〬 ◜𝑳𝑶𝑾 𝑳𝑰𝑭𝑬 . ◞

                              ╰  ＊   the  lights  down  ,  the  door  locked  –  a  cherry  silk  scrunchie  wrapped  around  the  gold  handle  ,  an  unspoken  claim  to  the  room  for  the  night  .  on  any  other  ,  wynter  would  have  a  companion  or  two  to  keep  the  demons  away  ,  distract  her  mind  from  its  inevitable  wandering  .  tonight  ,  though  ,  she’s  solo  –  insecurities  driving  her  to  the  brink  of  a  breakdown  .  an  opened  bottle  of  don  julio  sits  on  her  nightstand  ,  content  on  drowning  her  guilt  until  its  weight  carried  it  to  the  bottom  of  her  thoughts  .  more  than  a  few  shots  in  ,  wynter  at  her  weakest  –  guard  down  ,  only  left  with  the  desire  to  further  punish  herself  .  reaching  for  her  phone  ,   she’s  unable  to  hold  herself  back  from  making  yet  another  mistake  .  wynter  scrolls  through  her  contacts  as  if  someone  could  rescue  her  from  the  cage  of  culpability  she  built  for  herself  .  her  nails  stop  at  a  particular  name  ,  hovering  over  it  momentarily  as  if  she  still  has  the  willpower  to  stop  herself  .  giving  into  temptation  has  always  been  her  strong  suit  ,  wynter  calling  her  ex  –  tongue  loosened  in  her  tipsy  state  .  the  sound  of  the  tone  almost  deafening  in  the  silence  she’s  become  accustomed  to  –  her  own  voice  a  stream  of  consciousness  ,  a  rare  moment  of  honesty  for  the  brunet  to  experience  .  “  uh  ,  shit  .  ‘ello  riv  ?  i  dunno  if  you’re  busy  or  whatever  ,  but  you  should  come  over  .  ‘ll  even  share  my  bottle  of  don  with  ya’  ,  i  just  –  shit  ,  just  come  over  .  don’t  make  me  beg  ,  please  .  ”

𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑠   𝑒𝑐𝘩𝑜𝑒𝑠   𝑜𝑓   the   pike   affiliates   can   be   perceived   from   a   long   distance   —   but   believe   it   or   not   ,   this   eve’s   a   peaceful   one   ,   as   the   hoodlum   of   frat   brothers   have   been   indulging   themselves   in   watching   a   football   game   collectively   down   in   the   lounge   area   .   never   being   one   to   isolate   himself   from   a   good   time   ,   river’s   already   relished   in   a   few   bottle   of   beers   &   participated   stacking   bets   against   which   team   he   thinks   is   going   to   triumph   for   the   match   (   so   far   ,   he’s   liking   his   odds   )   .   halftime   has   rolled   in   &   in   a   swift   manoeuvre   ,   the   boy   rises   to   his   feet   and   ambles   towards   the   balcony   area   ,   soon   getting   lost   in   a   repartee   of   a   discourse   among   his   fellow   brothers   .   it’s   only   when   he’s   midway   through   perishing   a   blunt   that   he   feels   the   vibrating   of   his   back   pocket   ;   to   which   long   digits   endeavour   in   fishing   out   his   phone   .   the   name   that   flashes   across   his   screen   is   one   that   interjects   with   his   high   ;   rousing   an   involuntary   plummeting   sensation   in   his   pit   .   why   was   he   so   startled   ?   it   hadn’t   been   like   they   had   cut   off   complete   contact   in   the   last   few   weeks   .   river   knows   ,   he   knows   the   last   thing   he   should   do   right   now   is   to   answer   wynter’s   call   ,   yet   he   excuses   himself   from   present   company   ,   his   thumb   soon   pressing   the   accept   button   on   his   touch   screen   to   hear   what   bullshit   she   had   to   spare   .   after   her   dialogue   comes   to   an   end   ,   the   male   finds   himself   greeting   her   with   nothing   but   silence   on   his   end   .   she’s   drunk   ,   is   the   first   thing   river   concludes   ,   his   towering   frame   resting   against   cemented   wall   as   he’s   fights   the   urge   to   say   something   —   temptation   unquestionably   burning   him   to   his   core   .   ❛   ..   twenty   minutes   then   ,   yeah   ?      ❜   his   resonance   is   hushed   ,   mumbling   as   the   words   slip   out   ,   &   in   a   hasty   gesture   he   hangs   up   .   half   an   hour   passes   by   before   river   actually   decides   to   make   a   move   ,   proceeding   towards   the   zeta   residence   using   a   shortcut   he’s   used   far   too   many   times   (   for   his   liking   )   ,   &   he   sneaks   inside   the   building   .   he’s   had   a   few   more   to   drink   ,   plus   it’s   late   ,   so   it   doesn’t   cross   his   mind   to   knock   before   entering   .   as   soon   as   emerald   hues   lock   onto   chestnut   orbs   ,   the   boy   quietly   draws   closer   ,   unsure   of   how   else   to   say   hello   .  

