Noa: There's Nothing Wrong With A Little Help Every Now And Then My Dear Lottienoa: Besides, I'm A Professional

noa: there's nothing wrong with a little help every now and then my dear lottie noa: besides, i'm a professional ! it's a gift ❤️ noa: i can give you a list if you'd prefer, but it's best to just trust the process.

lottie: well i thought i could do it myself but here we are lottie: thank you ! lottie: do i get to like pick through a list or is this like i have to go in blind ??

there's something about the beach that's always called to kai. for as long as he can remember, it's been the one place he always finds himself returning to. spends most nights out of his week here, mostly when it's dark and all the other noise has faded away, leaving only the sound of gentle waves crashing. a sense of comfort found in the way all looks calm, but beneath the surface chaos could brew at any given moment. it was unpredictable, much like life he supposed. " that's me, " he shrugs, slight hint of sarcasm that always seems to be present, as a hint of a smile tugs at his lips " a regular mood setter. " kai rests his chin on his shoulder, lets his gaze drift towards the familiar face. " what are you doing down here so late ? "

she  brushes  a  few  loose  strands  of  hair  away  from  her  face  as  she  watches  him ,     the  faint  scent  of  the  sea  mingling  with  the  smoke .     she  lets  a  small  smile  tug  at  the  corner  of  her  lips ,     accepting  the  joint  with  a  quiet  nod .     "     don’t  mind  if  i  do ,     "     she  says  softly ,     sinking  down  beside  him  in  the  sand ,     her  gaze  flickering  between  the  fading  horizon  and  kai's  calm  demeanor .     she  takes  a  slow  drag ,     letting  the  smoke  swirl  in  her  lungs  before  exhaling  into  the  salty  air .     "     you  always  know  how  to  set  the  mood ,     huh ?     "     her  voice  carries  a  playful  edge,      though  there's  a  quiet  appreciation  beneath  it .

" okay, and what's your point ? surely you can pick up on peoples auras, you know, their vibe ? i know i don't radiate any kind if ill intent. i'm as positive as they come. " if there's one thing about noa, it's that she'll somehow manage to find an argument to everything. a talent, some might say. " you chakra could use some clearing, honestly. maybe you should look into that. it could give you a clearer perspective. " her eyes roll, and it's not subtle. " don't get all scientific on me, i'm fully aware that your heart is the organ that keeps you alive, but come on, do you really think that's the only reason we're given one ? people literally die of heartbreak. that's the power of the human heart and how deeply it can feel for another person. " she smiles again, like she knows something no one else does. and she doesn't, either, not really. " so your missing a few talents, big deal. i'll tell you one major thing you both have in common, and that's how utterly uncompromising you are. "

"just a reminder-- i don't really know you, so how am i meant to know what your intentions are?" he's deflecting, trying to make it a noa problem instead of an apollo problem. he's been paired off numerous times since he was eleven, whether it be with dance partners or girlfriends, but they all had a ninety-nine percent fail rate. besides, he's not really interested in sharing his life story with NOA BRAUNSTEIN of all people. the girl who couldn't seem to leave things alone. let her catch wind of his history and he fears he'd never hear the end of it. "and you know what? my heart does just what i need it to do. pump blood around my body and keep me alive." he couldn't ask for much more than that. "i believe my mother was going for the whole MUSIC AND DANCE aspect of him more than anything else." perhaps love could be his weakness, if he believed he'd ever felt it. "not really good at archery or poetry, so, him and i don't really have that much in common."

