「 °· you’re no good but i’m no better 」

rhys nodded in response, not wanting to bother casper any further. he looked like hell, and something told rhys that the boy had a wild night. and if rhys was in his position, god knows they have been, they wouldn’t want to be spoken to either. but when he casper up again, rhys’s suspicions of an alcohol induced night were confirmed. “yeah–sleep. or advil. unfortunately for you, I don’t think those are viable options ” they looked around casually, seeing where the teacher was and finding that they were busy with other work, meaning it was okay to talk. “rough night?”

“ well that’s perfect then, ” he groans, his mood souring by the second. he supposes he could always ask the school nurse for something to relieve said migraine, it’s not like this was the first time he’d shown up to class with a blaring hangover. he was practically a regular at her office by now. “ oh yeah, yeah it was a blast. someone on the team thought it’d be fun to sneak into the pool after hours for some drinks with the mates. i mean it was, definitely. maybe getting extremely crossfaded the night before a test wasn’t so much of a good plan as my drunken self had thought, but hey, i got no regrets. ”

☂ — “NO, I don’t,” she acknowledged, nodding slightly. thinking over his words, it took jaelyn a moment to respond. “this other guy is very alluring and i’m very torn, but i suppose if we were seen out with other people, it would give the hearsayers something to talk about. and they have enough to say about us already. so, if i must, i’ll cancel my aforementioned plans and go with you instead.” 

Teddy’s playful smile dulled a little at that. She knew he was just poking fun, but she knew whoever was behind that website could easily ruin her. And the fallout if her secret reached her parents wouldn’t be pretty. “Carefully crafted? More like they were drunk and messed around with the controls a bit too much.” Teddy replied, having fun messing with Casper. She took an eyebrow pencil out of her makeup bag and waved it in his face teasingly, “I could so fix that for you if you’d like. Quick as you can say ‘stop’.” Not that she would. First of all her pencil was red, definitely the wrong color, and secondly she almost never put makeup on other people. “Any excuse to use my camera yanno? But why sell yourself short? Why worth millions when it could be worth billions?” Teddy deadpanned thoroughly done with her only remaining childhood friend.

( ♦  — WHEN HE RETURNED the hug, diem smiled and exhaled contently, allowing the feeling of warmth and comfort to linger just that L I T T L E bit longer. even though she’s so often surrounded by people, only few of them managed to make her feel as good as casper did. that’s one of the main reasons why it hurts so much that their friendship is only allowed to exist safely hidden away behind four walls with no risk of ever being spotted. after a while, the blonde pulled back from the embrace and smiled at casper, letting her hands linger on his arms for a bit longer before pulling back entirely. “too long if you ask me.” she replied with a tiny sigh, stepping over the threshold and safely into his house. she knew her way, so automatically, her feet took her towards the living room where she plopped down on his couch. “ugh, good because i am starving…” the blonde mumbled with a soft groan before looking back up at casper, smiling. “i’ve been alright. how about yourself ?”.

“that’s how it’s always been in the upper east side, though. everyone thinks they’re better than the rest because they have money. i’m not complaining of course but it’s pretty tiring. we all have so much to live up to. it’s exhausting.” raphael was so tired lately. not because of school or drinking but because his mind would just not stop running. he could hardly focus on anything. he used alcohol and sex to turn it off. he slept with people he probably had no business with, especially not casper. he was terribly off limits. but he needed something, or someone to escape this world. it helped a lot and the sex was really good. he couldn’t say no. even without the sex, raphael enjoyed hanging out with casper. they had a lot in common and could connect on a level that he couldn’t with anyone right now. not even his sister. “it’s actually terrible.” raphael had to laugh at casper’s next comment. “i could be b a l l s deep into something else but i’m not always that fortunate.” raphael flashed a grin in casper’s direction, assuring him that he was half joking. “i was out last night. that’s why i’m late doing my homework. i drank too much and hardly had time to sleep it off. i’m fine, cas.” 

“ well you’re right about that. then again... c’est la vie, man. it’s draining but i suppose it’s just the status quo. and if you think about it, at least we’re all in this hellhole together. misery does love company. ” casper can’t help but let out a laugh at that. “ you’d like that, huh ? ” the corner of his mouth lifts up into a teasing smirk, as small as it was. he allows himself that small moment of pretend, almost dropping it as soon as reality kicks in. suddenly hyperaware of the sheer publicness of their current position, he’s quick to look over his shoulder at their surroundings. the point of their secret whatever-the-hell-it-was-going-on was that it was a secret, and casper would much like to keep it that way. he had to. he had too much at stake for there to be any other option. of course, he could always just drop the whole thing altogether, and it’s not like it hadn’t crossed his mind once or twice before but, as much as he denied and denied and denied it to himself and to the world, a part of him felt too compelled to let it go. as long as they’d known each other, casper never would’ve expected for any of this to happen to him, to them, to be roped into something riskier than anything else he’s ever done ( and that was quite a long list, mind you ). but there was something about raph that made him feel... well, something. whatever it was, he couldn’t bring himself to put it to a halt. “ alright, alright. just checking in. i am allowed to do that. ” he holds his hand up in mock surrender, throwing a pointed look the other’s way. “ fun night, i take it then ? and here i thought i was the wild one. hm, hungover, sleep-deprived and cramming; seems like we’re more alike than i thought. ” he grins up at the other male, amused at the latter’s morning misfortune. “ i’d offer to help but, ah, you see, statistics and i don’t get on so well. ”

