maps to the stars

“Seriously?” Elijah asked with a cocked eyebrow. “Sailing is great, I mean, it’s not like skydiving but if you’re just in the mood to get lost in your thoughts and relax, that’s the thing to do.” Elijah explained passionately. Elijah believed that he was to get paid for sailing, he would make it his full time job. “Keg stands are fun, not gonna lie, but when you fall flat on your face a couple of times when you’re wicked drunk, all it gives you is a nasty bruise and a million pictures of you the day after. Other than of course, you don’t get to score with the women at all.” Elijah shrugged, clinking his shot glass with hers and taking another shot. Elijah felt lightheaded for a quick second as he winced at the taste, but regained normalcy as soon as he placed the glass on the counter. “You’re right, most of them want something in return, I get like that sometimes.I’m not even going to deny it. But not towards like women I know, like really good friends for example. Mostly it’s just to have fun and unwind.” Elijah smiled at Cece, hoping that she got the memo that he was talking about her. “But then again, the drinks are free here so -” He chuckled and shrugged.

“Ugh it looks boring to me. I’d just stay home and put my headphones on, that’s relaxing too.” Besides Cece wasn’t the type who liked relaxing and being chill, she’d pick chaos over silence. “Been there, done that. I have had too many embarrassing drunk nights, I’ve lost the count. But whatever, I had fun. That’s what matters.” Shoulders shrugged as she took a sip from her wine. “Yikes, that must be annoying.” Laughing lightly, Cece clinked her shot glass against it and took the shot. Since she was already few drinks in, she’s started feeling a little bit tipsy. “I mean all men get like that — male entitlement.” Cece shrugged, she wasn’t bitter or anything, she was just speaking the truth. “So you mean you are not like that to me?” She asked directly, quirking her brow. “What are you implying, hm?” Cece asked with a playful smirk.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing pastels and khaki. Although, I still wear the occasional boat shoes, you know, when I go sailing.” Elijah brought up, followed by a shrug. He smiled when she went over the epitome of a frat boy; knowing for a fact that that what he was when he was in college. “True. But, I’m a fraternity man now. All of the same stuff, minus the keg stands.” He joked. “You forgot gentleman. Did you forget that they’re the ones who hands you drinks at parties?” Elijah smiled as he asked, handing her another shot glass full of tequila, proving a point. “How about you? What were you like in college?” He asked, leaning his back on the bar, actively anticipating what she had to say.

“You can wear those as long as you only wear them when you go sailing. Wait, do you seriously go sailing? Isn’t that a little bit boring?” Cece asked with a pout, taking another sip from her drink. “Why minus the keg stands? That’s, like, the most fun part of the whole thing.” She chortled. “Right.. Well they didn’t buy me drinks for no reason, most of them waited something in return.” It was the truth, most guys -- whether they were part of a fraternity or not, expected something in return whenever they bought drinks for women. “I was a regular student, nothing special. I had few friends, we would go out, get drunk and have fun. First two years of college was kind of a blur, I was always drunk, then I slowed down and focused on my studies more, I still partied though. I am too social to be a nerd.” She told him with a shrug, chuckling.

“Ditto to that. As someone who did the stupid feelings thing once, it’s not worth it. I did learn one good thing from that, though; kinky rebound sex in club bathrooms is much more my style.” Keith snickered, trying to imagine Claire standing in a kitchen like someone’s stay-at-home mother, the image almost too much for him. “Why do I feel like you’re the type of person that burns pasta?” he teased. “Guess that’s why it’s always take-out when I’m over at your place. I can be the cook for the both of us, though. That’s one of the many skills outside of the bedroom that I have. I mean, I’m not Gordon Ramsay, but I can hold my own. I guess that means I’ll have to bring you over for a proper dinner one day.” He wasn’t exaggerating; Keith had a knack for making traditional Mexican food, something his grandma forced him and his sister into learning from a young age. He chuckled at her comment, shrugging. “Well you’re hot, what can I say? I’m easily distracted by hot people, especially one’s named Claire.” He smirked back in her direction as he went to clock out. It took him two minutes, if that, to grab his wallet, keys, and phone from the back, but he tried to stealthily make his way back without Claire noticing him. With a sneaky smile, he slowly walked up until he was inches away from where she was still sitting at the bar. “Let’s go, sexy,” he said from behind her, leaning over and pressing a quick kiss to her temple.

