Boy With Luv

"His name was Travis, he was... not a great person in high school. Star of the football team, total douchebag. Over time we just, I don't know, warmed to each other. He was different by the end. Moved away for football and we couldn't make the distance work. I don't regret it in the end, but spending so much time agonising over whether someone is flirting or being an asshole isn't my thing." She ducked her head when he tapped it, laughing at him goofing around, "Fair. I don't even know why you jumped in on it in the first place. He does not have the physique of someone who needs help with women..." Willow's brow arched as she watched him goldfishing over her comment. Her secret weapon was that she was incredibly unassuming but could be just as unserious as anyone. "Sex appeal in the network tv sense is probably mostly just being a thinly veiled toxic asshole, so you're never going to get that down. But okay, fine, you're into roleplaying, I get it." Willow smirked, teasing. "So, we're... at a party and you decide you just have to talk to me... how do you do it?"

"Travis?" Cohen sounded wholly unimpressed and accompanying the tone was a look that said much of the same, "All my homies hate Travis." He shrugged, big and animated, "Technically I was trying to jump in on Kenya's love life and we all know I was stupid in love okay." He put his hands up in surrender for a moment, there wasn't anything he could do about what he did other than own that he'd done it and never do something so selfish again. "Yes! Okay! Lets do this!" Cohen bounced up and down while shaking his hands out like an athlethe hyping themself up before a race then he took off running in the opposite direction a few feet away and remained with his back facing Willow's. One more deep breath and then Cohen turned around, his face and whole demeanor relaxed as he strolled up and to Willow, "Hey, we don't know each other right? I'm Cohen." He told her and held out his hand, "Not to take up too much of your time, but since you took my breath away I thought maybe if I got a chance to talk to you for a little bit we could call it even."

"I'm trying to take you on a journey," Willow did little jazz hands, "Can't give you the whole plot in one sentence, that'd betray the blood oath I took in the secret writer's society that gathers in the basement of the library every Tuesday night. Yeah, I tried the whole enemies to lovers thing before and on paper it's fun but in real life? Not for me." She had a feeling she was just putting more ideas into Cohen's head but honestly, the more they talked about it the more fun she was having with it. She supposed it was a case of being used to being worried about the side effects of Brodie's antics back in the day, but she was grown now, and Cohen was actually way less worrisome than her brother ever had been. "What about your friend Pete? Could be good tv watching you try to crack that nut," she wiggled her eyebrows. "Your offer is noted and I'll present it to the committee. We'd need a bigger bed though, Perrie takes up so much space. And like, how do car trips work? Someone always has to sit in the back so how are you all meant to hold hands? Hm, seems logistically challenging. Anyway, so, how exactly am I supposed to make you hotter and more desirable? I don't think you need fixing, if that helps."

"See this is what I mean who was your enemy to lovers bae? How did you make an enemy at all?" Cohen thought on it for a moment, "I'd give it a go, could be pretty hot if Heated Rivalry taught me anything." Cohen tapped the crown of Willow's head, "Now I like how you think except I'm never touching Pete's love life again in any capacity." Cohen's mouth opened and closed when he realized that Willow dropped him in that scenario and that was on Cohen looking back on how he'd worded things, "I'm honored to be your hypothetical third." He smiled and blushed a little at Willow's compliment. Once upon a time there was an almost between the two of them, and even though they transitioned to a full on friendship Cohen could still recognized that Willow was one of Rosewood's hottest to ever do it in his eyes, so of course the compliment hit. "Well I need the sex appeal part, like maybe you pretend you don't know me and we'll workshop a few approaches?"

"Sorry, couldn't think of any other monogamous animals off the dome..." Willow belly laughed at his beaver impression, starting to see how his vision might be possible. Being attractive helped, but his charisma was so genuine she couldn't see how anyone could resist. "Get your numbers up... This is sounding awfully familiar," she shook her head to herself in disbelief of the cyclical nature of things. "You know, that's how Perrie and I got together so I'd say it's a tried and true method. We were going to have a wild summer... ended up just making excuses to practice making out with each other a lot." To say her eyes nearly popped out of her head at the idea of her joining him... "Absolutely gutted that I can't, but we would own the place, obviously. Unless we recruit Perrie and pretend we've never met so I can just... yoo-hoo... Seal the deal."

"Familiar how? Your head is just full of riddles and secrets, I swear. But it goes without saying I'm talking respectful and consensual numbers where everyone leaves happy and with no hurt feelings. Wait seriously? That's kind of a cute romcom story time. Friends to lovers is a very popular genre and one of my favorites. I guess if it isn't in the cards for you and me, I'm glad you have your man." Oh how Cohen wished that could be a thing, just have a Rosewood takeover season, all covert operatives, "That would be chill and guarantees a W for the two of you, but I guess I could be cool with runner up as long as I'm the fan favorite too." Cohen put his hand over his heart, "I'm gutted thinking about how we could have had matching swimsuits. If the two of you end up deciding you want to explore polyamory before next year I need to be the first to know okay? Our dreams could become reality...tv."

