" I'm Always In A Good Mood, " Noa Insists, But Deep Down She Knows It's Not True. She Likes Things To

" i'm always in a good mood, " noa insists, but deep down she knows it's not true. she likes things to go a certain way, to flow. when they don't ? it throws her off. and yes, she can be difficult to be around when that happens. and sometimes, admittedly, she holds people to a high standard, more specifically the ones she's closest too. " don't be so dramatic, " it's waved off, as if she hasn't in fact just been overly dramatic, " i don't need a security guard, just a twin brother with a little more concern. i mean, we're connected, ro. don't you sometimes spontaneously sense when i'm in mild distress ? " she feels frustration bubbling beneath the surface, takes a deep breath in order to push it back down. it bothers her sometimes when their parents are brought up in such a way. it's not like it hadn't caused them problems in the past. ones that had caused distance, and she doesn't want to go down that route again. ever. her brother is the single most important person in her life. " you realize i'm not a teenager anymore and have actua, l real-life experience, right ? i own a business, a demanding one that that. i'm well aware of the fact that people aren't going to make life easy for me. " there's a small scoff, a glare that implies he's so wrong. " fashion emergencies always count. besides, i don't throw anything away. i donate it. so if you think about it, multiple people are benefiting from a new wardrobe. " nothing to complain about in her eyes. a win all round. " it's a time where community comes together, so you never know. maybe this will be the year you meet the one. it would help if you were a little more optimistic. "

"hey, whatever brings you joy... happy to be here while you're in a good mood." lord knows how terrifying it could be when noa was in a bad mood. he doesn't think anyone has seen it as many times as he has-- noa can try to deny it all she wants, but ronen knows the truth. which is why he makes no comment about the difference between performing on stage and shopping at whatever boutique she enjoyed most. she had a point-- both were boundary breaking and annoying ( potentially even scary ), but the circumstances were definitely different. "sorry, that was unkind of me. would you like me to look into getting you a security guard? just so we can guarantee your safety?" he rolls his eyes as his sister brings up his tastes-- or lack thereof. it wasn't like he couldn't dress. he was very capable of dressing himself and looking like a grown man. ronen honestly couldn't tell the difference between what his sister dressed him in and what he dressed himself in. "i'm not saying you live in a simulation because YOU DRESS NICE. i'm saying not everyone is going to be as nice and easy on you as dad." a fact in ronen's eyes.

"i'm really starting to regret giving you that key. i'm pretty sure i told you it was FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY, didn't i? and no, fashion emergencies do not count." he rubs the back of his neck as his sister conveniently changes the subject. "nothing really to tell." and that was the truth. which, for a hopeless romantic like ronen, was quite upsetting. still, he wasn't actively searching. "oh yeah, you know how those hanukkah dates just hit different... i'm sure eight days of me is a really good selling point."

kyro snorts, holds back his laughter. " pulp, huh ? " a brow shoots up, and he can't help the urge to be exactly what he's supposed to be, and that's an annoying older brother. he'll support his siblings all day long, believe in them fully, but that in no way means he's above teasing them. " that's big talk for someone who's punch feels like air. are you actually planning on using your muscles anytime soon ? " with those words he moves his hands in a extra slow-motion swing, no intention of any real impact. instead he grins as he presses his fingertip to her forehead, give a slight nudge. " come on, get mad. and rotate your hips, " he insists, slight demonstrates before putting his palms back up, ready for her next punch, " then maybe you'll hit with some real power. "

she can't help but hum the tune as she repositions herself, shaking off the laughter and putting on her game face. she's determined to throw a better one this time, bouncing on her feet and putting in a little more umph into her next swing. "you're the one that needs a prayer, big brother," she follows it up with another hit, stopping to shake her hand out. even she doesn't believe it as the next words fall from her lips, "your hands are gonna be pulp when i'm finished with you !"

