world of false realities.

“I’m okay, all’s okay! It was just my foot  not my face…” He told the girl, flustered only slightly and mostly because not two steps before some kind of inkling told him to pay attention. And look at that, tip of his shoe’s ahead of the game blocking his face from coming into full on contact with Donut Farms (probably filled with kids sticky fingers markings) front door. Max made a face at the door’s handle he held open still, only then getting a fingerprint smudged look through the glass, “Margo?” 

–

Margo was simply about to carry on with her day since they said they were fine, but at the mention of her name, the Walsh had to do a double take, only to realize that the man she swung the door into happened to be her stepbrother. It certainly had been quite sometime since she’d seen him in person and despite her mother’s postings on Facebook once in a blue moon with her step siblings, it was still shocking. Of course her mother had informed her that if she was coming to the West Coast for graduate school it would be in her best interest to live in Silver Lake as she could have relatives close by. Relatives meaning her step siblings, whom she hasn’t seen in quite sometime. “Max...hi,” she said through gritted teeth. She was supposed to reach out, but inevitably she forgot or just didn’t really care to. “How’s it going? I’ve meant to reach out, but I’ve been so busy with the move that it completely slipped my mind.” 

     Three steps ahead, Luke struggled to keep up with his daughter and her friend as they were deep in conversation about, what he had been informed was, girl stuff — He didn’t question them, not after a fifteen hour shift and the regret of promised donuts. Learning to pick his battles was part of parenting and he was about ready to do anything for a quiet night. The girls were chattering away as the door swung open and they walked in, “Rosa, say tha—” Though manners were least of his worries as that same door knocked him out of the way and his phone out of his hand. “Shit, not again.” The male mumbled as leaned down to pick it up, screen cracked for the second time in three weeks. “Yeah, no don’t worry about it. I’ve got butter fingers and back luck when it comes to cell phones.” He chuckled, brushing some of the dust from it. “Sorry about my daughter too, she does know how to say thank you. Apparently they’ve got a lot to catch up on, ten year olds have a lot going on.” 

–

“It’s not broken or cracked is it?” The way the phone landed on the floor could have resulted in two outcomes. Saved by graced or completely shattered to the point where you could end up slicing your fingers trying to use the screen. At the mention of his daughter, she did recall two girls quickly pass by her as she was about to open the door, which most likely should have signaled that someone else would have been right behind them. However, her father was distracting her and here she was. “It’s okay,” she chuckled. Margo could recall what it was like to be ten years old. Crushes, choosing your squad, and being the best at dance was the consummation of that year. Plus, with double digits you felt empowered and not just a little kid anymore. “The world is ever so challenging for them at this point so it’s good she has a girlfriend to hash it all out with.”

Just as Xavier was about to go for the door, it swung open straight towards him. “Shit—” he jerked away in surprise though the door wasn’t short to miss hitting him. Despite the brunette being shorter than him, she sure swung that door. “Yeah, I think so,”he furrowed his eyebrows in slight pain. “I was half expecting a 6′2 weightlifter,” given how he’d been hit with the door as he tried to lighten the mood. “Sounds like you’re two for two though,” he had caught the end of her conversation. “You’re really starting a reputation,” he said, holding onto the bridge of his nose just to make sure he was good. 

–

“My bad...let’s say defense classes and living in New York kinda get me the level up there?” She honestly didn’t think she pushed the hard that door, but considering her level of annoyance with her parents. Since she stepped foot off the plan two weeks ago they have constantly been  nagging her about her step-siblings and her expected duration in Silver Lake. Maybe Margo took out her pent up aggression on the door more than she even realized. “Yeah, let’s not do that. I definitely don’t want to be known for that around here.” She’d never really grew up in a small town, beyond the farm when living with her mother half the year for about five years. Even then, she wasn’t really running into people that often which was why she went sprinting back to NYC with her dad full time. “Can I at least pay for your order since I practically busted your nose?”

           IT was partially Elena’s fault for standing so close to the entrance and despite being the victim of being whacked with the door, it was her instinct to immediately apologize. “Sorry, sorry .. I probably shouldn’t have been standing in the way. It’s common sense that people are going to come in and out,” she stated before waving a hand to dismiss the woman’s apology, “Yes, I’m good. No harm,  no foul.”

