𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒉*𝒕 .

     camille sure knows how to lean into the dramatics. maybe it wasn't always a conscious decision but she drags the hurt out in the exact way he dreaded when he recognized her. “ you're in no position to make any demands from me.  ”   it's not meant to be a challenge but maybe his tone makes it that way. it's not like he'd be any less callous. they way she handled them built up so much resentment in himself. he's not sure where to put that hurt down.     people like camille don't change overnight. the year that he was away was not enough for anything grand to take place. he thinks that maybe it's a little bit of his own fault for playing into her behavior when they were together. he did what she wanted, found ways to do it before she even asked. from where he was standing, it was princess behavior. some people don't really grow up. though it's not like he was very grown himself. “ i want to believe that at some point we could be friends again but that's all i can say for now.  ”   that's the thing about knowing someone so well. he's sure he's had that thought a million times over tonight. he knew her too well and it was difficult to see them at odds. she really would stand outside all night for an answer from him (they're both so stubborn). he eyes her up and down with a look of pity. julien grimaldi didn't seem to cut it for her but that was never darius' problem. “ why though? where's your white boy?  ”  

          “   because  i  don't  love  him  ,  that's  why  .   ”   she  breathes  ,   “   he  means  nothing  to  me  ,  darius  .  he's  just  some  guy  i  fuck  around  with  ,  that's  all  .   ”   and  it's  the  truth  ,  but  it's  hard  to  believe  her  words  when  everyone  knows  she's  been  spotted  around  julien  grimaldi  often  enough  that  it  would  be  ridiculous  to  assume  otherwise  ,  even  if  most  of  the  time  it's  just  them  arguing  in  the  middle  of  the  street  .  things  have  always  been  so  complicated  between  them  anyways  .   “   i  just  didn't  know  what  to  do  when  you  left  me  ,   ”   she  knows  she  shouldn't  go  back  to  julien  though  ,  given  their  history  ,  and  yet  that's  what  she  fucking  did  .   “   well  ,  it's  true  that  i  did  go  back  to  him  ,  but  we're  already  broken  up  at  the  time  ,  so  it  doesn't  really  matter  now  ,  does  it  ?  and  please  ,  if  you  don't  think  we'd  ever  be  friends  anymore  ,  just  fucking  say  it  .   ”   it's  easier  for  me  to  let  you  go  that  way  .

“     does this mean that i am the only spidey in your world?      ”      he almost sounds cheesed at cami’s words,     hands on his chest,     eyes twinkling,     lashes fluttering and everything.     “     and that’s the thing,     cami—     i didn’t say a single word about the spidey trio.     i got threatened into not spoiling anything and i actually didn’t say anything,     not even to you.      very impressive,     if i do say so myself—     especially when we remember that i have the tendency to spoil everything to you…     guess i am going through a character development.     ”

          “   well  ,  like  i  said  ,  the  one  and  only  spidey  i  know  is  you  ,  so  of  course  ,  benny  .  you're  the  only  spidey  in  my  world  ,   ”   she  admits  ,  couldn't  help  the  smile  lingering  on  her  lips  when  she's  around  him  .   “   i  mean  ,  that's  good  for  you  ,  really  .  who  knows  you  could  finally  keep  a  secret  from  me  ?   ”   she  teases  ,  shoulders  lifted  in  a  casual  shrug  .   “   i  guess  i'll  never  know  anything  about  your  future  projects  anymore  now  that  you're  getting  good  at  this  ,  not  spoiling  anything  before  it's  out  ,  thing  .  not  even  to  me  ,   ”   with  her  arms  crossed  ,  camille  lets  out  a  dramatic  sigh  ,   “   and  here  i  thought  i'd  never  lose  that  privilege  .  .  .  i  get  it  ,  benny  ,  i'm  not  special  to  you  anymore  .   ”

