* 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 / 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠 .

Gracie hustled to the direction in which her dog ran, coming face to face with the friendly girl. She offered a gentle smile when she saw the delight on the other’s face from the visit of her canine friend. She liked seeing other people happy, even more so when she could help make them happy. ““She sure is. She’s my best friend. She goes almost everywhere with me.” She spoke, taking the dog back into her arms. ““She just loves to say hello.”

paycie  chuckled  lightly  at  the   girl’s  words  ,  smiling  softly  in  her  direction  .  “  awe  ,  that’s  so  sweet  .  she’s  adorable  ,  ”  the  brunette  laughs  .  pay  had  a  weakness  when  it  came  to  animals  ,  she  loved  them  more  than  people  honestly  .   “  i  love  that  .  what’s  her  name  ?  ”  she  wonders   ,  reaching  over  to  pet   the  dog  .

there wasn’t a day that went by where ripley didn’t wonder if he made the right decision, letting paycie go. she was good to him – more than good, and he ran the moment he started letting his head get in the way of things. he was surprised she was even still speaking to him, really. “wow, free for the whole summer? that’s exciting. you planning on working or anything or just enjoying the free time? you’ve earned it,” he said with a gentle, yet hesitant, supportive smile. he knew how hard she worked at school, and it was bound to pay off. “i’ll definitely let them know you send love. and i’ll tell him,” ripley nodded, hands tucked into his pockets to resist any sort of fidgeting with them. he hadn’t exactly told his parents about the breakup until he showed up and saw they’d left a spot for her at dinner – that had been an interesting ice breaker. he’s a little taken back by paycie’s question, a quiet chuckle leaving his lips as he nodded. “yeah – yeah, i’m okay. just working a lot, still going to physical therapy every few months, taking things easy,” he said, hoping he was convincing enough.

“  i’m  probably  gonna  pick  up  a   few  modelling  gigs  but  yeah  ,  mostly  enjoying  the  free  time  ,  it’s  been  so  long  since  i’ve  had  some  ,  ”  paycie  responds  with  a  soft  smile .  the  brunette  nods  at  his  next  words  ,  as  her  gaze  faltered  away  from  him  for  a  moment  .  there’s  no  doubt  things  are  awkward  between  them  ,  how  could  they  not  be  ?  she  was  finding  it  hard  ,  to  make  insignificant  small  talk  with  someone  she  loved  .   as  hard  as  she  tried  ,  she  really  did  try  her  best  ,  but  the  tension  was  still  there  .  she’s  quick  to  focus  her  gaze  back  on  him  when  he  responds  .  “  that’s  good ,  ”  paycie  nods  with  a  gentle  smile  .   “  i’m  glad  you’re  doing  okay  .  ”

        “ who  knows  –  with  this  in  the  wrong  hands  and  there  could  be  another  paycie  miller  out  there . ”  the  male  is  only  teasing ,  though  he  shakes  his  head ,  soft  click  of  his  tongue .  charlie  reaches  for  her ,  wrapping  an  arm  around  her  and  pulling  her  into  his  chest .  the  line  moves  some ,  and  his  arms  fall  from  around  her ,  shuffling  forwards  now  standing  next  to  her  in  line .  he  motions  towards  his  table  and  to  his  laptop .  “ writing …  well …  i’m  trying  to  write .  it’s  not  really  getting  anywhere .  i’m  still  kinda  drained  from  that  trip ,  and  before  you  say  it –  i  know  that’s  really  stupid ,  but  i  do  not  feel  relaxed  after  that !! ”  charlie  laughs ,  “ what  about  you ??  i  mean ,  besides  the  obvious … ”  they  were  standing  in  a  coffee   shop  after  all .  “ are  you  just  grabbing  and  going ?? ”

“  i  doubt  it  but  i  guess  it’s  possible  ,  ”  she  chuckles  softly  ,  before  returning  the  hug  he  offered  ,  arms  wrapping  around  his  torso  .  smiling  softly  as  the  embrace  ends  ,   turning  to  face  the  line  again  .  the  brunette  glances  over  at  the  table  he  gestured  towards ,  nodding  her  head  .  “  you  don’t  ,  why  not  ?  ”  she  wonders  ,  glancing  over  at  him  .  “  you’re  such  a  good  writer  ,  c  ,  you  just  blocked  right  now  ?  ”  pay  mentions  .  “   me  ?  ah  literally  nothing ,  i’ve  been  so  bored  since  we  got  back  dude  ,  ”  she  laughs  lightly  ,  stepping  forward  with  him  when  the  line  moved  a  bit  .  “  yeah  i  just  needed  that  morning  coffee  y’know  ?  ”  a  light  chuckle  slips  past  her  lips  again  .  “  but  hey  ,  i  can  always  stick  around  if  you  need  some  company  ,  ”  she  faces  him  again  with  a  smile  .  

𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛 … @ten23starters·

        charlie  didn’t  know  why  he  thought  that  the  cafe  across  the  street  would  get  him  in  any  more  of  a  writing  mood ,  but  something  bout  a  change  of  scenery  had  him  packing .  to  no  one’s  surprise ,  the  change  of  scenery  has  done  NOTHING  to  spark  anything  within  him .  the  chair  scrapes  loudly  across  the  floor  as  he  pushes  it  backwards  to  stand  up .  there’s  a  lineup  to  order  coffee ,  and  while  he  could  probably  just  wait  for  the  wave  to  slow  down ,  he  decides  to  tough  it  out .  shuffling  forwards  with  the  line ,  he  feels  something  against  his  shoe  –  a  wallet .  “ hey , ” charlie  taps  on  the  person  in front oh  him ,  “ oh –  shit ,  hey ..  didn’t  see  you  come  in  here .  you  dropped  this . ” 

after  getting  back  from  their  vacation  ,  paycie  was  happy  to  have  time  off  from  school  ,  but  she  was  quickly  getting  bored  .  she  figured  grabbing  her  daily  coffee  from  across  the  street  could  at  least  keep  her  a  little  bit  occupied  .  she’s  waiting  in  the  usual  long  line  ,  turning  around  quickly  when  she  feels  herself  lose  grasp  of  her  wallet  followed  by  a  tap  on  her  shoulder  .  brows  raise  and  she  offers  a  smile  when  she  sees  charlie  in  front  of  her  .  the  brunette  glances  down  between  them  at  her  wallet  in  his  hands  ,  taking  it  back  .  “  hey  ,  you  .  thanks  ,   good  thing  it  was  you  and  not  some  stranger  huh  ?   ”  pay  chuckles  lightly  ,  knowing  charlie  was  used  to  her  klutziness  by  now  .  “  what’re  you  up  to  ?  ”

ripley wasn’t a bad person, and despite how rough his breakup with paycie had been towards the end which was his fault regardless, he figured if they were going to still be living under the same roof, they might as well try being friendly. the cookies and forced smile might have been a bit much, sure – but it was better than completely giving her the cold shoulder after he had been the one to break her heart. “sounds like you all had a good time. i’m sure it was a good stress relief – you done with classes and everything? or just took a break?” he asked her curiously, hands nervously tucking into the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. “i went home for the week. i hadn’t visited in a while and it was my brother’s birthday, so,” ripley shrugged, smiling softly at her as he cleared his throat. “they send their love, by the way. wanted me to tell you that.”

their  breakup  was  still  fresh  ,  she  found  that  every  time  she  saw  him  it  still  pained  her  .  but  she  had  no  choice  but  to  push  those  feelings  down  and  suck  it  up  ,  essentially  .  ripley  made  it  clear  he  didn’t  want  her  ,  there  was  no  use  for  the  brunette  to  dwell  on  it  ,  no  matter  how  much  she  felt  the  need  to  .  gaze  turns  to  the  floor  for  a  moment  as  she  quickly  collects  her  racing  thoughts  ,  before  back  up  at  the  blonde  again  .  “  yeah  it  was  lots  of  fun  ,  you  would’ve  loved  it  ,  ”  she  mentions  softly  ,  offering  a  gentle  closed  -  lip  smile  .  “  i  finished  my  last  final  before  we  left . and  no  summer  classes  this  year  so  i’m  free ,  finally  ,  ”  paycie  answers  ,  tucking  a  piece  of  hair  behind  her  ear  when  she  feels  it  fall  in  front  of  her  face  .  another  small  smile  occupies  her  features  as  ripley  mentions  his  family  ,  she  missed  them  .  “  that  sounds  nice  .  oh  ,  cool  ,  send  it  back  for  me  .  i  miss  them  all  a  lot  ,  and  let  your  brother  know  i  said  happy  birthday  ,  ”  the  brunette  says  .  “  how  have  you  been  ?  like  have  you  been  okay  ?  ” she  purses  her  lips  as  the  question  she  really  wants  to  ask  slips  past  her  lips  ,  part  of  her  still  and  always  worrying  about  ripley’s  wellbeing .

