( // * heavy metal lover !

cesar immediately shot the girl a grin, glancing down at himself before looking back up at her with a playful frown on his face. “no, no. i will save you and myself from that horror show…” he laughed a little before nodding his head. “yeah, i wanted to see if i could get an epic shot for the gram..” cesar held up his phone, shaking it a little before grinning again. well, as if he ever stopped smiling. “i’m cesar, by the way..”

“trust me, i’ve seen a lot worse,” rowan couldn’t help but smile back at him- he seemed like a pretty upbeat person or he was just having a pretty nice day; either way, she felt the need to feed off his positive energy. “oh, yeah, i’ve been taking lots of pictures with my polaroid and on snapchat. it’s got a great view up there, i’m surprised nobody’s taken the time to actually go up there.” extending her hand out to him, she tilted her head slightly. “rowan, it’s a pleasure.”

“yeah. i’m okay. i just don’t want to leave the room right now because i don’t want to deal with people’s shit.”

“then let me in? i brought snacks and i know you need someone to vent to.”

“yep, ugly gnome at your service. look – if you’re just here to bitch at me, get it over with.”

“shut up, you’re beautiful. ---- are you okay?”

❝ mhm, you know i think you’re a good girl, rowan, but - something tells me you’re really not very sorry at all, for any of this. you wanted it to happen to her, didn’t you?? because she’s crazy, right?? because she’s all drugged up all the time?? tegan had no right, she’ll get what’s coming for her one way or another. i doubt sofia is alright, though, if her face was smashed against a bar. ❞

“alright, i’m gonna stop you right there, warner. i might not like sofia but unlike her, i don’t actually wish horrible things upon her. people are pretty quick to talk mad shit about her behind her back and to her face but you’re all also quick to defend her the second something goes wrong with her. she hates me, she wants me dead and i actually asked if she was okay and i also was the one who suggested she go to the hospital. don’t fucking paint me like i’m some heartless bitch. ---- what tegan did was extreme but she’s the only person who put sofia in her place. i don’t agree with what she did but i’m gonna stand up for my best friend regardless ‘cause everyone here turns a blind eye whenever sofia’s tweaked out in the bathroom for the exception of valencia. don’t come preaching about sofia when you’re never there for her either. ---- are we done here?”

devonne jumped at the girl’s reaction, hand coming to cover her own heart. “ jesus. — hey, roo. you can stay, if you want? i’m not doing anything. we can have girl talk. and then i’ll be too preoccupied to do my homework. ”

a small giggle fell past rowan’s lips at devonne’s reaction, leaning against the railing. “are you sure? well, i do kinda need girl talk after all the shit that’s happened. ---- we had homework? yikes, nobody’s been showing up to classes. or so i thought.”

cesar stared down at her, mildly surprised to see someone coming from the very place he was heading. “hey, wha-…oh? i look that bad, huh? listen, i know i don’t look my best but i’m looking at this trip like it’s a vacation and i go into slob mode during vacation..”

running a hand through her curls, rowan offered the male a small smile. “nah, you look fine, believe me. and if you call that slob mode, i’d hate to see you when you’re an actual train wreck. ---- you heading up to the roof?”

❝ to describe the things i do?? i’m pretty sure most people would describe the things i do as pure evil, rowan. i’m sorry - tegan did WHAT?? you shouldn’t have told me that, you really should not have told me that. ❞ he furrowed his eyebrows together, clenching his hand into a fist which he raised to cover his mouth. ❝ i would’ve gone batshit crazy, i really would have lost my mind. i don’t understand why some of you feel the need to start constant drama, or why it follows any of you. i can’t even focus, row. my blood is boiling … ❞

"it could be worse, you could be practicing satanic worship. --- wait, why?” rowan watched as warner’s hand clenched into a fist, a small frown etching itself onto her features. she’d never seen him get this mad before. “well, first off- tegan did it ‘cause she thought she had to protect me from her. which she didn’t. sofia’s alright though, or at least i hope she is. i don’t think valencia took her to the hospital.”

‘ okay, japan is fucking amazing! just as i knew it’d be. the arcades are so much fun, tell me you’ve checked them out. ‘

“i haven’t really spent a lot of time at any arcades, truthfully. but...i am a sucker for racing games so if you show me where to go, i’ll definitely hit ‘em up.”