"  that's  exactly  what  i  was  thinking  !  oh  fuck  it  i'll  just  wear  the  boots  ,  in  a  perfect  world  i'd  wear  a  miniskirt  but  i  don't  really  like  the  idea  of  me  bending  over  to  roll  the  ball  and  flashing  my  ass  to  the  entire  alley  ,  "  it's  a  sacrifice  she  has  to  make  to  maintain  at  least  some  decency  . "  honestly  now  that  you  mention  it  ,  i'm  kinda  shocked  none  of  the  big  names  have  gotten  on  that  ⸻  nike  or  something  really  needs  to  get  on  that  ,  i  can't  believe  they've  made  fucking  pickleball  shoes  before  bowling  ones  ,  "  there's  a  story  somewhere  in  there  ,  she  thinks  ,  tucking  that  thought  away  in  her  mental  file  cabinet  as  she  pulls  her  current  shirt  over  her  head  and  tosses  it  to  the  side  of  her  closet  .  "  are  we  just  going  bowling  or  do  you  wanna  go  grab  dinner  or  something  ?  there's  a  few  places  i've  been  wanting  to  try  but  i'm  honestly  not  opposed  to  just  roaming  around  until  we  find  somewhere  that  looks  good  .  .  .  but  only  if  you're  not  too  worried  about  like  ,  paparazzi  ,  i've  heard  they've  been  on  the  fucking  prowl  in  soho  recently  ,  "  she  says  ,  pulling  on  her  shirt  and  disappearing  around  the  corner  to  hangers  sliding  against  the  metal  rods  as  she  flicks  through  her  rack  of  skirts  .

          “   honestly  ,  no  truer  words  have  been  spoken  .  i'm  always  a  sucker  for  mini  skirts  ,  but  like  you  said  ,  we  don't  wanna  be  scandalous  and  not  -  so  -  accidentally  flash  our  asses  to  the  entire  alley  .  .  .  well  ,  not  today  .   ”   it's  definitely  something  that  camille  would  do  on  purpose  .  anything  to  get  people  talking  about  her  ,  but  with  aria  around  she's  ought  to  put  on  her  best  behavior  at  the  moment   ——   unless  aria  is  down  for  a  little  misbehaving  ,  of  course  .   “   i  know  right  ?  did  anyone  really  not  think  about  it  at  all  ?  that's  so  crazy  to  me  ,  like  come  on  ,  people  .  it's  2024  ,  let  us  have  some  cute  bowling  shoes  for  once  and  all  !  but  for  real  ,  that  better  happens  before  this  year  ends  or  else  i'm  super  convinced  that  they  all  hate  bowling  .   ”   shakes  head  at  the  thought  ,  but  instantly  nods  at  aria's  question  .   “   sure  ,  we  can  totally  go  grab  dinner  after  that  .  i  really  don't  mind  whenever  so  i'll  leave  that  one  to  you  ,  babe  .   ”   she's  never  been  picky  when  it  comes  to  these  things  ,  and  it's  only  fair  to  have  aria  decide  on  their  dinner  place  since  she  already  suggested  for  them  to  go  bowling  .   “   the  only  thing  i'm  worried  about  is  the  power  that  we  hold  when  we're  together  ,  i  bet  it'd  be  too  much  for  them  to  handle  ,   ”   a  pause  for  dramatic  effect  ,  and  camille  breaks  into  laughter  at  her  own  words  .   “   other  than  that  ,  i  got  nothing  to  worry  about  for  sure  .  but  really  ,  who  cares  ?  paparazzi  should  be  fucking  banned  at  this  point  but  they're  not  ,  so  we  might  as  well  just  do  whatever  the  fuck  we  want  ,  am  i  right  ?   ”   paparazzi  might  be  brutal  ,  but  they  are  the  least  of  her  worries  right  now  .

