day dreaming

" stubborn is definitely a perfect word to use to describe you. " kassidy teases, but is completely serious at the same time. she doesn't think she has ever met anyone in her life more stubborn than michael. something that she both admires about him. yet despises at the same time. there had been many times in the past that his stubbornness had irritated her. though kassidy does think that a strong headed man is an attractive feature about michael. not something that she'd easily admit out loud for the the sake of not giving him too big of an ego boost. kassidy is more than aware of the fact that he has many women lined up for a shot with him, and who wouldn't get a big head from that right? " well, if people ask questions i am just going to simply tell them that we thought we'd give a relationship a second chance. it isn't like that is an uncommon thing. " kassidy knows many people that have ended their relationship just to decide that later down the road it is worth a second go. even with the million questions that will likely be asked of herself and michael, she is confident that the pair can handle it. " if i remember correctly, failing at something isn't exactly something you enjoy doing. " arm locks with micheal's. one hand resting gently upon his bicep, while her other free hand reaches over to interlock their fingers. " you believed in love once right? when we were together? "

"it might not be a uncommon thing in most of the world, people around here would think going back to an old relationship was some kind of hit to the ego. they think breaking up in the first place is a hit to their image - how many couples in attendance, does everyone know cheat on each other, but they won't ever divorce because they think that's bad for their image?" image was king in their social circle, it didn't matter who you were as a person, all that mattered was how you looked to wider society. knowing how to operate in society, was taught to him alongside his abc's. the older he got, the more ridiculous he knew it was - but he also hadn't made any effort to remove himself from the society circus. it was his purpose in life after all, to be the one to take over from his father - that meant dealing with things he thought were ridiculous. bringing up one shoulder, he nodded towards were the party was being held. "i'm not exactly dismissing the idea of love as a whole, but you know it has no place around here. marriage is contract, a way to make both families look better - love is for the rest of the world."

" there is really someone that you despise that much that you're so focused on revenge that you can't do anything else? " charlotte asks with curiosity in her tone, gaze focused on the blonde before her. " am i aloud to ask whom exactly you're so focused on? " she is more than aware of the saying ' how curiosity killed the cat. ' however she can't help herself but want the details. if odette is willing to turn down the idea of taking a vacation somewhere because of her fixation on someone, well charlotte of course is going to be asking questions.

"what can i say? i'm very single minded when it comes to my hatred for people." something that was said lightly, but she was very guilty of. she'd always been an intense person in general, something that was stepped up a notch when it came to punishing those she thought deserved it. at the question, she debated keeping it to herself, before figuring she'd never tried to hide her disdain for her parents, meaning she couldn't see the harm in saying it. "daddy dearest. but if you ask follow up questions from that, you'd think i was insane."

wells doesn't even make an attempt to hide his amusement he finds in clara's teasing words. " i really don't think you want to see me dancing. pretty embarrassing. though i am sure if you ever get the chance to meet my family that my mother or sister will quickly rush to show you all the embarrassing videos of me. some i am sure include dancing. " wells is pretty confident that there is at least one video of him dancing to some song that he enjoyed and found catchy. he swears that his mother loved to record almost everything that had to do with himself and his twin sister clara. part of wells knew that practice is important to a dancer, but at the same time he could sense that the blonde is in need of taking a break. all he can do is hope that she will agree to take some time away from dance practice to hang out with him. ever since the night they had met at the event hosted by kassidy's family. he'd found himself drawn to want to see clara more. to get to know her well. it doesn't matter to him that michael is her brother. he does come as a relief to hear her agree to spend some time with him. " oh of course. we wouldn't want people to think you are going to be putting on some kind of show for them. " wells teases, " that is totally fine. you can shut the door if you feel uncomfortable, and i can totally make sure to turn around while you change... "

"don't worry, i promise not to look at any embarrassing videos without permission." a genuine laugh leaving her, to the point it almost surprised her. her mood had been down for days, it was a nice reprieve to get to smile again. "no free shows allowed." she nodded as seriously as she could. "if anyone wants to see me dancing, they can pay." it still amazed her at times that dancing was her career, though she could admit she was looking forward for the day she could retire from dancing, and find something else she loved to do. "you know, something funny that came along with dancing, was that you had to learn to change in front of others without feeling uncomfortable. there's no time for embarrassment when you have to rush into your next costume. though i promise, there will be no sparkles today. unless you have a secret love of glitter, then i have some things you could borrow." rambling as she made her way upstairs. pointing down the hallway towards where her room was. "have you had a busy day?"

