Paintings on Her Skin

That cannot possibly be true. Pretty lady like you? All eligible parties should be forming an orderly line down the block. You sure I’m not stealing you away from some guy, gal, or gender nonspecific pal for today’s activities?

They may be eligible, but they’re not always fitting to my standards. This is the UES, after all. I’m very positive that there is absolutely no one. 

😜 …someone who makes my muse laugh.

Addie. Generally without even trying, this is the angelic best friend that Faith could never be mad at and will always have a sweet spot for. 

💋 …someone my muse used to date.

Freddie. She realized after Freddie that she doesn’t need someone anything like her and deserves so much more than what she’s previously gotten: emotionally, mentally, physically- just in every aspect. She doesn’t regret their relationship, though, she just questions it.

🔥…someone my muse would die for.

‘Cause it’s one of your qualities. You’re what’s making it impressive [ winks ]. Oh man, let’s just do everything we can to avoid you becoming a more agitated person. Unless this is your way of telling me that you had siblings but then you murdered them… I’ll still love ya but that’s pretty messed up, even for us.

Why would I… Oh! Since I’m so dramatic. I- Mm. [ laughs ] Okay, okay thank you. I guess dying on a show trending now on Netflix has always been on my bucket list. Maybe I’ll match with one of the stars and charm my way on set. Scarlett and Addie could never hate you, right now or otherwise but I’ll owe you forever. Right. Nick Vanderbilt was there. I’m kinda upset he didn’t come in and give me a hug or anything 'cause I’ve heard so much about him. I’m happy about that too.

I am very impressive. You don’t have to butter me up. Well some tequila always helps with the agitation. Mmm.... not that I know of. Though if I did and I told you about it, I’d have to kill you.

One of your many highly impressive qualities. Yup! He did it when we were watching the polls on who may or may not be Alex’s baby daddy. Jake didn’t read the context and thought he was just, y'know, winning. You can borrow mine any time you want.

After you…? Oh. Well, I mean, that would be totally fair but before you bruise my butt at least try and remember how— Ooh. Aah… Sore I am. [ He added the pout and dramatic face scrunch just for good show, stopping when he peaked out at her ] I’m sorry, Faith. I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry I freaked you out. I do, I really do- with or without the cast. Thank you though, for coming to the hospital. You didn’t have to do that but I’m glad you did.

I’m not exactly sure how that’s highly impressive... Yup, I’m so good on not having siblings. I think it would only make me an even more agitated person. Wouldn’t be good for my health. 

“Well probably not a Hunter or my ex-bffs. Maybe Aaron or a football player. I love your outfit.”

“Not necessarily a bad thing. Aaron? Hm, so I see you have a swoop of the hair type.” She looked down at her shirt. “Thanks. I’ve been saving this for a special occasion.” 

“Seems like I got an optimist on my hands…”

Oh-em-gee, sorry. I didn’t know that I was talking to his S.O, that was super insensitive of me. Tell me though, how ready on a scale of 1-10 do you feel about being a step-mom to Alex Vandervort’s child?

SOooooh no, no no. I’m the best friend to the S.O... at least- I don’t know. We’re friends. And I doubt that kid is his with the way his life has been the past couple months. 

My dad definitely would but you’d only be telling him something he already knows. Or everyone does… Jake wrote it on my cast.

[ laughs ] There’d be some vouchers in it for you either way I think. They’re basically extensions of each other anyways. Hashtag soulmates. About the hall of fame? Nah, probably not. I’m still tryna ease you into the Logan Hunter lifestyle. … Hey.

Yeah, I’m a dad’s girl. Wow, got the old brotherly love there. Still glad I don’t have siblings.

Juliette looked over at Faith. ‘Oh? Do you have anyone in mind?”

“Honestly, I’ll be fine as long as I don’t get Freddie or the Huntzberger. Do you?” 

Nick had barely noticed the fact that they’d made their way out of the waiting room until the night’s air was biting at his cheeks. It was a welcome feeling to say the least. Again, he wondered what the hell he was doing there… Of course it was easily justified- Faith had needed a ride, he’d had a plane therefore everyone was a winner so to speak. With that thought, he looked over to her still in her dress, eyes bloodshot from fatigue and more than likely his were too. The flight there had been tense, uncomfortable even and he was sure that even if they’d wanted to, neither of them could have slept properly. He was grateful to have her there to tell him where to go, to move them both forward when everything felt so stuck.

“No,” he gasped suddenly finding his smirk of a smile again at her words, “I believe you’ve tricked me here, Miss Middleton. I’ll have to re-evaluate our entire relationship now… I was raised to respect the beliefs of others but this may just be too much.” It felt nice to joke but he also felt guilty for doing so as if laughing at a time like this was nothing short of sacrilege. “Ah, I see. Well you best prepare yourself for a whirlwind of both spontaneous and semi-planned activities when we all arrive back in New York,” he winked as she nudged into him but he hadn’t missed a beat. Faith had already been here, before this accident.

“Fries I can certainly agree to and you are the expert here, yes? I looked the resort up and they do have some awfully generous reviews but if they’ve managed to pass the soon-to-be doctor test then they’re on me, no arguments,” he grinned before adding, “Not that I, soon-to-be lawyer, would shy away from a good back-and-forth.” Nick hesitated then. Neither of them wanted to talk about the elephant in the hospital room and yet…

“So. This must be different from the last time you were here?” An understatement he was sure.

Faith hid away as she yawned. In reality, she probably could’ve slept on the plane, but she was stubborn. That and her parents were blowing her phone up with apologies. It was clear to them that once she disappeared, she wasn’t going to reappear for awhile. Her phone was pretty much dead at this point so she had just turned it off. It’s not like there’d be any good from answering it. Neither of them had talked to her in awhile so neither would even know about her trip to Aspen or her friendship with Logan Hunter. It was probably the most unintentional secret she’s ever had, but at the same time, it wasn’t uncommon for no one to ask her what she’s been up to. Everyone assumes since Faith is really pretty and smart and mean that they can’t talk to her or something.

“I’m sorry to say that I’ve been raised much differently.” She laughed even though it was more true than a joke. “As long as you don’t catch me at a crucial study moment. Those can get really hectic.” She nodded with a smirk. Really it was a long night with Scarlett or Addison or both and many study breaks in between note cards. At least by now they had set up some sort of system. Faith was distracting her thoughts, she noticed. But thinking about Scarlett made her think of Logan and the situation became clear again and her heart broke over the idea of this going bad. It had already gotten bad. 

She didn’t look at Nick when she answered him. “Yeah, maybe we should use an app and get some food delivered. I don’t really trust food that isn’t cased in grease... I know that sounds like it should be against everything I believe in, but-” she shrugged. As much as she was smiling and laughing before, her mood immediately started to decline back to how it was when she was sitting just a moment ago. Nick wasn’t very good at distracting her. Neither was she, she supposed. 

“Ah.. well.. no.” She closed her eyes this time as she smiled, trying to not let tears reach there limit and escape her eyes. “He’s going to be okay. He’s smarter than he lets on.” She shook her head and tried to look at Nick. “I was drinking the last time I was here and we were being stupid and having fun and I don’t do that a lot. Have you ever gone skiing while very tipsy? Because the cold wind hitting your face, it’s beyond sobering.” She thought about going outside at that moment. Maybe she could sober this away.