Books & A Little More

"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.

Text: Sapphire ➵ Beth

"beth, stop being a fucking bore and come on"

"I don't know how to stop being a bore, agnes. it's kinda my thing." beth shrugged. "i think i'll only slow you down. i'm not sure i'll be fun."

Have Sam and Beth ever...?

Ew. Does no one hear how stupid that sounds?

"Hater-itis," Sam repeated, rasing his eyebrows at her but barely fighting off a grin. "I guess you do a pretty good job of keeping me humble. Not that I need it. Correction: you know it all." Sam did grin then, giving her a playful nudge. Sam let out a laugh, always feeling lighter when he was around her. Beth was probably - okay, definitely - his best friend, even if she wasn't willing to admit it. "Use your powers for good, Beth. Yeah, yeah, I'll keep my tears to myself. You're just lucky we haven't been on a double date yet." Sam and who, but still. Okay, what was that reaction? "I mean serious. Like, 'can't stop thinking about you', 'think I might love you', 'wanna run away with you', serious. Or in Frankie's case, like, wanna do a Teen Vogue couples interview with you."

Beth grinned, "Sam you definitely need to be kept humble. It'll go to your head otherwise." Though with his dad being who he was, maybe he was right. Though that wasn't the topic tonight and family between them ruined the mood very easily. She didn't fight back his nudge or his correction. At least Sam could acknowledge her greatness. "A double date? No. Not happening." Because besides Sam's weird obsession with her boyfriend, she couldn't put it past him to share embarrassing childhood stories. "Who would you even bring?" The man was blatantly single. She stiffened slightly. Excuse her french, but fuck Sam for even going down this road. And he seemed like he just wouldn't let it go. Beth blinked slowly, trying to project genuine confusion. Though she knew exactly what Sam was saying. "I think you're reading too much into our photo op's. We're dating and wherever it goes..." She trailed off, giving him a light shrug. "Do people even read Teen Vogue couple interviews anymore?"

"hurry up, are you coming out with us or not?"

"oh uh, no. I don't think you mean me," Beth laughed awkwardly waving her off. "uh. Have fun though."

"You have my word, we'll be in and out before anyone knows to look for us. Papers forged, getaway car fuelled up. They'll never catch us," Jesse joked. He'd always found talking to Beth so easy, no matter how much their lives had taken them in different directions. "Maybe next year? I'll have to start practicing now if I want any hope of surviving it. 'Man tangled in silks, brings down whole building around him' is not the best headline. No way, I don't believe that for a second," he smiled, shaking his head at her. "You're plenty talented, just with your feet on the ground."

"Oh getaway car already? Hey, have you done this before?" She hadn't even thought about how they'd get away, though with how many people were here, they would probably get a good amount of start in between before someone noticed. It was a nice break. She missed how stupid their conversations tend to get, and how comfortable they always seemed to get with each other. Beth grinned, it easily breaking into a laugh. "That is fair. If you did manage that headline I'm not sure you would get off lightly." She shook her head as well. Now he was just being nice. "You're just saying that because we're friends but it's fine really. I know my limits."

"A meet and greet I can do. I'm pretty much the king of meet and greets," Frankie grinned. "Even if they're a William fan-," Scottie's character- "I think I could still make it work. And, what? We'll probably both be out of there in an hour, tops. If there's a bottle of champagne, I'll steal it for the road," he added teasingly. Something that Jamie had encouraged him to do at any event - one of her many offerings of wisdom. When Beth squeezed his hand, he let out a breath. He almost hadn't realised how much he had come to rely on her. Beth had been by his side every time. She was the eye he caught across the room, the hand holding his under the table, a welcome solace in a world of noise. He loved his life, he did. He was living his dream, but his fear and anxiety were still under the surface. She knew that. He ignored the brief pang in his chest when she said 'split up' and instead smiled. "You got me a gift? Oh, yeah. The doors will never be the same again. Me too, then just let me know when you need me."

"If they're smart, they won't be a William fan." Though she knew he had a lot of fans, she had seen the comments, but she was biased. Diego was better, but she had no reason to pick Diego in the little competition. She doubted that would even look well, Frankie's own girlfriend shooting for Scottie's character. Well it was only a matter of how Tori took it. "I think that might be our new thing." The last time was when they had snuck away to the roof and popped champagne. Regardless of how their arrangement was, she had found someone who had made these events memorable. Of course she wasn't running at the opportunity to come but she was no longer dreading these things. She nodded, pulling her hand from his to open up her purse. Her fingers rummage through her purse as she continued to speak, "Of course I got you a gift, you're my boyfriend. It's also just really a thank you gift. I got you a watch." Finally grasping the box, she pulled it out, hesitantly giving it to him.