“The world would be a lot better place if people picked kinky rebound sex in sleazy bathrooms over serious relationships.” She said cynically. Claire never believed in relationships, she didn’t even give it a chance. Everybody leaves after all, so why would she bother? “Because I am that type. I live on take out, I hate cooking, it’s too confusing.” She shrugged her shoulders, chuckling. “I am not picky when it comes to food, so I can’t tell the difference between a meal cooked by you and Gordon Ramsay, so it’s fine. I wouldn’t say no to an actual home cooked meal.” When was the last time she’s had a home cooked meal? Her mom wasn’t the domestic type either, they’ve always lived on take out. “Awww, that was smooth.” Claire said with a faux pout, giving him a smirk. Her smirk grew as he pressed a kiss to her temple, she rose from her seat and followed him outside.

He barely had enough time to realize that she just toasted to them getting drunk together. It could have meant that way, but he couldn’t help but think of it in another way. Elijah winced at the taste of the lime and tequila, a shy smile forming on his face on how embarrassing it was that he felt unsettled at the first shot. “Oh, that brings back a lot of memories. Short term though, it always ended up in some sort of blackout.” He commented, followed by a chuckle. “Now, back to this fraternity talk. What do you mean I have this fraternity look? Like I get it, I’m good looking but I’ve definitely outgrew my collared pastel shirts and khakis.”

“Blackouts..” Cece shook her head as she sighed. “Sophomore year of college was a huge blur for me, I barely remember it.” As a social butterfly, Cece had this ridiculous need to attend all campus parties. Good days. “Thank god for that. Pastel is over, so is khaki.” She laughed before continuing. “You know --- the look, the confidence, the way you carry yourself...” Her words probably didn’t make any sense, she wasn’t good at using her words. “Frat boys are very confident, they act like they own the room whenever they walk in. I mean, I am pretty sure there are exceptions out there but most of them have a huge ego.”

“Well, yeah - I’m busy but not as much?” Eli tried to make it seem like it was Stella’s preoccupation from work that was the problem but there was no denying that it was both their busy schedules that’s causing troubles for them. “I get college. I could drink for breakfast, lunch and dinner back in the fraternity days but how I survived? It’s a fucking miracle.” Eli chuckled, watching the bartender fill up the empty shot glasses for another round of tequila shots. “You just said I was fun and now I’m boring? Make up your mind woman.” Eli said after finishing the leftover wine in his glass and Cece to the crowd of people taking shots. “You’re here to get drunk, huh? You’re really making good use of your hall pass.” He teased, wiggling his eyebrows up and down suggestively, accompanied by a malicious smile. No matter what angle he looked at it, she was right. He took a break from working tonight to be at this party and have fun. His fiancé is far away and he finally has time for himself and his friends. Just like her, he was free for the time being. He picked up two shot glasses full of tequila and handed her a lime. “To getting drunk.” He raised his shot glass before downing its contents, then biting on to suck the lime.

“Still busy though.” Cece pointed out with a shrug, chuckling. “You were in a fraternity? --- You know what?” She paused, narrowing her eyes. “On a second thought, I am not surprised at all, you have the whole look.” She said as she took a second look. How come she didn’t know about this? For some reason it made her upset a little. God why did she want to know everything about him? It’s not like he was her best friend.  “I’ve always thought you were fun but I guess that has changed. You’ve became boring.” Cecilia nudged him with her elbow, giving him a wide grin which made her dimples very noticeable, you could spot them from anywhere. “Damn, you caught me.” Sure that was a joke, but it also had a truth behind it. Her smile widened once Eli decided to take few shots with her too, she took the shot glass from him, smiling. “To getting drunk together.” Cece added and downed the shot.