      lithe   hands   smooth   over   the   front   of   her   zimmerman   dress,   perhaps   a   little   overdressed   after   leaving   a   gala   at   a   nearby   art   gallery.   she   had   been   desperate   to   leave   after   two   hours,   and   was   happy   to   see   the   text   from   camille.   jisu   tucks   a   loose   strand   of   hair   behind   her   ear   while   the   hostess   leads   her   to   the   table,   and   a   smile   spreads   once   she   sees   the   other   blond.   "   hey!   "   jisu   beams,   thanking   the   hostess   as   she   slips   into   the   vacant   seat.   "   i'm   so   glad   to   see   you—   i   was   losing   my   mind   at   that   gala.   "   jisu   sets   her   purse   aside   and   settles   her   hands   on   her   lap.   "   how   have   you   been,   cam?   "

          looks  up  from  her  phone  when  she  hears  the  familiar  voice  ,  excitement  written  all  over  her  face  at  the  sight  of  jisu  .   “   glad  i  could  be  your  knight  in  shining  armor  and  save  you  from  that  boring  gala  ,   ”   comes  her  teasing  ,  followed  by  a  chuckle  .   “   i've  been  good  ,   ”   it's  like  an  automatic  response  ,  because  really  ,  what  else  is  she  supposed  to  say  ?  camille  has  had  worse  days  and  today  feels  rather  mundane  than  anything  else  .   “   kinda  have  a  few  days  off  work  so  i  don't  really  know  what  to  do  ,   ”   she  laughs  .  it's  why  she  has  texted  jisu  about  going  out  for  dinner  tonight  ,  never  been  the  type  to  really  stay  at  home  and  do  nothing  .   “   and  i  think  we  haven't  seen  each  other  in  a  while  too  ,  right  ?  it's  really  good  to  see  you  ,  ji  .   ”   lips  pulled  into  an  affectionate  smile  .   “   you  look  stunning  ,  by  the  way  .  i  love  your  dress  .   ”

" don't twist my words ! " his exclamation is accompanied by a laugh — that's not at all what he'd MEANT , but she'd got him good . " oh , a natural , huh ? you flatter me ... thought you moved past that FANGIRL phase . good to know i've still got it . " hand rests over his heart , shooting a playful little smirk — and WINK — her way . hey , if she gets to tease him , then it's only fair that he gets to dish it right back ! it's all done lightheartedly , evidenced by the smile adorning his features . " you're ANNOYING . " he says it with love , " look , if this is your way of subversively telling me i'm being a dick , i've got the message loud and clear — but you can't say i'm not right . " he gives cami a look , " let's go get some '42 for ourselves . maybe your friend actually has a POINT . "

          “   well  ,  i'm  in  my  bad  guy  era  ,  remember  ?  of  course  i'm  gonna  twist  your  words  ,   ”   she  lets  out  a  laugh  ,  fighting  the  urge  to  roll  her  eyes  at  his  following  words  ,   “   okay  ,  that  absolutely  has  nothing  to  do  with  me  not  moving  past  my  fangirl  phase  .   ”   their  first  meeting  still  makes  her  a  little  giddy  every  time  she  thinks  about  it  ,  so  maybe  he's  not  all  wrong  about  it  either  .   “   i  mean  ,  how  could  i  get  over  you  ?  nobody  has  ever  serenaded  me  before  and  you  made  me  one  less  lonely  girl  .  .  .  that  shit  is  kinda  hard  to  forget  ,  you  know  ,   ”   she  teases  ,  only  to  break  into  a  fit  of  giggles  soon  after  .   “   i  thought  a  while  ago  you're  flattered  that  i  called  you  a  natural  ,  why  are  you  so  offended  now  ?   damn  it  ,  logan  ,  pick  a  fuckin'  side  .   ”   mirrors  the  look  on  his  face  ,   “   yeah  sure  ,  let's  get  us  some  ‘42  so  we  can  feel  like  hot  shit  too   ——   oh  wait  ,  my  bad  .  we're  already  hot  shit  now  ,  aren't  we  ?   ”   

