Books & A Little More

Sam's phone had gone off when he was walking back to the beach house, his punching hand throbbing. He stopped dead in his tracks then, reading and re-reading Gossip Girl's latest blast. How the hell did she find out about that? Sapphire. Opal. Their big mistake. As always, Sam hadn't seen the consequences of his actions coming and it practically knocked him out. And Juliette... Shit, Juliette. As if she wasn't having a bad enough night with that asshole Huntzberger earlier, now this. And, he thought, his stomach dropping, what about Jake? Was there ever going to be a world where he could get him to forgive him? Not that he deserved it. Of course, he didn't deserve it.

Wherever gossip girl was it seemed like Sam's mess wasn't too far behind. If the woman didn't actively try to take out everyone else as well, Beth would've assumed that her best friend had done something hideously wrong to piss off the resident secret leaker. Fun. She was actually having funny, granted some of that fun was knowing when to cut off Tess, who knew that girl didn't easily tire of karaoke. Speak of the devil. Beth's head snapped up at his voice, trying to figure out what words to say that didn't involve just cursing him out. "Hey. Hey? That's it?" For someone raised so well, Sam made such poor decisions. Her eyes narrowed at him, "are you just so allergic to having sense?"

"if someone doesn't i'm sure gossip girl will" she shrugged, word spread around here life wildfire. if people put the energy they put into gossiping towards something good then they could change organisations and causes overnight. "it's a classic demand and supply scenario"

"don't tempt her please, her fall out is never clean." though she was pretty sure she had nothing to be afraid off. gossip and drunk people was not something she was ready to see. "true. i'm sure she enjoys the power and chaos she causes as well. i mean she has to for her to continue doing it."

"Let's just say that I'm not yet drunk enough to think I can pull of 'And I Will Always Love You' but we're so getting there. Unless you want to duet? Then it's a whole other roster of songs," she grinned brightly. Tessa had become such a menace around a microphone, nowhere was safe. She squeezed Beth's hand as she promised, she was such a good friend. "Thank you, you're the best ever." She leaned a little closer, sure she was whispering if not totally devastated, "He's- He's too sexy, Beth."

Beth snorted, then quickly covered it up. "I don't think anyone can pull that one off." Duet in front of so many people seemed like a terrible idea but for Tessa? "Let me hear what songs you have first if we duet then I'll let you know." She did sort of hope that Tessa would forget if she did agree though. Sure Theo was attractive, she could see that but there was no way he was that tempting. "Tessa, do not make a decision like this drunk. Like at all."

"Mistakes may have been made, Beth. Thank you for saving me," he added with a smile. She had always been such a voice of reason, one he was grateful to have. "Oh, yeah. I'm having a blast! Juliette really pulled out all the stops with this party, it's been awesome getting to see everyone. Did you see Alex is here? Lexa's with my mom for the night so it's an especially big night out. What about you?"

Beth laughed, shaking her head. "You're welcome. Don't want you falling over so early. Did it at least taste good?" She sort of doubted it but it wasn't her drink. How sweet. Well she was glad he seemed so excited to be having the time of his life tonight. "I did, I'm glad she can have fun tonight too. She deserves to have fun." Beth shrugged easy. "I'm having a good time too, especially watching everyone else."

"Only a teeny, tiny, little bit," she giggled as Beth took her hands. "No, no... I am all good and groovy. Oh! If you see anyone pull out the karaoke machine, find me immediately. And don't- don't let me near Theo Hart. Pinky promise me, my beautiful faced girl."

Oh no, she really was gone. She was adorable like this. "Hm and what would you sing first for karaoke?" Although she had no idea who would be pulling out a karaoke machine and she kind of hoped no one would. Beth blinked confused, "why?" Still she nodded, "of course, Tess. I promise."

"that is oddly comforting, thanks beth" she smiled "too much happens around here to keep up with, why do you think gossip girl's business is booming"

beth gave her a smile right back. "i'm sure someone will update you regardless." huh, she had a point there. "that's... true. i never thought about it like that. she's filling a need, i guess."

