“And yet all I can do is complain because my word holds no weight here.” Arden huffed, trying to remain respectful and keep her head held up high despite the whole situation. It was such a minor consequence compared to what she imagined others had to deal with after their participation in Panic, being forced to sit out a pageant or two. The reason this hit her harder than any of the other times she had been singled out or talked down to in the pageant circuit wasn’t because of the crown or the money or even the exposure it could give to the winner. No, the hardest blow was to her pride. Because she believed that she had worked her ass off and earned her place in their community and it clearly wasn’t the case. It just felt like all her personal progress had been undermined. “I hate to say it. But I think it just means that maybe we’ve surrounded ourselves by shitty people.” She shook her head. “I know that in the grand scheme of things it could be worse. I know there’s people out there who have worse shit going on. And I know that eventually things will blow over, at least I hope they do. It’s just….it’s not even an approval thing so much. More of a respect thing. Like do I really wanna keep putting up with this shit anymore? Is it even worth it? I don’t know anymore.” She smiled genuinely, so thankful to have Rosie’s support more than ever. “Did you really just give up ice cream for me?”

“Sure, in the grand scheme things might look like they are.... trivial, that’s the right word right? Trivial.” Rosie asked her good judy before she went back into what she’d been saying. “But like, come on, if you’re upset right now because you’re being treated horrid, you’re allowed to be upset. Don’t talk down your anger. No way. You’re angry and rightfully so.” Rosie told the blonde with a nod of her head, as she was angry for Arden herself. “Oh, it’s so worth it.” She let Arden know. “Because come on, there’s no one else in this scene like you. Like no offense, you didn’t come from anything and like, you’re here doing it. Better than some of the b-i-t-c-hes who have been doing it their whole lives.” Rosie said, that was also including herself. Not that Rosie had ever really been all that interested in the pageants. If she learned anything during her whole pregnancy sabbatical, it was that she honestly had done pageants for the pretty clothes... and the notoriety because she would rather just wear pretty clothes and get paid for doing that. Like a Kardashian. “Yeah, I did. This ice cream was made to support people with super wrong opinions and like, that’s so whack.”

“The whole thing is fucked up, don’t you think? I get that the whole Panic thing probably wasn’t my best moment. But I need to fight back against the others right?” Arden asked Rosie as she paced back and forth, clearly reeling from what had transpired at the Miss Strawberry pageant. The fact that some of the others were using her participation in Panic to keep her from participating, at the risk of ruining her reputation. “At this point it doesn’t seem like there’s much more to lose anyways….”

@rosiekang​​

​

“Oh, I think it’s so fucked,” Rosie let her friend know, before stuffing more strawberry ice cream in her mouth. “Well, it hasn’t been many people’s greatest moment, so why are you the only person who’s having it held against them?” She asked Arden, as sometimes she could come up with a great point. Sure, those moments were often far and few between but they happened. “What? Arden, come on. Screw what a bunch of dried up old hags think of you. So, they don’t think you’re fit to be their dumb Strawberry queen? Screw them... and you know what?” Rosie said, as she stood up and walked over to the trash to dump out her ice cream. “Screw this ice cream.”

Braxton actually laughed a little, picturing his girlfriend in such a position clearly making him laugh. Rosie wasn’t the most athletic out there, but he knew what drove people to do things like this. Even he had considered doing Panic this time around, but eventually had decided to put in more hours into his job. After all, it was something that was helping pay the bills at home more than ever before. “Don’t tell them I said this, but they’re pretty damn badass.” He admitted playfully, setting his flute down carefully and sleeping an arm around his girlfriend, his eyes moving away from the screen and back to her. Focusing on her wasn’t hard at all, anyway. “That’s not an offense. I’m rooting for her too. I think multiple people can win this round and I hope she’s one of them. By the way, if she’s made it this far, she seems to know what she’s doing. I think she’s got this.” He told her reassuringly. Hoping that would really be the case, that everyone would be home safe by the end of the night. 

