# sov4in.

if   devon   were   an   honest   man   ,   he   would   have   admitted   that   he   had   NO   IDEA   what   that   even   meant.   he’s   not   ,   though   ,   so   the   topic   isn’t   pushed   any   further.   instead   ,   he   removes   his   tie   and   tosses   both   it   and   the   jacket   aside   -   he   had   no   use   for   them   anymore   anyway.   even   if   he   happened   to   get   penny   back   before   the   entire   thing   ended   ,   there   was   no   guarantee   devon   had   any   desire   to   stick   around.   “   perfect   kinda   seemed   like   your   vibe   ,   i   dunno.   like   i   said   . . .   if   you   say   so.   ”   it   was   rare   for   devon   to   hang   out   with   people   who   were   so   opposite   of   him   ,   finding   a   lot   of   the   mundane   fairly   boring   and   not   worth   his   time   ,   but   there   were   always   exceptions.   “   a   party.   there’s   one   close   by   so   we   can   just   walk.   ”   a   glance   towards   her   shoes   makes   him   regret   instantly   that   there   was   no   other   option   ,   but   it   was   matter   at   that   point.   “   well   ,   we’re   gonna   try   to   walk   ,   but   i   can’t   imagine   heels   are   comfortable.   ”

“   perfect.   ”   these   were   devon’s   favorite   kinds   of   people   -   blind   trust   with   little   to   no   further   questions   when   presented   with   a   vague   idea.   as   if   they   were   polar   opposites   ,   devon’s   exterior   was   completely   cool   as   they   met   the   outside.   the   urge   to   completely   ditch   the   jacket   and   tie   comes   quickly   ,   hands   reaching   up   to   shrug   the   jacket   off   now   while   she   pulled   to   a   stop.   “   -   what   ?   why   ?   ”   not   a   single   extensive   thought   existed   in   his   mind   at   that   point   ,   focus   solely   on   their   destination   rather   than   anything   else.   so   when   penny   hands   him   part   of   her   dress   ,   he   blanks   for   a   minute.   rip   it   ?   that’s   what   she   said   ,   right   ?   repercussions   on   her   possible   return   flash   briefly   in   his   mind   and   devon   was   sure   he’d   be   blamed   for   everything   that   came   with   it   ,   but   again   . . .   it’s   not   like   he   really   cared.   “   fuck   it.   if   you   say   so.   ”   another   shrug   surfaced   before   he   followed   orders   ,   reaching   down   to   tear   part   of   the   dress.   step   back   was   taken   as   he   tilted   his   head   to   inspect   the   result.   “   i   mean   ,   it’s   . . .   definitely   not   even   ,   but   i   don’t   think   that   really   matters.   ”

it   didn’t   take   much   convincing   ,   which   was   something   devon   was   grateful   for.   with   an   attention   span   like   his   ,   he   probably   wouldn’t   have   pushed   the   matter   much   further   and   proceeded   to   leave   on   his   own.   as   long   as   she   wouldn’t   have   snitched   ,   it’s   not   like   there’d   be   any   hard   feelings.   even   then   ,   people   didn’t   really   expect   devon   to   stick   around   once   he   grew   bored   of   something.   following   after   penny   ,   devon   shrugged   in   return   and   swiped   a   few   more   strawberries   from   one   of   the   trays   on   the   way.   “   yeah   ,   yeah   ,   yeah.   whatever   you   want   ,   cinderella.   ”   he’d   abide   by   her   rules   for   now   ,   but   the   true   outcome   depended   on   where   they   ended   up.   “   -   you   trust   me   ?   ”

joey  alpen  was  not  well  versed  in  the  delicate  hemisphere  that  was  the  spectrum  of  human  emotion  ,  no  flexibility  to  the  way  he  perceived  things  which  made  him  half  idiot  and  half  robot  .  it  should  have  probably  been  clear  to  him  immediately  that  there  was  some  other  issue  than  the  room  being  booked  incorrectly  or  his  appearance  being  early  but  he  was  far  too  focused  on  his  precise  memory  of  booking  this  room  ,  his  time  keeping  something  that  was  never  questioned  .  he  would  never  make  a  mistake  like  that  .  he  scratches  the  side  of  his  face  ,  itching  physically  and  mentally  to  get  started  …  “  no  ,  i  don’t  think  you  do  ,  “  the  tone  was  cool  ,  not  pressing  .  his  observation  fo  the  scene  began  a  second  too  late  ,  a  glance  to  what  she  was  pushing  aside  but  he  liked  to  mind  his  own  business  and  not  get  involved  .  “  i’m  booked  into  this  room  and  i  need  to  start  my  work  out  ,  “  did  he  need  to  ?  well  ,  technically  he  would  probably  survive  if  he  didn’t  but  sometimes  he  was  so  rigid  that  it  was  hard  for  him  to  be  patient  .  

