#wlwhq

"see how well you two kissed? it was so hot and didn't you say you wanted me to fuck you in the car? i know you're needy. so show them some love. get your mouth on her cunt." indy says as she looks down at aurelia who is on her knees. having the play-fuck-date was the best fucking idea they had.

what a ray of sunshine you are, grey face. thank you so much ! only ten ?? i love all of my writing partners and the endless patience they have with my crazy, procrastinating, caffeine addicted-ass. -- but to eleven (my favorite number. screw ten) souls, i raise a glass.

It was a funny thing, having a fling with the director of the musical you were in. Brooke knew that Eden asking her to stay after rehearsal was for fun things, of course she did. But there was still part of her, perhaps the mommy issues part, that felt like she was a child being called to the principal's office. Everybody filed out of rehearsal, grabbing their scripts, water bottles and bags, bidding each other a good night. Brooke did the same thing, gathering her belongings, but while everybody headed to the car park, she was headed to Eden's office. She briefly stopped by the restroom, making sure that her blonde hair was still immaculate - well as good as it could be after rehearsal, reapplying another coat of red lipstick, before slinking over to her office. She'd beat Eden hear, she knew that woman was still talking with the choreographer.

So Brooke settled in the office, placing her stuff off to the side and sinking into Eden's chair. She crossed her legs, getting comfortable, before she glanced around, sighing quietly. She wore a basic over sized grey sweater, black leggings and grey sneakers, simple attire for the rehearsal they'd just had. But she had her blonde hair straightened and smooth like normal, her tell tale red lips, nails perfectly painted - this week a red colour, as it was getting closer to the festive season, and her little silver heart pendant around her neck, which was currently being wrapped around one of her fingers, fidgeting while she waited.

After a few moments she pulled out her phone instead, scrolling through her apps while continuing to fidget just a little, pouting. Why was Eden taking so long? Maybe Brooke actually was in trouble for something, and her stomach twisted at the thought, eyes narrowing at her screen for a moment.

She was late again. Some nights, it was intentional. She’d never fully admit that to anyone, not even herself, but there were nights where she found a reason to linger in her office and work. Between her research and teaching, her schedule was tight and hardly gave her any free time. With what little free time she did have, she often spent it at her aunt’s bookshop where she lent a much needed hand. Lately, more than ever, it felt like she was looking for reasons to not go home.

Stepping inside their home, she shrugged her scarf off around her neck and hung it up with her jacket. The house was quiet but was filled with a wonderful aroma. Her nose followed her to the dining room where she saw an untouched glass of wine, candles that were burning down to the wick, and an empty plate. It hit her like a ton of bricks - they were supposed to have a nice dinner together that evening. Marley promised she’d make the time. She mumbled a curse or two under her breath and pinched the bridge of her nose as guilt ate her up. She poked her head into the kitchen just in time to see her girlfriend putting away the food. “Smells delicious,” she greeted, unsure how to approach the situation. Her arms crossed over her chest and she exhaled. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am… I completely lost track of time…” 

The festive season was a fun time of year, there was no doubt about that. Ivy loved doing themed activities with her student - inclusive as possible of course, and she spent a lot of her free time buying presents, wrapping presents, volunteering with the needy, doing Christmas baking, everything you could imagine. Cute headbands, cute Christmas jumpers, countless hot chocolate. Ivy was a cosy girl who liked cosy festive times. But, there was something that bothered her about Christmas.

There were a few years in her life, where Christmas was not as fun. Her ex boyfriend was an awful man. Didn't really get along with her family, was toxic - in so many ways that it hurt to think about, and he had kind of crumpled up some of her love about Christmas. Sure, Ivy was doing all of the things and enjoying herself, but some things were very much difficult to cope with. For someone who enjoyed Christmas, she wasn't the kind of person to write her own Christmas list. If Rowan asked what she wanted, she deviated the conversation. if she saw Rowan putting some presents under the tree, Ivy kept clear for a little bit. Ivy would have talked till the cows came home about presents for other people, but every time the conversation became about her getting things, she seemed to stiffen. Every now and again she found herself looking at the tree, almost hopeful that maybe she'd actually get some of the presents this year. It wasn't Rowan's fault, it was never Rowan's fault. Rowan didn't seem to push or shove or demand to ask what was wrong. Rowan tended to sit back and observe, at least that's what Ivy thought. It was difficult. How could a time of year that brought so much joy, also bring so much angsty and trauma to the surface?

