* // open season

“if you do end up killing for the corn dog, i didn’t see anything. i may help bury the body with some incentive.” she jokes, carefully taking the offered bottle from ana. grabbing the end of the loosened cork, carmen yanks it harshly and has to tighten her grasp on the bottle to not let it drop. “i think we should get a cab, then if we decide we want more alcohol later on i don’t have to worry about driving. i’ll shout!” the woman declares before taking a swig straight from the bottle. 

a snort leaves carmen involuntarily and only a beat after, she brings a balled fist up over her mouth as if that is going to mask any further noises. “please, i would love to see that. i’m sorry but i think i may just wet myself with laughter.” not really, but she may topple over instead. they’re in for a right treat, that’s for sure and camren is all for it. she’s out of her flat and with good company ─ what is there to complain about? “yes, i believe this was your idea but i think we’ll be fine. as george michael said, gotta have faith.” whilst tugging at the shoe laces of the bowling shoes to loosen them, the blonde starts to kick off her vans and her face lights up at the teasing. “big al, hey? oh, now i really want to go out of my way to get us some in bright colours and engrave ‘ big al ’ on the back of yours, just for you. that is just ─” carmen pauses, shaking her head with a bright smile on her face, before blowing a chef’s kiss. “you are a genius. that means we have to come more often, really show that we’re getting serious.” 

nail biting | throat clearing | lying | interrupting | chewing the ends of pens | smoking | swearing | knuckle cracking | thumb sucking | muttering under their breath | talking to themselves | nose picking | binge drinking | oversleeping | snacking between meals | skipping meals | picking at skin | impulse buying | talking with their mouth full | humming/singing to themselves | chewing gum | leg jiggling | foot tapping | hair twirling | whistling | eye rolling | licking lips | sniffing | squinting | rubbing hands together | jaw clenching | gesturing while talking | putting feet up on tables | tucking hair behind ears | chewing lips | crossing arms over chest | putting hands on hips | rubbing the back or their neck | being late | procrastinating | doodling | shredding paper | peeling off bottle labels | forgetfulness | running hands through hair | overreacting | teeth grinding | nostril flaring | slouching | pacing | drumming fingers | fist clenching | pinching bridge of nose | rubbing temples | rolling shoulders

“don’t give them the attention ─ that’s all they want.” she can sympathise, at least she believes she can in her own way. she would hate to sit and be laughed at behind her back, in fact there are more times than not she thinks people do such thing. its one of the many insecurities that keep her up at night; that people whisper about her embarrassing moments or trash talk her business or to put it simply, trash talk her. she knows she shouldn’t let minuscule things get to her, but it does and it’s like a never ending tennis rally inside her head. nevertheless, carmen’s dainty fingers on cooper’s arm fall to her side and she’s swallowing thickly. “we should go and play a game of darts or something. i’ve only ever played once before.”

“thirteen.” carmen clarifies with a confident nod, gliding the shoes from the counter and holding them firmly in her fingertips. she starts leading the way without a second thought, arms swaying comfortably by her side though she’s sure she would’ve hit one of the children flying by if she weren’t paying attention. honestly. “hopeless. absolutely hopeless. i somehow seem to get a couple strikes in a row, then a spare in the very beginning and then fail drastically. you may be in with a chance here.” she teases, a giving etienne a raise of her brows. “probably a good thing we’re down here and they’re ─” carmen comes to a halt at the seats of their lane and pauses to gesture down the way they came, to the league bowlers. “over there. i don’t think i’d like that kind of pressure of them looming over me.” 

this is going to be a quiet night, she proceeded to tell herself before heading out for the evening. so far, carmen’s been able to stick true to her word ─ sitting and cackling with a family friend over her mother’s recent antics while sipping on a drink. she’s hardly paying attention to the other bar patrons, though if she were she’d be thankful they’re more rowdy than her friend and her. when carmen’s companion leaves her for a bathroom break and to fetch another round of drinks, the blonde fiddles with the coaster locks eyes with klaus. “oh, thank you, but i wouldn’t want to impose. besides, i don’t think you or your crew could put up with my friend and i when she comes back.” she replies teasingly. “she can talk underwater with her mouth full of marbles.”

“i can only imagine. mine’s bad enough and i’ve got nothing on you. at least it’s not vomit or glitter flakes ─ that would be bad.” the mere thought of spilling the tiniest bit of glitter makes carmen cringe, and her nose scrunches up involuntarily. even when using glitter in her make up kit, whether it be a pressed shadow or loose dust, no one has seen somebody so cautious. the last thing she desires is the sparkly substance on her floors or brushes, ─ or worse, her hair ─ for god knows how long. “you know i love a cuddle, but ... i don’t either.” a light hearted laugh oozes from her with ease, toothy grin shining zuri’s way. “and i love you too; but get your ass into this stunner and then you can tell me something good about your week.”

