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Danielle Campbell as Peyton Buckley

kaia's  green  eyes  widened  at  the  sight  in  front  of  her  .  she  respected  it  ,  i  mean  tequila  was  her  favorite  after  all  .  “  honestly  ,  i  admire  it  .  ”  kaia  responded  ,  grabbing  a  shot  off  the  big  tray  .  she  was  a  frequent  visitor  of  pink  panther  ,  so  seeing  cat  out  in  the  wild  and  still  living  the  life  of  the  party  was  iconic  to  kaia  .  “  yes  ma'am  .  let  me  know  if  there's  anyone  i  should  skip  giving  one  too  .  not  sure  everyone  deserves  it  .  ”  the  brunette  teased  .

kaia  had  gotten  to  thompson's  early  to  set  up  for  the  party  .  it  wasn't  like  she  wanted  to  ,  but  one  of  the  party  planners  had  asked  her  to  and  she  felt  too  bad  saying  no  .  the  brunette  was  a  bit  tired  from  her  previous  help  ,  but  when  a  familiar  face  approached  her  she  forgot  all  about  that  .  “  cute  dress  ,  ruth  .”  kaia  mused  ,  clinking  her  champagne  glass  against  ruth's  cup  .  “  see  ,  i'm  not  the  one  dressed  in  the  cute  dress  .  the  dance  floor  is  all  yours.  ”

kaia  absolutely  loved  tequila  .  if  she  was  going  to  drink  liquor  ,  a  nice  cold  shot  of  tequila  would  do  the  trick  ,  so  when  a  shot  was  handed  to  her  …  no  hesitation  needed  .  her  green  hues  quickly  turned  to  the  person  beside  her  ,  recognizing  the  voice  .  she  wasn't  quite  sure  what  to  do  in  the  situation  ,  most  of  her  wanted  to  down  her  shot  and  walk  away  but  she  wasn't  feeling  that  rude  tonight , but it had been awhile since she had seen nicolas .  she  decided  to  throw  the  shot  back  as  she  grimaced  at  the  burn  down  her  throat  .  eyes  focusing  back  on  the  person  beside  her  ,  her  awkwardness  popped  out  .  “  oh  hi  there  .  ”  she  mumbled  ,  placing  the  shot  glass  down  on  the  bar  beside  them  .  “  not  sure  if  we'd  make  it  to  the  100th  anniversary  .  ”

"are you over this ..." she paused, trying to think of the right words. "this petty squabbling yet?" growing up in roseton, bryony had all sorts of relationships ... her relationship with kaia was one of the least good. it wasn't too often that the two of them had the most civilised conversations. her question, however, would imply that it was all on kaias side of things. which absolutely was not the case. bryony gave as much as she could get.

kaia  rolled  her  eyes  at  bryony's  comment  .  the  pair  had  known  each  other  for  years  from  growing  up  in  the  small  town  and  meeting  eye  to  eye  seemed  harder  than  lifting  a  feather  for  the  two  .  taking  a  sip  from  her  champagne  glass  ,  kaia  crossed  her  arms  over  her  chest  scanning  the  room  ,  trying  to  avoid  the  question  .  “  are  you  really  trying  to  have  a  conversation  here  ?  at  this  party  ?  ”  the  brunette  asked  ,  wanting  to  put  her  best  face  forward  in  public  .  it  was  all  she  cared  about  .

it had been a while since rafi had seen kaia. was he avoiding her? maybe. when the two of them had spent time together, it wasn't long after his divorce. he should never have started something... let along with someone who was so young. she was younger than his sisters. he never should have done it. but he knew that he couldn't avoid her for forever and a celebration like this? well, it seemed to be the best chance to start afresh, "long time no see, kaia." he smiled a little as he rested on the bar beside her. "how're you doing?"

