𝘰𝘩 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘰𝘩 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭.

“I never said it was!” She exclaimed, rolling her eyes. “That is absolutely correct. But you’re lucky, I adore you and would never do such a thing to you.” She teased, just the thought of something like that being done was weird to her. Her eyes widened as she remembered the drama from the previous summer. It was surprised this same group all recovered from it and agreed to not end their tradition. “Wow, boomer. You’re kind of right. Vibe check is a thing but I’m not quite sure if you’re using it correctly. Maybe we’re just vibing this summer? At least that flows better.” She laughed, “Oooh, that sounds like fun. Honestly most of the same stuff. Food especially.” She groaned, placing a hand on her stomach, “It’s a movie. About jeans that fit this group of girl friends and for the summer, they all go away and they send each other the jeans to bring them luck or something. Anyways, one of them goes to Greece for the summer to visit family and there’s still shot of the water and the fishing boats. And its literally all I could think about since I’ve landed. I just want to sit in a boat and chill.” She smiled, now laying on her back, “I also want to get drunk. Like fun drunk. I seem to only get fun drunk with this group.”

Shanley had been laid out on the couch for a while. She was still extremely tired from her flight that once she saw something soft and comfortable, she plopped onto it hoping she’d be able to nap for a while. She starts to play soothing ocean sounds on her phone, eye lids slowly becoming heavy as the sounds continued on. But she could hear footsteps coming up from in front of her. Eyes opening to reveal an eager Lennon making their way to claim the spot next to her. She blinks away her sleep, sitting up straight to make sure she doesn’t doze off on her friend, “It does seem pretty quiet around here, doesn’t it?” She asked, with her brow furrowed and eyes squinting. “Everyone must be prepping for whatever craziness that might happen this summer.” She suggested, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “But how are you? How have you been? Please, catch me up on EVERYTHING.”

She watched the male with wide eyes as he searched for the word he was looking for. She had no idea where he was going with it, but nods away. Even when he asked for her input, she blinked and gave him a shrug, “I’m sure you two will have a great time here. It’s pretty damn romantic around here. Maybe I’ll have to force Jupiter to be my partner this summer so I have someone to do that stuff with when you steal Rena from me.” She teased, pulling her sunglasses over her eyes, “Who says I can’t still have her? Just call me Miss Steal Your Girl, Cartwright. Watch out.” She joked. Shanley wasn’t sure why she had felt a bit uneasy about coming this year, maybe it had to do with the fact that technically it wasn’t her turn. “It is every little girl’s dream! Now especially. Everyone wants to be internet famous and I have been blessed.” She laughed, looking down at Luca as he laid, “No, you’re actually the first person I’ve seen so far. I’m sure everyone is out exploring. Soon, we will all be sick of each other again.” She joked, stretching her legs out in front of her and leaned back onto her elbows, “The most? That’s so hard to decide. I feel like every year when we all get together everyone is completely different. What are some things your excited to do?” She paused, looking at him, “You’ve never seen The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, have you?”