"One day they're going to find a cure for your hater-itis, and then what are you gonna do, Bethy? Right... Listen-," he started, shaking his head at her. It was no secret that Sam wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he made up for it with his good looks and irresistible charms. "You're way too smart for your own good, you know that? Super villain levels of smart. Try all you want, you can't mess up what's meant to be with me and Frankie," he added with an arguably goofy grin. "Proper English," he scoffed, rolling his eyes. When she answered his question, though, Sam quit messing around. He'd known Beth all their lives, and he didn't think he'd ever heard her say that about someone before. At least, not like that. "It's serious?"

"Hater-itis? You wouldn't know how to deal if that was cured for me. Also... also I'm not a hater. I just know better." Especially better than him. Sam was many things but he was also just trouble. Complete trouble. How he managed to survive this long without getting into deep issues was beyond her. "Aren't we all lucky that I'm not evil. The super villain things I could accomplish with my brain." She shook her head teasingly. Though that was far from a possibility. He was so dramatic, and yet that was her friend. "I give up. You try it, but don't cry to me when he rejects you." Beth got silent as Sam's tone changed. It got serious in a way she just didn't like. Of course they weren't serious, nothing about them was real. But she couldn't tell him that. Beth instead let out an awkward laugh. "I.. we're just dating. I don't know what you mean.

"If you point me in the right direction, I'll go fight 'em for you. I'm not kidding, I'm ready to go. I mean, you've met the Sheriff and Deputy-," she grinned, comically flexing both of her biceps, barely holding back a snort. "They're ready for duty. I'll square up with Frankie too, if you want. You deserve to be whisked away for all your troubles. Oh, no! Of course not. I mean... if you have one lying around, I won't say no... but no. It's pretty bad," she laughed, shaking her head. "Low odds but still a chance is why I kissed the last random dude at Yale. RIP to him."

Beth laughed, dropping her head back. "Totally, threatening. I'm scared for all of them." She let out a sigh, "I don't think you need to bring out Sheriff and Deputy for Frankie, but I can't lie. I would be so fascinated to see how that turned out." Though maybe she could be whisked away. Beth snorted, "I promise if I have an open invite, I will invite you. You might have to fight Sam for it but I'll give it to you." Well it was hard to imagine how dry the dating pool was since she didn't have to navigate it. Still, she wanted to believe Tess was exaggerating. "But it's Yale. Should be hot and smart guys, T. It makes no sense."

cupid’s match ˚₊ · »-♡→ bethany

Charity events? Beth knew her answer was boring, but that was essentially the point. The moment she had decided to get matched up, she had already regretted it. The idea that someone would take a photo then twist it into more rumors had only crossed her mind when it was too late. Still, Frankie was a good sport about participating too. It was harmless fun. Still the idea of matching with someone who wrote ‘Charity Events’ in the UES? That had to be a lie to make themselves look good.

"That is so reasonable, Beth. Can it really be that easy?" she mused, watching Logan as they continued to tragically move around the room. That bottle was on its way out at an exceptional rate, too. "Yeah, I don't think I wanna volunteer for that one. Draw straws?" Gigi lowered her voice conspiratorially, adding, "That's exactly what I think. I mean, look at this place. Distraction frickin' station."

"Okay... maybe not." That would mean Logan would have to tell them the truth and if it was actually that serious, then they wouldn't tell them at all. Beth glanced at Logan, watching the scene along with Gigi. Maybe she was right. "You're the one who noticed it, Gigi." She fought back a laugh. Oh... she really did have a point. "Why couldn't it just be a party for Valentine's?"

Tessa dramatically shuddered as Beth described the horror of being under the spotlight. It was wild! Knowing Sienna was one thing, her acting career had taken off before FNB, too. But Beth was totally normal (in the best way). "I can literally feel my skin crawling just thinking about. You're so brave, Beth. There better be perks that come along with it, besides like... being in love, blah blah blah," she said with the utmost affection, of course. "A normal man? Pathetic. Hardly tolerable. 1/10."

Beth laughed at her shudder. It was nice to know that someone else felt exactly how she did. Only in the comfort of these four walls and Tessa's presence could she be a bit more honest. She knew Tess wasn't going to go sell her off to some blog. "I didn't like reading comments before but now? Some people are such bullies. You're right, you should tell Frankie that I deserve a prize. Are you interested in the perks, don't tell me you're trying to get a backstage pass to the show." Although it was nothing special and nothing deserving of a prize. Beth grinned, shaking her head. "Come on, it can't be that bad. 1/10 means there's still a chance. Low odds but still a chance."