"Beavers mate for life," she chuckled, eternally entertained by his boundless energy. "Where did I say you weren't sexy, hot, or desirable? I said you needed to become a sexual menace. Don't they just ping pong between each other on that show? I don't know if you're good at that, and I definitely can't help you if you're not. You were like, the second person I ever had a crush on so I'm hardly an expert. And even then... are you asking me to be your pimp?"

"Oh! Is that what you meant? Cool I can deal with that." Cohen was immediately pleased and thus wasn't so…bouncy as he just was, it was like a switch had flipped, "True that is true but it cannot be denied that the goal is to be in a couple and I can be in a couple since I'm so beaver like and all." Cohen made a gnawing sound as he pretended to munch on an invisible piece of wood, head moving from one side to the other as his mouth opened and shut rapidly, "Well no, not a pimp per se but the more I'm talking the more this idea is sounding better because you are the leading expert in everyone around here. I can get my numbers up, just make out with a girl and be like that was cool, see you around. If you were single it would be so sick if you could come with me, that would be such a dope storyline, two best friends rolling up to the villa together. America would love us."

Willow shook off her initial shock, having expected him to say he wanted to audition for a movie or something because, well, it wasn't like he needed talent or training when his family had the money and ties they did. Still, it wasn't her place to judge either way and he seemed excited so maybe it wasn't such a terrible thing. She was just being an introvert. "Sounds like an experience to tick off the bucket list. Count me in. I think you're going to have to practice how to be a sexual menace though. You're very like, beaver coded."

"Beaver?! What? Okay I would have been better off with puppy I don't even know what it means if you see me like a beaver? When did I turn beaver like and what does that mean? Willow I'm sexy, you were into me when we met! I'm spiraling, you made me spiral Fix me, make me hot and desirable to like minded singles and Ariana Maddox."

Willow tried to stay positive about things, especially those of the past where things had turned out alright in the end. Obviously she didn't know much about his cousin nowadays but whatever tidbits she got from Cohen made it sound like he was doing well. She eyed his expression, fully understanding because she would have felt the same if it were Brodie in that position. At least the sicko teacher was in prison and all the kids he'd tried to hurt had gone on to better things. Her lips twisted into a devious smirk when he realised what she'd been getting at, "Born and bred, baby," she rapped her knuckles against her chest like she was a football player who'd just scored a winning touchdown, then immediately felt like she'd been sent to another planet. "Love Isl– Cohen. Cohen. I mean, yeah, you're beautiful obviously, but Love Island?"

Cohen bounced on the balls of his feet playing into the whole Willow rapping her knuckles on his chest thing. He nodded excitedly, yeah some casting folks slid into my DM's and encouraged me to audition. There's all these questions and stuff they want me to answer on video so who knows maybe you'll be seeing me chillin' in soul ties by this time next year."

"Honestly, it's crazy how I managed to actually graduate now that I think about it. Especially when we had that crazy headmistress who put kids in a medieval torture device for detention." Willow shook her head, certain that even she'd forgotten some of her past lifetimes. "Oh, yeah, it was blood. And like, everyone got hit, the whole ballroom. The best part was that wasn't even the crowning glory, it was just a distraction. I'm guessing you know about that whole thing that happened to your cousin, the Dollhouse? A teacher kidnapped a bunch of kids and put them in the hunger games... That was so messed up." She rolled her eyes and laughed, "Yeah, I'd love that. Do you have something against red? I take it back and choose green instead, is that more to your tastes, sir? Mm, never too busy for a friend. What's the audition for?"

There were so many stories he'd heard from so many sources it was kind of hard to get a chronological beat on everything that had happened, but some things, like the dollhouse he knew well. His jaw clenched at the mention of it - Calvin didn't tell him everything but he'd told him enough and Cohen wasn't a fighter but if he ever got a chance to be face to face with that teacher he'd figure it out. He shook his head free of the thoughts and a smile returned to Cohen's lips, "No but I don't know just a random col--." He tapped his temple, "Very Rosewood of you." Cohen wiggled his eyebrows, "Love Island, baby. I've got a face for TV, right?"

"I mean, I think they were fun if you weren't the one organising it. This place loves a theme," Willow chuckled, thinking back on all the parties she'd been to. "I used to go to them all when I was writing my first book. Never invited because I wasn't cool enough but it's not hard to sneak in when you're no one. Then I got Carrie'd at prom so there went my chances of going anywhere incognito." It was crazy how she looked back on it all with a sense of fondness, like it was a whole other lifetime. "Pool parties are never a letdown, obviously. Just tell everyone to wear red or something and they'll eat it up."

"You've lived a thousand lives, Willow Balcoin. It's kind of nuts to think that one of my future best friends snuck into parties my cousin threw, like he was never that cool." Cohen cocked his head to the side about the Carrie comment, "I don't know if I ever got the full story on that, like was it actually blood or what was the deal there. And why red? Trying to relive your Carrie days? Oh and I know you probably have a busy schedule but when you have time let me know because I need your help with an audition video."

