let it once be me

olivia's smile softened as hazel brushed the loose piece of hair out of her face, taking the opportunity to reach up and link their fingers together. "well the coffee breaks are definitely a strong selling point," she admitted, giving hazel a playful grin. "i'd also be lying if i said spending the afternoon wandering around with you wasn't a big part of the reason i said yes." olivia's expression grew more thoughtful as she considered the question. "but i don't know. maybe i'm looking for something too. nothing specific. just for one of those things that catches your eye and makes you feel like it belongs with you before you're even sure of why." she shruggled lightly, bumping her shoulder against hazel's. "though if my history is anything to go by, i'll spend three hours insisting i don't need anything and then leave with two bags and a lamp under my arm."

"You? Wanting to spend your free afternoon with little old me?" Hazel feigned shock at the information. "Sounds highly unlikely," she played up before her lips gave into the grin she'd been loosely holding back. A positive about basing a relationship on a friendship first meant she was never worried about if Olivia actually wanted to be spending time with her or not. It felt nice to feel secure about something. Especially in a relatively new relationship. "Ooh okay, I like that. We can work with that," she nodded, getting inspired that Olivia was open to finding something on their shopping trip today as well. The brunette blurted out a laugh at her girlfriend's follow up, "You're completely correct— you're bound to end up buying half the shops by the end of the day without even realizing it," laughter still trickling through her words. She held the door open for Olivia to enter first. "I just hope you'll be able to fit everything in the apartment afterwards. Or be prepared to part with some of your existing lamps to make way for the new."

a soft chuckle left santana's lips before humming softly. " i was a real problem child growing up. staying out late, getting high or drunk. i've felt the wrath of my parents that the thought of getting eaten alive is nothing." another laugh. " yet all that got me to where i am today." who knew that a college drop out stoner like herself could be just as successful as she was right now. the stupid band that was created ended up being a band with chart topping music , and sold out shows. " i guess losing everything that i worked hard for if you wanted to get all deep and shit." she took a bite of her lo mein that she picked up with chopsticks. " people already thought i was wasting my life away, and that this music shit is a waste of time. don't wanna prove their point."

"Sounds like your parents had their hands full with you," Mari's own laugh joining the other's at the anecdote about her youth. She'd certainly given her parents their own share of headaches, but she'd never necessarily been considered a 'problem child'. She tilted her head to the side lightly as Santana continued to elaborate. She was curious as to what else she'd share. "That would be pretty shitty," Marisol agreed, unable to fathom how hard the fall from such success would truly be. "Do you think it's a waste of time?" she quirked a challenging brow as she reached for her beer, "Or do you believe in it? In yourself?" she continued to press. "Because as long as you believe in what you're creating— fuck what anyone else thinks. I realize it's one of those 'easier said than done' cases but who are you doing this all for if not for yourself? To prove to yourself what you're capable of."

Absolutely.” Erin said, without a second’s hesitation. “Do it anyway.” She laughed. “Though at least let me proofread it first. If we’re publicly humiliating a man, we should make sure it’s top quality.” Some of the restless energy still buzzing beneath Erin’s skin as Laurel agreed. The alternative had been dragging herself back to her flat, sticking something mindless on the television and polishing off a bottle while pretending she was unwinding. This was much better. “Yeah?” She bumped Laurel’s shoulder with hers. “You haven’t had enough of me yet?”Erin asked, pushing herself to her feet. “And a round’s on you?” Her eyebrows shot up. “Jesus. We should definitely leave before you come to your senses.”

"You're so right— I'll need your expert opinion before I so much as dare to post anything," Laurel nodded as though the two of them were executives making incredibly high-stakes decisions. And in her eyes? They were. The brunette's face twisted into something in between shock and disgust, "Who do you take me for? When have I — in the history of ever — been sick of you?" She gave Erin a forceful nudge at the comment, "Hey, don't make me regret offering to pay. I am infamous for changing my mind on the spur of the moment, you know better than anyone," Laurel teased as they made they way out. Once at the bar, Laurel made good on her word and was the one to pay for the first round in the end. She pretended to grumble, but she wasn't going to go back on a promise. Even something as low-stakes as that. "So what's the plan for tonight? Am I wingwoman-ing or are we faking accents and picking pockets? What's the vibe?" she asked, half-joking as her eyes scanned the bar while she was taking her first sip from her pint.