"You're so right... I do have some pretty gnarly stories about you to share. They should invite me to your next interview," he teased. Sam was only messing with her but he could tell that she didn't want to talk about it. Frankie. Her boyfriend. Sam had known Beth his entire life and there'd never been someone this level of serious before. He couldn't let it totally slide. And then he went and dug his own grave. "Hey, don't give me that look. I meant to tell you! It was just... You know, there weren't double dates or anything. There was-," he started before doing a quick sweep of the crowd- "There was a thing with Rose Haven. Nothing serious and when she was single single, just for the record. And, uh, last summer... me and Nilay Levent were dating. Just for the summer, you know I need to focus on school but yeah. We- She was really sweet. Smart. Way too smart for me." Like all of the beautiful women he'd ever dated. "Hey, I read. You caught me. Manageable... Alright, whatever you say. For the record, my favourite character or not, I'll still kick his ass if he messes this up with you."

She knew he was joking but it sounded a little too unnerving. Beth shook her head, rolling her eyes. "The moment you spill, I'm going to kick you out." Although that was a false threat, how many times had she tried to kick him out of her life and gotten nowhere at the end. At least he wasn't dwelling, even though she could tell he really wanted to ask more. For once, maybe Sam could actually read the room. She had to pray that he simply would just avoid any serious conversation. "Meant to? Sam please, would you have told me if you didn't slip up right now?" Her mouth dropped. Rose? Was Rose ever really single single? As if Dean ever let Rose go but Nilay felt so random. "Are you... how do you feel? Seriously. Like actually. Oh..." Well she couldn't deny that Nilay probably was too smart for him. "She probably didn't feel that way if she could put up with you." Beth teased. "And here I thought you only did like podcasts or whatever. I'm proud I have some influence on you. That... is the nicest thing you've ever said to me. Wait, why do you assume he'd be the heartbreaker? What if I mess it up with him?"

"you go travelling for work and you miss everything these days. some things never change with the upper east side"

"Uhm, if it makes you feel better, even when I'm here I feel like I miss everything." Beth shrugged easily. "A lot does happen all the time." Maybe too much.

"Look at this beautiful face! Where did you get a face so beautiful?" @tfrstarters

"Oh you precious girl." Beth fought back a laugh as she clasped Tessa's hands. "You are gone right now. Do you need anything?"

"Mm... That's- No, that's really interesting. What was the secret ingredient again?" Jesse was using every ounce of his willpower not to make a face as he tried the drink they'd been kind enough to make them. If he lived through this party, it might just be a miracle now. @tfrstarters

Oh sweet Jesus. Beth put on a smile before wrapping her arm around Jesse's. "Sorry, you can tell him later I need to borrow him." Dragging him away she shook her head. "I don't think you should be drinking stuff you don't know." In fact why would he even try it. "Are you having fun though?"

Dean watched from a distance and tried not to laugh as yet another person made an attempt at flirting with Jesse. He wasn't entirely sure what was happening with this party, but he was almost glad he came. "This is too fucking funny."

"Shouldn't you be a wingman for him?" Though Beth had to admit, it was hard to not just watch from afar. She cringed every so often at the sight but this was not her problem. "Or like help them out?"

"That's my girl," Frankie chuckled. He knew that Beth wasn't really into the show but she'd committed to doing her research (read: got an entire recap of the show from Sam Watts). The fact she was 'Team Diego' was a given even if it did still make him smile. "I think you're right. Me, you and a bottle of champagne against the world. All we need is a view and we're good to go, right?" So much of their relationship was for public consumption - that was the point, he knew that - it made the quiet moments even more special. His brow furrowed as she rummaged through her purse before his expression softened. Beth kept talking and all Frankie could do was look at her so fondly. The box was in his hands and he felt a flutter in his chest. Looking over at her, he was about to say something when instead, he leaned over and kissed her. Frankie had kissed Beth plenty of times now, before. But this felt different. It wasn't rehearsed, it wasn't for anyone even if they were surrounded by prying eyes. When he pulled back, he suddenly felt nervous and quickly turned his attention back to the watch. Taking it out the box, he found himself grinning as he went to put it on right away. "I love it, Beth. Thank you. And I, uh, do have something for you that wasn't just the flowers and chocolates. I'm waiting for a call to say it's arrived."

