"no one deserves that." one look at the guy and one could tell he wasn't anyone worth crying over though. "my father was always a cheat, i have a fond hatred for cheaters." spilling more info than he liked, "especially when it's beautiful women they cheat on." meaning her, she was one of those young women. "sure. a sip won't hurt," but that's it. picking up one of the glasses, he tips it onto his tongue and swallows a small drink before placing it back down. "you didn't look like you belonged with him anyway." adding this, even if that meant giving away he noticed.

❝ he was ? i'm pretty sure my dad is too, but my mom likes that he has money, so she stays. ❞ she didn't know why she felt drawn to sharing more with this bartender, but he had somewhat of a comforting presence to her. she'd missed the way he'd subtly complimented her, too lost in her own self pity to consider it. she took her own shot along with him, placing the glass down gently. ❝ what do you mean ? because i usually don't drink and he does ? or is it because you've seen him with another girl here ? ❞ genna's voice came out more panicked than intended. did he know that holo was cheating on her ? surely he would have told her, right ? a good person would.

caspian turns away momentarily to finally go do his job, all in his own world for a few minutes, before coming back with three shot glasses that are colored orange and red. "three sunrise shots." their finest tequila, orange juice, grenadine in three tall shot glasses each placed down in front of her. "let me know how it tastes, i just took a guess of what you might like." fighting the amused smile, just knowing this has to be a terrible idea.

the liquid burned going down her throat, but the taste wasn't the worst. the taste, however, wasn't as bad as she'd thought it would be. maybe she should have slowed down, but she'd immediately taking the other two shots right after taking the first. ❝ those were good, may i have another round please ? ❞ it was the most terrible idea she'd ever had, but she didn't care about consequences at the moment, just hoped getting drunk would help her pain.

checking the i.d, making sure to catch her name – genevieve – while he has an excuse to view it, he slides it back to her, "oh, nice try, youngster... it says there you're definitely five years underage." he points to her valid birth year, teasing her on purpose even if she didn't appear to be in the joking mood. let him take a guess, something to do with the stupid looking guy, he wondered? since he wasn't here for once, after all.

maybe this was a mistake, she thought as she looked around the room. what if holo and his stupid friends showed up ? would they think she was pathetic ? probably. she felt pathetic. heartbreak wasn't something she'd thought she would ever experience, but there she was, completely shattered due to her ex. the guy who didn't even treat her in the way she should have been treated. the guy who ignored her to play video games, who tried to get her to ask her dad to get him a job at his company. ❝ actually, could i have a round of shots ? ❞

amusement suddenly left his face. the taller paused, his brain nearly glitching... feeling like she suddenly knew how to look through him and that part set off an irritation through him. "nothing dimmed anything, this is just how life works princess. get used to it." the blond grumbles, so easy to make him moody. "where's the fun in going to the bar, if you're going to be the priss that doesn't have a drink with me? and please, i can drive after two drinks. i do it all the time." recklessly so.

she wasn't too sure she believed his words, but she dropped it after a moment, just shaking it off. ❝ just because you can, doesn't mean you should. if you really want me to have a drink with you, then we can get an uber. ❞ genevieve didn't necessarily want to drink, but if it would get caspian off her case, she would.

now, as she sat at the bar, looking more put together than she felt, her eyes met the bartender's. ❝ make me something strong please, but where i can't taste the alcohol. ❞ she'd spoken when she first sat down, unsure what to actually order since she'd never drank before. ❝ what ? oh. sorry. here. ❞ genna handed her id over, completely missing the teasing tone due to how distracted she was with her own thoughts.

"please, if you finally broke one rule in your life i'm sure it'd make you feel better." thinking that's what she needs anyway, to break out of that hellbent complex of being a perfect person. "it's not to feel SUPERIOR. it's to feel revenge. which is the best feeling." he corrects, dropping the cigarette into his pocket. "yeah, well. you're just going to be sorely hurt when you find out it doesn't matter if you do everything right, the world is still going to try to find a way to tear you apart. so you better toughen up now, sweetheart." hand fishes for his car keys, itching to go do something at least even if she won't let them mess up some stuff and potentially find a night in jail. "alright, so no vandalism, fine. what about a bar? should we go there?" a smirk at this next ridiculous suggestion.

❝ i don't think causing somebody to hurt is a good idea of fun. revenge is usually set to do that, and i for one won't hurt another person. ❞ she'd already hurt somebody enough before, she didn't want to do that again. ❝ i'm sorry that something happened to dim your light, but i won't let your negativity affect me. ❞ the brunette huffed as she looked to him before his next comment. a bar ? there wasn't necessarily anything wrong with that. ❝ okay, a bar it is. i can be the designated driver if you're wanting to drink. ❞ genna told him a bit smugly. she hoped this would get the one up on caspian.

"and that's what i mean," blues roll, head lulling back, holy crap... this girl. "are you really that worried about what people think, genna?" really, he's looking at her perplexed once he sits back up straight, creased brows and all. it was foreign to experience when he didn't ever give any thought out at all to how he made people react. he was molded by an absent father to do whatever it took for a crumb of attention.