Her  laughter  in  response  somewhat  surprises  him,  his  brows  raising  and  he  has  to  fight  the  urge  that  fills  him  to  look  behind  him  and  back  at  her.  He  definitely  should’ve  opted  for  the  comment  on  the  screaming  children,  ask  her  about  her  first  year  of  teaching,  congratulate  her  on  securing  the  position  and  perhaps  bore,  or  even  annoy  her  with  questions  on  what  her  first  year  had  been  like.  But  he  didn’t  and  now  he  must  face  the  consequences  of  his  actions  and  likely  listen  to  her  remark  on  their  exchanging  of  phone  numbers  or  something  else  that’d  disappoint  him.  And  yet,  she  doesn’t  -  much  like  she  never  had  done  before.  He  can  hear  the  hesitation  in  her  voice  and  he  almost  wonders  if  she’s  going  to  tell  him  that  she’s  seeing  somebody  -  that  being  the  reason  she  wasn’t  interested  in  somebody’s  nephew,  and  yet  again,  she  doesn’t.  He  wonders  if  she  avoids  the  topic  out  of  courtesy,  but  he  makes  no  mention  to  ask,  knowing  her  admittance  would  only  further  drive  the  blade.  Although,  he  does  grow  curious  and  that  seems  to  send  his  mind  racing  back  to  the  man  that’d  answered  her  phone  back  in  college.  As  he  untangles  the  bit  of  plastic  cling  from  the  cheese,  he  finds  himself  stilling  in  his  position  at  the  next  words  that  leave  her,  that  of  not  being  “  that  great  ”,  and  immediately,  the  pads  of  fingers  are  pressing  hard  into  the  dairy,  likely  leaving  prints,  as  his  brows  furrow  in  confusion.  His  lips  part,  although  he  isn’t  sure  what  to  say,  he  knows  he’s  meant  to  -  even  if  it  is  no  longer  his  place,  but  instead,  she  clears  her  throat  and  the  moment  is  gone.  He  can  hear  her  feet  tapping  against  the  floor  before  the  question  has  even  left  her  completely,  and  it’s  enough  to  regain  that  bit  of  hope  that’d  lingered  within  him  previously.  As  she  moves  to  stand  beside  him,  he  chooses  to  ignore  the  couple  feet  of  distance  between  them,  although  he  knows  its  for  the  better.  He’s  not  too  sure  whether  he’d  be  able  to  keep  himself  as  composed  as  he’d  been  if  she’d  bumped  her  hip  against  his  own  -  aware  of  the  ongoing  struggle  that  was  brewing  beneath  his  blank  facial  expression,  although  he  wasn’t  sure  which  struggle  he  was  more  privy  to  caving  to.  With  his  casted  arm,  he  moves  to  reach  out  for  the  loaf  of  bread  propped  up  on  the  counter,  his  movement  slow  and  languid  as  if  he’s  fearful  once  she’s  handed  the  bread  she’d  simply  take  off.  “There’s  butter  in  the  fridge,”  He  mentions  as  he  moves  to  cut  a  couple  slices  of  cheese,  “bought  it  earlier,”  he  adds  on,  though  his  words  seem  useless  at  this  point.  There’s  another  moment  of  silence  that  falls  between  them,  and  Arlo  finds  his  lips  parting  once  again,  although  he  begs  himself  to  stop  -  he  doesn’t.  “You  are  though  —  that  great.”

She takes it as a good sign when he doesn’t move as she approached him. Although, he was still silent. What was she expecting? For him act as though things were completely normal between them? To be cheery and kind after what he’s gone through recently? The bread is slowly placed near her and she’s not quite sure what to do with it till he informs her of the butter. “Cool.” She replied, standing still. She could see the side of his face and the blank expression it held. This was a time she wished she could read people’s minds because she couldn’t tell if he was thinking, uninterested, or extremely focused on the cheese he was cutting. Finally giving up on trying to read his thoughts, she spun around and slowly made her way to the fridge. Pulling the door open, eyes scanning the inside for the ingredient needed. Reaching for the stick of butter once found, her fingers gripped the the stick as his words left him. Her shoulders and the corners of her mouth dropped simultaneously. As comforting as it felt to hear the words, she couldn’t help but also feel as though they were a lie. There were so many things she could ask or tell him like how if she was that great, why did he break up with her or that since the day he left her, she hadn’t felt that great. There were plenty of questions she had for him, so many things left unsaid yet she knew this wasn’t the time for her to bring any of it up. He had most likely moved on from it and she should pretend as though she has as well. She swallows thickly, closing the fridge. But it was difficult for her to remain quiet as she returned to the spot beside him. She tossed the stick gently onto the counter, staring at the ingredients in front of her. The silence had gone on again for too long and although, she knows she should just drop what was last said altogether, her stubborn mind wouldn’t allow it. “If I am that great, then wh...” She finally lets out, head tilting as her eyes shifted to the side of his face again, immediately regretting her words. What if his answer to her full question was something that would hurt more than she already was? What if he took it as an opportunity to tell her all the things she may done wrong in their relationship and explain those was the reasons for their end? What was she going to do? Other than recoil and cry. She goes into a panic, head turning back to the ingredients, scrambling to find new words to say, “Am I supposed to butter the bread?” She asked, reaching for the stick once again and peeling the paper back slightly. This time she doesn’t look at him when she speaks, hoping he was in fact uninterested and couldn’t bother to ask her to finish her last statement.

