wasted youth

By now Cassidy had endured more than her fair share of first days. However it didn’t stop her from resenting them any less. In all honesty the process had become somewhat repetitive to her - it was stiff and it was most certainly awkward. However after spending far too much time stuck in a barely liveable apartment in San Francisco, she’d decided a change of scenery was well overdue. Thats where Fairfield came in. She didn’t understand why she hadn’t thought of it earlier - campus living. It fell under the whole ‘kill two birds with one stone’ nonsense. 

As she stepped into the quiet hallways of Fairfield Prep she couldn’t help but notice somewhat of a tenseness in the air. It was almost as if everyone was on edge. Choosing to shrug it off, she found her way to her first classroom, taking a seat. Observing as other students filed their way in through the open door. Cassidy’s eyebrow kinked up in curiosity “God… who died?” she muttered to no one in particular. 

“Some guy.” Paige snorted, once again back to using her fiery personality and sly tongue to her advantage. “Also, this blonde girl went missing. It was fucking nuts.” She thought Halloween had been bad, but this was something entirely different. And it had shaken her to her core. “Anyways, the school’s definitely not all rainbows and sunshine at the moment.” She raised a brow curiously, turning to look at the other girl with a slight smile playing on her lips. “But I’m Paige. Welcome to paradise.”

Her eyes had locked with Maisie’s. She’d smiled right at her. But soon after the speech began the lights cut out… and everyone was panicking. Mara had tried fishing her phone from her purse but before she could even manage the lights were back on… and then the body was crashing onto the stage. Everything had happened so quickly… but once Mara’s name was called by the security her feet shuffled and she fell in line with the retreating girls. Resting her hand on someone’s back she knits her brows. “Are you feeling okay? I know we’re supposed to head straight to the dorms. But if you need to head to the bathroom, I’ll go with. Safety in numbers right?”

Paige wasn’t sure if Mara had even recognized her. She wouldn’t blame the other brunette if she didn’t. Everyone was freaking out, and Paige could understand why. But freaking out made her feel weak, and that was something she strongly despised. “Mara.” She whispered hoarsely, her voice sore from screaming Pascal’s name throughout the hell that had broken loose. “I... I just... yeah. Our room. That--yeah.” She nodded, absentmindedly taking Mara’s hand in hers and lacing their fingers together to ensure they wouldn’t get separated. “Are--are you okay?” She asked, her eyes studying her roommate’s face as she walked with her towards the dorms.

As hard as it was, sobriety was something Paige found necessary for the moment. Not for her, though--for Pascal. She knew her twin felt the pain she carried with her that was left from their parents neglect, and she felt guilty that he had to share it. She loved him, more than anything and anyone, and he had to know that.

So cutting the cocaine out of her daily routine was the first step of business. Then she’d made it her responsibility to get all of his favorites--favorite movie, favorite cologne, favorite snacks, favorite music, favorite novels--and compile them into one box with a short yet sweet hand written note on top.

Letting herself into his room on the night of Christmas Eve, she dropped the box on the ground gently before running straight for him. “Hey, Pasc.” She whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck, her face buried in his hair. No matter what, they would always have each other. And even though the last few months had separated the two of them, he was still her other half. He was still the only one able to bring a genuine smile to her lips without doing anything.

@pascal-andean

“Considering there was definitely a week last year that I skipped 90% of my courses…you’d probably do better than me.” He shrugged. “But what kind of monster assigns homework nearly right after break? There is nothing I care less about than organic matter.” He rolled his eyes before raising an eyebrow. He supposed he wasn’t quite as notorious as he believed he had been. Maybe there was still a shot that he could be a better man in some people’s eyes. “Yeah. Wrestling and swim,” He replied. “Name’s Seth Lentz, if that rings any bells.”

It was a genuine shock that Paige was actually taking the time to try and remember him, and were she asked later on she would have blamed it on the drugs in her system that kept her running at full speed right now. And maybe it was only a tiny bit obvious, with the way she was only slightly more excited than usual. “Only a week? I’m sure you would have been fine with two weeks of skipping class. Though I definitely wouldn’t suggest it.” She shifted slightly, leaning over to look at the work and scrunching her face in slight distaste. “If it’s English, I guess I can help. If it’s science or math--” she shook her head as she read a sentence on brain matter, thoroughly unimpressed. “Good luck with that, dude.” She ran his name through her memory for a few moments, fingernails tapping on the table slightly for a short moment. “Nope, never heard of you, Seth. I’m Paige.”

