𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔 ,

〝 right . . . so this sudden exhaustion has nothing to do with your ex coming back to town ?〞

' is that what you think of me ? that i'd just go back to an ex ? god , guess we're more screwed than i thought ... no , it has nothing to do with him . '

indy stares at the other for another second, tone of voice indicating that she's not entirely in agreement with how shady the practice is. likely just wanting indy to help with the issue at hand. "a lost soul ... in a vase", it would make for an interesting podcast episode, quirky and light hearted. she could work with that. "i mean, i can try but it's not exactly my strong suit or anything — inviting a priest might make things worse so... " scratching the side of her neck indy mentally rattles through their options. "you have an ouija board or anything we can use?" not ideal but at least it's something.

' oh , i do ! ' perks up , appears almost excited for what's to come ... sure , the vase is haunted , but spending time with indy might've been the hidden motive all along . ' i just happen to have a full stock room of ouija boards and other ... seancy stuff . don't worry , i'll bring out the top shelf stuff for you . ' a playful wink , mind already rummaging through all the things they might need . ' you owe me a drink if this makes for a good podcast episode , i owe you a drink if we get possessed in the process ... sounds like a good deal ? '

"no, go ahead. gives us all something else in common, knowing how fucking annoying you are when you moan", flashes her a grin before letting smoke out into the air, glad he has something to do with his hands. knows she's likely all talk, would never degrade herself by letting numerous friends take a go at her in a single night --- word spreads like wildfire. "you want them to run a train on you go right the fuck ahead, but if you that i'll never touch you again." means every single word, refuses to be intimate with someone who has been with every close friend he has. shrugs despite the anger burning in his veins, refusing to let her see the full extent of how pissed he is.

' oh , please , you love the way i moan . ' if his remarks have any effect on her , she will not show it , mirrors his grin instead as she looks up from underneath dark eyelashes . ' you really think they wouldn't love it , too ? hearing your girl moan for them ... what a power trip that would be . ' wouldn't subject herself to that in a million years , be it her pride or stupid unwavering loyalty she still feels for him ... still , finds some amusement in egging him on . ' what makes you think i want you to touch me again , colt ? still holding onto hope we'll get back together ? or is just that no one compares to me ? '

"ouch", grins playfully as he holds his free hand against his chest, "you wound me with your bad lies sylvia" but still he begins to wonder who she wanted to notice her, aside from him of course. "they all want a go with a pretty girl, i wouldn't put yourself up too high with that one babe." shakes his head as he pulls from his cigarette once more. maybe he fucked up, maybe they both did. refuses to admit to be the sole reason they ended regardless. "told you, they see a pretty girl with a great ass and want to ride it. you planning on collecting them like pokemon cards or something?" the thought annoys him, how she can make her way through his friends so easily, without second thought to him.

' and if i am ? would that bother you ? ' has no intention of screwing all his friends , truly ... but she lives for that glimmer in his eye , the jealous tinge in his tone . hasn't been perfect , she knows that much , but bitterness lingers the way affection does , could kiss him or kill him and feel the same satisfaction . ' maybe i'll just get it all over with tonight ... how many of your boys are here ? four , five ? ' takes a hit from her cigarette , smoke exhaled toward his face . ' should i just let them take turns with me in one of those bedrooms upstairs ? would that bruise your ego more or less than me slowly dating them one by one ? i'd like to spare you some pain . '

"yeah that's the one. heard she does a cheaper rate if you're pretty --- kinda fucked up if you ask me but", shrugs her shoulders in a 'what can you do?' type of way. in her profession indy has realised what was real and what was simply money grabbing and taking advantage. "a haunted vase?" interest is instantly piqued at the change in conversation, because this is something she can actually help with. "if it's haunted in a y'know ---- malevolent fucked up way you're gonna need to either throw that thing away properly or call in some old school exorcist type guy. although i don't know if they can perform exorcisms on inanimate objects."

' oh , it's so fucked up . ' a dramatic sigh moves past glossed lips , exaggerates her indignation as if to get in the other's good graces . practices passed down for generations have been watered down to miracle teas sold to aging housewives and love spells prepared for heartbroken teenagers --- but what could she do ? she still had to make a living . ' hm , it doesn't seem malevolent ... more a lost soul ? i was hoping to talk to it , help it maybe ? is that even possible ? i don't want to just get rid of someone's grandma or something . '

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY 2.06 | Love Fest