#mcpara

Cole was ready for company and this boy made him even more excited about the idea. It wasn't like he hadn't been around anyone lately, it was just that Morrissey seemed different then the rest. Plus he needed to get his mind of the places it was going. Cole made his way into the sub dorm, finding the room and knocking as he waited for him to open the door.

Maxwell would forever remember his 25th birthday fondly as the day that she laughed. Not the quiet, gentle and a little bit guarded laugh that she had given him all those previous times that they had met, when she worried still about the consequences of her spending time with a program participant, especially one with a background such as his. Or the slightly less guarded laugh with each time that he managed to steal her away from the estate, a reflection of each furtive step she took towards accepting him, and all of his promise of a better life. On his 25th birthday he had gone home and had taken her with him back to the estate in Northamptonshire, and they rode Maxwell’s horse throughout the estate in near perfect silent, just enjoying one another’s company. And out of nowhere, she laughed, the fullest she had ever laughed, like so much tension and fear and trepidation being released from her body. Relief at the full acceptance that her life as a slave was done and her life as his love, as his partner and his wife had begun. It was a laugh that said ‘I love you’, followed by a spoken accusation of “You silly creature!” as she reached up behind her and patted his grinning face, the words emphasizing the unspoken expression.

And every laugh after that was just like the first one. Truthful, without fear and instead full of hope. She laughed when he asked her to marry him, she laughed when they spoke of having children together, she laughed when he made an utter mess of the kitchen trying to prepare for her a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, which she had always dreamt of. She laughed first thing in the morning upon seeing his face, his ginger hair in a mass of curls, his face slightly streaked with drool from the night before and the remnants of sleep-dust caking the corners of his eyes - a very unattractive look which delighted her to no end. She laughed last thing at night as he found a hideously silly way to say goodnight.

The last time she laughed - and he was certain that it was the last time, not just the last time he heard it - was when he said goodbye after bringing her back to the estate. He had to return home immediately afterwards to finalize things for her release, for her freedom. He told her he would be back within two days and she would officially be a free woman, designated a submissive and that would be the day they would finally wed and a whole slew of problems: the inheritance,  his need to claim a sub, his happiness for the rest of his life - would finally be resolved with the place she would take up by his side. It was the last time she laughed for she died later that day and he was not by her side.

It haunted him still, even five - going on six years - after her death. He still woke up to it, slept to it, ringing in his ear. Yet he always knew the distinction between the real music to his ears and the faint echo in his mind. And each time that sound struck in his mind, it lost a little something. The memory of it was fading, and it broke his heart. One day it would be gone, and he would have nothing but the knowledge of what was missing, and the aching heart with an unfillable hole and ears that longed to hear such glorious music once more.

Charlotte had never actually introduced anyone to her horse, as weird as that sounded. She had had Max for about three weeks and in that time she hadn't really gotten her out to see the world. And after yesterday's drama, she really needed to get out and enjoy the world. She met Jamie yesterday as well, and as awkward as what they had talked about was, Charlie really liked her. She seemed sweet, and nice and Char really needed some more girl time. Charlotte had invited her to meet her horse, and maybe hang out some.

Charlotte was excited to spend time with Brandon, if she had to pick a guy other than her match, she was probably closest to him. Right away she knew that he would be a best friend, since he had no mind to make her blush. But lately she hadn't wanted to laugh or do anything she normally did--and he was the first to notice. So in order to combat that, she told him that they should hang out, just for fun. She hoped it would throw him off the scent.

"You're tied together with a smile, but you're coming undone..."--Taylor Swift

Charlie didn't exactly feel like changing from her sweats. She had been lounging around her house all day, since Axel was at school and she didn't have dance on Tuesdays. Not that she hadn't gone into the studio to try and practice. But Madame Lofaro would have none of that. She had kicked Charlie our of the building, demanding that she get some rest and stop freaking out about the dance. But the thing was, this was the first time one of her very own dances is being preformed. She wanted to show the judges, and the scouts that she knew how to choreograph a beautiful dance and execute it flawlessly. Though maybe she had been going overboard...not leaving the studio till midnight was a bit much. In any case, when she suggested Levi and her go grab ice cream, she hadn't really thought about changing out of her clothes. She figured it really didn't matter that much. 

The white walls mocked Charlotte as she laid on her brother's couch. She turned her body away from them, but could still hear their laughter. Feel their judgmental glares. The walls were as unforgiving as herself, and for a time she found them to be welcome. Now all they did was remind her that nothing she could do would make up for the mess she caused. It made her sad, mad and feel desperately alone. She didn't know how to feel better, and wasn't even sure what Connor suggested would be a good idea. Ever since he kissed her...her mind's been even more of a mess. It wasn't bad...just, unexpected. But she shouldn't even been thinking about that. Shaking her head, she sat up and walked listlessly around Nate's home, trying to figure out something to do.