“I mean, obviously I want to spend time with her. Who would be happy in that situation, really?” Eli explained with such cynicism. He laughed at her comment and said: “Oh really? Okay. I was beginning to think that you didn’t know your wine. Since you consume so much of it.” Elijah said before drinking his wine til it was half empty. “Yeah, it’s true. It’s just alcohol. The effect is almost the same as drinking vodka, but doesn’t it just make you look a little bit more classy? You can be classy and drunk.” Eli pointed out. “I wouldn’t be me if there was no big ego, don’t you agree? I mean, we’ve known each other for a while and I’m sure you stay friends with me because of that.” He teased, nodding his head, further inflating his ego. He smiled at the fact that her and Adam were getting along. Something that he had mixed feelings for. Obviously he was happy that she’s happy in her relationship. On the other hand, he can’t help but wonder what it was hiding beneath the surface. No relationship is ever that happy. He looked over at the other end of the bar where the host and some of their closer friends took shots of tequila. “Ugh. I don’t think I can even do any shots at this day and age. Unless I don’t want to wake up next morning.” He scrunched his nose upon watching them.

“I get your point but it’s not like you are not busy either. You are always busy too --- or you are just lying to me.” Cece teased him again. “Don’t worry about my wine consumption, I am doing just fine. This is my third glass. I can handle my booze.” Except she couldn’t. “I really don’t care about being classy when I am drunk to be honest. Especially back in college, I used to drink pretty much everything. Old habits die hard.” She said with a shrug, chuckling. “You can be still you, you can be even better.” Cece laughed as she took a sip from her wine. “Um, that’s not true at all. There are other reason -- you are fun, that’s mostly because I am friends with you.” And there was this tiny crush, but of course she didn’t mention that. Her grin widened as she looked over the bar.  “Boo, you are boring. I am gonna do some shots, are you coming? I am here to get drunk.” She said playfully before making her way to the bar. 

“Well, that’s because she’s always working. And…well, I’m always working. We’re just a working couple.” Elijah reasoned, distaste in his tone; knowing well enough that that wasn’t the issue. He smiled when she brushed her finger against the tip of his nose, a blush slowly creeping up his cheeks. He refocused on the drink on her hand, watching her gestures as she picked her glass up and pressed her full lips against the brim of the glass. He licked his lips unknowingly as she drank from her glass, slightly hypnotized from her actions. He snapped back from la-la land at her wine comment. “Really? I mean - there’s red, white, rosé, sparkling and dessert. And other than those, there are many others that fall into those categories. So, not every wine should have the same taste.” Elijah explained like a true connoisseur. He bit his lip when he listened to himself and realizing he sounded exactly like Stella. “God, I sound like her.” He complained, shaking his head, feeling a little embarrassed. He poured more wine in both of their glasses. “Yeah, her life is pretty amazing in a nutshell. Especially when she has a very handsome person like me.” He said confidently, stroking his bearded chin. He was a little baffled on why she wanted to be like Stella. She was a power hungry independent woman, to some extent, Elijah loved that about his girlfriend, but it made him feel very inferior. His social media company did not do well as her wine company and if it came between the two of them, she was definitely more successful by a landslide and she made sure that he knew it everyday. “I can’t say I want to be Adam though. He’s a little rough around the edges.”

