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the forwardness of the question and his actions had taken her aback. arnie and vivian had spent many years beating around the bush, letting silence be the answer to questions more often than not. it was the cowards way out and both of them knew that. she could not speak for him but she knew that he made her scared. she often liked to be in control and the idea of being together frightened her. there was a reason that she’d been single since birth and it was staring at her right in the face - the fear of letting go. and frankly, she felt as if she was currently standing at the edge of a cliff and she wasn’t quite sure if there’d be a soft landing. but she’d be a liar if she said she hadn’t picture arnie being her soft landing. 

she’d been in this situation before, posed with the same question but with different people replacing arnie. at times it had been easy, she was never short of admirers in college but her answer had been plain and simple. a clean cut no. as of late the question had come from people closer to her, or sometimes she had even been asking the question. this time, however, it was different. this time it came from a boy who seemed to be on replay in her mind. whether it was late night cookie binges or early morning boat rides, whenever she felt as if she may be close to forgetting him, he weaselled his way back in. and she wasn’t sure if she was as upset about it as she thought she was. arnie was different, he was a stark contrast to anybody that had held her affections. but if anything? he was a constant. a constant looming question, a constant shoulder to cry on, a constant person who had prompted the question is this what it feels like? is this the feeling where i’m meant to know? 

she was shocked that she hadn’t wavered from her position. although she would have thought that her instinct would be to get away, run, a part of her wanted to stay. a larger part of herself even silently pleaded come closer, why all of this space? but she didn’t say any of that, she didn’t sing the confirmations that were bouncing around in her head, pulling at her tongue, begging to be said. instead she swallowed and shook her head, “arnie do you really want the answer to that?” she responded, “i mean, do we really want the answer to that? don’t you-. don’t you already know the answer to that?” gulping, she took a step closer to him, the water almost pushing them together. part of her screamed yes, yes i do and it’s been a yes since i met you, but a calmer, more rational side of her had her biting her lip, her eyes scanning his face, “is this really the time for it, i-.” she could feel the fight, head verses heart and before she knew it one had taken the lead, “you know that i feel something for you, don’t you? just like i know you definitely feel something for me but-. is it worth us even saying it? does it even change anything? does it change the fact that both of us are too scared to make a proper move? does it change the fact that there’ll be a handful of sacrifices we have to make if we make the move?”

the faint smile stayed plastered on his face as he watched at her. it was clear she was uneasy with all the questions she’d been asking. he knew he was now entering a shaky territory and that any action now could cause everything to fall apart. but the question was, did he care?

“i need to hear it. i need to hear the words come out of your mouth---or see it or feel it. i don’t want to wonder anymore, no matter how confident i might be in what you feel for me.” he inched closer and looked down at her, almost letting out a bitter chuckle. “i’ve gone all this time clinging on to this lingering doubt, and i need to know.” taking one of her hands in his, he lifted their intertwined fingers and stared at them. “fuck timing, viv. we might never get it right, so why not now? now when we're both free and together. and i know that this,” he said, shaking their hands in front of them, “makes me happy. it makes me forget what it felt like to get my heart broken. it gives me hope.” he was aware of the risks, that if the two of them were to get together, his relationships in the house would possibly tarnish. and as someone who was notably honorable when it came to loyalty values, it was surprising to see how willing he was to continue with this.

the truth of the matter was that arnold was tired. he was tired of waiting around for someone who he felt would never fully come around. he was young and wanted to live his life in the fullest, experience the most fulfilling love he could, and enjoy as much as he could in the moment. and with vivian, he saw himself experiencing all three. “i’m not scared, not now.” looking her in the eyes, he shrugged his shoulders. “we won’t know unless we try...and i think you’re worth it.” letting out a slow breath, he rested his forehead against the female’s and closed his eyes. it was amazing how much he was willing to risk for a maybe, for something that could possibly not work out. but he didn’t want to live in fear or regret any longer. “i’m willing if you are,” he said, slowly learning forward, longing for her to meet him half way.

watching the boy scale the tree caused even her own heart to race. clutching at her chest, she couldn’t help but relate the familiar thumping of her heart to days that had past. boom, the feeling of watching him hang off the railings of the boat. boom, boom, the familiar rhythm of running from security after embarrassing some higher class elite. boom, boom, boom, the feeling found in quiet moments, hidden away on empty decks exchanging small whispers. however, when she watched him push himself from the tree she let out a scream. almost sure of his imminent death she ran to the side of the pool, lowering herself down so that she was laying on her stomach, peering over the side of the pool, her nose hanging just above the water.