" we should go thrifting one day, " noa chimes, bright smile. because of course she planned another shopping trip whilst already on one. " you don't feel as guilty if you buy a lot because it always costs way less, and honestly i've found some amazing pieces. i've narrowed down all the best spots. the earlier the better too, first come first find and all. " she wasn't above reused fashion, often that's where she found the best vintage pieces. talk of sweatpants has her nodding. it's rare of her to be seen in them, but that doesn't mean she doesn't own any. she does. too many, if anything. naturally. " can i make a confession ? " tone lowers and she leans in, as if it's some big secret. " one of my favourite things to wear are my juicy couture tracksuits. if i'm lounging at home not in my pj's ? that's what i'm wearing. and i know some people find them tacky now, but i love them. they make me feel like i'm transported back to the early 2000's watching the simple life on my couch. " iconic if you ask her. smile grows, always happy to hear that life is going well for someone. of course, she loves to hear about peoples romantic lives, but if she's aware of one thing it's that a career and good friends are just as important, and alyssa sound blessed in both aspects. " trust me, the right one will come along. i know it. the worlds just waiting for the right time to send them in. or who knows, maybe they're already here and you just haven't realized it yet. " the brunette ponders the returned question for a moment before shrugging, slight shake of her head. " nope. i mean, i've had some date offers, but you know when you just . . . know it's not it ? " eyes light up when she spots a pair of winter boots, excited gasp as she reaches out to inspect them. " oh my god, are those the knitted atomic boots ? i need. do you have them in any other colours ? "

alyssa could take it too far sometimes when she went shopping. there were plenty of times when she left stores with bags upon bags of clothes and accessories that was barely needed. but did she go ahead and do it anyway? of course. it was alyssa they were talking about here. and it was easy enough to get what it was that she needed; especially now that she worked in fashion. " yeah... not the greatest of ideas i've had. it's just needed. especially when you know you need something and you can't exactly put it back on the rack. i've learned not to do as much impulse shopping as i used to. " it used to be bad but overtime she felt as though she had gotten just a tad bit better with it.

" my favorite thing is expressing myself through fashion. do i want to just wear my sweats most of the time and nothing else? i think everyone does. but that's mostly when i don't have to go to work and can just spend the day asleep in my apartment. " the blonde smiles as the brunette links her arms with her own. " oh yes! well, life is pretty good. i have a job that i love and friends that keep me busy. but as for anyone special in it right now? no, i can't really say that there is but i'm holding out hope that maybe there will be someone one of these days. and you? anyone you've got your eyes set on these days? "

" the one and only, " he mockingly chimes, as if he's talking about some old friend. and in a way, it feels like he is. insomnia has been a looming shadow for so long it feels like his longest companion. one he never really invites in, yet it always shows up. like some kind of clingy ex who can't take a hint. kai watches her work, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest, slouched posture, tired eyes trailing the movements of her hands as she gathers the herbs. it’s kind of impressive, the way she seems to know exactly what he needs with little explanation. " sooner ? ah, come on, where's the fun in that ? relief doesn't feel as good if you don't suffer first, " he responds, typical sardonic humour paired with a half-smile. he notes the soft expression, and it almost threatens to lower his defences, but he isn't so sure how to fully do that anymore. then she mentions talking and he almost laughs. kai isn't known for talking, not about the deep shit anyway. that comes out in his music, in lyrics often so easy to dissect no one ever really does. a talent of his, apparently. to be so obvious it's not obvious at all. " yeah, talking . . . not exactly something i'm known for, is it ? " chuckle is low, huffed out as he reaches to take hold of her concoction. doesn't voice how much he's going to be relying on it. if it brings him even one night of decent sleep, it'll be worth this small moment of vulnerability. " thanks, " adds, genuine curve of his lips as he slips the item into his pocket. " how much ? " card is already being pulled out, gaze diverting slightly. he takes not of how dark it seems to be outside now. " you heading home now ? i can walk you, if you want. 'm already heading that way. " he can mask with sarcasm, a cool exterior. but behind it all there is still some semblance of a good guy. just a lost one.

