Perfect

He hollered as she caved in. “Yes!” Matthew started a small round of applause right before starting the introductions. However, realizing he would just be throwing a bunch of random, unmeaningful names her way, he simply said: “Everyone, this is Emma. Emma, this is everyone.” Somewhere deep inside Matt hoped to distract the others enough with this commotion so that they’d straight up forget about the truth he had had to answer before. So far it seemed to work or perhaps they were too uninterested to bring it up again and make a fuss about it. Either way, Matt didn’t want to risk it so as soon as the brunette sat down next to him, he ushered for the game to go on. “In honour of our new player, I feel like it’d be her turn. So c'mon, ask her the question.” He signed at whoever was sitting opposite of him and they immediately complied with Matt’s firm order. They all shut their mouths to hear the notorious words: ‘Emma, truth? Or dare?’

There’s an awkward, nervous sort of smile plastered to her features at the careless introduction. Her eyes, dark and mud-colored, sweeping swiftly over the unfamiliar faces of Matt’s friends before she casts them back down to her hands; They’re long, slender, her nails bitten off, and she fidgets with the edge of her skirt unconsciously. The heated stare of her brother’s blue eyes seem to fade with seconds and the next time she let her hues wonder to the corner of her vision, there’s nothing but the old oak tree he’d been leaning against. The question, inevitably coming, has her snapping back to the group, her thoughts jumbling. Truth would be the easy way out but the option makes her stomach clench and she knows, somewhere within the back of her mind, that she won’t be able to bare to answer. Not with the nagging factor she hides and denies. “You can’t tell them.” His voice is sneering, demanding, and she can feel the ghost of his breath slither along her skin. “Dare.” Mutters Ems, a soft croak in her voice.

“Nonsense!” Matt waved off her comment. There were only a handful of reasons he would ever deny a girl (or even a guy, for that matter) a spot at the table with him. And Emma didn’t tick off a single one. “Just don’t take whatever these guys say personally.” He gave the fellow next to him a pat on the back, which included a rather forceful strength that made the guy cough up an ‘okay’. Even though Matthew wasn’t one of those dictating popular guys with reserved seats and an always complying crew, he could force a hand when things didn’t go his way. He was rather petty in that way. “We were just playing a game of truth or dare but there’s always room for more. So are you in or are you a chicken?” A slight grin rested on his lip as he made room for her, right next to him. He didn’t really know the girl that well, only ever saw her around with her brother who was a friend - well, used to be, at least. Matt was still playful as always, especially in his game mood, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of protectiveness over the girl. After all, seeing her wander by herself around campus was what made him ask her to join, and not trusting all the other players around him was what made him ask her to sit next to him.  

She shifts on her feet, glancing down at the roughish boy in front of her. Her fingers itching closer to her skin, only to scratch at a spot on the inside of her arm. The fake smile lingers to her porcelain features and eventually, with one tentative glance at the rest of the group, she gives in. “Alright. Just one game.” She seats herself next to him then, smoothing out her skirt. And her gaze flickers to Matt for a second, slightly grateful he’d made room. While he served as a persistent reminder of her brother, her riddled mind already believed Drew had come back for her. She could see him now, in her peripheral vision, feel the piercing stare of his eyes on her back. His face was hollow and indifferent, a tightness in his jaw that she knew all too well. It sent a shiver down her spine. Focusing her line of sight onto the group, letting her hands fall in to her lap, she awaits expectantly for someone to break the silence.

closed starter ↪  @prfctxms

“Hey Pelling!” One could expect such a shout across the campus ground from the football coach but it turned out to be just plain old Matt, who’d recognized a brunette walking by. With a little raise and a wave of his hand, he meant to clarify to her that he’d been the source of tumult and signal for her to come over at the same time. When Matthew spoke the words “Join us!”, a consensus of groans escaped from his circle at the picnic table. They weren’t all too thrilled with Matt’s interruptance of their little game of truth or dare, thinking he was stalling his punishment. “Shut up, you didn’t complain when I invited a girl to our pathetic two-men party of spin the bottle, mate.” With that he shut up the second in command, who clearly didn’t want that story out in the open, and could finally focus on welcoming his guest.

In the midst of everything, the warm rays of a beaming sun seem to brighten the fields and grounds of the prestigious school. A rare occurrence for the students and citizens of London and most of everyone seems to be taking advantage of the early spring weather. They’re lounging around, spread out over the grass surface or busily playing silly games with friends. Emma moves among them, her thin arms folded across her frame and her thoughts jumbling. The sudden interruption and uproar of the roughish lad has her snapping her glance to the direction of the group of friends and she watches them warily, her fingers coming up to fiddle with the chain of her necklace. She hesitates at the invitation but draws closer, slowly, a plastered smile cracking across her pretty face. “I-I’m not sure you’d want me to join you.”

chasity: GUESS WHAT, GUESS WHAT!  chasity: wow, my parents wedding is this weekend  chasity: im so happy for them!!

“One swim and my clothes have already been stolen, fantastic. Could you uh… lend me a towel for the walk up to my bag? I would rather not have to cover my junk with my hands the whole way. It really draws attention… which in this very moment I would very much like to avoid. Especially from the chaperones.”

