congratulations.

“think i’m more of an upper myself. always was more of a coke kinda girl.”

          “ ----- did you just switch the topic to COCAINE ?? ”

               ‘   i don’t know what a cheese doodle is because i live in the adult world where we eat cheetos and the only snack that smiles back is a goldfish.   ’

          “ cheese doodles are the cheetos for lazy people and babies. not crunchy and shit. you need to extend your snacking horizons, my friend. ”

“another absolutely empty point of comparison. just because someone can play a few chords on a guitar or cry on demand doesn’t mean they deserve millions of dollars. it’s a fucking scam. just because you make more money than someone doesn’t mean jack shit.”

“ ----- you’re a real downer, yaknow that ?? ”

                              “ that’s not much of a talent either, ” she said, lifting her hand to give his face a little squish between her thumb and fingers. “ anyone can break a heart. it’s EASY. ”

         ryan furrows his brows when she squeezes his face, making him involuntarily do a fish face. “ but i’m the hollywood bad boy. ” he says through the awkward face. “ so i must be good at it. ”

sage’s lips fought off a grin, as she cocked her head to the side. “what about you?” she teased.

          “ i’m beautiful. ” he tells her as if it’s obvious information. “ why do you think the press loves us so much ?? me. ”

             ‘   if you’re going to netflix and chill with yourself the least you can do is eat a quality snack.   ’

          “ i don’t think i’ve EVER heard of someone who doesn’t like cheese doodles. they’re like a packet full of smiles, bro. ”

                            “ i don’t think most people would consider smiling a talent, but, ”  she pauses for a long moment, shrugging herself. “ –whatever you SAY, i guess. ”

          “ i’m not talking about SMILING. i’m talking about HEART-BREAKING. ”

                ‘    ohh, cool. bet tabloid you had more fun this weekend than actual, real life you.   ’

          “ ACTUALLY, real life me had a GREAT weekend, thanks for asking. you shouldn’t assume things, yaknow. ”

                             suki pulls a dramatic expression, hand immediately pressing against her chest as the smile spreads over his face. “ did you hear that ?? ” her voice is nothing more than a whisper, hazel hues widening like a deer in the headlights. “ the sound of my fragile heart shattering into a million tiny pieces ?? you’re RIGHT. ”

        ryan does nothing more than shrug, brushing off the banter with ease. “ what can i say ?? i’m a man of many talents. ”

               ‘   don’t try to redeem yourself, it’s too late. the damage is already done.   ’

          “ alright, ya caught me. on saturday i sat in bed all day eating cheese doodles and watching mean girls. ”

                           “ that’s what happens when you’re shiny and NEW. luckily that novelty doesn’t wear off though. not for a WHILE, anyway. that would be tragic. ” she lifts a hand to pat his cheek gently. it’s almost pretentious. but not quite.

          ryan shook his head. he’s not as dumb as he looks. “ i’ve been called the next eminem, and he hasn’t died yet, as long as i don’t get that sophomore slump, i’m in the clear. besides, i have an adorable, heart-breaking smile. ” and as if to prove it, he flashes her his teeth, his smile a bit wider and more over the top than usual.

               ‘   so you’re saying you didn’t ? and to think, i almost thought you were cool for a second.   ’

         “ hey, man, i never said i didn’t, did i ?? i just think it’s FUNNY. ”

“well, yeah – i don’t see anything else around here that would be considered art.”

he clears his throat loudly, almost offended she didn’t suggest him. “ uh, ME ?? ”

                interesting is one way to put it. at least when i appear on a magazine, it’s for a brand advert & not ‘cause of shitty drama like that. but one question though, did you really hook up with three people in one night ??

          “ HEY !! my drama isn’t shitty. it’s entertaining. stories like mine make covers, and they sell. albums or magazines. but no, i didn’t. contrary to popular belief, having three girls in my hotel room does not mean i slept with all of them. ”

                            “ –and ?? ” she cocks an eyebrow, curiously. “ are the people right, or ?? i wouldn’t be surprised if they were, to be honest. ”

          he rubs at the stubble on his chin in thought, most of his weekends were a blur, anyway. “ uh --- idunno. maybe not THIS saturday, maybe a saturday in the past ?? when my first album came out things got pretty wild. ”