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closed starter for @songwheein​ | July 2nd 2027 | 8:00PM | Pappy & Harriet’s

There’s parts of Austen that knows she shouldn’t feel so nervous about a few hours off of the campsite with Winnie by her side. It’s not a bad nervous, though. She’s just unsure of what’s going on in her head after talking to Roman about the whole thing. 

“I’m so glad I dressed accordingly.”

 There’s a big grin on her lips as she looks to Winnie, the two just stepping out of her Jeep. 

She’s always been one to consider where she’s going and pack things that are on theme - currently decked in daisy dukes, a short sleeve button down, and a brown suede fringe jacket. It suits the Pioneertown surroundings. She’s elated by this. 

“You ready for some live music and hopefully decent drinks?” she asks, looping her arm through the blonde’s with a cheeky smile. All she wants is a fantastic night with one of her favorite people in the house. 

Don’t ask where she got the cowboy hat. 

( There are a lot of theme parties in LA. )

Peering up at Austen from beneath the rim of her knock-off Stetson, Winnie grins. Sure, she left her own fringe jacket in her bag because fringe-on-fringe is a little much, even for her taste, but she’s happy Austen’s the one wearing it. She looks great. Winnie’s gone a little vintage. The hats, cowboy boots, jeans and a western-style shirt with pearlescent buttons and that distinctive white dart stitching across her chest and shoulderblades.

Slipping away from the group at-large with Austen will never be something she complains about. 

Alfie shifted his weight, arms hooking beneath Winnie’s thighs as she settled herself on top on him. The morning energy was infectious and even the former high school quarterback couldn’t help the loud, boisterous laugh that left his lips as a kiss was pressed to his cheek. It was harmless and innocent, a sign that Alfie was finally beginning to relax and enjoy himself since arriving. 

“Way better.” He smiled as he tore his eyes from the shoreline and peered over at Winnie. “I could definitely get used to waking up to this view every morning. You having a good time so far?” 

“The beach is soooo relaxing. Wish I could see it more often, but LA’s like being in a totally different world, even if I’m technically really close all the time.”

She peers out over the water and further off into the blue sky. This little stretch of beach behind the house is pretty chill, which is perfect. The areas closer to hotels are crowded and good for a party every now and then, but she much prefers the quiet solitude of an emptier beach.

“I’m not saying you have to tell her. But if you want a summer romance, you might as well. Otherwise you might spend the next two months wondering the what if’s” Ji-Ho takes another drink as she talks.

“Ah” He sighs. “Are you talking about a dance class? Sounds…” he pauses for a moment, “Like another opportunity to embarrass myself. I’m okay that I didn’t get an invitation now.”

“No, no, Park Jiho. Don’t be modest now. Next class this summer, you’re gonna be there-- front and center.” The tease is irresisitible.

A summer romance. Even the suggestion makes her heart skip a few beats. She might even sigh a little into her beer. A summer romance?? That’s right up Winnie’s alley. And G’s right. Two months isn’t a very long time. She could be catching lightning in a bottle for this next little stretch, but if she doesn’t say anything...? Time wasted.

there was a distant memory, buried deep down in the recesses of bee’s brain, of her and winnie actually getting along. way back before all the drama and tension that high school seemed to bring. it definitely didn’t help that the pressure her parents had always put on her had compounded with her own, creating a prada-clad army of one. 

it’s not like anything truly horrible had conspired between them. there had been no betrayal that had been plaguing either one of them. it would likely be a very different bee standing there. but bee had long since tamed those insidious thoughts that whispered that she had to be the best. she hoped, at least. 

there’s a moment where she sees what everyone else sees in winnie, that flash of charm that could disarm even the most guarded. she wonders if she’ll be able to see that more now.  

the comment brings something of a genuine laugh bubbling to her throat, amusement awash in her features. “ oh, of course. and the temporary hair dye, right? quite a long con for five years. ”

“Shit, sometimes it feels like everything and everyone in LA is playing some eternal con, so you might not be that far off.”

It’s not the first time she’s wondered what it would have been like if she and Bee could have been better friends in school. And not just Bee. Everyone. Outside of her smaller subgroup of the bigger group, sometimes Winnie felt like she just sort of... existed. She was there and present and they had parties and hung out and ate lunch together-- all that normal high school shit-- but she never really tried to deeply connect with anyone.

What would it all have been like if it had been different?

It’s not a thought she dwells on too deeply. It comes and goes, but she’s made peace with a lot of stuff from back then. And honestly, what was going on with her family had taken up way too much of her brainspace. She couldn’t have devoted more to her friends if she’d tried. All she can try to do is make up for it now. 

“And I mean... the blonde’s only been around for about two years now so, maybe not such a long con.” A moment stretches to two. “What have you been up to?”

The hip check earns a big smile and a - somewhat - late swing of the redhead’s own. She laughs. 

“Oh, yes, Huntington Beach is terrifying.” 

There’s but moments spent in the house after this - feet scurrying down the stairs, sunglasses in hand, shoes halfway on. Austen taps her front pockets and then back to check for her phone/wallet combo. They’re both there, she’s never been one to carry a purse. Not since high school. 