–

“Okay, cool,” she let out a small sigh of relief. Last thing she needed was an unintended scene of anger and frustration to come her way. She’s been a witness to many of that in passing and those are not pretty to look at, let alone be the centerfold of it all. “I love your shoes by the way,” Margo added. One thing that took up the majority of her closet space were definitely shoes. High heels, platforms, boots, and slip-ons were here weaknesses. “Where’d you get them if you don’t mind me asking?” 

-

being in the technological field meant that jaden often carried around small gadgets to get him out of a tight spot . it was the very reason he had a portable charger to replace margo’s on that fateful day , pointing her in the right direction and even hobbling with her heaviest bag to her destination . often times his kindness was a flaw in the boy’s code – he’d bend over backwards , breaking his spine for a stranger if it meant assisting . that time , though , it had ended with a free greasy lunch and a friendship he was able to cherish . 

“ i think it’s got eyes , yeah . look . it’s crawling toward you , “ playfully he shifted the plate and watched as the poor excuse for a cottage pie wobbled and sloshed against the sides . “ literally anything is better than this , seriously . you bringing me any food is amazing and , hey , maybe it’ll get my mom off my back for not consuming any vegetables , “ barely half a beat went by before jaden’s hands were delving through cartons , a stock-take of what margo had brought him ( or them , but mostly him ) . “ i’m feeling a lot better . i should be back home sooner rather than later .. i just gotta stop myself wasting away until then . “ 

–

“That’s just fucking disgusting. No wonder people hate hospitals,” she grimaced at the plate before tossing a napkin over the horror that was called food. Fortunately for him, she stopped at a local taco shop, ordered a few things of the menu and decided to stop by on her way home after completing all her errands for the day. The morning was filled with work orientation and the afternoon shipping items and purchasing things for her bedroom in Frankie’s place. “Well lucky for her you can have a nice serving of guacamole!” Opening up the cartons, she placed the spread, picking out a chip before tossing it in her mouth. “I heard flexing your legs in bed can build stronger calves,” she joked. Margo was just glad to hear he was doing fine. She wasn’t too privy on his health history and all, but if he said he was on the up and up, she fully believed him. “So, what’s gonna be our master plan of adventuring once you’re out of this sterile place?”

Two hands raised protectively as a door swung towards him like he had personally offended it, grateful that he had pocketed his phone to cross the street or there was a high likelihood he would have been shooting back a text and ended up getting a smack bang of the thing. 

“It’s okay, no harm, no foul,” He dismisses, lowering his hand and straightening out his t-shirt. It’s only then that he realises who had been on the other side of the door, a two in the morning acquaintance from the diner. 

“Hey, it’s you! See, this is what I meant when I told you Silver Lake is small.” 

Or at least it felt that way too often. 

–

“Yeah it’s me, slamming doors in people’s faces, causing mayhem,” she chuckled lightly, thankful that it was a face she had already met. Not that it made the situation any better, but there certainly was more grace extended to her with it being Mateo. “It is, but it’s quaint and cute, so still a major adjustment from New York, but I’m getting the hang of it.” Or so she’d like to think. Honestly, it sometimes felt easier navigating the streets of New York than the town, but she wouldn’t be too tripped up by it. “Were you headed somewhere?” 

“Shit.” His quick feet hadn’t been quite quick enough to dodge, the glass and metal of the door rattling as it clipped his shoulder. Pain radiated outwards and he reached across his body to rub the sore spot, giving an abortive nod. “I’m fine,” he managed to get out, side-stepping to put more space between himself and storefront’s entrance. Austin, positive that he was forcing a reassuring smile into place, was more so grimacing in reality, his lips sealed together so tightly that they’d practically disappeared. “They outta look into making the sidewalks wider around here, eh?” A terrible joke didn’t soften the blow any.

–

“Are you sure? No dislocated shoulder or anything right?” Clearly lying by the reaction on his face, Margo did her best to stifle back a laugh. It certainly wasn’t funny by any means, but the look on his face was quite humorous. It was like watching someone slip and misstep on the stairs trying to gain their balance. Of course you were concerned with their overall safety, but the event in itself was comical in nature. “I really am sorry and yeah I wouldn’t be opposed going down to the town hall to express that concern,” she said offering a small smile in return. “I can run back in and ask for some ice for you and I promise I will not hit you with the door.”

.

