because of you.

“and by doing that, you’re ruining my reputation as a hardcore bitch. oh yeah! have you not heard about people hacking into hilary clinton’s emails? i’m sure they probably found her password through her phone or something.”

“oh, well I wouldn’t want to ruin that reputation. I’ll delete all my screenshots asap. wait really? I swear--people have way too much time on their hands.” 

“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking because I mean, once you have the name and everyone starts using it you’re pretty much stuck with it for the rest of your career. Superheroes aren’t all that creative with theirs though, are they? There’s a lot of ‘mans.'”

“Truly so you probably want to have the best one at the start of your career because it probably doesn’t get better from there--unless you become like a super good stripper or something. I don’t know---I’m sure they say something about that in magic mike maybe. Actually, that’s a pretty good point--” 

❛ i think there was an episode of criminal minds about it, so maybe it is true, ❜ he nodded. he hesitated a little at the request before nodding. ❛ sure? any reason why you need the quiet? if you don’t mind me asking. you don’t actually need to ask, ❜ he was quick to assure her.

“How do you think strippers choose their stage names? You think it’s like a chill, fun process or stressful as hell?”

“They probably pick them. Unless you know, the public picks one for them first. It’s probably super stressful--like picking a name for your child--except it’s for yourself. Or like when superheroes pick their names, I guess it could be like that too.” 

“ hum…yeah you got a point too, definitely some other than none. guess it’s that time of the year to pick looking good in lingerie or a bikini or not give a damn and eat a great slice of chocolate cake. still…i don’t even know why i’m questioning. it’s always going to be the cake. ”

rafael laughed lively at the question. ❛ i actually don’t know that. i was just saying, for effect – you could say. ❜ his doctor did say startling situation weren’t the best, but still an exaggeration. ❛ i used to know a couple, but i haven’t been here in year. i’m not sure if they’re still there, or if they’re still a secret. ❜

now that the initial surprised had passed, rafael waved off her apologizes. ❛ no harm done, i do have a very strong heart. ❜ it was his own personal joke, and he couldn’t mask the grin that came with it. ❛ looks like i scared you just as much anyway. enjoy while you can, once everyone arrives in town you won’t have this place just for yourself anymore. ❜

“Well, I met them through high school then we all ended up going to colleges close to each other so we stayed friends. Is she my girlfriend? Uh, no. She’s just a girl who I spend some time with a lot..In my room..No, she is not the only girl, either. Wait, how old are you? Should you be talking about this type of stuff?”

“Oh wow, that’s really cool that you guys stayed friends. All I hear about college is it is the way to forget all about the people you went to high school with. And you like her being your uh--bedroom friend instead of your girlfriend? I’m nineteen--pretty sure that qualifies me to be able to talk about this. I don’t know.”

“Honestly? i have no idea. i guess i was just so excited at the thought of a movie night that it gave me the strength to make it here.”

“ that’s fair but… would you truly feel happy with just half the chocolate cake when you could have it all ?”

it had been years since rafa had been to newbroke, and as much as he loved the place he would be lying to say it didn’t remind him of his mother. as he sat alone by the lake he really could use a smoke, but since his diagnosis he had given up those, instead he was content in throwing rock to the water as he let the memories take over. he was lost in his thought and didn’t notice the person approaching until it was too late and he was startled by the presence. ❛ jesus effing christ, don’t do that to a person. did you know that it’s actually possible to scare someone to death? ❜

“I have a bottle of Bacardi and a room with a window that leads to the roof. Are you down to get drunk and have a deep, nostalgic conversation with me tonight?” Gabriel asked, the same sweet smile he always wore taking over his face. It was unusual for him to suggest something so reckless, but it seemed appropriate in his mind. 

“That’s a shame. No? Why would they ask that? I’m not needy, I just have hormones like any person my age.”

“I mean I guess, how did you meet them? I don’t know, that’s why I was curious. Oh okay, uh, is she the only girl you’re interested in? is she like your girlfriend or something?”

“i—–could you repeat that? i wasn’t paying attention, there was a dog across the street and it was too cute to ignore.” 

“Oh, it wasn’t important--just looking around for the sunscreen. But a dog? What kind was it? Was it by itself because like then we should totally go get it and make sure it doesn’t run into the street.” 

as she turned around keith couldn’t help but laugh seeing her expression once again, his gaze only turning to the bracelet on his hands after as layla spoke. “ since it did fell on my feet i can consider it mine. ” keith shrugged his shoulders carelessly although the same smirk stood in his features, gaze turning to her as he held the bracelet with his finger tips, allowing it to hang in the air. “ it does doesn’t it ? i always wanted one of these. ” his words were playful, of course as he took a couple of steps towards her, still smiling, something that always seemed to come easy with her. “ where are you going ? ” he questioned, his features softer although he held the bracelet closer to her reach, only to plan on taking it back once she tried to grab it.

“nah, it’s cool, it’s not your fault. who is this ‘they’ you are talking about though?”

“are you sure? i mean I did eat it so--I’ll have to repay you somehow. Do you want the same kind that you had or like different ones? Uh, well, it was more a note on the freezer that just said help yourself than an actual person.” 

“Yeah, don’t you? Of course they call themselves hoes, I wouldn’t just call them that. I can’t just Facetime her, I’ll seem needy.”

“Um, can’t say that I have. Did they like ask you to call them that? Aren’t you a little needy though? Guess it all depends on how badly you want her.”