#penny.starter

he leaned against the card despite the light rain coming down. he could hear the music from the party all the way down the street. he should have let their call go to voicemail, yet here he was, feeling like an idiot - a soggy idiot at that. when they stumbled out of the house, luca pushed off the car. "you need help gettin' in?"

“you look surprised to see me,” carter murmurs, leaning against the doorframe. his figure nearly dwarfed the other’s. “I wouldn’t forget your birthday. here-“ he pulled out a silver package from behind his back. “for you.”

"look, i know you're only with me because i give you weed, but you could at least pretend to be into me."

"the sheets have just been washed and there's fresh blankets on the beds." zichen helps the other with their...large amount of bags. "you'll get a good night's rest here. i'll make something for us to eat."

the smell of alcohol and sex mingles in the air. the thumping of the song's base fills the room, nearly shaking it. Sebastian sees the other across the way and can't help himself. he smells like weed and whiskey. his arms trap the other against the counter, a strong arm on either side of them. he inhales and closes his eyes. "fuck, you smell delicious."

she clumsily stumbles out of the elevator, holding her cello case against her side. though she's played it for years, carrying the case was always a little awkward. it easily dwarfed her as she leaned it against her side. zeliha fumbled for her keys, a groan escaping her lips when she can't find them. hopefully holly is home, but she doubts it. holly was always at work. a quick text to confirm that her roommate is out and zeliha lets out a breath. she supposes she could hang out at a coffee shop until holly got home, but that wasn't ideal with the cello. after standing dumbly for seven minutes, zeliha walks to her neighbor's door and knocks. when they answer, she offers a bright, if not sheepish smile. "hi! so, so sorry to bother you. i'm your neighbor, zeliha. i think we met once or twice..." a pause to adjust the instrument case. "i was wondering, if you weren't busy, if i could hang out in your living room for a bit? my roommate is at work and i don't have my keys." she licks her lips. "or, at the very least, can i store my cello here while i find a coffee shop?"

"it's all fucking bullshit," natalia murmurs to herself, words slurring and running together. she sits on the ground, her miniskirt barely covering her ass against the cold concrete. natalia was no stranger to a rough night out, but it usually didn't end up with her kicked to the curb. when she saw the other person approach, she squinted her eyes to focus. "i knew you'd come," natalia hiccupped, slightly.

"okay, now i feel like you're avoiding me," summer said, catching up to the other. she sounds out of breath as she returns to their side. summer holds two bags and a huge binder. "we have so many things to go over, i just need your attention for like twenty minutes!"