queen bee

When Nasir had come across a distraught Avery he immediately went over to try and help in whatever way he could.  “Do you have pictures of what’s inside or copies or something?  I know how I’d feel if I lost some of my sketches.”  Without hesitation he wrapped his arms around the girl.

the distraught look on avery’s face was uncharacteristic, immediately drawing concern from him. “avery it’ll be okay. it’s likely just misplaced, which means with a bit of effort, i’m positive it’ll find it’s way back to you.” he assured gently, a hand reaching up to brush at her shoulder. “… do you maybe need some help searching for it, though?” 

“oh, honey…” the blonde was rather quick to sympathize with her friend, sadness overcoming her features as she affectionately placed a hand on her shoulder. “what can i do to help ? do you want me to help you find it ? when was the last time you saw it ? “ 

tate van buren didn’t deal with his own emotions particularly well, let alone other peoples’. he could tell avery was upset but asking why wasn’t in his nature. apparently the look he gave was query enough though and he listens with more patience than he might otherwise allow. time with fede has softened him, somewhat. “well, uh, where’s the last place you remember having it?” he’s not sure what he’d do with a lost portfolio – then again, all his art stays firmly hidden away so it’d be fairly hard to lose in the first place.

“of course i want to,” august assured, taking a gulp from his wine as his eyes tried to remain locked on hers despite her flirting. if there’d even been an ounce of worry that he’d end up giving in to avery - knowing how throughout their relationship that was always his weakness - it dissipated with the mere mention of the book. the ultimate anaphrodisiac. “uh yes, sure can do,” he squeaked before coughing; he was definitely going to blame that on the wine. “do you, uh, want to drop by with a copy during the week?” he asked, trying to lean casually on the bar. “or i have a few spare copies that i’m sure i could write something on.” 

“i mean i’ve tried basically everything on the menu i come here so much,” ana laughed lightly and ignored her pushiness. “but i think i’ll go with the spinach and feta quiche, thanks.” she handed the waitress the menu and rested her hands on the table, still cradling her coffee cup. “so avery,” the brunette began, not sure if she was going to go deep or cliche with her questioning yet, “um why don’t we start with the basics since that’s the easiest place to start. are you from new york?”

august followed avery’s lead as she called for another drink. if the daunting thought of having been here at his mother’s beck and command was one concern of his, the new dilemma of avery’s flirting was certainly concocting a new worry in his mind. of course the question remained to him as to why. did she just want to get a kick out of seeing him squirm no matter how fleeting the action had been? “i’ll try to,” he retorted, taking the wine from the bartender as it was presented to him; new questions forming internally at her selection of words. “thursday nights are always rather busy for me, but if it’s to support a dear old friend,” he gave her a lingering glance as the words tumbled out pointedly. “i can make the time.” 

sorry for her? margot bristles at that. she doesn’t want pity from anyone, no matter what she’s going through. especially from someone like avery, standing on a bridge that she should have burned. “why would you want to be there for me?” margot asks, letting the ire drop from her voice. “not that i’d need it. i don’t need anyone.” an obvious lie, coming from the neediest girl in manhattan.

“because that’s what friends do. in case you didn’t know that. i don’t know what fake people you’ve been hanging out with. but that’s just what friends do, margot. they’re there for each other.” rolling her eyes, avery fixed her hair and shifted on her feet. “but, fine. you don’t need anyone. enjoy being alone, margot.”