Gracie made her way to her little mail box in the building, Doritos in one hand, dog leash that connected to a small white Maltese named Hillary in the other. “We’re all in this together, once we know that we are. We’re all stars and we see that!” She sang as she opened her box, the leash falling from her grasp. The brunette gasped as Hillary ran towards a person coming through the building. “Hillary come back! Oh my goodness I’m so sorry.” She exclaimed, looking up at the other as she tried to regain grasp of the leash.

as  usual  ,  paycie  was  distracted  in  her  own  little  bubble  while  wandering  through  the  familiar  building  .  she  had  a  tendency  to  day  dream  and  not  focus  on  her  surroundings  ,  which  is  why  she’s  taken  by  surprise  when  she  feels  the  small  dog  jump  up  on  her  .  she’s  not  scared  though  ,  but  immediately  smiles  widely  ,  bending  down  to  pick  up  the  puppy  .  “  hi  friend ,  ”  she  speaks  to  the  dog  ,  petting  it’s  head  happily  as  she  notices  the  other  girl  approaching  .  “  hey ,  oh  no  need  to  apologize .  she’s  super  sweet  ,  ”  paycie  chuckles  lightly  ,  handing  the  girl  her  dog  back  as  much  as  she  didn’t  want  to  . 

the returnee — after some while’s absence —  ducked back into ten23, relieved to see the familiar surroundings, and hopefully people ( though you never knew, truly, who came and left; sometimes they’d be gone without a goodbye, and you’d be left pondering whether to text their number to see what happened ) here. “i was kind of hoping there’d be a party,” cecilia joked, facetious smile on her face, “or cookies, or at least a hug?”  

paycie  had  her  face  in  her  phone  as  she  wandered  downstairs  into  the  lobby  .  she  looks  up  when  she  hears  a  voice  speak  in  her  direction  ,  looking  up  to  see  cecilia ,  a  smile  immediately  tugged  at  the  corners  of  her  lips .  “  hey  you  .  there  were  cookies  ,  pretty  sure  they  all  got  eaten  though  ,  ”  paycie  chuckled  lightly  .  “  party  ?  i  hope  so  too  .  i  can  provide  the  hug  though .  one  out  of  three ,  ”  she  smiles ,  shrugging  softly .

“ welcome back !! “ a bright smile lit up ripley’s face as he stood in the hotel lobby, eagerly awaiting the arrival of any of his friends who had gone on the trip. he had chosen to go home and stay with his family, really needing the downtime with them, despite how relaxing and fun a vacation may have been. he had no regrets though. when he spotted a familiar face, he held a container full of cookies in his arms, giving it a little shake just for fun. “oh my god, look how fucking tan you got, jesus. figured you all might have a sweet tooth after the long trip, so – i just made these earlier today. now come on, fill me in on what i missed. anything good?” he quirked an eyebrow, bringing an already half eaten cookie to his mouth.

@ten23starters·

the  little  vacation  to  the  island  was  exactly  what  paycie  needed  .  it  was  the  perfect  way  to  begin  her  summer  ,  now  that  she  was  finished  her  semester  &  she  was  completely  free  to  do  whatever  she  wanted  for  the  next  few  months  .   she  looks  up  from  the  ground  when  she  realizes  ripley  is  talking  to  her  ,  a  bit  taken  aback  by  his  happiness  .  but  they  did  live  in  the  same  building  ,  the  least  they  could  do  was  be  cordial  to  each  other  .  plus  paycie  couldn’t  hate  him  ,  even  if  she  wanted  to  .  “  hey  ,  thanks  ,  ”  she  returns  the  smile  ,   before  looking  down  at  her  arms  for  a  quick  moment  when  he  mentions  how  tan  she  had  gotten  .  “  cookies  ?  wow ,  yum  ,  ”  she  chuckles  lightly  ,  gaze  catching  the  blonde’s  .  “  just  lots  of  drinking  ,  partying  ,  laying  out  in  the  sun  ,  obviously ,  ”  the  brunette  responds  ,  soft  smile  never  faltering  .  “  why  weren’t  you  there  ?  ”  paycie  wonders  . 

send “$” for an ACCIDENTAL text .

𝒑𝒂𝒚𝒄𝒊𝒆 :  https://www.tiktok.com/@johnlake__/video/6820482793873739013

send “ø” for a LATE NIGHT text .

send “✆” for a MORNING text  .

𝒑𝒂𝒚𝒄𝒊𝒆 :  morning  beautiful  !!! 𝒑𝒂𝒚𝒄𝒊𝒆 :  ik  u  have  a  big  paper  due  today  ,  wishing  u  luck  on  it  hehe  ❤️ 𝒑𝒂𝒚𝒄𝒊𝒆 :  ik  u  did  great  on  it  already  tho

send “#” for a RANDOM text .

“  oh  shit  ..  am  i  fired  ?  ” 

“  no  .  ”

01:  do you have a good relationship with your parents ?

“  yup .  ”

02:  who did you last say “I love you” to ?

“  um  ...  it  was  ripley .  ”  @fcsters

03:  do you regret anything ?

“  no .  ”

68:  who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with ?

“  my  dad .  ”

69:  do you believe in soulmates ?

“  yeah ,  i  do  .  but  i  think  you  always  have  more  than  one . ”

70:  Is there anyone you would die for ?

“  family  ,  and  my  friends .  ”

15:  have any pets ?

“  i  wish  ,  my  dog  still  lives  at  home  with  my  dad  .  ”

39:  how old were you when you had your first kiss ?

“  fifteen  .  ”