“Don’t tell them what?” Rosie joked, as she pretended to be hard of hearing. She’d heard Braxton perfectly and him saying that in no way surprised her. Braxton was his family’s biggest supporter, and she happened to find that to be one of his best qualities. Once he cared about you, he cared about you. “Yeah, they really are.” Rosie turned to look at her boyfriend, her grin growing as she noticed him look at her. Her lips soon found his cheek, knowing that his mind was racing but she was there for him. No matter what happened. “Wait— this isn’t the first round of this?” Rosie asked Braxton as he spoke of Arden having made it this far. “Exactly how many rounds has it been already?  Oh my god, how behind am I when it comes to this?” She asked her boyfriend with a shake of her head.

Brax nodded a little, opening the bottle of champagne almost carelessly and pouring some of the liquid in the empty flutes. “I know, I know. They got this.” He wasn’t a worrier, but Braxton knew what Panic could do to people, he didn’t ever imagined any of his loved ones if situations like this one. “And that’s what we’re all hoping. I’m honestly in awe of both of them.” Braxton admitted as he handed her the drink and then almost gulped his down in one go. “How’s your girl doing? Have you seen her yet?” He asked curiously, since he was aware that one of her close friends was also in the run for champion. Honestly, it felt good to have someone to talk about things like this one, since Braxton had pretty much tried to bottle up his feelings all his life. He was the eldest, therefore he always felt like he had to be so strong. With everything going on for the Walsh’s, it felt so nice to be able to talk to Rosie and feel understood even if her world was completely different to his.

As much as her boyfriend wanted to assure her that he wasn’t worried, he seemed pretty worried in that moment. And come on, rightfully so. This was his little brother and one of his closest friends running around a junkyard for some medallion. “It is pretty cool that they are out there, doing this. Like, I could never in a million years do something like this,’’ Rosie told Braxton, but Miles and Serena were and that made them tough as hell in her eyes. “I haven’t, but I’m like really worried about her. Like, Arden is one of my favorite people in the entire world, so I’d hate it if she got hurt because of this. I get why she’s doing it and honestly, she deserves this so much— no offense, but I’d hate it if she got hurt.” She said with a small pout, before taking a small sip from her glass. “But no one is going to get hurt, I’m like putting that out into the universe.” Rosie said, not wanting Braxton’s mind to wander. “And you’ll be teasing Miles tomorrow, like nothing happened.”

New Years Eve was always exciting and getting to spend it with his girlfriend, honestly made the whole thing even better. He had been glued to his phone or any screen right after their midnight kiss though, trying to see if he could keep up with Serena and Miles’ status. He knew that they could handle it but it was still scary, since he still saw them as little kids even if he knew that they weren’t. And Braxton wasn’t an easy to scare person but he felt more scared for his people than he would have felt if it were him out there. He took a deep breath as he moved towards his girlfriend, showing her a bottle of champagne that he’d found somewhere. “So, wanna help me drink all my fears away?” He joked lightly as he kissed her cheek. “I’m not even out there but this is nerve-wracking.” @rosiekang​

Rosie had felt like New Years Eve had been her grand return to Rosewood’s social scene. It’d almost felt like life hadn’t really changed much since the last time she found herself at one of these big ol’ events. All the feature players were still there, there was still gorgeous clothes and it’s fair share of drama. It’d felt nice to be back, but that all left the second cellphones started to light up all around them. Apparently, a bunch of their peers— including her bestie Arden, had involved themselves in some game. Panic. And now, she was watching Arden from a live stream, looking through some junkyard for some coin or something. “Yeah, I’m definitely going to need some of that.” Rosie said with a small sigh, only imagining how he was feeling. “Baby, Miles and Serena will be more than okay. You’ll see.” Rosie told him, hoping to help ease his mind somehow. “For all we know, Miles or Serena could come back winners.”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re amazing.” Brax said as if it were a silly question coming from her. She was normally more confident, but he could understand being nervous. He was more than sure that his family would like her, he wasn’t even worried. Rosie was honestly so good to him, they were good to each other, so what was there not to like about her? He laughed softly as he slipped his arms around her waist, trying to be supportive. “Don’t worry, we’ll sneak up to another room while they play. That’s what my parents do too.” He nodded eagerly, genuinely surprised by her knowledge of his family already. It honestly made him feel even better about bringing her home. She cared so much that she was willing to learn all of this about people she hadn’t even met. “That is right. They’re like cats and dogs, but also adorable, I guess. And there’s Miles, he is super smart too. I feel like you and Agnes would get along really great and Data, she’s the biggest genius. I don’t understand half the words that leave her mouth, honestly. But she’s nice.”

