Her Smile Is Bright As Celeste's Words Sink In, Subtle Squeeze Of Her Hand Making Her Heart Overly Happy.

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."

" 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."

               it probably is bullshit. sometimes he thinks he was made to be forever self-sabotaging. a fatal-flaw inside of him. " i was minding my business, some people just don't know how to grow the fuck up, " he states, no attempt to be quiet about it. it seemed even after almost a decade, there were still people from high school who thought the past was a joke. kai holds back a wince as they place the ice-pack to his lip, shrugs. " yeah, " kai let's out a chuckle, " if my sisters taught me anything in life, it's how to hit people where it really hurts. " when he glances at elena, his expression barely changes, but there's a spark of thanks behind his gaze. " you don't have to do that, you know . . . it's just a busted lip, no real harm. i'm good. "

               “  do  you  ?  because  i  think  that’s  bullshit  with  the  amount  of  times  i’m  finding  you  in  a  predicament  like  this.  ”  they  state,  swatting  the  hand  away  before  putting  ice  back  on  the  busted  lip.  “  did  you  at  least  get  one  good  hit  in  ?  ”

he's pleased with the choice, smile evidence of such. belly practically rumbling at the thought. " wings are in my top three foods, ronnie. pizza, wings, and hoagies. and buffalo wings dipped into ranch ? no way i'm swapping that for some measly extra fries. " though he does also love fries. food in general, really. “ i’ve been here for hours and i don’t think we’ve actually caught up with one another yet. what’s new ? ”

very little greens was an easy enough request, ronnie scrolling through the app as she threw herself into one of the lounge chairs in the center of the room. wings had no greens, so, she decided that would do as she ordered two combos and tossed her phone onto the center table. her feet are being brought up to rest on it as he walks in, head nodding in greeting. "wings and fries," she has a triumphant smile, "i hope you like buffalo. if not, i'll gladly take them off of your hands. maybe you can have some of my fries as collateral."

                spirits. now that has his attention. ace shakes his head, leans forward to rest his chin in the palm of his hand. " nope. never had it. the soaked in spirits part almost makes it sound appealing, but it's cake, so i'm i'm gonna assume it's in no way gonna get me buzzed. therefore, it's kinda pointless. " he keeps listening, look of pure disgust crossing his features when elena reminds him of morning runners. ace is active, fit in his own right, mostly due to the fact that he takes his dog on long walks multiple times a day. but running ? before the crack of dawn ? well, that sounds like pure hell. " someone should really look into these people. i can't be sure, but there's at least a solid 88.8% chance that they may be alien lifeform. " he's deadass serious too, blinks as he tries to imagine getting out of bed before the sun had even decided to wake up. " oh yeah, of course. the question is, are you ? " his hopeful gaze meets theirs, slight hold of his breath in anticipation.

                there’s  a  pause  in  their  chewing,  looking  towards  ace  with  a  slightly  narrowed  and  confused  gaze.  “  —  you’ve  never  had  fruit  cake  ?  ”  the  question  lingers  momentarily.  “  the  cake  …  with  candied  fruits  and  nuts  …  soaked  in  spirits  ?  ”  a  de  luca  staple  after  their  father  became  obsessed  with  it  during  a  high  profile  case  that  took  place  in  the  united  kingdom.  “  you  don’t  have  to  have  raisins  in  it  …  i  don’t  think.  i’ve  never  had  raisins  in  mine  but  my  siblings  also  hate  the  dried  taste  of  them.  ”  shoulders  shrug  before  taking  a  sip  of  the  warm  coffee  still  sitting  in  her  mug.  “  i’m  sure  some  people  do,  i  mean  those  that  have  adult  jobs  or  those  that  go  running  before  the  sun  comes  up  …  apparently  they  exist.  ”  another  shrug  of  the  shoulders.  “  so  you’re  a  cold  pizza  fan  ?  ”  a  beat,  gaze  staring  at  him  intensely  as  they  wait  for  the  answer.