unexpected;

Justin did his best to fit in, even though he definitely didn’t look like he belonged in the 1920′s. Between his beard and hair, he wasn’t exactly going for the twenties look in general. But he tried to stick to the theme, showing up in a suit. He hadn’t been to a gala before, it seemed pretty legit though. Turning his head when someone spoke to him, he smiled, “I mean, I’m boring and just got an old fashioned on the rocks,” He lifted up his glass to show him, “But honestly, I’d go for anything. People have been going for The Southside a lot. I don’t know what’s in it, but I’ve heard people asking for it.”

Even if Wyatt had not decided to go to the gala on the day of the event, he didn’t know how much effort he would have actually put into his look. But he could tell that the other blond man was in a similar boat. “I’m glad I’m not the only one - old fashioned is usually what I get at these events as well,” he admitted, offering a friendly smile. “The Southside? I’ve heard a lot of people talking about that all night, so I’ll probably have to try it. It sounds vaguely like a margarita from the description,” he observed, wondering if he would like it. “I don’t think an IPA would be on the menu here,” he jested, knowing that he was not at his usual dive bar.

Lexie looked over the list of cocktails with the utmost precision. The night was going well for the most part, but she knew that she was way too sober for the evening that was to come. The one that kept really bringing her back had to be the French 75, she remembered trying it at her first 20s themed party and it was definitely the wonderful poison to make the night more fun. At the man’s question, she looked over to him and pointed exactly to her favorite. “The French 75 is the best you’ll ever try. I tried it a long time ago, granted, but, that’s the cocktail you’d have if you want to have a fun night. The Southside is a little more–dramatic and the Sidecar’s rather basic,” She added. 

Wyatt couldn’t help but smirk as she called the Sidecar basic. For a man who drank beer usually, it was anything but - but he could tell that the brunette in front of him had far more experience at these events than he did, and he wasn’t about to let it show. Fake it ‘til you make it, or so they say. “Okay, I’ll take your word for it and try the French 75,” he decided, albeit a bit nervously. Noelle’s sitter was still texting him during the night, and he didn’t want to send her incoherent gibberish at some point. “Will you be having one too? Or trying something else?” he asked, not wanting to drink the seemingly potent cocktail alone.

“To be honest, no, not really,” Ellie said with a blush, looking down at the glass of soda she had in her hands. “Sometimes the ocational beer, but my body is a temple, so no.” She was never one to be out with friends drinking until the sun came out. The first time she tasted wine thanks to her mom, she ended up spitting it back up, much to her horror and her aunt’s laughs. A soda, an orange juice or even water would be enough for her, and thanks to that she was always the designated driver and most of the time invited her for parties and such because they knew they could trust her not to drink and drive them safely back home. A bittersweet memory came to her head. One of herself and Cason in their first date and him just staring at her when she asked for a glass of water. “I’m not really much of a drinker. Let’s just say I came here mostly for the free food,” Ellie giggled. “There are like this yummy mini sushi rolls. I don’t know what’s in them, but they taste amazing.” 

“I’m more of a beer drinker myself. Occasional bourbon, but I tend to stick to what I know.” Southerners had a reputation for drinking other people under the table, but Wyatt was a lightweight as far as that was concerned. Beer was also cheap in comparison to other alcohol, which made it the default in the Montgomery household. He’d be lying if he said he actually enjoyed the taste, though. “It seems like beer is rather out of place in a place like this though, champagne seems to be the safest bet. Or a glass of merlot,” Wyatt mused, looking at the selection. But even something as simple as merlot, no matter how sophisticated and refined, seemed a tad too ordinary for a gala like this. “Have you tried to oysters yet? Those are delicious too. And the deviled eggs,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Wyatt, by the way.” He figured that it’d be nice to put a name to the face. 

       The familiar face draws Lily in. She needs a breather from circulating the event and shaking hands with people she barely remembers. But it’s for a good cause, a fact she reminds herself of over and over. Lifting an eyebrow, she looks over the menu before softly jabbing him in the side with her elbow. “Definitely The Southside. It’s so good. Super dangerous. You have a few and you won’t even think you’re drinking alcohol. Part of the fun.” She laughs before taking a step back to look him over. “You sure clean up nice, Mr. Montgomery.” She sidles back up next to him and looks around before whispering. “Why don’t you try all of them? Might as well live adventurously.” 

“You sound like you have experience with those,” Wyatt joked back, pondering what Lily had advised. Did he want to be as intoxicated as she implied he’d get? “I got a sitter till 1:30 am, I should probably be sober enough to find my way home,” he remarked, giving her an appreciative nod as she complimented him. “You make me feel like I’m in school again, so far everyone who’s addressed me as such is a colleague or a parent of a student - and you are neither. But I’ll take it.” His eyes widened at her suggestion, blinking twice. “All? I won’t be able to walk by the end of the night!” he exclaimed, his face relaxing as a smirk played upon his lips. “Unless... you have them with me. Then you have a deal, Miss Danvers.”