watch   on   her   wrist   is   glanced   at   again   at   his   words   ,   just   in   case   she’d   been   living   in   some   kind   of   state   of   delusion.   double   booking   existed   ,   but   it   was   rare   in   odessa’s   world.   when   she   worked   with   a   trainer   and   her   team   ,   this   was   never   an   issue.   maybe   this   was   what   she   got   for   trying   to   keep   up   on   her   own.   “   are   you   sure   ?   ”   in   reality   ,   all   odessa   had   to   do   was   check   her   app   again   ,   but   she   was   confident   now   that   the   mistake   wasn’t   within   their   realm   of   control   on   their   end.   impatience   becomes   evident   now   ,   brows   pulling   together   as   she   stood   up.   “   yeah   ,   okay.   ”   uninjured   wrist   lifts   to   swipe   at   her   forehead   as   the   other   snags   the   bandage   and   tosses   it   towards   her   bag.   “   i   was   mostly   done   anyway.   ”   bag   was   tossed   over   her   shoulder   before   odessa   glanced   towards   joey   and   shrugged.   “   all   yours.   i’ll   let   them   know   they   fucked   up   at   the   counter   ,   though.   i   guess   i   should   have   listened   when   i   read   this   place   was   notorious   for   double   booking.   ”

upon   hearing   the   other’s   voice   ,   odessa   had   to   show   restraint   from   rolling   her   eyes.   she   had   to   remember   the   mirror   in   front   of   her   ,   exposing   her   every   move   in   return   for   lily’s   unexpected   arrival.   she   recovers   nicely   ,   though   ,   brushing   it   off   as   leftover   irritation   from   injuries   that   prevented   her   from   becoming   entirely   independent.   she’d   be   damned   if   she   asked   lily   ,   of   all   people   ,   for   help   with   something.   “   assholes.   ”   blonde   mutters   at   no   one   in   particular   ,   body   lifting   itself   to   stand   as   the   bandage   was   kicked   towards   her   bag   -   a   result   of   her   defeat.   “   no   ,   no.   it’s   fine.   ”   the   smile   offered   is   forced   ,   but   at   least   her   exterior   offers   civility.   “   i   was   supposed   to   have   the   room   for   another   half   hour   ,   but   i   guess   that   plan’s   out   the   door.   ”

those  who  were  easily  bored  were  often  walking  red  flags  ,  the  social  circles  penny  traipsed  around  in  full  of  restless  men  and  women  who  didn’t  know  what  was  good  for  them  .  it  just  so  happened  that  penny  was  very  good  for  others  ,  they  just  weren’t  very  good  for  her  at  all  .  red  hair  delicately  pinned  up  and  her  mother  nowhere  in  sight  ,  she  tilts  her  head  ,  “  how  do  you  know  it  blows  when  you’re  standing  on  the  side  lines  ?  “  she  asks  but  it’s  just  a  joke  ,  her  nature  is  people  pleasing  ,  to  mould  into  whatever  is  wanted  .  it’s  just  a  way  to  ensure  that  you  don’t  upset  anyone  ,  her  nature  completely  meek  .  “  you’re  going  to  get  me  in  big  trouble  if  i  skip  out  and  someone  important  shows  up  ,  “  she’s  grinning  ,  a  naive  and  stupid  smile  .  

cynicism   is   met   with   narrowed   eyes   ,   shift   in   his   demeanor   stemming   from   a   twitch   in   his   shoulders   at   the   thought   of   being   challenged.   it   wasn’t   often   someone   questioned   devon   to   his   face   and   he   was   almost   impressed   by   penny   in   that   moment.   ALMOST.   devon   recognizes   the   light   jest   ,   chooses   not   to   engage   further   in   it   for   cliffhanging   purposes   ,   and   lets   out   a   short   laugh   in   return.   “   everyone   important   is   already   here   ,   penny.   nobody’s   showing   up.   ”   fashionably   late   didn’t   seem   to   be   a   recurring   theme   at   these   kinds   of   places   ,   unless   the   people   were   young   and   seeking   some   kind   of   attention.   “   live   a   little   ,   yeah   ?   if   you’re   really   paranoid   ,   i   can   have   you   back   a   half   hour   before   this   thing   ends   and   you   can   tie   up   any   loose   ends.   sound   good   ?   ”   it   was   an   empty   promise   ,   but   at   least   it   was   a   promise.

