room as Lenora again more. It felt unbearable. She was at more of a loss on what to do with herself. Running seemed like an even better idea now, but she knew she made a commitment by coming here. She would just have to deal with it. That’s something she was good at.
She hesitantly glanced around the room again, meeting Isobel’s eyes for a moment before looking away. Selena was quiet for a while longer, silently listening to Lenora talk before saying something herself. She wasn’t fond of the idea of catching up, but she wasn’t planning on giving them the whole story of what she’s been up to since then. Just tiny pieces. Her corner wasn’t going to take her away from this after all.
“...I haven’t moved or anything, but…” Selena removed her hands from her pockets so she could lightly squeeze them together. A familiar habit. “I, um…started seeing a therapist, about a year or so ago. It’s the one major change for me…other than that, it hasn't been too hectic.”
Somehow that seemed easier to bring up. After everything that happened, perhaps going to therapy wouldn’t be too crazy of an idea.
cherry lips
𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
Nolan Parker
coded by cherry !!
Ada wasted no time in asking about what he had been up to, the spark of interest and need for gossip seemed to gleam in her eyes as she looked at the male. He couldn’t help but laugh. Old habits die hard. Before he could answer, Isobel interjected, clearly not approving of Ada’s approach. The girl greeted everyone individually before settling on him. The shared gaze was one of an old lost friendship. He could feel a twinge of sadness in his heart as he looked at her, offering a small smile. “Thanks Isobel.” Thanking her for the compliment made his stomach twist slightly with guilt. He couldn’t clearly remember the weeks that followed that night.
He could only remember the hazy faces of his friends as he tried to keep everyone together and safe. When his parents found him and the state he was in, they wasted no time in separating him from the friend group. When he was cleared to return to school he was prevented from being in classes with them and certainly wasn’t allowed to see them after school. His phone had been taken while he was in the hospital as his parents decided that the friend group was too much of a liability. “You look good too, I’m sorry it took me this long to show up.” His apology was genuine, anyone could see that. Nolan cared for everyone in the friend group, even the misfits. He had tried hard to take care of them, stand up for them, and always be in their corner. He had no idea how they felt about him leaving that role right after such a traumatic event.
Lenora’s arrival cut the melancholy atmosphere and he couldn’t help but crack a smile at the woman. She seemed sharper than the last time he saw her, but her light-hearted humor seemed to be intact. Their conversations were easy and comfortable as she made her way across the room to join Isobel’s side. He was glad to see that she had someone to rely on after everything that happened.
Sitting down on the couch, he got comfortable and listened to Lenora summarize what she had been up to since graduation. He wasn’t surprised that she moved, it would’ve been painful to stay in the same time as people who had hurt and betrayed her. Nodding his head after she finished, he raised an eyebrow slightly as Selena started talking. He didn’t expect her to volunteer information, let alone directly after Lenora. But he wasn’t going to say anything. At least she was speaking. “What are you doing for work?” He was curious about Selena, mostly because she just refused to open up to people in high school and then he lost contact with her immediately following the party. He never got to ask why she did what she did.
He could only remember the hazy faces of his friends as he tried to keep everyone together and safe. When his parents found him and the state he was in, they wasted no time in separating him from the friend group. When he was cleared to return to school he was prevented from being in classes with them and certainly wasn’t allowed to see them after school. His phone had been taken while he was in the hospital as his parents decided that the friend group was too much of a liability. “You look good too, I’m sorry it took me this long to show up.” His apology was genuine, anyone could see that. Nolan cared for everyone in the friend group, even the misfits. He had tried hard to take care of them, stand up for them, and always be in their corner. He had no idea how they felt about him leaving that role right after such a traumatic event.
Lenora’s arrival cut the melancholy atmosphere and he couldn’t help but crack a smile at the woman. She seemed sharper than the last time he saw her, but her light-hearted humor seemed to be intact. Their conversations were easy and comfortable as she made her way across the room to join Isobel’s side. He was glad to see that she had someone to rely on after everything that happened.