“You sound like you are not happy about it.” She picked up the distaste in his tone, her eyes narrowed as she asked. Good thing Cece didn’t have a busy schedule like Adam, so they were able to spend some quality time. It was upsetting that she’s always been the one who needed to give up on her free time or her plans with others. She chuckled softly as she noticed his cheeks — no way, was he blushing for real? It would be a lie if she said she didn’t like it though, because she absolutely did. It was nice for her to know she was able to blush him, even though he had a fiancee. “I mean duh, I know the difference between red, white and rose. I am not that uncultured, please and thank you.” Cece laughed, pursing her lips together. She wasn’t offended though, she was merely teasing. “But other than that? Not much. It’s just alcohol.” It wasn’t surprising that Eli knew a lot about wine, after all it was his fiancee’s job. “Yes you do.” Less pretentious, she wanted to add. “Wow, you really have a big ego, don’t you?” She raised her hand and laughed. “Yeah he’s a little bit rough but we get along just fine.” Cece shrugged dismissively. Eli was the last person she would want to talk about her relationship problems, she had too many gal pals for that. 

@armyofskanksx​

Penny was beyond exhausted, the ongoing ache in both her feet and back could attest to that fact. She had been moving nonstop since six in the morning; to get through the day, she relied on four cups of coffee, one near-tearful phone call with her brother, and two opportunities to chide her coworkers for their ineptitude during her afternoon shift. College was hard, senior year was even harder, and graduation seemed so far, far away on days whose hours crept by at a torturous speed. She felt wrung out and frustrated, but at least it was all nearly over.

She was idly passing through one of the on-campus dining halls—nowhere near wanting to commit to eating anything the school offered, but close to resigning herself to the grim reality of a limp-leaf salad—when she spotted Miles, looking tall and arrogant in a booth by the windows. Striding toward him, she defiantly placed her hands down on the surface of the table, leveling him with a determined look.

“I’m getting out of here and going somewhere I can get a friggin’ drink. Are you in or not?”

One might think a grown ass man with a well paid job stopped chasing college girls, but that person clearly hasn’t met Miles Graham. It was quite embarrassing if you think about it but of course Miles wasn’t even ashamed, as usual he had an explanation for it, he always had an explanation for everything. His best friend Mason (equally arrogant and disgusting) wanted to have a brunch but of course Miles ditched him. His best friend understood though, after all it was a “chick emergency.” Anyone who talked to Miles would know, he wouldn’t mind ditching his bestie and troll for some babes in a college campus.

Luckily his sister Lara decided to go back to school and have her masters degree, which gave him an excuse to visit the campus freely. Since all Graham assets were frozen, Miles was the one who was able to give ridiculous amount of money to his sister. Wasn’t it funny that the most incompetent member of the family was also the only one who made money while their dad was in prison? For once Lara was grateful for Miles and his shady ways (spoiler alert: it’s insider trading). With his usual smirk, he walked towards the petite brunette as she started speaking.

“Rough day, huh?” He asked, still smirking. “You didn’t even need to ask. I am always in for a drink, or two.” He said with a nonchalant shrug. “Let me take you to the best bar in town. I am buying of course.” 

“I’m sure you wouldn’t have problems finding anybody to talk to in this party. You’re quite a social butterfly.” Elijah said, offering the seat next to him before taking his own. “Wow, you really went out without him.” Eli nodded his head with a disbelieving smile. “You never fail to surprise me Cecilia Alvarez. I didn’t know you had that in you. You guys are usually attached at the hip.” He continued with his teasing. “I’m not complaining at all though, you make really good company. And I know we end up having fun when we hang out so, I don’t really have a right to complain. Am I right?” He complimented the woman next to him, clinking his wine glass with hers before taking a long sip of his wine, smirking at her as he did so. “She’s good, working hard.” He was short with her when she brought up his girlfriend. He picked up the wine bottle and pointed at the word Bordeux. “She’s there. France, on a business trip. She promised me she’ll bring me great wine, but I couldn’t wait. I just have to settle with this for now.” He said, pouring more in his glass. His girlfriend Stella inherited her father’s wine company when he passed three years ago, and it was no surprise that she’d be off traveling most of the time for work. This may or may not be the reason why it’s causing a slight strain on their relationship.