Typical. Absolutely-fucking-typical. Someone stole his bicycle for the second time that year. He even invested in a better bike lock, yet, here he was dragging his feet after work. All he wanted was a little pick-me-up, something sugary sweet like a donut. Instead, he received a door in the face just to really add onto the blow of the day. “Jesus Christ,” he mumbled, rubbing his tattooed elbow that bashed into the handle. Once he saw the distressed woman, he did his best to shrug it off, though his face told another story. “I think the world is out to get me today,” he mumbled and then added sarcastically, “Yeah, I’m fine. Never cared for this elbow anyways. Who needs it?” 

–

“Oh yeah, how so?” Getting hit in the funny bone in any matter was always a painful ordeal for most. Margo just hoped he didn’t bruise nor flip out her as he rubbed his elbow in attempts to mitigate the pain. “I mean, I like your tattooed elbow and I think your shoulder and arm are rather appreciative that it is there holding them together.” What on earth was she saying? There was no way to make light of the situation, so instead she extended her box of doughnuts towards the man in hopes to make this situation just go away. “There’s blueberry, triple chocolate, and cinnamon sugar.” 

          if there was one thing brennan hated about being an adult, it was grocery shopping. part of him wished he could just leave his cabinets empty and survive on take out alone, but he knew his pockets would eventually dry up and his gut would inflate, so he was trying to make more of an effort to cook and eat at home. his arms were full with paper bags and his vision mildly obscured as he walked down the sidewalk, so there was little he could do about the door that flung open and collided with him, sending the bags in his hands hurtling to the ground. “you cock suckin’, mother fuckin’…” he grumbled to himself as he knelt down to pick up his things. “me? good. my bananas? prob’ly bruised as shit, but i’ve heard the bruised ones’re better fer banana bread, so maybe it’s a fuckin’ blessing in disguise.”

–

Margo was about to frantically apologize and assist the guy with his scattered produce until she heard him mutter under his breath some choice words in part to her mishap. What a dick. “Hey, I said I was sorry!” she said firmly, not giving way to the guy trying to make her feel worst than she already did. He didn’t even look the type to even know how to make banana bread to begin with, but who was she to judge? “If it’s that big of a deal I can just buy some new ones. Relax.” 

Sebastian had been pretty much minding his own business, walking through town and considering grabbing some actual food to fill his apartment, when the door swung out into his face. The last thing he had expected, though, was for the person to have done it to be someone he’d seen before —- even though it had been a couple of years. When she spoke, he was still slightly dumbfounded, but he finally managed to find his voice, brows lifting. “Yeah… I’m okay,” he responded lightly. “Are you?”

–

“Yeah, yeah I’m good. Donuts are hopefully still intact,” she chuckled as she tightened her hold on the box, almost dropping it in reaction to the vibrations that echoed from slamming the door into the man. It was after she took a moment to gather herself that she realized she’d met this guy before. “I’m sorry, do I know you from somewhere?” Margo was quickly running through her head the list of possible places she could have met this guy. It wasn’t just one of her random thousands of followers on social media and then it dawned. “Wait...we met in Abu Dhabi right?”

“Seat 3B. Full name….uh….I wanna say it started with an A?” Frankie said, freezing for a moment as she tried to remember, the gears in her brain that were struggling almost literally visible on her face. She gave up with a shrug, straw popped between her lips as she slurped from in, before setting it down and turning to face Margo head on. “I would not be abandoning you!” she protested, a hand on her heart in mock horror. “Okay, I would, but you’ll still be here tomorrow when hot man flies back out, so….not really. And no, no, no. We most certainly do not make men breakfast. Bang and boot, that’s the motto here,” she said with utmost earnestness, practically giving Margo puppy dog eyes before she shrugged again, a grin spreading across her face. “We’re young, we’re hot, we don’t need to waste any more than a singular night on a man.” 

–

“Sounds oh so memorable,” she chuckled before biting on the straw of her drink as Frankie failed to recall this man who caught her eye on the flight. Unlike most of her friends back home, Margo wasn’t one to chase after guys left and right despite themselves throwing themselves at her. Beyond shared kisses here and there, she only was ever in two serious relationships. Since then, she’s kept her legs close while supporting her friends through their sexcapades. “Oh okay, so if 3B just strolled in right now you’re saying you wouldn’t leave me here at the bar alone?” she asked with a raised brow and smirk. She knew Frankie couldn’t help herself. If there was someone enticing, she just had to hav her way. It never really bothered Margo whatsoever, she was always independent growing up and could certainly keep herself entertained solo. “What if he was the one though?”