Wyatt was completely out of his element that night, knowing that it probably showed. He supported local fundraising initiatives, but his teaching salary did not leave a lot of disposable income for attending charity galas - the only reason he was in attendance that night was because a colleague had given him her ticket after she fell sick. After texting the babysitter for the fifth time that night to check in on Noelle, Wyatt plucked another champagne flute from a passing server. “Have you tried any of the cocktails yet? If so, what would you recommend?” he casually asked the person next to him near the bar. He was usually a beer drinker, at least when he did go out for a pint or two. But there was a long list of cocktails, keeping with the 1920′s theme -  Sidecar, The Southside, French 75 to name a few. There was the usual Old Fashioned on the menu, but this was his opportunity to explore different options rather than getting the safe one.

wyatt montgomery + fashion

For Bellamy, this was hell on earth, and she had no qualms with showing how displeased she was being in a thick crowd of parents and young children under the age of ten waiting to get a photo with ‘Anna’ and ‘Elsa’ from the movie Frozen. Mostly, it wasn’t even the children who were being the most annoying, it was the other parents. She’s overheard several conversations about how parents think that their children are the cutest, when in fact their children are irritating little brats, many of them are loud and less than polite behaviour. When it came down to it, she was thankful that as thrilled as both little girls were, they have been more than well behaved. ❛ She looks adorable, Wyatt. Really. And she looks so pumped to be here. I didn’t even know Briar liked Frozen this much until I asked her if she wanted to come to this. I think she really just wanted to hangout with Noelle. ❜ She smiles, looking at the pair of little girls in front of them who are practically buzzing with eagerness. ❛ An hour? ❜ Brows raise high in her hair line. Bellamy and Briar barley had thirty minutes to get ready for this - how the hell did Wyatt have time to take an hour to focus on his daughter’s hair? ❛ That’d dedication. Good on you, my friend. It looks good, too. If something like this comes up again, I’ll be sure to bring Briar over while I get into the wine box. ❜ She grins, completely realizing how chaotic that would be for Wyatt to handle. 

❛ You forgot? Christ, were you even a teenager? ❜ She chuckles, side eyeing Wyatt quickly before turning her sights to watch the young group carry on about their day. ❛ I was known as a mall rat. Not exactly by choice, it’s just what the group did. ❜ It was what Max decided. When Wyatt asks Briar about which princess she likes more, the little girl has no problem in turning around and giving the first answer the pops into her head. ‘ Sven! ’ Briar calls up breathlessly to Wyatt with a few small jumps of excitement despite the fact being in a full Anna costume. She turns around, still jumping, and reaches over to Noelle to grab her hand and whisper something in her ear. ❛ Right. That makes sense. That should answer your question, right, Wyatt? ❜ Bellamy asks with satire in her voice, looking up at male with a bit of humour in her green-grey hues.

“Noelle’s always been a Frozen fan. Her mom used to joke that it’s because she was born in the winter months, not sure if that’s why - but it didn’t take long for her to latch onto Elsa and Anna. I wish she liked Tangled more just because that’s my personal favorite, but it is what it is,” Wyatt said with a sigh, but he was more than happy to watch Frozen repeatedly. “I’ll admit, I never braided hair before. She insisted on the Elsa-style side braid, so I knew I needed to do a little extra prep for it,” he confessed, knowing that he sounded like one of those parents who would bend over backwards for anything their child wanted, even if it was an inconvenience to him. “I’m dropping her at her mother’s later, so I figured it’d be a fun activity before then, taking her to see her favorite characters.” Wyatt was pretty open about his arrangement with Sophie, and knew that he was lucky to have an ex-wife with whom he was still cordial and could communicate - a lot of people didn’t have that relationship with their ex, and he’d never heard Bellamy mention Briar’s father and certainly wasn’t going to press for more information unless she volunteered it.

Wyatt shrugged, a sheepish grin forming on his face. “I lived on a farm in Texas, when I wasn’t studying I was working. We only went to the mall when shopping needed to be done, most of my down time was spent outdoors - I was a bit of a loner,” he explained. “What was growing up in the UK like? I’ve never left the US, but I plan to do it one day, maybe when Noelle is older,” he inquired, now curious about what Bellamy’s life before coming across the pond was like. He knew that growing up on a farm sounded humble and simple, but he was truly happy and wouldn’t change a thing about it. “Do you miss it at all? I miss Texas sometimes, but I feel as though my life would’ve been so different had I stayed, so in a way I’m glad for a change of scenery.” Wyatt certainly wouldn’t have met Sophie or had Noelle if he stayed in the Lone Star State, and would’ve probably ventured out sooner or later.

“Sven, huh? That’s your favorite princess?” Wyatt asked, an amused smile playing upon his lips. “He’s a princess if you want him to be,” he assured the young girl, not wanting to get too into detail - she was a child, after all. “There you go, go up to Elsa and Anna,” he encouraged them once it was their turn, taking out his phone and snapping a few photos himself. “Are you and Briar doing anything now? Noelle asked if we could go for ice cream after, and you’re both welcome to join,” Wyatt offered, knowing that Noelle would want nothing more than some more time with Briar. “You’d swear they don’t see each other in school every day during the week, the way they act when it’s time to go home.”