Ivy, well, hadn't thought Rowan had even noticed her slight angst and anxiety building about the Christmas period. Ivy had been trying to shove it down, trying not to think about it. Her ex boyfriend was the problem, not Rowan. But Ivy had been deluded into thinking that certain things were normal, certain things were going to happen. If she was bad, then she wouldn't get any of the presents. If she upset somebody, they'd be taken away or broken. There wasn't any point to asking for something she wanted, because she'd either be laughed at or be told she was getting something, and then have it be taken away. Ivy had even been hesitant to bring her presents from the students home. One year he'd broken mugs her students had gotten her, and Ivy had been shattered. Those kinds of things were special to her. Rowan had asked if the kids had gotten her anything, and she'd given a bit of a half answer, not saying much, showing a drawing or two, not really alluding to the fact that she had a giant pile of things on her desk she had taken home yet.

But, Ivy tried to ignore all of that. Tried to ignore her anxiety about it. It would be a good Christmas, right? Today she was introducing Rowan to her family, and then next week, on Christmas day, she'd actually get to go meet Row's family. That was so exciting, so fun. There was a decent pile of presents in the trunk, for her parents, along side their bags - and of course plenty of goodies for her family's dog Daisy too. It had taken about two hours to get to her parents place - Rowan offering to drive, as Ivy was a little anxious about driving in the not so amazing weather. Also, the idea of bringing Row home for the first time, that was a little nerve wracking.

But as soon as the door opened, it was fine, right? Her mom had pulled Rowan in for like the biggest hug ever, her dad had gone straight to give Ivy a hug, gushing about how good it was to see them and to have them stay for a couple of days. Ivy had visited for a weekend a little while ago, but this was the first time Row had gotten the time off work to fit around a visit, and Ivy was grateful.

Her parents had insisted on helping them bring everything in, her dad taking their bags up to her childhood room and her mom insisting on getting some food after their drive. They chatted to Rowan like they'd known them for ages, wanting to know about work - Caleb being particularly interested in the mechanics of the ambulances, enjoying some of her mom's delightful cooking. It was a relief to Ivy, that Rowan seemed to like them, and that they seemed to like Rowan.

A few hours had passed off them being at the Winters family home, mama insisting on showing them around the house and having a lot of introductory chats. It was good, all going fine. Dad kept asking Ivy about work, and Mom kept up asking about if she'd tried any new recipes, but Ivy just quietly deflected the conversation to things about Rowan and and her students, not really talking about herself. Ivy felt a little out of sorts, especially when she kept catching the glimpses of the Christmas tree out of the corner of her eye, noticing her name scrawled on so many presents in her Mama's handwriting. Her dad caught her eye a few times but Ivy was quick to move on the conversation, participating, not wanting him to be worried.

That was until they'd settled in the living room to chat more, over hot chocolate and cookies. Ivy was kind of zoning out, just a little. The chats were nice, nothing was wrong with that, but she could just feel her anxiety swirling, feel her mind drifting. It wasn't until she heard her dad call her name a couple of times and place a hand on her arm that Ivy jolted, realising she wasn't paying attention. "Sweetheart?" Caleb gave her a look and Ivy quickly brushed it off - or at least she hoped so, giving him a smile, her hands smoothing out her little plaid skirt. "Sorry Dad, I thought I heard Daisy, I think she wants to go out," Ivy lied smoothly.

"Oh, I can take her out, you stay here in the warm," he went to get up and Ivy quickly shook her head, standing up. "It's okay dad, you keep getting to know Row, I can take her outside quickly," Ivy didn't stop to see if he was going to agree or see if anyone was giving her a funny look. She simply went to find Daisy - who arguably had just been lazing about in the kitchen, and coaxed her outside into the backyard. It was a little cold, to be honest, but Ivy didn't overly care. She watched Daisy scamper around for a moment - Daisy clearly didn't care about the cold for the moment either.

Tears welled in Ivy's eyes, her bottom lip quivering as she did her best to take a shaky breath, facing out into the garden - so nobody could see the look on her face. Her fingers worried the sleeves of her red reindeer sweater, teeth sinking down into her red lipstick for a moment. Ivy rocked on her little heeled black boots, legs shivering ever so slightly in her black tights, her gaze watching Daisy run up and down, trying to catch some poor insect. She'd be okay. She just had to have a moment, go back inside, and she'd be fine. She didn't want to let anxiety win this moment. Row had only met her parents merely a few hours ago, and they seemed to all love each other, she didn't want to take away from that.

Caleb went to stand up to follow Ivy, as she'd clearly moved away a little hurriedly, and Kimberly's hand shot out, grabbing his arm for a moment and shaking her head. "Give her a moment, mi amor. Don't go crowding her, " Kimberly offered gently, before her gaze moved to Rowan, offering a sympathetic smile. Kimberly wasn't quite sure how much Rowan knew, or how much Ivy wanted Rowan to know, or if Rowan had dealt with much of Ivy's anxiety yet.

