i hope they shine.

LEN: do you not believe me? it's like, coriander, if other people saw me the way you somehow, miraculously, see me, my life would be so much fucking better. the version of me that you loved in paris, that's who i want you to remember cause i don't know if she can catch a breath here at home. i'm serious.

LEN: i don't want to burst your bubble, but i'm not sweet. that's just what i'm getting at. i do think you're wrong.

LEN: but i like you. i like you very much too.

CORI: it’s a shame you’ve been told such terrible things about yourself throughout your life. the lennon i knew in paris was vibrant, interesting, spontaneous, and warm.

LEN: honestly, i think you might know me better than just about anyone else, so.

LEN: like the sea ☺️ i like that very much.

LEN: what? you mean they think i'm a raging bitch?

CORI: hmm i definitely wish that were true.

CORI: i like you very much.

LEVI: hey

LEVI: sorry for not wanting to do this in the group chat, but i am sorry. i was a dick. there's no excuse for it.

LEN: more about what? more about him? i'm an open book with you, babes, but there's not much to know.

LEN: blue.

LEN: i will be gorgeous, yes, but only made more so cause i'll be standing next to you.

CORI: more about him. more about you. you're not an open book with me~ i'm not a fooooool

CORI: green! your eyes are greeeeeeeen! kill me. but they're like a blue-green, like the sea. so it all still counts.

LEN: and you're mine.

LEN: you don't even know him. can we just.... drop it?

LEN: we'll have our wedding in france, of course. off the coast of nice. the waves as our backdrop.

CORI: i didn't mean anything bad by what i said, lennon. i just... wish you'd tell me more, but all is well.

LEN: right, right. cause i'm lake wisteria's favorite.

LEN: he's a good person, cor.

LEN: if you'll have me 💋

CORI: doesn't matter, you're my favorite.

CORI: if you say so.

LEN: 🌈🌈 concerned about what, exactly?

LEN: i plan to be rich forever, so you can marry me.

CORI: you ~ your well being. not sure merritt is the best guy to be associated with.

LEN: [UNSENT] the one that got away.

LEN: an idiot 😌

LEN: ma chère, you have no reason to be jealous. we're history. he just had a rough night.

LEN: did you really like watching kids in paris?

LEN: i hate kids.

CORI: fair enough.

CORI: i'm not jealous, lenny. swear on it! just concerned 🌈🌈🌈

CORI: of course i did, haha. but i know not everyone does.

most of carmen’s resolve fizzled away as soon as she saw the bright smile in delia’s face as they laid eyes on each other. all she could think about was that she would have been helpless in high school if cordelia chen had been this bright and bubbly back then. carmen quickly waved those thoughts away and instead she chuckled at her joke, looped her arm with delia’s, and worked hard on keeping the smile on her face as she thought about victor. victor and his honking, not once had he bothered to ring her doorbell. “couldn’t have you thinking chilvalry is dead, you know,” she joked lightly. once they reached her dad’s car, carmen pointed at the backseat where the bottle of champagne awaited in a small cooler. “i hope you like mimosas,” she said as she started the car. “the place i’m taking you to has the best fresh orange juice.”

LEN: well, babes, what else would you call him?

LEN: twenty-four?? there is so much i don't know about you.

CORI: i don't know, lennon. what would you call him if you could call him anything in the world?

carmen stepped out of the car and walked into the motel’s lobby where she knew she would find her friend. after the chaotic weekend, she was relieved about the prospect of leaving lake wisteria for a couple hours. especially with delia. now that she had decided there was absolutely no way there was anything other than friendship between the two girls, carmen was looking forward to getting to know the new delia better. so she had called ahead to her favorite mexican restaurant and made sure they were open for BYOB brunch before buying a bottle of champagne for mimosas and driving up to delia’s. all was well, no reason to be weird. “ready to go?” she asked with a smile.

LEN: i hope i did not scare you when you woke up, and i wasn't next to you. i had to check on a friend.

LEN: i had the best time with you last night, cori.

LEN: you're like moonbeams.

LEN: happy twenty-second year xo

DELIA: a friend, right.

DELIA: pretty sure that was the psychedelics, my girl, but i'll take the compliment.

CARMEN: tomorrow sounds great. i'll ask my dad if i can borrow the car. at what time should i pick you up?

CARMEN: of course. that's what friends do, right?

DELIA: oh! it's a date :3 mmm maybe 11AM? i think i can get what i need to done at the motel by then.