DON'T PANIC !

ps : if we’re mutuals and/or write together, feel free to ask for my discord. you’re more than welcome to tag me in starters, musings, and spam me about our threads at anytime too ... basically be my friend !

      “doesn’t take a rocket scientist to pick a lock.” despite the blatantly obvious signs of reluctance to welcome any visitors, merri still walked in anyways - even offered a warm smile as she found her place on the bathroom counter. legs dangled over the edge, heels lightly hitting the cabinet with each swing as she fiddled with the faucet, tightened it to stop the pesky drip. how could jackie stand that? two plops in and merri would’ve lost it. “used to break into my dad’s alcohol cabinet when i was younger. he always said he was a beer guy, but the watermelon spritzers hidden in the back said otherwise.” she shrugged. “so why’re you cooped up in here by yourself? too cool for the rest of the crowd?”

      a house full of people was the last thing kit wanted to come home to after dealing with ‘pick all the green m&ms out of the bowl’-level elitists for eight hours straight. but at that point, she was too tired to find her brother to chew him out ... why waste her breath? it wasn’t like he’d listen. instead, she snagged a bottle of tequila, sprite and a box of pizza before setting off to lock herself away. “get a room.” she rolled her eyes, breaking through a couple swapping spit on the staircase to approach her bedroom. “he could’ve f*ckin’ warned me,” she murmured under her breath, door slamming shut to drown out the music as she entered her room. “but no, can’t have one night of –” her complaints came to an immediate halt as soon as she laid eyes on the unexpected visitor, “uh ... can i help you?”

   she’d been eagerly awaiting the favor that lay between jackson pierce’s hand. jesus christ he could talk ... only thing was it wasn’t with her, but kelly masters. so would he even notice if alice helped herself? before she could contemplate it, she’d snatched the joint from his hand and placed it between her lips, ditching the stragglers to join the rest of the group while he hollered a ‘what the fuck!’. as if on cue, “you guys, come on -” careful not to laugh at the display of sheer terror on the other’s face as they taunted them, she eyed them all. “leave 'em alone.” what a horrible host, leaving the person she’d lured into the debauchery to go off and get high; but, in her defense, she didn’t think they’d be that scared. “what, you haven’t heard? you’re a sacrifice. that’s why you’re here tonight.” she teased. was she helping? probably not. in fact, she felt kind of bad. “don’t worry,” a reassuring nudge, “you’re not gonna die. if anything the ghosts will haunt the two lovebirds back there first.” kelly and jackson, of course. “here -” she extended a hand, index finger tapping the end of the joint - watching as the embers fell to join the soot left in the fire’s wake all those years ago. “to take the edge off.” a playful glint sparked in her eye, “unless you want me to hold your hand instead ...”

      alessandra was quick to bend down in front of him, fluorescent lights reflecting off of the rock on her finger just right as she picked a stray can up. but the ring meant nothing. it was just a prop, a ticket to a lowkey life in suburbia filled with cookie-cutter houses and stay-at-home mothers who lived for pta meetings and hot yoga. alessa wasn’t like that - tried to be, but the women didn’t take to her well. she knew why, even if they were hell bent on pretending they didn’t know who she was. don’t get her started on their husbands - so comical to see their double takes when her own introduced her to them. she thought she wanted this: a partner, a child, simplicity; but days blurred into each other and boredom took a toll. only a few things kept her entertained - and she was looking at a contributor to one of them. it was cute how he got so flustered around her. he was cute. “i’ll have to check that sale out,” she placed the can on the shelf and shifted her gaze to meet his, “hi robbie.” she smiled. “you know, i got nervous when i walked in and didn’t see you at the check out. thought you quit without saying goodbye to me.” she stood up and smoothed her skirt, body shifting to lean against the cart. “i would’ve been so sad, i always look forward to our chats ... but i was wondering if you had a minute? i need someone strong to help me with a few cases of water, if you don’t mind.”

      “i would say that’s a means for clinical insanity, but i’m pretty sure i rented dazed and confused about 400 times. everyone was always for kevin pickord, but michelle burroughs was literally right there. you know, come to think of it ... i’m pretty sure your cousin might’ve been the reason why i broke my streak. yeah, i think he was the one that got me onto fast times.” she readjusted her position, practically sprawled out on the roof ... one slight shift and partygoers would probably think she’d been punted out of the sky by whatever higher power ruled. that is, if there was one. clover wasn’t really religious. the closest thing to a god to her? snoop dogg. she tucked a hand beneath her head, “i feel you. there’s something kind of ... off about parties like this. prefer those shitty ones in basements riddled with worn in furniture and dusty boardgames. feels more authentic. this shit?” another arm extension towards the crowd of people beneath them. “a front for something. gotta be. like mattress firms. why the fuck are there so many? who is buying that many mattresses?” she stopped herself before she got ahead. “anyways,” she accepted the joint from their hand, “if it makes you feel any better, i was only invited because of my business. half these fuckin’ losers probably wouldn’t look at me otherwise. i could probably gone girl myself and they wouldn’t even bat an eye.” she immediately regretted the reference as soon as it left her lips, hasty hand reaching to anxiously take a hit. “shit ... sorry. i uh,” she cleared her throat, “didn’t mean that.” though she’d be lying if she wasn’t curious. “if you don’t mind me asking ... how long has it been? you know since your sister ...”