*/ rare & sweet

“what’s in it for you?” aaron repeated, making sure to inject their voice with maybe an obnoxious level of incredulity. if one phrase could describe aaron’s approach to their relationship with valerie, at least the romantic aspect had died that slow, tragic death, it would be “refuge in audacity.” they weren’t exactly sure how to handle the feelings they did still have for her, and refused to let themself examine too closely, but they knew that just pretending not to know her when they a hefty portion of their class schedule wasn’t a smart option either. smart. aaron couldn’t remember the last time someone had called them smart, but they were. and they were smart enough to know that losing touch with val entirely wouldn’t be wise, professionally or, uh, otherwise. so instead of addressing the awkward points of their relationship head-on, aaron opted to audaciously ignore them whenever possible. “uh, helping out your favourite future law professional?” they continued, giving val their most charming smile. “and… all the drugs you could possibly want? see? never say i’m not generous.” in the back of their mind, aaron winced. but it was better to never even show a hint of embarrassment at their own antics, so they fought bravely to keep any sign off their face.

      of course valerie still cared about aaron, how could she not? just because she agreed to still be friends after the breakup, didn’t mean she didn’t have a million what if’s running through her mind whenever she thought about them and their relationship. still to this day, she didn’t really know what brought aaron to break up with her, she was too scared to ask, her own insecurities running her petrified of the truth, convinced it was something she had done. to this day she just reminded herself how grateful she was that aaron was still in her life, even if it wasn’t in the way she intended, it was better than not having them in her life at all.       val would do anything for aaron, that was clearly obvious, she didn’t really need a reason to help them out. “drugs?” she replied, her tone a lot lower, not wanting anyone to hear, “you know i don’t partake in that kinda stuff, aaron,” she scrunched her nose up, “and besides, my question was rhetorical, you really think i need a reason to help you?” she smirked, nudging him playfully, a little flirtation didn’t hurt anyone.

lucas was focusing on his history homework, that was just fucking killing him but he… really had to get done. so, when he saw valerie, he jumped a teeny bit, but calmed quickly. “oh, uh, yeah, of course.” he moved his books and papers aside to make room for her. “what are you gonna be working on?” he hoped it was something similar to him. or, at the very least, that valerie was good at history essays.

       “ wow that sounds a bit hostile ” vince mumbled under his breath. never the one to admit defeat, he pulled a swiss army knife out of his pocket and started messing with her lock. it’s been a few years since he’d done this, but after twisting the blade at just the right angle he got the door to finally open. “ okay listen, i know that you’re mad that i found out about your dirty dirty secret - which i’m totally cool with by the way-  but there’s no reason for you to act i don’t exist. ” it was hard to maintain his anger once he was inside, it dawned on him just how ridiculous it was for him to break into his ex-bootycalls room just because he felt sad and lonely. too late for regrets, now.  “ hi, by the way. you look lovely. ” 

      valerie finally had some free time for a bit of studying at the library. usually, she was the kind of girl who studied alone but when she noticed lucas sitting alone, she couldn’t help but feel the urge to go and sit by them, maybe they could help each other study?       “is this seat taken?” she asked, gesturing to the chair opposite him, giving him a warm smile, “i promise i’m a quiet studier,” she chuckled, hoping he’d welcome her to the table.

lucas: i wish i could tell you but... i'm in basically the same boat

lucas: i didn't even see you !!! i hope your foggy memories include you having a little fun

lucas: i puked on elliot's shoes. that's all i remember.

val: oh no :(

val: i didn't see you either!!! i hope so too, i think i had a good time???

val: i do remember arguing w someone but for the life of me i can't recall who...

ryan: let me know if you find someone who knows what the fuck happened last night?

val: yet to find out anything """"juicy"""" but i'll get back to you

miriam: ok so i have the WORST headache

miriam: do you have a hangover cure that actually works?

val: i know this sounds weird but... green tea really helps me??