For  a  moment,  the  older  finds  himself  wondering  if  this  was  what  it?  Was  this  going  to  be  the  premise  of  their  conversations  moving  forward?  Both  of  them  biting  down  on  their  tongues  and  instead  mumbling  nothing  more  than  one  worded  responses?  Was  she  more  comfortable  this  way?  Had  things  between  them  moved  too  far  beyond  repair  for  them  to  have  a  genuine  conversation  again?  It  wouldn’t  have  been  Shanley’s  doing  after  all.  It  was  his  own  burden  to  carry,  after  all,  he  was  the  one  that  had  led  them  down  this  road.  At  the  sound  of  her  agreeance  to  his  offer,  the  corners  of  the  man’s  mouth  began  to  raise,  a  smirk  spreading  across  his  features  as  he  continued  to  tend  to  the  stove.  He’d  spent  five  years  of  his  life  with  Shanley,  learning  each  and  every  detail  about  her  then,  paying  attention  to  her  habits  and  reactions.  Perhaps  that’s  why  it  was  so  easy  for  him  to  read  through  her  small  fib,  the  slight  change  in  her  voice  being  all  that  he  needed  to  know.  Whether  it  was  disguised  for  herself  or  his  own  comfort,  he  was  grateful  for  it  regardless  knowing  she  wasn’t  itching  to  leave  the  room  at  the  first  possible  chance.  Although  there  was  still  a  nagging  feeling  that  remained,  one  that  pricked  at  him  as  a  means  to  hint  at  her  simply  being  kind  enough  to  engage  with  him  now.  He  just  prayed  it  wasn’t  pity  that  led  her  to  him.  “Eggs  and  toast,”  He  answers,  glancing  back  at  her  over  his  shoulder  before  continuing  to  move  about  the  eggs  within  the  pan.  “I  hope  that’s  ok,”  He  adds  on,  setting  the  spatula  down  on  the  counter  before  reaching  for  the  block  of  cheese.  It  wasn’t  necessarily  that  the  the  silence  between  them  was  uncomfortable,  it  just  wasn’t  desirable  -  not  with  her.  “You  end  up  giving  his  nephew  a  chance?”  He  isn’t  sure  why  he’s  said  it,  as  if  the  thought  hadn’t  made  him  somewhat  jealous  when  she’d  brought  the  mention  up  previously.  But  it’s  something  -  something  to  get  her  talking,  something  that  indicated  he’d  been  listening,  although  now  he  wishes  he’d  opted  for  her  remark  on  screaming  children. 

“Of course.” She nodded, giving him a small smile even if he wasn’t looking at her. Her teeth sinking into her bottom lip as the silence continued. She hated it. They had never gone quiet for this long. Someone always had something to say, their eyes never leaving each others. She also wouldn’t be sitting as he cooked. She would have been standing right next to him, passing him the cheese and making an extremely lame joke about it. Then they would have giggled for far too long that the eggs would have burnt and end up blaming each other for it. It made her sad to think they may never get back to the way they once were. She takes another sip of her coffee, the sound of glass tapping against the counter as she placed her it down filling the room before he speaks again. She lets out a dry laugh, now regretting the mention of the older man’s nephew. If she would have known it was him she was talking to when she barged into the kitchen, she wouldn’t brought it up at all. But she was curious as to why he was mentioning that part of her story instead of the screaming children. She could only hope the thought of her with another person made him jealous but perhaps that’s just what stuck out to him when she rambled on about her flight,  “No.” She responds, wanting to say something that could embarrass her more than dropping her coffee on the floor, “I...” She began, eyes dropping to her cup, “I told him I wasn’t interested.” She continued, pulling her leg over the other and adjusting herself on the stool. “I actually...” She paused, her eyes shifting to the back of his head again. Shaking her head slowly, “I actually think he was crushed. But I told him his nephew would be better off. I’m not that great of a gal like he thought anyways.” She shrugged, taking another sip of her coffee. Now fed up with the silence, she clears her throat again. “Can I help?” She asked, hopping off the stool, not thinking at all about what his answer may be or how he may react to her next move. She makes her way around the kitchen counter, standing beside him, careful to still maintain some distance between them, “I don’t know...Pass the bread or something...” 

