zephyr

send ✉ for a un fucking sent text

[ unsent at 11:50 pm ] → theo: do you think maybe we should just break up?like fake break up? i mean, because it’s you and it’s me and well, do u think anyone will even buy it? obviously not because it’s you… but because it’s ME.. sorry this doesn’t make sense i’m just gon

send ☾ for a good fucking night text

[ sent at 2:50 am ] → theo: successfully snuck out and back in without notice!! [ sent at 2:50 am ] → theo: i had a lot of fun with you tonight… even if some would argue you might be a bit of a bad influence [ sent at 2:50 am ] → theo: goodnight theo, get home safe! 

send ❝❞ for a long fucking winded text

“i had to say something, didn’t i? otherwise she would have held us captive to talk our heads off about nothing all night!” his level of intoxication clear in the exaggeration of his speech, the flush of his cheeks, the sweat beading at his forehead. it was unclear to him if it was the alcohol or the fact that they’d survived the gala and seemed to pass with flying colors that he was feeling relaxed for the first time that evening. “lime, salt, tequila,” he repeated as he he slung his arm over her shoulder with ease. the tentative nature he’d displayed when having to act couple-y earlier seeming to have completely vanished. “see, you had it right on the first try. you’re a natural.”

          there’s an audible breath that she lets slip out once they’re left alone, as if a corset that’s been tightly bounded around her has been loosened momentarily, giving her a few moments to breathe. their arms are intertwined, her hand that held onto his forearm perhaps a little tighter out of nerves relaxes as well, the polite smile still littering her features - always needing to remained stapled onto her lips even if it caused prominent cheekbones to feel like they ached. her eyes still felt like they were seeing tiny stars, getting nearly blinded by all the flashes from the various cameras - no doubt orchestrated by their parents - that snapped photos of them as they made their entrance as a couple, launching the beginning of a harrington and fitzgerald american love story to the world. 

                    Around the corner, he came promenading, his black suit coat already off, slung over his shoulder, one hand holding on. The second story, balcony–– whatever got him farthest away from the round, ornate table where his mother sat drinking her problems away and his father, eyeing anything with a pair of breasts that walked by. He’d lost his date along the way, somewhere in the bathroom with a few of her friends, doing, whatever women did in the bathroom. It was a thing that was nothing less than a rock science conundrum to the likes of Elias Morrissey, and he didn’t care to try and figure it out tonight, so he wandered on, exploring the building, and now he seemed to have reached an end as well as a familiar face. He smiled, stepped up to the flowery railing, and faced the person, whisps of his blonde hair catching the breeze, “–– You’re not about to jump, are you?” The male capered, smirking, he leaned; glanced down, at the cement thirty feet below and then back up, “Because if you’re just bored, or something,“ His hand found the rail, and his top row of teeth momentarily sunk into his bottom lip, as he shook his head, ”that can be fixed–”

“Not really LA,” he felt the need to correct— it was important his mother used to tell him, “I’m from Oakland. Moved down to Malibu a year ago though, like a sellout.” Griffin grinned. The move had been for convenience more than anything, he had his work to do and spending hours in traffic made it harder to get a day’s worth of activities done before throwing in the towel and heading onto the freeway. “New York to LA, that’s a pretty far jump considering how many good schools are on this coast,” he repeated, giving her another look. “Did you hate the weather? I think that’s why most people say that they move.” It was his first time in the Hamptons, but not his first dealing with the type of people who resided there— what fascinated him more than anything now, was the young people, those who had grown up in worlds like this, who were reared from offerings in held out silver spoons. She seemed shy, every series of words took a moment to stumble out. Griff wondered why. “I think I’d take the beach over a house party, I don’t know why they’d all want to be crowded up in one space when they can sprawl all onto the sand.” He gripped her hand, giving it a shake. “Nice to meet you.” And it was, to give a curious girl a name, one that he wondered about suiting her. Rowan, like the tree that woman had sprung from. The drink itself sounded unappealing but he lifted a shoulder, “Why not, it’s been a while since I’ve had a vodka cranberry, extra vodka.” His smile was warm and he held out his hand now to take the cup from her. “I guess parties really aren’t your thing then, if you don’t like to drink.” Griffin’s head canted and he eyed her inquisitively, “What is?”