     ‘     I   KNOW   it’s   wine   wednesday   but   i’m   kinda   feeling   champagne  ,          thoughts  ?     ‘

𝐓𝐇𝐄   𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐒   𝐀𝐓   𝐓𝐇𝐄   hand   of   lsu’s   very   capable   team   was   a   mere   three   days   ago,   but   the   chorus   of   disappointed   and   BARBED   words   has   already   faded   into   that   little   space   in   the   back   of   his   mind   reserved   for   the   times   roman   feels   the   need   to   remind   himself   that   he   could   amount   a   near-heroic   effort   and   still   never   be   quite   good   enough.   right   now,   and   perhaps   for   the   first   time   in   years,   his   priorities   have   shifted–   shifted   into   decidedly   much   more   dangerous   territory.   when   he   overthinks   it,   it   feels   like   someone’s   just   dropped   an   anvil   on   his   chest,   so   he   does   what   a   fearful   man   does   best:   he   ignores,   ignores,   ignores   until   it   goes   away.   in   this   particular   case,   it’s   much   easier   to   use   frustration   as   a   proxy   for   anything   more,   and   that’s   why   his   team-issued   sneakered   feet   remain   rooted  fast   to   the   dirty   carpet   like   the   muffled   dismissal   had   never   been   uttered.   impulsivity   claws   at   any   ounce   of   rationality   he   has   left, and   he’s   torn   between   expressing   just   how   fucking   TERRIFIED   he’d   felt   seeing   river   like   that   and   going   at   him   for   his   apparent   inability   to   scrounge   up   a   SINGLE   fuck   to   give   about   the   fact   that   he   could’ve   died.   it’s   hypocritical   to   be   resigned   to   his   fate   at   twenty-one   and   get   so   blindly   furious   at   river   for   doing   the   same,   but   perhaps   he’s   more   human   than   god,   after   all.   ‘   are   you   drunk   already   ?   ’   the   accusatory   words   snap   forward   with   no   basis,   guided   by   the   hushed   memory   of   stabilization   and   electrolyte   imbalances   and   a   bunch   of   other   medical   bullshit   that   had   flown   right   over   his   head   only   to   drop   down   one   critical   fact–   the   chronicity   of   it   all.   he   swallows   once,   fiercely,   half-hoping   to   hear   a   mitigating   lie.   ‘   river.   fucking   answer   me.   ’