“as much as i love the rockstar life, it still sucks i don’t get to see you as often as i’d like to,” she pouts playfully before smiling at the thought of shanley actually playing a few of their songs for the little ones. “look at you, introducing kids to good music so early on in life. they’re going to thank you for that one day.” of course rena was excited to explore greece and share such romantic encounters with luca, but her and shanley had a fun little friendship that also required them to treat the other like the queens they were. she was going to make sure shanley would have one of the best dates here in greece, and she knew luca would simply laugh and wish them well. “honestly, i don’t know how you live without roommates. doesn’t it get lonely?” she hated living by herself, in all honesty, and praised shanley for being so content with it all. “did you see our performance on snl? oh my god, shanley, it was the coolest fucking experience ever! like to go from watching that stuff to actually being on it? it’s weird, but i hope it only opens up more doors for us, you know?”

"Funny you say that because I told them the same thing.” She laughed, pulling a strand of loose hair behind her ear. She thinks about her living arrangement, Rena had a point, it did get lonely sometimes. Shanley shrugged, “Sometimes. But I have my dog and then I try to go out as much as possible. I just love having a place that I get to make decisions on. Not have to ask for permission or feel like I have to, y’know?” She responded, tilting her head. “Ah,” she began, nodding eagerly as eyes widened. She thought back to the night she watched the band’s performance. She was so proud of her friends for accomplishing something so big and her reaction when she saw one face in particular, But her face doesn’t change as she continued to listen to Sirena, “I did! I am so proud of you all. It felt surreal seeing you guys on television. Killing it. I, of course, forced everyone and anyone I knew to watch it.” She smiled, grabbing the other’s hand and giving it a tight squeeze, “Our first date has to be to celebrate the awesome year you had. Like seriously, I know that only bigger and better things are coming for you all.” she lets go of her hand, “Are you busy? We should go exploring. See what kind of trouble we can get into.”

Shanley laughs at his comment about falling in love with learning. She looks at him, her smile spreading wide as she thought back to themselves at that age. Young and terrified of the world but to see how far they have both come was amazing. “I’m glad you fell in love with learning. That’s what life’s all about.” She nods along as the conversation shifts to his relationship. She could understand how distance may put a strain on a relationship, although she was glad Luca and Sirena have been able to overcome through road bumps. “I’m sure it did. But you two made it! And now get to spend the summer together. That must be exciting!” she exclaimed as she continued to drag her finger along the sand, “Although, I may steal sometimes. I need someone to go on a date with and that’s kind of my thing with her.” She teased, looking out at the ocean. Shaking her head at the tiktok mention, “I posted a video of a conversation with one of my first graders. I thought it was hilarious. And apparently so did millions of other people. And now I’m like a tiktoker. Which is weird to say because almost everyone on that app is like 14.” She laughed, “Have you seen any of the others yet?”

Shanley scoffed, rolling her eyes at the woman once again. Dodging the pillow that was thrown in her direction, “Hey!” she called out, furrowing her brows. She crossed her arms at Jupiter’s request, “Fine.” she responds, Shanley would say just about anything to get the two of them out of the house. “Put on your damn shoes and let’s go then.” she pushed her leg, walking towards the drawer and taking out the bottle of advil, throwing onto Jupiters bed. 

