p r e s s u r e

I doubt i’ll be any fun to be around right now. I just feel weird, like i’m all jumbled up inside. I don’t even know who I am anymore. Like what about me is real or not… I like that idea though. You’d really be down for that? But it’ll mess up your grades. And what if I decide I wanna go all the way to Alaska or Mexico?

That’s okay. You’ve spent so long making the fun for both of us I think it’s finally my turn. Maybe we can play a game; real or not real. I’m not saying I know everything but I think  I can help out with the basics here. I would. Missing a day of classes won’t hurt much. Besides, everyone knows the last day is a waste unless you like the stupid documentaries going on throughout classes instead of actual work anyways. Uh, I’d have to find my passport but I would still be in. 

I don’t know what else to do but leave, Cor. I’m tired of this. Everything was so much easier before I came here. I don’t have enough cash to go back to LA though. You really want me there being the mess I am right now? I like that idea…I could use some quiet time right now. And a nap. Maybe if I fall asleep things will go back to normal.

Of course I want you to come home with me. You’re upset. The last thing you need is to be alone right now. And in the morning when you wake up we can get breakfast and... well, if you feel like getting away I know the perfect driver who wouldn’t mind missing a few days of school. 

Turns out my family’s even more fucked up than I thought. All these years I tried to be perfect for that…that..woman. And now I find out just how much of a fucking hypocrite she is. And I just….can’t go back to that house. I can’t.

Wait, what do you- hey you don’t have to leave. You can come home with me. My dad’s out of town with my mom at one of her shoots and Evan came with Kiara so if he comes home at all it won’t be until late. It’ll give you the chance to... I dunno. Relax a little bit. 

It’s not you Cory, okay? I just don’t wanna be around a bunch of fake ass people right now and pretend like everything’s fine. I just….need to grab all my things and get out of this place. Coming here was a mistake.

What happened? 

Screw this ball. I’ve gotta go pack.

Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to step on you  I swear. Dancing is just a little tricky right now. 

[The tension between them could be cut with a knife. For the first time in forever Harper felt completely awkward. It wasn’t so much because she didn’t want to see him or be around him. But because she knew what he must have been thinking of her, that he was probably ashamed of her escapades. And because he’d been avoiding her so much and without even giving her a chance to clear the air she’d become a little resentful to be honest. Not that it changed her feelings for him, something she was reminded of when he tailed his fingers down her arm. In that moment all she wanted to do was make things go back to normal, to just relax and be all gross and lovey dovey with him like she had grown used to. But she couldn’t. Not until they talked things out. Which was something she hated doing.] Not necessary. I’m going to go find ways to get my mind off of it. You don’t owe me anything. I mean…it’s nice and all Cory but my only problem right now is you. [She said with a frown, so he’d know she was hurt. That it wasn’t so much him she was mad at but their current situation. She shrugged before letting her shoulders sag.] We need to have this town baby proofed for you to make sure you don’t end up in a full body cast one of these days. Or worse, that you get amnesia and don’t get to share your talent with everyone.

I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to- I didn’t mean to be problematic. I’m just... I don’t even know. But I’m sorry. I wish I could make it better. [The words were out of his mouth before he put much thought into them but that didn’t change the fact that they were true. He was sorry. Sorry he’d ignored her. Sorry he’d let something as stupid as finding out she’d hooked up with Danny get to him. Sorry he was so insecure about everything that it was an issue at all.  It wasn’t like she’d known who Danny was, and even if she did he was sure they weren’t even close to being together at the time it happened. She didn’t have any obligation not to sleep with anyone. If he was mad at anyone in the situation it was Danny, and it was only because the older boy had made a joke out of something that mattered to him. The entire reason he was avoiding her was because of the fact that he was upset because of the blatant reminder that he wasn’t the type of guy for her. If she wanted a Danny in her life there was no way a Cory could ever compete with that. There was no way he could compete with Danny in any category but it stung the most when it came to her. He already knew how out of his league he was with the situation but he hadn’t actually thought about it in months, and the news set him back more than he thought it would.] Even if you baby proof it I’m sure I’ll find some way to mess it up. Maybe once I’m finally in the body cast my luck will change. 

[The last couple of weeks were possibly the worst Harper had since she’d arrived at Rosewood, she’d just been seriously off her game. Other then when she was at school or work she’d decided to lock herself up in her room and wallow with a couple of pints of ice cream and angsty heart break music. To say the least, she was far from the fun loving party girl she usually was. And that was all because a certain someone had her brain all screwy. She’d always known she wasn’t much of a relationship person, that’s why she’d never tried them. But he’d made her rethink all that. He was her best friend as of late. She liked being around him as much as she could even if it was just so they could enjoy each others company. He was one of the few people who actually accepted her for who she was. At least until he’d found out she’d messed around with one of her best friends back in the day. Considering the whole situation was awkward as hell she decided to give him him space, figuring he’d go back to her when he was ready. But he never did. To say that she was pretty heart broken that her past mistakes were the thing that got in the middle of their happiness was an understatement. It sucked that she’d disappointed him and put him off. That she’d scared him off enough for him to avoid her for two whole weeks. Figures that the day she’d decided to put on her sluttiest outfit to finally get out of the house she’d run into him of all people. He’d pretty much knocked her to the ground like he’d done the first time they’d met. She grabbed on to him, mostly to try to keep him up than to help herself, especially considering how accident prone he was. Once she felt like they were both okay she let go and straightened out her dress, not looking him in the eyes out of embarrassment.] Don’t…don’t worry about it. I’m fine. Where it counts anyways. Just…watch out next time. Wouldn’t want you to break anything else.