She’s spinning her keys around her fingers when she stops in front of her jeep - playful smile on her face as she looks over to Winnie. Maybe she was right about the mean streets, especially with Austen driving. 

“Trust me enough to let me drive you?”

Maybe if she’d known Austen a little better in these intervening five years, she’d know to be a little more trepidatious about the redhead driving her around this afternoon. As it is, all she has to go on is Austen’s word, and she figures, despite any evidence to the contrary, the other girl got herself here safe and sound.

“I guess I’ll find out if I regret it after we make it where we’re going.” A pause. “If we make it where we’re going.”

She grins up at the other girl, then gives a little sort of fingerwave before twirling on nimble toes around Austen and skips to the passenger door to climb up and into the mammoth Jeep.

TASK THREE | PLAYLISTS |  V  I  B  E  S

shiloh beams at the other girl as she enters the kitchen, returning the wave with a little wiggle of her spatula before turning her attention back to the sizzling bacon on the pan. 

“ oatmeal, always a good choice, “ she mused as she flipped a piece of bacon, causing the sizzling of the grease to grow louder. “ i could whip up some extra bacon if you wanna’ try to sprinkle it in there? just a suggestion, though. seems like i’m the only one here who eats turkey bacon so i’ve got plenty. “

turning from the bacon to the eggs, shiloh took a small glance up at winnie, a half-hearted smile on her face. “ we haven’t had a real chance to catch up. – how have you been lately, win? “

There’s that look on her face. Kind of like the sound of a record scratch but written on her face.

“Ehh.. I think you’re still the only turkey bacon eater, Shi.” She shrugs a little weakly. “But thanks for offering.” Not a substitute she’s ever been able to stomach and actually enjoy. And it’s vacation-- she’s not exactly looking to maintain her healthiest diet.

“I’m great,” she says, with some enthusiasm and a nod. “I live just about forty-five minutes from here in LA. I dance and teach. It’s been pretty fucking awesome, I can’t lie. I stay busy, and LA’s way less uptight than home so, y’know, it’s all good.”

Pulling herself a seat up to the breakfast bar, she puts her chin her hands and watches the other girl.

“Is that where you guys were, and I was invited.” Ji-Ho hits his hand on his chest, pretending to be shocked. “I’m hurt by this Win.” He jokes.

All jokes aside, having feelings for someone was quite serious and there had to be a reason she was sharing this with him so suddenly. “So you think maybe you subconsciously liked her since high school?”

“Aw,” He gives her a cheeky smile. “I feel special.” He takes a sip before asking his next question. “Are you thinking about telling her? 

Blonde head shakes back and forth, immediately. “Definitely not.” She didn’t like Austen in high school, even subconsciously. There might’ve been one girl she was inappropriately and unconsciously attracted to back then, but it hadn’t been the redhead.

Not that Austen hadn’t been cute in her own way back then, but no. Just no.

Now though? Well, obviously, things have changed.

“This is a new development, and I haven’t really thought about telling her. Maybe I should. No clue what she’d think about it thought.

Austen laughs, shaking her head at the just barely shorter girl. A soft smile settles on her lips. 

“No happies here,” she hums, her smile broadening a bit.

“I just thought maybe you’d make a day out of going to the thrift store and grabbing some clothes to paint and tie dye,” Austen explains, sticking her nose into the air with her eyebrows raised. “Whaddya say?” she asks, raising onto her toes before flattening back onto her feet. It’s a bit of a nervous habit - she’s trying to rid herself of the very light flutter of distress in her chest. What if the other girl says no?

“Oh, yeah, sure. That sounds like fun.”

She’s liked doing things with Austen so far, so she can’t imagine that this little activity will be anything but fun. And it doesn’t escape her that the whole thing is vaguely artistic in nature. ( She’s sort of making it her mission for the time being to try and nurture all of the redhead’s creativity back from the brink of muse death. ) Plus, like... new clothes. Never a bad thing.

Skipping forward, Winnie gently bumps Austen’s hip with her own.

“Let’s hit these mean streets, babe. Tear it up!”

Alfie had just finished up his morning jog, taking full advantage of his new digs for the summer especially the beach front property. Back home, his route consisted of begrudgingly navigating random Naperville streets, but here his run was a daily ritual he had been growing more and more accustomed to ever since setting foot in California. There was something about the fresh air and sea breeze that Alfie couldn’t get enough of, and he took a moment to appreciate the view unaware that a familiar blonde was creeping up behind him. 

“Shit—  !” Alfie exclaimed, half joking and half startled as a petite frame was launched onto his backside. Thanks to countless hours in the gym, the former QB was able to hold his ground, toes digging into the sand as he craned his neck backwards to find Winnie tethered to him. 

A brilliant flush came over him as she complimented him, her energy infectious and he can’t help but play along. “I don’t know… these baby’s are pretty priceless I’d say,” Alfie teased, his tone light sprinkled with just a hint of confidence. It was a good sign, however. A sign that Alfie was beginning to regain some semblance of his old self. “But for you Win, I might be able to cut you a deal.” 