val: it removes toxins so idk i feel like it just gets rid of all the gross feelings

angus: yeah it .... catches up with you pretty hard :/

angus: i'm the wrong person to fill you in tbh

angus: i played tons of beer pong and definitely went hard on the markers ..... kinda didn't see you much after we spoke and i feel like that was pretty early !!

val: i blame YOU

val: jk i don't!!!

kitty: never too much vodka bbgirl

kitty: uhhhhh angus and i dominated at beer pong? drina made a rlly pretty mural, i think the deltas might preserve it

kitty: i held your hair the first two times you threw up :)

val: are u sure??? my head HURTS

val: oooooooh okay well im mad i don't remember this :( especially the beer pong, im usually alright at that game!

val: so last night is kinda foggy... that punch had a bit too much vodka i think

          “ okay, that was a dick move on my part. my bad. ” he apologized holding his hands up in surrender.  despite his initial reaction, he wasn’t actually bothered by her job. she was trying to make a living and if dancing around in 6-inch heels helped her do that, who was he to judge ?   the problem was that he was jealous; they never bothered to put a label on their relationship-  both of them being too emotionally stunted to do such a thing-  but he missed her and he hated the idea of other people seeing a side of her that he swore was just for him. “ why didn’t you tell me ? i mean, sex thing aside, i thought we were friends. ” 

      valerie just scoffed, he was pointing out the obvious, it was a seriously huge dick move to say such a thing to her, she was already insecure about it enough. she didn’t really know what the point of this conversation was, they were done, right? both had gone their separate ways, their little sex pact was over with. she stopped for a moment before turning on her heels, facing him once again, “don’t feel special, i haven’t told anyone,” she sighed softly, biting the inside of her cheek nervously, “and besides, i didn’t think i needed to...” they were friends yes but they weren’t the kind to spill each others deepest darkest secrets, this was a part of her that she tended to keep to herself, worried of the judgement it would bring.

elliot smiled “yeah its been good. so much fun. i don’t think i’ve ever been to a blackout party so its been an experience to say the least and i am completely covered in this glow in the dark paint” he said smiling at her before chuckling as she did her little wiggle. “thank you” he said. “hey of course i will like it.” he said before taking a sip of the drink the girl had just passed him. “its delicious. thank you” elliot said. 

      valerie gestured at her over the top, glowy attire before looking back at elliot, “well as you can see, i’m a sucker for a glow in the dark theme,” she chuckled, watching elliot’s features as he took a sip of her drink, glad to see that he liked it, as if she’d be personally offended if he didn’t, “how good is it?” she smiled wide, another laugh leaving her lips, “where’s drina, is she here tonight?”

“oh, sure, pass it here!” kitty said quickly, and perhaps a little too giddily, as she reached for valerie’s cup. knocking back a quick swallow of punch only contributed to her buzz, and kitty passed the solo cup back with a beaming smile. “yeah, that’s pretty good too. definitely not as good as kappa’s jungle juice, though. god, i’ve always wondered where they keep the recipe. none of the other houses even come close to beating it out. it’s like the krabby patty secret formula, but even more top secret.” she recognized she was babbling, but at this point in the evening, stopping herself was easier said than done. at a sudden noise from the closed bathroom door, kitty frowned and leaned closer, pressing her ear against the door before rearing back with a snort. “oh, fuck, val. we need to find another bathroom, this one’s occupied.”

      valerie let the girl take her cup, letting kitty take a sip, holding the cup close to her chest when she handed it back, glad to hear that she enjoyed the drink, it would’ve been a little embarrassing if kitty hated it. “oh my gosh, i remember having that at one of their parties, that is good stuff,” she giggled loudly, liking kitty’s analogy, she was a bit of a spongebob geek herself. val didn’t really notice what kitty was doing until she realised... oh, of course. “oh shit,” she laughed, nodding her head quickly, “here come on, i think there’s an ensuite upstairs,” she grabbed the girls hand and lead her up the stairs, hoping that one of the room’s ensuites were free.