“Braxton—” Rosie whined, because while she admired the fact that he felt that way. She also knew that well, she wasn’t exactly perfect. But Braxton wanted her by his side during Thanksgiving so maybe that spoke to the fact that she was his version of perfect. “Oh, I intended on sneaking away with you regardless,” Rosie teased, but she completely meant that because well, Braxton was Braxton. Her boyfriend being one of the hottest men Rosewood has to offer, that was just a fact. “Wait, your parents also sneak away. Okay, so we need to avoid whatever room they run off to.” She said with a laugh. “Aw, I think it’s so cute that your brothers have found their people, you know.” Rosie told Braxton. “Yes, I remember that. Miles is the super smart little brother, not that I’ll be calling him little brother. That seems kind of, what’s the word... like dismissive, you know?” Rosie found herself smiling brightly as he spoke, because she liked to think that she’d find herself accepted into the Walsh’s circle. “Oh, I’m so excited for this. We’re going to have the best Thanksgiving, I’m speaking it into existence.”

Braxton smiled widely as he laced his pinky finger with hers. He thought it was so adorable that she was thinking so far ahead for them, but honestly, he was more than happy with her and what they had. They just worked. “I’d like that a lot.” Honestly, after the year they’d had and how things had just fell into place for them to be together, Braxton had no doubts that they could make it another year. Several years even. He slipped the sweater off, setting it down to his right to make sure to take that one home with them and then leaned over to kiss her lips quickly. That was the thing though, a lot of people could consider them that. Especially people with money like Rosie. But she never had and he really liked that. “Indeed you are. I’ve never really been with anyone else for this long. And I’ve been hyping you up all week.” Braxton admitted easily as he slipped on his shirt and then turned to look back at her. “It’s this board game for smart people where you have to know and guess things. I always lose. So I suggest you team up with Rad or Serena if you get the chance.” He joked lightly.

Rosie had the exact same track record as her boyfriend. Yes, she’d dated but she’d never been all that serious with any guy... well, until Braxton. Sure, she was still close to Kieran and she very much considered him a friend, but Braxton— well, he was the guy that she really liked. So much so, that she really wanted this to work out. As she’d been in deep thought, his lips had found hers. It’s almost like he could read her mind. “You shouldn’t have done that.” Rosie joked, flattered that he’d done so. “But, I’m also not against you having done that.” She nodded as she spoke. He’d lost her at smart people. “Oh, I already know I’m going to suck at this.” Rosie grinned as he brought up his brother and his brother’s girlfriend. “Radley being the super tall one that really likes movies and Serena’s the kick ass girlfriend, right? You know her mom is like major pageant royalty.” What? Rosie’s been doing her job on remembering who’s who in his inner circle. She also remembered Miles as his quiet little brother, Agnes as his fashion forward girlfriend and Rowan being the genius of their group.

“That’s…okay, I’ll admit that one is actually pretty cool.” He wasn’t really into fashion like his girlfriend was, but he could admire a cool looking piece. Braxton nodded a little. It as easy to forget that her family had all that money since it was never really a topic of conversation for them. He just thought it was amazing that she was choosing to spend Thanksgiving with his family over all of that, since he knew she loved that atmosphere. “That all sounds very fun too though.” He wouldn’t ever change his mom’s cooking for anything else, but he could see it being a nice change. Braxton slipped on the sweater she gave him, making sure it looked nice and grinned. “I hope you don’t think we’re lame once you actually see what it’s like.” He teased lightly. “My mom is lowkey freaking out about having you there since I’ve never brought anyone home before and I am super excited to have someone there that might be as lost as me while we play Pictionary.” 