I love you. In a very uncool, desperate, all consuming kinda way. Voicemails for Isabelle (2026) dir. Leah McKendrick

But she stayed where she was, her face softening when she noticed the almost imperceptible way his own eyes did the same – something that would’ve been lost on someone who didn’t know him as well as the blonde did. Camille let out a small sigh, her body relaxing slightly as she did so. At least he was trying to be open and honest – that was something. His last words pulled the hint of a smirk to her lips as she nodded the slightest bit, long blonde hair falling in front of her face, and she tucked it behind her ear, before she spoke. “It isn’t easy for me either Brett.” She offered, her tone soft, not accusatory, just stating a fact, letting him know he wasn’t alone in how he felt about the situation they found themselves in. “Do – Do you wanna go outside and we can talk?” she offered. She supposed, the least she could do was hear him out. She owed him that much, no matter how worried she was about what it would do to her heart.

"That sounds like a good idea," he nodded lightly, having pursed his lips when Cami had pointed out how this wasn't any easier for her either. He wasn't the only one hurting and it was almost laughable that she had to remind him of that. Brett felt selfish. "I guess there's no way of doing this without everyone seeing," he sighed, noticing some eyes still on them, watching for what move or outburst they'd make next. Brett's eyes scanned around to find the nearest exit, twisting in the direction and almost pressing the small of Cami's back to guide her forwards. His hand barely hovered near her before he'd snapped his arm back like he'd touched something hot, "Lead the way."

" must've felt wonderful , doing all of that money throwing without a single care in the world , some parts of me wishes i could be in their shoes , " admittance there as he's contemplating on what his life would be during the roaring 20s - however , knowing that historically , it wouldn't be as accurate , but he'd like to dream about it : the thoughts he'd have , wanting to live in different eras , wanting to explore all of that . " it does , " he lets out , the mere amusement that's there on his features , another resounding laugh leaving his lips , soon nodding his head once again at the other's question - well , sentiment . " well , someone has to appreciate it , why not me ? " gabriel's words were there , somewhat inquisitive , nonetheless , he's curious about it all . why doesn't anyone find stained glass enamoring ? of course , that was a question for him , mentally . deep down , he liked how roger was listening to his words , how the conversation made him feel - in the sense , he made gabriel feel seen in ways that he hadn't been before , that was something he could truly appreciate during this flight , at least he wasn't sitting next to a crying baby , which was something that he wouldn't entirely be looking forward to . truly , something about roger made him feel like he could talk about everything without feeling like he was being annoying or intrusive towards the other's interests , that's not what he wanted to do , especially not on a long flight . " sonnets & dinner , " gabriel repeats , feeling his heartbeat against his chest as he's never letting the sight of roger out of his view , admiring how incredibly beautiful the other man is in front of him . " it's a meetcute , i'd say , " casually letting out with a minimal shrug of his shoulders , keeping the conversation light - rather instead of heavy . contemplative at the question in the air , chewing down on his lower lip before answering , sucking in a breath . " somewhere romantic , maybe ? somewhere i can recite sonnets to you in dim lighting , " he admits , slightly leaning in more to roger's space as he's expressing his interest in the other without saying it verbally . " i'm more into italian , but what about you ? "

