. * ✫ demure in practiced beauty

     “it’s scary, huh?” he mumbled with a small smile, his hand moving to rest on her knee for a few seconds — a reminder that he was there, that he was listening. despite what everyone may have thought about him, he was good at that part. especially with paisley. “you realise how great you’re going to be though? you’re going to graduate with flying colours.. go to some great college and kill it there too.” he whispered. “there’s so many people that believe in you… your friends, your family, me..” the boy knew he’d always care about her, it was hard not to considering she was so great. “you don’t give yourself nearly as much credit as you should, babe.”

she jumped a little at his touch — it was innocent, comforting even, & it’d been so long since she felt consoled by him that she let it happen. but letting him in was always a slippery slope, & she wasn’t so sure she was prepared to do it entirely. even if his words made her want to melt straight into his arms. ‘ no, you just give me too much ... ’ she shook her head, hesitantly turning over his hand to rest hers inside. ‘ but ... thanks, loto. look ... i’m sorry i snapped, yeah ? i just ... ’

    “fawn?” he repeated, his eyes narrowed as he glanced around. he had no idea what that meant, but he knew it couldn’t have been anything good. “so because i talk to other girls.. we have a problem?” he was playing a dangerous game, he knew that. but as far as he was concerned, she had no proof that he had been doing anything wrong. it was all one compliment too much that caused some girl to laugh and news spread to paisley. something he regretted instantly. if anything, he wanted to start this year right. “i mean.. i came to tell you i miss you if the text messages didn’t tell you enough… but fuck that.” loto shook his head, dropping to his knees so he didn’t have to stare down at her. “forget everything that has happened… you’re exhausted. what’s wrong??”

maybe it was his genuine worry, or maybe she was just too exhausted to put up a fight, but paisley ( briefly ) let her guard down. she didn’t have the energy to be mad at him — to let her imagination run wild in distrust or insecurity. so she let out a sigh, resting her head in her hands in emotional defeat. ‘ nothing ... nothing, it’s just ... ’ she shook her head, struggling to find the words to explain what was going on in her head, & ultimately deciding not to find them at all. ‘ senior year, you know ? college ... it’s just ... hitting me hard, i guess. ’

“i wish you would calm.” he stated with a hint of annoyance in his voice. “i wish you would calm down because you’re getting on my last damn nerve. you’re making it out like that’s a lot. it’s not. “

‘ it’s ... ’ her heartbeat heightened as he challenged her — urging her, tempting her to prove herself to him. ‘ sure, if you’re going to half-ass it ... it’s not a lot. but, you know, i actually want to do well, so ... ’

     “pais… relax.” lothair whispered, his eyes slightly wide as he looked down at her. he always watched her stress over school work, though this was something entirely different. to say it worried him was an understatement. maybe he’d be enough of a distraction for her — part of him highly doubted that though. especially because he wasn’t sure how they were right now. it was always back and forth with the pair. “—you wanna go on a walk instead? please?”

‘ relax ... ? ’ she imitated sharply, slamming her textbook shut. ‘ wow ... thanks, lothair ! i’m ... you know what ? i’m totally relaxed now. & all thanks to you, so. ’ she looked up at him — a mix of sadness, vexation, & exhaustion in her eyes. ‘ ... what’re you doing, loto ? what, you couldn’t find any other girl to fawn all over you so you came to me ? no, no ... i don’t have time for this right now, loto. ’

justin: well, it's no party of mine without loto

paisley: Right.

“oh right. my apologies, paisley.” she smiled at the girl and sighed, “in high school i was in almost all AP classes. calculus included. that crap doesn’t go away just like that.” she retorted as she raised her eyebrow, “i’m not a dinosaur. i did go to high school.” sure paisley wasn’t biologically her sister but she would try to at least help as best as she could.

‘ oh ... ’ paisley’s eyes widened, the surprise on her face evident. not that she didn’t think her sister-in-law was smart, per se, but ... evidently she didn’t know much about her at all. ‘ well, i ... appreciate the offer ? but ... i think ... you know, it’ll go faster if i just get it done myself. ’

                         ❛ paisley, babe. you realise school hasn’t even started ? ❜ justin asked, FAKE concern filled his eyes as he snakes an arm around her. he had always found the brunette to be pretty and she definitely sparked his interest, though, it always seemed like loto was in the way.   ❛ you need to chill. lucky for you, i know a way to solve that problem of yours. ❜

‘ justin, babe ... ’ paisley overstated, shoving against his hold. ‘ you do realize summer school exists ? & extra credit ? & ... college ? & academic scholarships ? ... so unless you’re somehow holding my early admittance, i’m not interested. ’ she strived to block him out, to somehow retain her attention to her work, but his presence made it impossible for her to do so. he had a way of taking up space. ‘ & i really don’t need you breathing down my neck, so ... ’

justin: im throwing a party this weekend

justin: so

justin: be there.

“school hasn’t even started and you’re already stressing about homework? do you need any help?” the older woman asked with a small smile.

‘ ... summer courses ? ’ paisley sighed, struggling to hide her vexation. ophelia’s actions were a valiant & ( she knew ) well meaning attempt, but it didn’t help. if anything, it put her more on edge — made her more defensive. ‘ anyways, what do you know about calculus ? ’

. * ✫ hello ! i’m em & i’m new & i’m so, so excited to be here ! i’ll be bringing you the one & only: paisley morrison ! she’s small ( 4′11″ ), extreme type-a high school senior who is basically just doing her very best not to implode ! stay tuned to find out if she succeeds !