kaia's  face  was  buried  in  her  phone  ,  while  her  other  hand  was  holding  her  champagne  glass  .  she  continued  taking  baby  sips  from  the  glass  ,  but  she  more-so  was  waiting  for  a  friendly  face  to  show  up  so  that  she  should  wouldn't  have  to  stand  alone  at  the  bar  for  much  longer  .  the  short  brunette  turned  to  her  left  when  she  heard  a  chilling  ,  familiar  voice  .  her  eyes  scanned  the  male  in  front  of  her  for  a  moment  ,  not  knowing  exactly  how  to  react  considering  their  time  together  was  controversial  .  but  considering  she  was  in  public  ,  kaia  had  to  maintain  her  sweet  image.  “  well  hi  there  .  “  she  responded  ,  giving  rafi  a  small  grin  .  ”  i'm  doing  well  .  “  she  stated  ,  very  matter  of  fact  .   ”  and  how  are  you  doing  ?  " 

the  brunette  had  her  eyes  glued  to  her  phone  ,  waiting  for  the  first  hour  of  the  party  to  pass  by  so  that  more  people  would  start  filling  in  and  kaia  could  start  hiding  in  some  corner  with  a  friend  .  she  was  quite  social  ,  but  after  a  long  day  of  work  -  being  at  an  event  where  all  of  roseton  seemed  to  be  at  …  not  her  vibe  .  a  familiar  ,  welcoming  voice  came  in  her  direction  as  her  green  hues  glanced  up  and  smiled  at  lake  .  “  what's  a  bartender  like  you  doing  here  is  the  real  question  ?  ”  kaia  questioned  ,  raising  a  brow  playfully  .  “  what  are  you  drinking  ?  ”

kaia  was  nursing  the  champagne  glass  in  front  of  her  .  her  eyes  were  scanning  the  bar  ,  looking  for  a  conversation  that  she  could  potentially  eavesdrop  in  .  she  had  offered  to  help  set  up  the  party  early  ,  so  anyone  she  really  knew  hadn't  arrived  yet  which  meant  she  was  hiding  at  the  bar  .  her  thoughts  broke  quickly  when  she  heard  the  voice  beside  her  .  “  yeah  ,  actually  .  ”  kaia  began  .  “  my  dad  was  raving  about  it  this  morning  ,  but  he's  stuck  working  at  rosie's  tonight  .  told  him  i'd  have  an  extra  glass  for  him  .  ”  the  brunette  mused  ,  holding  up  her  champagne  glass  .

❝Tequila,❞ the word left her with a quiet huff of air, caught somewhere between disbelief and affection. ❝Because if there’s one thing that makes you tame, it’s definitely that.❞ The sarcasm was deliberate, but her eyes gave her away, dark and warm in that way they only ever seemed to be when Kaia was near. She shifted her weight against the bar, scanning the room as though the sheer volume of bodies pressed too close together might spill over her edges if she let it. ❝You’re right, though. Feels like the whole town decided to show up.❞ Her tone carried the faintest thread of amusement, but there was truth tucked in too ⸻ the sharp awareness that Roseton was always smaller than it felt until everyone crammed into the same space. Turning back to Kaia, she let her voice dip lower, meant only for her. ❝Good thing I don’t need a reason to be here. I’ve got you. And apparently… tequila. Which, between the two of us, might just be the most reckless pairing in this place.❞

“  listen.  “  kaia  began  ,  erupting  with  laughter  at  naomi's  careful  but  warm  words  .   ”  i  wanted  the  first  hour  to  be  tame  ,  ya  know  ?  i  think  around  hour  two  is  when  the  tequila  can  begin  .  "  the  brunette  responded  ,  putting  a  straw  in  the  tequila  soda  she  had  just  ordered  and  pressing  her  back  against  the  wooden  bar  .  “  i  think  they  did  .  really  didn't  think  the  show  up  would  be  …  this  .  ”  she  responded  ,  waving  around  at  all  the  people  .  the  brunette  let  out  a  sigh  as  she  passed  her  tequila  soda  over  to  naomi  .   “  drink  up  ,  buttercup  .  going  to  need  both  of  us  on  the  tequila  to  make  tonight  worth  it  .  "

"Oh, no - absolutely not." He laughed, picturing himself in that situation. "Are you a glutton for punishment? Cause I may just be worse than him. I will stick to being on the sidelines away just observing and not having all that attention on me." He quipped back playfully. "But you know, if someone is going to elect somebody for a dance off you might just be the prime candidate. Don't make him be all alone." He teased back. Hues looked back over at the other on the dance floor, seemingly stuck. "But really, when do we know if someone should push him over?"