𝑖𝑓   𝑦𝑜𝑢   𝘩𝑎𝑑   asked   river   his   rationale   for   icing   the   other   out   in   the   last   several   weeks   —   there   wouldn’t   be   much   of   a   verbal   response   ,   which   would   perhaps   signify   there   being   no   real   grounds   to   his   current   snappish   disposition   .   nevertheless   ,   it   prevails   while   he   endures   what   little   self   restraint   he’s   left   to   clasp   onto   .   time   is   passing   by   ,   lagging   ,   with   no   sounds   or   movement   to   indicate   that   his   request   —   his   polite   request   ,   at   that   —   was   being   adhered   to.   his   gangly   physique   stays   put   ,   motionless   against   plush   covers   ,   mentally   counting   down   from   ten   as   a   means   not   to   erupt   on   this   serene   tuesday   afternoon   .   his   consideration   gets   averted   almost   immediately   —   rome’s   bold   assertion   charging   at   him   like   a   bull   in   a   china   shop   ,   to   which   river   instinctively   swivels   in   a   belligerent   motion   .   his   inked   torso   is   exposed   to   a   frigid   temperature   now   that   he’s   no   longer   cooped   up   under   a   sweltering   duvet   .   ❛   what   the   fuck   is   wrong   with   you   ?   ❜   the   question   is   spat   in   an   unnerving   acidic   timbre   ,   not   missing   a   beat   as   the   boy   inclines   closer   to   the   edge   ,   manoeuvring   so   that   he’s   able   to   get   up   if   rome   resorts   him   to   do   so   .   ❛   what   the   fuck   is   wrong   with   you   ?   ❜   his   emphasis   is   only   loaded   with   further   infuriation   ,   masculine   features   now   creasing   in   exhaustion   .   at   this   point   ,   he  can’t   help   but   wryly   chuckle   at   the   irony   .   a  pause   ensues   ,   before   river   slants   his   head   back   with   a   enervating   sigh   .   ❛   i’m   not   going   to   ask   again   ,   roman   .   leave   .   ❜

          𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌  𝒘𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒔  𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒅  around  slim  shoulders  as  val  spun  around  on  the  dance  floor  of  the  bar  .  located  just  a  short  uber  ride  away  from  hollingsworth  ,  the  bar  likely  earned  most  of  its  profits  from  the  rich  students  escaping  the  confines  of  the  elite  campus  to  drink  away  the  stress  of  university  —  and  val  was  no  different  from  the  rest  .  many  her  favourite  nights  had  taken  place  within  the  bar  ,  illuminated  by  colourful  lights  and  too  much  tequila  .  as  the  song  she’d  been  swaying  to  rolled  to  an  end  ,  val  felt  her  feet  carry  her  towards  one  of  the  bars  lining  the  perimeter  of  the  large  room  ,  manned  by  attractive  bartenders  ,  but  her  gaze  landed  upon  a  familiar  male  leaning  against  the  marble  counter  and  valentina  felt  a  grin  curl  her  lips  .  “  there  you  are  ,  ”  she  said  as  way  of  greeting  ,  sliding  up  to  river’s  side  .  batting  her  lashes  up  at  the  male  ,  she  slipped  a  hand  through  the  crook  of  his  elbow  .  “  i  think  i  lost  you  as  soon  as  we  got  here  ,  riv  .  dare  i  ask  where  you’ve  been  ?  ”  she  asked  with  a  giggle  .

𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑑𝑙𝑦   ,   𝑡𝘩𝑒   𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑙𝑒   haired   boy   has   been   making   best   friends   with   a   bartender   tonight   —   okay   ,   scrap   the   friend   title   .   this   stranger   was   being   considered   a   legend   on   river’s   account   ,   deeming   the   fact   he’d   gone   out   of   his   way   to   take   care   of   him   and   his   buddies   with   rounds   of   shots   on   the   house   all   evening   .   it   bestows   as   a   nice   change   for   the   pike   associate   ,   really   ,   given   that   his   history   with   bartenders   usually   ended   with   a   fist   landing   in   someone’s   mouth   .   it’s   just   gone   past   1am   by   this   point   ,   flushed   cheeks   burning   as   he   downs   another   jager   shot   .   bellowed   laughter   from   one   of   his   frat   brothers   almost   deafens   the   bass   of   whatever   bubblegum   pop   tune   that’s   currently   blasting   ,   &   they’re   so   loud   that   he   barely   hears   valentina   greet   him   ;   at   first   only   feeling   her   glide   next   to   him   .   ❛   hey   you   ,   ❜   his   welcome   is   enthused   with   a   hearty   grin   ,   brawny   arms   impulsively   take   hold   of   her   so   she   can   help   herself   to   a   seat   on   his   lap   (   no   bar   stools   adjacent   to   either   of   them   ,   such   a   pity   )   .   ❛   i’ve   been   here   ..   waiting   ,   ❜   the   volume   in   his   resonance   only   grows   so   the   raven   haired   female   can   hear   him   over   the   rowdy   premise   ,   humour   evident   in   river’s   mien   as   he   embarks   on   theatrics   ,   clutching   onto   his   chest.   ❛   WAITING   for   you   ,   miss   guerrero   ,   to   give   me   the   time   of   day   .   so   do   tell   ,   is   tonight   going   to   be   my   lucky   night   ?   ❜