She’ll stay right here on Alfie’s back for as long as he’ll have her. He’s... bigger than she remembers him being. Either that or she’s smaller, which she doesn’t think has happened. Scooting herself a little higher, she leans in over his shoulder and presses a kiss to his cheek. She hums through the gesture, lingering until it becomes something a little dramatic.

“I love deals.”

Her thin, tattooed arms dangle over his shoulders, crossed at the wrists, and she lets her chin rest on his shoulder.

INSTAGRAM: @WHEEINTHEMOOD UPLOADED A NEW PHOTO!

bee’s not used to the offering of olive branches. she’s certainly not the first to ever extend one, and the gesture is a surprise but she can’t think of any reason not to put their differences aside. for the summer, at the least. 

she nods at winnie as the bottom of their bottles clink softly against each other. with nimble fingers, she’s popping her own cork and watches as it arcs in the air, landing a few feet from them. the compliment is met with a gaze that some would consider cool but was actually appraising. clearly, the girl still knows something about her if she’s approaching the situation with flattery. 

“ i must have a sixth sense for champagne. ” she studied winnie for another moment. maybe this would finally be their time to the bury the hatchet, after all. “ i have to say, i like your new look. i almost didn’t recognize you. ”

If she sits and thinks about Bee back in high school for too long, she could almost get herself worked up about it even now, all these years later. She’s still not quite sure what caused their problems back then. Bee was never someone she had much of an opinion about in general, much less a bad one, but some where along the way, drama got involved and-- y’know? Teenagers did teenager shit.

She’s glad to be away from it now. The distance gives her a lot of peace and a lot of perspective. As far as she knows, nothing that could have happened back then should hold any little rain clouds over their heads now.

The compliment in kind almost shocks her. That has to be a first. And maybe there’s still a little bit of teenaged Winnie inside because there’s a little bit of a fluttering sensation in her belly at hearing Bee say something nice about her appearance.

“Sounds like my long con was almost successful.” She takes another sip. “I can go upstairs after this and finally wash all these temp tattoos off.”

A bit surprised, Austen turns to look at the blonde. The smile that tugs at her lips can’t be contained - neither can the playful roll of her eyes. Winnie is always some sort of surprising and it’s refreshing to the redhead. 

“Wanna do something fun?” 

Eyes flick over Winnie’s outfit with an easy grin. 

“You know what would look super cute with those shorts? A tie dye shirt.” 

She saunters out into the hallway, hand on hip, and lazily eyes Austen up and down. 

“What wouldn’t look super cute with these shorts? I’m wearing them.”

She has to laugh at herself, but is she really lying?

💫 - closed starter for @songwheein​

Flipping through the small closet area she’s deemed hers in her shared bunk, Austen furrows her brow. Somewhere in her things, there’s this jean jacket she painted a few years back, but she can’t find it. And, despite never having much money, she’s not willing to spend too much time finding it - even if she’s on a mission. A mission to repaint the hell out of the old thing sine she’s bored and the sunburn on her shoulders is threatening to peel. No matter how much aloe she puts on. 

And it’s been a lot of fucking aloe. 

Dressed in mom jeans and a tee, Austen slips her feet into sandals before snatching a pair of sunnies. There’s only one person who can sidekick this mission with her. Only one person she wants to have tag along. There’s an annoying part about living with so many people - you never really knew where anyone was. The door to the other bunk room is closed and for a moment she pauses before shaking her head and looking around the entire house. To no avail. With a soft huff, she bounds back up the stairs, two at a time before sitting on the railing outside of the second bunk room again. 

Last chance - she knocks with her foot. 

“Winnie?” Austen calls out, then, sing-songs - “Win, you’re neeeedeeeeeed,” 

In a fit of perfect timing, as soon as Austen knocks on the door to her bedroom, Winnie’s actually finishing up her makeup in the restroom. She hears her name called through the door and finds herself grinning, smiling something unbidden because she’s being sought after by someone she wants to spend time with.

The bathroom door swings open, and she uses her grip on the doorknob to let herself swing out into the hallway in dramatic fashion.

“You rang?”

JUPITER - DO YOU HAVE ANY SIBLINGS?

Difficulty Rating 0/10. Yup. My big sister, Mia. She’s a doctor now. Definitely the family golden child. But like... she’s actually really cool and a doctor, so as much as I wanna hate on her for taking all my parents’ approval, she’s actually a really bomb human. I love her.

ARCTURUS - HAVE YOU CRIED OUT OF SOMETHING OTHER THAN SADNESS?

Difficulty Rating 0/10. Oh yeah. I’ve cried from beauty. I’ve cried from love. I’ve cried from pleasure. I’ve cried from laughing my ass off. I’m not like... a daily crier or anything, but when you feel the urge to cry-- for whatever reason-- you should let it out.

MILKY WAY GALAXY - WHO’S YOUR OLDEST FRIEND?

BLACK EYE GALAXY - DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?

Fuck yes. Unequivocally. Exuberantly. Enthusiastically. From the bottom of my heart, yes.

SUPERNOVA - WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE?

Climb into and splash around the Trevi Fountain in Rome. And hopefully manage to do so without getting arrested.