“ definitely  not  a  glutton  for  punishment,  but  amusement ?  sure.  ”  the  brunette  responded  ,  playfully  nudging  the  taller  male  .  “  but  ,  fine  .  i'll  let  you  off  the  hook  .”  kaia  took  a  sip  from  her  tequila  soda  and  shook  her  head  profusely  at  the  male's  joke.  “  you  couldn't  pay  me  to  get  out  there  with  him  .  plus  ,  the  dance  floor  is  looking  a  bit  …  sweaty  .  ”  kaia  pointed  out  ,  keeping  her  eyes  stuck  on  the  party  goer  who  was  continuing  his  show  .

Naomi didn’t resist when Kaia’s fingers laced with hers, though she made a show of sighing like she was being dragged to her doom rather than the bar. ❝You do realize,❞ Naomi said, voice raised just enough to cut through the din as they edged closer to the counter, ❝that clumsiness gives you character. It's an adorable little quirk.❞ She allowed the faintest grin to tug at her lips, tilting her head toward Kaia. Naomi only came to a stop once they reached the crowded bar, a sight uncomfortable enough to twist her extroverted introverted stomach. ❝Are you drinking champagne all night?❞

“  don't  lie.  ”  kaia  quipped,  playfully  rolling  her  eyes  at  naomi's  comment  about  her  clumsiness  quirk  .  once  the  pair  made  it  to  the  bar  ,  kaia's  eyes  carefully  scanned  the  perimeter,  finally  getting  a  better  look  at  who  was  attending  this  party.  “  oh  ,  god  no.  ”  the  brunette  said,  placing  the  empty  champagne  glass  on  the  bar  .  “  i  just  started  with  the  champagne  to  feel  more  festive  and  seem…tamer.  but,  it's  about  time  i  get  some  tequila.  ”  she  stated  ,  waving  at  the  bartender  and  flashing  a  smile.  “ feel  like  the  whole  damn  town  is  here.  ”

who is their ride or die friend?

[  ✒️  ]ㅤ  what's  a  quote  they  live  by  ?

kaia  couldn't  help  but  laugh  as  soon  as  she  realized  who  the  unfortunate  victim  of  her  champagne  was  .  “  relieved  it  was  you  ,  dev  .  ”  kaia  muses  ,  giving  the  blonde  a  warm  hug  and  playfully  rolling  her  green  hues  at  the  girl's  words.  “  trying  to  find  some  action  tonight  at  this  party  ?  ”  kaia  questioned  ,  raising  her  brow  in  a  teasing  way  .  “  i  mean  ,  no  judgment  at  all  ..  but  i'm  not  sure  there's  many  prospects  here  .  ”  kaia  muttered  ,  scanning  the  bar  for  anyone  that  she  think  would  be  her  friend's  type  .  “  yet  .  ”

❝Of course it’s you,❞ she said flatly, though there was the faintest undercurrent of warmth threading her voice, the kind only a best friend could read. She set her own glass aside with practiced ease, plucking a napkin from the table behind her before Kaia could spiral further into apologies. Naomi pressed it against the fabric, dark eyes flicking up with the ghost of a smirk. ❝You’re lucky I like you. Anyone else, and I’d have made them buy me a new dress.❞ She leaned a shoulder into Kaia’s, voice lowering so only she could hear. ❝Stop calling yourself clumsy. It’s a party, everyone is a little clumsy.❞

“  oh  thank  god  .  ”  kaia  muttered  ,  realizing  she  had  splashed  her  champagne  glass  on  the  only  person  in  the  bar  who  would've  let  her  do  it  all  over  again  .  the  brunette  gave  her  best  friend  a  warm  smile  ,  letting  a  laugh  slip  past  her  red  lips  .  “  true  ,  but  i'm  not  drunk  clumsy  right  now  ..  i'm  just  clumsy  .  no  excuse  for  me  .  ”  the  brunette  shrugged  ,  shifting  her  focus  over  to  the  bar  .  “  think  i  should  get  myself  a  new  glass  .  coming  with  ?  ”  she  asked  ,  grabbing  naomi's  hand  before  she  could  even  respond  and  whisking  her  away  to  the  crowded  bar  .