𝐭𝐡𝐞   𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬   𝐨𝐟   𝐭𝐡𝐞   𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫   𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫   𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦   were   empty   as   the   rest   of   the   teammates   were   already   off   to   practice   ,   excluding   noelle   .   too   overwhelmed   with   the   last   few   days   of   the   semester   &   other   subjects   that   flooded   her   mind   ,   she   made   a   last   minute   decision   to   not   make   an   appearance   ,   certain   the   group   was   puzzled   on   their   flyer’s   absence   .   shutting   her   locker   to   a   closer   after   retrieving   her   necessities   ,   she   turns   to   exit   the   building   only   to   come   face   to   face   with   a   familiar   individual   ,   who   was   now   a   stranger   .   she   jumps   with   a   yelp   ,   as   she   was   definitely   not   expecting   his   presence   out   of   all   people   ,  “   river   !   ”   ocean   orbs   roll   at   the   surprise   &   his   existence   alone   ,   hand   quickly   adjusting   the   bag   that   rests   upon   her   shoulder   before   limbs   come   to   cross   amongst   her   chest   .   “   what   the   hell   are   you   doing   here   ?   this   is   the   girls’   locker   room   ,   in   case   you   forgot   how   to   read   .   ”

𝑛𝑜𝑡   𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛   𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑟𝑡𝑦   minutes   into   football   practice   ,   and   in   quintessential   river   form   ,   he’s   already   had   coach   tear   his   ass   in   two   for   delaying   his   run   so   he   could   dash   back   into   the   lockers   for   his   ever   essential   water   bottle   .   the   frat   boy   figures   if   he   sprints   into   the   building   but   takes   his   leisurely   time   returning   ,   no   one   will   notice   his   absence   —   not   by   much   .   and   so   ,   he   goes   ahead   and   does   this   ,   in   the   process   bumping   heads   with   a   few   friendly   faces   in   the   halls   .   as   river   passes   by   the   girls’   locker   room   a   sliver   of   spontaneity   manifests   ,   &   he   stops   in   his   tracks   to   take   a   gander   .   hollingsworth’s   force   of   cheerleaders   were   already   outside   so   what   was   truly   the   harm   in   catching   a   peep   inside   the   room   ?   ❛   oh   shit   ,   ❜   he’s   instantly   caught   off   guard   by   the   blonde   damsel   ,   cleats   pacing   back   a   few   steps   .   to   be   frank   ,   she   was   the   last   person   he   was   expecting —   or   well   ,   even   wanting   —   to   run   into   .   ❛   didn’t   realise   you   were   still   roaming   around   ,   ❜   emerald   hues   are   prompt   in   taking   in   noelle’s   smaller   stance   ,   particularly   taking   note   of   her   holding   onto   her   belongings   .   ❛   where   are   you   heading   to   ?   don’t   you   have   to   be   out   there   ?   ❜

𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥.𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫   :   attention  :  the  averna  xmas  party  is  in  one  week  and  i  better  see  your  face  there  ! 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥.𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫   :   ur  my  guest  so  you  don’t  need  to  worry  about  …  others  in  attendance  opinion  on  your  presence  😴 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥.𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫   :   so  start  thinking  of  a  good  gift  for  your  bff  ,  preferably  one  that  we  can  have  fun  with  at  the  party  🍸