when he surfaced, she jumped back slightly in shock, slapping him lightly on his forehead, “you are so stupid, you know that?” she laughed and admittedly, she hadn’t felt herself laugh like that, properly, for awhile. when he posed a question back to her, she mused herself with a little smile as she repeated his last words, “maybe not.” but their story was littered with maybe’s. maybe they weren’t so different as they thought. maybe they would have worked, maybe they still could. maybe they should have kissed that one night. maybe she wanted to kiss him now. maybe these questions would never become answer, but maybe they might. 

“win? psh!” she exclaimed, “the night has merely begin, we can’t start designating winners, you can win monopoly but not- this!!” her sentence was cut short when he threw both of them into the pool. with a squeal she secured her arms around his neck as their bodies hit the water. “arnie!” she shouted as she surfaced from the water, completely drenched, “this is valentino!” but the laughter the remained, the same laughter that hadn’t left her since the day that they met. 

“oh you’re going to get it,” she warned before jumping up and pushing his shoulders down and submerging his head into the water, attempting to quickly swim away afterwards as to evade a possible counter-strike. treading water, she kept a safe distance between them, something that she mirrored in their day-to-day lives. vivian continued to splash water in his face if and when he approached before she put forward her next challenge, “alright, now me. what bet do you have for me, mr park?”

he let out a self-satisfied chuckle as they rose above the water, but stopped for a moment to mockingly pout his lips. “oh no, not valentino!” he joined in with her laughter shortly after and could feel his stomach beginning to feel sore from it.

his eyes widened as he was forced beneath the water and he shook his head like a dog when he rose again. using both hands, he pushed big waves of water towards vivian, splashing as much water he could in her direction. it was like he was a kid again, and the high energy between them caused a certain euphoria that he hadn’t felt in a long time. it was the  “bet,” he said, before splashing her once more. he chuckled at his own childish actions as he approached her and began to think. during all of this time that he spent with her, the nostalgia of their trip together was reoccurring. and perhaps it wasn’t only because of all the fun and adventures they had, but also because of the feelings they shared. he was confident enough to say that back then, there was something between them---that if one of them had just made a move, then they would've been together, maybe even until today. but now, he wasn’t entirely sure where they stood, where those feelings went. did they disappear? or were they buried? yearning to thrive?

there only seemed to be one way to find out. “tell me, what do you have for me?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. he walked closer, to where they were only stood a foot apart. a slight smile spread across his lips when he spoke, which he tended to do when he was nervous. “do you feel something for me? ‘cause honestly... i might be feeling something for you.”

if vivian was telling the honest truth, arnie had been taking up too much of her thoughts lately. despite her constant attempts to flush him out, it was made evermore impossible when champagne bubbles were popping throughout her entire body. and god she couldn’t help but laugh. whenever she was around him, she was always smiling. there was a constant tug on the corners of her lips that she could never ignore. “has anything really changed?” she added with multiple meanings lacing her words, “i mean, you’ll still get naked for me if i ask nicely enough, so.” laughing to herself she couldn’t help but squeal when he began to push himself up the tree. 

“i will do all of the above!” vivian exclaimed, hand over her mouth as she clapped her hands together, “oh my god you’re so high! and not like drugs like in height like you’re in a tree! holy shit! oh my god! how are you going to get down? ah! be safe, oh my god!”

don’t look down, don’t look down, he told himself. his breathing became heavier the higher he went, but the pride of winning the bet allowed him to remain motivated. arnie used every bit of strength he had to focus, but vivian’s comments earned a scoff from the tired male. “if you wanted me... to be safe... you wouldn’t bet me.... to do this!” he shouted in between breaths. he could feel his arms shaking, but he was so close. however, the tree began to feel wobbly when he neared the top, and this caused his palms to feel sweaty. he must’ve been around twenty feet off the ground and was unsure if he had the strength to make it back down slowly and safely. so instead, when he finally looked down, he pushed himself off the tree and jumped.

it wasn’t one of his smartest decisions, but he was lucky to land straight into the water. the impact of the pool’s surface caused moderate discomfort as he cannonballed, and he felt his butt hit the floor. again, he was lucky to not injure himself majorly and reminded himself to never attempt something like this again.