there   would   have   been   instant   protest   had   carter   not   offered   him   an   olive   branch   ,   one   hand   lifting   to   snag   the   canteen   from   him.   swig   from   the   canteen   is   taken   shortly   after   before   it’s   returned   to   his   friend   ,   annoyance   subsiding   only   momentarily   before   devon’s   jaw   tightened.   he   didn’t   know   how   much   longer   he   could   take   -   five   minutes   would   feel   like   five   years   if   he   focused   on   each   second   too   much.   “   fine   ,   five   minutes   …   if   i   don’t   die   of   boredom   by   then.   ”   the   mutter   came   quietly   ,   almost   inaudibly   ,   as   he   pulled   his   phone   out   to   partake   in   aimless   scrolling   until   time   was   up.

at   the   swat   ,   his   own   hands   lift   in   offense   -   palms   go   from   facing   the   ceiling   to   facing   flo   as   he   straightens   up   a   bit   in   return.   “   sorry   ,   mom.   ”   the   mutter   comes   as   they   depart   the   area   ,   inevitable   tease   only   an   unnecessary   addition   to   his   actions   now   while   he   suppressed   a   grin.   though   there’s   a   sense   of   understanding   in   the   drag   through   the   crowd   ,   slow   enough   to   be   deemed   completely   normal   movements   while   ulterior   motives   became   set   in   place.   it’s   not   like   they’d   be   missed   ,   right   ?   in   any   case   ,   devon   didn’t   care   much   if   they   were   in   the   end.   “   what   ,   wine   drunk   isn’t   enough   for   you   ?   ”   it   was   his   way   of   agreeing   as   soon   as   they   were   safely   out   of   the   room   ,   one   hand   raising   to   pull   his   tie   off   in   an   obvious   act   of   defiance   against   the   event.

at   least   the   tremble   in   her   hands   had   ceased   almost   entirely   by   this   point   ,   injury   still   very   much   present   while   the   obviousness   of   it   dwindled   severely.   odessa   was   usually   nicer   ,   not   as   bitter   in   greeting   to   others   but   pain   did   some   wild   things   to   people.   a   quick   glance   towards   the   mirror   gives   her   an   idea   of   her   company   ,   shoulders   rolling   a   bit   in   discomfort   before   she   shook   her   head.   “   yeah   ,   i’m   fine.   ”   a   lie   ,   straight   through   her   teeth   ,   but   did   it   matter   ?   something   so   habitual   was   knee - jerk   at   that   point.   odessa   stood   up   shortly   after   ,   bandage   abandoned   on   the   floor   as   she   turned   towards   january.   “   if   you   have   some   ,   i’ll   take   it.   ”   the   blonde   nodded   just   once   ,   instinctive   reaction   to   grasp   for   anything   that   might   ease   the   pain   now   very   much   present   without   much   attempt   to   cover   it.   “   how   good   are   you   with   first   aid   ?   ”

“   anywhere   but   here.   ”   devon   had   a   few   places   that   climbed   to   the   top   of   his   list   ,   priorities   that   stemmed   from   his   inability   to   showcase   recklessness   at   their   current   location.   it   was   almost   painful   to   live   in   peace   like   this   ,   sharing   small   talk   with   people   he   didn’t   care   for   and   allowing   camera   flashes   to   solidify   his   presence   at   the   event   in   social   media.   eyes   narrowed   a   bit   as   he   returned   his   gaze   towards   the   door   ,   shrug   lifting   his   shoulders   as   he   pushed   off   the   wall.   “   we   can   bring   the   strawberries   ,   too.   they   won’t   miss   ‘em.   ”

“   trust   me   ,   the   last   thing   i   wanna   see   after   getting   out   of   this   room   is   more   wine.   ”   his   words   and   actions   weren’t   tactless   and   ,   he’d   admit   in   secrecy   ,   he   was   slightly   curious   about   her   lack   of   company   …   phone   aside   ,   of   course.   devon   could   only   wonder   if   it   was   on   purpose   (   stupid   to   think   it   wasn’t   )   or   if   it   was   genuine   drama   that   he’d   have   to   be   mindful   of.   in   all   honesty   ,   he   really   didn’t   care   ,   but   the   cantley   family   had   been   known   to   be   a   bit   nosy   at   times.   metal   glints   in   the   slightest   as   a   hand   was   removed   from   his   pocket   ,   car   key   now   visible   in   a   silent   offering   before   he   pushed   off   the   wall   to   head   towards   the   door.   “ besides   ,   there   are   a   thousand   other   ways   to   feel   as   dazed   as   being   wine   drunk   would   get   a   person.   ”   he   slips   through   the   kitchen   door   with   ease   ,   a   few   compliments   slipping   between   his   lips   to   keep   the   chef   and   caterers   entertained   for   just   a   moment’s   notice   as   he   approached   the   back   door.   “   -   shotgun   or   driver   ?   ”

“When your friend is ready for a supernatural transformation after shooting as a blonde all year. A dusty lilac fantasy to usher in The Witching Hour.” ( OLIVIA SCOTT WELCH via TREEHOUSEHAIR on Instagram. )