IF I DIED LAST NIGHT

Mid-sip. That's where Ava had been when the reaction on Wynne's face made her freeze in place. The liquid still held in her mouth as she stared at her wide-eyed, eyebrows furrowed and the cup held directly in front of her face. She'd considered spitting it back into the cup, but that was outright disgusting, especially in public. She'd swallowed worse, she figured. And her features softened. "What? Yours is that bad? You freaked me out for a second I thought we were poisoned or something. Wanna try mine?" The cup was offered up, as she followed her gaze to the door of the coffee shop. "I don't think it's so bad to ask for a new one if you're paying like–nine dollars for a latte that's supposed to taste like Christmas but just tastes like shit. And before you ask, no way in hell do I want to try it."

she couldn't help but to practically cringe at the taste. she was for one, disgusted and two, upset with the fact that this was what she paid for. she shook her head as her friend's drink was offered and glanced back at the shop, "so you don't think it's dramatic if i tell them that i want a new drink? because i was basing my whole day off this drink and if this is how today's going to go then i'm going back to bed." maybe that was a bit much but she was only being honest.

Miles shook his head at her dig, sporting a grin as he moved around the pool table and picked up the cue stick into his hands, moving it around mindlessly as if to practice his aim. "Funny you say that because I don't know how to handle losing." Though he was teasing entirely as if he hadn't just watched her demolish several partners at the game. "Stripes it is. What an honor you've provided me, Cameron. I won't forget it a day in my life that you allowed me to go first." Taking a moment to consider his shot, Miles shot the cue ball forward, scattering the colors about with at least one shooting into a pocket. "Yea, what were you saying about my ass?"  

wynne let out a small laugh, "well, i guess you're just going to have to figure it out." she replied, a smile playing on her lips. she always enjoyed miles' company. if for no other reason than the fact that he knew how to have fun. "you shouldn't. i just want to make sure you can get a head start on me because i'm definitely going to end up kicking your ass." pausing as she watched one of his balls go into the pocket, she shrugged, "looked like a lucky shot to me."

Hazal had to smile at Wynne's sweet words about her costume. Her friend's excitement made her want to go all out next year too. "Thank you. I bet we could trade next year. I'd rock your look too," she said, already picturing them swapping outfits. The Scooby Doo reference cracked her up—it was so on brand for them both to be scaredy-cats. "Oh, so we're both going to be jumping and screaming? That haunted house won't know what hit it." When her friend offered to buy cider, she smiled, touched by the gesture. "You're too sweet. I'll get the next round though—maybe some hot chocolate for after we survive the scares?" She went along with the arm-linking, looking forward to the warm drink and whatever chaos awaited them in the haunted house.

wynne loved this time of year, especially when it came to halloween. she was always curious to see how others would show off their creativity or ideas with their costumes. "we'll definitely be screaming in unison but you know, it'll be a memory that we can both look back on." the thought of it all made her laugh along with her friend but these were moments and memories that she loved to look back on. "i won't say no to that. you can't go wrong with hot chocolate, especially when i don't think either of us are dressed to deal with this cool weather."

wynne was always going to be there for her older sister. after all, the two had been apart for too long and she hated that they'd spent so much time apart. so, the only thing she knew to do now was to make up for lost time and give zuri the love she wished she could have given her when they were growing up. "i know. it's weird, right? i'm glad we were able to reunite like no time had passed at all." smiling at her words, she leaned against her. "i love you, you know that?"

closed starter : @wynnecameron !!

wynne loved being in the studio more than anything. that's something that was obvious by the way she acted and despite having to pay for her time in the studio herself, she didn't care. this was very much what she wanted to do and the expense of her music came before anything else, which is why she lived as poorly as she did. smiling at his comment, she gave him a nod of approval. "let's do it. let's run it again. then, i'm coming in there to give it a listen myself." mostly because she was too excited to wait any longer.

she smiled. wynne was more than stoked to hear that she was staying busy, especially when she knew that it was for the best reason. "good. you know that if you ever need anything, you can call me right? i'm always free to drop off a lunch or a coffee or whatever. i don't want you to think you don't have anyone to lean on." smiling further as she spoke again, she couldn't help but wrap her arms around her sister in a loving manner. "i'm glad i have you. you're the best thing in my life."

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, forcing a light laugh at Wynne's comment about dancing. "Yeah, I'm basically tripping over my own feet in class, but it's a good distraction." Her mind wandered to Nik, and she took another sip of her drink to steady herself. The memory of discovering his marriage still stung fresh. "Oh, just this guy I was interested in. Turns out he's married—for a green card" She watched Wynne focus on her game, glad how the other woman didn't press for details. "That's smart, keeping your music private until the right moment. Though I bet it's amazing, considering how talented you are on stage. I wish relationships came with warning labels."

cocking her eyebrow in response to her friend's words, she gave the woman her full attention. "what the fuck? are you serious?" she thought things like that only happened in movies. "i mean, was there something between you guys? i'm just curious to know how stupid this guy really was, especially to let someone as cute as you go. i'm not blind and i'm sure no one else is either. he's an idiot, whoever he is." she waved it off, as if to dismiss the subject for a moment and took another shot at one of the balls on the pool table. "thank you, by the way. i appreciate that. after all, it's all i've wanted to do. i just hope that i can share my music again like i used to."