Beth beamed at his words. Praise was a hell of a drug and if it came any more from him, she could see herself become an addict. "I had a great teacher and an even better example." Who knew Sam's obsession would play out so well for her. That and the hundreds of articles, think pieces, opinions... Everyone seemed to have a strong opinion on every plot point of FNB. How they kept them straight was above her but she had always been a good student. Frankie's project wasn't going to change that. "Right. I like it that way." She like them that way. The them that didn't have to perform for anyone else. That could be honest between the whispers of the wind. Where no one else was listening. All she could hear was her heart pounding in her chest to fill the silence. What if he doesn't like it? What if she embarrassed herself by giving him a present he didn't ask for. Probably didn't want. Beth was stupid. Yep, she had made a fool out of herself. The spiral of thoughts paused as his lips met hers. A welcome surprise to the silence she had previously been met with. Little fireworks popped in te pit of her stomach. His lips were gone far soon. She cleared her throat, teeth sinking into cushion of her lips to prevent her smile from widening too big. "You're welcome. Really? And here I thought I'd be the only one surprising you." Her hand grasped his chin, pressing her lips to his. "Thank you."

"I'm just making sure we're prepared for all possible outcomes here," he grinned. Jesse had really missed hanging out with Beth like this, they always had so much fun. She definitely indulged in his goofiness, but what was wrong with that? "Definitely not. My mom would be so embarrassed too, I'd have to change my last name, disappear for five years and come back a seasoned performer to prove everyone wrong. Hey, c'mon. What better reason is there to say anything?"

"So you've totally done this before. I never knew you were secretly a criminal. I won't rat you out." She nudged him lightly. A getaway car and possible outcomes was already farther than she figured they needed. And when he said all how many possible outcomes fell into that option. Jesse was far more creative than she could be. "Well you can't completely disappear. Some of us would wanna keep a tab on your progress. That's... I'll accept that then."

"I do want my head to fit through the door, it's true. You could at least pretend to think it over for a second, you know?" Sam rolled his eyes with affection, but like, rude! Just because he was blatantly single, didn't mean Beth had to point it out. "I could bring someone, you don't know. There have been someones-," okay, so he sort of had a thing with Rose and he had that summer fling with Nilay... but other than that... "Maybe you can introduce to me to one of your new famous friends then." Sam thought she was being totally weird about him asking about Frankie. They had been dating a while, it wasn't like, major jump to think they might be going somewhere pretty serious. Was there something going on? "Yes, they still read them. Alright then, keep it casual, I'm not judging."

Beth grinned, biting her lip to stop herself from laughing at him. He knew how stupid the offer was when he said it. "I can't think of a worst thing, you fangirling or you telling stories about us as kids and embarrassing me." Yeah, it already sounded like a nightmare. This was different for them. Her in a relationship and him so.... blatantly single. Of course she had to rub it in his face. Her eyes narrowed, staring him down. "Spill. Which someones? And why am I just finding out." She knew she had a lot going on but she hadn't been that distracted. Had she? Why did Sam keep asking. He just needed to leave her alone and mind his own business. Respectfully. "Is 'they' you? Are you reading Teen Vogue? I'm just keeping expectations manageable." Yeah. that sounded. Not better actually.

Zach couldn't help laughing along too, even if he was kinda jealous of Logan Hunter. Anyone could throw a party, but everyone was going to be talking about this one for, like, ever. "Lucky for us. Who knows what will happen tonight... sky's the limit. Forsure, I mean, who doesn't wanna be famous? I mean, you're like, famous-adjacent. Famous-ish. But that's still pretty sweet." Could Zach possibly steal her from Frankie Vives? Think of the clout.

That was kind of what scared her, the lack of knowing what would happen tonight. "Oh, knowing the personalities in this room. I'm sure we'll be thoroughly entertained." It was certainly up in the air whether or not the entertainment would be better than what Logan could plan. Then again, it was Valentines day so maybe just maybe it would be positive. She glanced his way, shrugging lightly. "Hm, not so sure about that. I mean sure some people enjoy it but there's a price for fame." Plus, Bethany liked her peace and quiet.