Aurora turns at the vibration of a clear voice, a soft and sweet smile curving along her lips. She falters though at the sight of the male. Freezing on the spot, her eyes dilated. “O-oh.” Utters Saga, quickly turning her gaze to the side, cheeks burning. “U-uhm..” It takes her a moment before she clumsily moves across, stumbling towards his towel. Once making her way back, her hand covers her closed lids and she stretches out her arm. “S-sorry...”

Chasity had decided to go on the spring break trip and have some fun for a change. When she arrived the first thing she had did was explore a bit, she walked around the beautiful city and was just content on being alone as she thought about a few things. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a familiar voice causing her to turn around, eyebrows furrowing a bit. Once seeing the girl, she lets out a soft sigh as she waves slightly. “Hey,” she mutters back. Personally, the girl was a little too happy for her taste, but there was nothing she could do about it. 

“Hi!” Aurora mumbles, again, her smile still curling brightly upon her features. And she leaves her camera hanging around her neck, brushing a few small strands of her hair behind her ear. “How are you? I haven’t seen you around for a while. I didn’t know you were attending this trip too. It’s great, isn’t it? I’ve never been to Greece before. But I love it here!” She rambles. She would have swept on but falters instead, glancing up at the blonde. “What about you? Have you been here before?”

Feet step carelessly upon the cobblestones of the city, moving a bit clumsy, stumbling on a few loose rocks that are scattered over the paths. The owner of these feet barely notices the sharp edges of the stones piercing through her flimsy sneakers, way too busy with gazing around and taking pictures; Enthralled by the sights. Never having been to Greece and generally a curious light ball, a girl with wonder for the world and a wish to see it all, Aurora is engrossed. She beams brightly, clutching to her device and snapping pictures as she goes. A small bag is hanging from her shoulders, and occasionally a doodled notebook comes out. She’d been left on her own - Pyre too busy with his friends and she didn’t realy have anyone else. She spots a familiar blonde through her lens, then. A bit too close, and she lowers her camara, smiling sweetly. “Hey!” Aurora beams, happily.

Chasity: oh the one who tried to interview me after the flood?

Chasity: but no i don't know where your notebook is

Chasity: good luck finding it

Aurora: Yes! That's me. How are you?

Aurora: Oh. Okay. Well thanks! I'm really glad you responded to me. Most people don't seem to do that. Which is understandable. I mean they're probably really busy and don't have time to reply to me.

Bird: Um I have no idea

Bird: What does it look like?

Aurora: That's okay! I didn't really expect anyone to, I was just hoping someone might have seen it

Aurora: It's really just a normal book. Although I drew and wrote on it. So I guess the cover is full of doodles and quotes. I sort of tend to do that a lot when i'm in class. My teachers always tell me I'm a bit of a daydreamer... But you probably didn't wanna know that... uhm.

Aurora: Hi! It's me!

Aurora: Aurora. I mean it's me, Aurora! I'm the writer and editor of Illusion!

“Well… this is it!” Stefan sighed happily as he looked up at the apartment building, deciding to move after the recent events at the school. Plus, with his job paying him more than enough to get by he was able to afford the change. “Once I’m done unpacking I think I’m going to get a dog,” he stated as he turned to the person who was there to help him out.

Her hues flutter towards the building, glancing up. And she smiles, clutching to one of the boxes. “It’s nice! I bet It’ll be really cozy. I mean having your own place must be nice. At least it’ll be a lot more peaceful than living in the dorms. I know it can be pretty dramatic. I don’t know if it’s the same for you guys - but It’s pretty noisy with us. Although I don’t mean to complain. I love it here on campus but it can be pretty hard if you wanna study. I guess you won’t have any trouble with that anymore.” Aurora rambles. Letting her gaze travel to him once he speaks again. “Oh!! I love dogs, they’re so cute! I really wish I could have my dog live with me at the dorm. I miss him a lot, and I think he’d love it here. The gardens are big enough for him, he’d probably enjoy running around in there.”

The last few days had been pretty scary for the blonde considering she almost didn’t make it. As she sat in one of the open spots in the hotel lounge, she felt someone approach her causing her to look up from her notebook rising an eyebrow at the overly happy girl. “Hey, Chasity.” she replies before hearing what she was blabbing on about. “Are you saying that you weren’t there?” she questions curiously before thinking about her experience. “All you need to know is I almost died.”

She withdraws her hand, clutching her note book a little closer to her chest. A timid, friendly smile still playing across her lips. “It’s nice to meet you! I love your name, it’s really unique.” Mutters Aurora. “Oh, no I was. I just don’t think my story is that interesting. And I’m a journalist, I report on other people. I mean, I don’t think anyone would love to read about me. I’m not so special. And I got out pretty quickly. I mean, someone got me out, really. I don’t think I would have made it out without them. I’m not that handy.” She babbles, stopping only once she hears the rest. And her shoulders fall as she regards the girl. “Oh. I’m sorry. --I’m happy you didn’t. Are you okay?”