Arnav hadn’t expected to run into Wynne here of all places but he was glad for the distraction. That was a bad way to describe her but that’s what she was. Arnav was currently plagued with everyone doubting his abilities as a matchmaker when he himself couldn’t find the one for him but what was he supposed to say? Tell them that he was looking for something special which was why he didn’t engage in anything that he didn’t think would work out in the long run? 

she had to admit that she was a little surprised by the fact that he wasn't waiting for a date himself. after all, he seemed charming enough but she couldn't help but to hope if she was the kind of girl he would have approached had he not been a fan of her music. she decided against questioning him though and instead, she decided on living in the moment. she debated the man's question for a moment. what did she want? she wasn't exactly sure but she couldn't help but to smile. hopping up from her spot, she held her hand out for his. "you make it through a haunted house with me and i'll consider giving you a sneak peak of something that i'm working on." she challenged, a devious grin playing across her lips.

Rylan didn't think it was needed to answer the question. Yet he offered a quick shrug of his shoulders before focusing his attention on Wynne's move. Her last words forcing a tremble at the corner of his lips yet he tried not to smirk. He hoped to prove her wrong on the first move, but fate seemed to have latched hard on her tonight as a solid red ball rolled all the way to one of the pockets. He wouldn't let that bother him, though. He loved a good challenge, after all. "You know, I haven't seen you around often."

wynne was interested in seeing where all this was going to go. after all, she loved knocking cocky men down a couple of pegs. once she knocked the ball into one of the pockets, she made a move to take another shot. glancing up at him as he spoke, she smiled slightly. "you just haven't been looking in the right places," she paused, taking her shot and making it close to another pocket, "anyways, you can usually find me here. that is, if you decide you ever want to see my show or play another round of pool."

Hazal brushed a strand of dark hair from her face. “The stage belongs to you—anyone can see that. And Halloween gives everyone permission to shine,” she said, observing the festival crowd around them. The October breeze carried the scent of kettle corn and apple cider. Memories of her first Halloween floated through her mind—how strange yet electrifying it had been to dress up and go trick-or-treating in Philadelphia. “I’m ready for the haunted house if you are! If I use you as a human shield, don’t judge me,” she teased, nudging her friend’s shoulder. “Should we fuel up with some cider first? You know, for extra bravery before we face the ghouls?”

she always took note of how sweet the girl was to her and it felt good to have people cheer her on the way that the twin did. "that's for sure. your costume truly is amazing and i'm almost jealous that it's not mine." though, she loved her own costume just as much. laughing at the mention of hazal using her as a shield, she nodded "i suppose i can deal with that but that's only if i don't jump into your arms in fear first. you know, like scooby would do to shaggy." she teased. "you know what? cider sounds amazing. my treat though. c'mon!" she exclaimed and looped her arms with the others as she led her toward the stand.

wynne didn't care about much, not anymore. life was too short to worry about the consequences of letting loose and so, that's why she'd decided to run right out into the rain and let the cool drops hit her skin. giggling as the other ran toward her, she nodded her head in response. "i will bring you over soup. i can't promise it'll be homemade but i'll see what i can do. don't worry about that though," she nudged her gently, a wide smile on her face, "isn't this freeing?"

Layla slumped into her seat, nursing her drink while watching Wynne's solo game. "Busy is an understatement," she sighed, thinking about the recent drama with Nik that still made her stomach twist. "Between trying to avoid certain people and dealing with personal stuff, I've been keeping myself distracted. Started taking dance classes, actually—turns out I'm not as coordinated as I thought," she laughed, trying to keep the conversation light despite the heaviness in her chest. Her fingers traced the rim of her glass as memories of recent weeks flashed through her mind. "Any chance I'll get a sneak preview of your music, or are you keeping it under wraps?"

wynne nodded, letting the other know that she was listening to her as she focused on the game at hand. "well, the dancing class sounds like fun. i've never been much of a dancer myself but i suppose i'm talented in other ways." after all, she put on killer shoes at least once a week in this place. people seemed to enjoy her work. "who are you trying to avoid though? trouble in paradise?" she asked, glancing back over her shoulder to peer over at the woman. "mm, i'm trying to keep it under wraps for the most part. at least until someone big notices me and then i'll release something on a whim, i think."

the more time that wynne spent with zuri, the more she wished that the woman was a part of her life a lot longer. she hated that the two of them had been separated but all she could do now is attempt to make up for lost time. "well, i'm happy to hear that you've at least got that much going for you. you could be completely bored." she teased. "and you know what? things are working out for the best for you, aren't they? i know it's hard but you're killing it."

Her cheeks flushed at the sweet words. Pushing the feeling aside, Hazal smoothed down her costume, and said. "Thank you. And look at you—always so hot.” She pointed at her friend’s costume. "I've been volunteering at the face painting booth, but my shift just ended. I absolutely love it here." She sipped her water, watching kids run by in their costumes. "You shouldn't be alone though—want to check out some of the haunted houses together? I think the Mad Hatter one is especially creepy. I could use a brave friend to hold onto when the jump scares hit," she said with a laugh.

wynne couldn't help but to let out a laugh in response to the girl's words, "thank you. i figured since it's halloween that i should go all out and i'm glad that i did. it's been a while since i've felt this confident off the stage." the stage is the only place where she felt as though she could show off and that's what halloween was for too. "i would love to. i say let's do it. i was hoping i'd find someone to go in there with me. i'm all for a haunted house but maybe not alone, you know?"