𝟒𝟎𝟒 𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐑

" so you're saying that i look exactly like our other blonde friends ? i would at least hope you'd say i was the most attractive of them, " dakota teases with a soft chuckle, rolling her eyes at him. not that she cared much about what he thought, the two had never really gotten along. " yep, i did. " long fingers lift her glass to her lips, enjoying the burn of champagne as it made its way down her throat. " so you and the groom go way back, that's sweet. " a soft smile tugged at the corner of her lips. " how was he like back then ? a hopeless romantic or a total heartbreaker ? "

" only when i'm drunk and everything goes fuzzy. " raises his hand for emphasis, waving them about as though to emphasize the feeling. laughs as well, shoulders shaking. " how the hell is this the first i'm hearing of this ? " is she trying to be modest about it or simply doesn't want to talk about it ? watches her before briefly glancing at his own drink, soft smile tugging at his lips. " yeah. i'm pretty sure his mom's got a few photos of us in the same class tucked away somewhere. " has a number of funny stories he's ready to tell too, but those will have to wait for the wedding reception. " no, he was just as he is now. complete hopeless romantic. he was fearless about it, too. pretty sure he got detention for two weeks after he stood up in the middle of the classroom to serenade his crush. "

can't even remember the amount of times people had told him he was bad news. not necessarily because he was a bad but because of the reputation that preceded him, one that wasn't even his own, but his father's. after getting arrested, the older man's once prestigious reputation came crashing down, shattering like glass, and he and his siblings were the ones left to pick up the pieces. he hadn't been the one in handcuffs, hadn't been the one responsible for hundreds of covered-up deaths or shady deals, but somehow the accusations had followed him anyway. " i remember that, " the male whispers, sadness lacing his tone at the mere memory. " you still deserve better, it was as true then as it is now . " but back then he had been less selfish, now he couldn't even pretend not to be. not when the thought of losing her forever felt like suffocating, like skinned alive. " i have always wanted you to be happy, you know that, don't you ? "

isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination. if her parents could look past her done up hair, the effortless grace with which she dances on stage. if they could see her, then they'd be able to take notice of all the flaws that hide beneath the surface. beatrice likes attention, she craves it more than anything else. can be high - strung and judgmental. if they saw that, then maybe they'd realize that she isn't better than milo. that she's the lucky one here, to have met someone who makes her feel like she doesn't have to be perfect. " i was ready to give it all up for you. " for us, wants to say. would have tossed her career away in a heartbeat if he asked her to. it's different now. her parents have dug their claws into her and now she's struggling to pry herself free. " i know. and i've always wanted to same for you. " closes her eyes a moment, shiver trailing down her spine. " you have to hide me somewhere, " finally says with a shaken breath. " if i'm going to do this, i just . . . i can't face my parents. "

delicate features soften at the mention of the other male, guilt washing over her almost instantly. he missed his twin brother. how could she be so oblivious to the distance he sometimes put between them, the weight he carried so quietly ? she had been so caught up in her own emotions, her own pain, that she hadn't paid attention to his. " oh, michael, " the brunette breathes, regret on delicate features as delicate fingers take his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. " i'm so sorry, i know you must miss him, " she missed him too. sam had always been a constant in her life, and more often than not, she found herself wanting to call him or text him for advice. " you're not going to lose me, " she assures him, even though she should have walked away long ago. they were no good for each other, even if she didn't want to admit it. " i love you. you know that, right ? "

" i do. " in some convoluted way, he truly does. misses his twin brother and wishes that things could be different. wishes he hadn't been backed into a corner, forced to decide between himself and his brother. if it'd been the other way around, knows that sam would have risked himself for his twin brother. wouldn't have been as selfish as michael is. that's what differentiates them at their core. might have looked alike on the surface, but they couldn't be further apart. " i miss him so much that it hurts. but even then, i think i'd miss you more. " no, he knows that he would. he might be pulling away, but it has nothing to do with her. only has to do with that guilt slowly eating away at him. nods softly, smiling gently. " and i love you. don't doubt it at any point, okay ? " reckons it's time for michael to get over those feelings — to leave his brother in the past. " whatever you want, whatever you need, " breathes. " i'll go to the ends of the world for you to have it. "

Even with his LAST MINUTE tack on to SAVE the whole statement, Sadie still felt her body TENSE with sudden guilt. She was so concerned with what SHE needed from him that she hadn't even THOUGHT to grant him the same luxury. And of course she did, why not? She always HAD been selfish like that. What if he didn't WANT her around that much? What if he hated her ... even DESPITE saying the opposite the entire time even post break up? Sadie didn't PULL her arm away from his and they continued on their walk side by side, but somehow STILL it felt as if she was pulling away. Retreating back into herself for a moment. Something that she used to do quite often. However, this time was DIFFERENT, in after a moment she spoke up and didn't continue to just STONE WALL him like normal. ❝I AM sorry you know. For uh ... well for everything.❞ In the past she's just tried to ignore the elephant in the room, this was the first time she was openly addressing it. And it felt weird, but she pushed on. ❝I was a BITCH. You didn't deserve that.❞

won't allow her insecurities to draw a wedge between them again. it's a difficult thing to pretend as though he's okay with their break up, but he'll be willing to do just that if it means keeping her in his life. and so he swallows all the pain, chooses to suppress it if only for her benefit. " oh. " doesn't know where the apology comes from. it's been months since their break up and she had always seemed unapologetic in the past. can only offer a shrug in response if only to downplay the way he felt about the situation. " you don't have to feel sorry, you know ? you can't control the way you feel. if anything, you did the right thing. " it's what he tries to convince himself of, anyway. " you were honest. " and even though it hurt terribly, he'd never say it aloud. " don't talk about yourself like that. "