         “oh, wow i’m sure you’re not a sell out.” she says with a swift shake of her head, “- i’ve never been to oakland, but i’ve heard good things about it.” it’s an automatic response that flits out - a response that would come out regardless of what city he said he was from. she racks her brain on anything she actually knows about oakland, “ -- ex-home of the golden state warriors.” is the first thing that comes to mind, and she spews it out before she can stop herself, the fear of an awkward silence looming over them greater than the substance of her words.  “maybe hate is a little bit strong. i like coming back during christmas - or, um, the holidays,” she quickly corrects herself - her mother’s voice about mass appeal flitting into her mind. “the constant sunshine is nice though,” she added in as an after thought, a genuineness to her voice - while california had pulled her away from all things comfort - the sun rising and setting was the constant that had her realizing she had made it another day and maybe there was a glittering hope with the promise of tomorrow. that maybe tomorrow would be better, and maybe she would figure herself out, too. - plus, the fact that her plants didn’t die was definitely a bonus. “how are you liking malibu?” she pauses to let him answer, and there’s another set of words on the tip of her tongue that she contemplates letting free and perhaps if she hadn’t had the drink, she would have swallowed the words back but she finds herself wanting to share - maybe it’s the alcohol or maybe it really is the moon, “there’s this really nice cafe that i like to go to in malibu, actually. it doesn’t ever get that busy and they always come up with a new drink every friday  - sometimes it’s tea, sometimes it’s a latte. and they um -” she realizes she’s oversharing now, her words starting to fall flat, “they - uh, have a really nice patio that has a full wall dedicated to potted succulents”

“ ah, bonjour mademoiselle. ” he says as posh as he can, a smile growing on his lips at the attempt of a joke, at least, it was a joke that made some sense. rowan almost seemed too good for this place, honestly, he had no idea what she saw in this place. he hardly ever saw her out and when he did he felt much like an elephant in a porcelain shop. “ for what it’s worth, it could be someone worse. ” he told her with a quick shrug and a sincere smile on his lips. “ right, well if that’s true i definitely owe you one. ” he replies with a quiet laugh. like finding the love of her life, which would probably be hard for him considering he didn’t have the best skills when it came to love and all that dumb shit. “ i don’t actually know what’s worth getting from here, so just an iced latte. ” he tells her, just before she throws another question his way. “ nah –– oh, but i probably should’ve. ” he admits, falling quiet for a second, considering going back in the line but then he sort of just shrugs it off. “ eh, it’s fine they were going to dance practice anyway. actually, is that a normal thing ? i thought everyone could waltz. ”

Upon first glance, Griffin felt certain that he had seen a ghost. Ethereal, clothed in a white dress that darted around her ankles in the cool evening breeze– his brows creased, almost disappointed as she neared and became less phantom and more of a girl. To be a lovely thing that haunts a beautiful place, his thoughts spun, letting them drift away as he exhaled a cloud of thick smoke into the clean, crisp air. She seemed nervous and it intrigued him, curling the cigarette between his fingers as she clumsily worked through her words. “In LA the stars never look this special,” he agreed, giving her another look. “Looks like we’re both very far from home, huh?” Griff shook his head, “No, just out on the beach.” His attention spanned over her shoulder, at the lights and liveliness that she seemed to have escaped from. He knew of the Sinclaires, but enough that he knew that a house party was bound to do him no good. A hand pushed back some unruly hair as he stepped forward, extending it politely, “Can’t be very good of a party if you’re out here. I’m Griffin.”