“Woah — dude,” he didn’t see the door coming at him until it was too late, and even then, his hands went up to stop it, semi-successfully. Still mashed his nose to the glass though, rather uncomfortably. But at least it wasn’t broken. Or so he thought, had to let the tingling sensation subside. “So much for looking both ways before you cross the street.” 

–

“I am so sorry!” she said putting her hand out towards him. Nice job Margo. It was split second after that she saw the man in her peripheral, but by then it was too late to clutch the door from swinging so wide. By the way he was grimacing and clutching his nose, she could only hope it wasn’t broken, fractured, or bruised. ““Do you need ice? We can get ice. My friend’s house isn’t too far from here if that’s the case.” 

Axel was checking his phone when the door narrowly missed his face. “ Woah.” He said catching it with his free hand. “ Easy there.” He chuckled and caught sight of person in front of him. “I’m fine.” He chuckled. “ Wait.. you’re Margo right?” He asked with a smile as he tired to remember where he knew her from.” What donut you got?… I live for donuts, I swear they are the only thing that keeps me alive sometimes.” He laughed. “I love the chocolate ones, best cure for everything from a hangover to a hunger pain.”

–

“Okay good,” she let out a light chuckle in relief as she gathered herself. This certainly wasn’t the way to leave a first impression being new to town and all. Unlike New York, she couldn’t simply bank on the likelihood of never running into people again around here. “Yeah I am...you work at the parlor right?” She was thinking about getting a new tattoo and with the recent move the timing seemed quite right. So, she went in for an estimate on pricing and had introduced herself to the few individuals working that shift. “I uh got the salted caramel, lavender early gray, and a lemon poppyseed.” The whole menu looked incredible, how she only got three was beyond her. “Well they look and smell delicious so I’m certainly excited to try them.” 

 Note attached reads

To the lady who almost slammed a door into my face.

Hope you have a great Easter. And next time you wanna grab a donut let me know. 

Open: @slchat​

For someone who had a study abroad frequently throughout college, one would have thought her dad would be a bit more lax about the move to the West Coast. “Yup..uh huh, okay. Got it dad. Won’t talk to strangers and will always remember to look both ways before crossing the street,” she joked. As she exited the store, Margo accidentally swung the door into someone in passing. “I gotta go, love you,” Margo said quickly, hanging up quickly before looking at the other. “I am so sorry about that! Are you okay?” If worst came to worst she could always get them a doughnut. ​

who: @slchat​​​ where: Globos (or honestly any bar/club of your choosing)

“Okay so there was a total ten out of ten hottie on the flight back into LAX today and he asked me if I had any places to go out to recommend once I told him this was my base and I told him he just had to go here,” Frankie said, the words all coming out in one rush of air before she took a deep inhale. “True? No, not at all. But it is convenient to my house and after a three day trip, I needed convenience, but also a solid opportunity to try to hit on him when, you know, off the clock and therefore totally allowed,” she explained before shrugging up her shoulders, drink somehow already in hand despite the fact she had been at the bar for, like, two minutes flat. “But anyways, come sit with me, people watch, do some shots. But if he shows up, I will be expecting you to mysteriously disappear into the night, conveniently leaving a barstool open.” 

–

“Did you get a name? I need a description for a fuller picture.” She had just come in from the office, her first official week with the agency in the books and was happy to grab some drinks and good food with Frankie. The one perk to the move was knowing a dear friend of hers was in town. It certainly would make the experience and transition back to the West Coast a lot easier. When Margo heard of Frankie’s latest adventures of becoming a flight attendant, she could only shake her head in amusement. Unlike her friend, Margo didn’t have the energy nor the patience to entertain just any cute specimen that walked by. So, it was always great to hear of her friends latest flings on the regular. 

“That’s so fucking rude! You’re gonna abandon me when I just got here for some possible measly dick?” Margo scoffed at her friend before grabbing her drink from the bartender. Taking a sip she surveyed the room before looking over to her friend, “I wasn’t planning on making breakfast for three, but if he’s worth it, then I guess I can add an extra plate come the morning.”