" maybe i'm not . " oh , caroline totally was like all the other pretty girls . she strived to be like the other girls individuality after all was so overrated but she was not so easy to slip and fall for a man who was not worth her attention . if he wanted her affection , he had to earn it . " not that it would drive you away . i've said not interested what , few times now and you keep coming back for more ? "

" you definitely don't look like other girls. " had captured his attention from the very moment he'd laid eyes on her. can't help but find himself naturally drawn to her for that reason. and it's why he's pushing back despite her rejection. knows it's flawed and that he should probably move on to someone who'd actually want his company, but he can't seem to take no for an answer. " what can i say ? you're the prettiest fucking girl in this room and you've got a bit of edge about you. "

was it too late to change everything ? did floyd want everything to change ? nothing was really making sense and a part of him remained terrified that ultimately he'd lose her in all of this . " things don't change to change , not really . "

" do you. . . . " trails, words sitting on the tip of her tongue, hesitance visible on her features. shouldn't entertain the idea, but she can't help it. " do you ever wish things were different ? " forces herself to look at him, eyes filled with hope. " i do. i wish things wouldn't have gotten in the way, ruined things. " blinks away the tears that well up in her eyes. " i wish i could take back so many things. it's crazy. "

instinctively leaning into his touch, the soft gesture leaves a tingling track on her skin, widened hues fluttering between his warm eyes and enticing lips. breath hitches at her throat as he bridges their gap, mind hazy. “ YES. ” says a bit too eagerly.

slight twitch of his fingers as they trail along soft skin. is it obvious that he's only asked the question because kissing her has been on his mind for weeks now ? yes. the word brings a smile to his face, lashes fluttering shut. leans in, lips hovering over hers. pauses for a moment, as though contemplating the action. really, he's just giving her one last chance to back out if she wants to. when she doesn't, can only lean in, pressing his lips to hers.

“ i KNOW i'm full of it — i fucking earned it too. ” reaches for his ( fourth ) half empty glass, liquid courage giving him the fuel to deliver another blow. “ what have you done with your life, huh ? ” finds it easier to push her away than to let her in, but resolve begins to falter as he notices the expression on her bewitching features. “ a quick google search will tell you i have a habit of kissing beautiful women. that's all. ” austin lies through his teeth, convincingly so.

" oh, i'm sure you did. " scoffs, following the movement of his hand towards the glass. should be enough to remind that this is nothing but an alcohol - fueled tantrum. clings to the notion until she can't. he always seems to take it one step too far, leaving demetria no other choice but to match his energy. " i know what i haven't done. haven't become a fucking drunk who pities himself because he's a has - been with nothing more to look forward to. " instantly glances else where, ashamed and disappointed by the person she becomes when she's with him. " fuck this and fuck you, austin. " frantically reaches for her purse and jacket.

" can you ? then by all means, explain . " piercing blue hues glare at him, frustration clear in her features. " then she's not someone you used to be just friends with, why would you lie to me about that ? " it wasn't that she didn't trust him, but she needed to know where she stood. things were anything but easy between them, the last thing they needed was to keep secrets from each other. " sure, i'm not asking you to, but you can control wether or not you take me for a fool, and right now it feels like you are . "

" she was a friend. it wasn't like she was a girlfriend or someone i really cared about in a romantic way. " had been a part of his reputation in the past. river didn't date, didn't allow himself to get that close to someone else. sighs, shoulders drooping in slight defeat. doesn't know how he can make juliette see that he has no interest in anyone but her. " i didn't mean to lie to you, jules. i just don't want you to worry about something that literally means nothing to me. " steps forth, eyes pleading. " she's just some girl, okay ? i swear it on everything i love. i don't think you're a fool and i'm sorry if it came off that way. can you just . . . " trails helplessly. " look at me. " dares to extend his arm, offering his hand for her to take. " tell me what i have to do to prove it to you. i'll do anything you want. "

" what can i say ? i have the heart of a lion, " can't help but tease with a chuckle, tongue brushing over his full bottom lip as honeyed hues shift from amira to the blonde, allowing his gaze to flicker down her features for a moment. " curious ? that's a good thing, right ? " long digits reach for his drink, taking a generous sip from it before speaking again. " can i get you two a drink ? pretty girls deserve something nice . "