“I know, I’ve got taste or whatever.” Rosie told Braxton with a playful flip of her hair. Rosie did like to think she had taste though. Her closet was jam packed of beautiful things. She had an incredible circle of friends. And well, look at her boyfriend. He had to be like one of the most gorgeous guys in Rosewood. “Oh, it’s so much fun. Next year, we’ll so do my house, okay?” Rosie said, holding out her pinky for him to take as they’d make a promise to do so. They’d already survived having a whole baby together, who’s to say they couldn’t make it another year? “Braxton, I would never think your family is lame. They are your family, no one related to you could ever be lame.” Rosie scoffed, before shaking her head. “No way, I’m the first girlfriend you’ve brought home? That’s like major, B.” Rosie told him, as that now put pressure on her. She’s got to set the mark for girlfriends. Not that she wasn’t the best of the best, but some people just didn’t care for her. Oh my god, what if his mother didn’t care for her? She wouldn’t blame her. “Wait, what’s Pictionary?” She asked him, having been snapped out of her inner freakout session.

“Told you.” Braxton said playfully as he got his hands on a white button down shirt. He was more of a t-shirt kind of guy all around, but he knew that he could pull off just about any item of clothing that he chose to wear. “Okaaay, if you like sweaters on me so much, why don’t you pick one out for me? One that’s not itchy though.” Worst case scenario, he could wear a shirt under it and no one would notice, he figured. He smiles against her lips as he fixed the collar of the shirt and shrugged a little. “Basically traditional dinner, pecan pie. Sometimes Miles and Radley make us all play one of those boring board games. What’s your Thanksgiving usually like?”

“Okay, you got me, you got me.” Rosie told her boyfriend, holding her hands up as he’d definitely told her. “Happily.” She let Braxton know, as she scanned what was her favorite choice out of the sweaters she’d pulled out for him. Clearly the itchy one wouldn’t be going home with them, but there was still many options in front of them. “Highkey, I love this one.” Rosie held it out towards Braxton. “Aw, that sounds so cute.” Rosie said with a small pout. From what she’d heard, his family was just so... home-y. It was a pleasant change of pace from her own. “Oh, mine is nothing like that. We are very flashy, we wear like ballgowns to dinner and it’s very much a bragfest about all the amazing things we’ve done during the year. I mean, it’s not terrible because we are so supportive of each other, but like we don’t get board games.” Rosie explained. “I’m so excited to be with your family and the McCarthys.”

“See, this is why I’ve never been a big fan of sweaters. They’re so itchy.” Braxton mumbled playfully as he slipped a sweater over his head, trying to get rid of it while he tried on a few items of clothing for his girlfriend to judge. He never really cared much for clothing but with all the festivities and a girlfriend who knew all about style, he might as well, try to match her for all the events. “I also feel like they look really tight on me no matter what I do. Maybe I should keep to button down shirts or something like that.” @rosiekang​

“They are not itchy.” Rosie playfully rolled her eyes, as she smoothed over the sweater that he’d just put on. “Well, actually, this is a bit itchy.” She said with a small giggle, a scrunch of her nose letting him know that she wasn’t really a fan of this one. Why? Because she knew that whatever Braxton bought, she’d be stealing it for herself eventually so she needed to get something they both liked. “And who’s complaining about that?” She asked him, looking around as if someone was going to speak up. “Well, aside from you. But you’re like doing a civil service for all of us when you wear those really cute tight sweaters.” Rosie said, before pressing a quick kiss to his lips. “So... like, what’s a Walsh Thanksgiving like?”