Arlo  watched  with  careful  eyes  as  Shanley  spun  around  from  her  position  on  the  stool,  his  breathing  somewhat  hitching  in  response  as  she  became  the  sole  focus  of  his  vision.  No  matter  the  years  that  passed  between  them,  she  still  looked  the  same,  shorter  hair  perhaps,  but  she  still  retained  this  sense  of  light  and  glow  about  her  -  one  that  he’d  been  able  to  place  upon  their  very  first  encounter  back  in  middle  school.  Truth  be  told,  he  hadn’t  been  expecting  her  to  be  here  this  summer,  it  was  his  year  after  all,  wasn’t  it?  Even  despite  the  tragedy  that  occurred  in  recent  weeks,  although  maybe  that  was  why  she’d  come.  She  hadn’t  anticipated  for  him  to  arrive  after  the  news  broke.  Immediately,  he  was  reminded  of  the  bouquet  of  flowers  that’d  been  delivered  to  his  family  home  -  the  note  that  had  been  scrawled  across  the  card,  and  although  it  wasn’t  her  writing,  it  being  that  of  some  local  flower  shop  attendee’s,  it  still  carried  the  same  weight  -  one  that  left  his  whole  body  wracking  from  the  sobs  that  sounded  from  him.  He’d  wanted  to  call  her  then,  but  of  course,  he  was  at  a  loss  for  words  then,  as  he  was  now,  as  he  had  been  the  dozens  of  times  he’d  wanted  to  call  her  in  the  years  prior.  How  was  he  to  begin  when  there  was  so  much  go  off  of?  Perhaps,  there  was  a  saving  grace  in  her  clumsiness,  something  he  hadn’t  soon  forgotten,  despite  their  absence.  “Let  me,”  He  begins,  the  words  leaving  him  faster  than  he  is  able  to  process  them.  As  he  drops  the  contents  in  his  possession  onto  the  kitchen  counter,  Arlo  utilizes  his  free  hand,  grasping  for  a  few  sheets  of  paper  towels  before  scurrying  onto  the  other  side  of  the  kitchen  island.  Bending  his  knees,  the  man  lowered  himself  to  the  ground,  blotting  at  the  mess  of  coffee  staining  the  floor.  He  should’ve  taken  their  close  proximity  into  account,  and  it  was  likely  that  he  would  have  -  that  being  if  she  hadn’t  spilled  the  contents  of  her  beverage.  But  perhaps  that  was  the  perfect  guise?  Him  now  being  able  to  mask  his  attempt  to  feel  a  sense  of  comfort  in  her  presence  (  despite  being  the  most  undeserving  of  it  after  all  these  years  )  by  a  means  of  being  helpful.    “Got  it,”  He  assures  her,  utilizing  the  cup  to  scoop  at  the  remaining  cubes  of  ice  scattered  across  the  floor  -  his  casted  arm  seeming  to  be  beneficial  in  this  instant  as  it  aids  him  in  doing  so.  As  the  last  bit  of  coffee  soaks  into  the  paper  towel,  Arlo  rises  -  no  longer  able  to  justify  his  closeness,  as  he  moves  back  around,  dropping  the  spoiled  contents  into  the  trash  before  moving  back  to  the  fridge.  His  movements  are  quick,  despite  his  casted  arm  slowing  him  down,  but  it’s  not  enough  to  cause  any  true  delay  as  he  reaches  for  the  ingredients  he’d  need:  cold  brew,  almond  milk  and  hazelnut  syrup.  Ingredients  that  he’d  never  admit  to  purchasing  himself  when  at  the  store  earlier  in  the  day  -  not  even  necessarily  out  of  the  hopes  that  she’d  be  attending  this  summer.  It  was  a  habit  at  this  point,  one  that  he  hadn’t  gotten  past  since  the  years  prior.  He  isn’t  sure  what  to  say,  not  as  he’s  holding  her  coffee  in  his  hand,  nor  as  he’s  setting  it  before  her,  so  he  remains  quiet  -  moving  back  around  to  tend  to  the  stove  without  much  of  another  word  or  noise  uttered.  “Hungry?”  He  presses  after  a  moment  of  shared  silence,  unsure  if  she’s  even  still  there  behind  him,  but  he  can’t  stop  himself  from  asking,  can’t  stop  himself  from  attempting  to  find  another  reason  in  an  attempt  to  persuade  her  to  stay.

She’s completely flustered as she’s bent over, staring at the cup and spilt coffee on the floor. She was making no effort to clean it, assuming this was buying her time before she had to stand up and face him again. But before she could even reach for the cup, Arlo was already beside her, handling it all himself. Perhaps he wasn’t so different, at least this act was the Arlo she once knew: coming in to save her from her mess. She should have insisted she cleaned it up herself, but she’s speechless. She doesn’t move as he continued to clean, they hadn’t been this close to each other in years. Even if this wasn’t exactly the way she would have wanted him close, she was going to take it. She stands up just as he does, nodding slowly as they moved  back to the opposite sides of the kitchen island. Her brows raised as he began to take out ingredients...He couldn’t be? Three years later, he still remembered something so small like how she took her coffee. Or those just happened to be the only ingredients in the fridge. She couldn’t allow herself to read into these small acts so deeply, those thoughts would only cause more damage. She watched as he poured the cold brew then the almond milk and a few pumps of syrup. Her lips pressed together as he hands her the coffee. “Thanks.” She was puzzled. He was doing these things without hesitation and yet he seemed as though he could barely look at her. She takes a small sip of her coffee, setting it down in front of her as she swallowed the liquid slowly. It reminds her of mornings they shared together, back when he would have a cup waiting for her as he was picking her up for school then to their visits in college where he’d always have coffee ready as soon as she woke up. She sighed, rubbing her thumb against the side of her cup. Now he’s turned away, saying nothing to her and she’s not sure whether or not to take that as a get out. She probably should leave but she stands still, her hands gripping the cup as she waited for his next move. The silence between them only making her feel as though she shouldn’t be there. Finally, he says something and her eyes shift to the back of his head, “Yes.” she fibbed, the woman had found herself something to eat once she had landed but she had no intention of leaving the kitchen and she could only hope he didn’t want her to leave either. But she knew it was more likely he was just trying to be polite. Either way, she was going to use this as a reason to stay. She pulls out the stool from under the counter and sits down. “What..” she began, clearing her throat, “What are you making?”