❝ mmm, i wouldn’t use the word cute to describe any of the things i do. in fact, it kind of makes me feel weird. yeah, obviously you know i wouldn’t be caught dead at a karaoke bar - well, i MIGHT, but the circumstances would have to be all kinds of messed up. maybe in an alternate universe. i don’t need you to actually bring me any food, though. i’m sure i’ll be fine on my own. i know that drama surrounds you, i’m not entirely sure why it does but i really don’t want anything to do with it. i don’t know how you deal with that. i’d snap. ❞

“alright, then what would you use to describe the things you do? well, trust me, you didn’t miss anything good. tegan slammed sofia’s head into the bar and valencia punched tegan in the face. DRAMA’S a constant thing around me nowadays and it just makes me wanna pack up my bags and transfer. you sure? you can just order room service, i guess. gee, thanks. ---- believe me, i’m ready to. i’m being serious when i say i wanna transfer. i’m already lookin’ shit up.”

“you don’t know that, ro. anything can happen within a few years     middle age crisis. there’s just a lot, and i’m terrified of it all.” it was a simple statement, one he felt so comfortable talking to her about because she already knew. she knew everything there was to know about the male. “he does know that there’s nothing between us anymore?? like, as far as everyone else knows     i’m dating your brother. that should be the first sign not to get angry at you for hanging out with me.” he stayed close behind the female as she lead the way, making a mental note to remember the way to the roof. “i know that, but i didn’t want it to be a right away thing. like, it was just an argument, i promise. nothing too serious.” dominic felt bad for the female with what was going on with sofia. he had found out about the party incident days after it happened, and he felt guilty that neither of the males were there for her. “i know it’s not my place to apologize for her, but i am sorry about her. i heard what happened, and i swear, if me and jordan would’ve known we would’ve been there in a flash.”

“it’s really scary, i know but...i won’t let you go down that road. even if i have to drag you through hell and back, i won’t give up on you.” she left that part of the conversation at that, not wanting to delve any further into his home life. rowan and dominic had told each other everything and if there was a single person who know everything about her, including the not so pretty things she neglected to tell a lot of people, it was dominic. “i’ll try to explain that to him. i don’t even get why it’s a big deal- he literally hooks up with a lot of different people and i can’t get upset about it but the second i breathe near you, he gets annoyed by it. it’s a stupid double standard. ---- that’s why i don’t think he really likes me like i like him.” once they’d climed three flights, rowan pushed open another door, stepping out onto the roof, the night sky and the lights from the city reflecting back up at them. “are you sure?” she eyed him wearily before taking a seat on some sort of electric box, letting her legs dangle off, leaning back slightly. “it’s fine. i blew up at jordan about that too but...it’s whatever. like he said, he’s my brother, not my caregiver. he doesn't’ have to take care of me. and neither do you. don’t beat yourself up for it.”

“but none of them are my exes. it’s not like i have feelings for them, or even had,” luca pointed out, trying to distinguish the pathetic difference to justify his own feelings. it was the only thing he had. at least she’d responded well to the embrace and let his lips glide up her neck to press against her jawline next. not only was he a little turned on generally, but seeing rowan had only intensified that. “just wanna’ appreciate that you’re here right now, and i’m here right now. everyone’s still out at karaoke, the thin walls don’t matter,” luca murmured into her skin.

“well, can you just trust me when i say that the feelings i had for dominic are gone? i found someone better to focus on anyways,” she didn’t wanna keep going, hoping he’d get the hint but at the same time, scared he’d actually realize she was talking about him. her fears were the last thing on her mind, however, when she felt his lips move up towards her jawline. rowan let a content sigh leave her lips, her hands moving down towards where he’d positioned his on her hips. after a few seconds, she turned around in his grip, her arms moved towards his neck, a smirk playing at her lips. “do you really think i’d care about the thin walls anyways?” she questioned, closing the small gap between them with a soft kiss.

dominic missed this – missed having a best friend that he wasn’t in a romantic connection with. sure, at one point it was like that, but it was back to how it was before they dated, and before he caught feelings. it was all very simple, and he enjoyed simple. “i like how it gets me distracted, but i don’t want to end up like my dad and using it as a method to cope and forget and turning into a worthless piece of shit. so, i’m just going to continue to stay away from it, especially when i’m feeling down in the dumps.     you were gone for a total of five minutes. what the could you two have fought about in that time frame??” dominic sat up from his spot, giving her a nod towards wanting to go to the roof, and getting off the bed. “you’ve got enough on your plate. i don’t wanna add mine and jordan’s drama to the mix.”