"A meet-cute? We're having our meet-cute moment?" his eyes sparkling at the thought of that. It barely took more than a second of consideration to realize that it really did feel like something out of a movie or romance novel. What were the chances that his seat would've double-booked and he'd end up sitting next to this Adonis of a man. "I guess it seems that we are," Roger acknowledged fondly. Of course he'd dreamed of something like this but, as you got older you stripped back those dreams when you recognized that these sorts of grand romantic gestures weren't necessarily realistic in every day life. And yet? Here Gabriel was— providing intellectual conversation, promising sweet expressions of affection and looking at him with the most engaging eyes he'd ever seen. ""A meet-cute? We're having our meet-cute moment?" his eyes sparkling at the thought of that. It barely took more than a second of consideration to realize that it really did feel like something out of a movie or romance novel. What were the chances that his seat would've double-booked and he'd end up sitting next to this Adonis of a man. "I guess it seems that we are," Roger acknowledged fondly. Of course he'd dreamed of something like this but, as you got older you stripped back those dreams when you recognized that these sorts of grand romantic gestures weren't necessarily realistic in every day life. And yet? Here Gabriel was— providing intellectual conversation, promising sweet expressions of affection and looking at him with the most engaging eyes he'd ever seen. "Romantic?" Roger felt his throat grow a little dry, especially after Gabriel described a dimly let setting. He could feel his gaze grow dusky, trying not to let his imagination get the better of him as he considered what such an evening between the two of them could be like. "Italian is perfect," his response immediate, nodding a little vaguely as though he'd have agreed to absolutely anything Gabriel would've proposed as long as it was with him. And the truth of the matter was that he probably would've agreed to anything for that very reason. "Should we order spaghetti and push the meatballs around with our noses like in that Disney movie?" Roger couldn't resist teasing, trying to pull the conversation into lighter territory once more. He was worried that maybe he was allowing himself to fall too fast, but he couldn't seem to help himself when it came to Gabriel.

"He deserved it." Erin agreed. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't been having a similar train of thought throughout the match. "It's not even like it was constructive criticism, he was just plain wrong. But of course, a man who last stepped on a pitch 20 years ago knows more than a group of girls, right?" Erin rolled her eyes. "I was actually going to grab a pint and hoped that worked as a bit of a pick-me-up. Fancy joining?"

"Would it be trashy if I put him on blast on social media...?" she asked with a pout, knowing the answer to it without having to hear Erin's response. She hated trying to be the bigger person. At least she was trying. "I was hoping you'd still want to go out. I'm way too wired to go home and rest right now," Laurel admitted, grinning at her best friend's proposal. "A round will totally be on me— we should hurry up before I change my mind about that one," she added with a snort.

olivia stilled for a moment as hazel's lips brushed against her cheek, a soft smile blooming before she could stop it. "mm, yeah—you definitely have a soft spot for the questionable ones," olivia teased, glancing sideways as their arms linked together, shoulders bumping. "but that's your thing, isn't it? you see something in them that nobody else does." as they started walking, she gave hazel's arm a gentle squeeze. "okay, mission accepted. we're finding something for that wall." she tilted her head thoughtfully. "so, what are you thinking? are we going for cosy, artsy, full on chaotic... maybe something that says 'what on earth is that and why do i love it?'"

"I can't help myself," Hazel admitted, a warmth spreading in her chest when Olivia pointed that out. It meant a lot to her to feel so seen and known by somebody. It'd never been a doubt with Olivia, but the woman still managed to find new ways to do it. It made her wish they'd taken the leap to push their friendship further years ago, but maybe everything was meant to have it's own timing. "I love the last one— you know I love anything that starts a conversation," her eyes twinkling as she thought about it. "And what about you? Is there anything that you're on the hunt for today? Or are you just here for the cute little coffee breaks we're inevitably going to take in between shops?" Hazel teased, reaching over to gently brush some hair out Olivia's face with her free hand.

"If it's bad then yes." she joked though her playful remark was softened by an approving nod at the other’s claim of impeccable taste. "That’s exactly how the best book clubs are born: instantaneously." The redhead paused for a moment, lost in thought as she considered what to name their new little club. "We haven’t settled on a theme yet unless you’d prefer to stick to a single genre. Maybe something like 'On the Same Page' or something stupid like 'Words with Friends'?"

"Then I'm not worried one bit," her lips twisting into a smug grin. She was confident when it came to her choice in literature. Especially because she had to read a bit of everything for degree. Nicoletta watched the other ponder over potential names for this spontaneous book club. "I'm pretty sure 'Words with Friends' is already taken by an app that's a Scrabble rip-off so let's maybe not go with that one," Nikki pointed out in good humor. "The Same Page thing is going in a direction I like more though. Maybe we can workshop it."