“i’m not sad for them. we’re going to have a blast.” carmen doesn’t know much about wine, but from what she does know the wine flashed before her eyes isn’t cheap, ordinary wine. perfect. typically she’d want to nibble on a spread different types of cheeses with quince paste and salami, yet considering this is technically contraband that seems too sophisticated. “why don’t we make our way to the pier? suss out the crowd and see what’s popping in the arcade?” 

“i’m sorry, i’m sorry. i can’t keep a poker face, i’m shocking.” her apology is sincere even when she’s chuckling, already tugging at her car keys in the pocket of her pants. “you still look amazing ─ you always do ─  okay? it’s just... obviously not your dress. your mum has her style and you have yours. but we’ll get you out of it, and hopefully you’ll feel a little more yourself. i got you.” with bright eyes and a wink, carmen spins on the balls of her feet to head to her car not too far from where they were. she can envision the co-ordinate that she’s after in the trunk, hoping that it’s still there and she didn’t take it out to wear it after a night out. surely she would have put it back ─ after all, it’s there for her when she’s spilled wax or massage oil on herself at work. to her luck, the white linen cropped shirt and paired shorts are still folded rather neatly in a tote bag. slinging the small tote over her shoulder and locking her car, carmen strides back to the beauty with a grin of pride on her face. “tell me you love me, go on.” she teases as she pulls out the shirt to show it off; it’s hardly much, if anything at all but hopefully it will do. 

alexis has a point, and carmen’s head tilts to the side in agreement with a purse of her lips. “i can’t argue with you there.” the blonde responds with a smile, lips only widening at the suggestion of the boat and most importantly, wine. “you know, i love the sound of that. although, we need to have cheese, biscuits, dip ─ the lot ─ otherwise the vibes aren’t going to be right.” 

“right?” another topic that carmen simply could not give a straight answer to: how could one simply choose one favourite type of candy? “the thought of even having to choose one boggles my mind. i definitely have a sweet tooth.” and that she does. stashed in the back of her pantry is a secret sweets jar that she picks from every now and then, predominantly as a midnight snack. “oh ─ you’re welcome.” the blonde chimes, pride bursting within her chest and she turns her body to face the older woman. “i hope you do enjoy it. if you don’t, well... then that’s on you.” it’s an attempt at banter, evident by a giggle and warm grin. 

her mind wanders, venturing to her client book and just how busy she will be throughout the day. it’s not too full on of a day though enough to keep her on her feet and depending if someone runs late, maybe she will get a lunch break. blue eyes are stuck on the two styrofoam coffee cups, yet in reality carmen’s paying no attention to them whatsoever ─ too caught up in running through her day in her head to even think about it. “huh?” she finally breaks at the sound of the voice, taking a few seconds to register just what is being said. “oh, sorry, no ─ i wasn’t looking. i kind of just went off into my own little world. you can have however many coffees you like ; to hell who thinks otherwise.” the words come out confidently, quickly offering a smile. “yeah, i am actually. i’m ready for halloween, really. how about you?”

“there’s nothing wrong with having a day chilling, but i do see where you’re coming from in not wanting to do that again.” carmen enjoys a good netflix binge as much as the next person may, but lounging and dwelling for too long doesn’t sit well with the beauty therapist. all she has to hear from alexis, however, is spontaneous and fun and she’s has her attention. “look, it depends. just what exactly do you have in mind?”

carmen instantly shakes her head to dismiss the apology, shifting in her seat to regain her composure from the unexpected encounter. “no, it’s fine. i was just taken aback, is all ─ wasn’t expecting to be approached by someone pretty so early in the night.” if at all, more like. there’s a playful hint in her voice, chest gradually easing in restriction having already began filling with warmth from her two drinks as she extends her hand to meg. “carmen; it’s my pleasure meg. and a lemon drop will do me just fine, please.” she smiles. “fair enough ; can’t say you’ve missed out on much. it always ended in disaster for me anyway.” 

shoulders ease when the other questions her about one of the movies and her lips curve up at one corner, almost in gratitude but also happy to be of service. “well, gifted is about this child prodigy who is being raised by her single uncle. he gets into a legal battle with his mother over her custody because he wants this little girl to just be a kid and his mother wants her to go to a school to challenge her talents. that’s basically it, anyway. it’s one of my favourite movies.” were chris evans and octavia spencer the two reasons she watched the movie to begin with? yes. but she’s ended up loving it for different reasons. “oh god no. i don’t have a favourite. there’s too many to choose from. coco makes me cry every time but it’s so beautiful. i watched a lovely movie on andrea bocelli the other week too. or heredity, or gone girl ─ sorry i’m going on a tangent now.”