she  pauses  once  she  reaches  the  cash  register ,      a  knowing  look  crossing  her  face  as  she  listens  to  him .     the  shop  smells  of  lavender  and  sage ,     the  air  calm  in  contrast  to  the  tension  she  senses  radiating  off  him .     she  straightens ,     giving  him  a  warm  but  slightly  concerned  smile  as  he  admits  his  struggle .     "     insomnia ,     huh ?     "     she  echoes  softly,     wiping  her  hands  on  a  cloth  before  walking  the  isles  quickly  and  grabbing  just  what  she  needed  to  help  him  and  putting  them  in  the  basket  she  picked  up  along  the  way .     “     you  know ,     you  really  should've  come  to  me  sooner ,     ”     she  teases  lightly ,     but  there’s  no  real  reproach  behind  her  words .     she  studies  him ,     her  eyes  sharper  than  her  usual  playful  self ,     catching  the  fatigue  etched  into  his  features .

with  a  hum ,     she  heads  behind  the  counter ,     starting  to  pull  out  jars  of  dried  herbs  and  tinctures  from  the  basket .     "     lucky  for  you ,     i  do  have  something  for  that .     no  smoking  required .     "     her  hands  move  swiftly,     mixing  a  blend  of  valerian  root ,     passionflower ,     and  chamomile ,     setting  it  down  on  the  counter  in  front  of  him .     “     this  should  help  you  get  some  decent  sleep  without  knocking  you  out  too  hard .     ”     she  glances  back  up  at  him,     her  expression  softening  as  she  adds ,     "     but  maybe...     you  should  talk  to  someone  about  whatever’s  keeping  you  up .     "     her  tone  is  gentle,     giving  him  the  space  to  deflect  if  he  needs  to .     "     but  for  now,     this  will  help .     take  it  with  some  tea  before  bed ,     and  if  it  doesn’t  work ,     i’ll  come  up  with  something  else .     i  promise  you’re  not  fucked  ,     not  with  me  around .     "     she  offers  a  small ,     reassuring  smile .

her smile is bright as celeste's words sink in, subtle squeeze of her hand making her heart overly happy. in life, girlfriends were everything. and as much as she craved a love to rival all the greats, having a solid group of friends was equally as important to her. platonic love something to be equally as celebrated. " you're not, that's the point. when it's the right one will never feel like you're settling. they'll be like — like your best friend, with extra benefits. " noa sinks back as letty does, drinking up all the information she's been given. " endearing awkward can be cute, i agree. and time usually helps shift that. and suggesting a picnic date ? i like it. shows imitative. " she's about to continue when something is uttered into the universe that has her letting out an excited gasp, eyes alight. in a blink, she's imagining all of the outfit potentials vividly, like her mind stores them away for the right occasion. " you really know how to speak my love language,” she jokes, nodding eagerly. “ first dates with potential deserve a new outfit. and imagine, if it really goes somewhere you have that memory forever. you’ll have the best outfit sunset beach has ever seen. ” a happy sigh is followed by another sip of wine. “ am i fully up-to-date in the world of celeste james, or do you have more to tell me ? i know you must have more than one guy knocking on your door begging for a chance. ”

"honestly, noa, i don't know what i would do without you," her smile softens, hand reaching out to hold the other's for a second. she gives noa's hand a small squeeze, bringing her own back to wipe away an imaginary tear. "when i have girls that talk me up like you, how am i ever supposed to settle ?" celeste was more than thankful for the group of friends she'd found in recent years. they had been largely responsible for the shift in her priorities, reminding her of her worth and giving her a new zest for life. she can't help the grin that spreads across her features at noa's excitement, practically bouncing in her seat. she's leaning back into the sofa, hands covering her face as the wine buzz enhances her coyness. it all felt too good to be true, and she couldn't help but cling on to a bit of reservation. "that's exactly what i was thinking. and who am i to fault a guy for being a little awkward at first ? it was cute, endearing even." she's smiling at the memory, stifling a giggle as she pours herself another glass. "yeah, we're going to the beach for a picnic. his idea, by the way." a devious smile appears on her, an idea brewing that she knew noa couldn't deny. "that means you have to help me shop for a new outfit. i've already worn everything i have, and i will not be outfit repeating for this !"