boy genius;

-

it was cramped but daphne hardly noticed, it was all too reminiscent of the countless times they would sneak into each other’s beds during a sleepover. their beds were too small to accommodate both bodies comfortably but they never cared because together they felt happy and safe.  ❛  feels like forever ago,  ❜  she murmurs, a soft smile gracing her features. the memories of their past coming to the forefront of her mind as they laid beside one another. it’s hard to forget someone who meant so much to you, regardless of the space and time.  ❛  yeah and you would cover my eyes at the scariest parts because i was a cry baby, ❜  daphne giggles, recalling the memory as though it were yesterday.  ❛  but i swore i was a big girl and could handle it every time. ❜  she shakes her head, amused.  ❛  oh my god, do you remember when i rode my bike into the mailbox and cut my leg  ?  i cried because i had an ugly scar and the next day you went on your bike and purposefully fell — you showed me your scar and said, ‘look, daph, now we both have them.’ just so i wouldn’t feel alone. ❜  she smiles to herself, dewy eyed.  ❛  that’s one of my happiest memories.  ❜

Vincent inched a bit closer. There was a warmth in his chest, brought about by memories of happier days. Having Daphne next to him and cuddled up like this, it felt just like they were seven again and were hiding out in blanket forts of their own invention. His lips formed into a wistful smile. “Every time, I felt scared while watching the scariest parts, I would always sit through them because I’d remind myself that I need to give you a recap because your eyes are covered,” he chuckled at their childhood antics. When she said the bike memory, a softer laugh fell from his lips and the warmth he felt intensified. “I tried falling off about three times, but it was worth it. Remember when we tried running away? But we only got to the border of the Eight before we decided we’re not gonna survive on our own? We had this whole intricate plan, and you packed all your dolls and I packed my model airplanes,” a soft sigh escaped him. “Those were the best days.”

-

finn watched vincent seemingly struggle for a moment. confusion was an understatement. most kooks he’s ever encountered had a certain air to them, but so far this one didn’t. it was sort of throwing finn off. he found his mouth opening gradually wider as the boy in front of him continued to speak. the fuck. he snapped his mouth shut. “ proud pogue, thank you very much. i think you just got way fucking ahead of yourself, dude. ” while it was a lot to take in at once, finn had never heard a kook talk like that before. it was comforting. and confusing. “ i’m finn. back atcha, ” he lied, still unsure. 

A small, nervous smile appeared on his face when the other man introduced himself. Vincent was not oblivious to the awkward air between them, quietly nervous that he might have confused the man with his rambling. “Yeah, so,” he started talking before trailing off for a bit, unsure about what topic to bring up. His mind began to anxiously search for potential conversation starters, worried about either coming out too forward or too boring. “It’s nice that you’re proud to be a pogue. There’s nothing to be ashamed about, honestly.” He hope that didn’t come out as offensive.

-

“oh – smart and rich, of course,” sienna said with an eyeroll, though there wasn’t any harshness behind it. in fact, she smiled a bit wistfully. “i’ve always wanted to go to italy. or anywhere in europe, really. i’m hoping once this show ends i’ll have enough money and time to travel for a year or two,” she sighed, bringing the bottle up to her lips slowly. “the camera’s are definitely suffocating. that’s why i’m in here, too. i’m – kinda surprised you feel that way about the pogues, though. we’re kind of used to kooks looking at us like the gum at the bottom of their shoes,” sienna admitted, glancing over at him. “give it time and i’m sure you’ll feel that way, too. especially if the drama keeps escalating the way it is right now.” 

“Right, so last year, I watched an episode of the Bachelor to better understand the paper my colleague was doing, and I sort of ended up downloading all the seasons. It’s on a folder in my laptop entitled, Documentaries on Human Attraction.”

He went outside for a little air, his head heavy from all the drinking. The past few days in the house have been a rollercoaster for him. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the first days in the house were wilder than most of his college experiences.

 He needed a breather.

He stood outside, looking at the stars and trying to figure out the constellations when he heard a rustle of movement near him. He looked to his right to see Naomi. Now, Vincent wouldn’t say that he hates Naomi but god, does she annoy him. He made a mistake on what the biggest island is, and it grates his nerves when she thinks that the incident is enough evidence to prove that she’s smarter than him. Right now, however, they are both bound by the same knowledge that their exes hooked up with each other. How fun. He glared at her for a few seconds before blurting out a less than enthusiastic, “Hey.”