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 !"

ace chuckles, shaking his head as he leans back, running a hand through his hair. " self-duplication ? now that one is dangerous, " he responds, squinting playfully at her. " what if you end up losing track of which one of you is the real one ? next thing you know, you've got a room full of super villains all fighting to be the main super villain ? totally gives the hero of the story an advantage. self-duplication ? may as well call it self-sabotage if you ask me. fun though. "

"damn, remind me not to go after the last pack of sour gummies." she teased, shaking her head and pulling her legs up into her chair. "holy fuck, reality manipulation is brutal." the redhead grinned. "you've really thought about all of this. i think it would be so cool to be able to self duplicate.. like picture this... you're a hero and suddenly you're up against the super villain and now its like you're in a fun maze and you dont know who the actual villain is."

she's dreamed about it since she was a young girl, a love so meant to be no one could possibly deny it. knows it's rare for people to find it, but she's witnessed it first-hand in the form of her parents, and so it's no wonder she's embarked on a career path that helps push people together. " maybe, " she shrugs, an air of elegance in everything she does, wonder reflected in her eyes. " but at least for the time being i'm helping others on their own path to happily ever after. speaking of, wedding season is coming to an end and do you know what that means ? more clients for me. no one desires love more than when they've just been to a wedding. " noa nods, making a mental note of which shade to order the other pj's in. " pink is a great colour on you. it really compliments your complexion. but i need you to only be semi-exclusive with it, because green, especially of the emerald variety, is so your colour. the contrast of your hair, your eyes ? glowing. " as soon as her best friends pinky is externed, her grin grows. maybe she was almost thirty, but pinky promises were sacred regardless of age. " i promise. we're like the infinity symbol, you know ? no matter what we always meet in the middle. "

poppy grins brightly at noa. their friendship is something she would never be able to duplicate or replace. they really took the term platonic soulmates and ran with it. "noa, i feel like he's closer than you think, but i will happily spend my lifetime with you." the redhead, closes her eyes, letting the other work her skincare magic. "i think i want oyster.. i love a good pink. which reminds me that i need to get a new set of pink scrubs. i had a kiddo the other day compliment my only pair and decided i need to exclusively wear the pink ones." she hummed, biting down on her lip. "i pinky promise not to let anything come between us and our friendship.. no boys, no job, no nothin.. we wont break this, yeah?" she hummed, opening her eyes to look at the other and stick out her pinky. "no matter how mad we get about anythin... no matter if we get in an argument.. we'll always come back to each other."

nova’s gaze softens at his sheepish smile, a hint of empathy flickering in her eyes. often times things come out of her mouth in ways she doesn’t intend, years spent not quite knowing how to navigate connections with people, especially not friendships. until a certain age, all she knew was competition, comparison. this all still feels new to her. “ the auditions are closed, but you can definitely come to opening night, if you want, ” she responds, her voice gentle, quick to offer an encouraging smile in attempt to lighten things. when he shows her the email, her heart sinks for him. nova is never quite sure if ballet is what she would have chosen to do if things had been different, but it was her thing and without it ? well, she dreads to think. can't fathom how it must feel for him to essentially be told he can't compete until further notice. " wow, that . . . i'm sorry, miles. that must be a lot to come to terms with. " nova pauses briefly, another spoonful of soup. " have you been yet— to a therapy session ? "

mostly herself is good enough. miles can sense that there's an unspoken comfort. it's a feeling they share. most times, around nova, it feels like all of his edges are softened. but that's mostly because she shows up with a sense of grit that is beyond his own. “ dope. can i come to the audition or is it more private?  ”  while her words initially make him feel like he striked a nerve, she's quick to reassure him.  “ of course, never meant to overstep.  i guess for me, luck hasn't really been on my side. but it's also my own fault...  ”  a sheepish smile appears. his right hand reaches for his phone. there's an official email from his coach. “ i'll be around for another minute. a good while.  ”  miles doesn't mean to sound disappointed but the way his brows furrow fail to support his forced smile. nova understands him in the sense that they're both competitive. they have things they're great at and things they do to support their livelihood. miles however, always finds that his temper is his greatest flaw.  “ no games for me until i do like... 'x' amount of therapy. they're put me on a hiatus but the internal paperwork called it a suspension. so... i'll be here and i'll be able to show up for anything.  ”