sighing   in   defeat  ,   mai   looked   down   dejectedly at   the   bowl   in   front   of   her  .   “   unappreciated   in   your   own   time  ,   ”   she   said   to   the   cooling   noodles  ,   shaking   her   head   in sympathy  .   “   not   even   the   truffle   oil   was   enough   to   get   you   rave   reviews  .   ”   she   had   to   remember   to   actually   leave   a   rave   review   to   the   restaurant  ,   despite   her   opinion   not   being   shared   by   everyone  .   “   i   see   your   point  ,   though  ,   and   now   i   gotta   know   what   the   best   bite   of   your   life   was  .   ”

          rolls  her  eyes  playfully  at  mai's  reaction  ,   “   i'm  not  saying  it's  bad  ,  okay  ?  you're  making  it  seem  like  i  just  told  you  this  is  the  worst  thing  i've  ever  tasted  ,  which  is  not  .   ”   camille  never  meant  to  be  a  buzzkill  ,  seeing  how  excited  mai  was  about  the  mac  n  ‘  cheese  ,  but  she's  always  been  blunt  when  it  comes  to  her  opinion  .   “   well  ,  now  that  you  asked  me  about  it  ,   ”   she  takes  a  moment  to  ponder  at  the  question   ——   the  chicken  caesar  salad  she's  having  right  now  might  be  good  ,  but  it's  definitely  not  the  best  bite  she's  ever  had  .   “   you  know  lady  m  ?  their  mille  crêpes  cake  is  to  die  for  ,  especially  the  tiramisu  one  .  that  might  be  the  best  bite  of  my  life  so  far  .  maybe  we  should  go  get  some  after  this  ?  my  treat  .   ”

— my thoughts at 1:13 a.m. (via Ambiguities)

      but betrayal reaps a need for blood: he doesn't even hear it from camille. maybe if he did, he'd swallow whatever pride to try to understand—to try to make it work (because he wanted it to). it strikes him as a great loss: how does anyone deal with losing one's greatest confidant, companion, and lover all in one ?   “ can you blame me—? ”   it's the kind of pity party he hates to see and he pities her for a second.   “ —stop that— ” because he knows she's hurting herself. open palms gather her hands in his. some things never change. he practices his self control and she loses her self control.       “  it doesn't matter anymore.  ”   things like this were meant to stop hurting after awhile. it had been awhile.   “ i'm not in the space to hear what feelings you don't and do have.  ”   camille addario is simultaneously the last person he wanted to see and also likely the last person he'd see tonight.   “ compose yourself until you get home. ”

          pulls  one  hand  away  to  wipe  the  tear  falling  down  her  cheek  ,   “   i'm  not  leaving  until  you  tell  me  your  answer  .   ”   this  is  what  she  came  for  anyways  ,  and  if  darius  truly  doesn't  want  her  in  his  life  anymore  ,  she'd  try  her  best  to  stay  away  from  him  after  this  .   “   tell  me  ,  darius  ,  do  you  really  think  this  is  the  end  for  us  ?   ”   she  knows  they  have  already  broken  up  ,  but  she  needs  to  hear  it  from  darius  again  .

                    maybe   this   was   his   plan   all   along   —   to   bring   out   this   side   of   her   .       then   again   ,   maybe   he   actually   thought   she   had   a   shred   of   loyalty   to   him   .       who   really   knows   with   this   guy   ?       “   ooooh   ,   now   that’s   the   feisty   camille   i   know   and   love   .   ”       a   smirk   appears   to   lips   as   index   finger   traces   her   jawline   ,   a   gentle   mockery   of   affection   .       “   you   forget   ,   chérie   —   the   last   time   your   loyalty   slipped   ,   wasn’t   it   my   name   on   your   lips   ?       you   say   you   don’t   do   loyalty   ,   i   say   you’ve   been   mine   ,   all   mine   ,   since   you   cheated   on   that   little   boyfriend   of   yours   .   ”       the   real   message   here   boils   down   to   the   fact   that   julien   is   a   horrible   human   being   .       he   couldn’t   care   less   about   loyalty   or   who   she’s   with   ,   at   least   as   long   as   he   fits   into   the   picture   somehow   .       but   ,   oh   ,   if   she   ever   considers   revisiting   things   with   her   ex   ,   that’s   where   he   draws   a   line   .       hits   a   nerve   on   his   fragile   ego   ,   maybe   ?       “   enough   with   this   ‘   shoo   ,   bad   boy   ’   act   .       weren’t   you   saying   the   same   just   last   week   ?       and   the   week   before   ?       and   yet   ,   here   you   are   .       seems   you   cannot   resist   ,   eh   ?       oh   ,   but   suddenly   ,   you’re   turning   a   new   leaf   for   your   oh - so - bland   ex - boyfriend   ,   just   because   he’s   made   his   grand   retour   ?       mon   dieu   ,   that’s   truly   …       fuckin’   disappointing   .   ”