"She might just need a moment, perhaps it's a little overwhelming being home," Kimberly spoke to Rowan - but she wasn't quite sure if she was trying to reassure them, herself or her husband. She was a little worried about the blonde that had gone to help Daisy - as she was pretty sure it was just one of her excuses. Maybe Rowan would know if Ivy had been a little more off lately, after all, they would have seen each other a lot more often. Ivy called her parents all the time, but perhaps she wasn't giving them all the details.

"Has Ivy been alright lately?" Caleb spoke up. It might have seen like a bit of an intrusive question, but considering he'd felt like Ivy was a little out of it, and now she'd disappeared from the room completely, he was allowed to be worried about his little girl.

This had to be some sort of sick joke from the universe, right? It had to be, really. Some sick twisted joke from the universe punishing her for something she'd done. Maybe she'd been mean to somebody once or maybe it was a way to tell her not to take things to granted. Hadley didn't know. But it hurt, of course it did. Why wouldn't it? Your girlfriend of two years forgetting your birthday was like a dagger to the heart. Things had been a little off lately, sure, and they'd been a bit tense, but not even acknowledging her birthday? Hadley didn't deserve that.

Liv had left that morning, rushed as usual, more focused on getting her coffee in her travel mug then eating the breakfast that Hadley had prepared. Hadley had phone calls from her family, a present delivery from them too, yet but when she even tried to text Olivia during the day, she didn't hear from her. Her work friends threw her a little lunch between sessions, cupcakes with little icing animals on the top, and Hadley adored that. She went to Target on the way home, treating herself to some things - courtesy of her Grandma. Olivia wasn't home when she got home, but that wasn't a surprise. She got home to flowers from her older brother & a few cards in the mail, but radio silence from Olivia - apart from a text that came around five pm, saying she had to work a little late tonight and to eat dinner without her.

Hadley couldn't believe it. Not a single birthday mention. She knew Olivia had to work late sometimes, that's just how she was. Work was busy. But on her birthday? Maybe she could have tried to get it off? Maybe she could have texted happy birthday? Hell, ANYTHING. Hadley would have taken anything from the older woman. A birthday text, a two dollar card, something. Sure her family had spoiled her as much as they could and her work buddies had treated her, but when the love of your life didn't acknowledge one of your most special days in the year?

Hadley was heart broken. She had a bowl of instant ramen for dinner, ate a leftover cupcake and went to shower. Hours had gone past now, the city skies dark outside. She was sat on the couch in an over sized grey hoodie and little pink pyjama shorts, barely paying attention to the television, gaze mostly on a mindful colouring book in her lap - the page she was trying to colour was mostly untouched. She kept looking towards her phone, glancing up at the door, fidgeting with her hair, before back at the television. Where the hell was Olivia? She knew she'd be late, but this was late, right? Had she just completely forgotten her birthday and gone out for drinks? Was she just working through the night?

Hadley didn't know. But if that woman didn't come through the door exclaiming some kind of happy birthday greeting, she thought she might burst into tears. Hadley had gone all out for Olivia's birthday a few months ago - presents, cake, home made meals, spoiling her with a spa day, all of the things. And now, poor Hadley was sat here, wondering if Liv would even remember. How was that fair?

"Well, what did you think?"

Grace was a little nervous to ask, honestly. It had taken a bit of work to get Reese to even agree to shadow her for a lesson with the kids, and know that it had happened, Grace hoped she was eager. The kids had loved having a guest teacher, the lesson had gone incredibly well, and hopefully Reese was able to see some of the joy in coaching that Grace got. She knew Reese had her issues, and she was sympathetic, but also, she thought this job would be very good for her.

At the moment, they were sorting some of the skates and supplies they'd used, sat in one of the back rooms. Grace wanted to lay on the praise and hype her up, but it was important to see how she felt. So for now, she sat, with a pair of skates resting against her thick black leggings, working on undoing one of the knots, simply waiting for her to respond.

Cassidy was worried. Being called to your bosses' office kind of felt like going to the principal's office, even in your thirties. While it could be for something as simple as wanting another coffee or updating her schedule, that could have done via email or phone call, right? That didn't require Cassidy to go into her office.

It wasn't that Cassidy was necessarily scared of her boss, well, maybe. Aurora was this powerful woman, this ceo who seemed so capable of so many things - and well, Cassidy's job kind of relied on her being able to be a good assistant to the woman.

Maybe Aurora had found out that she'd accidentally messed up a file, or that one of the department managers had gotten mad at her for not taking notes properly - they always seemed to find jobs for her, despite the fact that she was Aurora's assistant. While others might have walked into Aurora's office with a pep in their step or pretending that nothing was wrong, Cassidy just couldn't shake the feeling that she was in big big trouble.

She knocked on the door before pushing it open, peering through the small gap in the door, only the side of her head and the soft blue fabric of her dress noticeable to the older woman.

"Ms Wallace? You wanted to see me?"