@shcnley​

“my jet lag hit just now and i’m too hungover to go to the pool, come back later,” she mumbled as she turned to the other side of the bed. it’s already late in the day but she really didn’t want to deal with her head and she didn’t have the strength to even go eat, which is her favorite activity. “but like if you could bring me food so i have something to open my eyes too, that would be amazing.”

“Don’t be annoying!” Shanley whined, kicking the brunette’s bed, “Get up, get uuuup!” she sang, placing her hands onto the mattress and shaking it. “Come on, pop in a few advils and we’ll get lunch. On me.” she offered, giving Jupiter a wide smile, “I don’t want to be here. We need to get out!”

After   an   hour   or   so   of   unpacking   his   belongings   from   his   suitcase   and   settling   into   his   shared   room,   Arlo   was   finally   able   to   give   way   to   the   grumbling   of   his   stomach.   He   hadn’t   eaten   anything   since…he   couldn’t   really   remember   -   perhaps   that   was   the   real   issue.   But   after   tending   to   the   store   with   Ali   shortly   after   his   arrival   to   the   country,   Arlo   knew   he   could   easily   whip   something   up   even   if   it   was   just   something   as   basic   as   eggs   and   toast.   And   that’s   exactly   where   he   found   himself,   in   the   kitchen,   his   presence   somewhat   obscured   by   the   door   of   the   refrigerator   -   he   figured   that   had   to   be   the   only   reason   why   he   could   hear   the   familiar   voice   that   filled   the   kitchen.   A   voice   that   seemed   to   bring   him   a   great   deal   of   comfort,   yet   so   much   pain   at   the   same   time   as   he   thought   back   on   the   last   time   they’d   spoken   years   ago.   There   was   an   odd   mix   of   sorrow     and   yearning   that   filled   him   as   she   continued   on,   and   it   seemed   to   only   solidify   the   conviction   that   she   didn’t   know   he   was   the   one   in   the   room   alongside   her.   As   he   reached   for   the   block   of   cheese,   he   knew   he   couldn’t   still   for   much   longer   -   knowing   it   would   seem   as   if   he   was   hiding   from   her   on   purpose   when   it   wasn’t   necessarily   the   case   by   any   means.   He   was   simply   delaying   the   inevitable   -   her   fleeing   the   room,   or   so   he   assumed.   Bumping   the   door   closed   behind   him,   his   eyes   glanced   around   the   room,   landing   on   the   back   of   her   head   as   he   stilled   in   his   position   -   balancing   the   block   of   cheese   and   almond   milk   between   his   chest   and   casted   arm   as   his   free   arm   moved   to   scratch   as   the   side   of   his   face.   He   could   feel   his   jaw   instinctively   clench   at   the   mention   of   some   strangers   nephew   ogling   Shanley,   the   idea   alone   becoming   irritating   to   the   older,   as   if   he   had   some   right   to   be.   Tongue   pressing   against   the   back   of   his   bottom   row   of   teeth,   Arlo   wasn’t   sure   what   he   was   meant   to   say   -   how   was   he   meant   to   greet   her   after   all   this   time?   There   were   too   many   words   left   unsaid   and   drowned   out   by   bottles   of   liquor   instead,   but   it   seemed   that   only   two   would   suffice   for   right   now.   “Hi   Shan.”