Sitting down on the couch, he got comfortable and listened to Lenora summarize what she had been up to since graduation. He wasn’t surprised that she moved, it would’ve been painful to stay in the same time as people who had hurt and betrayed her. Nodding his head after she finished, he raised an eyebrow slightly as Selena started talking. He didn’t expect her to volunteer information, let alone directly after Lenora. But he wasn’t going to say anything. At least she was speaking. “What are you doing for work?” He was curious about Selena, mostly because she just refused to open up to people in high school and then he lost contact with her immediately following the party. He never got to ask why she did what she did.
robbie
shaking/crying/throwing up
the rat
hadassah.
♡coded by uxie♡
withinasapphire
Junior Member
“Not really.”
Selena's short answer came unexpectedly fast. Maybe it would be one thing if Nolan were the only person in this room. She might be more specific, she might even want to spill everything. Nolan always seemed to bring that desire out in her. She wanted to say more than she should if he was there. He was just easier to talk to, he was safe. When she was around him before, all that time ago, everything felt like it could turn out okay somehow. Even when her days felt like the absolute worst.
But it wasn’t just him here, so it was different. Selena observed Nolan as she quickly considered if she should say a bit more. Something surface-level, nothing to pry about.
“It’s…boring. I just, um, paint in my free time. Like still-lives. It’s not that interesting. But it keeps me busy, I guess.”
She shifted in place a little, wishing the floor would open up beneath her. What she spent her time doing – technically like her job at this point, she supposed – felt personal. A lot of her work was closely tied to her and her feelings, as much as she preferred to not think about it some days. Painting about the past required breaking herself open and examining the parts of herself best kept hidden. She really didn’t want to get further into the details of it all, especially with Lenora around now. It would only get awkward, more than it has been, really quickly. Selena didn’t want to be responsible for that. She was an artist who didn’t want any recognition.
“I don’t – I don’t really do much.” She cursed herself for sounding nervous there, the slightest bit of shakiness showing itself in her voice. She didn’t understand why she had to be like that. It shouldn’t be too difficult to keep herself calm. Doing the opposite was like letting blood drip into the water. It would only attract trouble.
Despite having learned this lesson many times in her youth, sometimes what she felt could still be easy to see. It was present in more than just her art. It's what made her an easy target for those above her in high school.
Selena's short answer came unexpectedly fast. Maybe it would be one thing if Nolan were the only person in this room. She might be more specific, she might even want to spill everything. Nolan always seemed to bring that desire out in her. She wanted to say more than she should if he was there. He was just easier to talk to, he was safe. When she was around him before, all that time ago, everything felt like it could turn out okay somehow. Even when her days felt like the absolute worst.
But it wasn’t just him here, so it was different. Selena observed Nolan as she quickly considered if she should say a bit more. Something surface-level, nothing to pry about.
“It’s…boring. I just, um, paint in my free time. Like still-lives. It’s not that interesting. But it keeps me busy, I guess.”
She shifted in place a little, wishing the floor would open up beneath her. What she spent her time doing – technically like her job at this point, she supposed – felt personal. A lot of her work was closely tied to her and her feelings, as much as she preferred to not think about it some days. Painting about the past required breaking herself open and examining the parts of herself best kept hidden. She really didn’t want to get further into the details of it all, especially with Lenora around now. It would only get awkward, more than it has been, really quickly. Selena didn’t want to be responsible for that. She was an artist who didn’t want any recognition.
“I don’t – I don’t really do much.” She cursed herself for sounding nervous there, the slightest bit of shakiness showing itself in her voice. She didn’t understand why she had to be like that. It shouldn’t be too difficult to keep herself calm. Doing the opposite was like letting blood drip into the water. It would only attract trouble.
Despite having learned this lesson many times in her youth, sometimes what she felt could still be easy to see. It was present in more than just her art. It's what made her an easy target for those above her in high school.