          it's  all  fun  and  games  between  them  ,  but  she  couldn't  deny  that  every  time  he  calls  her  name  in  that  stupidly  sexy  french  accent  of  his  ,  it  makes  her  feel  giddy  for  all  the  wrong  reasons  .  sure  ,  he's  got  a  fucking  point  .   “   well  ,  if  you  put  it  that  way  ,   ”   she  lets  her  words  trail  instead  .  julien  definitely  has  the  upper  hand  in  this  situation  ,  but  maybe  it's  about  time  she  puts  him  back  in  his  place  .   “   wait  ,  did  you  hear  that  ?   ”   a  brief  pause  for  dramatic  effect  ,   “   that's  the  sound  of  me  not  giving  a  single  fuck  about  what  you  think  .  but  you  know  what  ?  i'll  give  you  that   ——   it's  true  that  you  make  it  so  fucking  hard  for  me  to  leave  sometimes  ,  but  don't  get  it  twisted  ,  yeah  ?  you're  not  that  special  to  me  .   ”   this  time  camille  drops  the  smile  on  her  face  ,  gaze  still  on  his  ,   “   if  you  still  didn't  get  the  fucking  hint  ,  i'm  dumping  your  ass  ,  jules  .  and  please  ,  keep  his  name  out  of  your  fucking  mouth  .  you  have  no  rights  to  talk  about  him  like  that  .   ”   it's  almost  laughable  how  she  still  wants  to  protect  darius  when  she  was  the  one  who  hurt  him  the  most  ,  but  really  ,  she  could  tell  that  julien  probably  brings  him  up  on  purpose  ,  knows  that  she'd  get  all  worked  up  over  the  mention  of  her  ex  .

      not that there was much to prepare for, darius just didn't think they'd speak for awhile. awhile because they'd known each other for so long. he woke up one day and saw his best friend in a different light. for better or for worse. “ when do you think ?  ”   it's hard to not sound as bitter as he does. he shifts uncomfortably: leans onto the wall one second and then stands on his own weight the next. he doesn't make eye contact either. because her eyes, maybe he missed her eyes—dark brown and honey sweet. a part of him is sure she's here to remind him of what's been broken.       there is nothing like knowing someone so well. too well ? there's that prying question: did you go back to him? but it's none of his business and he bites his tongue at the thought. it's unfortunate for him that he knows her crave—the way camille rushes in for the affection, the validation. they're all with their own vices, he just never thought he'd be the one she was trading in. “  well, i didn't want to see you. ”   his family made that much clear. he knew they missed her more than they'd ever admit to him. it took them awhile to get used to her and it took them awhile to move onto the idea of her. “  how— ” he wants to say something snarky, ask her why she cares. but he knew why she cared. “  yeah. ”  darius expels a long sigh. he had practically held his breath since he saw her. then a rare, defeated, “  you hurt me, you know ? you didn't even consider me or what i was—to stay—god, cami, seeing you makes me wonder if i can ever trust anyone again. ” what he wants to say is: everyone could've wronged me but it was never supposed to be you.

