hang on to moments like they'll never drift away

"Oh, I'm sure it's sorely lacking in stickmen," Nora beamed, letting out a laugh. "Oh trust me, Beks, you're never alone. You have us, always. Okay? Jace and I are never going anywhere," Even if her brother was an absolute ass, she added in her head. She smiled softly back, squeezing the other's hands back in response. "Just let us know when and we'll be there."

"Yeah I get that, it'd be like, much easier to just date your best friend, you know?" She half teased, half wishing that's what Ani would do. "I mean, if you're that nervous I can drag Rory with me and we could sit in the corner. Just in case."

"At least the thought was there?" Marcy grinned sheepishly. "I'm... okay, I mean, everything's good, just... Anika was talking about going on a date so I'm kinda bummed out, y'know?"

rowan’s words strike ocaris’ heart, guilt erupting. she was right and he shouldn’t be putting her in that position in the first place. at first, he would only go out once, maybe twice a week, just to get out of the house and away from rowan, but he always came home early. this slowly evolved into something different, though. by the time he met byron, ocaris was hardly ever home. oakley meant the world to him but the more time he spent out of the house, the easier it was to get rowan out of his head.

"Yeah, I'll let you know," She murmured softly, chewing on her lip. Honestly, she didn't want to go out. Even ignoring the idea of leaving her son alone for the first time, Rowan wasn't one to enjoy going out much. She'd much rather curl in front of the fireplace with a book, -- usually curled against Ocaris -- but that wasn't something she could do anymore.

Sofia let out a huff of amusement, "Call me insane, but yes, I am. You've admitted the truth, despite how embarrassing it seems to be, so yes, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. If you screw me, however, just know I'm extremely petty and it'll come back to bite you in the ass."

"It's.. family drama, something I thought I'd left behind but, alas, it's back to bite me in the ass." Sofia sighed, shaking her head. "There's a reason I left them behind."

With all that was racing through her mind, she barely heard the comment about the invitation. But the second she asked about Darius, a quick and defensive response slipped out, "No!" And she'd meant it, the last thing she'd wanted was for her sister to believe him to be a bad person, he wasn't. That's what made everything ten times worse. "He..it doesn't matter," the words slipped out as she near collapsed against her sister's body, a new wave of tears spilling out. "...Promise?"

She wanted to question her sister's defense of the other, but knew it wasn't the time. Without further questions, she held her sister as the other cried. "I promise, Lulu, I got you," Sofia murmured softly, the old childhood nickname slipping from her lips. "Let's get you settled and then I'll call her," She gently guided her sister from the room, unease settling in her stomach as she mentally drafted a text message to the other.

“keeeev!!” maggie calls back despite already making her way over, carrying a mountain of blankets and pillows in her arms. she is suddenly standing in front of him, dropping it all directly onto his lap before taking the empty seat beside him. “me too,” maggie sighs dramatically before pulling one of the blankets off kevin and using it to cover herself. “let’s watchhh… finding nemo!”

Kev beamed at his best friend, tugging a blanket over himself. "One day, one day we'll find each someone," He huffed, a frown gracing his lips at the memory of his ex, someone who he thought he'd be with forever. "Yes, Nemo. Fish, that's not romantic, right?"

"He's a wonderful person it's just... awkward now," She admitted, chewing on her lower lip, not wanting the other to assume Rahul had ever did anything wrong. It had been her fault they broke up, after all. "I think I'm good, but thank you."

Why? The question caused her to still in her steps, turning back to face with him with a heavy sigh. "Why what?" She asked, chewing on her lip, though she was sure she knew the answer to what exactly he was asking. She wasn't sure if she could ever get the words out, but he deserved to know, didn't he?

Riley couldn't help her own snicker from slipping passed as she extended a hand, gesturing to the slab of oatmeal. "Might have to do with the bit of oatmeal on your head," she finally managed, biting back the urge to laugh. "You say that like it's a bad thing, I have a mom friend who can't convince her son to call her anything but her actual name, could you imagine?" With a small shake of her head, Riley offered the other a pack of wet wipes, "Not too much, though it's still been an adjustment getting used to taking a step back from the stage.."

"The-- ah, dang it," Colby shook his head, letting out a loud laugh. "I thought something felt odd. True, though, I think it would be weird having my son call me Colby," He frowned, taking a wet wipe and clearing off the oatmeal. "Yeah I can imagine. Bet they miss you up there."

Ingrid knew it was a long shot, but after running into Rosa not too long ago, she couldn’t help but ask. “You’re not Rosita’s sister, are you?” Between the name, and the resemblance, and the way she talked about her, she sounded just like the woman Laurel had described many times. “I’m sorry to ask so bluntly, but Laurel mentioned her name being Sofia and she does gush about her beauty and kindness,” she told the other truthfully, flashing a small smile. “Oh, if you are her sister, it’s best I don’t speak ill of the woman, though interesting is definitely a kind word.” She did sometimes wonder if Rosa preferred a daughter as a statement piece more than an actual daughter.

At the mention of her sisters name, Sofia stilled. Nothing good usually game out of her sister's name being mentioned. However, as the other began to mention Laurel, a sigh of relief left her lips. "You almost gave me a heart attack, I thought you were a friend of hers for a moment." Sofia turned up her nose at the thought of her sister. "I am, unfortunately. Speak ill of the woman all you want, I have nothing nice to say about her," She admitted. "You must be Ingrid, Laurel's stepmother? I must say, Beck's taste in women has finally improved."

"Oh, do you now?" Casper arched an eyebrow. "Oh please, it's been twenty four years and I haven't broken yet. I'm a pro at this by now."