"why give a damn? what other shit-face's think. i don't. since that's all people are, they're just judgmental shit-face's regardless what you do. so you might as well stop worry and stressing so much. break a rule for once in your life, sweetheart. you're taking life way too seriously." he starts to think like his ever plotting mind always seems to do, maybe he should work on corrupting sweet little genevieve. the idea is certainly amusing. "do you have any enemies, genna? besides me. we should go graffiti their front lawns or their vehicles, want to?" jumping up like he's serious, even if he genuinely would be but this is mainly just to test her.

❝ because, unlike you, i don't want to be viewed that way. i want people to look at what i do and think she's a nice person. i want to connect with fans and even people that dislike me. i think if they just got to know me, they'd like me. ❞ genna admitted softly. she didn't have many friends growing up, not real friends anyway, not ones that weren't using her to try and get cast in a movie by her father or that were trying to impress her mother to be considered for modeling contracts. plus, the true friends she did have, she'd ended up burning bridges with. she'd gotten so anxious that they were using her too, that she'd just cut them out. she hadn't even told them why, just stopped talking to them one day.

❝ i don't want to break a rule, caspian, i don't want to be that type of person. i just want to have a happy life knowing that i'm a good person. ❞ and make up for how rude she may have been back in the day to those that didn't even deserve it. make up for the friendships she'd lost due to her anxieties. ❝ no, i don't have any enemies. ❞ not anybody that she disliked. there were certainly a lot of people that disliked her though. ❝ plus, doing that isn't nice. i would never do that to somebody-- ruin their things to feel superior. ❞ genna wondered why caspian was like this. was he born that way, or did the events of his life lead him to become this way ?

it sent him wanting to lose all composure and start laughing, starting to realize just how sensitive genna is. she takes everything to heart. at least, every bullshit line he's fed her and she's soaked it right in. just like now, all this autotune talk and he'd never admit he KNOWS she doesn't sound autotuned at all. "yeah, autotune. queen of autotune." he insists, brows creased; acting like it was obvious. even though, it was just an act. he was just getting her back for playing that trick on him after he tricked her earlier. his turn in the war he decides she started, once again.

❝ yeah, you are so right, i did stalk you, ❞ genevieve rolled her eyes at him, shaking her head quickly. ❝ he wouldn't bite me, i'm the nicest person ever, actually. ❞ her words, although meant to be a joke, she knew weren't true at all. sometimes she felt like a bad person, rude even. genna was hard on herself, always anxious that what she said to people would be taken as rude. she was rude, she'd thought as she remembered the way she'd sort of broken up with holo, not that they were ever actually dating.

❝ please don't, caspian. i'm not asking for much, just to look like we're actually together. my manager will drop me if this goes wrong. ❞ genevieve was practically pleading at this point, afraid of letting people down.

❛  you've been my best friend for years, what made you think it would change now?  ❜ ❛  i'm always here for you if you need me.  ❜ ❛  well, that's what friends are for.  ❜ ❛  remember, i'm always just one call away.  ❜ ❛  how long have we known each other now? i know you better than you know yourself.  ❜ ❛  you're an idiot most of the time, but you're my idiot.  ❜ ❛  do you want to come over and watch movies tonight? i could use some company.  ❜ ❛  you always know how to cheer me up.  ❜ ❛  i made you your favorite food.  ❜ ❛  i know it's 2 a.m. but i really need someone to talk to. are you awake?  ❜ ❛  remember when we used to build blanket forts? let's do it again.  ❜ ❛  please come to this family dinner with me. my family already loves you and i need some neutral person there with me.  ❜ ❛  here, i got you something. i saw it at the shop and it reminded me of you.  ❜ ❛  do you remember that promise we made to each other when we were kids?  ❜ ❛  i'm so grateful to have you in my life. you mean the world to me.  ❜ ❛  i don't need advice right now, just a friend to listen.  ❜ ❛  you're the best friend one could ever ask for.  ❜ ❛  hey, umm ... thank you for being my friend.  ❜ ❛  you don't have to go through this alone. i'm here for you.  ❜ ❛  want to grab a coffee and catch up?  ❜ ❛  we may not talk every day anymore, but i still consider you my friend.  ❜ ❛  i can stay and help you finish this if you want.  ❜ ❛  you've got this. i believe in you!  ❜ ❛  how about we plan a game night this weekend?  ❜ ❛  do you ever wonder what our lives will be like in ten years?  ❜ ❛  no matter what happens, you'll always have me.  ❜ ❛  you don't have to pretend with me. i like you just the way you are.  ❜ ❛  consider it ... a little friendly competition.  ❜ ❛  thank you, you always know how to make me laugh.  ❜ ❛  i can't believe how far we've come together.  ❜ ❛  just stay put, i'll be over in a minute.  ❜ ❛  i've got us tickets for that concert/movies/exhibition you wanted to go to.  ❜ ❛  how about a road trip? just like old times ...  ❜ ❛  i really appreciate you staying in my life all these years.  ❜ ❛  i don't know what i'd do without you.  ❜ ❛  you can tell me if something is bothering you.  ❜ ❛  race you to the end of the street!  ❜ ❛  bet you can't beat me at this game. i'm a pro.  ❜ ❛  i challenge you to a cooking contest. loser has to buy dinner for the next week.  ❜ ❛  you've been such a great friend, and i just wanted to say thanks.  ❜

✧     ›    SOFT   &   FLUFFY   .