[With her directly in front of him Cory had no idea where to look. He’d spent so long trying to avoid her gaze that trying to get it again made him feel uncomfortable in ways that had disappeared months ago. But he still found himself hesitating to let her go, and when he finally managed he trailed his fingers down the side of her arm first. It was a move that usually ended with him reaching for her hand but from the look on her face it was obvious she didn’t want him to.] Well... what about where it doesn’t count? Now that I almost crushed you, again, I think it’s my... my responsibility to solve any and all problems. [His eyebrows furrowed just slightly at how weak his own excuse was.] I’m trying really hard, trust me. But it’s all a lot easier than it sounds. This boot is practically an ice magnet. 

Trust me, being the older sibiling isn’t all that great either. Okay, all cards on the table I have to see you do that dance before I’m dead. I’ll solo Jammin’ if you do the dance in the background, we can put it in slow motion later and laugh about how funny it is! 

As long as you promise it won’t magically make it’s way on to youtube or something I guess I’m okay with it. It’s only funny when people are laughing with you, not at you.   

“Lets focus on bigger and brighter things. No more dwelling, sad songs, or thinking too much for either of us. If I had a drink right now i’d make a toast, but I don’t so it’s a metaphorical one.” Grace grinned, hitting her knee against his leg. “Actually, playing Life would make me feel better. I’ll be holding you to that in the near future.” Getting to her feet, she extended her hand, if it was a distraction he needed, then that’s what she would provide. Sometimes you needed the luxury of not thinking, sometimes you needed to just be. “But today’s not a day for board games. It’s time to give your brain a break. You up to go do distracting stuff with me?” Tilting her head, she smiled invitingly, rocking back on her heels. “I promise it won’t be anything illegal or morally corrupt.” She wiggled her fingers, “You don’t need the added stress.” 

"When you cash in it’s probably a better idea if we plat at your house.My sister’s back for the holidays so there’s a screaming match between her and my brother’s friend at least once every two hours.” Cory’s gaze flickered to her hand as he caught his bottom lip between his teeth, torn between moving and stahing planted in his seat. The last thing he wanted was to get in more trouble over something he didn’t want to do in the first place but once she promised it wasn’t something illegal it was easier to slide out of his chair. He needed a little fun in his life anyways. “Uh, yeah. I guess I’m up for distractions.” Everyone in his life was so interested in pushing him out of his comfort zone it aws nice to finally be around someone who didn’t plan on giving him a heart attack. “What do you have in mind?”

I offered to help you clean your car. Music’s your thing.

And I’m saying I don’t need your help. Thanks but I’ll pass. 

I’ll help you. It’s not like I have anything else to do. Besides, feels like we haven’t caught up in forever.

Look, I’m not trying to be rude here but I don’t need your help with music taste. 

“I think the best way to get out of your own head is to share what’s on your mind with someone else or take yourself out of the situation and assess it from a different point of view. If you wanna do the first thing i’m all ears. Either way, you’ll figure it out. Whatever it is. It’ll come to you one way or another.” Grace’s tone was matter of fact, believing wholeheartedly that he’d solve his problem. Prying wasn’t ever her intention, so she left it up to him to share more details, hopefully he would–that way she could help him to the best of her abilities, but if he didn’t that was okay too. People were entitled to keep their thoughts private. “Let’s see..” She thought for a moment, biting her lip, “Losing during Candyland on family game night. That just fills me with angst. And people who text and drive, those kind of people make me listen to depressing music.” She smirked, her answer an obvious attempt to brighten his spirits. 

"I’m out of the situation. I’ve removed myself. I’m practically the tumor floating around in a little glass jar at this point. You would think that might make me feel a little better but really it’s just making me dwell. Now I just... I want to stop thinking so much so any and all distractions are welcome.” Cory pulled one of his legs up to rest his chin on his knee as he watched her, confused as to how a stranger cold make him feel better about the situation than his friends. Then again, he hadn’t really given them the chance to help. “If you lost the game then maybe I should be the one letting you vent it out here. Do you want to tell me where it all went wrong or should we focus on bigger and brighter things? I think my dad has Life stashed in the closet somewhere if you need something new to try.”

I’m not. Avi was leaving the house and dad’s been driving me nuts. So I came to chill with the P-dexters instead. 

Well the only one around is me and I’m getting ready to leave. I have to... I have to wash my car. You knwo where everything is so make yourself at home. 

“Me either, I haven’t exactly made any new friends at school yet, but that should be changing soon. We can do both and you can stay wherever you like. I would feel better not singing alone but I can manage. I’ll just wear a paper bag over my head so nobody knows that it’s me.”

Maybe I should tag along. The guys are nice but being the little brother of the group isn’t always fun. If you can pull off one song on your own I finally got the old Hotline Bling dance down. It’s the only time not being able to dance has ever worked in my favor.