Her body jerked forward as the voice rang in her ears. She knew that voice and she was surprised he didn’t take off the second he realized it was her. She would have understood if he left her there speaking to herself. At least she wouldn’t have known or felt this foolish. Now she’s only reminded of the last time the two spoke. Beginning to feel even more embarrassed  than she already did. Her breathing uneven as she snapped herself back to reality, she thought he wasn’t going to come this summer; at least that was what the others told her. She wouldn’t have come if she knew he was going to be there, she wasn’t ready. But, honestly, who knew if she would ever be truly ready. She felt her cheeks flush, still incredibly embarrassed she placed herself in this situation. She assumed she had to be the last person he wanted to see right now especially after everything he’s been through the past few weeks. Yet here she was rambling on about something so stupid. Quickly turning around to face him, her jaw tightened as she finally got to look at him. She was beginning to feel dizzy as though she was going to be ill. She had imagined seeing him again in so many different ways but they didn’t matter because they were made up and she knew they would never happen. It seemed to feel like so since they were both avoiding each other. She inhaled slowly. He looked different. Yes, she claimed to know the voice all too well but the person who stood there, not so much. Her eyes focused on his cast before shifting to his face, “Uh-H..” she stammered, brows furrowing quickly as she struggled to find her words. “Hi, Arlo.” She croaked, her hand extending to place her iced coffee onto the counter below. She absentmindedly lets go of the cup causing it to miss the counter completely and land onto the floor, directly in front of her feet. She jumped as she felt the liquid splash on her feet, “Crap!” she cursed, bending over quickly for the cup. 

Shanley scrunched her nose, Luca would definitely be the one carrying her sleepy self. So maybe she had to keep him injury-free. Her eyes rolling at his joke, or no, he should have fallen. She adjusted herself on the sand, crossing her legs underneath her as she nodding attentively, “I’m so proud of you, bubs. I knew you could do it. And look at how amazing it has been for you. That’s so exciting!” she smiled, looking at her best friend. She remembered their conversation at his dining room table ages ago, so happy that he has come so far, “How are you two doing with the distance?” she asked, dragging her index finger along the sand, “I’m glad you two got some couple time before coming here to be with everyone.” she laughed, leaning into his side before quickly pushes him away as his hand ruffled her hair, “I didn’t miss this!!” she exclaimed, fixing her hair before laughing, “No, I’m lying. I’ve missed you and this. And I’ve been good. I can’t complain.” she shrugged, giving him a soft smile, “Teaching’s been amazing. Seeing those little faces everyday was the cutest thing ever.”

❮   closed starter for @shcnley​​  ❯    ━━   ❝ shanley!” sirena wasted no time in attacking the girl with a huge hug the minute she saw her friend. she’s missed her dearly this past year, and was excited for the two to share a few friendly dates here in paradise. wrapping her arms around the other and giving her a tight squeeze, she pulls back slightly so the two could stand face to face, rena’s smile almost covering her entire face. “i’ve missed you so fucking much, babe. i hope you brought something fancy to wear cause i’m not wasting any time taking you out and treating you to a fabulous night here in greece, okay? so tell me, what all have i missed while we’ve been apart?”

Shanley heard a familiar voice from behind, immediately excited as she turned on her heels. Her arms open wide for sirena to land in, giving her friend a tight squeeze before letting go, “Ugh, you have no idea how much I have missed you.” she replied, giving sirena a pouty look, “but you’re off being a rockstar and I am so happy. I may or may not have played a few songs softly for my first graders.” she shrugged, laughing before her eyes widen at the mention of their dates, “Oh my god, you know it! We need to go as soon as possible. The views here? So romantic.” she sighed, her wide smile almost making her cheeks hurt, “Honestly, nothing too exciting. Just teaching. Finally settled in Chicago, moved into my own apartment. Yay to no roommates! So proud of that. But I want to know all about you!” she exclaimed, “Tell me what you have been doing, the music alll of it!!”

“okay, mr. larry pasty.” she teased, nodding her head in response to his question. she hadn’t even finished her statement and the man was already running down the stairs. her brows furrowed as she followed after him, “now i wished you did fall and break your leg.” she pouted, kicking off her sandals and began walking to find the perfect spot for them, “it’s so weird. how fast the last year went by. can’t believe we’re here again.” she laughed, plopping down on the ground once she had found a spot, “how are you? how are things with the band? school? relationship?”