" you're not the first person to ever bump into me, and i am sure you're likely not going to be the last. it is also kind of my own fault too for not paying attention to my surroundings. sometimes i just get lost in the moment of special moments, that i forget to check what is going on around me before just getting lost behind the lens. i am glad that you're okay though. " a soft smile crept upon the brunette's lips. hillary hadn't thought too much into her personal space being invaded by the stranger. knowing he'd only done it to prevent her from falling on her ass. she looks down at her camera for a second before back up to meet the other's gaze. " oh yeah, this old girl has seen rougher times than a little bump. " a laugh escapes her. " you're not wrong. these can be pretty expensive. though this was a high school graduation gift from my parents and it's the only one that i've used for some years now. " words leave her lips softly. " i'm not, i just came out here to take some photos. something i like to do sometimes to clear my head. this place is one of my favourite placeless to capture beauty in. "

"in that case, maybe you should invest in a suit of armour. save yourself from numerous people bumping into you." a slow smirk appearing on his face, as he tried to slow his breath back down after his run. "i'm not one to judge anyone for getting lost in art." it'd be pretty hypocritical of him, when he knew full well when inspiration struck, nothing could keep him away from writing. "that was a thoughtful gift." wonder laced through the words. his own graduation present had been specific to him, but most of his classmates had been gifted something flashy from their parents, that didn't really mean much to them. "hobby or work?" he asked, intrigued about the answer, before letting his eyes truly take in the scenery around him. "i don't think i've ever stopped and truly looked at this place, i normally run straight through it."

sutton reached for her handbag. didn't want him to see her have a breakdown, that wasn't his problem anymore. " go have fun with you family. you're supposed to be celebrating. " — " see you around patrick. "

"or if you do want to insist on leaving... let me come with you? least i should do is make sure that you get home safe. what kind of friend would i be, if i let you leave alone, while you were upset?"

THAT GRIN. SHE WANTS to reach out and wipe it off of his face. but, painful as it is to admit, he has a point, and the realization that they might agree on something makes her sink further in her seat. « yeah, her friends. and i can't lie, they all suck, except for me. so you should be glad i'm always here, » she points out confidently, shooting him a grin and hoping it infuriates him as much as his does her. « oh, you boys are so sensitive. you wouldn't survive me snapping. you're lucky you're the brother of my favorite person. » she rolls her eyes, letting out a small burp unapologetically. she really shouldn't have downed that last beer. « i've always wondered if anything made you like this or if you were just born with a stick up your ass. »

"her friends? is that your way of saying that she's your only friend?" the opening had been too easy to ignore, and he figured they could both use a little levity after his sister decided to interject some drama into the night. what he wasn't going to tease her about was calling holly her favourite person, even if he thought holly and dean were bad influences on each other - he did at least appreciate they were there for each other. "you know what they say, i was born this way." it wasn't exactly a surprising statement from her, which meant there wasn't any hurt in his response. glancing down the street, he realized there were a few food places that he could easily fall into. "do you need something to eat? or are you more sober than hols is?"

HE FOLLOWS HER GAZE and eyes land on her heels. one eyebrow shoots up quizzically. by first glance he'd already figured she was far from home, but even then venturing out here in heels is either brave or foolish — time will tell. « it's, uh ... it's not bad now. we haven't had any rain in weeks so it's mostly just dust. » he'd lend her a pair of shoes if he didn't think they'd look like part of a clown attire on her. he glances down at the cans of paint that he undoubtedly would've forgotten if not for her question. « oh, it's okay. i'll drop em off at my store, we're passing it on the way. it's not far. » he bends to pick them up, the familiar weight of labor far more comfortable than the thought of escorting some lost woman around in his town. especially when she looks like she's been summoned here against her will. « that's very nice of you, » he beams, taken aback by her generosity, « but there's really no need. i'm happy to help. » the days are often long and monotonous, so the rare visitor is a welcome change of pace. he begins walking, motioning for her to follow. « first time in town, huh ? i'm enzo. »

"sounds delightful." dust didn't sound much better than dirt, but she wasn't going to dwell on it too much. at least she wasn't going to outwardly dwell on it, it wasn't as though it was his fault she'd chosen the wrong shoes, granted, she didn't have any options that seemed as though they were the right kind of shoes. "your store?" for a moment she could feel excitement course through her, before figuring it probably wasn't going to be the kind of store she'd frequent. "what kind of store do you have?" shrugging when he said there was no need, she shook her head. "nobody needs to do something kind. you don't need to be a walking map and i don't need to pay for your dinner - doesn't mean we can't do those things." as much as she'd grown up around people who tried to look as though they were the most altruistic in the room, it had always felt so fake to her. if you boasted about whatever kind deed you'd done, it wasn't in any way kind - but selfish. small things like buying somebody dinner because they helped you out, were the type of good deeds she actually enjoyed. "enzo? i was going to call you my knight in shining armour, but i guess enzo works." for a second she almost offered her hand out the way she'd been taught, before remembering the cans he was carrying. "giselle. my grandparents stay here, but yes, it's my first time visiting."

" you don't expect anything of me? oh my god. " he turned away from her to think. it felt like he had tunnelvision. " and you never planned on telling me? god! like i don't know, trying to find me or something after you found out? " he wanted to be a father one day. he felt like he'd be a good one when the day eventually came. it was something he had talked to her sister about. how he wanted that family life for them in the future. marriage was just the first stop. " she's gonna pull the breaks on the wedding. " voice low as he pondered about the unsure future. " i know she will. "

"you don't know that." the words instinctual, even if part of her agreed. on the other hand, maybe her sister would reason that it had been one night years ago. if he decided he didn't want to get to know his son, she figured it would almost be like nothing had really changed between him and her sister. "i know it's... a lot. i can leave if you need time to process?"