old habits die hard

“Hey, I was just trying to get all the music producers in the room to give me a contract” Korra laughed off, eyes darting to the side awkwardly, half-expecting that Mirella will just shrug this off too. A more sincere smile appeared on her face as the other called for more shots, happy to move on to the drinking. The brunette’s eyebrows rose up as the other asked the follow up question about the song, “As I said, just looking for them big people to notice me, this is the best song for my vocal cords” she nodded happy with the answer she gave, and hoping Mirella will feel the same. “How bout you, will you jump on to give your rendition of ‘man, I feel like a woman?’ Korra changed the subject swiftly.

“Save it for Simon Cowell. I don’t think you’ll find anyone of actual importance here.” A simple glance around the bar, and all she noticed were other patrons downing drinks and waiting their turn at the mic. “I will admit, you don’t have a bad voice. You’re better than some of the other autotuned bullshit that they overplay on the radio.” Always observant, Mirella quickly noticed the awkward tension emanating from her drinking partner, but she didn’t care enough to put it at ease or bother to ask about the issue. “Fuck no. Shania Twain should be left in the nineties along with mom jeans and tracksuits. And I honestly can’t sing for shit. I should have warned you that I’m just here for the drinks.” 

Ty: yes, thats exactly how it happened

Ty: have u though

Ty: have u personally been there

Mirella: Interesting.

Mirella: No, not really. I've never "accidentally" had sex with my boss.

Ty: how do u go into work the next morning

Ty: when u accidentally hooked up with ur boss the night before

Ty: help asking for a friend

Mirella: How do you accidentally hook up with your boss?

Mirella: Did you slip and fall into her vagina?

He rolled his eyes, slightly annoyed, even the thought of Mirella sleeping with his best friend was enough reason for Matt to be annoyed. “Ella, I am aware I don’t have any say in whose dick you are sucking but that does not mean I want to hear about it.” He muttered, speeding the car a little. “Ever.”

“I wouldn’t blame you for that.” He chuckled, remembering the parties he was forced to attend. The last one was a total disaster too, he had to socialize with bunch of fame hungry c-listers, he ended up disliking every single of them but still managed to put a good face. Zelda literally coached him before the party, explaining him who was who and why he had to meet them. “That’s what I want to do eventually but I can’t do that without any experience.” Matthew pointed out with a shrug. “I only finished writing one thing; it was a play and it was about us.” He reminded her as he turned to her momentarily. “However, I don’t think the industry needs another Marriage Story or Malcolm and Marie.”

There was a strange satisfaction Mirella felt knowing that she could still press his buttons, knowing that after all these years she still had some sort of hold on him. Her eyes flashed with a hint of surprise at how easily his nickname for her rolled off his tongue. Something so simple, but it only felt right when he said it. They were falling into their old patterns, and she hadn’t realized how much she missed that. “Fine,” she finally relented, feigning disappointment that he had abruptly ended that conversation.

Mirella scoffed. When it came to whatever newest project she decided to work on, she had little experience, preferring to learn as she went. “You’re only fooling yourself if you think you need a lot of experience. Just look at Lena Dunham. They gave her a show, and all she has is rich parents. You already have that and you’re actually talented.” All she knew of the play that he wrote was what he had told her, but she knew their relationship and his talent.There was little doubt that it wasn’t good enough. “You don’t think our story is like that, do you? I think we deserve a little more credit than that. Personally, being compared to Scarlett Johansson is a travesty.”

Sofia glanced over, eyebrows raised. The woman wasn’t exactly charming company, but that was customer service for you. At least she wasn’t complaining about her order or demanding a refund. Yet. “Oh, yeah,” she hummed, closing up the ladder. “That’s the vibe I was going for.”

“It’s safe to say you nailed it. You actually took the time to map all these out?” Not that the design looked recognizable to her, but it didn’t take a genius to deduce that it was the constellations. “Does being a barista suddenly come with more qualifications? I thought all you needed was a G.E.D. and penchant for bad music played on an acoustic guitar.”

The doubt in her tone was hard to ignore and Sebastian had to wonder what it was about him that made her even question it or come out with her follow up comment. He didn’t say anything about that, though, he merely shrugged his shoulders and gave a gentle laugh. “Weirdly never been to Florida,” he admitted, tone light. “But I don’t know, does New Zealand count? Singapore? Trekking in the Himalaya’s?”

If Mirella was impressed, she didn’t liked to show it, but the corner of her lip slightly twitched upwards. “Only as long as you didn’t go to New Zealand solely to live out some nerd fantasy. I can’t say that I’ve ever gone trekking in the Himalayas, not that I’ve wanted to. I personally prefer Italy or Monaco, but it’s been awhile since I’ve gone on a trip anywhere.” Even though she was still getting settled in a new town, a trip away sounded like a dream at that moment. “I don’t really do well with planning anything. I’d rather pack my bags and go.”

“Yeah, I have noticed that.” A light laugh escaped him and Ben shook his head very slightly. If there was one thing he’d noticed over the years it was that Mirella was a force to be reckoned with. He continued to laugh, though found himself nodding in agreement —- sure there was a uniform, but thankfully not of the orange variety. “You think so? Not sure if I year gives me enough experience for that one, although I had one when I got there. Mega weird. It all was.”