-

Ethan clinked his glass to Vincent’s before throwing back his own shot. It burned his insides and he welcomed the feeling, shaking his head in relief as the liquid dropped into the pit of his stomach. The smirk that followed was shameless unable to hide his pride at being labeled Vincent’s less than favorite student.

“Oh c’mon. You loved me.” Ethan laughed, barely able to make it through the sentence with a straight face. It was true; Ethan wasn’t exactly a model student scraping by with just good enough grades to making the starting lineup. “Yeah, training starts this fall down in Miami. New team Beckham, himself, put together. And what about you and that genius brain of yours? Still researchin’ and shit?”

Vincent chuckled at Ethan’s teasing. “I must admit I wouldn’t even be surprised if I wasn’t your favorite, my tutoring did go off the rails sometimes.” He remembered trying to get Ethan to read books that were not in the curriculum, and off-tangent lectures about niche lessons. The memory brought a fond smile to his face. 

Upon hearing about Ethan’s new team, his eyebrows lifted and his mouth formed into a surprised oh. Vincent wasn’t really one to keep up with pop culture, but you don’t need to be constantly updated to know who the Beckhams are. He felt a sudden surge of pride for the other man. “Ethan, that’s really great! Yeah, I’m doing my graduate degree, but I took a break so I can be on this MTV show, I guess. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.”

-

daphne had not planned nor prepared herself to be this intoxicated so by the time vincent finds her, she is blubbering nonsense. simultaneously talking about embryonic development and revealing her crush on him when they were kids. it was safe to say their conversation was all over the place. her legs shuffled about as he carried her bridal style through the house and finally to her room.  ❛  thanks, vinny, ❜  she murmurs as her cheek is pressed against the pillow. she watches him, silently thinking of all the ways he has changed but also remained the same since they grew apart.  ❛  of course you can, ❜  daphne replies easily, returning his smile.  ❛  yeah. i’d like that.  i mean if you wanna  ?  for old time’s sake. ❜  she reaffirms bashfully, moving further into the inside of the bunk, to give him space to lay.  ❛  you’ve gotten a lot taller since the last time we did this, ❜  she teases, laying her head on him. 

He climbs up the bed carefully, making sure to make as little commotion as possible. The size of the bunk beds didn’t really facilitate for ample space between them, and so here they were again, snuggled together just like when they were kids. “Yeah, I think I was even a wee bit shorter than you, Daph.” An amused chuckle fell from his lips as nostalgia gripped him once again.  His lips form into a sad smile. It was funny how important she was to him when they were kids, only to lose contact of her as they got older. “Remember when we would smuggle horror movies and then watch them in my room, hiding under the covers?” 

I don’t what the parameters of challenge exactly are in this context, but Kaia and Naomi have tried to correct me even though I was clearly wrong right. Especially, Naomi, god. 

@kaia-a @naomishq

“Well, yeah. They’re states away and I don’t think they would want to kiss me again.” 

“I don’t hate it, honestly but I do think that the producers have an excellent nose for drama. Besides, I didn’t even sleep at my room last night.”

“Everyone seems fine, honestly. Although, sometimes Kaia and Naomi can be a bit too much.” @kaia-a @naomishq

“We were childhood best friends, and she means a lot to me.” @dcphnes

“People can change a lot through the years. I wouldn’t say yes, but I wouldn’t say no either. Honestly, though, by the way things are looking, that ship has already sailed.” @justgcmma

“Um, hottest? Wow, um, well Sienna’s pretty cute. Finn’s a pretty good-looking guy too and okay, maybe we can throw Naomi in the list too. For Kooks, well, Gemma, Luci, and Ethan. This is all just based on physical appearances, okay.” @nfinns @pcgued @justgcmma @ewoodx @naomishq @ffsluci

“We were together, and we broke up. It was a long time ago. She was my first real girlfriend. There wasn’t any big drama or any of that sort. She was sweet and wonderful, but i don’t think we were compatible at the time.”

@justgcmma