Wyatt was spending his day running errands and getting some basic shopping done. The school year was coming to a close, and his seniors were graduating in a couple of weeks. It was always a time full of bittersweet emotions - hope for their future, yet sadness as he’d truly miss them. Making his way to one of the stores along the street, Wyatt almost bumped into someone. “Oh, I’m sorry --” he began apologizing, before realizing who it was. “Astrid, hey. It’s been a while,” he greeted with a slight smile. They had mutually agreed to not see each other again after their one-night stand, and it had been a while since they’d spoken. Although Wyatt had no hard feelings towards her, it was a bit awkward after so long.

Jon taps the butt of his cigarette against his glass, a medley of embers and ash falling into the last two sips of his now warmed whiskey, settling like dust at the bottom. His lips curled in distaste, though as he moved the glass aside he looked to the individual next to him––– he’s almost familiar, in a way, one of those baseline attractive men who wear suits to church on Sunday, who paint their picket-fence white just because, and who prefers tea to coffee. “Don’t tell me you’re speakin’ from experience,” He says, jutting his chin out, “you look way too wholesome for that.”

Wyatt hesitated as the other man spoke, unsure of how to answer. He had been through a divorce himself, so he was indeed speaking from experience. But he wasn’t about to delve into his personal life with a stranger, so he simply shrugged in response. “Just seen how a lot of these relationships play out, is all. Folks too uppity to call it quits when they’re supposed to, and keep it going on and on,” he replied, not entirely a lie. “But they have absolutely no qualms about causing a scene on a public street, so this may just be second nature to them.”

“She wouldn’t stop talking about Elsa and Anna all morning, even wanted to wear her costume,” Wyatt admitted to Bellamy as he watched Briar and Noelle getting excited, his own daughter in a shiny blue dress - a gift from his parents. “Took me an hour or so to get the side braid, a few YouTube tutorials taught me the trick.” Wyatt didn’t want to admit that he was so close to calling Sophie for help on a Saturday morning, all because his daughter wanted a side braid and he had never done one in his life. Wyatt spotted two of his sophomore students out of the corner of his eye and offered them a cautious wave. He knew that teachers were human too and deserved to have lives outside of school, but it was still weird seeing his students outside of the school compound. “Students of mine, I forgot that teenagers come to the mall on a weekend just to hang out,” he explained to Bellamy, still holding his daughter’s hand. “What about you, Briar? Do you like Elsa or Anna more?”

Sprawled on the couch, wearing a plastic diamond-encrusted tiara and wielding the princess wand that Noelle had relegated to him shortly after her father’s departure, Logan watched the four-year-old from the corner of his eye as Moana began to sing to Te Fiti on the screen. The end of the movie was near, and this was the last big moment in the film that he knew ignited an incredible excitement in the young girl. Sure enough, the child scooted forward to the edge of the couch cushion as the music swelled, eyes wide, singing along to nearly every word. Grinning from ear to ear, Logan hummed along with the tune, stopping only when the lock on the front door sounded Wyatt’s return. It was late – Noelle should’ve been in bed a while ago, he realized, glancing down at his watch. But judged solely on the amused expression plastered across his friend’s face, Logan felt safe in the decision to have allowed the child to stay up past her bedtime. 

“Alzado’s! You spoil me, Wyatt.” Rising from the couch, Logan wandered into the kitchen and surveyed the volume of takeaway containers on the counter. His stomach growled in response. Any one of the listed dishes sounded good to him, even cold. “The movie’s great, eighth rewatch and all. She actually wanted to watch Coco, but we watched that last time, and I wasn’t sure I could handle it again so soon. So I suggested Moana.” Logan paused as the realization that Wyatt could have been talking to his daughter dawned on him. In fairness, he was wearing a tiara. “Thanks for asking, man, and for respecting my title. How was prom? Any less s-h-i-t-t-y than I remember it being?”

“You hungry, sweet pea?” Wyatt asked Noelle as she leaped off the couch, getting a small plastic plate from the cupboard along with two ceramic ones. He knew that she would’ve likely eaten dinner, but he was fine with giving her some more food before bed. “You had fun with Uncle Logan?” he continued as the child eagerly awaited her plate, before he and Logan fixed their own. “Noelle will always be your #1 fan, man. I mean, I watch the movies and dress up with her, but I’m her dad. You do it out of the goodness of your heart. She doesn’t even care about your fan following,” Wyatt joked with Logan. Ah, to be an innocent child yet again. 

“I don’t know about you, but my prom made this one look like a state affair. My high school had a much lower budget, so we had ours in the school gym and the food wasn’t... this,” Wyatt explained, motioning to the delicacies in the takeout containers. “The students seemed to be having the time of their lives, so I’d say that was a success. It’s hard to believe that that was more than ten years ago for us both, huh? Did you end up going to yours?” he asked as he took a seat at the small dinner table in his kitchen.