kendall couldn’t even be mad at her reaction. of course she didn’t want to talk to him. shit, he was surprised she didn’t slap him the second she saw him (the night was still young so he made a mental note to knock on wood), but he had to talk to her. he had been sick to his stomach for the way he handlded the news along with how insensitive he had been towards rosie. so he wasn’t going to stop until he fixed everything between them. despite his actions, he cared about rosie. and he would hate himself even more if he didn’t attempt to make it right.“ well then at least listen to me… ” he pleaded, his hand lingered over her belongings as a way to stop her from going. “ five minutes…”

rosie was honestly shocked that kendall thought that he so much as deserved any minutes of her time. as she looked at him, all she could replay was that conversation. the one where she’d told him that she was pregnant to which, he’d responded in the worst way. even kieran, someone who’d she’d had the least attachment to had reacted better to the news than kendall— someone who she, without a doubt had like really liked... maybe even loved. “what do you want to say?” she asked him, with a shake of her head. “honestly, what? because i can’t think of a thing you could say to make what you’ve done okay, kendall.” she said with a soft sigh, as a part of her saw him and it was like no time had passed but it had— she wasn’t that girl anymore. that girl that would settle for an apology and a kiss. no.

“Oh, you like it? I didn’t know you liked it.” Brax laughed lightly before he leaned in to kiss her cheek, clearly happy that she really felt that way. He wasn’t really one of those guys tended to be as open as he was with her but he felt like he could tell her anything and she would understand him, almost as if their brains worked in that same, unique way. He adjusted the strap of the picnic box he was carrying, where the food that his mom had cooked for them was and began leading her towards the address. “Let’s see, they are rich, currently not at home, kinda an old couple. I don’t think they have any kids our age though.”

“Uh huh, whatever you say. I think I’ve made it clear that I like it.” Rosie told him, feeling her cheeks burning up as he placed his lips on one of them. “You see, you had me at rich and currently not home.” Rosie told him, as her hand eventually found itself in his as she intertwined their fingers. “But you most definitely lost me at old with no kids our age.” Rosie said. “You know what that means though? There’s actually a pool in Rosewood I haven’t been in. Here I thought I’d seen them all already.” Rosie laughed, as she truly thought she’d seen them all.

“Hm. You know that you rarely ever leave my head, of course.” Braxton smirked a little as he covered one side of his mouth as he lowered his voice, trying to act like it was a big secret. Things had been really good between them since the moment that they began hanging out, she’d opened his eyes a lot about who he wanted to be and thought they had never really labeled what they had, which Braxton didn’t really mind, he loved to be around her and to be able to do these sort of things for her or with her. It was basically his favorite part of the day when they hung out, he could be himself and not feel like she’d ever judge him. “Sounds awesome. And I do have a very nice option for a really, really nice pool where we can chill and have a good time.”

“Oh, stop it.” Rosie found herself blushing as Braxton spoke, shaking her head. He truly was the cutest and she found herself in awe of the fact that like, Braxton had stayed by her side even after everything that’d happened. Like, he kind of really liked her and he made no qualms about showing it, just like she kind of really liked him. “But like seriously, don’t stop. Like ever. I love it.” She let him know with a bright smile. “It’s going to be awesome.” Rosie nodded, as she hooked her arm with his. “Do you? Do I get any guesses as to who’s pool this is going to be?” Rosie asked, as she was pretty knowledged in the pools of Rosewood. What? She was a former party girl, and most of the parties she enjoyed going to have pools at them.

It was kind of weird, how things had developed between Braxton and Rosie. They had always got along and been good together, but somehow after finding out about her pregnancy, Braxton had some sort of wake up call about his attitude. He had been very lost when she talked to him, at the risk of losing his home, and everything that came with it. But somehow her pregnancy and being there for her had helped open his eyes a lot. He had a lot to fight for, a lot to stay in town for and a lot of people that he cared about. She had quickly become almost a safe haven for him, being so similar and so different all at once. The smile barely fit in his face as he approached her and opened his arms to hug her gently. It was almost strange that she no longer had a pregnancy belly, he felt as if he had barely seen her before she was showing and for the past few months, Braxton had done everything that he could to make sure that she was okay and healthy. After all, the decision she’d made, he knew wasn’t an easy one. “Listen, I’ve been thinking. You, me, sneaking into a pool tonight, maybe something nice to drink. If that’s not cool, my mom sent us some food and we can just eat it somewhere that you like?” @rosiekang​