Class had just finished, and Eddie couldn’t be happier. The fact that it was the weekend made it even better. For a while now he had been stuck in a rut. He had laid low and been unusually quiet for the prankster, but for some reason, when he had woken up that morning, he felt the urge to fix himself and at least return somewhat back to normal. Walking through the halls, he stopped the first person he slightly recognised. “Hey! What are you up to? Let’s have some fun, yeah?” 

“I suggest body shots--but that’s just me.” She didn’t even register who she was talking to before the words had fallen from her mouth. And then when she realized she was speaking with the younger Castle brother she almost laughed, because he could not look any more like a goody two shoes. But she was sure that that probably wasn’t the case, if his reputation as the class clown said anything. “Unless you have something else in mind, then I’m definitely all ears.”

Sitting in the rec room, Aliyah frowned down at her phone as she scrolled through all of the recent activity on Fake Escapes. She was curious about what was on it, sure, but she didn’t understand why people kept playing into the blogs game.  “What the hell is going on with this school..” she muttered aloud, not realising anyone was close enough to actually hear her.

She should really care more, honestly. And maybe deep down she was a little worried at the fact that her brother’s name had been mentioned once or twice on the blog, as well as Adrian’s, but her attention was almost always elsewhere. However, hearing a voice, she turned her head with a bored look on her face. “I honestly don’t know. Like, I’ve stopped paying attention to half the bullshit.” Maybe it wasn’t all bullshit? “But if you’re willing to explain, I’m curious now.”

Break hadn’t felt nearly long enough, Seth decided. It was as if he’d closed his eyes at home and woke up at Fairfield - he was jetlagged, tired, and coming back down from a Christmas high so his concentration on his homework was already wavering, but it didn’t help that he felt like eyes were all on him. He wondered if people were just waiting for him to break, waiting to see if they were next to be targeted and beat up - but no. He was done with that. “Hey!” He called, his voice a little more demanding than he intended. He met eyes with the kid that had been looking towards him. “You wanna help me with my homework or somethin’? Is that why you’re starin’?”

Raising a brow, the brunette couldn’t help the light laugh that passed her lips. “I’m pretty sure that’s the last thing anyone wants, me helping you with your homework.” She was smart, deep down. But that was something known only by Pascal and Adrian, even though she would deny the fact that she even remembered the latter’s name. With Christmas had come an unbearable sadness--one that she could only find cured with the powder in her back pocket. “Nah, you look familiar though.” She flopped into the chair across from him, the amused smile dancing on her lips. “You in any sports?” 

Rae: Hey.

Rae: You doing okay?

Rae: I miss you.

Paige: hey, i'm alright. i guess. all things considered.

During lunch time, the mess hall was usually a busy, almost overcrowded place, filled with chatter and the sounds of people sitting close to you chewing their food. Now that so many had gone home for the holidays though, it was much more quiet and there was a myriad of vacant tables and seats. It was pleasant. The girl was multitasking, tapping away at some game on her phone while eating with her other hand. It was only when someone sat down across from her that she looked up.

It really fucking sucked that Paige was stuck at Fairfield. Of course, that was to be expected. Her parents hadn’t even checked up to make sure that her and Pascal were even alive after what had happened on Halloween. Spotting some girl she hadn’t seen before, Paige let out a sigh of aggravation underneath her breath. “I’m Paige.” She took a bite out of her grilled chicken salad, glaring at the girl across from her. “I haven’t seen you before.” It was a bit of an accusation, though there was no reason for Paige to be so aggressive with the dark haired girl. She was cute, really. Not Paige’s type, but she was cute. Maybe the type of girl Paige should want to be friends with... too bad she didn’t do friendship.

Sitting next to the girl Mara offers a soft smile before scooting closer to her. Slowly pulling Paige into a hug she lets a small sigh escape her lips. Rubbing her back slightly as she laughs and quietly offers the phrase. “Awkward friendship hug…” Before letting go of the other girl. Resting a hand on her shoulder, with the other resting on her hand her brows knit together. “You know what’s fucking cool Paige? You are. You’re fucking awesome because you’re trying to do better.” Mara moves her hands into her lap looking into Paige’s eyes. “And you know what else? I’m glad that you’re my roommate.” Lifting her brows she smiles at the girl. Staying quiet for several moments before speaking up once more.

“If you ever want to come back to Kansas to spend some time there you can.”

“I would... yeah. I would really like that.” A smile began to form on her lips, though the sadness was still in her eyes. Curled up on her bed, her arms draped over her stomach, which still hurt more than just a little, she ran a hand through her hair, wincing slightly. Being impaled really had an affect on every little movement. “I’d love to officially meet your moms, as well. Just...if you tell anyone... I might have to kill you.” She said lightly, doing her best to keep up the bitchy facade even though Mara was doing a damn good job at melting her heart.