𝐛𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢   𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬   𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝   𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐲    upon   the   words   inked   along   the   paper   before   her   ,   lithe   fingers    adorned    with   a   ring   or   two    gripped    onto   the   stout   script   that   she   had   been   digesting   in   her   mental   since   the   commencement   of   the   fall   term   .   the   steps   of   stilettos    echoed    throughout   the   auditorium   ,   upon   a   stage   in   which   she   has   performed   on   plenty   occasions   before   .   with   incessant   persistence   &   a   pinch   of    extortion    ,   the   prima   donna   was   permitted   to   reserve   the   auditorium   on   any   evening   once   a   week   to   rehearse   in   utter   solidarity   .   while   she   could   perfect   her   lines   in   the   comforts   of   her   own   quarters   ,   &   most   certainly   has   ,   she   preferred   a   dry   run   located   where   she    intended    on   appearing   at   some   point   .   disburdened   of   any   potential   interruptions   ,   while   ensuring   it   will   make   her   more   than   equipped   on   show   day   .  .   or   so   she   had    thought    .   a   slight   jolt   arises   from   the   girl   from   the   clear   sound   of   the   entrance   thrown   wide   ,   her   brows   furrowed   as   her   hues    narrow    upon   a   shadowy   figure   she   cannot   discern   through   the   beam   of   light   emitted   upon   her   .     ❛     hello   ?     ❜     she   queried   aloud   ,   ears   perked   by   the   footsteps   drawing   further   towards   the   platform   .     ❛     this  is  a    closed  rehearsal   ,   you  shouldn’t  be  in  here  .     ❜

𝑡𝘩𝑖𝑠   𝑚𝑖𝑔𝘩𝑡’𝑣𝑒   𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛   a   day   that’d   be   marked   in   history   forever   as   outstandingly   —   river   opted   to   remain   behind   one   of   the   classrooms   after   lectures   to   complete   some   of   his   academia   .   one   hell   of   a   rare   occurrence   &   one   that   he   was   putting   to   the   test   to   see   whether   or   not   his   productivity   levels   boosted   on   his   lonesome   .   the   pike   manor   wasn’t   exactly   the   ideal   place   to   study   —   or   well   ,   get   just   about   anything   done   unless   you   were   there   to   unwind   .   but   neither   were   locations   like   the   campus   library   ,   or   the   local   cafes   ,   as   he’d   found   there   were   far   too   many   distractions   that   lurked   .   he’d   always   run   into   someone   ,   or   deviate   from   what   revision   he   had   initially   set   out   to   do   .   when   river’s   focus   didn’t   stray   ;   he   was   an   alert   pupil   ,   so   finalizing   the   term’s   assignment   took   less   time   than   he’d   anticipated   —   nevertheless   ,   sunset   had   approached   and   the   hallways   were   desolate   from   daylight   .   with   hasty   footsteps   echoing   through   the   corridors   ,   river   took   a   left   turn   .   he   was   restless   ,   ready   to   depart   from   this   hellish   place   &   kickstart   his   weekend   .   the   gamble   in   entering   the   auditorium   to   locate   a   shortcut   to   the   nearest   exit   seemed   like   a   good   idea   ,   until   the   attendance   of   a   particular   brunette   up   on   the   stage   proved   that   it   wasn’t   .   ❛   ..   no   ?   ❜   his   rhetorical   question   was   abrupt   &   laced   with   complacency   ,   river’s   broad   figure   coming   into   view   as   he   sauntered   into   the   spotlight   .   ❛   —   not   even   for   a   private   show   ?   ❜   

although the season was slowly coming to a halt over winter, you could still find matias on the field practicing almost daily. he had to keep himself busy with something after all. just finishing up for the day he spotted a familiar face on the sidelines. jokingly he prepared to make a throw in towards them but stopped before he would’ve usually launched the ball, he didn’t really know their reaction speed and although it would’ve been funny if it smacked them in the face, he knew he’d be the one having to run to pick it up afterwards. so instead he just walked over, you know, like a normal person. “ come to watch me, huh ? ”