“you’re never gonna end up like your dad, dominic. that’s one thing i’m sure of.” she whispered, reaching over and running a hand through his hair. “but i’m proud of you for resisting temptation. i should start taking tips from you. ---- i dunno, i think he’s mad that i was with you. which...doesn’t make sense but whatever. it’s complicated, i guess.” following his lead, she sat up before pushing herself off the bed and walking towards the door, hoping he’d follow her behind. “yeah, but i told you could come to me about jordan problems. even if you just need to vent.” rowan paused, leading him towards the end of the hallway, pulling open a heavy door which led to a staircase. “i found this the other night- i had to get away from sofia so i just...sat on the roof for a few hours.”

shaking his head, but tone still lighter than usual, luca didn’t even falter as he responded. “i don’t care about your excuses, i told you my problem. deal with it how you want.” placing his hands on her hips as rowan faced away from him, luca pressed a kiss against the side of her neck. “you know that’s not true, babe. didn’t invite anyone else to stay with me; you’re special.”

his tone was light but the words still struck a nerve with her and she clicked her tongue in annoyance. “so, you can have a problem when i’m with dominic but i can’t have a problem when you’re fucking other girls? interesting double standard, luca.” rowan was half tempted to leave, the atmosphere becoming tense and before she could make up her mind, she felt his hands on her hips and his lips on her neck causing her to swallow the sudden lump that had formed in her throat. “what is up with you tonight?” she mumbled, letting herself lean against his chest, turning her head slightly to look at him.

as the female continued to speak, dominic put his phone away, sliding it back in his pocket and rolling onto his side to face her, elbow proped up and using the palm of his hand as a head rest. “it’s fine, rowan, i promise. we both know i’m not too fond of drinking, anyway. sure, i wanted to distract myself from certain things, but i didn’t need alcohol to do it. luca?? is that the guy you were telling me about the night you and jordan fought??” another sigh seemed to leave from his lips as she asked to know what happened. “it’s a mess, and i don’t want to upset you, really. i’ll be fine.”

it felt nice to be back on normal terms with dominic. despite everything that had happened between them in the last three weeks, she still cared about him deeply. he was one of her best friends- in fact, besides tegan and jasper, dominic was really all she had left now that jordan was suddenly out of the picture. “i don’t even drink...or at least i didn’t. i’ve kind of lost sight of a lot lately. i don’t...like it. --- yeah, that’s him. the guy that i’ve got stupid feelings for and it’s all just a mess.” chewing on the inside of her cheek, she nodded silently. “it’s not gonna upset me, dom. we’re best friends but i won’t pry. just know i want to and i’m here when you’re ready to talk. in the mean time though, do you wanna go up to the roof?”

“i wasn’t mad at you, but seeing you with your ex wasn’t exactly fuckin’ fun,” luca admitted openly, but opened the door wider so she could enter anyway. he couldn’t stay mad for much longer than five seconds on coke; it was an odd sensation. “yeah, i wouldn’t have answered if i didn’t want you here. s’not like i have anyone else tonight anyways.”

“listen, he’s still my friend? we’re both dealing with jordan issues right now, so i kind of need to talk to him,” she shot back, suddenly feeling a bit defensive. she ducked into his room once he opened the door a bit wider, his comment annoying her. “right...’cause i’m like a last resort when your other girls aren’t around...”

sliding the door open, luca squinted as he saw rowan’s familiar face and leant against the door-frame. a smirk lit up his expression and there was an unusual liveliness in his eyes that were flickering between her eyes and her lips. “i almost forgot you were staying tonight,” he replied, running a hand through his hair.

hearing the door open, rowan straightened up slightly, instantly noticing the weird look on luca’s face. “i mean...i still want to. i didn’t know if you were still mad at me for whatever reason.” she folded her arms across her chest, chewing nervously on her bottom lip. “can i come in?”