He Shifts Uneasily On His Feet, Isnt Quite Sure What Hes In Store For Here Though He Is Happy To Be Spending

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?"

" okay, so, fill me in. what's the latest ? " a familiar glee she gets whenever she's asking someone to update her on their life, as if she's somehow entitled to a peak inside. all with good intentions of course, a real desire to know bred from care. " are you single, dating . . . looking ? " closed ft. @tidecorals

“ you know, if you ever get tired of working here, i could find you something else, ” words are spoken as he comes into view of his old friend having just ate at the restaurant with a client. slow smile stretching into place as he shrugs his shoulders. “ though you do have a great phone voice, i’ll give you that. ” closed ft. @sloanetm

he shouldn't be getting stoned. really, he shouldn't. but here he is, lazily turning towards his friend with a half-lidded gaze, and he's grinning, holding back laughter. " dude, i get you. like, really . . . i get you man. it's like if spider-man was swinging through new york, you know, but like . . . he's running low on web juice but he can't stop because he's gotta save the girl, right . . . but like, at any moment he might run outta fumes and face plant right into a hotdog cart. which, you know, hey, not the worst place to land. but i hear new york street food is like a hotspot for food poisoning. " he's talking nonsense at this point, yet it all makes perfect sense in his mind. until the only thing he can actually think about is food. " fuck, i could really go a hotdog right now. ketchup, mustard. maybe even a little sprinkle of cheese. and pickles. god, i love pickles. "

they're both laying on leon's living room floor, high out of their mind. the place reeks of weed, but they're hotboxing so it's okay. "i need to get laid, man," leon chuckles. "i feel like i'm losing my mind." he and ace are good friends and they share similar characteristics, so the blond is sure the other will understand what he means.

@dreamerfms

she hadn't noticed she was frowning, but when the familiar face comes into view it turns into a smile. a little of her stress elevating it's weight from her shoulders. " long time no see, " she teases in return, pretending to glance down at the watch on her wrist, " it's been about, what, four hours ? so much to catch up on. " for someone who wasn't sure if dance was truly what her heart desired, she most certainly couldn't stop herself from being here. in some strange way, dancing was now her comfort. something she's able to lose herself in for hours on end. and she's good at it too — exceptionally so. just like him. " well, i did hear that they're doing swan lake this year. and i know, i know it's a little overdone, but it's still one of my all-time favourites. " and perhaps one of the most challenging, especially considering the lead role of odette would also require her to take on the role of odile too. " but it all depends on who may or may not put themselves forward for siegfried. " nova gives him a look, her lower lip subtly pouting, hopeful and just a little pleading. it’s a look he’s probably seen a thousand times by now, but she can’t help it. there’s no one she trusts more— professionally or personally.

LOCATION: seaglass dance academy STATUS: closed / nova campbell @dreamerfms

the first dance class back after the summer always seemed to be a silly one for the kids. some may find it surprising, but apollo had a great deal of patience for young kids. after pretty much raising his three younger sisters, he realized kids are just about the only people he did have patience for. so innocent, just doing what they were told. plus, he'd be lying if he didn't think it was a little sweet hearing a bunch of tiny voices shout MR. APOLLO !! every time he entered the studio. he bids his students farewell as he gathers his things. once he's walked out the studio he almost collides with nova. "oh hey," he begins, looking her over. "didn't expect you to be here," apollo jokes. they both practically lived at whatever studio was nearby when it wasn't the summer time. "don't tell me you've already got your eyes on roles for this season?"

and if love was contagious, i might be immune to it.

pains like cold water, your brain just gets used to it.

-Noah Kahan