My  muse  tucks  a  loose  strand  of  hair  behind  your  muse’s  ear,  their  fingers  lingering  for  a  second  longer  than  necessary.

My  muse  falls  asleep  on  your  muse’s  shoulder  during  a  long  ride.

My  muse  surprises  your  muse  with  breakfast  in  bed,  complete  with  a  handwritten  note.

My  muse  pulls  your  muse  under  their  umbrella  during  a  sudden  downpour.

My  muse  gently  wipes  away  a  tear  from  your  muse’s  cheek,  their  touch  tender  and  careful.

My  muse  laces  their  fingers  with  your  muse’s  absentmindedly,  only  realizing  it  after  a  few  seconds.

 ✧     ›    TENSION   &   SLOW  BURN   .

My  muse  fixes  your  muse’s  tie/dress/jacket,  their  hands  brushing  against  their  skin  for  just  a  moment.

My  muse  leans  in  as  if  to  whisper  something,  their  lips  dangerously  close  to  your  muse’s  ear.

My  muse  catches  your  muse’s  wrist  before  they  can  leave,  their  grip  tightening  just  slightly.

My  muse  watches  your  muse  from  across  the  room,  their  gaze  lingering  even  when  caught.

My  muse  challenges  your  muse  to  a  bet,  knowing  exactly  what  they’ll  ask  for  if  they  win.

My  muse  absentmindedly  plays  with  your  muse’s  fingers  while  they  talk,  not  even  realizing  they’re  doing  it.

✧     ›    ANGST   &   EMOTIONAL   .

My  muse  pulls  your  muse  into  a  tight  hug,  as  if  afraid  to  let  go.

My  muse  wipes  away  the  blood  from  your  muse’s  face,  their  hands  trembling.

My  muse  shows  up  at  your  muse’s  doorstep  in  the  rain,  eyes  filled  with  something  unspoken.

My  muse  gently  cups  your  muse’s  face,  whispering,  “Why  do  you  always  have  to  make  things  so  difficult?”

My  muse  kisses  your  muse  like  it’s  the  last  time  they’ll  ever  get  the  chance.

My  muse  lets  your  muse  go,  even  though  it’s  the  last  thing  they  want  to  do.

 ✧     ›    TEASING   .

My  muse  corners  your  muse  against  a  wall,  a  smirk  playing  on  their  lips.

My  muse  whispers  something  in  your  muse’s  ear  that  makes  them  blush.

My  muse  pulls  your  muse  onto  their  lap  with  zero  warning.

My  muse  playfully  steals  a  bite  of  your  muse’s  food,  then  grins  as  they  lock  eyes.

My  muse  deliberately  leans  in  closer  just  to  see  your  muse’s  reaction.

they've suffered enough.

i have seen the worst that humanity has to offer... and yet i'm still standing.

the world can keep knocking me down, but i'll get back up.

i don't give up.

i just want to live a peaceful life.

i don't want conflict.

there were nicer ways to ask that, you know.

i don't want to hurt anybody.

i still don't hate you.

i want peace at all costs.

if you would only try and see the world from my point of view.

i don't want to fight with you.

things always get better.

this isn't the end.

you have to stand tall.

the world is cruel, but i won't be.

i believe in you. i always have.

my morals are firm.

there's no harm in a little kindness.

just be gentle with them.

i mean well.

there's too much pain in this world. i don't intend to add to it.

i don't want to fight anyone.

don't you believe in yourself?

i'm not leaving them.

there is enough hate in this world.

i try to lead with love.

it's the right thing to do.

this doesn't have to end in violence.

why don't we talk this through?

maybe he's having a bad day.

i'm going to try again.

there has to be another way to do this.

this isn't the time to quit.

i've seen too many things go wrong. this has to go right.

i'm not giving up just yet.

kindness is not weakness.

you can do better than that.

i try to see the good in everyone.

you can't just give up!

you're a special person.

i deserve better than this.

you deserve happiness.

it costs nothing to be kind.

there's no need to be so mean.

if only you could see yourself the way i see you.

it's still a beautiful day.

there's always tomorrow.

are you asking me to quit?

tomorrow will be better.

you didn't mean that, did you?

maybe we should talk this out.

i will always choose to be kind.

despite everything, i just want to be good.

i do my best to see the good in everyone, no matter what.

you didn't have to do that.

that wasn't very nice.

do you have to be so rude?

a nice word goes a long way.

try smiling at them. see what happens.

you could try being nicer.

i deserve a happy ending.

don't beat yourself up.

don't talk about yourself like that.

i see the goodness in you.