rhys pulled at the tie of their school uniform, a shot of a annoyance rushing through them at such stereotypical attire. their father fought the school countless times and offered a hefty amount of money to change the uniform, or at least allow rhys to wear more fluid clothing. but it was tradition and rhys was left wearing the stiff jacket and pants. rhys was at school early that morning, wanting to fight their teacher on a recent test grade. after checking the time on their rolex, they noticed that the battery was dead and the time read 4:00p.m.  rhys turned to the person next to them “do you have the time?” 

if casper could take the previous night back, he would do it in a heartbeat. perhaps having a few too many drinks on a school night no doubt was a bad idea, but then again, he was never one to let that stop him before. now if only he could cure this bitch of a hangover, he’d be all set. if it were up to him, he would still be fast asleep in the depths of his favorite comforter but the boy had lacrosse practice today, and coach had explicitly stated that it was mandatory that every member be there, let alone the captain of the team. so there he is, zoning out in the middle of class, until he’s brought back to reality by a familiar voice. “ oh, it’s 7:13, ” he states rather gruffly, more due to his migraine than anything else. he was pretty friendly with rhys, but on that day it felt like he just didn’t want to deal with anyone in particular. “ hey, you got any quick cures for headaches ? ”

「 °· closed: @nephthysanippe​ 」

heavy is the head that wears the crown. a motto that raphael has lived by all his life. being the eldest, he’s always had to work harder than his sister whom was quickly the favorite with his parents. over the years, he’d always done something m i n u s c u l e to make them judge every other thing he’d done afterwards. a b in a class, disappointment. coming in too late, disappointment. he can’t win at the belmonte household. with casper sitting next to him, he felt himself relaxing just a bit. it could have been because of the breeze again but he knew it was because casper made him feel better. “there’s a lot to live up to sometimes.” living in the upper east side, casper would have known all about that. he was the golden boy, by the way. perhaps that’s why they had connected so well in the beginning and continued their friendship, whatever you want to call it, since. if friendships include roaming hands and kissing and sex, sure. raphael nodded to acknowledge casper’s words. “we’re more alike than people know. we’re pushers. always wanting the best.” raphael sat up straight, suddenly aware of everything around. “i’m just finishing up a few stats problems. nothing big.” raphael said before focusing back on his book, never forgetting that casper was literally right there next to him. 

“ i get that, yeah. it’s like if everyone’s expectations get any higher, they can easily rival the skyscrapers around here. i just try not to mind it so much. ” sure, casper had it a lot easier than most. of course he had the liberty to say that, what with most things in his life being basically handed to him on a silver platter. growing up, he’d never had to want for much and when he did, more often than not he’d find his own way to get it. call it ruthlessness or entitlement, that was just the kind of guy he was — after all, kings never settled for anything less than the best, and if there was anything that casper wanted, it was to be the best. he wasn’t called the golden boy for nothing. he figured that’s why he and raph got on so well; they both strived for perfection, with casper pressured to hold on to his pristine reputation and the latter struggling to live up to impossible standards. despite their opposite backgrounds, they weren’t so different, the two of them. “ yeah, that’s exactly it. ” the blonde tosses the other a smile. at the back of his head, he attempts to fight back certain... thoughts of his that seemed to bubble up to the surface every time he set his sights on the tall male in front of him. it was a given that they were friends—purely friends, he insisted—but, lately? he’s begun to question if that were really so. it didn’t help his conscience ( surprise, he actually had one ) that raph was so dastardly good-looking, either. “ sounds fun, i’ll bet, ” he replies eyeing the said papers, sarcasm laced in his tone. “ why do i feel like whenever i see you you’re always balls deep in work ? please tell me you’ve had a decent night out within the past few days. y’know it’s important for your sanity, raph. ”

( ♦  — closed starter for @caspcr​ ; )

( ♦  — A BRIEF KNOCK on his door was supposed to make casper aware of the fact she had arrived. considering the group of people they belonged to, hanging out in public had become pretty much an impossibility – not even an option anymore. for years, casper and diem had been good friends. more even; the blonde used to dig him. probably a bit too much for her own good. but ever since he got together with jaelyn, every chance on them being the it-couple around slowly evaporated – turning into nothing but a what if question unspoken. though, it had become something the blonde had grown used to. besides – that childish crush had made place for a nice friendship. and honestly, she wouldn’t want it any other way. as soon as casper opened his door, a smile spread across diem’s lips and she opened her arms to hug him. “hey you.” she whispered.