“Nah, I am rusty. I used to be a quite social butterfly but not anymore.” Since Adam was ridiculously possessive and jealous, Cece rarely talked to people when she was with him. Still chuckling, she took a seat next to him, then shifted a little so she could face Eli. “Now you just sound like my friend Alison.” She rolled her eyes. Her roommate wasn’t a big fan of Adam and she found it very annoying the fact Cece spent all of her time with him. Anyone but Cece could able to see through Adam’s bullshit. “You are one to talk though. When was the last time I have seen you without Stella? I can’t remember.” She laughed before taking another sip. “Aww that was so sweet and yeah, you have a point there.” Booping his nose playfully, she chuckled. Realizing she was getting a little bit too flirty, Cece moved her hand away and took another sip from her drink. Let’s hope Adam’s friends didn’t see that. “Oh right, I have seen some photos on Instagram. This is not too bad, is it? I honestly can’t tell the difference between wines, they all taste same to me.” She admitted with a shrug. Cece wasn’t coming from a wealthy family, she wasn’t too picky when it came to wine, she didn’t have expensive tastes -- except clothing but that was everybody in fashion business. “I honestly want her life, I wish I could be able to travel as much as she did.”

At the party, Elijah was hanging around the bar area for quite a bit. He had gotten into a thirty minute conversation with the bartender on why it would be a good idea to just give him the bottle of red wine; as to serving it to him glass by glass. Finally, he slipped a fifty dollar bill under his empty brandy snifter and the bartender had no choice but to oblige. Elijah turned to where he heard the all too familiar voice, swinging his chair to face the woman who greeted him. “I didn’t feel like working late nights today.” Elijah stood up, greeting her with a short hug accompanied by quick cheek kiss on her right cheek. “I figured I have associates to do some of the work for me, so I should take advantage of it at least once.” The well-established businessman said. “Am I hallucinating or are you flying solo today?” He asked with a teasing tone. Cece usually went out with Adam at wherever party or event she went to; which made him think that if he was to be engaged with his long-time girlfriend, Stella - would they be that same couple who couldn’t do stuff on their own. “Don’t answer that, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re here to have fun. Wine? Of course you would.” He answered for her, pouring a little bit more wine in her glass.

“Well I am glad about that, now I have someone talk to.” Cece mused as he placed a quick kiss on her cheek. It was a tad surprising because Eli has always been too busy to attend parties. Not that she was complaining, if anything it was the opposite, she was quite happy to see him. A chuckle escaped from her lips as he explained, she took a sip from her drink and kept smiling. “I am as surprised as you are.” With a nonchalant shrug, she chuckled. “Adam is busy tonight and I didn’t want to stay at home, so here I am. Are you complaining?” She pouted playfully. If there’s one thing you should know about Cece was, it’s how flirty she could get -- especially after few drinks. She didn’t object when he poured a little bit more wine in her glass, she was there to get drunk after all. “Where’s Stella?” She asked, taking a sip from her drink. 

       With the dry spitfire’s from Kate’s lips, an almost seemingly immune approach— one she envied in that very moment. She didn’t want this, she didn’t want any of this. She wanted to tell Cameron and leave, plain and simple. But with what was coming out the responses from her own were delayed, caught between an embarrassing tune of tear ridden cheeks and a slowly fading gasp with every attempt at a soothing breath. Had she expected some kind of compassion? Maybe, mostly she expected a removal. For this to end once it started, for Cameron to step up, for Kate to…with that she didn’t know. She hadn’t expected her there at all. She knew her from a distance, a face merely on a screen and a name. The same name she wasn’t deemed worthy enough to take. The secret. 