“Oh, I know so. My dad had a friend go to prison for embezzlement, and he paid a shit load of money for some expert advice before he had to turn himself in. As if a minimum security prison is really that intense,” she said with a roll of her eyes. There was a time where Mirella briefly mulled over the possibility of a career in law, but it seemed far less exciting than Law and Order made it seem. “Fortunately, I always remember you being a decent actor. Have you gotten any work while you’ve been out here?”

“I wasn’t saying that, Mirella.” His tone got all serious all of a sudden, Matthew found himself getting slightly annoyed by her words. He had no right to feel possessive over her, especially when he was with someone else but he could not help it. Mirella was off-limits, that was not up for a debate, he would cut off any friend of his if they went after her, no exceptions. “He is seeing someone anyway.” He added dryly, rolling his eyes.

He chuckled quietly and got into the car, starting the engine. “Not much has changed since I’ve left New York.” He shrugged. “And I intend to keep it that way, you know?” Matthew added as he started driving, putting his sunglasses back. “I don’t want to become one of those obnoxious fame-hungry actors.” He grimaced. “If I was able to make movies in New York, I would definitely go back.”

Mirella hadn’t expected to elicit such a response, but she was mildly pleased with herself. Except she had never been the type to allow others to tell her what to do, including Matt. Comments like that only lit a fire underneath her that drove her to doing exactly what she shouldn’t. “That wouldn’t be a problem,” she retorted with a smug smile before rolling her eyes. “God, Matt, I’m obviously kidding. Do I need to give you my Raya password so you have full approval of whose dick I suck? Or should I keep that reserved solely for you?” 

 From the passenger seat, she carefully glanced at him. The urge to reach out and touch his leg as he drove was difficult to fight, but her hands remained still by her side. “I would never hang around you if you did become one of those actors.” Sure, she was used to people knowing her name and tagging her work on Instagram, but that was where she drew the line. Once it became invasive and exhausting, she would run. “You could always do indie films. Write your own shit. You were always good at that sort of thing.”

“Dungeon’s like a.. gothic, sort of, night club.” Bradley informed, choosing to ignore the girls negative answers. “It sounds kinda weird but, I can promise you that it’s a wicked place and.. who can say no to free shots, right?” He laughed, somewhat nervously. “The bands called Beam and they’re kind of rock and roll, kind of indie.. They’re really good to see live, actually. I think you should check it out..”

“How gothic are we talking? All-black, raccoon-like eyeliner, just stepped out of a Hot Topic? It doesn’t exactly sound like my scene.” As unappealing as that sounded, the shots were persuasive, and she had nothing better to do. “Alright, I suppose I don’t see the harm in going. Unless these are the type of goths that do human sacrifice,” she quipped. “You’re not just speaking highly of this band because you’re in it, right?”

“ Really.. anyone I know? I’m not really a fan of the famous glitz and glamour. I could never be famous. I would get arrested or put in a hospital within a week.” He laughed. “ I pierce people for a living.  What do you do?” He asked and then chuckled “ Yeah a little bit obvious.” Axel gave a small laugh. “ Don’t worry though, you will fit in soon enough.”

“Well, I did sleep with a guy who claimed to be Banksy, but given the fact that the guy was at least thirty and looked and sounded as if he just stepped off the Staten Island Ferry, I doubt he could have even drawn a stick figure.” Mirella wasn’t the type to namedrop. There plenty of notable people that she had met, and even slept with, but boasting about them felt tawdry. “I’ve never been too worried about fitting in. It’s more fun to stand out. In case it wasn’t obvious from my disdain, I’m an interior designer. Formerly a jewelry designer and associate producer,” she answered with the hint of a smug smile. 

Seb had to laugh gently at what she had to say. Even if you weren’t illiterate, it didn’t mean you actually took the time to sit around and read books, there were plenty of people who didn’t. They got their enjoyment elsewhere, did find they had the time for it, which was a fair lifestyle choice in his opinion. He didn’t read as much as he used to, so he could definitely relate. “Oh, of course,” he commented with a nod. “Well, seeing as I travel around a lot, I don’t have the space to keep them.” He shrugged lightly. “Today, not so much.”

“Really? You travel?” She asked with the slightest hint of doubt in her voice. It had been awhile since she herself had been anywhere, but she still enjoyed taking spontaneous trips to places she had never been before. Often calling up her friends last minute, or vice versa, and packing her bags. “Florida doesn’t count,” she playfully chided.

If anything that could be a dream come true. Getting famous for shitdecorating. Some weird form of shitposting but in real life. “I… think I just found a new goal in life.” The only problem is she needed a house. “I’m definitely doing this oh my gosh I have so many ideas.” She knew the other was well not too thrilled about anything Breanne had said. Breanne did not care one bit. She was enthused about this dumb idea. “I’ll credit you if the idea takes off.”

“For your own sake, I really hope this is your attempt at humor.” Mirella blankly stared at her, not laughing or finding it any bit amusing. There were plenty of bad ideas she had seen brought to life, but few compared to the quirky and cute aesthetic. “I don’t know you, and I don’t want to be involved in any of these bad ideas.”