☂ — THE FINGERS of her free hand tapping against her leg arrhythmically, Jaelyn jokingly pouted. “I hate you,” she drawled, tone stoic and dripping with dry sarcasm. “And now that I think about it, I do have plans,” she smiled ingenuously. “This really hot barista from Starbucks - tall, dark and better looking than you - invited me to a party, and I said yes. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“That you’re full of it. Please, there’s a list of reasons I keep you around, but all the hot air you’re liable to spew sure isn’t on it.” Teddy shot back comfortable as her reactions strayed into what most people would consider abnormal for her. “Truth hurts doesn’t it darling? Keep pretending, but it’ll gnaw away at your defenses forever now that you’ve heard it. You’ll obsessively check the mirror and one day you’ll see it.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “Yeah it’s for yearbook. You’d better get one cause I worked hard on it.”

☂ — EVERY bit of dissatisfaction vanishes from Jaelyn’s body as she locks eyes with her boyfriend, an unfeigned smile spreading across her lips. “Hi, handsome,” despite what many believed to be true, Jae truly cared for Casper very much so and she knew that she was lucky beyond any measure to have him in her life. “Oh, hush,” she laughed, slapping him playfully on the chest. “You’re always thrilled to see me, and you know it.” 

raphael couldn’t bear to hear anything about his late assignments that he knew the professor would not hide when it came to him. he had a name to live up to. he needed everything perfect. that was his expectation. some alcohol and hooking up couldn’t stop that. the chill was cooling his body down from the heat of the previous night. giving a little bit of tranquility. he was almost back to normal and the homework was almost done. raphael did a double take as casper stood in front of him. he wasn’t expecting him to be around. not that it was unusual at this time in the morning. seeing the other male grab the papers, raphael sat up straight, lifting his hand to retrieve them. “thank you.” he can’t hide his smile. casper’s smile is so mesmerizing sometimes. “busy life. you know the routine.” raphael nodded, glancing back at the work that he didn’t really want to finish but also didn’t have a choice. “how’s the run?”

as raphael’s smile lit up his chiseled features, casper wonders why it was that the older male seemed to rarely let such a good thing out to the world, as it wasn’t a secret that the elder belmonte was known as the more serious of the two. “ oh, i know that all too well. ” he nods in affirmation, though his level of thinking was most likely on completely different planes of thought than the brunet. while casper did understand the aspect of being busy with life in general, his life was vastly different from that of his friend’s, one filled with wild, reckless nights and selfish entitlement filling up every cavity of his lifestyle, while the other strewn with perseverance and actual hard work—something that the younger boy did admire about raphael. “ intense, as usual. you know how i like to push myself, ” casper shrugs, his hand threading through his dirty blonde locks. “ i suppose i could use a break though. unless—i mean i don’t mean to bother you ? ”

“You’re so full of it Casper,” she laughed not really meaning it. “I’m going to take that as a compliment of my photography skills instead of it being your complete lack of humility talkin’.” Teddy flipped the camera around, “I think I salvaged it. With this lighting I can’t even see the unibrow.”

with a pencil in his mouth and another over his ear and in his hand, raphael sat on the park bench, editing parts of his homework that he’d forgotten the night before. it wasn’t his usual manner to forget to do his homework but after a pretty grueling fight, he’d hit up a bar for several hours to take the edge off. he hated his parents and he had a feeling they knew that fact. that should never affect his homework getting done but it did the night before. with a sigh, raphael’s had gravitated to his face to rub his green eyes. he was hungover and rushing to finish the work. the breeze in the air was better than being stuffed up at home. as the wind picked up for a moment, a few of his papers fell onto the ground, just in time for someone to walk by so that raphael didn’t have to move to grab them. he glanced up at the person, letting his charming smile cover up the stress in his body. “would you mind grabbing that for me?” charm them then get back to work. that always seems to do the job. 

his mind running like a freight train solely focused on its destination, the athlete was working up a sweat, much like he usually did eat this time of the day when he chose to take a morning run. unlike some of his peers, he much preferred to take the outdoorsy approach when it came to staying fit, always choosing to do his exercise outdoors when he could, the chill of the november air cooling his senses as his body heated up. he was in the zone now—think of him as a well-bred race horse tearing up the track, his years of heavy lacrosse training acting as invisible blinders keeping his eyes on the prize. it’s only once he hears a familiar voice that he’s snapped back to reality, his alert blue hues shifting to the male sitting on the bench. immediately his eyebrows lift up in pleasant surprise at the sight of raphael and he slows himself down before coming to a halt. wordlessly as his fatigue catches up with him, he nods and picks up the fallen papers. “ not a problem, ” casper says brightly as he gives them to his friend, an easy smile of his own tugging at his lips. “ busy day, i take it ? ” he asks, gesturing to the workload in the other male’s hands. 

☂ —- JAELYN was walking home from her weekly mid-afternoon yoga class at a leisurely pace, the Christian Louboutin high heels she stole from her mother’s closet making a small clacking noise with every step that she took. She mentally scolded herself as she looked down at her freshly manicured nails and noticed that one had chipped during her lesson. She was so engrossed by the injustice that she didn’t notice that someone was standing stock still in the middle of the sidewalk. “ Oh, “ she turned her attention to the person who so rudely didn’t move out of her way. “ Excuse you. “ 

“Pose!” Teddy yelled before snapping a picture of her newest victim. “Wanna see the shot I took?” She asked bouncing on her heels happily.