"Dahl." He was just a little too young, if she had to guess, to grow up during the peak of her career. If he googled her now he'd find tabloids ad nauseam so it was probably best he didn't recognize her. "Yeah. Me too. Cool indies like what, see anything good recently? You mentioned it."

"Nadine Dahl is a really good movie star name. Like so good maybe it sounds familiar but it also just maybe feels right. I don't know, but full disclosure I'm gonna at least look up a trailer or something cause that's cool." Cohen smiled bigger, because he really was enjoying his summer or media of all kinds, and he always got excited to talk about things he was enjoying with pretty much anyone willing to listen, "Yeah, I found this really cool old school theatre downtown where the staff like curates what's played but they also play new stuff but I saw this really cool old movie from China called 'In the Mood for Love' it rocked my shit, it was so beautiful. I'm not like a film guy so I can't explain it but everything about it was so romantic right down to the colors all these moody reds and dark smoky tones, and the chemistry between the actors like they didn't want to fall in love but they did and we watched it." Cohen put his hand over his heart, "And not an indie but I saw Sinners when it came out. Easily my favorite movie this year, I know nothing's topping it. I also saw a movie called 'My Dead Friend Zoe', it made me think about my cousin a lot and it was tragic but also kind of hopeful, kind of light at the end of a whole lot of dark tunnel type deal. What about you? I'm assuming you like movies since you're in them and all."

She pinched her fingers together in the air, as if to say a little. "Because of the estate?" That was his word, not her's, and she poked fun at the way he'd said it earlier. "My family doesn't have a mansion I can move into and I like having my own space. I moved out when I started high school." Which sounded drastic without context so she added, "Emancipated child star."

"Well...yes and no. It's not so much that as it is my grandparents. They're pretty old and I don't like take care of them full time you know, but I would feel more comfortable being close by. And I heard it by the way - you were making fun of me but I'll consider it penance for the truck thing. Hold up wait you're a child star? What kinds of stuff were you in, maybe I've seen you. Do you still act now or do you like hate it?" They arrived at the corner they needed to turn and Cohen took the lead a little more so she'd follow, "Alright see walking this street will put you on the other side of the barricade."

"I'm okay," she declined with a short laugh. "I'll have it delivered, or get my boyfriend to come back with me. Some advice though?" She glanced back at Cohen, positive he was just oblivious and meant no ill intent. "Maybe don't ask a woman you just met to get in your truck. Thanks, um, it's good. Smaller than my last but that's alright."

"Okay upon further reflection you are so right about that. It was giving a little too much Ted Bundy, wasn't it. Okay maybe we pretend I didn't say that. Overeager Cohen strikes again." He nodded, "I'm conflicted about getting my own place, I don't really see the point in it, but getting new furniture and all of that stuff does seem really cool. I don't even need that much space, so I should probably stick to where I am."

She followed his lead and fell into step next to him. "Hour and a half I think. A lamp maybe, or curtains." Neither or which were things she quote-on-quote needed but she did enjoy a project. "I moved recently so I'm redecorating."

"A lamp and curtains and then you're going to carry that stuff all the way back walking, if that's all you end up getting, which if you've just moved probably not. It's maybe a 10 minute more back to my place, the James estate. I can grab my truck and get you there in about the same amount of time, if you want. "Congratulations on moving by the way. How are you liking your new place?"

She paused, his decision to stand up to her not all that impressive but it was entertaining. "Please would you show me the way around this?," she offered, tone losing just a bit of its bite. "Shopping... Not exactly urgent I know, but I wanted to get to this store before they close."

"Yeah no problem, I would love to." He told her sincerely, not needing to be so formal, he just needed to not feel like he was someone's do boy who didn't even need common decency before doing something for someone, "I think that's plenty important." Cohen began as he started towards the detour, "My ex gave me an appreciation for stuff like that so no worries we'll get you there." He took a look at his watch, "I'm assuming it's closing within the hour yeah? Do you know what you're getting, anything cool?"

"I don't need a t-shirt for it." Organized sports were never her thing anyway. "Something like that." She motioned for him to lead the way. "Do you always follow the direction of a crowd?"

"Sorry I think you want my help and I know a little bit of ASL so I'm pretty sure this." Cohen pantomimed the gesture Nadine had just done to him, "Doesn't mean please." While he was a nice guy, Cohen had learned from...pretty much everyone he associated with that he didn't have to be a pushover or a lap dog, "I don't think I always do much of anything, I'm curious for better or worse. Where are you headed?"

"It's like three miles," she countered, obviously unimpressed. Growing impatient though she looked towards the start of the race, gauging whether or not she should make a run for it too. "Was there a detour? I'm going that way." She made a vague motion to the other side of the street because of course where she needed to go was directly in the line of fire.

"And that's light work for you? Just a quick 3 miles? Hey if you say so." Unlike the woman, Cohen was in no rush, he rarely was, if he were he probably just driven to his office rather than walking there, "Mmm like a 5 minute walk back that way. I could lead you there if you want. You have an appointment to make or something like that?"