GIVE THEM { el }

          ❛     CONVERSELY,     ❜     there’s  always  a  counter  with  her,  always  sage  logic  that  lingers,  dormant  and  desperate,  upon  silvered  tongue,     ❛     girls,  and  indeed  boys  and  other  identities,   might  see  it  and  take  unhealthy  measures  to  look  like  the  image  of  health  you’re  projecting.  it’s  a  two - way  street,  babe.     ❜     (     if  it  was  anyone  else,  brow  would  raise  in  malignant  maneuver     —     your  turn,  sweets     —     but  it’s  el,  and  all  she  can  procure  is  discordant  chuckle.     )     ❛     it’s  your  world  though,  honeybee.  you  do  what  you  want.     ❜

“ look - you know i love you. i’m not looking to debate the toxicity of social media. but i do think it all depends on how you do it. like, look at this account here. ” she held out the phone for kayla to take, post already loaded. “ sure, the video is her working out. but the caption is about the importance of self-care, mental wellbeing, and fitness as a tool for health. not about looking a certain way. public figures - on instagram or elsewhere - can be powerful figures. but i’m sure i don’t have to tell you that. ”  

         “eh, fitness pages are a plague to instagram. i hate seeing them on my explore page. i don’t really care about other people’s workout routines, but i mean, sure i guess if that’s what you’re into. why don’t you do asmr on youtube instead?”

kiara frowned at her peer’s observation as her lips parted to take a sip of the warm herb tea.  ❝ easy ?! ❞  she asked carefully while placing the mug back on the coffee table.  ❞  people dedicate their entire lives to teaching others a healthy way of living. it takes more dedication and effort than you think.  ❞

“ i mean, easy if you fake it. all it is is, like, workouts and food pics and gym pics. you don’t actually have to do all the things you say you do. ” she shrugged. the thought hadn’t occurred to her to actually play out the online persona. “ people also dedicate their entire lives to yoga and...travel. doesn’t make them hard things to do. ”

“excuse me, honey, i wouldn’t exactly call it HARRASMENT. he was bored of his job, and got to distract himself with someone as handsome as me. really, he’s the true winner here,” shiloh smirked, drowning his drink in one swift gulp. “not that i have a problem with paying either. it’s just so much more fun when you get to control someone, you know.”

his innocent attempt, however, was cut short by a sudden interruption from a friend, making him roll his eyes. “i’ve no idea what you’re talking about. my METHOD seemed to be working pretty well fifteen minutes earlier when i got this free drink from the bartender by getting him to make out with me. would you like a drink, too? i’m sure he’ll make me one more if i slip in tongue this time,” he replied, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a grin.

            ❛     WITH  ALL  DUE  RESPECT,  EL     — —     ❜     and  nothing  good  can  come  from  pursed  roseates  and  creased  brow     — —     ❛     i  think  you  could  use  your   SOCIAL   MEDIA   PRESENCE   to  do  something  a  lot  more  beneficial  than  a  fitness  page.     ❜

“ oh, kayla, you underestimate the power of a good fitness page. ” she looks up. “ girls that follow fitness pages tend to be low on self confidence, looking for a way to better themselves. it can be a great platform for promoting self-love, acceptance, and healthy body image. ”

‘ a FITNESS  page ? ’ grayson started, gaze shifting from the paperwork scattered over his table and towards eleanor. ‘ i mean - it won’t be easy, but i think it would be fun if you were interested in what you were doing ? ’

“ again, didn’t blame you, ” she muttered under her breath, scrolling through her instagram feed. her smile returned, though much more subtle this time. “ told you. maybe stick to beach pictures and mirror poses, yeah ? ”