𝑖𝑡’𝑠   𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑦   𝑎  wonder   how   river’s   plucked   the   courage   to   forsake   his   cosy   sheets   to   go   out   jogging   at   such   an   ungodly   early   hour   —   yet   here   he   is   ;   doing   the   damn   thing.   the   prior   evening   he’d   had   a   heart   to   heart   with   his   ever   resentful   coach   ,   to   which   he’d   given   the   boy   a   reality   check   in   shedding   light   on   his   pattern   of   debauchery   not   going   unnoticed   &   consequently   ,   the   indefensible   absences   during   practice   was   beginning   to   verge   on   thin   ice.   say   what   you   will   about   ol’   coach   ,   but   his   words   of   caution   were   certainly   not   going   to   fall   on   deaf   ears   .   river’s   in   the   midst   of   stretching   after   a   gruelling   run   ,   that’s   until   he   finds   unnecessary   company   making   way   .   ❛   you’re   the   one   that   came   over   ,   borges   ,   ❜   his   retort   is   articulated   in   a   ridiculing   undertone   ;   the   male   avoiding   his   gaze   as   he   resumes   the   stretches   ,   ❛   if   you   need   me   to   go   ahead   and   give   you   a   few   pointers   kickin’   around   that   ball   ,   just   say   so   .   ❜

𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐓   𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐒   𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄   𝐀   𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄   sixth   sense   when   it   comes   to   forseeing   an   arrival   of   the   police,   but   when   it   comes   to   much   else,   they’re   rather   oblivious.   that’s   why   roman   had   failed   to   hear   word   of   their   wayward   brother’s   return   until   DAYS   later,   a   bit   of   information   that   he’d   received   with   a   deceptively   even   expression   despite   the   imperceptible   quickening   of   his   pulse   and   the   tumultuous   churning   in   his   chest.   even   then,   he   waits   a   few   days   after   that–   that   is,   until   he   finds   himself   taking   a   familiar   path   down   the   hallway   after   a   particularly   grueling   saturday   morning   practice.   knocking   isn’t   even   a   thought   on   his   mind   as   he   pushes   open   the   door,   and   he’s   half-surprised   that   it’s   unlocked   but   semantics   are   the   least   of   his   priorities   as   he   tosses   the   extra   gym   bag   full   of   gear   onto   the   bed.   ‘   coach   says   you’re   off   the   team   ‘til   you   can   get   your   shit   together.   ’

𝑡𝘩𝑒   𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠   𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟   his   most   recent   discharge   have   felt   never   ending   ,   each   hour   toiling   into   the   next   as   the   tousle   haired   boy   found   himself   cemented   underneath   the   duvet   sheets   for   what   seems   like   a   lifetime   .   nonetheless   ,   it’s   safe   to   say   river’s   been   acting   like   quite   the   sloth   —   lethargy   apparent   in   his   mien   as   the   pike   affiliate’s   been   playing   a   daring   game   of   shuteye   with   the   ever   -   increasing   stack   of   unread   messages   and   missed   calls   on   his   phone   .   at   this   point   ,   one   can   only   be   grateful   for   the   do   not   disturb   mode   .   he’s   been   in   the   same   lying   fetal   position   for   the   last   few   hours   ,   drowsy   &   falling   in   and   out   of   a   doze   that   wasn’t   quite   doing   its   job   in   rejuvenating   him   .   even   so   ,   it’s   only   when   he’s   on   the   verge   of   a   deep   slumber   that   a   southern   timbre   welcomes   itself   to   his   conscious   ,   to   which   river   immediately   recoils   into   his   pillow   at   the   displeasure   .   the   climate   is   hushed   for   a   minute   ,   and   he’s   at   a   loss   for   what   to   say   —   what   was   there   to   say   ,   really   ?   other   than   roman   being   the   last   fucking   person   he   needed   in   his   vicinity   .   ❛   thanks   ,   ❜   his   gravelly   resonance   lacks   gratitude   as   the   male   progressed   to   turn   his   face   the   other   way   .   ❛   close   the   door   on   your   way   out   .   ❜