rebel, rebel.

Its that time again where I’m encouraged to take a break from work. Yet every time I’m just stumped on exactly what to do. I’d much rather work, give the vacations to other people…but that’s besides the point. Does anyone happen to have any suggestions? 

You actually want to work? What the fuck. Do what I do, get out of this godforsaken town and go somewhere nice. You know what they say, all work and no play and all that.

Hey, welcome back!  I’m glad you had a good time on the road.  Do you have time for a catch up this week?  Oh, is this for the blind date event too?  I signed up; like the desperately single guy I am.  I figure even a bad blind date on Valentine’s Day has to be better than being alone, doing nothing, and pretending to be okay with it.

Hey, Ste. I do, whenever you’re free. Yeah, no, I’m definitely not participating in that shit. Not only would I be super fucking awkward, I don’t think my girlfriend would appreciate it. But I’m content with watching everyone else go through it and laugh when it blows up in their face. This is the first year I’m not alone. It’s weird, but I guess it’s fine.

It’s weird how I’m feeling excited for Valentine’s Day, when usually I always spend it watching horror movies and with alcohol. I blame Eli. He’s making me soft and full of happy love. That four-eyed nerd. 

You guys are cute. It’s gross. Not gonna lie though, I’m probably gonna end up getting Scarlett one of those stupid little heart chocolate boxes. Also the sex, looking forward to that. Look at us, we’re simps now.

Work hard, play hard an unfortunate cycle. Hopefully you have another vacation planned? Those are always great ways to stay motivated between those days where work can get intsense.

Yeah, sure. I don’t know when my next is gonna be,  hopefully sooner rather than later. Being here is a fucking drag. I don’t know how motivated I’m gonna be constantly thinking about the next time I leave, but maybe you’re right. I’m just not into all this Valentine’s shit.

Dear Jane,

You’re quite possibly the sweetest thing that’s happened to me in my life. You and your mom. I gotta be honest, I never thought I was going to be a good mother. I was always too brash, too ready to dismiss the world.

But I met Spencer, and I met you, and that started to change. Slowly, but surely, you made me see that there’s people in life worth improving for. Choosing me to help raise you and be part of your family is something I never in a million years thought I’d deserve.

And look at you now. You’re such a beautiful soul, I see the light in your eyes every time you smile and laugh. You are every bit like your mother. You’re radiant, you’re stubborn, you’re brave and independent. And talented in droves, amazingly.

Continue to share that with the world. Let the world know that it can’t beat you down. Be happy, thrive. Take life along for the ride.

I want you to know something that took me years to learn: it’s okay to be afraid. Because you’ll get through it, you have it in you. You always have, and you always will. And it’ll make you even stronger. 

You’re the best kid ever. And to the moon and back, I am so proud of you, and I love you so much. 

ELENA: so much has gone down in the last like, few days.

ELENA: scar and i are taking a road trip. we shouldn't be gone for long. things are just...fucked. we need some time away.

ELENA: also, she may have asked me to move in with her. and i told her i wanted to, but like, after everything that's happened, i feel like it's too soon. and i feel bad. this is the right thing to do, right? like, i don't want to move in when things are so tense and we've got all these issues.

scar: great, me too. then i'll pick you up.

ELENA: [UNSENT] i lo-

scar: literally anywhere that isn't this fucking town

scar: like...let's get in my car and just go until we're tired and then get a hotel and not leave for a few days

scar: okay

scar: maybe we should go somewhere together

scar: like somewhere that isn't /here/

ELENA: oh, yeah?

scar: right

scar: it does matter, it matters a lot. you matter a fucking lot.

scar: yeah, i figured.

ELENA: i don't want to think about it.

scar: yeah. but it's fine, i'm fine.

scar: are you okay? i don't really know how to handle any of this but i don't want to fuck it up either.

scar: i'm trying really, really hard not to be selfish and just runaway

ELENA: fuck her. i know she's just trying to mess with us, like, get us to break up or something. but it's not happening.

ELENA: no, i'm not. but that doesn't matter right now.

[...]

scar: fine, you're probably right. we don't know what we're doing and we should just not.

scar: i don't know what i'm doing anymore so it's fine

scar: i don' really know how to deal with someone that isn't my siblings caring about me this much. i don't really know how to deal with /caring about/ someone this much either

scar: it freaks me out and i know you know that

scar: i wanna be with you too and i do trust you. against everything i've ever believed/taught myself-- i trust you.

ELENA: hey, i really don't know, either. but we can figure it out. together.

ELENA: i'll be by your side through this. promise.

ELENA: i trust you, too. you know i don't really talk about my feelings with anyone. not even adam, he kind of just /knows/. but you, i feel comfortable.

CHARACTERS INVOLVED: Elena Crawford, Scarlett Lynn. TIME: New Year’s Eve, December 31st, 2021. CONTENT: During the evening of New Year’s Eve, Elena and Scarlett take another step in their relationship. LOCATION: Scarlett’s place. WARNINGS: None.

[...]

scar: against all of my better judgement and everything i've ever known i'm going to be honest with you.

scar: if this all goes south it's mati's fault and if anyone ever hears about this i'll hurt both of you

scar: ginny makes me really insecure

scar: i might've asked you to move in while i was feeling insecure and jealous and that's not...that's not the right reason.

scar: however, the bottom line of that is-- i was already thinking about it for the right reason. like...i sleep better when you're next to me and that's the /real/ reason i want you to move in

ELENA: ...baby.

ELENA: i want you to understand that what you're feeling is valid, okay? even if you don't have anything to worry about. because you don't, i promise. we're friends, but that has nothing to do with anything that's happening with us. okay?

ELENA: i...i have to be honest, i was afraid that /i'd/ fucked this all up. i shouldn't have pushed it, i know it. i'm not all innocent in this, either.