I, Uh, Actually Dont Know How To Swim, She Admits With A Tinge Of Embarrassment. So Many Things In Her

“ i, uh, actually don’t know how to swim, ” she admits with a tinge of embarrassment. so many things in her life she had perfected, yet a skill that seems so vital was something she’d never even tried, through no lack of her own desire. “ my mother always said that chlorine would ruin my hair. salt water too. i guess in her eyes, that’s a fate far worse than drowning, ” she teases, faint smile as she unintentionally reaches up to make sure her hair is pristine. old habits hard to kick. closed. ft @wanderersfm

there’s a spring in her step, almost always is. a buzz that constantly bounces off of her as she struts around in a world that’s totally and completely her own. it’s not somewhere she frequents, not one single inch of her skin marked with ink. what she is, is a businesswoman always looking to grow. “ no actually, i have a great sense of direction. ” soon pulls a small bundle of flyers out of her bag and hands them over in his direction, design bright and eye catching just like her current outfit. “ i’m planing a mixer. you know, just a casual little get-together for the singletons of palmview, and i was wondering if you could kindly put one of these in the window. maybe hand a few out. ” noa offers him a smile, one that’s gotten her her way far too much over the years. hopes it will again as she pairs it with a doe-eyed stare. “ please. ”

hum of the tattoo machine was a comforting soundtrack in his brightly lit studio , focused on the delicate lines of a dragon tattoo he was inking onto a client’s forearm . the bell above the door jingled , and in walked @dreamerfms , a whirlwind of energy dressed in vibrant colors . seeing her in his studio caused him tilt his head in confusion , finally finishing up the piece and wrapping it for his client before walking into the small waiting area . " you lost or somethin' , princess ? " he questions her , leaning against the counter some with his arms crossed over his chest .

the reusable cup is warm in her hand as she exits the coffee shop, on her way back to the apartment she shared with apollo when she bumps into his ex-girlfriend. " charlotte, hi. long time no see, " nova smiles, genuinely happy to see the other though it is, admittedly, a little awkward. " how've you been ? " bumping into one another seems to be their thing, though before it was accidental meetings in her kitchen when she couldn't sleep. there'd been many a night they'd found themselves there for prolonged time, though it all seems such a distant memory now. closed ft. @charlottehttp

" so . . . have you ever had any customers pay you a big tip to help end their dinner plans early ? ” curious and planning, parents set to make a stop-off in town and she’s willing to do just about anything to make sure the dinner she’ll no doubt be talked into having with them is as short as possible. the less time spent around them, the better her overall mindset. closed ft. @lcthariox

he shifts uneasily on his feet, isn’t quite sure what he’s in store for here though he is happy to be spending time with her despite appearances. but that little voice in the back of his mind is causing havoc, whispers fears and what-ifs that make him squirm. in his more rational moments, he laughs off the worry, convinces himself there’s no way someone as amazing as teddy could actually have any romantic interest in him of all people. it's a relief, or so he tells himself. though he can't seem to shake off the sinking feeling it creates in the pit of his stomach. “ yeah, ” ace nods, subtly clearing his throat. there's a weak attempt at being enthusiastic, but his heart is pounding in his chest and despite the way he wills it to slow down, it does not. " totally ready. it's just, uh, surprises tend to make me a little on edge. one time in high school i fell victim to a ' surprise ' and it actually ended with me being stuffed into a locker, which, you know . . . not fun, and kinda of a long story and nothing to do with this, or us, so . . . i'll save that for another time, i guess. " he's rambling so much, it takes him a moment to notice that something has been placed on his head. stops for a second, brows crinkled, smile growing. there's no need for worry, is there ? it's her. theodora. theo. teddy. she's a comfort, not a fear. " i'm ready, " he assures now, calmer tone.

LOCATION: sunshine bakery ( after hours ) STATUS: closed / ace auelua @dreamerfms

in all their years of friendship, teddy had never let ace go past the front counter at sunshine. she'd baked plenty of time in her own kitchen and even in his, but something about the ovens here just... felt different. however, when rhodes asked her to make an i'm sorry cake for his friend, it felt like the perfect opportunity to introduce ace to the sunshine workstation. so, she's hoping when she sent the I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE OUR FRIENDSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL text, it's met with excitement and eagerness. yet, he seems to feel tense. the fact that he's blindfolded doesn't seem to add to his excitement. teddy ties her hair back in a low bun and places a hairnet on her head before grabbing one and placing it on ace's. she smiles to herself at just how silly he looks, but it feels unfair to keep all that joy to herself. "okay, are you ready for the big reveal?"

she scoffs, momentarily stunned. it's not what she's expecting, reminiscent of their high school years before they'd befriended one another. an unlikely duo. " wow, okay, harsh much ? " noa is confident in herself, likes who she is despite knowing there's many things she could work on. but she can't help but to falter, feel a twist in her gut. emma is someone she cares for, and to hear such words come from her mouth is hurtful. still, the brunette finds her composure, straightens her spine. " whatever, avoid me forever then. see if i care. this whole mean girl act is such a downer to be around anyway. i won't dull who i am to satisfy you. "

emma  could  recognize  the  voice  all  too  well  by  now;  there's  an  urge  to  turn  around  and  walk  away  when  she  sees  noa  rushing  towards  her,  but  for  some  reason  emma  feels  like  her  feet  are  suddenly  tied  together  and  she  can't  fuckin'  move.  well,  fuck  it,  there's  nothing  she  can  do  about  it  now  that  noa  is  standing  right  in  front  of  her.  “  well,  your  gut's  right.  i  am  avoiding  you,  ”  she  admits,  letting  out  a  sigh  of  defeat.  “  does  anyone  ever  told  you  that  you're  so  fuckin'  annoying  ?  ”  emma  has  to  look  away  for  a  moment,  the  guilt  instantly  catching  up  to  her.  what  else  is  she  supposed  to  say  ?  “  sometimes  i  just  can't  stand  you,  noa.  ”