sky is womb & she's the moon;

Sirena: I got into Chicago and Berkley!!!! :)

Sirena: I'm so excited!!! :) :) :)

Onyx: i had a dream last night and i shit you not, i feel like it was some sort of premonition or something so if you suddenly see parts of the sky falling know that i'm the only one who can save us all

Sirena: Wow that's such an intense dream!!

Sirena: It almost sounds like a painting...

alex: if one more person requests 'under the sea' as the prom theme i'm just going to order a giant shark tank for everyone to swim in

alex: give better ideas please

sirena: but under the sea would be such a fun theme!! imagine all the cute papier-mâché sea animals you could make for it!!

Zaki: Please don't. I'm fine, I promise!

Zaki: Oh, why don't you come over and bake with me. That always makes me feel better, I mean if you don't mind. I've got the ingredients.

Sirena: I always worry, Zaki. But I do trust you.

Zaki: I know, but I don't like to come between friendships.

Zaki: It's fine, really. Don't worry about it please.

Zaki: That actually sounds like something I'd enjoy very much... yes please! If it's not too much trouble, of course

Sirena: I'm still going to worry, Zaki...

Alex turns his gaze to her face when she mentions the video. He’s surprisingly calm, being beside, but that’s the only way he knows how to feel around her. Even when he had told her off outside Finale, he felt no desire to yell are speak too aggressively. Sirena is like solace, he thinks, glancing over her soft features and taking in the softness of her voice as well. He drops his head for a moment when she tries to offer some sort of ‘if only’ scenario before looking up at her again and shaking his head. “There’s nothing you could have done, Sirena,” he says calmly. “I was too… I wasn’t me.” He returns his gaze to the piece for a moment before looking at her to explain further. “I’ve wanted to tell you, y’know. All this time? I really did,” he says sincerely with a single nod. “But I wasn’t ready. Not to tell you, but to admit it to myself that nothing would ever change it. And as for that night…” He shifts a little until he’s facing her more, hoping to catch her gaze as he looks at her seriously. “I should’ve never spoken to you like that, Sirena. And I need you to know how truly sorry I am.”

“No, I’m afraid. I have to admit, I’ve never thought of that before,” Austen responds between Sirena’s rushed words, until her own are drowned out by the incessant babbling of her companion. She would have been mad, but there’s a certain passion in Sirena’s eyes, a love that Austen can’t help but admire, and so, instead of telling her to shut up, she stays silent, listening to the excited chatter until she’s fairly certain Sirena has stopped. “Why don’t you go, then? Obviously her work inspires you a lot,” she says, gesturing to the dress. “And if you miss it, it’ll be an awful shame.”

He smiles, “I don’t mind at all. I should perhaps try to educate myself about art and what better person to help me than Sirena Wilde herself.” His lips spread wider across his face. As she speaks, he looks around, catching sight of the art professor who is also preoccupied with another student’s presentation. He nods slightly and, as usual, offers his arm, “Sure, let’s go!” He says eagerly. It’s not often he visits any of the art museums in New York, but he’s excited to do this with Sirena. “California?” He echoes, thinking back to a month ago when he’d announced he was going. The memory is tainted by Rhys’ drug usage, but he shakes it away – he shakes the bad aspects away because, in truth, it was perhaps the best vacation he had, his only complaint was that it lasted only two days. “I did.” He responds with a nod, a fond smile dancing on his lips, “It’s a great school, I uh, I also went to check out a few departments outside of Business.” He admits sheepishly as they walk together, “California is a really beautiful place. I hope I gain an acceptance. I should be hearing from Stanford any day now. The campus is beautiful, the people are surprisingly a lot nicer than they are here. The weather is amazing!” He rattles on excitedly.

“Great!” Kasey chirps excitedly, handing Sirena the clipboard and pen for her to sign up. She’s glad she doesn’t have to do any more convincing – though her heartfelt speech about social injustice, poverty as well as capitalism  designed to tug at the heartstrings is on the tip of her tongue, ready to use in case Sirena ever decides to back out. Though, knowing the other female, Kasey’s doubtful Sirena would back out. “It’s the length of central park, so approximately two and a half miles long.” She says, peering down at the clipboard, “Though, you don’t have to run the full length, you can also walk.” She suggests, her blue eyes looking back at Sirena.

Sirena quickly signs her name in perfect script, adding herself to the list of other volunteers. It’s a habit she has, never being able to stand up to anyone, and so she always bends herself to please the girl, fulfilling every need she can and working herself far too hard. But it’s for a good cause, and in her mind that makes it worth it. “No, no, I’ll run the whole way,” she quickly replies, handing the clipboard back to the blonde and tugging her lip between her teeth. In truth, she isn’t a runner, and has never been too athletic, preferring to spend days inside drawing or painting rather than partake in activities on the field. But she’s determined to run the whole length, because that’s what one is supposed to do. “I’ll just make time to practice for it, it’ll work out fine. Is there anything else you need me to do?”

Zaki: Gossip Girl and I'd rather not say the other one because she's a friend of yours.

Zaki: I try not to listen, however it's not as if it's the first time I've heard this being said about me.

Sirena: Zaki, you know you can tell me anything. Even if it's against a friend of mine.

Sirena: Besides, anyone who insults you shouldn't be a friend of mine.

Zaki: What if someone says it with the intention of insulting me?

Sirena: Then you shouldn't listen to their petty insults.

Zaki: I'm not feminine, am I?

Sirena: No, not at all Zaki!!

Sirena: Why would you think that??

Zaki’s gaze trains on the piece of artwork Sirena seems to be referring to. His knowledge on artists and interpretations on art pieces are virtually non-existent – he mostly relies on Sirena to supply him with such knowledge. His gaze lands back on her as she begins to refer to her dress and he nods quickly in approval of her handiwork. “You’re incredibly talented, S.” He commends with a large smile at the mention of the Met he quirks his eyebrow. It’s not a place he usually goes to, but he’s more than willing to accompany her if she wants. “You should go!” He says enthusiastically, “We should go!” He corrects quickly, “I can’t say I will be the most pleasant company, but I will try. It would be interesting to hear more about her, and her emotions through her art.”

Alex thought he’d find Sirena here. There was a group of people standing before her and her piece, and Alex remained towards the back so she wouldn’t see him and get distracted. After she’d finished her presentation, there was a round of applause from the group, and he waited until they cleared to move onto another piece to approach her. Her hair was a darker blue now, and he had to admit he felt a little bit of sadness knowing the lavender color she’d done at his suggestion was gone, almost as if she’d done it to erase him after what he’d done to her. He wondered if she’d seen the video. Part of him hoped that she had, that maybe it would ease the blow if she rejected his presence. “Great presentation,” he speaks up finally as he approaches her, standing beside her to get a closer look at the dress. He slides his hands comfortably into his pants pockets, a light smile on his face as he admires her work. “It’s a really nice piece.”