To say that Rosie had had an interesting start to her summer was well— an understatement. For starters, she’d had her baby. A gorgeous baby boy, who’d been the perfect mix of herself and his father. Which just so happened to be, Braxton. Having him in her arms, it’d changed something inside of her. It was a wake up call of sorts, she’d created a human being and she hadn’t been ready in any shape or form for that responsibility. She wanted to be ready, if only for herself. So she’d signed up for summer classes at Ravenwood, along with taking time to visit baby Rhys and the McCarthy’s. She was actually adulting and it felt kind of amazing. But of course, she was Rosie so fun was needed and luckily Braxton had provided her with the opportunity. “You don’t say.” Rosie teased as he spoke of thinking about her. “I’m not shocked to hear that, actually.” She smiled brightly. “Or maybe we can combine both those plans and just have a great night by a pool with great food?” Rosie leveled with him, poking the tip of his nose playfully.

“I don’t think it’s about being lucky. I think it has more to do with the fact that you’re a genuinely good person. Pregnant or not people wouldn’t just stick around unless they really loved you.” She stated almost wistfully, her own abandonment issues from her father leaving peeking through every once in a while and even shaping her own personal relationships. That’s why she was always so committed to being around for her friends no matter what. Rosie having taken her up as a friend and helping her along the way in her journey in the pageant world had been her way of showing her friendship and this was Arden’s, through good and bad. “If you really want me there then i’m there, armed with a whole care bag so we can keep you looking like a supermodel after labor.” She said with a soft laugh as she rested her head on Rosie’s. “You think i’d miss that? I already got one of the guys at the shop to cover my shift that day. Is there anything I should bring?”

Rosie took in what Arden had to say and listened, because yeah... she was a good person. At least, she tried to be. Sure, sometimes she faltered, but for the most part... she tried. “So that must mean everyone sticks around you, huh?” She teased, but meaning what she’d said as Arden was hands down the nicest person she knew. Like the girl was actually like part Disney Princess if you asked Rosie. “Of course, I do. It’s only fitting that you’re like there for the ending of this journey.” Arden had in many ways, been her guide through this all. Sure, this pregnancy wasn’t your typical one but she’d made it so easy to navigate. Rosie truly did owe a lot to her friend. “Oh my god, please because you and I both know, those biatches we compete against are just waiting to catch me slipping and I refuse to give them the satisfaction. She’s always going to be a glamour girl, even after pushing a complete human being out of her vagina.” Rosie shook her head. “Nope, you’re honestly more than enough for me.” Rosie let her know with a playful ‘awww’ leaving her lips.

“Of course. You know whatever it is these lips are sealed no matter what.” Arden peeled her eyes from the screen to give Rosie her full attention, miming zipping her lips and throwing the key away. “Yeah, that makes sense. There’s so many variables and things that could go wrong that you just kinda have to go into it still not really knowing anything. Lucky for you, you’ve got a whole team of people who are ready to support you however you need. Seriously, in anything. You know you can call at anytime and i’ll be there, right?”

Rosie listened to Arden speak, taking note of just how smart she sounded as she spoke. Like, genuinely so. Like not like how they tried to make her sound for the question and answer rounds. It was like awe-inspiring, like something she wanted for herself. “Yeah, you’re not wrong. I’m like the luckiest pregnant person right now, or at least I feel that way.” She told Arden, as she was really lucky to have the community she had around her. Between Arden, Bev and their fellow beauty queens, her potential baby daddies and Mr. and Mr. McCarthy— she’d been blessed. ‘Well, in that case, you totally have to come to the hospital with me when—” Rosie mimed her water breaking before laughing. “And don’t forget, baby shower this weekend. You have to come, if only for the cake.” Rosie giggled, dropping her head against Arden’s shoulder.