         illuminated by moonlight and speckles of stardust and the lights that peaked out through the sinclaires home along with the neighboring houses - his face was one she didn’t recognize. while there was a long list of faces around the hamptons that rowan hadn’t personally met - she at least knew of them - either by rubbing elbows with them at events, or catching glimpses of them through snapchat and instagram stories with their tongues aimed at the camera - she was good with faces and his was one that didn’t spark a single ounce of recognition in the girl. he seemed like a kind of face she’d remember - especially with that hair. she nods her head - as a finger slips a brown lock behind her ear; if only those were the words that slipped past her lips - so easy, so straight to the point and so right. instead, she found herself always taking the scenic route, fumbling with her words trying to find the right destination for them. “oh, you’re from la too, then? i just moved there for school - ucla - but i’m originally from new york - ” there’s a string of words on the tip of her tongue but instead she follows his path, “the stars don’t look that special there, either. shooting stars still getting mistaken for helicopters.” she follows his gaze as it travels back to the party, the light breeze sliding through her dark locks, “oh - um, i think they’re all having a great time up there, it’s just not really... my thing, i guess? plus fresh air is always nice.” she throws in lamely her gaze falling onto his hand before she’s extending her own and slipping it into his. "rowan." her palm is warm as she shakes his hand firmly - her grandfather had taught her the power of a good handshake - just enough of a squeeze to show confidence even if she was anything but. she pulls her hand back, wrapping it back around the red cup, “do you want a drink, griffin?” she looks down before meeting his gaze, “i haven’t drank it - i promise. it was just a little bit of vodka mixed with cranberry juice but now it’s a lot of vodka with cranberry juice. i kind of um, faked ? - my way through a shot and poured it into the cup when nobody was looking.”

She liked the way that she could conjure up a little bit of boldness in the other girl; she imagined it as her own kind of magic. “You’re still sweet,” Kels cooed, placing a hand over her heart at Rowan’s comment. “I added an extra ten to the tab, I hope we keep this thing going for the rest of the day.” She flipped a lock of the dyed strands over her shoulder at the brunette’s words, grinning even wider. “Thanks angel, Kota helped me do it. I think next time I’ll go blue; I think it’s fun.” Blue eyes danced with mischief, “Y’know, if you’re feeling it, we can do yours as well. We’re basically experts now.” Kelso made a face, “I know that they’re supposed to help save the earth but I’d rather no straw than a paper one.” She grabbed her drink, stirring it by shaking the cup in her grip. “They get soggy and nasty so fast.” Already she was moving for a seat, gesturing outside to the patio. “Come on, let’s catch up over there it’s a shame to be inside when it’s so beautiful out.” She held the door open for the two of them, chattering as they went. “I’ve been so busy. I got here like, maybe two days ago?” Kels’ head canted as she considered. “We just wrapped up the last of my friends’ summer shows in the city, which was so fun and I thought I’d get away before school started again.” A happy sigh left her lips, she enjoyed her life when it was hectic, “But what about you? How’s California treating you?”

Summer was coming to a close; as the days grew shorter and the nights lost more and more of their warmth– the feeling of loss seemed to cling to Griffin’s shoulders and he clutched his denim jacket closer to them. It always felt as though as soon as he had shed enough of his skin to be comfortable in a season, it decided to slip through his fingers. A cigarette dwindled wedged in his hand, forgotten while he walked on the beach. His shoes bumped against his side as he walked, tucked away in the canvas tote bag that was slung onto his shoulder. He enjoyed the quiet, but not enough so that the sound of steps coming down the dune towards the beach didn’t make him lift his head, offering a smile. “I think it’s a full moon,” Griff said, taking a lazy tug from the cigarette. “Are you superstitious?” 

julian had spent the day running errands with his brother, david and his fiancée, lily. he wasn’t one hundred percent sure why he’d been brought along but somewhere in the midst of it all, he’d realized he was there to keep william entertained while she’d gush about everything. it seemed to julian that his brother didn’t care much for the details, happy wife, happy life, he guessed. julian had finally been released from duty though and upon it all he just needed an iced latte. to make it even better he apparently didn’t even need to pay for it. “ i could use some good karma. ” he mumbled, mostly to himself but the barista shot him a sympathetic look, which he ignored. he then handed her a twenty dollar bill and gave a quick shrug, “ whatever the one before me said, or keep them for yourself. karma though. ” he reminded her, tapping his temple with one finger before he moved to wait for his drink, noticing rowan there as well. “ it all makes sense now ” he teased, grin spreading on his features. “ to be honest i thought i was gonna end up meeting the love of my life now, you know, like a scene straight out of a rom-com. ” he explained with a shrug.