unknown

Elisa heard music playing from the piano in the main living room. It was something odd to hear. Conversations and random music played from the iPod dock were the usual, but piano? Even if the song hadn’t been known for her, her attention would have been caught anyway. She left her room making the least sound possible, not wanting whoever was playing to stop. Slowly walking into the living room her surprise became greater. The man seemed far into his fingers playing the next key, and even though she couldn’t see anything but his back, Elisa recognized him in a heartbeat. A smile crept up to her face, and bit hard on her bottom lip to stop it from becoming a foolish grin. She propped a hand on a table right next to one of the walls, trying to steady herself as she felt her knees tremble, but it wasn’t enough. She was so distracted that did not see some kind of jar on the table, and right when she put a hand on it, the ornament fell to the floor shattering into a hundred pieces. “Sorry…” she mumbled, shutting her eyes tightly feeling more guilty about making him stop than about the broken jar.

As his fingers continued to dance along keys, his mind seemed to clear and he seemed to be at peace even if it was for just a moment. A loud crash seemed to pull Bryce from his music. Whipping his head up, he saw the embarrassed face of a familiar friend. "Sorry isn't gonna clean it up, now is it?" Bryce voice was harsh, trying to convince the brunette that he was actually angry, but there was no way that Bryce could ever be mad at Elisa, something about her just brought Bryce to a state of happiness. "What brought you out here?" Bryce cocked his head, watching the motions of Elisa.

"It’s not going to work, you know?" She asked from a corner of the bar with a drink on her hand. "I tried that earlier, and no one has come just yet."

"At least you're around." Bryce slyly said, raising his glass towards her. "What is your poison tonight, Miss. Pratt?" Bryce said, pressing the rim to his lip, letting the whiskey go down hard. 

Not even if she tried to empathize with him she could. Her life had been pretty simple all the time. Her parents had always given her all she needed, she’d been in good school and even when she never asked for more, they would keep giving her more, and even when they were absent 95% of the time, she knew they both loved her terribly, and even their story was full of love, giving her the ideas and beliefs on that topic that she had nowadays. Yet, seeing his expression so broken even when it was something that had happened years from then, made Elisa react in some way she had never experienced before. Suddenly everything about him made sense: his seriousness, the harshness on his voice, and even some of the looks she had seen on him. She wanted to make him forget about all of that. She knew it was impossible, but at least when he was with her, she wanted to make everything alright. Elisa caught her hand a couple times, making their actions a simple game that kept them both focus on what was going on with the talking. It was oddly relaxing, but it was even weirder how lighter the atmosphere became when the contact between them increased and he rested his head on hers. 

Mr. Perfect? Was that last thing that Bryce thought he was. There was so many flaws and quirks that Bryce had. He was cold and distant from everyone, and it killed him. He wanted so badly to let someone in his life, but couldn't allow himself let someone in. Elisa slowly was breaking down the imaginary wall that Bryce had built around him. Block by block she seemed to be taking down his distrust for people and slowly letting the light back into his dark life. A soft mumble came from his mouth, denying the fact that he was perfect. "Maybe you." His voice thick and wanting.

To hear it inside her head was hard, but for some reasons, when Bryce managed to put it into words, it hit her even harder. True. She couldn’t deny the butterflies filling her gut, and she couldn’t stop herself from staring dreamily at those features that hid so much, yet they seemed crystal clear. She couldn’t ignore the way she was getting lost on his voice every time he said anything, but for some reason, Elisa thought it would easily be forgotten if she never admitted it, but there was no use anymore. She looked at him speechless, but her eyes gave her away. Shiny and confused, her eyes locked on hers until some sort of electric volt pierced through her hand with the contact of his. Her gaze dropped as she, distractedly, tightened her hold around Bryce’s hand and fell onto his chest.

The weight was heavy on his broad shoulders, the weight was of his family and reputation. He had been carrying it on his back for what seemed like ages. Ever since his father had been incarcerated, Bryce became held of the household. He seemed to have to grow up faster than any boy should. It was his duty to watch over his sister and mother, so no pain would ever effect them again. Many times Bryce failed at that task, but all he wanted was his mother to finally have a happy smile crossed her lips and there was more than just sadness that filled her eyes. Occasionally his father would send letter, telling Bryce how much he loved him and wished things were different. Bryce never replied, as much as it killed him he knew it was for the better. How did Bryce know what his father was saying was true? He had lied so many times before, Bryce never knew what was genuine from the monster.  

I’m choosing not to respond that. Asshole. 

Asshole? I've heard worse. That still doesn't deny the fact you want to see me naked.

Marley relaxed at his easy acceptance of her sobriety. She was removing her cover-up t-shirt as Bryce asked his ridiculously stupid question. “Nope I am only undressing down to a swimsuit to go for a walk around the cabin.” She said, her level of sarcasm reaching new peaks.

Her sarcasm threw of Bryce, as he didn't expect her to be as fierce as she was. "Well.. I'm not swimming?" Bryce immediately regretted his decision to say that.

Nat studies him fir a moment before taking the seat next to him. She was tempted to steal the cigarette from him, but decided against it as the last minute. “Catch up? Huh. I didn’t know there was so much to be said. I mean, all I’ve been doing is avoiding people. What about you?”

"Ah, we are alike in that aspect." Bryce offered a cigarette to the brunette. "Don't be eyeing mine." Raising an eyebrow at her, he flicked the ashes off his cigarette. "Why would you be avoiding everyone?"

Is it because I didn’t say please? I can say please. Geez, you’re making me sound desperate.

I mean, I understand if you wanna see.

Elisa stayed silent for a couple seconds, with his eyes stuck in that place close to the nothing in front of them. It wasn’t just about the rumors. It was more about everything else, but they seemed like the perfect excuse in that moment. She had never expected to feel a thing when she came to Crystal Lake. She hoped she would, but ever since, well, almost the first night, all her emotions and actions that she’d always managed to keep cold and in order, had seemed to go crazy, making her do things that she’d never thought she would. Develop feelings was one of them. She sighed, feeling his eyes on her, and locked hers in there, feeling as if, somehow, the brown substance his eyes were made of erase everything from her head. At his words, she couldn’t hold back a soft smile. “It’s not that is wrong, it’s just… who I am. And I’m not saying it’s wrong, it’s just not good for you,” she tried to explain, but to her ears it didn’t make sense, though it might have been because of his eyes still locked on hers. 

As she talked, he nodded along taking everything she was saying. He really didn't know a lot about Elisa, but she also knew little about Bryce. This was so unlike Bryce, to share all of his secrets with a girl who he had just recently met, but it seemed like he had known Elisa for years. "What if I'm no good for you either. Elisa, I may not know everything that's going on up in your head, but I know that whatever you feel towards me isn't fake." Bryce reached out his hand, finally having the courage to lap his hands within hers.

I would never take advantage of you, silly. It was just a friendly suggestion… In the form of a command.

I didn't the friendly vibe from that command. You just want to see me naked.

"Oh totally." Bryce said with an eye roll. The breeze against his skin felt relaxing, his stay at Crystal Lake wasn't what he expected at all. "Well... no. I don't think my mind ever stops working honestly." His glass getting low on whiskey. As she finished her swig of alcohol, Bryce took it back filling his glass half way. Probably being his 3rd glass, he was starting to feel it.

"I'm not entirely new, but I'm not old. But I hid for a week or so." Bryce shrugged lightly. Bryce offered her the bottle, giving her a small smile. "Eating me? I mean these mosquito are sucking my blood..." Bryce let out a loud chuckle, finding myself funny.

So...

Drink, or lounge around..