when he rose from the water, he swam to the side of the pool nearest vivian and rested his arms on the edge. he looked up at her, the sunshine highlighting her features, and suddenly her earlier question came to mind. ‘has anything really changed?’ smiling to himself, he shook his head. “maybe not,” he responded vaguely. 

once he came out of the pool, he stood beside her and wore a small smirk on his face. “well... i win, so... time to get you wet too.” and before she could react to his statement, arnie quickly lifted her body from the ground and ran into the pool with her in his arms.

camden: i think u can use dryer sheets and cold spoons too

camden: yeah, where are you?

camden: do we have to brew it, or do you just use a dry one?

arnold: lmao yeah we probably need to brew it

arnold: let’s have a tea party while we’re at it, with biscuits and crumpets

nathan: save it arnold i don't wanna see whatever you have on your inner thigh.

nathan: and don't be spreading that shit around either. go take a shower

arnold: [image attachement sent]

arnold: [image attachement sent]

arnold: [image attachement sent]

arnold: [image attachement sent]

arnold: [image attachement sent]

arnold: [image attachement sent]

arnold: [image attachement sent]

arnold: [image attachement sent]

arnold: [image attachement sent]

athena: can u give me $5??

athena: what do u mean u KNEW IT

athena: wow arnie i cant believe u knew it and u didnt say anything what even are we

athena: that's sweet of u but it's alright tbh i'm so good with pining i could do it with my eyes closed LMAO ok maybe that joke was too real

athena: (also thank u for that sentiment if u meant it u deserve to be happy too arnie)

arnold: yeah of course

arnold: just kidding this aint ella enchanted hoe

arnold: jk again you’re not a hoe

arnold: unless there is something you’d be a hoe for

arnold: like chicken nuggets. i would be a hoe for chicken nuggets.

“oh?” vivian laughed at his suggestion, “you’re ridiculous, me in a tree? weak. that’s me on a tame night out.” leaning back, before choosing to lay down and look up at the stars. “you know what’s so weird? how we looked at these same stars, way back when,” she reminisced. admittedly, she wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed and although her science may have been off, the sentiment was there. it all felt too familiar. “i’ll raise you one, hm,” she countered, “that tree over there? climb to the top and jump off into the pool. tarzan style, maybe rip your top off for good measure as well. you know for-.” she stumbled, attempting to justify her drunken babble, “society, the greater good, jesus. even jesus wants some sweet pale arnie chest sometimes, maybe that’s his kink? we didn’t know him.” 

he stared at her for a moment before looking up at the stars himself. the statement was quite profound, especially coming from vivian, and it made him think. “yeah... kinda feels like nothing’s really changed.” arnold turned to face her as she one-upped his bet and chuckled at her comments. “you know if you want me to take my clothes off, all you gotta do is ask,” he said half-jokingly as he stood up. looking up at the height of the trunk, he followed her suggestion and removed his shirt. once he made his way to the tree, he placed one hand on it and used the other to salute vivian before gripping it with both and using his feet to push himself upward.

“my brain is telling me this is a bad idea, but the way my heart is beating right now is making me feel like i can’t stop,” he stated, now at least five feet above the ground. “if i die, tell jude he can have the rest of my stash, but bury me with my pipe.”

he lied, eyes closed, body sprawled across the bed, head hanging off the edge, with his 'simp playlist' blasting obnoxiously loud through the speakers. his mind felt clouded, and his heart sunk deeper and deeper into his chest with each passing moment. arnold was in his own world for a good couple of minutes, wallowing in solitude. there was really no particular event that caused this. it was more that he wanted to feel this way. he wanted to drown out everything, focus on feeling, and gain a strange sense of inner peace in his dejection.

athena: hm ur right

athena: ignore that part then kaia doesnt kno anything!

athena: if shes spreading rumors abt me again tho lmk ://

athena: wait u rly would if i asked??? ur funny

athena: oh... this is awkward... u caught me

athena: i think abt it always ive had a crush on u forever 😔

athena: dont tell anyone they might get jealous

arnold: she would

arnold: funny? more like generous. i give the people what they want when they want it

arnold: i knew it

camden: oh shit

camden: good for you

camden: that bite looks nasty tho it takes away from the composition as a whole //:

arnold: right?

arnold: i read online that tea bags help bites

arnold: i needa tea bag