        “I— oh my god who are you?” she finally got something out, after a stunned silence, it was the mention of her mother than ignited a need to defend. Forgetting momentarily that this man that shared his double life with was someone of importance, that this upper underbelly of society existed in more than an episode of House of Cards. “I don’t care what you leak to the press and clearly he doesn’t either— it’s been years! Those trips every other week to New York were because of us, me and my bubbles for brains mother—” her hands playing more of a part now as she got more animated, the tears again started to sting and Liv could do nothing in the unfamiliar settings but wipe with shaky hands. “Believe me no one was more disgusted when you got into Bard because it meant two or three times a month turned into seeing them once a week—”

                        “Enough!” Cameron interjected, overly harsh and loud. Quickly catching himself as he looked from one daughter to the next. “Enough.” 

        “I’m not, no one’s jumping to conclusions here. I’ll call Laura and—should it get to—” he paused, the mention and thought of the possibility of death one thing he wasn’t prepared for. Never planned for. The stark contrast between the two girls was sobering, even through a the ice and fire the room shared. He looked at Kate again, a completely new person stood irrationally calm before him. “Katie….” her name came out with a thick swallow, the name somehow unfitting. “I know you think you understand but, there’s a lot of history here. I need you to…I need time. I need tonight. I need to think…” 

         His feet moved him, an inch at first with a misguided urge to comfort his daughter to reassure her with a kiss on the forehead like he always did. But he didn’t, holding back he was sure he’d lost sight of her. Fiddling in his pockets for his keys, the glass of brandy sitting untouched and begging for a taste, grabbing it before turning towards Liv on his way out, another face he no longer knew if ever did….“I’ll get you a hotel room tonight.”

“Are you seriously asking that? Because seems like you’ve done your research, you found our house, you dared to show your face here.” Kate bit back, raising her voice.  Her lips pursed as the other blonde continued. God what a nerve that woman had. What happened to her dignity? Kate wondered. She literally came here and begged for recognition, or money, or maybe something else she couldn’t think of. “I can assure you he cares.” She crossed her arms against her chest, her big eyes met her father’s. A scoff left her Kate’s lips, she shook her head in disbelief. This woman didn’t get it, did she? “Then why are you here, hmm? Why are you begging for a relationship? If your mother had been more than a whore, my dad would’ve chose her over my mom, you would’ve had a real, attentive father and you wouldn’t have come here and beg.”  

As her father interrupted her words, she turned to him and gave him a death glare. Why didn’t she kick this girl out already? She should’ve gone by now. “Don’t.” She raised her hand as he called her Katie. Sure, Kate loved her father in her own way, loving and trusting people never came naturally to her, but at least she tried. “There’s nothing to think about. We are your family, she is not.” Her voice cracked a tad. And just like that, the only man she thought she could trust turned out to be the worst one. God, she truly hated men.

Rory hadn’t seen Miles since they “broke up” (hard to break up if you were never really a couple) right before he’d graduated. She’d seen pictures on Instagram and such, occasionally hitting that stupid little heart to like the picture if she was feeling like she really missed him. Miles had broken her heart when he’d dumped her, and she still felt stupid for not seeing it coming all along.

“Yeah, of course,” she answered, still too stunned by how surreal the moment was to get her arms wrapped around him in turn, her eyes still wide and fixed on his face as he pulled back, his question taking a moment for her to process.

“Oh! Um, networking and…stuff. My boyfriend–” she motioned vaguely in the direction David had disappeared in with her empty glass. She regretted the words as soon as they were out of her mouth – Why was she telling Miles she had a boyfriend? “He has a lot of friends here.”

Miles’ brows knit together after Rory’s words. A boyfriend. It’s not like he expected her to stay single forever, it was just... weird for Miles. And of course, it hurt his fragile ego. “Your boyfriend?” He forced a smirk, still wrapping his arm around her -- of course Rory having a boyfriend wouldn’t stop Miles. Has anything he has done thus far made him seem like he make good decisions? Absolutely not. 

“What’s his name?” He inquired, looking around as if he’d recognize him if he spotted. “Maybe I know him.”