          “   i'm  sorry  ,   ”   she  repeats  ,  like  a  broken  record  .   “   i  really  am  .  i  know  i  fucked  up  so  bad  but  ,   ”   there's  a  pause  ,  a  moment  to  collect  herself  ,  and  a  sudden  realization  that  there  shouldn't  be  a  but  .   “   i'm  sorry  ,  okay  ?  that  was  so  fucking  stupid  of  me  and  i  know  saying  this  probably  wouldn't  make  a  difference  ,  but  fuck  it  ,  darius  .  it's  always  been  you  .  i've  never  loved  anyone  like  i  loved  you  .  i  mean  ,  i  still  fucking  do  ,  but  god  ,  that  doesn't  even  matter  now  ,  right  ?   ”   maybe  she  should  just  shut  the  fuck  up  .   “   you  don't  even  fucking  trust  me  anymore  .   ”

"  i  distinctly  remember  you  not  mentioning  a  single  word  about  bowling  ,  "  now  she's  definitely  the  one  who's  not  dressed  for  the  occasion  ,  leather  mini  -  skirt  certainly  a  bit  much  to  be  spending  her  night  getting  drunk  and  rolling  balls  into  the  gutter  .  "  just  to  be  clear  ,  i  meant  no  offense  by  my  earlier  comment  i  just  know  you  and  i  know  you  wouldn't  be  caught  dead  in  a  club  with  jeans  on  ,  "  she  laughs  ,  her  head  motioning  towards  the  inside  of  her  house  ,  a  silent  invitation  to  come  inside  .  "  i'll  get  changed  and  now  that  you're  here  you  can  help  me  pick  something  better  to  wear  ,  "  cold  fingers  are  laced  between  camille's  pulling  her  towards  her  room  where  they're  met  with  the  sight  of  various  pieces  of  aria's  clothing  sprawled  out  between  the  floor  and  her  bed  .  "  don't  mind  the  mess  ,  i  was  having  a  bit  of  an  outfit  crisis  .  .  .  "  hands  are  freed  as  aria  crosses  through  her  room  ,  heading  straight  for  her  closet  .  "  okay  ,  this  one  ,  or  this  one  ?  "  she  holds  out  the  two  for  cami  to  get  a  good  look  at  ,  "  or  i  could  go  with  like  a  longer  skirt  with  boots  ?  ugh  ,  but  then  we're  gonna  have  to  wear  those  ugly  bowling  shoes  so  it  really  doesn't  even  matter  ,  huh  ?  "

          “   i  distinctly  remember  mentioning  it  to  you  though  ,  it's  not  my  fault  that  you  chose  not  to  listen  to  me  ,   ”   she  rolls  her  eyes  playfully  ,  couldn't  help  the  laugh  that  comes  out  after  .  maybe  there  is  a  possibility  that  she  might  have  left  that  information  out  when  they  were  talking  ,  but  confidence  is  key  ,  and  she's  never  been  one  to  admit  defeat  easily  ,  even  for  something  as  silly  as  this  .   “   god  ,  no  ,  can  you  even  imagine  that  ?  i  would  have  probably  came  back  from  the  dead  and  get  changed  because  there's  no  way  i'd  be  caught  looking  like  this  in  a  club  .  people  are  never  gonna  let  me  live  it  down  ,  dead  or  not   ——   i  could  never  recover  from  that  ,   ”   she  invites  herself  into  the  house  ,  hands  intertwined  as  they  make  their  way  to  aria's  room  .   “   oh  ,  don't  worry  ,  my  place  is  just  as  messy  ,  if  not  worse  .   ”   camille  gives  aria  a  reassuring  nod  ,  taking  a  step  behind  to  have  a  better  look  at  the  options  shown  to  her  .   “   i  know  i  said  we're  dressing  cute  ,  but  that  black  top  would  look  so  hot  on  you  ,  especially  with  a  longer  skirt  and  boots  .  and  i  know  the  ugly  bowling  shoes  are  such  a  buzzkill  ,  but  we  can  always  take  pictures  before  or  after  bowling   ——   seriously  ,  how  hard  it  is  to  make  cute  bowling  shoes  ?  is  it  just  not  possible  to  look  cute  while  we  bowl  ?  that  is  so  fuckin'  ridiculous  .   ”